 The weird circle. In this cave, by the restless sea, we are met to call from out the past storage, strange, and weird. Bellkeeper, hold the bell, so all may know we are gathered again in the weird circle. Of the past, phantoms of a world gone by speak again the immortal tale, the red hand. I am standing here in the rain, waiting for him to die. And in a moment now, the sound of a trap dropping open will echo over the shining west street, and he will be dead. Then I can walk in this world I live in. Walk as freely as perhaps you do, without death in the wake of my footsteps. Listen, my life was not always bounded by four walls and a lonesome room. No, my life was full, rich and full, and I lived in a French province on the upper Rhine. I was beautiful, they said, golden hair, vigorous with life. They said I could have married any man in all the province. I was wealthy as well as beautiful. Oh, many years ago it seems. I was visiting Madame Ruprex in Strasbourg. At a party there one night, I met Monsieur de La Torrelle. A very great pleasure, mademoiselle. Oh, how do you do, monsieur, and thank you. Some champagne out on the terrace, mademoiselle? Thank you, monsieur. I think a breath of fresh air would be very nice. Oh, this is better. I'm more at home under a full moon. Really? A different girl under the same old moon. Oh, please, mademoiselle, I only meant that this is more appropriate. Outdoors, the moon, the smell of the knife, the trees, and you. A beautiful woman to talk to. Oh, thank you, monsieur. Madame Ruzelmundo, permit me. We have just met, but I have never known a more beautiful woman ever. Anyone I wanted more. You shouldn't kiss me like that, monsieur. Well, don't look so surprised. Do I? Exactly the same way as when I kissed your hand back there. Shall we go in? To safety? Please, monsieur, I... Madame Ruprex is looking for us. And Monsieur de La Torrelle? Well, I can't turn my back for a second. Where have you two been? We were just... Just a breath of fresh air, you know. You have other acquaintances for me to meet, Al Gambo. How did you guess? Come along, monsieur. Oh, mademoiselle, we shall meet again. Our animals have some wonderful news for you. And where is Monsieur de La Torrelle? He had to leave hurriedly, send his goodnight to me. But listen, he's coming to see you tomorrow. I arranged it all. But what if I... what if I don't care to see him? But, my dear, he's a catch if there ever was one. They say he's fabulously rich, has a chateau in the Vorge and everything. And your objective is wanting to visit you. Forgive me. I suppose it is all right. Of course it is. Now, run along and get... Well, Monsieur de La Torrelle did come to see me the next day. And the day after that... And within a week he'd stolen my heart. Oh, I was delirious with this new kind of happiness. So we were married. And my husband took me to his chateau, Le Rocher. Tucked away in the scenic Vorge mountains. All those first few weeks were wonderful weeks. And foolishly I believed they would never end. At first I only sensed something was wrong. He would leave me alone for days and nights on end. I was not allowed to go outside the walls. The servants spied on me. Neighbors who came for an occasional visit were told that I was ill. That I was unable to see anyone at all. I could not understand my husband's attitude. And then one evening, my only friend, my Norman maid, Amant, told me a letter for me was in my husband's study. It was the first letter I'd received since the first day I came to Le Rocher. It is true, Madame. I had no business to look inside the desk door. And there I saw the letter. Addressed to me? Yes, Madame. But why? I was told that I'd never received a single letter here. Oh, forgive me, Madame, but that is not true. The letter is there. It is that, well, Monsieur de la Tourelle is keeping it from you. But how could he? Why? Amant, you must help me to get that letter. I will, Madame, gladly. Now, while Monsieur de la Tourelle is not at home, hold the light higher. Hurry then, Madame, while I close the door. Now, now, this way. The desk is over here. We can get the letter and be gone before anyone. Hold the light higher, Amant. I can't see. What happened? The candle, Madame. It blew out. The portier. Heaven's name. What can we do now? Take the letter to your bedroom. Then bring it back later. No, no, that would be dangerous. You go get a fresh lighter. I'll stay here and wait for you. But, Madame, suppose he should... Do as I say. He returns tomorrow. Now, hurry. If you wish, but... Hurry, hurry and be quiet. I'll close the portiers again. The candle mustn't blow out again. There's so much noise. Oh, my husband. Madame, we should have buried this man where we killed him. He's heavy. Oh! Do you want us to be discovered? Fine thing if we had the chandar from Strasbourg down in the district investigating. I've told you again and again. We must have peace around there, Roshay. We want to carry on our... our little business without interference. Too bad, Monsieur de Poissy came upon us while we were robbing that merchant from Cologne. He was such a good neighbour. I still think we should have robbed him and thrown him in the bushes. I'll make the decisions. It's a good thing Blanchard here has no tongue. I couldn't stand two of you gabbing all the time. I... Listen. Someone's coming. Oh, Monsieur, I did not... Oh, come in a moment. Now, what are you doing in my study? Monsieur, I thought you could... Yes. Yes, that I was out. You know this cannot be tolerated. What did you want? Well, there was a letter for Madame among the mail. I thought to get it and take it to her. Oh, a letter, eh? Yes, Monsieur. And she probably wants it very much? I thought so, Monsieur. I thought I'd surprise... Well, you can't have it. I'll decide whether Madame will or won't have her letter. Yes, Monsieur. Now get out of here. And if I ever catch you snooping in these rooms again, I'll cut out your heart. Go on now. Out! Yes, sir. Ah, stupid woman. Not so stupid. On a shower of me, we stood in front of the body, but I didn't think she saw his face. No nonsense. The four were scared to death. Nevertheless, you shouldn't have let her go or she'll talk. We should have slithered her throat. Don't be an old woman, Lefebvre. She can tell nothing of tonight's business. Yes, and what's unusual about my early return from a trip? That can easily be explained. Hmm, maybe so. And these women around here will get you in trouble yet. Oh, nonsense. My wife knows nothing, suspects even less. She knew I was leader of the maire rouge. Stealing, robbing, murdering cup-throats, they call us. If she but knew, she would have a stroke, I think. What makes you so sure your wife knows nothing? She's too simple for that. Besides, if I thought for one minute that she knew anything, well, see this dagger? It would be in her heart, good Lefebvre. Ah! What was that? What? Oh, the portier. The wind, Lefebvre. Only the wind. Why, are jumpy as a candy? Ah, I must have a look. I'm sure someone was at the window. No one's there. Now get about your business. See what the monsieur de Posse's pockets. Ah, poor fellow. If you'd only not come by when we were roasting that merchant's foot. You blush on. Help me stand him up. We can search better that. No, I don't trust your women. Remember your other wife, Victorine? Yes, I had to send her on a long journey. But this one is sly. What she knows, she keeps to herself all that. Tells the gendarmes, maybe? No, no, Lefebvre, she knows nothing. But before she learns the truth, she too will go on a journey. Oh, I see. And she is a wealthy woman, no? Do you think I would marry a woman who wasn't? Of course she's wealthy. When she's dead, it will be mine. Just as Victorine's was. And how will you murder her? I've yet to plan that. But it must be a clever way. We shall see. And I'll come along. There's food in the gallery. What's the body? Oh, it's safe enough here. I'm not as too scared to return, and no one else knows I'm back. It's all right. Come on, Fletcher-Brandon Shaw. Come on, Blanchard, come on. Did you get a good look at the merchant's eyes when his feet were roasting? Madame, Madame, where are you? Over here, behind the portiers. Are you all right? Yes, yes, I'm a little faint. I heard them go off. Oh, I was so frightened they would discover you if they had. Here, give me your hand. Help me up. Oh, what, what's that? A body. A what? Give me your hand, Amand. They are steady. Pull now. That's it. Oh, what is it, Madame? I felt the corpse. Corpse? Yes. Oh, Monsieur de Poissy. De Poissy? He murdered her. Quickly, Amand. We must leave here tonight. My husband is the leader of the Marouche. Marouche? You mean... It can't be. Yes. They stood boasting of exploits while I hid behind the portiers. Oh, Madame, your life. It is in very great danger. And yours, Amand. Anyone who knows about the Marouche. Death. Yes. We must leave tonight now. Oh, Madame, at once hurry. We must leave at once. We made hasty preparations. Amand packed some food. She even found men's clothing for disguise. As we left the estate secretly, we could hear Monsieur de Laterelle and his accomplice, Lefebvre, discussing an appropriate burial place for the body. Going by side roads, we struck out for Strasbourg, in the role of a travelling tailor and his wife. Amand looked the part of the tailor very well, and I had told her to pretend she was dumb and couldn't speak. I dyed my hair and made myself up beyond recognition. Several days later, we were halfway to Strasbourg. It was late afternoon. And, needing food and shelter for the night, we stopped at a country blacksmith's, offering to men clothes in return for an overnight stay. With luck, we will be in Strasbourg in a few days. Once inside the city, Monsieur will never find us. Hush, not too loud. Here's a blacksmith's wife. All going well? Yes, it's close to sundown, though. We could use the light. All right, I'll get there. That's the third time you've asked. Oh, it's the same answer. She just won't burn it until she must. What's that? A man on horseback. He's stopping. Can you make out who he is? The gentlemen are standing. The blacksmith and his wife are greeting him. Courage, madame. Oh, amand, it's Monsieur Latouelle. Outside there. Oh, haven't we checked this? What can we do? Courage. Here he comes. You do the talking if necessary. You will recognize I am not the man. All right. Go on with the sewing unless he interrupts us. Shh. Here they come. Pray she doesn't fetch the light we asked for. I can get you a sandwich and some coffee, Monsieur. Only a bite. Anything I can eat and drink in my hand while my horse is being shunned. Oh, one minute, Monsieur. Oh. Oh, Taylors. You may be able to help me. Oh? I am looking for my wife and her maid. A beautiful blonde woman and a robust Norman. They fled my house taking with them money and jewels. Of this last, of course, I care little. But to lose my wife, that is a tragedy. Perhaps in your travels you've seen such a pair. Oh, no, no, Monsieur. Not at all. You could not mistake them. Your coffee and sandwich, Monsieur. Oh, yes, yes. Thank you. Thank you very much. Please tell your husband to make haste. I shall pay him double if he hurries. Yeah. Hurry with the horse. Monsieur pays double for quick work. Yes, Monsieur. It is finished. You heard that, Monsieur. It's finished. Good. I shall go then. Oh, but the sandwich is the coffee. Oh, yes, yes. Here. Aye, Franks. Oh, there is too much, Monsieur. And you ate nothing. No matter, no matter. I must hurry. We slept very little at night. And we were on our way early next morning. I'd been forced to sell a rather peculiar ring, given by my husband, to a jeweler the day before. It was only a matter of time when my husband would stumble onto that clue. So with all caution, we had to hurry. At first we thought of giving up the idea of going to Strasbourg and of going on to my husband's home instead. But we knew Monsieur de La Tourelle would have spies all over that region by now. It would have been suicide to risk going home. We took a room in an inn several miles from the city. And on the same evening, Madame Berenas de Rodaire, under way to Paris, stayed at the inn. Amandre marked, and how closely her features resembled mine, how her long blonde hair could have been mine. I thought nothing more of it at the time, and we were tired. But in the middle of the night, voices in the courtyard awakened us. Amandre. Amandre, wake up. Is it time to go? Someone's coming up the stairs. It sounds like Monsieur de La Tourelle. I'm very tired of this. He's outside. I shall scream if he comes in. Hello, Monsieur de La Tourelle. That is not the room. Down that way. Oh, the number is similar. Thank you. Good night now. We must get out of here. No, no. We went without paying the innkeeper would remember us, would throw suspicion on us, and we must stay. But he tried to come here. No, he didn't. It was a mistake. He was looking for another room. You'll see. I'm right. I hope you're right. I hope. Monsieur, we want to pay our bill. Oui, Madame, oui. Is that correct? Oui, oui, Madame. What is the excitement over there? Oh, have you not heard, Madame? That poor young lady, Madame de Berenas de Rodaire, was murdered in her bed. Oh. Yes, it happened during the night where she did not rise at 10. Her maid went up and there she was, a knife in her heart with a little note stuck to the handle. Oh, my poor place. This will ruin me. Well, what did the note say? It said, once more, the men who have avenged themselves. The police, they know who did it. Without a doubt. It was the elegant gentleman I told them came here during the night. He was not seen this morning. I see. Then he will be brought to justice for this. Oh, on the contrary, Madame, nothing will be done. The prosecutor plans to let them at a drop. He does not care to risk the vengeance of the man Rouge. They have sworn, you know, to kill anyone who betrays them. Oh, one never knows who in a gathering are members of the secret band. Oh, it's a pity. The poor woman. It is not good for business either. Oh, good day then, dear. Good day, Madame, and thank you. Madame, do you know why she died? Yes, a man I know. She was mistaken for me. Now I wonder when he will learn his mistake. If a man had not been with me to share the terror, I could never have found my way to Strasbourg. There we'd rented a small, ill-lighted room. And for a day or two, we felt secure and out of their murderous reach. We saw no one. We went nowhere. But at last the time came when our money was gone. An amount went out instead of a job. When she returned. Madame, the pay is not much, but it will help until you can get some money of your own. These people you're to work for, they sound like good folk. You should be very happy. I won't see you every day. Madame, how can that matter? But it is not that which worries me. Well then, what is it? I had some trouble today. Remember the jeweler to whom you sold your ring? Yes, of course I do. He is here in Strasbourg. He saw me. I am positive he knew who I was because he followed me. I felt sure I managed to lose him. But now I can't be sure. Oh, Madame, then it's not safe for you to leave here again. That jeweler is working for my husband. Madame, but I'm sure that nothing will happen to me. Your life is in danger, Amant. But you said yourself we need the money my job will bring. I must go, Madame. No, I must go. Amant, come back. That evening, a knock sounded on my door. I was filled with terror. I didn't answer it. Then slowly the door began to swing open. Madame, Madame, I'm allowed to rest. No, you have the wrong room. Go away. You are, Madame Tourelle. I know you are. No, you're not afraid of me. I haven't come here to do you harm. What do you want? My name is Baron de Ritter. Oh, you are? Yes, my wife was the Baroness de Ritter. She was murdered by the ma'am Routh. I had nothing to do with it, Baron. Believe me, I... I know you are innocent, Madame. I have come to help you. How did you find me? The jeweler you're made. I've been searching for you for weeks. But how can you help? It's simple. I would find this man. They're still at Tourelle and see that he is hanged for the murder of my wife. He's in hiding. He has many accomplices. Only you can help me find him. But how can I do that? Your husband knows now that it was not you he murdered but my wife. He would find you if he can and kill you too. Yes, it is my life. He wants my silence. Then we must seek him out before he can find you. But how? What could I... It could mean risking your life, Madame. Perhaps even death. Perhaps death would be better than... than this hiding. What shall I do? Then you will help me. It's very simple. All you must do is leave this room and walk about Strasbourg. Someone of the Mon Rouge will see you. You will report to your husband and then he will come out from this hiding place to... to kill you. And if he succeeds... I will take every protection to see that he will not succeed but there is still the risk. Before you answer Madame, I must tell you... Yes? You are made, Amon. Tonight she was... stabbed in the heart. Oh, Amon... Poor Amon. Now... what is your answer? I will do it, Baron. When do I start? There is no need to wait. Tonight, Madame. Tonight. All of Strasbourg seems silent. Sleep that night. And even the air was still with a solemn hushness. I walked along the dark streets. The flesh on my back crawled with terror. For constantly I pictured my husband creeping behind me to strike. On and on I went. Forgetting to feel tired. Forgetting everything except that soon it would be over. One way or the other. Any moment might bring death. Or a free life. The night grew cold. Now and again I turned to look back. Searching the shadows for even a glimpse of the Baron and the gendarmes who were following me. Never once did I see them. I could have sworn they were not there. I turned a corner. Ah! Monsieur de la Tirelle. Yes, it is I, Anne. That knife shining in the light. You're... you're going to kill me. Yes, I am going to kill you. Ah! Gendarmes! There! There! Monsieur de la Tirelle. Your murderous career is over. Gendarmes, take him away. So they took him away. And on his face was a hideous snare of hatred. For me, his wife. Here on this empty street. Down this cold grey wall of stone. The rain from the heavens falls. Free rain. And in a moment he will be dead. In a moment I will... Now it is done. I'm free at last. Monsieur de la Tirelle. My husband. Or if I could have helped you. If you had wanted my love. Or my health. Poor Monsieur de la Tirelle. Poor man. You did not really live. For you never knew the happiness of goodness. Or the serenity of kindness in your soul. So may you feel sweet. Free rain upon your heart. From the time worn pages of the past. We have brought you the immortal story. The Red Hand. Bell Keeper. All the Bells.