A Blueprint for Murder Page #7

[Cameron Narrating] This was

the moment I'd planned on.

There might not be another.

How about cocktails before we go?

Oh, but we don't want to be too late.

The captain's ball is so much fun.

- I could phone the bar.

They could have them here...

- Never mind.

- I'll do it to save time.

- Yes.

- I didn't think you were ever coming, Uncle Cam.

- I wouldn't desert you, Doug.

- Can't you stay with us in England?

- I'd like to.

- I'm afraid I can't.

- When will I see you again?

Well, I don't know.

Maybe I'll get a chance to fly

over in the next couple of months.

- Doesn't take long on a plane, you know.

- Will you?

Sure. You'll have a wonderful time in Europe.

Lynne tells me she's taking you to Paris...

and Switzerland this winter for the skiing.

- You'll like that, won't you?

- If only you could come too, Uncle Cam.

Don't you worry about that. I'll see

you in the morning before we dock.

- Good night, Uncle Cam.

- Yeah.

I'll see you before we dock.

- Night, boy.

- Night, Uncle Cam.

[Cameron Narrating]

The moment had arrived...

the moment I dreaded.

But I had to appear at ease,

though my mind was numb.

- [Knocking]

- Come in.

Ah. Set them right down here.

I'd rehearsed this scene a

thousand times in my mind.

But now that it was a reality...

the idea of taking the

life of a human being...

seemed like a hideous nightmare.

Thank you, sir.

Lynne, uh...

remember our first meeting?

- It was at a cocktail party, wasn't it?

- Yes, given for my brother.

It was a couple of days

before you two were married.

I wished I'd met you first.

I thought you were the most

beautiful woman I'd ever seen.

- Oh!

- Sorry.

- It's all right.

- Excuse me.

I can get it off in a jiffy.

[Cameron Narrating] I tried to pour

the bottle, but my hand wouldn't move.

It were as if it belonged to someone else.

I'd have to find another chance later...

later tonight.

Well, that was simple.

It doesn't even show.

Good.

It's stuffy in here.

[Cameron Narrating]

Suppose by some freak chance I was wrong?

But Fred agreed, Maggie, the D.A.,

the police... All of them agreed.

Only she could have done it.

If I couldjust be certain.

## [Orchestra]

- Oh, no.

- "No" what?

- Can't you hear?

- Hear?

"Auld Lang Syne," silly. It

means the end of the dance.

And the end of the voyage.

It's been a wonderful voyage.

What if I didn't have the nerve to

go through with it and Doug died...

died because Lynne had murdered him?

I'd exhausted every other out.

I knew it had to be done tonight.

But I had to stall for time...

time to get up my courage.

- Mmm.

- ## [Ends]

How 'bout a turn around the deck?

Oh, nice, except it's

getting a little chilly.

That's easy. Give me your

key. I'll get your coat.

Be right back.

[Cameron Narrating] Somehow or

other I sensed a vague association...

between these bottles...

and the fact that I had used my shaving...

lotion bottle...

as a place to hide my poison.

What if Lynne had reasoned the same way?

I couldn't help but notice the striking

similarity between the aspirin...

and those rodenticide pills

I'd seen in the nursery.

Then I found it...

one different from the others.

A "W"... A "W", the same marking

that was on the strychnine tablet...

enough to kill a horse.

There were three in all.

This was the proof I needed.

Now more than ever, I knew I

had to go through with my plan.

Well, I think it's time we called it a night.

This is the last night we'll

be alone for a long time.

- How about a good-night drink?

- Why not?

Hello. Give me the bar, please.

Hello. This is cabin 92-A.

May we have two Bacardi cocktails, please?

Thank you.

Cam.

You've been so sweet to us on this

trip. It's been a wonderful crossing.

- I'm sorry it's over.

- Are you really?

Mm-hmm.

Tell me something, and I want the truth now.

- Why did you really come on this trip?

- You know why.

I know the reason you gave me.

It was all very flattering,

but rather difficult to believe.

You don't believe it?

I don't know.

But you are the sort of man who

might do crazy, impulsive things.

You mean, like taking this ship so I

could be with you for five more days?

Yes.

[Knocking]

Oh, I'll...

I'll take these.

- There you are.

- Thank you, sir.

[Cameron Narrating] This was

my last, my very last chance.

Here.

Thanks.

Mmm.

- Your hand's trembling.

- Oh.

What's the matter with you, Cam?

[Cameron] It's a little warm in here.

Why don't you open the porthole?

- Do you mind?

- No.

- Oh, that's much better.

- Yes.

Yes, it is, isn't it?

Cam, something is wrong.

No, no. I'm all right.

It's bitter.

Mine too, but... I suppose we're lucky

to get anything at all at this hour.

- Lynne.

- Yes?

- I found a bottle of aspirin in your stateroom.

- So?

Three of the tablets were different

from the others. They had a "W" on them...

trademark of a tablet containing strychnine.

Oh, for heaven's sakes, Cam, not that again.

They also happen to be aspirin pills.

Why were they different from the others?

Because they were another brand. But

I refuse to go through all this again.

- Yet they were in the same bottle?

- Well, why not?

I'd been taking another type of

aspirin. I had a few left over.

I put them in the new bottle to

save some room. Is that so peculiar?

Lynne, the "W" is the trademark of an insecticide

manufacturer, not a pharmaceutical house.

So that's the real reason

you came on this trip.

You were behind this ridiculous

persecution from the first.

- You say they were harmless aspirin pills.

- Of course.

- You absolutely sure?

- Absolutely.

That's good. I'm relieved.

- I'm very relieved.

- Why?

Because one of the "W" pills was dissolved

in your drink. You've just taken it.

I don't think you and

I have anything more to discuss... ever.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed.

Who are you?

I'm Frank Connelly, ship's

detective. Mr. Cameron sent for me.

As a witness.

A witness?

So that's what you expected...

an hysterical admission that

the pill contained strychnine.

You never give up, do you, Cam?

But this time I'm afraid

you drew another blank.

The tablet was harmless.

There seems to have been

an unfortunate mistake.

I suggest we forget the whole thing.

I'll go along. Will you excuse me?

Of course. I'm sorry about it too.

But this sort of thing is getting

to be a habit with Mr. Cameron.

- [Door Opens]

- Wait a minute.

Come back, please.

Look.

It's been over five minutes

since you took that drink.

Right now your life can be saved...

even in another five minutes.

But beyond that you're

getting into a dangerous zone.

You're well versed on the subject

of strychnine, aren't you, Cam?

Oh, Lynne, please, please!

If there was strychnine in that tablet,

call the doctor now before it's too late!

On the other hand, if the tablet with

the "W" on it was merely an aspirin...

there wouldn't be much sense in

calling a doctor, would there?

And if I were to admit that

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