-Let hearts keep their secrets.
Who'’s there?
-Er, you'’re a...a what?
-A private detective.
And I apologise for the lateness of the hour,
but I, I have some urgent information that concerns you,
Mr. Crabtree.
Have you heard of a man named Sir Reginald Denning?
He died several years ago.
And, er, this evening I was at his house,
for reasons I'll come to in a moment.
Whilst there, I found this.
It'’s the letter Sir Reginald received confirming
your place at Whitechapel Orphanage.
-But why would he have had this?
My parents both died when I was a baby.
That, that'’s why I was sent to the orphanage.
-Then you've been misled.
I also found a letter from Sir Reginald to you.
But he never sent it.
It confirms that he was your father.
-And Martin'’s mother?
-Well, Sir Reginald and his wife were childless.
Meaning that, erm, most likely
you were the result of some dalliance.
-Why are you telling us this?
-Sir Reginald died seven years ago without naming an heir
and with no next of kin.
And when that happens,
the name of the deceased is added to a public list
of unclaimed estates known as the Bona Vacantia.
Here is your father.
And here is the size of his estate.
-Twenty thousand pounds?
-As your late father'’s only child,
that, er, money is yours, Mr. Crabtree.
-There must be some mistake.
There'’s no mistake.
-Oh!
It'’s wonderful! It'’s, it's bloody wonderful!
-I found you just in time.
If an estate remains unclaimed for seven years,
it passes into government hands.
The deadline in this case is six o'’clock the day after tomorrow.
-Well, so, so, what do we need to do?
-Er...accompany me to a solicitor'’s office.
We'’ll show them these letters and the proof that
you are indeed the Martin Crabtree mentioned.
-And after that?
-Well, in a couple of weeks the inheritance will be yours.
If you come to my office first thing tomorrow,
we'’ll head over to Mr. Pew, my solicitor,
and get your claim registered.
-We'’ll be there at nine.
-Make that eight!
Thank you.
Thank...thank you, Miss Scarlet!
-Oh, er, ju- just one more thing.
My fee will be five percent of the value of the estate.
That's the standard arrangement.
I trust that'’s agreeable?
-I think that is more than fair.
-One thousand pounds?!
-I can'’t quite believe it myself.
To a change in fortunes!
-And how you deserve it!
-You must hold a party. -Good idea!
We shall fill the house with guests.
-And will you be inviting Inspector Wellington?
-Did I tell you how I managed to find Martin Crabtree?
It'’s a fascinating story.
-I have not seen the Inspector here for a while...
-It all started when I saw this advert.
"“Reward offered for information on the adopted son of the late
Sir Reginald Denning."
You see, I recognised Denning'’s name immediately from
the Bona Vacantia list.
It'’s the government's list of unclaimed inheritance,
which meant there was a pot of gold waiting if
I could just find his estranged son.
-How long is it since he visited?
-Who?
-Inspector Wellington.
-I honestly haven'’t a clue.
But just imagine what I could do with this money.
It will change everything.
I can hire full time staff.
I can advertise my services
and compete with the larger agencies
for higher profile cases.
-Have you two had an argument? -No!
And can you please just let me enjoy this moment?
-Of course.
You have had an argument, haven'’t you?
I want the same text on the door,
the brass plaque and the sign over the front.
"“Miss Eliza Scarlet, Private Detective."
Yes, Miss.
-Good morning.
-What can I do for you, William?
-Oh nothing, I just thought I'’d pop by. It'’s been a while.
-Has it? I didn'’t realise.
-What'’s this?
-I'’m about to earn an awful lot of money,
so I'’m making a few changes,
including putting my own name above the door
and not my father'’s.
-I see.
And where has this "“awful lot of money"” come from?
-Heir hunting.
-Congratulations.
How much are we talking?
-Enough that I'll no longer have to rely on others for work
or favours.
-Have I done something to upset you?
-What makes you say that?
-Just haven'’t seen each other for a while and, er...
it feels like you may have been avoiding me.
-I'’ve just been busy, that'’s all.
Now, if you'’ll excuse me, I'm expecting clients any moment.
-There'’s been a stabbing in Pimlico, Sir.
A gentleman murdered in his home.
-Right, have a carriage brought round, we'’ll go take a look.
-Already have done, Sir. Ready when you are.
-Did you see Miss Scarlet while I was away?
-Yes, Sir.
-How did she seem? -Sir?
-Well, what was her overall mood?
Was she happy, sad, pensive?
-She was pleasant and positive as usual.
She really does tend to lift one'’s mood I find.
Now, in terms of the murder, I have some preliminary details
if you would like to hear them?
-Did you get the feeling that she had anything on her mind?
-Miss Scarlet? -Yes!
-Well, what kind of things do you mean, Sir?
- Never mind. - Just tell me about the case.
-Yes, Sir. Of course, Sir.
The victim is George Saracen. Early forties, a man of leisure.
His body was discovered an hour ago by his maid.
There seems to have been some form of disturbance or fight
where he was killed.
-And she never mentioned anything about me?
-Who, Sir? -Miss Scarlet!
-Was there something in particular
I was supposed to look for?
Because I must confess women are still something
of a mystery to me.
-Just get in and stop talking.
-Mrs. Crabtree.
-Where'’s your husband? -I don'’t know.
-What'’s wrong?
-Late last night Martin wanted to go out and celebrate.
So he went to the Royal Oak for a drink.
But he never came back.
Then an hour ago this came through the door.
'To get Crabtree back, pay £500 in cash.
Four o'’clock today by archway in Belmont Crescent.'
Did you see who delivered it?
Who else did you tell about your husband'’s inheritance?
-No-one!
But soon after you left us last night, a gentleman came round.
Called himself an heir hunter.
He gave us the same news about Martin'’s inheritance.
Martin told him that we'’d already promised
to go to the solicitor with you.
But then the gentleman offered his services for free.
-For free?
Martin said no.
We didn'’t trust him.
-I have a close contact at Scotland Yard.
-He can help us. -No, please!
They said they'’d kill him if the police are involved.
-I need you to try and find out who these kidnappers are
and where Mr. Crabtree is being held.
-I'’m already on a job.
For Nash and Sons.
-He doesn'’t have any sons.
-He has money. Lots of it.
-Moses, you do realise I'’m about to be a very wealthy woman?
-Not if this heir of yours gets a bullet in his head.
-Exactly.
But if you help me find him,
I'’ll soon be running an agency twice the size of Mr. Nash.
And paying you double his fee.
-You'’ll put that in writing? -Of course.
Naturally I'’ll need your full name for the contract.
-It'’s just Moses.
-The maid claims she last spoke to Saracen this morning.
He relieved her from her duties until the afternoon because he
was expecting a visitor.
-Did the maid give a name for this visitor?
-No, but she said a number of strangers have visited in the
last few days which is unusual.
When she returned this afternoon she saw
an old woman leaving the house, clearly in a hurry.
-Any description?
-The woman deliberately kept her head down.
-And you believe her, this maid?
-She'’s a young girl, Sir.
She wouldn'’t say boo to a goose. So yes, I believe her.
-Well, in that case we definitely need to identify
this old woman, as well as this M. Skelton.
Saracen'’s only appointment this morning.
Come and sit over here on me lap, darling.
-You'’re a long way from Mayfair, darling.
-Did, erm, Martin Crabtree come in here last night?
-You his other wife?
-Show the lady some respect.
Or I'’ll be forced to teach you myself.
I have already paid this gentleman
for information on Mr. Crabtree.
Apparently he was here on his own last evening
and left at midnight.
-And you are?
James Elderberry. Heir hunter.
-What do you want, Mr. Elderberry?
To find out if you can afford Mr. Crabtree'’s ransom.
-I don'’t know what you'’re talking about.
-Yes, you do.
He'’s clearly been kidnapped.
Mrs. Crabtree was hysterical when she brought that letter
to you this morning. And here you are trying to find him.
-Following women around London strikes me as an odd hobby.
-If you can'’t pay for his release, then I will.
-I don'’t need your help.
-Where are you getting the money from?
-That's none of your business.
-I'’d like to make it my business.
-Good day, Mr. Elderberry.
-You'’re making a mistake.
-And you are making two mistakes.
The first is that garish handkerchief,
it clashes with your tie.
The second is laying your hand on me.
What are you doing here?
-Ivy'’s making me lunch.
-You don'’t have time for lunch!
-I told you she was in an odd mood.
I think she and the Inspector have had a row.
-And I think Ivy should mind her own business.
-I'’ll go and get the washing in.
-So?
-No-one'’s heard nothing about a kidnap.
So, can you afford the ransom?
-What do you think?
Whoever'’s behind the kidnap knew about Martin'’s inheritance.
So that'’s where we should focus our attention.
-What about the advert you showed me?
The one asking for information on this Martin Crabtree?
You could find out who placed it in the paper?
Or should I mind my own business?
-Oh.
How I hate it when she'’s right.
Good afternoon, Officer.
I was hoping to speak to the owner of the house, Mr. Saracen.
Has something happened?
-Are you a friend of his?
I'm family. His favourite cousin.
-Are you indeed?
-This advertisement would explain
Saracen'’s recent visitors.
-Saracen was no heir hunter.
By all accounts he spent most of his life
at his Gentlemen'’s Club.
So why was he so interested in finding this Martin Crabtree?
Why are you here, Eliza?
I thought you'’d found your heir.
Martin Crabtree has been kidnapped.
-What?
I came here to find out who else knew about his inheritance.
-Kidnap is a very serious crime.
-I'’m well aware of that, Willia. -Inspector Wellington.
-But the ransom note threatened to kill Martin Crabtree
if the police were involved.
-Well, we'’re involved now.
-Miss Scarlet'’s right.
Saracen knew about Martin Crabtree.
It looks like the killer stole Crabtree'’s details.
There'’s an imprint on the page with Crabtree'’s address.
-Meaning this murder and the kidnap are probably connected.
-It'’s a good job we crossed paths with Miss Scarlet.
-Mm.
-Thank you, Detective Fitzroy.
It'’s good to see someone appreciates me.
-What is the matter with you?
-I don'’t know what you mean.
Do you have any other leads, Detective Fitzroy?
-You can address your questions to me, Miss Scarlet.
-Do you have any other leads, Inspector Wellington?
-No.
-Well, except for the diary appointment
with M. Skelton and the old woman seen leaving the house.
-When does this ransom need to be paid?
-Four o'’clock today.
-Right, it'’ll take us about half an hour to get there
so we'’ll have to leave soon.
Now, remember the money in this bag is counterfeit,
but there is no way that anyone can tell just from a glance.
-Yes, you already told me. Twice.
-I doubt that anyone will stop to check it
but if they do you will be perfectly safe,
there'’ll be plain clothes officers
stationed all along the street.
I, er...looked into Sir Reginald Denning.
Bit of a gambler, apparently.
Turns out he was murdered in his home.
Er, a robbery gone wrong.
-No-one was ever charged. -I know.
Alright, there clearly is something the matter.
-What makes you think that?
-That frown, the avoidance of eye contact,
the brooding tone in your voice.
-I am not brooding.
Fine!
I know about you and Arabella.
-Oh.
-It's not for me to comment on your personal life.
But given the history of my relationship with Arabella,
and the fact that you and I are such old friends...
-Yes...
-It feels like something you might have mentioned.
-Well, I, er, I suppose I was...
waiting to see if things developed.
But yes, you'’re right, I should have told you.
-As a friend. -And have they?
-What?
-Developed?
-They have, yes.
-Then I'’m glad for you.
For both of you.
We should get going.
-Miss Scarlet.
Who the hell is that?
-I don'’t know. Should we move in?
-No, hold on.
-You followed me here?
-No, Mrs. Crabtree showed me the ransom note.
Like me, she didn'’t have much faith in you paying up either.
But perhaps we were wrong to doubt you.
-You need to leave. Now.
-Where did you get the money?
Mrs. Crabtree said you wanted to involve the police...
-I won'’t tell you again. Go!
-Hya!
Go, go, go!
-You stupid woman, you called the police!
-Are you alright?
-I'’m fine.
-Who was that man you were talking to?
Detective Inspector Wellington.
Mind if I join you?
Miss Scarlet was kind enough to give me your business card.
So I went to your lodging house
and your landlady said that you'’re always in here.
-Has Crabtree been released?
-Well, I was hoping that you could tell me.
-How the hell would I know?
-Perhaps you arranged the kidnap yourself
to get that ransom from Miss Scarlet.
-What?
-Your landlady really was very helpful,
she loves to talk, doesn'’t she?
You'’re no heir hunter.
You'’re a gambler and a pretty average one at that.
You'’re two months behind on the rent.
Oh, and she also told me your real name.
Now, I think that we need a proper chat, Mr. Blunt.
-You'’re wasting your time.
-Our man in the hat, where is he?
-I'’m not sure, Sir. -So we lost him?
-How is that possible? -I...I don'’t know, Sir.
-And Martin Crabtree? Any leads on his whereabouts?
-Not that I know of, Sir.
-Tell me something that you do know, detective.
-Do you mean about the case or in general?
-Why did you pose as an heir hunter, Mr. Blunt?
-Because Crabtree'’s father owed me money.
-A lot of money.
-Sir Reginald Denning?
-Yeah.
Denning played poker. High stakes.
Eight years ago my straight flush beat his full house
and I won ten bloody grand off him!
But the tight sod died without paying up.
-So you were hoping to claim your winnings
from Denning'’s heir?
-Exactly.
And when none came forward, I looked myself.
But I got nowhere. So I gave up.
Wrote the debt off in my head.
Then a few weeks back I picked up rumours Denning had a son.
I greased some palms and I tracked down Crabtree.
-But Miss Scarlet got there first.
-So?
What'’s a measly finder's fee against ten grand?
The only thing that matters is Crabtree getting
to a solicitor'’s by 6 o'clock tomorrow evening.
Otherwise the government gets the estate
and I'’ll never get my money.
-See, Denning'’s killer was never found.
-You think I killed him?
How the hell would that have helped me get paid?
It'’s him dying that's made it twenty times harder!
George Saracen was also looking for Martin Crabtree
and now he'’s dead too.
-George who?
-Where were you yesterday between
10 o'’clock in the morning and 4 o'’clock in the afternoon.
-Sobering up in a cell in Bow Street nick.
-Hmm. -What can I say?
All the stress got the better of me.
-I made the decision that telling the police would be
the best chance of getting your husband back alive.
-But what if you were wrong?
-Inspector Wellington will be doing everything he can
to find him.
-Martin!
Oh, thank God!
We were so worried about you!
-The Desk Officer confirms Blunt was drying out in a cell
all day yesterday.
-Meaning he can'’t have murdered Saracen.
-Shall I let him go, Sir?
-Did you get anywhere tracking down Saracen'’s visitor?
-I looked into M. Skelton, the name in Saracen'’s
appointment book.
There are forty seven of them resident in London.
-Then I suggest you start at the top of the list
and you work your way down.
Yes?
-News about Martin Crabtree, Sir.
-One minute I was walking home from the pub,
you know, still not believing my luck.
And the next...a hood was pulled over my head
and I was shoved in the back of a cart.
-Do you have any idea where they took you?
-No.
It was freezing wherever it was.
I was sure I was going to die.
-How many kidnappers were there?
-Two.
Both with East London accents.
Then...about an hour ago they suddenly bundled me back
in the carriage and they dropped me off a few streets away.
-Well, I'’m glad you're unharmed.
The solicitor'’s office is obviously closed now,
but we'’ll go first thing in the morning.
-Well, I dunno, I mean, is it safe?
They'’re still out there!
-We only have until tomorrow evening,
you cannot delay any longer.
-Ah, Miss Scarlet.
Good to see you safe and well, Mr. Crabtree.
I'’m Detective Inspector Wellington.
I'’ll need you come down to Scotland Yard
and answer some questions.
Once we'’re done there I'll be assigning you police protection.
You'’ll stay at home under guard.
-For how long?
-Well, at this stage, Miss Scarlet, I don'’t know.
Sir?
-I'’ll see you to the door.
-You'’re not seriously going to keep him under house arrest?
-It'’s for his own protection.
The men who kidnapped him are still out there, and once they
find out they'’ve got counterfeit money they might come
looking for him again.
-But tomorrow's the last day he can claim his inheritance.
Surely you can let him out for an hour or so
with an armed guard?
-Look, someone was willing to commit murder to get their hands
on that inheritance.
Maybe the kidnappers, maybe someone else.
Crabtree stays in one place where we can look after him.
-Are you doing this to stop me from getting that money?
-What?
Why on earth are you being so irrational?
-Oh, is this to do with me and Arabella?
And I'’m the one being irrational?!
Stubborn.
Pig headed and utterly incapable of seeing things
from anyone else'’s perspective.
Could anyone be more infuriating?
-This is Inspector Wellington you'’re talking about?
-I need your help, Moses, not disparaging comments.
Inspector Wellington won'’t let Martin Crabtree out of his house
until this case is solved, so we'’re going to solve it for him.
-By six o'’clock tomorrow?
-Exactly.
I need you to find out everything you can
about this man.
Eric Blunt.
I'’m sure he's involved somehow.
-And I'’m still on double fee?
-Fine.
And for your information I'm not stubborn or pig headed.
-So, I told her that she was behaving totally irrationally.
Which she was.
But she couldn'’t see it.
I mean, the woman is utterly infuriating.
Sorry. It'’s been a stressful day.
-That'’s quite alright.
Do you work with Eliza a lot?
-When the case demands it.
Which can sometimes feel a little too often.
-Well, I suppose she is an old friend of yours.
-Since we were children.
She was just as infuriating back then.
-And yet you still work with her?
Well, we all have our crosses to bear, I suppose.
Anyway, how are you?
How was your day?
-Fine. Absolutely fine.
-Ivy? Are you alright?
-This is so sad.
-Ivy!
These were in order.
-Well, you'’re the one always telling me
to practice my reading.
Poor Sir Reginald.
He was completely in love with Lady Denning
and they desperately wanted a child.
And then finally Lady Denning got pregnant.
The poor thing died in childbirth
along with the baby.
So tragic.
-Don'’t be fooled by the sweet prose.
Martin Crabtree almost certainly came from Sir Reginald
having his wicked way with a maid.
The Denning family crest is a fox
which seems entirely appropriate.
-That explains it then.
In this letter, his housekeeper, Miss Skelton,
is asking Sir Reginald if she can see the baby boy.
She must be his mother.
-Skelton?
Maud Skelton.
M. Skelton.
Oh!
-Ah.
Come to apologise?
-Actually, yes.
The, er, heir hunting.
The money, I think it may be affecting my judgment a little.
I'’m sorry.
-Well, I'’m sorry too.
I, erm...said things that I shouldn'’t have.
-Are you, er, getting anywhere with your murder?
-Slow progress.
-Well, I'’ll leave you to it.
-That was brief.
-You'’re a busy man.
-Ah, Sir! -Yes?
-Miss Scarlet'’s looking for you.
-I just spoke with her.
I need the file of the Sir Reginald Denning murder case.
I want to see if there are any parallels with Saracen'’s death.
-Well, I- I had the same thought.
Only I'’m not having much luck locating the file.
-What do you mean?
-It'’s missing.
-Where did you find Miss Scarlet?
-In the Records Room, Sir.
-'A blow to the head...'
Ah, the Denning fox.
Probable murder weapon.
'‘Diamond necklace, silver frame.
Missing from murder scene.'’
Head housemaid, Maud Skelton.
Found you.
Maud Skelton?
-I worked as Sir Reginald'’s housekeeper.
He was a good man.
But troubled after his wife passed.
-Did you ever see Martin
after he'd been sent to the orphanage?
-I visited every six months or so.
The warden used to let me watch him play
from the window of his office.
-As his mother that must have been
extremely difficult for you.
-I'’m not Martin's mother.
Lady Denning was.
She went early into labour.
It happened so fast, there was no time to fetch a doctor.
Martin was healthy and well but...
poor Lady Denning.
God in his mercy took her.
-But that baby was reported as stillborn.
-The child so resembled his mother.
Sir Reginald could not bear to look at him.
He ordered me to take him to the orphanage.
Martin Crabtree was the name of a kind neighbour
who helped me when I first came to London.
So, that'’s the name I gave the boy.
-Who else knew that Martin had survived?
-No-one.
Sir Reginald swore me to total secrecy.
-When did you last see Martin?
-I lost track of him a few years ago.
It broke my heart.
-So, why did you visit George Saracen?
-My daughter's very sick.
But there is one doctor on Harley Street who can treat her.
He's expensive.
So, when I saw the advert offering that reward
I went to see Mr. Saracen and gave him Martin'’s name
and last known address.
He told me to come back for my money later.
And that'’s when I found him.
-Do you remember seeing anyone else
near George Saracen'’s house that day?
-In the morning as I left I passed a gentleman arriving.
-Can you remember anything about him?
-He was a smartly dressed gentleman.
Nicely turned out.
He wore an orange handkerchief in his coat pocket.
-Mr. Blunt.
Come to pay Mr. Crabtree a social visit?
How thoughtful.
-I'’ll come back another time.
-This is my colleague PC Jacobs, from Bow Street nick.
PC Jacobs, is this the Eric Blunt that you arrested
for being drunk and disorderly a couple of nights ago?
-He looks nothing like him.
-I went to Blunt'’s gambling den.
-And?
Turns out
Blunt wasn'’t the only one owed money by Sir Reginald Denning.
Six months before he died
Denning gambled his whole estate on the turn of a card.
He lost.
But he never paid that debt either.
-So, who won Denning'’s house?
-George Saracen.
-So, Saracen and Blunt both needed to find an heir
so they could claim what Denning owed them.
But they couldn'’t both get paid.
However, if Saracen was dead.
I should update Inspector Wellington.
He'’ll be angry, of course, because I stole the file.
But this shows that stealing it was the right thing to do.
And, anyway, he'’s hardly perfect, is he?
Although what if he'’s so angry he refuses
to let Martin Crabtree go?
I shall just have to trust him.
Although quite how I would do that, given his recent form...
Do you think I should update him, Moses?
-I just want you to stop talking.
-I want to be involved in the questioning.
-Do you now?
-Well, if it wasn'’t for my tip-off
you wouldn'’t have looked into his alibi.
-You stole an official police file.
-I thought we'd moved on from that?
-When exactly?
-Now.
-Sir, we found this in Blunt'’s house.
-How many times?
I'’ve never heard of this Saracen fella.
'Mr. Blunt, a woman by the name of Maud Skelton has come forward
claiming to have details of Denning'’s son.
She'’s visiting me tomorrow morning.
God willing, we will get our money after all.
Yours, George Saracen.'
-Alright.
Saracen and I made an agreement.
If an heir came forward
we'’d each claim half what we were owed.
-Well, the day after you got this letter you visited him.
-No, I never went to his house.
-We have a witness who will swear she saw you entering.
-Well, she'’s lying.
Mr. Blunt, you are our prime suspect
in George Saracen'’s murder.
And, indeed, the murder of Sir Reginald Denning.
-I never laid a finger on Denning!
-And Saracen?
-That letter was a trap!
Saracen knew I'’d come see him.
And when I got there he showed me Crabtree'’s details.
I offered to present myself to Crabtree
as an heir hunter and take him to the solicitor.
But then Saracen pulled out a knife
and says I wasn'’t going anywhere
because he'’s decided to keep the money for himself.
-And then what happened?
-He came at me.
I got the knife off him
and I defended myself like any man would.
I never meant to kill him.
-Well, that- that'’s all very plausible.
Very plausible.
Except for the fact that you planned your alibi in advance.
You got your mate to impersonate you as a drunk arrested
at Bow Street.
-Which would persuade any jury that you went to Saracen'’s house
with one intention.
To eliminate your rival to Denning'’s inheritance.
-I'’d put money on Blunt being Denning'’s killer too.
He may even have been involved in Crabtree'’s kidnap.
Which just leaves those missing counterfeit notes.
-What time is it?
-Almost five.
-William, Martin Crabtree has one more hour
to claim his inheritance.
You can have him.
-Thank you.
Although I'’m not sure there's enough time
to get a cab across London...
-Fine.
You can take my carriage.
-I think we'’re going to make it. -Go, go, go!
-Thank you. -Congratulations.
-Ah. Thank you, Moses.
-So, when do I get to see my contract?
-As soon as you'’ve given me your full name.
And not just Moses.
-That'’s not gonna happen.
-Oh, come on.
Surely we'’re good enough friends now?
Mr. Crabtree.
-Miss Scarlet.
I just wanted to come by and, er, give you this.
What you have done
for me and my wife
will transform our lives and the life of our child.
And I didn'’t want you to have to wait for weeks to get your fee.
So, this is your first instalment.
From my savings.
-Thank you, that is very kind.
-Wait till I tell Barnabus
I spent the afternoon in Bond Street.
-This is just the beginning, Ivy.
-Ooh!
-Tomorrow we'’ll start looking at furniture.
I'’m also going to buy a phonograph for the office.
-A what?
-Oh, it'’s a new invention.
It records your voice onto a wax cylinder and plays it back.
It'll allow me to do my own dictations.
-Right.
-That'’ll be the Dickins and Jones delivery.
I don'’t care. You'’ve obviously made a mistake.
-I don'’t think so Ma'am. -What'’s going on?
-A ridiculous misunderstanding.
The constable here claims the goods you bought
at Dickins and Jones was paid for with counterfeit bills.
-What?
Look what we'’ve found, the ransom money.
Hidden in your outhouse, Mr. Crabtree.
There was no kidnap, was there? You faked it.
Why did you do it?
You'’d just found out you were about to be rich
beyond your wildest dreams.
-Because I knew there was no inheritance.
-What do you mean?
-A week after my father died, I was visited by Maud Skelton.
She told me the truth about my birth.
She also told me that because of gambling debts
my late father'’s inheritance would be worthless.
If I tried to claim it, I, I would be hounded
and most likely left penniless.
-It was a poisoned chalice.
-But why risk faking a kidnap now?
-I pray every night
that my child will have a more comfortable
upbringing than I did.
And that night with Miss Scarlet and Mr. Blunt
circling around me I, I saw an opportunity.
So, on the way back from the pub
I stopped at a friend'’s house and I stayed there
till we got the ransom money.
-This friend of yours, it was him that picked up the money?
-Mm.
-Two days later with Saracen dead and...
Blunt facing a murder charge,
there was suddenly an inheritance to claim after all.
-Enough to make this ransom look like loose change.
-For the first time in my life I felt like God was smiling on me.
-So...what happens now?
-Do you still get your fee, you mean?
-No.
-Yes.
-Well, er, Crabtree
faked a kidnap in order to commit fraud,
which carries a potential jail sentence.
However...
two of the three targets of that fraud were Saracen and Blunt.
And the third was, of course, you.
So, the question is, do you want to press charges?
-Mm, on this occasion I'’m prepared to overlook
Martin Crabtree'’s actions.
I won'’t be pressing charges.
Which means you can still claim the inheritance.
-You don'’t deserve Miss Scarlet'’s kindness.
You truly are one of God'’s angels.
-Oh, I wouldn'’t go that far.
-I think I need to go and lie down.
-Do you want me to bring you anything?
-Just stay with our guest.
I'’ve been so stupid!
-Everything will be fine.
Your wife knows you'’re a good man at heart.
Go and check on her. I'’ll see myself out.
The Denning family fox.
Lady Denning.
Oh, no.
-You could put the frame down
and just walk out the door.
Pretend you hadn'’t seen it.
-This photo of your mother was stolen
when your father was murdered.
-I went to see him.
You know, the years, it twisted him, he was angry
and, and drunk and alone.
He told me it was my fault that my mother died.
That I'’d killed her.
He wanted nothing to do with me and I...
-You murdered him.
-Please...
Please, just walk away.
If you choose to walk out of this house
you can still receive your fee.
Please.
-I'’m not going anywhere.
- I want to meet my daughter. - Please.
-Maud Skelton has admitted that she told Martin who his father
was a few days before Sir Reginald'’s murder.
She always feared that he was responsible.
It'’s why she broke contact with him.
-Being abandoned because your father blames you for killing
your mother...it must be quite a cross to bear.
-Yeah, it'’s a sorry story for everyone.
Including you.
-The Forfeiture Rule is clear.
Martin Crabtree won'’t be allowed to inherit a penny
from his victim. So...there goes my fee.
-Eliza, I, erm...
I want to clear the air about Arabella.
Your private life is your own, William.
-I, I know you two haven'’t always seen eye to eye.
But er...
well, I, I don'’t want
my friendship with Arabella
to cause problems between us.
-Nor do I.
I will endeavour to make an effort with her.
I feel sure we will become firm friends.
-You'’re a terrible, terrible liar.
But I appreciate the effort.
-So looks like you'’ll have to moonlight for Nash
a little longer.
And I know I promised to double your fee...
-Put it on account.
You'’re gonna put that up?
-I was, but...
it turns out the time isn'’t quite right.
-When will it be?
-I have no idea.
-It'’s Valentine.
-Hm?
-Moses Valentine.
A lot of people would pay good money for that information.
-Thank you for the invite.
-Thank you for coming.
I'’m so pleased you could make it.
William told me how busy you are.
-Well, I'’m sure running a restaurant
is equally time consuming.
-I think we both like a challenge.
And how fortunate for William that he gets to work
with you so much of the time.
-I doubt he'’d use the word fortunate.
Actually, no, he didn'’t.
-Inspector Wellington, Ma'’am.
-Darling!
What are you doing here?
-I'’m meeting you.
To go to the park?
-The park?
Oh gosh, I completely forgot. How silly of me!
Still, since you'’re here William, I absolutely insist
you join us for tea.
You don'’t mind, do you, Eliza?
-Not at all.
-My mother always complained I had a mind like a sieve.
You poor thing having to put up with me.