The Spiral Staircase Page #2

-Oh, constable?

-Yes, Professor Warren?

I'll be with you in just a moment.

Blanche, get these ready

as quickly as possible.

Yes, sir.

-Hello, constable.

-Hello, professor.

-Wouldn't you like to sit down?

-Oh, no. No, thanks.

You sure got a lot

of interesting things here.

-What's this?

-That? Plant life.

You mean to say you can write

a whole book about...

-...little stuff like this?

-Yes.

What did you want

to see me about?

Oh, a couple of things, professor.

I hate to bother you

at this time of night...

...but I figure it's important enough.

You know, there's been

another murder.

Yes, so I've heard.

What I want to say is...

...that we've traced

the murderer to this vicinity.

-Are you certain?

-Yes, that's why I've come here.

That's why I'm asking everyone

to be careful.

Keep your doors

and windows locked tonight.

Well, I'll see that your orders

are carried out, constable.

I'm especially worried about

that girl who works for you.

-Helen?

-Yes.

You see, every one

of those girls murdered...

...had something the matter with her.

Something wrong.

You mean some sort

of an affliction?

Yes. Now, my hunch is that this

murderer, whoever he is, is--

I understand exactly what you mean,

and I assure you...

...that I shall be especially

careful about Helen.

As a matter of fact, I'll see that

somebody is with her at all times.

Good.

Oh, you scared

the life out of me, Stephen.

I didn't hear you come in.

Don't stop typing.

How many times have I asked you

not to see me when I'm working?

It's so embarrassing.

-Please, leave me alone.

-I can't stay away from you.

Now, when am I going to see you,

and where?

You're not going to see me at all

if you don't let me finish this.

But I'm so bored. I don't know

what to do with myself.

Stephen, you're going to get us

into trouble. Now, please go.

No.

Then I'll just have to finish this

some place else.

Oh, Miss Blanche.

Yes, Mr. Warren.

Stephen.

You remember my stepbrother?

I sure do. Haven't seen you

in a long time, Mr. Warren.

Heard you were back. How'd you

leave things over in Europe?

I left everything in order.

They like you to.

-Paris must be quite a town.

-Yes, it is.

Lots of beautiful women.

From what I've seen,

they're not so bad here either.

Always wanted to go there myself...

...but I've been married

since I was 1 6.

Never had a chance.

Must be pretty exciting.

I understand it's been

pretty exciting here for you too.

-Oh, yes, it has been at that.

-Wish there was something I could do.

-Don't think there is.

-Stephen...

...the constable wants to know

if anyone left the house today.

Nothing personal, I assure you.

I've been asked

to check up on everybody.

I haven't been out all day,

constable.

That's all I wanted to know.

Thank you very much.

Good night.

Don't forget to lock your doors.

I won't.

His stepbrother gave him

an accusing look.

Oh, professor, could I see you

for a moment, please?

Would you mind calling him?

He doesn't know me.

You're not afraid of him, are you?

-I'm sure he loves policemen.

-I'm not in uniform.

All right, Carleton, go away.

-Well, good night.

-Good night.

Anything wrong, Albert? Professor?

I just stopped by to tell them the same

thing I told you in town today, Oates.

-See anything on your way home?

-Nope.

-Well, good night, professor.

-Good night.

-Your hat, Oates.

-Oh, yeah, keep forgetting.

Come along, Carleton.

Evening, Helen.

Helen, I want to talk

to you a moment.

Now, Helen, I don't want

to frighten you...

...but because

of what happened in town...

...we have to be especially careful

for the next few days.

If you should see anything outside

of this house, or even in it...

...that makes you suspicious,

I want you to let me know.

See that someone else

does your outside work.

You stay in the house.

And don't hesitate to come to me

at any hour if you need help.

Now you may go up

to my stepmother, if you wish.

Helen...

...remember what I told you.

Don't trust anyone.

Leave the fire alone, Helen.

Pack your things,

leave this house tonight.

Too many trees...

...stretch out their branches...

...knock the window...

...try to get in.

When it's dark, they move.

I've seen them.

Creeping up to the house.

Go away, my dear.

You're such a little girl.

I want to take care of you.

If you won't leave the house

as l-- I ask you to...

...you must sleep

in this room tonight.

Don't be afraid of me.

I wanna take care of you.

You see...

...you're not safe, my dear.

Oh, leave me alone.

You're worse than Nurse Barker.

Stop fussing.

If you won't leave the house

as I ask...

...the least you can do

is to leave me alone.

Go over there and sit down.

Sit down.

Stay where you are.

I don't need your help.

Mind your own business.

Helen, what is it?

Mother must be worse. Get Albert.

Give me the brandy, Helen.

It's empty. Is there any more?

Give me the ether, then.

Don't stand there,

give me the ether.

Why did you have

to come back, Stephen?

-Why didn't you stay in Europe?

-Mother.

There's always trouble

when you come, Stephen.

Always trouble.

Why didn't you stay away?

I want Dr. Parry.

-Dr. Parry?

-Yes.

You said you didn't want

him here anymore.

You and Albert decided that.

I want Dr. Parry.

Mother, we've given him a chance.

You haven't improved any.

I'll never improve

with that ancient Dr. Harvey.

Stupid girl. It's all your fault.

You brought on this attack.

She deliberately refused

to let me have my spectacle case.

Mother, Helen wouldn't have any

reason for refusing to give it to you.

Never mind, never mind.

We won't talk about it anymore.

Get out now, both of you.

Go and call Dr. Parry.

Will you be all right?

After all these years,

you ask me if I'll be all right.

Oh, Stephen.

Get out. Take that ether with you.

Well, Mother, I can see

that you're feeling better already.

I don't like that ether.

I don't think it does any good.

But Dr. Parry and Dr. Harvey

explained to you...

...that, taken in small quantities, it's

a stimulant rather than a depressant.

It did help you, didn't it?

There's been another murder,

hasn't there?

Nobody told me.

Nobody had to.

I always know everything.

Oh, Blanche.

Oh, Blanche, if you don't come here

I'll come over

Yes, I'll come over

Yes, I'll come over

Pale hands I loved

beside the Shalimar

Now, now.

Oh, Steve, I'm so unhappy.

Stephen.

-Where were you this afternoon?

-Why?

-Those are mine.

-I know.

So you've unmasked me.

Well, I don't know whether

I've unmasked you or not...

...but I don't know why you told him

you weren't out when you were.

Well, to be honest, I didn't want

to discuss it in front of anyone.

Well, how stupid of you.

If anyone had seen you, you would

have made it awkward for all of us.

Where were you?

-Professor, l--

-Blanche...

...would you be good enough

to leave us?

Let's stop sparring.

You're angry because

I took Blanche out.

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