[Dripping]
[Gunshot]
[Dog barks]
[Gunshots]
[Gun clicks]
[Dogs barking]
[People speaking Malay]
That's Mr. Hammond!
Come inside.
[Speaking Malay]
Do you know where
the new district officer lives?
Yes, missy.
Send someone for him.
Tell him there's been an accident
and Mr. Hammond's dead.
Yes, missy.
And get word to Mr. Crosbie.
He's out somewhere on the number 4 plantation.
No can telephone tonight.
Offices are all closed, missy.
Well, send a boy for him.
Tell him to come at once.
Yes, missy. [Speaking Malay]
What are you doing here, all of you?
Go away. Go away, I tell you!
[Door locks]
[Woman crying]
[Shouting in Malay]
Mr. Withers! Mr. Withers!
Please stop at loa crossway.
I take shortcut through jungle.
Right.
Fred, do you think
we can get this whole shipment on these cars?
I'm sure we will, sir.
Well, if not, we can use the two big lorries then.
[Shouting in Malay]
What is it, boy? What's the matter?
Mr. Crosbie, Mr. Hammond has been shot!
What? What's that you said?
Mr. Hammond is dead.
Missy say hurry!
Fred, get to the village as fast as you can.
Telephone Joyce in Singapore.
Fred: Mr. Howard Joyce, sir?
Yes, the lawyer. Tell him to meet me
with his car at loa crossway soon as he can.
Fred: Right!
And hurry with the shipment to Singapore.
She's got to be on board by 6:00.
Where's my wife?
She locked herself in, Mr. Crosbie.
She wouldn't see me until you came.
Mr. Withers, I'm Howard Joyce.
How do you do?
Mr. Crosbie: Let me in.
Leslie, darling, it's Robert.
What's happened?
Leslie, what's happened?
Didn't they tell you?
The said Hammond was killed.
Is he still there?
I had your head boy remove the body to a shed.
He tried to make love to me, and I shot him.
Leslie!
Oh, Robert, I'm so glad you've come.
There, darling.
Hold me tight. I'm so frightened.
There's nothing to be frightened about.
It will be all right.
Leslie, darling, it will be all right.
Mr. Withers, I hope you understand
that I couldn't see anyone until my husband came.
Of course. I understand, Mrs. Crosbie.
Howard, how nice of you to come.
Naturally I'd want to be here if I can help.
Then you will help us?
Of course I will. In every way I can.
You're a dear.
Darling.
How's Dorothy?
She's very well, Leslie, and anxious to see you.
Has her niece arrived from england?
Yes. Adele... Charming girl. She came last week.
Here, you better be resting.
I do feel dreadfully faint.
Come and lie down, darling,
and I'll get you something to drink.
I'm sorry to be so tiresome.
Nonsense. You're being very brave.
How long have you been here?
About an hour.
One of the Crosbie houseboys came to fetch me.
Was Hammond dead?
Oh, yes. He was just riddled with bullets.
What?
Here's the revolver.
All 6 chambers are empty.
Here, you two. You better come
and have a drink yourselves.
Thanks, but I'm afraid I shouldn't.
I'll have one, Bob.
I'm on duty of a sort, you know.
Feeling any better, Leslie?
Much better, thank you.
Mrs. Crosbie,
I know it sounds brutal,
but I'm afraid it's my duty
to ask you some questions.
Really, I think that can wait, Withers, until my wife...
that's all right, Robert, really.
I feel perfectly well now.
Then suppose you tell us
exactly what happened, Leslie.
I'll try.
Withers: Take your time, Mrs. Crosbie.
Remember, we're all friends here.
You have been so patient.
Well, as you know, Robert was spending the night in Singapore.
I never mind being alone.
A planter's wife gets used to that.
My dear.
I had dinner rather late and started working on my lace.
I don't know how long I'd been working
when suddenly I heard a footstep outside.
Someone came up on the veranda
and said, "good evening. Can I come in?"
I was startled
because I hadn't heard a car drive up.
Hammond left his car about
a quarter-mile down the road.
Your houseboy noticed it
as we were driving here.
He probably didn't want anyone to hear him drive up.
At first I couldn't tell who it was.
"Who is it?" I asked.
"Jeff Hammond."
"Oh, of course," I said. "Come in and have a drink."
Were you surprised to see him?
Well, I was, rather.
We hadn't seen him for ages, had we, Robert?
3 months at least.
I told him Robert was out on the number 4 plantation
getting out a shipment or something.
Was that it?
Yes, darling.
Howard: What happened?
He said, "oh, I'm so sorry,
but I was feeling rather lonely
so I thought I'd come over
and see how you were getting on."
I asked him how he'd come, as I hadn't heard a car.
He said he'd left it on the road
because he thought we might be in bed
and didn't want to wake us up.
Well, I put on my spectacles again and went on with my work.
Well, we went on chatting,
and then suddenly he said something rather silly.
What?
It's hardly worth repeating.
He paid me a little compliment.
I think perhaps you'd better tell us
exactly what he said.
He said, "you have very pretty eyes.
It's a shame to hide them under those ugly spectacles."
Had he ever said anything of the sort to you before?
Oh, no, never, and I thought it impertinent.
I don't wonder.
Did you answer him?
Of course. I said,
"I don't care two pence what you think about me."
He only laughed and said,
"I'm going to tell you, all the same.
I think you're the prettiest thing I've ever seen."
I don't understand.
Let her finish, Bob.
"Well, in that case," I said,
"I can only think you half-witted."
But he laughed again and moved his chair up closer.
"You can't deny you have the prettiest hands in the world."
Well, that rather put my back up.
My hands are not very good,
and no woman wants to be flattered
on her worst points.
They're lovely, darling.
Robert, you silly thing.
Well, when Hammond was talking that way,
did he just sit in his chair?
Oh, no. He tried to take one of my hands.
"Don't be an idiot," I said.
"Sit back where you were and talk sensibly,
or I shall have to send you home."
But, Mrs. Crosbie, I wonder you didn't
throw him out there and then.
Well, I didn't want to make a fuss.
You know, there are men who think it's their duty
to flirt with women whenever they have the chance.
I believe they think women expect it of them.
When did you first suspect
that Hammond was serious?
The next thing he said to me.
He looked at me straight in the face and said,
"don't you know I'm awfully in love with you?"
Swine.
Howard: Were you surprised?
But of course I was surprised.
We've known him 7 years, Robert.
He's never paid me the smallest attention.
Didn't suppose he even knew what color my eyes were.
We haven't seen very much of him
for the last few years.
Howard: Go on, Leslie.
Well, he helped himself to another whisky and soda.
I began to wonder if he'd been drinking before.
"I wouldn't have another one if I were you," I said.
I was quite friendly,
not the least bit frightened.
Never occurred to me I couldn't manage him.
But he emptied his glass
and said to me in a funny, abrupt way,
"do you think I'm saying all this to you
because I'm drunk?"
I said, "that's the most obvious explanation, isn't it?"
Oh, it's too awful having to tell you all this.
I'm so ashamed.
I wish there were some way
we could spare you, Mrs. Crosbie.
Leslie, it's for your own good that we know the facts...
all you can remember of them.
Very well, I'll tell you the rest.
I got up from that chair there...
And I stood in front of the table here.
He Rose and came around the table
and stood in front of me.
I held out my hand.
"Good night," I said... But he didn't move.
He just stood there looking at me,
and his eyes were all funny.
"I'm not going," he said.
Then I began to lose my temper.
"Poor fool, don't you know
"I've never loved anyone but Robert?
"And even if I didn't love him,
you'd be the last man in the world I should care for."
"Robert's away," he said.
Well, that was the last straw.
I wasn't in the least bit frightened, just angry.
"If you don't leave immediately," I said,
"I shall call the boys and have you thrown out."
But I walked past him toward the veranda
to call the boys,
but he took hold of my arm and swung me back.
Well, I tried to scream,
but he flung his arms about me and began to kiss me.
I struggled to tear myself away from him.
He seemed like a madman.
He kept talking and talking and saying he loved me and...
it's horrible. I can't go on.
I'm sorry, Leslie,
but we have to know the rest.
He lifted me in his arms and started carrying me.
Somehow he stumbled on those steps.
We fell, and I got away from him.
Suddenly I remembered Robert's revolver
in the drawer of that chest.
He got up and ran after me,
but I reached it before he could catch me.
I seized the gun as he came toward me.
I heard a report and saw him lurch toward the door.
It was all instinctive. I didn't even know I'd fired.
Then I followed him out to the veranda.
He staggered across the porch, grabbed the railing,
but it slipped through his hand, and he fell down the steps.
I don't remember anything more,
just the reports one after another
till there was a funny little click,
and the revolver was empty.
It was only then I knew what I'd done.
My poor darling.
Mrs. Crosbie...
how did the revolver happen to be there?
When I leave Leslie alone for the night,
I always feel safer if she's got a weapon handy.
I saw that it was loaded before I left,
and thank heaven I did.
Withers: Mrs. Crosbie, may I say that I think
you behaved magnificently?
I'm terribly sorry that we had to put you
through the ordeal of telling us all this.
You're all very kind.
It's quite obvious the man
only got what he deserved.
If you'll come with me, Withers,
I'd like to look around a bit.
Yes, of course.
Be back in a few minutes.
My poor child.
Oh, Robert, what have I done?
You did what every woman would have done
in your place.
Only 9/10 of them wouldn't have had the courage.
And yet I'd give almost anything in the world
to bring him back to life.
It's so horrible to think
that I killed him.
What shall we call this?
Late supper or early breakfast?
Howard: I don't care what we call it, Leslie. I'm famished.
You'll have to be very indulgent
towards my cooking.
Thank you, Mrs. Crosbie.
I can't vouch for it.
I can and will.
As a matter of fact, in england,
I used to try my hand more often,
but out here, one gets so lazy.
The boys take such good care of us.
Funny, the head boy running off tonight.
Yes, it is odd.
Well, he couldn't have done better than this.
It's delicious.
Excellent, Leslie.
Thank you, gentlemen.
I think we should start for Singapore
as soon as we've finished.
Right away?
It's still dark.
It will be 8:00
by the time we get there.
We'll ring the Attorney General
and find out what time we can see him.
I think that's the first thing to do,
don't you, Withers?
Yes. Yes, I think that's the best thing to do.
Would I have to be arrested?
Well, you see, Mrs. Crosbie, as a matter of fact...
I think you're by way of being under arrest now.
It's purely a matter of form, Mrs. Crosbie.
Mr. Joyce's idea
is that you should go to the Attorney General
and give yourself up.
Shall I be imprisoned?
Well, that depends on the Attorney General.
It's possible that after you've
told him your story,
he'll be able to accept bail.
He's a very decent fellow.
I'm sure he'll do everything he can.
What do you mean "be able to accept bail?"
Well, my dear,
it depends on what the charge is.
What do you mean by that?
I think it not unlikely
that he could say that
only one charge is possible,
and in that case, I'm afraid
an application for bail would be useless.
What charge?
Murder.
Oh, Robert, Robert!
It's all right, darling.
Nobody's going to do anything to you.
Nothing's going to happen.
We have been happy, haven't we?
You've been the best wife a man could have.
If only there was something I could do.
You can love me. That's all I need.
I've always loved you.
Yes, but now.
Leslie, darling, if I could love you any more,
I would now.
All right, darling, I'll get ready.
I don't know when anything's impressed me so much
as the way she told that terrible story.
You could see that she was just holding on to herself
like grim death.
I say, what a swine that man was.
Did you know Hammond?
Yes, I knew him a little.
Was he a heavy drinker?
I don't know that he was.
He could take his whack,
but I never saw him actually drunk.
I've heard of him, of course,
but I never happened to meet him.
He was quite a favorite with the ladies, wasn't he?
Well, he was a good-looking chap.
You know the sort... very breezy, devil-may-care,
generous with his money.
Did you like him?
He was the sort of chap
you couldn't help liking.
Could you have imagined him
doing a thing like this?
Well, how can you tell
what a man will do when he's drunk?
That's true. Well, they ought
to be ready pretty soon.
By George, that's beautiful.
You know, that's just the sort of thing
you'd expect her to do.
[Door opens]
Well, that was a quick change, Leslie.
I wish you'd teach Dorothy how to do it.
I wager she's faster than you at that.
Is there room for me, or shall I follow in my car?
Come with us. There's plenty of room.
Oh, Leslie?
Yes?
There's just one question
I'd like to ask you.
Yes, what is it?
When I was looking at Hammond's body...
I'm sorry, my dear,
but this is a question
that's bound to come up.
Yes, Howard, what is it?
It seemed to me that some of the shots
must have been fired
after he was lying on the ground.
Oh, I know it must sound terribly cold-blooded,
but I was so terrified.
Everything was confused and blurred.
I didn't know what I was doing.
Of course, my dear.
I shouldn't have brought it up tonight.
Put it out of your mind.
[Door opens]
Man: Will you please come in?
Thank you.
- Hello, Bob. - Howard.
Have a chair, old man.
If I can be of any assistance, sir,
I shall remain within call.
Not at the moment, Ong. Thanks.
Ong's been of great help on the case.
Finds out everything.
Perfect confidential clerk.
Trouble is that after he's left my business,
he can set up his own law office in opposition.
How is everything?
Everything's fine.
Now, sit down, Bob.
In fact, she's much better than you.
It's funny that you've taken it so much harder.
Leslie hasn't turned a hair.
She's worth 10 of me.
I don't mind confessing I'm all in.
This is the first time we've been separated
for more than a day or two
since we were married.
But your plantation... what about that?
I've tried to work. The plantation
can go to blazes for all I care. I hate the house
and every tree on the place.
Why don't you come and stay in town with us?
Dorothy's for it, and so am I.
Thanks, I think I will.
I won't be so lonely.
It'll make me feel better
just to be that near.
I know you think I must be mad, Howard.
Maybe I am. I don't believe I've closed my eyes
the last 3 nights.
You better get some sleep and out of those clothes
before you see Leslie. You don't want her
to have to cheer you up.
She's a plucky girl.
It's monstrous they should have kept her
in that filthy prison all this time.
They had no choice, Bob. Anyhow, it's less
than a week now, and she'll be free.
The whole thing's a farce.
Why do they make her go through the ordeal of a trial?
Because she admitted killing a man,
and in a civilized community, a trial's inevitable.
She shot him as she would have shot a mad dog.
You don't have to convince me, Bob.
I know. I'm sorry.
Strange that Hammond
was able to keep his life so hidden...
that gambling house he owned
and especially the eurasian woman.
I think it was finding out about her
that turned opinion so completely against him.
Will she be one of the witnesses?
I shan't call her.
I'll just produce evidence
that Hammond was married to her.
Well, I know you're busy, Howard.
I can't tell you how grateful I am.
Nonsense, Bob.
Now, stop worrying about the trial.
That's your lawyer's job.
So long, Bob.
Bring your things across as soon as you can.
Robert: Right.
[Knock on door]
Come in.
Yes?
If you are not too busy, sir,
might I trouble you for a few words
in private conversation?
No trouble at all, Ong.
The matter upon which I desire to speak to you, sir,
is very delicate and confidential.
Well... what matter is it?
It has to do with the case
of the crown vs. Crosbie.
Yes?
A circumstance has come to
my attention, sir, which seems to me
to put a different complexion on the case.
Please come to the point, Ong.
What circumstance do you refer to?
A friend has brought me information, sir,
that there is in existence a letter
from the defendant to the unfortunate victim
of the tragedy.
That's not surprising.
During the course of 7 years, I have no doubt
Mrs. Crosbie often had occasion to write to Mr. Hammond.
But the letter, sir, was written
on the day of the late Mr. Hammond's death.
Well?
You will, no doubt, recall, sir,
that Mrs. Crosbie has stated that until the fatal night,
she had had no communication
with the deceased for several weeks.
Yes?
In my opinion,
this letter indicates that her statement, perhaps,
was not in every respect... Accurate.
Have you seen the letter?
I have with me a copy, sir.
The original is in possession of a woman.
She happens to be the widow
of Mr. Hammond, deceased.
What makes you think this letter
was written by Mrs. Crosbie?
I have every confidence
in the veracity of my informant, sir.
That's more than I have. Ong, it's inconceivable
that Mrs. Crosbie should have written such a letter.
Might I suggest, sir,
that it would be well to make sure?
Since my friend is of the opinion
that the letter might be of some interest
to the prosecutor.
I'm obliged to you, Ong.
I'll give the matter my consideration.
Very well, sir. Do you wish me
to communicate that to my friend?
It might be well to keep in touch with him.
Thank you, sir.
[Door closes]
Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir.
Mr. Joyce, Mr. Reid
was coming to see you in half an hour.
- Oh. - I've canceled the appointment.
Yes.
Yes, that's right.
Stay in the visiting room
as long as you want, Mrs. Crosbie.
The warden's orders.
That's very nice of him. Thank you.
[Door opens]
Howard, how good of you to come.
Good morning, Leslie.
I wasn't expecting you today.
How are you today, Mrs. Cooper?
Oh, fine, thanks. It's a different place
since Mrs. Crosbie's been here.
Mrs. Cooper's been so kind to me.
In fact, everyone has.
It's a shame she has to stay here at all.
Well, I'll just wait outside.
You can call me when you're finished, Mrs. Crosbie.
Thank you.
Oh, how lovely. I do miss my garden.
You're looking very well, Leslie.
Well, this is a wonderful place to rest.
Well, it's only 5 days more.
I know. Every morning when I wake up,
I say, "one less," just like I used to
when I was in school with the holidays coming.
Oh, Howard, don't feel sorry for me.
The time has passed very quickly.
I've done a good deal of reading,
and I've worked on my lace.
It's Robert I'm worried about.
He's taking it terribly hard.
Poor darling.
He's much more anxious about you
than you seem to be about yourself.
Well, Howard, I must confess to you,
I'm not looking forward to testifying in court.
One of the things that's impressed me
is that every time you've told your story,
you've told it in exactly the same words.
You've never varied a hairsbreadth.
And what does that suggest to your legal mind?
Well, it suggests either that you have
an extraordinary memory...
Or?
Or that you're telling the plain,
unvarnished truth.
I'm afraid I have a very poor memory.
I suppose I'm right in thinking
that you had no communication
with Hammond for several weeks before the catastrophe.
Oh, quite. I'm positive of that.
The last time I saw him was at a tennis party at the mcsharons'.
I don't suppose I said more than two words to him.
They have two courts, you know,
and we happened to be playing different sets.
And you hadn't written to him?
Oh, no.
Well, at one time,
you were on fairly intimate terms with him.
How did it happen
that you stopped asking him to anything?
Well, we didn't have anything much in common.
He's very popular, you know.
A lot of calls upon his time,
and, well, I didn't see the necessity
of showering him with invitations.
You're quite certain that was all?
Well, I may as well tell you...
We heard about his wife...
And once, quite by chance,
I actually saw her.
Oh? You never mentioned that.
What was she like?
Horrible. She was all covered
with gold chains and bracelets and spangles,
her face like a mask.
And it was after you knew about her
that you stopped having anything to do with Hammond?
Yes.
I think I should tell you
that there is in existence a letter in your handwriting
from you to Geoff Hammond.
Well, I often wrote him
a little note about something or other
or to get me something
if I heard he was going into Singapore.
This letter asks him to come and see you
because Robert was going to be away.
But that's impossible.
You see, I never did anything of the kind.
Better read it for yourself.
But that's not my handwriting.
I know. It's said to be an exact copy
of one written on the day of Hammond's death.
What does it mean?
That's for you to say, Leslie.
I didn't write it. I swear I didn't write it.
If the original is in your handwriting,
it would be useless to deny it.
Then it'll be a forgery.
Be difficult to prove that.
Be easy to prove it was genuine.
It's not dated. It might have been written years ago.
If you'll just give me a little time,
I'll try to remember.
Leslie, the prosecution could cross-examine your houseboys.
They would soon find out whether someone took a letter
to Hammond on the day of his death.
Howard, I swear to you,
I did not write this letter.
Well... if you have nothing more to say to me,
I'll get back to the office.
Howard, wait... Wait a minute.
I did write that letter,
but I was afraid to mention it.
You see, I thought none of you would believe me if...
if I admitted that he'd come there at my invitation.
I daresay it was terribly silly of me,
but you see,
once I'd said that I'd had no communication with Hammond,
I was forced to stick to it.
Then you'll be called upon to explain
why you asked him to come to see you
when Robert was away.
Well, I'll tell you why, Howard.
You see, I was planning a surprise for Robert's birthday,
and I'd heard he wanted a new gun,
and I'm so dreadfully stupid about sporting things,
and I thought I'd talk to Geoff about it
and ask him to order one for me.
Perhaps you've forgotten what's in the letter.
Will you read it again?
No. I don't want to.
"Robert will be away for the night.
"I absolutely must see you.
"I'm desperate, and if you don't come,
"I won't answer for the consequences.
Don't drive up. Leslie."
Leslie, I shall have to talk
very plainly to you.
I told Robert just now
that I was certain of your acquittal.
I didn't say that just to cheer him up.
I don't believe the jury would have left the box.
But this letter places an entirely
different complexion on the whole case.
It'll put the prosecution
on the track of... Suspicions
which have entered nobody's mind.
I won't tell you what I personally thought
when I read the letter.
It's the duty of counsel to defend his client,
not to convict her, even in his own mind.
I don't want you to tell me anything
but what is needed to save your neck.
They can prove that Hammond
came to your house at your urgent invitation.
I don't know what else they can prove,
but if the jury comes to the conclusion
that you didn't kill Hammond
in self-defense... Mrs. Cooper!
[Door opens]
Good heavens! What's happened?
I'm quite all right. Really, I am.
Just lie quiet and rest, Mrs. Crosbie.
She's just been too brave, poor little thing,
and not eating enough, like as not.
I feel fine now, Mrs. Cooper.
Go on about your duties.
Well, as Mr. Joyce is here, I will.
I'll come back later and see how you are.
Make her lie quiet, Mr. Joyce.
I'm afraid I've made rather a mess of things.
I'm sorry.
For Robert, not for me.
You distrusted me from the beginning.
That's neither here nor there, Leslie.
Who's got the letter?
Hammond's wife.
Oh.
Are you going to let them hang me?
What do you mean by that, Leslie?
You could get the letter.
Do you think it's so easy
to do away with unwelcome evidence?
Surely nothing would have been said to you, if...
If the owner weren't quite prepared to sell it.
That's true...
But I'm not prepared to buy it.
But it wouldn't be your money. Robert has saved...
I wasn't thinking of the money.
I don't know if you'll understand this,
but I've always looked on myself
as an honest man.
You're asking me to do something
which is no better than suborning a witness.
Do you mean to say you could save me
and you won't?
What harm have I done you? How could you be so cruel?
Cruel? You must be insane, Leslie.
A lawyer has a duty
to his profession, to himself.
No... i can't do what you ask.
Poor Robert. He doesn't deserve it.
He's never hurt anyone in his life.
He's so good and simple and kind,
and he trusts me so.
I mean everything...
everything in the world to him.
This will ruin his life.
Oh, I know what you're thinking.
You despise me.
You think Bob well rid of me if they do hang me.
I don't despise you.
It isn't important what I feel about you,
do you understand?
I'm going to do what I can.
Oh!
Bob will want to know what the money's for.
Will it be a very large sum?
I imagine the woman has a pretty shrewd idea
of the letter's value.
You won't have to show Bob the letter, will you?
I'll do everything possible
to prevent him from seeing it.
He'll be an important witness,
and he should be as firmly convinced
of your innocence as he is now.
And after the trial?
I'm going to try and save your life.
But if he loses his trust in me,
he loses everything.
It's strange that a man
can live with a woman for 10 years
and not know the first thing about her.
What are you doing here, Ong?
I thought perhaps there was something further
that you wished me to do, sir.
What about?
The letter, sir.
Oh. Oh, yes.
I mentioned the matter to Mrs. Crosbie,
and she denies having written anything of the sort.
It's obviously a forgery.
In that case, there would be no objection
if my friend delivered the letter
to the public prosecutor?
No, not at all.
But, Mr. Joyce, from my study of the case,
I believe that if my friend could be induced
to deliver the letter into our hands, it would save...
it would save a great deal of trouble.
Under what circumstance do you think
you friend would be
induced to part with the letter?
Oh, but my friend does not have the letter, sir.
The woman has it.
She did not know its value until my friend told her.
What value did he put on it?
$10,000.
Only 10,000? Why not 50 or 100?
For the reason, sir, that Mr. Crosbie has
in the bank of the British Malaya company in Singapore
a savings account in the amount of $10,452.
Tell your friend to go to the devil.
But, Mr. Joyce...
The woman does not want
to sell the letter, sir.
My friend took a long time
to persuade her.
$10,000 is a lot of money, Ong,
just to save some trouble.
Yes, sir.
It is a great deal of money.
I'll speak to Mr. Crosbie.
He's waiting for you at the club, sir.
What?
We have not much time,
and the matter, in my opinion,
permits no delay.
Therefore, I took the Liberty
of asking Mr. Crosbie
to have lunch with you.
All right. Have the woman come to my office.
I was about to mention, sir,
she made two conditions.
She insists that the money
shall be brought to her.
I can take you to the house
whenever you are ready, sir.
And the other condition?
That Mrs. Crosbie
bring it to her personally.
You must be mad. Great heavens, man.
Do you suppose Mrs. Crosbie
can just walk out whenever she feels like it?
My friend thinks that you could arrange
for her to stay at your house until the trial.
I'm sure the judge will permit it
if you are responsible for her, sir.
Ong Chi Seng.
Yes, sir?
What are you getting out of this?
$2,000 and the great satisfaction
of being of service to you and our client.
[Gears grinding]
Robert: Howard.
Well, you're looking more cheerful, Bob.
Feeling better since this morning.
I guess you've finally convinced me
there's nothing to worry about.
Gentlemen.
Two gin slings, Jimmy.
Yes, sir.
Well... as a matter of fact,
something's come up, Bob.
Hmm?
Oh, nothing important, but I thought
I'd better have a talk with you about it.
Well, what is it?
It seems that Leslie wrote a letter to Hammond
asking him to come to the bungalow
on the night he was killed.
But that's impossible. You heard her say
she'd had no communication with him
for weeks before it happened.
Nevertheless, she did write it.
She wanted his advice on something
she was buying for your birthday.
Er, your birthday was about then, wasn't it?
Yes, that's right. End of April.
In the excitement, she forgot about the letter
and then later on
was afraid to say she'd made a mistake.
That isn't like Leslie.
She's not afraid of anything.
This was a very serious mistake, and she realized it.
Who has the letter?
Hammond's widow.
And she threatens to turn it over to the prosecution.
Well, what if she does? Leslie can explain it
in court just as she explained it to you.
Well, yes, but don't you see, Bob,
that it might alter things a good deal
in the minds of the jury
if Hammond came to your house by invitation.
What's to be done about it?
Well, I think we must get hold of that letter.
I want you to authorize me to buy it.
I'll do whatever you think is right.
I don't think it's right,
but I think it's expedient.
Juries can sometimes be very stupid,
and it's just as well not to worry them
with more evidence than they can conveniently deal with.
Howard, I don't pretend to understand.
You go ahead and do as you think best.
I'll pay you back whatever it costs.
Good. Now put the matter out of your mind.
Too bad rubber won't grow in a civilized climate, sir.
Mix me another one, Jimmy.
Another, sir?
Yes, another.
Yes, sir.
"Mr. and Mrs. Howard Joyce
"request the pleasure of your company
at a party to be given at their home..."
residence. It sounds more impressive.
Resi-dence. "On Friday, may 16,
in honor of their guests
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Crosbie."
Dorothy, don't you think
it might be more appropriate
if you wrote your invitations
after the trial?
Oh, do stop fussing.
I won't send them out
until tomorrow evening, of course.
Let's decide about the party after the trial, shall we?
Nonsense. We're having the party,
and you're going to stay.
Leslie, darling, don't tell me
that's the same tiny piece of work
you were doing at the fergusons'.
How do you manage to go so fast?
Well, I haven't had anything else much to do
this past month.
What's it going to be?
It's too fine for a tablecloth, surely.
It's a coverlet for our bed.
Oh.
It's lovely.
Dorothy: Does anyone feel like bridge?
Or what would be nice?
Leslie, what would you like to do?
You mustn't go on doing that out here.
You'll ruin your eyes.
I'm sorry, my dear, but Leslie and I
have some work to do tonight.
I'm going to put her in the witness box tomorrow,
and I want to prepare her for their cross-examination.
Bob, why don't you
take the girls to a picture?
Oh, heavens. We don't need to be entertained.
We can find something to do till you're finished.
It won't take all evening, will it?
Howard: Well, there's a lot to go over.
There's no point in you three hanging around.
You'd much better see a good film.
Yes, darling, why don't you?
Take your mind off tomorrow. I want you to.
All right, then.
Well, I guess we'd better be off.
Shall we want wraps?
You're likely to, coming home.
I'm sorry you can't come with us.
I'm not allowed off the premises, you know.
See you later, darling.
Good-bye, darling.
Good-bye.
Have a good time.
Where do we have to go?
Chinese quarter.
Ong Chi Seng will take us.
He'll be along soon.
I've always wanted to visit the Chinese quarter.
I hear it's a bit creepy.
Of course, I'd have chosen other circumstances for a visit.
Be flippant about your own crimes if you want to,
but don't be flippant about mine.
Oh, I'm sorry, Howard.
I didn't mean to be flippant.
Really, I didn't.
Maybe it's my own sense of guilt,
but I have an unpleasant feeling
I'm going to be made to pay the Piper
for what I'm doing tonight.
I'm jeopardizing my whole career,
and I have to rely on your discretion.
Whatever else I am, I'm not ungrateful.
Forget what I said.
When did you first start doing lacework, Leslie?
Oh, a few years ago.
How did you happen to take it up?
I had nothing else to do.
It appealed to me.
It must take enormous concentration
and Patience.
I find it soothing.
You mean it takes your mind off
other things?
Is that a legal question?
You're not an ordinary client, Leslie.
You've been watching me all evening.
I'm responsible for you to the court.
No, that isn't it.
You've been... What?
Trying to read my thoughts?
I'm trying to understand you.
Why?
Because I'm so...
So evil?
That's it, isn't it?
Time we were starting.
[Honking horn quietly]
I think we had better not drive up, sir.
All right, Ong.
Will you follow me, please?
Please wait here.
I shall return in just a moment.
[Bell on door rings]
Please wait here for a minute, please.
Mr. Chung Hi seems to have
a little of everything to sell.
[Speaking Chinese]
Very good.
Is very good work.
Very good.
Ong: Pardon me, please.
My friend is ready.
Will you follow me, please?
[Rings bell, knocks on door]
[Speaking Chinese]
This is my friend Chung Hi.
Does he speak English?
Me speak very good English.
How do you do?
Please have a chair.
No, thanks. We'll only stay a few minutes.
Chung Hi, I suppose you know what we've come for.
Have you got this letter?
Woman have got.
Where is she?
Oh, she come, she come.
Why isn't she here?
She here all right. She wait till you come.
[Speaking Chinese]
Lady... please have chair.
Oh, thank you.
The air's very bad in here.
Would you mind opening a window?
[Speaks Chinese]
[Chimes jingling]
She speaks only Malay and Chinese.
Ask her if she has the letter.
[Speaks Chinese]
Well, where is it? What's she waiting for?
[Laughing]
[Speaking Chinese]
I regret, Mrs. Crosbie,
but Mrs. Hammond requests
that you remove the shawl from your head.
[Speaks Chinese]
Mrs. Crosbie, Mrs. Hammond has a further request.
She wishes you to walk over to her.
Now, look here, Ong Chi Seng...
no, Howard. Please.
Thank you.
[Speaks Chinese]
Howard: No complicating motives,
no possible premeditation.
The jury is aware of the facts,
and I'm convinced, gentlemen,
there's no need for eloquence.
If ever there was a simple,
uncomplicated case, it's this one.
Mrs. Crosbie killed a man, yes,
but under circumstances
where no courageous, self-respecting woman
would hesitate for one instant
to do the same thing.
Nor is there need for me
to extol Mrs. Crosbie's character.
Her own testimony in the witness box,
her bearing throughout this ordeal,
stamp the character of this remarkable woman
more than any words of mine could possibly do.
As for the prosecution's case,
not one whit of evidence has been produced
to refute the defendant's testimony. No...
Because such evidence couldn't exist
in the light of... Truth.
Gentlemen, in full faith and confidence,
I place Leslie Crosbie's fate in your hands,
in the sure knowledge that...
...justice will be done.
[Spectators muttering]
Silence! Silence!
Is there any reply from the prosecution?
Man: My lord,
the prosecution waives the right of reply.
Nice work, Howard.
Judge: Gentlemen of the jury,
you've heard the evidence of the prosecution
and the evidence for the defense.
It is not necessary for me to give you
any further charge in this case.
You may retire to the jury room
to consider your verdict.
Recess, my lord?
Yes, recess.
The court is adjourned,
pending the return of the jury.
Would you tell me what under heaven
they could be doing in that jury room for over an hour?
The jury has been out for exactly 25 minutes.
You said they'd come straight back.
What is there to talk about or deliberate?
Maybe the races at aintree
or the price of rubber.
Robert: They have no right to do anything but...
darling, you're not making things any easier.
Oh, Leslie, I'm sorry.
[Door opens]
The court is reassembling, sir.
Judge: Bring in the jury.
Prisoner of the bar, rise and face the jury.
Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached your verdict?
Man: We have.
Bailiff: Do you find the prisoner
at the bar, Leslie Crosbie, guilty or not guilty?
Not guilty.
[Spectators muttering and shouting]
Leslie. Leslie, darling.
Robert, darling.
Howard, splendid case.
Permit me to congratulate you, sir.
Just one moment, please.
Hold it just a second, please. Again.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
Come, darling.
Dorothy: And from that day on,
I made a solemn vow not to mix another cocktail
until Leslie was acquitted,
so if these aren't quite up to my usual high standards,
you must remember I'm slightly out of practice.
Mmm.
Dorothy, darling, they're wonderful. Never been better.
Dorothy: You wouldn't know what you were
drinking at this moment.
Robert: I guess that's right.
I can't taste or think or feel.
All I can do is keep saying to myself
over and over, "Leslie is safe."
What's the matter, darling?
Feeling neglected?
Here's a cocktail for you.
Not that you deserve to be told,
but I must confess I thought you made
rather a good speech to the jury.
It was an excellent speech.
Thank you for those kind words.
Though I think you might have been
a little more impassioned without hurting yourself.
Oh, I don't agree.
I think what made it especially effective
was his being so simple and honest.
It's a good thing Dorothy isn't a lawyer.
Nor me. I'd probably get up there and yell at the jury,
"why, you half-wits, I know she's innocent.
I tell you, I know."
Dorothy: Well, anyone feeling like a bath or a shower
before dinner better be getting at it.
Personally, I feel a bit sticky.
A shower for me.
Well, I'm going to tidy myself up a bit, darling.
No. Don't go.
Oh, I shan't be a minute.
No. There's something I particularly want
to talk to you about.
Don't go, old man.
I think I'd better clean up, Bob.
No. I want your legal opinion here.
Darling.
Oh?
What's up?
I want to get Leslie away from here
as quickly as possible.
I think a bit of a holiday would do you both good.
What's the use of that?
We've got to get away for good.
Oh, how could we?
Can't very well throw up your job.
But I have something in view that's much better.
Come on. Sit down, Howard.
We can neither of us live at that place now.
I'm convinced of that.
We've gone through too much.
Well, what is it, Bob?
Something has just come up. It's in Sumatra.
We'd be away from everybody,
and the only people around us would be Dutch.
We'd start a new life.
The only thing is,
you'll be awfully lonely, darling, at the start.
I wouldn't mind that.
I'm used to being alone.
I'd like to go, Robert.
I don't want to stay here.
That settles it, then. I'll go straight ahead,
and we can fix things up at once.
And is the money as good as here?
I hope it'll be better.
At all events, I'll be working for myself
and not for a company in liverpool.
Howard: What do you mean, Bob?
Robert: Why should I go on
sweating out my life for other people?
And this is a chance in a thousand.
It belongs to a Malacca Chinese planter
who's in financial difficulties,
and he's willing to let the whole thing go
for $30,000 if he can get the money
the day after tomorrow.
And how on earth are you going to raise $30,000?
Oh, well, I've saved about 10,
and Charlie meadows promises to let me
have the balance on mortgage.
Well, it seems rather rash
to put all your eggs in one basket, old boy.
Oh, I wouldn't like you to take such a risk
on my account, Robert.
I'll be perfectly all right here. Really, I shall.
Nonsense, darling. Just now, you said you wanted to go.
Oh, but I think we're making a mistake in running away.
Everyone has been so kind,
and they'll all make it so easy for us.
I think the thing to do is to stick it out here.
Anyway, these Chinese estates are never any good.
You know how careless and haphazard they are.
Ah, but this belongs to a very progressive fellow,
and he's had a European manager.
I tell you, it's a thoroughly sound proposition,
and I figure that in 10 years,
I can make enough money to retire.
But, Robert, I really want to stay here.
I don't want to leave Howard and Dorothy
and the rest of our friends.
Anyhow, it's not a thing you want to rush into.
Let's wait and see what happens.
Why should I wait? It's a good thing,
and I don't want to lose it.
Look, I've got all the papers in my briefcase.
I'll go and get them, and you can see for yourself.
Robert, please.
I have a couple of photographs of the bungalow to show you.
I don't want to see them!
Oh, come now, darling. That's just nerves.
Shows how necessary it is for you to get away.
Leslie, darling, this time, you must let me have my own way.
I won't be a minute.
[Door closes]
What are you going to do?
What can I do?
Don't tell him now. I can't bear any more.
You heard what he said. He wants the money at once
to buy the estate.
He can't. He hasn't got it.
Give me a little time.
Where's the letter?
I have it in my pocket.
It would break his heart.
What shall I do?
I wish to heaven I knew.
If only there were some other way.
[Door closes]
Tell him. Tell him and have done with it.
Robert: Now, this is really a handsome estate.
We'll be practically stealing it for 30,000.
Darling, I think you'll be keen on the house.
Shade trees and everything.
No comparison with our old bungalow.
Look here, Bob. I don't want
to throw cold water on your plans,
but aren't you forgetting certain financial obligations?
I mean, hasn't it struck you that the costs
of what we've just been through will be pretty heavy?
Oh, you mean, the legal expenses, yes.
I'm not going to charge you anything for my services.
Those will be charged off to friendship.
But there are certain out-of-pocket expenses that...
that's very decent of you.
I'm not sure I can accept that.
What do these other expenses amount to?
Well, the principal item
is that letter of Leslie's I mentioned to you.
Oh, yes. I'd almost forgotten about that.
Uh, you were going to...
I had to pay a great deal of money for it.
If you thought it necessary, I'm not going to grouse.
How much was it?
$10,000.
$10,000? Why, you must have been mad.
You may be sure I wouldn't have given that
if I could have got it for less.
But that's every cent I have in the world.
Why didn't you let them bring the letter in
and explain it to the jury?
I didn't dare.
Do you mean it was absolutely necessary
to suppress it?
If you wanted Leslie acquitted.
But what was there in the letter?
I told you at the time.
It was very stupid of me. I...
wait a minute now. You wrote to Hammond
to ask him to come to the bungalow to...
yes.
You wanted to get me something, didn't you?
Yes. I wanted to get you a new gun,
and he knew all about those things,
and you know how ignorant I am.
Buying that letter was a criminal offense,
wasn't it?
Well, it's not the sort of thing
a respectable lawyer does
in the ordinary way of business.
It was a criminal offense.
Yes, it was.
I might be disbarred for it.
Then why did you do it? You of all people?
What were you trying to save me from?
Leslie, you knew I was buying a gun from Cameron.
Why did you want to make me a present of another?
How should I know
you were going to buy a gun?
Because I told you.
But I'd forgotten. I can't remember everything.
You hadn't forgotten that.
What do you mean, Robert? Why are you talking to me like this?
Who has the letter now? Have you got it?
Yes.
Where is it?
It's not your letter or mine, Bob.
I've got to pay $10,000 for that letter,
and by heaven, I'm going to see it.
Let him see it.
What does it mean?
No, no. Wait.
What does it mean?
It means that I was in love with Geoff Hammond.
No!
We'd been in love for years.
I don't believe it.
We used to meet each other constantly
once or twice a week.
Not a soul had the smallest suspicion.
Every time I met him, I hated myself,
and yet I lived for the moment
when I'd see him again. It was horrible.
There was never an hour when I was at peace,
when I wasn't reproaching myself.
I was like a person who is sick
with some loathsome disease
and doesn't want to get well.
Even my agony was a kind of joy.
Then there came a time about a year ago
when he began to change toward me.
I didn't know what was the matter.
I was frantic. I made scenes.
I threw myself at his feet.
Leslie.
Then I heard about that...
that native woman.
Oh, I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't believe it.
At last I saw her,
saw her walking in the village
with those hideous spangles,
that chalky painted face,
and those eyes like a cobra's eyes.
But I couldn't give him up.
I sent for him. You read the letter.
Oh, we'd always been so careful about writing before,
but this time, I didn't care.
I hadn't seen him for 10 days.
He came to see me.
I told him I'd heard about his marriage.
At first, he denied it. Oh, I was frantic.
I don't know what I said to him.
I hated him because he'd made me despise myself.
I insulted him.
I cursed him. I was beside myself.
At last, he turned on me.
He told me he was sick and tired of me,
that it was true about that other woman,
that she was the only one
that had ever meant anything to him,
and that he was glad that I knew
because now I'd leave him alone.
Then he got up to go, and I knew if he left,
I'd never see him again,
so I seized the revolver and fired,
heard a cry, and I knew I'd hit him.
He staggered toward the veranda,
and I ran after him
and fired and fired and fired.
There's no excuse for me.
I don't deserve to live.
[Sobs]
I'm sorry.
He's going to forgive you.
Yes.
He's going to forgive me.
[Door closes]
- [Knock on door] - Dorothy: Leslie?
[Knock on door]
Dorothy: Leslie?
Yes. Come in.
They're all waiting for you.
I'm sorry, Dorothy.
It took me rather a long time to dress.
It's a lovely dress.
My dear, you look like a young girl
- just out of... - prison?
Oh, Leslie, darling, I never saw anyone like you, ever.
[Music playing]
Hello.
[All talking at once]
You remember the cavenses, don't you, darling?
Of course I do. Nice to see you, Mrs. Cavens.
Thank you very much.
This is lieutenant green.
He's been very impatient
to meet you.
There's Janie, darling.
Please.
Well, Crosbie, old man, congratulations.
Thanks.
Give me a whiskey and soda, will you?
Leslie looks wonderful.
I never saw her looking better.
You must be very relieved
that this awful business is over.
I don't know
if you remember me, Mrs. Crosbie.
Of course I do. How are you, Mr. Withers?
I'm fine, thanks.
How do you do, captain Wilson?
I say, would you care to dance?
I'd love to. Thank you.
I won't mention it again, Mrs. Crosbie.
I know you must want to forget the whole subject,
but I just can't get over the way
you gave your evidence. Everything so exact,
down to the smallest detail, you know?
I'll never forget the night it happened.
I don't mind telling you I was really upset.
My first case, you know.
Quite a beginning one.
Do you mind if we sit down?
No. No. Of course not.
A beautiful plantation, the most beautiful plantation in Sumatra.
3,000 acres, all young trees.
Belongs to a Malacca Chinese, and he's forced to sell.
Sounds like a good proposition.
Always wanted a fine plantation,
one that I could work for myself and for my... Family.
This is the one I've been waiting for.
Where do you ship from?
It's near a good harbor, 5, 6 miles only.
And I could ship my rubber for less money.
Ought to get ahead fast. Yes. In 5, 10 years,
I can travel, do anything I please.
I'll visit you boys in Singapore.
Bob, old chap, how about a little fresh air?
Not now, Howard. Maybe later.
I'm telling these boys about my new plantation.
I didn't tell you about the bungalow.
Beautiful little bungalow.
Large veranda, shade trees all around.
In fact, there are 3 bungalows.
Two smaller ones. You see, the, uh...
The Chinese planter had a funny idea.
He had 3 wives, nice Malay girls,
and he kept a house for each wife,
but none for himself.
That is a plantation.
I wouldn't mind a place like that myself.
For me, the one house will do.
Of course, we shall miss Singapore.
Ah! Our friends are here,
and we've had some mighty fine times, haven't we?
No English people in that part of Sumatra,
only Dutch and natives.
It's going to be a little lonely at first,
but we'll get used to it.
Yeah. There will be the two of us,
but my wife's a good sport. Always can count on her.
She's not afraid of anything.
And we'll have each other.
That's the important thing, isn't it?
Would you excuse me, please?
[Sobs]
[Indistinct voices]
Dorothy: I think that happened to Leslie
when she first came out, remember?
Adele: Yes. Of course.
Dorothy: Stop fussing over them.
That's my system, but it seems to work
because there's always a little group that insists on staying.
Well, you look dead tired. Need a good night's rest.
Good night, Bob. Say good night to Leslie.
Good night, Dorothy. Thanks for everything.
Sorry if i...
Dorothy: It's all right. Good night.
Howard: Good night, Bob.
Good night, Howard.
We should make a fairly early start
in the morning, don't you think?
I sent for my large bag.
We can put some of your things in it
in case your bag is crowded.
In fact, I'll pack for you if you want.
I know how you hate it.
Darling, you've done something to this sleeve.
A cigarette burn, that's what it is.
Oh, and your new coat, too. Well, never mind.
Your tailor can fix it, have it rewoven or something.
I won't pack it now.
We'll stop at the tailor's tomorrow on our way home.
Robert...
It's no use, is it?
We can't go on, can we?
I don't know. I can't say.
You're so kind and generous.
You should have the sort of wife
you really deserve.
Through no fault of yours,
I've failed you, wrecked your life.
I can't ask you to forgive me.
If you love a person...
You can forgive anything.
So what about you? Can you go on?
I'll try. I'll really try.
That isn't what I was asking.
I'll do everything in my power
to make you happy.
That's not enough, unless...
Leslie, tell me...
Now... this minute...
Do you love me?
Yes, I do.
No! I can't, I can't, I can't!
Leslie, what is it?
Leslie, what is it?!
With all my heart,
I still love the man I killed!
Oh, no!
[Crying]
[Door opens]
[Door closes]
Aah!
[Speaks Chinese]
[Music playing]