Green for Danger Page #8

- I must see her.

- I said come back.

- Why?

- It can't do any good.

- And I can't trust you.

- Yes, but...

Besides, I haven't finished.

There is pressure on her brain...

which I am told can only be relieved

by an operation...

if she's to live

and tell me what she knows.

- What? Trephining?

- [Cockrill] So Mr. Purdy says.

That's very serious.

The operation will take place

at 9:
30 tomorrow morning.

All of you will undertake exactly the same

duties as you did in the case of Higgins.

What? You can't do that.

- You prefer not to give the anesthetic?

- I prefer not to see her killed.

The one doesn't necessarily follow

from the other.

Even if it did in the case of Higgins.

Nurse Woods, do you remember accurately

all that you did before?

- Yes. I think so.

- You're willing to do the same again?

- All right.

- Thank you. Nurse Sanson.

How about you? Are you willing to perform

precisely the same duties as you did before?

Yes. I suppose so.

May I point out that you can't exactly reproduce

the circumstances of Higgins's death...

which I presume is what you're after.

- Oh? Why not?

- Because I shan't be operating.

If you refuse,

I can only draw one conclusion.

In this case, the wrong one.

You see,

I don't happen to be a brain surgeon.

Very plausible, Mr. Eden. But if Mr. Purdy

operates, do you object to assisting him?

No.

- [Cockrill] Thank you.

- You're not gonna let him touch her.

[Cockrill] Why not?

May I remind you that Higgins

died before I could operate?

What are you suggesting?

Only that the chief danger seems to

lie in the giving of the anesthetic.

- You hinted that to Dr. White, didn't you?

- I did not. Why should I?

You had something to gain

if I had been forced to leave.

- Did? What?

- Freddi.

Now, who on earth gave you that idea?

Sister Bates, if you want to know...

just before she was killed.

Just before

you met her in the garden.

- Mr. Eden...

- Inspector.

Pardon me interrupting, gentlemen,

but did you meet Sister Bates in the garden?

- Yes.

- And you never told me.

I saw no point in making things more difficult

for myself than they already were.

- Do you expect him to believe that?

- He might prefer the truth...

to your jealous suspicions.

Hendricks. Don't interfere.

Well, well, well.

A master of surgery

mixing it with an L.R.C.P.

[Chuckles]

What a delicious spectacle.

We might arrange a future contest in aid of

some deserving charity. Don't you think?

[Chuckles]

Perhaps the police orphanage, Inspector.

[Laughing]

Well, I suppose I ought to be glad that

my suspects haven't been reduced still further.

And I take it we shall all meet tomorrow

morning in the operating theatre at 9:30.

I shall ask Dr. White to make

the necessary arrangements.

It ought to be quite dramatic.

Well? How's Nurse Linley?

- Oh, much better, thank you.

- Pulse and temperature back to normal.

Splendid. You've had

a very narrow escape, young lady.

- Yes.

- Have you told them all?

I have indeed. I have convinced them

that Nurse Linley is at death's door.

They have agreed to cooperate.

Do you seriously intend to go through

with this fantastic scheme?

- I do indeed.

- Well, I suggest that...

Well, Mr. Purdy.

Are you word perfect?

Oh, I think so. Depressed fracture

of the occiput necessitating craniotomy.

Really? Even to say that's

an achievement.

What about Mr. Eden? As your assistant,

would he expect to examine Nurse Linley?

Uh, no. Not necessarily. No.

I'll show him these X-rays.

Prewar patient of mine.

Uh... Oh.

Ah.

- Very nice fracture.

- Recover?

- Oh, yes.

- Remarkable.

Surely no one in their senses

would make another attempt.

Not in their senses, certainly.

But it must have occurred to you that

we are dealing with an unbalanced mind.

A one-track mind that can see things only

one way. In every other aspect as sane as I am.

Or even as you are, Dr. White.

Possibly. You think what happened

before will happen again.

I think they'll try.

- Well, I wash my hands of the whole business.

- You couldn't do better.

- And, Nurse Linley.

- Yes?

I've explained to you

the risk that you'll be running...

but if you wish to change your mind now,

I'll quite understand.

No. I've thought it over,

and I'll do as you tell me.

Thank you. I'm very grateful.

Meanwhile, absolute secrecy.

I know.

Till tomorrow, is there

anything I can do for you?

- Well, could I see someone?

- Who? Mr. Eden?

- No. Dr. Barnes.

- Dr. Barnes.

Well, his style is less polished,

but his footwork is superior.

- Hmm?

- [Chuckles] Never mind.

No, my dear. I'm afraid you can't see him.

There can be no exceptions.

- Still willing?

- Of course.

- Good.

- [White] This is absolute lunacy.

I disagree.

You see, I think I know who did it.

[Door Opens, Closes]

[White] Twenty past.

They'll be bringing her in any minute.

[Cockrill]

Dr. Barnes.

Now, is everything laid out

exactly as it was before?

[Barnes]

All correct.

- [Cockrill] You're quite satisfied?

- [Barnes] Yes.

- Right. Take the whole lot back again, Sister.

- What? Now, sir?

Yes. Now.

Change every single item with a fresh one.

What's the idea?

We can't be too careful. Can we?

Oh. Allow me.

- This is indeed an honor, sir.

- Nervous?

- Paralytic.

- You don't look it.

- Did you do this last time?

- Yes.

It's a new oxygen cylinder.

- Do you think anything will happen?

- Oh, yes. I think so.

- Well, in that case...

- What's this?

- Lubricant for the airway tube.

- Change it.

- Where's Eden?

- On his way, I hope.

- All right?

- [Hendricks] Yes, sir.

Good. Watch her.

- Freddi.

- No nearer. Please, Doctor.

[Cockrill]

Ah. There you are, Mr. Eden.

We're nearly ready.

Nurse Sanson, will you bring in the patient?

Yes, sir.

- Are you ready, Doctor?

- [Barnes] Yes.

Oh, Dr. Barnes. I believe I know why

you gave Higgins the anesthetic on the table.

Why?

Because you wanted witnesses.

Hmm?

[Gas Hissing]

All right.

[Cockrill]

Right. Go ahead.

- [White] Nitrous oxide.

- [Cockrill] Hmm.

Now for the oxygen.

Oxygen.

[Cockrill]

Is she all right?

[White]

Her color.

More oxygen.

- She's not responding.

- More oxygen.

She's collapsing.

Don't give her any more.

- Cut off the anesthetic.

- She's not getting any.

It's pure oxygen.

She must have oxygen.

- Cut it off!

- I can't.

- Cut off the oxygen!

- [Eden] What's the idea?

- [Cockrill] Purdy!

- [Purdy] All right. All right.

[Cockrill]

Purdy. The spare oxygen. Can you change it?

Yes. Here.

[Hissing]

[Barnes]

Right.

She's responding now.

[White]

She'll be all right.

- Inspector, I'm completely bewildered.

- [Cockrill] Give me a pair of scissors.

[Eden]

Green.

Yes.

Green for carbon dioxide.

You've been pumping CO into her.

- [Barnes] And Higgins?

- Precisely.

A green cylinder repainted

black and white in each case.

- Does that suggest anything to you?

- What?

The salvage bins you've been having

repainted... also in black and white.

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