Original subtitles

I'm sorry.

It's a dog.

He's coming back.

Here, take this.

Get in quickly.

Can we get out of here?

Where is it you're going?

Down the channel. I have a boat there, the Cerberus.

Well, first, who are you and what are you doing?

All right, I'm Diana Carter, international jewel thief.

And here's the loot.

That bottle with the piece of paper in it?

That's all there is?

Well, where can I hide anything else?

That's mine.

Who were you running from?

That was Addison Powell's estate you were visiting.

My aunt's, really. Elvira Simmons.

Elvira Simmons Powell.

Wasn't she lost last year when her yacht went down in heavy weather? She wasn't

lost. She was murdered by Addison.

As I recall, he was picked up offshore by the Coast Guard.

The police investigation cleared him completely.

There was just no motive. No motive.

That gigolo has complete control over the entire estate for the next seven

years, and by then Addison will probably have siphoned it all into his own

pocket. The fact remains your aunt's body was never found.

Even the police divers who went down when the wreck was located found nothing

incriminating. There's just no proof of Mr. Faulkner. This is the proof, this

notice from my aunt.

Salvage divers found it after the police crew cleared out.

Listen to this.

We're sinking.

Addison has locked me in my cabin.

This note cannot save me, I know. But if the ship that will be my coffin is ever

raised and this bottle is found, Addison, my murderer, will be found as

Signed, Alvira Simmons Powell.

Is that your aunt's handwriting?

Well, it must be.

I've got him. I've got him.

No, you haven't. That note couldn't be authentic.

Even granting the million to one chance that a diver might find one single

bottle in a submerged wreck.

Why not?

Because if Addison Powell had murdered your aunt, what's the first thing he

would have done? He would have destroyed that note. He wouldn't have kept it in

his house for someone to find.

Diana, while you were changing, I glanced through your manuscripts.

Mystery writers, particularly beginners, shouldn't act out their plots and

certainly shouldn't involve other people.

And what you've told me sounds like a combination of your own prejudices and

your own fertile imagination.

Well... Well, it's been a most unusual evening.

Coffee, please.

Sorry I was delayed.

I've been waiting over two hours for you. You must have had quite a catch.

I did.

You missed all the excitement.

The whole area has been swarming with police and reporters.

You know, Addison Powell's estate right down the beach was robbed tonight of $50

,000 worth of jewels.

Why did you hear that?

On my radio.

A female burglar crashed the Powell party, stole the jewels, and swam to a

where an accomplice was waiting for her offshore.

Anything else? No.

Except she shouldn't be hard to find. They have her shoes and an initial

What's the matter, Perry?

I was her accomplice.

I don't understand.

Neither do I.

All I know is there was a vicious dog snapping at her, so I told her to climb

aboard.

And you helped her get away with the jewelry?

She didn't steal any jewelry.

How can you be so sure?

When she took her clothes off, I examined... Look, she only took a bottle

note in it.

I'll explain it all later.

Whether the girl's guilty or not, she had an accomplice. Me.

And if she's in trouble, then so am I.

Bella, please bring me the file on consolidated land title. It's on your

probably buried under some papers.

Just a moment, sir. I've got to see Mr. Mason.

But you can't. Mr.

Mason? Simmons.

Henry Simmons.

Not her fault. My fault. Everything is my fault. Whatever my niece did, I put

her up to it. Not intentionally, but this... Terrible thing has happened. My

niece. Sweet girl.

Good girl.

Girl, her rage.

Mr. Simmons, you apparently have something to tell me.

Terrible situation.

Never had a member of my family in jail.

In the middle of the night, they tell me, Mr. Simmons, your niece is in jail.

Can you imagine? Mr. Simmons, who is your niece and what is the trouble?

Diana Carter, accused of jewel robbery.

Jewel robbery. My niece.

Who accused her? Addison Powell.

Terrible man. Low life.

Married my sister six weeks after he met her. Penniless.

Younger than she was. And then she was lost at sea.

About your niece, Mr. Simmons.

Recently, the wreck was located.

As soon as the police had finished their search for Alvira's body, I hired a

salvage operator to see if the yacht could be brought up. Thought maybe that

could find proof that Addison Powell killed my sister.

Well, the evidence was there.

Diver brought it up. A note from Alvira. Mr. Simmons, if you would just get...

You've got to know it all.

Mike Carson, the salvage operator, another no good, told me the wreck

be raised. But he didn't tell me about the bottle.

Then how did you find out?

He took it to Addison. That's when Addison found out about the salvage

operation. He was furious.

Called me.

Accused me of sending Carson.

Swore I was trying to blackmail him.

But you said your niece's trouble was your fault.

I told her about the note and never should have.

She's flighty. Lots of spunk, but flighty.

Now... Addison had her arrested.

Lies. Says she stole jewelry.

Why have you come to me? There are hundreds of other lawyers.

Never believed in flattery. Won't flatter you.

Wanted the best. They say that's you.

Will you take the case?

Well, Mr. Simmons, I'd like to. I knew it. Figured you'd do it. Want a good job

done? Look for a busy man. Thank you, Mr. Mason. Be in touch with you.

You're taking the case?

No, I'm...

I wasn't aware of it at the time.

But I took this case last night when I fished that girl out of the water.

It's you.

I'm Perry Mason.

I'm pleased to meet you, Miss Carter.

Well, why didn't you tell me who you were last night?

If you didn't recognize me, why did you have your uncle... Well, he said I

needed the best lawyer I could get. I had no idea it was you.

What did you do after I left last night?

Well, I was ready to go back to my apartment in town, and then I heard the

news. I figured I'd better get rid of that bottle and fast, but before I could

do anything, the police walked in.

Then the bottle is still on your boat.

No. Uncle Henry went out there. It's gone.

Perhaps the police found it. They were just looking for jewelry. Ignored the

bottle. Addison must have taken it later.

Well, that explains why he had you arrested.

Gave him a chance to search for the note or the jewelry you supposedly took.

You know, the district attorney's office is asking that your bail be set at $50

,000 to cover Powell's loss.

Wow.

Well, what about the note? That explains what I was after.

But you told me Addison Powell has it back.

Well, then, what are we going to do?

Well, first, we're going to have you released on bail.

Then we're going to find out why that note is so important to Addison Powell.

Put Addison Powell on the witness stand under oath. If he still claims that $50

,000 worth of jewelry was taken, I'll submit the bail stand at $50 ,000.

But let's also agree that if he says no jewelry was taken, the defendant can be

released on her own recognizance.

Fair enough.

But I'd suggest you have a bondsman stand by.

So, Mr. Powell, you estimate the value of the jewelry at $50 ,000.

That's an estimate. Until I can make a complete inventory, yes.

That's good enough for me. Thank you, Mr. Powell.

Mr.

Powell, I have here a certified copy of your insurance policy, complete with

jewelry, Ryder.

Now, wait a minute. May I see that?

Will you stipulate that this is a correct copy?

We so stipulate.

Thank you.

This list of jewelry belonging to your late wife is most impressive, Mr.

You'll undoubtedly be making an insurance claim.

Now, will this item...

Platinum bracelet, large ruby, and four -star sapphires in cluster value $11

,000 be listed as missing?

I'm not sure. I've been kind of upset by it all. I just know there was $50 ,000

worth of jewelry in the box.

What about this?

Pearl necklace, graduated select natural pearls, value $2 ,200.

Look, it's no use going into details.

I can't say for certain about any particular item. But if $50 ,000 worth

jewelry had been stolen, wouldn't the box have been empty?

Was it empty?

Not completely.

How much was left? $40 ,000? $30 ,000?

Well, Mr. Powell?

I... I don't know.

Isn't it possible that when you gave the police the $50 ,000 figure, you had in

mind the amount of insurance coverage?

Well, yes, that could explain it. But right now, you couldn't swear for sure

that even $1 ,000 worth of jewelry was taken, could you? I can't say for sure

that anything was taken.

Your Honor...

It's one thing to tell the police and the press that he's lost $50 ,000 worth

jewelry. Proving this loss is something else.

I'm willing to be bound by Mr. Vincent's stipulation for setting bond.

I, uh, release the defendant on her own recognizance.

Next case.

Uh, people versus web.

Henry?

How rotten can you get?

doing this to Diana.

Blame yourself. You hired that salvage outfit. You sent Diana.

You've been after me since your sister died.

What do you want from me? When are you going to stop hounding me? Never,

Addison. Never.

Any mail for me, Harvey?

No mail.

I'm expecting another rejection slip.

Can't imagine anybody giving you a rejection slip.

I don't know what would have become of me if it hadn't been for Mr. Mason.

Probably would have been given a third degree and fed bread and water and...

Don't joke about everything, Diana.

You haven't answered my question.

Oh, Uncle Henry, all I've been doing is answering questions. What did you tell

Mason about the estate?

That Addison controls it and that maybe in six years it'll come to me and you

and Helga Dahlwig. Diana, you have to take this more seriously.

Follow Mr.

Mason's instructions, stay in your apartment, and don't talk to Addison or

anybody else.

And what are you going to do, lock yourself in your room, too?

I'm just a brainless kook to Addison, but you're a threat to him. We're all a

threat to him. As long as we're around, he's reminded that somehow, someday,

we'll prove he killed Elvira.

Drink up, lads. It'll cool the ardor of battle.

So you let yourself get clobbered by Perry Mason this morning.

For shame, Counselor, taking advantage of a man's youth and inexperience. Oh,

started off very well.

But he was operating under the illusion that Addison Powell had told him the

truth. Oh, that wasn't the only mistake I made.

I should have remembered that insurance policy.

You made your first mistake when you agreed to stipulate with Perry Mason to

anything. The only way to handle him is to make him work for everything he gets.

Listen, son, to the voice of experience.

In a preliminary hearing, for instance, if you let him, you'll find him running

your whole case, trapping you into presenting his witnesses, pushing you

revealing prematurely, of course, everything you know, so that he can be

prepared to wallop you if the case goes to trial in superior court.

Then when he has a jury, he plays them. The way Casals plays the cello, right,

maestro? Oh, I'm not the maestro.

District attorney is doing the teaching.

I'm just a poor, struggling lawyer who at the moment has a client too young to

reason with and too old to spank.

Good evening, Diana.

If you don't get out of here, Radisson, I'll... You called the police?

As a budding novelist, you can write better lines than that.

No calls.

Not until we talk.

About what?

About your escapade at my party the other evening.

And about the man in the boat.

And more important, what do you hope to gain by it?

Everything. I'm going to prove you murdered my aunt.

With the note in the bottle, Diana, we both know that note was a forgery, a

phony. That shaky handwriting.

That single bottle just happening to be found in a cabin full of gear?

Now, come on.

Then why... why did you keep it?

To find out who forged it and why.

If I destroyed it, it might appear it was genuine.

And it isn't?

Diana, only two people know what happened on your aunt's yacht the night

death. Your aunt and I. Now only I know.

Anyone else has to be guessing.

Well, then why did you blow your top when I took it? Because I don't like

blackmailers or blackmail attempts.

I'm no blackmailer!

You're a very pretty girl, Diana.

And pretty girls like pretty things.

And pretty things cost money.

And money is the root of all evil.

I know what's really bothering you.

It's not simply the death of your aunt.

Then what?

It's your share of her estate and what might become of it. I know it's got your

Uncle Henry all upset. He's told me so, in so many words.

What does a ski instructor know about finance?

Diana, I am tired of all this bad feeling.

I'm ready to prove my good faith if you do the same.

How? If you'll come to the estate tonight, I'll give you legal guarantees

your entire share.

And my annual accounting to the court will reflect that.

Well, I'll need my lawyer. No, no. No lawyers.

Come alone.

And if I don't?

It's up to you.

Remember, it's up to you.

Come on, folks. Come on. Let him through. Let him through.

Hey, what's happening?

Murder. Why don't you all go home?

Who was killed?

The guy who lived here, Addison Powell.

Come on, folks. Let's break it up. There's nothing here to see.

I'm Paul Drake, private investigator.

Sorry, Mr. Drake. I have orders to keep everyone out.

Well, who do I see to get clearance?

Lieutenant Drum. Maybe we can catch him on the way out.

Great.

Okay, come on. Come on.

Get back. Let him through.

Mr. Simmons, Gary sent me out as soon as he heard about the murder. Not now, Mr.

Jay. Please.

Trouble enough.

Gotta use the beach side.

Well, how do I get there?

Can't be done.

Without a boat.

And you have one.

But it'll cost me.

All right.

Ten bucks.

It's worth more than that just rowing from the outbase.

Fifteen.

I got a few dings on my surfboard.

It'll take 25 bucks to get a new fiberglass finish.

I can go round trip to San Francisco for that.

Yeah. You don't want to go to San Francisco.

Just don't tell anybody I brought you over here in this boat.

I sort of quarreled it.

Not a word.

The bullet must have gone through his neck and out that window.

Sergeant?

I want that bullet found. Right.

What do you mean, society? People are here.

Good.

All right, open that door slowly.

Bad pal had him locked up.

Killer would have been eaten alive as soon as he pulled the gun.

Looks like he hurt himself trying to get out of the closet door, Lieutenant.

A lot of scratches and blood smears on the inside of the door.

Oh, Paul.

Who let you in here?

Hi, Steve.

Sergeant. I'm on assignment.

Who's your client?

You know better than to ask that. My clients are confidential.

And you know better than to con your way in here.

Sorry, Paul. Nothing doing. Sergeant, Mr. Drake is leaving.

He's the boss.

Let's go, Paul.

Good night, Steve.

You're not yourself tonight, Clay. This is the first time in a month that you

haven't told Della she's beautiful.

After all, the food's not the attraction. I come for the blondie. Me

To quote a famous Irish bard, does perfect beauty stand in need of praise?

Nay, no more than law, no more than truth.

Irish?

Marcus Aurelius was a Roman.

Nah, that was just a rumor put out by the Italians.

That's Walton.

Drink okay?

Excellent as usual, Clay.

Hey, Paul. Hi, Terrence.

Hello, beautiful. Hi, Perry. Hello, Paul.

Did you get inside the foul house?

Yeah, but not for long. But it was worth it, though. As I was being escorted

out, Sergeant Bryce dropped the word that they want to talk to Diana Carter.

Then he clammed up.

I don't know whether they have anything or not.

Did he say talk to her or pick her up? Talk to her.

What about the murder weapon?

32 caliber revolver found under the victim.

The bullet passed through the body and broke a pane of glass in the French

doors. What else?

A vicious dog. A German shepherd. He was locked in a closet.

Any sign of his throttle?

No, not that I saw.

But one of my contacts at the coroner's office said there were contusions on

Powell's right wrist.

Did you see your ad?

What ad?

The one you placed to locate Helga Dahlweg, Elvira Simmons' companion.

Helga Dahlweg, for information to your financial advantage, contact Box 123J.

I thought we decided against the ad, Paul. We did. I've got a man out looking

for her.

Why don't you believe me? I did not leave this apartment.

Have you told anyone that Edison Powell was here tonight?

Only you.

Good.

From now on, young lady, you're going to follow my instructions to the letter.

Miss Diane Carter?

Yes.

Lieutenant Durham, homicide.

I have a warrant for your arrest on suspicion of murder.

How am I supposed to prepare a proper defense if I don't even have access to

scene of the crime?

Well, I'm not going to interfere, Perry.

Not before the preliminary hearing.

I think Bill Vincent knows what he's doing. He had the lab men on the

one hour after Henry Simmons discovered the body.

Apparently, they're still at it.

You'll get access.

When Bill Vincent says so... Do I have to force the issue?

I'm the one doing the forcing.

I'm going to make you stay out till Bill Vincent says you can get in.

And that's the end of that.

You know, I can obtain a court order.

I'll take that chance.

You have to persuade a judge to get an order, Perry.

And at this point, I don't think you can do it.

Simmons.

Oh, hello, Mr. Mason.

I have to see Mr. Vincent now. Send for us.

Poor Diana.

What's to be with her? Can I help?

Yes, you can help. You might answer some questions.

Questions from the police, from the newspapers, from Mr. Vinson.

You found the body, didn't you?

Yes. You saw the murder weapon?

It was Addison's.

Do you know if the police found the bottle and the note?

No.

Possibly they're holding them.

What?

Oh, yes, yes.

Come on, Helga. Mr. Simmons.

Oh, yes?

I'd like to meet your friend.

Meet? Oh, yes, of course. How stupid of me, Helga.

Mrs. Zolwick, I'd like you to meet Perry Mason.

How do you do, sir?

Diana told me they'd lost track of you.

Ever since Pula Ivara married that man and he sent me away... I noticed Helga's

name and address on Addison's death counter. I called her at once.

Addison Paul, the last person I would like to see. Mr.

Vincent waiting. See you soon, Mr. Mason. Come, Helga.

Harry.

I'm sorry I'm late, but I wanted to get the report on Mike Carson.

He runs a two -bit salvage outfit. No permanent crew, just pickup divers.

And he has one conviction for breaking and entering.

Did you check Powell's back? I've got a contact on it now. And one more thing.

It took a lot of looking.

But one of my men finally found Helga Dahlweg. She operates a little run -down

fish house on the coast.

Well, you're not the only one who's been looking for Helga Dahlweg.

Or the only one who's found her.

How did Addison Powell make his wife fire you, Helga?

I thought you and she were very close.

Oh. Oh, it hurts to think of her.

The ship that will be my coffin.

We were like sisters.

Oh, I know she didn't want to let me go, but she was afraid of him. That is why

I left Fritz with her.

The dog?

My beautiful Fritz.

When he was only a little puppy, Alvira's brother gave him to us.

That would be Henry Simmons.

But even after Alvira disappeared,

that man would not give him back to me.

Compliments of the management.

Well, thank you.

Oh, it is little enough for the man who will help little Diane out of trouble.

You know, Mr. Mason, Alvira loved this child very much.

Yes, I understand that Alvira sent Diane through college.

And my Henning, too.

She was sending him to school until that man came along.

He was going to be an engineer.

Now look at him.

No more school.

Now he thinks only of girls and surfboards.

My son to scuba diver.

Excuse me, please.

Harry,

that's the kid who rode me to the

beach the night of the murder.

I'll give you a hand with this stuff. You guys check the gear on the boat.

I'm going to rig that right tonight.

You better have one of two things, pal.

A search warrant or a very good explanation.

I'm Paul Drake, a private investigator on assignment for Diana Carter's

attorney. I haven't taken anything, but I have brought you something.

Mr. Pete, what's the idea? What do you want me for, huh? To answer some

questions. Like why you took Henry Simmons' money to make a survey of the

Yacht for salvage and then reported it wasn't worth raising.

Huh? You think you know more about salvage work than I do, huh? You told

one thing.

But the divers who worked for you say you told them the exact opposite. And

that Addison Powell's dead, you're headed back out to the wreck at night to

salvage it yourself.

What are you talking... Isn't that your boat out there waiting for you?

You know, I've heard old sailors tell some wild sea stories, but this one tops

them all.

Well, I'm fresh out of sea stories.

But I do have a photo set of a canceled check from Addison Powell to you.

Now, if you'll pardon a landlubber giving an old salt some advice, when you

blackmail somebody, get cash, not checks.

Blackmail? He paid me for that note in the bottle.

$1 ,500 for a note you both knew was forged.

All right, Salty, then you tell me what it was for, huh? For changing her

opinion as to whether the yacht was worth salvaging when he reported back to

Henry Simmons.

I'll be back in five minutes.

You better be long gone.

May I speak to Perry Mason, please?

Perry, I gave you a little present to Mike Carson.

Well, it's fair to say he was perturbed, but not enough to keep him away from

the wreck.

He's headed out there tonight.

See if Helga's boy is around Carson's boat.

It might be worthwhile to keep track of this young scuba diver.

Well, there were mild contusions on the right wrist, but the only other mark on

the body was the bullet wound.

Doctor, you told the court that the wound was made by a .32 caliber weapon.

Yes. Well, since the bullet hasn't been recovered, how did you determine that?

By the size of the bullet hole.

Now, Doctor, we both know that because of the elasticity of the human skin, a

bullet always makes a smaller entrance hole than its caliber.

That's true.

Then it wasn't only examination of the body, but a process of deduction that

you to conclude that the death weapon was .32 caliber.

Mr. Mason, my examination was primarily responsible.

The police told you that a .32 caliber pistol with one bullet fired was found

beneath the body.

And you put two and two together?

Well, I suppose deduction was part of it.

Thank you, Doctor.

That's all.

Now, Lieutenant Drum, you've testified that you found samples of green paint on

the pier at the Powell Estate that matched the paint on the motorboat

to the defendant.

What else did you find?

Well, among other items on our boat, we found a skirt belonging to the

defendant.

It was soaked with salt water.

In front, where the right knee would be when kneeling, we found a pinkish

splotch.

I took it to the lab. And what did their report show?

The stain was human blood.

The same blood type as the deceased, Addison Powell.

Mr. Blake, you testified that the decedent visited the defendant early on

evening of the murder.

Now then, did you see the defendant that night after Addison Powell left her

apartment? Yes, sir.

I stepped into the office for a minute. When I came back, I saw Diana Carter

running out the street door.

What time was that?

About 7 .30.

Did you notice what she was wearing?

Are you kidding?

She had on a plaid skirt.

Tight.

She wears them tight.

And a suede jacket.

Mr. Blake, I refer you to People's Exhibit 3. A plaid skirt found aboard

defendant's boat.

And I ask you, do you recognize this garment?

Yes, sir.

That's it.

He was on the floor by the desk. The dog was barking and scraping at the closet

door. I didn't touch anything, just called the police.

Mr. Simmons, you told us that early the evening of the murder, you received a

telephone call from the deceased. Yes, yes, that's right. What was the

of that conversation?

I didn't believe a word.

But he said he wanted to clear his conscience.

Said he was ready to guarantee I would lose nothing by his administration of my

sister's estate.

Said he'd already seen Diana. Seen, not talked to. Seen. He said that she was

receptive.

Mr. Simmons, to your knowledge, did your niece, described by the deceased as

receptive, did she visit Powell that night?

I don't know.

Around 8 .30, I called to talk it over.

I kept trying until I left at 9, but no one answered her phone.

No one? No one answered her phone?

No. Thank you, Mr. Simmons.

Cross -examine.

Didn't you tell the deputy district attorney that you left your home at 9 o

'clock, at which time you gave up trying to call the defendant?

Yes. Yes, I did. But, Mr. Simmons, the police records show that you reported

finding Addison Powell's body at 10 .28.

Well, yes.

So? So, why did it take you one hour and 28 minutes to drive seven miles to

Addison Powell's home, enter it, find his body, and call the police?

I drove around for a while.

Wanted to think.

I wasn't sure I wanted to go see Powell.

Where did you drive, Mr. Simmons?

Can't remember.

Just drove.

You were asked to come to the decedent's home.

You didn't believe a word he said, but you decided to go just the same.

You took a drive. You can't remember where.

And you cannot account for your whereabouts during the time someone

Addison Powell's home and killed him. Your Honor, is Mr. Mason to be allowed

continue these unprofessional badgering tactics?

I consider the tactics of the prosecution in suppressing evidence far

unprofessional. We haven't suppressed anything.

You will not let me inspect the murder room.

You will not let me see the dog. Mr. Vincent.

Do you object to granting counsel his two requests?

Yes, Your Honor. Why?

Are you trying to conceal something?

No, Your Honor, but the state hasn't completed its investigation, and we will

not allow the defense counsel to dictate the manner or sequence in which we

present the state's case. In view of the testimony we've heard, I feel I must

have the access I request.

The defendant had ample time to inspect the room while she was committing the

murder. I'll assign that remark to prejudice and misconduct on the part of

prosecution and ask this court to go ahead and... Your Honor, may we approach

the bench?

All right, Mr. Berger.

Mr. Simmons, you may step down.

Your Honor, may I crave the court's indulgence for the overzealousness of my

young colleague, whose last remarks could easily have been misinterpreted by

court and by Mr. Mason?

Up to now, I've been most ably assisted by my deputy, Mr. Vincent.

But at this point, certain facets of the case make it imperative that I

associate myself with Mr. Vincent and take charge of the case.

Very well, Mr. Berger.

Now, if you have any objections to allowing Mr. Mason to see the dog or

the scene of the crime, I'll listen to argument.

That won't be necessary, Your Honor.

Mr. Mason may investigate the premises at his convenience.

Mr. Mason, you may have the rest of the day to inspect the premises.

Yes, Your Honor.

Thank you, Mr. Berger.

Court is adjourned.

Diana, sit down.

Now, look at me.

You did go to see Addison Powell.

I didn't kill him. Keep your voice down.

Now, you were there that night.

Yes, but he was dead when I got there.

So I ran.

Why did you lie to me?

I was afraid.

Afraid you wouldn't believe me.

But I'm telling you, I didn't kill him.

You also told me you didn't leave your apartment.

What am I going to do if you don't trust me? The question is, what am I going to

do if I can't trust you?

That the correct position, Steve? Body was turned over, Perry.

And the gun was underneath.

And the blood?

Around both sides of the body.

Place was a mess.

All right, Paul, you can stand on the mark.

Steve, was your pose as the killer for us? Look, Perry, I don't get it.

You've seen all the pictures. We've been here for over two and a half hours.

You've taken down the drapes.

You've crawled all over the carpet.

You've inspected the floor molding. Everything.

Everything we've already done. Now, what else do you want?

I'd like to know what happened to the bullet from the .32 you found. It's out

there. There on the beach.

In the ocean somewhere. We've been over the whole area with detectors.

Nothing.

All right, Paul, would you extend your right arm, please?

Now turn toward the killer.

Good.

I'm slow, Perry, but I'm finally with you. It'll be small, possibly. Perry.

Perry, it's here.

Careful, Steve. That's vitally important evidence.

It's clear there's another weapon involved.

You know, Steve, what's that do to your case?

Maybe it clinches it.

Now, Lieutenant Drum.

You have been able to prove scientifically that this bullet, found

ceiling of the murder room, was fired from Addison Powell's gun. The gun found

under his dead body, is that correct? Yes, sir. How do you account for this

bullet being found in the ceiling?

It's possible that after he was shot, he made an attempt to fire on his

murderer. The bullet went wild as he fell.

But since only one chamber of Addison Powell's gun had been fired, it is

that another gun of the same or similar caliber... It was the actual murder gun,

isn't it?

Yes, sir.

Now, have you made a search for this second gun, and if so, with what

We have. We found a .38 caliber revolver on the defendant's boat at the time of

arrest. I see.

Now, Lieutenant, I show you this weapon marked for identification, People's

Exhibit 7, and I ask if this is the gun you just referred to.

Yes, sir, this is the gun.

Uncle Henry insisted I have that after the first trouble with Addison. I never

touched it.

Objection, Your Honor.

The district attorney has shown no connection between this weapon and the

weapon.

Your Honor, it's the prosecution's intention simply to prove that the

had in her possession at the time of the murder a gun from which the fatal

bullet could have been fired.

I don't even suggest any positive identification of this as the murder

Since this gun had been cleaned recently, and since the fatal bullet

found, no such positive identification is possible.

Objection overruled.

Lieutenant Drum, did you check the registration of this gun?

Yes, sir. It was registered to the name of Mr. Henry Simmons.

Yes, thank you, Lieutenant.

Cross -examined.

No questions.

Diana, how many more surprises?

Why didn't you tell me about the gun?

It never occurred to me.

Your Honor, the state has shown that the defendant, Diana Carter, had a strong

motive for killing Addison Powell.

And we have placed her in the decedent's home on the night he was killed.

Her boat with the telltale traces of paint from the pier.

Her skirt covered with blood. These items attest to her presence there.

And we have proved that she had in her possession at that time a weapon from

which the fatal bullet surely could have been fired.

Thus, we have established a clear relationship between the defendant and

murder of Addison Powell, and we ask that she be bound over for trial in

Superior Court.

Mr. Mason, unless you have anything further to offer, I will bind the

over. Your Honor, the state's current version of the murder sounds credible,

I would remind the court that the state's earlier version also had the

credibility. I believe that what really transpired that night was far different

from either the district attorney's first version or his second version.

And I ask leave of the court to establish that belief in fact.

Certainly, Mr. Mason.

You have a right to put on a defense.

Proceed with your witnesses.

I understand, then, that you never saw the note after it was found, Mrs.

No, I never saw it.

The defendant didn't talk to you about it?

No. I see Diane only here.

The district attorney didn't discuss it with you?

No, sir.

How about Mike Carson?

I do not know this man.

What about Henry Simmons?

The defendant discussed it with him, didn't you?

No one.

No one talks to me about note.

I believe you, Helton.

You never saw that note after it was found.

You saw it before it was found. You wrote it.

Sir, I... No!

No!

The ship that will be my coffin.

Now, where did that line come from?

I don't know.

You should.

Not only did you write it, but you repeated it to me in your restaurant,

you? All right.

I wrote a note.

But I didn't kill.

Well, I just sort of fool around.

You know, surfing, playing around the beach.

Maybe a dance or a movie.

What were you doing the night Addison Powell was murdered?

I don't know.

Can't remember.

Were you at the Powell home?

I say.

Didn't you take Mr. Paul Drake, a private investigator, around the estate

boat and drop him off at the pier?

Yeah,

I remember. Do you remember whose boat you used?

I borrowed... I used one of Mike Carson's. How well do you know Mike

I worked a few jobs for him. What kind of work?

I'd dive, scuba gear, bring up odds and ends.

How about taking things down?

Did your mother give you that bottle and note and have you put it down there

where it would be found?

Yes.

Yes, but she thought Mike Carson would take it to the police.

All right.

Now we've traced the peregrinations of our note down to the cabin of the wreck

and it was there that you found it, Mr. Carson, while you were examining the

wreck for possible salvage.

That's what I said.

Now, as you weighed the note and the bottle in your hand...

You were saying to yourself, where would it be worth the most money?

The police?

They wouldn't pay anything.

Henry Simmons?

He was already paying.

Addison Powell?

Addison Powell, he was the answer, wasn't he?

No, no, it wasn't exactly like that, no.

How was it, Mr. Carson?

I just thought that Powell might be interested, that's all.

And he was, wasn't he?

Fifteen hundred dollars worth.

Oh, look, I didn't break any laws.

Of course not, Mr. Carson.

But why did you go back to see Addison Powell?

Did he owe you more money? Or did you think you could hit him up for more?

I did not.

I never saw him or heard from him again.

The night of the murder, you were identified as being at the Powell

But I never saw him.

I never went inside the place.

Like everybody else, I heard the commotion, the police, the sirens. I got

curious about what was going on, that's all.

Your Honor.

I think we've seen how Helga Dahlweg's forged notes started the whole tragic

procession of circumstances leading to Addison Powell's murder.

She couldn't have foreseen this.

As she testified, her motives were of the best.

To bring a suspected murderer to justice.

Now, with your honor's permission, I would like to conduct a brief

which I believe will accomplish that end. Will counsel approach the bench?

I'll need some assistance.

Perhaps Henry Simmons.

Mr. Simmons, have you any objection to helping Mr. Mason?

If it's absolutely necessary.

For Diana's sake.

All right, sir.

I understand the dog is vicious.

Can you assure us he can be controlled in this courtroom?

In this courtroom, yes. Very well.

You may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Now, as I call the names of the following witnesses, will they each step

and stand there? First, Henning Dahlwe.

Thank you, Miss Dolick.

Now, would Michael Carson please step forward?

Helga Dolick, step forward, please.

Stay.

That's all right, Fitz.

It's all right, baby.

It's all right, Fitz.

You were one of the three heirs to the estate contacted by Addison Powell?

Yes.

I went to see him that night.

The dog became excited when you arrived, is that correct?

As soon as he heard my voice, so he was let out of the closet.

Fritz remembered me.

He was my dog, still.

Addison Powell accused you of trying to blackmail him with that fraudulent note.

He drew his gun, a .32.

And Fritz leaped at him, snapped at his arm.

He told me he was going to kill me.

Like he killed Pula Alvira, that's why.

That's why you took your gun from your handbag and killed him. Returning the

to the closet was a mistake.

You see...

You were the only person alive who could have put him there.

No one would believe me that he killed Alvira.

He was getting away with it.

He was a murderer.

And a murderer must...

from the publishers in print, my first book.

Well, if Clay would play the gracious host and open a bottle of champagne, I'd

toast America's newest, prettiest, and most impetuous mystery novelist, Diana

Carter. Gracious I am, but you should never open champagne in a month with an

in it.

May I see it, Dad? I still can't believe I even sold it. It'll make you famous.

It'll make you famous, too.

Me? You'll see, Paul.

There's a certain amount of fallout prestige in having an author in the

Hey, listen to this.

I'm a private detective, not a babysitter, he said.

And his stark blue eyes flashed a warning.

Tall, ruggedly handsome, he towers over her now.

And suddenly her arms went around him.

And in that instant, she took the pistol from his belt.

I'm no baby, she said, holding it at his chest.

Kiss me.

Before I kill you. Diana, it's a surefire bestseller. What's the title?

I owe that to you, Mr. Mason. You discovered Paul for me.

The Amorous Adventures of Paul Lake.

Private Eye.