Island of Terror

Steady as you go.

Steady now, steady.

All right, let's have it on the truck.

Is that all they need?

Yes, I think so.

How long will it take to fill the order this time?

Probably three to four weeks.

They ought to give us better service.

And a boat coming once a week is not enough.

You'd think at least they'd get our telephones installed.

- They promised them this year. - Yeah, and last.

- Morning, Campbell, Peter, Ian. - Morning, Dr. Landers.

- I'd like to mail these people. - More books, Doctor?

You islanders are too hardy.

I have to do something to keep busy.

You know, Doctor, you and I should take up chess.

I've got nothing to do either, except when Andy McCracken

has a wee drop too much and tries to break up the pub.

Why don't you try talking to Dr. Phillips over there?

He doesn't like company much.

That's why he picked as isolated a place as this.

No contact with the mainland.

- He's an odd one. - He's not really.

He's one of the top research men in the world.

Researchers are like that.

We wouldn't mind a bit of contact.

They don't care about us because we don't pay enough taxes.

- Ain't that right, Constable? - You speak for yourself, Ian.

You know what? It smells like fog.

Nonsense. I think it's gonna be a lovely evening.

If you weren't a newcomer, you'd feel it in your bones.

A newcomer? I've been here for ten years.

A newcomer just the same.

Good. The cell cultures are prepared, we are ready to begin.

What about Rome, New York, Tokyo?

Are we going ahead without hearing from them?

Yes, I've mailed them full reports this morning.

They'll start as soon as they get them.

The potential across the cell membrane must be maintained

during the radiation of the nucleus.

- Is the tritium state complete? - Yes.

- And the vapor applicator? - It's been corrected.

The histo-connect problem has been solved.

- There shouldn't be any snags. - Good.

Now that we've received the infusion equipment,

I'm certain they will understand my reason for going ahead.

I've waited a long time for this moment.

If we're successful today, it may well be

that we have the cure for cancer.

- Ah, Mrs. Bellows, come in. - Thank you.

Go over there by the fire.

What brings you out on a night like this?

I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm worried about Ian.

He hasn't come home.

Well, sit down. I'll get you some tea.

Oh, no, thank you.

No, no, settle down, and just tell me all about it.

Ian hasn't come home, he's three hours late. That isn't like him.

I'm afraid something's happened to him.

Ah, I'm sure nothing's happened. Did you try the pub?

Yes, and they haven't seen him. I've been all round the village.

I'll tell you what, I'll look about for him,

you go home and I'll have a run with him.

Don't think he's had an accident?

Ah, no, I'm sure everything's all right.

I'll take a look at your north field near Phillips' house.

Now you go on home and don't you be worrying.

I'll do as you say, Constable. I'm sorry for being a nuisance.

You're no nuisance. That's what I'm here for.

Thank you very much indeed.

Ian!

Ian Bellows!

Ian!

Dr. Landers!

Dr. Landers!

- Oh, thank God you're in. - You're in a state.

- I am. I am. - Come in. Come in.

- Sit over there. - Right.

Now, tell me, what's happened?

Now, listen,

you know that I'm not a man that's easily shaken.

- I know. Would you like a drink? - No, no, no.

I've just seen something, and by all that's holy,

I just can't be sure, but I think it's Ian Bellows.

You think it's Ian? What's happened to him?

I don't know, his body is all like jelly.

- Jelly! - Aye.

It's like nothing I've ever seen.

There was no face, just a horrible mush

with the eyes sitting in it.

Where did this happen?

Up near the peninsula, on the path to Parson's Cove.

- Did anyone else see it? - No, no, I don't think so.

Come on, I'll get my hat and coat. We'll go over there.

It's a body, but I can't recognize it.

- Those are Ian Bellow's clothes. - Yes.

- What's happened to him? - I don't know. I don't know.

As far as I can tell, the body doesn't seem to have any bones.

No bones?

Look.

- You see. - Aye.

I'll have to make a closer examination.

We'll have to get it back to the village.

I'll go get something to carry it on.

I'll wait here.

Hurry up, will you?

Well, it's definitely Ian.

I recognized the appendectomy scar and birth mark.

My God. What am I going to tell Mrs. Bellows?

I'll come with you. I'll give her a sedative.

God knows, she'll need it.

Don't mention anything to her about the condition of the body.

No, of course not. I understand.

In fact, I don't want this mentioned to anyone.

Well, they'll have to know soon enough.

Not until I find out what we're dealing with.

What are you going to do?

First, I'll go and see Phillips, I need expert help.

This is quite beyond my knowledge.

What if he won't help, or can't?

I'll take the emergency launch

and go and see Brian Stanley in London.

Don't forget, that launch is our only contact

with the mainland, in case we need help.

Don't worry, I'll come back immediately.

Who is this Brian Stanley?

He's the most eminent pathologist in Great Britain.

Whatever this disease is,

it's virulent and could be contagious.

We can't take chances.

By the way, we might fly back,

so build a signal fire on Moor Heights.

Right.

That'll be all for today, gentlemen.

I... I do hope that something

of what I've been saying has penetrated.

Judging from your last papers,

I doubt if any of you will progress beyond first aid.

Good day.

- Oh, Dr. Stanley. - Yes?

This is Dr. Landers.

Oh, yes, I heard your telephone message.

How do you do?

- Won't you sit down? - Thank you.

- I practice on Peter's Island. - Where the devil's that?

Off the east coast of Ireland.

Ah, yes. And what can I do for you?

Doctor, do you know of any disease

that could completely dissolve human bone?

No, I don't. Why do you ask?

We've discovered a body without any trace of bone in it.

No bone? Are you certain?

- Quite certain. - That's unbelievable.

You haven't heard of anything like this before?

No, nothing even remotely like it.

I was hoping you could help me.

There was no trace of bone whatsoever?

None.

If that's true, it's beyond me.

It's true. I performed a complete autopsy.

Hmm.

- Have you heard of David West? - I think so, yes.

He's the most qualified man on bone disease that I know.

I suggest we see what we can find in the Medical Library.

If that doesn't give us anything, we'll see David.

- If you think he'll help. - If anyone can, he can.

I couldn't find your bathrobe.

I'm sure you don't find the female anatomy

so shocking, Doctor.

It's a bit different from Harley St. How's your dress?

Oh, the spot's out, but I'm afraid

it'll take some time to dry.

Cured beautifully, don't you think?

I'm afraid the credit isn't all mine.

Excellent cognac, David.

Coming from an expert, that's a compliment.

You shouldn't believe everything you read

in the newspapers about me, they exaggerate.

Everything about you seems exaggerated.

You're too charming.

To think I had to break a leg to meet you.

Not to mention writing off a very expensive Maserati.

You should be flattered. It isn't every girl

who goes to such lengths to meet a man.

Besides, I'm sure it's going to be worth it, isn't it?

I may not get places as fast as a Maserati.

But you do get there eventually, don't you?

Eventually.

- When? - I'll let you know.

Don't take too long.

You might run out of petrol on the last lap.

You've got a pit stop or the checkered flag?

I don't know, but in the meantime,

you'll find my dressing gown in the bathroom.

Brian, what the devil do you want at this time of night?

Good evening, David. I hope we're interrupting something.

Dr. David West, may I present Dr. Reginald Landers.

How do you do?

I think he's brought you quite an interesting problem.

Uh, yes, well, you see,