Judex

PRIZE WINNER, 1963

BY UNANIMOUS JURY DECISION

Judex...

It's a Latin word meaning 'judge'

or 'upholder of the law'

I know. Thank you.

This judge seems

more like a swindler to me.

I didn't think anyone would dare

to blackmail me any more.

I don't understand what it is

that this Judex wants.

He's not asking for anything

for himself and usually...

Don't be so naive, Vallires.

If I give in and show I'm afraid,

then the real blackmailing will begin.

We shall see.

On a more serious note...

...did the bank phone

with the closing price in New York?

Yes, sir.

It was as you predicted.

Come in.

Sir, a Mr. Cocantin

is asking to see you.

- He says you're expecting him.

- That's right. Show him in.

- Good timing.

- Mr Cocantin.

Let me introduce myself, sir.

Alfred Cocantin, private detective.

I run an agency called Celeritas...

...that I took over from my uncle,

the late Mr. Regaudet...

...decorated for services to education...

Him, not me...

- Sit down.

- Thank you, sir.

- Mr...?

- Mr Vallires, my secretary.

I have already

had occasion to call upon...

...the services of your predecessor...

...and I was very satisfied.

- I hope I will find the same with you.

- Rest assured that...

Let me tell you what this is about.

Tomorrow we celebrate

both the bank's 21 st anniversary...

...and the engagement of my daughter

to Viscount Amaury de la Rochefontaine.

A lot of people will be at the chteau.

I'm counting on you to stop

any indiscretions being committed...

...by staff employed for the occasion...

...or by certain people,

business acquaintances...

...who I am obliged to invite.

Naturally, you will pass

for one of our guests.

Mr Vallires will explain

all the details to you...

...and you can inform him

of your conditions.

I will introduce you right away

to my daughter.

That way you will have

the run of the house.

And while you are at it,

try and find out who wrote this letter.

It's no doubt some servant's

idea of a joke.

Vallires, come over here.

"Mr. Favraux, I order you

to atone for your sins...

"...by handing over half

of your fortune to your victims.

"You have until six o'clock

tomorrow evening...

"...to comply.

"Signed Judex"

Judex?

Phone Marco at the Rio Pinto.

Tell him to sell off all available funds.

Make sure people know

it's the Favraux Bank that's selling.

In three days, we'll buy

everything back for next to nothing.

I think I'm going to be giving myself

a nice birthday present.

Come now, my dear Cocantin.

Let's go and get a breath of spring air.

- I insist on speaking to Mr Favraux!

- I have no time for charity.

I'm not asking for charity.

You don't recognise me, do you?

A spell in prison changes a man.

- My name is Pierre Kerjean.

- Never heard of you.

You weren't so proud at your trial.

You promised to make me a rich man...

...if I kept my mouth shut

and served your sentence for you.

You promised to keep an eye

on my family while I served my time.

My wife died destitute

and my son has disappeared.

And you did nothing.

So now, Favraux,

you will help me find my son.

Do you hear me?

Otherwise, like it or not...

...I can still talk.

- This man is crazy.

Give him 40 sous and send him away.

Come along, old boy.

My dear Jacqueline,

let me introduce Mr Cocantin.

He's our guest tomorrow.

Mr Cocantin, let me introduce

my daughter, Mrs Aubry.

Mr Favraux has told me the news

of your engagement.

I am honoured to be among the first

to congratulate you.

Thank you, sir.

Ah, here is my granddaughter, Alice.

- Say hello to the gentleman, darling.

- Hello.

Hello, young lady.

I know a little girl called Alice.

- Like me.

- Yes.

She was in her garden one day,

and what did she see run past?

A rabbit dressed

in a lovely blue suit.

The rabbit stopped in front of Alice,

without seeing her.

He took out his watch and said...

- The rabbit had a watch?

- Yes, a gold one on a chain.

Like Grandpa.

Excuse me, madam.

I've come to take Alice for her lesson.

Mr Cocantin,

let me introduce Miss Verdier...

...my granddaughter's governess.

Pleased to meet you.

Go with Miss Marie and be a good girl.

Goodbye, my darling.

Show the gentleman over there

to his room.

Very good, sir.

I don't understand.

I went to make enquiries

early this morning, as you asked.

That vagabond died last night.

He never recovered consciousness.

He died in hospital where passers-by

who found him had taken him.

And no one suspects you.

"Not content with dishonouring people,

you must also murder them.

"If by midnight tonight

you have not carried out my orders...

"...you will be mercilessly punished.

"Judex"

- Have you murdered someone?

- What?

This letter says...

Mr Cocantin, let me remind you,

you are not here on vacation...

...to tell stories

about rabbits and watches.

But sir, I...

Quiet. You have until this evening

to find out who wrote these letters.

- Goodbye.

- Very well.

Her father is making her remarry.

She was quite unhappy

the first time round.

He married the poor girl off too young.

Favraux must like the sound of

de la Rochefontaine for a son-in-law.

This engagement is most convenient.

Apparently he's completely broke.

De la Rochefontaine probably can't

wait to come and sleep in this bed!

No, Mr Favraux,

I will never be your mistress.

Marie, I need you desperately.

Will you be my wife?

I will marry you

straight after Jacqueline's wedding.

My fortune will be yours.

I'm not the sort of woman you can buy.

"Will you walk a little faster?"

Said a whiting to a snail.

"There's a porpoise close behind us

And he's treading on my tail.

See how eagerly the lobsters

And the turtles all advance!

They are waiting on the shingle -

Will you come and join the dance?

What sort of head will Favraux

have had made for himself?

A vulture's head.

My dear friends...

...I would like to announce

some great and happy news.

Tonight not only are we celebrating...

...the culmination of 20 years of effort...

...and real dedication...

...which has allowed

the Favraux Bank to prosper...

...and extend its activities

to most branches of industry.

We are also celebrating

the engagement...

...of my daughter Jacqueline...

...to Viscount

Amaury de la Rochefontaine.

My joy is all the greater...

With the great happiness

that I feel at this moment...

I'm a doctor, let me through.

He is dead.

Diana!

THE NIGHT AFTER:

FAVRAUX'S FUNERAL...

Mr Favraux died at the exact time

indicated in Judex's second letter.

The coincidence is extremely troubling.

I think this is merely a coincidence

and that's why I didn't say anything.

I felt it was my duty to warn you.

Mrs Aubry will decide for herself

what action to take.

Madam.

Mr Cocantin...

...I am sure I don't need to ask you

to exercise the utmost discretion.

I am sure you will be bound

by professional secrecy.

You can count on me, sir.

Vallires, we must alert the police.

No, madam, it's impossible.

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