The Gorgon

Yes.

I think I can start painting in the morning.

I think you're one of the most selfish men I've ever met.

Dedicated.

Are you going to marry me?

I've told you, yes...

...as soon as I've got rid of a few debts and some money in the bank.

- Bruno. - Oh, now, for heaven's sake.

- We can't wait any longer, Bruno. - Why not?

Because I...

Well, tell me, tell me.

Oh, come on now, it's not as bad as all that.

- Just tell me why you have to get ma... - I just do.

Hey, hey, hey.

Come on now, what's happening to you?

Tell me.

I'm going to have your baby. That's what's happened.

When did you know?

A week ago.

- Where are you going? - To see your father.

- Why? - I'm not going to evade my obligations.

I want him to know that.

Your obligations?

Yes, I'm afraid that's how he'll look at it.

Bruno.

Don't go to him, Bruno.

Bruno, wait.

- Well? - He'll kill you if you go to him.

I doubt it.

Oh, Bruno.

Bruno!

What is it, Carla?

They're bringing the body in now.

- I want it in here. - Very well.

And Inspector Kanof is waiting to see you.

Thank you.

Well?

The girl is the daughter of Janus Cass...

...landlord of the Saracen Inn.

This may not be the same as the others.

- You mean, you hope it isn't. - Naturally.

Seven unsolved murders in five years...

...is hardly good for my prestige here.

You think the young man did it?

Lovers sometimes quarrel.

He's still missing.

The young man's name is Bruno Heitz.

He comes to Vandorf every year...

...and rents the old mill house.

He's an artist...

...son of Professor Jules Heitz at Berlin University...

...Doctor of Literature. - I know him.

We were students together.

- You'll get in touch with him? - Immediately.

I suggest not immediately.

Wait until they find the young man.

As you say, doctor.

Thank you, Ratoff.

Wait here.

Madam.

Ratoff.

- How did this happen? - She pounced on me, doctor.

- Soon as I got to the door of her cell. - This is the second time.

- Put her in a straightjacket. - Right.

- Sister, get those cuts attended to. - Yes, doctor.

What's the matter?

Doctor, you'll perform an autopsy?

On a body that's turned to stone?

Inspector...

...listen.

They've picked up the scent.

We're getting too close to the castle.

- Afraid? - Yes, I am. I don't mind admitting it.

There are 20 men within a radius of a quarter of a mile.

You've got a gun, use it if you have to...

...but remember, I want the boy taken alive.

Continue, inspector.

When I broke the news of the girl's death to her father...

...he said it was no surprise to him.

What did you deduce from that?

That he knew of Bruno Heitz's bad reputation.

Which you, personally, had experienced?

Yes, sir. There were certain incidents.

- Describe them, please. - Drunkenness...

...bad behavior in public. - Thank you.

- Call Janus Cass. - Janus Cass.

Mr. Cass, you are the father of the deceased girl, Sascha.

Yes, sir.

- Landlord of the Saracen Inn. - Yes, sir.

Tell the court what you know of the relationship...

...between your daughter and this young man.

My girl loved him, unfortunately.

He took advantage of her and didn't want to face the consequences.

When you say "took advantage of her"...

...do you mean she was pregnant by him?

Yes, sir, he was a thoroughly bad lot.

I told Sascha to have nothing to do with him.

- But she disobeyed you. - I'm afraid so.

Did you personally observe this man's addiction to alcohol?

Sir, he came frequently to the Saracen Inn.

And in his cups, a tendency to violence?

- Well, sir, I... - Thank you, Mr. Cass.

You may stand down.

- Call Dr. Namaroff. - Dr. Namaroff.

Now, doctor...

...will you tell us what, in your opinion, was the cause of this girl's death?

Her death was undoubtedly the result of violence.

I observed deep abrasions around the forehead...

...and indentations in the skull...

...which may have been caused by some metal instrument.

Thank you, doctor.

Call Professor Heitz.

Professor Heitz.

You are Professor Jules Heitz...

...father of the deceased man, Bruno Heitz?

- I am. - You've heard the evidence...

...before this court? - I have.

- Did you know the girl? - No, sir.

From the evidence I've heard...

...I have the impression your son was somewhat of a bohemian.

- Would you agree with that? - He was a talented artist.

His life was of his own choosing.

I also have the impression he was a libertine.

No.

He had a number of girlfriends.

Possibly. However, that does not make him a libertine.

And one girlfriend in particular whom he betrayed?

I cannot believe that.

You are his father.

- Have you anything you wish to add? - Yes.

I read the newspapers...

...and I am also a student of human nature.

I have read about the unsolved Vandorf murders.

I have also listened to the evidence...

...and opinions given in this court.

In my opinion, everything I have heard has been generated by fear.

Proceed.

Evidence so obviously circumstantial...

...prejudiced and contrived...

...making one innocent man a scapegoat.

So obviously, indeed, that I can forecast your verdict now:

Murder and suicide.

My son's innocence stained to bring this witch-hunt...

...to a smug and a satisfactory close.

That is all I have to say, Mr. Coroner.

But believe me...

...I shall not rest until I have cleared my son's good name.

If you have finished...

...you may stand down.

I find that the dead woman was murdered...

...by her fiancé, Bruno Heitz...

...who then, in a fit of remorse...

...took his own life.

Court is adjourned.

There have been seven murders committed in Vandorf...

...in the past five years.

Every victim bore the same marks.

Each body turned to stone.

Why didn't you speak of this at the inquest?

Why is everyone trying to evade the truth...

...including you? - Carla.

I expected Kanof to make a scapegoat of that poor innocent boy, but not you.

Why are you so certain that he's innocent?

Because she has come back.

She's here...

...somewhere...

...in this hospital. I know it.

Come in.

Professor Heitz would like to see you, sir.

Show him in.

Professor, this is my assistant, Miss Carla Hoffman.

- How do you do? - That'll be all.

I shan't need you anymore today.

I'm so very sorry about your son.

You have my deepest sympathy.

- Thank you. - Do sit down.

No, thank you.

I want to ask you a simple question.

Please.

You were once a guest at my house in Berlin.

You met both my sons, Bruno in particular.

- You talked to him at some length. - I believe I did.

What impression did you form of him?

Well, I thought he was...

Normal?

Why, yes, of course.

Yet capable of murder?

My dear Heitz, that is hardly a fair question.

Given a certain set of circumstances...

...I believe almost everybody is capable of murder.

Naturally, you are prejudiced.

I have been in Vandorf exactly two days.

I have asked questions and received evasion.

I have called at police headquarters and been refused admittance.

Everywhere I go I find a conspiracy of silence.

Oh, I'm sure you exaggerate.

Oh, no, there's an explanation somewhere.

It lies in the past.

Some horrible occurrence, which has been suppressed.

To the people of Vandorf, this thing, whatever it is, is real.