:18:01
Black.
:18:05
No, I'm not joking. How much has
this brief liaison cost you so far ?
:18:12
And that old Dad of yours in Soho--
when did you last send him any money ?
:18:17
We have talked about money.
:18:20
Often I've told her we spend too much.
:18:22
- She takes no notice ?
- No.
:18:26
Silvery laugh.
Coquettish turn of the head.
:18:29
Something like that.
:18:32
Well, it's to solve this little problem
that I've invited you here tonight.
:18:35
And this, as they say, is
where the plot thickens.
:18:39
What plot ?
:18:48
Whatever are you doing with
that cue in your hand ?
:18:51
I was waiting for you to miss.
:18:53
Foolish boy.
:18:57
Once upon a time, my dear Milo,
:18:59
there was an Englishman called Andrew Wyke,
:19:03
who, in common with most of his countrymen,
was virtually castrated by taxation.
:19:08
To avoid total emasculation,
his accountants advised him...
:19:11
To put a considerable part of
his money, some 250,000 pounds,
:19:16
into jewelry.
:19:18
His wife, of course, was delighted.
:19:20
- Marguerite never told me you'd
given her any jewelry.
- Oh, nor did I, of course.
:19:24
It's still mine, as well she knows.
:19:26
We just thought it would be more amusing
for her to wear it than for me to bank it.
:19:30
After all, it's fully insured.
:19:33
I see what you mean by the plot thickening.
:19:35
I'm glad you follow me so readily. You
see, I want you to steal that jewelry.
:19:48
Tonight, for choice. With Marguerite
away, it's an admirable opportunity.
:19:51
- What about the servants ?
- I've sent Mr. And Mrs. Hawkins
away to the seaside...
:19:55
for a 48-hour paddle-- they won't
be back till Sunday night.
:19:58
So, you see, the house is empty.