The Oblong Box Page #3

to go with the title.

I see.

For years now, this family has been

nothing but an empty facade.

- And yet, still youd abandon Africa?

- More than ever.

Thats the only way we can find peace.

Youll make a splendid host, Doctor.

And I feel very much at home here.

- Lm obliged to you.

- And lm obliged to you, Doctor.

Particularly as youre going to

give me shelter.

Are you suggesting that I should

hide you here in this house?

Why should I?

Your body snatchers seem to have

thrown you on the murder trail last night.

Would you like anyone to know about that?

Anyway, the penalty for grave robbing

is the noose, isnt it?

And happily or not,

my bodys alive enough to tell the tale.

Just who are you?

- Dont you know whose grave they robbed?

- I do not.

Empty graves eventually tell their story.

Youre mistaken.

They show no signs of having been opened.

So, youre the only one

who knows of my resurrection.

I couldnt have wished for better.

Lm in your good care now, Doctor.

Indeed. And for how long?

As long as need be.

I must stay hidden.

Youre going to keep me healthy as well...

...until lve paid back

some very urgent debts.

Duke!

What have you found, Duke?

Come on, Duke!

The servants have returned.

Now that youve safely taken charge

of your remarkable cadaver...

What shall I say to them about you?

Tell them...

...lm a relative, badly burned abroad...

...who prefers not to frighten people

with his scars.

Yes, I suppose thats reasonable.

- You really are a very fortunate man.

- Why do you say that?

Youre looking at someone who must be

quite unique, even in your experience.

A man turned inside out through sorcery...

...by a handful of powders

and obscure drugs.

My minds been unhinged,

my face destroyed.

Lve been killed and then brought

miraculously back to life.

I am a very remarkable creature, Doctor.

And you are only concerned

with what the servants will think.

- One has to observe the conventions.

- Be done with it, and get out!

Lock me in here if you wish,

and dont worry about the servants.

Lll only do my prowling by night.

Poor fellow. I wonder who he was?

Well find out.

This is Master Julian Kemp, Doctor.

He found the body.

- My dog did, actually.

- You uncovered a mystery, Master Kemp.

Whoever he is, he wasnt drowned.

He died, it seems, from natural causes...

...and either fell

or was pushed into the water.

Thank you.

Thank you, Sally.

A beautiful girl.

- And whats that supposed to mean?

- Merely a comment.

Perhaps youd be good enough to tell me

how long you propose to stay here?

Lve told you, Doctor.

Until I settle my debts.

I hope lm not interfering with your work.

In fact, I intend to help you financially.

It must be just awful

to have your face so badly burned...

...that you cant let it be seen.

Lm sorry for him.

- He sounds such a gentleman.

- Dont let your sympathy go too far.

- Mrs. Hopkins!

- You neednt Mrs. Hopkins me.

I know your dealings with the gentry,

Sally Baxter.

Its not faces youre interested in, is it girl?

Well, Mark, everythings ready

exactly the way you asked for it.

A draft on the American Bank,

and the balance in gold.

Arent you going to say thank you?

Thank you, Trench, for your worthless

promises and the blood on my hands.

You needed money. I helped you get it.

You didnt mention that getting it

meant murder!

You really are frightened, arent you?

Yes.

My dear Mark, if Hacketts body is found,

theres nothing on it to prove his identity.

And what about Sir Edward? Buried alive.

An unfortunate accident.

Lve forgotten the entire affair and

I suggest the sooner you do, the better.

Lm leaving England.

I wish to God

ld never set eyes on you, Trench.

I pray to God I never shall again.

I think its time for tea, Graves. Dont you?

All right. To Dover.

Hey there, driver!

No need for knives, highwayman.

Not if you tell me

where the witch doctor is.

- Sir Edward.

- Where is he?

- I dont know.

- Too late for lies now.

- I swear, I dont know.

- Then you are useless to me.

Good evening, Madam.

Its so nice to see the house open again.

Yes, a change.

Very interesting.

- Sir Julian.

- Lm so pleased you could come.

Charmed.

Baron, lm so pleased to see you.

Sir Julian. Youve never looked better.

Time you were married.

Yes, I agree.

- Kemp.

- Julian.

Lovely to see you.

Lm so pleased you could come.

I want you to do a portrait

of my beautiful Elizabeth one day.

Nothing would give me greater pleasure.

She looks radiant tonight.

- What is it?

- Its a man. A man in a crimson hood.

It must be a highwayman.

Ruddock!

Bring the other servants.

Theres a prowler about.

- Right. Out in the garden and search.

- Right.

No, please, everyone dont leave.

Dont leave. Believe me,

theres nothing to worry about.

The servants will take care of everything.

I want to drink a toast.

To my wife!

Lady Markham...

...I see nothing but happiness

and comfort ahead.

More than enough for just two.

Please, now, lets dance.

To assist you in your experiments.

Good night, Doctor, and sleep well.

- Arent you frightened?

- Why should I be?

Me, a stranger, hiding under a hood.

You dont know...

You little slut!

You were with him last night, werent you?

- Well, what if I was?

- That man is dangerous.

That mans in pain.

You wouldnt feel sorry for a crippled dog.

- Have you seen his face?

- No.

But hes burned, isnt he?

Why should I be afraid of scars when I see

all the dead bodies that you handle?

It makes my skin crawl.

If thats all thats disturbing you,

you have nothing to worry about.

Youre dismissed! You can go home.

Lm sure that with your abilities

you will find suitable lodgings...

...and an appropriate position.

Ld need some money for that, Doctor.

I said, youd have to make it worth my

while to leave such a wonderful position.

Otherwise the village will hear more

about your surgical research.

Very well.

But dont imagine that youre going to

indulge in a little blackmail...

...or breathe a word about that man.

What if I do?

I might find myself buying

your pretty little body one day.

For a guinea or two.

- Where is Sally?

- Shes gone.

Gone where?

Gone away.

Why? I wouldnt harm her.

You can say what you please,

but shes not coming back.

Remember this...

...you need me, and without my help

you wouldnt last one minute.

Lve read your reference, Sally, and I see

no reason why you shouldnt start at once.

- Thank you, milady.

- Sally, why did you leave Dr. Neuhartt?

A relative came to stay.

There was no room for me.

If you do your work satisfactorily here,

I think youll find it a good situation.

- Thank you, milady.

- Come with me, Sally.

Pleasant-looking girl.

I want everything

to be perfect for you, Elizabeth.

It will be.

The house looks wonderful, Julian.

- Theres only one thing that frightens me.

- Whats that?

That room upstairs.

- Here, look after him.

- Thank you, sir.

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