Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones.

Starring Buddy Ebsen.

Also starring Lee Merriweather.

With guest stars Carl Betz, Stephen Brooks.

Special guest star Linda Day -George.

Tonight's episode, Stand in for Death.

Thanks Gary.

Denny?

Hi.

You know who I am?

I'm afraid not.

You looking for a charter?

I'm Marshal Briggs.

L .A. Briggs' husband.

That just happens to be my wife you've been entertaining on this floating love

nest. Look, Mr. Briggs, I hardly know your wife.

Then it won't come as a crushing blow if I offer you $5 ,000 right now to leave

her alone.

You must be something else.

Ellie and I, we're only friends.

No, you're lying.

I've known what's been going on for some time.

Now that I've found you, I'm willing to pay $5 ,000 in unreported cash.

I'd like to oblige, but you'd be wasting your money.

All right.

$10 ,000.

And if you think it's going to be worth more playing her along and she becomes a

rich divorcee, you can forget it.

I never let go.

I ought to take your money.

I really ought to.

You don't buy wives anymore.

That went out with the rum runners. I'd advise you to take my offer.

I'd advise you to get the hell off my boat.

$10 ,000.

That could buy you a lot of entertainment with women who are less

$10 ,000?

$20 ,000?

If you can't keep Ellie at home, it's no wonder.

Maybe she got tired of snuggling up to a money clip.

Now you get out of here.

I'm not leaving until we reach an agreement.

You're leaving now.

And take your money with you.

Mrs. Morris?

I'm about to be going.

I do.

Excuse his appearance. He really was going on a fishing trip today.

That's right. I just came in from my mail, and Betty told me about your

being missing.

Yes. Why don't you sit back down here, Mrs. Morris, and we'll talk about that.

Mrs. Morris, my brother is Gary Denning.

Oh, Mrs.

Morris.

How long has your brother been missing?

Two days now.

Normally, I wouldn't think anything of it.

Gary lives down in that attractive boat of his, and sometimes he forgets to call

me. Born bachelor, I guess you'd say.

Well, even a bachelor has to be someplace. Maybe he just took off on his

No, his boat's in the slip.

Somebody saw him take it out Tuesday afternoon.

He came back that night, and nobody's seen him since.

Well, maybe he found something a little more forgetfully attractive someplace

ashore.

Oh, I can't believe that now. You see...

Gary and I both inherited a couple thousand dollars apiece from an uncle

east, and we'd been waiting for it to arrive.

The lawyer was going to get it and have us sign papers. Now, Gary was calling me

three times a day, asking when.

Maybe he just gave up on becoming an heir.

Oh, hardly. You see, Gary's always broke making payments on that boat of his.

You know, sometimes he'll take on charters and he works at this and that,

he's always short.

The money arrived and he didn't show up.

Just when I had the appointment with the lawyer set, I called Gary and he said

he'd be right over.

That was two days ago and he didn't come.

Mr. Jones, two broken legs wasn't going to keep him from that appointment.

I'm worried.

Terribly worried.

You got a picture?

Yes.

This was taken last year.

This will do very nicely.

You'd be amazed at how many people hire a private investigator to find somebody

and don't bring a picture.

Well, let me get some of these facts down here before I forget them.

Barnaby, would you like me to call the lodge and tell your friends maybe next

year?

Sounds like a good idea.

Imagine how big those fish are going to be when I finally get to them.

He has a boat at the Marine.

Well, I'm looking for Gary Denning, actually. Have you seen him?

Uh, no, not in the last couple of days.

We live next door. Well, we don't actually live on the boat.

I almost live down here, though, and that's a switch.

Most husbands buy a boat for themselves, right? But Frank got fooled.

I'm here more than he is.

Well, that's a good one on Frank.

No, he likes me to have a good time.

Says I'm more fun to live with than... What do you want with Gary?

Well, his sister got worried about him. She hadn't seen him in a couple of days

either, so she hired me to kind of have a look around for him.

You a detective?

Yep, private.

I see that this boat has had a United States Coast Guard courtesy examination.

Yeah, two weeks ago. We all had it.

Safety first, you know.

It's kind of funny. It was just up the bow and the anchor's missing.

You lose it once in a while, I guess.

Where'd you get the key?

Gary's sister.

My name is Hubble.

Marie Hubble.

Oh, Barnaby Jones. I'm pleased to meet you. And I'd appreciate it if you

wouldn't touch anything in here just yet.

Oh, sure.

Gee, you don't think anything's happened to Gary.

I don't know what I think yet. I'm kind of a long looker and a slow thinker.

Looks like Gary takes good care of his boat.

Oh, his pride and joy.

Do you have a cover for the motorboat?

Sure, he always kept it covered.

Why?

Doesn't seem to be aboard.

And he didn't plug into the dockside power line last time he brought the boat

in.

Well, what have we got here?

Looks like somebody lost part of their granny glasses.

I don't think it'd do granny much good, that prescription.

And it doesn't look like a watch crystal.

Here's our granny right here.

Must have fallen out.

Surprised the coast guard didn't catch that.

A parade.

Was she part of the parade?

A bee.

It's her.

Girlfriend?

No, no, I don't think so. I only remember seeing her once.

When did you see her?

Two days ago.

The last time I saw Gary.

I wonder why I'd keep this picture around if she wasn't a girlfriend.

Golly, I don't know.

I never really got to know any of his girlfriends, except Jackie.

She's a waitress on the harbor cruise boat.

No, I never saw her before at all.

Oh, even through these, nothing.

Oh, but I mean, Gary must have had a table.

I never fooled myself that I was his one and only.

Jackie.

You say you haven't seen Gary since you broke up with him. How long ago was

that? Oh, we said so long and shook hands three, four months ago.

I still like him.

But, I mean, the girl likes to feel it's going somewhere, you know?

And with Gary, you didn't think it would?

No.

I could kick myself.

You know something, Mr. Jones?

I met this actor type a month later and married him thinking I could quit this

job. And then I find out that the only reason he married me was because I had a

job.

Too bad they don't come with a warranty.

Then you could return them if they don't work.

Ever play tennis with Gary?

Nah. But he took me to that club to watch him play a couple of times.

He's got a great life, Gary.

You know, I never saw her there, but I have seen him.

Friend of Gary's?

Oh, no, he's what they call, um, the guy who gives the lessons, wouldn't charge,

um... Proves?

Fixed something or another.

He had great legs, too.

You come here often?

No, I seldom have the time.

But since it's so convenient and that property we wanted to look at, I thought

I'd give it a try.

Look palatable?

Hmm.

It's quite good.

I ought to have Louise look into this.

She's been taking up tennis lately.

Tell her to call Ellie.

That's the reason I joined.

I was so worried.

I was afraid I wouldn't see you again.

No, it's my fault. I know that.

But after that argument, I just had to get away. I had to think things over.

I stayed with some friends in Phoenix.

I looked for you everywhere.

I even went down to the marina to see if you were staying with Gary on the boat.

Kelly. I've made up my mind.

It's not going to work this way.

I can't share you with somebody else.

I know.

But I need time, Dick.

I love you very much, Ellie.

And I want to marry you.

Dick, I can't throw away nine years just like that.

I love you.

And I want to be with you, too.

You're afraid of him.

Darling, I am afraid of what he might do.

Ellie, you can't live like this.

I think I couldn't live at all if I didn't have you.

Waiter.

Well, if that don't beat all.

Did you find some fingerprints?

Not a one.

Do I hear the sound of a theory falling apart?

Not at all.

Betty, does it strike you as odd that there are no fingerprints on there?

I mean, not one. I mean, not one at all.

Someone would have to handle it in order to put it back in its holders.

Which means? Which means that somebody probably wiped it clean, which explains

wet, chalky substance I found on the ceiling on the back and on the bottom of

the extinguisher.

Here, take a look.

White, granular, slightly abrasive. Probably a household cleaner.

Maybe someone wanted to remove more than just fingerprints, huh?

Betty, I'm a great soul.

Solution of benzidine and hydrogen peroxide.

A little bit applied to this dried alcohol.

It'll bring out any trace of blood that's not even visible to the naked

It's sort of blue.

That's the color it gets.

Blood all right.

No doubt in my mind that we are looking at a murder weapon.

one that was applied with such force that it knocked the lens out of the

pressure gauge do you think gary denning was murdered i'd like to

find just one chicken scratch of evidence which says he wasn't

What are you looking for?

Oh, the Anderson invitation.

I wanted to put the date in my calendar.

I'm sorry, I took it off your desk.

I wanted to do the same thing.

Maybe we should keep a single appointment calendar.

Well, I think things like hairdresser and dressmaker might look a little silly

on yours.

You seem to have recovered from your depression of the last few days.

Yes, well, I took your advice and I skipped my diet pill this morning.

I guess you were right.

Good. I'm glad.

By the way, I dropped by the tennis club today.

Oh?

Now, you're always suggesting I try their lunch.

I was hoping I'd get to see you play.

But I completely forgot that Emily said you were going shopping.

Well, if I had known, I'd have made other plans.

You're still taking lessons?

Yes. Why?

You must be pretty good by now.

Maybe I ought to take up the game myself.

Who's your instructor?

A big date.

But you always said you didn't have time.

Maybe I should make time.

I have to run this by Millie, though.

Be back in an hour.

You know the lady?

Sure, I know her.

Why?

Well, I'd kind of like to talk to her if I could get her name and address.

Well, I really don't think it's my place to just give out the names of members.

You know, I just work here.

Well, Mr. Dayton, I'm a private investigator.

Gary Denning is missing. His sister hired me to find him.

I was told that this lady was one of the last people to see him.

So I thought if I found you...

I might find her, and then maybe I could figure out what happened to him.

You know, work is very simple when you get right down to it, isn't it?

Something happening, Gary?

Well, nothing I'm sure of yet, but I thought if I talked to Mrs.

Briggs, but I don't think she can help you, sir.

Well, they seem to know each other very well in the picture.

Oh, I teamed them up for mixed doubles a few times, that's all, but I really

don't think she can help you, Mr.

Jones.

You have her address?

Now, you're not going to make me strain these tired old eyes on the fine print

in the phone book, are you?

Pinecourt.

Big house with a gate.

169, I think.

That's good.

That's real good.

What is?

Well, I mean, you must have five, six hundred members.

And you can remember all their addresses.

Well, I guess that's what makes a pro.

I'm in here, Emily.

Yes, sir. Come in.

Thank you.

If you'll follow me, please.

Miss Briggs, I'm Barnaby Jones. I hope I haven't disturbed you.

Well, I was a little bit disturbed by your call.

Would you like some coffee?

Oh, no, thank you.

Well, Mr. Jones, what is all this about Gary Denning?

You say he's missing?

Well, it surely looks that way.

I've been just putting one foot in front of the other trying to piece this whole

thing together, and from what I've gathered, you may be the last person who

really saw him.

Oh?

What makes you say that?

The lady on the boat.

Park next to his said that she saw you aboard talking to him three days ago. Is

that right?

Oh.

Yes, I guess I was.

Are you a close friend of Gary?

We are inseparable.

But only on the tennis court.

Gary and I play about the same game, so we're often matched in doubles.

Mr. Jones, did my husband hire you to follow me around?

I'm afraid I'm too tall to be your shadow.

I was just wondering.

Won't you sit down?

Thank you. Do you visit Gary often on his boat?

Well, no. As a matter of fact, I didn't even know where it was until the other

day.

Well, I checked out with a man down the office at the marina. Said he had

difficulty finding it.

Yes, well...

I was down by the marina shopping, and Gary had always said if I was in the

to stop in and we'd play a couple sets of tennis.

Why didn't you?

Well, he couldn't.

He said something about a lawyer.

He had to see his sister.

He never showed up.

You always carry your tennis clothes around with you in your car, Mrs.

Really, Mr. Jones, I'm beginning to feel like I'm being cross -examined. Who's

cross -examining you, dear?

Mr. Jones, this is my husband, Marshall Briggs.

Mr. Jones is a private investigator.

How do you do, Mr. Briggs?

What did you do? Back into somebody's fender with your car.

Definitely not guilty.

Just a few routine questions, Mr. Briggs. I've been hired to find out what

happened to Gary Denning, and I thought it might be helpful to have a talk with

your wife.

Oh? You've been running a missing persons bureau in my absence.

Well, if she has, I'm sure it's doomed to failure because she hasn't been too

much help. But I'm going to give you one more chance.

If you should happen to find out anything about Gary, even around the

court, will you call me?

Sure.

Thank you.

My pleasure, Mr. Briggs.

You're home early.

Seems to me I've heard you mention a Gary Denning.

Yes, you have.

I've told you about 100 times that Gary and I won the mixed doubles twice at the

club.

Oh, yes, now I remember.

I wonder what on earth could have happened to Gary.

Mr. Dayton?

What have you done?

Laura. Chuck.

Just breathe.

You can tell me about it later.

I think somebody tried to rob me.

I think somebody tried to kill you, Mr. Dayton.

I think I know why.

Here.

Medical science has proven this stuff isn't worth a fig for a snake bite, but

have found it helpful on occasion for a bonk on the head.

Good evening, Miss Briggs.

Vic didn't say he had company.

I'm not exactly company. I asked him to call you. Won't you come in?

Thank you.

What's wrong? What happened?

It's all right.

It's okay, honey.

It's all right, Miss Briggs. You don't have to do -si -do around it anymore.

Dayton has told me all about you two.

I don't intend to fit in judgment on what's been going on, but I think you

to know there have probably been some pretty serious results.

You're hurt. What happened?

Somebody must have been waiting for me when I got home.

Clobbered me from behind.

Probably with this one.

The cleanest one up there. Looks like it's been wiped.

Well, didn't you see who it was?

No. He even took a shot at me as he was leaving.

Whoever it was wanted Dayton dead.

He dragged him out to the car, started the engine, and tried to make it look

like suicide, I guess.

He tried to kill you, Vic?

Yeah. A lot of unnecessary trouble to go to for just a burglar. Mr. Dayton said

the only thing missing was a cigarette lighter.

It's yours.

The tiger's eye.

You... You think Marshall had something to do with this?

I wanted to talk to you about that, Miss Briggs. Do you think that your husband

would have been capable of killing Gary Denning and then come over here and try

to kill Mr. Dayton just because he thought that you might be involved with

Gary's dead.

I'm within a shade of believing that he is.

Why would Marshall or anyone else kill Gary Denning on account of me?

I mean, we were just casual friends.

I think that Gary Denning was killed by mistake.

And if it was your husband, and he found out about the mistake, I think he came

back over here to correct it.

It's so hard to believe. I mean, I know that Marshall is jealous and violent

sometimes, but...

I can't imagine that he'd kill anyone.

I haven't any proof that he did, Mrs. Briggs.

None that's worth more than a nickel in a dime store, at least. But I just can't

seem to put my finger on anybody else in the whole state of California who would

want both these men friends of yours dead.

She can't go back home.

I won't let her.

Maybe she won't have to.

No word from Mrs. Briggs yet, sir?

No, Emily, nothing.

See who that is.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Briggs?

You always drop by unexpectedly, Jones.

I'm sorry, Mr. Briggs. I was hoping to see your wife.

She's not here.

You know where I can find her? It's rather important.

Afraid not.

What's so very important?

Well, that's something I'd rather discuss with your wife.

You come marching in here with a son hardly up, demanding to see my wife on a

very important matter. Now, I'd like to know what it's all about.

My wife and I don't keep secrets from each other.

Well, that's something that's open to question.

I don't enjoy cat and mouse. Now, what is it, Jones?

Your wife has been seeing another man.

I don't believe it.

It's a fact.

Fact is, she's been seeing the tennis pro at your club, Vic Dayton, for some

time. Fact is, Gary Denning found out about it.

I think it's a fact that he has been blackmailing them.

Blackmailing? Yes, I dropped into Dayton's last night, luckily for him,

some burglar had attacked him and left him for dead.

While he was coming to, I had a chance to snoop around.

I found four...

canceled $1 ,000 checks written by Dayton made out to Denning.

Denning was a blackmailer.

I think Dayton got tired of paying off, paid a visit to Denning on the boat,

killed him, took him to sea, got rid of him.

Do you have any proof of this?

I have the canceled checks in my office. I was hoping your wife would give me

all the proof I needed.

She went aboard the boat.

I'm leaving right now.

What is it?

I'm afraid your wife is about to supply me with all the answers I needed, Mr.

Briggs. I had a man at the marina keep an eye on Gary's boat. He just called my

office and said your wife just went aboard.

My wife?

The only reason a murderer returns to the scene of the crime is to find that

little clue they always overlook.

Excuse me, Mr. Briggs.

I don't think it was a good idea for you to be here, Mr. Briggs.

Where's my wife?

She's gone.

She saw my man watching her and I guess she got scared and took off. So you've

come all this way for nothing.

Did you find anything?

I'm about to go over the whole cabin with a reagent.

Reagent?

Yeah, that's the solution of benzidine and hydrogen peroxide.

What will that prove?

Don't touch anything, Mr. Briggs.

Fingerprints could be important.

This spray will bring out the faintest trace of blood, not even visible to the

naked eye, like magic.

What makes you think Denning was killed here on the boat?

Well, I noticed the bow anchor was missing.

And then the canvas boat cover.

So I figured somebody got rid of a body.

Oh. wrapped and waited.

Or else there are a lot of light -fingered people around here.

Well, yeah, unless I find a murder weapon.

You're saying Denning was shot?

No. Somebody would hear that.

Well.

What have we got here?

What is it?

Looks like some kind of a lens.

I think we found our murder weapon.

The force of the blow must have knocked this lens right out.

Yeah, I was afraid of that.

What?

Wiped clean.

Residue looks like it was a household cleanser.

They missed one little place up here at the top.

Well, what do you know?

Two very, very good prints.

Blood?

Blood and fingerprints.

And the lab will tell me whose blood who has prints.

I just hope for your sake, Mr. Briggs, that they don't turn out to be your

You're not taking that anywhere, Jones.

Well, Mr. Briggs, you almost disappointed me.

I didn't know how long I was going to have to wait before you told me that you

murdered Gary Denning.

Now that I've told you, you can tell it all to the sharks.

I'll take your gun.

Put that down.

Now, over there by the wheel.

I'll start this thing up.

Mr. Briggs, I'm afraid this just isn't your day for boating.

I forgot to tell you I came down earlier and disconnected the starter.

Just in case the police didn't show up on time.

Speaking of the police...

You know what?

I give up a fishing trip for this.

I had to trick him.

My story about the phony checks, business with the fingerprints, wasn't

other way.

We've been living with deception for a long time, Mr. Jones.

Maybe now we won't have to.

Well, I guess that's up to the two of you.

Love is the most misused four -letter word around.

I hope you make something good out of it.

Thank you.

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