Original subtitles

Oh, honey, they're lovely.

Thank you.

That's what I like to see.

A housewife improving her mind. What was it, Bach?

The Beatles.

The Beatles.

If you haven't tried it, don't knock it.

Isn't she out there?

Oh, she must be in her room. Isabel.

No, no.

I'm glad I found you alone.

You can say goodbye to her for me after I've gone, can't you?

I thought we'd have until October, but the bank examiners...

Came this morning. They're going over the books right now.

So I... I drove out to see Archer.

Albert? Oh, the timing is a little awkward, but... He couldn't get me a

reservation. Something about the Labor Day weekend. I don't... Anyway, he's

trying to arrange something by car.

I have, uh... I've prepaid all your expenses.

Medical, everything.

For over a year.

Naturally, I'll be in touch with you long before that.

Yes.

Well, that's fine.

When do you leave?

Right away.

Good.

You know, I'm glad it's over.

I never particularly enjoyed helping you do this when I was well. I certainly

haven't liked waiting since I got sick.

You know what I think I'll do instead?

I will call the police and turn myself in. Howard, no.

Please.

Don't wreck everything just because I can't go with you.

I'd be running with you if I could.

You know, that... Oh, well, it's all my fault anyway.

My darling, it is not your fault.

What do you mean, this?

Gambling is the problem, our problem.

Sure, these bills were added pressure, but they weren't the first, and they're

certainly not the main.

We've had our good times, darling.

And while they were good, we spent it all.

But now our time has run out.

Did you take some extra cash, too?

You're probably going to need it.

Yeah.

A little bit.

A few thousand.

Howard, what's happened?

What have you done?

Isabel, get out.

You stole this and you're running away. What's going to happen to her?

The FBI.

Quinn Martin Production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

William Wyndham, Patricia Smith,

Bruce Dern, Lee Meriwether,

Lane Bradbury.

Tonight's episode, The Nightmare.

was informed that more than a quarter of a million dollars had been embezzled

from a federal bank in Pasadena.

Howard Dale Converse, an officer of the bank, was missing.

FBI Inspector Lewis Erskine was put in charge of the investigation, ordering

surveillance is established on all public transportation facilities.

Well, his car, it's a convertible, green.

According to motor vehicle records, it was a gray hardtop.

Well, he's my brother -in -law. I ought to know his car.

Do you have any idea where he might have gone?

Yes, Brazil.

How do you know?

Thank you. I saw his plane ticket.

What was the airline?

Nonstop to Rio.

Um, KBL.

Miss Nugent.

You are the one who phoned us this afternoon.

Of course.

Why?

You mean, why did I call?

Well, because I'm a good citizen, I hope, and I thought Howard was a thief.

And what made you change your mind about him? I haven't changed my mind.

We've already checked the air terminal, Miss Nugent. There was one departure

earlier this morning for Brazil, but it wasn't a KVL flight.

And none of the patents as a board answered your brother -in -law's

I really think you must be mistaken.

He is a thief.

We all throw our evidence that he was a gambler.

Why do you want Converse to get away now?

Because Marion does.

Because she loves him.

They did everything together.

Even the gambling before she got sick.

You're right, he'd lost everything.

And then when Marion got sick, he couldn't borrow any more from legitimate

sources, so he had to go to a private lender, and it cost him a terrible sum.

Ten percent a week, something like that.

So he had to use the bank funds to cover it.

Marion finally convinced him he'd have to leave when the bank examiners came.

talk to this gentleman for a minute? He's with the FBI.

I'm Inspector Erskine, Mrs. Converse. I'll try not to take too much of your

time. I don't know where my husband is.

And neither does she.

Yes, I told him Brazil, but he didn't believe me.

You're such a tower of strength in an emergency, Isabel.

and so good at spilling milk and so quick to cry over it afterward.

She did you a great favor by calling us as soon as she did.

Oh, please.

She indicated that you and your husband had planned this flight of his for some

time.

And from the additional money that he stole, I gather that the arrangements

probably professional as well as expensive. Is that right?

If these men are criminals, Mrs. Converse, You must realize that with a

amount of money he's carrying, your husband is in great jeopardy.

Where is he?

I really am quite tired.

I can't talk to you any longer.

I'll, um... I'll leave my card here, if you should change your mind.

Goodbye, Mrs. Converse.

Why didn't you honk? I just got in.

Where's my passenger? Archie's talking to him. He'll be out in a minute.

Come here.

I want to show you something.

I want you to meet my child bride.

You devil.

I went and done her this morning.

Me to Joe. You heard me talk about Cal Grimes.

Yeah, I heard you talk about him.

Hello.

That old man in there is going to have a sweeter trip than he thought.

Here, take a look.

Well?

He is different.

Sure is.

I don't like him, but I guess he'll have to do.

Now, Archer, I need those.

Howard, you want all the camouflage you can get. Now, believe me, I'm a man who

knows about camouflage.

That's why I got into the nursery business.

Now, look, Howard, just pay me the money and relax.

And when you get to Victoria, send me a nice picture postcard, okay?

There's an envelope in my coat pocket.

Ten thousand.

You got anything else?

A few dollars for food.

Well, look now. Keep it hidden, huh?

Now, I got this nice young couple to drive you up north.

I told them that you were a con man who wanted to disappear for a while.

But you know, some people today will steal the gold out of your teeth if

even a gleam there.

Some of them will.

Now, Howard, now don't be bitter.

This is an expensive business to set up here.

Look, you know this guy Cal Grimes who dumped your car?

Now, he's out on parole.

Now, if the police tie him into something funny, he's had it. So I gotta

worth his while.

Sergeant, is this my passenger?

Here's your daddy.

Hiya, daddy.

I'm afraid I can't see you too well.

Perhaps you'd better tell me your name.

Virgil Roy Phipps.

Virgil Roy Phipps, senior.

Very good. I like that. Square them shoulders up, though, daddy, and stand

with pride so we can see some kind of resemblance.

Now, what did we say?

400?

No, sir, I think that you know we said 500.

Five.

Thank you very kindly.

Now, these two will take you as far as the Oregon border.

Now, you'll pick up your second ride in Klamath Falls, the Acme junkyard, huh?

Don't worry about a thing, Daddy.

Slip your stuff in the back here and hop on in. No, no, I'll hang on to it.

Hi, I'm Mita Joe.

Don't smile, Daddy.

We're one big happy family. We got holes in our pockets, but we got joy in our

hearts.

Right?

Right. I bet you never drove in a car as fancy as this, did you?

The police got a toll array request from one of the local merchants that uses

this valley and called us.

A converse could have dropped the car here and walked okay. There's a bus

station half a block south, except... Except what?

We have a witness who said he got a good look at the driver.

His description doesn't exactly fit that of a middle -aged banker.

Is your witness reliable?

Mr. Wentworth, would you mind telling Inspector Erskine here what you told me?

Why? Did he lose your notes?

No.

He don't trust me.

He wants to see if I can come up with the same story twice.

Can you?

What do you know about Y notes?

What should I know?

Well, first, we size people up pretty good.

We get a lot of practice at it.

Second...

We know when we're sober and when we ain't. Now you take me.

I got a gauge up here that tells me just how far down the bottle I am.

Registers every stage from a gentle glow to dead drunk in a doorway.

What was your gauge showing when that car was left here?

Well, up in the safe zone.

And when I tell you, that driver...

Was 5 feet 11.

Dark complexion, dark hair.

About 28, 30 years old.

You can take it for a fact.

Mr. Wentworth, I'd like you to look at some mug shots.

Would you mind that?

No.

Theaters are just letting out, streets filling up.

You're cutting into the heart of my work day.

Oh, well.

When you appeal to my...

Citizenship? You've touched me in a very tender spot.

Okay, let's try her.

Surely I talkative. Jabber, jabber, jabber.

That ain't exactly it. I have to know a man's life story, but I sure would feel

more comfortable if I knew his real name.

Virgil Roy Phipps, Sr.

You know something?

I didn't like my real daddy much either.

You want to get out and stretch your legs, we'll be driving straight on.

You look a little peaked in the face.

How do you feel?

Absolutely lost.

No,

sir, he's at the airport.

We're still checking on three international flights to the left before

established surveillance.

All right, now tell him.

Oh, just a minute, Mr. Ward. He just walked in.

Any luck?

What wears back?

He's looking over the rest of the mug shots.

Mr. Ward.

Yes, Art.

Lewis, we've come up with an analysis of the mud samples you took from

Converse's car.

It contains a variety of flower seeds, some fern particles, and leaf mold.

It all seems to suggest a commercial nursery.

Anything else?

Nothing significant.

Okay, thanks very much.

Good luck, Lewis.

We'll find it first possible.

Calvin Wade Grimes is a Texan.

He's just been reported to us as a parole violator.

When he was in California before, he was employed by a firm in Arcadia, a

wholesale nursery.

Well, listen, that don't look like the same guy to me.

Uh -huh.

Look there.

That's got to be him.

What do you think he carries that bag with him for all the time?

Well, that don't mean he's got all that money on him.

Honey, it means he's got five or ten thousand dollars in there at least.

Here he comes.

You

ready?

Just about.

Another way of you stumbling around here, Daddy.

I think you could use yourself a pair of spectacles.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do, Daddy.

You pay us the money that you owe us. Next time we get to, I'm going to buy

a pair.

What money?

You mean to tell me you thought we were doing this for nothing?

Huh?

Well, you owe us $2 ,000.

$1 ,000 per day.

Archer paid you.

If you think I'm going to hold still for any sort of black set, take a look at

that, huh?

What is that?

Well, I'll bet you 10 cents to $2 ,000 that it is you.

I tell you what, how'd you like to bet a phone call to the FBI?

What about it, boy?

Good morning.

Preston Archer?

Yeah.

My name's Erkin.

Mr. Colby?

FBI.

What'd I do?

You have a man named Cal Grimes working for you, Mr. Archer?

Yeah.

Where was he last Friday, do you know?

He was right here.

All day?

All day, yeah.

And where is he now?

Without making deliveries.

I could have them call you.

No, we'll wait.

You mind if we look around?

For what?

Flowers, plants.

This is a nursery, isn't it?

Go ahead.

Howard Converse, a customer of yours.

I didn't catch the name.

Howard Converse.

No.

I noticed an orchid like that in his wife's room.

Maybe you just forgot.

I mean, he'd be listed in your books if he had bought it here, wouldn't he?

No.

Was Converse here last Friday?

No. Odd -shaped piece of glass, isn't it?

Oh, I'm usually not so careless. I dropped a water tumbler out here the

day. Really?

Well, it almost looks as though it came from a lens of some kind.

No, no, no. It was a water tumbler.

Grimes? Hold it, Grimes. FBI.

L .A. 20, Grimes is headed your way in a truck. Stop him.

Alright, crime's out of there.

Well, good afternoon, sleeping beauty.

We was beginning to wonder if he was dead over there.

Where are we?

In God's country, man.

Look at them mountains.

They are really simple.

Here.

Take a pull on this.

Oh, no.

Go ahead. Come on. It'll do you good.

How far is it to Klamath Falls?

I heard what you said.

We're about 70 miles, something like that.

70 miles?

Well, you told me it wasn't more than 30 when I closed my eyes a while ago.

Well, it wasn't.

Well?

Well, the fact is, he was sleeping so soundly that me to Joe and I didn't have

the heart to wake you up.

Won't they be expecting me at the Acme Junkyard?

I kind of doubt it.

Old Frank Higbee, he's about as reliable as a $3 watch.

He's a mean man, I'm going to tell you that.

If he was to find out what you was really all about, he'd rob you blind and

you in a ditch.

Pull over, please.

Come on, Daddy.

I said pull over.

you're upset about, because we didn't talk it over with you first, but you

gonna walk all the way back to Klamath Falls now.

I can try.

I'll tell you what.

Why don't you come on along with me to Joe and me?

I mean, we was gonna go up north and take in the rodeos anyway, and they're

right, honey.

See, we were going to Redmond, and then we were gonna go over to Benton City,

and I don't know, Mac, and we'd have you into Canada before you even knew it. It

wouldn't put us out one bit.

No, she's right.

We'd love to have you.

I tell you what, to make it worth our while, let's just say full price, $5

Let's just say I've made a big enough fool of myself already.

Where are you going?

Home.

Verge. Don't worry, honey.

That man ain't going nowhere.

What'd you do, dope the liquor?

Come on, baby doll.

Bulldog gots a rich, blind, old deer.

You looking for these, are you? Huh?

Anybody needs glasses as bad as you? I figured they're bound to have an extra

pair, so I looked in your suit coat, and there they was.

And he never spoke of a man named Preston Archer?

No.

He's an ex -convict.

A former usurer, fence, extortionist.

He operates a wholesale nursery in Arcadia now.

They believe your husband was there Friday afternoon.

Why?

Piece of glass we found on the greenhouse floor turned out to be a

a pair of eyeglasses.

The prescription matches his.

Piece of glass? You mean they broke?

Shut your mouth, Isabel.

Mrs. Converse, what did Archer have to do with your husband's disappearance?

Nothing. I don't know.

We found the car in downtown Los Angeles.

The man who abandoned it there works for Archer.

Point is, sooner or later, I'll be able to tie Archer into this.

But meanwhile, time is on his side.

You're not interested in helping, Howard.

You just... Witness converse.

I'm trying to make you realize the danger he's in.

They made a bargain with Howard. They'll keep it.

Why should they?

Well, out of... Out of what?

Offensive? Honor?

Ethics?

How did your husband meet Archer?

He... He heard Archer had money to lend.

Do charges of 10 % interest a week strike you as ethical?

I told him about that.

No, they don't seem ethical.

What was the bargain?

Archer promised...

to get Howard out of the country for $10 ,000.

He promised it in your presence?

Yes.

Where was the husband going?

Canada.

Victoria.

Do you know the route?

No.

They had planned to take a plane.

Then they decided... Not a car.

Thank you, Mrs. Converse.

Nina Jo!

What's the matter with you? Didn't you hear me call you just now? Huh?

Yeah.

Well, then why didn't you come running right away? I almost tore my finger off.

I could have bled to death by the time you come over there.

Oh, yeah, I can see that's a real terrible wound you got there.

Boy, oh, boy, this is some fine honeymoon. Here I am doing all of this

you. That's right, honey, I'm doing it for you.

What you're doing is you're looking for a lonely spot to kill him and leave him

in. Ain't it, Joe? I'm warning you.

But when the dope wears off, the man's going to get up and go for help.

Didn't he tell if he was going to try and walk home? Huh?

Well, that means when he gets there, he's going to tell the people that we

to rob him. Now, that's going to mean trouble for us.

Well, it doesn't mean the gas chamber.

Honey, come on. We could bury the man anyplace out here. No one would ever

him, and who'd know?

I would.

It ain't like he's a stranger.

Darling, because we call a man daddy, that don't mean nothing.

I know that.

It's just I don't want him to be killed.

What do you say there, officer?

I saw your hood up. Having trouble?

No, it's about okay now. I got it all fixed up.

Unless you'd like to stick around and help me cuss out a few old used parts

cuss out the sun.

Everything all right?

Yes, sir.

He's just been feeling a little poorly. I think he has a touch of the flu.

Maybe you better try your engine while I'm here.

Okay.

Thank you.

No, they just asked me a couple of questions.

They haven't charged me with anything.

Well, the problem is I can't locate Phipps.

No, no, I checked with Higby.

They never got to Klamath Falls.

Or if they did, they... Listen, I'll call you right back.

Boy, you guys never give up, do you?

You're under arrest, Archer, for harboring a federal fugitive.

What? You have the right to remain silent and then notify your attorney.

Turn around, please, Mr. Archer. Put your hands behind your head.

Shame on you, Inspector.

Trying to bluff an old poker player like me.

You want to see my hand?

That's what I'd like.

He's on his way to Canada by car.

Cost him $10 ,000 to start.

He paid you with stolen bills.

We've got serial numbers.

More?

We have roadblocks on every highway into Canada from the ocean to the Montana

line.

And if we find him dead, Archer, we'll amend the charge against you to murder.

How does that grab an old poker player like you?

Who's got him?

A rodeo tramp named Burge Phipps.

They sent her to here in a 57 camper.

Texas place. I don't know what the number was.

It was Phipps, Converse, and Phipps' wife.

Little redhead about 20 called, uh, Mita Jo.

What's their route?

Well, it was due north.

We mean was.

They never got to Clement Falk.

This Phipps have a third time?

Yeah. What for?

Murder.

Morning to you.

Lovely morning.

Yes, ma 'am, it sure is.

Your daddy ain't sick.

No, ma 'am. Ain't nothing to worry about.

Help.

Help.

It's okay. We'll get you to a doctor just as soon as we can.

Looked down the neck of a bottle last night.

This morning he's full of repentance.

Ain't sure whether he's half dead or half alive.

Well, I guess I know all about that.

My second husband, he used to really cut loose.

Me, oh, my.

Things was never dull when that man was alive.

Well, same with old dad here.

It's never dull.

Hope to see you folks again sometime.

Yes? Inspector Erskine.

Thank you.

Lewis, where are you? Klamath Falls?

No, Wenatchee. We flew up this morning.

A county sheriff up here saw a circular on Clips' camper, and he remembered

spotting two men and a girl in a similar vehicle just out of Yakima.

Thank you. It looks pretty good. We've been contacting motels and campgrounds

with the amended descriptions, particularly the older man.

His hair was dark and he wasn't wearing glasses, but the sheriff's pretty sure

it was Converse.

I got a helicopter standing by and roadblocks throughout the area.

No, the older of the two would have dark hair, be in his late 40s.

Well, could they have been driving one of the campers from Texas?

Yes, ma 'am.

Sounds like the same bunch.

Yes, I saw him.

May I have your name again and exact address?

Yes, sir.

I'm Aunt Flory Buell, and I'm on Highway 6, about 40 miles north of Silver

Springs.

Yes, ma 'am, I've got it. Thank you.

Lou?

Where's that whiskey bottle?

Joe, please don't call him.

The next time we stop, he's going to kill me. You know that. He has to murder

me. You be quiet.

Help me.

But what are you afraid of?

You afraid that I'm going to go to the police? I can't. I'm a fugitive myself.

All I want is to tell me when it looks a little safer.

When it looks as if there might be some softer ground, an embankment or

something.

You can't see what you're doing. You'll break every bone in your body.

I'll worry about that. Whatever happens, it won't be your fault. Keep the money.

Just... Look, pretend that you were asleep, and when you woke up, I was

Please, little Joe.

Look, it's my only chance.

What's that, a helicopter?

It's operator ground unit one.

One, go ahead.

Camera is on a logging road to the northwestern corner of grid section L.

All right, we're on our way.

FBI media show is finished.

We could make it now if we jumped.

Well, I'm going with you or without you.

Come on, he's got a gun!

Suck.

That's about all.

I knew I was in trouble from the time that Phipps showed me the newspaper, but

didn't really start to get worried until after we'd passed Klamath Falls.

Do you know where you were scheduled to stop?

Yes, a place called Acme Junkyard.

They mentioned the name of a Frank Higbee.

All right, Mr. Condor, thanks very much.

Thank you.

Well... Oh, just a minute. Did you get through?

Yeah, she's on the line now.

She?

Marion?

We, uh, we thought you might like to talk to her.

Thank you.

Hello, Marion?

Darling.

How are you?

Fine, fine.

How are you?

Honey, I talked to the doctor.

He says the worst part's over now.

I'm going to get better.

It's just a matter of time.

Thank God for that.

At least it wasn't all for nothing.

Howard Dale Converse was sentenced to a federal penitentiary.

Prosecution of Mrs. Converse as a co -conspirator was declined.

Virgil Roy Phipps and Mita Jo Phipps were found guilty of kidnapping.

Preston Archer was convicted of harboring a federal fugitive.

And Calvin Wade Grimes was returned to federal prison.