The Blind Goddess (1948) - Eric Portman, Anne Crawford, Hugh Williams - Feature (Drama) - video Dailymotion

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The Blind Goddess (1948)  1h 27min | Drama | 18 October 1948 (UK)    Lord Brasted is in charge of a postwar fund for displaced persons. His secretary, Derek Waterhouse, visits the Prime Minister to accuse Brasted of taking money from the fund. This results in a libel case made difficult for Waterhouse for several reasons: the man who uncovered the fraud has committed suicide - or been murdered - in Prague, Lady Brasted is an old flame and being pretty devious, and he has been seeing the prosecuting lawyer's daughter.    Director: Harold French    Writers: Muriel Box, Sydney Box    Stars: Eric Portman, Anne Crawford, Hugh Williams

Transcript

00:00:00["The Star-Spangled Banner"]

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00:03:35Of course I will, Dick.

00:03:37Oh, darling.

00:03:41Darling, darling.

00:03:44I wish you didn't have to go now, just to...

00:03:46I know, darling.

00:03:50I know, darling.

00:03:54Anyway, I should only be gone two months.

00:03:57I suppose you couldn't call it off.

00:03:59Well, hardly. Everything's been booked and my sister's expecting me.

00:04:02You know, she's been so ill.

00:04:03Her family would think it's very odd if I didn't go.

00:04:06I know. I'm crazy to suggest that.

00:04:08Don't worry.

00:04:09I promise not to look at any strange men in so long.

00:04:12I'll be back before you realize I'm gone.

00:04:13You'll be so wrapped up in that job of yours.

00:04:16Hmm.

00:04:19Eric, what's the matter?

00:04:21I haven't got the job anymore.

00:04:23What happened?

00:04:25What did anything to do with Lady Brezny?

00:04:27Why do you ask that?

00:04:29Well, she's just come in.

00:04:30Where?

00:04:31Over there.

00:04:32You don't like her, do you?

00:04:34I think she's one of the most beautiful women I've ever met.

00:04:36One of the least likable.

00:04:38She's always been very good to me.

00:04:40I hope you reciprocated.

00:04:42She happens to be married to my boss.

00:04:43Your ex-boss.

00:04:45Yes.

00:04:46And she had nothing to do with your leaving him?

00:04:48Nothing.

00:04:49Well, I think he's a stinker anyway.

00:04:51He's worse than that.

00:04:52Tell me more.

00:04:53No, I can't. Not here.

00:04:54Waiter, don't mind us, please.

00:04:56Let's go somewhere where you can.

00:04:58I didn't want to upset you just when you were going away.

00:05:00Nothing you say against Lord Braithwaite could possibly upset me.

00:05:04All right.

00:05:06Dear, we'll have to pass her when we leave.

00:05:08Oh, don't worry. We'll only waste a second.

00:05:12Good night, madam.

00:05:16Thank you, sir.

00:05:17Good night.

00:05:19Hello, dearie.

00:05:20Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

00:05:21You know Mr. and Mrs. Watkins and Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, don't you?

00:05:24I do.

00:05:25Won't you join us?

00:05:26No, we're just leaving.

00:05:27The mayor is off to Salano this morning.

00:05:28Oh, never mind.

00:05:29Arthur tells me you're coming to the house later on.

00:05:31Yes, we have something to discuss.

00:05:33Well, don't keep him up too late.

00:05:34I won't.

00:05:35Good night.

00:05:36Good night.

00:05:37Good night to you.

00:05:40Well, let's have it.

00:05:42I don't see why you should be worried about it.

00:05:44Yes, dearie.

00:05:45Well, you remember last week you met a friend of mine, Stepan Mitler?

00:05:48Yes.

00:05:49Did I tell you why he was here?

00:05:50Something to do with refugees, wasn't it?

00:05:52Yes, that's right. UNRDP.

00:05:53I never know what all those initials mean.

00:05:55Well, in this case, they happen to mean about 20 millions of our money.

00:05:58Do you know who controls it?

00:05:59You?

00:06:00No, worse luck.

00:06:01Nord Breasted.

00:06:03It's supposed to be spent on the resettlement of DPs and the relief of people who are starving.

00:06:07And isn't it?

00:06:08No.

00:06:09Stepan came here last week because he'd been dismissed.

00:06:11He's been in charge of the administration of the fund in South and East Yard.

00:06:13He was doing a wonderful job.

00:06:14Then why was he fired?

00:06:15Because he was doing it too well.

00:06:17Too well?

00:06:18Yes.

00:06:19Too much of the money was finding its way to the people for whom it was really intended.

00:06:22Some of the high-ups had a better idea than that.

00:06:24By devoting the money to their own work people and to various political organizations,

00:06:28they hoped to do themselves a bit of good.

00:06:30Only Stepan stood in the way, so they dismissed him.

00:06:32But surely Nord Breasted wouldn't allow that.

00:06:35Most people would do a great deal for 500,000 pounds.

00:06:39Do you mean he was bribed?

00:06:40Yes.

00:06:42What are you going to do?

00:06:43Stepan wants me to go and see the Prime Minister.

00:06:45You can't do that.

00:06:46No.

00:06:47I told him I can't do anything until he gets me definite proof.

00:06:49That's why he's gone back to Prague now to get a statement from the bank's director.

00:06:52Sorry, sir.

00:06:53You're not allowed to park here after dark.

00:06:55Why not?

00:06:56Don't ask me why not.

00:06:57It's the regulations.

00:06:59We're only talking.

00:07:00Yes.

00:07:01What did you think we were doing?

00:07:02I'm not paid to think, miss.

00:07:03I'm paid to move you on.

00:07:04Now come along, sir, please.

00:07:12Good evening, Wolf.

00:07:13Good evening, miss.

00:07:14Good evening, sir.

00:07:15Good evening.

00:07:16Where is everybody?

00:07:17The family are in the drawing room, miss.

00:07:18Nobody in the library?

00:07:19No, miss.

00:07:20Good.

00:07:21Come on, Derek.

00:07:31Derek, don't you think you ought to tell Nord Breasted what you heard?

00:07:33No, I don't.

00:07:34I don't.

00:07:35I don't.

00:07:36I don't.

00:07:37I don't.

00:07:38I don't.

00:07:39I don't.

00:07:40Have you told Nord Breasted what you heard?

00:07:41I have.

00:07:42What happened?

00:07:43Oh, he denied it, of course.

00:07:45At first, he was very angry.

00:07:47Then he laughed.

00:07:48He said he admired my courage, but not my common sense.

00:07:51But you could see he was frightened.

00:07:53Then quite suddenly, he asked me if it was Stefan who had told me.

00:07:56Why should he ask that?

00:07:58Because it's true.

00:07:59Then he fired you.

00:08:00No, not quite.

00:08:01He was too smart for that.

00:08:03He just said that he hated to see me make such a fool of myself.

00:08:06I couldn't go on being his secretary, of course, but he would give me a three years assignment

00:08:09in West Africa.

00:08:10How nice of him.

00:08:11Yes, wasn't it?

00:08:12And that's not all.

00:08:13In view of my long and faithful service, he proposed to make me a present of 10,000 pounds.

00:08:1910,000 pounds?

00:08:21What for?

00:08:22Yes, what for?

00:08:23Derek, my father's the cleverest man in the world.

00:08:26You've got to tell him what you just told me and let him advise you.

00:08:29I don't want you mixed up in this.

00:08:30Look, he's in the next room now.

00:08:31Let me talk to him.

00:08:32No, I'd rather do it my own way.

00:08:34What are you going to do?

00:08:35I've got a date with Nord Breasted in half an hour.

00:08:38I'm going to tell him what he can do with his West African job and give him a chance

00:08:41to call the whole thing off.

00:08:42And if he doesn't?

00:08:43If he doesn't, I shall take the morning plane to Prague, warn Stepan, and get conclusive evidence.

00:08:48Derek, I wish I could go with you.

00:08:50So do I.

00:08:52Promise not to do anything silly till I get back.

00:08:54I'll try not to.

00:08:55Yes.

00:09:02I do love you, Sam.

00:09:03I began to wonder if you were ever going to tell me.

00:09:06I meant to wait until all this was over.

00:09:08Glad you didn't.

00:09:10Yes, but let's not tell anybody else until it is all over.

00:09:13Anything you say, sir.

00:09:15I've only got to go.

00:09:16Darling, don't let him bully you.

00:09:19I won't.

00:09:21Let me know what happens.

00:09:23Promise me if anything goes wrong while I'm away, I'll talk to father.

00:09:26All right.

00:09:31Goodbye, darling.

00:09:32Bye.

00:09:33Come back safe.

00:09:36Bye.

00:09:42Hello, darling.

00:09:43Who was that?

00:09:44Oh, it's Derek, my dear.

00:09:45Have I met him?

00:09:46I don't think so.

00:09:47It's the first time he's been here.

00:09:48Oh, well.

00:09:49I long ago gave up all hope of remembering which young man it is at the moment.

00:09:51Say goodnight to your father, darling.

00:09:52I will.

00:09:53He's still working.

00:09:54Goodnight.

00:09:55Goodnight.

00:10:02Hello, dear.

00:10:03Everything packed?

00:10:04Nearly.

00:10:05I miss you, you know.

00:10:06Nonsense.

00:10:07You're usually so busy you don't know whether I'm here or not.

00:10:09It's nearly as bad as that.

00:10:10Tickets in order?

00:10:11Yes, Walter's a scene to everything.

00:10:13I wish I could see you off myself, but I'm afraid I'm in court all day.

00:10:15Don't worry, mother's coming.

00:10:16Good.

00:10:17Give my love to your sister.

00:10:18See that she gets well.

00:10:19I will.

00:10:20I'd better go up and finish my packing.

00:10:21Goodnight, darling.

00:10:22Goodnight, dear.

00:10:23God bless you.

00:10:31You surely didn't think you could buy me for ten thousand pounds?

00:10:33Everybody wants to buy you.

00:10:34I lost my temper just now because I hate to see a clever young man

00:10:37who's served me faithfully for six years go and make a fool of himself.

00:10:40I know what I'm doing.

00:10:41I sincerely trust you do.

00:10:43Tomorrow morning I should be on my way to Prague.

00:10:45Please yourself, of course, but you'll be wasting your time.

00:10:47I'm not so sure about that.

00:10:49I am.

00:10:50I suggest you think it over before you do anything rash.

00:10:52Goodnight.

00:10:53Derek, I had to talk to you.

00:11:06I'm so sorry.

00:11:08You must be terribly upset.

00:11:10No, just angry.

00:11:13But I always thought he was your best friend.

00:11:15Who, your husband?

00:11:17I was talking about Count Nicola.

00:11:19What about him?

00:11:21Haven't you heard?

00:11:22No, what is it?

00:11:24Arthur got the news two hours ago.

00:11:26I was sure he would have told you.

00:11:28He committed suicide in Prague last night.

00:11:31No.

00:11:33Apparently he was in some business trouble.

00:11:35His valet found him.

00:11:37He shot himself.

00:11:39So they made it look like suicide.

00:11:41What do you mean?

00:11:42It was suicide.

00:11:44There isn't any doubt about it, is there?

00:11:45No, there isn't any doubt about it at all.

00:11:47Stepan didn't commit suicide.

00:11:48He was murdered.

00:11:51I'm afraid I'm very late.

00:12:04Well, the family are in bed, sir.

00:12:05Miss Mary too?

00:12:06Yes, sir.

00:12:07Well, will you see that she gets there before she leaves in the morning?

00:12:09Certainly, sir.

00:12:10Thank you very much.

00:12:11Goodnight.

00:12:12Goodnight.

00:12:19Miss Mary Dearing!

00:12:20Not feeling nervous, are you, darling?

00:12:21Of course not, Mummy.

00:12:22Miss Mary Dearing!

00:12:23Here.

00:12:24A package for you, Miss Dearing.

00:12:27Sign here, please.

00:12:29Another admirer?

00:12:30No, the same one.

00:12:32He evidently has expensive taste.

00:12:35Or does he just know that you have?

00:12:36All passengers for flight 8204 for Cairo, Iraq and Milan, please take left here.

00:12:40That's you, darling.

00:12:42Goodbye, darling.

00:12:43Look after Daphne, won't you?

00:12:44Don't worry, I will.

00:12:46Thank you, Morton.

00:13:00Lady Braces is calling, Lady.

00:13:02I've shown her to the drawing room.

00:13:06Oh.

00:13:07Thank you, Morton.

00:13:14Good afternoon. I'm sorry I wasn't at home. I've been seeing my daughter off to salon.

00:13:21I'm afraid it's a very inconvenient moment to call, but Sir John asked us to be here at 5 o'clock.

00:13:25I hope you don't mind. Of course not. We make our living that way, you know.

00:13:29You must have some tea. No, thank you. Then I will.

00:13:32I'm afraid I must be getting old. If I don't have my tea, I feel empty.

00:13:36Particularly after an afternoon in an airport.

00:13:38I beg your pardon, m'lady, but can Cook have a word with you?

00:13:41Oh dear, what have I forgotten to order now? Will you excuse me?

00:13:46May I speak to you about something else, m'lady? Yes?

00:13:49It's this note, m'lady. A young gentleman left it last night for Miss Mary.

00:13:53But in the bustle this morning, I forgot to give it her.

00:13:55Which young gentleman? I don't know his name, m'lady.

00:13:57But I did hear Miss Mary call him Derek.

00:13:59Oh, all right, Morton. I expect it'll keep.

00:14:01Leave it over there. I'll send it on to her. Very good, m'lady.

00:14:12MUSIC PLAYS

00:14:28Sir John is expecting us. Will you step this way, John?

00:14:34Sir John has just come in. I'll tell him.

00:14:37Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Sir John.

00:14:39I think you know Lord Bracedead? Yes, of course. How do you do?

00:14:42How do you do? I think we'd better go to the library.

00:14:44Lady Bracedead is in the drawing room, sir. Oh, is she? Then we'll go there.

00:14:47It's very good of you to see us here, Sir John.

00:14:49Lord Bracedead would have been glad to go to your chambers.

00:14:51But you understand, the newspapers are so alert,

00:14:53that if he's seen anywhere unusual, there are instant rumours.

00:14:55Of course. And just at the moment, we can't afford rumours.

00:14:57As bad as that, is it? Worse.

00:15:01Hello, my dear. Hello, darling.

00:15:03Good afternoon, Lady Bracedead. Good afternoon, Lady Bracedead.

00:15:06I hope we haven't kept you waiting too long. No, of course not.

00:15:08Do sit down, will you? Thank you. No, thank you.

00:15:11Mr Mercer, what can I do for you?

00:15:13Lord Bracedead wants your advice, Sir John.

00:15:15He's faced with the prospect of bringing an action for libel.

00:15:17That's quite simple. My advice is don't bring it.

00:15:19Nobody ever brings an action for libel without regretting it in the end.

00:15:22The only people who make anything out of it are the lawyers.

00:15:24Sometimes an action for libel is necessary, of course.

00:15:26Only if it's a matter of life or death.

00:15:28Yeah, but this is. I see.

00:15:31Then perhaps you'd better tell me more about it.

00:15:33I take it you know something of the scheme Lord Bracedead is administering for the government.

00:15:36UNRDP. Of course.

00:15:40For this work, Lord Bracedead has been employing a confidential secretary named Waterhouse.

00:15:44I think you must know him, Sir John.

00:15:47No, I've never heard of him. Oh, I'm sorry.

00:15:49No, he was much more than a secretary. I regarded him as a friend.

00:15:52In point of fact, he's a young scoundrel.

00:15:54Oh, I can't believe that. My wife still believes in him.

00:15:57Is she wrong?

00:15:58Well, you shall judge for yourself.

00:16:00His work on the relief scheme brought him into contact with a man called Mickler.

00:16:03Count Mickler.

00:16:04He was in charge of our organisation in South and East Europe.

00:16:07Yesterday, Waterhouse came to see me.

00:16:09He said he wanted money.

00:16:11A good deal of money.

00:16:12Any particular amount mentioned?

00:16:14Twenty thousand pounds.

00:16:16Did he say why he wanted the money?

00:16:18I asked him that.

00:16:19At first, he was evasive. He said something about a woman.

00:16:21Then he changed.

00:16:23Finally, he told me that he and Mickler had been gambling on the stock exchange and had gotten into difficulties.

00:16:27Did he ask for the money as a loan?

00:16:29No.

00:16:30You mean he tried to blackmail you?

00:16:31Yes.

00:16:32On what grounds?

00:16:34He said that Mickler had discovered the whole thing was a fraud.

00:16:37And that unless the money was paid, he would go to the Prime Minister and say so.

00:16:40I see.

00:16:41Was anybody present when he made this threat?

00:16:44Nobody.

00:16:45We were quite alone.

00:16:46He took good care of that.

00:16:48And there's not much evidence of it?

00:16:49My word.

00:16:50Alone?

00:16:51Isn't that enough?

00:16:52Perhaps.

00:16:53What exactly did he suggest that you'd done?

00:16:55Diverted funds from UNRDP to my friends and myself.

00:16:58Any specific amount mentioned?

00:16:59Oh, yes. I was supposed to have received about five hundred thousand pounds.

00:17:02In England?

00:17:03No. The money had been paid into the International Bank of Prague.

00:17:06So, Bristol, I don't need to ask if there's any possible ground for these allegations?

00:17:11Oh, none whatever.

00:17:12As far as your knowledge goes, no such similar sum has been paid into the Bank of Prague.

00:17:16I'm sure there hasn't.

00:17:17And that could be proved beyond any possible doubt?

00:17:18Of course.

00:17:19The books could be examined?

00:17:20Oh, yes.

00:17:21There would seem to be no possible evidence except, of course, Waterhouse.

00:17:24None?

00:17:25I think I ought to tell you, Sir John, that I have already advised Lord Brasted that Waterhouse should be prosecuted for blackmail.

00:17:30Oh, no.

00:17:31I am sorry, Lady Brasted, but oh, yes.

00:17:33It's the obvious course.

00:17:35But Lord Brasted refuses to take my advice.

00:17:37Oh, why?

00:17:38Because it's impossible.

00:17:40One section of public opinion's against this scheme already.

00:17:43It's costing a lot of money and they're not very interested in feeding starving Europe when they're not exactly well fed themselves.

00:17:48It only needs a scandal like this and the whole thing would collapse.

00:17:51That's why I've come to you.

00:17:52What am I to do?

00:17:53There seem to be only two alternatives.

00:17:55The first is to prosecute young Waterhouse for trying to obtain 20,000 pounds by threats.

00:17:58That, I gather, is impossible?

00:18:00Quite.

00:18:01The other is to do nothing.

00:18:03What do you mean?

00:18:04Sit still and let him say what he likes?

00:18:05Not quite.

00:18:06The next step is to get hold of Count Mikla.

00:18:08How does that help if he and Waterhouse are in this together?

00:18:10Get him to come and see you.

00:18:11At least we shall find out if that part of the story is true.

00:18:14Yes, Lady Brasted?

00:18:16It doesn't matter.

00:18:17And in the meantime, if Waterhouse goes to the Prime Minister?

00:18:19Then you would have to take proceedings.

00:18:21You agree, Sir John?

00:18:22Yes, that would seem to be a matter of life or death.

00:18:26We'll keep you informed.

00:18:27Goodbye, Lady Brasted.

00:18:39My name is Waterhouse.

00:18:40Yes, sir.

00:18:43All right, I'll be there at four o'clock.

00:18:45Goodbye.

00:18:48Darling, what is it?

00:18:49Waterhouse.

00:18:50He's not only been to the Prime Minister, he's put the whole thing in writing.

00:18:53No.

00:18:54Yes.

00:18:55Well, the fat's in the fire now, no mistake.

00:18:57Well, what are you going to do?

00:18:59What do you think? Fight, of course.

00:19:01Get this, Sir John Dearing.

00:19:06Arthur, how much truth is there in the story of Derrick's?

00:19:10Enough.

00:19:13I see.

00:19:14You'll have to tell Sir John about Count Mickler now.

00:19:16Yes.

00:19:18But at least they can't call him.

00:19:21Waterhouse can do enough damage on his own.

00:19:25Perhaps I can talk to him.

00:19:27No, no, no, you stay out of it.

00:19:29I can handle it.

00:19:30I wanted to help.

00:19:32Don't worry.

00:19:33I know you'll stand by me.

00:19:34Yes.

00:19:40Hello, Sir John?

00:19:42I've got to see you urgently.

00:19:45Waterhouse, he's been to the Prime Minister.

00:19:49There can be no doubt about why the Prime Minister wants to see you.

00:19:51No, he told me Waterhouse had been to see him with some rather startling information.

00:19:54I see.

00:19:55Thank you, Sir John.

00:19:56No, thank you, Sir John.

00:19:57But in that case, you should tell the Prime Minister that you've already instructed your solicitor to take proceedings.

00:20:01We'll see to that, Myrcel.

00:20:02Very well.

00:20:03Did you get in touch with Count Mickler?

00:20:05I'm afraid not.

00:20:06Surely.

00:20:07For the very simple reason he's dead.

00:20:08He committed suicide the night before last.

00:20:10That's unfortunate, to say the least of it.

00:20:13Why?

00:20:14He lost his nerve and took the easy way out.

00:20:16Are you sure that he committed suicide?

00:20:18Oh, I don't think there's any doubt about it.

00:20:20He was found in his apartment.

00:20:21He'd blown his brains out.

00:20:23Sir John seems sceptical.

00:20:25No, I was just wondering what other people might think or say.

00:20:27What could they say?

00:20:29This man claimed to have discovered a fraud.

00:20:31He was the only person who knew the details.

00:20:33Suspicious minds might think that he was safer dead.

00:20:37You mean that some people might think he'd been murdered?

00:20:40It's possible.

00:20:41That would be quite absurd.

00:20:42Obviously.

00:20:44Sir John, may I say something?

00:20:46Of course.

00:20:47No, darling, I think you'd better leave this to us.

00:20:48But why?

00:20:49Perhaps Lady Bracely can make a suggestion.

00:20:51I think I can.

00:20:52You see, I know Derek so much better than you do.

00:20:55I don't believe he ever thought of Blackmere.

00:20:57He believes every word he's said.

00:20:59He's simply been misled by someone much cleverer than he is.

00:21:02But why did he demand 20,000 pounds?

00:21:04Somehow I feel certain that's been misunderstood.

00:21:07Sir John, let me talk to him.

00:21:08He'll talk much more freely to me than to anybody else.

00:21:10No, I'd rather you didn't.

00:21:11Why?

00:21:12Sir John will tell you why.

00:21:14I think your husband is right, Lady Bracely.

00:21:16If ever there should be the necessity for proceedings in court,

00:21:18your interview might be misinterpreted.

00:21:20Words can be twisted.

00:21:22No, conversations are quite useless.

00:21:24What we want is something written.

00:21:26Why?

00:21:27Because it is the dream of every cross-examiner

00:21:29to present it with something which his adversary has written and forgotten.

00:21:32Would that help?

00:21:33Certainly.

00:21:34It might even win the case.

00:21:36It might, hmm?

00:21:37Why, yes.

00:21:38Do you know of anything of that sort?

00:21:40No, I was just thinking.

00:21:43Goodbye, Sir John.

00:21:44Goodbye.

00:21:52All right, coming.

00:21:58Oh.

00:21:59Hello, dearie.

00:22:00May I come in?

00:22:02Yes.

00:22:09You don't seem very pleased to see me.

00:22:12Do you expect me to be?

00:22:15Eric, what's the matter?

00:22:17We used to be such good friends.

00:22:18We agreed that all that was over when you married Arthur.

00:22:21Well, not that we still can't be friends.

00:22:23Surely.

00:22:25You know, Arthur's been very good to me.

00:22:26Oh, I don't doubt it.

00:22:27Nobody could wish for a better husband.

00:22:29He's been kind, sympathetic, generous.

00:22:31With other people's money?

00:22:32That's not fair.

00:22:33It's true.

00:22:34You've no proof?

00:22:35I shall have in a couple of days.

00:22:36I'm leaving for Prague tomorrow.

00:22:37I'd be there now if I could have got a passage.

00:22:41Change your mind and stay here.

00:22:43I'm afraid I can't.

00:22:45Eric, Arthur's done everything for you.

00:22:48He gave me a job, yes.

00:22:49When you asked him to.

00:22:51Isn't that enough?

00:22:52No.

00:22:53What more do you want?

00:22:55If I would say that I wanted to see justice done,

00:22:57I suppose you'd think I was being pompous.

00:23:00I would rather, yes.

00:23:02Well, I'm afraid that's what I do want.

00:23:04Then nothing I can say will make you change your mind.

00:23:07No.

00:23:09You make me feel very miserable.

00:23:12I'm sorry, I don't mean to, Helen.

00:23:14Please.

00:23:16Please drop this.

00:23:17For my sake.

00:23:19No, I can't.

00:23:22All right.

00:23:27I think you're going to be sorry.

00:23:37I'm sorry.

00:23:38I'm sorry.

00:23:39I'm sorry.

00:23:40I'm sorry.

00:23:41I'm sorry.

00:23:42I'm sorry.

00:23:43I'm sorry.

00:23:44I'm sorry.

00:23:45I'm sorry.

00:23:46I'm sorry.

00:23:47I'm sorry.

00:23:48I'm sorry.

00:23:49I'm sorry.

00:23:50I'm sorry.

00:23:51I'm sorry.

00:23:52I'm sorry.

00:23:53I'm sorry.

00:23:54I'm sorry.

00:23:55I'm sorry.

00:23:56I'm sorry.

00:23:57I'm sorry.

00:23:58I'm sorry.

00:23:59I'm sorry.

00:24:00I'm sorry.

00:24:01I'm sorry.

00:24:02I'm sorry.

00:24:03I'm sorry.

00:24:04I'm sorry.

00:24:05I'm sorry.

00:24:06I'm sorry.

00:24:07I'm sorry.

00:24:08I'm sorry.

00:24:09I'm sorry.

00:24:10I'm sorry.

00:24:11I'm sorry.

00:24:12I'm sorry.

00:24:13I'm sorry.

00:24:14I'm sorry.

00:24:15I'm sorry.

00:24:16I'm sorry.

00:24:17I'm sorry.

00:24:18I'm sorry.

00:24:19I'm sorry.

00:24:20I'm sorry.

00:24:21I'm sorry.

00:24:22I'm sorry.

00:24:23I'm sorry.

00:24:24I'm sorry.

00:24:25I'm sorry.

00:24:26I'm sorry.

00:24:27I'm sorry.

00:24:28I'm sorry.

00:24:29I'm sorry.

00:24:30I'm sorry.

00:24:31I'm sorry.

00:24:32I'm sorry.

00:24:33I'm sorry.

00:24:34I'm sorry.

00:24:35I'm sorry.

00:24:36I'm sorry.

00:24:37I'm sorry.

00:24:38I'm sorry.

00:24:39I'm sorry.

00:24:40I'm sorry.

00:24:41You step this way, son.

00:24:42Mr. Waltherhouse.

00:24:43You step this way, Holmes.

00:25:02Mr. Waterhouse.

00:25:03Good evening.

00:25:04I hope you'll forgive me disturbing you so late, but the matter is extremely urgent.

00:25:09Yes, madam.

00:25:10Mr. Waterhouse.

00:25:11May I ask why you've come here?

00:25:12To ask your advice.

00:25:13Professionally?

00:25:14In a way, yes.

00:25:15Would your inquiry be in any way connected to the case of Bracelet against Waterhouse?

00:25:16Yes.

00:25:17And I think I ought to tell you that I've been retained to act for Lord Bracelet.

00:25:18I see.

00:25:19I didn't know.

00:25:20Now, as you do know, you'll realize that I can't discuss the matter with you.

00:25:21Yes, of course.

00:25:22Very well.

00:25:23Good night, Mr. Waterhouse.

00:25:24Good night.

00:25:25The matter.

00:25:26Was I too hard on him?

00:25:27No.

00:25:28Nice face, don't you think?

00:25:29Was it?

00:25:30Looked like any other face to me.

00:25:31I don't think so.

00:25:32I don't think so.

00:25:33I don't think so.

00:25:34I don't think so.

00:25:36It's your pick.

00:25:37I do so hate being interrupted this time of night.

00:25:38What is the list for?

00:25:39That fool, Mersel.

00:25:41It's great of you, darling.

00:25:42Oh, good, it's for Mummy.

00:25:43I'd better go and get it.

00:25:44Would you do me a favor, darling?

00:25:45Yeah, sure.

00:25:46Put it on the table.

00:25:48The minute it's in the cupboard, I'll go and get it.

00:25:49Come on, darling.

00:25:50I'll get it.

00:25:51It'll be just a minute.

00:25:52All right.

00:25:53It's all right.

00:25:54I'll get it.

00:25:55All right.

00:25:56It's all right.

00:25:57It's all right.

00:25:58It'll be just a minute.

00:25:59Come on.

00:26:00I'll get it.

00:26:01Oh, yes, yes.

00:26:02Come on.

00:26:03It's from mummy.

00:26:13Is anything wrong?

00:26:16No.

00:26:18No, it's just that it's a new sensation.

00:26:20What is?

00:26:22Being jilted. It's never happened to me before.

00:26:24What on earth are you talking about?

00:26:27Nothing. It's just a letter from Derek, that's all.

00:26:30Oh, is that all?

00:26:31Oh, come on, what did he say?

00:26:35Dearest, until everything has been settled and my name cleared,

00:26:39I think it's only fair to tell you that we should stop communicating with one another.

00:26:44I'm sure your father would be most embarrassed if he knew you were writing to me,

00:26:47so I shall quite understand if I don't hear again.

00:26:51Yours,

00:26:54Derek.

00:26:57Don't you know what he's talking about?

00:26:59Not really, no. I'm going to find out.

00:27:01Good.

00:27:26And now we come to the night of the 27th.

00:27:28The night on which Count Nicholas telephoned you to come to his hotel.

00:27:32What appears to you to be his mental condition?

00:27:36He appears to me to be very much distressed.

00:27:39Now, will you tell the members of the jury exactly what Count Nicholas did to you?

00:27:44And this, of course, is your objection.

00:27:45I object not.

00:27:46The rules of evidence must be observed, Mr. Manning.

00:27:49If you'll allow me to do this.

00:27:51The rules of evidence do not allow questions to be put so simply.

00:27:54We must try a more roundabout method.

00:27:56Ah.

00:27:58In consequence of something that Count Nicholas had said to you,

00:28:02did you consider it your duty to see Lord Bracelet?

00:28:05I did.

00:28:06Did you tell Lord Bracelet what it was that Count Nicholas had said to you?

00:28:09I did.

00:28:10Then, will you tell the members of the jury what it was that you told Lord Bracelet that Count Nicholas had told you?

00:28:16I told him that Count Nicholas had discovered that the whole scheme was nothing but a fraud.

00:28:21In what way was it a fraud?

00:28:23Funds which belonged to UNRDP and were earmarked for relief and resettlement

00:28:28were actually being used for other purposes.

00:28:30Such as?

00:28:31Such as the payment of people working for various firms and political organizations.

00:28:36Did Count Nicholas suggest that Lord Bracelet knew of this?

00:28:39Yes.

00:28:40And he approved?

00:28:41Yes.

00:28:42What else did you tell Lord Bracelet?

00:28:43That he had received some of the money himself.

00:28:45That he had been squared.

00:28:47I suppose you mean bribed.

00:28:49Yes, my lord.

00:28:51And was the amount of the bribe mentioned?

00:28:54Yes.

00:28:55Five hundred thousand pounds.

00:28:57Members of the jury, I think I ought to warn you at this point.

00:29:01This conversation is not evidence of the truth of the allegation.

00:29:05It is merely evidence that this witness stated those facts to Lord Bracelet.

00:29:10Yes, my lord.

00:29:11And did you report this to Lord Bracelet?

00:29:13Yes.

00:29:14And what did he say?

00:29:15He pretended to be furiously angry.

00:29:18Pretended?

00:29:19You can't ask that.

00:29:20Why do you say he pretended?

00:29:22That is how it seemed to me.

00:29:24His anger didn't last very long.

00:29:26And what happened next?

00:29:27He laughed at me.

00:29:28He said that I had been deceived by a clever crook.

00:29:31Did he condescend to identify the crook?

00:29:33Yes.

00:29:34Count Mickler.

00:29:36I want to leave that for the moment.

00:29:38My lord, we have here a copy of a letter written by this witness to Count Mickler.

00:29:44Count Mickler being dead, of course, it is impossible to produce the original.

00:29:48I don't know whether Sir John objected to my using a copy.

00:29:50I object to nothing.

00:29:51Very well.

00:29:52Then here is the letter.

00:29:54Dear Stefan, I will see Lord Bracelet tomorrow.

00:29:59Did you write this letter to Count Mickler?

00:30:01I did.

00:30:02Immediately after leaving him.

00:30:04Now, let us get back to the interview.

00:30:06Did Lord Bracelet know at that time that Count Mickler had returned the prize?

00:30:11Yes, I told him.

00:30:12I said that Stefan had gone back to bring me conclusive evidence.

00:30:15Did Lord Bracelet hint that anything might happen to Count Mickler?

00:30:20Yes.

00:30:21He said that he would never come back.

00:30:23Did you draw any inference from what Lord Bracelet said as to why Count Mickler should not come back?

00:30:29I did not at the time.

00:30:31I do now.

00:30:32Well, I can't question you any more about that.

00:30:35Now, that's jolly.

00:30:36I would like to form my own conclusions.

00:30:38At any rate, I think we can take it from what you have said that Lord Bracelet totally denied your acquisition.

00:30:44He did, my lord.

00:30:45You wanted me, Lady Bracelet?

00:30:46Yes.

00:30:47What is the matter with Sir John?

00:30:48I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary.

00:30:50You must have.

00:30:51It's so obvious.

00:30:52He's hardly troubled to cross-examine anybody.

00:30:54He's letting Derek say just what he likes.

00:30:56That junior of his would soon stop it.

00:30:58But Sir John just sits there and does nothing.

00:31:00I think we must assume that he knows what he's doing.

00:31:02Can't you speak to him?

00:31:03That would be most inadvisable in the middle of a case.

00:31:06If you don't, I shall.

00:31:07Please, Lady Bracelet, I beg of you to do no such thing.

00:31:09Then try to make him see reason.

00:31:11We've got to win this case.

00:31:12I'll do my best.

00:31:13Please leave everything to me.

00:31:14I must get back into court now.

00:31:20Now we come to what is really the main issue in this case.

00:31:24I think it is common ground that Lord Bracelet has said you were too gullible to remain his secretary.

00:31:30He did.

00:31:31And then, did he make you an offer?

00:31:35He did.

00:31:36Now, this is very important.

00:31:37Take your time and speak slowly.

00:31:39Watch his logic.

00:31:40Now, first of all, was there anyone else present or were you alone?

00:31:43We were alone.

00:31:44There were no witnesses?

00:31:45None.

00:31:46What did he say?

00:31:48He said that he was sorry we should have to part, but that in memory of our long association...

00:31:53And?

00:31:55He would offer me a three-year assignment in West Africa.

00:31:59Has Lord Bracelet influence in West Africa?

00:32:01He has influence everywhere.

00:32:05Did he offer you anything else?

00:32:07Yes.

00:32:08He said that if I'd be willing to forget all I'd heard, he'd make me a present of 10,000 pounds.

00:32:14How did you interpret that offer?

00:32:16As a bribe to shut my mouth.

00:32:19He can't say that.

00:32:20Can't he?

00:32:21Aren't you going to stop him?

00:32:23No.

00:32:24I think you'd better confine yourself to telling us what Lord Bracelet said.

00:32:27Your last question was quite irregular.

00:32:29I apologize, my lord.

00:32:32Now, I want to take you back to what Lord Bracelet said about that interview.

00:32:37After speaking of your appearance and agitation, I gather there's no dispute about that.

00:32:44No.

00:32:48Lord Bracelet then said this.

00:32:50Mr. Waterhouse said that I was a party to the fraud.

00:32:53And that if I did not pay him the sum of 20,000 pounds, he would communicate that fact to the Prime Minister.

00:32:58Mr. Waterhouse, I ask you, is that true?

00:33:00It is a lie.

00:33:01Did you say anything even of a motive assembling these words?

00:33:04Never. It is a lie.

00:33:05Very well.

00:33:08Now, we know that Count Mickler had gone back to Prime.

00:33:12Was the next thing you heard that he had committed suicide?

00:33:16He did not commit suicide.

00:33:17He was murdered.

00:33:18Who cannot possibly know that?

00:33:20My lord, I knew him.

00:33:21He was my oldest friend.

00:33:22He could not possibly kill himself.

00:33:24Wait.

00:33:25Sir John, I notice you are not objecting to all this.

00:33:28My lord, I gather the witness desires an opportunity of saying anything unpleasant he can think of against Lord Bracelet.

00:33:34I have no desire to stop him.

00:33:36Sir John has no right to say that.

00:33:38Mr. Mannering, you will please keep your witness in order.

00:33:41I have told you before, you must only tell us the facts within your own personal knowledge.

00:33:46We are not concerned with your opinions.

00:33:48You had heard that Count Mickler was dead.

00:33:51Go on.

00:33:53Now, there is just one other thing.

00:33:55In going to the Prime Minister, had you any object in view other than doing your duty?

00:34:01No.

00:34:02Thank you, Mr. Waterhouse.

00:34:04It is almost four o'clock.

00:34:05I propose to adjourn until tomorrow.

00:34:07Sir John, Mr. Mannering, this case has of course been expedited because of its public importance,

00:34:13but I must know something about my list.

00:34:15How much longer are we likely to last?

00:34:17Mr. Waterhouse is my only witness, my lord.

00:34:19I have finished my examination.

00:34:20How long the cross-examination takes depends entirely on Sir John.

00:34:23Sir John, my cross-examination will be very short, my lord.

00:34:25Then we may hope to finish tomorrow.

00:34:27Undoubtedly.

00:34:29Then we will adjourn until 10.30 tomorrow, Sir John.

00:34:31Then we will adjourn until 10.30 tomorrow, Sir John.

00:34:48Sir John.

00:34:49Sir John.

00:34:50Thank goodness I caught you.

00:34:51Something most extraordinary has happened.

00:34:53Something that will change the whole course of this case.

00:34:55Oh, what?

00:34:56Lord Braceley prefers to tell you himself.

00:34:57He would like you to come round and see him this evening, if you would.

00:34:59I have to be out to dinner.

00:35:00Very well.

00:35:0110 o'clock?

00:35:02I'll turn over.

00:35:29Sir John, my lord.

00:35:34Ah.

00:35:35Good afternoon.

00:35:36Good afternoon, Sir John.

00:35:37I'm sorry to disturb you like this, but I had to speak to you.

00:35:40We're losing our case, aren't we?

00:35:43I think you're being over-pessimistic.

00:35:45We are.

00:35:46I know it.

00:35:47At first, everything was going so well.

00:35:49Everybody seemed to be on our side.

00:35:51Then the whole atmosphere changed.

00:35:53You mustn't let that depress you.

00:35:55That's what I'm here for.

00:35:56To fight it.

00:35:57But you can't do that.

00:35:58I must.

00:35:59You can't.

00:36:00And I'll tell you why.

00:36:02Because you don't believe in my husband.

00:36:04You don't believe Derrick asked him for money.

00:36:06You don't believe Count Mitler committed suicide.

00:36:08You don't believe anything he said.

00:36:09That's ridiculous.

00:36:10I always trust my client.

00:36:12Even when he's lying to you?

00:36:14If I knew he was lying, I wouldn't be acting for him.

00:36:16But if you suspected it?

00:36:18I don't deal in suspicions.

00:36:19I deal in facts.

00:36:22Preferably in writing.

00:36:23Why do you say that?

00:36:25I seem to remember your saying that what you really needed to win this case

00:36:28was a letter in Derrick's handwriting.

00:36:30One that would incriminate him.

00:36:32Yes.

00:36:34Perhaps I could give it to you.

00:36:36Is this the new development Mr. Mersell's talking about?

00:36:39Mersell knows nothing about this.

00:36:40Nobody knows about it except you and Derrick.

00:36:43Am I to see it?

00:36:45That depends.

00:36:47On what?

00:36:49If I gave it to you to use in this case, who else would have to see it?

00:36:53That depends on how it was used.

00:36:55The judge certainly.

00:36:56And the other side.

00:36:58Would my husband have to see it?

00:37:00It would be difficult to prevent that, wouldn't it?

00:37:03I suppose so.

00:37:05Lady Bristead.

00:37:07Is this a love letter?

00:37:09Yes.

00:37:10The only one?

00:37:12No.

00:37:13But the only one that matters.

00:37:15Are you quite sure that it really does matter?

00:37:18It will decide this case.

00:37:20I see.

00:37:21What do you suggest I do?

00:37:23You mustn't ask me that.

00:37:24I'm acting to her husband.

00:37:26In his interest, it should obviously be produced.

00:37:30That puts me in a pretty position, doesn't it?

00:37:33If the letter is read, my husband must win.

00:37:36If it isn't, he'll probably lose.

00:37:40I shall lose either way.

00:37:41Wait a minute.

00:37:42Your husband's asked me to go and see him tonight about some fresh information.

00:37:45Which Mersell says will prove conclusive.

00:37:47If that is true, then it may not be necessary for you to say a word.

00:37:50And if it isn't?

00:37:52Then I'm afraid you must make up your mind what you're going to do.

00:37:56I see.

00:38:03Sir John, may I ask you a personal question?

00:38:06Of course.

00:38:07What do you really think of me?

00:38:09That's a difficult question to answer on the spur of the moment.

00:38:12Try.

00:38:14Very well.

00:38:16I think you're beautiful, intelligent, shrewd, gracious and generous.

00:38:20Would you say I have everything I wanted?

00:38:23As much as any of us can hope for, yes.

00:38:27Now, shall I tell you what I was like when Arthur found me?

00:38:30If you wish.

00:38:32I was the eldest of a family of nine.

00:38:34We lived in a slum.

00:38:36My father drank.

00:38:38My mother died when I was twelve.

00:38:40I learned about life the hard way.

00:38:43I learned about men the hard way, too.

00:38:46I kept myself alive by taking what I wanted wherever I could find it.

00:38:51I was pretty successful up to a point.

00:38:54I made many friends.

00:38:56Interesting ones.

00:38:58Arthur rescued me from all that.

00:39:01Why are you telling me all this?

00:39:03I want you to understand the man you're acting for.

00:39:05I know you think he lives by taking chances.

00:39:08Even that he's a bit of an adventurer.

00:39:10Well, by your standards, perhaps he is.

00:39:14But he's something more than that.

00:39:17Particularly to me.

00:39:21May I ask you one question?

00:39:23Yes.

00:39:24It concerns this letter.

00:39:26Derek doesn't mean that much to me.

00:39:28Do you think I'd allow that letter to be read if he did?

00:39:31No, I suppose not.

00:39:34We shall see you tonight, then.

00:39:36Yes, tonight. Goodbye.

00:39:38Goodbye.

00:39:49Hello, John.

00:39:51Hello, Frank.

00:39:52I thought you'd be burning a bit of oil preparing your cross-examination.

00:39:55Not likely. What do you think Juniors are paid for?

00:39:57Scotch?

00:39:58Only a double.

00:39:59Large whisky for Mr. Manning, please.

00:40:01I suppose you're going to slip one up your sleeve for me tomorrow?

00:40:03Oh, just the usual stuff.

00:40:05Well, wait. Do you think we shall finish tomorrow?

00:40:07If you don't interrupt me too much.

00:40:09How's the daughter?

00:40:10Oh, she's fine.

00:40:11I bought her her first pony last week.

00:40:13If she rides as well as her father, she'll probably break her neck.

00:40:15Oh, right you are.

00:40:17Look, why don't you remind me to come down to see her sometime?

00:40:19I'd like to. When?

00:40:20Saturday week.

00:40:21Good. I'll ask her.

00:40:22Ah.

00:40:23Well, I was going to pop down to the billiard room.

00:40:25Are you coming?

00:40:26No, thanks. I've got some work to do tonight, haven't you?

00:40:28What do you think Juniors are paid for?

00:40:29Cheerio.

00:40:33But this is just what Sir John asked for.

00:40:35He said he wanted something in Waterhouse's handwriting,

00:40:37and I think there's no doubt that when he reads this letter,

00:40:39he will consider it conclusive evidence.

00:40:41Sir John Dearing, my lord.

00:40:43Ah, good evening, Sir John. How kind of you to come.

00:40:45Good evening.

00:40:46Good evening, Mr. Priestley.

00:40:47Good evening.

00:40:48Hello, Muscle.

00:40:49Some coffee?

00:40:51Well, let's get to business.

00:40:52Now, you said you hoped for something in Waterhouse's handwriting

00:40:54which would incriminate him.

00:40:55Well, we've got it.

00:40:56Yes. Does Lady Braxton know this?

00:40:58No. The only people who know anything about it

00:41:00are Mr. Mersel and myself.

00:41:02Here it is.

00:41:08How did this come into your possession?

00:41:10We found it in this briefcase.

00:41:12The case belonged to Mickler. Those are his initials.

00:41:14Where did this come from?

00:41:16From Mickler's apartment.

00:41:17I mean, how did you get it?

00:41:18I brought it over at my request.

00:41:20And this is the only thing you found in it?

00:41:21Apart from one or two unimportant papers, yes.

00:41:23I thought you told me that everything had been examined

00:41:25scrupulously already.

00:41:26I did.

00:41:27And why didn't this come to light before?

00:41:29Because it was hidden.

00:41:30Hidden where?

00:41:31In the lining of the case.

00:41:32How do you know that?

00:41:33I found it there myself.

00:41:35You can see that the lining has been stripped.

00:41:37Who suggested stripping the lining of the case?

00:41:39As a matter of fact, I think I did.

00:41:41I see.

00:41:43Do you know Waterhouse's handwriting, of course?

00:41:45Yes.

00:41:46Did he write this?

00:41:47I had no doubt about it.

00:41:49But to be quite certain, I had it examined by handwriting experts.

00:41:51They haven't had time to make the fullest tests,

00:41:53but they're quite satisfied already.

00:41:55Juries don't like experts.

00:41:57We thought you'd find this letter quite conclusive.

00:41:59It is quite conclusive, if it is admitted or believed.

00:42:01You're not very encouraging.

00:42:03Lord Bracelet, I shouldn't be helping you

00:42:05by sitting here and telling you the strong points of your case,

00:42:07those you know already.

00:42:09I'm merely pointing out how this letter may appear to your opponents.

00:42:11It has been discovered somewhat fortuitously

00:42:13at the very last moment.

00:42:15It's written to Count Mickler. He's dead.

00:42:17There's only one living person who can say

00:42:19whether it's genuine or not, and he denies it.

00:42:21Against that you have what?

00:42:23The evidence of the experts.

00:42:25It doesn't look quite so conclusive, put like that, does it?

00:42:28But if he admits it?

00:42:30And that's the name of the case?

00:42:32He will admit it. He must admit it.

00:42:34We'll see.

00:42:36Is the valet here?

00:42:38Yes.

00:42:40I think I ought to see him. I'll call him.

00:42:42Come in, will you please?

00:42:44Good evening.

00:42:46What is your name?

00:42:48John Meyer.

00:42:50I understand you are a valet to Count Mickler.

00:42:58Mr. Johnson,

00:43:00Lady Bracelet is asking to see you.

00:43:02She says it's very urgent.

00:43:04Where is she?

00:43:06In the consultation room.

00:43:08All right.

00:43:14I'd like to speak to Sir John alone.

00:43:16Very well.

00:43:19Sir John,

00:43:21I must talk to you.

00:43:23I have to be in court in five minutes.

00:43:25This won't take long.

00:43:27Would you like to sit down?

00:43:29No, thank you.

00:43:31I've been awake all night thinking.

00:43:33That letter my husband found.

00:43:35Suppose Derek denies writing it?

00:43:38Do you think he will?

00:43:40I don't know.

00:43:41Suppose he does.

00:43:43Then it's your husband's word against his.

00:43:46But the handwriting experts...

00:43:48Juries don't like experts.

00:43:50Experts are apt to qualify.

00:43:54You don't believe in that letter yourself, do you?

00:43:57It's not a matter of what I believe or disbelieve.

00:43:59It's what the jury thinks.

00:44:02Well, at least you can't have any doubts about this one.

00:44:07Are you sure you want me to read this?

00:44:09Yes.

00:44:11All right.

00:44:29Well, does that convince you?

00:44:32Yes.

00:44:38Do you think it will convince the jury?

00:44:41Undoubtedly.

00:44:43Very well.

00:44:45You may use it.

00:44:49May I see the others now, please?

00:44:52When were these written?

00:44:54During the past few months.

00:44:56Did you know that Waterhouse was trying to get money from your husband?

00:44:59Not exactly.

00:45:01What does that mean?

00:45:03He asked me several times to leave Arthur and go away with him.

00:45:05To put him off, I told him we'd need money to do that.

00:45:08He told me he knew of a way of getting hold of some.

00:45:11I never dreamed it would come to this.

00:45:14I see.

00:45:16Does your husband know that you've shown me this?

00:45:18No.

00:45:20I'm afraid he'll have to.

00:45:22Why?

00:45:24I'm acting for him.

00:45:26I can't introduce a piece of evidence like this without his authority.

00:45:28But he'll hear it in court.

00:45:30Isn't that enough?

00:45:32No.

00:45:34Very well.

00:45:36Mercel is outside.

00:45:38Get him to call him.

00:45:39I've thought it over.

00:45:47Mr. Mercel, please ask Lord Bracey to come here quickly.

00:45:50I'll tell him he's just gone into court.

00:45:57You're a very brave woman.

00:45:59I'll leave you alone now.

00:46:01If you decide to go ahead, give these letters to Mercel.

00:46:03He'll know what to do.

00:46:07Good morning, Sir John.

00:46:09You wanted to see me?

00:46:11Yes. Please shut the door.

00:46:22Good morning.

00:46:24By the way, Martin said she'd love to come down next afternoon.

00:46:26Good. We look forward to that.

00:46:28Good morning.

00:46:30Silence!

00:46:40Bracehead against Waterhouse.

00:46:42Half-heard.

00:46:46From a question one of your members addressed to me last night,

00:46:49it has occurred to me that there may be some doubts

00:46:52in the minds of some of you

00:46:54as to the precise issue you are trying.

00:46:56I will tell you.

00:46:58Lord Bracehead is claiming damages

00:47:00for the libel contained in Mr. Waterhouse's letter

00:47:02to the Prime Minister,

00:47:04charging him with fraud.

00:47:06Now, Mr. Waterhouse says

00:47:07he believed the charge to be true

00:47:09and that it was his duty to write such a letter.

00:47:12In other words, he claims privilege.

00:47:15Now, the plaintiff's answer to that

00:47:17is that he was actuated by malice,

00:47:19and the malice suggested is Mr. Waterhouse's endeavour

00:47:22to obtain 20,000 pounds by threats.

00:47:25Now, that is the real issue you have to decide.

00:47:29Namely, who is telling the truth

00:47:32as to what happened at the interview

00:47:34on March the 22nd?

00:47:36Does that answer your question?

00:47:38Yes, thank you, my lord.

00:47:40Yes, sir, doc.

00:47:43Will Mr. Waterhouse please go back to his box?

00:47:51On the 22nd of March,

00:47:53the day of your interview with Lord Bracehead,

00:47:55had you any claim upon him

00:47:57which could possibly justify your asking him for 20,000 pounds?

00:47:59None.

00:48:01So, if you did ask him for 20,000 pounds,

00:48:03it must have been what we call blackmail.

00:48:05I never asked him for money.

00:48:07It's a lie.

00:48:09Quite.

00:48:11Either Lord Bracehead is lying, or you are.

00:48:13Lord Bracehead is lying.

00:48:15One of you is lying.

00:48:17We have to find out which.

00:48:19I think most of us know that already.

00:48:21I understand that in the fraud

00:48:23which Count Mikla described to you,

00:48:25each one of the directors

00:48:27of the International Bank of Prague was implicated.

00:48:29Yes.

00:48:31As far as you've been able to discover,

00:48:33does each one of these gentlemen

00:48:35bear the highest possible reputation?

00:48:37I know nothing against them.

00:48:39Somewhat grudging admission,

00:48:41but I'll take it.

00:48:43Now,

00:48:45you've seen each of these gentlemen

00:48:47in the witness box?

00:48:48Yes.

00:48:49You've heard them swear

00:48:51that not only is there no truth

00:48:53in the charges against them,

00:48:55but that they are not guilty

00:48:57of any of the crimes they have committed?

00:48:59Yes.

00:49:01You've heard them swear

00:49:03that not only is there no truth

00:49:05in the charges against them,

00:49:07but that they are not guilty

00:49:09of any of the crimes they have committed?

00:49:11I have.

00:49:13Do you believe them?

00:49:15No.

00:49:17I believe they are lying.

00:49:19Oh, our list of liars seems to be increasing.

00:49:21First Lord Bracehead.

00:49:23Yes.

00:49:25Then all the directors of the bank.

00:49:27Yes.

00:49:29Isn't he allowed to express his views?

00:49:31Mr. Mannering,

00:49:33I will cross-examine you later

00:49:35Yes.

00:49:41Aren't you coming into court?

00:49:43No. I'd rather stay here if you don't mind.

00:49:45Very well.

00:49:54You have been deprived yourself,

00:49:56Yes.

00:49:57Have you been afforded every facility?

00:49:59Have you been allowed to examine

00:50:01any book or document you wish?

00:50:03Yes.

00:50:04Do you know of any human being

00:50:06except Count Meeker

00:50:08who has ever suggested to you

00:50:10that the scheme was a swindle?

00:50:12No.

00:50:14Then you still persist in your allegation

00:50:16that Lord Bracehead was part of your fraud?

00:50:18Yes. That is why he tried to bribe me

00:50:20with 10,000 pounds.

00:50:22When it comes to this,

00:50:24the whole case stands or falls on the one question.

00:50:26Who is telling the truth?

00:50:28You or Lord Bracehead?

00:50:30Yes.

00:50:32Then I must deal solely with them.

00:50:34At the end of your interview with Lord Bracehead,

00:50:36were you not badly in need of money?

00:50:38Not more than everybody is.

00:50:40What do you mean by that?

00:50:42Everybody is hard up these days.

00:50:44Was there not a special reason in your case?

00:50:47No.

00:50:50On that date,

00:50:52were you not madly in love with the lady?

00:50:54Good Lord, I profess my story.

00:50:56Please be quiet, Mr. Manning.

00:50:58Sir John, do you persist in that question?

00:51:01I shall refuse to answer.

00:51:02You will do exactly as you are told.

00:51:04My Lord, at some time in this case,

00:51:06that question must be answered.

00:51:08If the witness desires to postpone that time,

00:51:10I do not object.

00:51:12My Lord, may I say something?

00:51:14You had better not.

00:51:16The question is not persisted in.

00:51:18If it should arise again,

00:51:20you will have every opportunity of being heard.

00:51:22At the time you came to see Lord Bracehead,

00:51:24where were you living?

00:51:26In my flat.

00:51:28Quite sure?

00:51:30Quite sure.

00:51:32I remember now.

00:51:34I stayed there for a fortnight

00:51:36while my flat was being decorated.

00:51:38And you had forgotten.

00:51:40It is important.

00:51:42Very.

00:51:44I asked you just now,

00:51:46if at that date you were short of money.

00:51:48Was Count Mickler also short of money?

00:51:50Certainly not.

00:51:52Do you know a man named Johann Mayer?

00:51:54No.

00:51:56Will Johann Mayer please stand up?

00:51:59Do you know that man?

00:52:00I know that you call him Stepper.

00:52:02Was he a very intimate friend of yours?

00:52:04He was.

00:52:06The sort of friend to whom you would be willing to lend money?

00:52:08Yes.

00:52:10Did that man come to borrow money from Count Mickler?

00:52:12Never.

00:52:14Did that man come to you while you were staying at the Boyle Hotel

00:52:16to borrow money to pay his own hotel?

00:52:18Oh, that.

00:52:20Then he did.

00:52:22Yes, but that was only temporary. The banks were shut.

00:52:24And you had forgotten it.

00:52:26My Lord.

00:52:28Did Count Mickler ask you for money?

00:52:30That is all you were asked?

00:52:32Did you ever write to Count Mickler

00:52:34to tell him that your interview with Lord Grace did?

00:52:36I did not.

00:52:38Why not? Was he not interested?

00:52:40He had returned to Prague.

00:52:42Didn't you write to him in Prague?

00:52:44No.

00:52:46Give me that dispatch case.

00:52:48Have you ever seen this before?

00:52:50The usher will show it to you if you like.

00:52:52If you're in trouble, I know it quite well.

00:52:54Was it Count Mickler's dispatch case?

00:52:56Yes.

00:52:58What did he use it for?

00:53:00I don't know.

00:53:02Usher, give the witness a piece of paper and a pen.

00:53:04I have my own pen.

00:53:06That would be better.

00:53:08Now, will you please write down these words that I read them to you

00:53:10in your ordinary handwriting.

00:53:12I have seen B today.

00:53:16So far, he has only offered 10,000.

00:53:21Hang on.

00:53:24He will come to our figure.

00:53:28Will you please give me that?

00:53:33Lord, may we sit down?

00:53:35Lord, what is this supposed to be?

00:53:37At the moment, I have no idea.

00:53:39You will see in a minute.

00:53:41Now, will you take that piece of paper back?

00:53:43Now, will you please write at the top,

00:53:45Dear Mickler,

00:53:47Please don't interrupt.

00:53:49Mr. Manray, this is not the moment for interruption.

00:53:51Have you written that?

00:53:53Yes.

00:53:55Now, at the bottom, add these words.

00:53:57Yours ever, D.W.

00:53:59And date it, March the 27th.

00:54:03Now, will you please hand it to his Lordship.

00:54:14Sir John, would it now be convenient to tell the jury

00:54:17what is the purport of this document?

00:54:19At the moment, my Lord,

00:54:21only as an example of the witness's handwriting.

00:54:23Oh, is that all?

00:54:25Mr. Waterhouse,

00:54:26if you'd written such a letter to Count Mickler,

00:54:28it would have a very sinister significance,

00:54:30would it not?

00:54:32But I never wrote such a letter.

00:54:34I didn't ask you that.

00:54:36But if you had...

00:54:38I don't see why.

00:54:40Don't you?

00:54:42Listen to it.

00:54:44I have seen B today.

00:54:46B might stand for Lord Bracelet, might it not?

00:54:48Today is the 22nd of March,

00:54:50the date of your interview with Lord Bracelet.

00:54:52At the moment, he's only offered 10,000.

00:54:5310,000 pounds was the precise amount

00:54:55that you saw Lord Bracelet had offered you.

00:54:57Hang on.

00:54:59Count Mickler was in Prague waiting.

00:55:03He will come to our figure.

00:55:05Lord Bracelet has sworn

00:55:07that you asked him for 20,000 pounds.

00:55:09This is utterly ridiculous.

00:55:11Perhaps.

00:55:13If you had written such a letter,

00:55:15might it not have borne a very sinister interpretation?

00:55:17No.

00:55:19My Lord.

00:55:21Mr. Waterhouse,

00:55:23this is a hypothetical case.

00:55:25If you had written such a letter,

00:55:27might it not bear a very sinister interpretation?

00:55:29Perhaps, but I did not write it.

00:55:31Didn't you?

00:55:33Mr. Waterhouse,

00:55:35did you not write a letter

00:55:37in precisely those terms

00:55:39to Count Mickler?

00:55:41No.

00:55:43Look at that.

00:55:45My Lord, what is this?

00:55:47Perhaps Mr. Waterhouse will tell us.

00:55:49What is this supposed to be?

00:55:50If you ask me,

00:55:52your letter to Count Mickler.

00:55:54It is a lie.

00:55:56I never wrote such a letter.

00:55:58My Lord, I must protest against this.

00:56:00Sir John produced a piece of paper

00:56:02that I have never seen

00:56:04in which the witness says

00:56:06it is not in his handwriting.

00:56:08Give it to me.

00:56:10Perhaps you had better see this,

00:56:12Mr. Manery.

00:56:14I tell you I never wrote such a letter.

00:56:16Please be quiet.

00:56:18How do you propose to use this, Sir John?

00:56:20This is monstrous.

00:56:22We have never even seen this document.

00:56:24Of course not.

00:56:26It only came into our hands last night.

00:56:28And how do you propose to prove

00:56:30that it is in the witness's handwriting?

00:56:32By the usual method, My Lord.

00:56:34I shall ask you to call Mr. Smithurst,

00:56:36the handwriting expert.

00:56:38And I shall ask the jury

00:56:40to compare the writing

00:56:42with what the witness wrote

00:56:44in the witness box five minutes ago.

00:56:51Where is the telephone?

00:56:53Just over there, Miss.

00:56:55Oh, thank you.

00:56:57I'll be putting your luggage on the bus, Miss.

00:57:20Hello, may I speak to Mr. Waterhouse, please?

00:57:22Mr. Waterhouse isn't in.

00:57:25No.

00:57:27Well, it'll be late, I expect.

00:57:29Hmm?

00:57:31Is there any message?

00:57:35All right, I'll tell him.

00:57:41Evening news, please.

00:57:44On the 22nd of March,

00:57:46you were staying at the Savoy Hotel, were you not?

00:57:48You know I was.

00:57:50Did you write this letter to Count Bickler

00:57:52on the hotel?

00:57:54No, I did not.

00:57:56My Lord, this letter is a forgery.

00:57:58You must say that, mustn't you?

00:58:00If it is your letter,

00:58:02you stand convicted of having lied to us, do you not?

00:58:04It is not my letter.

00:58:06It is his letter.

00:58:08Forged by Lord Bristol?

00:58:10Yes.

00:58:11Then how do you explain it's been found

00:58:13by my solicitor and Count Bickler's dispatch guest,

00:58:15but it was brought back from Prague?

00:58:17My Lord, may we see those two letters?

00:58:20Certainly.

00:58:22Members of the jury, I never wrote this letter.

00:58:24I could not have written such a letter.

00:58:26And all you can say is that it is a forgery.

00:58:28It is a forgery.

00:58:30And forged by Lord Bristol.

00:58:32Why not? He was committed murder.

00:58:34Why should you stop it there?

00:58:36Quiet, please.

00:58:38My Lord, may I ask a question?

00:58:39Of course. What is it?

00:58:41This letter is addressed dear Mickler.

00:58:43We understand the witness

00:58:45was a close friend of Count Bickler's.

00:58:47He called him Steppen.

00:58:49This morning, another letter was read to us.

00:58:52It began dear Steppen.

00:58:54Why does this letter begin dear Mickler?

00:58:56He's right. I've never written to him like that.

00:58:58I've got letters here that I wrote to him.

00:59:00Scores of them. Give them to me.

00:59:02Look at these.

00:59:04Dear Steppen. Dear Steppen.

00:59:06Dear Steppen.

00:59:07Dear Steppen.

00:59:09I have never called him Mickler in my life.

00:59:11I see your point.

00:59:13And rather a good one.

00:59:15I don't believe those two letters

00:59:17are in the same handwriting.

00:59:19Members of the jury,

00:59:21it is of the utmost importance

00:59:23that you should form no opinion on this case

00:59:25until the evidence is complete.

00:59:27We shall have to use that letter.

00:59:29Or perhaps Lord Braston might care to insert it.

00:59:31Absolutely necessary.

00:59:33See for yourself. I don't believe it.

00:59:35We shall use it or not.

00:59:38My Lord.

00:59:40As you have already heard.

00:59:47Lady Braston.

00:59:49Yes.

00:59:51Sir John wants you in court immediately.

00:59:53Must I come?

00:59:55If you want him to use your letter, yes.

00:59:57Is it going badly?

00:59:59I'm afraid so.

01:00:01Then let him use it.

01:00:03But I don't want to go into court.

01:00:05He won't use it unless you do.

01:00:07I'll come.

01:00:17And you still maintain

01:00:19that you never wrote that letter?

01:00:21Yes.

01:00:24Mr. Waterhouse.

01:00:26You are forcing me to adopt

01:00:28a most distasteful course.

01:00:30I shall have to bring a lady into this case.

01:00:33Do you wish me to do that?

01:00:37I don't know what you mean.

01:00:39Dear John.

01:00:41I understand that you deny

01:00:43having written that letter to Count Vickler.

01:00:45I do.

01:00:47And he is dead.

01:00:48Yes.

01:00:50Have you written a precisely similar letter

01:00:52to someone who is alive

01:00:54and who is at this moment sitting in the court?

01:00:56Certainly not.

01:00:58Did you write it to Lady Brasted?

01:01:00Never.

01:01:02Think well before you answer.

01:01:04A short time ago I asked you

01:01:05if you remember.

01:01:07Yes.

01:01:09Were you in love with Lady Brasted?

01:01:11My lord, what possible issue is this directing?

01:01:13Is this absolutely necessary, Sir John?

01:01:15Absolutely necessary, my lord.

01:01:17And I do not wish to interrupt you.

01:01:19Very well. I shall not reject the question.

01:01:21Do you hear?

01:01:23Will you please answer?

01:01:25Are you in love with Lady Brasted?

01:01:27No, I am not.

01:01:29Were you ever in love with her?

01:01:32Well?

01:01:35I was very fond of Lady Brasted.

01:01:37Were you ever in love with Lady Brasted?

01:01:39I was very fond of Lady Brasted.

01:01:41Isn't that enough for you, Sir John?

01:01:43No, my lord, it is not.

01:01:45Mr. Waterhouse,

01:01:47Lady Brasted is sitting in front of us now.

01:01:49You can imagine what this cross-examination

01:01:51means to her.

01:01:53I want you to give the jury your opinion of her.

01:01:55Is she a lady whose word

01:01:57you would unhesitatingly accept?

01:01:59Yes.

01:02:00Not a liar like her husband?

01:02:02No.

01:02:03Did your husband go away with you?

01:02:05Never.

01:02:07Please.

01:02:09Did you tell her that although you had no money at the time,

01:02:11you were in a position to get a great deal?

01:02:13My lord, this is monstrous.

01:02:15My friendship with Lady Brasted was before her marriage.

01:02:17My lord, Lady Brasted has given evidence.

01:02:19She said no word of this.

01:02:21I was surprised she kept silent as long as possible.

01:02:26Did you not only say you could get the money,

01:02:28Mr. Waterhouse,

01:02:30but write it?

01:02:32Now, will you take this bundle of original letters

01:02:34in your hand?

01:02:36You needn't trouble to interrupt.

01:02:38You should see them all in due course.

01:02:40Are all those letters in your own handwriting?

01:02:44Yes, they are.

01:02:46There is no doubt about it?

01:02:48No.

01:02:50They are not forged?

01:02:52No.

01:02:54And they are all written to Lady Brasted?

01:02:56Yes, but before her marriage.

01:02:58Now we come to that.

01:02:59Will you look at the first one, please?

01:03:01Is there any date?

01:03:03No.

01:03:05And how does it begin?

01:03:07My darling Helen.

01:03:09And it is not dated?

01:03:11No.

01:03:13The next one, any date?

01:03:15No.

01:03:17And how does that begin?

01:03:19My own beloved.

01:03:21Will you speak louder, please? The jury can't hear you.

01:03:23My own beloved.

01:03:27And the next, no date?

01:03:29No.

01:03:31And how does it begin?

01:03:33My own beloved.

01:03:35And all the others, no date?

01:03:37No.

01:03:39And you say you wrote them all before Lady Brasted's marriage?

01:03:41Yes.

01:03:43Rather convenient for you that you forgot to date them, was it not?

01:03:45You don't expect love letters to be dated, do you?

01:03:47I wouldn't know.

01:03:49It's a long time since I wrote a love letter to a married woman.

01:03:51Now look at this.

01:03:53My lord.

01:03:55I will not be interrupted now.

01:03:57Mr. Waterhouse.

01:03:59Is that your letter?

01:04:02Yes.

01:04:05Where did you get this?

01:04:07From the lady you wrote it to.

01:04:09That's a lie and you know it.

01:04:11Don't be rude to me.

01:04:13That is a very improper observation.

01:04:15Give me the letter.

01:04:18Is this your letter?

01:04:20Of course it's my letter.

01:04:23You ought to see this, Mr. Manning.

01:04:24I have given him a cover, my lord, of Mr. Jansen's just made.

01:04:26May the witness have it back.

01:04:29I'm going to read it, Mr. Waterhouse,

01:04:31but for reasons which I hope you will appreciate,

01:04:33I shall read only the body of the letter.

01:04:35I shall omit the beginning and the end.

01:04:38I have just left his lordship.

01:04:40If he thinks I'll keep quiet for 10,000 pounds, he's mistaken.

01:04:44I told him it wasn't good enough.

01:04:46It'll have to go higher.

01:04:48This time I understand you do not deny that this is your letter.

01:04:51It is my letter.

01:04:52Then what does it mean?

01:04:54I told him it wasn't good enough.

01:04:56It'll have to go higher.

01:04:58You want 20,000 pounds?

01:05:00It means nothing of the sort.

01:05:02Then what does it mean?

01:05:04It means that I was not going to be bribed,

01:05:06that I was going to the prime minister.

01:05:08Oh, it'll have to go higher.

01:05:10That means you are not going to be bribed.

01:05:12It does.

01:05:14Look at it.

01:05:16Is that a love letter?

01:05:18How dare you ask me that?

01:05:19I think the whole letter must be read, Sir John.

01:05:21Is that absolutely necessary, my lord?

01:05:23I think it is.

01:05:31My beloved.

01:05:33I have just left his lordship.

01:05:35If he thinks I'll keep quiet for 10,000 pounds, he's mistaken.

01:05:38I told him it wasn't good enough.

01:05:40It'll have to go higher.

01:05:42You know what that means, but I'm not afraid.

01:05:45You are always in my thoughts.

01:05:46I love you.

01:05:48I love you.

01:05:50I love you.

01:05:52Derek.

01:05:54No, I did not write that to Lady Bracedead.

01:05:56What?

01:05:58Derek.

01:06:00Are you trying to bring some other lady's name into this case?

01:06:02Do you think it is more likely to be believed?

01:06:04Of course you can invent any name you like,

01:06:06provided she's not here in court.

01:06:08Well, to whom did you write it?

01:06:11Think for a moment before you answer.

01:06:13Lady Bracedead is in court.

01:06:14This must be a very painful incident to her.

01:06:16Do you still insist

01:06:18that you did not write this letter,

01:06:20which you admit is yours, to her?

01:06:22Yes, I do.

01:06:24Why should I deny it if it's not true?

01:06:26Shall I tell you why?

01:06:28Because you thought you would be ashamed

01:06:30to admit this story in open court.

01:06:32That's not true.

01:06:34Why should I write such a letter to Lady Bracedead?

01:06:36Do you want me to tell you that, too?

01:06:38Yes.

01:06:40Do you insist upon it, although she's sitting here

01:06:42beside her husband?

01:06:44Because you were her lover.

01:06:46That is a lie.

01:06:48Another lie.

01:06:50Helen, tell them it's not true.

01:06:52Derek, you know it is true.

01:07:02Mr. Waterhouse,

01:07:04you have seen Lady Bracedead leave the court.

01:07:06You are now free to say just what you like.

01:07:08Do you still insist that it was not to her

01:07:10that you wrote this letter?

01:07:12Yes, yes, yes.

01:07:14Do you still insist that it was not to her

01:07:16that you wrote the letter about 10,000 pounds?

01:07:18Why do you hesitate?

01:07:20You've already disgraced one woman.

01:07:22Why do you hesitate to disgrace another?

01:07:26Who was it?

01:07:28I won't say.

01:07:32Thank you, Mr. Waterhouse.

01:07:34That is all I have to ask you.

01:07:45Sorry to be late.

01:07:47You're not the only one.

01:07:49Isn't Mary here?

01:07:51No, not a sign of her.

01:07:53But she telephoned from the airport

01:07:55to say not to wait for her

01:07:57because she mightn't be able to make it.

01:07:59Did you speak to her?

01:08:01No, she left a message with Morton.

01:08:03No explanation as to why she had to fly home

01:08:05like a mad thing?

01:08:07Not a word.

01:08:09Well, I expect we'll let in the secret in due course.

01:08:11Yes, I expect so.

01:08:12Race dead one, I suppose?

01:08:1410,000 damages and the papers were sent to the public prosecutor.

01:08:16Aren't men fools?

01:08:18Are they?

01:08:20Of course they are.

01:08:22A woman judge would have dismissed the case at once.

01:08:24That would have been most immaculate.

01:08:26It would have been most sensible.

01:08:28Let's go in, shall we?

01:08:42Excuse me.

01:08:44Didn't you want something, miss?

01:08:46I was looking for Mr. Waterhouse.

01:08:48He's gone some time, miss.

01:08:50The case was over an hour ago.

01:08:52Thank you. Who was it?

01:08:54Lord Bracey, miss.

01:08:56There was no doubt about it once they produced those letters.

01:08:58The jury wasn't out for over an hour.

01:09:00I see.

01:09:07Excuse me, sir, may I speak to you?

01:09:09Of course, Mario, what is it?

01:09:10This letter, sir.

01:09:12What letter?

01:09:14The one the young man is supposed to have written in your case this morning.

01:09:16What do you mean, supposed to have written?

01:09:18There's a picture of it in the lunch edition.

01:09:20See here.

01:09:22Well, what about it?

01:09:24You see that notepaper, sir, John?

01:09:26With a heading with a little design.

01:09:28Yes.

01:09:30And the letter is dated March 22nd.

01:09:32Well.

01:09:34But that paper was not made till the month of May.

01:09:36Are you sure of that?

01:09:38Absolutely, sir.

01:09:40But it would be in the manager's office.

01:09:42Take me to him, will you?

01:09:44Excuse me, Maria.

01:09:46Oh, no. I'm coming with you.

01:09:51That is perfectly correct, sir, John.

01:09:53The first sample was submitted on May the 5th.

01:09:56We accept him on May the 7th.

01:09:58And the first deliveries of the new papers begin on May the 18th.

01:10:03Can you give me the address of the printout?

01:10:05Certainly. Here it is.

01:10:08And I'd like to borrow the file, if I may.

01:10:10Of course, sir, John. Of course.

01:10:12Thank you. You shall have it back in due course.

01:10:14Thank you. Good day to you.

01:10:17Just a moment.

01:10:19Perhaps the letter was dated a mistake.

01:10:21March the 22nd instead of May the 22nd.

01:10:23It says, I have seen B today.

01:10:25The writers saw a bracelet on the date on the letter.

01:10:27March the 22nd.

01:10:29The actual day on which they met.

01:10:31There must be some mistake.

01:10:33I don't see where.

01:10:35You mean the letter was forged?

01:10:36That's a paper. I've been changed.

01:10:38I told you a woman judge would have thrown out the case.

01:10:40You know, if you say that again, I think I shall beat you.

01:10:42Sorry.

01:10:44What are you going to do?

01:10:46The only thing I can do.

01:10:48See that these papers are sent to the public prosecutor at once.

01:10:50Without telling Lord Bracedead?

01:10:52You can tell him.

01:10:54But you're still acting for him.

01:10:56I can hardly go on acting for him at the same time.

01:10:58See that this information is sent to his opponents.

01:11:00Wait a minute. What about the other letter?

01:11:02How do you explain that?

01:11:04I can't.

01:11:06Sir John, I beg you to see Lord Bracedead

01:11:08before you do anything about this.

01:11:10No.

01:11:12There are still some rules in our profession.

01:11:14There is no rule which forces me to send a man to prison

01:11:16when I know that he's innocent.

01:11:18But you don't know. There may be some explanation.

01:11:20Lord Bracedead should be asked.

01:11:22Very well. You ask him.

01:11:29Derek.

01:11:31Who's there?

01:11:33How did you get in?

01:11:34The porter opened the door for me.

01:11:36I told him I must see you.

01:11:38You needn't have bothered.

01:11:40Derek, what's the matter? What's happened?

01:11:42Why did you write to me like that?

01:11:44It was stupid of me, wasn't it?

01:11:46I should have known better than to put anything in writing to you.

01:11:48I don't know what you mean.

01:11:50Don't you?

01:11:52Don't you remember what happened to that letter?

01:11:54What letter?

01:11:56What letter?

01:11:58Derek, I honestly don't know what you're talking about.

01:12:00I can't see why you take the trouble to lie about it.

01:12:02The damage is done, huh?

01:12:04The night before you left for Ceylon, if you remember,

01:12:06I wrote you a note.

01:12:08This morning, your father produced it in court as evidence against me.

01:12:10How could he do that?

01:12:12How could you do that?

01:12:14But if you wrote it to me, how could it be evidence?

01:12:16Oh, that was quite easy.

01:12:18You see, I didn't mention your name. I merely called you Beloved.

01:12:20So your father was able to convince the jury

01:12:22that it was written to Lady Bracedead.

01:12:24What did the note say?

01:12:26Don't you remember?

01:12:28I told you, Derek, I didn't get it.

01:12:32Are you sure you didn't?

01:12:34I'm positive. I'll tell you something else.

01:12:36Daddy wouldn't have used it unless Lady Bracedead had given it to him.

01:12:38She must have got hold of it somehow.

01:12:40Derek, you know I'm speaking the truth, don't you?

01:12:42Of course I do, darling.

01:12:44What a blithering idiot I've been.

01:12:46Please forgive me.

01:12:48That'll be easy.

01:12:54Where do we go from here, I wonder?

01:12:56That's easy too. We're going to see Lady Bracedead.

01:12:58Not me, thank you.

01:13:00Please, darling, I need your moral support.

01:13:02You can leave Lady Bracedead to me.

01:13:05Come on.

01:13:12I'm sorry, sir, Lady Bracedead is engaged and can't see you.

01:13:16That's the room, darling.

01:13:22Lady Bracedead, I sent word that I couldn't see you.

01:13:25I'm sorry, the lady pushed past me.

01:13:27It's all right, Johnson, you may go.

01:13:29Well, what is it?

01:13:31Two months ago, Derek wrote me a letter.

01:13:32I didn't receive it.

01:13:34But this morning, you produced it in court

01:13:36and said it was written to you.

01:13:38I want that letter back.

01:13:40You're too late. The public prosecutor has it.

01:13:42Does he know you stole it?

01:13:44My dear child, I don't know what you're talking about.

01:13:46If you didn't steal it, how did you come by it?

01:13:48In the usual way, through the post.

01:13:50That's a lie.

01:13:52Then I suppose all the other letters that Derek wrote to me

01:13:54were lies also.

01:13:56No, I know about them. Derek told me he'd written them.

01:13:58But that was before I met him

01:14:00and before you married Lord Bracedead.

01:14:02Do you really believe that story?

01:14:04Of course, because it's true.

01:14:06Well, it's not what the jury thought in court this morning.

01:14:09Lady Bracedead, Derek might go to prison.

01:14:13You're in love with him, aren't you?

01:14:15Yes.

01:14:17Enough to do anything for him?

01:14:19Yes.

01:14:21Well, I'm in love with my husband.

01:14:23Nobody else means anything to me.

01:14:25This morning in court, I risked everything,

01:14:27even his love, by producing that letter.

01:14:29Do you think I'm going to spoil it all now

01:14:30because that letter was never written to me?

01:14:32It was intended for little Miss Dearing.

01:14:34Because if you do, you're a bigger fool

01:14:36than I took you for.

01:14:38You can't mean it.

01:14:40I most certainly do mean it.

01:14:42You haven't a shred of evidence and you won't get any from me.

01:14:44Now please go away. You bore me.

01:14:53Good evening, Morton.

01:14:55Daddy will settle this in five minutes.

01:14:57He's the cleverest man alive.

01:14:58Yes, so far he's been a sight too clever for me.

01:15:00Nonsense.

01:15:02Come in and tell him the whole story.

01:15:07Hello, darling.

01:15:09Ah, so you've decided to come home at last, young lady.

01:15:11Sorry I couldn't make it before, but I was busy.

01:15:13Daphne's very much better.

01:15:15How good.

01:15:17I'll tell you about her later on.

01:15:19At the moment, we've got more important things to talk about.

01:15:21You both know Derek, don't you?

01:15:23Yes, I think we know each other pretty well.

01:15:25May I ask why you've come here?

01:15:26It's quite simple.

01:15:28I'm going to marry him.

01:15:30Oh, that makes everything perfectly clear.

01:15:32Sit down. Will you have a cigarette?

01:15:34I don't suppose I wanted to come.

01:15:36Rubbish. You had to come.

01:15:38This silly case has been muddled up quite enough already.

01:15:40It's going to end here and now.

01:15:42Tell him who that letter was written to.

01:15:44All right, I will. He wrote it to me.

01:15:46You're not going to say you don't believe me.

01:15:48Well, of course I believe you.

01:15:50If you really do, that ends this stupid business once and for all.

01:15:52Of course.

01:15:54When did you get this letter?

01:15:56I never got it.

01:15:58Oh.

01:16:00There's no need to look so beastly legal. I tell you, he wrote it to me.

01:16:02May I ask how you know that?

01:16:04Because he told me.

01:16:06That's quite enough for me.

01:16:08He never mentioned it in court. Why not?

01:16:10Would anyone have believed me if I had?

01:16:12Would you have believed me?

01:16:14After all, you told me that I had disgraced one woman.

01:16:16I didn't want to disgrace another who wasn't there.

01:16:18Did you post this letter?

01:16:20No.

01:16:22What did you do with it?

01:16:24I left it here.

01:16:26The day I went away.

01:16:28Who did you give it to?

01:16:30To a butler.

01:16:33Of course, everything has to be confirmed.

01:16:36That is the law.

01:16:38It's also common sense.

01:16:40Morton, do you remember Mr. Waterhouse giving you a letter addressed to Miss Mary?

01:16:43Yes, Sir John.

01:16:45When was that? Do you remember?

01:16:47The night before Miss Mary went abroad, Sir.

01:16:49I'm afraid I forgot to give it her.

01:16:51What did you do with it?

01:16:53I gave it to Lady Dearing, Sir.

01:16:54Did you readdress it?

01:16:56You know I didn't.

01:16:58I'm afraid I forgot all about it.

01:17:00Most helpful. And you never saw it again?

01:17:02No.

01:17:04Was there anybody with Lady Dearing when you gave it to her?

01:17:06Yes, Sir John. Lady braced it.

01:17:08I see.

01:17:10Excuse me.

01:17:16All right, Morton.

01:17:24Lord Brasted, please.

01:17:26Sir John Dearing.

01:17:29Lord Brasted?

01:17:31Yes.

01:17:33Has Mr. Mercer been in touch with you?

01:17:36He has.

01:17:38Yes.

01:17:40Now, I want to talk to you about something quite different.

01:17:42Some information has just come to my hands regarding the other letter.

01:17:46The one your wife said was written to her.

01:17:50Yes, that's what I said.

01:17:51I think so too.

01:17:53Anything you say, of course.

01:17:56Very well, I'll be there at ten o'clock.

01:17:58Yes, that suits me all right.

01:18:01All right, goodbye.

01:18:05Well, Daddy.

01:18:07Well, what?

01:18:09Derek wants your advice.

01:18:11Professional or otherwise?

01:18:13Otherwise.

01:18:15My advice is marry the girl.

01:18:17I was going to do that anyway, Sir.

01:18:19What I wanted to know was when you could give it away.

01:18:21When I tell him to.

01:18:24Of course, I shall deny it.

01:18:26And I'll be believed.

01:18:28Who do you think would take Derek's word against mine after today?

01:18:30Even if he's got witnesses?

01:18:32What witnesses?

01:18:34Some silly old family retainer.

01:18:36I've never heard of anything so ridiculous.

01:18:38He'd be lying too, I suppose.

01:18:40But of course, darling.

01:18:42Look, if they want a fight, they can have it.

01:18:44You're not going to take this lying down, are you?

01:18:46Not if that's the way you want it.

01:18:48Arthur, there isn't anything else, is there?

01:18:49What do you mean?

01:18:51Anything you haven't told me.

01:18:53No, no, there's nothing else.

01:18:55Then that settles it.

01:18:57We've been in worse jams than this before.

01:18:59We've come through all right.

01:19:01But we must fight.

01:19:03I'm a little tired.

01:19:05I know, darling.

01:19:07We'll talk about it in the morning, shall we?

01:19:09Yes, in the morning.

01:19:11Helen.

01:19:13Tell me something.

01:19:15Has it been worth it?

01:19:17What?

01:19:19I have one regret.

01:19:21If that's what you mean.

01:19:23That's exactly what I mean.

01:19:25Darling.

01:19:27I wouldn't have had it any other way.

01:19:29Whatever happens.

01:19:31I'm glad.

01:19:33That makes all the difference.

01:19:35Good night.

01:19:37Aren't you going to bed?

01:19:39No, not yet.

01:19:41I've got one or two letters to write.

01:19:43All right.

01:19:45Come on.

01:19:49Helen.

01:19:53I'm glad he didn't write that letter to you.

01:19:56Silly.

01:19:58Do you think I would have shown it to you if you had?

01:20:00No, I suppose not.

01:20:09Good night, my darling.

01:20:12Good night, darling.

01:20:19Good night.

01:20:39Are we wanting anything else tonight, my lord?

01:20:41No, thank you, Johnson.

01:20:43I'm just going out to post these letters.

01:20:45Can I post them, my lord?

01:20:47No, I think a little fresh air will do me good.

01:20:50Good night, Johnson.

01:20:52Good night, my lord.

01:20:53Good night.

01:21:18Is this the book you wanted, milady?

01:21:20Yes, thank you, Susan.

01:21:21I'm going to bed, will you?

01:21:23Yes, milady.

01:21:25Did somebody go out just now?

01:21:27Lordship, milady, I think he went to the post.

01:21:29Oh, good night, milady.

01:21:31Good night.

01:21:52You off, darling?

01:21:53Yes, I'm just going.

01:21:54Can you give me a lift? I'm meeting Derek.

01:21:55So early?

01:21:56Making up for lost time, darling.

01:21:57Don't be long, I'm in a hurry.

01:21:58Okay.

01:21:59Don't say okay.

01:22:00Okay.

01:22:01What's it like outside, Martin?

01:22:02You'll need your coat, sir.

01:22:03Thanks.

01:22:05Excuse me, sir.

01:22:06Okay.

01:22:09You won't be late tonight, darling, will you?

01:22:10Rather not.

01:22:12I might call into the club for a minute or two.

01:22:13It'll just come by hand, sir.

01:22:16Frank Manning, if somebody's got an idea,

01:22:17I can beat them at billions.

01:22:22Listen to this.

01:22:25I'm sorry my husband will not be able

01:22:26to keep his appointment with you this morning.

01:22:29An accident occurred last night.

01:22:31You were quite right.

01:22:33This case was a matter of life or death to him.

01:22:35I embraced it.

01:22:37Poor woman.

01:22:39John, do you think he...

01:22:40I don't know.

01:22:42None of our business whether he did or not.

01:22:45Well, that's the end of that case.

01:22:47Yes.

01:22:48Are you in court today?

01:22:49Yes, Mackay against Rosenthal.

01:22:51My money's on Mackay.

01:22:52That's a pity.

01:22:53I'm acting for Rosenthal.

The Blind Goddess (1948) - Eric Portman, Anne Crawford, Hugh Williams - Feature (Drama)

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