Miss Scarlet

SINCLAIRE: You have a man's name above your door to lure in customers.

I can assure you, one day it will be my name above the door.

IVY: Where are you going?

ELIZA: The bank to ask for a loan.

No.

Absolutely not.

Duke has returned to London.

You didn't have to come here in person to tell me that.

PHELPS: No.

But I wanted to see your face when I told you who he's with.

(thunder claps) (whimpers) (click) (thunder rumbles) (opens drawer) (shuts drawer, opens another) (thunder rumbles, closes drawer) (tries pulling drawer) (opens drawer) (picks up lantern) "Let hearts keep their secrets."

(thunder rumbles) (distant banging) MAN (distantly): Who's there?

(wind howling) (thunder cracking) You're a... a what?

A private detective.

And I apologize for the lateness of the hour, but I, I have some urgent information that concerns you, Mr. Crabtree.

Have you heard of a man named Sir Reginald Denning?

He died several years ago, and this evening I was at his house, for reasons I will come to in a moment.

Whilst there I found this.

It's the letter Sir Reginald received confirming your place at Whitechapel Orphanage.

(thunder rumbles) But why would he have had this?

My parents both died when I was a baby.

That, that's why I was sent to the orphanage.

Then you've been misled.

I also found a letter from Sir Reginald to you.

But he never sent it.

It confirms that he was your father.

(thunder rumbles) (paper rustling) And Martin's mother?

Well, Sir Reginald and his wife were childless.

Meaning that, er, most likely you were the result of some dalliance.

(thunder rumbles) Why are you telling us this?

Sir Reginald died seven years ago without naming an heir and with no next of kin.

And when that happens, the name of the deceased is added to a public list of unclaimed estates known as the Bona Vacantia.

Here is your father.

And here is the size of his estate.

�20,000?

As your late father's only child, that, uh, money is yours, Mr. Crabtree.

There must be some mistake.

(soft chuckle) There's no mistake.

(laughs) It's wonderful!

It's... it's bloody wonderful!

(chuckles) I found you just in time.

If an estate remains unclaimed for seven years, it passes into government hands.

The deadline in this case is 6: 00 the day after tomorrow.

So, so what do we need to do?

Uh... accompany me to a solicitor's office.

We'll show them these letters, and, well, the proof that you are indeed the Martin Crabtree mentioned.

And after that?

Well, in a couple of weeks, the inheritance will be yours.

If you come to my office first thing tomorrow, we'll head over to Mr. Pew, my solicitor, and get your claim registered.

We'll be there at 9:00.

Make that 8: 00!

(both laughing) Thank you.

Thank... thank you, Miss Scarlet!

Oh ju-- just one more thing.

My fee will be 5% of the value of the estate.

That's the standard arrangement.

I trust that's agreeable?

I think that is more than fair.

(Eliza and Martin chuckle) (chuckles) �1,000?!

(chuckles) I can't quite believe it myself.

To a change in fortunes!

And how you deserve it!

You must hold a party.

Good idea!

We shall fill the house with guests.

And will you be inviting Inspector Wellington?

Did I tell you how I managed to find Martin Crabtree?

It's a fascinating story.

I've not seen the Inspector here for a while.

It all started when I saw this advert.

"Reward offered for information on the adopted son of the late Sir Reginald Denning."

You see, I recognized Denning's name immediately from the Bona Vacantia list.

It's the government's list of unclaimed inheritance, which meant there was a pot of gold waiting if I could just find his estranged son.

How long is it since he visited?

Who?

Inspector Wellington.

I honestly haven't a clue.

But just imagine what I can do with this money.

(laughs) It'll change everything.

I can hire full-time staff.

I can advertise my services and compete with the larger agencies for higher-profile cases.

Have you two had an argument?

No!

And can you please just let me enjoy this moment?

Of course!

You have had an argument, haven't you?

(places glass down loudly) (horse whinnies) I want the same text on the door, the brass plaque, and the sign over the front.

"Miss Eliza Scarlet Private Detective."

Yes, Miss.

Good morning.

What can I do for you, William?

Oh nothing, I just... thought I'd pop by.

It's been a while.

Has it?

I didn't realize.

What's this?

I'm about to earn an awful lot of money.

So I'm making a few changes.

Including putting my own name above the door and not my father's.

I see.

And where has this "awful lot of money" come from?

Heir hunting.

Congratulations.

How much are we talking?

Enough that I'll no longer have to rely on others for work or favors.

Have I done something to upset you?

(chuckling): What makes you say that?

Just haven't seen each other for a while and it, uh... feels like you may have been avoiding me.

I've just been busy, that's all.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm expecting clients any moment.

(door closes) (whistle blaring) There's been a stabbing in Pimlico, sir.

A gentleman murdered in his home.

Right, have a carriage brought round, we'll go take a look.

Already have done, sir.

Ready when you are.

Did you see Miss Scarlet while I was away?

Yes, sir.

How did she seem?

Sir?

Well, what was her overall mood?

Was she happy, sad, pensive?

She was pleasant and positive as usual.

She really does tend to lift one's mood I find.

Now, in terms of the murder, I have some preliminary details if you would like to hear them?

Did you get the feeling that she had anything on her mind?

Miss Scarlet?

Yes!

Well, what kind of things do you mean, sir?

(groaning): Never mind.

Just... tell me about the case.

Yes, sir.

Of course, sir.

The victim is George Saracen, early 40s, a man of leisure.

His body was discovered an hour ago by his maid.

There seems to have been some form of disturbance or fight where he was killed.

And she never mentioned anything about me?

Who, sir?

Miss Scarlet!

Was there something in particular I was supposed to look for?

Because, I must confess, women are still something of a mystery to me.

Just get in and stop talking.

(footsteps fast approaching) Mrs. Crabtree.

Where's your husband?

(breathlessly): I don't know.

What's wrong?

Late last night Martin wanted to go out and celebrate.

So he went to the Royal Oak for a drink.

But he never came back.

Then an hour ago this came through the door.

"To get Crabtree back, pay �500 in cash.

4:00 today, by archway in Belmont Crescent."

Did you see who delivered it?

Who else did you tell about your husband's inheritance?

No one!

But, soon after you left us last night, a gentleman came round.

Called himself an "heir hunter".

He gave us the same news about Martin's inheritance.

Martin told him that we'd already promised to go to the solicitor with you.

But then the gentleman offered his services for free.

For free?

Martin said no.

We didn't trust him.

I have a close contact at Scotland Yard.

He can help us.

No, please!

They said they'd kill him if the police are involved!

(exhales) I need you to try and find out who these kidnappers are and where Mr. Crabtree is being held.

I'm already on a job.

For Nash and Sons.

He doesn't have any sons.

He has money.

Lots of it.

Moses, you do realize I'm about to be a very wealthy woman?

Not if this heir of yours gets a bullet in his head.

Exactly.

But if you help me find him, I'll soon be running an agency twice the size of Mr. Nash.

And paying you double his fee.

You'll put that in writing?

Of course.

Naturally I'll need your full name for the contract.

It's just Moses!

The maid claims she last spoke to Saracen this morning.

He relieved her from her duties until the afternoon because he was expecting a visitor.

The maid give a name for this visitor?

No.

But she said a number of strangers have visited in the last few days, which is unusual.

When she returned this afternoon she saw an old woman leaving the house, clearly in a hurry.

Any description?

The woman deliberately kept her head down.

And you believe her, this maid?

She's a young girl, sir.

She wouldn't say boo to a goose.

So, yes, I believe her.

Well, in that case we definitely need to identify this old woman, as well as this "M. Skelton".

Saracen's only appointment this morning.

(indistinct chatter) (whistling, men laughing) (whistling continues) MAN: Come and sit over here on me lap, darling.

(men laughing) You're a long way from Mayfair, darling.

Did Martin Crabtree come in here last night?

You his other wife?

Show the lady some respect.

Or I'll be forced to teach you myself.

I've already paid this gentleman for information on Mr. Crabtree.

Apparently he was here on his own last evening and left at midnight.

And you are?

James Elderberry.

Heir hunter.

What do you want, Mr. Elderberry?

To find out if you can afford Mr. Crabtree's ransom.

I don't know what you're talking about.

Yes, you do.

He's clearly been kidnapped.

Mrs. Crabtree was hysterical when she brought that letter to you this morning.

And here you are trying to find him.

Following women around London strikes me as an odd hobby.

If you can't pay for his release, then I will.

I don't need your help.

Where are you getting the money from?

That's none of your business.

I'd like to make it my business.

Good day, Mr. Elderberry.

You're making a mistake.

And you are making two mistakes.

The first is that garish handkerchief.

It clashes with your tie.

The second is laying your hand on me.

(hooves clomping, people chattering) What are you doing here?

Ivy's making me lunch.

You don't have time for lunch!

I told you she was in an odd mood.

(stage whispering): I think she and the Inspector have had a row.

And I think Ivy should mind her own business.

I'll go and get the washing in.

(door opens) So?

No one's heard nothing about a kidnap.

(sighs) So can you afford the ransom?

What do you think?

(nearby footsteps, door closes) Whoever's behind the kidnap knew about Martin's inheritance.

So that's where we should focus our attention.

What about that advert you showed me?

The one asking for information on this Martin Crabtree?

You could find out who placed it in the paper.

Or should I mind my own business?

(groans) How I hate it when she's right.

(chuckles) Oh, good afternoon, Officer.

I was hoping to speak to the owner of the house, Mr. Saracen.

Has something happened?

Are you a friend of his?

I'm family.

His favorite cousin.

Are you indeed?

This advertisement would explain Saracen's recent visitors.

Saracen was no heir hunter.

By all accounts he spent most of his life at his gentlemen's club.

So why was he so interested in finding this Martin Crabtree?

Why are you here, Eliza?

I thought you'd found your heir.

(sighs) Martin Crabtree has been kidnapped.

What?

I came here to find out who else knew about his inheritance.

Kidnap is a very serious crime!

I'm well aware of that, William.

Inspector Wellington.

But the ransom note threatened to kill Martin Crabtree if the police were involved.

Well, we're involved now.

Miss Scarlet's right.

Saracen knew about Martin Crabtree.

It looks like the killer stole Crabtree's details.

There's an imprint on the page with Crabtree's address.

WILLIAM: Meaning this murder and the kidnap are probably connected.

It's a good job we crossed paths with Miss Scarlet.

Mm.

Thank you, Detective Fitzroy.

It's good to see someone appreciates me.

What is the matter with you?

I don't know what you mean.

Do you have any other leads, Detective Fitzroy?

You can address your questions to me, Miss Scarlet.

(chuckles) Do you have any other leads, Inspector Wellington?

No.

Well, except for the diary appointment with M. Skelton... (sighs) ...and the old woman seen leaving the house.

When does this ransom need to be paid?

4:00 today.

(distant whistle blaring) (distant train clacking) Right, it'll take us about half an hour to get there so we'll have to leave soon.

Now remember, the money in this bag is counterfeit, but there is no way that anyone can tell just from a glance.

Yes, you already told me-- twice.

(exhales) I doubt that anyone will stop to check it, but if they do you will be perfectly safe, there'll be plain clothes officers stationed all along the street.

I, uh, looked into Sir Reginald Denning.

Bit of a gambler apparently.

Turns out he was murdered in his home.

A, a robbery gone wrong.

No one was ever charged.

I know.

(sighs) All right, there clearly is something the matter.

What makes you think that?

Uh, the frown, the avoidance of eye contact, the brooding tone in your voice.

I'm not brooding.

(exhales) Fine.

I know about you and Arabella.

Oh.

It's not for me to comment on your personal life, but given the history of my relationship with Arabella, and the fact that you and I are such old friends...

Yes.

It feels like something you might have mentioned.

Well, I, uh...

I suppose I was waiting to see if things developed.

But yes, you're right, I should have told you.

As a friend.

And have they?

What?

Developed?

They have, yes.

(exhales) Then I'm glad for you.

For both of you.

We should get going.

(bell tolling) (people chattering) Miss Scarlet.

WILLIAM: Who the hell is that?

FITZROY: I don't know.

Should we move in?

No, hold on.

You followed me here?

No, Mrs. Crabtree showed me the ransom note.

Like me, she didn't have much faith in you paying up either.

But perhaps we were wrong to doubt you.

You need to leave.

Now.

Where did you get the money?

Mrs. Crabtree said you wanted to involve the police.

I won't tell you again.

Go!

(grunting) Go, go, go!

(whistle blowing) (woman shrieking) (whistle blowing continues) You stupid woman!

You called the police!

(whistle blowing continues) Are you all right?

(breathlessly): I'm fine.

Who was that man you were talking to?

(applause) (door opens, closes) Detective Inspector Wellington.

Mind if I join you?

Miss Scarlet was kind enough to give me your business card.

So I went to your lodging house and your landlady said that you're always in here.

(soft chuckle) Has Crabtree been released?

Well, I was hoping that you could tell me.

How the hell would I know?

Perhaps you arranged the kidnap yourself to get that ransom from Miss Scarlet.

What?

Your landlady really was very helpful.

Loves to talk, doesn't she?

You're no heir hunter.

You're a gambler and a pretty average one at that.

You're two months behind on your rent.

Oh, and she also told me your real name.

Now, I think that we need a proper chat, Mr. Blunt.

(men laughing, clapping) You're wasting your time.

Our man in the hat, where is he?

I'm not sure, sir.

So we lost him?

How is that possible?

I, I don't know, sir.

And Martin Crabtree?

Any leads on his whereabouts.

Not that I know of, sir.

Tell me something that you do know, Detective?

Do you mean about the case or in general?

(door opens) Why would you pose as an heir hunter, Mr. Blunt?

Because Crabtree's father owed me money.

A lot of money.

Sir Reginald Denning?

Yeah.

Denning played poker.

High stakes.

Eight years ago my straight flush beat his full house and I won ten bloody grand off him!

But the tight sod died without paying up.

So you were hoping to claim your winnings from Denning's heir?

Exactly.

And when none came forward, I looked myself.

But I got nowhere.

So I gave up.

Wrote the debt off in my head.

Then a few weeks back I picked up rumors Denning had a son.

I greased some palms and I tracked down Crabtree.

But Miss Scarlet got there first.

(scoffs): So?

What's a measly finder's fee against �10,000?

The only thing that matters is Crabtree getting to a solicitor's by 6:00 tomorrow evening.

Otherwise the government gets the estate and I'll never get my money.

See, Denning's killer was never found.

You think I killed him?

How the hell would that have helped me get paid?

It's him dying that's made it 20 times harder!

George Saracen was also looking for Martin Crabtree and now he's dead too.

George who?

(sighs) Where were you yesterday between 10:00 in the morning and 4:00 in the afternoon?

Sobering up in a cell in Bow Street nick.

(chuckles) What can I say?

All the stress got the better of me.

(chuckles) (hooves clomping) I made the decision that telling the police would the best chance of getting your husband back alive.

What if you were wrong?

Inspector Wellington will be doing everything he can to find him.

(door opens, closes) Martin!

Oh, thank God!

We were so worried about you!

The desk officer confirms Blunt was drying out in a cell all day yesterday.

Meaning he can't have murdered Saracen.

Shall I let him go, sir?

Did you get anywhere tracking down Saracen's visitor?

I looked into M. Skelton, the name in Saracen's appointment book.

There are 47 of them resident in London.

Then I suggest you start at the top of the list and you work your way down.

Yes?

OFFICER: News about Martin Crabtree, sir.

(exhales) One minute I was walking home from the pub, you know, still not believing my luck, and the next, a hood was pulled over my head, and I was shoved in the back of a cart.

Do you have any idea where they took you?

No.

It was freezing wherever it was.

I was sure I was going to die.

How many kidnappers were there?

Two.

Both with East London accents.

(stammering): Then about an hour ago they suddenly bundled me back in the carriage and they dropped me off a few streets away.

(soft chuckle) Well, I'm glad you're unharmed.

The solicitor's office is obviously closed now, but we'll go first thing in the morning.

Well, I dunno, I mean, is it safe?

They're still out there!

We only have until tomorrow evening.

You cannot delay any longer.

Ah, Miss Scarlet.

Good to see you safe and well, Mr. Crabtree.

I'm Detective Inspector Wellington.

I'll need you come down to Scotland Yard and answer some questions.

Once we're done there I'll be assigning you police protection.

You'll stay at home under guard.

For how long?

Well, at this stage, Miss Scarlet, I don't know.

Sir?

CLARISSA: I'll see you to the door.

You're not seriously going to keep him under house arrest?

It's for his own protection.

The men who kidnapped him are still out there, and once they find out that they have counterfeit money, they might come looking for him again.

But tomorrow is the last day he can claim his inheritance.

Surely, you can let him out for an hour or so with an armed guard?

Look, someone was willing to commit murder to get their hands on that inheritance.

Maybe the kidnappers, maybe someone else.

Crabtree stays in one place where we can look after him.

Are you doing this to stop me from getting that money?

What?

Why on earth are you being so irrational?

Oh, is this to do with me and Arabella?

(mirthless chuckle) And I'm the one being irrational?

ELIZA (offscreen): Stubborn!

Pig-headed, and utterly incapable of seeing things from anyone else's perspective.

Could anyone be more infuriating?

This is Inspector Wellington you're talking about?

(puts down glass) I need your help, Moses, not disparaging comments.

Inspector Wellington won't let Martin Crabtree out of his house until this case is solved, so we're going to solve it for him.

By 6: 00 tomorrow?

Exactly.

(sighs) I need you to find out everything you can about this man-- Eric Blunt.

I'm sure he's involved somehow.

And I'm still on double fee?

Fine.

And for your information, I am not stubborn or pig-headed.

WILLIAM: So I told her that she was behaving totally irrationally.

Which she was.

But she couldn't see it; I mean, the woman is utterly infuriating.

(deep breath) Sorry, it's been a stressful day.

That's quite all right.

Do you work with Eliza a lot?

When a case demands it.

Which can sometimes feel a little too often.

Well, I suppose she is an old friend of yours.

Since we were children.

She was just as infuriating back then.

And yet you still work with her?

(chuckles) Well, we all have our crosses to bear I suppose.

Mmm.

(soft chuckle) Anyway, how are you?

How was your day?

Fine, absolutely fine.

(bell tolling) (sniffs) Ivy, are you all right?

(tearfully): This is so sad.

Ivy, these were in order!

You're the one always telling me to practice my reading.

(sniffling) Poor Sir Reginald.

He was completely in love with Lady Denning and they desperately wanted a child.

And then finally Lady Denning got pregnant!

The poor thing died in childbirth along with the baby.

So tragic.

Don't be fooled by the sweet prose.

Martin Crabtree almost certainly came from Sir Reginald having his wicked way with a maid.

The Denning family crest is a fox which seems entirely appropriate.

That explains it then.

(sniffles) In this letter, his housekeeper, Miss Skelton, is asking Sir Reginald if she can see the baby boy.

She must be his mother.

Skelton?

Maud Skelton!

(whispering): M. Skelton.

(exhales) (whistle blares) Ah.

Come to apologize?

Actually, yes.

The heir hunting, the money, I think it may be affecting my judgment a little.

I'm sorry.

Well, I'm sorry too.

I, uh, said things that I shouldn't have.

Are you getting anywhere with your murder?

Slow progress.

Well, I'll leave you to it.

That was brief.

You're a busy man.

(door opens) FITZROY: Ah, sir!

Yes?

Miss Scarlet's looking for you.

I just spoke with her.

I need the file on the Sir Reginald Denning murder case.

I want to see if there are any parallels with Saracen's death.

Well, I had the same thought.

Only I'm not having much luck locating the file.

What do you mean?

It's missing.

(sighs) Where did you find Miss Scarlet?

In the records room, sir.

(chuckles) "A blow to the head."

Ah, the Denning fox.

Probable murder weapon.

"Diamond necklace, silver frame.

Missing from murder scene."

Head housemaid, Maud Skelton.

Found you.

(knocks on door) (knocks) Maud Skelton?

I worked as Sir Reginald's housekeeper.

He was a good man, but troubled after his wife passed.

Did you ever see Martin after he had been sent to the orphanage?

I visited every six months or so.

The warden used to let me watch him play from the window of his office.

As his mother that must have been extremely difficult for you.

I'm not Martin's mother.

Lady Denning was.

She went early into labor.

It happened so fast there was no time to fetch a doctor.

Martin was healthy and well, but poor Lady Denning.

God, in His mercy, took her.

But that baby was reported as stillborn.

The child so resembled his mother, Sir Reginald could not bear to look at him.

He ordered me to take him to the orphanage.

"Martin Crabtree" was the name of a kind neighbor who helped me when I first came to London.

So that's the name I gave the boy.

Who else knew that Martin had survived?

No one.

Sir Reginald swore me to total secrecy.

When did you last see Martin?

I lost track of him a few years ago.

It broke my heart.

So why did you visit George Saracen?

My daughter is very sick.

But there is one doctor on Harley Street who can treat her.

He is expensive, so when I saw the advert offering that reward, I went to see Mr. Saracen and gave him Martin's name and last known address.

He told me to come back for my money later.

And that's when I found him.

Do you remember seeing anyone else near George Saracen's house that day?

In the morning as I left, I passed a gentleman arriving.

Can you remember anything about him?

He was a smartly dressed gentleman.

Nicely turned out.

He wore an orange handkerchief in his coat pocket.

(bell tolling) (door shuts) Mr. Blunt.

Come to pay Mr. Crabtree a social visit?

How thoughtful.

I'll come back another time.

This is my colleague PC Jacobs, from Bow Street Nick.

PC Jacobs, is this the Eric Blunt that you arrested for being drunk and disorderly a couple of nights ago?

He looks nothing like him.

MOSES: I went to Blunt's gambling den.

And?

Turns out Blunt wasn't the only one owed money by Sir Reginald Denning.

Six months before he died, Denning gambled his whole estate on the turn of a card.

He lost.

But he never paid that debt either.

So who won Denning's house?

George Saracen.

So Saracen and Blunt both needed to find an heir so they could claim what Denning owed them.

But they couldn't both get paid.

However, if Saracen was dead... (sighs) I should update Inspector Wellington.

He'll be angry, of course, because I stole the file, but this shows that stealing it was the right thing to do.

And anyway, he's hardly perfect, is he?

Although, what if he's so angry he refuses to let Martin Crabtree go?

I shall just have to trust him.

Although quite how I'd do that, given his recent form... Do you think I should update him, Moses?

I just want you to stop talking.

(scoffs) I want to be involved in the questioning.

Do you, now?

Well, if it wasn't for my tip off, you wouldn't have looked into his alibi.

You stole an official police file.

I thought we'd moved on from that?

When, exactly?

Now.

(exhales) Sir, we found this in Blunt's house.

BLUNT: How many times?

I've never heard of this Saracen fella.

"Mr. Blunt, "a woman by the name of Maud Skelton "has come forward claiming to have details of Denning's son.

"She's visiting me tomorrow morning.

"God willing, we will get our money after all.

"Yours... George Saracen."

(sighs) (softly): All right.

Saracen and I made an agreement.

BLUNT: If an heir came forward, we'd each claim half what we were owed.

Well, the day after you got this letter, you visited him.

No, I never went to his house.

We have a witness who will swear she saw you entering.

Well, she's lying.

Mr. Blunt, you are our prime suspect in George Saracen's murder, and, indeed, the murder of Sir Reginald Denning.

I never laid a finger on Denning!

And Saracen?

That letter was a trap!

Saracen knew I'd come see him.

And when I got there, he showed me Crabtree's details.

I offered to present myself to Crabtree as an heir hunter and take him to the solicitor.

But then Saracen pulled out a knife and says I wasn't going anywhere because he's decided to keep the money for his self.

And then what happened?

He came at me.

I got the knife off him and I defended myself like any man would.

I never meant to kill him.

Well, that's all very plausible.

Very plausible.

Except for the fact that you planned your alibi in advance.

You got your mate to impersonate you as a drunk arrested at Bow Street.

Which would persuade any jury you went to Saracen's house with one intention-- to eliminate your rival to Denning's inheritance.

I'd put money on Blunt being Denning's killer too.

He may even have been involved in Crabtree's kidnap.

Which just leaves those missing counterfeit notes.

What time is it?

Almost 5: 00.

William, Martin Crabtree has one more hour to claim his inheritance.

(sighs) You can have him.

Thank you!

Although I'm not sure there's enough time to get a cab across London.

(sighs) Fine.

WILLIAM: You can take my carriage.

(bells tolling) (horse snorts) I think we're going to make it.

Go, go, go!

(hooves clomping) Thank you.

MOSES: Congratulations.

Oh, thank you, Moses.

So, when do I get to see my contract?

As soon as you've given me your full name.

And not just Moses.

That's not gonna happen.

Oh, come on.

Surely we're good enough friends now?

Mr. Crabtree.

Miss Scarlet.

I just wanted to come by and give you this.

What you have done for me and my wife will transform our lives and the life of our child, and I didn't want you to have to wait for weeks to get your fee, so this is your first installment.

From my savings.

Thank you.

That is very kind.

Wait till I tell Barnabus I spent the afternoon in Bond Street!

This is just the beginning, Ivy.

Ooh!

Tomorrow we'll start looking at furniture.

I'm also going to buy a phonograph for the office.

A what?

Oh, it's a new invention.

It records your voice onto a wax cylinder and plays it back.

It will allow me to do my own dictations.

Right.

(knock at door) (gasps) That'll be the Dickins and Jones delivery.

(deep breath) Mm.

I don't care, you've obviously made a mistake!

I don't think so, ma'am.

What's going on?

A ridiculous misunderstanding!

The constable here claims the goods you bought at Dickins and Jones was paid for with counterfeit bills.

What?

WILLIAM: Look, what we've found.

The ransom money.

Hidden in your outhouse, Mr. Crabtree.

There was no kidnap, was there?

You faked it.

ELIZA: Why did you do it?

You'd just found out you were about to be rich beyond your wildest dreams.

Because I knew there was no inheritance.

What do you mean?

A week after my father died, I was visited by Maud Skelton.

She told me the truth about my birth.

She also told me that because of gambling debts, my late father's inheritance would be worthless.

If I tried to claim it, I would be hounded and most likely left penniless.

It was a poisoned chalice.

But why risk faking a kidnap now?

I pray every night that my child will have a more comfortable upbringing than I did.

And that night, with Miss Scarlet and Mr. Blunt circling around me, I, I saw an opportunity.

So on the way back from the pub, I stopped at a friend's house and I stayed there until we got the ransom money.

And this friend of yours, it was him that picked up the money?

Mm.

But two days later, with Saracen dead and Blunt facing a murder charge, there was suddenly an inheritance to claim after all.

Enough to make this ransom look like loose change.

For the first time in my life, I felt like God was smiling on me.

OFFICER: Yes, well, hand it over and I... (indistinct chatter) So, what happens now?

Do you still get your fee, you mean?

No.

Yes.

(chuckles) Well, Crabtree faked a kidnap in order to commit fraud, which carries a potential jail sentence.

However, two of the three targets of that fraud were Saracen and Blunt, and the third was, of course, you.

So the question is, do you want to press charges?

Mm, on this occasion, I'm prepared to overlook Martin Crabtree's actions.

I won't be pressing charges.

Which means you can still claim the inheritance.

You don't deserve Miss Scarlet's kindness.

You truly are one of God's angels.

Oh, I wouldn't go that far.

I think I need to go and lie down.

Do you want me to bring you anything?

Just stay with our guest.

(scoffs) I've been so stupid!

Everything will be fine.

Your wife knows you're a good man at heart.

Go and check on her, I'll see myself out.

The Denning family fox.

Lady Denning.

Oh no.

You could put the frame down... ...and just walk out the door.

Pretend you hadn't seen it.

This photo of your mother was stolen when your father was murdered.

I went to see him.

You know, the years, it twisted him, he was angry and drunk and alone.

He told me it was my fault that my mother died.

That I'd killed her.

He wanted nothing to do with me and I... You murdered him.

Please.

Please, just walk away.

If you choose to walk out of this house, you can still receive your fee.

Please.

I'm not going anywhere.

(sobbing) I wanna meet my daughter.

Please.

(indistinct chatter) Maud Skelton has admitted that she told Martin who his father was a few days before Sir Reginald's murder.

She always feared that he was responsible.

It's why she broke contact with him.

Being abandoned because your father blames you for killing your mother, it must be quite a cross to bear.

It's a sorry story for everyone.

Including you.

(sighs) The forfeiture rule is clear.

Martin Crabtree won't be allowed to inherit a penny from his victim.

So there goes my fee.

Eliza, I, uh...

I want to clear the air about Arabella.

Your private life is your own, William.

I know that you two haven't always seen eye to eye.

But, uh... but I, I don't want my friendship with Arabella to cause problems between us.

Nor do I. I will endeavor to make an effort with her.

I feel sure we will become firm friends.

You're a terrible, terrible liar, but I appreciate the effort.

(laughs) (hooves clomping, people chattering) So, looks like you'll have to moonlight for Nash a little longer.

And I know I promised to double your fee.

Put it on account.

You're gonna put that up?

I was, but... it turns out the time isn't quite right.

When will it be?

I have no idea.

(inhales sharply) It's Valentine.

Hm?

Moses Valentine.

A lot of people would pay good money for that information.

(door shuts) (chuckles) Thank you for the invite.

Thank you for coming.

I'm so pleased you could make it.

William told me how busy you are.

Well, I'm sure running a restaurant is equally time consuming.

I think we both like the challenge.

(chuckles) (knock on door) And how fortunate for William that he gets to work with you so much of the time.

I doubt he'd use the word fortunate.

(door opens) Actually, no, he didn't.

(laughs) Inspector Wellington, ma'am.

Darling?

What are you doing here?

I'm meeting you.

To go to the park?

The park?

Oh gosh, I completely forgot, how silly of me!

(chuckles) Still, since you're here, William, I absolutely insist you join us for tea.

You don't mind do you, Eliza?

Not at all.

My mother always complained I had a mind like a sieve.

You poor thing having to put up with me.

(exhales curtly) (click) Do not open that.

ELIZA: It's a bomb.

Do you have any idea who is doing this?

MAN: I will be taking full control of the investigation.

You any good with your fists?

(grunting) Who put you in charge?

Someone has to be.

ANNOUNCER: Go to our website, listen to our podcast, watch video and more.

To order this program, visit ShopPBS.

"Masterpiece" is available with PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video.