Original subtitles

Look, what is going on here?

What's the matter? What happened?

Give me a lift here.

Where is your phone, dad?

Mr Steele.

What happened?

Looks like Mr Steele hung one on him. Who is he?

I'd better call Mr Stevenson. They are upstairs in a meeting.

What is all this?

George.

What one earth ..?

George is just a little fractured.

He must have got hold of a bad blend.

Work here?

A couple of months on our farm will sober him up.

Then better make him a key for that front door.

You're not arresting him?

I am not going to pin a medal on him, mister. He took a poke at me.

Did I crash?

Look out! - Alright.

Look here. I am a doctor.

This man is not merely drunk. He is really ill.

I've known Mr Steele for years. He doesn't do that kind of drinking.

We understand your position, officer. You must make a report of course.

Mr Steele is a member of the staff.

We like to avoid notoriety if possible. Please bring him up to my office.

My name is Barton. I am the director of the museum.

This is Stevenson the curator.

Dr Lowell, who is on our board and is a competent physician.

We will take full responsibility with the police commissioner.

Okay.

I'll have to report this to the precinct.

Send for an ambulance.

He'll live.

Gentlemen.

I suggest the board adjourns for this evening.

There would seem to be little point in our resuming our discussion ..

On Mr Steele and his relation to the museum.

He'll be alright. He's coming around now.

What do you think it is, Lowell?

I'm not sure.

Shock, anyway.

Probably complicated by alcohol from the smell of his clothes.

Yes?

This is Cochrane.

I see.

That's what I thought.

You are absolutely sure?

Did you check every line?

George.

George, darling.

What is this, open house? - I am sorry, Lieutenant.

Miss Traybin of the English Museum.

I was dining with Miss Cordell when she got word. Will I be in the way?

Were there many .. killed?

Don't worry about that now.

We'll talk about it later.

He might as well talk about it now if he feels like it.

It will save everybody a lot of time. We'll all get to bed earlier.

What's going on?

Who is that?

He is Lieutenant Cochrane of the Police Department.

Police?

What do they want?

I'd like to ask a few questions. Where have you been since you left the museum?

Is he kidding?

No. I am just after information.

I saw the other train coming.

I realized there was going to be a wreck. I felt it, I heard it.

That's all. I woke up here.

What did I do? Crawl through a red light on my hands and knees?

Where was the wreck? Where were you going?

North.

The same direction eh train was going.

I was a half hour out of Grand Central with the rest of the passengers.

There's something unusual about that.

The only thing unusual about it is there wasn't any wreck.

What?

We've checked every railroad east of Chicago.

They haven't had a wreck since the speed bowl pile-up in Washington months ago.

You're out of your mind.

I am?

Found out a couple of other things.

For instance?

We'll get to that.

Listen. I was in a wreck. I blacked out. What are you driving at?

What am I supposed to have done?

Among other things, you kicked in the front of the museum.

Then you started tearing up the joint. - But ..

Let's get back to this train wreck that didn't happen.

Haven't we had enough of this cross-examination? Can't you see ..

It won't help any of us to get excited.

Lieutenant, do you mind if I speak to him for a minute?

Go ahead.

Steele.

It may help to untangle this ..

If you try to remember as many of the circumstances as possible.

Everything you did today before you took the train.

Why you took the train.

Where you were going.

Everything you can recall.

I was here all day working on my lecture.

I started the talk about five o'clock.

There was a large turnout.

It's given a lot of us an inferiority complex.

Face to face with the painting, we shuffle our feet and apologise.

We say: "I don't know anything about art. I only know what I like".

But why apologise?

If knowing what you like is a good enough way to pick out a wife or ..

A house or a pair of shoes.

What is wrong with applying the same rule to painting?

The only people I feel sorry for.

Are the people who know everything about art but who don't know what they like.

They don't know anything. They are too cautious and tired.

Only way they can tell a good painting from a bad one is by the price tag.

Phony art dealers and critics didn't make The Angelus valuable.

No. It's valuable because people like you over the centuries appreciated it.

Because Millet succeeded communicating what he felt was a beautiful moment.

Some of you missed the big loan exhibit last month.

I did.

So I am trying to arrange to ..

Get a few of those masterpieces, including D�rer's ..

Adoration of the Kings.

Back here for the lecture next week.

They are already crated but ..

I think I can prevail on Mr Stevenson.

To let us have them again for study.

I may even be able to let you see some of them under X-Ray.

If I can get the equipment.

One of the interesting things that the X-Ray proves is that ..

Even the old masters were human.

They would often start one thing and change their mind and then ..

Paint something else over it.

Sometimes it is ..

The only way we can detect a forgery.

Some of our most famous paintings have been copies.

Curiously, some of the forgeries are as old as the originals.

And so skilfully done that the best experts ..

Can't tell the difference without X-Rays.

Which catches the chemical difference in the paints.

A good technician.

With nothing to say is a very dangerous man.

Whether he forges masters.

Or paints nonsense.

What do you think of this?

But Mr Steele.

Yes?

Mr Steele, just how far away from modern art is one supposed to stand?

In a case like this I would say .. quite close.

Two feet.

Then.

Back away slowly.

Until you bump into somebody interesting and then go for a walk in the park.

Pioneers have always been ridiculed.

Someday modernism will be recognised.

Don't misunderstand I am not condemning modern painting.

I just think this is nonsense. If you like it, fine. I don't.

That is because you lack perception and sensitivity to extract emotional values.

What do you like? Expert renditions of pineapples and fishtails?

Do you listen?

Do you know that he says ..

Oh, Miss Ware.

I think you had better go back to your office.

Next week, we will go into the subject of modern art more deeply.

Surrealists will be searched for weapons at the door.

Goodnight all. Thank you.

Well. This place is beginning to come to life.

Thank you very much for a very interesting lecture, Mr Steele.

Thanks.

Barton will only go for so much reform at one time.

I enjoyed your lecture very much indeed, Mr Steele.

You have put me on the spot. I can't promise those paintings for next week.

He just doesn't want to have his routine disturbed.

I'll talk him into it.

Mr Stevenson. Mr Barton wants to see you and Mr Steele in his office.

Have him talk to you for a few minutes and blow off steam.

I'll be along in a second.

You are getting to be quite a rabble-rouser.

George, I am sorry about lunch. I hated standing you up.

Did you? - I got involved with Reynolds.

It's part of my job.

Hobnobbing around with a lot of snobs too sophisticated to breathe.

The magazine I work for is just devoted to the interests of sophisticated snobs.

A lot of them revolve around Reynolds and his businesses.

He's got about as much business selling art as a pink fox.

But when Little Red Riding Hood wants to know what goes on in the fox's mind.

She has to go into his cave.

Oh. You know George - Mr Reynolds.

Oh yes. Saint George. The people's defender.

Busily slaying the twin dragons of cant and hypocrisy.

I admire your enthusiasm, Mr Steele.

But I am afraid it is a dangerous and impossible task.

How is that, grandfather?

Art is an unnatural thing by definition.

It flourishes on hypocrisy.

Men like Barton know that but they don't like to be reminded.

You'll be around for a while won't you?

But it's only an experiment, Mr Barton.

If you just give it a longer trial. - I don't agree with you.

His behaviour in the gallery is ridiculous.

It's comic.

I am sorry I ever listened to you, Stevenson.

Why, his attitude is revolutionary.

Gentlemen.

George.

I'm not happy with the progress of your lectures.

I agreed to the series originally ..

On the basis of your service record and Stevenson's recommendation.

But I am afraid it is not working out.

But they attract public interest.

Public interest is one thing.

Public brawls in the gallery are another.

Whether we like it or not.

We are supported by affluent patrons.

And we can't afford to antagonise them.

They're afraid.

They're afraid these kind of audiences will start bringing sandwiches.

The only people who could possibly be antagonised by my lectures are ..

Those who wear culture like a mink coat or use the museum as a social front.

I have called the advisory board tonight to discuss the situation.

I doubt they'll approve your request to bring the loan collection back.

Why?

The paintings are crated for shipment. You know that.

To bring back them is unnecessary, expensive and inconvenient.

I will say so at the meeting.

I'll also say I believe your request for X-Ray equipment is ridiculous.

Why?

Because this is a museum.

Not a hospital.

The Metropolitan and the Louvre have used X-Rays without any complications.

If you care to come to the meeting, you may.

Otherwise.

I will do my best to present your position to the board.

Alright.

Tell them to decide whether this place is to be run as a public institution ..

Or an exclusive tea party.

Goodnight, Mary. - Goodnight, Mr Steele.

George.

George, you remember .. - Yes, surely.

I enjoyed that talk tonight very much.

Thank you.

You know I have been quite puzzled about something since our first meeting.

It cleared up suddenly during your talk.

You are Captain Steele? - I was Captain Steele.

You were with the allied preparations commission.

You're the lad who turned up all those forgeries in the Nazi collection.

I was on the British team for a while.

An awfully good show of yours. - Thank you.

Are you free for dinner?

I'm sorry, George. No. I am ..

Never mind.

Look here, why don't you join us? Terry has been steering me about.

I've been getting quite an education in American food.

That place you have in mind. They can find another chair? Of course.

I'd like to hear more about that row you got into at Nuremberg.

Some other time.

Excuse me. George.

George!

Hey.

You are pouting. Come on, what's the beef?

Answer me.

There is no beef.

What are you, the Queen of the May here? Cut me in sometime will you.

George.

Buy me a drink.

It's early.

I have to change anyway. I'll tell Traybin to pick me up in an hour.

Hmm?

Remember that record?

No. I don't remember it.

You don't remember that record? - No, I don't.

Oh yes, you must. - Uhuh.

You remember that night. - No, I don't.

Yes. We had been out sailing. We were up at the lake.

We came in and played the jukebox.

But you must. It was the first time we danced.

If that's all it takes to break your date with Traybin ..

It is the telephone for you, Mr Steele.

For me?

Excuse me a minute.

Yes?

Who?

A long distance call? What do they want?

Oh.

What happened to her?

What time does the next train leave?

Thank you.

Would you call the hospital and tell them I will definitely make it.

Thank you.

Who knew you were here? You didn't have another date, did you?

A message from the hospital in Glenby. Mother is sick.

She's had a sudden attack. I just have time to make the last train.

Darling, I am sorry.

I'll go to the station with you. - No.

No, you go ahead and have your date with Traybin. I've got to move fast.

I love you.

Call me in the morning. Let me know.

A round trip to Glenby. I'm in kind of a hurry.

Right.

Excuse me, please. - Hey, mister.

Hey, mister!

Hold it, will you please.

All aboard.

Hey, bud. Tell them to hold it a minute, will you.

Hold if for these fellas, will you. - Yes, sir.

Get a load of that.

That's what's going to happen to you don't stop hitting that bottle.

Yes, dear.

Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please.

I have here a one-pound box of delicious chocolate-covered bonbons.

Shortly selling at leading department stores for $5 and 55 cents a pound.

But, I am not charging $5.55 or even $0.55.

I am giving them away totally free as a special advertising introductory offer.

Of course there will be a slight 25 cent service charge.

I have a lady here. How many more?

A lady here. I've a gentleman here. Yes, sir. How much?

How many, mister? - Have you cigarettes?

Have I been discoursing to no avail whatsoever?

Look, mister. Maybe perhaps you just heard me remark ..

This trip it is candy. - I'll catch you the next trip.

The next trip is coffee, sandwiches, apples and flowers.

Then the next trip is cigarettes.

I am going through the car just once.

Marlin next stop.

Marlin next stop.

Hello, Mr Williams. - Hi, chief.

Marlin next stop.

I threw up my hands.

Everything exploded in front of me. There were screams.

That's all I remember.

Someone turned on the lights.

Here I was.

Terry seemed to weave in front of me.

I couldn't figure out what was the matter.

Quite a story.

Can you think of some way to prove it?

Yes.

Where is my coat? - Don't bother.

You haven't got a ticket stub. We went through all your pockets.

About that phone call. I thought you may be glad to know your mother is fine.

There is no record of any message from the Glenby hospital.

This is ridiculous. I was with him when he got the call.

Did you go to the phone too?

Of course not.

It might have been an invitation to tap a keg of rum.

I don't get it.

I don't get it.

Steele, you've worked very hard you know.

Of course I have.

Been away three years. I've a lot of time to make up.

Naturally.

Did you have any unusual experiences when you were overseas?

Yes.

One day I got V-mail letter.

That I could read.

I didn't mean to sound unsympathetic.

But it is possible your war experiences plus overwork could be the answer.

What are you going to do, Lieutenant? - I don't know .. yet.

The finest minds have their saturation point.

Now I'm going to have a smoke.

Do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?

No. Go ahead, I'm not going any place.

Do you recall being in a railroad wreck or any similar experience as a child?

You played that quite well. Thanks.

The museum. The old man.

Do they know why you are here?

I don't think so.

Would you mind very much turning Steele loose?

I can't do that.

He's ripe for the psycho ward.

Possibly and if my guess is right he'd be much safer there but ..

I would rather like to have him running around for a while. It might help.

What is your guess?

Is he mixed up in this thing you are working on?

That's what I'd like to find out.

How?

I was wondering if I couldn't borrow a couple of your men to put on his trail.

It won't look very good on the records if somebody gets hurt.

I'll try and see nothing happens.

It's just a matter of facing the facts realistically. That's all.

Alright, alright. I'm psychopathic. - George.

Sure, I was frightened by a train when I was 6 years old. But I don't remember.

Go on, lock me up. - George, please.

Are you willing to forget the damages downstairs?

The doors can be replaced. Unfortunately .. the statue cannot.

But my primary concern as director of the museum is to avoid scandal.

How about you?

How do you feel about it?

Lieutenant, if one of your family is ill you want to help him, not punish him.

Steele is a member of the staff .. - I mean medically.

As a doctor.

I see nothing serious.

He needs rest. That's all.

I'm probably making a mistake. But I'm letting you go.

Lay off that vino. Don't take any more train rides.

You are liable to wind up in Bellevue.

Here. Put this on, George.

Mr Steele.

I am sorry about this.

I can't understand. But I'll make up for it.

From now on my lectures will be conservative and dull.

Tell the board they can relax.

When you arrived tonight.

The board had tentatively considered cancelling your lectures.

I think under the circumstances.

We can consider the decision final.

I see.

Let's get you home. You need some sleep.

I'll get a cab.

What happened here?

I couldn't have come here.

I certainly couldn't have done this.

Who could? - The police probably.

One of Cochrane's men must have ..

Dropped in to check on you.

Somebody should have dropped one of Cochrane's men on Nagasaki.

It would have accomplished the same thing much cheaper.

Cops are notoriously untidy.

They mean well but they like to mess things up.

It's strange you Americans always fight an undeclared war against your police.

Why is that? You hire them to do a job.

Then you dare them to do it.

Then you almost resent it if they succeed.

It's a long story.

It may be an impertinent suggestion as after all, I am only a visitor but ..

Why not meet them half way? Cops are only human.

They might respond to a little ..

Respect and affection.

Would these be your lecture notes?

Part of my files on the German substitutions.

I wonder why they would interest the police.

I don't know about cops.

You apparently do. Why don't you figure it out.

I hope you'll feel better after a little rest.

Goodnight.

Let me know if there is anything I can do.

Thanks.

Thanks for being such a help. - Oh, that's alright.

Goodnight. - Goodnight.

Terry.

What do you think?

What is happening?

I don't know.

Forget it for a while.

All of a sudden I don't know myself.

In 24 hours everything has become unfamiliar.

It will clear up.

I've quarrelled with you a lot since I came back haven't I.

You've been normally jealous.

I've seen a lot of good guys crack up in this war.

Cool, composed cookies one day and the next ..

Snap like a tight violin string.

It's the one fear everybody had.

Kept thinking.

It might happen to me.

George.

There is nothing wrong with your mind.

Your ego is a little bruised because for once you don't know all the answers.

But there is nothing wrong with your mind.

I still don't know whether I've been in a train wreck on not. I got to find out.

Alright. Find out.

Do handstands. Knock your head against the wall.

Show your muscles. Do anything you like.

What is going on, darling?

I'm sorry. I'm mad I guess.

Confused and a little frightened.

Last night in Joe's place for the first time in three years I ..

I began to sense what life could be like again.

And then.

I don't know what happened any more than you do and ..

I don't really care. I just resent it.

How was the dinner with Traybin?

Did you have fun?

No. It was terrible.

I felt like I had ..

Missed the last step in the dark.

Where on earth have you been all day? I've been worried sick.

I thought you knew I was here.

I didn't. I just kept looking.

Wouldn't be working with Cochrane, were you?

Don't be silly, George.

He could have told you where I was.

He's had his little buzz-bomb on my trail all day.

He follows me everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

George, don't.

Whatever you're going to do, don't do it.

I've got to find out what happened last night.

How can you?

Where would you begin?

For one this I could get on the same train. Keep my eyes open.

I've got to find somebody, something ..

To tip me off as to what went on.

Just, just leave it alone.

What would that accomplish?

Excuse me.

I'll be right back.

Your change, sir. - That's alright.

Tell the guy at the bar he's wanted on the phone.

Yes, sir.

Lieutenant Cochrane wants you on the phone.

How did you know it was me? - Well ..

He said a man with a raincoat.

Hello?

Hello?

A round trip to Glenby. - Glenby. Yes, sir.

Got a ten? - Right.

Were you on duty last night? - Yeah.

Same window? - Don't know. We switch around.

I left some change.

You're meant to count your money before you leave the window.

I didn't mean that. I ask if you remembered me.

Mister.

My daughter is expecting.

Do you mind if I get to Utica before the baby?

Sorry.

A ticket to Utica please.

The line begins back there, buddy.

One way to Iron Holt.

Alright.

Alright.

Car 172 up ahead. - Thank you.

Alright.

I beg your pardon.

Would you mind moving to another seat?

Sorry to inconvenience you.

Well, here is your chance to get even. - Okay.

Cigars, cigarettes, candy.

Cigars, cigarettes, candy.

Cigars, cigarettes, candy.

Oh bud. - Yes, sir?

Give me some cigarettes. - Yes, sir, What kind?

What kind did I get last night?

Are you kidding, Joe? What do you think I do, keep books?

I thought you might remember.

You thought I might remember.

Listen, cousin.

There's eleven hundred potential consumers on this train.

And amongst the articles which I distribute are as follows:

Chocolate-covered bon-bons, sugar coated peanuts ..

Apples, oranges, coffee, sandwiches, magazines, magazines.

I know. And flowers.

And flowers. And you want I should remember the kind of butts you smoke?

Get this guy.

What a character. Phone me when you decide.

Apples, oranges, cigars, cigarettes, magazines.

Marlin, next stop.

Next stop Marlin.

Marlin next stop.

Next stop Marlin.

Evening, Mr Christian.

Marlin next stop.

Conductor. - Yes?

Do you remember seeing me on the train last night?

Huh?

I said do you remember if you saw me on this train last night.

No. Never remember faces.

"Marlin."

"Marlin."

"Marlin."

Marlin!

Marlin.

Do you remember if anyone got off the train that stopped here last night?

Which train is that? - The train I just got off of.

Well if it stopped here somebody must have got off.

Can't think for any reason otherwise to stop here.

The stop might have been scheduled.

Yeah.

Yeah. Good point.

A good point. It might be. It might be on schedule.

Did anyone get off? Did you notice anything unusual?

I've been marred 30 years and I don't look for any outside troubles.

I could write a book about the goings and comings here if I had the mind to.

But I just do my job and I don't see a thing.

There's more free living going on in these parts these days ..

Than you can shake a stick at.

Money does it.

New York money mostly.

Society people and artists.

I never saw the woods so full of artists and free living.

You an artist?

Not exactly.

A bad bunch, artists.

Yeah.

Many a night one artist named Anderson.

Comes home as late as eleven o'clock.

Smelling of beer.

Only last night.

A couple of fellows.

Artists or their like. Must have been.

Got off the same train you did tonight.

Yes. The very same train, mind you.

The sun hardly sets.

Carrying a fellow so full of liquor.

You wouldn't dare light a match under his nose.

The sun had hardly set, mind you.

And that fellow couldn't even walk.

What do you think of that?

There were three men you say? Two of them carrying a drunk?

Take a good look at me.

Could the man they were carrying be me?

It don't pay as I see it to gossip about people.

If you want to get stinking, that's your business, not mine.

Where did they take me? Where'd they take this man? Where'd they go?

Well, they put him in a car as nearly as I remember.

What kind of a car?

I couldn't say.

I haven't been able to tell one car from another since 1924.

They all look alike now, the way they make them.

Window is closed.

And I was on that train alright.

The drunk behind me was a plant.

I was slugged when the other train went by.

They carried me off at Marlin.

It looked just like two fellahs helping a drunk.

Why would anybody .. - Discredit me?

You make it look like I was a dipso or crazy or both.

To try and stop my lectures.

I'm in somebody's way, Stevie.

And it connects with the museum.

Ah, it is too incredible.

You don't believe me, do you.

It's not that, George. I ..

But how do you account for you swearing you were in a wreck?

How did you get in the museum without knowing it?

How did you .. - I don't know all the answers yet!

I'm sorry, Steve.

Something is happening down at the museum.

What is going on down there?

What do you mean? - Why has Barton been fighting me?

Look, George.

This is extremely confidential.

You remember that Gainsborough? The one that was lost at sea in an explosion?

Sure I do.

Barton got a letter from a friend named Montague saying it was not an accident.

What?

That's all I know.

Barton's been difficult since with everybody.

I don't think it ties in with you in any other way.

Maybe.

Maybe.

You'd better get me to the museum.

So I can find out if anybody connected with it has a house in or near Marlin.

You've got a key to the museum. - You can't risk going near there.

I've got to and right away. - They'll grab up in a second, George.

Yeah.

I guess you're right.

You wait here.

I'll get your information.

Hello?

Yeah.

Listen carefully. I must talk fast.

Barton was here when I arrived. We had a serious run-in.

I can't say now but you must get down here and help me check something.

It's important.

How do I get in?

In the vault. I'll leave the basement door open.

You have to hop over the back wall. Hurry.

Alright Steve. I'll be right there.

Steve.

Steve.

Steve.

"Barton was here when I arrived. We had a serious run-in."

"I can't say now but you must get down here and help me check on something."

"It's important."

I was making my last rounds ..

I looked in the door and Steele stood there bending over him.

Steele?

Call Cochrane and tell him our friend is on the prowl again.

Sure you're not being followed? - I don't think so.

Bring the money? - Right here.

No, no. Not now. Wait a minute.

Make sure no-one is looking, then hand them to me.

I tried to get back to the apartment.

The place is surrounded with cops.

They work fast.

Your description is bouncing out of every radio in town.

Everything but singing commercials.

I'll manage to keep out of their way.

Darling, this just won't work. It's ..

Uhuh. There is a cop watching us. Keep your back to him.

He's coming this way.

Keep your head down.

Still coming?

Yes.

He's got his eye on us too.

Relax.

Talk about something.

Oh .. so ..

Everything I do seems to be wrong.

The other day I was five minutes late.

You would think he'd lost a million dollars.

How are the pictures?

Don't move, He's standing right near us.

So, yesterday I told him off good.

I looked him right in the eye and I said: listen Mr Hitler ..

I am only human after all.

You should have seen the expression on his face.

What does he think I am anyway? An automadam?

Gosh. Honestly, just because I won't go out dancing with him.

Honestly, I think I am going to ..

How old are you, bud?

Thirty-nine. How old are you?

Forty-four.

It's alright now.

You can't expect to dodge the police indefinitely, George.

Wouldn't it be smarter to go to Cochrane and get this thing out in the open?

That's about as smart as cutting my throat to get some fresh air.

But ..

Keep yourself busy while we talk.

The more you duck in and out of dark alleys the worse it looks for you.

You didn't kill Stevenson.

Somehow, some way we've got to prove it.

I can't very well prove it at the back of an iron grill.

But darling it is so .. - Keep your voice down.

You're attracting attention.

Sorry.

There are a lot of things to do.

But I've got to be free to do them. You can help me.

What do you know about that Gainsborough that was lost at sea a while back?

Only what I read in the papers.

There was an explosion in the hold of the ship off the coast of England.

Did you know that the last place it was exhibited in America was in the museum?

Yes. Why?

Doesn't that seem important to you?

Not necessarily.

A masterpiece was lost in an accident with a lot of other things.

It was insured and the underwriters paid off.

Why should that seem so important?

Because it was not an accident.

What do you mean, it was not an accident?

I don't know yet. But it was not an accident.

Stevenson told me on the phone.

He couldn't go into details. That's why he wanted me to come over to the museum.

He ran into something that ..

Well, something to tell me or show me. That is ..

That's why he was killed.

If you just want to talk to this tootsie.

Why don't you go for a walk in the park?

Go away will you. - No, I won't go away.

I want to play this game.

There's a lot of games. Go play them. - No. I want to play this game.

Will you go away. - Oh, a tough guy, eh?

George, are you crazy? I thought you didn't want to attract attention.

Seeking the protection of a female, huh?

I thought you said you wanted a fight.

Okay, come on.

Watch it. - Don't worry.

I'll go outside with you. You're afraid to take it in front of your girl, eh?

Go on, punch it.

Not bad for an art critic.

Not at all bad.

What are you doing here?

Oh, I was just strolling by.

I'm very fond of penny arcades.

They give the visitor a wonderful cross section of average people.

Hard working, law abiding, looking for a little fun.

The human pursuit is reduced here to the simplest terms.

You change a half-dollar for a handful of hope.

Five shots of happiness for a nickel.

A beautiful thought.

Did you send for Cochrane too?

You saw this coming.

George, I had to.

You can't handle this alone.

She is quite right you know. You need help.

Let's get this straight right from the beginning.

Who is this? How did you get mixed up with him and what are you trying to do?

I told you. I told you everything I could.

Still, we've got to be sensible about this.

Swell.

Suppose you begin by telling me how this concerns you.

I'll tell you what I can at the moment.

The only reason you weren't arrested after you broke into the museum.

Was because I was able to intervene.

My fairy godfather.

Why? - I'll get to that.

You are in pretty deep now.

A man has been killed.

Oh, is that so?

Your life is in danger too.

I feel a certain responsibility, having in a sense, gotten you into it.

I can help you.

You can help me too.

Will you work with me?

You haven't answered my questions.

You have some information I need.

I know a number of things of great interest to you.

Let's go down to see Cochrane and put the pieces together.

I thought I'd see the hook eventually.

Oh, darling. Darling, please be reasonable.

I am overwhelmed.

They are all such wonderful people.

Everybody has my interest at heart. Everybody wants to take me to the cops.

No. We are only asking you to come.

That is very sporting of you but I would like to think it over.

It isn't every day that a man can be booked as a psychopathic killer.

If you continue to behave like one Cochrane is bound to keep after you.

You don't give him any other choice.

It is for your own good. You have got to trust us.

No thanks.

I'm not trusting anybody this week.

For Terry's sake and for the sake of your own safety I'm afraid I insist.

What do you intend to do?

I'll regret it very much if you make me tell the policeman outside who you are.

Oh.

Well, in that case.

I guess I had better go peacefully.

Oh. - Sorry.

What happened?

Somebody fainted. Better get some water.

Hello, Mary.

How are you?

Fine, Mr Steele.

I'm awfully sorry I brought you all the way down here.

You were sweet to come.

But I'm in a little trouble as you probably know.

You didn't kill Mr Stevenson, did you Mr Steel?

You don't really think I did?

No.

Do you know who did?

That's one of the things I've got to find out.

Steve was helping me when he was killed.

He was my friend, Mary.

I'm going to need your help. - Anything I can do, Mr Steele.

What do you know about a man named Montague?

He is a friend of Mr Barton in London.

A dealer.

They have been corresponding with each other for years.

Have you seen any of those letters lately?

No.

Mr Barton gets his personal correspondence at home.

Then I will have to ask you to do me a favor, Mary.

I must see Barton.

I want you to ask him to meet me tomorrow night at 8 o'clock ..

At Washington Market dock at 12th Street.

He seems quite opposed to you now.

I'm afraid he will refuse to do it.

If he does.

Just tell him I saw him at the museum.

The night Mr Stevenson was killed.

Did you really?

No. But he was there.

Will you do it?

Would you start right away?

Thank you, Mary.

You're a sweet girl.

Are you alone? - Yes.

Step into my office.

What were you doing in the museum the night Stevenson was killed?

That's a lie. I ..

This is preposterous. You are wanted for murder.

I'm not going to sit for a cross-examination from you.

I should have notified the police.

The police will ask you some embarrassing questions.

Like what were you doing at the museum the night Stevenson was killed?

I was going through some papers.

I've had some personal things on my mind.

I've been very upset.

Because of a forged Gainsborough?

Come on, come on. You might as well tell me the rest.

Did your friend tell you how they discovered the forgery?

The British authorities tested two pieces following explosion.

The paint was wrong.

The fools! If they had only destroyed it completely.

Then the original is still in existence? - Of course.

Sure.

Steve couldn't find the Gainsborough in the museum. It wasn't there.

He was looking for something.

What he probably found was another forgery.

There's another forgery in the vault. You realize that?

Why do you think I haven't been able to sleep for two weeks?

Why do you think I was at the museum that night?

Why do you think I pleaded with Stevenson to let matters alone?

If there is a forgery there, I can find it.

If you had a month ..

And the police weren't watching the museum 24 hours a day, you might.

If it was only destroyed before it was discovered.

Destroyed completely.

You'd like that, wouldn't you.

You forget my whole career is at stake. - So is my life!

You've got to get me in there. Tonight.

I can't.

It would be .. it would be dangerous for you.

Since when are you so interested in my health? Come on.

I can't.

I have been ordered to attend a gathering at Reynolds' house.

Reynolds?

Why?

I don't know.

I am afraid to decline.

He threatened me.

Alright.

Go ahead.

Go ahead. - Thank you.

Thank you. - Remember.

You didn't see me.

Understand?

Because the police will be just as interested in you.

Hey!

Don't you see those No Smoking signs?

Sorry.

Contessa.

So nice to be here.

Nice of you to come. - Lovely party.

Count. Good to see you. - How are you?

This seems cruel.

Sipping champagne and watching these 17th Century frauds smirk at each other.

And not knowing where George is or what has happened to him.

Everything is being done.

Cochrane has his best men at key spots all over the city.

If anything turns up.

I'll be called here.

As a matter of fact George is probably quite safe.

As long as he is not at this party.

Well, Barton.

What news of the fugitive Cochrane wants?

Well I can't say I feel sorry for him.

I warned him that the Crusader's path was phony.

Come, come. You are quite safe here.

I was careful to hide all the fire extinguishers.

Pardon me, sir. A telephone call for a Mr Traybin.

Excuse me, sir. You are wanted on the phone.

Oh. Can I take it on the extension?

Do you mind?

Yes?

What?

You sure it's the painting?

It wasn't to go until next week.

What ship?

What time does she sail?

Yeah. Yeah, I've got it.

The Arcadia.

Pier 31, North River.

Don't worry now. Sit tight.

Can you take me for a fast drive? - Yes. What's happened.

Get your things, quickly.

By whose orders is The Adoration of the Kings being shipped out tonight?

It's not going out until next week.

There must be some ..

See here ..

What business is it of yours?

It is my job to see that it gets back to England safely.

It was to be shipped out next week on The Regency.

I've been told it's been put aboard the SS Arcadia sailing at 1 o'clock tonight.

Why were the arrangements changed? - Changed? Nothing was changed.

My secretary was given explicit orders about the sailing date.

I signed the order only two days ago.

The painting is still in the museum.

It had better be.

Thank you. We've got to get to Pier 31 North River in a hurry.

You'd better wait here.

What do you think is going on?

Hurry up you men. Get a leg on. Faster.

That canvas was removed before the fire was started.

When was this hold checked last?

I checked it myself about an hour ago.

Sorry old man. I do hope there won't be any bruises.

Hey, what are we playing here? Tap on the ice-box? That's Steele.

I know. My hands will be full for a bit.

Keep an eye on him and see he doesn't get into any mischief, will you.

Come on, get in.

No thanks. I'll take a street car. I can trust street cars.

What's your racket, girly? What do you do for a living?

I'm out of my head. I drive around in cars picking up psychopathic killers.

Someone has to look after you.

I was at a party with Reynolds. Things began to come apart at the seams.

I drove Traybin to .. - I know that.

Okay, you know that. You know everything. You're the great Steele.

You walk through brick walls. You ..

You can wait here. They are going to put in a street car soon.

Unless.

Unless you have some dim idea of what you are doing and want me to help you.

I always ask one question of people who want to join my club.

Who Is Traybin?

Scotland Yard. Art expert.

Requested by the New York police to check on the missing Gainsborough.

This thing I have under my coat.

Is supposed to be D�rer's Adoration of the Kings.

I think it's a phony.

I must have it X-Rayed tonight.

How can you? You'll have to get into a lab and ..

I've got an idea. Start driving.

Wait a minute. Can you trust her?

I'm trusting you.

You'd better let me go. Then in case we've been followed ..

You'll have a chance to make other arrangements.

Mary, I've got to talk to you. It's very important.

Come in.

What is it? Something happened?

George says you've a girlfriend who works at the Contemporary Institute.

Does she have a key?

I think so.

He wants you to call her and ask her to let us in so we can use the X-Ray lab.

Will you do it?

She might get into trouble. I could call her tomorrow.

No, it's got to be tonight. It's very urgent.

Will you do it?

He must know where to find the reference plates and the masters.

They are cross-indexed by painter and title on the big steel cabinet.

Please tell them to hurry.

Let that dry for a while.

Here is the D�rer folder.

While we're waiting we'll have a look at these.

The original as I remember had an unfinished figure underneath.

There it is.

D�rer changed his mind and ..

Painted over it.

Here is the Schollar copy.

He was one of the greatest forgers of the 18th Century.

Compared with the original.

You can see the difference. There is no figure.

A reconstructed canvas.

Here is the Schollar copy.

Also a difference.

But in another way.

He doesn't have the technique of the original.

No.

It is physically impossible for two men to paint exactly the same.

Now we'll see what we got.

You've got me all mixed up with that shell game: Which is Which?

On the left.

The Schollar copy.

On the right.

An X-Ray of the painting I took off the ship.

I don't see any difference.

There isn't any.

They are both the same.

So the painting at the museum isn't .. - Isn't the original.

It's a Schollar copy.

Listen.

I thought I heard something.

Are you almost through?

I can get out of here in just 5 minutes. - I'll go and see if Dorothy is alright.

Does this clear you? - It helps.

I can take my chances with what I know now.

You were expecting a forgery.

Yes.

Stevenson's death gave me that lead.

You mean, just knowing that was enough to get him killed?

Plenty.

Whoever is engineering this job isn't kidding.

They already had the original. The forgery was bound to be discovered.

Not if it was destroyed.

There would be nothing left but ashes.

If nobody bother searching for the original.

Everybody will be satisfied including the police.

It's the old Gainsborough deal all over again.

Stevenson had to be killed.

Then .. what about you?

What about you?

You had better call Cochrane.

Dorothy heard somebody upstairs. It might be the watchman.

Can't we go now? - I'm on the way.

We'll have to go out the same way. The back way through the park.

Goodnight, Mr Steele.

Can we take you someplace? - No thank you.

What was that?

You had better go ahead.

George!

Don't move, Miss Cordell.

Please don't move.

I'm not at all happy to find you involved in this, Miss Cordell.

Not at all happy.

I've nothing against you.

As a matter of fact I like you. You are a very personable young woman.

I think you are cute too.

Well.

We'll make the best of it.

The fact that both you and George now realize ..

That the D�rer is a forgery rather complicates the situation.

We may be forced to an extreme solution.

I sincerely hope not.

I hope you will both cooperate with me.

I've only one simple question for you to answer, Miss Cordell.

Who else knows?

Who else knows a copy was substituted for the original Adoration of the Kings?

That is all you want to know?

Who else, Miss Cordell?

If I tell you, then what?

You might as well tell me.

Mary. Mary knows.

Your facetiousness is a little bit insulting.

I have a very valuable Gainsborough and a very valuable D�rer in my possession.

And I intend to keep them.

A fact which Mr Stevenson's death should have impressed on you.

Who else knows?

The police.

Traybin and Cochrane.

George called Cochrane as soon as he found out.

George didn't know himself until he X-Rayed the painting.

Mary was with you.

I think she would have told me if George called anyone.

Mary is very loyal.

They would never have been able to operate without her.

He didn't call anybody.

She is lying.

I am inclined to the same opinion.

Would you ask Mary if she left the lab while George was working?

You left the room?

Yes. I had to.

He found out. I had to call you.

Yes. Of course you did.

George thought you were up to something like that.

That's why he called Cochrane, so don't be surprised if the police pick you up.

But I know she is lying.

We'll find out.

Sit down Mary. Don't lose your head.

Use the gun only if Miss Cordell moves or interferes.

We'll find out from George.

George will tell us the truth.

Odd, isn't it.

That truth should be a by-product of war.

Only in the recent war ..

Did we perfect a direct method of communicating with a man's true self.

It is called narcosynthesis, Miss Cordell.

It has placed honesty on a scientific basis.

One small injection of this.

And the brain is illuminated with accuracy.

It is relieved of the necessity of weighing answers.

All inhibitions go.

The subconscious mind takes over.

You're doing fine, George. Just doing fine.

Have you up and around in the morning.

Thanks.

Going to give you a little injection now, George. So you can relax.

It won't hurt.

Now, count with me, George.

One.

One.

Two.

Two.

Three.

Three.

Four.

Four.

Five.

Five.

George.

Can you hear me, George?

Yes.

You are in the lab now. You have X-Rayed the painting.

It's a forgery alright, isn't it?

Well?

What are you going to do now?

Better call Cochrane.

Alright, call Cochrane.

What's the matter? What happened?

Mary is back.

Just came in the door.

Let her wait.

Don't you trust her?

Don't you trust Mary, George?

She's alright.

Just a kid.

She is afraid of her job.

Let her wait.

I'm sleepy.

George called your bluff.

The stakes were high and you lost.

You.

Perhaps you can't understand how much these paintings mean to me.

Did you ever want to possess something .. desperately?

That was unobtainable?

That you couldn't buy.

Museums have a great habit of wasting great art on dolts.

Who cannot differentiate between trash.

It is masterpieces that mean everything in life to me.

My method harmed no-one.

Now it is threatened.

There was a time when you could set your time with the passing trains.

The schedules are more uncertain these days.

My accomplice is a few minutes late.

You will forgive my waiting though, I know.

A gunshot at this time of night might carry quite far and I ..

Wouldn't like to risk waking my neighbors.

They are used to the roar of the Chicago trains though.

It will scarcely disturb their dreams.

George.

The guard! It's going to crash. - Darling, it's alright now.

It is going to crash.

You will be alright in a moment when the injection wears off.

He will just think he has been in another train wreck.

Then this must be the place they brought him the first time.

Yes.

The drug acts as a hypnotic too.

The sound effects were handy. The rest was suggestion.

His inner mind remembers.

It was a devilishly brilliant plan to make his seem insane.

What a miserable little creature you are, young lady.

Now.

I am going to ask you just one question.

If you answer it correctly, we'll try to help you.

If you don't.

We'll certainly see to it that you are tried as an accessory to murder.

Do you get that?

Do you get that?

Yes.

Where are the two paintings?

The original Gainsborough and the original D�rer.

There. - What are you trying to pull?

Even I know that's not a Gainsborough.

Help me. Help me down with this.

Right.

Take care of her.

Come on.

I don't get it.

How long have you been here?

A quarter of an hour.

All the time this was going on?

Cochrane was right behind you. I stuck with the seaman.

Our paths crossed in the park.

Why didn't you stop Lowell?

I was under the impression that I had. - No, I mean before. You could have.

I could have. I could have stopped George before in the dock.

I could have stopped him afterwards. - But you didn't.

I didn't have the paintings then.

My job was to get them.

I waited until the last possible minute.

For Lowell to reveal them but he didn't.

I couldn't let him kill George so I ..

I took at pot at him.

Look.

Number 1.

Gainsborough.

You knew from the beginning that there was a forgery in the museum.

That the D�rer had been switched in the vaults.

Yep. Yes I knew.

Number 2.

Adoration of the Kings.

No doubt about it. Those boys could paint.

You might have told me. I was supposed to be helping you.

I'm terribly grateful. You've been a great help.

But the forgery was one thing I could not tell you under the circumstances.

It was obvious from ten paces you were in love with George.

I couldn't run the risk of you telling him.

Had he known, he might have stopped running about.

Working on the mystery.

I had to find out who was trying to stop him.

It turned out to be Lowell. - Lowell.

Look out!

This is where I came in, remember?

Now, don't tell me you've been in another train wreck.

Yeah.

Yeah I have. What do you want to make out of it?

When I say I've been somewhere ..

I've been somewhere and I can prove it. Terry was with me.

Yes, darling, we were in a train wreck. A big one. Enormous.

There! You see?

No. You weren't with me.

No. 0f course not, darling. I was here all the time But I love you.

I hope you'll invite me to the wedding. - What wedding?

I've never been mixed up with such a lot of screwballs in my life.

Everybody is nuts around this place but me.