The Devil-Doll Page #4

Yes, that's what I've heard all my life.

That's why they sent him to prison.

That's why my mother killed herself!

And that's why his mother

spends her old age this way,

with barely enough food,

and firewood once a week a luxury!

Please, please.

And do you know

how we get these great comforts?

Not from my work in the laundry.

That wouldn't keep us alive.

No. All our great wealth comes

from the Caf Poule down the street

where I've the honor to work at night.

Where I have the joy of letting a crowd

of sewer workers smirk at me

so they can buy more wine!

A centime a drink I get!

Lorraine.

It doesn't sound pretty, does it?

Well, it isn't!

And Toto's eyes weren't nice to look at

when he held out his heart to me

and I had to throw it back in his face!

That's what my father's done

and I loathe him for it!

See who that is, please.

- I wish to speak to Madame Lavond.

- Monsieur.

I'm from the Prefect of Police, madame.

We are still looking for your son.

Have you heard from him?

Madame Lavond was just speaking

of her boy.

His escape has naturally

quite unnerved her.

- Naturally.

- But I've not heard from him.

- Not even by letter, monsieur.

- Lf you do, madame,

the Prefect will expect you

to notify him at once.

In the meantime,

I'll check with you each day.

You understand, of course,

harboring a criminal,

even though it be your son,

is a most serious offense.

You don't need to remind us of our duty

or of the law. Good day, monsieur.

Good day, mademoiselle. Madame.

I know how you feel, my dear.

But don't blame them.

It's only natural for them

to expect him to come here.

He hasn't seen you for so long.

You must be prepared though.

He may come.

I hope he doesn't.

Because if he does,

I'm going to turn him over to the police.

Yes. Well, goodbye, my dear.

Yes. Yes. I know, Inspector.

But it's been two days

since Radin disappeared.

Yes. Yes, we'd appreciate it.

Matin? I know it's Lavond.

I'm going to ask for police protection.

The less you have to do with police,

the better off we'll be.

Get hold of your nerves before you

say something you'll be sorry for.

- Oh, you needn't worry about me.

- I am.

You've got to get out of town.

Take a trip somewhere.

- But you know I can't with the holidays.

- Then keep your head.

Or we'll both be taking a trip

at the expense of the government.

I'll admit. I can't sleep.

I keep wondering

which one of us he's going to look up next.

- Goodbye, Emile.

- Thanks for coming over.

Well, what do you want?

Your butler is showing Madame

one of my dolls, monsieur.

- Madame will see you.

- Thank you.

Look at this doll, Emile. Isn't it clever?

Oh, my dear Mathilde,

I've other things on my mind besides...

And I do wish you wouldn't ask

every street peddler to...

Madame.

This is a most unusual doll, madame.

Have you any more like it?

Only one, madame.

And unfortunately,

I've made it for another customer.

They look so lifelike.

And it feels almost human.

- What's it made of?

- It's a secret process of my own, madame.

Observe the detail of the features.

See how the eyes sparkle.

The little lips look as if

they were going to speak to Madame.

- How much is it?

- 250 francs.

250 francs! Ridiculous!

Surely not to a gentleman

of Monsieur's exalted station.

Or Madame with her exquisite jewels.

Would it be presumptuous if I asked

to look at that necklace a little closer?

- Of course not.

- Thank you.

Lovely. Very lovely.

Oh, forgive me, madame,

but I do love the beautiful.

You can tell that from my workmanship.

Monsieur, allow me to explain

to you about my little doll.

If you'll examine it,

you'll see how lifelike it is.

- The hair is as natural as your own.

- All right, all right. I'll buy it.

And now, my dear, let the woman go.

What are the squirrels going to do

with all the popcorn I gave them?

Why, they're going

to keep it for the winter.

Aren't they going to give the birdies any?

No, they're going

to keep it all for themselves.

Thank you a thousand times, monsieur.

You'll never know how happy it makes me

to leave one of my dolls

in your beautiful home.

Oh, Marguerite,

you would have to come in now.

It was going to be a surprise.

Good day, madame. Good day, petite.

- Good day.

- Monsieur.

- Emile? Emile, what's the matter?

- Matter?

Why, what do you mean?

Why, nothing's the matter.

Emile.

Emile, what's the matter? Emile! Emile!

Gentlemen, I'm ashamed of you.

Two crimes have been committed

right under your very noses.

Radin has disappeared,

Coulvet has been paralyzed.

Both these crimes point to the vengeance

of this escaped convict, Lavond.

And you, my best men, can't offer me

a single clue as to his whereabouts.

Have you lost your wits?

And you, Maurice,

what's happened to you in this case?

If you don't want

the reward offered for this criminal,

at least spare me this humiliation.

Gentlemen, I want Paul Lavond

under arrest within 24 hours.

Find him!

"Police are baffled by what they consider

"a look of constant terror

in Monsieur Coulvet's expression."

There, Malita, is my proud friend, Coulvet.

Taking up my sentence where I left off.

Congratulations, Lachna.

Splendid work.

I couldn't have done better myself.

Beautiful Green Sea Emerald.

Well, little by little, I'll get you all back.

Leave her alone!

You fool!

Why, you could have killed her.

You might have broken her neck.

Poor little thing.

I'm coming. I'll be right there.

Shut off the music box. Clear off the table.

I'm sorry, monsieur.

I was in the rear of my shop.

- Shall we go upstairs?

- This'll do.

- Are you Madame Mandilip?

- Yes.

- I'm from the police.

- Police?

Oh, come in, monsieur.

- Won't you be seated, monsieur?

- No, thanks.

We understand that you sold a doll

to Monsieur Coulvet yesterday.

Coulvet? Oh, yes, the gentleman

whose picture's here in the paper.

Such a shocking affair.

We've just been reading about it.

Such a charming gentleman, so courteous.

Madame Coulvet was wearing a necklace

that you admired.

Yes. I did.

It was so beautiful,

no one could help looking at it.

It contained the Green Sea Emerald,

one of the most famous stones in France.

You undoubtedly noticed it.

Oh, now I see. I see what you mean.

You think I had something

to do with the robbery.

- Now, madame...

- You suspect me!

Madame, don't excite yourself.

In a case like this,

we have to suspect everybody.

That is until

they can prove their innocence.

All right. I'll go along with you.

I'll answer any questions you want me to.

I'll get my coat.

- You'll have no trouble with me.

- Madame, compose yourself.

You're taking too much for granted.

I'm not going to arrest you.

I haven't anything to arrest you for yet.

All I want is to ask you a few questions.

Oh, dear, an old woman like me

mixed up in such a thing.

What will the neighbors say? The gossip.

I'll lose all my customers.

Why, you might as well accuse one

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