Father Brown

It is here. Exactly as you specified.

My sources told me you were an exceptional architect.

I can see they are correct.

You honour me.

And what of the builders?

They have been dealt with.

Why do you wear that foreign garb?

Because I am many things.

Physician. Traveller.

Alchemist? That's what they say.

What is in the box?

My greatest achievement.

Something that will one day save this fragile kingdom from itself.

Your secrets are safe here. I hope...

AH!

The King thanks you for your service.

BLADE SLASHES

HE GASPS

HE CHOKES

DOOR CREAKS SHUT

FOOTSTEPS

I know you're there. Show yourself.

Well, who is it?

Well... I..I don't know. I mean,

they've been following me for several days.

Have you ruffled anyone's feathers lately?

Well, I did have had some rather radical ideas about the

impact of the Romans on the local textile industry.

It-it caused a terrible stir.

That's a no, then.

Now, there you go.

Most kind.

There is one possibility.

Professor?

Oh, it may be nothing,

but I think it all started after I came into possession of this.

What is it?

It's the secret diary of the university's architect.

Which would make it over 300 years old.

Why would someone be bothering you over a silly old book?

This is no mere historical document.

The diary claims that someone in the King's inner circle discovered

the secret of alchemy - the method of turning base metals into gold.

Oh, by magic!

Or science.

Nowadays, we'd probably call him a chemist, not an alchemist.

It also claims the secret is hidden at the university.

Super! Does it say where?

Not explicitly.

You look very tired, Professor.

Feeling like a marked man is wearing me down.

I don't sleep, I'm not eating properly.

How can we help?

DOOR OPENS

Hargreaves.

Principal, Professor Ambrose asks if he can borrow the Magister's Key.

Really? Why?

He thought it may be the one referred to in the diary.

An intriguing hypothesis.

Very well.

Good luck.

Thank you, sir.

They'll have this place destroyed!

Exactly.

They should be in the philosophy department,

yet here they are in pre-16th century theology.

Excuse me, I wondered if I might have a word with Professor Ambrose?

Come right in.

Professor, I tried to get hold of the Principal.

Oh, why?

You asked me to speak to him.

Oh, yes. Of course.

He's in a meeting all morning, but I'll keep trying.

Is this to do with the diary?

You know about that?

We-we can trust these people. Tell them what's been happening.

The diary claims that the location of the Alchemist's secret was

hidden in a riddle given to the King's closest advisors.

Could they not just have drawn a map?

Oh, no, no, no!

This was a time when men of intellect were required to

prove their worth. Well, what's the riddle?

"The Key to the Lock to the Door."

The Principal holds an old key as part of his ceremonial items.

It dates back to the 17th century,

when the university was built.

Good idea. We-we should get hold of it.

I'll try, Professor. A pleasure to meet you all.

Yes.

Ladies, have you seen the sights of this magnificent university?

The great hall, the library, the gardens?

Oh, how wearisome. Can't we just go and help "Cheekbones" instead?

No, no. Father Brown is quite right.

We should see all the sights while we're here.

Hilary...

How long have you been having problems with your memory?

He's losing his mind, isn't he?

Father Brown or Ambrose? Either way, the answer is yes.

Oh, that poor man.

Somebody's forced this.

THIEF!

There was a fuss the other day, I was scheduled to give a lecture

and I...

I completely forgot.

It's a cruel trick of nature,

this brain which made my career, deserting me in my twilight years.

I think this business with the diary has been playing havoc with

my nerves.

Who found it?

Timothy Hargreaves.

The boy who was here earlier.

He wanted me to confirm that it was... That it was authentic.

Does anyone else know about it?

Just the Principal.

We're keeping quiet until the official announcement.

The person who has been following you...

Yes...?

Do you think you might be imagining it?

I know what I saw!

Once again - we didn't do anything.

I can repeat it in French if it will get the message across.

Oh, just doing a spot of spring cleaning, were you?

Not really my department. What's going on here?

I discovered these intruders trying to break into the

trophy cabinet.

We are not intruders, we are friends of Professor Ambrose.

This porter of yours has got the wrong end of the stick.

I caught them red-handed.

Please, let us not descend into squabbling.

Penelope Windermere, The Countess of Montague's niece. How do you do?

Malcolm Pendle, Principal.

We were just admiring this marvellous hall and we

noticed someone had broken the lock.

There's nothing of any real value here.

We just dug out whatever cups and medals we could find,

to celebrate 100 years of the university athletic team.

Anything been taken?

One of the old medals has gone.

I am fed up with these student pranks.

I believe this is a police matter.

We're not calling the police for the sake of a piece of old tin!

Obviously these ladies had nothing whatever to do with what happened here.

And as friends of Professor Ambrose, we must extend them every courtesy.

If you insist.

I do.

Now, if you'll excuse me, ladies, I have business to attend to.

The professors may think there's a golden aura around you but I

see you for what you are.

We could have made a great team.

Just think, with my looks and your hostility,

just think how successful our children would be.

That's the problem with pretty boys -

their charms only last till they get what they want.

What on earth goes on inside that head of yours?

"The Key to the Lock to the Door."

Key. Lock. Door.

Door, lock, key?

Professor, do you have any milk?

DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

THUD

Hello, Timothy? Is Professor Ambrose with you?

Hello?

Have you got the diary?

It-it-it's gone.

Professor, are you all right?

I'm very well, thank you very much. And yourself?

Is this chap bothering you?

I stopped him going in the water. Again.

Where has Father Brown got to?

Who?

Professor Ambrose thinks he may have lost something. An old diary.

Oh, yes?

It's valuable.

Well, WE haven't seen it.

Professor, let's get you back to your rooms.

Thank you. That's it.

Look after him.

Requiescat in pace.

Amen.

Hello.

What's happened? Is..is that Timothy?

Is... Is he...?

Yes.

I wonder if you'll be on the scene as quickly when I drop dead, Padre?

Have some respect.

Please, Father, into the corridor.

What ARE you doing here?

I was looking for a friend of mine.

And you are?

I'm just passing. I'll be off. I don't think so.

Name?

Victoria Nicholson.

Thank goodness you're here. My secretary told me what's happened.

Oh, my...

It's quite a little party we're gathering.

I'm Malcolm Pendle, Principal of the university.

Please, tell me anything that I can do to help.

Do you have a spare room we can use?

Can't have everyone standing around out here.

Biology labs are just around the corner.