Agatha Christie's Seven Dials (2026) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Baby brother, we're
running late. Come on.
Where is he?
- Can you see him?
- Relax. He said he'd be here.
Excuse me, I think you've
got something on your dress.
No further, please.
I'm afraid your appointment's
gone to the bullring instead.
He won't be returning.
The envelope, please, unless you
want to go the same way as your sister.
- You didn't have to kill her.
- No.
But I must be allowed
some pleasure in my job.
This is my life's work.
And we will make sure that
your efforts aren't wasted.
Poor chap. The man
was an absolute delight.
The cleverest of any of us.
And you find him shot like a dog.
Can I trust you, Jimmy?
The thesiger name is
unimpeachable, bundle.
Come on, you know that.
What if Gerry and Ronny's
deaths were connected
to their work at the foreign office?
If they had discovered something
untoward going on there?
I don't know what to think.
At first, I thought lady coote had
something to do with Gerry's death, but…
I don't see she can have
anything to do with Ronny's.
And, Jimmy, listen,
Ronny's last words were that
I must tell you "seven dials."
Seven what, sorry?
Dials.
Right.
- And what am I supposed to make of that?
- I don't know.
But that's what he said. "Tell
Jimmy thesiger, 'seven dials.'"
you'd think a chap's dying
words would be a bit clearer.
And why me?
It's not as if I'm one
of his closest chums.
No, I've been thinking about that.
You really have been
stewing in this, haven't you?
Do you have any information
for Gerry's sister, loraine?
Ma said you contacted
the family to break the news.
I did.
Not the happiest of tasks.
Attractive girl, though. Pride
myself we got on rather well.
Why do you ask?
I found a letter Gerry was
writing to loraine before he died,
but there was no address.
I see.
What say I facilitate a
meeting? The three of us.
At my rooms.
I wouldn't mind an
excuse to see her again.
Jimmy, you are incorrigible.
I prefer "hopeless romantic."
You will be careful with all this
digging around, won't you, bundle?
Can't have a target on your back.
Or mine, either,
for that matter.
Now,
who would you say is that man
staring at us through the trees?
Him again.
You know him? He's been peering
and scratching in his notebook.
Yes, he followed Ronny and I
when we went to confront lady coote,
after which I found him having
telephoned Scotland yard.
Or one of them, perhaps.
Or a criminal informant.
Either way, I intend to find out.
I shan't let him get away a second time.
Don't forget loraine.-…
Afternoon, madam.
Miss, you can't go in there.
You're quite mistaken,
officer. I absolutely can.
See?
Well, now.
This is an honor.
Lady Eileen Brent.
I know who I am.
But who the devil are you?
And why have you been following me?
It's battle. Superintendent battle.
May I provide you
with some refreshment?
Do you have gin?
I was more envisaging tea.
It's far too early for tea.
How may I be of service?
You can tell me why you tried
to evade my pursuit just now.
I'm not in the habit of being followed.
If there's any following to be done, I
greatly prefer to be the one doing it.
And why were you watching me
when I was last with Ronny Devereux?
I had business in a vicinity
pursuant to the inquest into
Mr. Gerald Wade's death.
Would you
why are you interested in that?
I'm interested in a great
many things, lady Eileen.
Well, then, you ought to know that
the inquest got it completely wrong.
Gerry did not need
or take sleeping drafts.
And he certainly did not kill himself.
Yes, I I took note of your statement.
He died in your bed, did he not?
He did, yes.
Yes. And you were also the person
who discovered the body
of Mr. Ronald Devereux
subsequent to his having been shot?
I was.
Are you somehow suggesting
I'm implicated in their deaths?
I I don't believe I used
those words, lady Eileen.
My interest lies solely in facts.
You'd be surprised
how elusive they can be.
Tell me… there's been no mention
of Ronny's death in the newspapers.
You have any idea why that is?
Yes.
And are you at Liberty to share?
I may have asked for a delay in reporting
in order to carry out my
inquiries in a timely fashion.
Have you looked into any
links between their deaths?
Questioned anyone at the foreign office?
Or the cootes?
And what do you
know about seven dials?
Y-You are aware, lady Eileen,
that I am usually the person
asking the questions in this office?
Then I hope you're enjoying
this delightful turn of events.
Seven dials?
Strictly speaking,
there is no such place
as seven dials these days.
Most of it has been
torn down and rebuilt.
It's still rather a low
quarter. Why do you ask?
Gerry… mentioned it in this letter
he was writing the night he died.
Please?
How long have you had this? Why
was this not submitted to the inquest?
It felt personal. I didn't
think it had a bearing.
I see.
This reference to, seven dials,
do you believe he
was referring to the area
or the club in hunstanton street?
"Hunston" street.
No, hunstanton street.
No, it's correctly pronounced…
- Never mind.
- To which was he referring?
The area or the club?
It's unclear.
I should avoid both were I in your shoes.
Would you mind if I kept this letter?
I would.
I would mind greatly.
Please don't misunderstand
me, superintendent.
It's all I have left of him.
- He was the best of men.
- So I understand.
If you'll let me advise you, lady Eileen
I know what you're going to say.
You should return home, and
leave all of this to the professionals.
Meaning I am an amateur?
You are an intelligent and
perspicacious young woman, lady Eileen,
but these are dangerous matters.
I have grasped that. I'm not a fool.
I don't for a moment
believe that you are, no.
But please, stay away from
the foreign office and the cootes
and anything to do with seven dials.
This ground is treacherous.
You're going to do exactly the opposite
of what I've just advised, aren't you?
I don't know why you'd think that.
Can't tell you how pleased I
am to see you. An absolute treat.
So, how's everything? I don't know
how you're keeping yourself together,
what with first poor Gerry
and now poor Ronny.
For you to find him dying like that was…
…ghastly.
Yes, I try not to think about it.
We plod on, don't we?
Did Ronny say anything
to you before he died?
"Anything" is, rather a
broad canvas, bundle.
About Gerry?
All those infernal clocks?
He did not.
Absent friends.
That's what I say.
What do you know about
the seven dials club?
The what where?
Seven dials.
- On hunstanton street.
- I don't think I know it.
Don't pretend you don't
know what I'm talking about.
I've known you long enough to appreciate
you only ask people to repeat themselves
when you need more thinking time.
Do I?
Dash it, bundle. How is
it you know me so well,
yet you're such a
complete mystery to me?
- Seven dials. Tell me everything.
- I there's not much
or this will be a very short dinner.
I feel I've been somewhat ensnared.
There's not much to tell.
Nobody really goes there now.
It was a bit of a craze for
a while, but goodness me,
it turns out you can get
tired of eating fried fish.
So it's a nightclub, then?
Yes, that's it.
Awfully mixed crowd.
Artists.
All sorts of…
Odd women.
Plus a sprinkling of our lot from
the foreign office, and the like.
But it's played out.
Nobody goes there now.
You wouldn't care for it.
- You wouldn't.
- I should like to go.
- No. Bundle
- tonight.
No, we can't do that, bundle.
What if the police raid the place?
Shall we taxi?
Good evening.
Good evening, sir. Welcome back.
Alfred?
Good evening, lady Eileen.
How unexpected it is to see you here.
Are you not still at chimneys?
Alfred is one of our footmen.
Was. I left only recently,
after that dreadful
business with Mr. Wade.
I was not aware.
Had a disagreement with your mother.
What sort of disagreement?
I felt that I should be paid.
She wasn't convinced.
She didn't mention it.
Are you… you sure that you
have the right place here?
Yes.
There are a great many
other clubs I could recommend.
This one… may, not
be what you're used to.
Let us hope not.
You said this place was over.
It's packed to the rafters.
Must be having a resurgence.
Everybody loves my baby
but my baby don't love
nobody but me nobody but me
everybody wants my baby
but my baby don't want nobody but me
it's plain to see
she got a form like Venus
honest, I ain't talking Greek
no one can come between us
she's my sheba, I'm her sheik
that's why everybody loves my baby
but my baby don't love
nobody but me nobody but me.
What news concerning the
death of Ronny Devereux?
Now registered as a tragic accident.
The police have closed the case.
No news, then. Well done.
We must address our main concern,
securing Dr. Matip's formula.
It is essential it does not
end up in the wrong hands.
We understand the
formula is to be the focus
of a gathering at wyvern Abbey.
Then, seven, given your
success with Devereux,
it must fall to you to attend wyvern
Abbey and ensure a successful outcome.
Nothing and no one
must stand in our way.
Good luck, seven.
It was like nothing I have ever known.
A masked group? In a London club?
I realize it sounds incredible.
I'm not quite so sure.
You know what you found, bundle?
A secret society. They're
everywhere these days.
Think these could be the chaps
who did for Gerry and Ronny?
I'm sure of it.
They even discussed
covering up Ronny's death.
The person wearing
the number seven mask
is going to wyvern
Abbey to steal this formula.
- Who else have you told?
- Just you.
I'm not certain I can quite trust bill yet,
given his foreign office connections.
He tried to pretend he didn't
know the seven dials club.
He'd definitely been there before.
You're very wise to be cautious.
- Miss Wade, sir.
- Thank you, Stevens.
And the gentleman from
lloyds telephoned again, sir.
Eager to converse.
Excellent news.
Make a note for me to do just that.
Miss Wade, sir.
Loraine, my poor girl, how are you?
This is lady Eileen Brent.
I'm sorry we're meeting under
such awful circumstances.
Gerry meant everything
to very many of us.
Thank you.
Feel like I've been walking
around in a stupor since he died.
Yes, you're not alone in that.
I'm sorry we haven't met before.
Were you and Gerry close?
Yes, we'd become very close.
We shared a father,
but separate mothers.
I was raised in Italy and
only came back a year ago.
Feel like I've been swindled
out of my time with him.
He talked about you a
lot the last times I saw him.
You obviously meant a great deal to him.
I hope so.
- Jimmy mentioned you'd found a letter?
- Yes.
It seems he started to write
it to you the night he died.
Can I ask… do you know what he
means when he mentions seven dials?
I'd mentioned going to the club there.
He got rather cross, said it
was no place for a girl like me.
Still don't know why. Suppose
he was just being protective.
Or he knew of that secret
society you stumbled across.
Secret society?
- Jimmy, all this is not for dissemination.
- Yes.
- Loraine Wade, wipe it from your memory.
- It's too late now.
Sorry. …
I keep wondering
if Ronny and Gerry were murdered
because they knew something
about this secret society from
their work at the foreign office.
And the society's leader, number
seven, is going to be at wyvern Abbey.
I believe he may have
killed both Gerry and Ronny,
and may even kill again.
Well, then we can't let you go alone.
Can we get bill ever sleigh
to procure me an invitation?
Ooh! I'm sure if he describes
me as a rich young man
anxious to stand for parliament,
Lomax will fall at once.
I should like to be there too.
That is neither desirable nor advisable.
You're far too precious to place at risk.
Three of us trying to secure an
invite might look rather suspicious.
And I still need to gain an invite myself.
So I'm just to go home and wait?
It's safer that way.
And speaking of safe…
I think this time there should be
some casualties on the other side.
Stevens.
Could you go out and buy me a pistol?
I'm feeling rather
bloodthirsty this morning.
What kind of pistol would
you be requiring, sir?
One that shoots bullets with alacrity
and has a very stylish handle.
Good luck inveigling a wyvern
invite from sir George Lomax.
Lady Eileen. Well, this
is an unexpected delight.
Mr. Lomax, I've heard that
you are convening a gathering
at wyvern Abbey. Is that correct?
How did you come by that information?
Lady Eileen, I implore you
not to circulate this further.
Our national interests are at stake,
and the success of the gathering
depends upon absolute secrecy.
I'm sorry.
It's already causing me untold anxiety.
Given her experience
at social gatherings,
my mother wishes to offer
whatever advice might prove helpful
in the establishment and
the etiquette of the weekend.
Your mother is offering help?
How uncharacteristic.
Yes, we are all very surprised.
But in truth, the timing
could not be more fortuitous.
Yes, please.
Tell your mother I shall
be over tout de suite.
À bientôt, lady
Ma?
Shh.
Why are you hiding there?
We have an intruder.
- How did he get in?
- Tredwell admitted him.
When you say "intruder…"
…do you actually mean visitor?
- See no difference.
- For goodness' sake.
By the way…
- When did Alfred leave?
- Alfred?
One of the footmen.
Never had an Alfred.
Yes, we have. He was
here for a couple of years.
Well, ask tredwell.
I already have.
He said it would be unthinkable for
him to discuss staffing matters with me
and to take it up with you.
No. No, no.
I leave all that to…
Well, I'm not sure who I leave it to,
but I absolutely leave it to someone.
What are we to do about the intruder?
The visitor.
I fail to understand why
people insist on visiting.
I mean, does not the length
of the approach to this house,
does it not give them pause?
I am pondering a moat.
Might this visitor be George Lomax?
- How do you know?
- I heard he was anxious for your advice.
Advice? Bundle, no.
It's intolerable that I'm always
placed under these pressures.
Ma, are you seriously intending on
seeing out your days isolated here?
I have seen the world, bundle.
I did not relish it.
Pa would not approve.
Then he should have
been less insistent on dying.
With him,
I might have more interest in
navigating the world external.
You still have me.
Why don't I help you greet
his majesty's permanent undersecretary
of state for foreign affairs?
Now, it is essential
that our conversation
remain strictly entre nous.
Prime minister has entrusted me with
hosting a gathering at wyvern Abbey,
which will prove essential
to the future security
of this, our great nation.
The venture, being what, precisely?
Gaining the contractual
confidence of one Dr. Cyril matip,
an inventor out of Cameroon.
What has he invented?
I can only apologize, lady Eileen.
This must be entirely
of no interest to you.
No, quite the opposite.
I am hanging on your
every word, Mr. Lomax.
Are you?
No. Surely not?
Dr. Matip has a patent
process that he applies to steel.
It becomes so toughened,
a thin wire is as strong as a steel bar.
And in the right hands, properly applied,
it will revolutionize our
manufacturing industry,
to say nothing of our military capability.
And in the wrong hands?
It could prove catastrophic
to our national cause.
Ergo, the prime minister's interest.
Remarkable how quickly you
grasp the severity of it, lady Eileen.
I I must confess,
hosting is not my forte.
Really?
Lacking a wife, having dedicated
my entire waking life to the body politic,
I'm not as, au fait with the niceties
and exquisities of hosting as I might be.
Which is why ma has pulled
out these books for you.
Have I?
- Have you?
- She has.
She has!
My spirits are lifted.
This is…
This is the perfect tonic after
that dreadful warning letter.
A warning letter?
Forget I said that.
From who?
Unsigned.
It was merely marked "seven dials."
It warned me not to proceed, or
my well-being would be at stake.
Really? Well, a warning letter
presumably implies that there are rivals
vying for this invention.
Yes,
every civilized nation around the globe,
most notably our German friends.
I'm concerned the event
might be at risk of sabotage.
Should we even proceed?
Of course.
You can't be intimidated by a mere letter.
Can't I?
No. No, I can't.
I'm not a man to be
cowed by a mere blot of ink.
That is not George Lomax.
- You see that.
- I do. Yes, precisely.
I had no idea you were so
engaged with contemporary matters.
But politics is about the
most fascinating study there is.
If only more ladies of
your age felt the same.
Extend the vote to us, and we might.
What one really craves
is to witness politics from the inside.
Grand events.
Skillful statesmanship.
Then you must attend at
wyvern Abbey as my guest.
- No!
- Yes.
- What? No?
- Absolutely not.
Was not Mr. Lomax just…
Explaining the implicit
danger in the whole event?
No, no, no. Lady Cate
lady caterham, have no fear.
Lady Eileen has placed fire in my belly.
The event shall go ahead. I
look forward to hosting you.
It is a joy to see someone so…
just so wonderfully improved.
Onwards to protection and prosperity.
Tredwell will see you out.
Go.
Well, can't hit them all.
Lady Eileen, I cannot tell you
how pleased I am you're here.
May I introduce you to
Mr. James Jonathan thesiger?
Mr. Thesiger is keen
to stand for parliament.
A great prospect,
recommended by Mr. Eversleigh,
who is currently in the house
dotting t's and crossing I's.
Delighted.
Mr. Thesiger, charmed.
Now, of course you already
know sir oswald and lady coote.
Yes, we are already acquainted.
You shoot, I see.
Frequently.
And Bateman, of course.
Hello, pongo.
We're just awaiting our final guest.
- Are you totting up the shots?
- Someone has to keep a record.
Yes, Bateman.
You'll be pleased to know Scotland
yard have sent their best man
to ensure our collective safety.
- How… reassuring.
- Hey!
Say, coote! Did I just see
you shoot with your left?
You did, indeed.
Sir oswald is ambidextrous.
I'm sure he can get a cream for it.
How do you mean, thesiger?
Thesiger was attempting
to be amusing, sir.
Never understood jokes.
I mean, what are they for?
Right, no. No, you're right. Make
a note to find out, will you, pongo?
Damn shame about the boy Wade.
And the India office lad.
His name was Ronny.
Brutal business, life.
May I…
Can you thank you.
May I remind us all we have
a single serious purpose here.
To ensure Dr. Matip entrusts to
our great country his invention.
Now, to achieve that,
we need to be at our best.
He's here, he's here, he's
here. So, calm, calm, calm.
Everybody, best
behavior. Calm. Dignified.
Dr. Matip, George Lomax.
- Welcome to wyvern Abbey.
- Thank you, Mr. Lomax.
Now, may I introduce you
to sir oswald and lady coote.
How do you do?
Mr. James thesiger.
- How do you do?
- How do you do?
And lady Eileen Brent.
Hello.
How do you do? It's a
pleasure to meet you all.
- More coming, sir. Right.
- Wow.
Right. Prepare for further slaughter.
Dr. Matip, do you shoot?
No.
Guns are… not for me.
Ooh.
We haven't offended?
No. …
- Perhaps I could rest before dinner?
- Of course, of course.
We'll keep the noise down.
No shooting!
Terrible idea, shooting. I
don't know whose it was.
Let me show you inside.
You all right, old girl?
Keeping an eye out for the identity
of this murderous number seven?
Ronny was shot in the chest.
They're clearly at home with guns.
Everyone here is, though.
I'd say Lomax is the
most jumpy right now.
It seems to me that either Lomax or
coote could be your number seven.
And then, of course, there's this chap.
Lady Eileen.
Mr. Thesiger.
He knows my name. Wait,
that's not a good thing, is it?
I see you have ignored all of
my advice and exhortations.
I was personally invited
by George Lomax.
Have you found out who killed
Gerry Wade or Ronny Devereux yet?
And my investigation continues.
But your
your presence here simply
complicates my ability to do that.
I'm merely here as a guest.
Are you indeed?
I say! Excellent.
Splendid performance. Who was that?
- Which coote? It was one of you.
- It was me, lady coote.
Lady coote. Should have known.
What were the final scores, lady Maria?
Now, as we're now all assembled,
I wonder, Dr. Matip, if
you would do us the honor
of telling us just a little bit
about your life and journey
to this table.
My family is from douala, in
the southwest of Cameroon.
At the time of my birth, douala
was a German protectorate.
My father was a village leader,
and like many of the
children from the top families,
I was sent to Germany to be educated.
Did you say Germany?
Were you really?
Where exactly in Germany, Dr. Matip?
I studied engineering at the
goethe university in Frankfurt,
as well as apprenticeships in the ruhr.
It's a very beautiful country.
And is that the extent of
your connections to Germany?
No.
I fought for them in the war.
You fought for the Germans?
Yes. I had no choice.
The whole of west Africa
was engulfed in battles between
Germany, France, and England.
In Cameroon, we faced
troops from Nigeria,
the Belgian Congo,
French Equatorial Africa.
For more than two years,
africans fought other africans
on behalf of and led by…
…white Europeans.
Well, then we are
grateful for all their, and your, endeavors.
I lost my entire family.
I never want to see anything
like that happen again.
You're not alone in that, Dr. Matip.
Now my country is French.
Thanks to the treaty of versailles.
But I'm grateful to England
for affording me safe passage
and allowing me to
be here with you today.
Thank you. You can now
rest easy in the knowledge
that you are now in a
country that you can trust.
Yes.
Of course.
But you would say that, wouldn't you?
I'm sorry?
I do not follow.
When we want someone to trust us,
we first assure them
of our trustworthiness.
But equally, the first act of the duplicitous
is to demonstrate how
they are beyond reproach.
This is England.
Our word is second to none.
That's what the Germans said.
And the French.
If you never want to see
another war, we are your men.
- Isn't that right, Lomax?
- Absolutely.
Now,
I want to see this formula in action.
Did you bring a sample?
Oswald, not at the table.
Hang convention. Let
the dog see the rabbit.
Do you remember the etiquette lessons?
Don't you agree, lady Eileen?
Yes. I'd be fascinated to see.
The casing of this pocket watch
is noncorrosive, nonmagnetic metal,
made to withstand
extremely high temperatures.
This was the best way to transport it.
Since the end of the war,
this has become my life's work.
To create a metal so
impervious to destruction
that, well, war itself would
no longer have purpose.
This sample…
Can you prove it's as strong as you say?
Do you still have those shotguns?
- Are we sure this is safe?
- Sir oswald is an excellent shot.
May I?
Yes.
Incredible.
The casing, barely a Mark on it.
Bravo, young man.
Very impressive.
Now, there is a safe in your room to
store the formula and demonstration model.
Police officers are
stationed around the grounds.
May I suggest we all retire
after a very successful evening?
- Well done.
- Thank you.
Good night.
Thank you.
Congratulations.
Stay with me, Jimmy.
Bundle. Bundle, bundle!
What in the lord's name
are you doing here?
You are not to get mixed up in this!
- Do you understand?
- I'm already mixed up in it!
I think whoever killed Gerry
and Ronny is here at the Abbey.
And I think they're about
to steal Dr. Matip's formula.
Now, you can either be cross with me,
or the three of us can devise a plan
to stop any theft and expose the killer.
Yeah. That's a good good idea.
We need to make sure no one comes
in or out of Dr. Matip's room overnight.
Here is the perfect vantage point.
Anyone coming or going
will be easily spotted.
We'll divide the night into watches.
- Heads, you go first, I go second.
- Yes.
Tails, vice versa.
That's only two watches.
It's no job for a girl. It's far too risky.
Right. Tails. I'll go
first. We switch at three.
And I'll even lend you
Leopold when the time comes.
Leopold?
My new best friend.
Bundle. Why did you
let him bring a gun?
I'm not his keeper.
And what about my watch?
This chap doesn't play fair.
Let us boys take the watches, okay?
Right. Everyone to our corners. Go.
Botheration!
Very poor class of Ivy.
Dr. Matip's.
Superintendent.
You gave me a fright.
That is precisely what I
am here for, lady Eileen.
What are you doing out here?
Ensuring that no one is
about who shouldn't be.
May I ask what you are doing out here?
- Me?
- Yes, you.
Do you normally exit
buildings via the window?
Depends on the building.
I was looking for the west terrace.
The west terrace?
Well, the west terrace is my purview,
so may I encourage you to return to bed?
And when I say "encourage,"
you may take that as a
direct instruction or order,
should that be more effective.
How long have you worked at
Scotland yard, superintendent?
I shall provide you
with a full professional
history at a later point.
But you are causing a
distraction at a vital juncture
and are therefore
running the risk of arrest
unless you do as I ask immediately.
Please.
- Back up the Ivy?
- Yeah. What's left of it, if you can.
Of course I can.
Very easily.
Where's our watchman?
Bill.
Dash it all.
Bill, wake up. Jimmy's deserted his post.
Boys?
Bill?
Jimmy?
Jimmy, is that you?
No! Jimmy!
- Quick!
- What on earth is going on?
- Gracious. What's going on?
- Hoskins!
- Jimmy.
- Bundle.