Original subtitles

We were heading for the town of Coltrane,

where we were gonna camp for the night.

It seemed like any other beautiful summer morning.

There was nothing to give a hint of violence and death

until Bill stumbled on it.

How's she doin', Major?

Not too good.

Are we gettin' close?

We're almost there.

Who was this woman?

She was a stranger, but I was to know her

as well as I had ever known anyone

before this day was over.

Get Doc Cannon over here right away.

We found her unconscious just outside a little cottage out by the Junction.

Looked like an artist's place or something.

That'll be Carlotti's house. He's a queer old bird.

Lita Foladaire!

Foladaire?

Foladaire? Did you say Foladaire?

This is Jess Foladaire's wife.

Jess' wife? Why, I know him!

Served in the Army with him.

He was the captain of my outfit.

He's away on a cattle- buying trip,

and I don't know when he's gonna get back,

but when he does, he's gonna tear this town apart.

Hello, Doc.

Lita.

Major Adams found her outside Carlotti's house.

Attempted strangulation.

A hard blow on the head.

Possible fracture.

Have you got any idea who would want to do anything like this?

She didn't have an enemy in the world, Major.

Clay.

Clay.

She say something?

No.

Sounded to me like she was trying to talk.

No, it's just a cry of pain.

Well, that's that.

Murdered.

Well, I'm not gonna wait for Jess to get back.

I'll find out who did this if it's the last thing I ever do.

I always thought Jess set too much store

about being a Foladaire.

One night we had the watch together, and he said to me,

he said, "Seth, when you've been born into a family"

"that has five generations of such high honor and esteem,

it's really something to live up to."

I'm beginning to see what he meant.

I think I do too.

Say, didn't he have a brother?

Yeah, I think he did. A younger brother.

Clay, they called him.

Jess' father died when he was only 18.

He was raising this boy like he was his own son.

Oh?

She was the most beautiful woman who ever lived.

Major Adams, I'm Mrs. Simmons,

Mrs. Foladaire's housekeeper.

This is Mr. Hawks, Mrs. Simmons.

How do you do? How do you do?

We just received news of the accident.

Naturally, it was a terrible shock.

Do you know where Mr. Foladaire is?

He's out somewhere buying cattle.

I don't even know how to reach him.

Mr. Clay and Mr. Jess went together.

How did the accident happen?

Well, Mrs. Simmons, uh...

it wasn't an accident.

It was murder.

Murder?

Murder!

Mrs. Simmons...

do you know a man named Carlotti, a painter?

Yes, of course. He's almost a member of the household.

He painted that portrait.

Do you have any idea where we could find him?

Well, if he's not home, he must be out painting.

Oh, I'm sorry, Major Adams,

but you see, Mrs. Foladaire was more like a friend to me than an employer,

and I just can't seem to realize...

Only a few hours ago, she stood in the door.

"Simmie," she said, "can I bring you anything from town?"

I'll never hear her say that again.

Look at her.

Was a child like that born to be murdered?

She was a beautiful girl.

She looked just like that the first time I ever saw her.

We were just moving in.

I was in this same room, opening packing boxes.

I heard someone ride up the driveway.

I opened the door, and there she stood.

There was mail at the post office for Mr. Foladaire,

and I was coming this way, so I thought I'd bring it with me.

How kind of you. Won't you come in and get acquainted?

Oh, thank you, no. I know how busy you are.

I'll come back again after you're settled, if I may.

Thank you. Bye.

Bye.

Who was that?

She didn't tell me her name, Mr. Foladaire.

The postmistress asked her to drop your mail by.

I wish I'd come out here sooner.

She's just a child!

Look at that girl ride!

How do you do?

My name's Jess Foladaire.

No, no. You'd better not move

till the doctor gets here.

I've sent for him.

What's your name?

Lita Clayton.

My father's Dan Clayton.

The manager of the hotel?

I know him.

I'll get word to him right away.

That must be the doctor.

And this is my great-grandmother.

She was a wonderful old girl.

I wish I'd known her.

She brought five Foladaires into the world:

two admirals, a general, a Congressman, and a governor.

Didn't she have any girls?

Yes.

But they don't count.

Why not?

Girls marry, and when they do,

they're no longer Foladaires.

Well, all these women you're so proud of

weren't really Foladaires.

They became Foladaires when they got married,

and each of them, like Caesar's wife,

was above suspicion and beyond approach.

Your father packed everything he thought you'd need.

The doctor told him he didn't want you moved until tomorrow.

Is my father coming out here?

No, I told him I'd look after you.

I don't know about the invalid, but I'm hungry.

Well, after all, I'm only one woman!

You're ten women, Mrs. Simmons,

and all ten of you are wonderful!

She always bangs the door when she gets a compliment.

She likes to pretend that she's immune to flattery.

This is my mother.

She died bringing Clay into the world.

Where is Clay?

He's still at school.

He'll be here in June.

Your mother was a beautiful woman.

Foladaires only marry beautiful women.

Why don't you hang your mother's portrait over the fireplace?

No.

That spot is reserved for my Mrs. Foladaire.

Oh, I didn't know you were married.

I'm not.

Engaged.

Not yet.

Well, you spoke as though...

As though I'd already found her?

No, I haven't found her yet, but I will,

and when I do, her portrait will hang over the fireplace,

and she'll be the most beautiful Mrs. Foladaire of them all.

How wonderful to be one of them.

Well, she was one of them, poor child.

But I also think Mrs. Foladaire

was going by to see her father this morning.

Her father?

Nobody told us her father was still alive.

Do you think he knows?

Oh, yes, he knows.

This is a small town,

and Mr. Clayton's lived here all his life.

Well, if he'd been told,

wouldn't he come right out here?

Hardly.

You see, Mr. Clayton has never been in this house.

Mr. Clayton.

I'm Seth Adams. This is Bill Hawks.

How are you?

You're the ones that found my girl.

That's right.

Just want to tell you how sorry we are.

Come in.

Thank you.

Mr. Clayton, I used to know Jess Foladaire pretty well.

He was the captain of my outfit during the War.

I hear he's not in town,

so I'm gonna stay here till I find out who did this.

Why... will that bring her back?

No, it won't,

but she was your daughter.

She's Jess Foladaire's wife.

Mr. Clayton, don't you want to see justice done?

Justice?

Oh, yes, I'd like to see Justice done.

But you won't accomplish that.

Not in this town.

Well, if the man that killed her is in this town,

we'll find him.

ADAMS: How old was she then?

CLAYTON: 17.

Wasn't a girl in these parts

could hold a candle to her.

Always laughing.

Sometimes I wake in the night,

think I hear her still.

Sometimes...

half awake...

I even call out,

"Lita, is that you?"

Yes, Pa, I'm home.

Oh!

John Cannon, if your face were to freeze that way,

they could use you to frighten people on Halloween.

Well, I took you to the dance,

and you spent the whole evening with Jess Foladaire.

Why, you're jealous, Johnny!

I've never known you to be jealous!

Good night, Lita.

John, don't go away mad.

What's the matter with John?

Oh, he's just sulking because I danced with Jess Foladaire.

Well, you did go with John to the dance.

Well, that doesn't mean he owns me.

Jess asked me to go to the box social. I told him I would.

I wish you wouldn't.

Why don't you like him, Pa?

Lita, it's not so much that I don't like him.

It's just that, working at the hotel,

I've seen Mr. Foladaire in circumstances

that I just don't think he's a proper companion for my little girl.

Oh, Pa! That's such a stuffy thing to say.

He's so many years older than you are.

He doesn't seem older.

You're so much nearer Clay's age.

Oh, Clay.

Jess is the one that matters.

Such clear, steady eyes. Do they really see?

What do you want me to see?

Vanity. Greed. Lust.

A poverty-stricken man in a golden house.

You don't know Jess.

You don't know him at all, or you wouldn't say that.

"Will you walk into my parlor?"

said the spider to the fly.

Oh, for heaven's sakes!

We're not going to quarrel, are we, Pa?

We never quarrel, and besides, you always said you believe

in letting people lead their own lives.

I know.

But thinking of you with a man like Jess Foladaire...

Gracious!

As if going to a box social is this serious.

Come on, now, let's just laugh and forget it.

You can't stay mad at me, you know you can't.

There! That's better!

I do love you.

Sometimes I'm afraid I didn't raise you right at all.

Mr. Clayton,

have you got any idea who might have done this?

She's been dead for such a long time now...

it's hard to say.

Maybe it was me.

Maybe I could have prevented this whole thing.

She did come here today, didn't she?

Little before noon.

Did she seem worried about anything?

No, she seemed happier than I've seen her in a long time.

Maybe "excited" is more the word.

Do you know where she was going from here?

She said she was going to the parsonage.

She had something for Reverend Willoughby.

Reverend Willoughby baptized her.

Tomorrow, he'll voice the regrets

of all those expected.

In the normal course of things,

she would live after them.

"Rest in peace," he'll say.

I suppose that's all any of us can do for her now.

Mr. Clayton...

would you prefer that this book be closed

and put on the shelf with no proper ending?

The ending's as it is. That can't be changed!

Your daughter was murdered,

and the person that did it is still free.

Would you be so interested

if she were not Jess Foladaire's wife?

Of course he would. So would I.

Lita Foladaire had no one to defend her when she was helpless.

I want to see her murderer hang.

I didn't know your daughter,

but I'm sure that if our positions were reversed,

Jess Foladaire would do exactly what I'm trying to do for him.

Strange.

Why, even after death, men'll fight for her.

Every man she ever knew would fight for her.

Some man killed her, Mr. Clayton.

Yes. Maybe that was inevitable.

WOMAN: Lita Foladaire was the most beautiful bride in the world.

Mr. Willoughby performed the ceremony.

I just can't seem to accept that idea that...

She was here only this morning.

The most kind, generous, gracious lady

that ever walked the face of this earth.

Mr. Foladaire worshiped her.

What'll he do when he finds out?

Oh, I wish you could have seen our church that day.

Banked with flowers.

And the wedding reception that followed...

Mr. Foladaire brought an orchestra

all the way from St. Louis, Missouri.

Mm.

Yeah, Jess always did everything up in great style.

I made her wedding dress.

I... I was so pleased when Mrs. Foladaire asked me.

She had her final fitting on that gown

in this very room

the night before the wedding...

Is the train too long?

What did you say, Mrs. Willoughby?

Oh...!

I said, is the train too long?

Oh, goodness, no.

Messers Foladaire's mother had a train three yards long.

Oh, mercy!

Think of all that material wasting away on the floor.

I've heard so many women say they were afraid...

You know, when it came right down

to actually making the step.

Hm. Well, I'm not afraid.

I'm looking forward to every hour,

every day, every week, every year.

I can't imagine anything more wonderful than being Mrs. Jess Foladaire.

How is your Pa taking it now?

Well, he won't discuss it anymore.

Well.

'Course, you know your pa always favored Johnny Cannon.

I guess it's just as well

he's away at medical school right now.

That was a school-day romance.

We were bound to outgrow it.

Ohh!

I want to see my girl! Oh, Jess, you can't!

No, Mr. Foladaire, you can't! It's bad luck!

You look like a queen. She looks like a bride...

and you shouldn't be looking at her!

Now, really, it's bad luck!

We make our own luck!

Mrs. Willoughby's worried.

Mrs. Willoughby's happiest when she's worried.

Now, her dress... You'll muss her dress!

I always said I'd marry

the most beautiful girl in the world.

Oh, Jess.

Oh, dear. That means rain.

It just can't rain tomorrow.

Why? Why can't it rain tomorrow?

Rain's good for crops.

You know what they say, Mr. Foladaire.

"Happy is the bride that the sun shines on."

I'll be happy, Mrs. Willoughby.

Rain or sun, I'll be happy.

Pa!

I'm sorry, Mrs. Willoughby,

I've been drinking a few toasts to the bride.

It's a privilege I claim as the bride's father.

Pa, sit down with us.

No, I'm not staying that long,

but I did want to see you in your bridal outfit.

Oh, you look like your mother tonight.

Hers wasn't so fine,

but she wore white

and she had her radiance,

just as you do.

Hail and farewell, Lita, little girl.

I've enjoyed knowing you.

Pa, don't say that.

I won't be at the church tomorrow.

I give no daughter of mine

to Jess Foladaire.

You may have blinded her,

but you're not blinding me!

I love my child,

but I'd rather see her in her grave than married to you!

Jess! Pa! Stop it! Stop it!

Lita...

Lita, please, please come with me!

Leave this man before it's too late.

No, Pa.

Goodbye.

Pa.

Pa!

Ohh!

It doesn't matter.

It doesn't matter, my sweet.

These are your last hours as Lita Clayton.

Tomorrow you're going to be Lita Foladaire.

There never was a more beautiful bride.

Well, thank you for your time, Mrs. Willoughby.

Have you talked to Mr. Carlotti?

Mrs. Foladaire loved him so.

No, we haven't yet, but we will.

Bill, you might go by the sheriff's office

and see if he's been able to locate Carlotti, will you?

I'll go by Dr. Cannon's.

Thank you.

Dr. Cannon?

Come in, Major Adams.

Thank you.

Yes, that's Lita.

It isn't usually on my desk.

I was just looking at it...

Conducting my own memorial services, you might say.

Sit down.

Thank you, Doctor.

I've been told that you two were childhood sweethearts.

I can't remember a time when I didn't love her.

Even after she married Jess Foladaire?

Well, you know the old saying...

"Physician, heal thyself."

Unfortunately, I never found a prescription.

But I don't suppose Lita realized.

She had too many other things to worry about.

Dr. Cannon,

do you have any idea of anyone

who might want to see her dead?

I'm a doctor who deals in facts, Major,

not theories.

All right. Would you mind discussing some of those facts with me?

That depends. On what?

On your interest in the facts.

It's very simple.

Jess Foladaire's a friend of mine.

I want to find out who killed his wife.

"'Vengeance is mine, ' saith the LORD."

Maybe.

Perhaps... perhaps she's entitled to vengeance, at that.

What do you want to know?

You were the family doctor, weren't you?

I'm the family doctor for this whole territory.

And she had an appointment with you today?

She kept the appointment.

She brought it herself.

You didn't see her before?

No.

I've seen several pictures of her today.

When was this one taken?

A few years after they were married.

Lita and Jess had just returned from Europe.

The local photographer took some family portraits.

I slipped him a few dollars to make that one up for me.

It's strictly contraband.

Jess Foladaire would tear me apart if he knew I had it.

As I recall,

Lita didn't care for the picture,

but to me, it was beautiful.

I never realized my face was quite so empty.

Doesn't look empty to me.

Well, maybe Jess will like it.

John, do you intend to tell me?

Of course.

It's true, Lita, quite true.

Oh, John!

Oh, I'm so happy!

Jess has wanted a son.

I can't guarantee the delivery of a boy.

It'll be a boy. Jess always gets what he wants.

Oh, Johnny, think of a little boy running about this house...

A boy with Jess' eyes and his smile,

and his frown.

Oh! Ohh!

I'm so happy!

Darling...

what is it? What's wrong?

What's wrong?

Nothing.

She's just happy.

My son.

Let me hold my son.

Lita.

Please, Johnny, let me hold him,

just for a moment.

Lita, listen to me.

Simmie, please bring him to me.

You must be brave.

Bring me my son.

You have no right to keep him from me.

Bring him to me.

Lita, now, you've got to try to accept this.

Oh, no.

No.

To wait all this time...

and plan...

dream and hope.

And then to fail.

Jess. Where's Jess?

I'll get him for you.

She's asking for you.

She needs you.

LITA: Where's Jess?

Clay...

where's Jess?

I'm sorry, Lita.

Sorry I had to be the one to tell you.

Poor Jess.

I'm not thinking about Jess.

A dynasty has to have sons,

and I've failed him.

It isn't your fault.

Well, it isn't his.

Johnny, what will I do? How can I help him?

You have no idea what it means to Jess

to carry on the Foladaire name.

I don't know how he can bear this.

He's got you.

He's the most fortunate man in the world.

You're kind. You're always so kind.

Lita...

you do love him, don't you?

I'd die for him.

He's the most fortunate man in the world.

Who could have hated a woman like that

enough to want to kill her?

I don't think she was killed by someone who...

hated her.

Major!

What are you doing in here, Charlie?

You're supposed to be out looking after the camp.

You know what I'm doing here, don't you?

Have some coffee, Charlie.

Where have you two been? I've been looking all over.

What's going on around here, anyway?

Sit down, Charlie!

What's this?

It's coffee, Charlie.

If this is coffee, I'll have some tea.

Pretty good tea.

If it's tea, then I'll have coffee.

It isn't tea, Charlie.

It's just plain, lukewarm dish swill.

Pretty good tea.

You know, Bill, I just can't figure it out.

I keep trying to add it up, and it just won't add up.

If we only knew why

anybody would want to kill this girl.

Who's been killed?

I wonder if we've covered every place that she went today.

We talked to her father this morning,

we saw the Reverend's wife,

and you talked to Dr. Cannon.

Now, who does that leave out?

Well, it leaves me out!

It leaves that painter Carlotti for one.

The Sheriff's looking for him.

Why don't somebody tell me what's going on?

I wonder if we know of everyone she saw today.

MAN: She came to see me.

And... who are you, sir?

My name is Jason Arnold. I'm an attorney.

The Sheriff told me you were trying to retrace Mrs. Foladaire's steps today.

May I sit down?

Well, please do.

Unpleasant business, isn't it?

Are you Jess Foladaire's attorney?

No, I'm Dan Clayton's attorney.

Mrs. Foladaire's visit to me was completely unexpected.

I immediately asked her why she didn't go to her husband's attorney,

but she said under the circumstances she didn't want to.

You see, Mrs. Foladaire wanted to change her will.

Today?

It does seem strange now, doesn't it?

Well, did she change it?

Yes. It's a simple will.

I drew it up while she was waiting.

There's only one beneficiary.

Who was that?

Now, you do understand this is quite irregular,

but the Sheriff told me under the circumstances

I'd better tell you.

Mrs. Foladaire's sole beneficiary is Clay Foladaire.

Clay?

Who's Clay Foladaire?

Charlie, I'll tell you later.

Tell me now. You remember, I'm Charlie Wooster. I'm with you.

You mean... she came to you instead of going to

the Foladaires' regular attorney?

Yes. Strange, isn't it?

ADAMS: Clay Foladaire.

Wonder why she did that?

We're not gonna find out, I guess,

until Clay and Jess get back here tomorrow.

But Clay is in town.

No, he's with his brother!

No, no, he isn't. He didn't go with Jess.

Are you sure of that?

Oh, I'm... I'm positive.

Mrs. Foladaire told me she had an appointment with Clay,

this afternoon.

Bill, you and Charlie better go see if you can round up the Sheriff.

Bring him out to the Foladaire house.

I think there's a few questions

he'll want to ask Clay Foladaire.

ADAMS: Mr. Carlotti,

do you know who killed Lita Foladaire?

I feel terribly responsible myself.

If I had been there,

she might still be alive tonight.

Where were you this afternoon, Mr. Carlotti?

I went out before noon to sketch.

I was in the hills until the sun went down.

Did you expect Lita Foladaire to come to your place today?

We had no appointment, if that's what you mean,

but she often stopped by while she was out riding.

Is it possible that she could have asked

someone else to meet her there?

Quite possible.

Who else has ever come to your place with her?

Oh, many people.

Her father, Mrs. Simmons,

the Reverend Willoughby, Dr. Cannon.

Why would, uh,

Dr. Cannon come clear out there just to see her?

Mrs. Foladaire was never very strong

after she lost her baby.

He wanted to be sure she was not posing too long.

And Reverend Willoughby?

Mrs. Foladaire kept most of the Reverend's

charities in business.

I see.

Did Clay Foladaire ever come to your place with her?

Yes.

But so did Jess.

You painted that picture of her, didn't you?

Yes, I painted it.

Yes.

I painted many portraits of Lita Foladaire,

but I never captured her.

I'm a portrait painter.

I painted the living, not the dead.

The eyes of Lita Foladaire were the eyes of the dead.

I have never found a woman so difficult to capture.

I'm no longer a woman at all.

To lose a child, my dear, is very sad,

but it's not the end of the world.

It was. It was the end of the world.

Oh, there you are, my dear.

Take care of yourself.

You too. Have a nice trip.

Clay...

look after things when I'm gone.

Sure, Jess.

When I get back, your law office will be ready,

and we'll get you launched in your practice.

Goodbye, Carlotti.

I'd like to see her portrait

finished and hung when I get back.

Jess? Yes?

How long will you be gone?

I'm not sure.

Two or three months, maybe.

Thank you, Clay.

She was alone now.

Neither Clay or I could breach her solitude.

I painted and destroyed, destroyed and painted.

Summer became fall, and fall, winter,

and still Jess did not return.

I began to wonder if she would ever live again.

"To everything, there is a season,

"and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

"A time to be born and a time to die;

"a time to kill and a time to heal;

"a time to weep and a time to laugh;

"a time to mourn and a time to dance;"

"a time to..."

"to embrace..."

"and a time to refrain from embracing;"

"a time to keep silent and a time to speak..."

"a time to love and a time to hate."

CARLOTTI: To everything, there is a season...

A time to weep and a time to laugh.

Oh, Clay!

My sides ache from laughing!

It seems I haven't laughed for a thousand years.

I feel giddy and young and 17 again.

Good.

Oh, I'll change my clothes and be right down, Mr. Carlotti.

Carlotti, what are you doing?

You've destroyed the face!

I cannot paint her. I simply cannot paint her.

But why?

She keeps changing before my eyes. Changing?

You have not seen it?

To me, she looks just as she did the first time I ever saw her.

I looked into her eyes, and all the beauty in the world

looked back at me.

My boy...

Are you about to remind me that she's my brother's wife?

Why don't you remind my brother?

Jess is coming home.

He's finally coming back, Clay.

Oh, I see.

Lita...

come away with me, now, before he comes.

You can get a divorce. We'll get married.

No, Clay.

But you know how I feel. You must know.

Don't say those things. Don't even think them. You know it's quite impossible.

But you don't mean anything to him.

This is the first time he's written in over a year.

I'm his wife.

Lita...

Lita, you belong with me.

We belong together.

Yes, that's true.

But we found it out too late.

You'll take him back,

resume your life just as before?

I'm his wife! You're his brother!

What kind of dishonor would you bring upon your own name?

Well go someplace far away from here.

We'll forget the name Foladaire.

How can you forget your birthright?

Clay...

you have to accept life as it is.

You can't just alter it because it disappoints you.

Oh, I'm sorry you brought this feeling between us into words.

It was better left unsaid.

Lita, how much do you intend to endure?

How much do you think I can endure?

Do you think that I can bear to see you with him now?

You have to.

CARLOTTI: To everything, there is a season...

A time to love and a time to hate.

As it turned out, I was never able

to paint what Jess had wanted.

I could only paint what I saw...

A woman in love.

I wonder where Clay Foladaire is.

Mrs. Simmons said he's with Jess.

Mr. Carlotti,

an attorney in town told me today

that Lita had an appointment with Jess this afternoon.

It's beginning to sound more and more to me like Clay kept that appointment.

If you think that Clay could kill Lita Foladaire, you are mistaken!

I have good reason to believe that Clay was not with Jess this afternoon,

but if he wasn't, where is he?

Why isn't he here now?

If Clay was in town, there is no question about where he would be.

Seth Adams!

Hello, Jess.

Lita was born here.

Everyone in town was her friend.

Yes, I know. I found that out, Jess.

They have no idea who did it?

Not as far as I know.

I haven't talked to the Sheriff recently.

I spent most of the afternoon trying to find out

where your wife had been.

Jess...

was your brother Clay with you all day?

Yes.

Why do you ask?

I have reason to believe that your wife's last appointment

was with your brother Clay.

That's a rotten lie! Now, hear me out, Jess...

Clay didn't even see Lita today! He was with me!

We were both 50 miles from here at the cattle sales!

And he never left you? No.

And where is he now?

Jess, I realize this is a terrible situation

to come home and have to face,

but after all, your wife has been murdered.

All right, I'm facing that,

but I don't want to hear any lies about my brother.

Well, surely, Jess,

you want to know what happened today, don't you?

I don't know, Seth.

I don't know that I do.

Jess...

your wife went to see an attorney

named Jason Arnold today.

An attorney? What for?

She wanted to change her will.

She made your brother Clay her sole beneficiary.

Clay? Beneficiary?

She told Arnold that she had an appointment with Clay this afternoon.

Seth, a half a dozen people will testify to the fact

that Clay was with me.

I was not with you!

I don't know what your point in lying is, Clay.

That's very strange, Jess,

because I know exactly what your point is.

Well discuss it later.

Major Adams, may I present my brother Clay.

Howdy. Major.

Did, uh...

did Lita say she had an appointment with me this afternoon?

Yes, she did.

She told an attorney named Jason Arnold

that she was going to meet you.

Someone's obviously lying.

Lita didn't lie.

Seth, I'm sorry a conversation like this

had to take place in front of you.

I think we're both disturbed

and not accountable at the moment.

Why did you send me to the junction today, Jess?

We'll discuss it later.

No, I think Major Adams would like to hear the answer.

I wasn't with you because you sent me to the Junction. Why?

There was nobody to pick up the shipment, and I couldn't go.

Why did you tell Major Adams I was with you?

Do you want to be accused of murder?

Doesn't matter now, Jess.

Of course it matters!

Only to you.

Major Adams,

I'll go with you to the Sheriff.

He can charge me with Lita's murder.

You fool! You unconscionable fool!

My motives are classic and time-honored. I...

I loved my brother's wife,

as he never loved her.

I believe she loved me.

How did you know I was meeting her at Carlotti's, Jess?

You didn't meet her at Carlotti's. You know it and I know it.

But how should you know that? You were at the cattle sales, 50 miles from here.

Don't force my hand, Clay!

How can you be sure I even went to the Junction?

You leave me no choice!

I know. It's quite deliberate.

The thought of you and Lita had never occurred to me,

but there was a moment last night

when you passed Lita on the stairs,

and suddenly, in one split moment, I knew.

Lita!

What's been going on with you and Clay while I've been gone?

I wouldn't dignify that question with an answer.

I warn you, I'm not going to let you destroy his life.

No! You'll take care of that yourself, won't you?

Are you trying to get back at me through Clay?

Get back at you?

I have plans for Clay. You know that.

Clay's going to carry on the Foladaire dynasty.

The Foladaire dynasty...

That's all that matters to you, isn't it, Jess?

Clay must have sons!

Clay is your brother, not your prisoner!

You can't make him want what you want,

you can't turn him into a copy of you!

Clay's a Foladaire.

The name must be carried on.

Why must the name be carried on?

Perhaps its outlived its days of glory!

Maybe it's better it was buried and forgotten!

The bitterness of a barren woman!

I'm glad we have no children!

I'm glad no child of mine is in your power!

Well, well.

Such fire from my shy, meek little Lita.

Has my brother brought about this miracle?

Perhaps he has.

Clay was kind to me when I needed kindness.

You worthless little...!

Clay and I don't matter to you.

No one living does.

All that matters to you is a row of dead faces

in decaying gold frames.

These are your judges, your yardstick,

your end-all to be-all!

You've made this house into their mausoleum.

Nothing lives in it for you but them!

Well, I wish you joy of them.

Perpetuate their names. Keep them alive.

It's better than being alive yourself!

You're a dead man, Jess, living in a house of the dead,

but Clay's alive and I'm alive,

and we're going to leave you

before you destroy us completely!

Jess, I...

Jess...!

None of this had to be told, Clay,

if you hadn't cornered me,

and none of this would ever have happened

if it hadn't been for her!

Jess!

Hi, Sheriff.

Someone told us they saw Clay heading this way.

He's inside, but Clay's not your man.

Jess Foladaire killed his own wife.

Jess? But Jess worshipped her.

I know. He also killed her.

He just told me so, right in front of his brother Clay.

Wait a minute, Bill.

Aren't you going back in there?

No, I know only too well what he's gonna find in there.

You know, it's funny how strange life can be.

Jess Foladaire thought he was saving his dynasty

by killing his wife, Lita.

Instead of that, he was destroying them all.

Come on, let's go back to town.

No, Charlie, I think we'd better go back to camp.

I don't think I care much for towns right now.

And so at last

the proper ending was set down in the book,

and it was closed and put by,

and the words "Rest in Peace" said in farewell.

I never met Lita Foladaire,

but I know I'll remember her as long as I live.