Original subtitles

Bye.

You are responsible for the failure of this company.

There's been a misappropriation, and we're holding you to account.

What about them?

This is an outrage.

It's the most dastardly thing that ever happened to a man.

I tell you, I am absolutely innocent.

If anything, these men, my associates should be held responsible.

I appeal to you to make another investigation before you turn me over to

the police authorities.

That will not be necessary.

We have made a complete and thorough investigation of the books and records.

We find that Mr. Drake, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Hammer, and Mr. Pringle are absolved.

Mr. Gary, you are to appear at the district attorney's office immediately.

Found any of you a sense of justice?

How can you sit there?

It hurts to see Gene Gary in a mess like this.

This coming on top of the failure of our company is a little too much for me.

I've booked passage for Europe.

I shall be sailing in a few nights.

Hello, is O'Neil in?

Hey, wait a minute.

What's eating you? News. They announced me, Willie. I've got to see him. It's

important. A dainty morsel that's going to sock the name of this fair city right

on the chin. Oh, sure. Oh, sure. Is he in? No, Richard Harding Davis. What can

we do for you? For me?

Say, I'm doing you boys a favor, letting you in on the latest of current events.

Well, the Reckoner has pulled another stunt. You know him, don't you?

The Reckoner?

The crook who's been leaving cards warning people he's calling and then

walking in the front door?

The Will of the Wisp?

The Phantom Shadow? If you don't know him, you should.

He's been pulling this gag for these last few months. Now, don't get

frightened. Now, let me tell you something. Yeah, all right, Sherlock.

What is it? Well, now, get this.

Thomas Drake, president of the Central Realty and Trust Company, is leaving for

Europe. And the Reckoner walks in, sticks him up, takes papers away from

him, and blows. The boy wonder.

Well, you're a little late, sonny. We know all about it. Well, what have you

been doing about it? It's been taken care of.

What a headline.

Read it and weep. The Reckoner out to solve the mystery of the Central Realty

and Trust Company's failure.

Well, I'm going to get a statement from O'Neill before I break her the paper.

All right.

Just say immediate action was taken by the police. Oh, what does that action

amount to? Why don't you give me the lowdown on the reckoner? The people want

facts. We'll tell the inspector you're worried. Well, where is he? He's working

on the case out of the country club. So pick up your pencils and beat it, kid.

Oh, don't be so fast.

Hello, hello.

Give me worth $2,100.

Hey, did you ever ask if you could use it?

I did once, but the guy said no.

Hello, desk.

Hello, gray.

I'm in Inspector O'Neil's office.

Now get this. It's big and it's sizzling hot.

This mysterious crook, the Reckoner.

Yeah.

It's Malcolm O'Neil.

Inspector, Malcolm O'Neil.

Inspector, Malcolm O'Neil.

Phone call for you, sir. Will you take it here? Yes, thank you.

Will you pardon me, Rose? Of course.

But Mr. O'Neil, call on this phone, please. Thank you.

Hello?

Reporting on the Drake case, Inspector.

Anderson and Harris just came in.

Are we in the news?

Yes.

Yes?

You're Drake's secretary, huh?

We'll have them wait at the office till I get there.

I'll stop in on my way home.

Pardon.

How are you, Miss Harmon? Hello, Pringle.

Say, O'Neill, is it true that Drake was held up tonight?

Yes, he was.

I understand he was robbed of nothing but business papers.

Is that so?

Yeah, something like that.

Why so worried, Si?

Well, after all, Drake's a business associate of mine. I have a reason to be

worried. Father's a business associate of Drake's, too.

Tell me, O'Neill.

What's this crook after? That's just what I'm going to find out.

Now, don't worry, Cy. From now on, I'm going to take charge of this case

myself. Oh.

Well, thanks, O.D. Pardon.

Listen, do you know that Drake was robbed tonight?

Tonight? Drake was robbed? Yes, by this fellow who calls himself the Reckoner.

He stole nothing but papers.

It strikes me he's trying to get the low down on the central realty and trust.

Well, anything he took from Drake couldn't incriminate us in the least.

That isn't it.

He's after us, I tell you. You, Kirk, Harmer, or I may be next.

Oh, Si, stop acting like a three-year-old frightened of the

boogeyman.

All right, go on, laugh.

But remember, I warned you. He's probably some disgruntled stockholder

trying to scare us. I know better, Kirk. Si, will you pull that bell for a

waiter, please?

Like a good fellow.

Barbara Gehry, I refuse to wait another minute.

Please, Aunt Matilda, not yet.

He's been away for a month, and I promised I'd wait for him.

Well, if you ask me, the men women spend their lives waiting for are never worth

getting in the end.

Don't say that, Auntie.

Well, can you tell me one sensible thing he's done since he sold his seat on the

stock exchange?

I don't know. Of course you don't. Living on his dad's money.

He's a profligate fool.

And besides, if he really loved you. But...

I never said he loved me. What? He doesn't even know that I'm in love with

him. I was 12 and he was 18 when first we met.

I'm still a child of him.

Well, so much the better.

Good evening, Mr. Winslow.

Lovely good to see you.

Thank you, George.

We've missed you.

Have you been flying lately?

Oh, every day.

Of course, down at Wheaton's Landing Saturday.

Sorry. Didn't crack up, I hope. Oh, no, no. Ship's okay.

Thanks, George.

Hello.

Hello! Hi!

Well,

I heard you've been away. When did you get back? About an hour ago. When did

you get back? The day before yesterday.

I have something to say to you, young fella. See me before you go. You bet.

I haven't been here for a long time. I want to say hello to someone.

Will you excuse me for just a moment?

I'll be right back.

Hello, Rose.

Hello, Mel. Hello, Mike. Gee, I'm glad to see you. Sit down.

Thanks. Well, well, stranger.

When were you released?

Oh, just my good behavior.

No kidding. I've been busy.

You busy?

Do tell. What have you been doing, Pike, to keep out of mischief?

Well, I figured out a scheme. You see, if I sell some stock I've got and I lose

$100,000, I get $10,000 off my income tax.

How's that for an angle, huh? That's great. Great.

You lose $100,000 and save $10,000 on your income tax. Yeah? That's perfect.

See, how did you ever miss being fired out of the intelligence service?

Intelligence service?

What's that got to do with it? I figured all this out myself.

Say, say, you haven't been to see me in ages.

I haven't been asked in ages.

I'm asking now.

I'm accepting now.

Wednesday for dinner?

That's a date.

Wednesday for Disney. That'll be grand.

So long, Pike.

Hey, Mal, do I get that police badge you promised me or don't I?

Now, what on earth would you do with a police badge?

I don't know. I'd feel safer if I had one, I guess. Pike wouldn't love you.

You're funny.

Well, how about it seriously?

Well, I don't know, Pike. The privilege has been abused and they're tightening

up on them.

But I'll think it over.

That's a promise.

Well, so long.

See you Wednesday, Rose. Grand, Pike. So long, Pike.

See, I didn't mean to be rude, but there's something I had to attend to.

Where's your aunt? She wouldn't wait.

Why, I hope I... Hike Winslow.

You've been granted the doubtful pleasure of seeing me home alone.

Well, there's nothing doubtful about that pleasure, believe me.

Aunt Matilda was impatient because I was determined to wait for you.

Oh, I'm glad you did.

I thought that since I... since we won't be seeing each other again... Won't be

seeing each other again? What do you mean?

I've been waiting just to say goodbye.

Goodbye?

I'm a fool, Barbara. I wouldn't hurt you for anything in the world. Oh, it's

nothing you've done.

Well, what is it, then? I mean... Well... The Green Meadow Country Club is

a luxury we can no longer afford.

Well, that's no reason why we shouldn't see each other again.

You still have a home. No.

We've been forced to give that up, too.

Haven't you been reading the newspapers while you were away? No, I haven't.

Haven't you heard about Dad? About the failure of his company?

His indictment?

You're kidding. Not at all.

I hereby wish to inform you that the Getty family is completely and totally

broke.

How? How did it happen? Please don't ask.

Really quite terrible, Pike.

Well, your dad was one of the... It's getting late.

Please take me home.

I'll get you wrapped.

Thanks. I want to say goodbye to a few people.

I want to say good night to some folks, too. I'll see you in the lobby. All

right.

I ain't telling you there's nothing to be afraid of. Now, will you sit down?

Where is that waiter?

Amy Ackman?

Business, business, business, huh?

No rest for the wicked.

We can't all of us sit around and do nothing but live on our dad's money.

Well, take it I'm intruding. Well, frankly, my associates and I are

discussing a very private matter.

Oh, well, I'm sorry. I'll see you Wednesday evening, Mr. Homer. See me

Wednesday evening?

Oh, yeah, your daughter Rose has invited me to dinner.

Oh, that's fine.

Just fine. Isn't that just fine?

I thought that too. Will you excuse me? I'm awfully sorry.

Did you ring, sir? Did I ring? Have you suddenly all gone deaf? You've just

risen from the dead.

Did I ring? I'm very sorry, sir. Yes, you will be after the next House

Committee meeting.

The whole lot of you should have been thrown out long ago.

Incompetent, inefficient.

Indeed, I'm very sorry. Oh, never mind, never mind.

Bring us something to eat. What do you want, John?

Oh, anything.

Get me a turkey leg and a cup of coffee.

How about you, sir?

No, uh, no. I don't want anything.

Nothing to eat, thanks.

Bring me some kind of a salad, cup of coffee and chicken sandwich. Very good,

sir.

And be quick about it. Yes, sir.

Two coffees, one turkey leg, one chicken sandwich, potato salad.

And make it snappy, will you, Chef?

Hey, buddy.

Have you been reading about this guy?

What guy?

This mysterious crook.

Look, he put over another job tonight.

Oh, yeah.

You mean the Reckoner guy. Yeah.

Say, you can't tell me anything about him. What do you mean? You know him?

No.

Nobody knows him.

Nobody's even seen him.

But I was working at a dinner party one night when he busts in.

Yeah? Yeah.

Say,

he's a pretty slick article. Everything was going fine when suddenly we all hear

the voice yell, stick him up and don't turn around.

And before you could blink your eyes, He got what he was after and was gone.

And there I was, with my hands up in the air. And I was just dying to turn around

and get a look at him.

Wow. Yeah.

Excuse me. There's my order.

So long, pal.

Well, it's about time.

I told them to hurry, sir. Yeah, put it down here. Yes, sir. Is this mine? Yes,

Mr. Harmon. Is there anything else? No, that's all. Get out. Yes, sir.

What is it, Charlie?

Kind sir, she said.

Pray thee, for what, my pretty maid?

It was kind of thee not to leave me flat at yon country club.

If one did leave thee flat at yon country club, one wouldst indeed be an

egg.

Oh, Pike.

Did you ever make a serious remark in all your life?

I thinkest not.

But thinkest thou that I would abandon a lovely child like thee?

I see.

I suppose to you, Pike, I shall always be a lovely little child.

You are.

Don't you want to be? No, I don't. Good night.

Good evening.

I was getting worried you're a few minutes late.

He's been accused of everything from airplane crack-ups to polo spills. I was

afraid that something might have happened. I expected you to telephone.

The unexpected pleasure of taking Miss Barbara Gary home detained us.

Otherwise, everything went along smoothly.

Well, Mr. Harmer received the little card.

Uh-huh.

How did he take it?

Right on the chin.

Did you find anything in Drake's papers?

No.

No? There's not a thing that can be used as evidence against Harmer, Pringle, or

Kirk.

Well, then, boys, we've got the toughest job ahead of us.

But Barbara Gary's father's as innocent of the central realty and trust smash as

I am.

But the only way we can prove it is by getting those three crooks.

Get the photostatic copies of their individual income tax returns, bank

statements, and correspondence.

We'll go over them thoroughly.

As soon as we've had a bite to eat.

Rustle up some food, will you, Doc?

Okay, that suits me fine.

Expecting anyone?

Shall I answer it?

Wait in the kitchen in the dark.

Come in, come in.

Take off your things.

No, thanks.

Only got a moment.

You left the club without seeing me after all, eh?

Oh, just another black mark for Pike Winslow. I'm sorry. Sit down. Thanks.

Quite a little excitement at the club tonight, wasn't there?

Excitement? What about?

Pike, I've known you since you were a kid.

If I hadn't, I wouldn't waste the time to come up here.

Yeah, I know that, Frank.

Do you happen to recall the little chat we had before I sailed for Europe?

Chat? What about?

About certain cliques of scoundrels who were operating within the law.

No, I can't say that I do. I was very much impressed at the time with your

righteous indignation and your desire to get them.

That's strange.

I don't remember.

That is strange.

Newspapers that reached me while I was abroad had some very interesting

accounts telling how certain rascals had come to grief through the operations of

Will-o'-the-Wisp.

A phantom shadow, I think they called him.

Oh, I've read about that guy.

Same nut that's pulled all these jobs, isn't he?

Same one who sent his warning card to Harmer this evening.

Is that what all the excitement at the club was about?

Calls himself the Reckoner.

Whoever he is...

He's a very rash young man for taking the law in his own hands.

For he might be shot down at any time.

Well, I imagine the poor sap knows as much.

I thought he might be the sort of a person that thrives on danger and

excitement.

From the way he works, it strikes me he might be a young man back from the war.

Out of the intelligence service.

Maybe. Maybe it's all for a woman.

You know, Frank, that fellow ought to be on his guard.

You got him all figured out.

As a matter of fact, I... I thought it was someone that I'd known for a long

time.

But I... I guess I'm wrong.

Well, Pike, I...

I'll be running along.

Nightcap for you?

No, thanks.

I suppose you know that the Geary households will be sold at auction on

Monday. The proceeds will be turned over to the receiver of the company to make

up for the deficits.

Yeah, Barbara told me.

As their attorney, I've done all that I could to salvage something from the

wreck.

Through it all, Barbara's been a brave, fine girl.

Money gone, father in the sanitarium, possessions to be sold.

She's one in a million.

Ten million.

Well, good night, Frank.

See you Monday at the auction, huh?

Good night, Pike.

Doc, you're holding out on me.

Where's that cheese?

What cheese?

The cheese.

I ain't seen any of that.

Huh?

Ah, here it is.

Oh, yeah.

Did you eat that?

I'll say so.

Hey, now, about that harmer job.

That reminds me, Doc. You better brush up on that wall-climbing stunt of yours.

We may need it.

I was just thinking... With what?

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou.

Give me Omar Khayyam.

Here it is.

Thanks, Doc.

You know, it was Keats who said, in the dull catalog of common things,

philosophy will clip an angel's wings.

Speaking of Keats, what is that line about...

Woman's being a contradiction?

Woman's at best a contradiction still.

And by the way, that's not Keats, that's Pope.

We ain't been to a burlesque show in a long time.

Right, Doc, right.

Remember, alas, for the love of woman, Byron.

Right, to continue.

Alas, for the love of woman, it is said to be a lovely and a fearful thing.

That's interesting, if true. You've never been in love.

Professor, when a young, lovely, charming girl that you've known all your

life slams the door in your face merely by way of saying good night, just what

does she mean?

Just one more way of expressing the tender passion.

And all I said was, thinkest thou that I would abandon a lovely child like thee?

Why should she flare up at that?

Lots of women have been known to shoot a man to show their love.

Life's just a bubble. It ain't what it seems.

Right,

Doc.

$20 I'm bid.

$20 I'm bid for this beautiful needlepoint chair and footstool.

Do I hear 25?

Ladies and gentlemen.

Look at this beautiful needlepoint chair and footstool.

Surely I bid more than $20 for it.

Poor Aunt Matilda. She feels so badly.

Many is the night she rocked me to sleep in it.

$20 the first call.

$20 the second call.

$20 the... $25.

Thank you very much.

$25 once.

$25 twice.

$25, the third and last call.

Sold for $25 to Mr.

Farnsbarns.

Mr. Farnsbarns, $25.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, I offer this genuine Governor Winthrop secretary

a real relic, a genuine antique.

How much am I bid?

Who'll offer me $300?

That's been in the family ever since I was a baby.

Isn't it funny how you become attached to a piece of furniture?

Do I hear $350?

And now $375!

$375!

$450!

$450 once!

$450 twice!

$450 for the third and last call!

Sold to Mr.

Barnes Fonz! Fonz Bonds?

Fonz Bonds for $450!

They're going to sell Grandma the Getty's picture.

I'm going. I'd rather not see it. No, no, Pat.

Let's wait.

But as every article must be sold, it shall be offered. Grandma the Getty.

Here it is.

A genuine James McNeil Whistler painting.

A masterpiece.

The portrait is of Elizabeth Barbara Getty and signed by Whistler himself.

I suppose now you're convinced I'm a child.

Not at all.

Well... By the way, what are you and Aunt Matilda doing about living

quarters? We decided to take some rooms at the Fairmont for the present.

Say, wait a minute.

You know, I have a friend who has an apartment that he wants to sublet for at

least a year.

He's going abroad on business.

I think he'd let it go for practically nothing.

Would you like to see it sometime? It's a nice place.

Yeah.

Great. Let's see.

Tomorrow's Tuesday?

I'll drop up at the Fairmount about 9.30. We'll talk it over, huh? All

right.

And Kirk will be at the Harmer home tonight?

Yes, at 8.30.

Fine. I'm dining at the Harmer home.

Maybe, but your dinner engagement is for tomorrow night, Wednesday. I'm changing

it now. I know, but you promised to call on Miss Gary tonight. No reason why I

can't keep that, too.

My appointment with Miss Gary is for 9.30. From 7.30 to 9.30 is two hours.

Let's have that blueprint, Doc.

Yeah.

Here.

Now,

get this.

Every move we make must be done on the split second.

Set your watches at exactly six minutes after five.

Right. Okay?

Set.

Now, listen carefully.

The house is closely guarded back and front.

I want you both to the rear.

Here.

I'll drive up this road at exactly 7.28.

Good evening.

How are you? Are you calling on the harmers?

Yeah.

Sorry, but I'll have to go with you to the front door.

Prove that you're a friend.

Oh, fine.

You, uh, cigarette?

Thanks.

I got the light here.

But I don't want to go out and leave you.

Oh, don't be silly, my dear. Now... Mel is downstairs waiting for you. You go

and have a good time.

Besides, I've got business to attend to.

Oh, I'd rather not.

I'm afraid.

Of what?

That warning card.

Oh, nonsense, my dear. You don't suppose that that braggart is going to come near

the place where the house so closely guarded?

Good evening, Mr. Winslow.

All right, Anderson. Okay.

Hello, Mal.

Hello, Pike. What are you doing here?

Hello, Pike. Winslow.

Hello, Rose. Hello, young man. Mr. Harmer.

Am I late?

Late? Yeah.

Was I or was I not to dine here this evening?

Oh, not tonight, Pike. Our appointment was for tomorrow night, Wednesday.

Wednesday? Yes, you mentioned it to me yourself.

See, you know, I'm going to fire that secretary of mine. He gets my dates all

balled up. Well, you're out of luck tonight, son. Rose and I are on our way

to the theater. Yeah?

Came right in and turned right around and he walked right out again. Oh, no,

no, Pike.

I'm terribly sorry.

Stay for a while and have a chat with Father in a highball.

Don't worry about me. I'll be all right.

I know the Winslow didn't come here to see me.

Please do, Pike.

Just for a little while.

I'd feel better about it. I'd be glad to. Oh, thanks.

I don't feel nearly so guilty about leaving Father alone now.

Good night.

Good night, dear.

Good night, Mr. Harbaugh. Good night, O'Neill. Well, nighty-night.

Oh, by the way, Mal, do I get that police badge you promised me or don't I?

Well, I'm still thinking it over. You know, if I'd had that thing, I wouldn't

have been stopped just now when I came in.

And what's more, when are you going to take me out on a case with you? Just as

soon as you've learned to behave yourself.

So long.

Good night, Mike. Good night. Good night, Mr. Harmon.

Good night, Mal.

Hey, Rose seemed kind of upset about something, didn't she?

Oh, yes.

You know how it is with women.

You needn't wait, Winslow, if you have anything else to do.

Oh, I never have anything to do.

Well, I, uh... I have an important matter that I must take up at once. Go

right ahead. Don't mind me.

Are you expecting anyone?

Why, I, uh... Well...

For the love of my... Charlie,

why don't you see that these detectives stop the right people? I'm sorry, John.

They're just trying to be careful.

It's all right, Anderson. Okay.

Good evening, Mr. Kirk.

Good evening, Mr. Winslow.

I hope you'll excuse us, Winslow, but we have business to talk over.

Why, of course. I understand perfectly.

Well, good evening, Mr. Homer.

Good evening, Mr. Kirk.

See you soon.

What's he doing here?

School friend of Rosa's poppy love.

Had an engagement for dinner tomorrow night and got mixed up in his dates.

Take off your coat, John.

No, I can't stay but a minute.

Still on the job, eh, Anderson?

Till seven in the morning.

I was thinking... Just a minute.

Charlie, I'll tell you why I came. I know why.

And I've got them all right here.

In one envelope.

Wait. Wait a minute, Charlie.

Are they safe in there?

Safe? Not a soul can get in there but me.

Great.

I've changed my mind.

I'm not going to take them.

Not just yet.

Why? Just playing safe.

Leave them in there for a while.

Just as you say.

Well, we made a clean-up, didn't we, John?

Yeah.

You don't think there'll be a boomerang on this, do you?

Not a chance.

It's the end of Gary.

They'll send him up for 20 years.

He's as good as buried.

I don't know about that.

Don't be a fool.

I can't get that warning card out of my mind.

With all the protection you're getting, you should feel as safe as a Liberty

Bond. Give me a ring in the morning. I don't want you to think, John. Yes.

Talk to you tomorrow.

Good night, Charlie.

Good night.

Don't turn around.

Stand where you are.

Throw him up!

Throw him up or I'll tell you or I'll shoot!

What's up?

What's up?

Big trouble. What's happened?

Someone hit me in the back of the head.

Where is Mr. Long? Huh? He's upstairs.

He's upstairs.

Come on.

You sure had those guys figured out to the

second? Yeah, thanks to you, fellas.

Nice work, Professor.

And, Doc, you sure did your stuff.

Ah.

By the way, I want to show Barbara a friend's apartment.

See you both at home later.

Yeah, I'll take that cheese out for a walk

Well,

I

hope this apartment is good and reasonable it is good and it is

reasonable I Can imagine it's probably unlivable

Said he might be out, so he gave me a key.

Guess he is out.

Kneel point chair.

Grandmother Getty's picture.

My pike.

Paint yourself at home.

You bought it all?

I'll send over to the hotel for your things.

Wonderful of you, Pike.

And you're paying for all this?

It's a great pleasure.

We can't accept.

But Aunt Matilda.

What do you imagine people will say?

Well, what difference does that make?

We are not to be considered objects of charity.

Well, of course not. I didn't mean anything like that. And we don't mean to

accept. But Auntie, please.

I appreciate the generosity.

But you and I, Barbara, are quite capable of taking care of ourselves.

Of course you are, but...

I certainly have the privilege of doing what I want with my own money. You

certainly can.

But Barbara and I cannot afford to have malicious tongues wagging about us.

Oh, so that's it.

You're afraid of what people might think. I am? What of it? I'm not

interested.

Now, this is one time, Barbara, you're going to listen to me. Personally, I

think it's a lot of silly pride. Oh, you do?

But I insist, Barbara.

Please take us back to our hotel, Pike.

But, Barbara, haven't you a mind of your own? I have, but don't you think... No,

I don't. I think it's ridiculous.

You know it's all right, and I know it's all right.

Why should Aunt Matilda sway you? She's not swaying me. She is.

Personally, I think you're acting like a child. I'm not a child. You are. I'm

not, and I don't wish to be treated as one. You are. And if you say that again,

I'll never talk to you as long as I live.

All right. Do you mean that? All right, then.

That's fine. All right, then. Good night.

Give me a large envelope, will you, Professor, please?

Here you are.

Fine. Now these, these go in the safe.

I want you to go over these thoroughly and put them in the vault.

I hope that'll of some help.

There you are. Boys, we got a great start.

Conclusive proof that Harmer's guilty and that Kirk's in on it.

The next is Cyrus Pringle.

Who is it?

Mr. Kirk is here, sir.

Hello.

Hello, Si.

I got your message and rushed right over. That's all, Norton. I'll ring if I

need you.

What's the matter?

Something has got to be done, John.

What are you shaking about? What's happened?

Look.

When did you get this?

I came up here to smoke after dinner.

I found it right there on my desk.

You've got to help me, John.

You've got to help me. Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Pull yourself together, Cy.

I'm afraid to go out.

I'm afraid of my servants.

I'm afraid to leave this room.

Don't be a fool.

Look at Harmer.

He's in Bermuda now taking things easy.

Nothing happened to him.

Now let me handle this and nothing will happen to you.

Well, I'm not going to take any chances.

I'm going to get out of this thing. I'm going to tell everything I know. I'm

going to confess.

Confess? Yes, I'm going to confess.

I'd rather go to jail than live like this. Wait a minute.

You're not going to confess anything.

I'm to be considered in this. I let Harmer go because I can trust him. He'll

never open his mouth. And neither will you.

You're not going to open your mouth. Get me?

You're not going to open your mouth.

Get me out of this, then.

Why, I'll take care of you, Si.

Come on, snap out of it.

All right, I'll try.

That's the stuff.

But I won't stay here.

Well, I'll stay here with you.

I've got some friends in the car. I'll see them home and be back in an hour. An

hour?

Sit down now and take it easy.

He won't get away with it this time.

On the way back, I'll pick up Inspector O'Neill, and I'll telephone you from his

office. All right, but hurry, though, will you? Please hurry.

Don't worry, Cy.

Everything is going to be all right.

So long, Cy.

I heard a shot. He better report it.

He was killed instantly.

Hello, hello. Homicide squad?

Report a murder.

Simon Pringle. Well, this is the coroner's office.

Yes, the coroner's office.

No, I don't want to rewrite men.

Give me the city death.

Wales, get this.

The reckoners committed murder.

He's never done anything like this before.

Going places and staying away without telling us anything about it.

Maybe the cops has nabbed him. I don't think it's that.

Yeah, but maybe it is, though. Look, these latest editions say the police are

closing in on him.

Well, I don't think O'Neill is telling the truth when he says he has a definite

clue. Why would he give it to the newspapers?

Camouflage, my boy, to satisfy the public.

I wish you'd telephone or something.

Him out all alone in this manhunt? You're right. He shouldn't do it.

One slip would mean his finish.

And the cops are sure he's done it.

Oh, I'm glad you're here, boss. You've had it sitting on pin. Out all night

without a word to us?

I got an early start. I had something important to attend to.

Now, about tonight... Tonight?

You expecting anybody?

No. Wait in the kitchen, both of you. On your toes.

Hello, Pike. Hello, Frank.

Glad to see you. Pike.

I want to help you, if you let me.

Help me? What about?

Don't you trust me?

Of course I do. What are you driving at?

You're wanted for murder.

Yes, you.

The reckoner.

Now, there's not a minute to waste.

You've got to act and act now.

You've established your reputation as a dangerous criminal.

One slip and you're caught. And if you are caught, you'll go to the chair.

What do you suggest?

Stop taking the law in your own hands.

And don't move out of this house.

Well, thanks for your interest, Frank, but I can't.

Just how long do you expect to keep going without being caught? It's been

like an endless chain, but I think I've found the last link.

Oh, John Kirk.

You're up against a powerful foe.

He might get you.

I'll get him or he'll get me.

If he does,

c'est la guerre.

But consider this thing, Pike.

Is there nothing I can say or do? I can't tell you how much I appreciate it,

Frank, but... Very well.

Good luck.

So long, Frank.

Oh, I, uh... I'm going to drop in on Barbara tonight.

Is there anything you want me to say to her?

Yeah, give her my very best, will you?

Tell her that I may drop in later in the evening.

Tonight? In the face of what's happened?

Well, you ain't got a chance in a million. Let's don't pull anything

tonight. Let's wait.

What's the matter? You losing your nerve? No, it ain't that.

Well, what is it then? Let's have it. You don't understand. You can't go

through with it now. Let's wait till this Pringle murder blows over. Won't

have an Anderson to deal with. We'll have a dozen of the toughest men on the

force. The job will be pulled tonight if I have to pull it myself.

Oh, well, we won't let you do that. Why, of course not. Fine, that's better.

Now, let's go to work.

Doc, sharply at 6 o'clock.

Kirk will receive a card notifying him of a visit at 8. I got you.

At the time he receives that card, which will be exactly at 6, I will be

Inspector O'Neill's office.

As usual, everything has to be timed to the second. Right, yes.

And most important of all, you're both to meet me at Barbara Gary's apartment

afterward.

Is Inspector O'Neill in?

I'll ask if he can see you. Tell him it's important.

Yes? Mr. Winslow, the senior inspector, says it's important.

Oh, all right. Send him in.

Hello,

Mal.

Well, here I am again.

So I see.

I was just passing and...

See, I'm giving a little dinner party at the club Thursday night.

And, uh, see, by the way, Rose Harmer didn't go to Bermuda with her dad, did

she? Huh?

Uh, no, no.

Well, uh, bring her along, Mal. You know, just our little gang, huh?

Thanks a lot, Mike.

I don't mean to be rude, but I'm awfully busy.

Yeah, I understand. I'm sorry to have bothered you, but I, uh, I want to be

sure you and Rose would be there, you know?

Oh, shall I answer? No, no, give it to me.

Hello? Yes?

O'Neal?

Say, what's the matter with you fellas down there? What is this, a joke?

Here's a card I found in a box of cigars just delivered.

Listen to it.

I shall call upon you in person this evening at 8 o'clock.

The Reckoner.

Yes.

Now, this thing has gone far enough. And I want to tell you something, Lord

Inspector. If you don't get me the proper protection immediately, there'll

be a big change in your department.

Wait a minute, Mr. Kirk.

This is perfect.

No, you misunderstand me.

I mean that when he visits you tonight, he's going to walk right into a trap.

Yes, I'm going to make sure of it.

Yeah, I'll be there with five of my best men.

Now, don't you worry. You leave this to me.

All right.

Brady, get Kramer and Collins, Burns and Tierney and come in here right away.

Okay, Inspector.

What's up, man? Lenny.

This Reckoner guy has played his last trick. I'm nailing him tonight.

Nailing him? How? You'll read all about it in the newspapers.

I'm going to nail him for every job he's pulled and for the murder of Pringle.

You see this?

It's the card he left on Pringle's body.

Pike, every criminal misses once.

And he missed that night when he didn't wear a glove on his right hand.

And here are his fingerprints.

Take me along with you, will you, Mel? No, Pike, I can't. But you promised.

No, no, no. You did, too. You've told me it doesn't... No, Inspector.

Now, bring the men in, Brady.

Come on.

Every man on the staff remains available for duty until further notice. Yes, sir.

And, Brady, I want you to see that a double guard is placed around the Kirk

home immediately.

And keep every man on his toes.

And have every gas station and garage in the neighborhood covered.

Do the same for every public telephone booth within five blocks of that house.

and I want a complete record and description of every person seen on that

block, the license number of every automobile, or any other vehicle from

now on. Yes, sir. Now step on it, and the five of you report to me at the Kirk

home just as soon as you've posted your guards.

Right. Okay, Inspector.

All right, ma'am. You'll have to excuse me, Pike.

Now, Mel, I can't miss this, and you can't go back on your promise. Now, what

do you say?

Oh, some other time. This is too important a job. That's just why I want

to go. Oh, no.

Oh, come on. Be a pal, won't you? Pike, you're an awful pest.

But you've been promising me for years, haven't you? Yes, I know.

All right, let's go in.

Hey, who are you?

Deputy. He's okay, Kelly.

Okay. Now, is that plainly understood?

If any one of you has the slightest doubt about what his job is, speak up.

All right.

We know that he always strikes on the dot.

He's due here at 8 o'clock.

It's two minutes out.

This room is going to be a vacant with the exception of Mr. Kirk.

And I warn you, I'm going to hold each man personally responsible for his

particular assignment.

Where do you want me to be? You sit in that chair.

And no matter what sound you hear, don't make a move.

But when you're sure he's in the room, then give the alarm.

All right, men, go to your posts.

Who did that? Put on the switch. Hold out. Switch won't work.

Someone pull the fuse.

What's that? Hold your places, everybody.

Brady. Right here. Turn on your price lights.

I'll shoot the first person who tries to leave this room.

Stand still, everybody.

I'll get out the fuse box, Inspector. No, nobody leaves this room until I

check. Get in that price light.

Okay, Kramer.

Okay, Burns.

All right, Collins.

Journey. Here.

Okay.

Brady. Right here.

Okay.

Where's Pike Winslow?

Here?

Right.

Mr. Kirk.

Who's that?

It's Mr. Kirk. What happened?

Before the lights went out, you were in that chair. How'd you get over here?

I... He's cleaned me out. Everything

is gone.

What's gone?

What good are you and your men? What did you have in there?

A lot of...

Letters and papers.

Money? No.

Jewelry? No. Just valuable documents, huh? Valuable to no one but myself.

O'Neal, I've got to have them back. It's a matter of life and death. That's why I

left the chair to protect them. I struggled with somebody and held on to

his coat until he hit me. Inspector, somebody's been fooling with the fuse

boxes. All right. Now, nobody left this room with the exception of Brady. And I

can account for him.

Now, those documents are right here in this room.

I'm going to search everybody here, including my own men.

Brady, search Mr. Kirk.

Search me? Are you crazy?

Jenny, get over here.

All right, Kramer.

You certainly don't suspect me, Mal. You brought me yourself.

I'm sorry, Pike.

through this, my money wallet.

Okay.

Now, you listen to me, Inspector.

I've had enough of this nonsense.

I'm going to take care of this myself.

Take your men out of here. I'm in charge here, and I take my orders from no one,

Mr. Kirk.

I'll handle this case as I see fit, without any interference.

Just the same, young fella. You're going to take them out while I talk to Mr.

Winslow. You'll... And you'll do it, or I'll break you so fast you won't know

what happened to you. Yeah, well, we'll see about that.

And in the meantime, I'm... Go ahead, Mal. Go ahead.

If Mr. Kirk wants to talk to me, grant him the pleasure.

You and your men wait outside. We'll be here when you get back.

All right.

We'll be waiting right outside in the hall.

Come on, men.

Yes, Mr. Kirk?

Young man... I asked to be

alone with you... because...

I'm going to take you into my confidence.

Now, I think that you are... Winslow, I won't close papers. You're hiding them

somewhere. But smart as you are, you're not going to get away with it. Thanks

for the compliment, Mr. Kirk, but I don't know what papers you're talking

about. Oh, yes, you do.

You're the man I grabbed in the dark. You're the man that hit me. I'm just an

innocent bystander. Yes, you were just an innocent bystander at the country

club the night Charlie Harmer got your card, and the night Harmer was robbed,

and the night Pringle was murdered.

I've got you, Mr.

Reckoner. Now show me how smart you are.

I'm interested in just one thing.

Where are those letters? I told you, Mr. Kirk, I don't know what you're talking

about. Listen, boy, if you don't give them up... You wouldn't do that. I'll

claim self-defense and there isn't a court in the world that'll convict me.

Well?

All right.

I'll give them to you.

Kirk, what happened? What happened? Winslow! Get him!

He's the Reckoner! He went out through that door!

Winslow! Yes!

Get him in! Search the house!

Kelly! Kelly!

Watch your front door!

He's trapped in the house!

Hold your post! Hold your post! He's trapped in the house!

He's in the...

His car's gone.

There he goes!

All right, men, after him in your car. Quick, Brady, come on, follow me.

That's just what he told me, Barbara.

To give you his regards and say that he would be here.

Well, I do hope he comes.

I want to tell him how sorry I am for the foolish way I acted.

Yes, we were foolish and ungrateful.

Nothing at all. Nothing at all.

Hey, Frank, can I talk to you for a moment? Sure.

In here, if I may, Barbara? Well, certainly.

Fine. It won't be a minute.

What is it, Pike? What is it? Tell me.

I'm going to see some excitement.

The police will be up here in a minute. What?

Yeah, they followed me from the Kirk home.

I purposely left my car downstairs with the lights on so they'll recognize me.

Yeah, they'll search this house. They'll be up here in a minute.

As soon as they walk up.

What do you mean you purposely left your car out front? Do you want to be caught?

No, you don't understand.

Yeah? It's Barbara.

Hi, there's something wrong. You're in trouble. What is it? There's nothing.

Nothing at all, really.

Look what you're doing with my lipstick.

Oh, I'm just a little nervous, I guess.

Do you live here? Malcolm O'Neill.

What's the meaning of this?

Ready, Mr. Kirkland. Come on in. If I'm not mistaken, we'll find our man right

here.

You're right, Mel. Here I am. It's all a fight. In the name of the law, I arrest

you for theft, burglary, and the murder of Pringle.

Search him! I want those letters! Just a moment.

The things that you want aren't on me at present, but they'll be here any minute.

In fact, here they are. I'll be late, just in time. Who are these men?

Professor, hand that briefcase to Inspector O'Neill.

Mal, in there you'll find the necessary evidence to prove that Barbara Gary's

father is innocent of the central realty and trust smash.

And that the guilty men are the late Cyrus Pringle, Mr. Harmer, and John

Kirk. Don't you believe him? It's a lie! Take him up!

Take him up!

Pike!

Pike, what is this? What are you doing?

Prepare these fingerprints with those on that card you showed me in your office.

And you'll find that the murderer of Cyrus Pringle is John Kirk.

Take him out, Reddy. Come on, you. Come on.

Mike, you've done me a great service, but you're still the reckoner.

What about those other robberies? Not robberies.

Restitution. Returning properties of their legal owners. Just the same, I'll

have to hold him. There may be other complaints.

As his attorney, I'll vouch for his appearance any time you call.

How about that badge, Mal?

Say, I ought to give you a punch right in the nose.

Here.

Thanks, boss.

Well, I've got to be going.

Good night.

Wait. I'll see you to the elevator.

In fact, we'll all see you to the elevator.

I got to think, didn't I?

Mike, you did all that for me.

Thinkest thou that I would abandon a lovely child like thee?

I'm not a child. Yes, you are. No, I'm not. Yes, you are. No, I'm not. Yes, you

are. No, I'm not.