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1/
Journalist
Rex Bryant, is sent by his editor to meet the "Golden Clipper" at Southampton,
arriving from New York. On board are Paul Temple and Steve. The news story
is that Temple has written a play - "The First Lady Seaton" for actress
Iris Archer, and that at the last minute she's pulled out. Bryant finds
the Temple's, but Paul is in the dark as to why Iris Archer has dropped
out, and it is obviously a sore point with him. Bryant realises he hasn't
got a story; and at the same time Paul introduces him to Doctor Ludwig
Steiner, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Philadelphia. He
is in the UK for a holiday.
Later; Temple
meets with Iris Archer, who can give no satisfactory reason why she has
pulled
out of the coming production at the last minute. She agrees that she will
play the part if Paul can convince the producer to delay production for
a few months. Temple agrees to try. Archer tells him that she is going
to the South of France for a few months.
The Temple's receive
a visit from Sir Graham Forbes soon after they return to their flat. He
tells them that he is taking his first holiday for six years, and that
he will be staying near Nice. The Temple's tell him that they too are about
to go on Holiday - to Scotland.
They Temple's
depart... heading for Inverdale. Later they stop to ask directions at a
small shop (they are only two miles short of their destination). Mrs Moffat
- the owner, points them in the right direction and sells Temple some postcards
of Inverdale. As they are about to leave the shop, a young man called David
Lindsay enters and asks Temple to deliver a letter to a Mr John Richmond
at the `Royal Gate' inn at Inverdale. He stresses that it is very important
that under no circumstances should the letter fall into other hands.
Temple agrees that he will deliver it personally to Mr Richmond.
After the Temple's
leave the shop, Lindsay asks Mrs Moffat if he could use the telephone.
She tells him it is out of order, but as soon as he leaves the shop she
places a call and outlines the whole of what has transpired in the shop
to someone!!
Paul and Steve
continue on their journey but are soon overtaken by a car and stopped.
The two men claim to be Mr Lindsay - father of the young man they have
met, and a Dr Van Draper. They say that young Lindsay is mentally ill and
request that Paul hand over the letter he has. Eventually Temple reluctantly
hands it over and they leave. However - Paul has tricked them and given
them the envelope containing the postcards of Inverdale! He tells Steve
he didn't believe a word of their story and fully intends to deliver the
letter.
They arrive at
the `Royal Gate' and are greeted by the owners; Mr & Mrs Ernie Weston.
Paul asks if a Mr John Richmond is a guest? and Weston confirms that he
is. It also transpires that their companion on the Atlantic crossing Dr
Steiner, is also a guest, and to cap it off, Steve spots Iris Archer in
a corridor - so she is not in the South of France. The surprises don't
end there, because when Weston finds Mr John Richmond and brings him to
met Paul it turns out to be none other than Sir Graham Forbes of Scotland
Yard!!
2/
Steve addresses
Mr Richmond as "Sir Graham", but Temple takes in the situation and pretends
she is mistaken. Sir Graham is of course annoyed that his cover may have
been breached and they all hope that they have convinced Weston that it
was a mistake.
Temple explains
to Sir Graham about Lindsay, and Sir Graham realises it is one of his undercover
officers - Hammond, who is trying to get a message to him. However, when
Temple goes to retrieve the note from his pocket - it is gone! They come
to the conclusion that the two men who stopped them must have a contact
at the Inn, and that they have managed to lift the letter. Sir Graham is
reluctant to tell the Temple's what it is all about believing it will be
safer for them, but he is aware of the involvement of Van Draper and Guest
(the man posing as Mr Lindsay senior). Paul Temple decides that in light
of the previous events with the "Knave of Diamonds" and the "Front Page
Men", it is best that he and Steve leave first thing in the morning, and
have nothing further to do with the business.
Back at the Shop
- A meeting between Mrs Moffat, Guest and Van Draper. They now know Lindsay
is Noel Hammond a British Agent. He has been working with `Hardwick' on
the screen.... He knows too much; including that Z4 is the head of the
greatest espionage organisation in Europe. None of them know the real identity
of Z4.... and they agree that Hammond/Lindsay must be dealt with at the
earliest possible moment. They think he may return to the shop, not realising
his cover is blown, and wanting to telephone Richmond/Forbes again.
While waiting
at the shop; Z2 makes contact by phone, informing the gang of the presence
at the inn of Paul Temple. They all agree that his appearance can't be
a coincidence, and that he is a danger to the organisation. Hammond/Lindsay
duly arrives - and is murdered by Van Draper.
It transpires
that Z4 has been employing John Hardwick an inventor to perfect a secret
weapon called `The Hardwick Screen' and his beam. He had offered it to
the War Office, but after a trial they rejected it, 2 years later though
he had made progress and the War Office are worried about what would happen
if something like Z4's organisation have control of a fully working version.
Z2 (Iris Archer)
arrives, she is shocked to find someone she introduced to the organisation
(Hammond/Lindsay) has turned out to be a traitor and had to be dealt with.
Mrs Moffat tells the group that Z4 will be coming out into the open very
shortly - as soon as the "Hardwick Screen" is perfected. Z4 has four syndicates
who all want the screen, and he/she believes they will pay up to £5,000,000
for it.
The gang discuss
whether Temple might be Mr John Richmond, but while they agree that this
is very unlikely ... they think Temple is probably more dangerous and his
presence is no coincidence. They detail Iris to take care of him. Iris
asks Mrs Moffat how she will recognise Z4? The answer: by their response
to a quote - "What was it that Shakespeare said about travellers..?"
Back at the hotel;
Temple tells Sir Graham that he and Steve are leaving in the morning, Sir
Graham wants them to stay and explains about the `Hardwick Screen' - a
system of camouflage for use on land. Sir Graham states that British Intelligence
and Scotland Yard have been after Z4 for sometime. They don't know who
he/she is - but that the organisation trade state secrets and must be stopped.
Temple returns
to his room and finds the missing note now lying on the floor, it says:
"Identity of Z4 unknown, even
by important members of the organisation. Believe Z4 to be in Scotland,
likely to contact Headquarters in next 3 weeks. Have been compelled to
work with Hardwick on behalf of Z4. John Hardwick now a prisoner at Skerry
Lodge! Screen of definite value and importance, beam almost perfected.
Imperative Hardwick rescued."
Steve is called
to the telephone and Sir Graham leaves with her. Iris Archer comes into
Temple's room while he is alone. She gives him one of her cigarettes (which
is doped), she tells him she wants the letter and as Temple starts to go
under the influence of the drug - she starts to search his pockets. However,
she is disturbed in this by another visitor.... Dr Ludwig Steiner.
3/
Iris pulls a gun on Dr Steiner and makes her retreat. Steiner goes to Temple's
aid and he slowly starts to revive. Temple thanks Dr. Steiner as he thinks
Iris may have finished him off but for the doctor's timely entry. Steve
returns - the phone call being a hoax just to get her out of the way.
Later, Sir Graham
tells the Temple's that they know a good deal about Z4's organisation,
and blackmail is how people with good reputations like Iris are involved
and kept in line.
Z4 has something
on all the members of the organisation!
Paul finally agrees to help Sir Graham,
he thinks he is probably a marked man in any case. He decides however to
take Steve to Aberdeen in the morning, believing she will be much safer
there, and then return alone. That night the Inn receives one more unexpected
guest - journalist Rex Bryant. His only explanation for being there is
that he's had the sack, and came to Scotland to see the bluebells!
At Skerry Lodge.
Guest and Van Draper are pondering
matters. Ben Collins, another accomplice thinks they should leave Skerry
Lodge now with Hardwick and the equipment, that it's become too risky to
stay. Guest and Van Draper are waiting for Iris to report on whether she
got the letter back. Iris arrives with the news that Temple does have the
letter, but isn't Richmond - although she doesn't know who is. Mrs Moffat
joins them with new instructions from Z4. Paul & Steve Temple must
both be taken care of before they reach Aberdeen! The gang decide to sabotage
a dangerous section of road by removing a warning sign and parking a vehicle
on a bridge in such a way that Temple won't be able to avoid it.
Van Draper and
Guest also agree that if Z4 knows the Temple's movements, Z4 must also
be a current guest at the inn. The following morning the plan goes wrong
when the Temple's car is overtaken by a "speedster" shortly before the
bend leading to the bridge. The "speedster" slams into the stationary car,
and is killed in a ball of fire. The Temple's are very shaken being close
behind, and decide to return immediately to Inverdale.
When Paul and
Steve return, they find that Ernie Weston seems to have disappeared. Sir
Graham and Bryant are talking to Mrs Weston, Ernie took the dog for a walk
after locking up the previous night and hasn't been seen since. Dr Steiner
joins the party. When the Temple's return to their room they see paint
on the floor, next to a locked cupboard - except it is not paint - but
blood! They force the cupboard open and find a dead Ernie Weston inside.
Clenched in his hand is a piece of watch chain ... Steve recognises it
as belonging to Rex Bryant!
4/
Bryant is taken aback, he says he lost the chain last night and denies
knowing anything about Weston's death. He recalls mentioning the loss to
Dr Steiner the previous evening. Steiner has also had some cuff-links go
missing. Temple and Forbes press Bryant for the real reason he is in Scotland,
and he admits he is looking for John Hardiwck. He has already followed
up a lead from Hardwick's brother, who believes he is being held at Skerry
Lodge against his will. Bryant tells them that he has visited the Lodge
but not so far tried to gain entry. Paul and Sir Graham agree they must
make an effort to get Hardwick away from Skerry Lodge. They agree that
if he has perfected the "Inverdale beam" he will have served his purpose
to the gang. Steiner confirms Bryant's story about loosing his watch chain
the previous night - giving his story some much needed credibility.
The gang now know
the Temple's survived their planned accident. Mrs Moffat has had more instructions
from Z4. They must get Hardwick and the screen away from the Lodge immediately
as Temple is going to be there shortly. Hardwick is to be taken to the
chalet. Ben is told to show Temple down to the basement, and to lock him
in and flood the place! The others start packing all the equipment in readiness
for their hurried departure.
Paul and Steve
arrive at Skerry Lodge and Ben tells them that Mr Hardwick is very busy,
but can spare them a couple of minutes. They fall into the trap - being
lead into the basement and locked in. There is no way out, as the water
starts to pour in. Only as the water starts to reach the top of the room
do they hear a voice from the outside ... it's Sir Graham Forbes and he
rescues them in the nick of time! He also has soon good news. They have
capture both Ben and Iris Archer before they could escape. They take there
prisoners back to the `Royal Gate' and start to interrogate them.
Both are uncooperative.
Temple reminds them of the death of the driver in the arranged accident,
but they both deny any knowledge. Mrs Weston enters with a telegram for
Sir Graham. It contains information of Ben's involvement in a murder. Forbes
puts the pressure on him and he starts to go to pieces under the weight
of evidence against him, and despite Iris's threats, he implicates Mrs
Moffat.
Dr Steiner who
is also in the room suggests that Ben is in need of a drink to steady his
nerves. Bryant offers to slip down and get some, however Paul Temple has
a flask in his pocket containing Scotch. Ben gulps it down .... and almost
immediately hits the floor dead! Poisoned. Iris screams `My God Temple
- You've killed him!' Paul replies that it was not he but Z4 who is responsible.
5/
Sir Graham sniffs
the bottle and informs the others that cyanide has killed Ben. Iris accuses
Temple of knowing that the whisky was poisoned, and that if Z4 killed Ben,
then Paul Temple is Z4! Forbes and Temple agree that it's an interesting
theory if nothing else. They go back to questioning Iris but get nowhere,
with her exclaiming `no one knows who is Z4 not even the infallible Paul
Temple!' But he replies `I shouldn't be too sure of that Iris if I was
you.' Mrs Weston returns; this time with a telegram for Paul - with new
information he has been waiting for. Iris becomes totally uncooperative,
refusing to answer any more question. As she is leaving the room, Paul
reads from the telegram. Thanks for telegram. Information you require
as follows. Hotel Martinez - April 14 1932. Iris collapses at the mention.
It's decided to
send Iris to Glasgow with Detective Inspector Fuller. The train they are
on is supposed to be a through train with not stops - however Z4's organisation
have arranged a stop at a small station. Guest and Van Draper are waiting
to spring Iris, in the insuing action Van Draper deals with Fuller.
Iris is very surprised
to be rescued, and again Z4 has had all the important information. Iris
is supplied with a car - and told to make herself scarce. After Iris departs,
Guest and Van Draper discuss the car. The brakes have been tampered with
on instruction from Z4 - who now considers Iris a liability, who may give
the game away.
Temple and Steve
journey by car to the town of Skellyfore, Paul wants to meet Sir Graham
away from the "Royal Gate". While waiting they see a car racing out of
control down the hill. When it reaches the bottom it crashes. The Temple's
are very surprised to see Iris Archer at the wheel, while shaken and injured
- she has survived and is only too aware that Van Draper, Guest and the
rest of the gang have double-crossed her.
As Paul points
out to her `they got you off the train for a purpose ... they wanted to
make certain you wouldn't talk.' Paul makes an appointment with her to
meet at the Shepley Hotel - High Moorford, after she has received medical
treatment.
Later: At the
meeting with Sir Graham, he tells Temple that they have been unable to
locate the chalet, they are however keeping a close watch on the shop of
Mrs Moffat. Forbes says he can't believe someone doesn't know who Z4 is,
but Temple is sure that no one knows at present. Paul explains that the
telegram he received showed the hold Z4 had over Iris. It relates to the
apparent suicide of her husband in 1932 - but which might have been murder.
Paul is certain Iris isn't Z4, and Sir Graham is highly sceptical of both
Dr Steiner and Rex Bryant. Temple believes Weston was a petty thief and
stole the watch chain. He thinks Weston also removed the letter from his
pocket, returning it later and then being murdered by Z4 for this lapse.
During their conversation Temple and Forbes discover the phrase Mrs Moffat
will ask Z4 - having both been asked this the first time they went into
the shop.
`What was it Shakespeare said about
travellers?'
Paul visits a
local bookshop and finds the quote. The answer is:
`Travellers ne'er did lie - though
fools at home condemn 'em.' This gives Temple an idea!
Guest and Van
Draper return to Mrs Moffat's shop. They've seen Iris's car and believe
she is finished. They state that Hardwick has now finished the screen,
but is proving very troublesome - they head back to the chalet to keep
a close eye on Hardwick. Shortly after they depart - Rex Bryant enters
the shop, asking for some razor blades. Mrs Moffat asks his the question
... and he answers correctly!
6/
Guest and Van
Draper are on their way back to the chalet, they are worried about Hardwick
who is becoming very unhappy with the situation. They notice they are being
followed by another car. Guest slows the car to let the driver draw level
and then sharply turns into his car. The tactic doesn't work that well
as both cars crash. Van Draper is killed and the car is a right off, but
Guest survives relatively unscathed. The other car - containing a policeman,
isn't unroadworthy. So after removing the officer, Guest is able to continue
his journey.
Back at the shop:
Bryant admits he is Z4! The trick works as Mrs Moffat starts giving away
a lot of details. She realises too late that Bryant has tricked her and
is not Z4. Bryant place a call to Paul Temple at the inn with the information.
At the inn; Steve sees Mrs Weston going out for a walk. Forbes and Steve
consider that Mrs Weston is taking the death of her husband very well.
Temple tells Forbes
that he sent Bryant to Mrs Moffat's and that the scheme has partly paid
off, although they still don't know where the chalet is. The Temple's depart
for their rendezvous with Iris.
At the chalet:
Hardwick is desperate ... he's tied to a chair, he tries to burn through
the ropes with a cigarette lighter, but only manages to set fire to the
many blue prints scattered around the room. He desperately tries to put
out the fire as it starts to take hold.
Guest arrives
back at the chalet too late ... the whole place is ablaze. The Hardwick
screen and Hardwick himself have all perished. Guest decides to head to
the Shepley Hotel to lie low for a few days. He books in and shortly after
receives a surprise visitor - a very unhappy Iris.
The Temple's arrive
at the hotel, but Iris isn't there. There is a message though, telling
Temple to go to room 14. Inside he finds Guest dead with a tiny blue phial
beside the body.
7/
At Mrs Moffat's
Shop: Sir Graham and the Temple's wait - in a concealed position. Mrs Moffat
has used the line on several customers, but none was Z4. Temple informs
Sir Graham that Iris extracted her revenge on Guest for his betrayal. A
new customer arrives - and much to Sir Graham's surprise Dr Steiner does
not answer correctly! Mrs Moffat wants to shut the shop as it is now 8
o'clock. Temple says the clock is fast and they will wait five more minutes.
The last visitor
of the day enters ... but it is only Mrs Weston. Mrs Moffat goes through
the routine and to everyone's amazement - she answers correctly and deliberately
repeats the words. Z4 has finally revealed herself! Temple and Forbes pounce
from hiding and overpower Z4. An alert is put out for Iris, and she is
capture later at a small theatre in Craiglea by a vigilant police officer,
who see's through her disguise and changed hair colour.
8/
Finally discussing
the case, Temple clears up all the outstanding points for Steve and Sir
Graham. Mrs Weston had intended Paul to drink the cyanide laces whisky.
Forbes was convinced that Steiner was Z4 because he suggested the drink.
Temple says he was suspicious of Mrs Weston from the very beginning. He
believes even Weston didn't know his wife was Z4. He knew that Bryant -
who now has a tremendous exclusive wasn't involved, and the watch chain
was planted to incriminate him.
Temple has found
out that Mrs Weston worked at the hotel where Iris's husband had suspiciously
died. She had read the telegram ... prompting her to want Iris disposed
of. The Temple's talk about going on a proper holiday. Forbes has one last
question. `Who the devil is Dr Steiner really?' Paul replies `believe it
or not he really is Dr Ludwig Steiner, Professor of Philosophy at the University
of Philadelphia!'
Prepared
& pictures scanned by Greg Marshall.
8 April 2001.
Book
cover from "News of Paul Temple"
(Chivers Press edition 1998 - Black Dagger Crime Series).