The Paradine Case Page #3

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Blind men have

committed suicide before.

We have only to decide

who helped Paradine to do it.

Here, let me show you something.

Do you realise what you can learn

from photographs?

The social footsteps of time.

- Notice anything peculiar?

- No, can't say that I do.

And everywhere

the Paradines went...

- the valet was sure to go.

- What's extraordinary about that?

LaTour worshipped him.

Guided Paradine's every step.

Like a mother hen.

- It's after midnight.

- I know it's after midnight.

It's after one, I heard the clock.

- But I'm not sleepy. I have to work.

- Simmie looks dead.

- Well, he isn't dead.

- Quite right, I only look dead.

- What about some drinks?

- Good idea. Have Baker bring...

Baker's asleep.

Like any civilised person.

I'll bring them myself.

- That's our man. I'm sure of it.

- Our man? Who?

- The valet?

- Who more likely...

- to help Paradine out of his misery?

- Forget it. There's noone less likely.

The devoted servant and war

companion...

who'd do anything to help end

his master's agony.

It won't wash Tony.

Let's face it:

This wasn't suicide, or assisted

suicide, it was murder.

- Are you saying LaTour murdered him?

- I'm not talking about LaTour.

- Who then?

- I'm talking about our client.

- So you think she killed him?

- It's what they'll try to prove.

There's no sense going into court

hurling other names into the case.

We have to prepare to answer

the Crown on Mrs Paradine.

- I'll have an answer.

- With facts?

To begin, we've the obvious fact

that Mrs Paradine isn't a murderess.

- She's too fine a woman.

- Indeed?

I thought she was a woman

of very low estate.

Of rather easy virtue.

You're an insufferable snob.

Incapable of recognising

genuine character.

I hope the Crown tries to foul

her name once. Just once.

I'm sorry, I didn't realise

how she'd impressed you.

I've talked to her for hours and I've

done more than hear words...

I've seen the decent,

lovely woman behind them.

I intend the world

to see her as I do.

As a noble self-sacrificing person

any man would be proud of.

We've...

run out of soda water.

Ordinary water will do.

Shall I pour yours, Sim?

Please, a strong one.

La Tour worshipped the Colonel.

That's true isn't it?

He was alone with him,

day and night.

So if the Colonel, blind, helpless,

wanted to die...

there was only one person he could

turn to, isn't that right?

- I won't say that.

- You won't say what?

- That Andre helped him.

- Andre.

LaTour.

You call him Andre, the valet?

I'm not trained in the subtle

snobberies of your class.

My class? You don't know me

very well.

I know you.

Always ready to sacrifice

an underdog to win a point.

You're very eager

to protect this man.

From even

suspicion of involvement.

- What do you mean?

- You talk about LaTour as if...

As if what?

I'm confused by your attitude to

LaTour. You speak his name oddly.

This is impossible.

I'll not listen to any more

vicious innuendos.

You spoke as my rescuer.

Talked about a brief skirmish.

Yes, so I did.

I'll try to recover my position

as your champion.

We'll drop LaTour for now.

Keane's given up the idea of

dragging the valet into the suicide.

He hasn't been able to talk

Mrs Paradine into it.

Has he got a substitute?

Or is he going to follow your advice?

I don't know.

- He's turning detective.

- What do you mean?

He's going to Cumberland to

investigate Paradine's country house.

But the thing happened in London.

I'm bored with this game,

let's finish it later.

The adventures of Anthony Keane

are much more interesting.

I don't know where you got

this unfeminine interest in things.

Your mother was a simple woman,

who'd shudder at the thought...

I'm glad your not going on with

the game. You nearly had me.

- Is Tony infatuated with that woman?

- What?

Where do you get

such insane ideas?

Tell me, why is Hindley Hall

still open?

It's not open. There's the

housekeeper...

What plot

are you concocting now?

Is that handsome valet still there?

No more questions. If you won't

play chess, go to bed.

I'll bet there's something between

Mrs Paradine and that valet.

Valet? Where did you get

that notion?

Why are you looking so funny?

Did you have the same idea?

I wondered if he could've

found out...

That she and the valet...

That's it. He's jealous.

- He's jealous of that valet.

- Oh come, come.

Don't come, come me. Have you ever

known Tony visit a jail so often?

Tony is still in love with Gay.

And why shouldn't he be?

If he lets Gay down,

after all these years...

Such things do happen.

I'm sorry to tell you...

but your education was paid for

by many a broken heart.

- He's in love with that woman.

- Oh, get off my lap.

I've never seen it to fail.

Men who've been good too long,

long to wallow in the mud.

Where did you read that? Tony's too

decent for that sort of thing.

Really? The best men always end up

with the worst women.

He's after her boyfriend. That's

why he's going to Cumberland.

- That's absurd.

- Don't you think I'm right?

Answer me.

I'll not be treated as a hostile

witness by my own flesh and blood.

Men are such horrible beasts.

I wish I were married to Keane.

I'd make him jump through hoops.

I wish you were married to someone.

Perhaps he could put up with you.

I hope... No, I don't hope

they hang her.

I don't like breaking pretty things.

But I do hope they send her

to prison for life.

What's she really like?

Fascinating. Fascinating.

I'm an old ruin, but she brings

my pulse up a beat or two.

Poor Gay.

- Hello, Tony.

- Hello, darling.

- You're late.

- I told you not to wait up for me.

I wasn't.

Well, I'll be off to bed.

Goodnight, darling.

Tony?

- Yes, dear.

- I'm sorry if I...

don't seem quite myself...

I have a headache.

I'm sorry you're not feeling well.

I'm a bit on the ragged side myself.

Tony, couldn't we get away?

Just for a little while?

You do need a rest.

I've never seen you

quite like this before.

- Just a good night's sleep.

- Even if only for a few days.

For our anniversary.

You did promise.

Some things are more important

than anniversaries.

You didn't use to think so.

In fact, I may have to go away.

The Paradines lived a lot of the time

at Hindley Hall, in Cumberland.

I thought I might

nose around a bit.

See what I can pick up.

And get a breath of fresh air.

That sounds wonderful. You won't be

busy all the time, we can...

It's only for a day or two.

It wouldn't be any fun for you.

You see that, don't you?

Yes, I see.

It might be cold and wet up north.

Yes, I suppose so.

This is the place for you.

Warm, cosy, protected.

I want to keep all this ugly business

away from you.

- But can you?

- Can I what?

Keep the ugliness away?

Haven't I always?

What do you mean?

What are you afraid of?

Need I say?

Listen, this settles it. Nothing is

worth trouble between us.

I won't go to Cumberland. I won't

go on with the case. I'll give it up.

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