Original subtitles

Dead was surely dead.

Shot with a gun.

Oh, don't give me that. He's laying

right out here in an alley now.

And stop giving me arguments. Give me

Max Burley.

Max.

I got Joe Wells.

Oh, yeah? What you've been drinking?

Joe Wells has been a concrete block

holding up a bridge somewhere for the

past 5 years.

Uh, why is guy ain't you?

We just don't like making calls on

little men that ain't there.

All right. All right. Hang on now. I'm

going to go take another look. Now, make

sure it is Joe Wells.

Furthermore, he's

He's about ready for the old cops home.

I think he's having optical delusions.

$20.72

and

standing on my feet all day.

Oh, you're just mercenary.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Mhm.

Mickey,

you are now scanning at the masterpiece

of a master.

You are now perusing the produce of pure

genius.

In fact, you are now gazing upon the

nucleus of an Iraq.

Furthermore,

No, no, this is all very nice, Clutch,

but I'm tired. I'd like to go home.

What a lack of appreciation.

Mr. Mix, if you'll give me your

attention for just a moment, I'll

endeavor to explain the intricacies of

this chair.

Clutch, this is all very nice, Clutch,

but I'm tired.

So, you're tired? So, what? So, you want

to thank me? Only trying to fix it so

the customers will get the proper

remuneration for their money. Now,

get a gander at this.

Give myself a hot foot, didn't I?

I got to fix that.

No, no, no, no, no, please, Clutch, not

now. Come on, come on, Clutch.

You double-crosser.

I don't know what I'm going to do.

My life hasn't been the same since my

brother-in-law had to die and leave me

this place.

Wish he'd left it to me.

Yeah, but you weren't retired. You

hadn't worked hard all your life like

me.

I'm an old man.

What do you think I am, kindergarten

stock?

Honey!

Honey!

Hey, Honey, he's gone! The body's gone,

disappeared, he's vamoosed! Listen, Max,

I ain't blind and I know Joe Wells when

I see him.

Mikey's really at it tonight. I think

something bit him.

Maybe we better go see.

And I tell you I'd watch him.

Oh, sure, I'm sure.

Say, what is it? What right have I? I'll

wait for you.

It's just too bad.

Murphy, I'd advise you to see an

optimist. Very funny. You're going to

make us unlock up after you. I wouldn't

trust him, Miggs, not in his condition.

I don't mind waiting. Is there anything

I can do? No, I just got to wait around

here, Lieutenant. If Hurley shows up,

then we'll be out of here in a couple of

minutes. It's broken down, rubber heel.

Why don't they detach him off the force?

Why don't you shut up? Well, I hope

you'll all be out of here soon. I'm very

tired. What do you think I am?

All right, what are you?

Well, if it ain't your typewriter

yourself.

Oh, Miss Gallagher, there's been some

kind of a trouble. I got to go. Give me

a match, will you?

A twerp like you smoking that. Big

things sometimes come in little

packages. You'll keep on and make you a

junior grade. Think you can

afford this?

What's the trouble? I really don't know.

How'd you do today, anybody?

Any better? Imagine. Just because I lost

my expense account in a crap game, they

put me on a leg job in some corny police

station out in the sticks. Who? My

paper. For crying out loud, aren't you

listening? Oh, this is Miss Gallagher,

Mr. Murphy. She lives upstairs over the

exhibit. A flea bag renovated into an

apartment. Hey, you got another match?

Just one you give me as damage. Babe,

it's I think it's a nice little place

you've got upstairs. Well, as places go.

Oh, don't mind me tonight, Mr. Miggs.

I'm just mad at the world. She's a

reporter.

But you wouldn't know it. You're a

disgrace to the Chronicle, they said.

We're going to teach you a lesson, they

said. Get this, will you? They're going

to teach me a lesson. Me, the one who

covered the Gardner and Stanley hanging.

And how about the Kingman fire? I even

had the news boys crying.

I wasn't crying.

Give me that news bulletin Pete Willis

any day. There's a reporter for you.

Pete Willis, that double-crossing snake?

Double-crossing snake? Got my father in

a clear after being sent up for that

murder rap, didn't he? He finally got

the guy who really done it and pinned it

on him, didn't he? That took brains. And

furthermore, weren't you calling him a

snake about a month ago while you two

was lollygagging around together? Should

have seen him, wife. It was really a

panic.

I wish you'd quit rattling your head. I

got all I can do worrying about what

happens with Joe Wells.

Joe Wells?

What about him?

I find him murdered and he disappears

again.

Yeah? Huh, I'd give my eye teeth for an

explosive on it if it really happened.

Gee,

if it only was Joe Wells,

maybe then I could make that rag I work

on take me out of the doghouse.

And your old doghouse looks good.

Oh, quiet.

Uh, is he very important, this Joe

Wells?

Never heard of Joe Wells.

Now there's total ignorance for you.

Do you not never read no newspapers?

Joe Wells was just the biggest noise in

the rackets, that's all. Why, Joe had so

many notches on his Tommy gun it looked

like a buzzsaw. And furthermore, I'll

tell you something

He disappeared about 5 years ago and

everybody thought his own boys done it.

I still think so.

Well, I'm still thinking about that

reward. 5 grand for the guy that finds

him and I had him.

Sure, sure you did, Murphy. But stop

making it worse for yourself. Stop

thinking about that 5 grand.

How are you going to stop thinking about

5 grand?

Well, I'm going to bed. Good night.

Happy nightmares.

I say, Murphy,

just between you and me, was that really

Joe Wells you had?

Look, kid, I'm the guy that put the

pinch on him that time at the World's

Fair, right I?

Well, I'd know him, wouldn't I?

Joe Walsh.

Too hot in here. I'm going to wait

outside for the lieutenant.

Yeah, I guess I could use some fresh

air, too.

Can you give me the number, please,

please?

Yeah.

It's W I L L I. Yeah.

Well, I had the but I must have

displaced it. I wonder if he'd be

complimentary enough to give it to me.

Yeah, I'll wait but make it snappy, will

you?

Oh, Pete. This is Clutch.

Clutch, Clutch. It's Clutch, you know.

Oh, Clutch. What do you know? Let's know

what the wax works. Come on, let's

Come on, draw.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Yeah. You tell the kid to go to a

picture show and call back later.

I got to get home and I'm out two bucks

already. Come on, will you?

Go ahead, Clutch. Nobody's listening.

Look, there's a cop over here by the

name of Murphy. Claims he found the body

of Joe Wells.

Uh-huh.

I don't know. Out in an alley someplace.

Are you saying Murphy found him?

Here's my cabbage. Will you shoot again?

No, why should he? He always wins

anyway.

Okay, sweetheart. I'll be over in 5

minutes.

Hey, where you going? What about our

dough?

You don't have to leave, fellas. You can

spend the rest of the evening in this

joint.

What are we going to do for money?

You've won it all.

And don't break the glassware, will you?

I only live here.

Oh.

This will be much safer in the car.

Well, how do you like it? How do you

like it? I am I am a quarter.

Who called?

What a lucky stiff.

Stop telling me that, Murphy. So you

think you had Joe well. So you think he

got away. So what?

Well, so I think I'm killing you, that's

all.

Well, I think you're daffier than I'm

daffier to come down here and listen to

you.

Gentlemen, I wonder

Just a minute, you.

But please remember

Hey, who is this guy?

That's Miggs. He owns the joint and he

wants to close up.

Oh, we'll be out of here in a couple of

minutes.

Well, I hope so. I'm so tired.

Start right at the beginning.

Chronicle.

Extension 13.

Hello, that you, Marty? Gallagher. Look,

get over to my place quickly, will you?

And bring that camera, pal. Yeah, yeah,

it's hot. Now, get over here before it

boils over.

Give me a buzz. I didn't know if

anything was up.

It's worth investigating, Klutch.

Hey, Pete, you got a match?

I thought I told you about picking those

things up out of the street.

Out of the street? Lobby of the

Biltmore. What do you mean out of the

street?

Hello, Mr. Willis. Haven't seen you

around lately.

Yeah, that's right. What happened with

you and Gallagher? Did the milk of

romance slightly curdle?

Well, uh shall we say temporarily

soured, old boy.

She thinks I shoot craps with loaded

dice.

Hasn't it got anything to do with that

Washington assignment you and her went

on last week where she lost her expense

account?

Her expense account? Where is she now?

Upstairs.

Let's go in here and see what's going

on.

Right.

And another thing, Murphy, I don't

believe

Hey, what is this? Who called you in,

Willis?

I have little birdies working for me,

Max.

Little birdies with golden wings.

Oh, yeah. Someday I'm going to clip them

golden wings for your good.

I don't believe a word of your whole

story.

While you start clipping, how about

giving me a match?

Joe Wells is dead on a mackerel. He's

been

And he's been away for a long time.

Well, you never can tell.

You say you saw him, Murph?

Uh

So, what are you suggesting? That we

conduct a house-to-house canvas in

search of the body? And on this kind of

evidence?

I don't care what you do from now on.

You're not going to let this thing upset

you, are you, Murph?

Tell me more about it, Murph.

Where did you grab the shots?

What shots?

Hey, what is this? What are you trying

to pull, Willis?

I don't know him. He's not my boy.

Well, Gallagher called me. That's all I

know. She was all excited about

something she had and wanted me to take

some pictures.

Gallagher? Who the blazes is Gallagher?

Uh she's some gal who's upstairs. It's

something to do with the newspapers.

Well, go on home. We ain't got nothing

to photograph.

The dame I played is not on it.

I don't know. Maybe I had

I don't know that pal. She's gone to

bed.

Yeah, she's retired for the evening.

She called downstairs a few minutes ago

and told me to tell you that it was all

a mistake.

A mistake?

Yeah.

Oh, no. That ain't like Gallagher. She

don't play hunches.

Oh, believe me, pal. She'd be highly

insulted if you ever spoiled her sleep.

Why, she'd be inflamed.

Yeah.

That's a laugh. Spoil her sleep.

Oh, sorry old boy. Goodbye.

Goodbye.

What are you figuring, Pete?

See you later.

Oh, let me go with you. Maybe I can help

you.

I said later.

All right, I'll be around.

Here, practice on this while I'm back.

Oh, thanks, Pete. Mucho gracias.

That you, Marty?

Dolly, don't you know my knock anymore?

You stick your nose in here, Pete, well

I'll knock you over with my typewriter

with your head.

Baby, can't you talk without screaming?

This is business.

Go away, Mr. Willis. I'm very busy.

You're busy? You don't think looking for

Joe Wells is any fun, do you?

You're not still sore about that crap

game on you, honey?

That's one thing I'm not talking about.

That's the kitchenette.

Mhm.

You know, they weren't my dice. They

belonged to Charlie Baker.

That's the closet.

Yeah.

Besides, they weren't crooked.

I just ran into a streak of luck. That's

all.

Is that what you call it?

Uh-huh. Excuse me.

If you're looking for a dirt, it's not

there. And Joe Wells, either.

I didn't think you were that dumb,

honey. But you never know.

Oh, look, Pete. I'm really not mad

anymore. I mean, about the crap game.

But I'm busy. No kidding, I think I've

written the first act of that play I

told you about.

I was just playing around with the idea

when you knocked.

Oh, did I tell you you were gorgeous

tonight, honey?

Thanks.

Such a wonderful liar. Writing a play,

huh?

While Detective Lieutenant Hurley's

plainclothesman stalked through New York

streets searching apartments and

alleyways, creating terror in the hearts

of innocent bystanders, the body of Joe

Wells was lying in

Lying where?

You're so good. Why don't you finish it?

You know, this is really horrible. You

should go back to writing love letters

columns.

Yeah, well, it's a lot more exciting

than that stuff they put under your

name.

All right, baby. I want to help you.

Where have you got it?

Got what? That is just in case it's

found.

Oh, I'm sure.

If you don't get out of here, I'll call

the cops.

Yes, you will.

What are you going to do?

Nothing. I'm going to let you finish the

play.

But I'm afraid you're going to write the

last act in jail.

Okay.

Okay, I'll look into it right away.

Murphy, I can't give this thing any more

of my time. Will you quit shoving my

chair around? Why don't you get out of

here?

Why should I? I informed you that this

happens to be my place of employment.

I'll send over a couple of boys and you

can scout around, maybe you'll find

something. Or maybe you won't.

Oh, I just got a hurry call and look

into a shooting a couple of blocks away.

You want to go?

No, thanks. I'm going home. You know,

early to bed, early to rise. And

Well, anyway you want it.

Uh-huh.

You wait around outside, the prowl car

pick you up.

Any new developments?

I don't know yet.

Well, thanks for calling, Clutch. I'll

see you around.

Right.

Good night, Mr. Mace.

Good night, Mr. Willis.

Take care of yourself, Pete.

I'll go put on the night lights in the

back. You'll be ready now.

Hmm.

Wait.

Take care of that, Gwendolyn.

Don't let the smoke get in your eyes.

Oh!

My neck. What's the matter? What are you

so dissipated about? You look like you

fell in a barrel of flour.

Out there. Out there. Sitting out there.

Who's sitting out there?

There's a corpse out there playing

cards.

What?

He's really there.

What do you think you're doing?

You you you shouldn't have done that,

Clutch.

I'm just telephoning the police.

You want to do get us in trouble? We got

something on our mitts. That stiff is

really rigor mortis.

But I got to telephone the police.

What are you doing using last year's

brains? You know what will happen if you

call in the cops? They'll throw bright

lights in your eyes. They'll give you

the rubber hose treatment. They'll break

you down.

Break me down? For what?

For what?

Now, there's a clever injection. For

killing that guy out there, that's for

what.

I

I didn't kill him. He got in here by

mistake.

You try to tell a cop that. You seen

what happened to my old man, didn't you?

They'll think you had a motive.

You'll be a felon.

What we got to do is get rid of that

body.

Oh, oh, get rid of it. You you You mean

hide out in the street behind some ash

cans? Is that what you mean?

Have it bounce back on you in the

morning? Oh, no. Got to get it out of

the neighborhood.

Way out? Oh my goodness, out of the

neighborhood, but but but how?

Well,

we'll take the corpse and put it in your

car and deposit it someplace far away

from this vicinity.

Yeah, yeah. Come on, let's get your car.

Get the car. Get the car. Oh, yeah,

yeah.

Oh, my hat. Yeah, my cigar.

Molly that

Who are you?

I think you and I have a little business

transact.

Business?

If my price isn't right, it won't make

any difference.

That's the body of Joe Wells.

Lucky I slept up yesterday, isn't it?

Cleverness fails to impress me, miss.

Gallagher.

Sue Gallagher.

Will you stop scaring me with that gun?

If this is a gag and Pete Wells sent you

Let's not get away from the subject,

Miss Gallagher.

If you haven't got the body of Joe Wells

in this apartment, I'm convinced that

you know where it is.

You see, I followed the blood spots from

the Empress Hotel across the alleyway to

your staircase.

And now this.

I know he was shot and I know that he

couldn't have dragged himself much

further.

Where is he?

All right, what's the use?

The body's downstairs in the exhibit.

Ah, now we're getting somewhere.

I don't imagine you want to meet the

cops who are down there.

Oh, no, Miss Gallagher. Let's be honest

with each other.

We both heard the police car drive away

a few minutes ago.

That's too bad.

I'll follow you.

Miss Gallagher?

Hey, you, Miss Gallagher.

Yes, Officer Mix.

Who's that?

He owns the place. I guess he's closing

up.

You can get back in the wait.

He's gone upstairs again. Let's

perambulate.

Let me rest a minute, please, Clutch.

That's all I need. Miss Gallagher, catch

him doing this.

Just happen to remember, the top on your

car is down. We got to put it up.

Do we have to do that?

Now, Mr. Mix, you wouldn't want to risk

your social standing by being seen

sheltering a demolished gangster through

the streets, would you?

All right, never mind.

You sit there and rest. I'll put the top

up.

I don't know. I don't get it.

What's your angle?

Where are you heading?

What in the world do you want with that

corpse?

Let's say it's a collector's item.

Well, as long as we have to wait, I'd

like to get the story on paper.

You'll be wasting your time. You won't

have the body to prove it.

After you're through with it, it'll turn

up somewhere.

That is a moot question.

Answer it, but be careful what you say.

Hello.

Oh, McAndrews.

Hey, listen, lamebrain. What do you mean

getting Marty out of the way and

bringing stuff for nothing, huh?

The night at the Daisy was upset.

All right, so I called Marty. So, it was

a mistake. What about it?

Well, I said it was a mistake. What do

you want me to do? Cut my throat?

Well, that's not a bad idea. Or better

still, go back to school and learn how

to write.

And don't you tell me anything about

writing stories. I'll be getting bylines

when you've ended up on a copy desk, a

gray-haired

Oh, you're disappointed in something.

Oh.

Hello.

Wrong apartment, I guess.

What are you doing here?

Well, you know how a fellow can make a

mistake.

Where'd you get this?

Oh, nothing in there, huh?

Well, what happened? I'm just the

manager of the place. Heard a shot about

an hour ago and called the station. I

couldn't help it if you guys didn't get

her in time.

What else?

Well, when I come in to see, the door

was open and like you see it now, nobody

around.

That's fine. What about the guy that

rented the joint?

I don't know. I don't know him up in the

bottom. He's just been living here in

the place a week, never showed his face.

Uh he was uh just a mug.

Yeah, like what?

Well, little rat-faced guy with a

pinhead like a carp.

That was Joe Wells. You can tell by the

Shut up. I make the discoveries around

here.

I guess I know Joe Wells when I hear

him. Now, what do you know about it

anyway, Hawkshaw?

Where did you get the key to this room?

Back at Mix's. That's where Joe Wells is

now. The girl's got him.

What girl?

Gallagher.

Gallagher?

Yeah, you know, the reporter that lives

upstairs.

Everybody knows everything around here

but me. I'm just a detective.

Come on, let's get back to Mix.

I think it's all set. Let's grab him and

hit the gravel.

I I I hope we're doing right, Clutch.

Of course we're doing right. The figure

is holding out by a process of mental

deduction.

Oh.

But you you got to drive, Clutch. I'm

too nervous.

Okay, if it makes you feel any better.

Your friends are leaving, Miss

Gallagher.

Now I'll relieve you of that body.

Wait.

Open up, it's the police.

Come on, open up in there.

Who is it? What do you want with me,

officer?

That's too bad.

Is this going to change your plan?

I don't think so, Miss Gallagher.

Only yours.

I'll see what I can do with this lock.

No.

Passkey won't work.

Let's try around front.

Go right through the back door there.

I've got to file my paper. I'll be right

up.

All right, make it snappy.

Grab a hand. You and I can make a

fortune here.

All right, Mac. Put it away.

No matter what you're looking for, it's

not here.

You are not the police?

No.

I wouldn't call for them if I were you.

Why should I? Maybe you and I can do

some business.

What are you selling?

Oh, a lot of things. For instance,

jewels.

Either the girl was lying or you've

double-crossed her. Call it anything you

want, but I've got the body. Where?

We can't talk now.

You better get out of here. The cops

will be here any minute.

How about my apartment in an hour? I

have little choice. 11:40 Regent Place.

11:40 Regent Place.

And I hope you're not wasting my time,

Mr.

The name's Wallace.

Mr. Wallace.

Yeah, all right, Martin. Yeah, I'll take

care of it. I'll keep you posted.

Bye-bye.

Well, what did you find?

Nothing. She's staggering around her

apartment with a lump on her head the

size of an egg, trying to find some ice

cubes to put on it.

She said some goony guy conked her on

the noggin.

Maybe I'm crazy. I've never been on a

case like this before. Trying to find a

corpse that somebody stole.

Somebody stole it?

Where have you been?

The dame says she stole the corpse. Then

some guy stole it from her. Now can you

figure that out?

Mhm.

Uh-uh.

Who in the blazes would want a corpse in

the first place?

All right, sweetheart. Now where is it?

Now look.

You don't think you're going to get away

with this for long, do you?

You almost got yourself killed and now

the cops are on your trail.

Let me take over. You're talking to

papa.

I told Hurley who took it. Will you stop

bothering me? I've had enough for one

night.

It's still your party, angel. Somebody's

got the corpse and it's not the guy who

conked you.

Well, the way you talk it sounds like

you know more about this thing than I

do.

I do. I saw the creep just before he got

away.

The way you're handling things, you're

going to wind up in the morgue instead

of your well.

Please don't be so cute.

How do you figure in on this?

I told him I had the body.

I want to help you out.

Oh, sure. Sure. You mean you'd like to

wheedle it out of me with that sweet

talk and hog the story for yourself.

Baby, you know there's enough story in

this for both of us.

I told you I haven't got it.

Stop kidding, papa. We have to produce a

corpse in an hour, so come on.

I told you I didn't have it.

There you go, leaving me holding the

bag.

All right, lady. Get your coat on.

You're going to jail.

Jail? For what?

Stealing corpses.

But

I was stolen from me.

That's tough on you, lady. You started

this game of put and take.

What about him? He said he saw the guy

that socked me.

A figment of her imagination, Max. I've

told you everything. I'm I'm merely an

innocent bystander.

Yeah, what are you trying to do? Drag

him down to your level?

Yeah. Come on.

I'll phone your relatives, honey.

Oh, Clutch.

Pete, boy am I glad I found you home.

You alone?

Yeah. Yeah, we're alone.

Miggs.

Who has?

The cops.

Well, that's too bad, old Clutch. I'm

expecting a very important visitor.

Well, but this is more important. We

took the body in Joe Walsh's stack in

the freight car. And then the cops

chased us.

What?

Yeah, we found a body in Exhibit. We

figured we'd better do something with

it.

Why didn't you call me?

There wasn't no time. And besides, I

didn't want Gallagher busting us, so I

figured I'd take the body and hide it

and then tell you and you'd get an

exclusive with no interference.

All right. All right. Then what

happened?

We got the body hidden in the freight

car, right? When the yard bull surprised

us just as we were lamming so we got

scared.

So you ran?

So we run.

Oh, that's just dandy.

Wasn't so dandy for Miggs. He got

caught.

What about the corpse?

I don't guess they know nothing about

that Poor old Miggs. They got him

on suspicion of trespassing prohibited

or something.

Have you any idea where you put it?

For Miggs?

No, the cops.

With Satanic.

Well, what are we standing here beating

our gums for? Let's go get it.

Right.

Gallagher?

What now?

If it's that kidney foot Harley again,

you'll tell him for me.

Stop racing your motor. Somebody just

put up your bail.

Bail? Who?

I ain't my department. Better ask out

front.

And I said miracles never happen.

Yeah, you better get there right away,

Harley. Something just broke on the

Wells story.

That's right.

A guy named Meeks confessed confession.

Snatching bodies.

I didn't confess anything. I just said

you

said you stuck the corpse of Joe Wells

in a freight car, didn't you?

Mr. Meeks,

what did you do?

Oh, Miss Gallagher, I'm so glad to see

you.

Oh, don't tell me they think you're the

guy.

Oh, it was horrible, just like a

nightmare. I had no idea I was going to

get in trouble like this.

That's what they all say. This ought to

be good for murder.

What are you trying to do? Crucify him?

Where did you put it?

In a box car in the freight yard.

Ohio and Western car, I think. Near a

water tower at the end of the yard.

We'll get you out of this in no time,

Mr. Meeks.

None of your funny business now. You

keep away from freight yard, see?

Who's going near the freight yard? I

just want enough time to get to my

paper.

Take it easy. With my story on page one

in the morning, you'll be exonerated in

full.

I hope so. I'm so tired.

You waiting for somebody?

I guess it's you, lady.

Take me to the Chronicle.

Okay.

And step on it.

Right.

Holy cow, you look

Steady.

Make that 11:40 Regent Place.

Forget the Chronicle.

Then you're the guy that bailed me out.

And for this?

Just in case Mr. Willis pulls a double

cross.

Your safety might convince him he'd

better not.

Mr. Willis says he has a body. We're

going over to get it.

Listen.

Thick Willis hasn't got anything but

gold.

Whatever he told you, I know he hasn't

got it.

You and Mr. Welles have come up with the

most amazing stories.

Why should I believe you?

Look,

you've got to believe me.

He's never even seen the body of Welles.

Migs stole it while you and I were

playing footsie-footsie upstairs in my

apartment.

And stop shaking your head.

I know this sounds fantastic, but the

cops caught Migs 20 minutes ago in the

freight yard where he hid the body in a

boxcar. And that's where it is now.

You're sure?

They didn't know a corpse was mixed up

in it until they sweated it out of him

at the station.

Where are the police now?

How do I know? Going after the body, I

guess.

You're sure you're not

uh

stringing me along, Miss Gallagher?

Stop handing me that because I fool you.

Do I look crazy enough to stick my neck

out when you've got the advantage?

Change that last address to the freight

yards and hurry.

What's the matter, you lost?

Uh-uh.

It's down that way, by the end of the

yards.

Let's go.

This is it, I think.

Yeah.

Yeah, that's it. Ohio and Western.

It's a good thing you learned to read.

You know I'm very illiterate.

Leave him in there nice and comfortable

like that. Come on, up you go.

Give me a hand, you get his feet.

What are we going to do with him?

Let's get him out of here before anybody

else finds him, then we can worry what

to do with him.

Shh.

Something's coming.

Quick, open the other door.

All right, jump down it.

Grab a hold, let's get out of here.

Ohio and Western, that's what makes

sense.

I don't see it.

It's probably back down the dock.

If this is another of your old tricks,

Miss Gallagher.

Look, all I want to do is turn this

thing over to you.

It's up here.

I'm positive this is the car.

Well, that corpse certainly gets around.

Ready?

Which one?

Quiet.

Some crazy thing, that's what I call it.

Why didn't you call the cops when you

found it?

Well, I was so nervous. I I thought I

Your old thoughts.

What do you think we pay taxes for, to

have a police force?

I know, officer. I'm completely to

blame.

Officer, is this is this is this is this

where we left the uh We left it right

here. Right right over there, not far

from the door.

Well, it ain't here now.

Phew, maybe it's in the hallway.

Oh my goodness, somebody must have

stolen it.

Stop that again. Who do you think you're

trying to kid? That's the same story the

dame gave you.

I'm telling you the truth, officer. I

wouldn't lie to you.

Yeah. What are you standing around for?

Start looking.

Sure, sure, Mr. Lonnie. We just didn't

know.

You didn't know? Who knows anything

anymore?

Not there, inside.

Maybe it got up, moved out of the draft.

This is it. Get the one.

Not tonight.

All right,

you go that way, I'll go the other way.

Yeah.

Did you see anything?

Not a thing.

Mr. Mr. Can I go home now?

Yeah, beat it. You know how to me.

Thank you. You know, I'm awful tired.

Me, too. Of you.

But I'm in a jam, Mr. McAndless. The

Chronicle's got to help me.

But I stole it for the Chronicle. Holy

cow, can't you understand that?

Shut up. I know you're in a jam. So is

the Chronicle for letting you represent

it. Say, who do you think you are

stealing a body off the street and then

losing it?

I know that.

The DA's office and the police

department and Max Hurley are all on my

neck. We don't want any part of it.

But you've got to keep me from the law

until I find it again. And I've got an

idea, Pete Willis.

Ah, that's what I get for hiring a

half-baked woman reporter.

A screwball, Daffy Bodinsky.

You're fired.

You can't fire me, I quit. This isn't a

newspaper story, it's a career. And

you're bellyaching because some cop's

been complaining. Well, you go soak your

head, you ungrateful ape. Go soak your

head.

Okay, you oversized quiz kid, what did

you do with it?

Why, Angel, how did you find out?

I guessed. You and that creep following

me are giving me gray hairs.

Well, why'd you get out of the Clinton?

You like it there? They tell me with a

new paint job

I don't give a care. If you'd kept your

big nose out of my business instead of

bringing the cops back to my apartment,

I'd never have landed in jail.

Oh, that's a fine way to talk to someone

who's been trying to save a story for

you.

For me?

Yes.

Why, you fixed me up so with the police,

I don't know which end is up.

Oh, baby.

And you stop trying to talk me into

something.

There you go. Always be listening.

Relax, will you?

Sure, relax. Along with everything else

McAndrews just canned me.

Well, you've been asking for that for a

long time.

I know, but it did feel so good to tell

that stupid old foot a head in.

But that's not what I'm worried about

now.

Oh?

Look, Pete, for crying out loud, what

did you do with the body?

The body?

All I want to do is give it back to the

cops and get out of this mess. I don't

want the story anymore. I just want to

live.

Stop beating your brains out. What we've

got to get you a better job than the one

you've lost.

What good will it do me with a lily in

my hand?

Oh, here.

What's that?

Read it.

Spain?

No, not a bad deal. You want to wait?

It's got a government stamp on it. I

took it out of Wells's pocket.

South America.

Uh-huh.

So that's where he's been all these

years.

Under an assumed name, Peter Burnett.

Well, uh where does the Greek fit in on

this?

I don't know. I don't read Spanish.

That's why we're waiting for the

gentleman, and he's coming here any

minute.

Well, Pete, he's dangerous.

Yeah, I know.

How about a drink in the meantime?

Make mine bourbon.

You're not stalling me anymore, are you,

baby?

Just don't pull any fast ones on me,

darling, that's all.

Here we are. Try this one for size, huh?

Just to keep you honest.

Trusting soul, aren't you?

We go together, don't we, huh?

Mhm, even with that jovial appearance of

yours, I still know you're a hobgoblin

underneath.

Oh, but you still love me, don't you,

baby?

Mhm.

There he is now.

Watch yourself.

Hello. Come in. We've been waiting for

you.

I'm usually more punctual, but I was

delayed.

I can't say I'm too surprised at seeing

you here, Mr. Gallagher.

Well, uh sit down. Make yourself at

home, Mr.

Say,

I can't be calling my guests "Hey, you"

all the time.

My name is Jockey.

I must say that I admire the pertinacity

of the American press.

Once they smell a story, they stop at

nothing till they get it.

Well, we can dispense with the

compliments.

We want facts.

You're not going to get the body until

you answer a few questions.

That depends, Mr. Willis. That depends

entirely upon the questions.

Well, uh

how's this for a starter?

That's interesting.

I see that you and I are beginning to

understand each other.

You don't want the story at all. You

want the diamond.

Oh.

How'd you guess it, Jockey?

Catches on quick, doesn't he, honey?

Like a bird dog.

Now, let's not waste any time, shall we?

Holy cow.

Those stones represent a quarter of a

million dollars.

Part of them go to both of you

when I get the body.

Well,

that's just dandy, but as long as we're

going to be partners, uh

you'll have to tell us more.

Yeah, you know, just in case of trouble,

so our stories jive.

Oh, I don't mind.

I represent a group of diamond merchants

from whom these stones were stolen in

South America.

The robbery was very cleverly done by

one Peter Welles,

otherwise Welles, Joe Welles.

The Uruguayan government offered a

reward for his capture, but he escaped.

And uh

you trailed him here.

Besides, in fact, I was here before Mr.

Wells arrived.

But why do you want the corpse when you

already have the diamond?

Well, let's go into that, shall we,

after you have carried out your end of

the bargain.

Now, Mr. Willis, where's the body?

Oh,

that's easy. The corpse is riding around

Central Park in a taxi, waiting to be

picked up.

Shall we join him?

We'll be there in a few minutes.

But a body in a cab, Mr. Willis, is that

quite safe?

I told the hackie he was a friend of

mine too drunk to take home.

An hour's spin around the park and I'd

pick him up in good condition. That was

clever.

Well, who'd know a drunk from a stiff?

I had him propped up in the corner just

as nice as you please.

You mean he doesn't start sliding?

Think I'm nuts? I had him pinned to the

cushion.

Amazing.

All right, driver, start for the park.

Here we are.

Got a little foggy, didn't it?

Hey, driver.

Oh, it's you. I thought you'd never get

here. Everything okay?

Sure. He hasn't even blinked an eye.

Hey, what's this guy been drinking?

Embalming fluid?

He won't be for long. Now, let's get in

and settle this thing. You too.

Well, don't you think it'll be a little

crowded for all four of us?

We'll manage.

All right, then.

In somewhat of a hurry, aren't you?

I want to get this thing over with.

I can understand that.

What are you worrying about? There's

only one Joe Wells.

You want to sit next to him?

Thank you, I'll have a mind.

Drive us to the ferry.

Just a minute.

Don't you trust me, Mr. Willis? That's

where I relieve you of the body and pay

off.

I thought we were leaving you after we

got on the boat.

A short trip across the water can hardly

matter now, Miss Gallagher.

Especially as we shan't be seeing each

other anymore after tonight.

Well, we're almost across. How about a

split?

Let's stretch our legs.

Finish our business at the same time.

I can't Joe Wells walking around with

all that lead in him.

I thought he was dead when I left his

room at the Ambassador Hotel. I went

down to get a cab

to carry away the body, but when I got

back, he was gone.

He must have had just enough life left

to drag himself down the stairway.

Jocky, why do you want to carry the body

away if you're only interested in

getting the diamonds back to your

bosses?

Well, pardon me. I was only interested

in getting those diamonds for myself.

The old double-cross. The guys that

hired him to get the diamonds get

nothing.

That was the general idea, Miss

Gallagher.

Cute, isn't he?

Steals the body, destroys it, and tells

the diamond owners to go chase

themselves.

You couldn't lose.

Precisely.

Joe Wells was not to be found, that's

all I'll tell them.

And in a few years, I'll sell those

diamonds at a slight loss.

Some loss you're going to take.

What about the cops? Well, they'll

believe what they believe for 5 years.

I shall put Mr. Wells at the bottom of

the river.

Where they think he is anyhow.

Yeah, but there'll be questions after

tonight.

To whom will they question?

Well, me.

Miss Gallagher.

And you think you will be available for

questioning, Mr. Williams?

I figured you'd squeal when you thought

you had us in the spot.

But you're wrong, Toffee.

I didn't eat, little man.

Look at the bacon I brought home.

Where's Clutch?

Clutch? What's it got to do with this?

Annie Oakley finished it herself.

Didn't he get out of the cab?

Say, are you conscious? There's no one

in the cab but the stiff.

No, lady, that's no stiff. That was

Clutch.

Clutch?

Come on. Come on, Joe.

And you mean all the time Clutch was

doubling for the body of Joe Wells?

Sure. I figured Toffee would try to

knock us off. Clutch was supposed to

cover us with his gun.

Oh, no wonder you were so brave back

there.

Hey, Clutch.

Clutch.

Clutch, wake up.

Hm? Hm? What?

Hey, where is he? Which way did he go?

I'll get him. I'll get him with my

heater.

Take it easy. I thought you were going

to follow us.

Oh, mother.

I must have fell asleep.

Oh, that's just fine. I hope you had a

nice nap.

All right, Jackie. Get in.

Don't pull no calisthenics, bud.

Well, this better be on the level.

That's all I got to say. You say this

guy's a murderer?

Or a reasonable facsimile.

Hello, give me Marston.

And who's this character with the zoot

haircut?

The name is Clutch Tracy.

And my racket happens to be

impersonating electrocution.

Well, if you don't believe us now, that

ought to cinch it.

Well, what are you waiting on? Throw him

in a cell.

You mean you're going to give him the

third degree?

Sure. Then we're going to scalp him and

hang him up by his toes.

This I've got to see.

Hey, Sarge. Give me a match, will you?

Thanks.

Here. You better keep a couple of these

in case you run short.

Hello, Marston. All right, on your

pants.

Wait for what?

The nerve of him. He's on another phone.

This story ought to be good for you.

Cheer up, honey.

Say, Sarge. You better get a hold of

Lieutenant Mac Hurley.

Lieutenant Hurley? He's out on a cruise

car. The only way I can reach him is by

a radio.

You better get him. I've got something

he wants very badly.

Yeah, this better be on the level.

That's all. Carson?

Hook my mic in the radio circuit.

Connected, Sergeant.

Calling car 27.

Calling car 27.

Come in, Lieutenant Hurley.

Calling car 27. Calling car 27.

Lieutenant Mac Hurley.

Come in, Mac. Do you read?

What kind of lamebrain tomfoolery goes

on in that

Hello, Mac. This is Pete Wellis.

Why, you wing-spattered imbecile. What

do you think you're

Temper, temper.

Wellis, if you don't tell me what you

did with Joe Wells, I'll personally kick

your butt like a

like got choke.

You've been riding around with him all

night ever since you left the freight

yard.

Riding around? Are you nuts?

He's right behind you, Max. In your

trunk.

In the

He's there. I put him there.

That is all.

Stop the

Pull it.

Get

Stop!

Hey.

Oh.

Hello, Marston.

Oh, shut up. It didn't hurt you to wait

for a little vignette you might be able

to use on page one.

Here it is. Joe Well, supposedly dead

for 5 years, was found murdered tonight

as he

Oh, wait a minute.

The credit line on this story is by Pete

Willis and Sue Gallagher.

Well, she's working for you now, you

don't get the yarn.

Yeah.

Okay.

Pete darling, oh.

Wait wait wait a minute, honey. Honey,

honey, this is important.

You remember the time when they found

the guy in the

Well,

this is important.