Hangover Square Page #5

She was run over.

Later you tipped the watchman

to bury the cat.

So you were not here all the time.

He said you looked a bit funny.

That's what made us wonder if you

could have forgotten what happened.

Netta Longdon being missing doesn't seem

to have worried you a very great deal...

after you had

asked her to marry you.

After I'd found out about her and Carstairs,

I tried to forget her.

If I'd had anything to do

with what's happened, I'd admit it.

I've answered your questions.

I've never objected to your bursting in here

at any time as you've done just now.

So if there's anything else

you want to know, please ask me.

Then be good enough to let me

continue with my own affairs.

I'm sorry, Sir Henry.

- This is beautifully inspired, my dear boy.

- Thank you.

We'll be getting along, Mr. Bone.

We can have our first rehearsal on Friday.

How would 10:
00 suit you?

Well, we've been

barking up the wrong tree.

- We've got to try another angle.

- You're satisfied about him?

We were prepared to arrest him, only

we haven't any real evidence against him.

He doesn't act like a guilty man.

He got quite indignant

with us in the end.

Carstairs was the last to see her alive,

as far as we know.

I think we should

pay him another visit.

- Are you coming with us?

- No, I think I'll look around.

You're still suspicious of our friend

down there, aren't you?

I want to see if I can find out

what happened to the body.

George, what are you

doing out here?

I thought I saw you from the house.

Shouldn't you be getting ready?

I've been for a walk.

I thought you were resting.

Are you worried

about the performance?

Oh, no.

Oh, good night.

I've been thinking about Netta.

I can't get her out of my mind.

I have impressions of her,

but they're distorted...

like memories all clouded over.

It's frightening.

This is no time

to think about all that.

I can't be completely sure

until I've found out what's happened.

I wonder if I could've had

something to do with it.

You thought you had something to do

with that antique dealer in Fulham...

but you didn't.

- Put your mind on the concerto now.

- All right.

Oh, I got you this...

so you could wear these tonight.

- Camellias.

- They're beautiful, aren't they?

Oh.

I want you to know that I am deeply grateful

for all your kindnesses.

Thank you.

And when I'm playing tonight...

I'll look at you whenever I can.

And I'll smile at you.

See you in a little while.

Good evening.

I hope you don't mind

my walking in and waiting for you.

Not at all, except

that I have to change.

I shan't be in your way.

- If you'd like a drink...

- No, thank you.

You think I killed Netta, don't you?

I think it's possible.

You'd like to get to the bottom of it,

wouldn't you?

Naturally, I would.

Between us I think

we can find out what happened.

I took the liberty of looking around

while I was waiting.

You found a use for this, I see?

Yes. I've always wanted something for

working through the sound holes of violins...

and that seems to be exactly right.

That's why you picked it up.

I also found this newspaper article.

"Methods of Murder by the well-known

home office analyst Allan Middleton."

I wonder if you kept that

because I wrote it...

or because of this picture

of a thuggee cord.

I describe where the knots

are placed and how it's used.

I wonder if that sank into your mind.

Barbara was attacked

with a cord like that.

Did you ever make a thuggee cord?

Did you?

This has wrinkles in it...

made by knots,

like the knots in a thuggee cord.

I noticed a pair of trousers.

The cloth was singed.

I don't know how that happened.

Could it have happened

in Cheyne Yard...

where they had the bonfire

on the night that Netta disappeared?

- I wasn't there.

- But I have been there...

asking about what time

they lit the fire.

It was about the time

that Micky rang Netta's doorbell...

and found that she'd disappeared.

The fire was blazing when you took

the night watchman to bury the cat.

But I don't remember

anything about it.

In the Fulham murder, someone used fire

to try to conceal the crime.

But you said that

I was definitely cleared of that.

I know.

I was referring to the fire.

I thought that perhaps that

might also have sunk into your mind.

In Cheyne Yard,

they remember a man on a high ladder.

He carried a Guy to the top of the bonfire

and got singed coming down.

That was you, and it wasn't a Guy

you were carrying.

It was Netta, killed with this

during one of your lapses.

- You're quite wrong.

- I'm not wrong.

You have vague memories

of everything I've said, haven't you?

I'm sorry.

I must finish dressing.

- You'd better come with me.

- But I can't.

- I've got to play my concerto.

- Not now.

I have to play. They're waiting.

Listen, my friend.

You're out of balance.

I realize that,

but I know precisely what I'm doing.

The shock of this and the strain of playing

may prove too much for you.

I warned you your mind

might break down...

and cause you to do

some terrible, uncontrolled thing.

You can't be blamed, my dear fellow,

but you're dangerous.

You better come along with me.

- To Scotland Yard?

- Yes.

- To be put away?

- Well, we'll see.

But I've told you they're waiting for me.

I have to play.

I'm sorry, but I can't let you go.

But I've worked all my life

for this one night.

I'm sorry, but you must come with me.

Very well then.

George is very late.

Dr. Middleton

hasn't arrived either.

Ladies and gentlemen...

our composer,

George Harvey Bone.

I'm glad you're here, George.

We were afraid you'd be late.

What delayed you?

I'm sorry.

Hey! Hark at this.

Hey there!

Who's in there?

Let me out.

Thank you.

- George!

- I can't continue.

Please play for me, Barbara.

It's happened to me, just as you said.

Now I know everything I've done.

You can't be blamed,

my dear fellow.

I must hear the end of the concerto.

- Well, here he is.

- Come along now, sir.

You can't take him now.

He's a sick man.

He's a dangerous man,

and we're going to take him.

Now come quiet. We know what

you've done, but you can't be blamed.

You'll never hang, sir.

- You'll be held, perhaps.

- Now come along.

I'll neither be held nor hanged.

Look out!

Grab him! Get off!

Go that way! Cut him off!

He's running away!

Get some water.

Go back. Go back.

You must hear the concerto to the end.

- Are you mad?

- Go back!

Let me out of here!

Where's my daughter?

- We've got to get out of here.

- Go away.

The whole house is burning.

George!

Where's Barbara?

Listen.

George.

Barbara!

George!

Get George.

George!

George! Get George.

- Father.

- Barbara.

Listen.

Why didn't he try to get out?

It's better this way, sir.

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