Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones, a Quinn Martin production, starring Buddy Ibsen.

Also starring Lee Merriweather, Mark Shera,

with guest stars Felton Perry, Dennis Patrick,

Vincent Baggetta, Daryl Fetty,

with special guest star Sam Wiseman.

Tonight's episode, A Ransom in Diamond.

I don't know why I let you talk me into these things.

Will you relax?

Will you look at the time?

I'm telling you, there's nothing to worry about.

You know, the last time you said that, we walked into a booby trap in Vietnam.

So I made a little mistake.

You're the lawyer. Do me.

Got the money?

Well, no.

For short notice, I was unable to raise $300 ,000. Oh, man, straight for the

booty traps again.

Oh, but I did get these.

Now, they've been in my family for a number of years. They're worth at least

$300 ,000.

What if the kidnapper won't settle for diamonds?

Oh, but he'd already agreed.

And I told him that because of my recent heart attack that you'd be acting as my

intermediary. Of course, I didn't tell him that you were a private detective.

Hello?

Take it easy, Mr.

Christie. Your wife is going to be all right.

I hope so.

I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to Andrea.

Bye. Bye.

It looks like he's going to dance us around for a little while.

Where? Another phone booth, 3rd and Temple.

Al, I'm heading down 3rd now.

Temple coming up in about a half a block.

Mr. Street, do you think it's a good idea for him to follow the kidnappers?

Suppose he decides not to keep up his end of the bargain. We're not dealing

a voice call, Mr. Christie.

There's the phone booth.

It's empty.

Now relax.

Stan knows what he's doing.

Damn.

I can't find a parking space.

Thanks, they're already dirty.

How about a buck to keep an eye on the hubcaps?

How about your wallet to keep from getting stuck?

Oh, no, I think he's being mugged. Come on, wallet.

Did it ever occur to you guys that I might be an undercover cop? You turkeys

under arrest.

How about the watch?

Come on, give me the watch.

Hey, what about the briefcase?

There's nothing in there but some sales reports and a tuna fish sandwich.

Yeah, well, Bo, I'll take that, too.

Let's get out of here.

You all right?

Yeah, but they got the diamonds.

Oh, no.

Well, what do you got to tell them?

I don't know.

Lots of luck.

Mr. Christie?

Your heart.

You feel all right?

What are we going to do?

I don't know, but Stan will think of something.

I remember once we were in Vietnam, you know, we were pinned down by enemy fire,

and Stan came up with a brainstorm that would have made General Patton proud.

Did he buy it? It took a little work, but he's going to give us another 24

hours. All right.

General Patton, Mr. Christine.

Only he upped the ante to $500 ,000.

$500 ,000?

Where did he expect me to get it?

Well, why don't you sell some stock or take a real estate loan?

Stock?

Real estate?

You did tell us you were wealthy.

I lied.

He lied.

But what about those diamonds?

I stole them from the jewelry store I manage.

You... Oh, well, I'll see you around, Mr. Christensen.

No, I'm fecking thought you are going to need a lawyer, so why don't you give me

a call?

I can't walk out now.

You're absolutely right, sir. I'm driving.

Mr. Street.

You could be disbarred for receiving stolen goods.

Receiving, sir?

I didn't know those diamonds were stolen, Mr. Christie. It's my word

yours. You've got to point out.

How did I get myself into this?

We seldom get a call for diamonds of this size or cut.

As soon as they opened the drawer, I realized what had happened.

One of the first things we'll need, Mr. Milland, is a list of everyone who had

access to the vault.

My secretary has all that information.

I'll get on it.

I'd like to talk to your manager.

Mr. Christie's still out to lunch. He called to say he'd be delayed.

Mr. Milland, I understand you wanted to see me. You're the security guard? Yes,

sir. Dave Harman. Have you noticed anything unusual going on?

Anyone acting suspiciously?

No, but I don't come back here much. I spend most of my time up front watching

the customers.

There's Mr. Christie now.

If you need me, Mr. Jones, I'll be in my office calling my partners.

Thank you.

Mr. Christie?

Yes. My name is Barnaby Jones. I was hired by California Meridian Insurance.

Oh, yes. They told me out front what happened. I just can't believe it.

When's the last time you saw the diamonds?

Oh, it's been at least two weeks.

Do you know if anyone else has been in that particular drawer since then?

No, I don't. Why?

Well, it begins to look like an inside job.

Oh, I hope you're wrong.

I'll get it.

Very pretty lady.

My wife.

Thank you very much, Mr. Christie.

Morning.

There's the names and addresses of all the employees.

What's this?

Well, that's a log that the secretary made for them of the phone calls they

for the past two weeks.

Good thinking, Jedediah.

What's this number with the circle around it?

Oh, that's the secretary's.

Good thinking, Jedediah.

Okay, if you haven't seen 300 ,000 diamonds floating around, has anybody

to fence a $50 watch?

Find out anything?

Yeah. Yeah.

I should have my head examined.

And what am I doing? Involved with diamonds and...

Kidnappers and fences?

Trying to help pay the rent on this office.

Hmm.

Well, you have any lead on the Muggers?

They weren't local.

Oh, good. Now we know where they're not from.

But I think one was a musician.

Uh -huh.

How do you figure that?

I saw him blowing on a mouthpiece.

A news vendor saw it, too.

I say we should check out the jazz clubs. You know, he probably plays in

them. That's exactly why I came back here to get you.

Lead the way.

I've never been in a jazz club in my life.

You've never been in a jazz club in your life?

You?

But I thought... I was studying all the time.

Where's the phone, dude?

Business is booming. Get a retainer.

May

I

help you?

Mr. Donaldson?

Yes. I am Stanley Donaldson.

My name is Barbie Jones.

Private detective?

Yes.

I'm an associate, Jedediah Jones.

What can I do for you?

Are you handling a case for Warren Christie?

This is my attorney, Al Street.

Now, who is this Warren Christie?

Well, he's the guy who called you five times in the past two days.

Oh, that Warren Christie.

Right. He is a client. Why?

Are you aware, Mr.

Donaldson, that there are $300 ,000 worth of diamonds missing from the

which Mr. Christie is the manager?

No kidding.

You mean with all the close contact, you didn't discuss this?

I really shouldn't betray a client's confidence, but since you are also a

private eye, I guess it couldn't hurt.

Might even help. Mr. Christie is having marital problems.

He's having marital problems?

Yes, and...

He thinks his wife is straying from the nest.

So he hired you to bird watch.

Right.

And that's all there is to it.

Well, Jedediah, looks like that's one more suspect we can scratch off the

Thank you very much. Anytime.

Very interesting arrangement you have here.

Are you two partners?

No.

We share the office in order to save rent.

We're friends, and sometimes we work together.

But we're definitely not partners.

Any trouble?

Didn't even work up a sweat. Good. What's up?

You two guys try to pull.

Pull? What are you talking about?

There's one method.

Hey!

Wait a minute.

It must have fallen out, okay?

That's better.

What was on mine?

It was a thousand apiece.

Now you two get lost.

Understand?

Oh, I'm so glad it's over.

Now we can go away.

No, no.

Not yet.

You said as soon as we got the diamonds.

Only just another day.

24 hours for half a million more.

But my husband's not well. He has a bad heart.

Nothing's going to happen to him.

Look. All he has to do is reach in and grab another handful. It's that simple.

Then we're on our way. No looking back.

Just one more day.

Warner, you didn't believe Donaldson's story about Christy either, did you?

No, I may be wrong, Jedediah, but to me, he seemed a little too cooperative to

be convincing.

Well, it doesn't seem to be anybody home.

Hi. Excuse me, but you wouldn't know where the Christies are, would you?

I think Warren works late tonight.

What about Mrs. Christie?

Andrea. It's a funny thing. I haven't seen her for about three days.

Maybe she's on a trip.

Why do you say that?

Well, because we park right next to each other, and I haven't seen her car.

Kind of handy to have around.

Let's go.

Mr. Jones, what are you doing here?

We came over to ask a few more questions about the robbery.

We would have waited, but your wife isn't home.

Uh, well...

She's attending a movie.

It's funny because one of your neighbors just told us that she hasn't seen her

in a couple of days and that her car's gone, too.

Well, I'm afraid she's mistaken.

Mr. Christie, we know you've been talking to a private investigator about

wife. We know you have marital problems.

You want to tell us about them?

Well, very well.

Yes, we've... We've had some marital problems, but they're all straightened

now. Well, where is she?

Well, she's visiting her cousin in Seattle.

When did she leave?

The day before yesterday. She flew up.

What's her cousin's name?

Hold on just a minute.

What has my wife's cousin got to do with your investigating a theft?

You have a point.

Maybe we were a little, uh, easy.

Thank you, Mr. Christie.

I'd like one real bad, but I'd also like to see my son graduate USC this spring,

so I'll pass.

Rambo, this is my friend Al Street.

Hey,

man, I've been black too long for that dress. Just flip me by, will you?

That's cool.

He never figured it out anyway.

This cat you're looking for is a bandana headband. What color?

Red with a little design.

Oh, no, man, not the headband, the cat.

Is he black, white, in between?

Caucasian.

White. Did he have stringy blondish hair and look like he was allergic to soap?

Smelled like it, too. And like I said before, always working with a

He's bad news.

What's his name?

Woody March.

Plays a pretty good horn, but plays most of his gigs in jail.

Do you know where he lives?

Not a clue. This cat's a real gypsy.

Hey, you might try the musician's union.

Thanks, Rambo. Anytime, baby.

Say, um, what's your son gonna be?

A lawyer.

Whatever happened to boxing is the way out of the ghetto.

Later.

Yeah, baby.

Well, Andrea's car isn't at the airport.

Thank you.

According to her reservation, she wasn't booked on any flight to Seattle.

That's very interesting.

Well, maybe she changed her mind about flying up there and drove.

Maybe.

But nothing changes the fact that Christy hired a private detective after

wife left.

Why, if they had already solved their marital problem?

I still don't see the connection between that and the theft.

That's what we have to find out.

Let's go get it out.

Hey, you sure this is where the Musician Union said that Woody picks up his

messages? His buddy's inside.

The one shooting.

Oh, God.

Come on, let's get him. No, no.

You get him, and I'll call an ambulance, huh?

An ambulance?

For that little punk?

Stan, that little punk has four big other punks with him, and they look like

they sleep with their motorcycles.

Okay, you come up with something better.

Uh, can't you see we're busy here?

Okay, look. Uh, he doesn't know me.

Huh? You wait here, and I'll go inside and see what I can do, huh? Huh? Good

idea.

I haven't had lunch yet.

Yeah? Huh?

Oh. How are you?

Apple. Good.

Banana.

Me and two beers.

One for my partner.

Hey, Bo.

Who do you want to buy your beer?

I know you.

No.

We know you.

Yeah?

What's next for the beer?

We all know what went down on 3rd and Temple yesterday.

What are you talking about?

Sit down.

Who are you?

The organization.

What organization?

That mugging took place in our turf, which means those diamonds belong to us.

I swear I still don't know what you're talking about.

All right, so much for negotiating.

Now time to enforce.

No, no, wait, wait, wait.

All right, so we took this dude, but we were working with somebody, man. He's

got the rocks.

Who?

He said his name was Jack.

That's it.

Remember the fancy fox.

Where can we find this Jack?

Hey, Bo!

No.

Let's not forget.

I'm back.

Yeah, right.

Yeah? Do you know who you're talking to?

Yeah, one minute. This guy's from the organization.

He's with the dude we ripped off yesterday. I just saw him together

Oh, yeah?

Just somebody about a job.

Now, you were going to tell me where we can find this Jack.

Yeah, right.

Well,

I never got his address, man.

But I remember how to get there.

Come on, my car's out back. I'll take you to him.

Organization is not going to like this.

Take care of him.

Bo, come on.

Gentlemen, I think maybe we can reach a compromise.

My name is Alex. I'm an attorney at law. I have an office in downtown.

No!

pop the next guy who moves. No, no, don't. Don't pull that gun, Stan, don't

Kill another guy!

Come on, man, you know if you pull that gun and start shooting up the place, the

cop will be looking for us in this state, too. Don't do it!

Don't! Don't do it, Stan!

Why don't you carry a real gun like Sam Spade?

Who?

Guns kill people, Al.

Banana never hurt anyone.

Why, Mr. Christmas?

You don't understand.

I understand you're a thief.

No. No, my wife, they... They've kidnapped her. They're threatening to

What else could I do?

Well, after Mr. Donaldson convinced him that we...

had lost the diamond that we weren't, trying to double -cross him.

The kidnapper told us that he would give us another 24 hours.

He's to call my place at 2.

And that's the whole story.

Well, now I say we call in the police.

That won't get your diamonds back.

And what's more important, it might cause Mrs. Christie's death.

And what do you suggest?

I suggest that we go along with the kidnapper's new demands.

Only this time, Jed and I will see where the lead is.

Yeah, but the only thing is, we don't have any more diamonds to make the

Oh, excuse me, Mr. Milland. Now, what is it, Dave?

I just want to tell you I'll be leaving that doctor's appointment I have this

afternoon. Who's taking your place?

Ben Tyler.

Oh, is there anything new on the theft?

No, I'm afraid not.

I see.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Well, I guess about time we start standing by for the phone call. You

Christie?

You better have a good reason for being here.

You know that dude we ripped off?

Him and a friend came looking for us. What happened?

There's no problem. We took care of it.

Just that we didn't figure there'd be this kind of trouble.

I didn't make any guarantees.

Yeah, well, who wants some more bread?

Another thousand each. We had a deal.

Yeah, well, we're making ourselves a new deal.

Oh.

Okay, Woody.

Okay.

But this is it.

Come on, go!

Dave, what happened?

Mr. Buck's trying to shake us down.

Honey, let's leave now. We've got enough.

No.

Dave, I'm scared.

What if those guys come back or go to the police?

They can't. Now, come on.

I know it's difficult, Mr. Christie, but wearing the rug out isn't going to make

the phone ring any sooner.

I'll let B. Donaldson in the street.

Let him in. I'll be in there.

Did he call yet? No.

What about the diamonds?

We're close.

But we did find out something very interesting.

That mugging was not a mugging.

What do you mean?

Those muggers were hired by someone who knew I'd be carrying those diamonds.

Who else knew that, Mr. Christie?

Just myself.

And, of course, the kidnapper.

And the two of you...

Mr. Jones, what are you doing here?

He knows.

Everything?

Everything. Hey, wait a minute. You don't think we ripped off those

Maybe, maybe not. The important thing right now is what happens to Mrs.

Christie. That's the reason Jedediah and I are taking over the case.

Over our dead bodies, you are.

Our dead bodies?

Mr. Donaldson, I really think it's for the best.

I agree with you, Mr. Christie.

Stan, let him have the case.

Al, he thinks we took the diamond.

If anything goes wrong, our neck's in the ringer.

Since when do we have the same neck?

There's no time to argue.

We'll make a deal with you. You make the drop, we'll tail the kidnappers.

I liked it better when you wanted the whole case.

Okay, Mr. Jones, you've got a deal.

Well, I tell him about the diamonds.

Ask one more time.

Yes, I'm getting them.

But I want to speak to my wife first. I want to hear her voice.

Okay.

Make it fast.

Warren.

Andrea.

Are you all right?

Yeah, but I'm afraid.

Now listen.

You've got until 3 .30.

That's it.

3 .30.

Have your man waiting at the phone booth on Stone Road in Topanga.

And he better have the package.

At least I know she's still alive.

Hey, hold it.

The tap just ran dry.

We're not thirsty.

All we want is a little information.

Hello? Then why don't you go down to the library? It is right down the street.

They didn't have Woody March's address.

The librarian said you did.

Woody March? Now, why didn't you just say so in the first place?

Don't go away. Ready?

Ready!

Think of me as the big bad wolf.

Yeah. Well, he's got a place. He's got a room right down the street.

219 South Dwyer.

It hurts, Woody.

It feels like a wall burning up inside.

Just hang in there, Bo.

I'm going to go get a doctor.

Just hold on.

Is that you?

Is that you?

What is it, Bo?

ever finished checking them out?

Oh, yeah, she sure did.

Donaldson comes from an old -line Philadelphia family, three generations

bankers.

After Vietnam, he came out here to go to school and then he supported himself by

working in a security agency and then opened an office of his own.

What about Street?

Well, now he made it the hard way.

Pumped gas and he washed dishes and still graduated at the top of his class

law school. He met Donaldson in Vietnam and they've been friends ever since.

I think I've been a little hard on him.

Wannabe is finished.

Do you read me, Mr. Jones?

Loud and clear.

Do you know the San Remo Bridge?

About a quarter of a mile north of here.

I'm to throw the package over the side at the 7th Arch and keep on driving.

You wait here until I call you, then take off.

Right. There's a dirt road just before we get to the bridge. We'll get off on

that. I'll be right behind you.

Allison, take off.

Jedediah, the road's about 100 yards ahead.

You turn right, I'll turn left.

Got it, Barnaby.

I don't see anything suspicious.

I'm approaching the bridge now.

Bomb's away.

Got him covered for me.

It's all yours.

You see anyone else around?

Not even a squirrel.

What took

you so long? He just showed up

with the doctor.

Hey, look, what do you guys want from me, huh?

First, my watch.

Now you're going to show us where Jack lives.

You know, I'd really love to, but I don't know where he lives.

Al, he says he doesn't know where Jack lives. Do you believe him?

Look at his eyes.

No, I don't believe him.

My friend doesn't believe you, and he's a lawyer.

You know something?

I don't believe you either, and I'm just plain mean.

Let's go.

Get in.

Looks like just a dry run, Barnaby.

Hold it.

Got a car turning onto the riverbed.

That's David Harmon.

Let's go, Jedediah.

Where's the cabin?

Just go down that wash. It's right over there.

Remember?

Looks deserted.

You go that way.

It's only me.

You're kidding.

Did you see anything?

No.

Not a thing.

Not a soul.

Let's build it up, picking up the diamonds.

Yeah. Come on.

The pulse is steady. Maybe she's been drugged. Start looking for the other

What? This is Christine. Don't be afraid. I'm Stan Donaldson. That's Al

and we're working for your husband.

Oh, thank God you're here. Are you okay?

Yeah, I'm just a little weak. Maybe you better try walking around a little bit.

Okay. There you go.

You okay?

Yeah.

Don't make any sudden moves.

Get the diamonds, baby.

Baby?

Did you hear that, Al?

Yeah, I heard.

I heard.

Mrs. Crimpie, how could you do that to that nice little husband of yours?

Let's put him up.

Come on. Get him up.

That's it.

Nice and easy.

We don't carry guns. Yeah, and you shouldn't either. Way to you.

Well, what about them?

Don't worry.

They won't ever be found.

Let's go.

Move!

All right.

Over to those trees.

You know, you got us into this, Stan.

He's going to get us out there and kill us, man. It's going to be goodbye, sweet

world.

Al, what do you want me to do? He's holding the gun. I know it.

I know it, and I ain't going.

I ain't going.

Get up.

No, sir.

No, sir, I'm not going.

All right.

Then you're going to get it right here.

Al.

He's not kidding.

He's going to kill you right here.

Yeah? Yeah, when he gets me over there, he's going to kill me over there.

Or he might as well kill me over here.

What difference does it make?

Quit wasting time.

Now get him over there.

Al, I'm going to have to drag you.

That's it, Herman.

At this distance, I never miss.

Say, man, why don't you quit this and go back into the banking business with

your family?

What? And give up all this?

Anyone in?

You've got a client. Yeah.

I'll be right there.

Get a retainer.

I'm going to be in court most of next week, but I'll see if I can spare some

time.

Oh, hey, Mr. Jones.

Mr. Street, this is my daughter -in -law, Betty Jones, Alexander Street.

Hello. And Stanley Donaldson.

Well, I certainly have been looking forward to meeting you two. I've heard a

about you.

It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Jones, J .R. Nice of you to drop by.

Well, actually, we came by to give you this check.

Check? It's from California Meridian.

It's your share of the reward for the recovery of the diamonds.

Reward? Mm -hmm. There's just one problem. It's made out to both of you,

told them you were not partners.

Who said we weren't partners?

Stand.

Where did Mr. Jones get that idea?

It beats me. Where did you get that idea, Mr. Jones?

Can't imagine.

Good luck to you.

Thank you, and I hope we see each other again.

You know, Barnaby, looking at this office, I got an idea. After I graduate

school, we can take your office, put up a partition like this, make two offices,

you know? Great idea, J .R. I could add curtains, throw pillows.

Plants, right?

It would be like your office in here and...

May not dare. Right.

We'll talk about it later. Okay.

Bye -bye, fellas.

Much later.