Original subtitles

We're just passing Holly Farms on Highway 90.

Condition is stable. Would you give me a time check?

Time is 1141.

Roger, Control. We should be at the prison in about 40 minutes.

son you'll suffocate that's the deal he just got out of the hospital i said get

away from that man

A Quinn Martin production.

Starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars Monty Markham, Billy Dee Williams,

Arthur Franz.

Tonight's episode, The Architect.

On June 23rd, three convicts escaped from a state prison bus in central

One of these was Arthur McBride, a convicted bank robber known in the

as the Architect, because of his reputation for planning and executing

-scale hold -ups throughout the United States.

Because state authorities had developed strong evidence that the fugitives

crossed state lines, the FBI was requested to enter the case under

the unlawful flight statute.

Arthur McBride, born Troy, New York, 1938.

Arrested 1961 in Mount Vernon, New York, for two bank robberies.

Escaped January 6th, 1965.

Recaptured June of that year in Norman, Oklahoma.

While he was an escapee, he murdered a Kansas highway patrolman and committed

five armed robberies.

Sentenced to life imprisonment, 1966, Topeka, Kansas.

Prison psychiatrist describes him as a highly dangerous psychotic.

but not exactly, lacking in mental capacity, has an IQ of 142, near genius

category.

He's sometimes known as the architect.

What have you got on the other two?

Borden was the first offender. He held up a liquor store, was captured almost

immediately. Howard Deal has a record dating back to 1940.

Grand theft, armed robbery.

Yes?

No, good, put him on.

It's Mark Kress, Omaha.

Uh, Mark, I'm putting you on the speaker. Inspector Erskine and Al

here.

Go ahead, Mark.

We located the car the subjects commandeered after the escape.

They forced the occupants to drive them to Squire Hill. That's located just

south of Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mark, were the occupants harmed?

No, sir. They're a husband and wife. They're both badly frightened, but

otherwise all right.

And we've set up roadblocks throughout the district, and right now we're

conducting a house -to -house search of the Squire Hill area.

So far, though, nothing's turned up.

Lewis Erskine, Mark, what about selling cars?

Well, there have been none reported in the last four hours in this area,

Inspector. It's likely they commandeered another vehicle.

Inspector Erskine will be out on the next flight.

Yeah, I'll see you shortly, Mark.

Right, Inspector.

I want you to nail this down fast, Lewis.

We've got a walking time bomb on our hands.

I thought maybe you staked a claim on that bathroom. Can't get clean, still

stink of that prison.

Can't get it out of my skin.

Thanks for the lift here.

It wasn't my choice.

Where's your family?

My wife's dead.

There's no one else.

Who's this?

Your housekeeper?

That's my daughter, but she's away for the summer.

John Prysock.

Let me have your wallet, Mr. Prysock.

Here.

$18?

You've been away too long. Everybody lives on credit cards now.

Do you have any cash in the house? I don't keep money here.

That's the truth.

I suppose you're going to kill me to prevent my giving information.

May I make one request?

I'd like to call my daughter.

I promise I won't tell her about any of this.

She's all I have.

I'd just like to hear a voice one more time.

Sleeping pills.

Do you have trouble sleeping, Mr. Prysock?

Put him to bed.

Let's go.

Neil?

Make sure he gets a good rest. I can't take an overdose.

My heart, I die in my sleep.

You're lucky, Mr. Pricehawk.

That's a nice way to go.

Come on.

Did you have to do that?

He reminded me of my father.

Proper, disciplined, a totally correct man.

Authority all the way.

I'll bet he drove this little girl to straight A's.

Decision time.

You want to make it on your own or stick with me?

There'll be no hard feelings. You don't owe me anything.

I owe you a lot.

You got me through three years on the yard without a scratch.

I respect you.

I guess I like you as a friend. The respect's enough.

I don't need anybody liking me.

But if you stay with me, you follow my rules all the way.

We skip the country, we shake it up a little first.

The country owes me a bill for those years in that cage.

I intend to collect.

We better get organized.

We'll need clothing, we'll need... One thing first.

Deal.

What about it? He's mentioned he's going to split. I don't like it. He knows too

much about the jobs I've got planned. He won't do any talking. I think he will.

Deal drinks too much and he likes the girls.

At his age, he'll tell them anything to impress them.

He's an old man. He just wants to live in peace.

I'm going on to Chicago.

Call me at the number I gave you.

You and Deal take Prysock's car.

Deal wants peace.

Give it to him.

Make sure he's not found for a while.

I just got a report from the agents in the Squire Hill area. They've located

witnesses who made positive identification on all three subjects.

They did commandeer another car.

DMV says it's registered to a John Pryson.

He's an insurance broker in the Plattsmouth area.

I've already alerted the agents there.

You know what I thought about all those years on the yard?

It's going to give you a laugh.

Fishing.

I used to lay in my cot and dream I was in a boat off the Key West or the Baja

reeling in a big one.

There's a lot to be said for freshwater fishing, too.

I know a spot up in Oregon where the trout just leap on your hook.

Why don't you forget about McBride and come on with me?

Why don't you taste that air up there and see one of those sunsets?

What's the matter?

End of the line, Howie.

What do you mean? I thought we were going all the way up.

Oh, Jimmy.

Get out.

Straight ahead into those trees.

This isn't your idea.

It was McBride, wasn't it? It doesn't matter. Move.

Oh, Jimmy, please.

Now, three years we were together in stir.

You know what it's like in there.

Now, I... Look, I'm free.

Move!

Oh, Jimmy, please.

Look, I'm an old man.

I'm sick. I'm not going to be around much longer anyway.

Don't take what I've got left, please.

Get out of here.

Right.

All right, thanks very much.

I just talked to the hospital. They said Prysock's going to make it.

But he's still unconscious, and they don't know when he'll be able to talk to

us. Hmm.

You know, a call was placed to Chicago from his phone at 9 .40 this morning.

We're checking the listing now.

We found this on the floor over there. It belongs to Prysock.

No cash or credit cards.

I could call the local credit bureaus, find out what credit cards he was

holding. And enter the numbers in the NCIP.

We've just checked out the phone call that was placed from the Prytok's home.

The number is listed to the Albemarle Club here in Chicago, which has a very

exclusive membership.

Now, the switchboard operator who would have taken the call is off duty now.

We're trying to locate her. We'll get back to you. Right, Kirby. Thanks.

Lou?

Prytok's car has been found.

Where? It was on a secondary road just outside Council Bluffs.

Yeah, the Haney's.

Yeah, but not together. On the report I got from Des Moines, it seems a truck

driver picked up a man of McBride's description and drove him from Glenwood,

Iowa to Marshalltown.

Did the driver give any other information?

No, he's not in any condition to.

McBride left him in a ditch with a fractured skull.

We hope to interview him tomorrow.

When he comes to, call me.

Merriman? What are you doing here?

I couldn't reach you at your club.

What do you want?

What do you think?

All right, I can let you have about a hundred.

That's all I can... Now let's talk about real money.

I need financing.

Well, I'm through with all of that.

I've got a job that's going to take a lot of front money.

About $30 ,000.

A lot of grease to open a can of corn.

I told you I'm not interested.

You can go now.

You're living well, Stacy.

Nice business, beautiful home.

You've got everything a man could ask for.

You know what it's like inside prison?

The police would love to hear about all the jobs you financed. McBride, I...

That naval payroll hold -up. The jewelry heist in Santa Fe.

You're soft, Stacy.

You couldn't take stir.

You'd be dead in six months.

Don't, please.

I'm leading a new life.

Married a wonderful woman.

Got a lovely daughter.

Look.

They look like very nice people.

It'd be a shame to have them find out about you.

Get $30 ,000 in cash.

I'll call you later.

McBride.

Tell me something.

Just out of curiosity.

What holds you up? What keeps you pushing?

No friend?

Family? No desire for any.

Even a thief has to live for something.

What's your reason? I've always wondered.

Don't wonder, Stacy.

Just have the money ready.

I got so many calls over the switchboard.

I can remember there was one for Mr. Coleman, then Mr. Storm. They were both

the club today.

Didn't you say the call was long distance?

Yes.

I'm sorry, I just can't remember any more specifically.

All right, Miss Hattie, thanks very much.

If you, uh, should think of anything else...

Please notify us.

We're checking out the membership and the staff of the Albemarle Club.

And so far, we have found nothing to connect them with McBride or the other

subjects.

The Cleveland office located Borden's wife.

She's living in an apartment there with her son, working as a waitress.

When they interviewed her, she maintained that Borden made no attempt

her. They have her under surveillance.

Yes.

Mr. Ward.

Put it on the speaker, would you, Kirby?

Yes, sir.

Lewis, we got a lead on Howard Deal through the NCIC.

A man of his description used one of John Prysock's credit cards to make

purchases in a clothing store at Gothenburg, Nebraska.

When was that?

About two hours ago.

I notified the Midwestern offices.

He also tried to buy a train ticket, but he left when the clerk became

suspicious. Did the clerk find out where he was going?

Yes. Salem, Oregon.

I notified the Portland office.

They're checking any connections he might have in that area.

Right, Art. Thanks.

Miss Edith, she just recalled something which might be important.

I just remembered one of the call I received.

It was a bad connection and it was long distance.

It was a man and he asked for one of the club members.

Mr. Merriman.

I never knew Stacy was mixed up in anything like this. I was so surprised.

Tell us what happened, Mrs. Merriman.

Well, about an hour ago, I came into the den and Stacy was just hanging up the

telephone. He was trembling.

He seemed half out of his mind with fear.

I couldn't understand everything he said, but he did mention this man's

That's Arthur McBride.

Yes. He said he wasn't going to let McBride intimidate him anymore.

And then he dashed out.

Did he give you any clue where he was going?

No. Just that he was headed for town.

Do you have a photograph of your husband, Mrs. Merriman?

Yes, sir.

That's all.

No, just before he hung up the telephone, he said a name, the graphic,

he was repeating instructions.

How was he dressed? Do you remember?

He had on a dark gray suit, and he took his briefcase.

Better hurry.

He had a gun.

Let's have it.

Give me the gun, Stacy.

No.

You're not going to blackmail me anymore.

Yeah. Jimmy.

I got your message. I was just leaving to meet you.

The little creep shot me.

I'm never so surprised.

It hurts.

It's not deep, but you're wearing a sluggy kind of rib.

It's gonna have to come out.

There's no time. I gotta make Miami by tomorrow. Yeah, that bullet's gotta come

out.

And I need tools.

You?

I was a medic in the army, remember?

Get what you need.

Don't move.

I'll get back as quick as I can.

I'm glad it's all over.

That's everything I know.

You're sure McBride didn't give you any hint of the kind of job he was planning?

No, no.

No, wait a minute.

He did use the expression, it takes a lot of grease to open a can of corn.

Something like that.

Didn't mean anything to me.

All right, thanks very much.

This way, please.

Can of corn.

A bank?

Possibly.

One thing's certain.

The bride's got the money to finance any operation he chooses.

We've got to find him.

that you're figuring on making?

Everything over half a million is mine.

Everything under half, we split.

Forty for me, twenty each for you two and the fourth man.

That's a pretty healthy slice, isn't it?

My plan.

My front money.

Did you ever bust an armored car before?

I've always wanted to, but one thing worried me.

Firepower. No.

How to stop an armored car where and when you want to.

And still have a chance to cut off that radio before they can call for help.

I think I've got it licked now.

Relax.

Spencer, Borden, Forrest Clegg.

Spencer handles the explosives.

Borden will work with you on the guns.

You didn't say nothing about him.

That's right.

I didn't.

All right.

What's the whole story on the job?

The car that carries the money from the track.

All right.

Get set on your equipment.

Be back here by seven.

I'll have a preliminary plan drawn up.

We stage a dry run tomorrow.

That's a kind of funny ride, you want to pull this caper this fast.

What's funny?

Oh, I mean, when a guy gets out of stir, he wants to relax. I'm friends with

people.

I don't like people.

It's all right.

It's not all right.

You've got an infection going. You need a doctor. Forget about doctors.

Just get me something that'll keep the fever down.

Keep my head clear till after the job.

You're taking a big chance, Artie. I don't want to see you... Quit slobbering

over me.

Just do what I tell you.

Jimmy. I forgot to ask you.

Did everything go all right with the deal?

I couldn't do it.

He's alive.

When I left him.

I've killed men for not following my orders.

All right.

Let's hope we both don't have to pay for that one.

It'll be just another moment, Mr. Prytok.

I could give you a check if you don't honor credit cards.

Oh, no, that's fine.

Looks like you're... Planning quite a stay in the mountains.

I thought I'd get away a while.

You know, we've got to sail on some of those poles.

Oh, I think I've got everything I need.

You favor that type reel?

Now, this is the best. Watch this action.

Howard Deal, FBI. You're under arrest.

All right, hands behind your head.

The armored car leaves the track here.

At 4 .30.

It takes about 30 minutes to reach the downtown offices.

Does he always take the same route?

No. But there's road construction here, so they'll have to go this way.

What counts is how fast you can get those doors open.

No sweat.

Your pal's a little late. Where is he?

I sent him out to buy some food.

He should be back soon.

Hello?

Mary?

Jim? Are you alone?

Yes.

Where are you?

Are you here in Cleveland?

No.

Miami.

Jim, why?

Why did you break out? You only had a year.

It's too late to think about that.

Not too late.

Give yourself up.

Please. Before they kill you, Jim, please, don't throw it all away like

Give up.

That's where I'll wait.

No chance.

There never was.

There is a chance if you go back now.

There never was for you. There never will be.

Not as long as you're tied to me.

This is goodbye.

No.

No use saying I'm sorry about anything.

It wouldn't help.

Just try to forget I was ever around.

Wait, wait, just a moment, please.

Just one second, please, will you?

Okay.

Jim, here's the...

Give me... Give me the FBI.

Please.

I don't know where McBride went.

I wish I did. I'd tell you in a minute.

He tried to have me killed.

Borden pointed the gun, but McBride ordered it. I know that.

Did he give you any idea what kind of jobs he might be planning?

Nothing definite.

You sure? Nothing?

Oh, he talked about it.

He wanted to open an armored car.

Where's it supposed to take place?

I don't know.

But it sounded big, more than a million.

The way he talked, he'd been planning it for a long time.

I can't help you anymore. He didn't tell me anything else.

Erskine.

Deal?

Yes, Art.

Lewis, the Cleveland office reports that Borden's wife called them. She said

that Borden phoned her from Miami at 9 .40 this evening. I brought the Miami

office up to date.

I'd better get right down there.

That can of corn Merriman spoke of probably isn't a bank, Art.

Howard Deal claims he doesn't know any details, but he thinks McBride's after

armored car.

Well, I'll have them check on all the armored truck companies in the area.

Thanks, Art.

I see you've killed most of the pain already.

I don't need you.

No, you don't need anyone.

Do it without anyone.

Show them.

Because I got the brains.

The campus whiz kid.

Ph .D. at 20.

I had my pick of jobs.

Begging me.

Made me assistant department head.

Draggers.

All of them said I wasn't compatible.

Didn't get along well.

They fired you.

I get along.

What's up here?

I didn't need them.

No one.

I quit for my first job.

I guess with your genius, you didn't stop to get along with people.

That's sad.

Everyone pushed me.

Now I push.

Well, there's no time.

No time.

No, no.

That's it.

What did you get me?

Six? Six.

Then there's no such vehicle by that number.

All right, thanks.

Hi, Inspector.

How's the flight?

Fine. What have you got?

The motel manager identified McBride from a 10 Most Wanted circular.

He spent two days here and checked out about 8 o 'clock this morning.

Did they identify his car?

No. McBride left a license on the motel register, but it's a phony.

Was he alone?

He registered alone, but he had... Two, three visitors.

Descriptions were too vague to be of any use. But the manager positively

identified James Borden from his picture.

Paper, mister?

Beat it.

Get out of here.

Last night.

Forget about it.

No.

You forget about it.

Get me the FBI.

MM -16.

16, go ahead.

Inspector, we have a report that Arthur McBride and James Borden just left the

Midland racetrack. Information comes from a newsboy at the track who seems to

very responsible.

He got a license number which he thinks is accurate.

Good, let's have it.

Florida license number 789985.

It's reported stolen.

10 -4. Alert all units and get in touch with the racetrack security.

See if there's been an armored car pickup in the past hour.

Anytime you're ready.

I'll tell you when.

Control to 415.

415, go ahead.

What is your location?

We've just turned east on Harcourt from Coast Highway.

Stand by for message from the FBI.

415, this is Inspector Erskine.

We believe a robbery attempt in your vehicle may be imminent.

Units are proceeding toward you. I suggest you wait for them at Harcourt

10th. 10 -4.

We've lost radio contact with the truck. Does anyone have it in sight?

Unit 6, Inspector.

We've just spotted the truck from the expressway.

Harcourt Drive near 5th.

Robbery in progress.

We'll get off at 7th and double back.

Roger, 6th. All other units converge on Harcourt and 5th.

That's it.

Get in the car.

I'll be with you in a second.

No, you're not going to kill him.

Move away, Jimmy, or you'll get it too. You'd like that, wouldn't you? It would

give you an excuse.

I know too much about you, don't I? Move!

What you were talking about last night? You can't bear the thought that anybody

knows that the architect needs somebody.

He's human after all.

Shut up.

Bride, Borden, give yourselves up.

There's no way out.

I can get a couple of them.

Cover me. They're giving me such a chance.

I don't want their help.

Get an ambulance.

You sold me out.

I won't forget it.

I saved your life.

You didn't do me a favor.

How did you find out about this operation?

Could have been from Deal. He didn't know anything.

Where was my mistake?

In Mount Vernon, when you robbed your first bank.

Arthur McBride, James J. Borden, Attlee Edward Spencer, and Forrest Clegg were

found guilty of the armored truck robbery and sentenced to terms in a

penitentiary. McBride, Borden, and Howard Deal were also charged with

kidnapping.

Daisy Merriman was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and faced

prosecution for his involvement in McBride's earlier crimes.