"If you take a guy with a well-developed sense of suspicion, give him a five-year course in "How To Make People Blush", you know what you end up with?" "A customs inspector." "Here in Italy, it's worse because you have to go through customs when you're leaving the country." "Every innocent tourist is suspected of having a painting up his sleeve to sell in Switzerland." "The result of all this official suspicion is that every Italian leaving Rome airport is just a little bit nervous." "Take that couple over there, the man and woman with a teenage son." "Think they're nervous?" "I do." "And I bet it has something to do with that briefcase." "Un momento, signore." "The briefcase." "But there is nothing but business papers." " May I see it?" " Sì." " Gràzie." " Prègo." "Fillipo, that man over there, he's watching us." "Helen, you imagine things." "Nothing can go wrong now." "Come." "Officer, that man over there, do you know who he is?" "Know him, signora?" "Every policeman knows that man." "He is the famous Simon Templar." "Would you like the window seat?" "No, gràzie, signore, I do not wish to trouble you." "I prefer the aisle seat, there's more leg room." "Come on, we'll trade places." "(Stewardess) 'Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and welcome...'" " First flight?" " Sì, signore." " Excited?" " No." "How could anyone be excited about leaving Rome?" "On vacation?" "Sì, signore." "My parents are to spend a few days in Geneva before we go on to New York." "New York, eh?" "That will be exciting." "Sì, but...it can't compare with Rome." "Does it have to?" "Rome is Rome, London's London, New York's New York." " It's a mistake to draw comparisons." " I should explain." "My parents are emigrating to the United States to live in New York forever." "And you don't want to go?" "I want to stay in Rome, where I belong!" "Where I've lived all my life!" "My name's Simon Templar, what's yours?" "Alfredo Ravenna." "How old are you, Alfredo?" "16." "I know New York pretty well, it's a wonderful city, you'll love it." "Signore, I'm a Roman!" "How can I ever live in America?" "People have been going to America for 150 years, with the same misgivings you have." "I'm an Italian, I'm a Pole, I'm a Czech - how can I live in America?" "But they went and they stayed." "When you get there you'll see what I mean." "Will...will you be staying in Geneva?" "Yes, for a few days, I'm staying at the Hotel de la Paix." "That's where we're staying." "Alfredo and this Signor Templar are becoming friendly." "He was watching us in the airport and now he's asking Alfredo questions." "Helen, we are safe now, this man is a turìsta simpàtico." "Please, do not worry." "I hope you're right." "Why can't I stay in Rome with Aunt Lucia?" "Your father thinks you're too young." " I'm 16." " Then act like it!" " Father didn't want to leave Rome!" " There's no point talking about it, we're going." "He had friends, business, a beautiful house." "Because of you we give everything up!" "Rome is not the centre of the universe!" "I can't wait to get back to a civilised country." "Civilised?" "Hamburgers and chewing gum?" "Alfredo, please!" "Oh, Fillipo!" "(Sobs)" "He's at it again." ""New York is horrible." He's never even seen it!" "Alfredo, what is this?" "Every time I turn my back you upset your mama." "She's your wife, not my mother!" "Alfredo!" "He's very young." "He's never accepted me, and I've tried so hard." "I know, it is just that he feels insecure and frightened about leaving Rome." "Sometimes I do, too." "Fillipo, please, we've been through this, you'll love America." " Will I?" " Do you regret this already?" "No, because I know that it makes you very happy." "It is just that I am not as young as I was and to start a new life in a strange country is...well, is not easy." " Oh, you'll be a wonderful success." " Will I?" "You'll make money and everybody will love you!" "I am interested only in you, not everybody." "And now, Carina, we have things to do, no?" "Yes." " Our future." " Yes." "Tonight I see Galen." " What time?" " Eight o'clock, as we planned." "A few more hours and all our troubles will be over." "(Knife clicks)" "No!" "(Screams)" "Are you all right?" "!" "I think so." " Have you seen my playmate?" " He ran away." "I am not made for chasing people or for football tackling." " What is this about?" " You tell me." "Who are you?" "I think the introductions can wait, you are just about to be arrested." "Fillipo Ravenna, from Rome." "Married, 53, director of companies, and a visa for the United States issued...a week ago." "Friend of yours?" "An acquaintance." "How long have you known him?" "Exactly five hours and 37 minutes." "Pardon?" "I never saw Fillipo Ravenna until today." "We were both on the same flight from Rome to Geneva." " Why?" " Why what?" "Why were you both on the same flight?" "Captain, it's a large aeroplane." " Mere coincidence?" " Exactly." " Did you talk to him?" " No, I sat next to his son." "Where are they staying?" "The Hotel de la Paix." " And you?" " The hotel's large, too." "More coincidence." "Captain, I tried to save him, why all the questioning?" "Because, Monsieur Templar, I know your reputation and I don't like you." "I don't like you, either," " but that's a snap judgement." " Monsieur Templar, if I choose, I can send you from Switzerland at once." "I do not so choose, you will remain in Geneva until I do." "While you are here, be polite!" "Yes, sir." "Bon." "Now, this briefcase which Ravenna carried... any idea what was in it?" "None whatsoever." "Did he have it with him on the plane?" "Yes." "So, the motive behind this attack is obviously robbery." " Obviously." " Thank you, Monsieur Templar." "And now you may go." "Good evening, Mr Templar." "Are you waiting for me, by chance?" "I knew you would pass by on your way back." "I was concerned about you." "Was the inspector difficult?" " A little." " He usually is." " You know him?" " I have had experience of him, yes." "You mustn't think too badly of him." " He was 43 last Friday." " What does that have to do with it?" "The traces of his youth are beginning to mingle with approaching decay." "To avoid the future, he pretends daily routine cancels the calendar." "He wonders if he's still attractive to women?" "Oh, no, he wonders if women are still attractive to him." "(Chuckles)" "Who are you?" "A friend." "You mean this is just Swiss hospitality?" "Like a New Yorker who is upset if tourists don't marvel at the Empire State Building." "I like all visitors to admire my country." "If you'll forgive me, I'll marvel and admire your country tomorrow." "By all means." "Good night, Mr Templar." "Good night." "Friend." "Thanks." "Mr Templar." "Mrs Ravenna." "I am truly sorry about your husband." " Thank you." " May I buy you a drink?" " Yes, please." " Barman." "A bourbon and soda with ice, please." "Have you been with the police?" "For two hours." "They think it's a straight case of robbery." " Well, don't you?" " I suppose so." "I don't know." "The killer didn't pick your husband by accident, he knew what he was after." "He grabbed the briefcase and ran." " Did he?" " What?" "He couldn't have dropped the briefcase?" "The police would have found it." "They didn't find it." "Did you expect them to?" "Oh, no." "No, of course not." "Whatever your husband was carrying was worth a great deal." " You knew what it was?" " No, I don't." "You're travelling halfway around the world, your husband is carrying something so valuable he's killed for it," " yet you don't know what it was?" " No, I don't." "Mr Templar, have you got it?" "I'll pay you a large reward. $5,000." "If I had the briefcase, you wouldn't have to ask for it," "let alone offer me a reward." "I'm sorry." " I'm awfully tired." "Excuse me." " Of course." " Good night, Mr Templar." " Good night." "Alfredo." "Alfredo, wake up!" "Oh, Signor Templar, I am sorry." "I went to sleep." " How did you get in?" " Through the windows." "I had to see you." "You know about my father?" "Yes, I'm...very sorry." "Well, she isn't." "She planned this, I'm sure of it!" "Now, Alfredo, that's a pretty wild accusation." "Mr Templar, I know!" "All right, suppose you tell me about it?" "Well, it's...it's not so much what I know as what I feel." "Alfredo, you're 16, you've suffered your first tragedy, don't lash out blindly at people." "I know she planned this or she'd have told me what was in the briefcase!" "Maybe she doesn't know." "Did she tell you that?" " Yes." " She lies, signore!" "Three days ago in Rome I asked her and she say to me," ""Alfredo, for now it is better you do not know." ""I will tell you when we get to New York."" "And she did not love my father, she thinks because I'm only 16 I do not notice things," "but I do." "The gestures, the expression on her face when my father touched her, she hated my father!" "Alfredo, it's so easy for somebody of your age to misunderstand things." "Inside, I feel it so absolutely." "And sometimes a man must believe his feelings." "Especially when they're all he has." "Alfredo, on the basis of simple logic..." "I have an idea." "And I think that we should investigate." "Are you coming?" "About here, I should think." "But why would it still be here?" "I don't understand." "The police would have returned the case." "Maybe yes, maybe no." "They'd tell your mother they'd found it," " and as you think she planned it..." " I'm sure of it!" "If the man who attacked your father had the case, she'd know." " Sì." " Yet she asked me if I had it." " So?" " So she doesn't know where it is." "I..." "I think so." "If your mother, the killer and the police don't know where it is, then it must still be here." "But signore, it isn't." "Alfredo, simple logic can sometimes be wrong." "We'd better get back to the hotel." "(Alfredo) Signor Templar!" " Have you ever seen this before?" " Never." "Was your father interested in jewellery?" " No." " Then where did he get it?" "You think he stole it." "Alfredo, it's something we have to consider, I'm sorry." "But...my father was a man of great honour." "Is that something else you feel?" "Signor Templar, my father couldn't steal!" "Then how did he get this stuff?" "Oh, dio mio!" "I don't know!" "Alfredo, people pay sometimes to have valuables smuggled out of Italy." "I know it's hard to face, but I think your father..." "No!" "Not my father!" " It's her!" "She's behind this!" " Wait." ""Bourgellon 137, Rue Blanche, Geneva." ""Dear M. Galen, the bearer, Signor Fillipo Ravenna, can be trusted." ""His merchandise is most reliable."" "It's signed Carlo Vis..." "something or other." " Visconti." " You know him?" "Sì, he was employed by my father." "He came often to our house." "Signor Templar, what do we do now?" "Now?" "Er..." "You go to bed, and don't say a word to your step-mother." "And tomorrow?" "Tomorrow, I'll pay a little visit to Monsieur Galen." "Good night, Alfredo." " Morning, Jacques." " Good morning." " Did you get the hire car?" " The black Citroën, right outside." "All the times I've been here, you've never disappointed me." " Monsieur Templar, anything anytime." " Thanks." "(Man) Looking to see if you're a hero, Mr Templar?" "I was curious to see if the press had picked anything up." "The Swiss press is rather slow." "If a story is good in the morning, it'll still be good in the evening." "Last night you said you were a friend." "Now I would like to know your name." "I'm terribly sorry, my name is Kleinhaus." "Oscar Kleinhaus." " You are a Swiss?" " I am." " And you live in Geneva?" " I do." "Last night you turned up at the exact right moment." "How?" "Coincidence." "Was it?" "Or were you following Fillipo Ravenna?" "Oh, no, I assure you," "I never set eyes on Fillipo Ravenna before I bent over his dead body." "Then why all the interest?" "The frailties of human nature intrigue me." "That's an evasive answer." "It was an indiscreet question." "And now, excuse me, I have a business appointment." "Pardon, may I tell Monsieur Galen who is calling?" "Sì, I have an appointment, Fillipo Ravenna." "Merci, Monsieur." "Gràzie." "Ahh, buon giorno, signore." "(Speaking Italian)" "German or French, I struggle with all of them." "But I want my clients to feel comfortable." "Sit down." "Gràzie." "You have a letter of introduction?" "Oh, sì." "Thank you." " How is Carlo?" " Fine." "He's a very up-and-coming young man." "One of my best contacts in Italy." "I knew you were coming, but it is necessary to be careful." "I...suppose you have clients from all over Europe." "Yes, all countries which have restrictions on foreign exchange." "However, I have a central location and Swiss money is good anywhere." "Also, I'm very discreet." "Yes, I know." "There is no law here against my buying anything I choose, and you can be absolutely sure not a word of our transaction will get back to the Italian authorities." "Now... what do you have to sell?" "Thank you." "This is very good." "Beautiful, in fact." "I can give you 100,000 Swiss francs or, if you prefer, 25,000 American dollars deposited at any bank in New York." "That, er, seems fair." "But this is not an awful lot of capital for you to start building a new fortune in America." "Surely you have more to offer me?" "I left the rest at my hotel." "This was a sort of..." "exploratory meeting." "That's very wise, and have I made a good impression?" " Very much so." " Good." "When will I see the rest?" "This evening?" "Yes, shall we say eight o'clock?" "Benìssimo." "Until this evening, then." "(Speaking Italian)" "(Car horns honking)" "(Hoover stops)" "(Door closes)" "Ahh, Garcia, my old friend." "I have been looking all over Geneva for you." "I'll have that, thank you." "You seem surprised, Garcia." "You didn't think you would get away with this?" "(Screams)" " Signor Templar!" " Alfredo, what's going on?" "I don't know." "Did you see Galen?" "Yes." "This place is alive with cops." "Signore, I've been waiting all morning." "We'll sit here." "Galen buys and sells things." "Anything of value." "Your father bought jewellery and smuggled it here for cash." "He was trying to change his assets into American money." "At worst, he was guilty of evading currency restrictions." "Now, tell me everything you know about Visconti, the man who was employed by your father." "Well...he was my father's assistant, he's about...er...25." "He came often to our house." "Monsieur Templar, may I talk with you, please?" "I'll be right back." "(Clicks fingers)" "I would like you to come to police headquarters." "Again?" "What for?" "For purposes of identification." "We have the man who killed Fillipo Ravenna." "Ahh, bon." "You were able to identify the body?" " It's Garcia all right." " You're sure?" " Positively." " Mm-hm." "Why was he in your room?" "Isn't that obvious?" "Because you saw him killing Ravenna he wished to eliminate you?" " Don't you agree?" " Possibly, but... on the other hand I do not always believe the obvious." "Captain, you don't think that I killed him?" "Mr Templar, for the moment, my opinions are my business, not yours." "Thank you for your help, you may go." "We meet again, Mr Templar." "And now you're going to answer a few questions." "I'm always at the service of the Swiss police." " You knew?" " I guessed." "Indeed." "May I ask how?" "Mr..." "Inspector?" "Inspector Kleinhaus, believe me, I mean no offence, but plain clothes detectives are the same the world over." "There's little mannerisms." "Habits." "For example, the gun you're hiding under your hat." "See what I mean?" "Now, put it away and we'll trade information like gentlemen." "Mr Templar, it is a pleasure to do business with you." "(General chatter)" "My name is Visconti, I believe you have a room for me?" "Visconti, er..." "Yes, Signora Ravenna booked it last night." "Carlo, I thought you'd never get here." "As soon as you telephoned, I took the next plane." "I'm so sorry." "Poor Fillipo." "It's been terrible, I'm nearly out of my mind." "Monsieur, I'm sorry, your room is not ready," "I will give you the first one available." "No, bring your bag up to mine." " (Dings bell)" " Don't bother." " Carlo, what happened?" " I don't know." "I was willing to steal from Fillipo because part of it was mine anyway." "But to kill him?" "What went wrong?" "Garcia went too far, it was an accident." "We're accessories to murder!" " Keep your voice down!" " Oh, he's out." "Make sure." "Alfredo?" "(Carlo) Where is he?" "(Helen) I don't know, but he suspects something." " Carlo, I'm afraid." " Don't show it." "I haven't got your capacity for ruthlessness." " Tell me what happened." " It was your idea!" "You couldn't wait to get rid of Fillipo!" " You hired Garcia." " I said no violence." "Well, Fillipo's dead and Garcia stabbed him." "(Helen) The police questioned me for two hours!" "I told them I didn't know what was in the briefcase." " They believed you?" " I don't know." " And Garcia?" " Garcia is dead." "He fell from one of the balconies this morning." "I don't know how it happened." " The hotel's crawling with police." " And the briefcase?" "I don't know where it is." "Then the whole thing's been pointless." "Oh, no..." "Don't say that." "We'll manage somehow." "Without money?" "If I must work for a living, I live in Rome, not in New York." "(Telephone rings)" "Answer it." " Hello?" " 'Is this Signora Ravenna?" "'" "This is Paul Galen." "Your husband came to my house this morning." "'No doubt you know why." "I wonder if I could have a word with him.'" "Just a moment." "It's Galen." "He says Fillipo came to see him this morning." " This morning?" " Yes." " But that's impossible!" " What will I say?" "Obviously he thinks Fillipo's alive." "He's holding the line, he wants Fillipo, what will I say?" "Take a message." "I'm sorry, Monsieur Galen, the maid was in the room." "My husband isn't here right now, may I take a message?" "Signora, your husband was coming to my house tonight at eight." "A very important client of mine has arrived in Geneva and I must meet him at his hotel at eight." "'Could your husband come instead at seven?" "'" "Oh, I'm sure that'll be all right, Monsieur." "I'll tell him." " Thank you." " Goodbye." "Did you hear all that?" "(Carlo) Yes." "Galen wants Fillipo to go at seven instead of eight." "Helen..." "Fillipo and Galen never met, so somebody could impersonate Fillipo and Galen would never know." "Well, I..." "I guess so." "That's what's happened." "My note to Galen was in the jewel box, whoever has it is calling himself Fillipo." "Carlo, I know who it is." " Who?" " His name is Templar." "Simon Templar." "He was watching us in the airport and he was talking to Alfredo on the plane." "He must have followed Fillipo when he left the hotel." "He's had the briefcase all along." "But Inspector, I heard them, every word!" "It is the uncorroborated word of a prejudiced teenager against the word of two adults!" " With Garcia dead we can't prove it." " Mr Templar, you must do something!" "Inspector, I've no right to interfere but I may be able to help." "Mr Templar, I know your reputation, poor Garcia has already met justice." "The only way to catch the two people behind this is force them into betraying themselves." "All right, they think I'm seeing Galen again tonight." "They know I have the briefcase but they think they're in the clear." "Now, suppose I do everything they expect but add a little bit more?" " What would you like?" " Bourbon on the rocks, I guess." "Bourbon with ice for the Signora." "For me, Campari." "I've got a feeling we're being watched, I've had it since Rome." " You're imagining things." " Oh, I'm so afraid." " Of being caught?" " And other things." "You're so young, you don't understand what it means." "We're responsible for two men dying." "We'll always remember that." " Speak for yourself." " It doesn't matter?" "We must get back what is ours." "Templar will go to Galen's at eight." "Galen won't be there." "But I will." "I'll get the briefcase back." "Then tomorrow you and I will go to America." "Everything will be just as we planned." " Now, you know what to do?" " Sì, signore." "I don't know how much it'll be so here's 3,000 francs." "Now, hurry." " Inspector Kleinhaus?" " He's watching them." "Front desk, please." "(Phone buzzes)" "Jacques, it's Simon Templar." "Would you like to earn a fast 200 francs?" "For you, Monsieur Templar, anything, anytime." "Oui." "Yes, I understand." " (Knock at door)" " Come in!" " Did you get it?" " Sì, signore." "Good work." " The change." " Thanks." " Will you count it?" " Why, we're partners." " Sì." "And friends." " They still in the bar?" " The Inspector is watching." " I'll be back in four minutes." "Oh, the key to your room." "Gràzie." "Five past seven." "To get to Galen's before Templar" "I should leave in 10 minutes." "Let me come with you." "Helen, believe me, I can handle this better alone." "Besides, this man Templar is dangerous." "(Key turning in lock)" "Has Galen any servants?" "Yes, but they know me, I've sent him clients before." "Oh, Carlo, no." "No gun, please." " Don't be stupid." " If you're caught..." "I won't be." "They can't connect us with Garcia." "Carlo, you do love me, don't you?" "Helen, I've got things to do." "You've got to tell me, otherwise none of this means anything." "Helen, of course I love you." "Very much." " Has he left?" " Oui, Monsieur, since 20 minutes." " OK, Jacques, go to it." " Oui, Monsieur." "(Whispering)" "Alfredo!" "Please, signore, let me come with you." "I promise not to get in the way." "I may even help." "And you said we were partners." "Please?" " All right, but keep out of sight." " Sì." "Gràzie." " (Knock at door)" " Come in." "There is a bag for Monsieur Visconti?" " What room is it?" " Madame?" "Which room are you taking his bag to?" "No, I am told just to take Monsieur's bag to the lobby" " and there he is checking out." " Checking out?" "!" "Galen's house is around the next bend." "Keep out of sight." "Sì, signore." "It's ridiculous, Signor Visconti has no intention of checking out tonight." "Madame, he told me himself to have his luggage sent to the airport." "Airport?" "Why?" "Obviously he is catching a plane." "But...but that's impossible." "I am only doing as I am instructed." "Signor Visconti is catching flight 407 for Buenos Aires." "Are...are you sure of this?" "Of course, Madame, I booked his space myself." "Is something wrong?" " Get me a taxi, quickly!" " Oui, Madame." "A taxi for Madame." "Monsieur Galen is sorry he missed you." "I'm sorry, too." "However, now I'm here, I'll wait for Signor Ravenna." "As you wish, signore." "(Car engine outside)" "That must be him now." "Show him in." "Of course." " And Charles..." " Signore?" "It is not necessary to tell him Monsieur Galen is out." "Sì, signore." "Signor Ravenna." "Thank you, Charles." "Don't disturb us." "Sì, signore." "Hello, Visconti." "You know who I am?" " Of course." " You don't seem surprised." "Why should I be?" "I expected to see you." "Why?" "The ways of the ungodly are usually predictable." "(Chuckles)" "And I fall into that category?" " Don't you think so?" " Perhaps." "Now, since we understand each other, let's get to the point." "Put the briefcase on the desk." "And now, back up." "Oh, put your hands up, please." "On the left." " Gràzie." " Prègo." "You're a very wise man, Mr Templar." "You know when the odds are against you." "Driver, will you please hurry?" "I'm going now, Mr Templar." "If you try to stop me, I'll kill you." "I'm sure you will." "You've killed before." " You mean Fillipo Ravenna?" " Who else?" " I was in Rome when that..." " (Tyres squeal)" " Monsieur Galen's early." " I know him very well." "He'll take my word for this, especially as it's true." " The police think differently." " They don't think at all." " Why are you here?" " I'll give you one guess." " I told you to wait." " It would be a long wait!" "What are you talking about?" "Carlo, I know!" "I have the whole picture." "You've checked out of the hotel and you have a plane ticket." " Checked out?" " Yes." "I talked to the desk clerk." "You have a seat on flight 407 leaving Geneva at 10.15!" "Are you mad?" "You and I are flying off to New York tomorrow!" " How?" "Via Buenos Aires?" " Come on, Visconti, admit it." "You bought a one-way ticket this afternoon." " He's making this up!" " Don't you get it?" "I know!" "The ticket's in the briefcase." "I was in the lobby today, I saw him put it there." "He's lying!" "If you don't believe me, search the briefcase, go on!" "You overplayed it, Visconti." "You were too confident." " Stay where you are and shut up!" " See!" "A ticket to Buenos Aires!" " With your name on it!" " It can't be..." " You're a liar." " He planned this." "For you, I became an accessory to murder." "Shut up!" "This is what he wants!" "(Helen) You knew Fillipo would die!" "All right, I did!" "(Helen) It was an act from the beginning." "You had no intention of going away with me!" "Not for one minute!" "You're old, you're dull and you're ugly." "This is what I wanted, and now I've got it!" "Nice work, Alfredo." "I'll take over now, Mr Templar." "Come on in, Oscar, meet my playmates." "This is Detective Inspector Oscar Kleinhaus." "Our co-operative venture worked very well." "Yes." "What will happen to Mrs Ravenna?" "I do not know, but I suspect the court will be lenient." "Her greatest sin was weakness, the weakness of an older woman for a young man." "I see." "Oh, and the jewels?" "The boy will get them, as part of the estate." " Morning, Alfredo." "All set?" " Sì, signore." "I'll drive you to the airport." "Oh, by the way, somehow or other these got into my pocket." "They're yours, I think." "Partner." "Sì...partner."