" Well, Doctor?" " An heir, my lord, and a brother for him." "Twins." "Twins?" " A toast." "Let's drink to it." " No." "Don't toast this birth." "Please." "Do you all know how our family began?" "With twins." "Brand and Wolfram." "And it will end with twins." "Brand, the younger, murdered his brother." "This house began with murder." "It will end the same way." ""I end as I began. "" "My eyes." "Lieutenant Hassel, would you please?" "Certainly, sir." ""And after that night, Wolfram was never seen again," ""either within the castle or without." ""And all men knew that he had been slain" ""by his younger brother in the Black Room. "" "Even if it were true, there's no younger and no older." " They're twins." " You're wrong, Lieutenant Hassel." "One is always older than the other." "Your boys were born a minute apart, my lord." "The prophecy must fall on my children." "The older will inherit the title and the lands." "The younger bitter..." "The younger will have greater reason than that for bitterness, my lord." " His right arm is paralyzed." " Paralyzed?" "I'm sorry." "But, your lordship, you're not really going to worry about this barbaric prophecy." "A thing that has been believed in for hundreds of years?" "Read." "Read further." ""And the wise have thought that once again there shall be twins" ""and the younger shall slay the older." ""That is the meaning of the motto of the house of de Berghman. "" " But you can't believe in this, sir." " I do believe it." "This murder will happen again." "In the Black Room just as it did before." "No, no, don't open it." "My friends, this tragedy may not happen for 20, 30, 50 years." "I will be dead then." "We all may be." "What can I do now to prevent this prophecy from ever being fulfilled?" "Your lordship's living in the past." "We don't believe..." "I do." "Something must be done." "May I offer a simple suggestion?" "You believe that the younger brother will kill the older in the Black Room?" "Yes, I do." "Then the prevention is simple, seal it up." "And there won't be any Black Room." "If you'll permit me to say so, your lordship, your parents' graves are in a disgraceful condition." "I know." "I know." "But now that my brother's returning," " we can take care of it together." " Good." "The Budapest post arrives at the inn in an hour." "You're sure you don't want to meet him there?" "There've been so many attempts on my life of late," "I don't want to be seen in public places." "Hurry him to me at the castle." "I only thought as you haven't seen your brother, Anton, in 10 years..." "That's why I want to meet him alone." "Don't be afraid, say it." "The Baron is a tyrant." "He's worse than that." "He's a fiend." "There is only one way to protect ourselves from him." "That won't be so easy." "He keeps to himself." "You're afraid, that's the trouble." "You're cowards." "We begged the authorities for help." "A lot of good it did us." "What does he have to do to us till we strike back?" "It's easy to talk, but who's going to do it?" "Just give me a chance." "Put him in reach." "The coach from Budapest." "Has the Baron's coach arrived?" "Oh." "Some sherry, please." "He looks like the Baron." "Say, he does." "Didn't the Baron have a brother who left here long ago?" "Yes." "What's he come back for?" "One de Berghman is enough." "There's the Baron's coach now." " Anton." " Why, Colonel Hassel." " I'm glad to see you." " And my brother?" "Gregor?" "Gregor is at the castle." "I am to bring you to him." "Come, Thor." "You'll find things changed." "If Gregor's letter hadn't been so insistent, I should never have returned." "I couldn't believe that he'd write to me like that." "It wasn't an invitation." "It was a plea, an entreaty." "You should never have left." "It was unbearable here before." "I had to leave." " Because of a superstitious legend?" " No." "Because of what hearing so much about it did to me." "I began to believe in the prophecy, in spite of myself." "Every time I looked at Gregor, my own brother, he seemed to expect me to kill him." "That was meant for your brother, Gregor." " Welcome home, sir." " Oh, Peter, how are you?" "Very good, sir." "Thank you." "Thanks for bringing me, Colonel." "My niece and I are expecting you and your brother to dinner tonight." " You remember Thea?" " Why, of course, I remember Thea." " A lovely little girl." " Only now she's a lovely big girl." " We'll be there." " Thank you." "We are all happy you are back, sir." "The castle will be more cheerful, sir." "It is a gloomy place. 10 years almost made me forget it." " Now it all comes back." " One does feel the gloom, sir." ""Principio et finem similia. "" "Anton." "This is good." "Let me look at you." "You're looking good." " Enjoy your years in Budapest?" " Oh, very much." "It's gay there." "But how are you, Gregor?" "If my subjects hadn't been so unruly," "I'd have proclaimed a great festival in your honor." "They don't deserve a feast, much as you do." "Sit down, Anton." "I've ordered some wine for you." "Thanks for coming back to our home." "It's been lonely for me here." "But now we can divide the responsibilities." "Come in." "I brought wine from the south vineyards." " I remembered Mr. Anton was fond of it." " Thank you, Peter." "Drink it." " Did you hear what I said?" " Yes, your lordship." "Why do you do this, Gregor?" "All right." "That's all." "Surely you don't think he poisoned it?" "Think?" "I know." "Those swine will do anything." "They don't know what they want." "I can't trust my servants or anyone." "My life's not my own anymore." "Gregor, on my way here today, I was shot at." "They mistook you for me." " But what is it they have against you?" " Lies." "It's not worth talking about." "But you must deny them, Gregor, or I will." "Fine, Anton." "That's why I sent for you." "The Black Room and its prophecy have stood between us long enough." "A solid wall of brick stands between it and us." "We can forget it." "What do you say, brother?" "With all my heart." "Then we've nothing to torment us except the Colonel who's expecting us to dinner." "Shall we go?" "Max, Ludwig, Emil!" "They'll kill you, Anton." "Out of the way." "I'll take care of those swine." "Let the dog alone." "Let the dog alone!" "Don't stop him." "Don't stop him." " Kill him, Thor." " You want him torn to pieces?" "Thor." "Thor." "Now, what's the meaning of this?" "Ask him what became of my sister." " Your sister?" " Yes, and the other women." "Ask him becomes of all the women." "Why are they never seen again?" "Take him away." "I'll deal with him later." "No, wait." "I've got to get to the bottom of this." "Stop." "I give orders around here, not you." "Take him away." "Why do you look at me like that?" "This is how it was before I went away." "It's nothing, my dear Anton." "Come, we mustn't be late for dinner." "I'm so anxious to have you see Thea." "She's extraordinary." "Come." "Love is like music" "Beautiful music to my heart" "Sweet music from nowhere" "You'll never know where love may start" "It may come to you while you're dreaming" "While the silvery moonbeams are gleaming" "Love is like music" "Beautiful music to my heart" " Lovely." "Lovely." " Yes." "She's a lovely child." "I think your lordship's brother was referring to the music." "I think I meant both." "Thank you." "If you will excuse me, sir, I must leave." " Good night, sir." " It's a great pleasure to know you." "Thank you." "Colonel Hassel." " Good night, Thea." " I'll see you to the door." "Tonight?" "You know you don't have to leave so soon." "What's the matter?" "Thea, darling, it's enough watching him paw you but suddenly when he looked at you..." "I don't mean to frighten you, Thea, but that Gregor is a monster." " Don't you feel it?" " Every time he comes near me." "My blood turns to ice when he touches me." "It's all I can do to keep my heart from stopping." "I'd give anything if you didn't have to suffer all this, but there's no way out of it for us yet." "I swear to you, we'd be happier away from here." " Do you believe me?" " I do." "I tell it to myself a hundred times a day." "Oh, don't worry about me, Albert." "And now, dear," "I think I ought to go back." "Don't be frightened, Thea." "But I must ask you to do one thing." "Never allow yourself to be alone with him for a minute here in his castle." "Always have somebody with you." "Will you promise me that?" "Of course, dear." "Good night." " Good night, Thea." "I love you." " I know you do." "You know, my dear, if I ever decide to marry," "I can think of no one who would make a more charming Baroness than you." " Thank you." " Don't you agree with me, gentlemen?" "Mashka." "Mashka." " Beran, what are you doing here?" " Watching you." "You attend to your own business." "I don't need any watching." " I won't have you going to the castle again." " So, you followed me?" " You used to want to be with me all the time." " Well, I don't now." " You're not going." " It doesn't concern you." "Let go of me, you fool." "Sweet music from nowhere" "You'll never know where love may start" "It may come to you while you're dreaming" "While the silvery moonbeams are gleaming" "Love is like music" "Beautiful music to my heart" "Don't I play as well as she does?" "Didn't you listen?" " Don't you want to kiss me?" " A pear is the best fruit." "Every time you see her, you want to be rid of me." "Lots of juice in a pear." "Well, you'll find I'll not be got rid of so easy." " Do you hear what I say?" " Adam should've chosen a pear." "You got it all planned, haven't you?" "You're gonna marry her." "You're gonna make her your wife, your Baroness." "I like the feel of a pear." "And when you're through with it..." "Well, you're not going to marry her." "I'll put a stop to it." "You will?" "How?" "You needn't feel so safe." "I'll tell her you asked me up here to play for you." "Her future husband, the Baron, talking with a servant, listening to her sing." " I'll lie." "I'll tell her worse than that." " Oh, don't be foolish, child." "If you were in my place, who would you choose?" "Colonel Hassel's niece or you?" "All right, who would you choose?" "A sweet little innocent who plays the harp or someone who knows the other door to the Black Room?" "Someone who's seen you carry heavy things in there late at night." " You've been spying me." " Oh, I didn't mean to." "I didn't mean to really." " Who is it?" " It's me, your lordship, Peter." " Is there anything you want?" " No." "Nothing." "Nothing." " Good night, sir." " Good night." "Good night." "Is there anything I can do for you, sir?" "No, thank you, Peter." "No." " Good night, sir." " Good night, Peter." "Good night." " Oh, it's you, your lordship." " Yes." "Good night, Peter." "Are you sure there is nothing I can do for you, sir?" "Quite sure." "Good night." "Yes, sir." "Good night, sir." "Quiet." "Quiet, Thor." "And that is the last that was heard of her." "She served dinner at the Colonel's house." " The Baron was there." " And who else was there?" "Yes." "He's never far away when something like this happens." "She came out and I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen." "She broke away and she went into the castle." " I don't want to get into any trouble." " You won't get in any trouble." " I'm afraid the Baron will kill me." " Come on." " What have you found out?" " This." "That's hers." "That's the shawl Mashka was wearing the night she went to the castle." "Where did you find it?" " Come on." "Where did you find it?" " At the head of the stairs." " Outside his lordship's room." " I thought so." "Now do you believe the Baron killed Mashka?" "I do for one." "But what are we going to do about it?" "Appeal to the authorities again?" " We can't let him go on like this." " No more murders." " I'll do anything." " We have to stop this one way or another." " There's only one way." " Come on, let's go to the castle." " Yeah." " We're all here." "Come on, then." "Follow me." "You may be indifferent if you like, your lordship, but the peasants are aroused." "Are you so filled with your own importance you think nothing can happen to you?" "Would you mind if the peasants took my life, Colonel?" "Have you ever seen a man torn to pieces by a mob, your lordship?" "No, and I won't." "When trouble comes, I'll meet it my own way." "Well, I have warned you." "That's all I can do." "You're getting old, Colonel." "You worry too much." "Thank you." "If you worried a little more, you might live to be old." "Come, my dear, we are leaving." "Let me see you to your carriage." "Now what can I do to bring you here more often?" " You know we need such loveliness here." " Thank you." " Why are they coming here?" " I've been expecting this." "But what do they want?" "I've warned your brother." "Quick, take Thea inside, she's not safe here." " Why, I could..." " I'll manage them." " What is this?" " We want the Baron." " What do you want with him?" " I'll tell that to him." "You can talk to me." "I'll deliver your message." " You can't storm in here like this." " We're going in." "Get out of the way." " But look here, my friend, surely we can..." " Come on." "Follow me." "Thor." "Thor." "Here he is, in here." "Good afternoon, gentlemen." "I've been expecting you." "Come in, come in." "Don't stand on ceremony." " We have come..." " For me." "I know." "You're the ring leader, aren't you?" "Well, what are you looking so sheepish for?" "You came here to dictate terms to me, didn't you?" "Sit down." "Sit down." "You'll find it very comfortable." "You've come to get rid of me, haven't you?" " Yes." " We have." "Wait." "I know how you feel, but you must do this in an orderly way." " Sure, orderly." "But we get rid of him." " As long as he is here, we won't be safe." "But don't you understand?" "The government won't tolerate your taking authority into your own hands this way." " The government doesn't care about us." " But can't you see?" "I'm trying to help you." "We want safety for our sisters, our wives, and our sweethearts." "But my brother has done nothing." "What proof have you?" "If you harm him, you will answer to me." "Don't interfere, we don't want to harm you." "We respect you." "But that butchering brother of yours has carried off our women before you ever came here, and it ends right now." "As long as you all feel so kindly towards my brother," "I have a suggestion." "I renounce my title in favor of my brother." " Are you in earnest?" " I am." "In fact, that's why I brought my brother back." "I knew you were dissatisfied." "I knew you wanted somebody else to govern you." "Well, you have him." "My brother, Anton." "It's ridiculous." "I won't hear of it." "I think it's an excellent idea." "I was sure you'd approve, Colonel, and you're all very generous to spare my life." "I will not forget." "Can I have a little time to settle my affairs before I leave the country?" "I'm sure my good friend, the Colonel, will take over the tedious business of transferring the estate." " Won't you, Colonel?" " It will be a pleasure." "Come, Thea." "Your worries are over, too." "You won't have to be the Baroness after all." "Come, Thea." "No more responsibility." "I shall be what you were." "A student, a wanderer." "A free man." "Here's the steward's account of this year's crops." "Inventory of taxes, Baron Anton." "Sounds well, doesn't it, brother?" "No?" "Well, don't let it upset you." "I'm the one to feel badly about it, not you." "Oh, there is just one more thing that you should know before I leave." "Come here, brother." "You're surprised." "You thought no one had been in there for 40 years." "Well, that was true till I decided to have a look at it." "And it's nothing." "Centuries of fear for nothing." "Come in." "Still worried about that stupid legend?" "Don't be foolish." "According to the legend, you're supposed to kill me." "Careful of your head, Anton." "The Black Room." "It is black." "The walls are onyx." "What's that?" "The pit." "Our ancestors used to throw their enemies there and left them till they rotted and died." "That's where Brand killed Wolfram and the legend began." "Why, there are bodies there." "Yes." "And this knife." "There's blood on it." "Yes." "Is that a woman?" "Yes." "Mashka." "Then the horrible things they say about you are true." "Yes." "Why have you brought me here?" "Why not?" "No one will know it." "No!" "No!" "Gregor." "Did you really think I meant to turn the title over to you?" "I've been getting ready for this for months." "I knew they wanted to be rid of me." "Now when I appear before them as the kindly Anton, no one will oppose me." "Not even Thea." "Goodbye, brother." "There's nothing to fear now." "The prophecy can't be fulfilled." "It will be fulfilled." "Perhaps you will come back from the dead to kill me?" "Even from the dead." "Will you announce Baron Anton?" "Good evening, Colonel Hassel." "My dear Thea." "You play a remarkably bad game of chess, my dear Anton." "Your attack is as weak as your brother Gregor's was brilliant." "Chess, by the way, was the only virtue I ever discovered in him." "I received a letter today from him from Warsaw." "Most of it was devoted to begging me to send his love to you, Colonel." "His love to me?" "Well, if I have to accept it," "I'd rather have it by post than any way I can think of." "He also asked to be kindly remembered to Thea." "He loved her, Colonel." "The very thought of my child being loved by such a fiend, I..." "I beg your pardon, Anton." "I forgot for the moment I was speaking of your brother." "You are so unlike him." "Forgive me." "Don't let it disturb you, Colonel." "No one knows Gregor any better than I do." "I believe it's your move." "There's one subject however on which my brother and I agree." "Thea would make a charming Baroness." " This is a surprise." " An agreeable one, I hope." "It'd be a happy event uniting our houses." "I can see no obstacle to it." "I trust Thea shares your kindly feelings." "I know what he's doing here." "He wants you." "You think everyone wants me just because you do." " I've seen the way he looks at you." " Oh, come now." " I'm sure you're just imagining." " I'm not." "Your uncle is probably flattered by the idea of your marrying a Baron." "Before when his brother asked for you, there wasn't any danger because the Colonel didn't like him." "But this time..." " You're not gonna get into any quarrel." " I will if I have to." "I've thought of nothing else since my retirement." " May I have her answer soon?" " I'll give you her answer now." " Her answer is no." " Please, Albert." "What?" "She's going to marry me." "I assure you, Colonel, I had no idea when I spoke..." "Well, now you have." "Young man, are you presuming to tell me what to do?" "I'm not presuming, sir." "But if anyone should try to take her from me," "I'd put a foot of steel through his body." "How dare you?" "I beg your pardon, Colonel Hassel." "I forgot myself, sir." "You did, indeed." " You mustn't leave in this storm." " Well, I'm not wanted here." "May I have my hat?" " No." " Why not?" "Because if I give you your hat, and you go out wearing it in this storm, you won't catch cold, or get pneumonia and I won't be able to bring flowers to the hospital or wear beautiful black clothes to your funeral." "And besides, I think your temper is recovered enough so you can go back and apologize to your superior officer." " I've said nothing to apologize for." " I know it." "Do it anyway just because Uncle's such a sweet old dear." "Don't go, dear." "A soldier must be in the barracks by midnight." "You're like that little man on the music box, always showing himself to his lady and always dancing away again." "Except that I always leave the Baron for you." "Don't, dear." "Let's talk about ourselves while we can." "What's the use, Thea?" "Your uncle and he are in the study right now arranging for him to marry you." "They're doing nothing of the kind." "You saw them take the table in the study." "They're in there playing the same game of chess they started this afternoon." "So, you see, Anton, I was greatly pleased when you asked for Thea's hand." "According to this, you've made me Thea's guardian." "Yes." "You'll live for a good many years yet, Colonel." "And if not, I shall rest easy." "You've given me complete control of all Thea's property." "I shall have the same authority that you have." " Exactly." " There may be complications." " You know how I regard Thea." " Why should that interfere?" " The young Lieutenant?" " Puppy love." "Her interests shall be my first duty." " Then you accept?" " Gladly." "I knew you would." "Sign, Anton." "Here." " But don't you want to think about it a little?" " No, no." "Sign and let me know this dream has come true." " But surely you want to talk to Thea?" " No, no, come." "Sit here." "We'll tell her when it's over." " There's ink on it." " Oh..." "This is so formal an act," "I feel that we should drink together to..." "To complete the ceremony." "By all means." "Why not some of Thea's favorite cordial?" " A sweet liqueur?" " What could be more appropriate?" " Would you mind, Colonel?" " Not at all." "I gave this liqueur to Thea's mother when she was married." "On various ceremonious occasions she used to take a few drops of it." "Thea tasted it for the first time when she was confirmed." "How much sweeter it'll be to her now that her wedding agreement will be sealed with it." " Now sign, Anton." " It's signed." "While you were getting the cordial." "So it is." "Good." "I've never been happier in my life." "I'm a very fortunate man." " To the union of noble houses." " Thank you." "Thea's mother was a queenly woman." "And speaking of queens," "I think I can place a guard on yours." "Guard." " Guard your queen." " Very good." "I'm afraid I'll have to check your king." "Watch this." "Out of my check, your king and queen." "Splendid!" "Masterful!" "You made exactly that same move three weeks ago." " But we didn't play three..." " I saw you sign that paper." "Gregor!" "What have you done with your brother?" "Where's Anton?" "Have you killed him, too?" "Don't you jump to conclusions?" "You have killed your brother." "Why don't you notify the authorities?" "Do you imagine that I won't?" "I'm not afraid of you, Gregor." "It's my duty to arrest you." "Thank God I can save Thea from you." "Go in, dear." "All right, Thea." " Good night, Albert." " Good night, my darling." "Colonel Hassel?" "Colonel Hassel?" "Have you seen Colonel Hassel?" " Isn't he in his study, sir?" " I was just in there and the room's empty." "Then he must have gone to bed, sir." " Thank you, Anna." "Good night." " Good night, sir." "We shall endeavor to prove that this man, Albert Lussan, did, in a fit of insane jealously, murder Colonel Paul Hassel." "First witness, the footman, Michael." "All I know is, I heard Lieutenant Lussan shouting at the Colonel." "What did he say?" "He said he wouldn't let anyone separate them." "Next witness." "The butler, Raoul." "He said if the Colonel interfered, he'd put a foot of steel through his body." "Next witness, the housekeeper, Anna." "Lieutenant Lussan came out of Colonel Hassel's study." " Did he say what he was doing there?" " He said he was looking for Colonel Hassel." " What did he do then?" " He left the house." "Next witness, the house maid, Marie." "What did you find when you entered the study next morning?" "I found the Colonel's body." "He had been stabbed." "Next witness." "Yes." "Yes, they did quarrel." " Did you see him enter the Colonel's study?" " Well, no," " I didn't exactly see him go in." " Did he say he was going into the study?" "Well, yes." "He said he was going in, but..." "Next witness, Baron Anton." "I ask to be excused from testifying." "I was so friendly to the young Lieutenant." "I don't wish to injure his reputation further." "You're found guilty of the murder of Colonel Hassel." "It is the sentence of this court, that one month from this day, you will be shot till dead in accordance with the laws of the land." "Don't you think you come here too often, Thea?" "It's not good for you." " It's so hard to realize he's gone." " Yes." "He's gone." "They're all gone." "They?" "All who were there when I was born." "My parents, my family." "He was the last." "I'm left alone." " But your brother." " Oh, yes, my brother." "I'm sorry." "I beg your pardon." "I've so much on my mind." "Come." "Did you see Lieutenant Lussan?" "Yes, I saw him at the prison today." " Did he speak of me?" " Yes." "He said he didn't want to see you." "There, there, my dear, don't cry." "I loved him." "Of course, you did." "We can all be mistaken in people." "You're the only real friend I have now." "Your uncle set all his hopes in us, Thea." "It was his last wish that you should be my wife." "And it's mine, too." "I wish I loved you." "Won't you try?" "Give me time, Anton." "Please." "Certainly, dear." " You must be very happy." " You make a beautiful bride." "You're lovely, even for a Baroness." "Baroness." "What's wrong, your ladyship?" "When I used to dream of being married, it was never as a Baroness." "There, your lordship, I think it is most becoming, if I may be permitted to say so." "Your bride will find you most attractive." " Excellent." " Excellent." " Exquisite." " Magnificent." " Wonderful." " Wonderful." "I'm very well pleased." "You may go." "Never use your right arm again." "Never stretch it out." "Never embrace Thea." "Never even defend yourself with it." "It's paralyzed till death." "Yes." "You're dead, Anton." "Good and dead." "You're going to be married today." "But you won't be there." " Emil." " Yes, your lordship?" "Didn't I tell you to get rid of that dog?" "I tried to, your lordship, but he always comes back." "Poison him." "Drown him." "Do anything, but get rid of him." "Yes, your lordship." "I can't understand." "He always was so fond of the dog." " Come on." "Come on!" "Come back!" " Thor!" "Thor!" " Thor!" "Come here!" " Come back here!" "Come back." " Thor!" " Thor!" "But you can be across the border in a few hours, Lieutenant." "No!" "Everyone's at the wedding." "They won't miss you for hours." " No!" " You'll be out of the country by then." "Why should I run away from something I didn't do?" "But if you didn't do it, why don't you save yourself?" "Get away." "At least then you'll give yourself a chance to prove that you didn't do it." "Thea believes me guilty." "Not even one word from her since I've been here." " I don't care about the rest." " You're wrong, Lieutenant." "I know she's asked about you many times." " Are you sure?" " Positive." "But I was told..." " I've changed my mind, Beran." "I'm going." " That's fine, sir." "I'll get out of here, anyway." "Then we'll see." "If my lady will follow me, I will show her where she is to wait." "My lady." "I'll show you to the antechamber, my lady." "Thea." "Albert." "How did you get here?" "My dear!" "I had to see you, Thea." "Tell me you believe me." "I do." "I do." "But, please, dear, they mustn't find you here." "Hold me close, darling." "Oh, my dearest, you can't marry him." "What am I doing?" "You can't stay here." "You must go." "I love you so." "Nothing, nothing will ever dim my love for you." "Nor mine." "All my life there'll never be anyone else." "Only, I'm so afraid for you." "Please go before they find you." "Your ladyship." "Hurry." "God bless you and..." "And..." "Your ladyship." "Yes." "The Baron is waiting." "Everything is ready." "I'm coming." "If anyone knows any reason why these two should not be joined in holy wedlock, let him speak now or forever hold his peace." "Then I now pronounce you man and..." " Gregor." " Look, he moved his right arm." "There is the man who murdered Colonel Hassel!" "It's Gregor!" "Look, there must be an opening in there." "Both of them." "The older brother killed by the younger brother's knife." "Then the prophecy has been fulfilled."