(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
(CHURCH BELLS TOLLING)
REVEREND CLEMENT: Is this an accusation, -Mrs. Price-Ridley?
MRS. PRICE-RIDLEY: -Of course it's an accusation, Vicar.
- REVEREND CLEMENT: Against whom? -- How on Earth am I to know that?
I'm simply pointing to the facts, -you may interpret them as you please,
but facts are facts.
And you. Colonel?
I asked Colonel Protheroe, -and he very kindly came.
I wanted there to be -no misunderstandings.
I remember it quite clearly.
Yesterday was the anniversary of -my poor dear Harvey's death,
and I always put a pound in -the collection on Harvey's day.
- Yes, but, Mrs. Price-Ridley... -- No but about it, Vicar, it was there.
A pound note.
Where it was not, however, -was on the collection list.
The highest denomination there -was a ten shilling note.
Oh, well, none of us -as young as we were,
we must pay the penalty of advancing -years, wouldn't you say, Colonel?
Must I say it again? It was there.
You may be suffering -from senile dementia, Vicar,
despite the extreme youth of your wife,
but I am in full possession -of my senses, thank you.
I'll look into it, Vicar. -I'll have the answer for you.
It's quite clear something's amiss.
I suggest I go through -the church accounts for you.
- Do you? -- No need to burst a vessel, Vicar.
If there are defalcations, -it's best that
they're torn out root and branch, -you know.
Root and branch.
Anyway, I am the treasurer.
I'll pop round and get the books -from your curate tomorrow evening.
If he isn't too busy -with his Hail Mary's
and burning incense, that is.
The books are at the Vicarage.
Any case, I hardly see that this -warrants a full scale...
So be it. Till tomorrow evening, then. -At the Vicarage.
I should watch that -curate of yours, Vicar.
It isn't healthy, -all that Jesuitical claptrap.
I should send him to Dublin, -or Rome if I were you.
He can only do damage -in a place like this.
All right, darling?
The blighters need a rocket -up the backside.
Thank you.
What time does the vicar want lunch?
Oh! Yes, well remembered.
He'll be a bit late today.
Uh, yes, that's right. -He said he'd be a bit late.
So, um... We'd better have it... -Have it... A bit late.
Bloody Protheroe. -I mean really. Bloody man...
Oh, dear.
Now, don't you go starting something -with Colonel bloody Protheroe.
He'll do you again.
And Constable Palk will have you up -before that bench soon as open his eyes.
He's no friend of yours.
So don't you start messing -with Protheroe, do you hear?
I don't want you locked up again. -So don't you start.
Hadn't you better take that through?
(CHUCKLES)
It's a pity I'm such -a shocking housekeeper.
Mary's clearly ignoring me, -and we are to have no greens.
Greens.
Oh, Fortinbras, look at these.
Oh, I think things -get worse when I try.
It's really much better -to leave Mary alone, and...
(SIGHS)
Make up my mind to be uncomfortable -and have revolting things to eat.
Oh, poor Len. I know I'm everything -you most disapprove of.
You are.
I am more and more convinced that -celibacy is desirable for the clergy.
(LAUGHS) And yet you adore me -madly, passionately.
Beyond all reason, utterly and -extravagantly, don't you, darling?
Of course.
- I am very fond of you, my dear. --(CHUCKLING)
I see that little rat of a poacher -has been let out of clink.
Bill Archer, back in circulation.
Expect trouble.
ANN: I thought I might go back -into the village this afternoon.
If that's all right, darling.
COLONEL PROTHEROE: Hmm.
Lawrence Redding's been pestering me -for more time on the portrait.
I've been putting him off. -But I really ought to give him
a couple of sessions this week.
As long as the young sewer -doesn't come up here,
do what you like.
What's happened?
Ask her.
Pig!
Oh, Lord.
You realize that's going to cost me -hours of morale building, don't you?
- What's been going on, Lucius? -- Behaving like a tart.
Can you be a little more specific?
That young sewer, Redding,
has been painting her with -practically nothing on, that's all.
Oh, really. I'm not surprised. -She's very beautiful.
Why on Earth not?
For a man who's supposed to have -seen the world,
you really are extraordinarily -childish sometimes.
At least I'll nail that bloody little -papist curate.
See you later, Griselda dear.
Oh, yes, yes... Yes. Thanks.
Darling. This afternoon. -Are you coming?
- I'm sorry, my dear? -- It's Tuesday.
Had you forgotten too? Tea and scandal.
The Reverend Leonard Clement -and his wife Griselda, at home.
- Four o'clock. -- Oh.
Rock cakes and back stabbing -at the Vicarage.
- I'll do my best. -- Oh. good boy.
(KISSES)
If she's got the gall, -the dreaded Price-Ridley will be there.
You can both be frightfully -forgiving to each other.
(CHUCKLES)
(DOOR CLOSES)
- Good afternoon, Mrs. Lestrange. -- Good afternoon, Doctor.
Enjoyment is the key to it all.
I know. I know.
Doctor, I wonder if I might -impose upon you?
Of course.
REVEREND CLEMENT: -I'm busy you know, Lettice.
It's absurd. Crazy.
I was wearing a swimsuit, -for heaven's sake.
I mean, too Victorian, -forbidding a man the house.
It's a shriek.
Lawrence was practically ill -laughing about it.
Ann was quite decent actually.
I've usually found that a mother -is more broad minded...
- Stepmother, matter of fact. -- Ah, yes, of course.
You don't happen to know, do you, -who it was my mother ran off with?
Nobody's ever told me.
I'm afraid I don't. -It was before you came here.
Oh, yes. I suppose it was.
I don't blame her, you know.
I just wish she'd taken me too, -that's all.
Father can be such a total pig.
The world would be much better off -without him.
You'd be much nicer, I think.
So, Lawrence Redding agreed -to paint the wretched girl.
But he painted her -in her bathing costume.
Which, as we all know, -is simply nudity by another name.
GRISELDA: I should give up on that -rock cake, Miss Wetherby.
Mary is a little literal in her cooking.
I think you know, -perhaps I will, Mrs. Clement.
Cod in white sauce is so filling.
What's the name of that rather smart -looking woman who's taken Little Gates?
- Mrs. Lestrange. -- Oh, of course.
Why?
I just wondered whether -she were unwell at all.
She looks perfectly all right to me.
Only I've seen Dr. Haydock coming out -of Little Gates, oh, quite often.
I just wondered.
Well, he is a neighborly man, of course, -and he is a neighbor.
Was he carrying a medical bag?
I... Oh, dear.
I thought perhaps, you see, -they might be old acquaintances.
Well, he's keeping very quiet about it, -if it is so.
As a matter of fact, I happen to know.
It's a terrible story.
Her husband was a missionary.
He was eaten.
Actually eaten.
And she was forced to become -the chief's 15th wife.
Dr. Haydock was with the -expedition which rescued her.
-(DOOR CLOSING) --(GRISELDA GASPS)
- Really, my dear, really. --(LAUGHS)
Good afternoon, ladies.
- MISS MARPLE: Oh, how nice. -- Do forgive my not joining you.
I seemed to have been behind -with everything this week.
Darling, don't forget the studio again.
Ah, of course.
Since I let Mr. Redding have the -old summer house as a studio,
on Tuesdays I've become -a diocesan rent collector as well.
- Excuse me. -- Goodbye, Vicar.
(DOOR CLOSING)
I wonder, by the way, -if there really is anything
between Lawrence Redding -and Lettice Protheroe?
- What do you think, Miss Marple? -- I shouldn't have thought so myself.
Not Lettice.
No.
Quite another person, -I should have thought.
But the Colonel was very cross about -Lawrence Redding painting Lettice.
Yes.
Colonel Protheroe has always struck me -as being rather a stupid man.
Damn.
You saw us, didn't you?
We love each other.
I suppose, to you, -that seems very wrong.
Do you expect me to say anything else, -Mrs. Protheroe?
I... No. No, I don't.
I haven't...
I mean...
Things aren't what you -might think they are.
I'm glad of that.
I often wonder why not. -I don't see how any woman
could be anything -but miserable with Lucius.
I wish he'd drink himself to death.
Oh, I know. I know.
(DOG BARKING)
I thought I heard...
Lawrence might have...
No. No one.
(SOBS)
- My dear Mrs. Protheroe... -- Oh, no, Mr. Clement.
You're very kind,
and I know the sort of thing -you feel you ought to say,
the sort of thing you might like -to say, but it's no good.
I'm beyond all that. I really am.
Thank you.
I'm sorry.
(CHURCH BELLS TOLLING)
The fact remains that -the principle is exactly the same.
-(WOMEN TALKING INDISTINCTLY) -- Evensong!
- Good night, Vicar. -- Night, Major.
Good night. Thank you.
Mrs. Canning. Harvey. Good night.
Oh, Mrs. Lestrange, isn't it?
- Welcome to our little congregation. -- Thank you, Vicar.
Are you here for a season, -or the summer, or...
To everything. there is a season, Vicar.
Quite, and a time. Quite. Proverbs. Yes.
It's a pretty church.
So lucky to have -escaped Victorianization.
The frescos must be very old, are they?
- Oh, yes, 12th century. -- A fortunate survival.
I congratulate you. Good night, Vicar.
Good night, Mrs. Lestrange.
Mr. Redding.
I'd, uh... I'd like your advice.
(TRAIN PASSING BY)
(TRAIN WHISTLE BLOWING)
Bill! Bill!
Some silly devil's buried some sort of -cord beneath the leaves up there.
- Where've you been? -- Near broke my neck.
Where've you been? -The Bull's been closed an hour or more.
- You're soaked through. -- Oh. that bloody swine, Protheroe.
I'll have to disappear for a few days.
You've not been up to -Protheroe's woods, have you?
What's happened?
(BELL TOLLING)
Christopher, there you are.
We heard from your landlady -that you weren't well.
Yes, I wasn't. Sorry.
- Should you be here? -- Of course.
Chatter, chatter, all night long. -Voices, all night.
Voices?
The Salisburys, -my landlady, in the next room.
I don't know what -they find to talk about.
I see. Bad luck.
Now, you sure you're -all right to take Communion?
Of course.
Of course I am.
Mary!
Would you tell Mrs. Clement -that if she misses this train,
the next one doesn't get -to Paddington till 12:00,
and if anybody wants me, -I shall be taking a class.
I shall be back... Sometime.
What a day!
COLONEL PROTHEROE: Vicar!
I'll see you at quarter past six.
- Suit you? -- Yes. Very well. See you then.
Vicar!
Found that little rat Archer trespassing -on my land again, last night.
But he's only just come out of prison. -Are you sure?
Well, of course I'm sure. -I got the sewer once,
now it seems I'll get him again.
You know, he does give his -widowed sister a lot of support.
Oh, do turn off the taps, Vicar.
She should get him to behave himself, -if that's the case.
Two things I don't like -messed up, Vicar,
church ritual, and my pheasants.
Quarter past six, then!
- Hello. -- Hello.
- I've decided to take your advice. -- Really?
It's the only damn thing to do.
As you say, it's bound to get...
I mean, there's bound to be -talk sooner or later,
and if it gets back to Protheroe, -Ann's position'd be...
Yeah...
So, I'm going to cut and run.
My dear boy, I know -what a difficult decision
this must have been for you.
Come in, and tell me -what you intend to do.
(PHONE RINGING)
REVEREND CLEMENT: Hello. Vicarage.
Very well then, I'll be on my way now.
Oh, Mary, I've got to go out -to Abbot's Farm.
Old Mr. Abbot's in -a bad way apparently.
- Not expected to last. -- Oh. really? I'm sorry to hear that.
So, would you see to -Colonel Protheroe when he arrives?
He'll be here at about quarter past six.
Show him into the study, -he can wait there.
I'll telephone if I'm -going to be very late.
Don't you worry, Vicar, I'll see to him.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(SNEEZES)
(ENGINE CRANKING)
(DOORBELL RINGS)
(LAUGHING)
I'm afraid the Lord'll have to -wait a mite longer
for the old demon, Vicar. -Someone's been having you on.
Father! Vicar says you be -on your deathbed!
Says what?
Says you be on your deathbed!
(LAUGHS) I'm not. -I'm on the asparagus bed!
(BOTH LAUGHING)
- You've been a bit previous, Vicar! --(LAUGHING CONTINUES)
Come back next week, eh, Vicar. -I might've throttled
-the old nuisance by then! -- Ah! He might a'done!
(CHURCH BELLS TOLLING)
(MAN SPEAKS INDISTINCTLY)
Did you want to see me?
Colonel Protheroe wants to see me -about some accounts,
-but I shouldn't be long. -- Protheroe?
Oh, you'll see Protheroe, all right. -Oh. my God, you will.
- You all right? -- I must think. I've got to think.
(DOORBELL RINGING)
MARY: So you're back at last. -Was it you who rang?
- Is Colonel Protheroe here? -- In the study.
Been here since quarter past six.
- And Mr. Redding's been too? -- Came a few minutes ago.
Said he wanted to see you.
I said Colonel was waiting -to see you.
"Where?" he said. "Study", I said. -So that's where he went to too.
Thank you.
REVEREND CLEMENT: Mary!
(RINGING)
- Dr. Haydock. -- MARY: This is the Vicarage, Doctor.
There's been a terrible accident -and Vicar says to come straight over.
Certainly.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
REVEREND CLEMENT: Oh, Miss Marple.
There's been the most hideous accident
in here, you see.
I'm afraid I can't...
My dear Vicar, -you look quite frightened.
(INAUDIBLE)
(DOORBELL RINGING)
- Vicar. Oh, Miss Marple. -- Dr. Haydock.
- Excuse me. -- Of course, Doctor.
The reason I came, Vicar, was to -give you a message from Griselda
but I realized that you knew -all about it, because I heard you trying
to start the thing, and, uh...
Oh, you look very shocked, Vicar. -Come and sit down.
I'm afraid you'll think me -hopelessly vague.
But I thought I'd better come, -even though she may be
back herself almost, by now.
Yes, well, I'm so sorry.
REVEREND CLEMENT: Yes.
This is a vile business.
I didn't realize that things -had gone so far.
No.
What message, Miss Marple?
Oh, about your car.
- I heard you trying to start it, yes. -- Oh.
Wretched thing. -Just back from Inch's Garage too.
Really?
Oh, how odd.
I have always found Inch most reliable.
Give me the police.
Nice these new Wolseleys, aren't they?
Well, he's been dead nearly an hour.
Not later than 6:30?
I'd place it at 6:25.
Allowing 10 minutes either way.
(DOORBELL RINGING)
MISS MARPLE: Oh, yes, well. -(CLEARS THROAT)
Detective Inspector Slack. -Where is it then?
Vicar.
Mr...
Clement, Leonard Clement.
- Dr. Haydock. -- Good evening, Inspector.
Room been messed around much, -do you reckon. Doctor?
Nothing's been touched.
Ah!
Good. Stopped.
At least that gives us -some sort of timing.
Excuse me, Inspector.
Lake, would you mind clearing -the room of extraneous personnel?
- But, Inspector. -- Now, Lake.
Very well.
(DOOR CLOSES)
Good evening, Inspector.
St. Mary Mead.
Of course.
Miss Marple.
- I just happened to be... -- Of course you did.
I'm sure it will be a great relief -to the dear Vicar
to know that someone -so professional, and so energetic
is in charge of the case, Inspector,
as indeed it is to me.
Thank you.
SLACK: Fletcher, Pringle, see what -the boys from forensic are up to.
Get those reports down to the lab. -Come on, look lively!
Thank you!
MISS MARPLE: I first came across -Inspector Slack, of course,
over that dreadful business -at Gossington Hall
when Arthur -and Dolly Bantry lived there.
It's rather like one of these diesel -engines that are now appearing
all over our railways,
most unappealing,
but I'm told efficient.
Well, I suppose we shall -have to learn to live with such things
and such people.
I think there was something you were -trying to tell him, wasn't there, Vicar?
Oh. Yes.
Well, I tried to.
Oh, quite.
It was about the clock on my desk.
It's just that we keep it -about 10 minutes fast, that's all.
It's meant to get me to -my appointments on time.
MISS MARPLE: Then it was actually -12 minutes past.
In other words, before Colonel Protheroe -even arrived at the house.
So it was tampered with.
(CAR HORN HONKING)
And another thing. -I'm sure you noticed it, Miss Marple.
That note by the body, the handwriting, -it didn't look consistent to me.
Ah, you noticed it. -Yes, it was a forgery.
Rather a clumsy one I fear.
There's still a lot of people out there.
More than there will be to mourn him, -I daresay.
Let's go upstairs. -It's been such a horrible day.
You're very quiet. -What are you thinking about?
I was considering the sin of anger
and how this cruel event -will change things.
We'll never be free of it, you know.
How do you mean?
I shall never forget -what I saw this evening.
There's that side of it.
And...
It's how we shall always -be thought of.
"Oh, yes, the Clements, -they had a murder
"at their Vicarage, didn't they?"
My dearest old thing, -what's really wrong?
You knew that sort of thing -doesn't matter. What is it?
No.
No, it's something...
Oh...
Between me and my maker.
I'll go and lock up.
(DOOR CLOSES)
(CHURCH BELLS TOLLING)
Oh, Len, I've told you before.
If we managed to find a girl -who was good,
she would leave us as soon as she -could find somewhere better.
Mary knows nobody else will touch her.
I hardly see the point of having -anyone at all.
The stupid girl, look at that.
I've just been talking -to the baker's boy.
They arrested Mr. Redding.
What? Arrested Lawrence? -There must be some stupid mistake.
No mistake about it. He went there -himself and gave himself up.
Last night, last thing. Went right in, -threw down the pistol on the table.
"I did it," he says. Just like that.
- Pistol? What pistol? -- His pistol. He's always had one.
Leaves it lying around -that studio place.
I don't like dusting the thing, -I can tell you. German it is.
It's true. He is always leaving -it lying around.
His brother brought it back from -Normandy. I still don't believe it.
Tea.
It's quite mad. What possible motive
could Lawrence have for killing -Colonel Protheroe?
Len?
- They'd quarreled. -- Oh. come on. So had you. Len?
Len, what do you know?
(DOOR OPENING)
DR. HAYDOCK: All right then.
What time did Redding claim -to get to the Vicarage?
SLACK: 6:45, 6:50, about then?
- Won't do. -- What won't?
He's lying. Protheroe would have been -dead nearly half an hour
by the time he got to him. -I've confirmed it now.
- Are you sure? -- Yes.
- I mean, there's no leeway? -- Not enough.
You know ballistics say -it was Redding's gun?
Doesn't make any difference.
Damn.
Lake!
I thought it was looking -too good to be true.
I should have known better.
Soon as I saw that nice, little -gray-haired cobra
sliding about -I should've known better.
- Hmm? -- The Marple woman.
Sticks to this sort of business -like chewing gum to the cat.
Where have you been? -Cancel the scale down.
The artistic gentleman in cell five -is lying through his eyeballs.
Get everybody back on the job!
SLACK: Who are you protecting?
This isn't going to help you, -Mr. Redding.
The charge list is already -as long as your arm.
Obstructing the police, -false information,
failure to report an offense, -unlicensed firearm...
Etcetera.
Oh, it's very tedious stuff.
So tedious I believe -I've forgotten it already.
I could, however, call the duty Sergeant
and ask him to start writing it -all down, couldn't I?
-(KNOCKING ON DOOR) -- Who is it?
Oh.
Got you.
Quite the local sport this -confession lark, isn't it?
In the habit of visiting the deceased's -wife from time to time, were we, sir?
Calm down, sir.
I only wanted to know who it was -you were protecting.
If he's still on the premises ask -Haydock to meet us there, would you?
Both the WPC's are out...
(BIRDS CHIRPING)
MISS MARPLE: Thank you so much, señora, -for your very kind contribution.
Very ecumenical of you.
Oh, thank you.
Mmm. Delicious.
(CAR DOORS CLOSING)
They'll be here in a minute. -I'll explain everything then.
Thank you for coming.
I'll come straight to the point.
I killed my husband.
Yes, madam.
I suppose I've put it a bit bluntly,
but I could never go -into hysterics over anything.
I've hated him for a long time -and yesterday I shot him.
Ann, you know Lawrence has -already confessed to it.
Of course I know. He loves me. -It was impossibly good of him.
How did he know you'd done it, madam?
I told him of course.
What did you shoot your husband with?
With his own gun. He used to keep it -in the dressing room wardrobe.
- What type was it? -- I don't know.
It was some kind of war souvenir.
Italian I suppose. -You push the bullets in
from the bottom of the handle.
If I was to tell you, madam, -that we have already proved
to our satisfaction that Mr. Redding -could not possibly
have committed this crime, -would you still persist
in this rather dubious account -of your activities?
Oh, while I remember it, Lake...
Oh. Oh, Sergeant, Inspector. -What a nice surprise.
SLACK: Madam...
I wonder... I wonder if I might -impose upon you
for a small contribution to our -Church Restoration Fund?
A ha'penny or two would do.
Such a vigorous -appeal in the early days.
But to tell you the truth, I don't think -Mr. Hawes, the new curate, has helped.
A little too spiritual, if you know -what I mean, for a curate.
Yes... Oh, thank you.
-(COINS CLINKING) -- Yes. Thank you. Very generous.
Now then, have you persuaded -Mrs. Protheroe and Mr. Redding
that they couldn't possibly -have murdered the colonel?
I think it's about time they started -to tell everyone the truth, don't you?
Well, I presume that's why you're here.
- Miss Marple... -- Did you know that Mrs. Lestrange
visited the Colonel on the afternoon -before the murder?
Dr. Haydock drove her up. Now I find -that very interesting, don't you?
I think it would be a good idea, -Miss Marple,
if I dropped round later and -heard the whole story from you.
Oh, I'm sure you're far too busy to -listen to my little ideas, Inspector.
No one can accuse me -of not being thorough.
Indeed.
I suppose it's having an ear -for gossip and a talent
for a bit of blind guesswork really.
What is, Inspector?
Stops your little ideas -being a waste of time.
Well, I don't think I've ever -been complimented
quite like that in my life -before, Inspector.
Don't mention it.
Now would you like a flag?
Thank you, madam.
MISS MARPLE: -The elderberry is a little more,
shall we say, forthright, Inspector.
But I'm sure that will suit -your character.
Oh, now let me see, where was I?
In the garden, madam, attending -to your, Betonica grandiflora.
Oh, yes, yes.
You understand that I can see -the comings and goings
at the Vicarage front door -from my little vantage point.
But I only see as it were, -the official visits.
Understood. Miss Marple.
(DISTANT SOBBING)
Come on.
We'll see it through.
I'll help you.
(SOBS)
I will.
- Oh... -- We're leaving.
Mrs. Protheroe was first -to arrive at 6:15
but that is approximate -you understand.
She was coming down back lane -from the Square.
Good evening, Miss Marple.
Oh, good evening, Mrs. Protheroe.
On her way to meet the Colonel -at the Vicarage I understand.
Well... Perhaps it was that. Anyway...
You know what dresses are these days.
Nothing could have been -hidden under it, you know.
Certainly not a gun.
She went round the side of the Vicarage -towards the study, presumably to see if
the Colonel was there yet and I suppose -he wasn't, because she came back
almost immediately and went -into the old summer house
Mr. Redding uses as a studio.
Excuse me, madam, we've been -taking some statements and...
Yes, Sergeant.
LAKE: Thank you, madam.
You didn't hear a shot, did you, -by any chance?
No. Not then. -But about 10 minutes later.
It seemed to come -from the woods.
But it didn't sound like the shooting -one hears in the woods.
But of course it might not if it was -echoing back from the woods
and wasn't a shotgun -in the first place.
But it sounded odd.
Yes, Sergeant?
Well, that ties in -with our other statement.
Definite shot, sounded odd, -about 6:30.
The next person to turn up -before the shot, you realize,
was Mr. Redding. I nearly -missed him as a matter of fact
as I was dealing just then with -a very nasty brute of a dandelion.
He came along from the village -just about five minutes
-after Mrs. Protheroe, and... -- Yes, that's right. From the pub, yeah.
- I'm so sorry, madam. -- That's quite all right, Sergeant.
Mr. Redding went straight -to the studio
and then I heard the shot -about 10 minutes later, as I said,
and then, shortly after that,
he and Mrs. Protheroe left the studio -together going towards the Square.
Later Mr. Redding returned and went -round to the front of the Vicarage
at about 6:50.
So you see whoever it was, didn't enter -the Vicarage by any sides visible to me.
Thank you, Miss Marple.
You make a decent witness, -I'll give you that.
Problem is, if Redding -and Mrs. Protheroe are in the clear,
there's no one else -with a real motive.
- Oh. Oh, well, I was... -- What?
Well, I was just thinking of how many -other people might want
the Colonel out of the way.
Oh, I don't say they'd murder him -to get him out of the way,
but I...
Oh, dear me, yes. I'd forgotten him.
I make it five... Possibly six.
(FLOORBOARD CREAKING)
- What happened at the inquest? -- Murder by person or persons unknown.
Well, we all knew that, didn't we?
(HORN HONKS)
Get out!
I should have given evidence. -Well, I should have been asked.
I have pertinent facts to offer.
Oh...
DR. HAYDOCK: Ladies...
- He's going to see the Lestrange woman. -- Perhaps she's unwell again.
I didn't mean you to get up.
Today I felt frightened -for the first time.
I wish now I'd...
I suppose if one's father's been -murdered, one might not want to...
- What? -- Lettice, that dreadful child,
she wasn't at the inquest, that's all.
Hardly a child, she's old enough -to be a little T-A-R-T.
Like daughter, like mother. -Well, stepmother...
- Tea, Vicar. -- Thank you.
Yes... Now...
Oh, are you sure you won't stay -for tea, Mr. Hawes?
What? No, thank you. No, thank you.
Yes... Oh, dear.
Well...
Are all inquests like that?
I was expecting the whole thing -to be much more detailed.
The police played their cards -very close to their chests,
don't you think, Miss Marple?
Well, such cards as they possess.
Inspector Slack isn't very good -at listening.
No doubt he'll learn.
In a village one can learn -a great deal by listening.
(PHONE RINGING)
Thank you very much, madam, -thank you.
Just a minute. Wait for it.
Yes.
5:30, Colonel and Mrs. Protheroe -leave Old Hall by car.
Now at approximately the same time, -the vicar receives a hoax phone call
to go to Abbott's Farm.
And his car had been tampered with.
Right so, he's out the Vicarage -by, uh... 5:40, say.
Yes.
And between 6:10 and 6:15,
Colonel Protheroe -arrives at the Vicarage.
He's shown through to the study
and about five minutes later -his wife turns up,
comes via the garden -going towards the study.
On Miss Marple's authority, -without a gun.
Yes.
But almost immediately comes back -and goes across to the studio
and a couple of minutes later, -her lover Redding
turns up and they both -remain in the studio.
And the shot comes 10 minutes later.
Good.
And Miss Marple saw all this -in her garden the whole time.
The police didn't even -mention the clock.
Well, it would only -have confused things.
It had obviously been -tampered with,
so as evidence -it was quite useless.
No, it was their treatment of the -note by the body that surprised me.
The handwriting expert seemed -to know his onions.
Oh, yes, it was obviously a forgery
but we didn't -need an expert to tell us that.
- No, the thing was all wrong anyhow. -- How do you mean?
Well, do you remember what it said?
"Dear Clement, I'm afraid -I can't wait any longer..."
Well, that's nonsense. -He'd only been there a few minutes.
No, it was a forgery -but rather a clumsy one.
I'm afraid we're not dealing with -anyone with any degree of subtlety.
SLACK: Right.
If we prove that the Protheroe widow
and her fancy boy Redding couldn't -have done it, who does that leave?
Protheroe's daughter, Lettice,
out playing tennis, claims she can't -remember when she left.
Other witnesses prove that
she had time to get there -and do it.
Loathed his guts, stands to inherit.
Then that woman Lestrange -visited Protheroe the day before.
Servants overheard some kind -of shouting match.
Obviously there's a connection, -and she had opportunity.
Haydock...
He had opportunity of course.
But I can't see the motive.
So...
If we are assuming that the Colonel -was shot while I was in my garden,
well, then the murderer -must have come
through the kitchen door, or, well...
What, Miss Marple?
Have already been in the house.
(BELLS TOLLING)
LAKE: Excuse me, sir. -SLACK: What?
- The gun, sir. -- What about it?
Well, it was nicked from -Redding's studio, wasn't it?
Well, the vicar's maid cleans the place
and the Colonel threatened -to chuck that Archer bloke
back into chokey for poaching.
He was only out on parole and -he had a bad time inside they say.
Well, according to village gossip, -Archer's having a bit of a thing
-with the maid at the Vicarage. -- Is he, by God?
Right.
SLACK: Now, the vicar left -at when, 5:35?
Good...
- About then. -- What do you mean about?
It's very important to be precise.
Well, I didn't know anyone was coming -to shoot the old swine, did I?
Didn't you?
- And what does that mean? -- We'll come to that in a minute.
No, we won't, we'll come to it now. -What do you mean?
Yes, Inspector, do you have -any specific charge?
I'll manage, thank you, Vicar. -And what do you mean?
You know what I mean. -There is a certain man
with whom you are conducting -a certain relationship.
If you're talking -about Bill Archer you say so.
Yes, I know him -and better than most.
Better than most.
Have you got a note of that, Lake?
You realize that Mrs. Price-Ridley -saw Archer arrive
at the Vicarage the night before -the murder at past midnight.
- The old crow. -- Saw him led into the kitchen.
Didn't see him leave.
- Um... -- He hurt himself, didn't he.
He needed help.
REVEREND CLEMENT: Ah...
He had a bad fall. Tripped over some -sort of cord in the woods there.
- Buried it was in the leaves. -- What woods?
By the Vicarage here. -So he saw a light, so...
- What was he doing in the woods? -- Rabbiting. What do you think?
He wasn't shooting Magistrates anyway.
I gave him a cup of tea. Vicar.
We'd better check it I suppose. -Detail it to Pringle.
Inspector, I believe I have information -quite up to your investigation.
Lake, Fletcher, Pringle...
(CLEARS THROAT)
Now then, madam, -what can we do for you?
There was a man in my shrubbery. -I distinctly heard him sneeze.
Yes, madam...
I've considerably revised -my opinion of Mary.
Really.
The way she stood up to -Inspector Slack was magnificent.
No wonder we're a free country.
This was sent down by Ann Protheroe.
"Dear Vicar, I wonder -if you and Griselda
"would come up and see me -as soon as possible.
"I should be very grateful.
"Something very strange has occurred -and I should like some advice.
"Yours etc."
Well, it's a nice evening.
Let's cycle up.
Good evening, Vicar.
- Oh. There she goes. Tail up. -- Nose down.
- Oh, good afternoon, Lettice. -- Oh...
- Going out, Mr. Hawes? -- I won't be long, Mrs. Salisbury.
- So you'll want your tea then? -- Oh, yes, please.
I'm just popping round to Dr. Haydock's.
- Oh, sorry... -- Hello.
How are you?
Oh, well, you know.
Quite.
(DOG BARKING)
Well, there's nothing wrong there.
Yes, but, Doctor...
There's nothing to worry about, -Mr. Hawes.
Now tell me how exactly does your -difficulty in sleeping manifest itself.
Well, it's not really me, Doctor.
It's my landlady and her friend. -They... They talk.
I can hear them through the wall. -I hear snatches of what they're
actually saying -but whenever I hear my name
and try to listen, they whisper, -and I can't hear a thing.
And this goes on at night?
Yes. Only at night.
It usually starts as soon as -I try to go to sleep.
Hmm...
I'm going to prescribe you -some powders,
-which are a bit of a relaxant. -- Right.
They'll help you to feel drowsy.
And I want you to come back -at the end of next week
-whether they work or not. -- Right.
There we are.
So something was nailed up -between those trees,
a rope let's say.
But why?
Suppose these poachers -are like natives in the jungle,
they always follow the same trails -through the woods.
But why should anyone...
No, it's just another ruddy mystery -to chalk up.
What did that Price-Ridley woman -have to say for herself?
Well, she says the Colonel has as -good as accused Hawes of petty theft.
She reckons something like it herself. -Money's missing from the church fund.
Oh, yes, and she thinks she heard -the murderer in the shrubbery.
Reckons she heard him sneeze.
So all we've got to do is find someone -with a snotty handkerchief.
I was out in the garden replenishing -my bird tray when I heard him.
Well, I thought, "That's someone who has -no business being where they are."
So I crept indoors and I went -upstairs into my bedroom...
You see... -I can see into the shrubbery from there
but when I got there -he had disappeared.
Well, I think it was Archer.
What do you think, Jane?
Miss Marple.
ANN: I brought it down here because...
Well, I don't know why. I wonder if -you'd mind taking it away for me.
Of course not. It's horrible.
I suppose it shouldn't be destroyed.
You see, in case it's connected -in some way.
GRISELDA: I'll come up -and fetch it tomorrow.
I don't even know who it's of.
It's such an unpleasant incident.
I'm sure it isn't a portrait -of anyone I know.
Why should it affect me?
GRISELDA: On top of everything else.
I know. I know.
It's like an attack on someone.
A desecration of...
Makes the place -even more difficult to...
Oh, Wame and his wife -are very sweet but...
Why don't you come and stay with us?
May I?
Perhaps after Lawrence has gone.
I've sent him away, you know.
He'll be gone as soon -as he's sorted out the studio.
It would have been -impossible here if he'd stayed.
The talk is positively blasphemous.
That all seems to be part of it -somehow, but I don't know how.
There's poison in the very -atmosphere of this place.
It seems to work -its way in everywhere.
Everywhere...
I've got to go. -It wouldn't be fair to Ann.
She's going to hang on.
Just a sign of the times -in this wretched place.
To show she's not ashamed.
Then we'll get married.
(SIGHS) I wish to God it hadn't -had to be like this.
But Ann's independent now and she can -spit on this village and all its works.
You and I can sympathize -with that attitude.
I sometimes feel very drawn -to a jealous God.
Who the hell -could have done it, Vicar?
I don't know.
Sometimes I feel it was someone who...
No, never mind.
I'll tell you what I think.
I think it was someone -who was crazy.
Protheroe had enemies, sure, -but to kill him...
No, I think someone just -tipped over the edge.
Is there anyone in this place who could -have hated him enough otherwise?
- REVEREND CLEMENT: Good night, Lawrence. --(DOOR CLOSING)
DR. HAYDOCK: Vicar...
Could I have a word?
It's about Hawes.
REVEREND CLEMENT: Hearing voices?
Hawes?
Come to think of it, yes.
I thought you'd be able to tell me.
I call it psychotic but you may say -it's the voice of God.
Anything is possible.
Depends what the voices said.
He hasn't told me.
I must say he strikes me -as a fish out of water.
Over sensitive.
Yes, he's probably -reacting more strongly
to this horrible business -than most of us.
Goodness knows it's affected -the whole place.
I'll get Griselda to have a word -with him tomorrow.
I intimidate him, according to her.
SLACK: Now...
The day before the murder,
you got Dr. Haydock -to drive you to the Old Hall.
Yes, I did, -to speak to Colonel Protheroe.
Can you indicate to me -the nature of that interview?
No.
I'm afraid I must insist, -Mrs. Lestrange.
No, Inspector.
I will assure you that nothing -which was said at the interview
could possibly have any bearing...
We have statements to the effect
that this interview -got very acrimonious.
Colonel Protheroe -lost his temper certainly.
But then he was prone to that.
I am not, and I didn't.
And you won't tell me -what was discussed.
No.
Mrs. Le-bloody-strange...
I know her game, blackmail.
She was blackmailing Protheroe.
He refused to pay, -threatened to expose her.
Inspector.
Have you been -questioning Mrs. Lestrange?
Trying to.
Could I have a word in confidence?
I had hoped to catch you before -you went in to see her.
This is in the strictest confidence, -you understand...
We have to ask ourselves the question,
did Eugene and Morris -work and die in vain?
Are we to banish beauty like -the common class of the commonwealth?
Among the most evil men -who ever lived, I may add.
The enemies of beauty are -the enemies of God, you know.
GRISELDA: I agree.
Oh...
You want to go. I'm sorry.
Thank you for popping round.
No, no. It... It was a pleasure.
Look, are you sure you're all right?
Yes, of course.
Then I'll see you at Matins tomorrow.
MISS MARPLE: I think, I believe
that you are a sophisticated woman
and by that, of course, I don't mean -merely in terms of appearance.
So that I'm sure you'll understand -when I say that my advice would be
that there is no point -in misleading people any longer.
I understand, of course, -it was necessary,
when you first came, -for everyone's sake,
most especially the child's
but now everything's changed, hasn't it?
Especially as you seem -to have told her anyway.
So I think you should let it out -in the open now
before it causes -some dreadful problems.
What are you saying, Miss Marple?
Lettice is your daughter, isn't she?
(PIANO PLAYING)
- Ann. -- What?
Do you love Lawrence?
Yes.
- I'm sorry. -- It's all right.
(WHISTLING)
ANN: I just do.
(CONTINUES WHISTLING)
I don't mind.
You're much older than he is, -aren't you?
What?
Would you be desperate -if Lawrence chucked you over?
You did it, didn't you, Ann?
You killed Daddy.
You killed him so that you...
So that you and Lawrence... (SOBS)
(BLOWS)
(CAR DOOR CLOSING)
(GATE OPENING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
ANN: I'm not coming in.
I've just come to tell you to keep -your bloody daughter out of my life
and tell her to keep her bloody -stupid ideas to herself.
There's a law called criminal libel -in this country, you know,
and I'm damned if I'm going -to have my name smeared
by a half-witted -little tart like her.
Oh, you poor thing.
Don't worry. Lettice is coming -to stay with me.
Oh, come in!
We've both suffered too much at the -hands of that man not to be friends.
Do sit down.
He's out of the way now.
I can see my daughter and you -can recover yourself.
Why are you...
Why are you being...
I don't understand.
-(DOOR CLOSING) -- Because I'm dying.
This will be my last summer.
Here's my doctor, -you can ask him.
It's true.
I'd give anything for it not to be.
The portrait...
It was of you. wasn't it?
Yes. Oh, you must -forgive Lettice for that.
I don't think she meant you -to find it.
She was frightened that a connection -might be made between me and Lucius
and that the police -might become bothersome.
Maybe she thought -I actually killed him.
Wouldn't it be simple if I had?
(ORGAN PLAYING)
Well, it's a good house for a Matins.
(ALL SINGING)
REVEREND CLEMENT: -My text today is taken from Psalm 15.
"Lord. who shall rest on thy holy hill,
"even he that hath used -no deceit in his time
"and hath not slandered his neighbor."
My friends, we are all, -in the meaning of that text, neighbors.
Amongst us are some -who are pure in heart,
who'll hear with sorrow -what I have to say,
urging themselves in imitation -of God's great son
to forgiveness of those whom I address,
amongst whom I include myself.
An act of horrible violence
and cruelty has taken place -amongst us, my neighbors,
and whatever we shall discover -the reason finally to be,
I believe that this was -no mere accidental occurrence.
The ground was prepared,
the time was ripe for such a deed.
We are almost all of us involved
and those who are involved -are guilty.
And I beg you do not look at it -with mundane eyes,
with the eyes of pity, justification, -everyday excuses.
Look at it with the eyes of eternity.
For one day we shall all be judged
and we shall not be treated like -re-counseled children.
We shall be viewed with the eyes -of that eternal judge
who weighs our actions absolutely.
A fog of anger,
and I need remind no one here that -anger is one of the deadly sins.
A fog of anger surrounded -the murdered man.
A fog which the bright light -of forgiveness may have dispersed.
How many of us can say that -we found in our hearts even
a penny candle of forgiveness -to light our way through that gloom.
Few, I suspect, and I know I did not.
There is one among us who has -a dark journey to make,
one who has broken the mightiest -of all commandments.
Let us all pray that this person -has already started
on his seemingly -impossible journey
towards the light -of our maker's presence,
which alone can -forgive the unforgiveable.
What of the rest of us?
From the depths of my -contrition, I beg you,
join me, journey with me,
offer your supplication with mine.
Call upon our maker -to intercede for our souls
that our sins may not have -stained them forever
and in the light of that -hoped for forgiveness let us forgive
as he shall forgive us
and renounce that which shall -surely damn us if we continue.
In the name of the Father, -the Son and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello. Vicarage.
Hello?
(BREATHES DEEPLY)
(STUTTERS) Is Mr. Clement...
No, he hasn't come back -from Evensong yet.
- He had to go on to... -- I...
I want to confess.
(MUMBLING)
Hello?
They're doing Tchaikovsky's 1812 -on the wireless tonight,
and for the salutive cannon at the end
they are having some real guns -going off in the park
across the road from the Albert Hall.
Wish I had one of those recording -machines like young Redding has.
Miss Marple?
Oh. Cannon you say?
Most interesting, yes.
Vicar, you've... -You've rearranged your room.
Yes.
I thought the memory -of that awful evening
might perhaps be dissipated if I...
And your fine Aspidistra, -was that always in this room?
No, that was out there in the lobby.
Oh. yes.
Yes, much better where it is.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello. Vicarage. Clement here. -Hello, my dear.
Yes, of course. Right away.
Hawes has attempted -to take his own life.
MISS MARPLE: -Oh, thank you, Mrs. Salisbury.
The doctor is on his way.
He's very weak.
I'm most surprised.
Mr. Hawes?
Look at this.
It's what Colonel Protheroe was writing -before he was killed.
It accuses Christopher Hawes -of stealing from the church fund.
- Oh, dear, dear, dear. -- That must be it, mustn't it?
That must be the real note, -the other was a forgery.
Oh, yes. This is the last -mortal thing he did.
Hawes was trying -to telephone to confess.
Christopher Hawes a murderer, -it's frightening.
Well, it depends, doesn't it, -on what he wanted to confess to
and if he really did want to confess,
why did he try to kill himself -before doing so?
- If he did. -- Did?
Try to kill himself.
Oh, I'm sorry, my dear,
I'm just trying to get used to -how stupid I've been.
MRS. SALISBURY: They're upstairs.
Oh...
It looks, Doctor, -as if he'd taken an overdose
of those powders -which I see you've given him,
but I beg you to keep -an open mind on that.
I believe, you see, that it was -meant to look like that.
- What do you reckon? -- God knows.
It's possible.
Anything's possible -in this damn business.
The curate could have done it.
The doctor could have done it.
The church cat could have done it -as far as I'm concerned.
There's only one thing -about this business that's certain,
wherever you turn
there's one person -who'll always be there.
Good evening, Inspector.
He took poison. -Whether he meant to or not.
The tranquillizers I prescribed -couldn't have this effect.
They were muscle relaxants, basically,
and their color looked slightly wrong.
I'll get them analyzed.
Anyways, it's touch and go. Excuse me.
Tsk, tsk...
- Miss Marple... -- He didn't intend to, Inspector.
Someone intended him to.
Who?
Well, Mrs. Salisbury -had a glimpse of the person
who visited Mr. Hawes -after dark this evening,
rather surreptitiously she thought.
She is, thank heaven, -an inquisitive body.
Who was it, Miss Marple?
The murderer, of course.
Now may I propose a little stratagem?
Oh. Oh, that's right.
That's who I wanted to speak to.
There's been a most -awful accident, you know.
Poor Mr. Hawes took his life, they say.
Yes, he's dead. Or good as.
Won't ever come out of it.
They reckon he'll be dead -before the night's out.
Oh, they've all gone now, -thank goodness.
Police were here, everything.
I...
I didn't tell them that -I saw you come around earlier.
I thought you wouldn't -want to be mixed up in it,
but as you were a friend -of poor Mr. Hawes,
I thought you'd like to know...
(DOG BARKING)
(MEOWING)
(CREAKING SOFTLY)
(MEOWS)
(MEOWING)
SLACK: Well, well...
Mr. Redding...
There's a note.
MISS MARPLE: May I see it?
Oh! Oh, thank you, Inspector. -Yes. Oh, dear...
Oh...
But why did poor Ann Protheroe -take her own life?
Do you think she suspected -that Redding had shot Protheroe
and couldn't live with it?
Oh, no.
Oh, no. No. No.
What she couldn't live with was -the fact that she was the murderer.
She killed her husband, you know.
- Ann? -- MISS MARPLE: Oh, yes.
Just as she told us she did.
When of course we weren't meant -to believe it.
Oh, dear me, is that the time?
- I think I really... -- Miss Marple, you mustn't go.
You must tell us what happened.
Where is that wretched girl -with the tea?
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello. Vicarage.
(KETTLE BOILING)
You'd better get on -with their tea. girl.
No hurry.
You'll be glad to hear that -Christopher Hawes
has regained consciousness -and is out of danger.
Oh...
- Oh, thank goodness for that. -- Oh, yes, indeed. Yes.
(SIGHS) Now do sit down, then.
We're not going to let Miss Marple go -to bed until she's explained everything.
MISS MARPLE: Oh. Oh...
Well, you see, I made the most -dreadful mistake
of underestimating -young Mr. Redding.
I thought we were dealing -with someone whose crudity
would eventually expose them.
What I hadn't bargained for was -being made to think it was someone
not very bright when, in fact, -he was extremely subtle.
The double confession...
Pointing the finger too crudely -at the real murderer.
Planting the Colonel's letter -on eccentric Mr. Hawes
and staging his suicide, most clever.
I think we've been -extremely lucky, Inspector.
- You see, what I still don't... -- Oh. you want to know how they did it.
Well, we have to go back to -the morning of the murder.
Mr. Redding waited until -you'd gone out, Vicar.
Griselda was in London.
It wasn't until -you rearranged your room, Vicar,
that I realized where Mr. Redding -must have put his gun.
He'd already immobilized your car,
so the scene was now set.
That evening Mr. Redding telephoned you
pretending to be Mr. Abbot's neighbor -and you were out of the way.
They counted on my being in my garden.
Good evening, Miss Marple.
Oh! Oh, good evening, Mrs. Protheroe.
The dress was selected with great care.
She knew I was a noticing sort of person
but I could tell she hadn't -so much as a handkerchief
in the top of her stockings.
Never mind a gun.
The gun was silenced.
(SILENCED GUNSHOT)
But when it went off -Mrs. Price-Ridley heard it.
She believed she'd heard -someone in her shrubbery,
sneezing, she thought.
So she went upstairs -to get a better view.
Now this was very unfortunate
as she was not there to connect -the sound of the sneeze
with Mrs. Protheroe leaving the study -and crossing to the studio
to await Mr. Redding.
It was a few minutes -before he turned up.
I nearly missed him, -as a matter of fact,
as I was at that moment occupied -in another part of my garden.
I didn't notice that he was -not quite his usual self
but I should have been alerted -by the fact that he waved to me.
He'd never done that before.
He wanted to be noticed, you see.
Mr. Redding had set up -one of the nesting boxes
at the edge of the woods -with a loud speaker inside it,
the wire running back to his -tape recorder inside the studio.
This was the wire that Bill Archer
tripped over -the night before the murder.
At precisely 6:30,
Mr. Redding switched on -the tape recorder
and the final touch to this masterpiece -of confusion was applied.
(GUNSHOT)
The shot sounded odd -so it took my attention.
Mr. Redding was relying on the fact -that a gun shot inside a room
which then echoed outside -would sound odd.
I don't think Ann Protheroe ever -recovered from what she'd done.
In Mr. Redding's company -she might have forgotten occasionally
but I think she realized -she'd destroyed her life.
Oh, she had wealth and freedom, -of course.
She'd tried to save Lawrence Redding -till the last.
Well, I must say, -I'm glad she didn't succeed.
That would never do.
Tea.
Oh, and, uh...
Some of your rock cakes. -How thoughtful of you.
Oh, my dear, do you think -you should, in your condition?
(LAUGHS)
I've always suspected you -of keeping a broomstick
under the stairs, Miss Marple, -and now I know.
- Griselda... -- Yes, Len darling?
What... I mean...
Condition?
A little Clement is forecast...
- Oh, I say! -- Yes, but what I still don't see it...
I say!
- What? -- Oh. I say...
(LAUGHS)
What was that?
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)