The Phantom Light Page #5

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higher? -We're there now, miss.

Oh, if I had known there were so many

steps I might have changed my mind.

Lighthouses aren't

built for fun, miss.

What an interesting room. Oh,

good evening. -Evening, miss.

Can't I stay here a little while?

-Well, no need to hurry, miss.

What do you do up here? -This

is the service room. See this?

That's hollow. It goes

right down to the bottom

where there's a cupboard holding the

weights that works the clockwork.

Why's that so thick all the way down

and so narrow in the living room?

There's only a cable passing

through it in the living room.

This way, miss. -What's this? -Oh, this

is a clinomter, miss. -This way, miss.

Oh.

Oh, hello.

Hello? God bless me soul.

I must have dropped off.

That's funny. -Do you usually

go to sleep with your boots on?

Oh, I couldn't sleep a

wink without them, chum.

Just habit, you know. -Hmm, not even

trouble to slip off your clothes either.

Well, it ain't necessary. You see,

I could sleep anywhere, any hour.

It's in the family.

Same with my father.

He used to go to bed with his hat

on. Just his hat and his socks.

You wouldn't believe it, would you? -No.

-That's a fact. Same with my grandfather.

Even on his wedding day they had

to wake him up to say I will.

Hello... Oh, by the way, I

wanted to ask you something.

Yes?

Have you ever been to Russia? -No.

-Why ask? -I don't know. Just an idea.

Been to Switzerland, if that's

any good. -No. -Oh. -Just a moment.

You know, I've took

rather a fancy of you.

Now, what was your idea in

pretending to be a reporter, eh?

Well, aren't I? -You know ruddy well

you ain't. Come on now, what's your game?

Game? -Yeah. -Game.

-Come on, now.

Can't I sail a boat if I

want to? -Nice night for it.

I like sailing at night. -Oh, you

do? -I like everything at night.

I was born at night. -And the

girl? -Never set eyes on her before.

I don't know who she is.

I don't know where she's from.

I don't know how she got into my boat. I

don't know a single damn thing about her.

Oh, blimey, you talk

as if you was married to her.

Bob.

Hello... -Getting a bit

thick out there, isn't it?

Yes, Claff. -Better get

the fog signal going.

Aye-aye.

Hello? -Oh, it's you. See

Higgins on the way down? -No.

Well, if you do, keep an eye on him.

He suspects us.

Here, hang on to this.

Oh, Lord, hang on to it. And nip

up to the loony hatch. -Where?

The bedroom, play it

out of the window.

Leave 6 foot in the room and

then shut the window down tight.

It's the aerial.

Everything hangs on it.

And don't fall out. -I won't.

But I promise if I do I

won't hang on the aerial.

Hang on to this a

minute. Have any trouble?

No.

Did you see anyone? -No. I can't

think where they've all got to.

Oh, it doesn't matter. I'll

have this ready in a minute.

Oh, no you won't.

Hey, put that down.

This ain't Chicago, you know.

Claff? -And if you shut up a

minute I'll tell you something.

Lord, blimey, I've done so much ruddy

listening tonight I've got corns on me ears.

Well, come on now,

make it short. -Right.

I'm a naval officer. My brother

is skipper of the Merry Fern.

Ever heard of that ship?

-She's due in tonight.

Now, all this funny business

here, these Wreckers. -Go on.

They're after the

Merry Fern tonight.

They expected her the night Jack Davis

disappeared but she was held up at Havre.

I don't like your

mate's stories. -Claff?

Oh, Claff's alright. He ain't a

ray of sunshine, but he's alright.

Are you sure of that? -What's

it got to do with you anyway?

Just you keep on dodging the cops

and minding your own business.

I mean, ain't you done enough harm

cutting up my best pair of trousers?

Just you mind your

own business, see?

But it is my own

business, see.

Mr. Higgins, I'm going to tell

you the truth. -What, again?

I'm a detective

from Scotland Yard.

I was told to join up

with Lieutenant Pearce.

And you ain't an actress

no more? -Oh, actress?

Oh, of course I couldn't trust

you before, but I do now.

Blimey, you a detective.

What is the force coming to?

No wonder the cops wear top hats to

set their blinkin' handkerchiefs.

Here, what was you saying

just now about wreckers?

Do you mean to tell me they want

to sink the Merry Fern? -Mm-hmm.

What for? -Ever heard

of insurance? -Yeah.

Well, the Merry Fern's

heavily insured,

just like the ship

that sank last year.

And most of the shares

are held by local people.

God love a duck. -You see? Now

perhaps you won't be so stupid.

Oh, stupid am I?

Well, I'm not so stupid to believe

that you're a real tick anyway.

If you are, produce your papers

or your badge or whatever it is.

My, my, my... -Alright, lightkeeper

I'll answer for this lady. She's alright.

Well, if it comes to

that, what about you, sir?

How do I know you're

a real naval officer?

Alright, sir. Sorry.

Well, let's get busy.

Yes, but what at? -I'm going

to talk to the Merry Fern. -Huh?

Oh, I see.

You're going to warn them.

Mm-hmm.

-Good for you, sir.

I can't place the

North Stake lighthouse.

The sound seemed to

come from over there.

It's getting thicker, Mr. Owen.

We ought to be beside them by now.

Call Captain Pearce. -Yes, sir.

Both on duty?

Yes, sir. I didn't think it was worthwhile

when we were docking in a couple of hours.

Just as well, Mr. Mason.

Cigarette? -Yes, sir.

We haven't sighted the

North Stake light yet.

I want you both to keep a sharp

lookout. I'm beginning to wonder.

Excuse me, sir. There's

something coming through.

It's a call for us, alright, sir.

perhaps it's the station.

Take their message. It

may be important. -Yes.

Well? -Mr. Owen's compliments, sir.

Would you please come up on deck?

Mason, bring that message to me on deck.

-Yes, sir.

Young Bob will be

done in a moment.

What are you going to do about

him? -That's your lookout.

You keep an eye on

him. -Very good, sir.

Got them. -Great.

-Yeah, come again.

That's the captain's

brother, isn't it?

Put an extra lookout forward,

another in the crow's nest.

Very good, sir. Below

there. -Aye-aye, sir.

Got an extra man in the crow's

nest and an extra man forward.

Get on to it. -Funny. I wonder

why Bob hasn't come down.

Bob? Are you there, Bob?

Bob?

Hey, Bob?

Claff?

Another light on the cliffs.

What? Just a minute.

Look.

Oh my God. -It's the phantom

light, the one they all talk about.

Then it's true, it's really true.

Don't be a fool.

That's not the phantom light.

That's the wrecker's light,

and we've got to put it out.

Get Sam Higgins, quick.

Gone.

-Damn.

Sam, the phantom light's

on the cliffs. -What?

Come on.

He's coming.

Oh, are you alright?

Get this, quick.

-What?

Blimey, it's locked.

It's from my brother. Is this all?

-Yes, sir. I couldn't get him back.

God! It's us. Our light's out.

Bob? Bob?

Can you hear me?

Silly roust.

Good luck, sir. -Thanks.

Take the strand. -Right away,

sir. -All set? -Yes, sir.

Good luck.

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