Original subtitles

An ambulance.

No, no.

Long time.

Take me in, look.

Dead?

What was wrong with him?

I'll tell you what wasn't wrong with him.

Do you hear what I said?

He wasn't dead.

The FBI.

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbliss Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds. With guest stars Louis Jourdan.

Michael Tolan.

Nancy Kobach.

Kaz Garris.

Tonight's episode.

Wind it up, and it betrays you.

The heart attack that killed 52 -year -old Carl David Schmidt on a Washington

sidewalk. was to plunge the Federal Bureau of Investigation into one of the

difficult espionage cases in its history.

Within minutes, the tiny piece of microfilm found in Schmidt's hearing aid

been delivered to FBI headquarters.

But experts in the FBI's cryptanalysis section soon found themselves up against

a major stumbling block.

Though they were apparently dealing with a simple substitution cipher, the

arrangement of the letters did not seem to resemble the spelling patterns.

of any of the Earth's major languages.

We'll start it.

Well, can it be broken?

Inspector, if a human mind can devise a code, another human mind can break it.

Cipher isn't the important issue here.

I'm sure a child could solve this one, provided he knew what language the

message was in.

Well, the dead man's prints are on file.

He's a naturalized citizen born in Berlin.

Nope. Can't be German or English.

Italian, French, Russian.

What about Oriental?

Phonetic, Henry?

Hmm.

Maybe.

Crypt analysis?

Lewis, you caught me at the reception.

Just a copy of the message found on the hearing aid.

Who was the courier?

A house painter named Carl Schmidt, 52, unmarried, no arrest record.

Lorenz Tabor used to receive and transmit messages like this via

in the 50s.

I had a meeting last week with Dave Holborn.

He told me they picked up a rumor in Prague that Colonel Tabor may be back in

this country.

Figures. Inspector, Colby. Well, thanks.

And along that line, Art, I'd like to return the microfilm to the hearing aid.

Be right with you, Tom.

It seems to me our best chance is to make them think that Schmidt's cover

We don't know about the microfilm.

After all, if KGB's behind this, we can't stop the message no matter what we

Once they hear Schmidt's dead, they'll send it out again by another courier or

shortwave or something.

Yes, Tom, where are you?

Still at the morgue.

Any attempt to claim the body?

Not yet, but we've run down a few more facts about the man.

He had a cousin, a Miss Ava Ritter, R -I -T -T -E -R, and her other living

relatives. The cousin's last known address was the Philadelphia apartment

but she's no longer there.

I'll start a file review. Anything else?

Well, there's one interesting item in his inventory of personal effects.

He had a bus ticket for tonight to Bluefield, Connecticut.

Now, that bus has already left, and it should be in Bluefield in about 20

minutes. Call the resident agent.

Have him put a discreet surveillance on anyone at the terminal who seems to be

looking for a missing passenger.

Right.

He's on his way to Bluefield.

Meridian Institute still working on their missile project up there.

How about their security?

Hello?

Ava. Hi, Jack Hill.

Oh, hello, Jack. How are you?

I boarded the bus down to Goshen, and Carl wasn't on the bus.

Lawrence, Carl wasn't on the bus.

Jack, where are you now? The terminal?

Uh, yes, Colonel.

Is anyone watching you?

No.

Have a milkshake in the drugstore.

Buy a comic book.

Hang around for half an hour, 45 minutes.

Then go on home.

If you picked up a tail, stay there.

If you're certain you're clear, drive into New York, contact the consulate,

them Carl didn't make it.

Ask them to check it out and then to call me.

Yes, sir.

I suppose so.

Every once in a while, I try to remember back to a time when I wasn't in

trouble.

I can't.

Did you ever wish you'd entered some nice, quiet trade like banking?

Once you're a parent?

Never.

Sometimes I wish I'd fallen in love with a man who had.

I would be bored to death.

At least I'd have him.

I don't see you from one year to the next, and when they do send you over

it's for some impossible job.

I'm worried every minute.

This job won't be impossible unless Carl's gone insane and decided to

defect or something.

No, it's been well planned.

We know everything there is to know about the four Meridian scientists.

It's just a matter of picking the right one to approach.

It's quite simple.

Simple? Oh, Renz, please.

You know, those KGB bright -eyed bureaucrats wouldn't think for one

a good communist could be subverted, and yet they expect you to do the job on an

American in the snap of a finger.

I think I can.

Although it may be more accurate to say that the...

Flick of a switch.

See how easy it is?

Too bad we're not dealing with toys.

You think we aren't?

Look.

Benedict Arnold, model 1968.

Four good Americans who know certain things we want to know.

They're intelligent, patriotic.

And human, like Benedict Arnold.

Now, the key to that model was envy. The poor man wanted to be George

Washington. These toys just have different keys to their backs,

different drives.

So someone at KGB will correlate all the information we've discovered about each

one, and he'll decide which is the easiest model to activate.

And if he makes a mistake, he'll just take an aspirin for his headache.

What do you take for a broken neck?

Nobody's going to break my neck, darling.

Or yours.

It's Benedict Arnold here who ought to be worried.

Benedict Arnold got away, Lorenz.

Seems the one they hanged was the major who wound him up.

Really?

Recognize the phonetics?

Looks Semitic.

You're close. It's Persian.

Does this Red Colonel Tabor here speak Persian?

Yes, he does.

Here's your sentence breakdown.

It reads, Purple has been chosen to gather the bouquet.

What Katie, I suppose, is talking about. I think I can give you a clue on that,

Lewis. I've been talking to George Cavell and Bluefield about their missile

research program.

He's the director of the institute.

Meridian has four scientists working on the project.

It's an operational device to simplify the takeoff procedure.

Cuts the checkout time from minutes to seconds.

They have a rather picturesque code name for it.

You know, when a missile leaves the pad, there's a lot of smoke and fire.

It's all kind of silver and red.

Blossoming?

Well, they call it Operation Bouquet.

But with the security they must have around a place like that. How could

get close to it?

What about the information these four scientists have in their heads?

Top clearance on all of them.

The bouquet.

Yes, I have it.

Now, what about Carl?

Yes, but on the other hand, if he'd been picked up... You have contacted a

lawyer.

My personal opinion, you mean.

Well, I think he's probably been in some kind of an accident.

He may be unconscious.

He may even be dead.

In any case, I think you'll have to send someone down to Washington.

Who, Ava?

No, it's too dangerous.

Yes, I understand, but suppose they penetrated his cover.

They'll arrest anyone who asks about him.

Yes. Yes, I do love her.

General.

General, I've been a soldier since I was 13 years old, and no one needs to

remind me of duty.

Have they located Carl?

No.

You'll have to go looking for him, I'm afraid.

Me?

Ava, you must drive down to Washington.

Drop by his apartment.

If he isn't in his room, try the hospital, the morgue.

Even the emergency ward in the jail, if you have to.

Tell them he was supposed to have dinner with you. You're afraid he may have had

an accident.

Suppose he is in a hospital and they've found the microfilm and the FBI are

waiting. Then they're going to investigate if one living relative,

show up or not.

Aren't they?

If they haven't found the film, we'd better get it back before they do.

Send someone in.

They're not going to release a man's personal effects to a stranger.

Friends, please.

Eva.

It has to be done.

Will you do it for me?

I'll call you as soon as I get in.

No, no, no. Don't phone here under any circumstances.

Go to the Chamberlain Hotel.

I'll have Jack meet you there.

When? Tomorrow afternoon, five o 'clock.

Have they chosen the lucky man yet?

Yes.

How do you intend to reach him?

Through a man named Julian Young.

He's Virgin's half -brother.

It's all on the back there.

Virgin's half -brother's dead.

No, no. We found him over a year ago. He has agreed to help us.

How does it feel to be hanged, I wonder?

Now, Ava... Would it be quick?

My name is Clavel. I have an appointment with Dr.

Evans.

Mr. Clavel is here.

Would you go right in, please? Thank you.

George, good to see you again. Hi there, thank you. You know Inspector Erskine,

I think? Ah, yes, nice to meet you.

How are you, Miss Clavel? Well, do you have any trouble getting away?

No, no, not too much.

After your call, I simply told my secretary that I had a thumping

that a friend had recommended a dentist named Evans.

By the way, is there a Dr. Evans?

Yes, he'll be in later. He's cooperated with us before.

The girl outside, the clerk in our New Haven office, is receptionist on

vacation.

You know, I feel like a character in a book.

Except that there's something wonderfully safe about the books.

About the mad scientists and the super -secret agencies and the wild plots to

overthrow the world. You can laugh at them, but...

How do you react to the possibility of treason by a good friend on a sunny

afternoon in the middle of Connecticut?

Do you know each one of these men equally well, George?

Well, yes.

As a matter of fact, I think I know them as well as I know myself.

I've known Weidelman since we were students at Leipzig during the early

And Phillips and Gray I've known since the war. And Paul Verdon I've known

1959.

And none of them.

Believe me, none of them would voluntarily sell out his country.

Ed. The x -rays you were waiting for are here now, Doctor.

Oh, good. Bring them in, will you, please?

All right, thanks.

Mr. Clavel, I wonder if you'd mind taking a look at these pictures.

I don't.

Do you recognize any of those people?

Who are they?

They're visitors to the Code Green diplomatic establishments in Washington

New York during the past 12 hours.

Well, none of them work for Meridian.

George, I'd like Lewis to meet the four scientists personally.

Is there any sort of current vacancy at the Institute he could fill?

Yes. Yes, as a matter of fact, there is.

Our assistant chief security officer has been reactivated by the Army. I haven't

replaced him yet.

Well, that's perfect.

Couldn't be better.

You could come over this afternoon.

I'll make the official announcement when I get back.

Fine. I'll use the name Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis.

Okay, I'll see you then, Mr. Lewis.

Fine.

I'll take it, George.

Next patient, please.

Mr. Manatee.

Did you notice any of those people outside the bus terminal?

Hmm?

This one?

He was on the bus.

You're certain?

Yes, sir.

He got off, made a telephone call, and then went into the drugstore.

He probably called to report that Schmidt was missing.

Okay, have that blown up and distributed to all agents in the Washington, New

York, and New England offices.

Yes, sir.

What do you think?

You mean about sending him to Cuthbert in broad daylight?

I can't understand why they made such a foolish move.

We're almost there, Florence.

Why don't you just drop me off? I can walk the rest of the way. Pa will

be late anyway.

When did you ask him to come by?

12 .30.

But he was always a little late, even when we were kids.

Does this meeting make you nervous, Julian?

No.

Why?

No need for a bracing drink?

That's a remarkably insulting thing to say to me, Lorenz.

You know, I haven't touched a drop in over three years.

You locked yourself in your room with a bottle a month and a half ago.

You came out eight hours later.

You haven't touched a drop since then, Julian.

I wonder what you'd call a spymaster who spies on his own spies.

Prudent.

Well, teacher, may I go?

Good luck.

What time will the woman and the baby get here?

They're in the apartment now.

So is Jack, by the way.

Stay out of sight.

And what's the girl's name again? I keep forgetting.

Priscilla.

He should be here any minute, Mr. Verdon. He's talked and talked about

Well, I couldn't believe it when I heard his voice.

Priscilla.

Oh, Julia.

Julia, how are you?

Fine.

Listen, did you have any trouble finding the place? And you met my wife? Yes.

And my big boy? Yeah.

Come on.

How does it feel to be an uncle?

Honey, you know, I'm afraid Mother's going to wonder what's happened to me.

better go.

Oh, yeah.

Go ahead.

Awfully nice meeting you, Mr. Verdon. I hope I see you again. Yes, I hope so,

too, Mrs. Young.

Julian, it's like having somebody come back from the grave.

I can't tell you how glad I am to see you again.

Alive, healthy, married.

Priscilla, that's the sweetest thing that ever happened to me.

You know, I almost sent you an invitation to the wedding.

Well, why didn't you? Why didn't you get in touch with me?

I don't know.

When the freighter went down, everybody thought I was dead.

The slate was clean.

I guess I didn't want to explain where I'd been all those years.

Paul, you haven't changed.

Well, you haven't either, really.

Come on.

I've got money enough to buy mirrors, at least.

Paul, I'm in terrible trouble.

If you can't help me, I don't know what I'll do.

What are you talking about?

They're going to kill me unless you stop it.

Who's going to kill you?

What are you mixed up in?

Aspiring. Yes, that's my cousin.

Oh, thank you, Miss Reddick.

I know how difficult these things can be.

There are his personal effects, Miss Ritter.

Check them, please, and sign here.

Wallet, hype, hearing aid, handkerchief, set of keys.

It's all here.

Would you notify us as soon as you've selected a funeral home, Miss Ritter?

Where are you staying while you're in Washington?

Oh, I haven't decided yet.

Can I call you later?

Certainly.

I'm sorry, Julian. I just can't adjust to the idea that... Well, I mean, you

talk to me about spies and threats and murders as casually as if you're talking

about... I know. These things just can't happen to people like us.

But they do.

And the murders are casual.

And they will kill me if you don't help.

Then let's go to the FBI.

Paul!

I have been a paid espionage agent for years.

I've done enough to be hanged a dozen times over.

If you turn me in or if I can't get the information they want from Meridian,

I'll be killed.

So will my wife and so will my son.

Julian. On the other hand...

If I do get the information, they'll let me out.

I can take Priscilla and the boy to South America.

It's up to you.

Julian, I can't do it.

Priscilla is 21 years old, Paul. She's never been involved in any of my work.

She's as innocent of any crime as my son is.

It won't be an easy death for her.

Julian, you're asking me to betray my country. Am I really? Think about it.

You know some of the factors that make a bouquet, but you don't know them all,

do you?

If you give an artist the heel bone of an elephant, say, how much chance do you

think he really has of reconstructing the true animal all the way to the tusks

and the trunk?

It doesn't matter.

Then I'm to tell them...

You've said no.

Tell him anything you want.

Jack.

Come on out.

How'd he go?

Just like Tabor said it would.

He turned me down.

But it shook him up, I can tell you.

You'll get to thinking about it.

He'll be back.

He's a very compassionate man, my brother.

Now listen.

How do you want to do this?

Blood all over the place?

No.

I think we better do a drowning.

Drowning?

Well, that doesn't make any sense.

I mean, my head would have to be underwater.

Suppose he stands there for five minutes. I couldn't hold my breath that

And it's got to look legitimate, or...

What?

Carl, can I see you a moment?

Sure, come on in, George.

Paul?

Carl, I want you to meet the fourth member of our research group.

Paul Verdon, Carl Lewis.

Glad to know you.

Welcome to Meridian.

I'm sorry I'm late. I understand you've already been upstairs to meet the

others. As a matter of fact, we were thinking of sending out a St. Bernard to

look for you. You know, with a flask around its neck.

He usually doesn't forget to come back from lunch.

What'd you do, have a fight with your girlfriend?

Oh, no, no, I, uh...

I had lunch alone, as a matter of fact. I just went back to the apartment, had a

sandwich, and got to watching TV.

Well, I guess you can't hang a man for that.

Well, Carl, I know you want to get organized, so we'll be on our way. Oh,

have any questions, give me a ring, huh?

Right, George, thank you.

See you later, Paul.

Bye.

This is Inspector Erskine. Would you put me through to Bluefield One, please?

Bluefield One.

One, go ahead.

Stand by.

Dan? Yes, sir.

Regarding Paul Verdon, do you have the surveillance report?

Yes, sir. Just one minute.

Subject number four left his home at 8 .42 a .m.

He drove directly to the Institute where he remained until 12 noon.

He proceeded from there to an apartment building on Madison Street.

He arrived at 12 .31, stayed in the building until 1 .14.

Then he returned to the Institute where he still is.

And he never went back to his house?

No, sir.

Put some agents at the Madison Street address.

I want to know who he went there to see.

Ava Ritter still in Washington?

Yes, sir.

Surveillance reports that she took a cab from the morgue to the Hotel

Chamberlain. She signed the register under her own name, went directly to her

room and hasn't left.

She made any phone calls?

Nothing's been logged either in or out of the switchboard.

All right, let's make her aware of the surveillance.

She's seen you at the morgue. Let her catch a glimpse of you at the hotel.

Maybe she'll want to tell someone of that development.

Right.

I'll let you know the minute she makes any kind of move at all.

All right, thanks, Jim.

In the lobby or in her room. I told her you'd contact her there.

Extension 314.

I'd like to speak to Mr. Paul Verdon, please.

Did he say where he could be reached?

Thank you. I'll try him there.

Mr. Verdon complained of a headache. He's left for the afternoon.

But he gave his secretary two numbers he could try in case of an emergency.

One is his home.

She thought the other was a relative's apartment.

Half -brothers.

Poor man. I hear the flu's been going around lately.

I hope he didn't catch it.

Well, I'd better be on my way. Tell Ava I'll try to get in touch with her next

week.

Suppose she hasn't located him yet.

The general told me that Carl couldn't take the pressure anymore.

That he skipped the country.

Well, the general has the mind of a melodramatic.

The general?

Yes.

When?

Well, last night when I saw him at the consulate. When you saw him?

Yes, don't you remember you told me to go to the consulate? I told you to

contact the consulate. I never told you to go there.

Florence, what's the difference? No difference.

Unless the FBI has arrested Carl, begun to put two and two together, and now

have Ava under surveillance.

Unless they have a description of this half -wit.

Unless they recognize him when he shows up and arrest him.

I'll follow him back here.

Is that an awful lot of unlesses? That's what this business is built on, my

friend. Unless and what if.

And maybe.

I don't want you to do anything.

I don't want you to leave this property.

Verdon wasn't home?

No.

May still be out driving.

He may even have gone back to Young's apartment already.

I'll try again in a moment.

What do we do about Ava?

Can't you leave her there in the dark?

We can't do anything else.

Bluefield One to dispatcher.

Julian.

Nothing? No.

Maybe I should borrow the baby again. I could go over and wait for him on his

burnt porch.

I'll try the apartment.

No answer.

Who is this?

Mr. Burden.

How did you know my name?

I know your name, and I know what you've just found.

Are you alone, Mr. Burden?

Except for Julian, I mean. No police?

No police.

I certainly hope you're telling the truth, because I happen to have...

Confederate near there with a very good pair of binoculars.

And if you're lying, he'll know it, and he'll tell me.

And I'm afraid I'll have to kill Julian's wife and son to teach you a

You've already caused one death.

You'd better think twice before causing two more.

Mr. Verdon, don't you think I do it?

Yes, I think you'll do it.

The girl is here, you know.

Would you recognize her voice?

Oh, my God, Mr. Burton, please help me. They've got the baby.

Well?

Leave them alone.

I will, if you cooperate with me.

Now, Julian told you what he wanted.

Listen, I, uh... I can't give you the whole thing. I don't know it all.

The part you know will be all right.

Now, there'll be someone to meet you at the corner of...

What? I can't hear.

Mr. Verdon, when you left the Institute, did you notice anyone following you?

No. Have you made any new friends in the last week or so?

Met new neighbors, business associates?

No.

Well, the new assistant security chief came in today, but... Came in from

Another department?

Had you known him before?

No, no.

Hold on.

Tape recorder.

Back. We're leaving.

Mr. Verdon, there won't be time to pick up any written information.

I have a tape recorder here.

Can you give me the details verbally?

Well, I suppose so, but... But what?

How do I know you'll really let the woman go if... You don't.

The only thing you can be sure of is that I'll kill them both, here and now,

you turn me down.

Can you understand that?

Yes. Good.

Is the door locked?

No, it isn't.

Lock it.

Then see if there's anyone outside watching the apartment house.

Is he still in there? He's still there. We've seen him pass by the window.

He seems to be alone.

The apartment is rented to a single male Caucasian, Julian Young.

There's nobody outside.

Listen, I can't take this, staying here with... Let me go home. You can call me

there or meet me there or... There's no time, Burton. I'm going to turn the

recorder on now.

Now speak slowly and clearly.

Do you have the right number? What are you calling?

Area code 203 -527 -5399.

All right, I'll try later. Thank you.

Mathematically, therefore, the primary anti -gravity thrust can be determined

through the formula AG equals M squared

parenthesis.

That's, uh, that's it.

That's it, so far as your own work is concerned, you mean?

Yes. But you must have a basic idea of what your three colleagues are doing.

Well, I could make a guess, but it certainly wouldn't be accurate.

We were going to have a general meeting on the 30th.

Then after the 30th, you'll be familiar with details of the entire project.

Look, we made a bargain.

I gave you the information you wanted. I'm not going to give you any more.

Mr. Verdon, I have Julian's wife, I have his son, and now I have your voice on

tape, and it is quite clear that you're selling secrets you have no right to

reveal.

Someone will be getting in touch with you again after you have had your

Goodbye and thank you.

I'm outside the Chamberlain.

The hotel switchboard tried to place a call for the subject a few minutes ago.

Area code 203, Bluefield, Connecticut.

Could you get an address?

Yes, sir. It's an estate on Route 5 north of the city.

How long did it take me to get there?

About an hour by car.

By helicopter?

Ten minutes.

Tom, did the woman complete her call?

No, she didn't. Her line was busy.

All right, keep her under close surveillance.

I'll have a look at the place.

Six clear.

Give me 15 minutes. If Redden hasn't left the apartment by then, check on

Yes, sir.

Hold up, hold up.

Hello?

It's Ava.

Ava.

Ava, what are you doing?

Darling, I've been so scared.

I told you not to call me here.

I had to. The FBI followed me from the morgue.

Carl's dead?

Heart attack.

They didn't find the microphone, but they're suspicious.

Ava, listen to me.

They are probably trying to trace your call, so... I'm sorry, Lawrence. I had

call you. I tried and tried, but the line was busy. You tried before.

Lawrence?

Lorenz had dossiers on all four of the scientists.

I guess whoever was in charge decided that Verdon would be the easiest one to

work on.

Who killed Julian Young?

Jack did.

Well, Lorenz was afraid that Verdon would see through a fake murder, and he

didn't trust Julian anyway, so... All right.

She was in on it, too. Yeah.

Mr. Menefee told me on the car on the way over who you really are, Inspector.

also informed me of my rights, but I have a great deal to say, and I think

like to get started right away. Can we do that?

Certainly. Well, to begin with, the information I gave these people on the

wasn't entirely accurate.

They killed my brother. They were threatening to kill my brother's family.

I knew I had to tell them something.

So I gave them everything except the key point, the part of it.

Colonel Lawrence Tabor, who recovered from his wounds, was convicted with Ann

Dodd and Ava Ritter of conspiracy to commit espionage.

Jack Hill was convicted of the murder of Julian Young. All are currently in

prison.

Prosecution of Paul Kenneth Verdon was declined by the Attorney General.