Suspenseful music
Rustling
Bird screeches
Screeching
It's me.
Birds screeching
Screeching continues
theme tune
Cheerful music
Daniel, would you please turn round and take me to the station?
I wish to go back to London.
I'm not taking you back to the station to go to London.
You're staying with me.
I don't care how good your surprise is,
nothing is worth going for a ride like this.
You know what your problem is? You're getting soft.
Living in London is doing it to you. Making you a softy. Oh, yes.
Stick with me, the surprise I have for you will knock your eyes out.
That shouldn't be difficult, you shook them loose already.
I'm not complaining, but, uh...
Why have we stopped?
Now, close your eyes.
Close your eyes. Keep 'em shut. Watch your head getting out.
There you go.
Now. You can open them now.
Look. Beautiful, huh?
Is that it? Oh, that's it.
Well, what is it?
That's my little piece of england!
My country cottage.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
You actually... bought it?
Well, I really stole it, you know.
$20,000. It was like highway robbery.
Oh, it certainly was.
Come on, get in, I'll drive you up to the, uh, ranch. You'll love it.
I'm gonna raise cattle, chickens,
girls, corn...
Oil? ..Bread, whiskey,
horses. Watch your knees.
Beautiful!
Isn't it beautiful?
Needs a little work, I think.
I'm gonna fix the shingles on the roof.
Is all this quarter acre yours? Yeah, it's mine.
I'm gonna paint it a little bit, and the barn needs some new slats,
and there's a couple of screws loose. There certainly are.
What?
I said it has great potential.
Oh, yeah, it's got a lot of potential.
You wouldn't believe no-one has lived in it for 20 years.
Well... I'm gonna get that fixed.
I think what I should do...
I see the well's been taken care of. No, I haven't touched that.
I should... Have you got a penny?
Er, yeah, right. I should... Any particular wish?
To the both of us.
Splash both: Water!
Come on. Come on in, you're gonna love it.
I'll walk.
Come on.
The back is really nice. It's got a real...
Mind your head, Daniel!
It's got an old-fashioned stove and - watch your head.
I gotta... fix that.
Well, this is the bathroom.
I mean... the entry hall.
And, come here.
This is the... room that's gonna be the most beautiful...
Look at that! Huh?
Come on in. Take a look at it.
They don't build houses like these any more.
Well, I'll fix that right away.
They certainly don't
now, down at this wall,
there's gonna be books, all books. A little hi-fi in the corner.
A little lazy Susan, television set.
And another couch over there. Down in here, a big couch.
And you know what that is?
What is it, Daniel? That's a fireplace.
Really? Yeah, I'm gonna clean that up, get a big leather chair here.
And in the wintertime, when there's a storm outside,
I'll sit there with my old, faithful dog at my side.
But Daniel, you don't have a dog. Then I'll rent one.
I've decided this is the place to be right now.
Ohh! I gotta show you upstairs.
There's more?
Oak beams. I got oak beams in the bathroom.
Oak beams? I can't wait.
Come on.
Look at this woodwork.
I mean, country craftsmanship.
They don't make this kind of work any more, you know. No...
You're trespassing. This house is private property.
What are you, some kind of a vandal? What are you doing with that axe?
You could have damaged this (!) Yeah, right!
You're trespassing. This is private prop...
I'll say it's private property.
It happens to be my private property.
Every stick and stone.
That includes the dry rot and the woodworm. Right!
Now you take your axe outta here and beat it, wise guy.
Go ahead, beat it!
My squire told me to get rid of you. I don't care.
I got papers to prove this is my house, now get out!
It's the squire's house... It's not, it's my house!
He won't like this. I don't care whether he likes...
Will you watch the wall? It's my house.
Squire won't like it... Get outta here!
Don't you know an englishman's home is his castle?
And that includes Americans.
Right. The nerve of that guy busting in here like that,
chopping around.
You'll find, Daniel,
that country people can be a little cool at times.
Oh yeah? A little cool, huh?
Well, they can be as cool as they like, because I'm staying.
Please, upstairs... No, no, no, after you.
You know, upstairs is going to be just as...
Crash
Huh...
I, er, forgot to tell you, those...
Steps are, you know, shaky.
Yes.
Well?
Well, did you get rid of them?
No, squire.
You had my orders. Now go back and throw them out.
But squire, he's got papers. The foreign one says...
Papers? He bought the house.
He's the new owner.
Bought it...
Now, that's something I hadn't taken into consideration.
Well, what do you think?
What do I think? Hmm-mm.
I tell you what I think, Daniel.
I think it has a lot of character.
Yes, character. Right, it's got a lotta character.
In a couple of years,
the builders and decorators will make it a fine place.
Builders and decorators? No, I'm gonna do it all myself.
You? Everything, I'll do everything.
Mind the step, Daniel.
I'm gonna paint it, fix up the walls,
fix the steps, everything.
But Daniel, I hate to tell you something...
I really do believe this is a job for an expert.
How do you get to be an expert? By doing things, right?
Come on.
Help me unload the truck.
I'm staying here tonight. I got a camp bed for you.
A camp bed for me?
That's terribly decent of you, Daniel,
but I think I'll, uh, go down to the village
and take a room in the pub.
If you wanna wait a minute, I'll...
I'll let you take the, uh, the truck.
Oh no, I'll walk.
The exercise will do me good.
I'll drop in from time to time, Daniel.
See you later, pal.
Have a nice walk.
Crash
He whistles
Come in. Good afternoon.
Doing a spot of painting, are you?
Just a bit, yes...
Do you mind if I come in? Not at all, come in,
I'd rather like to have a little chat. Wonderful.
I'm Rupert hathaway. I'm Danny wilde.
I own most of the land around here.
Oh, it's beautiful country, beautiful.
I understand you've bought this place?
That's right. I bought it from a little old lady.
We have the same attorney, so I made a deal with her.
Then it never actually came on to the open market?
No, no, no... Not actually.
You don't mind if I continue working, do you?
Oh, not at all.
I'd always hoped to buy this place myself.
It's right in the middle of my property, you see.
Oh.
How would you like to turn a quick profit on your investment?
Er... No, I don't think so. Thank you.
Say... double what you paid for it?
No, I'm not interested. Thanks
four times. Four times whatever you gave.
(Chortles) You're a very generous man,
but, uh, thanks, but no thanks.
All right. Name your own price.
I'm not interested.
I've tried to be nice to you, wilde.
Now, I - want - this - cottage.
Well, you're not gonna have it.
You're going to find that life in the country is very hard.
Very hard!
You'll be glad to give this place away.
You'll find that I'm not a man to thwart.
Clatter
Miss?
Miss.
(Clears throat) Yours, I believe?
Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't...
You didn't realise I was sitting there.
Well, why not come and sit here yourself?
Allow me to buy you a drink.
What will it be? Vodka, please.
On the rocks? Mm.
Gladys, a vodka on the rocks, please.
Evening. Evening.
Are you, er, staying here?
Yes, just for a week or so. Oh, happy days, So am I.
Holiday?
No, I'm doing some field studies. I'm a bird watcher.
Well, now, there's a coincidence.
We should really do some field work together.
Oh, by the way, I'm Brett sinclair.
Lucy Scott.
Well, your health, miss Scott.
What are you doing for dinner tonight?
Er, don't tell me. I'll tell you.
We shall dine together.
I thought we might have it served in my room.
Tyres screeching
somebody's in a hurry for a drink.
I thought we might have a little pheasant
washed down with a bottle of claret or two.
Ah, excuse me.
Excuse me.
Low conversation
I've got to go. Sorry.
Oh, what about our pheasant?
Don't tell me you're bird-watching at this time of night?
Owls.
Owls?
Splash
suspenseful music
footsteps
Clatter
There you go.
Why, thank you very much, sir.
Tell me, do you fancy another game?
That's... very kind of you,
but losing six in a row is more than enough for me. Cheers.
Well, all the best, sir.
We don't get many visitors in this part of the world, sir.
Are you on holiday?
No, as a matter of fact, a friend of mine's bought a house here,
I thought I'd stay around until he settled in.
Ooh, now, what house would that be, sir?
Meadow cottage. Splutters
what's the matter?
Ooh... that's a bad place, sir.
A bad place.
I don't know a man in the village as would go near the place after dark.
Come to that, I don't know many as would go near it in broad daylight.
Well... most houses that stay empty for a long time
get themselves a reputation.
It's how ghost stories start.
Ohh, it's more than stories, sir.
I've seen things.
What sort of things?
Glowing lights,
and sounds like I've never heard before.
Then there was the things.
Things?
Shadows and shapes.
Oh, people, you mean?
No, no, no... These weren't no people.
Forgive me, but how many of these had you had the night you saw
these shadows and shapes and things?
Not a drop had passed my lips, sir.
But I tell you something.
Your friend won't be staying in that house long.
My friend's a very determined fellow.
He doesn't scare.
Right now, in fact, I bet he's sleeping like a baby.
He must be around here somewhere.
Go and look round the back.
Sorry.
Birds Twitter
Screeching
Good morning.
Morning! Oh, good morning.
May I join you? How were the owls last night?
Owls? Owls.
Oh, I managed to find a couple of nesting sites.
Good.
I tell you what. I shall join you today.
Get the landlord to pack us up a picnic lunch,
little game pie, couple of bottles of champers...
Well, no, I'm sorry, the bird I want to photograph today is very shy.
He takes fright very easily. Then I can be of great help to you.
If I have one talent, it is my ability to sneak up on birds.
Hello, who's this sneaking up on us?
Daniel of the black look.
I got a problem. Get in the car.
Excuse me, my friend looks awful. I have to attend to him.
What is it, Daniel?
Keep it up.
Er, need any help down there?
There ain't no-one down here, sir.
No-one? Just a couple of feet of water.
Now, look here...
Officer. ..Officer,
I'm telling you there was a body down there.
It isn't there now, sir.
Then someone got it out while I was unconscious, that's what happened.
Daniel, you were knocked unconscious by this? Right.
But when you came to, you were behind those bushes.
Yeah, exactly.
Well, so what? Maybe I staggered there or someone dragged me there.
A knock on the head can do very funny things, sir,
perhaps you were dazed and imagined that body.
No, I wasn't dazed when I thought I saw a body!
No more dazed than I am...
Well, you saw the room in that house.
Now, that was real enough.
Local people, do you think, officer?
Oh, no, sir. You can be sure of that.
This place has got a very bad reputation.
All superstitious, of course.
Nobody comes up here after dark.
Except maybe a tramp or vagabond.
Mind you, you might get some kids up here on a camping holiday. Oh.
Anyway, I'll go, have a look round t'district.
Thank you, officer. Right, sir.
Goodbye, constable.
I'm telling you, I saw a body!
But Daniel, my dear boy, I have no reason to disbelieve you.
You say you saw a body, you saw a body.
But it's obvious it's not there now. Mind your head.
Now come along, Daniel, cheer up.
I tell you what, I'll even go against my better instincts
and give you a hand to clean up.
You're a little old to be playing with dolls, Daniel.
Anyway, you don't believe in witchcraft, do you?
There's a nice place for it.
I'm in somebody's way.
But whose?
My neighbour.
He'll have to stick more than pins in a doll to get rid of me.
I'll see you later.
Oh, dear.
I see we have a trespasser.
This could be quite amusing.
Good morning. You know you're on private land?
My cottage is on - good morning - private land as well.
But that doesn't seem to stop anybody walking over there
any time they want.
Having a spot of trouble, are you?
Yeah, I'm having a spot of trouble.
But I don't suppose you know anything about that?
What are you suggesting?
I'm suggesting you stay off my land, that's what I'm suggesting.
I rather gather the impression that he's threatening us.
I'm not threatening you, I'm just telling you to stay off my land.
You're still quite sure you won't sell?
Never.
It's astonishing how uncomfortable life in the country can become.
The little accidents that can happen.
Laughs
groans
Go on.
Whoa.
Ahh.
Phew.
Footsteps
Clears throat
oh.
I'm sorry. You surprised me.
I surprised you?
That's nice of you. You took three years off my life.
I suppose I should be grateful.
Tell me, is a beretta part of bird-watching equipment?
I'd be grateful if you didn't mention I'd been here.
Not to anyone. All right.
On one condition.
You tell me what you're looking for.
I can't tell you.
But you're not bird-watching, are you?
I don't want to answer that.
But there is something going on? I'm not saying anything.
Look, please, don't ask me any more questions.
I've already said too much.
You have?
Tell your friend not to stay here.
I really mean it. He's in great danger.
Well, what kind of danger? Just take the warning.
Oh. Now look, young lady...
Just sit down.
You're not going on looking and you're not going anywhere
until you tell me what is going on around here.
Look, I can't. I can't tell you anything just now.
Please.
Please trust me.
Well, I never could resist a lady who said please.
I'll tell you everything tonight.
I'll have a drink waiting for you.
Get out of here, you're in great danger.
What? What did you say? Danger.
Danger?
Tapping
get your leash and I'll take you for a walk.
Daniel. How did you get on with the squire?
I didn't get on with him at all.
He's behind everything that's been going on.
Well, why not leave him to it? What do you mean?
Well, sell him the house.
Let him play his black magic games and you forget about it.
You sound just like your crazy girlfriend. What do you mean?
That's what she said. But I'm not gonna do it.
This is my house. I bought it and I love it
and nobody - and nothing - is gonna make me leave it.
That's the spirit that won the west. Well, I'm glad you like it.
But at least do me one favour. What's that?
Take a room in the pub while you work on the place. No, no.
Daniel, you're the most stubborn man I ever met. Right.
Look, I'm going into town. You want a lift?
Yes. Well, you might thank me for cleaning up the place.
I've ruined my manicure.
I'm going to get enough supplies to last a siege...
And a shotgun!
Then if they come nosing around, I'll be ready for them.
Well, I'm proud of you, Daniel.
The way you're going, you'll get your little piece of england...
Thrown in on top of you. Spadeful by spadeful.
Eh, what?
Well... I thought you weren't coming.
Ooh. Here, here. Sit down.
I know you're bursting to tell me,
but you didn't have to run all the way.
Drink this. What is it all about?
I think you'd better come. They're going to try something, tonight.
At the cottage? Mm.
In the woods, there are four or five of them.
Just a moment. Those sort of odds appeal only to heroes and idiots.
I think we should call the village police. He's not there.
I left a message, though. Look, I think you'd better take this.
Just in case.
Why couldn't he have got himself a nice little penthouse in town?
You know, if we're going to do this often, we should buy a tandem.
Hoots like an owl
hoots
Argh!
The squire ain't going to like this.
Get out.
You too.
Who's watching the bell?
Not far now. I should hope not.
There's someone coming.
No sign of anyone.
Whispers: It's quiet as a proverbial grave...
What are we whispering for? Shouts: Daniel!
He has a shotgun in there.
Daniel!
It's us.
Try the door.
What a good idea.
Oh, allow me.
Ooh!
Take a look upstairs, will you?
You're not daft, are you?
There's no sign of him.
All the windows upstairs have shutters on the inside,
they're closed and barred.
Then they must have got him.
Who's got him?
Would you please tell me what is going on?
Yes, I will.
Perhaps if I had before, this wouldn't have happened,
but, well, I wasn't certain I could trust you.
Thank you.
I couldn't be sure you weren't working with them.
Working with whom?
You do understand, don't you?
I don't understand a wretched thing.
Now, please, just sit down...
I am a sweet, gentle, reasonable man.
Will you please give me some answers to questions?!
Oh, yes, I will, I'm sorry.
But first, I've got to get back to the village.
You are not going anywhere.
In fact, neither of us is going anywhere until we help Daniel.
He may be in great danger.
But that's what I'm trying to do - help him.
We wanted to keep this whole investigation under cover.
What investigation? I'll tell you in a minute.
First, we have to get the police moving,
it's your friend's only chance.
Please, you'll just have to trust me. All right.
But, I tell you, if I don't get some action fast,
I personally will take this place apart brick by brick to find Daniel.
All right. Start the preparations.
Get the cargo ready for loading.
Ok, you can put the hood back on your head. I believe you.
You scare me to death. Ok. Fine.
You have a very droll sense of humour, mr wilde.
You think so, huh?
By the by, are you comfortable?
No. Oh, good.
If it's any consolation, our little contretemps this morning
has left me with a mass of bruising.
Good.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have quite a lot to do.
Yeah, thanks.
May I ask you a question, please?
This business about sacrificing,
you know, virgins and the pins in the dolls and black magic.
Oh, no, no, no,
that's just our way of ensuring privacy from any inquisitive locals.
Oh.
You'd be surprised how effective it is.
Yes, I can see.
Not a soul for miles around would come anywhere near here after dark.
So, now, if you'll excuse me.
Yes, goodbye.
Oh, uh, one last question.
What have you got in mind for me?
You can't be that naive.
Sorry I asked.
Now, the cottage is located here.
Ahead of a valley that leads right down to the sea.
Do you think we could skip the geography
and get on with helping Daniel?
But it's the geography that makes the place so perfect.
See, there's quite steep hills on either side.
So, any aircraft flying lower than the top of these hills
can't be detected on the coastal radar screens.
A sort of blind spot? Exactly.
They fly across from France at sea level,
then they just vanish.
When they get between these hills?
Yes. It's taken us nearly two years to locate this landing point.
Now, they fly back again with box loads of forged American $100 bills.
Forgeries so flawless they're almost undetectable.
You wanted to see me, miss?
Oh yes, good.
Now, get on to country headquarters, we'll need at least 40 men.
I want to throw a cordon round that cottage
and organise a thorough search of the surrounding area,
with roadblocks set up on all the approach roads.
Understand? Er, yes, miss.
I want everybody in position in two hours' time.
Two hours? Doesn't give us much time, miss.
Well, we haven't got much time.
Well, don't just stand there. Get moving.
Oh, do you want the men to meet you here, miss?
No, have them come straight out to the cottage.
We'll be going back there right away.
Very good, miss.
You must be terribly important.
I'm a detective inspector, in the fraud squad.
Hm.
Well, we'd better get back there.
There's still a chance we may be able to save your friend.
If they haven't killed him already. Killed him?
The operative who was on the case before me
almost certainly was murdered.
Now wait a minute. Daniel swore he saw a body down the well.
When?
Last night. But when the constable went down, he couldn't...
The rope. I knew there was something odd about it.
What?
Well, everything's old about the house
except there's a brand-new rope on the well.
Glass shatters
Ow!
Always works in the movies.
I was just doing some marshmallows.
Now don't get... ow!
Trying to leave us?
No. You don't mind, do you?
Not at all.
You know, in a way, you're really very fortunate.
Oh. Oh, how am I fortunate, pray tell?
Most of us go through life wondering how it will end.
Oh. Well, what makes me so different?
Well, before morning, all of your doubts will have been removed.
Chuckling: Oh...
Footsteps
low conversation
I think we may be having company.
Do you have a penny?
Oh, you wanna make a wish?
No, I want to see how deep the well is.
Well, I'm afraid I don't carry small change.
Never mind, I'll use a pebble.
You should try a copper.
I always did say the police were underpaid.
Splash
deep.
Tell you what, you go first. What?
That way I can lower you. Oh, good idea.
Tell me, if you've suspected this place for months,
why haven't you moved in before?
We were waiting for the next consignment to be sent.
Then our people in France could've followed up
and got the whole distribution network.
Oh. Here, put your foot through there.
Right.
Wait till I take the weight. Uh-huh.
Right?
Right.
There's a passage.
Oh! Argh!
Aah!
Argh!
Let me give you a hand.
He screams
Brett!
It's all right, that wasn't me.
I'm coming the civilised way.
Ooh.
Grunts
pull me over. Thank you.
I wouldn't like to do that twice before breakfast.
Right, let's see where it goes. We ought to wait for my search party.
It might be too late by then.
Brett...?
What's happening?
(Muffled) I've got a girl down here.
All right. Bring her up.
Get the rest of the money out.
You, set the landing flares.
Well, what happens now?
Well, every day one reads about people who are murdered
for a few measly pounds in their wallet.
But this involves millions.
And it is a frightfully expensive business,
being an English country gentleman.
In less than an hour, more than 40 police will surround this place.
You haven't a chance.
I'm sorry, miss. I forgot to send your message.
Just... Tidy things up here, will you?
Two gunshots
huh.
It's all right, Daniel, you can open your eyes now.
I should've known it was you.
Don't you know that a loaded pistol is dangerous.
What are you complaining about? I missed, didn't I?
You always miss. That's why I aimed between your eyes.
Come on, we must get help.
I don't think there's time.
To begin with, they were on my land.
What do you suggest, we arrest them for trespass?
He's late.
Here he comes.
All right, light the flares!
Oh... Daniel, Daniel...
Would you help the inspector?
I bet you never grabbed a policeman like that before.
I say... Would you step out?
You've got something wrong with the blades.
Here... look.
Groans
Whistles
Over there, quick.
Hey! Save that one for me.
Hold it!
Wah!
I gotta get those stairs fixed.
What do we do now, inspector?
Oh, help me pick these up, I'll need them for evidence.
I had these framed, as a memento of our little escapade.
I'll hang it right between those two little paintings on the wall.
That's a nice idea, Daniel. I've got an even better idea.
What's that? Change the name of the place to greenback cottage.
That's not bad. You've done a marvellous job, Danny.
Did you do everything yourself? Yes. Picked out every little fabric
you see in the place. Picked out that couch, everything. You like it?
Very nice.
Oh, Daniel, before you do that, this is an opportune moment for me
to propose a little toast.
Make it. I give you greenback cottage.
May she endure for a thousand years.
Greenback cottage.
Let me give you a hand, Daniel.
Hammer, nail...
That's the idea.
Do you think...? A little more to the right.
Right?
Whistles
creaking
Clatter
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