Original subtitles

Yes? You want something?

I came to see about a doll.

What kind of doll?

Marie Antoinette.

Who sent you?

Libby Jackson.

You have the plans?

Well?

The lady who contacted me said I must see the doll first.

So much formality.

Sometimes I think we make our business more complicated than it is.

I'm not in your business.

Then what kind of business are you in?

Either you're an agent or a traitor.

Perhaps you prefer being called a salesman.

Marie Antoinette, Rossetti's finest work.

Now, the film, if you please.

If this isn't authentic, we'll see to it that the FBI learns of your activities.

You understand that that's only the first stage of the monitoring satellite

system. The second and third are manufactured at other planets.

Now, without them, that's useless.

Yes, we're aware of that.

I'm supposed to receive some money.

Oh, you mean your commission.

$5 ,000.

Go on, count it.

Being a salesman pays more than being a physicist.

You had me frightened for a minute. Did you get the negative?

Yes. Let me have it and the doll.

I don't understand.

You're being replaced, Mark.

I'm to pick up the second and third stages.

Why?

Jason believes you made a deal with the Chinese to sell the plans.

You know me better than that.

I've been in the party for a long time.

My loyalty is beyond question.

You were seen talking to one of the agents outside the airport.

Oh, he approached me, but I turned him down.

Jason thinks otherwise.

Then let me talk to this Jason.

If you tell me where I can find him, I'll explain things.

You know better than that, Mark.

Look, if he didn't trust me, why did he ask me to pick up the first stage?

He found out too late.

The physicist insisted on knowing what you looked like in advance.

Sending somebody else might have scared him off.

We couldn't take that chance.

Now give me the negative.

There it is, inside the doll.

All right, stand back.

Stand back.

You're making a terrible mistake.

Am I, Mark?

We've been friends for a long time.

Give me a chance to explain.

Johnny, look, maybe I did make a deal, but they're willing to pay $100 ,000 for

this system.

Johnny, I'll spread it with you.

Johnny!

The FBI.

A Gwyn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with guest stars

William Smithers, Penny Fuller,

Richard O 'Brien, and special guest star Vivica Linford.

Tonight's episode, The Doll Courier.

Identification on the Bobby found May 1st in Portland, Oregon, gave the murder

victim's name as John Nestor.

However, a routine fingerprint check through the FBI Identification Division

revealed the startling fact that his true identity was Mark Leffert, a known

member of the Communist Party, born in Switzerland, and deported from the

States in 1968 as an undesirable alien.

Until this time, the authorities were unaware that Leffert had slipped back

the country.

Also found on the victim was a typewritten letter.

This letter, with its curious message, was to be the beginning of one of the

FBI's most bizarre cases.

Although the climate in Portland might not be the best, the view of the

McLaughlin Lake is well worth the trip.

Especially seen an hour before sunset from the observation point.

As for Mary Antoinette, I'm sure we'll be able to put some sense into her head

before she continues on her long journey.

Your good friend, Libby Jackson.

Not a concealment cipher.

It gives Leffert the city he's to be in, Portland, the place, the observation

point in McLaughlin Park, and the time.

Sunset was at 6 .45, and he was supposed to be there an hour earlier.

5 .45.

That's the approximate time the coroner set for his death.

What about Murray Antoinette?

Well, that could be a code name for anyone.

I don't know anything.

What do we know about this person who signed Libby Jackson?

Well, she teaches school in Portland.

There's no indication that she's connected with any subversive groups. As

matter of fact, the city council has just awarded her a plaque for 30 years

public service.

We can't be sure that's her signature.

Well, Portland's sending samples of her handwriting for comparison.

I'd still like to go out there and see her, Art.

About finished with the Albert case?

Yes, I am.

All right, then, good.

Lewis, there's something about this phrase, put some sense into her head.

I've heard knock sense and talk sense, but never, never put.

I just wonder if that might be the key to something.

Well, if it is, that something is what we've got to find.

Carl Degner, studio.

Carl? Yes.

I'm calling for Jason.

Who is this?

There's been a slight change in plans.

Leffert's been replaced.

Why? That's not important.

You'll meet with a man named DeBecker.

I've never heard of him.

How will I know he's the right one?

He'll have the doll and the counter sign.

Do you have the negative for the second stage of the MSS?

Yes.

But I don't like last -minute changes.

Sometimes they're necessary, Carl. And risky.

That's why you're paid so well, Carl, to take risks.

I don't like being kept in the dark like this.

I don't even know who you are or this Jason.

It's better that way.

Except for the courier, everything's the same. Is that understood?

Yes.

Yes? Miss Jackson?

That's right.

My name's Erskine. I'm with the FBI.

So you are.

I wonder if I might talk to you.

Well, come in.

Thank you.

What is it you wanted to see me about?

I wonder if you'd take a look at this letter.

I don't know what to make of this, Mr. Erskine.

I didn't write it. It's not even my signature.

Yes, we know it's a forgery, but do you have any idea who might have done it?

No. Perhaps a student or a fellow teacher.

Maybe someone you come in contact with during the course of the day.

But I come in contact with a lot of people. But I can't imagine any one of

signing my name to this.

Does the context of the letter mean anything to you?

I can't say that it does.

Of course, I'm very familiar with Marie Antoinette.

I taught French history for years.

Yes, well, I have a feeling this refers to a different Marie Antoinette.

There's been so much written about her. Then there are all those famous

paintings.

There's even a Marie Antoinette doll.

A doll?

Yes. The great doll maker, Rosetti, made a doll and called it the Marie

Antoinette. I don't know who owns it now.

Well, it might even be in a museum.

Well, I see you have quite a collection yourself.

What is it they say about old maid school teachers?

They don't live life, they collect it.

I chose dolls.

Well, they're very lovely.

Maybe you saw that young lady living here when you came.

Yes, I did.

She's a reporter.

She's writing an article for the American Antique Journal.

About my collection.

Of course, I've never been able to afford anything like the Mary

I've just seen pictures of it.

I don't suppose you'd have one here?

Yes, I'm sure I do.

I think there was one in Hitler's journey.

Yes.

Yes, here it is.

She must have been a beautiful woman.

It's in last month's issue of the American Antique Journal.

It gives a short history of the doll, but it doesn't say who owns it.

Well, that shouldn't be difficult to find out. I'll put Tom on it.

You're sure Libby Jackson has nothing to do with it?

Yes, I am, Art. They're probably just using her name as a cover in case the

letter should fall into the wrong hands.

If Mary Antoinette does refer to a doll, the fact that Libby Jackson is a

collector makes the operation seem more legitimate.

That makes sense.

Incidentally, I'm flying out to Portland for a law enforcement conference I'll

see you there Good

You work much too hard.

You worry too much about your aunt.

Well, the most beautiful lady in New York City should be dining in the most

exclusive French restaurant.

With a very eligible bachelor, of course.

Only very eligible bachelors. You see, they like to dine with very eligible

heiresses.

Or go -go dancers.

Besides, I enjoy answering my fan -mate.

Can I see?

One of my dolls is losing her hair.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Of course, buy her a wig.

Make fun of them, Eric. Because sometimes they write to me because they

lonely. So, if I can make them feel a little less lonely, why not?

Besides, I enjoy being a celebrity.

All right.

Don't work too late.

Night. Night. See you tomorrow.

a conference.

Either I'm getting older or these conferences are getting longer.

Any luck with the Marie Antoinette doll?

It was purchased from the Kane Noble Art Gallery in New York two years ago.

Sales handled by an agent acting for an anonymous buyer.

Who was the agent?

Jason Keller.

Do you know anything about him?

Can't even find him.

How'd he pay?

Cash. I guess he wanted to remain as anonymous as the buyer.

We did find out this. The doll was seen earlier this year at an art show in

Zurich, Switzerland.

On loan from an anonymous art patron?

That's right.

What about the photograph in the antique journal?

The editor sent me the original.

It was taken by a Carl Degner, a freelance photographer.

formerly of New York, now living in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

When did he take it?

The date on the back of the picture was June 1968.

In other words, Degner saw the doll after it had been sold to this, uh,

Jason Keller?

That's right.

What do we know about Degner?

Graduated from Fulton College in 1939, joined the Army in 42, received an

honorable discharge in 45.

No, uh, communist front groups there?

Nothing that we know about.

He worked as a freelance photographer in New York City until he moved to Fort

Wayne, where he opened up his own studio.

I wonder why Fort Wayne.

Yeah, that's a good question.

Suppose I drop by and have a little talk with him, aren't I?

Under pretext.

That's a good idea.

I'm having a lab examine the photo.

There might be something in it to help us.

Be with you in a second.

Now, what would you like?

A photograph.

Of yourself?

Your girlfriend?

No, a doll.

What kind of doll?

Marie Antoinette.

Who recommended my work?

Libby Jackson.

Is it in the suitcase?

Have any trouble getting him in?

One of the security guards at the plant.

He's planning on an early retirement to go hunting with his dog.

We should be able to help him.

There's the glass case, the dog's in.

In the upper right -hand corner, if you look closely, there's a woman's face.

Yes, I see it.

Reflected on the glass.

We've had that area blown up.

The woman was probably standing across the room watching the photographer take

the picture.

Is there anything in it to tell us where the picture was taken?

Yes, sir. There's some lettering on the left -hand side.

It's probably the name of the store reflected from the window.

The doll, huh?

Assuming it's centered in the window, it's probably the name of the shop with

another word of four or five letters, the doll, house, place, doll shop,

something like that.

Doll shop.

You better have some more of these made, Tom, and try to bring out the features

in that woman's face.

Yes, sir, right away.

Mr. Degner? Yes.

I wonder if you could give me some information.

I have a price list here.

Of course, the more pictures you order, the more you save.

Then there's the free 5x7.

No, the information I need concerns a doll.

The Marie Antoinette of Rossetti.

Why come to me?

I understand you photographed it.

I might have.

I've been in the business 25 years. You can't expect me to remember every

picture I've taken.

Well, this appeared in the American Antiques Journal.

The editor said it was yours.

Oh, yes, I remember now.

What did you want to know about the doll?

Well, I was hoping you could help me find it.

Is it missing?

It seems to be.

A client of mine is interested in it. A client?

Oh, yes, I deal in antiques.

He's willing to pay a good bit for it, but...

I have to find it first, and the last I heard, it was sold by the Cain Noble

Galleries in New York.

The buyer was anonymous.

That's too bad.

But I still don't understand why you came to me.

Well, I thought perhaps you could tell me who hired you to photograph it.

No one hired me.

It was on display, so I took a picture of it.

Well, where was that?

Some old gallery in Manhattan.

Do you recall a name?

They all sounded like to me.

French for something or other.

Besides, it was a long time ago.

Well, this just appeared last month.

Well, that's when the journal printed it.

They must have kept it in their files until then.

When was it taken?

Oh, maybe four, five years ago.

Oh, I see.

I'm sorry I can't be of more help, but if you'd like some portraits made, it

wouldn't take too long and I could send you the proofs.

No, no, thank you.

Well, then I I better get back to the darkroom Well, thanks for your time.

I know how it is to be in business for yourself

I'd

like to place a long -distance call to Chicago The number you're calling?

787 -2098.

Is this person to person?

Yes.

I'd like to speak to Mr.

Louis Fredericks.

Chicago Antique Import.

I have a call for Mr. Louis Fredericks from Mr. Jones, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I'm sorry, Mr. Fredericks is out of town.

next week.

Cancel the call, operator.

Thank you.

Sir, the long -distance call Inspector Erskine was expecting just came through

the board.

Yes, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Degner was lying about when he took the picture.

Obviously he didn't want me to know he'd seen it after it was sold to Keller.

I want him placed under constant surveillance, Dad.

Yes, sir.

Here's Kim.

Oh, yes, thank you.

were expecting from Fort Wayne just came through.

Good. We're on the right track then.

Yes, he apparently hasn't been tipped off that we're on to him.

I have some information on the Degner photograph.

It was taken at a store called the Doll Shop in New York City.

It's owned by a woman named Eva Bolin.

All we have on her is that she was born in Poland.

fled to Switzerland when she was 15 and came over to this country shortly after

World War II.

It's being investigated by Chet Randolph in New York, but I'd like you to look

in on it. So call him and tell him you're on the way.

Right.

Is Tom there with you?

Yeah, I'm here, Lou.

Tom, I'd like you to find out what companies here in Fort Wayne and

working on top -secret government projects and if there's any tie -in

the two.

Do you see a pattern beginning to take shape?

Well, it's still vague, Arthur.

But do you remember the letter mentioned Mary Antoinette continuing her long

journey? Well, this could refer to a courier moving from city to city picking

information. And the doll might be the key to that courier.

Exactly.

The doll could be his way of getting information out of the country under the

guise of its being an antique.

Sent by a collector who wants to show it somewhere in Europe.

Makes an ideal cover.

This could be the pattern we're looking for.

Well, I'll see what I can find out about those companies, Lou.

I'll talk to you later.

you. How was your trip?

Excellent. Good. I have a message for you. Oh? From Libby Jackson.

She says to tell you how much she appreciates your letters.

When did you see her?

I was in Portland researching an article on her collection and she showed me

some of your letters.

See, my fans appreciate me.

Well, to show you how much I've decided to take you for lunch.

Now, you two go.

But please, I insist, besides I'm not hungry.

My aunt, the matchmaker.

It looks like you're stuck with me.

My magazine is stuck with you.

I'm on an expense account.

Oh, good.

Then we'll go somewhere expensive.

Eva Boland opened her shop here in New York March 3rd, 1958.

Until that time, she was employed by the Corinthian, a large antique house in

lower Manhattan.

I checked with the owner of the company. He spoke very highly of her. Said she

had a great knowledge of antiques, especially dolls.

What about her family?

They were killed in the war.

All except a nephew.

Five years ago, Eva Boland was contacted by an international agency working to

reunite families separated by the war.

A nephew, her younger sister's son, was found living in West Germany.

Eva sent for him.

It was all in the papers.

This was when he arrived in New York.

I think I'll pay her a visit, Chet.

In the meantime, see if you can find out what led to their reunion.

Right.

I'm looking for some information on a doll I just bought. It's supposed to be

very valuable.

Oh? Which doll is that?

I believe it's called Marie Antoinette.

Yes, it is.

I have one book, but I'm saving it for someone.

Would that be Libby Jackson?

Yes.

But I can order her another.

I believe this is what you want to know.

Chicago Antique Imports. I don't believe I've ever heard of them.

Well, I'm afraid the name is more impressive than the company.

We're quite small. We act mostly as purchasing agents for clients who wish

remain anonymous.

I see.

Two? Please.

No,

thank you. I never quite got used to the European way.

I never got quite used to yours.

I suppose we are creatures of habit after all, Mr. Frederick.

Yes, that's quite true.

Can I do it for you?

A client of mine is interested in buying a doll.

Well, you have come to the right place.

Is there a particular doll?

The Marie Antoinette by Rossetti.

I see.

You've heard of it.

Oh, yes, I have.

It's the most overrated doll ever made, Mr. Frederick.

Really? I've always heard just the opposite.

Well, then you have heard from people who don't know anything about dolls.

Possible.

I'm sorry, I don't have it in my collection.

Perhaps you could tell me where I might find it.

The last time I heard, I think it was in the Caine

Noble Gallery.

That was two years ago.

Well, see how little interest they have for it.

I'm sorry.

Oh, maybe they know who bought it, huh?

Well, they did give me his name, but I haven't been able to find him.

Perhaps you know who he is.

Jason Keller.

Jason Keller, Jason Keller. No, I don't think I've ever heard of him.

Well, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry I can't do anything for you.

I've enjoyed our conversation.

And the tea.

Oh, I noticed these on the way in.

Seem to be a list of the dolls in your collection.

Yes, I send them around occasionally to customers.

Would you like to keep one?

Thank you. I might be able to interest my client in something else.

Take as many as you want. I can always type up some more.

No, one is fine, thanks. Oh, if you...

If you do hear anything about him, perhaps you'd be good enough to call me

this number.

Yes, sure.

Thank you.

You know, the reason I came here is that I saw a photograph of the Marie

Antoinette doll taken in your shop. Oh, yes, that's right.

A friend of mine, Muriel Selby, was doing an article on the doll for the

American Antique Journal. She photographed it in my shop. She thought

give me free publicity.

Well, it did.

I wonder, uh, maybe she'd know where I could find it.

Oh, that's a good idea. You should try that.

I wonder if I could trouble you for a number.

Of course.

Um...

Mr.

Frederick, remember that the Marie Antoinette is very overrated.

tie up between Portland and Fort Wayne.

Are you familiar with MSS?

The monitoring satellite something or other? System. System.

For security reasons, the sections are built in three different plants across

the country, then shipped to the launching site for assembly there.

Then there is a third city involved.

That's right.

Stage one is built by Telcon Electronics of Portland.

another by radar scan in Fort Wayne, and a third in New York by Colton

Electronics in Syracuse.

We've alerted security in all three plants.

Good.

There is one problem.

If they use the same courier to pick up the plans in all three cities, then

Portland might have been his last stop before leaving the country.

Well, it could have been his first, too.

Were you able to learn anything about Eric Lindler?

Well, other than his birth certificate.

Our liaison representative in Bonn couldn't find any record of Eric Lindler

living in West Germany prior to 1964. He just popped up out of nowhere.

Yeah, or up from behind the Iron Curtain.

You know, Tom, I wonder if he's really Eva Boland's nephew at all.

Do you think he's an imposter?

Well, it just seems strange to me that the whole family was wiped out and

somehow he survived.

Well, it has happened before.

Yeah, but in this case, he would have been a baby.

Who took care of him?

Who brought him up?

What are you getting at, Lou?

Well, suppose the real Eric Lindler were killed, too.

And suppose the Communists got a hold of his birth certificate.

Then there's a good possibility that Eva Boland was in on this all along.

It's good to see you again, Jack. Sit down.

We got the report on Eva Boland's typewriter, Lou. It's the same one used

write the letter to Leffert.

What about the handwriting?

We should know within the hour.

You've set up surveillance on the doll shop?

Yes. Also Eva Boland, Eric Lindler, and Muriel Selby.

Our surveillance turned out the interesting fact that Lindler has been

Miss Selby socially.

What do we know about her?

Nothing unusual that we can find, Lou.

She's a college graduate.

Worked as a freelance magazine writer before joining the staff of the journal.

As far as we can tell, she started seeing Lindler soon after he arrived in

country and began working at the doll shop.

It looks like everything points to the doll shop.

Yes.

I'll put him right on.

Mr. Ward.

Lewis, I just got a call from the resident agency in Syracuse.

There's only one man at Colton Electronics who has complete knowledge

third stage of the MSS.

It's a technical writer named Joseph Bates.

He's engaged to a Kathleen Singer who owns a bookstore.

She also collects antique dolls.

Well, what do you know about that?

They're both under photographic surveillance.

What we need are some pictures of them passing the documents, if they haven't

already made an exchange.

Well, we'll set up the same photographic surveillance in the doll shop. We may

see some action there.

All right, Lewis.

Talk to you later.

I'm here in the city.

Marie Antoinette is ready to go home.

Good.

Now listen, I don't want you to come here.

Do you have all the information about my Muriel ship sales?

Yes. Well, go there.

We'll meet you at the far side of the terminal.

Two, go ahead.

Chet Randolph, Lou. I have the report on the handwriting.

Yes, Chet. What is it? Eva Boland didn't forge Slippy Jackson's name to the

letter. It's not her handwriting.

I see.

I also heard from Mr. Ward.

Our offices in Portland and Fort Wayne report they may have identified possible

contacts at the two plants.

A physicist by the name of Michael James Nelson at Telecom Electronics and a

security guard by the name of Ewing at Radar Scan.

They're under surveillance.

Mr. Ward says the Attorney General's authorized arrests if we have an

of documents being passed somewhere along the line.

Right, sir. Thank you.

Lou?

Have them send a second camera crew out right away. I'll get the instructions on

the air.

north on State Highway 31.

He'll show you of everything.

Tickets, enough money, passport, papers you'll need to clear the doll through

Swiss Customs. Yes.

Good.

After you deliver the film, you'll send the doll to the National Gallery in

Bern.

Unknown from an anonymous art lover.

Don't laugh.

It's worked well for us.

Almost as well as the terrible European accent you used when you phoned the

contacts. Oh, Eric, and I thought you always liked it.

What I like about it is that it helps hide your identity from the others.

It's the backer we can trust.

The rest I'm not so sure of.

I like keeping you safe.

I wish you were sailing with me, Eric.

Someday. You'll see.

All units, we're on the mezzanine level. Seal off the area.

Those are the two we're interested in.

I'm going to miss you.

Not for very long.

I'm sure you'll meet some amusing fellow travelers on the ship.

You're jealous already.

That's good.

Sorry to interrupt you.

Have you been waiting long?

A few minutes.

Is that the Marie Antoinette?

Yes.

The film is hidden in a compartment at the back of her head.

You've done good work, John.

It won't be forgotten.

Inspector Erskine, alert Portland, Syracuse, and Fort Wayne. Have them go

We have three subjects in custody here.

was sent here to organize an espionage ring.

With Muriel Selby's help, he set up a network of highly skilled agents

throughout the country.

Your shop was the ideal cover for him.

The Marie Antoinette doll, the identifying link.

Well, I... I told you it was very overrated work.

Do you recall my...

Asking you about a Jason Keller?

Yes.

Well, in our investigation, we've come to believe that Eric Lindler really

your nephew at all, but the same Jason Keller, a trained agent who assumed his

identity.

So what you are... What you are suggesting, Mr. Erskine, is that my

is dead, right? And has been all along?

I'm afraid so.

What you're telling me is something that I already knew in my heart of hearts.

And it's just something that I want to believe.

You see, when one's entire family has been killed

in a war, then one keeps dreaming of the day when one might still be found

alive.

And when that day comes, one...

One doesn't ask questions. One simply believes in the dream.

And sleeps a little bit better.

I understand.

Thank you, mister.

Jason Keller, Muriel Thelby, John DeBecker, and five others were convicted

conspiracy to commit espionage against the United States.

DeBecker was also found guilty by the state in the death of Mark Leffert. All

are currently serving terms in prison.

Eva Bolin was cleared of any complicity in the case.