The Black Castle

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[Thunderclaps]

[Thunderclaps Continue]

[Wind Howling]

[Thunderclaps In Distance]

[Wolf Howls]

[Wolf Howls]

[Howling Continues]

[Rock Hits Gate]

[Howls, Stops]

[Exhales]

That's better.

We need no wolf to remind us

that death is near, eh, Koppich?

Well, let's get on with our work.

Meself, I could do with a beer

a big one.

Come on!

Give a hand here.

[Lid Sliding Against Wood]

Don't like his eyes

staring up at me like that.

Why didn't they close them?

It's customary.

It's almost as if he were alive.

[Thinking]

Alive? Of course I'm alive!

Fender Fender, help me!

You've got to help me!

I'm not dead!

The woman looks dead enough.

Eh. Even with her eyes closed,

she's a pretty thing.

She was always nice to me

not like the count.

[Thinking Continues]

Fender. Fender.!

Can't you see what he's doing to us?

He's burying us alive!

Please, Fender.

You're the only one who can save us.

You're our only hope now.

I warned him

even before we got here.

He wouldn't listen to me.

Who listens to servants?

Fender. Fender!

You've got to help me

before it's too late.

It began only a few weeks ago

[Narrating]

yet now it seems like years.

I came to Vienna to see Sir David Latham

the English minister at the court

of Emperor Charles VI.

Sir Ronald Burton.

Well, what news, Sir David?

Well, our request was granted.

I have the invitation

that you wanted.

Good.

From now on, you'll be known

as Richard Beckett.

However I must warn you that

Oh, Shroeder, Trenck,

you will wait outside.

So, I'm going to hunt on the estate

of the famous Count von Bruno, eh?

Oh, I must say that you're treating this

as somewhat of a lark.

[Door Closes]

You don't seem to realize the danger

you're letting yourself in for

if he discovered your true identity.

I'm quite aware of the danger, sir.

Then why don't you give up

this mad adventure?

Give it up? You call it a "mad adventure"

to try to find out what happened

to my two closest friends

men who would both gladly

have risked their necks for me

if I were in danger?

No, Sir David.

I believe that von Bruno killed them

out of revenge for what happened in Africa.

I'm going to try and learn the truth or

Die in the attempt, eh?

Look here, my boy.

You helped England establish

a rich ivory empire in West Africa.

England's very grateful.

We'd hate to lose you.

I'm sorry, Sir David,

but I must go through with it.

But you haven't an ounce of proof

that von Bruno had anything to do with it.

No?

Then let me remind you that the last letter

I had from Sterling and Brown was sent

from an inn called The Green Man. Now

Now that's in a town right here

in the middle of von Bruno's

province in the Black Forest.

And I never heard

from either of them after that.

You understand in this country

that the Crown has no jurisdiction

to give you any help?

You'll be entirely

on your own.

I understand that.

Von Bruno is his own law.

I can assure you there'll be

no justice done, unless you can present

some proof of his guilt to the emperor.

I'll give him that proof.

[Wheels Bump, Carriage Clatters]

Oh, so s-sorry, sir. I

I must have dozed off.

That's all right, Romley.

You might as well get some rest.

It's a beastly night.

It's quite a change

after Africa, sir.

Yes.

But make sure you forget you've ever even

heard of Africa once we get to the castle.

Oh, of course, Sir Ronald.

What?

I mean, Mr. Beckett.

See that that

doesn't happen again.

Frankly, I'm worried, sir.

If the count did

[Bumps, Clatters]

If the count did do away with your friends,

wouldn't you be the next on his list?

I daresay I would.

That's why I've chosen

to strike first.

He doesn't even know that Ronald Burton

has returned from Africa.

I have that advantage.

If you'll pardon my saying so, sir,

that isn't very much.

We ought to be getting close

to the border by now.

[Driver Shouting

Commands To Horses]

Whoa.

Giddap.

Hyah. Giddap.

I'm courier for

the Count von Bruno, sir.

[Driver] Whoa.

Good. I'm Richard Beckett.

This is my man, Romley.

Hey, you.

Give a hand with the baggage!

You are to transfer

to the count's coach

for the rest of the journey.

Are we far from the castle?

Another day's trip.

We stop overnight

at the halfway point.

The count has already

made arrangements for you.

We're ready, Mr. Beckett.

You, up here with me.

My man rides with me.

But sir, he's a servant.

Nevertheless, he's still a man,

and it's bitter cold out.

I'd extend a like invitation to you,

but unfortunately someone has to drive.

- Where did you say

we're spending the night?

- I didn't say.

It's an inn called The Green Man.

[Hinges Creaking]

[Men Chattering]

[Men Laugh]

Ah. Your wine is excellent,

Herr Krantz.

Thank you, thank you.

It is from the vineyards

of the Rhine valley

the best in the world.

[Chuckles]

But, uh, Mein Herr, everything

was taken care of by the count.

Forget it, man.

[Men Laugh, Chattering]

Local crowd?

All tenants of the Count von Bruno.

They come here for relaxation.

We try to please

our guests.

I'd already heard of your excellent hospitality...

from two friends of mine

who stopped here some time ago:

Sterling and Brown.

You remember them of course.

No. I never heard of them.

And now, if you will excuse me,

I will see about your rooms.

He's lying.

Obviously.

[Burton]

Isn't that our driver over there?

Yes.

Ask him to join us.

Certainly, sir.

My master's compliments.

He requests that you join us

for dinner.

[Mouthing Words]

Well? Come along.

[Hooves Clopping]

[Bell Jangles]

[Bell Jangles]

[Door Closes]

Will this be enough for you, Fender?

Enough?

If I eat all this,

I'll be as stuffed as a Christmas goose.

Every table taken.

I'll have Krantz show

some of these scum the door.

Wait.

Isn't that one of Karl's lackeys?

Yes, it's Fender all right.

Come. We've got our table.

I always knew food like this existed,

but I never dreamed I'd ever mouth it.

On your feet, all of you!

Do you hear?

We demand this table!

Sit down, Fender.

We haven't quite finished.

I'll finish for you.

[Men Chattering, Cheering]

[Men Cheer]

[Grunting]

[Men Laughing]

[Laughing Continues, Stops]

Fender, come here.

And you, sir.

I can condone

poor swordsmanship,

but not bad manners.

Gentlemen, Mr. Fender

will accept your apologies.

But sir, that really isn't necessary.

As you wish.

In that case, gentlemen,

we have no further business.

I bid you

a very pleasant journey.

[Men Murmuring]

You're hurt, sir. Let me wrap it for you.

Oh, don't bother.

It's only a scratch.

I insist.

Look, sir. Your ring.

Was very foolish of you.

"Stupid" would be more accurate.

Thank you, Romley.

Ah.

Accidents can happen, sir,

and even a scratch

can be dangerous.

Did they scotch you, sir?

Now don't you start

criticizing my dueling.

Oh, no, sir. I just wanted to tell you that

Well, speak up, man.

Those two gentlemen are close friends

of the Count von Bruno.

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