All language subtitles for Perry Mason 1x27.English

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What happened last night?

I was busy.

You could have phoned
or was it too much trouble?

Too much trouble.

Don't be like that, Gary.

How about tonight?

What do you say, honey?

You're spilling my beer.

MAN:
Excuse me.

Perhaps you can give me
some assistance.

That station waggon outside
belongs to you?

On the door is painted
"Bannister Farms."

Belongs to my boss, Mr. Bannister.

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Stefan Riker.

May I?

Help yourself.

Would you care for another beer?

No.

Perhaps something to eat?

Look, Mr. Riker,
let's not waste time breaking the ice.

I gotta pick up my boss's wife
in a couple of minutes.

Which is exactly why I'm here.

Have you ever seen
this lady before?

No. Can't say that I have.

You're sure?

I'm positive.

If I'd ever run
across a number like this,

you can bet your life I'd remember.

But if my luck changes,
I'll let you know.

I'll keep a hold of this, just in case.

Why are we stopping here, Gary?

I thought maybe we ought to have
a little talk, Mrs. Bannister.

I was having a beer
in Hennessy's Bar

when this fellow came up to me and
started asking me a few questions.

Said his name was Stefan Riker.

And he had a picture of you.

You must be mistaken.

Uh-uh. No, no. It was you.

But don't you worry about a thing,
Mrs. Bannister.

I didn't let on it was you.

I can't explain,

but I am very grateful to you, Gary.

I kind of thought
maybe you would be.

You know,

ever since the first time we met,

I've had a great big yen for you.

- Let go of me.
- Oh, it's all right.

I can keep my mouth shut.

I guess I kind of forgot
I was just a hired hand.

Are we going to go home now?

Sure, Mrs. Bannister.

Anything you say.

One-seventeen.

For six furlongs?

Get rid of him.

Mrs. Bannister's awful fond
of that horse.

I'm not in the business
of raising pets. Get rid of him.

Okay.

- Where's Lisa?
- Upstairs.

Getting another one
of her headaches?

Is it any wonder?

Just what do you mean by that?

You don't appreciate a single thing
she's done for us.

Look at how wonderful she's been.
Even my own mother wasn't--

[DOORBELL RINGS]

I hate to interrupt your spirited defence
of your stepmother,

but don't you think you'd better
answer that?

- Good evening.
- Yes?

I wonder if I could see Frau--?
That is to say, Mrs. Bannister?

- I'm her cousin.
- Her cousin?

- Oh, please, come in.
- Thank you.

Won't you please come this way?

- I know Lisa will be delighted.
- Thank you.

How long have you been
in this country?

Approximately two weeks.

Where'd you come from?

East Germany.

That's the part the commies control.

I could tell you stories,
Herr Bannister.

Hello, Lisa.

Well, aren't you going
to say anything?

[SPEAKS IN GERMAN]

This is your cousin, Stefan.

You must forgive her, Herr Bannister.

I'm sure that I'm the last person
in the world she expected to see.

I can understand that since she told
me she had no living relatives.

DORIS:
Lisa?

Lisa.

What have you got there?

[PILLS CLATTERING]

- It's the only way.
- You don't know what you're saying.

I would rather die than go back.

Go back where?

Lisa, listen to me.

Who is Stefan Riker?

A man I once knew in Berlin.

He's a friend of my father's.

I thought your father's dead.

My father's name
is Hans Gerbhardt.

He's the real head of the Communist
Party in East Germany.

The man who is responsible--

But they can't hold you responsible
for what your father is.

This is America, Lisa.

But I have no right to be here.

I'm in this country illegally.

My passport was forged.

They can send you back.

So you see why those pills
are the only solution?

Oh, don't say that.

Promise me, Lisa,
you won't do anything foolish.

I'll think of something.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

Oh.

Miss Bannister, is it not?

It most certainly is.

Aren't you going to invite me in?

Please.

You must excuse me. I'm astonished
by your metamorphosis.

What a lovely room.

I'm glad you approve.

You wouldn't consider me inhospitable
if I ask you what you are doing here?

I could say I was
in the neighbourhood.

That would hardly be the truth.

Uh-huh.

Actually, I'm very curious about you.

RIKER:
That's unfortunate.

- You see, Miss Bannister--
- Doris.

I'm not the sort of man
you should interest yourself in.

That's exactly
what does interest me.

You know, I have a curious feeling
that underneath that bold exterior,

you're really quite frightened.

That's very funny.

Shall we see?

So you're not frightened, huh?

Good morning.

That'll be all for now, Gary.

- Well, if you want me.
- I'll let you know.

That's all you gotta do.

Done all right for yourself
the past three months.

Pardon?

This car. Those clothes.

This is the land of opportunity,
Herr Bannister.

You think I don't know
what's been going on here?

I want it to stop.

Otherwise?

Otherwise, we--

RIKER: Oh, Lisa, your entrance
was most unfortunate.

I believe your husband
was about to threaten me.

I never wanna see you here again.

You understand?

I'm sorry you feel that way,
Herr Bannister.

As far as I can say,
you and your family

are always welcome at my home.

[SPEAKS IN GERMAN]

And in People v. Bernard,
347 U.S. Reports 506,

Supreme Court held that such
testimony on the part of the witness

was clearly inadmissible
and grounds for reversal.

In view of these authorities,

we feel that the writ of coram nobis
should be granted.

And if it isn't, Mr. Hudson will go
to the gas chamber Friday.

I'll type this right up.

[DOOR OPENS]

We were in England now,
I'd be able to say,

"That must be the charwoman."

It's only 1:30.
She doesn't get here till 3.

Mind if I investigate?

Afraid someone might steal the rug?

No, that's insured.

I was worried about the switchboard.

Hello.

Could I help you?

I would like to see Perry Mason.

I found that in my pocket.

What's your name, dear?

I don't know.

That's why I came here.

I was hoping Mr. Mason knew me.

Here.

Sit down right over here.
I'll get you a drink of water.

You're very kind.

Are you Perry Mason?

Yes.

Have you ever seen me before?

Why, no.

She must have been in an accident.
She found this in her pocket.

How did you get here?

A man gave me a ride.

Can you remember where this man
picked you up?

I think the sign said "Canyon Road."

Could it have been
Sunset Canyon Road?

Della, call the garage.
Have them bring my car.

I'll take her
to Lakewood Street Receiving.

All right.

Information, I want the phone number
of Perry Mason.

- Has she been identified yet?
- No.

[PHONE RINGS]

MASON:
I just don't understand it.

Yes? All right, Gertie, put him on.

It's an Edward Bannister.

Hello? Yes, Mr. Bannister.

Hold on just one minute, please.

He says he's her father.

Yes, Mr. Bannister.

What can I do for you?

A great deal, I hope.

That was my daughter, Doris,
who walked into your office last night.

But of course, I'm sure.

Have you called the authorities?

Why not?

First of all, I, just this minute,
saw the paper. I don't get up too early.

Don't you think it's strange none
of her friends have identified her?

She has none.

Now listen, Mason, do you suppose
you could get Doris out of there

and do whatever else is necessary?

Well, it's nothing
you couldn't handle.

I'm crippled.

Oh, I'm very sorry. I'll do what I can.

Oh, incidentally,

I think Doris was wandering around
Sunset Canyon Road last night.

Does she know anyone
around there?

She's been seeing a great deal
of a man named Stefan Riker.

I think he has a house
somewhere near there.

No, no, that's R-I-K-E-R.

Phone book, will you, Della?

What's your address?

All right, I'll be in touch.

Well, we have a client,
Miss Doris Bannister.

Why does she need a lawyer?

What intrigues me.

She's been seeing a man
named Stefan Riker.

See if he's listed, will you?
R-I-K-E-R.

- Stefan.
- Mm-hm.

Riker, Riker...

Riker. Riker, here it is.

Stefan Riker.
1417 Sunset Canyon Road.

- Get your coat.
- Going to the hospital?

No, I'm gonna see Mr. Riker first.

Her father didn't identify her
because he's just seen the paper.

Her friends didn't come forward
because, apparently, she has none.

I'd like to find out what Mr. Riker has
for an excuse.

TRAGG:
Oh, I'd say about 2:00.

Yeah.

Sure, we'll be here
another hour anyway.

- What's this?
- Hot stuff.

They're all from the same girl,
a Doris Bannister.

"Sometimes I feel you're only using me
as an excuse to see her.

I know I seem like a jealous female
always spying on you,

but remember, darling,
you belong to me."

That's nothing. You ought to read
some of the others.

- I can hardly wait.
- Excuse me, lieutenant.

TRAGG:
Where did this come from?

QUINCEY:
Found it out by the driveway.

Killer must've dropped it accidentally.

- Good work, Quincey.
- Thank you, lieutenant.

When you get a minute,
Sgt. Marlowe would like to see you.

Yeah. Let me know
when you trace this.

- Yes.
- Come on, Davis.

Don't forget to get a shot of this.

TRAGG:
Marlowe.

I thought you'd wanna
see this, lieutenant.

Yeah.

She must've been keeping an eye
on her boyfriend

- before she went in to kill him.
- Looks like.

I'd like to meet that Doris Bannister.

I think that can be arranged.

Yeah.

Let's go.

Seen enough?

Too much.

That was Sergeant Davis
of the Homicide Division.

Murder, all right.

DORIS: Why are you asking me
all these questions?

Can't you leave me alone?

I just wanna help you, Doris.

My name isn't Doris.

Then what is your name?

I can't remember.

Mr. Mason.

Well, it's unquestionably
general amnesia.

I'd like to move her
to a private sanatorium.

- With your permission, of course.
- Well--

You're worried about your
responsibilities and you're quite right.

But as Miss Bannister's attorney,
I'm prepared to give you a release.

And I'm sure it would be
perfectly legal.

Hello, counsellor.

Well, hello, lieutenant.

What's Homicide doing here?

Well, what Homicide does everywhere.
Investigating a murder.

A fellow named Stefan Riker.

Do I understand
that you're representing this girl?

And she shouldn't be disturbed.

She won't be.

He's going to make sure of that.

- Well, hello, Mr. Drake.
- I was afraid you'd be gone.

- Any luck?
- Nope.

What did you find out?

Police think Miss Bannister
killed Riker.

I had that feeling when I saw Tragg.

The way they figure it,
Doris was crazy about the guy

and he was two-timing her.
How do you see it?

I don't. Only one that can tell me
anything is my client.

She's suffering from loss of memory.

How do you go about fighting it?

Strictly a rear-guard action.

Just wait for the district attorney
to advance theories

and do your best to knock
them down.

By the way, has anyone
from the DA's office seen Doris yet?

Burger talked to her himself.

She claims
she can't remember a thing.

From what I hear,
that suits Mr. Burger just fine.

Feels she's using it to cover up
just because she has no alibi.

- You think it's an act?
- I hope not.

Amnesia is generally induced
by a severe shock.

Committing a murder
might come under that heading.

So would an automobile accident.

How would Doris get out
to Sunset Canyon Road?

No. The police would have a record
if she'd been in an accident.

Not if she were driving alone
and ran off the road.

Might never find the car
in these hills.

- But you want me to try?
- I'd like you to try.

Anything else?

Yes.

Just on the chance that Burger
is right about Riker

and there is another woman,
you might try to find her too.

Fine.

EDWARD:
Lisa. Stop fidgeting.

I'm sorry.

Do you think it will be much longer?

[DOOR OPENING]

Doris.

Oh, Doris.

Darling, how do you feel?

Darling, it's Lisa.

Don't you know me?

Take me back, please.

MASON:
Just a moment.

Doris.

Do you remember me?

Perry Mason.

You said you wanted to help me.

I do. And so do they.

All right, matron, we'll call you.

Let's stop this nonsense.

You know perfectly well who we are.

Now, I got you the finest lawyer
that money can buy.

That's enough, Mr. Bannister.

She's my daughter.

And she's my client.

You do want me
to represent you, don't you, Doris?

Do you know
what you're accused of?

They say I killed a man.

A man named Stefan Riker.

What do you remember?

Just coming into your office
and everyone asking me questions.

That's all?

Matron.

Doris.

You let Mason know
if you need anything.

Doris.

I'll be in to see you tomorrow.

This is ridiculous.

Well, can't you see it's all an act?

Do you think she killed Stefan Riker?

Of course not.

Then why
should she pretend amnesia?

How should I know?

She must have some crazy reason.

Look, Mason, I don't fool myself
about anything.

See these legs?

I was thrown by a horse
ten years ago.

Doctors said they'd fix me up
as good as new.

I knew they were lying.

I got rid of all of them.

I can't stand anybody
trying to make a fool of me.

- What happened to the horse?
- Huh?

The one that threw you.

I had him destroyed.

Is that what you're trying to do
to your daughter?

Bye, Mrs. Bannister.

You want anything else,
Mr. Marshall?

- How about you?
- No, not just now, thank you.

I'm sorry
I can't be any help, Mr. Mason.

Never know unless you try, Gary.

Look, I'd cut off my hand up to here
for the Bannisters.

They're real swell people.

Now, there's a few people got
the wrong idea about the old man.

His bark's worse than his bite.

What do you think
about Mrs. Bannister?

A real lady.

They don't come any finer.

- Is it true that Doris lost her memory?
- Mm-hm.

Well, that's too bad.
She sure is a nice girl.

I hope they go easy on her.

Do you think she killed Riker?

Of course not.

How well did you know him?

Didn't know him at all.

Just saw him around the ranch
a couple of times.

Hey, I gotta go.

Heavy date?

- Helene.
- No, it's all right, Gary.

I'll take care of it.

Well, like they say...

[SPEAKS IN SPANISH]

Well,

I think this should take care
of everything.

Well, thanks.

Mr. Marshall a friend of yours?

Mr. Marshall is a very loyal,
devoted friend

of Gary Marshall and no one else.

I heard him feeding you
that line about the Bannisters.

Oh? Why is it a line?

Well, he was always knocking
the whole family to me.

Really?

And you know that Riker fellow?
The man who was murdered?

[PHONE RINGING]

Well, Gary used to meet him in here
all the time.

- Oh, now, you must be mistaken.
- Don't tell me.

Excuse me. You Perry Mason?

- Yeah.
- There's a phone call for you.

- Over here.
- Thanks.

Hello?

Yes, Paul.

I got good news.

You can now prove your client's
amnesia is the genuine article.

I just found her car.

I don't see how she got out
of it alive.

Then she was in an accident.

Sunset Canyon Road.

I'll meet you there in half an hour.

Well, there it is.

How in the world did your men
ever spot the car from up there?

Faulkner's half bird-dog
on his father's side.

Wish I'd brought along
my hiking boots.

Now let Burger claim
she's faking amnesia.

She's lucky she just lost her memory.

Paul.

It's in neutral.

So it is.

Can't very well drive a car in neutral,

she must have pushed this thing
off the hill.

The crash might have jarred it
into neutral.

It could be.

And it looks like she's using you
for a passing.

She wrote that herself.

Well, it proves that great minds
run on the same channel.

Soon as I saw your car
parked up there, I figured

what's good enough for my friend
Mason is good enough for me.

And the State will prove beyond
any reasonable doubt

that the defendant, Doris Bannister,
was in love with the deceased.

That she jealously spied on him
constantly.

And that when she discovered
there was another woman,

she killed him.

And then pretended to be suffering
from amnesia

in an attempt to avoid the
consequences of what she has done.

That first morning when you examined
the defendant, what did you find?

Well, I thought she was suffering
from general amnesia.

- General amnesia?
- Yes, sir, there--

There seemed to be total loss
of memory.

When you say, "There seemed to be
total loss of memory," doctor,

you mean that you subsequently
changed your mind?

Yes, sir. I am certain now
that Miss Bannister

never suffered from amnesia.

And you think she was faking?

Definitely, sir.

Thank you, doctor.

Oh, doctor, one thing more.

Did Miss Bannister have any visitors
on her first day in the hospital?

Yes, she had, Mr. Perry Mason.

- Her attorney?
- Yes. He said he wanted

to move the patient
to a private sanatorium.

And what happened
to prevent this move?

The police arrived.

I see. Thank you, doctor.

Your witness.

Doctor,

you testified you subsequently
changed your mind

about Miss Bannister's amnesia.

Yes, sir. Further physical
examination proved

that there was nothing wrong
with her.

Isn't it true, doctor, that amnesia
can be psychic in origin?

That Miss Bannister might
be well organically

and still suffer from a loss
of memory?

Well, there's nothing to indicate
that this was the case here.

For example, she had no trouble
with difficult problems in algebra.

But wouldn't she be able
to do problems

if she suffered from partial amnesia?

She would still remember
isolated facts

and have the ability to associate.

She's supposed to be suffering
from general amnesia, not partial.

And who made the first diagnosis
of general amnesia?

I did, sir.

Thank you, doctor.

Oh, doctor,

one more thing.

In regard to my underhanded effort
in trying to remove Miss Bannister

from the county hospital,
let me read you an article

from The Times dated February 1 st.

"Our county hospitals
are badly overcrowded.

In many cases, patients must be
moved out before they should be.

The situation cries for relief."

Does that sound familiar?

Yes, sir. I said that in an interview.

Yes, you did.

Thank you again, doctor, that's all.

Would you explain this exhibit
to the court, lieutenant?

It's a plaster cast we made
of the ground

directly beneath the rear window
of Mr. Riker's apartment.

Did you find anything on the premises

which could have caused
these imprints?

Yes, that aluminium ladder there.

This is my State's Exhibit 3.

Would you place the rear legs
of the ladder in that plaster cast?

Like this?

You'll notice they fit.

Yes, they do fit.

Where was this ladder situated
when you found it, lieutenant?

Right next to the rear window
of Mr. Riker's apartment.

BURGER:
And did you climb it yourself?

TRAGG: I did.
BURGER: What were you able to see?

TRAGG:
Well, I had an unobstructed view

of everything that went on
in the room.

Did you find any fingerprints
on the ladder?

Yes, sir.

The defendant's.

I think that about covers the matter,
lieutenant.

Will the clerk please return
the ladder to the exhibit table?

- Your witness.
- Just a moment.

May I, Mr. Burger?

BURGER:
Of course.

Lieutenant Tragg,

isn't it true that the fingerprints
on this ladder

might have been left there days
or even weeks before the murder?

Might have been.

And isn't it possible that the defendant
could've used the ladder indoors

and left her fingerprints on it
at that time?

Anything is possible, Mr. Mason.

Now, lieutenant, how do you explain
the fact that no trace

of the defendant's footprints were
found on the ground near this ladder?

Because there's a stone path
near the window

and the defendant could step directly
from that to the ladder.

Now, lieutenant,

the ferrules of this ladder do not fit
this cross-section exactly.

Well, naturally, not exactly.

With any weight on the ladder
it would move around.

And consequently,
the holes would be enlarged.

I see.

All right, clerk, I'm through
with the exhibit, thank you.

Lieutenant Tragg,
as I understand your position,

if the ferrules of that ladder
had fit perfectly,

that would be definite proof that
the prints were made by that ladder.

That is correct.

But since they did not fit perfectly,
that still proves

the prints were made by the ladder.

I must say, lieutenant,
I just do not understand your logic.

No further questions.

You may step down.

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you swear the testimony
you are about to give

would be the truth, the whole truth?

- I do.
- State your name.

- I'm Lisa Bannister.
- Be seated, please.

Mrs. Bannister,
you knew the deceased,

Stefan Riker, very well, didn't you?

I knew him.

Then you were aware that he
was in love with the defendant?

I object, Your Honour.
Counsel is leading the witness.

I'll withdraw the question.

If the court please, however,
this is an adverse witness.

She has refused to testify
for the State

and she has repeatedly avoided
service of summon.

I see.

You may proceed, Mr. Burger.

Mrs. Bannister, you're very fond
of your stepdaughter, are you not?

Oh, yes, I am.

During a vacation last summer,

I understand that you wrote
to each other daily. Is that correct?

Yes.

I show you now this letter.

And I ask if it is in your
stepdaughter's handwriting.

I'm not sure.

BURGER:
Mrs. Bannister, you're under oath.

Well, I tell you, I'm not sure.

Mrs. Bannister, you testified
only a few seconds ago

that you and your stepdaughter
exchanged daily writings

during your vacation.

- How long was this vacation?
- A month.

Then you must have seen
30 of her letters.

Surely, you're familiar
with her handwriting?

Now I ask you again. Is this letter
in your stepdaughter's handwriting?

Yes.

Thank you.

If it please the court, I would like
to read this letter into the record.

Proceed.

It's dated March 7th.

"Darling, why do you lie to me?

I know you saw her again
on Monday.

It's times like this I get so mad
I could kill you.

Sweetheart, don't do this to me,
not if you love your Doris."

I should like this marked as an exhibit
for the State.

Thank you, Mrs. Bannister.
Your witness.

Mrs. Bannister, how long
had you known Stefan Riker?

Since I was 19.

But I thought you were cousins.

We were. Distant cousins.

I had never met him until 1947.

And where did that meeting
take place?

In Berlin.

Which at that time was occupied
by the Soviet Union.

- Yes.
- Were you fond of Riker?

I hated him.

MASON: Yet he was a constant guest
at your home.

I tried to prevent it.
I begged Doris not to see him.

But she ignored your advice.

Yes.

Mrs. Bannister, I would like to quote
from this letter Mr. Burger just read.

"I know you saw her again
on Monday."

Do you know who this woman was
that Riker saw again on Monday?

No.

Mrs. Bannister, I'd like to remind you,
you're still under oath.

Why, I tell you, I don't know.

MASON: Did you ever visit Riker
in his apartment?

LISA:
No.

MASON:
Did you ever meet him elsewhere?

No. Why must you make these
horrible accusations?

Because I don't believe
you're telling the truth.

Thank you, Mrs. Bannister.
That's all.

DORIS:
Why did you have to do that to her?

Why did you have to humiliate her?

So you finally decided to give up
that amnesia routine.

I'm not giving up anything.

Listen to me, Doris.
No one believes you had amnesia.

When you had the doctor
on the stand--

It was part of my job
to discredit the doctor.

But when the court adds up
the evidence,

the phoney accident,
the way you used that ladder--

I didn't use the ladder.

How can you be sure?

You had amnesia, remember?

All right, Mr. Mason.

I killed him.

What?

Stefan and I quarrelled that night
and I left.

I drove around for a while
and then about midnight, I went back.

I got on that ladder and looked in.

He was with that woman again.

What's her name?

I never did find out.

When she left, I went in
and shot him.

All right.

You were in the apartment.

- But after Riker was killed.
- No.

What did you see that made
you think

- your stepmother had killed him?
- What?

I can't think of anyone else
you'd be trying to protect.

You're right.

Now, isn't that funny?

After all those fairy tales you hear
about the wicked stepmother,

no one ever did as much for me.

So you repay her kindness
by suspecting her of murder.

I'm beginning to believe your father.

You are mixed-up.
You make a childish gesture

and endanger your own life
and Lisa's. And all for nothing.

It wasn't all for nothing.

You still insisting Lisa is guilty
so you can take bows?

I tell you, she was there that night.

I got there around midnight.

Stefan was already dead.

In his hand was Lisa's medallion.

- The chain was broken.
- What kind of a medallion was this?

It was round. About this big.

It had a little gold horse on one side.

My father gave it to her
on their first anniversary.

I took it out of Stefan's hand
and threw it away.

And on that kind of evidence
you decided Lisa was guilty?

The fact she was seeing
Stefan doesn't mean a thing.

You don't kill the man you love.

She wasn't in love with him.
She hated him.

She hated him even more than I did.

Your letters certainly sound like it.

Well, I had to pretend to be jealous
to keep him away from her.

Otherwise, I thought he--

What's his hold on Lisa?

You'll never find out.

I mean it, Mr. Mason.

You baited me into telling you this
to justify my actions.

But if you repeat this story,
I'll swear you made it up.

Yes? Will you hold on
just one moment, please?

Perry, I have Mr. Bannister.

Hello?

Yes, Mason?

Mr. Bannister, I know it's difficult
for you to talk,

so I'll put my questions
so they can be answered simply.

You understand?

I understand.

Now, is your wife wearing
the medallion you gave her

for your first wedding anniversary?

No.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen it
in several weeks.

Well, do you think you can secure it
or copy of it for me

before court convenes tomorrow?

Well, why do you want it?

I can't tell you about that now,
but it is important.

Mr. Paul Drake will meet you
at the Fenway parking lot tomorrow.

You can give it to him there.
It's right next to the courthouse.

Right.

Well, at least Mother Nature's
on our side.

- Good morning, Mr. Drake.
- Can I help you?

I can manage.

Did you get the medallion?

I couldn't. I tried, believe me.

I phoned New York last night,

but they said it'd take
three or four days to get a copy.

Mr. Mason's gonna be
awfully disappointed.

How do you suppose I feel?
She's still my daughter.

I call Edward Bannister, please.

MAN:
Edward Bannister to the stand.

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you swear the testimony
you're about to give

would be the truth, the whole truth.

- I do.
- State your name.

- Edward Bannister.
- Be seated, please.

Were you in court the day your wife
testified, Mr. Bannister?

I was.

You must have heard the testimony
of the ballistics expert, Mr. Redfield.

I don't remember it.

I'll be happy to refresh your memory.

He testified that it was a bullet
from this gun that killed Stefan Riker.

Have you ever seen
this weapon before?

Well, Mr. Bannister?

It looks like a gun that I own
except that mine isn't chipped.

I assure you it is yours.

It was purchased from Acme Sporting
Goods Company three years ago.

It was charged
to the Bannister Farm's account.

Now, how long has it been since
you saw this weapon, Mr. Bannister?

Oh, it must have been
eight or nine months ago.

And where was it habitually kept?

In the tack room in the stables.

- Whereabouts in the tack room?
- In a desk.

Does your daughter know
where this weapon is kept?

Yes.

I see. Thank you very much, sir,
that's all. You may cross-examine.

MASON:
May I?

- Of course.
- Thank you.

Bannister,

how many employees do you have
at your ranch?

About 12.

Are they all permitted to use
the tack room?

No. Just the foreman.

What is your foreman's name?

Gary Marshall.

Well, does Mr. Marshall occasionally
use the desk in the tack room?

Yes. It was put there expressly
for his purpose.

Yet Mr. Marshall never informed you
the gun was missing?

No.

You present your wife with any gifts

on the occasion of your first
wedding anniversary?

I gave her a cheque for $5,000,
a mink coat and a gold medallion.

Would you describe the medallion
for us?

Well, it was 18-carat gold
about the size of a half-dollar

and it had the figure of a horse on it.

How did Mrs. Bannister customarily
wear this medallion?

On a thin, gold chain
around her neck.

Your Honour, aren't we getting
pretty far afield?

If the court please, Stefan Riker
had such a medallion in his hand

the night he was murdered.

That's a lie. You mustn't believe him.

We will have order.

Miss Bannister, this is a court of law.

You will refrain from such outbursts
in the future.

- But he has no right--
- If Your Honour please.

Mr. Mason is determined
to confuse the issues in this case.

There's absolutely no evidence
whatever that a gold medallion

was found in the deceased's hand.

There's no such evidence because
it was removed by an intruder.

If Mr. Mason has knowledge
of the scene of the crime,

we would be most happy for him
to take the stand

- and testify.
- Gentlemen.

This is a court of law.

You will conduct yourselves
accordingly.

I beg your pardon, Your Honour.

I also beg the court's pardon.

But if the court will allow me
to continue,

I can show such evidence.

- You may continue.
- Thank you, Your Honour.

Now, Mr. Bannister,

can you remember the last time you
saw your wife wearing the medallion?

Yes, it was the night of the horse show
in Beverly.

Do you recall the exact date?

March 27th.

Or two days before the murder
of Stefan Riker.

To the best of your knowledge,

does your wife still have possession
of that medallion?

I looked in her jewellery box
last night.

- Was it there?
- No.

Have you any idea where
it could have disappeared to?

Your Honour, I object.

Counsel is asking this witness
for the rankest form of hearsay.

I disagree with my
distinguished colleague.

It's not hearsay at all.
It is the best possible evidence.

Mr. Bannister is not venturing an
opinion. He is relating a positive fact.

He knows the medallion
was in the dead man's hand

- because he placed it there himself.
- What?

Do you realise what you're saying?

Perfectly.

You placed that medallion
in Riker's hand

in an effort to incriminate your wife.

Just as you deliberately dropped
that gun near the driveway.

That's ridiculous.

You thought that your wife
and Stefan Riker were having an affair

which began in Germany.

And it pleased your distorted sense
of irony to kill your rival

and frame your wife for his murder.
Only your daughter intervened.

That's nonsense.
I didn't even know where Riker lived.

You were never at Riker's home
at all?

Never.

But you were in court yesterday
when Lieutenant Tragg

introduced this ladder
and this plaster cast, were you not?

Are you trying to say
that I climbed that ladder?

Not at all.

As the court will remember,

this ladder does not exactly fit
those impressions.

The State maintains this was due
to the fact the ladder wobbled,

moved around a bit,
enlarging those holes.

Now, if the court will bear with me...

These are imprints made less than
one half an hour ago by Mr. Bannister.

These two holes
were made by his canes.

The court would like to examine?

- The court would.
- And so would the prosecution.

Now, you will notice
a slight indentation--

Mr. Mason, perhaps it would be better

if you stepped up here
behind the bench.

Thank you, Your Honour.

Now, you'll notice the slight
indentation here.

Now, the same indentation is present
in the State's exhibit

of the plastic cast supposedly made
by the ladder.

If Mr. Burger will be kind to show us

the ferrules on the bottom
of the ladder.

Now Your Honour will notice there
is nothing on either of these ferrules

- which would cause such a mark.
- Then what did cause it, Mr. Mason?

Mr. Bannister, may I see one
of your canes?

The other one.

Now Your Honour will observe that

the ferrule on the bottom of this cane
was apparently loose.

And so Mr. Bannister put a tack in it
to keep it from coming off.

What are you talking about?

I submit that on the night
of the murder,

you stood outside Stefan Riker's
window to see if he was alone

- before you went in and killed him.
- That's a lie.

- Hi.
- Burger just called.

Wanted to know if you were going
to defend Bannister

and when I said no,
he was very disappointed.

He also wanted to know
how you got on to Bannister?

What did you tell him?

I told him we never divulge
professional secrets.

- Good girl.
- But just for my own information,

what was it?

Well, in the first place, Bannister
had the best possible motive.

He thought Lisa was betraying him.

Then when Doris told me
about the medallion,

I just felt that it had to be Bannister.

It was all in character.

Can you imagine anyone tearing
that necklace off your neck

without your knowing it?

DELLA:
Then it must've been a frame.

And poor little Doris, by upsetting it,
put her neck in the noose.

That's the story.

Not quite.

What kind of a hold do you
suppose Riker had on Lisa?

I have no idea.

Well, they both came
from East Germany.

You think there could've been
a connection there?

Now, suppose when Lisa
came into this country, she got in by--

Della. I have as much curiosity
as the next person.

But if Doris was willing to go
to the gas chamber

to protect Lisa's secret,
I think just this once,

we ought not to pry.
What do you think?

Think you've got something there.

After all, every woman's entitled
to at least one secret.

What's yours?

You'll never know.

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