Original subtitles

Oh, do you happen to have a match?

Say, where do you come from? This building is closed.

Thank you. Well, have you the correct time?

It is after nine o'clock. ─ Oh, thanks very much.

Still, I don't understand ..

[ italian ]

[ italian ]

Police .. Police!

Death was caused by strangulation, Inspector.

The murderer had powerful hands, and he knew what he was doing.

How long has he been dead? ─ I should say about an hour.

What's your name? ─ Luigi Baccigalupi.

Alright Luis, what do you know about this? ─ Me? I don't know nothing.

I only know what I say over the phone.

Well, let's have your story.

Well, I knew something terrible was going to happen tonight.

So you knew something, huh?

Hello Mike .. what's the excitement?

Why there's been a .. ─ Oh yeah ..

I see ..

Hello Casey.

Come on Casey, give.

I've got a date with Inspector Riley. ─ Sure you have.

Only Riley don't know it.

Well, you go in and tell him. Then he will know.

Come on .. scram!

Now you know Riley always lets me in on a murder.

How did you know this was a murder? ─ Easy.

I made a quick check on the population of the city and found we were one short.

Yeah? .. Well if you don't get out of here, we're going to be two short.

Ah, you admit it.

I'd be victim number two, so who was number one?

Garfield.

Garfield?

Where'd I read something about him today? ─ Now listen here.

I remember.

The Garfield Investment Company was petitioning for bankruptcy this morning.

Another stockbroker gone the way of all flesh.

Another stockbroker?

Say .. Casey ..

Run in and tell Riley I've got to see him. I've got a clue. Come on now ..

Oh alright.

I'm sorry sir, but that Burton guy from The Chronicle is outside.

You mean inside. ─ Alright Casey, alright ..

What are you doing here, Burton?

Well, you know I always tag along with you on all your unsolved murders.

I thought I'd just come along to see that you didn't break the record.

Is that so?

Well, don't break anything on this story until I say so or there will be trouble.

Oh, you know me. ─ Alright Casey.

Strangled, huh? Just like the other cases.

Yeah, that's not the only similarity either.

When the murderer was leaving the building he asked the janitor for a match.

And the time.

The fourth case we've had just like this in a month.

The clues are all the same and they lead no place.

I think we've got a clue. ─ What do you mean?

Has that fact taken resident in your cranium that Garfield was a stockbroker?

And that the other three murder victims were also stockbrokers?

Where does that get us?

Why .. it gives us a tip on the kind of man to look for.

Instead of chasing thugs you can focus on Garfield's clients and stockbrokers.

If we're going to suspect everybody who's sore at stockbrokers ..

We're going to be getting indictments for half the population of the USA.

Hogan is right as usual.

Your theorizing is okay kid, but I'm with the Inspector.

We got to start with Baccigalupi. Luigi .. Louis ..

He got a swell peak at this guy as he left the building.

I'm going to take him to headquarters and let him look at our rogue's gallery.

The rest of the men from the homicide squad are here sir.

Send them in. ─ Alright boys.

Hi gang.

Doc .. let me have a record of the autopsy as soon as you can.

Get me a complete photographic record of everything.

Footprints, fingerprints, the works .. ─ Yes, sir.

If we fall down on this case, we're through, the bunch of us.

And as for you Burton, when you write this up, give the barest details.

I don't want them to know anything we've found out.

Say Sherlock, I can write all you've found out on a postage stamp.

And still have room on it to do a jigsaw puzzle.

Is that so?

Be seeing you.

.. and that the opening of the Opera season was a brilliant success ..

Is shown by the number of socially prominent people who attended.

The beautiful Mrs Nina Gray Switzer lent a charming presence.

She was attired in a severe white evening gown covered by an ermine wrap.

The lovely Miss Myrtle Hampstead was there also and she wore ..

Underpants, football boots and a spray of rhubarb.

A good time was had by all, as our best reporter favored the gala by his absence.

As to what he was wearing? He was just wearing on everyone.

How many times have I asked you not to spoil my record?

About as many times as I have asked you to marry me.

On the up-and-up Jerry, how about it?

We get a place and raise some chickens. What do you say?

Oh Jack, I have so much to do. Go away.

There you are. Marry me, and I'll do all your work for you.

I overheard the city editor this morning and as far as your work was concerned ..

Well, you'd better snap into it. ─ Oh yeah?

For you Miss Crane. ─ Thanks.

A love letter, huh?

No, it's from mother .. same old thing. Doctors .. bills.

I just can't seem to get anywhere. ─ You carry to much of a load, kid.

Why don't you let me help you? ─ No, Jack, I couldn't do that.

If we got married, I'd have the right to.. ─ The right to saddle you with my bills?

Is that it?

Say, nothing connected with you could be a burden.

You know I'm crazy about you.

You've got enough on your shoulders looking after yourself Jack.

What's the matter? Don't you think I'm going to get any place?

Not unless you settle down to some sort of serious work.

You know, you can write stories with more punch and drama than anybody in the game.

And yet all you do is waste your time on sensationalism.

Murders .. kidnappers .. frame-ups .. scandals.

Well, these guys like Winchell don't do so bad.

You're no Winchell. Yet ..

Only difference between me and Winchell is he's been around more places than I have.

But I'm catching up on him fast. ─ Uhuh. Yeah.

What do think of this swell little murder we had last night?

Now there you are!

Anyone would think that a murder was a show or something.

Well, this one is going to be a show. It will rock the town before it's through.

Well, well Philo Vance himself. In person.

Good morning Miss Crane. ─ Good morning Hogan.

A bit out of my precinct, but I feel good at having solved the Garfield murder.

You solved it? Why you credit-snatching flatfoot.

It was my idea to have the janitor look through the pictures in the morgue room.

Say, if I hadn't agreed to Baccigalupi .. Luigi coming down to The Chronicle.

What good would your hunch have been?

You mean, they've caught Garfield's murderer?

Yeah, got him in jail now.

Congratulations Mr Hogan. That was pretty quick work, wasn't it?

If they'd listened to me, they'd have had that guy inside six hours sooner.

Say, what's the matter with you?

I come here to tip you off to a scoop and you treat me like a relative or something.

Alright, how much is it going to cost me? That is outside my car.

On my next year's salary.

No, I just wanted to see that you got the name right.

Terence Aloysius Hogan.

Alright Hogan, you're not a bad guy.

I guess you deserve a break. ─ Yeah. Spell that little name right.

ALOYSIUS. Aloysius.

Sure, how could I miss it. .. Aloysius.

On the way down I picked up a picture.

Thought you might need it. ─ Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

I could have got one from the morgue room, but that's probably a later picture.

Yeah, that's a later one. It's uh ..

Say, what is this? I thought you were giving me a picture of the murderer.

Why, if we print this, they'll prosecute us for libel on the human race.

Why don't you let Miss Crane run it in the Society Column?

Say listen ..

When Riley hears about this, you won't get within ten miles of the next murder.

All this guy does is run around solving crimes, taking the credit from the Police.

Poor Hogan. ─ Haha.

He means well, but he just ain't bright.

Say kitten ..

What do you know about this big-shot Breen anyway?

You mean Jerome Breen? ─ That's the baby.

He's been giving the socialites an awful play lately.

He's more in your line than mine.

I haven't got time to look him up in the files just now.

Let me see ..

He came to town two years ago, and bought the Tucker estate. Everybody likes him.

He's given thousands of dollars to charity and all that sort of thing.

Boy, what a yarn for the front-page this will make.

What's Breen been doing to get himself on the front-page?

Oh, he's the guy that killed Garfield and a few others probably.

Jack, that's ridiculous. Mr Breen isn't the sort of person who would murder anyone.

No? Well the janitor identified him as the man who was prowling around the building.

The night Garfield was strangled.

Have you seen Mr Breen? What did he say?

Sure, I was with the squad when they picked him up. Naturally he denies it.

They always do.

Jack, it is terrible to arrest such a prominent man with so little evidence.

Yeah? Well, we're going to have a whole lot more evidence, before we get through.

Now I see it. Just because you and the Police have a lot of unsolved murders ..

You're going to pin it on a man who's done more for the city than anyone.

Say .. why are you so hot for this fellow Breen anyway?

Because I know all the good he'd done. His donations to charities and hospitals.

Yeah, that's a new gag nowadays: charity covers up a multitude of murders.

It says here that the man the janitor identified spoke to him. Right?

Right.

Perhaps you're forgetting the fact that Jerome Breen is both deaf and dumb.

No, no, I know all about that. I interviewed him once.

I had a hunch he could do something with those hands besides talk with him.

Jack, can't you see how your work is warping your mind?

Why, all you're becoming is a trafficker in ruined reputations.

Yup, me and Simon McGree.

You see, it all comes back to what I said in the first place.

We're always arguing, we can never agree on anything.

The only thing for us to do is to get married.

With your cruel attitude towards people ..

I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man in the world!

Baby, if I were the last man in the world ..

I'll say you wouldn't marry. You'd be run over in the stampede.

Why you .. !

Evidently, the prosecuting attorney is considerably worried.

Mr Breen says if the prosecution has any hopes of winning, he should be worried.

Jerry .. look.

If that guy can't hear what people are saying to him, I'll eat my hat.

Oh don't be silly Jack. Why All intelligent deaf people are lip-readers.

Oh yeah?

What do you think Chief? Will they get a conviction?

I don't know Hogan. All the state's has to go on is the testimony of the janitor.

And every woman in town believes he's innocent.

I was talking to the President of the Ladies Auxiliary.

And even she said that this trial was nothing more than persecution.

Well, I don't blame them.

They've been reading those soft-soap articles of yours about "poor Mr Breen".

Well, what about your story? Calling him "The Sphinx" and everything?

Well I ..

The court is now in session.The honorable George Warren, Judge, presiding.

Be seated .. continue.

And when I found the body, I called up the Police.

If you were to see this man again, would you recognize him?

Sure! I have seen him again. ─ You have? Where?

Right in this place.

Will you point him out to us Luigi? ─ Sure. That's him! Down there.

You are quite sure that you couldn't be mistaken?

Sure. I saw him with my own eyes, and I heard him with my own ears.

That's all .. your witness.

Mr Baccigalupi, have you ever had hallucinations?

Come again.

Order!

I mean .. do you ever imagine that you hear things? Or see things?

I object. ─ Objection sustained.

Mr Baccigalupi, you are positive that you heard Mr Breen speak to you?

Yes, sir.

Suppose I should prove that it would be impossible for Mr Breen to speak?

Was you there?

Order!

What would you say if I tell you that we can prove that Mr Breen is deaf and dumb?

I'd say you were a screwie!

Order!

You take a drink now and then, don't you? ─ Sure.

I have a cold almost all of the time. ─ Hmm, hmm

It was cold on the night of the murder, as I recall.

Maybe you took a few drinks of whiskey to warm you up?

No sir .. no.

Think now .. that was six weeks ago. How can you be so sure?

You mean I am sure it wasn't whiskey? ─ Yes.

I never took a drink of whiskey in all my life.

What? ─ It was gin!

Order!

That will be all. Your witness Mr Prosecutor.

Is that all with this witness? ─ No more questions.

You are excused.

Mr Breen .. can you tell us where you were on the night of the murder?

Mr Breen says that he was at home, in bed.

Mr Breen, can you tell us of anyone who saw you at home on the evening in question?

Mr Breen says that I was at his house at the time.

Alright Mr Jenks. We'll get your testimony later.

That will be all, Mr Breen.

Your witness.

See, if Breen weren't innocent he could get a flock of witnesses to prove an alibi.

Yeah? And if he's the shrewd boy I think he is, that's just what he wouldn't do.

Oh Jack, I'm surprised at you.

Why, this is the flimsiest evidence I've ever heard given in a murder trial.

I don't give a hang about the evidence. I tell you, Luis is right.

If this guy is acquitted, we're going to have some more murders.

Oh, ridiculous ..

Your name? ─ Augustus Galvin.

Your profession? ─ Physician and surgeon.

Doctor Galvin?

Doctor .. have you examined Mr Breen, the defendant?

I have.

Did you discover any abnormality in his physical structure?

Yes. Mr Breen can neither hear nor speak.

Order!

Just what .. specifically .. is the cause of his misfortune?

Mr Breen has paralysis of the vocal chords and the oral nerves.

For just how long, in your opinion, has this condition existed?

It was congenital. He was born with it.

Thank you. That will be all. Your witness.

Will the court please ..

I move for a recess until those appointed by the court can examine the defendant.

Motion granted. Court adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Hello Jack. ─ Hello.

I bet you're enjoying that one more than any story you ever wrote.

Please Jerry, go away and let me enjoy my peace will you.

Oh forget it Jack. Why you just had the wrong slant on things from the beginning.

Wrong slant huh?

It will take more than the opinion of 12 dumb clucks for me change my opinion.

I guess all we got to do now is sit back, wait for some new murders .. and cheer.

Oh don't be silly.

Hey, I'll be through with this in a minute. How about playing on the old feed-bag?

I'm sorry, I have an engagement.

Yeah? Who's the lucky guy?

He's a very, very dear friend of yours.

Alright .. who is it? ─ Mr Jerome Breen.

Jerome Breen? ─ Uhuh.

Mr Breen wrote to me, thanking me for my kindness in the articles I wrote about him.

He's invited me to his home. ─ Jerry! You're not going to his house?

Why, of course I am.

I talked to the boss about it and he'll pay me extra money for articles on Breen.

Listen baby, honey, listen. I know there's something screwy about that guy.

Why .. the idea of you being alone with him will drive me crazy.

Oh Jack, pull yourself together.

Why, everyone you see lately is a bogey-man.

This Criminal-Court assignment of yours must be getting on your nerves.

Jerry, if you go up to that man's house I'll ..

That'll be swell, only don't make it a habit.

You Mr Burton?

Alright son.

Say Mr Burton, there's a question I've been wanting to ask you for a long time.

Go ahead, shoot. I know all the answers except the right ones.

Well, I've wanted to become a great reporter and want to know how to begin.

Well son, when you find out how to begin to be a great reporter, let me know ..

And I'll start with you.

How do you do.

How do you do Miss Crane. Won't you come in please.

If you please.

It's so good of you to invite me Mr Breen.

It's a lovely house you have here.

Mr Breen says that the house is far lovelier for your presence.

I certainly wish to congratulate you on your acquittal Mr Breen.

The whole thing was preposterous.

Mr Breen says that your articles in The Chronicle ..

Were more effective than anything to show how preposterous the accusation was.

My .. if these compliments continue ..

I'm sure I'll be so conceited I won't be able write a good interview.

Well why write one then?

Mr Breen is afraid that an interview with him will have one boring necessity.

I don't understand.

You will have to talk about him, when it would be more interesting to talk about you.

You know, Mr Breen, an interview always begins in the same way.

Where were you born?

Mr Breen has jotted down some facts of his life that might be of interest to you.

You may use the material any way you see fit.

Why this is splendid.

It will be a very good beginning for the series of articles I have in mind.

Mr Breen says, now you have no alternative except to talk about yourself.

And now Miss Crane, if you will pardon me, I shall make the tea.

I do hope Mr Breen isn't bored.

Hey Tony! ─ Yes, Luis.

Fill them up again. This is three pints and two fifths.

Very good, huh?

There you are. ─ Ah, thank you.

Hello Luis. ─ Hello Mr Burton.

Well, when did you give up drinking gin?

Me, first drink the wine, and then the prohibition she comes ..

And me and all good American citizens drink the gin.

And then the law, she says, we must drink the beer.

So me, Luigi Baccigalupi drink the beer.

Have one on me, huh. ─ No thanks, not drinking. Kinda worried.

What you worried about? I'm worried too.

What have you got to be worried about?

I worry how I'm going to get out of here. ─ What do you mean?

You see, it is like this. I eat the pretzels, then I get thirsty.

I drink a glass of beer and when the glass of beer goes down, I get hungry again.

Then I eat the pretzels and I worry what is going to be the end.

That's tough alright. Hey listen Louis. ─ Yeah?

Are you sure it was Breen you were talking to on the night of the Garfield murder?

That's what I say in court, isn't it? ─ I know old man, but nobody believes you.

After all, you were drinking pretty heavily that night weren't you?

You might have been mistaken, huh?

Say, Luigi Baccigalupi only made one mistake in his life. And I married her!

Alright, now cut out the amateur comedy stuff will you, and listen to me.

Maybe you did have one drink too many? Maybe you were seeing things, huh?

Say, a few shots of gin means to me, as much as a glass of milk means to you.

I was brought up in it. I mean the gin, not the milk.

But how could it have been Breen you were talking to, if he couldn't talk?

Say, this is the last time I'm going to speak to you about this.

I know what is what. And I know what is not what.

If I have to decide, and what judges and lawyers and the like ..

And what I see with my own eyes, I stick to what I see with my own eyes.

Say, that guy Breen is a bad egg.

And anybody that gets mixed up with him is going to be in trouble sooner or later.

Maybe sooner.

I don't believe Mr Breen was expecting you Mr Werner.

Well, I've got to see him. I'll wait.

Alright.

But you must meet mother some time Mr Breen. I know you'd like her.

Mr Werner's calling.

Oh I had no idea it was so late. I simply must be going.

Mr Breen says he hopes you will come often. He is very lonely.

You're so kind, and it's so restful here. I'm afraid I'll wear out my welcome.

Thank you. Goodbye.

Good afternoon Miss Crane. ─ Goodbye.

I think Mr Breen will see you now.

You'll bet he'll see me .. if he knows what's good for him.

Hi boys, hello Hogan. Riley in?

Yeah, he's in. You'd better stay out. ─ What's the matter?

Hydrophobia. ─ Haha. Well, he's always glad to see me.

"Hey listen you. Did you hear what I said?"

I said "no".

Well, go ahead .. make it snappy.

What do you want? ─ Me? Oh I just dropped in for a drink.

Don't you know better than to drop into a Police Station for a drink?

What's this country coming to, when you can't get a drink in a Police Station.

Come on, scram. I'm busy. ─ That's alright. You're not bothering me.

I see your girlfriend Jerry is playing around with your old pal Breen.

Yeah, that's what's got me worried. ─ Why don't you do something about it?

I can't Jim.

I've talked to her until I'm blue in the face, but you know how a dame is.

The more you knock a guy, and the more she's for him.

I'm sorry for you kid, but I've got grief of my own.

I'm not in so strong with the Police Commission.

Hey Chief, there's a Mr Werner here to see Burton.

Werner? To see you?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention it. I told him to meet me here.

Say, what do you think this place is? A reception room?

Listen Jim, this guy may have a clue on the Breen case.

He called me at my office but I couldn't see him there on account of Jerry.

It's about the reward that my boss offered on the Garfield case, see.

I want you to hear him in case he has anything important to say.

And what am I supposed to do? Take down a report on the conversation?

No. You go in the other room and listen.

I don't think a view of that mug of yours will make anybody inclined to talk.

Oh, is that so? ─ Show him in Casey.

Hello Mr Werner. Have a seat.

I hope you don't mind my asking you to come here.

But you see, there are reasons why I couldn't have you at The Chronicle.

No privacy. ─ It's alright with me.

Besides, you might need the cops before you get through.

Yeah.

Well Mr Werner, what do you know?

What do you know about Breen? ─ I don't know anything about Breen.

I'm only a stockbroker's clerk. But I keep my eyes open.

Yeah, but I thought that ..

I said I knew somebody connected with the Garfield murder.

And maybe a few others. ─ Well, as I told you over the phone ..

If you give us the right tip, there's five thousand in it for you.

Now get this Burton .. I've got a date tonight with a certain party.

If he treats me right .. there is no story.

Well, where do I come in?

You are going to be at my house at 8:30 tonight, with 5,000 bucks.

Either I tell you the story and get the dough.

Or it's no sale.

But here is the address. Remember: 8:30.

One other thing, if you get there before me, don't say anything to my mother.

She thinks the party I'm dealing with is on the up-and-up.

Well? ─ You will be there tonight at 8:30.

Well! Well, Mr Breen.

I didn't know Dave was expecting you. I think he's taken a nap.

I'll go call him.

Oh yes .. upstairs.

Well, if this is another wild good chase ..

Anyway, it won't be a total loss, there's a speakeasy in the same block.

Cut the wisecracks. Better get going, it's 8:10 now.

Mrs Werner, do you happen to have the correct time?

And then .. then .. Mr Breen .. well he .. asked me the time.

I couldn't remember anything else.

Oh, let me go up to him.

No, you mustn't do that Mrs Werner. Please.

Well? ─ Same as the others.

He's dead? I knew it.

I knew it!

What are we going to do?

Undoubtedly Werner knew Breen's secret. That's why Breen did away with him.

Yeah, that's right.

We're going to that skunk's house. ─ Hey, what about her?

We'll take her to her neighbors. Come on.

Where's Breen? ─ Why he ..

Get up Breen. I want to talk to you.

I say sir, you have no right.

Shut up you. I'll make my own right.

Breen .. you murdered Werner. We've got the goods on you.

Mr Breen says you'll talk to him civilly or you'll leave his house.

I'll talk to him civilly with a poke in the snout.

Breen, a Mr Werner was murdered tonight. His mother will testify that you did it.

Mr Breen says why not arrest him again and make yourselves the laughing stocks ..

.. that you were in the Garfield case.

Why you ..

If you're innocent ..

How do you explain the people who will identify you at the scene of the crime?

Mr Breen says, if you look at the matter calmly it is easily explained.

The watchman on the Garfield case was drunk and might have identified anyone.

And Mrs Werner, after her son was murdered ..

Probably had a hallucination caused by what she read in the newspapers.

Mr Breen is sorry to hear of Mr Werner's death. He liked the boy immensely.

And he will do all he can to help to bring the murderer to justice.

Thanks.

Breen, where were you tonight at 8:30?

Mr Breen has had a very bad cold.

He lay down at six o'clock and slept until you gentlemen wakened him.

Uhuh.

[ gunshot! ]

Say .. why should Breen have a piano if he can't hear music?

Mr Breen has the piano for the enjoyment of his guests.

Oh yeah.

Come on Jack. There's nothing else for us to do here.

Goodnight Mr Breen. I'm sorry we disturbed you.

Goodnight gentlemen.

Say ..

What do you make of it, Jim?

I'd like to know how he could hear that piano, yet couldn't hear that gun.

What makes you think he can hear me at the piano?

I was watching him .. He heard you alright.

Where does that get us? ─ It gives me an idea.

I'll sleep on it. In the morning I'll get the squad over here for a showdown.

Yeah, but Chief .. ─ See me at my office 9 o'clock.

Listen, can't you give me a hint of some kind?

That's all I have to say ..

That copper is on to something!

I also found out that the reporter guy is sweet on the Crane dame.

If you don't look out you're going to spoil the racket, just on account of a skirt.

Hi boys. Hi Casey.

Hey, wait a minute. Who you want to see? ─ Riley. I got a date with him this morning.

Well you won't see him. ─ Yeah? Who says so?

I say so .. he's dead.

Riley .. dead? ─ Yeah.

The Chief was found murdered early this morning.

But where? How? ─ You'll have to ask Hogan.

He's been put in charge of the precinct.

I should have known it.

Riley was on to Breen. He had to get him.

Hogan, how did it happen? Tell me.

Riley's wife found him in bed. At seven o'clock.

Strangled, like the other guys.

How could the murderer get to him?

Easy.

The alleyway has a fire escape leading to his bedroom window.

Now I know it's Breen. ─ Yeah?

What are you going to do about it?

Can't get anything on him.

What a swell break I get ..

For fifteen years I've waited for this Inspector-ship ..

And now they hand it to me with five unsolved murders staring me in the face.

What's the Police Commission got to say?

They give me two weeks to find the murderer of Riley or I'm canned.

You can send in your resignation right now.

If you get anything on Breen, he'll take care of you like he took care of Riley.

I wondered why he went after Riley?

Riley found out some kind of clue. From Breen's house last night.

He was going to tell me about it today. Breen got wise to him. Bumped him off.

What was you and Riley doing at Breen's house last night?

We went up there on the Werner murder. Couldn't get to first base.

And what's the lowdown on that Werner case? I was somewhere else.

He got Werner for the same reason. Werner got wise to his secret.

I tell you Breen's a maniac! He'll kill anybody. We'll find out about him.

I wonder who else might stumble on to that guy's secret.

We might just as well .. tip him off to stay away.

Jerry Crane. ─ What about her?

I mean she's been seeing Breen all the time. She might stumble on to his secret.

I thought she was your girl?

She used to be until this guy started work on her.

Hypnotizing her.

I've got to do something.

Say, wait a minute. Let me talk to her.

I've got a way with these dames. ─ Yeah, alright.

Give me The Chronicle right quick.

Yes, we know but ..

Don't you realize the danger you're in?

I'm sorry Mr Hogan, but I can't see it that way.

Why, I know Mr Breen better than any of you.

He couldn't possibly be guilty of the things you're talking about.

But Jerry dear, don't you understand? We've been working on this thing.

We can see things you can't. ─ Jack, you should know better.

When people go snooping around with wild ideas in their mind ..

The first thing you know, they begin to believe them.

You want me to believe rotten things of one of the finest men I've ever met.

We're not asking you to believe a thing. We want you to stop associating with Breen.

What do you mean, "associating with Breen"?

Everybody's been talking about it.

It's even been in the newspapers. All the visits you've been making to his house.

Which only means that the gossipers and columnists in the other papers ..

Are following in the footsteps of Mr Burton of The Chronicle.

You are very foolish .. risking your life for a woman's whim.

Why this is no whim, and Jack knows it very well.

I'm writing a series of articles on Mr Breen.

I'm being well paid and I need the money badly.

Alright then, chuck your articles! I'll give you what you need.

We've been through all that Jack.

How many more articles have you got to write?

You've written a dozen now for a guy who doesn't rate a short obituary.

Well, that's really my business. ─ Supposing I make it my business?

Now see here Mr Burton. I like Mr Breen.

And I'm going to see him whenever I want to.

But Jerry, listen honey. Don't go now. Have dinner with me and talk it over.

As a matter of fact, I'm having dinner with Mr Breen.

Don't your realize that bird has bumped off two men in the last 24 hours?

Don't that mean anything to you?

What? ─ Yes.

No more than it would to Jack or any other reporter covering an assignment.

Even if it were true. ─ But Jerry ..

Oh, I'll tell you what I'll do.

If it will make you feel any better, I'll ask Mr Breen not to murder me.

Suppose you stumble onto his secret? ─ I won't my dear. I'll pick my steps.

Hogan, I don't care what she says.

She's liable to go up to the house tonight, and never be heard of again.

Send Casey in here. ─ We've got to do something.

Calm down now and let me handle it.

You want me Chief?

Yeah, I want you and Sullivan to watch that Breen house.

Jerry Crane's going over there tonight. If anything happens, telephone me here.

Thanks Hogan, you're a pal. I'll go with the boys and help them cover the house.

Yeah, and I'm going to get into a jam over this.

It's against orders to watch anyone, unless they're suspected of a felony.

Felony? Say, what do you think this is? A picnic?

I don't like dames. I never did like dames.

I'm going to get canned for protecting one, when I ought give her a good kick in the ...

Slacks.

You're right, Chief.

Was that the Crane dame just went in the house?

Yeah, I was talking to Burton when she went by.

Just our luck, she's a good-looking dame. Likely we'll have to wait here for hours.

Well, it's Hogan's orders .. we'd better keep circling the block.

But I'm finishing the articles Mr Breen.

I really don't think I should impose on you any more.

I can't see any reason why I should stop coming up here.

You seem like an old friend whom I've known for years.

You got a cigarette, Casey? ─ Sure.

Better walk on. I got a hunch that guy spotted us.

Well, so long. ─ So long.

I told you about that dame.

There are a couple of dicks outside, watching the house.

[ piano music ]

I told you.

[ Jerry screaming. Loud! ]

Call Hogan. Come on Casey. Quick!

[ door knocking ]

[ door knocking ]

But gentlemen .. ─ Get in there!

Where's Jerry Crane?

Now listen .. ─ You, shut up.

What have you done with her?

Casey .. I'm going to search the house. Keep these two birds covered.

Right.

[ telephone ]

Hello .. hello. Yeah, Hogan.

I'll have the squad right there.

We're on our way boys, get on your toes.

We're leaving. We're on our way.

Hey, do you think I'm going to believe any of that junk you've been writing?

Now look here .. I'm going to get the truth out of you if I have to ..

Choke it out of you!

Any luck?

Not a sign of her any place. The joint's empty.

What's he say?

Oh, that guy can lie as fast as he can write.

He says she didn't come at all tonight. ─ Didn't you tell him we saw her come in?

Yes, he said that was a maid and she went out the back door.

Say .. if you know what's good for you, you'll come across.

The minute I find out anything has happened to that girl ..

You'll be on the business end of a bullet.

Hey .. can that racket!

You just ain't got no ear for music.

Besides, I think a lot better when I play ..

Yeah?

Say ..

I've got a hunch I've got the secret of this mystery right at my fingertips.

I tell you, Jerry is right here in this house.

Yeah, that's right.

Say, didn't Riley say something about getting a clue around here?

Yeah .. he said something about Breen being able to hear the piano.

Yeah?

Well, I don't know what kind of a clue you'd get out of that.

Yeah ..

Whoops ..

Look!

Get that guy!

[ gunshot ]

[ gunshot ]

Jerry!

Take it easy.

You alright? ─ Just a bit shaky.

You take it easy there, boy.

Ah, I told you not to trust this fellow, didn't I.

I thought you said she wasn't here.

The other guy is dead, Chief. ─ Yeah?

Watch him.

Well.

They're just like two peas in a pod.

They can't both be deaf and dumb.

I wonder which one of them we plugged.

Say .. can you talk or can't you?

I'm going to tell you right now, I won't believe a word you say.

Alright gentlemen .. I'm ready to talk.

It's my duty to tell you that anything you might say may be used against you.

Nothing will ever be used against me. ─ No?

Well begin, and don't talk so much.

Well .. we're waiting.

The mystery of The Sphinx.

As you gentlemen of the press have done me the honor of calling me.

Should now be really quite obvious.

Whenever I found it necessary to .. remove an obstacle.

It was quite simple to establish a perfect alibi.

My twin brother temporarily assumed my identity.

And he being a real deaf-mute ..

Would of course ..

Naturally discredit any witnesses who might testify that he had spoken to them.

How successfully my little scheme worked, can be attested to by ..

The Police Departments of other cities, besides your own.

My only oversight was my inability to foresee .. an Inspector with ..

A talent for the piano.

So you admit that you got Garfield, eh?

Unfortunately, I did.

I formed a stock-pool with four other brokers with Garfield.

But he didn't like the way I did business.

And threatened to go to the District Attorney.

Well, I had to protect myself.

Why, of course.

And, Werner and Riley? What about them?

Werner was a skunk. He tried to double-cross me.

Riley got suspicious about the piano.

And uh .. Jenks .. was he in on this?

Where is that guy?

Jenks is miles away by now.

Suppose you ask him.

You won't talk, eh.

Well, suppose we get going before you get a chance to get miles away.

Snap them on him.

Alright.

I'm ready.

Oh no ..

He's dead.

Must have been heart failure.

There you are.

Careful!

What's that? A Souvenir? ─ That's how he died .. poison.

What are you trying to do? Kid me? ─ That's a medieval poison-ring.

If you press it right, a plunger comes out and pricks the finger.

Oh ..

You know, I suspected something like that all the time.

Yeah ..

Sullivan, take care of that, will you.

And Jack .. I guess I've been pretty stupid.

I'll let it go this time, but from now on, I'm wearing the brains in this family.

This family .. aren't you working a little fast?

You bet I am .. we're getting married.

I'm going to raise chickens, you're going to raise ..

How about it mama?

Boys, lets get out here pretty quick.

You take care of her .. oh excuse me ..

Well Inspector.

I guess you'll .. keep your job after all, huh?

Yeah.. yeah .. I keep the job.

And you all laughed when I sat down at the piano ..

Ha ha ..

T-G