All language subtitles for Perry Mason s01e32 Substitute Face.eng

[TYPEWRITER KEYS CLACKING]

MAN:
Really, Carl. I don't understand you.

I don't understand you at all.

- Well, what is it?
- I wanted to get your dictation.

- All right. Get it and leave us alone.
- Yes, sir.

Now, Carl, put yourself in my shoes.

All of a sudden my best bookkeeper
quits. Just like that.

Now, tell me the truth.

Have you got a better offer?

Oh, no, sir.

In heaven's name, what is it?

Well, I just thought that I'd like to take
a little vacation with my family.

[COUGHS]

Well, the truth of the matter is,
I need a little rest.

Well, if your mind's made up,
there's nothing I can do about it.

No, sir.

Have a good time, Houser.
Good luck.

Thank you, sir.

Thanks for everything, sir.

Oh, I heard about your leaving,
Mr. Houser.

I'm really sorry to see you go.

Oh, thank you, Marta.

[DOOR CLOSES]

[LAUGHTER,
INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

All I can say is
I'm for more contested wills

as long as they're contested
in British Columbia.

I'll bear that in mind the next time
I want you to act as a witness.

Do that.

Are you sorry I talked you into coming
back this way instead of flying?

Can you keep a secret?

You had the same idea.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Oh, here's the girl
that has the stateroom next to mine.

DELLA:
Laura, do you have a minute?

Certainly.

This is Mr. Perry Mason.
This is Laura Houser.

- How do you do?
- I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Mason.

I've heard a lot about you.

Heh. Propaganda.
Don't you believe a word of it.

Oh, Mother. Dad.

This is my family.

This is Miss Della Street
and Mr. Perry Mason.

- How do you do? Mr. Mason.
- How do you do?

If you'll all excuse me now,
I must be running along.

I'm meeting Roy.

Have fun, honey.

I will, Daddy.

Bye.

We were going to have
an after-dinner drink,

- would you care to join us?
- Perhaps a little later.

We'll be looking for you.

Good.

[SIGHS]

Good evening, Miss Whiting.

- Good evening.
- How's the patient?

He's doing very well, thank you.

Oh, Mr. Mason, I hate to impose,
but my nephew collects autographs

- and, well, I wondered if you would--
- Of course.

- What's his name?
- Alan Whiting.

To Alan Whiting.

My best wishes.

There you are.

- Thank you very much.
- Not at all.

- Good night.
- Good night.

Poor man. He has a broken neck.

He isn't even supposed to talk.

Do you know he has to answer
her questions

by squeezing her hand once for yes
and twice for no?

Wonder how long he'll be
on that thing.

No telling.
Probably quite a long time.

[SLOW MUSIC PLAYING,
LAUGHTER]

Now, look at me.

Look at me. Would you believe it

that the doctors gave me
only six months to live?

That was 18 years ago
when I first moved to Los Angeles.

Well, I can see why you're so fond
of it, Mr. Carter.

Fond of it?

Why, I'm a whole chamber
of commerce all rolled into one.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Have you had enough moonlight?

For the time being.

Mr. Mason, Miss Street,
this is Mr. Carter.

How do you do?

We're neighbours, aboard ship,
that is.

Oh, this is my secretary,
Daniel James.

I've read about you, Mason.

I'm in real estate myself.

Carter Realty, Los Angeles.

Glad to meet you.

Well, well, Perry Mason.

Mr. Mason, could I speak to you?

Of course, Mrs. Houser.
Here, sit down.

Thank you.

[SIGHS]
I'll, uh...

I'll get in touch with you later.

I don't want to upset anyone
who might be watching.

Well, at your convenience.

ANNA:
This is Carl's favourite picture of us.

DELLA:
It's very nice.

Yes, it certainly is.

Now, Mrs. Houser, would you like
to tell me what's bothering you?

ANNA: My husband has stolen
some money.

Quite a lot of it.

In fact, a hundred thousand dollars.

- Are you sure?
- He must have.

He couldn't have won it
on the sweepstakes, the way he says.

Oh, it has happened.

I know,
but it doesn't make any sense.

There wasn't a word about it
in the papers.

That doesn't necessarily mean
he's stolen the money.

Well, there's no other explanation.

He was an accountant
for State-National Savings and Loan

in Los Angeles.

He would've had plenty
of opportunity.

How long was he employed
by State-National?

A year.

Ever since we came out
from Chicago.

And look here.

He bought that gun
before we went on this trip.

He said he might need it for protection,
carrying all that money on him.

You mean, he's carrying it in cash?

In a money belt.

I want him to return the rest
of the money to State-National,

if they'll promise not to prosecute.

Well, how much is left?

Over $90,000. I've counted it.

In all fairness to your husband,
I think we ought to hear his story.

Oh, he won't listen to you.
He won't talk to you.

Maybe not but I'm not going to assume
he's guilty of embezzlement.

Suppose you let me investigate
the situation.

Come on, Della. We'll send a wireless
to the Drake Detective Agency

in Los Angeles right away.

And if Carl really embezzled
the money?

Then restitution has to be made.

You'll have to get the money
and hand it over to me.

You think you can manage that?

I'll manage somehow.

I tell you, Mr. Drake,
this is all my fault.

I knew that fellow Houser
was a thief

the moment I laid eyes on him.
He had that look.

Now, wait a minute, Mr. Dale,
you're jumping to conclusions.

All I said was that a client of mine

is interested in Carl Houser's
credit rating.

Why did you make such a point
of his quitting without notice?

You made the point of it.

I merely asked if he'd given
you the two weeks.

Then you wanted to know when was
the last time we audited his accounts.

I can't help it if you thought
there was a connection.

You're not fooling me, young fellow,
not one bit.

When I think of the way
I trusted that man,

how I let him sign cheques.

And all the time
he was robbing me blind.

Well, did you find out how he did it?

We can't find anything missing,
Mr. Dale.

What?

Everything is in perfect order.

His books balance to the penny.

Thank you, Mr. Dale.

Good day, sir.

[WIND HOWLING]

[INAUDIBLE DIALOGUE]

Come out on deck.

Oh, hello, Mason.

James and I were just going in
for a drink. Won't you join us?

I was about to take a turn on deck.
Just going for a coat.

Oh, man, you don't wanna go on deck,
you'll get washed overboard.

This is no night for a man to be out.
No, it's not healthy.

Come on, this may be our last chance
before the boat dock.

Well, I don't know that a brandy will be
healthier but it'll certainly be a lot drier.

Ha-ha! Pretty good. Ha-ha.

[SLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

Ahh.

You went to Vancouver on a case,
I'll bet you.

- That's right.
- Funny.

I didn't see anything
in the papers about it.

Who was the victim?

I'm sorry to disillusion you,
Mr. Carter,

but my practise isn't entirely confined
to murder cases.

Sometimes I--

[HORN BLARING]

MAN [OVER P.A.]: Your attention,
please. This is Captain Walters.

A man has been reported overboard
and we are stopping to investigate.

All passengers
will please return to their staterooms

so that the roll call can be made.

Do not go on deck.

Excuse me, gentlemen.
I'll see you later.

[WIND HOWLING]

[HORN BLARING CONTINUES]

ANNA: Who is it?
- Perry Mason.

ANNA:
Oh, just a second.

What is it?

[PANTING]

Have they stopped?

What are the searchlights for?

- A man's been reported overboard.
- Aah!

What's the matter,
do you think that--?

What happened to the picture
of you and your daughter?

I don't know.

It was here this afternoon.

I don't understand.
Carl wouldn't have--

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Who is it?

CAPTAIN:
This is the captain, Mrs. Houser.

I'd like to talk to you, please.

Come in.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

MASON:
Captain.

You know our purser,
Mr. Buchanan, I think.

Mrs. Houser,

where did you and your husband go
when you left the dining room?

Why? What is it, captain?
What's happened?

Where's my husband?

I'm afraid your husband's
been washed overboard.

[CRYING]
Oh, no.

Oh, it can't be.

Oh, Carl.

Mrs. Houser...

...do you recognise this?

It's Carl's.

Oh, why did he do it?

Mrs. Houser,

I believe you had on a black dress
at dinner.

- Will you let me see it, please?
- Just a minute, captain.

Aren't we in California
territorial waters?

I am still the law on this ship,
Mr. Mason.

I'm responsible
for my passengers' safety.

I believe one of them
has been murdered.

Oh, no.

Now, will you let me see the dress,
please?

You have no right.

Oh, no.

Oh, gentlemen.

Would you step in here a moment,
please?

I may require your services
as witnesses.

I have asked Mrs. Houser to show me
a certain dress, gentlemen.

Since she has refused,

I'm going to have Mr. Buchanan
search for the garment.

Mr. Mason, are you going to let him
do this?

Aren't you gonna stop him?

I can't.

Now, then, Mrs. Houser,

you say you did not go out on deck
with your husband?

Captain Walters, Mrs. Houser
happens to be my client.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask
what you're getting at

before I allow her to answer
any more questions.

Very well, Mr. Mason, but I--

BUCHANAN:
Captain.

I found this hanging in the shower, sir.
It's quite wet.

Is this your dress, Mrs. Houser?

Yes.

I also found this, sir.
It appears to be a money belt.

- Is there money in it?
- Oh, yes, sir.

All right, count it.

Gentlemen, will you please watch him
and see that the count is correct?

- Mr. Carter.
- Yeah.

Will you make arrangements

to keep in touch with the authorities
when we dock?

I'm sure they'll want to question you.
You and Mr. James.

Oh, really, captain,
I don't wanna get mixed up in this.

I'm so pressed for time
and it seems impossible--

I think it could be arranged, sir.

All right, then.

Eighty-nine.

Ninety.

Ninety-one thousand
and 500 dollars, sir.

Well, goodbye, Mason.

Don't forget, I'm in realty. Ha-ha-ha.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Laura, I talked to the police.

They'll let the others go ashore
before they take your mother in.

Now, do you intend to stay
in Los Angeles?

All I know is that I don't wanna
go back to our apartment.

Not now.

Couldn't we get her a room
at the Greystone?

That all right with you?

Anything you say, Mr. Mason.

All right. You register under the name
of Laura Wilson.

I don't want the press to bother you.

- Della, will you take care of it?
- Mm-hm.

I forgot something in my stateroom.
Excuse me.

It must be a terrible shock

to have your mother accused
of your father's murder.

[SIGHS]

What's the matter with you?

Oh, nothing much.

I'd give a lot to know who called
the Bridge last night

and reported a man overboard.

Miss Street, I just wanna stop by
and say goodbye.

- Thanks again, Mr. Mason.
- Not at all.

DELLA: Goodbye.
- Bye.

How do you feel?

All right, I guess.

I had some rest.

Good.

Now, if I'm gonna help you,
Mrs. Houser,

I'll have to know exactly
what happened.

Why did you go out on deck
with your husband?

[SIGHS]

Well, he said he wanted to be alone
with me.

And then he took off his money belt
and gave it to me.

And then what happened?

Well, he seemed so upset
and it worried me.

And I followed him.

Up to the boat deck?

Yes, that's where I got wet.

I tried to get him to tell me
what was wrong, what was going on.

[CRYING]
And he just got mad

and he told me to go away.

And then--

Then what?

Then what?

Well,

he grabbed me and kissed me hard.

[SNIFFLES]

And then he pushed me away

and told me to go back
to our stateroom.

You think your husband
committed suicide?

What else?

Everything pointed to it.

I guess he realised that they were
bound to find out about the money.

And I think he thought that would
make it easier for Laura and me.

Have you returned it?

No.

It so happens that State-National
can find no funds missing.

But where did the money
come from?

That's what I'd like to know.

You know, you lived in Chicago
before you came out here.

What made you decide
to move to Los Angeles?

Well, it was the strangest thing.

It was in the wintertime

and Carl had been summoned
to jury duty.

He felt very strongly
about things like that.

How do you mean?

Well, when he believed
he was right,

he wouldn't stop.

I remember this particular case,

he believed that the man
was innocent

and he held out until the rest
of the jury agreed with him.

Oh, I'm sorry if I'm digressing.

No, no, it's all right.

Well, anyway,

there was a terrible blizzard
at that time

and I guess that's what made up
his mind.

He said it was silly
to live in a climate like that

and so he brought us all out here.

Anna,

has it ever occurred to you
your husband might be alive?

Oh, that wouldn't make any sense.

Why would he pretend
that he was dead?

No, there'd be no reason for that.

Apparently, there was no reason
for someone substituting

a photograph of Carl for the one
of you and Laura, yet they did.

Do you suppose Laura
might have taken it?

Oh, I hadn't thought of that.

I better check with her.

Do you think you can arrange for me
to see her?

Of course.

I'll look in on you tomorrow.

Thanks.

What's the trouble?

I phoned the Greystone.

They claim Laura Houser
never arrived at the hotel.

Did you forget I told her to register
under the name of Laura Wilson?

No, I asked for her
under both names.

It just doesn't make sense.

No, it doesn't make sense.

A girl disappears right before
her mother goes to trial

for the murder of her father,
something's wrong somewhere.

That may be the understatement
of the year.

Paul, I want you to find her.
I don't care--

[PHONE RINGS]

Yes, Gertie.

Just a minute.

It's the district attorney's office.
Hamilton Burger.

- Hello?
- How are you feeling, Perry?

MASON:
Fine.

I'm glad to hear it. Did you enjoy
your boat ride down from Canada?

- Yes.
- I envy you.

You know, I've been wanting you
to a trip like that for ages.

All right, Hamilton,
what's on your mind?

You can't get me to believe
this is just a social call.

Well, as a matter of fact, there's
a little problem that's come up.

I have the captain and the purser

of the Westminister
here in my office now.

You know, they have a very tough
schedule

and they may not be here
for the hearing.

- Really?
- I was wondering,

under the circumstances, would you
consent to my taking a deposition?

Now, you know better than that.

The defendant's got the right to face
his accusers.

Yes, but that means if I want them
to testify, they can't sail.

They'll have to wait over and rejoin
their ship in Panama by air.

Well, that's too bad.

But I refuse to waive my client's
constitutional rights.

All right, Mr. Mason, they'll be here.

I'll just have the hearing moved up
on the calendar.

[SIGHS]

I'm afraid I upset Mr. Burger.

Paul, you've just got to find
Laura Houser.

I'll do my best, Perry,
but I need time.

I'll try and get time.

- I think I know a way we can stall.
- All right.

Thank you.

People v. Anna Houser.
Are the people ready?

Ready for the people, Your Honour.

Is the defence ready?

If the court please,
may we approach the bench?

Your Honour, I believe the court
has no jurisdiction of this case.

Alleged crime was committed
on high seas

on a vessel owned and operated
by a British company.

If a crime was committed
on the high seas,

then the jurisdiction
would be in Great Britain.

If it please the court,

Your Honour is aware
from our discussion in chambers

that I was prepared for Mr. Mason's
delaying tactics.

We have the ship's log which shows
clearly that the Westminister

was in California territorial waters.

I refer you to the case of
People v. Strala 14,

California Section 617.

I have examined Mr. Burger's
authorities

and I am satisfied the court does,
indeed, have jurisdiction.

Very well, Your Honour,
then the defence is ready.

Excuse me.

JUDGE:
You may call your first witness.

Thank you, Your Honour.

I call Frank Buchanan
to the stand, please.

[CLEARS THROAT]

And then I discovered the dress.

Mr. James and Mr. Carter
were present at the time

having been summoned
by Captain Walters.

Did you discover anything else
at this time, Mr. Buchanan?

Yes, sir, as I already told you,
I found a money belt.

That would be this money belt,

- marked People's Exhibit D?
- Yes, sir.

And how much money
did this belt contain?

Ninety-one thousand
five hundred dollars.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness.

Mr. Buchanan, I shan't
take up much of your time.

Now, when was the last time
you saw Mr. Houser alive?

At dinner that same evening.
He was seated at my table.

You spoke to him?

No, sir, but I gave him a note
in passing.

Oh, who was the note from?

One of the other passengers,
Miss Evelyn Whiting.

Miss Whiting is a nurse, I believe.

Yes, sir. She tends a patient
by the name of Roger Cartman.

Was Miss Whiting in the dining room
at the time she gave you the note?

No, sir. I met her and her patient
as they were leaving the lift.

By the lift, you mean the elevator?

Yes, sir. The one that goes up
to the ship's hospital.

Thank you, Mr. Buchanan.
That will be all.

JUDGE:
You may step down, Mr. Buchanan.

Della, get ahold of Paul. I want a
complete check on that Whiting girl.

PAUL: Evelyn Whiting's address
on the passenger list

was a complete phoney.

This is where the ambulance brought
her and that guy in the wheelchair.

I haven't able to get a line
on Roger B. Cartman, either.

Here or Vancouver.

- Nobody in the house?
- No.

Let's take a look.

MASON:
lmpressive looking.

DRAKE: Yeah, these are people
with dough, all right.

The wheelchair's inside.
You can see it through the window.

Who owns this place?

Mm. Some character named
Morgan Shreves.

Morgan Shreves? Wait a minute.

Wasn't there a Morgan Shreves
tried on a big tax-evasion charge

about a year ago?

Yeah. He was a big guy
on some gambling deal.

Bookies or wire service, that was it.

It looked like they had him cold
but he got off.

- It happened some place Back East.
- In Chicago.

That's right.

Paul, I wanna get inside.

Wait a minute.

That's illegal.

Well, I suppose it might be called
a misdemeanour.

Misdemeanour?

Last time I read up on the subject,
it was called a felony.

No, in order to constitute a felony,

there must be an unlawful entry for the
purpose of committing unlawful acts.

As, for example, removing something
from the premises.

Hmm. And what did you have in mind?

I plan to do just the opposite.
I plan to leave something there.

- What?
- My fingerprints.

That is still a misdemeanour
and you can go to jail for it.

I know that.

Come on, give me a hand, cellmate.

[INTERCOM BUZZES]

- Yes?
MAN: Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Burger,

there's someone on the phone

who claims to have
some important information.

He won't give his name.

You give it to Murphy.

He won't speak to anyone but you.

Huh. All right. Try to trace the call.

He's on Line 1.

Burger speaking.

MAN:
I got a little tip for you, Mr. Burger.

I happen to know that nurse,
Evelyn Whiting and her patient

were in the ship's hospital the night
Carl Houser was murdered.

- What's that?
- You heard me.

I understand they saw everything
that went on.

Go on.

When the ship docked,

they took an ambulance
to 455 Alder Lane in the Palisades.

Are you positive about that?

That's where Perry Mason
found them.

You mean, Mason bribed them
to disappear?

Mason's been there and they're gone.
Isn't that enough?

Well, how can you prove
Mason was there?

Look for fingerprints.

Perry, I sure hope you know
what you're doing.

Look, Paul, we've got to get
the police

started looking for Evelyn Whiting
and her patient.

But when the police find our
fingerprints in that Shreves' house--

That should convince them
your tip was up-and-up.

If the police can't find Evelyn Whiting,
no one can.

Oh. What about Laura Houser?

I'd just assume the police knew
nothing about her disappearance,

I want you to find her.

Have you heard
from my daughter yet?

Not yet, but I'm sure she's all right.

[CROWD CHATTERING]

JUDGE:
Everyone rise.

Please be seated
and come to order.

Your Honour, may we approach
the bench?

You may.

Your Honour, I would like to serve
notice on the prosecution

that unless the body of Carl Houser
is produced,

there is no corpus delicti,
and consequently no case.

If it please the court,

I'm astonished that Mr. Mason
doesn't know that corpus delicti

refers not to the body of the victim
but the body of the crime.

Nevertheless, there must be evidence
of actual death or actual violence

in order to support a charge
of murder.

And I intend to produce such evidence
with my next witness, Your Honour.

You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Thank you, Your Honour.

I call Laura Houser.

[CROWD MURMURING]

[CLEARS THROAT]

[EXHALES]

Your Honour, I'd like to know
the meaning of this.

Miss Houser is the daughter
of the defendant.

BURGER: Which is exactly why
she's being held as a material witness.

This is outrageous. Arresting this girl
when it was completely unnecessary,

concealing the fact from me.

Just a moment, Mr. Mason.
You're out of order.

Didn't you really know
where she was?

I most certainly did not.

We only picked her up an hour ago
ourselves.

At international airport getting off
a plane from San Francisco.

JUDGE: I repeat, Mr. Burger,
you may proceed.

[INAUDIBLE]

Now, Miss Houser,

where were you on the Westminister
at approximately 9:00

on the night of the 6th
of this month?

I was out on the A Deck.

That's the one below the one they call
the boat deck?

- Yes, sir.
- Well, why were you there?

I wanted to think.

Was that because your mother
and father were constantly quarrelling?

Your Honour,

I object, the district attorney
is leading the witness.

May I remind counsel
that Miss Houser is a hostile witness.

I withdraw the objection.

Continue, Mr. Burger.

It's a fact, isn't it, Miss Houser,

your mother and father
were constantly quarrelling?

- Yes.
- What were they quarrelling about?

Money.

I see.

Now, when you were out on A Deck
alone, did you see anyone else?

- No.
- Did you hear anything?

Yes.

I-- I think it was a gunshot.

Where did it come from?

From the boat deck above me.

Did you investigate this shot?

Well, I went to the rail
and looked up.

What exactly did you see?

It's very difficult to tell. I was looking up
into the rain and wind.

To the best of your knowledge,
what did you see?

I saw a man hanging over the rail
of the boat deck.

BURGER:
Was anyone with him?

- Yes.
- Was that your mother?

LAURA:
I don't know.

I could see only her arms
and part of her back.

Well, was she wearing a black,
strapless dress?

It was dark.

Was there anything distinctive
about her arms or hair or anything?

There were two bracelets
on her left arm.

Miss Houser, had you seen your
mother earlier in the evening?

Of course.

Was she wearing bracelets then?

LAURA:
Yes.

BURGER:
How many?

Two.

When you were out on A Deck,

looking up over the rail,
what did you see next?

I saw the man

sort of rise,

go over the rail

and fall past me into the sea.

As a matter of fact,
didn't you see the woman

lift or push him overboard?

I don't know.

Well, after this happened,
what did you do?

I called the phone operator

from the A Deck
to report a man overboard.

Then I went to the boat deck

but there wasn't anybody there.

- And you went back to your stateroom?
- Yes, sir.

You were the woman who turned in
the man-overboard alert, weren't you?

Yes.

And didn't you tell the operator that
you'd seen a man pushed overboard?

I guess I did.

That's all.

Laura,

where did you go when you left
the Westminister?

I took a cab to the Union Station
and bought a ticket to San Francisco.

I just wanted to get away.

Because you did not want to
be a witness?

Yes.

Now, suppose I were to tell you
that your father is still alive.

I don't understand.

You do understand there has been no
concrete proof of his death.

JUDGE:
Just a moment, counsellor.

Mr. Burger, have you any objection
to this line of enquiry?

No, Your Honour.

I would never want it said
that the district attorney's office

would seek to obscure the truth
by taking advantage of technicalities.

You may continue, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honour.

Now,

let's try to examine the reasons
behind your behaviour.

First off, you were distressed

because your father and mother
had quarrelled during the trip.

That's right.

Night of the storm,
your father left the dining room

- and your mother followed him.
- Yes.

- You decided to go out on the A Deck?
- Yes.

Since the decks were otherwise
deserted because of the bad weather,

you assumed that the couple
on the deck above you

had to be your parents?

That's true.

All right. Let's go one step further.

As you stood on the below deck,

you saw a figure hurtle past you
into the water.

Yes.

What then was the first thing
you did?

I ran to the nearest phone
on the A Deck.

You told the operator that you saw
a man go overboard?

Yes.

- Did you know it was your father?
- Yes.

Well, why didn't you say,

- "I saw my father go overboard?"
- I don't know.

Is it possible that you weren't certain
at that moment

that the man who went overboard
was your father?

What do you mean?

Laura, I'm only trying to clarify
in your mind

the true sequence of events.

I was so sure it was father.
I saw his body go past me.

But did you reach the conclusion
it was your father

simultaneously with the event
or in fact, after it?

It must have been afterwards.

All right, now, Laura, when did you
arrive at the conclusion

that the woman involved
was your mother?

When I saw her on the deck above
with my father.

MASON: Which, of course, presumes
that the man was your father.

Now, suppose you had later learned
that the man who went overboard was,

let us say a Mr. Smith,

would you have still believed

that the woman responsible
was your mother?

Let me put it this way,

after you heard the report
that your father was missing,

wasn't it then you concluded that
the woman involved was your mother

because you had last
seen them quarrelling

or thought you had seen
them quarrelling?

I guess I did.

In other words,

it's quite possible
that all your conclusions

have been just the fabric
of your imagination?

Yes.

[SOBBING]
What have I done?

[SOBBING]

You made a very human mistake,
Laura.

You put two and two together,
it just came out five.

Thank you, Mr. Burger.

Your Honour, I have no further
questions of this witness.

The witness is excused.

You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

If Your Honour please,
I know the court has been perplexed

at my lack of objection
to Mr. Mason's cross-examination.

I would like to state that my purpose

was simply to give Mr. Mason
enough rope.

JUDGE: Would you please explain that
to the court?

As I understand Mr. Mason's theory,

it is in effect that Miss Houser
did not see her father fall overboard

because her father is
or may be still alive.

And is that your theory, Mr. Mason?

It is, Your Honour.

We have seen no evidence
to contradict it.

Well, if it please the court,

the prosecution will be ready
at 10:00 tomorrow morning

to furnish definite proof
of the corpus delicti.

I have been advised that Carl Houser's
body has been discovered

and taken to the morgue.

[SOBBING]
Oh, no.

I got the dope on the postmortem.

"Carl Houser's body was found floating
about a mile offshore.

He died from a gunshot wound
and not from drowning.

It was a .38 calibre bullet

but it was not from the pistol
they found onboard ship."

Anything else on that house
on Alder Lane?

Well, no, nothing except
Morgan Shreves owned it outright.

Oh, Carl Houser was on the Chicago
jury that acquitted Shreves

of tax evasion.

Perry, that's where Houser got
the hundred thousand dollars.

Maybe Shreves bribed him.

How is that nurse, Evelyn Whiting,
how is she involved with Shreves?

It could have been Shreves
in the wheelchair

under the name of
Roger B. Cartman.

Sure.

Suppose the nurse and Shreves
got Houser up on deck,

shot him and pushed his body
overboard.

What do you think, Perry?

Could be.

You're overlooking one thing, Paul.

What does headquarters say?

Have they located Evelyn Whiting
or the man in the wheelchair?

Not as far as I know.

Looks like we left our fingerprints
in that house for nothing.

Your Honour, I've been informed
of the existence

of two other eyewitness
to this murder.

My men have a lead on one of them

and I expect to have this eyewitness
testify.

However, the other one has completely
disappeared without a trace

and I have substantial evidence

to the effect that Mr. Mason
is personally responsible.

Your Honour,
as a practising attorney, I--

JUDGE:
Just a moment, Mr. Mason.

Are you prepared to substantiate
these charges, Mr. Burger?

At this point, I can't offer all the proof
I hope to produce at a later date,

when criminal action will be taken
against counsel for the defendant.

However, I can certainly produce
enough evidence

to support my motion
for a 48-hour continuance.

I demand such evidence
be produced.

And after the district attorney's called
his witnesses in support of the motion,

I should be allowed the same
privilege against the motion.

Of course, the court will at this time
entertain proof

in support of a motion
by the prosecution,

in fact, such proof must be advanced
in order to justify continuance.

Proceed.

I call Christopher Walsh.

BURGER:
Your name is Christopher Walsh,

you are now and have been
for some years, a criminologist

with the police force of this city.

And in particular
a specialist on fingerprints?

Yes, sir. I'm so accredited.

Night before last, acting on a certain
anonymous tip, received by my office,

did you visit a suburban home
at 455 Alder Lane?

I checked the house for fingerprints
and made photographs of them.

- Have you got those photographs?
- I have.

Would you please tell this court
whose fingerprints they are?

Well, there were a woman's
fingerprints,

they belonged to Evelyn Whiting.

And there were prints
on the wheelchair,

which we assumed to be those
of Roger B. Cartman, her patient.

And then there were prints
of the owner of the house,

Morgan Shreves.

And then finally,

we found the fingerprints
of Perry Mason and Paul Drake,

a detective who often woks for him.

May I have those prints, please?

If the court please, I would like these
fingerprints submitted in evidence.

Since there doesn't seem
to be an objection,

the photographs will be received
in evidence.

Cross-examine.

Mr. Walsh,

how many men
have you fingerprinted?

Oh, I don't know.
Up in the thousands.

Can you remember the first man
you fingerprinted?

Oh, I can't remember that far back.

Now, who was the last man
you fingerprinted?

Carl Houser,
at the morgue last night.

Do you

have Mr. Houser's fingerprints?

Yes, sir.

Here you are.

They're all marked.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Now, whose prints are these?

WALSH:
Oh, Evelyn Whiting, the nurse.

And these?

Roger B. Cartman, her patient.

And these?

Those are the fingerprints
of Carl Houser, taken from the corpse.

Now, just a moment. You're making
your identification not from the prints

but from your writing on the bottom
of the photographs.

WALSH: Of course. That's just to keep
the pictures straight.

You can't identify prints
from a glance.

You need a magnifying glass
and a little time.

Oh, I see.

I don't suppose you could do that
in court?

Well, of course I could.

You could?

Well, let's see.

Now, would you be--?

Would you be kind enough
to identify these for us, please?

These--

These three.

It'll take a little time.

No hurry.

These two prints are the same.

I think they're Roger B. Cartman's
but I'm not sure.

I'd have to check the data
in my notebook.

Go right ahead.

These two are both prints
of the right index finger

of the man we assume
is Roger B. Cartman.

I see.

Mr. Walsh,
do you happen to have a pencil?

Yes, sir.

Well, would you put a cross
on those two photographs

so there would be no mistake?

Thank you.

Now...

Now, Mr. Walsh,

would you kindly explain to the court

how you happened to identify
as a fingerprint of Roger B. Cartman,

one belonging to Carl Houser?

[CROWD MURMURING]

- What?
- Wait a minute.

Mr. Mason, do I understand
that you contend this witness

has confused the photographs?

Not at all, Your Honour.
I merely contend that Carl Houser,

whom the defendant is charged
with killing on the night of the 6th,

left his fingerprints
on the wheelchair

and elsewhere in that house
on Alder Lane,

24 hours after his alleged murder
at sea.

Your Honour, I can't help suspecting
trickery here someplace.

May I ask the court for a brief recess
to consider this new development?

Under the circumstances,

I'm certain there would be no objection
to a brief continuance, Mr. Mason.

I'll agree on one condition,
Your Honour.

For two days I have had
men searching

for Evelyn Whiting to subpoena her.

I would like her to testify on the motion
before the court,

and I gather
from Mr. Burger's remarks

and the fact that Mr. Walsh identified
her fingerprints

that the district attorney's office
has Miss Whiting in custody.

Is this true?

It is, Your Honour.
We do have her in custody.

Do you have any objection to counsel
examining her on the motion?

None whatever.

Much as I resent
Mr. Mason's tactics,

I still would welcome anything that'll
throw some light on this matter.

Get Miss Whiting.

Miss Whiting,

you're acquainted, I believe,
with one Morgan Shreves?

Yes.

Am I correct in assuming

that you have a romantic attachment
with Mr. Shreves?

No, you are not correct at all.

Would I be correct in assuming
that you have an attachment

for someone who is working
for Mr. Shreves?

Yes.

What sort of a relationship is this?

We're married.

I see.

Now, Miss Whiting,
a little more than a year ago,

Morgan Shreves stood trial in Chicago
for income-tax evasion.

He was acquitted, I believe,
by bribing a juror,

a juror named Carl Houser.

Now, from your own
personal knowledge,

can you tell us if this is true?

Remember Miss Whiting,
you're under oath.

Yes, it's true.

And isn't it also true
that when Morgan Shreves learned

the authorities were investigating
the bribery,

he enlisted the aid of you
and your husband?

Yes.

And of course he knew
that Carl Houser

would be a key witness
for the government.

That's right.

Accordingly, you, your husband
and Mr. Shreves

flew to Vancouver, British Columbia
where you boarded the Westminster.

- Is that correct?
- Yes.

Now, Miss Whiting,

on the night of the 6th,
did you send a note to Carl Houser

asking him to meet you
on the boat deck after dinner?

- No.
- You did not?

What night did you say that was?

The night of the 6th.

Oh, I'd forgotten about that.

- You did send Mr. Houser a note?
- Yes.

And you did meet Mr. Houser
on the boat deck?

- Yes.
- Whereupon you promptly shot him

- and pushed his body overboard.
- That's not true.

Miss Whiting, we've already heard
Miss Houser testify

that she heard a shot and saw her
father pushed overboard.

But you proved it might not have been
her father. I read that.

But we definitely know
she saw something or someone.

- If it wasn't Carl Houser, who was it?
- It was a dummy.

MASON: A dummy?
WHITING: Yes.

[CROWD MURMURING]

Come now,
would you have us believe

that you went through this
very involved plan

- just to push a dummy overboard?
- Yes.

Carl and I had this all planned.

It was supposed to look like
he'd committed suicide.

How did you hope to get away
with this deception?

He got in my wheelchair
and posed as my patient.

- He posed as Roger B. Cartman?
- Yes.

But who is the man I saw
in your wheelchair aboard ship?

Was it Morgan Shreves?

Yes.

Then...

...you maintain Carl Houser
was still alive when the Westminister

- docked in Los Angeles harbour?
- Yes.

Yes, I took him off the ship
in the wheelchair.

But your suicide plan went wrong

and Anna Houser was charged
with murder.

You realised then that Carl Houser

would never let his wife suffer,
so you shot him,

- took his body offshore--
- No. No. I swear, I had no part in that.

Did I, Morgan?

[CROWD MURMURING]

Oh, Morgan, please,
you've gotta tell them the truth.

Don't let them do this to me.

[SOBBING]
Darling, please.

It's all right, Evelyn. Don't worry.

You want Morgan Shreves?

Well, here he is.

[CROWD MURMURING]

Rain.

I don't know why, but rain always
gives me an appetite.

Hmm. Everything gives you
an appetite.

Della, you shouldn't have.

No, but I'll bet
you're awfully glad I did. Ha-ha.

You know what gets me, Perry,

the other night, you said
I was overlooking something.

For the life of me,
I can't figure out what it was.

I told you about the substitution
of pictures in Houser's stateroom.

Yeah.

Well, obviously, Houser had to be
responsible, no one else had a reason.

And what was his?

He wouldn't have substituted
the picture

if he thought
he was gonna be murdered.

Ergo, he planned to disappear

and wanted a remembrance
of his family.

The case of the substitute face.

Why didn't I think of that?

Why didn't I?
I was on the boat with him.

I'll bet he used mental telepathy.

- Miss Street, please.
- I'm serious.

I can see how you figured out Carter
and James were a couple of fakers.

I can even see how you figured out
that one of them had to be Shreves.

But when James turned out to be
Shreves, that really floored me.

And just in case
you're interested, Della,

- Mm-hm.
- it floored me too.

[ALL LAUGH]

[COUGHS]

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