Quotes

Dialogue

Howard: Tell us exactly what happened. Withers: Take your time, Mrs. Crosbie, remember, we're all friends here. Leslie: I ate dinner rather late and started working on my lace. I don't know how long I'd been working when suddenly I heard a footstep outside. Someone came up on the veranda and said: 'Good evening, can I come in?' I was startled because I hadn't heard a car drive up. Withers: Hammond left his car about a quarter mile down the road. Your houseboy noticed it as we were driving here. Robert: Well, he probably didn't want anyone to hear him drive up. Leslie: Well, at first, I couldn't tell who it was. 'Who is it?' I asked. 'Jeff Hammond.' 'Oh, of course,' I said, 'Come in and have a drink.' Howard: Were you surprised to see him? Leslie: Well I was rather. We hadn't seen him for ages, had we, Robert? Robert: Three months, at least. Leslie: I told him Robert was out at our No. 4 Plantation getting out a shipment or something. Was that it?...Well he said, 'Oh, I'm so sorry, but

Dialogue

Leslie: Would I have to be - arrested? Howard: I think you're by way of being arrested now. As a matter of form, you must surrender herself up to the Attorney General in Singapore. Leslie: Shall I be imprisoned? Howard: It depends on what the charge is...Why, I think it not unlikely that he can say that only one charge is possible - and in that case, I'm afraid an application for bail would be useless. Leslie: What charge? Howard: Murder.

Dialogue

Withers: [about Hammond] You know the sort, very breezy, devil-may-care, generous with his money. Howard: Did you like him? Withers: He was the sort of chap you couldn't help liking. Howard: Could you have imagined him doing anything like this? Withers: Well, how can you tell what a man will do when he's drunk? Howard: That's true.

Dialogue

Howard: When I was looking at Hammond's body...[Leslie freezes] Oh, I'm sorry, my dear, but this is a question that's bound to come up. Leslie: Yes, Howard, what is it? Howard: It seems to me that some of the shots must have been fired after he was lying on the ground. Leslie: Oh, I know it was so terribly cold-blooded, but I was so terrified. Everything was confused and blurred. I didn't know what I was doing.

Dialogue

Howard: It's strange that Hammond was able to keep his life so hidden. That gambling house he owned and especially the Eurasian woman. I think it was finding out about her that turned opinion so completely against him. Robert: Will she be one of the witnesses? Howard: I shan't call her. I'll just produce evidence that Hammond was married to her.

Dialogue

Ong: A circumstance has come to my attention, sir, which seems to me to put a different complexion on the case...A friend has brought me information, sir, that there is in existence a letter from the defendant to the unfortunate victim of the tragedy. Howard: That's not surprising. During the course of seven years, I've no doubt Mrs. Crosbie often had occasion to write Mr. Hammond. Ong: But the letter, sir, was written on the day of the late Mr. Hammond's death. Howard: Well? Ong: As you will no doubt recall, sir, that Mrs. Crosbie has stated, that until the fatal night, she had had no communication with the deceased for several weeks. Howard: Yes? Ong: In my opinion, this letter indicates that her statement perhaps was not in every respect accurate. Howard: Have you seen the letter? Ong: I have with me a copy, sir. The original is in possession of a woman - she happens to be the widow of Mr. Hammond, deceased. Howard: It's inconceivable that Mrs. Crosbie should have written such a let

Dialogue

Leslie: Well, I may as well tell you. We heard about his wife. And once, quite by chance, I actually saw her. Howard: Oh? You never mentioned that. What was she like? Leslie: Horrible. She was all covered with gold chains and bracelets and spangles, her face like a mask. Howard: And it was after you knew about her that you stopped having anything to do with Hammond? Leslie: Yes.

Dialogue

Howard: I think I should tell you that there is in existence a letter in your handwriting from you to Geoff Hammond. Leslie: Well, I often wrote him a little note about something or other, or to get me something if I heard he was going into Singapore. Howard: This letter asks him to come and see you because Robert was going to be away. Leslie: Oh, but that's impossible. You see, I never did anything of the kind. Leslie: But that's not my handwriting! Howard: It's an exact copy of one written on the day of Hammond's death. Leslie: What's it mean? Howard: That's for you to say, Leslie. Leslie: I didn't write it. I swear I didn't write it. Howard: If the original is in your handwriting, it would be useless to deny it. Leslie: Then it will be a forgery. Howard: It would be difficult to prove that. It would be easier to prove it was genuine. Leslie: It's not dated. It might have been written years ago. Oh, if you'll just give me a little time, I'll try to remember. Howard: Leslie, the prose

Dialogue

Leslie: You see, I thought none of you would believe me if I admitted that he'd come there at my invitation. You see, I was planning a surprise for Robert's birthday and I'd heard he wanted a new gun, and oh, well I'm so dreadfully stupid about sporty things and, well I thought I'd talk to Geoff about it and ask him to order one for me. Howard: Perhaps you've forgotten what's in the letter. [reading] Robert will be away for the night. I absolutely must see you. I am desperate, and, if you don't come, I won't answer for the consequences. Don't drive up. Leslie. This letter places an entirely different complexion on the whole case. It'll put the prosecution on the track of - suspicions which have entered nobody's mind. I won't tell you what I personally thought when I read the letter. It's the duty of counsel to defend his client, not to convict her even in his own mind. I don't want you to tell me anything but what is needed to save your neck. They can prove that Hammond came to your ho

Dialogue

Leslie: I'm afraid I've made rather a mess of things...You distrusted me from the beginning. Are you going to let them hang me? Howard: What do you mean by that, Leslie? Leslie: You could get the letter. Howard: Do you think it's so easy to do away with unwelcome evidence? Leslie: Surely, nothing would have been said to us - if the owner weren't quite prepared to sell it. Howard: That's true. But I'm not prepared to buy it.

Dialogue

Leslie: You won't have to show Bob the letter, will you? Howard: I'll do everything possible to prevent him from seeing it. He'll be an important witness and he should be as firmly convinced of your innocence as he is now. Leslie: And after the trial? Howard: I'm going to try and save your life. Leslie: But if he loses his trust in me, he loses everything. Howard: Strange that a man can live with a woman for ten years and not know the first thing about her.

Dialogue

Howard: Ong Chi Seng...what are you getting out of this? Ong: Two thousand dollars, and the great satisfaction of being of service to you and our client.

Dialogue

Howard: [about her lacing] It must take enormous concentration and patience. Leslie: I find it soothing. Howard: You mean it takes your mind off other things? Leslie: Is that a legal question? Howard: You're not an ordinary client, Leslie. Leslie: You've been watching me all evening. Howard: I'm responsible for you to the court. Leslie: No, that isn't it. You've been, what, trying to read my thoughts. Howard: I'm trying to understand you. Leslie: Why? Because I'm so - so evil. That's it, isn't it?

Dialogue

Robert: We'd start a new life....this is a chance in a thousand. Leslie: I think the thing to do is to stick it out here. Howard: Anyhow, it's not a thing you want to rush into. There are certain out-of-pocket expenses...the principal item is that letter of Leslie's I mentioned to you...I had to pay a great deal of money for it. Robert: But what was there in the letter? Buying it was a criminal offense, wasn't it? Howard: Yes, it was. I might be dis-barred for it. Robert: I've got to pay ten thousand dollars for that letter, and by heaven, I'm gonna see it.

Dialogue

Robert: [after reading the letter] What does it mean?...What does it mean? Leslie: It means that I was in love with Geoff Hammond. Robert: No! Leslie: Been in love for years. Robert: I don't believe it. Leslie: We used to meet each other constantly once or twice a week. Not a soul had the smallest suspicion. Every time I met him, I hated myself. Yet I'd live for the moment that I'd see him again. It was horrible. There was never an hour when I was at peace and I wasn't reproaching myself. I was like a person who was sick with some loathsome disease and doesn't want to get well. Even my agony was a kind of joy. Then there came a time about a year ago. He began to change toward me. I didn't know what was the matter. I was frantic. I made scenes. I threw myself at his feet...Then I heard about that - that native woman. Oh, I couldn't believe it, I wouldn't believe it. The last I saw her, I saw her walking in the village with those hideous bangles, that chalky painted face, those eyes like

Dialogue

Leslie: It's no use. We can't go on, can we?...You are so kind and generous. You should have the sort of wife you really deserve. Through no fault of yours, I failed you. I wrecked your life. I can't ask you to forgive me. Robert: If you love a person, you can forgive anything. So, what about you? Can you go on? Leslie: I'll try. I'll really try. Robert: That isn't what I was asking. Leslie: I'll do everything in my power to make you happy. Robert: That's not enough, unless - Leslie, tell me now, this minute, do you love me? Leslie: Yes, I do. Leslie: No, I can't, I can't, I can't!! Robert: Leslie, what is it? Leslie, what is it? Leslie: With all my heart, I still love the man I killed!