"Well, what have here?" "You want another stroke?" "That's such a stupid song, Helen!" "I can't see why you like it." "I think it's nice." "Be a sweetheart, my darling, and massage my back for me." "I would like to know why Liz always has to be around the house." "Please be quiet." "I never questioned you about your secretary." "It's no use you playing the innocent." "You must see that things even out." "Do you want a divorce?" " How middle class you are!" "Neither you nor my father have anything to say that interests me." "So you say, but he is Managing Director of the family firm." "Yes, but I own 90% of the shares, if you recall." "He practically works for me." "My Mother arranged it that way in her Will." "That must have been a blow for him?" " Yes, but you needn't worry about it." "I have assured your future, by making a will in your favour." "You are my sole beneficiary." "So you have no troubles." "Then let's drink to our future." "Where are you going?" " Liverpool." "Perhaps I'll catch the ferry from there to Scotland." "When will you be back?" " I'm not sure." "But I'll write to you." "You could come and join me." "That would be nice, but - as you know" " I must perform every evening." "So, you're determined to go?" " Yes." "I must have some time on my own." "You think it will do you good?" " It's the only way." "I was just discussing it with Liz, and she says I ought to go." "It is the best thing for her." "How do you put up with him?" "He is always hanging around, trying to spy on you." " Whatever, it's all over now." "So, you simply walk away?" "Yes." "But it doesn't make sense to me." "We really loved each other." "We had two wonderful years." "There is no sense to it." "She is like her Mother:" "rich, hard and selfish." "Perhaps if I'd cared for her more." "Oh no!" "I swear she is the type that will never change." "It was just the same with her Mother." " I still need her." "I cannot live without her." "Helen." "Are you ready?" " Yes, I'm coming." "Will you be OK driving?" "It's just getting dark." "I like driving in the dark." " Shall I book a hotel room for you?" "No, Liz has already done that." " You're really driving alone?" "Yes, why not?" " John would prefer it, if someone accompanied you." " I don't need your advice." "As you wish." "John, would you please..." " Yes, if you wish." "Thank you." "She probably lost control of the vehicle because she was speeding." "She hit this tree, and the petrol tank exploded." "There was no way to escape from the burning car." "Here are the father and the husband." "Despite the fact the body is burned beyond recognition, there seems little doubt that this is Helen Alexander." "Here is her passport." "In a few minutes, we will be landing in London." "Pull the curtain, please." "No, thank you." "Please extinguish cigarettes." "We will be landing in a few minutes." "Why not take a trip in a couple of days?" "It would be good for you, John." "Maybe you're right." "London means nothing to me now." "You remember this man?" " Yes, it's John Alexander." "So soon after the death of his wife, and he is amusing himself in St. Tropez." "Yes, why not?" "Something doesn't smell right about this case." "My dear John." "How nice to see you again!" "I was wondering if you wouldn't be coming back." "If you think I'd leave the firm, you don't know me very well." "We think we know about people, but we know nothing really." "The important thing is you're here." "There's stuff waiting for you." "I can't come to terms with the fact that Helen is gone..." "I try to accept the reality of the situation, but I can't believe it somehow." " Yes, I understand how you feel..." "I would rather talk about business." "Good." "Do you agree to the proposed merger with the French?" "Was this not decided a long time ago?" " You are now the owner of the Works." "Only you can make the decision." " I must ponder on it." "I missed you while you were away." "Is that why this post is in such a mess..." "Don't be nasty to me, John!" " But I am not at all." "I'm just your secretary, is that it?" "Let's not talk about it." " Put the past behind us?" "That would be good." "By the way, a Scotland Yard detective has tried several times to contact you." "He is outside." "He wants to talk to you." "What does he want?" " I don't know." "Ask him to come in." "Good morning." "I am Inspector Gordon of Scotland Yard." "Yes, so my secretary told me." " lnspector Stevens from Liverpool..." "Please, take a seat." " No, thank you." "We wanted to tell you, that the Liverpool police now consider the case is closed." "I didn't realise there was an inquiry." " Oh yes, that is the law... in such accidents." " Did you have a pleasant trip?" "I went to visit several places, where I'd once been with my wife." "I do not believe that can be the best way to forget." "Is there anything else I can do for you?" "I am very busy." "Especially now the company is now entirely under your control." "We knew that you were going to come back today." "Are you a fortune-teller?" " Nothing to do with fortune-tellings." "Even for a mere Inspector like me, it wasn't difficult." "Today is your wedding anniversary." "Come out of there!" "You're very sure of yourself!" "You must be the owner of the house!" "I'm right, yes?" "Dry yourself, and get out!" "Why do you want me to leave so quickly?" "Ah, you like the light on, I see." "I prefer the dark, it's more romantic." "What are you doing here?" " I will tell you, Mr. Sherlock Holmes." "My name is Christine, 18 years old, no fixed abode." "I was hanging around the neighbourhood, when I saw your "abandoned castle"." "And, as I needed a shower, I slipped in through a window." "And now, here I am, naked as God intended." "That is the truth, and nothing but the truth!" "I swear it." "Oh, damned shit!" "I looked everywhere for the whisky, and there it was, right under my nose!" "Drink it - and get out!" " You are the masterful type, but you also seem very nice." "Why don't you want me to sleep with you tonight?" "I can be naughty or nice, and I promise not to snore." "And tomorrow morning, I scram." "I am so frightened!" "I have a tremendous fear of thunderstorms!" "Sleep here?" "You must be crazy!" " Now you have injured me!" "My leg hurts, I can no longer walk!" "That is your fault!" "I can take you anywhere to want to go." "Come on, let's go!" "If you want your keys back..." "Ciao!" "When was that film shot?" " Let me go, you're hurting me!" "Last Friday, I think." "What's this about?" " Who owns that film?" "Funny chap, in a red hat." " I want that film!" "These things cost quite a bit." "You'd better let me see him." "Wait here." "Where is the man with the film?" " Driving to the harbour, to the "Art Studio"." "You'll have to go there, and ask for Peter." "One of these days I will have to sort things out here." "If anyone is an idiot, it's you!" "Why can't you keep your mouth shut!" " What do you want?" " What are you looking for?" " Give me some answers!" "Take off the coat!" "You are looking better." "Again the bully, showing some life." "I was worried about you." " Where did you get to?" "Where should I have gone?" "I went to Peter's to look for you." "You got into a lot of trouble, going to that place." "I had to convince him that you weren't an informant, just a pervert looking for dirty movies." "Where is the film?" " Peter promised to bring it to me." "You were lying before, you have a place to stay?" "I have a room at the Park Hotel, with a window overlooking the Studio." "Do you know who the masked woman was?" " Please don't!" "Don't ask me about it!" "You must answer me!" " I only know... that she is called "the Countess"." " Tell me the truth!" "Peter will bring the film, but please don't ask about this woman!" "It is too dangerous!" "You came on to me a little too quickly." "I must get into the mood first." "I'm looking for Christine, is she here?" " Second Floor, Number 4." "But another man is with her." " That should make it amusing." "One thing I will say..." "Christine tells me that there is a film you wish to buy." "You have good taste, because it's a little out of the ordinary." "You will, of course, understand that it is damned expensive." "Would you like to count it?" " But why?" "We are both gentlemen." "Where can I find the masked woman?" " We maintain... a strict anonymity for our models." "I cannot answer your question." "I really can't." "A friend of mine brought her." "When I see him, I'll ask him." "What's the name of this friend?" "Tell me!" " Why are you in such a hurry?" "That doesn't concern you, it's my business!" "I'll see what I can do." "I'll get back to you as soon as I can." "For a moment I was afraid for you." " I don't see why." "He is a gentleman the same as I am." "Speak up!" "If you don't, I'll slash your face!" "I have told you everything I know." "Even if you kill me," "I don't know any more!" "I swear it!" " And I swear, that you will talk, you bitch!" "You will tell me all!" "Why were you in my house?" "And why did you drug me?" "Who is the woman in your filthy film?" " I cannot tell you!" "These people are dangerous!" " Tell me her name!" "Only "Countess", I don't know any more." " The name!" "Peter gets them and brings them to the house." "He treated her differently to the rest." "She was different from the rest of us, that's why we called her "Countess"." " The name!" "When we were rehearsing one of the scenes, the "Countess" became passionate;" "and she bit my neck and whispered to me "Call me Helen"." "I realised that.." "for her it more than just a game, but only I knew it." "Did she say anything else?" " No." "Peter then told me she was the wife of a wealthy manufacturer, who is very well known." "She had been in a car accident and she had lost her memory." "I had to promise him not to talk about it." "Then he chased me out of the office." "The film was made five days ago, correct?" "No, six days." "But why are you so interested in hearing about this woman?" "There must be many wealthy manufacturers who would be interested." "Now, I hope you have been telling the truth." "John Alexander, to speak with Mr. Brown." "It's not possible!" " It IS Helen!" "I thought I would go crazy." "I just couldn't believe it!" "I have always said:" "She is dead!" "Helen is dead!" "But the film proves that she is still alive." " You said yourself... that her face was concealed." " Yes, but she had the scar on her neck, her pearls, her ring, her name..." " But she hasn't got in touch with us!" "Who is to say that she hasn't tried?" "But she couldn't do it." "But why not?" " Perhaps someone wants to blackmail us and she is being held captive!" " Hm." "But that's quite absurd!" "You've got to admit it." "You must be wrong, John." "Watch the film then, and you will agree with me: it is she!" "I will watch it as soon as I can." "I will make up my own mind about it." "The poor chap is totally confused." "He is convinced Helen is still alive." "In his state of mind, I'm worried he might do something stupid." "I have no concern about that." "We should let you know... that we've received an anonymous letter." "It claims... that your daughter was murdered." " That is ridiculous, absurd!" "That's what the letter says." "This is, of course, in confidence." "Do you think it possible that John Alexander murdered Helen?" "Certainly not!" "How could you even think such a thing?" "He is the sole beneficiary." " Yes, but he didn't know that." "No-one knew it, not even me." "It is quite clear - the crash was an accident." "Let's check something." "Can you get that thing?" "." "Very interesting." "The explosion may have been caused by a self-destruct device;" "and this could be a part of it." "This possibility was overlooked in the investigation in Liverpool." "Let's examine this in greater depth." "I'll send it to the lab immediately." " Yes, that'll be good." " Now watch for the ring!" " There's plenty to see, but I don't see any ring, like the one you described." "Watch now!" "The scar..." "Turn the film back and adjust the focus." "I can't see any scar." "Is this the same film you told me about?" "I don't understand this!" "And this was the film I should watch?" " It doesn't make sense..." "I'm sure I didn't dream it!" " No." "I'm sure it wasn't a dream." "Maybe you had too much to drink." " No, I know exactly what I saw." "But neither scar nor ring were seen." "How could you possibly believe that" "Helen would appear in smut like that?" "It's nonsense!" "You think that I'm mad, but I'm not." "I am absolutely certain that it was not a delusion." "What I said before was true, even if I can't explain it." "The evidence might have disappeared." "But I am not going to give up." "Also, if I become convinced that" "I personally cannot uncover the truth, I will contact the Police, and request that the case be re-opened!" "You know what that would mean?" "Can you imagine the consequences?" "Listen to me:" "There would be a scandal!" "The newspapers would be full of it!" "We would lose our reputation, our prestige and our credit rating!" "It would be our ruin." "And all because you have a delusional fixed idea." "I don't understand it, John, but I'll give you all the help I can." "As for what we do next, I am not sure." "Let me think." "Am I disturbing you?" " No." "Am I mistaken, or was that Mr. Brown who just left?" "I thought a Scotland Yard Inspector was never mistaken." "A fairy tale." "We have arrested innocent people on occasion, such as poor Evans, who was led to the gallows." "Also, criminals seem more knowledgeable these days." "We are fighting a hopeless battle." " A whisky?" "A glass of milk, if it's not too much trouble." "Do you really want it, or do you just want me to leave the room." "You are so suspicious." "Please stay, I will do without." "It's a beautiful house!" "Oh, I see you show home movies." "I enjoy Mickey Mouse." "And after you've shown the films, do you always destroy them?" "Wouldn't it be better if you told me what it is you want of me?" "Yes, but I need make something clear:" "you do not need to answer, if you don't want." "I come, not as a policeman, but as a friend." "I will try to see you as such." "I assure you it's my intention." "Did you love your wife?" "Yes." "What wonderful timepieces!" "You have a superb collection." "Do they all work?" "Yes, naturally." "I maintain them myself." "My compliments!" "I hope I am not boring you." "Do you play chess?" "No." "It's a game I hate." "I would have sworn you would have enjoyed it." "As you can tell... the age of Sherlock Holmes is long gone." "The garage is the other side of the garden?" " Yes." "Everything is just right!" "The garage is far enough away." "You wouldn't be disturbed by any engine noise." "The Jaguar was kept in the garage?" " Yes, certainly." "Of course." "Oh, I forgot, the clock in that Jaguar was the only one..." "I could never fix." "It was always one hour ahead." "That can happen." "Oh, the "Alexander" file, please." "Here is the file." " Thank you." "That will be all." "Where are you going?" "She isn't in." "Peter was here an hour ago, to pick up the lady." "When will she be back?" " As if I knew!" "Maybe tomorrow, maybe never..." "Surprised?" " You can say that again." "Our relationship was not exactly warm." "Would you like a drink?" "When did Helen call you last?" " Excuse me?" "When did you last talk to her?" " Shortly before the accident." "Since then!" " Now I understand, that's why you are here." "So you know about it too." " I know nothing; that's why I am here!" "I'm living a nightmare!" "That's why I'll tell you everything." "Helen was not travelling alone." "She called me from Cornwall." "She had persuaded a friend to go with her." "She sounded very happy." "Did you tell Brown any of this?" " He only said that..." "I was crazy and over-excited." "Brown has avoided me since Helen's death." "He hasn't come to me." "And I haven't visited him." "Then Helen called me." "She spoke with me for a long time, but her voice was weird." "I could hardly understand her." "I asked if we could meet, but she didn't want to." "I told her again and again that it was inhuman, to leave her husband living with this terrible uncertainty." "It didn't help." "I repeated again that she should tell you, but she didn't answer." "I thought she had rung off, but then she said she didn't want anybody to see her again." "Only me, perhaps, after some time." " And you've said nothing about this?" "No." "I swear it." "Now would you like something to drink?" "John?" " Yes." "Were you expecting someone else?" "What do you want?" " How late is it?" "About half past three." " Ah, I didn't sleep..." "You still haven't answered my question." "Quite simply" " I have not seen you at all today." "Then I noticed I still have your key." "And so here I am." "Something wrong, John?" "No, everything's OK." "Particularly now you are with me." "I wanted to wait for you, but then I fell asleep." "Idiotic, but true." "Alice..." "You're always so nice to me." "I would like to ask you a question:" "What did Inspector Gordon want with Brown?" " I thought it wasn't any of my business." "What did they say?" " I am not in the habit... of listening at doors." "You weren't always so discreet, Alice!" "You must tell me everything." "As my secretary, you must always be informed about everything." "Come on, sweet talker!" " You know I love you, John." "I kept silent only to avoid hurting you." "You were acting so strangely." "You were completely broken." "Yes, Brown has spoken with me." "He told me that Gordon suspected you of murdering Helen." "He defended you, but he admitted that you were acting strangely." "And then." " Finally, he also doubted you, because he thought you might be sick." " Is that everything?" "Yes, that's it!" "I beg of you, tell me the truth, John!" "This is monstrous, so what am I to think..." "Did you murder Helen, is it true?" "Stupid cow!" " If you want to smoke, cigarettes are in my jacket." "Oh, John, I almost forgot..." "A gentleman called you." "He said that the "Countess" was back." "What do you know about the "Countess"?" " Nothing." " I had to tell you that the "Countess" is staying at 22 Regent Street." " Helen!" "Helen!" "Hallo?" " I will expect you at the St.-Anne Cathedral." "Helen?" " Here I am, John." "So, what is all this!" "Why did you run from the house?" " I did not have... the courage to talk with you." " I ask you, why?" "You are not Helen!" "You aren't my wife, you can't be!" "Helen killed herself in a car accident!" " Let go of me!" "No, don't do it!" "Yes, take a look, this is your work!" "I was young and beautiful, and now I am a monster!" "How did you survive the crash?" "I just can't believe it." " My voice has also been destroyed." "But I am still alive, because..." " the angels helped me;" "but that unfortunate passenger... died in my place." " Helen, my dear Helen..." "I am destroyed, as you can see." "My life is over." "Here!" "Kill me now." "Shoot me!" "So I don't have to endure any longer." "I beg you, kill me!" "Liz!" "I knew it!" "All along it was you!" "You vindictive little wretch!" "You have ruined my life!" "I wouldn't do that, if I were you, Mr. Alexander." "If we hadn't arrived in time, he would have also killed her." "What are you waiting for?" "Arrest the man!" "I didn't kill Helen." "I loved her." "I loved my wife." "Brown, you are arrested for the murder of your step-daughter." "Are you mad?" "What is the meaning of this?" "Think what you are doing!" "You have no proof!" " I taped your phone calls with Liz." "So I have all the proof I need." "Your whole plan... to frame Mr. Alexander for the murder." " Telephone bugging is illegal!" "Illegal, but very effective." "Idiot!" "I always said the plan was no good!" " But you wanted to do it, just so you could get sole ownership of the company!" " And so you drew me into this whole tragic farce!" "You pathetic little dyke!" "How did I ever think I could trust you?" "Let go of me!" " Stop him!"