The Shadow in the North Page #2

Nellie Budd?

- You know her?

- No, I just, you know,

may have heard the name. You meet

a lot of people in the music halls.

Voices from the other side,

spirit guides, table tapping.

- Load of cobblers, mate.

- I'm not so sure.

One or two serious people

think there could be something in it.

Come on, Webster. I thought

you got a bit of milk in your coconut.

Nice to see you're as

open-minded as ever, Jim.

I think you'd better tell us your story,

Mr MacKinnon.

I was performing

at a private house party,

not as a mere entertainer,

you understand, but...

as an honoured guest.

After my performance,

I was introduced to a stranger.

As we shook hands...

I had a sudden vision of...

dark pines and snow, and of this man,

walking with a companion

by an icy river.

Suddenly he drew his sword

and he ran his companion through.

In that brief second...

I could not disguise

my knowledge of his guilt.

He knew.

He knew instantly that

I had seen his crime.

What was his name?

I never discovered it,

but I know he intends to kill me.

It was his creatures

at the theatre tonight.

What can I do, Mr Garland?

What can I do?

- Oh, God.

- You need to rest.

Will you help me?

We're detectives,

protection's not our line.

We'll make a few inquiries.

I've told you the truth.

Whatever your opinion of spiritualism,

I beg you to believe me.

You may mock me, Taylor.

But if I die,

you'll share the responsibility.

Bloke must have eyes

in the back of his head.

I was surprised by your inquiry,

Miss Lockhart.

I have always been of the opinion

that business matters are incompatible

with the native ability

of the fairer sex.

Then I am pleased to be in a

position to enlighten you, Mr Harkness.

There are many reasons

why Lloyd's may choose

not to pay out on an insurance claim.

Failure to keep up with the premiums,

the wrong cover, an act of God.

And fraud, presumably?

On very rare occasions.

Is that what you suspect

in the case of Anglo-Baltic.

We are not in the business

of divulging reasons to third parties.

Anglo-Baltic's collapse

has left my client destitute.

She deserves an answer.

The Ingrid Lind disappeared

in calm seas without a trace.

It had been seen hours previously

by a passing merchant vessel

and there were no signs of distress.

In our opinion, too many questions

remained unanswered

for Anglo Baltic's

claim to be honoured.

So there were suspicious circumstances?

I really must ask you to refrain

from putting words in my mouth,

Miss Lockhart.

I am making no such allegations.

You may not be, Mr Harkness, but I am.

Dear friends, welcome to the Streatham

And District Spiritualist League.

First I must introduce you

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes