The Devil-Doll Page #2

"He had served 17 years of a life sentence.

"Police censorship had

withheld the news until..."

Well, what about it?

It was a pretty plot, Charles,

but I knew we'd never get away with it.

Victor, not so loud.

- Don't shout it all over the bank.

- No, please.

After all, embezzlement and murder

are things we should keep to ourselves.

But you didn't have to kill that man, Emile.

Stop it!

- Keep your mouth closed.

- He'll come back to Paris, he'll talk.

You cringe and scream

like a woman, Victor.

No, my friends,

our former president may be honest,

but he'll never be so stupid

as to set foot again in France.

I'd sleep better

if I knew Lavond was back in prison.

A 50,000 franc reward would ensure that.

There's a certain amusing irony in offering

a man's own money for his capture.

50,000 francs? Why not?

Give me the Prefect of Police.

Instruct all divisions to restudy

the features of Paul Lavond

from the photograph issued,

and impress upon them

it was taken 17 years ago.

My partners and I will increase

the reward to 100,000 francs.

- Malita.

- Yes, I'm coming, madam.

- Bring the... Oh, I see you have it.

- Yes, I have the bundle.

Come into the back room with me.

Look in the basket, Malita.

100,000 francs reward for my capture.

Who do you think

is offering all this money for me?

The same three swine

that sent me to prison before.

They're frightened to death, Malita.

They know that my freedom

means they're finished.

But what they don't know is

the Paul Lavond they're looking for

is Madame Mandilip,

a poor, tottering old woman.

Yes. Very nice.

Beautifully constructed.

But, madame, the bank

would not be interested

in financing the manufacture of toys.

But, monsieur, I thought

that possibly if not the bank,

that you personally might do it.

No, there are so many novelties

like this on the market now.

But a toy like this

has never been made before.

It's not mechanical and yet,

if you speak to it, it will obey you.

- Obey?

- Yes.

Ask it to do something.

- Do something?

- Yes. Give it an order.

Get up on your feet.

Walk around.

Faster. Faster!

That's amazing!

It didn't move like a mechanical toy.

How do you do that, madame?

That's my little secret, monsieur.

What capital would you require?

To start with, just a few thousand francs.

Well, I'll think it over.

Get in touch with me later.

But, monsieur, I want

to start manufacturing at once.

The Christmas holidays are so close.

Naturally, madame,

I shall have to investigate further

before I advance any money.

Of course. Of course.

I'd expect you to come to my shop

and go into every detail.

- When could you come?

- How about tonight?

- Say, 8:
00?

- Splendid.

My little shop is in Montmartre.

It's rather difficult to find.

I'll meet you by the Moulin Rouge at 8:00.

Good day, monsieur.

But remember, I'm making no promises.

You don't have to.

Once you're in my shop,

I'll wager you'll do anything I ask.

Well, I can hardly believe it.

I feel like pinching myself to see

if I'm awake or dreaming.

To think that I really have you here.

I mean, that you're going

to be my partner and help me.

Yes, but remember if I do,

it'll only be financially.

- My name must not appear.

- I wouldn't dream of using your name.

You'll just be my silent partner.

My workshop is downstairs. Follow me.

Be careful. It's very steep.

Now, this is the room

where we keep all our little secrets.

Make yourself comfortable, monsieur.

May I take your coat?

No, no, no, it isn't necessary.

I'll just keep it on.

Please be seated.

- Malita.

- Yes, madame.

Come here, please.

This is Monsieur Radin,

the banker I spoke to you about.

- This is Madame Malita, my assistant.

- Monsieur.

Is everything ready for Monsieur Radin?

- Yes, madame.

- Splendid. Splendid.

Some cognac.

Sit down. Sit down, monsieur. Excuse me.

- No cognac, please.

- No cognac?

No, thank you.

- Won't you have some cognac, monsieur?

- No, no, thank you.

Here's another of our little pets.

Most ingenious.

- It is lifelike, isn't it?

- Isn't it though?

But, monsieur,

you see that little doll sitting over there

on the block?

That's Lachna, our apache doll.

Malita, will you please

bring me the little stiletto?

All our accessories are carried out

down to the most minute detail.

For example, on our ponies,

the harness is exact.

And on our little dogs,

the collars are all different,

but mind you, suitable to the breed.

Thank you, Malita.

And our apache dolls

we supply with a dinky little stiletto.

Why, this is

an authentic little replica itself.

Isn't it?

Isn't it?

Don't be too alarmed, Radin.

You're not dying.

Oh, I see you recognize my voice.

That's one of the few things that you

and Coulvet and Matin

didn't steal from me.

Another is my hatred.

Look at me and see what 17 years

in the grave has done to me.

No, Radin, without my hatred,

I never could have lived to exhume myself.

What swine you three are.

You're going to help me

to recover what I can from life.

That's why you're not going to die.

No, I wouldn't let you die

for the world, Radin.

The police.

One moment, monsieur.

Madame will be with you.

We must finish painting

those soldiers of the legion, Malita.

And we have 10 dolls to dress.

- Good evening, monsieur.

- Good evening, madame.

- Can I show you something special?

- No, thank you.

But your glue pots in the alley,

the neighbors are complaining again.

I'm so sorry, of course. How stupid of me.

But the holiday rush, monsieur,

I quite forgot.

I assure you I shall hang them inside.

- Fine. Do so.

- I will, monsieur.

Well, good day and good luck, madame.

I'm amazed at my good luck, monsieur.

Amazed is the word, eh, Malita?

Stupid policeman, to let an old white wig

cost him 100,000 francs.

It might have been safer to

take him downstairs and make him small.

He's small already in mind.

In fact, Malita, if most men were reduced

to the dimensions of their mentality,

Marcel's plan wouldn't be necessary.

But we're pledged to it, aren't we?

We have sworn.

Calm yourself, Malita.

Let me make the plans.

Where are you going?

To your mother's again

where the police are always watching?

No. I'm going to see my daughter.

It's the one thrill life has left me.

I love to look at her, to listen to her talk.

It drives me almost crazy though, Malita,

not to be able to take her

in my arms and tell her who I am.

Why don't you bring the little girl here?

Why, I couldn't tell her who I am.

Why, she's grown

to hate her father's memory.

I...

I'll not be long, Malita.

It's 5:
00.

How many more pieces have you got?

- Three or four.

- Well, hurry up.

It's amazing the way

you washed-out Cinderellas

can speed up work

when 5:
00 comes around.

Are we whacking shirts

on the shore of a stream?

Look at this water, too much soap.

All my profits.

Maizie, come here.

What's that dream on your face?

A rendezvous with

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