Original subtitles

( noirish jazz theme playing )

And since I'm flying out tonight

on a buying trip to the Orient,

I've left full instructions with my staff

to process your orders as you specify.

Uh, warmest personal regards. Sign it "Bruce."

Well, that's seven down, Mr. Chapman,

and about 70 to go. Ha-ha.

Well, packed already, darling?

Your plane doesn't leave until 9:00 tonight.

Well, I have to go down to the office first.

We'll leave for the airport from there.

Well, you have a good trip, Bruce.

You're not coming to see me off?

Oh, darling I--

I've got one of my bad headaches.

Oh.

I wanted to talk to you.

About what?

( sighs ) I'll wait in the car.

No. No, Miss Norwood.

You'd better use the phone in the hall

and, uh, get those cables off.

Marie.

Marie...

I've closed out our joint account.

Bruce, you couldn't.

You'll be gone at least six weeks.

The office will pay your bills.

And you'll draw $50 a week for incidentals.

You're treating me like a child.

You are a child where money's concerned.

This time you're not going to take money from our account

and gamble it away

in Las Vegas.

I won't gamble, Bruce.

I promise.

Fine.

Then you won't need anything more than I've set up for you.

You can't do this.

I won't stand for it.

I'll get a divorce.

Does your gambling mean that much to you?

That you'd divorce me for it?

I can get community property or a settlement.

At least $25,000.

All right, Marie.

While I'm away,

you can decide just how much

your gambling does mean.

( tense theme playing )

All right, Miss Norwood.

Bruce.

Please. Let me have just $2,000.

Think about it, Marie.

I hope you'll see I'm doing the right thing.

Gambling's a disease. You've got to fight it.

Darling?

I haven't got the money. He's cut me off.

No, no, I'll get it for you, darling. I promise.

Whatever I have to do...

I'll get it.

( mysterious theme playing )

( jazzy dance music playing on record player )

Hi, Marie.

Look, Ginny, how much money have you got?

( scoffs ): Money?

You know, I never thought of it,

but with your sense of humor,

we should've had a comedy routine

instead of a sisters dancing act.

We'd still be in business.

Listen, Ginny, this is no joke. I need $2,000.

Honey, I just got

my first solid booking in months. ( sighs )

Isn't there someplace you can get ahold of some cash?

Not without a lethal weapon.

( sighs )

Are you in trouble, kid?

I'm desperate.

What about that jackpot you married?

Hm. Not a penny.

Bruce will wish I was dead before I'm through with him.

What about Walter?

Walter? Yeah.

Hey, that's right. Walter.

He owes me a lot more than 2,000.

( phone ringing )

Hello?

No, he isn't in.

This is Mrs. Sprague.

May ask who--?

Oh.

Yes, I thought you'd remember me, Mrs. Sprague.

Where is Walter?

Well, I'm expecting him any minute, Mrs. Chapman.

We're doing the best we can.

Walter doesn't make a very big salary.

Even $50 every month.

Yes, yes, that's what I'm calling about, Mrs. Sprague.

Let's make it $2,000 tonight.

Two thousand?

But-- But that's impossible.

Listen, if you get me the 2,000 by tonight,

I'll, uh, cancel the rest of it.

Well, if I do, it'll be my own money.

Walter would be very angry.

Well, I won't tell him if you don't.

Now, you know where that cabin is

that Walter signed over to me?

Witmer Canyon?

That's right. You be there at 9:00 tonight.

I've got a plane to catch...

to Vegas.

Hello?

Hello, Marie?

Marie who?

Oh, I didn't hear you come in, Walter.

You did say "Marie."

Oh, yes.

Y-yes, it was one of those giveaway programs.

You know, the kind where they call you at home?

Heh-heh. I could have won a whole basket of groceries

for telling who said, uh, "Let 'em eat cake."

Oh. Marie Antoinette.

Oh, ho-ho.

Only I didn't remember until after I hung up.

Well, I guess I'll have to keep on

providing the groceries around here.

Heh. Oh.

What's for chow?

Well, you'll find out when you eat it. Mm.

Now, hurry up and wash up.

Oh, honey. I've got to go back

to the office a few hours.

Chance to make some overtime. Hope you don't mind.

Oh, no, Walter.

I'll find something to do.

( mysterious theme playing )

( horse whinnies )

( grunts )

Now, what's going on here?

Who are you? A--? Are you Mr. Chapman?

I'm Greg Evans. I live down by the bend.

Do you know where Mrs. Chapman is?

No. I rode up here because the past hour

I've been seeing these lights go on and off.

I'm a very curious guy.

I'm supposed to meet Mrs. Chapman here at 9:00.

In the dark?

I was scared. I--

I turned the lights off when I heard you coming.

Oh, the room was like this when I came in.

The door was unlocked, and the chair was like that--

What's that?

"Helen Sprague. Had to leave.

"If you know what's good for you and for Walter,

"you'll get that check to me in Vegas tomorrow.

Will be at Caravan Hotel. Marie Chapman."

You Helen Sprague?

Do you have a check for her?

Sorry I'm so suspicious.

You said curious, didn't you?

( mysterious theme playing )

( car starts )

( mysterious theme playing )

Thank you, sir.

Chapman Import Company.

Well, I'm sorry, Miss Norwood isn't in.

Could someone else help you?

Well, this is Bruce Chapman.

Where is Miss Norwood, and when do you expect her?

OPERATOR: Oh, Mr. Chapman.

We-- We didn't expect you back for another month.

Uh, Miss Norwood has been out of town for a few days.

Uh, could I try to reach her for you?

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

W-what?

No, no. Never mind.

Uh, yes, operator. This is very important.

I'm calling Las Vegas, Nevada, person-to-person.

Mrs. Marie Chapman.

( operator speaking indistinctly )

I don't know where she's staying,

but I've got to find her.

CHAPMAN: This changes everything for me, Perry.

You'll have to draw up a new will, for one thing.

Are you going to contest the divorce?

No, I--

No.

Don't misunderstand me.

It isn't that don't love Marie very much, but--

Did you, um, try to reach her

after you received this?

Finally located her at the Caravan Hotel.

She wouldn't even take my call.

Did you have an argument with her

before you left on your trip?

Yes. About her gambling. It's become compulsive.

I told her she'd have to make a choice: her gambling or me.

It appears she made it.

Yes.

Now she's asking for $25,000 cash

in lieu of her share of community property.

I as much as said she could have it.

Della...

see if you can get that attorney on the phone.

Mm-hm.

Gertie. See if you can reach a Mr. Ralph Hibberly,

973 Placer Avenue,

Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mm-hm. Thank you.

Well, Mr. Mason. What can I do for you?

You're handling a divorce action for a Mrs. Marie Chapman.

Her husband's very anxious to talk to her.

No dice, as we say here.

Oh, she stormed into my office first thing this morning,

raging about a long-distance call

he tried to put through to her last night.

Seems she wants no further contact with him.

Well, what does she want?

Well, she's establishing legal residence here,

and at the end of the required 44 days,

we'll file suit for divorce.

She wants money right away, and because of this,

is willing to accept a cash settlement for $25,000.

Now, if she has to wait until the divorce is granted,

she will demand her full share of the community property,

which should be at least $150,000.

Well, I'll discuss that with my client.

Well...the mood she's in,

I'd say that he'd better get a certified check

up here by plane today.

I see.

Thank you, Mr. Hibberly.

( hangs up phone )

What did he say?

That she wants the money right now,

or she'll withdraw her offer of settlement.

What should I do?

I'm afraid that's up to you.

( sighs ) Yes, I--

I guess I really don't have any choice.

Della...tell Paul we'll need one of his men

to fly up to Las Vegas with a check.

( mysterious theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( small gasp )

MAN: Looking for something?

Who are you?

Well, let's just say that I'm another early bird,

Mr. Chapman.

You know who I am. Oh, yeah.

Uh, that's my-- My cabin up above.

Yes, I know that too.

I just happened to notice this car down here, and I--

But there's nobody in it.

Just happened to notice it at 6:00 in the morning?

Mr. Chapman, my name is Tragg. Lieutenant Tragg, Homicide.

You mind, uh, coming with me?

Where?

The morgue.

What for?

I'd like for you to identify someone.

Who?

I'm sorry.

Perhaps your wife.

But that's impossible.

Why? Her car, isn't it?

Well, yes, but it can't be Marie.

She's in Las Vegas suing me for divorce.

Humor me, Mr. Chapman.

Let's go take a look.

( mysterious theme playing )

Yes, that's Marie.

She's dead.

I can't understand.

Well, what don't you understand, Mr. Chapman?

I just got back from a trip to the Orient.

I was gone for ten days-- Yes, we know that.

We've had you under surveillance ever since you got back.

You went to see Perry Mason yesterday, didn't you?

Yes. The divorce-- We can drop that divorce thing now

Mr. Chapman. Lieutenant--

And I think you'd better call Mr. Mason.

We're booking you for first-degree murder.

I didn't kill my wife.

But you did know she was dead.

I almost convinced myself that she wasn't.

You'd better tell me exactly what happened,

right from the beginning.

Well...

the day I left for the Orient,

Marie said she had a headache,

couldn't go to the airport with me.

That when you had the argument over her gambling?

Yes.

When I got to the airport, I-- I phoned,

hoping to smooth things over.

She wasn't home.

Well, I--

I began to put certain things together:

her willingness to get a divorce,

the lying about some of her activities...

her frequent trips to the cabin in Witmer Canyon.

And you decided there was another man?

Yes.

So you went up to the cabin and you saw her there?

I found her there.

She'd been strangled.

Do you remember what time this was?

I got there about ten minutes to 9.

Go on.

Well, I-- I was in shock, I guess.

And then suddenly I-- I realized how vulnerable I was.

I-- I couldn't get back to the airport

in time to catch my plane,

and I'd already checked in on the flight.

I'd be asked where I'd gone.

They'd be able to-- To trail me to the cabin.

And I'd-- I'd had an argument with Marie.

Been talk of divorce. Miss Norwood had overheard.

So I--

You tried to cover up.

I put Marie's body into her car...

and pushed it into the ravine.

I...hoped she wouldn't

be found for awhile.

That when she was found,

they wouldn't be able to be accurate

about the time of death.

Then you went back to the airport

and caught a later plane.

Yes.

I was supposed to be away for at least six weeks,

but I-- I couldn't stand it.

I-- I came home in--

Well, after only ten days.

Perry, you can't imagine how I felt

when found those divorce papers waiting for me.

I told myself I'd-- I'd been wrong about Marie being dead.

That she'd only been unconscious.

I told myself that a miracle had happened,

that Marie was alive and well.

And that's why you sent that certified check up there?

Yes, of course. I--

I'd sort of promised she could have what she wanted.

But what about the divorce?

Who was it? Who got the money?

Well, it could only be someone who saw you

push the car into the ravine.

Someone who knew about the $25,000 settlement

and took advantage of it.

But how could she hope to get away with it?

But she did, didn't she?

But what a chance she was taking. I could expose her.

Could you?

Could you cry fraud without also exposing the fact

that you knew Marie was dead?

Well, then this solves the whole thing.

All we have to do is find out

who impersonated Marie in Las Vegas.

She's the murderer.

Just find her. Is that all?

Didn't you tell me that your wife

was once in show business?

Yes, before we were married.

What did she do?

Oh, she was part of a sister act.

They played the nightclubs,

but they weren't really sisters. She--

Do you think--?

Do you remember the other woman's name?

Ginny.

Ginny...

I can't remember her last name.

They called themselves

Ginny and Marie, Dance Stylists.

She's still an entertainer, Perry.

Full name's Ginny Hobart. She's billed as a

"scintillating songstress and sensational stepper."

She's opening tonight at Barney's Bistro in Santa Monica.

Good, Paul.

You know if we're looking for an--?

The attorney in Las Vegas, Mr. Hibberly, is in court

and can't be reached until late afternoon.

Shall I leave the call in?

No, Paul will be there by then.

He can see Hibberly in person.

Mm. Oh, and Miss Norwood

didn't show up for work today.

Did you try her home?

Mm-hm. She wasn't there either.

All right. Well, as I was saying, Paul,

you know what we're looking for in Las Vegas.

Some lead, some clue as to the identity

of the woman who posed as Marie Chapman.

Starting with the Caravan Hotel,

and ending with Mr. Hibberly.

Right. Okay.

I'll pick up a photograph of Chapman's wife

and catch the noon plane to Vegas. Good.

And Paul.

Add a name to the list.

Norwood. Miss Norwood. Chapman's secretary.

( mellow piano music playing)

Miss Hobart.

Oh, it's just a rehearsal. I was la--

Who are you?

My name is Mason.

I'm Bruce Chapman's attorney.

What do you want with me?

A little help.

Did he do it?

Did he kill Marie?

I believe he did not.

He's paying you to believe that.

When did she leave the act?

First time she got married.

Oh, I see you didn't know she was married before.

Well, don't blame your client for that.

She didn't tell

the poor sap about Walter.

Suppose you tell me about Walter.

He was her first husband, that's all.

When was the last time you saw Marie?

The last time I saw Marie...

She came to my bungalow and wanted $2,000. Heh.

Of course she didn't get it,

so she called Walter Sprague.

Why would he give it to her?

He owed her that much, and more.

But she didn't talk to him, just to his wife.

Look, Mr. Mason, as they say, the show must go on.

I've got to get back to rehearsal.

All right, Miss Hobart.

Oh, just one more thing.

When was the last time you went out to the cabin

in Witmer Canyon?

Ha. Are you crazy?

I've never been out there.

All that fresh air would kill me.

( suspenseful theme playing )

MAN: No, sir. I don't know the lady.

You had a guest by the name of Marie Chapman,

here for the cure. Chapman.

Well, they come and they go, sir.

She looked something like this.

Yeah, there was a woman here a little like this. She--

She always wore big black sunglasses.

An odd one. Odd? How?

Gone for days on end.

Has she checked out?

Yeah, I think so.

Yes, she's paid till noon today.

Did she, uh, cash a large check here?

I'm afraid you'll have to ask the cashier that, sir.

Yes, I cashed it.

Uh, the check was certified.

What did she use for identification?

Had me call her attorney.

He said it was a divorce settlement.

You gave her the $25,000 in cash?

That's what she asked for.

Shocking.

And yet I daresay it was bound to happen sooner or later.

The murder? No, no.

No, an imposter getting

a divorce settlement like this.

You had no reason to suspect her?

Well, put yourself in my place.

A law practice which consists almost entirely of divorces.

They come in droves, these women,

from all parts of the country,

day after day, year after year.

Well, you don't ask them for proof of identity.

Birth certificates, things like that.

It'd be ridiculous on the face of it.

The bona fide Marie Chapman.

Mm-hm.

Well, the woman who came to see me

was of the same general type and coloring.

Of course, she always wore big, fancy sunglasses.

So I've been told. I was hoping

she might have taken 'em off once in your presence.

Well, altogether, I saw her only four times.

Uh, five, including today.

You saw her today?

Quite by accident. Where?

At the airport, during noon recess.

Had to meet an incoming client. An immoderately wealthy one.

And I saw Mrs. Chapman--

Well, that is,

the woman who represented herself as Mrs. Chapman.

--getting on the Los Angeles plane.

Uh, I was rather startled.

Thought she might be abandoning her legal residence.

You're sure it was the L.A. plane?

Oh, positive.

( mysterious theme playing )

You're Perry Mason, aren't you?

That's right.

Read you were representing Chapman.

Nice guy.

You know him?

I have a place up here.

My name's Evans.

Greg Evans.

I'm glad you came along.

Saves me a trip to you.

Something important?

Well, the police didn't seem to think so...

but maybe you will.

Our viewpoints sometimes differ.

( chuckles )

Well, the night Marie was murdered,

I just happened to ride by...

and before I pulled up,

suddenly the lights in the cabin went out.

When I knocked, nobody answered.

Someone was in there?

Mm-hm.

I caught her when she tried to make a run for it.

Had you ever seen her before?

No. But I found out who she was when I read the note.

Her name is Helen Sprague.

What note?

Marie Chapman had left it for her.

Something about sending $2,000 to her in Las Vegas...

if she knew what was good for her and her husband.

What time was this?

About 20 after 9.

Do you have the note?

Helen Sprague took it.

Well, thanks for the information.

I'm sure you'll know what to do with it.

( mysterious theme playing )

WALTER: This is the first I've heard about it, Mr. Mason.

She didn't tell me because she knew I'd be very angry

about her spending her own money to pay off my debt.

What was the debt, Mr. Sprague?

Alimony?

A property settlement she stuck me with.

I was so anxious to get rid of her,

I'd have promised most anything.

Or done most anything?

What?

No, I didn't kill her, and neither did Helen.

That's ridiculous.

Oh, I could've killed her.

I hated her enough.

By the way, Mr. Sprague...

how did your wife manage to

drive out to Witmer Canyon

that night without your knowing it?

I went back to the office to work after dinner.

I see.

Thanks to both of you.

( ominous theme playing )

That's right, Perry.

Hibberly saw this phantom woman catch the noon plane.

Bold and simple.

To be swallowed up in metropolitan Los Angeles.

What time did the plane arrive?

One-twenty, International Airport.

At 12:30, I had a talk with Ginny Hobart

backstage at Barney's Bistro.

Well, that clears her.

What about Helen Sprague, Paul?

Helen Sprague had an 11:30 dental appointment

and kept it.

That leaves only one person

who could have impersonated Marie Chapman:

Miss Grace Norwood.

That's from the employment files

of the Chapman Import Company.

Uh, by the way, she's back in town.

MASON: Where had she been? The desert, she says.

That's all? That's all.

Della, how would you like to get a divorce?

I thought you were supposed to be married first.

What's on your mind?

Las Vegas. Ralph Hibberly.

Fly out to L.A. this evening?

Well, I'd have to get at least $150

for making the trip.

Why don't you come up here?

Oh, I-- I can't, Mr. Hibberly.

But I'll be glad to pay you anything you ask.

A-- A friend recommended you.

( Hibberly speaking indistinctly )

No, sir. It's-- It's too delicate

to go into over the phone,

but I just must see you tonight.

Yes. Grace Norwood.

Um, 10712 Rossmore Avenue,

Apartment 23.

Yes, I'll be home at 9:30.

Thank you so much, Mr. Hibberly.

( mysterious theme playing )

All right. I did overhear that argument

between Mr. Chapman and his wife.

I did hear them talk about a divorce

and a $25,000 settlement.

What does that prove?

I get the impression, Miss Norwood,

that you resented her.

Resented her?

I despised her.

That's a rather strong emotion

for a secretary to feel

about her employer's wife.

Maybe. But I'd feel the same about someone

who kicked a defenseless puppy too.

Will you tell us where

you spent your time in the desert?

No.

Las Vegas, perhaps?

I'm not going to answer that question.

( doorbell buzzes )

Grace Norwood?

Yes?

Well, I'm here.

Heh. Obviously. But who are you?

Why, Ralph Hibberly, of course.

Is that supposed to mean something to me?

Excuse me, Mr. Hibberly.

I'm afraid this is my doing.

My name is Perry Mason.

Won't you please come in?

Mr. Mason, It's a pleasure.

This is my secretary, Miss Street.

How do you do? How do you do?

Miss Norwood.

Would you please put these on?

Why should I?

Why shouldn't you?

( chuckles )

Did you bring me all the way down here

to check out a theory of yours, Mr. Mason?

I believe you said $150?

Well, Mr. Hibberly?

No, sir.

This is not the woman who posed as Mrs. Chapman.

Are you positive?

Yes. I never saw this woman before in my life.

( suspenseful theme playing )

There's no one left.

MAN: The autopsy revealed

Marie Chapman was already dead

when her car went over into the ravine.

Dr. Hoxie...

what did you determine to be the cause of death?

Asphyxia due to strangulation.

There was a fracture of the hyoid bone,

uh, with a hemorrhage at the place of fracture.

I see. Now, the body was discovered on what date?

August 13th.

And were you able to determine from the condition of the body

the date of death?

Yes.

Approximately nine days prior to

the discovery of the body.

That would make it August 4th? Is that correct?

Yes, sir. Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

Doctor...

you mentioned a fracture of the hyoid bone.

I did.

Now, how much applied force

would have been necessary to have caused that fracture?

Very little.

It's a delicate bone

in a vulnerable part of the throat.

In other words, doctor,

the strangulation could have been done

by a woman with average strength?

No question of that.

Thank you, doctor, that's all.

Miss Grace Norwood to the stand, please.

JUDGE: The witness may stand down.

Now, Miss Norwood...

during this argument between the defendant and his wife,

was anything said about a divorce

or a $25,000 settlement?

Yes.

Would you tell this court, please,

what the argument was about?

I didn't hear everything they said.

Well, just tell us what you did hear.

I'm not sure.

Miss Norwood, you're evading the questions.

What was the argument about?

Heh. Your Honor,

Miss Norwood is a hostile witness

to say the least.

Mm.

All right, Mr. Burger, you may treat her as a hostile witness.

Thank you, Your Honor. Now, Miss Norwood,

just answer yes or no.

Did the defendant accuse his wife

of being a compulsive gambler?

Yes.

And didn't he threaten, or didn't he say,

that he was gonna close their joint bank account?

He had to because she--

Just yes or no, Miss Norwood.

Yes. I see.

Now, you and Mr. Chapman left his home

and went back to the office to do some more work.

Is that correct?

Yes. And then he left you there

and went to the airport?

Yes.

And the plan was that you were

gonna go to the airport parking lot,

and pick up the key and the ticket at the exit booth

later that evening,

and then drive the car back to his home,

is that correct? Yes.

But when you got there,

Miss Norwood,

were the key, the car

and the ticket there?

No.

And that was after the time of departure

of Mr. Chapman's plane,

wasn't it?

Yes.

Thank you, Miss Norwood.

Cross-examine.

Isn't it true, Miss Norwood,

that you made several trips out of the state

during the time Mr. Chapman was out of the country?

I object to that, Your Honor.

That's incompetent, irrelevant and immaterial.

It deals with matters not covered in direct examination.

The answer's no anyway.

I wouldn't have killed Marie Chapman

for ten times $25,000.

The witness will refrain from any such outbursts

in the future.

The objection is sustained.

Clerk will strike the answer and the question.

Proceed, Mr. Mason.

Would you have killed her so that Bruce Chapman

would have been free for you to marry, Miss Norwood?

Your Honor-- Thank you. That's all.

I call Walter Sprague to the stand, please.

How long were you married to the deceased, Mr. Sprague?

Not quite a year. But that was five years ago.

And did you know Bruce Chapman, the defendant?

Marie's second husband?

I didn't meet him until the day before he left on his trip.

He visited me at my place of business.

He told me he just found out from a private investigator

Marie had been married before.

Something she never told.

BURGER: Well, what else transpired at that time?

WALTER: Well, he asked me a lot of questions about Marie.

Whether she gambled.

And I told him she did, but not immoderately.

Whether she chased around with other men.

I told him she did, but not indiscriminately.

Whether she lied, dissembled, and was selfish,

and was capable of really loving somebody.

I said yes, yes, yes and no.

She wasn't capable of loving anyone but herself.

And this was the day before Marie was killed?

Monday, August 3rd, yes.

Thank you, Mr. Sprague. Your witness.

Mr. Sprague, on the night of Tuesday, August 4th,

where were you?

My office, working late.

And there was no one at your office

who could establish your being there at 11?

No.

I see.

Now, Mr. Sprague, would you please tell us

the terms of your divorce settlement with Marie?

I was to pay her $50 a month

until the sum of $7,500 was reached.

Or until she died?

Yes, I guess so.

That does stop it, doesn't it?

No further questions.

I call Virginia Hobart to the stand, please.

BAILIFF: Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth,

and nothing but the truth?

She said her husband had cut her off,

and that she needed money desperately.

And that he'd wish she was dead

before she got through with him.

I see.

Thank you, Miss Hobart. Your witness.

Now, Miss Hobart...

do I understand from your testimony

that you knew that Bruce Chapman was prepared to give Marie

a $25,000 property settlement

if she wanted a divorce?

Yes, sir, I knew it.

You and Marie were partners in a nightclub act at one time,

were you not?

That's right. Years ago.

A so-called sister act?

We weren't really sisters.

But you could almost pass for sisters, could you not?

Sure we could. We did.

That's all, thank you.

BURGER: I call Lieutenant Arthur Tragg, please.

TRAGG: The defendant had a ticket for the flight leaving at 9:08 p.m.

He missed the plane

and was rerouted through San Francisco

on the 10:00 plane.

I see. Now, lieutenant,

would you tell us, please,

where you found the body?

In her car at the bottom of a ravine.

Uh, examination showed that

it had been pushed off the road

beside the Chapman cabin.

And would you tell us anything else

of an evidential nature

that you discovered on the car?

We found, uh, fingerprints,

later identified as belonging to Bruce Chapman,

the defendant,

on the, uh, doorsill

on the driver's side of the car,

on the steering wheel,

and full handprints on the back of the car.

Well, there were other fingerprints on the car,

weren't there? Yes, sir.

But only full handprints on the back.

They were Bruce Chapman's.

Thank you, lieutenant. That'll be all.

Your witness.

Lieutenant, aside from those of the defendant,

you said there were other fingerprints found on the car.

Yes, sir.

The decedent's, of course,

and the person who reported finding the car in the ravine.

And who was that?

Mr. Gregory Evans.

And this kid came running up to my cabin,

said he'd been shying rocks over the ravine,

when he heard a loud ping.

So he looked down, and there was the car.

What did you do then, Mr. Evans?

Well, I phoned the sheriff's station.

While was waiting, I guess I got

my fingerprints on the car.

I see. Referring you now to the night of August 4th

at approximately 9:00,

were you in your cabin in Witmer Canyon?

Oh, I was.

Would you tell this court, please,

anything that happened of an unusual nature?

Well, I was sitting on my porch

with my feet up on the rail,

when all of a sudden, I saw him drive by

with his lights and motor off, coasting downgrade.

"Him," Mr. Evans?

Bruce Chapman.

BURGER: What did you do then?

GREG: Well, I hollered out to him,

but I guess he didn't hear me.

Anyway, he was gone before I could drop my boots to the floor

and get out on the road.

I see. Thank you, Mr. Evans. That'll be all.

Your witness.

Mr. Mason, if you don't object

to postponing your cross-examination,

the court will call the noon recess.

I've no objection, Your Honor.

JUDGE: Very well. The court stands adjourned until 2 p.m.

( people murmuring )

What's the news on Helen Sprague?

Well, I found out why she hasn't been here in court.

Their home was broken into last night.

Robbery? Mm-hm.

Do you know what was stolen? No, I don't.

Do you have an idea?

Maybe.

So have I, but about something else.

I'll see you back here in court.

( tense theme playing )

( tense theme playing )

What was stolen, Mrs. Sprague?

Um.

Well, that's the funny part of it.

Nothing of value.

I have some silver. We've been paying out on it.

The thief didn't even touch it.

Of course, it might be a coincidence,

but I have a feeling that there's some link

between this robbery and the murder of Marie Chapman.

Well, what could it be?

Well, it could be

that the thief was after something he didn't find.

Now, Mr. Evans. You testified that you saw Bruce Chapman

drive by your place that night. That's right.

Did you see any other cars drive by?

No.

Is there only one road to the Chapman cabin?

Well, yes, there's one road.

It comes up my side, and goes past the Chapmans',

and down the other side of the mountain.

Then someone could drive to the Chapman cabin

and depart without going past your place?

That's right.

Now, in your testimony,

you said that the car that you saw

drive by had its lights off.

Yes.

And yet you were able to identify the driver

as Bruce Chapman?

Oh, it was him, all right. I know him real well.

How well did you know Mrs. Chapman?

We were friends.

MASON: Go horseback riding with her?

GREG: Occasionally.

MASON: Alone?

Bruce doesn't ride.

Very attractive woman, wasn't she?

Yes. She was quite a woman.

Mr. Hibberly, you mean that without any credentials at all,

a woman, just any woman--

even a woman employed for this very purpose,

and having no possible connection with the subject

--can simply put on a pair of dark sunglasses,

fraudulently impersonate another person,

and file a suit for divorce.

In this case, a divorce of a woman already dead?

I regret to say that she could.

And looking at it in that way,

the whole pattern becomes logical.

Now, I wish you'd look around this courtroom, sir,

and tell us if you can identify the woman

who said she was Marie Chapman.

No, I can't.

But then you might bring the actual woman in here,

and I might fail to identify her too.

Yes, I understand that.

Now, let's suppose for a minute

that the body wasn't discovered quite so soon

and that the divorce actually went through.

And let's suppose further that

the police came to you for help

in establishing the time of death

of a certain Marie Chapman.

What would you say to them

under these circumstances?

I'd say that she would have had to be alive

on the date of the plaintiff's appearance in court

for the granting of her divorce.

Why? What one conclusive fact

would lead you to that opinion?

Well, the fact that the husband hadn't objected,

and that he had paid the $25,000.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness.

Now, Mr. Hibberly...

you said the entire pattern became logical.

Now, let me ask you:

As an attorney, would you say

it's logical for a man to act

as the prosecution contends the defendant acted?

You mean, murder his wife, throw her over a cliff,

and then hire someone to impersonate her

to get a divorce for him

simply to confuse the time of death?

That's exactly what I mean.

Honestly?

No. I think the scheme

would be fraught with peril

and endless blackmail.

Thank you. That'll be all.

JUDGE: The witness may stand down.

Your Honor...

some new information has just come to hand.

With the court's permission,

I would like to recall

Miss Virginia Hobart to the stand.

Any objections, Mr. Burger?

I have no objection, Your Honor.

Miss Hobart, take the stand, please.

You're still under oath, Miss Hobart.

Yes, sir.

Miss Hobart...

when Marie Chapman came to you

on the afternoon of August 4th

and asked you for money,

you said you were unable to help her.

Is that true?

( scoffs ) I was stony broke.

Yet, on August 15th,

you informed your agents,

the Theatrical Artists' Association,

that you were retiring,

quitting the entertainment business,

and that they should cancel your engagement

at a place called Barney's Bistro.

So what?

Well, how do you account for the sudden shift in fortune?

( scoffs )

Well, the answer's spelled M-A-N.

What man?

The one who asked me to marry him.

But on August 16th,

just 24 hours later,

you did open at Barney's Bistro.

A rather, um, short retirement, wasn't it?

Tsk.

So the man unasked me. It happens, you know.

To me, anyway.

I see.

Now, Miss Hobart, I believe you told me

that you'd never been to the Chapman cabin.

That's right.

Would you please look at this picture?

Isn't that an enlarged snapshot of you and Greg Evans

taken in front of the Chapman cabin?

The cabin you told me you'd never seen?

Heh. All right, so I was there a couple of times.

Why did you perjure yourself?

I didn't want to get involved.

What do you mean, "involved?"

In the murder and everything.

But you are involved...

in the murder and everything.

What do you mean?

Isn't it true, Miss Hobart,

that you were the one who posed as Marie Chapman?

That you went to Las Vegas

and sued the defendant for a divorce?

That you cashed his certified check for $25,000?

No!

Didn't I have to go back to work in that crummy joint?

I'm broke.

Didn't you sign Marie Chapman's name

to a divorce complaint,

a certified check,

and even to Helen Sprague's check for $2,000?

No.

Isn't it true that you received

that $25,000 check on August 15th

and then notified your agents that you were retiring?

And didn't you then cash that same check

at the Caravan casino?

And didn't you then unretire yourself

less than eight hours later because that money was gone,

lost at the gambling tables?

All right.

All right, so I-- I did go to Vegas,

and try and get the money. Why not?

I went to the cabin that night. I got there just in time

to see Bruce push the car with Marie in it

into the ravine.

Why didn't you go to the police?

That wouldn't have done Marie any good. Or me.

I decided not to let anyone in on it.

I'd go to Las Vegas, get the divorce and the money,

and Bruce wouldn't dare let out a peep.

He killed her, didn't he?

No, Miss Hobart, he did not.

( crowd murmuring ) ( taps gavel )

With the court's permission, at this time,

if I may recall another witness,

I think we might get at the truth in this case.

Mm-hm. Which witness?

I would like to recall Mr. Ralph Hibberly.

Mr. Burger?

No objection, Your Honor.

Now, Mr. Hibberly...

do you recognize Miss Hobart

as the spurious Mrs. Chapman?

It's like finding a face in a cloud.

Sometimes you can't see it

until someone points it out to you.

Then you wonder why you couldn't see it before.

What about the identification

at the Las Vegas Airport?

It must have been just a fleeting--

( door opens )

Um, Your Honor, may I have a moment?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

You were right, Mr. Mason.

I think we found what the thief was after.

Mr. Hibberly...

when Mr. Drake showed you a photograph

of the late Marie Chapman, you didn't recognize her.

Well, that's right. How would I know her?

Mm, you'd never seen her?

Never. I told you.

When did you arrive in town, Mr. Hibberly?

This morning.

Not last night?

No. I said, this morning.

Sprague home was broken into last night,

or in the early hours of the morning.

What about it?

Now, what would the Spragues have

that would tie in with this case?

You're talking in riddles.

What link so important that it would warrant a major risk

on the part of a murderer:

breaking, entering, stealing,

or trying to steal?

( sighs )

This is what the murderer was after, Mr. Hibberly.

Proof that he had known Marie Chapman,

formerly Marie Sprague.

( tense theme playing )

I had to try and get it.

If you found out

that I had handled Marie's divorce from Walter Sprague...

then you'd have known

that I couldn't possibly

have been fooled by the impersonation.

( scoffs )

Funny, isn't it?

Bruce Chapman thought all along

that she was a compulsive gambler.

And all the while I was the gambler.

She came to Vegas to see me...

not the gaming table.

( grabs paper )

I killed her.

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

Marie met Hibberly at the cabin that night.

When he found out about your $25,000 settlement offer,

he urged her to go through with the divorce.

Marie refused. Hibberly told her

he wouldn't see her anymore.

Marie became angry, vicious, made threats.

It must have shocked her that someone would treat her

as she had always treated everybody else.

There was a struggle,

he grabbed her by the throat,

she was dead.

And that's when I came along?

That's right.

Hibberly heard your car coming.

Hiding outside, he watched you panic,

and then roll the car and Marie over the cliff.

Then he got the idea

to cash in on the settlement

you'd offered Marie.

So he went to Ginny for help,

and together they conceived the final plan.

What about Miss Norwood?

She's been visiting someone in Phoenix.

Friend?

No, a relative.

An invalid husband.

Oh.

An incurable invalid.

He died.

Incidentally, Mr. Chapman,

I have a message for you from her.

She says that work's piling up,

things are in a turmoil,

and the office needs you.

That sounds exactly like a secretary.

( noirish jazz theme playing )