Original subtitles

No.

This one's stupid.

Please, Chuck, it's getting so dark I can't. It's over by the fence.

Of all the lousy outfielders, didn't you ever play baseball before?

Hey, hurry up before Mom starts yelling, will ya?

Kid?

Miles?

If you stole that ball, hear me, kid, you'll get chased out of this town so

you won't even dare.

Why didn't you yell?

Can't you do anything right?

Hey, what you been doing out here?

I got better things to do than chase your old ball.

Well, what do you want me to do, give it to you? I already gave you my mitt,

didn't I?

Listen, Miles, there's no point in you hitting any until you learn how to

see? You gotta know something about something before you can... I know

while you guys don't know. Listen, Chuck.

Kid, why do you always act so people want to hit you?

Charles!

You're lucky. You don't even have them want to yell at you.

Chuck, I do know something.

Promise not to tell anybody else.

Charles! Your mom sure is a big flogger, isn't she?

Please, Chuck, you only take a second.

I know a secret then. Who cares that you're no stupid?

Would you answer it, please?

All you have to do is let him in.

I thought you were watching TV.

I'm sorry, Aunt Sue.

Honey, if you're going to stay here with us, you're going to have to stop saying

you're sorry all the time. Excuse me.

Well, I mean, you don't have to watch it, you know, but until my brother gets

back from the bowling alley... I'm sorry, Aunt Sue. Honey, just go on.

the door, will you?

I'll be right there.

Hello, son.

I think you'd better tell your mother... She's not my mother.

She's not even my real aunt.

I don't even have to live here if I don't want to.

You can come in, I guess.

Where do you live?

Where is your mother?

I don't know. But I've got four of them someplace.

I really do.

Oh, excuse me.

I didn't realize... You want to turn along?

Mrs. Thompson, my name is Mason.

I was having dinner with Mr. Downing.

Oh, of course, Mr. Mason.

You're spending the night at his country place, aren't you?

Won't you come in and sit down?

Joe said you would be expecting Bill Sheridan and might be worried.

Joe needs you at the trucking office.

He thought we'd save time if I stopped to explain.

Well, what's the matter? What happened?

Miles, will you please go watch TV?

Now, don't be alarmed. But the police called.

There's been a shooting.

Your office was just robbed.

Mr. Dole?

Yes, sir?

Good night, Miles. Your Uncle Flick will be home at work. You'll get bit if I

sit down here, Doc.

Come on, we've taken quite a chance to tell you that. How long has this been

going on?

Oh, this is the second time. If I wasn't shot, I'm all right.

The doctor should have stayed here. For what? For a bump on the head? That's all

it was. I was out for a couple of minutes.

I'm just sorry I loused up on a date, that's all.

Bill, don't be ridiculous.

Mrs. Thompson, will you help the sergeant there? Take a look in that

want to know exactly what's missing here. Of course, Mr. Donovan.

Don't pick on her, Joe. She likes me.

Bill, tell Mr. Mason here now just what you told me.

I stopped by here to do a little work.

What with all the big brass descending on us in the morning, I thought it might

be a good idea to make sure the ashtrays were clean.

You've managed this branch office for quite some time, I take it?

Los Angeles, huh?

It's got suburbs on the moon.

You see, I thought my dear cousin Joey here was being a great benefactor when

handed me this job.

Actually, Perry, it's been less than a year because my partner Frank Horner was

setting up this yard to service our Arizona traffic while I was up in Oregon

building that branch.

And now they have their own building on Wilshire Boulevard where the lucky

people work.

No sagebrush, no, uh... Bill, you're wasting our time. He doesn't care about

that.

Sure, Joe.

Okay.

I was, uh, sitting at that desk.

Now, I had opened the safe to check on some things. The lights were on, Mr.

Sheridan? Well, of course the lights were on.

Go on, Mr. Sheridan.

That's about all there is.

I was sitting at the desk. I didn't even hear the door open. The next thing I

know, I'm on the floor. You're positive you never heard a shot?

Yes, I'm positive.

The slug only missed you a foot or two, maybe.

Where did you find that slug?

I dug it out of the floor there.

What's your figure, Mrs. Thompson? How much?

Well, there was $3 ,400 in the driver's expense fund.

600 plus in petty cash, it totals $4 ,061. It's missing.

Not a bad haul.

Oh, well, it could have been much worse. You know, we sometimes have payroll and

shipping deposits and cash.

So, the thief didn't know your routine here.

As for this, maybe he slugged you with his gun and it went off.

You wouldn't have heard.

Several explanations, and they all add up to simple robbery.

Was anything else taken?

I don't think so.

Those, uh...

A pile of papers are probably all messed up because the money's at the bottom,

don't you think?

I could sit down and check.

No, never mind. We'll let Harry lock up now.

I'll have Miss Francis out from town to check the records with me the first

thing in the morning. Good night, everybody.

Joe!

Joe!

What's the matter?

Don't you think this was a simple robbery?

No, Perry, I don't.

the sheriff's substation.

The local office of the Horner and Downing Trucking Company was robbed

Several thousand dollars were taken from the office safe by an assailant who

apparently broke into the building about 8 o 'clock this evening.

Branch manager... Uncle, is that you?

You're still awake?

That's a big idea. It's almost 11 o 'clock. Wait! $4 ,000.

The robber was reported as armed with a .38 caliber pistol.

which he fired once, fortunately without effect.

The man fled hurriedly, and police suggest he may be frightened and naked.

Uncle Flint, don't! Didn't you hear?

Aunt Syl's office was robbed.

Sure, and somebody got knocked out. And they stole thousands and thousands of

dollars. You get your bed.

But it's true.

There's a man came here a long time ago, and he took Aunt Syl.

You want my sister coming home and find you downstairs?

You know how upset she's been ever since you've been here?

But, Uncle Flick, I want to taste her.

I said go to bed, you little... Go on!

That's a good boy.

And don't worry.

Tomorrow I'll let you watch me play pool like I promised.

Okay?

no no

It's for 38.

Flick? Where are you, Flick?

He's probably in the kitchen sopping up the beer.

No, the light will be on. I've got to go upstairs and check on Miles.

Honey, when are you going to get rid of that kid?

I mean, children are all right, but he's such a nuisance to you.

I mean, ever since he's been here.

My brother's still bowling.

I'll be down in a minute, Bill.

Good afternoon.

Hello.

I'm Horner. Frank Horner?

Oh, Mr.

Downing's partner, the trucking company. That's right.

I just got in from San Francisco, and there was a message telling me that our

little get -together has been called off. Now, Joe's up in the desert. Miss

Francis, our chief accountant, is apparently up there with him. So me, I'd

like to know what's going on. Hello, Mr. Horner.

Miss Mason, you were up at Joe's last night, weren't you? I guess you want to

hear about the robbery. I was just getting a report from Mr. Drake.

Well, I'm not interested in that. We're insured. Who cares about that?

Mr. Mason, Joe told me he wanted to get together and have an inspection tour of

all our branch offices, right?

He said he had a real hot offer to sell, and then after we looked things over,

we'd sit down and talk, right?

That's why Joe called me in.

National Trucking's very interested in buying your company, and Joe wanted

private legal advice in case of a sale.

Well, maybe I'm not too eager to sell you.

Tell me something. Is Joe being a fuss budget about this robbery? Is that why

can't sit down and talk right now?

I really don't know his reasons for delaying, Mr. Horner.

He just suggested I come back to town for a day.

Did he happen to mention a worthless cousin by the name of Bill Sheridan? By

chance would this have anything to do with him?

The way Bill's been running things out there, maybe.

Joe's your partner.

Why don't you wait and ask him?

I won't have to now.

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

Oh, and don't worry, I won't ask Joe. If he's uncovered a private hornet's nest,

I... Guess he can take care of it.

Let's hear the rest of your report, Paul.

Paul Lang Miles Jefferson.

Dependent child of the court since he was six months old.

Compton orphanage three years, then a series of foster homes.

So that's how the boy acquired four mothers.

Yeah, bad luck in all of them, I guess.

Anyway, several weeks ago, a distant relative named John Flickinger applied

took the kid to live with him and his sister for a while on trial.

His Uncle Flick arranged it?

Sure. Guy's out of a job and the state pays about 75 bucks a month child

support. And if you happen to have a soft -hearted widow's sister who's

to do a little extra cooking... A little too soft -hearted, maybe.

That's what Joe's worried about.

He's finding things in her books out there.

So what?

Perry, I still don't see what's important about... Paul, wouldn't it be

important to you if you were eight years old and still hadn't found a home?

I have to run back to the office, Marcy.

Just had your lunch, you know, so don't play on a full stomach.

All right, Aunt Sue.

Miles! Hey, boy!

I've been hiding all morning.

Thought you wanted to watch a little pool today.

I thought I'd rather play baseball, maybe.

Ah, you can do that any time. Come on, make a man out of...

by the seven.

So... Miles, you listening?

Sure. It's interesting.

Only thing better is bowling.

You know how long I bowled last night?

Four solid hours.

From supper straight on.

Yes, sir. Four solid hours.

I never left that bowling alley once.

Boy, How'd you do last night, kid?

Oh, I sat in my room, I watched TV, and I read.

You were going to tell me something, remember?

You said something about playing baseball with Chuck?

What about the seven ball, Uncle Fred?

Wow.

I must have sounded a little rough last night, finding you up so late, I mean.

Or maybe it was listening to that robbery thing on TV.

I didn't know how it'd be in your Aunt Syl's office and all.

Now, you kids, I suppose, get all excited about things like that. Go

each other, looking for clues, snooping around.

Come on, Miles.

Please, Uncle Flick. I want to go home and just read or something. Well,

wouldn't you rather see that movie?

Sure, but it's a double bill. And if I miss something... Oh, look, here, here.

Here, go buy yourself a couple of candy bars.

I'll fix it with your Aunt Syl.

Don't worry so much, boy. You run along now. I got things to do. Go on, go on.

Now, what are you messing up that file for?

I'll tell you what I want to look at.

Miss Francis, put these with the other figures.

Yes, Mr. Downing.

Look, you must be aware that the final accounting is done at the main office.

All I do is send in the subtotals and the money spent by Mr. Sheridan. You may

turn on the lights.

I'm about ready to start adding this up.

Mr. Downing, you've been kind enough to take an interest in the little boy that

my brother brought to stay with us.

Well, he won't get a bite to eat. All right, go on. We can always get you back

if we need you.

Good night, Sylvia, dear, and thank you.

Bill, what's the matter with him?

Do you think he found that petty cash thing from April? What are you talking

about? Joe's got ulcers, that's all.

And you lost that money in Las Vegas.

You balanced it on the other book, didn't you?

So...

We made it up.

$700. Sylvia, why don't you go home and comb your hair?

There are other things, other items. I never have had full bookkeeping out

There are certain things I can't explain.

You know my case of whiskey is always missing a bottle or two?

Things happen here, so what?

I'll see you later, okay, baby?

Hey, come on, come on. Let me help you with that.

You sure you won't strain yourself?

Hey, uh...

It's about time for a couple of martinis and a nice steak, isn't it?

What about your girlfriend?

You know, listen, don't you go making remarks about my mother.

Miles?

Where are you, honey? I bet you're starved.

Hiya, Syl.

This kid isn't home yet. I just got here myself.

Well, where is he? You could have cooked something for him.

Say, uh, still, uh, I thought maybe I'd duck out for a few days.

My, uh, my back is bothering me.

Maybe a week at the Veterans Hospital.

I guess I better go round up the kid, huh? For heaven's sake, yes. You brought

the poor child here. Do something about it.

John, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry about your back.

It's your hot bath.

No, no, no, that's okay. I mean, sis, I didn't know the kid was going to bother

you so much.

And if I'd figured maybe you and Bill Sheridan were going to get married, I

never would have...

Hello?

Yes, Miss Francis.

Well, I just barely got home.

Well, you do whatever you like, dear, but I'm leaving.

And I thought you ought to know that the minute Mr. Sheridan left, Mr.

Downing sent for his lawyer again.

So if I were you, I... Look, I'll

find a kid.

I'll fix supper. Don't you worry.

Miles?

Miles, your supper's ready.

Remember me?

Sure. Sure, hi. Hi, Mr. Mason.

You're a little late, aren't you?

Want to lift home? It's right on my way.

All right, I guess.

Let's get out of the movie?

I guess so. What's the matter?

Worried you missed supper?

Maybe I can help you explain.

See, I found out quite a bit about you, Miles.

What? You don't mind, do you?

Come on, shut the door.

We'll talk while we drive.

Talk about what?

Oh, whatever you want to talk about.

Whatever you want to tell me.

No, maybe I'd better walk.

Oh, wait a minute, son. Goodbye, Mr. Mason.

Son.

No, don't touch him.

Wait till I call the doctor. He's been shot, I think.

Never mind the doctor.

Sure, barefoot's all right.

Only two blocks from my house anyway.

I have to play with your little girl.

Well, now, it's not that painful.

At least for a while.

See you in the morning, boy.

We'll shoot some more pool tomorrow, huh?

Won't I get locked up if I can't sail?

Well, for gosh sakes, what for?

I fixed it up with the sheriff's office so we could make things comfortable for

you. Keep you here while the court decided something.

About your aunt, maybe, or about where you're going to live next, maybe.

Well, Mr. Mason, the lieutenant already left.

I wonder if I might talk with the boy for a moment.

Sure, I don't see why not.

I'll go and see if I can find those slippers.

It's all right, Miles.

Don't be scared.

Oh, I'm not scared of you.

It's just that, well, Aunt Sue was funny sometimes.

She never said much.

But then one night she kissed me.

And now she's in pretty bad trouble, isn't she?

Miles, you never had anyone really to talk to, did you?

Huh?

I guess... I guess that's one of the toughest things there is when you're

growing up, not having someone to talk to, to tell things to.

Mr. Mason, I don't know... Because the more you hide things, the bigger they

grow. But they don't need to.

The happiest people in the world are the ones who can just, well, open up.

Share everything.

Mr. Mason, I'm not... I'm not hiding anything.

Oh, sure. At first you think, who do I trust?

Another foster mother?

An aunt who doesn't really want me, maybe?

Well, I'm a lawyer, Miles.

And part of a lawyer's job is to keep secrets for people.

To never use those secrets to hurt anyone.

To try to help people when... Hey, uh... What about your toothbrush, huh, boy?

You remember your toothbrush?

Sure, Uncle Fred. I got it.

Here, slip it, Miles.

All set?

Good night, son.

Mr. Mason, thanks for... for asking me if I wanted to ride home from the movies

yesterday.

You can see why I need a lawyer. I didn't kill Mr. Downing.

But I saw you running away from there myself, Mrs. Thompson.

I went back to the office to explain something to Mr. Downing.

There were some things. He kept finding the books.

They haven't been able to locate all the records.

But apparently those figures Joe was adding up show that your branch has an

unexplained loss this year of nearly $50 ,000.

Well, now that I can't explain.

Anyway... I didn't get a chance to say anything to him.

When I got back to the office, he was dead.

I guess I screamed.

I guess I heard somebody coming and I ran. All I could think of was to run

And of course you were also thinking that Bill Sheridan or someone else close

you must have killed Joe Downing. No, no, that's not true.

At least I don't think it is.

Mr. Mason, you must think I'm innocent or you wouldn't be willing to help me.

Mrs. Thompson.

I'm not taking your case because I believe you're innocent.

What? But if you are innocent, then I think one small boy deserves every

possible break he can get.

Don't you?

Oh,

I've been so...

Well,

what are we waiting for?

I'm sure you have a great many questions.

My question, sir, is this.

At what time did you so clearly see the defendant, Sylvia Thompson, standing

over the dead body of Joe Downing?

It was exactly 8 o 'clock, sir.

I was just passing the side of the building and looked in the window. Did

hear anybody cry out?

Did you hear the sound of a shot, perhaps?

No, sir.

But the fucks were coming in and out, making so much racket of their own.

Of course, I understand.

But you did say that you saw the defendant put something in her purse.

Well, she was just raising up.

She did just close in her purse.

Maybe I dropped my purse. I don't know.

I don't know.

But it was 12 minutes past 8 when our patrol car reached the defendant's house

to apprehend her for questioning.

The officers found no gun in her possession.

But you said it takes less than 2 minutes to drive from her office to her

8 to 8, 12, that leaves more than 10 minutes of her time unaccounted for,

doesn't it? Yes.

On this business of disposing of a weapon, Your Honor, I don't think it's

line for me to say that there's lots of sand and wind in these parts.

And anything thrown out of a car window can be found for money, if ever.

I can recall several cases where... I think the court will be able to draw its

own conclusion, Sergeant. Thank you.

Cross -examined.

Sergeant, you stated that a single bullet caused Mr. Downing's death, and

it was fired from a .38 caliber pistol.

Correct.

Now, the night before the murder, you recovered a bullet from the floor which

had also been fired from a .38. Is that correct?

It is.

I suppose you ran a comparison test on those bullets.

So, tell us.

Were the two bullets fired from the same gun? Well, the first bullet smashed a

nail. So the ballistics man couldn't give an absolute yes or no answer.

Of course, maybe if he had the gun to check with.

Your Honor, the state is not charging the defendant with robbery.

Only with murder.

I think I agree, Mr. Mason.

I would like this hearing to proceed as expeditiously as possible.

Then I have no more questions, Your Honor.

I call Mr. John Flickinger to the stand, please.

Mr. Mason said what?

He wanted you to know that your uncle, Uncle Flick, is here now.

And he'll keep him here with something called a subpoena for just as long as

want. Why?

I'm not scared of... Miles, all I know is there's some sort of a secret between

you and Mr. Mason, isn't there?

A secret?

Yes, Miles.

About something that you might know that could help your Aunt Sylvia.

Miles, you'd be a lot happier if you'd just tell Mr. Mason.

Please, I don't know anything.

Well, look, honey.

Mr. Mason just wanted you to have this number.

And they can call him to the phone any time.

I didn't know my sister came home at 8 o 'clock or 8 .15. I tell you, I was out

looking for the kid.

But you knew the boy was at the movies, didn't you?

I didn't want to tell her. I knew, I mean, that I passed him the money. I

that I just walked around, that's all.

I knew he'd be home pretty quick.

It was your sister's money, I suppose. What?

Well, hasn't your sister been supporting you since you were fired from your last

job, your trucking job?

I got this bad back, see.

Service disability.

Driving a truck, you... Be careful now.

I have information from the Veterans Hospital that there's nothing really

with your back.

They also have a notation that reads, record of malingering.

Well, you can't always tell about these bad discs.

No, you can't.

But just tell us this.

Who was it that fired you from your trucking job?

Fired you for reporting to work drunk?

There was, uh... Mr.

Dowling fired me.

Yes. I've examined the company records, those books that Mr. Dowling was working

on the night he was killed, as thoroughly as possible, Mr. Berger. And

the exact shortage or loss?

In last year's operation of that branch office.

The total came to just a little less than $50 ,000.

But that doesn't mean it's been stolen or embezzled or anything like that.

There's no record to positively indicate that the books have been doctored by,

say, Mrs.

Thompson there.

Really? You just admitted one $700 item that you found, didn't you?

Well, that could be very easily the transferring of monies from one account

the other, that's all.

How much proof do you need of embezzlement, Mr. Horner?

Your Honor. I'll withdraw the question, Your Honor.

Did you speak to Joe Downing the day he died, Mr. Horner?

Yes, he called me in Los Angeles at about 7 .30 that night. That may well

been his last conversation with anyone.

Would you tell us what he said to you, sir? His exact words, if you can

them.

Well, he said that he would tell me more about it in the morning, but that it

looked like he might have to fire Sylvia for...

As he put it, dipping to the till.

Your witness.

Let's get this clear, Mr. Hohner.

Have either you or the accountants that have been called in found any clear

record of actual theft?

No, we have not.

So you'd be prepared to write off this $50 ,000 loss as what?

Carelessness?

Bad business?

Mismanagement? I guess that's probably what it was. Which, Mr. Hohner?

Mismanagement. But wouldn't mismanagement have been the fault of

than the defendant?

Well, it certainly would have. Bill Sheridan's the man in charge out there.

Why isn't there a more complete record?

Is there a possibility that more than money was stolen the night before the

murder? Is it possible that the theft from the safe was only a cover for the

destruction of records?

Records which would have proved someone's criminal action.

I'd say that was a definite possibility.

Sylvia Thompson and I were friends.

That's all.

Sure, I took her out a few times in the last few months, but nothing serious.

I mean, life can get pretty dull in a place like that. But she did help you

with a gambling debt once or twice. Didn't she say that?

Yes. Yes, and I'll be the first to admit that. And blame myself, too.

And she did this by manipulating your office accounts.

Oh, come on. There's nothing wrong with that. You heard what Mr. Honus said.

Then why didn't you do it yourself, Mr. Sheridan? If you were the man in charge,

if the funds were available to you?

Well, frankly, I wouldn't have known how.

You don't know anything about bookkeeping, Mr. Sheridan?

No.

No, I'm afraid I don't even know how to work an adding machine.

Now, I couldn't juggle an expense account any more than I could juggle an

elephant.

Mr. Sheridan, you testified that you left the office around 7 o 'clock. Look,

how many times do I have to tell you? Yet my investigator reports that you

weren't located by the police until after 9.

I can prove that I didn't kill Joe Downing if that's what you're driving

I was having dinner and a couple of drinks.

You're quite sure you can prove that, Mr. Sheridan? Yes, I'm quite sure I can

prove that, Mr. Mason.

If you don't believe me, you can ask her.

Ask Miss Francis.

I didn't have any drinks.

But... But just to satisfy Mr. Mason, you were with Mr. Sheridan.

I was with Mr.

Sheridan. I told you, they don't allow kids in the courtroom.

If there's something you want to give someone, I'll, uh... Hey!

Miss Francis, you say you telephoned Miss Thompson shortly after seven.

Yes.

I thought it only fair that Sylvia had the chance to explain matters to Mr.

Downing before you arrived. That's all.

Didn't you just want to get her back to the office?

I beg your pardon?

You heard the doctor testify that the time of death is always difficult to

determine.

I don't understand.

Couldn't you have killed Joe Downing?

Couldn't you have then tried to involve the defendant in... Mr. Mason, let's get

something clear right now.

I have never fired a gun in my life.

Mr. Mason!

the box under the house.

I was afraid to go near it again because I was sure Uncle Flick might see me.

But then the tail went and got it.

And that's all there is, I guess.

I mean, I didn't think I'd have to tell it to everybody.

Well, you've done the right thing, young man. I want to thank you.

Here it is.

Thank you.

Now, suppose you go in the other room and wait for Mr. Mason.

Well, Hamilton, quite a confused case you have here.

I don't think so, Your Honor.

It's the murder gun, all right. Has the lab test fired it? Yes, they have, and

now they're positive. Both bullets were fired from the same gun.

There were no fingerprints, of course.

There never are.

But they also checked the box he hid it in, Perry.

All right, now, never mind.

I don't want to hear any more of this until it's evidence.

I'll go back in court and declare recess until tomorrow morning.

Is that what you want?

Yes. We'll clear this up fast, Your Honor.

Very well, gentlemen. I wouldn't be too sure, Hamilton.

That boy's uncle has a lot of explaining to do.

All right, Perry, we'll go hear what he has to say now.

But even if he did help her that night, even if he was her accomplice, it was

Sylvia Thompson's fingerprints they found in that shoebox.

I certainly hope you never have to explain to those two what you made the

to her.

But it's the truth, Mr. Berger. Same as I told your assistant.

Pitch dark it was in here. So dark I couldn't even see my own nose. I just

through this gate here.

Sergeant, are you sure there was absolutely no evidence of how the thief

into the building that night?

All right, all right. So I borrowed my sister's keys once in a while. But I

wasn't going to steal anything.

I didn't even see the safe was open. How could I? Black is the inside of it.

Now, there's a likely story. That safe was open for over an hour. I was sitting

right... Oh, no, you weren't. Listen to me.

This thing jabs into my backseat and I grab for it. And his voice is hands up

and I grab for his gun. Only then we fall down and the gun goes off. I don't

know whether I shot him or not. Well, I run.

That's what I do, wouldn't you?

And I didn't take a single dollar from this place.

I swear it.

He must have taken it after I left. Him right there.

Bill Sheridan. You're a liar.

You're a liar.

You must have come in here to steal something.

I ain't gonna say one more word till I get a lawyer of my own, see?

But in my mind, abstractedly, that is, borrowing a bottle from a man's desk for

a little after -dinner drink just ain't grand theft.

It ain't. See?

Hurry.

It looks like I made a mistake having them out here together.

Not at all. I think they're both telling you the truth, Hamilton.

What? Just as I think Sylvia Thompson told the truth when she said that

was empty when she handled it half an hour before the killing. Oh, now, look,

Perry.

Maybe Fleck got the gun like he said and threw it away like he said.

And maybe the kid found it and hid it under the house like he said.

But later on, that same gun killed Donnie and then flew right back into the

shoebox. So who else but Sylvia or her brother or the two of them in cahoots

could possibly have told it?

Well, Mr. Baker, here we are.

Hamilton, I asked you to have Mr. Hohner bring Miss Francis here because I think

everybody is telling us the truth and probably will continue telling us the

truth. Good heavens.

What a thing to live up to.

Wait a minute.

Hamilton, if you believe the building was dark the night that

Flick ended it,

Then Bill Sheridan must have already been unconscious on the floor.

Someone else must have hit him over the head and rifled the safe.

The same person who jabbed the gun into Flick's back and then lost it to him in

the wrestling match in the dark.

Go on.

Well, don't you think that person would have been pretty anxious to recover the

gun? Been afraid of fingerprints or other identification?

You mean whoever it was followed Flick?

Maybe spotted him searching?

Finally spotted the kid and the box.

And later that night, stole the gun back from where the boy had hidden it.

Perry, what is this?

Miss Francis, think carefully.

Were the records out here thoroughly audited before Bill Sheridan took over

manager last year?

No. No, they weren't, Mr. Mason.

Now, hold on, Perry. Will you stick to one subject, please?

That's what I'm doing.

Because it's murder we're concerned with.

And hiding a $50 ,000 theft from your own company is a pretty good motive.

Don't you think so, Miss Francis?

Yes, I suppose it is.

Allowing a bad manager to slowly mess up the business is one way of hiding it.

Staging a phony robbery is a quicker way to get rid of records.

Oh, now look here, Parrish. But events had started moving too fast, hadn't

Sudden possibility of selling the company made Joe Downing keep on

Straight to the truth.

But Mr. Downing thought that it was Sylvia Thompson who was responsible for

Did he?

Or did he just want to get her part of things absolutely clear before he

the only person who could have been responsible?

The man who built up this branch and ran it originally.

His own partner. That's why I asked about the audit, Miss Francis.

Now, isn't it possible that this branch was $50 ,000 short before Bill Sheridan

took over?

Mr. Honan, the day after the robbery, you let my secretary think that you'd

been in San Francisco.

But my investigator, Paul Drake, can't find any record of it.

Now, weren't you actually out here both of those nights?

Right here in this office?

Answer him, Frank. Say something.

Answer him.

He knows I can't do that.

but I still don't understand.

How did the gun get back in the shoebox?

Well, after the murder, it occurred to Frank Hohner that if he put the gun back

where he found it the night before, possibly Sylvia and maybe Flick would be

blamed for what he'd done.

I make such a nice patsy, don't I?

Oh, now, Sylvia. No, please.

I want you to understand, Mr. Mason, I've told my brother to go jump in the

ocean.

You don't think I'm going to object to that, do you?

No, but...

Well, I want you to realize that when a person starts feeling too sorry for

herself, well, for what's happened to her life, when she makes one mistake

another... Now, Sylvia, don't tell me about Bill Sheridan.

Don't tell me about his thing.

Hi, Mr. Mason. You know what?

Never mind. Wait a minute. Let me tell him.

Harry, now, I have you know, there are exactly 322 steps...

Up to this floor.

Oh, Miles, no.

Sure, Mr. Mason. It's true.

All right, Miles.

Now it's time to go home with your Aunt Sylvia.

Sure, I know that. We're having apple turnover.

But she can wait in the car, can't she? Mr. Drake said it was all right.

Oh?

What's all this about?

Oh, just a little bet, Perry. That's all.

See how many steps you count going down the fire stairs.