"San Stefano, ladies and gentlemen..." "The public square...there will be a 45 minute stop." "Santa Maria Narella Church..." "Refreshment...at the café." "Postcards, curios, souvenirs...across the street." "Please remember we have to leave in 45 minutes." "Thank you." "Waiter..." "Waiter!" "Are you looking for a match?" "Sì, signore...grazie...thank you very much." " You desire?" "..." " 2 coffees and a couple of sandwiches." " Salami" " Not salami!" "I beg your pardon?" "I know this place very well." "I would not recommend the salami." "But the cheese isn't bad." "Thank you..." "Two cheese sandwiches and some coffee." "And as for me...a double brandy, Horatio." "Mind if I sit down for a moment?" "It's so nice to meet people from the 'States." "You speak English very well!" "Are you a native..." "I mean an Italian?" "No, I'm an American..." "have you been in Italy long?" "No, we just arrived..." "from Switzerland." " Nice little country, Switzerland." "Yes..." "It would not be so little if they could only flatten it out." "That's a good one..." "I'll have to write that to the boys...!" ""If they could only flatten it out!"" "But how could they ever...?" "La signora likes Italy?" "I think it's wonderful..." "It's our first trip!" "There are many treasures in these little towns, but you have to get off the beaten path." " They're hard to find." " What do you mean?" "I happen to be a collector." "I find things in private homes for example that are of great value." "One can buy them for a song." "Only this morning, as it happens, I came across cameos... of the finest most minute workmanship." "And absolutely authentic." "15th century, mostly." "Could I...could we see them?" "I love cameos!" "They're not often as beautiful as this..." "I was most fortunate." "Forgive my appearance..." "But that is so they do not take me to be wealthy." "You see, I buy for lire and sell in London and New York for pounds and dollars." "It is not so much the money that interests me..." "It is the pleasure and difficulty of the search." "Do let us see them!" "Oh...they're lovely!" "They knew how to make these things in the old days." "Now this one is really a museum piece." "Feel the sharpness of the relief!" "The smoothness of the mottled surfaces." "That is a portrait of Savonarola..." "You've heard of Savonarola?" "Oh, yes!" "Yes, of course." "I'm thinking of having it mounted into a ring..." "Or perhaps as a pendant with 2 small diamonds." "Oh yes!" "..." "As a pendant!" "Oh, permit me if you will..." "Put it on my bill, Horatio!" "Could I ask you how much you'd have to pay for a thing like that?" "I'm almost ashamed to tell you..." "About...50 lire." "That's around 10 dollars?" "But these people know nothing of values." "Would you sell it?" "Of course!" "I'll sell it to my brokers in London." "Oh, no..." "I mean a quick turnover." "I'll give you 50 for it, right now." "But caro signore, that is exactly what I paid for it." "Wait a minute..." "50 dollars gives you plenty of profit." "Did you say dollars?" "That's what I said." "It's not the money, I assure you... but I find it hard to bear a lady's disappointment." " There you are!" " Edward...you darling!" "It is sometimes more important to bring happiness into the world than to make money." "Thank you!" "Arrivederci!" "Au revoir!" "What a charming young man!" "Signor Conrad!" "Ovidio!" "...and how is the Commissario of Police?" "Oh, I'm well, very well thank you." "But Signor Conrad, I must remind you again that it is unlawful to sell anything here without a licence." " You mean the Americans?" " Yes." "But you could not call that selling." "After all, I paid 50 for it..." "and received 50 for it." "Well, that is a fair exchange." "Very fair." "But of course you are aware of the law that forbids the export of authentic antiques without a special permit." "My dear Commissario, I am well aware of every law." "I would not dream of dealing in "authentic antiques."" "And now if you'll forgive me, I'm expected at the Villa Francesca." "Oh yes..." "I presume it is to say goodbye to Signorina..." "Julia." "Julie?" "Is she going away?" "She asked me for her exit permit a few hours ago." "Oh, I hope I have not given away a secret, eh?" "No, not at all..." "She would have told me." " Good day." " Good day!" "Give signorina my fondest regards." "It's Bruce Conrad, Mr Ingram." "You asked him to come up today." "Oh, yes..." "I remember." "Hello, Julie." "Signor Ingram...you're looking exceptionally well today." "No Bruce...not with me." "Save that for the tourists." "But I really mean it..." "You ARE looking well." "And it's reflected in your playing." "I've been listening." "You played masterfully." "Do you think so?" "Now that all my strength I have left is concentrated in these fingers..." "Exactly." "The power, the tonal quality, the prodigious technique..." "You have suffered no loss, and the world has gained another miracle." "Yes...perhaps you're right." "Julie...since you came, I've found new life." "A new source of energy..." "a strong ambition to live." " and enjoy..." " I've only tried to take care of you, Mr Ingram." "No...you've done much more than that." "You've brought beauty before my eyes." "The beauty I've always loved and always sought." "You wanted to see me, Mr Ingram." "To see you?" "Oh yes, of course..." "You'll have dinner with us." "I shall be delighted." "I'm expecting Duprex my lawyer from Rome." "You must meet him." "I want Hilary to be present, too." " Shall I tell him?" " Yes. but don't leave me alone too long." "Mr Conrad will stay with you." "I'll still be alone..." "I'm always alone..." "with everyone." "Except with her." "You understand?" "..." "Except with Julie." "I need her, Bruce." "How about a game of chess?" "You want to take money away from me...again!" "The money doesn't matter..." "but just to make it interesting..." "How about 10 lire a game?" "Don't you feel well?" "Just tired." "He's very demanding, isn't he?" "Oh, but Julie, I know he has to go to Milan to see his doctor." "You're going with him." "The change will do you good." "While you're there you can take in the opera..." " and meet new people." " That won't help very much." "What I need is a complete change." "Hilary..." "I've been thinking seriously of going home." "No...please don't...if you go what will happen to my work?" "What has my going away to do with your work?" "Don't you see Julie, since you've been looking after him... he's forgotten about me and I've had time for my studies." "If I go, he'll have another nurse to look after him." "Not if you leave..." "he won't let me out of his sight." "I need every minute of the day for my work..." "I have to stay around here in this library..." "And these books and these shelves have the great secrets I'm after." "The key to the future..." "It was only known only to the ancient astrologists." "It's been lost since the burning of the Alexandrian library." "And now I'm about to rediscover them!" "If I'm left alone just a little while longer, I have it!" "Please stay!" "You must stay 'til I find it!" "Hilary, you know I'd like to help you, but..." " Julie!" "Julie!" " It's Mr Ingram calling." "Oh, I nearly forgot...he wants you to have dinner with us tonight." "When did you decant this wine, Antonio?" "This afternoon, Signor Ingram." "It's cloudy." "You haven't eaten anything since this morning, Mr Ingram." "You take good care of me, Julie..." "You notice everything." "Everything." "And I don't need food." "You may wonder why I asked you to have dinner with me tonight." "It's because this is a special occasion." "And a very important one." "Hilary...do you know why you are here?" "No, I don't." "Some anniversary, perhaps?" "No, no such thing." "I merely want your testimony... that I am not insane." "It's very important to me to be certain that not one of you thinks I'm of unsound mind." "Bruce...you are an artist, a musician." "You've been with me a long time." "You've been with me constantly" "Therefore you are in a position to speak." "Are you convinced that there is nothing wrong with with my mental balance?" "Your mental balance is equal to mine." "And while I consider that a tribute to your sanity... there are certain people in San Stefano who consider me slightly eccentric." "Perhaps they're right." "Hilary...you've been my secretary for the last 20 years." "Could you testify that I was always thinking rationally." "There's no question about that." "Julie, you of all people know me well." "I engaged you to look after me." "And you have become my friend." "Have you ever heard me say anything irresponsible?" " Think!" " No, Mr Ingram." "If you had to swear to it." "I don't think that question would ever be asked." " Answer me!" " Yes, Mr Ingram, I would swear to it." "Mr Duprex..." "You've just listened to the people who have known me best..." "Now your testimony is of the greatest importance." "What's your impression of me?" "I've no doubt you're able to think as clearly as anyone in this room." "None of us have ever doubted your mental health Mr Ingram." "I'm glad you all agree with me." "Duprex..." "Bruce..." "Hilary..." "I want you to sign this document, as witnesses." "But what is it?" "I'd like to read it before signing." "It's my will." "My last will and testament." "I hope my signature doesn't spoil its validity." "Will you kindly sign please." "To make a will is to think of death." "And to think of death is to anticipate the end." "Don't be alarmed...although I think of it, I don't anticipate it yet." "Julie will you be kind enough to take me into the hall." "Yes, Mr Ingram." "Come with me...all of you." "So you're going away, Julie." "Yes...how did you know?" "There are 3 kinds of communication..." "Telegraph, telephone, and the Commissario." "The Commissario of course, is the fastest." "Didn't you want me to know?" "Yes, I would have told you, but until I'd spoken to Francis..." "Why speak to Francis?" "I don't understand." "Go abruptly, suddenly..." "without warning, without goodbyes." "I couldn't do that..." "it isn't fair." ""Fair"?" "Has he been fair to you?" "Yes, he's been fair." "But that isn't why I'm leaving." "I know Julie...you're afraid." "He's holding you with his pain and his helplessness." "He draws his energy from your life." "He'll never let you go." "But I MUST go!" "But I can't leave without telling him." "It's your only chance." "He's had his life." "You have a right to yours." "But I thought you were his friend." "Yes..." "But I'm thinking of you." "For him I have only pity." "For you, something quite different." "You might not even believe me." "Tell me." "I love you Julie." "Why shouldn't I believe you?" "Perhaps because I don't believe in myself." "And because I'm urging you to go..." "away from him and away from me." "And you'd stay here." "When I first heard Francis Ingram in his New York recitals long before I ever came to know him..." "He'd sit down and play through the compositions and the audience would cheer." "Then I found out that you'd written them." "It was YOU I was listening to." "It's you I hear now, when Francis plays your music." "There's genius in it." "Genius...all I did was transcribe Bach." "Gave him a chance to play again" "Gave him new hope." "But it was a trick, a stunt, for a one-handed pianist." "Don't say that." "It's beautiful...it's inspired." "Then it must have been my last inspiration." "I haven't been able to write anything since." "What had I become?" "Court jester to a cripple, dependent upon his charity." "A dealer in modern antiques." "You'll find yourself again." "You say that you love me, yet you want me to go away alone." "I do love you Julie." "But what have I to offer you?" "Have I asked for anything?" "I've something to offer you." "Hope." "Courage...devotion." "A new life." "Julie!" "Julie!" "Julie!" "Did you call, Mr Ingram." "Anything I can do?" "Julie..." "I want Julie Where is she?" "Don't you know?" "I know where she is." "Well tell me...where is she?" "She's in the garden." "She's not alone." "Mr Conrad is with her." " Bruce?" " Yes." "I think Mr Ingram..." "they're going away together." "I'm afraid she will leave you." "Hilary...why do you lie to me?" "I'm not lying." " I'm telling you the truth." " No!" "..." "The truth is that you don't want anybody around here, close to me." "I heard what they said in the garden." "I couldn't help but hear them." " You are a liar!" " I am not a liar!" " You're afraid to hear the truth." " Go away..." "I won't listen to you." "You must listen to me." "I even remember what they said." "He said: "He's had his life." "You have the right to yours."" "And she said: "Yes I'll have to go." He took her in his arms." "And he kissed her!" "He kissed her!" "Do you hear?" "He kissed her!" "Julie!" "...." "Julie!" "Help!" "She can't hear you, Hilary." "She's out in the garden, isn't she?" "She's out in the garden with Bruce Conrad." "She couldn't hear ME!" "So how could she possibly hear YOU?" "Mr Ingram..." "Mr Ingram..." "Mr Ingram!" "Get out of my house!" "I never want to see you again!" "Get out!" "Thank you, Antonio." "I think you can go to bed now." "He seems to be resting quietly." "Good night, signorina." "I had to wait 'til Mr Ingram fell asleep." "He really did hurt you." "His fingers are like claws." "I'm sure if you hadn't come, he would have killed me." "How did it happen?" "I don't know..." "He asked for you, and I said you were in the garden..." "So he started choking me." "I'm told to get out of his house." "He didn't mean what he said." "I'll talk to him in the morning." "Julie!" "Julie!" "Julie!" "Julie!" "Julie." "Ah...my old friend the Commissario." "Are you on guard against illegal sales or is this an expression of your unofficial sympathy," "This is no time for jests, Signor Conrad." "It was a dreadful accident, entirely unexpected." "Yes, accidents usually are." "Will you join me in a bit of marsala?" "Merely to appease our mutual grief." "Oh, one glass, if you don't mind." "A la santé!" "And, Signor Conrad, in a case like this..." "Whom does one condole?" "To whom does one express his grief and sympathy?" "To me." "I made a very fair living playing chess and gambling with him." "Eating his food, drinking his wine..." "Now that he's gone..." "I'm without doubt the chief mourner." "He had no family?" "He left to no one?" "Yes, there's a brother-in-law and a nephew just arrived from England." "You'll find them in the library." "Better you present me if you please, that I may offer proper consolation." "Of course..." "This way to the grief-stricken relatives." "Sorry to interrupt gentlemen..." "this is Signor Ovidio Castanio" "Mr Raymond Arlington and his son Donald." "Police?" "Please Signor Conrad, explain...." "I'm here merely to express my heartfelt sympathy... my profound regret, my deepest condolences on this unhappy occasion." "I think you've expressed it very well yourself." "Thank you very much." "Do you expect other members of the family to arrive?" "We are his only relatives." "Francis was married to my sister." "Ah...you are American?" "Yes..." "living in England." "What unearthly noise is that?" "They're professional mourners." "They've been hired to chant until sunrise." "Unless you'd care to extend the time." "You mean they'll keep that up all night?" "!" "It is an ancient custom Mr Arlington." "Your brother-in-law was a man of great eminence in this community" "It is only natural his passing should be attended by a certain amount of lamentation." "Our grief as you see, is very great." "But having known Francis well, I'm sure he would have preferred that the lamentation be somewhat less vocal." "In a word, Commissario, ask those witches to stop howling." "As you say, signor..." "I shall merely explain your desolation as very great... and under the circumstances you would prefer quiet and solitude." "The Commissario does have a way of putting things, doesn't he?" "Dad, this has a crest with a bull and three swords" "Yes, it once belonged to one of the Borgias." "The Borgias, eh?" "Why that chest will bring at least £300 at Christies." "There's a small fortune in these books and antiques." "If you gentlemen are really interested in authentic antiques..." "Look!" "..." "Roma, 1743." "La Vita de Lorenzo Borghese." "This is worth £100 at the British Museum." "History of the Constellation Florence, 1603." "I wish you'd keep your hands off my books." "YOUR books?" "Yes, they are mine!" "They're part of the estate, and until the will is read..." "No...they belong to ME!" "..." "All of them...and I want you to keep away from them." "How did you get them?" "On your salary?" "Bought them...for me..." "They are mine." "You leech!" "You've lived on Francis' charity for years." "Now you'll have to get out..." "you and your theories..." "You won't live on MY charity." "The stars should have told you that!" "Perhaps they told me more than you know." "Gentlemen...don't you think this discussion is somewhat premature?" "I don't want him to touch my books." "For your information, Hilary..." "I'm going to close this place as soon as Francis' will has been read." "All this stuff will be shipped to England, including of course, "your" books." "Julie..." "The gentlemen downstairs are waiting for us." "But I have nothing to do with it." "I don't belong to the family." "Please tell them to go ahead without me." "What's wrong, Julie?" "It's only reading of the will." "For some reason Mr Duprex wants you to be present." "I can't face Mr Arlington again." "It wouldn't have happened if I'd only stayed with Mr Ingram." "Why do you blame yourself?" "Nobody expected him to crawl out of bed." "In a way I'm glad it happened while you were here." "Supposing he'd died after you left..." "You'd never have forgiven yourself." "It's all in the way you look at things, isn't it?" "I suppose so." "I'm going to San Stefano tomorrow to get my exit visa." "Have you decided to leave with me?" "Yes." "I wish we could get away from here right now." "It won't be long..." "Only a few days." "In the meantime, keep your chin up." "Why?" "So that I can kiss you." "Well, it's about time." "I beg your pardon." "Please...please be seated." "I've called you together for the reading of the will and testament of Francis Warren Ingram." "As witnessed by Hilary Cummins, Bruce Conrad, in the presence of Francis Ingram and myself." "I, Francis Warren Ingram being of sane mind and in full possession of my mental powers... herewith declare my last will." "I leave all my worldly goods, cash, property and valuables of whatever nature to Miss Julia Cecilia Holden, my companion and friend, as inadequate compensation for her kindness and devotion to me." "I wish my body to be interred in the ancient chapel adjoining the Villa Francesca, so I can be near to her and therefore rest in peace." "That is all." " No word about me?" " None." "We shall contest that will." "On what grounds may I ask?" "This will was made in consideration of her kindness and devotion." "His very words." "But it was her duty to stay with him and take care of him." "And if she had done so, Francis Ingram would be alive at this moment." "That's an insult to Miss Holden." "These are not insults, they're facts." "This woman is responsible for Francis' death." "You'll have a hard time proving that in a court of law." "That's a criminal charge." "I have no desire to place Miss Holden in a position of jeopardy." "But I shall do all in my power to have this so-called will thrown out of court." "I think you're needlessly alarmed, Mr Arlington." "You haven't asked Miss Holden of her own desires in the matter." "As far as I know, she hasn't the slightest intention of accepting any part of this magnificent bequest." "Is that true, Miss Holden?" "Are you willing to resign your rights to the entire estate without further litigation?" "In view of the circumstances of my uncle's death..." "That might be a very wise procedure." "I'm afraid Mr Conrad has mislead you." "I accept the legacy." "And furthermore I intend to remain here in this house." "Yes...and my books remain here too." "This thing isn't over yet." "Let me go!" "What's the matter with him?" "What's happened to his throat?" "I believe that Francis Ingram tried to choke him." "That's interesting...why?" "It seemed Mr Ingram resented..." "Go on." "Oh, it's almost as if he suspected some kind of conspiracy between Hilary Cummins, Miss Holden and Mr Conrad." "What kind of a conspiracy?" "Do you think he felt himself threatened?" "It's hard to say." "Conspiracy..." "That would explain who pushed Francis down the stairs." "Now look, Arlington, there's no evidence it was not an accident." "I wouldn't be so sure." "Mr Conrad's quite right." "The idea's absurd." "But even Mr Conrad has stated that Francis Ingram's behaviour was eccentric." "Did I?" "When?" "At the dinner table." " I don't remember." " But I do." "Excellent!" "If my brother-in-law was not in full possession of his mental powers..." "Don't count on me as a witness." "We won't have to..." "luckily there were others present." "I'm sure you "gentlemen" will excuse me." "You're quite right, they don't need Mr Conrad's testimony." "The things I saw during my short stay in this house would certainly be conclusive for any judge." "Duprex, you're a man of extreme perception." "Actually, as it happens, I know the existence of a former will, which names your son as sole heir." "Only a few months ago, Francis Ingram changed his mind." "I have the impression that he acted under a neurotic obsession." "Which certainly affected his willpower." "Then it would be simple to have this will annulled." "It would take a certain amount of handling." "Would you like me to represent you in the matter." "Of course." "Share?" "You mean your fee?" "I said share." "What do you want?" "For participation, let us say one third." "You understand I would offer my services to Miss Holden under the same circumstances." "You mean you'd help her instead of us?" "I'm on the side of those who engage me." "Alright...will you take the case." "Tomorrow the will shall be broken." "There's a light in the mausoleum!" "Strange..." "No one here." "No!" "Somebody was playing..." "Did you hear it?" "Of course I did." "Hilary...who was playing?" "i don't know..." "I didn't see anybody." "The piano was closed when I went upstairs." "This has been locked since dear Mr Ingram died." "There..." "Don..." "Donald!" "It's Mr Ingram's ring!" "He always put it there." "What are you trying to say?" "I don't know." "I don't understand." "The music...it was his style..." "his technique..." "I couldn't be mistaken." "What's the matter?" "Come down here!" "Dad!" "Dad..quick!" "Duprex!" "..." "He's dead!" "No!" "..." "Don't touch him!" "What?" "!" "Send for the police." "The fingerprints on the key that locked the piano do not match any of yours, signorina, signore, or any of the servants." "That we have proved beyond doubt thanks to my colleague, Mr Bataillion." "To eliminate a possible clue is almost as good as finding one." "You mean you suspected one of us?" "I do not suspect, Signor Conrad..." "I am here merely to investigate." "Signore, please..." "a little closer." "Now let us be methodical...eh?" "A murderer must have a motive." "Who would have gained by Mr Duprex' death?" "Why don't we tell him, Dad?" "Tell what?" "Duprex could have proved that my uncle was insane." "And also that a former will exists which was made while he was still in his right mind." "Somebody in this room is just lucky that he died so suddenly." "I could scarcely strangle a man!" "And I don't play the piano." "Because nobody's ever heard you, doesn't prove you can't play." "If you remember, I was upstairs when we heard the music." "So you were...but Duprex must have been dead by that time." "Fine reasoning, Arlington." "And how did the ring get on the piano?" "You probably have an explanation for that, too." "Of course!" "..." "Anybody could have taken the ring off Francis' hand and placed it on the instrument." "The marks on his throat..." "just like the ones I have." "I can still feel his fingers." "And it was Ingram playing that night..." "how about that?" "I am not enough of a musician myself to recognise Francis' technique." "But this man is...in fact he is himself an expert pianist." "Thank you for the compliment." "But unfortunately, I wasn't here at the time." "Can you prove it?" "Horatio can." "He put me to bed at the inn." "But don't worry, Commissario, the whole mystery is easy to solve." "You see, Francis' ghost doesn't want this will contested." "So he murdered Duprex." "And to leave a clue for the police he played the piano." "But there are no such things as ghosts, Signor Conrad..." "In all my life I have never seen one." "For that matter, neither have I." "But one can never be sure..." "can one?" "I'm sure that a ghost would respond to a bullet between his ribs." "Somebody very much alive went into that vault last night." "We saw a light." "And who went to the mausoleum, Signor Donald?" "I don't know..." "If I knew, don't you think I'd have told you?" "Maybe." "But sometimes people tell me things after it's too late." "Signore...you did not have to come down here." "For me this is merely a matter of routine." "Do you wish to reconsider?" "We are just as anxious as you are, Commissario." "And we are just as brave." "As you wish..." "After you..." "This window was not broken when we were here at the funeral." "I'm sure it wasn't." "The glass was smashed from the inside." "No one could possibly climb through a jagged little opening like that." "Somebody's been here." "This lid's been moved!" "What did I tell you?" "..." "That's how the ring was stolen." "Let's make sure." "Give me a hand with the lid." "Horrible!" "He's cut off his own hand!" "A corpse?" "!" "..." "Very likely, indeed!" "Yes, a corpse..." "The medic was positive he was dead when they buried him." "There's no doubt about it." "And even if he wasn't, his right side was paralysed." "There's fingerprints on the glass." "Better take it with us." "You take it..." "I might drop it." "No blood on the glass." "A keen observation..." "Make a note." "Let us see if there are some other pieces of glass in the garden." " There aren't any footprints." " No..." "The print of a hand." "Broke the window and climbed through." "And walked away." "Anna..." "Tessa...go in the house, quick!" "Look at her, you will be cursed." "They've turned their eyes away..." "All of them!" "They believe that evil spirits can only be evoked by people who are Jettatori" "And whoever lives at the Villa Francesca may possess the evil eye." "I don't want to stay here any longer." "Don't show them you're afraid." "That WILL convince them." "You're hurting me!" "I'm sorry..." "Guess I'm a bit rattled myself." "Horatio!" "Signor Conrad..." "Bring me some brandy and a coffee for la signorina." "You wanted proof." "Tomorrow the bakery will be closed to us." "The butcher will have no meat." "They'll try to starve us out of town, and if we don't leave..." "I can't believe that people could be so superstitious." "It's their folklore." "They've been brought up on it for centuries." "I have been looking for you..." "and the signorina." "What's the bad news, Commissario." "The fingerprints on the piece of glass we picked up at the mausoleum... correspond with the imprint on the piano key." " You mean it's the same hand?" " Precisely." "Then, it was Francis' hand that unlocked the piano?" "And played?" "Can you give me a better explanation, Signor Conrad," "I will only too happy to accept it." "I found the fingerprints of identical pattern in the library...in the hall...even on the window pane in your room, signorina." "Fingerprints not older than a day." "Are you sure of it?" "In my mind there is no doubt the hand is walking around." "You don't believe in things like that." "Unfortunately, for the peace of our souls, one cannot explain everything logically that happens in this world, Signor Conrad." "So, even the Commissario is afraid of 'jettatora'." "Horatio!" "Where's my drink?" "I'm sorry..." "It might be better if you were served elsewhere." "There's the money I owe you." "Now bring us something to drink." "I can refuse service to anybody." "Let's get away from here, Bruce...please!" "You're right signorina..." "It would be much more comfortable in my office...please come." "What for?" "Merely to ask a few questions, Signor Conrad." "May I be so bold as to ask where you got all of that money?" "Francis Ingram gave it to me." "Oh...he did?" "Why?" "I asked him for it." "After all, he owed it to me." "Sometimes I can't help but wonder why a man of your education and background chooses to bury himself in our little village." "Well you can stop wondering, Commissario." "I was just on my way to get an exit visa from you." "Thank you." "Signorina...after Signor Ingram was stricken in New York... he brought you along to take care of him?" "Yes." "Mr Ingram had the choice of many nurses." "I am not surprised that he chose you, signorina." "I would have done the same, believe me!" "But recently Signorina asked for her exit permit, too." "And now she seems to change her mind?" "No, I've decided to leave here as soon as possible." "I see." "Did you know that the signorina, after little more than a year in Signor Ingram's service, would have the good fortune of inheriting all of his wealth?" "Of course not." "Then why do you want to leave with her?" "Has this something to do with her sudden inheritance?" "What's the reason for these questions?" "Well, when a man picks up his living, as you do, collecting so-called antiques..." "One is naturally a bit curious." "Is that not so?" "Have you a match, please?" "Where were you the night of the accident, Signor Conrad?" "I told you..." "Horatio can testify that I was at the inn." "And the night the lawyer was murdered?" "In bed." "Horatio brought me a hot drink." "May I have your passport, signorina?" "Thank you." "What does that mean?" "It is merely routine." "In the meantime I suggest that you stay at the villa." "I shall be there too." "I have no doubt we shall see a great deal of each other." "Please come." "Still working, I see." "Yes, I am." "Well, it's after midnight." "Then why aren't you asleep?" "Tell me, Hilary..." "Just what do you expect to find?" "The law that changes the conception of unknown fate into very predictable fact." "Sounds like a lot of nonsense to me." "Why don't you let me finish?" "Applying that knowledge to your life" "I think I can foretell the exact circumstances of your death." "What a charming thought." "And what's going to happen?" "You were born on the 15th of August, 1882...right?" "So they told me." "That is under the sign of Leo, Libra in the ascendance." "Now you should take the trouble to read the life story of one Gottla Minate and Aurelio Versace" "They were born on the same day you were." "Only, a few hundred years ago." "But then they're the same constellation." "Come on, just give me the cold facts." "Well, they both died a death of violence." "Poison?" "Shooting?" "Hanging?" "No, they were choked to death." "Well, I'm glad to know what to expect." "I hate surprises." "Why don't you go to bed?" "Not a good time." "I just wondered..." "Abracadabra...here it is!" "How did you know about that safe?" "When I was a boy, no higher than that, Uncle Francis opened it for me." "He pretended it was magic, and I never forgot it." "You know that this house belongs to Julie." "Everything in it is hers." "Everything, do you hear?" "I'm not so sure about that." "There's another will in the safe that might change that picture considerably." "Uncle Francis taught me a jingle to remember the combination." "How did it go again?" "It escapes me." "Get out of here!" "Good night." "Don't work too much." "What is it?" "Donald...and the Commissario." "What happened to Donald?" "The hand...it tried to strangle him." "The hand?" "!" "I saw it with my own eyes." "What happened to him?" "Please help me take him to his room." "He's finally fallen asleep." "I'm holding you responsible, Commissario." "Well that would round out the mystery nicely..." "accusing a Commissario of murder." "You're forcing us to stay here where our lives are in danger." "It's a conspiracy...a device to get rid of us." "Are you accusing anybody in particular?" "I'll answer that question the moment I've left this house." "Tomorrow morning I'm going to call an ambulance, and take Don away from here." "I don't think you son can be moved in his condition." "I'll take a chance on that." "And nothing can stop me." "Nothing...neither ghosts nor police." "There's a possibility of brain fever." "It's very dangerous, Mr Arlington." "When I want medical advice, I'll call a doctor." "The Devil's haunting this house." "The Devil..." "It's in Signor Ingram's hand!" "Quickly before it catches up with us." "You're always imagining things..." "The night your grandmother died, you heard skeletons rattling." "Well, if you don't believe me, why are you running away?" "Well, it can't hurt to be on the safe side." "There they go..." "Giovanna, Antonia and Clara." "They're more afraid of ghosts than of the law." "The law doesn't like it too much either." "If I were not the Commissario, I would be right with them." "I wonder what the Commissario would think of all this packing." "He really can't keep us here for ever, can he?" "It depends on the ghost of Francis Ingram." "Oh Bruce..." "let's get away from here..." "we're not under arrest." "What can they do if we just disappear?" "Nothing...there's a bus that crosses the border at Chiasso." "We can be in Lugarno tomorrow and in Zurich before the Commissario even knows we've left." "Well, let's leave..." "why do we stay?" "Perhaps I'm a bit curious." "Conrad!" "Conrad!" "What's the matter?" "The hand!" "Tell me...what is it?" "The hand's in the library..." "the hand, it crawled on my desk." "It picked up the ring..." "I saw it with my own eyes." "It's alive." "I tell you, it's alive!" "The desk..." "What are you talking about?" "It's gone...it was in here..." "I threw it in here myself!" "Although I think of death, I don't anticipate it yet." "That's what Mr Ingram said to me at dinner that night." "Isn't this your handwriting, Hilary?" "It's Ingram's...his hand wrote it..." "Don't you see...the hand..." "It must be here!" "Find it!" "..." "It must be somewhere!" " You must help me find it!" " Calm down!" "You must help me...find it!" "There's no hand Hilary..." "It's only in your mind." "But I saw it..." "It moved." "Listen to me..." "there's nothing here I tell you." "The note?" "YOU must have written it..." "unknowingly." " Try to think!" " I couldn't have written it..." "I didn't." "Bruce...please take me to my room." "What's he on with down there?" "He's a sick man." "Mentally sick." "Have you ever heard him play the piano?" "No, not that I can remember." "Are you sure he CAN'T play?" "No, but I'm sure only Francis Ingram could have played that thing I wrote for him." "Good night, Julie." "And...don't forget to lock your door." "I caught it..." "I caught it..." "I locked it up." "That's fine." "The horrible hand can't escape any more." "Now it can't get out." "Can't." "Of course it can't..." "Now go to bed." "Dad..." "Yes?" "8 bones has the carpis, 5 the metacarpis... 14 the phalanges..." "All in all...27 all in all!" "You must lie down, Don, please." "It came back in my sleep." "8 bones has the carpis" "Uncle Francis studied medicine once." "He told me the jingle when I was a kid." "They're the number of bones in the hand!" "Don't worry, this isn't fever, I'm feeling well, I'm alright." "You've got to stay in bed, Don...please!" "it's the combination of the safe downstairs." "8-5-14-27" "Let's open the safe..." "Let's open the safe and get the first will!" "Why not wait 'til tomorrow?" "It may not be there anymore." "Well, you stay here, and I'll go." "What were those numbers again?" "See...how can I trust your memory?" "Come along Dad...and don't worry, I feel great!" "It's strange how things you thought you'd forgotten, suddenly come back to you." "I even remember the eau-de-Cologne Uncle Francis used." "It was 'Lanvin Verbena'." "One moment, signor." "May I ask what you are doing here, Signor Raymond, and you Signor Donald?" "I was under the impression you are very ill." "Commissario and his pride of duty." "You're just in time to see a safe being cracked." "This will send you to prison, Signor Donald." "On the contrary, Commissario..." "Now you can testify that we took nothing but the will of Francis Ingram." "This unheard of...asking the police to witness an unlawful act." "Suppose somebody were to remove that document tonight..." "I don't think you'd care to take that responsibility." "I feel quite sure you'll give us your permission." "Whatever you do is your responsibility..." "Go right ahead.." "But remember...it is without my permission." "Thanks a lot, Commissario." "Do you remember the combination, dad?" "5 bones has the carpis..." "No...no...you'll mix me up." "8 bones has the carpis... 5 the metacarpis." "14 the phalanges..." "All in all...27..." "Abracadabra!" "Francis Ingram's hand!" "Donald!" "Signor Conrad...stop him, he's gone mad!" "What's the matter?" "Why did you run away?" "I saw it there in the safe!" "But it's dead..." "It can't hurt you anymore." "Arlington!" "I've found him." "Do you believe me now?" "You can see the hand truly exits." "Hilary," "Listen to me..." "I've got something to say to you." "I'm sorry." "I'm almost sorry I even know." "But I DO know!" "What?" "It was you who tried to kill Don, wasn't it?" "Remember I'm not the beast..." "I'm your friend, Hilary." "But I do know you pretended to come from the garden, the night he was attacked." "And I know it was you who murdered Duprex." "No..." "You can talk to me." "I nailed it down so it could not kill again." "It was the hand!" "I tell you it was the hand!" "That's what you wanted people to believe." "You used it to put fingerprints everywhere." "To prove it was the hand that committed the crime." "You can follow what I'm saying, can't you?" "You're ill, Hilary." "You can't distinguish any more between what is right and what is wrong." "Between imagination and reality." "Raymond threatened to take your books away." "You'd have done anything to prevent it." "I know how much they meant to you." "Now...now you'll have to face it." "The charge will be murder." "Murder!" "..." "I never hurt anybody." "I'm not a murderer." "It was the hand." "You'll have to go to the police and tell them about the hand." "Yes..." "And yourself!" "You'll have to tell them everything, Hilary." "They'll put me away..." "They'll put me away!" "But there's nothing else for you to do." "I'm sure they'll let you take your books with you." "My books?" "They'll let me take my books?" "Are you sure of that?" "I'll do everything I can to help you." "But if they take the house away from you..." "Julie...you didn't tell the Commissario, did you?" "No, I haven't told anyone." "That's nice of you Julie..." "You're sure you didn't tell anyone?" " Anybody?" " Yes." "Not even Conrad?" "No...." "I'm very fond of you Hilary." "I wanted to give you the chance." "Then if I don't?" "..." "Then I'll have to tell the police." "I still have so much work to do." "You're the only one that knows I..." "I can't let you stop me!" "I can't trust you any longer!" "That's Ingram." "He's playing again." "Listen!" "The hand...it's playing down there!" "The hand...it's Ingram's hand!" "There's nobody playing, Hilary." "It's only in your mind." "I know it..." "It's not in my mind..." "Don't you hear it?" "It's bursting my eardrums!" "I can't stand it!" "I can't stand it!" "Julie!" "..." "Julie!" "Don't leave me alone!" "Open the door!" "Hilary..." "listen!" ".." "Listen!" "Can't you hear it?" "The piano...it's the hand playing..." "it's the hand!" "You were right all the time!" "It WAS Ingram's hand that committed murder!" "." "I'm your friend, Hilary." "Please save me from the hand..." "It wants to kill me!" "Please help me!" "Destroy it before it kills again!" "I'll destroy it!" "You see my friend..." "I was ill." "It won't hurt you." "Donald and his father ought to be pleased when they find out I've signed over the Villa Francesca to them." "Who's playing?" "Do not worry, signorina, it is not the hand!" "Look!" "I found it!" "You let the string go..." "It stops." "It starts...it stops..." "It starts..." "Stops." "Come with me, signorina, I will show you." "The secret of the ghost, signorina." "Signor Conrad and I..." "We discovered it." "A mere record." "After Hilary's death I found a receipt from the Milano Edison Recording Agency..." "Indicating that Francis Ingram had made a record of the Bach arrangement." "But I couldn't find a trace of such a recording until I found the hidden gramophone." "And Hilary was of sound mind when he installed this contraption." "Then, after committing one murder, and attempting another..." "His brain snapped." "He started to imagine that he was hearing the piano... and seeing the hand." "The hand was always in the safe or in his desk." "All ready?" "All except the passports." "Ah!" "I have them." "All signed and stamped." "I'm going to be very sorry to see you both go." "We're going to miss you too, Ovidio." "You know, I like this place, now that I found there are no ghosts." "It's a good thing I didn't write to HQ in Milano about the ghosts!" "I saved myself from ridicule." "That you did, Commissario!" " Arrividerci!" " Goodbye, Commissario." "Arrividerci, Ovidio." "What is the matter?" "The hand!" "Silly girl!" "You should know by now there is no such thing as ghosts." "I think I better get out of this house." "Can you imagine anyone believing a hand that can walk around?" "How do you like that..." "My own hand!"