Original subtitles

It's a lot of money. ─ Yes, it is.

But I'm prepared to risk that amount to prove my point.

If you had all the solitude in the world I don't believe you can do it.

And what is the lonesome-est spot on earth?

A summer resort in the winter.

I've got just the place and I dare you to go.

Alright. I'll take the dare. ─ Then it's a bet?

It's a bet. Five thousand bucks.

You're on. ─ Ha.

I've made a lot of easy money, Hal. But never five thousand dollars in 24 hours.

Yes, but you haven't made it yet, my lad.

There is still a ten thousand word story to be written between midnight tonight.

And midnight tomorrow.

Writing the story doesn't bother me. It's getting to this ..

Lonesome-est spot on earth.

Where is it?

Baldpate Inn. About six hours from New York.

It's closed for the winter.

And I can wire my caretaker to meet you and let you in.

Give me a key and I'll let myself in. ─ I haven't got one.

Elijah has the only key there is.

Who?

Elijah Quimby. He's the caretaker.

He'll just let you in and leave you to your solitude.

Great. I'll be glad to get out from New York. You know, I'm fed up with it.

Plowing around here in the snow, and ..

When do we leave?

You'll have to catch the 4:55 out of Grand Central.

Here is your call, Mr Magee. ─ Thank you.

Yes, Hewitt, I'm leaving town.

Pack my things. You know what I need.

And by the way, see if that portable typewriter is behind the bookcase.

Now, I win the bet ..

If my story is handed to your caretaker Quimby by midnight tomorrow night, huh?

Yes .. if.

Yes, Hewitt?

Alright, pack it.

And meet me at the Grand Central at 4:45.

Right.

Well I hope you write something worthy of yourself this time, Mack.

A dignified, thoughtful book. ─ Yeah, in 24 hours.

Well at least get away from that wild thrilling stuff of shots in the night ..

Chases after fortune and cupid shooting arrows all over the place and whatnot.

Well, I write books to make money.

Well, please I beg of you, do me one favor.

Don't have your hero and heroine fall in love at first sight.

You don't believe in love at first sight?

I most certainly do not.

Do you?

Me believe in love at first sight? Why, of course not. Don't be silly.

But it makes swell fiction.

Mary, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting, dear.

Why, hello Irene.

Oh hello, Hal.

How are you? ─ Splendid, thank you.

You know my fortune-teller told me I'd meet a rich, handsome bachelor today.

Oh, you don't have to look any further.

Let me present my friend, William Halliwell Magee.

Mrs Rhodes.

Oh, the William Halliwell Magee?

It's the same, in the flesh. ─ How exciting.

Mary. Mary, this is Mr Bentley - Miss Norton.

How do you do, Miss. ─ How do you do.

And may I present Mr Magee, who writes the books with the purple covers.

How do you, Miss Norton.

Oh, William Halliwell Magee?

Do you know, I read every book you ever wrote.

Have you really? ─ And loved every one of them.

You're wonderful.

I mean, that's wonderful.

Miss Norton is a writer too, Mr Magee.

Really?

Yes. I'm a newspaper woman.

Will you excuse me, Miss Norton? ─ Certainly.

I must send that telegram off to the caretaker, Mack.

I'll go with you, Harold. ─ Fine.

Sit down? ─ Thank you.

You .. live in New York, Miss Norton?

No. This is my vacation.

I'm just spending a week here at the club with Mrs Rhodes.

Then you will be around here for a whole week? ─ Yes.

Will you be here too?

You bet. I haven't a thing to do.

The newspaper game, huh? ─ Oh, just a little syndicate stuff.

Do you do your writing here, Mr Magee?

Oh yes, I love it up here. It's so helpful, plowing around in the snow.

Do you play golf?

Well not in the winter.

Of course not. Well, we'll play next summer.

Good.

I say young fellow, if you're going to catch that 4:55, you'd better shove off.

You know, I've got a lot of things I want to talk to you .. uh ..

Will you excuse me? ─ Certainly.

Hal, I've thought it over and I've decided to stay here.

What about our bet? You trying to back out?

The bet? Oh, I can win that next week.

No, you can't win it next week. It's tonight or never.

I know, but Miss Norton, I want to show her the sights of New York.

You know, Grant's Tomb, Brooklyn Bridge. Everything.

Yes. I'll show Miss Norton the sights.

You are going to be very busy for a couple of evenings.

Well.

Run along. I'm awfully glad to have met you.

I'll be back at the crack of dawn, Thursday.

How about a little dinner engagement Thursday night?

Or lunch? ─ Well ..

How about breakfast? ─ Breakfast is a date.

Yes, for breakfast.

Excuse us, Miss Norton. Come along, young fellow.

Well .. until Thursday?

Goodbye. ─ Goodbye.

Goodbye. ─ Goodbye.

My car is waiting for you outside.

Hasn't she the most wonderful eyes?

Huh?

Elijah.

What do you suppose anybody wants to be doing in a summer hotel ..

On the top of a mountain in the dead of winter?

How do I know?

This whole thing is very mysterious to me.

Of course it's mysterious.

Let me see that telegram.

"Make him comfortable. He has important work to do."

"Be back tomorrow night at midnight."

"To get his finished book."

"Ask no questions. Hal Bentley."

Hmm.

Sounds awful queer to me.

Well, whatever it is, it's none of our business. ─ No.

You'd better fix up a place for him to sleep, mother.

And light a fire up there. ─ Why, of course. Yes, yes.

Maybe the fellow has committed some crime or other?

I can't figure it out.

[ Door knocks ]

[ Door knocks ]

Mother .. mother!

Did you call me, Elijah? What's the matter?

I think it's him.

Who?

The telegram. I mean .. the man.

Well, let him in.

Just a minute. Just a minute.

What's the matter, young fellow? Are you cold?

Am I cold?

I feel pretty rocky, but I've got to laugh at that one.

You're Mr Magee, ain't you?

What's left of me is still Magee.

You were expecting me, of course? ─ Oh yes.

And my name is Quimby. ─ I thought so.

And my wife .. Mrs Quimby.

Delighted, Mrs Quimby. ─ Glad to meet you, Mr Magee.

An uncommon cold night tonight.

Yes.

Hmm.

So this is Baldpate, huh?

Well, well.

We was nearly scared to death getting a telegram in the middle of the night.

Sorry to have brought you out on a night like this but it couldn't be helped.

This is certainly John M Seclusion himself.

Ow!

What .. what happened?

Don't be alarmed Mrs Quimby. Mr Bentley has probably had the power turned on.

We understand you are going to write a book.

Try to .. and in 24 hours.

Up here .. all alone?

Yes. I find I concentrate better from midnight on.

I must have absolute solitude.

Well, perhaps you're right.

Mr Bentley said you would turn over the key to this place to me. ─ Yes.

The only key in existence I believe he said.

Yes, it's the only key I know of. ─ There ain't no other key.

I can swear to that. ─ Good. Then I won't be interrupted.

Hey! ─ Did you hear that?

Ghosts.

Why that thing has been out of commission all winter.

Let's get out of here, Eli. ─ It's alright, alright, Mrs Quimby.

Mr Bentley probably had the service renewed.

He wanted to find out if I've arrived .. excuse me.

Hello?

Oh, hello Hal.

Yeah. A few minutes ago.

I'm half frozen, thank you.

It's everything you said it was. The lonesome-est spot on earth.

Well, your opinion is going to cost you five thousand dollars, old man.

Oh, by the way, Hal.

I want you to give my very best to the charming Miss Norton.

Oh no, no.

Nothing like that.

Alright, fine.

You bet.

You understand that you are to be back at midnight tomorrow night?

Yes. To get the book you're going to write. ─ Uhuh.

Eleven-thirty.

Oh .. now you're quite sure I won't be disturbed?

The only other time I remember anybody coming here in the winter ..

Was when the Reformers got after a lot of crooked politicians.

And they broke in here in the middle of the night.

And hid a lot of graft money in the office safe.

The Reformers had money in that safe?

No, the politicians.

Reformers never have any money.

Splendid. Splendid.

What are you laughing at? ─ Nothing.

Crooked politicians .. hidden money.

Reformers.

Well, sounds like a best-seller.

Is there anything more we can do for you, Mr Magee?

Oh no, nothing at all. Oh yes, you have forgotten something.

The key. ─ Oh yes, the key.

Now you are absolutely certain this is the only key to Baldpate?

Yes, I am sure. ─ I can swear to it.

Good.

What are you going to do? Lock yourself in?

Exactly.

I should think you'd be afraid of ghosts.

Ghosts?

Yes, they've been seen here. ─ Nah ..

There is an old fellow up in the mountains here by the name of Peters.

He's a hermit.

A hermit? ─ Yes.

He's one of them fellows that's been disappointed in love.

His wife ran off with a traveling man.

All the summer, boaters buy picture postcards from him.

He's the fellow that's been frightening people.

By waving a lantern with a white sheet wrapped around it.

No-one ever proved it was him. ─ Well ..

Who else could it be?

There ain't no such thing as ghosts.

Is there, Mr Magee?

Ghosts and hermits.

Not bad at all.

Well come along, mother.

Well goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow night at 12 o'clock sharp.

I'll be here, on the minute.

I shall come to see if you're still alive.

Lord, I should think you'd be scared to death.

Goodnight. I don't envy your trip. ─ Goodnight.

Goodnight.

The only key, huh.

Good.

[ Banging noises ]

2875 West. Hurry it along, sister.

Hello. Is that you Andy? This is Brand.

Yes. Yes, Baldpate.

Oh it's terrible. Why, it's like Napoleon's tomb.

Say, I thought you told me Mayor Cargan was going to meet me here.

What?

Oh, I'm not going to wait here all night. Why, I'd go mad.

Now listen.

I'm going to hide the money here in the office safe.

And Mayor Cargan knows the combination.

Why, it's the safest place on earth to hide it.

How could they get in?

Why, there is only one key.

And I've got it.

Yes.

Alright. Goodbye.

Good evening.

Or perhaps I should say good morning. ─ And who are you?

I was about to ask you.

Did you follow me up the mountain? ─ I go here an hour ago.

How'd you get in? ─ The door.

You lie. There's only one key and it's here in my pocket.

My dear sir, until a few moments ago, I was laboring under the same impression.

But as long as your key fits the lock and my key fits the lock ..

There are evidently two keys to Baldpate instead of one. See?

You mean to tell me that's a key to Baldpate? ─ Yeah.

I heard you call your friend just now to say yours is the only key in existence.

Sort-of gave me a laugh.

You heard what I said on the telephone? ─ Every word.

You don't think you're going to live to tell it, do you?

Well I'm no tattle-tale.

I would like to have you answer me one question.

Where did you get your key to Baldpate? ─ None of your business.

Get me?

Yes. I got you.

Who gave you that key?

To tell the truth, it's none of your business. ─ What?

That's the answer you gave me, wasn't it?

Hey, you've got a good nerve talking to me like that with a gun in your face.

Well, guns don't bother me.

I've never experience the thing in real life before.

You know, I've written so much of this melodramatic stuff.

And it sort-of amuses me to find out that the so-called literary trash ..

Is the real thing after all.

You know, really old man, I've written you over and over again.

Hey .. I killed a man once for laughing at me.

Say, that's my line. I used that in Walt's Limousine.

400,000 copies. I bet you've read that, haven't you?

What are you doing here anyway?

To tell you the truth, I'm trying to win a bet by completing a novel in 24 hours.

Ah, you must think I'm an awful sap to fall for talk like that.

If you don't believe me, go up to the room.

You'll find a letter from the owner of this inn, proving I'm telling the truth.

I'll get it for you.

Come back here. ─ What's the matter?

I have been double-crossed before, young fellah.

If that letter is up there, I'll find it.

If you don't believe me, look for yourself.

Oh.

You know.

I meant to speak to you about that old man. Really.

I am terribly, terribly ticklish.

And I've never carried a gun in my life. ─ No?

But you've got one up in that room, huh?

If you don't believe me, take a look. ─ That's just what I'm going to do.

Only I think I'll let you lead the way.

Well, alright.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

You're a little bit too anxious. I'll go in there first.

Open this door! Open this door!

Open this door! Open this door I tell you!

I'll kill you when I get out of this room.

Hello.

Central? Get me Asquewan Police Headquarters.

Police Headquarters. Don't you understand?

Hello .. hello?

Hello!

What the deuce ..?

Somebody trying to get Police Headquarters?

Well, try and get them back.

And what do you want? ─ Oh!

Don't shoot .. don't. It's alright.

Why, what are you doing here?

I'll explain. I want to call my friend. ─ Wait a minute.

How did you get in that door?

I unlocked it with a key of course.

With a key, of course. With a key.

[ Female scream! ]

[ Female scream! ]

Lock the door! Lock the door! ─ What's wrong? What's happened?

A man! ─ A man?

What man? ─ With a revolver.

He jumped to the ground and ran down the mountainside.

Just a minute. ─ Is anything wrong?

Oh no, everything is alright.

Oh dear, why did you come here, Mary?

Don't get excited. Now, it's alright.

Well, the bird has flown.

But he forgot this.

What is it? ─ A cute little thing, isn't it.

Oh, put it away.

Will someone please explain ..

How anything as wonderful as you're being here could possibly happen to me?

Well I know how busy you are, so I'll explain in just a few words.

You see, I work for a newspaper syndicate and ..

Why do you stare at me so?

Do you believe in love at first sight?

What do you mean?

You know I've written about it a great many times.

But I never believed in it before.

It's really remarkable.

Are you going to explain your visit here?

Oh well, yes. To begin with you see, I ..

[ Telephone ]

Will you be good and answer that phone? ─ Certainly.

Hello .. what's that?

Well hold the phone. I'll see.

Did you want to speak to Police Headquarters?

Oh yeah.

Why .. no. Just say they must have made a mistake.

Hello? No. No such call from here.

Must be a mistake.

That's alright.

Thank you.

Now ..

Hello? Hello, Central?

This is Chief Kennedy. Police Headquarters.

You got me a wrong connection.

That call didn't come from Bowlby.

Now get busy and find out where it did come from.

Ha.

Something mysterious about that.

Hmm.

Then you did call Police Headquarters? ─ I did.

Perhaps you'll be good enough to answer me one question.

I'll answer you a hundred.

How did you get in here without this key?

Yours is the only key to Baldpate in existence, I suppose?

So I understand. ─ I see.

If it's news to you there's more keys to Baldpate than you find in a grand piano.

Then he lied.

Who lied?

Remember your promise, Mary.

Well?

I can't tell you his name, but he is the man who sent me here to get this story.

What .. what story? ─ Your five thousand dollar wager.

Remember your promise, Mary.

You've made a lot of promises, haven't you, Mary.

All I can say is that after the wager was made at the club this afternoon ..

A certain someone gave me what I believed to be the only key to Baldpate.

And I hurried here to let you in.

To get the story of your wager for my newspaper.

May I stay?

May you? Will you?

But please tell me where you got that key.

Remember your promise, Mary.

I wish you hadn't brought her with you. ─ What?

Oh. Excuse me, excuse me. No offense, Mrs Rhodes.

Of course I understand that Mary is a very promising young woman.

Why, I continually remind her of the fact.

Pardon me, it's just my little joke, you know.

Then we have your permission to stay? ─ I'd love to have you.

Of course you understand I have a lot of work to do in the next twenty-odd hours.

By the way, who was the man with the gun?

And why did he jump out of the window?

You might as well ask me why he placed a package of money in that safe.

And why he phoned the fact to someone who relayed the message to Mayor Cargan.

Mayor Cargan? ─ Yes, what's the matter?

Why Mrs Rhodes is to become Mrs Cargan next Sunday morning.

Oh, indeed?

Congratulations, Mrs Rhodes.

And apologize for any mistake I may have made.

Well, I assure you a more honest man than Jim Cargan never lived.

I sincerely trust you are right.

I hope your story proves a knockout.

Oh, thank you.

I wish.

Oh, what do you wish?

Nothing.

I am just thinking about a wedding. ─ A wedding?

Well, Mrs Rhodes and Mayor Cargan on Sunday morning.

Oh.

Well, goodnight.

Goodnight.

Mary. You know that's the sweetest name in the world.

Thank you.

I still wish you hadn't brought her with you.

So .. goodnight. ─ Goodnight.

You don't believe Jim Cargan guilty of any treachery, do you Mary?

I don't know.

I told you the Suburban bribe story we got last night.

Oh but I sincerely hope that the name of Cargan stays clean for both your sakes.

Oh, I know but ..

Money in that safe, he said.

Yes, I know.

And that dovetails with the Suburban bribe story.

Say, I came down here to do a special.

But I may get two sweeps with one broom.

Wouldn't that be wonderful?

Good heavens, Mary, look! ─ What is it?

[ Female screams! ]

What's wrong down there?

A ghost .. a ghost!

I bet you four dollars that's the fellow whose wife ran off with a traveling man.

[ Wheezing sounds ]

It has asthma.

I beg your pardon, but have you any idea how many keys there are to this flat?

What are these women doing here?

Well they happen to be .. ─ I don't like women.

It's alright ladies, it's alright. He's not a regular ghost. I know about him.

He's in the picture postcard business.

Just a moment now, Bosco.

Ladies, would you mind going upstairs in my room for a moment?

I want to tell him a little bedtime story.

[ Grunt ]

That's the second time you've grunted at me. Now don't do it again, you hear?

Oh, so you're the ghost of Baldpate, huh?

How did you people get in here?

You're not going to pull that "only key in existence" speech on me are you?

The others are imitations. Mine is the real key.

The old man gave it to me the day before he died.

What old man? ─ You know who I mean.

The father of that young scamp that wastes his time round New York clubs.

So you're not particularly fond of the present owner of Baldpate, huh?

I hate him and all his men friends.

You don't like women either?

I despise them.

How do little boys and girls strike you?

[ Grunt ]

You know, I understand your wife. Anyone preferred to you. Even a traveling man.

Don't mention my wife's name again or I'll break ..

Now, wait a minute. Don't you make any more swipes at me ..

Or I'll just take that white sheet away from you.

And put you right out of the ghost business.

Say, why don't you cut out this ghost stuff and be a regular hermit?

[ Grunt ]

[ Female screams! ]

What's happened? Is someone hurt?

A woman in white.

A woman in white.

They thought it was the ghost.

They thought it was the ghost ..

A woman. Get back, get back

Another key.

I just thought I'd give you a little more light so you can work faster.

Come on out here please.

I didn't think they did this sort of thing ..

Outside of melodrama and popular novels. But ..

You know you are the most attractive burglar I've ever seen.

That is, if you are a burglar.

Are you?

Are you one of the Cargan crowd?

Or do you represent the Reuton Railway people?

No, I'm just an ordinary man trying to win a bet.

Would you mind telling me who you are?

I will if you'll answer me one question.

Oh I'll answer that before you ask it. A friend of mine gave it to me.

I know you thought you had the only one is existence.

But he lied to you.

Oh, I have a cute little key of my own.

There are keys and keys, but I love my little key best of all. See?

Oh, I can't understand it all.

You haven't anything on me.

Listen.

My husband is president of the Reuton Railway Company.

He's agreed to pay a large amount of money for an important franchise.

Ah bribery, huh? ─ Oh, I'm afraid it is.

My husband is being cheated and Mayor Cargan is at the bottom of it all.

I don't know who you are, but you're a man, aren't you? ─ Yeah.

You will help me, won't you?

Well, what do you want me to do?

In that safe is a package containing two hundred thousand dollars.

Two hundred thousand dollars?

A Mr Brand was to bring it at midnight. Cargan was to follow and find it here.

Cargan is coming here? ─ So they planned it.

I must have that money out of there before he arrives.

You will help me, won't you?

Don't you understand. My husband is being cheated.

Tricked, robbed. Probably ruined.

But I don't know the combination. ─ There must be something we can do.

Please, please.

For the sake of my children, help me. Please.

Well ..

Who are these women? What are they doing here?

Oh, ladies. May I present Mrs .. ─ Please, please don't.

Will you pardon me for a moment?

Certainly.

Oh please. Please don't tell them who I am.

My husband would kill me if he learned I had been here on such an errand.

You may trust me.

I sympathize very deeply with you, madam.

And I'll get that money out of that safe.

My word of honor.

Ladies, I want you to meet an old schoolmate of mine. Miss Brown.

Miss Brown?

Now I have a lot of work to do, but I'll catch up.

I'll catch up provided there aren't 3 or 4 hundred more keys to the front door!

Ha ha. Ha ha.

And now, might I see you a moment alone?

Why, I'd be delighted.

You will pardon me.

Certainly.

Just go right along and make yourself at home.

Be good enough to show her the rooms, Mrs Rhodes.

Come right along, Miss Brown.

That woman lied.

She lied?

She claims to be the wife of Tom Hayden, the President of the Suburban Railway.

She lied I tell you.

I've known Mrs Hayden all my life.

I went to school with her daughters.

Somebody is playing a desperate game.

Yes, and it's costing me five thousand dollars. I can see that right now.

Oh but what do I care? I've met you.

Are you going to give the money to that woman?

Not if she lied.

Oh, but you believe me, don't you? ─ Believe you?

Listen little girl, when you came in the door tonight and I laid eyes on you ..

I knew that .. well ..

I can write those pretty speeches but I can't say them when I mean it.

There is just nothing I wouldn't do for you.

Try me. ─ Very well, I will.

You get me that money out of that safe before Cargan comes here to steal it.

If that money is proof of the deal, I'll wipe out the streetcar trust ..

And the Cargan crowd in tomorrow's edition of The Star.

Furthermore, I'll save Mrs Rhodes from marrying a thief.

Oh, you will do this for me won't you, please?

Please. ─ Yes.

What do you want me to do? ─ We must hurry.

Oh, can't you think of some way to open that safe?

Well, I .. ─ What was that?

Somebody is hiding in this room.

Goodnight, Miss Norton. ─ Goodnight.

Get away from that safe. Put up your hands!

Ah, it's you, is it?

Come out here.

Throw him in the cellar, Max. ─ Come on, hurry up. Get down there.

Cargan, I hate you.

Get out.

By gad, another minute and he'd have had it, sure.

Is it all there? ─ I don't know. I'll see.

So you seem surprised I should find the money here.

What do you mean, surprised?

I'm going to tell you something, Max. I didn't trust you.

What do you mean?

I thought you were going to double-cross me.

I thought you would beat me to this bankroll through that Thornhill woman.

Myra Thornhill? ─ Yes, Myra Thornhill.

Ah now, don't play dead.

I know every move you made.

I've had you watched.

I'd made up my mind to kill you, Max, if this money had been gone.

But it isn't gone, boss. You've got it.

I'm shot.

Oh not you're not.

Come on, toss that package of money over here.

Hurry up. I mean business.

Jim Cargan.

Max. Max, are you hurt? ─ No, I'm alright.

Myra Thornhill.

So you did try to double-cross me, you ..

One moment, one moment.

No, no, gentlemen. I must insist on orderly conduct.

Young man, be good enough to put that gun of yours on the desk.

Hurry now.

That's fine. Now just remove the gun from Mr Cargan's pocket.

I am sure he has one. Hurry please.

That's fine. Now, step away from the arsenal.

Mrs Rhodes, please ask the streetcar president's wife to go back in her room.

Then lock the door and remove the key.

Thank you.

Miss Norton, be good and take the guns and put them in the safe.

Then, turn the combination.

That's fine.

Now gentlemen, I must urge you to go up to the room on the balcony on the left.

Mrs Rhodes, be good enough to lock the door when the gentlemen are inside.

I shan't keep you here long, gentlemen.

I'll release you after I've transacted some vital business with the young lady.

Lively now, gentlemen. Lively.

That's it. Now to your left.

That's it.

Now, right in.

Now lock the door Mrs Rhodes, and bring me the key.

What do you think of my work? Some round-up, huh?

Great.

Ah, that's the ticket.

I'm awfully sorry about this for your sake, Mrs Rhodes.

It's best she should know. Isn't it, dear?

It's alright.

Now here is your graft money. We've got to work fast. Now what?

I've everything planned. Say, what's the time?

Well, it's one-thirty. You can't get a train out of her until five.

But I'll find a way. Say, are you going to stay here?

You bet I am. I'll hold this gang until you telephone me you're out of danger.

But your work?

Oh, I can write a novel any old time.

I can lose this bet and still be repaid a million times over.

I have met you. Hmm.

Well goodnight, Mrs Rhodes.

Goodnight.

Goodnight. ─ Goodnight.

An adventuress, crooked politicians.

Safe fraud, and love at first sight.

I wanted to get away from melodrama.

And still they come.

I beg your pardon, but who are you?

Why, I am Mayor Cargan's butler. ─ Mayor Cargan?

Yep. He's here.

Do you wish to see him? ─ Yeah.

Tell him Mr Hayden of the Reuton Suburban Road is calling.

I see. You're the President of that road, then?

I most certainly am, sir.

Your wife is here.

What?

Yes, she upstairs. Locked in that room.

Ha ha. Just a moment.

Just a minute, now. I'll tell the Mayor that the President has arrived, huh?

Are you a crazy man, sir?

Well, that's what the critics say.

You know, really I wouldn't argue the point with them tonight.

Won't you sit down, Mr Hayden. I'll tell the boys you're here.

Come on. Come on, boys.

Come on, the President is here.

Oops, watch your step now. Watch your step.

Go down boys, one at a time. Easy.

Now, I'll walk a little behind.

Hello, Hayden. ─ What's the meaning of this, Cargan?

I don't know. Ask him. ─ Who is he?

I don't know and I don't care.

We're nailed .. that's all I know.

No, you've got to come in from the back. Sit down and join the boys for a minute.

Oh, go on.

I'd very much like to know the reason for such strange actions, young man.

Your wife will be down in a while. She'll probably tell you all about it.

Confound it, sir. My wife is home .. in .. bed!

Yeah? That's what you think.

But you're not the first fellow that's been fooled, you know.

Hermy .. take this key and go up and unlock that door on the balcony.

Tell Mrs Hayden that her husband would like to see her down here right away.

Hurry along now, that's a good ghost.

Go on.

Go on.

Better make yourselves comfortable, boys. We're apt to have quite a wait.

Well, I'll be running along.

You better stick around Mr Hayden. I'd like to have your wife meet you.

I don't think she's ever had the pleasure.

[ Door knocks ]

Here is a novelty at last. A man without a key!

Grand. I've a key. I'll let him in.

No, no. Don't bother. I have a dandy little key of my own. I'll let him in.

What the devil sort of a man is this?

What's the matter, guvnor? ─ Don't know.

That's him. The man I told you about. The one who locked me in the room.

Hello, hello. You back again?

You get it alright? ─ No. He's got it. ─ What?

Hey, give me that money! ─ I killed a man once who hollered at me.

Ah.

Mr Hayden, while I think you're getting the best of it ..

This young lady claims to be your wife.

What?

You claim what?

Go on, holler your head off, Grandpa.

I love to hear an old guy squawk.

Say, what will you do with that money? ─ I haven't got the money.

What? ─ No, it's on its way to Reuton.

Where Miss Norton will see it is placed in the hands of the proper authorities.

At the Reuton Daily Star.

Daily Star? We're done ..

Uhuh.

Sit down there.

Sit down.

There.

You too, Hermy.

Go on, be a good ghost.

Oh go on.

You too, Mr Hayden. Sit down.

I don't care to sit down.

Go on now and be a nice little President, and sit ..

Confound it. Do you know I am President of the Reuton Suburban Railway Company?

I wouldn't care if you were President of the National League. Now, sit down.

Thanks.

We stay right here until that telephone rings ..

And Miss Norton tells me that she is safe and sound Reuton.

It may be three hours, it may be six.

So get comfortable and sit as easy as you can.

So you did try to double-cross me.

The chances are, I'd kill you for this.

Afraid I made a mistake to bring you here, guvnor.

You're always making mistakes your dumb, block-headed fool!

I'm sorry I got you into this, Myra.

Shut up you fathead.

I hope you're all sent to prison for life.

It's going to be a nice, pleasant little party. I can see that right now.

My dear .. it's cold.

Oh may I telephone, please? ─ Certainly, Miss.

Will you hold this for me, dear. ─ Sure.

Reuton 498.

Yes please.

Please hurry at Central. It's very important.

But they will answer.

It's the Daily Star newspaper office.

Hello? Hello, Mr Clive?

This is Mary Norton.

I've got a marvelous story for you.

And some important evidence to back it up.

It will be front-page stuff so hold everything until I get there.

No, I can't tell you over the phone.

But the evidence is in my purse and it's perfectly safe.

I'm leaving right away.

Two hours of this nonsense.

I refuse to sit here another minute.

Stick around Mr Hayden. We like to look at you.

That's it.

Well now, let's see. What can we talk about to keep things lively?

I have it.

Let's all tell how we got our keys to Baldpate.

No ..

No?

Big secrets, huh?

Bland, where did you get your key?

None of your business. Get me?

Perhaps the young lady would be good enough to tell us where she got her key?

I've no objection. ─ Myra, please!

He gave the key to me.

Where'd you get a key to Baldpate? ─ I swore never to tell.

I suppose he also gave you the combination to the safe?

He did. ─ Myra!

Ah, shut up you cry-baby! You got me into this mess.

I'll tell you the whole layout. I was to come here and make off with the package.

Cargan was to follow and find it gone.

And we were to meet tomorrow and divide the money.

You rat. I'll kill you for this. ─ Cargan!

You said you couldn't get in unless I unlocked the door for you.

I can explain that.

He was to meet you here tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock.

Am I right? ─ You're right.

The plan was for me to steal in here and take the money.

Then he was to keep his appointment with you tomorrow morning.

And appear just as surprised as you would have been ..

When you discover the safe empty and the money gone.

He was going to cross you and Hayden and everyone else connected with the bribe.

He tried to cross you, and you Max, tried to double-cross him.

Yeah. And if I hadn't been interrupted by our friend here ..

I'd have got the money and triple-crossed the whole outfit.

What?

Well, why not? Scruples are a joke when dealing with crooks.

Who is a crook? ─ No, no ..

Now, Mr Cargan.

I'm the schoolteacher here. Now be a good little Mayor and sit.

So you did try to cross me, huh?

Why shouldn't I? You've been around crossing everybody, ain't you?

You're a great big bluff, Cargan.

And you're never going to kill anybody. You haven't got the nerve.

But I have!

And the next bluff you make at me will be your last.

You didn't think you would get that franchise for $200,000, did you Hayden?

Why this man will have bled you for half a million before the bill went through.

And I dare him to call me a liar.

Is that true, Cargan?

Yes. That's what I was going to do. Rob you.

You're trying to rob the city, aren't you?

Why, you're as big a thief as I am.

Let me tell you this, Hayden.

If I go up for this, you'll go with me.

Rob you? Ha ..

You've got a lot of gall to yell about being robbed, you have.

I hope the prison catches fire and you're all burned to a crisp.

This woman who took the money. Who is she?

She's a newspaper reporter on the Daily Star.

The Daily Star.

The paper that's hounded me ever since I've been in office.

They've got me this time, sure.

Nah, nah.

Answer that phone, Miss Thornhill.

Hello? Yeah.

Baldpate Inn. Yeah.

Just a moment.

Someone wants to talk to you.

Get the name.

Who is this please?

Miss Norton.

Well, tell her to give you the message, then you repeat it to me as you get it.

He says he can't come to the phone and wants you to give me the message.

You are talking from the Commercial House.

You missed the package of money five minutes ago.

The money lost!

That settles it. There goes their evidence.

Tell him you're nearly crazy.

And should you notify the police?

Well, what shall I say?

Whoever heard of losing $200,000?

She's holding out.

You're a quick thinker, Miss Thornhill.

But I don't believe you got that message at all.

Come here, Hermy.

My name is not Hermy. My name is Peter.

Whatever it is, come here.

You don't like anybody in this room any better than I do.

Take this gun until I get that message.

Guard the door and you kill the first man or woman that makes a move.

You understand?

I'd like to kill them all.

But don't shoot unless you have to.

Hello?

Now Cargan, I've got you at last.

What happened? I mean, you really lost the money?

Now get up!

We'll show you, young fellow.

Put them both in the linen closet up there and lock the door.

What's the idea, Cargan?

Go on. I'm schoolteacher now. Do as you're told.

Miss Thornhill.

Get on that phone over there and tell that woman not to notify the Police.

Tell her she's to return here at once, and see what she says.

Hello?

Yeah.

The message is that you're not to notify the Police but return here at once.

Yeah.

Goodbye.

Alright?

As quick as she can get here, she said.

You harm a hair of that girl's head ..

And I'll get you if it's the last act of my life.

Yeah? I read that kind of talk in books.

Yeah, well I write books of that kind, but I'm talking real talk now.

Go on, get in there.

Come on, you too.

What are you going to do with the money if you find it on her, Cargan?

Keep it, of course.

Say Hermy, if I can get you out of this room.

Will you keep Miss Norton from coming back here?

But I tell you that's my money, Cargan.

Our agreement still holds.

You people will get the franchise. Don't worry.

Why, you've openly declared that you were going to rob me of the money.

That's because I was mad clean through.

Wasn't I being accused right and left?

I .. I didn't mean a word I said, Hayden.

I don't remember now what I did say.

But I haven't forgotten what you said to me, Mr Max.

I don't want you to forget it. I want you to remember it all your life.

You're nothing but a cheap coward, Cargan.

So, you tried to double-cross me, eh?

Why, certainly. Who are you?

Why you double-crossing snake, I'll choke the life out of you.

Hey, cut it out.

You can't pull that kind of stuff when I'm around.

Gentlemen, gentlemen. Please ..

Now madam, what do you mean by claiming to be my wife?

Listen old man, don't annoy me because I've got a nasty temper.

Go on now. Get away before I lose it.

Get away from that safe. What you doing there?

You needn't be afraid. I ain't going to do anything.

Only I ..

Max, have you gone crazy?

I couldn't help it. It was an accident.

I didn't mean it, I tell you.

Put out the lights.

You're a good shot, Max.

You got her alright. ─ I didn't mean it I tell you.

It was an accident. ─ I saw you take aim.

So did I.

Before heaven, I swear it was an accident.

Open this door!

Give me a hand. We'll move her upstairs.

I didn't mean it I tell you. I never did.

Why, I wouldn't harm a fly. ─ Keep quiet, you poor fool.

You'll keep out of this young fellow if you know what's good for you.

Who fired that pistol shot? ─ It was an accident.

I didn't mean to kill her. It was an accident. ─ Shut up!

So we have a murder case on our hands, huh?

Suicide.

That's it! She killed herself. She killed herself.

No, no. It was murder and murder in the first degree, and there's the murderer.

And I'm going to make you pay the penalty.

I'm afraid you're in the wrong, young fellow.

She's dead.

You killed her alright.

Better plead insanity, old man.

It's the only chance you've got.

A bad business, this carrying guns.

Who was the woman? Your wife?

No, no. You can't get away with it.

You forget that I have a witness in Peters the hermit.

Yeah, get him. Bring him down.

He's gone. ─ Gone? Gone where?

He must have found a way. He knows the place better than we do.

I saw you when you fired.

You shot to kill.

I tried my best to knock the gun out of your hand.

But I was too late.

A good thing I grabbed you before you got away.

But you shouldn't have choked her. That was the brutal part.

Why you ..

[ Door knocks ]

Open this door in the name of the law.

The Police. ─ Keep quiet.

I'll open it. ─ No, you don't.

Here, wait a minute.

I'll take that key.

I'll take that gun I saw you stick in your pocket, too.

What authority have you? ─ Close your trap.

Everything is alright, Chief. He's alright.

Turn on some light here.

Why .. hello Mr Mayor. What are you doing here?

I can explain all that.

I'm glad you got here, Chief.

Who are you?

I'll tell you at the proper time and place.

Better get on the job quick, Chief.

What are you trying to do? Run the Police Department

Thousands of dollars are involved and a crime has been committed besides.

I advise placing every man in this room under arrest immediately.

Don't be afraid. I've got men outside.

Nobody will get away.

Good old Max, eh?

Quite a crowd of celebrities.

What, Mr Hayden? ─ Hello.

Well, this is a real high-brow affair, ain't it.

Well come on. Somebody open up.

You got anything more to say young man?

I prefer to tell my story in the presence of witnesses.

Don't mind him, Chief. He's a madman.

Well, who was it that called up Police Headquarter two hours ago and then ..

Said it was a mistake? ─ I did.

How come it's a woman's voice on the wire then?

I don't intend to say another word until I'm under oath.

I charge these men with conspiracy and murder.

What is this, Cargan?

The poor devil has gone mad, I think.

He shot and killed a woman a few minutes ago ..

And he's accused every man here of the crime.

Murder, eh?

Who was the woman you shot? ─ Don't let them get away with this.

I can prove my innocence.

There is the real murderer. Right there.

The men who are accusing me are trying to save their own necks.

I can prove why I'm here tonight.

Ask them their reasons for being here.

He's been raving that way for the past ten minutes, Chief.

What's your reason for being here? ─ I came here to write a book.

You're right.

He's a lunatic alright.

Who was the woman who was killed? ─ Her name is Thornhill.

Where is she? ─ In one of those rooms up there.

Well, I'll just look the ground over before I send for the Coroner.

What room is she in? ─ I'll show you, Chief.

Take my tip young fellow and don't try and get away.

One of those Cops outside will blow your head off if you do.

Don't be afraid. I'm going to stay here and see to it that the other men do too.

They generally go out of their minds after they shoot.

I carried the body from that room ..

Through the secret passage to the cellar. ─ What?

I heard them accuse you of the crime.

They'll never find the secret passage.

And they'll never find the body.

What did you do that for, you darned fool.

Hey .. what are you guys trying to do?

String me?

You know what. I was born and brought up in New York City.

Even if I do live in Asquewan Falls.

He was there ten minutes ago, Chief. ─ I'm going insane.

Hey, what the devil is the meaning of all this?

If you people think you can make a joke out of me, you're mistaken.

No joke, Chief. I say there's been a murder committed here.

Then where is the victim? ─ In the cellar.

What?

Say .. what are you trying to do? Trap me in the cellar?

I say the victim is in the cellar, Chief.

You can judge for yourself whether I'm crazy or not.

[ Whistle ]

Search the cellar of this place and report to me here what you find.

Hurry up, now.

Now, if this ..

If this is a practical joke you'll all land in jail for it.

I ain't going to be made the laughing stock of Asquewan Falls.

I tell you that right now.

Miss Norton. ─ Hello. Who's this?

What's the Police doing here?

Who is this woman? ─ She's a thief.

She stole a package of money. ─ Whose money?

My money. ─ No, my money.

Where is the money? ─ The money's been lost.

What?

Hey, what are you people trying to do to me anyway?

Where did you lose the money? ─ Don't know.

Somewhere between here and Reuton.

I've searched every inch of the mountain from the bottom to the top.

Where is Mrs Rhodes? ─ I left her at the Commercial House.

How much money was it? ─ Two hundred thousand dollars.

Come on now, cut out this kidding stuff.

How much was it? ─ That's the exact amount, Chief.

Where'd you get the money? ─ I gave it to her.

Where'd you get it? ─ Cargan.

Where'd you get it, Cargan? ─ Took it from the safe.

How'd you open the safe? ─ I didn't. ─ Who did?

Peters, the hermit.

Who put the money in the safe? ─ Man on your right.

Where'd you get it? ─ I got it from Mr Hayden.

Is this true, Mr Hayden? ─ I refuse. I fear I incriminate myself.

Here. Hayden gave the money to Bland. Bland put the money in the safe.

Peters opened the safe. Cargan took the money from Peters.

This fellow took the money from Cargan and gave it to a newspaper reporter.

She loses the money on the mountain.

And somebody kills a woman ..

And the corpse got up and walked away.

And you expect me to believe this bunk, do you?

This is all we can find down there, Chief.

Oh for the love of Mike, get out and over there.

Come on, you fellows.

Question anybody who passes up or down the mountain.

You'll have to step up there, Miss.

Who is this woman this girl says she left at the Commercial House?

Mrs Rhodes. She's alright. ─ How do we know she's alright?

Maybe they're working together? ─ That's enough, Bland.

I'll call up the Commercial House and see if she's there.

Hello.

Give me 3.5. Central. Quick.

Well .. call me when you get it.

What's her name again? ─ Mrs Rhodes.

[ Female screams! ]

Someone killed her! There's a woman there in that room.

Oh, this is terrible.

What did you do? Bring her back to that room?

Isn't that what you told me to do?

Oh no, you blithering idiot.

I ..

Here .. what are you people trying to do to me?

Don't touch that phone!

[ Phone buzzing ]

Hello?

Yes. I called you.

This is Chief Kennedy talking.

Is there a woman there by the name of Rhodes?

How long ago?

She asked you to take care of a package until she got back?

Where have you got it?

In the safe?

Now listen, Charlie.

Call up to headquarters right away and get a man over there.

Give him that package.

And tell him to bring it up to Baldpate Inn as quick as he can. Understand?

Then send the Coroner up here.

Never mind now. Do as I tell you.

You take orders from me.

Now get busy and keep your mouth shut.

She left the hotel a quarter of an hour ago.

She put the package in the safe before she went.

How do you account for it?

She must have stolen the money from me.

[ Whistle ]

They got somebody.

What is it? ─ Chief, we got a woman.

Shoot her in.

Is there any trace of the money?

Are you going to have these women searched, Chief?

No. We'll wait until we see what's in the package she left at the Commercial House.

No you don't!

Nobody is going to get away from here until I get this thing all settled up.

And find out who killed that woman.

Killed a woman?

What does he mean?

You stole that money from me, didn't you?

I'll never trust another woman as long as I live.

Yes, I did steal the money.

But I did it for you, Jim Cargan.

I knew that package was the evidence that would convict you.

And you stand there ready to turn against me.

Very well. Now, I'll turn.

No, I ..

These men have vowed to cheat the city of Reuton.

And I demand their arrest on the charge of conspiracy.

It's a lie! ─ It's the truth, Chief.

What have you got to say to this, Cargan?

Nothing at all.

I'm through. ─ So am I.

I can't stand it any longer. I'm going mad.

I'll tell you the truth. I killed that woman upstairs.

I'll confess! I'll turn State's evidence. Anything, only ..

Don't let them kill me.

Don't let them kill me.

Ah, get up.

Can you ever forgive me?

I didn't understand. But I do now.

So, you came here to write a book, did you?

Well, that was my original idea.

Do you know I ..

I don't know yet whether you people are kidding me or not.

[ Whistle ]

They got somebody!

A package from the Commercial House, Chief.

Before I open this thing, I want to tell you something.

If this turns out to be a bunch of cigar coupons ..

I'm going to smash somebody, sure.

I don't intend to be strung.

Even if I am a small-town Cop.

Great Scott!

It's the real thing.

The $200,000 belongs to me. ─ No, it's mine.

No. That's my money. ─ No.

Give it to me .. ─ Give me!

Get away!

Don't tell me what to do.

I know my business.

Hello?

Give me 1.3. Central. Quick.

Hello. Hello, is that you Betty?

Now listen Betty, get this clear.

Get some bits together, get the children and get the 5 o'clock train to New York.

Never mind. Now, listen.

Then take the first and quickest train that goes to Montreal.

Montreal.

I'll be there waiting.

Now do as I tell you.

Why? We're going to live there.

Montreal.

I don't know.

Hey, how do you spell Montreal?

M, O, N ..

Listen.

Go to Canada. Any part of it. I'll find you.

Hey, what are you going to do? ─ You heard what I said. I go to Canada.

Canada? I hope you freeze to death.

You mean you'll steal the money?

Why shouldn't I steal from a gang of crooks like this?

I'm going to have one glorious time for the rest of my life.

And send my two boys to college.

Well, you can't get away with it.

Give me that money.

No, don't do it!

Now let me see you try to get it. Ha ha.

Watch the rotten stuff burn.

What have you done now? ─ Where is the money?

A fortune .. good Lord!

Hey!

I'll have my men in here and I'll shoot you down like a pack of hounds.

[ 2x gunshots! ]

They shot somebody!

Look .. look!

Oh no! No ..

A ghost .. a ghost. A real ghost!

Take it away! I didn't mean to kill her. Take it away.

Let me out of here. It's a graveyard.

A seventh key!

Who are you? ─ I am the owner of Baldpate Inn.

Two Policemen refused to allow me to pass, so I shot them both dead.

What? Why, this can't be true. It isn't true.

I'm a raving maniac.

Hello Mack, I've just arrived.

Who are all these people? Have they interrupted you in your work?

Great heavens, man. What kind of a place is this?

Nothing but crooks, murderers, Policemen. Dead people walking all over the place.

Hundreds of thousands of dollars and keys, keys, keys!

You win, I lose.

No, Mack.

I'm not going to hold you to your wager.

I just want you to know it isn't real.

For heaven's sakes what's it all about?

Well I just wanted to prove to you ..

How improbable the stories you write would seem, if they'd really happened.

Now, I arrived at Reuton tonight at 9 o'clock.

Went directly to The Empire Theater.

Told the manager of our bet and framed the whole plan.

Now I'd like you to meet the members of our local Scout Company.

Hi. ─ How are you?

Do you mean these people are all actors in a Scout Company?

Yes.

Well, I ..

Well ..

That certainly is a clever idea.

Come on, darling. Let's go.

Darling? ─ Yes.

You know him quite well, then?

Oh yes, Mr Bland and I are married.

Really?

And it was love at first sight.

Come along. It's getting late. Remember, rehearsal in the morning.

Yeah and a Matinée this afternoon.

Goodnight, Mr Magee.

Goodnight, Mrs Bland.

You must be awfully tired, sweetheart. ─ Oh no, darling.

No?

[ Door knocks ]

Come right in, folks.

You are right on time. ─ Well, did you finish your book?

I just made it.

Were you disturbed at all?

Nary a sound, Mrs Quimby.

An ideal spot to come, to be absolutely alone alright.

No ghosts?

Nary a ghost. Except the one that handed in the manuscript.

Some wild and woolly scenes were enacted in this room since you left last night.

Oh, what happened?

Oh, nothing really.

In my story, this hotel has been filled with the craziest people you ever saw.

I brought you some nice sandwiches and some hot tea.

Really? Awfully kind, Mrs Quimby.

But if I'm to catch the first train, I'll have to step on it.

I have a very important breakfast engagement.

[ Door knocks ]

What's that?

I don't know.

Hello Quimby.

Good morning, Mr Bentley. ─ This is Miss Norton.

How do you do?

How are you, Mack? ─ Well.

Hello Mrs Quimby. How are you? ─ Very well, thank you sir.

How have you been since yesterday? ─ Fine. Did you finish on time?

Just made it. ─ Oh, good.

But I wrote you both in the story. ─ Really?

Oh yes, you're my heroine. And a newspaperwoman, too.

You mean to say that you've completed a novel in 24 hours?

Just made it.

You asked me to write something worthy of myself. Read that one.

Well I never ..

Quimby .. I've decided to build a cellar under this place.

I'll show you where it's going to be.

Wait a bit. Isn't there a cellar under it now?

No, there never has been.

I slipped up on that one.

Oh, I wrote one in with ghosts and dead bodies.

Oh, everything.

And love at first sight i suppose, huh?

Come on, Elijah.

What did you call your story?

Seven keys to Baldpate.

What a strange title. ─ Uhuh.

It has a strange ending, too.

Why, how did it end?

Oh, I left the hero standing there.

Looking into the fireplaçe .. thinking.

Thinking? ─ Thinking.

Of the girl he loves.

I've been thinking about a breäkfast engägement that I have this morning.

But I've been thinking about it too.

I think we ought to do something about it, don't you? ─ Uhuh.

By the way.

You're not .. married?

Oh no, of course not.

And you're not engaged?

No.

Wouldn't you like to be?

Are you proposing to me?

Even if I did propose.

Would you .. accept?

I might.

Mary, dear.

I'm hungry .. aren't you?

Hmm .. hmm.

T-G

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