The Avengers (1961) s04e10 Episode Script
Dial a Deadly Number
[Buzz of conversation.]
"But it was the strength in gold till the end of last week "that put the equity market into reverse.
" - Well, Henry? - You're right, they upped the dividend.
- I owe you a drink, then.
Billy! - One moment, sir.
- Gentlemen? - What'll it be? - [Bleeping.]
- Oh.
Sorry.
The drink will have to wait.
What on earth was that? Are you wired for sound? New gadget, transistorised.
It's a portable secretary.
- How ingenious.
- Henry put me onto it.
I think he must have shares in the company that makes them.
- How does it work? - Oh, it's quite simple really.
When my office wants me, they call the answering service.
They transmit a bleep and I call them back.
- Well, there you are, then.
- No need.
That was just to remind us it's time we left for our board meeting.
- Henry? - Of course.
[Henry.]
Excuse us, Jago.
I won't forget that drink you owe me.
Have it some other time, eh? Oh, I beg your pardon.
No harm done.
Since the war full employment and a rising standard of living have become the major economic requirements of this country, accompanied, inevitably, by inflation.
The future for the industry, gentlemen, is bright.
For our company the outlook is healthy, - very - [Bleeping.]
For your bath? Stop press.
Chairman of Todhunter dies.
Share prices slashed.
- It happened here just two hours ago.
- That's new.
- Legacy from my uncle.
- Pity it's dented.
Battle of the Somme, 1916.
- German bullet? - Canadian mule.
Todhunter died here two hours ago.
He was the sixth company chairman to drop dead in the last year.
Each chairman was dynamic, virtually indispensable to his company, so it stood to lose a good deal by his death.
Thrombosis, overwork? Question: did they fall or were they pushed? - All six of them? - Why not? Motive: man dies, share prices slashed, company becomes cheaper, easier to take over.
Fine, except for one thing: they weren't taken over.
- What next? - A dabble in high finance.
These company chairmen had one thing in common: a banker named Boardman.
My apologies, Mr Steed.
Just a minute, Quinn.
What a charming place you have here.
It's nice to see traditions maintained.
Virtually unchanged for 147 years, ever since the bank was founded.
Well, Mr Steed, you come to us most highly recommended.
- These bona fide are most excellent.
- Thank you.
- And the nature of your business? - Money.
Ah.
Shall we say £1.
5 million? All right, £2 million, then, clear.
A nice round figure.
Keeps your accounts tidy, eh? - Mr Steed - That's just for a start.
Might want to double that eventually.
Mr Steed, I admire your attack.
But even with these references, a loan of £2 million Loan? You misunderstand me.
I haven't come here to borrow.
I want to deposit.
£2 million? If we can agree on the correct way to invest it.
I represent a trust fund set up by one of the armed forces.
We have very substantial sums to invest and we thought a good merchant bank would be the best way of placing them.
More than that, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say until we're quite sure that your bank is the one to do business with.
- I'm sure you understand.
- Oh, absolutely.
You're looking over the market, - so to speak.
- So to speak.
Well, Mr Steed, um I think you've made a wise choice.
This is your first call? I can see that you're as astute as your reputation, Mr Boardman.
- Have a cigar.
- No, thank you.
It's a little early.
Ah, I feel at home here already.
The air of ordered calm, a feeling of solidarity, of financial wisdom.
Didn't you once have a Canaletto hanging here? - Yes, we did.
- A friend of yours mentioned it.
It was he who first suggested I come here.
Norman Todhunter, poor fellow.
Todhunter? Yes.
- He tried to do too much.
- [Door opens.]
Ah.
I'd like you to meet my partner.
John Harvey, Mr Steed.
- How do you do? - Glad to know you.
I heard you mention Todhunter.
Was he a friend of yours? - We were acquaintances.
- Ah.
Pushed himself too hard, poor chap.
Familiar story these days.
- Very familiar.
- Hm? Well, you have been having bad luck lately, haven't you? Six company chairmen in less than a year? Ah.
Thank you, Quinn.
Mr Steed.
- Henry.
- Thank you.
Ah.
Well, what do you make of us, hm? Bit archaic, eh? The trappings of a bygone age.
Do you know, we still judge a man as to whether his credit risk is good by the colour of his socks.
Can you suggest a good broker? The best.
Frederick Yuill.
We use him ourselves.
- This will introduce you.
- Thank you.
By the way, I'm giving a dinner party on Thursday.
I'd be honoured if you'd join us.
Then so would I.
I'd be delighted.
- Good morning.
- Hm? The late Mr Todhunter, he was brought here? Todhunter? The mahogany and walnut, velvet-lined.
Solid brass handles, gothic style.
I prefer the Corinthian fluted myself.
Tasteful.
Todhunter? Yes, he's with us.
Oh, well, I have an authority here to remove his effects.
I'd say I prefer the Corinthian fluted to any other handle.
Solid brass of course.
We can get them made up in stainless steel, special order.
Not as tasteful, though.
Mind you, we do a simulated mock Michelangelo design that goes very nice with the lighter wood.
Very tasteful together.
- Did you, er deal with Mr Todhunter? - Naturally.
Personal service and efficiency.
My father and I pride ourselves on it.
And the funeral will go forward as planned? - They won't delay it for an autopsy? - Why should they? The doctor signed the certificate.
Thrombosis.
Why should there be an autopsy? Ah, here we are.
Did you notice anything peculiar about the body? Peculiar? No.
Slight bruise over the heart, that's all.
What kind of bruise? - That's funny, it's gone.
- What's gone? I had it here this morning myself.
- What? - Eh? One of those bleep machines like they use in hospitals.
It's gone, yet I took it out of his pocket myself.
- Which pocket? - Top.
It was clipped there.
About level with his heart? Yes, I suppose it would be.
Well, it's declaration day tomorrow.
The shares have gone down £1.
And you have options for 10,000.
- I'll leave the arithmetic to you.
- [Knock at door.]
Look, I'll call you back later, hm? Do come in, Mr Steed.
I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting.
Not at all.
- How do you do? Do sit down.
- Thank you.
I understand Boardman sent you.
- How is Henry? - Flourishing.
Well now, what can I do for you? - Do you know Cassells Tin? - Yes.
Chap at my club thinks it's a good speculation.
There are two occasions when a man shouldn't speculate: - if he can afford it and if he can't.
- Thanks for the advice.
It's not mine.
Mark Twain's.
- He was a good fisherman too.
- Didn't know he was a broker.
Hm.
Can I offer you some sherry? Sherry and biscuits? Thank you.
Suzanne, send Myers in with some sherry and biscuits.
Cassells Tin is a sturdy sort of company.
The friend who gave me the tip has had a lot of luck lately on the market but I don't understand how.
The shares have been falling every day and yet he's still coining it.
- It can be done.
- You can make money out of failure? - Have you ever heard of a "put" option? - Vaguely.
I'll give you a simple example.
You take out a put option on X shares.
They stand at, say, £1 today.
Then perhaps they drop by half to ten bob.
So you buy 10,000 at ten bob and exercise your option to sell at £1.
The difference is your profit margin.
Complex and not for the amateur.
It's very profitable when you pull it off.
The whole thing depends on the shares falling in price.
Of course, if you had the capacity to foresee the future - and influence it - That would be a different thing entirely.
What was the company your friend dabbled in? Todhunter's.
It was quite a killing.
- That is the correct term, isn't it? - Yes.
- Do you fish, Mr Steed? - No.
You should.
It's very relaxing.
Ah, thank you, Myers.
Oh Associated Industries down two points.
Excuse me.
- Suzanne? - 'Yes, sir?' Associated Industries, buy 20,000.
'Yes, Mr Yuill.
I also have Ben Jago on the phone.
- 'Shall I put him through?' - No.
Er, no, I'll come outside and speak to him.
Will you excuse me? I'll have Suzanne send in some investment prospects for you.
Mr Yuill wants you to have these.
I'm just a babe in the financial wood.
Perhaps you'd explain to me the finer points? I'll try.
This is just a suggested portfolio.
The capital you invest will be spread equally over all the key industries.
So much in steel, so much in oil, so much in the industrials, and so on.
- Fascinating.
- Yes.
This suggested scheme would need an initial investment of about oh, £50,000 in round figures.
- Round figures? - Oh, Mr Steed! Oh, please go on.
There's nothing else really to say.
It's all quite straightforward.
The investment suggestions are carefully selected, tried and tested.
By Ben Jago? - He is a client of yours, isn't he? - [Sighs.]
Do you know Mr Jago? His name is bandied about in the City as the man to watch.
Yes, he's very successful.
- And he is a client of yours? - One of the best we have.
How does he do it? A crystal ball? Foresight? Well, he's always dabbling in put options, isn't he? He's always just one step ahead.
He seems to sense just when the market is just right.
It's experience, I suppose.
Nevertheless, it is a little uncanny.
I mean, take his last success, Todhunter & Company.
He took out options about a week ago, ooh, a holding of 100,000.
They paid off.
Well, that's Ben Jago for you.
[Buzz of conversation.]
Oh, flood it, please.
Thank you.
[Bell rings.]
'Coppers were quietly firm but made a mixed showing.
'Oils hardened but rubbers were neglected.
'Banking and insurance shares were on the dull side 'but HB shares steady' Yes, sir? What's the blue-chip special when it's at home? One layer of prawns, one of scrambled-egg mayonnaise on lightly toasted rye bread.
I can recommend it.
Splendid.
At least one of us will enjoy it.
- Coffee sir? - Kenya with a dash, vodka to start.
Thank you, sir.
Quote your shares while you're waiting? It'd take too long.
- Anything further, sir? - Is there a Mr Ben Jago here? Yes, sir, he's, um over there.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, sir.
- Excuse me, aren't you Ben Jago? - Yes.
- We share the same broker.
- Charlie Bingham? Yuill, Frederick Yuill.
One can't be too careful.
Won't you join us, Mr Steed.
- May I introduce - Do sit here.
I'm just going.
- I don't want to interrupt.
- Not at all.
I have an appointment with my hairdresser.
- Are you sure? - Certain.
Bye, Ben Mr Steed.
- I must apologise for the intrusion.
- Oh, no, not at all.
Have they put you into Gibbs Electronics yet? - Not yet.
- Well, see they don't.
- I don't like the smell of them.
- Thanks for the tip.
- No ice? - Oh, house rule, sir.
Really? Yes, a dealer from Wall Street once asked for a bourbon on the rocks.
Two brokers dropped dead on the spot.
Tell me, how's it all done? Remote as water divining to me.
Well, it's mainly by guess and by good luck.
I don't believe it.
My guide book says you're the shrewdest man in the City.
- Time to buy a new guide book.
- Care to pass on some of the rules? Buy when they're friendless.
It's never wrong to take a profit.
- They're half-truths, all of them.
- All of them? How did you know about Todhunter? That was more than a half-truth.
- Hot tip from our broker.
- I wish he'd passed it onto me.
Well, there was a lot of fiddling before Rome caught fire.
Well, if there's a fiddle going on, I'm a man who likes to be in on it.
Just remember, even Nero got his fingers burnt.
Goodbye, Mr Steed.
Good afternoon.
I'm JP Warner of Warner's Answering Service.
Can I help you? I'd like to know more about the service you offer.
- Splendid in its simplicity, Miss - Mrs, Mrs Peel.
Ah, well, the scheme operates along the lines of that used in many hospitals.
The subscriber carries a bleep on his person and if he is wanted, bleep, wherever he is or whatever he is doing.
What's the range of your service? At present we're limited to the City of London.
That confines it to brokers and financiers? Yes, that's the idea.
But this is our pilot scheme.
If it works, and I can assure you it is working, then our backers will enable us to expand.
But all the information is contained in our brochures.
- Perhaps you'd care to see.
- Thank you.
How many bleeps do you have in operation at the moment? Well, at the last count it was close on 5,000.
A key executive need never be out of touch.
That's the basis.
- Ought to be all right now, Mr Warner.
- Ah, splendid, Fitch.
- Just needed rewiring, that's all.
- Yes, quite.
Thank you, Fitch.
- I'll get along now, lot to do.
- Quite, quite.
I'm sorry about that.
Now, if you'd like to see a practical demonstration - Who was that man? - Eh? Oh, Fitch? Oh, he's our resident mechanical genius.
- Now, Mrs Peel - I feel I've seen him before somewhere.
- Is that possible? - Oh, I doubt it.
Fitch isn't exactly social.
He keeps in the background.
Very much so.
I believe during the war he used to be one of those backroom boys.
He's a funny fellow.
Give him a couple of bits of wire and you've got a shortwave radio before you can say Marconi.
Well, thank you very much, Mr Warner.
By the way, you supplied a bleep to my relative, Norman Todhunter.
Did you ever get it back? Todhunter? Thomas Truegoody Fantastic name! Todhunter.
No.
Should we have done? Nice to see you, Mr Steed.
Do come in.
[Steed.]
Beautiful.
Is it pressurised? [Henry.]
It is high up.
I'd like you to meet my wife.
Ruth, this is Mr Steed.
- How do you do? - Delighted to meet you, Mrs Boardman.
So you're doing business with my husband? - He's showing me the ropes.
- You're not in the City? - Not often.
- How about a drink? - I mix a good martini.
- Thank you.
Good.
What a small world, Mrs Boardman.
So they say, Mr Steed.
So they say.
Will you excuse me for a moment? - Absolutely breath-taking.
- Yes, I rather envy him, I must say.
Oh, I'd like you to meet Mrs Peel, Mr Steed.
- Delighted to meet you, Mrs Peel.
- Mr Steed.
- Good evening.
- Mrs Peel is another client of ours.
- From Barbados.
- Recently? - I arrived last week.
- You surprise me.
- Why is that? - So little tan.
- The rainy season.
- Of course.
Oh, Henry Darling, didn't you want to make a phone call before dinner? Oh, um Yes, er, excuse me, please.
Harvey showed me your view.
It's most impressive.
It is good, isn't it? Penthouse life is rather restricting.
But it's better for Henry.
He can have a rubber of bridge at his club and still be home for dinner.
I won't be a moment.
Henry's so fussy about the temperature of his wines.
Barbados? The rainy season? Annual average: 36 inches, half of which falls between September and November.
Next question? [Humming a tune.]
[Bleeping.]
[Steed.]
Mr Yuill's been delayed.
[Henry.]
Typical.
He's a fine broker but his manners are atrocious.
[Ruth.]
Oh, come! There must be some logical explanation.
Wasn't I right about the wine, Mr Steed? And the brandy.
Impeccable.
I thought brandies were judicious.
Not according to the authorised text.
- Do you like wine, Mrs Peel? - In moderation.
- I was referring to interest not capacity.
- So was I.
We have a wine tasting in the bank's cellar on Tuesday.
- Would you like to come along? - I'd be delighted.
Perhaps Mr Steed would like to come too.
Tuesday Ladysmith relieved, 1900.
- What time? - Six.
Six it is.
We'll see how keen your palette really is.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I really think I'd better leave you now.
- Got to get into strict training.
- As you say.
- Can I give you a lift, Mrs Peel? - Oh, no, no.
You're not going to deprive us of Mrs Peel's company.
- We'll see she gets home safely.
- Goodbye, then.
And once again, thank you for your hospitality.
- Thank you, Mr Steed.
- I'll show you out.
[Motorbike driving off.]
Bang goes your no-claim bonus.
A far cry from sherry and biscuits.
- Do you know him? - My broker's butler.
The Boardmans were very anxious we shouldn't leave together.
They didn't want you butting in on their little surprise for me.
- You're guessing.
- I know it.
What now? Go back and confront them? No, I think I'll have a chat with my broker.
- That pocket was really picked.
- No wonder he didn't feel like dinner.
But he did.
He's dressed for it.
He was on his way.
At a rough guess he's been dead three hours.
Spoken like an expert.
I'm taking a refresher course in applied medicine.
- When you contacted me - I interrupted your studies.
Gave you a chance to put theory into practice.
- A chance I could have done without.
- Three hours ago? That makes it 9 p.
m.
The time we started dinner.
That eliminates three suspects.
I'll take this side.
Do you mind? It doesn't eliminate three suspects.
- Boardman left us to make a call.
- To one of his minions? Quite possibly.
- What do you make of the Boardmans? - Him, bluff, conservative.
- Diehard traditional.
- Square.
- Exactly.
- And her? Attractive, intelligent, expensive.
- Cold as ice.
- And promiscuous.
- Promiscuous? - Beyond that my lips are sealed.
- A true gentleman doesn't - know of a lady's promiscuity.
Odd, though.
In spite of the air of wealth, I get the impression the Boardmans are going down in the world.
- Objets d'art diminishing rapidly.
- No country house.
- Find anything? - No.
If Boardman was involved, why did he send me to Yuill? - Why did he put me onto his broker? - He knew Yuill would report back to him.
Huh.
Obviously he did report back.
Capital, capital.
No sign of brown, hangs well on the glass.
Ambrosia.
A shower short of perfection.
Hm.
Do you think so? A touch too astringent.
- Well? What do you think? - A shade too much tannin.
- Oh, Steed, you disappoint me.
- I'm sorry.
Bit of a text-book answer.
It's a 1934.
Not enough rain.
Alcoholic content too great.
'28, now, that was a great year.
Felstead Derby year.
Won at 8:1.
Superlative.
Put a hogshead down for Jeremy when he was born, for his 21st.
A most civilised gift.
Did he enjoy it? Enjoy it? The brigade turned him down.
Young fellow went straight into the Church.
Had to drink it all myself.
Oh, well.
Your continued good health, General.
- What part of Barbados are you from? - Do you know the island? My uncle has a tobacco plantation there.
- Ah, that would be the south end.
- Yes, I believe it is.
I was in the north among the non-smokers.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Excuse me a moment.
Agreeable, well-rounded, a little on the flinty side.
Pouilly blanc fumé.
Try it.
- Well? - Venerable, devious, a little ambivalent.
- Pouilly blanc fumé? - No, Boardmans.
I get the feeling we're not trusted around here.
You know what I mean? Yes.
Try this one.
The silver tray.
I can see you're out to trap me.
Trap you? Why should we want to trap you? Ah Ha a challenge.
First shot to you.
Gentlemen.
Latour '59.
A hit, a palpable hit.
- Well, Mr Steed? - It's either a '65 Algerian red or a premier cru, Château Lafite Rothschild.
What year? More nose.
It's old, very old.
Pre-14-18 war? Correct.
It's an outstanding vintage.
Definitely pre-1914 but no earlier than 1880.
You still have 34 years to play with.
Well? 19-0 8 would not be the year.
From the northern end of the vineyard.
It's not just a question of what to buy, it's also a question of when.
Buy when they're friendless.
Isn't that right? Yes, quite right, but who can tell when that is.
- [Buzzer.]
- Oh, excuse me.
- Yes? - 'There's a Mr Warner to see you.
' - Warner? Do I know him? - 'He says he's from the answer service.
' - 'He has a parcel for you.
' - Oh, yes, that's right.
Show him in, would you, please? Excuse me.
This won't take a moment.
- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.
- Very good of you to bring it round.
- Oh, it was on my way.
- I've a couple of calls to make.
- Very kind of you.
- Not at all.
- Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Now then, where were we? - Consignment of new securities? - Hm? Oh, no.
This is just a line Henry's trying to push among his friends, hoping they invest in the company.
I'll show you.
It might amuse you.
You shouldn't indulge me.
There.
- Know what they are? - I've seen them in hospitals, haven't I? Yes, you're right.
A company of ours is trying to market them industrially.
Good idea.
- Are you ready for some tea? - I'd love some.
Oh.
Thank you.
Change? Change.
Keys? Keys.
- [Buzzer.]
- Doorbell.
Doorbell? - [Buzzer.]
- Coming, coming.
- May I come in? - Please do.
It's much as I'd imagined it.
The fact that you imagined it at all intrigues me.
I've come to thank you.
Thank me? What for? - Your tact.
- Oh, don't mention it.
- You don't mind if I, um - Please carry on.
You see, Mr Steed, when you're married to a man 20 years older than yourself the fact that you're seen lunching with a younger man, a well-known, almost infamous character, can be misinterpreted, misunderstood.
You're a merchant banker's wife and Mr Jago is an investor.
It seemed a perfectly natural liaison.
As I said, you're very tactful.
Not tactful, optimistic.
- And I admire a woman with a past.
- What's optimistic about that? The hope that history may repeat itself.
[Clock ticking.]
- There have been no messages? - No messages.
- You checked? - Double-checked.
- No lady called Mrs Peel? - No, sir, no one of that name.
What have you done to Steed's watch? The next time he opens it it will be the last time he opens it.
It's pretty, isn't it? I'm dedicating this one to Steed.
As soon as he's dead, I'll stop it at the exact moment of his release from time.
A sort of monument to him and to my ingenuity.
For most people, you know, life is ruled by time.
But I won't accept that.
One can rule time, you know.
And that allotted to Steed is limited.
Strictly limited.
Like Todhunter and Yuill.
And the five other company chairmen? Of course, one doesn't get so much opportunity in peacetime.
The war, now oh, it was very exciting.
Eight Panzer officers in one night.
Eight! And an Italian captain.
That's his clock here.
Quarter to four a.
m.
He was a lothario with amazing capacity.
If promotion was won in bed, he'd have been a Field Marshal.
Quite an orgy of death, Mr Fitch.
Please, must you use such clichés? Death is a gift, like time, to be used I've never killed a woman before.
It would be bestial to perforate that skin.
Perhaps an ultrasonic injection, or digitalis, but it must be neat.
My gift to you I shall kill you with scientific tenderness, Mrs Peel.
9:05, sir.
Should get the Wall Street closing prices any minute.
Madam.
Ah, where the I'm sorry to intrude, Mrs Boardman.
I told your butler it would be all right.
I wanted to repay your visit.
Also, I wanted a word with your husband.
- Henry? - Oh, it's not terribly important.
It's just that I happened to be passing and I thought I'd drop by.
Also, I wouldn't mind another sample of your excellent brandy.
Oh, yes.
Yes, of course.
What's the matter? Is anything wrong? You look quite pale.
You must forgive me, Mr Steed.
I'm really very tired.
I'm so sorry.
Where is he? Your husband.
- He's dining out.
- When do you expect him? Nine or ten, I don't know.
Ten? Oh, it must be almost that now.
Don't! [Clock ticking.]
[Knock at door.]
Mr Fitch? Ah, yes, this is the place.
- Your name's been recommended to me.
- What for? Having trouble with my watch.
It's a Hunter.
You know the model? What sort of trouble? - Can't seem to open it.
- Why not? The button's stuck.
Er, perhaps you'd have a go.
It must be stuck.
I can't think what's happened to it.
But I'm sure that if you had a try - Ah.
- [Watch chimes a tune.]
Ah, just a trifle out of key, don't you think? - [Banging.]
- [Emma.]
Steed? Steed! Oh.
Barbados-London, cupboard class.
Not by choice.
How did you find me? Ruth Boardman.
- Put that gun down.
- What is it? It's a bicycle-pump gun.
The Maquis used it.
I invented it.
Now, put that gun down.
On the bench.
For Mrs Peel's sake.
Hello, Major.
Crafty of you to find the window.
[Clock chimes.]
Don't waste time on those.
They're innocent.
- The ones at the bank were.
- The bank? Boardman's.
They delivered a fresh batch.
A capillary needle, straight through the heart.
Neat.
- First choose the pigeons.
- Then put the cat amongst them.
- Steed! - Oh! Forgot my brolly.
There we are, sir.
[Harvey on tape.]
'It is suggested the investment be split into three parts: 'overseas investments, 'home and Commonwealth, 'and a final third to be left floating, 'that is, to be made available whenever and wherever 'lucrative opportunities present themselves.
'This will maintain a flexibility of investment possibility.
'[Clears throat.]
End of tape one.
' - Where's Harvey? - Your partner in crime? - When did you find out? - Ruth told me.
What was her function? To make sure I didn't catch on? Using this bank, Boardman's, as a cover for murder and fraud! - I wanted to cut you in.
- You flatter me.
But Harvey said no - He said you had too many scruples.
- What's a few scruples? You can put that peashooter away.
- I'll call the police.
- Oh, no, don't.
Ben, today I lost a partner and a wife.
Now, you can't frighten me.
[Gunshot.]
Harvey, the cellar.
I'm all right.
- Put that away and I'll tell you.
- Tell me anyway.
Look.
Snap.
- But who did it? - I don't know.
- Neither of them are doctored.
- So there's nothing to worry about.
- Boardman knows everything.
- What? Everything.
I shot him.
Oh, no.
- I had to.
He was ringing the police.
- You ruined it, Jago.
- Where is he? - Upstairs in the parlour.
[Harvey.]
Is he dead? [Jago.]
I don't know.
Good evening.
- Welcome to the gathering.
- Couldn't stay away.
- It's that Château Rothschild.
- Shame.
One shouldn't over-indulge.
- Including chairmen? - You've met my colleague.
Yes, and our trick cyclist friend.
- You are an embarrassing fellow, Steed.
- We aim to please.
- Men of integrity need careful handling.
- Every time.
But in the final analysis, everyone's corruptible.
Everyone has his price.
How much are you offering? There's £200,000 in a bank in Zurich.
- It's yours if you're prepared - I'm sorry.
- Offer him more, Harvey.
- No, I don't barter.
Oh, it's very generous but it is a little late.
Do you remember Mrs Peel? At this moment she's telling it all to the proper authorities.
- Chairman by chairman, so - Steady.
I do admire your style, Steed.
Mrs Peel's been taken care of.
Has she? And has Fitch bought another clock to commemorate the event? He's bluffing.
Quinn, how long would it take you to empty one of those casks? - The biggest.
- Not long.
Then do it.
- Harvey, you're not - Don't worry, I'm handling this.
[Gunshot.]
Quinn, the door! [Bottle rolling.]
[Thud.]
Oh! - How about a drink.
- Mm.
Where shall we start? Preferably grande marque.
Ah, the best.
Careful which way you point that.
I'm frightened of corks.
- Steed! - [Gunshots.]
- Bit on the dry side.
- But a very adaptable wine.
There, my dear.
Well? A claret with unusual body.
- What? - The Bordeaux district.
- Hm? - Mm The little village of Saint Pérignon.
So it would be from the De Vere vineyard.
Émilion Saint-Clair.
1930 would not be the year.
Fantastic, Mrs Peel.
- Nose or palette? - Mm-hm eyes.
I read the label.
Ho, ho! - Votre santé! - À la vôtre.
"But it was the strength in gold till the end of last week "that put the equity market into reverse.
" - Well, Henry? - You're right, they upped the dividend.
- I owe you a drink, then.
Billy! - One moment, sir.
- Gentlemen? - What'll it be? - [Bleeping.]
- Oh.
Sorry.
The drink will have to wait.
What on earth was that? Are you wired for sound? New gadget, transistorised.
It's a portable secretary.
- How ingenious.
- Henry put me onto it.
I think he must have shares in the company that makes them.
- How does it work? - Oh, it's quite simple really.
When my office wants me, they call the answering service.
They transmit a bleep and I call them back.
- Well, there you are, then.
- No need.
That was just to remind us it's time we left for our board meeting.
- Henry? - Of course.
[Henry.]
Excuse us, Jago.
I won't forget that drink you owe me.
Have it some other time, eh? Oh, I beg your pardon.
No harm done.
Since the war full employment and a rising standard of living have become the major economic requirements of this country, accompanied, inevitably, by inflation.
The future for the industry, gentlemen, is bright.
For our company the outlook is healthy, - very - [Bleeping.]
For your bath? Stop press.
Chairman of Todhunter dies.
Share prices slashed.
- It happened here just two hours ago.
- That's new.
- Legacy from my uncle.
- Pity it's dented.
Battle of the Somme, 1916.
- German bullet? - Canadian mule.
Todhunter died here two hours ago.
He was the sixth company chairman to drop dead in the last year.
Each chairman was dynamic, virtually indispensable to his company, so it stood to lose a good deal by his death.
Thrombosis, overwork? Question: did they fall or were they pushed? - All six of them? - Why not? Motive: man dies, share prices slashed, company becomes cheaper, easier to take over.
Fine, except for one thing: they weren't taken over.
- What next? - A dabble in high finance.
These company chairmen had one thing in common: a banker named Boardman.
My apologies, Mr Steed.
Just a minute, Quinn.
What a charming place you have here.
It's nice to see traditions maintained.
Virtually unchanged for 147 years, ever since the bank was founded.
Well, Mr Steed, you come to us most highly recommended.
- These bona fide are most excellent.
- Thank you.
- And the nature of your business? - Money.
Ah.
Shall we say £1.
5 million? All right, £2 million, then, clear.
A nice round figure.
Keeps your accounts tidy, eh? - Mr Steed - That's just for a start.
Might want to double that eventually.
Mr Steed, I admire your attack.
But even with these references, a loan of £2 million Loan? You misunderstand me.
I haven't come here to borrow.
I want to deposit.
£2 million? If we can agree on the correct way to invest it.
I represent a trust fund set up by one of the armed forces.
We have very substantial sums to invest and we thought a good merchant bank would be the best way of placing them.
More than that, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say until we're quite sure that your bank is the one to do business with.
- I'm sure you understand.
- Oh, absolutely.
You're looking over the market, - so to speak.
- So to speak.
Well, Mr Steed, um I think you've made a wise choice.
This is your first call? I can see that you're as astute as your reputation, Mr Boardman.
- Have a cigar.
- No, thank you.
It's a little early.
Ah, I feel at home here already.
The air of ordered calm, a feeling of solidarity, of financial wisdom.
Didn't you once have a Canaletto hanging here? - Yes, we did.
- A friend of yours mentioned it.
It was he who first suggested I come here.
Norman Todhunter, poor fellow.
Todhunter? Yes.
- He tried to do too much.
- [Door opens.]
Ah.
I'd like you to meet my partner.
John Harvey, Mr Steed.
- How do you do? - Glad to know you.
I heard you mention Todhunter.
Was he a friend of yours? - We were acquaintances.
- Ah.
Pushed himself too hard, poor chap.
Familiar story these days.
- Very familiar.
- Hm? Well, you have been having bad luck lately, haven't you? Six company chairmen in less than a year? Ah.
Thank you, Quinn.
Mr Steed.
- Henry.
- Thank you.
Ah.
Well, what do you make of us, hm? Bit archaic, eh? The trappings of a bygone age.
Do you know, we still judge a man as to whether his credit risk is good by the colour of his socks.
Can you suggest a good broker? The best.
Frederick Yuill.
We use him ourselves.
- This will introduce you.
- Thank you.
By the way, I'm giving a dinner party on Thursday.
I'd be honoured if you'd join us.
Then so would I.
I'd be delighted.
- Good morning.
- Hm? The late Mr Todhunter, he was brought here? Todhunter? The mahogany and walnut, velvet-lined.
Solid brass handles, gothic style.
I prefer the Corinthian fluted myself.
Tasteful.
Todhunter? Yes, he's with us.
Oh, well, I have an authority here to remove his effects.
I'd say I prefer the Corinthian fluted to any other handle.
Solid brass of course.
We can get them made up in stainless steel, special order.
Not as tasteful, though.
Mind you, we do a simulated mock Michelangelo design that goes very nice with the lighter wood.
Very tasteful together.
- Did you, er deal with Mr Todhunter? - Naturally.
Personal service and efficiency.
My father and I pride ourselves on it.
And the funeral will go forward as planned? - They won't delay it for an autopsy? - Why should they? The doctor signed the certificate.
Thrombosis.
Why should there be an autopsy? Ah, here we are.
Did you notice anything peculiar about the body? Peculiar? No.
Slight bruise over the heart, that's all.
What kind of bruise? - That's funny, it's gone.
- What's gone? I had it here this morning myself.
- What? - Eh? One of those bleep machines like they use in hospitals.
It's gone, yet I took it out of his pocket myself.
- Which pocket? - Top.
It was clipped there.
About level with his heart? Yes, I suppose it would be.
Well, it's declaration day tomorrow.
The shares have gone down £1.
And you have options for 10,000.
- I'll leave the arithmetic to you.
- [Knock at door.]
Look, I'll call you back later, hm? Do come in, Mr Steed.
I'm sorry if I've kept you waiting.
Not at all.
- How do you do? Do sit down.
- Thank you.
I understand Boardman sent you.
- How is Henry? - Flourishing.
Well now, what can I do for you? - Do you know Cassells Tin? - Yes.
Chap at my club thinks it's a good speculation.
There are two occasions when a man shouldn't speculate: - if he can afford it and if he can't.
- Thanks for the advice.
It's not mine.
Mark Twain's.
- He was a good fisherman too.
- Didn't know he was a broker.
Hm.
Can I offer you some sherry? Sherry and biscuits? Thank you.
Suzanne, send Myers in with some sherry and biscuits.
Cassells Tin is a sturdy sort of company.
The friend who gave me the tip has had a lot of luck lately on the market but I don't understand how.
The shares have been falling every day and yet he's still coining it.
- It can be done.
- You can make money out of failure? - Have you ever heard of a "put" option? - Vaguely.
I'll give you a simple example.
You take out a put option on X shares.
They stand at, say, £1 today.
Then perhaps they drop by half to ten bob.
So you buy 10,000 at ten bob and exercise your option to sell at £1.
The difference is your profit margin.
Complex and not for the amateur.
It's very profitable when you pull it off.
The whole thing depends on the shares falling in price.
Of course, if you had the capacity to foresee the future - and influence it - That would be a different thing entirely.
What was the company your friend dabbled in? Todhunter's.
It was quite a killing.
- That is the correct term, isn't it? - Yes.
- Do you fish, Mr Steed? - No.
You should.
It's very relaxing.
Ah, thank you, Myers.
Oh Associated Industries down two points.
Excuse me.
- Suzanne? - 'Yes, sir?' Associated Industries, buy 20,000.
'Yes, Mr Yuill.
I also have Ben Jago on the phone.
- 'Shall I put him through?' - No.
Er, no, I'll come outside and speak to him.
Will you excuse me? I'll have Suzanne send in some investment prospects for you.
Mr Yuill wants you to have these.
I'm just a babe in the financial wood.
Perhaps you'd explain to me the finer points? I'll try.
This is just a suggested portfolio.
The capital you invest will be spread equally over all the key industries.
So much in steel, so much in oil, so much in the industrials, and so on.
- Fascinating.
- Yes.
This suggested scheme would need an initial investment of about oh, £50,000 in round figures.
- Round figures? - Oh, Mr Steed! Oh, please go on.
There's nothing else really to say.
It's all quite straightforward.
The investment suggestions are carefully selected, tried and tested.
By Ben Jago? - He is a client of yours, isn't he? - [Sighs.]
Do you know Mr Jago? His name is bandied about in the City as the man to watch.
Yes, he's very successful.
- And he is a client of yours? - One of the best we have.
How does he do it? A crystal ball? Foresight? Well, he's always dabbling in put options, isn't he? He's always just one step ahead.
He seems to sense just when the market is just right.
It's experience, I suppose.
Nevertheless, it is a little uncanny.
I mean, take his last success, Todhunter & Company.
He took out options about a week ago, ooh, a holding of 100,000.
They paid off.
Well, that's Ben Jago for you.
[Buzz of conversation.]
Oh, flood it, please.
Thank you.
[Bell rings.]
'Coppers were quietly firm but made a mixed showing.
'Oils hardened but rubbers were neglected.
'Banking and insurance shares were on the dull side 'but HB shares steady' Yes, sir? What's the blue-chip special when it's at home? One layer of prawns, one of scrambled-egg mayonnaise on lightly toasted rye bread.
I can recommend it.
Splendid.
At least one of us will enjoy it.
- Coffee sir? - Kenya with a dash, vodka to start.
Thank you, sir.
Quote your shares while you're waiting? It'd take too long.
- Anything further, sir? - Is there a Mr Ben Jago here? Yes, sir, he's, um over there.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, sir.
- Excuse me, aren't you Ben Jago? - Yes.
- We share the same broker.
- Charlie Bingham? Yuill, Frederick Yuill.
One can't be too careful.
Won't you join us, Mr Steed.
- May I introduce - Do sit here.
I'm just going.
- I don't want to interrupt.
- Not at all.
I have an appointment with my hairdresser.
- Are you sure? - Certain.
Bye, Ben Mr Steed.
- I must apologise for the intrusion.
- Oh, no, not at all.
Have they put you into Gibbs Electronics yet? - Not yet.
- Well, see they don't.
- I don't like the smell of them.
- Thanks for the tip.
- No ice? - Oh, house rule, sir.
Really? Yes, a dealer from Wall Street once asked for a bourbon on the rocks.
Two brokers dropped dead on the spot.
Tell me, how's it all done? Remote as water divining to me.
Well, it's mainly by guess and by good luck.
I don't believe it.
My guide book says you're the shrewdest man in the City.
- Time to buy a new guide book.
- Care to pass on some of the rules? Buy when they're friendless.
It's never wrong to take a profit.
- They're half-truths, all of them.
- All of them? How did you know about Todhunter? That was more than a half-truth.
- Hot tip from our broker.
- I wish he'd passed it onto me.
Well, there was a lot of fiddling before Rome caught fire.
Well, if there's a fiddle going on, I'm a man who likes to be in on it.
Just remember, even Nero got his fingers burnt.
Goodbye, Mr Steed.
Good afternoon.
I'm JP Warner of Warner's Answering Service.
Can I help you? I'd like to know more about the service you offer.
- Splendid in its simplicity, Miss - Mrs, Mrs Peel.
Ah, well, the scheme operates along the lines of that used in many hospitals.
The subscriber carries a bleep on his person and if he is wanted, bleep, wherever he is or whatever he is doing.
What's the range of your service? At present we're limited to the City of London.
That confines it to brokers and financiers? Yes, that's the idea.
But this is our pilot scheme.
If it works, and I can assure you it is working, then our backers will enable us to expand.
But all the information is contained in our brochures.
- Perhaps you'd care to see.
- Thank you.
How many bleeps do you have in operation at the moment? Well, at the last count it was close on 5,000.
A key executive need never be out of touch.
That's the basis.
- Ought to be all right now, Mr Warner.
- Ah, splendid, Fitch.
- Just needed rewiring, that's all.
- Yes, quite.
Thank you, Fitch.
- I'll get along now, lot to do.
- Quite, quite.
I'm sorry about that.
Now, if you'd like to see a practical demonstration - Who was that man? - Eh? Oh, Fitch? Oh, he's our resident mechanical genius.
- Now, Mrs Peel - I feel I've seen him before somewhere.
- Is that possible? - Oh, I doubt it.
Fitch isn't exactly social.
He keeps in the background.
Very much so.
I believe during the war he used to be one of those backroom boys.
He's a funny fellow.
Give him a couple of bits of wire and you've got a shortwave radio before you can say Marconi.
Well, thank you very much, Mr Warner.
By the way, you supplied a bleep to my relative, Norman Todhunter.
Did you ever get it back? Todhunter? Thomas Truegoody Fantastic name! Todhunter.
No.
Should we have done? Nice to see you, Mr Steed.
Do come in.
[Steed.]
Beautiful.
Is it pressurised? [Henry.]
It is high up.
I'd like you to meet my wife.
Ruth, this is Mr Steed.
- How do you do? - Delighted to meet you, Mrs Boardman.
So you're doing business with my husband? - He's showing me the ropes.
- You're not in the City? - Not often.
- How about a drink? - I mix a good martini.
- Thank you.
Good.
What a small world, Mrs Boardman.
So they say, Mr Steed.
So they say.
Will you excuse me for a moment? - Absolutely breath-taking.
- Yes, I rather envy him, I must say.
Oh, I'd like you to meet Mrs Peel, Mr Steed.
- Delighted to meet you, Mrs Peel.
- Mr Steed.
- Good evening.
- Mrs Peel is another client of ours.
- From Barbados.
- Recently? - I arrived last week.
- You surprise me.
- Why is that? - So little tan.
- The rainy season.
- Of course.
Oh, Henry Darling, didn't you want to make a phone call before dinner? Oh, um Yes, er, excuse me, please.
Harvey showed me your view.
It's most impressive.
It is good, isn't it? Penthouse life is rather restricting.
But it's better for Henry.
He can have a rubber of bridge at his club and still be home for dinner.
I won't be a moment.
Henry's so fussy about the temperature of his wines.
Barbados? The rainy season? Annual average: 36 inches, half of which falls between September and November.
Next question? [Humming a tune.]
[Bleeping.]
[Steed.]
Mr Yuill's been delayed.
[Henry.]
Typical.
He's a fine broker but his manners are atrocious.
[Ruth.]
Oh, come! There must be some logical explanation.
Wasn't I right about the wine, Mr Steed? And the brandy.
Impeccable.
I thought brandies were judicious.
Not according to the authorised text.
- Do you like wine, Mrs Peel? - In moderation.
- I was referring to interest not capacity.
- So was I.
We have a wine tasting in the bank's cellar on Tuesday.
- Would you like to come along? - I'd be delighted.
Perhaps Mr Steed would like to come too.
Tuesday Ladysmith relieved, 1900.
- What time? - Six.
Six it is.
We'll see how keen your palette really is.
Well, if you'll excuse me, I really think I'd better leave you now.
- Got to get into strict training.
- As you say.
- Can I give you a lift, Mrs Peel? - Oh, no, no.
You're not going to deprive us of Mrs Peel's company.
- We'll see she gets home safely.
- Goodbye, then.
And once again, thank you for your hospitality.
- Thank you, Mr Steed.
- I'll show you out.
[Motorbike driving off.]
Bang goes your no-claim bonus.
A far cry from sherry and biscuits.
- Do you know him? - My broker's butler.
The Boardmans were very anxious we shouldn't leave together.
They didn't want you butting in on their little surprise for me.
- You're guessing.
- I know it.
What now? Go back and confront them? No, I think I'll have a chat with my broker.
- That pocket was really picked.
- No wonder he didn't feel like dinner.
But he did.
He's dressed for it.
He was on his way.
At a rough guess he's been dead three hours.
Spoken like an expert.
I'm taking a refresher course in applied medicine.
- When you contacted me - I interrupted your studies.
Gave you a chance to put theory into practice.
- A chance I could have done without.
- Three hours ago? That makes it 9 p.
m.
The time we started dinner.
That eliminates three suspects.
I'll take this side.
Do you mind? It doesn't eliminate three suspects.
- Boardman left us to make a call.
- To one of his minions? Quite possibly.
- What do you make of the Boardmans? - Him, bluff, conservative.
- Diehard traditional.
- Square.
- Exactly.
- And her? Attractive, intelligent, expensive.
- Cold as ice.
- And promiscuous.
- Promiscuous? - Beyond that my lips are sealed.
- A true gentleman doesn't - know of a lady's promiscuity.
Odd, though.
In spite of the air of wealth, I get the impression the Boardmans are going down in the world.
- Objets d'art diminishing rapidly.
- No country house.
- Find anything? - No.
If Boardman was involved, why did he send me to Yuill? - Why did he put me onto his broker? - He knew Yuill would report back to him.
Huh.
Obviously he did report back.
Capital, capital.
No sign of brown, hangs well on the glass.
Ambrosia.
A shower short of perfection.
Hm.
Do you think so? A touch too astringent.
- Well? What do you think? - A shade too much tannin.
- Oh, Steed, you disappoint me.
- I'm sorry.
Bit of a text-book answer.
It's a 1934.
Not enough rain.
Alcoholic content too great.
'28, now, that was a great year.
Felstead Derby year.
Won at 8:1.
Superlative.
Put a hogshead down for Jeremy when he was born, for his 21st.
A most civilised gift.
Did he enjoy it? Enjoy it? The brigade turned him down.
Young fellow went straight into the Church.
Had to drink it all myself.
Oh, well.
Your continued good health, General.
- What part of Barbados are you from? - Do you know the island? My uncle has a tobacco plantation there.
- Ah, that would be the south end.
- Yes, I believe it is.
I was in the north among the non-smokers.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Excuse me a moment.
Agreeable, well-rounded, a little on the flinty side.
Pouilly blanc fumé.
Try it.
- Well? - Venerable, devious, a little ambivalent.
- Pouilly blanc fumé? - No, Boardmans.
I get the feeling we're not trusted around here.
You know what I mean? Yes.
Try this one.
The silver tray.
I can see you're out to trap me.
Trap you? Why should we want to trap you? Ah Ha a challenge.
First shot to you.
Gentlemen.
Latour '59.
A hit, a palpable hit.
- Well, Mr Steed? - It's either a '65 Algerian red or a premier cru, Château Lafite Rothschild.
What year? More nose.
It's old, very old.
Pre-14-18 war? Correct.
It's an outstanding vintage.
Definitely pre-1914 but no earlier than 1880.
You still have 34 years to play with.
Well? 19-0 8 would not be the year.
From the northern end of the vineyard.
It's not just a question of what to buy, it's also a question of when.
Buy when they're friendless.
Isn't that right? Yes, quite right, but who can tell when that is.
- [Buzzer.]
- Oh, excuse me.
- Yes? - 'There's a Mr Warner to see you.
' - Warner? Do I know him? - 'He says he's from the answer service.
' - 'He has a parcel for you.
' - Oh, yes, that's right.
Show him in, would you, please? Excuse me.
This won't take a moment.
- Good afternoon.
- Good afternoon.
- Very good of you to bring it round.
- Oh, it was on my way.
- I've a couple of calls to make.
- Very kind of you.
- Not at all.
- Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Now then, where were we? - Consignment of new securities? - Hm? Oh, no.
This is just a line Henry's trying to push among his friends, hoping they invest in the company.
I'll show you.
It might amuse you.
You shouldn't indulge me.
There.
- Know what they are? - I've seen them in hospitals, haven't I? Yes, you're right.
A company of ours is trying to market them industrially.
Good idea.
- Are you ready for some tea? - I'd love some.
Oh.
Thank you.
Change? Change.
Keys? Keys.
- [Buzzer.]
- Doorbell.
Doorbell? - [Buzzer.]
- Coming, coming.
- May I come in? - Please do.
It's much as I'd imagined it.
The fact that you imagined it at all intrigues me.
I've come to thank you.
Thank me? What for? - Your tact.
- Oh, don't mention it.
- You don't mind if I, um - Please carry on.
You see, Mr Steed, when you're married to a man 20 years older than yourself the fact that you're seen lunching with a younger man, a well-known, almost infamous character, can be misinterpreted, misunderstood.
You're a merchant banker's wife and Mr Jago is an investor.
It seemed a perfectly natural liaison.
As I said, you're very tactful.
Not tactful, optimistic.
- And I admire a woman with a past.
- What's optimistic about that? The hope that history may repeat itself.
[Clock ticking.]
- There have been no messages? - No messages.
- You checked? - Double-checked.
- No lady called Mrs Peel? - No, sir, no one of that name.
What have you done to Steed's watch? The next time he opens it it will be the last time he opens it.
It's pretty, isn't it? I'm dedicating this one to Steed.
As soon as he's dead, I'll stop it at the exact moment of his release from time.
A sort of monument to him and to my ingenuity.
For most people, you know, life is ruled by time.
But I won't accept that.
One can rule time, you know.
And that allotted to Steed is limited.
Strictly limited.
Like Todhunter and Yuill.
And the five other company chairmen? Of course, one doesn't get so much opportunity in peacetime.
The war, now oh, it was very exciting.
Eight Panzer officers in one night.
Eight! And an Italian captain.
That's his clock here.
Quarter to four a.
m.
He was a lothario with amazing capacity.
If promotion was won in bed, he'd have been a Field Marshal.
Quite an orgy of death, Mr Fitch.
Please, must you use such clichés? Death is a gift, like time, to be used I've never killed a woman before.
It would be bestial to perforate that skin.
Perhaps an ultrasonic injection, or digitalis, but it must be neat.
My gift to you I shall kill you with scientific tenderness, Mrs Peel.
9:05, sir.
Should get the Wall Street closing prices any minute.
Madam.
Ah, where the I'm sorry to intrude, Mrs Boardman.
I told your butler it would be all right.
I wanted to repay your visit.
Also, I wanted a word with your husband.
- Henry? - Oh, it's not terribly important.
It's just that I happened to be passing and I thought I'd drop by.
Also, I wouldn't mind another sample of your excellent brandy.
Oh, yes.
Yes, of course.
What's the matter? Is anything wrong? You look quite pale.
You must forgive me, Mr Steed.
I'm really very tired.
I'm so sorry.
Where is he? Your husband.
- He's dining out.
- When do you expect him? Nine or ten, I don't know.
Ten? Oh, it must be almost that now.
Don't! [Clock ticking.]
[Knock at door.]
Mr Fitch? Ah, yes, this is the place.
- Your name's been recommended to me.
- What for? Having trouble with my watch.
It's a Hunter.
You know the model? What sort of trouble? - Can't seem to open it.
- Why not? The button's stuck.
Er, perhaps you'd have a go.
It must be stuck.
I can't think what's happened to it.
But I'm sure that if you had a try - Ah.
- [Watch chimes a tune.]
Ah, just a trifle out of key, don't you think? - [Banging.]
- [Emma.]
Steed? Steed! Oh.
Barbados-London, cupboard class.
Not by choice.
How did you find me? Ruth Boardman.
- Put that gun down.
- What is it? It's a bicycle-pump gun.
The Maquis used it.
I invented it.
Now, put that gun down.
On the bench.
For Mrs Peel's sake.
Hello, Major.
Crafty of you to find the window.
[Clock chimes.]
Don't waste time on those.
They're innocent.
- The ones at the bank were.
- The bank? Boardman's.
They delivered a fresh batch.
A capillary needle, straight through the heart.
Neat.
- First choose the pigeons.
- Then put the cat amongst them.
- Steed! - Oh! Forgot my brolly.
There we are, sir.
[Harvey on tape.]
'It is suggested the investment be split into three parts: 'overseas investments, 'home and Commonwealth, 'and a final third to be left floating, 'that is, to be made available whenever and wherever 'lucrative opportunities present themselves.
'This will maintain a flexibility of investment possibility.
'[Clears throat.]
End of tape one.
' - Where's Harvey? - Your partner in crime? - When did you find out? - Ruth told me.
What was her function? To make sure I didn't catch on? Using this bank, Boardman's, as a cover for murder and fraud! - I wanted to cut you in.
- You flatter me.
But Harvey said no - He said you had too many scruples.
- What's a few scruples? You can put that peashooter away.
- I'll call the police.
- Oh, no, don't.
Ben, today I lost a partner and a wife.
Now, you can't frighten me.
[Gunshot.]
Harvey, the cellar.
I'm all right.
- Put that away and I'll tell you.
- Tell me anyway.
Look.
Snap.
- But who did it? - I don't know.
- Neither of them are doctored.
- So there's nothing to worry about.
- Boardman knows everything.
- What? Everything.
I shot him.
Oh, no.
- I had to.
He was ringing the police.
- You ruined it, Jago.
- Where is he? - Upstairs in the parlour.
[Harvey.]
Is he dead? [Jago.]
I don't know.
Good evening.
- Welcome to the gathering.
- Couldn't stay away.
- It's that Château Rothschild.
- Shame.
One shouldn't over-indulge.
- Including chairmen? - You've met my colleague.
Yes, and our trick cyclist friend.
- You are an embarrassing fellow, Steed.
- We aim to please.
- Men of integrity need careful handling.
- Every time.
But in the final analysis, everyone's corruptible.
Everyone has his price.
How much are you offering? There's £200,000 in a bank in Zurich.
- It's yours if you're prepared - I'm sorry.
- Offer him more, Harvey.
- No, I don't barter.
Oh, it's very generous but it is a little late.
Do you remember Mrs Peel? At this moment she's telling it all to the proper authorities.
- Chairman by chairman, so - Steady.
I do admire your style, Steed.
Mrs Peel's been taken care of.
Has she? And has Fitch bought another clock to commemorate the event? He's bluffing.
Quinn, how long would it take you to empty one of those casks? - The biggest.
- Not long.
Then do it.
- Harvey, you're not - Don't worry, I'm handling this.
[Gunshot.]
Quinn, the door! [Bottle rolling.]
[Thud.]
Oh! - How about a drink.
- Mm.
Where shall we start? Preferably grande marque.
Ah, the best.
Careful which way you point that.
I'm frightened of corks.
- Steed! - [Gunshots.]
- Bit on the dry side.
- But a very adaptable wine.
There, my dear.
Well? A claret with unusual body.
- What? - The Bordeaux district.
- Hm? - Mm The little village of Saint Pérignon.
So it would be from the De Vere vineyard.
Émilion Saint-Clair.
1930 would not be the year.
Fantastic, Mrs Peel.
- Nose or palette? - Mm-hm eyes.
I read the label.
Ho, ho! - Votre santé! - À la vôtre.