Original subtitles

Well, how about a story from you, Mr.

Kingery?

Ah, it's getting rather late.

So if you ladies will excuse us, I've

got a little business we want to talk

over.

That's all right, Dad.

I'm sorry to mix business with pleasure, but

it won't be long.

Don't worry on our account.

There's a fire in my room.

Let's go in there.

Oh, my medicine.

Miss Keat.

Miss Keat!

Did you call, Miss Kingery?

Did I call?

I've been shouting myself hoarse.

Where's my medicine?

Well, the doctor said that you didn't...

How does he know about it?

I want it right away!

Very well, Miss Kingery.

Doctors!

I would think they know more about you

than you know about yourself.

Since our talk this afternoon, I've given a

great deal of thought to the situation.

I'm sorry, gentlemen, but if we're going to

save our business from bankruptcy, we've got to

act promptly.

You mean you intend to use our personal

securities, which you hold in trust?

Exactly.

Well, pardon me, gentlemen, but all of you

have other interests, other sources of income.

Even if the company should fail, you'd at

least have something.

Well, all I've got are those securities.

If I lose them, I'll be broke.

I realize how you feel, my boy.

But I'm confident that by using all our

securities, I can save everything.

Now, is that agreeable to all of you?

You can't use mine.

I'm afraid I can't agree to that.

Gentlemen, as president of your company, I felt

you had a certain amount of confidence in

me.

I hoped you would come through without my

having to disclose something which I didn't want

to bring up at the present time.

However, you've left me no option, so here

it is.

Our company has been defrauded of over half

a million dollars by a very clever forgery.

Forgery?

What?

When did this happen?

Just recently.

Have you notified the police?

Not yet.

Whom do you suspect?

An officer of the company.

You mean you're accusing one of us?

That's right.

Which one?

If you know, tell us.

You'll know when the police have made the

arrest.

By that time, it may be too late

to save the company.

No, you've got till tomorrow morning, gentlemen, to

think it over.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll

go to bed.

I'm out of time.

Good night.

Well, don't we all beautiful hearts.

Oh, you're lovely.

No, no, you can't come in there.

Now, go up to the bar, go up

and see if another bar is good enough.

Go on.

Off you go.

Now I see why you brought us up

here.

Sure, he didn't want the news to leak

out until he put his finger on the

guilty man.

Don't be silly, Mal.

If there's been a forgery, I think he

did it himself.

I'm going to bed.

I can tell you right now, I won't

sleep.

I don't think any of us will be

able to sleep.

What do you say to a little game

of rummy?

Not me.

I'm in no humor for cards.

To tell you the truth, I'm not in

a humor for anything.

Come on, Newell, I'll take you on.

Okay.

Let's make it a set of points.

All right.

Quiet, Duke.

Now lay down by the fire.

Lay down.

That's a good dog.

Good dog.

Duke!

Duke!

Duke!

Duke!

Huber!

Huber!

What is it?

Mal!

Mal, what happened?

I don't know.

What's wrong, Mr. Barry?

What's wrong, Mr. Barry?

Brooker, try the door that opens off my

bathroom.

Mal, you try the fence doors off the

rear.

Huber!

Dad!

Huber!

Dad!

Huber!

Huber!

Oh!

Oh!

Dad!

Dad!

I think we're too late.

You say

you and the maid were in the kitchen

at the time the shot was fired?

Yes, sir.

And when you tried the door between Mr.

Kingery's room and the one adjoining, you found

it locked?

Yes, sir.

And the door between Mr. Kingery's room and

the living room, was that locked?

All the doors and windows in Mr. Kingery's

room were locked.

I didn't notice the gun until the sheriff

found it in Mr. Kingery's hand.

Mr. Kingery had been worried about his health

for some time.

I tell you, my father never mentioned illness.

He was in perfect health.

My brother had no reason to kill himself.

We, the jury, find that Huber, Kingery, came

to his death at his hunting lodge, November

the 14th last, owing to a gunshot wound

inflicted by his own hand.

That's not true.

My father had no reason to commit suicide.

It was murder, I tell you.

Miss Kingery, you're out of order.

That gun was put in his hand after

he was killed.

He was too courageous and too fine.

As coroner of Hanover County, I see no

reason to disagree with the verdict of the

jury.

The case is closed.

You've got to listen to me.

You've got to.

I won't.

Take it easy, honey.

Well, honey, I've got to get back to

town, but I'll see you later.

Then you will be up for the weekend?

As long as I'm one of those under

suspicion, I can't very well refuse.

Goodbye, darling.

Goodbye, honey.

And how do you think I got home?

It was very thoughtful of you to leave

me.

Maybe you thought I should stay in the

morgue.

Oh, Aunt Lucy, I knew Bruco was going

to bring you home.

I'm sorry if I was thoughtless.

That's not all you'll be sorry for, if

I'm not mistaken.

What do you mean?

If you listen to me, you'll let things

stand as they are.

But I can't.

I'm going to hire a detective and find

out the truth about Dad, about all of

it.

ridiculous.

You'll only stir up trouble.

I can't help that.

I've made up my mind and nothing's going

to stop me.

Well, I've had my say.

But I tell you, you're making a mistake.

Where are my capsules, Miss Keet?

They're on your dresser.

I'll get them for you.

No, no, no.

Don't bother.

I'll get them myself.

Miss Keet, do you happen to know of

a good detective I can hire?

Why, yes.

I think I know one of the best.

Lance O'Leary is his name.

I have his number if you'd like to

call him.

Would you get it for me?

Yes, right away.

Thank you.

Mr. O'Leary, there's a Miss Gwen Kingery

on the phone.

She says Miss Keet told her to call.

Fine.

Hello?

Miss Kingery?

Yes?

Miss Keet suggested to me that you might

be able to handle an investigation.

It's terribly important.

It's about my father.

Yes, I've heard a lot about that case.

I'm having all the guests who were here

the night my father was killed up for

a weekend of hunting.

I don't want to accuse any of them,

but any one of those guests might have...

might be responsible.

And you'll arrange to have them all there

this weekend?

Yes, I will.

All right, Miss Kingery.

I'll be there.

Thank you, Mr. O'Leary.

I'll have the chauffeur at the station in

Nettleson to meet you.

Goodbye.

One more drink and I'll bring them back

alive.

A couple of cocktails and I can see

myself shooting lions and tigers and big elephants.

Big ones, Julian.

That'll be enough out of you.

Come on now, I'll help you pick out

a gun.

All right.

You know, Julian, it was ridiculous for Gwen

to have insisted on coming back here to

go hunting.

And in weather like this.

Could have refused.

Refused?

You know very well none of us could

have done that.

Of course.

Gwen knew that when she invited us.

Julian!

Get away!

Get back!

Duke!

Get away!

Duke, come here!

I'm sorry, Gwen.

I forgot I took my gun.

Duke, go over there and lie down.

Go on.

How stunning you look, Therese.

But then you always do when you're with

my husband.

At least I create an illusion.

Joe is easily misled, my dear.

You never miss a chance to be thoroughly

disagreeable, do you?

Not as disagreeable as you think.

For instance, I might tell Gwen a few

things about what really happened to her father.

What is it, Helen?

Oh, she's just talking.

Someday, someone's going to teach you to keep

quiet.

Don't you think we'd better get started?

Yes, please do.

I want you all back here in a

couple of hours.

For cocktails?

No, I have someone coming up I want

you all to meet.

All right, Gwen, we'll only be a short

time.

Let's go.

Are you coming, Helen?

Miss Peake?

Yes?

Come here.

Didn't I hear you and my niece talking

about some detective coming up here?

Yes, Mr. Lance O'Leary.

A friend of yours, no doubt.

Really unequivocal.

You see, I nursed him after he'd been

wounded in a fight.

He's an excellent detective, one of the finest.

I didn't ask you for a recommendation.

The whole thing's preposterous.

Nothing but trouble will come of it, you'll

see.

I'm sure I know nothing about that, Miss

Cambridge.

Your niece asked me if I knew of

a good detective, and I suggested Mr. O

'Leary.

All right, all right.

But I've told you what I think.

Now go about your business.

And don't forget my powder.

Yes, Miss Cambridge.

Yes, sir?

Do all the guests at Huntington get such

a warm reception?

Well, some of our guests aren't very good

shots, Mr. O'Leary.

So I noticed.

It may have come from over the hill,

sir.

I'm sure nobody would aim at you.

I wouldn't be too sure.

Let's try our luck inside.

Gwen?

Come in, Aunt Lucy.

Your detective friend's here.

Oh, good.

I'll dress and go right in.

Gwen.

Yes?

I warn you to give up this whole

mad business before it's too late.

Oh, Aunt Lucy, I'm sorry to cause you,

but I can't give it up.

I simply can't.

I must know the truth about Dad.

Someday you'll understand why.

You wait and see.

I'll be sorry you ever started this.

Dad!

Oh, is it good to see you.

Good to see you too, Sarah.

Sam, don't.

This is no time for fooling.

We're both on the case.

I'm not fooling.

Besides, if you didn't want to see me,

why'd you send for me?

I didn't.

But you recommended me to Gwen Kingery.

Of course.

She asked for a good detective, and you're

the best I know.

Oh, I see.

Just a good detective.

When murder flies in the window, love staggers

out.

Is that it?

Very well, if that's the way you feel

about it.

How do you expect me to feel?

Up here, miles from no place, you nursing

a grouchy old lady, and I'm supposed to

solve a murder.

Besides, snow gives me chill blades.

Lance, I wish I hadn't suggested that you

come up here.

I'm scared to death.

Why, honey?

Well, it isn't anything that I can put

my finger on.

It's more of a premonition that something terrible

is going to happen.

All the people up here suspect each other,

hate each other.

Whenever one of them leaves the room, I

never expect to see him alive again.

That's interesting.

But don't you worry your pretty little head

about it.

Sarah, what about the old scarecrow on the

wheelchair?

How does she...

Gwen Kingery.

This is Mr. O'Leary, Miss Kingery.

It's a pleasure, Miss Kingery.

So glad you could come, Mr. O'Leary.

I understand you and Aunt Lucy have already

met.

Yes, indeed.

I've had the pleasure.

I warn Mr. O'Leary that his coming

here was ill-advised.

Your guests waste no love on each other

as it is.

When they find out you've brought in a

detective to spy on them, I beg to

think what will happen.

Aunt Lucy has opposed the idea from the

start.

Opposed it?

Why shouldn't I?

It's madness.

There are a lot of people up here

when every one of them would give anything

to stay away.

If they feel that way, they could have

refused the invitation, Miss Kingery.

How could they refuse?

That would be the same as admitting their

guilt, wouldn't it?

Guilt concerning what?

How should I know?

I'm not on trial, am I?

You've no right to question me as if

I were a common criminal.

You mustn't excite yourself, Miss Kingery.

Who's excited?

I'll excite myself if I can't.

Oh, Aunt Lucy, please.

Stop picking on me.

Can't I open my mouth without everybody chomping

down my throat?

Where's my medicine?

I'll get it for you.

Oh, never mind.

I'll come with you.

I want you to rub my neck.

Well?

Are you standing around back there for?

There was dust on the cabin, ma'am.

I was just wiping it off.

A neck does the dusting.

She must have overlooked the cabin.

Go on.

Get out.

Yes, ma'am.

Just a minute, Brooker.

Take Mr. O'Leary's bags up to his

room.

Oh, don't bother.

I'll take them up myself, if you don't

mind.

Certainly not.

That'll be all, Brooker.

Your room is the first one up the

stairs.

Thank you.

Shall we sit down?

Yes.

Miss Kingery, I'm fairly well acquainted with the

case, but there are a few points that

I'm not familiar with.

I realize I didn't make things very clear

on the phone.

Since the authorities found no evidence to support

their point, why do you still insist it

was murder?

Because I know it was.

The police came out to investigate, didn't they?

Yes, but the stage was already set.

My guests had everything all arranged.

Did you tell that to the police?

I wanted to, but Aunt Lucy insisted that

I let the men handle everything.

They're all officers in our company, and for

some reason seemed afraid of a murder investigation.

You found the gun in your father's hand.

Mr. O'Leary, I'm sure that that gun

was placed in my father's hand to make

it look like suicide.

And this afternoon, as my guests were going

out hunting, Helen Page said something that...

What did she say?

Well, she said she could tell me something

about what really happened to my father.

I see.

How did the others act?

I don't know exactly.

They seemed a little startled, even angry.

Helen's husband in particular.

I'll question Mrs. Page just as soon as

I can.

If you can help me, Mr. O'Leary,

I'll be very grateful to you.

Not at all.

My interest has been aroused at what you

and Miss Keat have told me, and I'd

like to clear this thing up just to

satisfy my own ego.

Having you here has taken a great burden

off my mind.

Don't you worry about that.

I'll do the best I can to straighten

the whole thing out.

Poor Helen.

Gerald, what is it?

Why are you all acting so strangely?

Where's Helen?

What's happened?

Why doesn't somebody say something?

Now, please don't get upset.

Upset?

Gerald, where's Helen Page?

We left her at the shack.

At the shack?

Why?

Helen's met with an accident.

Oh, Gerald, you should have stayed with her.

Well, we'll have to go to her.

It's no use, Gwen.

She's...

Well, she's dead.

Dead?

I'm afraid it's a case of suicide.

We rather hesitated to say anything on Joe's

account.

You know what happened just before we left

here.

Mr. O'Leary, I...

Well, let me introduce you to my guests.

Mrs. Von Elm, Mr. Page.

Mr. Barry.

How do you do?

Mr. Frawley, Mr. Killian.

How do you do?

Oh, and Mr. Morris.

Hmm?

One of my guests, Helen Page, has met

with a terrible accident.

Gerald, you tell him about it.

Mr. O'Leary is a detective.

A detective?

Oh, yes, of course.

But I'm afraid I can't tell him anything,

my dear.

I don't know all the facts.

Surely you can describe generalities, Mr. Frawley?

Well, Mrs. Page and her husband had been

quarreling before we went out hunting.

When we reached the shack, Helen refused to

go on.

Said she'd wait for us there.

We all separated.

When we returned, we found Mrs. Page on

the couch.

Any sign of a struggle?

None at all.

Any important clues?

We're not detectives, Mr. O'Leary.

The least we can do is give Mr.

O'Leary what information we have.

What is it, Julian?

There was no sign of a struggle.

I agree it looked very much like suicide.

Why, Mr. Merrill?

Well, Helen has been quite despondent for some

time.

Mr. Page wanted to marry Mrs. Von Elm

there, and he'd asked Helen for a divorce.

That's what they were quarreling about today.

You're lying, Julian.

Joe and I had nothing to do with

it.

Just a minute, Mrs. Von Elm.

What about it, Mr. Page?

What if I did ask her for a

divorce?

That doesn't prove that I killed her.

Certainly not.

Can you phone here?

Yes.

But it's out of order.

The storm's broken the line now.

Could your chauffeur get to the sheriff at

Nettleson?

Yes, I think so.

I don't think he could, Mr. O'Leary.

The snow's pretty deep, but we could have

him try.

Will you do that, please?

I'll tell him.

I wish I hadn't started this.

I should have listened to Aunt Lucy.

Of course, but you never do.

I told you if you persisted in this

ridiculous business, you'd get us all killed.

What's happened now?

It's Helen.

Oh, Aunt Lucy.

What about him?

She's dead.

Where is this shack where you found Mrs.

Page?

It's about a mile over the hill.

We use it for a meeting place when

we hunt.

One of you gentlemen will show me the

way.

I'd like to make an investigation.

The deep snow will make it difficult going.

It would be dark before you could get

there.

Now, if you ask my opinion...

Nobody's asking you.

I'll be glad to take you over there,

O'Leary.

Fine.

Let's go.

I hope you don't become offended at anything

these people have said, Mr. O'Lancy.

Why should I?

I don't know why, but I see you're

getting ready to go home.

We'll be back very shortly, Mr. Morse.

Sure, that's right.

Stick around.

Maybe we can stir up a little excitement

later on.

Let's go.

I just happened to remember, Therese.

You and Helen met in my office.

You had a quarrel about Joe.

Well, what if we did?

You said you'd take her away from him

if you had to kill him.

Well, what of it?

We were both angry.

Neither one of us stopped to think what

we were saying.

A lot of people say things they are

sorry for afterwards.

Why, certainly.

What a threat to murder.

Are you going to sit there and let

him accuse me?

Look here, Gerald.

I demand an apology.

Well, no apology is necessary.

I made no accusation.

I simply stated a fact.

It's a lie.

And I, for one, refuse to remain here

and be insulted.

Good night, Joe.

Good night, Therese.

Whatever happens, you and Therese will deserve it.

I've had enough of these insinuations.

First, you accused Helen of murdering your brother.

Now, you're trying to cast suspicion upon Therese

and me.

The truth of the matter is, I've always

suspected you of killing Huber.

Hold your tongue!

I refuse to permit you to cast suspicion

upon Therese and myself.

Why, you're nothing but a meddlesome old...

That'll be enough, Joe.

Please remember that you're a guest here.

She's over there.

I hate this kind of business, but I

guess it's got to be done.

Say, Barry.

Did you notice this gun when you first

found Mrs. Page?

No, I didn't.

Any others?

Well, I can't say, but I don't believe

so.

Well, at least nobody mentioned it.

What sort of woman was Mrs. Page?

Very disagreeable at times, but otherwise normal.

And her husband?

I can't say much for him, either.

I never could understand their marriage.

In other words, Mr. Page might have had

reason to marry his wife.

I didn't say that, O'Leary.

You suggested it.

I had no such intention, I assure you.

All right.

We'll skip Mrs. Page for the moment.

Tell me.

Do you think Hubert Kingery committed suicide?

As you probably know, the death was legally

established as suicide.

I didn't ask you what was legally established,

Mr. Barry.

I only know what I hear.

It is possible for someone who has set

the stage for the officers.

Let's say someone who is afraid a murder

investigation might be embarrassing.

It's possible, of course, but highly improbable.

Gwen Kingery has...

I'd like to help you for Gwen's sake.

But you're wasting your time, O'Leary.

The windows and doors in Kingery's room were

bolted at the time of the shooting.

No one was in the room with him.

The officers found the gun in his hand.

I don't believe even you could make a

murder out of that.

I must admit your argument sounds logical.

Of course it is.

I'm telling you the truth.

Well, thanks a lot for the little information

you have given me.

I suggest we go back to the lodge.

Good.

It'll be a relief to get out of

here.

Why, don't tell me you've already been to

Nettleson.

No, sir.

I couldn't even get the car out of

the driveway, sir, on account of the deep

snow.

I thought something like that had happened.

Better have one to warm you up.

No, thanks.

Did you find anything that might be of

help to you, Mr. O'Leary?

No.

Nothing of any importance.

Of course you didn't.

And you won't.

Lance!

What's the matter?

It's those rats again.

They're in my bedroom.

Nonsense.

There are rats in the food locker.

There may be some in here.

But why should any rat be in your

bedroom?

I don't know.

Well, where's the poison?

I can't find it.

It's disappeared.

The poison has disappeared?

Don't bother about getting any breakfast for me.

I'll just stick to the liquid diet.

What's the matter?

Was the net having a nightmare?

Worse than that.

Rodents.

Rats.

The girl's jittery.

So am I.

I wonder what the party rate on funerals

is up here.

Don't be silly.

You may not be so respectful to the

dead, but I'm going to have some music.

We've got to do something around here to

keep them going insane.

It's funny.

This thing was working this morning.

Maybe I can fix it.

You know something about them?

A little.

It's all yours.

I'm going to bed.

Pleasant dreams, Lucy.

Dreams aren't about the only pleasant things I

ever had in this house.

Good night, Lucy.

Good night.

If you could pull yourself away from that

detective, you may help me to bed.

Besides, it's time for my medicine.

Good night.

Good night.

And that's a promise?

Yes.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night, Gerald.

Good night.

Good night, Noel.

Nighty-night.

I know you found something

terribly important.

How do you know that?

Well, you're always, matter of fact, the most

excited.

What a wife you're going to make someday.

To tell you the truth, I found out

several things.

Helen Page did not commit suicide.

She was strangled to death.

The shot was fired after she was dead

to make it look like suicide.

This wire that I found in the shack

this afternoon was used to strangle her.

And it comes from this rig.

Now, here's something else.

Have you ever noticed this in the possession

of any of the guests here?

Not that I know of.

Why?

Helen Page evidently tore it from the murderer

while she was being strangled.

I took it out of her hand.

Then whoever owns the rest of that chain...

Yes, but it may be a worthless clue.

Oh, Lance, I wish we were both out

of it.

Oh, don't worry, honey.

...unless we all gang up on Aunt Lucy.

Promise you won't take any unnecessary chances?

I promise.

Now don't you think it's about time you

got a little shut-eye?

Come on.

Gerald, there's something I must tell you.

May I come in?

Certainly.

Oh!

Then you think Dad had positive proof against

one of his associates?

I'm sure of it, Gwen.

Then why don't you tell that to Mr.

O'Leary?

Well, I don't think I ought to do

that just yet.

I tell you what, let me think it

over until morning.

Perhaps by that time I'll know just what

to do.

I'll go to your room and try and

get some rest.

Thanks, Gerald.

I know I can depend on you.

Dad!

Dad!

Dad!

You hear a shot?

Yeah, it sounded like it came from Gerald's

room.

Hey, Gerald?

Gerald!

Gerald!

Well?

Well, what happened?

What is it?

Gerald!

He's dead.

Therese.

Annette, get me a glass of water, quick.

Everybody's dead!

I hear you calling, Mum.

Calling?

No, I haven't said a word.

Well, tell me what happened.

Who fired that shot?

Sure, I don't know.

But poor Mr. Crawley is dead.

All right, get out.

Where is O'Leary?

Why isn't he here?

I'll see if I can find him.

O'Leary!

O'Leary!

I wonder where that detective is.

Why isn't he here?

Why don't you go look in his room,

Joe?

I'll stay here.

And leave you to remove incriminating evidence?

What do you mean by that?

Well, it sounded to me as if Gerald

was trying to accuse you.

Miss Keat, you'd better go have a look

at O'Leary.

He's been knocked out.

Where is he?

In his room.

I'll say he was knocked out.

Come on, let's get him on the bed.

Take it easy.

Easy.

Oh, do sit down.

We're all upset enough without you pacing back

and forth like a caged animal.

Oh, shut up, you old magpie.

Magpie!

Will you please stop squawking?

Joe, you're speaking to my aunt.

I don't care if she's your grandfather.

I'm tired of hearing her yelp at everybody.

Listen, one more crack out of you and

I'll bend your ears back.

Oh, sit down.

That won't get us anyplace, Lyle.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

But after this, keep your mouth shut.

Well, you make her shut up.

She's driving everybody crazy.

Well, patient, how's the head?

Which one?

The one here or the one over there?

Say, how long by the line?

Just one murder too long.

Well, now, don't tell me.

Let me guess.

You killed Aunt Lucy?

Lance, stop kidding.

Gerald Foley's been murdered.

Huh?

What?

Are you serious?

Well, tell me all about it.

I don't know very much.

It all happened so unexpectedly.

I was in bed when I heard the

shot.

When I got into the living room, Killian

and Barry were forcing their way into Mr.

Foley's room.

He was lying in front of the door.

His toupee was lying on the dresser, and

I found this note on the desk.

Let me see it.

Gwen, regarding our conversation when you were in

my room tonight, the key is in my

toupee.

Gerald.

Hmm, imagine a man walking around with a

key in his hair.

Of course, it wouldn't mean that a word

or a number.

Say, the number of a house or a

safe deposit box might be written in the

lining of that toupee.

I never thought of that.

My, aren't you clever.

That's a fact that I've been trying to

impress upon you for a long time.

Now, beat it out of here.

I'm going to get dressed in the downstairs.

Well, O'Leary, what do you say?

I'd like to know what happened to Foley's

toupee.

It was right here on the dresser when

we left the room.

Frankly, I don't see how anyone could get

in without being seen.

Well, they could come in through the French

doors if they were open, or through your

bathroom.

As a matter of fact, my bathroom door

has to be locked on this side.

How do we know that?

That'll be enough out of you.

What I can't understand is why should anybody

want to take Gerald's toupee?

Perhaps you could tell us that, Killian.

And what about yourself?

You had every reason to murder Hubert Kingery

and your wife.

It's just possible that Gerald knew too much.

If your conscience is clear, why are you

so excited?

Well, O'Leary, I think I should tell

you that just before he died, Foley tried

to mention Killian's name.

Is that right?

Yes, but he was trying to tell me

something.

How do you know?

Well, I don't know.

Of course he does.

All right, all right.

Will you please step into the other room?

Miss Keith, will you come here a moment,

please?

Don't tell me that you finally decided that

I'm guilty.

You are.

You're guilty of harboring a perverse nature that's

evading happiness and deliberately trying to kill my

love.

Will you marry me?

Certainly not.

You know how I feel about fixing romance

and business.

When I finish this case, will you marry

me?

By that time, we'll be two people to

enjoy anything but a cop in the old

people's home.

That's what you think, honey.

Where did you find that?

On the desk over there.

But I'm sure that wasn't there last night

when you were in the old people's home.

Come here.

What would you say those were?

A woman's footprints?

Two women's footprints, both entering from the porch.

Possibly these are Gwen's, and these could be

Aunt Lucy's.

How do you know that?

These marks here were made by the rubber

tip on the end of a walking stick.

But Lance, she can't get out of that

chair.

I'm not so sure about that.

She was in here, and she didn't get

here in the chair.

She solved the Helen Page case.

But these footprints are connected to the Frawley

murder.

Then it must be Gwen or Aunt Lucy.

Lucy?

Why not?

She's totally dependent upon Gwen.

She evidently thought that Frawley and Gwen were

carrying on.

For all she knew, Frawley was trying to

get his hands on Gwen's money, thus leaving

Lucy out in the cold.

She saw Gwen come in here.

She didn't know what was going on, but

her imagination was working overtime.

The moment Gwen left this room, Lucy came

in and shot Frawley.

It's all possible, isn't it?

Yes, but what about Hubert Kingery and Helen

Page?

I'm going to work on that angle right

now.

How?

I guess I'll have to trick Aunt Lucy

into making a full confession.

You stay out here and keep your eye

on this door.

I want to know if anybody tries to

get in here.

Yes?

Who is it?

Mr. O'Leary.

What do you want?

I'd like to speak to you a moment,

Miss Kingery.

I'll let you in as soon as I've

fixed myself up a little.

Come in.

I'm sorry to bother you like this, Miss

Kingery, but I have a few questions that

I feel only you will answer truthfully.

Me?

Why me?

Because you're the only person in this house

who couldn't have committed these crimes.

Oh.

I'm beginning to have a little respect for

your judgment after all.

Well, what do you want to know?

If it's anything about General Crawley.

I can tell you quite a lot.

Sit down over there.

Thank you.

As a matter of fact, I did want

to ask you about him.

He hated your brother, didn't he?

Why should he?

They were lifelong business associates and they were

like two peas in a pod.

Exactly.

And both infatuated with the same woman, Helen

Page.

Ridiculous.

I don't think it's so ridiculous, Miss Kingery.

You've got this crime practically solved and this

is how I picture it.

Your brother and Crawley were lifelong partners.

Both were in love with Helen Page.

Crawley killed you.

You were in a fit of jealous anger.

People, all people.

Not long ago, Crawley became secretly engaged to

your niece, hoping to gain control of her

money to give more luxuries to Helen Page.

Before he could carry out his plan, however,

Joe Page, who was jealous of them all,

killed his wife and Crawley.

Very clever, Mr. O'Leary.

That's what I thought.

It's all so simple, I'm surprised it took

me this long to figure it out.

Sit down.

You make me nervous.

I don't know why I tell you this.

I suppose it's just because I don't want

to see you make a botch of the

whole business.

I certainly appreciate your friendly interest, Miss Kingery,

but I don't see how I could possibly

be wrong.

Oh, so the grift, Mr. Lance O'Leary,

couldn't possibly be wrong.

The taxi's Gerald Crawley and my brother never

had the slightest misunderstanding.

Is that so?

But Crawley was in love with your niece.

Utterly absurd.

Well, if that's the case, what was your

niece doing in Crawley's room last night?

Gwen wasn't in this room.

How do you explain this?

Now, what do you think of that, Miss

Kingery?

What are you going to do with it?

I'm going to show it to the rest

of them.

I'm going to paint your niece the way

she really is, and when I get through

with her, her reputation will be worth a

nickel.

You couldn't do that.

I couldn't?

I came in here hoping you'd tell me

the truth.

You haven't.

So I'm going to do something about it.

Mr. O'Leary, wait!

Mr. O'Leary, please, I beg of you,

don't say anything about that.

You seem to get about very well without

your chair, Miss Kingery.

Why did you take this out of Gerald

Crawley's room?

Who says I took it?

I killed him?

On the contrary.

But if we don't find out who did,

you, Gwen, Killian, any of us may be

next.

Now, why don't you help me clear this

thing up?

Why did you want these numbers?

Those numbers are the combination to the wall

safe in Huber's room.

Gerald knew who killed my brother and why

he was killed.

But he was afraid that any big scandal

would ruin the company.

Ruin the company, eh?

I'm beginning to see daylight.

Now, look here, Lucy.

You get back in the wheelchair.

You go out into the living room and

act as if nothing happened.

Come on, I'll help you.

There you are.

Now, I'm going to ask some questions and

you keep on making everybody believe that you're

very grouchy.

Who wouldn't be grouchy?

People being killed all over the place.

That's the way to do it.

Now, where is the safe?

Behind the picture, beside the dresser.

Thanks.

I don't need any of your help, young

man.

First you torture me to death and then

you try to be a gentleman.

Whoever thought of it.

Where are the maid and chauffeur?

Here I am, sir.

Did you tell Brucker he was wandering?

No, ma'am.

I ain't seen him for over an hour.

He got mad at me because I was

telling him how cute I thought he was.

That's enough of it.

Yes, ma'am.

Mr. O'Leary.

Look at that dog.

Come on.

Get up.

Well, thanks for the crack on the head

last night.

Out of my face.

Look out.

Where?

What have you to say for yourself, Bruka?

Answer me.

What were you doing in here?

I was trying to rob the safe.

Bruka.

No, I want the truth.

What did you want in that safe?

All right.

I'll find out for myself.

No, please don't.

I'll tell you about it, Mr. O'Leary,

but send the others out of here, won't

you?

Please.

All right, Bruka.

That's a bargain.

I'm sorry, folks.

I'll have to ask all of you to

leave except Miss Keith.

What's the idea, Paige?

You'll pardon me doing this, O'Leary, but

I happen to be one of Frawley's executors.

Oh, I see.

All right, Bruka.

What's your story?

That's all right.

You can talk in front of Miss Keith.

Nurses hear a lot of things they shouldn't.

Well, about your gun.

I took it because I didn't want to

be unarmed in a house where I was

snowed in with a murderer.

I suppose you thought I wanted to.

No, sir.

I just didn't think about anybody but myself.

I say, go on.

Well, six years ago, I was a clerk

in Mr. Kingery's office.

I took some money, gambled it away, and

then I got caught.

He could have sent me up, but he

was too square to do that.

He figured out a way to straighten me

out without sending me up for what I'd

done.

What did Mr. Kingery do?

He made me sign a confession, and he

took me out of the office.

That's how you came to be the paramedic

chauffeur?

Yes, ma'am.

He said he'd keep that confession in his

safe, just to be sure that I didn't

go crooked again.

When he was killed, Mr. Frawley handled the

estate.

He was the only other person who knew

about that confession.

He promised to give it back to me

this Christmas.

Just sort of lost my head when I

saw it.

He'd been killed.

If you knew the combination to that safe,

why didn't you try to get at it

sooner?

I didn't know it until today.

I heard you and Miss Lucy talking about

it in her room.

All right.

I believe you.

And in spite of Mr. Page, I'm going

to open that safe and give the confession

back to you.

Oh, thank you, sir.

That's mighty fine of you.

Go through the French doors there and wait

in the kitchen until I call for you.

Yes, sir.

Watch the door, Sarah.

A very clever arrangement.

You see this wire on the end of

the bolt here?

Yes.

The other end of the wire is attached

to the trigger on that top pistol.

Well?

When the bolt is drawn, whoever's standing here

gets it.

Lance, do you think that's the way Frawley

got killed?

No doubt about it.

Kingery the same way.

Did you really believe Brooker's story?

Sounded all right.

I wouldn't say I believed it completely.

He's a pretty good actor.

You know, I might get some information from

that safe.

Now, look, dear.

You go into Aunt Lucy's room and bring

me back that toupee.

And while you're doing that, I'm going to

ask Aunt Lucy about those pistols.

Thank you.

You mean if there were any shells, Brooker

would know about it?

Yes.

I'm sure he would.

That's all I wanted to know.

Thank you very much.

Lance, I didn't bring the toupee because everybody

was sitting around out there, so I wrote

the numbers down.

Oh, good.

Sarah, are you sure you copied these numbers

right?

I hope so.

Well, I'll try it again.

Lance.

Come here.

Look.

All set for another customer.

Obviously, someone knows where the shells are.

Well, we'll just leave it the way it

was.

Close that safe, will you, dear?

Will all you people step in here for

a moment, please?

Probably another one of O'Leary's half-baked

ideas.

Well, did Brooker confess?

No.

But I got some very valuable information from

him.

I believe the one who killed Euba Kingery

also killed Helen Page and Gerald Crawley.

And that person is in this room right

now.

Before I tell you who it is, I'd

like to find out one thing which has

me puzzled.

It'll only take a moment.

Would you mind closing the door, Mr. Barry?

Not at all.

I meant to be the bolter.

What?

Never mind, I'll bolt it myself.

How did you know that gun was loaded,

Barry?

Why, I didn't.

I...

Why did you jump?

Well, I was startled.

Cut it out.

You know very well that gun was loaded.

That's why I'm arresting you for the murder.

Everybody, stand back.

Don't anyone move.

Mr. Barry, now take it easy.

Mr. Barry, what's the matter?

Mr. Barry, don't.

Can't we get out through there?

Yes, you can go through my room.

Let us stay back.

There's likely to be some fireworks.

Get him.

I never liked him anyhow.

Let's get him in the car and take

him down to Nettleton.

You'd better come along too, Newell.

Oh, no, I've got some work to do

right here.

They've got a bar down there.

Well, maybe I can be of little help.

Wait, boys.

Not too much trouble.

Would the great old Leary tell one of

his many admirers how he solved the mystery

of Huntington's End?

Elementary, my dear Miss Keith.

Purely elementary.

I found this in the safe.

It's signed by Kingery and accuses Barry of

forging his name to some very valuable securities.

What about Fraulein Helen Page?

Barry spent the money on Mrs. Page.

She found out about the forgery from Fraulein.

To protect himself, Barry had to do away

with the both of them.

He even planted his broken watch chain in

Fawley's room so that we would suspect Fawley

of Mrs. Page's murder.

My, but you are clever, aren't you?

Think so?

Watch this.

Miss Keith.

Miss Keith.

It's time for my medicine.

Now that you can walk again, a walk

would give you a lot of exercise.

Now, Miss Keith, it's time for my medicine.

THE END