All language subtitles for S03E12 - A Gallows for Sam Horn

That's it.
Straight ahead.
Dancer's Pass.

Get!

Giddap!

I make it
five after 12:00.

All right, Tatum.
Go ahead.

[ Gunshot ]

Sam! These men are unarmed!

Now put that thing away!

It's all right.
If he had been aiming for you,
you'd know it.

- I thought you were
a friend of mine, Emmett.
- I hope I am.

- Then what are you doin'
here with them?
- What I'm paid for, Sam.

I've got something
I have to read to you.
Now listen--

Don't bother. I got one
just like it tacked on
my front gate.

All right, then don't listen.
The law still says
I gotta read it.

"Final notice
to quit premises.

"To all tenants and landholders
of the area known
as Dancer's Pass,

"whereas title
to said land has been...

"granted to the Denver
and Great Western Railroad...

"by act of the territorial
legislature,

and whereas full and just
payment has been made"--

We didn't take their money.
None of us did.
We sent it back.

What you do with your money
is your business.

"You are ordered and required
to vacate said property...

as of 12:00 noon
on the 15th day"-- Listen to me!

Judge Garth said
that thing won't hold water!

He's gone to get some kind
of legal paper!

Mr. Ryker, this man
is trespassing
on railroad property.

We'd like to get on
with our business.

I'm asking you to wait
until Judge Garth gets here.

I'm sorry, Sam.
It's past noon.

Finish up, Tatum.

All right. Come on!

Sam-- Sam!
You're just making it
tough on both of us.

Go ahead.

I'm just hired to survey.
It's not my railroad.

Sam!

[ Grunts ]

That was a mistake.

No, Sam!
Take it easy.

Hello, Judge.Emmett.

Thought I told you to wait.Trouble is
they wouldn't wait.

Are you all right?[ Groans ]

[ Sam ]
I guess so.

You in charge of this party?

So I'm told.

My name is Garth.
I represent the ranchers
in this valley.

I have a writ here from
the district court in Laramie...

enjoining you from trespassing
on this or any other property
in Dancer's Pass.

Here's the writ
and my authority to serve it.

That would have to be
served on an officer
of the company.

I'm just an employee.

Oh. I wanted you to know
that the notice to quit
the premises was vacated.

Good. I'd be happy
to serve that writ for you.

No. I'll do it.
I understand Colonel Briscoe
is in town.

Came in this morning.
Private car and all.

Better turn
your wagon around.

Your trip's been canceled.

Don't let it go to your head.

Believe me, no piece of paper's
gonna stop my father.

Giddap. Giddap.

His father?That's Scott Briscoe--

Colonel Briscoe's son.

So, with the deputy
standing there,
the law on your side,

you hauled off
and clubbed a man with
a pair of wire clippers?

I'll say one thing
for you, boy.
You're consistent.

I did what I thought
you'd want me to do.
He was coming for me.

Listen. A lot of blood
and sweat went into
this-- mostly mine.

And I'm not going
to let anybody or
anything jeopardize it,

especially before
we even get a foot
of track laid!

I was hoping with the sheriff
backing you up, you might be
able to manage.

Maybe you should have sent
Marshman out. He always seems
able to handle your odd jobs.

John,

he's always trying
so hard to please you.

This is no place
for you, Judith.

You should have
stayed in Denver.

[ Door Closes ]

There it is.
Do you want me
to come in with you?

No, that's all right.Then I'll take Sam over
to get patched up.

We're holding a meeting
of the ranchers at Shiloh
tomorrow morning.

I'll be there.Good.

[ Knocking ]

How do you do?
I'm Judge Garth.

I wonder if I might
see Colonel Briscoe.

Come in, Judge Garth.
I'm, uh, Mrs. Briscoe.

Uh, you probably
don't remember,

but we met once
a very long time ago.

I was Judith Scott,
Senator Scott's daughter.

I hadn't forgotten.
I was just about to
recall myself to you.

Well, I suspect you're
being tactful, but thank you.

No, no. It was the, uh,
spring of--
Let me see, uh--

- '60.
- Mm-hmm.

I'd come to Denver
to deliver some legal papers
to your father.

There was a party.
You were kind enough
to invite me.

You wore a green dress.

Well, my goodness!

I also remember I was
unable to get as much
as a single dance with you.

Couldn't fight my way through
that wall of admirers.

Oh, dear me.

You know, that was
my 18th birthday.

I remember that evening
so well. I--

The first dance was just
Papa and me.

Around and around,
and everybody else
standing and watching.

And Papa was so proud
and so dignified.

Ah!
Those were lovely--

Um, John, this is Judge Garth.

Oh, Judge Garth.
It's a great pleasure
to meet you, sir.

I've heard very many
fine things about you.Colonel Briscoe.

Um-- Oh, I see
you've met my wife.

Oh, we're old friends.Oh.

Um, perhaps you could find
something to occupy yourself
while the judge and I talk.

Oh, yes.
Yes, of course.

Thank you, Judge Garth.
It was nice
recalling old times.

Hope we meet again,
Mrs. Briscoe.

Thank you.

[ Door Closes ]

I gather you knew Judith
before we were married?

I'm sure she was pleased
you remembered her.

Well, anybody
who knew Judith Scott
in those days...

wouldn't be likely
to forget her.

Yes. Yes, she was
something, wasn't she?

Had every bachelor in Denver
baying the moon.

Then I came along.Oh.

I, uh-- I'm afraid
this isn't exactly
a social call, Colonel.

I have here a writ.

Judge,
I am disappointed in you.
I really am.

I thought you were
a progressive kind of man.

There's copper up around
Bright Knife--
a mountain of it.

Now, that means people,
industry and prosperity.

But before any of that
can happen,
there has to be a railroad.

Through here.
Through Dancer's Pass.

Now, do you really think
all that is going to stop...

because some rancher
wants to graze his beef
on a right-of-way?

I'm not against
progress, Colonel.
Far from it.

What are you against?

The way you got that land,
for one thing.

That land was legally
granted to us by an act
of the territorial legislature.

Yeah. I know.

Your people rushed
the act through on
the last day of the session.

- Everybody wanted to go home.
- Care to make that plainer?

There's a joker
in that bill, Colonel.

I think I can remember
the language.

"Payment shall be made
in accordance with the last
government appraisal."

Well, that sounds clear to me.

You know as well as I do
that the last appraisal
was over 10 years ago.

Before the land was improved.
It's worth more than 10 times
what you want to pay for it now.

That's your opinion, Judge.

Do you think my stockholders
would let me pay a cent more
than the law requires?

Maybe the law can be changed.

Maybe-- if you have
the time and money.

These things can go on
for years.

By the time you have your first
hearing, we'll have a railroad
through to Bright Knife.

Not while this thing holds good.

The railroad
is not without friends.

I can have that set aside and be
laying track within a week.

Well, I don't see
any further point to this.

Oh, sorry, Colonel.

I didn't know
you had company.

Say hello to Judge Garth.
This is Jack Marshman,
head of our security division.

Oh, yes. I've heard
of Mr. Marshman.

Don't believe everything
you hear, Judge.

Just a beat-up ex-policeman
trying to keep things peaceful.

And, by the way, Colonel,
I hear there was some shooting
at the fence line today.

Told you I should have
gone out there.

It was nothing more
than a single shot--
just a warning.

No intention
to harm anybody.

Well, I hope that's
the end of it.

So do I.
Good afternoon,
gentlemen.

[ Door Closes ]

The work crews
are beginning to drift in.Well, good.

We can get started on the
preliminary grading and filling,
even laying tracks.

By the time we reach
that fence line,

the ranchers and the lawyers
will have exhausted themselves
in court...

and they'll be glad
to clear out.

I ran into something else
I thought you might be
interested in.

It's, uh, another kind
of trouble.What?

Peg Dineen.
You remember?

Well, she's here.
Right here in Medicine Bow.

How are you, Peg?Emmett.

What have you done
to your head, Sam?

Oh, he's been
beating his head
against a stone wall--

as usual.
[ Chuckles ]

Well, that sounds
like you.

How are you?

Fine. You?

Never better.

Don't see much of you
lately.

Well, I've been kinda busy
out at my place.

Well, here you are.
Have a seat. I'll be
with you in a minute.

That's a fine girl--
Peg.

Yes. Yes, she is.Mm-hmm.

Peg!

You're the best thing
I've seen in Wyoming!

I thought you were
in Europe or something.

I just got back.
I'm working for my father now.

- Best of luck to you both.
Excuse me.
- Hey, wait a minute!

- What do you want?
- I want to talk to you,
for one thing.

We have nothing
to say to each other.That's no way to be.

- I mean it.
- Now, listen, Peg.
I know how you must feel--

You heard the lady!

I seem to keep
running into you.Yeah. Maybe once too often.

I'm getting awful
sick of you! [ Peg ] Please!

All right, all right.
Let's break it up.

Sam, you take it easy.
Maybe it'd be a good idea
if you just came back later?

- This is a public place,
isn't it?
- All right, now look.

I'm just trying to save you
some trouble, young fella.

Please, Scott.
This isn't doing any good.

Whatever you say.

[ Sighs ]

Peg--Not now, Sam.
Don't ask me anything now.

Thanks a lot,
Mrs. Crandall.

Peg Dineen.
You haven't changed.

Neither have you.
I've got to hand it to you.

Two long years, and you come
in here with a bit of blarney
and expect me to--

To what, Scott?

Am I supposed
to just stand here
holding my hat?

Peg,

I want you to know I tried
to write to you.

The letters kept coming back.

I suppose they did.

My father and I went
to Texas right after.

How is he?

He's dead.

I'm sorry.
I didn't know.

I'm sorry about
a lot of things, Peg.

Do you want to know
why we left Denver, Scott--
my father and me?

Why?

Because he was ashamed.

Do you remember that day
we decided to get married?

You went off
to tell your father
the great news.

Well, I made the mistake
of telling my father too.

You know what kind
of a man he was.
He couldn't keep it in.

Before you knew it,
there was a good old
Irish celebration.

Oh, he was the
cock of the walk that night.

And then the next day...

someone told us you'd
gone off to Europe.

Pretty sudden decision,
wasn't it?

Look, Peg,

I didn't have
anything to say about that.

I went and told him,
like I said I would,
that we were getting married.

The next thing I knew,
I was on the train.

I swear to you, Peg,
I didn't have any choice.

It's all right, Scott.
Forget it.

Done is done, and you
can't change it any more
than you can un-ring a bell.

It wasn't all my fault,
you know.

It was mine, I suppose?

In a way, it was.

All of a sudden,
you were in such a big hurry.

All that
"now or never" business.

If I'd had a little time
to get him used to the idea,

maybe it could've worked out.

It wouldn't have worked.
Not in a million years.

Is that coffee?

All right.
I'll warm some up. But then
you'll have to be going.

Peg--

Peg, do you remember
that time in Boulder
when I ran away from school?

Do you think any two people
were that happy?

What's the matter?Nothing.

I'm glad that happened.

So am I then.

I wasn't really sure
until just now.

What are you talking about?

It's gone.

Whatever it was that
used to happen when
you'd hold me, it's over.

And it's a good feeling.

Well, thanks a lot.
That's nice to hear.

What did you expect me to do?
Spend the rest
of my life moping...

while you're off
gadding about with all
the bluebloods of Europe?

I told you--Yes, you told me.
Your father sent you away.

I don't happen
to think people get
sent away that easily.

You don't know my father.
Maybe I didn't
until that night.

Don't you think I wanted
to marry you?

Sure, you did.
But not quite enough.

[ Baby Crying ]

Shh! All right now.

[ Crying Continues ]Ooh, yeah. There, there.

Yeah. There.

[ Baby Talk ]
Yeah.

Shh.

It's a baby.
Surely you've
seen one before.

- Shh.
- [ Crying Continues ]

Shh. It's all right.

I guess I should
have told you.
I got married.

My husband died.

You never were
much at lying.

[ Babbling ]

[ Imitating Babbling ][ Babbling Continues ]

Look at me, Peg.
I want to know.

Is this the reason
for all that "now or never"
business back in Denver?

What's the matter with you, Peg?
Why didn't you tell me?

I don't know.

I guess I just didn't want it
to be something that
you were forced into.

I don't know what to say.

I'll make it up to you.
I swear.

[ Peg ]
Please don't even try.

[ Laughing ]

What do you call him?

Shawn Michael.
After my father.

[ Laughing Continues ]Shawn Michael what?

Johnson.

Let's let him
get back to sleep now.

[ Shawn Michael Babbling ]

Some people never learn.

Don't bother running
to my father about this.
I'll talk to him myself.

Last time it was Europe.
I hear the South Seas are
nice at this time of year.

[ Chuckling ]

Scott!

I'm so happy to see you.

I'll get some coffee,
and we'll sit down and have
a nice, long chat.

I'm afraid I don't have
time to chat, Mother.

Is Dad here?

Oh. Well, no. He's out
at the work camp
with Mr. Tatum and the men.

Oh, please, Scott.

We haven't said two words
to each other since
you came back, and I--

I want us to get
reacquainted.

Why, Mother?

Why?

Because you're my son
and you've been away,

and I-I want to
know you.

Scott, is there--

Are you in some trouble?

If you are,
I'd like to help you.

Would you, Mother?

Of course.

Do you know
why I went to Europe?

Why I really went?

Well, yes. Your--
Your father said--I was in love with a girl.

We wanted to get married.

Oh. I never knew.

Who was she, Scott?

I'm sure if you loved her,
she must have been
a fine person.

Her name was Peg Dineen.

Her father worked
on the railroad.

Dad thought she wasn't good
enough to marry a Briscoe.

I--

I don't understand.

He never even mentioned it
to me.

Neither did you.

I would like
to have met her.

Mother, if you had known,
would you have helped us?

Would you have stood up
to him for us?

Oh, Scott. You know I'd do
anything in the world for you.

Anything.

Naturally,
I-I respect...

your father's judgment
in such things, but--

You mean in all things,
don't you?

You've just never been able
to cope with him.

And neither have I.

Maybe that's been
the trouble.

Maybe if I'd stood up to him
then, just that once.

Maybe in some strange way,
it would have satisfied him.

Scott, what about your problem?

Can't I help you?

No, Mother.

I'm afraid you can't.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

Oh. Come in, Sam.Judge.

Sit down.

Sam?

You saw Briscoe
yesterday?

Yeah.
[ Sighs ]

What'd he say?

We missed you
at the meeting.

What'd he say?

He's gonna fight us.
[ Sighs ]

Well, that was
to be expected.

But so long as that writ's
enforced, I'm gonna have a new
appraisal made of Dancer's Pass.

It's the only way
we can have a case.

Judge, you're talkin' about
writs and appraisals.

Briscoe's already movin' in
workmen and settin' up camp!

- He'll be bringin' in rail
and cuttin' ties!
- Take it easy, Sam.

I was taught if you're pushed,
you push back!

I got a ranch out there.
Ten years I've worked it!
I put sweat in that ground.

My wife's buried there--
and my boy!

And the railroad wants
to take that away from me!

Take it easy?

Ten years of drought
and blizzard, of-of locusts
and Texas tick-- for what?

Now, you came to me.
I didn't come to you.

You asked me to help,
all of you.
And I mean to do it my way.

Sit down.

I think we can win--
by law.

But if you don't want to do it
this way, we have nothing
more to talk about.

Now, the others agreed
to put up the cash...

to hire a firm to make a new
appraisal of Dancer's Pass.

They've got just as much
at stake there as you do, Sam.

All right.
I'll pay my share.

Mighty hard to sit still
and watch a line of rail
come closer and closer!

I'm gonna need someone
to take the cash to Laramie.

Have to get it there
as soon as possible.

I'll take it.

Why didn't you mention a baby
when you said you wanted to
marry that girl two years ago?

I didn't know it.
She didn't tell me.

Does that strike you
as a bit strange?Not if you know Peg.

Did she ask you
to speak to me?

No. I want to take care
of him.

Correction. You want me
to take care of him.

If you were really planning
to do anything, we wouldn't be
having this discussion.

I'll pay you back, Dad.
Just take it out of my salary.

Well, I've got
some sad news for you.

You don't make a thousand
a year, and even if you did,
not a chance!

Is money
that important to you?

- Do you think
it's only money?
- What then?

You've got a lot to learn
about the world, boy.

Do you know
what would happen...

if you gave her
even one cent?

You'd be admitting
that you were the father.
She'd have you in court...

before you could
bat an eye.You just don't understand.

Do you know what she would stand
to gain if that baby were
declared your legal heir?

Now, I'm not talking about
a thousand dollars.

I'm talking about
a part of everything I own.

Everything I've worked for.
Everything I am.

I'm telling you,
Peg isn't that way.

And I'm telling you there is
more involved here than money.

I am not letting you
give away part of my life!

Part of the 15 years I spent
between the time I came to
work for this railroad...

as a water boy
and the day I got
a controlling interest in it.

Married a controlling
interest, you mean.

I married your mother,
and I worked 20 hours a day
to get where I am.

But since you brought
the matter up, let's think
about your mother.

Do you know what it would do
to her if she heard about this?
Do you want me to tell you?

She would never be able
to hold up her head again.

I've come a long way
up a hard road, boy.

Now you listen to me.

You forget about this.

You put it
clear out of your mind.

Just like that, huh?

You get back into town,
go to the warehouse
and check this invoice--

The supplies and food
for the construction crew.
I'll take care of Peg Dineen.

How? Like you took care of me
a couple of years ago?

On a train and out of town
with Jack Marshman riding herd?

I ended up in Liverpool, Dad.

What did you have
in mind for Peg?

It was a very
handsome thing to do,
and I thank you for it.

But you had no reason to tell
your father anything.

It's no concern of his
or of yours anymore.

- I want you to go away
for a while, Peg.
- Away? Where?

Anywhere. Just until
my father's business
is finished here.

A few months, at the most.I'll do no such thing.
Why would I be leaving?

- If he thought that you were
a threat to him in any way--
- Why would he think that?

He doesn't know you, Peg.
He judges everyone
by his own standards.

I don't know
what he's capable of.

Well, I've no place to go
and no way to get there.

Right now I've got
to get back to work.

I have to check some things
at the warehouse.

I'll walk along.

Hey, where's
your father?

Still out at the work camp.
Why?

I picked up
something he might
want to know about.

What?The ranchers are sending
a man to Laramie tonight.

He'll be taking
some money over.
Quite a bit.

What for?

Well, there was a meeting
out at Judge Garth's
this morning.

They're hiring a firm
of independent appraisers to
make a survey of Dancer's Pass.

You're sure about this?

A couple of the ranchers are
sitting in that saloon right now
waiting for Garth, cash in hand.

You tell your father
when he comes in.

And tell him I'll be
over at the station
if he wants me to--

[ Chuckles ]
If he wants me.

Thanks.

Peg,

could you sit
with me for a minute?

I guess
it would be all right.

What's taking you
to Laramie?

Oh, just something about
the railway business.

You going to be gone long?

A couple, three days
if I lay over.

Peg, I've been thinkin'.

We could lose this thing
with the railroad.

Well, either way,
I'm gonna lose my ranch.

It's just a question
of time and a fair price.

I'm sorry about the ranch.

I know how hard
you've worked on it.

Well, when it's gone,
I guess I'll be movin' on.

I wouldn't have the stomach
to watch 'em tear into it.

Oh, I'll find another ranch.

It'll be hard
startin' over like that.

A-About that time
I-I asked you to--

Well, that was my fault.

I had no right to think that
you felt anything for me.

I guess I had
a lot of nerve asking.

Never have been exactly
catnip for the ladies.

That's not so.
You're a fine-looking man.

What I said that night
was true.

I can't marry anyone.
Not ever.

Why not? You're young.
You shouldn't--

- I just can't. That's all.
- Not even Scott Briscoe?

I knew him a long time ago.

It was over a long time ago.

I guess he must have been
a pretty special kind of man.

- Who?
- Your husband.

Yes, he was.
Well, I--

Peg, if I do leave, I--

I'd be pleased
if you write me.

Oh, just how you are
and what you're doing.

It wouldn't have to mean
anything.

I'll do that, Sam.

Thank you, Frank.

Well, that's all
of it, Sam.

Can I buy you one
before you leave?

No, thanks, Judge.
The sooner I get started,
the sooner I get there.

Well, be careful.Happens to be a specialty.

Good night, gentlemen.

Tom?

Tom? Right with ya.

Sam.

Got old, uh, Sickle
watered and fed?

Yeah. But I wouldn't
count on riding him anyplace
for a few days if I was you.

What do you mean?He's getting a hot ankle.

Oh?Right front.

I thought he seemed
a little edgy coming in.

Ah, give him
a little while.
He'll be all right.

Ya got something to get me
to Laramie and back?

Well, the old mare's
about to foal.

Well, there's a sorrel
out back there in the corral.
He'll take you there.

All right.Hey, Sam, would you mind
gettin' him yourself?

I was just fixin'
to get me some coffee
down the street.

Be glad to.I'll be back directly.

Whoa. Ooh.
Whoa, ho. Whoa.

[ Horse Blusters ]

[ Groans ]

Hey!

Hey! Stop!

[ Chattering ]Is he dead?

What happened, Sam?He took the $2,500.
I told him to stop!

Tom, uh, you wanna--

I didn't mean
to kill him, Emmett.

I didn't find it, Sam.What?

You said he was running off
with some money, didn't you?

Oh. Yeah.
Yeah, I got it right here.

It was laying
right next to his hand.
I just--

You believe me, don't you?

Uh, yeah.

Sure, Sam. I, uh--
Sure. I believe you.

But, uh, you better--

I guess you better
come with me.

[ Chattering ]

Call this a statement?
Sounds more like
a fairy tale to me.

Why would my son
need to steal money
from anyone?

Mark.Judge.

Emmett tell you?

Yeah.

Sorry, Colonel.
How's Mrs. Briscoe?

How do you think she is?

Anything I can do?

Can you bring my boy
back to life?

Well, failing that,

you can hang the man
who murdered him.

That was a good question
you asked in there,

about what reason your son
would have for stealing money.

Is there an answer?No.

No answer whatsoever.

And I want you
to make sure of that.

He's gonna hang, Jack.
He killed my son
and he's gonna hang for it.

Is that clear?

Whatever you say.

Well, what's the charge
gonna be, Mark?

Murder.
What else can it be?

Trouble is, it just
doesn't make sense--

him trying to run off
with the money that way.

He did, Judge.
I swear it.

Is this
the whole story, Sam?
The way it happened?

Yes, sir.
Including the two
run-ins I had with him.

I guess I'm in a fix.

Well, you're gonna
need help.

I'd be much obliged,
Judge, if-- if you'd--

All right, Sam.
Tell me the whole thing.

Again.
From the beginning.

[ Knocking ]Who is it?

[ Knocking Continues ]

Yes? Who are you?
What do you want?

Forget it. The answers
are too complicated.

Just don't make noise.
You won't get hurt.

Either of you.

Pack it.

I don't know how much
we can expect to get
from Peg, Judge.

Well, apparently
she knew Scott Briscoe.

Anything she can tell us
will be of help--
his past, his character.

Morning, Mrs. Crandall.You wanted to see me?

No, we wanted to see
Peg Johnson.
Is she in?

- She left last night.
- Left? Where did she go?

Well, she didn't say.

She and this gentleman just-- [ Garth ]
What gentleman?

Maybe you better tell about it
from the beginning,
uh, Mrs. Crandall.

Well, this gentleman came along
and he went up to her room,

and they talked
up there for a while.What was his name?

He was a big man.
About 200 pounds.

Marshman?

He seemed pleasant enough.

And then they went away
together with the baby.

Did she seem
willing to go?

I don't know.
I really didn't notice.

Thank you, Mrs. Crandall.

What do you think?

Looks like Briscoe
wanted her
out of town, but why?

And where did
Marshman take her?

You take care of the "why" part.
I'll see what I can do
about the "where."

It's good of you to see me.

I received your note
about my son.
Thank you.

Won't you sit down?Thank you.

My husband isn't in just now.
He'll be-- He'll be back soon.

Well, perhaps we can talk,
Mrs. Briscoe. I--

I need your help.My help?

I realize I'm presuming
on an old friendship.

I know how very much I'm asking.

I-- I-I don't understand.
Just what is it you want?

To find out
why Scott was killed.

Why ask me?

Why don't you ask
the man who killed him?

Mrs. Briscoe, I've known
Sam Horn a long while.

I must tell you,
I believe his story.

Then you believe my son
stole that money.

Judge Garth,
I understood my son.

He was not a strong person
like his father.

He was more...

like me, I suppose.

In many ways he hadn't
grown up yet, but...

he was not a thief.

I don't think he was either.

But you just said--

I don't think he was a thief,
Mrs. Briscoe,

but he was young,
as you say.

Perhaps he was forced--
or he thought he was forced--

into a an act
of desperation.

I-- And if I can't
prove that in court,

they're gonna hang a man
I know to be innocent.

I'm sorry, but I-I don't
see how I can help you.

Anything you can tell me
might help.
Was he upset?

Was there any reason-- [ Door Knob Rattles ]

What are you doing here?

He wanted to ask me
some things about Scott.

He is defending
your son's killer, and you
actually received him?

Well, he's an old friend.
I didn't think you'd mind--I'll handle this, Judith.

I was just trying to get
at the truth, Colonel.

For one thing, where's
Jack Marshman this morning?

I wouldn't know.
The truth is, my son is dead,
and Sam Horn killed him.

You're not welcome here,
Garth.

Shall I put it more plainly?

- What are you afraid of,
Colonel?
- Get out!

I'm sorry.

[ Door Closes ]

I-I'm sorry, John.
I didn't realize you didn't
want me to speak with him.

You never said anything.No. I gave you more credit
for common sense.

Will you pour me
a drink, please?

Oh. Yes.
Yes, of course.

What exactly did he say to you?

Well, h-he said he thought Scott
might have been forced to steal.

An act of desperation,
he called it.

Garth's coming here
was an act of desperation.

And he wanted to know if Scott
was upset before it happened.

Upset?

He was, wasn't he, John?

What do you mean?

That morning when he went out
to the camp to talk to you,
what did you talk about?

Nothing. Nothing at all.
A matter of some invoices.

Judge Garth seemed
to think that--Judge Garth.

Judge Gar-- The matter
of Judge Garth is closed.
Do you understand?

Yes, John.

Do you understand
what he's trying to do?

He is trying to save his friend
by slandering a dead boy.

By dragging our son's name
through the mud.

Do you want people to say
that our son was shot down
as a thief?

Do you want to go home
and face that?

Well, it's not
going to happen!

Not after I've worked
all these years to have
the name of Briscoe...

looked up to
and respected!

I don't suppose you could
understand that, could you?

Senator Scott's
daughter.

It was all handed to you,
bright and shiny.

Oh, John, I've told you
it doesn't matter.

It has never mattered.A mother
who was a dirty joke.

A father who drowned
in a mud puddle because he was
too drunk to lift his head.

It mattered.

I'm so sorry, John.

For what?

I'm sorry for you.

Sorry for Scott.

Well, don't be.

I've done all right.

And I did all right
for my son.

There wasn't a door
closed to him.

Not a home in this country
where he wasn't welcome to sit
at the table like a gentleman.

And they are not going
to take that away from us!

Did you ask at the depot?She didn't leave by train.

Must have gone
by wagon then, eh?

You're just gonna have to
find her and bring her back.

I'm sorry, Judge. You'll
have to get somebody else
to do that for you.

Meaning what, Mark?

Meaning I got plenty
for you to do right here.

Here's a list of witnesses
the prosecutor wants you
to subpoena.

Does that list
include Peg Johnson?Afraid not.

Well, then let him serve
his own subpoenas.

What are we trying to do,
hang a man or try to find out
the truth of what happened?

A jury decides
on the truth.

Look, Mark,
in about five minutes,
I'm leaving town.

Do you want me to be wearing
a badge when I do?

Or would you rather I left it
on your desk on my way out?

Judge, you really think
Peg Johnson's
a material witness?

I do.

All right.
I'll take care
of these myself.

Thanks, Mark.

We don't have much time.
I'll try to get
a postponement, but I--

I'll do my best, Judge.

But you know it's pretty much
of a long shot, don't you?

Emmett.

If you do catch up to them,
be careful of Jack Marshman.

It's a bad situation
in this town.

Railroad men.
Cattlemen.

If I don't get
this trial started,
there could be trouble.

Like what happened over in
Henderson a couple years back.

I'm telling you, Judge,
this girl might be
a crucial witness.

There is no evidence
that this girl left town
under any kind of duress...

or that she can be any help
to your client at all.

Now, you admit that yourself.

Fact is, you're just hoping.

You'll get a fair trial.

And good luck to you.

Thank you, Your Honor.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

Here.

Ready with the prosecution,
Mr. Carter?

Ready, Your Honor. Ready with the defense?

The defense is ready to proceed,
under protest, Your Honor.

Noted.

All right, Bailiff,
let's get a jury.

Yeah. They come by
this mornin'.

Stopped and got some milk
for the baby.

Did they say which way
they were going?No.

It could be
they went to Arvin.

Or maybe they cut off
to Fort Bailey.

Well, much obliged, ma'am.

Tell us, Mr. Tatum,
what was the attitude
of the defendant...

at the time of
the fence-cutting episode?

He was very, uh,
belligerent.

And in what way did this
manifest itself?Fired a gun at us.

Without provocation? Yes, sir.

[ Murmuring ]

And when the deceased,
Scott Briscoe,

attempted to cut the final
strand of fence--

which, at the time,
was his legal right--

what did the defendant do?

Well, he tried to jump Scott
from behind, and Scott
knocked him kickin'.

And after that, any threats?
Anything like that?

- Object. Leading the witness.
- Sustained.

As close as you can
remember, Mr. Tatum,
what was said?

Deputy told us to turn around
and head back, and we did.

Thank you, Mr. Tatum.
Your witness, Judge.

You're employed by the Denver
and Great Western Railroad?I am.

You're aware that
the president of that company
is Mr. John Briscoe?

[ Tatum ]
I am.

[ Garth ]
The deceased was
Mr. Briscoe's only son?

Yes.

Now, Mr. Tatum,

I submit to you that
the defendant did not try to
jump Scott Briscoe from behind,

that young Briscoe, in fact,
attacked the defendant with
a pair of wire cutters...

and that your testimony
may have been influenced
by the fact...

- that you're employed
by his father!
- Your Honor--

No further questions.[ Spectators Murmuring ]

Then you didn't hear the
defendant call for Scott Briscoe
to stop, as he claimed?

No, sir.And when you found
the defendant,

where was this money he said
Scott was trying to steal?

Well, Sam had it
stuck in his shirt. [ Spectators Murmuring ]

Well, that's the case
for the prosecution,
Your Honor.

We've proved that
the defendant
threatened young Briscoe,

that he attacked him twice,
that there is no evidence
for robbery, that--

Now just a minute,
Mr. Carter.

You can save your summation
until later.Yes, sir.

We'll start with
the defense in the morning.

This court is adjourned
until 10:00 a.m.

Looks like Emmett's
not gonna make it,
huh, Judge?

Well, we've got
until tomorrow, Sam.

I want to thank you,
Judge.

No matter what happens.
I want you to know that.

[ Spectators Chattering ]

Gonna put your man
on the stand tomorrow, Judge?

You're just gonna have to
wait and see about that.

I've read his statement.
That story about young Briscoe
trying to steal the money--

It's gonna be pretty hard
to sell without corroboration,
wouldn't you say?

Thank you.

You don't look happy,
Henry.

Ryker's lost them.
He's coming back.

Well, if you got any kind
of a rabbit in your hat,

now is the time
to bring it out.

I've been watching that jury.
They're sitting there
with the gallows half built.

Big fella, young redhead
and a baby? No.

Well, just an off chance.
One place I hadn't hit.

Thought I'd ask anyway.
Much obliged.

Oh, wait a minute.
Just come to think.

Heard some folks moved into
the old Donaldson place
south of town.

I haven't seen them
myself, but--Well, thank you kindly, Marshal.

Just try to roll with it,
Marshman.

On the table.
Come on.

Now move away from it.

You know you're
trespassing, don't you?

This your property?

- It's my cousin's.
- Where is the girl?

Now, you're not the law here.

Maybe that'll work on my side.
Where's the girl, Marshman?

She in there?

[ Grunts ]

Emmett!

You all right?Yes.

What's this all about?
He wouldn't tell me anything.

Only if I knew
what was good--You stay there.

You'll be safer.

Scott Briscoe is dead, Peg.

And they're trying
Sam Horn for his murder.

So I asked my friend the marshal
to hold him on an open charge
till I could talk with you.

Did Marshman
say anything?No, no. Nothing.

I think he'll sleep now.

Is there anything
I can get you?
Some coffee?

No, nothing.
Thank you.

Well, you and I
better have a talk.

That is,
if you're up to it.
Sit down.

What's going to happen
to Sam, Judge Garth?

Well, that may be up to you.

We can establish reasonable
doubt as to his guilt...

if we can show the jury
that Scott had a motive
to steal money.

Now, you knew him
pretty well, didn't you?

Yes.

Is there anything
you can tell us?
Anything at all?

I didn't think there'd ever be
any reason to tell.

Is Sam Horn reason enough?

[ Knocking ]

I'd like to talk to you,
Colonel.

We have nothing
to talk about.I think we have.

Mrs. Briscoe.

My dear, would you
leave us alone?

John, I--I'd rather she stayed.

Judith.

[ Briscoe ]
Now, what's on your mind?

[ Garth ]
Peg Dineen.

[ Briscoe ]
I'm not sure I know the name.

[ Garth ] Then why did you
have Marshman take her
and her child out of town?

Ryker's found them both.
She's waiting outside.

Where's Marshman?

He's in jail, but that's not
important. We know he'd lie
on the stand to protect you.

What is important
is saving Sam Horn's life.

Now, you know, Peg can prove
that your son had a motive
for stealing that money.

What do we do, take a trip
down to the county
prosecutor's office?

No.

And everything you tried
so hard to conceal
comes out in open court?

I tried to conceal it
because it was a lie.

But saying it and proving it
are two different things.

Judge Garth,

I'd like to meet her.

Judith.

You said she was outside.

I'd appreciate
if you'd invite her in.

You were listening.

At the keyhole...

like a frightened
schoolgirl.

Mrs. Briscoe,
this is Peg Dineen.

Yes.

I see why he would have
loved you.

Did you love him?

Once.
A long time ago.

Thank you.

I know you meant
a great deal to him.

I'm glad he had
at least that much.

I want you both to know
how sorry I am.

I told Scott I only wanted
to be left alone.

Uh, the-the child--

- Does it look like--
- Judith!

But if it's
Scott's son, John--

He is not Scott's son.
Is not. Never could be.
Do you understand that?

That child is not
your grandson!

Because if he is,
then your son was a thief...

and he deserved to die as
he did, face down in the street
with the killer going free.

Now is that clear?Yes, John.
Quite clear.

Thank you for coming.

Thank you.

[ Door Opens, Closes ]

To protect your name,
you'd really
let that man hang?

I refuse to discuss this
any further, and I forbid you
to mention it again.

You forbid me?

John, what happened to us?

What ever happened to us?

[ Door Closes ]

Your name?Mary Margaret Dineen.

You knew the deceased,
Scott Briscoe?I did.

How long did you know him?Since I was
a little girl.

My father worked
for the railroad.

Scott used to come down
to the switchyards and play.Mmm.

Now, will you please tell
the court what happened when--

when you met Scott Briscoe
here in Medicine Bow?

He came to the place
where I live,
and we had a talk.

Was money discussed?

Not exactly,
but he said he wanted
to help me if he could.

Mmm.

Is there some special reason
why he felt he wanted
to help you?

I have a little boy.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]He's 18 months old.

Scott was the father.

[ Murmuring Continues ] [ Gavel Rapping ]

[ Rapping Continues ]

[ Murmuring Stops ]

Now, Miss Dineen,

I-I know how difficult
this must be for you.

But after he said
he wanted to help you,

what happened?

Well, the next day--

it was in the afternoon--
he came back.

He said that he tried to get
money from his father,

but his father
wouldn't give it to him.

Then what?He said he wanted me to
get out of town right away.

Why did he want you
to get out of town right away?

Scott was afraid
of his father--

- afraid of what might happen
to me and the baby.
- Your Honor, I protest--

That's why he needed the money?
Because his father refused him?

He was afraid you'd be
run out of town.

That'll do for now.
Your witness.

First of all, let me ask you--
Are you acquainted
with the accused?

- Yes.
- How well?

Pretty well.
He comes into the hotel
once in a while.

Oh, come now, Miss Dineen.
You're under oath.

Isn't it true that you are
quite fond of Mr. Horn?

Yes.

Thank you.

Now, you claim that
Scott Briscoe was
the father of your child.

Yes.

Do you have a birth certificate
so stating?

No.

No, I shouldn't think so.

As a matter of fact,
you've been using the name
Johnson here in town.

- You call the child
Shawn Michael Johnson.
- That's just a name I made up.

You're rather good at making up
things, aren't you,
Mrs. Johnson?

In fact, this whole story
about the child being
Briscoe's, the money--

The whole thing is a story
to save his neck--

your friendSam Horn.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]No, I--

That'll be all, Miss Dineen.

[ Chattering ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Garth ]
Uh, one moment, please.

Redirect.

[ Chattering Continues ]

Is this the baby?
The one you say
is Scott Briscoe's?

Yes.

The learned prosecutor
says this isn't so.

Says Peg Dineen is making
the whole thing up.

What do you say,
Mrs. Briscoe?

Is she telling the truth?

Is this your grandson?[ Babbling ]

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

- Jury prepared
to render a verdict?
- We are, Your Honor.

Will the defendant please rise?
Face the jury.

Now you may
read your verdict.

We find the defendant
not guilty.

[ Spectators Murmuring ]

[ No Audible Dialogue ]Excuse me.

Peg?

Peg, wait a minute.
I want to talk to you.

Judith,
listen to me--No.

Now, you listen to me.

I'm not going to let our lives
and our son's life
go for nothing...

because of your
stubborn pride.

One way or another,
we're going to help
that girl and her baby--

if she'll let us.

Mrs. Briscoe, I--

I hope you'll forgive me
for what I had to do.

No apology is necessary,
Judge Garth.

If you, uh,
have a moment,

my husband and I would like
to see that Sam Horn gets
fair payment for his land.

Well, I'm afraid
he-he wouldn't accept it--

not unless they all
got fair payment.

Then they will.

[ No Audible Dialogue ]

[ Man Announcing ]
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