"Good afternoon." "Dr Latimer?" "Er, yes." "Have you an appointment?" "Oh." "No, I'm not a patient, I'm a reporter." "I want to ask you a few questions about your article in the Medical Journal, sir." "Oh." "Well, er... what is it you want to know?" "Well, is this new drug a cure, Doctor?" "Well, of course it isn't." "Surely I made that quite clear, didn't I?" "Oh, yes, quite clear to the medical profession but the Daily Courier has five million readers who can't even read a doctor's prescription." "Neither can most of the doctors." "Well, I'm sorry." "There's..." "really nothing more I can tell you." "Oh, all right, Doctor." "Well, I'm sorry to have troubled you." "Oh, that's all right." "Look, I've got to write something about this article of yours." "Can't you give me a few... personal details?" " Personal details?" " Yes." "I know you've got a "fashionable" practice - film stars, diplomats, debutantes - so obviously..." "Look, I am a doctor." "I'm not interested in publicity." "Yes, but there must be something." "How old are you?" "What are your hobbies?" "I've no hobbies, no wife and, I regret to say, no capital." " Dr Latimer speaking." " Doc, this is Charles." " Who?" " Charles." "Charles Kaufmann." " Charles!" "How are you?" " I'm fine." " Where are you speaking from?" " Prestwick." " What?" " I'm at Prestwick." "Prestwick?" "What on earth are you doing at Prestwick?" "We hit fog." "The plane was diverted." "That'll teach you." "Haven't you heard about our weather?" "Howard, can you pick up an actress called Frieda Veldon at the airport?" "Well, Charles, I'd like to help." "But I've got a date this evening." " She's arriving on the 3:15 from Berlin." " Can't somebody else do it?" "There's no time." "Drop her at Claridge's." "Well, all right, Charles." "All right." "For the sake of Anglo-American relations, yes, I'll try and fix it." " Er, what did you say her name was?" " Frieda Veldon." "Veldon." "Frieda Veldon." "All right." "Don't worry." " I'll be in London tomorrow morning." " I'll ring you at Claridge's tomorrow." " Be nice to her, Doc." "She's a sweetie." " Yes." "Bye now." "Did you say Frieda Veldon was coming over here?" "Er... yes." "Do you know her?" "Yes, she's a German film star." "Quite a dish." " She's been served at the wrong time." " Why?" "I promised to meet her at London Airport at six o'clock and I've got a date tonight." "Well, I'll run you down there." "It's a good story." "That's very nice of you." "Are you sure it's not too much trouble?" " No, this is business." "Come on." " Oh, thanks." "Is Miss Veldon coming over here to make a film?" "Er, yes, I suppose so." "She's under contract to a friend of mine, Charles Kaufmann." " Why doesn't he meet her?" " Well, he intended to." "He flew from New York but his plane was diverted to Scotland." " Oh, I see." " He wants me to take her to Claridge's." "Flight number 155 to Dublin." "A further announcement concerning the departure of this flight will be made at approximately 12..." "Could you help me?" "I'm trying to find a Miss Frieda Veldon." "She's on flight 195 from Berlin." " Miss Frieda Veldon?" " Yes, that's right." "One moment, sir." "Will Miss Frieda Veldon, BEA passenger on flight 195 from Berlin, kindly report to the general enquiry desk?" "Miss Frieda Veldon, please." " I've found her." "She's waiting in the car." " Good." "So er... you're a friend of Charles?" " Charles?" " Charles Kaufmann." "I hope we shall be friends." "I do not know." "You sound rather doubtful." "He was sorry he couldn't meet you, but he's been delayed." "He won't be here till tomorrow." " Your friend explained that." " Will you er?" " Do you mind if I do?" " No, of course not." "Thank you." "You'd better keep them." "It will be cheaper than buying a new lighter." "That's very nice of you." "Thank you very much." "Windsor, would you be good enough to drop me off at Hyde Park Corner?" " I'll pick up a taxi." " Yes, OK." " You have to leave us, Dr Latimer?" " Yes, I'm afraid so." "I'm rather late for an appointment already." "Mr Windsor will take you to Claridge's." "You have been most kind." "Oh, not at all." "Thank you." " Sorry I'm late." " Shh." "You've missed a wonderful show, Squire." "Two solid hours of Beethoven." "Shh." " I said I'm sorry I'm late." " I've heard that before." "You haven't heard this one before." "You know, when we get married, you'll be forced to listen to me." "Who said anything about getting married?" " I did." " Now, look here..." " Shh!" " Shh!" "Shh!" "Hello?" "One moment, sir." "It's Dr Kimber." " Hello, Kimbo." " Sorry to bother you, Latimer, but I've got a patient I'd rather like you to look at." " A Mrs Ambler." " Oh." "What seems to be the trouble?" "Well, she's been getting pretty bad migraine, amongst other things." "I see." "Well, I'm afraid it will have to be this evening." "Six o'clock suit her?" "Well, I can..." "I can understand the migraine, Mrs Ambler." "I'm sure we can do something about that." "But this er... other matter..." "But it is this other matter that I'm most anxious about, Dr Latimer." "Was it... was it an hallucination?" "You say you were walking across Hampstead Heath?" "Why, yes, Doctor, I told you." "I was walking across the heath, when suddenly I stumbled across a dead man." "There was blood all over his face and hands." "And by the side of the body was a brass candlestick." "Well, naturally, I was terrified." "I ran across the heath and stopped the first person I saw." "But when we returned..." "the body had disappeared." "There was no sign of it." "And the blood?" "There was no blood." "And no candlestick." "Was it an hallucination?" "Er, could you er... describe the man you saw, Mrs Ambler?" "Why, yes." "He was about 40, dark and quite good looking." "There was a little cut at the side of his mouth." "Mm-hm." "And the candlestick?" "Well, it was made of brass, with a screw top." "And had a very heavy, square base to it." "I see." "Have you seen one like it before?" "No, I don't think so." "Not exactly like it." "Er, tell me, Mrs Ambler, do you think the body could have been moved while you were looking for someone?" "No, I don't think so." "I was only away three or four minutes." "No, I'm sure it couldn't." "But you're quite sure that you saw it?" "Why, yes." "I am quite sure." "Well, er... there's nothing to worry about." "But I think I'll have a word with a psychiatrist friend of mine and I'll see you again." "Probably one day next week, eh?" "Thank you." "Yes, well, I think I've got that all pretty clear now, thank you, Doctor." "Well, I'm sorry I..." "I can't be more helpful, Inspector." "On the contrary, sir, you've been most helpful." "You know, what I can't understand is how the devil she got here." "It isn't far from Claridge's." "She could have walked." "No, no, I don't mean that." "I mean what was she doing in my flat?" "I never set eyes on the girl till last night." "Yes." "Mr Windsor came to interview you and finally drove you to London Airport." "Then, at the request of a Mr Kaufmann, you met Miss Veldon." "Is that correct?" "Yes, that's right." "Er, by the way, have you contacted Mr Kaufmann yet?" "Er, no, no." "He hasn't... telephoned." "I've had a pretty busy day." "Well, Sergeant?" "I've been onto Claridge's, sir." "They don't seem to have heard of Miss Veldon." "Or Mr Kaufmann." "You say Dr Latimer arrived at the concert hall at about 8:30?" "Yes." "And he gave you to understand that he had been detained at the clinic?" "Yes." "Well, either at the clinic or St Matthew's, I don't know which." "Was it unusual for Dr Latimer to be late for an appointment?" "Not at all unusual." "He frequently keeps me waiting." "In fact, it's rather a bone of contention between us." "Yes, I can imagine." "And he never mentioned Miss Veldon to you?" "No." "No, he didn't." "Do you suppose he mentioned her to any other member of the party?" "I should very much doubt it." "If he did, it was probably to Ken Palmer." " Mr Palmer?" " Yes." "Er, my name is Dane, Inspector Dane." "I'm investigating the Veldon case." "I wondered whether you'd mind answering a few questions for me?" " Yes, of course, come in." " Thank you." " Can I get you some coffee?" " Er, thank you, no." "First of all... when Dr Latimer arrived at the concert hall on Thursday night, did he say anything to you about meeting Miss Veldon?" "Not a word, no." "He didn't get there till after the interval." "Or was it just before?" "Anyway, it was pretty late." "No, thank you." "And you assumed he had been detained at the clinic?" "I didn't assume anything." "It was none of my business." "I understand you've known Dr Latimer for quite a long time?" "Yes, I've known Howard for years." "We were medical students together." "I didn't stick the course." "Er, would you describe him as a ladies' man?" "Howard?" "Good heavens, no." "That's the last thing I should call him." "By the way, I've just been reading the paper." "It says that Miss Veldon was killed with what is popularly known as a blunt instrument." "Yes, that's right." " What was it, exactly?" " That's something we've got to find out." "I'm only trying to get at the facts, Doctor, and I must say, it hasn't been easy." "You told me your friend, Charles Kaufmann, telephoned from Scotland?" " Yes." " He couldn't have done." "He's in New York, at the Waldorf Astoria." "He's been there for the past week." "New York?" "But that's not possible." "Doctor Latimer, I saw Miss James this morning." "She confirmed that you were late for the concert but she said you told her you were detained at the clinic." "No, no, no, that's not true." "She..." "I mean, sh-sh-she's made a mistake." "Well, anyway, you only have to get hold of Geoffrey Windsor." "We found it a little difficult getting hold of Geoffrey Windsor, sir." "What do you mean?" "Well, I've been onto the Daily Courier and every paper in Fleet Street." " They've never heard of the gentleman." " Never heard of him?" "There's another interesting point." "This is Miss Veldon's diary." "According to this, she had an appointment to see you" " this afternoon at 3:30." " What?" "It's here. "Dr Latimer." "Mayfair Clinic, Harley Street. 3:30."" "I don't believe it." "But how... how could she possibly have made an appointment?" "Well, she apparently did, sir, It's in your book." "That's not my handwriting." "Nurse, come in here right away, will you?" "Nurse, there's an appointment in the book for 3:30 this afternoon." " Do you know anything about it?" " Why, no, Doctor, I didn't make it." " That isn't your handwriting?" " No, sir." " Do you recognise it?" " No, it isn't mine and it isn't Dr Latimer's." "We make all the appointments, nobody else." "Well, if you don't mind, sir, I'd better take this along with me." "I'll let you have it back this afternoon." "All right, Nurse, I'll see myself out." "I'll be in touch with you later, Doctor." "We've found the weapon, sir." "I'm sorry, Doctor, there's no reply." "Er... all right, Nurse." "I'll be with Mr Harper." "Try Miss James again in about ten minutes." "Yes, Doctor." "Ah, Dr Latimer." "Correct me if I'm mistaken - your motorcar is a grey Daimler, registration number SGF 868?" "Yes, I've already told you that." "Sergeant, show Dr Latimer what you found in the boot of his car." "But this is fantastic." "Mrs Ambler told me about er..." "a brass candlestick." "So..." "She said..." "Mrs Ambler?" "But this is quite absurd." "I really think Dr Latimer must be confusing me with someone else." "But you did consult him, Mrs Ambler?" "Of course I did." "My own doctor, Dr Kimber, sent me to him." "Why?" "Well, I..." "I've had rather a bad migraine just recently and he thought that Dr Latimer might be able to help me." "And you never said anything to him about brass candlesticks or having an hallucination?" "Oh, really, Inspector." "If you ask me, it's Dr Latimer who's suffering from hallucinations." "Well, thank you, Mrs Ambler." "You've been most helpful." "I'm afraid I've got to confirm Mrs Ambler's story." "I know nothing about an hallucination, Inspector." " But she did consult you?" " Yes, of course she did." " And I sent her to Dr Latimer." " Why?" " Didn't Mrs Ambler tell you why?" " Well, yes." "But I wanted you to tell me, Doctor" "Well, Mrs Ambler was suffering from insomnia and very bad headaches." " I wanted a second opinion." " I see." "And she never, at any time, mentioned a brass candlestick to you" " or having an hallucination?" " Why, no." "No, certainly not." "Well, thank you, Doctor." "I'm sorry to have troubled you." " Good day." " Good day, Inspector." " Hello." " This is George Kimber." "Listen, Latimer, what the devil's going on?" "Fellow from Scotland Yard has been asking me ridiculous questions about Mrs Ambler." "Haven't you seen the papers?" "A girl called Frieda Veldon was murdered." "She er... she was found in my flat." "Murdered?" "Well, what's this got to do with me?" "With Mrs Ambler?" "Well, she was killed with a brass candlestick." "So, obviously, in view of what Mrs Ambler told me..." "Latimer, what on earth has Mrs Ambler got to do with a brass candlestick?" "But... surely she told you about the hallucinations, the dead man?" "I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about." "Mrs Ambler consulted me because she suffered from migraine." "She didn't respond to my treatment, so I suggested a specialist." "It was as simple as that." " Is that what you told the inspector?" " What else could I tell him?" "Oh, excuse me, Doctor." "Matron would like a word with you." "I'm going out, Nurse." "I'm not sure when I'll be back." "Yes, Doctor." "I don't mind you borrowing my car, but I do wish you'd tell me where you're going." "I'm just going away for a few days." "I'll phone you as soon as I can." "What really happened the other night?" "Who was this girl?" "Was she a friend?" "Darling, I've told you." "She's an actress under contract to Charles Kaufmann." "The police think you murdered her, don't they?" " Yes." " Did you?" "Oh, darling, don't be idiotic." " Were you having an aff..." " No, I wasn't." "I didn't have the time." "You're making a mistake in running away, Howard." "If you're innocent, you've got nothing to fear." "You don't realise what's happened, darling." "You just don't realise." "Everything's piled up on top of me and I've got to have time to sort things out." "All right, Howard." "You must do what you think best." "Ah." "Hello, Miss James." "How are you?" " Is Dr Latimer in?" " No." "I don't know where he is." " But you've seen him?" " Yes." "He was here." "Because your fiance gave us the slip this morning." "Yes, I know." "That means that he's either very stupid or very desperate." "Well?" "Well, if it's just stupidity, we might be able to help him." "But we can't help him if we don't know where he is." "I see your point, Inspector." "Any suggestions?" "Have you tried Sunningdale?" " Why Sunningdale?" " He's passionately fond of golf." "Yes, Miss James." "Somehow, I don't think he's playing golf." "Ah!" "Now, why can't I do that on the ruddy golf course?" "Kenny, are you sure it isn't a bore, my being here?" "Course it isn't, Squire." "Stay as long as you like." "But what's going to happen to your practice if you shut yourself up here?" "What's going to happen to it if they pin a murder charge on me?" "You've been reading too many thrillers." "The police don't pin murder charges on people." "Not in Merrie England." "Well, you heard the story." "Do you believe me?" " Course I believe you." " Would you believe me if you were investigating the case?" " Well..." " Exactly." "Unless I can prove to the police that my story is true, I'm in a jam." "And a pretty nasty jam at that." "Well, you know me, Squire." "I'm the simple type." "But I don't see how you doing a bunk is going to prove anything." " I haven't done a bunk." " You have, you know." "All right, I've done a bunk." "But I've got to have time to sort things out and I can't do that while I'm diagnosing other people's troubles." "It seems to me that the key to this whole problem is this chap, Windsor." "Yes, I know." "And the police don't believe he exists." "I see your point." "Well, I must be off." "I promised to look in to that ruddy party." " Well, don't drink too much." " I'll try not to." "Look, don't think you're in the way here, Squire, because you're not." "We'll have another natter when I get back." " I gave you the key, didn't I?" " Yes, but I shan't be going out." " You know where everything is." " Yes, sure." "Kenny... if you run into any characters we know, don't mention I'm here, will you?" "Oh, don't worry, Doc." "I'm not that stupid." " Right." "Enjoy yourself." " Thanks awfully." "Bye-bye." "Good evening." "I trust I have the right address." "Is this 230 Hailey Court?" "Yes, but Mr Palmer's out at the moment." "Oh." "You're Dr Latimer?" " Yes." " I thought so." " Have we met before?" " No, we haven't, unfortunately." "I wonder if I might come in for a few minutes, Dr Latimer?" " I'm afraid Mr Palmer won't be back..." " It wasn't Mr Palmer I came to see." " No?" " No, it was you, Dr Latimer." "Excuse me." "Thank you." "What do you mean, you came to see me?" "It's a simple enough statement, surely." "Shouldn't require an explanation." " How did you know I was here?" " Somebody told me." " Who?" " That's not important." "It is to me." "What a peculiar thing." "Er, Dr Latimer, there's erm... there's a photograph of you in the evening's paper." "I don't know whether you've seen it." "It doesn't do you justice." " Who are you?" " My name's Brady." "Robert Brady." " I'm a friend of yours." " I've never heard of you." "I'm a very good friend of yours, Dr Latimer." " Are you from Scotland Yard?" " Oh, dear." "Do I look as if I was from Scotland Yard?" " No." " I'm relieved to hear it." "You know, your friend has strange taste, if I may say so." "You'll have to make some changes if you're going to stay here any length of time, won't you?" " What do you want?" " I have a photograph of you, Dr Latimer." "Er... rather a better one than the one in the evening paper." " A photograph of me?" " Yes." "Taken at the airport." " When?" " Just as you were stepping into" "Mr Windsor's motorcar." "Would you care to see it?" "Why did you take that photograph?" "I had a shrewd suspicion it might be of value." "You see, it does prove, amongst other things, that Geoffrey Windsor exists, doesn't it?" "Are you trying to blackmail me, Mr Brady?" "Oh, is that a possibility?" " Are you wealthy, Doctor?" " No, I'm not." "Then why should I wish to blackmail you?" "You're not a very good judge of character, if I may say so." "First, you think I'm a detective and now you think I'm a blackmailer." "It ought to be patently obvious I'm neither." "If you're a friend of mine, you'll give me the photograph." "I have every intention of giving you the photograph." "Eventually." "All right, Mr Brady." "What do you want?" "I want to ask a few questions." "It's quite simple." "Well?" "Tell me." "At the airport, did Miss Veldon give Mr Windsor anything?" "I don't think so." "Not when I was there, anyway." "Was Miss Veldon carrying anything?" "A... handbag and a brown paper parcel." "No idea what could have been in the parcel?" " Could have been a gramophone record." " I see." " Now do I get the photograph?" " Just one more question." "Did Miss Veldon give you anything, by any chance?" "Of course she didn't." "I'd never seen her before." "Wait a minute." "She er... she did give me something." "She gave me a book of matches." " When?" " In the car." "This thing wouldn't work." "Have you got this book of matches?" "Yes." "It's in my... suit at the flat." "Dr Latimer, get me the matches." "I'll give you the photograph." "I can't do that." "If I go to the flat, the poli..." "Very well, then." "It's up to you." "Wait a minute." "If I get you the matches, will you give me that photograph?" "I've already said so." "Right." " Yes?" " Is that you, Howard?" " Who's that?" " Who the devil do you think?" "Charles." " Charles." " Yes, old pal." "Charles Kaufmann." "I've been trying to get in touch with you all day." "Charles, where are you?" "Where are you speaki..." "I'm at the Savoy." "I arrived this morning." "I telephoned you the minute I got to the hotel, but there was no answer." "Hello?" "Howard, can you hear me?" "Howard!" "Hello?" "Hello?" "Operator." "Oper..." "There he is." "He's coming down." "Buy your Standard!" "Hello, Squire." "You've got a visitor." "Yes, I kno..." "Good evening, Dr Latimer." "Good evening, Inspector." "Where's Brady?" "Brady?" "Who's Brady?" "A man called Brady came to see me just after you left." "He asked me to..." " Er... to get something for him." " I haven't seen him." "How long have you been back?" "Half an hour." "I found the inspector on the doorstep." " Wasn't Brady here then?" " No, of course not." "Nobody was here." "Who is this fellow Brady?" "I don't know." "I've never seen him before." "Well, how did he know you were staying here?" "I've... no idea." " How did you know, Inspector?" " It's our business to know these things." "Very stupid of you, dashing off like that." "Do you believe what I told you about Geoffrey Windsor and the airport" " and meeting Miss Veldon?" " Yes." " You do?" " Yes." "One of the nurses from the Mayfair Clinic saw you at the airport." "She saw you getting into a car with Geoffrey Windsor." "Thank heavens for the Mayfair Clinic." "There's still some rather curious features, Doctor." " Such as?" " Miss Veldon was found in your flat and her name was in your appointments book." "And then there's this telephone conversation that started the whole business." "We know for a fact that Mr Kaufmann didn't make that call." " He's still in New York." " Really?" "Well, I have news for you, Inspector." "Charles Kaufmann isn't in New York." " He telephoned me about an hour ago." " Kaufmann did?" " Yes." "Ken, may I?" " Yes, sure." "Just after you left, this man, Brady, came to see me." "He offered me a photograph of Geoffrey Windsor and myself at the airport," " in exchange for some matches." " Matches?" "Yes." "Some book matches that Miss Veldon gave me when my lighter wouldn't work." "They were in another suit, so I went to the flat to get them." "When I was there, the telephone bell rang." "It was Charles Kaufmann." "I'd just asked him where he was staying and then wham, something hit me on the back of the head." "When I came to, I was on the floor, the matches had gone." "Did you examine those matches?" "Well, they were just an ordinary book of matches with a..." "German name on the cover." "Der..." "Der Kerzen..." " Der Kerzenhalter?" " Yes, that's right." " What does Kerzenhalter mean?" " Candlestick." "Oh, by the way, I suppose you couldn't help us to find the top half of the one we found in your car?" "You're slipping, Inspector." "You've asked me that already." "Oh, have I?" "Well, we must persevere." " Thank you for the drink, Mr Palmer." " You're welcome, Inspector." " Good night, Doctor." " Good night." " Good night, Mr Palmer." " Good night, Inspector." "You know, I've got a funny feeling about that chap." " Have you?" "Why?" " Mm." "Well, as I told you, he was waiting outside when I got back, said he wanted to talk to you." "I tried to kid him along, pretending I hadn't seen you." "I expected him to ask me all sorts of questions about you, the murder, Charles Kaufmann." "He didn't say a ruddy thing." "He just sat here." "All of a sudden, out of the blue, he starts talking about his hobby, bird-watching." "I wish he'd talk to me about bird-watching." "There's no need for me to stay the night now." "I'd better get back to the flat." "You're not only staying the night, old son, you're taking tomorrow off." "What do you mean?" "You're going to forget all about this flapdoodle for 24 hours." "10 o'clock tomorrow, first tee." " Well, you've got out." " Ha-ha-ha!" " Which club would you like now, sir?" " Er... the five-guinea one, Joe." "Well, that saved your bacon." "You were jolly lucky, Ken." "That'll cost you a drink." "I was afraid it would." "I've got to change my shoes." "I'll see you in the bar." "All right, darling." "Sorry to keep you waiting but I had to get the sand out of my ears." "I get more in my ears here than in the South of France." "Maybe you manage to keep out of bunkers in France." "I try, old boy." " Don't forget the clubs in the boot." " Oh, yes." " Coming in for a cup of tea, Kenny?" " Well... sure I won't be in the way?" " Of course you won't." " OK." "Cuppa it is." "This sand's absolutely deadly." "Have you got any talcum powder?" " Yes, in the bathroom." " I shall write to the committee about this." "It isn't the usual sand." "Somebody must be getting a rake-off." " Thanks." " Want to borrow a shirt, Kenny?" " Thanks, Squire." "I would, yes." " Help yourself." "Thank you." " Mrs Ambler." " Dr Latimer, I must speak to you." "Of course." "I'm delighted to see you." "Come along in." "Miss James, Mrs Ambler." "H-How do you do?" "Anything you have to say, you can say in front of Miss James." "But this is confidential." "I..." "I'm sure." "But I'd prefer you to say it in front of a witness." " I didn't come here to be insulted." " Then what did you come for?" "To give you a piece of advice." "Leave the country now, before it's too late." " You lied to Inspector Dane, didn't you?" " Yes." " You told him that..." " Yes, my whole story was a lie." " But Dr Kimber saw you." "He told me..." " I've never met Dr Kimber." " What?" " I'm sorry for what I did, Dr Latimer." "Terribly sorry." "But I..." "I can do nothing more about it." "You can go to the police." "You can tell them the whole story." "I'm afraid it isn't as easy as that." "In any case, do you think they'd believe me?" "They'd think that Dr Latimer had put me up to it." "Well, if it wasn't Dr Kimber who sent you to see Dr Latimer, then who was it?" "I'm afraid I can't answer that question." " You say you've never met Dr Kimber?" " I've never even seen him." " But you've spoken on the telephone." " Yes, once, a long time ago." "I'm leaving for Switzerland tomorrow, so I shan't be troubling you again." "But..." "I'm terribly sorry." "Hello." "Can I speak to Dr Kimber, please?" "This is urgent." "Where?" "The West Brompton." "Thank you." "He's at the West Brompton Hospital till five o'clock." "Ah, that's better." "I must say, Squire, you have a nice line in shirts." " Anything the matter?" " Er, Kenny, could you do me a favour?" "Could you run me to the West Brompton Hospital right away?" " Sure." "Is it an emergency?" " Very much so." "You'd better drive." "Then you can drop me off" " and return the car when you've finished." " Thanks, Kenny, that's a great help." "Would Dr Abbott go to Casualty, please?" "Dr Abbott." "Kimber, I'd like to talk to you about Mrs Ambler." "Latimer, I haven't time to discuss this now." "In any case, it's perfectly obvious the woman was lying." "Did you see Mrs Ambler or didn't you?" "Of course I saw the woman." "I examined her." "You don't think I'd send you a patient I'd never even seen?" "This is a pretty serious business as far as I'm concerned." "It's a most unpleasant one." " Can I give you a lift?" " No, I've got my own car, thank you." "I don't think you've met Miss James, have you?" " Why, no." "No." " Laura, this is Dr Kimber." " How do you do?" " Miss James." "Now, if you'll excuse me." "What it really boils down to is you prefer to believe Mrs Ambler" " rather than Dr Kimber." " Yes, I do." "I know Mrs Ambler lied to you in the first place, but I'm sure she was telling the truth this afternoon." " In fact, I'm convinced of it." " I just don't agree." " I've known Kimber for years." " What's that got to do with it?" "I went to a dentist for years until they arrested him for bigamy." "I didn't like Kimber." "He was too smooth." "But he only said half a dozen words to you." "You only said half a dozen words to me the first time we met and I didn't think you were too smooth." " You hadn't met him before, had you?" " Who, Kimber?" " Yes." " Why, no, of course not." "Like to have a drink at Kenny's with me?" "No." "Drop me back at the flat." " Hello." " Is that you, Howard?" " Yes." "Who's that?" " It's Charles, pal." " Charles?" " Yes." "Charles Kaufmann." "What happened the other night?" "I tried to phone you back and..." "Charles, where are you?" "Where are you speaking from?" "I'm at the Savoy." "Look, Howard, is anything the matter?" " Yes." "I've got to see you." " Sure." "Let's get together." " How about lunch on Thursday?" " No, you don't understand." "This is urgent." "I've got to see you now, tonight." "All right." "Come around here." "I'm in the bar." "No, I can't do that." "I can't leave the flat." " Well, what do you want me to do?" " Grab a cab and come straightaway." " Right away?" " Yes." "Look, Charles, this is very urgent." " Please." " OK." "I'm on my way." " Dane speaking." " Could you come to my flat right away?" " Why?" "Is something wrong?" " No, but I'd like you to meet somebody." " Oh?" "Who, exactly?" " Charles Kaufmann." "He should be here in about 15 minutes." " It's been an extremely long 15 minutes." " He said he was coming straight here." "You're wasting your time, Doctor." " What do you mean?" " Mr Kaufmann isn't staying at the Savoy." "Of course he's staying at the Savoy." "You mean you don't believe me." "You don't believe I received a phone call." "You have a quaint way of putting words into my mouth." "I didn't say I didn't believe you." "I said Mr Kaufmann wasn't at the Savoy." "I tell you that he telephoned me." "He said he was coming straight here." " Why hasn't he arrived?" " I don't know why he hasn't arrived." "He hasn't arrived for the simple reason he's still in New York." "Dr Latimer, last time we met I asked you if you had any idea" " where the top of the candlestick was." " And I said I hadn't the slightest idea." "So, if I asked your permission to search this flat, you would grant it?" "Certainly." "Tear up the floorboards if you want to." "I don't think that'll be necessary." "But I would like to have a look at your golf clubs." " My golf clubs?" " Yes." "I must say, you golfers carry the most extraordinary things around with you." "I don't see anything very extraordinary about a set of golf clubs." "That rather depends what you find in the bag." "Doesn't it, sir?" "Look up there, will you?" " Good appetite?" " Yes, Doctor." "Mm-hm." "See you tomorrow." "Oh, hello, Nurse." "I thought you'd gone." "No." "I haven't finished the Bertrand report yet." "Well, we'll leave that." "Finish it off tomorrow, will you?" "Any messages?" "Dr Hallam telephoned." "He said he'd have to give Mrs Cartwright an Entromycin injection." "Yes, I know, I've spoken to him." "Oh, and Mr Palmer telephoned about ten minutes ago." "He said he was having a few friends in for drinks and he'd like you to drop by" " at half past seven." " I hope you said I was very busy." "Well, I did, but he said, "You tell the doc I don't care how busy he is," ""I want my latch key. "" "Good heavens." "I'd forgotten about that." "I..." "I've got his latch key." " Is there anything else, Doctor?" " Er, no, that's all, thank you, Nurse." "Oh, by the way, Inspector Dane didn't call this afternoon," " by any chance, did he?" " No." "No one's called from Scotland Yard." "Hm." "That makes a nice change, anyway." "Kenny?" "Kenny?" "K..." "How long do you suppose she's been dead?" " I should say about a couple of hours." " Hm." "I know what you're thinking, but you're wrong." " I'm thinking about a telephone call." " A telephone call?" "Yes." "About 20 minutes ago, a man phoned my office and said Mrs Ambler had met with an accident and was I interested." "When I said I was, he gave me this address." " Who was this man?" " I don't know." "Before I had a chance to ask him, he rang off." " It wasn't you, by any chance, Doctor?" " No, it wasn't." "I just wondered." "It's not unusual to phone the police when you find a dead body." "What's going on around here?" "There's half Scotland Yard downstairs." "Sorry, sir, he insisted on coming up." "Of course I insisted upon coming up!" "Don't be a clot." "I live here." " All right, Sergeant." " Look, what is all this?" "Why is the place all cluttered..." " Who's that?" " Er, don't you know, sir?" "No." "No, I don't." "I've never seen her before." "Is she dead?" "Yes." "Well, what's she doing in here?" "How did she get into my flat?" "I was hoping you'd be able to tell us that, sir." "Well, I don't know how she got in here." "I haven't the slightest idea." " Who is she?" " Her name is Ambler, Mrs Ambler." "Well, I've never heard of the woman." "What's she doing in here?" "I thought perhaps you asked her in for a drink, sir." "But I keep telling..." "What d'you mean, "asked her in for a drink"?" "Well, I understand from Dr Latimer that you invited him and a few friends in for drinks this evening." "What?" "Kenny, you phoned my office and left a message." "You asked me to drop in for a drink and leave your latch key." " I did?" " Yes." "Look, I'm sorry, Squire, I don't get this." "I didn't make any telephone call, I haven't asked anybody in for drinks." "I've been to the flicks." "I've been there since four o'clock." "Thank you, sir." "Dr Latimer, I think you'd better come down to the station with me." "I've already told you all I know." "All the same, I'd like you to come down to the station with me." "Which station are you taking me to?" "Station?" "Oh, I don't think we'll bother them at the station this evening, sir." " But I thought you said..." " Oh, I've got more important things to do." "Suppose you look me up at the office sometime tomorrow." "Yes, of course, Inspector." "What time?" "I'll ring you at the clinic." "We'll fit it in with your appointments." "Sergeant, drop Dr Latimer at Knightsbridge" " and then take me on to the office." " Yes, sir." "Thank you." "Oh, he's just come in." "Would you hold a minute, please?" " Who is it?" " I think it's the inspector." "Oh." "Tell Mrs Danver the operation's over" " and there's nothing to worry about." " Yes, Doctor." " Better get Matron to give her a sedative." " Yes." "And get me one, too." "Inspector?" "Dr Latimer here." "Good morning, Dr Latimer." " Who's that?" " Don't you recognise the voice?" " Geoffrey Windsor." " Windsor?" "Yes." "Now erm... don't ring off, please." "I've something to tell you." " What do you want, Windsor?" " I want to see you, Doctor." " This afternoon, if possible." " All right." "I'll see you here in my office this afternoon." "Oh, no." "No, we'll meet on the Embankment, if you don't mind." "Near Cleopatra's Needle." "Three o'clock." "And erm... don't ring the police, old man." "This concerns Miss James." "What do you mean?" "Windsor?" "Windsor!" "Get your tickets here." "This way for the pier, ladies." "Sailing in 15 minutes." "Circular trip to the Tower Bridge." "Get your tickets here." "Just sailing, ladies." "One or two more." "This way for a nice trip down the river." "A few more seats left." "Circular trip to the Tower of London." "Get your tickets here." "Just sailing." "Have you done this trip before?" "What is it you want?" "If you live in London, you just never seem to do this sort of thing." " It's a pity, really, because..." " What is it you want?" "Well, since you ask, I want 4,000 pounds." "Are you serious?" "Yes, perfectly serious." "Why should I give you 4,000 pounds?" "Why should I give you 4,000 pence, if it comes to that?" "Who said anything about you giving me 4,000 pounds?" "You asked me what I wanted." "I told you." "Suppose you stop talking in riddles and come to the point?" "Very well." " You have a colleague, Dr Kimber." " Yes." "I'd like you to see him and deliver a message for me." "Tell him I want 4,000 pounds and I want it by tomorrow." "And if he doesn't hand the money over to you by tomorrow," "I shall send a letter to Inspector Dane." "This is blackmail, Windsor." "I'm not getting mixed up with this." "I've asked you to do something." "If you do it, there's no necessity for me to discuss Miss James with you, Inspector Dane or anyone else." "What do you know about Miss James?" "I'll phone you." "If you get the money, we'll arrange to meet." "Then I'll tell you what I know about her." "It's worth hearing." "Look, Latimer, I've told you all I know about Mrs Ambler." "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm a very busy man." "You've told me precisely nothing." "But I didn't come to talk about Mrs Ambler." "I'd never have guessed it." "No, I came because I spent the best part of the afternoon with a friend of yours." " Geoffrey Windsor." " I don't know anyone called Windsor." "No?" "He seems to know you." "Interesting man, Mr Windsor, full of interesting propositions." "The sort of man you instinctively underrate." "Did you underrate him, Kimber?" "What the devil are you talking about?" " Are you a wealthy man, Kimber?" " Why, no." "Well, Windsor thinks you are." "He seems to think you've got 4,000 pounds to throw away." " 4,000 pounds?" " Yes." "He asked me to deliver a message to you." "He said, "Tell Kimber if he doesn't hand over 4,000 pounds by tomorrow night," ""I shall write a letter to Inspector Dane. "" " Letter?" "What kind of letter?" " Use your imagination." "What kind of a letter do you think a man like Windsor would write?" "Latimer, tell me, what exactly did he say?" "He said, "Just deliver the message." "Kimber will understand. "" " Do you?" " Yes, I do." "When do you say he's phoning?" "Tomorrow?" "Yes." "I don't know where I shall get it, but I'll have the money by the morning." "If he phones before that, tell him it's all right." "Did you murder Frieda Veldon?" " No." " Or Mrs Ambler?" " No, I swear to you I didn't." " Then don't be a fool." "Why should you hand over 4,000 pounds because he threatens to write a letter?" "Call his bluff." "I've underrated him once." "I don't want to do it again." "I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to tell me the truth." "I'm always perfectly truthful with you about everything." " How long have you known Dr Kimber?" " Kimber?" "But I don't know him." "What makes you think I know Kimber?" "Because he recognised you when he came out of the hospital." "Oh, nonsense." "I..." "I'd never seen the man before." "I don't believe you." "All right, you don't believe me." "Now, if you don't mind, I'm extremely tired and I'd like to go to bed." "Why didn't you tell me you were mixed up in this?" "Or that you knew Geoffrey Windsor?" "Windsor?" "You mean the man who took you to the airport?" "The man..." " You know perfectly well who I mean." " I don't know who you mean." "Look, Howard, if there's anything at the back of your mind, will you please say it?" "All right." "I saw Windsor this afternoon." "He told me he intended to blackmail Kimber." "He wanted me to act as a go-between." "When I refused, he threatened to talk to Dane." " About Kimber?" " No." "About you." " About me?" " Yes." "But I've never met Windsor." "He doesn't know anything about me." " Well, that wasn't my impression." " You didn't do what he wanted?" " You didn't see Kimber?" " Yes." "Oh, you fool." "Darling, you shouldn't have seen Kimber." "If he goes to the police, they'll think it was you that was blackmailing him." "You should have gone to Dane straightaway." " Well, I can still do that." " Then why don't you?" "I've told you." "Because of what Windsor said about me." "Yes." "Well." "There's only one answer to that." " Hello?" " Hello." "Is that Miss James?" "Yes." "Who's that?" "This is Inspector Dane." "Is Dr Latimer there, by any chance?" "Yes." "Oh." "Could I speak to him, if it's not too much trouble?" "Yes, certainly." "It's Inspector Dane." " Latimer speaking." " Good evening, Doctor." "I wonder if you could look in to my office sometime tomorrow?" " In the morning, preferably." " Er... yes, I suppose so." "What time?" " Around ten o'clock?" " Very well." "I'll... see you then." "Thank you." "I shall look forward to seeing you." " Good night, Doctor." " Night." "Thank you." "Well, I've told you all I know about Windsor, Kimber and Laura James and you've made absolutely no comment whatsoever." "Dr Latimer, over the past few days, have you ever stopped to think why you haven't been arrested?" "Well, I assumed you hadn't sufficient evidence." "There's your dossier." "There's enough evidence to arrest you 20 times over." "Then why haven't you done it?" "I'm by way of being a bird-watcher." "You're not the bird I'm after." "Come downstairs with me." "I want to show you something." "Now let me introduce Sergeant Haines, Sergeant Wallace." "How do you do, Sergeant?" "How do you do?" " I think you owe me a shilling, Sergeant." " It's gone to a good cause, Doctor." "Come along, Doctor." "I want to show you something else." " Ready, Marsh?" " Yes, sir." " Who's that?" " It's Charles." "Charles Kaufmann." "Howard, I've been trying to get in touch with you all day." "Charles." "Where are you?" "Where are you speaki..." "I'm at the Savoy." "I telephoned you but there was no answer." "Hello?" "Howard, can you hear me?" "Howard?" "Hello?" "Hello?" "Operator." "Operat..." "Have you been listening in to all my telephone calls?" "Only the interesting ones, sir." "Don't you think you owe me an explanation, Inspector?" "Yes, I do, Doctor." "I do indeed." "I'd like to introduce you to Major Harrington." "Come along." "Harrington is attached to the Special Branch." "He's been in charge of the case from the beginning." " I thought you were in charge of it." " Well, officially, Doctor, officially." "Aha." "Let me introduce Major Harrington." "Dr Latimer." "I think we've met before, Dr Latimer." " How do you do, sir?" " How do you do?" "Sit down, won't you?" "We'll continue the conference later, gentlemen." "Major Harrington's been working for Interpol, hence the slightly unorthodox procedure." "Yes, Dr Latimer." "Just over a year ago, I went to Berlin to investigate an organisation called Digrenza." "They had their headquarters in a little cafe called the Brass Candlestick." "They specialised in forged passports, illegal permits and visas and that sort of thing." "I found that the head of the outfit was an Englishman, a gentleman by the name of Henson." "We had to lay a little trap for him." "And the bait we used on this occasion was a member of my staff," " Frieda Veldon." " Frieda Veldon?" "Unfortunately, Henson was tipped off and so wanted to throw the suspicion on somebody else, so he picked on you, Dr Latimer." "I see." "But how did this er..." "Ambler woman come into all this?" "Mrs Ambler came into this country on a forged passport supplied by Henson." "He's been blackmailing her ever since." "He even blackmailed her into telling you that story about the brass candlestick." "But surely..." "Wait a minute." "Those telephone calls from Charles Kaufmann." " They were genuine, weren't they?" " Impersonations." " I can't believe it." " It's a fact." "I see." "Well, Windsor, was he working for Henson, too?" "Mm-hm." "That's why he was in your office and that's why he put Frieda Veldon's name in your appointment book." "So, Frieda Veldon was one of your people." "And when you turned up at the airport, she thought you were one of Henson's associates." "That's why she gave you that book of matches." "Do you remember?" "That's why you wanted me to get them for you." "Yes." "Because we knew that those matches contained a report from the Berlin people, you see." "Well, er... this Mr Henson certainly seems to have had it in for me, doesn't he?" "He does indeed." "That's why we thought you might like to help us, Doctor." "Help you?" "How?" "I'll tell you how, Dr Latimer." "Hello, Kimber." "Sit down." " Well, have you... heard from Windsor?" " No." "Not yet." "Sit down." "Well er... what do you want me to do when I do hear from him?" "You can give him this." " You've got the money?" " Yes." " 4,000 pounds?" " Yes." "Congratulations." "It isn't everybody who can raise 4,000 pounds at a moment's notice." "Latimer, I had a devil of a time getting this money and I want to make sure that..." "Look, I know I've asked you before, but what exactly did Windsor say to you?" "I've told you." "He said if he didn't get the money he'd write a letter to Inspector Dane." "He didn't say what he'd write to Dane about?" "No, he didn't." "But presumably, you know that, otherwise you wouldn't be so keen on handing over the 4,000." "Latimer, I'm in a spot." "If Windsor knows what I think he knows, then he can ruin me." " On the other hand, if he's bluffing..." " You can easily find out if he's bluffing." " How?" " Call his bluff." "Tell him to write to Inspector Dane." "Tell him..." "Excuse me, but Inspector Dane is in reception and would like to see you." "I did tell him you were engaged, but..." "All right, Nurse." "Thank you." "Well er... what is it, Inspector?" "Can't you see I'm busy?" " I want you to come down to the station." " Now?" " Yes, right away." " But this is absurd." " I have several patients to see." " I suggest you put them off." "Don't be ridiculous, man." "How can I put them off?" "That's your problem, Doctor." "Are you ready, Dr Latimer?" "I'll er... see you this afternoon, Kimber." " Call me at the flat, will you?" " Yes." "All right, Latimer." " Hello, darling." " What's happened?" "I've been trying to get in touch with you all day." "Why have you been avoiding me?" "I've been to Harley Street twice." " I've even been to the hospital." " Well, quite a lot's happened." "Yes, I know, I've seen the paper." " Are they really going to arrest you?" " No, no." "But it says they took you to the station and the inspector..." "Yes, I know." "I've read it." "Now, look, I want you to do something for me." "Here's a key of the flat." "Come back later." "I'll explain everything then." "Why can't you explain now?" "You can't leave me in the dark." "I can't, darling." "I promised..." " Are you expecting someone?" " Yes, Kimber." "Now, do as I say, darling, please." " All right, Howard." " I'll come back as soon as I can." " Hello, Kimber." "Come in." " Latimer." " You know Laura, don't you?" " Good afternoon." "Good afternoon." "Howard..." " Have you heard from Windsor?" " Yes." "He phoned about an hour ago." " What happened this morning?" " They took me down to the station." "Questioned me for three hours." "Three hours, Kimber." "You didn't tell them about me and?" "I didn't tell them anything." "But it's my bet they'll have a warrant out for me by this time tomorrow." "Now, listen, Kimber." "I'm doing you a big favour over this Windsor business." "And now I want one in return." "What is it you want?" "The police think I killed Frieda Veldon." "You know I didn't." " Well..." " Well, who did?" "She was killed by a man named Henson." "He's the head of an organisation called Digrenza." "I see." "Are you a member of this organisation?" "No, I'm not." "Wish I'd never heard of it." "What happened, Kimber?" "A year ago, I was friendly with a girl who became involved in a murder case." "Although it had nothing to do with me, she threatened to drag me into it." "Then, one day she introduced me to Henson." "He offered to get her out of the country." " In return for what?" " He wanted a supply of heroin." "I got it for him." "Whether it was a put-up job or not, I don't know." "One way or another, they've been blackmailing me ever since." "All right, Kimber." "I'll take care of Windsor." "What's happened?" "What went wrong?" " Wrong?" " Didn't Kimber turn up?" "Yes, he turned up, all right." "Then why haven't you brought the money?" "Haven't you seen the papers?" "It's only a matter of hours before they pick me up." " That's no concern of mine." " Isn't it?" "If you were in my shoes, would you worry about what happened to Kimber?" " Listen, if you've got the money..." " I've got the money." "I'll hand it over to you on one condition." "I don't think you're in a position to make conditions, Dr Latimer." "I disagree." "Once I'm arrested, I couldn't care what happened to you, Kimber or anyone else." "What is it you want?" "I want to get out of the country in the next 24 hours." "How can I help you?" "Kimber says you know a man called Henson." "He says he... he could get me a false passport." "Things like that cost money, a great deal of money." " How much?" " Are you making me a proposition?" "I'll hand over Kimber's 4,000 and give you five myself." "When?" "The moment I get the passport." "Come on, I'll make a phone call." " Wait over there." "I'll be back." " Right." "Henson's leaving tomorrow." "He wants the money by 11 o'clock." "Take it to the Raven Hotel, Knightsbridge." " He'll be waiting for you." " And the passport?" "It will be made out to a Dr Edward Regan." "Incidentally, I suggest you make a plane reservation in that name." "Are you sure it'll be all right?" "The photograph and everything?" "It's not the first time we've done this sort of thing, old man." "11 o'clock, Dr Latimer." "Raven Hotel." "And erm... good luck." "Come on, sir." "Don't give us no trouble." " Well?" " Henson's leaving London tomorrow." "I'm meeting him at the Raven Hotel, Knightsbridge, 11 o'clock." "Thank you very much." "We'll take care of it." " Hello, Squire." " Hello." "I was on my way to London Airport so I thought I'd drop in and return your shirt." "Oh, thanks." "Where are you off to, Ken?" "South of France?" " No, old boy." "Berlin." " Berlin?" "Yep." "Gayest city in the world these days." "Besides, I er..." "I know a girl who's got a flat there." " Rather an unusual place to have a flat." " Rather an unusual girl, Squire." "Oh, by the way, I've er..." "I've got something for you." " For me?" " Mm-hm." " You'll never guess what it is." " No?" "Well, let me think." "It wouldn't be a passport, would it?" "In the name of Dr Edward Regan." "How long have you known?" " That you were Henson?" " Yes." "I didn't really suspect you until the night Kimber recognised your car outside the hospital." "I thought at first it was Laura he was looking at." "I see." "Well..." "I got you into this mess." "The least I can do is to get you out of it, eh, Dr Regan?" "Thanks." "Just er... just for the record..." "why did you pick on me?" "Well, I had to pick on somebody." "If you want a convenient scapegoat, always pick your best friend, I say." "You don't get hurt, that way." "I see." "Oh, cheer up, Squire." "No harm done." "No." "Just a little question of a rope round my neck, that's all." "Well, cheerio, Squire." "Look after yourself." "Don't do anything I wouldn't." "Now I'll have that passport back." "Howard?" " It's no use." "He pulled the cord out." " But we've got to get the police." "There isn't time." "Besides, Dane's waiting at the Raven Hotel." "Let's get to the airport." "Thank you, sir." "Thank you." "Thank you, sir." " What time is the plane to Berlin?" " You missed it, sir." "It's already taking off." "Come on." "BEA announce the departure of their outbound flight 127 to Berlin." "We're too late." "I'm going to the control room." "We've got to try and stop him." "Hello, Dr Latimer." "What are you doing here?" "Henson's on that plane!" "Yes, I know." "I wouldn't worry about that, if I were you." "I always feel the worst's over once you're airborne, don't you, sir?" "Not always, Mr Henson." "Sergeant." "No, thank you very much." "Will Dr Latimer please report to the general enquiry desk to take a telephone call?" "Dr Latimer, please." "I'm sorry, madam, the flight information hasn't come through." " I'm Dr Latimer." " Oh, yes." "We have a call for you." " Dr Latimer speaking." " Oh, Howard?" "This is Charles." " Charles?" " Yes, Charles." "Charles Kaufmann." "Er..." "Charles, w-where are you?" "Where are you speaking from?" "I'm at Southampton." "I've just got in from New York." "Look, Howard, I'm in a spot." "I have to meet an actress called Gina Gasparito and I missed the boat-train." "Will you pick her up at the Savoy?" "Er, Charles, I'm terribly sorry, I'm-I'm-I'm afraid I can't." "I've er..." "I've got a dinner date." " But I'm in a spot." "Can't you possibly..." " No." "No, no, I'm awfully sorry." "I-I'm going to be tied up for some time." "You see, er..." " I'm getting married." " Howard, you can't do this to me." "Howard, are you there?" "Are you listening?" "What's happened?" "Howard, can you hear me?" "Howard, this is Charles." "Charles, Howard." "This is Charles."