This summary is in no way intended as a substitute for viewing this fabulous episode.
Continued...
Back at the war games hall, the brigadier is in a froth about the field radio not working. He catches Foyle as he is about to leave. "Have to get a message over to HQ! I don't suppose you have any ideas, Foyle." With a look which is a mixture of innocence, mischief and revenge, Foyle replies, "I don't have ideas, brigadier. I'm only the referee!" and leaves Harcourt cramming his cap down on his head in frustration.
A short while later, Foyle and Sam are walking to the Wolseley when they see the brigadier fuming about his old army truck refusing to start (see under Blue Pencil). Foyle offers him a lift. Harcourt responds with astonishment, "You've got a CAR?" Sam glances sideways at her boss and notes that he is hugely enjoying the moment. Gesturing towards the Wolseley, Foyle says triumphantly, "Follow me."
At his lonely outpost, Markham puts down his rifle to light a cigarette.
The Wolseley is stopped by a road block that has been set up by what looks like the HG group, but turns out to be regulars wearing HG uniforms. The CO is captured and blusteringly protests at Devlin's unorthodox methods. "This is not in the plan!" Devlin replies with a huge grin, "Well, if Gerry does come, let's just hope he remembers to bring the plan with him. Right, sir?" Harcourt appeals to the wrong man for help: "Foyle, you're the referee - tell him he can't do this!"
Foyle: "Er… looks as if he already has." Devlin indicates a nearby pub and tells the brigadier that his incarceration won't be so bad, and Foyle, turning back to his car, says he's going to leave them to it. Harcourt tries to stop him. "Foyle - you can't leave!" "Well, if I stayed, I'd only have to arrest you. This pub should have closed an hour ago, you know?"
Markham hears someone approaching. The group of HG members under guard hear a rifle shot. Philby cannot understand as there should not be any shooting in that zone. Another shot. Philby pleads with the guard to let him investigate. A third shot.
Markham's blood splatters the wall of the shed he has his back against as a bullet goes straight through his brain and lodges in the wood.
Foyle and Milner examine the scene of the crime. There are powder burns on Markham's face, so the killer had to be very close, but how did he miss twice and where are the other two bullets? Foyle questions Devlin about where he went after leaving the brigadier. He says that he had begun to walk over to Divisional HQ, but turned back when he heard about the incident.
Foyle goes to Greenwood Farm to speak to Lucy Markham. She admits that she knew Harry had broken into Greenwood Hall, but says she is sure that it was for someone else because a man had called to see Harry. She gives to Foyle the piece of paper she had seen her brother hiding.
Foyle's expression indicates that what the paper contains means something to him. Lucy tells Foyle that Harry said the item he took was being looked after by friends and that when she had asked which friends, he had replied "Busy ones. And I can trust them." The only friends she can think of are Connor and Clarke.
When questioned by Milner, the two men claim never to have seen Markham once the exercises had begun and deny having anything to do with the break-in.
Philby registers disquiet with Sir Reginald Walker over the death of Harry Markham and also admits to being concerned about the agreement made in Switzerland. Walker tells him that he needs to get away from stress and assigns him to the company's New York office.
Foyle visits Stephen Beck in the barrister's office. He asks about Markham, having discovered that his friend saw the man on the day Greenwood Hall was broken into. Beck realises that Foyle knows him too well not to be able to see through any deception and so decides to tell him the truth. They go to the grounds of the local church to talk in more privacy.
In Germany, Beck had spoken out against the Nazis. He was denounced and left in fear for his life. In England, he is collecting information about businessmen who deal with the Nazis, in particular, Sir Reginald Walker. Germany has lost access to all sorts of food resources, edible oils and fats, essential to many production processes, are in short supply. Simon Walker had made a deal with an SS officer from the Reich's commissariat, contravening the "trading with the enemy" act. Evidence would be needed to bring Empire & European Foods to book. Markham had been sent to get the letter Simon Walker had brought back from Switzerland which was a trading agreement between Sir Reginald Walker and the Third Reich. Beck will not say how he knows about the letter. He does not know what Markham took from Greenwood Hall, but he believes that, whatever it was, he was killed to get it back.
Foyle visits Greenwood Hall to speak with Sir Reginald who says he cannot see how Markham's death has anything to do with him. Foyle says it could have a lot to do with him as it appears to have been Markham who broke into the house. The man had gunshot wounds in his shoulder which gave the lie to Simon's claim to have fired into the air that night. Walker is alarmed when reference is made to certain papers that may have been taken from the safe. He denies any theft. Rising from his chair, he says angrily, "Let me tell you something, Mr Foyle. You may be at war, but I am not, because business is bigger than war…" He goes on and then ends his little speech by saying, "War doesn't matter. You and I don't matter. Business will go on."Foyle is singularly unimpressed - "Well, thank you for that fascinating insight" - and asks where he can find Philby. He is told that the man is no longer available to be interviewed.
The four determined paper collectors are peering over the wall around Greenwood Hall. They have spotted a fire in the garden near the house and intend to salvage the paper being put out to be burnt. With a prize of chocolate for the biggest collection at stake, the three boys enter the property while the little girl keeps watch.
Inside the house father and son are piling up incriminating papers to be destroyed. Sir Reginald asks his son if he had anything to do with Markham's death. Simon replies that of course he hadn't, because Markham was needed alive to return the stolen box. Mrs Walker comes in to inquire what they are doing, but is told "Nothing!" Simon walks past her and out of the room, carrying a pile of papers out to the garden. When Simon returns to the house, the children begin to scavenge, but they are spotted by Mrs Walker. Walker orders his son to set the dogs on them. Mrs Walker is horrified and a blazing row blows up between man and wife. Simon leaves the room, grinning. The boys run when they see the dogs coming at them, but one of them, Tim, is bitten on the leg as he scrambles back over the wall.
Miss Pierce meets with Beck in the local library and tells him that she cannot give him any more time. Realising that he has failed to obtain the letter, Beck replies with regret that his business in England may well already be over, so he could go, but he asks Miss Pierce to promise that she will not give up on the Walker affair.
She asks, "There's a Detective Chief Superintendent Foyle working on the case?"
Beck replies, "Yes."
Miss Pierce smiles. "He won't give up."
Foyle is sorting through newspapers on his desk when Milner enters the office. The sergeant reports that there are ten minutes unaccounted for with regard to Devlin's movements before the shots were fired. The Captain could have made his way to Divisional HQ, but he could have doubled back. Foyle puts the papers to one side and opens a file. He hands Milner a newspaper cutting about the death of Agnes Browne and asks him to find out what he can.
While by herself in the Wolseley, Sam spots three of her small charges pushing the wounded boy in the pram they use to carry paper. They tell her what happened and, grimacing at the sight of Tim's wound, she asks if they have informed his parents. "No - if you think that's bad, you should see what his dad will do!" Sam takes the boy to hospital.
Next morning, at Greenwood Hall, Sir Reginald apologises to his wife for his earlier behaviour, but she remains angry.
Milner speaks with the father of Agnes Browne, who is a barrister in Hastings, and asks him about her death. Browne does not believe that it was an accident, but nothing could be proved. Milner learns that Stephen Beck was responsible for getting Agnes the job with Empire & European Foods.
Sam reports to work late and explains to her boss that she has been visiting Tim in hospital. She tells Foyle how the boy came to be hurt and when Foyle hears that Walker was "burning paper by the ton" he asks where the children took the paper they salvaged. Sam takes Foyle and Milner to an old farm building where the children are stashing yet another load.
A boy called Brian informs Foyle that "Tim nearly lost his leg. It was eaten by a dog!" Foyle explains that they need to find one or two papers that were taken from the big house. Brian can't tell them exactly where they are, but takes them into the building and shows them all they have collected so far. "We're definitely going to win this prize!" Foyle surveys the mountain of paper with a pained look. "Right, let's get started!"
Simon Walker calls on Lucy Markham to see if she knows the whereabouts of the gold box. Simon first tries to buy information by promising to forget the money the Markham's owed to his father as their landlord. When that yields nothing, he threatens, saying that she could end up like Harry, but Lucy can tell him nothing.
At Greenwood Hall, Walker sees the cellar door open and goes to investigate. He finds Simon in one of the chambers which is filled with items associated with the Nazi Party. His father is angry that he left the door open, but Simon says that if he's worried about his new wife finding out what is down there, he needn't because she has left him. He tells his father that they should have spent longer in Germany. "People like us, people like who you used to be… We are the ones who will make the new England."
Foyle calls upon Beck at his office and is unhappy to find his friend packing to leave. "Is this what you wanted?" He hands Beck the incriminating letter. Beck is astonished and asks Foyle if he knows what is in it. Foyle admits that his German is not quite up to it and Beck reads: "As it is agreed, in return for full co-operation, the development of new food products, all property and assets previously seized will be returned to Empire & European Foods by the German Reich subsequent to… etc., etc., etc." He smiles. "How did you get this?" Foyle replies, "With difficulty!" Beck thanks his friend, hands the document back to him and continues with his packing.
Foyle returns the letter to his inside jacket pocket and says, "If I am to do my job, how can I let you leave?" Beck has instigated a burglary and the man recruited has been murdered. He got Agnes Browne the job with E & E Foods and she is dead. "A of people seem to lose their lives in close proximity to you." Beck says, "Come with me" and takes Foyle into another room where he introduces him to Miss Pierce, for whom he says he works. He explains that she represents an organisation quite new to the country - overseas intelligence. The organisation is sending him back to Germany because he still has contact with communist and socialist groups and his job will be to help form a resistance. It will be very unlikely that he will return because agents such as himself do not last long. Miss Pierce will deal with the letter. There is one other thing that Beck wishes to tell Foyle - it was Beck's own son who denounced him. There was an English boy that his son had met who was even more fanatical and anti-Semitic than the Nazis - his name was Simon Walker. "Now do you understand?" Foyle says nothing, but his silence is acceptance and he makes no move stop Beck when the man picks up his case. "You have been a good friend to me, Christopher. I will miss our fishing trips together… I will miss you!" As Beck walks out the door, Foyle lays the letter down on a table in front of Miss Pierce. "Don't let him down."
Devlin comes to Foyle's office to tell his old boss that he is rejoining his unit. Foyle wishes him luck. When he says he wants to say sorry about Markham, Foyle asks if he is sorry the man is dead or sorry for what happened six months ago. Devlin is puzzled; he does not realise that Foyle knows. The DCS explains. Markham was found guilty of breaking and entering but the theft charge against him had to be dropped. The necklace that was submitted as primary evidence had to be withdrawn because it turned out to be Devlin who had taken it from the house Markham had broken into and planted in Markham's possession because he was so determined to see the man jailed. His actions had wrecked the case and Markham was almost set free. Devlin had perverted the course of justice and Markham might still be alive if it hadn't been for his unforgivable interference.
Devlin asks why, even though he was in France when the case came to court, Foyle had not told him what had happened. Foyle says he chose not to disclose the details to the court or to Devlin. Markham was guilty of theft despite the evidence, not because of it and Devlin was fighting for his country, so it seemed to serve no purpose. Devlin says, "You could have had me charged... You still could."
"Yes." There is a long pause. "I think you should go, don't you?"
Devlin comes to attention, salutes and leaves.
Foyle and Milner are amongst the members of the congregation leaving the church at the close of Sunday morning service. Milner comments on Devlin being back with his unit and asks if he is still a suspect. Foyle replies, "No, I think we can safely rule him out of the picture… so your job's safe." He smiles. The vicar congratulates the four children on winning the salvage competition. Sam says that they had been busy little bees. Overhearing the remark, Foyle looks thoughtful.
Miss Pierce catches up with him and gives him bad news - the letter didn't work. Although making huge profits out of the Nazis, Reginald Walker had persuaded the British government that he could use his contacts to their advantage. He passes on low-grade information and they turn a blind eye. He is trading with the enemy with the unofficial blessing of elements with the government. At the end of the day, a piece of paper just isn't enough. Foyle thanks her for telling him and she replies that it occurred to her that he might not want to give up. Again Foyle looks thoughtful.
At Greenwood farm, Foyle gets Lucy to inspect the beehive. She finds the gold box. Foyle explains that her brother told her where it was - with friends who were… he nods in the direction of the hives and Lucy exclaims, "Oh - busy bees!"
At Greenwood Hall, Lucy returns the box to the Walkers and assures them that she has told no one. She leaves and the two men congratulate themselves on now being in the clear. A footstep announces the arrival of DCS Foyle who explains that he has come to confirm that their property has been safely returned and to arrest Simon for the murders of Harry Markham and Agnes Browne. When he had come to the hall in which the war games were being organised, Simon had persuaded Philby to put Markham on guard duty on the estate so that he would know exactly where he was. He had not intended to kill the man, but, to persuade him to tell where the box was, he had played a game of Russian roulette with two blanks and one live cartridge. He had misjudged and Markham had been killed. Simon admits it. He says he does not care what happens to him because the business will go on and when the Germans win the war the Walkers will be remembered as heroes. He also admits that he murdered Agnes Browne because she was going to hand over the letter. Foyle nods to Milner who takes Simon away.
Sir Reginald is in shock. Foyle asks, "Where's your wife" and when Walker replies, "She's left me" comments, "Not much of a day for you is it? Your wife, your son… your business." Walker does not understand. Foyle asks him if he knows what the box is. Walker replies that it is solid gold and was a gift given to his company in recognition of successful trade relations. Foyle prompts him to admit that it was from the German Office For Trade and the theft of it had not been reported because it had been smuggled into the country. Foyle then tells Walker that the box originally belonged to a Jewish family. The whole family had been shot and their home looted by the Nazis. He asks Walker just how long he thinks he and his company will survive when it is generally known that he is a beneficiary of the Nazi reallocation of looted property."There are one or two things bigger than business, wouldn't you say?" He starts to walk towards the door.
Walker asks, "Aren't you going to arrest me?"
Foyle pauses and half turns. "Well, on behalf of a very dear friend of mine… I'd say it was no longer necessary." He walks out.
Outside the front door, Milner is putting Simon into a prison van. Foyle walks from the house towards his car. When the sound of a pistol shot is heard from inside the house, it is what he expected and his step does not falter or his expression change. Simon understands what has happened and shouts for his father, but is taken away.
Foyle nods to Sam as he climbs into the Wolseley and the pair head back to the station.
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