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First broadcast 29th January 1989.

Henry Gascoigne, an elderly man and a regular at the Bishop's Chophouse restaurant, deviates from his usual eating habits.

David Suchet as Hercule Poirot
Hugh Fraser as Captain Hastings
Philip Jackson as Chief Inspector Japp
Pauline Moran as Miss Lemon
Richard Howard as George Lorrimer
Tony Aitken as Tommy Pinner
Charles Pemberton as Stooge - acted opposite Tommy Pinner
Geoffrey Larder as Harry Clarke
Denys Hawthorne as Bonnington
Holly De Jong as Dulcie Lang
Clifford Rose as Makinson
Philip Locke as Cutter
Hilary Mason as Mrs. Hill
Cheryl Hall as Molly
Marjie Lawrence as Irene Mullen
Su Elliot as Edith (as Su Elliott)
John Bardon as Lavatory Attendant
Peter Waddington as Forensic
Guy Standeven as Vicar - at Anthony Gascoigne's funeral
Andrew Mackintosh as Doctor - who treated Anthony Gascoigne
Stephen Pruslin as Pianist - at the Carlton Theatre, Bethnal Green
John Sessions as Radio Voice Overs (voice)

Category

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TV
Transcript
00:00Oh
00:30there's very little i can do for him now mrs hill he's very weak oh dear is there no hope i'm afraid
00:43not it's more a matter of hours rather than days now does mr anthony have any relatives
00:50there's a brother henry but they haven't spoken in 20 years no one else well yes
00:57there's mr george his nephew in london i expect he'd want to know
01:03first reaching for his action which he's got near him close by the noble fireman goes to find
01:13have you ever been a fireman no but i've sat next to one and what's this jolly laughing
01:23cobblers song all about it's all about this cobbler who's always sorry to drag you away george but
01:29there's a call for you can't you take a message it's your uncle old son i'm afraid he's in a bad
01:35way i see thanks harry i'll come right away always bright and never gray you see sir when i'm singing
01:48this song i'll be cobbling and i'll have a boot oh you'll get a boot all right it was the doctor
01:56himself said i should call he's very bad mr lorimer and i'm very grateful mrs hill this is very distressing
02:04but i can't travel to brighton before sunday at the earliest he's at his last breath mr lorimer
02:10sunday might be too late oh lord i'm sorry there really is nothing i can do
02:16well what about mr henry gascoigne sir do you think i should try to reach him uncle henry good
02:24god no he'd welcome the news no when the time comes i'll break it to him myself as you say mr lorimer
02:33till sunday then goodbye goodbye mrs hill
02:38and following inman's defeat in the first test at trent bridge the selectors have made two changes
02:58rds wyatt returns to captain's side and bill bows has preferred to mitchell now the team is water
03:05crickets the english enigma i know not of any other game where even the players are unsure of the
03:16rules thank you miss lemon oz is one up already you can bet the don will be looking for three figures
03:24at the hallowed ground hastings i have no time for this don and his crusade at the hallowed ground
03:29i have a dinner engagement with my dentist your dentist positively morbid but you're always
03:36trying to avoid him not at all of duty he's quite charming besides he likes to see the end product at
03:46work you won't get any of your fancy french kickshaws here just good well-cooked english fair and i could
04:07ask for nothing more bonington my friend yes well i place myself in your hands and reserve it yes
04:16absolutely ah yes well ah where's molly
04:21good evening sir ah molly now what speciality have you for us this evening you're in luck today mr
04:40bonington there's your favorite roast turkey with chestnut stuffing and fillet of soul to start oh
04:46oh excellent for both of us now here is a girl who knows exactly what i like paro well i ought to
04:53know by now sir i'm sure do people always like the same thing mostly sir though i'll tell you something
05:00odd you see old mr gascoigne sitting on his own over there i'd say he'd been eating here since the
05:09queen died henry gascoigne painter of some sorts i told well he's at that table every wednesday and
05:17saturday evening never misses except last week he arrived on monday gave me quite a turn an interesting
05:25deviation from habit i wonder what the reason was well i reckon he must have forgot himself you know he
05:31can't bear suet puddings or blackberries and i've never known him take thick soup yet last monday do
05:38you know what he ordered thick tomato soup steak and kidney pudding and washed it all down with a
05:44blackberry crumble and he was back again on wednesday as usual his old self again anyway i mustn't stand
05:53here gossiping he's a good girl that and she knows a thing or two about food you know i find that
06:00extraordinarily interesting what that old man's deviation from habit no the change in diet you
06:07mean well doctor's orders i'd say it's common enough i think not unless of course he thinks the old man
06:14would benefit from indigestion to my good friend a cool poirot for whom life without mystery would be
06:24like roast beef without the mustard c'est la vérité mon ami ah i see that bicuspid is still sensitive
06:36poirot we must take a look at that it must be the heat what's that mark oh mr gascoigne he's at it again
06:44steak and kidney pudding and blackberry crumble
07:14steak and kidney pudding and blackberry crumble
07:15so
07:40hello
07:44Hello?
07:51What's all the noise?
07:53It's his milk.
07:55It's been out here for three days.
07:57Dirty old devil.
07:59Hasn't had a bath since last pancake day either.
08:02Not a sound from inside.
08:05He might have taken ill.
08:06Oh, cold as ice.
08:19Poor love.
08:20Must have taken a fall.
08:29Here's a funny thing, Twirro.
08:32Remember that old fellow we saw at Bishops the other night?
08:35The one that Molly remarked on?
08:36About how he changed his diet.
08:40Try not to talk.
08:42Well, I'm afraid he's eaten his last blackberry crumble.
08:47Poor old chap's kicked a bucket.
08:51Seems when he got home that night,
08:52he fell down the stairs of his lodgings.
09:00Yes, he's lived here as long as anybody can remember.
09:04Kept himself to himself.
09:05You never spoke?
09:07Well, we'd pass in the street of an evening and say hello.
09:11Except last week.
09:13I might have been a ghost.
09:15He walked right past me and never said a word he did.
09:18Excuse me, madam.
09:20Do you remember which day last week?
09:22Who are you, anyway, asking all these questions?
09:27Who's he?
09:28He's not English, is he?
09:30I'm begging your pardon.
09:31He's Hercule Poirot, private detective.
09:34I don't.
09:35Oh, yeah.
09:36Well, they all say that, don't they?
09:38You tell him it was last Saturday that old Gascoigne passed me by on the street.
09:43That was the last time I saw him alive.
09:45Saturday.
09:46Saturday.
09:53He was lying just here in his dressing gown and slippers.
09:57Shabby old thing it was.
09:59Wouldn't surprise me if he didn't trip over the cord or something.
10:04Tripped over the cord.
10:07Yes, thank you, madam.
10:10And then you called the police?
10:12Yes.
10:14They just wrapped his body up in a blanket and carried it out.
10:17Didn't pay much attention to anything else.
10:20Poor old devil.
10:22Did Monsieur Gascoigne receive many visitors, madam?
10:25Only his model.
10:27He was an artist, you see.
10:28Ah.
10:30She's up there now.
10:33Thank you, madam.
10:37Excuse me, mademoiselle.
10:53Who are you?
10:55I am Hercule Poirot, a private investigator.
10:59And my associate, Captain Hastings.
11:01Morning.
11:02Is there something here that requires an investigation?
11:05Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no.
11:07It's more a matter of professional curiosity, that is all.
11:11A small idea.
11:14Perhaps you can help us, mademoiselle.
11:17Is there any reason why I should?
11:19Is there any reason why you should not?
11:22My name is Dulcy Lane.
11:24I was Henry Gascoigne's model.
11:27What else do you want from me?
11:28Oh, but no, but that is most helpful.
11:30The bond between the artist and his model is legendary.
11:33Legendary?
11:34Really?
11:35Oh, yes.
11:37But you would have noticed if his behavior had been in any way unusual.
11:40I doubt it.
11:42Painters' behavior is always unusual.
11:45They can never make up their mind whether to commit suicide or give a party.
11:49So, nothing out of the way about him?
11:52No, no worse than any of them.
11:54Um, he had some odd arrangement with his agent, I believe.
11:58Peter Makinson.
12:00But you'd have to ask him about that.
12:02An agent?
12:02So he was successful, then?
12:04Oh, don't be misled by all this.
12:06Henry wasn't a poor man.
12:08Just mean.
12:10Did he have a family?
12:11There was a nephew that he mentioned from time to time.
12:14A musical man.
12:16There was a brother, too.
12:17Somewhere or other.
12:18Anthony, yes, Anthony.
12:23But there'd been a falling out between them.
12:25He certainly never spoke with a man like a brother.
12:28Here.
12:30Remarkable likeness.
12:32They could have been twins.
12:34Yes.
12:35Two pins in a pot.
12:38This small idea of yours.
12:41What is it?
12:45Oh, it's simply a notion.
12:49I saw Monsieur Gascoigne on the evening of his death.
12:52I was told that his behavior had recently been, uh, how do you say, uncharacteristic.
12:59But more than that, the mantle of life should fit like a well-tailored suit of clothes.
13:07Hmm?
13:10But he did not hang so well on that old man in the restaurant.
13:14You see, mademoiselle, I cannot accept that the fall of Monsieur Gascoigne was accidental.
13:26Hardly the kind of woman to push an old man to his death, Poirot.
13:30Ah, the old man hair, mon ami.
13:32Always the old man hair.
13:34No, I just find it pretty hard to believe, that's all.
13:37Well, she did not seem to be unduly upset by Monsieur Gascoigne's untimely demise.
13:42Oh, why should she?
13:44What about that brother, Anthony?
13:46Yes, we need to find the brother.
13:49But also the artist's agent, Peter Mackinson.
13:56Thank you, driver.
13:56Thank you, driver.
13:56This is where the future of criminal investigation lies.
14:10Our new forensic division.
14:12The most advanced in the world.
14:16Won't be long before the likes of you and me will be gone forever.
14:19Cast onto the scrappave of life like so much scrap.
14:27And you'll think there is nothing to save us?
14:31Not even all those little grey cells of yours.
14:33Gascoigne, actually.
14:34We'll all be extinct, Poirot.
14:37Dinosaurs.
14:41Henry Gascoigne, 68 years of age.
14:44Artist by profession.
14:45What's your interest in this, Poirot?
14:46Oh, he was an acquaintance of a friend of mine, and I merely wish to put his mind at rest.
14:52Hmm.
14:52Died from a broken neck caused by a fall down the stairs.
14:56Apparently he was a recluse.
14:58Bit of an eccentric.
15:00None of the neighbours can remember seeing any visitors that evening or the following morning.
15:04That evening?
15:06The estimated time of death was at or around 9.30pm on Saturday, June the 16th.
15:11Remarkable.
15:13Your forensic division is very precise, huh?
15:16Uh, well, no.
15:18There was a letter in the old boy's dressing gown pocket.
15:21It was posted that morning in West One,
15:23and arrived by the 9.30pm delivery that evening.
15:26He must have gone down to collect it and fallen on his way back upstairs.
15:30I see.
15:33May I see this letter?
15:35The pathologist still got it with all Gascoigne's clothes.
15:39Perhaps you remember who might have sent it.
15:41No, I don't.
15:43It was harmless enough.
15:44Of course.
15:48Who was the pathologist, did you say?
15:50I didn't.
15:53You take it from me, Poirot.
15:54This case is closed.
15:57Yes, well.
15:59Let us hope, Chief Inspector,
16:01that the forensic sciences of which you are so proud
16:05will not replace every aspect of the detective's work.
16:07Let us hope that camaraderie will still play a significant role.
16:13Huh?
16:15His name's Cutter.
16:17Hmm.
16:18I'd better telephone him to make sure he knows what to expect.
16:21You see, Chief Inspector,
16:24we are still very far from being the species extinct
16:28of Amonimil.
16:36Strong-looking fellow.
16:38Had years in him, I'd say.
16:39Still got his own teeth.
16:42Gascoigne?
16:42And the cause of death was a broken neck?
16:47Yes.
16:49Second and third vertebrae here and here.
16:54You will also notice extensive bruising to the ribcage
16:57and to the arms and legs,
16:59consistent with a steep, tumbling fall.
17:01Down the stairs, yes.
17:02Is it possible that Monsieur Gascoigne
17:07might have suffered the seizure of the heart
17:09or perhaps that of the brain?
17:12No.
17:12He simply slipped and fell.
17:14I see.
17:16I believe you were able to determine
17:18the time of death with some accuracy.
17:21Hmm.
17:23It's never an easy task
17:24to ascertain the precise time of death.
17:28Ah.
17:29But this letter confirmed your medical evidence, huh?
17:34Yes.
17:35Gascoigne had been seen in a restaurant
17:37at about 7.30 that evening.
17:40Yes, I was there myself.
17:43And this letter arrived with a 9.30 evening post?
17:46Yes.
17:47An examination of the contents of Gascoigne's stomach
17:50revealed that he had eaten a light supper
17:54two to three hours before his death.
17:56So it all fits together nicely, no?
18:04May I please borrow this letter, Monsieur?
18:09Well, I'm sure you can be entrusted
18:11with its safe keeping, Mr. Poirot.
18:15Of course.
18:15Of course.
18:20Are you sitting down, Hastings?
18:23Yes.
18:23Yes, I am.
18:24Very good.
18:25I'm coming.
18:29Oh, fine.
18:30Fine.
18:34Now.
18:36Hastings, this is a recipe of my mother.
18:40Rabbit
18:41cooked
18:43in the style
18:45of Liège.
18:46Well, I bet it's better than rabbit
18:48cooked in the style of Hastings.
18:51Yes, that is quite funny, Hastings.
18:55However, when you are grown up,
18:58you will find that food
18:59is not really the subject suitable
19:01for the human.
19:02There.
19:05It smells delicious.
19:07The aroma is the most important ingredient
19:11in any dish.
19:15No, no, no, Hastings.
19:17Use your spoon.
19:18That is the Liège way.
19:21To use the knife is an insult to the cook.
19:23It implies the meaty stuff.
19:27You're not eating?
19:28I, unfortunately, know my left-by cuspid
19:31is still causing me the considerable discomfort.
19:39Is it good, Hastings?
19:41Please,
19:43do not be stinting with your praise.
19:46Oh, it's wonderful.
19:46It tastes more, um,
19:56well, um,
19:58rabbit-y
19:58than any rabbit I've ever tasted.
20:01That is the juniper berries.
20:05Shall I give you some more sauce?
20:07No, no, no, not yet.
20:11What was in that envelope
20:12they found in old Gascoigne's pocket?
20:14Huh.
20:16You are invited to a preview
20:22of contemporary European paintings
20:24recently acquired
20:25by the Farringdon Gallery.
20:28This may be both informative
20:30and pleasurable, Hastings.
20:32And it's tomorrow.
20:35Mm-hmm.
20:46A man throwing a stone at a bird.
20:52Really?
20:54Which is which?
20:56Jean Miro, Hastings.
20:58An exponent of the surrealist vision.
21:02A work inspired by the dream, no?
21:04Yes, a man with the most individual imagination.
21:09Is there some way I can help you, gentlemen?
21:12My name is Makinson.
21:14Peter Makinson?
21:15The agent of Henry Gascoigne?
21:18Yes.
21:19What a tragic loss.
21:21Oh.
21:21I understand that your contractual agreement
21:24with Henry Gascoigne
21:25was an unusual one, monsieur.
21:27Unusual?
21:28Hm.
21:29Have you ever heard of an artist
21:30who wouldn't sell his paintings?
21:32Wouldn't sell?
21:34You mean not at all?
21:35Well, that must have made your work impossible.
21:38Oh, I could sell the small of it,
21:39says, uh,
21:39sketches of watercolors,
21:41but the oils
21:42were never to fall into the hands of the Philistines.
21:46His name for all collectors and dealers.
21:48So, no one actually owns a Gascoigne painting?
21:52We make gifts of some,
21:54gestures of friendship.
21:56I have a small collection,
21:58and, uh,
21:59Dulce Lane, his model,
22:01has several works.
22:03But he was a man of few friends.
22:06And now, of course, after his death,
22:08his paintings can be sold.
22:10I imagine that would be, sir.
22:13And you, monsieur,
22:14you are free
22:15to sell your own collection, yes?
22:18Look, what is all this about?
22:20You're not a collector, are you?
22:22Non, monsieur.
22:25I am Occhio Poirot,
22:27a private detective,
22:29and I am investigating the circumstances
22:31surrounding the death
22:32of Henry Gascoigne.
22:35I see.
22:37I see.
22:38Um,
22:40perhaps we'd better talk about this in my office.
22:51Gentlemen?
22:53Ah, that is a picture by monsieur Gascoigne,
23:02is it not?
23:04But not his usual model.
23:06No,
23:07that was painted
23:08years before he met Dulce Lane.
23:11She is Charlotte Gascoigne,
23:14a rare beauty.
23:15Oh.
23:16His wife?
23:17No, Charlotte was married to Anthony Gascoigne,
23:20his brother.
23:22Oh.
23:25There was, I understand,
23:27some ill feeling between them.
23:28Yes.
23:30Henry arrived here one day
23:33with this painting
23:34and asked me to take it
23:35into safekeeping.
23:36For what reason?
23:38I don't think brother Anthony
23:40was keen on the idea
23:41of his wife's naked body
23:43being displayed in public.
23:44You know,
23:51the way I see it, Poirot,
23:52everyone stands to benefit
23:54from the old boy's death.
23:55Indeed, mon ami.
23:57His work was in demand,
23:59but unobtainable.
24:00His death will create
24:01much attention.
24:04Probably push the prices
24:05through the roof.
24:06Yes.
24:07Whoever is fortunate enough
24:09to own an original Gascoigne
24:10can expect to feather their nest,
24:14including Makingson
24:16and Mademoiselle Dulce Lane.
24:18Unbelievable.
24:19No, no, no, mon ami.
24:20Even the closest acquaintances
24:21could be tempted.
24:23Well, they could have played
24:23for lunch.
24:25Lunch?
24:26England won the toss,
24:27went into bat,
24:27Sutcliffe and Hammond
24:28were back in the pavilion
24:29before lunch.
24:3078 for two
24:31at the end of the opening session.
24:33Chipperfield trapped them both.
24:35Lunch.
24:36Of course, Hastings,
24:38lunch.
24:40Don't you see?
24:41See what of them?
24:49Four and twenty blackbirds
24:51baked in a crumble.
24:54I think you mean pie,
24:55don't you?
25:04You sliver?
25:05Mr. Burrow?
25:10Raffles, Mr. Burrow.
25:14Such a dashing figure.
25:20Miss Lemma,
25:21how did you get on
25:23with the musicals?
25:27George Lorimer
25:28is the manager
25:29of the Carlton Theatre,
25:31Bethnal Green.
25:32And the key missing...
25:33Excellent work,
25:34Miss Lemma.
25:35Miss Lemma.
25:36That was where he left
25:37his raffle.
25:37That was your raffles.
25:39I exclaimed in triumph.
25:40The draffles only shook his head.
25:43I don't believe in that
25:44rope ladder, Bunny,
25:45except as a blind.
25:47Well...
25:48Hastings,
25:49tonight we must visit the theatre.
25:51What's all this
25:53about blackbirds,
25:54Porrow?
25:55That Saturday evening,
25:58Henry Gascoigne
25:58finished his meal
25:59with the blackbird,
26:00or rather,
26:01the blackberry crumble.
26:04Now,
26:04the juice of the blackberry
26:05leaves a dark stain,
26:07and yet,
26:09the teeth of Henry Gascoigne
26:10were not discolored.
26:12I looked,
26:13most particularly.
26:14Oh,
26:15then the waitress
26:15must have been mistaken.
26:17It's easily done,
26:18you know.
26:20According to the pathologist,
26:22Henry Gascoigne died
26:24two hours after eating
26:25the light meal.
26:27I do not consider soup
26:29followed by the steak
26:30and kidney pudding
26:30to be the light meal.
26:33But suppose that meal
26:35was not dinner,
26:37but lunch.
26:39But the old boy
26:39was seen at the restaurant
26:40at 7.30.
26:42You saw him?
26:44Yes.
26:46But that was not
26:47Henry Gascoigne.
26:58That Saturday night,
26:59mon ami,
27:00I dined,
27:01not with Henry Gascoigne,
27:02but with his murderer.
27:04Henry Gascoigne
27:04was already lying dead
27:06at the foot of the stairs.
27:07And the killer,
27:08disguised as the old man,
27:09was able to leave
27:10the scene of the crime
27:10without arising suspicion.
27:12Not quite.
27:18He walked past the neighbour,
27:20Mrs. Mullum,
27:20without so much
27:21as a good day.
27:23But why take the old boy's
27:24place at the restaurant?
27:25To make it appear
27:26that Gascoigne was still alive.
27:28So the question is,
27:30who could imitate Henry Gascoigne?
27:32I vote for the brunt.
27:36Well, Hastings,
27:37it would certainly take
27:40a long stretch
27:40of the imagination
27:41to see Miss Dulcy Lane
27:43in the white wig
27:44and the whiskers.
27:46Steadful, Poirot.
27:48Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.
27:50It's late.
27:51Thanks, Poirot.
27:52At the same time tomorrow.
27:55Oh, Mr. Ronson,
27:56you should have your work.
27:58Please.
28:08Ah, the detectives
28:10with the small idea.
28:13Please, mademoiselle,
28:15forgive this intrusion.
28:17Not at all, gentlemen.
28:22As you have already
28:23seen for yourselves,
28:24I have nothing to hide.
28:26No, no, we were
28:27up in the gallery.
28:30Miss Lane,
28:32I am now completely convinced
28:35that the death
28:36of Henry Gascoigne
28:37was deliberately arranged
28:38by someone he knew well.
28:41Am I a suspect?
28:43I understand Henry Gascoigne
28:45gave you a number of paintings.
28:47Yes, four life studies.
28:48So you are aware,
28:49no doubt, of their value?
28:51Yes, I've had a number
28:52of generous offers.
28:53You could be a wealthy woman,
28:54Miss Lane.
28:59You think I'd part with them
29:00at any price?
29:11Miss Lane,
29:12one final question.
29:15Henry Gascoigne's twin brother.
29:17Anthony,
29:17do you know
29:18where he might be found?
29:20No, I don't.
29:22Perhaps you should ask
29:23the nephew.
29:30Ah, thank you, Miss Lane.
29:32And now, ladies and gentlemen,
29:50it gives me great pleasure
29:51to introduce
29:52Mr. Tommy Pinner!
29:54Well, who better
30:03to masquerade
30:04as the old man
30:05than his twin brother?
30:08Yes, the idea
30:09seems most attractive,
30:10one of me.
30:10Yes, I haven't put the jokes up.
30:13I'll give you
30:13just one more chance.
30:15What else can you do?
30:16Oh,
30:17I sing a song.
30:21It's called
30:22Dinah, come and hold my hand.
30:26Dinah, come and hold your hand.
30:27Yes, sir.
30:28It sounds pathetic.
30:30And when it's over,
30:31Dinah comes out
30:32and holds me hand.
30:33Yes, sir.
30:35And that's the end.
30:37It certainly is.
30:38It's awful.
30:39Atrocious.
30:40Atrocious, sir?
30:41Yes.
30:43And the fireman, sir?
30:45Oh, that.
30:46Worse still.
30:48It's a...
30:49Well, what now?
30:50Do you want a sword,
30:51swallower?
30:52No!
30:53No!
30:53No!
30:53No!
30:53No!
30:54No!
30:54No!
30:54No!
30:55No!
30:55No!
30:55No!
30:55No!
30:56No!
30:56No!
30:56No!
30:56No!
30:57No!
30:57No!
30:57No!
30:57No!
30:58No!
30:58No!
30:59No!
30:59No!
31:00No!
31:01No!
31:01No!
31:02No!
31:02No!
31:03No!
31:04No!
31:05No!
31:06No!
31:07No!
31:08No!
31:09No!
31:10No!
31:11No!
31:12No!
31:13No!
31:14No!
31:15No!
31:16Good ass!
31:17Bad ass!
31:18Good ass!
31:19Hot ass!
31:20I love you!
31:21Yeah, we've got time for everything!
31:22Come on!
31:23Yeah, thanks.
31:24Steady!
31:25Psh!
31:26Psh!
31:27Psh!
31:28Psh!
31:29Psh!
31:30Psh!
31:31Psh!
31:32Come on!
31:33Come on!
31:37Coming.
31:39Psh!
31:41DARREN
31:43Psh!
31:44Go!
31:46M!
31:47магаз!
31:48not here tonight. Can you tell me where I might find him this evening, monsieur? Well, I'm afraid
31:56not. He's out of town in Brighton, attending to his uncle's funeral arrangements. In Brighton? Yes.
32:03Is there something wrong? No, no. C'est difficile, monsieur. You see, we were led to believe that
32:10Henry Gascoigne would not be buried until next week and then here in London. Henry, you've got
32:16the wrong chappy. George was talking about his uncle Anthony. Died last week. Anthony? Yes.
32:23Funeral's tomorrow.
32:30We therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
32:39A quiet affair, is it not, Hastings? With both the brothers dead, there aren't many
32:47Gascoines left to pay their respects. Not too many suspects left either, eh?
32:54No, no, no, no.
32:55How about you?
32:56A quiet affair, perhaps?
32:59Cool.
33:00Well, no.
33:01Well, no.
33:02No, no.
33:03I'm Lorimer.
33:04I'm Lorimer.
33:05George Lorimer.
33:06Anthony's nephew.
33:07I'm Lorimer, George Lorimer, Antony's nephew.
33:23Captain Hastings.
33:26Hercule Poirot, monsieur.
33:28Poirot? The name is familiar.
33:30Should I know you?
33:33Perhaps Henry Cascoyne might have mentioned me in passing.
33:36Ah, you knew Uncle Henry?
33:39I was an acquaintance, but many years ago.
33:44I only heard of the double tragedy last evening,
33:47and I felt the need to express my condolences to Mrs. Cascoyne
33:51and to yourself in person, monsieur.
33:53I'm sorry? Mrs. Cascoyne?
33:55Yes, the wife of Antony.
33:58Oh, you mean Mrs. Hill, the housekeeper.
34:00She looked after him for years.
34:03And Madame Cascoyne dead, yes.
34:06Ten years now.
34:08Marked the beginning of the end for old Antony.
34:10He became a virtual recluse.
34:14But listen, I'm being terribly impolite.
34:16Why don't you both come back to the house?
34:18Oh, there's no wake, you understand.
34:20But I'm sure Mrs. Hill will provide us with some refreshment.
34:25An offer that is most generous, monsieur.
34:27We accept.
34:29The least I can do.
34:32Anyway, I'd like to hear about you and Henry.
34:40Henry's passion for painting once lit a small fowl of my own imagination.
34:44But, alas, my talent as a painter was not as great as my ambition.
34:51May I be of some assistance, Mrs. Hill?
34:54I can manage very well, thank you, sir.
34:58Have a seat.
35:00Nice, sir.
35:01And the two brothers, they were twins?
35:18Yes, not identical, but they bore a great resemblance.
35:22And also they had together the great rapport, non?
35:25Rapport?
35:26No, not at all.
35:27They hadn't spoken in 20 years.
35:28Sacré?
35:31What could have caused such disharmony?
35:33Well, years ago, Charlotte was Henry's model.
35:37But that's too light a word.
35:38She was more his inspiration.
35:40Ah, the muse.
35:43And then along came Anthony and stole the girl's heart.
35:47He whisked her away, leaving his brother a broken man.
35:51And the wounds from such a battle run deep.
35:55Well, their differences are well and truly buried now.
36:00They both had a good innings.
36:02Up stumps and back to the pavilion.
36:07If you'll excuse the expression.
36:08The most distressing time for you, madame.
36:24Nurse, maid, and companion I was.
36:26Cook and cleaner all those years.
36:30Then he goes, just like that.
36:33Not a thank you for all my trouble.
36:35Not a penny by way of remembrance.
36:37Not even a small legacy in the will for your services.
36:42There was no will.
36:45May be, sir.
36:58I expect it all goes to him.
37:01Next of kin.
37:02His right, I suppose.
37:04Though he doesn't deserve any of it.
37:06He wouldn't come to see his uncle when he was at his last breath.
37:10Thank you so much.
37:11Yeah.
37:12Let's get your plans here.
37:14Mrs. Hill, could you please tell me exactly when did Mr. Antonegas go and pass away?
37:37Mr. Antonegas go and pass away.
37:39One in the afternoon, last Friday.
37:45There was just me and him at the end.
37:51I told Mr. George, Mr. Lorimer that is, that there wasn't much time, but it was the Sunday before he arrived.
37:59By tea on the second day, the Aussies are 63 without loss, chasing England's first innings total of 440.
38:13Leyland made 109 and Ames 120.
38:16You know, that's the first time a keeper's made a century in a test.
38:21I wonder if the weather will hold the...
38:24Hastings, huh?
38:25The crickets.
38:26It occupies too many of your little grey cells.
38:35Mrs. Hill, thank you so much for giving us of your time.
38:39Would you like us now to walk you back to the house?
38:42No, thank you, sir.
38:43I just want to sit and listen to the band for a bit.
38:56Well, that was quite a yarn you were spinning back there, old man.
39:06The fires of artistic endeavour, I nearly blushed.
39:09Ah, Hastings, you do not understand the finer feelings.
39:12But you were lying.
39:13No, no, no, Hastings, I did not want to cause Mr. Lorimer further grief
39:17with the revelation that one of his anchors had been murdered
39:20and by posing as an acquaintance of Henry Gascoigne,
39:25my inquiries appeared no more than innocent curiosity.
39:29Well, it certainly puts way to my theory, anyway.
39:32Ah, yes, you expected more from this brotherly intrigue.
39:35La crème passionnelle, eh?
39:38No, no, mon ami.
39:39We have been running up the wrong tree.
39:50Twice every week, Henry Gascoigne walked from his house here
40:00to the bishop's job house.
40:02So he was a man of routine.
40:05There would be no variation.
40:07Now, that Saturday evening,
40:10after the imposter had pushed Henry Gascoigne to his death,
40:14he would have followed this route as a matter of course.
40:18Hastings, where of an evening
40:22can a man be seen to enter a place as one character
40:25and emerge as another completely different character?
40:31Well, use a boarding house or a hotel.
40:34Without arousing the slightest suspicion?
40:37After the masquerade at the restaurant,
40:39he'd need to abandon his disguise.
40:41He would want to change back into his own clothes in a hurry
40:44and secure his alibi, hmm?
40:45Discretion will be the problem.
40:53I think I have seen the answer, mon ami.
40:55Well, if you're expecting a show or something, governor,
41:21why do you come to the wrong shop?
41:22I can assure you, monsieur, that I am in the right shop.
41:26Well, don't you come the old ass here with me, squad.
41:28I'm sorry, the old...
41:29Oh, mature sort of before.
41:31No, no, no, no, no, no, I do not think so.
41:34And if I mistake not,
41:37that berry you are wearing
41:38would suit better a man of an artistic calling.
41:41What's coming on here?
41:42You are aware, are you not,
41:44that the withholding of evidence
41:45that might lead to the conviction of a known criminal
41:48is a most serious offence?
41:50What evidence?
41:50The yellow neckerchief worn by a man
41:54wanted for questioning in connection
41:56with the mother of Henry Gascoigne.
41:58There would also be
41:59the corduroy jacket with the trousers,
42:04a waistcoat with the berries,
42:06and a cane in a dark wood.
42:10Well, I was just sly in there, weren't I?
42:12I wasn't going to throw them out
42:13and make a few but with it now in the lane.
42:15You have been diligent and honest, sir.
42:21I trust that this will conversate
42:22for the few bob you might have made.
42:45Well, Dulcy Lane was sitting for a life class
43:12from one until five on Saturday afternoon
43:15so we can eliminate her.
43:17Oh, yes.
43:17Miss Lane is innocent.
43:19He's running in now.
43:21One, two, three, four,
43:24and his arm goes over.
43:25Oh, darling, staggers back in his right foot.
43:29Maykinson, too, I'm afraid.
43:30He was in Paris.
43:32That brings us back to square one.
43:34No, no, mon ami.
43:35Far from it.
43:37We are about to make our final move.
43:39Kindly ask Miss Lemon to get me
43:42the Chief Inspector Jupp on the telephone.
43:44A quicker ball this time.
43:45Oh, darling, Miss Cure,
43:47the ball's in the air,
43:48and Sutcliffe's taking it.
43:50Simple catch,
43:52and darling is out for naught.
43:54That's Verity's third wicket of the morning.
43:57Australia now, 204 for four.
44:00Afternoon, Freddie.
44:10Oh, hello, sir.
44:11Ah, Monsieur Lorimer, I am so glad.
44:31Please, to come up here.
44:35Farrow, what's going on?
44:37Who are your friends?
44:38Captain Hastings, of course, you know.
44:43And this is Chief Inspector Jupp from Scotland Yard.
44:46We have reason to believe, Mr Lorimer,
44:47that your uncle's death was not an accident.
44:50Not an accident.
44:51Please.
44:55This clothing
44:56was part of the assassin's disguise.
44:59It was discarded close to the bishop's chop house
45:02after he had masqueraded as your uncle
45:04following the murder.
45:05The strands of white hair are from the wig, sir.
45:09The darker hairs would be the guilty parties.
45:12They should be an easy match.
45:13Wigs?
45:14Masquerade?
45:16Yes.
45:16A devious finale to a most sinister plot, monsieur.
45:20You see, that Saturday evening,
45:22after he had pushed Henry Gascoigne to his death,
45:25the assassin searched through the correspondence on his desk.
45:29He retrieved this envelope which he had sent the day before.
45:35Now, what could be more innocent than an invitation to an art gallery, eh?
45:39However, he had one last artistic task to perform.
45:42But he was not a skilled craftsman.
45:49Ricard?
45:50He changed the postmark from the 15th to the 16th
45:58and smudged the mark on the blotter to further conceal the forgery.
46:05He placed the envelope in your uncle's dressing gown pocket
46:09and then, disguised as the old man,
46:12he took his place at the bishop's chop house.
46:14And so it appeared
46:15that Henry Gascoigne had fallen to his death that Saturday evening, oh yes,
46:20but after the 9.30 post had been delivered.
46:23Whoever could do such a thing?
46:24Oh, well, at first I suspected his colleagues,
46:27but they all had the solid alibis.
46:30And then, naturally, I turned my attention towards his family.
46:34But Anthony was dead.
46:35It appeared that you were the only living relative,
46:37and of course you were.
46:39And where were you
46:41when your uncle was murdered, monsieur?
46:46Where was I?
46:48Well, I'd have been here, at the theatre, for the second performance.
46:52Of course.
46:53Ah, yes, but that would have been a Saturday evening, Mr Lorimer.
46:55Neither the staff nor the artists here
46:57can remember seeing him on that Saturday afternoon.
46:59At which time, I would say,
47:01you are attending to some business, yes?
47:03Yes.
47:05The murder of your uncle.
47:09You think I killed Henry?
47:14This is madness.
47:16I had no quarrel with him.
47:17After Anthony's death,
47:18Henry was the only living relative
47:19to stand between you and the Gascoigne estate.
47:23This is a lie.
47:24A damned lie.
47:25A damned lie.
47:26Ah.
47:29We have acquired
47:30a sample of typeface
47:32from the typewriter in your office, monsieur.
47:38I am certain
47:39that it will be the perfect match
47:42with the address
47:43on the envelope.
47:46The signature of the murderer.
47:48Sir, it was the musical act
48:00that made you suspect Lorimer.
48:02Well, it was a very good impression of an old man,
48:18and Lorimer must have seen him many times.
48:20Indeed.
48:21And Lorimer had been ready for many weeks.
48:24When Mrs Hill, the housekeeper,
48:26telephoned with word of Anthony's imminent death,
48:28Lorimer knew
48:29that all of Anthony's money
48:31would go to Henry Gascoigne
48:32because there was no will.
48:35But why on earth
48:36would Lorimer masquerade
48:37as old Gascoigne
48:38on the previous Monday night?
48:40The dress rehearsal.
48:41Had to be sure
48:41of the disguise on the night.
48:43He nearly got away with it.
48:45Yes, but you cannot play Othello
48:46simply by blacking your face, eh?
48:48You have to think
48:49like a Moorish general.
48:50And Lorimer's performance
48:53was fatally flawed.
48:58Mistings,
48:59suddenly you look very pale.
49:00Are you feeling unwell?
49:04The test, Borough.
49:06Extraordinary.
49:08Listen.
49:09Verity takes 14 wickets
49:10for 70 runs
49:11on a day when England
49:12bowl out Australia twice
49:14to win the second test.
49:16Six wickets in the last hour.
49:18And after the weekend rains,
49:22you are surprised, mon ami.
49:25Australians are used
49:25to hard pitches.
49:27The Lord's wickets
49:27would have been
49:28decidedly sticky, no?
49:29So it's not a day
49:30for the stroke play.
49:32No, it's a day
49:33for the art of spin bowling.
49:35And Hedley Verity
49:36is the greatest exponent alive.
49:38Bowling left arm,
49:40the leg breakers
49:40to the right handers.
49:41He would have them
49:42marching through the long room
49:43in no time, eh?
49:44He has flight variation.
49:45The Chinaman.
49:47And the most deadly
49:48quicker ball
49:48that dips into a yorker.
49:50Oh, yes.
49:51On such a day,
49:52Monsieur Verity
49:53would consider, what,
49:5414 for 70?
49:55A fair haul?
49:57I don't know.