The Monocle's Sour Laugh (Le monocle rit jaune)

- Oh, it's you, Dromard. - Yes, colonel. Mission accomplished.

Very good. Here we have the details of the next one.

- Start the projection as soon as you're ready. - Wait.

Well, briefly, the facts are as follows.

On May 5, in the Moscow region, professor Vorontsov was killed in a car accident.

The brakes of his car had been sabotaged.

The professor was a specialist in Soviet nuclear missiles.

Whether these are independent accidents or a disaster like this one, which was also sabotage,

we are facing a series of attacks occurring in every country in the world,

and they always target men working in scientific research.

Here, 127 people died on the road.

Here, you can see a derailed train in the USA, also the result of an attack.

Scientists, transport, prototypes, electrical installations, factories,

the target is anything that could help nuclear physics.

And last week, they tried to bomb the plant at Marcoul.

- What do you think? - A bad streak.

Yes. Dromard, all these attacks have one thing in common, atomic research.

We believe that the same person or group of people is responsible for all this.

We must find out who they are and we are counting on you for that.

But what about the UN?

France has decided to pursue the matter alone.

Informing an international organization would lead to committees

and subcommittees being formed before any action is taken.

- I know, colonel, that you prefer... - Not to waste time in pointless discussions.

Are we dealing with a group of fanatics?

Some sect or rebirth ritual? A conspiracy?

We must act, Dromard. And quickly.

- What do you have in your file? - Two suspects.

The name of this man is Bergourian.

He took part in the aborted sabotage of the facilities at Marcoul.

His accomplices were executed. We let him escape.

In Marseille, he boarded the "Laos", bound for Hong Kong.

This young woman seems to follow him like a shadow. Her name is Valérie Castarelli.

She is also on her way to Hong Kong. Beyond that, she is completely unknown to our services.

Bergourian is our only lead. Track him down and uncover the head of his network.

I trust you.

- As usual, your instructions... - I know, my colonel.

Dromard, you have full authorization during your mission, to act in the interest of France.

In less than twelve hours, Sergeant Poussin and I will board the "Laos",

and we will accompany Mr. Bergourian to China. And beyond, if necessary.

Dear Poussin, this land is eternal China.

Can you smell the fragrance carried by the wind from the Middle Kingdom?

Can you hear the metallic ringing of Ming China...

In the overgrown palaces where Mandarins spend their days with charming concubines?

When I was a child, the good monks collected the silver wrappers from our chocolates

to buy trousers for the little Chinese children.

That is a lot of chocolate bars.

Yes. A whole generation of children in France, myself included,

developed liver problems so that the babies of Beijing

would not have red bottoms from exposure to the cold. How touching.

If Chinese hospitality is not a legend, someone must be waiting for our friend.

And not just anyone.

Welcome to Hong Kong. Chinese hospitality... We're off to a good start.

Find out who shot him. They all look alike.

I am afraid that was the end of the trail we had.

I must admit that this was a very annoying incident.

It is hard for me to believe that anyone would mourn the death of Mr. Bergourian

but I have already met a highly emotional person

and we may assume that this one knew him.

At last we have some luck.

Major, allow me to pay my respects.

Frédéric de La Pérouse, French Consulate secretary. I’m here to make your mission easier.

I am very sorry. I couldn't have known. And your chief asked me to welcome you.

- Oh, then it was the colonel... - Yes, he is an old friend of my father.

He has known me since I was a baby, so as you understand he trusts me.

He has nothing to risk; he is in Paris.

- I have my instructions for you. - So, we're supposed to take orders from you?

- You understand correctly, Major. - What?

Please, Poussin, don't get excited. What are these instructions?

First, stay in the city center to avoid attracting the British police.

- Second: this will facilitate your work. - Good start.

Anyway, I will try to provide you with information about Bergourian.

Bergourian died on the pier and our lead was gone.

Yes, but I will visit the headquarters of the British Police.

- I will be less obvious than you would be. - The English? Be careful, my major!

I didn't know we were at war with the English!

My young man, it is always good to be at war with the English.

The man you will visit must be your only contact in Hong Kong. You will not move.

I will deliver your luggage and give you instructions by telephone.

- Does the owner speak French? - At least he holds a French passport.

Well then, you are in the Chinese city, take the stairs.

I can't come with you. I fear I'll be recognized, but the place is easy to find.

It is on the 1st main road that you will encounter at the end of the stairs, with arches.

Simply ask for "Temple" street and find number 11A.

It is not luxurious, but it is comfortable... at least, habitable.

You will see a small staircase. Go up it and you will see an apartment.

On the door you will see a sign, "Eli Services". That's it.

- Forgive our intrusion. - Welcome, Major! I am Eli Magierifski.

I see that we have nothing to hide from you.

Apparently, our young attaché from the embassy does not believe in discretion.

- Mr. Eli Magierifski, you said? - "Eli Services." Excellent cover, Major.

I am the main supplier for crews and passengers.

Mandarin dresses, cameras, radios, Chinese pajamas

and... some good addresses.

Quality and discretion.

Until further notice, my name is Perceval. And Mr. Magierifski, please don’t mention my rank.

You can rely on me, Maj... Mr. Perceval. I know very well that, in our line of work,

speaking carelessly can prove fatal.

Be careful, the enemy's ears are listening.

I did not know that it was a Chinese saying.

Silence, Poussin. If Mr. Magierifski has some experience, it may prove useful to you.

Oh, experience... I have had many experiences, and not all pleasant.

To survive, I had to learn quickly.

The War Cross decoration, the Volunteer Medal. The... Far East Medal.

- Are all these your achievements? - No. I started in Berlin, in 1918.

The year I was born. A bad year.

A matter of perspective.

Oh, you know, when you are a fifteen-year-old boy in 1933, in Nazi Germany,

and your name is Eli Magierifski... the concepts of homeland and history are rather confused.

We too had some unpleasant experiences, a little later.

I experienced those too, major.

Belgium, the retreat toward the bridges of the Loire River, the debacle.

I crossed the borders of Spain, then North Africa followed, the Italian campaign,

and finally: June 1944, the Great Day!

The Normandy landing.

And then, Eli?

Tonkin, all the way to Dien Bien Phu. After that, I found that my springs were broken.

Times had changed. When I was discharged,

I decided to stay in the Far East, but I had to choose a side.

And you obtained a French passport in exchange for...?

A small job. I am the insignificant employee of the secret services here.

Is that an official title?

No. My remuneration is classified in your files, as "miscellaneous expenses".

You must prove you're worth more than that.

Sorry... Please? Oh, for you, Mr. Perceval.

Your friend Bergourian was the protégé of a banker named Pei Tong Sen,

who will be tonight in Aberdeen, at an illegal gambling game.

Eli will take you there. Tell him it is at Yong's.

Congratulations, young man.

Well, they always speak badly of employees, when in reality they do most of the work.

- Here it is. In one of these gambling dens. - Which one of them all?

At Yong's.

We must ask for directions. It is always moving.

Because of the police, since it hosts illegal gambling.

Some say that they even smoke opium there.

An opium den? At last! The air will smell of China!

This place seems full of dubious characters.

- My dear fellow, are you armed? - Oh, no, major.

- I find you careless. - I have my lucky charm, major.

Perfect. But call me Perceval, please. Poussin!

That's it! I recognize him.

- Mr. Pei Tong Sen? - Yes.

Allow me to introduce myself. Professor Perceval.

- From Dignes. I am French. - My honor.

I want to speak to you about Mr. Bergourian, whom I travelled with.

Please, do me the honor of sitting beside me.

Only a fool can believe that it is wise to hide his true soul.

What would you say to telling me the truth?

Gladly.

I was following Bergourian, and I know why he was killed.

His bosses thought it best to cut the thread that could lead me to them.

Only you can help me now. Who are they?

The people who, in a few minutes, will kill both me and you.

A very ominous prospect.

Is it however inevitable?

You fell into a trap that was not intended for you, but for them. As you see, I am the bait.

The British police are the hunter.

Now I understand how this young cretin was able to find such an easy way to reach you.

The British are also interested in my brother Pei Ping.

If I understood correctly, your brothers want to kill you? Why?

We disagree on a subtle interpretation of the text. Our sect is divided into two factions.

Your sect?

Our leader, the Heavenly King or Ting Hium,

- He has his own monastery in Macao. - In Macao?

Yes. The oldest temple is located there.

There, the sacred principles of our ancestors were established.

As they did, our master Ting Huam must bring absolute peace to the world.

And your brothers want to kill you for the sake of peace?

We do not agree on the means of achieving peace.

I can guess who is approaching.

In your next life, please do us the honor of being born in our country.

Forgive me, Major, but the junk has been blocked and men are coming aboard.

We know. They are coming to kill us.

But... shouldn't we do something about it?

- Lower your voice, please. - If we must die, then we will die.

We cannot stay like this. We must do something. Will we die without doing anything?

That would not be fair, my major. What do you say, major? Would it be fair?

To tell you the truth, Eli, I do not enjoy your constant complaining.

The major is in the corridor. We must get moving.

Well, gentlemen, since you all agree, I suppose we must fight.

Eli, your lucky charm will be useful to us. My dear Poussin, you must open this door.

Twenty-one. Twenty-two. Twenty-three. Twenty-four. Twenty-five.

Well then, won't you explain yourself?

Come, let us be serious. You must imagine that Mr. Magierivski is known to our services.

I know that I am not speaking with tourists.

And furthermore your passports...

Fake! Amateur work!

All right, can we talk like old friends?

Forgive me. So, where were we, sir...

sir... Perceval! Let it be, temporarily...

Well then Mr. Perceval, you have not been arrested by the Narcotics Squad,

as could have happened, but by the Special Branch.

As a senior officer, I am responsible for political security in Hong Kong

and the New Territories.

Without me, there is no residence permit, no travel permit, no permit for anything.

But with me, everything is possible

even small commercial transactions if your information is interesting.

Good. We British would not resort to violence...

but sometimes we hire Chinese specialists.

The guard dies but does not surrender.