Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music continues]

[music continues]

- Great looking car. - Yes. Yes, it is.

How, uh, how does it handle, a big car like that?

Oh, not bad at all.

Well, I wouldn't mind having you drive me around in one

all day long.

- How much they cost? - Excuse me.

Just drive right along, my friend.

Drive.

Not really a very good day for you to be

out among the people anyway, Mrs. Cantrell.

[instrumental music]

Alright. Pull up here.

Another 25, 30 feet, stop.

Alright. That's good.

Out.

Now.

Walk.

[dramatic music]

Stop right there.

Into the front seat, Mrs. Cantrell.

Now, Mrs. Cantrell, or he's a dead man.

That's nice.

[engine revving]

[instrumental music]

No one else here seems to have the slightest inclination

of how to fight this thing.

I talk to this one, I talk to that one,

and they all refer me to you.

They do, huh?

I tell you, sir...

if they don't stop shooting those alien gamma rays

into my head, I could be seriously disturbed.

Injured.

I need help, sir.

Yeah.

Yeah, protection against, uh, gamma rays.

Yeah, right.

You, you need help alright. You do indeed.

My head's glowing, you know.

Oh, I saw that.

I saw it when you walked in the door.

Yeah. There was a kind of an aura about it.

I've had the same problem.

Do you know what I've found to be an a number one

defense against gamma rays?

And, this is the truth, and it's-- it's so simple

that hardly anybody knows about it.

Do you know what it is?

Wax paper.

- That's true. - My goodness!

Yeah. Wax paper.

There's somethin' that's in the wax

that creates a kind of an anti-gamma ray magnetic field

which will not allow those gamma rays to penetrate.

That's the truth.

And I'll guarantee you,

that if you wear wax paper,

or if you just hold it,

you're not gonna be bothered by gamma rays anymore.

Why do you think I pack my lunch in it?

Now, there.

How's that feel? It feels better already, doesn't it? Hm?

Why, it does.

It really does!

Well, you bet your life it does.

Now, Mr. Rafer...

I want you to go ahead on

and get yourself a nice peaceful days' rest.

- Oh, God bless you, sir. - That's alright.

Oh, I'm ready for them now.

- Let them come. - Yeah.

Here are the maps for Captain Clifford.

You sign here, here, here, here,

here, here, and here.

I think maybe you forgot one there, Elmer. [chuckling]

A wise guy we don't need, McCloud.

That you initial. Here, here, and here.

Alright.

Your first New York kidnapping, hm?

Yeah, I reckon it is, Elmer.

Rich fella got a big estate over in Westchester.

Got his wife stolen, I guess.

You lose any of these maps, it'll be your last. Here.

Now this is one that I did myself.

Fifteen years they been usin' that. Fifteen years.

Yeah. Well, I'm gonna guard it like a mother hen.

Hey, do you think any of those dumb kids downstairs

could do one like this today?

- Hm, do you? - No, no.

- I don't reckon they could. - You bet they couldn't.

They don't even try, the dumb kids.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Now I understand your anxiety, sir, but I must ask you to

let us continue with our work.

Do you? Do you? Well, I'm delighted.

Perhaps we can sit around and talk about that for a while. Hm?

Who-- who's that?

Peter: This is Marshal McCloud.

He's attached to my department.

Pleasure to meet you, sir.

Yes. Yes.

Mr. Hines, this young lady is our, uh, police artist.

Now, the quicker you can give us a good likeness,

the quicker we can get it out on the wire.

Understand?

Marie, would you take Mr. Hines, uh, into the library

and get started, please?

Phone's over there, Finnegan. Help yourself.

Hm.

- The maps over here, Marshal. - Right.

Well, he's got about an hour on us.

Let's take a look at those streets.

Oh, uh, captain...

I-- I apologize.

But I'm a little upset.

That's quite alright. I understand.

Hm.

Wha-- what's he doing with that phone?

Well, sir, if it's a straight kidnapping,

there'll be a ransom demand, probably by phone.

Joe, would you get on the car radio for me?

They're running a make on the chauffeur.

- Tell 'em I want it quick. Joe: Right.

On Hines?

He's been with us for five years.

Ah, just routine, sir. Same with your gardeners,

your household staff, everybody gets looked at.

- Be right back. - Alright.

Now, he let the chauffeur out here...

Mr. Cantrell...

I appreciate your anxiety, but, uh,

if and when that phone does ring, you'll want a clear head.

M-- maybe...

maybe they won't want any money.

I mean, maybe they're just crazy.

Maybe they've just killed her.

If it's humanly possible, sir, we'll get your wife back to you.

Sure. Sure. Sure.

Oh, now if you'll excuse me, gentlemen,

I... I'd like to get out of these business clothes.

Excuse me.

- I'm very frightened. - Just relax, Mrs. Cantrell.

You don't look like a bad young man. Are you?

Relax, Mrs. Cantrell.

Where... where are we going?

Mrs. Cantrell.

- I... - Get along, Mrs. Cantrell.

Sorry, I'm not going to scream or anything.

Good.

It's just that I'm...

I'm very scared. I can't help that.

I do talk, though, when I'm nervous.

I hope you don't mind.

You, you don't mind, do you?

[dramatic music]

What's that?

That's just a little weekend luggage.

I just don't know why you're doing all of this.

I don't know why you picked on me.

My husband is a very influential man.

I know.

Are, you a war veteran?

I mean, you're not a sadist or anything?

Please relax, Mrs. Cantrell.

I've told you,

the only thing I want from you is your cooperation.

Here, Mrs. Cantrell, take these.

They'll calm you down.

They're poison. You're going to poison me.

Mrs. Cantrell, if I wanted to kill you,

I could have done so. Hm?

But what I do want you to do is relax,

so I do want you to take these.

Okay?

Oh, tranquilizers.

Please.

Oh, if they're tranquilizers, I don't mind.

I take a lot of them sometimes.

I get very nervous.

- I told you that, didn't I? - Hm-hm.

There you go. Now you won't be nervous.

Listen, why don't you step over here,

and just sit down and relax, alright?

I mean, I don't take them all the time. I didn't mean that.

Sidney and I are very happy. 23 years.

We don't have to stay here, do we?

I'll just light this heater,

it'll take the chill off the air,

make you feel all snug and comfortable.

Do you have a family?

My father's still alive.

He's very old, but he still worries about me, even now.

He's gonna be very worried about all of this.

You know how old people are,

their only daughter and all that.

And Sidney...

my husband will just go crazy with worry if I'm not home.

He will.

You know, Sidney is a very secure person,

but he can just get furious.

He could tear you apart, you know?

You-- you-- you really can't get by with anything with him.

I hope you know that.

These pills are very strong.

You promise that they're not poison?

[scoffs] I promise you, Mrs. Cantrell,

they are not poison.

They're very strong sleeping pills,

and they work very quickly.

So why don't you just lie down now? Alright?

[dramatic music]

[Emily sighing]

[instrumental music]

Sidney?

Sidney?

Please don't be mad at me.

Okay?

I didn't do it on purpose.

I-- I really swear I didn't.

It's just that, when you don't come home,

I get so lonely for you.

A-- and those pills...

they-- they just make me feel...

[Emily chuckling softly]

but I don't want you to be mad at me, Sidney.

Please.

Please.

[Emily sighing]

[clock ticking]

[humming]

[sighing]

Sleep tight, Mrs. Cantrell.

[humming]

[clock ticking]

[instrumental music]

Marie: How 'bout the chin, was it pointy or anything?

It was very much like that. More skinny in the cheeks.

I see. Why don't you look through this...

Mr. Cantrell's a self-made man is he, chief?

I mean, what else does he do

besides write that astrology column for the newspapers?

Oh, you'd be amazed how many people won't make one move

without their own personal daily horoscope.

- Hm. - A lot of money in it.

Especially for him.

More big-wig clients, coast to coast,

than you can shake a stick at.

Well, I just had no idea.

You mean, that is all that he does, huh?

I wouldn't know. I'm not all of his clients.

How's it coming, Marie? Mr. Hines?

Well, I don't know. I've never done this before.

Yeah, that's coming along, I guess.

Hines: That's very good. Marie: Okay.

Yeah.

Hey, you know, that really floors me.

You mean, he really does make this kind of money

just from tellin' people's fortunes?

Yes, I told you, yes. The man does very well, okay.

Well, I was just thinkin' about this little old Indian lady

that I know back home.

Now all she has is a little old lean-to down by the highway.

She'll read the signs in your hand for two dollars

and fifty cents a pair.

Oh, I guess she does get three dollars now.

But she'll throw in directions to Albuquerque to boot.

That's fascinating, McCloud. Fascinating.

Under other circumstances, it might even be interesting.

Give ya a handful of pinion nuts.

Now she just throw that in. Uh, you know what I mean?

Just the whole ball of wax for three dollars.

McCloud, I wonder if you'd do something for me?

Try not talking for a little while.

- Think you can handle that? - Uh, yeah.

[Sam scoffs]

Boy, I sure would hate to pay the taxes on this place.

I don't think you'll have that worry this week.

This is Clifford here. My office, please.

Very much like you have there.

- Harry? - Yeah.

Anything on that limousine?

Oh? Where?

Hines: Well, it was very much like that.

Marie: Like this, huh? Peter: Woodhaven?

Marie: And his cheekbones, were they...

Peter: Yeah, get it in. Get the lab boys on it right away.

Oh, and, uh, those personal histories,

get 'em to me quick as they come in.

Hines: More squingier, sort of.

Right.

- I think so. - And about the...

Uh, you know, uh, chief?

- That it has something that... - No.

You know, uh, somethin' really been botherin' me.

Well, join the club, Marshal. What is it?

Well, it's just kind of a puzzle to me as to why that chauffeur

would turn up back here instead of dead.

I mean, here's a kidnapper doesn't even bother

to hide his face, he leaves off an eyewitness

that can identify him for sure and...

[sighing]

Ah, gentlemen, I'm sorry I folded on you like I did.

Oh, you're doing fine, sir.

Why don't you have that drink I kept you from a while ago?

Captain...

why would a kidnapper let Hines come back the way he did?

Quite frankly, I don't know.

[instrumental music]

Hi.

Yes, sir. Can I help you?

Is, uh, Mr. Cantrell at home?

You a friend of the family?

No, no, no. I never met the man.

I thought I might drop in and remedy that situation.

Well, sir, if this is a social call, I don't--

No, no. No. Strictly business, as a matter of fact.

Well, if you'll just give me your name,

I'll call up to the house.

Yeah. Well, that's, uh, that's, uh, kind of a problem.

You see, uh, I'd much rather do this whole thing without names,

if that's possible.

Who is it that wants to see Mr. Cantrell?

Well, uh...

you could say it's the man who kidnapped his wife.

Now, that oughta get me in, don't you think?

You satisfied with this likeness, Mr. Hines?

Yes, sir, it's as good as I could remember him.

Marshal, I want this to go out on the wire

to every precinct in the city.

Hines: It's him!

It's him! He's the one!

- No weapons, no ID. - Just me.

Peter: Where is Mrs. Cantrell?

If you wish to see Mrs. Cantrell alive again, gentlemen,

you will give me the next few minutes of your time.

Here, what's this?

That's very good. It's terrific!

Could I have this?

After it's finished, of course.

Mr. Cantrell...

Mr. Cantrell, your, uh, your chauffeur has identified me.

This, uh...

frustrated looking gentleman here

recited my legal rights to me.

So why don't we sit down and...

talk some business?

Where's my wife?

My wife, you little...

Easy. Take it easy.

Hold on there, Mr. Cantrell.

Just take a deep breath. He's not going to go anyplace.

Richard: Thank you, cowboy.

You got about one minute, mister.

Before you escort me out, officer,

I suggest you hear me out.

Hm? Now, Mr. Cantrell, your wife is perfectly safe.

For the moment.

What're you doing? What the blazes is this?

- What are you just standing... - Alright, get on with it.

Your, uh, astrological column

is carried in about 300 newspapers, isn't it?

I even hear you-- you have movie stars

and jet-set princesses, and that sort of thing.

I mean, people who pay you a fortune just to have you,

uh, chart the course of their daily lives,

or whatever you call it.

Thirty seconds.

In other words, Mr. Cantrell,

you are one very wealthy guy.

I would like some of that wealth.

Therefore, I have taken your wife.

Where?

It's, uh...

it's almost 10 a.m.

At exactly 7 p.m.,

in about nine hours,

the room in which I have placed your wife will explode.

Automatically.

Boom!

I, uh, see I do have everybody's attention.

Now, you, Mr. Cantrell,

will give me a quarter of a million dollars,

in cash. and I will leave with it.

When I'm safely away, I'll get word to you as to

where you can find your wife.

Now, if I-- if I don't get the money,

or if I don't get safely away afterward...

Well, I just won't tell you where your wife is.

You're crazy!

And in nine hours,

she will be one sincerely exploded lady.

Which will make you a murderer.

[chuckling softly]

Fellas, I'm already sitting here a confessed kidnapper.

Hm?

Now sure, he, uh, he doesn't wanna scrounge up the money,

or you clever devils decide to do some kind of cops

and robbers tap dance on my head

and let that bomb go off, fine.

You, uh, you will make a murderer out of me.

Your choice.

I'll bet you play one heck of a poker game.

Gamble, yeah.

Bluff?

No.

How do you expect anybody to come up

with a quarter of a million dollars in nine hours?

And the banks closed half that time?

Well, actually, I fully intend to be out of here,

with the money, in six hours.

Which leaves us all a three-hour leeway.

Me to be on my merry way,

and you to get to Mrs. Cantrell

before that explosive device blows her to bits.

Well, gentlemen?

Mr. Cantrell?

[sighing]

I-- I-- I'll call my business manager.

McCloud, Broadhurst.

Sidney: Simmons? Sidney Cantrell.

Look, I need cash, lots of it, lots of it. All of it!.

Well, get on the phone right away.

I need everything I have. Yes.

I want every liquidable asset I have cashed.

All of it. Yes, everything!

[door opens]

Now, first off, we've gotta find out

who and what this guy is.

Go back in there, Joe, and get a set of prints off of him

whether he likes it or not.

McCloud, you stay here with Broadhurst

and you take charge of Cantrell.

Keep him as far from the booze and as calm as possible.

Where you gonna be, chief?

Well, out in left field, it looks like.

I'll be at the office.

Now listen, I've been in on more than one of these,

and I'm gonna tell you,

unless we find a way to go on this bum

he's gonna pull it off.

Right under our noses, he's gonna pull it off.

[instrumental music]

[clock ticking]

[telephone ringing]

It's, uh, it's not me, officer.

I'm here.

Hello.

Oh.

[sighs] It's Captain Clifford.

Yeah, Broadhurst here, sir.

How's it going there?

No change.

- You alright, sir? Hm? - Oh, it's nothing.

Are you sure? Can I get you anything?

Well, I do have some medicine

in the library, if you wouldn't mind?

Just tell me where.

Joe: Right, I understand that. - Well, it's, uh...

It's in one of the drawers in the desk there.

- I certainly appreciate it. - Sure thing.

Well, yes, sir. He's Mr. Cantrell's business manager.

He's on his way over here to work,

get all that cash together.

[dramatic music]

How're you doing for personnel?

Soon as I'm relieved here

I can do a little sewer inspecting if you're short.

We haven't got time to play footsie with.

[thudding]

Are you crazy?

[Sidney grunting]

He was laughing at me! Laughing at me! Tormenting!

- Where is she? - Broadhurst! Answer me!

[Sidney grunting]

We need an ambulance here.

Quick.

[breathing heavily]

[crying] Emily...

Emily...

[sobbing] Emily.

[clock ticking]

Woman on PA: Dr. Marciel.

Dr. Marciel.

Is he dead?

Well, he survived the surgery,

but they got that

intensive care stuff goin' like crazy.

Massive fracture, subdural hematoma

and a few other little semi-fatal goodies.

Is there any chance that he'll be able to talk?

Well, the doctor says he's in a coma. I don't know.

He may not even wake up.

Looks pretty grim.

Woman on PA: Dr. Crocker.

Dr. Crocker.

Sure tears it for Mrs. Cantrell.

What about Mr. Cantrell?

Well, whatever charges the DA's office prefers,

they wanna wait till this matter's settled.

Woman on PA: Dr. Dickerson.

Dr. Dickerson.

Dr. O'Brian. Dr. O'Brian.

Mr. Cantrell still at the house, chief?

Yes. They're still trying to get the ransom money together anyway

in case Stevens has an accomplice

who tries to follow through.

We should be so lucky!

- Excuse me, doctor. - Not now, please.

Well, it's almost 1:45.

7 o'clock that bomb goes off and she'll be dead

whether they get the money together or not.

I knew it. In my bones, I knew it.

Chief, I wanna help.

Please, McCloud. Please.

Don't try to help me any more.

You just stay here, out of the way.

He begins to show any signs of coming out of it,

I wanna know about it.

- Can I do anything? - Nothing much we can do.

Sam: Excuse me, ma'am.

Uh, that tattoo mean anything to you? Huh?

Well, it's a Ram's head or something, isn't it?

Do you know anything about astrology?

Oh, a little, I guess.

Oh! That's a sign.

- That's Aries. Hm. - Aries?

Yeah, Aries, the sign of the ram?

Yeah, that's kinda what I thought it was.

Um, I-- I'm Capricorn.

- You? - I beg your pardon?

- Your sign? - I'm Virgo. I think.

- Uh... - You're Virgo?

- Oh, that's nice. Yes. - It is?

Do you mean, Capricorns and Virgos,

they compatible, huh?

- Uh-huh. - I just ran into the chief.

You and I aren't compatible with anybody right now, old pal.

Yeah, I know. Where you been?

Well, we traced down our friend's apartment,

for what that was worth.

Nothin', huh?

All I can tell you is, that the man lives neat. Very neat.

You didn't find anything havin' to do with,

uh, astrology, or horoscopes, or anything like that, did ya?

Astrology? That's Cantrell's number.

Yeah, I know. Boy, we sure didn't help the situation

any, did we?

Don't remind me.

Turning my back like a, a wet-eared rookie.

And this one may die,

which means Mrs. Cantrell's probably had it.

Oh, we're terrific.

- Hey, Joe, I wanna thank you. - For what?

For stickin' around here and takin' over for me

while I check out a couple of things.

Hey, what things? McCloud, I'm off duty.

Well, I know that, I know that.

But that's the reason why I'm thankin' you.

- McCloud! - Shh-- shh.

You know, Joe, I would do anything for you.

[instrumental music]

Yeah. Right. Right. Twenty thousand shares.

Yeah, we'll collateralize the whole block.

Right. I'll hold on.

- Howdy. Sam McCloud. - Oh. Oh, yes!

Sidney mentioned you. Yeah, yeah.

I'm Mervin Simmons, Mr. Cantrell's business manager.

I'm holding, I'm holding!

- Just call me Merv. - Nice to meet you, Merv.

That's, uh, that's quite a getup you got there. Very clever.

Sort of a reverse mod, right?

Mervin: Very clever.

Right. Okay. Yes.

That's 54,000 on a collateral of 20,000 shares. Right.

Alright. Now you send the confirmation over to the bank,

like fast, will you?

Right.

Boy, that's fascinating. Fascinating.

Oh, you like it? Here, Berman Brothers.

Right off the rack, if you can believe that.

Sam: Oh, really? - Yeah.

Well, no, what I was meaning is that high financial talk,

like collateralize, and right off the block.

Anybody that can do that.

That is fascinating to me, I'll tell you.

Well, each to his own, Sam.

You know, we've gotta raise a quarter of a million dollars

here today... but we'll do it.

- Right from this phone. Hm-hm. - Really?

You know, it's no wonder to me that some of these fancy folk,

they wanna keep their business managers and their accountants

back where nobody else can see 'em.

You know what I mean?

I mean, you fellas, you do the whole job.

Well, I'd hardly call it the whole job, Sam.

You know, when you get to words like, uh, "collateralize..."

[chuckling] I'm not even sure I know what that means.

[chuckling] Well, you see, when one borrows money,

one puts up collateral, right?

Right. Well, what I'm doing here today is simply

putting up Mr. Cantrell's stock

as security for this loan I'm getting.

Collateral.

You know, I find that extremely creative.

Now, you take a clod like me, why I would just figure that

I could get the most out of my money

just by sellin' my stock outright.

Well, if indeed one does own the stock outright.

I mean, if it's in one's own name then, of course,

there is always that option.

Oh, you, I see. You mean, if the stock

was in Mr. Cantrell's name, by himself, then, of course,

he doesn't have to, uh...

Collateralize. Right!

There you go.

Collateralize.

Yeah, well, that's, that's very interesting.

You know, now I've, I've got 25 shares of fertilizer stocks

that my Uncle Maynard left me. I wonder, do you think I oughta do

what Mr. Cantrell did and put it in somebody else's name?

Well, that would depend upon your purpose,

your, uh, your tax structure.

Uh, you planning to incorporate yourself, Sam?

- Is that what he did? - Mm-hmm.

Well, no. I think I'd feel a little bit silly, uh, uh,

tryin' to be a corporation. No.

What was his purpose? I mean, you don't mind if I try and get

a couple of helpful hints right straight

from the horse's mouth--

No, no, no, no! Not at all.

No, you see, most of his assets are held in a corporate name.

That's for tax purposes.

And then, of course, uh, some of it is held jointly

with Mrs. Cantrell, and then some she owns herself outright.

- But as for you, Sam... - Now, hold on there a minute.

I don't know if I wanna put my whole 25 shares

of Friedman's Fertilizer in my wife's name.

I mean, come home some day and I got myself a new vacuum cleaner

instead of my fertilizer stock. You know what I mean?

Yeah. Well, that's not the case here, Sam.

No. No, as a matter of fact, Mrs. Cantrell inherited

quite a sizeable estate of her own.

Yeah, I mean, these blocks of stock...

Simmons!

- If you don't mind. - I'm-- I'm sorry, sir.

I was, I was just explaining to this gentleman

some financial terminology.

Yes, well, if you have any questions regarding my affairs,

Mr. McCloud, I'd appreciate you asking them to my face.

Oh, I beg your pardon, sir.

Uh, I didn't mean to stick my nose in anywhere.

This wasn't Mr. Simmons' fault at all.

It's just that I don't understand, uh,

high finance too well.

You see, I've got myself these 25 shares

of Friedman's Fertilizer...

Simmons, you have some calls to make, I believe.

Uh, yes, sir.

- Mr. McCloud? - Yeah.

Thank you.

You know, Mr. Cantrell, uh, there is one other question.

Hey, uh, anybody else want coffee?

No, thank you. No.

No, nothin' for me, Finnegan, thank you.

Uh, this is one more little question, if it's alright.

- Uh... - Yes, certainly.

Well, it's this, uh, this kidnapper Stevens.

Uh, you, you just can't guess

what he's got tattooed on his arm.

No, I... couldn't guess.

Aries.

I beg your pardon?

Well, I think that's right.

It's, uh, the ram's head?

That is Aries, isn't it?

Oh, yes, yes. The ram is the zodiacal sign for Aries.

Uh, I'm afraid I don't quite follow.

Well, uh, it's just that here you are,

you're a famous astrologer and you give daily personal advice

to, oh, the Lord knows how many people and I was just thinkin'

that if this Stevens, uh, was an astrology nut,

or-- or whatever you call 'em, that maybe, just maybe

you might've had contact with him before...

Without you remembering it, of course.

Well, it's, it's possible, of course.

But, uh, to the best of my knowledge, uh,

marshal, I-- I have never seen nor heard of him

before this morning.

Hmm. Well, you know, and I was, I was kinda hopin'

I was on to somethin' there.

Oh, how I wish you were.

If we could only find some clue to the man. I mean, something!

Yeah.

Well, I'd like to thank you for your diligence anyway, marshal.

Oh, listen, no need to thank me.

A fella's just doin' his job.

I just sympathize with you havin' to sit here

and wonder and wait.

Your stomach alright?

Yes, I think so. Why?

Well, you remember, just before you hit that Stevens, uh,

you had some kind of cramps or somethin'.

Uh, remember, you sent me out of the room to get the pills.

Yes, I wish I could forget.

If only you'd still been in this room, maybe he wouldn't have

outraged me like he did,

maybe I wouldn't have lost my head, I don't know.

Emily out there somewhere, a bomb ticking away the time

and I silence the only man who could've told me where she is.

Yeah, well, it's, it's best not to get in a stew about it.

Your stomach is alright, though?

Marshal, is there some specific question you have

regarding my medication, or my general health?

Because I really don't feel particularly

conversational right now.

Well, listen, I can understand that. No, no.

I-- I wouldn't have mentioned it at all

except for the age of the pills.

- Age? - Yeah.

The prescription was over a year old

and the bottle was almost full.

So I mean, I knew that you hadn't used them in a while,

and it just seemed a shame to me that, that you had to use 'em

at all after so long.

Thank you.

It's nice that they were handy though.

Right there in the top drawer.

Now, I don't know whether you're merely trying to do your duty,

or whether you're just, well, trying to feel your way along

with sly innuendos,

or whether you're really just plain backward.

But I want my wife back, and I will do anything

or answer any question in order to achieve that end.

Now, what do you want of me?

Oh, Mr. Cantrell, I didn't mean to upset you.

Well then, what are you driving at?

Listen, no. Not a thing. No.

You see, I'm up here, uh, from Taos, New Mexico.

And I'm on what you call an intercity exchange program.

I'm tryin' to learn the big city techniques, and all.

- Very fascinating. - Well, thank you.

Uh, you know, and one of the things that, uh,

that I've found that, uh, the police here

are very, very big on, is, is detail.

And I wanna tell you somethin', uh, uh,

some of the fly specks on this case, they're, uh,

they've just got me all turned around.

Mm-hmm. How's that, marshal?

Well, you know, I know this, uh, this isn't,

doesn't mean anything really, but you take that, uh...

that brass, uh, flower holder that, that you hit Stevens with.

Now, you've got two of 'em, right?

No. It's a bronze and it's a vase.

- Engraved bronze. - Oh.

- Just one of a kind. - Really?

Mm-hmm.

Huh.

Well, you know, that's strange.

Uh, now that picture that was in your home layout

in that magazine in your library, it showed that old vase

out here in your, your hallway.

Now, of course, the one that you hit Stevens with was in here.

So, I just took it for granted that you had two of 'em.

Well, as a matter of fact, we just happened

to bring it in the other evening.

You see, Emily enjoys looking at it.

Uh, drink, marshal?

Uh, no, no. Uh...

No, I, uh...

You know, the thing that...

that really kinda, kinda...

Well, no, that's...

[sighs]

Marshal...

I know I shouldn't ask this question, but, um,

and I shall regret it, but may I ask what is confusing you now?

No, now look, I d-- I don't want to get you mad at me.

No, no, no, no. I-- I won't get mad at you, marshal.

I, I promised that I would help you all I could

and if that means, uh, well, helping you

out of your confusion, please feel free.

Well, I appreciate that, Mr. Cantrell, because there is

one last thing that really has-- has got me

all turned around...

Uh, do you mind?

Now, Stevens was sittin' here where I am, right?

And, uh, and he was sneerin' at you.

- Yes. That's right. - Yeah.

Would... Now would you mind standin' where you were standin'

during the sneerin'?

Uh...

Uh-huh. Yeah.

Now that-- that heavy brass vase that was-- that was handy?

You're doing very well, yes.

[chuckles] No, no, I'm not.

I... I'll tell you what, I'll sneer at you,

and then you come at me and you make out like you're grabbin'

that brass vase like you did and I'll show you

just how garbled that I can get.

And that, that was it, huh?

You just, you just, uh, moved over here and...

Well, I was a little beside myself at the time,

but, uh, to the best of my memory, yes.

I don't know. I...

How in the blazes did he manage to get hit

on the back of the head?

That's really...

I just give up.

- What sign are you, marshal? - Hm?

Virgo, I think.

Yes, I would say Virgo.

Very exacting, hm, critical, always searching, sifting...

make a very good detail man.

- Is that a fact? - Oh, yes, yes, yes.

Virgos are very industrious people.

In fact, nose to the grindstone and all that sort of thing.

Oh, sometimes diligence has its own reward.

However, in your case, I can foresee you coming into

a very large sum of money in the near future.

Hm?

A large sum of money? Me?

No, no, that...

That's gotta be in somebody else's future.

No, I'm just gonna have to stick to my job.

You know, another consideration: Virgos are often so industrious

that they, they can't see the forest for the trees

and end up, uh, engaging in a lot of, well,

fruitless endeavors, as it were.

Well, I wouldn't wanna do any more

fruitless endeavoring than I have to.

You know, I would appreciate any expert advice.

I would say, uh, relax a bit.

Yes, relax a bit.

Uh, pressing a point can often prove...

detrimental to a Virgo.

Uh, McCloud?

Captain Clifford just called and he expressed

a rather definite desire to see you.

At your convenience, of course.

- He did? - He did.

Excuse me.

By the way, your watch will be ready on Monday.

What's that?

I stopped by the jewelry store where that Stevens fellow

picked up your wife.

They said she'd been in to leave off your watch.

Oh. Yes, yes, of course.

That's a terrible coincidence.

Bein' kidnapped right in front of the jewelry store

where she left your watch off.

It's a crime.

Yes.

You got the correct time?

I do happen to possess more than one wristwatch, marshal.

And it is exactly 3:37.

3:37.

That's right.

McCloud on TV: Well, we, uh, we can't release his name,

but he is the suspect in question, and Mr. Cantrell,

as far as we know, uh, did strike him down, yes.

Man on TV: Your superior, Captain Clifford,

usually authorizes these statements

only after the fact in a kidnapping case.

Can you tell me, Marshal McCloud,

what caused Captain Clifford to allow news coverage now,

before the case is solved?

McCloud on TV: Yeah. Well, uh, you see, uh,

the chief feels that, uh,

that the right of the public to know what its police department

is doing is paramount.

Man on TV: Captain Clifford said that?

McCloud on TV: Uh, not in-- in exactly, uh, those...

And did you hear your captain say that, McCloud?

Well, it wasn't exactly, uh, just exactly those words--

The newspapers say so!

The TV news programs all say so!

But chief does not recall uttering those words to you!

Now, what was going on in your head?

Well, in case that he had an accomplice that knew

where Mrs. Cantrell was, you see, I know

Stevens can't go runnin' out and tell an accomplice

that he's in a hospital layin' in a coma

with his head cracked open. So I just did it for him.

Are you followin' me there, chief?

Not a bad idea.

In fact, coming from you, I consider it a great idea.

But I will try once more, McCloud, to explain to you

the meaning of the word "procedure."

Uh-huh.

For instance, not only were you giving out

an unauthorized interview.

You were also detailed to the hospital

to look after our kidnapper.

But you did not do that.

No. You left Broadhurst there and you went back

to the Cantrell house, where you do not belong.

May I ask why?

I think you got every right, chief.

- Thank you. - You see, I had me a theory.

Tell me your theory, marshal.

I have nothing in the world to do but listen.

Well, you see...

now, just suppose that Mr. Cantrell arranged

with Stevens to kidnap his own wife.

Suppose.

Well, I know it's just a theory, but it works like this.

You see, Stevens kidnaps Mrs. Cantrell and he puts her

someplace where she will automatically get killed

if anything happens to him, meaning Stevens.

And then, and this is, of course, without Stevens knowing

beforehand that he's gonna get had,

Cantrell just bops him over the head.

Really?

Yeah.

And then with Stevens not bein' able to tell

where Mrs. Cantrell is, of course, she dies.

And Mr. Cantrell gets off scott-free

because everybody knows that it's Stevens

that's responsible, you see?

And the motive?

Well, the motive, that's, uh, that's so he can get

all the ransom money together.

You know that Mr. Cantrell can't even sell his own stocks

and bonds or any of that stuff. They're not even in his name.

They're in hers. I found that out.

All he can do is just borrow on 'em.

And how did Cantrell get Stevens to be his kidnapper?

Well, that's a-- that's a good question there, chief.

You see... now when I was at the hospital,

I saw a tattoo on his arm.

- A tattoo. - That's right. A tattoo.

Right on his arm, there's a tattoo of a ram's head.

- A ram's head? - A ram's head.

That's the sign of Aries. That's astrological, you know.

Now, I figure that if Stevens believes a whole lot

in this astrology thing, and if this Cantrell

is this big, uh, astrological leader, uh,

that maybe now, just maybe, he might wield

a lot of, um, a lot of control

over the folks that he counsels.

What do you think of that?

I think Cantrell may be a suspect.

- I think anything is possible. - There you go.

I also think you are going back to the hospital

before you put me into one!

There you go.

Well, chief, I appreciate your confidence.

Woman on PA: Doctor Remick, check with

intensive care desk, please. Doctor Remick....

Any change?

A little. But for the worse.

Do you think there's any chance that he'll pull through at all?

Well, his life signs aren't very stable.

The next hour or so should tell us.

Woman on PA: Nurse Colburn, please.

EKG to 4-4-7.

Nurse Colburn, please. EKG 447.

Uh...

Yes, may I help you?

I was just wonderin' about the young lady.

Is she someone? A relative?

- That girl just now? - Yes.

No, she said she was a reporter.

- Reporter? - Mm-hmm.

[dramatic music]

You know I hate to barge in on you like this, miss.

Sam McCloud's the name.

With the New York police from Taos, New Mexico.

That's wild. Lorraine.

- How are ya? - Hi.

You know, if Richard Stevens doesn't regain consciousness,

the woman that he kidnapped is probably gonna die.

Well, he's going to regain consciousness.

He's going to be perfectly alright.

Well, I, I admire your faith.

But, uh, in less than four hours a bomb is gonna go off

and a woman's gonna die unless he, or yourself can tell me

where she is before that happens.

Well, really, I don't know anything about all that.

I just heard about it on the news.

Really, I-- I don't know Rick Stevens that well.

You don't?

Well, I wouldn't want you to incriminate yourself.

- Have you got a lawyer? - Lawyer!

What do I need a lawyer for? I have nothing to lie about.

Excuse the mess. I told you, I just,

I just heard about it on the news.

You just happened to be packed for a little vacation trip.

It so happens that we were to receive

a large amount of money today.

Uh, we will receive a large amount of money today,

and we're going to Spain. Malaga?

Richard is going to be perfectly alright.

Richard tell you that?

His chart told him, and my chart told me.

Lorraine, I want to tell you something.

Even if Richard lives, and even if we can find Mrs. Cantrell

in time to save her, he's not goin' to Spain.

He's gonna stay here and he's gonna stand trial

for kidnapping. And if Mrs. Cantrell dies,

he's gonna be a murderer to boot.

Now, is that what you want?

You want your man to be a murderer? Is that it?

It just, uh, it just will not happen.

It will not happen.

It just will not.

Would you like some tea?

You know, I just, it's all so confusing.

I don't understand this thing about-- about kidnapping someone

and-- and then getting hurt like that.

It, I-- I don't know what it means.

You mean, there was nothing in, uh, in Richard's chart

which would indicate that he was gonna get hurt today.

No, nothing. I mean, his Mars was in really good aspect

and it's just, uh, well, I don't, it's so confusing.

That's why I went down to the hospital. Trying to make some...

Who does, uh, who makes up your charts,

yours and Richard's?

Richard does mine. He's really tough.

Well, who does his?

You're trying to hurt Richard

and I'm not gonna help you do it.

Now, Richard and I have something very special

that you would not understand.

You're a Virgo, aren't you?

[chuckles]

That's, uh, that's pretty good.

You know, Mr. Cantrell would be proud of you.

Well, uh, why would he be proud of me?

Well, you know him, don't you, you and Richard?

Oh, well, I've seen him on-- on-- on TV,

I mean, you know--

But it is Mr. Cantrell that helps Richard

to know what the stars have in store for him, isn't it?

Listen, I don't know what it is you want from me.

Now, it-- it's really getting very confusing to me.

I wish that Richard could talk to me...

I just, I don't understand why you're asking me

all these questions!

Lorraine...

Look, Richard is going to be perfectly alright,

we will receive a large amount of money, we will go to Spain

and we're going to be very happy and free.

Lorraine, why don't you just let me take you on

back to the hospital, there's no sense being without him.

Hey...

You mean, you trust me to do that?

Of course, but I've gotta know something

and I want you to tell me the truth.

Did you have any part with Richard in this kidnapping?

The planning of it, the talking about it.

No, I didn't.

But you do know that a woman is gonna get killed

if we don't find her in time. You know that.

Now, do you have any idea at all, any hunch, any thought,

as to where he might have hidden her?

Now think about it!

Please! Think.

I'm sorry.

But I, I don't wanna see anyone get hurt.

But I really don't know.

Grey: So I have to suffer because he didn't want

to come in today.

I'll take my file, please.

- Uh, Mr. Grey, I... - My file, young lady!

It's D.G. 5-18-01.

I'll be taking my chart to an astrologer who cares enough

about his clients to give them a bit of his time! Quiet, Kitty.

Well, well, well, Mr. Cantrell cares very much, sir.

I know he does. It's just that, uh,

well, he had an em-- emergency or something today--

Yeah! He had an emergency!

D.G. 5-18-01. Now just take it out, please.

Now just take it out!

- Oh. - Thank you.

[mumbles]

Some days it doesn't pay to get out of bed.

Mr. Cantrell will say it's all my fault.

I just don't know what to do!

Well, you've got me for a witness.

Courage and courtesy in the face of the enemy,

and I'll testify to it.

Oh, you, well, I don't really care!

I, I hate this place.

He's never here and he doesn't pay for my parking.

Really?

Well, you know, Richard said that he was a pretty nice fella.

Now, hey, that doesn't sound like he's a nice fella

at all, does he? Do you know Richard?

- Um... - Richard Stevens?

No, uh, I-- I-- I'm afraid I don't.

Hm! Well, that's funny. 'Cause, uh, well, I know

he's a client of Mr. Cantrell's.

I mean, he gets his personal daily horoscope from him.

Oh, well-- well, see I-- I don't know anybody's name anyway.

I mean, 'cause he's got his files coded in this dingbat way,

I mean, I mean, look at this.

This is not alphabetical, it's not chrono...

Chronolog... It's a mess!

- Oh, it's a mess alright. - And that's nothing!

Look at this! Look at this!

Look at this! See those glasses?

Whenever he's here, he comes in and he checks to see

that the emblems are facing front.

Facing front, for heaven's sakes!

A bunch of glasses in a closed cabinet--

Oh, now, now, honey, you, you've gotta calm down.

You're-- you're holdin' too tight a rein there.

Do you know that-- that old gentleman that was in here?

That, uh, D.G. 5-18-01, I think it is...

Do-- do you think he's any nuttier than the rest?

I-- I am going berserk from those people.

Did you-- did you see the cat?

He's in love with his cat, you know.

I mean, I am really going berserk!

D.G. 5-18-01, it sounds like initials

or-- or birthdates or somethin', doesn't it?

- I'll tell you what it is. - What?

He wants a secretary, a cleaning woman, a handmaiden,

and a court jester, that's what it is!

And I just can't do it any more. I just can't!

That only goes to "K." Excuse me.

Did you see the venetian blinds?

- Uh, no-- - Look! Look at them!

Whenever he's here, I have to move them every hour.

To follow the sun!

Every hour! Can you believe that?

And then he doesn't even come in for a whole week,

and I get the cat lovers and the bed wetters

and all those creepy people out of the woodwork,

and they just yell at me, and I... and I just...

Now, now, now, now, just now relax there, honey.

Just-- just-- just hang on here.

Now, just, just let it all hang out there.

There you go.

The least that I can do is to kinda help you

get these files straightened out here.

Oh, well, here are the S's.

Now, let's see if it's as jumbled at this end.

Of course it's jumbled. I know it's jumbled.

And I don't care, I just don't care.

Oh, I don't know what to do!

Well, honey, I'll tell ya, if I were you

I think maybe I'd find myself a new job.

Yeah?

There you go.

He died about four minutes ago.

No. No, he never came out of it.

Okay, McCloud. You can go home.

Mr. Cantrell, Richard Stevens is dead.

Did he, uh, say anything before he...

Not a word.

She's doomed then, isn't she?

Nothing in the world can save her now.

Nothing.

But...

He couldn't die today.

Today was a good day for him.

It was! Really it was.

He couldn't have died today.

He...

[sobbing]

- Mr. McCloud? - Yeah. I'm here.

Could I have a glass of water, please?

You betcha.

[dramatic music]

Everything Mr. Cantrell said to Richard, it was like gospel.

Richard got so that he worshipped Mr. Cantrell

like some kind of...

You know, Lorraine, uh, Richard must've done

or said something to you that would give us a clue

as to where he hid Mrs. Cantrell.

Now think.

Did he do anything unusual, lately? Anything at all?

Any little thing?

Well, he, he borrowed a cot...

A sleeping cot.

A cot? What'd he want with a cot?

Well, I asked him, but he wouldn't tell me.

Well, when was it?

Uh... Tuesday.

Day before yesterday?

I remember because he got a ticket that day.

In my car.

A moving violation?

Parking ticket, I think.

Was it here in the city? You know where it was?

He didn't say.

If I can find that out sure enough...

that can narrow things down a whole lot.

Sidney: What time is it?

Clifford: A little after 5:30.

In an hour and a half she'll be dead.

My men are doing everything they possibly can,

you must believe that, Mr. Cantrell.

You know, it's absurd, captain.

But the moment I struck that man, uh, Stevens,

or whatever his name was...

My God, I, I've murdered my wife!

Now we can't be sure Stevens wasn't bluffing.

There may not even be a bomb. 7 o'clock could come and go.

Oh, stop it, stop it. You don't believe that

any more than I do, captain. Look at all that money there!

Why don't you just take it and burn it, throw it away,

give it away or anything, I've killed my wife!

That's the only debt I have to pay.

McCloud, what are you doing here?

Mr. Cantrell? I wanna know which one of your clients

belongs to your office file labeled R.S. 3-30-41?

- I beg your pardon? Clifford: McCloud, what is this?

- And what is that? - Just an office file.

R.S. 3-30-41. Which one? Which client?

Captain, may I ask by whose authority you or your men

have searched my clients' personal files?

- In my office? - McCloud....

Then you admit this is your file?

Well, of course it is. R.S., uh, that's initials and birth...

Richard Stevens maybe? R.S., Richard Stevens?

Well, marshal, uh,

my files are coded specifically that way

to protect my client's identity.

You see, when I do business with them by mail,

even then, sometimes, they don't want me to know their names.

You see, marshal, astrology is a very private

and a very personal science.

McCloud, did you have a valid warrant to confiscate that file?

I didn't need one. His secretary gave it to me.

- My secretary! - Yeah, your secretary.

You know, she was very cooperative.

You ought to pay her parkin'.

Oh, very funny, oh, marshal, I resent you,

your tone, your limpid machinations,

no matter what their supposed objectives.

But I do not know who R.S. 3-30-41 is--

- You're a liar! - McCloud, that'll do!

You're lyin' in your teeth!

Clifford: McCloud, this department is not prepared

to file charges against Mr. Cantrell.

And certainly not based on your accusations.

Now, I don't know what you think you're up to,

but you'd better do it someplace else.

You be in my office 9 o'clock tomorrow morning

with your bags packed.

Mr. Cantrell, if you feel the department owes you an apology,

you may make whatever formal complaint

you consider necessary.

No, it doesn't matter.

I, I just want my wife home.

What's with McCloud?

I don't know.

Yes.

Lorraine on phone: I'm taking over for Richard.

What? Who is this!

Lorraine on phone: I said, I'm taking over

for Richard, Mr. Cantrell.

Richard? Richard who?

Do you have the money, Mr. Cantrell?

Sidney on phone: Yes-- yes. I have it.

Fine. You bring it to me in exactly one hour.

Huh, h-- how do I know you're not some kind of a crank?

When your wife was picked up, she was wearing a grey suit

with a diamond pin on it.

Come alone, Mr. Cantrell, in one hour.

Drive to Queens, Packard Street.

It's a half a block past 21st Street,

there's an alley on the right. You'll see the door.

Mr. Cantrell, alone.

In one hour.

This could be the break we needed, Mr. Cantrell.

Yes... Yes.

It-- it seems that he must have had an accomplice.

Now, you'll take the money and you'll appear to be alone.

But you'll be followed and monitored every foot of the way.

Don't look for us. We'll be there.

No, no. If you follow and they see you, what then?

We know our job, Mr. Cantrell.

Oh, that's fine, but do the kidnappers know theirs?

What if they should see you, and they should panic!

This is my wife we're talking about! I'm sorry, captain.

I won't risk Emily's life any further!

[dramatic music]

Lorraine: Come in, Mr. Cantrell.

Where are you?

Lorraine: Just walk through the door ahead of you.

Put the money on the bench.

Well, there it is.

It's, uh, Stevens' girlfriend, isn't it?

Lorraine.

That's right.

Do you realize that it's almost 7 o'clock?

And that my poor, dear,

high-strung, dependent little wife

may die at 7 o'clock.

Did you know that, Lorraine?

You'll get your wife back.

Oh?

When?

Soon.

How do I know that?

How do I know that you even know where your boyfriend put her?

How do you know that I don't?

I don't.

Well, you, uh, you have your money and...

I'm sure you'll... forgive me if I...

leave you now and let you count it, hmm?

It's alright, Mr. Cantrell. Miss, you're under arrest.

But, marshal... I-- I don't understand. What--

I got a radio in the car, and we still got a few minutes left.

If we can get her to tell us where your wife is,

I think we got a chance. How 'bout it, miss?

I have nothing to say.

You let that woman die, you're going to be a murderer!

Richard's dead and the rest just doesn't matter to me.

Besides, I, I-- I don't know where she is.

Really I don't.

Look, it's-- it's too late anyway.

It's-- it's almost 7:00.

Marshal, it-- it doesn't matter.

We got time. And I think she's lyin'.

And you're not pullin' the wool over my eyes.

Now where is she?

She told you she didn't know!

Now, where is Mrs. Cantrell?

Well, well, take her downtown, then. She'll talk there!

I-- I'm leaving!

Where is she?

[grunts] It's jammed!

Excuse me...

[grunts]

I must've locked it accidently when I closed the door.

- You stupid hayseed! - Well, that's alright.

Chief Clifford's probably got the place surrounded.

He'll be breakin' in. We gotta get to your wife!

Now, look, young lady.

I'm tellin' you, the bomb's gonna go off in a minute or two

and it's gonna kill somebody unless you tell us

where that woman is.

I don't know. I swear.

And I say that you do!

Well, don't just stand there arguing!

We've gotta get out of here!

Where is she?

The whole place may be rigged to explode!

Now, I wonder how he knew where that key was?

Hello, Sidney.

Oh, Sidney. Why? Why?

I loved you so much.

And we did so much together. I was always there.

Always at your side, to-- to help you and talk with you,

and be with you, and talk with you.

Sidney, I was always there.

I would never have left you....

I'd prefer to go quietly.

There's a bag of money in there.

Alright. You can unpack.

Well, thank ya.

You know, I wanna apologize to you for that rambunctious scene

that I put on at his house today.

But, you know, I figured that was the only way

that I could convince Cantrell that you weren't

part of my little scheme to nab him here.

I would have liked to have been part of your little scheme.

Yeah. Well, all's well that ends well.

Shakespeare.

When we get back to the office, you and I are going to have

a little talk about some things.

- Things? - Procedure, McCloud.

Remember? Official, acceptable, normal police procedure.

Excuse me, would you hold my bomb a minute?

Uh, just a minute.

I got a pebble in my boot, I think.

Clifford: It must've fallen out of your head.

[theme music]