The Spiral Staircase

- It's in there. Number nine. - Right.

Don't stand around. Go on home, all of you.

- What happened, constable? - Well...

- there's been another murder. - A murder.

There's nothing you can do. I told you to go home. Go on.

Oh, just a minute, miss.

Are you alone?

You work out at the Warren home, don't you?

That's nearly two miles from here.

You'd better hurry if you're gonna get there before dark.

- Got any ideas who did it, constable? - Yeah.

Same fella did the first one. Same fella did the second one.

But who he is, I don't know.

Somebody in this town. Somebody we all know.

Somebody we see every clay. Might be me. Might be you.

Why, how could...? I mean...

- I was here at my desk, anyway. - Oh, be quiet.

Didn't know you was called, Dr. Parry.

I wasn't. As I was leaving the office, I heard about the murder.

Thought I'd see if there's anything I could do.

Well, there ain't. Unless, of course...

you're good enough to uncork a miracle...

and bring the dead back to life.

I don't think I'm that good.

There's no sense in you going up. She's dead, all right.

Dr. Harvey's up there, and that's what he says. She's dead.

Well, in that event, constable, I certainly can't do her any harm.

- Hello, Parry. - Dr. Harvey.

There's nothing for you to do, unless you're sightseeing.

- How was she killed? - Strangled.

- She was dead when we got here. - Who was she?

That lame girl that worked over at Nelson's.

How awful.

She was just in my office last week.

Did she pay her bill or was this her way of getting out of it?

I haven't enough experience to make that sort of joke.

Perhaps not, Dr. Parry.

- I'll run along. - Oh, just a minute.

I hear you were over to see Mr. Stover last night.

- Yes, I was. - Don't you know he's my patient?

I only went because they called me.

They told me that you'd refused to go until morning.

- I thought it might be serious. - You've got a lot to learn, young fella.

You've only been here a short time. I've been here for a good many years.

If I answered all the calls as they came, I wouldn't get any sleep at all.

Well, that's why I think there's room for two doctors in this town.

Reckon so, but let the competition be on an open plane. Ethics.

You get what I mean, Parry?

If ever I'm called on an emergency, and you're sleeping...

I intend to go.

That's very noble and ambitious. Don't let anything discourage you.

Nothing will.

Oh, by the way...

you might like to see what the Stovers did...

to that prescription you wrote last night.

I'm gonna make some calls, Helen. I'll take you to the crossroads.

Were you at the hotel?

Wasn't a very nice thing to have happen on your afternoon off.

I've been pretty busy lately.

I haven't had much of a chance to drop in and see you.

But I've been thinking about you a great deal.

You haven't any family, Helen. No one else to worry about you.

And I got to wondering just how long you were going on like this.

I mean, doing the work you're doing at the Warrens'.

You wanted to be a nurse or a teacher.

You mean, you're going to give up that...

without making an effort to get your voice back again?

Yes, I know, Helen, you did see a doctor once.

That was a long time ago.

They might have discovered a lot since then.

There are specialists in Boston now.

I don't want to build your hopes up, Helen...

but it seems such a shame to give up so easily.

You'd rather I wouldn't talk about it, wouldn't you?

A|| right, I won't.

You know the words to that tune?

Dr. Parry.

Dr. Parry.

- Hello, Freddy. - Pa's sick, Dr. Parry, bad.

They didn't send you for me?

Ma sent me for Dr. Harvey, but Pa wants you to come.

I'm afraid I can't help you out this time, Freddy.

You don't understand. Your father's Dr. Harvey's patient.

We'll have to try and find him for you. I'll call him as soon as I get home.

Oh, please, Dr. Parry, you come. I want you to come.

All right, come on, get in. We'll go up and have a look.

I'll run you home afterwards.

Afraid you'll be late?

Are you sure you'll be all right?

You'll go straight home, won't you, Helen?

Oh, it's you. Thank heavens.

They phoned us about the murder.

For a while I thought it might have been you.

It's terrible. That's what it is.

Horrible.

As if it isn't bad enough murdering people...

but all these defenseless women.

First there was the girl with a scar on her face.

Then that poor simple-minded creature...

and now this cripple. It seems like...

I guess you've had enough for one afternoon.

Now... Now, get your wet shoes off before you catch your death.

And you'd better get up to Mrs. Warren straightaway.

She's raising a rumpus with that nurse of hers again.

Won't even allow her in the room now.

She sent down word for you to go up the moment you came in.

Is that someone at the front door?

Who's there?

I don't understand.

I closed that window when the storm started.

I'll get a hammer and fix that shutter.

It was him!

Carleton, bad dog!

Out all day and only home in time to get under my feet and break my...

You're a no-good loafer, that's what you are.

Criminals and murderers loose...

and you're out courting the neighbor's dog.

Oh, Carleton, Carleton, you deserve a good beating.

Guess I better dry you first.

You'll catch your death of cold, that's what you will.

And if you think this is all I've got to do, you're mistaken.

I think I better fix that window first.

And I hope that Carleton is all that came in.

I won't need you. You'd better get up to Mrs. Warren.

Helen?

Haven't you gone in to Mrs. Warren yet?

Hurry along, will you?

It's about time. Mrs. Warren's been asking for you all afternoon.

She won't let me do anything for her. Oh, no.

I'm ordered to sit out in the hallway. Why in the world am I kept on here...

to nurse someone who can't stand the sight of me?

But then, I can't stand the sight of her either.

I've nursed some queer ones in my time...

but she's got them all beat. She's sly too.

Even with her eyes shut, she seems to be watching you like an evil spirit.

But get in there before she gets herself into another tantrum.

I got him before he got me.

The tiger, I mean.

I was as good as any man.

You're not only late, but you're playing games.

Why are you so late?

Never mind. Never mind.

Come here.

I hoped you were never coming back...

that you'd run away.

Leave this house tonight if you know what's good for you.

You understand?

Who's there?

I told you to sit in the hall. Why must you spy on me?

I'm not spying on you. It's time for your medicine.

- Helen can give me my medicine. - I don't know what I'm being paid for.

You're being paid to sit in the hall. That's all you're good for. Get out.

That was the constable at the front door, professor.

He wants to see you.

I've asked him to wait in the living room.

Thank you.

- Put these in order, will you? - Yes, sir.

- Oh, constable? - Yes, Professor Warren?

I'll be with you in just a moment.

Blanche, get these ready as quickly as possible.

Yes, sir.

- Hello, constable. - Hello, professor.

- Wouldn't you like to sit down? - Oh, no. No, thanks.

You sure got a lot of interesting things here.

- What's this? - That? Plant life.

You mean to say you can write a whole book about...

- little stuff like this? - Yes.

What did you want to see me about?

Oh, a couple of things, professor.

I hate to bother you at this time of night...

but I figure it's important enough.

You know, there's been another murder.

Yes, so I've heard.

What I want to say is...

that we've traced the murderer to this vicinity.

- Are you certain? - Yes, that's why I've come here.

That's why I'm asking everyone to be careful.

Keep your doors and windows locked tonight.

Well, I'll see that your orders are carried out, constable.

I'm especially worried about that girl who works for you.

- Helen? - Yes.

You see, every one of those girls murdered...

had something the matter with her. Something wrong.

You mean some sort of an affliction?

Yes. Now, my hunch is that this murderer, whoever he is, is...

I understand exactly what you mean, and I assure you...

that I shall be especially careful about Helen.

As a matter of fact, I'll see that somebody is with her at all times.

Good.

Oh, you scared the life out of me, Stephen.

I didn't hear you come in.

Don't stop typing-

How many times have I asked you not to see me when I'm working?

It's so embarrassing.

- Please, leave me alone. - I can't stay away from you.

Now, when am I going to see you, and where?

You're not going to see me at all if you don't let me finish this.

But I'm so bored. I don't know what to do with myself.

Stephen, you're going to get us into trouble. Now, please go.

No.