Original subtitles

Thank you, doctor.

Names, please.

Horace Lehigh.

Dr. Nino Bevelli.

Dr. Masuo Tachikawa.

Thank you. Will each of you step in front of the fluoroscope, please?

Keep checking, please.

Everyone's checked off, but, uh, Lowell Rupert, Dr. Stratton.

He'll be along.

Oh, excuse me.

earrings, Dr. Revelli?

Do you expect to find a transmitter?

A tape recorder?

I don't expect to find anything, doctor.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

I still don't approve of bringing in all this paraphernalia.

Security of the plant is supposed to be my responsibility. No reflection on you

at all, Noel. It's just that this meeting was so vital, we wanted to bring

the additional help of an independent agency.

Our missing member, Noel Rupert. This is Mr. Drake of the Drake Detective

Agency. How do you do? I've heard of you.

Excuse me.

Doctor, may I see your cigarette lighter, please?

Everybody in the car.

Mr. Craig, are you certain the room will be secure?

Dr. Scranton, I have reserved three rooms.

My men have just checked them to be sure there are no listening devices in any

of them. Now, I won't make up my mind which of the three rooms we'll use, so

we're on our way. You can be perfectly sure the room will be secure.

All right.

You all know the importance of the work in which we've been involved for the

past year.

We've put more than a million dollars into research on your various segments

this project.

Now, this meeting represents the culmination of our efforts.

For the first time, we're going to pool the data you individually prepared.

So if you've been inconvenienced, I'm sorry.

But I'm sure you understand we cannot risk a security leak.

If details of what we're about to discuss should ever get out of this

It could cost the company millions.

That is our process.

Every detail.

Our ideas.

Our research breakthroughs. Our production techniques.

They have stolen them all.

You're certain of that? Mr. Mason organized industrial espionage is big

today. I was director of personnel and security. I'm positive we have been

from the very start of this project. We have taken every precaution.

All of our people worked separately.

None of them knew how their individual assignments dovetailed into the total

desalinization process.

Until that day in the motel room. And that's why I asked you to recommend the

best security agency. So that that meeting could be absolutely secure.

Without consulting me, I might add. We accepted your recommendations.

We contracted with the Drake Detective Agency.

And our process was stolen right from under his nose.

But was it stolen?

You can take my word for that.

And now, Mr. Mason, I want you to file suit immediately against Coleridge

Associates for $20 million.

And in the meantime, have them enjoined. I can't do that, Dr. Scranton. Mr.

Mason, I can't believe that you're afraid of exposing the inefficiency of

Drake agency.

Not at all. Paul Drake is more than capable.

I'm satisfied that if he said that that room was secure, it was secure.

But you have no proof, and without it, no case.

What about that?

There are too many precedents.

Too many incidents where researchers working independently arrived at the

goal almost simultaneously.

In this case, that's impossible.

You may be right.

But to go into court, we'd have to establish how the intelligence was taken

that room.

Then we'd have to prove it was made accessible to your competitor.

Dr. Scranton, given time, I can prove just that.

Mr. Basin, don't you feel a certain obligation to us at all? After all, if

hadn't taken your recommendations... All right, Dr. Scranton.

I'll at least determine whether or not you have a case. And I assume you'll use

the Drake organization?

Perry, don't worry about my feelings.

That information was stolen because I slipped up. I want to know how.

So it can't happen again.

Paul, wouldn't it be almost impossible to be absolutely sure a room was clean?

Perry, I fluoroscoped everyone present. I'm the only one who knew where we were

going to be, so the room couldn't have been bugged in advance.

If Dr.

Scranton is right and his process was stolen...

That would leave only one possibility.

The people in the room.

Unfortunately, you can't fluoroscope their minds.

Now, my job was to assure physical security on that one day, not to

the participants.

Who were the participants?

After you called this morning, I had a list drawn up, along with some extracts

from their personnel records.

Now, Paul, I suppose you noticed this.

Yeah, I did. Dr. Todd Meade.

Formerly employed by Coleridge Associates, the outfit Dr. Scranton

his new process, and more than that.

While he was working at the Coleridge plant, Dr. Mead apparently had a thing

going with Rhonda Coleridge herself.

The lady tycoon who owns the company?

If secrecy was so vital, why would try on industries imply such an obvious

security risk?

Such a tragedy. I'm so sorry.

Yeah.

All our work.

Months.

A year.

No, not ours. Yours. Without your work, our efforts would have gone to nothing.

Those studies were just as important.

No. Any researcher who knows what he's doing could do what I did.

Nina, it doesn't matter now anyhow.

Coleridge has it, the whole thing.

And we're holding the dime.

Todd, let us have lunch together.

No,

I'm sorry, Nina. I have to go out.

Then may I have a rain check?

Sure. Tomorrow?

Oh, Dr. Meade, just a moment, please.

Dr. Meade, this is Perry Mason. He's representing the company in a possible

involving the theft of the try -on process. And you saw on my record that

been employed by Coleridge, which automatically makes me guilty.

Not at all.

On a case such as this, the first step is to try to eliminate the probable.

Then we start to work to find a solution in the improbable.

And in this instance, I'm obviously the probable.

Wouldn't you say so?

I appreciate being given the benefit of the doubt, and I promise I'll talk to

you later.

But right now, there's something I... There's something very pressing.

You'll have to excuse me.

I don't care why you called me.

Whatever the reason.

It was such a pleasant surprise after all this time.

I told you on the phone the spot you put me in.

Look, I don't know how you managed to get hold of the try -on process, but

think they have the answer.

They haven't actually accused you, have they?

They don't have to.

Thank you.

Rhonda, how did you get our process?

What do you want? A teary -eyed confession that would give Scranton the

he'd like to have to win a $20 million lawsuit?

And you did steal it.

Steal is a nasty word, Todd.

I stole nothing.

I don't think Scranton would like to use that word either in certain of his

transactions. We're not talking about Scranton. We're talking about you.

Oh, Todd, do us both a favor. Quit.

Come back to me.

As director of research.

That's why I insisted that you come and meet me.

Tell you that the company wants you back.

They need you.

I need you.

It took me too long to get off your payroll.

Being with you, away from the office, that was one thing.

But the rest of the time, I couldn't take it.

But you only work eight hours.

Leave 16 where I'm tolerable.

It's impossible.

If I were to go back with you, they'd be sure I stole the process.

What kind of a man are you anyway, Todd?

Living in a private world of your own where all the characters are good and

and honest?

Well, I'm not.

I'm living in a world where just to get by you have to be rougher and tougher

and smarter.

Okay, Rhonda.

Okay.

You're tougher and rougher than I am.

So you see, Mr. Mason, there's a certain amount of musical chairs being played

among companies in our industry, especially where really key people are

concerned.

And because of the way scientific specialties come into demand from year

year, that's right. And because there's so few good people available, the

competition to hire them gets pretty stiff.

We've just met one of your scientists, Dr.

Todd Mead.

Yes, I talked him into coming with us.

It was quite a coup getting a man like that away from Coleridge, believe me.

And there's no conflict of interest or mixed loyalties?

Well, if you knew Meade, you'd know how impossible that is. He has almost a

fetish for integrity.

That's true.

You know, I can't recall Todd ever dropping a single word about his work at

Coleridge. And I'm sure it works both ways.

He wouldn't say a word to anyone over there about our work here.

Do not tell me it was not you. I know it was.

Dr. Ravelli, what's wrong?

Here is what is wrong.

May I?

I find it behind the screen in the ceiling of my laboratory.

I've seen these before.

Miniature self -contained TV camera transmitter.

Japanese manufacturer.

He was in my laboratory yesterday.

He could not say what he was doing there. Now I know why.

He's looking over my shoulder.

I was just in your lab to borrow a few slides.

You don't have to make a federal case out of that, Nina. To you, it is not

It is Dr.

Revelli.

Dr. Scranton, I will not tolerate such things.

I will go back to my home to Milan, where I can work in peace.

You're not suggesting that I knew anything about this, or that I would

such a thing. I will not be spied on, if anyone attempts it again, ever.

He will have much regret.

Paul, do you know where one of the two biggest markets in industrial secrets

operates? Italy.

And the other one is Japan.

Thank you very much. Please come again.

Have you any word from them?

On the property? Yes.

It is available for 75 ,000.

Offer 70.

Is everything arranged?

Everything.

So, we meet again after all, Dr. Tachikawa.

I'm glad.

This does not mean I would accept the proposition.

Only that I will listen.

But you did come to this country specifically to work on the process.

And now that my company owns it, what's the point of you staying where you are?

It is true.

The process must be of immense benefit to my country.

And to the man who might get the rights to market it there.

No, nothing. Thank you.

You must realize, Miss Coleridge, my position is a delicate one.

Well, Passionflower, what's with our friend Tachikawa?

Every night he flies with a different bird.

Well, I hate to give up pleasure for business.

But I guess I gotta go check tonight's bird.

You're full of surprises, Paul.

This case is taking on more cloak and dagger aspects than the Palace

Have you shown this to Dr. Scranton?

Well, you're the first to see it. And you might ask Dr. Scranton to explain

this. Horace Lehigh's employment record.

What about these references?

Most of the companies had no record of his having been employed.

A couple said he'd been with them a month or so and then left.

A man as cautious as Rupert.

You'd think he would have investigated these references before hiring Lehigh.

My dad always said that Mal Scranton was the world's worst scientist but best

promoter. With getting old, you'd grab my deal.

You're offering me a deal for my own process.

Let's not argue about whose process it is.

We'll divide the market, pool our resources.

There'll be plenty for both of us.

Why are you suddenly being so generous with me?

It couldn't be that you've been unable to steal all the data you need.

And failing in your effort to recruit members of my research staff... Malcolm,

I've known you since you used to fight with my dad before there was a try on

industries. So don't make the mistake of playing the wronged innocent with me.

Now, you listen to me, Rhonda. I came here to work out an arrangement with

But if you don't agree, if you're intent upon legal action, you'd better be very

sure of your ground.

Or I'll slap you with a countersuit that will ruin you.

Yes? It's Lehigh, Dr. Scranton.

I've found our thief.

You have?

Excellent. Are you coming up here? I think we should talk here first.

There are a few things that you should see before I turn this report over to

board of directors.

All right, now you stay right there. I have a phone call to make. I'll be right

down.

Get me Perry Mason's office.

Oh.

You're through, Rhonda.

Before this night's over, my attorney and I will have you and your company on

the wrong end of a $20 million lawsuit.

I'll notify security you're on your way out.

Bye, Miss Coleridge.

Mr. Mason.

Yes, Dr. Scranton.

You mean the case is solved?

So instead of my going over to your office, why don't you get over here as

quickly as possible? I'll meet you down at the lab.

I'll leave word at the gate.

Very well. We'll be right there.

Fine. Fine.

We're to meet Dr. Scranton in Todd Mead's laboratory.

He says someone there will tell us who stole the try -on process.

And who was someone?

Well, he wouldn't say over the phone.

These days, Dr.

Scranton is very security conscious.

Mr. Drake and Mr. Mason to see Dr. Scranton.

The lab's down this way, Mr. Mason.

The police know about your relationship with Rhonda Coleridge. They know you

were with her the day before the murder.

They know about the stolen process. They know Lehi called Dr. Scranton from your

lab and promised to reveal the thief.

They know your prints are on the heavy pipe used as a murder weapon.

They also know... You know you sound just like that Lieutenant Drum?

You want a confession, too?

I sweated out three hours in his office last night.

He spent 15 minutes advising me of my rights and two hours and 45 minutes

ignoring them.

I don't believe that.

Steve is tough, but he's fair.

And he's no fool.

He gave you a chance to call a lawyer.

When I went in there, I didn't think I needed one.

And when I came out, I was... I was charged with murder.

Mr. Mason, I... I called you because... Well, to be frank,

because you're the only attorney I could think of by name.

I don't even know if I can afford you.

If I take your case, it will be because I believe you're innocent.

With the position I'm in, expecting anyone to come up with an adequate

strikes me as an exercise in futility.

Perhaps it is, Doctor.

If you did murder Horace Leon, did you?

No.

No, I did not.

I left the library.

I placed a phone call to my folks, got no answer, went to my lab.

And I found them there dead.

That's it.

Then that's our starting point toward finding a defense.

Now let's put that keen scientific brain to work on your own personal equation.

What equation?

Well, we know the positive elements on the prosecution side.

Now we have to solve the equation for the unknown elements on yours.

For example?

Unknown number one.

Who, in your experience, had reason to want Lehigh dead?

Mr. Mason, I don't know.

Actually, I hardly knew the man.

Then going on to unknown number two.

Lehi was hit on the head, then either fell or was pushed into the tank of

in your laboratory.

Now, why your laboratory?

What was he doing there?

Why should he call Dr.

Scranton from your laboratory and tell him he'd found the thief?

I've been going over and over the same question.

There's nothing in my lab.

Just my equipment, working files and references.

No secrets.

And no answers.

There must be another element here.

Something missing.

Something we've overlooked.

Something we fail to notice.

Good morning.

May I see Lieutenant?

Remember me, Mr. Mason?

Dr. Mavelli?

Why, yes, the dining room at the plant.

It is terrible. It is absolutely terrible what they're doing to him.

Todd is no assassin.

The police, they... Hello, Perry.

Morning, Steve.

Just a few questions, Perry, for the record, about the discovery of the body.

Well, up until that point, I can help you, Steve. But as of this morning, I

became Todd Mead's attorney. Everything he told me is... Confidential.

Did your client tell you what Lehigh was doing for the company?

No.

Well, it might be a good idea for you to ask him.

It's getting so that I'm afraid to speak or make a move anywhere.

My home, my office. I even worry about talking my sleep.

I swear it's becoming a phobia.

Dr. Scranton, would you tell me what Horace Lehigh was doing for your

I haven't revealed this to anyone except the police.

Horace Lehigh was not a regular employee.

As a matter of fact, that wasn't even his real name.

He was an industrial intelligence agent hired by the board of directors at the

beginning of this project.

A sort of counter -spy. Well, that's a dramatic way of putting it.

But I suppose that's what you could call him.

That would give us our motive, wouldn't it?

If Lehi had solved the case, found out who stole your new process, and the

knew that, then the only way to silence Lehi was to kill him.

When Lehi called me the night of the murder, just before I spoke to you, he

sounded urgent, excited.

That was because he had discovered who the thief was.

But he was afraid to reveal the name or the telephone.

Did anyone else know of that phone call?

Run to Colbridge.

Any number of people could have learned of that call.

Remember, privacy is one thing we can't take for granted.

Harry, I don't mind retracing my steps, conducting a search all over again. It

would help to have some idea of what you're searching for.

All right, officer, you can log them in. Mr. Mason, Mr. Drake.

Thanks, Steve. We'll be seeing you. Harry, may I have an answer from you?

That's what we're searching for, Steve, an answer.

Steve, I want to know why Lehi asked Dr. Scranton to meet him here in Todd

Mead's laboratory.

Why not a dozen more convenient places? Dr. Scranton's office, for instance.

Oh, well, there's one obvious answer.

Your client stole the process.

Lehi found proof of it here in the lab.

And that's why Mead killed him. But, of course, that, uh...

Theory is too simple for you.

Oh, I'm sorry.

We didn't mean to startle you.

Oh, that's all right. I was just... I wanted to get my records in order before

Mr. Rupert checked them. Records?

I'm the librarian.

Three of our files were signed out to Dr. Mead.

They're overdue, and since he... Well, since he can't return them.

Secret material?

Oh, no.

Just... Copies of the original Tryon patent that Dr. Mead was using for some

basic data on membrane structure.

That is, A100 and A102 were...

Is something wrong?

Well, it's just... Those two don't seem to be here, and they ought to be.

Why?

Mr. Rupert has a very strict rule.

Any company data can't be taken anywhere else without first checking it back in.

Not even to another office?

No.

I'll have to report this to Mr. Rupert right away.

I think I'll have to talk with Mr. Rupert myself.

Thanks, Perry. For what?

I don't know for sure.

Yet.

See if you can get another copy of those patent files from Rupert. You have an

idea? Well, only that they're supposed to be here, and they're not here.

Your Honor, the case before this court today differs from the usual crime of

violence. This is actually an episode in a war, a cold war of industrial

espionage. The state intends to take cognizance of that fact.

Any luck, Paul?

Even Rupert could locate copies of those patents, not even in the original

incorporation papers.

We tried the patent office.

Rupert wired the patent office in Washington for copies.

The state will prove, quite simply, that the defendant, Dr.

Todd Meade, a scientist, was, in addition, a professional industrial spy.

He was caught stealing research data by the deceased Horace Lehigh, who was a

professional counter -spot.

The state intends to prove that Dr. Meade killed to prevent the disclosure

his own theft and was caught virtually in the act by a whole group of

including his own attorney, the counsel for the defense.

I was in my laboratory just across the hall when I heard someone outside.

I had seen Mr. Ruppert.

go down the hall earlier, and I wouldn't talk to him. So I opened my door.

That was when I heard Dr.

Scranton tell the guard to call for the police.

Then you were present when the dead body and the defendant were discovered in

his laboratory.

That is correct.

A doctor was Horace Lehigh, a friend of yours.

I knew him as one of the colleagues.

Did you ever discuss your work with him?

It was against our rules to discuss our...

individual efforts, sir, even with one another.

Well, were you aware that Horace Lehigh was a counter -spy?

Well, I did not know what work he did.

Now, just a second, doctor. Didn't you tell me earlier in my office that you

suspected him of being unduly concerned with the work assignments of certain of

your colleagues?

You misunderstood me, sir.

I told you that one day in the dining room, Dr. Ravelli had accused him of

spying on her.

Looking over my shoulder, I believe she said.

Thank you, Doctor.

You're welcome.

Dr. Tajikawa, I've been interested to learn that in your country, industrial

spying is a respectable profession.

That is regrettably true.

Doctor, will you tell us about your rendezvous with Miss Rhonda Coleridge in

private room of the Sashimi Gardens two nights before the murder?

I'll object to that, Your Honor.

Even if any such meeting actually took place, it's certainly irrelevant and

immaterial. Your Honor, since the district attorney has maintained the

defendant's previous relationship with Miss Coleridge is germane, it is also

germane that someone else with equal opportunity for spying was enjoying a

present relationship with Miss Coleridge.

Objections overruled.

Yes, I did meet Miss Coleridge.

She offered me a position.

Now, in previous testimony...

You told the district attorney you spent the afternoon prior to the murder away

from the plant closing a real estate deal.

Would you mind telling us the amount paid for the parcel you purchased in the

Hollywood Hills?

I do not remember the exact price, sir.

Well, perhaps I can help you there.

Wasn't it in excess of $70 ,000?

There is something wrong?

I'm not allowed to buy what I can pay for?

Of course you're allowed, doctor.

But your employment record at Tryon shows that you receive a yearly salary

$22 ,500.

It would seem that you've been extremely frugal if you're able to. I'm not

dependent on my salary.

I hold five extremely valuable patents, sir.

I left a much more lucrative position in Japan to come here.

But why?

The process for converting seawater is of tremendous significance to my

I came here at Dr.

Scranton's invitation.

It is important to me to be part of the project.

I will not be accused.

Doctor, no one was accusing you.

No further questions.

Were you alone in your office, Dr. Scranton, when the phone call came from

decedent? No.

Rhonda Coleridge was with me.

Rhonda Coleridge, the former employer of the accused?

Yes, sir.

Did the decedent, Horace Lehigh, tell you why, of all possible meeting places,

he chose Dr. Meade's laboratory?

No, sir. Regarding this phone call from the deceased, is it correct that you

told absolutely no one about it?

No, except for Mr. Mason, the defense counsel.

I phoned him immediately and asked him to meet me at Dr. Meade's laboratory.

That's how Mr. Mason and Mr. Drake happened to be with me when we

body. And at that precise moment, where was the defendant?

Well, he...

It was standing by the tank.

And what was in that tank, doctor?

Mr. Lehigh's body.

I have no more questions of this witness. Thank you, Dr. Scranton.

No questions for now.

At this point in time, it seems obvious to me that we're not going to complete

this hearing today.

Therefore, this court will stand adjourned until 10 o 'clock tomorrow

Todd, I'll talk to you later.

Besides, Rhonda Colbridge knew about that phone call and could have reached

lab before we did.

Harry, I've gone over Scranton's office inch by inch. There just couldn't

possibly be a bug in there or on his phone.

Besides, I've installed the most powerful anti -bug generator made and

it turned on constantly.

So how?

That's it, Paul.

How?

Hi, I thought you might... Might need you?

Well, there are letters to correct, a brief to get out.

In fact, there's more for you to do than you can imagine.

Do you have any trouble getting Lehigh's car, Paul?

None whatever.

She let us have it as soon as I explained why we wanted it.

You know where it is now?

7th Street Garage, 4th Level. And we went over it from one end to the other.

Nothing. Yes, I know.

Tell me something, will you, Perry?

If somebody planted a bug in your office and Paul found it, why leave it there?

Uh, Paul Drake, how's it coming?

Good. Look, call Perry's office in exactly 25 minutes. And remember, nobody

nobody goes near that car till I give the word, okay?

We're all set.

Fine.

Wait a minute. You didn't answer my question. You found the hidden mic in

office. And you leave it there. Why?

Just a vague idea. We might make use of it.

Here's your script, Paul.

There's yours, Della.

Remember, when we get back to the office, don't say one word that isn't

on those pages.

Phone rings.

Della answers.

Mr. Mason's office.

Who? Paul Drake?

Yes, he's here. Just a moment, please.

Paul Drake?

You did?

Where is it?

Just a minute. I'll write that down.

They've located Lehigh's car.

No, don't go in. None of you. I'll handle it personally.

That's a break.

If a copy of Lehigh's report with the record of his investigation is in the

car... Well, we've searched his office, his files, his home.

We know from Scranton there was a report, so where else could it be?

Where is the car?

7th Street Garage, 4th Level.

License number GD -0011.

We better get going.

I can't yet.

Adela, what time do we expect that call from New York City?

Oh, not for a half hour yet.

A half hour?

Relax, Paul.

No one knows about the car but us.

You're accusing me of stealing.

You'll answer for these allegations in civil court. Sit still, Miss Coleridge.

I'm not through with you.

I'm going to ask you the question again.

I'd like an answer.

Did you discover the desalinization process in your own laboratories or did

purchase the process from another party?

Your Honor, Mr. Mason is attacking this witness. He's proceeding without any

possible proper foundation.

Your Honor, the district attorney opened the door in previous examination.

As for attacking the witness, I'm only attacking the kind of thinking she

represents. For it is this thinking that is at the root of this tragedy.

If it weren't for the philosophy that honesty, ideals, and integrity do not

matter, there would be no market for stolen secrets.

This court will not tolerate these personal exchanges.

Mr. Mason, you will confine yourself to proper questioning without commentary on

the witness's ethics.

Mr. Berger, your objection is overruled. And Ms. Coleridge, you will respond to

the question.

Yes, I purchased the process.

It was offered to me by an independent research organization, and I bought it.

And I violated no law.

Do you know where that independent research organization obtained the

information? I didn't check their pedigree.

Miss Coleridge, do you recognize this?

I'm afraid I don't.

It's called a thumbnail.

A tiny self -contained mic and an FM transmitter.

In common parlance, a bug.

You recognize this?

A tie -clasp microphone?

This? A spike microphone?

You have never seen any of these tools of the industrial spy?

No. Miss Coleridge, you apparently do not know how the industrial spy steals

secrets. Can you tell us from your own experience how he markets them?

Objection. I withdraw the question.

Miss Coleridge, what was the purpose of your meeting with Dr. Tachikawa?

I offered him a position.

Working on the process you now own, which is, shall we say, similar to the

-on process?

Yes. Did you attempt to recruit any other members of the try -on research

Mr. Mason, you're being very naive about this.

Anyone in our business will tell you that every company tries to do just

Did you attempt to recruit...

Any other try -on personnel?

Yes. Todd Meade, the defendant.

Anyone else?

Dr. Revelli. How about Horace Lehigh?

He's the only member of the team you haven't mentioned.

No, I didn't talk to him.

Why not?

Because I'd never heard of him before.

There was no reason to think he could make a contribution.

Miss Coleridge, did you see Horace Lehigh on the night he was murdered?

No. Not then or any other time.

No further questions.

Witness may stand down.

Your Honor, as has been established in previous testimony, someone stole the

secret process developed by Tryon Industries and was later unmasked by

Lehigh, an undercover counter -spy. But how could the thief have known Lehigh

had discovered him? The person who planted the listening device in my

the only one who could have known of the phone call to me from Dr. Scranton.

The only one who could have hurried to Dr. Meade's laboratory ahead of us to

silence Horace Lehigh.

Your Honor, I'd like your permission to have the light dim so we can project

some film.

Any objection, Mr. Berger?

Your Honor, I realize that Mr. Mason has gone to infinite pains to present this

little dramatic interlude for us. And although I doubt that it serves any

purpose, I would hate to deprive the defense counsel of an opportunity to get

headline in this evening's papers.

I have no objection, Your Honor.

The district attorney's generosity is exceeded only by his wit.

I assure the court this will prove of value.

We turned that listening device in my office against the person who planted

And the results are on that film.

Bailiff, you draw the blind.

When the bug was discovered in my office, Your Honor, we concealed the

it had been found.

Then we planted information on which the party who had planted the bug might

act. We announced the whereabouts of the decedent's car to our unknown listener,

implying that there might be incriminating evidence in that car.

Mr. Drake had previously arranged it so that anyone entering the car would take

his own picture by infrared light.

You were successful?

Yes, Your Honor.

It was I who took the information.

I sold it through friends at home in Italy, so it could never be traced to

The sale was legal there. My country does not issue patents on manufacturing

processes. And how much did you receive in payment?

The Italian organization paid me $50 ,000.

And you arranged to have the bug planted in my office.

I never dreamed an American company would buy the information when the

began.

I was afraid to stay, afraid to leave. I had to know what progress you were

making. How did you get the information out of that motel room?

Mr. Drake made absolutely sure that the room was debugged and the participants

had no monitoring devices.

All except Dr.

Scranton himself.

He did not undergo the fluoroscopic examination.

So I managed to place a tiny thumbnail microphone in the cuff of his trousers.

Dr. Revelli, since you were party to all that went on in my office, is it not

true that you heard the conversation in which Dr. Scranton advised me that

Lehigh had learned the identity of the thief?

That he would disclose that information in the defendant's laboratory?

Your Honor, the witness is a comparative stranger in our country.

She's unfamiliar with our laws. I think she's entitled to know the possible

consequences of her answer.

Mr. Mason is trying to get her to admit to a murder. No!

that I took the process I confessed, and I didn't off the telephone call.

But when I go quick to the laboratory, he's already dead.

Mr. Mason, I believe that Mr.

Berger's comments are justified.

Your Honor, the district attorney is mistaken.

I have no intention of accusing the witness of murder.

If Dr. Rovelli had killed Lehigh and obtained the written report he was

carrying, she would no longer have been concerned about being exposed.

That's true.

But when I heard over the microphone in your office that his car had been

discovered, I had to find out whether the report was in it. But it wasn't.

Because someone else had gotten to Lehigh first and killed him and then

that report.

But for an entirely different reason.

Who else had a reason, Mr. Mason? The witness has already admitted that she

stole the process.

Your Honor, may I recall Mr. Lowell Rupert?

Mr. Rupert, will you return to the stand, please?

Any later word from Washington?

Nothing. Barry, I'm convinced there is no record of any such patents.

Yes, Paul, I'm convinced, too.

Mr. Rupert, may I remind you that you're still under oath?

Mr. Rupert, these missing files, A -100 and A -102, that were checked out to Dr.

Meade, They were of great importance to you?

No, not actually.

Then why did you make such a point of getting them back? Why was your

so worried?

No special point, Mr. Mason. Just normal security procedure.

Mr. Rupert, what was in those files?

Well, outlines of the basic processes and patents on which the company was

founded. And yet the patent office in Washington has no record of any such

processes.

Apparently, they were never registered.

Why, Mr. Rupert?

I don't know.

Only Dr. Scranton can tell you.

Mr. Mason, I don't recall the contents of those files, but perhaps our

could give you that information.

Dr. Scranton, did you find the decedent a capable man at his job?

Thorough, dependable?

Oh, yes, he was quite competent.

So thorough, so competent that you did not object when he placed that

camera in Dr. Rovelli's laboratory?

Well, I told him to spare no one.

He was concerned about Dr. Rovelli, and he had a free hand to do just as he

pleased. Did he investigate the defendant just as thoroughly?

Well, I assume he did.

Did he ever report any suspicions to you in regard to the defendant?

No. Did he run a check on Lowell Rupert?

I suppose so, but I couldn't be sure of that.

Well, let me put it this way.

Did you see in the report the decedent prepared for the company board of

directors any information? But, Mr. Mason, I never did see the report.

Mr. Lehigh told me he had it with him when he called me, but as you know, it

never found.

Do I understand that... You did not have a day -to -day knowledge of the

information accumulated for that report?

That's right.

And it must have been quite a surprise to you when you talked to Lehi about it.

But I never talked to Lehi about it, Mr. Mason.

He was dead when we arrived at the laboratory.

I mean the first time you went to the lab, Doctor.

Before Mr. Drake and I arrived.

But I didn't.

I think you did, Dr. Scranton.

I think you found out how thorough Lehi had been.

I think you found out that your counter -spy had even investigated you. Mr.

Mason, we know who the spy is. What are you trying to... I think the decedent

showed you what he'd found in files A -100 and A -102.

And I think he was ready to report to the board of directors that the very

patents you had used to raise financing for Tryon were not yours to pledge.

No, they weren't.

But Tryon was mine.

I built it from scratch.

He had no reason to tear it down. I didn't ask much of him.

No, not much.

Only that he compromised his integrity as you'd compromised yours when you

founded your company on an out -and -out fraud.

He didn't understand.

He wouldn't listen. He was rigid.

Everything was black and white.

And when he refused the money I offered him, I picked up the pipe to threaten

him. I didn't intend...

I hit him.

I hit him.

I did. I did. I hit him. I hit him.

This is delicious.

What is it, Dr. Tachikawa?

Della, please.

That is one thing an Occidental never asks in an Oriental restaurant. Right.

It's considered a flagrant invasion of privacy.

Don't listen to them, Miss Street.

You know, it's the first time in weeks I've been able to joke about invasion of

privacy.

I'm afraid it's nothing to joke about.

Consider what it would ultimately mean.

No privacy in police investigation, no privacy in the judges' chambers, not

in the jury room.

Well, we're coming up with some pretty good weapons.

High -powered anti -bug generators, sensitive detectors, telephone

Not so, Mr. Drake.

The science will always be one step ahead.

There must be some way.

There is, Della.

One sure way, but it's pretty far out.

Just plain old -fashioned personal integrity.

You're right, Mr. Mason.

That is pretty far out.

Well, maybe it would be easier if we all lived in cocoons.

Della, there's one thing you will always find inside a cocoon.

A bug.