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Shame of Sefton Ridge |
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The Shame of Sefton Risge An adaptation of Hamilton Basso's famous suspensful novel At the age of 23, not long out of law school, Anson Page is plunged into a legal battle that is destined to alter the entire course of his life. Urged on by his father, he agrees to represent a local down-and-out named Sam Bates against the influence and social prestige of the town's leading citizens. The consequences are drastic. He loses not only his job but the girl he was engaged to marry. Bitter and disillusioned he leaves Sefton Ridge, sets out for New York with little but his pride intact. Fifteen years later, famed novelist Garvin Wales sits on the forlorn beach at Tamburlaine Island, off Sefton Ridge, trying to write despite the fac that he is nearly blind. His wife, Lucy Wales, with whom he lives in complete seclusion on the island, hands him a letter to sign. He refuses. Lucy is furious. She has found that $1,000 a year for 20 years has been with-held from her husband's royalties and sees no reason not to collect it. The letter to Wales' New York publishers threatens to sue unless the money is repaid. She sends it off under her own signature despite her husband's objections. When publisher John Duncan receives it, he promptly calls in his lawyers, Charles Barlowe and the latter's junior partner Anson Page. Barlowe says Mrs Wales has an air-tight case and Duncan ought to pay up rather than get involved in a lawsuit with its attendant unpleasant publicity. Records show the money was with-held by Wales' friend and editor Phil Greene, now dead and that he paid equal amounts to one Anna Jones; the first three cheques being counter-signed by a Cleon Pyle in Sefton Ridge. Anson Page points out that Wales must have known about the transference of money from his own funds to Phil Greene's and to the mysterious Anna Jones. He further points out that the letter was not signed by Garvin, but by Lucy Wales, and proposes to go to Sefton Ridge himself to try to see Wales. Arriving in Sefton Ridge, Page,deciding to use his connections, heads straight for the law office of his old friend Ian Garrick, where he also finds his former fiance Kit Robbison, now Mrs Garrick, who promptly invites him to dinner, then leaves. They get down to business and Anson explains that he wants an introduction to Mrs Garvin Wales, to whom Kit is related. Ian indignantly relates the snubs they've had from Wales, that neither the Garricks nor any other decent people have anything to do with them. Their talk is interrupted by a phone call from Michael Higgens who is now the most powerful and wealthy man in Sefton Ridge and the owner of "Mulberry", the old Blackford home. Anson next goes to the local police station where the Sergeant can find nothing on any Anna Jones or Cleon Pyle. He returns to his hotel and accidentally meets Dinah Blackford whom he finally recognises as his childhood sweetheart. He compliments Dinah on growing into such a beauty. Dinah invites him to come home for tea with her. He doesn't know where 'home' is, since the Blackfords had lost "Mulberry" years ago. when she tells him it is "Mulberry" he learns that she is Mrs Mickey Higgens. At "Mulberry" he is greeted by the old Blackford housekeeper who informs him Mrs Wales is waiting . Dinah has learned from Kit the purpose of Anson's visit and has enticed Mrs Wales to meet Anson. Mrs Wales calls the matter of the missing money 'plain embezzlement', but finally invites him to visit Tamburlaine. When Anson arrives at Tamburlaine next day, Lucy still refuses to let him see Wales. Only when she learns she can't get the money unless he personally hears Wales say he did not authorise Green's withdrawals does she tell him he can return next day. To impress him that she will not influence Wales, she tells Anson she will be out and he can find her husband alone. As Anson drives out, he sees Dinah's red car parked around the curve. He stops and she tells him to lock his car and come with her. She tells him nothing is wrong, but drives like fury, then stops and they walk along the beach together and, before they know it, they're kissing. Before he knows it, Anson is kissing her again and again and telling her he loves her. Her unhappiness is obvious to Mickey who would divorce her if it weren't for the children and the fact that he needed her ancestors to get into the Light Infantry club. Next day, Wales is at the appointed place, but says he has nothing to say. When Anson mentions the name of Anna Jones, Wales hushes him for fearing his wife may be listening, but Anson assures him Lucy has gone out. Wales then explains to Anson the mystery of Anna Jones. |
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