The Late Edwina Black (original title) (aka The Obsessed) (1952)
78 min | Mystery, Drama | 6 June 1952 (Finland)
When a sickly Victorian woman dies suddenly, a postmortem reveals that her body contains a fatal dose of arsenic. Suspicion falls on her husband and her companion, who are lovers. Inspector Martin of Scotland Yard solves the mystery of her death, over a cup of tea.
Director: Maurice Elvey
Writers: William Dinner (play), David Evans (additional dialogue)
Stars: David Farrar, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Roland Culver
78 min | Mystery, Drama | 6 June 1952 (Finland)
When a sickly Victorian woman dies suddenly, a postmortem reveals that her body contains a fatal dose of arsenic. Suspicion falls on her husband and her companion, who are lovers. Inspector Martin of Scotland Yard solves the mystery of her death, over a cup of tea.
Director: Maurice Elvey
Writers: William Dinner (play), David Evans (additional dialogue)
Stars: David Farrar, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Roland Culver
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
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00:01:20Mr. Black!
00:01:27Mr. Black!
00:01:31Mr. Black!
00:01:38Where's Mr. Black?
00:01:50Mr. Black!
00:02:20Mr. Black!
00:02:51Can I do anything?
00:02:54Yes. You can fetch our water bottle.
00:03:21Woof, woof, woof!
00:03:31Woof, Mr. Black!
00:03:33Woof, woof, woof!
00:03:49Just collapsed suddenly, eh?
00:03:51Yes.
00:03:52How was she yesterday?
00:03:54She said she felt much better, but I wasn't sure.
00:03:57I wanted to send for you then, but you wouldn't hear of it, you know.
00:04:00Yes. I know what your wife's like.
00:04:02Strong-willed, stubborn.
00:04:04You've been very patient.
00:04:08Nothing upset her?
00:04:10Not as far as I know.
00:04:12She hasn't been worrying about anything.
00:04:14What should she worry about, except her health?
00:04:17Oh, you never know, Mr. Black. You never know.
00:04:20Sick people sometimes find funny things to worry about.
00:04:25Get notions, you know.
00:04:28Well, we'll soon see.
00:04:30Go on.
00:04:56She won't need that now.
00:04:58Miss Edwina is dead.
00:05:19I'll draw the curtains in the loin room.
00:05:25There's nothing else I can do, is there?
00:05:28No.
00:05:30There's nothing else you can do for her.
00:05:36There's nothing more you can do to her now, either.
00:05:58I love you.
00:06:28Goodbye.
00:06:48Goodbye, Mr. Gilchrist.
00:06:50Good day, Miss Graham.
00:06:52How kind of you to come, Mrs. Forley.
00:06:54We did know her so well.
00:06:56Your father. Glad to come to her funeral.
00:06:58Oh, thanks.
00:07:00Your boys have missed you the last couple of days at the school, Gregory.
00:07:03It's very kind of you to say so, sir.
00:07:05I know that you've been wasted at a little village school,
00:07:07but as a matter of fact, there's some talk of offering you the headmastership next year when I go.
00:07:11Well, I...
00:07:12I suppose you're thinking of opening a school of your own.
00:07:15I know you always wanted to, eh?
00:07:17To tell you the truth, sir, I haven't really had time to think about it.
00:07:19No, no, of course not.
00:07:20Well, we'll have a word about it sometime.
00:07:22Right.
00:07:23Goodbye.
00:07:24Goodbye, sir.
00:07:25Goodbye.
00:07:26Three quarters of an hour sermon,
00:07:28and my news stays sticking into me all the time,
00:07:30and I never heard such twaddle in my life.
00:07:32Edwina Black, an example to us all.
00:07:34What next, I'd like to know?
00:07:36Dear Lady Southdale, one must speak well of the dead.
00:07:38Nonsense. Oh, sit down, man.
00:07:40If we can't speak the truth about them when they are dead,
00:07:42when can we, I'd like to know?
00:07:43But the dead are no longer here to defend themselves.
00:07:45Neither are the living, when we say things behind their backs.
00:07:47Oh, but poor Mrs. Black, she was so...
00:07:49Now, don't tell me what Edwina Black was.
00:07:51Bless my soul, I knew her all her life.
00:07:53And of all the domineering...
00:07:54No, no, no, come, come, come.
00:07:55Fiddlesticks, oh.
00:07:57I wish I could get hold of the man who invented stays.
00:07:59Mind you, I used to warn her parents
00:08:01against spoiling her the way they did.
00:08:03Excuse me.
00:08:04Let me get you some more tea, Lady Southdale.
00:08:05No, thank you, my dear.
00:08:08Well.
00:08:10Just a moment, my girl.
00:08:11I want a word with you.
00:08:13Shut the door.
00:08:21Charity.
00:08:24You should know just how charitable Edwina Black was.
00:08:27What can I do for you, Lady Southdale?
00:08:30Let me have a good look at you, my dear.
00:08:34Oh.
00:08:35It's a pity I didn't have a good look at you three years ago,
00:08:38before I recommended you for this job.
00:08:40I wouldn't have done it.
00:08:41Oh?
00:08:43Why?
00:08:44Because you're far too good-looking to be a companion.
00:08:47What are you going to do?
00:08:49The caster here, of course.
00:08:54I never thought of doing so.
00:08:55All right, all right.
00:08:57Don't ride your high horse with me.
00:08:59There's no need.
00:09:00What I mean is,
00:09:01there's no point in giving the village anything to talk about.
00:09:04You'd better come to me.
00:09:06Come to you, Lady Southdale?
00:09:07Why not?
00:09:09I'm not as bad as I look.
00:09:11And I certainly wouldn't treat you like Edwina did.
00:09:13It's a wonder to me you didn't walk out long ago.
00:09:17Why didn't you?
00:09:18Eh?
00:09:19Really, I...
00:09:20So you don't want to come to me?
00:09:21I didn't say that.
00:09:23You don't have to.
00:09:26Perhaps you're right.
00:09:27I'd probably be as bad as Edwina.
00:09:31Think it over.
00:09:35You may change your mind.
00:09:37And I feel a bit responsible for you.
00:09:40It's not much of a world for penniless young girls like you.
00:09:46Or for lonely old women like me, either.
00:09:54Goodbye, my dear Mr Blackmore.
00:09:55Goodbye, Vicar.
00:09:56You have my deepest sincerity.
00:09:59Well, here's the last of us.
00:10:01Me, as usual.
00:10:03I want to have a talk with you sometime, my boy.
00:10:05I want to find out how it was Edwina managed to bully you
00:10:09with your degrees and all that,
00:10:10into being a village schoolteacher.
00:10:12I'll see you at your carriage, Lady Southdale.
00:10:15The vicar will do that.
00:10:16I haven't finished with him yet, either.
00:10:18Come along, Vicar.
00:10:19I'll show you the way.
00:10:20The vicar will do that.
00:10:21I haven't finished with him yet, either.
00:10:23Come along, Vicar.
00:10:24Oh, he's gone.
00:10:51Oh, my dear.
00:10:55What is it?
00:10:59Seems wrong.
00:11:02Wrong?
00:11:03All we've done is to fall in love.
00:11:05There's nothing wrong in that.
00:11:08You should have known better.
00:11:10I'm sorry, Vicar.
00:11:11I'm sorry.
00:11:12I'm sorry.
00:11:13I'm sorry.
00:11:14I'm sorry.
00:11:15I'm sorry.
00:11:16I'm sorry.
00:11:17I'm sorry.
00:11:18I'm sorry.
00:11:19You should be glad.
00:11:20Oh, Gregory.
00:11:21Oh, I don't mean about her being dead,
00:11:22but about our being free.
00:11:29Don't tell me you're afraid of Edwina's windbill.
00:11:32Sounds as though she's laughing at us.
00:11:34Oh, Gregory.
00:11:35I still think she's sitting in that chair of hers
00:11:37looking up at him.
00:11:38Do you remember?
00:11:40Do I not?
00:11:44And I remember, too,
00:11:45while she was lying up there,
00:11:47how she'd knock on the floor with her stick
00:11:49to call either of us.
00:11:52But that's all over now.
00:11:54And so is that.
00:11:56Gregory.
00:11:57Oh, no.
00:11:59Don't.
00:12:00What are you afraid of?
00:12:03I don't know.
00:12:05Something in this room.
00:12:07In this house.
00:12:11Something evil.
00:12:12She's still here.
00:12:13Nonsense, darling.
00:12:15Don't you believe
00:12:16that people leave something behind them when they die?
00:12:18Some people.
00:12:21No, no, of course not.
00:12:24Let's go out into the garden.
00:12:26Oh, yes.
00:12:28There's nothing over there.
00:12:30There's nothing over anywhere.
00:12:45Let's go.
00:13:03Our old courthouse.
00:13:08I don't suppose I'll ever see it again.
00:13:10What do you mean?
00:13:11Well, I can't stay on now.
00:13:13What else could you do?
00:13:14I could go to Lady Southdale.
00:13:16Never mind about Lady Southdale.
00:13:17Besides, I need a secretary.
00:13:19And you promised to help me answer those letters tonight.
00:13:22I've got a stone in my shoe.
00:13:27You know, I believe you want to leave me.
00:13:31I want to come to you from any place but that house.
00:13:34I've known too much.
00:13:36Too much what?
00:13:38Unhappiness and fear.
00:13:41No happiness at all?
00:13:42Of course.
00:13:43The greatest I've ever known.
00:13:45But...
00:13:46Joy, poor darling.
00:13:48I understand.
00:13:49I'll tell you what I'll do.
00:13:51I'll take you up to London myself tomorrow.
00:13:54And we'll get the engagement ring together.
00:13:56And then as soon as I've settled things down here,
00:13:59I'll join you and we'll get married right away.
00:14:01Shall we?
00:14:03How long will it take?
00:14:05Oh, just a few weeks.
00:14:06Not a moment longer than I can help.
00:14:08You know, I've always wondered what it would feel like
00:14:11to have someone on his knees to me.
00:14:14You'd be surprised if you knew how often I've been on my knees to you.
00:14:18In my thoughts.
00:14:20Do you remember the first day you came?
00:14:22Every minute of it.
00:14:25Ellen showed me into the drawing room.
00:14:29I saw you through the window.
00:14:31I thought you were the garden.
00:14:33And I thought you were the loveliest thing I'd ever seen.
00:14:36It isn't true.
00:14:37But go on.
00:14:41Isn't there any more?
00:14:42No, don't move.
00:14:43That's exactly as you were the first time I found you.
00:14:45Asleep, remember?
00:14:51It's all been my fault.
00:14:53There's no question of fault.
00:14:56She was your wife.
00:14:59I should have gone away with you.
00:15:02What difference would it have made?
00:15:04We'd still have been in love with each other.
00:15:06Oh, I don't know what to believe.
00:15:11I couldn't have gone on living without you.
00:15:13So if you'd gone away, I must have followed wherever you went.
00:15:24Let's stop worrying and be grateful for our freedom.
00:15:27If you don't want to stay here, we can go away wherever you like.
00:15:30Wherever I like?
00:15:33Do you know, Edwina once said something very strange to me
00:15:37about my being rich one day and being able to go wherever I liked
00:15:40and with whom I liked.
00:15:42Well, it's true. So you can.
00:15:45Where do you wish to go?
00:15:46Italy.
00:15:47Italy?
00:15:48Yes. Venice.
00:15:51There is city of the heart,
00:15:53rising like water columns from the sea.
00:15:57Oh, how I've longed to go there.
00:15:59Then you shall.
00:16:00I've got a little book about it.
00:16:02Come on, I'll show it to you.
00:16:11Isn't it lovely?
00:16:13Perfect. Looks ideal for a honeymoon.
00:16:16Where did you get it?
00:16:17I sent for it a few weeks ago.
00:16:22Then Venice it shall be.
00:16:24And you'll forget your silly fears.
00:16:26And I'm going to stop being dishonest with myself.
00:16:29No more pretending. No more mourning.
00:16:32And we can leave tomorrow?
00:16:35Tomorrow?
00:16:36Yes.
00:16:38And we can leave tomorrow?
00:16:40Tomorrow.
00:16:55Steady, steady.
00:16:59Good morning, ma'am.
00:17:00And who are you?
00:17:01I've come to see Mr. Black, ma'am.
00:17:03Didn't you see the bell?
00:17:05Yes, ma'am.
00:17:06Are you Mr. Black, sir?
00:17:07Yes, but I've no time just now.
00:17:09I'm from Scotland Yard, sir. Inspector Martin.
00:17:13Could I have the favour of a few words with you, sir?
00:17:16Well, you'd better come in here.
00:17:18Thanks, sir.
00:17:28Oh, you can speak quite freely in front of Miss Graham.
00:17:30She's my secretary.
00:17:32Well, sir, it's like this.
00:17:34Dr. Prendergast is worried about your late wife's death certificate.
00:17:38It seems he regrets signing it.
00:17:40Regrets signing it?
00:17:41Yes, he's dissatisfied with the apparent cause of death.
00:17:45What?
00:17:46He communicated his doubts to the Home Office.
00:17:48And they, as is usual in such cases, passed it over to Scotland Yard.
00:17:51What do you mean, such cases? What cases?
00:17:54Well, in this case, certain symptoms now strike him as strange.
00:17:59Are you suggesting that my wife died from other than natural causes?
00:18:03Well, let's put it this way, sir.
00:18:05The suggestion will always be there unless the matter's cleared up.
00:18:08And how do you do that?
00:18:10A pathologist's report will ease everybody's mind.
00:18:14But doesn't that sound rather horrible?
00:18:19You mean you want to exhume the body and hold a post-mortem?
00:18:21It's the only way, sir.
00:18:23Well, I object most strongly.
00:18:24A question has been raised concerning Mrs. Black's death, sir, and the law must know the answer.
00:18:28Don't you think you owe this post-mortem to your wife in the circumstances?
00:18:31I've already given the necessary instructions.
00:18:34You may depend upon it, but everything will be done as discreetly as possible.
00:18:41Where are you going, Father?
00:18:45To London.
00:18:47I was taking Miss Graham to London.
00:18:49I see.
00:18:52The cabman says if you don't come now, you'll miss the train.
00:18:56I somewhat did now.
00:18:57I'll take that cab, sir.
00:18:59Can I offer you my escort on the train to London, miss?
00:19:03No.
00:19:04I don't think I want to go either.
00:19:06A very wise decision, if I may say so, miss.
00:19:10Well, I'll be down with the result of that post-mortem in a day or two.
00:19:13Good day, sir.
00:19:14Good day, miss.
00:19:16After you, ma'am.
00:19:19I knew it.
00:19:22I knew it.
00:19:24Knew what?
00:19:25I knew Edwina would...
00:19:26Stop us.
00:19:27How could she stop us, Elizabeth?
00:19:28Elizabeth, why are you frightened?
00:19:31I don't know.
00:19:35That's the awful part about it.
00:19:36I don't know.
00:19:38You're frightened too.
00:19:39Of course I'm not.
00:19:40There's nothing to be frightened of.
00:19:43She died a natural death.
00:19:44Yes, but she stopped us from going away.
00:19:48She might almost be here, laughing at us and telling us that we can't escape.
00:19:53Laughing at us and telling us that we can't escape her.
00:19:57She's dead, Elizabeth.
00:19:58Can't you get that into your head?
00:19:59She's dead.
00:20:03Is she?
00:20:11Mr. Black has gone down to the schoolhouse, sir.
00:20:13He always comes back that way.
00:20:16Of course, Miss Graham's with him.
00:20:18Unless they're in the coach house.
00:20:20That's their usual meeting place.
00:20:23Oh, the coach house.
00:20:25There.
00:20:27I see.
00:20:30You acted as nurse to Mrs. Black, didn't you?
00:20:32She was always Miss Edwina to me, sir.
00:20:34I did my best.
00:20:35Oh, a very good nurse, I expect you were too, ma'am.
00:20:38Princeton should see she had her medicine regularly.
00:20:40Of course.
00:20:41It's no use having doctors if you don't do what they tell you.
00:20:44That's right, ma'am.
00:20:45And by the same token, you might say it's no good having a policeman unless you tell him the truth.
00:20:49Naturally, sir.
00:20:50Mr. Black thinks they cost enough as it is.
00:20:52Does he now?
00:20:53Well, we must see he gets his money's worth.
00:20:56Do you want to go in there, sir?
00:20:57It's a greenhouse.
00:20:58Yes, ma'am.
00:21:00My Scotland Yard training would enable me to deduce that.
00:21:06And now, ma'am, going back to Mrs. Black.
00:21:08You're sure she had her medicine night and morning?
00:21:11Quite sure, sir.
00:21:12And you never forgot once?
00:21:14Never.
00:21:15Yeah.
00:21:17Well, we have a little mystery here, ma'am.
00:21:19Why, ma'am?
00:21:20Because the post-mortem reveals no trace of medicine at all.
00:21:24Well, she had it, sir.
00:21:26You're not telling me the truth, ma'am.
00:21:29You know you ought to know better than to lie to the police.
00:21:32Now, ma'am.
00:21:34Well, I...
00:21:35Yes?
00:21:36She just wouldn't take it, sir.
00:21:38She said it tasted horrible.
00:21:40She'd pour it away.
00:21:41Once she ruined a bottle of toilet water by pouring it into there.
00:21:44She told me not to tell the doctor or anyone.
00:21:47Here he is, Mr. Black.
00:21:49With Miss Brown.
00:21:57Ah, good afternoon, sir.
00:21:58Nice bit of glass you have here.
00:22:00I'm a bit of a gardener myself.
00:22:02Yes, yes. Have you got the result?
00:22:04Yes, sir.
00:22:05I'm afraid it's my unpleasant duty to tell you
00:22:07that we've discovered arsenic in your wife's body.
00:22:18You mentioned a cup of tea just now, ma'am.
00:22:27I'm very partial to a cup of tea.
00:22:29I could drink one almost any hour of the day.
00:22:31Arsenic?
00:22:32That's right, Miss. Arsenic.
00:22:34You mean my wife died of poisoning?
00:22:36That'd be the inference, sir.
00:22:37But if arsenic was found in her body, how did it get there?
00:22:40That's what I'm here to find out, Miss.
00:22:42I understand the housekeeper had been with Miss Brown
00:22:45I understand the housekeeper had been with Mrs. Black quite a time.
00:22:49Yes, ever since my wife was a child.
00:22:51Ellen was devoted to her.
00:22:53Utterly devoted.
00:22:54Any idea that she might ever be ridiculous?
00:22:57Hmm.
00:23:02Now, what do you say, sir?
00:23:03Would there be any motive?
00:23:04For instance, would she derive any benefit?
00:23:06You mean money?
00:23:08I always understood Mrs. Black was going to leave her an annuity,
00:23:11but it's absurd to suppose...
00:23:12Her motive wouldn't be strong enough.
00:23:14Since I inherit the fortune, is that what you mean?
00:23:16Is that what you mean, Inspector?
00:23:18No, I don't mean anything, Miss.
00:23:21I'm just looking for facts.
00:23:25Ah.
00:23:27This is the weed killer you ordered from the village.
00:23:30They tell me at the General's store it was delivered last November.
00:23:34Possibly. I don't remember exactly.
00:23:35I see quite a lot of it's been used.
00:23:37Well, my wife was very particular about the graveled paths.
00:23:40Are you suggesting, Inspector, that the weed killer was responsible for her death?
00:23:43I can't say yet, Miss.
00:23:45But this particular brand contains a high proportion of arsenic.
00:23:48You think Mrs. Black was accidentally poisoned by the weed killer?
00:23:52We hope accidentally, Miss.
00:23:56Have you considered the possibility of...
00:23:59Well, I was thinking of the strain of the illness and...
00:24:03Suicide, sir?
00:24:05How could she possibly have walked to the greenhouse?
00:24:07The doctor said she couldn't stand on her feet.
00:24:09No, no, that's true.
00:24:10She was far too ill.
00:24:11Unless there was some arsenical substance in her room.
00:24:14Perhaps we might go up and have a look, sir.
00:24:17By all means.
00:24:19Here. Very refreshing.
00:24:26Could there have been anything like that in her medicine?
00:24:29Not according to the prescription, Miss.
00:24:31Besides, the housekeeper said she wouldn't take her medicine.
00:24:33I don't think you'll find anything like that in her room.
00:24:35Someone must have given it to her, sir.
00:24:36Someone in this house?
00:24:37Points to that, Miss.
00:24:38But who?
00:24:39Was there any other servant?
00:24:40No, she dismissed them all when she took to her bed.
00:24:42Ellen and I shared the work.
00:24:44And I looked after the garden.
00:24:46Did you see your wife on the morning of her death, sir?
00:24:48I looked in her jewelry on my way down.
00:24:53What time would that be?
00:24:55Oh, about...
00:24:56Eight o'clock, I suppose.
00:24:57Can't you see?
00:25:01It's locked.
00:25:02Do you always keep that door locked?
00:25:03No, it must be Ellen. I'll go and find her.
00:25:10Which of those rooms?
00:25:12That one's mine.
00:25:14That's Mr. Black's.
00:25:16Perhaps you'd like to see them, too.
00:25:17Thank you, Miss.
00:25:18Very pleasant room, Miss.
00:25:48Hmm.
00:26:18I keep everything in this room just as it was.
00:26:22A very nice sentiment, ma'am.
00:26:41That is Miss Edwina's.
00:26:43That is stick, ma'am.
00:26:45She used it to bang on the floor.
00:26:47To call me.
00:26:48Indeed, Miss.
00:26:51I take it you were on very good terms with the deceased lady, Miss?
00:26:55She often said what a comforter I was to her.
00:27:01And did your wife take any stimulants, sir?
00:27:03Well...
00:27:04Never.
00:27:08Yes, sir?
00:27:09Well, hardly anything.
00:27:11Not even a little wine?
00:27:13Sometimes wine.
00:27:14A little wine?
00:27:16Sometimes, perhaps.
00:27:17She may have been a little indiscreet.
00:27:19She drank?
00:27:20No, no, I wouldn't say that.
00:27:23Not since she took to her bed.
00:27:25No, certainly not during her illness.
00:27:26Are you quite sure of that, sir?
00:27:27I've already said so.
00:27:29I don't expect to have to answer questions twice.
00:27:33I must confess I'm finding this endless interrogation...
00:27:35I don't think you quite appreciate my position, sir.
00:27:38Perhaps I'd better put my point of view.
00:27:40Your wife died suddenly.
00:27:42A post-mortem's carried out.
00:27:44It proves the body to contain a fatal dose of arsenic.
00:27:47I'm put in charge of the investigation.
00:27:50Now, sir.
00:27:52If you were in my place, how would you set about the inquiry?
00:27:59What is it you want to know, Inspector?
00:28:01I want my questions answered truthfully.
00:28:04Did Mrs. Black take anything to drink apart from tea and so on?
00:28:07A glass of warm milk every morning at eleven.
00:28:10Well, who took that up to her?
00:28:11Ellen.
00:28:12Not on that morning.
00:28:13You always took it up.
00:28:14Not on that morning.
00:28:16Well, who did take it up to her on that morning?
00:28:18She did.
00:28:20I mean, Miss Graham.
00:28:21I did not.
00:28:22Are you quite sure, miss?
00:28:23Well, if she says so, of course she is.
00:28:27Oh.
00:28:28I'm sorry.
00:28:30I'm afraid I was a little...
00:28:31Yes, miss?
00:28:33I was a little hasty, I remember now.
00:28:35I did take up Mrs. Black's milk to her that morning.
00:28:38That's all right, miss. We're all liable to overlook things.
00:28:40Now.
00:28:42You say you leave everything in here just as it was?
00:28:44Everything.
00:28:46Well, it all looks nice and clean.
00:28:48I clean everything in it every day.
00:28:51Yes, I was afraid of that.
00:28:54Off to you, miss.
00:28:55Off to you, miss.
00:29:09Do you remember who was in the greenhouse last day before your wife died?
00:29:12I don't know. I was in and out of there every day.
00:29:14How about you, miss?
00:29:15Were you in there that day?
00:29:16Probably. Yes, I'm sure I was there.
00:29:18I used to water the plants in the evening.
00:29:20In the evening?
00:29:22Now, I want you to think hard.
00:29:24Did you notice if the weed killer was in its usual place on the shelf?
00:29:27No, I didn't. Why should I?
00:29:29It's important. Can't you make an effort?
00:29:30No doubt if Miss Graham had known it was going to be so important,
00:29:32she'd have examined the entire greenhouse.
00:29:34Don't, darling.
00:29:39After all, sir, your wife died on the following morning, didn't she?
00:29:41About twelve o'clock, wasn't it?
00:29:43Well, yes, I suppose it was. I didn't notice particularly.
00:29:49Well, I don't think I need bother you any more today.
00:29:59If pleasant things, these little travellers.
00:30:02My good lady got us one once to Switzerland.
00:30:04That was the year we went to South End.
00:30:07You thinking of going abroad, sir?
00:30:09Yes.
00:30:11Were you going alone?
00:30:13What do you mean, was I going alone?
00:30:15According to the rubber stamp date on this,
00:30:18it was sent here five weeks before the lady's death.
00:30:21I don't mind telling you that puzzled me a bit, sir.
00:30:24Were you going alone?
00:30:25Why?
00:30:27Five weeks in advance of the lady's death.
00:30:30Seemed a little pessimistic.
00:30:32I ordered it because I'd often thought of going abroad.
00:30:36But you didn't order it, sir.
00:30:38You sent for it, didn't you, miss?
00:30:40Yes, I did.
00:30:43Then why ask me, inspector?
00:30:44Why hide the fact you knew Miss Graham sent for it?
00:30:47I merely thought she'd sent for it on your instruction, sir,
00:30:49as a secretarial duty.
00:30:51Inspector, Mr. Black did not ask me to send for it.
00:30:54I did that on my own initiative.
00:30:56Then you were wise to get it so far in advance.
00:30:59Very wise indeed, as it happened.
00:31:01Look here, inspector.
00:31:03I have no doubt it can be explained, sir.
00:31:05Like a lot of other things in this case.
00:31:07Such as you would have wanted to kill your wife.
00:31:10I shall be staying the night in the village.
00:31:13I shall be back early in the morning.
00:31:15Give you time to think it over.
00:31:16Perhaps you'll discover something that I've overlooked.
00:31:19Good night, sir.
00:31:21Good night, miss.
00:31:34Miss Graham?
00:31:35Yes?
00:31:36Supper's ready, if you are.
00:31:38I'll wait for Mr. Black.
00:31:40Is he going to be long?
00:31:41No, he's only gone to the village to get some tobacco.
00:31:44I wanted to ask you.
00:31:46What you and Mr. Black are going to do about this house?
00:31:51If you're thinking about your own plans,
00:31:53wouldn't it be better to consult Mr. Black?
00:32:01I would have thought you would know all about it.
00:32:04Really?
00:32:06Why should you think...
00:32:09Did you put that back there?
00:32:11I did.
00:32:12I was told to put it there.
00:32:14Who told you?
00:32:16Miss Edwina.
00:32:22What do you mean?
00:32:24She told me to put it there two years ago,
00:32:26and her wishes are still law in this house,
00:32:29as long as I'm in it.
00:32:32Well, if you'll take my advice...
00:32:34I do not take advice from people like you.
00:32:37How dare you talk to me like that?
00:32:39It's a pity somebody didn't talk to you like that long ago.
00:32:42Before you made Miss Edwina suffer as you did,
00:32:43do you think she didn't know what was going on down here?
00:32:46You're a wicked woman.
00:32:48Do you think it wasn't plain to anybody to see
00:32:50what was between you and Mr. Black?
00:32:52Truth will out.
00:32:54As you're going to know before you're much older.
00:32:56You couldn't see me.
00:32:58I wasn't a poor helpless invalid tied to one rope.
00:33:05No.
00:33:07You could go and tell your lies to anyone who'd listen to you.
00:33:09I only said...
00:33:11I know what you said. I've just seen the doctor.
00:33:13Thank for this, you scandal-monger.
00:33:15And...
00:33:17And what about yourselves?
00:33:19She fed and clothed and housed you,
00:33:21and you took it all.
00:33:23Hold your tongue.
00:33:25You can't silence me.
00:33:27I'm not afraid of a couple of porters
00:33:29living on her charity
00:33:31and carrying on down there while she...
00:33:33Get out. Get out, you hear?
00:33:35I'm going.
00:33:37I don't want to stay in a house where murder's been committed.
00:33:43Now, darling, please.
00:33:45It's all right.
00:33:47I'm not going to cry.
00:33:50It's...
00:33:52It's... It's just that...
00:33:54Yes, I know.
00:33:56Let's forget the whole wretched business, shall we?
00:33:58After all, what does it matter what Ellen says?
00:34:08We'll get rid of this place
00:34:10as soon as this is over.
00:34:14And then,
00:34:16everything we'd always planned.
00:34:18We'll go to London, get married.
00:34:20Then Venice.
00:34:22Murder, indeed.
00:34:24Darling, don't take any notes of what she said.
00:34:26How can it have been murder?
00:34:28If it were, either you or I did it.
00:34:30And since neither of us did, it couldn't have been.
00:34:32I'll light the lamp.
00:34:34No, don't.
00:34:36Let's have the candles.
00:34:38Oh, good idea.
00:34:40And the silver, and the glass, and the lace.
00:34:42And all the things we never saw used.
00:34:47Happy?
00:34:50You know, I've never seen it like this before.
00:34:55I can't understand people.
00:34:57Have lovely things, not using them.
00:34:59Doesn't that petunia look nice in the candlelight?
00:35:01Yes, I'm rather proud of that.
00:35:03When did you bring it in?
00:35:05The morning Edwina died.
00:35:07I thought of taking it up to her room.
00:35:08Do you know, I think we ought to complete
00:35:10the picture and dress.
00:35:12Well, I have got one evening dress.
00:35:14That's all you need.
00:35:16But I don't know what it's like.
00:35:18I haven't looked at it since I came here.
00:35:20I'll buy you dozens in Paris.
00:35:23One of the things we'll have in our new house
00:35:25will be plenty of light,
00:35:27not a dismal old barn like this.
00:35:29I wonder if Ellen's gone yet.
00:35:31I'll go and see.
00:35:39Ellen!
00:35:45No, she must have gone.
00:35:47Oh, I expect she's gone to visit
00:35:49that old crony of hers at the vicarage.
00:35:51Well, that's fine.
00:35:53We've got the house to ourselves.
00:35:55What could be better?
00:35:57Don't be long, will you?
00:36:09You look beautiful.
00:36:11What are you hiding?
00:36:13Come to that, what are you hiding?
00:36:15A little job for you, darling.
00:36:17That's all I've got to say.
00:36:19I'm going to bed.
00:36:21Good night.
00:36:23Good night.
00:36:25Good night.
00:36:27Good night.
00:36:29Good night.
00:36:31Good night.
00:36:33Good night.
00:36:35Good night.
00:36:36A little job for you, darling.
00:36:38That's as far as I could get.
00:36:40Go on, it won't bite you.
00:36:44Do you like them?
00:36:46Oh, they're wonderful.
00:36:48But they aren't?
00:36:50No, no, no. They were my mother's.
00:36:54Now then.
00:37:01Now, let's look at you.
00:37:06Come on.
00:37:24Why did you stop the doctor from coming to see Edwina the day before she died?
00:37:31I didn't.
00:37:32But you...
00:37:33She said she didn't want him.
00:37:35Darling, what is it?
00:37:36What's the matter?
00:37:38It's just that...
00:37:40Oh, you know, I don't care what anyone in the world thinks about us.
00:37:43But I do care terribly what we think.
00:37:45It's...
00:37:47It's Edwina.
00:37:49Darling, we mustn't let her come between us.
00:37:54You'll be in Italy soon.
00:37:56Miles away.
00:37:58What have we got to worry about? We're lucky.
00:38:00To each other?
00:38:02I wonder.
00:38:05Are you regretting?
00:38:07Oh, no, I regret nothing.
00:38:09Whatever happens, I'm glad we met.
00:38:12What made you send for that travel booklet five weeks ago?
00:38:16Oh, because Edwina was always telling me about Italy.
00:38:19And how you'd taken her there on your honeymoon, and how...
00:38:22happy you'd been.
00:38:25Gregory, I couldn't bear it.
00:38:27I wanted to be in Italy with you.
00:38:30So I sent for the booklet,
00:38:31and every night I'd look at it,
00:38:33and go there with you in my dreams.
00:38:37What are you thinking about?
00:38:39Are you sure there was no other reason?
00:38:42What do you mean?
00:38:44I mean what I say.
00:38:46You're speaking to me as if you were the inspector.
00:38:49Don't be silly, Elizabeth.
00:38:51You even looked at me as he did, as if I were lying.
00:38:53Nonsense.
00:38:54Yes, lying.
00:38:56I only meant it must have seemed odd to the inspector.
00:38:58You're sure you don't mean that you found it odd?
00:38:59You found it odd.
00:39:02Even if I did, I still love you.
00:39:04I love you as much as you must have loved me to make you...
00:39:06Make me what?
00:39:09Save.
00:39:11I didn't kill Edwina.
00:39:13If that's what you mean.
00:39:15I must have been crazy.
00:39:17Do you love me any less because I didn't?
00:39:19Oh, no. Please, darling, forgive me.
00:39:21I don't know what made me...
00:39:23I do.
00:39:24Edwina.
00:39:26You said that you brought this in the morning she died, didn't you?
00:39:30Then you were last in the greenhouse, not I.
00:39:33Well, darling, what does it matter?
00:39:35Why do you keep on about this thing?
00:39:37I wish I'd never seen it or brought it into the house.
00:39:39I'm thrown out.
00:39:48Is this what we put on evening dress for?
00:39:55You see, my love,
00:39:56we mustn't keep on about these things.
00:39:59You can take any one of them
00:40:01and turn it around and make it look suspicious.
00:40:04Yes.
00:40:06Yes.
00:40:08And that's just what she wants us to do.
00:40:11Yes.
00:40:13But we mustn't let her.
00:40:16She's dead, Elizabeth.
00:40:19Let her stay dead.
00:40:26That was the door of Edwina's room.
00:40:29No, it couldn't have been.
00:40:35It was. I'm sure of it.
00:40:38How could it have been?
00:40:40I'll go up and see, shall I?
00:40:41No, don't. Don't go up.
00:40:57No, I think Ellen must have left the box room door open.
00:41:03Why, you're trembling.
00:41:06My nerves have been on edge ever since the inspector came.
00:41:09It's silly to let him upset you.
00:41:11He's only just an ordinary man.
00:41:13He's probably a bit drunk, isn't he?
00:41:15No, he's not.
00:41:17He's not?
00:41:19No, he's not.
00:41:21He's not?
00:41:23No, he's not.
00:41:24He's an ordinary man.
00:41:26He's probably got an ordinary wife, too.
00:41:28I think it's because he is so ordinary that he frightens me.
00:41:32I can feel the full weight of the law behind him.
00:41:35That's ridiculous. It's not as though you had anything to conceal.
00:41:38Let's go and light the candles.
00:41:40Oh, matches.
00:41:42Oh, there's some in the drawing room.
00:41:44I'll get them.
00:41:54Gregory?
00:41:56Gregory!
00:41:58Gregory!
00:42:00What is it?
00:42:01Oh, she's here!
00:42:02Where are the matches?
00:42:03She's here!
00:42:04Stop it, Elizabeth! Where are the matches?
00:42:06I dropped them.
00:42:08Oh, I see.
00:42:10Oh, I see.
00:42:12Oh, I see.
00:42:14Oh, I see.
00:42:16Oh, I see.
00:42:18Oh, I see.
00:42:20Oh, I see.
00:42:22Oh, I see.
00:42:24Oh, I see.
00:42:28She's here!
00:42:31I have no oil! That's all it is!
00:42:37I can smell her perfume.
00:42:39Ah, she's alive!
00:42:40She's here!
00:42:41Elizabeth, keep control of yourself!
00:42:50Perfume!
00:42:54Why, it's this altar cloth she's been working on.
00:42:58That's where it came from.
00:43:03Oh, you know, for a moment I really thought...
00:43:06Yes, so did I. It just shows you how easy it is to...
00:43:09Darling, don't ever lose control of yourself again like that.
00:43:11I had enough of that from Edwina on that last...
00:43:15On that last what?
00:43:16Oh, nothing. Let's forget it.
00:43:18First the doctor, then the booklet, then the petunia.
00:43:20I wish to heaven I hadn't forgotten to take it up with me.
00:43:23Then you did go up.
00:43:25Well, what does it matter?
00:43:27After I took the milk up at eleven.
00:43:29Well, suppose I did.
00:43:30Why didn't you tell the inspector?
00:43:32Because he didn't ask me.
00:43:34Anyway, I didn't think it important.
00:43:36But he did ask you, and you said that you saw her at eight o'clock on your way down.
00:43:39So I did look in at eight o'clock.
00:43:41What happened the second time when you saw her?
00:43:43Nothing.
00:43:45Nothing?
00:43:47Do you expect me to believe that?
00:43:49Yes, I do.
00:43:53For the very good reason that she was already dead.
00:43:57Dead?
00:43:58Well, I thought so. She seemed to be.
00:44:00What time was this?
00:44:01Oh, I don't know. About half past eleven, something like that.
00:44:03But I saw you out at the garden just before twelve.
00:44:05What's that got to do with it?
00:44:07You would have just come from her room, and she was dead, and...
00:44:09You'll just go into the garden?
00:44:11Well, what did you expect me to do?
00:44:13I've had a shock. I wanted time to think.
00:44:17You were last with Edwina.
00:44:19Last in the greenhouse.
00:44:23Oh, I see.
00:44:25What do you mean, you see?
00:44:27You're trying not to tell me that you killed Edwina.
00:44:31For both our sakes, I know.
00:44:33What?
00:44:34I understand so well why you did it.
00:44:36Oh, Gregory, I wish you hadn't.
00:44:38Elizabeth.
00:44:40Whatever can I say or do to make you believe me?
00:44:43I...
00:44:49Here's Edwina's Bible.
00:44:52If I swear to you on this Bible
00:44:54that I didn't kill my wife,
00:44:56will you believe me?
00:45:01I swear to you on this Bible,
00:45:03I did not kill my wife.
00:45:22I swear to you on this Bible
00:45:24that I didn't kill my wife.
00:45:46I thought you'd gone.
00:45:49How could I go at this time of night?
00:45:51fetched my lamp. what were you doing in my wife's room? I was sitting there
00:45:55thinking. taking my leave of her. all that time? I didn't know the time. the clock
00:46:07there hasn't gone since I stopped it the morning miss Edwina died at 12 o'clock.
00:46:14why did you lie to me? why did I what? Gregory I must know the truth. what are
00:46:25you talking about? you said that she was dead at half-past 11. Ellen says that
00:46:32she died at 12.
00:46:44don't you see Gregory that I've got to know. why have you got to know any more
00:46:51than I've got to know? do I keep on at you about what happened when you took her
00:46:56milk up that morning? or what you did in the greenhouse the night before? or what
00:47:00exactly was in your mind when you sent for that booklet? I told you all about
00:47:03that. and I've told you. but you lied to me. how do I know you weren't lying to me?
00:47:09Gregory if you won't tell me what happened will you tell the inspector?
00:47:17Elizabeth my darling what are we doing to each other? we're destroying each
00:47:21other. we've no one else in the world to turn to and look what we're doing. it
00:47:26isn't us. it's this house. it's full of her. everything in it comes between us. if
00:47:33only we could stop that. we could if we really loved each other. we need each
00:47:38other now Elizabeth. not in some weeks time. now.
00:48:08for you darling. what a lovely thought. so it should be. happy? never been
00:48:36happier in my life. the Bible. this isn't a Bible at all. what? this book. it isn't a
00:48:51Bible. it's a dictionary. what about it darling? you swore on it. it isn't a
00:48:57Bible. well I thought it was. it looked like it. it's about the same size. it's
00:49:03just a mistake. don't you believe me?
00:49:10Elizabeth don't you believe me? I can't. you've been lying to me all the time. you
00:49:16liar. Elizabeth what are you saying? liar. it was an accident. another lie. nothing but
00:49:22accidents and lies like that inscription on your wreath in memory of my beloved
00:49:27and devoted wife. was that an accident too? Elizabeth what has come over you? I've
00:49:31had enough of your accidents. there are too many of them. are you mad talking to me like
00:49:34this? do you want to ruin everything between us? you can't do that. not now.
00:49:44was that why you made love to me last night? to stop me from saying what I
00:49:50think? was that the idea? to make me shut up? no it wasn't. but shut up do you hear?
00:49:55shut up. you're mad. I can't bear your suspicion any longer. you're making
00:49:59everything cheap. how dare you say that to me? why only a few hours ago I looked at you as if
00:50:05as if you were a god and all the time you were nothing but a liar and a cheat.
00:50:09Elizabeth I beg you to listen to me. I've listened to you enough as it is. Edwina
00:50:15was right when she warned me to be on my guard against you. when I think of what
00:50:20you've done to her and now you're trying to put the blame on me. you coward. why
00:50:24don't you admit that you killed her? very clever. most impressive. but I see
00:50:33now what you're up to. another twist? I see it before. think that you could fool me
00:50:38like that? smile at me and all the while scheme and plan to make me pay for your
00:50:42crime. there are worse crimes than murder. I've been poisoned too. poisoned by your
00:50:48lies and your love making that meant nothing at all. you saw that I was
00:50:51starved for a little affection. so you came into my arms. that was your chance
00:50:54to escape from poverty. should have known that a man who'd live on his wife's
00:50:57money was capable of anything. I did not live on my wife's money. I had my salary.
00:51:02schoolmaster's salary. 125 pounds a year without pay for all this and your fine
00:51:08clothes. you throw that in my face just like she used to. why you're another
00:51:13Edwina. you even look like her sitting there in her chair. you poisoned her
00:51:19because you wanted luxury. if you're so sure I killed Edwina why don't you go
00:51:22and tell the inspector and tell him too what happened in that room at 1130. you
00:51:26dare him for a coward. you didn't think that when you made love to me the way you did.
00:51:30I never made love to you. you made love to me. you didn't exactly make it
00:51:33difficult for me did you?
00:51:36so Edwina has won.
00:51:54very well then. I'll tell you what happened up there. when I went into her
00:52:11room she appeared to be delirious. but when I could make sense out of what she
00:52:17was saying she said you'd slipped something into her milk that morning and
00:52:22she knew she was poisoned. I told her I didn't believe it but she said I'd be
00:52:35the next on your list. then after raving for a bit she fell back lifeless. you
00:52:44know I never really believed that poison milk story. I didn't believe the things I
00:52:54said either. you were right. I was mad. I wish I was dead. no don't say that. I do. I've lost you. no my darling you haven't. how could you?
00:53:12what's to become of me without you? after the things I've said. I said things too. why you're
00:53:27shivering. let me get you some water.
00:53:32I was afraid you were going to faint. I'm all right. you have one too. all right good idea. let's drink a toast. no more
00:53:56suspicions. no more doubts. to the future. to the future.
00:54:18why aren't you drinking?
00:54:27help! help!
00:54:33I'm poisoned!
00:54:56good morning ma'am. good morning inspector.
00:55:27I'm very glad to see you. indeed ma'am I'm glad to hear it. doesn't often happen to me in my
00:55:32line of business. I expect you've come to see mr. Blackwell. that's right ma'am. well he's gone.
00:55:37gone away? he went to fetch the doctor. indeed. well obviously not to see you with that
00:55:44happy smile on your face. who for? she's been poisoned. she's dead? no no she's not dead. I heard
00:55:59screams and there she was calling out that he had poisoned her. who had? mr. Blackwell. where was he? he was there too.
00:56:07together we carried her up to her room. I see. then he went for the doctor? yes. and he hasn't
00:56:14come back? he came back because the doctor wasn't there. he went again over an hour ago.
00:56:20did she tell you how she got this poison? in that wine. I didn't care that away. I shall be able to
00:56:30go now. it's a mercy for her that I was here. if he'd had his way I'd have left last night. yes I'd
00:56:41like to have a few words with miss Graham. she's been very ill sir. I think she'll be able to see
00:56:45me. I'll come and tell you when she's ready.
00:57:00I've been trying to get the doctor. he's still not in. I suppose you've heard about miss Graham. yes I hear you
00:57:23tried to poison her. that's what she says. you mean the port was all right? of course I had a
00:57:27glass of it myself. do you have two glasses? no. is this your glass? no. why yes. look inspector I can
00:57:35explain this. excuse me sir perhaps you're better explained in front of miss Graham. miss Graham is
00:57:39ready to see you now inspector. after you sir.
00:57:41good morning miss. I'm sorry to hear you've been ill. no sir. he tried to poison me. why would you
00:58:03want to do that miss? to stop you from finding out that he killed his wife. he wanted you to
00:58:08think I'd done it and then committed suicide because I was afraid of being charged with the
00:58:11murder. and she was afraid because she did poison my wife. and then she poisoned herself as well. no
00:58:17I I think she must have slipped something into her glass to make it look like it when my back
00:58:22was turned. why do you think she poisoned your wife? to marry me of course and get away from all
00:58:26the poverty she's always lived in. hmm and I suppose you say miss that mr. Black killed his
00:58:31wife to inherit the money. isn't it obvious? that's just it miss I'm afraid it isn't. you
00:58:37see I visited the late mrs. Black solicitor this morning and he told me some very interesting facts.
00:58:42for instance that you miss inherited half the money. yes did she never tell you? never. that's
00:58:50not true. she told me herself Edwina said she'd be rich one day. I never dreamed that. did she say
00:58:55that miss? I thought it was one of her cruel jokes. I thought miss Edwina said it very nicely. I was
00:59:03there at the time. ah and did mrs. Black tell you ma'am that your expectation will be considerable
00:59:09and not small as you originally understood? didn't matter to me if it was big or small. I loved miss
00:59:14Edwina. is that why you gave her port? gave her port? it was against the doctor's orders. boring
00:59:20away her medicine was also against the doctor's orders but you let her do that. now if the late
00:59:24mrs. Black didn't drink port who did? you miss? I drank at last this morning. the first time since
00:59:35I came to this house. how about you sir? hardly ever. I am a teetotaler. a very admirable thing
00:59:43too ma'am but I see half a dozen empty bottles on the refuse heap in the garden and the wine
00:59:49merchant in the village tells me that the very considerable quantity was delivered to your order
00:59:54sir during the last six months. now if the late mrs. Black didn't drink who does drink in this
01:00:01house? you can go to prison for telling lies to the policeman. I I wouldn't have given it to her sir
01:00:06but she used to crave for it. it brought the color back into her cheeks but he knew all about it. you
01:00:15told me your wife didn't take any stimulants during her illness sir. I said hardly any. besides I
01:00:20didn't want anyone to know. what that she was a heavy drinker or that you allowed her to drink?
01:00:24well she kept on at me day after day. hmm now ma'am that bottle downstairs that came from mrs. Black's
01:00:34room didn't it? I want the truth. yes I brought it down the morning she died. what does all this got
01:00:42to do with? all in good time miss. now I find myself at a loss. all three of you stand to
01:00:50inherit money. all three of you had access to arsenic into the dead lady's room. I'm afraid I
01:00:59shall have to ask all of you to accompany me to London. you mean you're arresting us? let us rather
01:01:05say that you're being invited to answer further questions. how can I go? I've been poisoned. I don't
01:01:11think you were poisoned miss. what you had was an overdose of that rather unpleasant medicine that
01:01:17was poured away. this time into a half-empty port bottle. now there's plenty of time before the next
01:01:32train to London but if you wouldn't mind preparing yourselves for the journey. meanwhile sir with
01:01:38your permission I'll take a stroll in the garden. how Edwina must be enjoying all this.
01:03:38what next I should like to know? I hope you'll pardon the liberty ma'am. I thought a cup of tea
01:03:42would sustain us on our journey. in the kitchen? oh I think mr. Black will waive conventions for
01:03:47once. we can all have it together. you've got the wrong cups. have I now? oh well never mind ma'am. I
01:03:54don't hold with those little thimbles they have nowadays. sit down ma'am. make yourself at home.
01:03:59ah miss Graham. come in. we're just having a cup of tea. the kettle's nearly boiling. won't be a
01:04:09minute. take a seat. if you don't mind my saying so miss, you have very pretty hands. things I
01:04:23notice hands. do you remember last April miss? you bought a preparation for your hands from the
01:04:30chemist in the village. something to whiten the skin. perhaps you can describe it. was it last
01:04:36April? oh well it was a powder. a white powder to be dissolved in water. that was the second lot of
01:04:44that powder you bought wasn't it? yes. first one turned color and I had to get some more.
01:04:48seem to be enjoying yourself inspector. just making a cup of tea for the journey sir. I thought
01:04:53it was hardly the moment. oh sir. there are a few moments in life when a cup of tea isn't
01:04:58welcome. now sir I believe it was you who fetched that second lot of hand powder for miss Graham.
01:05:05hand powder? I don't know. I don't remember. oh sir you have a habit of not remembering. I remember.
01:05:13Ellen was in bed with a cold and mr. black said he'd bring it on his way home from school. all
01:05:19right I fetched and gave it to her. what about it? we're coming to that sir. one two three four and
01:05:32one for the pot. always pot to kettle never kettle to pot. miss Graham did you use all that powder on
01:05:45your hands? not all of it. hmm what became of the remainder? I had it in my room in a... in a what miss?
01:05:58in a bowl. a silver bowl. mr. black told me that the chemist said it must be kept from the air or
01:06:05it would discolor. like the first lot. where's that bowl now miss? I don't know. it was in my room but I
01:06:12couldn't find it there some days ago. I suppose I must have mislaid it. mislaid it miss? oh that's a
01:06:17pity a great pity. I suppose we all take milk and sugar. it was the remainder of that powder that
01:06:23killed mrs. black. your tea miss. so it wasn't the weed killer? no we analyzed the weed killer. nearly
01:06:35half of it was sand. wouldn't dissolve in anything. and there wasn't a trace of sand found at the
01:06:40post-mortem. only pure arsenic. and that powder you used for your hands miss was pure arsenic.
01:06:45didn't you know that? how should I know it? because it's a matter of pretty common knowledge that arsenic
01:06:51discolors when it's exposed to the air. if I'd known that I'd have kept it locked away. I'd have
01:06:55thought you'd have known that sir. men of your education. well I suppose I did vaguely. I hadn't
01:06:59thought about it. is it the only chemical that reacts to air like that? are you sure the chemist
01:07:04never mentioned the nature of that powder? not that I remember. he never mentioned it to me. hmm
01:07:08you have to be a bit careless in these country districts. the poison laws need tightening up.
01:07:14you must let your tea get cold miss. hmm mine isn't quite sweet enough. how about yours miss?
01:07:23yours ma'am? I take two spoonfuls.
01:07:35oh I only put one.
01:07:36that's the sugar bowl miss. that's not the sugar bowl. where did you find it? in the kitchen. you
01:07:45didn't find it in the kitchen. where else would I find it ma'am? did you put some of that into my
01:07:49tea? put some of what into your tea ma'am? sugar? that's not sugar. well what is it ma'am? the arsenic.
01:07:56it was hers. how do you know I didn't find this in the kitchen? they told me. where to hide it? yes
01:08:02that's right. they told you to hide this in the coach house? preposterous. one moment sir. you've
01:08:06poisoned me. you've given me that stuff. I want a doctor. I haven't poisoned you ma'am. I took good
01:08:11care of that. this is the arsenic that was in the bowl. what's in there now is sugar. they did it.
01:08:18they wanted to get rid of miss Edwina. when did they tell you to hide this? the day after miss Edwina
01:08:23died. do you mean to say you hid this for them in the coach house knowing there was arsenic in it?
01:08:28do you expect me to believe that? he killed her. he wanted to kill her. he knew her heart was weak. he
01:08:34came up that morning and shouted at her. frightening her. that's a lie. if you please sir. and so your
01:08:41mistress died of a heart attack. yes that's that was what she died of. and that's exactly what the
01:08:46doctor said. until you went to him and mentioned poison. now ma'am. I suggest you stole this from
01:08:55miss Graham's room and gave your mistress arsenic a few seconds before you knew she was going to die.
01:09:01why? I want the truth. it was miss Edwina. she made me do it. oh what have I said. go on ma'am. tell us the rest of it.
01:09:12she knew she was going to die. again and again she made me promise I wouldn't let her die before she
01:09:18had the poison. but I don't understand this. I thought she was dead when I left the room at 1130
01:09:22before I went in. no sir you were mistaken. she couldn't have been. she was dying. she pleaded with
01:09:27her eyes. and you helped her to take the poison. and the plan was to incriminate mr. Black and miss
01:09:32Graham. miss Graham was made to take the milk up on that morning. and mr. Black was made to keep the
01:09:37doctor away the day before. and this bowl was to be hidden in a place you knew they usually met. she
01:09:43made me promise. and you deliberately accused them of murder only a minute ago. it was justice. no more
01:09:51than they deserved. it hurt her cruelly. and I was going to see that they suffered in their turn. they
01:09:58ought to suffer. as she did. up in that room alone. unable to move. knowing that they were down there
01:10:07waiting for her to die. now you've tricked me into telling you. and everybody will know about her. I
01:10:16don't care what you do to me. you can send me to prison. but nobody must know that miss Edwina
01:10:22committed such a sin. her memory must always be respected. you mustn't tell. you mustn't tell.
01:10:30now ma'am. calm yourself. you and I'll go and have a little talk shall we? come along.
01:10:35nobody must know. nobody. you mustn't tell. we'll talk it over shall we ma'am? you leave it all to me.
01:10:54if I may say so miss. sir we human beings are very open to suggestion. in the dark
01:11:02a coat hanging on a door becomes a monster. a tree becomes the devil himself. but this house
01:11:09has been a dark place for the last few days. so a travel booklet grows into a menace. and
01:11:15medicine becomes a deadly poison. that's exactly what Edwina wanted. you think she'd have succeeded
01:11:24as far as she did unless. unless what? well the ground has to be fertile before you can plant a
01:11:31seed. you'll be hearing from me very shortly sir. good night you both.
01:12:01you going Elizabeth? have we nothing to say to each other? what is there left to say?
01:12:23bitterness to last a lifetime. isn't that our hope? that all the bitterness has already been
01:12:35said between us. is that all our love amounted to? that it failed the first test. well that's
01:12:42what happened isn't it? only if we say so. all right Edwina. now you can rest in peace.