Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones, a QM production, starring Buddy Ebsen, also starring

Lee Merriweather, Mark Shera, with guest stars

Anjanette Comer, Robert Hogan,

Eleanor Donahue, James O'Sullivan,

Warren Stevens.

Tonight's episode, The Silent Accuser.

We're at school now.

We're going to your class.

Will you listen to me and wipe that saintly look off your face? Roy, we're

already late for Jimmy's class.

Oh, that's right. Jimmy first.

Well, for one time, he's going to listen to me first. Please, not in front of

the child.

What's the difference?

He doesn't know what's going on anyway. I mean, he doesn't even know who I am.

I am not going to live this way much longer, Judy.

You won't have to, Roy.

I have an appointment with a lawyer this afternoon. I'm filing for divorce.

What?

I didn't want to have to tell you like this.

What are you trying to do, ruin me?

You told me I had to make a choice.

Well, I've made it.

Judy!

I'm sorry we're late.

Excuse me.

One

of

your John's investigations may help you.

Betty? This is Judy.

You know that lunch we've been talking about?

Think we could make it today?

Something wrong, Judy?

I told Roy I was leaving him.

Divorce?

He's so furious, it frightens me.

All right, honey.

When will you be free?

As soon as you can get away. I don't think I'll be much good around here

All right, I'll hurry.

Bye.

Was that Judy Corbin?

Mm -hmm.

She needs a friendly shoulder.

Did I hear the word divorce?

I'm afraid so.

You know, I have watched.

That marriage disintegrates since Jimmy was born.

There is something wrong with the little boy, isn't there?

He's autistic.

They didn't discover it for several years.

I've read a little about autism. It's a real puzzle, isn't it?

Really? The children live in a world all their own. But that doesn't mean that

they're retarded.

On the contrary, there's a little boy at the school where Judy volunteers.

He can tell you every major zip code, and yet he can't tell you when he's

hungry. Must be murder on the parents.

Is one okay?

It's a three -hour lunch, babe.

That's a one -hour lunch, J .R.

Two hours for talking.

See, we're brushing your hair. Now, you can do that.

Now, hold it with the handle.

Feel good.

Honey,

it's nothing. It's only a ball.

Let's brush your hair, and then it can be your turn. You hold the brush.

Come on, you hold the brush, and then it can be your turn. Now, go sit down.

Judy?

Listen, I want to talk to you.

We have nothing more to say to each other, Frank.

You don't mean that.

Judy, you can't mean that. Not now.

Don't you see I've got a problem?

Well, looks like our little runner's getting ready to perform again. Maybe

better handle it.

And if you catch her, Dr. Mason, what will you do? Twist her arm?

You know, Mrs. Corbett, quite frankly, I wouldn't mind twisting yours a little.

Frank.

It's your turn to brush my hair.

Oh.

You startled me.

Oh, no.

Now, wait a minute.

Have you lost your mind?

I didn't do it to hurt you.

No.

Oh, no, please. Put that away.

No.

Brush hair so well.

Feels good, doesn't it?

Feels good. Thank you.

Hi. You look lost. Can I help you? I am.

My name's Betty Jones. My name's Gray. Hi, Grace. I'm looking for Judy Core,

she told me to meet her here. She took off after one of our runners.

Runners? It's a thing with some of them. Once they get started, they'll run

until they drop.

Too bad we don't have a cross -country team.

Do any of them ever run away?

They would if they could, but there's no getting out.

Last time I saw them, they went out towards the creek.

Good luck.

Thanks.

That is so good.

Hope this lunch is going to be worth all this.

Judy, where are you?

Lieutenant, if I could be of any help, I'm sure we'd all like to see this

cleared up as soon as possible. I'll need to talk to the entire staff.

I hope there's not going to be a lot of publicity.

There's so much confusion about autistics already.

People are so easily frightened by what they don't understand.

Yes. Yes, of course. But I just want to make sure that I know everybody who

talked to Mrs. Corbett this morning.

There's Grace Carpenter, Dr. Mason, Frank Harper.

I'm Frank Harper.

I was Judy's supervisor.

Is that Dr. Harper?

No, not yet. I'm doing my dissertation on autistic children.

Mm -hmm.

Mrs. Harper, she works here, too?

Yes, as a volunteer.

This is Vivian.

How do you do?

If I can help in any way, anything you need.

I guess the most important thing I need right now, Mrs. Harper, is the murder

weapon. See, we know Mrs. Corbett was stabbed, but we don't know with what.

Maybe if I talk to the little girl who found the body. I don't think she can

help you, Lieutenant.

I'd like to ask her a couple of questions.

Okay.

Hello, darling.

Darling,

my name is John.

I'm a police detective, and I really need your help.

Now, see, darling, we want to try to find out what...

What happened to your friend Judy?

Darlene?

I see what you mean.

These children don't see the world the way we do, Lieutenant.

Even if she could tell us about the killing, she probably wouldn't.

She might not even know it was a killing.

Betty, have Mrs.

Corbett's relatives been notified?

I tried to reach her husband, but he wasn't in his office and he wasn't home.

Perhaps, would it be all right if I could take Jimmy home and I could tell

then? That's very thoughtful of you. Thank you.

I'll keep in touch, Betty.

All right.

I'll take Jimmy home now.

Oh, please, when you see Mr.

Corbett, would you tell him that I could take care of Jimmy if he wants me to?

Until he finds the right kind of help.

I'm sure he'd be most grateful.

Okay, Jimmy, come on.

Cedar, we're going home. Let's go find Daddy, huh?

Jimmy, it's all right, Cedar. It's all right. Come on.

Honey, it's all right. You can go home with that buddy.

We'll find Daddy.

I loved her, Betty.

No one will ever know how much.

Roy, she told me that she was divorcing you.

Oh, yeah.

I had a lot of those threats.

Because of Jimmy.

I wanted to institutionalize him and she wouldn't hear of it.

You know, whatever problems we had,

We always resolved them.

Roy, the police know about it, too.

The fact that Judy wanted a divorce and you were angry about it.

Wait a minute. That only happened this morning. How could the police know about

it?

I told them.

You what?

Roy, they're investigating a murder. They have to know everything she did and

said. Oh, thanks a lot.

Roy, it's just a routine investigation.

And I'm just a routine suspect, I suppose.

Roy, the police don't know you.

All you have to do is tell them where you were.

An alibi for the time of death. Oh, that's great. My own wife.

I wish you wouldn't try to make this sound so melodramatic.

Who's trying?

Betty, do you know where I went after I left the school this morning? For a

drive to cool down. A long, long drive that ended 15 minutes ago right out

in my own driveway.

Betty, I am a lawyer.

I know that all the police have to do is decide that I was angry enough this

morning to be violent.

And it'll be all over the front pages at the very least.

I'm sorry, Roy. I couldn't lie to them.

Oh, listen. I understand.

I mean, this is as hard for you as it is for me.

And you've got better things to do than listen to me rant and rave.

Oh, Grace Carpenter said she'd be happy to watch Jimmy for you until you can get

some help. Oh, I appreciate that. I'll call as soon as you're done.

Roy, please call me if there's anything I can do to help.

Sure, sure.

Gene McClure, Interior.

Gene, I've got to see you right away.

Well, of course, darling.

I'll be home in 30 minutes.

And now with Judy gone, I guess there's nothing to keep Roy from putting Jimmy

in an institution.

He could get into an argument on either side of that fence.

You know, I think it's really weird not being able to tune in on the same

wavelength as these kids.

I know, you're right.

If we could, Darlene might even be able to tell us who...

Kill Judy.

Lieutenant Biddle didn't have any luck with her.

No, Dr. Radburn really discouraged him. He didn't question her really at all.

Still, I think somebody ought to at least try, don't you?

You're right, J .R.

Oh,

you are absolutely right.

I wish I could be more encouraging, Mrs. Jones.

Oh, there are those moments when we feel we've made real contact.

It's always on their terms.

And Darlene is so young.

Oh, I do appreciate you giving me the opportunity, Doctor.

I've watched Judy with her son. I don't know, it may help.

Well, there's almost as many techniques as there are children.

The trouble is, we don't even know that she saw anything.

I know. I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't at least try to find out what

happened. Ah, of course.

I know how much Judy meant to you, I understand.

Well, here goes.

Darlene, you remember when you were down by the creek?

Judy was... Judy was there and you were brushing her

hair.

Did you see something there?

Look there, darling.

Did you see who it was?

Just keep trying. Keep after her. But remember, she makes the rules.

Dr. Radburn.

It's called delayed parody, Mrs. Jones.

They act out things they've seen without understanding what it is they're doing.

Things they've seen?

There's no question about it.

Darlene saw the murder, such as she is. She's a witness.

Judy Corbett and Grace Carpenter worked together with Darlene's class.

Oh, look.

Look at you.

That's very good. Good? That is terrific.

Jimmy, you're a real roller skater.

Clara. You helped him very much.

I helped him. You did.

Mrs. Carpenter knows just about everything there is to know about the

I'm leaving you in excellent hands.

Thank you, Doctor.

Grace, I can't believe the progress Jimmy's made.

Oh, I only wish his father could see him.

Betty, an education can't cure autism.

But it can help them find a way around it.

I'm only afraid that...

Roy believes Jimmy's beyond hope.

He should have seen Clara when she was his age. At home, her idea of a good

was taking a dive through our picture window.

You're... Grace, Clara's... Oh, yes, she's my daughter.

Yeah. Oh, that's fantastic.

I think so.

Now, look, I don't want you to expect a whole lot of love from these kids.

This doesn't sound good, but they're a whole lot like cats.

They like you.

If they feel like it.

When they feel like it.

They can also scratch like cats, too.

Mr. Harper, but call me Frank.

All right, Frank. I'm Betty. Hello, Betty.

Well, I guess now's as good a time as any to get my feet wet.

Hello.

May I play with you?

Oh, that's like a little clown, isn't it?

Very nice.

Doing good.

All right.

Don't bite on Betty. I'm sorry.

That's all right. I can't see. I wasn't warned.

You're going to need some first aid.

Come on.

The trouble is, there's never any warning. It's usually a strike when you

expect it.

Mr. Harper.

Frank, remember?

Frank.

How violent do these children become?

You bet.

They love to hit, kick.

It's better to pitch.

Could they ever kill?

You mean Judy?

No.

Look, they can be destructive, but it's all directed inward towards themselves.

Otherwise, we can never let them get together the way we do day after day.

I guess I should have thought of that.

There, now you watch yourself.

We wouldn't want to see a bruise on such a pretty face.

I'll have to take more care.

I see that you are.

Oh, hi, Viv.

Remember Betty Jones, don't you?

Yes, we met.

First day on the job, she's wounded already.

I understand you're taking Judy's place.

I'm trying.

I better get back to it. Thanks a lot.

So long.

You all right, Frank?

She does have a pretty face.

Oh, yeah, I suppose.

Do you think she really will take Judy's place?

Oh, until Dr. Radburn can...

Um, honey, you're not going to start that

again, are you?

Well, the way you were looking at her, holding her hand.

Honey, I was bandaging her hand. That's all.

You know good volunteers are hard to find.

You've got to be nice to them.

I mean, you wouldn't want me to treat them badly, would you? Scare them away?

I can't not.

Oh, honey, come on. You're my girl. Everyone knows that.

Five minutes with me and there isn't a doubt in anyone's mind.

You talk about me? Of course. Just before you came in, I was telling Betty

my beautiful wife.

Really? About how lucky I was then.

All right, darling.

I'm going to brush our hair like we did yesterday.

Remember?

Judy was brushing your hair and... Darling, honey. No, no, no biting.

Judy was brushing your hair.

Do you remember?

Would anybody in here like a cookie?

Would anybody in here like a cookie?

Oh, darling, that's fantastic. Isn't that fantastic?

Oh, that's called parrot talk.

Oh, parrot talk?

They call it echo something.

Echolalia, I think. Recall of voices, mimicry, that sort of thing. The doctor

says Darlene's exceptional at it. One intermediate.

Of course, she hasn't got the slightest idea what she's talking about.

I'll just leave her a little cookie here for later.

Thanks. I didn't do it to hurt you.

I didn't do it to hurt you.

My goodness, she's a regular little chatterbox today, isn't she?

That was Judy's voice, wasn't it? It was, wasn't it, honey? I didn't do it to

hurt you.

What else did she say? Did she say anything else? Please.

Who are you?

What do you mean, bursting in here, interrupting my work?

Your work?

What have you done to him?

I slapped him.

You what?

You did that?

No, no, he did it.

I had to slap him to stop him from mutilating himself.

You're not serious.

It's part of a technique called aversive therapy.

The boy was using his head as a battering ram against the wall. He could

killed himself.

My technique is not very popular with the bleeding heart set.

But it works.

Sometimes it's the only thing that does.

Oh, yes. Aversive therapy. You must be Dr. Robert Mason.

A very good guest.

I've heard Judy Corbett talk about you.

Oh? Well, then you must know that I'm evil, sadistic, cruel, dangerous,

mad scientist.

I know she disapproved of your techniques.

Disapproved? Her arguments against me at the annual conference almost put an end

to my work.

Do -gooders like her sometimes get in the way.

Do -gooders like Judy work terribly hard. Then they're working for the same

things you are, Doctor.

You're another authority?

No, I'm just a temporary replacement for Judy.

She was my closest friend.

I'm sorry about what happened to her.

But that doesn't alter the fact that I resented her.

Are there others here at the school who feel as you do?

I really wouldn't know.

You'll have to ask her intimates.

Ask Frank Harper.

I understand he was as close to her as anybody.

All right, you're in. Breathe deep. Breathe deep.

If you don't mind, I'd like you to leave.

And please don't come back without an invitation.

Just come right out with it, Dr. Mason.

Don't be shy. If you don't want me here, just say so.

Do you think that Frank Harper was romantically involved with you, Eve?

Oh, I'm sure that's what Dr. Mason was implying, but I don't know. It just

doesn't sound like Judy.

Maybe I should do some background work on Harper.

Would you, honey, please? And while you're at it, check up on Dr. Mason.

He's not all that choked up about Judy not being around to bother him anymore.

All right. I'll mose around the university.

Thanks.

Did you know that Roy Corbett is interested in politics?

No. You mean running for office?

After you told us about his reaction, there has to be questions.

The nominating committee from his party is about ready to endorse him for state

senator. Oh, no wonder he was so upset about getting his name in the paper.

Any adverse publicity right now would hurt his chances.

So did divorce.

What do you think?

Well, most voters are turned off by a divorce, especially those with a female

persuasion.

Granted, but it would be much worse to be suspected of murder.

But if nobody knew about the threat of the divorce, then there wouldn't be any

obvious motive.

And he could run for office as a bereaved widower.

Think of the votes that would get him.

Oh, I don't know.

All right, Roy's not terrific, but I just can't picture him murdering Judy.

Just a thought.

Well, let's hope it stays just a thought.

And it will.

If I could just get Darlene to tell me the truth.

You know, it is really incredible. Without realizing it, she is starting to

me about the murder.

Just starting.

Anybody else know this?

No, not even Dr. Radburn.

Good.

She'd keep it that way.

Well, Jedediah, the picnic's over.

Time for you and me to get on it.

Daddy, have you seen Darlene?

I was just looking for her myself.

Somebody's left an outside door open.

I want an immediate head count of all the children right now.

Dr. Edwin, we can't find Darlene.

Grace, alert the faculty. See if anybody else is missing.

Let's look around outside.

Excuse me, sir.

Did you see a little girl up ahead? She could have been running. Could have been

running? Are you kidding? She ran like a scared rabbit. If that's your kid, I

want to... Which way did she go?

She ran right in front of me. She went up the hill like a bat out of hell.

you. Hey, what about my car?

Okay. Take it easy.

Hey, look at this.

Let an expert handle it, will you? I got five at home, you know.

Hey there, little lady.

You're quite a ways from home, aren't you?

What's your name, honey?

Can't you tell me your name?

You know, you ought to be in school.

What happened?

Teacher get mad at you?

You talking to me?

Stop!

Stop! There she is!

Oh, this is terrible.

At least she's all right.

Well, now what do we do?

Well, we'll go down to the police headquarters and pick her up.

Besides, Lieutenant Biddle should know about this.

Walter, you know more about this sort of thing than I do. Should we call her

parents or what?

Frankly, Lieutenant, I'd rather you wouldn't.

She's my responsibility, and if it's all right, I'd like to take her back to

school.

John, there's something you should know.

I believe Darlene was let out of school on purpose.

I found out that she was a witness to the murder.

She told you that?

Without knowing it, yes.

And I think the killer was someone Judy knew.

Somebody at the school?

It's possible.

Then I think he needs some protection out there.

Fred, have a man drive Dr.

Radburn and the little girl back out to the school and have them stand by out

there in case they need him.

I want to thank you very much for your consideration, Lieutenant.

You just take good care of our little friend here.

You'll keep working with her, right?

As soon as I get back to the school, there's someone I have to see first.

Is this anything I should know about?

If it is, I'll tell you.

Yeah, well, as long as I'm the third or fourth person to know.

That poor child.

She could have been hurt.

Maybe even killed.

Frank, don't say that.

Maybe somebody wanted it that way.

Are you saying somebody could have left that door open on purpose?

What do you think?

Roy, I'm sorry to bother you at a time like this, but there are some questions

that just need answering.

Look, I know you're trying to help, Betty, but there's nothing I can tell

said the same thing to Lieutenant Biddle.

I guess I'm going to have to come right to the point.

Roy, is it possible that Judy could have been involved with another man?

Nothing stayed the secret of that school very long, got it?

That's true.

Do you have any idea what our life was like?

Really like?

I know. I know it wasn't easy with Jimmy.

That kid.

Judy and my life together started to end when his began.

Betty, I wanted the child. And I got a son.

I was delirious.

I thought about all the things we could do together, all the things I could

teach him.

My son.

I'm still waiting for him to say daddy.

No, that's not true. I gave up on that years ago. Not Judy.

I guess it's different with mothers.

Judy gave him her life.

Both our lives, in a sense. Jimmy became the hub of the wheel, and I became one

of the spokes out there somewhere. I couldn't cope with that.

I guess she found somebody at school who could, somebody who was already part of

her world.

Frank Harper?

Frank Harper.

A couple of days ago, she told him that it was over.

I guess he didn't want it to end.

I told her to end it and to put Jimmy in an institution. He wouldn't know the

difference anyway.

He might now.

I saw Jimmy on roller skate today.

Boy, he's making progress.

Progress?

He still doesn't know who the hell I am.

I don't believe you know who he is, either.

When was it last when you took time to look at him? I mean, really look at your

son. Oh, no. Now, don't you start, huh?

Judy's gone.

He's going to need you more than ever now.

I don't want to hear any more about it, okay?

I'm sorry.

Oh, darling, I got off a little early and I was going to... Oh, I'm sorry.

Jean Clure, Betty Jones.

Hello. I was, uh... I was just leaving.

Uh, Betty, Judy had her life. I had to find one of my own.

Wouldn't you?

Frank, I just don't like this place anymore.

Well, now, honey, I can understand that.

Hey, it's tough being around these kids all day.

But, you know, it's different for me. It's my work.

You know, it's a challenge, and I'm really into it.

But that doesn't mean that you have to be.

After all, how many guys take their wives to the office, huh?

How many wives have handsome husbands? that are so attractive to other women.

That's because you're crazy, isn't it?

I was really talking about today.

Right now, what's happening here?

Oh, Frank, can't we just take off early, go home, get comfortable, have a nice

dinner, just the two of us?

Frank?

Oh, it's her.

I wonder why she's talking to the cop.

And what is that policeman still hanging around here anyway?

What's going on, Frank?

Dr. Redburn?

Oh. I hurried back as soon as I could. How's darling?

She's fine. Just fine.

Dr. Mason took over.

Dr. Mason?

She's in good hands.

Well, your manners don't improve much with time, do they?

I'm sorry. I was looking for Darlene.

And you naturally assumed I was applying the thumb screws.

Sorry. Not even a cattle prod.

I guess I deserve that.

I told you.

Perversive therapy works sometimes, not all the time.

It's just so difficult for me to understand.

Try to understand this.

Autism is a deep mystery.

Any method that succeeds in penetrating these locked up minds is, it seems to

me, justified.

Seems as though you've done a little penetrating of your own.

Is it too soon to take her back to her regular routine?

No, I think she'll be all right now.

She just needed a little quieting down.

Thank you.

Oh, next time.

Next time, at least. Knock.

I hate to put you through this.

It's the only way I know.

Darlene.

Darlene.

Do you remember?

Yesterday, Judy was brushing your hair.

And then you ran away to the creek.

And she followed you, looking for you.

And then... Judy was hurt.

And you were, you were kneeling down beside her.

You were brushing her hair.

Over and over.

You were brushing her hair.

didn't do it to hurt you no please put that away don't hurt me don't

mrs betty jones telephone line one mrs betty jones

who hurt her who hurt judy darling please mrs betty jones

telephone mrs betty jones please

Jedediah and I have uncovered something I think you ought to know about.

Well, I could use some help right now.

Your Dr. Mason is a controversial character, but there's nothing to

that he's not an honest man.

Well, that's a relief.

I was just beginning to like him. A lot of people don't, including your friend

Judy. What about Frank Harper?

Well, Betty, I've been to the university, and he's very well known

excellent student and a notorious ladies' man, which is not too cool when

wife is putting you through school.

Yes, that could wind up where the, uh...

Husband gets the degree and the wife gets the divorce.

Did you narrow down the field of suspects?

Oh, that's what's so frustrating. So far, it could be anyone, even Roy.

Betty, this sounds like it's getting too close for someone's comfort.

We're coming over there right now.

All right, darling.

You have to tell me.

Come on, sweetheart. We're going for a little walk.

Look at him, can and concentrate. Very good, Angie. Very good.

Oh, he's right.

Can you show me?

Let's try this again.

Can I borrow a pencil, please?

No, darling, you're coming with me.

Come on, sweetheart.

Yes.

All right.

I want you to stand up here.

Just watch me, all right?

No, no, no.

I want you to watch me.

Please.

No, no.

Just listen.

It's very important, Darlene.

Just listen to me.

I'm Judy, and I'm looking for you.

Darlene!

He's my husband.

He's my husband.

Why couldn't you understand that?

Vivian Harper.

All right, honey.

All right.

Come on, we have things to do.

Why did you come here?

Why did you have to interfere?

Please.

Please wait.

Vivian, wait.

You see, Judy was different from the others.

The others came and they went.

But Judy was taking Frank away from me.

You don't want to do this.

Please let me help you, Vivian.

This time I knew he was going to leave me.

Forever.

Don't you understand?

I had to do it for him. For him!

For him!

Betty, you all right?

Vivian!

What's going on?

Oh, no, dear.

What am I doing?

You got a lot closer than you thought, huh?

Looks like he's doing great.

Sure is. Excuse me.

Baby, the barnaby just filled me in.

Boy, I can't tell you how pleased I am that you're here.

I don't know.

A friend of mine suggested I come and take a look at my son.

Well? He has made progress.

It would be wrong to take him away from the school now.

The least I can do is give him a chance.

I know that would have made Judy very happy.

I've been thinking how proud she would have been of you and for what you've

done. Thank you.

Now, this is the little lady that did it all.

Darling.

Sweetheart, I want to say something to you. Something very important.

Thank you, sweetheart.

You were terrific.

You were terrific.

Oh, honey.

Terrific, terrific, terrific, terrific.

Parrot's argument, isn't it?

Yeah. I guess maybe it was.

Then again, maybe it wasn't.

Then again, maybe it wasn't.