The Devil-Doll Page #5

of my little dolls as accuse me.

Well, I hardly think we'd go as far as that.

Well, this is a beautiful thing.

Surely you don't make them yourself?

Oh, yes, yes,

everything in the shop we make...

Oh, please, don't touch the eyes.

They're not dry.

It's something new

we've been working on.

A doll with tears in its eyes.

It's an amusing idea for

the lady's boudoir. You see what I mean?

No.

Well, the tears remind

the husband or lover

that when they're away

milady is Ionesome.

Well, that's something new.

You see, you men never know

what's going on behind your backs.

Well, you see, I...

It's cute.

I haven't seen one of these in years.

Oh, I see. The head.

Oh, careful, monsieur.

You'll get paint on your fingers.

- No, it's all right. It's dry.

- Oh, so it is.

Malita, how many times have I told you

to fill these to the brim?

We put candy in them.

What are you trying to do,

cheat the children?

- Have you any children, monsieur?

- Yes.

Well, you must let me wrap

one of these up and take it home.

It isn't necessary.

- She'll be just as pleased as it is.

- She?

A little girl?

Oh, she'll like this much better.

The clowns are for little boys.

You know, I always thought

policemen were terrible men

that went around

with pistols in their pockets,

always ready to drag a body off to prison.

When you first started questioning me,

I was frightened to death.

But you've been so kind to me,

I'm sorry I haven't been able

to help you more.

Maybe you can at that.

We may want you to come down

for the investigation.

As long as my shop is here,

you'll always know where to find me.

That's fine.

My dear Matin, you'll be going

to that hospital yourself tomorrow

if you don't go home and get some sleep.

Sleep. Do you think I can

close my eyes after seeing poor Emile?

Doctor, what could

have frightened him so?

- What could he have seen?

- He'll never be able to tell us.

He'll be hopelessly paralyzed

for the rest of his life.

A brilliant mind imprisoned

in a useless body.

- Imprisoned...

- Pardon, messieurs.

- Mistletoe fresh from the market.

- No, no, go away.

What's this?

- Where did this come from?

- I don't know, monsieur.

Don't lie.

But I assure you, monsieur,

I did not put it there.

What is it, Charles?

Operator, get me the Prefect of Police.

They've got enough of us

guarding this place.

Yes, there's three up in the room

with him now.

You may retire if you wish, monsieur.

- I assure you, you have nothing to fear.

- Retire?

- All the entrances are covered.

- Very well.

- What was that?

- See what that was.

Butler, what was that noise down there?

An ornament fell off the Christmas tree.

You wouldn't think a little thing like that...

- An ornament fell off.

- We heard him.

- Sounded just like glass breaking.

- Yes, yes.

Relieve Pierre and have him

check up on the men outside.

Very good.

Red jack on the black queen.

Do you have to whistle that way?

- No, sir.

- Then stop it.

You mustn't let your nerves

get the better of you, Monsieur Matin.

They won't,

if I can have a little cooperation

from our musically inclined friend.

Pierre.

Don't forget the reception room

at the end of the hall.

We have two men in there now.

- Well, you better check up on them.

- Okay.

I wouldn't get too upset

about that note, Monsieur Matin.

Probably not for you at all.

Just some religious fanatic.

- The city's full of them around Christmas.

- Thanks. That's very consoling.

That's why the Prefect sent

all you men to guard the house.

- There's nothing to worry about.

- Perhaps not for you.

- There's something in this house.

- Oh, nothing could get by my men.

No?

If the other men around the house

are watching as hard as these two...

You better watch your nerves, monsieur.

I don't think you realize

the importance of...

- Do you have to open that door?

- I'll be right here.

If only your men would...

Oh, what's the use?

Two minutes.

- I can't stand much more of this.

- Why don't you sit down, monsieur?

- Please, if you don't mind.

- Sorry.

What shall I do? What should I do?

There's nothing for you to do.

- In a few seconds it'll all be over.

- Yes.

A few seconds. A few seconds.

Lavond, wherever you are,

in heaven's name, listen and have mercy.

I'll confess. You're innocent.

We were the guilty ones.

I've waited a long time

to read that, Malita.

Paul Lavond is vindicated.

Think of it. After 17 years

of shadows, I'm innocent.

Thanks to you, Malita.

And thanks to you, Madame Mandilip.

This is wonderful, Lavond.

Now that you are free,

we can go on with our work

without being bothered by the police.

No, Malita, my work is over,

but I am not free.

Why, if they ever found out who I was,

the police would want

a lot of questions answered.

What happened to Radin?

Who paralyzed Coulvet?

No, Malita. When I proved my innocence,

I condemned myself forever.

We must get out of here.

But before we go, we must destroy

everything in the back room.

No, no! The ghost of Marcel

will curse you forever if you do.

We've got to go on, Lavond.

We've got to carry out his plan.

Now listen to me, Malita,

and try to understand.

I never had any plans beyond

the vindication of my name,

and I only wanted that

because of my family.

Through Marcel's wild schemes,

I was able to do it.

But we can't go on.

Why, our work is hideous.

We're cruel and it's got to come

to an end tonight.

No, Lavond. You can't do this.

I won't let you betray Marcel.

If you go away,

I will carry out his work alone.

Do you understand that? Alone.

You fool. Do you want to go to prison?

As Madame Mandilip,

I mailed a full confession to the police.

But we can't stop now!

There is so much left for us to do.

There's nothing left for me to do, Malita.

The name of Lavond is cleared.

My mother and daughter

will find nothing to be ashamed of.

I'm sorry, Malita,

I didn't mean to speak harshly to you.

I've plans for you.

You'll be well taken care of.

But, please, do hurry.

Every minute counts.

Put Lachna in the basket there with Radin.

Their lives are ruined,

but we can't destroy them.

We'll send them to the Prefect of Police.

We've served his purpose, Radin.

Now he'll serve ours.

Reduced to your size,

I'll control him as easily as I control you.

Now, Radin, you are going to help me.

Why, you poor insane wretch!

I shall destroy you

with all the rest of this horror!

Get out of here!

Malita, put that down!

You'll blow yourself to atoms!

And you, too, Lavond.

You've had your vengeance.

- Now Marcel will have his.

- Malita!

Death doesn't frighten me.

Why, it's been part of my plan.

But not yet, Malita.

I still have something to do for my child.

When that's done, I'll die gladly.

Now, Malita, you don't want to do that.

You don't want to die, Malita.

Think of your work, think of Marcel.

Give it to me!

Malita!

Malita!

- Where's Frank?

- Downstairs.

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