The Emperor's Candlesticks Page #3

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You see, according to the story,

Marie Antoinette sent her last letter

to Vienna in this very candlestick.

Did she?

Well, I don't quite see how...

Now watch me very closely,

and observe the center bras.

When I turn it slowly in this manner

a secret container is revealed.

- Well, it's extraordinary.

- Now watch again.

I turn it back, the container

is completely hidden.

That's quite remarkable.

And that's how Marie Antoinette

sent her last letter to Vienna?

You may rest assured, sir, I shall

consider a great privilege

- to take those to Russia for you.

- Thank you so much.

Now if you'll allow me to scribble

a note to the charming princess.

You'll not necessarily feel under any

obligation to present them personally.

Well, here's the letter,

my dear Wolensky.

Now, where shall I send the

candlesticks? Your apartment?

Oh, no, sir. No, uh, I'll just

take them along with me now.

No, no. I wouldn't dream of it.

Oh, but I insist, sir.

Nonsense, my dear fellow.

I wouldn't hear of it.

- What time does your train leave?

- Oh, it's, uh, the 10 o'clock express.

Ah, then I'll send them to the station.

But I'd much prefer to

take them with me now, sir.

It may seem a trifle eccentric...

my dear fellow, you're always taking

your responsibilities too seriously.

Well, yes, I admit the habit.

Well, I much appreciate it, but

I'm not going to take advantage.

- But, sir...

- Enough.

After all, they're my

candlesticks, aren't they?

Yes, undoubtedly.

Very well, then.

Good-bye, my dear Wolensky.

And thank you once again.

Well, don't mention it, sir.

Of course, they'll be taken to the

station by a reliable individual?

My secretary himself.

Don't think, my dear fellow,

that I don't realize their value.

Oh, no, of course

you do, sir.

But you, uh...

you can't be too careful,

can one?

Uh, exactly.

No.

Good-bye, sir.

Countess Mironova.

- Johann.

- Olga.

Dear lady, this is

indeed kind of you.

Johann, my dear, you get

younger every time I see you.

And you,

more beautiful.

Thank you.

Tell me, when did you arrive?

Last night. I'm only

passing through Vienna.

- Oh, don't say that.

- Yes, I leave this evening for Petersburg.

- Petersburg? Everybody going to Petersburg?

- Why do you say that?

Let me see. It is

benedictine, if I remember.

Am I right?

Is your memory so wonderful

for everyone, Johann?

- No, dear lady, only for a very few.

- I wonder.

It's true.

Thank you.

My dear...

- if only you'd come here 5 minutes sooner.

- But why?

I should have asked you to carry

a little gift to Petersburg.

- To the same lady?

- What do you mean, Olga?

Don't you remember?

I carried a little gift

for you on my last trip.

So you did.

It is still the princess Tania?

Johann.

You're far too faithful.

You're far too young.

And she isn't...

- What is it this time?

- I'll show you.

- How beautiful.

- Yes, aren't they?

You think she'll like them?

But, my dear, who wouldn't?

They're exquisite.

Do you see anything...

Peculiar about them?

- No, except that this one is broken.

- Oh, that's nothing.

This will amuse you.

- Not a conjuring trick, Johann?

- Watch.

How interesting.

How exciting.

- Ah, Wolensky.

- Korum.

You're punctual

to the minute.

I have some interesting news for you.

The countess Mironova is in Vienna.

She leaves

for Petersburg tonight.

Tonight?

Ah, that's interesting. They

say she's very beautiful.

And very dangerous.

Yeah, the words are synonymous.

She is in the Russian

secret service.

- How do you know that?

- We don't. We surmise.

But you'd better be very careful.

She may not be traveling

through Vienna just by chance.

But still there are always people

traveling between here and Petersburg.

That might be one reason

they built the railroad.

Did you find a safe place

for the letter?

You've no idea

how safe, indeed.

They can turn me inside out.

They'll never find that letter.

Splendid.

May I take them to

your sweet princess?

Do please let me.

I'd love to show her

how the wheels go round.

- What a child you are.

- Can I, please?

I told you.

But tell the nice gentleman

you found another courier.

- Please?

- You, funny-

Besides, it's not gallant

to send them by a mere man.

The gift will lose half its charm.

Yes. My dear, there's

something in what you say.

Send him a note

and tell him.

I'm sure he will be ever

so relieved. Please do it.

- What can I say?

- I may take them?

- Of course, you may.

- Oh, darling Johann.

- My child, I wonder...

- Wonder what?

I wonder what you'll

be like when you grow up.

Oh, Anton...

I tell you it's madness.

It won't be safe.

Ah, don't be such a little coward.

I can't help it I'm frightened.

I tell you I'm scared to death.

Now, you listen to me.

Who carries this stuff

when you're traveling?

- Never mind.

- Answer me. Who carries it?

Sometimes she does.

Sometimes I do.

But it's always in the compartment

with you when you travel?

It's never registered

in the baggage car?

No, she never lets it out of her sight.

- Oh, that's too bad.

- Anton, can't we wait?

In here, please.

It's her.

A gentleman is

waiting for you, madame.

Thank you, Mitzi.

Oh, I'm terribly sorry I

kept you waiting, Pavloff.

Quite all right.

- You look so excited.

- I am.

Wolensky is leaving for Petersburg.

It's imperative that

you arrive ahead of him.

- Are these the documents?

- Yes.

"Arrest on sight."

That's why they have to be in the hands

of Radoff before Wolensky gets there.

- They shall be.

- There's danger, countess.

The poles are watching this

side of the border night and day.

You can trust me, Pavloff.

- His death warrant, huh?

- Yes.

If this evidence should be

lost or fall into Polish hands...

most of our work

will be destroyed.

- And I shall be destroyed along with it.

- Exactly.

- If there were only some secure way...

- There is a secure way, Pavloff.

- Aren't they beautiful?

- Very.

Oh, no. This is the broken one.

- This is my magic candlestick.

- I don't quite understand.

A little gift I am

carrying for prince Johann.

- Isn't it clever?

- It's providential.

And now it holds the life of a man.

10 o'clock St. Petersburg express...

- The luggage is all in the compartment, sir.

- Good.

I think it's about time you got in, sir.

If he doesn't get here soon,

I'm going to miss that train.

- Baron Wolensky?

- Yes?

His highness has sent me to tell

you, sir, that the candlesticks

which you so kindly

promised to take to Petersburg...

Yes?

His highness has made other

arrangements for their transit.

Other arrangements?

What other arrangements?

The countess Mironova was

also on her way to Petersburg.

- The countess Mironova?

- Yes, sir.

His highness thought it would

save you unnecessary trouble

if she took charge of them.

Oh?

Yes, yes, of course. That will

make things much easier.

His highness thought it would, sir.

Uh, does the countess happen

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