The Beast with Five Fingers Page #3

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Eating his food,

drinking his wine...

Now that he's gone...

I'm without doubt the chief mourner.

He had no family?

He left to no one?

Yes, there's a brother-in-law

and a nephew just arrived from England.

You'll find them in the library.

Better you present me if you please,

that I may offer proper consolation.

Of course... This way

to the grief-stricken relatives.

Sorry to interrupt gentlemen...

this is Signor Ovidio Castanio

...Commissario of police.

Mr Raymond Arlington

and his son Donald.

Police?

Please Signor Conrad, explain...

I'm here merely to express

my heartfelt sympathy...

my profound regret,

my deepest condolences

on this unhappy occasion.

I think you've expressed it

very well yourself.

Thank you very much.

Do you expect other members

of the family to arrive?

We are his only relatives.

Francis was married to my sister.

Ah... you are American?

Yes... living in England.

What unearthly noise is that?

They're professional mourners.

They've been hired to chant

until sunrise.

Unless you'd care

to extend the time.

You mean they'll keep that up

all night?!

It is an ancient custom Mr Arlington.

Your brother-in-law was a man

of great eminence in this community

It is only natural his passing should be

attended by a certain amount of lamentation.

Our grief as you see,

is very great.

But having known Francis well,

I'm sure he would have preferred

that the lamentation

be somewhat less vocal.

In a word, Commissario, ask those witches

to stop howling.

As you say, signor...

I shall merely explain your desolation

as very great...

and under the circumstances

you would prefer quiet and solitude.

The Commissario does have a way

of putting things, doesn't he?

Dad, this has a crest with a bull

and three swords

Yes, it once belonged

to one of the Borgias.

The Borgias, eh?

Why that chest will bring

at least 300 at Christies.

There's a small fortune

in these books and antiques.

If you gentlemen are really interested

in authentic antiques...

Look!... Roma, 1743.

La Vita de Lorenzo Borghese.

This is worth 100

at the British Museum.

History of the Constellation

Florence, 1603.

I wish you'd keep your hands

off my books.

YOUR books?

Yes, they are mine!

They're part of the estate,

and until the will is read...

No... they belong to ME!...

All of them... and I want you

to keep away from them.

How did you get them?

On your salary?

Bought them... for me...

They are mine.

You leech!

You've lived on Francis' charity for years.

Now you'll have to get out...

you and your theories...

You won't live

on MY charity.

The stars should have

told you that!

Perhaps they told me

more than you know.

Gentlemen... don't you think this discussion

is somewhat premature?

I don't want him

to touch my books.

For your information, Hilary...

I'm going to close this place

as soon as Francis' will has been read.

All this stuff will be shipped to England,

including of course, "your" books.

Julie...

The gentlemen downstairs

are waiting for us.

But I have nothing to do with it.

I don't belong to the family.

Please tell them to go ahead

without me.

What's wrong, Julie?

It's only reading of the will.

For some reason Mr Duprex

wants you to be present.

I can't face Mr Arlington again.

It wouldn't have happened

if I'd only stayed with Mr Ingram.

Why do you blame yourself?

Nobody expected him to crawl out of bed.

In a way I'm glad it happened

while you were here.

Supposing he'd died after you left...

You'd never have forgiven yourself.

It's all in the way

you look at things, isn't it?

I suppose so.

I'm going to San Stefano tomorrow

to get my exit visa.

Have you decided

to leave with me?

Yes.

I wish we could get away

from here right now.

It won't be long...

Only a few days.

In the meantime,

keep your chin up.

Why?

So that I can kiss you.

Well, it's about time.

I beg your pardon.

Please... please be seated.

I've called you together for the

reading of the will and testament

of Francis Warren Ingram.

As witnessed by Hilary Cummins, Bruce Conrad,

in the presence of Francis Ingram and myself.

I, Francis Warren Ingram being of sane mind

and in full possession of my mental powers...

herewith declare my last will.

I leave all my worldly goods, cash,

property and valuables of whatever nature

to Miss Julia Cecilia Holden,

my companion and friend,

as inadequate compensation

for her kindness and devotion to me.

I wish my body to be interred in the ancient

chapel adjoining the Villa Francesca,

so I can be near to her

and therefore rest in peace.

That is all.

- No word about me?

- None.

We shall contest that will.

On what grounds may I ask?

This will was made in consideration

of her kindness and devotion.

His very words.

But it was her duty to stay with him

and take care of him.

And if she had done so, Francis Ingram

would be alive at this moment.

That's an insult to Miss Holden.

These are not insults,

they're facts.

This woman is responsible

for Francis' death.

You'll have a hard time proving that

in a court of law.

That's a criminal charge.

I have no desire to place Miss Holden

in a position of jeopardy.

But I shall do all in my power to have

this so-called will thrown out of court.

I think you're needlessly alarmed,

Mr Arlington.

You haven't asked Miss Holden

of her own desires in the matter.

As far as I know,

she hasn't the slightest

intention of accepting

any part of this magnificent bequest.

Is that true, Miss Holden?

Are you willing to resign your rights to the

entire estate without further litigation?

In view of the circumstances

of my uncle's death...

That might be a very wise procedure.

I'm afraid Mr Conrad

has mislead you.

I accept the legacy.

And furthermore I intend

to remain here in this house.

Yes... and my books

remain here too.

This thing isn't over yet.

Let me go!

What's the matter with him?

What's happened to his throat?

I believe that Francis Ingram

tried to choke him.

That's interesting... why?

It seemed Mr Ingram resented...

Go on.

Oh, it's almost as if he suspected

some kind of conspiracy

between Hilary Cummins,

Miss Holden and Mr Conrad.

What kind of a conspiracy?

Do you think he felt

himself threatened?

It's hard to say.

Conspiracy...

That would explain

who pushed Francis down the stairs.

Now look, Arlington, there's no evidence

it was not an accident.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Mr Conrad's quite right.

The idea's absurd.

But even Mr Conrad has stated that

Francis Ingram's behaviour was eccentric.

Did I? When?

At the dinner table.

- I don't remember.

- But I do.

Excellent!

If my brother-in-law was not

in full possession of his mental powers...

Don't count on me as a witness.

We won't have to...

luckily there were others present.

I'm sure you "gentlemen"

will excuse me.

You're quite right, they don't

need Mr Conrad's testimony.

The things I saw during my short stay

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