"Bookish" Slightly Foxed: Part 1

1 00:00:06,000 --> 00:00:12,074 2 00:00:39,901 --> 00:00:43,061 3 00:00:45,101 --> 00:00:48,101 4 00:01:03,740 --> 00:01:07,461 5 00:01:17,021 --> 00:01:20,021 6 00:01:26,941 --> 00:01:29,941 7 00:01:52,941 --> 00:01:56,740 They don't get any lighter. 8 00:02:06,701 --> 00:02:10,100 All the latest news 9 00:02:26,860 --> 00:02:34,037 Bit lost love? Ah... 158? Just there, sweetheart. 10 00:02:34,061 --> 00:02:37,061 Ta. 11 00:03:06,860 --> 00:03:10,741 Hold that, would you? 12 00:03:14,140 --> 00:03:18,116 What do you make of it? Looks old. 13 00:03:18,140 --> 00:03:23,278 It is barely indifferent. Jacobean poetry. Calfskin binding worth a couple 14 00:03:23,302 --> 00:03:26,916 of bob. What are these brown spots on the pages? 15 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:33,237 You get straight to the heart of the matter, Mr. um Jack. It's just Jack. 16 00:03:33,261 --> 00:03:38,965 That's called foxing. Jack. Just Jack. It's what time does to books. 17 00:03:38,990 --> 00:03:44,916 To all of us. In the profession we say it's slightly foxed. Interested? 18 00:03:44,940 --> 00:03:49,556 You know, there's a mistake. A mistake? 19 00:03:49,580 --> 00:03:53,317 Well, isn't there? Above the door, a sign. 20 00:03:53,341 --> 00:03:57,476 What about it? Well, it's wrong, isn't it? 21 00:03:57,500 --> 00:04:00,078 There's no apostrophe in books. There is. 22 00:04:00,102 --> 00:04:02,197 There isn't. There is. There isn't. There is. 23 00:04:02,221 --> 00:04:05,696 There isn't. There is if your name is Book and you own the shop, which it is, and I do. 24 00:04:05,721 --> 00:04:10,632 My name is Book. Book's books. Confusing, I know. Or is it handy? 25 00:04:10,657 --> 00:04:14,278 I can never decide. Anyway, I'm Book and I run a 26 00:04:14,302 --> 00:04:18,980 bookshop. This one, obviously. You must be here about the job. Tea? 27 00:04:33,021 --> 00:04:36,820 Not quite there yet. 28 00:04:37,260 --> 00:04:41,717 I'm trying to make ginger snaps. How much? 29 00:04:41,741 --> 00:04:47,621 Where were you dragged up? One for each person and one for the pot. 30 00:04:49,100 --> 00:04:54,597 Oh, where have we got to Jack? Just Jack. 31 00:04:54,621 --> 00:05:02,277 Uh, this is dog book dog job. I have a little hobby on the side and I find it's 32 00:05:02,301 --> 00:05:09,221 taking me away from the shop more and more. So, I require assistance. 33 00:05:19,581 --> 00:05:22,581 God. 34 00:05:23,181 --> 00:05:28,437 Oh, that's better. I must have tea. Without tea, I am merely unreconstituted 35 00:05:28,461 --> 00:05:31,461 dust. 36 00:05:34,781 --> 00:05:40,598 Look, this isn't really my sort of gaff. I mean, I thought they'd maybe send me 37 00:05:40,622 --> 00:05:45,678 to a factory or something. They Well, you know where I've come from, 38 00:05:45,702 --> 00:05:50,278 don't you? You know that I was No need to mention it again. What are 39 00:05:50,302 --> 00:05:53,198 you hoping for now? You've got the job, Jack. Just as Jack, 40 00:05:53,222 --> 00:05:57,838 I just want to keep my head down, you know, try and get back to normal. Wait, 41 00:05:57,862 --> 00:06:02,078 I've got the job. Normality is overrated. Yes, you got the 42 00:06:02,102 --> 00:06:07,117 job if you want it. Darling, you must come at once. 43 00:06:07,141 --> 00:06:09,837 Oh. Uh, Trottie, this is Jack. Just Jack. 44 00:06:09,861 --> 00:06:14,797 Jack, this is Trottie, my wife. Hello. 45 00:06:14,821 --> 00:06:18,918 Hello. Well, what is it? The bomb site. The men carrying the bomb 46 00:06:18,942 --> 00:06:21,758 site. You know where Inkermman Street used to be? 47 00:06:21,782 --> 00:06:26,878 Oh, yes, that one. What of it? Well, they found something in suspicious 48 00:06:26,902 --> 00:06:32,460 circumstances. My favourite kind of circumstances. 49 00:06:50,421 --> 00:06:53,501 Heat. Heat. 50 00:06:57,381 --> 00:07:00,381 Heat. 51 00:07:12,900 --> 00:07:15,900 Heat. 52 00:07:20,020 --> 00:07:23,020 Wow. 53 00:07:46,020 --> 00:07:49,020 Me. 54 00:08:00,501 --> 00:08:04,678 I was wondering if we'd be seeing you like a bad penny, Sergeant. 55 00:08:04,702 --> 00:08:09,037 Yeah, well, you know my feelings. You've made them exquisitely plain, but 56 00:08:09,061 --> 00:08:12,957 as you know, I do have a special letter from Churchill. Yeah, 57 00:08:12,981 --> 00:08:15,677 it's good to cover them up. 58 00:08:15,701 --> 00:08:20,957 All right. Oh, hello book. Mrs. Book, thought this 59 00:08:20,981 --> 00:08:23,517 might be up your street. Almost literally. 60 00:08:23,541 --> 00:08:26,638 Start at the beginning, Inspector, and leave nothing out. Especially if it's 61 00:08:26,662 --> 00:08:30,917 salacious, gory, or vaguely scandalous. Bit of a puzzle. Mr. Basehart here was 62 00:08:30,941 --> 00:08:35,518 starting to clear away the rubble from his cell bomb site the other day. 63 00:08:35,542 --> 00:08:37,237 Inkerman Street caught it in 44, didn't it? 64 00:08:37,261 --> 00:08:40,798 Yes, sir. Terrible pounding. Do you remember that raid, sir? 65 00:08:40,822 --> 00:08:44,718 How could I forget? Trottie and I ended up cheek by jowl in the Anderson shelter 66 00:08:44,742 --> 00:08:48,158 with the man from the credential insurance company. You had lovely 67 00:08:48,182 --> 00:08:51,758 fingernails. Terrible halitosis. Those shelters 68 00:08:51,782 --> 00:08:54,918 weren't built for sharing. War's over, Mr. Basehart. 69 00:08:54,942 --> 00:09:00,438 Quite so, sir. But I still like to patrol my route for old time's sake. And 70 00:09:00,462 --> 00:09:04,758 to keep an eye on old Brenda there, my trusty search light. 71 00:09:04,782 --> 00:09:09,658 Well, here he was trying to clear away the rubble when lo, what does he find? 72 00:09:09,682 --> 00:09:11,501 Lo? What? 73 00:09:17,940 --> 00:09:22,557 What happened to Betsy? Tossed together like a skeletal salad. 74 00:09:22,581 --> 00:09:25,638 How many? It's hard to tell cuz they're all 75 00:09:25,662 --> 00:09:28,798 jumbled up. But 10 or 12, I'd say. Quite why Mr. Basehart didn't tell the 76 00:09:28,822 --> 00:09:31,718 authorities about his discovery forthwith with is another matter. 77 00:09:31,742 --> 00:09:34,638 He didn't? No. Some kiddies who were playing here 78 00:09:34,662 --> 00:09:37,878 let us know. As I was saying, I have a theory. 79 00:09:37,902 --> 00:09:41,478 Well, obviously they copped it in the raid, didn't they? 80 00:09:41,502 --> 00:09:44,618 What do you think, Jack? Me. 81 00:09:44,642 --> 00:09:46,141 You? 82 00:09:46,901 --> 00:09:51,837 Uh, yeah. That's what must have happened. 83 00:09:51,861 --> 00:09:57,837 Air raid killed him. Died 2 years ago and now they're all rotted away. 84 00:09:57,861 --> 00:10:01,356 That would be a logical assumption. Who's this? 85 00:10:01,380 --> 00:10:04,958 So, you don't think they died in an air raid? 86 00:10:04,982 --> 00:10:08,478 If you recall, Inkerman Street was already empty, wasn't it, Mr. Basehart? 87 00:10:08,502 --> 00:10:12,638 Scheduled for demolition. So, nobody was living here, in which case. 88 00:10:12,662 --> 00:10:15,598 Who are they? Well, anybody, surely? 89 00:10:15,622 --> 00:10:20,078 Anybody could have taken shelter from the bombing in one of the empty houses? 90 00:10:20,102 --> 00:10:24,478 A dozen of them. What about clothes? Clothes? All flesh is grass. The raid 91 00:10:24,502 --> 00:10:29,518 was only 2 years ago. Even if the bodies had rotted away, their clothes would 92 00:10:29,542 --> 00:10:33,418 still be intact. I think Mr. Bart and I are thinking along 93 00:10:33,442 --> 00:10:35,181 similar lines. 94 00:10:41,981 --> 00:10:46,197 Well, that would appear to be the clincher. 95 00:10:46,221 --> 00:10:49,541 What do you think? 96 00:10:50,381 --> 00:10:53,157 The unmistakable bonds of King Charles II. 97 00:10:53,181 --> 00:10:59,781 Oh, does it have a date on it, too? 1665. 98 00:10:59,821 --> 00:11:03,397 Plague pit. Yeah. So, it would seem. 99 00:11:03,421 --> 00:11:09,477 A what? Plague pit. The great plague. London's burial grounds were 100 00:11:09,501 --> 00:11:14,917 overflowing, so they dug these great big pits and dumped all the corpses in them. 101 00:11:14,941 --> 00:11:21,077 I I'm a bit of an archaeologist on the side. Strictly amateur, you understand? 102 00:11:21,101 --> 00:11:25,438 So, why didn't you tell us straight away when you found them? 103 00:11:25,462 --> 00:11:30,758 Well, I I knew I'd never get a chance like this again. I just wanted a bit of 104 00:11:30,782 --> 00:11:35,741 time to excavate them. Fascinating stuff. 105 00:11:35,900 --> 00:11:41,317 I really am very sorry, Inspector. Yes. Well, no harm done, I suppose. 106 00:11:41,341 --> 00:11:46,058 Not sure about that. These skeletons might still be lively. 107 00:11:46,082 --> 00:11:50,818 Well, you mean it's still catching. The jury, as they say, is out, but I 108 00:11:50,842 --> 00:11:53,938 think it's very unlikely. Do you mind if I hang on to this? 109 00:11:53,962 --> 00:11:56,138 You're welcome to it. Right, Mr. Book? 110 00:11:56,162 --> 00:12:01,378 Well, hello, Nora. Why? I'm not surprised to see you here. Did you know 111 00:12:01,402 --> 00:12:05,458 that back then they used to use great catapults to toss plaguey corpses into 112 00:12:05,482 --> 00:12:08,738 besieged cities to deliberately infect people? 113 00:12:08,762 --> 00:12:11,418 That's horrible, Nora. I know. 114 00:12:11,442 --> 00:12:15,441 And a split infinitive. Even more horrible. 115 00:12:16,521 --> 00:12:23,057 Might be worth a bit too. Sergeant get this lot taken care of in a 116 00:12:23,081 --> 00:12:30,417 pronto with care. And where to sir? Uh uh morgue I suppose get Dr. Gold to take a 117 00:12:30,441 --> 00:12:36,518 shufty. See if there's any chance they're still infectious. Sure. 118 00:12:36,542 --> 00:12:38,721 Thank you book anytime, Inspector. 119 00:12:39,241 --> 00:12:43,697 Sergeant, why can't you collect stamps like normal 120 00:12:43,721 --> 00:12:46,721 people? 121 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:56,721 Oh dear. 122 00:13:13,641 --> 00:13:18,417 Are you all right? Yeah. Um, 123 00:13:18,441 --> 00:13:23,937 it's all just a bit uh being coppers. 124 00:13:23,961 --> 00:13:26,657 I've uh been away, you see. And. 125 00:13:26,681 --> 00:13:31,697 Oh, yes, I I know. Can't have been very nice. Tell me all about it when 126 00:13:31,721 --> 00:13:36,058 you're ready. Hey, let me take this. Well, you must stay with us, mustn't 127 00:13:36,082 --> 00:13:40,698 you? Now that you've got the job, I have the premises next door. Book has his 128 00:13:40,722 --> 00:13:44,017 books. I have my wallpaper. And there is a darling little attic room between the 129 00:13:44,041 --> 00:13:47,558 two. Why are you helping me like this? 130 00:13:47,582 --> 00:13:49,201 Why not? 131 00:13:51,721 --> 00:13:57,857 World Harkup. Suicide. I heard heard uh from your colleague over there. 132 00:13:57,881 --> 00:14:00,977 Oh, I’ll have his ruddy guts for garters. This goes 133 00:14:01,001 --> 00:14:04,336 against all the rules of Right, Sergeant. All right. 134 00:14:04,360 --> 00:14:09,938 Mr. Book's always welcome to give us the benefit of his wisdom, as you know. 135 00:14:09,962 --> 00:14:12,896 Yes. Yes. 136 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:16,018 Bad business, but very bad. Poor sod. 137 00:14:16,042 --> 00:14:17,778 What the hell do you think you're playing? 138 00:14:17,802 --> 00:14:22,577 But look, Morris has a point. This is a plain ordinary suicide. I mean, I can be 139 00:14:22,601 --> 00:14:25,898 flexible, as you know. When something a little bit more 140 00:14:25,922 --> 00:14:31,618 rash but anything with an acute accent unusual comes along like like our our 141 00:14:31,642 --> 00:14:35,938 friends the skeleton but this is a meat and potatoes job you know the sergeant 142 00:14:35,962 --> 00:14:40,257 and I are perfectly capable who found him charred 143 00:14:40,281 --> 00:14:44,657 pretty shook up, she is. Dredge it rings a little bell she's been 144 00:14:44,681 --> 00:14:50,977 doing for Harkup for donkeys ding dong was there a note 145 00:14:51,001 --> 00:14:56,257 no no note How did he do it? Prussic acid 146 00:14:56,281 --> 00:15:02,720 nasty and intriguing, don't you think, 147 00:15:05,720 --> 00:15:09,057 Mr. Harkup? Afraid so. Looks like suicide. 148 00:15:09,081 --> 00:15:13,857 Oh, dreadful. Well, I'd better get on. Too much 149 00:15:13,881 --> 00:15:18,257 excitement for one day. Jack, nip back the shop, would you? 150 00:15:18,281 --> 00:15:22,737 There's a pile of newspapers. Third stack on the right as you come in. 151 00:15:22,761 --> 00:15:28,098 Charing cross dispatch underneath two volumes of Eleanor of Castile and the 152 00:15:28,122 --> 00:15:32,081 wilting aspidistra. Fetch them for me would you? 153 00:15:33,641 --> 00:15:40,641 Okay. And put the kettle on again. We're going to have company. 154 00:15:45,081 --> 00:15:48,160 All right. 155 00:15:54,101 --> 00:15:59,356 Oh, well, see as it's from him. Oh, I I brought a coffee and walnut cake 156 00:15:59,380 --> 00:16:03,997 round for Mr. Harkup. You might as well have it. 157 00:16:04,021 --> 00:16:08,476 This is your usual char day. Yes, every week regular as clockwork. 158 00:16:08,500 --> 00:16:12,477 But I only saw him yesterday popped around to get some bandages. 159 00:16:12,501 --> 00:16:15,517 Bandages? Oh, my son. He was injured in the war. 160 00:16:15,541 --> 00:16:19,356 He needs constant attention. The dressing. 161 00:16:19,380 --> 00:16:25,757 What time did you see Mr. Harkup? 6 6ish I think. It doesn't seem 162 00:16:25,781 --> 00:16:31,277 possible. Him standing there all full of life and then 163 00:16:31,301 --> 00:16:36,957 finding him lying there like that. You're doing very well. And was he 164 00:16:36,981 --> 00:16:42,473 was he full of life when you saw him in good spirits, I mean. 165 00:16:42,498 --> 00:16:46,548 Well, to be honest, he seemed a little down. 166 00:16:46,581 --> 00:16:50,958 Though why’d he want to go and do a horrible thing like that to himself. 167 00:16:50,982 --> 00:16:53,916 Any vices? Vices, sir. 168 00:16:53,940 --> 00:16:58,796 We must investigate all angles, alas, dear lady. 169 00:16:58,820 --> 00:17:03,836 Man of very regular habits. He was church every Sunday. Kept his accounts 170 00:17:03,860 --> 00:17:09,436 in very neat order. I think that was the soldier in him. He... he did play dominoes. 171 00:17:09,460 --> 00:17:13,838 Dominoes? Every Monday and Thursday night in the 172 00:17:13,862 --> 00:17:19,418 Bull with Mr. Basehart and some others. Does that count as a vice? 173 00:17:19,442 --> 00:17:22,061 I hardly think so. You have any family? 174 00:17:26,181 --> 00:17:30,878 My mother always said, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't open" 175 00:17:30,902 --> 00:17:35,357 "your trap." So, there was bad blood then. 176 00:17:35,381 --> 00:17:39,196 There's a daughter, isn't there? Some estrangement. 177 00:17:39,220 --> 00:17:43,917 I wouldn't like to say. Don't seem right. 178 00:17:43,941 --> 00:17:47,997 What with Mr. H not cold in his grave? Heavens, this cake. 179 00:17:48,021 --> 00:17:49,677 Yes. Oh, it's superb. 180 00:17:49,701 --> 00:17:54,237 Oh, too kind, sir. But then I'd expect nothing less. 181 00:17:54,261 --> 00:18:00,397 Oh, why'd you say that? From Miss Lyon's Corner House, 1921. 182 00:18:00,421 --> 00:18:04,717 Fancy you knowing that. It was 1922, though. 183 00:18:04,741 --> 00:18:07,196 My mistake. How the Dickens. 184 00:18:07,220 --> 00:18:13,078 Oh, I store up a lot of little tidbits like that. Mostly useless. Must have 185 00:18:13,102 --> 00:18:16,956 been a lovely experience. Oh yes. Oh, I've never felt so 186 00:18:16,980 --> 00:18:23,517 glamorous. I bought a new hat and the Lord Mayor winked at me. Winked 187 00:18:23,541 --> 00:18:26,557 fancy. Worked there for years. I did at the 188 00:18:26,581 --> 00:18:30,956 corner house. So I got very good with the baking. 189 00:18:30,980 --> 00:18:36,118 Mr. H used to love my pineapple upside down. You know, it really would be most 190 00:18:36,142 --> 00:18:42,637 helpful to know why he and his daughter Sarah uh Lar Marula, that's right. Why 191 00:18:42,661 --> 00:18:49,757 he and Marula no longer saw eye to eye. Well, seeing as you've been so kind, 192 00:18:49,781 --> 00:18:52,317 sir. Very good of you. 193 00:18:52,341 --> 00:18:55,917 She was a cow. A right. Horrible, money grabbing 194 00:18:55,941 --> 00:18:58,237 little cow. I see. 195 00:18:58,261 --> 00:19:04,477 Apple of his eye she was, after his wife passed on. But she knew how to twist him around 196 00:19:04,501 --> 00:19:09,597 her little finger. Nothing was too much for his little princess. Oh, and then 197 00:19:09,621 --> 00:19:14,477 she has the gall to run off with him. Him? 198 00:19:14,501 --> 00:19:19,677 Mickey. Mickey Hall. It's a right ne’er-do-well. Do well. Up to all sorts in the war spy 199 00:19:19,701 --> 00:19:25,517 stuff. You know, black market. He's a motor mechanic. They've got a garage out 200 00:19:25,541 --> 00:19:28,316 Mile End way. Mile End, charming. 201 00:19:28,340 --> 00:19:32,980 And now Marula will inherit the lot. 202 00:19:33,541 --> 00:19:37,917 Don't seem right, do it. No, it, um, 203 00:19:37,941 --> 00:19:42,861 don't. Thanks for the cake. 204 00:19:44,181 --> 00:19:50,316 What the hell do you think you're doing? Just being neighbourly, Sergeant. Uh your 205 00:19:50,340 --> 00:19:54,460 witness, I think. 206 00:20:03,141 --> 00:20:05,677 Hello again. Oh, hello, Book. 207 00:20:05,701 --> 00:20:11,278 I just wondered if I could have a little nosy around before I head out. See if I 208 00:20:11,302 --> 00:20:13,798 can help at all. Head out. 209 00:20:13,822 --> 00:20:18,558 Oh, Mrs. Book and I are often pleasure bent. The new boys babysitting. Up 210 00:20:18,582 --> 00:20:21,517 for the dog. Dog. There's no definite article. 211 00:20:21,541 --> 00:20:26,637 Off to the pictures. Rerunning a Sandra Dare at the Rialto. The opera. Fat. 212 00:20:26,661 --> 00:20:34,141 Ladies singing. Speaking of which, may I, um. 213 00:20:35,941 --> 00:20:41,117 There's a daughter, but Mrs. Dredge says they didn't get on. 214 00:20:41,141 --> 00:20:45,277 So, I gather. Yeah, we're endeavouring to Trace her. 215 00:20:45,301 --> 00:20:50,717 She has a garage, Mile End. Oh, right. 216 00:20:50,741 --> 00:20:53,741 Thanks. 217 00:21:10,421 --> 00:21:14,316 Funny, aren't they? Mrs. Bliss goes in for something 218 00:21:14,340 --> 00:21:21,158 similar. Little... little knickknacks. Not quite the same. I think these are 219 00:21:21,182 --> 00:21:27,021 jade. Rather fine. And this one, 220 00:21:30,980 --> 00:21:35,501 Mr. Harkup was obviously a connoisseur. 221 00:21:47,621 --> 00:21:50,941 So bad. 222 00:21:52,181 --> 00:21:55,436 Do you think it was suicide? You have doubts? 223 00:21:55,460 --> 00:21:59,517 I do. What's your theory? Evening, gentlemen. 224 00:21:59,541 --> 00:22:05,357 Evening. Oh, Eric. Black Lamb and Grave Falcon. Hey, that book for Sheila. It's arrived 225 00:22:05,381 --> 00:22:08,998 Oh, smashing. Um, she'll come over 226 00:22:09,022 --> 00:22:15,678 tomorrow for it. Right. Quite a whistle. Oh, thank you. I was never keen on him 227 00:22:15,702 --> 00:22:20,397 myself. Harkup. God forgive me. Bit of a little Hitler. Still poor bugger 228 00:22:20,421 --> 00:22:26,316 offing himself like that. So is that what's your theory? 229 00:22:26,340 --> 00:22:31,957 Patience, Inspector. Patience. The two most powerful warriors are patience and 230 00:22:31,981 --> 00:22:35,678 time. Tolstoy. Couldn't get into it. Tried that one, 231 00:22:35,702 --> 00:22:38,317 you know, where she chucks herself up in front of a train. 232 00:22:38,341 --> 00:22:40,556 No. No. 233 00:22:40,580 --> 00:22:43,580 Inspector. 234 00:23:16,261 --> 00:23:19,580 Too much? 235 00:23:19,941 --> 00:23:24,797 No, not at all. Uh, you look amazing. 236 00:23:24,821 --> 00:23:28,157 I meant the walls. Oh, 237 00:23:28,181 --> 00:23:33,198 Book says it's an affront to good taste, but I don't know. I think it has a 238 00:23:33,222 --> 00:23:38,838 certain something. Don't you? I'm good at knocking things together. I I always 239 00:23:38,862 --> 00:23:44,157 have been. Wardrobes, wireless sets, heads. I was in the land army. Gin? 240 00:23:44,181 --> 00:23:49,421 What? Oh, yeah. Please. 241 00:23:49,460 --> 00:23:53,997 So, you're going out then? My day. We're always going out. Well, 242 00:23:54,021 --> 00:23:59,398 one has to live, doesn't one? Especially after the time we've all had. There's 243 00:23:59,422 --> 00:24:03,018 some chops in the larder. I think your room's up at the top. I've aired the 244 00:24:03,042 --> 00:24:04,541 sheets. 245 00:24:06,901 --> 00:24:14,381 You're I mean thank you 246 00:24:20,901 --> 00:24:23,901 Better go and unpack. 247 00:24:35,301 --> 00:24:39,597 Well, well, 248 00:24:39,621 --> 00:24:42,956 I know that look. You're onto something. 249 00:24:42,980 --> 00:24:48,558 Nonsense. Merely the happy look of a contented man. I have my lovely wife, my 250 00:24:48,582 --> 00:24:52,437 lovely shop, my lovely dog. What more could a man ask for? 251 00:24:52,461 --> 00:24:56,076 Broad. Three things then. Mr. Harkup collected 252 00:24:56,100 --> 00:25:01,196 Chinese jade figures of exceptional quality. But dust is eloquent. As 253 00:25:01,220 --> 00:25:06,316 someone once said, dust doesn't lie. One of the figures has been replaced with a 254 00:25:06,340 --> 00:25:12,397 bit of cheap trash, a chess piece, but the larger outline remains clear. Mrs. 255 00:25:12,421 --> 00:25:17,317 Dredge hasn't cleaned in a while, despite what she said. Secondly, Mr. 256 00:25:17,341 --> 00:25:22,958 Harkup has a small lump on the back of his head. Not caused by him falling, I 257 00:25:22,982 --> 00:25:27,358 don't think. Or probably a blow with a blunt instrument. A blunt instrument 258 00:25:27,382 --> 00:25:32,317 that didn't break the skin. And yet, there is blood on the back of Mr. 259 00:25:32,341 --> 00:25:35,198 Harkup's scalp. Thirdly, yes, 260 00:25:35,222 --> 00:25:40,918 Darkling I listen and for many a time I have been half in love with easeful 261 00:25:40,942 --> 00:25:45,997 death. Called him soft names and many amused rhyme to take into the air my 262 00:25:46,021 --> 00:25:50,076 quiet breath. Pardon? 263 00:25:50,100 --> 00:25:55,037 Why would a chemist with every known gentle poison in the shop choose to kill 264 00:25:55,061 --> 00:26:00,941 himself with something as horrible as Prussic acid? 265 00:26:01,700 --> 00:26:05,436 Well, Book. There you are, then. 266 00:26:05,460 --> 00:26:10,541 Yes, Trottie. There we are. 267 00:26:11,141 --> 00:26:14,460 It's murder. 268 00:26:40,181 --> 00:26:43,436 Book? Mrs. Book? 269 00:26:43,460 --> 00:26:46,700 Be careful. 270 00:27:41,541 --> 00:27:44,541 Shop. 271 00:27:45,541 --> 00:27:49,901 Ah, good morning. 272 00:27:50,821 --> 00:27:55,196 How can I help? Oh, well, I'm... I'm after a book. 273 00:27:55,220 --> 00:28:00,957 You are very much in the right place. What do you think, young man? What would 274 00:28:00,981 --> 00:28:05,398 suit the lady best? Dickens, Wilkie Collins, Henry James. 275 00:28:05,422 --> 00:28:07,997 Do you have the new Georgette Heyer? Ah, 276 00:28:08,021 --> 00:28:12,918 well, I I've read all her other ones. Me, too. And what a smasher she is. But 277 00:28:12,942 --> 00:28:15,918 that would be a new book. Miss um Mrs. Goodwin. 278 00:28:15,942 --> 00:28:18,438 Mrs. Goodwin. Jean. 279 00:28:18,462 --> 00:28:21,676 Jean. We don't really go for those, do we? 280 00:28:21,700 --> 00:28:26,477 We should try Foyle’s. It's a bit of a trudge. Well, my feet 281 00:28:26,501 --> 00:28:30,478 being what they are. I have the perfect alternative. One who 282 00:28:30,502 --> 00:28:34,958 is spinning romantic yarns when Miss Heyer was still in the cradle, probably. 283 00:28:34,982 --> 00:28:39,278 Oh, well, if you think that, but I mean, if you'd recommend Shy, 284 00:28:39,302 --> 00:28:44,061 pardon, I'm sure. Sorry. Thinking. Ah. 285 00:28:52,021 --> 00:28:54,076 Orczy. Never heard of him. 286 00:28:54,100 --> 00:28:58,316 Her. Baroness, Hungarian. The Scarlet Pimpanel. 287 00:28:58,340 --> 00:29:01,917 Oh, I've heard of that. French Revolution. 288 00:29:01,941 --> 00:29:07,196 It's a delight. You won't regret it. When you've finished, come back and I'll 289 00:29:07,220 --> 00:29:11,758 find you the sequel. Oh, that's very good of you. What do I 290 00:29:11,782 --> 00:29:19,021 hear of you? Oh, let's call it a Bob. Hang on. Feet, feet, feet, feet. 291 00:29:19,141 --> 00:29:22,556 This is free. 292 00:29:22,580 --> 00:29:27,318 Oh, I I couldn't possibly. Oh, there's nothing but sending you off 293 00:29:27,342 --> 00:29:32,038 happily on the bus without further bunions is a price above rubies. 294 00:29:32,062 --> 00:29:35,117 Wouldn't you agree, Jean? Thank you. 295 00:29:35,141 --> 00:29:40,397 Cheer by Come on, woman. 296 00:29:40,421 --> 00:29:44,941 I never make any money like that, will I? 297 00:29:45,781 --> 00:29:51,357 He ho. Now then, Jack, excited to start the day. There's a whole world of 298 00:29:51,381 --> 00:29:57,676 learning in here. All human life and some inhuman. Still got that coin? 299 00:29:57,700 --> 00:30:03,357 Well, oh, uh, yeah. Yeah, of course. Good. 300 00:30:03,381 --> 00:30:10,556 I don't mean to pry, Mr. Book, but um, what exactly is it you do? I would have 301 00:30:10,580 --> 00:30:15,917 thought that was obvious. I sell books. Yeah, but that's not all, is it? 302 00:30:15,941 --> 00:30:20,877 Yesterday out there at the bomb site, chat with a char lady. 303 00:30:20,901 --> 00:30:23,676 Yes. Well, is that like your 304 00:30:23,700 --> 00:30:27,436 your hobby? I mean, the way you talk to those 305 00:30:27,460 --> 00:30:32,358 coppers where they let you roam around that pit. Are you like some sort of 306 00:30:32,382 --> 00:30:38,398 adviser to them or something? I mean, why should they listen to you? 307 00:30:38,422 --> 00:30:42,198 They frequently don't, more fool them. I did the inspector a favour once during 308 00:30:42,222 --> 00:30:46,957 the war. He hasn't forgotten. Also, I have a special letter. 309 00:30:46,981 --> 00:30:50,918 A letter from Churchill. Yeah, the cop has said that. 310 00:30:50,942 --> 00:30:56,076 A letter saying what? It's a chaotic world, Jack. I have a 311 00:30:56,100 --> 00:31:02,478 system. Sometimes people like me to give an opinion on things, impose a little 312 00:31:02,502 --> 00:31:05,997 order. That's all. You can read all sorts of things, 313 00:31:06,021 --> 00:31:09,460 as well as books. 314 00:31:09,621 --> 00:31:13,676 This... This is your system. Yes. 315 00:31:13,700 --> 00:31:18,237 What's wrong with it? Well, they're not in any kind of order. 316 00:31:18,261 --> 00:31:24,076 cataracts of denial. 317 00:31:24,100 --> 00:31:30,717 Diseases of the eye and their treatment. Cataracts. Eye disease. Logical. 318 00:31:30,741 --> 00:31:36,237 The guillotine. A practical guide. The life and death of Alfred Mutton's Gent. 319 00:31:36,261 --> 00:31:41,838 Coins of the realm. I mean, there's no system. There's no system at all. 320 00:31:41,862 --> 00:31:45,078 Well, it's all up here, isn't it? How best to explain? 321 00:31:45,102 --> 00:31:48,958 Alfred Martins was a career criminal, very successful forger in his day, which 322 00:31:48,982 --> 00:31:52,638 was Queen Victoria's day. Extraordinary chap in his field. He was a coiner, a 323 00:31:52,662 --> 00:31:57,038 forger of coins, but his luck ran out in Paris and they chopped off his head, 324 00:31:57,062 --> 00:32:00,957 which is why all those books are clumped together, you see. 325 00:32:00,981 --> 00:32:04,541 Yeah, but that's, I mean, that's silly. 326 00:32:04,980 --> 00:32:07,980 Nevertheless, 327 00:32:08,100 --> 00:32:14,141 well, I shall leave you to, uh, hold the fort. 328 00:32:29,940 --> 00:32:33,421 Slightly foxed. 329 00:32:34,661 --> 00:32:41,421 Slightly foxed. Says it all. 330 00:32:51,141 --> 00:32:54,141 Morning. 331 00:33:08,580 --> 00:33:12,877 Yeah. Uh, can I help you? I've come to collect an order. 332 00:33:12,901 --> 00:33:18,940 Uh, Right. Um, what's the name? Sheila. Wellbeloved. 333 00:33:22,901 --> 00:33:25,357 Hello, Jack. 334 00:33:25,381 --> 00:33:31,741 Yeah, I'm Nora. We've got lots to talk about. 335 00:33:44,021 --> 00:33:47,278 Thank you, miss. Uh, again, very sorry for you. 336 00:33:47,302 --> 00:33:52,318 Can I go now? Well, if you wouldn't mind just answering a few questions. 337 00:33:52,342 --> 00:33:55,196 Um, would you just just come with me, please. 338 00:33:55,220 --> 00:33:58,316 Fascinating. Where better to hide a tree 339 00:33:58,340 --> 00:34:03,196 than in a forest? And these markings 340 00:34:03,220 --> 00:34:07,677 indeed. Look, look. Oh, hello. Just checking in 341 00:34:07,701 --> 00:34:11,118 on those skeletons with Dr. Calder here. 342 00:34:11,142 --> 00:34:15,277 Ah, yes. Any risk of infection? Quite safe on that, Count Inspector. 343 00:34:15,301 --> 00:34:18,518 However, ah, loose lips drop slips, as they say in 344 00:34:18,542 --> 00:34:23,277 the nicker trade. Wouldn't want to spoil the surprise, would we? 345 00:34:23,301 --> 00:34:26,472 Surprise. Anyway, back to the case in hand, 346 00:34:26,497 --> 00:34:31,057 this is Miss Marula Harkup. Oh, my dear child, I'm so very sorry. 347 00:34:31,081 --> 00:34:36,920 A few questions, you said. Do you mind if I tag along? 348 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:45,041 Oh, don't forget that blood test will you? On its way… 349 00:34:47,680 --> 00:34:53,497 Sorry about that. There you go. Black lamb and grey falcon 350 00:34:53,521 --> 00:34:58,281 sounds interesting. T 351 00:35:02,481 --> 00:35:05,817 getting the hang of it, slowly. 352 00:35:05,841 --> 00:35:09,896 So, who are you? Nora. I live across the road in the 353 00:35:09,920 --> 00:35:14,578 Turkish restaurant. Help out in the shop sometimes. 354 00:35:14,602 --> 00:35:17,977 So, um, do you know him well then, Mr. And Mrs. Book? 355 00:35:18,001 --> 00:35:22,297 Yeah. And do you know about his little hobby? 356 00:35:22,321 --> 00:35:27,177 Bloody hell. Yes. It's all I think about. 357 00:35:27,201 --> 00:35:31,177 Isn't all that I mean, isn't that 358 00:35:31,201 --> 00:35:34,457 unhealthy? I should think so. 359 00:35:34,481 --> 00:35:39,497 What d’your mom and dad think? Don't have any. 360 00:35:39,521 --> 00:35:45,097 What do you mean? Well, it was the war, wasn't it? 361 00:35:45,121 --> 00:35:49,896 Everyone lost someone. I lost them. 362 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:52,920 Sorry. 363 00:35:53,041 --> 00:35:57,177 What happened? So, how we getting on anyway with the 364 00:35:57,201 --> 00:36:02,361 Books, Mr. and Mrs. 365 00:36:02,481 --> 00:36:07,577 It's not quite what I expected. What is his Christian name, by the way? What do 366 00:36:07,601 --> 00:36:13,337 you think? Cookbook, scrapbook, mucky book, 367 00:36:13,361 --> 00:36:17,257 Gabriel. Ah, 368 00:36:17,281 --> 00:36:21,497 Like the angel. Archangel. I think you'll find they're a 369 00:36:21,521 --> 00:36:28,537 dream. Both of them such sweethearts. So, 370 00:36:28,561 --> 00:36:32,201 what's your story? 371 00:36:44,801 --> 00:36:51,817 They think I'm hard. I'm not sniffling, boohooing all over the shop. 372 00:36:51,841 --> 00:36:55,896 I mean, it's just not the way I'm made. So there, 373 00:36:55,920 --> 00:37:00,777 your father. I'm sorry that he's dead. Of course I 374 00:37:00,801 --> 00:37:06,361 am. He was my dad in spite of everything. 375 00:37:06,881 --> 00:37:11,257 He didn't make it easy to, um, to love him though. 376 00:37:11,281 --> 00:37:16,058 Can you think of any reason why he'd want to take his own life? 377 00:37:16,082 --> 00:37:19,338 None. No. He was nicely set up with a shop and 378 00:37:19,362 --> 00:37:22,618 well, mum had left him a few bob when she died. 379 00:37:22,642 --> 00:37:25,458 You don't think your estrangement? No. 380 00:37:25,482 --> 00:37:30,738 Nothing to do with that. He wasn't the type to get all emotional. 381 00:37:30,762 --> 00:37:37,218 Maybe that's where I get it from. I mean, he made it very clear that he 382 00:37:37,242 --> 00:37:42,538 didn't approve of, um, me and Mickey, but um he'd hardly have gotten killed 383 00:37:42,562 --> 00:37:46,998 himself in a fit of the glums about it. He just he weren't the type, as I say. 384 00:37:47,022 --> 00:37:48,841 Tell us about Mickey. 385 00:37:50,081 --> 00:37:56,777 What's to say? He's my fellow. How was his war? 386 00:37:56,801 --> 00:38:00,458 Why do you ask that? Well, we know how much our father 387 00:38:00,482 --> 00:38:06,137 appreciated the armed forces. Always wore his medal ribbons with great pride. 388 00:38:06,161 --> 00:38:11,338 Yes. Well, Mickey wasn't lucky. His eyes, they're not they're not good. 389 00:38:11,362 --> 00:38:16,138 I say that's why he ended up with me. I mean, he wouldn't have been much good 390 00:38:16,162 --> 00:38:21,897 against Jerry with eyes like his. Dad didn't like that. Thought he was a 391 00:38:21,921 --> 00:38:25,978 Shirker. That was the start of it. What was the finish? 392 00:38:26,002 --> 00:38:30,458 Well, dad was convinced that Mickey was thieving from him. 393 00:38:30,482 --> 00:38:33,481 Cash? Morphine. 394 00:38:33,680 --> 00:38:38,457 Mickey got up to some shady business during the war. Just stockings, 395 00:38:38,481 --> 00:38:43,497 cigarettes, small stuff. Dad had, um, just got it into his head that Mickey was 396 00:38:43,521 --> 00:38:46,458 bad. And he'd noticed morphine had gone 397 00:38:46,482 --> 00:38:48,057 missing. Yes. 398 00:38:48,081 --> 00:38:54,680 Wouldn't speak to us. But you'd had a bit of news, haven't you? 399 00:38:58,160 --> 00:39:02,898 I thought a little one might be the thing that brings us back together. 400 00:39:02,922 --> 00:39:08,637 What's all this about? Why are you so interested in Mickey if if dad has gone 401 00:39:08,661 --> 00:39:10,920 and topped himself? 402 00:39:15,041 --> 00:39:18,937 Stories. Detective stories. That's what I want to 403 00:39:18,961 --> 00:39:26,961 write. I've got so many ideas. It's Such an exciting new world out there. 404 00:39:27,201 --> 00:39:33,458 Everything's all smashed up. The whole world. No one knows what to do anymore. 405 00:39:33,482 --> 00:39:38,537 Well, I do. The war turned everything upside down. Shook it up. That's great. 406 00:39:38,561 --> 00:39:41,818 There's no going back to how things used to be, 407 00:39:41,842 --> 00:39:45,298 including murders. Including murders. Half the soldiers in. 408 00:39:45,322 --> 00:39:50,618 Britain have come home with pistols they stole from dead Nazis, the country is a 409 00:39:50,642 --> 00:39:53,018 wash with them. So, 410 00:39:53,042 --> 00:39:59,138 so we only seem civilised in this country because we're not armed. Think 411 00:39:59,162 --> 00:40:03,577 of all that throbbing suburban passion. Husbands having affairs with 412 00:40:03,601 --> 00:40:09,097 secretaries, ladies having affairs with their chauffeurs, all those contested 413 00:40:09,121 --> 00:40:15,097 wills and domestic rows. People used to kill each other by boiling down arsenic 414 00:40:15,121 --> 00:40:21,177 from their wallpaper. Now they just have to reach for a Luger. 415 00:40:21,201 --> 00:40:24,841 Pow pow pow. 416 00:40:29,041 --> 00:40:34,057 What did happen to your parents? You're supposed to be telling me your 417 00:40:34,081 --> 00:40:37,081 story. 418 00:40:37,920 --> 00:40:43,577 I'm an orphan, too. I never knew my mum. I got a picture of 419 00:40:43,601 --> 00:40:49,577 my dad. That's all. 420 00:40:49,601 --> 00:40:52,857 I’m sorry. It's 421 00:40:52,881 --> 00:40:55,961 all right. 422 00:40:57,601 --> 00:40:59,577 I should um Yeah, 423 00:40:59,601 --> 00:41:04,201 it was nice to meet you. It was an incendiary. 424 00:41:04,481 --> 00:41:07,481 What? 425 00:41:08,801 --> 00:41:12,041 An incendiary. 426 00:41:12,081 --> 00:41:16,640 Set the roof on fire in the blitz. 427 00:41:17,440 --> 00:41:23,721 Mom got me out and went back for dad. 428 00:41:23,920 --> 00:41:30,457 Then the roof fell in. I just sat there in the garden looking 429 00:41:30,481 --> 00:41:36,616 at the house. Just felt 430 00:41:36,640 --> 00:41:40,121 sort of numb. 431 00:41:40,801 --> 00:41:47,896 The ARP warden found me. Then my uncle took me in. So 432 00:41:47,920 --> 00:41:53,017 now I have to help him out with the restaurant. 433 00:41:53,041 --> 00:41:56,761 But you'd rather be.. 434 00:41:57,281 --> 00:42:02,121 much more exciting over here, isn't it? 435 00:42:09,680 --> 00:42:13,081 See the skull. 436 00:42:24,961 --> 00:42:29,241 I gave up pleasure for Lent. 437 00:42:29,761 --> 00:42:36,041 I gave up Lent for pleasure. 438 00:42:40,400 --> 00:42:45,257 Well, what's your answer? 439 00:42:45,281 --> 00:42:52,100 I told you before, I'm just a book seller. I sell books again 440 00:42:52,125 --> 00:42:58,920 like I did before the war. This would be for old times’ sake. 441 00:42:58,945 --> 00:43:04,841 And we did help you find him. Very kind of you. 442 00:43:06,241 --> 00:43:11,896 How's all that working out? It's complicated. 443 00:43:11,920 --> 00:43:18,680 Well, yes, I imagine it is… delicate. 444 00:43:18,721 --> 00:43:22,537 And we wouldn't want anything to go wrong, 445 00:43:22,561 --> 00:43:26,041 now, would we? 446 00:44:24,241 --> 00:44:28,376 So, what do we make of him? Mm? 447 00:44:28,400 --> 00:44:33,977 Jack, put him in the attic room. Like Mrs. Rochester, only slightly more 448 00:44:34,001 --> 00:44:37,098 butch. Has it ever occurred to you that you are 449 00:44:37,122 --> 00:44:39,378 such a bibliophile? 450 00:44:39,402 --> 00:44:43,017 Because of your name? Nominative determinism. 451 00:44:43,041 --> 00:44:48,697 I mean, if you've been called butcher, you might be slicing up choice cuts of 452 00:44:48,721 --> 00:44:54,057 meat. Flensing, that's the word. Removing fat 453 00:44:54,081 --> 00:44:59,098 from a carcass. Wonderfully descriptive word. Flensing. I shall endeavour to 454 00:44:59,122 --> 00:45:03,178 bring it back. Well, I wish you joy with that. Yes, you 455 00:45:03,202 --> 00:45:08,298 could be slipping me black market chops under the counter like Mr. Wellbeloved. 456 00:45:08,322 --> 00:45:13,738 Much more useful than books these days. I could have been an archer or a baker 457 00:45:13,762 --> 00:45:17,897 or a chandler. Speaking of which, farewell, my lovely. 458 00:45:17,921 --> 00:45:21,458 Oh, you're going out again. You're so sharp you'll cut yourself. 459 00:45:21,482 --> 00:45:26,778 Crime fiction, American. Customer put in a request. I know it's here somewhere. I 460 00:45:26,802 --> 00:45:30,457 saw a lady in the lake recently. Anyway, Jack, 461 00:45:30,481 --> 00:45:35,656 definite promise. Definite promise. He didn't try to flog that coin. 462 00:45:35,680 --> 00:45:42,201 So, jail hasn't made a wrong ‘un for life. Touchwood. 463 00:45:43,761 --> 00:45:49,400 And the, uh, other matter. 464 00:45:50,081 --> 00:45:54,201 It's too soon to tell him. 465 00:46:19,680 --> 00:46:24,616 What was so special about your book? Nothing really. It's just about some 466 00:46:24,640 --> 00:46:31,177 chaps at school playing cricket. And what do you think of Carol Darley? 467 00:46:31,201 --> 00:46:33,416 You've read Tim started it 468 00:46:33,440 --> 00:46:39,561 when? After I saved it from the incinerator. 469 00:46:42,241 --> 00:46:48,777 Look, what's your name? Budge up. 470 00:46:48,801 --> 00:46:52,440 It's a funny name. 471 00:46:52,961 --> 00:46:56,281 Thank you, 472 00:46:57,521 --> 00:47:03,497 Strotford Perry. But my friends call me Trottie. 473 00:47:03,521 --> 00:47:06,537 You're splendid. You owe me. 474 00:47:06,561 --> 00:47:11,497 I do. So when I get into trouble here, will 475 00:47:11,521 --> 00:47:17,961 you help me out? Let us make a solemn pact. 476 00:47:28,321 --> 00:47:33,257 Put your strong arms around me, Carol, and raise me a little. I can talk 477 00:47:33,281 --> 00:47:36,761 better. So, 478 00:47:38,640 --> 00:47:44,478 Carol bowed his head without a word and kissed him, and thus their friendship 479 00:47:44,502 --> 00:47:46,121 was sealed. 480 00:47:52,721 --> 00:47:58,440 Good night, Mrs. Book. Good night, Mr. Book. 481 00:48:12,400 --> 00:48:18,281 The daughter, the spiv, the char, the warden. 482 00:48:18,321 --> 00:48:24,680 Who gave Harkup the ruddy poison? 483 00:48:30,160 --> 00:48:33,160 484 00:48:33,761 --> 00:48:36,761 Absent friends. 485 00:48:55,361 --> 00:48:58,361 Hi. 486 00:49:15,281 --> 00:49:20,376 Sir, you'll never believe it. It takes a lot to surprise me. Mor, 487 00:49:20,400 --> 00:49:25,338 what? What is it? We just got the chemist's will through, sir. Yeah. 488 00:49:25,362 --> 00:49:31,081 Daughter doesn't get a bean. No. No. Well, who does? 489 00:49:35,601 --> 00:49:42,920 Oh, the char. Mrs. Ada Dredge. 490 00:49:50,321 --> 00:49:53,321 No. 491 00:49:59,121 --> 00:50:02,121 No. 492 00:50:34,400 --> 00:50:37,400 No. 493 00:50:38,305 --> 00:51:38,864 Support us and become VIP member to remove all ads from www.OpenSubtitles.org