The 39 Steps Page #4

from here. It's left, over a stile.

Past the cattle trough,

beyond a sign to Dungarven.

Let's postpone the argument

till we get there.

Wait.

What?

Give me your hand.

- What if you think that because...

- Please!

I haven't had a decent meal for

nearly two days, I've hardly slept,

I've been chased, shot at, blown up

and now I am soaked to the skin.

Even Casanova couldn't be thinking of

anything other than a bed

and something to eat.

Wait, here.

The burn marks on your back

might provoke some comment.

- Ready?

- Yes.

Come in.

Here you go.

Beef sandwiches,

and a nice pot of tea.

And not forgetting the mustard

that you asked for.

Thank you.

We've had a fair few vehicles

come off the road by the loch.

You and your husband'll feel better

after a good night's rest.

Would you be so good as to bring us

two very large whiskies, please?

Of course.

We should probably get out of these

wet things before we catch pneumonia.

Show me your arm.

It'll help with the pain.

I should do your back.

That'll be all. Thank you.

- We should've a look at this notebook.

- Yes.

If they intend to spike our fleet,

the Bosch'd have to know our naval plans

where every ship

and submarine is positioned.

That's what I can't get

from Scudder's notes.

- Maybe he never found out.

- The Germans obviously think he did.

Yearning Retainer?

Forget-me-not?

- What does that mean?

- It has to be double code.

Yearning Retainer, Forget-me-not,

followed by the numbers 2, 7,

and the letters NCD.

It's double encryption.

The most vital piece of the puzzle.

A knowledge of ciphers,

German explosives.

You're a useful man

to have around, Hannay.

Coming from a suffragette,

I'll take that as quite a compliment.

Two sevenths?

A fraction?

- What's the date?

- The 30th.

...of June:
30/6.

- What if 2/7 means...

- The 2nd of July?

Whatever Scudder

was warning us about

is going to happen the day after

tomorrow? That'd explain his urgency.

- We have to contact Captain Kell.

- There's nothing we can do tonight.

I'll telephone the Bureau

first thing in the morning.

Well, I suppose we should

try to get some sleep.

- I'll take the floor.

- No.

No, you won't, Hannay.

I trust you.

I've fought in a war, Victoria.

I saw men killed,

women and children

burnt out of their homes.

There's nothing glorious there.

Then we must do all we can

to ensure Britain is not at war again.

Get dressed.

The Germans are downstairs.

What?

- We've to contact Kell.

- Let's go to the house Harry's renting.

Telephone from there. The Prof. Won't

expect us to come back to Dungarven.

- About turn.

- What?

Right, sorry.

Don't tell Harry

about Scudder's notebook.

He's never been good

at keeping secrets.

Hello, Harry.

Good grief.

Don't come a step nearer, you...

- Unhand her, you swine.

- Well, he isn't touching me, Harry.

He's a friend

and a hero of this nation.

Oh, right!

Jolly good.

Damn thing isn't loaded anyway.

Now, we just need

to use the telephone.

But the police mustn't know

we're here. Understand?

Not really, but...

don't you worry.

Good show.

Phyllis? It's Victoria Sinclair.

No, I was not kidnapped

by the Liberal spokesman from London.

No, he did not.

Listen, I want you to put me through

to the Secret Service Bureau...

What...

my fianc works there.

Yes, I know I said marriage was a...

Yes, I said that too. Look, could you

just put me through, please?

No listening in. Yes, you do.

She listens in. I'll speak to them.

Phyllis may call the police

if she hears you.

Hello? I want to speak

to Captain Kell urgently.

No, no-one else will do.

I have to get a message to him today,

it's a matter of national importance.

Please give him this number,

Argyll 135.

Are you crazy?

You've just told them where we are.

Scudder was convinced

he's been betrayed

- There was a traitor in the Bureau...

- I had no choice, Hannay.

You and Harry aren't safe here.

I'll give myself up to the police.

Maybe they'll believe me.

Or maybe they'll hang you.

We just have to sit tight, Hannay.

And hope that Kell contacts us.

Damn fine speech

you made yesterday afternoon.

You should be the politician,

not me.

- Why are you going in for it?

- Sort of... last resort.

Not done very well

at anything else, so...

Uncle George thought

I might make a go of politics.

Did you say your uncle

was on the Defence Committee?

- Absolutely.

- Could you fix a meeting, sharpish?

Of course. He'll sort you out.

You'll be an MP in no time. Well...

Once the murder charge goes away.

Right.

Good.

Might be a good idea not to

mention this to your sister.

I'd only get another lecture

about universal suffrage.

Right.

Good.

This is all very hush-hush.

I needed to speak to someone

about national security, urgently.

How did you know

I wouldn't turn up with the police

and have you arrested

for murder, abduction

- and deception?

- I didn't, Sir.

Well, if...

Victoria brought you here,

there must be something about you.

Which leaves 2/7... tomorrow.

The words, Yearning Retainer

and Forget-me-not

and the letters NCD.

NCD?

There is a meeting of the National

Committee of Defence

- at Stirling Castle tomorrow.

- What are you discussing?

Sir George,

I've risked my life

for this country.

The unveiling...

of the new naval defence plans.

Well, that's it. That's it!

If the Germans can get copies,

they could destroy the fleet

in advance of the invasion.

- Out of the question.

- Scudder was sure he'd been betrayed!

What?

I assure you, Hannay,

tomorrow it will be impossible

either to steal or copy those plans.

The First Sea Lord, Prince Louis

of Battenberg, will present them

to the committee and then they will be

locked away under guard.

Does Victoria know

we're having this chat?

No.

If you had brought the police

I thought she might... cause a scene.

She's risked enough.

Why the hell didn't you part

from her earlier, man?

I want you to go back

to London tomorrow.

I promised my brother before he died

to take care of Harry and Victoria

as my own.

- If you care for her, at all...

- You've no idea how much...

I care for her.

The professor is still out there.

The longer you stay close to Victoria,

the more you endanger her life.

I will pass this information

on to Captain Kell.

I will also have a word with the

Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

You'll no longer be a wanted man.

No need to repay me.

It's over?

For you, yes.

May I tell Victoria I'm leaving?

And have her hate me?

Come in.

I couldn't sleep,

worrying about tomorrow.

- Why hasn't Kell contacted us?

- I'm sure he will.

Well, let's hope

the Germans don't find us first.

Isn't it strange?

We were so much easier with each other

when we faced death together.

- A prehistoric boor...

- ... and an unhinged hysteric.

Hardly a marriage made in heaven.

- Thank you.

- What for?

Your passion,

your commitment.

For helping me understand

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