"I'II pass." "I'II see you." "See the 5, and raise 10." "Here's the 15." "And raise 20." "I wasn't bluffing." "really?" "3 kings." " Had me beat!" "I don't like that light in my face." " So we can't see your face when you're... bluffing us out of a game, boss?" " That's right, Joe." "I don't want to be... easy a target with Kerkie MineIIi around." " Why isn't Gunner Steve here?" "Must have picked up a babe." "Mr. O'Oonnor, please." "And 20." " I'II see you." "Let it ring." "Now look, take a look at these." "royal flush!" "hello?" " O'Oonnor?" "Right, Steve." "What is it?" " MineIIi's boys are on the way." "Greetings from Kerkie MineIIi." "This is Kerkie MineIIi" " From the USA to italy, one-way." "Be careful as long as you're in the 3 mile zone." "We don't want him back." " relax." "You don't think I'II swim... to get back to a country that doesn't want me and deports me to prove his point." "With O'Oonnor and his gang you can play tough." "But not with us." "What proof do you have?" "Nothing!" "Petty little charges and that's all." "They were enough." "I think in italy you won't be lonely." "Your old friends are all there." " I can buy those." "You know that." "In italy, a man like me needs more than the old homeland." "I'II be somewhere else." " You better go." "Bon voyage!" "Good morning." "Your mail, Mr. Parker." " From you, I didn't expect anything else!" "Good day, Sir." "Parker!" "My Lord?" " I just can't see this." "Perhaps you need glasses now, My Lord." "Read it aloud, Parker, if you will." ""Nowadays, people with a Iot of money are more in danger than they ever were." "They need protection." "The pat..." "The patrons of the rich, for the sum of only 10.000 pounds, are prepared to guarantee it." "If you accept, just place an ad in the personal column of Wednesday's 'Times'."" "Great idea!" "But Wednesday is tomorrow!" " Read through to the end!" "Oh yes, that's right." "There's more to it, here." ""If you refuse to pay, or make a call to the police," "you will be a dead man."" "It seems like insurance with a strange company that charges... remarkably high premiums for protection." " It is extortion, Parker!" "But I'm not frightened at all." " OertainIy not, My Lord." "In America among the savages such a thing could happen." "But among us in London..." " What to do you recommend I should do?" "For me, there is no question at all:" "straight away to scotland Yard, Sir!" "It's time for your medicine, Mr. Tanner." " Medicine?" "Nonsense!" "I must check these obligations right now." " The doctor said..." "Dr. Jenkins is all wrong." "Won't ever let me alone." "And you..." "Who is that out there?" " Inspector Weston." "The master investigator himself!" " hello Inspector Weston." "please." "Thank you." "What brings you here, Mr. scotland Yard?" " You believe I came here to amuse myself?" "You'd never come here just..." " It's alright." "I had Inspector Weston come over." " I suppose, you brought him in... because you lost something." " A document of great importance was lost." "I believe that it was stolen, Inspector." "Perhaps the new butler." "The 4th in this month." "The last one just couldn't take it any longer... being suspected all the time." " Did you write letters this morning?" "You mean my letters mean something?" "tell me the purpose of those letters." " I was checking up... on rich new oilfields coming in..." " In Tampico." "please look that up in the encyclopaedia." " But certainly, Mr. SherIock holmes." "Why, thank you." "That's it." "Is this what you lost, Mr. Tanner?" "Yes!" "You're a genius, Weston." " You're a magician." "You would do well on the stage." " It was not for anything that I came... this last time." " You mean I'm not going to see you ever?" "I work in a new division, now." "Tomorrow, I begin working blackmail." ""If you refuse to pay, or make a call to the police, you will be a dead man." That's it." "They left the corpse in front of our door." "I can't remember ever seeing such a vicious crime, Sir John." "No wonder." "They're using American methods." " Any plans, gentlemen?" "I say we should watch all persons connected with blackmailing, or even suspected of the crime, Sir." " We would be wasting our time." "These men have never operated in england." " You're new in the blackmailing division." "You need a bit more experience on the job." "We must hear him out." "What plan do you offer?" "My American colleague from the FBI, who is familiar with this type of crime, should be consulted." "He is in London, now." " Oome on, Weston." "An outsider!" "Inspector, haven't you ever heard of international cooperation?" "That really makes sense." "OouId you arrange that the American come and see me?" "I had hoped you would say that, Sir." "He's right outside." "Oaptain AIIerman of the FBI." "Sir John." "Ohief Inspector TetIey." "Very good, Oaptain AIIerman." "Some of your gangsters are visiting London." "OriminaIs like these present a threat to every nation in the entire world." "I know the methods of these rotten hoods." "And a human life means that." "Here is the demand the murdered man received." "Huh." "Letters cut and pasted." ""Patrons of the rich"." "It has the mark of O'Oonnor, a gangster boss from Ohicago." "You believe he's in London now?" " No Sir, O'Oonnor is dead." "He was shot down by a gang of gunmen from an opposition gang." "His body was blasted beyond recognition." " Of O'Oonnor's gang no one escaped?" "His lieutenant, Gunner Steve." "Good morning to you, Sir." "A pack of cigarettes?" "Good morning." "Yes, a pack of "players"." " A pleasure." "Dirty coppers!" "Dirty Ooppers!" "Stop it, Jackie!" "That bird has no sense at all." "The bird is as smart as his owner Steve, who was the best student of O'Oonnor." "AII but my friends from scotland Yard... are not behind the times." "You know what this is?" " A search warrant, obviously." "Any objections?" " My store is at your disposal." "I suppose you know what I'm after." " But AIIerman." "It doesn't change." "It's the same 2 things." "probably a scissors... you think I used simply to cut letters out of a newspaper." "I see I'II find nothing." "One fine day, I know I'II find them both." "Mr. Tanner?" " Forget about that typing." "But you told me that..." " Just stop." "I must talk with you about a problem of my own." "One that affects you, too." "I would Iike to talk with you... about your own future if I may, my dear." "Is marriage in your thoughts at any time?" "well, I guess it's normal." " well so, Miss Ranger." "For years you've coddIed and cared for an old man like me." "I couId be dead tomorrow." " But the doctor..." "Dr. Jenkins is wrong." "If God wills, I'm dead tomorrow." "I'm quite sure of it." "Marry me, lillian, as quickly as possible." "You're serious?" "Get married?" "Of course." "I know how old I am." "But I want to protect your future." "What others may think," "I don't give a hoot." " Such a wedding would look like..." "would look like I'm after your wealth." "That couldn't be the case, since you've already been made my heiress." "I'II be sure that the testament... will stand up in any eventuality." " I don't understand." "I thought you had a nephew." " That's exactly the point I must make." "while you've been taking care of me so well, he's been chasing all over the world looking for orchids." "Even when he was needed, after my heart attack 4 years ago, the boy never even looked me up." " I don't think he ever knew." "You should be writing him right now." " No." "He's just a good-for-nothing." "He never cared at all about me!" "What is this all about?" "I don't want my mail... served to me on a plate, you fool." " With the bare hand, a butler must not." "You won't be around very long." "In the space of one month, there were 4 of you here." " Thank you, Parker." "Of course." "I'm not offended." "It's one of the first rules of good... butIering to take each tiny hint..." " Get out!" "As you wish, Sir." "See if it's important." " Yes." "May I sit here?" " please." "Isn't this Miss Ranger?" " Right you are." "You're alert as usual, Inspector." " I never dreamed of a rendezvous... but by coincidence..." " It's no coincidence." "You mean you came to see me?" " Yes." "LiIIian..." "I might have gone to scotland Yard but I was afraid Mr. Tanner might get hurt." "A blackmail letter came to him." "I hope you brought the message." " Yes." "That man there has been following me." " Put the note under the napkin." "The newspaper reports of the arlington murder warned me." "I'd kiss you right now, lillian." "But we have to play the game." "tell Mr. Tanner to let nobody into his house." "I'II make sure..." "Ohief Inspector TetIey sends over 2 men to act as personal bodyguards for him." "But doesn't that itch?" "That false beard, Mr. Parker?" "Better take you medicine, Mr. Tanner." "Don't worry, Parker has orders to..." " I think you'd better check up on him." "Parker, you understand that no one..." " You can be entirely reliant on me." "Any unauthorized person will find that Parker bars the way." "We come from scotland Yard." " My God!" "Not so fast." "I want identification!" " That's very wise." "Quite good." "please go inside." "These are the men Inspector Weston sent." " I'm glad to see you, gentlemen, indeed." "You're well armed, of course?" " Very well indeed, Mr. Tanner!" "You won't escape!" "Gangsters!" "They've made good their threats for the second time now." "From now on their victims will simply pay all without reporting it." "No, that can't happen here in england." " Don't brush off the difficulties." "You've no idea how frightened people can actually be." "They'II pay." "Even in London they're scared." "Weston?" "No, sorry." "Inspector TetIey isn't here." "What's that?" "In the "Morning mail"?" "20.000 pounds?" " Is it the blackmailers?" "Were the words in the letter cut out of newspaper printing, Mr. shelby?" "Find out from him... if a lettered form was used." " Yes, it is a sort of form letter, yes." "And my name is written in on it in block letters." "Thank you for your report, Mr. shelby." "I'd Iike your telephone number, please." "Yes." "I'II be calling you in an hour." "please do nothing meanwhile." "Too bad but you have both of the worst gangs in America to handle." "What's the meaning of this form letter?" " Trademark of Kerkie MineIIi." "The gang boss from Ohicago." "He's the man who had O'Oonnor's gang shoot down." "And now he's working in good old england." "Isn't London utterly delightful." "Ohicago couldn't touch you." "I saw the most marvellous hat you could imagine!" " darling, buy yourself a dozen... but please, shut up!" " You really should have manners now." "Remember, you're an english gentleman." "I'm a what?" " Kerkie, darling, why don't you retire from business?" "We have plenty of moo-Iah put away!" "I mean that we've moved into a higher class." "There is never plenty." "And London is a goldmine." "Kerkie, dear, I'd be the high class wife of a respectable millionaire." "But instead I just worry about you." " You don't have to." "Buy what you want to." "Buy out half of London." "But please, please!" "Let me alone for one second!" " You pay to your little wife." "How's this:" "We get a house in Ascona, where only the finer classes go." "Join the club there, and have our own little chickadee." " Your own cackIing is enough to stand!" "With me, you better not make that..." " Another word and I'II..." "please, MineIIi, you shouldn't threaten your own wife." "I heard you were in London, so I just dropped over to sort of pay my respects." "How do you do?" "I am Mrs. MineIIi." " Oora, this is Oaptain AIIerman, an old friend of mine." "We have private business to talk about." "Oora!" "I have no interest in talk of business." "Amusing you call me your "friend", Kerkie MineIIi." "But I have only one." "This gun." "And if anyone transfers to London those rotten Ohicago methods," "I'II take a hand in it." "And I tell you..." " That thing..." "That friend of yours..." "it makes me nervous." "Thanks." "I can relax a little now." "In england there are strong laws to care for Iaw-abiding citizens." "Besides, we should become friends, AIIerman." "I know someone right now who needs a private detective to whom he would pay 10.000 dollar, I believe." "It's really a very easy job." "Just sit around and not bother anyone." "Keep your 10.000 dollar." "I haven't told you why I actually came here." "Mr. shelby has 20.000 dollar to pay for the arrest of the blackmailers, who are threatening him." "You would be wise to let Mr. shelby off the hook." "Pack your bag and... get out of this town." "Before it's too late." "We'II see soon enough who among us will be first... to get out of the act." "Too slow, buddy." "Inspector Weston?" "I guess the police are still busy on this case." "I heard this is a meeting of those affected by the estate of Mr. Tanner." "Does that include you, Inspector?" " police are by nature curious." "It's a chance to see you again, lillian." " Everybody's here." "only Mr. Tanner's nephew is a little late." " Oh, the orchid-hunter from brazil." "That's him." "Miss LiIIian Ranger." " Yes, won't you please come in?" "I guess you're Mr. Tanner." "I have looked forward to seeing you after all that my uncle wrote to me and... never mentioned just how lovely you really are." "To be honest, I never imagined you to look just as you do." "I'm afraid I don't look like uncle." "Here, these flowers are for you." "Tiger Orchids." "They're fresh from the tropics." "Oh, you shouldn't, these..." " You took care of my uncle for years." "And I..." "I hate myself now, but it's just too late." "You'II give me your coat, please." " It's a pleasure indeed, Inspector." "It's men like you who will arrest the murderers of my uncle and see that they... receive the punishment that they deserve." " We don't have them yet." "You're bound to get them." "After all, you represent law and order." "And my faith is in the Iaw." " Oome inside." "May I introduce first:" "Mr. Edwin Tanner, whom we've been waiting for." "Inspector Weston, whom we did not expect." "Your uncle's barristers:" "Mr. Johnson," "Mr. Johnson, Mr. Johnson." " A pleasure, gentlemen." "The testament should now be opened." "Just as you wish." "We've come directly from your uncle's bank, the Dorries Bank on Sutton Street." " Ah, next to the tobacco shop." "I don't smoke." "I wouldn't know how." "I brought all of the estate's documents... from Mr. Tanner's safe-deposit box." " And the Iast will?" "In here." "And now please give me your undivided attention." ""My last will:" "I, EIias Zacharias Tanner, 86 years old, approaching the end of Iife, bequeath my entire fortune not to my nephew Edwin Tanner but do hereby... bequeath my full estate to Miss LiIIian Ranger, who has cared for me well... for all of these years."" " I don't believe it!" "please, give me that!" "I apologize." " Of course you're excited, Mr. Tanner." "But we have to respect your uncle's will." " If you think the testament is illegal, you're free to contest it." " No." "I won't contest my uncle's will." "Miss Ranger couldn't be more deserving." "Mr. Tanner, I've no idea what to say." "Then say nothing." "Let me congratulate you." "I will leave for Paris and directly from there to South America." "Goodbye, Miss Ranger." "gentlemen..." "I understand, Mr. shelby." "This is the block where you will meet... the gangster's messenger." " Yes." "At 3:00 pm precisely." "At the 57th tie of the track." "I'II meet a seaman walking toward me." "Thank you." "scotland Yard wants you to meet the man as planned by the game." "But the envelope will contain scraps of paper, not money." "gentlemen, I've changed my mind." " You mean that..." "No paper, but money." " You will pay?" " You wonder?" "Here, this is my new butler." "I know the fellow." " please, speak up." "Before Mr. shelby, I was employed by Lord arlington... and by Mr. Tanner." "So I have seen at firsthand the gangsters' work." "And also that of the police." "And I report that not even I... have been able to save them." " First arlington, then Tanner." "I have no desire to become Number 3, gentlemen." "I pay and live." "Very wise, Sir." "Trust in me for your safety, Sir." "Goodbye, now." "Anything new happening?" " Yes, you'II be surprised." "Who was that fellow?" " Mr. shelby." "What?" "And you let him go?" "You should lock that guy in the tower, so he can't get away!" "We shouldn't allow gangsters to collect." "We have to stop them." " We've set a trap for them." "A plan that I organized involving the placing of detectives in disguise... in the entire area..." "30 seconds more to go." "On your toes, men!" "43, 44, 45, 46..." "Yes, they got paul." "A shrewd bunch." "The machine gun wasn't even pointed this way." "These men weren't shot with that gun." "The press is picking on scotland Yard." " My colleague AIIerman was against... this trap from the beginning." "It was Inspector TetIey's plan to start with... and he's quite upset about it." " You came here to tell me that?" "Don't be foolish." "You know, of course, I have a personal interest in you..." "And that made you come?" " well, I am on duty." "You are Mr. Tanner's only heir." "Am I under suspicion, too?" " please, lillian, be serious." "First, they tried to blackmail and then they murdered him because he didn't pay." "Now, the fact of the matter is the entire fortune." "You have it now?" "Waiting for someone?" "Just the lawyer from Dorries Bank." "An inheritance is a nuisance... in some ways, you know?" "Oh, it's you!" "An Arethusa almost as colorful as the sun." "A precious jewel for a lovely woman." " Thank you." "glad you stopped by." "Surprised to see you in London, though." " Are you just surprised, or are you glad?" "I was to leave Paris for South America, but I have business to finish." " What?" "You're a businessman?" "I know I have the reputation of being just a worthless good-for-nothing." "But I do have activities." "You see..." "Inspector Weston!" "You're on the job, Inspector?" "I hope I'm not disturbing you." "I see scotland Yard hasn't been able to stop those gangs of killers yet." "You will soon, I'm sure." " Optimist!" "Don't worry." "scotland Yard will certainly find and arrest the..." "What is it?" "So, it's come!" "It's from Kerkie MineIIi." "You take it rather lightly." " He is ahead of the bank officials!" "I can't pay, I haven't a penny!" " We're not taking any chances anyway." "Pack an overnight case right away and come with me to scotland Yard." "I am under arrest?" " No, protective custody." "And TetIey won't interfere with my plans." " Oustody?" "I must confess..." "I envy you, Inspector." " Nothing personal." "I have to do this... only for the safety of Miss Ranger!" " I would do it another way." "I think that this MineIIi could be convinced to let her alone." "With an orchid of special beauty, eh?" " I see you have no idea, what orchid-hunting in the savage jungles is really like." "I can handle Mr. MineIIi very well." "would you Iike a ride, Mrs. MineIIi?" " You know me?" "I saw you and I've been so overwhelmed..." " Oh, please!" "I'm going to the West End, anyway." " I was going to Bond Street, also." "At your service, my Lady!" "please get in!" " You're real chivaIrous." "please, except a small gift." "An orchid found only in the Amazon region." "A flower... that a queen should wear, indeed." " Oharming." "I'm married, you know." " I know that." "I'm well aware... that you're Kerkie MineIIi's wife." "will you give him my kindest regards?" "My husband?" "I must ask him to do something for me." "He's threatening a young friend of mine." " Nonsense." "My man is a gentleman." "What you tell me is impossible." " I'm very disappointed as well." "You tell him so." "But you tell him if Miss Ranger is hurt, something will then happen to someone else." "You, for example, Mrs. MineIIi." " Me?" "In South America poisonous flowers exist, you know." "A little scratch would be enough to cause a horrible..." "That flower is harmless." "As of now nothing has happened." "But then..." "With the touch of a poison flower, the head swells up just like a balloon." "Huge!" "Yes." "I've heard about them." " I saw women with heads like elephants." "please, you've said enough." " Other poisons are more harmless." "AII they do is shrink heads, so they're tiny." "Tourists buy the things." "Oh, please." "They're terrible." " Your head would make a pretty souvenir." "It was a pleasure chatting, Mrs. MineIIi." "A pleasure." " Where shall I drop you?" "Now, Miss Ranger, how does it feel to be a guest of ours?" "I feel more like a prisoner than a guest." "You must know, Inspector," "I'm not happy being here." " It wasn't my idea to bring you here." "I'm just obeying orders." "An admirer is waiting to see you." "How interesting." "Who could this admirer of mine be?" "Enter!" "Good evening." " Good evening." "And so, Miss Ranger, how do you feel with police protection?" "It is pretty monotonous being protected." " Today, I come with empty hands." "I had an orchid with me, but I've already given it away." "To another girl." "A flirtation, I guess." "And may I know who the lucky lady is?" " OertainIy." "Oora MineIIi." "Oora MineIIi?" " precisely what I said." "Weston." " Listen, Inspector," "I bear good news about that pretty Miss." "The babe is okay." "Watch your language Kerkie." "OIam up!" " You say?" "I say the person you're protecting won't be injured." "I guarantee it." "It was just a little joke." "You look a little uncertain." "Yes, we talked about you." " Me?" "He didn't mention his name." "His speech wasn't english, but accented." "I would say it was Kerkie MineIIi." " MineIIi?" "And he said?" "He apologized and said it was all a joke and guaranteed me... that you are safe." "tell me how you accomplished it." " By sorcery." "A different method than the police use, but successful." "Mrs. Moore!" "Mr. Parker to see you." " Send him in." "Are you Mrs. Moore herself?" " Yes, I'm Mrs. Moore." "I'm glad you came." "please, sit down over there." " Thank you." "Say you're glad to see me." "well, aren't you from scotland Yard?" " Oh, no!" "I have nothing to do with amateurs like those." "I am an excellent butler... seeking a job." " I don't need a butler." "I need a very large policeman." " Of course." "You're the recipient... of a blackmail note." " How do you know?" " Experience, Mrs. Moore, experience." "I'm not just an everyday butler." "I stood by Lord arlington, by Mr. Tanner, by Mr. shelby." "I was butIing while they were blackmailed." "How come you change jobs so often?" " well..." "Oircumstances forced me to." "My situations all ended with murder." "AII of them are dead." "Now I am called "The Death butler"." "You understand?" "But with you, that will change." "I am just the man you want!" "I know how to beat them." "AII 3 previous victims... stayed in their homes here in London." "You, my dear Mrs. Moore, will leave here for scotland tonight!" " Good!" "I trust you!" "I'm off to scotland!" "You remain behind, feed my feathered friends... and defend the house." "You are my man." " That's fine, Madame." "I'II stand by here like the Iast Mohican." "Mrs. Moore will be safe in scotland." "She's dead." "Those rats!" "They had a mirror standing there." "She saw her own car in the mirror and thought she was going to collide with it." "You've botched it up again." " Any of the victims will pay promptly." "You claim the gang bosses are known." " I assure you Gunner Steve and..." "Kerkie MineIIi are under surveillance." "We even monitor their phone calls." "But Weston and AIIerman have not found out how they contact the gang members." "Arrest them both and keep them locked up." "while they're in jail, not a single murder will be done." "Bright idea!" "But as long as I have no proof, I can't arrest anyone." "Evidence is what I need!" "Proof's proof." "Those 2 men have done everything illegal you can think of." "But naturally, as long as they act like private business people..." "My weekly deposit there." "My store does well." "Took in 1 12 pound, 6 shilling." "please." "LiIIian, what are you doing here?" "When will the police wake up?" "Anybody else would see... that I took a bank secretary's job." " You?" "The heiress of Mr. Tanner?" "Mr. Tanner was up to his ears in past due notices." "There isn't enough money... even to pay off all the debts." " Have you examined the bank records?" "Of course." "They wanted me to sign some legal papers... that had to do with the estate, something to do with the probate." "I'm glad this job was available to me!" "Quite interesting." "You know that man?" " One of our quietest, nicest clients." "He runs a little store near here." " I'm against your working in this bank." "You want me to work for you, Inspector?" " There is no use talking to you at all." "I'II talk to Mr. Dorries." "Announce me." "Most of the people who reconceived threatening letters from Gunner Steve... are clients from your bank." "Steve also." " I must admit, that it sounds strange." "But you understand bank secrets." "And at this time," "I no Ionger own the bank at all." "It has recently been purchased." "I want to go to Singapore to live, and when a Ohicago trust... made a good offer..." " A moment!" "A trust from Ohicago?" " As I mentioned, an American trust... had made me the offer." "Not one man." "It was a trust fund." "A trust fund that's nameless." "But the check they bought the bank with... must have a signature of someone." "Who signed that check?" "The name on the check was O'Oonnor." "O'Oonnor?" "That can't be!" "O'Oonnor was killed by Ohicago gunmen." "Thank you, Picasso." "butterfly calling OaIibri!" "butterfly calling OaIibri!" "butterfly calling OaIibri!" "Urgent message!" "OoIoneI Drood has notified the police and has contacted newspapers!" "Over!" " Big hero!" "He'II never do that again!" "I've hunted tigers in India." "In Africa, I've shot wild buffalos." "These gangsters don't frighten me." "And all the papers are publishing... my challenge." "Never fear, gentlemen!" " But please, be careful." "Yes, this is not Africa or India." "I've taken care of these things." "That's what these fellows are for." "Oome," "let me show you my precautions." "There's no getting in here." "Take a look at these windows:" "Keep a sharp look out there." "Over there is my communications system." " excellent." "I will also send some policemen to guard the grounds." "Excuse me a moment." "Oome on!" "Good day!" "I'm ticklish!" " What you want?" "I wish to apply for the butler's job, Sir." "AII my servants have been dismissed." " You never know when you will need me!" "And if you would Iike references, Sir, I have..." "unless you're afraid." " Me, afraid?" " AII of them have been killed off." "Perhaps you'd rather not do so." " By Gad, you're really the right man!" "These gangsters... with my experience, I know how to fool them." "You are making me nervous." " OoIoneI Drood is a very wealthy man." "Therefore, he's a natural target for both those gangs of blackmailers." "You see, these 2 extortion notes were written by different gangs." "Now their business conference will come, and it might mean that the gang... has decided they will try to negotiate." "I have no doubt they will be there." "I would Iike to be there." "I have demanded 10.000 pounds from OoIoneI Drood." "Your mob asked only 8000." "So we are Number One!" " That's where you're wrong, MinneIIi." "It's the one who collects the money from Drood, and teaches him a lesson who is first." " That will be me!" "Europe is a big place, Steve." "How about leaving London... for some other lovely place, my friend?" "And I'd be glad to pay you." "I might go 60.000 pounds." "No, there's no hope." "Not since my parrot likes it here." "75.000!" "My last offer." "will you please excuse me!" "Let's just do it my way:" "I'II give you 40.000 pounds, and you go to Paris." " No!" "No deal." "But there is one way... %" "What if we make it 50-50?" " You can just forget that." "I already have." "Auf Wiedersehen, MineIIi!" "Now we will show them." "Oome in!" "For Mrs. MineIIi!" "Thank you." "Who sent them?" " I guess they're from some admirer." "well, there is a card." "Look for yourself." "What's going on now?" "Hey, what's this?" "Drop a bomb in this house this afternoon!" "The roof!" "The roof!" " I already know!" "Get out of my way!" "Oome on, men!" "Hurry up!" "I'm coming!" "I'm coming!" "That was a close one." "I think I hit him!" "You really got him, Sir!" " So it seems." "My respects!" "An excellent job, Sir!" "Did you see that explosion?" "It wasn't merely the petrol." "There must have been a bomb on board!" " I'd bet on it alright!" "The first defeat for the gangsters!" "It's good news for scotland Yard." "Thank you, Picasso." "Steve?" " Yeah." "Any news from MineIIi?" " They made us a peace offer." "As I mentioned, I'm prepared to end our war under these terms of peace... and to make a final deal." "excellent!" "London is big enough for both gangs!" "On the right is our territory, on the Ieft yours." "No one gets in the other's way." "Ok?" "Regent Street is the dividing line, right?" "Fine." "A good deal, boss." " PoIinski, get me a little bomb." "With a timing device." "welcome, gentlemen." "I have no idea what he gentlemen might want." "You received an extortion letter, right?" " How did you know that?" "An informant who got one of those letters informed me you had been seen with one." "You're smart, Inspector." "OIever." "But scotland Yard can't help me." " Oh, I think we can help." "The gangsters met their first defeat at the hands of OoIoneI Drood." "When I got that letter, I was going to go to scotland at once." "I wanted to escape." "My mind has changed." "You see, money you can always earn." "But death is permanent!" "Mr. Dorries, now we are on the offensive!" "If you will just cooperate, please!" "I'm not a valiant man, Sir." "I'm not taking chances." "I will pay." "excellent!" " Give me that!" "You will really take that night train..." " I certainly will not!" "You ain't that guy Dorries!" " No." "Same as you." "Ohicago is my home." "welcome to London, Mr. Tanner." " With greetings from Rio." "Thank you." "tell me why you're here." "Do you plan to open an account?" "I couId have other reasons." " really?" "For exampIe, to see you." "I simply don't believe it." "Not a playboy like you." "You're right." "But a man reaches a point, every man has to, when he knows he's not a young fellow." "And settling down is, well..." "tell me, how is your police inspector?" "The one who has no sense of humour." "He's jealous." "I believe he's allergic to orchids." "Good day." " Oh, an invasion?" "Pardon, Miss Ranger, but I must speak with you." "I'm better off in South America, I guess." "Perhaps in the Amazon jungles..." "I can avoid scotland Yard." "gentlemen..." "LiIIian..." "I have orders from the Home Office for a complete audit of bank records." "These men are chartered accountants." "please announce us to the Director." "I must protest emphatically." "An invasion of privacy!" "We must do our duty, Mr. Dorries." "You have been threatened by gangsters!" "To protect your property we must check all records." "You can't do this to me." "I'II make protests to the Home Office." "That is an easy thing to accomplish." "The Undersecretary of State came with me." "Lord oliver MorIey." " I had no idea, My Lord." "Understand our position, Mr. Dorries, and consider what I'm telling you." "The Home Office has created a committee for the protection of the public interest." "Something unique in the history of england." "As a banker you must understand what it means if scotland Yard now has permission to audit all bank accounts." "But what about bank secrecy?" " until now, bank secrecy has favoured... the underworld." "But from now on..." " Your pardon, Sir, but I have to leave." "I remembered an important meeting with Inspector Weston." "Yes, of course." "Now then, Mr. Dorries..." "well, Inspector!" "OompIete you work?" " Yes, thank you." "You can go back... to your desk and your orchid." "You chased my admirer back to the Amazon!" "If he admires you, he'II rush back." " Some men only drop by here... on official business." "I hope your visit has been very profitable for you." "Of course." "We found that Ohief Inspector TetIey had an account of 25.000 pounds." "But Oaptain AIIerman and I suspected a fox in the chicken house." "scotland Yard." "official business." " Yes, of course, Sir." "You're Mr. TetIey?" "Good day." "Hey, you're not the police!" " We're Secret Service agents." "Our warrants open up the accounts to us but not the individual safes." "The rented ones?" " I'm sure in one of those safes..." "lies the key to the mystery." "And if I can find it for you?" "You?" "Why should you do this for me?" " I'm not telling." "Do you want to tell us who gave you your orders to kill Dorries?" "I'm not talking." " Watch it, Oaptain!" "In england, the 3rd degree isn't allowed." "I've been unarmed and I'm helpless." "The best lawyers have been hired." "You're wasting your time, bub!" "Surprise, my little rat." "Surprise!" " So, where to?" "To a place you're going to like a Iot less than you Iike it here." "Here it is." "We get out here!" " But I..." "I Iive here!" " Right, my friend." "We just can't convict you." "Therefore, you're a free man." "I'm honoured to bring you personally home again." "And everyone can see us." "But I tried to knife a man!" "You have to take me back!" "scotland Yard has the right to arrest you or throw you out." "Now, friend, good luck!" "Good evening." " Good evening, Sir." "Oigars?" "Oigarettes?" " well, no." "I don't smoke." "I really don't know what to say now." " scotland Yard sent you, didn't they?" "I admit I've been sent to you!" "Inspector Weston sent me here to see you." "My name is Parker, and I am a..." " butler!" "butler!" "butler!" "Parker!" "The Death butler, if you will." "You mean..." " I've had the honour of working for..." "Lord arlington, Mr. Tanner, Mr. shelby, Mrs. Moore." "You're the butler that guarantees a quick and violent death?" "I took part in the siege of OoIoneI Drood." "Remember that!" "I can't live without a certain amount of tension in my Iife." "Interesting!" "What can I do for you?" " I asked Inspector Weston for the most... dangerous persons in London." "He should know where they are to be easily found." "He should be the man." " Yes, but he told me... you would know even better." " A flatterer, that Inspector Weston!" "If scotland Yard depends on me, how could I say no?" "Sir, a recommendation?" " An old friend of mine." "As his butler, I assure you you'II have all the excitement you want." "Hi, boss." " Has Babyface shown up yet?" "himself, no." "But we have news about him." " What?" "Dorries is alive." " What?" "Babyface went to scotland Yard for help." "Weston and AIIerman brought him home." "Better get going, PoIinski." "Go see Babyface and... cut his throat!" "Ah!" "The corpse is packing." " What do you mean?" "The boss doesn't like it, when his men get along with the police too well." "But it's not true." "I tell you it's a lie." "You must believe me." "Yes, you must!" " Oh, must I?" "You need a shave, Babyface." " I've been busy." "You know the boss likes you to look nice and neat." "always." "Okay, I'II shave, PoIinski." " Good." "And I'II be glad to help you." "Okay, buy it and be quiet." " Do you know what they want for it?" "english storekeepers are really gangsters!" "What is that, Kerkie doll?" "A box of cigars?" " That's a little gift." "Sort of surprise." "Taxi!" " Mr. MineIIi?" "Don't bother me now." " I'd Iike a job, Sir." "My staff is complete." " As butler, if you will." "Go on, will you!" " I have a recommendation from Mr. Steve!" "Taxi!" "Tanner, EIias." "Safe 77." "I'm going back." "O'Oonnor!" "The end of the terror in London." " Yes." "The leaders are dead." "The little vermin are bound to disappear." "Mrs. MineIIi!" "They all come to this end, gangsters like those." "I expected it." "I begged him so to quit." "Who did it?" " Gunner Steve used this to finish him." "But the bullets came from O'Oonnor." "O'Oonnor." "He's dead and buried." "Dead mean don't sign checks." "Or shoot with machine guns." "Did you find him?" " There's nobody in the whole house." "But we surrounded the whole place." " Over the roof?" "impossible!" " We'd better check the cellar." "The asserted is my final wish in the disposal of my estate." "I bequeath all of my property, real and tangible, to my only relative:" "my nephew by blood." "Good evening, Miss Ranger." "What are you doing here?" " And you?" "I'm working." "And I'm a very sociable fellow." "I can't leave a young and pretty girl... all alone here in a dark bank vault." "I thought that you were in South America." " Is my being in London a shock?" "I've never left england." "It pleased me that Inspector Weston believed..." "I visited england to see you." "But I have lots of other interests." "Interests worth half a million pounds." "You just made use of me!" " That's how I felt at first." "At the time I forged that will making me sole heir, I didn't know you personally." "Or I wouldn't have done what I did." " What did you do?" "What do you think?" "You sent the blackmail messages." "You had your uncle murdered." " How could I help it?" "He put the police on my trail!" "My uncle had no debts at all." "It's a clear fortune." "And the bank documents that showed the debts... were my work." " Oan't be!" "The material was signed by the Director." "Yes, the Director is me!" "The Dorries Bank is me!" " You?" "Yeah." "I bought the bank in Ohicago." "A marvellous place to keep my loot... from America, you see?" "AII this is nothing." "And what made you tell me all about it?" " My dear LiIIian!" "I might tell the police what I know." " Up to now, no one who knew too much..." "lived to talk to the police." "I'm about to do something very foolish." "A man like me can't afford ordinary feelings." "I am in love with you." "And you'II admit that you don't exactly dislike me." "This must be it." " What?" "Dorries Bank." "I think it's just on the other side of this wall." "You still believe that all trails lead to the Dorries Bank?" "AIIerman!" "Oome over here!" "A secret door!" "Forget all this nonsense." "I'm rich." "A new life can begin!" "As Edwin Tanner's wife you'II live well." "And the gangster O'Oonnor that everyone thinks is dead will really be so." "It's better if you kill me, too!" "Sorry you have to leave so soon." " My job here is finished." "Now I have a vacation coming." " Where to?" "italy or Spain?" "Neither." "In Ohicago." " scotland Yard will miss you!" "They will need another hero, Sir." " Oh no, Parker!" "Don't tell me you plan to..." " I will do exactly what I have to do." "I'm tired of butIering." "I plan to join the police forces at once, since I know exactly how to do the work." "Don't you see?"