In this intriguing episode, we delve into the peculiar world of "Assignments Unlimited," a unique agency that tackles any task, no matter how bizarre. Our story unfolds with a Frenchman, Monsieur Paul Duclair, who seeks the services of the agency to guard a preserved whale exhibit. The task seems straightforward until it takes a dramatic turn when Cannon, the night watchman, discovers a dead body inside the whale. The plot thickens as two Russian dancers, seeking asylum, reveal themselves to be hiding within the whale, adding layers of mystery and intrigue.
As the narrative unfolds, we learn of a sinister plot involving the murder of the real Monsieur Duclair by his caretaker, who assumed his identity. The caretaker's plan to destroy evidence by burning the whale goes awry, leading to a thrilling investigation. With the help of Cannon and the agency, the truth is uncovered, and justice is served. This episode is a captivating blend of mystery, deception, and unexpected twists, keeping listeners on the edge of their seats.
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[00:00:01]
Unknown:
From taco night in Tulum to sushi in Tokyo, every bite is rewarding and pulse worthy with MX Gold's four times membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide. Wherever you dine, points are piling up. So bring your friends along for your next course because it's not all about the posts. It's about the company and the memories. How can gold from Amex sweeten your next food moment? Learn more at AmericanExpress.com/explore-gold. Terms and points cap apply.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Claire, the purpose of a labor exchange is to provide employment, temporary or permanent. The fact is I can't guarantee or recommend any applicant. Unless they have a criminal record, I'm in no position to say whether they're reliable or not. It will be for three weeks only machine. The pay is good. But I can't guarantee that the man you employ can be trusted. I merely type out the details of the job offered and post it on the notice board.
[00:00:58] Unknown:
You must then choose from those who apply. I am newly arrived in England, monsieur. It will be difficult for me to judge.
[00:01:05] Unknown:
I tell you what, why don't you try one of the independent agencies? Assignments unlimited. Grosvenor five double nine five. The address if you wish to call on them is 33
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Half Moon Street. Aubrey Mason at your service. At assignments unlimited. We do anything anywhere at any time. 33
[00:01:28] Unknown:
Half Moon Street.
[00:01:48] Unknown:
Chips or the fishmonger. Not all the tasks undertaken by assignments unlimited is spectacular or particularly dangerous. In fact, the unusual is the exception rather than the rule. The nervous little old Frenchman who came into my office requested the services of our organization for a task which was mundane in application and only unusual in a theatrical sense. I'd already mentally slotted canon into the vacant niche and wondered what his reaction would be. Monsieur Paul Duclair, for such was the client's name, wished the services of a night attendant over the preserved body of a dead whale.
On reflection, it was perhaps an unusual request, I said so. You, you did say a dead whale, mister de Clare. A magnificent exhibit.
[00:02:38] Unknown:
A Greenland whale. I began with a blue sperm whale, but, found it too large to transport through the doors of most oils that I hire. Extraordinary. You see, whale bone is immensely strong. And I discovered that if the inside of the beast is removed and the carcass inflated with air, it is possible to preserve the outer skin. The membrane will formaldehyde. In times, the shell hardens and the air can be released. Well, that's most interesting, mister Duclaire.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
I take it that you then exhibit the whale. Indeed.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
I have a great success in France and, I have now come to your country for a short tour of three weeks before I go on to The United States where I hope to enjoy singular success. Well, just out of interest, mister de Glaert,
[00:03:19] Unknown:
how do you pump up the whale in the first place? Good question.
[00:03:23] Unknown:
On top of the head, it contained a pocket of amber grease. This has a high commercial value and when removed, leaves a small funnel leading to the interior of the beast. Into this, a hose is connected and voila.
[00:03:37] Unknown:
But don't you have to make a cut in nothing to clean it? Oh, no. That is done through the mouth.
[00:03:42] Unknown:
So now we have a good circulation of air as it helps to preserve the beast. Some beast. The greatest of all living things, monsieur. The noblest creature in all creation. Yes. I'm sure. But what exactly do you wish us to do? I require a night watch man of impeccable integrity. He will also be required during his tour of duty at night to pump formaldehyde into the creature. Which sounds simple enough. Why must the man's character be so blameless? An exhibit of this nature is prey to vandals, monsieur. Many times in France have I been accosted by those who would cut into the exhibit to satisfy their morbid curiosity
[00:04:19] Unknown:
that what I have on show is really the genuine article. Well, needless to say, I have just the man for the job. I'm not sure how you'll take it. It's it's an odd request. Would you mind rest assured that no vandal will come near your well? I am delighted, monsieur Maison. What were you thinking of paying this night watchman?
[00:04:36] Unknown:
I thought, pounds 15
[00:04:38] Unknown:
a night. Cannon will be happy to pump for Imelda Hyde all night for that money. I beg your pardon, machine? Cannon, one of our men here. He'll be delighted to take on the job. Where and when must he report? Oh, tonight is it possible
[00:04:52] Unknown:
at the exit hall in Camberway. He'll be there.
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Canan, you see? That's right. I might send him down this afternoon just to give the place the one service. That would be admirable, mister Mason.
[00:05:03] Unknown:
Thank you. And good day to you. Good day, mister Duclaire.
[00:05:14] Unknown:
Whatever the peculiarities of our profession, we never refer to any task as an odd job. We try to avoid reading gardens whenever possible, but our boast is that we'll tackle anything. And it was a Canon sense of professional duty that I appealed when he came into my office. He left for Campbell well at 03:30 and I sensed that our relationship had become a little strained. An hour later, he'd have brought it back by telephone. Assignments unlimited.
[00:05:42] Unknown:
You can say that again. Oh, hello, Cannon. How are you making up? Well, I've met the goal's answer to Moby Dick, and and I've had five minutes instruction on the formaldehyde pump. Good. Is it a real well? Are you kidding? The caretaker's cats had a brainstorm. It's just my luck to get a job playing nursemaid to an oversized kipper. Oh, he's only for three weeks, Gammon. You're part of show business. Yeah. Yeah. And everybody's having a whale the time. That was corny.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Remember what Duclaire said about vandalism? It's on the cars that the Camberwell boys might take it into their heads to carve out his exhibit. Well, if they do, it'll provide a light relief from the formaldehyde
[00:06:19] Unknown:
pump. Now one thing about this guy, Duclaire, though, he's, he's got a sense of humor. He slipped me a tip when I arrived. Good for him. What was it? A fin.
[00:06:40] Unknown:
Well, time I was getting home, mister Cannon. I locked up everywhere. Yeah. It was,
[00:06:46] Unknown:
quite a night, wasn't it? Who'd have thought this dump sported a thousand arctic theologists?
[00:06:51] Unknown:
What's that, mister Kenny?
[00:06:52] Unknown:
Fish fanciers.
[00:06:54] Unknown:
You know, in all my years there's caretaker here. I never seen such a crowd. And just a look at a wire. Well, now you got a new angle on a poor fish.
[00:07:03] Unknown:
Look. I'll lock the front door after you. What time are you coming in the morning? Well, I don't usually get here till ten. Then I won't see you, my friend. My French employer says he'll be here at seven. What will you do about supper? There's a shop on the corner that stays open till two, they say. No. No. No. No. No. Thanks. I'll, I'll munch on a sandwich. Good night. Good night, mister Kelly. Well, I, guess I'll get out before my older high bump, and then I can settle down with a magazine. Yep. My little thought a guy could make money out of a dead whale, but this operator coins it 2,000 times 2 shillings.
Oh, boy. Well, Moby, here comes your first shot. What? Hey. Now I must be going crazy. That was a scream, and it didn't come from a dead whale. No. Doors are all locked. There's nobody in the rafters. Well, I didn't imagine that. I don't believe in ghosts, but there's nobody here. Hey. Wait a minute. What did declare say about the hollow inside of this whale? Uh-huh. So someone is being smart in Camberwell. Okay. Flashlight. The mouth, he said. Here we are. Okay. Party's over. Come on out of there.
[00:08:59] Unknown:
Do what you said, Anup, it is professional. We've been disturbed.
[00:09:03] Unknown:
Why are you being smart? Come on out, you gut. Well, now, Giff.
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Giff?
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Before I call the cops, you better come clean and tell me what the idea is, hiding inside that carcass. The police or no? You're foreigners. You, you mixed up with monsieur de Claire? No, sir. We're Russians.
[00:09:31] Unknown:
Russians?
[00:09:33] Unknown:
This gets screwy every minute. How'd you get in there?
[00:09:37] Unknown:
We hid behind the veil during the lunchtime closing, then declined into the mouth. How did you know you could get in that way? I think Anushka, we better tell him everything.
[00:09:48] Unknown:
We, Anushka and I are from the Russian Mosleyev dances. You have heard of the Mosleyev folk dancers. Who? You are at the Empire Hall? That is so. We came here from France, and it was in France when we first saw the veil and learned that the interior was hollow. The Mossier company is due to return to Russia on the day after tomorrow, and Nushka and I decided to to escape.
[00:10:10] Unknown:
Escape?
[00:10:11] Unknown:
From what? From Russia, sir.
[00:10:15] Unknown:
Oh, you mean, political asylum? Yes. But that doesn't explain why you hid out inside a dead whale.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
If we ask for political asylum in England, it would be granted, but it would be easy for the Russian secret service to fund us. They are most efficient and would track us down wherever we went. And so Anushka and I hit upon a plan whereby we might vanish without trace. This is,
[00:10:42] Unknown:
the very least, the Bishop to Amarca. We have a large supply of food and water, and it was our intention to stay hidden inside the veil until it reached The United States. We could come out at night, then all was quiet and hide back inside during the day. Once in America, we know where we can find friends.
[00:11:05] Unknown:
Why do you know? Let's wallop on Jonah. You mean you got all that trouble just to get to The States? The Russian secret police do not take kindly to escapists.
[00:11:16] Unknown:
We have families in Russia, sir. Mhmm.
[00:11:21] Unknown:
You know you don't have a bad plan at that. You disappear without tracing England. They check and find you haven't applied for a political asylum. They check the airports and shipping lines and draw a blank. It only figures that something must have happened to you like, suicide. So they forget all about you. And they forget about our family, sir. Mhmm. Tell me Monsieur, declared is, does he know about this? No one knows except you. That's alright. Your secret's safe with me. But are you not from the police? No, no, I'm the watchman.
[00:11:57] Unknown:
You are the watchman? Yeah, Fred I guess. I was born under the Zodiac sign of Piscay's. But the watchman in France was the much older man. Yes. We know that he slept most of the night. We know that if we made more noise we could safely creep out of the dark.
[00:12:13] Unknown:
Well, with me, you don't have to worry about noise. Noise? Say, what were you, what were you screaming about inside there, anyway? Oh, who Well, what is it?
[00:12:25] Unknown:
In the darkness, he tripped over something. Mhmm. I put on my torch and there is the body of a man
[00:12:33] Unknown:
with a knife through his heart. Anand's jaw dropped so that he resembled in miniature the very object he was guarding. Whatever my employee's faults, he's not lacking in analytical intelligence. His colleagues would say as sharp as a whip. One look at the dejected and terrified faces of the two young folk dancers was enough to convince Cannon that they at least were on the level. His reaction was straightforward and immediate.
[00:12:59] Unknown:
Anushka, you stay here. Mikhail, you're going back inside that whale. Oh, well, if you insist. I do insist. And what's more, I'm coming with you. Mikhail. It's the Russianushka.
[00:13:10] Unknown:
I am not a threat. Come on. Let's go.
[00:13:22] Unknown:
Yeah. Now then. Put on the flashlight. Now where is it that I did? As you said, a knife through the heart.
[00:13:37] Unknown:
Do you know this man? I think I have seen him somewhere. I I cannot be sure. Well, have a good look.
[00:13:44] Unknown:
The formaldehyde must have seeped into him. He's, he's well preserved. How long do you think he's been there? Oh, should I know? You only stumble on him by accident. The way he's preserved, he could have been there months. Okay. Let's get out of this mausoleum that gives me the creeps. Are you just going to leave the body there? Sure. In this country, in cases of murder, the body's left where it's found, untouched, so as not to hamper the work of the police. Oh, here we go. You first. What? You can help me.
[00:14:21] Unknown:
We have The bossy is there, as we saw. Anushka hoped she might be dreaming. I I can't say I feel much difference, sir. This is the end for us. No. No. No. Come on. Cheer up. It, it might be the beginning. When the police come, they hold us as witnesses. Our defection will then be discovered. It will be taken back to Russia.
[00:14:42] Unknown:
Yeah. That's the point, Mikhail. Okay. Corpse in the body of a whale, two Russian refugees. Hang on. There's a phone here somewhere. Look, Mikhail, while I telephone, you go back inside there, remove all traces of your presence. Didn't you say that you brought food? Yes. Well, get it out. Make sure there's no traces of your having been in there. If there's the slightest clue to link you with a dead man, you'll wind up here the same as you would in Russia.
[00:15:17] Unknown:
Cannon's call came through to my apartment and woke me from a deep sleep. At first, I thought he'd lost his reason and then that he was all a gent to get me out of bed and repay me for the task I'd handed him. But he finally convinced me that Mikhail and Anushka were real people and that their plight was a tragic one. I gave him the only advice that seemed sensible at the time. The young Russian runaways would be safe for a while at least in cannon's flat.
[00:15:45] Unknown:
Okay. That's settled.
[00:15:47] Unknown:
Did you telephone the police? No. My chief.
[00:15:50] Unknown:
I'm taking you my flight in Chelsea. You'll be safe there for a while. Do you get everything out, Michal? Yes. Everything, sir. Now let's see. Quarter after two. Chances of any van was coming now are pretty remote. I've got a car at the back of the hall, and and I can have you in my place in twenty minutes. I'll drop you and come back, and then I'll wing the police. Pick up your gear and follow me. Come on. Go right in. Oh. No. It's, strictly a bachelor's appointment, ma'am, and, that you could give it the feminine touch.
[00:16:23] Unknown:
I don't know how to say thank you. Well, then don't try.
[00:16:26] Unknown:
Help yourselves do anything you want. I'll just get back to the whale. Do you what? Well, don't tell me you forgot. Anushka, the candle. I left the candle.
[00:16:35] Unknown:
What are you talking about? You told me to make sure nothing was left inside. I I lit the candle so that I could see properly. I left it burning.
[00:16:44] Unknown:
You left the candle burning in so but the blood of the formaldehyde, that fish is more inflammable than an oil refinery.
[00:16:53] Unknown:
Yeah. Chuck, let me throw away.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Excuse me. Oh, thanks. No further, sir. The roof's going in any minute. Well, it'll be gotta be in the entire building will be gutted. Yeah. It looks like it, sir. Mister Kenner. Mister Kenner, I've looked everywhere for you. I thought you might still be inside. Declare. It looks like my first job as a night watchman got off to a bad start. Oh, do not distress yourself. It was well insured. But, how did it happen? Happened? Well, that's, that's quite a question.
[00:17:25] Unknown:
I I'm not sure. But where were you when it happened?
[00:17:28] Unknown:
I was having a smoke. Tell me just what you did, mister Yachena. Well, I, I pumped in the formaldehyde like you showed me, and and then I sat down on the bench to have a smoke. Really? Suddenly, the whale started to smoke too.
[00:17:40] Unknown:
You know what I mean? Yes. A stroke of luck.
[00:17:43] Unknown:
Luck? The whale is insured, as I said. I do not regret losing it. But it's burned down the entire hall. The place is, raging in full, or there'll be nothing left. No. Nothing left.
[00:17:54] Unknown:
Absolutely
[00:17:59] Unknown:
nothing. And,
[00:18:00] Unknown:
that's about everything, chief. Now what makes you so suspicious of mister Duclerc?
[00:18:05] Unknown:
I don't know. It's maybe the way he looked at that fire. He was, he was enjoying it. Seemed like he was hoping the thing would be destroyed. Oh, it might just have been the excitement. The entire building was raised to the ground. There's nothing but a heap of ashes. Well, don't you you see that body inside the well was reduced to a heap of ashes too. Whoever that guy was, he wound up in his own crematorium.
[00:18:27] Unknown:
Yes. I checked on the Russian dancers. They're officially listed as missing. Mark you, that doesn't mean they weren't responsible for the killing. We've no idea who that man might have been and now it seems we'll never know. Just supposing he was an official of the Russian secret police. Yeah. Sure. Well, I'm gonna cry about that. Oh, that's not the point. This is England. Well, no one has the right to take another man's life. Okay, chief. Thanks for the moral action. I'm serious. If those two youngsters did kill a man from the Russian police, then they must be handed over to the authorities.
[00:18:56] Unknown:
Well, you're right, of course, as always. But how are we gonna prove who he was? How can we even prove that there was a man in there in the first place? There's nothing left, not a single solitary thing.
[00:19:09] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:19:10] Unknown:
And monsieur Duclaire to see you, sir. Our settlement, please.
[00:19:27] Unknown:
Monsieur Canot. Most regrettable about the exhibit? Yes, sir. Won't you take a chair? Thank you. I explained to Monsieur Canot that financially there is nothing to worry about. The exhibit was well insured and I shall suffer no financial loss. I'm glad to hear that. But, I shall require your assistance. You, you're gonna pump up another whale? No. No. No. No. No. It, concerns the insurance. At the time of the accident, I was in bed in my hotel. In fact, the old porte awoke me and told me of the disaster. Monsieur Cannon was in charge of the exhibit at the time and I would like a statement from him accepting full responsibility.
[00:20:04] Unknown:
Now just a minute. You may be insured, but we're not. If you read your contract, you'll find the indemnity clause in case of accident. Oh, it is not that, monsieur. I require a letter only to show that the exhibit was destroyed by accident,
[00:20:18] Unknown:
to please the insurance company. You understand? Yes. I do. Of course. I would pay for the service. When do you want the letter, mister de Clare? I would like to get it off to France as soon as possible. It will save me the journey over there. If the insurance company is satisfied, they will pay us to their London office. I'll get onto it right away, mister. This afternoon? Ah, perfect. Thank you. Well, good day, gentlemen. Yeah. Goodbye, monsieur.
[00:20:47] Unknown:
You know, chief, something about that whale smells awful fishy. Perhaps.
[00:20:53] Unknown:
But I wonder why he doesn't just hop over the channel and collect the insurance money. Maybe he doesn't wanna show his face in France. Show his face? Kenan, I wonder. Chief, I don't like that look. Are the Russian runaways still in your flat? Where else? You're sure no one's seen them? Certain. I can't stall the Klinger forever, but he's been stalled before. I have a different reason, naturally. I can guess what it is. I wanna have a talk to them. They were, as Canon described them, just two nice kids. However desperate their plight, I just couldn't imagine them plunging a knife into a man's heart, and the setting for the murder was too macabre for them to contemplate.
I asked them about the exhibit they'd seen in France.
[00:21:39] Unknown:
How did you find out about the entrance into the whale? By watching the caretaker. He was an old man and rather silly. The whale was on show in the Place De La Poste and we hid behind one of the pillars. We saw him climbing through the mouth. When we heard that the whale was to come to London and then to go to America, we hit upon our plan. Did you meet mister Duclaire? He's the owner. I I don't think so. He was the caretaker we watched.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
You said to Canon that you might have seen the dead man somewhere before. I think so, but I cannot be certain. Well, there's no chance now for a second look. If you saw the caretaker
[00:22:19] Unknown:
again, would you recognize him? Oh, yes. Anushka too. I would know him anywhere.
[00:22:24] Unknown:
Just use your phone, Cameron. What hotel is Ducarin?
[00:22:28] Unknown:
Regent Powless.
[00:22:42] Unknown:
Good morning. Oh, I'd, I'd like to speak to Mr Duclerc, please. Thank you. I'm going to invite him to the office early. I want Mikhail and Anushka hidden in the inner office where they can see him.' 'Hello? Oh, Monsieur de Clare? Oh, this is Mason. Assignment's unlimited.' 'Yes, yes, I barely finished it.' 'Tell me for how long was the whale insured?' 'Yes, yes, it couldn't have lasted forever, could it? Now I see. Right after the American exhibition you would destroy it. Well may I ask how? Yes of course. What better grave for a whale than to be dumped into the sea. Can we make it 01:00?
Thank you that's fine. Goodbye. There's no doubt about it now. Cannon in that outer office for these youngsters I want two more people. Detective inspectors from the murder squad. The stage was set for mister Duclaire's arrival. The police officers were fully briefed and Mikhail and Anushka waited apprehensively. When Duclaire arrived, they recognized him immediately, not as Duclaire but as the old caretaker. Publicity photographs of the real Duclaire were immediately seen to be those of the dead man and the whale. Cannon for once was impressed.
[00:24:12] Unknown:
Well, not bad chief, not bad at all but, what made him do it? Jealousy probably.
[00:24:19] Unknown:
Like you, he didn't fancy having a whale as a bed companion while his employer lived off the fat of the land. The fat of the whale. Oh, all right. He murdered his boss and left his body inside the exhibit. Later, all evidence would have been removed when the wall was dumped in the Atlantic. Cunning. But he couldn't take a chance on going back to France. He might have been recognized by someone in the insurance company. So he had to stay undercover.
[00:24:44] Unknown:
Undercover?
[00:24:45] Unknown:
That reminds me two Russian dancers have to be smuggled into The States somehow. Funny you should mention that. I was just about to brief you on your next assignment.
[00:24:54] Unknown:
Oh, no.
[00:24:56] Unknown:
Well, there you are. That's how the fishmonger had his chips.
From taco night in Tulum to sushi in Tokyo, every bite is rewarding and pulse worthy with MX Gold's four times membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide. Wherever you dine, points are piling up. So bring your friends along for your next course because it's not all about the posts. It's about the company and the memories. How can gold from Amex sweeten your next food moment? Learn more at AmericanExpress.com/explore-gold. Terms and points cap apply.
[00:00:30] Unknown:
Claire, the purpose of a labor exchange is to provide employment, temporary or permanent. The fact is I can't guarantee or recommend any applicant. Unless they have a criminal record, I'm in no position to say whether they're reliable or not. It will be for three weeks only machine. The pay is good. But I can't guarantee that the man you employ can be trusted. I merely type out the details of the job offered and post it on the notice board.
[00:00:58] Unknown:
You must then choose from those who apply. I am newly arrived in England, monsieur. It will be difficult for me to judge.
[00:01:05] Unknown:
I tell you what, why don't you try one of the independent agencies? Assignments unlimited. Grosvenor five double nine five. The address if you wish to call on them is 33
[00:01:20] Unknown:
Half Moon Street. Aubrey Mason at your service. At assignments unlimited. We do anything anywhere at any time. 33
[00:01:28] Unknown:
Half Moon Street.
[00:01:48] Unknown:
Chips or the fishmonger. Not all the tasks undertaken by assignments unlimited is spectacular or particularly dangerous. In fact, the unusual is the exception rather than the rule. The nervous little old Frenchman who came into my office requested the services of our organization for a task which was mundane in application and only unusual in a theatrical sense. I'd already mentally slotted canon into the vacant niche and wondered what his reaction would be. Monsieur Paul Duclair, for such was the client's name, wished the services of a night attendant over the preserved body of a dead whale.
On reflection, it was perhaps an unusual request, I said so. You, you did say a dead whale, mister de Clare. A magnificent exhibit.
[00:02:38] Unknown:
A Greenland whale. I began with a blue sperm whale, but, found it too large to transport through the doors of most oils that I hire. Extraordinary. You see, whale bone is immensely strong. And I discovered that if the inside of the beast is removed and the carcass inflated with air, it is possible to preserve the outer skin. The membrane will formaldehyde. In times, the shell hardens and the air can be released. Well, that's most interesting, mister Duclaire.
[00:03:05] Unknown:
I take it that you then exhibit the whale. Indeed.
[00:03:07] Unknown:
I have a great success in France and, I have now come to your country for a short tour of three weeks before I go on to The United States where I hope to enjoy singular success. Well, just out of interest, mister de Glaert,
[00:03:19] Unknown:
how do you pump up the whale in the first place? Good question.
[00:03:23] Unknown:
On top of the head, it contained a pocket of amber grease. This has a high commercial value and when removed, leaves a small funnel leading to the interior of the beast. Into this, a hose is connected and voila.
[00:03:37] Unknown:
But don't you have to make a cut in nothing to clean it? Oh, no. That is done through the mouth.
[00:03:42] Unknown:
So now we have a good circulation of air as it helps to preserve the beast. Some beast. The greatest of all living things, monsieur. The noblest creature in all creation. Yes. I'm sure. But what exactly do you wish us to do? I require a night watch man of impeccable integrity. He will also be required during his tour of duty at night to pump formaldehyde into the creature. Which sounds simple enough. Why must the man's character be so blameless? An exhibit of this nature is prey to vandals, monsieur. Many times in France have I been accosted by those who would cut into the exhibit to satisfy their morbid curiosity
[00:04:19] Unknown:
that what I have on show is really the genuine article. Well, needless to say, I have just the man for the job. I'm not sure how you'll take it. It's it's an odd request. Would you mind rest assured that no vandal will come near your well? I am delighted, monsieur Maison. What were you thinking of paying this night watchman?
[00:04:36] Unknown:
I thought, pounds 15
[00:04:38] Unknown:
a night. Cannon will be happy to pump for Imelda Hyde all night for that money. I beg your pardon, machine? Cannon, one of our men here. He'll be delighted to take on the job. Where and when must he report? Oh, tonight is it possible
[00:04:52] Unknown:
at the exit hall in Camberway. He'll be there.
[00:04:56] Unknown:
Canan, you see? That's right. I might send him down this afternoon just to give the place the one service. That would be admirable, mister Mason.
[00:05:03] Unknown:
Thank you. And good day to you. Good day, mister Duclaire.
[00:05:14] Unknown:
Whatever the peculiarities of our profession, we never refer to any task as an odd job. We try to avoid reading gardens whenever possible, but our boast is that we'll tackle anything. And it was a Canon sense of professional duty that I appealed when he came into my office. He left for Campbell well at 03:30 and I sensed that our relationship had become a little strained. An hour later, he'd have brought it back by telephone. Assignments unlimited.
[00:05:42] Unknown:
You can say that again. Oh, hello, Cannon. How are you making up? Well, I've met the goal's answer to Moby Dick, and and I've had five minutes instruction on the formaldehyde pump. Good. Is it a real well? Are you kidding? The caretaker's cats had a brainstorm. It's just my luck to get a job playing nursemaid to an oversized kipper. Oh, he's only for three weeks, Gammon. You're part of show business. Yeah. Yeah. And everybody's having a whale the time. That was corny.
[00:06:09] Unknown:
Remember what Duclaire said about vandalism? It's on the cars that the Camberwell boys might take it into their heads to carve out his exhibit. Well, if they do, it'll provide a light relief from the formaldehyde
[00:06:19] Unknown:
pump. Now one thing about this guy, Duclaire, though, he's, he's got a sense of humor. He slipped me a tip when I arrived. Good for him. What was it? A fin.
[00:06:40] Unknown:
Well, time I was getting home, mister Cannon. I locked up everywhere. Yeah. It was,
[00:06:46] Unknown:
quite a night, wasn't it? Who'd have thought this dump sported a thousand arctic theologists?
[00:06:51] Unknown:
What's that, mister Kenny?
[00:06:52] Unknown:
Fish fanciers.
[00:06:54] Unknown:
You know, in all my years there's caretaker here. I never seen such a crowd. And just a look at a wire. Well, now you got a new angle on a poor fish.
[00:07:03] Unknown:
Look. I'll lock the front door after you. What time are you coming in the morning? Well, I don't usually get here till ten. Then I won't see you, my friend. My French employer says he'll be here at seven. What will you do about supper? There's a shop on the corner that stays open till two, they say. No. No. No. No. No. Thanks. I'll, I'll munch on a sandwich. Good night. Good night, mister Kelly. Well, I, guess I'll get out before my older high bump, and then I can settle down with a magazine. Yep. My little thought a guy could make money out of a dead whale, but this operator coins it 2,000 times 2 shillings.
Oh, boy. Well, Moby, here comes your first shot. What? Hey. Now I must be going crazy. That was a scream, and it didn't come from a dead whale. No. Doors are all locked. There's nobody in the rafters. Well, I didn't imagine that. I don't believe in ghosts, but there's nobody here. Hey. Wait a minute. What did declare say about the hollow inside of this whale? Uh-huh. So someone is being smart in Camberwell. Okay. Flashlight. The mouth, he said. Here we are. Okay. Party's over. Come on out of there.
[00:08:59] Unknown:
Do what you said, Anup, it is professional. We've been disturbed.
[00:09:03] Unknown:
Why are you being smart? Come on out, you gut. Well, now, Giff.
[00:09:16] Unknown:
Giff?
[00:09:17] Unknown:
Before I call the cops, you better come clean and tell me what the idea is, hiding inside that carcass. The police or no? You're foreigners. You, you mixed up with monsieur de Claire? No, sir. We're Russians.
[00:09:31] Unknown:
Russians?
[00:09:33] Unknown:
This gets screwy every minute. How'd you get in there?
[00:09:37] Unknown:
We hid behind the veil during the lunchtime closing, then declined into the mouth. How did you know you could get in that way? I think Anushka, we better tell him everything.
[00:09:48] Unknown:
We, Anushka and I are from the Russian Mosleyev dances. You have heard of the Mosleyev folk dancers. Who? You are at the Empire Hall? That is so. We came here from France, and it was in France when we first saw the veil and learned that the interior was hollow. The Mossier company is due to return to Russia on the day after tomorrow, and Nushka and I decided to to escape.
[00:10:10] Unknown:
Escape?
[00:10:11] Unknown:
From what? From Russia, sir.
[00:10:15] Unknown:
Oh, you mean, political asylum? Yes. But that doesn't explain why you hid out inside a dead whale.
[00:10:22] Unknown:
If we ask for political asylum in England, it would be granted, but it would be easy for the Russian secret service to fund us. They are most efficient and would track us down wherever we went. And so Anushka and I hit upon a plan whereby we might vanish without trace. This is,
[00:10:42] Unknown:
the very least, the Bishop to Amarca. We have a large supply of food and water, and it was our intention to stay hidden inside the veil until it reached The United States. We could come out at night, then all was quiet and hide back inside during the day. Once in America, we know where we can find friends.
[00:11:05] Unknown:
Why do you know? Let's wallop on Jonah. You mean you got all that trouble just to get to The States? The Russian secret police do not take kindly to escapists.
[00:11:16] Unknown:
We have families in Russia, sir. Mhmm.
[00:11:21] Unknown:
You know you don't have a bad plan at that. You disappear without tracing England. They check and find you haven't applied for a political asylum. They check the airports and shipping lines and draw a blank. It only figures that something must have happened to you like, suicide. So they forget all about you. And they forget about our family, sir. Mhmm. Tell me Monsieur, declared is, does he know about this? No one knows except you. That's alright. Your secret's safe with me. But are you not from the police? No, no, I'm the watchman.
[00:11:57] Unknown:
You are the watchman? Yeah, Fred I guess. I was born under the Zodiac sign of Piscay's. But the watchman in France was the much older man. Yes. We know that he slept most of the night. We know that if we made more noise we could safely creep out of the dark.
[00:12:13] Unknown:
Well, with me, you don't have to worry about noise. Noise? Say, what were you, what were you screaming about inside there, anyway? Oh, who Well, what is it?
[00:12:25] Unknown:
In the darkness, he tripped over something. Mhmm. I put on my torch and there is the body of a man
[00:12:33] Unknown:
with a knife through his heart. Anand's jaw dropped so that he resembled in miniature the very object he was guarding. Whatever my employee's faults, he's not lacking in analytical intelligence. His colleagues would say as sharp as a whip. One look at the dejected and terrified faces of the two young folk dancers was enough to convince Cannon that they at least were on the level. His reaction was straightforward and immediate.
[00:12:59] Unknown:
Anushka, you stay here. Mikhail, you're going back inside that whale. Oh, well, if you insist. I do insist. And what's more, I'm coming with you. Mikhail. It's the Russianushka.
[00:13:10] Unknown:
I am not a threat. Come on. Let's go.
[00:13:22] Unknown:
Yeah. Now then. Put on the flashlight. Now where is it that I did? As you said, a knife through the heart.
[00:13:37] Unknown:
Do you know this man? I think I have seen him somewhere. I I cannot be sure. Well, have a good look.
[00:13:44] Unknown:
The formaldehyde must have seeped into him. He's, he's well preserved. How long do you think he's been there? Oh, should I know? You only stumble on him by accident. The way he's preserved, he could have been there months. Okay. Let's get out of this mausoleum that gives me the creeps. Are you just going to leave the body there? Sure. In this country, in cases of murder, the body's left where it's found, untouched, so as not to hamper the work of the police. Oh, here we go. You first. What? You can help me.
[00:14:21] Unknown:
We have The bossy is there, as we saw. Anushka hoped she might be dreaming. I I can't say I feel much difference, sir. This is the end for us. No. No. No. Come on. Cheer up. It, it might be the beginning. When the police come, they hold us as witnesses. Our defection will then be discovered. It will be taken back to Russia.
[00:14:42] Unknown:
Yeah. That's the point, Mikhail. Okay. Corpse in the body of a whale, two Russian refugees. Hang on. There's a phone here somewhere. Look, Mikhail, while I telephone, you go back inside there, remove all traces of your presence. Didn't you say that you brought food? Yes. Well, get it out. Make sure there's no traces of your having been in there. If there's the slightest clue to link you with a dead man, you'll wind up here the same as you would in Russia.
[00:15:17] Unknown:
Cannon's call came through to my apartment and woke me from a deep sleep. At first, I thought he'd lost his reason and then that he was all a gent to get me out of bed and repay me for the task I'd handed him. But he finally convinced me that Mikhail and Anushka were real people and that their plight was a tragic one. I gave him the only advice that seemed sensible at the time. The young Russian runaways would be safe for a while at least in cannon's flat.
[00:15:45] Unknown:
Okay. That's settled.
[00:15:47] Unknown:
Did you telephone the police? No. My chief.
[00:15:50] Unknown:
I'm taking you my flight in Chelsea. You'll be safe there for a while. Do you get everything out, Michal? Yes. Everything, sir. Now let's see. Quarter after two. Chances of any van was coming now are pretty remote. I've got a car at the back of the hall, and and I can have you in my place in twenty minutes. I'll drop you and come back, and then I'll wing the police. Pick up your gear and follow me. Come on. Go right in. Oh. No. It's, strictly a bachelor's appointment, ma'am, and, that you could give it the feminine touch.
[00:16:23] Unknown:
I don't know how to say thank you. Well, then don't try.
[00:16:26] Unknown:
Help yourselves do anything you want. I'll just get back to the whale. Do you what? Well, don't tell me you forgot. Anushka, the candle. I left the candle.
[00:16:35] Unknown:
What are you talking about? You told me to make sure nothing was left inside. I I lit the candle so that I could see properly. I left it burning.
[00:16:44] Unknown:
You left the candle burning in so but the blood of the formaldehyde, that fish is more inflammable than an oil refinery.
[00:16:53] Unknown:
Yeah. Chuck, let me throw away.
[00:16:57] Unknown:
Excuse me. Oh, thanks. No further, sir. The roof's going in any minute. Well, it'll be gotta be in the entire building will be gutted. Yeah. It looks like it, sir. Mister Kenner. Mister Kenner, I've looked everywhere for you. I thought you might still be inside. Declare. It looks like my first job as a night watchman got off to a bad start. Oh, do not distress yourself. It was well insured. But, how did it happen? Happened? Well, that's, that's quite a question.
[00:17:25] Unknown:
I I'm not sure. But where were you when it happened?
[00:17:28] Unknown:
I was having a smoke. Tell me just what you did, mister Yachena. Well, I, I pumped in the formaldehyde like you showed me, and and then I sat down on the bench to have a smoke. Really? Suddenly, the whale started to smoke too.
[00:17:40] Unknown:
You know what I mean? Yes. A stroke of luck.
[00:17:43] Unknown:
Luck? The whale is insured, as I said. I do not regret losing it. But it's burned down the entire hall. The place is, raging in full, or there'll be nothing left. No. Nothing left.
[00:17:54] Unknown:
Absolutely
[00:17:59] Unknown:
nothing. And,
[00:18:00] Unknown:
that's about everything, chief. Now what makes you so suspicious of mister Duclerc?
[00:18:05] Unknown:
I don't know. It's maybe the way he looked at that fire. He was, he was enjoying it. Seemed like he was hoping the thing would be destroyed. Oh, it might just have been the excitement. The entire building was raised to the ground. There's nothing but a heap of ashes. Well, don't you you see that body inside the well was reduced to a heap of ashes too. Whoever that guy was, he wound up in his own crematorium.
[00:18:27] Unknown:
Yes. I checked on the Russian dancers. They're officially listed as missing. Mark you, that doesn't mean they weren't responsible for the killing. We've no idea who that man might have been and now it seems we'll never know. Just supposing he was an official of the Russian secret police. Yeah. Sure. Well, I'm gonna cry about that. Oh, that's not the point. This is England. Well, no one has the right to take another man's life. Okay, chief. Thanks for the moral action. I'm serious. If those two youngsters did kill a man from the Russian police, then they must be handed over to the authorities.
[00:18:56] Unknown:
Well, you're right, of course, as always. But how are we gonna prove who he was? How can we even prove that there was a man in there in the first place? There's nothing left, not a single solitary thing.
[00:19:09] Unknown:
Yes?
[00:19:10] Unknown:
And monsieur Duclaire to see you, sir. Our settlement, please.
[00:19:27] Unknown:
Monsieur Canot. Most regrettable about the exhibit? Yes, sir. Won't you take a chair? Thank you. I explained to Monsieur Canot that financially there is nothing to worry about. The exhibit was well insured and I shall suffer no financial loss. I'm glad to hear that. But, I shall require your assistance. You, you're gonna pump up another whale? No. No. No. No. No. It, concerns the insurance. At the time of the accident, I was in bed in my hotel. In fact, the old porte awoke me and told me of the disaster. Monsieur Cannon was in charge of the exhibit at the time and I would like a statement from him accepting full responsibility.
[00:20:04] Unknown:
Now just a minute. You may be insured, but we're not. If you read your contract, you'll find the indemnity clause in case of accident. Oh, it is not that, monsieur. I require a letter only to show that the exhibit was destroyed by accident,
[00:20:18] Unknown:
to please the insurance company. You understand? Yes. I do. Of course. I would pay for the service. When do you want the letter, mister de Clare? I would like to get it off to France as soon as possible. It will save me the journey over there. If the insurance company is satisfied, they will pay us to their London office. I'll get onto it right away, mister. This afternoon? Ah, perfect. Thank you. Well, good day, gentlemen. Yeah. Goodbye, monsieur.
[00:20:47] Unknown:
You know, chief, something about that whale smells awful fishy. Perhaps.
[00:20:53] Unknown:
But I wonder why he doesn't just hop over the channel and collect the insurance money. Maybe he doesn't wanna show his face in France. Show his face? Kenan, I wonder. Chief, I don't like that look. Are the Russian runaways still in your flat? Where else? You're sure no one's seen them? Certain. I can't stall the Klinger forever, but he's been stalled before. I have a different reason, naturally. I can guess what it is. I wanna have a talk to them. They were, as Canon described them, just two nice kids. However desperate their plight, I just couldn't imagine them plunging a knife into a man's heart, and the setting for the murder was too macabre for them to contemplate.
I asked them about the exhibit they'd seen in France.
[00:21:39] Unknown:
How did you find out about the entrance into the whale? By watching the caretaker. He was an old man and rather silly. The whale was on show in the Place De La Poste and we hid behind one of the pillars. We saw him climbing through the mouth. When we heard that the whale was to come to London and then to go to America, we hit upon our plan. Did you meet mister Duclaire? He's the owner. I I don't think so. He was the caretaker we watched.
[00:22:07] Unknown:
You said to Canon that you might have seen the dead man somewhere before. I think so, but I cannot be certain. Well, there's no chance now for a second look. If you saw the caretaker
[00:22:19] Unknown:
again, would you recognize him? Oh, yes. Anushka too. I would know him anywhere.
[00:22:24] Unknown:
Just use your phone, Cameron. What hotel is Ducarin?
[00:22:28] Unknown:
Regent Powless.
[00:22:42] Unknown:
Good morning. Oh, I'd, I'd like to speak to Mr Duclerc, please. Thank you. I'm going to invite him to the office early. I want Mikhail and Anushka hidden in the inner office where they can see him.' 'Hello? Oh, Monsieur de Clare? Oh, this is Mason. Assignment's unlimited.' 'Yes, yes, I barely finished it.' 'Tell me for how long was the whale insured?' 'Yes, yes, it couldn't have lasted forever, could it? Now I see. Right after the American exhibition you would destroy it. Well may I ask how? Yes of course. What better grave for a whale than to be dumped into the sea. Can we make it 01:00?
Thank you that's fine. Goodbye. There's no doubt about it now. Cannon in that outer office for these youngsters I want two more people. Detective inspectors from the murder squad. The stage was set for mister Duclaire's arrival. The police officers were fully briefed and Mikhail and Anushka waited apprehensively. When Duclaire arrived, they recognized him immediately, not as Duclaire but as the old caretaker. Publicity photographs of the real Duclaire were immediately seen to be those of the dead man and the whale. Cannon for once was impressed.
[00:24:12] Unknown:
Well, not bad chief, not bad at all but, what made him do it? Jealousy probably.
[00:24:19] Unknown:
Like you, he didn't fancy having a whale as a bed companion while his employer lived off the fat of the land. The fat of the whale. Oh, all right. He murdered his boss and left his body inside the exhibit. Later, all evidence would have been removed when the wall was dumped in the Atlantic. Cunning. But he couldn't take a chance on going back to France. He might have been recognized by someone in the insurance company. So he had to stay undercover.
[00:24:44] Unknown:
Undercover?
[00:24:45] Unknown:
That reminds me two Russian dancers have to be smuggled into The States somehow. Funny you should mention that. I was just about to brief you on your next assignment.
[00:24:54] Unknown:
Oh, no.
[00:24:56] Unknown:
Well, there you are. That's how the fishmonger had his chips.
