Moonfleet

Moonfleet.

Where do you come from, boy?

Can't you hear? We asked you a question.

Don't you touch that!

That's my letter! My mother's letter!

With your permission, young sir.

"My dearest son, John,

I write while I have the strength.

Make your way to Moonfleet,

and there seek out a gentleman named Jeremy Fox,

who, as I hear, has returned from the colonies

to live in the house which was my home.

I do not know what the years have done to him...

...but I do know that he will be your friend for my sake.

God bless and keep you both."

It's always a pleasure to see such friendly faces.

Come to the fire, my dear.

My business here will not detain me long.

Greening.

Last night, Master Greening, I dined with Lord Ashwood.

The dinner was excellent, but deficient in spirits.

This was the more surprising

since I had recently sent His Lordship

by special messenger four casks of French brandy.

The stuff was delivered.

To whom?

And how much did you take for it, Master Greening?

Maybe I don't choose to say.

And maybe the others don't choose to...

A good price, I hope,

for it's the last delivery you'll be making in many a day.

Get out.

Mr. Fox, talking of deliveries, here's one just come.

John Mohune.

Olivia's son.

Landlord, look after my guests.

Would you mind if I asked you for proof of some kind?

Not at all, sir.

It's only natural.

What's that?

That's my grandfather's ring.

There's the Mohune crest.

Olivia...

I may as well tell you that I have no affection

for the name you bear,

nor has anyone in these parts.

Moonfleet's had its bellyful of the Mohunes.

Mohune justice, Mohune tyranny, Mohune pride.

Come...

Don't let's quarrel on such short acquaintance.

Drink up, John Mohune.

Go on, sit down.

What became of your mother in the great world?

How did she fare when her family fortunes went to smash?

After my father died, she taught school.

And I cleaned out grates and things,

and ran errands.

Did you like that?

The exercise was beneficial.

Why did she send you to me? Was there no one else?

No one but you, sir.

What am I supposed to do with you?

Make you a pillar of society,

like myself?

Thank you, sir.

What do you mean by that?

It's nice to have a friend.

A friend!

You disabuse yourself of that whimsy!

Your mother presumed on a piece of folly

that both of us lived to regret!

And the Mohunes saw to that.

They married her off to the first available cousin

and they shipped me to the devil by the quickest road.

Ah, but the devil and I became fast friends,

as everyone in Moonfleet will tell you.

Take him upstairs. Put him to bed.

Did they look after you while I was away? Hm?

"As the whirlwind passeth,

so is the wicked no more."

Proverbs 10:25.

Come on, before it's dark.

Are you taking me to Mr. Fox?

Is that Mr. Fox's carriage?

You are, aren't you?

Never you mind, sir.

Now, in you get.

I want to go to Mr. Fox!

Well, then, want must be your master.

In you go, young sir.

Let me out! Help!

Boy! Boy!

Who are you?

I'm looking for Mr. Fox. Do you know where he lives?

He lives in the manor house.

I'll show you. We're neighbors.

- Come on. - Thank you.

You forgot your hat.

Who's that?

A smuggler.

What did he smuggle?

Brandy and silk and tobacco.

Why don't his people come in the night and take him down?

Mr. Maskew won't allow it.

Who's Mr. Maskew?

He's the magistrate.

He says Moonfleet's a nest of smugglers.

He means to make an example out of this one.

He must be a beast!

He's my uncle.

- I'm sorry. - So am I.

But it can't be helped. Come along.

That's Mohune Manor in there.

Oh, John, how long will you stay here?

Always.

Stop!

Grace?

Yes, Uncle?

Who is that with you?

John Mohune. He's a friend of Mr. Fox.

Mr. Fox?

Ah, indeed!

Mr. Fox has the most interesting friends.

Give him my compliments, Mr. Maskew's compliments.

It has long been my wish to get

better acquainted with my neighbor Mr. Fox...

and his friends.

Drive on.

Bravo!

Encore!

Give us an encore!

Encore, encore, another dance.

Encore, another dance. Encore!

I want to see Mr. Fox, please.

- He's expecting me. - Mr. Fox?

Yes. Will you let me in, please?

What sort of a man are you?

Here I am, offering you the chance of a lifetime,

and I find you absorbed in... other things.

You should know, Ashwood, there's a time for business

and a time for other things.

Jeremy...

Hmm?

You have a visitor.

It's me, sir.

What the devil?

I beg your pardon, sir.

I didn't know there'd be ladies present.

Shall I withdraw, sir?

Not before you've explained yourself.

- Sir... - Huh?

I was kidnapped, sir.

- You don't say! - Yes, sir.

What have you done with my coachman?

Overpowered him and left him for dead?

Sir?

It was I who ordered you removed from Moonfleet,

and sent back North to a school

where you'll spend what's left of your boyhood

being starved, bullied and beaten

into a finished English gentleman.

Hear, hear.

Is that your decision, sir?

It is.

You wouldn't care to discuss it?

You have views on the subject?

Yes, sir. I'd rather stay here.

The boy's right.

You can't blame him if he likes gay company!

Have a drink, boy!

No, thank you, sir.

Or would you rather dance with that young lady over there?

No, thank you, sir. I can't dance.

Well, what can you do? Can you sing?

That's right. Give us a bawdy song!

If we like it, we'll tell Fox to let you stay.

Hey, how about it, John? Have you got a song?

- I know one, sir. - Well, sing it!

Bravo, bravo.

Now, sir, do I stay?

Who's to undertake your education?

You, sir.

Don't be selfish, Fox.

If the boy's heart's set on a career of rascality,

there's no man in England can set him a better example!

Sir, I object to that remark.

What?

- What's that? - You understood me, sir.

Savage little beast.

John! You will apologize to Lord Ashwood.

No, sir. He insulted you. They all insulted you.

You're a stubborn, ill-mannered little lad!

Tooley!

Bed this young colt down for the night.

Pack him off to school, the sooner the better.

Drum some manners into him.

I've changed my mind, Ashwood. I like him as he is.

And how long is he to stay here?

As long as it amuses me.

What do you intend to do with him?