Original subtitles

It started the fire.

I'm convinced that this fire was deliberately set.

But by who, Mr. Holmes? By who?

Dilg escaped?

Escaped?

Miss Shelley--

One move, and I'll brain ya.

I'd appreciate the keys to your car.

You get out of here, Leopold Dilg.

I'm sorry, Miss Shelley, but it's very important.

I'm warning you!

Oh. Oh!

Dilg! Dilg!

Excuse me.

Dilg, what are you doing here? You broke out of jail.

In passing, it was necessary to hit me on the skull.

You fool, the whole police force

must be looking for you.

The whole country.

I would like to stay here.

You can't. I'm fixing this house up for rent.

It'll be occupied tomorrow.

Why did you escape?

Come on, you've got to get out of here.

Now come on, please.

Oh!

What's the matter?

My ankle.

Oh, my gosh!

How far do you expect to get with that?

And where are you going?

I would appreciate any suggestions, Miss Shelley.

Why didn't you think of that in the first place?

Miss Shelley...

do you believe I could burn down a factory?

You're crying.

One day you love the whole world,

and all of a sudden, every--

No!

Get upstairs, quick.

Quick. Now, look...

I want you to go in the attic.

And keep quiet, you understand?

Close that door behind you.

Get up there, quick.

Good evening.

I am Michael Lightcap.

Oh, uh, Michael Lightcap.

Oh! Oh, Professor Lightcap.

You weren't supposed to arrive till tomorrow.

Your secretary wrote--

My secretary is getting married.

Nothing deranges a woman's mind more than marriage.

My entire life has been in complete confusion

for the last two months.

You must be the person with whom we corresponded.

Yes, Nora Shelley.

How do you do, Miss Shelley? How do you do?

An excellent name.

Yes. Uh, it's raining, isn't it?

Definitely.

Uh, we're having an early summer.

Yes. Could we continue the conversation inside?

It's rather damp out here.

Oh, nothing is ready.

I-I thought that tomorrow about noon--

Really, I suggest a hotel.

Well, I planned to spend the night here,

so I'll spend the night here.

Oh, uh...

Standing under an open umbrella inside a house, bad luck.

Silly superstition, isn't it? Yes.

Still, in a new, strange house,

you never can tell what's liable

to turn up, so why take chances?

I've had that umbrella 11 years.

I'm so sorry.

There's a certain... nervous, impulsive quality

about you, Miss Shelley,

that I find in many of my students.

Disease of the age.

Yes, sir.

I'll get my bag.

Get up in the attic.

Didn't you hear? That's the new tenant!

You shouldn't have broken his umbrella.

Get up in the attic. Do you know who he is?

He's number-one legal genius in the state.

Dean of Commonwealth Law School.

He eats with the governor. He writes to the president.

Yeah, a very cold character, Mr. Lightcap.

He's back.

Now remember, keep quiet up here.

And later, out you go.

I wonder where.

Oh, darn.

Oh, hello.

Why did you lock the door?

Did I? Why, isn't that queer?

Miss Shelley, there seems to be a strange atmosphere

hanging over this house.

Soon as I get the curtains up, it'll be... all right.

Yes.

You're a very sarcastic man, aren't you?

I've just finished teaching for nine months

400 weary young men the rudiments of law, Miss Shelley.

I've had to drive all the way down here myself

because my man went to see

his ailing mother in West Virginia.

I've had a long, hard trip,

and I was looking forward to a cheerful, brightly lit house

a warm bed.

And I find myself, late on a rainy night,

in this shambles.

I must confess, Miss Shelley, I...

I've never seen such monumental inefficiency.

Well...

Why didn't you tell your blithering secretary

to get things right before she ran off and got herself married?

Is it my fault because you come barging in here

24 hours ahead of schedule?

If you'd come tomorrow like you were supposed to,

this house would have been efficiently whipped together.

Yes, and it would've been cheerful and bright.

Are you through?

Yes.

There's a certain justice in what you say.

However, the violence with which you say it--

Well, I'm sorry, but I--

I accept your apology. Please accept mine.

And now, may I ask...

is there a bedroom in the house fit to be slept in?

The master bedroom happens to be quite fit.

Thank you.

Oh, I'll show you where it is.

No, no, I can find it.

It's, uh, the second floor.

I assumed it wasn't the attic.

Good night, Miss Shelley, you may leave now.

Oh, I think I'd better stay and finish this job, if you don't mind.

I'd rather you leave everything as it is for the time being,

and go home.

Good night, Miss Shelley.

Uh, right in there. Good night.

Thank you. Good night.

I forgot my hat and coat.

Uh, Miss Shelley? Miss Shelley?

Would you please close the front

door noiselessly when you leave?

Thank you, good night.

Good night.

Hey, where are you?

I was going to break your neck.

Lucky you spoke.

Yes, it certainly was.

All right, Leopold, he's asleep now.

You used to live here, you and your mother, didn't you?

Yes. We live in town now and rent this place.

Come on, get up. You can make it if you go quietly.

My ankle is so swollen now,

I couldn't walk five yards with it.

Oh, why does everything happen to me?

What are you going to do? You can't stay here.

You're still the prettiest girl in Lochester.

Now, look.

This escape was insane. You haven't been convicted yet.

The best thing for you to do is to go on back.

Maybe they won't convict you.

The first day I saw the faces

of those 12 citizens on the jury,

I knew my goose was cooked.

They don't like me.

What do you suppose they think now

after this stupid jailbreak?

Why, that you're as guilty as sin.

It's possible I am. Don't you think?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Leopold, as far as I know, you're capable of anything,

even burning the factory.

You were the wildest kid that ever went to a Lochester school.

You wore pigtails then. I was in love with you.

Always collecting a bad reputation,

even after you grew up.

Speeches on street corners, petitions. Any kind of a squawk,

and Leopold Dilg's right in the middle of it.

Something like this was bound to happen.

What's wrong with you, anyway?

Well, it's a form of self-expression.

Some people write books, some people write music.

I make speeches on street corners.

This is no time for nonsense.

You're even prettier now.

Look, what about Yates? Does he know what you've done?

Yates?

Yates. Sam Yates, your lawyer.

Don't you know your own lawyer?

The state made me a present of a lawyer.

If anybody can help you, it's Sam Yates.

I'll call him,

and that's the end of the line as far as I'm concerned.

And whatever Yates decides,

he's got to get you out of this house by the crack of dawn.

That ankle had better be better.

Thank you, Miss Shelley.

See that you keep quiet up here.

Yes, Miss Shelley.

Miss Shelley.

Uh...

I thought you had gone.

Uh, I was hoping you'd be awake.

I must say, this is irregular.

Uh... I'm in trouble.

In trouble?

Yes, it's Mother.

And what has Mother to do with it?

Well, we live in a house over in town,

and we scrape on each other's nerves.

Sometimes the fights, the things we say to each other...

Today we-- We had one of our disagreements.

You have no idea how ugly.

The only thing that works is absence.

I thought that--

Well, I thought I'd stay here tonight.

You see, you weren't supposed to come until tomorrow.

I'm sorry, forgive me. I'll go now.

Miss Shelley.

If you wish, another room.

Oh...

Oh, thank you so much.

Oh, there are plenty of blankets.

Oh, thank you. Good night.

Good night.

Uh... I was wondering...

if I could borrow a pair of your pajamas.

Oh, thank you so much.

Don't mention it. Good night.

Good night.

Uh...

If you're worried about anything,

there's a lock just inside the door.

It works very simply, just...

Thank you. Good night.

Hello, is Mr. Yates there?

Do you know where I can find him? It's very important.

Nora Shelley.

You haven't any idea when he'll be back?

You haven't.

No, he won't be able to reach me.

I may call again later,

or very early in the morning, yes.

Goodbye. Thank you.

She must have adenoids.

Oh, my gosh.

Hey. Hey! Hm?

Get back in there.

Good morning, Miss Shelley.

A morning for the angels.

A morning for jailbirds to keep their heads in.

What have we for breakfast, Miss Shelley?

Oh, lovely, lovely.

Really lovely.

Beautifully lovely.

Good morning.

Morning.

Did you... sleep well?

Mm, fair, thank you.

That's good.

Your adenoids trouble you, don't they?

Hm?

Perhaps I shouldn't mention it,

but to tell you the truth, Miss Shelley,

I have never heard such magnificent snoring in my life.

Wha--?

Oh. Yes, isn't it awful?

You know, they're as big as your fist.

I'll be greatly obliged if you'll patch things up with your mother today.

Certainly. I'll go right home

just as soon as I get things straightened up.

Miss Shelley, I intend to be at work within the half-hour.

I will appreciate your getting dressed and leaving immediately,

without slamming the door.

But, Mr. Lightcap, your breakfast.

I'll have it ready in a jiffy.

If you don't mind, I'd prefer to--

Hello, is Mr. Yates there?

He's left the house?

Where to? Do you know?

Listen, this is Miss Shelley again.

Did you tell him I phoned last night? No.

No, thanks.

Mother.

Nora Shelley, what is this?

Now, quiet. Don't get alarmed.

What's going on here?

What do you mean by staying out all night?

Where did you get these things? Why didn't you phone me?

It's all very simple, dear.

Who owns that great, big car out there?

Professor Lightcap, the tenant. He arrived last night.

These are his pajamas.

Well!

Don't be a silly old woman,

and take that look off your face.

I stayed to finish the house.

It got very late, too late to phone you--

Hi, Nora.

Donald Forrester, what are you doing here?

Say, that's some getup, Nora.

What do you want, Donald?

Came to interview Lightcap for the Lochester Sentinel,

the fastest growing newspaper--

Don't be ridiculous. He's not even here yet.

Not expected for weeks.

I'd know his pajamas anywhere.

How'd he know that? Mother!

Hey, Henry. If we can get a shot of Miss Shelley in those--

Henry, you lift that camera, and I bust it.

Now go on, get out of here. I'll throw something--

It serves you right, Nora.

Now, you get dressed at once and come right--

Oh, a beard. I take it all back, baby.

And what, may I ask, is going on here?

Uh... Professor Lightcap, this is my mother.

Well, Professor Lightcap, I'm so glad.

I've heard of you, but I was afraid you were a younger man.

Professor, my name is Forrester, from the Lochester Sentinel.

I'd like an interview.

I'm sorry.

For instance, your opinion in the Dilg case would--

Listen to that, Nora. Dilg's escaped.

- No! - Yeah.

What would you say about a jailbreak

under circumstances like that, professor?

A clear admission of guilt, don't you think?

I have no thoughts on the matter.

I'm not acquainted with the case.

The burning of the Holmes factory--

Mr. Lightcap does not wish to be interviewed.

He wishes his breakfast.

And reasonable solitude.

Yes. Now, Mother, will you please? And will you please go?

Will you come right home? Yes, dear, I will.

Good morning. Where does it go, Miss Shelley?

Uh, right over there, please.

Excuse me, bud.

No, right over there, Eddie.

You, uh... weren't expected till noon, you know.

That is becoming quite... Quite evident.

Bless you.

Thank you.

You must have been caught in the rain last night.

I was. Your mother doesn't seem very frightening this morning.

Oh, she's very changeable.

Why should I be frightening this morning?

Now, Mother, Professor Lightcap

wants to do some work. Come on.

I wish you would get out of those pajamas.

Why, Sam Yates! Look at you.

Hello, Nora.

I'm hiding in the middle of a parade.

Why, Sam Yates.

Michael. I'll be doggoned.

How did you know

this is the one man in the world I wanted to see?

I didn't. I didn't know you knew him.

I went to school with him, that's all.

What did you call me about then?

I didn't call you. You didn't?

Holy smoke. Where did you get that outfit?

They gave me a message--

Somebody must be cuckoo.

Have you been fighting, Sam?

Why, I fight on the average of three times a day.

At school you had a tendency toward riots.

I thought you'd outgrow it.

I can't stand the way this town is going after

a fellow named Leopold Dilg.

Anybody who believes the swill Holmes passes out about him

has got to settle with me.

I take it, Sam, that you're Dilg's lawyer.

I am not his lawyer. That is, I am. The state appointed me.

But Dilg doesn't want me. He's innocent, he says,

and why does an innocent man need a lawyer?

Original thinker.

He certainly is.

He's the only honest man I've come across in this town

in 20 years.

Naturally, they want to hang him.

Sam, really.

He's been shouting for years

that Andrew Holmes is crooked as a dog's hind leg.

Mind you, he's just a worker

with gumption enough to fight the big political boss.

Getting quite a following too.

So, what happens?

He predicts the mills will burn down.

They do. One man is burned to death.

Here's Holmes' chance.

"It was Dilg," he says, "Go get him."

He starts lashing this burg into a frenzy.

He rigs this phony trial against him.

Dilg escapes because he knows he hasn't got a chance.

And the way this town feels now, if they catch up with him--

What did you expect me to do?

You, the most distinguished legal mind in the state,

your name at the head of a committee

to demand a fair trial for him, somewhere else in the state,

away from the prejudice of this town.

This Judge Grunstadt who's trying the case,

is nothing but a tool of Holmes and out to get Dilg.

He's said as much.

You're not buying the idea.

Sam, my business is with the principles of law.

I can't allow myself to get mixed up

in these little local affairs.

The philosophy behind the deed, that's my field.

May I quote that, Mr. Lightcap?

No!

Little squabbles, eh? Personality.

And now what?

Who lives here?

Professor Michael Lightcap.

You take the house, I'll take the grounds.

Where do you think you're going to take the grounds?

Have you got a search warrant?

Dilg escaped, if you don't know it.

We're searching every house on this side of the road.

Have you a warrant? Now, look, lady.

Look, we've been here all night.

There's nobody here but us.

Professor Lightcap came here for a quiet summer.

He wants to write a book. Listen--

No warrant, out!

That's from the Constitution, isn't it, Sam?

Well, not exactly in those words.

We guarantee, nobody's here but us.

That's too many. Now, will you please leave, all of you?

You're wasting my entire morning.

Yes, Mother, will you, please? Donald. Both of you.

Don't come home in those pajamas.

No, dear, I won't.

Here we are. Watch it, now. Here we come.

Now, will you please put that down? Just put it down there.

I've rented this house, and I don't want

a lot of policemen in it or truck-men--

Shippers, bud. Or shippers bud...

or reporters or mothers.

Bless you.

Now, don't come--

You be sure to take them off now and come home soon.

Well, so long, Michael.

I'm sorry, Sam.

You're still wearing it, I see.

It's becoming. You've grown into it.

And what's that?

It's the coffee boiling.

Well, take it off.

You do it, will you? I've got to speak to Mother.

Say, do you know who's up in that attic right now?

Leopold Dilg.

Who? Dilg.

In that attic? Yes.

Now? Yes, now.

He stumbled in here last night with a bad ankle,

five minutes before Lightcap arrived.

What's funny?

"Can't get involved in little local affairs," says Lightcap.

There's a little local affair right in his own house.

You've got to get him out of here.

Why? Why?!

Where could he be as safe

as in the home of a dean of a law school?

Are you kidding?

Nora, Dilg's life won't be worth a dime

if I turn him back to that jury now.

Lightcap can help us, but it'll take time.

That's nothing to me, one way or the other.

He can't stay up there.

Why not?

Are you insane? Who'd take care of him?

You. Me?

Miss Shelley.

Yes, just a minute.

I can't hang around here, even if I wanted to.

Lightcap's ordered me out 50 times since last night.

I'm here now only by the grace of being in his pajamas.

One minute I'm out of these, and I'm out on my ear.

- Then stay in 'em. - Miss Shelley?

Yes, I'm coming.

I'll keep in touch with you. Oh, Sam!

Miss Shelley, the coffeepot is about to explode.

Uh, I'm coming, Your Honor.

Uh... I'm coming.

Would you like some hot coffee?

Thank you.

Is that the way you like your eggs?

Thank you, yes.

Uh, by the way, Miss Shelley,

if you could arrange to get out of my pajamas,

I'd take it as a great personal favor.

Oh, certainly. Certainly.

Just as soon as I clear things up a bit.

Please leave things just as they are, will you?

I intend to start right away.

Uh...

Professor Lightcap,

what are you going to do about your lunch and dinner?

Yes, I thought of that.

Is there a good employment agency in the town?

Yes, there's Mrs. Hines. She's very good.

Will you leave me her telephone number, please?

You want a cook, naturally.

Mm-hm. And a stenographer.

Would you have any objections

to both functions being performed by the same person?

Very advantageous, you know.

You want it quiet, no extraneous people tramping about.

Do I understand that you are applying for this position?

Yes.

Miss Shelley,

judging by the last 12 hours,

how quiet do you think it could be in this house

with you in it?

Oh. Well, you mustn't judge by that.

Take right now for instance. Nice and peaceful, isn't it?

Mm-hm.

Excuse me, please.

Michael Lightcap?

Yes, indeed. Telegram for you, Professor Lightcap.

Professor Lightcap, for you.

Of course, if you get telegrams, it's not my fault.

Bad news?

No, it's from my man, Tilney.

Oh, is he arriving?

No, not for a few days.

You see, it happens to be my birthday,

and Tilney always remembers it.

Oh.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

Miss Shelley, do I look 40 years old?

Yes, you--

That is, in a way, you do.

Miss Shelley, will you let me

have Mrs. Hines' telephone number?

As I said, really, I represent the perfect solution.

Cook-secretary and secretary-cook.

$40 a week and board.

Miss Shelley, I dictate 150 words a minute.

Well, some people think more slowly than others.

And I have a very strict regime.

Breakfast at 8, eggs every other morning.

No eggs tomorrow.

Luncheon at 1, an hour for correspondence,

work from 3 to 6, dinner at 7.

Light meals, but carefully prepared.

Now, how could you find time for all of that?

But that's easy. I could cook while you're reading,

and things like that, you see?

I think someone a little more mature.

Oh, please, let me try. I'd love to work for you.

It would be a mental holiday for me.

You only need a cook for a week until your man arrives.

It'd be a shame to give the job to some woman

and have her miss out on a permanent position.

You see, it doesn't matter to me.

I'm a teacher in high school,

and this is just my summer vacation.

You agree with me there, don't you?

Well...

You'll never regret this move, really, I assure--

Uh...

Your clothes, Miss Shelley.

We got them here as quick as we could.

Uh... uh, uh, uh,

take them r-r-right upstairs, Eddie.

First door to the right.

Please. Yes, ma'am.

I'll be out of these pajamas in a jiffy.

You can start collecting your thoughts, professor.

When I come down, you can plunge right into work.

Uh, the, uh...

beginning is always a little difficult.

Uh, yes, sir.

Jot down this title:

The Relation of Literature to Legislation

in the 18th Century in England.

Yes, sir.

The effects--

There's no need to say "Yes, sir" to each line I dictate.

No, sir.

The effects of literature upon legislation...

is a study that has long claimed the interests of scientists--

Uh, social scientists in every country in the world.

Uh... the law...

is the sum of the experience of civilized man.

The sign...

The sign that man has emerged from the jungle.

Period.

The 18th century represented perhaps the high point

of man's intellectual development.

Reason, simple and pure

was the weight against which human problems

were held in balance.

Law became, for the first time,

the instrument of pure logic

with each man's rights and responsibilities

considered from the viewpoint of the possible and reasonable

rather than the--

Bless you.

Thank you.

Pay close attention, Miss Shelley. Did you get that?

"Each man's rights and responsibilities

considered from the viewpoint of the possible and reasonable

rather than the..."

Rather than the feudal conventions

of divine and everlasting rights.

It was the aim of the lawmakers and the law administrators

to build the law firmly on principles

which are above small emotions, greed

and the loose thinking of everyday life.

Impossible.

What is the law? It's a gun pointed at somebody's head.

It all depends upon which end of the gun you stand

whether the law is just or not.

Who is he?

Uh...

He's the gardener, Joseph.

Joseph, this is Professor Lightcap,

the new tenant.

Pleased to know you. Excuse me, I...

Still, what you say, your point of view about the law

is very interesting.

Thank you. Yeah.

It represents the ideal condition.

I don't approve of, but I like people

who think in terms of ideal conditions.

They are the dreamers, poets,

tragic figures in this world, but interesting.

Uh... how are the zinnias getting along, Joseph?

Dying.

You see, professor--

Joseph, if you don't mind, I must get on with my dictation.

And you might see if you can save the zinnias from dying.

Certainly.

Still, I don't know, professor.

It might do you good to talk to somebody like me.

I'm a practical man.

I have certain very practical relations with the law.

Uh, the zinnias, Joseph.

Miss Shelley, I think we might as well take our work inside.

It's getting rather chill--

Bless you.

If you'll excuse us, Joseph.

And now, what's that?

What are you trying to do?

When I hear a man talk nonsense, I always get an impulse.

You get upstairs.

With this ankle, it's too late.

Then hide somewhere, quick. Get in there.

See who it is, will you?

Oh, I'm looking for a Professor Michael Lightcap.

I was told he arrived here yesterday.

Yes, indeed. Come right in.

Well, well, Senator Boyd.

Professor, how are you? I'm glad to see you.

This is quite a surprise. Sit down.

Oh, no, thanks,

I'll only be with you a minute.

I... have a bit of news for you.

Oh?

Rather important.

Excuse me.

Oh, Miss Shelley, this is Senator Boyd.

Senator, my secretary.

And cook. And cook?

How do you do, senator?

How do you do?

Excuse me.

Now, sit down.

I tracked you down because the news I have for you

couldn't be entrusted to the mails or the telegraph wire.

And by the way, professor, what party do you belong to?

Oh, no party. I just vote whichever way I see fit.

An independent voter. Uh-huh.

The backbone of the country.

Senator Boyd, please,

won't you tell me what...?

Well, Lightcap...

I came here to say that the president

would be pleased to appoint you

to the bench of the Supreme Court in September.

Well? Would you be willing to accept?

I'd be willing to accept.

Wonderful. Perfect.

Congratulations.

In six weeks, your name will be submitted to the Senate.

Yes.

The Senate will investigate, naturally,

but I don't think we have to fear that.

But I'd be careful.

I'd keep the name out of the papers,

in any connection, if I were you.

I've been keeping my name out of the papers

for nearly 20 years.

Of course. Well, I've got to start back now.

You must have something before you leave. Miss Shelley.

Oh, no, thanks, really.

Goodbye, Michael. Congratulations.

Thank you.

You'll hear from me.

Goodbye.

Oh, Miss Shelley, yes.

Where were we?

Oh, yes, bring your book.

You're not going back to work now.

Hm?

Bring your book.

But you've done a good morning's work.

Besides, this is your birthday.

And really, professor, you've got a honey of a cold.

I feel personally responsible for it.

I'm going to start taking care of you.

I'm going to put you to bed

and feed you hot, nourishing broths and hot lemonade.

Hot lemonade? Yes.

Now, now, don't be silly. Bring your book.

Oh, there's something to what Miss Shelley says, professor.

You ought to take good care of your health.

Supreme Court. What do you know?

This stuff he reads is remarkably dead.

You eating again?

That prison food was terrible.

Nora, Supreme Court appointment or no appointment,

we're dragging him into this.

Yeah, we certainly must.

Oh, we must, must we?

Look at him, Sam.

Calm and relaxed like he was cruising on his yacht.

All he did was go out and get his neck in a noose,

and now he sits there and says, "We certainly must."

How do you suggest we start, Leopold?

Hm?

Well, what have we here?

An intelligent man, but cold.

No blood in his thinking.

So we must start to thaw him out.

Oh, we thaw him.

Can't let a man like that

take a seat on the highest court in our land.

Bad for the country.

Oh, I see.

All of a sudden what he's concerned about is our country.

Our country first, yes.

Then my neck next.

Leopold, that's all very beautiful and commendable,

but this thawing-out process, we haven't got months, you know.

Oh, plenty of time. I like to break out in a cold sweat

every time the doorbell rings.

How do you propose we thaw him, Leopold, with a blowtorch?

Well, we have to give that some thought.

We have a good start.

The prettiest woman in Lochester.

Miss Shelley.

Miss Shelley.

Miss Shelley, I'm feeling a little tired.

I think I'll get some sleep.

Oh, that's wonderful.

That's just what you need, plenty of rest.

Yes, it's been quite a day.

This is for you, for being such a good patient.

Thank you, Miss Shelley.

The professor's custard.

Oh, not now, Joseph. Thank you.

Not at all. I was on my way to bed anyway.

Feeling better, professor?

Much better, thanks.

You know, I'm really very grateful to you both.

Oh, say nothing of it.

Your cold will thaw.

Everything thaws.

Good night, Joseph.

Oh, and I hope your ankle is better.

Thank you.

Good night, Miss Shelley.

Good night.

Ah, professor, good morning.

Good morning.

Well, what's wrong? Well...

Oh, excuse me, professor.

I didn't think you'd be down this morning.

No, that's quite all right. Stay as you are.

No, the gardener shouldn't be eating in here.

Nonsense. Sit down, I insist.

Good morning, Miss Shelley.

Are you sure you should have gotten up, professor?

Oh, yes, I'm quite well.

Perfectly normal. Oh, that's good.

Is there a morning paper?

Uh, I'll see.

No, it hasn't come yet.

Wonderful cook, professor. We're in clover.

I'll take this out of your way.

Well, Joseph, this is very nice and companionable.

You know, there's a touch of the philosopher about you

that I like.

And you interest me enormously, professor.

Good. Good.

Ah.

Sit down, Miss Shelley, and have some breakfast.

Yes, I just must get the coffee.

Wonderful.

Ever had borscht, professor?

What's that?

Beet soup with sour cream. It's a Polish dish.

Yeah. With an egg beaten in it.

Don't let anybody give it to you without an egg in it.

We must have some, Miss Shelley.

Yes, of course.

As soon as I finish my course in American cooking, I'll...

Or you can buy it at Mrs. Pulaski's Polish dairy,

near the factory.

Pulaski's. By all means, let's get some.

Well, here we are, professor.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no!

This is not your egg morning.

Well, you...

You certainly think of everything, Miss Shelley.

Boy, that's too bad about your paper, professor.

Still, if you read yesterday's paper, why read today's?

Just some more about that terrible man Dilg.

Dilg?

Oh, the fugitive from justice.

Or a miscarriage of justice.

Your opinion too?

Might be yours too, professor, if you knew Andrew Holmes.

He makes the laws.

He puts a fellow like Judge Grunstadt on the bench.

Grunstadt takes orders.

Well, the voters may exercise their right of the ballot

and remove him.

No, this corruption is so thick,

even the ballot can't touch it.

That's the way every decent person around here

feels about it.

If feelings had any influence on the law,

half the country would be in jail.

Facts, Miss Shelley, facts.

My dear professor,

people wind facts around each other like pretzels. Please.

Facts alone, that's a nut without a kernel.

Where's the soul? Where's the instinct?

Where's the warm human side? Thanks.

All right, Joseph. You conduct the law your way,

on random sentimentality,

and you will have violence and disorder.

Mm-hm. And your way,

you have a Greek statue: beautiful, but dead.

All right, two schools of thought.

I see your point of view, theoretically.

In fact, I respect it.

I wish I could respect yours, professor.

Uh...

J-Joseph puts it a little strongly, professor.

He does respect you, of course,

but as you can see, he's for the practical side,

the everyday, garden-variety type of human experience.

Yes, and makes the law up as he goes along.

Out of common sense, yes.

In fact, professor, the way I see it,

you don't live in this country, you just take up room in it.

Now, Joseph!

That's quite all right.

Discussion amongst friends.

Of course. Delightful.

All you know about the American scene

is what you read in newspapers and magazines.

Somebody else's impressions hashed up for lazy people.

If you don't feel it yourself, you've learned nothing.

Just like having somebody tell you about his operation.

Miss Shelley, I appear to be a total loss.

That'll do, Joseph, for this morning.

Professor...

I challenge you to make an experiment.

Spend half a day with your books

and the other half finding out what people do.

By the way, with these indoor habits of yours,

you've got the complexion of a gravel pit.

You know, Joseph, you're no oil painting yourself.

No, a mummy would be closer. They wore beards too.

Well, Joseph, what would you suggest?

Well, there's a baseball game today.

Baseball? Hm, baseball.

Joseph, are you crazy?

Baseball? Lightcap?

If I know the habits of our leading Lochester citizens,

Professor Lightcap is about to have

a very enlightening experience.

Pass the beans.

Peanuts, peanuts.

Come on, Dockwoilor. Pickle it!

Hi, judge. Hi.

Hello, judge.

Get your fresh-roasted Georgia goobers, 10 cents a bag.

- Hello, Your Honor. - How do you do, sir?

Hello, judge. Hello.

Hello, Miss Shelley. Hello, judge.

Anything happen?

Connolly speared a line drive over third

in the first inning, a beaut.

Oh, Professor Lightcap, this is Judge Grunstadt.

Lightcap. Why, of course. How do you do, sir?

How do you--?

Well, this is a great honor.

Thank you. Did you say Judge, um...?

Uh-huh. Grunstadt.

Doubt whether you ever heard of me, but your work...

I've read it in the Law Review every year.

Admired it deeply. Who hasn't?

It's profound. Yes, austere. Absolutely austere.

Hey, sit down, you're not made out of glass.

Yes, indeed. Oh, how I envy you, sir.

You work in the quiet of your library,

and the world does not interrupt.

Ball one!

You blind?! That was right across the plate!

But me, I labor in the vineyard.

You've heard of the Dilg case, I take it?

Yes, yes.

There's luck for you.

First case I've had in 10 years

that drew any outside attention.

Slide, you idiot, slide!

And right in the middle of the trial,

the swine skips out like a butterfly.

And I was preparing a brilliant opinion on the case.

Before the trail was finished?

They hadn't brought all the evidence in, had they?

Uh, no, but he was as guilty as Judas.

How do you know he was?

The clearest thing in the world.

The town malcontent.

Holy terror, even as a boy.

Throw it, throw it, you blockhead!

Would you consider it ethical

to judge a man before all the evidence is in?

My dear fellow, he broke jail.

That rather proves it, doesn't it?

Why, even a library philosopher like you, professor,

would have to admit that.

Miss Shelley, I think we've had enough baseball for today.

All right.

You're not going.

Oh, I have to. I have work to do.

That's too bad.

Great thing, this baseball.

Gets the legal cobwebs out of the brain.

Oh, uh, I have this box.

Any time you'd like to see a game--

Thank you.

Sit down, will ya?

Yes, you play very well. Where did you learn?

My father. He was the kind of man who resented work.

It interfered with chess, and argument.

Yes, you...

You're a man of many parts.

I look forward to a very pleasant summer.

Thank you, professor. Your king is still in check.

Yes, now, let's see.

Thanks for lending me these slippers, professor.

Certainly been a relief.

Well, that's good. I'm glad.

Cozy here, isn't it, Miss Shelley?

I'm so glad you're comfortable, Joseph.

Did you actually hear what that fool Grunstadt said?

Yes, wasn't it remarkable?

Joseph, what do you think?

Judge Grunstadt was sitting in the box right next to us

at the game today.

Oh. Hm, I hear he's a very charming man.

He's an idiot.

Writing an opinion of a case before hearing all the evidence.

Ah. Preposterous fake.

That's serious. Your rules don't allow that.

Naturally not.

Hm. And what do you do about it?

I? You or anybody.

Oh, there's--

There's nothing to do.

Well, I can't intrude on the-- On the business

of the superior court of the county.

So you just turn your face.

Joseph, you don't understand.

I understand this much:

You laugh at my kind of law and wink at the other.

What kind do you practice?

I refuse to be dragged into any further discussion

of the philosophy of law.

Well, then let's not.

Joseph, I'm sorry.

It isn't that I have no respect for your intelligence,

which, I may say, I find extremely lively.

But you're taking a vacation from law, though.

Exactly.

But I was a little sharp, I'm afraid.

Don't mention it.

Now, let's see. My king is in check.

As a matter of fact, Joseph, I may add that I'm very grateful

for your presence in the house.

And you're a big treat to me, professor.

Thank you, Joseph.

They've picked up Dilg's scent.

They'll let us know when they get him cornered.

They never miss.

Well, anyway, you wouldn't believe it, Sam,

the way those two like each other.

Maybe the thaw is actually setting in.

Maybe.

That professor, he's got a mind like a steel trap.

And sometimes he seems like such a little boy,

I feel like going over and kissing him.

Not a bad idea.

Never do that.

What are you doing out?

An active man has to stretch his legs.

Naturally you feel like kissing him.

He's a wonderful man.

I only meant that I--

Of course.

And the way he looks at you, too, Miss Shelley.

Well, when a thaw sets in, anything can happen.

Leopold, will you stop acting like a fool?

The woods are full of police.

His man Tilney may arrive any minute.

Oh, there's plenty of time.

Leopold, Holmes is whipping up such hysteria,

in a few days they'll go over this whole country

with a fine-toothed comb.

Tomorrow he's pulling a big affair at the factory ruins.

Pictures and sob stories.

Well, that's fine.

What do you mean?

A most important experience for our professor.

Leopold, I'm getting awfully--

How do you think I'm going to get him down there?

There are some very old buildings down there.

Some of the best examples of early American architecture

in New England.

And he's a cultured man from Boston. Should be simple.

Get back in the attic.

Joseph!

We're getting close, sheriff.

We got him, sheriff.

All right, Dilg, come down.

Them hounds of mine never miss.

Come on out, or I'll shoot you out.

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot. Don't shoot, boys.

Take off that beard, Dilg. I could recognize you anywhere.

I told you he wasn't Dilg. His name is Professor Lightcap.

I'm sorry, professor, but I've never known hounds

to make a mistake like this before.

This town is made of nothing else but mistakes.

You bad, naughty dogs.

And I'll thank you to call your men off and your dogs too.

Yes, sir. I'm sorry--

I'll see that you lose your badge for this.

But Mr. Yates-- I can't understand it.

I raised those hounds since they was little, tiny pups

and this is the first time they ever made a mistake.

Um, uh... that house there was built in 1740.

Oh, yes, yes.

Beaver.

It's a game. First one to spot a beard.

Beards are quite unusual in these parts.

Yes, I suppose they are.

I don't think I ever told anyone how I came to grow it.

I was one of the youngest men ever to graduate

from Harvard Law School.

In fact, I was teaching at Commonwealth before I was 22.

And I had a frank and open face.

People in trolley cars used to call me "sonny."

Boys I was teaching would slap me on the back.

Women would wink at me in the street.

Is that bad?

No, but I was busy and had no time for nonsense.

The beard became a sort of fortress.

And then I suppose I grew attached to it.

Well, I think it's very pretty.

Well now, what am I to say to that?

I wonder what's going on over here.

Pulaski's, the borscht place.

We must get some for Joseph.

Oh, I'm afraid we haven't time, professor.

Oh, but think of his face, the ecstasy.

You're going to spoil that man.

Spoil Joseph? Oh, no.

Yes, sir. Some borscht, please.

A quart. Yes.

With an egg in it.

It must have an egg beaten up in it.

Yes, sir. In a moment, sir.

Ma, come on.

Look. Look at those two.

I see them. So?

They ordered a quart of borscht.

So?

With an egg!

Is that a crime?

Only one customer ever orders it that way:

Leopold Dilg!

Sherlock Holmes, I suppose you think

that he's Leopold Dilg with a beard, huh?

I'm going to follow them.

Oh, my own private Federal Bureau of Investigation.

I'm an American citizen.

In America, everybody is responsible for everything.

I'm following.

Oh, he's such a...

With an egg. It's wonderful. 30 cents.

Thank you. Thank you.

I think this is the way back to the car.

But this is the shortest way. Just up around the corner here.

Oh.

Well, well, as I live and breathe, Michael Lightcap.

Hello, Nora. Hello, Sam.

What's cooking over there, Sam?

Holmes is having pictures taken for the press

to remind people that Dilg is a villain.

I think our car is this way.

Oh, you mustn't miss this. See that pose?

That's how you try a case out of court and stack the evidence.

Right there, Mr. Holmes.

Hold it. That's good, thank you.

Step up and see how it's done.

Sorry, Sam, no. I have an appointment.

Mr. Lightcap, for goodness' sakes.

I'm very glad to see you again, sir.

Oh, I want you to meet Mr. Holmes. Mr. Holmes?

I'm afraid I must be going-- Oh, you must.

Mr. Holmes?

Mr. Holmes, meet Professor Lightcap,

Professor Michael Lightcap.

Well, well, I'm glad to see you, sir.

I don't wonder this tragedy attracted even you.

As a matter of fact--

I have never known public feeling

to run so high in Lochester.

As for Mr. Dilg,

justice will not be cheated.

I'm sure it won't. Miss Bush.

Here's an example of how deeply this tragedy has struck.

Miss Bush, a friend of Clyde Bracken, my foreman,

the man who was killed in the explosion.

This is Professor Lightcap. Pleased to meet you.

We found her here today searching the ashes.

I was looking for a wristwatch I gave Clyde just two weeks ago.

All they found of Bracken

was a tiny athletic medal he had won in school.

It gives a girl a queer feeling.

One night, you got a man weighs

211 lbs, and the next day, wham,

all you got left is a medal for shot-putting.

Yes, well, I'm sorry--

Too bad they're not taking a picture

of Dilg swinging from a telegraph pole.

Who said that?

I did.

Jake, I told you anybody I heard talking like that

had to count on fighting me, now put them up.

Sam, I've licked you four times in the last two weeks.

I'm mighty tired of hitting you.

Go on, put them up.

Sam Yates, you're a disgrace to the legal profession.

Save that wind for the bench, judge.

Jake, now, come on.

- Break it up. - Let him go.

Hit him!

Go on, break it up.

Why don't you guys act like men,

Miss Shelley?

Oh, Professor. I looked all over for you, and you'd gone.

I won't have it, Miss Shelley.

Yates deliberately dragged me into this.

It's been his purpose since the day I arrived.

Well, if that is Sam's idea, his motives are far from selfish.

That has nothing to do with it.

I know, but professor, you take a man like Holmes

whipping people into hysteria with public shows and things,

why, it just makes you wonder.

Not me. I've said again and again, I cannot be involved.

And if it's your purpose to see that I am--

Well, well, professor...

This amounts to violence.

And from you?

Making charges against Miss Shelley without evidence?

Perhaps I'd better resign, professor.

No, Miss Shelley.

You're right, Joseph. I apologize, Miss Shelley.

Now, you see, a happy family again.

And the question is, are we ready for dinner?

Are we ready for dinner?

I'll be right down.

Any time you're ready, Joseph.

One minute!

I'm very sorry I lost my temper, Miss Shelley.

Oh, that's all right, professor. You're quite forgiven.

I've been thinking of something the past few days.

I may be going to Washington.

I can't tell you in what capacity. Not just yet.

But I'll need someone there with me, more than a secretary.

Someone I can trust and respect.

It would be an important job, for life.

It would mean your giving up your career in Lochester,

so I can't urge you to take it,

but I sincerely wish you would.

Well, I don't know what to say.

Oh, I realize.

But all I'm asking now is that you will consider it.

Yes, I will, thank you.

That's wonderful.

Here we are.

All ready?

Come on, Miss Shelley.

That's good, sit down.

My dear professor.

Did you make these, Joseph?

Not bad, eh?

Aren't they wonderful? Why, they're beautiful.

Who put on soup plates? There's no soup.

No soup, eh? No soup.

My dear Joseph, while strolling in town today--

No, that's a bad beginning.

My dear Joseph, to cement the bond that binds our happy little family together,

what could be more fitting, as dear friends are seated at the festive board,

what could be more fitting than:

Borscht! It's that rubber band.

Pulaski's, I'd know it anywhere.

Wait a minute. I won't get a taste.

Fancy you thinking of that.

With an egg in it.

You scared me, professor. What a man!

Is that the kind your mother used to make?

What did you say, Miss Shelley?

Is that the kind your mother used to make?

Yeah, almost. Here we go.

Here. Use the cup.

I'm an old hand at this, don't worry.

Nectar, Miss Shelley. Nectar.

Don't spill it. Give me lots, I love it.

Professor.

What are you going to do?

Call the police and tell them to come pick up Leopold Dilg.

No, no you won't do that.

Professor...

I'm sorry I spoiled your party.

Of course, there's no use discussing the merits of my case right now.

I'm afraid not, Joseph-- Leopold.

I have a simple duty to perform,

and I must do that before anything else.

Listen, professor.

When he hid in that attic, he didn't know who you were.

Nora.

Well, here we have the two schools of thought, professor.

This time in action.

That telephone to you means law and order.

And to me, well, I've got to stop you using that telephone.

By violence, if necessary.

Yes, I see. That's bad.

I have a very warm feeling for you, Joseph,

but I must use this telephone.

And if you do, professor,

and I am as fond of you as a brother

I'll be compelled to knock you down.

No! No, please, professor, let's be sensible.

I should regret that too.

I've never been fonder of a man in my life, but--

Operator?

Give me the police station.

Hello, is that the police?

No, please!

Oh, Leopold.

Nora, I'm sorry, but--

Cover the house.

He's up there. Come on.

Take that room, sergeant. Take the other room, Ed.

Does Mr. Lightcap live here?

Mr. Lightcap?

Mr. Lightcap!

Speak to me, sir.

Pardon me, sir, are you the doctor?

Yeah. See that he gets rest and quiet.

Why, Tilney.

Are you all right?

You. You knew it was Dilg.

All those lies, attentions, just for Dilg.

You and Sam Yates.

You planned it all, didn't you?

Mr. Lightcap, you better take it easy, sir.

You're a silly, dangerous girl.

You had me feed and lodge a notorious fugitive from justice.

You endangered a lifetime's career for a stupid gesture.

Michael, let me tell you--

Our association is at an end, Nora.

That's a tip-off, professor.

Had to get good and sore

before he got around to calling me by my first name.

Miss Shelley.

"Nora" when you're angry, remember?

That will be all, Miss Shelley.

That will not be all, Mr. Lightcap.

Dilg is innocent,

regardless of all the reasonable evidence dredged up by lawyers

in that holy institution of yours.

I'd rather be hated by 40 frozen legal giants like you

than turn him over to those bloodthirsty idiots of Lochester.

You were right to grow a beard.

You were an old man all your life.

Put on a proper costume just as soon as you were able.

Don't ever shave it off, Mr. Twilight,

somebody might think you were alive.

That would be misrepresentation.

Come on, Sam, let's get out of here.

When did you hide Dilg in that house?

The night of the escape, wasn't it?

I didn't hide anybody. Oh, you didn't?

Then when did you first know he was there?

Last night, just before you did.

Showed up from someplace, there he was in the kitchen, hungry.

Care much for borscht, Miss Shelley?

Hm?

I said, do you care much for borscht?

You know, that's very funny.

I bought some yesterday at Pulaski's.

With an egg, perchance?

Why, yes!

I remember, the professor said distinctly, "With an egg."

Oh, the professor was with you?

I'm sure Pulaski didn't leave that out, did he?

And the professor asked for it with an egg?

With an egg.

Dilg has been buying it there for years with an egg!

Are you trying to tell me

that the professor deliberately bought that borscht

for Leopold Dilg?

I'm telling you he didn't know who he was buying it for.

He didn't know Leopold Dilg from Adam.

But you did.

That's quite a statement, Chief.

And what kind of a statement would you care to make?

I'd say that two men liking borscht with an egg in it

is amazing.

I've never heard of such a thing before.

I promise you, Scott, if any rumor or scandal

attaches to Lightcap's name out of this incident--

Just a few questions we must have answers to.

Senator, these questions have nothing to do with Professor Lightcap, naturally.

But they bear strongly on a lady named Nora Shelley.

Yes, well, go on, Mr. Scott. Get it over with.

Exactly how did the assault take place?

I was trying to get to the telephone to call the police,

and he hit me from the back.

How did you recognize Dilg in the first place?

From a newspaper picture.

In fact, at that very moment, I was unwrapping some--

Borscht?

Yes, yes, I never can pronounce it.

And you had never seen Leopold Dilg

before he appeared in this room last night?

He said so, didn't he?

I won't tolerate that tone toward Dean Lightcap.

You'll end by dragging him into this mess.

Tilney, pack Mr. Lightcap's things at once.

Tilney, leave things just as they are.

I came down here to write a book and I'm going to do it.

They have every right to ask me any question they choose.

Dilg was found on the premises. Now, Mr. Scott, go on.

How did you happen to go to Mrs. Pulaski's for the borscht?

Miss Shelley and I were strolling by.

I suggested buying some.

Do you mean to say that you went

in to get borscht for yourself?

Yes, I love it.

I have loved it for years,

especially with an egg in it.

He loves it.

Okay.

That's all.

Oh, hello!

What did you have to say?

I know you're anxious to get out in the sunshine,

so I'll make it brief.

I was held for questioning, I was questioned,

and they just said, "Miss Shelley, you are free to go."

I don't know why.

It certainly pays to bring up children.

Your daughter goes off one night

to put up drapes in the country house

next time you see her, she's in the police station.

You mean to say they haven't found him yet, Sam?

Not up to 15 minutes ago.

It's a miracle that lunatic didn't knock you down,

or kill you outright.

It's a morning of miracles.

Sam, they wouldn't have let me go if Lightcap hadn't lied,

and I can't believe he did.

You go ahead, Mother, I'm going along with Sam.

Oh, no, you don't. You need sleep and so do I.

And I can't get it with you gallivanting around. Come on.

Phone me if anything happens, Sam.

Tilney, what are you doing?

But we never have flowers around, sir.

The odor is distracting when you work.

Yes, I know, but just for a change.

After all, it's spring in the country.

Just leave them where they are, will you?

Yes, sir, Mr. Lightcap.

Tilney. Yes, sir?

Why does a man lie?

Well, sir, he just comes by it sort of naturally.

Now, you take the best of men, in a case of self-protection,

or to carry out some desire of their heart--

I know. But to lie against your deepest principles,

that it took your whole life to build.

Maybe we'd better go back to Boston, sir.

No. No, I came down here to write...

but I can't write. I don't understand it.

Tilney, where's my hat?

Hello, Sam.

Hi, Mike. What can I do for you?

Well, you can stop being critical of me, Mr. Yates,

both you and Miss Shelley. It's unfair.

Well, we'll try to stop.

Sam, Dilg's escape is lawlessness and riot.

I can't allow myself to get into this.

I can't even afford to have an opinion about it.

And yet...

there are things whirling around in my brain.

There's Grunstadt and Holmes, Miss Bush, shot-put medals.

Sam, you ought to be able to uncover some shred of evidence.

Have you gone over the entire ground?

Day and night for a month.

Total profit to date

is the fire inspector's report six weeks ago.

There at the end of the page, in Bracken's own handwriting,

Bracken is the foreman that was killed,

it says, "Sprinkler system slightly defective."

Sure, so was the whole joint.

Worn out, ready to go up in smoke,

or deliberately burned by Holmes and Bracken for insurance.

You know, this Bracken's handwriting is moronic.

And Miss Bush's affection for him, that's not sincere.

I think she's putting on an act.

She and Holmes are thick as fleas.

Ah.

Well, quite possibly there are some things

going on behind the scenes.

Quite possibly justice is being hoodwinked, Sam.

You don't say.

Yet, if Dilg walked into this room right now--

Yes, I would. I'd have to.

I'd go straight to that telephone and turn him in.

Now, goodbye, Mr. Yates. Bye, Michael.

Mr. Lightcap!

Hello, Tilney.

No, sir. You can't do that. You can't.

Sorry, Tilney, there's work to do. It's in my way.

Oh, no. For 15 years, sir--

15 years. Beaver.

You have beautiful hands.

Scholarly.

Clyde had hands you could use to knock in spikes with.

Who is Clyde?

"Who was Clyde?" would be more accurate.

I'm in mourning.

It's a great hardship,

because I'm the type of girl who loves to get around.

Thank you.

You visiting here for the summer?

Yes.

Gee, I wish he wasn't dead, at least for one night.

I sure would love to go dancing tonight.

Miss Bush, I wonder if I might have the pleasure

of taking you dancing tonight?

The pleasure?

Well, say now, that's really something.

I don't know what to say. It takes my breath away.

Why, you're real cute.

Listen, you blow your horn at 7 tonight right outside, sonny.

Will you stop walking around and lie down for a while?

I can't figure it out.

Why can't 100 policemen find one man with a bad ankle?

What the dickens is that to you?

Nothing. It's just killing me, that's all.

Tilney. Yes, sir.

I have a great regard for your judgment, Tilney.

In practical matters,

I'd consider it equal, if not superior, to my own.

Thank you, sir. But you worry me.

If you wanted to get some information out of a woman,

how would you go about it?

Uh-oh. I feared as much.

Now come on, Tilney, help me.

Well, Mr. Lightcap, I've lived a cloistered life, like you.

In fact, with you.

On a subject of that sort,

well, we're babes in the woods, both of us.

Yes, but you were married once, weren't you?

Oh, that was the folly of youth, sir.

Ah, but you wooed her and won her. How?

Well, by the darndest series of lies you ever heard.

I gave her a character and charms she never possessed.

I played to the well-known weakness of every woman alive

and perjured my soul for a thousand years to come.

That's very interesting.

Maybe we'd better go back to Boston, sir.

No, no, Tilney. Hurry along.

We must keep our appointment.

Yes, sir.

Why, of course. I should've known.

Oh, what a dope.

You up again? Where do you think you're going?

Mother, if you're not out of that doorway

by the time I get dressed, I'll mow you down.

You dance divinely, Miss Bush.

Your physical coordinations are... are remarkable.

I thought I'd heard them all, but your line is brand new.

You know, you're definitely a superior person, Miss Bush.

Far too superior for this kind of exhibition.

Oh, you're cute.

You know what? If I was free, I would take you very seriously.

Oh, but you are free, aren't you?

Your gentlemen friend is dead, isn't he?

That's the general impression.

What do you mean?

Little Regina is drinking too much.

It makes the tongue very, very loose.

Dance, honey?

Your hands are beautiful. Extraordinarily beautiful.

Aw.

Would you like to kiss me?

Cultured. It's a cultured kiss.

You know, you are rare, Regina.

Your beauty makes my head swim.

Like music. Like music from a band.

Oh, if I were only free.

Oh, but you are free. You're only saying that to torment me.

No, I'm not. I've got a letter from him.

He wants me to meet him in Boston in a couple of weeks.

The first moment I saw you,

you seemed to strike a rich, deep note inside of me.

Like an organ.

More.

All women after this will seem different.

That moronic handwriting again.

"C. Barnard, General Delivery Boston." So that's where he is.

That's where who is? Hey, give me that letter back.

I feel like dancing.

You heard me! You give me that back.

But I hate-- Give me that letter back!

Regina, darling. Don't "Regina, darling" me.

There's something fishy about you, mister.

Help! Throw this guy out!

You dirty double-crosser. Get him out of here!

Leopold.

Leopold.

Hello, Nora.

Oh, Leopold.

Oh, you idiot.

I figured the attic, that's just where you'd go.

Your ankle. You couldn't go anyplace else.

Come on, sh.

Now, now. Nora Shelley, crying?

I've been out of my mind for 24 hours.

I thought you were dead.

Well, what an idea.

You know something, Nora?

Our friend, the professor, lied to the police.

I knew it.

He did something else tonight: Shaved off his beard.

But why?

Who can tell what a man in love will do?

In love? Who with?

You.

And I know just how he feels.

The prettiest girl in Lochester.

Leopold, I've been so miserable to you.

I never really knew you.

Oh, Leopold.

Stop saying "Leopold" like that, tenderly.

It sounds funny.

You can't do it with a name like "Leopold."

Oh, shut up.

Where's this thing going to end, anyway?

Here you are, back in the attic.

Now he's pulling tricks.

Where did he go without his beard?

He'll be all right.

He won't be all right. He's a child.

I know just how you feel.

Now don't start that soupy stuff again.

You don't know how I feel about anything.

Nora, you'd like that job in Washington, wouldn't you?

Well, come on, tell me.

Well, who wouldn't grab a chance to get out of this burg?

Certainly, and with him.

You know, Nora, I've been sitting here wondering.

It's all wrong. The whole thing's wrong.

What's all wrong?

Well, I've been wondering.

Suppose you two had met up here this summer

and the case of Leopold Dilg hadn't butted in.

Now wait a minute.

No. That isn't the whole thing.

That's quite a man, an important man.

And quite a career too.

Can't kick a career like that around.

And who said I was so right about the law?

Leopold, what do you mean?

Oh, nothing. I was just wondering, that's all, Nora.

What are you wondering about?

Oh, just wondering. Can't a man wonder?

Well--

Nora, you'd better get going.

Now, wait.

Come on. You're just taking chances up here.

Now, I'm going to get Yates.

You stay here, and don't you budge.

Everything's going to be fine, Nora.

Remember what I said. Don't you go any place.

Hurry, Tilney. Yes, sir.

Pardon me, please.

Miss Shelley, I have every reason to believe

that Clyde Bracken is still alive. It seems that--

What are you staring at? If you find my face unpleasant--

No, no, I--

What are you doing here? I came to--

Did you say "Bracken"? Bracken, yes. Alive.

Well, I guess at last you know the truth about Mr. Dilg.

I don't know anything until I can prove it.

A stickler to the last.

I bet if you knew where he was--

I would turn him in. Yes, I would.

You just took that beard off your face.

Inside, you're as whiskered as the Smith Brothers.

Suppose you turn me in right now, professor.

Leopold!

Oh, that's too bad, in a way.

It was a delightful beard.

Leopold.

What do you say, professor?

Get back up there. What's the matter with you?

Leopold, I'm leaving immediately for Boston

to find Clyde Bracken.

How about dropping you off at the police station?

Do you hear? Bracken's alive.

Very interesting.

I beg your pardon, please.

Oh, Tilney, I'm very hungry.

Do you think you could find a chicken leg

or something I can nibble on as I ride?

That's all right, Tilney.

A whole chicken. He has an enormous appetite.

Will somebody please listen to me?

Bracken's alive. Why should Dilg go to jail?

It's the principle.

The law says that's where I should be.

Thank you, Leopold.

Now it's you. Before it was him.

Will somebody please light around here?

My dear Nora,

centuries of precedent say the professor is right.

Good friends like us should be in agreement.

Thank you, my friend.

That'll be all tonight, Tilney.

If they get him in jail,

they'll make pate de foie gras out of him.

Doesn't that mean anything to you?

That's a bridge we can cross when we come to it.

Right. Who knows who's right?

Why does Dilg have to make all the concessions?

Isn't there one concession in your bones?

Concessions?

I shaved off a beard I was fond of.

I lied to the law.

I danced with a blond beauty parlor owner.

I kissed her in public. Concessions! Ha!

Whenever you're ready, Leopold.

Quite ready, my friend. Thank you, Leopold.

Don't mention it, professor.

After you, professor. Thank you, Leopold.

They're both nuts.

You're not getting away from me.

Mind if I move this truck?

We'd better go in my car. Here, Leopold, get in.

Leopold, will you do me a favor and sit on the floor, please?

Look! Police. I told you. Drive right through.

It's a signal to stop. It's the law.

Leopold, get down on the floor. Do as I tell you.

Yes, Nora. Oh!

Don't be silly. Stop it.

What's the matter?

Where are you going?

Just into town.

Drop me a little way down the road, will you, please?

Yeah, sure.

Oh, uh--

I don't want to crowd you.

You're not crowding us a bit. There's plenty of room up here.

I'll tell you when we come to it.

Got a cigarette? No, I'm sorry.

That's okay.

What's this place up at the next road?

A trap for Dilg. Got them all around here.

A kid said he saw him about 3 this afternoon

near the reservoir.

Think you'll get him?

No doubt about it, lady.

And when we do, well, darned if I don't feel sorry for him.

Why?

Oh, I don't know. I've got a feeling the word's gone out.

"Let's not be too ambitious, boys."

What do you mean?

You mean, they'd turn him over to the crowd?

If there was a demand.

And they're making sure there is.

Maybe.

Oh, here we are.

Thanks, bud.

If you hear of a good opening in a nice business, let me know.

Cramped down there.

Did you hear what he said? I told you.

Oh, nonsense. Fellows with badges

always have more inside information than the president.

Hey, where you going?

Leopold, I don't think I'll have time

to take you to the police station.

How's that?

I've decided to take you to Boston with me.

Well now, that's a very noble gesture, professor,

but that fellow was talking through his hat.

My place tonight is in jail.

I'm sorry to disagree with you,

but we're on the road to Boston now.

That is taking the law into your own hands, professor.

Oh, shut up, will you?

Leopold, sometimes there are extenuating circumstances.

The letter of the law is sometimes wrong.

I'm afraid I can't agree with you, my friend.

Well, I'll have to be firm, Leopold.

In that case, I'll have to pull on your brake.

Oh, stop it! We'll all be killed.

Leopold. What?

I can walk.

Walk with that ankle?

Sure, that'll be all right.

Well, Miss Shelley...

on to Boston.

Professor, you're wonderful. You're really wonderful.

Thank you, Nora.

Oh, Leopold. Poor Leopold.

Did he hit you, Leopold?

Does that make it feel better?

Where did he hit you? Does that feel better?

Any mail for John A. Smith?

John A. Smith?

Yes, sir.

Three hours. My feet are tired.

Can't we go someplace for a cup of coffee?

You'd better stay where you are.

Do you have to stand right next to that thing?

What thing?

Nobody would recognize me from that.

Doesn't catch the spirit.

Hey.

C. Barnard.

C. Barnard?

Mr. Bracken.

You've got the wrong party, friend.

Oh, I think not, friend.

We're leaving for Lochester and inviting you to join us.

I'm staying right here, friend.

In that case, friend, we may have to insist.

You mean violence, professor?

Dilg.

Look out!

Come on, Bracken, let's have the truth.

Turning state's evidence

is about the only hope you've got now.

You know that, don't you?

Talk.

Leopold, how about stopping the car

and giving him another going over?

Pleasure.

Okay.

Wait a minute.

Holmes paid me to burn it. The factory was on the rocks.

His only chance was the insurance money

for that broken-down barn.

That's what Leopold said for years.

Why did you have to play dead?

To get people more excited.

So when Holmes pinned it on that thorn in his side, Dilg,

he could put him away good.

A very simple plan.

It's astonishing.

Well, it won't be long now.

Better go straight to the Lochester City Hall,

Miss Shelley.

No, no. Drive straight home.

Home? Why?

Well, they're apt to mob me first

and ask questions afterward.

What are you going to do?

Telephone the district attorney.

No, no. Wait.

Hey, Bracken, go over there and sit down where I can see you.

You don't have to telephone anybody.

I'm taking Bracken to City Hall myself.

What? What about the mob?

The mob won't hurt anybody.

I just wanted to get you home here and out of trouble.

I don't understand. Why?

Professor, you've solved this case beautifully,

and I'm very grateful to you.

But this country needs a man like you

on the Supreme Court bench.

I don't want to take the risk of losing that.

That's very thoughtful of you, Leopold.

But I see things differently now.

So do I.

I want to see this job through.

I'd sooner do that

than hand down the finest piece of literature from the bench.

I'm sorry, my friend, but I'm not quite in accord with you.

Now stop it! This is no time to be doing that act again.

The professor's right. Friendly

feelings are one thing, Leopold,

it's fine of you, but a mob's another thing.

I'll take feelings every time.

Professor, I'll have to ask you to put down that telephone.

I'm sorry, my friend. Police?

I'm warning you. Oh, dear.

Sorry, Leopold. I must.

Now, don't!

Police, this is Sweetbrook Cottage.

Dilg and Bracken are both--

Look out! Bracken!

Hello?

Hello?

Charlie, riot squad.

Mr. Lightcap?

Mr. Lightcap?

What? Again?

My goodness, a double-header.

Mr. Lightcap. Mr. Lightcap.

Is he dead, ma'am? Mr. Lightcap, speak to me.

Police! Oh, Tilney, we've got to hide him.

We've got to get him in the attic.

Take his head. Hurry. Hurry.

Dilg! All right, boys, it's him.

Step aside, Miss Shelley.

Put the bracelets on him.

Darn you! Get out of here!

Keep the town blazing hot against this criminal.

They laughed at the Bracken story.

I said, how did he get that cut on his head?

They say to the professor,

"Maybe some of our men shot at him in the woods, grazed him."

What's that?

Mob. Parade.

They're after your scalp. Holmes is on the job again.

This is where we came in, isn't it, Sam?

I gotta get busy.

Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye.

All persons having anything to do

with the Honorable Judge Grunstadt,

Justice of the Superior Court of the county of Lochester,

may now draw near, and you will be heard.

God save the Commonwealth. Gentlemen, be seated.

Nobody believes this Bracken story.

Dilg and Yates tried it,

you'll go up there and make yourself ridiculous with it too.

Haven't you run enough risk already?

Will you please get out of this town?

No. No, a man's life is at stake. A friend.

Michael, I'm warning you, I just came through that town.

It's got a desperate look in its eye. They're out for blood.

Miss Shelley.

Nora, I know just how you feel.

I didn't understand at first. I didn't know Leopold.

But I know now.

You couldn't help feeling the way you do about him.

Now don't you start that.

Who says I feel any way about anybody?

Why does everybody try to make up my mind for me?

Why don't you and Leopold mind your own business?

Why should my love life be kicked around from pillar to post?

I hear you're in love with Regina Bush.

Regina Bush.

Yes, Regina Bush, of the Dolores Beauty Salon.

How do you like it?

Regina Bush.

Nora, where did I see a gun somewhere around this house?

Tilney, where is it?

A gun?

I know.

Here we are. It's loaded.

Don't you think we'd better--

No. Tilney, you get my hat.

What are you going to do?

I'm going to settle this Dilg business,

if I have to shoot to kill.

Michael, you can't do it. Oh, can't I?

Listen, my great-great-grandfather

fought off a couple of dozen Indians

for a whole week in 1756, and I'm a direct descendant.

Now you tell that to the Senate.

If that isn't good enough for the Supreme Court bench,

it's just too bad.

What are you going to do? What are you going to do?

Where is he? Where's who?

Clyde Bracken. He isn't here.

Come on out of that closet, Bracken,

or I'll let you have it!

The state will tolerate only one verdict from this jury.

And that verdict should be quick: Guilty!

Clyde Bracken, Judge Grunstad. Bracken?

Where are you, Mr. Holmes? Clyde Bracken, alive.

There's the man the law is looking for,

not Leopold Dilg.

His only crime was that he had courage and spoke his mind.

This is your law and your finest possession.

It makes you free men in a free country.

Why have you come here to destroy it?

If you know what's good for you,

take those weapons home and burn them,

and then think.

Think of this country and of the law that makes it what it is.

Think of a world crying for this very law.

Then maybe you'll understand why you ought to guard it

and why the law has got to be the personal concern of every citizen,

to uphold it for your neighbor as well as yourself.

Violence against it is one mistake.

Another mistake is for any man to look upon the law

as just a set of principles.

Just so much language printed on fine, heavy paper.

Something he recites and then leans back

and takes it for granted

that justice is automatically being done.

Both kinds of men are equally wrong.

The law must be engraved in our hearts

and practiced every minute, to the letter and spirit.

It can't even exist

unless we're willing to go down into the dust and blood

and fight a battle every day of our lives to preserve it

for our neighbor as well as our self.

Could you tell me where I could

find Professor Lightcap, please?

In the judge's chambers, madam.

Around there?

Yes, miss. Thank you.

Supreme Court now open.

Good morning.

Good morning, sir.

You look wonderful, sir.

Now, Tilney, you mustn't be absurd.

Well, it must be getting near the time.

Miss Shelley.

Come in, come in.

I knew you wouldn't fail me.

Well, you--

You look fine, Miss Shelley.

You must stop staring.

Oh, I'm sorry.

It's just a robe, isn't it?

And where's Leopold?

I tried to bring him with me, but he just disappeared.

Where? Why?

Well, you never can tell about Leopold.

Oh, but he must come.

Now, why do you look like that?

I really don't know.

It just all seems so far from Sweetbrook.

No, it isn't. Sweetbrook will never be far.

You know, that's what I wanted to say to you.

Sweetbrook, those few weeks there--

I wonder if I can say this just as I want to.

Well, what I'm trying to say--

You see-- Look at me.

A dream of 20 years come true.

More happiness than any man deserves.

That chair.

But now there's something else, Nora: my friends.

I want to see them as happy as I am. Nothing less will do.

Leopold, what a fine fellow.

And I've been thinking, Nora,

that if someone were to take his hand and say:

"Leopold, my reckless friend,

here's love and companionship forever."

Well, some day that man would--

You see what I mean, Nora?

Mr. Justice...

it's time, sir.

Mr. Justice.

Far from Sweetbrook? Never.

Leopold.

Where are you going?

That's all I wanted to see.

The rest is about law, very boring.

He looks fine up there, doesn't he?

Yes.

Well, our country's in good hands.

The woman's touch. Indispensable.

You better go back in. But where are you going?

Home. Lochester. Why, what about it?

Then what?

Oh, you're going to like Washington. Wonderful town.

He's a wonderful man too.

Position, dignity, a place in life.

Exactly where a fine woman belongs.

Well, Nora...

see you sometime.

Leopold.

Oh, I'm in a hurry. You better go back in.

He's perhaps looking around for you.

I'm getting pretty tired of having people

try to make up my mind for me.

Well, stop it and do as I tell you.

Leopold.

You take a stubborn woman, they're a curse.

My mother always warned me against stubborn women.

Leopold.

Now, stop following me or I'll call the police.