Original subtitles

[ 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.

Here you are.

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 ]