The Mystery of a Hansom Cab

This is a love story, that's what this is.

A tragedy.

We had a deal, an agreement.

He gave me his word.

And this...

this is my one ticket out of this inequitable purgatory.

There is no justice, Ollie.

She would have learnt to love me.

She will learn. That's the spirit.

Huh? Carpe diem. Carpe diem.

You, Roger, you are my one and only friend in this God-forsaken cesspit!

One more for the road then?

This poet's time has come.

Sorry, sir.

Ollie!

City of dreadful night,

city all alight,

city full of spite.

Hey! You're in my way.

Cabby!

Guttersnipe! What's your rush?

Hallelujah! Jesus will save you, miss.

He'll save ya!

Cabby! Stop!

Come on, allow me.

Driver, you better take this man home. He's awfully tight.

Where to? Where do you live, sir?

You!

Alright, then.

Come on. Up you get.

That's the way.

You've had a few, have you?

Alright, in you get. Come on.

If you purge yourself in my cab, you pay for the scrubbing.

I want to go home. St Kilda. Yeah, I heard you. Alright.

Oh, you're back. You forget something?

Thought I'd see him home. Drive on.

Get on, boy. Hup.

Who are you?

What do you want?

Driver! Stop! Whoa.

He doesn't want my help after all.

He'll tell you where to go.

Cabby. Powlett Street.

Hey, where to, sir?

Sir?

Oh, cor blimey.

Sir, where do you want me to take you? Sir?!

My dear friends, may I present a friend from home,

newly arrived to our shores,

a man of impeccable introductions...

Mr Oliver Whyte.

Thank you, Mr Frettlby.

And may I say, I never expected 'Marvellous Melbourne'

to harbour such an oasis of culture... and beauty.

Yes, indeed, we are a thoroughly modern city. Am I right, Duncan?

And with a very bright future.

Calton. Duncan Calton.

My closest ally

and the most fearsome barrister in the colonies.

Then you're a good man to know.

You've already met the light of my life, my daughter Margaret?

Yes, he has. And 'Madge' will do.

Sweet Madge Frettlby, whom I fear I will never forget.

Brian Fitzgerald. What do you do, Mr Whyte?

Oh, I'm a man of many interests,

but exactly what my Melbourne occupation will be,

I couldn't tell you.

Yourself?

In the wool trade like Mr Frettlby.

I have a station up near his.

Well, you'll never be short of a scarf, then, will you?

Felix Rolleston. Part-time journalist, socialite, raconteur...

And infernal gossip. Guilty as charged.

Here, here.

Such power, Miss Featherweight.

Dora practices four hours every day. Ooh! My word.

Lucky piano.

What with the city's boom, it's vital to spread one's investments.

I'm most grateful for the advice.

Clearly your expertise stretches beyond the law.

The law is merely a foundation for greater things.

Once we have civility, we can achieve anything. Well said.

Forgive me. Now I'm sounding like a politician.

So, with your finances assured,

perhaps you can finally attend to matters of the heart?

I think of Madge as a niece,

and after her mother's tragic passing,

having a wedding to look forward to...

Well that is indeed the plan, if, of course, I can persuade her.

I doubt that will prove a challenge...

although you may have to find her first.

I was starting to think you'd abandoned me.

Why would I do that?

Mr Whyte, I thought...

The moonlight transforms your beauty to the heights of a goddess.

That's very kind. Good evening.

A polite conversation...

that's not too much for a weary traveler to ask, is it?

I've come a long way.

Then you must need rest.

Good evening, sir.

Whyte? Mr Frettlby, I do apologise.

I didn't mean to startle you.

Ah, I thought you already departed.

Now, look here, you can't just...

There's a private matter I wanted to discuss with you.

Something rather delicate, if you don't mind?

How could you even ask me?

Madge, you do not understand. This HAS to be.

To that reptile of a man when you know I love Brian.

This is the only way.

I will never marry him. Never.

Whoa. Whoa.

Drive on.

This is absurd! Your father knows of my intentions.

I would have sought his permission last year

had you not been in mourning.

'This has to be' - those were his words.

You're not about to concede? No.

No, of course not.

I love only you, you know that.

Then I will not let this happen, I promise you that.

I don't understand. Whyte?

I do not wish to discuss it.

But, Mark, you must think of the scandal you will cause.

A minor scandal is nothing.

It's common knowledge that Madge and Brian intend to wed.

What will people assume when... Duncan, the matter is closed!

It is not your place to tell me what to do.

On this occasion I must!

Brian is a good man, a self-made man, and Madge loves him.

And if you don't honour that, you'll have not only lost a wife,

you'll lose your daughter as well.

Where is he?

Out of my way!

It's out of my hands. That's it?

That's all you're offering? An apology?

How much do you want?

I've made it perfectly clear what I want,

and I will accept nothing else.

We made an agreement.

Between us, but not with my daughter.

Now, if will just give me some time to find a solution...

There is only one solution!

You have made your decision

and I can assure you, Mr Frettlby, you will most certainly regret it.

What are you doing? Ollie?

Nothing, I was just...

Never mind.

Come on.

It's all gone to hell, Roger. My great plan.

What am I supposed to do now?

All the way out here?

You'll think of something. This is a growing country.

No, no, my life is ruined.

Why did I ever listen to her?

Chin up.

You'll see...

everything's rosier after an ale.

I'll show YOU a good time.

I'd say that's a perfect result.

You and Madge will marry

and produce the most beautiful cherubs in the colonies.

It's not over yet, Felix.

Whatever leverage Whyte must have over Frettlby...

Oh, Fitz, please, you must forget that creature ever existed.

Mmm. Whiffy?

No, thank you. Mmm.

So young, yet so dull.

Very well, my good man. I bid you adieu.

Get up. Drive on.

Cabby!

Guttersnipe! What's your rush?

Hallelujah! Jesus will save ya, miss. He'll save ya!

Yes, I think that was it.

Excuse me! Missy!

Excuse me.

Just give it. What did I just say?

Now move it. Alright!

Uh, sorry to intrude, sir.

A note. Thank you.

Brian? Is anything the matter?

Cabby!

Stop!

Driver, you better take this man home. He's awfully tight.

You!

Oh, you're back? You forget something?

Murder. Murder in a hansom cab!

£100 reward for the killer!

Murder. Murder in a hansom cab!

Not right looking at a man's innards at this hour,

before I've had time to nourish my own.

Chloroform inhalation is the cause.

Externally, the body is healthy.

No marks of violence.

Internally, the lungs are slightly congested,

and the heart has a considerable quantity of dark fluid blood.

Are these his clothes then? Yes.

Jacket? Not on him. And only one glove.