[raindrops clattering on metal]
[door opens, closes]
- I thought I smelled gas. - That makes three this year.
And they haven't even decency enough to leave enough for the gas bill.
I wonder why she did it. She seemed so full of fun.
- Ah, they all end up that way. - No, they don't.
- Ah, you're gonna go the same way. - No, I'm not.
I'm not afraid of life.
Although I am not afraid of death either.
Come on, move on. Move on. Come on.
Go to sleep.
Good evening.
Hello.
Shall we go somewhere, away from this unpleasant house?
It's not always so unpleasant. I live here.
[key rattling in lock]
- May I come in? - Naturally.
Hmph.
[playing waltz]
[waltz continues playing]
[waltz stops]
- Shall I drop in another coin? - Do I sound like a pianola?
Almost.
I suppose you're a great musician.
No, but I do know something about music.
Your sweetheart?
I've done enough talking for tonight.
Would you like to make some easy money?
Is there any such thing?
I heard you say that you're not afraid of life or of death.
Now, I have connections, secret, with a certain government.
I need a woman who knows how to deal with men.
- It's against Austria, of course. - Of course.
I'd like to get some wine.
I suppose I ought to pay for it.
Cigarette?
Hmph.
[piano: discordant notes]
- You're under arrest. - Arrest? What for?
Never mind what for. We know how to take care of spies. Come on.
Austria may not care what happens to you,
but you certainly do care what happens to Austria.
Hmph. Shall we go?
Come on. Let's go.
[striking piano chords forcefully]
- Let go. - [piano continues playing classical]
Beg your pardon, sir.
Give her this card and tell her to see me tomorrow at 10:00.
- Yes, sir. - [piano continues playing]
Hmph.
- Good night. - Good night, sir.
[grumbles]
Come in.
Name, please?
I prefer not to give my name.
As you like.
- Quite a walk, isn't it? - I don't mind walking.
I must tell you, I could walk with you forever.
Don't smoke in here, Lieutenant.
I'm sorry, sir.
I took a lot of trouble last night after I left
to obtain some information about you.
Ha! It took me hours to get dry.
You're the widow of Captain Ferdinand Kollograd who died last year.
My husband was killed in action.
As you may have guessed by now,
I am in charge of the secret service
of imperial Austria.
There are times in my work when a man's brain
cannot accomplish as much as a woman's charm,
as you demonstrated last night.
Ha!
You completely fooled me, had me arrested.
You're a clever woman and a very loyal one.
We lost 40,000 men here two days ago.
And here, 18,000 the week before.
Come here.
[military band playing march, faint]
[band continues playing march, louder]
Look at those men marching.
Marching into the jaws of death.
[band continues, faint]
Unless I can uncover
a certain system of communication with the enemy.
So you wish me to become a spy.
You dislike the word "spy"?
Perhaps I haven't the right to object to any word.
You haven't. Sit down.
In return for your services,
I shall provide you with a magnificent home,
servants, all the money you may need.
What appeals to me is the chance to serve my country.
It is now my duty to point out to you
that the profession of a spy is the most ignoble calling on earth,
lower than anything you may have ever experienced.
And it is dangerous, of course.
I've had an inglorious life.
It may become my good fortune to have a glorious death.
Bring the Hindau file.
This is Colonel Von Hindau,
attached to the chief of staff of our own army.
I have reason to believe that he's a traitor,
but I've been unable to prove it.
He knows every operator in my department. Ha!
But he doesn't know you yet!
This is your first assignment.
I'm sending you the widow of Captain Kollograd.
Have her enter the service as X-27.
She will receive instructions from me.
Yes. Correct.
[orchestra playing "The Blue Danube Waltz"]
[screams]
[orchestra continues playing waltz]
[high-pitched honking]
[laughing]
[orchestra continues playing waltz]
- May I have this dance? - May I?
[laughing]
[honking]
- [high-pitched honking] - [high-pitched honking]
- [orchestra continues playing waltz] - [guests cheering, shouting]
[high-pitched honking]
- [clock chiming] - [orchestra stops, guests quiet]
[orchestra playing "Deutschland Über Alles"]
I suppose you are too exhausted playing with balloons to stand up.
Certainly I'll stand up, if you'll hand me my crutches.
I beg your pardon.
[high-pitched squeak]
Oh, here you are.
I might have known you'd be with the prettiest woman in the place.
- [squeaks] - I'd forgotten all about you.
Get rid of her. Sit down.
Not tonight. I've made other plans. Haven't we?
Not too loud.
[squeaks]
Well, I don't blame you.
I wish I were in your boots.
Drop me off on your way home.
Shall we?
Allez-oop!
[orchestra continues playing]
[horns honking, squeaking]
[squeaking, honking continue]
[soft squeak]
[loud squeak]
You have the most extraordinary luck with women, Colonel.
Oh, I can't complain, can I?
You shouldn't tonight.
Should he?
Not unless I take you away from him.
Uh-uh-uh.
Hands off.
Don't get excited, Colonel.
Have a cigarette.
Cigarette or no cigarette,
you keep your hands off.
Do you want me to keep my hands off?
I don't know. Let me first see your face without the mask.
Look here. One face at a time.
Lucky for you both I'm getting out here.
[loud squeak]
- Good night. Good night. - Good night.
Good night.
Fritz.
- Bring the champagne. - Yes, sir.
- Will you take off your cape? - Not yet.
[chuckling] Well, uh, take your time.
[piano playing]
Take off my glove.
What a soft hand.
[piano: discordant notes]
[coughs] You're wanted on the telephone, sir.
I'm sorry, sir. It's the head of the secret service.
He insists on speaking to you, sir. He says it's very important.
Will you excuse me a moment?
Don't stay away too long.
[door closes]
- Hello? - Hindau?
I hope I didn't disturb you.
No.
What's wrong?
You know I've been working on a new formula
for invisible ink that defies detection.
Were you looking for something, madam?
Where do you hide your cigarettes?
I'm looking for something to smoke.
You'll not find any cigarettes in this house. My master doesn't smoke.
Shall I send out for some?
No. Never mind.
It's not important.
Very well, madam.
The champagne is very excellent, madam.
I'm certain it is.
Don't get excited, Colonel.
Have a cigarette.
What time will you be over?
10:00?
Make it 11:00.
I don't like to get up so early in the morning.
11:00 would be better.
Good night.
I hope she had time enough to look around.
Ha! She won't find anything.
I had that house searched a dozen times.
[piano playing slow-tempo waltz]
[waltz: jaunty tempo]
[waltz continues]
[tempo slows]
[waltz ends]
You like Russian cigarettes?
Yes. This one is marvelous.
Where did you get it?
Out of your coat pocket.
Oh.
Going through my pockets already.
Mm-hmm.
Would you like a puff?
Not bad.
But I think we'd better start on the champagne.
I suppose you've also had the house surrounded.
Yes.
I'm sorry. It's my job.
What a charming evening we might have had...
if you hadn't been a spy,
and I a traitor.
Then we might never have met.
I don't know to whom I would rather surrender.
My compliments. I'll wait for your men in the library.
[clicks]
[gunshot]
Perhaps that was the best way for him and for us.
Good night.
I'm going after the other man.
Take charge.
[people chattering]
[croupier] Eighteen red.
Hello, Marie.
- Hello, Marie. - Hello.
Hello, Marie.
- Hello, Marie. - Hello.
All bets down.
[ball spinning, clanking]
Thirty on red.
Would you mind putting your hand on my other shoulder?
Play.
[croupier] Down.
[ball spinning]
- [whistling] - [ball clanking]
Thirty-four on the red, even.
[whistling]
Would you mind changing your tune?
Well, yes, I'll stop.
- Perhaps I can bring you a bit of luck, Captain. - All play.
- Good luck or bad luck? - Good luck.
- Bet. - Try number 27.
- [ball spinning, clanking] - Twenty-seven?
- Twenty-two on the black, even. - Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven.
Twenty-seven hasn't a chance.
What will you give me if it loses?
Anything you like.
Suppose we start with a kiss. Push that over on the 27.
I hope it loses.
Hold bets. Ready?
[ball clanking]
Twenty-six on the black, even.
When do I collect?
Anytime you like.
- Good night. - Good night.
Let's have a drink before we go.
- Two Bacardis. - Two Bacardis.
Do you like to gamble?
I like anything that excites me.
I'm glad you came along. I was just becoming bored.
That's one of the reasons I think I could like you.
You excite me.
You know, most people think of death as a very ugly old man.
Thank you, sir.
I think of death as a beautiful young woman wearing flowers.
- Roses? - Well, she might be wearing roses.
Have a cigarette?
- What makes you think of death? - [chuckles]
- Was I thinking of death? - Two Bacardis.
You know, I have the feeling we've met before.
Have we? When?
When? Let me see.
When did we meet before?
Have you ever been wounded?
Not me. Aviators are rarely wounded. We either fly or are killed.
How about that kiss, lady?
Kiss?
I was only joking.
Oh. What a charming sense of humor.
Well, good night. [chuckles]
You were no match for this man.
He's far too clever to be trapped by a woman.
Your experience was insufficient to deal with him alone.
And you had no right to assume responsibility
for the arrest of a man who is worth an entire Russian division.
Your plane takes off in an hour.
Be careful with your new assignment.
[classical music playing]
[classical music continues]
[clock chiming]
[classical music ends]
Good evening.
I've come for that kiss.
You may have been joking about it, but I wasn't.
Don't you like to be kissed?
You're so powerful.
Don't you like powerful men?
I'm glad you escaped.
Your untimely death might have disturbed my conscience.
Nonsense. It's all in the game.
Had I caught you in my country, I'd have had you shot without hesitation.
But we're both alive yet.
And you can make my last few hours in Vienna very pleasant.
Are you going to leave Vienna so soon?
I'm afraid I'll have to,
or give up my, uh, profession.
It's become too dangerous.
Perhaps I can persuade you to stay.
I really don't need persuasion.
You're not going to turn me over because of a kiss.
And now, are you going to shoot me yourself?
Yes, if you leave me no other choice.
Your conscience, apparently, is not going to be disturbed this time.
Stay where you are!
Better shoot quickly, or I'll take that plaything away from you.
Stay where you are.
[clicks]
I think I removed the cartridges.
This would have been quite a feather in your cap, wouldn't it?
Do you like this masquerade as well as my last one?
You're still a clown.
I'm a colonel in the Russian Army,
and when necessary, I fly across the line
and play the clown or the Austrian officer.
I'm a soldier,
but you bring something into war that doesn't belong in it.
You trick men into death with your body.
Give me a kiss.
You're a cheat and a liar.
Why don't you stay here?
Perhaps I don't always cheat and lie.
If you kept me here another minute, I'd not only be in danger of losing my life,
but of falling in love with you, you devil.
[engine starts]
A few thousand feet higher up, we might find better weather,
but I doubt it.
[airplane engine humming]
[airplane passing]
And now your division is to attack from S-32 to V-29.
Your objective is the railhead at T-18.
That carries us through the fifth day.
On the sixth day, your division, with the 63rd and 74th Divisions,
attack from N-17 to R-21.
Your objective will be the heights at Q-11 to Q-15.
Any questions, gentlemen?
Does the attack begin on the ninth definitely?
Yes, at five o'clock in the morning, four days from now.
That's all, gentlemen.
Come on down here.
Did anyone ever tell you how pretty you are?
Come here.
Fresh from the country, aren't you?
[shrieks]
Do they work you very hard in this magnificent establishment?
You going to be off duty pretty soon?
You're not going to see some young lieutenant tonight, are you?
A captain?
- A major, perhaps? - [snickers]
Then we'll start with a colonel.
What's the matter? You want a general?
I don't care who it is.
I don't want anyone to enter or leave these headquarters
without a pass issued by me.
That woman is in this hotel.
[men singing in Russian]
[vocalists] Hey!
[men singing in Russian continues]
- Count ten. - I don't want to count ten anymore.
Count ten.
Oh, one, two, three, four, five...
One, two, three, four, five...
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven,
eight, eight, eight, nine...
ten!
[vocalists] Hey!
[men singing in Russian continues]
[vocalists] Hey!
Ah.
Oh.
Meow.
Meow!
Come on out here.
Come on out.
Oh, she's lost.
Meow.
[vocalists] Hey!
Come down here.
It's warm up here. Meow.
Come down here or get out.
Don't be angry.
All right.
[vocalists] Hey!
[squeals]
Meow.
Are you coming down or not?
- Count ten. - Haven't I counted ten before?
- No. - Oh, one, two, three, fo...
I'm not going to count anymore.
I'm tired.
Oh, I'm tired.
Meow.
Meow, meow.
[cat meows]
[meowing, faint]
[meowing continues]
[door closes]
Let me see a list of your maids.
Who are the maids on the second floor?
Day maid's Olga. Night maid's Catherine.
Catherine, huh? Is she a new maid here?
Came here three days ago. I have to change maids all the time.
Can't keep them. Too many officers quartered here.
What do you know about this Catherine?
Nothing. Papers are all correct.
Anything wrong again?
No.
Take your hat off when you talk to a Russian officer,
if you know what's good for you.
[knocking rapidly]
Corporal, force the door.
Who's been with you?
Officer of the guard! Get the officer of the guard.
Yes, sir.
Have that woman brought to my room.
Now you can tell all that to the colonel.
Get in there!
Everybody makes mistakes, and you carry a cat.
It has brought me good luck so far.
Do you call this good luck?
I don't know yet.
Besides, I'm not allowed to love anything else.
[meowing]
[clattering]
[meowing]
I like your masquerade.
Sit down.
I'm sorry. I'll have to search you, X-27.
Take your things off.
[meowing continues]
Is it warm enough in here?
Don't catch cold.
Hmm, music.
- Did you write this? - Yes.
Your own composition, huh?
I don't use invisible ink.
What do you call this masterpiece?
I haven't named it yet.
May I suggest you call it "The Dance of the Russian Colonel"?
Not bad.
Shall I go on with my undressing?
I'm in the mood for a little music first.
- Would you mind playing this for me? - If you'll furnish the piano.
I'll furnish the piano... and the audience.
After you.
I wish I could read notes.
[up-tempo classical]
[slams piano keys]
Let me play it for you.
[meows]
[discordant song]
[one high note repeated]
[song continues]
I don't know what this code means...
but I have an idea that each note might mean the death of a thousand soldiers.
[notes continue]
[high note repeating]
[chords, notes continue]
My poor composition.
I worked so hard on it,
and now it's in ashes.
I destroy everything that's dangerous to Russia.
I'm next, I suppose.
You know the fate of spies when they're caught.
How many more hours does my fate allow me?
You have until dawn.
This is quite a feather in your cap, isn't it?
For three days and for three nights, I've had no other thought but to find you.
And now I've caught you.
Isn't it strange I'd give a lot to undo it?
Why don't you let me go then?
Don't be absurd.
- Is there any o th e r wish I can grant? - Yes.
What is it?
I'd like to share my last few hours on earth with you.
Do you think you can fool me as easily as you did the adjutant?
I give you my word of honor
that I no longer want anything but to be with you.
It's easy to grant you almost anything.
I think I'm falling madly in love with you.
The more you cheat and the more you lie, the more exciting you become,
X-27.
[engine roaring]
I wish this night could last forever. It will be dawn soon.
I don't understand why a woman like you
should choose a road that leads to such a death.
It's not a bad death to die for my country.
It's better than gas or the river.
What has gas or the river to do with you?
Nothing... now.
Let's not talk of death anymore.
This is our last drink together.
What shall we drink to?
To love.
To love and excitement.
What did you put into this wine?
Only a few drops of sleep.
You think you can get away, do you?
[sword clattering]
[body falls on floor]
Hey there!
Where are you going? Where's your pass?
The ink's still wet, huh?
I wish I were an officer.
Go ahead.
[discordant song]
[song continues]
[telegraphs tapping]
Your plane will leave for Vienna in two hours.
- Name? - Nikolai Chemachenkov.
Division?
Won't talk, eh?
Next.
- Name? - Ivan Petroff.
Division?
Won't talk.
Next.
- Name? - Boris Chernoff.
Division?
These birds are a gabby lot.
Next.
- Name? - [speaks Russian]
Name, please.
Division?
Next.
[telegraphs tapping]
Your name?
Won't even give your name, eh?
Division?
All right, sir, as you like.
Bring in the next batch.
Name.
Come on, step up.
- Name? - Martinikov.
- Name, please. - Nikolai Chemachenkov.
Division?
- Name? - Nikolai Abramov.
Take a look at this.
Division?
Next.
- Name, please. - Barishynov.
- Name? - Akim Dobrynian.
Well, that looks like a catch.
May I question that officer who refused to give his name?
Why, certainly. Will you come back here, Colonel?
You don't remember me, do you?
I've never seen you before.
You have a very faulty memory for a spy.
- You're mistaken. - How do you explain this, Colonel?
Well, this does resemble me, doesn't it?
When were you on Austrian territory last?
The Russian army has been on Austrian territory ever since the war started, Your Excellency.
Let me have your fingerprints, please.
I think this will be your last visit to this country, Colonel.
- Arrange for a court-martial tonight. - I will, Your Excellency.
Take charge of the case, Major.
- Send in the next batch, will you? - Yes, sir.
- Will you come with me, sir? - With pleasure.
- Name? - [man speaks, faint]
- [door closes] - Name, please.
- Yevranyan. - Step up.
- Name? - Ivan Dugenyev.
- Division? - Ivan Petroff.
Next.
- Name? - Nikolai Cosimov.
- Division? - Name, please.
Don't you think that before shooting a spy,
we should do our best to make him talk, Your Excellency?
You'll just be wasting your time. You can't make Russians talk.
- I think I can. - Very well. I'll give you ten minutes.
Take my advice and be careful. He's a dangerous character.
- I'll be careful. - Turn the prisoner over to her, Lieutenant.
- Name? - Petrov.
Wire headquarters at once, Colonel...
and inform them of the capture of H-14...
- Name? - of the Russian Secret Service...
and that we are planning to execute him, possibly tonight.
Next.
Would you please wait outside?
If I were you, I wouldn't take any chances with this man.
I'll take responsibility for that. Just wait outside the door.
As you wish.
You still don't seem to remember me.
It may be very good for you that I don't choose to remember you.
Oh, I don't know.
This gun... is loaded.
What is it you want?
I have ten minutes in which to make you talk.
You're wasting your time and mine.
What would you rather do than talk?
If you don't mind, I'd rather be up in the air, flying.
- [meows] - Well, my old friend.
It did bring you good luck after all.
Perhaps.
[whispers] Come here.
Now, watch me, and I'll show you how to play with a gun.
I've an even chance now.
I don't know whether I can get away alive,
but there seem to be plenty of planes outside.
[airplane engines roaring]
If it weren't going to be more exciting out there,
I'd be tempted to stay with you.
Hope you're on my side next war.
[airplane engine starting]
[airplanes passing]
Before you hear the sentence, I want to ask if you have anything to say.
No, I have nothing to say.
Well, then, as a matter of record,
I'd like you to tell me why a woman charged with important work
should permit or aid the escape of a dangerous enemy,
why she should dishonor the service, violate duty
because of a casual affection for that man.
Perhaps I loved him.
You can't make me believe you can love a man you've known but for a few hours.
That's the sort of love that can be bought on the streets.
I found her on the street.
You were given a chance to redeem your unfortunate life
in the service of your country.
Can you advance a single reason
why you've failed to take advantage of that privilege?
I suppose I'm not much good, that's all.
Will you please stand up?
You have left us no choice in dealing with your case.
The crime is treason, and the penalty is death.
According to regulations, you will be executed tomorrow morning at dawn.
And may God have mercy on your soul.
Can I help you, daughter?
I'm going to face this journey too, alone.
Then you have no fear of this death?
It's only another exciting adventure.
The perfect end to an imperfect life.
How much more time have I?
About ten hours.
Could you possibly help me to die in a uniform of my own choosing?
What would you call "a uniform of your own choosing"?
Any dress I wore when I served my countrymen instead of my country.
I will send for your clothes. Anything else?
Yes.
A piano.
One that's in tune.
I will see what can be done.
Fall in!
[up-tempo song]
[chord]
[repeating chord]
[song continues]
Is it time?
Will you please follow me?
Are we going to walk together again?
Do you happen to have a looking glass?
Will this do?
[meows]
May I please bandage your eyes?
[drumroll]
I will not kill a woman!
I will not kill any more men either!
Do you call this war?
I call it butchery!
You call this serving your country?
You call this patriotism?
I call it murder!
[drumroll]
[gunshots]