1 00:00:05,640 --> 00:00:07,640 (FLY BUZZES) 2 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:41,560 Good Lord. 3 00:00:48,440 --> 00:00:50,420 (CAT MEOWS) 4 00:00:50,440 --> 00:00:54,580 Later every morning, that lad, isn't he, Marina? 5 00:00:54,600 --> 00:00:56,600 Disgraceful. 6 00:01:05,400 --> 00:01:08,540 Is that the last of them, then, sir? I would have been quite happy to... 7 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:11,480 No. I wanted to write them myself. 8 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:15,520 Seems only right. 9 00:01:16,600 --> 00:01:20,560 Old friends, you see, George? Old friends. 10 00:01:37,480 --> 00:01:40,540 Extra! Extra! Read all about it! 11 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:42,560 World on the brink! 12 00:02:28,600 --> 00:02:30,620 Well, then... 13 00:02:30,640 --> 00:02:33,420 Captain Hastings? 14 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,500 A few words? Really? Me? 15 00:02:37,520 --> 00:02:39,500 Oh. 16 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:42,400 Well, I don't really... 17 00:02:43,440 --> 00:02:47,440 Hard to know what to say, isn't it? Gosh. 18 00:02:49,460 --> 00:02:50,520 My friends. 19 00:02:56,480 --> 00:02:58,420 I know. 20 00:02:58,440 --> 00:03:00,640 To my master. 21 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:03,400 The best of masters. 22 00:03:05,420 --> 00:03:07,620 To our dear friend. 23 00:03:07,640 --> 00:03:10,420 To Monsieur Hercule Poirot. 24 00:03:11,500 --> 00:03:12,640 God rest his soul. 25 00:03:38,440 --> 00:03:40,440 (MAN LAUGHS) 26 00:04:06,400 --> 00:04:09,400 "I urge you to believe that I speak the truth, 27 00:04:09,420 --> 00:04:14,380 that the world is in the grip of sinister forces bent on tipping it into chaos. 28 00:04:14,400 --> 00:04:18,440 Beware. Beware the Big Four." 29 00:04:18,460 --> 00:04:22,540 Secret societies? Sinister plans for world domination? 30 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:26,400 It's all a bit Bulldog Drummond, don't you think, Mr Tysoe? 31 00:04:26,420 --> 00:04:28,620 At first, yeah, I did. 32 00:04:28,640 --> 00:04:31,620 But I've had more letters since. I think there's something in it. 33 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:35,540 You remember that locomotive that came off the rails, the Plymouth Express? 34 00:04:35,560 --> 00:04:36,540 Course. 35 00:04:36,560 --> 00:04:40,540 My correspondent claims that was the work of the Big Four. 36 00:04:40,560 --> 00:04:43,480 And the riots in India. Local agitators. 37 00:04:43,500 --> 00:04:46,500 Not according to these. A crank, young man. 38 00:04:46,520 --> 00:04:51,460 The idea there's some sort of organising power controlling the world, 39 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:55,460 it's a very common fantasy amongst paranoiacs. 40 00:04:55,480 --> 00:04:58,540 Mr Ingles. I've been doing some research. 41 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:02,620 Mr Tysoe, we stand on the edge of an abyss. 42 00:05:02,640 --> 00:05:06,500 Germany, Italy. A storm is gathering. 43 00:05:06,520 --> 00:05:10,500 We've enough to worry about without some far-fetched nonsense like this. 44 00:05:10,520 --> 00:05:12,600 Far-fetched? Is it? 45 00:05:19,640 --> 00:05:22,520 If you could go over to the left of the chessboard, please. 46 00:05:22,540 --> 00:05:24,500 Sir. 47 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,480 Well, there's a sight for sore eyes. 48 00:05:39,560 --> 00:05:43,500 Ah! Mille tonnerres. Mon cher Inspector Japp. 49 00:05:43,520 --> 00:05:45,620 Hello, Poirot. Ah, mon ami. Mon ami. 50 00:05:45,640 --> 00:05:50,460 It has been too long. Far too long. My dear Inspector Japp. 51 00:05:50,480 --> 00:05:52,540 Assistant Commissioner now if you don't mind. 52 00:05:52,560 --> 00:05:53,620 Pardon. Pardon. 53 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:56,580 I've been following your progress with the interest most keen. 54 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:58,460 Mon ami. 55 00:06:01,440 --> 00:06:04,460 You are here in the capacity professional? 56 00:06:04,480 --> 00:06:06,500 I'm not quite a spent force yet, Poirot. 57 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:10,460 They still wheel me out for the occasional important assignment. 58 00:06:10,480 --> 00:06:13,440 Lot of foreign bigwigs here tonight. 59 00:06:13,460 --> 00:06:17,540 Mr Ryland over there's requested a discreet police presence for this chess match. 60 00:06:17,560 --> 00:06:22,560 I must say, it's nice to get out from behind a desk, stretch the old pins again. 61 00:06:22,580 --> 00:06:26,420 Though there won't be many more assignments like this, I fancy. 62 00:06:26,440 --> 00:06:29,540 Well, you know, time, it catches up with us all. 63 00:06:29,560 --> 00:06:32,580 Perhaps also for Poirot the shadows are lengthening 64 00:06:32,600 --> 00:06:35,500 and the moment it is come to think of the life that is quiet. 65 00:06:35,520 --> 00:06:37,620 You retire, Poirot? Never. 66 00:06:37,640 --> 00:06:40,520 You attract mayhem, always have done. 67 00:06:44,640 --> 00:06:46,460 Who's the lady? 68 00:06:46,480 --> 00:06:49,420 Ah, that is the great Madame Olivier. 69 00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:53,580 Ah, right, one of Ryland's Peace Party johnnies. 70 00:06:53,600 --> 00:06:55,560 One of your lot, isn't she? Comment? 71 00:06:55,580 --> 00:06:57,460 Belgian? Non. 72 00:06:57,480 --> 00:06:59,600 She's French, not Belgian. 73 00:07:00,540 --> 00:07:02,600 But in her field she is a genius. 74 00:07:02,620 --> 00:07:07,400 Her research into the nervous system, it is truly groundbreaking. 75 00:07:07,420 --> 00:07:12,460 Hm. You might say she has the greatest brain in the Western world. 76 00:07:12,480 --> 00:07:14,640 The greatest scientific brain, indeed. 77 00:07:15,400 --> 00:07:17,520 Of course. 78 00:07:18,400 --> 00:07:21,420 Ah, well, excuse me, Poirot. Duty calls. 79 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:22,620 Assistant Commissioner. 80 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:24,640 Oh, pardon me, sir. 81 00:07:26,640 --> 00:07:29,540 Monsieur Poirot. Madame Olivier. 82 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:33,580 May I introduce Stephen Paynter of the British diplomatic corps, 83 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:37,380 an invaluable supporter of the Peace Party. 84 00:07:37,400 --> 00:07:39,440 A cause most worthy, monsieur. 85 00:07:40,520 --> 00:07:43,460 And this is... Do remind me. 86 00:07:43,480 --> 00:07:46,500 Dr Quentin, Mr Paynter's personal physician. 87 00:07:46,520 --> 00:07:48,620 Quite the turnout, madame. You must be pleased. 88 00:07:48,640 --> 00:07:50,620 We have done it together, all of us. 89 00:07:50,640 --> 00:07:56,420 Ladies, gentlemen, may I welcome you to our informal little soiree 90 00:07:56,440 --> 00:08:00,500 on behalf of our guiding light and founder Li Chang Yen. 91 00:08:01,580 --> 00:08:07,440 Now, ill health prevents him from leaving China, but he is with us in spirit. 92 00:08:07,540 --> 00:08:10,640 We're all aware of the international situation, 93 00:08:11,400 --> 00:08:14,540 at the grave pass at which the civilised world finds itself, 94 00:08:14,560 --> 00:08:20,540 which is why we in the Peace Party see it as our mission, our duty, 95 00:08:20,560 --> 00:08:23,580 to avoid the lamps going out once again. 96 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:25,440 GUESTS: Hear, hear! 97 00:08:25,460 --> 00:08:30,400 One day, years ago, I woke up and I realised 98 00:08:30,420 --> 00:08:33,460 that I hadn't a clue what to do with all my money. 99 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:34,600 (GUESTS LAUGH) 100 00:08:34,620 --> 00:08:37,520 Tell us how you got your money, Mr Ryland. 101 00:08:38,440 --> 00:08:40,480 This is an invitation-only event, sir. 102 00:08:40,500 --> 00:08:43,420 You won't answer my telephone calls, Mr Ryland. 103 00:08:43,440 --> 00:08:45,500 How else am I supposed to reach you? 104 00:08:45,520 --> 00:08:47,460 This is intolerable. 105 00:08:47,480 --> 00:08:51,560 Eh? What are you hiding? Who are the Big Four? 106 00:08:53,520 --> 00:08:54,540 (DOOR SLAMS) 107 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:58,640 Well, it seems that everyone wants to be here tonight. 108 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:00,420 (GUESTS LAUGH) 109 00:09:00,440 --> 00:09:01,580 And why wouldn't they? 110 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:06,600 To witness this demonstration of unity between East and West 111 00:09:06,620 --> 00:09:10,480 via this ancient and beautiful game. 112 00:09:10,500 --> 00:09:14,420 Now, I would like to thank our friend, the Russian ambassador, 113 00:09:14,440 --> 00:09:16,480 for coaxing our guest out of retirement. 114 00:09:16,500 --> 00:09:22,480 May I introduce to you the illustrious Dr Ivan Savaranoff. 115 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:25,460 Oh! Who? 116 00:09:25,480 --> 00:09:29,580 Dr Savaranoff. He is the greatest of the Russian grand masters. 117 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:32,460 You are not a player of chess? 118 00:09:32,480 --> 00:09:34,620 No. Dominoes is more in my line, Poirot. 119 00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:42,460 Welcome, sir. 120 00:09:42,480 --> 00:09:43,560 He's getting on a bit. 121 00:09:43,580 --> 00:09:46,640 It is many years since he's been seen in public, mon ami. 122 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:53,560 I warn you, sir, I may be an amateur, but I won't be beat without a fight. 123 00:09:57,480 --> 00:09:59,440 That's always been my motto. 124 00:10:01,600 --> 00:10:06,520 Well, then, without further ado, let battle commence. 125 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:15,440 Pawn to king four. (CLOCK TICKS) 126 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:22,600 Pawn to king four. (CLOCK TICKS) 127 00:10:25,400 --> 00:10:27,480 Knight to king's bishop three. 128 00:10:32,520 --> 00:10:35,540 Knight to queen's bishop three. 129 00:10:51,560 --> 00:10:54,600 A doctor! Someone call a doctor! 130 00:10:57,500 --> 00:11:01,540 Can I help, monsieur? I have some expertise. 131 00:11:06,420 --> 00:11:07,640 I'm afraid it's too late. 132 00:11:09,400 --> 00:11:11,400 He's gone. 133 00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:32,800 They had trouble getting this out of his hand. Rigor mortis, I expect. 134 00:11:33,920 --> 00:11:35,840 I expect so. 135 00:11:37,020 --> 00:11:39,960 If you please to show Poirot the belongings of the old man. 136 00:11:43,840 --> 00:11:46,820 I don't know what you're getting yourself so broody about, Poirot. 137 00:11:46,840 --> 00:11:49,780 You only had to look at him to know he wasn't long for this world. 138 00:11:49,800 --> 00:11:52,800 Natural causes, dicky ticker. It says so here. 139 00:11:53,880 --> 00:11:55,860 Quelle coincidence. What's that? 140 00:11:55,880 --> 00:11:58,040 The researches of Madame Olivier concern the effects 141 00:11:58,800 --> 00:12:01,880 of atropine and morphine and so on on the heart and the nervous system. 142 00:12:01,900 --> 00:12:04,780 Ah, so that's what she meant by "expertise". 143 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:06,860 Oui. 144 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:09,980 But, alas, it was too late for her to save him. 145 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:13,980 So, after all these years of being a recluse, 146 00:12:14,000 --> 00:12:17,900 he agrees to travel halfway round the world for a publicity stunt. 147 00:12:17,920 --> 00:12:20,920 I have no doubt that Dr Savaranoff was paid most handsomely. 148 00:12:20,940 --> 00:12:23,940 Ah, but why was Ryland prepared to pay so much? 149 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,860 You again. Yes, we were never formally introduced. 150 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:29,820 Lawrence Boswell Tysoe, Associated Papers. 151 00:12:29,840 --> 00:12:32,900 Come on, son. Mon ami. 152 00:12:32,920 --> 00:12:34,980 What is your interest here, Monsieur Tysoe? 153 00:12:35,000 --> 00:12:37,960 Something fishy about the old man's death. 154 00:12:37,980 --> 00:12:40,980 Dr Savaranoff died of natural causes. Really? 155 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:44,900 Don't tell me the great Hercule Poirot would bother with something like this 156 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:46,880 unless foul play was suspected. 157 00:12:46,900 --> 00:12:50,820 If and when we have something to announce to the press, you'll be the first to know. 158 00:12:50,840 --> 00:12:52,860 Don't be so hasty. 159 00:12:52,880 --> 00:12:56,900 Play your cards right, maybe I can supply you with the truth about Abe Ryland, 160 00:12:56,920 --> 00:12:59,840 fill you in on the skeletons he's got hiding in his closet 161 00:12:59,860 --> 00:13:02,020 and what he knows about the Big Four. 162 00:13:03,840 --> 00:13:05,860 What is this Big Four? 163 00:13:06,860 --> 00:13:08,860 Ring me, Mr Poirot. 164 00:13:09,800 --> 00:13:12,800 You won't regret it. Ring me. 165 00:13:19,960 --> 00:13:23,820 ANNOUNCER: Curtain up in five, ladies and gentlemen. 166 00:13:23,840 --> 00:13:25,960 I'll have a word with someone. Look, there she is. 167 00:13:28,000 --> 00:13:29,860 (WOLF WHISTLES) 168 00:13:29,880 --> 00:13:32,020 Stop it, you terrible boys. Got your number. 169 00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:37,940 Flossie, I say. Those boys are just outrageous, aren't they? 170 00:13:37,960 --> 00:13:39,900 Mm. 171 00:13:39,920 --> 00:13:41,900 Did you ever play Juliet, Flossie? 172 00:13:41,920 --> 00:13:44,900 Yes. Quite recently, actually. 173 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:47,860 Oh...right. 174 00:13:47,880 --> 00:13:49,900 You're not reading that rubbish again, are you? 175 00:13:49,920 --> 00:13:51,820 It's not rubbish. 176 00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:54,920 It gives me the horrors, all these rumours about another war. 177 00:13:55,900 --> 00:13:59,020 Oh, I almost forgot. Reg asked me to give this to you. 178 00:13:59,040 --> 00:14:00,980 Somebody must have left it at stage door. 179 00:14:01,000 --> 00:14:03,880 A letter? For me? Must be fan mail. 180 00:14:05,920 --> 00:14:07,820 Well, open it, then. 181 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:10,980 Ooh, even better, a valentine. 182 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,940 But it's April. Oh, yes, so it is. 183 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:19,980 "Dear Flossie, never forgotten, until we meet again. 184 00:14:20,000 --> 00:14:21,900 4 kisses." 185 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:24,940 Well? Who is it from? 186 00:14:24,960 --> 00:14:26,880 It doesn't say. 187 00:14:41,000 --> 00:14:42,880 Monsieur Tysoe. 188 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:49,840 Knew you'd come. Can't resist a scoop, eh? 189 00:14:49,860 --> 00:14:52,000 You'd have made a good journalist, Mr Poirot. 190 00:14:52,020 --> 00:14:55,820 I think Poirot has the wrong kind of morality for the work. 191 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:58,000 You're too modest, I'm sure. 192 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:01,860 S'il vous plait. 193 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:15,900 Monsieur Tysoe, you spoke of skeletons in the armoire of Monsieur Ryland. 194 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:17,860 Arm what? 195 00:15:17,880 --> 00:15:19,000 Oh, I see, in the cupboard. 196 00:15:21,000 --> 00:15:26,820 Well, let me tell you, Abe Ryland is not the man everyone thinks he is. 197 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:30,860 Real name's Abram Ryakhin, born in Kursk. 198 00:15:30,880 --> 00:15:34,800 Appeared in America about 25 years ago, the outbreak of the Great War. 199 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,860 Changed his name, his voice, his whole identity. 200 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:40,800 So my question is: why? 201 00:15:42,840 --> 00:15:43,980 What is it that you know? 202 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:49,940 I know how he made his money. Arms dealing. 203 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:51,960 Huh? He made millions. 204 00:15:52,040 --> 00:15:55,040 Selling weapons to the Allies and the Kaiser. 205 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,820 You have proof of this? Naturally. 206 00:15:59,840 --> 00:16:02,040 And maybe he was planning on doing the same thing again. 207 00:16:03,000 --> 00:16:05,880 What is this Big Four that you mentioned? 208 00:16:05,900 --> 00:16:10,840 Certain...information been coming my way. 209 00:16:11,000 --> 00:16:12,840 Letters. 210 00:16:12,860 --> 00:16:14,040 And what do they say, these letters? 211 00:16:14,800 --> 00:16:18,860 Well, not so fast, now, not so fast. I've shared my information on Ryland. 212 00:16:18,880 --> 00:16:22,900 It's only fair you show a little reciprocity, wouldn't you say? 213 00:16:22,920 --> 00:16:25,920 What is it you want? Full access to your investigation. 214 00:16:25,940 --> 00:16:28,940 I work alongside you and your copper pal. 215 00:16:28,960 --> 00:16:33,820 Monsieur Tysoe, you seem to be a man who is ambitious, who is creative 216 00:16:33,840 --> 00:16:35,980 and perhaps even with some level of intelligence. 217 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:37,940 That supposed to be a compliment? 218 00:16:37,960 --> 00:16:40,900 But you are not a man of discretion, monsieur. 219 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:45,040 Were we to share information, what would stop it from appearing in your newspaper? 220 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:52,040 It seems I'll have to play a lone hand in this investigation. 221 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:53,980 That would be foolish, monsieur. 222 00:16:54,000 --> 00:16:56,900 You would be wise to reveal what you know, 223 00:16:56,920 --> 00:16:58,940 for your own safety if for nothing else. 224 00:16:59,940 --> 00:17:02,840 I don't respond to threats, Mr Poirot. 225 00:17:02,860 --> 00:17:05,800 If you change your mind, you know where to find me. 226 00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:21,840 You've let Li Chang Yen know what happened last night? 227 00:17:21,860 --> 00:17:23,860 I've telegraphed. 228 00:17:24,880 --> 00:17:27,940 Then there is nothing more we can do for now. 229 00:17:27,960 --> 00:17:31,940 What is troubling you? We have enemies out there, Regine. 230 00:17:31,960 --> 00:17:35,000 Those who seek to destroy both us and our work. 231 00:17:35,020 --> 00:17:40,000 And I've learned that in this life you can only trust number one. 232 00:18:00,920 --> 00:18:05,000 JAPP: They had trouble getting this out of his hand. Rigor mortis, I expect. 233 00:18:08,860 --> 00:18:09,980 Ruy Lopez... 234 00:18:17,020 --> 00:18:19,940 Assistant Commissioner Japp, s'il vous plait. 235 00:18:45,800 --> 00:18:49,940 Will this take long, gentlemen? I'm a very busy man. 236 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:53,960 Monsieur Ryland... 237 00:18:55,900 --> 00:19:00,000 Do you remember the exact succession of moves made by Dr Savaranoff? 238 00:19:00,020 --> 00:19:03,940 Of course. He used the Ruy Lopez opening. It's the soundest in the game. 239 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,940 And Savaranoff was reputed to favour this? 240 00:19:06,960 --> 00:19:08,040 Yeah. So what? 241 00:19:08,800 --> 00:19:11,900 What was the third move of the white piece in this opening? 242 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:14,820 Bishop to queen's knight five. Bon. 243 00:19:14,840 --> 00:19:17,900 The exact move that sealed the fate of Dr Savaranoff. 244 00:19:17,920 --> 00:19:18,980 If you please to be patient. 245 00:19:21,880 --> 00:19:25,800 This, it is the white bishop from the chess set, 246 00:19:25,820 --> 00:19:30,000 the exact piece that Dr Savaranoff was clutching in his hand when he died. 247 00:19:31,000 --> 00:19:35,980 They look identical, no? Two white bishops from the same chess set? 248 00:19:43,800 --> 00:19:47,940 Ah. There is a rather thin metal which passes up through this chessman. 249 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:50,000 What? 250 00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:58,040 Et maintenant... 251 00:19:58,800 --> 00:20:00,800 Observe. 252 00:20:07,820 --> 00:20:09,960 The table, it is electrified, 253 00:20:09,980 --> 00:20:14,860 and so when Dr Savaranoff places the white bishop upon this particular silver square, 254 00:20:14,880 --> 00:20:18,860 the electric current passes right through his body killing him instantly. 255 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:20,940 He was electrocuted. Oui, bien sur. Regarde. 256 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:23,920 The table is clamped to the floor, so the current passes through it. 257 00:20:23,940 --> 00:20:28,840 It is, en effet, the killing machine most elaborate. 258 00:20:28,860 --> 00:20:32,860 From where was it obtained, may I ask? You'd have to ask one of my staff. 259 00:20:32,880 --> 00:20:34,820 I don't concern myself with such matters. 260 00:20:34,840 --> 00:20:37,820 You do not concern yourself with the death of a man? 261 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:40,980 He was an old man. Old men tend to die, in my experience. 262 00:20:41,000 --> 00:20:45,820 From natural causes, yes, not usually via electrified chess tables. 263 00:20:45,840 --> 00:20:47,900 Now, you just listen to me. 264 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,880 If you truly believe Savaranoff was murdered 265 00:20:50,900 --> 00:20:55,820 and in this colourful way Monsieur Poirot suggests, that's your prerogative. 266 00:20:55,840 --> 00:21:00,920 But if you are even suggesting that I had anything to do with it, 267 00:21:00,940 --> 00:21:03,880 then you're gonna have to get yourself some proof. 268 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:30,900 Hello? Could you put me through to Mr Tysoe, please? 269 00:21:38,860 --> 00:21:40,880 He isn't? 270 00:21:40,900 --> 00:21:43,880 No, no message. Thank you. 271 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:47,960 (SIGHS) 272 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:02,780 A Madame Olivier to see you, sir. 273 00:22:02,800 --> 00:22:04,800 Please to show her in, George. 274 00:22:04,820 --> 00:22:05,980 This way, madam. 275 00:22:06,000 --> 00:22:09,840 I shall come straight to the point, monsieur. 276 00:22:09,860 --> 00:22:12,820 You have seen this? 277 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:13,820 Ah. 278 00:22:13,840 --> 00:22:15,980 "Does the great detective, Monsieur Hercule Poirot, 279 00:22:16,000 --> 00:22:19,980 have suspicions regarding the death of Ivan Savaranoff? 280 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:26,820 His inquiries currently revolve around Abe Ryland and his mysterious Peace Party." 281 00:22:27,820 --> 00:22:30,880 Calm yourself, madame. It is merely the tittle-tattle. 282 00:22:30,900 --> 00:22:33,780 We have no evidence that Monsieur Ryland is involved. 283 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,860 There are those who seek to discredit all of us in the Peace Party, monsieur. 284 00:22:37,880 --> 00:22:41,020 I implore you, do nothing to aid these people. 285 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:42,960 (PHONE RINGS) 286 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:46,920 Excusez-moi, madame. 287 00:22:51,840 --> 00:22:53,780 Hercule Poirot speaks. 288 00:22:53,800 --> 00:22:56,040 Ryland was meant to meet some German dignitary last night. 289 00:22:56,800 --> 00:22:57,980 He never turned up. Comment? 290 00:22:58,000 --> 00:22:59,940 We haven't a clue where he's got to. 291 00:22:59,960 --> 00:23:02,960 He's gone, Poirot. He's disappeared. 292 00:23:18,920 --> 00:23:21,840 (MAN LAUGHS) 293 00:23:47,980 --> 00:23:49,980 (SCREAMS) 294 00:23:57,560 --> 00:24:00,520 Good afternoon, sir. You must be Meadows. 295 00:24:00,540 --> 00:24:03,500 This is the local man on the case, Poirot. 296 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,500 It's an honour, sir, and an honour to meet you too, Mr Poirot, 297 00:24:06,520 --> 00:24:09,480 although I don't know that there's very much to interest you here. 298 00:24:09,500 --> 00:24:11,580 Fairly grubby little murder if you ask me, 299 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:15,500 and not too much doubt about who's to blame, neither. 300 00:24:15,520 --> 00:24:20,520 The victim was Jonathan Whalley, something of a recluse and a... 301 00:24:21,620 --> 00:24:24,380 Sinophile. 302 00:24:24,400 --> 00:24:26,440 Yeah, whatever that is. 303 00:24:27,620 --> 00:24:31,420 It means that he was a lover of all things Chinese, mon ami. 304 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:37,420 Ah, and this is the reason for our interest in this case, Inspector Meadows. 305 00:24:37,440 --> 00:24:40,460 The late Monsieur Jonathan Whalley was the author of this biography. 306 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:43,420 Have you got the details of the household, Inspector? 307 00:24:43,440 --> 00:24:45,420 Well, there are two servants. 308 00:24:45,440 --> 00:24:48,560 Robert Grant who's the kind of manservant. He lives in. 309 00:24:48,580 --> 00:24:51,580 And Betsy Andrews, housekeeper and cook. 310 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,420 You've worked for Mr Whalley for some time? 311 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:56,500 Oh, years. 312 00:24:56,520 --> 00:24:58,500 He was a queer old cove. 313 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:00,580 Kept himself to himself. 314 00:25:00,600 --> 00:25:03,560 Had his little obsessions like they all do at that age. 315 00:25:03,580 --> 00:25:08,580 Obsessions? Crackers about all things Chinese. 316 00:25:08,600 --> 00:25:13,500 Did he ever marry? No. Can you imagine it? 317 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:15,420 What woman would have him? 318 00:25:15,440 --> 00:25:20,580 Woe betide you if you tried to move one of his precious books 319 00:25:20,600 --> 00:25:23,520 or tidy up his bloomin' letters. 320 00:25:23,540 --> 00:25:26,500 Were there any other friends or family? 321 00:25:26,520 --> 00:25:28,500 Friends? No. 322 00:25:28,520 --> 00:25:31,560 He had a sister. But she died. 323 00:25:31,580 --> 00:25:34,540 There was a...a young nephew 324 00:25:34,560 --> 00:25:38,540 who came here to stay with him when he was orphaned. 325 00:25:38,560 --> 00:25:42,580 That was before my time, though. By all accounts, they didn't get on. 326 00:25:43,600 --> 00:25:49,560 Madame Andrews, can you tell to us exactly what occurred this morning, precisement? 327 00:25:49,580 --> 00:25:53,540 Grant went out to get the milk, as he does every day. 328 00:25:53,560 --> 00:25:58,620 I popped out to have a natter with Mrs Stubbs at Laburnum's. 329 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:02,600 She's buried two children, poor soul, 330 00:26:02,620 --> 00:26:05,560 and her husband's none too clever at the moment. 331 00:26:05,580 --> 00:26:08,620 - And which of you returned first? Oh, that would be Grant. 332 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:11,580 He came in by the back door, 333 00:26:11,600 --> 00:26:13,640 put the milk in the larder... 334 00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:19,500 ..and then went into his room to read the paper and have a smoke. 335 00:26:19,520 --> 00:26:22,480 So it was you who discovered the body, madame? 336 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:25,520 Just...just there he was. 337 00:26:26,540 --> 00:26:31,500 Poor soul, he'd been knocked silly and had his throat slit. 338 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:34,600 Oh, nasty, it was. 339 00:26:34,620 --> 00:26:37,440 Very nasty. 340 00:26:47,480 --> 00:26:48,580 Bon. 341 00:26:48,600 --> 00:26:52,420 So the story about Grant going and fetching milk is true at least, then. 342 00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:53,440 Oui. 343 00:26:53,620 --> 00:26:55,460 Ah. 344 00:26:55,480 --> 00:26:57,520 What is it, Poirot? Une jambe de mouton. 345 00:26:57,540 --> 00:26:59,540 Mutton, sir? Oui. 346 00:26:59,560 --> 00:27:02,520 Mm. Still frozen. There's ice on it. 347 00:27:03,640 --> 00:27:06,500 You're not suggesting he used a frozen leg of mutton 348 00:27:06,520 --> 00:27:08,500 to cosh the old gentleman, are you, sir? 349 00:27:08,520 --> 00:27:10,580 And then cut his throat with the wishbone? 350 00:27:10,600 --> 00:27:13,500 What is the day, mon ami? 351 00:27:13,520 --> 00:27:15,380 The day? Oui. 352 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:17,460 Well, Monday, of course. 353 00:27:17,480 --> 00:27:18,600 Oui, oui. 354 00:27:18,620 --> 00:27:22,500 To commit a murder on a Monday, it is a mistake most grave. 355 00:27:22,520 --> 00:27:26,540 Monsieur Robert Grant is in custody? We've taken him in for questioning. 356 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,400 Grant's story was that he went straight to his bedroom 357 00:27:29,420 --> 00:27:31,500 and that it was Betsy Andrews who discovered the body. 358 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:33,540 But then there's the matter of the footprints. 359 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:39,540 Whalley kept his most valuable Chinese curios locked in this cabinet here. 360 00:27:39,560 --> 00:27:41,600 And is it locked now? Key's in the lock, sir. 361 00:27:41,620 --> 00:27:45,420 Mr Whalley kept it on his person on his watch chain at all times. 362 00:27:45,440 --> 00:27:47,440 But someone has removed it. 363 00:27:47,460 --> 00:27:51,380 Mr Whalley was fond of boasting that his most prized possession 364 00:27:51,400 --> 00:27:54,460 was a set of little ivory figures that he kept in here, 365 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:57,560 18th century apparently, and they're gone. 366 00:27:59,520 --> 00:28:02,640 And this bloody footprint here... Oh, begging your pardon, sir. 367 00:28:03,400 --> 00:28:05,420 It's all right, Meadows. We know what you mean. 368 00:28:05,440 --> 00:28:07,540 Well, it matches exactly with Grant's boot. 369 00:28:07,560 --> 00:28:12,580 And a footprint which if Monsieur Grant were telling the truth he could not have made. 370 00:28:12,600 --> 00:28:13,600 Quite so, sir. 371 00:28:13,620 --> 00:28:16,380 So you now have the opportunity and the motive. 372 00:28:16,400 --> 00:28:20,480 All that you require now is that oh, so elusive element, the proof. 373 00:28:20,500 --> 00:28:21,580 The missing figures? 374 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:24,620 I have no doubt you will find them hidden in the room of Monsieur Grant, 375 00:28:24,640 --> 00:28:27,500 probably underneath his bed. 376 00:28:38,600 --> 00:28:41,420 Fancy seeing you here, Mr Poirot. 377 00:28:41,440 --> 00:28:43,540 You seem to be everywhere at once. 378 00:28:43,560 --> 00:28:46,500 May Poirot inquire what it is that you do here? 379 00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:49,500 The news of this crime, it has not yet been released. 380 00:28:49,520 --> 00:28:52,480 I'm here for the same reason you are. Indeed? 381 00:28:52,500 --> 00:28:57,540 Whalley knew something. Something dangerous, that much is obvious. 382 00:28:57,560 --> 00:28:59,420 So somebody got him out of the way. 383 00:28:59,440 --> 00:29:02,520 And it was your source who once again gave to you this tip-off? 384 00:29:02,540 --> 00:29:04,580 I'm in possession of certain information, yeah. 385 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,520 Well, well, if it isn't the proverbial bad penny. 386 00:29:07,540 --> 00:29:09,380 Assistant Commissioner. 387 00:29:09,400 --> 00:29:12,420 You can account for your movements at the time of Mr Whalley's death? 388 00:29:12,440 --> 00:29:16,460 That's uncalled for. Oh, we've got him now, sir. 389 00:29:20,580 --> 00:29:24,420 Honest to God, I never did it. It's a frame-up, that's what it is. 390 00:29:24,440 --> 00:29:26,400 I came back and went straight to my room. 391 00:29:26,420 --> 00:29:29,400 I never knew anything till Betsy screamed, so help me God I didn't. 392 00:29:29,420 --> 00:29:31,620 If you do not tell the truth, then that is the end of it. 393 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:33,640 But, guv'nor... No, monsieur. 394 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:37,420 You did go into the drawing room. You did know that your master was dead. 395 00:29:37,440 --> 00:29:39,380 You were preparing to make a bolt for it 396 00:29:39,400 --> 00:29:41,600 when Madame Andrews made the discovery so terrible. 397 00:29:41,620 --> 00:29:45,460 Come, now. Is that not so? 398 00:29:45,480 --> 00:29:49,420 I say solemnly to tell to me the truth now. 399 00:29:49,440 --> 00:29:52,400 It is your only chance. 400 00:29:53,460 --> 00:29:55,420 Yeah. 401 00:29:55,440 --> 00:29:57,460 It's just as you say. Bon. 402 00:29:57,480 --> 00:29:59,540 Mr Whalley? 403 00:29:59,560 --> 00:30:01,580 I came in and went straight over to the master, 404 00:30:01,600 --> 00:30:04,420 and there he was dead on the floor, blood all around. 405 00:30:04,440 --> 00:30:07,420 Then I got the wind up proper. 406 00:30:07,440 --> 00:30:10,400 They'd ferret out my record and say it was me who'd done him in. 407 00:30:10,420 --> 00:30:11,540 And the figures of ivory? 408 00:30:11,560 --> 00:30:14,460 They was gonna blame the murder on me anyway. 409 00:30:14,480 --> 00:30:17,400 The master had said how they was worth a lot of loot. 410 00:30:17,420 --> 00:30:18,600 I might as well go the whole hog. 411 00:30:18,620 --> 00:30:20,620 And then before I could make a run for it, 412 00:30:20,640 --> 00:30:23,600 Betsy was back and screaming the place down. 413 00:30:23,620 --> 00:30:26,420 You expect us to believe all that, Grant? 414 00:30:26,440 --> 00:30:28,580 You ought to be ashamed of yourself telling such bare-faced lies 415 00:30:28,600 --> 00:30:31,460 to an important man like Mr Poirot here. 416 00:30:31,480 --> 00:30:35,420 Monsieur Grant, when were you released from prison? 417 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:36,480 Two months ago. 418 00:30:36,500 --> 00:30:39,420 And how did you obtain your position in the household? 419 00:30:39,440 --> 00:30:41,620 Through one of them prisoners' help societies. 420 00:30:41,640 --> 00:30:45,420 Bloke met me when I come out. He said this before, Poirot. 421 00:30:45,440 --> 00:30:48,540 There's no record of any such society placing him with Jonathan Whalley. 422 00:30:48,560 --> 00:30:53,620 I swear it, sir. It was a pastor, a priest. 423 00:30:53,640 --> 00:30:57,420 Do you recall what he looked like, this pastor? 424 00:30:57,440 --> 00:30:59,500 No. I'm sorry, sir. 425 00:30:59,520 --> 00:31:03,440 He just sort of looked middling height, ordinary, you know? 426 00:31:04,440 --> 00:31:06,500 I'm afraid I must go ahead and charge this man, sir. 427 00:31:06,520 --> 00:31:10,560 No. If you do, Inspector Meadows, you will charge the wrong man. 428 00:31:12,460 --> 00:31:13,620 Monsieur Grant is not the killer. 429 00:31:15,420 --> 00:31:18,560 Thank you, sir. I knew you'd believe me. 430 00:31:22,560 --> 00:31:24,420 Merci. 431 00:31:24,440 --> 00:31:27,460 Sir, I've been thinking this over and it doesn't add up. 432 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:30,540 If it's not Grant, well, no one else approached the cottage all morning. 433 00:31:30,560 --> 00:31:33,520 The neighbours' curtains twitch like billyo here in Hoppaton. 434 00:31:33,540 --> 00:31:36,620 If there'd been a stranger come into the house, well... 435 00:31:36,640 --> 00:31:39,500 You're not suggesting Betsy Andrews? 436 00:31:39,520 --> 00:31:45,500 Poirot will describe for you the killer of Jonathan Whalley. 437 00:31:45,520 --> 00:31:50,560 The murderer was a man who was clever, very clever. 438 00:31:50,580 --> 00:31:52,620 First he posed as a prison visitor. 439 00:31:52,640 --> 00:31:55,580 Then he obtained a post for Monsieur Grant, 440 00:31:55,600 --> 00:31:58,540 with the deliberate intention of making him the scaping goat. 441 00:31:58,560 --> 00:32:02,640 Then he gave to him a pair of boots, one of two pairs that were duplicate. 442 00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:04,500 The other he kept for himself. 443 00:32:04,520 --> 00:32:07,400 Then he drove up outside the house in a van. 444 00:32:07,420 --> 00:32:10,420 Leaving it in full view, he entered the house, committed the murder 445 00:32:10,440 --> 00:32:12,520 wearing the boots identical. 446 00:32:12,540 --> 00:32:13,620 Then he drove away. 447 00:32:13,640 --> 00:32:18,520 This man, he wore a hat of straw and his clothing was slightly bloodstained. 448 00:32:18,540 --> 00:32:21,460 But, Poirot, the whole village would have seen him. 449 00:32:21,480 --> 00:32:25,620 Vrai dire. Everybody saw him, and nobody saw him. 450 00:32:25,640 --> 00:32:28,400 He drove up in the van of a butcher. 451 00:32:33,540 --> 00:32:37,580 This leg of mutton would not have remained frozen if it was delivered on Saturday. 452 00:32:37,600 --> 00:32:40,620 Non. Someone delivered this leg of mutton today, 453 00:32:40,640 --> 00:32:43,500 moreover someone on whom a trace of blood here and there 454 00:32:43,520 --> 00:32:45,420 would attract no attention. 455 00:32:45,440 --> 00:32:49,380 Blimey. I'll get round and arrest the butcher straightaway. 456 00:32:49,400 --> 00:32:51,480 No, do not trouble yourself, Inspector. 457 00:32:51,500 --> 00:32:55,540 The real butcher would have made no such delivery today. 458 00:32:55,560 --> 00:32:59,420 No, this is a business most dark, mes amis, 459 00:32:59,440 --> 00:33:03,540 and I fear we are only at the beginning of a long, long game 460 00:33:20,420 --> 00:33:21,540 MAN: Mr Tysoe! 461 00:33:21,560 --> 00:33:23,560 (MAN GROANS) 462 00:33:46,200 --> 00:33:48,260 You cannot say you have not been warned. 463 00:33:48,280 --> 00:33:49,340 I know. 464 00:33:49,360 --> 00:33:53,300 That's why I'm here now and putting everything I've got in front of you. 465 00:33:55,380 --> 00:34:00,340 It started with anonymous tip-offs. Train crashes, riots. 466 00:34:00,360 --> 00:34:04,400 I went to Ingles at the Foreign Office. Dismissed it out of hand. 467 00:34:04,420 --> 00:34:07,420 Then the messages started to become more cryptic. 468 00:34:07,440 --> 00:34:09,280 Merci. 469 00:34:10,320 --> 00:34:16,380 "The game will begin shortly, a battle of wits, and then a king shall fall. 470 00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:20,300 Beware, beware, the Big Four." 471 00:34:20,320 --> 00:34:23,220 That arrived along with a dossier on Ryland. 472 00:34:23,240 --> 00:34:24,280 "A king shall fall." 473 00:34:24,300 --> 00:34:28,240 Yeah, obviously referring to the chess game. This was next. 474 00:34:30,280 --> 00:34:33,280 "Death will come to Hoppaton village. 475 00:34:33,300 --> 00:34:35,360 The dragon shall feast." 476 00:34:35,380 --> 00:34:39,200 Jonathan Whalley of Hoppaton, he is found dead. 477 00:34:39,220 --> 00:34:41,300 Someone on the inside was trying to tip me off. 478 00:34:41,320 --> 00:34:44,280 Someone inside the Big Four turned traitor. 479 00:34:44,300 --> 00:34:48,240 Now they've found him out and he's lying in a morgue with a knife in his back. 480 00:34:48,440 --> 00:34:52,180 Have you identified the deceased man? No, nothing yet. 481 00:34:52,200 --> 00:34:53,380 There's something else. Indeed? 482 00:34:56,400 --> 00:35:00,320 This was inside his coat pocket, addressed to me like all the others. 483 00:35:00,340 --> 00:35:02,420 That's where you should have left it. That's evidence. 484 00:35:02,440 --> 00:35:04,280 Yeah, well. 485 00:35:06,380 --> 00:35:08,340 Playing cards? 486 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:11,260 Of a kind, oui. 487 00:35:11,280 --> 00:35:15,200 But the first one is of the origin Chinese. 488 00:35:16,280 --> 00:35:18,420 And on it there has been scored the numero un. 489 00:35:18,440 --> 00:35:21,280 Li Chang Yen. Has to be. 490 00:35:21,300 --> 00:35:23,380 Brains behind the so-called Peace Party. 491 00:35:25,340 --> 00:35:27,380 Deux. 492 00:35:27,400 --> 00:35:30,280 That's a Chance card from a Monopoly set. 493 00:35:30,300 --> 00:35:32,380 You don't have to be a genius to work that one out. 494 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:34,280 Ryland. 495 00:35:34,300 --> 00:35:36,400 Le numero trois. 496 00:35:36,420 --> 00:35:39,220 Why does it say D and not Q? 497 00:35:39,240 --> 00:35:42,400 Because this is from a French pack of playing cards, mon ami. La dame. 498 00:35:42,420 --> 00:35:44,260 Une dame francaise. 499 00:35:44,280 --> 00:35:49,240 Et finalement, from the major arcana of the tarot... 500 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:54,220 Quatre. C'est la mort. 501 00:35:54,240 --> 00:35:56,220 Death. 502 00:35:56,240 --> 00:35:59,300 Mrs Japp got dealt one like that on Southend Pier. 503 00:35:59,320 --> 00:36:03,360 Gypsy Meg. Three months later the cat died. 504 00:36:06,240 --> 00:36:08,260 One, two, three, four. 505 00:36:08,280 --> 00:36:12,320 Whoever the dead man was, he was trying to give me a clue to their identities. 506 00:36:14,280 --> 00:36:15,380 What is it, Poirot? 507 00:36:15,400 --> 00:36:20,340 Do you not observe, mon ami? The edge of this card, it is burnt. 508 00:36:26,320 --> 00:36:28,300 "A toast to our future. 509 00:36:28,320 --> 00:36:31,260 All my love. 510 00:36:31,280 --> 00:36:33,320 4 kisses." 511 00:36:36,260 --> 00:36:38,320 (KNOCK AT DOOR) Mm? 512 00:36:38,340 --> 00:36:41,220 You're going to miss your cue if you're not careful, darling. 513 00:36:41,240 --> 00:36:42,420 Blast. 514 00:36:42,440 --> 00:36:45,200 (APPLAUSE) 515 00:36:48,400 --> 00:36:52,260 Oh. Ah Ling. We can't wait any longer. 516 00:36:52,280 --> 00:36:54,280 Please, ring the gong for dinner. 517 00:36:56,240 --> 00:36:58,380 STEPHEN: You're asking too much of the new regime. 518 00:36:58,400 --> 00:37:00,280 OLIVIER: What are you saying? 519 00:37:00,300 --> 00:37:03,320 Remember our dream, everything we talked about, all we can achieve. 520 00:37:03,340 --> 00:37:05,440 I don't think I can go through with it. 521 00:37:06,200 --> 00:37:08,340 Stephen... I don't have your certainty. 522 00:37:08,360 --> 00:37:12,400 I'm not like you. It's wrong, what we're doing, it's all wrong. 523 00:37:17,220 --> 00:37:19,240 (GONG RINGS) 524 00:37:30,340 --> 00:37:32,420 Still no news of Mr Ryland, Madame Olivier? 525 00:37:32,440 --> 00:37:35,260 Nothing at all. 526 00:37:35,280 --> 00:37:38,340 And it is also very damaging to the party. 527 00:37:38,360 --> 00:37:41,420 He should be protesting his innocence. 528 00:37:41,440 --> 00:37:44,300 The newspapers are full of talk about the Big Four. 529 00:37:44,320 --> 00:37:48,200 No, it is nonsense. Quite. 530 00:37:48,320 --> 00:37:52,320 It's true that there is bad blood between America and Russia, though, isn't it, 531 00:37:52,340 --> 00:37:54,380 after Savaranoff's death? 532 00:37:54,400 --> 00:37:57,300 I've been speaking with the Soviet ambassador, 533 00:37:57,320 --> 00:37:59,260 trying to calm things down, but... 534 00:37:59,280 --> 00:38:05,340 My husband the conciliator. What would the world do without you, my dear? 535 00:38:05,360 --> 00:38:08,260 Let's hope we'll never find out. 536 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:09,340 I'll drink to that. 537 00:38:09,360 --> 00:38:13,360 (FRONT DOOR CLOSES) Oh, they're here. 538 00:38:13,380 --> 00:38:15,420 I hoped they'd join us eventually. 539 00:38:15,440 --> 00:38:18,260 It's really not that late, my dear. 540 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:22,340 So sorry. So very, very sorry. Can you ever forgive me, Auntie Di? 541 00:38:22,360 --> 00:38:25,380 I was out with the chaps and time just ran away from me. 542 00:38:26,340 --> 00:38:28,300 You're on your own, are you, Gerald? 543 00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:31,240 I thought you were bringing Miss Struthers with you tonight. 544 00:38:31,260 --> 00:38:33,380 Oh, good Lord, so I was. 545 00:38:33,400 --> 00:38:36,380 Huh. Well, Amelia will have sorted herself out. 546 00:38:36,400 --> 00:38:38,380 She's probably had a better offer, what? 547 00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:42,200 Or did I leave her at that blessed party? Oh, well. 548 00:38:42,220 --> 00:38:45,280 You're here now, Gerald, that's all that matters. Why don't you sit down? 549 00:38:45,300 --> 00:38:50,260 So sorry. You must be la grande dame, Madame O. 550 00:38:50,280 --> 00:38:52,300 Uncle Stephen speaks terribly highly of you. 551 00:38:52,320 --> 00:38:54,380 You're staying for a few days, that's right. 552 00:38:54,400 --> 00:38:56,400 I'm the black sheep of the family. 553 00:38:57,380 --> 00:38:59,360 A pleasure to meet you, Gerald. 554 00:39:01,280 --> 00:39:04,320 Oh, uh, yes, remind me again. 555 00:39:04,340 --> 00:39:06,260 Gerald. 556 00:39:06,280 --> 00:39:07,360 The name's Quentin. 557 00:39:07,380 --> 00:39:10,180 Oh, of course, of course. Uncle Stephen's sore bones. Terribly sorry. 558 00:39:10,200 --> 00:39:12,400 Have you eaten, Gerald? Ah Ling's finest curry? Rather. 559 00:39:12,420 --> 00:39:15,340 Fill up the bowl, my friend. Now, where's the wine? 560 00:39:15,360 --> 00:39:17,360 Anyone for a top-up? 561 00:39:22,380 --> 00:39:24,220 TYSOE: That's him, poor bugger. 562 00:39:24,240 --> 00:39:26,300 Stabbed in the lower back with some force. 563 00:39:26,320 --> 00:39:29,220 Kitchen knife. But observe, mes amis. 564 00:39:29,240 --> 00:39:32,260 Despite all the efforts of the staff in this mortuary to wash him down, 565 00:39:32,280 --> 00:39:34,260 the dirt, it is deep, it is ingrained. 566 00:39:34,280 --> 00:39:36,300 He'd been on the run from the Big Four. 567 00:39:36,320 --> 00:39:40,180 You're hardly going to stop and run a tub, are you? 568 00:39:40,200 --> 00:39:43,300 And yet you say his clothes, his evening dress, they are of some quality, yes? 569 00:39:43,320 --> 00:39:46,340 Very nice, yes. Bit old-fashioned, mind. 570 00:39:46,360 --> 00:39:48,440 Poirot, he would like to see them. Sir. 571 00:39:50,380 --> 00:39:54,240 It's been so kind of Uncle Stephen to take me on. 572 00:39:54,260 --> 00:39:57,220 Don't you think, madame? Indeed. 573 00:39:57,240 --> 00:39:58,420 Prodigal returns and all that. 574 00:39:58,440 --> 00:40:01,220 It was the least I could do for my brother's boy. 575 00:40:01,240 --> 00:40:03,400 Ssh, ssh. It's all under the bridge now. 576 00:40:04,440 --> 00:40:07,320 Family feud forgiven and forgotten. 577 00:40:08,280 --> 00:40:12,200 I'm glad to have been able to make amends in some small way. 578 00:40:17,220 --> 00:40:19,340 It's curious, most curious. 579 00:40:19,360 --> 00:40:20,400 What is? 580 00:40:20,420 --> 00:40:27,200 The cloth, it is of the quality most fine, and yet the fashion, it is of since 30 years. 581 00:40:30,400 --> 00:40:32,380 No labels. 582 00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,220 Ah. TYSOE: What is it? 583 00:40:35,240 --> 00:40:36,400 There's a fragment, that is all. 584 00:40:36,420 --> 00:40:39,240 TYSOE: A name? Of a kind, oui, but... 585 00:40:39,260 --> 00:40:42,300 E-R-M-A-N. 586 00:40:42,320 --> 00:40:44,340 Herman? German? 587 00:40:44,360 --> 00:40:47,240 You think he stole the clothes, some kind of disguise? 588 00:40:47,260 --> 00:40:51,220 Now, mes amis, we must discover the identity of this man 589 00:40:51,240 --> 00:40:55,200 and find out his connection with the Big Four. 590 00:41:02,400 --> 00:41:04,400 MRS PAYNTER: Stephen! 591 00:41:06,200 --> 00:41:07,320 Stephen! 592 00:41:08,240 --> 00:41:11,240 Stephen! Unlock the door! 593 00:41:13,220 --> 00:41:14,280 Ah Ling, hurry! 594 00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:17,320 Stephen, answer me! 595 00:41:27,360 --> 00:41:29,360 (SCREAMS) 596 00:41:54,360 --> 00:41:58,180 Oh! What a terrible way for a man to die. 597 00:41:58,200 --> 00:41:59,420 Ruddy odd if you ask me. 598 00:41:59,440 --> 00:42:04,220 Why the fire? I mean, it makes the face completely unrecognisable. 599 00:42:04,240 --> 00:42:07,340 Oui. Do you think that was the intention? 600 00:42:07,360 --> 00:42:11,220 Poirot, he has thought of this, but, no, there seems little doubt 601 00:42:11,240 --> 00:42:14,200 that the dead person is Monsieur Stephen Paynter. 602 00:42:14,220 --> 00:42:16,420 So, the killer comes into the room, 603 00:42:16,440 --> 00:42:19,340 pulls him off the bed and drags him over to the fire. 604 00:42:19,360 --> 00:42:22,260 Not the easiest way to kill a man. Constable. 605 00:42:22,280 --> 00:42:24,300 There would have been a struggle tremendous. 606 00:42:24,320 --> 00:42:27,420 And screams, screams which nobody in the house admits to hearing. 607 00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:29,340 Who discovered the body? 608 00:42:29,360 --> 00:42:32,380 Chinese manservant. Chinese, Poirot. 609 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:37,300 And Diana Paynter, the wife of 30 years. 610 00:42:37,320 --> 00:42:40,260 Smelt the smoke apparently from her own bedroom. 611 00:42:40,280 --> 00:42:43,380 Alors Madame Paynter, she does not share the bed chamber with her husband? 612 00:42:43,400 --> 00:42:46,360 Didn't you hear me, Poirot? 30 years. 613 00:42:46,380 --> 00:42:50,220 To be honest, I think Mrs Japp would jump at this type of sleeping arrangement, 614 00:42:50,240 --> 00:42:51,380 if we had the room. 615 00:42:51,400 --> 00:42:55,340 See you, Inspector, the finger? A clue most bizarre, no? 616 00:42:55,360 --> 00:43:02,380 Ah, now, apparently Mr Paynter kept a notepad, a pen and a bottle of ink by his bedside, 617 00:43:02,400 --> 00:43:05,320 and this is what he wrote last night. 618 00:43:09,360 --> 00:43:14,180 Dr Quentin, you were the personal physician of the late Monsieur Paynter? 619 00:43:14,200 --> 00:43:15,240 That's correct. 620 00:43:15,260 --> 00:43:18,340 Stephen had a heart condition, easily managed with the right medication. 621 00:43:18,360 --> 00:43:21,300 But it was thought prudent that there should be someone on hand. 622 00:43:21,320 --> 00:43:23,260 What has his state of mind been lately? 623 00:43:23,280 --> 00:43:24,340 He'd been anxious. 624 00:43:24,360 --> 00:43:27,300 All this stuff in the papers is enough to alarm anyone. 625 00:43:27,320 --> 00:43:30,260 And now Ryland's vanished. It's a great blow to the party. 626 00:43:30,280 --> 00:43:32,400 When did you last see him alive, Doctor? 627 00:43:32,420 --> 00:43:36,260 Around 11:30 last night. He asked to see me before he retired to bed. 628 00:43:36,280 --> 00:43:38,200 How did you find him? 629 00:43:38,220 --> 00:43:39,220 He was very agitated. 630 00:43:39,240 --> 00:43:42,440 I suggested a tonic, but he said he just wanted to get to bed. 631 00:43:44,280 --> 00:43:47,280 One final question, if I may, Doctor. 632 00:43:47,300 --> 00:43:49,340 Merci. 633 00:43:49,360 --> 00:43:51,280 Do you recognise this man? 634 00:43:52,340 --> 00:43:55,200 He does look vaguely familiar. For what reason? 635 00:43:56,360 --> 00:43:59,300 He's something to do with the Peace Party, I think. 636 00:43:59,320 --> 00:44:01,380 I met so many people through Stephen and his work 637 00:44:01,400 --> 00:44:03,400 that I really couldn't say for sure. 638 00:44:05,300 --> 00:44:09,300 No, I don't know him. Try to think carefully, madame. 639 00:44:09,320 --> 00:44:12,300 Perhaps you met him through your late husband and his work? 640 00:44:12,320 --> 00:44:16,260 Stephen rarely thought to include me in his work, monsieur. 641 00:44:17,320 --> 00:44:19,380 I'm sorry I can't be any more help to you. 642 00:44:22,240 --> 00:44:25,180 We do not wish to distress you, madame. 643 00:44:25,200 --> 00:44:28,400 I loved my husband, monsieur. 644 00:44:29,360 --> 00:44:36,340 But I realised some time ago that my affection was no longer reciprocated. 645 00:44:38,280 --> 00:44:44,220 Last night I learned for certain what I had suspected for some time, 646 00:44:44,240 --> 00:44:46,340 that he... 647 00:44:48,360 --> 00:44:49,420 ..that he... 648 00:44:49,440 --> 00:44:53,220 That he and Madame Olivier were conducting the love affair? 649 00:44:54,360 --> 00:44:56,260 How did you...? 650 00:44:56,280 --> 00:44:59,360 This Poirot had observed at the chess tournament. 651 00:45:00,400 --> 00:45:03,180 I am so sorry, madame. 652 00:45:03,200 --> 00:45:06,240 Did you hear any kind of disturbance in the night, Mr Paynter? 653 00:45:06,260 --> 00:45:10,260 No. Believe me, after the amount of booze I put away, 654 00:45:10,280 --> 00:45:12,340 it's a miracle I woke at all this morning. 655 00:45:12,360 --> 00:45:14,360 Dead to the world, I was. 656 00:45:17,200 --> 00:45:19,300 Oh, dear. Sorry. 657 00:45:20,360 --> 00:45:22,300 Are you sure I can't get you anything? 658 00:45:22,320 --> 00:45:25,300 Bit early for me, sir. Thank you all the same. 659 00:45:25,320 --> 00:45:29,440 It would be for me too usually, but, you know, poor old Uncle Stephen. 660 00:45:32,220 --> 00:45:35,220 You hear about these kind of freak accidents happening all the time. 661 00:45:35,240 --> 00:45:38,320 Still, a shock when it happens to one of your nearest and dearest. 662 00:45:38,340 --> 00:45:40,360 You think, then, that this was an accident? 663 00:45:40,380 --> 00:45:42,380 Well, what else could it have been? 664 00:45:44,260 --> 00:45:46,340 How did you and your uncle get on together? 665 00:45:46,360 --> 00:45:50,360 Well, I don't feel I had the chance to get to know him properly. 666 00:45:50,380 --> 00:45:53,280 I've only been here a few months. Is that so? 667 00:45:53,300 --> 00:45:55,380 Yes. Father and Uncle Stephen fell out, you see. 668 00:45:55,400 --> 00:45:58,180 There'd been an incident when I was only a nipper. 669 00:45:58,200 --> 00:46:00,300 And do you know the nature of this incident? 670 00:46:00,320 --> 00:46:05,260 Well, this. A firework exploded in my face. 671 00:46:05,280 --> 00:46:07,260 Father always blamed Uncle Stephen. 672 00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:11,200 I don't even remember it, of course, but they never spoke again. 673 00:46:16,240 --> 00:46:19,300 So he gets a tidy sum as a result of Paynter's death. 674 00:46:19,320 --> 00:46:22,340 And the manner of his death, so violent and dramatic. 675 00:46:22,360 --> 00:46:25,220 The fire that consumes the face of Monsieur Paynter, 676 00:46:25,240 --> 00:46:27,380 an echo grotesque of the burning of his own face. 677 00:46:28,360 --> 00:46:31,420 And as he lies dying, Monsieur Paynter, he dips his finger into the ink 678 00:46:31,440 --> 00:46:35,380 and scrawls the letter G onto a notepad, a final desperate attempt 679 00:46:35,400 --> 00:46:37,420 to indicate the identity of his killer. 680 00:46:37,440 --> 00:46:40,220 Gerald did it for revenge and for the cash? 681 00:46:40,240 --> 00:46:42,300 Non, non, mon ami. 682 00:46:42,320 --> 00:46:46,200 A fourth murder with a connection to the Peace Party and the Big Four? 683 00:46:46,220 --> 00:46:51,340 Non. This is an attempt most crude to frame young Monsieur Gerald. 684 00:46:51,360 --> 00:46:53,340 Mm. 685 00:46:53,360 --> 00:46:56,420 Well, I suppose we'd better have the big one in. 686 00:46:58,320 --> 00:47:01,200 I shall do all I can to assist you. 687 00:47:01,220 --> 00:47:04,380 This is a terrible loss for the world, and for me personally. 688 00:47:04,400 --> 00:47:09,220 Perhaps you can assist us, madame, with the identity of this man? 689 00:47:09,400 --> 00:47:11,380 He's not known to me, monsieur. 690 00:47:11,400 --> 00:47:16,400 Then perhaps you should take a closer look, madame. 691 00:47:16,420 --> 00:47:19,380 My eyesight is excellent. 692 00:47:19,400 --> 00:47:22,400 I can assure you, I do not know who this man is. 693 00:47:23,420 --> 00:47:26,300 Madame, we understand that before dinner last night 694 00:47:26,320 --> 00:47:29,220 you and Monsieur Paynter conversed in private? 695 00:47:29,240 --> 00:47:32,420 Yes, we talked of the future of the Peace Party. 696 00:47:32,440 --> 00:47:35,420 That's a lie. Mrs Paynter, please. 697 00:47:35,440 --> 00:47:39,180 I may not have your world-class brain, madame, 698 00:47:39,200 --> 00:47:41,300 but I have sense enough to know 699 00:47:41,320 --> 00:47:44,340 when my husband is conducting a love affair behind my back. 700 00:47:44,360 --> 00:47:46,360 Diana. 701 00:47:46,380 --> 00:47:50,340 He wanted to finish it with you, and your pride couldn't bear it. 702 00:47:50,360 --> 00:47:56,220 I heard him. "It's all wrong. I can't go on with this." That's what he said. 703 00:47:56,240 --> 00:48:00,260 I wouldn't be surprised if you killed him rather than let him come back to me. 704 00:48:00,280 --> 00:48:02,440 It is not true. Mrs Paynter. 705 00:48:09,440 --> 00:48:12,240 Monsieur, surely you cannot believe... 706 00:48:12,260 --> 00:48:16,260 We believe, madame, that we are dealing with an organisation so ruthless 707 00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:21,340 that it will not hesitate to execute any who stand in its way. 708 00:48:21,360 --> 00:48:26,360 If you know anything at all about the Big Four, I implore you to tell it to us. 709 00:48:26,380 --> 00:48:29,340 You accuse me, monsieur? 710 00:48:29,360 --> 00:48:31,380 There is evidence to suggest, Madame Olivier, 711 00:48:31,400 --> 00:48:35,420 that one of the members of the Big Four is a woman, a French woman. 712 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:42,240 Gentlemen, I find your accusations contemptible and absurd. 713 00:48:42,260 --> 00:48:44,300 You will try and prevent me if I leave? 714 00:48:44,320 --> 00:48:47,440 No, I can't do that, madame. You're not under arrest. 715 00:48:48,200 --> 00:48:52,320 You have not heard the last of this, not by any means. 716 00:48:54,200 --> 00:48:56,200 Mille tonnerres! 717 00:48:57,260 --> 00:49:00,440 We should not have antagonised her. It is not yet the time. 718 00:49:01,200 --> 00:49:05,300 "I can't go through with this. It's all wrong." 719 00:49:05,320 --> 00:49:08,340 Maybe he wasn't referring to their affair, Poirot. 720 00:49:08,360 --> 00:49:14,260 So he was killed because he wanted no more to do with this organisation so sinister? 721 00:49:14,280 --> 00:49:17,420 Where the hell is this going, Poirot? We've got nothing to go on, nothing. 722 00:49:17,440 --> 00:49:20,180 There must be a link, mon ami, 723 00:49:20,200 --> 00:49:23,320 a connection however abstruse between these cases, 724 00:49:23,340 --> 00:49:25,260 something that we have missed. 725 00:49:25,280 --> 00:49:28,220 The link's obvious, Poirot. It's the ruddy Peace Party. 726 00:49:28,240 --> 00:49:31,260 If what Tysoe's mysterious source told him is true, 727 00:49:31,280 --> 00:49:33,420 then they're exactly the opposite of what they claim to be: 728 00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:37,340 fifth columnists working to start a war, not prevent one. 729 00:49:37,360 --> 00:49:39,360 Poirot must think. 730 00:49:42,240 --> 00:49:44,240 Think. 731 00:50:16,400 --> 00:50:18,300 Assistant Commissioner Japp, sir. 732 00:50:18,320 --> 00:50:21,260 Poirot, she's gone. Gone? Who has gone, mon ami? 733 00:50:21,280 --> 00:50:24,380 Madame Olivier. She's done a bunk too, just like Abe Ryland. 734 00:50:24,400 --> 00:50:27,380 No one's seen hide nor hair of her since she left Paynter's place. 735 00:50:27,400 --> 00:50:29,380 And there's something else. 736 00:50:29,400 --> 00:50:31,440 We've had the tests back from Paynter's body. 737 00:50:32,200 --> 00:50:37,180 He was drugged. That's why he didn't cry out when his head was put in the fire. 738 00:50:37,200 --> 00:50:40,220 The drug was very specific. Gelsemine. 739 00:50:40,240 --> 00:50:42,380 Gelsemine? 740 00:50:42,400 --> 00:50:44,340 Non. What is it? 741 00:50:44,360 --> 00:50:47,380 You recall the scientific researches of Madame Olivier? 742 00:50:47,400 --> 00:50:50,260 They are concerned principally with the nervous system. 743 00:50:50,280 --> 00:50:53,300 In small quantities gelsemine is used to treat the heart. 744 00:50:53,320 --> 00:50:58,240 In large quantities it induces paralysis and immobilisation of the nervous system. 745 00:50:58,260 --> 00:51:01,240 That confirms it. She's in on it too. It would appear so. 746 00:51:01,260 --> 00:51:03,440 Such an eventuality, it is tragic, non? 747 00:51:05,200 --> 00:51:07,240 To think that it is possible that such a woman... 748 00:51:07,260 --> 00:51:10,340 Never mind that. We're making progress at last. 749 00:51:10,360 --> 00:51:12,360 We've identified Number Three of the Big Four. 750 00:51:12,380 --> 00:51:14,380 Oui. 751 00:51:41,900 --> 00:51:44,860 MRS ANDREWS: You'll find everything exactly as it was. 752 00:51:44,880 --> 00:51:48,940 Until you catch the fellow who done it, I'm not allowed to touch a thing. 753 00:51:48,960 --> 00:51:51,960 And there remains no word from the nephew of Monsieur Whalley? 754 00:51:51,980 --> 00:51:54,980 He does not return to claim his inheritance? 755 00:51:55,000 --> 00:51:57,980 No. Not that I'm surprised. 756 00:51:58,000 --> 00:52:01,840 I mean, who'd want to live here knowing what had happened? 757 00:52:01,860 --> 00:52:03,860 I wish he would show up, though. 758 00:52:03,880 --> 00:52:06,960 There's boxes of junk just sitting up there. 759 00:52:19,880 --> 00:52:24,900 Madame, you said before that he and his uncle, they did not get on? 760 00:52:24,920 --> 00:52:28,040 So I gather. Before my time, as I say 761 00:52:28,800 --> 00:52:30,980 And what became of him, madame? 762 00:52:31,000 --> 00:52:34,980 Oh. Lived here till he was in his 20s, I think. 763 00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:37,880 And then... 764 00:52:37,900 --> 00:52:40,040 Maybe he went off and joined the circus. 765 00:52:41,920 --> 00:52:44,900 Just give me a shout when you're done. 766 00:52:44,920 --> 00:52:46,820 Merci, madame. 767 00:53:47,920 --> 00:53:51,020 Oh, no, not again. Just give it to me later, Reg. 768 00:53:51,040 --> 00:53:52,980 They're for you. 769 00:53:53,000 --> 00:53:54,940 How lovely. 770 00:53:54,960 --> 00:53:57,820 "My darling Flossie. 771 00:53:57,840 --> 00:54:00,980 Soon our time will come. 772 00:54:01,000 --> 00:54:03,000 4 kisses." 773 00:54:28,840 --> 00:54:30,840 (SOUNDTRACK OVER DIALOGUE) 774 00:54:50,920 --> 00:54:53,940 Of course, there's no grace about the profession these days. 775 00:54:53,960 --> 00:54:56,020 These young actors and actresses, they can't project. 776 00:54:56,040 --> 00:55:00,880 They're used to speaking into a microphone for the wireless or for the talking pictures. 777 00:55:00,900 --> 00:55:03,880 The profession can be a very cruel place. 778 00:55:03,900 --> 00:55:06,840 Especially when the first bloom of youth has gone. 779 00:55:08,940 --> 00:55:10,820 Do you go to the theatre, Mr Poirot? 780 00:55:10,840 --> 00:55:13,000 Yes, indeed. Well, then, you must have seen me. 781 00:55:13,020 --> 00:55:16,860 I got wonderful reviews for my Eliza Doolittle. 782 00:55:16,880 --> 00:55:20,900 "A confident and dazzling Miss Flossie Monro." 783 00:55:20,920 --> 00:55:22,820 No. No? 784 00:55:22,840 --> 00:55:25,940 Well, I did The Importance Of Being Earnest at the Vaudeville in '26. 785 00:55:25,960 --> 00:55:28,940 I had a great success with that. No 786 00:55:28,960 --> 00:55:32,900 Perhaps something more recent. More recent. 787 00:55:32,920 --> 00:55:35,020 Well, let me think. 788 00:55:35,040 --> 00:55:38,940 I was at the Duke of York's a few years ago in Share My Cab, but... 789 00:55:38,960 --> 00:55:43,840 Oh, yes, indeed. This Poirot did see. What did you play? 790 00:55:44,900 --> 00:55:46,920 The accordion. 791 00:55:49,000 --> 00:55:54,940 For some years ago you appeared in a repertory theatre company, madame. 792 00:55:54,960 --> 00:55:57,940 Moiselle. Pardon, mademoiselle. 793 00:55:57,960 --> 00:56:00,800 The Methuselah Players. Yes! 794 00:56:00,820 --> 00:56:04,940 How on earth do you know about that? Oh! They were happy times. 795 00:56:04,960 --> 00:56:07,020 I have been speaking to some of your fellow actors 796 00:56:07,040 --> 00:56:10,960 and they tell to me that this company closed down not long after that season. 797 00:56:10,980 --> 00:56:12,860 Yes, such a shame. 798 00:56:12,880 --> 00:56:14,980 Oh, thank you. 799 00:56:15,000 --> 00:56:17,800 Mm. Merci. 800 00:56:20,920 --> 00:56:25,800 Does the name Albert Whalley mean anything to you? 801 00:56:26,000 --> 00:56:27,820 Whalley? 802 00:56:27,840 --> 00:56:29,860 No, no, I don't think so. Why, should it? 803 00:56:29,880 --> 00:56:32,820 No, it appears that he was a member of the audience 804 00:56:32,840 --> 00:56:34,900 very devoted to the Methuselah company. 805 00:56:34,920 --> 00:56:39,860 In fact, he collected mementoes from the repertory season in 1924. 806 00:56:39,880 --> 00:56:41,960 Oh, a fan, was he? Oh. 807 00:56:41,980 --> 00:56:44,820 Well, really, Mr Poirot, 808 00:56:44,840 --> 00:56:47,980 you can't expect me to remember all my admirers over all these years. 809 00:56:48,000 --> 00:56:49,940 Non, mademoiselle? No. 810 00:56:49,960 --> 00:56:53,020 For instance, only this past few weeks I've been sent all sorts of things. 811 00:56:53,040 --> 00:56:55,820 Cards, flowers, champagne. 812 00:56:55,840 --> 00:56:58,820 All from an anonymous admirer. Vraiment? 813 00:56:58,840 --> 00:57:00,960 This arrived just the other day. 814 00:57:01,940 --> 00:57:05,940 A valentine in April? Yes, I thought it was queer too. 815 00:57:05,960 --> 00:57:08,820 But you know what some of these fans can be like. 816 00:57:08,840 --> 00:57:10,840 You permit Poirot to see? 817 00:57:12,920 --> 00:57:14,920 Merci, mademoiselle. 818 00:57:20,040 --> 00:57:22,040 "Until we meet again." Mm. 819 00:57:44,880 --> 00:57:46,880 (PHONE RINGS) 820 00:57:50,920 --> 00:57:52,920 Hercule Poirot speaks. 821 00:57:53,940 --> 00:57:56,820 Oui, monsieur, an interview, it is possible. 822 00:57:58,000 --> 00:58:00,020 Bon. What is your address, monsieur? 823 01:00:17,820 --> 01:00:19,820 What a difference a few weeks make. 824 01:00:20,640 --> 01:00:21,640 Quite, sir. 825 01:00:21,660 --> 01:00:25,660 I sent away that journalist fellow with a flea in his ear 826 01:00:25,680 --> 01:00:28,680 and now it seems he was right after all. 827 01:00:28,700 --> 01:00:30,740 Bulldog Drummond come to life. 828 01:00:30,760 --> 01:00:32,840 HASTINGS: And the best of men lies dead. 829 01:00:33,600 --> 01:00:35,620 Monsieur Poirot was a brilliant man. 830 01:00:35,640 --> 01:00:39,600 Lord knows we could do with more like him at this moment. 831 01:00:39,620 --> 01:00:41,680 HASTINGS: Is there any hope for peace, sir? 832 01:00:41,700 --> 01:00:46,780 This Big Four business has the entire international community on edge. 833 01:00:46,800 --> 01:00:48,820 Do you have anything concrete to go on, sir? 834 01:00:48,840 --> 01:00:50,700 Nothing. 835 01:00:50,720 --> 01:00:54,840 Li Chang Yen has put out a statement denying any knowledge of the Big Four. 836 01:00:55,600 --> 01:00:56,620 He would, wouldn't he? 837 01:00:56,640 --> 01:00:59,740 HASTINGS: Ryland and Madame Olivier are still nowhere to be seen. 838 01:00:59,760 --> 01:01:02,700 What about Number Four? Indeed. 839 01:01:03,720 --> 01:01:05,740 How does one track down Death himself? 840 01:01:05,760 --> 01:01:07,760 Poirot knew. 841 01:01:07,780 --> 01:01:11,840 If only we could find out what knowledge he took with him to his grave. 842 01:01:20,620 --> 01:01:24,740 He always liked things just so, didn't he? 843 01:01:24,760 --> 01:01:26,620 Quite. 844 01:01:26,640 --> 01:01:29,740 He was onto something, wasn't he? He had to be. 845 01:01:29,760 --> 01:01:32,580 I only wish I knew what. 846 01:01:32,600 --> 01:01:35,780 I've been so wrapped up with all these new leads that have been coming in. 847 01:01:35,800 --> 01:01:39,740 Poirot seemed quite content to go off and pursue things on his own. 848 01:01:39,760 --> 01:01:42,700 I suppose he must have grown quite used to that. 849 01:01:42,720 --> 01:01:46,660 Yes, I suppose so. One thing we know for certain. 850 01:01:46,680 --> 01:01:49,660 He was getting too close to the Big Four, so they eliminated him. 851 01:01:49,680 --> 01:01:52,660 Yes. Well? 852 01:01:52,680 --> 01:01:53,800 Well? Well, hang it all, Japp. 853 01:01:53,820 --> 01:01:55,760 What are we going to do next? Eh? 854 01:01:55,780 --> 01:01:58,680 We can't let Poirot die in vain. We've got to stop them. 855 01:01:58,700 --> 01:02:01,780 Now, hang on, Captain Hastings. We can't be faint-hearted now, man. 856 01:02:01,800 --> 01:02:03,700 Are you with me or not? 857 01:02:03,720 --> 01:02:06,680 For Poirot's sake, together we have to stop the Big Four. 858 01:02:06,700 --> 01:02:09,580 Listen, these people mean business. 859 01:02:09,600 --> 01:02:12,620 They'll stop at nothing. If even Poirot couldn't stop them. 860 01:02:12,640 --> 01:02:15,820 Good Lord, man. I never thought I'd hear such conchie talk from you. 861 01:02:15,840 --> 01:02:19,740 Well, if you won't do anything to stop these brutes, then I certainly will. 862 01:02:19,760 --> 01:02:22,760 And I'll leave no stone unturned. Good day. 863 01:02:28,720 --> 01:02:32,800 So...what do I do now, old chap? 864 01:02:37,640 --> 01:02:39,760 Good old Hastings. 865 01:02:39,780 --> 01:02:42,840 Old soldiers never die, Mr Japp. 866 01:02:43,600 --> 01:02:45,740 Sir. Yes, George? What is it? 867 01:02:45,760 --> 01:02:49,600 A telegram has arrived for you, sir. For me? 868 01:03:16,820 --> 01:03:18,820 Hello? 869 01:03:22,600 --> 01:03:24,600 Anybody here? 870 01:03:25,720 --> 01:03:26,780 Oh. 871 01:03:26,800 --> 01:03:30,660 It's... It's Miss Monro. I've come for the audition. 872 01:03:34,680 --> 01:03:37,800 It's funny, I was just talking about this place to someone the other day. 873 01:03:37,820 --> 01:03:40,680 Strange to be back here after all this time. 874 01:03:44,680 --> 01:03:47,640 I'm not late, am I? Your letter did say four. 875 01:03:53,820 --> 01:03:55,680 Hello? 876 01:04:14,720 --> 01:04:17,620 Help... Help me. 877 01:04:17,640 --> 01:04:19,640 Please. 878 01:04:26,700 --> 01:04:28,700 What's going on? 879 01:04:31,620 --> 01:04:34,740 What do you want with me? Welcome, Miss Monro. 880 01:04:34,760 --> 01:04:37,660 Welcome to the lair of the Big Four. 881 01:04:37,680 --> 01:04:39,840 Oh, my God. 882 01:04:40,600 --> 01:04:43,660 You've heard of us. How gratifying. 883 01:04:43,680 --> 01:04:49,640 Talk to me, Miss Monro. Tell me all you know about the Big Four. 884 01:04:49,660 --> 01:04:52,840 I don't understand. Why...? Waiting, Miss Monro. 885 01:04:53,600 --> 01:04:55,760 You wouldn't want to disappoint me, would you? 886 01:04:58,680 --> 01:05:00,840 I only know what I've seen in the papers. 887 01:05:01,600 --> 01:05:04,800 What have you read in the papers? 888 01:05:04,820 --> 01:05:09,620 Well...it's all run from China, isn't it? 889 01:05:09,640 --> 01:05:11,800 Number One. Go on. 890 01:05:12,720 --> 01:05:16,700 Um...then there's that American with all the money. 891 01:05:16,720 --> 01:05:17,840 Number Two. 892 01:05:19,800 --> 01:05:22,640 (GASPS) Continue. 893 01:05:23,600 --> 01:05:25,600 Please, I... Continue! 894 01:05:29,680 --> 01:05:31,740 The French woman. Um... 895 01:05:31,760 --> 01:05:33,660 Madame... 896 01:05:33,680 --> 01:05:34,820 Madame Olivier. 897 01:05:34,840 --> 01:05:36,640 Number Three. 898 01:05:37,760 --> 01:05:40,680 And Number Four. 899 01:05:40,700 --> 01:05:42,700 Tell me what you know of Number Four. 900 01:05:44,760 --> 01:05:47,600 Nobody knows, do they? 901 01:05:48,640 --> 01:05:51,680 Are you Number Four? (LAUGHS) 902 01:05:54,680 --> 01:05:56,680 (CONTINUES LAUGHING) 903 01:06:13,760 --> 01:06:14,780 (GASPS) 904 01:06:14,800 --> 01:06:16,800 Think back, my darling. 905 01:06:17,740 --> 01:06:19,740 It has been some time. 906 01:06:21,700 --> 01:06:23,740 Do I...know you? 907 01:06:23,760 --> 01:06:25,580 All my gifts, 908 01:06:25,600 --> 01:06:30,760 the cards, the roses, they didn't bring back any memories? 909 01:06:32,660 --> 01:06:36,700 You're my admirer? You're...you're my fan? 910 01:06:36,720 --> 01:06:42,640 Think, Flossie. Think back to that season at this old theatre. 911 01:06:42,660 --> 01:06:44,660 15 years ago. 912 01:06:48,760 --> 01:06:51,640 We performed together on this very stage. 913 01:06:53,660 --> 01:06:54,660 Claud. 914 01:06:56,820 --> 01:07:00,680 Claud Darrell? It's... 915 01:07:01,680 --> 01:07:03,660 Is it really you? 916 01:07:03,680 --> 01:07:05,760 It is, my love. 917 01:07:09,820 --> 01:07:12,660 Well, what's this all about, Claud? I mean... 918 01:07:12,680 --> 01:07:14,660 It's just a joke. It's just a silly joke. 919 01:07:14,680 --> 01:07:17,820 No, my dear. It's serious. Deadly serious. 920 01:07:22,740 --> 01:07:27,680 I adore you, Flossie. Don't you realise that? 921 01:07:29,800 --> 01:07:32,660 I'd do anything for you. 922 01:07:32,680 --> 01:07:34,800 I've done so much already. 923 01:07:38,600 --> 01:07:39,780 All for you. 924 01:07:39,800 --> 01:07:43,660 Do you remember what you said to me on that day? 925 01:07:43,680 --> 01:07:45,780 What day? It was years ago, years. 926 01:07:45,800 --> 01:07:47,720 I can never forget it, you know. 927 01:07:47,740 --> 01:07:50,740 I asked you if I could take you out to dinner and you said... 928 01:07:50,760 --> 01:07:52,740 Oh, Claudie. Don't be so ridiculous. 929 01:07:52,760 --> 01:07:55,620 As if I could fancy someone like you. 930 01:07:55,640 --> 01:07:57,740 You're such a funny little shrimp, aren't you? 931 01:07:57,760 --> 01:08:01,760 No, I deserve the best, Claudie. 932 01:08:01,780 --> 01:08:05,660 Someone who's gonna make something of himself. 933 01:08:05,680 --> 01:08:10,680 Someone the whole world will remember. 934 01:08:14,720 --> 01:08:17,680 Someone the whole world would remember. 935 01:08:19,680 --> 01:08:22,700 But I was young, wasn't I? I was young and foolish and full of myself. 936 01:08:22,720 --> 01:08:24,820 The whole world will remember me now, won't they? 937 01:08:25,780 --> 01:08:28,660 The whole world will remember the Big Four. 938 01:08:28,680 --> 01:08:33,780 Li Chang Yen, Abe Ryland, Regine Olivier and me. 939 01:08:33,800 --> 01:08:36,780 Claud Darrell. Number Four. 940 01:08:36,800 --> 01:08:39,620 The Destroyer. 941 01:08:39,640 --> 01:08:41,740 Death himself. 942 01:08:42,740 --> 01:08:45,800 You mean you've done all of this, 943 01:08:45,820 --> 01:08:47,820 all of this... 944 01:08:50,720 --> 01:08:52,660 ..just for me? 945 01:08:53,600 --> 01:08:55,660 Tell me you love me, Flossie. 946 01:08:56,600 --> 01:08:57,820 Tell me you love me. 947 01:08:59,800 --> 01:09:01,680 Tell me. 948 01:09:11,700 --> 01:09:17,660 I think you're the most remarkable man... I've ever met. 949 01:09:20,760 --> 01:09:22,840 Let me take you away from here. 950 01:09:29,740 --> 01:09:33,720 Just... Just one thing to take care of first. 951 01:09:34,760 --> 01:09:37,620 POIROT: I think not, monsieur. 952 01:09:58,740 --> 01:10:00,680 (GASPS) 953 01:10:03,640 --> 01:10:04,780 Oui, monsieur. 954 01:10:04,800 --> 01:10:08,700 Despite the best efforts of the Big Four, 955 01:10:08,720 --> 01:10:12,660 Hercule Poirot, he lives. 956 01:10:17,480 --> 01:10:20,460 You're dead. Dead and buried. 957 01:10:20,480 --> 01:10:21,520 Non. 958 01:10:21,540 --> 01:10:25,480 It was all smoke and mirrors. 959 01:10:25,500 --> 01:10:27,440 Is that not the expression? 960 01:10:28,440 --> 01:10:33,360 But now it is time to bring down the curtain on the Big Four. 961 01:10:33,380 --> 01:10:36,420 I rather think that'll be my decision. All right, son, the game's up. 962 01:10:39,400 --> 01:10:43,400 You've pulled off some stunts in your time, Poirot, but this beats them all. 963 01:10:43,420 --> 01:10:44,440 I should say. 964 01:10:44,460 --> 01:10:49,540 I have much to explain to you, mes amis, but first, if you please, mademoiselle. 965 01:10:53,420 --> 01:10:55,300 Flossie. 966 01:10:57,440 --> 01:10:59,380 Flossie. 967 01:11:00,480 --> 01:11:02,480 Come on. 968 01:11:08,420 --> 01:11:10,420 I think you'd better sit down, sir. 969 01:11:13,300 --> 01:11:18,320 What about these two? Shouldn't we do something in case they... 970 01:11:18,340 --> 01:11:19,480 What's the matter with them? 971 01:11:19,500 --> 01:11:21,420 One moment, mon ami. 972 01:11:23,380 --> 01:11:25,420 What a pass in which we find ourselves. 973 01:11:26,500 --> 01:11:29,400 The world stands on the brink of a conflict most terrible. 974 01:11:29,420 --> 01:11:32,440 And what do we discover is behind it all, 975 01:11:32,460 --> 01:11:35,540 fomenting suspicion on a scale that is global? 976 01:11:36,300 --> 01:11:38,440 A cabal most terrifying. 977 01:11:38,460 --> 01:11:43,500 Puppet masters who threaten to plunge the world into war. 978 01:11:44,540 --> 01:11:47,480 And yet, and yet... 979 01:11:48,360 --> 01:11:54,320 What was the first reaction of anyone who was told of the Big Four? 980 01:11:54,340 --> 01:11:56,440 That it was like something from a storybook, n'est pas? 981 01:11:56,460 --> 01:11:57,500 Bulldog Drummond. 982 01:11:57,520 --> 01:12:01,420 Precisement, Monsieur Tysoe, precisement. 983 01:12:01,440 --> 01:12:04,340 Because that is all it is, mes amis. 984 01:12:07,500 --> 01:12:12,540 Mere theatre. The Big Four are not real. Non. 985 01:12:13,300 --> 01:12:17,440 They exist only in the crazed imagination of one man. 986 01:12:18,420 --> 01:12:19,480 That's not possible. 987 01:12:19,500 --> 01:12:26,420 A man who would plunge the world into chaos because of a passion that is unrequited. 988 01:12:29,300 --> 01:12:35,300 Albert Whalley, who was later to take on the stage name of Claud Darrell 989 01:12:35,320 --> 01:12:41,360 and who for the past few months has been masquerading as Dr Quentin. 990 01:12:41,380 --> 01:12:44,540 But what about Li Chang Yen? And these two? 991 01:12:45,300 --> 01:12:47,380 Li Chang Yen is as innocent as he claims. 992 01:12:47,400 --> 01:12:52,340 And these poor unfortunate souls are merely pawns in the game, 993 01:12:52,360 --> 01:12:54,300 kidnapped and kept here, 994 01:12:54,320 --> 01:12:57,340 their disappearances orchestrated to throw suspicion onto them. 995 01:12:57,360 --> 01:13:00,360 But why don't they say anything? Because they are drugged, mon ami. 996 01:13:00,380 --> 01:13:02,480 Drugged with gelsemine. Good grief. 997 01:13:02,500 --> 01:13:04,280 Oui. 998 01:13:04,300 --> 01:13:08,440 The same drug that was used to anaesthetise Stephen Paynter before he was killed. 999 01:13:08,460 --> 01:13:14,340 They are fully conscious, but their physical paralysis, it is complete. 1000 01:13:16,420 --> 01:13:18,440 But mercifully, it would appear in this case, 1001 01:13:18,460 --> 01:13:21,360 the effect, it is only temporary, mon ami. 1002 01:13:21,380 --> 01:13:26,460 Everyone believed it, though, didn't they, the Big Four? 1003 01:13:27,460 --> 01:13:30,440 Fleet Street, the police, the great British public. 1004 01:13:30,460 --> 01:13:35,440 Oui, monsieur, for some time even Hercule Poirot was taken in by your charade so deadly. 1005 01:13:38,340 --> 01:13:40,440 With your help, of course, Mr Tysoe. 1006 01:13:40,460 --> 01:13:42,400 What? 1007 01:13:42,420 --> 01:13:45,540 I just had to wind you up like a clockwork toy and off you went. 1008 01:13:46,500 --> 01:13:50,320 You and your little newspaper. 1009 01:13:50,340 --> 01:13:54,320 Spreading fear, confusion, hate. 1010 01:13:54,340 --> 01:13:56,440 An emotional soup, pulsing. 1011 01:13:57,540 --> 01:14:00,380 You really have been a most useful ally. 1012 01:14:01,500 --> 01:14:03,420 But my informer? 1013 01:14:04,380 --> 01:14:07,340 The letters? The playing cards? 1014 01:14:08,300 --> 01:14:09,460 All sent from Monsieur Darrell. 1015 01:14:09,480 --> 01:14:12,340 So the fella who turned up with a knife in his back? 1016 01:14:12,360 --> 01:14:15,480 In reality a tramp dressed in a theatrical costume, 1017 01:14:15,500 --> 01:14:18,300 the clues of the playing cards planted upon him. 1018 01:14:18,320 --> 01:14:24,440 Reality, Monsieur Poirot? Who is to say where fantasy ends and reality begins? 1019 01:14:24,460 --> 01:14:27,480 Well, let us speak of beginnings, monsieur! 1020 01:14:27,500 --> 01:14:31,340 Act One of a drama so very strange. 1021 01:14:33,440 --> 01:14:35,440 Albert Whalley. 1022 01:14:37,380 --> 01:14:39,320 A boy, 1023 01:14:39,340 --> 01:14:41,440 an orphan, 1024 01:14:41,460 --> 01:14:43,540 poor and unloved... 1025 01:14:45,520 --> 01:14:49,480 ...who was sent away to live with his uncle who was cold and aloof. 1026 01:14:51,440 --> 01:14:55,420 Albert Whalley is a name I haven't used in years. 1027 01:14:55,440 --> 01:14:59,460 Non, but an uncle who disapproved of your fantasies 1028 01:14:59,480 --> 01:15:03,540 and your desire to tread the boards. 1029 01:15:05,300 --> 01:15:08,280 All those years of listening to that old fool. 1030 01:15:08,300 --> 01:15:13,300 Going on about his precious Chinaman, Li Chang Yen. 1031 01:15:13,520 --> 01:15:15,400 I began to see possibilities. Oui. 1032 01:15:15,420 --> 01:15:17,460 But then you had the task most difficult, non? 1033 01:15:18,440 --> 01:15:24,360 To worm your way into the confidences of the members of the Peace Party. 1034 01:15:24,380 --> 01:15:25,540 Child's play. 1035 01:15:26,300 --> 01:15:29,540 I forged my references and quietly took up my position as Dr Quentin. 1036 01:15:30,540 --> 01:15:34,480 Paynter's condition, it's not really very difficult to research. 1037 01:15:34,500 --> 01:15:37,360 I'm an actor, Monsieur Poirot, and a bloody good one. 1038 01:15:37,380 --> 01:15:39,500 Oh, yes, indeed, monsieur, your ability to blend in, 1039 01:15:39,520 --> 01:15:45,360 to pass yourself off in all manner of disguises, which has proven so useful. 1040 01:15:45,380 --> 01:15:50,340 You have the genius of the character actor. 1041 01:16:04,480 --> 01:16:07,320 Help! No! No! 1042 01:16:07,340 --> 01:16:09,340 (SCREAMS) 1043 01:16:10,540 --> 01:16:12,540 Mr Tysoe! 1044 01:16:44,380 --> 01:16:46,540 Savaranoff was killed to implicate Abe Ryland. 1045 01:16:48,500 --> 01:16:51,360 Your uncle died to throw suspicion onto Li Chang Yen. 1046 01:16:51,380 --> 01:16:56,440 And Stephen Paynter, who was innocent, 1047 01:16:56,460 --> 01:16:59,300 murdered to incriminate Madame Olivier. 1048 01:17:00,460 --> 01:17:04,340 He was a weak fool. His weakness was his conscience. 1049 01:17:05,340 --> 01:17:10,340 I merely persuaded him that it wasn't decent for them to continue their silly love affair. 1050 01:17:10,360 --> 01:17:14,320 That's all it was, then? Diana Paynter overheard him ending the affair? 1051 01:17:14,340 --> 01:17:15,480 It had nothing to do with the Big Four? 1052 01:17:15,500 --> 01:17:17,540 Indeed so, mon ami. TYSOE: But why? 1053 01:17:19,380 --> 01:17:21,520 In God's name, what the hell was it all for? 1054 01:17:21,540 --> 01:17:23,540 For me. 1055 01:17:25,520 --> 01:17:28,420 Wasn't it, Mr Poirot? 1056 01:17:29,460 --> 01:17:32,340 Oui, mademoiselle. 1057 01:17:34,460 --> 01:17:37,380 For the woman who spurned him all those years ago. 1058 01:17:39,380 --> 01:17:43,360 For therein lies your tragedy, Monsieur Darrell. 1059 01:17:43,380 --> 01:17:48,540 The very gift that could have turned you into the actor supreme...makes you forgettable. 1060 01:17:50,360 --> 01:17:52,340 The man who blends in. 1061 01:17:52,360 --> 01:17:55,400 The man whose name nobody ever can quite remember. 1062 01:17:56,500 --> 01:18:00,460 The man who...disappears. 1063 01:18:04,380 --> 01:18:06,500 Albert Whalley, Claud Darrell, 1064 01:18:06,520 --> 01:18:10,340 Dr Quentin, Number Four. 1065 01:18:11,400 --> 01:18:15,360 Whatever you choose to call yourself, monsieur, 1066 01:18:15,380 --> 01:18:18,420 you adore the flourish that is theatrical. 1067 01:18:19,340 --> 01:18:21,540 You've got a nerve. 1068 01:18:22,300 --> 01:18:23,400 Comment? 1069 01:18:23,420 --> 01:18:27,440 All this. You'd already worked out where I was. 1070 01:18:27,460 --> 01:18:30,320 You could have sent the police to arrest me at any time. 1071 01:18:30,340 --> 01:18:33,360 But instead you wanted your grand finale, 1072 01:18:33,380 --> 01:18:35,360 show everyone just how clever you've been. 1073 01:18:35,380 --> 01:18:37,420 Oh, we're more alike than you think, Poirot. 1074 01:18:37,440 --> 01:18:38,540 Sit down! (GUNSHOT) 1075 01:18:39,300 --> 01:18:41,540 Nobody moves! Don't be a fool, Darrell. 1076 01:18:42,300 --> 01:18:45,480 You'll never get away. My men are surrounding the building. 1077 01:18:48,440 --> 01:18:51,540 If Flossie won't have me, 1078 01:18:52,300 --> 01:18:55,420 then we're all going to go out in a blaze of glory. 1079 01:18:59,480 --> 01:19:01,460 Oh, my God. 1080 01:19:04,520 --> 01:19:08,380 Poirot, we've got to get everybody out of here. 1081 01:19:09,400 --> 01:19:11,480 One minute. 1082 01:19:11,500 --> 01:19:14,380 One minute... 1083 01:19:14,400 --> 01:19:20,340 ...before I bring down the final curtain on the Big Four. 1084 01:19:21,440 --> 01:19:23,440 Poirot. You will not do it, monsieur. 1085 01:19:23,460 --> 01:19:29,380 To do all this for the love of one woman. 1086 01:19:31,420 --> 01:19:35,320 You will not send her to her grave, Albert Whalley. 1087 01:19:35,340 --> 01:19:37,340 You cannot. 1088 01:19:39,500 --> 01:19:41,320 (MOUTHS) 1089 01:20:05,400 --> 01:20:08,420 It's all right. It's all right, son. 1090 01:20:08,440 --> 01:20:10,480 It's all right. 1091 01:20:10,500 --> 01:20:12,380 You've spoilt everything! 1092 01:20:12,400 --> 01:20:16,420 You've spoilt it all, you insufferable little man! 1093 01:20:16,440 --> 01:20:18,500 But I am Number Four, do you hear me? 1094 01:20:19,540 --> 01:20:21,300 The Destroyer. 1095 01:20:26,300 --> 01:20:27,360 Death itself. 1096 01:20:52,360 --> 01:20:54,360 He's dead. 1097 01:21:01,420 --> 01:21:03,420 (REPORTERS ALL SPEAK AT ONCE) 1098 01:21:04,440 --> 01:21:07,300 Good afternoon, gentlemen. 1099 01:21:07,320 --> 01:21:13,320 It is a source of great relief that after our terrible ordeal 1100 01:21:13,340 --> 01:21:18,320 we are able to clear not only our own reputations but that of the party as well. 1101 01:21:18,340 --> 01:21:19,400 RYLAND: Indeed. 1102 01:21:19,420 --> 01:21:22,520 Li Chang Yen wants to reassure every civilised nation 1103 01:21:22,540 --> 01:21:26,420 that we will continue to strive for world peace. 1104 01:21:26,440 --> 01:21:30,360 The Big Four has proved to be a fiction, 1105 01:21:30,380 --> 01:21:33,480 but still we stand on a precipice. 1106 01:21:34,540 --> 01:21:36,500 RYLAND: The situation remains grim, 1107 01:21:36,520 --> 01:21:43,340 but if war does come, the powers of light will be united as one. 1108 01:21:45,460 --> 01:21:49,440 I will have to eat some humble pie, naturally. 1109 01:21:49,460 --> 01:21:52,480 But I do have the exclusive story of Number Four to write, 1110 01:21:52,500 --> 01:21:55,380 so that's some consolation. 1111 01:21:55,400 --> 01:21:58,440 Thanks for the opportunity to be in at the end, Mr Poirot. 1112 01:21:58,460 --> 01:22:03,360 I hope you've learned your lesson, mate. Check your facts before you print. 1113 01:22:03,380 --> 01:22:07,420 Incidentally, how did you work it all out? 1114 01:22:10,340 --> 01:22:15,320 It occurred to Poirot for some time that this case had the flavour of the theatre. 1115 01:22:15,340 --> 01:22:19,380 And the label of the costumier, Max Berman & Sons 1116 01:22:19,400 --> 01:22:21,480 was the first mistake of Monsieur Claud Darrell. 1117 01:22:21,500 --> 01:22:25,540 His scrapbook led me towards Mademoiselle Monro. 1118 01:22:27,380 --> 01:22:30,340 Of course, naturellement, he kept his eye most closely upon her, 1119 01:22:30,360 --> 01:22:35,340 but when she met with me, Hercule Poirot, he panicked. 1120 01:22:36,340 --> 01:22:38,340 (PHONE RINGS) 1121 01:22:39,340 --> 01:22:40,440 Hercule Poirot speaks. 1122 01:22:40,460 --> 01:22:44,280 I understand you've been trying to contact me. My name is Claud Darrell. 1123 01:22:44,300 --> 01:22:45,360 Yes, indeed, monsieur, 1124 01:22:45,380 --> 01:22:48,340 in connection with your time at the Methuselah Theatre. 1125 01:22:48,360 --> 01:22:50,480 An interview, it is possible? Certainly. 1126 01:22:50,500 --> 01:22:53,320 I can spare you a moment or two later on this afternoon. 1127 01:22:53,340 --> 01:22:55,400 Bon. What is your address, monsieur? 1128 01:22:55,420 --> 01:22:58,500 Flat A, 41 Wilberforce Road, Islington. 1129 01:22:58,520 --> 01:23:01,440 At what hour? Shall we say four? 1130 01:23:01,460 --> 01:23:03,460 Parfait. Au revoir. 1131 01:23:44,500 --> 01:23:48,460 But I hoped that even if for one moment Monsieur Claud Darrell could believe 1132 01:23:48,480 --> 01:23:53,280 that his plan had succeeded, then the subsequent realisation of his failure 1133 01:23:53,300 --> 01:23:55,460 would be all the more devastating. 1134 01:23:56,460 --> 01:24:00,420 And Hercule Poirot, he was proved correct. 1135 01:24:00,440 --> 01:24:03,320 I still can't quite believe I managed to do it, 1136 01:24:03,340 --> 01:24:04,480 convince him I was in love with him. 1137 01:24:04,500 --> 01:24:07,360 I warned Mademoiselle Monro that she would need courage 1138 01:24:07,380 --> 01:24:09,360 and that it might prove to be most dangerous. 1139 01:24:09,380 --> 01:24:11,540 But when the moment it came that Claud Darrell 1140 01:24:12,300 --> 01:24:15,480 were to make contact with her again, as I knew that he would, 1141 01:24:15,500 --> 01:24:17,340 we must be ready, oui? 1142 01:24:18,420 --> 01:24:21,400 It was the performance of a lifetime, mademoiselle. 1143 01:24:23,300 --> 01:24:26,400 I had a wonderful director, Mr Poirot. 1144 01:24:26,420 --> 01:24:28,500 Merci. 1145 01:24:29,500 --> 01:24:35,460 Well, delightful as this all is, I need to get on and write my column. 1146 01:24:39,320 --> 01:24:43,300 I don't suppose you'd be interested in giving me an exclusive interview? 1147 01:24:43,320 --> 01:24:45,460 "The woman who stole the heart of Number Four"? 1148 01:24:47,380 --> 01:24:48,480 Perhaps. 1149 01:24:48,500 --> 01:24:53,360 Maybe we could discuss it further, over lunch. 1150 01:24:53,380 --> 01:24:55,300 Don't mind if I do. 1151 01:24:55,320 --> 01:24:58,440 The performance of a lifetime certainly gives a girl an appetite. 1152 01:24:58,460 --> 01:25:00,500 So where do you fancy? Simpson's is lovely. 1153 01:25:00,520 --> 01:25:03,520 I've not been there for a while. Or we could go dancing. 1154 01:25:10,540 --> 01:25:12,540 Mes amis? 1155 01:25:13,300 --> 01:25:15,480 Well, Poirot, we're...we're pleased, 1156 01:25:15,500 --> 01:25:20,480 you know, that...you're not, you know, dead. 1157 01:25:20,500 --> 01:25:22,360 Of course we are, but... 1158 01:25:22,380 --> 01:25:27,300 But why did you go through with this horrid charade, 1159 01:25:27,320 --> 01:25:30,280 making us believe you'd been killed? 1160 01:25:30,300 --> 01:25:34,440 But it was vital, Miss Lemon, vital that you should believe it. 1161 01:25:34,460 --> 01:25:36,440 It was necessary for Poirot to disappear, 1162 01:25:36,460 --> 01:25:40,360 because in this way, the guard of Number Four, it would be dropped. 1163 01:25:43,340 --> 01:25:45,360 George? 1164 01:25:45,380 --> 01:25:48,320 I'm sure you had the best intentions, sir. 1165 01:25:48,340 --> 01:25:49,340 No man is a hero to his valet. 1166 01:25:53,300 --> 01:25:56,380 Can you ever forgive me, mes amis? 1167 01:25:58,340 --> 01:26:01,340 It was all for the best... 1168 01:26:01,360 --> 01:26:02,500 ..I suppose. 1169 01:26:05,340 --> 01:26:08,480 But you know this affair of the Big Four, it has done some other good. 1170 01:26:08,500 --> 01:26:12,500 Has it not reunited me with all my oldest friends? 1171 01:26:12,520 --> 01:26:14,440 Almost all. 1172 01:26:14,460 --> 01:26:17,360 Because where is Hastings? Where is Captain Hastings? 1173 01:26:17,380 --> 01:26:20,520 Well, there's been no sign of him since he charged off, I'm afraid. 1174 01:26:20,540 --> 01:26:24,520 Surely he must have heard the news by now. 1175 01:26:24,540 --> 01:26:27,460 (DOORS OPENS AND CLOSES) 1176 01:26:29,460 --> 01:26:32,340 Good Lord. Poirot. 1177 01:26:33,380 --> 01:26:35,400 I thought you were dead. 1178 01:26:35,420 --> 01:26:37,420 Mon ami, Hastings. 1179 01:26:39,380 --> 01:26:41,300 Mon ami, mon ami. 1180 01:26:41,320 --> 01:26:43,340 It is the most extraordinary thing. 1181 01:26:43,360 --> 01:26:46,460 I was only saying...