The October Man Page #6

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Oh, excuse me... is your name Ackland?

Er... yes, why?

I'd... l'd like a word with you.

Who is it? What do you want?

You dirty tyke!

(Grunts)

Hello, what's up? What's happened?

- Hurt yourself?

- No, I'm all right.

- Can you manage?

- Yes, thanks.

- What did you do, trip over?

- I'm quite all right, thanks.

- What is it? What's the matter?

- He tripped over in the drive.

- Are you all right, Mr Ackland?

- Yes, thanks.

Look, you better put

some iodine on those cuts.

I've got some in my

room. I'll get it for you.

Oh.

Thanks.

What is it? What's happened?

I don't know. I just found

him lying outside in the drive.

I saw that chap Wilcox drive off

as I was coming along the road.

- But he went half an hour ago.

- He must've waited outside.

After what they were telling

him in there earlier...

I better get that iodine.

- Is it bad?

- No, just a graze.

Shakes you up though, doesn't

it? Here, let me give you a hand.

Why don't you take your

coat off and sit down?

Thanks.

No, it isn't bad.

Did you, er... see a man drive away

in a car just as you came along?

Mr Wilcox, you mean?

Oh, that's who it was.

I'm going to put some iodine on. Hold tight.

Thanks.

I didn't really trip over, you know.

Your Mr Wilcox knocked me down.

- With his car?

- No, his fists.

Oh.

- I think it'll be all right now.

- Thanks, I really am grateful.

Do you know this Wilcox?

No, I just met him here this evening.

Shall I leave the iodine?

You might want more.

No, it'll be all right.

He seemed to be a little bit

upset. The police probably.

Well, he's going to see them tomorrow.

Oh.

So the police aren't the only ones who

think I'm a murderer, is that it, Mr Pope?

Well...

I'll be going.

Look, Mr Ackland, I don't like

murder any more than anybody else,

but you may as well know

what you're up against.

I'm not mentioning any names, but

there's one party in this hotel

who's definitely been to

the police and everybody else

with a lot of stuff that's three parts

lies and the rest hearsay. That's all.

Mrs Vinton?

I've said I'm not mentioning any names.

Just so long as you know.

Good night.

Thanks.

Good night.

She went to post a letter.

I'm not sure how long I'll be gone

but I have some important business.

Of course. When were you thinking of going?

Well, I haven't made up my mind yet.

I suppose I should be wanted

for the adjourned inquest.

How tiresome, I do hope

all this unpleasantness...

Excuse me. Miss Selby, there was a

Mr Wilcox here earlier this evening,

- do you remember him?

- Yes, I think I do, yes.

Do you happen to know where he's

staying? It's rather important.

Well, no, I... I don't think...

It's important, Miss Selby, try to remember.

He did say something about the Crown.

The Crown, thank you.

Of course, my doctor's

the best man in Birmingham.

But I told him, ulcer or no

ulcer, I've got my job to do.

(Woman) What have you done to your hand?

Oh, I knocked it.

He said I'm a nervy, sensitive

type. I suppose I am in a way.

- Splash?

- Water, please.

No, when you've got a lot of brain work

to do and you're virtually indispe...

It's all right, you needn't

worry, I just want a word with you.

What about?

This is the resident's bar, you know.

Well, we can go somewhere else, if you like.

Sit down.

Well?

You must've left Birmingham

early this morning.

I suppose you wouldn't have had time

to receive a letter posted last night?

What's the idea?

When your friend, Miss Newman, was murdered,

she'd gone out to post a letter.

I think that letter was to you.

- Why me? It could've been to anyone.

- But most likely to you.

She borrowed money from me on Saturday night.

She seemed to be in some sort of trouble.

She might've said something

about it in her letter.

She couldn't phone you

because of your... wife.

Are you trying to kid me?

Borrowed money. What do you think I am?

I'd paste the living daylights out of

you, only it'd be like kicking a dead man.

Now, get out.

Oh!

(Woman) Yes, do you want another?

Do you?

No, thank you.

Now, how friendly am I supposed

to have been with Miss Newman?

Friendly?

I know you were in her room every night.

- Is that what you were told at the hotel?

- Isn't that enough?

Yes, it's enough.

Now, listen, Wilcox, this is advice.

If you do get that letter, don't

lose it. Give it to the police.

Morning. Good morning.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

Good morning.

Morning, Mrs Vinton.

- Morning.

- Good morning.

They've forgotten to put

the marmalade out again.

I'd like a word with you, Mrs Vinton.

Oh? Will you pour out or shall I?

- Time I was off.

- Just a minute, Mr Pope.

I'd like everybody to hear what

I have to say to Mrs Vinton.

Will you pass your cup, dear?

Lying to the police when there's been

a murder, is a very serious offence.

You can be sent to prison for it.

Mr Pope, are you going to

allow this man to insult me,

- or do I have to send for Miss Selby?

- Yes...

Mr Pope and Miss Selby can't alter the

fact that you've made false statements.

I've done my duty as a citizen.

- By lying?

- I haven't lied.

Everyone will bear me out.

I only said what everybody thought.

Nobody cares a rap about me.

There, now!

What did you mean by telling the police

that I was in Miss Newman's room every night?

That wasn't her! That was Mr Peachy.

Mr Peachy?

- Is that right, Pope?

- Well, yes, I think it was.

(Mrs Vinton) Of course it was!

Only it's the truth.

He had the room below.

Oh, I've never been so

insulted in my life! (Sobs)

Miss Selby, is Mr Peachy in?

No, he's gone into town on

business. At least, I think so.

All right, thank you.

I'm sorry, Mrs Vinton,

but I wanted the truth.

- Goodbye.

- These are up to date.

Thanks.

Jim, I've been trying to speak

to you all day, to apologise.

- What for?

- Losing my head last night

- and behaving so absurdly.

- Oh, that's all right.

You can't be too careful.

Yes, but, er...

Looks a bit different in

the daylight, is that it?

Oh, erm... that's for Jenny about tonight.

- Well...

- Go on, take it.

I'm leaving early, if you don't

mind, I've got to see the police.

No...

I'm seeing them this time.

From what was said by

Miss Parsons and Mr Pope,

I concluded that my

relationship with Miss Newman

had been grossly

misrepresented to the police.

I repeat, I was in her

room on only one occasion -

when the lights fused.

She came to my room on only one occasion,

and that was to borrow the money.

I see. Is that all, Mr Ackland?

Yes, that's all. I'll sign it.

Well, I imagine that clears

the air a good deal, Inspector.

When did you decide to make this statement?

- As soon as I'd heard what'd been said.

- I see.

As soon as you discovered the

existence of Mr Peachy's statement.

Yes, that's right.

Oh, I see.

You mean that when I found

I'd been caught out in a lie,

I came to discredit Peachy, is that it?

Is there any reason that you know of

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