All language subtitles for Alfred Hitchcock s05e28 Forty Detectives Later

Good evening.

If you've been wondering where it all
began, here it is.

In fact, here is where the first flat
tire was patched some 4

,000 years ago.

Patching was more practical, since a
spare tyre weighed several thousand

Of course, once the wheel was invented,
many things became possible.

Things which before had been only
dreams.

Things like the pancake, the pizza and
the donut.

Of course, it took a long time for these
things to catch on, since for hundreds

of years it was naturally assumed that
they had to be made out of stone.

But now I must interrupt this scholarly
discussion to bring you tonight's play.

It is called Forty Detectives Later.

of detectives in this country.

And once there was a man who seemed
determined to hire them all.

From Raleway, New Jersey to Scranton, PA
to the west side of Chicago, he hired.

And finally, he got around to me.

I was number 41 on the list and I wasn't
flattered.

Tire?

I'm Monroe Dean. I called you this
morning.

Oh, sure, Mr. Dean. I remember. Come on
in.

Have a seat.

Seems to me I've heard your name
somewhere before.

You may have.

Were you ever with the police, Mr. Tyre?

No, not exactly, but I got a lot of
friends in the force.

Something about your wife, wasn't it?

Something about my wife, yeah.

Happened in October 1948.

A man killed her.

He was a slim, dark man with bushy black
hair.

I came home from work one night. I saw
him running out the back door.

My wife was in the living room dead.

The police never caught him.

But you're still interested in finding
this guy?

Interested?

Yes, I'm still interested. I've been
looking for him ever since it happened,

you know that, Mr. Tyre. All you people,
all you detectives, you know all about

that. You think I'm some sort of a funny
joke.

Now, wait just a minute.

You think I don't know?

I've had 40 detectives working for me,
and not one of them's helped me.

Some of them even took advantage of me.

Now, look, Mr. D, let's get one thing
straight, shall we?

Most of us guys are in this business for
money.

Only some of us take a long -range view,
Mr. Dean. Some of us feel an unhappy

client's a bad advertisement.

So I'm telling you right now, I'm no
smarter than the police, and I'm no

than most of the other guys you've
already hired.

So here's your hat, Mr. Dean.

I think you better go out and hire
Detective Number 42, because I don't

can find your man for you.

You won't have to.

I found him for you.

You found him?

I found him.

I did what 40 experts couldn't do.

All right, so you found him. Why don't
you go and tell the police about him?

Because it wouldn't do any good.

The police lost interest in the case a
long time ago.

Besides, I can't really prove he's the
man.

For one thing, he's changed. He's older.
He's fatter. He's lost some of his

hair.

But he's the man.

What makes you so sure?

Because I am.

That face is engraved right here.

It's funny you know that.

All those years, all those detectives,
and by chance, I see him in a bookstore.

Well, it's possible.

Don't forget, Mr. Dean, your description
of him was pretty vague.

Maybe you're the only one who could have
spotted this guy.

Now, what kind of a bookstore was it? It
was one of those run -down shops on the

north side of town. You know, the kind
of thing.

Books, postcards, old records.

He was working behind the counter.

Maybe he even owns the place.

He didn't look very prosperous.

Mm -hmm.

But you didn't let him see you. No.

I don't want it to happen that way.

I ducked out as soon as I saw his face.
Now, that's why I came to see you, Mr.

Tyre. I want you to act as a go
-between.

I want you to set up a meeting.

What for?

What do you suppose?

Uh -uh.

Listen, pal, last time I set up a target
was at Fort Dix. I'm not interested in

that kind of assignment.

Oh, you don't understand.

I just want to talk to him, meet him
face to face. I want to be sure he's the

right man.

Wait a minute now. Wait a minute, Mr.
Dean.

I thought you said before you were so...
so positive.

Mr. Tyre, we're just wasting valuable
time. Do you want to take this job or

don't you?

Well, I don't know.

Could be dangerous.

For you, I mean. If he really is your
wife's murderer and knows who you are...

I've thought about that.

There's no reason why he should know
until we're actually face to face.

Now, I'm at the Hotel Bayshore on Smith
Street.

I'm in room 305, registered under the
name of Adams.

Harry Adams.

All you've got to do is get him there.

Harry Adams?

Yes. You may want to use the name when
you first approach him.

Might make things easier.

But then, I don't have to teach you your
business, do I, Mr. Tyre?

All you detectives are so clever.

Okay, Mr. Dean. I don't like this kind
of work, but I've got a couple of good

reasons for taking the case.

Such as?

Food and shelter.

What was the name of that bookstore?

It was just before noon when I walked
into the grimy joint where my pigeon was

roosting. There was an inch of dust on
everything, including the customers.

I didn't have any trouble spotting my
man.

I tried to place him in my metal rogues
gallery, but nothing clicked.

He was just a guy.

I didn't even know what kind of a guy.

Hard -boiled.

Yeah. Yeah, two eggs.

And a container of black coffee.

No, I don't want no Danish pastry. Look,
will you please hurry it up?

Okay, Sal.

Listen, we get it here in about 15
minutes. Kind of, I'm starved.

All right, bye.

Now, what was that, mister?

I said, since when do you call these
French postcards?

What's wrong with them?

The best shots of Paris I ever saw.

What, are you kidding me, buddy? I see
better on the midway.

Flake off, will you, Mac?

Need some help, mister?

I don't know.

I see you've got some old Paul Whiteman
records here.

I was just wondering if Bix was on any
of them.

That's Bix Beiderbecke.

Oh, you don't have to tell me.

I'm an old Bix fan from way back.

Ain't many of us around these days.

You're a collector, too, huh? Oh, sure.

Only these old scratchy records don't
appeal to me no more.

I dig hi -fi. You know what I mean?

Stereo? Yeah, I guess that's okay.

I don't know, though. There's something
about the old jazz. Oh, I'm not putting

on the old jazz. Come here a minute.

You just give me some nice brew bags at
about 20 ,000 cycles with all the

squeeters and whoopers gone, man, you're
really gutsy.

Hey, if you're really interested in the
old labels, I got a pretty good private

collection I'd be willing to dump for
the right price.

What have you got?

Man, you name it, I got it.

See, I got a bunch of Fletcher
Hendersons on vocalians, some old

stack of Bluebirds. We could make a good
deal.

Well, that sounds okay.

Look, you don't suppose you could bring
a few samples up to my hotel room

tonight, could you? I'm staying at a
joint called the Bayshore. It's not far

from here.

Man, you're kidding.

It's like a truck to haul all the old
records I got anywhere.

Tell you what, why don't you stop over
at my place and look this stuff over?

Like, maybe 9 o 'clock.

Are you sure it wouldn't be too much
trouble?

Heck no.

I'll give you a treat.

I'll let you listen to some real hi -fi.

Ottos.

Now, hello, Gloria.

Huh?

Now, I was just chewing the fat with a
buddy of mine.

Yeah, sure, if you want to. Why not?

My buddy's coming over, too.

Hmm?

Oh, sure.

Sure, he's nuts about the bongos.

Okay, doll.

See you tonight.

It's my girl.

She's a pain in the neck, but she's good
for laughs.

I forgot to introduce myself.

I'm Otto.

My name's Adams.

Harry Adams.

I called Monroe Dean at his hotel and
told him about my progress.

He didn't sound very grateful. He just
told me to come over.

Well, he was paying for my time, so I
did.

Oh, come in.

Thanks. I was just having a little
drink.

Would you care to join me? No, thanks.

So, you've met our... Yeah, we got that
far all right.

Hook's in his mouth, but the next part
isn't going to be so easy.

Getting him up here.

But you think you can do it?

Yeah, I can do it.

It's been so long.

So many years.

And so many dollars.

This search of yours hasn't been cheap,
has it, Mr. D?

No. It cost me thousands hiring all
those men. But you're still sure he's

guy. You're not making any mistake.

Why do you say that?

Well, I don't know. He just seemed like
a pretty jolly type, that's all.

He's the man, all right.

If I'm sure of anything, I'm sure of
that.

Okay, Mr. Dean, I'll keep you in touch
if there's anything else right now.

Wait a minute.

Wait.

I suppose that's a good idea.

You might need the protection.

It's not for me.

It's for you.

For me?

Take it, Tire.

I don't know anything about guns. They
frighten me.

Take it.

Well, what do you want me to do with it?

I thought I could do it myself, but I
can't.

After all these years and I can't, I
want you to do it for me.

I want you to kill him.

Well, now, that's a real pretty weapon,
Mr. Dean.

Why don't you just hang that on a
mantelpiece somewhere?

I mean it, Tyre.

I want you to kill him for me. He
deserves it. You know he does. Sure,

does, Mr. Dean. Only I think we better
let the cops handle our friend Otto,

don't you? If you can prove he's your
wife's murderer, you... Don't lecture

I'm sick of all these lectures.

I want you to kill this man for me. He
killed the most important thing in my

life.

And I'll give you $3 ,000 to avenge me.

Three grand?

Yes. And there'll be no risk, don't you
see?

No risk at all. It'll be self -defense.

After all, I hired you to protect me,
didn't I?

Now, when this man comes here and learns
who I am, he's going to threaten me,

isn't he?

But before he can do anything, you fire,
can't you see it?

Yeah, I can see it, Mr. Dean, only I
can't buy it, not even at your price.

Four thousand. No!

Fire! Now cut it out!

Cut it out before you hit a number that
tempts me, because I don't want to be

tempted. Do you understand that, Mr.
Dean?

All right.

If that's how you want it.

That's how I want it.

I'll be in touch with you as soon as I
get the meeting set up.

And, Mr. Dean.

Yes? I wouldn't try any do -it -yourself
if I were you. The law is pretty

definite about murder in this state, no
matter what the reason.

I'll remember that.

You ever see a rig like this in your
life?

Man, I hate to tell you, but the
speakers alone cost me.

Music's kind of loud, isn't it? Yeah,
ain't it great?

Only you ain't getting the full effect.
Come here, come here.

See, this is stereo, you know what I
mean?

You gotta be in the right position.

There we go. Will you cut that out a
minute, huh?

Yeah, that's right. Perfect.

See, I got all the angles figured
exactly.

Come on, Gloria, will you listen to the
music, please?

Oh, now why can't I play the bongo?

You can play the bongos later. Sit here
and listen.

You hear that?

You hear that?

See, you got the bass coming in the left
ear, the treble on the right. They both

come together in the middle.

Am I right or am I right?

Not for me. My ears are too far apart.

It's because you got no music
appreciation.

All right, Harry?

Yeah, Otto, that's great. That's real
great.

Say, I was wondering if we could talk
about those records now.

Oh, yeah, the records. I almost forgot.

Come on.

See, I got just what I told you I had.

King Oliver and the Dictyland Jazz Band,
Louie and the Hot Five.

All choice stuff.

Yeah, I can see that.

Hey, Otto.

How about some brew back? My bongo's
getting cold.

You butt out. I'm talking business.

What about it, Harry?

How many records you got in all, Otto?
Oh, 200 maybe.

Look, I'll make you a good deal if you
take the whole lot.

Well, what kind of deal?

Well, worth 500, maybe more.

But for a buddy, I'll make it 250.

How's that?

250, huh?

Well, the price isn't so bad, Otto. You
see, I only got one small problem.

What's that?

Well, I haven't got too much cash on me
now, and I don't want to stick you with

a check, so I suppose I'll pay you off
tomorrow night at my hotel.

Are you kidding? Come on, let's listen
to music. I ain't no hurry. No, but how

do you see I am?

I'm going out of town in a couple of
days, and I'd like to get this thing

settled. So if you could come up
tomorrow night about 8 .30, I'd have the

for you by then. We could talk about
delivery later on.

Okay, if that's the way you want it,
fine.

Oh, good.

I'm staying at the Hotel Bayshore.
That's over on Smith. You better make a

of that. All right.

That's Hotel Bayshore.

Bayshore. Room 305.

305. Harry Adams.

Adams. Yeah.

Okay, I don't know. Thanks. Hey, wait a
minute. Wait a minute. You ready for

this? I want you to hear something
really special. Wait a minute.

Yeah, right here.

Stereo recording of two trains crashing
into each other head on.

Man, it's an experience.

Oh, heck, Otto. How can I play the
bongos to a train wreck?

the hook was in his mouth when I was
reeling him in.

It had been easy, but somehow watching
him play with his expensive toy like an

overgrown kid, I wasn't feeling very
happy about my work.

So it's all set. He's coming up tonight
to see Harry Adams.

Thinks he's made a deal for some
records.

You've done well, Mr. Tire.

You're the only detective I've hired
that's really been of service to me.

Now, you said your fee was $50 the day.
Yeah, plus expense. There weren't too

many. Comes to $112.

That's a fair price.

Here.

What's the matter? I thought you said
you preferred cash.

I do.

Then take it.

You act like my money's dirty.

Well, that depends.

I'm not sure what I sold you.

You sold me justice.

Anything wrong with that?

You plan on letting the police in on
your justice, Mr. Dean, or are you just

going to keep it all to yourself?

Mr. Tyre, I thought you were a
businessman.

I am.

Then don't you know how business was
conducted?

Once a piece of merchandise is bought
and paid for, the seller has no more

rights in the matter.

Transactions closed.

Only we're not talking about
merchandise, are we, Mr. Dean? We're

a man.

You mean a murderer.

Good day, Mr. Tyre.

And thank you for a very efficient job.

Thanks.

But just let me warn you about one
thing.

Stay out of it from now on.

Stay away from Otto.

Stay away from those friends of yours on
the police force.

Like you said, Mr. Dean, I'm a
businessman.

six o 'clock that night that I typed out
my final report on the Monroe Dean

case. It was pretty skimpy because I
left out my speculations about what

happen in room 305 at the Hotel
Bayshore.

That part was out of my hands.

I suppose I should have been feeling
sorry for Monroe Dean.

He was a man on a noble mission to track
down the murderer of his wife.

But for some reason I felt sorrier for a
high -five bug named Otto.

Who'd knock on Dean's door in a couple
hours and hear a riff like he'd never

heard before.

I wasn't proud to file the Dean case
away.

I had a drawer full of cases that didn't
make me feel pleased with my chosen

profession.

Divorce cases, runaway husbands, double
-crossing wives.

But there was nothing on file like this.

Nothing under M for murder.

But my assignment was finished.

So a little after 7 o 'clock, I decided
to leave the office and visit the chop

house down the street.

I didn't stay there very long.

Nothing on the menu stirred my appetite,
so I had a cup of coffee and went for a

walk.

Hard as I tried to think my way out of
it, one thing kept coming back to me.

I was putting the finger on a guy.

That's the same record he was playing up
in his apartment.

Could be his funeral march.

I didn't think about where I was going.

I let my feet do the thinking.

But somehow I found myself across the
street from Monroe Dean's hotel.

I stood there waiting, just as if I were
being paid for a stakeout. But I wasn't

being paid.

The report was all typed, the file
drawer was closed, the money was in my

pocket.

But I just stood there, waiting.

It was 8 .25, almost time for Otto to
arrive.

Suddenly I found myself hoping he
wouldn't show at all.

But there he came, right on schedule.

My chubby friend who liked big spider
back high fidelity and hard -boiled

The job was over. I didn't have to hang
around there anymore.

I had nothing more to do with it. It was
all up to the man in room 305.

Was it?

Now it's your turn, finger man.

Oh, wait a minute, Otto.

Oh, wait a minute. Now, don't try...

Oh.

Do you know who that guy is? Do you
recognize him?

You dirty crumb. You set me up good.
Now, look, you've got to tell me, Otto.

did he do it?

I'm going to tell you nothing.

Otto, I'm just a hired hand, a private
investigator.

That's your story. Now, look, I've got
to know. Did you kill Dean's wife?

Yes.

Yes, I killed her.

I was a hired hand, too.

He paid me to kill her back in 48.

And he got nightmares about it.

And he hired guys all over the country
to find me and knock me off.

So I wouldn't talk.

I used to think that I was the kind of a
guy who'd do anything for money.

But I'd done too much already.

It didn't help much, but I gave it back.

seem to have been mistaken about this.

It's not a wheel.

It's a record.

Long playing, of course.

The title is Ten Evenings with the
Stonehenge Philharmonic.

My, their disc jockeys must have been
formidable men.

While you are pondering my pithy
remarks, I must take leave.

Next time we plan to show another story
in two acts.

And of course, your host making his two
appearances in one.

Until next time, good night.