The Emperor's Candlesticks Page #5

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I couldn't dream of that.

Well, then at least

allow me to escort you.

I really can't permit you to go

to a police station by yourself.

- But really...

- After all, you forget that we are neighbors.

Of course, I'd nearly forgotten.

Now countess...

will you be good enough to see

if anything else is missing?

Has anything else

been recovered?

What more do you want?

Everything is there but

your old candlesticks.

You're not going to

cry about them, are you?

But I thought you said that...

I realize now he must

have taken them as well.

Where are they,

whatever they're worth?

- I gave them to a lady.

- You did what?

Well, I couldn't go carting

them all over the place.

What lady? Out with it.

You got to tell me

whom you gave them to.

That's the one thing I cannot do.

You see, I'm a gentleman, and

gentlemen never tell on ladies.

At least not the sort

of gentleman I am.

I think a night in jail would make

this gentleman a little more talkative.

I'm afraid we'll have to be patient.

There must be some way...

To find the candlesticks?

I'm sure there is.

You, uh...

You know the name of the girl

who left here this afternoon?

So many come, so many

go, sir. It's hard to say.

I mean the little blonde girl

who nearly fainted at the door.

- I think I know the little girl you mean.

- You do?

I don't know her name, but

I think I could find out.

- You know where she is going?

- Budapest.

- I aid her up the train.

- What time is the next train to Budapest?

10:
29, sir. It's an express.

Get me the name and

address of the girl.

Keep it to yourself, will you?

It's important.

Yes, sir.

- Good evening, baron.

- Good evening, countess.

I just thought we might

have dinner together.

Oh, splendid, I scarcely

dared make the suggestion.

You'll forgive me if I am done.

Yes, indeed. You've

had a very anxious day.

I say, where's the best

restaurant in this town?

This is, sir.

- Are you sure?

- Absolutely, sir, it's the only one.

- I'm afraid our choice is rather limited.

- What does it matter?

If the gentleman wish not to be

disturbed, I could close the curtain.

No, no, thank you, you just leave

us alone we'll help ourselves.

- Oh, I see, sir.

- I mean to the liqueurs.

Yes, very well, sir.

What it is to be a beautiful woman.

You forget, waiters form their

judgment exclusively from the male.

- Flatter me.

- Scarcely.

Philandering is a fine art.

Does not necessarily improve

the personal appearance.

As to philandering,

I plead not guilty.

- I read my newspaper.

- I never do.

- Perhaps you are wise.

- Now I wish I were.

- The wise are never lonely.

- Are you lonely?

Yes.

- And so are you.

- Why do you say that?

You are, aren't you?

I've never thought of it.

Perhaps I'm wrong.

It was a stupid thing to say.

- No, it wasn't.

- Ah, but surely...

The matchless Mironova,

why should she be lonely?

- I thought you never read newspapers.

- I don't.

I listen what other people read.

I am lonely.

I'm glad.

Why?

It's nice to have

something in common.

I wish we had met before.

Were you nice-looking?

- When?

- When you were young.

According to historians, I was

not without a certain charm.

- Did I make you wild?

- My dear lady why should you?

Speaking of your age, you mustn't mind.

You see, I do not like young men.

- Might I ask what you think I am?

- You?

Oh, you, you are at least...

32?

- You're forgiven.

- Thank you.

- Baron Wolensky.

- My friends call me Stephan.

- I am not your friend.

- I'm sorry.

What is the time?

- Well 10 o'clock.

- Oh, I have to go to bed.

Yes, of course.

Well, life is full of surprises.

I never hoped to dine with the countess

Mironova at a little wayside hostelry.

Nor I with such a famous

person as Stephan...

Stop, we'll leave it there.

It was very clever of you.

Thank you for a delightful evening.

Or rather, thank you.

I do hope you recover

those wretched candlesticks.

I've got to.

If I can help you to do

so, be sure that I will.

- Why do you smile?

- Do I?

Has anyone ever told you you

have a rather relentless smile?

No.

- But I suspect I have.

- Why?

I come from a relentless family.

Funny little place.

It will be a pleasant memory always.

Yes?

I've arranged your room, madame.

Will there be anything else?

No, thank you. My maid can.

- Oh, I have no maid, have I?

- Afraid not.

I'd be pleased, madame.

- No, thank you, I can manage myself.

- Anything I can do for you?

I wonder what lady the

gallant thief is protecting.

He's evidently still gallant or you

would have heard from the police.

- You have no idea yourself?

- How should I?

I'm a philanderer. Lady in

distress, no help whatever.

- Most agreeable.

- Useless people have to be.

- Until tomorrow, baron.

I'm afraid it'll have to

be some other tomorrow.

Are you leaving?

Oh, yes. I'm going on by

the early morning train.

To Russia?

How long are you going

to stay in Petersburg?

Until you get there.

Oh. I'm so glad

I don't believe you.

It might make

a great difference.

I'll answer that when this

candlestick hysteria is finished.

- Maybe I shall not find them.

- Prince Johann started this.

Let him finish it.

They're his candlesticks.

I always finish things.

Anything I start.

I've wondered for years

what those things might be.

I've been very close to you

several times:

Berlin...

- Monte Carlo, Vienna.

- Were you fainthearted?

No. It was just that

my luck wasn't in.

- And now it is?

- Emphatically.

Good night.

- Did you get what I asked you for?

- Oh, yes, sir.

I got right here. Her name is Mitzi

Reisenbach, that is the address.

Josephstrasse 34, Budapest.

Thank you very much.

Now, this will pay my bill.

Keep the change.

Thank you, indeed, sir.

If the countess Mironova makes

inquiries, you know nothing.

You don't know whether I gone

or where, understand?

Yes, sir. Thank you very much.

Thank you, sir.

- What is that?

- The Budapest express, madame.

Leaving in 4 minutes.

This will pay my bill.

Keep the change.

- Bring my luggage down quickly. Quietly.

- Yes. Madame.

Here, madame.

- Will there be anything else, madame?

- No, thank you very much.

I couldn't take it.

I couldn't take it.

You needn't. We'll just leave it there.

Now, what have you done with the

candlesticks? That's all I want to know.

If I'd known they were of any value,

I'd never have taken them.

Of course you wouldn't.

Have you disposed of them?

That's just it...

- Here in Budapest?

- A little antique shop...

- in the fourth district.

- Good. What name?

It starts with an S.

- Yes, go on.

- S A N.

- What's the finish?

- I don't know.

S A N San Remo,

San Maurice...

Oh, it's no good. It's gone.

So am I.

Fourth district.

Driver.

Follow that carriage.

- But this is the address you wanted, madame.

- Never mind, fallow that carriage.

Yes, madame.

Wait here.

What is it?

Oh, how do you do?

- I want to see Mr. Santuzzi.

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