All language subtitles for S04E27 - That Saunders Woman

[ theme music playing ]

Good morning.

Morning, Emmett.

You meetin' somebody?You got it.

Anyone I know?

Sam Jenkins. He's due in
on this stage.

From the look
on your face,

I guess it's not
gonna be a very
pleasant meeting.

Depends on Jenkins.

Want some help
with that?

No, thank you.

I'll help you get
a room at the hotel.
I don't mind at all.

I'm not going
to the hotel.

Well, what do
you say to a little
get-acquainted drink?

Kind of wash down
some of that trail dust.

Come on, Della.

No, please let go.

DELLA: Give me that!

You got fire in you.
I like that.

Please!

The lady said "please",
Jenkins.

Put the bag down.

This any of
your business?

You are.

I want to talk to you
about those cattle
you sold us.

Sorry, ma'am.

No need to be.
I appreciate your help.

He's been drinking
and bothering me

all the way
from Cheyenne.

No, don't!

Shame on you, Jenkins.

You can't win
any friends that way.

Thanks, Krebs.

No need to fret, miss.

All that red-eye in him--

his shooting can't be
any straighter than
his thinking.

All right, boy,
on your way.

Sleep it off.

Excuse me, miss.

Jenkins.

We haven't finished
our discussion.

Those cattle
you sold Shiloh--
they're diseased.

They were healthy
when you bought 'em.

I don't think so.

I figure we've got
some settling up to do-

about $8,000 worth.

I sold you that herd
in good faith--

a legitimate
business deal.

You got
any complaints...

take 'em into court.

I'll just do that.

Kansas City?

No, I've never
been there.

Boggy? Big Boggy?

No.

St. Louis?

That's it. Of course--
St. Louis.

Can I see you
someplace, miss?

Oh, yes, thank you.
Do you know where
the stables are?

Right this way.

Good-bye.

Good-bye. I hope to
see you again, Miss, uh--

Miss, uh--Sanford?

Saunders?

Saunders, that's it.

Della Saunders.

This must be it.

This?

Home. I rented it
through the mail.

Who is she, Daddy?

I, uh...
don't know, honey.

She's a beauty.

I fixed you coffee--
just the way you like it.

May I pour?

Please do, ma'am.

All this place needs is
a little cleaning out,

and then some scrubbing,
and a little paint.

Who's gonna do that?

I am.

[ chuckles ]

You can see
clear to the hills.

Not a fence
or a wall in sight.

[ laughs ]
Oh, it's beautiful.

Mind if I ask you what
you're gonna do here

after you get
the place cleaned up?

I'm a dressmaker.

I'm gonna set up shop
in the front,

and I'll fix up the back
to live in.

You'll do all that
by yourself?

Mm-hmm.
It'll be wonderful.

You just come back
in a few days and see
the difference.

I'll make a point of it.

Thank you for
looking out after me.

My pleasure.

I'm Della Saunders.

I'm the foreman
at the Shiloh Ranch.

And we've got
a young lady out there

who's gonna be in here
the very first day
you're open

to talk to you.

That'll be wonderful.

Back soon, Daddy.

Oh! I'm sorry.

Well, no one I'd rather
be run into by.

How's Jennifer?Just fine.

Say hello for me.I'll do that.

Hello.

That daughter of yours
is like a kite
in the wind, John.

And just as hard
to keep on a string.

Coffee?Oh, thanks.

I see you rented
that old store
across the way.

Right pretty tenant, too.

I wouldn't know
about that.

The whole deal was
handled through the mail.

So she told me.

I guess the girls will be
spending a lot of time
there from now on.

Girls?

Gonna be a dressmaker's.

Oh. Oh, I see.

John, I'm wondering
if you've got time

to take on another client.

You?Shiloh, anyhow.

Sam Jenkins sold us
a herd of sick cattle.

I want to file charges
against him.

How much money
is involved?

$8,000.

Jenkins won't settle?

He claims they weren't
sick when he sold 'em,

or he didn't know they were.
I think he's lying.

Well, if you can't
get anywhere with him,

I'll be glad to
handle it for you.

Thanks, John.

Good coffee.

Is it? You know,
I wasn't sure

whether Diane's cooking
was improving,

or I was just cultivating
a taste for it.

Maybe a little of both.

Maybe.

How are you, Jenkins?

Sheriff.

Buy you a drink?No, thank you.

I understand you had
a little trouble

at the stage depot.

Nah, no trouble.

Misunderstanding.

Something about cattle?

Yeah, that's right.

Well, I'll tell you,
Jenkins--

I'd like to see you settle
your misunderstandings

a little less publicly,

a little less violently.

I've been doing business
a long time in this town.

Never had no trouble.

That's right, you never
had no trouble...till now.

I'd like to see you
keep it that way.

Oh, Sheriff.

How are you, Mr. Krebs?

Glad I ran into you.

You still collecting
for that school fund?

Oh, yes, sir.

I've been carrying
this around with me
to give to you.

Might help
buy a few pencils
and some chalkboards.

That's mighty generous.

Business must be
pretty good.

Doin' fine, Sheriff.
Just fine.

Much obliged.

Join you?

I saw Ryker talkin'
to you. Trouble?

Well, he heard about
my run-in

with the Virginian.

That was stupid
of you, Jenkins.

But that's not
unusual, is it?

You're stupid
and you're lazy.

That's why you sold
those cattle locally.

You're too lazy
to drum up a customer
out of town.

Krebs, you--

you make me sick.

So high and mighty and...

pure.

So respectable
and decent.

But you put up with me.

Why is that, Jenkins?

Because you need me.

Because you don't have
the stomach or the brains

to go it alone.

We must be workin'
together two, three years.

You've never been so fat
and so sleek in your life.

You were crude
at the stage depot.

You insulted Miss Saunders.
What's the percentage in that?

Who made you
the protector

of purity and virtue
around here?

Look, the Virginian's
already talked to
the lawyer Ballinger.

Ballinger may
haul you into court
on that Shiloh deal.

The more people
you antagonize,

the less chance you have.

Well, you split
the 8,000 with me.

We'll split the jail
sentence, too.

Oh, no.

That's your name
on those papers,
not mine.

But you set up the deal.

You took half the profits.
You can't--

Check the papers.

Ask the Virginian,
Ballinger, anyone.

Oh, no, it's you--
just you, boy--

who's responsible for
paying that money back.

I don't--

I don't have
that kind of money,
and you know it.

Well, that just means

that you're on your way
to prison, Jenkins.

Unless...

Unless what?

Unless I can find a way
to keep the lawyer Ballinger

from taking you into court.

You mean it?

You could do that,
couldn't you?

I may need some help.

All right.

Like, uh...

$2,500 worth of help.

You already got
your 4,000.

So did you.

Surely you can afford
to invest a little more

in your freedom.

I end up
with chicken feed.

Chicken feed
is a lot better

than the slop
they feed you in prison.

Think it over, lad.

Wait a minute,
Mr. Krebs.

You got a deal.

Good boy. Oh, Danny?

Get Mr. Jenkins a drink...

on my tab.

You stinkin' hypocrite.

[ knock on door ]

Yes?

Oh.

I'm sorry.

I was looking
for Mr. Ballinger.

Um...come in.

I'll get him.

Daddy? There's a lady
here to see you.

Hello, John.

Uh...business, Diane.

You look well, Della.
Lovelier than ever.

After 12 years,
that's nice of you
to say, John.

Your daughter--

she's a very pretty girl.

You must be
very proud of her.

Yes, I am.

John, I wanted
to thank you for
helping me get settled.

It's the least I could do.

From the postmarks
on your letters,

you've done
a lot of traveling.

That's all I did
for a long while.

Now I--

I'm trying to make
a home for Diane...

a brand-new career,
a new life.

Of course.

I'm sorry to add
to your responsibilities.

I seem to have a knack
for doing that.

Della...

the past is dead
and buried.

Not completely.

It has a nasty way
of springing to life

at the worst moments.

I'm sorry, John.
I won't bother you again.

Della, wait.

I just didn't want you to
misunderstand my motives.

I thought about you
for a long time in prison.

And I hated you for
helping to put me there.

I saw you sitting there
in that courtroom...

day after day.

I heard the things
they said about you.

I watched you
sitting there...

with tears on your cheeks.

And you wouldn't bend
your head to wipe them away.

I wanted to save you.

I know.

I forgave you
a long time ago.

I realized that
it was me--

my life--
that made things happen.

And I just hated myself
for what I'd been.

I forgave you.

But it's harder
to forgive myself.

You will in time.

I hope so.

I learned to sew inside.

I'm a very good
seamstress.

And I'm going to be
a very good dressmaker.

You'll build
a whole new life,

forget all about
everything that--

Not everything.

Good-bye, John.

Good morning.

Hi, Jennifer.

You must really have
your hands full,

looking after
your father.

Yes, he's a typical man.

Clutter all over the place.

But I don't mind.

As a matter of fact,
I think you enjoy it.

As a matter of fact,
I do.

I'm going to do
some shopping.

Why don't you
come with me?

Well, I have
an awful lot to do.

Come on, it'll be fun.

I'm going to see about
having a new dress made.

By her?

Her?

Della Saunders.

Yes. The Virginian says
she's awfully nice.

Pretty, too.

I'm sorry, Jennifer.
I can't go.

Why. Is something
wrong, Diane?

She was here. She came
to see my father.

I didn't like her.

Why did she come here?

I don't know.
Business, Daddy said.

And then he ushered me out
and shut the door.

But before that,

he'd said
he didn't know her.

Jennifer,
why don't you see

what you can find out
about her--

why she's here
and where she came from.

Well...

There's nothing wrong
in that, is there?

I guess not.

Well, bye-bye.

Bye.

Oh! I'm sorry.

This is gettin' to be
a dangerous spot.

Hmm?Nothing.

I thought you were going
to the dressmaker's.

Oh, I was. I mean, I am.

Come on,
I'll introduce you.

I thought you said
this place was a mess.

Well, it was.
Anybody home?

Oh. Hello.

Sorry, I wasn't
expecting anyone.

That's all right.
Miss Saunders, this is
Jennifer Sommers.

Hello, Jennifer.Glad to meet you.

I told you she'd be
your first customer.

Oh, this is beautiful.

Oh, do you like that?

I wasn't sure
about the color,

but they said it was
the latest thing.

Let me show you
a bolt that I'd
just love for you.

If you ladies
will excuse me,

I have a few things
to take care of.

By the way,
I think the shop's
coming along very well.

Well, it's not
finished,

but it has turned out
rather well,
hasn't it?

Mm-hmm. Anything I can do
to help, you let me know.

Thank you.

Now, what kind of
a dress--

Is something the matter?

Oh. No, I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to stare.

It's just that...

I've never seen
anybody like you
in Medicine Bow before.

You're beautiful.

Well, thank you.
Just for that,

I'm gonna make you
the prettiest dress
you ever had.

Now, let's see.
Would you like--

Why did you come here?

Well...

it's a lovely,
quiet town.

Um, did you live here
all your life?

No, my parents died,
and I came to live
with my uncle.

And do you like it here?

Now you're changing
the subject.

Jennifer, there is
no dark, mysterious,

romantic reason
for my being here.

Let's just say...
I'm following my star.

Now...

let's get back to
what kind of dress
you'd like.

All right.

EMMETT: First you
accost him in the street,

then you accuse him,
then you beat him up.

That had nothing to do
with the cattle.

What'd it have
to do with, then?

A lady.

Oh, I see.

Defending the honor
of a lady, were you?

Emmett--It's all right.

That dressmaker?
She's beautiful.

Can't blame you at all.Emmett--

So, now you've decided
to let the law handle it.

That's good, reasonable.

I decided to let
the law handle it
a long time ago.

I've already been in
to see John Ballinger

and asked him if he'd
take the case for me.

Then what do you
want me to do?

I want you to talk
to the man

Jenkins bought
that herd from
in the first place,

find out what kind of
shape they were in.

Ah. You know who he was?

Fella named Chadwell
over in Gillette.

At least that's what
it says on Jenkins'
bill of sale.

I got plenty
to keep me busy here.

But I guess I can
take care of that.

It'll be a few days
maybe. Then what?

Then John Ballinger
will decide where or not
we've got a case.

Let me ask you
something.

What's that?

The kind of money
you make--how long
would it take you

to pay back $8,000
to Garth and Starr?

Thank you,
Miss Saunders.

Della.Della.

I know the dress
will be beautiful.

I promise.Bye-bye.

Good-bye.

Can I help you
with that, ma'am?

Oh, yes.
It's this sign.

I can't hold it
and look at it
all at the same time.

Allow me.Thank you.

All right.

Just a shade higher.

All right.

That's perfect, yes.

All right.

Oh, yes.

It was St. Louis.

Yes, indeed.

Some time ago.

Yep.

Della Saunders.

It all came back to me.

Quite a sensation
at the time, as I recall.

But now here you are...

safe and sound
and free as a bird.

And none happier about it
than me, ma'am.

I assure you.

I want to talk to you
in private, ma'am.

Just across the street
in the hotel--room 211.

You'll be there tonight
about 8:00.

Right pretty sign, miss.

I'm sure it'll bring you
many customers.

And none too soon.

Why, some of the ladies
in this town...

Well, good day, ma'am.

Glad to be of assistance.

Good evening.

Real nice,
Miss Saunders.

The evening, I mean.

Ah, Miss Saunders.

Come in, my dear,
come in.

Sit down.

To a long and lasting
friendship.

Oh, my apologies
for this shabby room,

but when a man travels
as much as I do,

he has to learn to tolerate
certain adverse conditions.

Second-rate
accommodations,

poor transportation,
loneliness.

Next time,
take your wife along.

Oh, I--I'd like to.
Indeed I would.

But the poor dear
has been ill for so long.

[ sighs ] It's taken
a terrible toll...

on both of us.

Get to the point.
What is it that you want?

Oh. There's no hurry.

None at all.

Look, you know I've spent
12 years in prison.

What of it? I can't expect
to hide that forever.

I admire your attitude,
Miss Saunders.

But believe me,
I wouldn't hurt you for--

You can't hurt me.

I have nothing to lose.
Absolutely nothing.

Good night, Mr. Krebs.

But there are others
involved in your case.

John Ballinger,
for instance.

That poor man has had
a difficult time

for a great many years.

It would be
a tragedy for him
and his lovely daughter

if he should make another
professional mistake.

What kind of mistake?

Ballinger has a client

who's having a dispute
with Mr. Jenkins.

Now, as I understand it,

Ballinger is preparing
to file charges
against Jenkins,

and I sincerely believe
that if that should happen,

it would be
very unfortunate.

Why?

Well, let's face it,
Miss Saunders.

Ballinger is somewhat...
vulnerable.

If his past indiscretions
should be revealed

to the good people
of this town...

And you, of course,
would reveal them?

Oh, no. I'm far
too fond of the man
to do a thing like that.

But--well,
matters of this nature

have a way of leaking out.

Now, if you
would be kind enough
to explain it to him--

Why me?

Because of your past
relationship with
Mr. Ballinger,

I'm sure he'd know
that you had his best
interests at heart.

And supposing
he doesn't go along with
your blackmail threat?

Oh, I'm sure he's
far too sensible a man

to ignore my suggestion.

Now, all he has to do

is have his client
sign a statement

relieving Jenkins
of all responsibility
in the transaction.

And when he does,

if you would be kind enough
to deliver it to me--

You see,
as I said before,

one of the unfortunate
things about traveling--

May I see you home,
Miss Saunders?

[ laughs ]

Buy you a drink,
Jenkins?

Please let me by.

Oh, am I in your way?

Excuse me, ma'am.

Ain't Mr. Krebs
takin' you home tonight?

Hey.

If he's tired of you,

I'm not tired at all.

[ laughs ]

[ laughing ]

JOHN: Della?

What's wrong?

Ohh.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for everything.

What are you
talking about?

There's a man.

A man named Krebs.

And he knows, John.

He knows about
you and me.

He knows everything.

Alfred Krebs?

He says...

he wants you to drop
the charges against Jenkins,

or he'll ruin you.

He'll turn this
whole town against you.

What's his interest
in Jenkins?

I don't know.

What are you gonna do?

I--

I don't know yet.

I never should've
come here.

If he hadn't seen me
or recognized me,

none of this
would've happened.

Della, it's not
your fault.

Hush.

Come, let me
take you home.

And there are
no two ways about it--

we want her
out of Medicine Bow!

I don't understand
what it is she's done--

We just don't want
her sort in our town--

Her sort?Yes!

[ all shouting ]

I can't hear anybody
when you all--

Sheriff, she's
a bad influence.

Has she robbed
any banks lately?

Has she held up
any stages?

Has she shot somebody
in cold blood?

Oh, Emmett,
you stop your funnin'.

This is
a serious matter!

Sure is. Maybe more serious
than you figure it to be.

When the respectable
people of this town

come around demanding
disrespectable things
from the sheriff,

it sure can get serious.

Disrespectable?!
About a woman like that?

Let's be quiet!
Be quiet, ladies!

Please,
just listen to me.

We have no call to run
a citizen out of this town

just because
you want her to go.

I can't arrest a lady
for trying to make
a living, can I?

And from what I've seen
of some of the styles lately,

her dressmaking just
might be an improvement.

But, Sheriff,
her behavior
is shocking!

It's all over town
how she waltzed right
into the hotel

and up to
Mr. Krebs' room.

Her carrying on
with John Ballinger

at all hours
of the night.

You can just tell
from looking at her--

I can't--

I sure can't arrest
a lady for being pretty.

All right, Sheriff.
If you won't help us,

we'll have to do it
ourselves.

She'll starve before
she makes any one of us
a dress.

Come on, girls.

[ horse neighing ]

Ready to go, Jen?

Go where?

I thought you were
all fired up

about going in to see
Miss Saunders

and having a fitting
on your new dress.

Oh, I guess
you haven't heard.

Heard what?

Diane Ballinger
told me.

She's too ashamed
to show her face.

It seems that
that Saunders woman

has been carrying on
with Mr. Ballinger.

And he's not
the only one.

I see.

Well, it stands
to reason, doesn't it?

A beautiful woman
like that,

living in a store that
Mr. Ballinger owns.

So, you're not
gonna let her finish
your dress, huh?

Do you approve of
the things she does?

Well, number one--
I don't know what
things she does.

Number two--it's not
up to me to approve
or disapprove.

I thought you said
she was a good dressmaker.

She is.

I also thought you said
you liked her.

I did.

It seems to me that's
a lot more to go on

than some
third-hand gossip.

I've got the buggy outside,
and I'm going to town.

Might even stop by
and see Miss Saunders,

find out how she's
gettin' along.

If you'd like to come along,
I'd be proud to have you.

Wait.

I'll only be a minute.

Whoa! Whoa.

[ whistles ]
Giddyap!

May I come in?

Please do.

I was wondering
if you'd come.

I was wondering
if anyone would come.

I thought my dress
would be finished.It is.

Oh, Della.
It's beautiful.

Ah. The bow.

What are you doing?

Packing.

You mean,
you're not staying?

Do you want me to stay?

Yes. I mean,
I didn't expect that--

It's all right,
Jennifer.

I've heard the talk.

And I'm grateful
that you're here.

I thought if I worked
at it very hard,

I could make
a place for myself
in Medicine Bow.

But I know
the people resent me.

I just hope that
you don't resent me
for the wrong reasons.

What makes you think
I resent you at all?

All right.

I admit it. I--

I had some thoughts
about it.

But you really can't
blame me for--

I don't blame you
for anything.

Seeing you is like
looking in a mirror

and seeing myself
as I was years ago--

very impressionable
and impulsive.

But I wasn't
as lucky as you are.

Lucky?

I didn't have people

like your uncle
and the Virginian
to guide me.

I had to learn patience
and tolerance

the hard way.

What's the hard way?

Della?

Please tell me.

In prison.

Prison?

Oh, no,
I can't believe that.

Why not?

You believed
all those other things.

Why not believe the truth?

Is that what you want me
to think of you?

No. Of course I don't.

At 16, I started
dancing in saloons.

And by the time I was 18,

I was Princess
of St. Louis.

Bold as brass.

Accepting gifts
and compliments from men

as though I were
some kind of goddess

accepting the offerings
of others, of her worshipers.

Well, one night,

there was this man
that followed me home.

He wanted to
prove to me that...

I wasn't a goddess at all.

That I was a human being--

flesh and blood.

Well, I was...

combing my hair
at the vanity table,

and I saw his face
behind me in the mirror.

There was a struggle,

and the mirror crashed
to the floor, splintered.

He started choking me,

calling me names--

vile names.

Choking me.

I picked up a piece
of the mirror--

a long, sharp fragment--

and I--

But that's self-defense.
Isn't it, Della?

The jury called it...

murder.

Della...

I had no idea.

I thought perhaps
on the trimming,

that the lace--

Don't run away, Della.

You haven't given
yourself a chance.

You haven't
given us a chance.

Let's try
the dress on, okay?

Please don't go away.

I want you to stay.

Thank you.

Hello.

Good afternoon, John.
Got those papers ready?

I want to serve them
on Jenkins before he gets
to drunk to read 'em.

No, no papers.
I'm dropping the case.

What, is he gonna
pay back the money?

No.

What, then?

Well, I've reviewed
the facts,

and I'm
not sure you stand
that good a chance

of beating Jenkins
in court.

Besides, the whole thing
could cost you

nearly as much as
you stand to collect.

Time, effort, court costs,
attorney fees.

Well, I doubt that.

You don't want to waste
your valuable time

with a man like Jenkins.

What's the real
reason, John?

I just told you.

Come on, now.
A man like you

doesn't back away
from a sure thing
without a good reason.

Well, maybe
I'm not qualified
to handle the case.

Are you kidding?
My horse could handle
this case

without taking his nose
out of the feedbag.

When your horse
has a license
to practice law,

then I'll recommend
that you hire him.

Now, if you'll
excuse me,

I've got
some work to do.

How about some coffee?

No, thanks.

What do you think,
Emmett?

Like I said, you could
get yourself another lawyer.

Sure I could.

But John Ballinger's
a friend of mine.

He's in some kind of
trouble over this thing.

Maybe another lawyer
would help me, but not him.

I had occasion
to do some checking
on Della Saunders.

It's routine, you know--
I thought.

Turned out it wasn't
routine at all.

Well?

She's been in prison.
For murder.

Now, that's only
part of it.

John Ballinger
defended her
at the trial.

And lost?Yeah.

It strikes me that
a woman that's been
in prison--

she could come out
carrying a pretty
big grudge

against the man
that lost her case.

You think she's...

making some kind of
trouble for Ballinger?

Could be.

What could that have
to do with him dropping
the Jenkins case?

I don't know.

What do we do?

We can keep an eye
on things.

In the meantime,
if you want to stay
on top of Jenkins,

you'd better do
like I said.

What's that?

Get yourself
another lawyer.

[ knock on door ]

Who is it?

[ knocking ]

Mr. Jenkins,
you startled me.

What do you want?

I came to apologize.

And I'd like
to talk to you.

Well, come in.

When I drink, I get sad

or bad-tempered.

Sometimes it's both.

I know I shouldn't
drink, but...

I do.

I'm sorry I intruded myself
on you at the depot.

Miss Saunders,
I know how the past

has eaten away at you.

I know about the things
you're trying to hide.

You know about me?

Krebs told me.

I'm not
much of a man now.

I just do what
he tells me to do.

But I had
expectations once.

Expectations.

I think you're
a good man, basically.

I'm a fool.

Going nowhere,
doing nothing.

Watch out
for Krebs, ma'am.

Stay away from him.

Yes, I will
after tonight.

I have to go there
once more.

I won't
trouble you again.

Oh. Something I can do
for you tonight, miss?

Yes. Mr. Krebs in?

Yeah, as far as I know.

Mr. Krebs?

Mr. Krebs, are you here?

Jumpin' Jehosaphat!
Stop it! Stop that woman!

Stop that woman!
She's a murderer!

She killed Mr. Krebs!
Stop her!

No! Please!
I haven't done anything!

Please! Please!

We ain't had a good hanging
in this town in a long time.

Women like that ain't fit
to live amongst decent folk.

[ all agreeing ]

Did you see her?

Does she know
we want to help her--

that we're not like
these other people?

I sent her
a note last night,
another one this morning.

She won't talk to
anyone but Ballinger.

What does she want
with my father?

Why can't she just
leave him alone?

Are they gonna charge her
with the murder?

Judge Franklin's in there
with Ryker right now.

She couldn't
kill anyone.

That's not
exactly true, Jenny.

Considering
her background,

considering the case
that we have against her,

I'd feel obligated
to try her for murder.

All right, Judge,
but not yet.

Just give me
a little more time--

Nonsense.
You've done a fine job

investigating this case.

What about her
blackmail story?
She swears--

Do you believe that?

I think it's worth
investigating.

A man of sterling character
has been brutally murdered.

There are some
angles in this case
that I can't--

Emmett, even if
the blackmail story
is true,

that only strengthens
our arguments.

It supplies the motive
for the murder.

No, Emmett.
Those people out there
want a trial now.

As public officials,
we're obligated
to serve them.

They'll just take it
into their own hands.

Hang her from
the nearest tree--
that's what they want.

Judge, she's young,
she's pretty, she's single.

There were a lot of
folks out there

ready to accuse her of
most anything the minute
she stepped off the train.

They want a trial,
a fair trial,

and they'll have it
as quickly as possible.

By the way,
Willard Arlington Rutledge

has offered his services
as prosecuting attorney.

Oh, that's fine.
That's good, Judge.

There's a big crowd
out there now, you see?

Like they come to see
a theatrical.

You can imagine the attention
Rutledge is gonna get.

Judge, let's not have
a formal trial.

Can't you hold a hearing?

Let's see what evidence
there is to try Della.

At the hotel maybe,
not the courtroom.

That way we won't give
Rutledge a chance to have
one of his circuses.

All right, Emmett.
All right.

But it looks to me
like a waste of time.

Hey, Judge, I got
the tree all picked out.

[ all agreeing ]

What'd he say,
Sheriff?

She going on trial,
or do we hang her now?

There'll be a hearing.

[ all talking at once ]

All right, I said a hearing!
Not a lynching!

You want blood, you'd better
go someplace else.

What'd Judge Franklin say?

Franklin's a busy man.

Della's just a couple of
spaces on his docket.

He'll want to get
the whole thing over with

as quick and easy
as possible.

I got him to
slow down a little.

And Della?

She was released
in Ballinger's custody.

You know, Ryker,
somebody killed Krebs.

That's right.

If it wasn't Della...

Then who was it?Well?

Why do you supposed
Krebs would've taken
an interest

in your dispute
with Jenkins?

Krebs did?

Yeah, according to Della.

You ever been to Gillette?

I thought you were
supposed to--

I couldn't make it
over there.

Now I gotta stay here
to testify at the hearing.

Come on inside.

What are my chances, John?

The truth.

Krebs was
Mr. Respectability
around here.

Contributed to charity,
supported all
the good causes,

played the loyal husband
to his invalid wife.

And me?

Della, you are
a convicted murderess.

And it'll all come out.
Rutledge will see to that.

You can expect him
to make the most of it.

Then will I be tried
for this murder

or the other one?

Both, I'm afraid.

I have sent telegrams

to four attorneys
that I know...

any one of whom
is strong enough to
stand up to Rutledge--

Attorneys for what?

For your defense.

What's wrong?

Well...

I guess I assumed
you would defend me.

Della, I defended you
once before,

and you ended up
in prison for 12 years.

You should've won
that case.

And you would've won it
if I hadn't--

If you hadn't what?

If I hadn't fallen
in love with you.

John, when I first
came here,

I thought--

[ sighs ] Well,
I thought a lot of things.

I imagined that
you might still feel

the way you used to.

I mean, the way I knew
you used to feel about me.

Della--

No, please.
Let me finish.

I know that
I had no right

to expect anything
from you.

But...

I guess what I'm
trying to say is...

if I trusted you then...

why not now?

Don't you understand?

I'm afraid.

I don't want to lose
what I've got now.

You can't trust your life
to a man like me!

And if someone else--
another attorney--

defended me
and lost the case,

would that make it
any easier for you?

No.

This is something
we can't run away from.

Either of us.

But you'll have
to make the decision
about the hearing.

You're an extraordinary
woman, Della.

You've learned to be
honest with yourself.

And that is a great
accomplishment.

[ knock on door ]

[ knocking ]

[ knocking ]

Diane, what's the matter?

May I stay here tonight,
Jenny? Please?

I can't stay at home.

Sure, come on in.

Now, what's wrong?

My father--

he's defending
that Saunders woman.

And you know why?
Because he's in love
with her.

My own father's in love
with a murderess.

Diane, you're talking
like the whole rest
of the town.

Well, she killed a man,
didn't she?

Are we supposed
to forget that
just because she's--

she's so all-fired
beautiful?

Diane, just
a little while ago,

I was talking
the same way.

All right. You can
stay here tonight.

But on two conditions.

One is, you're
going to listen to
my lecture tonight.

Oh, Jen, I'm not--

And two is,
we're going to attend
that hearing together.

No. I don't ever
want to see my father

with that Saunders
woman again.

All right.

Good night, Diane.

I thought
you were my friend.

What kind of lecture?

This woman--

this infamous habitué
of honky-tonks--

raised in squalor

and schooled in depravity--

dares to challenge
the sanctity

of this august court...

by denying
an act of violence

which only she
could have committed!

But, with the aid
of our merciful Lord,

and the considered judgment

of you who are fashioned
in his image,

the prosecution will prove,

beyond a shadow of a doubt,

that Della Saunders did
willfully and deliberately

plunge a knife-like
lethal weapon

into the saintly body
of your noble friend

and good neighbor--

Alfred Krebs.

Mr. Rutledge...

you've made your purpose
quite clear.

Let's get on
with the hearing.

I haven't quite completed
my opening remarks,
Your Honor.

Oh, yes, you have, Willard.

Billy Conklin,
will you take the stand?

Then I saw her come bustin'
out of Mr. Krebs' room.

She ran right past me
down the stairs

like a ghost
was chasin' her.

I looked inside the room

'cause she left
the door open.

And what did
you see, Billy?

Mr. Krebs
lyin' on the floor.

Dead as a pole-axed steer.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness,
Mister, uh--

What was your name
again, sir?

Ballinger.

John Ballinger.

Billy...

how long had you
been standing out
in the hallway

before you saw
Miss Saunders
leaving the room?

Just a few minutes.

Did you hear any noise

that would indicate
trouble--

screams or groans
or sounds of violence?

No, nothing like that.

Did you see
Miss Saunders

holding any kind of
a weapon?

Well, no. She, uh--

She just ran out and--

Billy...

did you see Miss Saunders
kill Mr. Krebs?

Kill him? No, I--

Well, I mean,
I saw him dead,

and I saw
her running, and--

Is it possible--
just possible--

that someone else
might have killed him?

Well, I guess so.
I mean--

I don't know.
I'm not a detective.

You mean, you're not
qualified to say.

Of course not.
I'm just a--

But you did run out
into the street,

shouting that
Miss Saunders had
murdered Mr. Krebs.

What qualified you
to do that?

Well, it seemed
to me like--

Oh, it seemed to you?

But you weren't sure,
were you?

I mean, you couldn't be
absolutely sure because
you had no proof.

Well, no, but--
I mean, I--

That's all, Billy.
Thank you.

Miss Saunders told me
that Mr. Krebs knew
about her past and--

Her past, Sheriff?

What did he know of
the young lady's past?

That she had spent
some time in prison.

[ people murmuring ]

Go on, please, Sheriff.

She said that...

he was trying to use
her past to blackmail her.

Indeed?!

Alfred Krebs--
a blackmailer?

Heh.

In your investigation
of this case, Sheriff,

did you find any evidence

to support
her blackmail story?

No, sir.
Just the lady's word.

What reason did
Miss Saunders give you

for going
to Mr. Krebs' room

on the evening
of the murder?

She said she was gonna
try to change his mind

about blackmailing her.

And how did she plan
to do that?

She didn't say.

Apparently you had
no doubts about
her guilt, Sheriff.

Wasn't it you who formally
charged Miss Saunders
with murder?

Well, it wasn't
exactly like that.

Did you or did you not
formally charge
the defendant

with the crime
of murder?!

Yes, sir, I did.

Thank you.

Your witness,
Mr., uh, Derringer.

Sheriff Ryker,

as the investigating
officer in this case,

were you completely
satisfied

with the evidence
that you'd gathered?

Objection.

Sustained.

The fact is, Mr. Ballinger,
the defendant is here.

That means the evidence
against her was satisfactory.

Well, not for me,
Your Honor.

You're out of order,
Sheriff.

I'm just stating
a fact, sir.

I wasn't at all satisfied
with the evidence.

FRANKLIN: That's enough!

Get on with your questioning,
Mr. Ballinger.

No further questions.

You're excused, Ryker.

Sam Jenkins?

Will you step up here
and take a seat?

Mr. Jenkins,
if you please.

What'd you find out?

Chadwell's a respectable
businessman--

doesn't want to make
any trouble.

He's know Krebs
for some time.

Krebs?Krebs.

He used to go
through Gillette
every month or so.

Did some speculating
in cattle, real estate,
things like that.

One night,
in the saloon,

Chadwell was
complaining about
a herd of sick cattle.

They were dying
like flies.

Krebs piped up,
said he knew a fella

who might be interested
in buying them.

A herd of sick cattle?

Krebs said this
fella wanted them
for the hides,

the skins.

Might go as high as
$2,000 for 'em.

So, the next morning,
he brought the fella
around

and bought the whole herd
for $1,800 cash.

And you paid 8,000
for the same herd.

That's right.

Who was the man?

Fella named Jenkins.

I became acquainted
with Della--

I mean, Miss Saunders--
on the stage.

And when we arrived,
I invited her

over to the hotel
for a few drinks.

I'm afraid she misunderstood
my invitation

because there was a--
oh, a little argument.

About that time,
Mr. Krebs dropped by

and said he recognized her
from the old days.

Well, she got mad.

But you know Mr. Krebs.

Always willing
to lend a hand.

And he said if she were
having any trouble
with her past,

he'd be glad to help her.

Well, that calmed
her down a little.

And she said
she was having trouble

and she'd like to talk
to him about a loan.

He's lying.

Every word is
a filthy lie.

And he said for her to...

come, uh,
to his hotel room.

And she said yeah,
she would.

And the next day?

Mr. Jenkins...

will you please
answer the question?

Um...yes, sir.

RUTLEDGE:
To your knowledge,

did Miss Saunders
visit Mr. Krebs
at the hotel?

JENKINS:
Uh, yes. She sure did.

That first time,
and also the night
he was murdered.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness,
Mister, uh...

Ballinger,
isn't it?

Mr. Jenkins...

do you know a man
named Chadwell?

Uh...I guess I do.

Did you ever buy
any cattle from him?

Just a moment, sir!

How in the name of heaven
does a cattle transaction

relate to Miss Saunders?

I assure you,
Your Honor,

the matter
is relevant.

Just what is it
you're after here?

I plan to prove
that the witness
has perjured himself.

Mr. Krebs was
not as saintly as
everyone believes.

That he and Jenkins--

RUTLEDGE:
Your Honor, sir!

This man's tactics
are despicable.

Not only does he impugn
the integrity of the witness,

but he dares to defame
and defile

the consecrated spirit
of the deceased.

What manner of man
are you, sir?

All right, Willard.

You've made your point.

John, come here.Hmm?

Didn't Jenkins sell
one of your clients
some cattle?

Diseased cattle,
Your Honor.

I congratulate
my learned colleague.

He seems to be trying
two cases at once.

Jenkins is a thief,
and I can prove

that he and Krebs
were partners.

No, not here,
you can't, John.

This man's business methods
aren't under scrutiny.
You know that.

But, Your Honor, I--

Thank you,
Judge Franklin.

Once again, you have
upheld the cause
of justice

and preserved the
hallowed processes of--

Oh, hush up, Willard.

Get along with
your examination, John.

No questions for him.

You can help
your client's case

if you convince her
to change her plea.

I can't do that.
She's innocent.

You're forcing
my hand, Ballinger.

I am prepared to cut you
in little pieces.

I can't do anything
about that, either.

The prosecution calls
Mr. John Ballinger.

[ people murmuring ]

FRANKLIN: [ bangs gavel ]
Order. Order.

Order in here!

Mr. Ballinger...

will you come up here?

Willard, just what
in tunket is this all about?

Mr. Ballinger has
certain information

that should be made
available to this
august court.

John?

It's a cheap,
theatrical trick.

You can decline,
if you like.

The decision
is yours, my friend.

I'll take the stand.

In place of
cross-examination,
Mr. Ballinger,

you may make a statement
from the stand.

But keep it relevant
to the testimony
you have given.

Yes, sir.

Now, then, Mr. Ballinger.

How long have you know
the defendant?

About 12 years.

Professionally
or personally?

Both.

You represented her
in court before?

Yes, I have.

Under what conditions?

12 years ago,
she was tried for murder.

[ people murmuring ]

[ bangs gavel ]

Our plea was
self-defense, but--

You lost the case?

Yes.

I have here a newspaper
published in St. Louis
12 years ago.

The front page
contains an account

of that
particular trial

and your
participation in it.

I ask you now, sir,
to read aloud

the headline
of that story.

I don't need to read it.

It says "Defense attorney
admits bribe to juror."

[ people murmuring ]

[ bangs gavel ]

May I make my statement
now, Your Honor?

Mr. Rutledge?

By all means,
Mr. Ballinger.

It was my first
criminal case.

I was a young,
inexperienced attorney.

The trial attracted
a good deal of attention.

I was frightened.

I knew my client
was not a murderess.

The killing had been
an act of self-defense.

But I was desperate
to help.

And I knew...

that my client
had one terrible...

undeniable disadvantage.

She was
a very beautiful girl.

Very young, very desirable.

And a woman that beautiful

is the object either of love
or suspicion.

In this case,
the jury suspected her...

and her attorney
was in love with her.

I couldn't bear
the thought of defeat.

We might've won that case.

But I was afraid
to take that chance.

I had to be sure.

So, I approached
a member of the jury...

with a bribe.

He reported the incident,

and I withdrew
from the case.

But during the retrial,

Della Saunders was punished
for my crime.

She was convicted
of second-degree murder

and sentenced to prison.

I was fined...

and relieved of my license
to practice law in that state.

I left St. Louis,
went west...

did odd jobs,
started to drink.

But then,
because of my daughter...

I went back to the one thing
I really knew--the law.

In a new state, new license.

Until someone remembered
the Della Saunders case.

And then
there was another state
and another license.

And another, and another.

Always my one big mistake
haunting me.

Finally, I came to Wyoming.

Received my license
to practice law,

and settled here
in Medicine Bow.

And now...

I am face-to-face
with my past once again.

But this time...

I don't bear the burden
of my mistake alone.

My daughter must share
my punishment.

And Della Saunders...

faces another prison term.

For the second time,

this woman stands
to be punished

for my guilt.

It was my crime,
my mistake.

And I have paid for that
many times.

But Della Saunders...

has paid more.

And, as long as there is
one man with a memory...

she can expect
to go on paying.

I submit that it should be
the business of this hearing

not to extract further
payment from Della Saunders,

but to uncover the true
murderer of Alfred Krebs.

Jenkins!

Hyah!

Hyah!

You can't leave town
like that, Jenkins.

You've got some
unfinished business.

He deserved it.

He needed killing
for a long time.

I never had the stomach
for it before.

This way...

I thought the woman
would get the blame.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Go.

What's happening?

A recess.

What are you up to?

Judge Franklin in there?

Mr. Jenkins here has
a confession to make...

all about how
he killed Mr. Krebs.

If I don't see John
before I leave,

will you give him this?

You'll see him.Oh.

We wanted to
ask you to stay.

Thank you
for asking me.

I can't stay.

This was the first
step for me.

I didn't know that
when I got here,
but I know it now.

It was a good,
important first step.

Believe that.

But you'll be
all alone, Della.

There are others
who have...

followed their stars.

I'll meet them,
talk to them...

be honest with them.

Ready to go,
Della?

Yes.

Good-bye, Miss Saunders,
and good luck to you.

Thank you.

She has a lot of
courage.

Yes, she has.

So have you, John.

Thank you, but...
Della said it.

We just couldn't
run away, either of us.

Hyah!

[ theme music playing ]