Pepe ! Pepe ! There's a man who wants to visit
I'm coming.
You want to see the boat ?
Yes, it's for sale, isn't it ?
Yes, of course. Come on board !
French ?
Me know many French
The American senora, she had lots of money, you know.
I know.
And what do you want to do with this boat, captain ?
Sail !
There's petrol on board ?
About 300 litres.
-Ah... Captain, how are you doing ? - I'm fine, thank you !
- You came in this morning ? -Yes !
Sit down !
Tell me about this boat... Did you see it ?
Yes.
And what do you think of it ?
It's o.k. A fine ketch. Built less than 10 years ago.
Good. And the inside is classy enough ?
It could be. With small improvements.
And as it is... Is it ready to sail ?
It seems to be.
The sails are as new. The hull seems in good condition
It would be necessary to have it checked on dry dock though...
Yes of course.For the expertise. What about the engine ?
300 horsepower. Petrol.
You'd rather have had fuel...
- It's safer ! -We'll change it.
But this engine works ?
Very well.
What about the price ? Seems all right ?
Somewhat expensive. But we could try to bargain.
60 000 $
But if you're in a hurry, it would be best to cable Mrs Osborne today.
All right. Here's what we'll do...
If that lady does not know a firm wants to buy, it will be easier to bargain.
It would be better if you were the one to send the cable.
You'll go to Puerto Macao to have a look at the two other boats.
I don't want it to be said that I bought hurriedly. Especially a 25 m. ketch.
Today is tuesday. We can meet here friday afternoon. O.K. ?
I take the next flight to Kingston. We have a Board meeting. So...
I'll be back friday at noon. By then, you'll have heard of Mrs... Mrs ?
Osborne. - Osborne. O.k.
Captain Cournot ?
Lieutenant Selajadra. Of the Police Office.
Can we talk for a few minutes ?
Come in !
May I see your passport ?
Here it is !
You arrived here 3 days ago ?
And you left the hotel yesterday and the day before.
Where were you ?
In Puerto Macao.
And what were you doing there ?
I visited boats.
You were thinking of buying one ?
And tuesday, you were here ?
and you went to see a boat in Santa Madalena.
Yes. The Dragon.
The Dragon is missing.
- Missing ? - Stolen.
Tuesday night.
Stolen ?
The caretaker told us you stayed over 5 hours on board.
that you examined the boat from top to bottom.
So what ?
You know whose boat it was ?
Belongs to some Mrs Osborne.
And the price she asked ? - 80 000 $
I sent her a telegram offering 60 000
It's a lot of money.
You could have paid that much ?
I was doing it for someone else, a firm...
- What firm ? - The Hendrix-Hollister and Dykes lab.
So you had contact with someone from that firm.
Yes...Hugo Hendrix He is staying at the Columbus.
So you won't mind coming with us to that hotel, captain.
We'll be able to check all those details with Mr Hendrix.
Of course.
Did you tell the owner ?
Si... she's coming today.
You say you sent her a telegram. - Yes. On tuesday.
But why you and not Hendrix ?
He'll explain himself. The price would not have been the same,
had she known the buyer was a firm. That's it.
The Dragoon ? I went fishing with poor Osborne. 2 years ago at least.
So it was stolen... Pity !
We'd never seen that Hendrix here.
He arrived monday morning
He spent the night and checked out on tuesday.
At about 5. Without paying of course.
Gentlemen, I'll leave you. The staff will answer all questions.
So... captain ? What do you think of that ?
That he is a crook.
Of course. But trouble is you can still be held responsible.
What did you notice ?
Nothing special
I brought him some cigars which he paid for.
He also asked for maps.
Maps of the Caribbean sea.
and one of the Honduras coast.
- Nothing else ? - No Sir.
Why did he send you to check on the boat instead of doing it himself ?
No idea.
It's a problem.
It was the airport. Mrs Osborne has just arrived.
And she's never heard of you, captain.
She did not receive any telegram.
For how long have you known that Hendrix ?
I told you. I don't know him.
I've seen him twice. - But he did know you.
How did he know your name ?
Did he draw it out of a hat ?
He'd told me a ship owner had given him my name.
What's his name ?
I didn't think of asking him. Many people know me.
It's true. I checked.
But why you and not another ?
I was looking for work. I was available. Didn't seem strange.
You left your country six years ago.
- Yes. - Trouble ?
No
You were in charge of a shipbuilding yard in Port au Prince.
- Yes. - You had an associate. Name is Sutter.
But there was an accident and Sutter died.
The shipbuilding yard was insured ?
You got the money...
But it was less than the losses.
But that fire... How did it start ?
What's it got to do with this?
Mrs Osborne has just phoned. She received your telegram.
It arrived after she left.
Captain...you're free to go...
We've had news from the"Dragoon"
It was sighted near San Pedro by a cargo ship; during the storm.
According to the captain, it seemed to have problems.
The cargo ship radioed an offer for help but they refused it. Of course.
Of course.
Good luck
- Captain Cournot ? - Yes.
I'm really sorry about this telegram. - So am I.
I can see you ?
Yes. If you want to. When ?
As soon as possible. Can I come to your hotel ?
All right. Let's say in... 15 minutes.
All right. I'm coming.
- Where can we talk ? - Over there.
What will you drink ? - I don't know. Same as you.
The man who wanted to buy the"Dragon" .... What did he look like ?
Hendrix ? Nice fellow. The ...polo-playing kind.
What about the "Dragoon". Is it a beautiful boat ?
You're asking me !...
You should know better than I.
I went on board only once. When my husband bought it.
Well, it was... it is a beautiful ketch.
But after that storm... You think it could get through ?
If there's a good sailor on board, it did...
otherwise, I hope for you you're well insured.
And if I wanted to find it ?
Find it ?
The sea is big, you know.
and there are thieves on board.
Even if you found it, what could you do ?
You're not going to call the cops in the middle of the sea.
I want to know what happened to it. If it's still there or if it has sunk down.
I spoke to the vapour captain : he told me where he saw the "dragoon".
He's written it on the map.
Close to the North Coast, near San Pedro
There. About 150 miles, South East of your glass.
If we rent a fast boat, we can find it.
You'd waste your time and your money.
Why ?
The Dragoon was sighted 24 hours ago. It can be anywhere, 150 miles from there.
Do you know what it means ?
About half of France.
- It's big... - Yeah, it is...
So, it's impossible.
With a boat, it is.
You could try with a plane. - Of course, a plane.
Best thing to do is go to Jamaica and start searching from there.
A friend of mine in Kingston has a taxi plane business. Want his address ?
I'd like you to help me find the DRagoon. - Me ?
I'll pay you, and all the expenses. You're the only one who knows the boat.
When the police told you, you were in New-York, weren't you ?
- At home. - Yes.
So Tuesday, you got my telegram.
Yesterday, you told the police you hadn't.
And this morning, you invented that story.
You have your reasons. But lying to the cops, you made them go after me.
and for them, I remain a suspect.
and you want me to go get your boat.
Mrs Osborne, captain...
the coast guard found something that may have to do with the Dragoon.
Near the cove at San Benito. Can you come with us ?
- Of course. - You have your car, captain ?
Follow us.
The guy who used you... Hendrix... I knew him. That's why I lied.
One, three bullets. The other, knifed.
The Benavides brothers.
Did you know them ?
Take them away
The bodies were thrown at sea. But the tide brought them back.
A piece of a box.
Nothing else ?
No, we're still looking.
Did you know the Dragoon was not insured ?
No !
Osborne's business was not working too well when he died
If Mrs Osborne hired you, don't expect too much !
He left her nothing, except the boat.
I think the investigation will end here.
There's nothing more we can do.
The Dragoon is not in our waters... Goodbye captain...
The next plane for Kingston leaves in one hour.
If we hurry we can get it !
Jacques ! what are you doing here ?
A seaplane ! When do you want it ? For how long?
What do you want it for ? ...Yes, of course.
You have money for the petrol ?
It's just there. On the North coast.
Just there!
Yes, but now it can be anywhere...
I know, but Mrs Osborne wants to try
It's a big area !
We'll have to search square after square.
- It suits you ? -Yes. Fine !
We can start searching !
I've seen something ! Over there !
A cutter !
There ! A ketch ! A big one !
- Is it the one ? - Can't say from here !
No, it's not ! Not the same rear deck !
The Dragoon raft !
The raft from the Dragoon has been found ! Empty !
-Where ? -12 miles from the Loggerhead reef.
Yesterday night. By a fishing boat called Dorado.
It came back less than an hour ago !
South West ! 20 miles from here.
We have enough to go and have a look !
Keep the course ! I think I see something straight ahead !
A sand bar or a small reef. But there's a boat too.
- That's it ! -Are you sure ? -Positive !
- It's grounded ! - There's no one !
It seems abandoned.
Can you fly over it once more ?
All right. But once only.
All you have to do is go and get it !
It's near Loggerhead reef. Over the Narina shallows.
About 4 miles from the west coast.
A chartered boat will take 2 days. If we find one to sail on the shallows.
You're sure you'll be able to land ?
If the sea is like today, it can be done.
I've seen no reef. We'll have to get there early morning. At high tide.
before there's wind.
Mrs Osborne, you'll come with me ? It's more comfortable.
What sort of a woman is she ?
What I mean... Is she all right ?
We've searched around for about one hour. We found nothing.
There was only one lifeboat on board ?
Yes, only one.
To sail in these seas in a storm, you have to be crazy.
- What about swimming to shore? - 80 miles!
Impossible.
Where's Mrs Osborne ?
I dropped her in Macaraibo.
We go back to the plane. We fill her up. And we'll put a raft on board.
We'll leave at 5:30. OK ? -O.K.
Everything's o.k. for you, captain ?
- For me yes. - Everything set and ready ? Departure at dawn.
Hendrix, Allister and Dyke Laboratory !
He told you he was a doctor ?
No. Why ? Was he ?
He was everything : doctor, professor, radiologist...
heart specialist, psychologist... all the trades ending in gist
Give me a cigarette.
- Is this important to you ? - Important ? No.
What's important to a rich widow ?
- How old are you ? - 43 !
You're not married ?
- I was. - Why did you leave your wife ?
We didn't get along.
I'll tell you something, captain. I'm not a rich widow.
You're not ...
Sit down.
It would be best if you went on the west side to wait for us.
How long do you think you'll stay ?
If there's not too much damage I'll stay on board.
and I'll take Mrs Osborne back in half an hour.
If the radio's working, I'll call you.
It must be 3 meters deep. I could bring it in this fairway.
You think it is possible ?
I don't know. We'll see.
Is there something ?
I'm really sorry...
I only wanted to borrow it. I would have brought it back.
But things did not turn out as I thought they would...
The storm... and my partners
have conceptions that are quite different from mine.
Bad luck, you could say.
No use to tell you that Morrison believes in using radical methods.
You'll go up on the bridge so that the pilot may see you
You walk about... and when told you'll start the engine.
And then ?
Do as you've been told. After that, we'll tell you.
Up !
Now you'll talk to the pilot
- What do I tell him ? - That everything's all right,
that you'll sail back, the girl and you, and that he can leave.
Dragoon calling Mc Allister 771
Dragoon calling Mc Allister 711. Over !
Mc Allister 771 to Dragoon.
You're coming through loud and clear. What's the situation like ? Over !
Very bad. We're stuck !
Your transmitter has problems. I can't hear you any more
Mc Allister 771 calling Dragoon. I can't hear you.
Mc Allister 771 calling Dragoon I can't hear you.
Dragoon calling Mc Allister 771. Over !
Mc Allister 771 listening. What's going on ? Over !
Dragoon to Mc Allister 771. Nothing bad. No serious damage.
I'll raise the boat. Over !
Mc Allister 771 to Dragoon. Got it ! You'll raise it.
You're staying on the boat, the both of you ?
We're staying on board. We'll sail her back to Kingston. Over !
Staying on board. Sailing back to Kingston. Need anything ? Over !
We need nothing. Over !
My respects to Mrs Osborne. If there's a problem, call Mc Allister
See you in Kingston ! Cheerio, Jacques. Over !
See you in Kingston. So long ! Over !
Up on the deck. To wave goodbye !
What can we do ?
Do as we were told.
And afterwards ?
We'll see.
You... find...idea.
Boat... go...o.k ?
The first thing to do is throw your boxes overboard
You... understand , captain ?
How much must be unloaded ?
I'd first need to know how much cargo you have...
600 rifles, 12 mortars and cartridges.
I'm not asking for an inventory. How much does the cargo weigh ?
About 7 tons
What about the keel ? Do you know how deep it is in the sand ?
No, No. - I'll have to go and see.
Have you got a mask ?
Me... Dive... To see.
Something wrong ?
No, nothing.
You've been with Morrison long ?
6 months... But I've known him for 5 years
You don't like it when he drinks, do you ?
What about you ?
How far is the nearest land ?
100 nautic miles. Maybe a little less. 150 kms.
With the raft, we could get there ?
With petrol, water and good weather, it might be done.
Why ? Want to leave us ?
It would be best than staying here. I don't think you'll make it.
You're wasting your time.
Morrison has always been straight with me.
You think I'm totally drunk. You're not wrong.
Even with what I managed to throw overboard
I had to drink quite a lot !
And I don't like rum !
Morrison is a barrel ! It took three hours before he collapsed.
I've played the fool all night to no avail.
And why did you act this way ?
To try and steal the raft.
What did I risk anyway ? I wouldn't have died ...
What did Ruiz do all the time ?
Everything failed because of him.
I didn't manage to see if he was asleep or not
I'd almost reached the raft, but he heard me
so I started to sing, I said I was going to the yacht club
to see if the bar was still open.
That's when he brought me here.
You were thinking of leaving in the raft with Hendrix ?
No. With you.
- With me ? - Yes.
- Why ? - Why not ?
But... who's that Hendrix ?
My first husband.
Long time ago ? - 8 years ago.
He was in medical school. A very bright student.
All the women liked him. And so did I. It worked, you know.
He thought it was too long. He wanted to earn money in other ways.
He made fantastic plans.
I was wrong about him. He was a mythomaniac.
I left him.
Later, it went from bad to worse
He was arrested for making false prescriptions and selling drugs.
It was difficult getting him out of there.
If I had managed to get on the raft, we could...
No !
It does not matter. We'll go back on the boat.
On the boat ?
It's the time of high tides. We only need 12 inches more water.
Yes but we have to take the boat back.
Tomorrow, when Morrison is on the island
Hendrix ... can he be counted upon ?
No... I hope he'll make it. But you can't count on him.
You must tell him nothing.
Ruiz is the problem...
I don't want you to worry but...
we'll try something only when we feel sure about it.
They won't give us a second chance...
Get out of the way. Let me do it !
When you don't know how, you don't drink
From now on, you stay in the cabin.
Some more rum ? - No, water ! Want some ?
Stay on deck !
Shoot ! What are you waiting for ?
Come on, shoot ! - Give me a rope !
The raft ! it's going away !
Get it !
Get the first aid kit ! - Where ?
First cabin port side !
Port ? -On the left.
It's the fourth rib. It's broken !
The bullet went out. You're lucky !
We need something to make him sleep.
Sedatives ? There are some !
Are we going to make it ? - We'll try.
I won't be much help.
Doesn't matter. She'll help me.
He's changed weapons !
Can he get to us ? -No, not here.
The boat has a double hull. The bullets should not get through it.
Why is he shooting ? He does not even see us.
To prevent us from going on deck. -Can't we shoot him ?
With this ?
What about the rifles ? There's no ammunition left on board.
So there's nothing we can do...
We can do many things.
First we'll jettison and then set anchor.
But we must protect ourselves.
What do I do ?
Remove all the mattresses from the bunks and pile them up here.
And find the underwater mask.
Yes... the mattresses... and the mask...
You can go now !
Bend down !
- Where are you going to put it ? - Behind. As far as possible !
Remember when we arrived I showed you a channel at least 10 feet deep ?
If we can pull the boat up to there, we'll be all right.
But I need to take the anchor, set it down ten yards beyond the channel
and then pull on it. You understand ?
Yes... but how will you get it there ?
I'll go on foot.... It's true...
Not really the usual way to do it but the only one left to us !
That's why I need the mask !
What about Morrison ? You'll have to go up and breathe...
I'll be far from him. And I'll to try to breathe quickly !
What's he doing ?
A while ago, he was moving. Now I can't see him.
I hope the engine has not been hit !
What now ?
Now we wait until high tide. Not until ten at night.
I needed nothing else.
Now we know he's on the island.
We're lucky the mortars are still here !
There's a leak somewhere.
Petrol !
One of the tanks leaks !
We can't use the engine any more...
No. A spark and we blow away !
So we can't move the boat...
We can raise it with the anchor. And afterwards we'll use the sails.
But don't smoke and don't put the lights on. It might be dangerous.
Even after I'm finished. For a few more hours.
That smell's horrible !
Don't stay here. I'd rather you went on deck to keep watch.
It moved! I'm sure of it !
The tide will be at its peak in half an hour. I'll try.
Really ? We've made it ?
We'll manage to go away ?
I think so, yes.
You'll excuse me for thinking of myself. But where do you intend to go ?
I can't imagine landing in Kingston.
We could leave you in... Panama
We could have the boat repaired there.
I know someone in Panama. A very important guy.
Don't come down
Keep an eye on the anchor... It'll be time soon !
THE END
Subtitles : Cinephage