It's either one of the Fergusons already Meccan time yes come on let's go up to our room. I think would have happened if you hadn't spotted that slip of Wyman's and whatever his name was one that. You knew Steve it's my bet that whoever is behind all this must think that I'm on to something and tried to abduct me you know to to divert your attention exactly I suppose you want to talk about a cocktail party at Mrs Russell's numbs and yes of course that meal code is a good 1. 0. Dollars a gram temple here. Is a gram tell me did you get in touch with Max Wyman sticks. For whiteness way back next. Who did you speak to what you mean Who did you speak to when you found ice. Why did you leave a message. Why did you just take stock tell lies yes someone impersonated Wyman and tried to duck Steve we got the condom back 639 g.x. So I could talk to people straight away so Graham wanted this fellow child sound like so far off track to facts she was. Gentle cutting just fine no no it doesn't sound like it or I think it's a gram out keep in touch Goma. Said Ram telephone wire and but he was away so Graham left a message with a man called Rudolf Charles you think it was Charles of impersonated Wyman I don't it. You know Paul it is a very curious case isn't it or do you mean degrade Harry's he was mixed up in this case it must be otherwise it wouldn't be mad the brig had it was hardly the sort of man to associate with young folk isn't your brother depends what a young Ferguson was up to and then take this man to nights when both needed one then he was a very different type from it and will give me the red head just a hybrid Yes I know Don But what I'm getting at is this it seems to me that we're up against something a little different this time but again something over all right. Mr Temple Yes My name is Rudolph Chas I'm a friend of Mex vitamins I spoke as a clam for some kind of yes yes come in Mr Giles like to me thank you. I hope I'm not intruding No not at all as a matter of fact I intended to go to Major this evening Mary introduce my wife this is Rudolph Chas Steve Young Man's around and shoot he's a friend m x y m n is the real Max Wyman What do you mean Mr Temple so in Mexico I'm a short while ago a young man called on us and introduced himself as Max Wyman but Max is in Scotland he is not due back until tomorrow night I thought said Graham that over the telephone Yes I know you did so why should anyone want to impersonate Max was to chose did you tell anyone that you'd spent just a gram No you didn't mention to any of your friends that I was staying here in that Graham wanted Max Wyman to look me up Oh I should Hi Mr Temple it's common knowledge that you are staying here in what I mean I haven't just since evening paper as yours but it isn't common knowledge that So Graham tried to telephone why Man Oh well I see your point I was on a person who knew about the telephone call exactly what I can assure you I didn't mention it to anyone and it didn't seem very important. Mr tempera I tell you why I called on us this evening in one of the London papers there's a report that a man called Mick Ridge American that's right there's a report that he saw Richard focus and in London 2 days ago he says it was focus and he saw your own will is there any truth in it is opposing I said there was some truth in it there in that that would explain a great deal or do you mean some warning after Richard Ferguson was method or was shall we say the morning after the body was discovered a friend of mine sort she saw Richard go into the income tax she actually followed him into the restaurant when she got inside how it was a place was empty Well naturally Elliot laughed at her he thought it was a hallucination Elliott Yes Mark Elliott he owns in contact was Mr Elliott a friend of Richard's in in a case or they see Mr Temple do you think my friend really did see Richard how well did you know Richard Ferguson or not today where we we met at debating society is that sort of saying he was not a personal friend of mine was he a personal friend of this goes on I don't 6 had met him more than 2 or 3 times and she was probably mistaken it was most likely someone else you saw we're just going down to have a drink will you join us I should like to but I have a date a tough 1st 7 and some other time perhaps yes of course Good bye Mrs Temple but not just the jobs I get next to give you all ring the moment he returns from Scotland thank you oh by the way did you ever meet a friend of young persons called Jonathan Jonathan Yes No I'm afraid not why but I wanted that's all good night Mr Sorrels. Well. I don't care for that young man you do and why not he's far too attractive and that accent every good makes during the moment he returns from school come on let's go down have a drink oh Paul why do you think Reggie mechanize gave that story to the press about seeing Richard I mean so Graham told him to keep it quiet he made quite a point of it you know he didn't just. Come on darling drinks. Are you in the land Steve I'm going to get some cigarettes All right. Everybody cigarettes. I haven't got near the moment oh it's all right I'll get some at the bar. Oh Good evening Mrs Russell. How are you these days are you going. There's a long johns as we saw you madam yes George tell me how you got it Mr Temple staying in the hotel you mean Mr Paul Temple Yes. This is Mr Temple Madam Oh. I beg your pardon Mrs Russell Yes What can I do for you well I don't know whether you've heard of me or not Mr Temple but I was a friend of Richard Fergus Of course I've heard of you Mrs Russell as a matter of fact my wife's just finished reading a book of yours the Purple Moon I hope that. Curiously enough Mr Temple I've just finished a book of yours the dog oh that. The papers say you're investigating the Ferguson case is that true I'm certainly very interested in the case well perhaps you don't know but I'm considered a suspect in the Ferguson case really yes I'm the notorious Mrs Russell we influenced an impressionable young undergraduate new sound as if you've been talking to dine and. She isn't the only one who thinks that way but is convinced that if I didn't actually murder Richard I most certainly had something to do with it. Have you seem to night's paper Mrs Russell of course I have that's why I'm here I wouldn't have known that you were in Oxford if I hadn't read Oh you mean that absurd story of course Richard's dead I have to identify his body I think this man Macintosh must be out of his mind I'm surprised at the press spoiling for such nonsense and supposing I told you that at least 2 other people had seen Richard and I should say that Mr Mackintosh wasn't the only person who needed his head examined . Let's join my wife Mrs Russell she's in the lounge but you don't really believe this story do you you would think that Richard Ferguson is alive yes I do but it's not so absolutely not. In any case I know he's Did you know I had a letter this afternoon from the man who murdered him. This is Russell thank you Paul you have the other chair I sit on the bed I'm sorry dragging you up to our bedroom but we can at least talk more freely Yes of course. Mrs Russell about that letter before I show you the letter I want to talk to you about Richard I want to make quite certain that you understand my side of the story I'll do my best well I wasn't in love with Richard Ferguson and I never made love to him either he had talent but like most young writers he needed encouragement I read pretty well everything Richard wrote I criticised his work I lent him books introduced him to influential people if that's going to be exercising an evil influence then I certainly exercised it over Richard Ferguson go on Mrs Russell. When Richard was murdered certain people suggested I was responsible but surely you know they didn't actually accuse me of committing the murder but they insinuated that I'd introduced him to the wrong people and insinuations are very little importance it's what the police think that really matter is that that's just the point I believe the police think that I really did have something to do with the murder. Show me the letter you received it simply typewritten note unsigned it arrived by the 1st post this morning America. Read it out and damages Russell I feel quite sure that you are more than anyone else would like to have the employers do it belonged to Richard Ferguson. What makes you think this note was sent by the person who murdered her cousin because this is what he said to me the signatory Yes if the person who wrote that note didn't murder Richard then how did they get hold of the ring is it Ferguson's ring Yes you're sure quite sure so you believe that young Ferguson was murdered and the murderous stole the signet ring and then for some reason which isn't at all clear center do yes. Where was a letter posted bull. London s w 7 last night. Did you ever meet a friend of Richard Ferguson's called Jonathan Jonathan who I don't know the reason I ask is because a postcard arrived after the murder it was signed Jonathan so far the police have been unable to locate the center is it important everything's important when you're investigating a murder. Have you looked at this ring very closely why I don't know just what's on the inside you know there are some letters and numbers you can see them quite clearly not. A 4 d. For all. That's punny kind of a note is that before your no idea what it means most of the slot just I'm afraid I should have to keep it and the note for the time being yes of course. This is also you said you introduced Richard to quite a lot of influential people did you introduce him to a man called Mark Elliott Yes I did he runs a restaurant and he owns a restaurant the income to your staying in Oxford for any length of time you'd be well advised to try and. How old is Mr Elliott Oh middle forty's is he mad you know he's a better and a teetotaller does he live in Oxford Yes he has a very beautiful flat about the restaurant was he a great friend of Richard Ferguson's you know I don't think Mark liked Richard that much you know Richard president of the Curia boy I was very fond of him but he could be very difficult at times how do you mean difficult where sometimes you talk too loudly and too often about things you knew very little about I understood him I knew it was all part of a boyish enthusiasm that trademark wasn't quite so tolerant and I can understand that. This is Russell Don't you sometimes write for a magazine called The new feature Yes I write a weekly article for the month of the name of Europa the way someone sent Mr or Mrs Ferguson a copy of that magazine. The name your report was underlined the person who underlined it also scribbled the words if you want to know who murdered your son ask Europa to sleep thing to do and I'm inclined to agree Have you any idea who did it down oh no I haven't it might have been any one of my dear friends. Mr Temple tell me quite frankly do you think I murdered Richard Ferguson No I don't for the simple reason that I don't think he was murdered. But I'd still like to know who sent the Fergusons that magazine. This is Rest of was right about this restaurant Paul certainly is attractive to us I think perhaps they could have done with just one chandelier less perhaps one good evening sir but even have you reserved a table No I'm afraid we haven't I shall have to keep you waiting about a quarter of an hour I'm sorry that's all right but it's a lady's cloak room on the 1st film and I'm thinking I see you know to go Yes All right Steve. You seem very busy tonight like this most nights on Saturdays it's quite impossible to get a table unless you reserve well in advance how long have you been open just about a year when it's obviously a great success yes it is can I get anything to drink no thanks I think I'll wait for my wife medical time I have never missed a tim 400 Miss Nelson was that Mrs Temple just going up stairs yes to no I thought it was I said to Reggie that I'm sorry this is my brother in law Reggie McIntosh Yes we've met before haven't we Mr Mackintosh Yes we have the last time we met you cry no I know exactly what you're going to say. Mr Temple's annoyed with Medina and for a very good reason too I'm afraid what you mean Rachel Well go on you'd better tell Mr Temple so Graham Forbes of Scotland Yard told your brother in law that under no circumstances Misty told the press that he'd seen Richard Ferguson Well I did tell them here I'm sorry but the fact is I had a few drinks with a pal of mine one of the theatrics boys he stopped to talk about the fairies in case and. Well I simply had to tell him that I had seen Richard at Mr Temple What does it matter that the newspapers say the fact remains that Richard's alive and I'm sure there's a perfectly simple explanation to the whole mystery and I hope you're right but don't forget if the murdered man wasn't rich and famous he was certainly somebody here and someone murdered. You're not suggesting that Richard did well that's the only simple explanation I can go on. You mean Richard invited this man to his flat shot him in the head so that he couldn't be recognized dressed up in his own clothes as sir. Someone committed a murder Yes Well I'm quite sure that Richard didn't. How long he was staying in Oxford Mr Mackintosh Oh dear so I used to pop walks for 2 or 3 times a week I'm in the textile business I think we ought to be making a move Reggie I don't want to be late yes or I don't know oh Miss Nancy yes. Have you seen this before. But you get that ring from you haven't answered my question when you get that ring was it Richard Ferguson's Yes you're sure the essential please let me have it I would die and I died and idea why do you want the ridiculousness because I haven't got anything of Richard I haven't got anything to remember him back now you're talking as if Richard was dead only a moment ago you seem quite convinced that he was supposed to temple please please let me have it really I'm sorry Miss Nelson. What are you going to do with it handed over to the police but it's the temple Don't you really stupid if Mr Temple considers that the ring is important it's his duty to hand it over to the police after all that I don't forget Mr Temple is a private investigator so far as the police are concerned he's in the same position as you all die. I'm sorry Mr Temple I didn't mean to be stupid Come along Diana Good evening Diana but evening McIntyre for Good evening sir you're just leaving Yes we've had an excellent dinner and I'm just taking Dinah home you'll probably tired Dinah Yes I've had rather a busy time just making Oh I beg your pardon may I introduce Mr Temple Paul Temple market how do you know if the devil is in the present surprised either true or not yes most people seem to have had a good night and good night good night good night Dinah if you should want to get in touch with Mr Temple I'm staying a call more I'll be there until Friday remember that you're not good not. You alone you know I'm waiting for my wife may I offer you a drink while you're waiting oh well thank you that's going to the cocktail. Good evening Mr Elliot and I got involved in what to do like Tom Mann I have a dry martini has a cause dry martini Bob in the usual me yes. I suppose you've seen the story in the paper has a 5 Richard fax Yes Is it true. Yes I think it is in other words young Ferguson is alive Yes Well I'm delighted to get it why was Ferguson a friend of yours and no to be candid I couldn't tolerate the fellow I prefer my intellectuals to be over 40 and know the reason I'm delighted to hear that he's alive is simply because well I find this rather difficult to put into words and you can speak quite freely to me as I'm sure I can it isn't that but. Why look temple in the morning I had that Richard Ferguson with mud and I was terrified absolutely terrified you see I had a motive from budging young folks in the men a strong motive what was your motive Richard Ferguson was blackmailing me. Gosh I'm telling. You did you like that restaurant decided Downing it's a little boy have but I liked it and wrote about Mark Elliott I don't know quite what to make of him he's a peculiarly a mixture doesn't he certainly is you know what he told me Steve before you joined because. He told me that Richard Ferguson had been blackmailing him what he told me in confidence that during the past 6 weeks young Ferguson that had about 2000 pounds out in did I tell you what young Ferguson was blackmailing him about it and must have had plenty of money this fall is that it will doesn't mean to say that Richard was. Steve what did you think of Mrs Russell Well much to my surprise I did grab a favorable view of. You know this maybe this is a very smart woman. She can adapt to the company she's with. What is it. So who do you think might disagree. With the said Graham showed me. How to Write who isn't I don't know you. All temper yes which facts speak he want to come back this. Time or I go on I'm starting psychiatry one. Yes well I want to stick to scanner fasting tomorrow morning which is. Kind of a. Close call to address yes 3 more to close at this time but if you do what I tell you take that ring I give you my word of honor Beecher Taranaki anyway and your time and tell you exactly what this is all about how would you know whether Mrs Goddard has got the ring on autonomy. Or I'll do what you say. When she wanted to meet you suggest the place I'll be there but you're not being kept at the restaurant yes but surely this is kind of like it's the ring I see that to morrow night 10 o'clock Ok I can depend on that you can depend on a temple. Right. I. Was a pretty young Fergus not Steve. Where did I put that ring you put it in your pocket at least you said you did yes I put it in my inside pocket to keep pocket I'm sure I did an absolute positive vibe. Steve it's gone darling you can't just think when it went to see it last night showed it to Diana knows it was while you were in the cloak room then I put it back in my inside pocket and deliberately What is it I was just thinking Ridge a Macintosh stood very close to me while Dinah Nelson was saying good night to Elliot I don't think it is age American dustbowl Why do you say that I didn't get your ticket I think it took it just as I walked into the cocktail bar makes you think that I don't remember you both stood up you were standing very close together and you took him by the arm and move the table slightly so that I could get by your right Steve. Come in. This is focused on the devil come in Mrs Ferguson I. Am so sorry to disturb you we did call around earlier this evening we've only been back 5 or 10 minutes I was staying here Mrs Biggs Yes we are just along the corridor we arrived about 8 o'clock we came down to see Mrs got of that riches landed in Mr Temple Yes I know her well she telephoned us this morning and put us seems rather worried what about exactly Well apparently a letter arrived for Richard this morning and Mrs Gulliver opened it by mistake what sort of letter but that's just the point the letter doesn't seem important it doesn't see the Tory important and yet well it's from that friend of Richard's The one no one seems to know anything about. Jonathan I am . That was the 3rd if the 4th temple and the Jonathan Mr transistor part of Paul Temple was paid by Peter Cook and Steve by Margery West. Play was produced for the b.b.c. By Martin c. Which I am. Going. To say he's got that ring who is Jonathan and will Richard Ferguson spill the beans if indeed that was Richard Ferguson on the phone so many questions will the Jonathan mystery throw many more says off to the weekend let's hope so. What's lurking in this weekend's by mention a now abandoned house reveals its tragic history he's go. Back you know how was he to help you personally ge