All language subtitles for Fast.and.Loose.1939.HDTV.x264-Regret

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Joel.

Joel.

The phone is ringing.

Well, what do you expect it to do?

Sing?

Maybe it's important.

Probably is.

Maybe the building is on fire.

No.

Mmm.

I do all the work
around here while you lie...

Hello.

It's Christopher Oates.

He's babbling incoherently
about something.

Yeah.

Give it to me.

Hello. Joel Sloane
speaking.

At the sound
of the musical note,
it will be...

Oh!

Oh.

Oh.

Ahem.

Well, ahem.
I'll, uh, I'll meet
you at my office...

In about an hour.

Yeah.

How do you feel?

Oh, I feel wonderful, I think.

What did we have to eat last night?

Fried carpets?

Oh, I feel as if I
swallowed a jam session,
jitterbugs and all.

What did Oates want?

Oh, I don't know.
He belled about
something important.

I hope he can remember
what it is until
he gets to the office.

Darling, did you notice what I did

with my left hand last night?

Never mind.
I got it.

I don't know who you are, my friend,

but if you'll stand still,
I'll shave you.

Careful. And don't trip.

The mailman probably
left a giant stack

of orders for us to fill.

Looks like the rare book
business has crawled
into a hole to die.

Not that business is so bad.

It's just that our
budget is usually
miles ahead of it.

Every time we make a sale,
we throw a party.

We should have asked
the landlord to some
of those parties.

Now he's mad at us.
Listen to this.

"This is to advise you that unless

"payment in full
is made within 10 days,

"your stock and fixtures

will be sold
at auction."

Oh.

It's too bad they abolished slavery.

You'd bring a nice price.

Oh, darling, what are we going to do?

Pay, of course.
With money?

Certainly.

I wish somebody
would steal a lot
of rare books

from a museum or a library.

Then I could recover
them and collect
a nice, fat reward.

No. You are not going
to play bloodhound again.

But, darling...
no.

I remember the last time
you turned detective.

Perfect strangers were firing at you

as if you were a duck
in a shooting gallery.

Yes, darling, it's true
I did get shot once,

but that was when my back was turned.

Your back was turned, all right.

Look at these
air-conditioned breeches.

Well, it didn't amount to much.

It was only a flesh wound.

It was only a flesh wound, all right.

You certainly looked
undignified sitting around
in this thing for 6 weeks.

Now, look here...

I don't want you
getting into trouble.

I worry when somebody shoots you.

Now, the first thing
you know, I'll have
circles under my eyes.

Well, we got to raise
the money somehow.

Sidewalk's staring us
in the face right now.

Well, I'll take in floors to scrub.

I'll help.

Besides, darling,
we still have Oates.
He's rich.

He'll buy lots of books.
Now let's see what sort
of a salesman you are.

But he's screwy.

I know, but he's just
as rich as he is screwy.

Nobody could be that rich.

His firm had to retire him,

because he never
could remember what
business they were in.

He is a bit absent-minded.

There. You see?
He's not so bad.

He found the door all by himself.

Oh, hello, Mr. Oates.

Hello, Joel.

No, no, no.

I'm Mrs. Sloane.
Look.

So you are.

So you are!

Right this way.

The rare book market
has reached a new high.

You may quote me.

Here's Joel, Mr. Oates.

Good morning, Joel.
Good morning, Mr. Oates.

Have a chair.

Well, what do you want?

Why did you send for me?

No, no, no. No.

You called me, Mr. Oates.

You said it was important.

Important?

Important?
I should say so.

Now, this must be kept
absolutely private.

Nicholas Torrent
is in the gravest
financial difficulty.

Who isn't?

Torrent needs cash.
This is the time
to make him an offer

for his Shakespeare manuscript.

Oh, you're crazy. Torrent
sell the only scrap

of Shakespeare manuscript
in the whole world?

A little throwaway
worth about half
a million dollars?

Never.

I want you to act as
my agent in this deal.

You make all the arrangements.

See that I don't pay too
much for the manuscript.

And naturally, I'll pay
the usual commission.

Money is no... No...

Object?
Right.

Spare no expense, Joel.

Leave no stone, uh, no stone, uh...

Un-turned.

Thank you.

Uh, uh, uh...

Not in there.

That's the, uh...

This way, please.

Mr. Oates.

Ah, now you've got it.

If you see a wolf at the door,

tell him to beat it.
He's got the wrong address.

But can you do it?
Can you get in touch
with Torrent?

The little woman asks me
if I can get in touch
with Torrent.

Ha ha ha!

Do you remember Phil Sergeant,

my pal, my protege,
the man for whom
I did countless favors?

Mm-hmm.

Hello.

Mr. Sergeant, please.

He is now working
as librarian and secretary

for, uh, guess who.

Nicholas Torrent?

Right.

Now watch me go.

Hello. Phil?

Phil, this is Joel Sloane.

Yes.

Phil, I wanted to ask
a little favor of you.

It's very important
that I get in touch

with your boss about a matter that...

I'm really sorry, Joel.

If I could make
an appointment with
Mr. Torrent for you,

I'd do it like a shot.

Why, no, of course
he's not in any
financial difficulty.

What ever gave you that idea?

Well, no.

I'm afraid it wouldn't
do any good to ask him.

Sorry, Joel.

Something is wrong, Garda.

Why should Phil Sergeant
try to stall me
of all people?

Why should he try
and keep me away
from Torrent?

And why should he
tell me that Torrent
is ok financially?

Do you suppose Oates
imagined the whole thing?

No.

Our absent-minded client

is pretty smart about money matters.

I've got a hunch that
Torrent is in trouble.

And what worries me more so is Phil.

So are we.
That fixes everybody.

When I first met Phil, he didn't know

a first edition from
a hole in the ground.

I taught him what rare books were.

Why people pay big prices for them.

I put him in business.

Now he brushes me off
like a... A...

A bill collector.

Quiet.
I don't want to hear
any more about that.

Darling, I'm sure Phil appreciates

every little thing
you've ever done for him.

Maybe he wasn't feeling
so well today.

I think I'll go and see
Dave Hilliard.

Maybe his insurance
company can give me
some information.

If a customer comes in
with money in
his pocket,

shoot first and ask
questions afterward.

Hey.

Sure.

No. That's all right.

No.

No. I'll take care of it.

Yeah.

Yeah.
I'll call you back.
How are you, Joel?

Fine. Thank you, David.
I've got a couple
of things...

All right. What
are we laughing at?

Your head.

Well, it feels all right.

Don't look all right.

It's all tied up
with ribbons like
a baby's bonnet.

Oh.

One of my wife's little tricks.

Cute, isn't she?

Yeah.

Dave, you might be able
to help me make a big sale,

and I could use one right now.

What's the matter?
The sheriff howling
on your doorstep?

No, but you know how it is.

Rare books
are an expensive
luxury these days.

First editions
cost a lot of money,
and nobody's got it.

Ha ha.

I've got a customer
for Nicholas Torrent's
Shakespeare manuscript.

Now, I didn't want
to approach Torrent cold
just as a stranger.

Did you say Nicholas Torrent?

Yeah. I know you handle
his insurance,

and I thought you might
help pave the way for me.

I see what you mean.

Joel, if I start you
off right with
Nicholas Torrent,

will you do something for me?

Whatever it is, you consider it done.

Here's a first edition
of paradise lost.

I don't have to tell you

how rare or how valuable it is.

That book was either
lost or stolen from
the Torrent library.

So far he hasn't made
any claim for it,

and I happen to know
that right now, he needs
money very badly.

Something funny going on there, eh?

And how.

We've got
over a million dollars
worth of insurance

on that Torrent collection.

Now, I'm going
to arrange for you to go
out to Torrent's house.

And in return, I want
you to find out for me

just what kind of monkey
business is going on
in that library.

It's a deal.

Heh heh. The book.

Oh.

Well, hello, Joel.
Hello, Garda.

Mr. and Mrs. Sloane,
I'd like to have you
meet Mr. Torrent.

How do you do, sir?

How do you do?
How do you do?

I'm glad you
could get here.
Thank you.

And Mr. Oates.

How do you do,
Mr. Oates?

No, no. Torrent.

Craddock, will you
show them to their
rooms, please?

You can show me
directly to the library.

I've been waiting
for years to see
that collection.

Oh, that's grand.
I'll be delighted
to show it to you.

Well, what do you think
of my little collection,
Mr. Sloane?

Little collection? Ha!

You might as well call
the battle of gettysburg
a disturbance.

It's a pity
I can't show you
the Shakespeare now,

but that's being brought
out from the insurance
company's vault.

Well, you've got a lot
of other treasures.

I saw a book this morning
that you ought to have...

Very nice first edition
of paradise lost.

I have a beautiful one.

It's been sent
to the binders,
Mr. Torrent.

Why? It doesn't
need binding.

The front cover needed some repairs.

It'll be returned in a day or 2.

Oh. Will you show
Mr. Sloane the rest
of the collection, Phil?

Well, I'll see you for dinner.

Right.

It's great to see you again, Phil.

It's nice to know
you're getting along
so well.

Must be quite
a responsibility
taking care of all this.

Ahem.

Well, what do you want?

Mr. Sloane, I'd like
to have you meet Mr. Wilkes.

Oh, how do you do?

Mr. Sloane is a dealer
in rare books.

I know who
Mr. Sloane is.

Yes, indeed,
Mr. Sloane.
I know who you are.

And what you want.

You've come to take
the manuscript,
haven't you?

My manuscript... well,
you can't have it.

You're not going to take it away.

It belongs here, and if you dare...

Wilkes, what's the meaning of this?

I must apologize
for Wilkes, Mr. Sloane.

He's been librarian here so long

he probably imagines
all this is his property.

Poor chap. I think
he's beginning
to lose his mind.

It was a hundred miles
away a minute ago.
Hello, Dave.

Hello, Joel.
Hello.

Mr. Torrent, there's
your Shakespeare,

safe and sound.

Thank you,
Mr. Hilliard.

Will you have a drink?

I'm sorry. I've got
to get right back to town.

Mr. Torrent, please...
would you put that
in the safe at once?

It gives me
the jitters to see it
lying around loose.

Right away.

If you will, please.

Would you mind going down
to the car with me?

Surely.
Thank you.

Well, what did you find out?

Find out about what?

About what?
About the library.

Oh.

Did you get a chance to see whether

Torrent's paradise lost was missing?

No. That is,
not yet.

Well, get on it, will you?

And here's a lead for you.

I've learned several
important things about
Gerald Torrent.

Oh, the son and heir.

Yeah. A nice,
clean-living boy.

Only he drinks a lot
and gambles heavily

and runs around with
some pretty shady dames.

Huh. No vices, eh?

Keep you eyes open, will you?

If anything happens
to that Shakespeare,

a lot of insurance
companies will lose
their faith

in a certain party
by the name of
Joel Sloane.

Yes. I see
what you mean, Dave.

If I see Joel Sloane, I'll tell him.

You must be Mr. Sloane.
Yes.

Well, I'm Gerald Torrent.

Oh.

I hope you have
a very pleasant
weekend, Mr. Sloane.

If you'd like
to play some golf
or a little tennis,

I'd be more than glad to oblige.

Thank you.
That's very kind
of you.

Oh, hello,
Mr. Charlton.

Hello, Gerald.
How are you?

Fine. May I present
Mr. Sloane?
Mr. Sloane.

Mr. Charlton
is father's broker.

Though we are
better friends
than that implies.

Uncle Vincent!

Christina, my dear, you look lovely.

This is my little sister.

Chris, here's
Mr. Sloane.

Oh, I'm sorry,
Mr. Sloane.

I was coming down to meet you,

but I saw uncle Vincent
and forgot everything,
including my manners.

That's quite all right, miss Torrent.

I've just been helping
Mrs. Sloane.

Mother isn't feeling
very well, so I'm your
hostess till dinner time.

May I show you to your room?

Yes, of course.
I'll see you later,
Mr. Charlton.

Where's your father, Gerald?

He's in the library,
Mr. Charlton.

Hello, Phil.
How are you?

Fine. You?
Fine.

Gerald,

your father just inquired

about that first edition
of paradise lost.

Well, what am I going to do about it?

Gerald.

All right. All right.
Keep your shirt on.

Vincent. Well, it's
good to see you.

Sit down. Will you
have a drink?

No, thanks. Believe me,
I hate to bother

an old friend
like you about
your brokerage account.

Brokers are supposed
to bother people,
aren't they?

I simply felt that we
could advantageously dispose

of certain holdings
and raise the money
that way.

Exactly what I'm going
to do, Vincent.

I'm selling my
Shakespeare manuscript.

What?

It's absolutely necessary.

Christopher Oates and
his agent are coming
down for the weekend,

and I expect to raise
enough cash to clear up
all my debts.

I can't let you sell
the Shakespeare, Nick.

I know how you prized it,
what it means to you.

Let me carry your account
personally for another
few months.

That's out of the question.

I value our friendship
too highly to let you
carry my burden.

As we all know,
small oaks from giant acorns,

uh, uh...

Grow.
Thank you.

Industry and thrift
caused my little grocery

to become a great chain of stores

extended from coast to... to... to...

Coast.
Exactly.

Coast to coast.

You know, last year
Mr. Oates disposed

of $3 million worth
of canned asparagus.
Isn't that wonderful?

Oh, it was nothing, at all, really.

Mr. Sloane, I've got it.

Your face has been
bothering me all
through dinner.

Oh, think of me living
with him for 2 years,
Mr. Charlton.

What I mean is
I remember now where
I've seen you before.

You work for the police
on some cases involving
rare books.

Are you a detective,
Mr. Sloane?

Well, in a small way
I help out insurance
companies

once in a while, but
it's only a sideline.

Well, tell me, Mr. Sloane.
How do rare book
thieves operate?

Go on, dear.
Detect something for
the ladies and gentlemen.

Well, it's
comparatively easy
to steal rare books.

However, where
the thieves usually
trip themselves up

is in selling their loot.

I've often told Torrent
that these valuable books

are much too loosely protected.

Nonsense. Phil
can tell me in a minute

exactly where everything
in the library
happens to be.

Isn't that so?

Yes, of course.

We have a good system of indexing.

Would you gentlemen
like to discuss your
business in the library?

No naughty stories, now.

That goes for you, too.

Yes, ma'am. I'll see you
in a few minutes.
About 10:30?

Oh, hello.

I was just doing a few
setting-up exercises.

How did you make out?

Well, we get
the Shakespeare
manuscript, all right,

but we're gonna have
to give Mr. Torrent
Manhattan island

and $24 worth of Indians.

Ah, that's great.
Did you notice that
your friend Phil

was a little
uncomfortable
when we talked

about stolen books during dinner?

Yes, and so was Gerald.

When we were in the library,
I saw him watching us
from the terrace.

Oh, grandpa, what big eyes you have.

Yeah. I need them
in my business.

Dave Hilliard told me
a few things about Gerald,

and if there's any
dirty work being done
around here,

he is doing it.

Oh, so...

It's Gerald you're after, eh?

Come and feast your eyes on this.

The view is pretty good from here.

Yes.

Your friend Phil is out
on the terrace with
Christina Torrent.

Well, he has a nice job, hasn't he?

We'd better not come in together.

I'll stay out here
and smoke a cigarette.

All right.

But don't brood.

About what?

Whatever you've been brooding about.

Why don't you tell me
what it is, Phil?

Maybe I can help you.

Why, that's nonsense, darling.

I'm the happiest man in the world.

Mmm. That's proof
you're worried
about something.

Didn't have that old oomph.

Well, I haven't been practicing.

Come to bed.
Don't be such
an old snoop.

Well, that worries me.

There's a boy making $50 a week

in love with a very rich girl.

Well, when we were
married, that's all
I was making.

He's in charge
of a million dollars
worth of books.

He might... he just
might try to augment
his income a bit.

Oh, I know, but I have
a hunch that Phil
isn't like that.

Ah, young love.

She's going in alone
so the family won't know

they've been out there together.

Aw, now, that's cute.

Darling, do you remember

when we used to do
things like that
to fool my family?

Don't be ridiculous.
Your family practically
threw you at my head.

Hey, that's funny.

Car just drove up.

Darling, who is it?

It's a little old man with crutches.

I think I'll go and help him.

What was that?

I don't know.
It sounds like trouble.

Hey, give me a hand.

My. Vincent.

The Shakespeare.

Here. Sit down.

It's gone!

No, not quite.

Wouldn't you like to go
to your room, Vincent?

The manuscript is safe.

Can you tell us
what happened,
Mr. Charlton?

I'm afraid there's very
little I can tell you.

I was alone in the drawing
room when I heard someone
moving about in here.

I came in to investigate.

Someone was at the safe
with a flashlight,

but it was promptly extinguished.

Did you get a good look at him?

No. It was
pitch dark in here.

I think
you'd better take
Mr. Charlton to his room.

We can go over this thing
in the morning.

Lock up, please, Wilkes.

Come, darling.

You know, Joel,
my theory in this
is that one of the...

Oh, Wilkes.

How many people know
the combination
of this safe.

Did Mr. Torrent
authorize you

to investigate,
Mr. Sloane?

No, but I'm taking
it for granted
he would

if he knew that you'd been in jail.

Forgery, wasn't it?
It's an interesting
little hobby.

That's a lie.

Don't you wish it were?

Now why don't you tell me

about the Shakespeare manuscript?

I... i don't know anything.

I was in my room.
Please, Mr. Sloane.

Haven't you locked up yet?

Yes, Mrs. Torrent.
I... i was just going.

We've all had
so much excitement
tonight, Mr. Sloane.

I'm sure you need some sleep.

Thank you.
I'll, uh... ahem...

Get a drink,
then I'll go
right up to bed.

Good night.

Good night.

What do you want?

I'm investigating
what happened
downstairs tonight.

It's none of your business.

Yes. I know.

That's why I'm investigating.

That's your pencil, isn't it?

Well, it's got your initials on it.

Where did you get that?

Downstairs on the floor
in the library.

Come on. Let's you
and I sit down

and make ourselves comfortable.

Where were you when
that rumpus started
tonight?

That's none of your business.

You better get
another answer.
You're in a rut.

I was in bed asleep.

Oh, come now,
Mr. Torrent.

With your shoes on?

No.

Put it down.

Thank you.

Tsk tsk.

So, that's the renowned
Torrent hospitality, eh?

Now, look here.

If the police are called
in on this thing
in the morning,

you'll be in a mess up to your ears.

What were you doing
in the library tonight?

I wasn't in the library.

How did your pencil get there?

I don't know.
I missed it
a few days ago.

What were you doing downstairs?

Couldn't sleep.

Conscience?

Oh, my.

Come on.
All is forgiven.

Where did you hide it?

I didn't hide anything.

It just happens
that I don't believe you.

And neither will the police.

You know, you're a rotten
coward, Gerald,

to attack Charlton,
a man twice your age.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Oh, yes, you do.
Charlton caught you

trying to steal that
manuscript tonight,
and you struck him down.

Well, you might have killed him!

Oh, I didn't.
You're mistaken, father.

I'm through with you, Gerald.

I stood for a great deal,
but this finishes us.

Tomorrow morning I want you
to pack up and get out.

What are you doing here?

Well, dad, I heard your voice...

Go back to your room at once.

But he couldn't have
done it. I know
he didn't do it.

Go back to your room,
Chris, and don't say
a word about this.

Hello. Hotel claremont?
Miss Neville, please.

Well, keep on ringing, please.

Hello. Bobby?
Listen, darling.

Everything went
haywire tonight, and I
can't talk to you now,

but I'll see you early tomorrow.

Ah. Good-bye.

What did he say?
Did he get
the Shakespeare?

He couldn't talk.
I don't think he got it.

He lost $50,000 gambling
in my place, and if he
thinks for one minute...

The boy's scared stiff.
Sloane was in the house.

Maybe that's why he couldn't get it.

Maybe. If Sloane gets
to be a nuisance,

we'll take care of him, too.

We can't do any more
about it tonight.

Can't we?

We've got to, Bobby.

If we don't get it
tonight, we'll never
get it.

This is Mr. Sergeant's
car, sir, but I'm sure
he won't mind.

Well, I'll try
and bring it back
all in one piece.

Yes, sir.

Miss Neville, please.

Oh, miss Neville didn't
come in till quite late.

I don't know if she'll want to be...

I think she'll see me, all right.

You tell her
it's Mr. Torrent.
Mr. Gerald Torrent.

Oh, yes, Mr. Torrent.

Miss Neville, Mr. Torrent
is down in the lobby.

You can go right up,
Mr. Torrent. Number 741.

Thank you.

Come in, Gerry.

Good morning, madam.

I represent the union
security mutual life
insurance company.

Are you provided for in your old age?

Huh. However, we won't
have to worry about that

for quite a while yet, will we?

And what do you want?

Don't call for help
until you hear my story.

Gerald sent me.

In a way, that is.
Thank you.

Your confidence is not misplaced.

Tell your story and tell it fast.

My name is Sloane. Yes.

I can see that Gerald
has mentioned my name.

We're great friends.
Last night Gerald and i...

What do you want with me?

Is Gerald in any trouble?

He might be.

And that goes for you, too.

The police might be
interested in anybody

who was at the Torrent
estate last night.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

How did you happen to come here?

I've got a divining rod.

Did Gerald send you?

Gerald isn't very bright.

We had a little rumpus last night,

and he telephoned you.

Just happened that I
was outside his door.

Well, as long as you
and Gerald are friends.

I did visit Gerald last night.

You know how it is.

The family wouldn't
approve of me, I guess.

So we generally meet
away from the house
somewhere.

Aw. Well, how romantic.

In your wanderings down lovers' Lane,

you didn't see
a valuable Shakespeare
manuscript, did you?

But I don't understand.
What is all this about?

Look here, miss Neville.

I didn't come here
covered with badges
and warrants.

You can tell me the truth
about your visit.

How do I know you're on the level?

My honest face.
Why not give
our service a trial?

Who is it?

Police.

Well, you double-crossing...

Honest. I had nothing
to do with the police
coming here.

I'm surprised.
Look at me.

What's the idea?

Ok, sister. Up and out.
You're under arrest.
Both of you.

Officer, I never
saw this man before.
He forced his...

Climb out of them feathers, sister.

Well, all right,
but get out of here
and let me get dressed.

All right, brother.
Get going.

All right, what's the idea?

What's the charge?

Well, there ain't no charge yet,

but chances are it will be murder.

Murder?

Murder of Nicholas Torrent

and the theft
of a Shakespeare
manuscript.

Torrent, murdered?

Surprised, ain't ya?

Well, mister,
it happened
around the time

you grabbed
Phil Sergeant's car
and ran out.

Oh.

What about the gun, Jackson?

The fingerprints
are being taken,
inspector.

Is there anything else
you haven't told me?
No, that's all.

Do you want to see miss Torrent now?

Yes, and get the others
together in the living room.

Right.

Sit down, miss Torrent.

I want to express
my sympathy, miss Torrent,

and give you my promise
that whoever was responsible

for the death of your father
will be caught and punished.

You want to help me
do that, don't you?

Of course, inspector.

Good.

You found the body, I believe.

What did you do?

I don't remember.

I...

I came in the room, screamed, and...

Somebody came in
and took me out.
I... i don't know.

Did you touch anything in here?

No.

You sure of that?
Yes.

I didn't touch anything.

Now, you must think hard.

An open fountain pen was found
in your father's hand,

as though he'd been
writing something.

You didn't happen to find
a piece of paper

or perhaps a check?
Anything he might
have been writing?

No.

No.

Did your father have
any enemies that might
want to harm him?

No.

Had he any recent quarrels
with friends or members
of the family?

No.

All right.
That'll be all for
now, miss Torrent.

Yes, Jackson?

They're all in there except Sloane

and Wilkes the librarian
and Mrs. Torrent, who's sick.

Hendricks phoned that he's
bringing in Sloane.

I tried to get a line
on Wilkes, but he disappeared.

Nobody knows anything about him.

Well, keep the railroad
stations, docks,

and airports covered for Wilkes.

And let me know the minute
the doctor will let me
question Mrs. Torrent.

Yes, sir.

You're not going
to stall me
any longer, Gerald.

It's too important.

Don't you see that
the police will link
the missing books

with your father's death?

They'll suspect me,
you... both of us.
I know.

We've got to work out
some kind of a story,
something that we can tell...

You've got to return
those books.
Nothing else.

You've got to get them back.

I can't get them back,
you fool, I sold them.

You sold them?

Well, what are we going to do?

It's not just the books.

They'll be questioning me
about the murder.

Tell the police
that Wilkes took them.

That will let us both out.

I can't.
I made him enter it
at the binder's.

All right,
then tell them you
gave them to Wilkes

to take to the binder's,
and I'll swear I saw you
give them to him.

Then they'll arrest Wilkes...
An... An innocent man.

I couldn't do that.
Well, you're
innocent, too.

Any news of my husband?
He's on his way.

And when he comes,
he'll make you eat
all those dark suspicions.

I'm sure he just went out
on some perfectly
innocent errand,

such as mailing a letter
or something like that.

Won't you please take
these things off me?

I'll take 'em off when
I get good and ready.

But my wife is apt to be
down here in a minute,

and why don't you
just hang me without
an investigation?

Hello.

Hello, darling.

What was it, a bet?

Oh, I beg your pardon.
Miss Neville, Mrs. Sloane.

How do you do?

Fine.

Miss Neville is
an old friend of Gerald's.

We just happened to meet and, uh...

Don't yank so, sugar.

You're hurting me.

Where did you find, um...

Him?
Uh-huh.

In her room.

Now, remember,

don't either of you try
to leave this house.

You... you...

Worm.

Don't flatter
yourself.
To think you'd...

Darling, now is the time
I need your comfort,

your loving sympathy.

I am in trouble.

I have been arrested.

I wouldn't care
if they shot you
at sunrise.

I wouldn't care
if they burned you
at the stake.

But, darling, I went to see
that woman on business.

Sure you did, sugar.

But she thought I was somebody else.

I wish I were.

It's positively uncanny.

Every time you turn detective,

there's always
a woman in the crime
for you to chase.

Well, I guess I'm just
that kind of a detective.

It's a fine thing.

They trapped you right
in that hussy's room,
in a nightgown.

"In a nightgown."
I had the same suit on.

Not you, dummy,
the girl... miss...
Whatever her name is.

Oh.

I, uh...

I didn't really notice
what she had on.

Didn't you, really?

Well...

I wouldn't mind
your following a clue,

but did you have to go to her room?

A detective must follow
wherever his duty leads him.

Well, if you swear
it was in the line
of duty,

I, uh... I guess
I forgive you.

Then I'm in good again, eh?

Mm-hmm.

How good?

Go away.

Come back later.

Nobody home.

It's me,
Mr. Sloane...
Chris.

I've got to see you.

Oh.

Coming.

Mr. Sloane, you're
a friend of Phil's.

You've got to help me.

Of course I will.
What's wrong?

The police don't know
about Gerald yet.
You mustn't tell them.

Oh, you mean
about his gambling,
being in need of money.

No, no, no. The fight
he had last night
with father before...

Before he...

Oh.

Your father thought
Gerald tried to steal

the Shakespeare
last night, didn't he?

Yes.

But Gerald didn't do it.
I know he didn't do it.

How do you know?

He wouldn't do a thing like that.

Oh, yes.
I see what you mean.

Now, look here,
I'll do everything
I can to help you,

but you've got to help me.

Oh, I will.
I'll do anything.
Good.

In the first place,
we mustn't be seen
like this,

in conference, by the police.

Now, I'll do all I can
to protect your brother,

but you run along now.
I'll talk to you later.

You get some rest, dear.

My husband may not look very bright,

but he's really very good
at this sort of thing.

He'll fix everything.

That's mighty pretty.
How am I going to fix
everything?

But do you think
he involved,
and Phil, too?

I don't know.

What a spot for that girl...

Her father murdered,
and her brother
and her sweetheart

probably all mixed up in it.

Well, anyway,

that's about
all the trouble
one girl can have.

Ok, Sloane,
inspector's ready
for you now.

Till Sergeant comes up here,
keep him here, will you?

Hello, inspector.

Would you mind
telling me why you sent
your bloodhounds after me?

Not at all.

Because you left this house
just about the time
Nicholas Torrent was killed

and a valuable manuscript was stolen.

Yeah, I'll settle for 50% of that.

The manuscript
was worthless.
It was a forgery.

What?

It's gospel truth.

You get Wilkes down here,
and I'll prove it to you.

You certainly picked
the right man to blame it on.

Wilkes has disappeared.
What do you know about that?

Wilkes disappeared?

I don't know anything
about his disappearance,

but I do know that
his name wasn't Wilkes.

And if you'll check
his fingerprints, you'll
find he's been in prison.

The charge was forgery
of some rare documents,
I believe.

Say, how do I know
you're not just trying
to lie yourself out of a jam?

This is yours, I think.

Your fingerprints are on it.

Oh, yes.

That's the gun I borrowed
from Gerald Torrent.

After Charlton was slugged,
I figured a shooting iron
might come in handy.

Yes, it did, for the murderer.

Oh, now I see
why you're so anxious
to talk to me, inspector.

I left that gun on the table
between the 2 beds
in my bedroom.

I don't know who took it,
and I don't know who killed
Torrent with it.

Why, of course you don't.

Now, why don't
we all work together
and go after Wilkes?

That's your case right there.

Yeah, maybe.

But before I do too much
worrying about Wilkes,

I've got some pretty
suspicious people
right under this roof.

Gerald Torrent isn't
on the up and up,
not by any means,

and his sister
seems to be holding
back something, too.

Well, you can wreck
a few lives that way,
inspector,

and cause the Torrent family
a lot more grief,

but you're not going
to solve the case.

Why don't you try it my way
until you know where we stand?

I think I've got an angle
that will help you.
Mm-hmm?

The genuine manuscript
may have been stolen
and sold a long time ago,

and the forgery
substituted at that time
to keep Torrent happy.

Then we've got
to find out who bought it.

And that'll be easy,
providing the papers
go on printing

that the real
Shakespeare was
stolen here last night.

How is that again?

Look here... if the
collector who bought
the genuine manuscript

reads that a fake has
been stolen, we'll never
hear a peep out of him.

But if he thinks
he bought a fake,
he'll squawk.

Like an eagle.

Well, I hope you know
what you're talking about.

I do, and I know book collectors.

And no one... absolutely no one...

Must find out that we've
discovered a forgery.

Why don't you do
as he says and go
after Wilkes?

Ok, I'll check
on what you say
about Wilkes right away.

Yes, Hendricks?

Here's the dope
on that license
number.

Car is registered
in the name of
Lionel c. Delaney.

Uh, beg your pardon, sir.

It's butch Delaney...
one of Lucky Nolan's
boys.

That's funny.
Lucky Nolan's
a big-time gambler,

and that car was
parked out here
on the road last night.

Yes, well, I've heard of Nolan.

If you're not going
to electrocute me
on the spot,

I think I'll run along now.

Ok, but don't get
the idea you're
in business for yourself.

If you get any
information, I want it.

You'll get it.

Hello, Phil.

Hello, Joel.

Phil, you're in some kind of a jam.

Why don't you tell me about it?

You know I'd be on your side.

I don't know what
you're talking about.
I just came out...

To find out how much I knew.

Come on, now.
What about those books?
What happened to them?

I've nothing to tell.

Don't you realize
what a spot you'll be in

if the police tie you
into this thing?

There's been a murder committed here.

We're looking
for Phil Sergeant.
Oh, there you are.

What was the name
of the bindery
you said you took

those books to, Phil?

Vincente brothers.

Now, what's the use
of beating around
the bush, Hilliard?

All right, young fellow, spill it.

What happened
to those books
you stole,

and where's your partner... Wilkes?

I've nothing to say,
and I don't know
anything about Wilkes.

Uh-huh.

When did Torrent
find out you were
stealing books?

Come on, Phil, speak up.
Tell him the truth.

Keep out of this.
He'll talk.

Don't be a smug, heroic little idiot!

They're pinning a murder on you!

Yes, and it fits him fine.

Torrent caught
Sergeant and Wilkes
stealing his books,

so they had to kill him.

All right, Sergeant,
you're under arrest
on suspicion of murder.

Phil!

Darling, what's happened?

No, no, it's perfectly all right.

There's been a slight mix-up
about the inventory
in the library,

and Phil has to go downtown
to straighten it out.

That's right.
He may be gone
quite a while.

Come on.

Now, don't let it upset you.
I'm sure everything
will be all right.

There goes the only
protege I ever had.

I just can't believe it.

Phil doesn't seem the type
to do a thing like that.

Certainly not.
He's protecting somebody...

Gerald, most likely.

Ooh, that rotter.

It's true enough,
and after all, he's
Christina's brother.

Phil's afraid the police
might find out too much
about Gerald.

Men do the silliest things.

If you'd only seen the prowler
that came into this room

and took that gun off the table.

After all, darling,
you ought to be
a little bit more curious

about people who come
into your bedroom.

Oh, I've gotten so used
to excitement, I could
go right on sleeping

if a cavalry regiment
rode into the room.

Well, you shouldn't have
taken a room right on
the Lincoln highway.

Oh, hello,
Mr. Charlton.
Come in.

I'm not intruding, I hope.

Oh, it's quite
all right.
Everybody does it.

Not at all.
Come in.

No, please, Mrs. Sloane.
Don't let me put you out.

Ah.
Oh, I'm putting
her out myself.

Anyway, she's got
to go and see about
the car, haven't you, dear?

I guess so.
Heh heh.
What car?

Any car.
Oh, ok.

I've been talking to the police.

They seem to think
that Wilkes and
the Sergeant boy

are at the bottom of this.

For a while this morning,

they suspected me, so there you are.

Last night, Torrent told me

how Wilkes flared up
at you in the library.

Oh, he showed a wide
maniacal streak, all right,

and he's absent without leave.

That's 50% of the case right there.

Can we retain you
to investigate
that phase, Mr. Sloane?

"We"?

The Torrent family.
Oh.

No fee's been mentioned,
but you can make up

what you might have
earned by the sale
of the manuscript.

You mean you'd want me
to concentrate on Wilkes

and kind of keep
Gerald Torrent out of this?

You're a very
understanding man,
Mr. Sloane.

I'm sorry, Mr. Charlton.
I couldn't promise you
anything like that.

You see, my interest
in this case is
Phil Sergeant.

I'm working for him.

I've seen about
the car.
What car?

I was just going,
Mrs. Sloane.

Thank you.
I'm sorry you're
not available.

Nice fella.

Available for what?

Yes, I took it for granted
you were listening
at the keyhole.

Me, do a thing like that?

Anyway...
It was stuffed up.

Let's step out tonight.

Mmm?

Maybe have a whirl
on the wheel of fortune.

Oh.
Have you ever been
to Nolan's?

No. What is it?

It's a high-class gambling house.

Mmm.
Exclusive, expensive,

and right now, very interesting.

Looks terribly private.
Can we get in?

It is terribly private,
but I got a card

through some influential friends.

Mmm.

That's a mighty
interesting arrangement.

They have to make it look
as if it's hard to get in.

May be hard to get out,
in case you're thinking
of starting something.

Who, me?

He just came in,
Mr. Nolan.

I don't want Sloane
to leave until I've had
a talk with him,

but no rough stuff.
That's all.

I had a feeling
Sloane was interested
in this place.

It's a good thing you told me.

Don't make the mistake
of thinking he's a fool,

even if he chatters
a lot and clowns around.

It wasn't very smart
of him to come here,

and I'm going to demonstrate
that to Mr. Sloane.

You can beat it now.

Don't you order me
around like one
of your stooges.

I'm so sorry, duchess.

May I have the pleasure
of your absence?

Beat it, now.

Number 34, red.

Bingo.
That's my number.

Do they play for keeps here?

I wouldn't be surprised.

Right now, I think
they'd like to keep me.

You better cash in and beat it.

Oh.

For you.

Thank you.

Good night.

You go outside and wait
for me in the car.

Number 21.

If I don't come out
in half an hour...

Call the inspector.

All right, darling.

You must leave your stake on, madame.

A thousand on the black.

A thousand on the black.

A thousand?

No, madame, that is not yours.

Ho-hum.

That is not your money, madame.

Oh, I beg your pardon.

That's all right, lady.
I'll just show you
to your car.

But my wrap.
I want to get my wrap.

It's right down here.
Well...

Where can I cash these chips?

Mr. Nolan's office.
Over there.

Well, I'm in kind of a hurry.
Isn't there a cashier around?

No, I can see that there isn't.

Ok, sir.

No more bets, please.

No more bets.

Come in.

Oh, good evening,
Mr. Sloane.

Good evening.

I, uh...

I just dropped in
to cash a few chips.

My.

Wow.

It's an interesting collection.

I'm in the book business...

Heh... as if you didn't know.

I see I won't have
to waste much time
with you, Mr. Sloane.

No, no, you just
go ahead and cash
the chips,

and I'll run along.

You have exactly $5,000 worth.

That stack adds up to $100.

Isn't there
a typographical
error there?

Oh, I adjust the value
of the chips to suit myself.

So, of course, I'll expect you
to do something for me.

Move out of the Torrent home.
Mind your own business.

I didn't know you were
interested in that case,
Mr. Nolan.

Oh, it's merely a matter
of friendship.

I want your promise
that you'll drop it.

And if I don't?

You might meet with an accident.

Serious?

Now I'll tell your fortune:

There is a tall,
dark man going to take
a great interest in you.

I don't like being threatened.

Did you really think
I'd let Mrs. Sloane leave

so she could telephone
the police from outside?

Oh, she's quite safe.

She's with my boys.

Yeah?

Is Mrs. Sloane
quite comfortable, Reilly?

A lot more comfortable
than you'd be if I ever
lay my hands on you.

Think it over,
Mr. Sloane.

Well, it looks as if
you're in the driver's
seat, Mr. Nolan.

Believe me, I am.

Now I'll tell you
what you're going to do.

You call up
and instruct those men
to let my wife go.

She's to call me from outside.

I hate to sound
melodramatic, Mr. Nolan,

but to save my wife any discomfort,

I would cheerfully kill
a dozen guys like you.

And when that didn't work,
they lit matches to my feet.

And then they tried
the Chinese water torture.

You know, Garda,
you haven't visited your
mother in a long time.

It ought to be wonderful
up in Vermont now:

Spring, the flowers
coming up, good old
home cooking.

Mmm, make mine the same.
When do we go?

Well, I couldn't leave right now,

but there's nothing
that would stop you.

No?
No.

Chances are,
I could follow you
in a day or so anyway.

Sure, feet first.

Why, what do you mean?

Aw, now, Joel, you can't
fool your old wife.

You are scared.

Yeah, you're exactly 100% right.

They're going to try and
get at me through you.

Darling, I wish you'd go.

Mm-mm.

This case needs
a woman's touch,
and so do you.

That's them, all right.
Let 'er go.

Boy, he's going places.

He must be drunk.

Garda.

Garda!

Garda, where are you?

Joel, over here.

Garda...

Are you all right?

This must be heaven.

I'll go flag a car,
and we'll get a lift.

Oh, and leave all this swell hay?

Do you want
some fried onions
on that?

How does it look?

It looks all right.
Can you see through it?

Mm-hmm.
Feels much better.

Are you sure this is
from a contented cow?

That cow used to run around
picking flowers all day long

and singing at the top of its voice.

Do you suppose we could
send it downstairs

after my eye is better
and get it cooked?

Are you hungry?
I think so.

If I had
something to eat,
I could make sure.

Ho-hum.

Another day.

Hmm. Did you say
"ho-hum"?

After Nolan missed us by an eyelash?

Ah, that was just one
of his boyish pranks.

Ah, that's not all.

You're worried
and trying not
to show it,

and I'm scared
and don't care
who knows it.

Joel, what's behind
all this gunplay
and stealing and murder?

I don't know,

but I got kind of an idea
stirring around inside of me.

I wish I could locate Wilkes.

Oh...

Night.

Don't worry about it.

Darling?

You don't happen to have
an old crust of bread

or a can of beans on you, do you?

Go to sleep.

Who is it?

It's me... Oates.

Oh, go away.
You got the wrong number.

I heard noise in the hall,

and I was frightened so i...

Garda?

Garda!

She's not here.

Garda? Garda!

Where are you?

Garda?

Don't move, anybody.

Stay where you are.

Darling, are you all right?

- Something's screwy here.
- What have you got there?

I... i didn't mean anything.
I mean, I have...

Let's have a look
at what you're hiding.

Why, honestly, i...

Come on, come on.

It's a chicken leg.

I... i was hungry.

Well, go to your rooms, everybody,

and stay there.

Joel.

Joel.

Why, Joel,
it's Mr. Wilkes.

He's dead.

And so's your perfectly swell theory.

It was your idea.

You're the guy
who's had me scouring
7 states for Wilkes.

"Wilkes is this,"
and "Wilkes is that."
Now I've got Wilkes.

What in the name
of thunder am I going
to do with him?

Nobody calls for him
in 30 days, he's yours.

All I did was give you his record.

You figured out the rest
for yourself.

You know more than you've
told me, and don't think
I don't know that much.

I'm going to make it my business...

Inspector,
do you know what
I honestly think...

Oh!

"Oh!"

Darling, what's the matter?

Are you in the doghouse again?

I'm man's best friend, all right.

I'm protecting so many
people in this case,

I'll probably end up
in the cooler myself.

Oh, well, tomorrow's another day.

Not another one
like this one,
I hope.

Let's get some sleep.
I got to get up early
and get into town.

Ah, ah, ah.

Now, you're not
coming home handcuffed

to that miss Neville again, are you?

Who, me?

I don't mind if you sit
there and ask questions
for the rest of the day,

but suppose your wife
learns you've been here
with me?

Aw, she wouldn't mind.

She hasn't got
that much jealousy
in her makeup.

Oh, hasn't she?

No.

Anyway, I'm doing
my good turn for the day.

I'm trying to save you
from what happened
to Torrent and Wilkes.

I think you ought to stop drinking.

Look, you were out
at Torrent's the night

that Charlton was
knocked out, weren't you?

Of course I was.
I told you why.

I'm not interested in "why."

I want to know what you saw.

Who knocked Torrent out
and left him in front
of the safe?

Wouldn't you like a nice
ice bag on your head?

All right.

With that cute, girlish
little way you're just
holding out on me,

I won't be able
to give you a gold star on
your report card this month.

Let me fill your glass,

and don't get so worked up.

No, 2 lumps.

Ok.

You won't talk, that's your funeral.

I may not be so far wrong at that.

I like you,

even if you are crazy.

It's a shame you are
so busy with crimes,

or we could have
a little party sometime.

Yeah...

You and I and Lucky Nolan.

Ha ha.
Don't you trust me?

No.

Then I'll give you something
to remember me by.

Hey.

Be sure and give my regards
to your wife.

Oh...

You certainly did your best
to sell him a bill of goods,
didn't you?

Well, your method
wasn't exactly
a howling success.

No, I guess it wasn't.

What are we supposed
to do now, Lucky...

Just wait around
for Mr. Sloane
to throw us all into jail?

I've got to be
at Torrent's
this afternoon.

The police sent for me.

I may get a chance
to have a quiet little
chat with Mr. Sloane.

Whew.

Hello, dear.
Where were you?

Downtown.

I thought it'd be nice
if I got Phil Sergeant
out of jail.

And did you?

Well, with my influence,
it was a cinch.

I spoke to the authorities,
and the prison portals
opened wide.

Hey, shift gears.
You're in reverse.

Oh. Heh heh.

You've been gone all morning.

Don't you want to kiss me?

Uh, I...

Got kind of a cold.

Oh, you poor darling.
Here, get right out
of those clothes...

No, no, no.
I'm perfectly all right.
I, uh... better now.

I wish you could have
heard me handle those fellas
down at police headquarters.

I said to the judge,
"either you let my friend
Phil Sergeant go,

or I'll have you..."

did you have to post bail?

Well, I had to sign a few papers,

but just a formality.

What kind of papers?

In order to...
Pledging the business
or what's left of it.

But it will only be for 3 or 4 days.

Ah.

I don't mind, darling.

It was really sweet of you to...

Oh, you know,

for a moment, I thought perhaps
the path of duty led you
to miss Neville's boudoir.

What a notion.

Ah, isn't that silly?

To think you'd go and see that hussy.

Whew!
How she reeks of that
10-cent store perfume,

like ladies' night
in a turkish bath.
Yes, exactly.

If there's anything I cannot stand,

it's the odor
of cheap perfume.
Absolutely sickens me.

Well, darling,
will you forgive me
for suspecting you?

Why, of course I would.
Don't mention it.

Ah.

You unspeakable toad.

Now, don't do anything rash.

I can explain it to you.
I had to put perfume on.

I was crossing a field
and I... I stepped
on a skunk.

You took the word
right out of my mouth.

Inspector wants you
right away, Sloane.

Coming.

Good morning, men.
Ahem.

Any old clues for sale today?

I've got a squad of men
searching the house
from top to bottom

for the Shakespeare and...

Whether it's a fake
or genuine, I've got
to find that manuscript.

Oh, well, you can search my room

and you can search me.
Not my wife, though.

After all, you got
to draw the line
at some things.

Uh...

Yes?

Yes, this is inspector Forbes.

Huh?

What's that?!

You did what?
What's up?

There's a guy on the phone,
says he bought the Torrent
Shakespeare a year ago.

Who is it?
Stockton.
Victor Stockton.

Give it to me. I know him.
Here, I'll talk to him.
Hello?

Hello?
Oh, yes, Sloane.

Yes, yes, I remember you.

Now what is all this?

Now, look here, Sloane,
I don't care if I can
solve 40 murders.

I'm not going to say a word
until I find out where I stand.

Oh, I know you're not accusing me,

but I can't afford to be
the laughingstock
of the country.

I'm in the investment business.

Suppose it gets out
that I spent a fortune
on a worthless manuscript.

I can't afford that kind
of publicity, Sloane,
and I won't...

Aw, well, don't believe
anything you read
in the papers.

Look, Mr. Stockton,

I know you've got
the genuine Shakespeare.

No, it's no trick.

I tell you what you do:

You bring it out here,
and I'll prove it to you.

Yes, I'll come
right over, and I'll bring
the manuscript with me.

Yes.
Yes, right away.

Yes, I know it's important.

Well, boys, we haven't
a worry in the world.

Oh, we're in the homestretch now.

All we have to do is
find out who sold him
the real Shakespeare a year ago

and we have the solution
to 2 murders.

Yeah, and we'll soon know.

By the way, inspector,
I hope you don't mind,

but I got Phil Sergeant
out of your jail.

I don't care if you empty my jail,

just so we find out
who sold Stockton
that genuine Shakespeare.

Heh heh!

Oh.

You see that?

Even the whole police
department couldn't
keep me away from you.

Oh, Phil, I knew
you were protecting Gerald.

You did that for me,
and I feel so ashamed

because I let you face
arrest and disgrace.

None of that matters now.

I've been foolish
about some things,
that's all.

Phil...

Do you think Gerald did it?

Darling, you mustn't
even think such things.

But did he?

It would be unbearable
to think that he did.

What does Mr. Sloane
think?

Mr. Sloane thinks
this is one of the prettiest
pictures he has ever seen.

Miss Torrent, would you mind
if I asked you a question?

Why do you think
your brother killed
your father?

I'm sorry, but someone
was bound to ask you that
sooner or later, you know.

Please, Mr. Sloane...

We're going to have
some information soon
that'll clear up this case,

and you may do your brother
a lot of harm by hiding
anything from me now.

Mr. Sloane,
have they found out
anything about Gerald?

No, but if they do,
I want to be in
a position to help him.

Now, tell me, what have
you been withholding
from the police?

I found a letter
on the desk in the library.

I didn't tell the police
because it was from
my father to his lawyers,

instructing them to cut
Gerald out of his will.
It was unfinished and i...

What did you do with it?

I hid it in my room.

Let's get it.

Mr. Stockton,
will you wait in the library?

Thank you.

Here it is.

Shh.

It's been forced open.
The letter isn't here.

Well, we'll probably
see it at the trial.

Yeah, you're darn tootin'
you'll see it at the trial.

What's more, you'll see it soon.

I kind of thought you were
holding out on me, Sloane.

I'm going to make it my business

to see that you don't get
a nickel out of this case.

Oh, come on now.
Keep your shirt on.

What right have you got to break open

miss Torrent's personal property?

"What right"?
What right have I got?

She was obstructing
justice, that's all...
concealing evidence,

and hiding from the police
her brother's motive for
the murder of her fath...

Well, what are you
snooping around about?

I, sir?
Yes, you.
What do you want?

Mr. Stockton
has arrived, sir.

He's waiting for you in the li...

Well, who is Stockton?

Right now, he's
the long arm of destiny.

Mr. Stockton!
Open up in there!

Mr. Stockton,
open the door!

Say, Hilliard, Hendricks,
give me a hand here.

We'll have to bust it in.

Come on.

Your witness, inspector.

Now, I know
where most of you were
when Stockton arrived,

so that narrows it down.

Mr. Torrent,

did you see Stockton arrive?

No.

No?

Well, suppose you tell
us where you were...

Well?

Mr. Nolan asks
if you'll see him now.

How long has Nolan been here?

Well, bring him in.

Did you check with Stockton's driver?

Stockton brought
the Shakespeare,
all right.

We've got 6 men checking
through the house
and grounds for it now.

Hello, inspector.

How long have you been here, Nolan?

About 20 minutes.

The front door was open,
there was no one in the hall,

so I walked back toward
the rear of the house.

The Butler asked me to wait.

Oh, just strolling
around down here, eh?

I know how to loosen you up, Nolan.

I'll get back to you
in a few minutes.
Sit down.

Now, Torrent,
where did you say you were
when Stockton arrived?

I, uh, was out on the terrace.

Anybody with you?

Gerald and I were
on the terrace together.

We were discussing some business.

Oh.

What kind of business?

Uh, taxes.
Exactly.

All right, Nolan, that leaves you.

You know, it's
bad enough for a man
with your reputation

just to be
in the same house
with a murder.

Let's hear your story, quick.

Sure, no one's going
to frame me into
a murder charge.

Gerald Torrent got me into this.

He owed me a lot of money
and naturally, I was
pressing him for it.

Then he told me
that he and Sergeant had
lifted some books here

and that now they could get
the Shakespeare manuscript.

That's a lie.
He ma me do it...

Well, that's about all.

I wanted my money, and I didn't care

if he stole Grant's tomb to get it.

He told me it would
be absolutely safe,

that Sergeant would cover it up.

Just an innocent bystander, eh?

You don't believe that,
do you, inspector?

I certainly do.
I... yes, Jackson?

Inspector, we've located
the Shakespeare manuscript.

It was hidden in
Gerald Torrent's room.

Ok.
Well, that cinches it.

Hendricks, Mike,

you take Sergeant
and Torrent downtown
and book them.

The charge is grand larceny
and suspicion of murder.

Here it is, inspector.
Ha ha!
That's it.

You know, Sloane, for all
the help you've been to us,

you might just as well
have been in timbuktu.

Wait a minute, Forbes.
You know there were
2 manuscripts:

The one that I brought
and the real one
that came with Stockton.

Yeah, which one is this?
I don't know.

Well, I guess
I'll run along
back to timbuktu.

Any time you boys want to call...

Now, wait a minute, Sloane.
Now, you can't walk out
on us now.

Which manuscript is that?

Inspector, you put
a little glue on this

and you'll have some nice flypaper.

This is a forgery.

It's the one I saw
the first night I came here.

Now, you boys listen to me.

This thing has been
put in Gerald's room
to frame him.

It's a one-way ticket
to the electric chair.

You don't think he'd be
dumb enough to put it
right in his own room, do you?

I've got a hunch it may lead us

right to
the genuine manuscript
and the murderer...

Provided that you don't tell a soul

that this is a fake
and give me 24 hours.

Ok, Sloane.

Mr. Oates,
did Joel tell you
where he was going?

Joel who? Oh, Joel.
No, he didn't tell me.

Now, don't let's cross
any Bridges till we...
till we...

You have to figure
that one out for yourself.

It's nearly 3 hours since he left.

Surely he should be back by now.

Back where?
Oh, yes.

That is, I guess so.

But I'm worried.
He said he'd be home
in an hour.

Just so that he gets home in time

to help me close
the deal with
Charlton tomorrow.

Mr. Oates,

don't you understand Garda?

Joel may be hurt.
He may be in trouble.

And all you do is sit there,
babbling about your chance
to buy a manuscript.

You must have ink in your veins.

Ink? Why, yes.

I believe I have
a fountain pen
right here.

Mrs. Sloane?

Yes.
I'm from headquarters.

Your husband had
a little accident
and he...

Where is he?
What happened?

It's not serious.
I can take you
right to him.

I'll be right with you.

I don't know who you are, my friend,

but I know we can't make the payment.

Why, Joel!

What's the matter,
darling?
Are you all right?

This man told me
that you were
in an accident.

He was taking me to see you.

Uh, it was a mistake, buddy.

I guess I'll be going now.

You run along, dear.
I just want to talk
to our good samaritan.

Is something the matter?

Not anymore.

There must be
something wrong
with the radiator.

Oh, Joel, what did you do with him?

Well, he may be a little
difficult to recognize,

but I sent him back
to his boss... Nolan.

Nolan?
Yes.

He's afraid I might try
and interfere
with his plans,

so he's trying to get
at me through you.

But why should he?
After all, Phillip
and Gerald...

He knows perfectly well
that this case isn't
solved by that.

I think I'll have to go
and have a little talk
with Mr. Nolan.

You will not.

Darling, I don't want
to play Daniel
to his lions,

but I can't have him
snatching my wives
right from under my nose.

Well, then,
we'll go to the police.
After all, we pay tax...

Even if the police were
hanging from the chandelier,

I wouldn't feel that
either of us was safe.

You know I don't look well in black.

But, darling, this case is
coming to a boiling point.

Nolan is desperate
and absolutely ruthless.

But if you go down there,
you'll be just as crazy
as he is ruthless.

Look here, you've had
one visitor tonight.

You don't want another one, do you?

All right.

Darling, you'll be careful?

And how.

Mr. Oates,
you take care of Garda.

Watch her.
Don't let her out
of your sight.

Watch? Sure.
Leave her to me.

Oh, Joel!

Hurry back,

all in one piece.

I'll be just as safe
as if I was in my own bed.

Now, you heard what
Joel said, young lady.

And I don't intend
to let you out of
my sight for any reason.

I don't intend
to give you a bit
of trouble, Mr. Oates,

so you can rest easy.

That's fine.

You want to play ventriloquist?

Huh?

Skip it, Charlie.

I don't see why we should
sit at home all evening

while Joel is gallivanting around.

After all, it's a free country.

Now, you stay right here.

Oh, oatsey,

all I want is a bit of innocent fun.

Well, uh...

Provided you stay with me.

Mm-hmm.

Now where do you want to go?

I don't know.
Uh...

How about Nolan's?

Nolan's?

All right.

Haven't you made a mistake, Lucky?

Where's the rest of the money?

Oh, I was just going
to tell you, I didn't
get all the money yet.

But when I do, you'll get yours.

That's a lie.

I'm not just another
sucker like Gerald,

and you're not going
to hold out on me.

Who said anything about holding out?

I gave you an even break there.

You never gave anybody an even break.

Yes?

All right.

Now, I don't want you
hanging around here tonight.

Sloane has just come in.
I'm going to settle with him.

That's all right
with me, but first,
start counting it out.

I told you, that's all
there is, sweetheart.

And you think
I'm going to let you
get away with it?

Now, Bobby, I don't want
to have to pound some
common sense into you.

Take the money
I gave you and beat it.

Suppose I turn the heat on myself?

Suppose I go to the m...

Get out.

No more bets.

Permit me, madam,

with these crude ingredients,
to mix you a drink.

Get out of here.

This drink, invented by me,

is called scotch and soda.

Be smart.
Go home.

You seem bitter tonight,

not your usual cheerful self.

Place your bets,
ladies and gentlemen.

I think I know what
you're drinking to forget.

Did you get the short end
of a payoff, by any chance?

Oh, it's all right
with me if you want
to sit back and take it.

How'd you know about that?

I'm the alert, wide-awake type.

Why don't you come along with me?

We'll go someplace where we can talk.

I thought I told you to get out.

I was just going.

Yes, with him.

Go to my office.
I want to talk to you.

I've already arranged
to see miss Neville home.

Oh, you have?
That's very gallant of you.

51, red.

You have a peculiar genius
for mixing in my affairs.

You have some peculiar affairs.

I'm going to show you
the unpleasant side
of snooping, Mr. Sloane.

Sorry, lady,
but you can't come in
without a membership card.

Now, see here, my man!

Go on home, pop.

You can't get in without
a membership card.

That's no way to talk
to a man who's old enough
to be your father.

Now, wait just a moment.

I told you that you
can't get in without
a membership card.

Don't be so...

Joel!
Run!

Why, Mrs. Sloane,
fancy meeting you here.

Well, how are you
coming with
the inventory?

Are you all in one piece?

Yeah, I think so.

How many fingers did I have
when I went to Nolan's?

Oh, 30 or 40, but only half a brain.

I came within an eyelash
of solving this case tonight.

I got Bobby Neville talking,
and she almost told me
everything she knew.

Oh, I'll bet
that would be
interesting.

I, uh...

I ordered a pair
of bulletproof pants,

and when they come, I will...

Well, what are you waiting for?

You answer it.
You're up.

It's not for me, and you're up.

Hello?

Who?

Miss Neville?
Send her up.
Hey, now,
wait a minute...

Now, darling, you don't understand.

This is what I've
been waiting for.
I'm sure of that.

This girl has probably
broken with Nolan.

I'm going to ask her
2 questions and solve
the whole case.

You wait here.

Oh, all right,

but don't hang
anything over
the keyhole.

Hello. Nolan?

Heh heh. Come in.

I, uh, had to leave Nolan's
in kind of a hurry tonight,

so I didn't get
an opportunity to thank you.

You did turn out
those lights, didn't you?

Yes.
Thank you.

I need your help.

Nolan cheated me out
of the money we got,
and I want to get even.

I knew it. Who paid it?

Charlton, wasn't it?
Yes.

All right.
Now let's hear
the rest of the story.

I was to get half of
the $50,000 Gerald lost
to Nolan, and tonight...

Wait a minute.
I'm interested in Charlton
and the money that he paid.

I'm getting to that.
Listen, will you?

What did you see Charlton do
that night in the library?

Nothing.

What?

You mean to say that
you didn't see him frame
an attack on himself?

Certainly not.

I didn't even look in the window.

And you weren't
blackmailing Charlton?

No.

The money he paid Nolan
was to settle
Gerald's debt.

The Torrent family
raised it, I guess,

because they were afraid of Nolan.

Who's in there?

Oh, that's my wife.

She's delirious.

Afraid I can't help you, Bobby.

What?

After queering me with Nolan?

I know, and I'm sorry about it.

I had this whole thing solved

with one of those
harebrained theories
of mine.

I should have known better.

So this is "the smart Sloane,"

the wizard.

You were going to fix everything,

you four-flushing windbag!

Nice-looking outfit.

Who's been paying
for your clothes lately?

Nobody.

It goes back in the morning.

Hello, Garda.
Hello, Joel.
Hello.

I just saw your friend Oates leaving,

as we've had some very bad news.

Yes, we know.

I'm afraid I've got
some very bad news
for you, too.

Charlton is on his way up here
to sell the phony manuscript.

When he finds out it's a fake,

he'll file a claim with you
for $500,000 right away.

Thanks.
That's very nice of you.

We've had a crew of men
ransacking the Torrent place
from top to bottom,

and still have been unable
to find the genuine manuscript
that Stockton brought with him.

Well, I'm going downstairs
and get a paper.

What for?

Oh, just to see if any
of our friends have been
murdered this morning.

How's Gerald standing up?

Well, he has the jitters, naturally.

That family of his have
hired a bang-up lawyer,
fortunately.

Heh! And that swell
sister of his would be
an asset to anybody.

Mmm.

Did you really put up
bail for her boyfriend?

He didn't steal anything.
He was just protecting Gerald.

Charlton.

- Mr. Sloane.
- Good morning, sir.

Hello, Mr. Hilliard.

I suppose Mr. Hilliard's
here to transfer
the insurance.

Well, you see,
I am ready for
business, too.

This sale will help
the torrents immensely.

The expenses of a trial,
you know, are quite
heavy and, uh...

Why, where's Mr. Oates?

He went out.

Well, I suppose you've
the power to act for him
in this purchase.

May we conclude
the sale, Mr. Sloane?

Mr. Oates went out to return
his certified check to his bank.

There will be no sale,
Mr. Charlton.

If your client changed
his mind, I should have
been notified.

My client hasn't changed his mind.

He's just as anxious
as ever to purchase
the Shakespeare manuscript.

However, the one
you have there is a fake.

What?

Unfortunately, sir,
there can't be
any doubt about it.

I don't understand.
You must be mistaken.

What he says is
the truth, Mr. Charlton.

The manuscript that
you have is a forgery.

I know it's a shock
to you, but the Torrent family
won't lose anything by it.

The insurance companies
will make up the loss.

Yes, of course.

Just make your claim
and let me have that one.

Well, I'd like,
first of all,
to consult Mrs. Torrent.

Then, and, uh...
I have the papers
right here.

I think later on
would be better,
Mr. Hilliard.

Suit yourself.
I only wanted
to save time, that's all.

Good day, gentlemen.

Before you go, Mr. Charlton,

I wish you'd let me show you
how to detect the forgery
in that copy.

That's not at all necessary.

You're an expert
in these matters.
Your word is sufficient.

But Mrs. Torrent might
like an explanation.

I'd like to show you
how your copy differs
from the original.

I am sure Mrs. Torrent's
opinion would coincide
with yours, Mr. Sloane.

Good day, gentlemen.

But it might expedite
matters in your claim

against the insurance
company if you would
only let...

That's none of your business!

Are you quite sure,
Mr. Charlton?

What's wrong?

Mr. Charlton's reluctance
to let us see the manuscript

he has clutched to his bosom
is very interesting, Dave.

That might be
the genuine manuscript
he's cradling in his arms.

He may have gotten it
the night he killed
Stockton.

Look at his face.
Give me that!

Look out.
He's got a gun.

So you did detect the forgery.

I wish I'd known that.

And I wish I'd known
Bobby Neville played
that little drama

at my house last night
because you bribed her
to throw me off your trail.

It was you who sold
the genuine Shakespeare
to Stockton a year ago,

claiming you were acting for Torrent.

The other night,
Torrent found it out.

You had to kill him.

You put Wilkes
out of the way because
he made the forgery for you,

and you shut
Stockton's mouth before
he could identify you.

Turn back, both of you.

As long as you were going
to conk yourself

over the head with a vase,

why didn't you pick
a nice, heavy brass one

and crack your crazy skull?

I was careful to select
a light and fragile one.

I brought you some
peanuts, darling.
I know it was...

Oh...

Oh!

- Oh.
- Garda!

Here, take care of this.

Oh.

Uh, you get away from him, now.

Get away from him!

Oh! Joel!

Oh!

Why did you have to pick on me?

Why don't you
close your eyes
when you shoot?

I did.

Ah, ah, ah, ah!

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