All language subtitles for perry.mason.316.The Case of the Wary Wildcatter

( slow, tense theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( mysterious theme playing )

( birds chirping )

( click )

( car horn honking )

( click )

( click )

( click )

( upbeat theme playing )

I've already paid you
$25,000 for these.

( laughing ):
No, Houston,

you've been paying me
for goodwill.

Now's your chance
to pay for them...

for keeps.

Twenty thousand dollars.

I haven't got that
kind of money.

Oh, I didn't expect you
to have it on hand.

Shall we say, uh,
tomorrow afternoon,

when the banks close.

I don't have it.

You've squeezed me dry
these last nine months, Byrd.

There's got to be an end
somewhere.

And this one
looks like a dead end.

( chuckles )

What's the district attorney's
old saying:

"Live a long time
and learn a lesson?"

You don't think I'd
leave myself so vulnerable,

do you, Houston?

You're a killer.

There's a set of duplicates
which will automatically

go to the district attorney's
office if I turn up dead.

So you were going to
double-cross me anyway.

Oh, no.

A successful blackmailer
likes to give his victims hope.

This 20 thousand
will be the end of it.

I'm leaving for
South America Friday.

I'll never come back.

Byrd, I'm not lying.

I haven't got
the money.

But I'll give you 20 percent
more in the Fair Chance,

my oil well.
( chuckles )

It's due in any day now.

It'll triple,
quadruple in value.

What percentage of that wildcat
has already been promised:

200, 300 percent.

Houston, I want
$20,000 in cash.

Or the district attorney
winds up with action pictures

of a murderer at work.

( mysterious theme playing )

HOUSTON:
Well, frankly, Madelyn, it hurts
to come to you like this,

but I know we're
good friends.

Oh, we're much more than
friends, aren't we, Charles?

Even though you haven't
been around lately.

Of course, darling.

But you haven't been
lonely, I hear.

Mmm, what do you hear?

About Lucky Sterling?

Strictly for laughs.

Nobody laughs at
Lucky Sterling.

He's a vicious man,
Madelyn.

Oh, is that what
kept you away?

Now how much money
do you need?

Twenty thousand
dollars.

( chuckles ):
Oh, Chuck, you can't mean it.

It's for new equipment
for the drilling operation.

Everything runs high,
Madelyn.

Oh, I'm sorry, darling,

but I've already bought
a piece of your oil well.

Coincidentally, you promised me
the certificates weeks ago.

Where are they?

Well, you know I haven't
been able to form

a corporation yet,
Madelyn.

As soon as I do,
I'll issue the stock.

You already have
10 percent coming.

This will make it
30 percent.

Well, I'm all tied up
financially, Chuck.

Why don't you ask
Lucky Sterling?

Would he be
interested?

He's interested in
all kinds of things.

Even some of the things
you're interested in.

Later, sweetheart.

( mysterious theme playing )

( light dinner music playing )

( people talking indistinctly )

You've got a lot
of nerve, Houston,

barging in here like this and
asking for a handout of $20,000.

Oh, it's
no handout, Lucky.

It's a legitimate
business loan.

Legitimate?

Is this supposed
to interest me?

You'll get it all back
in 60 days.

All right.

What is it? A dame?

Business.
For my drilling operation.

Well...

Been a long time sinking
that well, haven't you?

It takes time, Lucky.

Time and patience.

Ask my partner.

Floyd Gordon's been wildcatting
all his life.

Gordon swears
we've got

a great big gusher
on our hands.

I know.

He wants another $5,000
in chips.

Hm.

All right.
Thank you.

How do you know?

Last week I took I drive
out to the well,

I had a talk with
this Gordon.

What for, Lucky?

Friend of mine's got dough
in that enterprise,

and I don't like to see
a friend of mine

hung out on
a phony line to dry.
Uh.

But you did talk
to Gordon.

Yes, I talked to him.

That's why I'm willing to
take a flier with you, Charlie.

Just one thing, though.

What's your connection
with Madelyn?

Oh.

She's a friend.

An old friend.

That's fine.

Keep it on a friendship basis,
and that'll be just fine.

You see. I, uh...

I'm interested
in the lady myself...

and I wouldn't want anybody to
feel that they were

crowding anybody.

Do we agree, partner?

Partner?

This is for 50 percent, right?
Fifty percent?

I had in mind 20 percent.
Fifty.

All right.

Then we're partners
in everything.

Everything but Madelyn.

Right?

Right.

Joe...

Well, Charlie,
right on time.

You got it?

"For they who await
no gifts from chance

have conquered fate."

What?

An old nursery rhyme
my dear father taught me.

Well, it's all here.

I must say it's the most
profitable game hunting

I ever did.

And now it's finished.

Sure. You carried out
your part of the bargain.

Twenty thousand dollars.

I'm thinking of your part
of the bargain.

That I'm seeing
the last of you.

You are.

And that this is all of
the photos and negatives.

That's right. It is.

And when I burn them,
nothing is left.

Nothing.

BYRD:
You've got it all now, Charlie.

That's all there is.
There isn't any more.

( mysterious theme playing )

BYRD:
And I managed to save a copy
just for you, Miss Wallace.

When did you get into town?

This

I got a room at a hotel
and came right here.

May I have
the 10,000, please?

I haven't got it.

I don't understand.

When I phoned you
in Santa Rosa,

I told you that I wouldn't
give up the pictures

unless you gave me the money.

But I'm gonna try to get it.
Here in L.A.?

Well, it may take me
a little time.

Can you give me
until--

Until Friday.
The day after tomorrow.

But I can't get it
by then.

Oh, Mr. Byrd,
can't I appeal to you

to turn these pictures over
to the police?

It's bad enough
doing some of the things

I have to do for money.

Now, how do you expect me
to do it for nothing?

Please understand that if
you mention to anyone

that I can prove your sister
was killed by Charles Houston,

I'll destroy the evidence,

then deny it, and you'll
never get any proof.

I understand.

You're a stranger.

You have no friends,
no relatives here.

Where you planning
to get the 10,000?

From Charles Houston.

( mysterious theme playing )

That photo was taken a year ago
in Santa Rosa,

just after Charles Houston
married my sister, Evelyn.

Are you sure your, um,
brother-in-law

came to Los Angeles,
Miss Wallace?

Oh, yes, we corresponded after
he left Santa Rosa. After--

After my sister died.

Charles has
an office here.

She was killed just three months
after they were married.

Evelyn was out driving
by herself

when her car plunged
off a curve,

just outside of town.

Now, how soon after the accident

did your brother-in-law
leave Santa Rosa?

Almost immediately.

He said that he felt like
a stranger there without Evelyn.

Then he was a newcomer
to the community?

Yes, Evelyn married him just
a month after he came there.

Oh, he's quite charming.

Very persuasive.

What's his line of work?

Charles is
a promoter.

Oil mostly.

Evelyn and I invested $50,000
in an oil well

Go on, Miss Wallace.

Well, we bought 50 percent
of Charles' interest.

When the corporation was formed,

we were supposed to get
stock certificates.

And no corporation
was formed?

No.

Well, he-- He said something
about incorporating himself.

He insisted it had to be
that way

because of legal red tape.

Something to do with,
um...

Corporate
Securities Act.

He said he didn't want
his hand forced

on incorporating
before the well came in.

Did you have a contract?

A letter of intent?

No.

Charles was one of the family,
so we trusted him.

I think a visit to
the district attorney's office

would do some good,
Miss Wallace.

Oh-- No.

Ah...

Mr. Mason, I--

I have trouble at home.

I need money desperately.

I know that the right thing
is to-- To bring Charles

to some sort
of an accounting, but...

I want to get my money.
As much of it as I can get.

I take it you haven't
spoken to him?

No, I haven't been able
to reach him at his office.

I even wrote to Mr. Gordon,
his-- His field manager,

and got no answer.

Then I phoned Mr. Gordon
at the field,

and he said he didn't know
where Charles was.

All right, Miss Wallace.

We'll look into it for you.

We have your address.

Thank you so much,
Mr. Mason, Miss Street.

( door closes )

Fifty thousand dollars,
one of the family.

Oh, most people
think the stories

they read in newspapers

can never happen to them.

Della, see is Paul can step in.
Mm-hm.

( mysterious theme playing )

( metal clacking )

GORDON:
So at 3,000 we hit
a layer of gumbo.

Then five feet of sand
and water below that.

Then more gumbo.

And then a layer of
Miocene sand.

The richest core of oil sand
I ever dredged up.

I been in oil
all my life.

Brought in a few wells too.

Oh, nothing that would ever
put me on easy street.

But the Fair Chance,
I been waiting for it...

dreaming about it,
eating it, sleeping it.

It's my big one.

I can feel it...

in here.

You talk my language,
Gordon.

We're both hunch players.

Right, partner?

Partner?

Then he gave you the 5,000
we need for the rigging

and equipment?

No, that was
something else.

Yeah, but, what did
he mean "partner?"

Forget it, Floyd. That's
just his way of talking.

Charlie.

What's up?

What do you mean?

You've been getting
a lot of calls lately,

like you can't be
reached in L.A.

From whom?

Well, there was
a Miss Madelyn Terry.

A Miss Wallace.

Paula Wallace?
Yeah.

Isn't she
your sister-in-law?

Didn't she give you
the money

that started us
in business?

Yeah. Who else called?

Well, there was
a private detective

with the name of Paul Drake,

and a lawyer named Mason.

I gotta get back to town.

So, what do they
all want, Charlie?

You in financial trouble?

Don't worry about me.
Yeah, but I do worry about you.

We're partners
in this oil well.

I wouldn't like to think that
you were doing anything wrong.

Wrong?

Like what?

Well, like getting yourself
into a mess and--

( well rumbling )

She's blowing, Charlie.

She's blowing.

It's a blowout.

The shutoff valve
is on.

It's the valve!

Get the new valve!

MAN:
It's the valve!

Get a new valve!

Hurry up with that new valve!

Get those block
and tackles clear!

MAN:
See that those block
and tackles clear.

Soon as that valve's in place,
shut her off!

MAN:
Soon as that valve's
in place, shut her off!

Look at 'er go!
Look at 'er blow!

Look at that
big, beautiful sweetheart!

We're rich,
Charlie!

We're dirty,
filthy, oily rich!

Miss Wallace, If you own a piece
of that, I'd hold onto it.

I sure wouldn't
sell it out.

They don't call me Lucky
for nothing, partner.

( chuckles )

We've got to talk
to Charles.

Charles.
Mr. Houston.

( mysterious theme playing )

That's funny.

Almost seems as if the last
thing on earth he wanted

was for that gusher
to come in.

For a man whose rainbow had
just touched the pot of gold,

he was the sickest-looking guy
I have ever seen.

He drove right off.
Like a man with a mission.

He didn't even recognize
Miss Wallace

when she called to him.

Ah, yeah--

Oh, well,
will you please

have her call
Mr. Perry Mason

when she comes in.

Thank you.

Didn't you leave Miss Wallace
at at hotel, Paul?

Sure I did.

I'll need
her signature.

If that well is as rich
as Paul thinks,

she can be a very wealthy
young woman,

all things
being equal.

Della, I'd like her
here early.

I left a message
at her hotel, but...

I'll call her again
in the morning

before I come to work.

I can't imagine where
she could have gone.

She said she was gonna
stay in her room.

( buzzes )

Mr. Byrd?

Charles, are you here?
( door closes )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( gasps )

Hello?

Oh.

Charles.
( gasps )

Oh!

Let me out of here!

Why have you locked me in?

Let me--

Oh.

( siren wailing )

( voice breaking ):
Oh, it's horrible.
It's horrible!

He's dead up there.
He's dead?

There's a man.
He's dead up there.

Okay, lady. Let's go and see
who's dead up there.

Come on.
( gasps )

And-- And then the door was
slammed shut and locked,

and the-- The lights
went out--

They-- They just
went out,

and I was-- I was left alone in
the room with the dead man.

Locked, lady?

( mysterious theme playing )

Lights out, miss?

But they were out.

Well, part of your story's
right, anyway.

There's a dead body here.

You better call Homicide.

Why did you
kill him, miss?

( slow, dramatic theme playing )

After Mr. Drake
dropped me at my hotel,

I had dinner, and then
I went to my room.

Then I received the phone call
and I went to the Monterey Arms,

Room 303.

What time was that
phone call?

It was 10 minutes to 10.

And what time did you reach
Roger Byrd's room?

A little after 10.

All right,
tell me about the call.

Well, the man on the phone
said his name was Roger Byrd.

Now, that's what
I don't understand.

Lieutenant Tragg said that
Roger Byrd denied calling me.

Do you know this Roger Byrd?

No.

Then why would he call you?

Well, he said he was calling
for Charles Houston.

That Charles wanted to see me
in Mr. Byrd's hotel room.

Would you recognize this voice
if you heard it again?

I don't know.

While you were in
Roger Byrd's room,

did you touch anything?

Well, the phone and--

And the briefcase.

What briefcase?

It was Charles'.
It was on the desk.

What about the gun?

I-- I-- I don't
know, I--

I didn't really look.

Why did you want to
kill him, Miss Wallace?

I didn't kill him!

The police have
a pretty good case against you.

Do you have
any idea what

they'll figure
was your motive?

No.

Something in the past?

Something while your sister
was married to him?

No.

All right, Miss Wallace.

As far as the police,
the district attorney's office,

and the reporters are concerned,

just tell them the story
as you know it.

You have nothing
to hide.

Right, Miss Wallace?

Right, Mr. Mason.

Perry.

What's up, Paul?
Well, mostly bits and pieces.

One thing: The police
got the call

to go to the Monterey Arms
apartment at 9:52 last night.

Call from whom?

Somebody by the name
of anonymous.

What else?

Well, apparently,
the room had been

pretty thoroughly searched.

What about
the murder weapon?

Revolver, .32-caliber.
One shot fired.

Registered?
Uh-huh.

Registered to
Evelyn Wallace Houston,

Santa Rosa, California,
just one year ago.

That's Paula
Wallace's sister.

But you better check
into it, Paul.

For a relationship,
a courtship, accident.

Everything that happened
in Santa Rosa.

And, uh, check on this fellow,
Gordon, out at the oil well.

Oh, I've already
phoned him.

Better make it a visit.

Did you find out how Houston
got into Byrd's room?

Well, Homicide thinks
that the door was unlocked,

just the way it was found.

Oh.

I think there must be
a connection

between Byrd and Houston.

Well. Hello, Lieutenant.

Paul.
Lieutenant.

Perry.

Anything I can
do to help?

Why, yes, thank you,
Lieutenant.

You can help.
We--

( mysterious theme playing )

See, you can turn it,

and it'll stay
turned halfway.

Then you can't open it
from the other side.

Thank you,
sergeant. Tragg.

Not at all.
Go ahead, sergeant.

Uh, Mr. Byrd.

Um...

how well did you know
Charles Houston?

Oh. Fairly well.

Did you know him
in Santa Rosa?

Where?
Santa Rosa.

Oh, no, sir. I knew Charles
right here in L.A.

Do you know Paula Wallace?
No.

( chuckles )

And I didn't
telephone her either.

Well, why would someone
use your name?

I don't know.

Truthfully, Mr. Mason,
I don't think

she ever received
a telephone call.

I think she simply
followed Charles

right here
to the hotel room.

He must have had an appointment
with you then.

No, no. Not last night.

What was your relationship
with, um, Houston?

Well, I'm a stockholder
in the Fair Chance.

Or I will be when
the corporation is formed.

I had a personal contract
with Houston.

How much of Charles Houston
did you own?

Ten percent. Heh.

Only yesterday he asked me
if I wanted to buy some more,

and I refused.

I even tried to
sell what I had.

Was there...

anything stolen,
Mr. Byrd?

No.

Was there anything
in your possession

a thief might have
been after?

I can't think of
anything, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Mr. Byrd.

There was an original
investment of $50,000,

which was eaten up
pretty fast.

Land leases, equipment,
three cash withdrawals.

Cash withdrawals?
Yeah.

One about
eight months ago.

Uh...

January the 20th,
$10,000.

Another March the 6th,
7,500.

Another April the 15th,
7,500.

Drawn to whose order?
Cash.

Charlie Houston must have used
the money for something.

For what?
I don't know.

It had nothing
to do with me.

My deal with
Houston was

a fifty-fifty split
down the middle.

His job was to get up
the financing,

mine to produce the well.

Now, what he gave away
on his end,

well, it doesn't affect me.

It would if he gave away
more than he owned.

How?

By selling more than
100 percent of the oil well.

That would leave you on
the outside along with him.

What was Lucky Sterling
doing up here yesterday

when the well blew in?

Yeah.

Maybe that's what Sterling meant

when he called
Charlie "partner."

Did he say how much
of a partner?

No.

Well...Paula Wallace
owns 50 percent.

Now, don't
tell me you haven't

thought of this before,
Gordon.

I got my work to think about.

And don't tell me you
haven't been to an attorney

to find out where you stand.
You're not that naive.

Now, you mentioned
phone call

from a man named Byrd
and a Miss Terry.

Madelyn Terry.

It was pretty close to 7:00,
after the gusher,

when Charles--
Mr. Houston

--came in.

I-I'd never seen a man
with the spirit

gone out of him
like that.

He seemed empty.
Just...

drained out.

As though he'd lost
his last friend on earth.

What did he want
from you, Miss Terry?

Money.

Why would he have
needed money?

Yesterday afternoon he watched
that gusher come in.

Yeah. So he did.

So did you, Mr. Sterling.

That's right.

What were you doing out there?

I've got a stake going.

And why have you come to me?

I want to hire you.
What for?

I want my share
of that oil well.

I bought into that proposition
fair and square,

and that's just the way
I want to be treated.

I'm afraid I can't help you,
Mr. Sterling.

Why not?

Conflict of interests.

I see.

Well, then, Mr. Mason, I'll just
have to protect myself.

The bank told me that yesterday

my check was cashed
by Mr. Houston.

You've got a claim on this well,
well, so have I.

Twenty thousand
dollars' worth.

Come on, Madelyn.

Good day, counselor.

Twenty thousand dollars.

( mysterious theme playing )

And Charles Houston went to
Roger Byrd's room.

And that's the room where
a search was made.

( mysterious theme playing )

This was, uh, checked out
by Ballistics

as the murder weapon.

It was purchased in
Santa Rosa, California,

and is registered
to, uh, Evelyn Wallace Houston.

Lieutenant, would you now
tell this court please

who Evelyn Wallace Houston was.

She was the sister
of the defendant.

Thank you, lieutenant.
Cross-examine.

Lieutenant,
isn't it also true

that Evelyn Wallace Houston
was decedent's wife?

Yes, sir.

And that it is
possible that

he brought the gun
to Los Angeles?

Possible, yes.

How long had the Houstons
been married?

Well, a few months, I believe.

And then Mrs. Houston met with
a fatal accident in Santa Rosa.

I see.

Did the murder room bear
evidence of a search?

Yes, sir.

Was anything found
to be missing?

No.

Thank you, lieutenant.
That'll be all.

I call Mr. Floyd Gordon,
please.

Now, Mr. Gordon,
would you please tell us

what you know about
the defendant, Paula Wallace.

Well, nothing outside
of a phone call she made

asking for Houston
and that letter.

Uh, to what letter
are you referring, sir?

One that was found
among Houston's papers,

when they were brought out
from his office in town.

I see. I show you now
this letter,

and ask if you can
identify it for us.

Yes, sir. It's
addressed to me,

but it was sent to
Houston's office in town.

Thank you. If it
would please the court,

I should like
this letter entered

as an exhibit
for the people,

and I should like
one paragraph in the letter

read into the record.

Your Honor, I object to
any part of this letter

being introduced
in evidence.

On what basis, Mr. Mason?

On the basis that no proper
foundation has been laid.

Your Honor...

for purposes
of expediting

this preliminary hearing,

the prosecution felt that
a slightly more informal--

Not this informal.

Defense is not gonna
relinquish any of its rights.

This is a typewritten
letter.

The type on
any given typewriter

is as distinctive and
identifiable as handwriting.

I'd like both the type
and the signature

attested by experts.

Your Honor--

Defense is within
its rights, Mr. Burger.

Very well, Mr. Mason.
No further questions.

Your witness.

Now, Mr. Gordon...

have you recently
engaged an attorney?

Uh, yes.

Oh, didn't he tell you to count
on nothing but a fraction

of what you expected to
get out of the oil well?

Well, he said I was
in a better position

than some of the others.

And anyway, he said Houston
really held the title

in trust for all the people
he had defrauded.

That we'd all get something,
no matter how little.

Thank you, Mr. Gordon.
That will be all.

I got out of the elevator and
went down the hall to my room.

Just as I reached
the door...

I realized there was
somebody inside the room.

And what did you do then,
Mr. Byrd?

I put my key in the lock
and turned it

so that it couldn't be opened
from inside the room,

then I went to the payphone
and called the police.

And while you were phoning,
what did you do?

I kept my eye on my door.

What did you see?

Nothing. Nobody went in,
nobody came out.

Is there any other way
out of your room, Mr. Byrd?

Well, the window
and the fire escape.

And where does
the fire escape lead?

To the street.

And we've previously
heard testimony that,

in response to a phone call

to police headquarters
at 9:52,

prowl car officers were able
to intercept the defendant

in her flight
from that fire escape.

And that they subsequently
returned her to the third floor.

Is that correct?
Yes, sir.

Now, Mr. Byrd...
what time was it

when you locked
this someone in your room?

A little before 10:00.

And how you could you be certain
that this someone was there?

Well, I heard a shot.
You heard a shot?

BYRD:
Yes, sir. A revolver shot.
Right inside the door.

( man clears throat )

Thank you, Mr. Byrd.

Your witness.

What about that shot,
Miss Wallace?

No, Mr. Mason. It isn't
true. He's lying.

JUDGE:
Mr. Mason?

Do you wish to cross-examine
this witness?

I most certainly do,
Your Honor.

Now, you say you,
uh,

locked your door after
you heard the shot inside?

That's right.

Isn't it true that
you pulled a fuse

turning out
all of the lights?

Yes.

Where's the fuse box
located?

In the janitor's closet
at the end of the hall.

And you, um...

kept your eye on the door
all the while?

Yes.

Then you, uh,
made that anonymous

telephone call to the police?
Yes.

And you told them a murder
had been committed.

No.

I told them just what
I told you here.

That I'd heard
the shot.

But you didn't tell them
about locking the door.

Nope.
Or about turning off the lights.

Nope.
Or who you were.

No.
Why not? Why the secrecy?

I wanted to
keep out of it.

Keep out of what?

Whatever happened
in there.

Yet when the police came up
there with Miss Wallace,

the, um, door was unlocked,
the lights were turned on.

Now, how do you explain that?
I did it.

After I locked the door,
I listened,

and I heard the person
inside open the window

and go down
the fire escape.

Naturally, I was curious to see
what had happened inside.

But you already knew
what had happened.

When did you call Miss Wallace

and tell her to
come to the room.
I didn't--

That Mr. Houston
wanted to see her?

I didn't call her. When
could I have done that?

Earlier.

Fifteen minutes earlier,

when you either killed Houston
or found him dead in your room.

No, it's not true!
I didn't.

Mr. Byrd...

what is
your occupation?

I'm a freelance photographer.

Is it a lucrative
occupation?

I'm a man of
very simple tastes.

I have no one
to support but myself.

I have here a record of
your monetary transactions

at a bank one block away
from where you live.

What about it?

You made a deposit
in the amount of $10,000

on January 21st
of this year.

That's quite a deposit for
a freelance photographer

of simple tastes.

I think that's
my personal business.

Then on March 10th,
you deposited $7,500,

and on April 16th,
$7,500 more.

Are my figures and dates
correct, Mr. Byrd?

I guess so. I don't know.

All from photography,
Mr. Byrd?

By a strange coincidence,
the deceased, Charles Houston,

withdrew three identical amounts
from a Fair Chance account

the day before
each of your deposits.

Now, perhaps you were selling
your pictures to Mr. Houston.

What do you want with me?

On August fifth, the day
Charles Houston was murdered,

he cashed a check
for $20,000.

All right, on that same day
I deposited $20,000.

Blackmail, Mr. Byrd?

As you say, I was selling
something to Houston.

MASON:
The next morning--
the morning after the murder

--you withdrew $45,000 in cash
from your account, did you not?

I withdrew
my money, yes.

The someone who searched
your apartment,

was he looking for
that $45,000?

No.
No? What was he looking for?

It wasn't a he. It was a she.

It was Miss Wallace.

MASON:
How would Miss Wallace have
known about the money?

She wasn't looking
for the money.

She was looking for
my prints, my films.

The ones I blackmailed
Houston with.

Of Charles Houston
murdering her sister.

That's what
she wanted.

I told her about them.
I called her in Santa Rosa.

Told her to get up $10,000
if she wanted the evidence

to send her sister's murderer
to the gas chamber.

That's why she came here
in the first place.

That's why she wanted
her money back.

That's why she went to you,
Mr. Mason, in the first place.

But she couldn't get
her money back.

And she couldn't get
the prints without it.

So she killed him!

Because it was the only thing
left she could do!

( dramatic theme playing )

( sobbing )

( voice breaking):
Yes, I lied.

I-- I--

I didn't tell you
the truth in your office

because...

Roger Byrd threatened to
destroy the film

and deny what he told me.

That was after
the murder?

Yes. But then, you see it
would really seem as if

I had a reason to kill him.

I didn't want you
to think that.

Then Byrd was lying about
the shot?
Yes.

Why?

I don't know.

I don't know,
I don't know.

All right.

M--

I have one small errand to do
before court reconvenes.

And I'll see you then.

( mysterious theme playing )

Good afternoon, Miss Terry.

Why hello,
Mr. Mason.

May I join you?

Of course.

I really dropped by
to see Mr. Sterling.

Oh, he's in his office
on the phone.

I noticed you in court
this morning.

Yes.

I take it your interest
in the case

would be in connection
with Charles Houston.

Well, yes, I did
know him.

How well did you
know him, Miss Terry?

Well, Mr. Mason,
that's a personal matter.

Were you in love with him?

No!

Didn't you, um...

lend him money
at various times?

No!

Didn't you put up $10,000
for his oil well,

figuring that money
would be thrown away?

Mr. Mason,
I don't have to submit

to this kind
of inquisition.

You're prying into
my private affairs--

What have you
got to hide, baby?

Counselor's only trying
to get information.

Why not give him
the answers?

That's right, Miss Terry.

If you have nothing to hide,

your answers might be
very helpful to my client.

TERRY:
Why should I help her?

If she killed Charles,
let her pay for it!

Were you in love
with Houston, baby?

Oh.

After telling me
that he was just

an old chum
you felt sorry for.

What did happen after
he came to see you that night?

Didn't you give him
the money he wanted?

You mean before
you got there? No.

I mean after he left
and I left.

Did you meet him
somewhere?

TERRY:
I wish I had.

STERLING:
Where were you?
I couldn't reach you.

I came right here,
Mr. Lucky Sterling,

but you weren't around.

You didn't come around
till quite late.

Where were you?

Well...

put on quite a show
for you, counselor.

Where were you,
Mr. Sterling?

( chuckles ):
Oh.

Did you,
uh,

make a telephone call
to Miss Wallace?

No, counselor,
I did not.

Where were you, Miss Terry?

When?

At about 9:30 or quarter of 10.

That was just before I left
my apartment, Mr. Mason.

I was taking a bath.

No, no one can
corroborate it.

( chuckles )

I will see you later
this afternoon.

Oh, yeah.

( dramatic theme playing )

( dramatic theme playing )

You may be seated.

Mr. Mason...

recess was called while
you were cross-examining

Mr. Roger Byrd.

You may continue.

CLERK:
Mr. Roger Byrd, please,
take the stand.

Now, Mr. Byrd,
on the evening of the murder,

what time did you leave
your room for dinner?

About 7:30.

And what time
did you return?

I told you that already.

About 10:00.

Now, isn't it true
that after you had dined,

you stopped at
the National Travel Service?

Well, yes, I--

I did. I--

I was changing a reservation.

A flight reservation
to Rio De Janeiro?

Changed from the day
following the murder

to the eighth of September,
is that correct?

Yes, I, uh--

I thought of taking a vacation.

Just a simple vacation.

And you bought $55,000
worth of travel checks,

did you not?

Yes.

You withdrew $45,000
from your bank account,

and you added
$10,000 to i

Where did you get that
extra $10,000, Mr. Byrd?

Blackmail again?
No.

Did you get it from Houston?
No, no. He was--

He was already dead,
Mr. Byrd?

No. Uh--

I don't know!

Now, isn't it true that when
you called Miss Wallace

and told her that Houston
had her shares of stock,

that she could pick
them up in your room,

Houston was already dead?

No.

No, he wasn't dead?

No, I didn't call her.

Then isn't it true that
when you called the police

you knew that Houston was
lying dead in your room?

No.

Your Honor...

Mr. Mason is needlessly
browbeating this witness.

The district attorney's office
is already preparing

to indict Mr. Byrd

for his self-confessed
blackmail,

and to consider
possible charges

of perjury
against him.

But Roger Byrd
is not here on trial

for the murder
of Charles Houston,

and I object to
Mr. Mason's attempts

to prove him guilty of it.

Your point is well-taken,
Mr. Burger,

but I believe Mr. Mason's
questions are entirely pertinent

to the matter at hand.

I'm therefore going to
allow him to continue.

Objection overruled.

I'll repeat the question,
Mr. Byrd.

Didn't you know
that Houston was dead

before you called the police?
No.

Now, isn't it true
that Charles Houston,

facing ruin after
the well came in,

went to your room
to get back $20,000

he had given you earlier?
No.

No, he didn't?
No, I don't know!

No more questions.

If it please the court...

the prosecution is now prepared
to lay a proper foundation

for the reading of the letter
from the defendant

to Mr. Floyd Gordon.

I call Professor
Ralph Scobie.

Your Honor, in the interest
of expediting this examination,

the defense
withdraws its objection

to the reading of the letter.

Very well, Your Honor.

I call Mr. Floyd Gordon.

"...and I must have either
the shares or the money back.

"Charles Houston has ignored
my calls and letters,

"and now I turn to you
in desperation.

"I will stop at nothing to get
at least some part

"of what rightfully
belongs to me.

"Yours hopefully,

Paula Wallace."

Thank you very much, Mr. Gordon.

If it please the court,

I should like this letter
marked in evidence.

No objection.
BURGER:
Your witness.

Mr. Gordon, it must have been
a shock for you to discover

that your partner had sold
your participation

in the Fair Chance
along with his own.

Yes.

And what did he say when you
confronted him with it?

When did I
confront him, Mr. Mason?

On the night of the murder.
When?

On the night of the murder,
at about 9:30,

in Mr. Byrd's room.

Oh, no, I didn't.

If I wanted to see
Charlie Houston,

why would I go
to Mr. Byrd's room?

Let me put it this way,
Mr. Gordon.

Mr. Byrd mentioned
trying at one time

to sell his interest
in the oil well.

It was refused.

Weren't you the one he was
trying to sell it to?

Oh.

And didn't you go
to Mr. Byrd's room and...

try and buy that share

before he found out
the gusher had come in?

Uh...yes.

At about 9:30 on
the night of the murder?

Mm, yes.

MASON:
And didn't you see
Charles Houston

in Mr. Byrd's room

at that time?
What?

No, I didn't see
Charlie Houston.

But you did buy
the ten shares from Roger Byrd?

No. I didn't
see him either.

Didn't you give him
$10,000 in cash?

No.

That's all,
Mr. Gordon.

Your Honor,
since the evidence

now hinges on that
$10,000,

I would like to recall
Mr. Roger Byrd.

Mr. Burger?

Your Honor, the prosecution
would also like to know

where Mr. Byrd
got the extra $10,000.

No objection.

You may step down,
Mr. Gordon.

Mr. Byrd, will you
take the stand?

( crowd murmuring )

You're still under oath,
Mr. Byrd.

Now, Mr. Byrd...

you withdrew $45,000
from your bank account

the morning
after the murder,

and you bought $55,000
worth of travel checks,

did you not?

All right, yes.

And where did you get
that extra $10,000?

From Mr. Gordon?

No.

Are you trying to
shield someone, Mr. Byrd?

Is that the reason you lied
about hearing that shot

when Miss Wallace
was in the room?

No, I...

All right, I--
I did lie about that.

And it was you who called her
on the telephone

and induced her to come
to your room?

Yes.

And that was after
Charles Houston was murdered?

Yes.

Then you waited for
Miss Wallace to arrive...

and then you locked the door,

and then you called
the police.

And if the police
hadn't arrived

while Miss Wallace
was on the fire escape,

you would have testified

that you saw her enter
the room, would you not?

Yes.

Who were you trying to protect
by incriminating Miss Wallace?

No one.

There must have been someone.

And it must have been for
good and substantial reasons.

The $10,000,
Mr. Byrd?

Now, there's only one person
in this case,

or connected with it,

who would have ready access
to that kind of cash

at that time
of night.

Now, who was it you saw
coming out of your room

right after
you heard that shot?

Sterling. Lucky Sterling.

( dramatic theme playing )

Yeah, me.

Lucky Sterling.

I killed him.

Well, not because he made
a chump out of me

with that oil-share
deal.

This you gotta expect
if you mix

into the other
fella's rackets.

No...

this was...

crazy.

You spotted it, counselor.

I was jealous.

Me.

Jealous over
that kind of woman.

And Byrd went to the trouble
of implicating Paula

because he thought
he saw, in Sterling,

another source
of blackmail.

And the business
with the lights?

That was to confuse
and frighten Paula.

By the way, what's gonna
happen with the oil well?

Well, a receiver
has been appointed to...

clear up
the whole situation.

And so far, they've
found Houston sold

over 180 percent
of the well.

Which means that somebody's
gonna have to take a beating.

And everybody will
to some extent.

But an equitable arrangement
will be made.

Will, huh?
Uh, forgive my asking,

but what happened with
Charles Houston

after the gusher came in?

Well, the way I see it,

he realized disaster
had come in with the well.

All he wanted to do

was to gather as much money
as he could together

and disappear.

DELLA:
So he went to
Madelyn first.

Then to Byrd. And that's what
he was searching was for.

He hoped that Byrd
had the 20,000 in cash

hidden in the room.

Right. Something else, Paul?

Um...

what do you think of this
Gordon, Perry? A good man?

Oh, I think so.

Say, what's behind
all this?

Oh, I was just being careful.

I had a talk with Gordon
after court.

I was, uh, thinking of
doing a little investing.

Well, well.
( door opens )

Mr. Paul Drake,
oil baron.
( door closes )

You know, I'm thinking of
a large investment too, Della.

How about a big steak dinner?

( upbeat theme playing )

( noirish jazz theme playing )