Mr. Wong in Chinatown (1939) Movie Script
1
Is Mr. Wong at home?
- Yes.
- Could I see him?
Your name, please?
No name.
Name, please.
Tell Mr. Wong someone
wants to see him.
Someone who needs his help.
Could I come in?
No, no.
You wait here.
A lady to see you.
A lady?
Very important, he said.
Say I'll be right in.
Mr. Wong comes soon.
She's dead.
Will she be sitting here?
Yes.
You call Inspector Street.
Mr. Wong wants to
speak to Inspector Street.
Just a minute.
On your phone, Captain.
Wong speaking.
There's been a murder
in my house, Street.
Wong?
I'll be right out.
Get a squad car, Jerry.
It'll be at Wong's.
All right.
Hello, Wong.
Well, this is the payoff.
Murder in the house of Mr. Wong.
Now we've seen everything.
Who is she?
I haven't the least idea.
But the crest on her ring
belongs to the Sen Wang-Ti family.
She's evidently a
person of high degree.
Where were you
when this happened?
I was in the laboratory
when she arrived.
She told Willie that
she had to see me.
But then when I
came in, she was dead.
She just had time
just to scribble this.
Captain J.
Captain J, huh?
Hey, what's that?
I suspect that's a poison dart that
was fired right from that window.
Oh, a blowgun.
Dacoits.
You know, South American jungle.
No, that dart's
too heavy for that.
That was fired from
a Chinese sleeve gun.
I have one in my room.
I'll show it to you.
How does it work?
You press the spring back so...
and it's clasped
around the forearm...
and released with
the slightest pressure.
Simple, isn't it?
Yeah, simple and deadly.
Who's there?
I have no idea.
Give me Brodgan, quick.
How did you get in here?
Look here, Bill Street.
What are you trying to pull?
How did you get in here?
Through the window.
How did you know I was here?
I followed you here.
Take it easy.
Oh, look here, Bill.
This is one of the biggest stories
that's cracked in a long time.
I've simply got to
get it to my paper.
How do you know
it's a fake story?
Well, Princess Lenoir murdered
in the house of Mr. Wong.
You boys!
Sorry, Wong.
This is more or less
of a personal row.
This is Miss Roberta
Logan of the Morning Herald.
And probably San
Francisco's greatest nuisance.
Oh, that isn't what you called me
last night when we were having dinner.
That has nothing to do with the
newspaper or the police department.
Don't you ever try to date
me up again, Mr. Wong.
I won't.
Good.
I believe I heard you identify
this girl as the Princess Lenoir.
Yeah, what do you
know about her?
Oh, I'd be a bright little girl,
wouldn't I, to help out your half-witted
department after being
treated in this fashion.
Look, Bobbie, I'll see that
you get a break on this.
Won't you please
help us, Miss Luke?
For a gentleman, yes.
She arrived from China on the
Maidoborian two or three weeks ago.
My files, Willie.
My tribe interviewer
on the boat.
I think I remember.
It was on the 22nd.
Oh, now it's you.
There we are.
Captain Jane.
Captain Jane.
Captain J.
That's the last thing she
wrote before she died.
Say, the sooner we
see this bird, the better.
Yes, I'd very much like to
interview with this Captain Jane.
Oh, Miss Logan.
By any chance did you know
where the Princess lived?
Yes, she had an
apartment in Chinatown.
1432 Grand Avenue.
Thank you.
That's our next stop.
Come on, Wong.
Well, you're not going.
Get Jim.
What are you going to do?
Will you let me go?
Will you... Well, stop
this, you big bad...
You're not going to leave
me chained up like this.
I certainly am, baby, till we
can search that apartment.
I don't want flashlight
bulbs all over the place.
Get the coroner of the
photographers up here and
don't let her near a
phone till you hear from me.
Hey, come on, Wong.
Oh, Bill Street, you're the most loathsome
human being I've ever encountered.
You big bad...
What do you want to see?
To the police.
Captain Jane aboard?
Yes, sir.
On Captain Street of
the San Francisco Police.
This is Mr. James Lee Wong.
How do you do, gentlemen?
What can I do for you?
You had a passenger
on your last trip.
A Princess Lin Wah.
Yes, that's right.
Why was she traveling
on this kind of a boat?
Well, we have a few
passenger accommodations.
We booked passage for her
at the request of her brother.
Where is he?
He's in Northern China.
Field Marshal Chang Sai.
The Sen Wang Ti family?
That's the family, sir, yes.
What was she
doing in this country?
Sightseeing, I imagine.
This is her first trip to
America, I understand.
And her last.
She was murdered an hour ago.
The Princess murdered?
This will be a great
shock to her brother.
Have you any idea who
might have done this?
Could one of your
passengers have had a motive?
Not that I know of.
What type of passenger
were you carrying?
Well, we had a few
returning missionaries.
A commercial traveler or two.
Or one or two tourists.
But she didn't mingle
very much with them.
Have you left the boat
in the past few hours?
No, I haven't, sir.
Have you a crew and passenger
list you could let me have?
I certainly have.
Sorry to have
bothered you, Captain.
Thank you.
Not at all.
He never batted an eye, did he?
We'll check up on
his headquarters.
Well, who are they?
Police.
What?
Isn't one of them Chinese?
Yes, a Chinese detective.
What do they want?
You want to know what they want.
What do you mean?
Of course, you don't know
the Princess was murdered.
Murdered?
Yeah.
What did you kill
her for, Jackson?
Are you crazy?
Well, I haven't seen the Princess
since... Well, yesterday afternoon.
Did he get a check?
Yes.
How much?
$250,000.
And my share?
Now look here, Jackson.
I'm in this thing as
deep as you are.
She charged on the
ship for the airplanes.
I put her in touch with you.
Told her you had flown as an
aviator with her brother in China.
I planned this whole deal.
All right, I know it.
You'll get your share.
Where is the money?
In the bank.
I'll see you there at 10
o'clock in the morning.
All right.
Pretty clever, Jackson,
killing the Princess.
Yeah, no witnesses
to say where the planes
were delivered or not
where the money went?
You're a pretty
clever guy, Jamie.
Good night.
Good night, Mr. It
was a hotel every night.
Check those the plans.
Yes, sir.
I think this one is open street.
Anybody in there?
Let me see if you can find anything
with the princess's name on it.
Well, somebody's
here or has been here.
Perhaps this should
have been our first stop.
Yeah.
Check that closet, Jerry.
Mom!
Poor kid's out cold.
Bobbie!
Bobbie!
Well, did you catch him?
Catch who?
Well, the man that slugged me.
Say, if somebody slugged
you, I'd give him a medal.
A suitcase fell on your head.
Oh.
How'd you get loose?
The nice man that you left to guard
me went to get me a drink of water.
Wasn't that sweet of him?
Arm in the chair came off easy.
How did you get in here?
Took the key out of
the princess's purse.
I'm afraid, Street, we
must accept the inevitable.
Yeah.
What were you
doing in the closet?
Well, there was a man in here.
A man?
Well, sure.
He was searching the desk.
What did he look like?
He was masked.
That's our murderer.
Can't you give us any
kind of a description?
Well, he was fairly
tall, looked athletic.
And he wore dark glasses.
Wonderful.
That's a help.
Did you see where he went?
How could I when
I was knocked out?
Street.
All right, put on that gun.
This is the police.
The police?
What do you want?
Don't be alarmed.
We just want to ask
you a few questions.
Who are you?
Oh, come on, what's your name?
I know her.
Oh.
All right, who is she?
She was on the boat
with the princess.
As her maid?
I am her companion.
Oh.
So you were in her confidence.
Yes.
Oh.
No, no.
Now, don't be afraid.
Why did she come
to this country?
I don't know anything.
Nobody knows anything.
Well, at least you can
remember what time she left here.
Oh, about eight o'clock tonight.
And where was she going?
What has happened to her?
Oh, you expect something
to happen to her, huh?
You knew something
was going to happen.
No.
Tell me, please.
She's dead.
Murdered.
Now, all we are doing
is just to try to help you.
Who came to see her here?
Who were her friends?
She had no visitors.
She made appointments.
They were always downtown.
You mean nobody
came here to see her?
No one.
Except...
Wait a minute.
Who are you looking for?
He can hear, but he cannot talk.
He is dumb.
Oh, you know him?
Yes.
Has he been up here
to see the princess?
Yes.
Come on.
Where does he live?
In the basement.
Would you please ask him
where he just came from?
I can't speak his dialect.
He is from northern China.
Her province.
Can you...
Can you tell him that
the princess is dead?
I'll try.
Then why?
Well, we understood
that all right.
Look.
Did you...
see anybody come in...
and go over there?
What am I doing?
Come here.
Did you...
Did you do that?
A car was waiting in the alley.
A large car.
A large black car.
Hey, what is this?
Wait a minute, Street.
He means it was a
man about your size.
He was masked.
And he wore glasses.
What did I tell you?
Masks, glasses.
Now will you believe me?
Well, this isn't
getting us anywhere.
Jerry, you stay
here till I get back.
And don't let either
one of them leave.
No, no.
Don't leave me.
I'm afraid.
Now there's nothing
to be afraid of.
I'll have a man on guard
outside your door the whole time.
I'm going out the station
and check on that car.
And also the
little fella's story.
Maybe he's telling the
truth and maybe he's not.
Yeah.
I'll see you later, Street.
There's somebody in
Chinatown I'd like to talk to first.
Oh, Bill.
Do you mind dropping
me at the paper?
No.
How do you feel?
Oh, fine.
Of course I'm a little dizzy.
You telling me.
The Honorable Wong is
here on personal business?
Or in his official capacity?
I am here on
behalf of the police.
The Honorable Men perhaps
know the Princess Linoise?
She was murdered an hour ago.
It is perhaps wise that we
should open our hearts to you.
The Princess was in this country
to make purchases for her brother.
Of war material?
Aeroplanes.
I see.
Her death means that a
great project has failed.
The resources of this
town are at your command.
Anything to report?
No, sir.
Everything is as
quiet as a mouse.
Good.
Are you sure nobody
got in past you?
Yeah, I was right
outside the door.
Well, did anybody leave?
Who?
The little guy.
Another sign of it.
Same for street at once.
Hello.
Yes, Jerry.
What?
A maid.
I'll be right out.
Death was instantaneous.
Same as the Princess.
But the same hand.
That must be a powerful poison.
We weren't able to
identify it in the other case.
But after I've made this
autopsy, we may know.
Good night, gentlemen.
Oh, you think it
came from here, huh?
This is where he
said the car was.
Hey.
The little guy's footprints.
Well, get this.
Certainly it came from here.
Hey.
Nobody but the little fellow or
monkey could go down that drain pipe.
He's our man.
He may have been making
it possible for somebody else.
Oh, why get involved?
Let's check his room
in the basement.
Jerry.
Have Forbes get
a cast of that print.
Yes, sir.
Where'd you get that?
There.
Well, that cinches it.
That pins it on the
little guy definitely.
What are we waiting for?
Just a minute, Street.
He may be the killer.
But I found out tonight that
the Princess was here buying
airplanes that would have to
be smuggled out of the country.
Yeah?
Oh, and the maid of the Orient.
More than likely.
I think we'd better talk
to Captain James again.
Sure, sure.
I'll talk to him the first
thing in the morning.
But you'll have to admit that the
little fellow couldn't smuggle airplanes.
But he could climb up on a
wind and use his sleeve gun.
And he's just the kind of a
guy they'd hire to do their killing.
They're not fooling me.
Furthermore, I think
that dumb act is a gag.
Yes?
Mr. James Lee Wong,
see Mr. Davidson, please.
Mr. James Lee Wong, to see you.
Yes, sir.
Won't you come in, please?
Thank you.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
Now, what can I do for you?
I'm investigating the murder
of the Princess Lin Wah.
Oh, yes, I read about it.
I was hoping you could be
of some assistance to me.
I'd be perfectly willing
to do anything I can.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you so much.
I understand that she was
a depositor on your bank.
Quite a large depositor.
A large depositor?
Yes.
And when the Princess arrived
from the Orient, she carried with her...
drafts on the exchange bank of
Hancock for almost a million dollars.
She has cashed those drives.
Really?
The first sum I recall she withdrew
was a day or so after she arrived.
It was for $250,000,
a cashier's check.
That check, of
course, can be traced.
Yes.
It was drawn in the favor
of a Captain Jackson...
who identified himself as the
San Francisco representative...
of the Phelps Aviation
Company of Los Angeles.
Now, you bring me the file of
the Princess Lin Wah, please.
This Captain Jackson...
did he cash
the check himself?
No.
As a matter of fact, after
he identified himself...
he opened an account and
deposited the check to his own credit.
Thank you.
This is the Jackson check.
Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Oh, evidently his office is in the
Bronson building on Broad Street.
I understand it is.
Perhaps he could be of
some assistance to you.
No doubt.
I take it from this...
that she still has a considerable
sum of money on deposit with you.
Well...
The cancelled checks... that she
signed in English and Chinese show...
that she drew out large amounts
almost daily...till she had...
about $38,000 left.
That balance she drew
out yesterday in cash...
and left here with the money.
An extraordinary proceeding.
Do you know if she had any dealings
with anybody else besides Captain Jackson?
Well, nothing she ever said would indicate
that she had any negotiations of any kind.
Of course, I guess that the...
princess wasn't
engaged in sightseeing.
That's obvious.
Have you the original
draft that she presented?
Yes, I think I have.
Yes, here it is.
Oh, yes.
Also signed in
English and in Chinese.
Yes.
Hmm.
Well... Thank you.
Oh, by the way...
her file will be available
to the police department...
in the event that they should want to,
uh... Oh, with a criminal case like this...
the police have accessed the
records of the bank at all times.
Thank you so much.
Not at all.
I may call on you later.
At any time, Mr. Wong.
Good day.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
Drive me to the Bronson
building on Broad Street.
I don't know why you were trailing
me... but I'm certainly very grateful.
Well, the K-Cab Company
isn't allowed to operate anymore.
They were put out of
business three months ago.
Well, I covered the story.
Oh.
That driver... He
got down this way.
Say, you won't go
away till I come back.
No, indeed.
Hello.
City desk.
An attempt was made on
the life of James Lee Wong...
well-known Chinese detective...
shortly before noon today...
when he was rescued from a light
sedan...camouflaged as a taxi...
just before a bomb
exploded in its interior.
The rescue was affected
by Miss Roberta Logan...
reporter on the
staff of the Herald.
Yeah, that's right.
No, I'm not kidding.
What's the matter here?
Oh, hello, Wong.
What happened?
Evidently somebody
arranged a little surprise for me.
Certainly looks like it.
That's the real thing.
And if it hadn't been for Miss
Logan here, I'd have been.
You certainly would have.
The driver ran down the alley.
He's blocks away now.
Get on it, Steve.
Come on, folks.
That's all.
Oh, I'd be glad to take you where you're
going... if you'd care to ride with me.
I'd certainly feel much safer.
Yes?
A Mr. Wong to see you.
Who?
Mr. James Lee Wong.
Oh.
Well, send him in just a moment.
I'll buzz you.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
It's very nice of you to
see me, Captain Jackson.
Won't you sit down?
Cigarette?
Thanks.
I will.
I've been anticipating this interview
ever since I read the newspaper reports...
that the princess was
murdered in your apartment.
You realized, of course,
that we would trace the check.
Oh, we were engaged in some
rather delicate negotiations.
The sail of some
airplanes, I believe.
She would naturally come to me.
Her brother, Chang Sai, head of
an army of one of the five provinces...
was one of the
best friends I ever had.
I flew a plane these
last campaigns.
Really?
Yes.
I met the princess at the boat.
Mr. Wong, I'd just as well make
a clean breast of the whole thing.
We were to secretly ship
some airplanes to China.
On the maid of Aldian?
And when did you
see the princess last?
I talked to her two days ago.
We had an appointment to
meet the night she was murdered.
We were to meet in the
lobby of the palace hotel...
where she was to turn
over my second payment.
But she didn't keep
the appointment.
And she gave no excuse?
Or explanation?
I never heard from her.
My first intimation was the shock I
received... when I read the morning papers.
Yes.
It had occurred
to me, you know...
that the cause of her death
could be found in the fact...
that she was secretly
buying airplanes.
Well, I thought of
that too, Mr. Wong.
You see, the cause of
Chang Sai has many enemies.
His safety is threatened
not only by other powers...
but by many
other army leaders.
And of course, San Francisco
is filled with their agents.
Naturally.
As you can imagine, this situation
is distinctly embarrassing to me.
I've made commitments for a
great deal of airplane equipment.
And to put it bluntly, I
am left holding the bag.
Well...
I'm obliged to you,
Captain Jackson.
Goodbye, Mr. Wong.
I'll be delighted to help
you in any way that I can.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Good day.
Anything new?
I left a report on your desk.
What's this report?
Well, get this, Jerry.
An attempt on Wong's life.
Taxi.
Bomb exploded.
Hold out a cab by Roberta
Logan of the Herald.
Anything can happen
with that Logan around.
Where's Wong now?
He took the girl and
drove away in a cab.
Well, if he's with her,
you better drag the bay.
Well, I suppose you came
in for your Carnegie medal.
I already have a drawer
full of them, Inspector.
Uh...
Where'd you pick
up that cab, Wong?
I got it just in front of the
specie bank of Hankow,
where the princess has a
large sum of money on deposit.
But she's drawn
it all out recently.
Say!
Hey, wait a minute.
There's a phone
in the drug store.
Will you give me an echo?
Oh, gladly.
Thank you.
Well, now that we've gotten rid
of her, what's the real lowdown?
Well, let's hear your
news first, Street.
Well, not much.
I've picked up half their
suspicious characters in Chinatown.
Oh, the little fella, I
haven't got him yet,
but I'll have my hands
on him any minute.
Splendid, Street.
Now, in the meantime, I'd
like you to get me a report from
the Tobias Aviation Company,
from the Los Angeles Department.
Oh, that's a cinch.
I'll have it out to
your house tonight.
Thank you, Street.
See you then.
Yeah.
Hello, Bailey.
Get me the Los Angeles
Police Department.
Yeah.
Hold it.
Wait a minute.
I'll call you back.
What's the idea
of busting in here?
Will you lend me another nickel?
I just gave you one.
What'd you do with it?
Apple Annie.
Apple Annie.
Here.
All right, all right, all right.
What did you want with the
Los Angeles Police Department?
You'll never know.
Oh, now, look here, Bill.
Why don't you play fair with me?
You'd be in a pretty pickle
right now if it weren't for me.
Wong murdered.
What would the chief
and the commissioner say?
They'd want to know why you
didn't have him tailed, protected.
That's what I was doing.
I thought of that.
Where did you get that idea?
Oh, it was just a hunch.
Look here, Logan.
Are you holding out on me?
Do you know something
that I don't know?
That wouldn't have to be much.
Why, you little shrimp.
Scram.
All right, get me Bailey again.
Hello, Wong.
Well, I've searched
the whole town.
The little fella's disappeared.
Still no trace of it.
I've checked every hotel in
Chinatown, every rooming house.
I've watched the waterfronts,
the trains, the boats.
He's vanished.
Well, in view of his lack of
size, of the fact that he's dumb.
I don't understand
why you can't find him.
Oh, you don't?
Well, I've had the smartest
men in the department
looking for him, and
they can't trace him.
Don't you think I know that he's
an answer to a lot of questions?
How about the report of that
aviation company that I asked for?
Oh, that's a fake.
They got an old hangar in Glendale
they used for a mailing address.
Sewers, drain pipes, manholes.
Can you imagine me tracing
the little fella through a sword?
The fake.
And yet, Captain Jackson was supposed
to meet the princess in the lobby of
Pallister Hotel the night she was murdered,
to receive a large sum of money from her.
Pallister Hotel.
Yeah, that's where James stands.
Captain James.
James.
Captain J...
Why haven't you had
the hotel watched?
What do you think
I've been doing?
I got a man on every
floor, a sergeant behind the
desk, and two of the
bellboys are working for me.
What do you want me to do?
Move in, too?
My dear street.
I give you my solemn word.
I am not deaf.
As long as you're getting
technical, Mr. Wong.
The girl was killed in
your house, not mine.
You had a sleeve gun in
there that could have done it.
Technically, I
should arrest you.
I think you're right.
Oh, cut it out, Wong.
I'm only kidding.
I'm all in.
I've been up for two days
and two nights and no sleep.
The commissioner's on my
neck and that girl's in my hair.
I'm just getting punchy.
Punchy.
Yeah, that's it.
That's the only place I
haven't looked for the little folly.
In a punch board hole.
Willie.
A cup of tea for the inspector.
Quickly.
Tea!
That's all I need.
Good night.
All right, come on.
Quiet.
Quiet.
Yes?
I'd like to see Mr. Davidson.
What's his name, please?
James Lee Wong.
James Lee Wong
to see Mr. Davidson.
All right.
Okay.
Come in, sir.
Right in here, Mr. Wong.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
I hope my dogs didn't
annoy you, Mr. Wong.
They've been rather
getting out of hand at late.
Well, they gave me a rather
hearty reception, to say the least.
Well, I'm sorry I have to keep such
vicious watchdogs, but our bank being of
international character, and the trouble
in the Far East and the large Oriental
population here, one
has to be rather careful.
I quite understand.
You have a drink?
Thank you.
Scotch or bourbon?
Scotch, please.
But no ice.
I see.
You know, I rather hoped I'd
see you soon again, Mr. Wong.
I'm rather interested
in this case.
Uh, by the way, the, uh, cancelled
checks were returned to me this morning.
Yes.
Thank you.
And they were most interesting.
In fact, they're my only excuse
for this intrusion on your privacy.
It occurred to me that it might have
been an imposter who withdrew the money,
and not the princess at all.
Of course, anything
is possible, Mr. Wong.
But I wouldn't like to
think that I've been fooled.
Well, I hope you're right.
Now, what did you find
out from Captain Jackson?
He was negotiating with the
princess for the sale of some airplanes.
Hmm, I suspected that much.
You know, her brother's army
is notoriously shy in air power.
By the way, uh, where
are the airplanes?
What's happened to them?
That I don't know.
But he cashed rather a large check,
which is no doubt a first payment.
What's to be done about that?
Well, at the moment, we are
only interested in discovering
the murderer of the
princess Lenoir and her maid.
Is, uh, Captain Jackson
one of your suspects?
I can say this much.
Inspector Street has some
extremely strong views on that point.
Really?
Oh, pardon me just a moment.
Hello?
Oh, yes, Mr. Harley.
Yes, I want quite
a nice headstone.
Oh, I see.
Well, suppose you get some
nice designs together within the
next few days, and you and
I will go with them together.
Yes.
Well, thank you very much.
Goodbye.
I just have to bury one of my
dogs in the local pet cemetery.
Oh.
He was also a great day?
Yes, but he got
a bit too vicious.
Bit the gardener and I
had to dispose of him.
Well, I mustn't
detain you any longer.
Oh, must you really go?
I'm afraid so, yes.
Oh, well, be sure and let me
know of any new developments.
Indeed, I will.
Another drink?
Thank you, no.
I'm afraid I've taken up too
much of your time as it is.
Oh, not at all.
Uh, don't fail to call on me
if I can be of any help at all.
Thank you, I will.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Oh, Burton.
Yes, sir.
Hear those dogs?
Yes, sir.
Tell John to turn them loose.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
All right, get them up.
All right, turn around.
Get going.
Leave it alone.
Now talk and talk fast.
Where's the rest of
the princess's money?
She drew it out.
Quick stalling.
Well, there's a large check
drawn to, uh, Jackson's account.
I know there is.
But where's the rest of it?
Wong, the detective, examined
all the canceled checks.
Why don't you ask him about it?
Good suggestion.
Where's your telephone?
Well, there's one
in this room here.
Now get on that phone.
Call up Wong.
The number is Major 4782.
Well, what'll I tell him?
Tell him he went
here right away.
Tell him to send a car for him.
Come on, Mr. Wong.
Now this is Davidson talking.
Could you possibly come
and see me this evening?
Why, of course, Mr. Davidson.
I should be delighted to come.
That's very kind of you.
How soon will the car be here?
Thank you so much.
Mr. Davidson.
Mr. Davidson.
Something terrible has happened.
The doll will tell
you where you are.
Who's this man?
My butler.
What's Davidson?
Well, that's enough.
I took care of the dogs and
locked their keeper in the garage.
Good.
Now go down and pick up Wong.
We made Davidson phone him.
He's expecting you.
Okay, yeah.
Hello, Bill.
What's new?
I need the story for
the Bulldog edition.
I've got nothing.
Don't tell me that.
Did you hear from Wong?
No, I've been trying to
get him myself all day.
Hello.
Who, the commissioner?
Okay, Brady.
All right, scram.
Get out of here.
The commissioner's
on his way in.
Well, let me stay.
I said get out.
Well, hello, Miss Logan.
How are you, commissioner?
Let me congratulate you on that smart
piece of work with regard to Mr. Wong.
If it hadn't been for you, we'd be
minus the services of our Chinese friend.
Oh, thank you, sir.
I hope the department has been properly
appreciated with the service you run to them.
I imagine the members of this force don't
fully recognize the aid and assistance
they get from the
newspapers of the city.
Oh, that's really
awfully kind of you.
Well, if you ever decide to quit the
newspaper game, we can use brains like yours.
Oh, thank you, sir.
Hello, commissioner.
Street, just what is the department
doing on the case of the Chinese princess?
Well, everything we can, sir.
I'm sure we'll break the
case in a couple of hours.
I certainly hope so.
Lovely evening.
Yeah.
We certainly could
use brains like yours.
Beat it.
Nice man, the commissioner.
Beat it, I said.
Get out of here.
Hmm.
Jealous, huh?
Hello.
Wong?
Yeah, yeah, I
thought you'd phone.
Well, Street, I think the
case is just about solved.
No, really?
Well, uh, well, that's fine.
I'm going out to Davidson's now.
I'd like you to
join me there later.
Sure, sure.
All right, Wong.
Yeah, good night.
Well, what is it?
Something's up.
Oh, you're crazy.
It's just a routine check.
Oh, Bill, you know
I need that story.
I'll give you the story when
I have anything to tell you.
Here.
Here's a burglary
up on Benton Road.
Oh, you gave me
that this afternoon.
Yeah, that's right, I did.
Well, that's all for the night.
Good night.
You coming?
No, I'm going to stick around.
I want to hear from
a pawn shop detail.
Okay.
Well, see you in the morning.
I'm afraid so.
My car up front?
No, it's in the alley.
Don't shoot.
Why not?
You're not putting anything
over on me, Bill Street.
What a pest.
All right, Mr. Wong, you'll
find Mr. Davidson inside.
Come right in, Mr. Wong.
Steady.
Over there, Wong.
That sounds like
Jackson's voice.
That's right, Mr. Wong.
Oh, Davidson.
I see you have an escort, too.
Good evening, Captain Jay.
Hiya.
This is not my doing, Mr. Wong.
Oh, I gather that.
I find the walk from
the car slightly fatiguing.
If you gentlemen
don't mind, I'll sit down.
Well, now, just what
is on your mind?
We're not satisfied with David's
statement about the money.
We're either going to get
the facts from him or from you.
Well, I assure you that
I haven't got the money.
This is no joke, Wong.
You wouldn't have seen
those canceled checks.
What do you know about them?
Obviously, forgeries.
As yet, I haven't quite made up my
mind as to the identity of the forger.
We'll help you
make up your mind.
On my boat.
On your boat?
Yes, we're taking a sea voyage.
Well, I'm not very
partial to the ocean.
I hope you're a better
sailor than I am, Davidson.
They've just been shot.
Bill!
Bill, I see somebody in there.
Yeah, it's me.
Oh.
What do you know?
Pardon, pardon,
what's the matter?
Oh, he's there!
Pardon!
Oh, it's nothing!
Well, Bill, he's hurt.
Oh, it's all right.
Who are you?
Mr. Davidson's butler.
Where's Wong?
I haven't seen him.
Well, what happened to you?
Mr. Davidson and I were
set upon by two men.
Could you identify him?
Well, maybe.
I'm a little hazy right now.
Where's the phone?
In there.
Hey, wait a minute.
That's Wong's umbrella.
Can't you give me some sort
of a description of those fellas?
Well, there was one big
husky chap with a mustache.
I remember.
I only got a glimpse
of the other fella.
Why do you stop that?
Could you describe
their features of that?
Well, if I saw the big fella
again, I'm sure... What is that?
Something I picked up.
Where?
Over there.
Why didn't you tell me?
Oh.
Palliser Hotel.
What is this about
the Palliser Hotel?
Quiet.
Hello.
Palliser Hotel.
This is Captain Street speaking.
Oh, yes, Captain.
Room 461.
It was occupied by Captain Jame.
Of the Maid of Orion.
He checked out this afternoon.
Boat sails at midnight.
Yeah.
Thanks very much.
Your office, huh?
Hello, get me Delaney.
Delaney, this is Street.
I want to detail
him in at Pier 56.
Maid of Orion.
Right away.
Oh, yeah, and...
Yeah.
The butler at Davidson's
house has been slugged.
Take care of it.
Where'd that cargo port?
Davidson, if you come to with the rest of
that money, we'll let you continue to live.
It's a matter of curiosity.
Just what do you
intend to do with me?
When we get a thousand miles
at sea, we'll let you swim home.
Splendid.
Come on.
Oh, Bobbie.
Keep an eye on him.
Aye, aye.
You got a gun?
This'll do.
Take a good look at it.
Okay.
I'm coming aboard, Captain.
You stay here.
Listen, I told you not
to follow me any further.
And I'm not kidding.
Oh.
Heard he do.
What?
Well, you're the
man in the window.
Captain Jackson.
Hello, Captain.
Something wrong?
No, just a little information.
Oh, excuse me.
Oh, Mr. Sand.
Take over, please.
Yes, sir.
Recognize that key?
Oh, yes, my hotel key.
I missed it when I checked out.
Any idea where you lost it?
Why, no.
Where did you get it?
Davidson's home.
Oh, that's where I dropped it.
Yeah, you called on it.
Yes.
Our firm does a lot of business
with Mr. Davidson's bank.
I went there to get
some paper signed.
You didn't see a
butler slug, did you?
A butler slug?
Why no.
See anything of Wong?
Wong?
No.
Why?
He called on Davidson
and he's disappeared.
Disappeared?
When were you there?
When were you there?
About five o'clock.
I finished my business, had
a whiskey and soda and left.
Very funny.
Davidson disappeared too.
Davidson?
He was all right when I left.
I'm awfully sorry I can't be
a sound assistance to you.
So am I.
Thanks.
Well, it's too bad
about all this trouble.
I hope you come in
a moment, all right.
Looks like you're
about ready to shove off.
Just waiting for
you to get ashore.
I see.
Nobody goes ashore.
I'm an officer.
Yeah, get him over there.
You've been high
handed, aren't you, Street?
You think so?
Take these two men up
and lock them in his cabin.
Handcuff him.
Think you better
tie him up, Davidson.
Here's a look.
What did that guy grab you for?
Well, I recognized him.
You see, he was the one that I
saw... Where did he come from?
Down there.
Come on, Cherry.
Wong.
I knew Captain James was lying.
What happened?
He and Jackson kidnapped
us and brought us down that car.
Oh, kidnap him too, huh?
Who's this?
As you see, he was
left here to guard us.
Take care of him, Jerry.
I've got them both
up in the cabin.
Good.
Good thing you came
and you did, Street.
All right, boys.
Come clean.
Why'd you Shanghai Davidson?
To find out what became with the
balance of the princess's money.
What'd you bring Wong along for?
I'm afraid that was my fault.
I told him that Mr. Wong had
examined all the canceled checks...
and to ask him about them.
I admitted there was one
check drawn to my favor.
But who signed the rest of them?
Who did it?
Now.
It's a forgery of the
princess's signature.
Oh, then somebody's
working with you.
Now.
All right, if nobody's working with you...
Which one of you killed the princess?
We never killed the princess.
We had a deal to sell
her some airplanes.
You haven't got
anything on us at all.
No.
Just kidnap him.
Take him down and book him.
And an attempt on
my life, eh, Jackson?
I'm sorry I wasn't successful.
Well, we still haven't pinned
the murder on anybody.
So when you discovered that the aviation
company was a fraud, you saw your charts
to cover the shortage at
your bank with her funds.
What do you mean?
You forged those
checks, Davidson.
Don't be absurd.
Those signatures
were in Chinese.
Which you learned when you
worked for the bank in China.
Also the use of a sleeve dug.
Are you accusing me of
the murder of the princess?
Yes.
And the maid.
And the dwarf.
Dwarf?
Must I tell you that I exhume the
body of the dwarf from the pet cemetery?
One does not bury the
body of a vicious dog in
a pet cemetery under
an expensive headstone.
You're a very
clever man, Mr. Wall.
I congratulate you.
All right, Davidson.
Captain Streak.
Hey!
Grab him, Jerry!
Attaboy, Jerry!
He's got him.
Get a line to him.
Jerry picked him up.
When did you exhume that body?
I didn't.
But now I think we should.
A street?
Oh, boy!
What a story!
Hello!
Hello!
Take it easy, Bobbie. You're
talking to the engine room.
Is Mr. Wong at home?
- Yes.
- Could I see him?
Your name, please?
No name.
Name, please.
Tell Mr. Wong someone
wants to see him.
Someone who needs his help.
Could I come in?
No, no.
You wait here.
A lady to see you.
A lady?
Very important, he said.
Say I'll be right in.
Mr. Wong comes soon.
She's dead.
Will she be sitting here?
Yes.
You call Inspector Street.
Mr. Wong wants to
speak to Inspector Street.
Just a minute.
On your phone, Captain.
Wong speaking.
There's been a murder
in my house, Street.
Wong?
I'll be right out.
Get a squad car, Jerry.
It'll be at Wong's.
All right.
Hello, Wong.
Well, this is the payoff.
Murder in the house of Mr. Wong.
Now we've seen everything.
Who is she?
I haven't the least idea.
But the crest on her ring
belongs to the Sen Wang-Ti family.
She's evidently a
person of high degree.
Where were you
when this happened?
I was in the laboratory
when she arrived.
She told Willie that
she had to see me.
But then when I
came in, she was dead.
She just had time
just to scribble this.
Captain J.
Captain J, huh?
Hey, what's that?
I suspect that's a poison dart that
was fired right from that window.
Oh, a blowgun.
Dacoits.
You know, South American jungle.
No, that dart's
too heavy for that.
That was fired from
a Chinese sleeve gun.
I have one in my room.
I'll show it to you.
How does it work?
You press the spring back so...
and it's clasped
around the forearm...
and released with
the slightest pressure.
Simple, isn't it?
Yeah, simple and deadly.
Who's there?
I have no idea.
Give me Brodgan, quick.
How did you get in here?
Look here, Bill Street.
What are you trying to pull?
How did you get in here?
Through the window.
How did you know I was here?
I followed you here.
Take it easy.
Oh, look here, Bill.
This is one of the biggest stories
that's cracked in a long time.
I've simply got to
get it to my paper.
How do you know
it's a fake story?
Well, Princess Lenoir murdered
in the house of Mr. Wong.
You boys!
Sorry, Wong.
This is more or less
of a personal row.
This is Miss Roberta
Logan of the Morning Herald.
And probably San
Francisco's greatest nuisance.
Oh, that isn't what you called me
last night when we were having dinner.
That has nothing to do with the
newspaper or the police department.
Don't you ever try to date
me up again, Mr. Wong.
I won't.
Good.
I believe I heard you identify
this girl as the Princess Lenoir.
Yeah, what do you
know about her?
Oh, I'd be a bright little girl,
wouldn't I, to help out your half-witted
department after being
treated in this fashion.
Look, Bobbie, I'll see that
you get a break on this.
Won't you please
help us, Miss Luke?
For a gentleman, yes.
She arrived from China on the
Maidoborian two or three weeks ago.
My files, Willie.
My tribe interviewer
on the boat.
I think I remember.
It was on the 22nd.
Oh, now it's you.
There we are.
Captain Jane.
Captain Jane.
Captain J.
That's the last thing she
wrote before she died.
Say, the sooner we
see this bird, the better.
Yes, I'd very much like to
interview with this Captain Jane.
Oh, Miss Logan.
By any chance did you know
where the Princess lived?
Yes, she had an
apartment in Chinatown.
1432 Grand Avenue.
Thank you.
That's our next stop.
Come on, Wong.
Well, you're not going.
Get Jim.
What are you going to do?
Will you let me go?
Will you... Well, stop
this, you big bad...
You're not going to leave
me chained up like this.
I certainly am, baby, till we
can search that apartment.
I don't want flashlight
bulbs all over the place.
Get the coroner of the
photographers up here and
don't let her near a
phone till you hear from me.
Hey, come on, Wong.
Oh, Bill Street, you're the most loathsome
human being I've ever encountered.
You big bad...
What do you want to see?
To the police.
Captain Jane aboard?
Yes, sir.
On Captain Street of
the San Francisco Police.
This is Mr. James Lee Wong.
How do you do, gentlemen?
What can I do for you?
You had a passenger
on your last trip.
A Princess Lin Wah.
Yes, that's right.
Why was she traveling
on this kind of a boat?
Well, we have a few
passenger accommodations.
We booked passage for her
at the request of her brother.
Where is he?
He's in Northern China.
Field Marshal Chang Sai.
The Sen Wang Ti family?
That's the family, sir, yes.
What was she
doing in this country?
Sightseeing, I imagine.
This is her first trip to
America, I understand.
And her last.
She was murdered an hour ago.
The Princess murdered?
This will be a great
shock to her brother.
Have you any idea who
might have done this?
Could one of your
passengers have had a motive?
Not that I know of.
What type of passenger
were you carrying?
Well, we had a few
returning missionaries.
A commercial traveler or two.
Or one or two tourists.
But she didn't mingle
very much with them.
Have you left the boat
in the past few hours?
No, I haven't, sir.
Have you a crew and passenger
list you could let me have?
I certainly have.
Sorry to have
bothered you, Captain.
Thank you.
Not at all.
He never batted an eye, did he?
We'll check up on
his headquarters.
Well, who are they?
Police.
What?
Isn't one of them Chinese?
Yes, a Chinese detective.
What do they want?
You want to know what they want.
What do you mean?
Of course, you don't know
the Princess was murdered.
Murdered?
Yeah.
What did you kill
her for, Jackson?
Are you crazy?
Well, I haven't seen the Princess
since... Well, yesterday afternoon.
Did he get a check?
Yes.
How much?
$250,000.
And my share?
Now look here, Jackson.
I'm in this thing as
deep as you are.
She charged on the
ship for the airplanes.
I put her in touch with you.
Told her you had flown as an
aviator with her brother in China.
I planned this whole deal.
All right, I know it.
You'll get your share.
Where is the money?
In the bank.
I'll see you there at 10
o'clock in the morning.
All right.
Pretty clever, Jackson,
killing the Princess.
Yeah, no witnesses
to say where the planes
were delivered or not
where the money went?
You're a pretty
clever guy, Jamie.
Good night.
Good night, Mr. It
was a hotel every night.
Check those the plans.
Yes, sir.
I think this one is open street.
Anybody in there?
Let me see if you can find anything
with the princess's name on it.
Well, somebody's
here or has been here.
Perhaps this should
have been our first stop.
Yeah.
Check that closet, Jerry.
Mom!
Poor kid's out cold.
Bobbie!
Bobbie!
Well, did you catch him?
Catch who?
Well, the man that slugged me.
Say, if somebody slugged
you, I'd give him a medal.
A suitcase fell on your head.
Oh.
How'd you get loose?
The nice man that you left to guard
me went to get me a drink of water.
Wasn't that sweet of him?
Arm in the chair came off easy.
How did you get in here?
Took the key out of
the princess's purse.
I'm afraid, Street, we
must accept the inevitable.
Yeah.
What were you
doing in the closet?
Well, there was a man in here.
A man?
Well, sure.
He was searching the desk.
What did he look like?
He was masked.
That's our murderer.
Can't you give us any
kind of a description?
Well, he was fairly
tall, looked athletic.
And he wore dark glasses.
Wonderful.
That's a help.
Did you see where he went?
How could I when
I was knocked out?
Street.
All right, put on that gun.
This is the police.
The police?
What do you want?
Don't be alarmed.
We just want to ask
you a few questions.
Who are you?
Oh, come on, what's your name?
I know her.
Oh.
All right, who is she?
She was on the boat
with the princess.
As her maid?
I am her companion.
Oh.
So you were in her confidence.
Yes.
Oh.
No, no.
Now, don't be afraid.
Why did she come
to this country?
I don't know anything.
Nobody knows anything.
Well, at least you can
remember what time she left here.
Oh, about eight o'clock tonight.
And where was she going?
What has happened to her?
Oh, you expect something
to happen to her, huh?
You knew something
was going to happen.
No.
Tell me, please.
She's dead.
Murdered.
Now, all we are doing
is just to try to help you.
Who came to see her here?
Who were her friends?
She had no visitors.
She made appointments.
They were always downtown.
You mean nobody
came here to see her?
No one.
Except...
Wait a minute.
Who are you looking for?
He can hear, but he cannot talk.
He is dumb.
Oh, you know him?
Yes.
Has he been up here
to see the princess?
Yes.
Come on.
Where does he live?
In the basement.
Would you please ask him
where he just came from?
I can't speak his dialect.
He is from northern China.
Her province.
Can you...
Can you tell him that
the princess is dead?
I'll try.
Then why?
Well, we understood
that all right.
Look.
Did you...
see anybody come in...
and go over there?
What am I doing?
Come here.
Did you...
Did you do that?
A car was waiting in the alley.
A large car.
A large black car.
Hey, what is this?
Wait a minute, Street.
He means it was a
man about your size.
He was masked.
And he wore glasses.
What did I tell you?
Masks, glasses.
Now will you believe me?
Well, this isn't
getting us anywhere.
Jerry, you stay
here till I get back.
And don't let either
one of them leave.
No, no.
Don't leave me.
I'm afraid.
Now there's nothing
to be afraid of.
I'll have a man on guard
outside your door the whole time.
I'm going out the station
and check on that car.
And also the
little fella's story.
Maybe he's telling the
truth and maybe he's not.
Yeah.
I'll see you later, Street.
There's somebody in
Chinatown I'd like to talk to first.
Oh, Bill.
Do you mind dropping
me at the paper?
No.
How do you feel?
Oh, fine.
Of course I'm a little dizzy.
You telling me.
The Honorable Wong is
here on personal business?
Or in his official capacity?
I am here on
behalf of the police.
The Honorable Men perhaps
know the Princess Linoise?
She was murdered an hour ago.
It is perhaps wise that we
should open our hearts to you.
The Princess was in this country
to make purchases for her brother.
Of war material?
Aeroplanes.
I see.
Her death means that a
great project has failed.
The resources of this
town are at your command.
Anything to report?
No, sir.
Everything is as
quiet as a mouse.
Good.
Are you sure nobody
got in past you?
Yeah, I was right
outside the door.
Well, did anybody leave?
Who?
The little guy.
Another sign of it.
Same for street at once.
Hello.
Yes, Jerry.
What?
A maid.
I'll be right out.
Death was instantaneous.
Same as the Princess.
But the same hand.
That must be a powerful poison.
We weren't able to
identify it in the other case.
But after I've made this
autopsy, we may know.
Good night, gentlemen.
Oh, you think it
came from here, huh?
This is where he
said the car was.
Hey.
The little guy's footprints.
Well, get this.
Certainly it came from here.
Hey.
Nobody but the little fellow or
monkey could go down that drain pipe.
He's our man.
He may have been making
it possible for somebody else.
Oh, why get involved?
Let's check his room
in the basement.
Jerry.
Have Forbes get
a cast of that print.
Yes, sir.
Where'd you get that?
There.
Well, that cinches it.
That pins it on the
little guy definitely.
What are we waiting for?
Just a minute, Street.
He may be the killer.
But I found out tonight that
the Princess was here buying
airplanes that would have to
be smuggled out of the country.
Yeah?
Oh, and the maid of the Orient.
More than likely.
I think we'd better talk
to Captain James again.
Sure, sure.
I'll talk to him the first
thing in the morning.
But you'll have to admit that the
little fellow couldn't smuggle airplanes.
But he could climb up on a
wind and use his sleeve gun.
And he's just the kind of a
guy they'd hire to do their killing.
They're not fooling me.
Furthermore, I think
that dumb act is a gag.
Yes?
Mr. James Lee Wong,
see Mr. Davidson, please.
Mr. James Lee Wong, to see you.
Yes, sir.
Won't you come in, please?
Thank you.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
Now, what can I do for you?
I'm investigating the murder
of the Princess Lin Wah.
Oh, yes, I read about it.
I was hoping you could be
of some assistance to me.
I'd be perfectly willing
to do anything I can.
Won't you sit down?
Thank you so much.
I understand that she was
a depositor on your bank.
Quite a large depositor.
A large depositor?
Yes.
And when the Princess arrived
from the Orient, she carried with her...
drafts on the exchange bank of
Hancock for almost a million dollars.
She has cashed those drives.
Really?
The first sum I recall she withdrew
was a day or so after she arrived.
It was for $250,000,
a cashier's check.
That check, of
course, can be traced.
Yes.
It was drawn in the favor
of a Captain Jackson...
who identified himself as the
San Francisco representative...
of the Phelps Aviation
Company of Los Angeles.
Now, you bring me the file of
the Princess Lin Wah, please.
This Captain Jackson...
did he cash
the check himself?
No.
As a matter of fact, after
he identified himself...
he opened an account and
deposited the check to his own credit.
Thank you.
This is the Jackson check.
Oh, yes.
Thank you.
Oh, evidently his office is in the
Bronson building on Broad Street.
I understand it is.
Perhaps he could be of
some assistance to you.
No doubt.
I take it from this...
that she still has a considerable
sum of money on deposit with you.
Well...
The cancelled checks... that she
signed in English and Chinese show...
that she drew out large amounts
almost daily...till she had...
about $38,000 left.
That balance she drew
out yesterday in cash...
and left here with the money.
An extraordinary proceeding.
Do you know if she had any dealings
with anybody else besides Captain Jackson?
Well, nothing she ever said would indicate
that she had any negotiations of any kind.
Of course, I guess that the...
princess wasn't
engaged in sightseeing.
That's obvious.
Have you the original
draft that she presented?
Yes, I think I have.
Yes, here it is.
Oh, yes.
Also signed in
English and in Chinese.
Yes.
Hmm.
Well... Thank you.
Oh, by the way...
her file will be available
to the police department...
in the event that they should want to,
uh... Oh, with a criminal case like this...
the police have accessed the
records of the bank at all times.
Thank you so much.
Not at all.
I may call on you later.
At any time, Mr. Wong.
Good day.
Good day, sir.
Good day.
Drive me to the Bronson
building on Broad Street.
I don't know why you were trailing
me... but I'm certainly very grateful.
Well, the K-Cab Company
isn't allowed to operate anymore.
They were put out of
business three months ago.
Well, I covered the story.
Oh.
That driver... He
got down this way.
Say, you won't go
away till I come back.
No, indeed.
Hello.
City desk.
An attempt was made on
the life of James Lee Wong...
well-known Chinese detective...
shortly before noon today...
when he was rescued from a light
sedan...camouflaged as a taxi...
just before a bomb
exploded in its interior.
The rescue was affected
by Miss Roberta Logan...
reporter on the
staff of the Herald.
Yeah, that's right.
No, I'm not kidding.
What's the matter here?
Oh, hello, Wong.
What happened?
Evidently somebody
arranged a little surprise for me.
Certainly looks like it.
That's the real thing.
And if it hadn't been for Miss
Logan here, I'd have been.
You certainly would have.
The driver ran down the alley.
He's blocks away now.
Get on it, Steve.
Come on, folks.
That's all.
Oh, I'd be glad to take you where you're
going... if you'd care to ride with me.
I'd certainly feel much safer.
Yes?
A Mr. Wong to see you.
Who?
Mr. James Lee Wong.
Oh.
Well, send him in just a moment.
I'll buzz you.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
It's very nice of you to
see me, Captain Jackson.
Won't you sit down?
Cigarette?
Thanks.
I will.
I've been anticipating this interview
ever since I read the newspaper reports...
that the princess was
murdered in your apartment.
You realized, of course,
that we would trace the check.
Oh, we were engaged in some
rather delicate negotiations.
The sail of some
airplanes, I believe.
She would naturally come to me.
Her brother, Chang Sai, head of
an army of one of the five provinces...
was one of the
best friends I ever had.
I flew a plane these
last campaigns.
Really?
Yes.
I met the princess at the boat.
Mr. Wong, I'd just as well make
a clean breast of the whole thing.
We were to secretly ship
some airplanes to China.
On the maid of Aldian?
And when did you
see the princess last?
I talked to her two days ago.
We had an appointment to
meet the night she was murdered.
We were to meet in the
lobby of the palace hotel...
where she was to turn
over my second payment.
But she didn't keep
the appointment.
And she gave no excuse?
Or explanation?
I never heard from her.
My first intimation was the shock I
received... when I read the morning papers.
Yes.
It had occurred
to me, you know...
that the cause of her death
could be found in the fact...
that she was secretly
buying airplanes.
Well, I thought of
that too, Mr. Wong.
You see, the cause of
Chang Sai has many enemies.
His safety is threatened
not only by other powers...
but by many
other army leaders.
And of course, San Francisco
is filled with their agents.
Naturally.
As you can imagine, this situation
is distinctly embarrassing to me.
I've made commitments for a
great deal of airplane equipment.
And to put it bluntly, I
am left holding the bag.
Well...
I'm obliged to you,
Captain Jackson.
Goodbye, Mr. Wong.
I'll be delighted to help
you in any way that I can.
Thank you.
Goodbye.
Good day.
Anything new?
I left a report on your desk.
What's this report?
Well, get this, Jerry.
An attempt on Wong's life.
Taxi.
Bomb exploded.
Hold out a cab by Roberta
Logan of the Herald.
Anything can happen
with that Logan around.
Where's Wong now?
He took the girl and
drove away in a cab.
Well, if he's with her,
you better drag the bay.
Well, I suppose you came
in for your Carnegie medal.
I already have a drawer
full of them, Inspector.
Uh...
Where'd you pick
up that cab, Wong?
I got it just in front of the
specie bank of Hankow,
where the princess has a
large sum of money on deposit.
But she's drawn
it all out recently.
Say!
Hey, wait a minute.
There's a phone
in the drug store.
Will you give me an echo?
Oh, gladly.
Thank you.
Well, now that we've gotten rid
of her, what's the real lowdown?
Well, let's hear your
news first, Street.
Well, not much.
I've picked up half their
suspicious characters in Chinatown.
Oh, the little fella, I
haven't got him yet,
but I'll have my hands
on him any minute.
Splendid, Street.
Now, in the meantime, I'd
like you to get me a report from
the Tobias Aviation Company,
from the Los Angeles Department.
Oh, that's a cinch.
I'll have it out to
your house tonight.
Thank you, Street.
See you then.
Yeah.
Hello, Bailey.
Get me the Los Angeles
Police Department.
Yeah.
Hold it.
Wait a minute.
I'll call you back.
What's the idea
of busting in here?
Will you lend me another nickel?
I just gave you one.
What'd you do with it?
Apple Annie.
Apple Annie.
Here.
All right, all right, all right.
What did you want with the
Los Angeles Police Department?
You'll never know.
Oh, now, look here, Bill.
Why don't you play fair with me?
You'd be in a pretty pickle
right now if it weren't for me.
Wong murdered.
What would the chief
and the commissioner say?
They'd want to know why you
didn't have him tailed, protected.
That's what I was doing.
I thought of that.
Where did you get that idea?
Oh, it was just a hunch.
Look here, Logan.
Are you holding out on me?
Do you know something
that I don't know?
That wouldn't have to be much.
Why, you little shrimp.
Scram.
All right, get me Bailey again.
Hello, Wong.
Well, I've searched
the whole town.
The little fella's disappeared.
Still no trace of it.
I've checked every hotel in
Chinatown, every rooming house.
I've watched the waterfronts,
the trains, the boats.
He's vanished.
Well, in view of his lack of
size, of the fact that he's dumb.
I don't understand
why you can't find him.
Oh, you don't?
Well, I've had the smartest
men in the department
looking for him, and
they can't trace him.
Don't you think I know that he's
an answer to a lot of questions?
How about the report of that
aviation company that I asked for?
Oh, that's a fake.
They got an old hangar in Glendale
they used for a mailing address.
Sewers, drain pipes, manholes.
Can you imagine me tracing
the little fella through a sword?
The fake.
And yet, Captain Jackson was supposed
to meet the princess in the lobby of
Pallister Hotel the night she was murdered,
to receive a large sum of money from her.
Pallister Hotel.
Yeah, that's where James stands.
Captain James.
James.
Captain J...
Why haven't you had
the hotel watched?
What do you think
I've been doing?
I got a man on every
floor, a sergeant behind the
desk, and two of the
bellboys are working for me.
What do you want me to do?
Move in, too?
My dear street.
I give you my solemn word.
I am not deaf.
As long as you're getting
technical, Mr. Wong.
The girl was killed in
your house, not mine.
You had a sleeve gun in
there that could have done it.
Technically, I
should arrest you.
I think you're right.
Oh, cut it out, Wong.
I'm only kidding.
I'm all in.
I've been up for two days
and two nights and no sleep.
The commissioner's on my
neck and that girl's in my hair.
I'm just getting punchy.
Punchy.
Yeah, that's it.
That's the only place I
haven't looked for the little folly.
In a punch board hole.
Willie.
A cup of tea for the inspector.
Quickly.
Tea!
That's all I need.
Good night.
All right, come on.
Quiet.
Quiet.
Yes?
I'd like to see Mr. Davidson.
What's his name, please?
James Lee Wong.
James Lee Wong
to see Mr. Davidson.
All right.
Okay.
Come in, sir.
Right in here, Mr. Wong.
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
How do you do, Mr. Wong?
I hope my dogs didn't
annoy you, Mr. Wong.
They've been rather
getting out of hand at late.
Well, they gave me a rather
hearty reception, to say the least.
Well, I'm sorry I have to keep such
vicious watchdogs, but our bank being of
international character, and the trouble
in the Far East and the large Oriental
population here, one
has to be rather careful.
I quite understand.
You have a drink?
Thank you.
Scotch or bourbon?
Scotch, please.
But no ice.
I see.
You know, I rather hoped I'd
see you soon again, Mr. Wong.
I'm rather interested
in this case.
Uh, by the way, the, uh, cancelled
checks were returned to me this morning.
Yes.
Thank you.
And they were most interesting.
In fact, they're my only excuse
for this intrusion on your privacy.
It occurred to me that it might have
been an imposter who withdrew the money,
and not the princess at all.
Of course, anything
is possible, Mr. Wong.
But I wouldn't like to
think that I've been fooled.
Well, I hope you're right.
Now, what did you find
out from Captain Jackson?
He was negotiating with the
princess for the sale of some airplanes.
Hmm, I suspected that much.
You know, her brother's army
is notoriously shy in air power.
By the way, uh, where
are the airplanes?
What's happened to them?
That I don't know.
But he cashed rather a large check,
which is no doubt a first payment.
What's to be done about that?
Well, at the moment, we are
only interested in discovering
the murderer of the
princess Lenoir and her maid.
Is, uh, Captain Jackson
one of your suspects?
I can say this much.
Inspector Street has some
extremely strong views on that point.
Really?
Oh, pardon me just a moment.
Hello?
Oh, yes, Mr. Harley.
Yes, I want quite
a nice headstone.
Oh, I see.
Well, suppose you get some
nice designs together within the
next few days, and you and
I will go with them together.
Yes.
Well, thank you very much.
Goodbye.
I just have to bury one of my
dogs in the local pet cemetery.
Oh.
He was also a great day?
Yes, but he got
a bit too vicious.
Bit the gardener and I
had to dispose of him.
Well, I mustn't
detain you any longer.
Oh, must you really go?
I'm afraid so, yes.
Oh, well, be sure and let me
know of any new developments.
Indeed, I will.
Another drink?
Thank you, no.
I'm afraid I've taken up too
much of your time as it is.
Oh, not at all.
Uh, don't fail to call on me
if I can be of any help at all.
Thank you, I will.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Oh, Burton.
Yes, sir.
Hear those dogs?
Yes, sir.
Tell John to turn them loose.
Yes, sir.
Yes, sir.
All right, get them up.
All right, turn around.
Get going.
Leave it alone.
Now talk and talk fast.
Where's the rest of
the princess's money?
She drew it out.
Quick stalling.
Well, there's a large check
drawn to, uh, Jackson's account.
I know there is.
But where's the rest of it?
Wong, the detective, examined
all the canceled checks.
Why don't you ask him about it?
Good suggestion.
Where's your telephone?
Well, there's one
in this room here.
Now get on that phone.
Call up Wong.
The number is Major 4782.
Well, what'll I tell him?
Tell him he went
here right away.
Tell him to send a car for him.
Come on, Mr. Wong.
Now this is Davidson talking.
Could you possibly come
and see me this evening?
Why, of course, Mr. Davidson.
I should be delighted to come.
That's very kind of you.
How soon will the car be here?
Thank you so much.
Mr. Davidson.
Mr. Davidson.
Something terrible has happened.
The doll will tell
you where you are.
Who's this man?
My butler.
What's Davidson?
Well, that's enough.
I took care of the dogs and
locked their keeper in the garage.
Good.
Now go down and pick up Wong.
We made Davidson phone him.
He's expecting you.
Okay, yeah.
Hello, Bill.
What's new?
I need the story for
the Bulldog edition.
I've got nothing.
Don't tell me that.
Did you hear from Wong?
No, I've been trying to
get him myself all day.
Hello.
Who, the commissioner?
Okay, Brady.
All right, scram.
Get out of here.
The commissioner's
on his way in.
Well, let me stay.
I said get out.
Well, hello, Miss Logan.
How are you, commissioner?
Let me congratulate you on that smart
piece of work with regard to Mr. Wong.
If it hadn't been for you, we'd be
minus the services of our Chinese friend.
Oh, thank you, sir.
I hope the department has been properly
appreciated with the service you run to them.
I imagine the members of this force don't
fully recognize the aid and assistance
they get from the
newspapers of the city.
Oh, that's really
awfully kind of you.
Well, if you ever decide to quit the
newspaper game, we can use brains like yours.
Oh, thank you, sir.
Hello, commissioner.
Street, just what is the department
doing on the case of the Chinese princess?
Well, everything we can, sir.
I'm sure we'll break the
case in a couple of hours.
I certainly hope so.
Lovely evening.
Yeah.
We certainly could
use brains like yours.
Beat it.
Nice man, the commissioner.
Beat it, I said.
Get out of here.
Hmm.
Jealous, huh?
Hello.
Wong?
Yeah, yeah, I
thought you'd phone.
Well, Street, I think the
case is just about solved.
No, really?
Well, uh, well, that's fine.
I'm going out to Davidson's now.
I'd like you to
join me there later.
Sure, sure.
All right, Wong.
Yeah, good night.
Well, what is it?
Something's up.
Oh, you're crazy.
It's just a routine check.
Oh, Bill, you know
I need that story.
I'll give you the story when
I have anything to tell you.
Here.
Here's a burglary
up on Benton Road.
Oh, you gave me
that this afternoon.
Yeah, that's right, I did.
Well, that's all for the night.
Good night.
You coming?
No, I'm going to stick around.
I want to hear from
a pawn shop detail.
Okay.
Well, see you in the morning.
I'm afraid so.
My car up front?
No, it's in the alley.
Don't shoot.
Why not?
You're not putting anything
over on me, Bill Street.
What a pest.
All right, Mr. Wong, you'll
find Mr. Davidson inside.
Come right in, Mr. Wong.
Steady.
Over there, Wong.
That sounds like
Jackson's voice.
That's right, Mr. Wong.
Oh, Davidson.
I see you have an escort, too.
Good evening, Captain Jay.
Hiya.
This is not my doing, Mr. Wong.
Oh, I gather that.
I find the walk from
the car slightly fatiguing.
If you gentlemen
don't mind, I'll sit down.
Well, now, just what
is on your mind?
We're not satisfied with David's
statement about the money.
We're either going to get
the facts from him or from you.
Well, I assure you that
I haven't got the money.
This is no joke, Wong.
You wouldn't have seen
those canceled checks.
What do you know about them?
Obviously, forgeries.
As yet, I haven't quite made up my
mind as to the identity of the forger.
We'll help you
make up your mind.
On my boat.
On your boat?
Yes, we're taking a sea voyage.
Well, I'm not very
partial to the ocean.
I hope you're a better
sailor than I am, Davidson.
They've just been shot.
Bill!
Bill, I see somebody in there.
Yeah, it's me.
Oh.
What do you know?
Pardon, pardon,
what's the matter?
Oh, he's there!
Pardon!
Oh, it's nothing!
Well, Bill, he's hurt.
Oh, it's all right.
Who are you?
Mr. Davidson's butler.
Where's Wong?
I haven't seen him.
Well, what happened to you?
Mr. Davidson and I were
set upon by two men.
Could you identify him?
Well, maybe.
I'm a little hazy right now.
Where's the phone?
In there.
Hey, wait a minute.
That's Wong's umbrella.
Can't you give me some sort
of a description of those fellas?
Well, there was one big
husky chap with a mustache.
I remember.
I only got a glimpse
of the other fella.
Why do you stop that?
Could you describe
their features of that?
Well, if I saw the big fella
again, I'm sure... What is that?
Something I picked up.
Where?
Over there.
Why didn't you tell me?
Oh.
Palliser Hotel.
What is this about
the Palliser Hotel?
Quiet.
Hello.
Palliser Hotel.
This is Captain Street speaking.
Oh, yes, Captain.
Room 461.
It was occupied by Captain Jame.
Of the Maid of Orion.
He checked out this afternoon.
Boat sails at midnight.
Yeah.
Thanks very much.
Your office, huh?
Hello, get me Delaney.
Delaney, this is Street.
I want to detail
him in at Pier 56.
Maid of Orion.
Right away.
Oh, yeah, and...
Yeah.
The butler at Davidson's
house has been slugged.
Take care of it.
Where'd that cargo port?
Davidson, if you come to with the rest of
that money, we'll let you continue to live.
It's a matter of curiosity.
Just what do you
intend to do with me?
When we get a thousand miles
at sea, we'll let you swim home.
Splendid.
Come on.
Oh, Bobbie.
Keep an eye on him.
Aye, aye.
You got a gun?
This'll do.
Take a good look at it.
Okay.
I'm coming aboard, Captain.
You stay here.
Listen, I told you not
to follow me any further.
And I'm not kidding.
Oh.
Heard he do.
What?
Well, you're the
man in the window.
Captain Jackson.
Hello, Captain.
Something wrong?
No, just a little information.
Oh, excuse me.
Oh, Mr. Sand.
Take over, please.
Yes, sir.
Recognize that key?
Oh, yes, my hotel key.
I missed it when I checked out.
Any idea where you lost it?
Why, no.
Where did you get it?
Davidson's home.
Oh, that's where I dropped it.
Yeah, you called on it.
Yes.
Our firm does a lot of business
with Mr. Davidson's bank.
I went there to get
some paper signed.
You didn't see a
butler slug, did you?
A butler slug?
Why no.
See anything of Wong?
Wong?
No.
Why?
He called on Davidson
and he's disappeared.
Disappeared?
When were you there?
When were you there?
About five o'clock.
I finished my business, had
a whiskey and soda and left.
Very funny.
Davidson disappeared too.
Davidson?
He was all right when I left.
I'm awfully sorry I can't be
a sound assistance to you.
So am I.
Thanks.
Well, it's too bad
about all this trouble.
I hope you come in
a moment, all right.
Looks like you're
about ready to shove off.
Just waiting for
you to get ashore.
I see.
Nobody goes ashore.
I'm an officer.
Yeah, get him over there.
You've been high
handed, aren't you, Street?
You think so?
Take these two men up
and lock them in his cabin.
Handcuff him.
Think you better
tie him up, Davidson.
Here's a look.
What did that guy grab you for?
Well, I recognized him.
You see, he was the one that I
saw... Where did he come from?
Down there.
Come on, Cherry.
Wong.
I knew Captain James was lying.
What happened?
He and Jackson kidnapped
us and brought us down that car.
Oh, kidnap him too, huh?
Who's this?
As you see, he was
left here to guard us.
Take care of him, Jerry.
I've got them both
up in the cabin.
Good.
Good thing you came
and you did, Street.
All right, boys.
Come clean.
Why'd you Shanghai Davidson?
To find out what became with the
balance of the princess's money.
What'd you bring Wong along for?
I'm afraid that was my fault.
I told him that Mr. Wong had
examined all the canceled checks...
and to ask him about them.
I admitted there was one
check drawn to my favor.
But who signed the rest of them?
Who did it?
Now.
It's a forgery of the
princess's signature.
Oh, then somebody's
working with you.
Now.
All right, if nobody's working with you...
Which one of you killed the princess?
We never killed the princess.
We had a deal to sell
her some airplanes.
You haven't got
anything on us at all.
No.
Just kidnap him.
Take him down and book him.
And an attempt on
my life, eh, Jackson?
I'm sorry I wasn't successful.
Well, we still haven't pinned
the murder on anybody.
So when you discovered that the aviation
company was a fraud, you saw your charts
to cover the shortage at
your bank with her funds.
What do you mean?
You forged those
checks, Davidson.
Don't be absurd.
Those signatures
were in Chinese.
Which you learned when you
worked for the bank in China.
Also the use of a sleeve dug.
Are you accusing me of
the murder of the princess?
Yes.
And the maid.
And the dwarf.
Dwarf?
Must I tell you that I exhume the
body of the dwarf from the pet cemetery?
One does not bury the
body of a vicious dog in
a pet cemetery under
an expensive headstone.
You're a very
clever man, Mr. Wall.
I congratulate you.
All right, Davidson.
Captain Streak.
Hey!
Grab him, Jerry!
Attaboy, Jerry!
He's got him.
Get a line to him.
Jerry picked him up.
When did you exhume that body?
I didn't.
But now I think we should.
A street?
Oh, boy!
What a story!
Hello!
Hello!
Take it easy, Bobbie. You're
talking to the engine room.