Girl in the News (1940) Movie Script
- Be this all, Miss Blaker?
- I suppose so.
Very good, Ma'am.
I'm going now. I came to say goodbye.
Oh, how very kind and considerate.
I hope the effort hasn't exhausted you.
Then you always were so conscientious.
Quite the model nurse, in fact!
I try, but... what's the use?
Alright, don't let me detain you.
Be a tragedy if you missed your train
Bye.
Anne. Anne!
- Yes?
- Come here!
You musn't go yet. Not yet!
Oh, I've been wicked. Wicked!
- Oh, what is it?
- You know I goaded you into leaving here
Quite deliberately, you know that?
And when you went I hated you.
Wanted to hurt you!
Wanted to make you suffer!
So I took some things of mine. You know
that old bracelet and my silver ring?
Well I put them in your trunk!
And the moment you were gone I was going
to tell the police
things were missing so that they'd have
searched your trunk at the station.
Oh yes! I'm a charming character.
- I don't understand! I've never...
- No, you've been wonderfully good.
It's me. When I see how I've been
changing these last few weeks
I'm frightened. All the time I know I'm
being spiteful and malicious
but I just can't stop myself!
If I could only sleep, Anne, I might be
different.
But I lie here night after night,
thinking the same thing
over and over and over and over again.
It's wearing me out!
And yesterday you refused to let me have
my sleeping tablets!
Don't go, Anne. Don't leave me!
- You know I don't mean it!
- Yes, I know.
- Then you'll stay?
- Yes, of course I'll stay.
Then I'll forget all about it. I'll try
and be different, I promise I will.
- I'll make you a cup of tea.
- You're so good to me, Anne.
Couldn't you let me have my sleeping
tablets now?
- I'll give you one tonight.
- Tonight. One's no good anyhow!
- Well, you know what the doctor said.
- Oh, he's got an obsession about hearts
- There's nothing the matter with mine
- I know, but... orders are orders!
Well I tell you I must have it!
There, now I'm starting again already
I'm sorry.
- Never mind.
- I'm sorry.
Oh Anne! I've been thinking about that
trunk, you must ask the station
- to send it back, my dear.
- Oh, it can wait, can't it?
No I think you ought to telephone Doc, I
won't be happy till it's safe.
You can run over to Mrs Pollett's while
the kettle's boiling.
- You'll be alright?
- Course!
- No, thank you.
- Well, I'm going to.
I'm going to have a lemon.
Members of the jury, the prisoner
at the bar, Anne Graham,
stands indicted with wilful murder of
Gertrude Mary Blaker,
Claw Hill in this county
of the 10th of April 1939
Your duty therefore is to hearken to the
evidence, and true verdict to deliver
whether she be guilty, or not guilty.
Having quarreled with her patient,
the prisoner packs her trunk,
and no doubt feeling that the old lady's
many little kindnesses towards her
merit some slight return
merit some slight return,
she considerately relieves her of the
burden of one or two little trinkets
and packs them too.
Then, suddenly, the prisoner changes
her mind.
She will stay after all!
Members of the jury, you will ask
yourselves - why?
When did you last see Miss Blaker alive?
Miss Blaker sent for me three weeks
before her death.
She wished to amend her will, in order
to leave the accused a bequest.
- And did the accused know about this?
- I don't know.
She was in the next room when it was
discussed.
She- She never told me. I never knew
anything about it.
And I found the key in the prisoner's
handbag, that fitted the medicine chest
- in the deceased's bedroom.
- Is that the key?
It is, my lord.
I came to the conclusion that death was
due to an overdose of Somenol,
- administered several hours before.
- Now, doctor,
you told us that your patient was
bedridden for nearly eighteen months
Would you say it would be possible, for
a woman in her condition
to leave her bed unassisted?
In my opinion, no.
In my opinion old Miss Blaker wasn't
murdered.
My nephew keeps a greengrocer's shop
at Claw Hill so he knows all about it
And he will have it Nurse Graham never
did it.
Lost a lot of customers through arguing
the point, he did.
You see it's not often we get a murder
case down here.
Caused quite a furore in the district,
did it, sir.
They say the case may be over
this afternoon.
Do you think this Nurse Graham will
get off, sir?
I don't know, I'm sure I haven't
followed it.
Oh, thought perhaps you were in
Alminster for the Assizes.
- No.
- Oh, just passing through?
- Mm-hm
- If you're in a commercial line
we've a tidy few commercials
Why don't you look what you're doing,
instead of jabbering about?!
- I'll put some of this on it
- No, it's alright, I'll just pay you.
It's these glasses sir, I think I need
a new pair.
- Yes, why don't you get some?
- I'm going to, next early closing
- I am sorry, sir
- Alright, goodbye
Thank you, I do apologise
But the evidence against her is purely
circumstantial! The doctor has given it
as his opinion, that the dead woman
couldn't have left her bed.
But it was only an opinion! He couldn't
swear that it wasn't possible!
Closing speech for the defence.
If the prisoner were guilty, if she
were guilty I say, what would it imply?
That this girl hears that she's to
receive a trifling legacy,
when a helpless old woman dies. And so,
within a few hours murders her
coldly and deliberately? Members of the
jury, you cannot have it both ways!
Either the prisoner is innocent, or
she's a danger to society!
A homicidal maniac, obsessed by the
idea of gain!
Now you've seen her, you heard her in
the witness box.
Did she for one moment give you
that impression?
Boy! Paper!
- What happened?
- Not guilty.
- Humphries, drop me off at the flat,
will you? - Yes, sir.
- So Stephen got the girl off, eh?
- Yes, jury were only out 20 minutes.
- Came back at 4:30.
- Talking of the 4:30, what won it?
Emm, Chased Harriet. Harper and
Destiny second and third.
Just my luck, as usual.
Not in the first three.
- What did you bet?
- Livewire.
- Short-circuited.
- Ha, ha, ha.
- Oy, oy.
- Sorry, look after Charlie, Smith.
- Alright.
- Aren't you coming with us, Mr Mather?
No, I've got a celebration to attend to.
Smith'll kiss you goodnight.
It won't be the same without you,
Mr Mather!
- That you, Bill?
- Uh-huh.
- Well, I see that girl got off.
- Did she?
- Yes, someone's been very clever.
- Just goes to show.
- Well, congratulations!
- Yes, light up, everybody
I tell you this has given you the
chance you've been waiting for?!
I was lucky to get it. If Hanson hadn't
gone down with flu...
The path to success is paved with other
people's influenza.
- You took your chance like a Marshall
Hall! - I wouldn't say that.
You ought to be able to start up a nice
business.
"Gallows cheated at reasonable rates!"
I'm not sure about cheated, in this case.
Why, don't you think she did it?
There was a doubt. I managed to get
her the benefit of it.
- Pretty strong evidence.
- Circumstantial.
Hmm, very nice too, they should have
called us in, we'd have fixed her!
To the future Lord Chancellor!
- Pretty girl, Nurse Graham.
- Yeah.
- Bill, I wish I knew.
- What?
- Whether she did it or not.
- Does that matter?
- She's done you a good turn.
- Hope so.
Overfilled the bath again this morning.
More trouble.
- Is Mr Farringdon in?
- Yes. Won't you come in?
- What name shall I say?
- Nurse Graham.
Could you wait a moment?
- It's her!
- What?
- It's her!
- What does she want?
Oh I don't know. Probably wants to
borrow a couple of quid.
- I can't see her. Tell her to go away.
- It's too late. She's in!
- Good evening Miss Graham.
- May I see you a moment, Mr Farringdon?
Why certainly, yes, come in.
- Oh, this is Bill Mather, Miss Graham
- How do you do?
- You don't mind if he stays?
- Oh, I'd better be getting off...
- What?
- Oh I've got to, old man,
I've got to get back to the station,
back to work. Goodbye!
- Goodbye!
- Let me take this!
- You'd left the court before I could
see you alone. I only wanted to thank
you for what you did.
Not at all, you made it easy for me!
Why don't you, uh, sit down?
You stood up to the cross-examination
splendidly!
Did I? I didn't feel like it.
- Have a drink.
- I would like a cigarette.
- Yes of course, I... Oh, just a minute!
- Oh please, don't bother!
That's alright, I've got some in here!
- You've had a rotten time.
- Yes.
I haven't quite got used to the feeling
yet. I mean of not being stared at
in that dock any longer.
After all it isn't every day one gets
snatched from the gallows.
- Well, it's over now.
- Yes, it's over.
- Staying in London?
- Yes. I couldn't go back to Claw Hill
People there, I saw the way they
looked at me.
- Probably your imagination.
- I wish it had been.
I was with Miss Blaker for three years,
you know.
I thought they were my friends. If I
hadn't known you were fighting for me
and believing in me I don't think I
could have gone through with it.
That's really what I came to say.
Thank you. I must go now.
- Have you any plans?
- Yes, I've quite made up my mind.
I'm going to forget about the whole
thing and try and get another job.
Didn't think it sounded very convincing
either. Still thanks to you I can try.
- Same sort of job?
- Why not? I've nothing to be ashamed of.
No, naturally, I mean... well, why don't
you go away first for a little while
and get some rest?
I mean there's no hurry, is there,
from the financial angle?
After all, you'll have the money that
Miss Blaker's left you.
- Why not?
- I couldn't, that's all.
Well, you've a clear conscience,
haven't you?
Of course, I...
- You're not certain, either, are you?
- But Miss Graham...
Do you think I can't tell by now?
I'm sorry to have butted in on you like
this. Silly of me
to imagine your defence of me
was sincere
- Wait a minute!
- Once again, thank you for getting me
the benefit of the doubt. I imagine
that's what you'd call it. Goodbye.
Well, thank you for trying.
Yes, I won't be a moment. Bye.
Oh Nurse Graham, I've had a word with
the matron and I'm afraid it's...
it's not possible.
But I thought... as I'd had my training
here.
Oh, you know if it rested with me!
But we have to answer to the governors!
- You see,if we were to take you back...
- I understand
Yes - you've been to the agencies, I
suppose?
- All of them. Well,thank you for trying.
- Not at all.
- Bye
- Goodbye
You, uh, told them all who you were?
Seemed the thing to do.
Hmm, I sometimes wonder whether honesty
is always the best policy,
In certain cases.
- Good luck
- Thank you
- Hello, Sylvia. Any messages for me?
- No, Miss Graham.
Oh, that came through over there,
that's all.
You'll find it very quiet here, just
my wife and myself and the staff.
- But I take it you won't mind that?
- No, not at all.
Your duties won't be very heavy,
just to wheel me about the garden and
laugh at my jokes.
Judith! Oh, you'll have to give me
my medicine.
It doesn't do me any good at all but
it's a very pretty colour.
- Well, how's that all sound to you, hm?
- Too good to be true!
Ah, now that's only one side of the
picture, though.
Sometimes I'm rather out of sorts, then
I'm apt to blast about a bit.
Judith!
Tell you the truth, when I get like that
I'm rather terrifying.
- That scare you at all?
- I don't think so.
I've had quite a lot to do with
violent patients.
- Did you call me, darling?
- Yes dear, here's Nurse Lovell
- Oh, how do you do?
- This is my wife.
I've just been giving Nurse Lovell all
my references.
- Are they satisfactory?
- Yes, very.
- We're going to get on famously,I think
- Splendid!
I suppose I must write to your last
employer.
I'm afraid my last employer died.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
It does happen to some people.
But you needn't worry my dear, it's not
going to happen to me.
My wife's trying to be businesslike,
Miss Lovell.
- She's really completely muddle-headed!
- That's libellous, Edward!
I'm not interested in references!
Your last three selections had wonderful
ones
- they might have written themselves!
- They probably did!
- Can we take it as settled, then?
- Yes, yes.
- Can you possibly start on Monday?
- Yes, I think so.
Good. I'm looking forward to being
pampered.
- Tracy!
- Yes, Madam?
This is Nurse Lovell. She'll be joining
us on Monday.
Very well, Madam.
You may have to get the 9:30 train from
Waterloo, I'll send a car to meet you
at Dorford station
Thank you, Mrs Bentley.
I says to Nurse Lovell, I says, 'Now this
war's started you'll be going off
nursing soldiers!'
And what did she say?
She said 'Maybe I will one day'
I'd go like a shot if I was in her shoes
I can tell you!
I'd make quite a good nurse, tucking
them in at night!
You'd tuck them in, all right!
And what did he say?
Nothing, just pulled a face as long as
your arm, and then she said, simple,
'But I'd rather be here with you' and
he smiled, happy.
I must say it's made a difference to him
her being here.
He hasn't sent his fish back once in
three months!
- And you know what it was before!
- Terrible!
- Good morning!
- Good morning!
- Hello, nurse!
- Time for his medicine?
Yes. I'm driving into the town before
lunch, does anybody want anything?
I could do with a new lipstick if you're
passing Woolworths!
Remarkable how quick it goes now the
militia boys have moved down here!
- Thank you, Tracy.
- I thought Mrs Bentley was going in?
No, she has a headache, she didn't sleep
very well.
She asked me to get Mr Bentley's tobacco
for him.
Oh.
Oh, I quite forgot to tell her what
colour I wanted!
Colour won't matter in the blackout!
Come in!
- May I put up the curtains, Madam?
- Yes, Tracy.
- Did you give her the prescription?
- No.
Why not?
I can't.
Aren't you being just a little foolish,
Judith?
Where is it? Is that it?
I'll give it to her myself before she
goes.
Those two seem to hit it off alright,
don't they? Quite remarkable!
Oh well, it's not a bad thing.
Come on son,bring that back, right back!
- What's happening?
- The opening of the Assizes, Miss.
- Right back!
- I'm in a hurry!
Maybe you are, but the law ain't!
Alright!
- Thank you!
- Thank you.
- Good morning, Nurse Lovell.
- Good morning.
Will you have this prescription made up?
It's for Mrs Bentley.
- Certainly. I'll get it seen to at once.
- Thank you.
- They're waiting.
- Mm-hm.
- I won't keep you long, Nurse Lovell.
- Thank you.
- Is there anything else I can show you?
- No thank you.
Miss Graham? It is you!
I was certain it was! I saw you alongside
in the procession!
- I didn't see you!
- I've come up for the Assizes.
- You're working here?
- Yes, at Camthorpe.
- On the account, nurse?
- Yes, please. I'm in rather a hurry.
I tried to get in touch with you before,
but your solicitors
didn't seem to have your address.
- No, I don't think I gave them any.
- Here you are, Nurse Lovell.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Ma'am. Good morning.
- Well...
- Don't go yet, I'd like to talk to you.
- May I?
- What is it?
You made me feel pretty cheap the last
time we met.
I behaved rather foolishly.
No but I... I'd like to explain, you see
It was my first really important case.
Well I was much too busy patting myself
on the back to take any notice of you
That is, you were just one of the facts
in the case.
You're entitled to your opinion. It
seemed to be shared
by a good many other people.
Well, I suppose I deserve that.
But I want to tell you this. If I ever
had any doubts, they've gone.
- Do you mean that?
- Yes.
That's why I tried to find you. I wanted
to tell you that.
I expect you had a pretty tough time
getting another job, didn't you?
No, not really.
That's why you changed your name.
Didn't want everybody to know who I was
You happy at.. where was it, Camthorpe?
Camthorpe House, yes. Mr and Mrs Bentley
are charming.
Oh, I'm glad. I've often wondered what
you were doing.
Have you?
Hey, miss, you can't park here,
you know!
So sorry, it's my fault.
- Shall we see each other again?
- I don't know!
- Do you ever come up to town?
- Well, I haven't yet.
Well why don't you? Change of scene
would do you good.
You could get the evening off.
- When, next Thursday?
- Thursday?
- We can go to a show
- Look, I must go.
I'll meet you at Waterloo. Oh, that's
yours, isn't it?
Thank you.
Hey, wait a minute! I'm free any time
after six, which train will you be on?
- I don't know,I'll have to look them up
- I'll meet them all!
- Here's your lipstick, Elsie.
- Oh thanks, what kind did you get?
- Scarlet Passion's my usual, but I'm
not particular. - Scarlet Passion!
- Ooh, you never got that at Woolworths'
- No, Hansford Stores.
- How much?
- Nothing,I'll make you a present of it.
Oh, no, really I couldn't. Isn't she
sweet?
Coo! When I get that on I shan't know
myself!
You look as if you'd cut your throat!
Next thing we know the army won't be
good enough for her, she'll be running
after the RAF!
Catch me on that caper, all they can
talk of is airplanes, the army
think of other things!
Yes, well that's not things you ought to
be thinking of, me girl.
You'll be making a name for yourself!
What with that military policeman round
here last Saturday...
Well, how was I to know there was a
soldier hiding in the coal shed?
Don't know, but you were twenty minutes
getting the coal!
Oh there's no harm in having a
boyfriend,surely?
Boyfriend? I wouldn't mind if it stopped
at that, but she's the regimental mascot!
- What's that you got there?
- Mrs Bentley's sleeping tablets.
Thank goodness I don't have to take
nothing of that kind.
- I go to sleep on my own!
- I'm glad to hear that!
- I didn't know you used eye liner?
- Occasionally.
Nail varnish too! I do mine in fuchsia
but it always peels off when I wash up.
You've been splashing out a bit,
haven't you?
Well, I thought I'd get a few things
while I was in the town.
- Going out tonight?
- Not till Thursday.
I must take these up.
- She's got a boyfriend.
- I wonder who it is?
You don't think it's Tracy, do you?
What, 'Don June'? Don't make me laugh!
Nah, if you ask me she aims higher than
the pantry.
It's surprising how fetching a nurse's
uniform is.
I've seen them in the parks talking to
officers and gentlemen.
Old gentlemen too! Never know where you
might finish up.
Your tablets, Mrs Bentley.
Oh,thank you. Put them in my cabinet
will you.
Cause I'm only supposed to take them
tonight.
Mrs Bentley, would it be convenient for
me to leave early on Thursday?
I'd like to go up to London
Thursday? Yes dear, I think so, I don't
see why not. - Thank you.
- Good morning!
- Is it?
- You had a busy night?
- Oh, so-so.
One petty larceny, breaking and entering.
Oh yes, and another IRA bomb!
- Bill!
- Yes?
- Don't do that, old man.
- Oh, sorry!
- About that Palladium show on Thursday?
- Yes, alright, I've booked the seats.
You have? Good, that's fine. Do you mind
if you don't come?
- What? I certainly would, why?
- Because I've asked somebody else!
- You what?
- I knew you wouldn't mind!
You've got a nerve! You know I always go
to a show Thursday after night duty!
Alright, well I'll ring up and book
another seat.
You'd better, otherwise she doesn't go!
Not that nature ever intended me for a
gooseberry.
- Don't worry about that, we'll lose you
after the show! - Thanks!
- Who is she anyway?
- That, my boy, is a leading question!
- Steve!
- Yeah?
A man in your position shouldn't think
of a marriage bed
till he's sitting on a woolsack!
- I see. Good morning.
- Good night!
- Do you know if the doctor's still
with Mr Bentley? - Yes, I think so.
- Ah, I'm sorry, I could have done that
for you. - It's alright.
I looked up that last train from
Waterloo, it's 11:30. - Oh, thank you.
I took a number 2 iron, went flat out
for it!
By Jove, I covered the quarry and landed
plop on the green just by the pin!
- putting it certainly in!
- Wonderful!
- What do you think, Mrs Bentley?
- Hmm? Marvellous!
- I don't believe you're listening!
- Course I was!
- Oh no, I know that far-away gaze!
- Of course I was!
No, you were thinking of something else!
You can't fool me!
- Good afternoon, Nurse
- Good afternoon, Doctor!
Oh, Anne? The last train back tonight's
11:30, did Tracy tell you?
- Yes, thank you!
- Let's see, where were we?
- You were just about to hole your putt
- Oh yes, that's right.
I was steadying myself for the putt.
You can look at the hole, look at the
ball, look at the hole..
- look back to the ball, and...
- and then you hole it, yes?
Ah, no! No, it wasn't as easy as that!
- They've altered the layout since your
time! - Have they?
Yes, remember that side you used to
canter down?
- In between the pines?
- Yes?
- Yes, well you'll never gallop down
there again!
Ha, I mean, I mean they... they've sold
the land
Yes, they've, eh, shifted the tee over
other trees. - Oh, I see.
Well, goodbye then, goodbye, you'll soon
be better. Goodbye!
Goodbye. I'll see you out!
I'm glad those tablets are doing you
good!
- No, no, don't bother I can find my own
way down, thank you! - Sure?
Why doesn't he say what he thinks? Does
he imagine I don't know there's nothing
he can do for me?
I know what he's saying to himself!
'Poor chap, what a tragedy! Must try and
cheer him up!'
- That's what it is!
- Please, Edward!
Oh, I know I'm fixed in this chair for
the rest of my life!
A magnificent vista of years and years!
I could stand it better if only you
complained, Judith!
You're wasting yourself on a man who's
half-dead!
Why don't you live your own life, mine's
finished!
It's rather a nice day, why don'y you go
out for a walk?
Can't be much fun having a husband who's
nothing but a grim bit of furniture!
Oh,what a mess it all is! I wish I could
see the end of it!
- You understand, don't you?
- Yes, I think so.
- You're very young, your life hasn't
been any too easy, has it? - No.
Mr Bentley, I've been meaning to
tell you...
There's something you should know,
something I should have told you before.
Excuse me sir. The car's waiting, you've
only just time to catch the train, Nurse
Oh yes, you mustn't miss that!
- May I tell you later?
- Yes of course. We're friends,aren't we?
You wanting anything, sir?
No thanks, just bring me my tray at the
usual time.
- Oh, don't forget your medicine!
- No, no, I won't.
5 O'clock,Mr Bentley might like his tray
when you're finished with your horoscope
Ok, have some patience!
- I was out when it happened.
- You couldn't have helped him.
Mrs Bentley, I... I don't want to..
stress you at a time like this
but I'm not satisfied.
I can't give a certificate.
What do you mean?
His heart was as sound as yours or mine.
There's no organic reason for this.
This key. I found it lying by his hand.
Do you know it?
Yes, it belongs to my writing desk.
- Oh, what do you keep in there?
- Oh, oddments and writing things
and those tablets you gave me
- Tell me, can you remember how many
you took? - Three, I think.
Yes, I'm certain because I didn't need
them after the first three nights
Three, and there's seven.
There were twenty-five, you know.
- Did your husband know you kept them in
there? - I don't know but...
Well, the symptoms are consistent with
Somenol poisoning.
Only an autopsy can decide. I'm afraid I
shall have to... inform the police.
This is exactly as I found him. Key was
lying here.
I see. Suicide, I'm afraid.
Well sir, we know that he was left alone
at 4 o'clock, the tablets were in
his wife's room.
Now then, suppose we reconstruct.
- Oh, half a second, let me do that
- Alright. I'll get out
- Wait a mo, caught my coat. Alright?
- There we are.
- Wait a minute, I'll hold it for you
at the back - Okay.
- There you are.
- Right.
Now, I'm left alone... what next?
Depression, sudden impulse to suicide.
- Remembers tablets in wife's room
- Mmm, wheels himself to door
- Ah. Uh Constable? Wheel me down the
passage, will you?
- Was he often in the dumps?
- He had moments of depression.
Down the corridor, and into his wife's
room, that's right.
Won't go through
- He couldn't have walked, I suppose?
- No, impossible.
You don't think?
Constable, get me off here, will you?
- Your sandwiches
- Ah, thank you
- Well, it couldn't have been suicide.
- No.
And you can't take fifteen tablets
without knowing it.
I say, it's nasty, isn't it?
Aye, can't understand it.
If it was given to him without his
knowledge,it must have been in something
Yes, well, it wasn't in his supper.
Anything?
I think so.
- Well who gives him his medicine?
- The nurse, Nurse Lovell, but..
there wasn't any motive!
- That's the noise they make when
they're laying! - What're they laying?
- He's late!
- Yes, he said he might be.
Mr Farringdon? Mr Mather asks can you
spare a minute in the bar?
Yes, alright.
If you don't mind, I won't be a minute.
Hello Bill! Aren't you coming in
Don't you know I'm a policeman, a public
scavenger, old man?
- A glorified lavatory man? Give me
another sausage, miss!- What's the matter?
Urgent job. Police car's picking me up
here in a mo.
In order to make thoroughly certain of
ruining my evening, the victim selfishly
got himself bumped off
thirty miles away!
- Murder?
- Mmm. Have an onion.
Oh, of course. They're not in your line
at the moment.
Dorford police called us in. Just
near there.
Quiet little place called Camthorpe!
Who was the victim? Anyone important?
Um, fellow called Rogers? No, Bentley.
That's right, Bentley. Poison.
Poison?
Do they know who did it?
Hear that? We shall have to clean this
place up!
All I know is, somebody fed him with
enough tablets to put an elephant to sleep!
- Oh, there you are, Mather. Ready?
- Yes, sir.
Sorry I couldn't meet the girlfriend,
Steve.
- I was only fooling. My sister.
- Thought she'd evacuated?
- Yes, but she came up to town for a
day's shopping. -Well give her my love.
Oh, by the way, shan't be back tonight,
we're putting up at the local
- So long, Steve
- So long!
You don't need to look over there, the
cow comes out here!
- Where's your friend?
- He couldn't stop.
Had to go out on a job.
I think I told you, he's a police
officer.
- Any more trains down from London
tonight? - Only the 11:30.
Gets here at 12:10.
- I'll get my bus stop.
- Taxi!
Waterloo station.
By the way. You haven't told me, how's
the job going?
Oh, very well!
- And Mr Bentley?
- Why, he's grand. You'd like him.
Do they know you're coming down on
this train?
Mm-hm. They're sending the car to meet
me at Dorford.
That looks like an empty one!
Yes, well. Thank you for everything, I
haven't enjoyed myself so much for a
long time.
Oh, my goodness!
That's the platform one!
Look, I'm not keeping you or anything,
am I? I mean, if you want to get away.
No, no, you'll be off in a moment.
Dorford only!
You do know it's first stop Dorford,
don't you?
Of course, why?
- I wonder whether you were wise.
- Wise?
- To take another job as a nurse.
- What do you mean?
Well, suppose the same thing happened all
over again. Where would you be then?
Have you ever thought of that?
Aren't you being rather morbid?
- Stranger things have happened.
- Look, I thought all this was forgotten
It was a mistake for me to come up here.
Anne!
You can't go back! Listen to me!
Bentley's dead!
Poison. Police are down there now.
Hey, what's the idea of dragging people
off a moving train?
- Well, can't you see she's fainted?
- I'm not surprised!
- Let me tell you there's a...
- Look, I saw she was taken ill before
the train moved out,I couldn't leave
her! I'm a doctor, get me a taxi, quick!
Go straight in
Sit down a minute.
- It isn't true, it can't be!
- Yes, it is. Bill told me.
- He told you?
- Yes.
Oh it's alright, he didn't know you
were with me.
- If he told you, then you knew in the
theatre when you came back! - Yes
You thought it was me, didn't you?
That's why you kept questioning me.
That's why you almost let me go!
This makes me a homicidal maniac,
doesn't it?
- Anne, all the time... - It must be
very embarrassing for you, having a
- double murderess on your hands!
- Listen to me!
All the time I was trying not to believe
it, and then when I saw you going away
on that train, I knew you were innocent.
I know it!
Do you understand that, Anne?
- Yes.
- Very well.
- What can have happened?
- You don't know of anything?
- How did you get the job?
- I answered an advertisement.
They think I did it!
We're talking in the dark, you may not
be involved at all!
But suppose I am? Steven, I should go
back!
- Not yet!
- But what will they think if I don't?
- If they don't suspect you, they'll
think nothing! - Perhaps they do!
Then I'll take the responsibility. Now
look,if I'm going to help you in this thing
I must be on the ground floor. I've got
to know as much as the police know.
I want you to tell me everything that's
happened since you took the job.
- If she's not on this, we're unlucky
- Yes.
- Seems to be about the lot.
- Evidently thought better of it.
Come on.
That brings us to this morning.
Now then.
What was the last time you saw
Mr Bentley today?
It's Bill!
In there, quick, that's my room!
Don't worry, I'll take care of him.
- Just in?
- Come, yes, that's all right!
Hello, Bill!
Oh, there you are, Steven!
- Umm, this is Farringdon, sir. Chief
Inspector Mawdsley - How do you do?
- What was it, a false alarm?
- Far from it, take a look at that!
Your old friend Nurse Graham, I believe!
Certainly looks like her.
That's her alright. She calls herself
Lovell now.
That was taken on the terrace at
Camthorpe, couple of weeks ago!
Camthorpe?
Yes, you talked them into the wrong
verdict that day at Alminster Assizes!
- Whisky, Inspector?
- Thanks!
She got the job three months ago. It's
a carbon copy of the Blaker murder!
Which she didn't commit!
- Which this surely proves she did
commit, Mr Farringdon! - Of course!
- What was her motive in the Blaker case?
- You mean her alleged motive?
Well, don't split hairs, old man!
Oh, what do you want, Bill?
Cigarette!
Well don't switch the light on because I
haven't blacked out the window!
Oh, OK.
The two cases are identical!
- Remember the old girl's legacy and
those things found in the trunk? -Yes but
Point one - Bentley shoved a codicil in
his will last week leaving her 200!
- You sure?
- Seen it!
Point two, there's twenty-five quid in
notes missing,
Point three, there was a clumsy attempt
to make it look like suicide.
But only a fool would attempt the same
thing twice!
Fool,or somebody with a kink. For my part
I'd sooner be nursed by a rattlesnake!
- Mather thinks you might be able to
help us! - Me? How?
- Well, she was a client of yours,
wasn't she? - Uh-huh
Can you tell us where we might be able
to pick her up?
Why, isn't she under arrest?
No, she went out this afternoon and
didn't come back!
Well, I'm afraid I can't help you there.
I've not seen her since the last business
We're practically certain she's
somewhere in London.
With 8 million other people!
Well, we appear to have drawn a blank.
Thanks all the same.
Not at all. I suppose you've put out her
description?
Yes, we're watching every part of town.
This is only a matter of time.
See you out, Sir.
- Good night, Mr Farringdon.
- Good night!
There's no point in doing them now, you
may as well catch a few hours sleep!
Thank you, sir.
Just a minute, sir. Goodbye then!
Don't bother to come down.
- Good night!
- Good night.
Well, this promises to be a very
interesting case. Hey?
Yes, very interesting.
- Might do be a bit of good! And won't
do you any harm. - No
- And as...
- Bill, I'm awfully tired.
I've got to go north first train in
the morning to see a client, so...
- All right, I'll be up at 6.
- Good night.
- Good night, old man.
- Steven, what are they trying to do?
- Shh, give me your bag!
- How much did you have in here?
- Oh, two pounds and some silver.
Give me your coat, quick!
Someone in that house wanted Bentley out
of the way without risking their own neck!
When you took that job, you walked right
into it!
Bentley was talked into putting that
codicil into his will.
- Can't believe anybody could do such a
thing! - Can't you?
I heard Bill say there was some money
missing.
Somebody put this twenty-five pounds
in your coat!
And we've got to find out who, and why!
Anyway, this'll be one grounds for it!
I'm going back. I've got to face them!
You're going back, but not to face them.
We've got to have first-hand information
and Camthorpe is
the one place where we can get it!
I can't go there without being
recognised!
Depends on how you travel and where you
stay! See that?
That's my mansion on wheels, I've got it
parked in the builder's yard down the road
Come on!
And picture on back page of Sergeant
Mather entering Mr Bentley's house!
Pity they didn't get me coming out,
might have seen what I looked like!
- Message for you Sergeant, coming
through now! - Read it!
Proceed at once to Waterloo. Ticket
collector and taxi man report girl
- answering description seen there last
night! - Sounds like something!
Waterloo, Jim, step on it!
- Perhaps this'll help you?
- That's her all right!
- Is this the girl you drove home last
night? - Think so, Guv.
- Remember she came over queer and the
gent helped her! - Where'd you take 'em?
Let me see, I drove three or four
couples last night.
- I dropped one pair at a little hotel
just off Leicester Square! - Yes?
Nah, it wasn't them.
I've got it!
- The fella with her kept directing me
all the way! - Where?
- Now, you must remember that!
- It was in the blackout, don't forget!
- Could you take me there again?
- I might!
Mind you, I don't pride meself on being
a homing pigeon, but..
Alright, I'll take care of this. Smith,
get a statement from him. Come on!
It was sharp right,somewhere about here.
This is it! Here we are, sir. Right at
the very door!
- Here? - Correct. I recognise the iron
staircase, sir!
Yes, so do I.
Where have you sprung from?
- Could you let me have some water?
- Water?
Yes, I'm camping in the fields back
there and, as this was the nearest house
I thought, eh...
Well, it isn't, there's a farm the other
side that's nearer.
Well, perhaps this time, you wouldn't
mind if...
Oh, ok. There's the tap. Wipe your boots
first!
Just a sec. Sure you're not a newspaper
reporter in disguise?
Me? Oh, wish I was. Why, you expecting
one?
Haven't you heard what happened?
- No, believe I could guess though.
- What?
Wouldn't surprise me if you hadn't won
one of these beauty competitions!
You're being soppy!
- Miss Camthorpe 1940, how's that?
- You're being soppy, you know you are!
- Alright, what is it then?
- You'll never guess!
- We've had a terrible murder!
- Here?
The master was poisoned to death in the
best bedroom.
That's why I thought you might be from
the papers. I gave a lovely interview
yesterday.
Yes, I did notice a policeman outside!
We've had all the heads of Scotland Yard
down here!
- Asking questions about his nurse, they
were! - Really?
She's been going about the country
poisoning people for years.
- I heard them say so!
- No!
There you are. 'Camthorpe Mystery -
Nurse Missing'. That's her.
Always knew there was something funny
about her!
I'd never have taken her on if I was Mrs
Bentley!
Well, perhaps she didn't know that she'd
been going around poisoning people!
Course she didn't, soppy! None of us
did. She changed her name, see!
I keep getting a cold shiver down me
back when I think of the number
of times she mixed our cocoa for supper,
it makes you think, doesn't it?
- Yes, it does, doesn't it?
- That's right!
Oh well, they do say time's a great
healer!
- Perhaps Mrs, eh, Thing will marry
again! - Not her!
Why, she never so much as looked at
another man. No, the widow was devoted
to the deceased... like it says on
page 4!
This gentleman's just come for some
water, he's camping down the road!
Oh, you can get some down at the farm,
you know.
Yes, so she told me. I'll go there next
time.
- I'm just going down to the barber's
for a shave - OK!
- Weren't you down here last year?
- No, it's my first time this way. Why?
Oh it's funny. I thought I had seen your
face somewhere before, that's all.
Who's that? One of the family?
Him? Oh, he's only the butler. But what
a fusspot!
You know he's too much of a gent to
shave himself.
Goes to the barbers' twice a day, if you
please!
Always looking at his soppy face in the
mirror. 'Don June', I call him!
Doesn't like it, neither!
- He seemed to think he met you before!
- Yes, I can't think where.
Must have been an awful shock for him,
Mr Bentley dying like that!
Yes, he couldn't stop talking about it.
I've never seen him show any
human feelings before.
I don't like cold people, do you?
No, not very much. Well, I must be
getting along.
- Thank you
- Oh, don't mention it
- Are you down here by yourself?
- Yes!
Don't you ever get sort of lonely, all
by yourself in a tent?
Uh, yes. Sometimes.
I walk up that way quite often.
You're wanted!
They'll have to wait!
Well!
Tracy?
Yes. He knew me, Anne.
- And you didn't recognise him?
- Hmm? No.
But if he'd seen me...
Supposing he was in court during your
trial at Alminster?
That's possible...
Steven, he needn't have been there, he
could have seen you anywhere else.
- How can you be sure?
- No, we can't yet.
Who advertised for a nurse? Mrs Bentley!
Who sent you for that prescription? And
who took that photograph?
She did, ten days ago.
Yes. And the police recognised you as
Nurse Graham from that!
So will hundreds of other people.
That's all very convenient.
That's why we've got to stop this case
before it gets to court.
Steven, they seemed so happy together,
she was devoted to him!
Alright, well look at it this way.
She was tied to a helpless invalid years
older than herself.
She engaged you, she sent you for the
prescription...
You say she didn't touch the medicine?
Did Tracy?
- Nope
- You sure?
I suppose he could have done. The
medicine was mixed with hot water.
He was in the kitchen when I went for
the kettle.
But we haven't got an item of proof!
We've got nothing that the police will
listen to for five minutes!
- It's no use deceiving ourselves. So
what we will... - Steven!
Please let me say this while we're still
alone.
Whatever happens, I'll always be
grateful to you.
Better put your hat and coat on.
- Bill.. - By rights I ought to take
you along too, as an accessory.
How did you find us?
Didn't you hand in this petrol coupon
at Dorford?
She's innocent, Bill.
Listen Steve, you keep out of this,
she'll get a fair trial.
- After the Blaker case?
- You know we can't bring that up again!
The moment her picture gets in the
papers everybody will know who she is!
The whole case will be stiff with
prejudice!
So you're going to defend her again?
- Sorry.
- OK, I wish you luck!
- Any luck?
- None at all.
This one's of the Alminster Assize Court
taken on the day of the trial.
I thought if Tracy had been there in the
crowd somewhere the camera might have
picked him up.
- Rather clutching at straws,aren't you?
- Well, what else can I do?
- What's the time?
- Nearly 3 o'clock.
- Only 7 hours before we're in court.
- And we haven't a case to go on!
You can't allege conspiracy with no
evidence to support it!
Well there's nothing left to do. It's
the truth.
I know, but you can't prove it. And to
be honest Farringdon, we've no defence.
Then we'll attack. It's our only chance.
We've got no defence, we must attack.
Prisoner at the bar!
You are indicted that on the fifth day
of October of last year
you did wilfully, with malice
aforethought,
kill and murder Edward Bentley. How say
you, are you guilty or not guilty?
Not guilty.
May it please Your Lordship, and members
of the jury.
Before I open the case for the
prosecution,
I must remind you that it is your solemn
duty to consider the evidence
without prejudice of any kind.
Remembering that we are solely concerned
with the facts
directly connected with this case
- Impressive, isn't it?
- Dreadfully!
When you think they're giving a woman
like that a perfectly fair trial!
Everybody in the jury must know she
did it!
What date would that be?
The entry is under the 24th, Somenol
tablets,
as per Dr Threadgrove's prescription.
And you can positively identify the
prisoner as the person who called for them?
- I can.
- Thank you.
Call Mr Mather!
William Mather!
- You recognise this key?
- I do.
It's the key of the writing desk in which
the tablets were kept.
Did you test it for fingerprints?
Yes. I was present when the results were
compared with the prints taken
from the prisoner.
And what did you discover?
- They coincided exactly.
- Thank you.
Call Elsie Matilda Wrench!
Elsie Matilda Wrench!
Just before she went out, the deceased
said, 'we're good friends, aren't we?'
- he said, 'Yes', she said.
- And what happened then?
The prisoner said goodbye, then she
stopped in the doorway.
'Why, you've forgotten your medicine!'
she said, and he smiled and drank it.
Course I was awfully upset afterwards,
awfully!
I couldn't so much as look at me food
for days!
Must we have details of her emotional
and digestive processes?
I don't think so, m'lord. Thank you.
No questions.
Stand down, please!
Call Dr Threadgrove!
I came to the conclusion that the
symptoms were
those of Somenol poisoning.
For the benefit of the layman, I might
explain...
Yes, we shall have that from the analyst
If you can contrive to be less verbose,
do so, doctor. Do so.
Now doctor, will you tell the court
where you found that key?
- It was lying on the table about half..
- Speak up, speak up!
It was lying on the table about half an
inch from the deceased's hand.
- It appeared to be a case of suicide.
- Are you still of that opinion?
No, I was present when the Chief
Constable discovered that the patient's
wheelchair would not pass through the
door into the other room.
If it assists, m'lord, we're prepared to
accept that the deceased
couldn't have committed suicide
May I ask, Mr Farringdon, if the defence
will be one of accident?
No, m'lord, I shall not suggest that Mr
Bentley met his death
by any form of accident
I see. Thank you, Mr Farringdon.
Thank you, doctor.
No questions.
That will do. Stand down, doctor.
I call Judith Bentley.
Call Judith Bentley!
Judith Bentley!
And then, Mrs Bentley?
When I came back I already told you my
husband... was dead.
I needn't say, Mrs Bentley, that you
have the sympathy of the court.
We're anxious to spare you all we can.
Now, and reverting to those tablets,
did anyone besides yourself know where
they were kept?
Must I answer that?
I'm afraid so, Mrs Bentley.
Only the prisoner.
This alteration to your husband's will,
- He added a codicil leaving a bequest
to the prisoner? - Yes.
Can you tell us if the prisoner knew?
Yes, my husband told her at lunch the
next day.
That's not true!
- The prisoner must remain silent.
- But he didn't tell me, he didn't!
Continue.
When did your husband tell her?
The week before he died.
Thank you.
Mrs Bentley, when you first engaged
the prisoner,
did you know that she had previously been
tried for murder at the Alminster Assizes?
Mr Farringdon, you must consider what
you're saying!
We're not concerned with what may have
happened prior to this case!
With respect, m'lord, we're very much
concerned with it!
But surely you must be aware that such
reference may gravely
prejudice your client's case?
I submit that her case is already
prejudiced!
That is a most improper remark.
But justified, m'lord! This was issued
the day after the arrest
by the Daily Gazette. 'Nurse Graham
Charged'.
The addition of one word, the word
'again' and the Daily Gazette would have
committed contempt of court.
But m'lord, that word wasn't necessary.
It was common gossip
who Nurse Graham was,
that she had stood her trial at Alminster
on a charge of wilful murder!
This is altogether incredible!
M'Lord, there can hardly be one person in
this court who is not aware of the facts!
The accused was acquitted on the
previous charge, and comes here as
an innocent person.
The jury will remember that.
May I speak, your Lordship?
I'd sooner face the truth, I have every
confidence in my counsel.
Your Lordship, may I proceed?
Hmm. Very well.
I asked you, Mrs Bentley, if you were
aware
that the prisoner had figured in a
murder trial before?
If I had been, I obviously shouldn't
have engaged her.
- You'd not even heard of the case?
- No, I hadn't.
But you do know now that the prisoner
was accused on that occasion
of poisoning a helpless invalid?
Yes.
Shortly after she had been informed that
she was to benefit under her patient's
will?
Yes.
And the same circumstances now repeat
themselves!
So that whether the prisoner was innocent
or not, she was certain to be suspected?
Answer, please!
I don't know, I...
Why am I being asked all these questions?
I, I've told you everything I know.
We must hope that the object of
counsel's questions will emerge...?
M'lord, I intend to establish that there
was full knowledge
of the prisoner's identity before she
went to Camthorpe!
Mr Farringdon, do I understand that you
are suggesting some kind of
conspiracy against the accused?
I shall, m'lord.
The defence, m'lord, will be a total
denial of guilt.
I shall suggest that another person: I
am not allowed to be more precise,
administered the tablets.
You will be calling evidence in support
of that allegation?
- That is my intention.
- Proceed.
You sent an advertisement to the Daily
Gazette advertising for a nurse?
Yes, my husband asked me to
And the prisoner answered it?
There were a number of replies.
But you selected the prisoner's reply?
- Yes.
- Why?
- Well, she seemed the most suitable
- For your purpose?
M'lord, I object to that question!
The witness is not bound to answer if it
tends to incriminate her in any way.
'Apply etc to Mrs Bentley sending
photograph'. Why the photograph?
There was no particular reason.
It wasn't so that you could tell which
was the prisoner's letter of
application should she
adopt another name?
No!
Did you send a paper with this
advertisement marked to the prisoner?
Then can you tell us who did?
I told you I didn't know her, I.. I'd
never even seen her.
But someone in your house had!
Not true! No-one had!
How can you say that? How do you know?
I...
I suggest that you, or another person
with your knowledge,
sent it to the prisoner with the object
of getting her into your employment,
knowing that if your husband were to
meet his death in the same manner,
she would be suspected!
M'lord, I object!
Counsel has accepted full responsibility
for his cross-examination, Sir John.
Is that so, Mrs Bentley?
Answer me!
It's not true. None of it is true.
I've said again and again that... I'd
neither seen, nor, nor heard of
the accused before she came to us.
If I'd known who she was, I should
hardly have employed her!
Whatever you try to make me say, I can
only tell the truth.
I loved my husband.
M'lord, I really must protest, the
witness has suffered great distress since
quite right Sir John... the limits of
a cross-examination...
And I fear that Mr Farringdon is not
helping his client's case.
I beg Your Lordship's pardon.
Have you any more questions to ask this
witness?
No thank you, m'lord.
I feel Sir John that this would be a
convenient moment to adjourn.
Members of the jury, the hearing will be
resumed at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
All persons having anything further to
do before m'lord the King's Justice
may now depart and give their attendance
here tomorrow morning at 10:30.
God save the King, and m'lord the
King's Justice!
- Mr Tracy?
- Yeah?
You'll probably be our first witness
tomorrow.
Oh, thank you.
I could do with a cup of tea. There's a
nice little cafe around the corner.
- What do you say, Don June?
- No thanks.
Your lawyer to see you.
Where's Mr Farringdon?
- Didn't he send a message?
- No.
Curious. He left the court in a hurry,
I assumed...
But he promised to see me!
Well then, he's certain to come back!
Meanwhile, there are one or two matters
we must discuss.
Why don't you tell me the truth? He
hasn't the heart to face me after
what happened this afternoon.
Well, I'm sure that's not really so.
Come Miss Graham, everything's
going to be alright.
Now the first witness tomorrow will be
the butler, Tracy.
I just want to run over what you said
to him.
- Does Mr Fetherwood still own this shop?
- Yes, I'm Mrs Fetherwood.
Oh well.. I'm sorry to trouble you, Mrs
Fetherwood, but could I have a word
- with your husband?
- Why?
- It's a matter of extreme importance.
- Of course. James!
It's in connection with a murder trial
that took place here a short while ago.
Well, I'm sure he'll help you if he can.
There's just a chance that he might
be able to identify somebody.
Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible now.
You see, two months ago he went blind.
Somebody want me, my dear?
Now Mr Tracy, how long were you in Mr
Bentley's service?
Just a little over two years, sir.
Would you describe the Bentleys as a
devoted couple?
- Well, that was the general impression,
sir. - I see.
Now, there is something I must ask you
because of certain suggestions
that have been put forward.
Had you ever seen the accused before she
came to Camthorpe?
No, sir, never.
- Had anyone else, to your knowledge?
- No, sir.
At that time, had you, or any other
person, to your knowledge,
ever heard of the Graham case?
Not that I remember, sir. I was never
much of a one for the penny press!
Thank you.
Tell me Mr Tracy, is it true that you
shave twice a day?
I trust you're not intending to be
frivolous, Mr Farringdon?
No indeed, my lord.
Is it your practice to visit a barber
twice a day for a shave?
Well, now that you come to mention it,
yes it is.
I find one obtains a better shave by
using the old-fashioned cut-throat.
Though of course I wouldn't care to
handle one myself!
I really cannot conceive how the witness'
toilet can possibly be of importance!
As Your Lordship pleases.
Have you ever taken a holiday since you've
been in service at Camthorpe House?
No, I've never felt the need of one.
Then you were never away from Camthorpe,
that is, for any length of time?
No, never.
Do you recall where you were on the
19th of June last?
Well, at this distance of time, no.
Do you know that the prisoner was standing
her trial at Alminster on that day?
No.
Then I may take it as a fact that you
were not in Alminster on June the 19th?
You may, yes.
- Have you ever been to Alminster?
- No, never in my life.
You're quite certain of that?
Quite certain, yes.
Then who shaved you on the morning of
June the 19th?
Is that the man?
He's the hairdresser at Alminster, m'lord,
I intend to call him at the proper time.
Look at him, Tracy! Look at him
carefully!
Very well, Mr Fetherwood, you may
retire.
Now then, Tracy, had you seen that man
before?
No, never.
Would it surprise you to hear that he's
already recognised you as the man
he shaved on the last day of the
prisoner's trial at Alminster?
Answer me!
Did you hear the question?
I suggest, that on the morning of the
19th you visited his shop only a
few yards from the court where the trial
was being held!
Is that so?
Answer me!
Judith! Judith!
And before the witness Judith Bentley
died, she made a statement on oath,
a copy of which Your Lordship has seen.
Accordingly no further evidence will be
offered on behalf of the prosecution,
And I respectfully ask Your Lordship to
consider the direction to the jury,
of a verdict of not guilty.
Very well.
I think you want me, don't you?
Robert Tracy, I have a warrant for your
arrest in connection with the murder
of Edward Bentley, and I must..
It's alright, I know all about that!
It's rather bad luck sir, don't you
think, to be recognised by somebody
who's only seen you once?
- Our train goes at seven, James.
- Once again, thank you Mr Fetherwood
Bless you, it was nothing, nothing
at all.
Do you remember my dear, I always said
she didn't do it... - Yes, always...
- Here, take him to the car.
- Alright.
Taxi!
- How long's he been blind?
- Two months.
Then he couldn't have identified Tracy!
No, I could never have put him in the
witness box. Coming?
- I suppose so.
Very good, Ma'am.
I'm going now. I came to say goodbye.
Oh, how very kind and considerate.
I hope the effort hasn't exhausted you.
Then you always were so conscientious.
Quite the model nurse, in fact!
I try, but... what's the use?
Alright, don't let me detain you.
Be a tragedy if you missed your train
Bye.
Anne. Anne!
- Yes?
- Come here!
You musn't go yet. Not yet!
Oh, I've been wicked. Wicked!
- Oh, what is it?
- You know I goaded you into leaving here
Quite deliberately, you know that?
And when you went I hated you.
Wanted to hurt you!
Wanted to make you suffer!
So I took some things of mine. You know
that old bracelet and my silver ring?
Well I put them in your trunk!
And the moment you were gone I was going
to tell the police
things were missing so that they'd have
searched your trunk at the station.
Oh yes! I'm a charming character.
- I don't understand! I've never...
- No, you've been wonderfully good.
It's me. When I see how I've been
changing these last few weeks
I'm frightened. All the time I know I'm
being spiteful and malicious
but I just can't stop myself!
If I could only sleep, Anne, I might be
different.
But I lie here night after night,
thinking the same thing
over and over and over and over again.
It's wearing me out!
And yesterday you refused to let me have
my sleeping tablets!
Don't go, Anne. Don't leave me!
- You know I don't mean it!
- Yes, I know.
- Then you'll stay?
- Yes, of course I'll stay.
Then I'll forget all about it. I'll try
and be different, I promise I will.
- I'll make you a cup of tea.
- You're so good to me, Anne.
Couldn't you let me have my sleeping
tablets now?
- I'll give you one tonight.
- Tonight. One's no good anyhow!
- Well, you know what the doctor said.
- Oh, he's got an obsession about hearts
- There's nothing the matter with mine
- I know, but... orders are orders!
Well I tell you I must have it!
There, now I'm starting again already
I'm sorry.
- Never mind.
- I'm sorry.
Oh Anne! I've been thinking about that
trunk, you must ask the station
- to send it back, my dear.
- Oh, it can wait, can't it?
No I think you ought to telephone Doc, I
won't be happy till it's safe.
You can run over to Mrs Pollett's while
the kettle's boiling.
- You'll be alright?
- Course!
- No, thank you.
- Well, I'm going to.
I'm going to have a lemon.
Members of the jury, the prisoner
at the bar, Anne Graham,
stands indicted with wilful murder of
Gertrude Mary Blaker,
Claw Hill in this county
of the 10th of April 1939
Your duty therefore is to hearken to the
evidence, and true verdict to deliver
whether she be guilty, or not guilty.
Having quarreled with her patient,
the prisoner packs her trunk,
and no doubt feeling that the old lady's
many little kindnesses towards her
merit some slight return
merit some slight return,
she considerately relieves her of the
burden of one or two little trinkets
and packs them too.
Then, suddenly, the prisoner changes
her mind.
She will stay after all!
Members of the jury, you will ask
yourselves - why?
When did you last see Miss Blaker alive?
Miss Blaker sent for me three weeks
before her death.
She wished to amend her will, in order
to leave the accused a bequest.
- And did the accused know about this?
- I don't know.
She was in the next room when it was
discussed.
She- She never told me. I never knew
anything about it.
And I found the key in the prisoner's
handbag, that fitted the medicine chest
- in the deceased's bedroom.
- Is that the key?
It is, my lord.
I came to the conclusion that death was
due to an overdose of Somenol,
- administered several hours before.
- Now, doctor,
you told us that your patient was
bedridden for nearly eighteen months
Would you say it would be possible, for
a woman in her condition
to leave her bed unassisted?
In my opinion, no.
In my opinion old Miss Blaker wasn't
murdered.
My nephew keeps a greengrocer's shop
at Claw Hill so he knows all about it
And he will have it Nurse Graham never
did it.
Lost a lot of customers through arguing
the point, he did.
You see it's not often we get a murder
case down here.
Caused quite a furore in the district,
did it, sir.
They say the case may be over
this afternoon.
Do you think this Nurse Graham will
get off, sir?
I don't know, I'm sure I haven't
followed it.
Oh, thought perhaps you were in
Alminster for the Assizes.
- No.
- Oh, just passing through?
- Mm-hm
- If you're in a commercial line
we've a tidy few commercials
Why don't you look what you're doing,
instead of jabbering about?!
- I'll put some of this on it
- No, it's alright, I'll just pay you.
It's these glasses sir, I think I need
a new pair.
- Yes, why don't you get some?
- I'm going to, next early closing
- I am sorry, sir
- Alright, goodbye
Thank you, I do apologise
But the evidence against her is purely
circumstantial! The doctor has given it
as his opinion, that the dead woman
couldn't have left her bed.
But it was only an opinion! He couldn't
swear that it wasn't possible!
Closing speech for the defence.
If the prisoner were guilty, if she
were guilty I say, what would it imply?
That this girl hears that she's to
receive a trifling legacy,
when a helpless old woman dies. And so,
within a few hours murders her
coldly and deliberately? Members of the
jury, you cannot have it both ways!
Either the prisoner is innocent, or
she's a danger to society!
A homicidal maniac, obsessed by the
idea of gain!
Now you've seen her, you heard her in
the witness box.
Did she for one moment give you
that impression?
Boy! Paper!
- What happened?
- Not guilty.
- Humphries, drop me off at the flat,
will you? - Yes, sir.
- So Stephen got the girl off, eh?
- Yes, jury were only out 20 minutes.
- Came back at 4:30.
- Talking of the 4:30, what won it?
Emm, Chased Harriet. Harper and
Destiny second and third.
Just my luck, as usual.
Not in the first three.
- What did you bet?
- Livewire.
- Short-circuited.
- Ha, ha, ha.
- Oy, oy.
- Sorry, look after Charlie, Smith.
- Alright.
- Aren't you coming with us, Mr Mather?
No, I've got a celebration to attend to.
Smith'll kiss you goodnight.
It won't be the same without you,
Mr Mather!
- That you, Bill?
- Uh-huh.
- Well, I see that girl got off.
- Did she?
- Yes, someone's been very clever.
- Just goes to show.
- Well, congratulations!
- Yes, light up, everybody
I tell you this has given you the
chance you've been waiting for?!
I was lucky to get it. If Hanson hadn't
gone down with flu...
The path to success is paved with other
people's influenza.
- You took your chance like a Marshall
Hall! - I wouldn't say that.
You ought to be able to start up a nice
business.
"Gallows cheated at reasonable rates!"
I'm not sure about cheated, in this case.
Why, don't you think she did it?
There was a doubt. I managed to get
her the benefit of it.
- Pretty strong evidence.
- Circumstantial.
Hmm, very nice too, they should have
called us in, we'd have fixed her!
To the future Lord Chancellor!
- Pretty girl, Nurse Graham.
- Yeah.
- Bill, I wish I knew.
- What?
- Whether she did it or not.
- Does that matter?
- She's done you a good turn.
- Hope so.
Overfilled the bath again this morning.
More trouble.
- Is Mr Farringdon in?
- Yes. Won't you come in?
- What name shall I say?
- Nurse Graham.
Could you wait a moment?
- It's her!
- What?
- It's her!
- What does she want?
Oh I don't know. Probably wants to
borrow a couple of quid.
- I can't see her. Tell her to go away.
- It's too late. She's in!
- Good evening Miss Graham.
- May I see you a moment, Mr Farringdon?
Why certainly, yes, come in.
- Oh, this is Bill Mather, Miss Graham
- How do you do?
- You don't mind if he stays?
- Oh, I'd better be getting off...
- What?
- Oh I've got to, old man,
I've got to get back to the station,
back to work. Goodbye!
- Goodbye!
- Let me take this!
- You'd left the court before I could
see you alone. I only wanted to thank
you for what you did.
Not at all, you made it easy for me!
Why don't you, uh, sit down?
You stood up to the cross-examination
splendidly!
Did I? I didn't feel like it.
- Have a drink.
- I would like a cigarette.
- Yes of course, I... Oh, just a minute!
- Oh please, don't bother!
That's alright, I've got some in here!
- You've had a rotten time.
- Yes.
I haven't quite got used to the feeling
yet. I mean of not being stared at
in that dock any longer.
After all it isn't every day one gets
snatched from the gallows.
- Well, it's over now.
- Yes, it's over.
- Staying in London?
- Yes. I couldn't go back to Claw Hill
People there, I saw the way they
looked at me.
- Probably your imagination.
- I wish it had been.
I was with Miss Blaker for three years,
you know.
I thought they were my friends. If I
hadn't known you were fighting for me
and believing in me I don't think I
could have gone through with it.
That's really what I came to say.
Thank you. I must go now.
- Have you any plans?
- Yes, I've quite made up my mind.
I'm going to forget about the whole
thing and try and get another job.
Didn't think it sounded very convincing
either. Still thanks to you I can try.
- Same sort of job?
- Why not? I've nothing to be ashamed of.
No, naturally, I mean... well, why don't
you go away first for a little while
and get some rest?
I mean there's no hurry, is there,
from the financial angle?
After all, you'll have the money that
Miss Blaker's left you.
- Why not?
- I couldn't, that's all.
Well, you've a clear conscience,
haven't you?
Of course, I...
- You're not certain, either, are you?
- But Miss Graham...
Do you think I can't tell by now?
I'm sorry to have butted in on you like
this. Silly of me
to imagine your defence of me
was sincere
- Wait a minute!
- Once again, thank you for getting me
the benefit of the doubt. I imagine
that's what you'd call it. Goodbye.
Well, thank you for trying.
Yes, I won't be a moment. Bye.
Oh Nurse Graham, I've had a word with
the matron and I'm afraid it's...
it's not possible.
But I thought... as I'd had my training
here.
Oh, you know if it rested with me!
But we have to answer to the governors!
- You see,if we were to take you back...
- I understand
Yes - you've been to the agencies, I
suppose?
- All of them. Well,thank you for trying.
- Not at all.
- Bye
- Goodbye
You, uh, told them all who you were?
Seemed the thing to do.
Hmm, I sometimes wonder whether honesty
is always the best policy,
In certain cases.
- Good luck
- Thank you
- Hello, Sylvia. Any messages for me?
- No, Miss Graham.
Oh, that came through over there,
that's all.
You'll find it very quiet here, just
my wife and myself and the staff.
- But I take it you won't mind that?
- No, not at all.
Your duties won't be very heavy,
just to wheel me about the garden and
laugh at my jokes.
Judith! Oh, you'll have to give me
my medicine.
It doesn't do me any good at all but
it's a very pretty colour.
- Well, how's that all sound to you, hm?
- Too good to be true!
Ah, now that's only one side of the
picture, though.
Sometimes I'm rather out of sorts, then
I'm apt to blast about a bit.
Judith!
Tell you the truth, when I get like that
I'm rather terrifying.
- That scare you at all?
- I don't think so.
I've had quite a lot to do with
violent patients.
- Did you call me, darling?
- Yes dear, here's Nurse Lovell
- Oh, how do you do?
- This is my wife.
I've just been giving Nurse Lovell all
my references.
- Are they satisfactory?
- Yes, very.
- We're going to get on famously,I think
- Splendid!
I suppose I must write to your last
employer.
I'm afraid my last employer died.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
It does happen to some people.
But you needn't worry my dear, it's not
going to happen to me.
My wife's trying to be businesslike,
Miss Lovell.
- She's really completely muddle-headed!
- That's libellous, Edward!
I'm not interested in references!
Your last three selections had wonderful
ones
- they might have written themselves!
- They probably did!
- Can we take it as settled, then?
- Yes, yes.
- Can you possibly start on Monday?
- Yes, I think so.
Good. I'm looking forward to being
pampered.
- Tracy!
- Yes, Madam?
This is Nurse Lovell. She'll be joining
us on Monday.
Very well, Madam.
You may have to get the 9:30 train from
Waterloo, I'll send a car to meet you
at Dorford station
Thank you, Mrs Bentley.
I says to Nurse Lovell, I says, 'Now this
war's started you'll be going off
nursing soldiers!'
And what did she say?
She said 'Maybe I will one day'
I'd go like a shot if I was in her shoes
I can tell you!
I'd make quite a good nurse, tucking
them in at night!
You'd tuck them in, all right!
And what did he say?
Nothing, just pulled a face as long as
your arm, and then she said, simple,
'But I'd rather be here with you' and
he smiled, happy.
I must say it's made a difference to him
her being here.
He hasn't sent his fish back once in
three months!
- And you know what it was before!
- Terrible!
- Good morning!
- Good morning!
- Hello, nurse!
- Time for his medicine?
Yes. I'm driving into the town before
lunch, does anybody want anything?
I could do with a new lipstick if you're
passing Woolworths!
Remarkable how quick it goes now the
militia boys have moved down here!
- Thank you, Tracy.
- I thought Mrs Bentley was going in?
No, she has a headache, she didn't sleep
very well.
She asked me to get Mr Bentley's tobacco
for him.
Oh.
Oh, I quite forgot to tell her what
colour I wanted!
Colour won't matter in the blackout!
Come in!
- May I put up the curtains, Madam?
- Yes, Tracy.
- Did you give her the prescription?
- No.
Why not?
I can't.
Aren't you being just a little foolish,
Judith?
Where is it? Is that it?
I'll give it to her myself before she
goes.
Those two seem to hit it off alright,
don't they? Quite remarkable!
Oh well, it's not a bad thing.
Come on son,bring that back, right back!
- What's happening?
- The opening of the Assizes, Miss.
- Right back!
- I'm in a hurry!
Maybe you are, but the law ain't!
Alright!
- Thank you!
- Thank you.
- Good morning, Nurse Lovell.
- Good morning.
Will you have this prescription made up?
It's for Mrs Bentley.
- Certainly. I'll get it seen to at once.
- Thank you.
- They're waiting.
- Mm-hm.
- I won't keep you long, Nurse Lovell.
- Thank you.
- Is there anything else I can show you?
- No thank you.
Miss Graham? It is you!
I was certain it was! I saw you alongside
in the procession!
- I didn't see you!
- I've come up for the Assizes.
- You're working here?
- Yes, at Camthorpe.
- On the account, nurse?
- Yes, please. I'm in rather a hurry.
I tried to get in touch with you before,
but your solicitors
didn't seem to have your address.
- No, I don't think I gave them any.
- Here you are, Nurse Lovell.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Ma'am. Good morning.
- Well...
- Don't go yet, I'd like to talk to you.
- May I?
- What is it?
You made me feel pretty cheap the last
time we met.
I behaved rather foolishly.
No but I... I'd like to explain, you see
It was my first really important case.
Well I was much too busy patting myself
on the back to take any notice of you
That is, you were just one of the facts
in the case.
You're entitled to your opinion. It
seemed to be shared
by a good many other people.
Well, I suppose I deserve that.
But I want to tell you this. If I ever
had any doubts, they've gone.
- Do you mean that?
- Yes.
That's why I tried to find you. I wanted
to tell you that.
I expect you had a pretty tough time
getting another job, didn't you?
No, not really.
That's why you changed your name.
Didn't want everybody to know who I was
You happy at.. where was it, Camthorpe?
Camthorpe House, yes. Mr and Mrs Bentley
are charming.
Oh, I'm glad. I've often wondered what
you were doing.
Have you?
Hey, miss, you can't park here,
you know!
So sorry, it's my fault.
- Shall we see each other again?
- I don't know!
- Do you ever come up to town?
- Well, I haven't yet.
Well why don't you? Change of scene
would do you good.
You could get the evening off.
- When, next Thursday?
- Thursday?
- We can go to a show
- Look, I must go.
I'll meet you at Waterloo. Oh, that's
yours, isn't it?
Thank you.
Hey, wait a minute! I'm free any time
after six, which train will you be on?
- I don't know,I'll have to look them up
- I'll meet them all!
- Here's your lipstick, Elsie.
- Oh thanks, what kind did you get?
- Scarlet Passion's my usual, but I'm
not particular. - Scarlet Passion!
- Ooh, you never got that at Woolworths'
- No, Hansford Stores.
- How much?
- Nothing,I'll make you a present of it.
Oh, no, really I couldn't. Isn't she
sweet?
Coo! When I get that on I shan't know
myself!
You look as if you'd cut your throat!
Next thing we know the army won't be
good enough for her, she'll be running
after the RAF!
Catch me on that caper, all they can
talk of is airplanes, the army
think of other things!
Yes, well that's not things you ought to
be thinking of, me girl.
You'll be making a name for yourself!
What with that military policeman round
here last Saturday...
Well, how was I to know there was a
soldier hiding in the coal shed?
Don't know, but you were twenty minutes
getting the coal!
Oh there's no harm in having a
boyfriend,surely?
Boyfriend? I wouldn't mind if it stopped
at that, but she's the regimental mascot!
- What's that you got there?
- Mrs Bentley's sleeping tablets.
Thank goodness I don't have to take
nothing of that kind.
- I go to sleep on my own!
- I'm glad to hear that!
- I didn't know you used eye liner?
- Occasionally.
Nail varnish too! I do mine in fuchsia
but it always peels off when I wash up.
You've been splashing out a bit,
haven't you?
Well, I thought I'd get a few things
while I was in the town.
- Going out tonight?
- Not till Thursday.
I must take these up.
- She's got a boyfriend.
- I wonder who it is?
You don't think it's Tracy, do you?
What, 'Don June'? Don't make me laugh!
Nah, if you ask me she aims higher than
the pantry.
It's surprising how fetching a nurse's
uniform is.
I've seen them in the parks talking to
officers and gentlemen.
Old gentlemen too! Never know where you
might finish up.
Your tablets, Mrs Bentley.
Oh,thank you. Put them in my cabinet
will you.
Cause I'm only supposed to take them
tonight.
Mrs Bentley, would it be convenient for
me to leave early on Thursday?
I'd like to go up to London
Thursday? Yes dear, I think so, I don't
see why not. - Thank you.
- Good morning!
- Is it?
- You had a busy night?
- Oh, so-so.
One petty larceny, breaking and entering.
Oh yes, and another IRA bomb!
- Bill!
- Yes?
- Don't do that, old man.
- Oh, sorry!
- About that Palladium show on Thursday?
- Yes, alright, I've booked the seats.
You have? Good, that's fine. Do you mind
if you don't come?
- What? I certainly would, why?
- Because I've asked somebody else!
- You what?
- I knew you wouldn't mind!
You've got a nerve! You know I always go
to a show Thursday after night duty!
Alright, well I'll ring up and book
another seat.
You'd better, otherwise she doesn't go!
Not that nature ever intended me for a
gooseberry.
- Don't worry about that, we'll lose you
after the show! - Thanks!
- Who is she anyway?
- That, my boy, is a leading question!
- Steve!
- Yeah?
A man in your position shouldn't think
of a marriage bed
till he's sitting on a woolsack!
- I see. Good morning.
- Good night!
- Do you know if the doctor's still
with Mr Bentley? - Yes, I think so.
- Ah, I'm sorry, I could have done that
for you. - It's alright.
I looked up that last train from
Waterloo, it's 11:30. - Oh, thank you.
I took a number 2 iron, went flat out
for it!
By Jove, I covered the quarry and landed
plop on the green just by the pin!
- putting it certainly in!
- Wonderful!
- What do you think, Mrs Bentley?
- Hmm? Marvellous!
- I don't believe you're listening!
- Course I was!
- Oh no, I know that far-away gaze!
- Of course I was!
No, you were thinking of something else!
You can't fool me!
- Good afternoon, Nurse
- Good afternoon, Doctor!
Oh, Anne? The last train back tonight's
11:30, did Tracy tell you?
- Yes, thank you!
- Let's see, where were we?
- You were just about to hole your putt
- Oh yes, that's right.
I was steadying myself for the putt.
You can look at the hole, look at the
ball, look at the hole..
- look back to the ball, and...
- and then you hole it, yes?
Ah, no! No, it wasn't as easy as that!
- They've altered the layout since your
time! - Have they?
Yes, remember that side you used to
canter down?
- In between the pines?
- Yes?
- Yes, well you'll never gallop down
there again!
Ha, I mean, I mean they... they've sold
the land
Yes, they've, eh, shifted the tee over
other trees. - Oh, I see.
Well, goodbye then, goodbye, you'll soon
be better. Goodbye!
Goodbye. I'll see you out!
I'm glad those tablets are doing you
good!
- No, no, don't bother I can find my own
way down, thank you! - Sure?
Why doesn't he say what he thinks? Does
he imagine I don't know there's nothing
he can do for me?
I know what he's saying to himself!
'Poor chap, what a tragedy! Must try and
cheer him up!'
- That's what it is!
- Please, Edward!
Oh, I know I'm fixed in this chair for
the rest of my life!
A magnificent vista of years and years!
I could stand it better if only you
complained, Judith!
You're wasting yourself on a man who's
half-dead!
Why don't you live your own life, mine's
finished!
It's rather a nice day, why don'y you go
out for a walk?
Can't be much fun having a husband who's
nothing but a grim bit of furniture!
Oh,what a mess it all is! I wish I could
see the end of it!
- You understand, don't you?
- Yes, I think so.
- You're very young, your life hasn't
been any too easy, has it? - No.
Mr Bentley, I've been meaning to
tell you...
There's something you should know,
something I should have told you before.
Excuse me sir. The car's waiting, you've
only just time to catch the train, Nurse
Oh yes, you mustn't miss that!
- May I tell you later?
- Yes of course. We're friends,aren't we?
You wanting anything, sir?
No thanks, just bring me my tray at the
usual time.
- Oh, don't forget your medicine!
- No, no, I won't.
5 O'clock,Mr Bentley might like his tray
when you're finished with your horoscope
Ok, have some patience!
- I was out when it happened.
- You couldn't have helped him.
Mrs Bentley, I... I don't want to..
stress you at a time like this
but I'm not satisfied.
I can't give a certificate.
What do you mean?
His heart was as sound as yours or mine.
There's no organic reason for this.
This key. I found it lying by his hand.
Do you know it?
Yes, it belongs to my writing desk.
- Oh, what do you keep in there?
- Oh, oddments and writing things
and those tablets you gave me
- Tell me, can you remember how many
you took? - Three, I think.
Yes, I'm certain because I didn't need
them after the first three nights
Three, and there's seven.
There were twenty-five, you know.
- Did your husband know you kept them in
there? - I don't know but...
Well, the symptoms are consistent with
Somenol poisoning.
Only an autopsy can decide. I'm afraid I
shall have to... inform the police.
This is exactly as I found him. Key was
lying here.
I see. Suicide, I'm afraid.
Well sir, we know that he was left alone
at 4 o'clock, the tablets were in
his wife's room.
Now then, suppose we reconstruct.
- Oh, half a second, let me do that
- Alright. I'll get out
- Wait a mo, caught my coat. Alright?
- There we are.
- Wait a minute, I'll hold it for you
at the back - Okay.
- There you are.
- Right.
Now, I'm left alone... what next?
Depression, sudden impulse to suicide.
- Remembers tablets in wife's room
- Mmm, wheels himself to door
- Ah. Uh Constable? Wheel me down the
passage, will you?
- Was he often in the dumps?
- He had moments of depression.
Down the corridor, and into his wife's
room, that's right.
Won't go through
- He couldn't have walked, I suppose?
- No, impossible.
You don't think?
Constable, get me off here, will you?
- Your sandwiches
- Ah, thank you
- Well, it couldn't have been suicide.
- No.
And you can't take fifteen tablets
without knowing it.
I say, it's nasty, isn't it?
Aye, can't understand it.
If it was given to him without his
knowledge,it must have been in something
Yes, well, it wasn't in his supper.
Anything?
I think so.
- Well who gives him his medicine?
- The nurse, Nurse Lovell, but..
there wasn't any motive!
- That's the noise they make when
they're laying! - What're they laying?
- He's late!
- Yes, he said he might be.
Mr Farringdon? Mr Mather asks can you
spare a minute in the bar?
Yes, alright.
If you don't mind, I won't be a minute.
Hello Bill! Aren't you coming in
Don't you know I'm a policeman, a public
scavenger, old man?
- A glorified lavatory man? Give me
another sausage, miss!- What's the matter?
Urgent job. Police car's picking me up
here in a mo.
In order to make thoroughly certain of
ruining my evening, the victim selfishly
got himself bumped off
thirty miles away!
- Murder?
- Mmm. Have an onion.
Oh, of course. They're not in your line
at the moment.
Dorford police called us in. Just
near there.
Quiet little place called Camthorpe!
Who was the victim? Anyone important?
Um, fellow called Rogers? No, Bentley.
That's right, Bentley. Poison.
Poison?
Do they know who did it?
Hear that? We shall have to clean this
place up!
All I know is, somebody fed him with
enough tablets to put an elephant to sleep!
- Oh, there you are, Mather. Ready?
- Yes, sir.
Sorry I couldn't meet the girlfriend,
Steve.
- I was only fooling. My sister.
- Thought she'd evacuated?
- Yes, but she came up to town for a
day's shopping. -Well give her my love.
Oh, by the way, shan't be back tonight,
we're putting up at the local
- So long, Steve
- So long!
You don't need to look over there, the
cow comes out here!
- Where's your friend?
- He couldn't stop.
Had to go out on a job.
I think I told you, he's a police
officer.
- Any more trains down from London
tonight? - Only the 11:30.
Gets here at 12:10.
- I'll get my bus stop.
- Taxi!
Waterloo station.
By the way. You haven't told me, how's
the job going?
Oh, very well!
- And Mr Bentley?
- Why, he's grand. You'd like him.
Do they know you're coming down on
this train?
Mm-hm. They're sending the car to meet
me at Dorford.
That looks like an empty one!
Yes, well. Thank you for everything, I
haven't enjoyed myself so much for a
long time.
Oh, my goodness!
That's the platform one!
Look, I'm not keeping you or anything,
am I? I mean, if you want to get away.
No, no, you'll be off in a moment.
Dorford only!
You do know it's first stop Dorford,
don't you?
Of course, why?
- I wonder whether you were wise.
- Wise?
- To take another job as a nurse.
- What do you mean?
Well, suppose the same thing happened all
over again. Where would you be then?
Have you ever thought of that?
Aren't you being rather morbid?
- Stranger things have happened.
- Look, I thought all this was forgotten
It was a mistake for me to come up here.
Anne!
You can't go back! Listen to me!
Bentley's dead!
Poison. Police are down there now.
Hey, what's the idea of dragging people
off a moving train?
- Well, can't you see she's fainted?
- I'm not surprised!
- Let me tell you there's a...
- Look, I saw she was taken ill before
the train moved out,I couldn't leave
her! I'm a doctor, get me a taxi, quick!
Go straight in
Sit down a minute.
- It isn't true, it can't be!
- Yes, it is. Bill told me.
- He told you?
- Yes.
Oh it's alright, he didn't know you
were with me.
- If he told you, then you knew in the
theatre when you came back! - Yes
You thought it was me, didn't you?
That's why you kept questioning me.
That's why you almost let me go!
This makes me a homicidal maniac,
doesn't it?
- Anne, all the time... - It must be
very embarrassing for you, having a
- double murderess on your hands!
- Listen to me!
All the time I was trying not to believe
it, and then when I saw you going away
on that train, I knew you were innocent.
I know it!
Do you understand that, Anne?
- Yes.
- Very well.
- What can have happened?
- You don't know of anything?
- How did you get the job?
- I answered an advertisement.
They think I did it!
We're talking in the dark, you may not
be involved at all!
But suppose I am? Steven, I should go
back!
- Not yet!
- But what will they think if I don't?
- If they don't suspect you, they'll
think nothing! - Perhaps they do!
Then I'll take the responsibility. Now
look,if I'm going to help you in this thing
I must be on the ground floor. I've got
to know as much as the police know.
I want you to tell me everything that's
happened since you took the job.
- If she's not on this, we're unlucky
- Yes.
- Seems to be about the lot.
- Evidently thought better of it.
Come on.
That brings us to this morning.
Now then.
What was the last time you saw
Mr Bentley today?
It's Bill!
In there, quick, that's my room!
Don't worry, I'll take care of him.
- Just in?
- Come, yes, that's all right!
Hello, Bill!
Oh, there you are, Steven!
- Umm, this is Farringdon, sir. Chief
Inspector Mawdsley - How do you do?
- What was it, a false alarm?
- Far from it, take a look at that!
Your old friend Nurse Graham, I believe!
Certainly looks like her.
That's her alright. She calls herself
Lovell now.
That was taken on the terrace at
Camthorpe, couple of weeks ago!
Camthorpe?
Yes, you talked them into the wrong
verdict that day at Alminster Assizes!
- Whisky, Inspector?
- Thanks!
She got the job three months ago. It's
a carbon copy of the Blaker murder!
Which she didn't commit!
- Which this surely proves she did
commit, Mr Farringdon! - Of course!
- What was her motive in the Blaker case?
- You mean her alleged motive?
Well, don't split hairs, old man!
Oh, what do you want, Bill?
Cigarette!
Well don't switch the light on because I
haven't blacked out the window!
Oh, OK.
The two cases are identical!
- Remember the old girl's legacy and
those things found in the trunk? -Yes but
Point one - Bentley shoved a codicil in
his will last week leaving her 200!
- You sure?
- Seen it!
Point two, there's twenty-five quid in
notes missing,
Point three, there was a clumsy attempt
to make it look like suicide.
But only a fool would attempt the same
thing twice!
Fool,or somebody with a kink. For my part
I'd sooner be nursed by a rattlesnake!
- Mather thinks you might be able to
help us! - Me? How?
- Well, she was a client of yours,
wasn't she? - Uh-huh
Can you tell us where we might be able
to pick her up?
Why, isn't she under arrest?
No, she went out this afternoon and
didn't come back!
Well, I'm afraid I can't help you there.
I've not seen her since the last business
We're practically certain she's
somewhere in London.
With 8 million other people!
Well, we appear to have drawn a blank.
Thanks all the same.
Not at all. I suppose you've put out her
description?
Yes, we're watching every part of town.
This is only a matter of time.
See you out, Sir.
- Good night, Mr Farringdon.
- Good night!
There's no point in doing them now, you
may as well catch a few hours sleep!
Thank you, sir.
Just a minute, sir. Goodbye then!
Don't bother to come down.
- Good night!
- Good night.
Well, this promises to be a very
interesting case. Hey?
Yes, very interesting.
- Might do be a bit of good! And won't
do you any harm. - No
- And as...
- Bill, I'm awfully tired.
I've got to go north first train in
the morning to see a client, so...
- All right, I'll be up at 6.
- Good night.
- Good night, old man.
- Steven, what are they trying to do?
- Shh, give me your bag!
- How much did you have in here?
- Oh, two pounds and some silver.
Give me your coat, quick!
Someone in that house wanted Bentley out
of the way without risking their own neck!
When you took that job, you walked right
into it!
Bentley was talked into putting that
codicil into his will.
- Can't believe anybody could do such a
thing! - Can't you?
I heard Bill say there was some money
missing.
Somebody put this twenty-five pounds
in your coat!
And we've got to find out who, and why!
Anyway, this'll be one grounds for it!
I'm going back. I've got to face them!
You're going back, but not to face them.
We've got to have first-hand information
and Camthorpe is
the one place where we can get it!
I can't go there without being
recognised!
Depends on how you travel and where you
stay! See that?
That's my mansion on wheels, I've got it
parked in the builder's yard down the road
Come on!
And picture on back page of Sergeant
Mather entering Mr Bentley's house!
Pity they didn't get me coming out,
might have seen what I looked like!
- Message for you Sergeant, coming
through now! - Read it!
Proceed at once to Waterloo. Ticket
collector and taxi man report girl
- answering description seen there last
night! - Sounds like something!
Waterloo, Jim, step on it!
- Perhaps this'll help you?
- That's her all right!
- Is this the girl you drove home last
night? - Think so, Guv.
- Remember she came over queer and the
gent helped her! - Where'd you take 'em?
Let me see, I drove three or four
couples last night.
- I dropped one pair at a little hotel
just off Leicester Square! - Yes?
Nah, it wasn't them.
I've got it!
- The fella with her kept directing me
all the way! - Where?
- Now, you must remember that!
- It was in the blackout, don't forget!
- Could you take me there again?
- I might!
Mind you, I don't pride meself on being
a homing pigeon, but..
Alright, I'll take care of this. Smith,
get a statement from him. Come on!
It was sharp right,somewhere about here.
This is it! Here we are, sir. Right at
the very door!
- Here? - Correct. I recognise the iron
staircase, sir!
Yes, so do I.
Where have you sprung from?
- Could you let me have some water?
- Water?
Yes, I'm camping in the fields back
there and, as this was the nearest house
I thought, eh...
Well, it isn't, there's a farm the other
side that's nearer.
Well, perhaps this time, you wouldn't
mind if...
Oh, ok. There's the tap. Wipe your boots
first!
Just a sec. Sure you're not a newspaper
reporter in disguise?
Me? Oh, wish I was. Why, you expecting
one?
Haven't you heard what happened?
- No, believe I could guess though.
- What?
Wouldn't surprise me if you hadn't won
one of these beauty competitions!
You're being soppy!
- Miss Camthorpe 1940, how's that?
- You're being soppy, you know you are!
- Alright, what is it then?
- You'll never guess!
- We've had a terrible murder!
- Here?
The master was poisoned to death in the
best bedroom.
That's why I thought you might be from
the papers. I gave a lovely interview
yesterday.
Yes, I did notice a policeman outside!
We've had all the heads of Scotland Yard
down here!
- Asking questions about his nurse, they
were! - Really?
She's been going about the country
poisoning people for years.
- I heard them say so!
- No!
There you are. 'Camthorpe Mystery -
Nurse Missing'. That's her.
Always knew there was something funny
about her!
I'd never have taken her on if I was Mrs
Bentley!
Well, perhaps she didn't know that she'd
been going around poisoning people!
Course she didn't, soppy! None of us
did. She changed her name, see!
I keep getting a cold shiver down me
back when I think of the number
of times she mixed our cocoa for supper,
it makes you think, doesn't it?
- Yes, it does, doesn't it?
- That's right!
Oh well, they do say time's a great
healer!
- Perhaps Mrs, eh, Thing will marry
again! - Not her!
Why, she never so much as looked at
another man. No, the widow was devoted
to the deceased... like it says on
page 4!
This gentleman's just come for some
water, he's camping down the road!
Oh, you can get some down at the farm,
you know.
Yes, so she told me. I'll go there next
time.
- I'm just going down to the barber's
for a shave - OK!
- Weren't you down here last year?
- No, it's my first time this way. Why?
Oh it's funny. I thought I had seen your
face somewhere before, that's all.
Who's that? One of the family?
Him? Oh, he's only the butler. But what
a fusspot!
You know he's too much of a gent to
shave himself.
Goes to the barbers' twice a day, if you
please!
Always looking at his soppy face in the
mirror. 'Don June', I call him!
Doesn't like it, neither!
- He seemed to think he met you before!
- Yes, I can't think where.
Must have been an awful shock for him,
Mr Bentley dying like that!
Yes, he couldn't stop talking about it.
I've never seen him show any
human feelings before.
I don't like cold people, do you?
No, not very much. Well, I must be
getting along.
- Thank you
- Oh, don't mention it
- Are you down here by yourself?
- Yes!
Don't you ever get sort of lonely, all
by yourself in a tent?
Uh, yes. Sometimes.
I walk up that way quite often.
You're wanted!
They'll have to wait!
Well!
Tracy?
Yes. He knew me, Anne.
- And you didn't recognise him?
- Hmm? No.
But if he'd seen me...
Supposing he was in court during your
trial at Alminster?
That's possible...
Steven, he needn't have been there, he
could have seen you anywhere else.
- How can you be sure?
- No, we can't yet.
Who advertised for a nurse? Mrs Bentley!
Who sent you for that prescription? And
who took that photograph?
She did, ten days ago.
Yes. And the police recognised you as
Nurse Graham from that!
So will hundreds of other people.
That's all very convenient.
That's why we've got to stop this case
before it gets to court.
Steven, they seemed so happy together,
she was devoted to him!
Alright, well look at it this way.
She was tied to a helpless invalid years
older than herself.
She engaged you, she sent you for the
prescription...
You say she didn't touch the medicine?
Did Tracy?
- Nope
- You sure?
I suppose he could have done. The
medicine was mixed with hot water.
He was in the kitchen when I went for
the kettle.
But we haven't got an item of proof!
We've got nothing that the police will
listen to for five minutes!
- It's no use deceiving ourselves. So
what we will... - Steven!
Please let me say this while we're still
alone.
Whatever happens, I'll always be
grateful to you.
Better put your hat and coat on.
- Bill.. - By rights I ought to take
you along too, as an accessory.
How did you find us?
Didn't you hand in this petrol coupon
at Dorford?
She's innocent, Bill.
Listen Steve, you keep out of this,
she'll get a fair trial.
- After the Blaker case?
- You know we can't bring that up again!
The moment her picture gets in the
papers everybody will know who she is!
The whole case will be stiff with
prejudice!
So you're going to defend her again?
- Sorry.
- OK, I wish you luck!
- Any luck?
- None at all.
This one's of the Alminster Assize Court
taken on the day of the trial.
I thought if Tracy had been there in the
crowd somewhere the camera might have
picked him up.
- Rather clutching at straws,aren't you?
- Well, what else can I do?
- What's the time?
- Nearly 3 o'clock.
- Only 7 hours before we're in court.
- And we haven't a case to go on!
You can't allege conspiracy with no
evidence to support it!
Well there's nothing left to do. It's
the truth.
I know, but you can't prove it. And to
be honest Farringdon, we've no defence.
Then we'll attack. It's our only chance.
We've got no defence, we must attack.
Prisoner at the bar!
You are indicted that on the fifth day
of October of last year
you did wilfully, with malice
aforethought,
kill and murder Edward Bentley. How say
you, are you guilty or not guilty?
Not guilty.
May it please Your Lordship, and members
of the jury.
Before I open the case for the
prosecution,
I must remind you that it is your solemn
duty to consider the evidence
without prejudice of any kind.
Remembering that we are solely concerned
with the facts
directly connected with this case
- Impressive, isn't it?
- Dreadfully!
When you think they're giving a woman
like that a perfectly fair trial!
Everybody in the jury must know she
did it!
What date would that be?
The entry is under the 24th, Somenol
tablets,
as per Dr Threadgrove's prescription.
And you can positively identify the
prisoner as the person who called for them?
- I can.
- Thank you.
Call Mr Mather!
William Mather!
- You recognise this key?
- I do.
It's the key of the writing desk in which
the tablets were kept.
Did you test it for fingerprints?
Yes. I was present when the results were
compared with the prints taken
from the prisoner.
And what did you discover?
- They coincided exactly.
- Thank you.
Call Elsie Matilda Wrench!
Elsie Matilda Wrench!
Just before she went out, the deceased
said, 'we're good friends, aren't we?'
- he said, 'Yes', she said.
- And what happened then?
The prisoner said goodbye, then she
stopped in the doorway.
'Why, you've forgotten your medicine!'
she said, and he smiled and drank it.
Course I was awfully upset afterwards,
awfully!
I couldn't so much as look at me food
for days!
Must we have details of her emotional
and digestive processes?
I don't think so, m'lord. Thank you.
No questions.
Stand down, please!
Call Dr Threadgrove!
I came to the conclusion that the
symptoms were
those of Somenol poisoning.
For the benefit of the layman, I might
explain...
Yes, we shall have that from the analyst
If you can contrive to be less verbose,
do so, doctor. Do so.
Now doctor, will you tell the court
where you found that key?
- It was lying on the table about half..
- Speak up, speak up!
It was lying on the table about half an
inch from the deceased's hand.
- It appeared to be a case of suicide.
- Are you still of that opinion?
No, I was present when the Chief
Constable discovered that the patient's
wheelchair would not pass through the
door into the other room.
If it assists, m'lord, we're prepared to
accept that the deceased
couldn't have committed suicide
May I ask, Mr Farringdon, if the defence
will be one of accident?
No, m'lord, I shall not suggest that Mr
Bentley met his death
by any form of accident
I see. Thank you, Mr Farringdon.
Thank you, doctor.
No questions.
That will do. Stand down, doctor.
I call Judith Bentley.
Call Judith Bentley!
Judith Bentley!
And then, Mrs Bentley?
When I came back I already told you my
husband... was dead.
I needn't say, Mrs Bentley, that you
have the sympathy of the court.
We're anxious to spare you all we can.
Now, and reverting to those tablets,
did anyone besides yourself know where
they were kept?
Must I answer that?
I'm afraid so, Mrs Bentley.
Only the prisoner.
This alteration to your husband's will,
- He added a codicil leaving a bequest
to the prisoner? - Yes.
Can you tell us if the prisoner knew?
Yes, my husband told her at lunch the
next day.
That's not true!
- The prisoner must remain silent.
- But he didn't tell me, he didn't!
Continue.
When did your husband tell her?
The week before he died.
Thank you.
Mrs Bentley, when you first engaged
the prisoner,
did you know that she had previously been
tried for murder at the Alminster Assizes?
Mr Farringdon, you must consider what
you're saying!
We're not concerned with what may have
happened prior to this case!
With respect, m'lord, we're very much
concerned with it!
But surely you must be aware that such
reference may gravely
prejudice your client's case?
I submit that her case is already
prejudiced!
That is a most improper remark.
But justified, m'lord! This was issued
the day after the arrest
by the Daily Gazette. 'Nurse Graham
Charged'.
The addition of one word, the word
'again' and the Daily Gazette would have
committed contempt of court.
But m'lord, that word wasn't necessary.
It was common gossip
who Nurse Graham was,
that she had stood her trial at Alminster
on a charge of wilful murder!
This is altogether incredible!
M'Lord, there can hardly be one person in
this court who is not aware of the facts!
The accused was acquitted on the
previous charge, and comes here as
an innocent person.
The jury will remember that.
May I speak, your Lordship?
I'd sooner face the truth, I have every
confidence in my counsel.
Your Lordship, may I proceed?
Hmm. Very well.
I asked you, Mrs Bentley, if you were
aware
that the prisoner had figured in a
murder trial before?
If I had been, I obviously shouldn't
have engaged her.
- You'd not even heard of the case?
- No, I hadn't.
But you do know now that the prisoner
was accused on that occasion
of poisoning a helpless invalid?
Yes.
Shortly after she had been informed that
she was to benefit under her patient's
will?
Yes.
And the same circumstances now repeat
themselves!
So that whether the prisoner was innocent
or not, she was certain to be suspected?
Answer, please!
I don't know, I...
Why am I being asked all these questions?
I, I've told you everything I know.
We must hope that the object of
counsel's questions will emerge...?
M'lord, I intend to establish that there
was full knowledge
of the prisoner's identity before she
went to Camthorpe!
Mr Farringdon, do I understand that you
are suggesting some kind of
conspiracy against the accused?
I shall, m'lord.
The defence, m'lord, will be a total
denial of guilt.
I shall suggest that another person: I
am not allowed to be more precise,
administered the tablets.
You will be calling evidence in support
of that allegation?
- That is my intention.
- Proceed.
You sent an advertisement to the Daily
Gazette advertising for a nurse?
Yes, my husband asked me to
And the prisoner answered it?
There were a number of replies.
But you selected the prisoner's reply?
- Yes.
- Why?
- Well, she seemed the most suitable
- For your purpose?
M'lord, I object to that question!
The witness is not bound to answer if it
tends to incriminate her in any way.
'Apply etc to Mrs Bentley sending
photograph'. Why the photograph?
There was no particular reason.
It wasn't so that you could tell which
was the prisoner's letter of
application should she
adopt another name?
No!
Did you send a paper with this
advertisement marked to the prisoner?
Then can you tell us who did?
I told you I didn't know her, I.. I'd
never even seen her.
But someone in your house had!
Not true! No-one had!
How can you say that? How do you know?
I...
I suggest that you, or another person
with your knowledge,
sent it to the prisoner with the object
of getting her into your employment,
knowing that if your husband were to
meet his death in the same manner,
she would be suspected!
M'lord, I object!
Counsel has accepted full responsibility
for his cross-examination, Sir John.
Is that so, Mrs Bentley?
Answer me!
It's not true. None of it is true.
I've said again and again that... I'd
neither seen, nor, nor heard of
the accused before she came to us.
If I'd known who she was, I should
hardly have employed her!
Whatever you try to make me say, I can
only tell the truth.
I loved my husband.
M'lord, I really must protest, the
witness has suffered great distress since
quite right Sir John... the limits of
a cross-examination...
And I fear that Mr Farringdon is not
helping his client's case.
I beg Your Lordship's pardon.
Have you any more questions to ask this
witness?
No thank you, m'lord.
I feel Sir John that this would be a
convenient moment to adjourn.
Members of the jury, the hearing will be
resumed at 10:30 tomorrow morning.
All persons having anything further to
do before m'lord the King's Justice
may now depart and give their attendance
here tomorrow morning at 10:30.
God save the King, and m'lord the
King's Justice!
- Mr Tracy?
- Yeah?
You'll probably be our first witness
tomorrow.
Oh, thank you.
I could do with a cup of tea. There's a
nice little cafe around the corner.
- What do you say, Don June?
- No thanks.
Your lawyer to see you.
Where's Mr Farringdon?
- Didn't he send a message?
- No.
Curious. He left the court in a hurry,
I assumed...
But he promised to see me!
Well then, he's certain to come back!
Meanwhile, there are one or two matters
we must discuss.
Why don't you tell me the truth? He
hasn't the heart to face me after
what happened this afternoon.
Well, I'm sure that's not really so.
Come Miss Graham, everything's
going to be alright.
Now the first witness tomorrow will be
the butler, Tracy.
I just want to run over what you said
to him.
- Does Mr Fetherwood still own this shop?
- Yes, I'm Mrs Fetherwood.
Oh well.. I'm sorry to trouble you, Mrs
Fetherwood, but could I have a word
- with your husband?
- Why?
- It's a matter of extreme importance.
- Of course. James!
It's in connection with a murder trial
that took place here a short while ago.
Well, I'm sure he'll help you if he can.
There's just a chance that he might
be able to identify somebody.
Oh, I'm afraid that's impossible now.
You see, two months ago he went blind.
Somebody want me, my dear?
Now Mr Tracy, how long were you in Mr
Bentley's service?
Just a little over two years, sir.
Would you describe the Bentleys as a
devoted couple?
- Well, that was the general impression,
sir. - I see.
Now, there is something I must ask you
because of certain suggestions
that have been put forward.
Had you ever seen the accused before she
came to Camthorpe?
No, sir, never.
- Had anyone else, to your knowledge?
- No, sir.
At that time, had you, or any other
person, to your knowledge,
ever heard of the Graham case?
Not that I remember, sir. I was never
much of a one for the penny press!
Thank you.
Tell me Mr Tracy, is it true that you
shave twice a day?
I trust you're not intending to be
frivolous, Mr Farringdon?
No indeed, my lord.
Is it your practice to visit a barber
twice a day for a shave?
Well, now that you come to mention it,
yes it is.
I find one obtains a better shave by
using the old-fashioned cut-throat.
Though of course I wouldn't care to
handle one myself!
I really cannot conceive how the witness'
toilet can possibly be of importance!
As Your Lordship pleases.
Have you ever taken a holiday since you've
been in service at Camthorpe House?
No, I've never felt the need of one.
Then you were never away from Camthorpe,
that is, for any length of time?
No, never.
Do you recall where you were on the
19th of June last?
Well, at this distance of time, no.
Do you know that the prisoner was standing
her trial at Alminster on that day?
No.
Then I may take it as a fact that you
were not in Alminster on June the 19th?
You may, yes.
- Have you ever been to Alminster?
- No, never in my life.
You're quite certain of that?
Quite certain, yes.
Then who shaved you on the morning of
June the 19th?
Is that the man?
He's the hairdresser at Alminster, m'lord,
I intend to call him at the proper time.
Look at him, Tracy! Look at him
carefully!
Very well, Mr Fetherwood, you may
retire.
Now then, Tracy, had you seen that man
before?
No, never.
Would it surprise you to hear that he's
already recognised you as the man
he shaved on the last day of the
prisoner's trial at Alminster?
Answer me!
Did you hear the question?
I suggest, that on the morning of the
19th you visited his shop only a
few yards from the court where the trial
was being held!
Is that so?
Answer me!
Judith! Judith!
And before the witness Judith Bentley
died, she made a statement on oath,
a copy of which Your Lordship has seen.
Accordingly no further evidence will be
offered on behalf of the prosecution,
And I respectfully ask Your Lordship to
consider the direction to the jury,
of a verdict of not guilty.
Very well.
I think you want me, don't you?
Robert Tracy, I have a warrant for your
arrest in connection with the murder
of Edward Bentley, and I must..
It's alright, I know all about that!
It's rather bad luck sir, don't you
think, to be recognised by somebody
who's only seen you once?
- Our train goes at seven, James.
- Once again, thank you Mr Fetherwood
Bless you, it was nothing, nothing
at all.
Do you remember my dear, I always said
she didn't do it... - Yes, always...
- Here, take him to the car.
- Alright.
Taxi!
- How long's he been blind?
- Two months.
Then he couldn't have identified Tracy!
No, I could never have put him in the
witness box. Coming?