Father Brown

SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYS

Thank you.

Please, leave us alone.

It can wear one down, can it not?

The heat, I mean. - Yes.

I should be accustomed to it by now

but some days... - One can barely breathe.

Give me the bite of a Russian winter any day.

SHE GIGGLES

I'm not sure I'd go that far! - HE CHUCKLES

Nicholai Solovey. - Oh!

Lady Felicia Montague.

I know.

Back in England, I've taken up residence at The Royal Sandford Hotel.

From my balcony, I can see the rooftops of your ancestral estate.

Sadly, the area's beauty has declined somewhat since your departure.

Oh Really? How?

What reason now have the birds to sing or the flowers to bloom?

SHE CHUCKLES

I must go back inside.

The Deputy Governor will be making his speech and we wouldn't want to miss that?

First...

I must ask you a question.

As you know, the past few decades have been difficult for my country.

I believe you may be able to help me

Mr Solovey...

I fear you over-estimate my level of influence.

I'm not interested in state secrets.

It is a personal matter.

Go on.

Artefacts

belonging to my family were seized after the revolution

and sold by the Antikvariat

to collectors in Europe.

Oh, my necklace!

By the Fabergé work-master

Henrik Wigstrom.

Mm.

I had hoped you would be willing to sell it back to me.

I'd make sure you were suitably compensated.

I have great sympathy for your family's losses

but this necklace was a gift from my late father.

It would break my heart to sell it.

How can I persuade you?

After all, I am its rightful owner.

I'm sorry.

Oh, don't worry about Yuri.

He's... an old friend.

Please.

Even if I were willing, I don't have the necklace with me.

It was safer to leave it in England.

Not an insurmountable problem.

I'm not known for easily conceding defeat.

Perhaps-- - Forgive me.

My answer is no.

I hope you understand.

If, you change your mind

you know where to find me.

Who can tell, Lady Felicia

what tribulations the future may hold?

LADY FELICIA SIGHS - on!

Who in the world could travel thousands of miles

and arrive without a hair out of place.

I don't know about that, my dear Mrs McCarthy

but I certainly feel better for seeing you.

Bunty!

Travelling light, Aunt Fliss. I'm impressed!

Ah, well, I had to pack for a colder climate.

Hornby said he'd collect them later.

May we finally find out the reason for your visit?

Your letter was somewhat cryptic.

All in good time.

I'm positively gasping for a proper cup of tea!

Oh, tea!

LUGGAGE CLATTERS

CUP CLATTERS

It's all so embarrassing...

About a month ago, Monty was approached about an investment opportunity.

A diamond mine, supposedly filled to the brim.

How exciting. - Quite.

Only, Monty being Monty

greed got the better of him

and he offered to finance the whole enterprise

invested every penny we have and more.

It transpires the mine had fewer genuine diamonds

than your average pawnbroker.

And to make matters worse, there was a terrible accident.

Workers got injured

and... being the legal owner

Monty was liable.

So... you're coming home?

Sadly, no.

I'm simply back to auction off the family trinkets.

Artworks, jewellery...

We need to raise an awful lot of money.

But presumably the house is safe?

I hope so. It depends how the auction goes.

Having to sell all your prized possessions!

They are only objects, Mrs M.

Save your prayers for the poor men who were down that mine.

They had families to feed

and I'm damned if I'm going to let Monty wriggle out of his obligations.

So when is this auction?

Hornby is driving me to the bank tomorrow morning

so I can collect a few items from the vault

and then straight to the auction-house.

Let me drive you. For moral support.

Why don't we all go?

You're so kind.

Now, who wants a top-up?

TEA DRIPS INTO THE CUP

CAR DOOR SLAMS

We won't be long.

Maybe you could keep the necklace

and the rest of the things would raise enough money?

Not according to the evaluation.

And if we don't clear the debt soon the estate's in danger

and I can't risk losing Montague.

Your memories of your father are the real treasure.

Quite so.

It should get a good price.

We've already had one offer from a Russian chap in Rhodesia.

Well, why not sell to him and save yourself all this trouble?

Well to be honest, there was something about them

that put the wind up me.

And if I must sell I'd rather it go to a good home.

Right. Let's get this over with.

Can I give you a lift, Father? I can pick Bucephalus up later.

No, thank you. Exercise is good for the soul.

Well, you're the expert.

ENGINE WHIRS

I know him!

Who?

Something's wrong.

Quick, follow that van!

Oh. Excuse me!

Leave it to me!

Be careful on that bike!

Mm.

PLAN E PASSES OVER

POLICEMEN CHATTER

He's conscious but we won't get much sense out of him for a while.

I'll contact the security company, see if they can identify the driver.

I've told you, his name is Yuri.

Ah yes, the mysterious Russian.

He works for Nicholai Solovey.

Or, and I'm only speaking hypothetically

it's someone else with a similar scar. - Oh!

Alright. I'll look into it, but I suspect the culprit's a local.

Caught wind of the auction and chanced his arm.

If it was an opportunist, why did he take only the necklace?

There were plenty of other valuables in that case.

He probably made his getaway on foot

and didn't want too much to carry.

Either way, we'll catch him.

And retrieve the stolen item?

He's probably melting it down as we speak. - POLICE SIRENS FADE AWAY

Makes it easier to fence.

But we might get lucky.

I'll be in touch.

Solovey's behind this.

In fact, I'm sure he's responsible for the whole diamond mine debacle.

Anything to force me to sell that necklace.

You said he was wealthy. Why wouldn't he just buy it at auction?

Perhaps he wanted to punish you for refusing his offer.

So you do believe me, Father?

I believe that if we want to retrieve the necklace

Nicholai Solovey is the way to start.

Luckily, I know where he lives.

Oh, yes...

So what now?

Aunt Fliss and I march in there and confront him.

Five shillings says we'll beat a confession out of him in under a minute.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, Bunty but this is my problem.

Your problem?

If you don't get this necklace back

then you'll be forced to sell Montague and I'll be turfed out into the streets!

I'll be like Blind Harry, roaming around Kembleford...

Don't be melodramatic.

I'm sure your mother and father will permit your return

given the circumstances.

What? Go back to London?

Perhaps I should go in. Test the water.

Solovey doesn't know we're acquainted.

Very well.

But if you draw a blank we're doing this my way.

And my way involves pruning shears.

Yes, I've always had my doubts about your family.

Well, their clientele leaves something to be desired

but I do approve of their staff.

Isn't that Daniel Winks?

Who?

He was a chorister at St Mary's.

Not the Daniel Winks that got blind drunk before the Christmas Concert

and then was violently sick over my best shoes?

The very same.

I was always quite fond of him.

Sorry.

Thank you. - Much obliged, sir.

Keeping out of trouble, Mr Winks?