"The Broken Ear" " Part 1" "The idol!" "Knees bent, arms tall, stretch..!" "Up!" "Down...!" "Up!" "Down...!" "C'mon, Snowy..." "This is way to wake up in the morning." "Now for a bath!" "And now... here is the 8 o'clock news!" "Details are just there in a robbery at the Museum of Ethnography..." "What!" "A rare fetish, a sacred tribal object, disappeared during the night." "No evidence of a break-in has been found." "And it's believed the thief hid in the building at closing time." "Police are investigating further." "Hmm...?" "The idol really has no intrinsic value." "But historically, it's invaluable." "Thompson and Thompson!" "Ah, Tintin!" "Hot on a trail of a story, are you?" "Sure am!" "Got anything for me?" "Not much... the idol was there at 8.05." " and not there at 8.06." " Precisely!" "Tell me, with all these priceless artifacts around, why would somebody steal a worthless idol?" "Why?" "The same reason anyone commits a crime." "What reason is that?" "Because they're criminals." "You mustn't overlook the obvious, Tintin." "Help!" "Help!" "The idol... it's bewitched." "The idol is... is back!" "It's bewitched, I tell you." "How mysterious!" "What's this?" ""Stole your idol on a bet." "I won the bet." "So here's..." ""your idol back." "Signed 'X'."" " Well, Thompson, case closed." " That was simple!" " Simple and direct to the point." " Right you are, Thompson." "An open and shut case." "All neatly wrapped up and done." "Why don't you watch where you're going?" "Well, I was following you...!" "Maybe I am overlooking the obvious." "Bingo!" "The Arumbayan idol." "Hmmm..." "Wait a minute!" "In the original sketch the ear is broken." "But the ear of the returned idol is whole." "The idol in the museum's a fake!" "This just in... a local artist famed for his primitive wood carvings has just been found dead." "Last night Jacob Balthazar was overcome in his loft by leaking gas fumes." "Police are investigating further." "Foul play is not suspected." "Not yet, anyway!" "Afternoon, ma'am." "Is this where Jacob Balthazar lived?" "Oh dear, yes." "He was my best tenant." "Are you family?" "Just a reporter." "Would it be okay if I had a look around his room?" "I don't see why not." "I'll take you up." "Is that Mr. Balthazar?" "Yes." "He was such a lovely man." "Lovely man!" "That's a beautiful parrot..." "Beau... tiful parrot?" "!" "Peepo!" "Sh-h!" "He's had such a day!" "What with all the police and the firemen checking the gas..." "You mean the parrot was here the whole time the gas was leaking?" "Yes." "I guess he's lucky to be alive!" "Prrrt, prrrt!" "The open skylight probably saved him." "Oh, no!" "The firemen opened that to let out the gas." "Let out the gas!" "I don't suppose you'd like to own a parrot?" "I mean he's really a friendly little guy... takes care of himself, doesn't eat much... he's a wonderful conversation..." "That looks like the idol from the museum!" "Huh?" "Oh, no." "I'd love to, but I travel a lot." "Well, if you know of anyone...?" "Certainly." "Thanks for your help, mam." "Come on, Snowy!" "Great greedy guts!" "First a primitive idol is stolen... then a sculptor, famous for his primitive carvings, dies..." "Come on, Tintin," "Think!" "Why would the gas kill Balthazar and not his parrot?" "Ow!" "Pardon me, Sir!" "That's it!" "Jacob Balthazar was murdered to keep him quiet about the idol he'd carved." "Then the killer turned on the gas to make it look like an accident!" "If only I had proof..." "A witness!" "A witness!" "You gave the parrot away?" "Just a moment ago." "To a Spanish gentleman with a long black coat." "I didn't get his name." "He was in a hurry to catch a bus." "Bus?" "Thanks!" "Great greedy guts!" "I beg your pardon!" "?" "I say nothing, senor." "Great greedy guts!" "But... but!" "I hope I'm not too late!" "O- oh!" "Great greedy guts!" "Oh, no!" "The parrot!" "No...!" "Great!" "There goes my witness!" "Great greedy guts!" "Look!" "My beautiful parrot is gone!" "Excuse me!" "Are you alright?" "Si..., gracias..." "About that parrot...?" "Ah.. si... my beautiful parrot!" "A present for my grandfather." "He will be most sad." "But that was Balthazar's parrot." "Why wouldn't he tell me the truth?" "Lost - one green and gold parrot!" "If found, please return to Tintin, 26, Labrador Road." " It will be in the evening edition, sir." " Great!" "Thanks!" "Lost - one green and gold parrot." "If found..." "Problemo?" "Are you sure it was the same kid?" "Si... he placed the ad a full momento before me!" "Maybe Senor Tintin wants the parrot for the same reason we do." "Maybe he too is looking for the name of Balthazar's killer..." "There is only one way to find out." "I will pay him a little visit." "You ran an ad about a parrot?" "I hope this is the right bird." "Great greedy guts!" "It sure is!" "Thanks!" "Watch him while I find a cage..." "Okay, Snowy?" "Okay, Snowy?" "Pouet, crouik!" "I thought there was an old cage in the basement." "Oh, no!" "They're fighting!" "Snowy!" "Oh, no...!" "Not again!" "You!" "What's all that racket!" "Oh, it's raining." "No!" "it's coming from Mr. Balthazar's room." "Oh, dear..." "I must have left the skylight open." "Poor Mr. Balthazar." "What I wouldn't give... just to hear him say..." "Leave me alone..." "Aaah...!" "Aaah...!" "Colonel Barker!" "Aah!" "Help!" "It's Jacob Balthazar's ghost!" "Ghosts?" "!" "Nonsense!" "Come on chaps, let's get to the bottom of this!" "Leave me alone!" "Great greedy guts!" "...the strike of the dock workers of the French port of Le Havre has spread to other ports, delaying more than a dozen ships." "and locally we've all heard of homing pigeons... but now there's a homing parrot..." "A day after being given away... the parrot of the late Jacob Balthazar... has returned to his roost." "Come on, Snowy!" "Oh, you really are unlucky!" "I missed that parrot again?" "I'm afraid so." "The same gentleman from yesterday... picked him up a few moments ago." "Great greedy guts!" "It's Tintin!" "He must want the parrot for the same reason I do." "Look out, Snowy!" "We got them now, Snowy!" "Obviously, the wrong number." "Or they used fake plates... or..." "Bingo!" "Missed again!" "Missed again!" "Shut up!" "Stupid bird!" "Right now that stupid bird is smarter than you, Ramon." "If he's so smart, why hasn't he told us who killed Balthazar?" "Sooner or later, he will." "Missed again!" "Shut up!" "Missed again!" "Fool!" "That parrot means a fortune to us." "Without it, we'll never find the real idol..." "Right... my little amigo." "You will tell us..." "Yooow!" "Caramba!" "I'll kill you!" "You!" "Rodrigo Lopez." "Leave me alone!" "Hahahaha!" "Lopez?" "!" "Lopez..." "Hello?" "Global Travel?" "Si..." "I need information about passage to San Theodoros." "Are you sure Lopez will return there?" "He must if his story is true." "Si... si... yes, yes, Ville de Lyon is the only ship bound for San Theodoros this month?" "Good!" "Good!" "Passage for two, please." "Won't our old cell mate be surprised to see us again!" "Lopez could be hiding anywhere." "This ship is mucho grande." "Patience, Ramon." "Ramon, look at him!" "What about him?" "Couldn't that be Tintin in disguise?" "It's possible, but..." "Oh dear!" "Oh dear!" "He wears a wig!" "It must be Tintin!" "Oh!" "Help!" "Help!" "Caramba!" "Missed again!" "Good thing too!" "He wasn't Tintin!" "Help!" "Murder!" "Police!" "Nothing." "No sign of Lopez anywhere!" "Patience, Ramon." "There is plenty of time." "Caramba!" "That dog!" " It is Tintin's!" " Are you positive?" "Si..." "The fool!" "He has disguised himself... but forgot to disguise his dog!" "If you are right... it is his fatal mistake." "Good boy!" "First call for dinner!" "First service for dinner!" "First we make sure it is a disguise." "One tug should reveal the truth!" "I thought for positive that was Tintin's dog." "When will you learn to leave the thinking to me?" "Okay, big thinker?" "How do we find Lopez?" "There are over 300 cabins he could hide in." "Let's face it." "All he has to do is stay in his cabin... and we'll never find him!" "Evening gentlemen!" "Brisk night to be out on deck!" "Oh, we love the sea!" "You're certainly not like others I could mention." "Oh, really!" "Take that chap in Cabin 17, for instance..." "Lopez, I think his name is!" "Lopez?" "What about him?" "Never sticks his nose out." "Oh, really!" "Guess he doesn't have a nose... for the sea, like you do!" "Isn't that interesting!" "We must pay a visit to Mr. Lopez!" "The passenger list..." "Lopez..." "Lopez.." "Lopez..." "Lopez!" "Cabin 17!" "Gotta hurry!" "Mr. Lopez?" "..." "Mr. Lopez!" "?" "Too late!" "He's gone!" "A few more minutes and we are home free!" "Say, chaps.. have you heard?" "That Lopez fellow I was telling you about last night... he's disappeared!" "No!" "Yes..." "There'd been a struggle in his cabin." "They suspect foul play." "Shocking!" "Do they suspect anyone?" "They do indeed, gentlemen!" "Game over!" "Caramba!" "Tintin!" "As Captain of this vessel..." "I'm placing you under arrest for murder!" "Keep a close watch on them until the police arrive." "I know these two well." "They are dangerous crooks wanted by our police." "Why did they kill Lopez?" "Because Lopez killed Balthazar who helped smuggle this..." "The Arumbayan idol!" "There must be something special about this idol." "Maybe the museum will find out after I return it." "Well, Tintin, looks like your job's finished." "Somehow, I'm not too sure about that!" "The Broken Ear" " Part 2" " Now we must get the idol back." " It will not be easy!" "Senor Tintin is a clever one." "Si, but even a clever one can be tricked, Ramon." "The sooner I return this idol to the museum, the sooner I'm going to..." "The ear!" "It's not broken!" "This is a fake." "Tintin, this just came over the radio." "You've been invited to the capital by the minister of justice." ""... to honour your bravery in capturing the smugglers. "" "The press has asked that I bring the idol." "Sounds like a hero's press conference..." "I just wish I had better news." "That's my suitcase!" "Stop!" " Good boy, Snowy!" " Senor?" "Please... come with us." "Ah, good, you must be here to escort me to the Minister!" "Why so many soldiers?" "There's talk of a revolution, Senor." "Is there some mistake?" "This looks like a prison?" "There is no mistake, Senor." "Snowy, you wait here while I find out what's going on.." "Come in!" "Ah, Senor!" "Please open your suitcase." "What's going on?" "Where's the Minister of Justice?" "I have no time for terrorist jokes!" "Open your suitcase, Senor!" "Alright, but I'm going to speak to the Minister about your behaviour." "And I'm sure he will not be happy with..." "Huh!" "This is not my suitcase!" "This is crazy!" "Take your positions!" "Ready!" "Aim!" "Long live the Revolution!" "Long live General Alcazar!" "Come back you traitors!" "Long live General Alcazar!" "Cowards!" "Don't shoot!" "I surrender!" "Snowy!" "Boy, am I glad to see you!" "You are a brave man, Senor." "Look out!" "My man tells me you were to be executed." "That's true." "Good!" "Any friend of the revolution is a friend of General Alcazar's." "I shall make you my aide-de-camp." "Get this man a uniform!" "Then bring him to the palace!" "He can help me work." "Now what have I got myself into?" "!" "I'm sorry, Senor, but the General will not see anyone except his aide-de-camp." "There he is now!" "Perhaps he can help you find this man the police arrested." "You!" "You!" "Ah, Tintin, there you are!" "Let's get to work!" "Our plan has failed..." "For now..." "It's a very delicate position!" "Very delicate!" "Ah, I have it!" "Checkmate, General!" "Aagh!" "You dare to beat me!" "They're only blanks!" "A little joke, heh?" "We play again, heh?" "We've checked the idol." "It's a fake." "That's the same idol you tried... to smuggle into San Theodoros." " That's it, I kill him now!" " Patience, Ramon!" "Senor Tintin just needs... some gentle persuasion." "You must know that the idol you're so desperate for is worthless." "Worthless to you maybe." "Tell us the truth!" "Now!" "Yes..." "Now!" "I kill you!" "Come on, Snowy!" "Get him!" "Quick!" "After him!" "Where did he go!" "Caramba!" "I wish I knew what the big deal over that idol is." "Reporter's rule No. 1:" "When in doubt go straight to the source..." "The Arumbayas!" "Yes, that's him!" "Let's go!" "Great snakes!" "A train!" "We've got him now!" "So Senor, what brings you out into the middle of nowhere?" "I'm trying to find the Arumbayas." "You don't want to go there, Senor..." "The Arumbayas is a very fierce tribe." "The last man who went there was the British explorer, Ridgewell." "He never came back." "I'd still like to go." "Do you know anyone who'd be willing to guide me?" "Caraco...!" "You called, Don Jose?" "Yes, this is Senor Tintin." "He's looking for someone to take him downriver." " Where do you want to go, senor?" " I want to find the Arumbayas." "You should not go there." "The Arumbayas do not like strangers." "Okay, senor." "But we need a canoe." "Is that enough?" "That's plenty." "We leave tomorrow." " Goodnight, Caraco." " Goodnight, Senor." "Caraco?" "His things are gone!" "Well, looks like we face the Arumbayas alone, Snowy!" "We've got to be in Arumbaya country by now!" "What's that sound?" "Oh, no!" "Rapids!" "Hang on, Snowy!" "Great snakes!" "This is our only chance!" "Made it!" "Now for the Arumbayas!" "You know Snowy, I have the strangest feeling we're being watched." "Uh!" "My guide stranded me." "Mister, mister.." "The name's Ridgewell." "The explorer!" "But..." "I thought..." "You thought" "The Arumbayas killed me." "So what are you doing in their land?" "I don't believe everything I hear." "Call it reporter's instinct." "You're smarter than you look." "Most people think of the Arumbayas as savages... but nothing could be further from the truth." "Well, I certainly don't mean them any harm." " I just need some answers." " Answers about what?" "Ohh!" "I'm very sorry..." "I should never have started to teach them golf." "You were saying something about answers?" "Yes, about a wooden idol." "The chief said it started long ago when a man named Walker was captured by the tribe." "Walker came in peace and was welcomed..." "He had with him a young man named Lopez who was the guide for their expedition." "Walker was shown the ways of the Arumbayas." "So, he and his party came to be trusted as good people." "The Chief took Walker to the Arumbayas' most secret place." "Walker was shown an ancient gemstone... the 'Heart of the Jungle'... which according to the Arumbayas had magical healing powers." "He took a vow of silence so no other man would hear of of the heart of the jungle's power." "To honor his vow of silence he was given the Idol of the Broken Ear when he left." "All seemed well at the time." "But the Arumbayas were betrayed..." "The gem had been stolen." "The Arumbayas went after Walker." "His party was killed and their supplies lost." "There are many accounts of Walker staggering out into a distant village with only the idol." "What happened to the boy Lopez?" "The Chief says Lopez vanished before the expedition was attacked." "Strange coincidence!" "The man who stole the idol from the museum was also named Lopez." "So Lopez stole the gemstone and hid it in the idol." "But he panicked and fled just before the Indians attacked, leaving Walker with the idol, who brought it to Europe." "Years later, in prison, Lopez told his cellmates about the idol and the gem, and they doublecrossed him." "The Chief says that he feels in his soul that the heart of the jungle is in a faraway land." "The gem's still in Europe!" "That's where the trail of the real idol went cold." "Can you get me back to San Theodoros?" "Well, Snowy, it's great to be home!" "But we're back to square one!" "Looking for this idol is like finding a needle in a..." "Great snakes!" "That's fantastic!" "Oh no!" "Now someone's making replicas of the real idol!" "Excuse me." "Can you tell me where you got these idol?" "A fellow has a wood shop not far from here." "I think I still have his card." "Simon Balthazar!" "His brother, Jacob, was that famous artist who died not long ago..." "Of course!" "Here we are." " Wow!" " May I help you?" "Mr. Balthazar?" "Yes." "Sir, I need to ask you about these statues." "What about them?" "Did you carve them from a sketch, or from a real idol?" "From a real idol that I found at one of my brother's." "Why?" "That idol was stolen from a museum." "I've been halfway 'round the world looking for it." "Oh dear, I sold it to a tourist yesterday..." "Here!" "Samuel Goldbarr, an American sailing on the S.S Washington." " Thanks..." " Funny..." "Two Spanish gentlemen were just here asking the same question!" "Ramon and Alonso!" "We gotta hurry, Snowy!" "Excuse me... the S.S. Washington?" "Oh, no!" "At last!" "How do you open this thing?" " Break it open!" " Not here!" "Goldbarr might come back!" "Okay, let's go!" "Gotta find them, Snowy!" "Before it's too...!" " The idol!" " The idol!" "The gemstone!" "Caramba!" "Good boy, Snowy!" "Get it!" "Got you again!" "Fool!" "It's gone!" "And all because of you!" "But..." "I..." "Hey, leave me alone!" "Man overboard!" " Stolen!" "?" " Exactly!" "Then I wouldn't consider keeping it a moment longer." "Can I ask you to return it to the museum." "Tintin?" "Of course, sir!" "The End..."