The Black Castle Page #3

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a kind, sensitive man.

This sort of thing would have horrified him.

I see.

You're wondering

why I married him.

I was forced to

by marriage contract

six months ago.

No one here can defy the count.

We go this way.

Tell me.

Where does that lead to?

Why, I don't know.

But we'd better not take it.

The count doesn't like

snooping down here.

Oh, he doesn't?

Well, let's defy him

just this once.

[Floorboards Creaking]

I really think

we should go the other way.

So do I, but mysterious passages

affect me just like cupboards.

I can't resist them.

Were you going anyplace in particular?

What the devil's the idea?

That might have killed us!

It might have.

l I lost my way, Karl.

Well, of course,

my dear, of course.

Raise it.

Now that you've gotten this far,

you might as well satisfy your curiosity

completely. Go in. It's open.

I assure you, I'm not

in the least interested.

But I insist.

No, don't.

Your concern

is very touching, Elga.

You have no qualms,

have you?

[Growling]

You see how dangerous

curiosity can be, Beckett?

Dangerous? I call it most intriguing.

Tell me. What's beyond the room

a cauldron of melted lead?

[Chuckles]

I'm sorry to disappoint you.

Beyond that charming room

is only a passage out of the castle.

I might add it's the only way out.

Your ancestors had some quaint ideas

of architecture, Count von Bruno.

Well, they did have imagination.

[Chuckles]

What tales these walls could tell,

eh, Gargon?

Now perhaps

you'd better follow me.

I could use a good night's sleep.

[Door Closes]

[Tapping On Metal Pitcher]

[Guests Chattering, Stop]

You know how we are to proceed.

The trails leading to the castle

are clearly marked by number.

We travel in pairs.

The, uh, numbers on your slips

indicate the partners and the trail.

That will keep us all nicely separated.

We... wouldn't want an unfortunate

accident to mar our pleasure.

Have you any idea where

the leopard might be, Karl?

Oh, absolutely, Reiner.

He will be hunting also... for the juiciest,

most filling meal he can find.

[Guests Laugh]

The servants will all remain behind.

There will be no gun carriers,

or "gillies" as you call them,

Mr. Beckett.

Aren't you joining us, Countess?

I'm sorry.

I know nothing about weapons.

The countess is more at home

with an embroidery needle.

##[Horn Fanfare]

Well, that's our signal.

Good luck.

[Guests Chattering]

[Chattering Fades]

Don't worry about me, my dear.

I promise I'll return safely.

[Gunshot In Distance]

That was a fine shot.

A lucky one.

It takes more than luck

to hit a running stag

at 75 yards in dense forest.

I don't believe in luck.

We create our own destinies.

You're not superstitious then.

I know you're not,

or you wouldn't be hunting with me.

You drew number 13.

I drew this.

It's blank.

Exactly.

I wanted to hunt with you.

[Gunshots In Distance]

Do you hear them?

They kill without emotion.

I kill with my heart.

That's why I never miss my aim.

Could you hate

a poor animal like this?

It isn't hard to see a man's face

before your gun-sights

when aiming at an animal...

if you hate strongly enough.

- Whose face?

- His features

[Chuckles]

But time will supply the details.

Well, I'm ready.

So am I.

[Horse Whinnies]

[Whinnies]

The leopard.

He must be nearby.

There's a trail of blood.

Let's follow it.

Come on. That way.

Wait a moment.

We'd better dismount.

There are two trails leading from here.

You take that one. I'll go this way.

One of us should get him.

[Bushes Rustling]

[Leopard Roars]

[Leopard Growling]

[Continues Growling]

[Gunshot]

- Bravo. Well done.

- [Men Laughing, Applauding]

Stay there.

We'll throw a rope.

[Chuckles]

Who fired that shot?

Why, I did of course.

And you call yourself a sportsman?

Come now, Beckett. It was all in fun.

You were never in any real danger.

I was prepared to kill him

at any moment.

To kill my game?

That was my leopard.

I had him under perfect control.

Look, my dear Beckett

And you had the gall to fire.

[Laughing]

So that's it.

I thought for a minute you were angry

because I led you into a trap.

[Men Laugh]

I'm sorry I lost my temper, sir. I

I had hoped to finish him off myself.

The leopard is yours.

Oh, no. I wouldn't hear of it.

You were magnificent.

It was even your rifle that killed him.

A fine weapon.

No, Beckett.

The leopard and the prize are yours.

These are beautiful, von Bruno.

I'll always treasure them.

Well, let's drink a toast.

May these weapons never fail you.

In a just cause, hmm?

##[String Quartet: Minuet]

Oh, excuse me, Beckett. I

Oh, and, uh, enjoy yourself.

Make the most

of your time here.

## [Minuet Continues]

I'm sorry you're not dancing,

my child.

##[Continues]

Oh, take these up to my room,

will you, Romley.

The entire staff is agog with the story

of your exploit, sir. You should have

seen Fender's face when he heard.

Oh, I'm quite a fellow,

didn't you know?

I heard you were furious when the count fired.

Furious? If he hadn't,

you'd have been

minus a master.

The countess is very beautiful,

don't you agree, Dr. Meissen?

May I have the honor

of this dance?

How could any woman resist

such flattery?

[Guests Laugh]

## [Continues]

##[Ends]

[Applauding]

Where are we going?

To see if the moon shines

in this part of the world.

##[Quartet Begins]

You've been acting very strangely,

Mr. Beckett. Is anything wrong?

Wrong?

Yes, I'm afraid there is.

But looking at you, with the moonlight

painting your hair with silver

and your eyes sparkling

Please, Mr. Beckett. You mustn't.

Perhaps we'd better go back in.

Oh, wait. I'm sorry.

Let's talk of other things.

An odd ornament

to grace so lovely a throat.

Where did you get it?

I don't know.

My husband gave it to me a few months ago.

Did he tell you

anything about it?

Only that it's some sort of charm

supposed to keep the wearer safe.

Hmm.

Well, what's that for?

Nothing. Nothing, really.

Did he tell you

anything else about it?

Why are you so interested in this?

Do you really want to know?

Yes.

Because

Because you're wearing it.

##[Ends]

[Guests Applauding]

I think we'd better go in now.

[Woman Laughing]

Elga seems to have found

diversion also.

Elga? Where?

You've been neglecting

our other guests, Elga.

I see you haven't.

Here's a woman

you should know, Beckett.

Therese can outride,

outshoot, yes, and outdrink

most of the men in this room.

She sounds like

one of our grenadiers.

My peasant wife

can do nothing.

If you'll excuse me,

I'd like to go to my room.

Uh, Therese won third prize today

for shooting the biggest boar.

Quite a feat for a woman,

don't you think?

I don't know.

I seem to have got one

without even firing a shot.

Mr. Beckett, will you please

see me to my room?

Good night, and thank you.

Don't go yet.

I want to tell you

how sorry I am for

for what happened tonight.

It wasn't your fault.

You've been very kind.

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