Perry Mason (1957) s01e23 Episode Script
The Case of the One-Eyed Witness
MAN: My dear Mrs.
Fargo.
What a delightful surprise.
What are you doing here, Carlin? I could say that I came to see some friends off, but that wouldn't be telling the truth.
Actually, I came expressly to see you.
- How did you know? - That you were going to Harristown? My dear Mrs.
Fargo, I know every move that you make.
Had you by any chance forgotten that tomorrow is the 15th of the month? How could I ever forget? And yet you were going to leave town.
[CLICKING TONGUE.]
Haven't you been blackmailing me long enough? Mrs.
Fargo, please.
A thousand dollars every month for the past year.
Actually, it's only been ten months.
Believe me, Mrs.
Fargo, I can sympathise with you completely.
Tell me, how would you like it if you were never to see me again? Well, I can see the prospect is attractive.
For a lump-sum payment, I could oblige you.
How much? Oh, shall we say $10,000? You wonder what assurance you'd have that I would never bother you again.
You will have my word of honour.
Well, I can see how you would consider that insufficient.
Suppose that I were to turn over the complete Charles Gallagher file to you.
When? Simultaneously with your turning the $10,000 over to me.
All right.
I shall be having dinner tomorrow evening at a little French restaurant called Ferrolds.
Are you familiar with it? Yes.
Excellent.
I shall be delighted to have you join me any time between 8 and 9:00.
With the money, Mrs.
Fargo.
With the $10,000.
Marian, what happened? Did you miss your bus? Honey, what is it? What's wrong? You're shaking.
- Here, sit down.
I'll get you a drink.
- No, no.
I'm all right, honey.
Well, what happened? I'm not going to Harristown.
Why? I'm just not going, that's all.
Marian, look at me.
You've got to tell me what's going on.
It's nothing, Arthur, honest.
Look, honey, I haven't pressed you about this thing.
I figured you'd tell me at the right time.
I don't wanna be a problem, Arthur.
You're my wife.
I'm being blackmailed.
I thought it was something like that.
Is it because of Charles? I've been paying a thousand dollars a month for the past ten months.
- Marian.
- What else could I do? But a thousand dollars a month? Who is this man? How long do you think you can go on paying him at this rate? This is the end.
I saw him tonight.
For another $10,000, he said he'd never bother me again.
And you're depending on the word of a blackmailer? He has the complete file on Charles.
He said he'd turn it over to me.
How will you know this file is authentic? I'll know.
Marian, it's your money, but I tell you, you're making a mistake.
There's only one way to handle a blackmailer: Go to the police.
You know I can't do that.
When are you meeting him? - Tomorrow night.
- Where? Tell me.
[CRYING.]
Oh, Arthur.
So I tailed this character home after he met Mrs.
Fargo.
His name is Samuel D.
Carlin.
[COUGHS.]
- How do you spell that? - C-A-R-L-I-N.
Where does he live? Did you happen to hear what he had to say to Mrs.
Fargo? No, I never got close enough.
But she was very upset, that's for sure.
And she didn't take the bus to Harristown, huh? No.
Well, thank you, Daniels.
How much do I owe you? I can send you a bill, Mr.
Gallagher.
Well, I'm leaving Los Angeles in the morning.
Well, in that case, it'll be a hundred bucks even.
Are you sure there's nothing else I can do, Mr.
Gallagher? No, not a thing.
I can take it from here, thank you.
Good hunting.
[COUGHS.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
[FRENCH ACCENT.]
Good evening.
Ferrolds Cafe.
- Pierre Reynaud speaking.
- Pierre? This is Mr.
Carlin.
I won't be able to keep that reservation I made for this evening with Mrs.
Fargo.
Oh, I am so sorry.
What would you like for me to tell the lady? Uh-huh.
You can trust me, sir.
Thank you, Pierre.
I don't know what I'd do without you.
You are most kind.
I hope I will have the pleasure of serving you soon.
- Good evening, madame.
- Is Mr.
Carlin here? You are Mrs.
Fargo.
I just this moment spoke with him.
He asked me to make his apologies.
He wondered if you could drop by his home this evening.
His home? One moment, please.
Good evening.
Do you have a reservation? Yes.
It's under the name of Perry Mason.
Ah.
Mr.
Mason.
One moment, please.
This way, please.
You know, this restaurant's going to need a lawyer one of these days.
Why? Grand larceny.
Look at these prices.
My dear Miss Street, you know enough not to read in the right-hand side of the menu.
Coffee, $1.
- Coffee, $1.
- Mm-hm.
Coffee, $1 ? Phone call for you, Mr.
Mason.
Did anyone know we were here? I didn't even know myself until I called for the reservation.
- If you would rather not be annoyed-- - No, no, I'll talk to him.
- It is not a "him.
" It is a "her.
" - Mm.
Then, by all means, put her on.
Hello? Yes.
Who is this? That's not important at the moment.
I want to retain your services.
Do you have a pencil? Just a moment.
Pencil.
Yes.
Please take down this name: Samuel D.
Carlin.
The address is 6920 West Lorendo.
Have you got that? Now that I've got it, what am I supposed to do with it? In a few minutes, you'll receive an envelope and a retainer.
Please deliver this envelope to Mr.
Carlin, but only after he gives you a file.
What kind of file? It concerns a man named Charles Gallagher.
- Charles Gallagher.
- Yes.
Please examine it closely.
Unless it's complete and authentic, you're not to pay for it.
Hello? That's funny.
"Funny" is hardly the word for it.
That woman sounded frightened to death.
Did she give you her name? No.
Well, it looks like we'll have to settle for a quick cup of dollar coffee.
Mr.
Mason? A lady asked me to give you this.
This one has your name on it.
- Do you know who this lady is? - I don't know, monsieur.
She was very pretty.
A brunette, I think.
She was wearing a raincoat.
The kind you could see through.
Thank you.
Five-hundred-dollar retainer.
Well, I guess we won't even have time for that cup of coffee.
You're right.
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
I've got a feeling we're going to earn those ten $50 bills.
Good evening.
Samuel D.
Carlin? Yes.
I'm Mr.
Carlin.
But I don't seem to recall-- My name is Perry Mason.
This is my secretary, Miss Street.
I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, but my client insisted it had to be done tonight.
Your client? I don't quite understand.
Please, please.
Won't you come in? Could I offer you a glass of sherry? A cup of hot tea perhaps? It's such a damp night.
I got thoroughly soaked myself.
Nothing, thank you.
Well, if you should change your mind You-- You said something about your client.
I have an envelope, Mr.
Carlin, containing a sum of money which I've been instructed to hand you upon receipt of the Charles Gallagher file.
Naturally, I shall have to see the file first.
This is most extraordinary.
A famous attorney comes to my house in what is certainly the middle of my night, offering me money in return for a mysterious file on behalf of a client he doesn't identify.
So you don't know what I'm talking about? No, I don't.
Then this whole thing is rather pointless, isn't it? Yes, I suppose it is.
I wish I could have been of more assistance.
I-- I fear your client simply gave you the wrong address.
- I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you.
- Not at all, Mr.
Mason.
You have more than redeemed yourself by bringing Miss Street to these rather drab bachelor quarters.
Thank you.
- Good night.
- Good night.
- Mr.
Mason? - Good night.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
Well, I suppose you overheard everything.
- I heard.
- I haven't the vaguest notion - what Mason was talking about.
- You're a liar, Carlin.
Arthur, I resent that.
You planned to nick my wife for another 10,000 and then skip out.
Would I do a thing like that? You would, and you have.
Marian told me that she's been paying you a thousand dollars a month.
That's not true.
I only asked for 500 and you and I agreed, on my word-- Oh, shut up.
The way I figure it, you've double-crossed me out of 5 grand already.
I don't see how you arrived at that figure.
Five hundred a month for ten months? - And I want it.
- No, Arthur, please.
You're going to dig it up for me.
Then you're gonna phone Marian and tell her to get that envelope back from Mason.
My dear man, you're in no position to make any threats.
Supposing that I tell your wife that you're behind this extortion plot.
That when you have relieved her of all of her funds, you plan to take off with a little lady from San Francisco.
What do you think would happen? Oh, you're forgetting something, Carlin.
You're a blackmailer.
If I killed you for what you did, you think any jury would convict me? I'll be back in a couple of hours for the money.
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Yes? WOMAN: Miss Street.
That's right.
This is Paul Drake's exchange.
We still haven't been able to locate him.
Have you tried his Wednesday-night poker club? - Yes, ma'am.
He isn't there.
- Outstanding.
But I'm sure he'll be checking in within the hour.
I'll have him call the minute I hear from him.
Thank you.
What are we stopping here for? Honey, I just forgot something.
I gotta call my exchange.
At 11:00 at night? We never sleep.
Doctors and detectives, huh? And some lawyers.
It won't take a minute.
Paul Drake, any action? Okay, put me through.
I'll hang on.
[PHONE RINGING.]
Hello? Well, it's nice to hear from you, Mr.
Drake.
Listen, Perry's been waiting for you for over an hour.
Okay, put him on.
That's just it, Paul.
He isn't here.
He's at 6920 West Lorendo.
What's he doing in that territory? Yeah, I know, but why did he go back there? He'll tell you when you get there.
Della, wait a minute.
Have a heart, will you? I got a date.
She expects to go to a few nightclubs.
And Perry expects you to be at 6920 West Lorendo.
Now, just who is going to be stood up? Okay, I'll be there.
- Paul? - Yeah.
Get around to the back door, fast.
What do you got going here? - Didn't Della tell you? - No, she just said it was a big rush.
[DEBRIS FALLING.]
- You better call the Fire Department.
- Yeah.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[PEOPLE YELLING, CHATTERING.]
I talked with the assistant fire chief.
They're bringing a body out.
- Man or woman? - Man.
No.
We can't tell anything about him from the condition he's in.
They told me he was middle-aged, short and stocky.
That's Carlin, all right.
Any sign of the woman? Depends on what you mean by "sign.
" Somebody left a bullet in Carlin's head.
Good morning.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH.]
Je regrette, we don't open until noon.
That's all right, I'm not hungry.
Is the headwaiter around? - Pierre? Oh, no.
- What time is he due in? Who are you? Well, I don't think my name would mean much to you, - but here's one of my cards.
- Oh.
Now, where can I find Pierre? You can't.
He quit.
- When was this? - Oh, last night.
He walks away and told the boss he was through.
How are the chances of seeing your reservation list? Hmm.
Offhand, I would say pretty good.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH.]
Then I checked at this Pierre Reynaud's boarding house.
They couldn't tell me a thing.
MASON: Couldn't or wouldn't? I don't know.
What luck did you have at the café? Samuel Carlin made a reservation for two for 9:00, but he didn't show up.
Under Carlin's name, Pierre had written in parenthesis, "Fargo.
" - Fargo? - The reservation was for two, so I worked under the assumption that Fargo was probably the name of a woman.
- Was it? - Yes.
The parking-lot attendant said she was driving a two-tone convertible, beige and black.
I got the cancelled parking ticket, licence number was on it.
It's registered to a Mrs.
Arthur D.
Fargo.
- Did you talk with her? - No.
Well, let's go.
It's time I met this evasive client.
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
Paul, take a look at the driveway.
It was raining up until about an hour ago.
A car must have been parked there all night.
It's been gone less than an hour.
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
Well, I guess nobody's home.
Perry? Take a look.
[DOOR CREAKS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
What have you got? "Dear Arthur, I'm catching the 8:00 bus to Harristown.
I'll try to phone you tonight.
Love, Marian.
" You think your client wrote that? - Could be.
- Well, this must be her husband.
And that could be her alibi.
Paul, I wanna know if she's on that bus.
Charter a plane and catch the bus at Harristown.
I want the names of any witnesses who saw her get on at Los Angeles.
What difference will that make? Well, judging from the signs, he must have died, say, around 9:30.
If Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus at 8, then she's in the clear.
- Now, get going.
Use my car.
- Okay.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Homicide, please.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Is the bus from L.
A.
in yet? It's just coming in now.
[BRAKE WHINES.]
Would you page Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please? [OVER P.
A.
.]
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please.
- Well, goodbye, Miss Maynard.
- Goodbye.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
- Were you paging Mrs.
Fargo? - This gentleman here-- - Mrs.
Fargo? - Yes? Mrs.
Fargo, police.
We're gonna have to detain you.
But why? What happened? Your husband has been murdered.
- What? - You might've broken it a little easier.
- Who are you? - The name's Drake.
Oh, a private detective.
Just imagine that.
Who sat next to you on the bus? - What? - What are you, a wise guy? Quick, Mrs.
Fargo.
Who sat next to you? Come on.
- You're looking for trouble? - Not me, officer.
Excuse me.
- Is that young lady in trouble? - Yes.
Well, I rode up from Los Angeles with her.
She seemed like such a nice person, I'd like to help her if I could.
But you can help her.
What's your name, please? - Diana Maynard.
- You live here in Harristown? No, in Los Angeles, at the Hayward Arms.
- How long are you going to stay here? - Just for the day.
I came up to visit my sister.
- Would you mind? - Certainly.
I have a slight infection.
Miss Maynard, would you be willing to dictate a statement to the effect that Mrs.
Fargo was on that bus ever since it left Los Angeles? Of course, but I'm afraid I don't understand.
Ever hear of a lawyer named Perry Mason? Well, isn't he the one who's always mixed up with some murder case? Exactly what this is.
Come on.
Let's go find us a public stenographer.
Well, according to her statement, this Diana Maynard seems to be in our corner, all right.
PAUL: One hundred percent.
- There's only one big trouble.
- Mm-hm.
The cops have found a couple of witnesses who swear that Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus in Wayne City at 11:30.
- How could she do that? - By chartering a plane from L.
A.
- She could make it in 20 minutes.
- But the Maynard woman maintains that Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus in Los Angeles.
I'd hate to have her confused on that point.
Well, I've got a good operative, Nora Kelly, who could maybe stick with her for a few days.
Good.
Suppose you have Nora invite Miss Maynard down to Palm Springs as our guest until we need her for the trial? I think that can be arranged.
Can you also arrange to have Miss Maynard not see any of the news stories on this case while she's away? I wouldn't want her upset by conflicting evidence.
Nora has a very sharp pair of scissors.
I'll take care of that, Miss Maynard.
Oh, wait a minute.
I knew I forgot something.
I'm supposed to go shopping with my cousin tomorrow.
I'll call her for you from Palm Springs.
Now, why didn't I think of that? I can talk to her from there.
You're not even gonna lift a phone while I'm on the job.
Mr.
Mason wants you to have a real vacation.
He's the most thoughtful man I've ever met.
Yes, he thinks of everything.
You sent this to me last Monday night along with a $500 retainer.
Did you anticipate your husband being murdered? Of course not.
Who's Charles Gallagher? I can't tell you.
Look, Mrs.
Fargo, you're gonna be on trial for your life.
I still can't tell you.
Why was Carlin blackmailing you? He wasn't.
Then how do you account for that money? Arthur, my husband, wanted me to give it to him.
Why? I have no idea.
I am trying to help you, but if you're gonna continue to lie to me-- I'm not lying.
I was in love with my husband.
Can't you understand that? What possible motive could I have to kill him? What possible motive could you have had for killing Carlin? - What? - The police think the murders are connected.
Both Carlin and your husband were killed by the same gun.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I told you, I had nothing to do with it.
Yes.
That's what you told me.
Very well.
I'll look in on you tomorrow.
[INTERCOM BUZZES.]
Yes, Gertie? Who? Send him right in.
DELLA: Mr.
Gallagher? I'm sorry.
Mr.
Mason isn't in right now, but I expect him any time.
Well, I can't wait too long.
I just wanted to see Mason before I went to the district attorney.
I'm Della Street, his secretary.
Maybe I could help you.
I'm the reason Marian Fargo is lying.
I'm her brother.
I don't understand.
She's trying to protect me.
You see, Miss Street, I'm what they call a fugitive from justice.
Do sit down.
You were saying, a fugitive? Oh, yeah, I'm a very dangerous criminal.
When I was 16, I broke into a grocery store.
They caught me with three dollars' worth of canned goods.
That must have been during the Depression.
Yeah.
They were afraid I might give other hungry kids ideas, so I drew from three to five in the state prison farm.
A wonderful place for a growing boy.
There was a guard there I'll always remember.
Fella called Jonesy.
He had a cute trick of bringing a shotgun down on your toes to get your attention.
I took it for two years.
Then one day, I took the gun away from him.
I let him have it right across the head.
I understand he was in the hospital for five months.
I didn't wait around to find out.
If I had, they probably would have given me another ten years or killed me.
You escaped? Yes, and I bummed my way to California.
Three months later, I got a job here at Mayfair Aviation.
When things looked good, I sent for my sister.
She was the only one left of my entire family.
I hope I'm not boring you, Miss Street.
Oh, no, please go on.
That's about all there is, except while I was at Mayfair, I invented a refinement for a carburettor and made some money.
It came just in time for me to retire.
- Retire? - I had to.
See, while I was in prison, I picked up TB.
It flared up again.
That's why I moved to Harristown.
And there you have the story of my life.
Except, of course, for the final chapter.
About a year ago, a fellow named Carlin showed up.
He told my sister he was an investigator from the state prison farm back home.
That's when your sister became involved.
Yes, she was quite worried, but he told her she didn't have a thing to worry about, because he had a pal who was a big shot in the prison setup and for a few bucks, they could arrange to pull my file.
Then that was the file that we were to pick up that night at Carlin's house? I just wanted to tell Mason the whole story before I turn myself in.
It should make his job a lot easier.
Well, you're wrong.
It gives the district attorney the very motive he's looking for.
He'll believe your sister killed her husband and Carlin just to protect you.
Well, then what can I do? I don't know.
Suppose I kick it around with Mason? You can't.
He's an officer of the court.
He'd have to turn you in.
Then the best thing for me to do for the time being is get lost, don't you think? I'm not permitted to advise you, Mr.
Gallagher.
Can I get out that way? Thank you.
I know you'd be aiding and abetting a fugitive if you delivered a message for me, but tell your boss if he needs me for anything, I'll be around.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Hello, Mr.
Gallagher.
Surprised to see me? Mind if I come in? So you're leaving town, huh? - Any objections, Daniels? - No.
As a matter of fact, I thought you'd be a long time gone.
When I did that job for you a couple of weeks ago, you said you were leaving the next day.
Say, why don't I sit down, huh? - Do you mind? - No, no.
Go ahead, make yourself at home.
Thanks.
You know, it's a funny thing about that guy Carlin.
What was so funny? Twenty-four hours after I give you the guy's name, he's dead.
You know, I thought a lot about that.
Couldn't get it out of the old bean, you know what I mean? Especially when your brother-in-law got it too.
- My brother-in-law? - Arthur Fargo.
So you found out about that, huh? I'm a private detective, remember? I got the trench coat to prove it.
Now, you listen to me.
- You listen to me, Daniels.
- Take it easy.
Now, look, this set me back 50 bucks.
Now, look, Mr.
Gallagher, I'm a very reasonable man.
I did a lot of research on this the last couple of days.
What would it be worth to you if I kept my mouth shut and didn't go to the DA? What would it be worth? Daniels, that's the funniest joke I've heard in years.
Joke? Why don't you let me in on it, then we can both laugh.
Look, you idiot.
You can't shake me down.
How do you think we got into this mess in the first place? Because my sister didn't know that you can't do business with blackmailers.
Every penny I ever gave to her, she turned over to Carlin.
You go on.
Run to the DA.
You don't worry me a bit, Daniels.
What are you waiting for? Go on.
Run! [COUGHING.]
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the evidence you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? - I do.
- Be seated.
What is your occupation, Mr.
Danvers? I'm a parking-lot supervisor at the International Airport.
On the day following the murder of Arthur Fargo, November 26, police removed a car that had been parked there for something over 24 hours.
- Are you familiar with that car? - Yes, sir.
It was a beige and brown convertible, two-tone job.
The parking ticket was stamped 11:45 a.
m.
Do you remember the licence number? Well, let's see.
KC-1743.
And do you remember who parked the car? Yes, sir.
Mrs.
Fargo.
- The defendant over there.
- Thank you.
BURGER: You can cross-examine.
That's not true.
I didn't park my car there.
Then who did? Mr.
Danvers, how many cars would you say were parked in the lot in any 24-hour period? - Fifty? A hundred, a thousand? - Oh.
I don't think there would be that many.
Not in my lot, anyway.
I'd say closer to 2 or 300 maybe.
Two or 300 cars.
And you can point out a woman who parked there last November 25th? How do you explain that? Well, she stuck in my mind because she was wearing dark glasses.
It had been raining all morning and it was a real dark, overcast day.
I figured that there'd be only one reason for a woman to be wearing dark glasses and a hat with a floppy brim when there was no sun out.
What was the reason? So nobody would get a good look at her face.
- Was she successful? - Yes, sir.
You mean, she successfully concealed her face and yet you were still able to identify her? Heh.
That's remarkable.
Would you tell us about the phone call you received on the morning of the murder, Mr.
James? Well, like I said, I run a charter-plane service and around 11:00, I got this call asking me if I could fly a passenger to Wayne City in time to be at the bus depot at 2:00.
I said there was nothing to it.
Would you describe the passenger? She was a young woman.
As much as I could see of her face, she was good-looking.
Why couldn't you see all of her face? Because she was wearing dark glasses and a hat with a brim.
I see.
Is there anyone in this courtroom whose age and general appearance are the same as that woman that you flew to Wayne City? Yes, sir.
The defendant.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Mr.
James, I show you this scarf.
It has been previously identified as having been purchased by Mrs.
Fargo.
Have you ever seen it before? Yes, sir.
I found it in the airplane when I got to Wayne City.
I turned it over to the police.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr.
Mason.
Mr.
James, you said that the arrangements for this flight to Wayne City were made by telephone.
That's right, but he didn't give any name.
Oh? You mean, it was a man who phoned? Yes, sir.
Did your passenger talk with you during the flight? No, she never said a word from the time she got in the plane till she left it.
And yet you're willing to swear that the defendant, Mrs.
Marian Fargo, was that passenger? It sure looked like her.
MASON: But was it Mrs.
Fargo? Now, Mr.
James, your answer may be a matter of life or death.
Yes.
I'm positive it was Mrs.
Fargo.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Thank you.
That's all.
Doesn't look so good, does it? The weather or your case? Both.
As a matter of fact, both of them look very bad.
We have only one chance.
- Tell the truth.
- What do you mean? I don't think you murdered your husband, I think you killed him.
- You what? - I think you acted in self-defence.
That's the most ridiculous-- - Why did you set up that phoney alibi? - It wasn't phoney.
Who was the man who chartered the plane for you, your brother? So you know about Charles.
Yes, he came to my office.
Well, then you can understand why I don't want to involve him.
If he ever goes back to that prison farm, they'll kill him.
You don't have anything else to tell me? No.
Well, at least we have one trump card left.
Diana Maynard.
She'll testify you got on the bus at Los Angeles.
Yeah, but what about all the witnesses that said I got on in Wayne City? Won't be the first time the majority was wrong.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Yes? Well, won't he give his name? Just a second.
An anonymous tipster.
See if you can trace the call.
All right, put him on.
MAN [FRENCH ACCENT.]
: Mr.
Burger? That's right.
Who is this? Names are unimportant, sir.
I have a little information for you.
Why not ask Mrs.
Fargo why she was being blackmailed? What was that again? I am sure you understand me.
You might also talk to Diana Maynard at the Hayward Arms.
I believe Mr.
Mason plans to use her as a witness.
Would you repeat the address, please? I think you are trying to delay me so you can trace the call.
[LINE DISCONNECTS.]
Any luck? No, not enough time.
- He had kind of a French accent.
- Yeah.
I wonder-- The headwaiter at Ferrolds Cafe.
His name is Pierre Reynaud.
He's the character who made the reservation for Carlin and Mrs.
Fargo that night.
Why don't you pick him up? Well, he skipped.
We've been trying to trail him down.
Well, maybe you better pick up Miss Maynard.
That ought to be easy enough.
Oh, thanks, Miss Kelly.
I had a marvellous time.
And will you thank Mr.
Mason for me? You can do it yourself first thing in the morning.
I'll take that.
I hope I didn't startle you.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
I wonder if you'd be good enough to come along with me.
And give my regards to Mr.
Mason.
But Mrs.
Fargo didn't kill her husband.
She couldn't.
She got on the bus in Los Angeles at 8:00.
I've got half-a-dozen witnesses that say she got on at Wayne City at 11:30.
They're wrong.
Everybody's wrong but you, is that it? Was the bus crowded when you got on? Very.
And how soon did you notice Mrs.
Fargo? Right after the bus started.
I mean, I read for a little while and then, when I finished my magazine, I saw her.
That might have been a half-hour after the bus started, mind you.
Well, yes.
- Or even an hour? - No, I don't think so.
When you noticed Mrs.
Fargo, where was she sitting? - In the middle of the bus.
- On which side? The right as you face the driver.
Suppose we told you that Mrs.
Fargo claims she was sitting right behind the driver? I would have sworn that she You would have been guilty of perjury.
That concludes the case for the People, Your Honour.
The State rests.
Mr.
Mason? I call, as my first witness, Diana Maynard.
Diana Maynard.
Raise your right hand.
Do you swear the evidence you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? - I do.
- Be seated.
Now, Miss Maynard, where were you on the afternoon of November 25th at approximately 4:30? I was at the bus depot in Harristown where I met a Mr.
Paul Drake, a private detective.
And did you go with Mr.
Drake to a public stenographer where you dictated a statement? Yes, but I realise now I was wrong.
I was under the mistaken impression that-- Just a moment, Miss Maynard.
We're not interested in mistaken impressions.
Now, when you arrived in the bus in Harristown, where were you sitting? On the right-hand side, near the centre.
Where was Mrs.
Fargo sitting? She was sitting next to me.
Thank you.
You may cross-examine.
Miss Maynard, you got on the bus in Los Angeles, is that correct? Objection.
The question is improper.
Really, Your Honour? The district attorney is well aware that a witness cannot be cross-examined except on testimony elicited on direct examination.
If you will consult the record, Your Honour, you'll find I asked no questions about the bus leaving Los Angeles.
Only about its arrival in Harristown.
Would you like the court stenographer to read back that part of the testimony? No, thank you, Your Honour.
That won't be necessary.
Of course, if Mr.
Burger cares to, he can make Miss Maynard a witness for the prosecution.
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
With the court's permission, that's just what I intend to do.
JUDGE: Proceed.
Miss Maynard, where were you on the day of November 25th? I was in Los Angeles and in Harristown.
Both places on the same day.
And how did you get from Los Angeles to Harristown? By bus.
When did you first see the defendant, Mrs.
Fargo? When she got on at Wayne City.
Was she on the bus prior to that? No, sir.
You're sure of that? Yes, sir.
I am now.
Thank you, Miss Maynard.
That's all.
Just a moment.
Your Honour, please.
Since Miss Maynard has testified as a witness for the prosecution, I desire to cross-examine her.
Very well.
Miss Maynard, I'm curious about the patch you have over your eye.
- Tell the court why you wear it? BURGER: Objection.
Your Honour, Mr.
Mason just made a specific objection to my cross-examining this witness on material not covered in direct examination.
I asked the witness nothing about her eye.
The prosecutor did ask the witness when she saw the defendant.
Since that involved the use of her eyes, I'm entitled to question the condition of her eyes.
Objection overruled.
[SIGHS.]
You will explain the reason for the patch.
I have an infection.
- Chronic infection? - Certainly not.
You were also wearing a patch on the 25th of November, were you not? Part of the time.
I put it on when I left the bus so the wind wouldn't irritate my eye.
Then you've had considerable eye trouble? It's a temporary infection.
I have 20-20 vision.
You mean, when you have the use of both eyes.
I can see all I need to with one.
Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus at Wayne City.
Do you recall how she was dressed? Yes.
She was wearing a grey check skirt, a light-grey cardigan sweater, black gloves and shoes and a wool topcoat with a fancy design on the front.
You have an excellent memory.
I sat with her all the way from Wayne City to Harristown.
- Who else did you sit with? - I don't know what you mean.
Who did you sit with before you sat with Mrs.
Fargo? DIANA: Some woman who got off at Knoxville.
MASON: Will you describe this woman for us? I don't see what that has to do with it.
She was just some woman.
I didn't pay much attention.
In other words, you can't remember anything about the other woman at all? No.
Are you sure there was another woman? Is it possible your eye trouble caused you to see something that wasn't there? Your Honour, Mrs.
Maynard was not wearing the eye patch while she was on the bus.
That's exactly my point, Your Honour.
I'm trying to prove that some people can see with one eye, but not with two.
I'd like a technical explanation of that point, Mr.
Mason.
It's a lack of coordination, Your Honour.
I think you'll find that this witness can see adequately with one eye, - whereas with two eyes-- - That's not so.
I can see perfectly.
I challenge the witness on that point, Your Honour.
I submit that with both eyes, she cannot make an identification of an individual known to her in this courtroom.
An interesting point.
Remove the eye patch, please.
This is absolutely absurd.
Ready, Mrs.
Maynard? Yes.
Do you know that gentleman there? He's Lieutenant Tragg.
And the lady? That's Miss Kelly.
Are you using both eyes? - Yes.
- Then who is that man? I don't know his name, but he's the parking attendant at the airport.
You're sure about that? Positive.
You recognise him as the man you saw at the airport parking lot? - No, I recognise him as a witness.
- How could you do that? This is the first session of court you've attended.
- Well, I saw his picture in the papers.
- You couldn't have.
Miss Kelly made sure you saw nothing that concerned this trial.
Well, I talked to Mr.
Burger after I got back-- How did you know he was the parking-lot attendant unless you parked Mrs.
Fargo's car at the airport yourself? DIANA: You're wrong.
Where would I get the key? MASON: From her husband's body, after you killed him.
You've got it all mixed up.
No, you've got it all mixed up.
You mean, you did not drive Mrs.
Fargo's car to the airport? Yes, I drove her car to the airport, but I did not kill her husband.
Then who did? The mastermind, him.
It was all his bright idea.
What's going on here? Who is that man? The genius who dreamed up this stunt, Mr.
Samuel D.
Carlin.
[LAUGHS.]
Look at him.
[LAUGHS.]
And he was going to get away with murder.
"And His Excellency, the governor, wishes me to inform you that our state has no desire to extradite Charles Gallagher.
We feel that Mr.
Gallagher has proved he can be a good and useful citizen.
Kindest personal regards, George Mayberry, Chairman, State Penal System.
" - That's wonderful.
- I thought so.
Well, something else you want cleared up? Yes.
Who was the man they identified as Carlin that night of the fire? That was our old friend, Pierre.
Headwaiter from Ferrolds Cafe.
He was Carlin's messenger boy.
But Burger said that he phoned him just last night.
That was Carlin with a phoney French accent.
That phone call accomplished two things.
- What? - It convinced the police that Pierre was alive, though they couldn't find him, and set it up so that Burger could locate Diana Maynard.
- Then the whole thing was a trap.
- Sure, it was a trap.
Both Carlin and Diana wanted us to base our entire defence on her testimony.
It was Diana who got on the bus at Wayne City.
There, how's that? Very nice.
Am I presentable enough to take you to dinner? - Definitely.
- Where do you wanna go? - Ferrolds Cafe.
- Why there? Well, there's something that still puzzles me in this case.
Mm-hm.
What could they possibly put in a cup of coffee to make it worth a dollar? No more questions, please.
[CHUCKLES.]
Fargo.
What a delightful surprise.
What are you doing here, Carlin? I could say that I came to see some friends off, but that wouldn't be telling the truth.
Actually, I came expressly to see you.
- How did you know? - That you were going to Harristown? My dear Mrs.
Fargo, I know every move that you make.
Had you by any chance forgotten that tomorrow is the 15th of the month? How could I ever forget? And yet you were going to leave town.
[CLICKING TONGUE.]
Haven't you been blackmailing me long enough? Mrs.
Fargo, please.
A thousand dollars every month for the past year.
Actually, it's only been ten months.
Believe me, Mrs.
Fargo, I can sympathise with you completely.
Tell me, how would you like it if you were never to see me again? Well, I can see the prospect is attractive.
For a lump-sum payment, I could oblige you.
How much? Oh, shall we say $10,000? You wonder what assurance you'd have that I would never bother you again.
You will have my word of honour.
Well, I can see how you would consider that insufficient.
Suppose that I were to turn over the complete Charles Gallagher file to you.
When? Simultaneously with your turning the $10,000 over to me.
All right.
I shall be having dinner tomorrow evening at a little French restaurant called Ferrolds.
Are you familiar with it? Yes.
Excellent.
I shall be delighted to have you join me any time between 8 and 9:00.
With the money, Mrs.
Fargo.
With the $10,000.
Marian, what happened? Did you miss your bus? Honey, what is it? What's wrong? You're shaking.
- Here, sit down.
I'll get you a drink.
- No, no.
I'm all right, honey.
Well, what happened? I'm not going to Harristown.
Why? I'm just not going, that's all.
Marian, look at me.
You've got to tell me what's going on.
It's nothing, Arthur, honest.
Look, honey, I haven't pressed you about this thing.
I figured you'd tell me at the right time.
I don't wanna be a problem, Arthur.
You're my wife.
I'm being blackmailed.
I thought it was something like that.
Is it because of Charles? I've been paying a thousand dollars a month for the past ten months.
- Marian.
- What else could I do? But a thousand dollars a month? Who is this man? How long do you think you can go on paying him at this rate? This is the end.
I saw him tonight.
For another $10,000, he said he'd never bother me again.
And you're depending on the word of a blackmailer? He has the complete file on Charles.
He said he'd turn it over to me.
How will you know this file is authentic? I'll know.
Marian, it's your money, but I tell you, you're making a mistake.
There's only one way to handle a blackmailer: Go to the police.
You know I can't do that.
When are you meeting him? - Tomorrow night.
- Where? Tell me.
[CRYING.]
Oh, Arthur.
So I tailed this character home after he met Mrs.
Fargo.
His name is Samuel D.
Carlin.
[COUGHS.]
- How do you spell that? - C-A-R-L-I-N.
Where does he live? Did you happen to hear what he had to say to Mrs.
Fargo? No, I never got close enough.
But she was very upset, that's for sure.
And she didn't take the bus to Harristown, huh? No.
Well, thank you, Daniels.
How much do I owe you? I can send you a bill, Mr.
Gallagher.
Well, I'm leaving Los Angeles in the morning.
Well, in that case, it'll be a hundred bucks even.
Are you sure there's nothing else I can do, Mr.
Gallagher? No, not a thing.
I can take it from here, thank you.
Good hunting.
[COUGHS.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
[FRENCH ACCENT.]
Good evening.
Ferrolds Cafe.
- Pierre Reynaud speaking.
- Pierre? This is Mr.
Carlin.
I won't be able to keep that reservation I made for this evening with Mrs.
Fargo.
Oh, I am so sorry.
What would you like for me to tell the lady? Uh-huh.
You can trust me, sir.
Thank you, Pierre.
I don't know what I'd do without you.
You are most kind.
I hope I will have the pleasure of serving you soon.
- Good evening, madame.
- Is Mr.
Carlin here? You are Mrs.
Fargo.
I just this moment spoke with him.
He asked me to make his apologies.
He wondered if you could drop by his home this evening.
His home? One moment, please.
Good evening.
Do you have a reservation? Yes.
It's under the name of Perry Mason.
Ah.
Mr.
Mason.
One moment, please.
This way, please.
You know, this restaurant's going to need a lawyer one of these days.
Why? Grand larceny.
Look at these prices.
My dear Miss Street, you know enough not to read in the right-hand side of the menu.
Coffee, $1.
- Coffee, $1.
- Mm-hm.
Coffee, $1 ? Phone call for you, Mr.
Mason.
Did anyone know we were here? I didn't even know myself until I called for the reservation.
- If you would rather not be annoyed-- - No, no, I'll talk to him.
- It is not a "him.
" It is a "her.
" - Mm.
Then, by all means, put her on.
Hello? Yes.
Who is this? That's not important at the moment.
I want to retain your services.
Do you have a pencil? Just a moment.
Pencil.
Yes.
Please take down this name: Samuel D.
Carlin.
The address is 6920 West Lorendo.
Have you got that? Now that I've got it, what am I supposed to do with it? In a few minutes, you'll receive an envelope and a retainer.
Please deliver this envelope to Mr.
Carlin, but only after he gives you a file.
What kind of file? It concerns a man named Charles Gallagher.
- Charles Gallagher.
- Yes.
Please examine it closely.
Unless it's complete and authentic, you're not to pay for it.
Hello? That's funny.
"Funny" is hardly the word for it.
That woman sounded frightened to death.
Did she give you her name? No.
Well, it looks like we'll have to settle for a quick cup of dollar coffee.
Mr.
Mason? A lady asked me to give you this.
This one has your name on it.
- Do you know who this lady is? - I don't know, monsieur.
She was very pretty.
A brunette, I think.
She was wearing a raincoat.
The kind you could see through.
Thank you.
Five-hundred-dollar retainer.
Well, I guess we won't even have time for that cup of coffee.
You're right.
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
I've got a feeling we're going to earn those ten $50 bills.
Good evening.
Samuel D.
Carlin? Yes.
I'm Mr.
Carlin.
But I don't seem to recall-- My name is Perry Mason.
This is my secretary, Miss Street.
I'm sorry to bother you at this hour, but my client insisted it had to be done tonight.
Your client? I don't quite understand.
Please, please.
Won't you come in? Could I offer you a glass of sherry? A cup of hot tea perhaps? It's such a damp night.
I got thoroughly soaked myself.
Nothing, thank you.
Well, if you should change your mind You-- You said something about your client.
I have an envelope, Mr.
Carlin, containing a sum of money which I've been instructed to hand you upon receipt of the Charles Gallagher file.
Naturally, I shall have to see the file first.
This is most extraordinary.
A famous attorney comes to my house in what is certainly the middle of my night, offering me money in return for a mysterious file on behalf of a client he doesn't identify.
So you don't know what I'm talking about? No, I don't.
Then this whole thing is rather pointless, isn't it? Yes, I suppose it is.
I wish I could have been of more assistance.
I-- I fear your client simply gave you the wrong address.
- I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you.
- Not at all, Mr.
Mason.
You have more than redeemed yourself by bringing Miss Street to these rather drab bachelor quarters.
Thank you.
- Good night.
- Good night.
- Mr.
Mason? - Good night.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
Well, I suppose you overheard everything.
- I heard.
- I haven't the vaguest notion - what Mason was talking about.
- You're a liar, Carlin.
Arthur, I resent that.
You planned to nick my wife for another 10,000 and then skip out.
Would I do a thing like that? You would, and you have.
Marian told me that she's been paying you a thousand dollars a month.
That's not true.
I only asked for 500 and you and I agreed, on my word-- Oh, shut up.
The way I figure it, you've double-crossed me out of 5 grand already.
I don't see how you arrived at that figure.
Five hundred a month for ten months? - And I want it.
- No, Arthur, please.
You're going to dig it up for me.
Then you're gonna phone Marian and tell her to get that envelope back from Mason.
My dear man, you're in no position to make any threats.
Supposing that I tell your wife that you're behind this extortion plot.
That when you have relieved her of all of her funds, you plan to take off with a little lady from San Francisco.
What do you think would happen? Oh, you're forgetting something, Carlin.
You're a blackmailer.
If I killed you for what you did, you think any jury would convict me? I'll be back in a couple of hours for the money.
[PHONE RINGING.]
- Yes? WOMAN: Miss Street.
That's right.
This is Paul Drake's exchange.
We still haven't been able to locate him.
Have you tried his Wednesday-night poker club? - Yes, ma'am.
He isn't there.
- Outstanding.
But I'm sure he'll be checking in within the hour.
I'll have him call the minute I hear from him.
Thank you.
What are we stopping here for? Honey, I just forgot something.
I gotta call my exchange.
At 11:00 at night? We never sleep.
Doctors and detectives, huh? And some lawyers.
It won't take a minute.
Paul Drake, any action? Okay, put me through.
I'll hang on.
[PHONE RINGING.]
Hello? Well, it's nice to hear from you, Mr.
Drake.
Listen, Perry's been waiting for you for over an hour.
Okay, put him on.
That's just it, Paul.
He isn't here.
He's at 6920 West Lorendo.
What's he doing in that territory? Yeah, I know, but why did he go back there? He'll tell you when you get there.
Della, wait a minute.
Have a heart, will you? I got a date.
She expects to go to a few nightclubs.
And Perry expects you to be at 6920 West Lorendo.
Now, just who is going to be stood up? Okay, I'll be there.
- Paul? - Yeah.
Get around to the back door, fast.
What do you got going here? - Didn't Della tell you? - No, she just said it was a big rush.
[DEBRIS FALLING.]
- You better call the Fire Department.
- Yeah.
[SIRENS WAILING.]
[PEOPLE YELLING, CHATTERING.]
I talked with the assistant fire chief.
They're bringing a body out.
- Man or woman? - Man.
No.
We can't tell anything about him from the condition he's in.
They told me he was middle-aged, short and stocky.
That's Carlin, all right.
Any sign of the woman? Depends on what you mean by "sign.
" Somebody left a bullet in Carlin's head.
Good morning.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH.]
Je regrette, we don't open until noon.
That's all right, I'm not hungry.
Is the headwaiter around? - Pierre? Oh, no.
- What time is he due in? Who are you? Well, I don't think my name would mean much to you, - but here's one of my cards.
- Oh.
Now, where can I find Pierre? You can't.
He quit.
- When was this? - Oh, last night.
He walks away and told the boss he was through.
How are the chances of seeing your reservation list? Hmm.
Offhand, I would say pretty good.
[SPEAKS IN FRENCH.]
Then I checked at this Pierre Reynaud's boarding house.
They couldn't tell me a thing.
MASON: Couldn't or wouldn't? I don't know.
What luck did you have at the café? Samuel Carlin made a reservation for two for 9:00, but he didn't show up.
Under Carlin's name, Pierre had written in parenthesis, "Fargo.
" - Fargo? - The reservation was for two, so I worked under the assumption that Fargo was probably the name of a woman.
- Was it? - Yes.
The parking-lot attendant said she was driving a two-tone convertible, beige and black.
I got the cancelled parking ticket, licence number was on it.
It's registered to a Mrs.
Arthur D.
Fargo.
- Did you talk with her? - No.
Well, let's go.
It's time I met this evasive client.
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
Paul, take a look at the driveway.
It was raining up until about an hour ago.
A car must have been parked there all night.
It's been gone less than an hour.
[BUZZER SOUNDS.]
Well, I guess nobody's home.
Perry? Take a look.
[DOOR CREAKS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
What have you got? "Dear Arthur, I'm catching the 8:00 bus to Harristown.
I'll try to phone you tonight.
Love, Marian.
" You think your client wrote that? - Could be.
- Well, this must be her husband.
And that could be her alibi.
Paul, I wanna know if she's on that bus.
Charter a plane and catch the bus at Harristown.
I want the names of any witnesses who saw her get on at Los Angeles.
What difference will that make? Well, judging from the signs, he must have died, say, around 9:30.
If Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus at 8, then she's in the clear.
- Now, get going.
Use my car.
- Okay.
[DOOR OPENS.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Homicide, please.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Is the bus from L.
A.
in yet? It's just coming in now.
[BRAKE WHINES.]
Would you page Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please? [OVER P.
A.
.]
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please.
- Well, goodbye, Miss Maynard.
- Goodbye.
Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please step to the ticket counter.
- Were you paging Mrs.
Fargo? - This gentleman here-- - Mrs.
Fargo? - Yes? Mrs.
Fargo, police.
We're gonna have to detain you.
But why? What happened? Your husband has been murdered.
- What? - You might've broken it a little easier.
- Who are you? - The name's Drake.
Oh, a private detective.
Just imagine that.
Who sat next to you on the bus? - What? - What are you, a wise guy? Quick, Mrs.
Fargo.
Who sat next to you? Come on.
- You're looking for trouble? - Not me, officer.
Excuse me.
- Is that young lady in trouble? - Yes.
Well, I rode up from Los Angeles with her.
She seemed like such a nice person, I'd like to help her if I could.
But you can help her.
What's your name, please? - Diana Maynard.
- You live here in Harristown? No, in Los Angeles, at the Hayward Arms.
- How long are you going to stay here? - Just for the day.
I came up to visit my sister.
- Would you mind? - Certainly.
I have a slight infection.
Miss Maynard, would you be willing to dictate a statement to the effect that Mrs.
Fargo was on that bus ever since it left Los Angeles? Of course, but I'm afraid I don't understand.
Ever hear of a lawyer named Perry Mason? Well, isn't he the one who's always mixed up with some murder case? Exactly what this is.
Come on.
Let's go find us a public stenographer.
Well, according to her statement, this Diana Maynard seems to be in our corner, all right.
PAUL: One hundred percent.
- There's only one big trouble.
- Mm-hm.
The cops have found a couple of witnesses who swear that Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus in Wayne City at 11:30.
- How could she do that? - By chartering a plane from L.
A.
- She could make it in 20 minutes.
- But the Maynard woman maintains that Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus in Los Angeles.
I'd hate to have her confused on that point.
Well, I've got a good operative, Nora Kelly, who could maybe stick with her for a few days.
Good.
Suppose you have Nora invite Miss Maynard down to Palm Springs as our guest until we need her for the trial? I think that can be arranged.
Can you also arrange to have Miss Maynard not see any of the news stories on this case while she's away? I wouldn't want her upset by conflicting evidence.
Nora has a very sharp pair of scissors.
I'll take care of that, Miss Maynard.
Oh, wait a minute.
I knew I forgot something.
I'm supposed to go shopping with my cousin tomorrow.
I'll call her for you from Palm Springs.
Now, why didn't I think of that? I can talk to her from there.
You're not even gonna lift a phone while I'm on the job.
Mr.
Mason wants you to have a real vacation.
He's the most thoughtful man I've ever met.
Yes, he thinks of everything.
You sent this to me last Monday night along with a $500 retainer.
Did you anticipate your husband being murdered? Of course not.
Who's Charles Gallagher? I can't tell you.
Look, Mrs.
Fargo, you're gonna be on trial for your life.
I still can't tell you.
Why was Carlin blackmailing you? He wasn't.
Then how do you account for that money? Arthur, my husband, wanted me to give it to him.
Why? I have no idea.
I am trying to help you, but if you're gonna continue to lie to me-- I'm not lying.
I was in love with my husband.
Can't you understand that? What possible motive could I have to kill him? What possible motive could you have had for killing Carlin? - What? - The police think the murders are connected.
Both Carlin and your husband were killed by the same gun.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I told you, I had nothing to do with it.
Yes.
That's what you told me.
Very well.
I'll look in on you tomorrow.
[INTERCOM BUZZES.]
Yes, Gertie? Who? Send him right in.
DELLA: Mr.
Gallagher? I'm sorry.
Mr.
Mason isn't in right now, but I expect him any time.
Well, I can't wait too long.
I just wanted to see Mason before I went to the district attorney.
I'm Della Street, his secretary.
Maybe I could help you.
I'm the reason Marian Fargo is lying.
I'm her brother.
I don't understand.
She's trying to protect me.
You see, Miss Street, I'm what they call a fugitive from justice.
Do sit down.
You were saying, a fugitive? Oh, yeah, I'm a very dangerous criminal.
When I was 16, I broke into a grocery store.
They caught me with three dollars' worth of canned goods.
That must have been during the Depression.
Yeah.
They were afraid I might give other hungry kids ideas, so I drew from three to five in the state prison farm.
A wonderful place for a growing boy.
There was a guard there I'll always remember.
Fella called Jonesy.
He had a cute trick of bringing a shotgun down on your toes to get your attention.
I took it for two years.
Then one day, I took the gun away from him.
I let him have it right across the head.
I understand he was in the hospital for five months.
I didn't wait around to find out.
If I had, they probably would have given me another ten years or killed me.
You escaped? Yes, and I bummed my way to California.
Three months later, I got a job here at Mayfair Aviation.
When things looked good, I sent for my sister.
She was the only one left of my entire family.
I hope I'm not boring you, Miss Street.
Oh, no, please go on.
That's about all there is, except while I was at Mayfair, I invented a refinement for a carburettor and made some money.
It came just in time for me to retire.
- Retire? - I had to.
See, while I was in prison, I picked up TB.
It flared up again.
That's why I moved to Harristown.
And there you have the story of my life.
Except, of course, for the final chapter.
About a year ago, a fellow named Carlin showed up.
He told my sister he was an investigator from the state prison farm back home.
That's when your sister became involved.
Yes, she was quite worried, but he told her she didn't have a thing to worry about, because he had a pal who was a big shot in the prison setup and for a few bucks, they could arrange to pull my file.
Then that was the file that we were to pick up that night at Carlin's house? I just wanted to tell Mason the whole story before I turn myself in.
It should make his job a lot easier.
Well, you're wrong.
It gives the district attorney the very motive he's looking for.
He'll believe your sister killed her husband and Carlin just to protect you.
Well, then what can I do? I don't know.
Suppose I kick it around with Mason? You can't.
He's an officer of the court.
He'd have to turn you in.
Then the best thing for me to do for the time being is get lost, don't you think? I'm not permitted to advise you, Mr.
Gallagher.
Can I get out that way? Thank you.
I know you'd be aiding and abetting a fugitive if you delivered a message for me, but tell your boss if he needs me for anything, I'll be around.
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Hello, Mr.
Gallagher.
Surprised to see me? Mind if I come in? So you're leaving town, huh? - Any objections, Daniels? - No.
As a matter of fact, I thought you'd be a long time gone.
When I did that job for you a couple of weeks ago, you said you were leaving the next day.
Say, why don't I sit down, huh? - Do you mind? - No, no.
Go ahead, make yourself at home.
Thanks.
You know, it's a funny thing about that guy Carlin.
What was so funny? Twenty-four hours after I give you the guy's name, he's dead.
You know, I thought a lot about that.
Couldn't get it out of the old bean, you know what I mean? Especially when your brother-in-law got it too.
- My brother-in-law? - Arthur Fargo.
So you found out about that, huh? I'm a private detective, remember? I got the trench coat to prove it.
Now, you listen to me.
- You listen to me, Daniels.
- Take it easy.
Now, look, this set me back 50 bucks.
Now, look, Mr.
Gallagher, I'm a very reasonable man.
I did a lot of research on this the last couple of days.
What would it be worth to you if I kept my mouth shut and didn't go to the DA? What would it be worth? Daniels, that's the funniest joke I've heard in years.
Joke? Why don't you let me in on it, then we can both laugh.
Look, you idiot.
You can't shake me down.
How do you think we got into this mess in the first place? Because my sister didn't know that you can't do business with blackmailers.
Every penny I ever gave to her, she turned over to Carlin.
You go on.
Run to the DA.
You don't worry me a bit, Daniels.
What are you waiting for? Go on.
Run! [COUGHING.]
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the evidence you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? - I do.
- Be seated.
What is your occupation, Mr.
Danvers? I'm a parking-lot supervisor at the International Airport.
On the day following the murder of Arthur Fargo, November 26, police removed a car that had been parked there for something over 24 hours.
- Are you familiar with that car? - Yes, sir.
It was a beige and brown convertible, two-tone job.
The parking ticket was stamped 11:45 a.
m.
Do you remember the licence number? Well, let's see.
KC-1743.
And do you remember who parked the car? Yes, sir.
Mrs.
Fargo.
- The defendant over there.
- Thank you.
BURGER: You can cross-examine.
That's not true.
I didn't park my car there.
Then who did? Mr.
Danvers, how many cars would you say were parked in the lot in any 24-hour period? - Fifty? A hundred, a thousand? - Oh.
I don't think there would be that many.
Not in my lot, anyway.
I'd say closer to 2 or 300 maybe.
Two or 300 cars.
And you can point out a woman who parked there last November 25th? How do you explain that? Well, she stuck in my mind because she was wearing dark glasses.
It had been raining all morning and it was a real dark, overcast day.
I figured that there'd be only one reason for a woman to be wearing dark glasses and a hat with a floppy brim when there was no sun out.
What was the reason? So nobody would get a good look at her face.
- Was she successful? - Yes, sir.
You mean, she successfully concealed her face and yet you were still able to identify her? Heh.
That's remarkable.
Would you tell us about the phone call you received on the morning of the murder, Mr.
James? Well, like I said, I run a charter-plane service and around 11:00, I got this call asking me if I could fly a passenger to Wayne City in time to be at the bus depot at 2:00.
I said there was nothing to it.
Would you describe the passenger? She was a young woman.
As much as I could see of her face, she was good-looking.
Why couldn't you see all of her face? Because she was wearing dark glasses and a hat with a brim.
I see.
Is there anyone in this courtroom whose age and general appearance are the same as that woman that you flew to Wayne City? Yes, sir.
The defendant.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Mr.
James, I show you this scarf.
It has been previously identified as having been purchased by Mrs.
Fargo.
Have you ever seen it before? Yes, sir.
I found it in the airplane when I got to Wayne City.
I turned it over to the police.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr.
Mason.
Mr.
James, you said that the arrangements for this flight to Wayne City were made by telephone.
That's right, but he didn't give any name.
Oh? You mean, it was a man who phoned? Yes, sir.
Did your passenger talk with you during the flight? No, she never said a word from the time she got in the plane till she left it.
And yet you're willing to swear that the defendant, Mrs.
Marian Fargo, was that passenger? It sure looked like her.
MASON: But was it Mrs.
Fargo? Now, Mr.
James, your answer may be a matter of life or death.
Yes.
I'm positive it was Mrs.
Fargo.
[CROWD MURMURING.]
Thank you.
That's all.
Doesn't look so good, does it? The weather or your case? Both.
As a matter of fact, both of them look very bad.
We have only one chance.
- Tell the truth.
- What do you mean? I don't think you murdered your husband, I think you killed him.
- You what? - I think you acted in self-defence.
That's the most ridiculous-- - Why did you set up that phoney alibi? - It wasn't phoney.
Who was the man who chartered the plane for you, your brother? So you know about Charles.
Yes, he came to my office.
Well, then you can understand why I don't want to involve him.
If he ever goes back to that prison farm, they'll kill him.
You don't have anything else to tell me? No.
Well, at least we have one trump card left.
Diana Maynard.
She'll testify you got on the bus at Los Angeles.
Yeah, but what about all the witnesses that said I got on in Wayne City? Won't be the first time the majority was wrong.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Yes? Well, won't he give his name? Just a second.
An anonymous tipster.
See if you can trace the call.
All right, put him on.
MAN [FRENCH ACCENT.]
: Mr.
Burger? That's right.
Who is this? Names are unimportant, sir.
I have a little information for you.
Why not ask Mrs.
Fargo why she was being blackmailed? What was that again? I am sure you understand me.
You might also talk to Diana Maynard at the Hayward Arms.
I believe Mr.
Mason plans to use her as a witness.
Would you repeat the address, please? I think you are trying to delay me so you can trace the call.
[LINE DISCONNECTS.]
Any luck? No, not enough time.
- He had kind of a French accent.
- Yeah.
I wonder-- The headwaiter at Ferrolds Cafe.
His name is Pierre Reynaud.
He's the character who made the reservation for Carlin and Mrs.
Fargo that night.
Why don't you pick him up? Well, he skipped.
We've been trying to trail him down.
Well, maybe you better pick up Miss Maynard.
That ought to be easy enough.
Oh, thanks, Miss Kelly.
I had a marvellous time.
And will you thank Mr.
Mason for me? You can do it yourself first thing in the morning.
I'll take that.
I hope I didn't startle you.
I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
I wonder if you'd be good enough to come along with me.
And give my regards to Mr.
Mason.
But Mrs.
Fargo didn't kill her husband.
She couldn't.
She got on the bus in Los Angeles at 8:00.
I've got half-a-dozen witnesses that say she got on at Wayne City at 11:30.
They're wrong.
Everybody's wrong but you, is that it? Was the bus crowded when you got on? Very.
And how soon did you notice Mrs.
Fargo? Right after the bus started.
I mean, I read for a little while and then, when I finished my magazine, I saw her.
That might have been a half-hour after the bus started, mind you.
Well, yes.
- Or even an hour? - No, I don't think so.
When you noticed Mrs.
Fargo, where was she sitting? - In the middle of the bus.
- On which side? The right as you face the driver.
Suppose we told you that Mrs.
Fargo claims she was sitting right behind the driver? I would have sworn that she You would have been guilty of perjury.
That concludes the case for the People, Your Honour.
The State rests.
Mr.
Mason? I call, as my first witness, Diana Maynard.
Diana Maynard.
Raise your right hand.
Do you swear the evidence you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? - I do.
- Be seated.
Now, Miss Maynard, where were you on the afternoon of November 25th at approximately 4:30? I was at the bus depot in Harristown where I met a Mr.
Paul Drake, a private detective.
And did you go with Mr.
Drake to a public stenographer where you dictated a statement? Yes, but I realise now I was wrong.
I was under the mistaken impression that-- Just a moment, Miss Maynard.
We're not interested in mistaken impressions.
Now, when you arrived in the bus in Harristown, where were you sitting? On the right-hand side, near the centre.
Where was Mrs.
Fargo sitting? She was sitting next to me.
Thank you.
You may cross-examine.
Miss Maynard, you got on the bus in Los Angeles, is that correct? Objection.
The question is improper.
Really, Your Honour? The district attorney is well aware that a witness cannot be cross-examined except on testimony elicited on direct examination.
If you will consult the record, Your Honour, you'll find I asked no questions about the bus leaving Los Angeles.
Only about its arrival in Harristown.
Would you like the court stenographer to read back that part of the testimony? No, thank you, Your Honour.
That won't be necessary.
Of course, if Mr.
Burger cares to, he can make Miss Maynard a witness for the prosecution.
Thank you, Mr.
Mason.
With the court's permission, that's just what I intend to do.
JUDGE: Proceed.
Miss Maynard, where were you on the day of November 25th? I was in Los Angeles and in Harristown.
Both places on the same day.
And how did you get from Los Angeles to Harristown? By bus.
When did you first see the defendant, Mrs.
Fargo? When she got on at Wayne City.
Was she on the bus prior to that? No, sir.
You're sure of that? Yes, sir.
I am now.
Thank you, Miss Maynard.
That's all.
Just a moment.
Your Honour, please.
Since Miss Maynard has testified as a witness for the prosecution, I desire to cross-examine her.
Very well.
Miss Maynard, I'm curious about the patch you have over your eye.
- Tell the court why you wear it? BURGER: Objection.
Your Honour, Mr.
Mason just made a specific objection to my cross-examining this witness on material not covered in direct examination.
I asked the witness nothing about her eye.
The prosecutor did ask the witness when she saw the defendant.
Since that involved the use of her eyes, I'm entitled to question the condition of her eyes.
Objection overruled.
[SIGHS.]
You will explain the reason for the patch.
I have an infection.
- Chronic infection? - Certainly not.
You were also wearing a patch on the 25th of November, were you not? Part of the time.
I put it on when I left the bus so the wind wouldn't irritate my eye.
Then you've had considerable eye trouble? It's a temporary infection.
I have 20-20 vision.
You mean, when you have the use of both eyes.
I can see all I need to with one.
Mrs.
Fargo got on the bus at Wayne City.
Do you recall how she was dressed? Yes.
She was wearing a grey check skirt, a light-grey cardigan sweater, black gloves and shoes and a wool topcoat with a fancy design on the front.
You have an excellent memory.
I sat with her all the way from Wayne City to Harristown.
- Who else did you sit with? - I don't know what you mean.
Who did you sit with before you sat with Mrs.
Fargo? DIANA: Some woman who got off at Knoxville.
MASON: Will you describe this woman for us? I don't see what that has to do with it.
She was just some woman.
I didn't pay much attention.
In other words, you can't remember anything about the other woman at all? No.
Are you sure there was another woman? Is it possible your eye trouble caused you to see something that wasn't there? Your Honour, Mrs.
Maynard was not wearing the eye patch while she was on the bus.
That's exactly my point, Your Honour.
I'm trying to prove that some people can see with one eye, but not with two.
I'd like a technical explanation of that point, Mr.
Mason.
It's a lack of coordination, Your Honour.
I think you'll find that this witness can see adequately with one eye, - whereas with two eyes-- - That's not so.
I can see perfectly.
I challenge the witness on that point, Your Honour.
I submit that with both eyes, she cannot make an identification of an individual known to her in this courtroom.
An interesting point.
Remove the eye patch, please.
This is absolutely absurd.
Ready, Mrs.
Maynard? Yes.
Do you know that gentleman there? He's Lieutenant Tragg.
And the lady? That's Miss Kelly.
Are you using both eyes? - Yes.
- Then who is that man? I don't know his name, but he's the parking attendant at the airport.
You're sure about that? Positive.
You recognise him as the man you saw at the airport parking lot? - No, I recognise him as a witness.
- How could you do that? This is the first session of court you've attended.
- Well, I saw his picture in the papers.
- You couldn't have.
Miss Kelly made sure you saw nothing that concerned this trial.
Well, I talked to Mr.
Burger after I got back-- How did you know he was the parking-lot attendant unless you parked Mrs.
Fargo's car at the airport yourself? DIANA: You're wrong.
Where would I get the key? MASON: From her husband's body, after you killed him.
You've got it all mixed up.
No, you've got it all mixed up.
You mean, you did not drive Mrs.
Fargo's car to the airport? Yes, I drove her car to the airport, but I did not kill her husband.
Then who did? The mastermind, him.
It was all his bright idea.
What's going on here? Who is that man? The genius who dreamed up this stunt, Mr.
Samuel D.
Carlin.
[LAUGHS.]
Look at him.
[LAUGHS.]
And he was going to get away with murder.
"And His Excellency, the governor, wishes me to inform you that our state has no desire to extradite Charles Gallagher.
We feel that Mr.
Gallagher has proved he can be a good and useful citizen.
Kindest personal regards, George Mayberry, Chairman, State Penal System.
" - That's wonderful.
- I thought so.
Well, something else you want cleared up? Yes.
Who was the man they identified as Carlin that night of the fire? That was our old friend, Pierre.
Headwaiter from Ferrolds Cafe.
He was Carlin's messenger boy.
But Burger said that he phoned him just last night.
That was Carlin with a phoney French accent.
That phone call accomplished two things.
- What? - It convinced the police that Pierre was alive, though they couldn't find him, and set it up so that Burger could locate Diana Maynard.
- Then the whole thing was a trap.
- Sure, it was a trap.
Both Carlin and Diana wanted us to base our entire defence on her testimony.
It was Diana who got on the bus at Wayne City.
There, how's that? Very nice.
Am I presentable enough to take you to dinner? - Definitely.
- Where do you wanna go? - Ferrolds Cafe.
- Why there? Well, there's something that still puzzles me in this case.
Mm-hm.
What could they possibly put in a cup of coffee to make it worth a dollar? No more questions, please.
[CHUCKLES.]