Original subtitles

Come, come, gentlemen!

May I remind you that you are witnessing mental miracles...

that have mystified professors of science on seven continents.

Ah, may I, sir?

Now, Miss Claire, do your remarkable powers tell you,

sight unseen, what I am holding aloft?

Some... Some sort of head covering.

A head covering. And what precisely?

A seaman's cap.

A seaman's cap. 100% correct.

She never misses. Thank you very much, Captain.

And now, Miss Claire, see if you can bring your uncanny ability...

to bear on the article I have in my upraised hand.

So many confusing thoughts in the room.

Wait. Yes. Yes, it's coming clear. It...

You have a deck of playing cards.

A deck of playing cards it is.

Now, Miss Clair, I shall dispose of all but one of these cards.

Can you see it clearly?

Yes. It's the king of hearts.

The king of hearts it is.

How does she do it? How does she do it?

It's all in the mind, gentlemen.

Miss Claire has the unique and wonderful power...

to pluck your thoughts out of the very air.

Yeah? Then let her tell me what I'm thinking, huh?

Tell me, sweetheart. I'm sorry, sir.

Miss Claire's power is a natural gift, a scientific phenomenon.

It is not to be used in a frivolous fashion.

Shut up and let her talk. I want her to tell me what I'm thinkin'.

Disruptive influences prevent Miss Claire from continuing any further at this time.

Sir, would you please sit down?

I asked her a question. I want her to answer it.

You, girl. Tell me what I'm thinkin' about.

The gentleman is thinking... about his mother.

My...

And now for a further demonstration of Miss Claire's remarkable gift.

Now, Miss Claire, concentrate, please, if you will.

I want you to tell these kind people the nature of the object...

I have just picked up from the table.

I see a series of numbers... 12 of them.

It's a face of a watch. It's... It's a man's gold watch that you have.

A man's gold watch.

And what is inscribed in the case?

Very quickly, please.

I see the letter "E."

No, no, no. There's some confusion.

It's two letters. The initials "E" and "J."

"E" and "J" is correct, is it not, sir?

Thank you very much. Well, ladies and gentlemen,

that concludes our performance for this evening.

We want to thank you all for your kind attention.

And may I remind you that all contributions will be gratefully accepted.

Come, come, come, gentlemen. Let's not be bashful.

Now, you've all seen a miracle here tonight.

Surely that must be worth a few paltry coins.

Ah, thank you, sir. And...

Ah, here's a gentleman who obviously knows a phenomenon when he sees one.

If Miss Claire will join me for a drink.

Miss Claire does not drink, sir, nor does she sit with strangers.

Anything wrong, Doc?

No, my dear. Everything's under control.

Miss Claire... Garson, isn't it?

No, I'm not a mind reader.

I just know one or two things about you, Miss Claire.

For instance?

I know she used to live at the San Francisco Civic Orphanage.

And I know that both of you can use some money.

So, take it. There's lots more.

Sit down, uh, both of you.

What do you want?

I was sent here just to see you, Miss Claire.

- How did you know about the orphanage? - I was told.

- By whom? - A friend.

It has something to do with my past, hasn't it?

And your future, Miss Claire.

It has a lot to do with your future.

Whoa.

I'll meet you here. When you're ready.

Did the cloth I ordered come in yet? Sure did.

Oh. This is going to make an awful pretty party gown.

Ah! I didn't realize it'd be so red.

If you'd rather have it in some other color...

No. I don't see any reason why I shouldn't wear red. Do you?

No reason in the world.

Except all the other girls will be green with envy.

That's a mighty festive combination... red and green.

Do you think four yards will be enough?

Oh, yes. That'll be plenty. Okay.

Be with you in a minute, ma'am. That's all right. I'm in no hurry.

This should be just about right.

Hope your dressmaker has it ready for you in time.

Oh, I'm sure she will.

The party's not till the 18th.

Is there anything else you'd like to see while you're here?

Mmm. Let me think.

I'm sorry. I must have knocked it off the shelf.

My fault. I shouldn't have it so near the door.

Hardly room to move as it is.

I'll get the broom. Excuse me.

Here, let me help you.

I don't know how I could have been so clumsy.

Oh. Did you cut yourself?

Um, no, it's just a scratch. Oh, my goodness.

I've got something to put on it right here.

Would you step over here, please?

Here. I'll do that.

I hate putting you to so much trouble.

Oh, don't be silly.

You don't live around here, do you?

No. I'm just passing through.

Originally, I come from a little town in California.

You've probably never even heard of it... Rough and Ready.

Well, I have heard of it.

My uncle lived there. Charles Grainger.

Oh, well, I wouldn't remember. I left there 20 years ago...

after my father was killed in a mining accident.

That's how my Uncle Charles died.

And it was about 20 years ago.

Well, maybe they knew each other.

That's certainly possible. What was your father's name?

Cal Garson. And I'm Claire.

I'm Elizabeth Grainger.

I hope I got all of it. Hate to have it scrunching underfoot.

Uh, let me pay you for the lamp.

Oh, wouldn't think of it. It's not like you did it a-purpose.

Keep the money. Please.

Well, come to the saloon and let me buy you a drink.

Will you do that? The saloon?

Yes. I work there. I'm an entertainer.

Mind reader.

Why, sure. You're Miss Claire. She's world-famous.

Played the biggest theater in San Francisco. I read it on the poster.

Whatever brought you to Medicine Bow?

Oh. Maybe it was fate.

I came here just to cut my finger.

A funny thing happened in the store.

Mr. Edmunds crack one of his famous jokes?

Well, it's not really "funny."

Oh, sort of strange, I guess.

There was a girl, and we started talking.

You know, just making polite conversation.

She came from the same town my Uncle Charles came from.

Mr. Grainger's brother?

His youngest brother. But that's not all.

Now that I think about it, it really was strange.

Her father was killed in a mine about the same time that Uncle Charles was killed,

and the same way.

Don't you think that's strange?

Yeah. It's a strange thing to talk about in a general store.

Her name was Claire Garson.

Her father's name was Cal.

Hmm. Right initials anyway.

What do you mean?

Her father's initials... C.G.

Cal Garson... Charles Grainger.

Now, that is strange.

Oh. I was just looking for something.

Trace of your Uncle Charles?

There isn't much here.

That girl at the store certainly got your curiosity up, didn't she?

I can't help thinking it's more than a coincidence.

Apparently, I'm the only one who thinks so.

Well, after all, just a casual conversation with a perfect stranger.

But at dinner, you confirmed everything she'd said.

Uncle Charles did die in a mine accident.

And it was a landslide.

And the place and the time.

It's the same way her father died... exactly.

So you think her father and my brother were the same person.

I think it's possible.

Yes, it's possible.

Only Charles never had a daughter. He was never married.

Well, you lost track of him for a while.

He could've met someone.

And had a daughter who just happens to turn up 20 years later in Medicine Bow?

I wish I could find a picture of him.

Charles? Yes. To see if there's any resemblance.

Well, there should be one in there someplace.

It would have to be an old one.

Well, that's all right, just so long as it shows his face.

Hmm. Didn't know I was such a collector.

There's a bill of sale for some cattle I bought in Texas before you were born.

Here. Here's one.

I don't know if it'll do you much good.

But that's Charles on the right, me in the middle.

Then that's my father.

Mmm. The three Grainger boys.

That's probably the longest we ever stood still.

Well, you see any resemblance?

No, I can't tell.

Why did he go away?

Well, Charles had a mind of his own.

He didn't want to raise cattle. He was more interested in raising holy Ned.

Did you fight? Constantly.

Tooth and nail.

Your father was the peacemaker.

No, Charles and I never saw eye-to-eye on anything.

I suppose I drove him away.

I was hard on him. Too hard probably.

He got in some kind of a drunken scrape,

and I had to pay his jail fine.

I lit into him.

He took a horse and saddle and a rifle.

I never saw him again.

I got a letter from somebody who knew him, telling about his death.

So I sent $50 to pay his debts.

Uncle Clay.

If there's a chance that she's his daughter,

don't you think you should go and see her?

Morning, Bart. Well, Mr. Grainger, how are you?

I see you're keeping busy.

Yeah. Doing my own swampin' these days.

What can I do for you?

Do you have a new girl working here, an entertainer... a Miss Garson?

- Miss Claire. Yeah, that's right. - Do you know where she is?

Oh, this time of day, she might be just about anywhere.

Why don't you ask her father? He's right over there.

Thanks.

Good morning. Good morning.

Never too early for a game of cards, is it? No.

Uh, I'm looking for a Miss Claire Garson.

What for? I'd like to talk to her.

What about? I thought we might have a mutual acquaintance.

You and Miss Claire?

Well, that doesn't seem very likely, does it?

I was told you might know where I could find her.

Now, why would I know?

You're her father, aren't you?

More or less. What's that supposed to mean?

Well, it could mean I'm not given to discussing my personal life in saloons,

especially with people I don't know.

I'm Clay Grainger. Nathaniel E. Watson.

Watson? Well, then you're not her father.

No. Just an elderly friend, partner and watchdog.

Did you happen to know Mr. Garson?

I never had that honor. He passed away many years ago.

Mining accident, I believe.

Fortunately, Miss Claire was little more than a baby at the time...

and doesn't recall a thing.

Well, I'd like to see her if I may.

Second door on the right.

And knock loud. She sleeps late.

We're show people, you know.

Thank you, Mr. Watson. Just call me Doc.

Yes.

Miss Garson?

Yes. Who is it? I'm Clay Grainger.

I'd like to speak to you for a minute if I may.

Uh, just... Just a minute.

Um, I'm not dressed yet.

I can come back later if it'd be more convenient.

No, no. I'll just be a minute.

Ah. Come in. Thank you.

Grainger... I met someone by that name.

Elizabeth. Elizabeth Grainger.

My niece.

She bandaged my finger. She was very helpful.

I can hardly see where it's cut now.

Yeah.

Uh, you wanted to speak to me, Mr. Grainger?

Yes.

Elizabeth mentioned that her uncle and your father might have known each other,

perhaps even died in the same mining accident.

Oh, yes.

There, uh... there was some sort of, uh, coincidence.

I was wondering if you might know some of the details of that accident.

The information I had about my brother's death was rather sketchy.

Well, I... I wish I could help you,

but I don't really remember much about it.

- Do you know the name of the mine? - No.

Well, it doesn't really matter, I guess.

I just thought I might look it up someday. The mine?

I should think it's all covered with dirt from the landslide.

It's more than just a mine, isn't it?

They never dug those men out. It's their grave as well.

Well, I never thought of it like that.

Funny to think of it as my father's grave.

And my brother's.

Mr. Grainger, do you mind if I get dressed while we talk?

I don't want to take up any more of your time.

I just thought perhaps I might find out something about my brother...

that I... that I didn't know.

I'm sorry I can't help you.

I was so small at the time.

Maybe your mother might know something.

Oh, she's dead.

She died when we reached San Francisco. Oh.

Well, in that case...

Miss Garson, where did you get that?

Oh, I've had that since I was a baby.

I guess my father gave it to me.

Mr. Grainger, I don't know whether you trust my judgment as you did my father's,

but I'll tell you what he would've said if he were sitting in this chair.

"Clay, I smell a swindle."

You say the same thing?

With just as much certainty.

Well, I thought so too. Then I saw the medallion.

My father designed it himself. He had three copies made...

and gave one to each of his sons.

The one she has is an exact duplicate of that one.

Hmm. Where did she get it?

She says she's had it ever since she was a baby.

She guesses her father gave it to her.

And what did you say?

Nothing. I wanted to see you first...

before I said or did anything.

Bill, I realize the odds against this are fantastic.

Mr. Grainger, look at it logically.

The girl and the old man are in it together.

Now, somehow they got ahold of that medallion...

and picked up a couple of background facts on Charles.

Now they want to pass the girl off as the niece I never knew I had.

The whole thing is too smooth. It's too convenient.

They know what they're after.

Elizabeth's trust fund comes to maturity soon.

And if that girl can convince you that she's your niece,

then she is entitled to half of it.

Mm-hmm. That had crossed my mind.

They must have gone to a lot of time and trouble to set this up.

In a way, you've got to admire it.

You realize, of course, they're making no claims.

They're letting you jump to all the conclusions...

so that, legally, they are in the clear.

I'm not worried about the legalities.

I just want to know if this girl could possibly be my brother's daughter.

Mmm. Well, as you say, the odds are fantastic, but...

I'll look into it if you want me to. You go ahead.

If she is my niece, I've got a lot to make up for.

And now, Miss Claire, with your astonishing powers of perception,

can you tell us, sight unseen, the nature of this article?

A glass.

A glass of what?

A glass of beer.

Absolutely correct.

How did it taste?

Delicious.

Thank you, sir. And have a fresh glass on the house.

And now, is there a gentleman with a personal item in his pocket...

that Miss Claire can identify?

How about you, sir?

Come, come, come, gentlemen. There's nothing to be afraid of.

Having your mind read won't hurt you.

Surely you must have something on your person, sir.

No. Whiskey.

Hey, what about this? Hey! Not that!

Thank you, sir. That will serve admirably.

- Now, Miss Claire, are you ready? - Yes.

Can you tell me what am I holding high over my head?

A letter.

A letter. And what sort of a letter?

Uh, a perfumed letter.

Yes, indeedy.

- And what is its scent? Can you tell? - Lilac.

And what is the point of origin of this scented missive?

Uh...

I seem to see a... a city on a great river.

It... It appears to be St. Louis.

Is that right? Huh? Yes. That-That's right.

Miss Claire is always right. She never misses, sir.

Now can you tell me who wrote the letter?

Oh, a lady, of course. Of course.

And now can you tell me the first letter of the first name?

"M."

Mamie. I didn't know she could write.

So far, you are 100% correct.

No. Let me make that 1,000% correct.

And now, Miss Claire, with the aid of your miraculous powers,

can you tell me what the letter says?

Well, let's hear it for the little lady, huh?

- Fake! - She's nothing but a fake.

She's no mind reader. She's a fake. That's all.

It's all right, gentlemen. It's all right.

There's always a skeptic in the crowd.

I can prove she's a fake.

She can see right through that blindfold.

Now, sir, if you have any complaints,

I suggest you speak to the management after the performance.

Out of the way! I just wanna look at the blindfold.

Put it away, nice and easy.

Kinda warm in here.

Why don't you take a walk outside and cool off?

Well, that concludes our evening's performance.

We thank you for your kind attention.

You all right, Doc? I'm getting too old for this sort of thing.

Otherwise, I'm fine.

May I? Certainly.

Hmm. He was wrong. Can't see a thing.

Blocks a nice view.

May I?

Oh. Thank you. My pleasure.

Claire, I don't think we can stay in Medicine Bow any longer.

- You just got here. - Oh, well, that man will come back.

They always do... the ones who hate to be fooled.

The dullards and pea brains who haven't the sense to be entertained.

In a case like this, it's always better to move on.

We'll need train fare, Doc.

Ah, yes. One moment, gentlemen.

I wish to call your attention to this ordinary-looking hat.

You will notice that it is quite empty.

We hope to remedy this situation through your kindness and generosity.

Please, sir, no wooden nickels.

Thank you very much, sir.

Ah, we're most grateful.

When do you leave? Tomorrow.

Do you have to? Well, there's no reason to stay.

Surely that's worth a few paltry coins.

Well... Uh...

Come in.

Oh.

Did you see their act? Yes, I did. I took Trampas along with me.

He really got wrapped up in it. Well, what'd you think?

Well, I'm no expert, but I'll say this.

Whatever else they may be, they're real entertainers.

Then they could be here for the reason they said... just to perform at the saloon.

Yeah, but they won't be here long.

They're catching a train out tomorrow morning.

A train?

Well, Bill McGraw sent to San Francisco for information on 'em.

He doesn't expect to hear anything for another week.

The last I saw of them, they were raising money for the tickets.

What... Tomorrow morning?

What if it turns out she really is my niece?

An engagement, sir?

Well, now, just what is the nature of your establishment?

It's a ranch... my home.

My niece is giving a party next week,

and my foreman and top hand told us about your act, how entertaining it was.

So I thought maybe I could get you to perform for us.

Oh. Well, let me see now. That's... That's next week?

Week from Saturday. Oh, Saturday's a big night.

The saloons are always full on Saturday nights.

I heard about your ruckus downstairs last night.

Oh. But all of my guests will be sober.

Well, that is a consideration.

Were those your men who helped us out the other night?

I wouldn't be surprised.

Well, what do you say, Mr. Watson?

Are you available for employment?

"Available" hardly begins to cover it.

Except that we can't possibly stay in Medicine Bow another week.

We don't have money. You're right, my dear.

You see, Mr. Grainger, the innkeeper has been giving us lodging...

in return for our services.

We are, however, allowed to keep what falls into the hat.

And I... I can't work here another night.

That man will come back, and he'll bring his friends.

- Remember Seattle? - Yes, I still have the lumps.

Uh, money is a bit of a problem.

I was only able to collect enough for two train tickets to the next town.

Well, I can remedy that. I'll give you an advance on your fee.

Ah, that's a very interesting proposition.

Or better yet, why not be our guests at the ranch until the party?

We really should move on.

However, I leave the decision to Miss Claire.

Is it really as important as all that?

Elizabeth would certainly like you to stay. She's looking forward to it.

All right. We accept the engagement.

And thank you very much, sir. Fine.

I'll send somebody for your things. We'll be expecting you.

Ah, yes. And you have my personal guarantee, sir,

that your party will be a most memorable occasion.

I'm sure it will.

Good-bye, Miss Claire. Mr. Grainger.

Well? How did it go?

Beautiful, Mr. McGraw. Beautiful.

And please thank Mr. Lynch for his admirable performance.

He played the part of the heckler to perfection.

Here's to the long-lost relative.

May she be found, but never found out.

They're here.

Come on in. Welcome to Shiloh.

My niece, Elizabeth. This is Mr. Watson.

Ah, this is an enchanted moment.

Thank you.

It's gonna be fun having you both here.

Well, it'll certainly be a change from what we're used to.

Come on. I'll show you your room.

Well, I hope you'll both be comfortable here.

Mmm.

Ah, I must say, this is a definite improvement...

over that squirrel cage we've been living in.

And this is your room.

Oh. It's beautiful.

I'm sure it doesn't compare with hotel rooms.

You can't imagine some of the hotels I've stayed in.

Oh! I didn't know they made 'em this soft.

Uncle Clay mentioned his brother Charles to you.

Mm-hmm.

He had two brothers... Uncle Charles and my father.

My father's dead. So's my mother.

So we're a pair of orphans... Another coincidence.

You know, actually, we have a lot in common.

I'm sure you're gonna like it here.

Well, I'm afraid I don't know much about ranches.

I'm a real city girl.

- Can you ride? - No.

Mmm, I can fix that. I'll have one of the hands pick out a horse for you.

Well, just make sure it's a very tame horse.

Very old and very slow. That's it.

In fact, if he doesn't move at all, I'll be a lot happier.

You know, I... I usually don't envy people,

yet... I envy you.

Why?

Oh. I don't know.

All this.

Howdy.

Uh, what should I do with these?

Mmm. Well, why don't you bring them in?

Say, that's a good idea.

- Where should I put 'em? - What do you think about the floor?

It's nice.

Oh.

Whew! Now, you better be careful.

You give this girl half a chance, and she'll talk your ears off.

Have I been talking too much?

No. Well, don't say I didn't warn you.

Remember the parrot.

- What parrot? - You didn't tell her about that?

Well, Liz had a parrot, see. She had it about, oh, three years.

She didn't know whether the bird could talk or not.

Poor bird never got a chance to open his mouth.

Out. Out.

See? See? She'll never say something once if she can say it twice.

And while you're out there, find a nice, gentle horse for Claire to ride.

A horse? For what? Oh! To ride.

Oh. Oh.

Now you see what I have to put up with around here.

Oh.

Come on. Huh?

That's it. Oh.

Come on. Well, I got good news for you.

You can get off now. I don't know if I'm able to.

Oh, you're doin' real great for somebody who's never been on a horse before.

You might be gettin' a little sore. Watch your step.

Oh. Here.

See? As far as you can see...

Shiloh Ranch.

You like working for the Graingers?

Yep. They're good people. And this is a good ranch.

What more could I want?

Oh, I don't know. People want different things.

That's for sure. Take you and Doc.

Workin' indoors, travelin' all over.

I couldn't take that kind of life. Oh, it's not that bad.

Oh, I'm not sayin' it's bad. It's just I couldn't live that way.

Well, you don't know anything about it.

I've spent an hour or two in saloons before.

I know, after a while, you gotta step outside and get a breath of fresh air.

Well, you may be right about that.

But people like Doc, they just ignore that part of it.

- They look forward to the better times. - What about people like you?

I want to see to it that Doc gets those better times.

- He's been like a father to me. - At first, I thought he was.

Well, he's all the family I've ever known.

It's his act. He works on it, improves it so that we'll be ready.

- For what? - The variety theaters back East.

Oh.

I was just thinkin' that maybe you'd get kind of tired of movin' around...

and like to settle down in one spot.

Well, if you're asking me if I want to get married someday...

No, ma'am, that's not what I'm asking.

There's nothing wrong with marriage... for married people.

Well, I didn't really think you were proposing.

No. No, I was just, uh... Well, what I meant was...

I just thought you might get tired of moving around from place to place...

and pretend to be something you're not.

What do you mean?

Well, acting... playing the part of a mind reader.

That's what I call real hard work. Yeah.

Well, it's getting late. I think I'd better get back.

I promised to help with dinner. Oh.

- Did I say something out of line? - No.

Oh.

Yeah, I guess you're right. I, uh... I just don't understand show people.

This is the only room you haven't seen.

I saved it till the last.

This is where we store all the odds and ends...

we can't quite bring ourselves to throw away.

Come on in.

It's not a very cheerful room even in the daytime,

but we won't be here long.

I just want to show you a couple things...

Family skeletons,

mementos of another time, another place.

Another world almost.

Now, uh, I found this in the bottom of that trunk.

I'd completely forgotten about it.

My brother sent this to me from California.

No letter, just... Just that picture of a mine.

Which one's your brother?

Oh, you're the mind reader. You tell me.

That one.

That's Charles.

- Why did you pick him? - He looked the most like you.

No, uh, there wasn't much family resemblance.

He favored my mother's side.

I have another picture of him here taken a few years earlier.

What did I do with that?

Oh, here it is.

Oh, that was our regimental flag.

Fourth Texas Cavalry. We served together, the three of us.

Now this was several years earlier.

And that snow, by the way, was painted in by the photographer.

I think it must have been my mother's idea.

Now, which one of those would you say is Charles?

Oh, that one.

Either you have some mental power, or else...

Or else you're the best guesser I ever met.

It's not even a good picture of Charles.

Doesn't do him justice.

- He had bright blue eyes... - And light red hair.

What'd you say? His hair.

What about his hair?

I was talking about my father. I... I suddenly

remembered that he had light red hair.

So did my brother. So did Charles.

No, I didn't tell you that. How could I? I didn't know.

Well, then how did I know? What made me say it?

Oh, must have been a lucky guess.

But I wouldn't push our luck too far. You could've been wrong, you know.

It wasn't a guess. I knew.

You knew the color of Charles Grainger's hair?

My father's hair.

Are you sure?

No. No, of course not.

You don't even remember him.

Well, anyway, that flash of intuition, or whatever it was you had,

served a useful purpose.

Grainger is practically convinced you're his niece.

Doc, I'm not sure I want to go through with this.

I know I was the one...

who said it would be a good way to make some fast money.

You were against it from the beginning.

Yeah. I didn't like Lynch when I met him, and I still don't.

But you got a good point about the money.

Sure would help to send us back east.

Ah. Those theaters back there... royal palaces.

Solid brass cuspidors in every dressing room.

I've always wanted us to play Boston,

New York, Philadelphia.

Doc, I know how important that is to you.

It's just... Elizabeth and her Uncle Clay...

They're not strangers anymore.

You think it's better to cheat strangers?

I don't know.

I... I guess I thought it would just be a trick like...

Like pretending to be a mind reader.

But it's not. It's just not.

Whoa.

Hope we didn't keep you waiting too long.

We just got here ourselves. Ah. Good.

How's everything going at Shiloh? Fine, fine.

I was just telling Miss Claire she's doing the greatest acting job of her career.

Let's hope you're right. We'll finish this off Saturday night at the Grainger party.

I'll have the documents to prove she's Grainger's niece.

What happens after that?

Just keep on acting until the papers are drawn up to divide the trust fund.

Then you go on your way and spend your earnings.

There's really nothing to it, is there?

No, on the contrary. There's a great deal to it.

But we can't afford to have any costly second thoughts.

Who said anything about second thoughts?

Are there any doubts, Miss Claire?

No, no. She's just, uh, having a little case of stage fright.

You got a bad habit of answering for her.

Let her do her own talkin'.

Yes. We'd be interested to know what she has on her mind at this moment.

- I told you, she's a little scared. - Shut up.

It's all right, Doc. I'll tell them.

I don't like any of it. I'm sorry I got into it.

But you did get into it, and you can't get out.

Not now. We're too close.

They owe me this, and I'm gonna collect.

I won't let you interfere with my plans.

You understand that?

Do you understand?

Yes.

Now, Mr. Lynch has a stake in this too.

If anything should happen to spoil it, he'll kill you both.

All right, let's go.

Well, I was wonderin' who was playing.

Elizabeth is good, but nowhere near that good.

Where'd you learn? Oh, some of the better saloons have pianos.

Oh. Well, uh, go on, play.

Yeah.

- Nice. - Kind of sad.

That's the kind of mood you're in, huh?

Well, you know what I do when I get to feelin' like that?

I go for a ride into town.

Of course, I'm feelin' pretty good today.

But I gotta go into town anyway,

buy some stuff for the party.

Might, uh, do you a lot of good to go into town with me.

Oh. I've got some things to do.

All afternoon? All afternoon.

Oh, well, that leaves the rest of the morning.

Trampas, I'm really... Another thing a girl should do...

when she gets to feeling like that is, uh, spend some time with me,

which you haven't done the last couple of days.

Now, let's see. What could we do?

I got it.

You can let me in on that big secret of yours.

What secret?

That mind reading thing you do.

I know there's a trick to it, but I'll be darned if I can figure it out.

Do you really want to know? Sure.

I figure it'll come in handy working on a ranch like this.

Next time a heifer's lookin' at me, I'll know what she's thinking.

Only if you both know the code. Code?

That's how it's done, and it takes a while to learn it.

Well, I got a while. Teach me.

Okay. The first word is the key.

What do you mean "key"?

Oh, for instance, Doc holds up a silver dollar. Silver dollar.

And he says, "Will you tell me what I have here? Quickly, please."

Now the key word is "will." It has four letters.

Which means that the fourth letter of the last word...

will tell us what the object is.

The last word is "quickly." Uh-uh. The last word is "please."

Well, the "please" at the end of the sentence means the object is silver.

Now, the fourth letter of the last word is "C."

"C" stands for "cartwheel." "Cartwheel" stands for "dollar,"

And so we have silver dollar. Got it?

Would you mind going over that again? Quickly, please.

Ah. Chess.

A gentleman's game. I haven't played it in years.

What's the bet?

Bet? In a chess game?

Just a small wager to make it interesting.

Shall we say, uh, a dollar?

Oh, uh, I don't remember the name of this fellow.

That's a rook.

- Shall we say half a dollar? - You're on.

Your move.

How'd you come to meet Claire, Mr. Watson?

Uh, that's a very interesting tale, Mr. Grainger.

I was working in San Francisco with my wife, Dolores.

We did a magic act. You know, coins, cards,

mysterious floating objects.

One evening, we were returning from a performance.

We passed the orphanage. It was on fire.

Naturally, we ran to help. One of the children we saved was Claire.

My wife fell in love with the little tot. We raised her as our own.

After Dolores passed away, I... I took Claire into the act...

just so I could keep an eye on her.

She ever speak of her parents?

Now, that's a very funny thing.

You see, the fire was a terrible shock to her. Sort of rattled her memory.

She was very close to a couple of other little girls in the orphanage.

They used to stay awake nights after lights were out talking to one another,

recalling memories of home.

And to this day, Claire doesn't know...

which of those scattered fragments of memory are her own...

and which are those she only heard from the other girls.

Mmm. What did she tell you?

Well, it's... It's rather peculiar.

An odd mixture of fact and fancy.

I remember on one occasion I was showing her a map of America...

The states and territories, you know?

I pointed out Texas.

Tears welled up in her eyes, and she said,

"My Daddy lived in Texas."

Mmm.

I'm from Texas.

My brothers and I were raised there.

Is that a fact?

Seems you're in danger of losing your queen, mein host.

Check.

Claire? Oh.

Claire, it's all right.

I saw it. I saw the mine.

I was right... right there.

She's having one of her nightmares.

Oh. Oh, it was so real.

I saw the whole mountain just... falling away.

It's all right, Claire. You're just... having a dream.

All that rock and dirt... Tons of it... crushing the mine.

Texas Four.

What was the name of the mine?

Your father's mine.

Texas Four.

Fourth Cavalry... Texas Four.

That was Uncle Charles's mine.

Yeah.

We're the only ones who knew that.

I saw it.

It was right there, the flag.

Oh, I'm so confused.

Of course you are. You get some sleep now.

We'll talk about it in the morning.

Ye-Yes.

Elizabeth.

Sleep well.

Doc. Doc, wake up.

Wake up, Doc.

- Who's there? - Shh.

Oh. Claire. What's the matter?

Doc, get up and get dressed.

We've gotta get out of here right now, tonight.

Tonight? We can't do that. McGraw and Lynch would be after us in a minute.

Not if we caught the train out of here before they knew we were gone.

The train doesn't come through till morning.

We'll have to wait in town. We can't stay here another night.

Why not?

Doc, I was telling the truth about that dream. I...

I saw that landslide. I... I knew the name of the mine. I remembered.

Oh, no.

You're pretending to be Grainger's niece,

and you remembered what happened to her, not you.

No, Doc. To me.

That was my father's mine.

No, child. No.

Those pictures in the trunk and the regimental flag...

I had such a feeling about them.

I've had that same feeling ever since I've gotten into this house.

I can't stay here another night.

But if you really believe you're Grainger's niece,

I don't see the logic of running away in the middle of the night.

Doc, I feel it. I-I probably believe it, but...

But I... I have no proof.

All the little girls in the orphanage, we...

We all told each other stories.

Maybe this is just one of them I heard in the night.

It's some other girl's memory. I... I don't know.

Don't you see? I can't be sure.

McGraw has the documents he manufactured.

They'll convince Grainger. You could go right on staying here.

Possibly living a lie, never to know the truth.

Oh, Doc, I can't do that. Please.

Please, let's just take the train to the end of the line.

I don't care where we go, just... just as long as it's away from here.

This could get us in a lot of trouble, you know?

But we've been in trouble before.

We'll be in trouble again before we're through.

If nothing else, it certainly makes life interesting.

But it sure plays hob with a man's sleep.

Well, maybe she went for a walk. It's a beautiful morning.

She said she was going to help me in the kitchen.

I waited for over an hour, and then I went up to her room.

She wasn't there.

What about Doc Watson? He's gone too.

People don't just disappear.

Not without reason anyway.

Oh, have you seen Claire?

No, but we just came from the barn.

We're missing a couple of horses.

We're missing a couple of people too.

Maybe they rode into town.

Why? I don't know.

Something's happened. I'm sure.

I can send one of the hands into Medicine Bow to look for 'em.

Well, I'll go if it's all right with you.

It's all right with me. Take as much time as you want.

Trampas. Find her, please.

We'd better stay here till the train pulls in,

keep our exposure at a minimum.

I hope it's on time.

I suppose they've missed us at Shiloh by now.

I suppose so. They may come looking for us.

I know two gentlemen who will.

Elizabeth was looking forward so much to her party.

I wish I hadn't had to spoil it for her.

Well, should be a very interesting evening...

when Mr. McGraw arrives with his false documents...

and finds his little bird has flown.

Oh, howdy, Trampas. This is kind of early for you, ain't it?

Yeah. Uh, you haven't seen Claire and Doc Watson around this morning, have you?

No. I ain't seen them since they quit.

Yeah, I thought they was stayin' out to Shiloh. They were.

I think I'd better check the hotel. Thanks anyway.

Can I get you another shot? No.

Do you know if there's a train through here today?

Should be one in any minute.

For a minute, I thought it had stopped.

Funny how the time crawls when you're waiting for a train.

Is that a teardrop I see?

No.

My mistake.

Well, we've still got a little expense money left.

It's not enough to get us to the

Hammerstein's in New York, but it's a start.

Uh-oh.

He won't shoot in front of the whole town.

It's been my experience that angry men are inclined to be unreasonable.

Now it has to come in.

The tracks run along back here.

If we wait till the train is ready to leave,

you can scoot out the back door and jump in the caboose.

He'll... He'll see us, Doc. He has to.

Not "us," my dear. You.

My caboose-jumping days are over.

I'm not going without you. Now you listen to me.

You haven't even heard my plan.

I'll go out front, divert his attention.

I'll tell him you ran out on me.

I'll tell him you... you rode off to Laramie on a Shiloh horse.

He'll never believe that.

I'll make him believe it. You know me, dear.

I can talk a rabbit out of its hole.

I can talk a turtle out of its shell.

He'll kill you.

I'd never get in the way of a bullet.

You know me better than that. Come on.

Doc.

We wanna play Hammerstein's, don't we?

Oh, we'll set those booking agents on fire with our act.

You just wait and see.

But first we have to get out of here, and this is the only way.

I'll catch up with you tomorrow in Cheyenne.

You be careful.

Oh, don't you worry about me.

Hurry, child. Hurry.

Mr. Lynch. Mr. Lynch.

Over here. Quick.

I've got something to tell you.

In here.

Never try to reason... with an unreasonable man.

Where is she, Doc?

I can talk a rabbit out of its hole.

I can talk...

Evening, Mr. Grainger. Harper. Glad to see you.

Make yourselves right at home.

Is Elizabeth feeling any better?

She hasn't come down yet.

Maybe I shouldn't have told her about Doc until after the party.

She'd have heard about it from somebody else.

News like that travels fast.

I wish Doc would've been able to tell me something about it.

Must've had something to do with them leaving town so soon.

They were running. What were they running from?

I wonder if we'll ever know.

Hi. Howdy.

Anything new in town?

The sheriff's wired every stop on the railroad to be on the lookout for Claire.

Nobody's seen her yet. What about the man who killed Watson?

His name was Lynch. That's about all anybody knows about him.

He was new in town.

First time I saw him was that night in the saloon when he caused the trouble.

Think he killed Doc over that?

I'm going up and see Elizabeth. You know everybody.

Shake 'em by the hand and show 'em where the refreshments are.

When Bill McGraw shows up, have him wait in the study.

Elizabeth? I'm in here, Uncle Clay.

Folks are asking for you.

I thought Claire might have left something behind...

that would tell us where she was going.

I found this under her pillow.

What does it say?

"Dear Elizabeth, I can't leave without saying good-bye.

"Someday, I hope to be able to explain to you and your uncle,

"but now I can only run away from Shiloh as quickly as possible.

"I know I'm doing the right thing.

"I only wish I hadn't waited so long.

Please forgive me. Claire."

Let me see that.

Howdy. Hi.

Hey, nice to see you, Seth. Come on in.

Nice to see you. Looks like this is gonna be some kind of a shindig.

Where's Clay? Oh, he's around somewhere.

Say, did you hear about the shooting in town?

Two fellas got killed in the livery stable.

Yeah, heard about that. Drinks are right over here, Seth.

Now you're talkin'. See ya later.

This is gonna be some party. Mm-hmm.

Hello, Bill.

Oh, Mr. Grainger.

Sorry to keep you waiting. That's all right.

Well, I told you I'd have some news one way or the other.

Sit down. No man likes to admit he was wrong,

but I'm afraid that's the case.

- Was I wrong? - Oh, no, not you. Me.

I was dead wrong about the girl.

Mr. Grainger, I have papers here that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt...

that Claire Garson is your niece.

Well, where is the young lady?

I'd like to be there when you tell her the news.

I take it you didn't come through Medicine Bow.

No. I came straight from Laramie.

A colleague from San Francisco met me there with the papers.

Why? What's happened?

Claire's gone.

Gone? When?

Sometime last night. She vanished without a trace.

Doc Watson was killed this morning in town.

Do they know who did it? Yes, they know.

It was a man by the name of Lynch. He was a stranger in town.

He's dead too. He tried to shoot it out with my top hand.

Do you have any idea why this man killed Doc Watson?

No. Except that they had had a run-in in the saloon one night.

It's ironic, isn't it?

I thought I was bringing you good news.

Now it has very little meaning.

If only she'd waited a little while longer.

Say, did I ever tell you about the time I nearly drowned in a barrel of whiskey?

Yes, I believe you did. It was up Dakota way, about six, seven years ago.

Here she is. There was only this one saloon...

Claire.

Oh, Trampas. Evening, Claire.

I have something I want to tell you. I know. I know.

Claire.

Claire. Are you all right? Oh, yes.

You had us frightened half to death.

We didn't know if we'd ever see you again.

Oh, this is Mr. McGraw, my attorney.

I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Claire.

Claire! Oh!

Where were you? I was so worried.

I'll explain later.

Ladies and gentlemen, you were promised some entertainment this evening.

I'm not going to disappoint you.

If you will please be seated, the performance will begin at once.

Claire, you don't have to do this.

Please, I want to.

Now, I'm without my usual costume and props,

so I'll have to improvise.

So if I may borrow a lady's scarf...

or a man's handkerchief.

Oh.

Here. Thank you.

Please tie it securely so that my eyes are completely covered.

Oh. There you go.

Good.

I regret to announce that my usual partner in this act...

Mr. Doc Watson... will be unable to assist me in this performance.

Trampas, will you help me?

Oh, sure. Thank you.

If I can.

Now, will someone in the audience...

please hold up an object for me to identify, sight unseen.

Ah. Here's a gentleman. Uh...

Uh, will you tell me what I have here.

Quickly, please.

I get an impression of... money.

It appears to be a dollar, a silver dollar.

Is that correct, sir? Sure is.

Well, uh...

Would anybody else like to try to test...

the miraculous powers of Miss Claire?

Any object at all, personal or otherwise.

Only don't make it too hard. Oh, here.

Hmm. Here's a gold watch.

Let's not make it too easy.

Well, uh, gentlemen. Hmm?

Does Mr. McGraw have something for me to identify...

Something in his pocket perhaps?

Well.

How about it, Mr. McGraw? You have something in your pocket?

Well, only some confidential papers.

The gentleman has some papers in his pocket.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I shall now perform a feat that has never before been accomplished...

Not on the finest stage in the finest theater in New York.

May I have your complete attention, please?

I shall now reveal the nature of Mr. McGraw's papers...

while they are still in his pocket.

No, really, they are confidential.

I see a document,

a signed, legal document.

It appears to be a birth certificate.

The name on that certificate is becoming clear.

It's my name.

This certificate proves that I am Clay Grainger's niece.

Wait, please.

I'm... getting a new impression.

Something different,

something unusual about this birth certificate.

It's a forgery.

It was forged by the man...

who has attempted to deceive Clay Grainger...

and to cheat his niece, Elizabeth,

the man responsible for the death...

of someone I dearly loved.

Oh!

You owe me that money.

My father did your legal work for years.

Oh, yes, he was paid for it.

But in the end, medical expenses took every last penny.

He left me nothing!

Nothing but a law practice... long days wasted handling other people's estates!

Isn't that funny?

Isn't that the perfect joke?

My father's estate was nothing!

Oh!

I wish you'd change your mind, Claire.

You're welcome to make Shiloh your home.

Yes, I know, and I thank you, but...

I've got to find out the truth about myself.

- Does it matter? - Well, it does to me.

My memories are so jumbled now, I...

I don't know what's real or what I just imagined...

from something I heard in the orphanage.

I'm going to go back to San Francisco...

and try to trace some of those other girls.

If I can just talk to them, I might find out.

But I've gotta know who I am.

Good-bye. Good-bye.

Good-bye.

Good-bye.