Original subtitles

I am the Whistler,

and I know many strange tales,

many secrets hidden in the hearts of men and women

who have stepped into the shadows.

Tonight, I am keeping a strange rendezvous.

Here is a strange man,

formed in God's image, according to the Bible.

But how far is "image" from "mirage"?

The two words sound alike.

This man looks like all others,

but what separates him from his fellows?

It cannot be seen by the naked eye.

His name is William Everest,

and he is a man with a ghastly mission,

which will not let him rest

until it is successfully accomplished.

But the best-laid plans which men sometimes make

have a habit of going astray.

Whether in this case for good or evil,

only the events of this night can foretell.

Did it hit you, bud?

I seen it Just missed him.

Must have conked his head on this lamppost or something.

Shall we call an ambulance?

No, no, no. Don't call. I'm all right.

You must have given yourself a heck of a whack there, fella.

Oh, it's nothing. It's nothing.

- Are you sure you're all right? - Oh, quite.

I seen half the licence number, mister

Maybe you wanna sue him or something? It's 2-V-6...

It's all right. Thank you. Thank you.

Well, I never.

Huh. Put yourself out for some people,

and you don't even rate a "thank you".

Or maybe he's still punch-drunk

from that bump on the head he gave himself or something.

He hesitated.

A thought must have run through his mind.

It took no longer than a second or two,

yet whose destiny may have been changed

by this sudden impulse, which took William Everest

through the door of this little café

down here in Greenwich Village?

And how will the fate of William Everest himself be affected?

Good evening. Table, sir?

- Gin. - Again?

Oh, Jean's just good because the girls

play for their lunches down the store every day.

She gets all that practice.

Haven't had to buy a lunch for two weeks.

You'll be sorry when all that free food

starts showing itself around the hips.

Fourteen.

Two-fifty. Play another?

Uh-uh. We oughta get going.

- Let me tell your fortune. - No, thank you.

I like to come up on mine gradually.

Makes it that much more interesting.

How about you, Charlie?

Save it. I know my fortune already.

Think I'll tell his.

Whose?

The good-looking man over at the bar.

- Know him? - Never saw him before in my life.

Mmm. That doesn't look so good.

Death.

What does it say?

Within twenty-four hours.

There's that card again.

Within twenty-four hours.

Ah, come on. Let's go to a movie.

What shall I do?

Oh, don't be ridiculous, darling.

You're not taking this little parlour game seriously?

Oh, I know it's silly, but...

It's not only silly, it's childish.

He's going.

Only to another bar. I'll bet you on that.

Well, where are you going?

Somebody should tell him something.

Oh, for heaven sakes, Jean, you're acting like a schoolkid.

"Somebody should tell him something."

He'd think you were crazy.

Or just trying to pick up an acquaintance.

- It wouldn't be ladylike. - I know, but the cards...

Oh, forget it. He's going out of that door and out of our lives.

Never even came in them.

Jean, don't be a fool. Come back here!

Whaddaya know? She sure takes her cards seriously.

She's got too much imagination for her own good.

Oh, don't worry about it. So, she tells him,

he thinks she's a first-class screwball,

and then it's all over.

Please, sir. I, er... Well...

I beg your pardon, but two times the same thing happened.

- I just had to... - I beg your pardon?

Well, it was the cards. Both times, the cards said the same thing.

You think I'm ridiculous.

Well, I'd say instead, original.

If you think I'm trying to make your acquaintance,

- you're very much mistaken. - Well, I'm disappointed.

Well, I felt I had to tell you, for your own good.

Well, I'd be very grateful for your concern

if I knew the reason for it.

- Well, I told you. - Oh, so you did. But what?

The cards.

Cards? What cards?

You're laughing at me. I... I don't blame you, but...

You see, I was telling your fortune in that café.

Oh, playing cards. I see.

Did my fortune amuse you?

It frightened me.

Why?

Well, I thought I should tell you...

What did the cards say?

Well, they said...

Well, what did they say?

That you're in very grave danger for the next twenty-four hours.

Two times, one after the other, it said the same thing,

and I shuffled the cards very well, too.

Does that suggest something to you,

or warn you of someone, perhaps?

It suggests...

nothing and warns me of absolutely no-one.

Well, please, just the same,

take care of yourself the next twenty-four hours.

Maybe, er...

Maybe you'll be kind enough to help me.

Aren't you well?

I...

I'm sorry.

I had a little accident, and I... I'm all right.

It's just that I'm kind of dizzy.

Oh, come on over here and sit down.

The owner of this car won't object, I'm sure.

Let's go in here.

Feel any better?

Oh, I'm all right.

Still a little shaky.

A little.

- Would a doctor... - No, no.

It's just that...

Well, I'm ashamed to admit it, but...

I don't seem to be able to remember my name.

Stupid of me, isn't it?

I hope you're not injured more than you're willing to admit.

No, it's... Outside of a little density,

I feel as well as I ever have.

I stopped in that bar over there for a drink

and thought it would sorta clear my head, but...

And it failed?

Afraid so.

You remember nothing about yourself at all?

Well, only that I had someone to see

and something very important to do.

But, who and what?

Maybe you have something in your pockets

that would tell us who you are.

Oh, I doubt it, or I'd have known it by now.

Well, let's look at them.

Come on, please.

Very well.

Gee, I wonder what's taking Jean so long.

Well, he's a pretty good-looking guy.

Maybe Jean's gone into details.

You'd better get the check, Charlie.

Waitress.

Well, that's the lot.

Cigarette lighter, doctor's prescription,

and an order for a birthday cake.

Receipt for two dozen American Beauty roses.

A Canadian dollar with a...

licence number pencilled in.

A key.

And a railroad schedule with Woodville checked off.

Doesn't mean very much, does it?

Um...

- Well, there's a name on this one. - Yes?

Two dozen American Beauty roses to...

"Constantine...

"Constantine Ivaneska, Civic Theatre."

- Well, that's marvellous. - It is?

Well, of course. Don't you see?

You must have sent these roses,

and the lady's probably a friend of yours,

and all we have to do is visit her,

and it'll all be straightened out in no time.

I'd have thought of that myself if I'd had my wits about me.

Each one of these probably tell us something about you.

All we have to do is track them down.

You know, you're as ingenious as you are beautiful and kind.

- What...? - Oh, I hope you don't mind.

My friend was ill, and we came in here to rest.

Oh, okay. Can I drop you someplace?

Well, Civic Theatre?

I'm going right past there.

- Oh, thank you. - Thanks ever so much.

We'll go round the stage door, George.

Sure... Why are you calling me that?

Well, it'll have to do till we find out

what your real name is.

Wait a minute. You can't go in there.

- We'd like to see... - Let me handle this.

We must see Constantine Ivaneska.

- She's on the stage. - We'll wait inside.

Not so fast, young lady.

Are you friends of Miss Ivaneska?

Oh, but the best.

She didn't say nothin' about expecting you.

Oh, we wanted to surprise her.

Yes, I'm sure she would get a kick out of it.

You certainly know your way around.

You can't live in New York long in ignorance.

There it is.

Who would you like to see?

Oh, we're friends of Constantine's.

Yes, ma'am. Miss Constantine's on the stage right now,

but she'll be coming along very soon.

- Well, we'll wait inside. - Yes, ma'am.

Remember this place at all, George?

- George? - What?

Do you remember this place at all?

I don't think so.

Well, Miss Ivaneska will be here in a minute.

I hear she's very beautiful.

Is she?

I'm sure you'll remember her.

I doubt a man could forget.

Flotilda...

Who are you? What... What can I do for you?

- Are you Constantine Ivaneska? - Yes.

Oh, well, here's a friend of yours.

What is this, a joke?

You don't know him?

No.

Are you playing a game?

- Don't you recognise her, George? - Nn-nnn.

Will you please explain this extraordinary conduct?

How did you get by the doorman?

- Bribery. - But... But why?

My friend thought I knew you.

The more you explain, the... the less I understand.

Well, you see, George had an accident, and, well...

Oh, now I understand.

I'm sorry, but I cannot be of any help to you.

I'm positive that this gentleman and I do not know each other.

Flotilda, where have you been?

I've been fixing the flowers.

Well, help me dress.

Those roses. Who sent them?

Young lady, you're becoming tiresome.

They were sent to me by my fiance.

And now, if you'll forgive me, I must dress.

Good night.

Thank you for your kindness.

Good evening, Mr Reynolds.

Miss Ivaneska's in her dressing room.

I'm sure she'll be out very shortly.

- George. - Yes?

Are you sure,

very sure you don't remember that woman?

Oh, believe me, I'm not trying to be funny.

I'm more anxious to find out who I am than you are.

- I know, but... - But what?

Guess we'll just have to try

running down one of the other articles.

My doctor's prescription.

It hasn't any patient's name on it.

It has my doctor's name and address.

Perhaps we should have tried that first.

Might have saved us a lot of trouble.

It might have.

Taxi.

- Where to? - Oh, what is that address?

- Er, 29 Dexter Street. - Got it?

Okay.

I overshot the place, mister. I'll back up if you want me to.

No, just wait here, please.

Oh, there it is.

Hello, little lady.

- My, what a pretty kitten. - Her name is Fritzi.

It's number 29 all right, but there's no doctor's office there.

Maybe the owner can tell us. Shall I go with you?

Don't bother. I see you've been charmed away from me.

I'll be back in a second.

Anybody here?

Anybody here?

Good evening.

Oh, good evening.

Could you tell me where I might find Dr Noel J Hendricks

in this building or in the neighbourhood?

There is no doctor in this building

or within a radius of four blocks from here.

Are you certain?

I have been in business here for fifteen years.

The neighbourhood is poor,

and, to the poor, doctors are a luxury.

Well, I have a prescription here that was...

issued to a friend of mine by a Dr Hendricks at this address.

Isn't your friend able to say exactly where he got it?

Well, his memory was affected by an accident.

He's right out here.

I know little girls like ice cream.

Oh, thank you.

Will you look after Fritzi, please?

I'll take good care of her.

Yes, I remember very well.

I have a phenomenal memory for faces.

He was in here last week.

Oh, you know him, then?

No. He just came in looking for a book.

Did he buy one?

No. Just thumbed through it.

"Interested in research," I think he said.

Oh.

Great many people come in here

just to browse around.

Do you recall the title of the book?

It happens to be a great favourite of mine.

"Noel J. Hendricks, M.D."

Why, that's the same name that's printed on his prescription.

Very strange and most interesting.

This man has been dead for fifty years.

Well, thank you for your trouble.

Any luck?

It looked so simple at the beginning.

Well, come on. The taxi's waiting.

Where to now, mister?

- Just drive. - Okay.

Thank you for the ice cream cone, mister.

Fritzi! Oh, Fritzi!

Oh, Fritzi!

You've tired yourself too much on my account.

That's all right. Maybe we should go home

and try again in the morning.

Good idea, but I don't remember where I live.

I could go to the police.

Oh, no. I feel too responsible for you.

But, er...

I have room for you at home.

Well, that's very kind, but would it be proper?

Quite all right. I share the apartment with my sister.

What's the address? I'll tell the driver.

Oh, my goodness. It-It's about time. I...

I've been worried.

Well, I've been out with Mr, er... George.

Francie, I'd like to have you meet George.

How do you do?

What have you been up to, anyway?

Well, it's all my fault your sister's late in getting home, Miss Lang.

She took compassion on a poor wayfarer

and tried to help him find himself.

George is the one at the bar whose fortune I told.

Yes, I know. Did it take you half the night

to tell him about it?

I should've known you'd worry, but I was worried, too.

I'm glad you were at least that considerate of me.

Oh, worried about George, I mean.

Why, he looks as if he can take care of himself.

Well, that's just it. He can't.

Well, then it's about time he learned.

What your sister means...

I seem to have forgotten who I am.

Forgotten? Then who's George?

Well, that's what I call him.

You see, he was in an accident,

and it left him kind of dazed.

I've been trying to help him find out who he is.

We didn't realise the time passed so quickly.

If I'd known you were going to be worried, I...

I wouldn't have let her stay out so late.

Oh, it.. It's all right, now that you're here.

But, you see, Jean means a lot to me.

It's very understandable.

Then you, er...

really don't know who you are?

No.

I've asked George to spend the night here.

Well, you couldn't let a little dog wander

around the street all night, could you?

I suggested to your sister I could go to the police.

Oh, I wouldn't hear of it.

Oh, you're welcome to stay, Mr, er...?

"George," I guess it'll have to be for the time being.

But I'm afraid you'll have to sleep on the couch.

Well, that's very kind. Thank you.

Please sit down now and make yourself comfortable.

- I've got some coffee on the stove. - Thank you.

Francie didn't mean to be rude.

She's really very nice.

She's your sister, isn't she?

You do say nice things.

Well, you provoke them.

That lighter, a few papers, and some money

was all he had in his pockets.

Must be pretty expensive if the diamonds are real.

- 'Course they're real. - How do you know?

Well, you're not the sort of person to pretend.

You do say nice things.

Hey. There's something engraved on the bottom.

- Initials. - Let's see.

No, they don't mean a thing.

"C.C. to J.C."

Why, that's more of a clue than we've had all evening.

Here, I've been calling you George,

and your name's probably Jim or Jack or Joe.

- Is it? - I wouldn't know.

I'm going to bed. Coming, Jean?

I want to get a blanket and a pillow for George.

I'll take care of the dishes.

Oh, thank you.

Time to go to sleep, Barney.

Night.

Night, George.

Er... Kitchen?

Oh, yes, in the sink, if you please. And thank you.

- Thank you. - Good night.

Oh, I didn't hear you come back.

I'm sorry I startled you.

I hope you sleep comfortably.

I'm sure I shall.

Don't bother with that.

Well, good night.

Pleasant dreams, Miss Lang.

If I call you George, you call me Jean.

It's a privilege.

Good night, Jean.

Good night, George.

Jean, Charlie asked me to marry him tonight.

You say something, Francie?

Charlie proposed.

Oh, darling!

When are you gonna be married?

Oh, well, I, er...

Francie, you accepted? Charlie's a wonderful boy.

He sure is, but I couldn't leave you alone.

Oh, don't be a goose.

Besides, maybe I have plans of my own.

Jean, you won't do anything foolish?

Of course not.

Why, you hardly know him.

Who?

I know you better than you do yourself.

Marriage isn't to be taken lightly.

Yes, teacher.

But he is charming, isn't he?

Yes.

And good-looking.

Yes, but that isn't everything. It's...

It's what a man is, more than how he looks.

I know.

- What happened tonight? - Oh, it was very exciting.

Where'd you go?

Well, first of all...

Then we came home.

- Francie? - Mm-hmm?

Would you help me? About George?

Uh-huh.

I mean, take the day off tomorrow.

It's Saturday and a half-day anyway.

Well, what can I do?

Well, those things George had in his pockets.

You could take some of them and track them down. The, er...

The cigarette lighter, the doctor's prescription,

and the order for the birthday cake.

Oh, you bring home the strangest people.

Oh, George isn't strange. He's very nice.

How would you feel if you suddenly lost your memory?

Pretty strange, I bet.

All right, dear.

And then we could meet someplace in the afternoon and...

compare notes.

Francie...

Well, who are you going out to meet?

- Clark Gable? - I should be so lucky.

Come on, I'm hungry.

George looks too intelligent to expect a girl

to be so beautiful at nine o'clock in the morning.

Well, now!

Smells good!

Maybe you've got something in that guy after all.

Good morning.

After walking about half the night and waiting,

I figured you'd both be terribly hungry.

I hope you'll forgive the liberty I've taken.

Gee, you make me feel awfully guilty

for leaving those dishes in the sink last night.

They're all taken care of.

I told you he was nice.

Nice? He's miraculous.

- May I? - Thank you.

Well, pile in. What are we waiting for?

"Our Father in Heaven,

"we thank thee for this repast.

"May we enjoy thy benefits all the days of our years.

"Amen."

Oh, I made these eggs according to my own taste, sunny side up.

Hope you like them that way.

To have somebody serve me,

I'd like them standing on edge.

- Coffee? - Please. Thank you.

Oh, I forgot to feed Barney.

Excuse me.

Francie's very fond of Barney.

Her fiance gave him to her.

Jean!

What's the matter, Francie?

What's wrong, Francie?

There's something the matter with Barney.

What do you suppose happened?

I don't know. He was all right last night,

singing his little head off.

Oh, the poor little creature.

Doesn't take very much to...

"3R 16J"

Say, you were here the other day,

asking about this man's licence number and address.

- I was? - Sure.

I gave you that information myself.

You even wrote the licence plate's number on this Canadian buck.

Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot. What is the address again?

522 Harris Street.

"522..."

Are you able to tell me where I can find

the owner of this building?

Metropolitan Bank owns it, brother.

522 Harris Street. Judge Nesbitt.

We foreclosed that property some time ago.

At the time, Judge Nesbitt

was living at the Forest Apartments.

Thank you.

Is there a Mr Nesbitt living here?

Yeah, he used to. He checked out.

No forwarding address.

Thank you.

It's a bright day in the park.

All nature seems in harmony.

Yet, why should one man seated on this bench

provide the sole tumultuous exception?

Does he himself realise the brash discord?

Do you, William Everest?

What cells, what tissues in that pounding brain of yours

have now come back to life?

Or have they?

What is it you feel, William Everest?

Or do you feel?

- Sorry, lady. This is a skeleton key. - Skeleton?

That's how they're known to the trade.

Detectives carry them. Crooks too.

That's all you can tell me about it?

Skeleton keys are kind of secret keys, lady.

They don't tell much.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Been waiting long?

No.

Oh, you've hurt your hand.

What happened to it?

- Oh, a splinter from the bench. - Oh.

Why do you sigh?

Oh, discouraged.

- About me? - Yes.

Then you haven't been able to find out anything about me at all?

Nothing. I've tried everything possible

in the last twenty-four hours.

We've been together that long?

Don't tell me you're forgetting that too, George.

George? Why do you call me George?

What else do you want me to call you?

'Cause I don't know who you are.

Aren't you feeling well?

If I don't sound...

normal...

you're to blame.

I?

I've never been in love before.

Don't say anything.

Your mere kindness is...

more than I ever hoped for.

Even if it remains just that,

I'm content and very grateful.

Shall we walk?

Look.

Poor little thing.

Isn't it beautiful?

Er... These people you've been seeing,

they brought nothing to light about me?

Nothing?

You might just have been born,

for all anybody seems to know.

And you? Have you formed any conclusions on your own?

How could I? On what?

Are you...

Are you a detective?

Why do you ask?

Well, that key you had on you.

I was told that only detectives carry them or...

Or?

Or?

Or crooks.

Oh. Well, I'm neither.

Didn't have to tell me.

Well, whatever my talents are, you can rest assured

they don't run in those channels.

I'm sure I had a lighter.

Oh, I gave it to Francie this morning

to try to trace down, remember?

What else did you give her?

Oh, the prescription and the bakery order.

Oh. That's mine, too, isn't it?

Yes, the railroad schedule.

I haven't been able to think yet how it might help us.

It's getting very warm.

Probably storm before night.

Let's get out of the sun, shall we?

- Please, I... - Speak to me, miss?

- Oh, she was talking to me, Officer. - Pardon me, sir.

What did you want to say to him?

I just wanted to ask the time.

We're supposed to meet Francie.

Well, it's early.

My, you have a strong grip.

You must have been an athlete.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

But you act as though you were

frightened of that policeman.

For a moment, I thought you were gonna ask him to help us,

because you were discouraged about me.

Jean.

Yes, George.

Promise me that you'll see this thing through with me,

that you won't give me up for a bad job.

Of course I'll see it through, George.

And promise me too, that...

anything that you may find out about me,

it'll be our secret alone.

Certainly. What could we possibly find out

that would be so necessary to keep a secret?

Nothing. Nothing at all. It's just that your...

Well, your kindness has meant so much to me.

I couldn't get along without you now.

You don't know what it means

to wander through the darkness alone.

We will see this thing through together, won't we?

Yes, George, together.

Yes. We did this job. I remember now.

You see, this is a business district,

and we don't have any medical printing trade here.

But about a week ago, a fella came in

and had a few of these printed up for him.

He paid me above the market price for it.

Oh, you don't know his name?

No. He didn't say. He just waited here for 'em.

But, er...

Look, the fella across the street in that cut-rate drugstore

might be able to tell you his name,

because this fella went in there after he left my shop.

- Oh, thank... - I saw him through that window.

- Thank you. - Glad to be of service.

Hello.

Oh, you want something?

Yes. Did, er, you fill this?

Where did you get this?

It belongs to a friend of mine. Did you fill it?

Oh, maybe. Why?

I'd just like to know.

Are you from the Pure Foods & Drug Office?

Oh, no. I'd just like this information for myself.

Yeah. Reckon I did.

Oh, do you remember the man who gave it to you?

- Yeah. - His name, too?

No. I just remember him by this prescription.

Why? Is it so unusual?

Look, why are you asking me all these questions?

- I run a perfectly respectable... - Yes, I know you do.

It's just that...

Well, it means a lot to me to get this information.

Could you tell me what's in it?

Er...

I'm sure you have nothing to hide.

No, of course not.

Er... Poison.

What did you say?

I said "poison".

What kind of poison?

Look, lady, you wouldn't know if I told you.

Poison is poison. Now, just let it go at that.

And this man bought it?

Yes, he bought it.

Is it a common poison?

Well, not exactly.

It's high-powered stuff. Kind of scarce.

There's not much call for it.

I-I guess it must be very expensive.

Yeah, kinda.

You can't sell it without a doctor's prescription, can you?

What do you call this, a billet-doux?

Well, isn't it supposed to have the patient's name on it

as well as the doctor's?

Look, lady, I've told you everything I know.

Now, this shop isn't a question-and-answer box.

If you don't care to buy anything, er... good day.

Hey! Hey, mister! Stop!

Oh, mister.

Oh, I'd like to ask you something.

Sure, lady. Step into my parlour.

- Cosy, ain't it? - Oh.

Now, look, I-I just wanna ask you one or two questions.

Shoot, baby.

Look, have you ever seen this before?

Sure. That's one of our order forms.

Well, whaddaya know? A five-pound birthday cake.

- Delivered this one myself. - Oh, where to?

Railway Express.

What were they doing? Celebrating an anniversary?

That's where this guy ordered it delivered

after he brought it back to the shop.

I don't get it.

Well, this bird orders a cake and pays for it.

He hauls it off himself.

Back he comes the same day and says, er,

"Ship it through the Railway Express."

Oh, ship it to where? Please try to remember.

Oh, I ain't forgot, miss.

It seemed sort of a funny place to be sending a birthday cake.

- Funny? - Peculiar-like.

I don't know why I thought it shoulda been, but I did.

A guy gets funny notions sometimes, you know what I mean,

and I figured right then and there

maybe the one who was getting it wasn't a regular.

- Well, what do you mean? - The place it was sent to.

- What place? - The one upstate.

The, er, Hudson Mental Institution.

Hudson Mental?

Never had to ship a cake to a place like that before.

Guy's name was, er... Crawford.

Yeah. John Crawford. That's what it was.

Oh, thank you very much. You've helped me a lot.

Okay, lady. Hope you found out what you wanted.

Yes, I did. Say, er... what's your name?

Joe Blainey. What's yours?

- Thank you, Mr Blainey. - You're welcome.

- Bye. - Bye.

John Crawford...

John Crawford.

"J.C."

"C.C. to J.C."

"C.C. to...

"to John Crawford."

Yes, a table at the Fountain Cafe at Rockefeller Center

is a cool and pleasant place,

just as delightful as the park

where William Everest was taking his ease before

and where he suddenly recalled who he was,

as he sat on that bench

so kindly feeding a little squirrel.

But why doesn't he tell Jean Lang

he knows who he is?

Why doesn't he say, "My name is not George.

"It's William, William Everest"?

It is because he knows what he has at stake.

It is because he knows what he has at stake.

Jean.

I remember a name.

Your name? Yours?

The name of a man I know.

Friend?

It's the first actual name I've been able to remember.

Must have been someone very close to me.

Does he live in New York?

Woodville.

Well, that's the place you had marked on the railroad schedule.

- Yes. - What's the name?

Edward Nesbitt.

That's all you can remember?

All I need to know right now.

We must get there as soon as possible.

There's a train leaving at six o'clock,

gets in there at eight-ten. We'll just have time to make it.

"We"?

Well, of course you're going with me.

I want you with me more than anyone else at my...

rebirth.

- Well, I know, but... - Oh, it'd mean so much to me.

All right, George.

Here, I've just gotten used to calling you George.

Well, if that doesn't turn out to be my name,

my real name, I'll adopt it.

I'll call Francie and let her know.

- She'll worry. - Oh, I think you exaggerate her anxieties.

You don't know Francie. I'll just be a moment.

There's a phone right inside.

Waiter.

Package for Mr John Crawford.

Mary! Mary!

What is it, Henry?

Another present for Daddy.

Oh. Good.

- Sign here, please. - Hold it, dear.

Thank you very much.

- Come on, darling. - Let's open it!

Now, wait a minute. Don't get impatient.

Take it in the kitchen. That's it.

- Oh! Isn't it lovely? - Oh, boy!

Well, your ma didn't forget it was your daddy's birthday,

even though she's in the city visiting your grandparents.

- Gimme a taste. - Now, it's your daddy's cake.

He's got to cut the first slice.

You just wait till he gets home.

- Ah, Mary, please. - Now, now...

Try again, Operator.

Jean.

I'm waiting.

Did you speak to Francie?

She doesn't answer.

Well, you can call her later.

Wish I'd been able to tell Francie where we were going.

Well, we've barely got time to make the train to Weehawken now.

You can call her from Woodville.

Oh, don't let it disturb you. She knows you're in good hands.

It's wonderful how you suddenly remembered that man's name.

I wasn't even making an effort to think.

Picked up the schedule, just came to me.

I'm so happy about it.

Woodville. Edward Nesbitt.

I couldn't think of one without the other.

The one man who can tell me all I want to know about myself.

It's thrilling.

There's no telling who you may discover you are after you see that man.

No telling.

- Did you hear that? - What?

Distant thunder.

Looks like the storm you prophesied's coming true.

Oh, here we are at Weehawken.

We've only got a couple of minutes to make the train.

Hello, Mrs Cassidy? This is Frances Lang.

Is Charlie there?

Five minutes ago?

Oh. Well, did he say where he was going?

Oh. Oh, thank you.

Who is it?

Oh, Charlie, I'm so glad.

Say, I didn't mean to scare you, honey.

The janitor let me in. What's wrong?

I don't know.

Let's sit down. What gives with the weeps?

I've been trying to get you.

It's about Jean. I'm scared.

Jean? What's...

She's been out all day with that man.

She was supposed to meet me this afternoon,

and she didn't show up.

What man?

Last night at the Salt Shaker, that... that man at the bar.

She brought him home.

He spent the night? Here?

Yes. He... He'd had some kind of an accident

and he couldn't remember who he was.

Jean felt sorry for him

and she left with him early this morning

trying to find out something about him.

What's there to be scared about?

Charlie, there's...

there's something horrible about him.

Oh, he looked okay to me.

I've been on my own all day trying to help them, and...

You found out something?

What?

I-I don't exactly know.

I don't get it.

These are some of the things that he had in his pocket.

Cigarette lighter.

- Doctor's prescription? - It-It's for poison.

- This prescription? - A deadly poison.

What's wrong with that?

Maybe he wanted to get rid of a few roaches,

- or maybe... - Oh, Charlie.

Look, honey, maybe you'd better tell me all about it,

right from the beginning.

Yes, they are on the train,

and the destination is Woodville.

But does no twinge of unrest, faint as it may be,

stir Jean Lang's consciousness,

as she trustingly confides herself

to the care of William Everest?

And that cake was sent to the same person

whose initials are on this cigarette lighter.

You're going to the police, young lady.

- Oh, come with me, Charlie, please. - No, I can't.

- But, I... - There wouldn't be time.

Maybe this is something we're just building up in our imagination, but...

Jean means too much to the both of us

to take any chances.

But what are you gonna do?

Well, the police may need some convincing

this isn't just a little pipe dream.

I'll meet you at headquarters

with all the evidence I can collect.

- Let's get going. - All right.

Man, I haven't got wings.

Why you treat that bell that way?

Is, er... Miss Ivaneska in?

- Yes. Who shall I say is call... - Never mind names. Is she in?

She's fixin' to go out.

Flotilda, who is it?

Gentleman here says "are you in?"

I told him you was fixin' to go out.

Miss Constantine Ivaneska?

- Yes. - Come with me.

Wha... What is the meaning of this?

Mm-mmm. I ain't never seen nothing like that in Georgia.

Well, what's the meaning of this?

- Please let me go. - I'll explain as we go. I'm sorry, miss.

You'll pay dearly for this outrage.

Stop the car and let me go.

Who are you?

Well, I was kind of frettin' about bein' took

from out of a swell dish of roast chicken, too, but...

but from what this fella tells me,

why, I ain't complainin' now.

Explain to her, Mr Richards.

Yeah, you see, you and me, ma'am, are being invited

to stop a murder.

A murder?

Maybe more than one. Mm-hmm.

Leaves at six-ten p-m-, arrives at eight p-m.

That's what the railroad schedule states in cold print,

but it means far more than that to William Everest.

It means far more than that to Jean Lang, too,

but she does not know, and there lies the tragedy.

I was told Joe Blainey would be here.

You were told right, bud. Hey, Joe!

There's a fella out here to see ya.

Yeah!

- That him? - That's him.

Hey, wait a minute, bud. Where you goin'?

- You'll find out. - Hey, this is a serious offence!

This is kidnapping!

That's a very unusual story you've just told me, Miss Lang.

You will help me?

But the question is,

where does fact end and fiction begin?

I-I know it's true. I just feel that Jean's in danger.

We actually don't have one cold fact to go on.

It's all supposition.

Oh, granted, it sounds feasible, the way you tell it.

On the other hand, it could be just mere coincidence.

Well, we've got to take that chance, Captain.

Miss Lang, I can't set into motion police machinery

on mere assumption.

I understand your anxiety,

but aren't you exaggerating the situation?

What if something does happen

and you'd had a chance to prevent it?

I'd be equally embarrassed if this whole thing

turned out to be a wild goose chase

set in motion by an hysterical young woman.

Here we are, everybody.

But you've got to help me.

That's what the police are for.

If we had just one clear fact to go on.

Here are five clear facts.

- Oh, Charlie. - What does this mean?

- Did you tell him the story, honey? - He says I'm imagining it.

Miss Ivaneska, tell the captain the story you told me.

I knew this man you're all talking about.

Then why did you deny it last night

when my sister called on you at the theatre?

I had my reasons.

I met this man a few years ago

at the home of Judge Nesbitt.

He paid a lot of attention to me and said he was in love with me.

You weren't in love with him?

I liked him. He was charming and good-looking, but...

but even then, he showed signs of...

- Go on, please. - Well, of that condition

which eventually put him in the Hudson Mental Hospital.

That's the place where I told you he sent the birthday cake.

Yeah, that's right. I shipped it for him.

Who are you?

I work for the Elite Bakery.

That's where he bought the cake.

His name is William Everest.

You mentioned a Judge Nesbitt.

Is that the same man who retired a few years ago?

Yes. He was in very poor health

and had lost a lot of money in bad investments.

It was he who signed the papers committing Everest to the asylum.

Oh. Why didn't you tell my sister that last night?

I'm about to marry.

My fiancé comes from a very conventional family,

and he's jealous, too.

When your sister brought that man to me last night,

he didn't recognise me,

so I pretended I didn't know him either.

Although, shortly before, he'd sent me a bunch of roses

in an effort to renew our old friendship.

And you believe that this man is up to some mischief?

That's putting it rather mildly.

He's an escaped maniac.

He sent that birthday cake

to somebody named Crawford at the institution.

It was filled with poison.

And here's the man who sold it to him,

from the prescription this gentleman printed by order.

That must be why he came into my shop

and asked for that book on poisons.

Who is John Crawford?

He's the warden of the Hudson Mental Hospital.

He must have incurred Everest's hatred for some fancied wrong.

Everest already had promised to kill the judge.

Kill the judge?

Yes, he swore he'd do it

when the judge signed the commitment papers.

Oh, Jean. Jean...

Get me the Hudson Mental Hospital, upstate.

Make it fast.

Hudson Mental Hospital.

Mr Crawford's gone home.

It's his birthday. He left early.

You can reach him at Hudson 421.

Hello? Hello?

Now, Henry, you behave yourself.

That was someone calling your daddy from New York.

I guess the wires must have gone down.

- Ah, Mary. - Just wait. You wait.

Phone's cutoff.

Where's Judge Nesbitt living now?

- Woodville. - Woodville?

That's the place that was marked

in the railroad schedule that man had.

Get me Judge Nesbitt in Woodville.

He has no telephone.

He has shut himself off from the world.

Lieutenant, contact the police at Hudson on the teletype.

Request them to go without delay to Crawford's home

and seize a poisoned birthday cake.

Tell them to order a doctor and ambulance to stand by.

Also, contact the state patrol division at Woodville and...

It's lonely out here, isn't it?

My friend likes it here. He's a recluse.

Hope he doesn't mind our bursting in on him like this.

I guarantee he won't say a word.

I'll see if I can get a cab.

Good evening.

Evening, folks.

I wonder if there's any chance of getting a car.

Nope. Where you going?

Up to Edward Nesbitt's place.

Oh. Old Judge Nesbitt? You a friend of his?

Yes.

It's quite a spell up there.

Well, I wonder if we could, er...

No. No chance, unless you want to take my car.

Well, I'd be very glad to pay you.

Oh, no. We don't take money for favours round here.

You're welcome to the car. It's parked right there.

Just tell the old judge's servant to bring it down in the morning

when he comes down for the judge's newspaper.

- Well, thank you. You're very kind. - You're welcome, sir.

Keys are in the car.

- Thank you. - I'll join you in a second, George.

I want to send a wire to Francie.

She'll be more at ease if she knows where I am.

- I'll wait in the car. - All right.

And now for news on the national scene.

A police dragnet has been laid across the entire length and breadth

of Markless County in the state of New Jersey

in an effort to capture a dangerous homicidal maniac,

William Everest, who escaped a week ago

from the Hudson Mental Hospital in New York State.

Known to be accompanying the madman,

but unsuspecting of his real identity,

is Jean Lang, twenty-five-year-old department store buyer,

who had befriended the man after he met with a slight accident

in New York City last night.

Searchers have been instructed

to shoot to kill the fugitive,

as he is said to be extremely dangerous.

It is thought that...

Thank you, Mary.

Somebody's gonna get soppin' wet.

Now, Daddy, now?

Yes, Henry.

Mary's told me what a patient little boy you've been.

Gee, ain't birthdays swell?

Mr Crawford! Mr Crawford!

Oh, no! Henry! Henry!

Oh, Mary, what's the matter?

Are you sure we're on the right road?

Yes.

- Jean. - Yes?

I know I can trust you.

Why, yes, George.

I need a friend with sympathy and understanding.

You'll soon know who you are and everything'll be fine.

That's right.

Nothing must stop me from reaching Edward Nesbitt.

Nothing will.

- Yet, I'm-I'm worried. - Why?

Suppose I do find out who I am and I don't like it?

I mean, ever since the accident, I've been someone else.

Suppose before it happened, I had done something I shouldn't.

You mean, like a...

a crime?

Well, anything.

Will you believe me when I tell you that, since I've known you,

that my whole life has changed?

Do you trust me enough to give me a chance to prove it?

Yes, George.

And it just came over the teletype from New York.

This cake is filled with enough poison to kill a dozen men.

I tried to get you on the phone.

All the wires were down.

Are there any clues to his whereabouts?

They think he's around Woodville, over in Jersey.

Hmm. Judge Nesbitt's living there.

Hope they've warned the old fella.

Oh, you can count on that.

All the roads are blocked off,

and every state cop in the county is out.

By the way, why didn't you report it

when he first broke out of the hospital?

Well, he'd shown such improvement that we'd made him a trustee.

Doctors thought his condition was quite good.

We'd been searching for him ourselves,

but, as yet, we hadn't informed the police.

Do you think he was acting normal

just to get the trustee job so he could break out easier?

Mmm, it's likely.

Certainly fooled us all with his madman's cunning.

We found his uniform under the porch outside.

He'd sneaked in here and stolen one of my suits of clothes.

Well, I'm sure glad I got here on time, Warden.

You're glad?

How do you think I feel?

Good evening.

What's your name? Where are you going?

Crawford. John Crawford.

I'm glad you men came along. I'm afraid I'm lost.

Yeah? From what?

Well, I'm, er... looking for the state police division station.

What for?

Well, I was asked to help in the search of one of my patients.

Oh.

- You're Mr Crawford from, er... - Yes.

This is Miss Carroll, one of my nurses.

Sorry to trouble you, Mr Crawford,

but, er... have you any identification?

Oh, no trouble. Of course.

I...

Oh, here.

This is as good as anything.

Okay, Mr Crawford.

- Sorry to bother you. - It's quite all right.

Station's about five miles down the road.

You're off the track on this side road.

Turn left at the next crossroad.

That'll take you on to 66, then just go straight ahead.

Thank you. Thank you, gentlemen.

Okay, sir. Good night, Miss Carroll.

My name isn't Carroll, and I'm not a nurse.

Nothing is going to stop me from reaching Edward Nesbitt.

What do you suppose those policemen wanted?

Doesn't really matter, as long as we weren't delayed.

That label in your pocket...

Who is John Crawford?

Just a name.

Is that his suit you're wearing?

I wouldn't know, rightly.

It's his identification label in the pocket. It...

must belong to him.

Possibly.

Where did you get it?

I don't remember, darling.

You know, there are so many things that I don't remember.

I happened to glance at it this morning.

How I got it, where I got it,

who the man is, I don't remember.

You showed great presence of mind

in giving that name to the policeman.

Found it on the tip of my tongue.

It sounded almost rehearsed.

Oh, you're letting your imagination run away with you, my dear.

The policeman acted as though

he knew the man whose name you gave.

That's not at all probable.

When you said your name was John Crawford,

he acted as though he knew who John Crawford was.

There's nothing strange in a common name

arousing a familiar memory in a man, is there?

You gave the feeling, also,

that you expected him to know who John Crawford was.

Oh, all this is childish conjecture.

You think I'm lying to you?

We mustn't let any little misunderstanding

come between us, darling.

We've come to mean too much to each other for that.

Isn't that so?

Yup. That telegram was filed here about thirty minutes ago, Sheriff.

Here's a copy of it.

Was there a man with her?

Yeah, mm-hmm. Nice, easy-speakin' fella.

I lent him my car to go up to Judge Nesbitt's place.

Him and that girl.

Well, it's them, all right.

How'd you let 'em get through?

Said he was Warden Crawford of the Hudson Mental Hospital.

Showed identification, too.

We'd better get down to the judge's place, fast.

And you too.

There's the house.

Our troubles will all be over soon.

All over.

What are you thinking?

Things will all be changed in a few minutes.

You'll know all about yourself, and...

I'll know all about you.

Why are we waiting here?

This moment is set apart from time.

I want to prolong it.

You know all about yourself now, and...

you don't know what you may be

after you see Mr Nesbitt.

Is that it, George?

Hudson Mental Hospit...!

You're hurting my throat, George.

A wonderful throat.

A wonderful channel through which

the inmost secrets of the soul

- find freedom to the world. - George!

Let it live, and it can tell the world too much.

Destroy it, and its secrets are locked forever

- from the ears of man. - George!

It's Lem Jayson's car, all right.

They must be around here.

Spread out, and beat around.

Now, blow your whistles if you come upon anything.

It won't do any good to hide, my little sweetheart.

No good at all.

And there won't be any pain, my dear.

One quick cut, and it'll be over.

And your throat will be quiet for evermore.

Oh, I'm very expert.

This knife is very sharp.

I'll be doing you a great favour.

Look at it like that.

Oh, you'll be spared so much of life's torments.

Come down, my darling.

Don't prolong your agony.

I'll take you where it's calm and peaceful.

Why do you want to kill me?

I was your one friend. I gave you shelter.

And I will return your kindness

and give you shelter from the things which will destroy you.

I will keep you forever young.

Time and life are your enemies.

I am your friend.

In a city full of strange adventures,

this, which happened to Jean Lang,

has been one of the most amazing.

Protected by the resilience of youth,

Jean Lang will carry no scars on her soul

from her encounter with William Everest.

And, as time passes, even the nightmare memory

will not disturb her innocent sleep.

She will marry in time a man destined for her

and live long and happily in the fullness of her years.

I know, because I am the Whistler.