Original subtitles

Good evening.

Sorry to keep you waiting, but I had to make my bed.

It will surprise you, I know, but to be perfectly honest, this is not really my

bed. I'm making it for my brother.

He insists on coming home late at night and making a great deal of noise in the

dark before he tumbles into bed.

I thought that this orthopedic mattress would be precisely what he needs to cure

him of that bothersome habit.

Our story does not concern a bed like this, but it does take place in a sleepy

little town.

Apparently nothing much ever happens in Linvale, but I have the uneasy feeling

that if we watch closely, something will.

In case you're doing the drive-in, Linvale lies just on the other side of

this one-minute billboard.

Mr.. You see flipper. I think he came back here. Why I can't I'm looking for

him Well look somewhere else, but he came around the side of your house.

Well. He was trespassing just like you now take off Hear what I said

Oh, I'd like to speak to the sheriff, please.

Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am. He's all tied up right now. Well, when can I talk to him?

It's rather urgent.

It's urgent?

Yes, so if you could have him get in touch with me as soon as possible.

Do you want to hold on while I just get a pencil?

Do you just want to give me your name

and address?

It's Mrs.

Logan, 74 Walnut Lane.

Yes, ma'am. I'll give the sheriff your message.

Tell him it's important.

Right.

How's that,

Sheriff? Henry, you're a regular wizard with a pair of scissors.

Thanks. How about some half-tonic?

What do you got? Sweet lilac, evergreen oil, wild tiger.

Isn't that green bottle over there? It's pretty potent stuff, Sheriff. Tell me,

it goes over big with the ladies.

Maybe I better leave well enough alone.

Morning, Sheriff.

I just got a phone call. Who's minding the story? Well, I just got a phone call

from a lady named Logan. She says that she has to talk to you. She says it's

urgent. Urgent? Last time I saw that word was in the crossword puzzle.

But that's what she said.

Probably some old spinster with a cat up a tree.

Is that Mrs.

Logan up on Walnut Lane?

Yeah, 74 Walnut Lane.

That's no spinster, Henry.

She's a widow.

Heard she moved into the Archer house a couple of months ago.

Oh, is that the one? Yeah, I seen her around town. She's kind of pretty.

Well, maybe it's fate, Ben. You and a good-looking woman like that, something

might develop.

Sure.

All right, I'll take a ride out there.

Well, you don't have to see her, Ben.

Always give her a call. Unless maybe I've whet your appetite.

Look at that, Charlie. We got a barber who's a regular Cupid.

Mister, you seen a cat?

Why, are you missing one? Uh-huh. I think he ran away.

Well, that's too bad.

You're the sheriff, aren't you?

That's right.

Well, maybe you can find him. His name's Flipper. He's sort of gray.

I'll keep an eye peeled.

Yes?

Sheriff Wister, ma'am. You call my office?

Oh, yes.

Please come in.

I, uh, hope I didn't call you away from anything.

Well, it wasn't important. What can I do for you?

Well, it... It's something that might only be my imagination. I almost feel

like a fool bringing you way out here.

Why don't you let me be the judge of that?

You see, I'm new here, and I don't want to get involved in... Something that's

none of my business.

I've been debating with myself for the last three days, but... Well, I had to

tell someone.

Mind being a bit more specific?

Well, that's just it. It's nothing I can quite put my finger on.

Maybe you better come upstairs.

Beg pardon?

I'll have to show you.

Oh, take a look through the window at the yard next door.

It's been going on like that for the past three days.

The drinking?

Yes. He doesn't seem to want to do anything. He just hangs around the house

all day.

That's Harry Jarvis, isn't it?

Do you know him?

Oh, by sight.

I know most of the people in this town by sight.

He's in real estate.

Never knew he was much of a drinker.

Well, he only started a few days ago after his wife disappeared.

I'm not quite sure I follow you. Oh, it's a lot of little things.

Ever since I moved in, I used to hear them arguing.

They used to shout so loud, they'd keep me awake.

Then all of a sudden, the argument stopped.

And you haven't seen her since?

No. Oh, once.

She used to walk her dog in the mornings, a little white mongrel named

Timmy, but for the past three days, she hasn't come out of the house.

When was the last time you saw her?

Late Friday afternoon.

She was out there sitting in a deck chair. He was mowing the lawn.

Once or twice, I saw him look at her.

She didn't notice she was playing with the dog.

But you should have seen the expression on his face.

He looked like he wanted to kill her.

Well, Mrs. Logan, this is all pretty circumstantial.

Maybe his wife is sick or she might be visiting relatives.

I can think of a hundred different explanations.

But why does he do his own laundry?

And why does he sit in the yard all day?

Well, about eight years ago, we had a homicide in Linvale.

A man got clubbed with a bottle in one of those taverns out by the highway.

That's just about it.

This is a peaceable town.

Well, I... I told you it might only be my imagination.

But if you could have seen the way he looked at her... Well, look, there's no

sense in our going off half-cocked.

Before we start assuming things, why don't I do a little quiet checking?

Would that make you feel better?

I think so.

Good. I'll give you a call tomorrow.

Well, I'd just as soon deal with Mr. Jarvis himself, if you don't mind.

I see.

Well, can I set up an appointment?

Uh-huh.

Okay, I'll call back next week.

Yeah, the name is, uh, Johnson.

That's right.

Bye-bye.

That was his real estate office.

I get the feeling they haven't seen him lately.

Well, maybe he's just gold-breaking.

Maybe.

Kind of pointless, though, considering he's the boss.

Oh, I gotta do some checking on this baby.

Wonder who his friends are.

Oh, I can tell you that.

Him and Doc Wyatt are big buddies.

Charlie, you amaze me. How did you know that?

Well, I see him all the time up at the country club.

They're always playing golf together.

Country club?

You getting social on me?

No, it ain't that.

I just caddy up there every once in a while. You know, pick up a couple of

bucks. Moonlighting, huh?

Just on Sundays.

It's my day off, Sheriff.

Well, I wouldn't want to stand in the way of a man's self-improvement.

Now, what about Jarvis?

Well, he doesn't seem to have many friends.

Just a stock Wyatt.

Well, I guess I better have a talk with him.

You nose around Walnut Lane, see what you can find out from the neighbors.

But, Charlie, do it quietly.

I don't want any phone calls.

Oh, Sheriff.

They said you wanted to see me.

Yes, sir. Sorry to bother you, doctor.

Oh, it's no bother.

Rather look at your face than a baby's. I've been in delivery all morning.

Well, this won't take long.

Take all the time you like.

You look healthy, so I assume that this is official.

Sort of.

I understand you're a friend of Harry Jarvis.

Harry? Known him for years.

I was wondering if you'd noticed any, well, changes in him lately.

Funny you should ask.

He has been out of sorts the past few days.

Seems to be worrying about something.

Think he's under a strain?

It's possible.

Probably worried about business problems.

Happens to the best of us.

Well, I guess it isn't serious then.

Thanks, Doctor.

Appreciate it if you'd keep this confidential.

Suits me.

I wonder if his wife has noticed anything.

Have you seen her lately, by the way?

Marjorie? Not for quite a while. Though she is coming to see me tonight.

Oh? She's coming in for a check-up.

You mean she'll be in your office tonight?

Uh-huh. Eight o'clock. Are you sure?

Of course I'm sure.

Come and see for yourself.

Excuse me, miss.

I just want to see if my watch is right. I have ten past eight.

That's what I have.

Thought maybe I might be fast.

Oh, isn't she here yet?

She's usually on the dot.

Give Mrs. Jarvis a ring and see what's keeping her. Yes, Doctor.

Oh.

What is it? Well, that appointment was cancelled. I forgot to tell you. I

substituted Mrs. Phillips.

Well, you're out of luck, Sheriff. She cancelled.

Oh, she didn't cancel, Doctor. It was her husband.

Her husband?

Yes. He called a few hours ago.

What's the trouble, Sheriff?

Oh, nothing.

If you want to, why don't you give her a ring?

No, uh...

I have a feeling Mrs. Jarvis isn't in.

Thank you.

Thanks, Doc.

I don't know what I got myself into.

Now, let's see. I'll leave.

Excuse me, girls.

Sheriff Wister.

Oh, come in. What a pleasant surprise.

Oh, Miss Bergen, I'm not disturbing anything.

Oh, no, no, no, no. It's just the girls come over for a little bridge and a

little tea.

Would you like a cup of tea?

Oh, no, thanks.

Not just a little cup?

I keep telling my husband I never see the sheriff anymore.

Well, I've been kind of busy, ma'am. I was just thinking about you the other

day. Do you know that new teacher over at school, Miss Gunderson?

Oh, you ought to give her a call.

You would have a lot in common.

And if you're interested in slides, she has the most wonderful collection. All

of those marvelous European cathedrals.

Well, ma'am... Oh, I know, you think I'm a matchmaker, but remember, Sheriff,

after all, you're the last bachelor left in town.

Well, that's not exactly true, you know. There's Charlie, my deputy, and Tom down

at the firehouse. Oh, but you, you are the prize catch.

Oh, if I wasn't married, I'd be running after you myself.

Well, that's very flattering, Mrs. Bergen.

I wonder if you would mind if I asked you a couple of questions.

Police business?

Well, in a way.

You know Mrs. Jarvis, don't you? Oh, of course.

Marjorie and I are co-chairmen of the Home for the Aged Committee.

Well, have you seen her recently?

No. No, I haven't.

And it's rather odd if you ask me.

She missed a meeting of the famous books club the other day, and it was one of

her favorites, too.

Moby Dick.

Well, did she call to let you know she wasn't coming?

No, her husband called me. He said she wasn't feeling well.

Have you talked to her since?

I can't reach her. Every time I call her, her husband says she's either out

or washing her hair.

Well, thanks, Mrs. Bergen. You've been very helpful.

Oh, what's it all about, Sheriff?

You can trust me?

Well, it's nothing serious, just routine.

Oh, you're being very mysterious.

But I won't pry.

Oh, just a minute.

What's this? Miss Gunderson's telephone number.

Hi.

Come up with anything?

Well, it's hard to say.

I talked to most of the neighbors, and I tried not to raise any eyebrows.

I think I did a pretty good job.

Charlie, get to the point. Has anyone seen Mrs. Jarvis?

No.

Not for three days.

She hasn't even taken the garbage out.

Well, that still doesn't prove anything.

No, but it's kind of strange.

The way I hear it is she used to be all over town all the time.

Clubs and meetings.

It seems that she used to spend hardly any time with her husband.

Hmm.

Oh, by the way, that Mrs. Logan called you this morning. She wanted you to call

her right back.

Well, why didn't you leave me a note?

I couldn't find a pencil.

Sheriff Worcester, ma'am.

Oh, I've been trying to reach you all morning.

Why? What happened?

Now I'm sure something's wrong.

Last night, Mr.

Jarvis came out into his backyard, and he started digging in his garden.

Digging?

Can you think of any reason on earth why he'd do a thing like that?

Only one, and I'm not sure I like it.

Tell you what, Mrs. Logan.

Suppose I drop by your place tonight.

I wish you would.

I'll be expecting you.

Thank you.

Bye.

What do you want?

Problems, Charlie, problems.

See you in the morning. Oh, say, do you know that new teacher up at the school,

Miss Gunderson?

Oh, sure, the fat one.

Uh-huh.

He may not come out again tonight, but you can see the hole.

I went to bed early last night, and then I heard him working in the garden. At

first I thought I was dreaming, but there he was in his shirt sleeves.

He had a shovel.

He was whistling to himself while he dug.

Whistling and digging.

After a while, I went back to bed, but I could still hear him.

Just doesn't make any sense.

Well, it makes a lot of sense.

He's probably killed that poor woman, and he's going to bury her out there.

Now, now, we can't jump to conclusions.

Well, what else can we do? You said yourself she didn't show up for her

doctor's appointment. No one's seen her for days.

It's got to be murder.

Why don't you go down there and arrest him?

On what charge?

There's no law against a man digging in his own backyard.

Sheriff, I don't understand why you're so hesitant.

Because I don't want to suit for false arrest.

What more do you need?

It's obvious he's digging a grave out there.

What is it?

I think he saw me.

Get away from that window.

Well,

he's gone.

You must have frightened him away.

He looked straight at me.

Now he knows I've been watching him.

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Sheriff, I don't like it.

I'm alone here.

If he decides I know something, that's him.

Maybe not.

I didn't hear any car drive up. Who else could it be?

Better answer it.

It's all right. I'm here.

I'll be two feet away.

I'm Jarvis, your next-door neighbor.

Well, can I come in?

Oh, yes, of course.

Is there something I can do for you?

You tell me.

I beg your pardon?

I saw you spying on me from your bedroom window.

Why?

Spying?

I think you're mistaken. I just happened to look out.

Just happened, huh?

I heard a noise and I was curious.

I suppose you think it's funny, me digging in the garden at night.

Well, it's really none of my business.

That's exactly right.

It's none of your business.

But I wouldn't want you to get the wrong idea.

You see, I like to do my gardening at night.

During the day it's too hot, too many bugs.

But after dark it's cool, quiet.

You can hear yourself think.

Well, that's perfectly understandable.

I'm glad you feel that way.

Maybe now you'll stop watching me.

Honestly, Mr. Jarvis, I had no intention of... Forget it.

I think we understand each other.

Oh, Mr. Jarvis, I'm new here, and this town isn't very friendly.

So?

Well, I'd like to get to know you and your wife better.

Maybe you two could come over for dinner one evening.

I'm sorry. My wife doesn't like to go out much.

But we're right next door to each other.

I said she doesn't like to go out.

Besides, you've probably seen enough of us from your bedroom window.

You heard that?

I heard.

Now do you believe me?

Well, I never said I doubted you, Mrs. Logan.

That still doesn't prove anything. All he's done is call on his next-door

neighbor.

The way he talked to me, the way he looked at me.

That still doesn't prove he's burying his wife in his backyard.

Sheriff Wister, do you like me?

Of course I do, ma'am.

Then remember this.

He knows that I saw him.

If he did kill his wife, then I am a threat to him. Think about that.

Aristotle once said that a play should have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

But what did he know? Today a play must have a first half, a second half, and a

station break.

You have seen only one of these.

The other two follow.

Hello, Sheriff.

What do you want?

I'd like to talk with you, Mr. Jarvis.

Is this police business?

Yes, sir.

Well, come in.

The place needs a good cleaning, but I guess you can see that for yourself.

Then again, I wasn't expecting any company.

Well, I'll try to be brief.

Is your wife at home?

My wife?

Why? There was an automobile accident in town yesterday.

I'm investigating it.

And we think maybe your wife was a witness.

Must be some mistake.

One of the drivers of the cars gave a pretty good description of her. Said she

was walking her dog.

So if I could just talk with her a few minutes.

She isn't here.

Well, I can come back tomorrow. No, no, I mean she's away.

Oh?

Vacation?

Well, something like that. She's been gone for three days.

So she couldn't have been a witness to any accident.

I see.

Well, just for the record, so we can write it off, where can we get in touch

with her?

She went upstate.

She was going to write me and tell me the name of her hotel, but I haven't

heard from her yet.

And she's been gone three days?

That's right.

Tell me, did she take the dog with her?

Yeah. Yeah, she took the dog.

Any more questions?

No, that's all.

Thanks for your cooperation.

You can go out the front door, Sheriff.

Not kind of late, aren't you, sonny? I can stay up as long as I want.

Find your cat?

Yeah, he was home under the bed.

Good. What you see old man Jarvis for?

Why? Isn't he your friend?

He's nobody's friend.

Always sticking Timmy on my cat.

Timmy? Uh, Timmy's his dog, isn't he?

Tell me something, son.

Have you seen him today?

Who, Mr. Jarvis?

No, the dog.

Sure. I saw him this afternoon.

He was sitting in the window, barking up a storm.

You're positive it was Timmy?

Yep, unless they got two dogs.

Thanks.

Now, Mrs. Bergen, why did you do a thing like that?

I was only trying to help.

After all, it was obvious you were suspicious about something.

So I just baked a cake and went over there.

I really wasn't in any danger.

That's not exactly the point. When Mr. Jarvis answered the door, I said, I want

to see Marjorie. I said, I have a new recipe that she's interested in.

Mocha. Marjorie's very fond of mocha.

Well, what did Mr.

Jarvis have to say for himself?

He was positively rude.

He said Marjorie isn't well, and he grabbed the cake and he slammed the door

in my face.

Wait a minute.

You mean to say he didn't say his wife was out of town?

Oh, of course not. Why would Marjorie go out of town? She hasn't been anywhere

since I've known her, and that's ten years.

Excuse me.

Sheriff Wister.

It's me, Sheriff.

and he drove off.

You follow him?

Yeah, he went right to Bell's hardware store.

I'm across the street right now.

Hey, wait a minute!

Charlie?

Charlie?

Charlie?

Charlie?

I'm all right here. I'm registered. Listen, he just got in his car and drove

off. He had a package with him. Should I follow him?

No, you stay where you are. I'll meet you.

You gotta run, Miss Bergen.

What's he up to? Do you think he's done something to Marjorie? Tell you what,

Miss Bergen, if he has, you'll be the first to know.

Oh, howdy, Sheriff. Sorry.

You come for your fishing rod, Sheriff?

No, I'll pick that up next week.

Actually, I came to inquire about one of your customers.

Who's that?

Harry Jarvis.

I understand he was just in.

That's right.

Mind telling me what he bought?

Well, let me see. He picked up a sack of grass seed.

Anything else?

Yeah, a can of rat poison.

That was it.

Seemed like he was in a hurry.

Well, thanks, Mr. Bell.

Come on, Charlie.

Well, the grass is easy to figure. He wants to seed the garden, but why the

rat poison?

Well, maybe he has rats.

Is it possible his wife isn't dead yet?

Do you mean you think he's got locked up in that house?

No, he wouldn't take a chance like that.

Why the poison?

Well, like I said, maybe he has rats.

Charlie?

Get in touch with Al and tell him to meet us at Mrs. Logan's house tonight.

What for?

We're going to see if Jarvis has dropped anything in that hole he's been digging.

And Charlie, bring shovels.

Coffee, Charlie.

Oh, actually, I'd like something a little bit stronger, ma'am.

Charlie, you're on duty.

Coffee will be fine.

How long are we going to keep waiting on that guy, Sheriff?

Got anything better to do, Al?

No, no, but that whistling is getting on my nerves. I wish he'd learn a tune.

Yeah.

He's been at it since before you came.

First he started digging, and now he's covering up.

Did he put anything in the hole?

He might have. I couldn't watch that carefully because he kept looking up

here. I'm afraid, Sheriff, he might do something to me.

After last night, I don't want to take any chances.

All right.

We may as well move in.

Charlie, Al, let's go.

Charlie, get the shovels.

Sheriff, you'll let me know what happens.

Just watch from the window.

You can see for yourself.

What are you doing here?

Sorry, Mr. Jarvis. We're going to have to do a little digging.

What? You've got no right to go around here digging in my garden.

That busybody next door, she called you, didn't she?

There.

I just saw her at the window.

She called you, didn't she?

We've got a tip, Mr. Jarvis.

We want to know why you come out here and dig at night.

I can't dig in my own property?

A man can't dig in his own property? You've got to admit it looks mighty

suspicious.

I'm eccentric.

Do I have to plan my life to suit you?

Charlie? Well?

Excuse me.

Sheriff? Yeah?

You better come here.

Something buried here.

Make out what it is?

Not yet.

Keep digging, man.

There's something down there, all right.

You want to start talking?

No.

Charlie, let me have your light.

What is it?

Can you make it out?

Sheriff, it's a dog.

What?

All this digging, and it ain't nothing but a dead dog.

What did you expect?

A body?

I hated myself for doing it.

I'm not a cruel man.

The dog was sick anyway.

Marjorie being gone, I suppose I just wanted to put it out of its misery.

So I dug the hole and bought the rat poison.

Give to the dog.

Who else would I give it to?

You mean you were looking for her?

You mean that character next door said that I might have murdered Marjorie?

Let's be frank, Mr. Jarvis.

There's still some mystery as to your wife's whereabouts.

But to assume that I killed her... But you've been giving everybody in town a

different story.

You've told some people she was sick, and you told me she was on vacation.

And with that hole you're digging out and back... I guess it did look a little

suspicious.

I've learned one thing anyway.

You can't keep a secret in Linvale.

What kind of secret?

Marjorie left me, Sheriff. She walked out four days ago.

Just like that?

No explanations.

Walked in and told me we were through.

Packed her things, took our reserve cash and her jewelry, and that was that.

After 15 years of marriage.

I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Jarvis.

Do you know she's planning a divorce?

Who knows?

I don't even know why she left me.

What does go on in a woman's mind, Sheriff?

Don't ask me.

Sure, we had a... our fights. We argued a lot, but to wake up one morning and

find your wife packing a suitcase, it's a little hard to live with.

I guess I did go overboard drinking and isolating myself.

Probably I did take it all out on the dog.

She loved that thing.

I was just somebody who brought the paper home.

Do you mind if I take a look through the house?

No, no help yourself.

I guess this had to come out anyway.

Might have been a little easier if that busybody next door had kept their blinds

closed.

Sheriff Wister.

You saw what we dug up.

Yes, the dog.

I suppose I should have known.

Why? Why should you have known?

Because this is Linvale. Things like that just don't happen here.

What did he tell you?

That his wife had left him. That's all there is to it. She'll probably sue for

divorce.

Do you mean to say you believe that?

Sure I do. It happens every day.

Then you're taking him at his word.

Well, what else can I do? I've searched the house and the garage.

Her jewelry is gone, personal effects, suitcases, everything.

Then why did he lie to everyone?

The poor guy's ashamed.

He didn't want her to know that she'd left him. As a matter of fact, he's

hoping she'll come back when she runs out of money.

Oh, it's the most far-fetched story I ever heard. Look, Mrs. Logan, I've made

a fool out of myself and dug up a man's garden.

If he wanted to, he could get me in a lot of trouble. But he's been pretty

decent about it. He's gonna let it drop.

And that's just what I'm gonna do, let it drop.

Suppose you're wrong.

Bring me some proof, then I'll act.

But until you do, I'm just gonna forget it.

Sheriff, I don't feel safe with that man around.

There's something wrong, I tell you. Well, there's nothing to fear. You just

call me if anything happens.

It would be too late, then.

Well, I'm sorry, ma'am, but there's nothing I can do.

I just can't arrest him on your say-so.

You've made yourself perfectly clear.

Good night.

No reason why we can't be friends.

I think there is.

Good night.

Tell you one thing, boys. Don't ever get married.

You should have told me that five years ago.

Yeah.

Thanks for helping us out. Anytime.

Come on, Johnny.

I still can't believe it.

What a chance we took.

It worked, didn't it?

What did he say when he left?

Give me some proof.

Then I'll act.

But until you do, I want to forget about it.

Fine. That's exactly what we want.

That's a good thing they never looked in your yard.

Give me a hand.

Do you need some help?

No, you fill in the hole I'll take care of things over here

Hello, Mr. Jarvis.

Sheriff, what are you doing back here?

Came for the dog.

What? Can we come in?

Well, I was just getting ready for bed.

Well, this won't take but just a minute. But I don't understand. I thought this

was all cleared up. Well, there's a city ordinance against burying animals on

residential property.

We'll just dump it in this basket and be on our way.

But I filled a hole in again.

Look, I'll dig it up in the morning and then you can come back for the dog.

Wouldn't think I'd bother you, Mr. Jarvis. We've bothered you enough

already. Charlie and I can take care of it.

Yeah, but I... Don't you worry about a thing, Mr. Jarvis.

Darling?

Here, you'll need this.

I think our story is further evidence to support my belief that in cases like

this, there is nothing quite so good as burial at sea. It is simple, tidy, and

not very incriminating. One word of warning, however. If you take your wife

on a sea voyage, buy her a round-trip ticket, no matter what your plans may

be. Next week I shall return with a story, some commercials and more

friendly tips for happy husbands. Until then, good night.