Murder!

People ought to be ashamed of themselves,

kicking up all that racket at this time of night.

What is it? Is it a fire?

Well, why can't they knock quietly?

Oh, blast it. We never...

It's about three doors down.

That's where Diana Baring is staying.

I say, there's a policeman coming already.

- Where? - Why, just coming around the corn...

Well, that's funny. I could've sworn.

No, you're right. Look, there he is, coming down the side of the road.

I say, that's Druce that's knocking.

Looks as though he's tight again.

Here. Here, where's my trousers? I'd better go down.

- What's this about, eh? - I want my wife!

- She's in this house here. - Take her home!

What, at this time of night?

My wife, Edna!

We came here to have supper with Diana Baring.

She's up...

Wait for me. I'm coming.

I can't stop now. I gotta see what's the matter with Druce.

What's the matter, Mr. Druce? Anything wrong?

I want my wife!

Will you please take this man away?

Come along now, Druce. There's a good fellow.

No. Stop it.

Here! Open this door, will you?

Open this door!

- Hold on one second. - Open the door!

- Open the door! - Open the door!

Open the door, for the love of God!

Open the door, for God's sake.

One of you run down to the station and ask the inspector to come.

Tell him it's serious.

Is this woman a lodger of yours?

No, but Miss Baring is.

And she had Mrs. Druce to supper with her tonight.

As a matter of fact, it was about...

Well, you see, Mr. Constable, both these ladies are... I mean, were...

We're all members of the company playing at the Theatre Royale this week.

And as I was leaving the theater... You see, I'm the stage manager,

and Mr. Druce here, he's the general manager.

You see, when I left the theater tonight, I was invited to join them.

Wait. Wait a minute, wait a minute. One at a time, please.

Oh, they've killed you, Edna. They've killed you.

Tell me, darling. Who done it?

Did she do it?

You always hated Edna.

Thought yourself too good for us...

with your high-and-mighty ladylike ways.

Now, sir, pull yourself together.

Oh, leave me alone.

Is there any brandy in the house?

You'll find some brandy in the flask on the table.

I was just giving some to Edna, when...

when...

I can't think.

I can't remember.

Why, there's none there. It's empty.

I'll run back and fetch some.

Perhaps you'd like a cup of tea, dear.

It'll warm you up.

I'll go and make it.

I'll give you a hand, dear.

Oh, shall I light this gas, dear?

Please, dear. It's still hot.

It only wants a drop more in it.

Light the stove, will you, dear?

I, uh...

I suppose Mrs. Druce really is dead.

You know, uh...

You know, Diana never did get on well with poor Edna Druce,

and I know they hadn't been on speaking terms for the last seven weeks.

Miss Diana said nothing to me about it.

Well, it's a fact. You can take it from me.

I don't believe she could have done it,

though there's no denying she is headstrong.

I should say so.

Why, she gave in her notice the other day over Edna.

Who? Miss Diana?

Yes, but, uh, Druce didn't want to lose her,

so Edna would've been glad enough to see her go.

Then suddenly...

Suddenly, last night, she changed, asked if they couldn't make it up.

Diana was puzzled, but asked her home to supper.

I can't help feeling now that

she had some reason for getting Diana here alone.

Of course, perhaps, she being hot stuff like she is,

she thought one of her men was getting too keen on Diana Baring

and wanted her out of the way.

What kind of tea did you use, dear?

Oh, my dear, I've tried so many kinds, I don't really remember which this is.

I think it will be all right. Do you mind, uh...

- Open the door? - Yes, if you don't mind.

Here. I say, I've just made tea.

That's all right, Ma. We'll give her some down at the station.

Third act beginners, please.

Your call, Miss Baring.

That's Miss Baring's understudy.

There you are, see? Going on now.

Do you mind answering the door?

Answer the door? Of course he will.

Well, I don't know where we shall go.

Oh, Tom. Tom. Just a minute.

The inspector would like to have a word with you.

This is Mr. Tom Druid, Inspector.

How do you do, sir? It's about the murder, Mr. Druid.

Now, there are one or two points we are clearing up.

I suppose you didn't happen to see Mrs. Druce and Miss Baring

leave the theater together last night?

Yes, I did.

As a matter of fact, I remarked to Fane, our leading man, about it.

- He saw them as well, you know. - Why? Is it very unusual?

Unusual? I should say so.

Unusual? It's an absolute miracle.

As I was saying to my wife,

I said, "Annie, we m..."

Hold on, old boy. My cue.

Say, which of the two women is this?

Mrs. Druid?

No, I'm afraid you're unlucky this time, Inspector.

This is Handell Fane, 100% he-woman.

Mr. Fane's our leading man.

I assure you, Inspector, I'm not the other woman in the case.

I know that, Mr. Fane,

but I understand you saw the two women together last night.

Yes, just before I left the theater.

Then I went straight to my room.

Alone?

Yes. No. Stewart came with me.

He came and wanted to borrow some cigarettes.

He'd lost his case or something.

And after, I went straight to bed.

Say, excuse me. I'm on.

Reginald, darling, has that cat gone yet?

Oh, it's you, Constable, is it?

Don't you dare to try to run away from me.

Come here when I speak to you.

No, no, you don't.

That's the... bathroom.

Come here.

Are you afraid of a poor, weak woman?

He promised to meet here.

Say, who's that man?

Oh, that's our heavy lead, Ian Stewart. Very sound actor.

Is he married?

- How did he get on with the prisoner? - Excuse me, Inspector.

Say, how did he get on with the prisoner, Miss Baring?

Oh, so-so, you know.

Was he popular with the ladies?

Are you talking about Stewart?

He's a bit too popular, if you ask me.

At least, if you could call her a lady.

Now, Doucie. Remember, she's only just dead.

Oh, all right, all right.

I've never heard yet that telling the truth was a disgrace.

And everyone knew about Edna and Stewart anyhow.

And do I take it Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Druce...

Excuse me. My line.

Oh! Don't bother to show me through. I know my way.

This is not the first time, Reginald.

Everything's going splendid...

Well, perhaps I ought not to say "Edna and Stewart" like that.

But, Ted, you know what Edna was.

Anyone she liked the look of had to be roped in.

I can't wait any longer. Quick.

Quick! In here!

Excuse me a minute. Shan't be long. It's their change.

How do you do? No, I'm sorry. He's not here.

- What have they done with her? - Who? Miss Baring?

Why, she's down at the station, I expect.

Did she say anything, do you know?

Is there anything one can do?

Markham, you don't really think she's done it, do you?

Why have they arrested her?

I saw it with me own eyes.

She was with the poker in her hand, or just by her side, anyway.

- Blood. Covered with blood. - Oh, don't.

What's the matter with you?

Blood always makes me feel sick. Even the mention of it.

Well, that's all right. Here's your helmet.

- Here. Hurry up, Markham. - There you are.

Okay. On you go.

Members of the jury,

Diana Baring is indicted and stands charged

with the willful murder of Edna Druce.

To this indictment, she has pleaded not guilty.

It is your duty to inquire whether she is guilty or not.

I need not remind you

that in the eyes of the law, men and women are equal.

The crime of murder, in England, at least,

is judged dispassionately.

Neither beauty, nor youth,

nor provocation can mitigate...

She gave me the strangest look:

half surprised and half angry.

And she said, "How dare you?"

And I don't remember any more.

I-I just don't remember.