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♪♪

I'll be glad to help you with that.

Oh, no, thank you. I can manage.

Oh, howdy do, ma'am.

Hello.

I'm Linda Roberts.

Oh, yes, Miss Roberts.

I got your telegram.

I have a nice room for you-- second floor, front.

Oh, that'll be just fine.

Would you register, please? Yes.

I don't have time to take my bag upstairs.

Would you watch it for me?

Why, surely.

And where is the courthouse?

One block down the street.

That's where they're holding the inquest?

Yes, ma'am, but the inquest... That's good, thank you.

Sure glad that's over with.

Yeah, so am I.

Amos, I-I'd like to say...

It's all been said, Ben, in there.

Well, legal things have been said, but the...

I'm not interested.

You killed my boy.

No matter what a coroner's jury said,

it was murder, not self-defense.

You should have been held for trial and convicted.

If your name weren't Cartwright, you would've been.

Amos, I...

I wanted to see you dead, Joe.

Come on, let's go.

♪♪

♪♪

♪♪

Joe?

About time to turn in, isn't it?

It's getting kind of late.

I don't feel much like sleeping yet, Pa.

I just can't keep from thinking about Mr. Crenshaw.

The way he looked at me today, things he said.

He must know I didn't want to shoot Zack.

I did everything I could to stop it.

If he just hadn't have drawn the gun on me.

Oh, everybody knows that, Joe.

All the witnesses testified to it.

Everybody knows it.

Everybody except Zack's father.

No, I think...

I think you're wrong, Joe.

I think he knows it, too.

Deep down inside, he knows it.

He just can't get himself to believe it.

Awful hard for a father to admit to himself that his...

his son tried to kill a man.

Well...

maybe if I...

if I went over and I... and I talked to him,

and tried to ex-explain it.

Joe, Joe, Joe, listen.

There's... there's nothing you can explain.

You've said everything there is to say.

What Amos needs now is time--

Time to think, time to let the wound heal,

time to face the truth,

to be honest with himself.

Yeah, I...

I guess... I guess you're right.

And... what you need, young man, is some sleep.

I want you and Hoss to go into town real early tomorrow

and get some new men for that ditch-digging, so...

off to bed.

Right.

And, Joe...

...you did everything you could.

There was nothing else you could do.

Absolutely nothing.

Get some sleep, huh? Yeah.

Hi, fellas.

Hi, Little Joe. Hey, Bruno.

How you doing? Hoss.

Howdy, Bruno. Couple of beers, huh?

Right. We need some men for a ditching job.

Joe Cartwright.

Real live celebrity right here in Virginia City.

All right, what's the joke?

Little Joe, we're going to have to start

looking at you in a new light.

Had no idea you were such a valuable critter.

What's it all about?

According to this,

you're worth as much dead as Jesse James.

Lady wants you dead.

You must have done something awful bad.

Promised to marry her, maybe...

...and then backed out.

Well, I hate to disappoint you, boys,

but I'm as much in the dark about this as you are.

You mind if I keep this?

Go right ahead.

There's plenty more of them.

Little lady has them tacked up all over town.

We'll be back for those beers later.

Why would anybody do a thing like that?

I don't know, but I'm gonna find out.

Not without me, you ain't.

Room 26, Joe.

Miss Roberts is expecting you.

She told me to send you right up.

Thanks.

The Cartwright brothers. Come in.

You, uh...

you Miss Linda Roberts?

I am, Mr. Cartwright.

As far as I know, we've never met before.

I saw her yesterday out in front of the courthouse.

And I saw both of you there for the first time.

So you've seen me just once.

This isn't a very funny joke.

I can assure you that poster is no joke.

Let me get this straight.

You don't even know my little brother,

and yet you'll pay just any yahoo with a gun

a thousand dollars to kill him?

That's exactly right.

Now you've learned what you came to learn.

Now you can both leave. Not just yet, Miss Roberts.

I want to know why you want me killed.

You should know, and if you don't,

you can wonder about that...

for as long as you live.

You put a thousand dollars on my head

and you won't even tell me why.

You must be out of your mind.

Not at all.

I'm sure you know why.

I give you my word I haven't the slightest idea.

Doesn't the name "Roberts" mean anything to you?

Billy Roberts?

He was my brother, and you killed him--

In Carson City, June 16, at 11:00 at night,

in an alley behind the Nevada House.

He didn't have a chance.

His gun was still in his holster when the sheriff found him.

And don't tell me you weren't there,

because I know differently.

I'm not denying I was there.

I was staying at the Nevada House.

I was questioned along with 15 or 20 other men.

But you were the only one

who fit the description the eyewitness gave.

The witness saw me at the investigation

and said I wasn't the man.

He said he didn't think you were.

It was dark in the alley, and he could hardly see.

What a coincidence.

You were questioned

about the death of my brother and released.

A month later, you were questioned and released

about the killing of Zack Crenshaw.

It's quite a habit with you, isn't it, Mr. Cartwright?

Killing people and getting away with it.

Zack Crenshaw pulled a gun on me.

I had no choice. There were a dozen witnesses.

A dozen witnesses bought and paid for

with Cartwright money.

Now, get out of here.

Both of you, get out.

Come on, Joe.

Boy, she sure has her mind made up, don't she?

Yeah, she sure does.

Well, don't worry about it.

Nobody's going to take that poster seriously anyhow.

You sure of that, huh?

No, the, uh... whole thing's silly, Joe.

Got a thousand-dollar reward on that poster.

People act pretty silly for a thousand dollars.

See if we can hire the men for that ditching job.

He's coming down the street. He'll be here any minute.

Bartender.

Put this on the back bar.

Look, I don't want any trouble in here, mister.

Then do as I say.

We'll take those two beers now, Bruno.

He, uh, made me put it up, Hoss.

They went tearing out of here to see the lady.

They came back meaner than a pair of rattlesnakes.

Yeah, begins to look like the lady's got a case.

That poster must mean what it says.

Well, if she's willing to pay a thousand dollars,

he must have hurt her bad enough to deserve killing.

How about that, Joe?

What did you do to the little lady?

He ain't talking, Jim.

He's too ashamed to tell us.

I figure that's proof enough.

It's time somebody did something about you, Cartwright.

And I'm just the man for the job.

You doing this for Miss Roberts or for the money?

Both.

Not often a man gets a chance to...

do a lady a good turn and get paid besides.

Well, I hate to disappoint you,

but it takes two to make a gunfight.

I'm not interested.

Only when you can draw on a boy who hasn't got a chance.

Come on, Joe. Let's go home.

You draw or crawl.

Or every time you leave the Ponderosa,

I'm gonna give you a beating

until you're man enough to face me.

Hold it.

This scattergun is loaded with birdshot and rock salt.

The first man that makes a fighting move

will eat standing up for a month.

Now, what's going on here?

This fella here was trying to collect

the thousand-dollar reward.

Are you serious?

That's what the man said.

I was just on my way to see you

about that woman putting them posters up all over town.

I didn't figure she'd get any takers so soon.

Get his gun. His, too.

All right. Let's go.

Still think those posters are silly?

Your hat, friend.

Thanks.

I'll give those two 24 hours in a cell,

20 minutes to leave town.

Shouldn't have any more trouble with 'em.

Then I'll go over to the hotel

and have a talk with Miss Roberts.

I'll go with you.

Joe.

Look, maybe we ought to get on back to the Ponderosa.

Pa's gonna be worried about us anyhow.

We haven't hired the men for that ditching crew yet.

I'll take care of that. Joe, you go on home.

What do you want me to do then, hide under the bed?

Aw, Joe, just hold on. Hoss is right.

There might be a couple other drifters around town

like those two I just locked up.

No use looking for trouble. Give me a little time,

I'll get this thing straightened out.

Look, Joe, you do what Clem says.

I'll hire the men. I'll take care of everything here.

You go on.

Hoss, make sure he stays out of town

till this thing simmers down.

I'll let your pa know when.

Thank you, Clem.

I'd like to put some money in the safe, please.

Certainly, Miss Roberts.

Miss Linda Roberts?

Yes. What can I do for you, Sheriff?

Well, I, uh, been finding these all over town.

Did you tack 'em up?

Yes, I did. Why?

I don't think that concerns you, Sheriff.

Well, I do.

These posters incite to murder, ma'am.

That's against the law.

Incite to murder? You're quite wrong.

That poster specifies a fair fight.

A fair fight in self-defense.

That's what a coroner's jury said yesterday.

Now, wait a minute...

Self-defense is no crime,

and the only thing you can charge me with

is inciting someone to protect his own life.

I'm afraid it goes a lot deeper than that,

but I'm not gonna stand here and argue the law with you, ma'am.

We got us a prosecutor in town that's paid to do that.

It's been nice, Sheriff.

My key, please.

Oh, you won't be needing your key.

You're going with me.

I'm gonna lock you up.

On what charge?

Suspicion of inciting to murder.

And just how long do you think you can hold me?

Long enough to make you see a few facts

and realize you're making a big mistake.

After you.

Joseph, Hoss and I have been talking. We agree with Clem.

You'd better stay away from Virginia City

for the next few days.

Oh, but, Pa, the whole... No buts. No buts.

There's plenty for you to do here.

You can take charge of the ditching job,

and that'll keep you busy enough so you won't have time

to think about other things.

Well, he hired the new men. Why can't he handle it?

Because I want you to do it.

All right.

Listen, Hop Sing's been clanging those pots and pans around

back there for an hour. We'd better get back and eat

or we're gonna lose a good cook.

What'd you say, Hoss?

I said... oh.

Hi, Hop Sing.

I'll get it. I'll get it, I'll get it.

Clem, come on in.

Hello, Joe.

Ben, Hoss, Hop Sing.

How'd you make out with the girl?

Well, I put her in a cell,

made her read a complete report of the inquest.

Yeah? What'd she say after she read that?

She said it didn't change a thing.

As far as she's concerned, all the witnesses were bought off.

Only thing it does is reconfirm that you're fast with a gun.

Well, she gets an idea in her head, she sticks with it,

doesn't she? Mm-hmm.

Woman's as stubborn as a mule and twice as dangerous.

Clem, is she still in jail?

Yep. See, and they can't post bail

until the court and the prosecutor fix the amount.

Now, if, uh... if we drop the charges,

you have to let her out, right? Well,

that's right, but I... «Joseph,

I do think we ought to drop charges.

Might as well. Doesn't do any good keeping her in a cell.

What about the posters?

Well, I took 'em all down,

but the harm's already been done, Ben.

I can't figure out, if she wants me dead,

why doesn't she do it herself?

Well, she thinks this fair play business will get the job done

and keep her out of trouble to boot.

Besides, I don't believe she can even fire a gun.

Until a month ago, she was teaching

English deportment and manners

in a finishing school for young ladies back east.

Manners.

Remind me never to go back east.

Supper ready long time.

Either Mr. Clem join for supper

or leave house so family can eat.

Clem, how about it?

Well, I'd like to, Ben, thank you.

I'd sure like to, Hop Sing,

but, uh, I'd better be getting on my way.

Oh, I sent a wire to the sheriff of Carson City,

explaining the problem here.

He promised to wire back if anything new turns up

concerning the death of Miss Roberts' brother.

Thank you, Clem.

Well, good night, boys.

Good night, Clem. Thanks again.

Boy.

Joseph.

Let's eat.

Yeah.

Boy.

It's about time.

You can thank Joe Cartwright for your release.

He wanted the charges dropped.

I wouldn't have been so generous.

I'm sure Mr. Cartwright's a very generous man. He can afford it.

But you can tell him for me he isn't fooling anyone.

He can't hide his guilt behind a display of generosity.

Good night, Sheriff.

Don't make any noise.

I don't want to hurt you. Just listen.

I understand you want Joe Cartwright killed.

Is that correct?

And you're willing to pay a thousand dollars for his death.

Is that correct?

Fine. I'll do the job for you.

But I want half the money in advance.

How do I know you won't take it,

run away, and not do it?

You want your brother's killer dead, don't you?

Yes, I do.

Hire me, and Joe Cartwright dies.

All right.

But I have to open my purse.

Do it.

But don't turn around.

Don't turn around.

I'll be in touch shortly for the rest of my money.

Check the men up on the east section.

I'll take care of the west.

♪♪

You two supposed to be working on the ditch up

on the west section?

Yeah. We was just taking a little rest, that's all.

When my brother hired you, didn't he tell you

there was no drinking on the job?

Yeah, that's right.

That's what he told us.

Good, I just want to make sure.

I hate to fire anybody by mistake.

You got a day's pay coming. Pick it up at the house.

You ought to have more respect for your elders, boy.

I don't see any difference between a lazy old man

and a lazy young one.

Don't move, boy.

You know, you cut me to the quick

calling me and my friend here lazy.

Of course, the truth of the matter is, we are.

That's why we took the job.

Seemed like an easy way to make a fast thousand dollars.

Since we heard you weren't coming to town,

we figured the least we could do was come to see you.

A lot of people know I'm out here.

They know you're working here, too--

You're not gonna get away with it.

We ain't gonna hide it, boy.

You're gonna die in a fair fight.

Luke's gonna shoot you, and they're gonna find you

with your gun in your hand, right where I put it.

Then I'll tell the law

how you started the fight and... Luke just had to shoot.

And I'm a good witness.

All right, throw it over here, nice and easy.

You two had better ride out.

Don't stop for a long time.

It won't be very healthy for you around Virginia City.

Come on, move.

Lucky thing I came along.

If you hadn't, I'd have been dead now.

I was on my way over to the Ponderosa.

I just wanted to tell you that I...

know you didn't want to kill my Zack.

I guess I knew it all along.

I just couldn't bring myself to admit it.

Well...

I said it.

I'd better get back to my place.

Hey, Mr. Crenshaw.

Look, why, why don't you come on over to our place,

maybe have supper?

I-I know... Pa would like to see you.

No, thanks... I-I don't think so today.

Started digging a new well on my place,

just to keep busy.

Besides, a man has to get used to being alone.

You say hello to your father for me.

Good-bye, Joe.

Good-bye, sir.

♪♪

I'm quite serious, Joe-- I don't want you near

any of the new men until Clem has things settled down in town.

I'll take care of things around here for a few days, Joe.

Thanks. You know...

I think you started this whole thing

just so I'd have to do your work for you.

Pa, if you don't need me

for the next few days, I'd, uh...

I'd like to go to Mr. Crenshaw's place

and give him a hand digging that well.

Well, it's fine with me,

if you don't think Amos wouldn't rather be alone.

No.

No, if you'd have seen him today

and talked to him the way I did, I think you'd agree with me.

I think that's the last thing he wants, is to be left alone.

Hmm, well, fine.

Tell Amos that if he needs anything,

if we can help him in anyway...

He knows that already.

Good enough.

I think I'm gonna turn in.

I want to get an early start. Good night.

Good night, Joe. Good night, Joe.

You know, Pa, things have been kind of rough for Mr. Crenshaw.

I have an idea that Joe's being over there

might make him feel a little better.

Yes, I... I hope so.

I know that being there will make Joe feel better.

♪♪

I'm gonna start work on the new well tomorrow, Zack.

I saw Joe Cartwright today.

I told him I was sorry about the way I've been acting.

I told him I was trying to get used to being alone.

I could see he looked bad.

He'll be coming around for a visit soon.

Real soon.

Hey, Mr. Crenshaw.

Hello, Joe.

What are you doing out this way?

I, uh, got pretty well caught up with my chores at home.

I... thought I might come out

and give you a hand digging that well.

Well, that's mighty kind of you

to take pity on an old man.

But I can make out all right.

Yeah, well, look, it's got nothing to do with pity.

It's really kind of selfish on my part.

You know, that... trouble we had out at the ranch

the other day, I thought it'd be...

best if I didn't go near strangers for a while.

You sure that's the reason?

Yeah, I'm sure.

Well, in that case, grab a shovel.

It's no fun working alone.

Why don't you take a little rest, let me get in there.

I'd be glad to.

Heard there was a little trouble in town.

What's it all about?

A girl named Linda Roberts...

got an idea I killed her brother because of...

Because of what happened to Zack?

You can say it, Joe.

I learned to say it, to accept it.

Doesn't do any good to pretend it didn't happen.

It's no good for either one of us.

I, uh...

I guess you're right.

I know I'm right.

Now let's get in here and work together.

I have a feeling we've got to go a long way down

before we get what we're after.

A long way.

♪♪

Well, how'd it go?

Fine. How you doing?

I'm doing all right.

You look all worked out.

Yeah. How'd everything go?

Good, good. We got a lot of work done on the well.

I wasn't thinking about the well.

How did it go with Amos?

It went fine with Amos. Good.

Yeah, a lot better than I expected. Good.

You know, what you were telling me the other night was right.

Give a man a little time to think.

It made me feel better, too.

I... I knew it wasn't my fault about Zack, but still...

No, no, no. You don't have to explain to me.

I know how you feel. Yeah.

You feeling hungry? You bet I am.

Supper's ready. Get washed up. Okay.

♪♪

We did good today, Zack.

It won't be long.

It won't be long, I promise you.

The well ain't deep enough yet...

but it Will be.

It Will be.

Here she comes.

Coming back. Go ahead. Let her go.

Howdy, Clem.

This just came from the sheriff over at Carson.

Figured you'd want it right away.

Thanks, Pat.

Kind of a surprise, ain't it?

Yeah, it sure is.

Who is it?

It's the sheriff.

I think we've said all there is to say, Sheriff.

Oh, I don't believe we have said it all.

I just got word from Carson City

concerning the man who murdered your brother.

Your brother's killer has been positively identified

by the eyewitness

from a sketch on the front page of the Virginia City Enterprise.

They get our paper a few days late in Carson.

Zack Crenshaw?

That's right.

The man Joe Cartwright shot in self-defense

is the man who killed your brother.

I don't believe it.

Well...

here's a telegram.

You read it.

I don't know what to say.

Well, I'll tell you what to say.

You make sure the word's spread as fast as possible

that you've canceled your offer, just in case somebody's thinking

of trying for that thousand dollars.

Then get over to the newspaper office

and have some new posters printed up,

admitting your mistake.

Do you realize you came close

to hiring somebody to kill an innocent man?

Sheriff, I've already hired a man to kill Joe Cartwright.

You've what?

I already paid a man to kill Joe Cartwright.

Who is he? What's his name?

I don't know. I don't even know what he looks like!

You listen to me, young lady,

you get to making sense, and quick.

I-I... I came in my room, it was dark,

and he wouldn't let me see his face.

He wanted half the money in, in advance, and I was so sure

that Joe killed Billy that I gave it to him.

You were so sure.

I'd better get out to the Ponderosa

and warn the Cartwrights what's happening.

I'm gonna go with you. No, you're not gonna go with me.

I believe Joe Cartwright's had enough of you

to last a lifetime. Well, you can't deny me

the chance to prove that I was wrong, to say that I'm sorry.

All right, you can go, but we stop at the newspaper first.

You have no idea who it was that you hired?

I've told you everything I know, Mr. Cartwright.

I'd give anything if it hadn't happened, if I...

Was there anything...

distinctive about, uh, about the man's voice,

the way he talked, the way he walked,

anything at all?

His voice was muffled.

Other than that, nothing.

I'm so sorry.

Well...

I'm grateful for trying to help us.

I was so sure.

I've been so foolish.

Well, Clem, it sure doesn't give us very much to go on,

does it? Nope. Could be almost anyone.

You know, it could be one of those two men Mr. Crenshaw

and I booted off the ranch the other day.

Yes, it could be.

What's this you're talking about?

Oh, two of the fellas like the one in the saloon,

looking for easy money.

I'm inclined to think that...

when the news gets around that the offer has been canceled,

whoever it was took the $500 is just gonna

get out of town and forget it.

Well, I think so, too.

The Enterprise is printing up those special posters

right now, gonna put the story on page one.

Two or three days, it should be all over.

But that's two, three days.

Joe, I wouldn't go near any strangers

or any of the new hands until then.

Don't worry, I don't intend to.

Well, I'd better take Miss Roberts

back to town, get to putting up those posters.

I should stop at Crenshaw's on the way back.

He'll have to know about his boy sooner or later.

Hey, Clem. Why-Why don't you let me

take this wire over to Mr. Crenshaw, hmm?

Joe, I...

I think you'd better stay close to the Ponderosa.

Well, I'm not gonna run into any strangers

on the way out to Mr. Crenshaw's.

I've been working with him the last few days.

It's gonna hit him pretty hard.

I think he might take it a little better coming from me.

How about it?

Well, just as far as the Crenshaw ranch

and back, no more. Understood?

Understood, don't worry.

And you stop worrying.

Everything's gonna be all right.

If anything happens to you because of what I've done...

I'll never forgive myself.

Hey.

Come on now,

I just told you everything's gonna be all right.

You go back to town and get some sleep.

You'll feel better tomorrow.

Hmm.

Mr. Crenshaw.

Mr. Crenshaw.

Zack?

Didn't you put in enough hours here today?

I, uh...

just wanted to come over and talk to you for a little while.

Talk to me?

Sure.

Come on in.

You want to talk to me, huh?

Well, sure.

Had your supper?

No, sir, I, uh...

I haven't but I-I'm not hungry, thank you.

Oh, nonsense.

A growing boy's always hungry.

Come on, sit down.

Good beef stew, hot and ready.

No, really, it's ver... it's very kind of you,

but I'm not hungry, I... Come on now, I mean it.

We don't want that stew to get cold.

There's plenty of time to talk, uh, after you eat.

I ain't the best cook in the world.

Zack always liked my stew.

Mr. Crenshaw, I...

I came over here to talk to you about Zack.

He was a handsome boy.

Wild and free.

Spirited, like a fine horse.

Well, he-he was a good boy, wasn't he, Joe?

Now, you, uh...

eat your stew while it's hot.

Zack didn't like to let his stew get cold.

Mr. Crenshaw, I have a...

a wire from Carson City I think you should read.

For me?

The sheriff in Carson sent it to Clem, and I...

asked him if I could bring it to you.

I'm sorry.

Where'd you get this wire?

Told you the sheriff in Carson sent it to Clem.

I know what you said.

Isn't enough that you murdered my son.

Now you're making up stories to...

to make him look like he was a killer like you.

You don't fool me, not for one minute.

Mr. Crenshaw, I know this is hard for you, but I...

I'm not the only one you don't fool.

Linda Roberts--

She knows what you are.

She knows you murdered her brother

just like you murdered my Zack.

She gave me $500 to kill you.

Not that I wanted the money,

just that I didn't want no one else doing it.

All the time we've been digging that well,

I've been planning on how to kill you.

Mr. Crenshaw, you have to listen to me.

Linda Roberts knows I did not kill her brother.

She came to the ranch today and said she was sorry,

that she was wrong.

She came out to the Ponderosa?

I swear it.

She's even printing up posters saying she knows she was wrong.

Why would she give me $500 if she knew she was wrong?

Because she didn't know the truth

when she gave you the money.

Please believe me.

You ain't eating your stew, Joe, it's getting cold.

Why don't...

Why don't you put down the gun and...

and I'll eat.

Sure.

You...

You were telling me about Miss Roberts.

Yeah.

She knows she was wrong, that...

that's what I was telling you.

Oh.

Yeah, now I remember.

Your... Your stew's cold.

I'll get you some more.

Zack always liked my stew.

Zack.

Zack's dead.

And you murdered him.

You may be able to fool Miss Roberts,

but you can't fool me.

That well we've been digging

is gonna be your grave.

My father and the sheriff know I came out here to see you.

That don't matter.

They think I'm your friend.

I saved your life.

I was...

gonna kill you that day.

That's why I was following you.

But I-I had to talk to Zack first.

Then I got a better idea.

I got $500 from Miss Roberts.

And I let you help me,

so's folks would think we were friends.

That wire is a lie.

Tell me it's a lie.

I wish I could, Amos.

I wish I could.

Why, Zack?

Why?

You...

You were such a good boy.

Such a good little boy.

Oh, help me.

Oh, God, help me.

♪♪

Well, I guess it's time to go.

I know I've said I'm sorry so many times, but...

But it's silly to say it again.

You have a good trip and take care of yourself.

I will.

Mr. Cartwright.

Bye-bye.

Hoss. Bye, ma'am.

You know, I think that little lady's

gonna be all right.

Yes, I think so, too.

I just hope Amos will be all right.

Well, a man learns to face the truth, he...

he learns to live with himself.

He'll be all right.

This has been a color production

of the NBC Television Network.