"SEVEN FOOTSTEPS TO SATAN" "The jokes that people play sometimes have dramatic aspects." "But the dramatic pretence becomes grotesque, moves to a laugh... and the joke concludes happily." "Part One" "What is the mysterious undertaking for which James Kirkham prepares?" "(Played by Creighton Hale)" "Who could it be at this hour?" "I don't want anyone to see the cases that are in the hall." "Fetch me some other shells." "Nothing much will happen this evening." "Where is my crazy nephew?" "Is he still determined to leave?" "Asking for more shells." "Imagine!" "He's bought enough to furnish a whole army." "Here?" "Remember this." "It's your decision to enter." "James!" "Are you crazy?" "Good evening Uncle Joe!" "I'm practicing." "An explorer must be a handy with a gun and shoot without ever missing." "An explorer, you?" "Where on earth are you going to explore?" "I've decided to embark on a daring expedition to darkest Africa." "You're a fool to squander money in this reckless fashion." "Squander?" "I want to prove to everyone that in the centre of Africa is the oldest civilization in the world." "You wouldn't last ten days out there!" "The millions inherited from your father have scrambled your brains." "Why don't you marry?" "Eva would cure you of these crazy ideas." "But first I want to be a famous explorer." "You haven't even explored your own garden!" "Mr. Kirkham, a lady wishes to speak to you." "I've told you." "I don't wish to see anyone." "Sorry to disturb you James, but I've something to tell you." "I'm sorry Jim, that you don't wish to hear me." "I understand your feelings Uncle but a life of adventure attracts me irresistibly." "I'm not cross you didn't come to find me." "I know how very busy you are with your approaching journey." "I've come to ask you a great favour." "You know my father's collection of antiques, don't you James?" "Well, he's decided to display them at our reception this evening." "But I have strong doubts about one of the guests." "Could you tell me if this is" "Professor Wrede, director of the Museum of Dresden?" "Yes... no... yes..." "I can see a certain resemblance, but it doesn't really seem to be him." "The guests will have arrived by now." "Could you come with me straight away?" "Wait a moment and I'll be with you." "This is the famous Romanoff emerald." "Welcome to New York, Professor" "I don't seem to remember you." "Yes... yes... now I remember." "You... you are..." "This is most strange..." "I have your name on the tip of my tongue." "Don't make a fuss." "Follow me." "Give me a reason for this outrage!" "Go and get the police." "The telephone lines have been cut." "Quick!" "..." "To the police station!" "Look Eva, it's not glass." "It's made of steel." "This isn't my car!" "We're caught in a trap!" "But it's my chauffeur who's driving." "How long has this chauffeur been working for you?" "Only a week." "The car has stopped." "What's going to happen now?" "Resistance is useless!" "Get in the house." "Pay attention if you want to save you skins." "But who are you?" "And where are we?" "Silence!" "Here, even the walls have ears." "A little word in your ear..." "Follow me." "I will take you to your room." "But we don't wish to stay here." "Watch out!" "Watch out for the man with crutches." "Your rooms are on the top floor." "But I repeat, we want to return home." "Make no demands!" "Do as I say, follow me!" "We'd better do as she says." "Why must we?" "I think it would be best to follow." "You bet!" "But, we want to go away from here." "Leave her!" "Leave her!" "Stay there with your fiancée!" "For how long?" "Perhaps an hour..." "Perhaps a month..." "Perhaps a year..." "Perhaps forever..." "Satan will decide..." "But don't you understand?" "We want to leave." "Save me!" "Satan has ordered them to give me 100 lashes of the whip!" "Don't let them take your fiancée!" "Watch out..." "Satan's gorilla has escaped!" "I am Satan's handmaiden." "Rubbish!" "I don't understand a thing!" "The girl will sleep here." "Don't leave me James!" "Don't leave me alone!" "She will sleep here!" "It's an order!" "Do as I tell you or you will learn how Satan punishes those who disobey his orders." "But we want to go back home..." "But who is Satan?" "He is the master!" "Look there!" "A hand!" "Go and look for the police if you are able!" "Satan has kept me prisoner here for many months without bread and without water." "I'm sorry to have frightened you." "I've come to talk to your companion." "But I don't want to help Satan." "I serve Satan and I have orders to take whatever there is in your right pocket." "Your father's emerald!" "This will do for Satan's collection of antiques." "But it's a very precious jewel." "and it belongs to Eva's father." "Give me the emerald." "Put it in the room of treasures." "Here people are distinguished by a number." "You are number 741 and your companion is 742." "Your dinner is waiting in the adjoining room." "I'd rather have dinner at home." "Don't move, or I'll kill you." "Take this key, if you have the courage to leave this house before Satan kills you all." "Follow the corridor until you reach room number 13 and tell whoever you find there that everything is ready." "Excuse me, but I must return a moment to my room." "You said, room..." "room... number 13..." "End of Part One" "Room 13" "Who are you?" "What do you want?" "The maid has asked me to tell you that everything is ready." "Get out!" "You're another of Satan's spies!" "You've come here to trap me." "But... but the maid said..." "I believe that you recognize the faithful agents of Satan." "The explanation for your disappearance will be drawn up by us, and divulged to the newspapers." "Let me go!" "I can't possibly be of any use to Satan." "Satan will provide the due justification." "Sign this paper." "I refuse to sign a blank piece of paper." "Call for the Spider." "Take the girl away until this imbecile learns to obey our master." "If I sign, can my can stay with me?" "Finally!" "You are beginning to see sense." "Take him away!" "The Professor sent me." "Take this key." "Trust no one in this house except Professor Moriarity." "Your life is in danger." "The password?" "I am one of the unnamed brothers." "Praise be to Satan." "Any of the cars in the courtyard will take you wherever you desire to go, brother." "Return to your room." "They are taking your fiancée away." "I am one of the unnamed brothers." "Praise be to Satan." "Excuse me brother, but there is a traitor trying to escape." "I must take you down here and no one at present can leave the house." "Didn't you know it is forbidden to enter here masked?" "Silence!" "Satan approaches!" "Satan will accord two women the honour of dining at his own table." "Be seated!" "Satan will join his guests." "Come on, cowards!" "Let's kill the fiend!" "Silence!" "Don't make a sound!" "If I am discovered..." "they'll kill us both." "I am Professor Moriarity." "I've come to help you." "What have they done with Eva?" "They have taken her to Satan's room." "This is the Spider's room." "Satan's is there." "We're trapped." "We'll never get out of here alive." "Kill the traitors!" "Kill them!" "Silence!" "Satan is here!" "Let the trial commence!" "Prisoners, you will be saved if you can manage to climb the seven steps of the stairway of Satan." "If you guess the four true steps you will be immediately freed..." "For each false step you will remain one year in Satan's service." "Four false steps means Death!" "Look at the swines!" "They don't deserve such generosity." "I despise you all!" "Devils!" "Blackguards!" "I'll do whatever you wish if only you will free this girl." "Silence!" "Satan desires the prisoners' response." "If you manage to escape death you will serve me in a matter of the greatest importance." "I will do whatever you say if you let this girl go." "The salvation of the girl is agreed." "Now, the seven steps." "If you turn to look at the gauge your life will be finished." "Your life is saved." "But by the oath you have made you have sworn, for three years to serve our master." "Very well!" "I will serve him for three years." "When the young lady is freed." "Uncle Joe!" "What are you doing here?" "Me?" "Satan." "You talked of adventure." "Here's enough to last a lifetime."