The Squeaker Page #4

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A bit to many, what?

- Yes.

First through a fracture of the spinal

column, then through a snake bite,

lastly through a compound fracture

of the skull, Inspector.

But 5 or 6 hours before,

rigor mortis had already set in.

Do you mind explaining

how a man dies of a snake bite,

when there's no snake present?

By forcing the poison through

the epidermis and thereby into the blood.

By forcing it, you said? With pressure?

- Yes.

Is that what you mean?

Yes, that could be it.

Yes. And the only one who kept calm

was Frank. I mean Mr Sutton.

Yes, men seem to like playing the hero.

- Maybe. But he still thinks this whole...

thing is nothing but a ridiculous joke.

- But he did go...

to Scotland Yard, Miss Stedman...

That's Mr Sutton.

Miss Stedman is here, Mr Sutton.

- Thank you.

Well, Beryl. What a surprise.

Please, come in here.

To what do I owe the honour of your visit?

- I have appointed myself your guardian.

Oh!

- Yes. I want to keep an eye on you.

I'm afraid, you come a bit late.

Inspector Elford has taken the job.

And I tell you, he is taking the business

seriously. I even had to promise...

that I would keep secret the fact

that I have been to his office.

I can tell you, though.

- And Miss Trent?

She mustn't be told, of course.

- Oh? But you have told her about it.

She told me that you where there.

- What?

Yes.

Just a minute, please.

Did you want to see me?

- No.

No. Well, I'd like to find out how you

learned that I've been to Scotland Yard?

From Miss Stedman.

What? But, Miss Trent,

you told me about that now.

- I? You must be making an error.

How could I have known about it?

- Frank, I assure you...

It's all right, Beryl.

Just stay calm.

You must believe I wasn't lying!

- I'm sure of that.

But the story is somehow getting eerie.

I'm not sure now whom I can trust.

Me, Frank.

- Of course, that's not what I meant.

Perhaps it's that I'm overworked. Besides,

a certain Mr Harras just has been here...

Josua Harras?

- Yes.

He's all right.

He's a reporter for Sir Francis.

Well, you have chosen a bad moment

to do a story on this place.

We are all sold out.

- Do you expect to get in a new stock?

Certainly. A ship is ready now in Nairobi.

That lion is going to leave us today.

And this tiger. The one in the cage here.

He's been here the longest.

Nice. Puss, puss, p*ssy!

- We were asked to put together...

a mixed group for

an animal trainer's circus act.

Mr Harras?

I merely offered him a bar of chocolate.

Inspector, I'll be leaving the office

in 5 minutes. Yes, thank you.

You know, if all goes well,

I may have a big surprise for you.

I expect to fly to Nairobi

within 2 days to get some animals.

Is that all? That's not very surprising.

- Here. We go out this way.

Beryl? Wouldn't it surprise you to know

I booked places for both of us?

Are you taking me with you?

- Yes. I want to, and Aunt Nancy agrees.

Oh, Frank!

I'm frightfully happy.

Mr Sutton, may I speak to you?

- How did you get in that state?

A slight mishap at work.

What do you think of The Snake

threatening you, Mr Sutton?

It is Aunt Nancy's proverbial discretion.

- And the inborn sense of tact...

of Sir Francis. We should have known that.

Mr Harras, really, I'm very busy.

I have just one more question.

- Tomorrow, Mr Harras.

Mr Sutton!

Tomorrow could... be to late.

Thank you kindly. I know that The Snake

is the most dangerous man in London.

But what makes you so positive

that this dangerous Snake is a man, Sir?

They just delivered your tickets.

Sir, look there.

I've got him.

Let go of me, will you?

Mr Harras!

- I almost got him, Inspector.

Got whom, Mr Harras?

- The Snake.

A mental blank! What is that thing for?

- I am a member of the press.

Wonderful. All nine.

By the way, how late is it?

I believe my watch is slow.

You know, Frank, when you're worried,

they all go slow, don't they?

It is stress to be unable to act

and just waiting...

to be done in.

- I'm not worried.

Beryl?

- Yes?

Please, get away from there.

I do believe, he's coming.

Can't you hear?

- No.

Then I made a mistake again.

Let's play another one.

I'm sure, we'll be through this soon.

- No, dear. If I were The Snake,

do you know, what I would do?

I would...

That's him. That's him, I'm sure of it.

It's getting late, Madam.

Good night.

- Good night, Frank.

Make sure that you shut your door.

Because one can never be sure

what ideas might enter The Snake's mind.

Good night.

- Sleep well.

Mr Sutton? All in order, Sir?

Yes. Thank you. Good night.

Good night.

This is the chance of my lifetime. It will

be on your conscience if my career ends.

Just let me free and I promise you...

- Oh no, remain right here.

Inspector, no, look.

Don't say another word.

- I won't this.

And I won't give you a light either.

- Never mind. Here.

Sir, there's something happening

upstairs in Mr Sutton's room.

Come along.

Hello.

It looks as if you have settled

the case yourself.

We have nothing more to do at present.

Lomm! Take fingerprints.

That's not gonna be easy.

James!

- Sir?

Clear away the snake, will you?

- No, no. I'm afraid,

we have to confiscate the murder weapon.

I'm sorry.

Of course, Inspector.

Here you are.

Well, take it.

Come on, Constable.

I wouldn't put your helmet on, Constable.

You never now.

What happened here?

- I was studying the score of Parsifal

and a bumping noise began in the house.

- Don't worry, Mrs Mulford.

Everything is under control, isn't it?

Yes, it is, Inspector.

I hope so. Once one has got the cops in

one's house, one can't be quite certain.

What are all these bulls doing here?

- But Auntie!

What? I learned those phrases from

a book of yours. Aren't they correct?

Don't worry about them.

They are dead right.

That's it. I wish you good night,

and I hope you sleep well.

Good night, Inspector.

- Bye-bye, Boss.

Bye-bye.

' Bye-bye.

Mr Harras!

Mr Harras? What's going on?

Headline:

"I have come to grips with The Snake!"

Special report by Josua Harras!

Brilliant. Well done. I have always said

that you had in you the stuff...

of a great reporter! We won't be done out

of this by Jos of THE GUARDIAN this time.

Absolutely not, Sir.

- To prove that I appreciate your work,

as of today, you're definitely engaged.

- Thank you, Sir. You won't regret this.

Hello? Fielding.

What? Who says that?

You mean... This is quite ridiculous!

What about the freedom of the press?

No, you can't do this to me, oh no!

Right. It's a bargain.

What is it, Sir? Whoever was that?

- Scotland Yard.

We won't be printing your snake report.

You're fired, Harras.

Thank you, Sir.

Brownie? Ask Krishna to come in, please.

- He's not here, Mr Sutton.

Why not? Where is he?

- He hasn't been here the whole day.

That doesn't surprise me. Call in Brownie.

- Will you come in, Brownie?

Now, may I ask what all this fuss

and bother is about?

You certainly may. We have evidence,

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