Original subtitles

[instrumental music]

[phone ringing]

Hello?

Yes, operator. I put through the call.

Alright, I'm waiting.

- Hiya, Viv. - Hello?

This is Vivian.

- Mrs. Smerrling. - What?

Oh.

Rent. For this week and next, okay?

Lovely, dear, lovely. I'll get you a receipt.

What do you mean you can't make it? What?

Alright, I'll hold on.

If everyone paid as promptly as you--

Thank you, ma'am.

- Is something wrong, Viv? - Nothing i can't handle.

Aren't you working tonight, dear?

What's it to you?

To me, it's cash. Money.

The stuff you owe me two weeks of--

Tomorrow, you'll get it tomorrow.

Maybe even with a bonus.

Maybe i'll even move out of this place.

Maybe into some place with class.

Who is he? Do i know him? Go on--

- Hello? What? - Tell me.

- Oh, just tell me. Come on. - Just a minute.

Anything else?

Yeah. Light costs money.

All i try to do is help and what happens? I get insulted.

(Vivian) 'Hello?'

'I couldn't help it. I had to call your house.'

Please, honey, you got to.

I'm in a jam.

Listen, you, I'm not interested in your family

I'm interested in me.

Now, you meet me tonight.

10 o'clock.

Where i work, The Grass Skirt.

Alright. Be there.

So you're out at Hyannis, so it takes two hours from the Cape.

So make it 10:30.

She's in a jam. Ha.

He don't know what a jam he'll be in.

Messing with that one.

[instrumental music]

You're not working tonight, honey?

[music continues]

Give her the phone again, Al.

Long distance.

Honey, can you try Hyannis 3633 for me again, please?

It can't still be busy.

I've been calling this number since 10:30.

Listen, nobody talks that long.

Anybody got a yellow Ford parked out front?

Well, would you try it again, please?

Yellow Ford, anybody?

Hey, you got a yellow Ford?

How about you?

- You haven't got a yellow Ford. - Yeah.

(Al) You gotta move it, mate, you're parked in the no-parking.

- Hmm? - Parked in the no-parking.

That's the story of my life. I'm always where i shouldn't be.

'I'm also not where i ought to be.'

You know, ever since Adam, man's been crying, "Where am i?"

Where are you?

Where are you?

- Who are you? - I'm with you, honey.

A woman always knows where she is, right?

What you need is fresh air.

Yeah. Yeah. Hey, open the window, huh?

No, not here. Fresh air couldn't get in here with a permit.

How about letting me help you move that car of yours, honey?

Oh, yeah.

Yeah, you know, we-we gotta move that.

- How much he owe you, Al? - Three-fifty.

We'll need a bottle. Same thing he's been drinking.

You heard her. Same thing I've been drinking. Whatever that is.

Where are you?

- How much? - Nine bucks all together.

Oh. Um-hm.

Keep the change.

Come on, honey.

You can't go wrong with this one. Old Ironsides.

Hey, can i see that one on your right arm again?

Sure thing.

Do you need any help, Miss Heldon?

No, thanks, Jim. I can manage.

Yeah, that's the one.

- Does it hurt? - Not when you're in the Navy.

I'll drive. Get in.

[music continues]

[sighs]

My...

My wife's in the Boston Lying-in Hospital.

- You know where that is? - Sure, sure, sure.

You take another drink. Do you good, honey.

She lost the baby.

Oh, she's awful, awful sick, my wife.

- I couldn't take it, ...

So i go out and get tight.

'Sure, I understand, honey.'

[sighs]

[instrumental music]

- Got a couple of nickels? - Sure.

- See you, Harry. - 'Okay.

[music continues]

Of course I'm coming out to your place.

What else do you think i'm doing out here?

Well, I am.

Well, meet me some place.

- Where? How? - Where is she?

Alright, goodbye.

- Hey, what's the idea? - I forgot something.

Well, look. What are we doing out here on the Cape?

Never mind. I'll tell you later. Come on, honey.

- Look, you said we were going-- - I'll take you back to Boston.

[indistinct chatter]

- Why did you bring me out here? - Shh.

- Why did you bring me out here? - Never mind.

I'll tell you later. Come on, get in the car.

- Hey, hey, I'll drive. - I'll drive. Get in.

Shut the door.

Hey, where are you taking me?

I told you, I gotta get back to the hospital, back to Boston.

Hey, take it easy.

- You drive. - I didn't mean...

You don't like the way i drive? You drive.

Hey.

Hello, big shot. Start explaining.

Nothing to say?

Go on, make a speech. You're pretty good at that.

You're pretty good at everything, except paying off

aren't you? Don't think you're gonna walk out on me.

Not now. It isn't as easy as that.

Well?

Well, say something!

[gunshot]

[horn blows]

[ocean waves crashing]

[whistling]

[car door closes]

[engine revving]

[crickets chirping]

[engine revving]

[water bubbling]

Sign here.

Alright, sir.

Well, next time i park in front of a hospital

I'll take the keys with me.

Here's your check, Mr. Shanway.

Alright. Thank you very much. I could sure use this.

Yeah, ninety days is a long time to wait for your money

but with stolen-car claims, we have to do it.

Of, course, I understand. Thank you very much, sir.

You're quite welcome.

[birds squawking]

I saw them. Bones. Nothing but bones.

Human bones, they say.

Just a drowned fisherman washed up.

Then he must have been fishing naked.

- Is the constable still here? - Yes.

Come in.

Hello, constable, thanks for the tip.

Well, I was following the flight of the sandpipers on the beach

when suddenly i saw this... this...

It. In the brush. I could hardly believe my eyes.

What were you doing on the beach?

Studying the mating habits of the sandpiper

as an ornithologist...

Do you know what that is?

Oh. Kind of a peeping Tom?

Birds, fellow. The study of birds.

I was watching this particular pair of sandpipers, when this--

Would you mind looking through those binoculars?

- Constable Fischer. - At what?

Just a minute.

It's for you, Pete. It's the district attorney.

Oh, thank you.

Moralas.

Yes, I did, Mr. Simmons.

Did you get the information i radioed in?

Well, that's all there is, sir. No, no clothes.

No jewelry, nothing. Just the bones.

What laboratory?

[chuckles] I don't mean to be disrespectful, sir

but what can Harvard University possibly...

Oh, I see.

No, I haven't.

Right.

Yes, sir. Goodbye.

How do you think he was murdered, lieutenant?

Who said it was murder?

And who said it was a he?

The district attorney wants your deposition.

Alright.

You keep that area roped off

till our men get through, huh?

- Okay. - Look, lieutenant...

How about some facts?

Facts? Bones. Print that. Let's go.

- See you later, constable. - Okay.

[instrumental music]

Well, here we are.

Pardon me, where is the Department of Legal Medicine?

- Uh, do you know, Rip? - No. No, sorry.

Thanks.

Harvard.

Well, this certainly isn't it.

Pardon me, fellas.

Which way to the Department of Legal Medicine?

I guess you want the law school.

Well, go out the main gate, then turn right a couple of blocks.

Thanks. Back to the main gate. That's where we started.

[music continues]

Oh, uh, pardon me, could you tell me

where the Department of Legal Medicine is?

Oh, that's in the medical school.

- Far from here? - It's about five miles.

Over in Roxbury.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

I thought i was the stranger around here.

This ain't my part of Boston, lieutenant.

[music continues]

Oh, sorry to keep you waiting.

- Lieutenant Moralas? - Yes, sir.

- I'm McAdoo. - How do you do, doctor?

How do you do? I understand you have something here to show me.

Yes, I have. Oh, this is Detective Sharkey, doctor.

- Sharkey. - Doctor.

And this is all you've got to go on.

Uh-huh.

Got it solved already?

Oh, it'll take a few days at least.

What are the facts?

Identification, none.

Fingerprints, none. Weapon, none.

We don't know if it's a man or woman, suicide, murder

accident, or natural causes.

What about a starting point? Where was it found?

Oh, I'm sorry. At a place called Lakeman's Hollow.

- It is all we know. - Hmm.

"2:00 p.m., September 6th

"the bones of this unidentified person or persons

"were found in the low bushes, 100 yards north

"of Lakeman's Hollow. Barnstable. Right here...

[mumbling] ...Massachusetts."

That was an out-of-state case. A Jackson affair. Heard of it?

- No. - Interesting case.

Husband and wife in a violent quarrel, neighbors heard it.

Woman found dead on the kitchen floor in a puddle of blood.

Did they nail him?

'He was walking out of the house and out on her.'

'She wrecked the room in a rage of jealousy.

He was convicted of second-degree murder.

Six months later, we were called in on the case.

Our autopsy proved that she died of apoplexy

at almost the exact moment

the husband was buying a bus ticket.

Saved that husband a little trouble.

- You sure did. - A little trouble”? Hm.

Say, but what about the, uh, puddle of blood?

Oh, uh, when she collapsed, she bumped her nose. Nosebleed.

I'll get this case started.

- Say, doctor. - Yeah?

What's this?

Man's head was split wide open.

It wasn't murder either.

It certainly wasn't apoplexy.

Believe it or not, he did it himself. On purpose.

[phone ringing]

What is your name, please, madam?

Address?

How long ago did this happen?

Just a second.

- Sorry. - Kilrain.

Maple? This is the Boston Detective Bureau, mister.

Open the door, would you, Garrity?

We'll send someone right up, Mr. Charles.

Please don't touch anything.

Run this down, will you, Garrity?

Says a man came to fix her phone.

She got suspicious because he wasn't wearing any pants.

Oh, Moralas, this is O'Hara.

- How are you? - How do you do?

Cape Cod skeleton case. He'll be with us a while.

- Been over to see McAdoo yet? - Do you know around 300,000--

People die every year in this country from unexplained causes.

He's met McAdoo alright.

It's because only eight states require coroners to be doctors.

Maybe they figure doctors can't help you much when you're dead.

No, I don't know. Doctors like McAdoo can help plenty.

I saw murders that turned out to be suicides.

Suicides that were really accidents

and accidents that paid off in murder.

- McAdoo say yours is murder? - No, but I think it is.

Take it easy. Ever been on a murder case before?

No. Not exactly. Up in the Portuguese district

where i'm assigned, it's mostly small stuff.

- Excuse me. - Let's unwind, lieutenant.

- You had dinner yet? - Nope.

- When do you see McAdoo again? - First thing tomorrow morning.

(McAdoo) 'Can you see it alright?'

- 'Got it?" -'Mm.'

(McAdoo) 'Now, those are from your case, human hairs'

'under low magnification.'

(Pete) 'They're darker at one end, aren't they?'

Mm-hm. Dark end natural, white end bleached.

- That makes it a blond. - Or the murderer was a blond.

- Then it was murder. - If it was murder.

- So far, we've got blond hair. - Mm-hm.

Now, those leaves you brought in...

Cape flora, low blueberry, poison ivy.

Here's the poison ivy. Now...

These plants stopped growing the day the body covered them.

They're almost in full leaf

the size they should be the end of May.

Then we know the date of the murder.

Well, not necessarily.

Suppose the body had been dead for weeks

when it was brought there. If it had been brought there.

Then, what have we got?

Rough working date. Say, the week of May 20th.

- Your skeleton, lieutenant. - Oh, yes.

By the way, Pete, you'll have to go back

and look for some more bones and sift the sand

to a depth of, oh, at least a foot.

- What for? - She's not all here.

- She? - Oh, yes, definitely a lady.

That was easy. For example, let's take a look at John.

You'll notice that, like most men

his head size is larger

in proportion to the rest of his body.

He also has a little more jaw.

A woman's bones, on the other hand, are lighter, smaller

and with less pronounced muscular attachments.

I suppose you'd like to know her age.

I'd also like to know her height, weight, occupation

and the name and phone number of the person who murdered her.

I think we can answer all those questions except the last.

- Age? - Between 20 and 24.

Probably closer to 24.

That's only a guess, of course.

Oh, not really.

You see, it isn't until you reach the age of 25

that all the bones get really solid.

Now she's just about completed that process.

Now, this is the last long bone to fuse into one piece.

As you can see, it's almost closed.

Um, occupation? Maybe?

What people do often marks them.

Sometimes psychologically, sometimes physically.

Uh, let's take this foot.

When this bone is this heavy

it makes me think she was a toe dancer.

Now, as to height, there are several ways.

The application of Pearson's Formula to this thighbone

would indicate she was about 65 inches tall.

How was she killed, doctor?

Haven't figured that out yet.

Here's a preliminary report, lieutenant.

Oh, thank you.

"A woman, bleached blond, about 24, about 5'5"

died in or about the week of May 20th

probably once a toe dancer."

- Thank you, doctor. - It's alright. Pete.

All you've gotta do is find a face to put on that skull.

Is that all?

You'll probably find, oh

not over 1000 girls missing on that day.

- Approximately. - Approximately.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Four from Connecticut.

Two from Vermont.

Twelve from Massachusetts.

Six from New Jersey.

Two from Maine.

A hundred and twenty-six from New York.

What do you think makes them do it?

- Do what? - I wish i knew.

Then i'd tell my wife, and maybe she'd disappear.

[whistles] Hey, this one's not bad.

Now, for the picture that fits her skull.

Look, these pictures are all different sizes.

That's right, but all we've gotta do is find out

how the photographs were made.

The camera used, the exposure, the focus

what kind of film, what kind of paper it was printed on

the distance from the camera, and then match it.

Look, who says this can even be done?

McAdoo. It was done once in Scotland.

[chuckles] Lieutenant, you're not young enough to start on this case.

Maybe. But i'm dumb enough.

(McAdoo) No, the eye sockets are too wide apart

and the forehead's too prominent for this face.

- How many do we have left? - About eight, sir.

- May be none of them, you know. - That's encouraging.

No, the jaw of the skull's too short for this girl.

Well, it wasn't a bad idea.

'Oh, to me it was a good idea.

If the skull fits, it may not prove you have the right girl

but if it doesn't fit, it certainly eliminates

the wrong one.

Hmm. Close.

How about it, doctor?

Fairly close.

- What number is this, Ben? - That's negative number 3, sir.

Mm-hm.

Length and width's alright.

Eye sockets, good.

Teeth, perfect. I'd say this could be the girl.

That's good enough for me.

"Heldon, Vivian. Twenty-four, 5'5".

"Reported missing by Jacqueline Elcott

May 30th, 317 Bunker Street, Boston." We check on it.

I'll call you later, doctor. Thank you.

[doorbell rings]

Yes?

- Uh, yes? - Good afternoon.

- I'm looking for a lady. - Oh, yes, indeed.

By the name of Jacqueline Elcott?

Why, she's asleep. Works nights, you know.

- Sweet, very sweet. - Yes, but i...

Who shall i say called?

Will you just call her now, please?

Of course. I'm hardly responsible for what my room--

- Just call her, hm? - Yes, indeed.

Oh, Jackie.

- Jackie? - "Yeah, Mrs. S?

Uh, better come down. It's a...

It's a gentleman caller named Dick.

(Jackie) 'Be right down.'

Now, if you'll excuse me.

Who are you?

I'm Mrs. Smerrling.

I own this rooming house and i've never had any trouble.

Whatever it is that Jackie has done...

Not that she would do anything, mind you.

Is your husband here?

Uh, not exactly.

Were you ever married?

Not exactly. I..

I, uh...

- Uh, You see, I-- - Vivian Heldon.

- She roomed here? - Now, there's a bad one.

Is she in jail? What for?

- Miss Elcott? - Yes.

Oh, I'm Lieutenant Moralas.

You reported Vivian Heldon missing.

Oh, yes, sir.

When she didn't come back after a couple of days...

...got scared.

I-I don't know why, but i did.

Then i checked where she works and--

- Where was that? - The Grass Skirt, a cafe.

They said she went out one night with a customer

and never came back.

I pity the customer.

About a week later...

...I got a picture from her room

and sent it to the police reporting her missing.

You should have consulted me first.

Are her things still here?

Well, all i found was her suitcase.

I put it in my room.

Let's have a look at it, huh?

Excuse me.

If there's any money in it, she owes me two weeks' rent.

Thank you, Mrs. Smerrling.

Nothing happened to her, did it?

Why do you think something happened to her?

Oh, I, I don't know.

Excuse the way it looks, please.

- What's in it? - How should i know?

Sorry.

Girls like us, Vivian and me...

...mostly there's nobody to look out for us.

Like a family, I mean.

And Vivian was always saying is how...

...any day she was gonna be set.

And i don't know why, but...i got scared.

- That Harvard. - What?

Nothing.

Did you find Vivian?

Yes. Might as well come in, Mrs. Smerrling.

After all, it is my house.

The rest of Miss Heldon's belongings, where are they?

I have no idea. Why not ask her?

What happened to Vivian? Please, tell me.

You sold her things, didn't you?

- I beg your pardon? - Didn't you?

Well...

That can land you in jail, you know.

Well, after all, she did owe me two weeks' rent.

She's dead.

She is, isn't she?

- Yes. - How did it happen? Where?

On Cape Cod. Near Hyannis.

We don't know how as yet.

Excuse me.

Poor gal. Poor, poor gal.

If there's anything i can do--

I want a list of everything you sold and where you sold it.

Of course. Well, that is, if i can remember.

My memory, you know, isn't exactly my number one asset.

Well, pull your assets together. I want the truth.

We'll get in touch with you later. Goodbye.

"Hyannis 3633."

[chuckling] I just love boats.

They're so manly.

And there's so many of them.

Gracious, they must cost a dreadful lot.

I would say it pays to be rich.

[laughing]

Oh, my, what a lovely office.

Oh. Ah.

- So you design the boats. - Yes.

Madam, won't you sit down?

Well, poor Vivian's gone now.

You know, she used to tell me all her secrets.

We were very close, Vivian and i.

Sort of, uh, mother and daughter.

- And i thought... - 'Thought what?"

Well, it's not an easy subject, now, is it?

I'm very busy, madam. What was it you wanted?

- Excuse me, Mr. Harkley. - Yeah, later.

But the man with the main mast is here.

He must have the papers, please.

Will you, uh...

- Excuse me. - Of course.

[chuckles]

[footsteps approaching]

My, what a lovely girl.

Yes.

It certainly is a busy business.

Madam, the bus leaves in about 10 minutes.

One of my truck drivers can take you back to town.

Truck driver?

Oh, really, Mr. Harkley.

I'm a poor woman, but that's no need to insult me.

After all, Vivian ought to have a decent burial.

'And who's going to take care of the expenses?'

'No friends, no one who wants to be reminded.'

[sobbing] Only me...

...her only friend in life and death.

How am i going to afford it?

I ask you, how?

You're talking about Miss Vivian.

That's right.

I never knew the girl.

Oh, come now, Mr. Harkley.

Your telephone number is Hyannis 3633, isn't it?

I never forget a number.

[chuckles] Not that i listen to people's conversations, you know

but...you know how it is, don't you?

- What do you want? - Only a few dollars.

After all, I know that you've got a family, Mr. Harkley.

And that you're a very respectable man.

Don't you think i know that?

You know the penalty for blackmail?

Really, Mr. Harkley.

The idea of blackmail for-for just a few dollars?

Oh, don't be silly. Ha-ha-ha!

Get out.

I said get out.

Poor Vivian.

Without a grave to call her own.

Perhaps she's listening to us right now.

Uh, goodbye, Mr. Harkley.

She must have been with four or five customers that night.

Like every night.

But she left with only one of them.

What did he look like? She call him by name?

Just honey. Everybody was honey.

How did she meet him? Did he ask for her?

All i remember is the parking fella come in and ask

"Who owns a yellow Ford?"

I asked the customers along the bar, right down the line.

The guy with Vivian, he says, "That's my car."

I said, "You'll have to move it."

Vivian says they'll take care of it. They leave.

- Then what? - Well, I guess they left.

- He pay his check? - Yeah.

Because when they left, I sold him a bottle.

I remember that because it's against the law

to sell bottled goods.

Relax. Excuse me. So long.

I can't say that i do. No, sir, I'm...

Your name is in her book.

Perhaps she had me in mind for some professional work

as a mortician.

Would you remember her face?

Well, I don't know. I see so many faces.

Oh, of course, that's Vivian. Miss Heldon.

Yes, I remember now.

She rather reminded me of my late wife.

We did meet once or twice.

- Where? - Where she works.

Where else?

Well, in my car once.

What kind of car?

One of my limousines.

When did you see her last?

Over a year ago.

May 23rd, do you know where you were?

May 23rd...

I left the middle of May

for a mortician's convention in Atlantic City.

You know, exchange of ideas, floral displays.

- Wonderful. - Mm-hm.

Yes. When did you return?

I came back the first week in June.

Uh, pardon me if i ask, where is our mutual friend at present?

- She's dead. - I see.

But then, we must not despair.

Passing away is part of the scheme of things.

Life and death, death and life

and who are we to say?

By the way, who is handling the, uh...

- Harvard Medical School. - Oh.

Thank you.

Yes, she was a patient.

Came here the morning of May the 23rd.

Mrs. Vivian Heldon, 317 Bunker Street.

- That's the one. - She never returned.

Probably intends on going to some other physician

to have her baby.

What?

Mrs. Heldon should have her child sometime in December.

May i see that, doctor, please?

- Hello, Pete. How's it going? - Well, we got a motive. Maybe.

Here's the list of stolen cars.

You know how many cars were stolen that week

throughout the country? 1886.

They can't all have been yellow Fords.

126 in New England.

What's the matter? Kind of beat?

That girl had a lot of friends in that little black book.

Here. Take a look at this.

Watch them take to the hills now.

24 in Boston.

- Say, one was a yellow Ford. - Hm.

"Reported stolen May 24th. 117 Bradford."

Get the rest of the dope, will you?

Uh, sure, sure.

[whistling]

(female #1) 'Darling...

...supper's ready.

Oh, alright.

[doorbell ringing]

- 'Hello.' - 'Good evening.'

- 'ls Mr. Shanway in?' - 'Yes.'

I'm from the police. Mr. Shanway reported a car stolen.

- Oh, yes, of course. Come in. - Thank you.

Henry, uh, this man's from the police.

It's about our car. This is my husband.

Lieutenant Moralas. I'm sorry to bother you, Mr. Shanway.

It's just a routine check.

- Of course. Won't you sit down? - Thank you.

Excuse me.

Would you like a cup of coffee?

Oh, don't trouble yourself, please.

No trouble at all.

Funny, uh, you finding the car.

After our claim's been paid, I mean.

We're about to buy a new one.

- It hasn't been found. - Oh?

Where was it stolen from, Mr. Shanway?

Well, I was at the Boston Lying-in Hospital.

- Thank you. - Visiting me.

The car was parked outside. That's the last i saw of it.

- Uh, sugar? - Please.

When was it stolen?

May 23rd at night.

It was the night Grace lost her baby.

When were you in the hospital, Mrs. Shanway?

- I told you when-- - I asked Mrs. Shanway.

The end of May, early part of June.

I told you.

What's the trouble, officer?

Do you know a Miss Vivian Heldon?

Who?

The girl whose picture's in the paper.

You've seen it, haven't you, Mr. Shanway?

She disappeared May 23rd.

Oh, yes. Yes, I did see it. I, um...

I didn't think of her name, that's all.

Besides, what's it gotta do with me?

She left her place of work with a man...in a yellow Ford.

Well, lots of yellow Fords around.

Only one was stolen that week.

Maybe the one she was in wasn't stolen.

That's right. Maybe it wasn't.

Thanks for the coffee. You're very kind.

- I-I swear, I never saw... - You don't have to swear.

Where do you work, Mr. Shanway?

I'm a dispatcher at the depot.

Well, goodnight. As i said, I'm sorry to bother you.

Goodnight.

Oh, uh, by the way,

how did you get home from the hospital?

I, um, I walked. It was very late, so i walked.

- Mm-hm. Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Did you ever know her? - 'No.'

Why are you so upset?

Oh, well, he has no right coming in here

and accusing people like that.

It's just his job.

Well, I-I was just thinking of my job.

I mean, how's it gonna look if it gets in the papers

and everything?

But you didn't know her, did you?

No, darling, no.

No, no, what i want is this...

When Mrs. Henry Shanway

was admitted to your hospital

and when she was discharged.

Alright, I'll hold on.

- Hello, professor. - Hello, Pete.

You know that sand sifting you fellas did paid off pretty well.

We found the missing bones, alright.

One of the ribs was cracked.

Don't know what to make of that yet.

Hmm.

Did you know there were extra bones?

- Why, no. - Mm-hm.

Thought they might give you a motive.

Proved to be from an unborn child.

My guess is about three months.

I was going to... Yes?

I see, nurse. Thank you. I was going to tell you the same news.

- How did you know? - Undergraduate work.

Professors work with their heads

cops work with their feet.

See this little book? Eighty-six names.

Almost all of them men. One of them is a murderer.

- It's a long shot, Pete. - I'd say murder. Yeah?

Lieutenant, Mr. Black's here.

He says he hangs outside the Grass Skirt.

Oh.

Come in, Mr. Black.

This is Dr. McAdoo.

- I'll wait outside, Pete. - My business ain't private.

Did you find him?

- Did you find him? - Sit down, Mr. Black.

I don't want to sit down.

I've been looking for you ever since her picture was in the...

Listen, I've been to the police.

Fifty places, maybe, till they tipped me right.

So i'm here. So i wanna know, did you find him?

You told the policemen you work outside the place...

I'm a tattooist. I work the same place she worked.

I saw her leave that night with a man.

They drove away in a car and she never came back.

He killed her.

Now i wanna know, did you find him?

Would you know him if we found him?

I'd know him. I'll never forget him.

What did he look like?

Like a million other guys

but you show him to me and i'll know him.

You might not find it so easy. She went with a lot of men.

Miss Heldon was a good girl.

A fine person.

When she didn't come back

I thought maybe she had a new job.

How well did you know her?

You cops.

Always suspicious.

Know her? Sure, I knew her.

I was never close enough to smell her perfume

but i knew her.

I'd have been willing to do anything for Miss Heldon.

She was beautiful.

She was sweet.

Always a nice word to me.

Find that guy. I'll know him.

You find him and show him to me

and i'll cram him into the electric chair for you.

Anytime you need me, I'll be around.

[telephone ringing]

Lieutenant Moralas. Who?

Alright, put him on.

You know, he was probably the only

real friend Miss Heldon had.

Yes? I know, I know, but since her picture's been in the paper

five thousand people think they saw her that night.

Where?

Cape Cod?

What's the exact address of your diner, Mr. Jasper?

Will you be there this afternoon?

You won't leave? Fine.

Want to come along?

Alright. Where's Sharkey?

He's down on the Cape.

We're dragging every freshwater pond

around Lakeman's Hollow to see what we can find.

- 'Good idea.' - I thought so.

Let's go, huh?

- Well, thank you, Mr. Jasper. - You're welcome.

- Goodbye. - Goodbye.

Well, at least we got her this close to the scene of the crime.

- About six miles. - That's about all.

You know those guys must have been so busy looking at the girl

they didn't even see the man.

They'd know if he was quarreling with her.

Yeah, she was calling him "Honey."

I wonder if that meant she liked you.

[horn honking]

Did you find anything?

Yeah, I was coming into Boston to see you.

They struck something metal, they're grappling for it, now.

Good, let's go.

- Take the line up. - Okay.

Going up.

Hi, Pete.

"8-4-3-9-8."

Shanway.

There's probably more stuff in there.

[machine whirring]

- Park it in the county garage. - Okay, Pete.

That Shanway said his car was stolen

from in front of a hospital.

Maybe somebody stole it for just this purpose.

Anyway, Pete, you better make sure.

I'll make sure.

(Peter) The two men with the hats...

...take them off.

Now, all of you, turn around.

All the way around. Face the wall.

'Now, turn to the front again.'

'"The two men nearest the door, you can leave.'

'The man on the far side, go out the way you come in.'

'You say you've never been in the Grass Skirt Cafe?"

That's right.

'And never went for a ride with Vivian Heldon?'

That's right.

"You didn't stop at a lunch counter on the Cape?

- I didn't go out on the Cape. - 'Stand still."

“Turn your face to the right!

"Turn it to the left. Now go out the way you came in.'

That's him, I'll swear that's him.

He's lying, that man. He's the one.

(Peter) 'Alright, alright, hold it

- May i? - 'Go ahead, lieutenant.'

Are you all sure, now?

- 'I never saw him before.' - You were asleep, dear.

The twice he came to the house you were asleep.

(Peter) 'How many times did he call for Miss Heldon?'

- Exactly twice. - 'She left with him each time?'

No, no, this was after she disappeared.

- After? - Why, yes.

He came to ask about Vivian, whether she was back.

But you didn't mention it. Why?

Well, I didn't...

Well, you know how nervous the police make everybody.

Especially timid people like yourself.

- Thank you. You know-- - Save it.

'Take them in there for statements.'

Lieutenant. Lieutenant, please. Just a second, please.

Those people... There must be some mistake.

They must be wrong. Why, Henry couldn't have...

You heard what they said, Mrs. Shanway.

No doubt in any of their minds. I'm sorry.

After you left the diner, you took her out to Cape. Why?

- I didn't. - You took her to kill her.

She wouldn't leave you alone because she was pregnant.

You were afraid your wife would find out

so you decided there was only one way to keep her quiet.

- I didn't. - You stripped the body.

Threw it behind some bushes, then you got rid of your car.

- You could say it was stolen. - I told you she took my car.

I thought you said you didn't know who took your car.

That landlady says you went back to the house.

The house where Vivian lived.

You asked for Vivian

said you were an old friend from out of town.

But you didn't know who Vivian was.

'So how did you know where she lived?'

I asked the bartender at that bar.

Well, I just wanted my car back. I didn't know Vivian was...

Vivian, huh? Before, you didn't know her.

- Now suddenly it's Vivian. - That's what you called her so.

So you went back there to establish an alibi.

No, to get my car.

Mr. Shanway, this isn't a trial.

I'm not determining whether you're guilty or innocent.

As a police officer, I'm only trying to get the facts.

Now, you may or may not be telling the truth.

I don't know.

But it is my duty to stay here until i find out.

Now, tell me the whole thing from the beginning.

Where's my wife?

You'll get a chance to explain to her later.

You left the hospital about 9 o'clock.

Alright.

She picked me up. I went with her.

We were at that lunch counter

but i didn't kill her.

She left me stranded on the road.

- She left me stranded! - Alright, alright.

Let's put it down.

We're at the hospital...

- Hi, lieutenant. - Hello, Dr. Levy. How are you?

- Hi. - Hello, Pete.

Well, doctor, we indicted Henry Shanway.

So i've heard.

You know, Pete, the first time you came to this office

I told you that our department is interested only in facts.

'Whom those facts affect, whether they mean guilt'

'or innocence, is your job.

It'd be tough. Mighty tough.

There's something you ought to know.

Remember that cracked rib i told you about?

Yes.

It was broken by a bullet.

Why didn't you say so before?

Spectrographic report just came through.

But our case is on the calendar for next week.

Bits of metal scraped from the broken edges

of the rib proved to be from a bullet.

Alright.

- So he shot her. - Who shot her?

Shanway.

Why are you so certain he shot her?

- Who else? - Where's the gun?

Where's the bullet?

We've got enough on him without that.

Who are you trying to convince? You or me?

Now, Shanway and Miss Heldon left the cafe at 11 p.m.

Somewhere between the lunch counter and Lakeman's Hollow

she was shot and killed.

Great. That's just great.

Where was she shot? In the car? Out of the car?

Four months ago, a bullet is fired

somewhere between Boston and Barnstable.

A needle in a haystack.

Where's the yellow Ford?

In the county garage. Why?

- Ever see an autopsy? - No, not exactly my line.

I think i'll show you one. I've got a theory. Come on.

- Hi, Charlie. Ed. - Hi, Pete.

Suppose you get in behind the wheel, huh?

Okay.

Hey, that's pretty dirty. Here, you better use this.

Let's imagine you're Vivian Heldon

and Henry Shanway's story is true.

Now, you make a phone call

from the lunch wagon to meet somebody.

Then you get in the car and drive off

and leave Shanway standing there.

Okay.

In the five or six miles beyond the lunch wagon

you meet that person.

That's me.

I come around the car to talk to you here.

See, sit up this way, the way she did.

Now, while you're talking

I take the gun from my pocket and fire it.

The bullet enters your body here, passes through the body

shatters the rib, and from this angle

must have entered the car about...there.

There is a little soft spot here.

- Could be a bullet hole. - Uh-huh.

Yeah, probably the water swelled it shut.

Hop out of the car.

Thank you.

Now, let's see.

Yep, there's a hole, alright.

Here, hold the light, will you?

Come down on this angle iron here.

Here it is.

- It could still be Shanway. - Yeah, it could be.

Until you find the gun that fits that bullet

and whoever fired it, you won't have proof.

Suppose Shanway is telling the truth.

Suppose the actual murderer goes free.

- It's a .45 caliber, isn't it? - Uh-huh.

Might be an automatic.

- Colt? - We'll check it.

I'll check it against the lead we got off the girl's rib.

Thanks a lot, fellas.

I didn't know you were moving.

Now you know.

Lucky we dropped around.

Depends on how you look at it.

Any other questions?

Why are you moving?

You wanna pay the rent? We'll stay here.

No? Come, come, lieutenant

don't tell me such things as rent never entered your mind.

Better wait, the law might wanna see

if there's a hidden drawer in that.

Wouldn't you, lieutenant?

Or was this a social visit?

There are a couple of things I didn't look into last time.

Oh?

My past, perhaps.

I had measles and whooping cough.

A couple of tickets for parking in no-parking zones.

"Honeymoon in Niagara Falls.'

I stole a towel from the hotel there.

Maybe you'd like to arrest me too.

No?

Maybe my husband's mother then.

She comes from Kansas

that's where they raise wheat.

I'm sure there must be a law against that somewhere.

Your husband said he didn't own a gun.

He was lying, of course.

In any case, I will have to search the apartment.

Why, certainly, lieutenant.

'Why don't you rip open the chairs and the mattress?'

'I'm sure there's a gun there somewhere.'

Grace, please.

Your husband had a checking account?

What are we looking for, lieutenant?

A check to Vivian Heldon, perhaps?

I would like to see the canceled check

for the month of May.

- Lieutenant-- - Never mind, Mother.

We must respect the law, you know?

May 4th.

Six dollars for a maternity dress.

May 15th, 9.35 for groceries.

There was a bottle of sherry in that order.

May 18th.

Fourteen dollars for infants' wear.

Never used.

Never can be used.

May 29th...

Forty... Forty-eight dollars on the hospital bill.

Wait, lieutenant, there's still two checks left.

[sobbing]

We're on the calendar for next week.

Mr. Simmons, is Henry Shanway here?

- Yes. - When do we get to see him?

- How about an interview? - Don't hurry us, boys.

We'll arrange those things all in good time.

How'd you nail him, lieutenant? What were the clues?

- Ask Harvard. Thank you. - Come on in, Pete.

Gives us a break, boys. We'll see you later.

(all) Alright.

Been with those boys for ten minutes.

Well, son, we're off to the races. Both of us.

What's the matter?

There are a couple of things i'm not sure about.

But you're sure Shanway did it.

Yeah, yeah.

- Trial's booked for next week. - Yes.

You sound like you're sorry for him.

He's a murderer. He'll have to take what's coming.

Yeah, so will his wife.

Just give me a minute in my office, fellas.

Are you Mrs. Shanway?

Could you hold it, Mrs. Shanway?

Could you please look up as if you were seeing your husband.

Are you gonna stand by your husband?

Is your husband in love with Vivian Heldon?

Now please, could you take off your hat, Mrs. Shanway?

Will you please leave me alone?

Fellas, that's enough for now.

You'll get a chance to talk to her later.

Is there anything i can do for you, Mrs. Shanway?

- I know how you feel. - Do you?

What makes you so sure he didn't do it?

- He couldn't do it. - Yes, he could.

He could make a date with another woman.

He could get drunk with her.

He could take her riding in his car.

All while you were in the hospital.

That officer will take care of you.

Is this for Mr. Shanway?

I'm sorry.

How's everything?

Fine. Everything will be fine.

- Did you just see Mr. Beckett? - Oh, well...

Well, I checked about him, darling

and people say he's really not a very good lawyer.

But did you see him?

Yes.

We don't have enough money for him, do we?

Darling?

Yes?

About that girl.

Did you?

Well, you know i didn't kill her.

I didn't mean that.

Oh, no, darling. No, I didn't.

I made a mistake. I...

I made lots of mistakes, but not that one.

Pull out.

- Hi, Pete. - Hi.

Still knocking down walls, huh?

- Still trying. - How about a game?

No, thanks, I was just working out.

I thought your case was closed.

So did i.

I gotta hand it to you, you're sure right

about the murder part.

Right about the murderer too.

Know you're getting fatter every day?

Can still beat you.

I don't know, they say the bigger you are

the harder you fall.

Ever see a cop who wasn't sure?

- Yeah, you. - Yeah.

At this stage of the game?

I thought we were looking for a gun.

[chuckles]

"Bermil. Webson.

"Delwin. Judby.

Harkley, James, Joshua."

Morning.

- Mr. Harkley. - Yes?

I'm from the Barnstable district attorney's office.

No, one of my hunkies in trouble again?

All kinds of people have trouble, Mr. Harkley.

Why don't you run along home. We'll have that ride tomorrow.

- Well, I can't wait, Dad. - Don't. Tomorrow.

Tell mother i'll be home early.

Okay, dad.

- Let's go in and talk, huh? - What about?

- Vivian Heldon. - Who?

Oh, you mean the skeleton girl.

Yes, that's right.

- How well did you know her? - I didn't know her at all.

I never heard of her till i read about her in the papers.

On the seventh of this month, around 4:30 in the afternoon

a phone call was made from 317 Bunker Street

to Hyannis 3633...

...your home phone. Who was it?

Well, lots of people call my home.

From 317 Bunker Street?

I'm afraid i don't--

That's where Vivian Heldon lived.

Let me get this straight. Are you accusing--

I'm only asking about a phone call, that's all.

I'm never at home at 4:30 in the afternoon.

You own a pistol .45-caliber Colt automatic.

Sorry, I'd like to oblige, but sorry--

The United States Army charged you out with such a weapon.

- So? - So i'd like to see it.

Is that how the girl was killed? Forty-five?

The papers say she was choked to death.

The Army records show you never returned your gun.

I turned it in. Oh, yes, it was France. Yes, Metz.

Oh, I see.

You don't mind if i take a quick look around, do you?

I certainly do mind.

Since when can a cop break in--

I brought a search warrant.

Look, when i say i haven't got a gun, I haven't got one.

My word is as good as an affidavit.

If you wanna know about me, ask anybody.

There was a Harkley around these parts

long before there was a U.S_A.

You can ask anybody.

'But from the way you talk'

'you haven't been around here long.'

You see that girl before? My daughter.

I've got two more. One older, one younger.

'The older one starts at Bryn Mawr next year.'

The key, please.

Thank you.

Look, I told you. I haven't got a gun.

I know you told me, Mr. Harkley.

No gun.

I suppose you wanna search my home now.

Already been there.

You know, I'm used to respect.

- People looking up to me. - So am i, Mr. Harkley.

And my family hasn't been in this country

for even 100 years.

Goodbye.

Oh, Jackie, I was just coming up to see you.

I'm late for work now.

Look what i found.

I was looking in old Mr. Pendor's trunk...

You remember, my late roomer, the Shakespearean actor.

- No. - And this was in his trunk.

I thought Shakespeare actors used spears.

What sort of a gun do you think it is?

.45-caliber automatic.

Oh, it might be dangerous. Do you think it's loaded?

Not anymore.

I used to go with an MP.

What i learned about guns and the Marines.

- Bye. - You're so clever, dear.

[instrumental music]

I'm sorry to bother you again.

I thought if you'd try to remember--

Please, Mrs. Shanway. I told you everything i know. I told you.

I told the police. I told the grand jury.

Why don't you let me alone?

But they're going to let my husband take the blame.

You've got to help.

Miss Elcott.

Do you suppose Mrs. Smerrling might?

Oh, sure. Why don't you go and have a talk with her.

You never can tell what that old witch is thinking.

I-I wish i could help you. Honest.

But who am i? Alright.

I don't think your husband did it.

I told that to the police. So, what good did it do?

Now they say he shot her.

Please, Mrs. Shanway, please don't make trouble for me.

I might lose my job.

I'm sorry. Really, I am.

Please go away, please.

[music continues]

Operator?

I want Lieutenant Moralas

in the Barnstable Police Department, Cape Cod.

It's important.

[doorbell chiming]

[doorbell chiming]

Just a minute.

Good evening, Mr. Harkley.

[bird chirping]

Don't be frightened, Caesar, it's only a man.

I haven't entertained a gentleman in ever so long.

A mirror?

Yes, when Caesar's wife died

I thought of the mirror.

And now he's perfectly happy talking to himself.

Well, you might offer me a drink.

You mean hard liquor?

Oh, really, Mr. Harkley. I never touch the stuff.

Forget it.

I always say there's too much

drinking in the world today.

Gracious. This must have been left here by a previous tenant.

- Go ahead. - Oh, no, no. Really, I never...

Oh, well, if you insist.

My, invigorating, isn't it?

Well, they always say, "One swallow never makes the summer."

Why did you take the gun from my place?

Dear boy, it frightened me.

People who are scared of guns usually leave them alone.

Well, this one kind of stuck to my fingers, you know.

And you looked so foreboding and dangerous.

And what with the touchy things i was going to ask you

I thought the gun might go off.

Accidentally, I mean.

And when you took it, you didn't know?

That it was what killed Vivian?

Dear me, no.

Killing Vivian was an accident.

Yes, I know, dear.

Lots of people have accidents all the time.

Why, just today the paper had statistics...

Where is it?

- I beg your pardon? - The gun. Where is it?

Gently... Gently, dear boy.

This gin cost $4 a bottle.

I said, where is it?

Really, Mr. Harkley...

...you don't think i'd leave it around here, do you?

Not such a valuable trinket as that gun.

Not when the police want it as much as they do.

Not when you want it as much as you do.

Not when it's worth so much to me.

Suppose somebody else finds it before we do.

- Impossible, dear boy. - Why?

Because nobody knows where i put it.

Here, count it and let's go.

- There's 500. - Oh, dear.

I'm afraid you don't think nearly enough of your own life.

- How much? - Oh, I really don't know.

You see, I had been planning on a trip to Europe.

After the trial, of course.

You know, London, Paris and Rome.

You've been to those places, Mr. Harkley.

- How much does it cost? - You're crazy.

And then there's Vienna and Madrid.

When i get back, I'd like to spend the rest

of my days in a little apartment in New York.

Nothing lavish, you understand, but adequate.

I'm afraid i'm not very good at arithmetic

but, well, I should think $20,000 would do it.

At least for now.

[laughing]

I think the banks open at 9:30 in the morning.

You're alright.

- Quite a woman, you know. - Uh-huh.

Let's not lose our heads, Mr. Harkley.

What Paris doesn't know, you'll teach it.

Now, listen. Killing you means nothing, understand?

And i've got every reason to kill you and i will

unless you tell me where you put that gun.

Well?

I put it in a bag and checked it.

Where?

- Trinity Station. - When did you check it?

This evening.

Alright, get me the check.

Water. Wa...

[doorbell chiming]

[bird chirping]

[doorbell chiming]

[knock on door]

(Grace) 'Mrs. Smerrling?'

[bird chirping]

[doorbell chiming]

'Mrs. Smerrling?'

Just wait here for a second while i go in with Miss Elcott.

- Huh, Tim? - 'Right.'

[screaming]

There was a man. He rushed right by me.

She's lying on the floor.

[glass shatters]

[grunting]

[engine rumbling]

Get in the car, Tim.

[tires screeching]

He turned into that one-way street.

Yeah.

Well, that does it. We've lost him.

(Tim) 'I'd better radio in.'

'Did you get the license number?"

Of course not. His lights were off.

- Can you describe the car? - No.

- The man? - No.

Well, why radio in? Let's get back.

Sorry, forget it.

Uh-oh.

Park it, will you?

It's Mrs. Smerrling, lieutenant. Somebody tried to kill her.

Did you get the man who ran?

Better not move her. You take the ambulance back.

- I'll stay here. - Okay, doctor.

Excuse me.

- Will i get to talk to her? - No, not now.

I got here just a few minutes before you and the lieutenant

and i wanted to talk Mrs. Smerrling.

- What about? - About my husband...

You sure it wasn't about the gun?

- What gun? - The one your husband used.

- I've told-- - Alright, alright.

You came to see her. Then what?

I knocked at the door, somebody pulled me in and ran out.

And you didn't see.

- All i know, it was a man. - Which isn't enough.

Did you touch any of these things?

No, sir, we just started to take Mr. Smerrling--

Alright. Okay, okay, it's all over.

Go on back upstairs.

Professor McAdoo, please.

Hello, professor?

I'm sorry to call you so late, but i'm afraid i need you.

Yes, again, I know it's irregular

but could you come

to 317 Bunker Street right away, please?

Thank you.

[bird chirping]

Pete, this is for the Boston police.

You might as well get back to Barnstable.

Pieces of my case are here too.

The answer must be here.

[bird chirping]

Can you shut that bird off, please?

Who ran out of here? Why was he here?

This person came here to kill her, but why?

To get something?

Maybe the gun. The gun we're looking for.

The gun that goes with this clip Miss Elcott gave us.

The gun that's going to send somebody to the electric chair.

Did he get the gun, whoever he was?

The answer to our case is right here

in this house, in this room.

It started here. Maybe it will end here. I don't know.

McAdoo will be here in a few minutes.

[train horn blaring]

[clock tolling]

Fingerprint boys have been here. Pictures have been taken.

We've searched the whole place. What have we got?

Nothing here. Room full of junk.

[phone ringing]

I'll take it.

Hello.

Yeah, this is Moralas.

When?

I see.

No, no.

Alright, thanks.

Gonna telephone the medical examiner.

He can have her now.

- She's dead. - So, what have we got?

Well, we know one thing anyway

if whoever killed Miss Heldon did this

it couldn't have been Shanway.

No?

Being in jail's a pretty good alibi for this job.

(Peter) 'He's not in jail!

'That was Barnstable on the phone.'

Your favorite martyr escaped

while being questioned by a psychiatrist

who was looking for a motive.

The man who ran out of here was not my husband.

I thought you said you didn't know who it was.

You just happened to arrive here at the right time

to miss everything, remember?

It's not possible of course, that you came here

to meet your husband.

And nobody would even consider

that you both did this.

'Nobody except me.'

That's better, Mrs. Shanway. When in doubt, start crying.

Get your coat.

And please don't tell me to take it easy, doctor.

When we bring in Shanway, we'll wash up the case.

The whole mess.

And good morning to you.

[bird chirping]

When did she show you that gun?

On my way to work, about 6:00 last night.

This is stamped 7:45.

"Trinity Station."

Will you stay here, doctor?

You think we can handle it by ourselves?

Too much of a long shot to ask for help.

What if he doesn't show up?

If he does show, whoever he is, that's our man.

What time's the baggage room open?

Six o'clock.

[whistling]

- Good morning. - Good morning.

[whistling]

[knock on door]

I've been waiting for you to open.

My sister tagged her suitcase here yesterday

and she lost the check.

You know how women are,

always losing things.

She said you'd surely remember her.

Sorry. Against the rules.

Well, it's awfully important to my sister.

She had a slight accident last night and, uh...

Well, do i look as though i'd steal a suitcase?

Well, there's an awful lot of baggage here, mister.

Can you describe the suitcase?

Well, no, but i can describe my sister.

She's medium height, red hair, very pretty hair

dressed rather peculiarly.

Sometimes wore earrings.

Red hair.

Think this is it.

You know, I could get fired for this.

Well, you won't say anything about it and i certainly won't.

- Thanks very much. - You're welcome.

Tall. He had a brown hat and a light coat.

[train horn blaring]

[steam hissing]

Down there, Tim.

[train horn blaring]

Go the other way.

[rattling]

[gun clicks]

I've been waiting to put these two together.

- Take him in. - It's a pleasure.

- Now, Tim? - Yeah?

Radio headquarters.

If they spot Henry Shanway, don't shoot.

They'd be killing an innocent taxpayer.

Alright.

[phone ringing]

- McAdoo. - 'Hello, professor?'

- Mm-hm. - 'This is Moralas.'

Yeah.

- 'May i talk to Mrs. Shanway?' - Sure.

- Hello? - 'Hello, Mrs. Shanway.'

- 'This is Lieutenant Moralas.' - Yes, lieutenant.

(Peter) 'We got our man. He showed up.

'Turned out to be a guy named Harkley.'

'He's under arrest!

'Well, I guess that's about all'

'except i think your husband'

'will be with you very soon now.'

'And, Mrs. Shanway'

'l wanted to tell you that...'

'Hello?'

Hello, Mrs. Shanway?

[instrumental music]