Blackmail Page #2

Mind you, it could be all together

the police's fault.

Finally, they have to wink at something. It's one

thing to have a word with one, but quite another

to stick a knife into a gentleman.

I must say I feel the same about that too.

A good, clean, honest whacker to be

hit with a brick is one thing...

...something British about that. But

a knife. No, a knife is not right.

One should never use a knife.

Now, mind you a knife is a difficult

thing to handle.

A knife... a knife... a knife.

Alice, cut a bit of bread will you?

KNIFE!

Dear, you ought to be more careful.

You might have cut somebody with that.

Customer...

- No news of the murder yet?

- No, not yet.

Thank you. Good-morning.

Well, I must be going. I can't stand

here gossiping all day like some people.

Chatter, chatter, chatter... give

them a chance to go on about other

people's business, and they'll take it.

What's the matter Alice? Have

another row with Frank?

Another customer Alice.

- Good morning Alice.

- Dear, it's Frank. Hello Frank.

- I say, have you heard about our murder?

- Yes, they put me on it.

Did they? That's good isn't it?

Well, I hope you get him Frank!

If they do, that will mean motive,

won't it? You

reckon you'll get him soon?

I don't know.

- Well, I came in here to phone.

- That's all right.

Alice? Come here a minute will

you?

But I must be going now. Good-bye

Mrs. White, good-bye Mr. White.

Now you two.

Sssshhhh... Be careful...

What happened last night?

Why don't you tell me?

Look. Do you know where I found this?

It's the only piece of evidence that you

were there. I am keeping it back.

For God's sake, say something!

If you're not using the

phone... aahhh.

I want to get on to Scotland Yard.

Okay.

- I want the best cigar in the shop.

Certainly sir. Would you like to

telephone while I go down?

- No thanks, I can wait.

- What does he mean?

Very well sir. What sort of cigar

would you like sir? I've got...

I got Corona, Corona.

- Corono.

- Corono. Certainly sir.

- Any news of the murder.

- No, not yet.

Have you heard anything?

No, no news.

Are you... quite sure.

What the hell business is it of yours

anyway.

You know, I looked everywhere for

that other glove last night.

But you detectives are much better

at finding these things.

Ah, here we are sir.

Excuse me, will you?

Thank you. Oh they look good.

They ought to. I've had them for

years.

- Is it all right sir.

- Yes, I thought the top was broken, but it's all right.

- Have you a light?

- Yes, here you are.

Quite silly of me, hadn't noticed it.

Is it all right sir?

Of course... sorry.

Extraordinary actually...

I can't quite

I say... would you pay for this?

Is this gentleman a friend of yours

Frank?

No, we're not exactly friends.

At least not yet.

But we're going to do a little

business together, aren't we Frank?

I'll look after the shop, father.

You go in and finish your paper.

What for? Oh... all right my dear, all

right.

Quite unfortunate that poor young

man died around the corner last night.

Look here you...

Perhaps it's fortunate, that your little secret

only came into the hands of a man like me.

You know, there are some men who would

make money out of a thing like that.

What a chance for blackmail.

Oh, oh that's awful.

I couldn't do a thing like that.

Good-morning Miss. Two of each

there.

By the way. You're a detective.

Let me give you a tip.

Don't wave important clues in

telephone boxes.

They've got glass doors.

Detectives in glass houses,

shouldn't wave clues.

Come on, out with it. What do you

want?

What do I want?

Oooooh...

Couldn't we discuss that over

breakfast.

Mother this is a friend of Frank's.

Mr...?

- Tracy.

- Pleased to meet you.

- Mr. Tracy, would you like

something to eat?

- Yes, thank-you.

- Lovely weather, we're having.

- Yes, splendid.

- Who did you say that was?

- He's a very important friend of Frank's.

I'll get the breakfast for me.

- I say, awfully rude. Won't you take my chair?

- Oh, thank-you.

- Did you see, or hear anything

during the night?

- No, sir.

- What time did you go to bed?

- What time did you go to bed?

Did you write this?

Yes.

How old would you say this man

was.

I'm afraid I couldn't tell you sir,

he had his hat on.

Did you notice anything paticular about

his... clothes?

Well ah... he had a black hat and

a loose kind of collar...

...a tie... and that' s about all I think.

Was he dark or fair?

Well, you couldn't say he was a blond and

you couldn't say he was a brunette. Little

bit of both, you know, kind of mousey.

- Anything else?

- No.

Except when he spoke to you,

he went like this.

Ok.

Give me a record.

Well, bring him along. Let's hear

what he's got to say.

- Understood?

- Yes, sir, right.

Get along with it...

How much longer is that man going

to stay? Don't tell me he's staying til dinner.

Don't make things awkward mother.

It means a lot to him.

Well, I don't see why they should

carry on their business in my parlour.

- I'll take it.

- Very well.

But I don't like that man. The

sooner he goes the better.

...yes, you are very clever.

I can see that all right.

Frank? Just a minute will you?

A friend of yours at the Yard, said

he thought you might be here.

Oh, all right.

Hello?

Yes. Yes.

- Well, I thought you wouldn't mind if...

What?

Who?

Any news Frank?

Alice... Lock that door.

As you were saying... rather unfortunate the way

that poor young man round the corner died last night.

On the other hand, perhaps it's

fortunate. For us, that is...

There's a suspicious looking man,

with a criminal record,

was seen looking around the place.

You...

Look here, don't you try and pin this

thing on me. That

won't get you anywhere.

Also quite unfortunate, that

Scotland Yard, are

at present looking for that man.

- I say, Frank!

- Just a minute Alice.

But there's one thing you seem to

have forgotten...

Oh, and what's that?

Before we get to any hangings, I

shall have quite a lot to say.

And the first thing I shall say is,

that she was there too.

Oh, you will, will you?

Isn't there one thing you seem to

have forgotten, that our words

are as good as, or perhaps a bit better...

...than that of a jailbird.

...than that of a jailbird.

Meanwhile, we'll just sit quietly here

until the squad van arrives.

- That surprises you doesn't it?

- No, that doesn't surprise me in the least.

When it comes, so it won't be for me.

Very well then, we are both satisfied.

Yes, we are both satisfied.

It's my word, against hers.

- Frank, you can't do this.

- Why not?

- Because...

- Now, now don't interfer Alice, I

know what I'm doing.

You don't, you don't.

- Please Frank.

- For God's sake, be quiet Alice.

- Why don't you let her speak.

- You mind your own business.

In any case, she'll speak at

the right moment.

Look here Frank. Why can't we just

chalk the whole thing now?

I've got nothing against you. You've

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