"Hollings and Foulshaw..." "Oh, just one moment, Sir." "I'll see if he's there." "Yes, Mr Hawthorne." "Certainly, I'll get them straight away." "Enough for today, Jane." "It's 5:30." " Five thirty two, to be precise." " Sure it is." "Oh, I never thought dialling numbers would make me feel so tired, but my arm fairly aches from it today." "Mr Hawthorne must've made at least 40 calls." "I'm going to tidy up." "All right, I'll just close down the board." "Mr Hawthorne, I am closing the board down now." "Thank you." "Good night." "You arrive early, so I said he can wait there for you." "Oh, that was very kind of you, Mrs Finch." "Oh, well, poor lad." "You feel a bit..." "Ah, there you are!" "Miss Pringle is here." " Good evening, Miss Pringle." " Hello, Don." "Ready for your lesson?" "I suppose so." "Oh, what!" "That doesn't sound very enthusiastic." "Well, there's not much to be enthusiastic about, is there?" "Oh, get away, what sort of talk is that?" "You did it very well, isn't it, Jane?" "Of course, we all get depressed at first." "Come along, Don, over to the stairs, you know where they are." " I'll be coming up later." " Oh, thank you." "Beats me I think you're giving them Braille lessons after doing a day's work." "I'm fairly knocked up after 8 hours and I've got my eyesight." "She's a winner that one." "Look at the way she nurses old Marge Temple." "What's she trying to prove?" "Oh, I don't know." "Maybe she just likes to help those who are worse off." "Is there anything worse than blindness?" "It was... this... shop that..." "Mark... came in..." "on Sunday... morning." "But the sea... was... glittering blue." "The laughter... from the bathers..." "came up from... the promenade." "Nothing... ap..." "It's quite simple." "Oh, it's no use!" "If they thought that you couldn't do it, they wouldn't have put it into Braille." " Oh, you're quick in praising..." " What's the use in being bright?" " When..." " When what, Don?" "When I can't do the things I want to do." "I don't suppose it was very important to you, but I wanted to fly in the Royal Air Force like my brother." "And now..." "And now you don't think it's worthwhile going on with this." "I don't see the use of spending the rest of my life in darkness." "I'd sooner be dead." "I felt that way too." "I think most of us do it first." "It's a matter of adjustment." "You'll be surprised how soon one becomes independent again." "Independent?" "Stumbling about with the white stick making rush mats all my life?" "Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Don." "Go back and try it again." "I'll help you." "Nothing appe..." "Wrong stress." "You're throwing yourself." "Nothing... apparently wrong." "Good." "Well done." "See what the time is, will you, Don?" "Twenty five to eight." "Time is up." "Well, I think that's enough for one night, anyway." "I'm..." "I'm sorry I got upset." "That's all right, Don." "You know... if you give in, you've lost." "You'll be surprised how exciting a place the world can be even without sight." " So I see you next Tuesday." " Yes, please." "That's the spirit!" "Come on, the door is wide open." " Will you find your coat, Don?" " Yes, thank you." "Just little old me." "Wasn't it mad after all that fuss, say?" "Very good indeed." "The jugglers say:" "If the first one don't succeed, try, try again." " Good night, Miss Pringle." " Good night, Don." "See you next week." "Oh, Don, don't go yet." "I've got some of your mummy's laundry here." "Tell her I'm sorry I couldn't finish it." "Even you can come to collect those tomorrow, eh?" "Yes?" "Can I help you?" "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I'm looking for some people called Jenkins." "Oh, it's no one of that name here." "You sure you've got the right address?" "I think so, Gladstone Court." "But I'm not sure of the number." "I don't know anyone in the block called Jenkins." "Well, it was a bit much to expect, I suppose." "Is it important to you?" "They're my uncle and aunt." "We haven't seen them for years." "I promised our folks the next time I came to London I'd look them up." "Have you tried the police?" "They're often very helpful." "Well, I thought to find them here, but I'll have to do... yeah." "I'll make some enquiries." "If the police can't help you, come back in case I heard something." "Thank you." "I will." "I'm sorry to have troubled you." "Good night." "Good night." "Sailed right past me with her nose in the air..." "What do you think of that?" "But I told her off good and proper." "I'm not the type to remain silent when I'm cut dead in the street." "Oh, what a pretty brooch!" "You know I rather like the feel of it." "Oh, it's only a cheap one." "Not like old Mrs Temple's, hey?" "Well worth of 3,000 pounds, she says." "Lovely thing, it is emeralds and diamonds." "I didn't know she owned anything valuable." "Oh, yes, her husband gave it to her." "And I never thought she had more than two pennies to rub together." "But she hasn't any old age pension, just some small savings." "Well, I'm glad she got the brooch." "Well, I'd... better take these things up to her." "Otherwise, she'll be wondering why I am so late." "I think you're wonderful." "The way you look her after." "I've offered to help, but, like you, she is very independent." "Should be in a home for the elderly." "As long as I am here she'll never have to do that, anyway." "Well, I think she's very lucky to have you." "That's all I can say." "Oh, if I was you, love, I'd try to persuade her that not to leave valuables down in the tea caddies." "Mr Finch was..." "I think the less one talks about things like that, the better, don't you?" "Oh, I don't talk!" "I'm very careful about what I say." "Is that you, Jane?" "Oh, sorry I'm so late." "Sorry I'm so late." "I..." "I brought your shopping." "I wish there was something I could do for you." "I seem to be taking all the time." "Where do you think you're going?" " I've forgotten the strainer." " You sit down, I'll get it." "You moved the chair." "Oh, I'm so sorry." "I knocked it over just now when I was answering the door." " Answering the door?" " Yes my dear, I had a visitor." "It must've been exciting." "Who was it?" "A fascinating young man." "His eyes were the same deep penetrating blue as my husband's." "For a moment, when I first opened the door, I thought it was Henry." "You know how silly one can get, especially when one is by oneself all day." "Funnily enough I've been thinking of Henry, only the moment before." "What did he want?" "He was looking for some people called Jenkins, an uncle and aunt of his." "No, there's no one by that name in this block, is there?" "That's what I told him." "He looked like put out, poor boy." "I thought I'd ask Mrs Finch." "She has paced all over the neighbourhood and perhaps someone would know where the Jenkins live now." "Yes, she is a good spreader." "Oh, that in mind, do you think you should have told her about the brooch?" "I expect not, but I was feeling lonely at the time." "She even knows that you keep it in a tea caddy." "Oh, but I don't." "What is it?" "It's my achy hip." "Would you mind fetching it for me, dear?" "It's the end jar on the middle shelf in the cupboard." "All right." "I gotta better give you a bit of massage later." "Thank you, dear." "It's the right hand tin in the middle of the middle shelf." " Have you found it?" " Yes." "Bring the little bowl that is next to it too, will you?" " Here we are." " Thank you, dear." "You see, I... could have changed the hiding place." "Just in case." "I'd never think of looking for it here." "I still think it ought to be kept in safekeeping somewhere." "Oh, I know, but..." "I like to look at it sometimes." "It keeps me... woah." "It must be very beautiful." "I can see it quite clearly." "The stone in the centre is an emerald, isn't it?" "And the setting is platinum." "That's right." "It comes from India." "My husband bought it for me in Delhi." "Reminds me of him and... those days." "What colour and sunshine and vividness." "Oh, it's eight o'clock." "I must rush." "Everything's late this evening." "Of course." "Now you take good care of it and don't give away any more secrets." "I thought one person ought to know where it is, because, just in case..." "That's enough of that." "Have you got the list for the cleaners?" "It's on the sideboard." "Sorry, I couldn't stay for tea." "On the right hand side." "Well, I'll collect it in the morning." "Oh, that reminds me." "I should be late tomorrow night as well." "I'm going to a concert with Sophie." "I shall look forward to hearing all about it when you come up." "Well, good night, dear." " Sleep well." " Good night, Jane." "I'm very grateful, you know." "It's all right." "Good night." "...redux programme with the piano recital of the works by Chopin, starting with Etude number 2, Opus 25." "Oh, that was wonderful, I enjoyed it immensely." "Would you like me to come up with you?" " Oh, no, please, the taxi is waiting." " All right." "See you in the morning." "Good night, Sophie, and thanks again for everything." "Bye-bye." "Is anyone there?" "Is someone there?" "Who is that?" "Who are you?" "Why don't you speak?" "What are you doing?" "Mrs Temple!" "Mrs Temple, it's me, Jane." "Where are you?" "Mrs Temple..." "What's the name of the woman who found the body?" "Pringle..." "Jane Pringle." "Our only witness and she has to be blind." "What a profession, come on." "That's not all." "There's a she dragon by the name of Finch." "Let's pump her." "That kind could've lost her sight, not her tone." "Whoever could have done that to her?" "That's why I can't understand." "Never had an enemy in the world." "Oh, she wasn't perfect." "No one is." "But never done anyone any harm, as far as I can say." "You look throbbed and hurt." "I'll get you a nice hot cup of tea." "That will make you feel better." "Ah, then police again most likely." "Don't worry;" "I'll get rid of them." "What you need is a bit of peace and quiet, and I'll tell them as much." "Ah, it's you." "I'm afraid Miss Pringle isn't well enough to answer any more questions." "Mrs Finch..." "I'll form my own opinion of that." " Have you got this lady's address?" " The flat below, Sir." "Right, well, we'll be in touch with you when we need you." "Oh, but it's not right to leave you without another woman, inspector." " I'm quite well interested in..." " Millie!" "Hey, Millie, come on down a minute, quick!" "Thank you, Mrs Finch." "We'll be down to see you later." "Millie!" "Oh, all right!" " Miss Pringle..." " Yes." "My name is Coates." "I'm the police officer in charge of this case." "I've already told you..." "You've already told Sergeant Jones what you saw... uh.. what happened." "I'd like to hear it again." " Is someone with you?" "Sergeant Jones, to take down..." "To take down what I say, so you can maybe use..." "Just routine." "Then we can go over it afterwards to make sure that nothing is forgotten." "Now..." "You and Mrs Temple were... close friends?" "Yes." "She couldn't get about much with her arthritis." "I was useful to her." "You had a key of her flat?" "Yes, it's to going through the door," "Did she know you were coming up tonight?" "So when you..." "For goodness sake, Inspector." "Why don't you do something instead of asking...?" "I'm doing my job." "I've got to know all the relevant facts." "The only relevant facts are that someone went up there and murdered that poor woman." "And passed you on the stairs, you said." "Yes." "I'm sorry, Inspector." "I'll do all I can to help." "I won't keep you much longer." "Do you know anything in the way of money or valuables that she might have had?" "I'm not sure." " Her money was usually in a handbag." " We didn't find any." "But the most valuable thing she had was a brooch." "Hidden in a jar of lentils on the kitchen dresser." "How much was it worth?" "You know?" "Oh, about 2,000 pounds, I think." "She used to keep it in a tea caddy, but moved it recently." "Seems her visitor knew something." "We discovered the tea caddy upside down and empty." "What family did she have?" "Any relatives?" " Oh, none." " Nobody at all?" "Did she ever mentioned a will of any kind?" "No." "But if she had one, it's probably in her Bible, with something tied around it." "A piece of ribbon, I think." "Then I heard him breathing heavily." "How did you know it was a man?" "I can't explain it really." "I wasn't aware if there was a man or a woman who was near me." "Then there was his coat." "Did you notice as he passed?" "It was a mackintosh, old, creased and crinkled." "Not new and smooth, if you know what I mean." "Go on." "He was standing against the wall." "My hand touched his neck." "He was quite still for a moment." "And... next scurried across my fingers as he went downstairs." " Did he seem to move quickly?" " Very, he ran." "Probably young." "What about his shoes?" "Had they tips or anything like that?" "No, no sound at all." "Must've been rubber soles." "And then you went up." "Yes." "The door was open and then..." "It was where she said it would be." "A lovely thing, isn't it?" "Well, this is what he was after, all right." "I wonder how he knew about it." "I mean, murder is one thing." "But to get bugging poor Miss Pringle at a time like this, well, it just doesn't seem right." "What, I don't mind to go up and tell them just what I think of them." "What do you say?" "Besides, what can she tell them?" "I'll tell them!" "What she needs is a woman with her tone like this." "Oh, I'm gonna tell that Inspector just what he can do!" "Sit down!" "You're not going up there." "You're not gonna tell the Inspector nothing." "But I can't leave that poor girl alone up there." "She's a darn sight better of listening to them than she would be putting up with your yak." "Very grateful for what I did for her." "Not like some." "That's right." "After the thunder let's have the rain." "Zach, I want to go and see them again to tell them what I know about the brooch." "You don't know anything about the brooch." "Of course I do!" "I saw it only last week." "What have I ever done to be burdened with you?" "If you start telling the place things, it may become a habit." "And it'll be all day." "But I know they'll be interested in what I've got to tell them." "I mean, she was murdered for the brooch, I suppose." "It's material evidence." "Will you be quiet?" "I'm telling you to play dumb." "You never even heard about that brooch." "But..." "It doesn't seem right." "It doesn't seem right, it doesn't seem right she says!" "But..." "Don't give me anymore buts, I'll explain it to you." "I'll spell it out to you." "What's this I got in my hand?" "The watch?" "That's right, a watch." "What you think it was Big Ben?" "You know where I got it?" "Last week, in the pub from Harry." "It's gold, say?" "I've got for a few nickers and it's worth more." "And I don't know where it came from." "Not bothered asking questions." "I'm satisfied." "But if we start telling about it to whom we are talking to, the cops might start ferreting." "That will get Harry in the queer, maybe." "They may even confiscate the watch." "So now you know." "Mum's the word." "You might find yourself done good and proper." "Was the watch stolen, then?" "I don't know!" "What does it matter?" "Smuggled perhaps." "You just forget all about it." "A man, probably young, wearing an old raincoat, rubber soles shoes." "Well, it's a start." "I wish I could tell you something important." "As I said it's a start, but there are probably thousands of young men in old raincoats." " That visitor..." " Do you remember something?" "Oh, she said a young man came to see her, yesterday it was." "She didn't have many visitors and she was thrilled by the caller." "She said he had penetrating blue eyes like her husband's." "Anything else?" "He was looking for an uncle, I think it was." "Jackson or..." "Jenkins." "That's it, Jenkins!" "Are there any Jenkinses in the block?" "None that I know of." "Did you make any other impression on Mrs Temple?" "No." "No, I don't think so." "She has mentioned an accent?" "No." "If only the man tonight had spoken..." "Voices tell people like me so much." "Can you remember anything else at all that might help us?" "Oh, my brain is going round and round." "It's all been so sudden and dreadful." "No." "No, I'm sure there wasn't anything else." "You must be tired, Miss Pringle." "I'll leave you in peace." "I'll see you tomorrow with a statement for you to sign." "Tom, will you let me this finish?" "I was just coming down." "Right." "You know?" "It wouldn't be a bad idea for you to have someone with you for a while." "Why, Inspector?" "Well, you've had quite an ordeal, you know." " I've learned to look after myself." " Yes, I know you have, but... but even for a..." "You were going to say "even for a normally sighted person", weren't you?" "Even..." " No, what I meant..." " I know what you meant." "Please, don't stop pitying me." "It's embarrassing and unnecessary." "For that when you regarded my blindness as a nuisance." " But I didn't." " Oh, yes you did and you're quite right!" "Under the circumstances, it is a nuisance, but it's not an object for pity." "If you want to pity anyone, reserve it for that poor old woman upstairs." "No, you're being unfair to both of us." "I am angry!" "Think that a cold-blooded criminal, a man who has never done a decent job for his living, could come in here and kill a kindly old woman like Mrs Temple and walk out free to make the most of what is still..." " He won't be free for long." " Won't he?" "It's the first time in my life I felt helpless since I lost my sight." "If only I was able to see him... or raise the alarm before he got away." "Then you might not have been alive yourself." "Sorry." "Sorry, I blew my topper." "I probably feel better for it now." "Well, now that we both have blown our tops..." " Is that your brother?" " No, my fiancé." "He was killed in a road accident." "I was with him." "That's how I lost my sight." "I remember how happy and cheerful we were that evening." "He was smiling." "I shall always remember him that way." "Then, the other car hit us, and..." "When was that?" "Oh, five... nearly six years ago in France." "We were going on holiday." "I suppose you think it's foolish of me to keep a picture I can't see." "But I can touch it." "The memory seems stronger." "No." "No, I'm sorry, I told you, I have nothing more to say." "No, that's quite impossible." "I'm gonna ring off now." "Good-bye." "Another reporter?" "You shouldn't speak to them." "They know I work a switchboard." "It's impossible to avoid them." "You should take advantage." "You can scrub this off and go away for a few days." "It's very kind of you, but..." "I always feel better when I'm doing something." " Anyway, the police..." " Are they still bothering you?" "Oh, they came round last night again." " How long this time?" " About half an hour, I think." "Same old questions?" "It's very difficult for them when they've got so little to go on." "If only..." " Well..." " Hollings and Foulshaw..." "I will see if he's free." "Mr Hawthorne, a Mr Pratt of Prentice and Weaver is calling you." "Putting you through." "That Mr Pratt is so Irish I can hardly understand him." "You don't have to be so steely brave, you know?" "You had a shock that would upset anybody, and you are acting as if it were almost immoral to feel any aftereffects." "Sorry, I didn't mean it that way." "Jane, will you do something for me?" "Of course." "I'd like to come and stay with you next week." "No, please, I don't want you to." "Sorry, Sophie, I didn't mean it that way." "It's just that... when I've had so many people talk at me..." "I'm really looking forward to most of all is... be quiet and alone." "Well, if you change your mind, you know I'm always willing." "I know, it's very thoughtful of you." "Honey, what time is it?" "It's ten minutes past three." "Oh, I must rush." "The funeral is at four." " Can you manage the board?" " Don't worry about that." "Look, are you sure you really want to go?" "I must." "She had so few friends." "I couldn't let it go without someone being there." "I know human nature." "The cemetery will be packed like a football stadium." "Sophie!" "It's my play." "You should know it by now." " Good-bye." " Good-bye." "I thought it was a wonderful funeral." "Cried for I thought I had died myself." "All them flowers, marvellous lot of flowers, considering she knew hardly anybody round here." "Put the kettle." "I'm Millie, Alf." "Alf!" "Oh, nights!" "Self, self, selfish, he only ever thinks to that." "See you upstairs, love." "Oh, that's all right, Mrs Finch, I can manage." "Oh, well, ta-ta, Millie." " Your paper, Miss Pringle." " Oh, thank you." "I'll have a good look of it." "Shit, flipping kids, no manners these days." "Yeah!" "There is a big headline about you!" "Thank you, Mrs Finch." "Here we are." ""Did she face death?", it says." "It's a good picture of you." "Want to come in?" "Oh, oh, thank you, dear." "It doesn't do you justice, love." "Well, I suppose these newspapers photographs never do." "I'd really rather not..." "It says underneath "Miss Jane Pringle at home in Gladstone Court."" "I'd really rather not hear about it if you don't mind." "Isn't it wonderful now?" "Wonderful?" "Oh, become famous so suddenly and don't you feel important." "Frankly no." "Get away all this attention!" "People whisper as I'm passing the streets." "People talk to me when they've never bothered before." "Wonderful!" "I think it's cruellish and I'm tired of it." "I don't want to hear anymore about it." "The reporters, everything..." "I suppose it's not as exciting as you could read it in the papers itself." "To me the really shocking thing is that people are pleased about it." "Pleased?" "Oh, I know they look suitably shocked." "Their voices are humming with excitement." "Almost of a glee." " Oh, I shouldn't like to say that." " Isn't it the truth?" "Very few people used to call in Mrs Temple." "But at the funeral, everyone from the flats and all around here turned out." "What for?" "If she'd died in the ordinary way, no one would have certainly bothered." "No." "Neither of us can think of an answer for that one, can we?" "None that we would like." "I think that was sorry, really sorry for why she died." "I wish I could share your faith." "Unfortunately I heard what too many of them were saying afterwards." "They treated it as if they were at a circus." "Has Mrs Temple been murdered especially for their amusement?" "I think we should start a scrapbook for you." "All these articles would be nice for you to have." " Mrs Finch, do go." " What?" "Please, do go!" "Oh, but I haven't said anything to worry you." "No, it's just that I want to be left alone." "I don't feel very well." "Can I do anything for you?" "No, please, I just want to be left alone." "I have an awful headache." "All right." "By the way, congratulations." "Fancy!" "She's leaving you the brooch." "The brooch?" "A nice thought!" "It's such a valuable present." "You know, only last week I was saying to Mrs Marston in the pub how kind Mrs Temple was." "But I can see you're tired so I'll leave you now." " Mrs Finch..." " Yes." "How many people did you talk to about the brooch?" "Nobody." " You told me." " Yes, nobody else, I meant." " Are you sure?" " Of course I'm sure." "Just now you mentioned about talking in a pub." "Then you stopped and changed your mind about you were going to say." "Why?" "And then when I asked you how many people you talked to about the brooch, you caught your breath too abruptly, as if you were shocked by the question." "Finally you answered too hastily." "Why?" "Sure I don't know what you mean." "I think you do." "You mentioned the brooch in the pub didn't you?" "To Mrs Marston." "Who said I did?" "How many people could have heard you when you were shouting it about?" "It wasn't shouting, I just..." "Quite." "But you weren't whispering it either." "I don't remember anyone being there." "Just me and Alf and a friend." "It was early." "Mrs Marston came over for some drinks." "Can you think of anyone fitting the description of the man?" "Think!" "No." "I don't remember anyone." "That's not true and you know it." "Don't you want to help to catch Mrs Temple's murderer?" "Now that you mentioned it, there was a man sitting at a table behind me." "He had a..." "No, he was wearing..." "I didn't see him really." "Alf was there." "Anyone who could've done it was sitting opposite me." " Had you told the police?" " No." " Where are you going?" " To telephone them." " You're not gonna drag me into this!" " Drag you!" "You want to be pleased." "And then I suppose you say to him." "It so happens that my husband's in possession of a stolen watch, that's a pleasure let you know." " Of course I didn't." " I'm astonished." "Well, if you didn't say that, what did you say?" "Nothing." "I'll believe your silence when I hear it." "I'm telling you he was out at work and wouldn't be back till six o'clock." "What did he say?" "He wanted to know if we saw a man in a raincoat at the pub that night." "And you described him down to the mole in his left eyebrow, I suppose." "I didn't tell him anything." "Don't try my patience!" "You mean to tell me you could be alone with anybody from more than two minutes without telling him your whole life story?" "That alone, the answer to one simple question." "You told him all right even if I didn't like you to say the words." "I didn't tell him anything." "I know how you feel about it." "You wouldn't agree, but I think we ought to be cooperative." "Cooperative!" "Cooperative!" "One of these days that mouth of yours is gonna open just once too often." "And when this cop comes back, you keep your trap shut if that's humanly possible for you." "I'll do the talking." "You know, I think we ought to help him a bit." "After all, she wasn't such a bad old duck." "Talk as much as you like as long as it doesn't affect us." "Anything you say is bound to affect us a short time being what it is." "Al right, just don't keep going on at me." "Sophie, I don't wanna get our name in the newspapers if anything gets talked up about that." "Here he is." "You go and let him in." " Is he in now, Mrs Finch?" " Yes, Inspector, want to go in?" "Thank you." "Good afternoon." "I'm sorry to trouble you." "That's all right." "Want to be seated?" "I won't keep you more than a few minutes." "Your wife would have told you why I've come." "Yes, yes, she told me." "Sorry I can't be any help." "You decided that already?" "Well, I didn't see any man." "It wasn't any bloke in a raincoat behind the missus as far as I know." " You sure of that?" " Positive." "You realize why we want to find this man, don't you, Mr Finch?" "Of course I do." "Well, unless we get cooperation we probably shan't." "If you pardon me, Inspector, I'll just get on with my chores." "This bloke outta be caught, that's what I say, and hanged." "I don't know about murderers been allowed to get away with it." "Good." "And perhaps you'll rack that memory of yours a little more thoroughly than you've done so far." "Mrs Marston remembers what your wife apparently remembers:" "A man in a raincoat." " But you say you never saw him." " That's right." "But you were facing him." "Who was the other man with you that night, Mr Finch?" "Uh..." "There was only the three of us:" "Mrs Marston, my missus and myself." "I see." "Mrs Marston thinks differently." "Well, I might've stopped to say hello to a mate." "Come to think of it, Inspector." "There was a bloke at that table." "Tallish, wearing a cap and a sports jacket." "Ever seen him before?" "No, it might've been just anybody." "Mrs Finch..." "When did you last see Mrs Marston?" "Oh, I haven't seen her since..." "since last week, I think." "It's odd." "She told me she had a conversation with you this morning." "Mrs Marston?" "Oh, yes, that's right." "So I did." "Awful, isn't it?" "One's memory these days!" "You know, I found I can't remember a thing." "Well, I won't keep you both any longer." "Good afternoon." "Good afternoon, Inspector." "By the way, your friend Harry Grimm who sold you that watch." "He didn't steal it." "He won it in a raffle." "It wasn't worth more than thirty bob." "I hope you didn't get stung." "Cor!" "Strike a merry light!" "It takes a bit of thinking, you know, Inspector." "Let's see now." "Last Friday week around seven." "There were many in." "I remember the Finches and Mrs Marston and another chap with them." "Try the next table." "A big man, youngish, wearing an old raincoat." "Wait a minute." "I know who you mean." "Sidney Wallace." "I haven't seen him lately." "He doesn't come in often." " He wears an old raincoat." " Who is he?" " What's he been up to?" " Nothing that I know of, but who is he?" "He lives with his mum and dad." "33 Bilson Road." "Can you describe him?" "Tall, well set-up chap, about thirtyish, dark hair..." "Do you remember the colour of his eyes?" "Hell!" "He's only got one." "Lost the other in Cyprus." "But it's brown..." "I think." "And there they go all the little people running to and fro like bugs, and each one with a purpose of some kind," "I bet our hairs would stand on end if we knew what they were." "Hey, how's it going?" "I'm up a gumtree, Tommy." "Thanks." "We've got one woman who saw the murderer, but she's blind." "Then, there's the usual accurate description of a suspect from a number of sources." "It seems he is a tall, dark, young man with fair hair." "Blue, black and brown eyes." "Wearing a leather jacket, sports coat and mackintosh." "Noticeably on the short fat size, but slightly thin, over nearly..." "I don't know, he might as well have two heads." "It doesn't give you a chance." "Oh, well that's where it goes sometimes." "Tell me, what about the will?" "60 pounds in the Post Office, a few saving Certificates." "They're going to a dogs' home or something." "She left the brooch to our blind girl." "No, I know, but it's nothing there, believe me." "She was a unusual girl that one." "Oh, she had her guts." "What about the blue-eyed Mr Jenkins?" "We didn't call anywhere else in the block and I haven't been able to locate any Jenkinses in the district to learn about him." "Well, it looks like you'll have to have another shot at that blind girl friend of yours." "Look here, that girl has said just about as much as she can take." "She can't tell us anything else and I'm not going on prodding and prodding..." "Hey, hey, Bob!" "This is not like you, you know." "You can't let sentiment and pity interfere with you." "This is murder, Bob." "You've cracked harder cases than this." "You know?" "That's what the girl said." "About pity." "I don't know what's the matter with me." "Yes, makes me wonder why we go on being coppers, huh?" "Half the time the public can't help us." "And the other half they won't." "There's nothing that knocks the stuffing from underneath your feet for giving up." "You know?" "If we could only get them to realize some personal responsibility to the law that protects them, we'd all be a darn sight better off." "Well, I'd better go and see her again." "Oh, she must loath the sight of me by now." "Well, at least it's a little compensation she can't see you." "Come on, I'll give you a drink." "But we've been over it again and again and again." "I don't know what I have said and what I haven't said." "How many more times must we go over it?" "I'm sorry." "It's the only way." "We haven't got a lead, we just have to go on, dredging up the same old facts until something turns up." "I can't go on any longer." "I really can't." "Do you want to complain that I exceed my duty?" "I can't stop you." "No, of course, I don't." "You know?" "There's always some small thing, some... some new point that has been overlooked" "So either in your brain or in this building, but we'll find it." "All right, then where should we start?" "Voices." " Whose?" " Everyone's." "You once told me that they tell you more about people than faces." " Is that true?" " Yes." "You see..." "The blind can't be deceived by any false appearances because... well, we don't see them." "The pretty face, the good hands, the hail fellow well-met type, the clothes and the honest stare." "All of these are often lies, but they can't be told to us." "Go on." "A sudden intake of breath when someone's about to tell the truth and then realizes it's dangerous." "A little pause before an untruth." "And equally, I suppose , the too glib explanation." "Yes, we always recognize that one." "What sort of voices do you like most?" "The shy ones." "The voices with humour in them." "There's something warm about them." "But a harsh voice is dreadful when one lives only in a world of sound." "That has to be the one you dislike most." "No." "The voices we detest most are the over quiet ones that cover ruthlessness." "They're voices with a kind of pity that really insensitive people put up like a smoke screen." "But I can see I've got a lot to learn." "Shall I make a cup of tea while I go on with your education?" "I'd like that very much... afterwards." "Afterwards?" "I want you to come out on the stairs and re-enact that night again." " But we've done it over, doesn't it?" " Let's do it once more surely." "All right." "Well, what do you want me to do?" "You stay here and I'll go off and play the part of the killer." "I want you to come out of your room as what happened, not roughly, exactly... and take your time." "Well, I came out of the door and walked across the hall, to the stairs." "Then I heard a click up there, I stopped at the bottom of the stairs, like this, and called out: "is anyone there?"" "Then I heard him move across." "I put my hand on the banister, went up a couple steps," "I called out again." " Then is when I heard him move down." " Right." "I'm moving down towards you." "I called out again as I moved up." ""Who is that?" "Who are you?"" "This is where I first heard him breathing heavily." "Then..." "Well, I called out again "Who is that?" "What are you doing?"" "And, then he'd gone." "Oh, that's bizarre that I touched his hand, his right hand." "Nothing else?" "No." "He's next slipped across my fingers as he's moved down." "He pulled his hand down and he'd gone." "His hand..." "What sort of gloves was he wearing?" "Could you tell?" "Oh, it wasn't his gloves what I touched; it was his hand." " It couldn't have been." " It was." " Are you sure?" " I remember it distinctly." "I remember how cold his flesh felt." "He must've taken his gloves off after he left the flat." "Hum, maybe he'd one, anyway." "Right, but do the action again." "No need to concern yourself." "We're just playing a game." " Oh, I just thought..." " For two... only." "Right." "Ready when you are." "And the he levelled with you." " I reached out." " Stop." "What part of the man's raincoat you think you touched?" "The beltline." "Hum, he's tall." "Stay just where you are." "Did you notice anything such as...?" "Yes." "The mack." "It... it seemed to be hollow." "He pulled in the stomach muscles to flatten himself." "He must've pressed against the wall, and his hands must've pressed against it too." "If his glove was off..." " Fingerprints!" " That's it!" "Our first break!" "Who is it?" "Adams, of The News." "John Adams, from The News." "I'm sorry." "I don't want to answer any more questions." "I'm not a reporter." "I'm a photographer." "I don't want any more pictures either." "I'm sorry to trouble you, Miss Pringle, but, please, don't turn me away." "I've only just got this job." "Please, leave me alone." "Take... take your foot out." "Miss Pringle, listen to me." "I've got a wife and child." "If I don't bring back a picture, I might lose my job." "It's not fair." "Well, all right, then I suppose you'd better come in." "Thank you very much." "Go through to the living room." "I'll just put some lights on for you." "Exactly what is that you want to know?" "My editor said I was to get a picture of you wearing the brooch." "No!" "I won't have that." "Believe me, Miss Pringle." "I don't like disturbing you like this." "I know you must be sick and tired of it all, but you must understand that, at the moment, you are an important person." "Newspaper readers want to know everything about you." "I only understand that I want to be left alone." "We are willing to pay." "No!" "Very well." "I won't insist." "Good-bye, Miss Pringle." "All right then." "Please, be quick." "I'll just go and get the brooch." " Is... is this all right?" " It's fine, thank you." "Oh, just come a bit closer." "Look towards where my voice is coming from, Miss Pringle." "That's it." "Just like that." "Just like..." "I'll wait till he has gone." "No, please, take a..." "No, I'll wait till he has gone..." "I've got some adjustments to make." "All right." "Good evening." "Can I come in?" "I was just having my photograph taken again." "How'd do?" "Do you want it taken?" " Not really." " But don't have it." "You heard what the lady said." "Can I come back later?" " No, please." "Take it now and go." " Thank you." " What paper are you from?" " The News." "Surely they don't want a picture that's stale." "Please, Inspector, let him take it and get it over with." "Thank you." "Just like that." "Lovely." "Thank you very much." "I'll let you out." "Good night." "Well..." "Not as much as we hoped for." "Why not?" "The fingerprints were excellent, a complete set." "They matched some we found almost a year ago when an old woman was assaulted and robbed." "But we don't know the man." "He... he was never convicted." "So..." "You are right back where you started." "I'm afraid so." "You know?" "I've got two suggestions to make to you." "Oh, what's that?" "One, that you put the brooch in a Bank." "And two, that you fix a guard chain on your door and don't open until you're sure you know the person or want to see him." "That's the beginning of living in fear." "Oh, I know I'm anyone's victim, but well, I just have to trust people." " May I make you a present?" " Of what?" "The chain." "That's very kind of you." "Well, I just dropped in to let you know the result." "I suppose I'd better be going." "Would you like a cup of tea?" "I was just going to make one." " Well, if you're sure..." " Of course I'm sure!" " Did you move the candlestick?" " No." "It's not in the same position as it was a little while ago." "It was touching the ashtray." "You must've moved it accidentally." "No, I don't think so." "I suppose it's possible." "Well, I'll just get the tea." " Thanks." "Can I give you a hand?" " No, thanks, it shan't be long." "Who is it?" " It's me, Adams of The News again." " Oh..." "Good evening." "Have you got the picture?" "I'm terribly sorry, but it was no good." "I was too rushed and I muffed it." "Oh, I am sorry, I hope you didn't get into trouble." "I certainly did." "I'm sorry to ask you, but could we do it again?" "Oh, we shall have to, won't we?" "I'd hate your wife and child to suffer." "That's very kind of you." " What's the time?" " Eight five." "Oh, you'd have to be quick." "I have a visitor coming at quarter past." "No more than five minutes, I promise you." "Well, how I shall stand?" "Is this all right?" "No, I think seated on the sofa." "But don't forget the brooch." "Oh, all right." "I'll just get it." " Will this do?" " That's fine." "Let's sit down, huh?" "Like this?" "Still now." " Why are you doing...?" " Still!" "All right, Adams." "Are you all right?" "Foolish of you to come back, wasn't it?" "And you should always put things back exactly the way you found them or remember to wipe your fingerprints off." "Where is he?" "Come here." "So this is the face of the man who killed Mrs Temple." "A good face." "The face of a murderer." "You killed an old woman living alone." "Trusted to the goodness of other people to see her through what was left of her life." "How frightened she must've been when she realized at the end she was alone with a savage animal." "A poor old woman to die in fear!" "That won't help you now." "Take him outside." "Sorry." "It's all over, huh?" " There's no doubt that he did it?" " Not at all." "The prints on the wall matched those we found on the candlestick exactly." "You should be very proud." "It was foolish to let him in in the first place." "I didn't like his voice." "It was too gentle and too ruthless." "I felt sorry for him." "You'd say that I was wrong, of course." "It isn't always wrong to trust your instincts." "You have to go?" "I'm afraid so." "But I'll be back tomorrow to fix the chain." "For whom to slide against now?" "Maybe me." "I've no official reason to be in here anymore." "Now rather got the habit, huh?" "I'll deal with that problem." "You can count on it." "Good night, then." "Good night." "Subtitles made by gamboler[noirestyle]"