""lt was the strength in gold that reversed the market."" " Well, Henry?" " You're right." " l owe you a drink." "Billy?" " One moment." " Gentlemen?" " What will..." "Sorry, the drink will wait." "What was that?" "Wired for sound?" "A new transistorized gadget." "A poftable secretary." " lngenious!" " Henry put me on to it." "He must have shares in the company." " How does it work?" " lt's simple." "My office calls the answering service." "They transmit a bleep and I call them back." "There you are!" "That was a reminder that it's time for the board meeting." " Henry?" " Of course." "Excuse us, Jago." "I'll have that drink some other time." " Pardon me." " No harm done." "Since the war, employment and a higher standard of living have become the priorities in this country accompanied by inflation." "The future is bright." "Our company is healthy..." "For your bath?" "Stock press!" ""Todhunter dies, share prices slash!"" " lt happened 2 hours ago." " That's new." " From my uncle." " Pity it's dented." " Battle of the Somme, 1916." " A bullet?" "A mule." "Todhunter died here 2 hours ago." "The 6th CEO to die this year." "Dynamic CEOs, indispensable." "The company lost a great deal." "Thrombosis, overworked?" "Accident or crime?" " All 6?" " Why not?" "Motive:" "Man dies, share prices slash, the company is easy to take over." "One thing:" "they weren't taken over." "What next?" "A dabble in high finance." "These CEOs had one common factor, a banker:" "Boardman." "My apologies, Mr. Steed." "One moment, Quin." "Sherry?" "Thank you." "What a charming place, so traditional." "Viftually unchanged for 147 years, since the founding." "You come to us highly recommended." "These bona fides are excellent." "Thank you." " You're here for...?" " Money." "1.5 million pounds, all right 2 million." "A round figure, keeps things tidy." "Mr. Steed..." "That's for a staft." "I'll double that eventually." "I admire your attack, but even with references, a loan of 2 million..." "A loan?" "You misunderstand." "I haven't come to borrow, I want to deposit." "2 million pounds!" "If we agree on an investment." "I represent a trust fund." "We have a lot to invest." "We thought your bank could do the job." "I'm afraid I can't say more until we're sure of our collaboration." "You understand." "Absolutely." "You're examining the market." "So to speak." "You've made a wise choice." "This is your first call?" "You are as astute as your reputation!" " Cigar?" " lt's a little early." "I feel at home already!" "Ordered calm, a feeling of solidarity, of financial wisdom." " Didn't you have a Canaletto?" " Yes." "A friend mentioned it." "He suggested I come here, Norman Todhunter." "Poor fellow." "Todhunter?" "Yes..." "He tried to do too much." "John!" "I'd like you to meet my paftner." "John Harvey, Mr. Steed." " How do you do?" " Glad to meet you." "You mentioned Todhunter." "A friend?" " An acquaintance." " Pushed himself too hard." " Familiar story these days!" " Very." "You've had bad luck lately, haven't you?" "Six CEOs in less than a year!" "Thank you, Quin." "Mr. Steed." " Henri." " Thank you." "What do you make of us?" "A bit archaic, eh?" "Trappings of a bygone age..." "We still judge a man by the colour of his socks." "Can you suggest a good broker?" "The best!" "Frederic Yull." "We use him." "Take this." "Thank you." "I'm giving a dinner pafty Thursday." "Will you join us?" "I'm honoured and delighted!" "Good morning." "Was the late Mr. Todhunter brought here?" "Todhunter?" "Mahogany and walnut, velvet, solid brass handles, gothic." "I prefer Corinthian fluted." "Tasteful..." "Todhunter..." " Yes, he was here." " Well." "I'm here to remove his effects." "I prefer the Corinthian to any other, brass, of course." "We can get them in stainless, not as tasteful though." "We do have a simulated mock Michelangelo for the lighter wood." "Very tasteful together." "Did you deal with Mr. Todhunter?" "Naturally." "Personal service and efficiency." "The funeral will proceed as planned, no autopsy?" "An autopsy?" "The doctor ceftified thrombosis." "So why do an autopsy?" "Here we are..." "Anything peculiar about the body?" "Peculiar?" "No." "Slight bruise over the heaft." "What kind of bruise?" " Funny!" "It's gone." " What?" "I had it. I put it there myself." "What?" "A bleep, like they have in hospitals." "It's gone." " l took it out of his pocket." " Which pocket?" "Top. it was clipped on." "Level with his heaft?" "Yes, I suppose so." "Tomorrow is declaration day, the shares have dropped." "You have an option for 10 000." "I leave the arithmetic to you." "I'll call you back." "Sorry if I've kept you waiting." "Not at all." " Do sit down." " Thank you." "Boardman sent you." " How's Henry?" " Flourishing." "What can I do for you?" " Do you know "Castle's Tin"?" " Yes." "I considered speculating." ""When not to speculate:" "when rich and when poor."" "Thanks for the advice." "Mark Twain." "A good fisherman, too." "Didn't know he was a broker." " May I offer you sherry ?" " With biscuits?" "Suzanne, send in the sherry and biscuits." ""Castle's Tin", a sturdy company." "The friend with the tip has been awfully lucky!" "The shares fall, yet he's still coining it!" " lt can be done." " A profitable failure?" "Ever heard of a "Put Option"?" "Vaguely." "Example: you take out a put option on X shares." "They're wofth 1 pound." "Then they drop to 10 shillings." "You buy 10 000 at 10 shillings, and exercise your option to sell at a pound." " The difference is your profit." " Not for the amateur!" "It can be very profitable." "It all depends on the drop in price." "But if we could foresee the future..." " and influence it..." " Entirely different." "What did your friend make money with?" "Todhunter." "Quite a killing." "That is the term?" "Yes." "Do you fish, Mr. Steed ?" "You should." "Thank you, Miles." "Associated lnd. down 2 points." "Excuse me..." " Suzanne." " Yes." "Associated Ind." "Buy 20 000." "Yes, Mr. Yull. I have Mr. Jago holding, shall I put him through?" "No, I'll come speak to him." "Excuse me, I'll have Suzanne send in some prospects." "Mr. Yull sent you these." "I'm such a novice, please explain the finer points." "I'll try." "This is a suggested poftfolio." "The capital will be spread out over all the key industries." "Steel, oil, industrials, etc..." "Fascinating." "You'll need an initial investment of say... 50 000 pounds in round figures." " Round..." " Mr. Steed!" "Please, go on." "That's all!" "It's quite straight forward." "The investments are carefully selected..." "By Ben Jago." "He's a client, isn't he?" "You know Mr. Jago ?" "His name is heard all over the city..." "Very successful." " A client of yours." " One of the best." "How does he do it?" "With a cristal ball?" "Always dabbing in "Put Options"." "Just one step ahead." "He seems to sense when the market is right." "Experience..." "Still he is a little uncanny." "Look at his last success:" "Todhunter." "He took out options last week for 100 000 pounds." "They paid off." "That's Jago for you." "Flood it, please." "Thank you." "Coppers were quietly firm, with a mixed showing." "Oils, hardened." "Rubbers were neglected." "Banks and insurances on the dull side." "HP shares steady." "Yes, sir?" "What's the "Blue Chip Special"?" "Prawns, scrambled egg, mayonnaise, on toased rye." "Delicious." "Splendid, if you say so..." " Coffee?" " Kenya." "Vodka to staft." "Quote your shares while you wait?" "It would take too long." " Anything else?" " ls Mr. Ben Jago here?" "Yes, sir." "He's over there." " Thank you." " My pleasure." "Excuse me, you're Ben Jago ?" " We have the same broker." " Bingham?" "Yull." "Brian Yull." "Can't be too careful." "Won't you join us, Mr..." "Steed." " May I introduce..." " Sit here, I was just going." "I don't want to interrupt." "I have a hair appointment." " Are you sure?" " Ceftain." "Good bye, Ben." "Mr. Steed." " Excuse my intrusion." " Not at all." "Have they put you into Gibbs?" " Not yet." " See they don't." " l don't like the smell." " Thanks for the tip." "No ice?" " House rule, sir." " Really?" "A Wall Street dealer once ordered bourbon "on the rocks"." "Two brokers dropped dead on the spot." "How does it work?" "Remote as water divining to me." "It's guess and good luck." "Poppycock!" "My book says you're the best." "Buy a new guidebook." "Care to share some of the rules?" ""Buy the friendless", "never refuse a profit" : half truths." "Half truths!" "How did you know about Todhunter ?" "Hot tip from our broker." "I wish I'd had it." "There was fiddling before Rome caught fire." "I'm a man who likes a good fiddle." "Remember, even Nero burnt himself." "Goodbye, Mr. Steed." "J. P. Warner's "Answering Service"." "Can I help you?" "Tell me about your service." " lt's quite simple, Miss..." " Mrs. Peel." "The principle is the same as that used in hospitals." "The subscriber carries a bleep that bleeps." "Wherever he is..." "What's your range?" "We're limited to London." " So stock brokers, etc.?" " That's it." "This is our pilot scheme." "With the success we're having our service will expand." "All the information is in our brochure, here it is." "How many bleeps are in operation?" "Currently 5 000." "A key executive can be reached at all times." " lt's fixed, M. Warner." " Splendid." " Just needed rewiring." " Thank you." "I'll get along now." "Sorry about that." "Would you like a demonstration?" "Who was that man?" "Fitch?" "Our mechanical genius." "Mrs. Peel... I feel I've seen him before." "I doubt it." "Fitch isn't social." "Keeps in the background." "During the war, he was a back room boy." "Funny fellow." "Can build a radio in the time it takes to say Marconi." "Thank you." "By the way, you supplied a relative of mine," "Mr. Todhunter." "Did you get it back?" "Todhunter..." "Thomas..." "Truegoody..." "Fantastic name!" "Todhunter." "No, should we have?" "Nice to see you." "Come in." "Beautiful. lt's pressurized?" "It is high up." "May I present my wife, Ruth... this is Mr. Steed." " How do you do?" " Delighted." " You do business with Henry?" " l'm learning." " You're not in the City?" " Not often." "Drink?" "I mix a good Maftini." " Thank you." " Good." "Small world, Mrs. Boardman." "So they say, Mr. Steed." "So they say." "Will you excuse me?" " lt's breathtaking." " Yes, I envy him." "Let me introduce, Mrs. Peel." " Delighted to meet you." " Mr. Steed." "Good evening." "Mrs. Peel comes from Barbados." " Recently?" " Last week." " Surprising." " Why?" " So little tan..." " Rainy season." "Of course." "Darling, don't you have a call to make?" "Yes, excuse me, please." "The view is most impressive." "It is, isn't it?" "It's rather restricting, but it's better for Henry." "He can have a rubber at the club and dine at home." "I won't be a moment, Henry is so fussy about his wine." "Barbados..." "the rainy season?" "Annual average: 36 inches, 18 from September to November." "Next question?" "Mr. Yull is delayed." "Typical." "A fine broker, but atrocious manners." "There must be an explanation." "Wasn't I right about the wine?" "And the brandy, impeccable." "I thought they were"judicious"?" "Not in the authorized texts." " Do you like wine?" " ln moderation." " l meant taste, not capacity." " So did I." "We have a wine tasting Tuesday." " Will you come?" " l'd be delighted." "Mr. Steed you're also welcome." "Tuesday..." "Lady Smith's relieve, 1900." " What time?" " Six." "Six it is." "We'll test your palate." "Excuse me, I really should be going." "Strict training." "As you say." " Can I give you a lift?" " No, no." "Don't deprive us." "We'll see her home." "Good bye then." "Thank you again for the invitation." "Thank you, Mr. Steed." "I'll show you out." "Bang goes your bonus!" "A far cry from sherry and biscuits." " You know him?" " Broker's butler." "The Boardmans were anxious to avoid your being a witness." " You're guessing." " l know." "Go and confront them." "No, I'm going to see my broker." " Talk about pick pockets!" " No wonder he was late." "He was dressed and on his way." "He's been dead 3 hours." "Spoken like an expeft!" "I'm taking a refresher course." "When you called..." " l interrupted your studies?" " Yes." "You can put theory into practice!" " l could have done without." " 3 hours... it was 9 o'clock." "Dinner time, which eliminates 3 suspects." "I'll take this side." "Boardman was absent, telephoning..." " Contacting a mignon?" " Possibly." " Your opinion of the Boardmans?" " Him: bluff, conservative..." " Square." " Exactly." "And her?" "Attractive, intelligent, expensive..." "Cold as ice." " And promiscuous." " Promiscuous." "My lips are sealed." "A gentleman doesn't know of a lady's promiscuity!" "In spite of their apparent wealth, the Boardmans appear..." " ...to be coming down." " Objets d'aft diminishing." "No country house." "Find anything?" "No." "Strange." "Why did Boardman send me to Yull, his own broker?" "So Yull would repoft back." "Obviously, he did." "Capital." "No sign of brine." "Hangs well on the glass." "Ambrosia!" "A shower shoft of perfection." "You think so?" "A bit astringent." "What do you think?" " Too much tannin." " You disappoint me." "I'm sorry." "Bit of a text book answer." "It's a 1934, dry year, high alcoholic content." "28, that was a great year!" "Derby year." "Won it 8 to 1." "Superlative!" "Put a hog's head down for Jeremy, for his 21st." "Quite a gift!" "Did he enjoy it?" "Enjoy it?" "The brigade turned him down," "He went straight into the church." "Had to drink it all myself." "Oh, well..." "To your health, General!" "What paft of Barbados are you from?" " You know the island?" " Uncle grows tobacco." " He must be in the south." " l believe so." "I was in the nofth, among non-smokers." "Excuse me a moment." "Agreeable, well rounded, flinty." "Pouilly blanc fumé." "Try it." "Well?" "Venerable, devious, a little ambivalent." " The pouilly?" " No, Boardmans." "We're not trusted here." "Know what I mean?" "Yes." "Try this one." "The silver tray!" "You're out to trap me." "Trap you?" "Why should we?" "A challenge!" "First shot to you." "Gentlemen." "Latour 59." "It's a hit!" "Well, Mr. Steed?" "Either a 65 Algerian red, or a Premier Cru." " Chateau Laffitte Rothschild." " What year?" "No nose." "It's old, very old." "Pre-14-18 war." "Correct." "An outstanding vintage." "Definitely pre-1914, but no earlier than 1880." "You still have a 34-year margin." "Well?" "Nineteen oh... eight is not the year. 1909." "Nofth end of the vineyard." "Investment isn't just what to buy, but when." ""Buy the friendless."" "Right, but knowing who they are..." "Excuse me." " Yes?" " A Mr. Warner wants to see you." " l know him?" " He's from the bleep service." "That's right." "Show him in." "This won't take a moment." "Good afternoon." "Good of you to bring it." "It was on my way." " Very kind, thank you." " Not at all." " Good bye." " Good bye." "Where were we?" "A consignment of securities?" "No, it's a line Henry is pushing onto his friends, hoping they'll invest." "Quite amusing really." "You shouldn't indulge me." "There." " You know what they're for?" " Hospitals?" "Exactly." "A company of ours is marketing them industrially." "Good idea." " Tea, Mrs. Peel?" " l'd love some." "Thank you." "Change?" "Change." "Keys?" "Keys." "Doorbell?" "Doorbell." "Coming!" "Coming." " May I come in?" " Please do." "Much as I'd imagined it." "That you've imagined it intrigues me." "I've come to thank you." "What for?" "Your tact." "Don't mention it." "May I...?" "Please." "When you're married to a man 20 years older than yourself, to be seen lunching with a younger man, a well-known, almost infamous character can be misinterpreted, misunderstood." "Your husband is a banker, Mr. Jago an investor, it seems a natural liaison." "As I said, you're very tactful." "Not tactful, optimistic." "I admire a woman with a past." "Optimistic about what?" "That history might repeat itself." " No messages?" " None." " You've checked?" " Double checked." " No Mrs. Peel?" " No one of that name." "What have you done to Steed's watch?" "The next time he opens it will be the last." "Pretty, isn't it?" "It's dedicated to Steed." "When he dies, I'll stop it at the exact moment of his... release from time." "A monument to him and to my... ingenuity." "Most people are ruled by time." "I won't accept that." "One can rule time." "Steed's time is limited, strictly limited." "Like Todhunter and Yull." "And the 5 other CEOs?" "Peace time offers no oppoftunity." "The war now, was very exciting." "8 Panzer officers in one night. 8!" "And an Italian captain." "That's his clock." "Quafter to 4 am." "He was a Lothario, with amazing capacity." "If promotion were won in bed, he'd have been field marshall." "Quite an orgy of death." "Must you use such clichés?" "Death is a gift, like time, to be used." "I've never killed a woman before." "It would be bestial to perforate that skin." "Perhaps an ultrasonic injection, or digitalis, but it must be neat." "My gift to you." "I shall kill you with scientific tenderness." "9:05." "Wall Street just closed." "Where the..." "Sorry to intrude. I told your butler it was all right." "I owed you a visit." " l wanted to talk to your husband." " Henry?" "Nothing impoftant, but I was passing by and dropped in." "I wouldn't mind some of your excellent brandy." "Oh, yes..." "Yes, of course." "What's the matter?" "Anything wrong?" "You look pale." "You must forgive me." "I'm really very tired." "I'm sorry." "Where is your husband?" " Dining out." " When do you expect him?" " 9 or 10, I don't know." " lt must be almost 10 now." "Don't!" "Mr. Fitch?" "This is it." "Your were recommended." "What for?" "Trouble with my watch." "What soft?" " Can't seem to open it." " Why not?" "Button's stuck." "You have a go." "It's stuck, I don't know why." "If you tried..." "Just a trifle out of key." "Steed!" "Barbados-London, cupboard class." "Not my choice!" "Who warned you?" "Ruth Boardman." " Drop your gun." " What is it?" "A bicycle-pump gun used by the maquis." "My invention." "Now put the gun on the bench." "For Mrs. Peel's sake." "Major, you found us!" "No need, they're inoffensive." " The ones at the bank were!" " The bank?" "The Boardmans'." "I was there." "A capillary needle, straight through the heaft." "Neat." "Choose the pigeons then loose the cat." "Steed!" "Forgot me brolly!" "There you go, sir." "It is suggested to split the investment in 3 pafts." "Overseas investments, home and commonwealth, and the 3rd left floating." "To be made available according to oppoftunity." "This maintains flexibility." "End of tape nº1." " Where's Harvey?" " Your paftner?" " Who told you?" " Ruth." "What's her role?" "To distract me?" "My bank, a cover for murder and fraud." " l wanted to cut you in." " Flattery!" "Harvey said no, you had too many scruples." "What's a few scruples!" "Put the pea shooter away." " l'll call the police." " No!" "Ben, today I lost a paftner..." "and a wife." "You can't frighten me." "Harvey!" "The cellar!" "I'm all right." " Put that away." " Tell me." "Look." "Snap." " But who?" " l don't know." " They're not dangerous." " So it's all right!" " Boardman knows." " What?" "Everything. I shot him." " l had to." " You ruined everything!" " Where is he?" " Upstairs." " ls he dead?" " l don't know." "Good evening!" "Welcome, Mr. Steed." "The Chateau Rothschild brought me." "One should never over indulge." " The CEOs for example." " You know my colleague." "Yes, and the trick cyclist." " You're embarrassing." " We aim to please." " lntegrity requires tact." " Everytime." "But everyone is corruptible, everyone has his price." "How much are you offering?" "There's 200 000£ in Zurich." "It's yours if...." " l'm sorry, it's too late." " Offer more!" "I don't bafter." "Generous, but a little late." "You remember Mrs. Peel?" "She's telling it all to the proper authorities." "CEO by CEO." "I'll do admire your style." "Mrs. Peel is taken care of." "is she?" "Has Fitch bought another clock for the event?" "He's bluffing." "Quin, how long would it take to empty a cask?" " The biggest?" " Not long." "Then do it." " Harvey, you're looking at..." " l'm handling this." "Quin, the door!" "How about a drink?" "Which one?" "Preferably grande marque..." "The best!" "Careful, I'm afraid of corks." "Steed!" " A bit dry." " But very adaptable." "There, my dear." "Well?" " A claret with unusual body." " What?" "The Bordeaux district." "The little village of Saint-Périon." "So from the Devier vineyard." "A Mérion Saint-Clair." "1930... is not the year." "1931." "Fantastic, Mrs. Peel." "Nose or palate?" "Eyes. I read the label." " A votre santé !" " A la votre !" "Subtitles by:" "Jeannie Taillat" "Processed by:" "B.B. COM" " Paris"