Episode aired Feb 7, 1961
Stars: Kenneth Haigh • Audrey Dalton • Alan Napier • Alan Caillou
On the Welsh Border, an old man suspected of witchcraft is gruesomely murdered with a hay-fork and bill-hook. The Scotland Yard inspector investigating has to wade through a morass of superstition to uncover the killer, but when his wife starts having visions of the Black Dog, harbinger of death, the locals focus their suspicions on her.
Stars: Kenneth Haigh • Audrey Dalton • Alan Napier • Alan Caillou
On the Welsh Border, an old man suspected of witchcraft is gruesomely murdered with a hay-fork and bill-hook. The Scotland Yard inspector investigating has to wade through a morass of superstition to uncover the killer, but when his wife starts having visions of the Black Dog, harbinger of death, the locals focus their suspicions on her.
Category
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Short filmTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:02 It is a dark and mournful night.
00:06 There's a mist shrouding the stones tonight.
00:14 It's a cold, damp mist.
00:17 It touches the cheek gently.
00:21 Like the fingers of a man long dead.
00:27 [Music]
00:33 All the beasts of the forest are mine.
00:36 And all the cattle on a thousand hills.
00:40 When the harvest comes,
00:45 the people will stand by in silence.
00:50 And the children will go hungry.
00:53 And there will be no grain.
00:57 [Speaking in foreign language]
01:03 [Music]
01:29 [Music]
01:37 Keep away from me.
01:39 It's not me.
01:41 Keep away, I say.
01:43 I'm not the one.
01:45 [Music]
01:49 We wrestle not against flesh and blood,
01:53 but against principalities.
01:57 The powers of the rulers of darkness.
02:01 [Music]
02:24 Do you believe in witchcraft?
02:27 Witches have plagued the human race since history first began.
02:32 Although nowadays, in America at least,
02:35 they've become nothing more than an illusion
02:37 with which to tease the childish imagination at Halloween.
02:41 But not so in the old world.
02:44 In Italy, for example,
02:46 witchcraft is still called the old religion.
02:50 And in England, even today,
02:53 the legal definition of a witch stands on the statute books,
02:57 the person who hath conference with the devil.
03:00 And in a place like Darkwoods, for example,
03:05 deep in the mountains of the Welsh borders,
03:08 where the village cowers in the shadows of the druid stones,
03:12 an ancient sacrificial circle put there who knows when,
03:17 for these simple villagers,
03:20 time has not moved very fast.
03:23 The old habits and fears die hard.
03:29 Our story tonight deals with their attempts to exorcise a witch.
03:35 Our leading players are
03:39 Mr. Kenneth Hay,
03:41 Miss Audrey Dalton,
03:44 Mr. Alan Caillou,
03:48 Miss Alan Napier,
03:50 and Miss Doris Lloyd.
03:53 Join us now, won't you, as we try to beat the devil at his own game.
04:01 (music)
04:13 (music)
04:26 The druid stones.
04:29 They say the spirits of the slaves who brought them here still watch over them.
04:33 Frightening, Harry.
04:34 Frightening? You're not supposed to be frightened on your honeymoon.
04:37 Some honeymoon.
04:39 You wait till you see them by daylight, Mrs. Roberts.
04:42 By daylight, you'll be investigating a gruesome murder,
04:45 and I'll be left alone in a gruesome inn.
04:47 Alone? Why do you think I brought you here?
04:50 I was beginning to wonder.
04:52 Now, now, Mr. Roberts, behave yourself.
04:54 That's a ridiculous suggestion.
04:55 There's a time and a place for everything.
04:56 Well, this is the time.
04:57 Well, this is definitely not the place.
04:59 I don't see why not.
05:00 Oh, Harry, really?
05:02 All right.
05:03 Come on, let's go to the car, and we'll get over to your gruesome inn.
05:06 But I'll bring you back in the morning and show you where the druids used to burn their victims.
05:09 Ritual sacrifices on St. Valentine's Day to propitiate the harvest gods.
05:13 Darling, you say the nicest things.
05:16 How good it is to be appreciated.
05:18 I really do love you, you know.
05:20 Even if you were dumb enough to marry a policeman.
05:23 [music]
05:29 What are you doing here?
05:31 Who are you?
05:33 Well, I might ask the same thing of you.
05:35 I'm a police officer.
05:36 There's only one policeman in Dark Woods.
05:39 That's me myself.
05:40 Well, then you must be Constable Evans.
05:42 How do you know my name?
05:44 You're a stranger in these parts.
05:46 You come from the city.
05:47 I'm Detective Inspector Roberts of Scotland Yard, and I think you can put that thing away.
05:51 You have your identification, of course.
05:53 Yes.
05:55 Is it all right to put my hand in my pocket?
05:56 I mean, you're not going to throw that thing at me or anything.
05:59 Here it is.
06:01 Ah.
06:05 You had me worried there for a minute.
06:07 I mean, police constables don't usually arm themselves with hay forks.
06:11 In view of the recent troubles you've had in these parts.
06:14 It's the only weapon we know how to use, Mr. Roberts.
06:17 A man must defend himself as best he can.
06:21 There's evil spirits about.
06:23 Evil spirits and evil people.
06:26 Yes, well, I don't think it was a spirit that killed the old hedge cutter.
06:32 Oh, uh, this is Constable Evans, my wife.
06:37 Sad place for a lady to come to, Mrs. Roberts.
06:41 Especially a young and pretty lady like yourself.
06:45 But I expect you'll be wanting to see the chief constable.
06:49 He lives down over there. I'll take you to him.
06:52 My car's at the bottom of the hill. Is it far?
06:54 Eh? Just beyond the village.
06:57 There, Mr. Roberts.
06:59 That's where the body was lying when we found it.
07:03 Somebody pushed a hay fork, just like this one, through his chest.
07:09 And they carved a cross on his throat with the point of his own billock.
07:15 It's the ritual killing, Mrs. Roberts. Did you know that?
07:19 The ritual killing of a witch.
07:21 Yes, yes, I know all about that. Now, let's get over to the car, shall we?
07:24 Three days ago, Mr. Roberts. February the 14th.
07:28 St. Valentine's Day.
07:30 Wouldn't it be better if we discussed all this in the morning?
07:32 And that morning, three young heifers died for no reason.
07:37 And they do say that the grass will wither when the summer comes,
07:42 and there'll be no fodder unless...
07:46 Where'd you say the car was, Mr. Roberts?
07:48 Down there.
07:50 Unless what, Evans?
07:52 Unless all the witches is killed.
07:55 They say there's plenty of 'em hereabouts.
08:00 Darling, this is a policeman.
08:03 Maybe we'll get more sense out of the chief constable.
08:07 (HORSE GALLOPING)
08:34 Lovely country you have up here, Mr. Evans.
08:37 It's better than the city.
08:39 Beautiful trees. They grow well up here.
08:46 They have nothing else to do.
08:48 (TIRES SCREECHING)
08:57 (GUNSHOTS)
09:00 (CAR DOOR OPENS)
09:02 Darling, you hit it.
09:05 Hit it? Hit what? I didn't hit anything.
09:07 Didn't you see it? The dog.
09:09 What dog?
09:11 Oh, well, there's no great harm done.
09:18 Is everyone all right?
09:20 I could have sworn there was a dog there.
09:23 A black dog.
09:25 It was standing there right in the middle of the road.
09:27 I was certain we'd hit it.
09:29 Did you see anything, Evans?
09:31 No. I myself saw nothing.
09:34 I would see nothing.
09:38 It went there.
09:40 Well, then, you see?
09:42 Now, how do we get this car back on the road again?
09:47 Sir Wilfrid's house is close by through the trees there.
09:50 In the morning, I'll tell George at the garage to pull your car out with this truck.
09:54 This way.
09:57 (HORN HONKS)
09:59 An accident, you said? Nothing serious, I hope.
10:11 No, we just ran into the ditch.
10:13 My wife thought she saw a dog in the middle of the road.
10:16 I'm sure I did. A black dog.
10:19 A black dog?
10:22 There are no black dogs in the village, Mrs Roberts.
10:25 Surely that's a very broad statement, isn't it?
10:27 For a very good reason.
10:29 The villagers up here think that a black dog is an omen of death.
10:34 Ever since...
10:36 Oh, you must have been mistaken.
10:39 Ever since what, Sir Wilfrid?
10:41 Well, 40 years ago, one of the villagers saw, or thought he saw,
10:47 a black dog that changed in front of his eyes into a headless woman.
10:52 Ever since then, he'd been what they call up here, bewitched.
10:56 He lived alone. He talked with the trees and the birds.
11:00 A lonely old man. Very old.
11:03 He still plied his tray, but none of the others would speak to him.
11:07 He was a hedge cutter.
11:09 A hedge cutter? You mean...
11:11 Thomas Watson, the man who was murdered.
11:13 A ritual murder, Mr Roberts.
11:15 A stake through the heart and a cross carved on the throat.
11:19 In other words, someone in the village thought him a warlock or a witch.
11:23 The whole village thought him that. Every one of them.
11:27 Including Evans?
11:28 Oh!
11:29 You thought him strange, eh?
11:32 Oh, wait till you meet some of the others.
11:34 No, at the time of the murder, Evans was here in his house with me.
11:38 Don't let his strangeness mislead you. He's just one of the villagers.
11:42 You're in very good health, Mrs Roberts.
11:44 How could you be so sure at the time of the crime?
11:47 If the night was cold, the doctor could easily be misled.
11:50 No, I don't think so. He's a very good man.
11:52 But apart from that, Watson was well known for his regular habits.
11:56 You could almost time your watch by him.
11:58 He was uncannily punctual to and from his work had been for 50 years.
12:03 I see.
12:05 But surely all this can wait till the morning.
12:07 On your first night here, you'll stay with me, of course.
12:11 You're very kind, Sir Wilfred, but I feel I ought to stay at the inn.
12:15 I think I should be as close as possible to the villagers. I'm sure you understand.
12:18 Oh.
12:19 Oh, yes, I suppose that makes sense, but...
12:22 Well, I hope I'll see a lot of you.
12:24 It's not often we have the pleasure of such delightful company.
12:27 Excuse me, Sir, but have you seen the laundry hamper?
12:31 Good heavens above, and what would I be doing with a laundry hamper?
12:35 Well, that is indeed a funny thing.
12:37 I was taking the sheets off the bed,
12:39 and I carried them over to the closet where it's always been kept.
12:42 And there it was!
12:44 Gone!
12:45 Oh, stubborn nonsense, it must be there somewhere. Go and look for it.
12:48 Yes, Sir.
12:49 A laundry hamper?
12:51 You mean a wicker basket?
12:53 Yes, one of those big woven hampers they made here many years ago.
12:57 The ones they've made here for a thousand years or more?
13:00 Like the ones the druids used to burn their victims in?
13:03 How did you know the druids used wicker hampers for their sacrifices?
13:09 Harry, you've got to find it before it's too late.
13:13 Now, wait a minute. I came here to investigate a murder, not to hunt for laundry.
13:17 They're going to burn her.
13:19 They're going to exorcise a witch.
13:22 I know it.
13:23 I can feel the flames.
13:25 I can feel them, Harry!
13:27 This is the twentieth century.
13:29 The druids have been dead and gone for a thousand years.
13:32 Yes.
13:35 Yes, of course.
13:37 I just seem to see it so clearly.
13:41 I'm afraid you've married a very impressionable young woman.
13:45 I wouldn't have you any other way.
13:48 Now, I think we'd better get along to the end.
13:51 Sir Wilfred?
13:52 Yes, of course.
13:53 I'll drive you over in my car. It's not very far.
13:55 Thank you.
13:56 And, uh, I'm sure you won't mind a suggestion, Mr. Roberts.
14:00 Oh, no. Of course not.
14:01 It might be advisable in the village not to mention the black dog.
14:06 All right, but I don't really see why not.
14:09 There are strange people here.
14:11 They live in a world all their own.
14:13 It's not much like the world that you and I know.
14:15 Nobody saw that dog except Mrs. Roberts.
14:18 Oh, really?
14:20 Last night, Mr. Roberts, I was visiting one of my tenants,
14:23 a woman with an eight-year-old child.
14:25 She was putting the child to bed, and I heard her say her prayers,
14:29 a prayer right out of the tenth century,
14:32 from ghouls, ghosts, and long-legged beasts,
14:36 and other things that come in the night.
14:39 Good Lord, deliver us.
14:41 The hidden forces here, Mr. Roberts, are powerful forces
14:47 because the people believe in them.
14:49 Very interesting.
14:51 I think Mrs. Roberts understands what I'm driving at.
14:56 Nobody else saw that dog except your wife.
15:01 And she's young, beautiful.
15:04 Beautiful.
15:05 And bewitching.
15:10 Come now.
15:12 Harry, look!
15:20 - The Druid stones. - Come on.
15:30 Now, you better stay here.
15:32 Darling, I must go with you. I must.
15:34 All right, then. Come on, let's go.
16:01 There's nothing more to be seen up there.
16:04 Get on with your drinking.
16:06 There'll be others of poor trouble that are ended.
16:16 Three heifers died this morning.
16:19 Did you know that?
16:21 And there'll be more yet.
16:23 They say they die to the foot and mouth.
16:25 Do you believe that, Mr. Junos?
16:28 No, no more than you do.
16:31 They had this trouble 70 years ago
16:34 when I was just the slip of a boy.
16:37 They burned four of them.
16:39 Witches and warlocks they were.
16:41 And my old father, rest his soul, he hanged for it.
16:45 The police fellows came from Quaintly Town
16:48 and they took my father away and they hanged him.
16:52 And the last words he said before the trap swung open,
16:56 "The grass will not grow on my grave
17:00 "for what I done was just and right."
17:03 And then, as I watched, me, a boy of nine years,
17:10 he dropped.
17:12 I heard his neck break.
17:15 But they be still here among us and the cattle will die
17:19 and the grass will wither until they be found and done away with.
17:23 If you talk like that in front of that Inspector Veller,
17:26 you be in trouble.
17:28 A city man, a man who knows nothing.
17:32 Maybe.
17:34 That wife of his, I see her driving that car.
17:39 Pass close by me, the did.
17:42 As close as I am to you.
17:45 She's dark and pretty.
17:47 She has a light in her eyes.
17:49 You seen it too?
17:51 The fire that burns deep down inside her.
17:53 You seen it too, aye?
17:54 I seen it.
17:56 Thought she was a gypsy.
17:58 Eh, that's all she is.
18:01 There's no arm done.
18:03 Oh?
18:04 And what's that supposed to mean, Mr Evans?
18:07 She's dark and pretty, like you say.
18:09 But that smouldering down inside her,
18:12 you never know when the flame will burn through.
18:15 And then where are you?
18:16 I ask you.
18:17 Where will you be then?
18:19 What you've been saying is just what we've been thinking, Mr Evans.
18:24 I haven't said anything.
18:32 I said nothing.
18:35 But there's one thing I do know,
18:38 and it's something I don't like.
18:40 Oh? What's that?
18:42 She's seen the black dog.
18:49 Perhaps I shouldn't have told you that.
18:51 But I'm afeard more troubles come into Darkwoods.
18:55 She saw it.
18:57 You sure?
18:59 I'm sure, old boy.
19:01 And tonight, up there on the stones,
19:03 another one is burned to death,
19:05 and the fear of it is on us all.
19:07 It's the fear that keeps us all alive, Mr Junius.
19:12 If we had the courage to face these evils,
19:15 who knows what would become of us.
19:17 And so we hide like children, afraid of the darkness.
19:20 'Tis the night.
19:22 You're a fool, Mr Junius.
19:24 A fool!
19:26 Where are you going?
19:28 To me home, to me bed. Where else on such a night?
19:30 The moon has gone from Darkwood.
19:32 Be careful where you walk.
19:34 In the darkness, Mr Junius, there's fear and there's comfort.
19:37 The fear is for the fools.
19:45 Are we fools because we're afraid?
19:48 Because we know that no one can help us?
19:51 They bring the police down from London.
19:53 What good will that do, I ask you, what good?
19:56 And he'll have questions to ask that city man.
19:59 And no one will answer him. No one.
20:02 I do not know who killed Watson or that other one up there.
20:09 And I don't want to know.
20:11 And for this, my father hanged.
20:13 A mean old warren, nine years old.
20:16 So this is where the police force is.
20:21 How long have you been a policeman, Evans?
20:23 Nearly 20 years, Mr Robbins.
20:25 Isn't that long enough to teach you to reach the scene of a crime as fast as you can?
20:29 But I've lived in Darkwoods nearly 50.
20:32 And that's long enough to teach me that there's nothing I can do up on the stones.
20:36 Who was it, Sir Wilfred?
20:39 Agnes Wilson.
20:41 Aye, she be one of them.
20:43 One of what?
20:44 One of them witches.
20:46 Look, this is the 20th century. Witches don't exist anymore.
20:49 We're looking for the flesh and blood murderer of an old woman who never did anyone any harm.
20:54 Oh, how do you know that, Mr Roberts?
20:58 I don't know it.
20:59 Then what are you trying to do up here with your silly ways upsetting folks?
21:03 You'll find no murderer here, Mr Roberts.
21:06 All you'll find...
21:08 ...someone who burns witches a right and proper thing to do.
21:13 My old father did it.
21:16 And me, only a boy. Nine years old I was.
21:20 And they buried him in the graveyard at the end of the valley there.
21:24 If you want, you can easily find his grave.
21:28 It be the only one where the grass don't grow.
21:33 Aye, that's true.
21:35 You cannot fight the powers that fight the powers of darkness, because the people will not help you.
21:40 You'll find that, Mr Roberts.
21:42 No? Well, we'll see about that later.
21:45 Now, let's have a drink, Sir Wilfred.
21:49 No, let me do this. Mrs Roberts.
21:51 Half a mild and bitter, please.
21:52 Bitter, please, and I think Evans would better join us.
21:55 Good.
21:56 Well, that's two pints of bitter, a half, a half and a half, and I'll have the usual.
22:03 Evans.
22:05 Now, let's get one thing clear.
22:12 Although I have no direct authority over you, Evans, I expect a great deal more cooperation out of you than I've been getting.
22:18 I came here to investigate a murder.
22:21 There's another one within a few hours of my arrival, and where are you?
22:24 Drinking beer in a local pub.
22:27 Now, let's get down to the facts.
22:29 You should have been there, Evans. Not a very good impression to make on our guest, even though there was nothing you could have done.
22:37 Well, what I mean is, it would have been too late to have saved her life.
22:42 Quite.
22:43 Now, the basket she was burned in was the one that was stolen from your house, Sir Wilfred, right?
22:47 Yes.
22:48 So there's a lead there. The basket was dragged to the stones from the bottom of the hill.
22:52 So when daylight comes, we'll see if we can find any more tracks.
22:56 Though I doubt it.
22:58 Now, in the morning, Evans, I shall want to see all the property that was found on Watson when he was killed, and take a look at his house.
23:03 And also take a look at Agnes Wilson's cottage, too.
23:07 Now, Watson was apparently, well, a little bit queer in the head, wasn't he?
23:10 Well, what about Agnes Wilson? Was she normal?
23:12 Depends what you mean by normal, Mr. Roberts.
23:15 It's a plain enough question, isn't it?
23:17 Well, some of us people around here think that city folk be a bit mad.
23:24 Will that be all?
23:26 Thank you.
23:27 He's got a point there, you know.
23:29 I suppose by your standards, most of us up here seem not quite normal.
23:34 Sanity is a strictly relative term, don't you think?
23:37 What I mean is, did she talk to herself when she was alone?
23:43 Evans?
23:45 I don't know.
23:46 Well, you knew her, didn't you?
23:48 Yes. But I was never with her when she was alone.
23:53 There must be a patron saint for policemen somewhere up there.
23:58 Darling, your beer's getting flat.
24:02 Of course there'll be no fingerprints on the hay fork that killed Watson.
24:05 I expect a dozen people will have handled it by now.
24:08 Up here, Mr. Roberts, we don't hold with modern fowl-de-lows like fingerprints.
24:13 Don't try and surprise me, Evans.
24:15 I'm past surprising.
24:17 Have you ever caught a criminal up here?
24:19 We never had a criminal.
24:21 Criminals lives in cities.
24:24 You forgot about my father, Mr. Evans. They hanged him.
24:28 Ah, that was before my time.
24:31 Another thing.
24:33 Where are the village records kept, Sir Wilfred?
24:35 By the county seat, of course.
24:37 That's the market town, Quaintly.
24:39 What's on your mind?
24:41 Well, if I remember rightly, they've always had this sort of trouble up here.
24:44 There was a case in 1890.
24:46 That was my father!
24:50 And there was a famous trial here many years ago in which four women were accused of being witches and publicly burned legally.
24:55 Oh, I also want to look at some family histories, and I want to look at records of insanity.
25:00 That may be the only way we'll get anywhere.
25:02 The whole village is steeped in the dementia of witchcraft, Mr. Roberts. You'll get nowhere.
25:08 Witches means superstition.
25:10 But murder in this case means madness.
25:14 Perhaps.
25:17 Perhaps I should tell you.
25:19 My own father, Mr. Roberts, he died in a mental institution.
25:27 I see.
25:29 Well, I'm glad you told me.
25:31 At a time, gentlemen, please.
25:33 But I hardly think that the chief constable would make a proper suspect in a murder case.
25:38 No, I think not.
25:40 Well, what about one for the road, Mrs. Roberts?
25:43 No, thank you, Sir Wilfred. I'm beginning to feel rather sleepy.
25:45 Oh, yes, darling, of course.
25:48 If there's anything I can do to make your stay more comfortable...
25:51 You're most kind. Shall we see you in the morning?
25:53 Yes, of course. I'll be there at the station.
25:58 It's just a room in my cottage, Mr. Roberts.
26:01 Good night. Good night, Mrs. Roberts.
26:09 Darling, do come on.
26:10 I had all right to be so impatient.
26:27 Darling?
26:28 Yes?
26:31 Would you like to go to work for me?
26:33 How thrilling. Darling, I'd love to.
26:35 Take the car and drive over to Quaintly tomorrow and have a good look at those archives.
26:38 I'll tell you what to look for, right?
26:40 I'd much rather go with you, dear.
26:41 Yes, I know you would, but you'll have a good morning there and you'll be back with me in the afternoon.
26:46 And it'll justify your being here if the yard ever gets to hear about it.
26:49 You mean you're going to put me on the payroll?
26:51 How nice.
26:53 I'll pay you in kind.
27:12 Darling, what is it? What's the matter?
27:28 The dog.
27:29 What dog?
27:31 The dog we ran over, the black dog. It's there.
27:37 Darling, there's no dog.
27:40 There's nothing.
27:43 This business must have upset you.
27:45 You get a good night's rest and you'll feel much calmer in the morning.
27:49 Harry, Harry, I'm so frightened.
27:52 No one ever sees it but me.
27:57 Oh.
28:19 What a fearsome weapon.
28:20 Just an ordinary billook.
28:22 You trim hedges with this?
28:24 A quick twist of the wrist.
28:26 Has to be sharp as a razor. It's quite an art.
28:29 And nothing more than an ordinary hay fork.
28:35 And this was all that he had on him?
28:37 What's this thing for?
28:40 That's a hand warmer.
28:42 You put a few pieces of live coal in there.
28:45 Really? What on earth for?
28:47 For warming the ends, to be sure.
28:50 Gets very cold up here in the small hours.
28:52 Watson used to leave his house at five o'clock every morning.
28:56 Yes, uncannily punctual was the phrase you used, I think.
28:59 And so there's something missing, isn't there?
29:01 You mean his watch?
29:02 Yes, he did have one.
29:04 An old-fashioned railway timepiece.
29:07 We rather thought the murderer must have taken it.
29:09 Although it was just a ten shilling watch. No value.
29:12 A thieving witch killer? I don't believe it.
29:14 Either he was killed by a maniac or by a thief.
29:17 And a thief would have stolen this money, too.
29:19 Who are they?
29:20 This is a gentleman from London town I told you about.
29:24 This is my old mother, Mr Roberts.
29:26 She's very old.
29:28 But she makes the best cup of tea in the west of England.
29:31 Who is that pretty young wife of yours, Mr Roberts?
29:33 She's gone over to Quaintly.
29:36 No, I don't think it's a thief we're looking for.
29:38 And if the fates are kind to us,
29:40 there's just a chance that it may have dropped from his pocket.
29:42 We would have seen it.
29:43 Exactly.
29:44 Unless the murderer picked it up and tossed it into the bushes.
29:48 In which case you've got a fingerprint.
29:50 You'll never find it.
29:51 If it's there, we'll find it.
29:53 Now, there's an army barracks over in Quaintly.
29:55 Do you know the commanding officer?
29:56 Yes, I know him well.
29:58 Then be a good chap and ring him up and ask him to lend us some of his engineers.
30:00 They can cover the area with mine detectors.
30:03 Oh, that's a splendid idea.
30:05 Oh, I'm sure he'll be glad to cooperate.
30:07 He plays chess with me sometimes. He's a very nice fellow.
30:10 Now, just let me call my wife first. She's at the town hall there.
30:12 Oh, yes, of course.
30:15 (MUSIC PLAYING)
30:17 Oh, I do beg your pardon.
30:36 There's a telephone call from Darkwoods for a young lady named Mrs Roberts.
30:41 I wonder now, would that be you?
30:44 Yes, I'm Mrs Roberts.
30:45 Oh, of course, yes. How do you do?
30:47 My assistant told me there was a young lady here from Darkwoods.
30:51 He said that you'd come all the way from London.
30:53 Something to do with the police?
30:56 Yes, my husband's a detective inspector.
30:58 Really? Now, how absolutely fascinating.
31:01 Yes, you can take the call right here, madam.
31:06 (FOOTSTEPS)
31:08 Yes?
31:14 Yes, darling.
31:16 Mm-hm. Yes, all the local history.
31:19 Most interesting.
31:21 Yes.
31:23 Yes. All right, darling.
31:25 Bye-bye.
31:31 (FOOTSTEPS)
31:33 Darkwoods, a fascinating place.
31:36 You've seen the ruins, the Druid stones?
31:39 Oh, yes, yes. Very interesting.
31:41 They're more than 2,000 years old, aren't they?
31:43 Oh, no, no, no, my dear girl, no, no.
31:45 No, they're quite modern.
31:47 They were put there by King Æthelred
31:49 when he was trying to drive out the Danish invaders in 872.
31:55 They're less than 1,100 years old.
31:58 Did you know that Sir Wilfred's house was mentioned in the Doomsday Book?
32:03 Yes. William the Conqueror used it.
32:06 You've met Sir Wilfred?
32:08 Oh, yes, yes, of course. He's a very charming man.
32:11 Aha. You should have met his father, Sir Edgar.
32:14 Quite a lady's man, Sir Edgar.
32:17 I knew him well.
32:19 Didn't he... Didn't he die?
32:22 Yes, yes. A sad thing.
32:24 He had a great love affair which lasted several years.
32:29 Most unusual for him, I assure you.
32:32 He wanted to marry her, but the title...
32:36 She was a village girl, you know.
32:38 It wouldn't have done at all, would it?
32:41 No, no. No, I suppose not.
32:43 She was so beautiful.
32:45 And still is, really, although, of course, she's very old.
32:49 She married a man called Evans.
32:53 Evans, a gardener.
32:55 You mean the policeman's mother?
32:58 Yes, yes. Oh, you've seen her?
33:01 Yes, it was a great love affair.
33:04 It was that that finally drove Sir Edgar to his grave.
33:08 I wonder, could I see the registry of births for, oh, 40 or 50 years ago?
33:15 Why, of course you can, my dear.
33:17 The records are all open to the public.
33:20 That would be, let's see now, should we say, 1900 onwards?
33:24 Yes, that would be.
33:25 Yes, I think we can find that for you.
33:28 Here. Just what we're looking for, anyway.
33:36 Why don't you pay attention when your officer's talking?
33:39 We're looking for a ruddy watch.
33:41 Blimey. Fellow lose their watch, they turn the army out to find it.
33:44 I thought we had democracy.
33:46 Now, come on, you two, get on with it.
33:48 Open order is the order. Now, spread out.
33:51 Yes, your flippin' lordship.
33:53 Sarge!
34:00 Oh, one first prize?
34:05 Now, don't touch it, soldier. Leave it alone.
34:07 Right. That'll be an ordinary mole spike.
34:17 What's a mole spike?
34:18 To catch moles with, to be sure.
34:21 What do they want to catch moles for?
34:23 I don't know. I suppose to eat 'em.
34:25 How about that, huh? Mole stew.
34:28 What a horrible thought.
34:30 Now, come on, you two, get on with it.
34:32 This ain't a blasted picnic, you know.
34:34 Ah, there she is now.
34:39 I wonder what kept her so long. I suppose the car broke down.
34:43 (tires screeching)
34:45 Did you have a good trip, darling?
34:56 Lots of local gossip.
34:57 That old man was right last night. His father was hanged for murder.
35:00 Ritual murders.
35:02 And old Mr. Junis at the tavern?
35:04 His grandfather was involved in an earlier trial.
35:06 Same old thing. Killed by a stake through the heart.
35:10 And Constable Evans' father was not his father, if you know what I mean.
35:14 Oh?
35:15 No, he was born before the ancient Mrs. Evans was married.
35:18 And she used to be...
35:20 Well, it's nice to see you back again.
35:24 How do you find Quaintley? Interesting old place, isn't it?
35:26 Very interesting. How's it coming along here?
35:29 Well, so far, nothing but bits of old iron.
35:31 Ah, Mr. Roberts! We found it, sir.
35:34 About time. It'll be dark soon.
35:38 (horses galloping)
35:40 Temptation to dust this thing myself is very strong.
35:52 There must be prints all over it.
35:54 Well, surely you can't see them with the naked eye.
35:56 Don't you have to powder it or something first?
35:58 A ban of my great experience?
36:00 Well, I think I'll send it to the yard and let them do it for me.
36:03 They'll be able to sort out the new prints from the old.
36:06 What time does the parcel post leave?
36:08 Well, you've missed it today.
36:10 The next mail is at 7 in the morning.
36:13 Oh, well, I think I'd better get this to the post office.
36:16 I take it it'll be safe there overnight.
36:18 Oh, yes, surely.
36:19 But you'd better hurry. It'll be closing soon.
36:21 Oh, then, if you'll excuse us, we'll get along there right away.
36:24 We'll see you later at the inn.
36:25 Good.
36:26 (siren wailing)
36:29 (siren wailing)
36:57 Well, what was all that about?
36:59 You and your talking, darling.
37:01 You nearly gave the whole game away.
37:03 Of course you can't see fingerprints without dusting,
37:05 but these yokels don't know that.
37:07 Oh, dear. I am sorry.
37:09 I should have known you were up to no good.
37:12 Let me make it up to you.
37:14 No, no, there's a time and place for everything, remember?
37:17 So whoever tries to break into the post office tonight...
37:22 Is the murderer. Simple, isn't it?
37:25 You couldn't have chosen a better word, darling.
37:27 Simple?
37:29 You don't really think anyone's going to fall for that, do you?
37:32 I don't see why not. I thought I was being rather clever.
37:35 So you were, darling. So you were.
37:39 But that means you're going to have to stand guard over the beastly thing all night.
37:43 I'll be able to slip away when it's good and dark.
37:45 There's a nice, easy way out from the window in our room.
37:48 You won't mind being on your own for one night, will you?
37:51 Darling, this is getting to be a positively improbable honeymoon.
37:55 Yes, I know it is.
37:56 But with any luck, we'll break this case tonight,
37:58 and then I promise you we'll have a proper honeymoon.
38:01 Harry, you won't take any chances, will you?
38:06 Don't worry, darling. Don't worry.
38:09 [Music]
38:12 [Music]
38:15 [Music]
38:43 [Music]
38:46 [Music]
38:48 [Music]
38:58 [Music]
39:13 [Music]
39:15 Who's there?
39:35 Who is it?
39:38 It's me, Mrs. Evans.
39:40 It's rather late, Mrs. Evans.
39:44 I want to speak to your husband, Mrs. Roberts.
39:48 He's fast asleep, Mrs. Evans. Couldn't you come back tomorrow?
39:53 Let me in, child, quickly.
39:56 [Door opens]
40:01 [Door closes]
40:03 [Door opens]
40:07 [Door closes]
40:08 Just as I thought.
40:15 He's down there at the post office, isn't he?
40:19 No, he went out to look for something.
40:22 He'll be back any minute.
40:24 Sir Wilfred saw him there.
40:27 He told my son.
40:29 He...
40:31 He told his brother?
40:35 Oh, so you know about that, do you?
40:38 Not many do, but you...
40:41 I see it in your eyes.
40:44 You know things, don't you?
40:47 Oh...
40:50 The dark fire in your blood.
40:55 The knowledge that only comes to witches.
41:01 Oh, so young, so dark, so beautiful.
41:06 Just as I was once.
41:10 When we set the village aflame with our love so many years ago.
41:15 You killed them, didn't you?
41:18 Yes.
41:20 You know that too, don't you?
41:23 Only a witch could know.
41:28 A witch with a fire burning dark inside her.
41:32 A fire that must be burned away by fire.
41:38 No, no, no!
41:40 Take her to the burning place.
41:52 [Music]
41:55 [Music]
41:57 [Music]
42:00 [Music]
42:02 [Music]
42:05 [Music]
42:08 [Music]
42:11 [Music]
42:14 [Music]
42:17 [Music]
42:20 [Music]
42:23 [Music]
42:27 [Music]
42:29 [Music]
42:32 [Music]
42:35 [Music]
42:38 [Music]
42:41 [Music]
42:44 [Music]
42:47 [Music]
42:50 [Music]
42:53 [Music]
42:56 (sizzling)
42:58 (upbeat music)
43:01 (upbeat music)
43:03 (upbeat music)
43:06 (upbeat music)
43:09 (upbeat music)
43:19 (upbeat music)
43:24 (upbeat music)
43:32 (upbeat music)
43:35 (upbeat music)
43:44 - Let her go Evans, let her go.
43:57 - Let her go, is that what you want me to do?
44:01 - They die, but others come in their place
44:04 and you tell me to let her go.
44:05 No, she must be burned with a stake to her heart,
44:09 just like Agnes Wilson.
44:11 - Father Evans, tell him to let her go.
44:15 I beg of you.
44:16 - Stand back Wilfred, give away for me.
44:18 - For the last time Evans, let her go.
44:21 I don't want my own brother's blood on my hands.
44:23 - No, no, never, never, never, I won't.
44:25 (dramatic music)
44:28 (dramatic music)
44:31 - I'm warning you Wilfred, sir Wilfred.
44:41 - Let her go Evans.
44:43 - No.
44:44 (dramatic music)
44:46 (dramatic music)
44:49 (dramatic music)
45:10 (dramatic music)
45:13 (dog barking)
45:24 (dramatic music)
45:26 (dog barking)
45:29 (dramatic music)
45:32 (dog barking)
45:46 (dramatic music)
45:49 (dramatic music)
45:55 (dramatic music)
45:57 - Stop.
46:11 (dramatic music)
46:14 (dramatic music)
46:17 - Evans, Evans.
46:32 (dramatic music)
46:39 (dramatic music)
46:42 (groaning)
46:54 (dramatic music)
46:58 (dramatic music)
47:01 - Oh, Harry.
47:17 Harry, darling.
47:19 (dramatic music)
47:22 - Faster, faster.
47:28 It's all over now, it's all over.
47:31 - For us it's all over.
47:43 (dramatic music)
47:46 - All right Evans, let's get down to the police station.
47:54 (dramatic music)
47:56 All right darling?
48:01 - All right, man.
48:02 - Then let's go, shall we?
48:06 Let's get some men to bring in Sir Wilfred.
48:09 - Yes, let's leave this horrible place.
48:12 I never want to see it again.
48:14 (dramatic music)
48:17 (dramatic music)
48:20 (dramatic music)
48:41 (dramatic music)
48:44 (dramatic music)
49:05 (dramatic music)
49:08 (dramatic music)
49:11 (dramatic music)
49:13 (dramatic music)
49:39 (dramatic music)
49:42 (dramatic music)
49:44 (gunshot)
49:46 [BLANK_AUDIO]