Original subtitles

Obviously, Franklin didn't send those letters to North and Washington.

Perhaps Mr. Franklin lacked the proper postage.

Yeah.

Oh, you're very funny.

Christine.

My purse.

What is it?

Christine! Albert Lang?

Yes?

Who are the FBI?

Well, I guess I might as well pack.

No worry, Christine.

Laurie, when did you get here?

Oh, I got here a couple of days ago.

Those bonds are ours now, Christine. Now, just a minute.

You can stay here and marry your boyfriend. Isn't that what you want?

That's all over now. I can't stay here any longer.

That's too bad.

Well, you do what you want.

Me and Harry are going out on our own with all the bonds.

A Quinn Martin production starring Ephraim Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring Philip Abbott, William Reynolds, with

guest stars Dina Merrill, Richard Anderson,

Dan Trevati, Jennifer Salt.

Tonight's episode, The Franklin Paper.

The Arizona desert is fabulous at dark.

Just outside the shadow of Camelback.

How does that sound?

Oh, that sounds marvelous.

Only if you guess, when the sun's coming up behind the preacher, afterwards,

we'll all ride off and have a wedding breakfast around a mesquite fire.

That would be lovely.

Christine, you remember I promised to show you your wedding present tonight?

These belong to my mother and her mother and her mother.

In fact, these rocks will clear back to the Stone Age.

Oh, Carl, they're just beautiful.

That's why they belong on you.

I'll take them now.

How did you get it set up?

Stay right where you are.

What are you doing?

Taking her with me.

Take the jewels, but leave her out of this. Senor Ashton, is it all right if

I... Thank you.

On the evening of June 11th, George Ashton, a wealthy Scottsdale, Arizona

rancher, was robbed at gunpoint of a collection of jewelry valued at $85 ,000

and a hostage was taken.

His housekeeper managed to contact police and give them a description and

license number of the getaway car.

When the car was later found abandoned in Blythe, California, the FBI entered

the case under provisions of the Interstate Transportation of Stolen

Statute. It's not today.

Not worried about the jewels, Inspector. It's what happened to Christine that

worries me.

How long have you known her?

Left with a mug.

Met her at a party in the inn.

Immediate rapport.

We both feel the same way about the desert, about horses.

Boy, we even drink the same brand of whiskey.

I only wish I'd met her 20 years ago.

As they say, it's never too late.

At least I hope it's not.

Do you have any pictures of her?

Yes.

Thank you, Wendy.

Well, according to the police, Lou, none of the doors or windows appear forced,

so he either used a key or he walked in.

Thank you.

You keep this place pretty well locked up, Mr. Heston?

Yes. Double locks on everything.

To tell you the truth, I wondered at the time how he got in.

You do the locking up yourself.

Well, if you're thinking about my housekeeper, I can vouch for her

she's fussier than I am about keeping the place locked up.

According to the police, there was no sign of forced entry.

You said you were unconscious when the thief left the house.

That's right.

Listen, Inspector, if you're suggesting Mrs. Minton... I'm not suggesting

anything, Mr. Ashton.

These jewels you described, you said you took them out of your safe deposit box

yesterday afternoon?

Yesterday afternoon.

They were to be a wedding present to her.

And who else knew about it?

Only one other person, Christine.

30 ,000.

30 ,000? What do you mean 30 ,000? That stuff's worth 80 ,000, 90 ,000 if that's

on the newspaper.

Your partner's new at this, isn't he?

Harry's all right.

In fact, I find his innocence rather refreshing.

Think of me, why don't you, sometime, Christine?

All that waiting around in a cheap motel room with bum air conditioning while

you got wined and dined, and who had to take the risks? I did.

That's right, Harry.

I'm the brains, you're the muscle.

Muscle? I'm an artist.

And for what?

For 40%. All right, Albert. It's a deal.

Fine.

What's the matter with you? You didn't even bargain with him.

Albert's fair.

I've been doing business with him for years.

If you don't mind, I have some work to do.

Albert, could we use your office for a moment?

Harry, I've been thinking.

Maybe we ought to split up.

Huh?

You know, go our own separate ways.

I don't get it. Are you sore or something?

No. No, I'm just tired. I haven't felt very well lately.

Christine, this isn't enough to retire on. Not the way you spend money.

Remember, too, Tom, we had to take a big chance just to cover expenses.

Don't worry. I'll be all right, Harry. What about the one we've been saving?

big one?

Christine, Santa Barbara's a nice town.

I mean, it's quiet and restful.

And the way you got it laid out, it'll be a cinch.

I just don't feel up to it.

Look, you don't have that much money salted away.

Let's hit the last one.

And you can buy yourself a long rest.

Okay, Harry, okay.

We'll hook the last big one.

If there's anything in it for me, call me. Anytime.

Christine Minton is a known alias for Alice Hobbs, Lewis.

We matched latents found in the car with her fingerprint record.

She's got an arrest record for forgery.

She's a check artist.

We guessed as much.

Probably the brains behind the crime as well.

Her prison record shows a heart condition diagnosed as angina pectoris.

She controls it with medication.

Any results on the flyers we sent out on the stolen jewels?

No.

Hold on a minute, Lewis.

Here's something from the lab that helps.

A woman answering Hobbes' description passed a bad check in a Tucson antique

shop belonging to an Edward Dow just over a week ago. The document section is

matched with her known handwriting in a national fraudulent check file.

You'd better interview the victim, Lewis.

We'll get right down there.

Her name is Christine Barton.

I had a feeling you knew it.

Edith, where do you find them?

Sheila Wills had written me to look out for Christine.

She's here in Santa Barbara house hunting.

Old Philadelphia family.

That's just what Santa Barbara needs, another old Philadelphia family.

Oh, Dan, I brought her just for you.

Edith, in the years since Mary died, you've charmed me into giving three

parties, and each time you brought someone just for me.

And I suppose you're tired about playing matchmaker. No, no, no, I... I

appreciate it. You're doing it out of kindness. I guess I'm just... Well, I

guess I'm not ready for it.

There was somebody in here.

I'm sorry. The door was open. I didn't mean to intrude.

What are you... What are you looking at?

It's a totem signature.

Carrier of the Indian Chief.

Yes, that's right. How did you know that?

Don't tell me that you're interested in things like this.

You mean autographs?

Old papers? Rare manuscripts?

Yes, somewhat.

Hmm.

You don't believe me.

Well, I didn't say that.

Not with words.

But you looked as if you suspected some plot to invade your privacy.

Or perhaps I'd taken a crash course in history so that I would appear more

attractive to you. Well, you were wrong on both counts.

Sorry I intruded.

In ancient days, it was proper for two combatants to introduce themselves

they engage in battle.

So, my name is Dan Wheaton, and you're Miss Barton. Miss, uh... Christine.

Christine Barton. Make yourself at home. Look around.

I have.

You have a very fine collection.

Most impressive library.

Well, as you see, I'm a, uh... I'm a history buff.

Some even say I, uh... live in the past.

I find it's a good place to live.

It's very predictable. Doesn't let you down.

That's true, but on the other hand, it doesn't always pick you up, either.

That's why I let myself be talked into giving these, uh...

These parties.

And then you come in here to be by yourself.

It's a vicious circle.

Have you had anything to eat?

No. They tell me the buffet is excellent. Would you like me to fix a

bones? Oh, I don't want you to go to any bother.

Bother is eating with people you don't always enjoy.

In this case, it would be a pleasure.

For a man who wasn't hungry a few minutes ago, you've certainly worked up

healthy appetite.

Could it be, Dan, three times is a charm?

Edith, don't you ever leave well enough alone?

Mrs. Barton.

Mrs. Barton.

I'm afraid I have to go.

But why? You haven't eaten yet.

I'm not hungry. This has been a most pleasant meal. Was it something that I

said?

Well, at least let me drive you home.

I've called a cab.

Yes, that's the woman. I just can't believe it.

I was only too happy to cash her check, and then when the check bounced, I

thought there was some terrible mistake.

Her check just wouldn't bounce, not Mrs. Minton's. What did she buy?

A mushroom paperweight, like this.

How much did it cost her?

$125 .50. She didn't have any cash, and she asked if I would accept a check. She

sent her chauffeur to the car for a checkbook.

She should have seen the car they were driving.

Banks were closed.

It was a Friday evening.

I stay open until nine on Fridays and Saturdays.

And the check was for $1 ,000?

On an out -of -state bank.

And you described the chauffeur? He was about 30 years old, six feet tall,

heavy set.

Mr. Dowd, you think you could describe the chauffeur in detail for one of our

artists?

Then that's no mistake?

Check's completely worthless?

I'm afraid so.

You've noticed these facsimiles of historical documents and letters?

Well, Mrs. Minton noticed them, said she had one, an original signed by Benjamin

Franklin.

Well, you can imagine, I got all excited.

You mean she had it with her? In her hotel room.

I asked to see it.

They brought it by the following morning, Saturday.

I examined it very closely.

Everything about it looked authentic to me. So I bought it.

I have it right here.

The description of the chauffeur, 30, about six feet tall.

That's the description of the Scottsdale feet.

I understand this is the very first cartoon published in an American

for a political purpose.

It was never known for certain who drew it.

It was suspected that Franklin did.

What did she pay for this?

She wanted 5 ,000 for it.

It's worth three times that.

So I bought it.

We'd like to examine this if you have no objection.

Gentlemen, the check may be bogus, but it would take genius to forge a document

like that.

Anxiety disturbs my rest, comma.

And whatever... Hold it.

Okay, go ahead.

And whatever robs an old man of his sleep, that's capital M, capital S,

soon demolishes him.

End of letter. What else?

Yours most affectionately, capital A, and the signature, B. Franklin.

And now the hooker for the P .S.

My respectful, two L's on that, complice. That's an abbreviation.

C -O -M -P -L -T -S to Lady North.

Ah, this is the part I like best, Harry.

reversing history, mystifying, inventing.

I feel like a kid switching street signs.

Okay, you get to work on that one. We'll do the next one later.

What's the new mark like?

Dan Wheaton?

Oh, a little like I thought he'd be.

A little different than I thought he'd be.

What does that mean?

It means that he doesn't quite fit the mold.

He's refined.

Very bright.

I even think he's got a sense of humor.

I know a lot of money.

I just hope he doesn't take as long as a cowboy to part with it.

Now what's the hurry?

You said it yourself, Harry.

Santa Barbara's a pretty nice town.

Wait a minute, Christine. Don't start getting ideas.

You know, you really are an artist, Harry.

I mean, nobody'd know that that wasn't authentic.

First, we tested the paper.

It's probably the fly leaf from an old book.

About how old? The paper doesn't have rag content, so it's not as old as its

published date, 1754.

In fact, it's more than 100 years off.

Have you made a spectroanalysis of the ink yet? Yes, Mr. Ward. We just

it. Even though the ink is brownish and looks ancient, It lies on the surface of

the paper and has no iron in it. Ink in Franklin's time did.

How good a forger is he?

The document section says the signature itself is excellent, but they pointed

out the variations of speed and friend pressure on the text.

The forger appeared to be concentrating on the formation of the letters rather

than writing the word itself.

Yes, this is Arthur Ward. Would you get me Inspector Erskine in Tucson, please?

Yes, Art.

Lewis, I just received a teletype from the Los Angeles office.

I inform it there has developed some information on the fence in the

job. He may come up with a name for us shortly.

We'll leave right away.

Has he been to Jules?

Yes, he has, and described them in detail.

But he never saw the fence before.

Has the lab reached any conclusion on the Franklin drawing?

Yes, they have, Lewis.

It's a forgery.

Hello.

I hope I'm not disturbing you.

Not at all.

Just thought I'd drop by and see how you're enjoying Santa Barbara.

Well, I'm afraid I haven't seen very much of it.

I'm afraid there isn't an awful lot to see.

Oh, I can't believe that.

Not after looking at one of your lovely sunsets.

Perhaps you're right.

Maybe I haven't been looking lately.

Beautiful place.

Thank you.

Edith didn't tell me that you were a writer.

I'm not really. There was just this thing that I had to put down.

That's why I'm here, as a matter of fact, to work.

The summers in Philadelphia are unbearable.

What are you doing?

Oh,

the American Revolution.

Now, that's my area. I've got lots of books on the subject if you'd like to

borrow some.

I might take you up on that.

Oh, Benjamin Franklin.

Now, there's one of my favorite people.

You know, there's a famous story about...

was presumptuous of me to drop in like this without calling. Will you forgive

me?

Dan, there's something I should tell you that I think might make it easier for

both of us.

I lost my husband a year ago.

It happened very suddenly. There was no warning.

Some people say it was better that way because he didn't suffer.

But I did.

We were very much in love. He was my whole life. And then he was taken from

I don't believe in living in the past. I know life must go on. But right now, I

just prefer to sit back and watch it.

I understand how you feel.

Call it a coincidence or whatever, but my own wife died last year.

So I understand the emptiness and loneliness that you must be feeling. I

walked around in a daze.

Couldn't make any sense of anything.

Nothing meant anything. My friends, my... My work.

Even my own life.

Well, when did you get over it?

Well, I, uh... I haven't yet.

Not entirely.

Well, I'll tell you this.

I met you in the library and we talked.

I...

Began to feel something I thought I never would again.

Well, that's very kind.

It's the truth.

Christine, maybe we've both spent too much time just sitting back and watching

life. Perhaps we ought to both start living it again.

That sunset that we talked about, the one that I haven't seen lately.

Perhaps we could, well, have dinner tonight.

Watch it together.

I don't know if I'm quite ready for that yet.

I understand.

But there's only one way to find out.

Light 7 to 15.

15, go ahead.

What have you got, Brian?

The informant says the fence calls himself Albert Lang.

He's having the stones broken up and reset in that shop over there.

Is he there now?

He just went in before you got here.

We have a search warrant.

All right, let's go.

Nice job, Freddy.

Thanks. How long is it going to take you to finish?

I don't know, but...

Hey, man, I was just getting ready to close.

Albert Lang?

Yes? Who are they after me?

These are just fantastic.

Running them off on a duplicator was a great touch. I've got to hand it to you,

Christine.

Drink up.

Dan's due here any minute, and I don't want him to see you.

You all set to pull it off tonight?

No, not yet.

Come on, Christine.

It's too soon. Be patient.

I just got the bait for the hook.

You've got a lot of style, Harry, in your work.

Don't ruin it by rushing things.

You look beautiful.

I think you need a drink.

Martini, all right? Perfect.

Oh, I saw someone drive away as I came up.

A local stockbroker.

I'm afraid I was rather rude hurrying him off like that.

I'm sure that he'll recover.

Here's.

I still think you look beautiful.

And I think you need glasses, Mr. Whedon. I have glasses. Let me look.

You look beautiful.

I'll go get my things.

Did you make a reservation somewhere?

Uh -huh.

Uh, this letter.

Interesting, isn't it? I didn't know that Franklin wrote to, uh, Lord North.

Seems he did.

This is a copy of the original?

Mm -hmm.

Well, I thought I knew my Benjamin Franklin. I guess I, uh, I don't.

I better brush up on my research.

Right now?

Or would you rather go look at the sunset?

Huh?

Oh, oh, old Benjamin, wait.

Let's go.

These jewels you're talking about were sold to me by a customer, and if you

gentlemen will give me a chance, I'll go through my records and show you the

receipt. As far as this woman is concerned, I've never seen her before in

life.

She was in your store two days ago.

She was in.

I gave him 30 ,000 for the stones.

Who was with her?

Well, she has a new partner now.

Does this look like him?

Remarkably. What's his name?

Harry Kando.

He calls himself an artist.

Where are they now?

I'm not sure, but I think they may be on to something big.

What makes you say that?

When they were in the office the other day, Christine said something about...

Hooking the big one.

Hey, Harry.

Surprise, huh?

What's the matter?

Aren't you going to kiss your wife?

I didn't think I was ever going to see you again.

After sending me this?

Business must be pretty good, huh?

That's how you found me. Sure, the return address on the package.

With a gift like this, I got a return.

I was hoping you'd like it.

I didn't mean it, kicking you out like that.

Don't call me, Laurie.

No, honest.

I've felt bad ever since.

It's not just because I got some bread now?

How much money you got, Harry?

And that's just walking around money.

Christine and me, we got this great little caper going now.

You know what I think our trouble was, Harry?

What? We were always fighting about money.

I read someplace that's the number one reason young couples split up.

Money. Could be.

No. Now that we got it, we don't have to fight anymore.

We don't have it yet.

Well, I mean when the job's over.

And then you could drop Christine and you and me could team up.

That's what I've been hoping for all along, Harry.

Really? You don't need Christine, Harry. You got me.

You look completely exhausted.

Of course I am.

It's your fault.

Why? I didn't sleep. I was up all night.

I was running over the books.

And you know, there wasn't any reference.

None whatsoever that Benjamin Franklin ever wrote a letter to Lord North.

He couldn't?

May I see those letters again, please?

I'll go get them.

According to this, Franklin started negotiations to end the war.

6 September 1776. That was right after General Howe forced General Washington

withdraw from Long Island.

As a matter of fact, you'll find a field note in there to General Washington

that discusses much the same thing. And you're basing your book on this? Uh

-huh. From these copies?

I'm just working on the copies.

You mean you have the original?

After my husband died.

I had to parcel off some land in Box County, Pennsylvania.

Now, an old stable was torn down.

In it was a marvelous old colonial bureau belonging to my grandmother.

It tipped over and the secret compartment popped out. And there was

tin box with all the papers in it.

Over a dozen.

Fourteen, to be exact.

And all Ben Franklin.

Letters. Look, even some drawings.

But the most astonishing, the most fantastic is this letter, Lord North.

so fantastic, I was sure they were frauds.

So I took them to a forgery expert in Philadelphia who was sworn to secrecy.

said they were absolutely authentic.

So now they're all locked up safely in a vault, waiting until my book comes out.

Then I'll turn them loose.

Obviously, Franklin didn't send those letters to North Washington.

Perhaps Mr.

Franklin lacked the proper postage.

Yeah.

Oh, you're very funny.

you very much good

to see you again inspector bill according to the manager

kando lives here but no one's seen him in over three months we also just

that his estranged wife left two days ago her roommate isn't in and thus far

haven't been able to locate her where she works

That's her roommate, Claire Stanley.

My name is FBI,

Mr. Colby.

FBI? Neato!

We'd like to talk to you.

Sure, come on in.

It's got back from the health food store. You know, everything's stoned

Do you know where we can find Mrs. Candell?

No. She got this gift from Harry and just took off on a trip somewhere.

Did she drive?

Yes. She had it all figured out how long it would take her. How long?

I don't know.

But she was figuring mileage and stuff on a tissue box.

It's probably still around someplace.

Would that help? Yes, it would.

Well, maybe I can find it.

Let me see.

She said it was Old Freeway. Her father and son.

Oh, here it is.

S .D. to L .A. to S .B. and some figures.

Los Angeles is about 110 miles from Santa Barbara, isn't it?

It looks right.

Then you're spoiling me.

Why, that's the fun of caring for someone.

Oh, it's all right. Don't go.

I'll just walk down to the beach.

Hello?

I've been trying to reach you. What's happening?

I, uh, I had a little spell.

Are you all right now?

Yeah.

But? But what?

Harry, I can't go through with this. Oh, I knew it. I knew it.

You're hung up on this guy.

Look, I've been thinking. Now, you can keep the forgeries.

They're no good to me without him. You got it all fed up.

And I'll give you some extra cash, $5 ,000.

Now, that's not so bad, is it? Oh, terrific.

Compared to what we're after, that's peanuts.

Harry, please.

You've got to let me out of it. I know I've pulled some rotten deals in my

and I'm not proud of them, but this one is different.

You tell her she doesn't go through with it, you'll turn her in.

Look, Christine, you back on me now, and I'm going to blow the whistle on you.

Don't threaten me, Harry.

You're in this just as deep as I am. It could backfire on you.

Okay.

How about if I tell your guy myself?

How about if I tell him all about you, Christine, or Alice, or whatever your

name is? What's that?

Harry, I'm not conning you now.

Dan is the best thing that ever happened to me.

For how long, Christine?

How long do you think you and this society guy are here to last?

A month? A year, maybe?

Until he finds out all about you and kicks you out.

Then what are you going to do, start all over again, trying to hook another big

one? You think it's that easy?

No, Harry, it's not that easy.

All right, then. I'll be waiting for your call.

Yeah,

I'm afraid so.

Well, what about us?

And what about your book? You haven't finished it yet.

That won't be possible now.

I'll have to sell the Franklin papers.

That's why my lawyer's coming up here, in fact. He's bringing the originals

him.

Well, this is terrible.

There must be something that we... I've got it.

I'll buy them.

Oh, don't.

No, we have a buyer in San Francisco. I'm supposed to sign the release for the

papers today. Cancel it. You haven't signed anything yet, have you?

No, but... Well, then just tell the buyer from San Francisco that you have a

better offer from someone here in Santa Barbara.

Listen, I won't tell a soul. I'll put the originals in my safety deposit box

right here in town, and you can go on working with the copies like you have

been.

I don't know.

Listen, don't you see all we're doing is just transferring papers from one

safety deposit box to the other?

From Philadelphia to Santa Barbara.

If you're worried about the money, consider it a loan.

Or better still, think of the papers as being

in the family.

Inspector, our canvas of the hotel's paid off. Kando is registered here.

When did he check out? Less than an hour ago. His wife was with him. They left

together. Did he make any calls?

Yes. The manager's checking on it now.

I think I have what you wanted. Mr. Kando made one call to a local takeout

restaurant, and the rest, all to this number.

Don't look so sad.

I feel like I'm getting a bargain.

Good to see you again. Harry?

Harry, this is Dan Wheaton.

Dan, this is my lawyer, Harry Simpson.

Oh, how do you do?

Guess what, Harry?

Dan's decided to buy the Franklin papers.

Oh? What about San Francisco? I guess I beat him to it.

Well, that just saves me a trip up there, then.

You'll want to inspect the papers.

My pleasure, sir. I'd better get these to the safe.

I'll come by at six.

If you're up to it, we'll have a quiet supper.

Nothing.

I don't believe

it.

How do we cash these?

Nothing better than those, Harry.

Bearer bonds.

Good to the bear at any bank.

Well, I guess I might as well pack.

No hurry, Christine.

Laurie, when did you get here?

Well, I got here a couple of days ago.

Those bonds are ours now, Christine. Now, just a minute.

You can stay here and marry your boyfriend. Isn't that what you want?

That's all over now. I can't stay here any longer.

That's too bad.

Well, you do what you want.

Me and Harry are going out on our own with all the bonds.

Thank you.

FBI, Kendo.

Christine? That's my last mark, Dan Wheaton. I don't want to see him.

Christine, what happened? Are you all right?

Yes, I'm fine, Dan.

I saw the ambulance. Dan, you're going to hear a lot of things that you're not

going to like.

And they're all true.

What do you mean?

Those Franklin papers, they're forged.

It's what I do, Dan.

I'm a fake.

A fraud.

I don't believe it.

It's true. And just be thankful that you found out before it's too late.

Don't you understand? I conned you.

About everything, Christine?

No.

No, not about everything.

Alice Hobbs, along with Harry and Laurie Kando, was tried and convicted in

federal court of interstate transportation of stolen property and

Kando and Fred Gould were also found guilty of assaulting federal officers.

Gould and Albert Lang were convicted of receiving stolen property.