Original subtitles

Well, we're all set all along that far slope on that ridge. Get Chuck on the

radio and tell him to fire when ready. Right.

Do you read me, Chuck?

Loud and clear.

Okay, you can start the countdown.

Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two,

one.

Hey, look, what's going on here?

I don't know, but whoever it is is up there somewhere.

Now, you got ten minutes to get yourselves and all of this paraphernalia

my property.

You're still here when I quit counting. They're going to have to carry you off.

No.

That's final.

Now, you can get all the court orders you want. You can get ten more lawyers,

and you can lie yourself blue in the face.

But if that all comes to me so much as throws a shadow across my property line,

they're going to regret it.

Mr. Rowan, there's no question about my client's legal right to run geophysical

tests on your property.

Here's the lease option signed by your wife, allowing Klee Oil Industries...

had no right.

I was out of town when she put her name on that paper.

She accepted the money.

I'm not going to argue with you. I had my say, and that's that.

Now, somebody sent for you?

Job and me have been pranking, sir, after talking to Mr. Mason.

I don't recall asking your opinion.

And how many times I got to tell you to take them boots off before you come to

sitting room?

Sorry, sir.

What have you been trying to do, lawyer, setting my sons against me?

Mr. Rohan, I explained to Matt and Job that there is a chance, a very good

chance, that there's a major new oil pool under your land.

But to be certain, we must drill a test hole. If there is oil there, we could do

the cross fence and across the road.

You'd sell out.

I guess I never did teach you boys anything.

Now, you've seen them fields out there, them hills.

Takes you a half hour to walk across my homestead.

Now, it feeds me and mine.

It puts a roof over our heads.

Now, what more do we need?

Nothing money can buy.

No, sir, we don't want any part of it.

Maybe you don't, Jason, but I do.

Nina, you've made enough trouble already.

Not as much as I'm going to make.

I have a cookie, Miss Mason, and the water's on for tea.

Nina, in the two years we've been married, you never acted like this in

strangers. About time I got started, then.

This is my house and my land.

No, you're wrong, Mrs. California. It's our land.

And anyway, I decided to go along with this oil thing.

I signed my name to it, and that means I gave my word.

I'm not going to sell out my soul for a few dollars.

Nobody's asking you to spend a dime.

And anyway, if they do find oil, Jason, I won't have to sew another seam on this

sewing machine or cook another meal on that two -eyed stove.

You want to ruin our land?

Your land won't be disturbed, Mr. Rohan.

If the drill hole is successful, Cleoil will be able to pump it out without

creating the noise and unsightliness you fear.

We're only using the top couple of feet, you might say.

These oil people Mr. Mason works for, they're only going to be using way down,

maybe 6 ,000, 8 ,000 feet down.

You have nothing to lose, Mr. Rohan, and possibly a great deal to gain.

Men have had no business, no right to do it.

Jason Rohan never went back on his word in his life.

Well, boys...

Now, where are we going to put the new TV set?

And the couch?

And the chairs?

And what are you going to use to pay for all that?

Oil, Jason.

Oil.

Oil. It's got to be oil. You can smell it. Another couple hundred feet, maybe a

thousand. Mr. Mason, I really think we're into a big one.

You've moved quickly in the past ten days.

Have you got any idea what this will mean to a little outfit like ours?

Subcontracting for Klee Oil.

That'd give us a boost, but when the word gets out that we've discovered this

field, we'll have it made.

Well, the test hole looks pretty promising, Mr. Rohan. Hey, you got some

mud for me to smell? Shut up, boy. I don't want anybody wasting Alan's time

messing with mud. When he brings my oil up, it's the time for smelling.

Well, good to see you again, Mr. Mason, but it don't seem real neighborly of you

to come all the way from L .A. and not drop by for a visit.

I'll take you up on that another time.

I have a meeting with the adjacent landowners.

You don't have to worry about them, fellas.

When they've seen what you've done for us, they're just chomping at the bit to

do business with you folks.

I never would have believed it, Mr. Mason. But if there's anything more fun

just spending money, I don't know what it is.

You're aware there isn't any oil yet, Mr. Rohan. It might be wise to wait.

Wait for what? Why, you told me I was going to be a rich man, didn't you? I

to say, you were sure right. Why, that bank took one look at that lease option.

They just couldn't do enough for me.

And you ought to see what's going on up to the house.

Mr. Mason's right, Mr. Rohan.

Now, we think we've got oil down there, but, well, the fact is...

You're spending money you don't have.

I don't worry about that. I'm going to leave everything to you, Mr. Mason. Your

word's good enough for me.

All right, boys, I'll drive you around the back road. We'll take a look at the

herd. Can I drive it now, sir? Not yet.

Well, when? When you're old enough.

Well, when will that be? Whenever I say.

If Mr. Klee was as sure about this field as Mr. Rohan and I, we'd be in.

Look at it. Look at it.

That is it.

That is it.

That's the name of the game. We've hit it. We've hit it big. Alan Winford's

his biggest strike.

When you talk to old man Klee, you can tell him I brought it in.

From the looks of this place, Mr. Clee must know as much about spending money

he does about making.

And he's about to make quite a bit more.

I'd be satisfied to own just one oil well.

One itty -bitty one. Only for a month.

Do you suppose the prince has arrived yet?

I wonder how large a retinue he brought with him.

Retinue? Of course.

Any prince wouldn't be caught dead without a retinue.

I wonder if he brought his entire harem home. Or just several wives or so.

Mr. Mason?

Hello, Ross.

Della, have you met Ross Darley, Mr. Clee's executive assistant?

Oh, only over the telephone. How do you do, Mr. Darley? How do you do?

You do have the lease options with you? They're right here.

Good, then I'll tell Mr. Clee you're here.

Cocktails, Della?

Why not?

Would you excuse me, please?

Certainly. Would you hold this?

Of course.

Oh!

Excuse me. All right.

Aren't you Monique Martin?

Oh, you've guessed.

I saw your last television show. You were wonderful.

Oh, thank you. Thank you so much.

Well, Bella, sometimes you amaze me.

You're a veritable storehouse of information.

That's not the only information I have. According to the latest gossip columns,

do you know who Monique really is? I mean, really?

No, who is she really?

Jerome Clee's new friend.

And I mean close friend.

How could he do it, Harry? How could he bring that little tramp here tonight?

Mirabelle, you know Jerome Clee just as I know Jerome Clee.

He does what he pleases when he pleases.

Just wait till I tell him. Take an old friend's advice, honey, don't.

Nobody tells Jerome Clee what to do.

Mason? Well, hello, Mr. Clee. This is my secretary, Miss Street.

How do you do, Mr. Clee? Find another drink or try another drink or something.

Mason?

Here's your other drink.

Mr.

Clee, I don't think it's necessary... Have you got Winford's report?

And the estimate on pool production?

According to his findings, it looks like a major new oil discovery.

Should be worth who knows how many millions.

You showing this to anyone?

Or discuss it with anybody?

Only the rancher who owns the land.

Then don't.

Don't talk about it till later. Then I'll tell you what to say.

Mirabelle.

He's busy now. I don't think you should... Bother him.

Jerome asked me to talk to you.

For five months, he's refused to answer a phone call, refused to see me, and now

he tells his stooge to talk to me.

He wants you to have this.

Well, that's why I was invited.

Here's a tip, Mirabelle, oh girl, for services faithfully rendered.

Let's go with me, Aaron boy.

I've been your friend, Mirabelle. Calling me names isn't going to... Being

to you, Ross.

Considering where Monique came from, I could call you lots worse.

I didn't send for you.

Oh, yes, you did.

You want to see my invitation?

I had you invited here tonight for one reason.

Civilized people behave in a civilized fashion.

I'm not ungrateful.

I'm grateful is not the word. I'm not unmindful of your good qualities.

You're loyal.

You're not a nag.

And you haven't had your hand in my pocket.

I've been a good girl.

And so you're paying me off.

$25 ,000.

That's roughly $200 a month for 10 years.

That's a retirement fund for the old retainer to make way for that French

But, of course, it's the civilized thing to do.

You don't want the check?

Because if you don't... Jerome.

Jerome. Mirabelle, do you want the check or not?

There's only one thing I want.

I want heaven to strike you dead.

May I suggest one of these?

They're delicious.

Thank you.

You're right. They are good.

I'm Della Street. Are you one of Mr. Cleve's associates or a friend?

Neither, actually.

Though I am here in somewhat of a business capacity.

I am Ben Ali.

You're Prince Boudin?

But you don't... I mean, you haven't... No burnous or turban? Right.

You see, I was educated at Oxford, and I... That is, my brother, the king,

believes he has a responsibility to move his people forward.

This is difficult enough without surrounding oneself with archaic

trappings.

Thank you, Jerome.

After all these years, I never realized how pleasant it was down at this end of

the table.

You mustn't let it bother you, Jerry.

I have read Miss Mirabelle Coram's novels.

Waste of good paper stock, all of them.

But she wanted them published.

Wanted to be a famous author.

I don't understand what appeal she ever had, Jerry.

One thing Mirabelle had better sense than to call me Jerry.

Touché. But don't ever think that you can get away with sitting me at the low

end of the table.

I want to bed.

The papers are all in order. Assigning the entire oil output of your brother's

kingdom to Clee Oil Industries.

Delivery to be our responsibility.

Correct, sir?

Now all that remains is to agree on the terms.

Terms? I understood.

That is, my brother said the terms were already agreed on. Why, certainly your

king wouldn't have sent anyone as important as yourself, his own brother,

not allowed you some authority to negotiate on specific points to

advantage. By everyone, somehow I sense that you mean myself.

Perhaps. How, specifically, could it be to my advantage?

$100 ,000 in a numbered account in a Swiss bank, to your credit, and an

adjustment of perhaps one and a quarter cents a barrel in the suggested price?

There is one factor, gentlemen.

In my country, a brother who would betray a brother's trust, his fate would

unpleasant.

But how would the king ever know? We know.

And how could I be sure?

Because you have my word.

Why, you little... How long do you think you'd last with a brilliant man like

Jerome Clee?

Not as long as you, probably.

But then I wouldn't have to work at it quite so hard.

Writing that awful trash that passes for books.

Mr. Cleve would like to see you.

Alone.

Excuse me, Dylan.

Enjoying your glimpse of the hoi polloi, Dylan?

A thrill a minute.

I'm sure in my own mind we won't run into any trouble doing it.

I made sure of that before I approved the contract.

But I would like to hear it from my legal advisor.

Trouble doing what?

Capping the Rohan well.

You're not going to pump it or develop the field?

Why? Because I just concluded a ten -year deal with Ben Alley.

Keep my refinery going full blast.

Then why not sell off the crude from the Rohan field?

Not of margin.

Besides, ten years?

I might need that oil.

Meanwhile, on the market, it could depress the crude price.

Ten years?

That oil has been under the ground for millions of years.

It'll be just as good in ten.

But what will Jason Rohan do? He's put himself in debt. I made him no promise.

I'm to read his contract. You wrote it.

But he's liable to lose his ranch.

You can't do that.

Mr. Mason, 35 years ago, a man tried to tell me what I could or could not do.

That man was my own father.

I broke his jaw for him.

He was the last one to try it.

I've noticed you have your associates intimidated.

But not you.

No, I'm not intimidated. I'm appalled. What kind of man are you?

A money man, Mr. Mason.

Some fellows collect paintings, boats, land.

Heaven knows why I don't.

I collect money. Simple as that.

How much money do you want?

If I can get it, all there is.

Mr. Mason, how are you, friend?

Why, golly, I thought you were just chewing your lip when you said you'd

out for a visit, but I should have known you was a man of your word. Well, come

right on in.

I drove out to talk with you, Mr. Rohan. I feel a certain responsibility.

You come all the way from L .A. just to talk to me?

Well, isn't that just fine?

Hi there, Mr. Mason.

Come on in.

It'll do your heart good to see what you've done for us.

How do you like it?

Oh, and you should see my kitchen.

Oh, it has a brand new stove and a refrigerator and a freezer and a washer

dryer.

And they've just about sold me on one of those talk boxes so I can hear the boys

out the barn.

Here, try the couch. It's real nice.

You sit.

And I'll pick some tea.

You got all this on credit?

No, sir.

Cash money.

Well, I just dropped by the bank a couple of times, and they've been as

friendly as can be.

The bank gave you how much?

Well, what with the car and all, let's see.

I had lumber and brick and plumbing delivered the other day for the new

I guess all in all, they advanced me maybe $26 ,000, $28 ,000.

On the basis of the lease option, that doesn't sound reasonable.

Oh, well, I put up the land for security until all the money starts coming in.

Then the way they tell it, I can just pay it off like that.

Mr. Rowan, we have to talk. Fine, sure, but let me show you all these things

first. Look at this. This is men's favorite.

You know, these fish is real interesting.

Sometimes if there isn't anything real good on the TV, I just lay there on the

sofa and watch them.

Toothpaste?

Well, one's got wheels.

See, the boys, Matt and Job, they got their favorite programs, and maybe men

me just want to watch Rasslers or something like that. Hey, go on, sit

you ever see anything outside a coffin any more soft and lovely looking than

that?

Now, Mr. Rohan, you must listen to me. I know what you got on your mind, Mr.

Mason, and I've been giving it some thought, too.

Why, just this morning, Minna was saying to me, Jason, she said, you gotta get

yourself a fine lawyer like that Mr. Mason.

And for all your rich men now... That's just it, Mr. Rohan.

You're not a rich man.

What do you mean?

You trying to tell me there isn't any oil down there? Well, I seen it myself.

No, the oil's there.

Well, if it's there and it's mine and that oil company's gonna take it out for

me... They're not going to take it out.

At least not now.

Well, they are so. I got that agreement men assigned.

Well, you told me I had to keep my word. Now Clee's got to keep his.

He has ten years in which to exercise his option.

What am I going to do?

That means they can take my land away from me.

I know it sounds inadequate, Mr. Rohan.

But I'm sorry.

Truly sorry.

If there's anything I can do... I'll tell you what you can do.

Now, you tell that Cleve fellow that Jason Rohan isn't going to lose his land

just because somebody changes his mind.

Now, you tell him I ain't going to wait any ten years.

You tell him I listened to his lying lawyer and went against my own common

sense, but I ain't listening anymore.

Now, you tell him that.

Mr. Rohan, I came here on my own. I don't believe a word you say.

Man lies to me just once.

And you forget about Cleve.

I'll take care of him myself.

You don't seem to understand.

You left me way out on a limb in Sacramento.

I understand.

What you don't understand is that I pay you money to climb out on limbs.

And to make the best of it when I have to saw them off.

But I stuck my neck out.

Made promises.

Promises you told me to make.

There could be an inquiry.

That might be an interesting spectacle.

Tell me, Harry, how many of your politician friends do you think you

to drag through the mud with you?

If I don't make good on my promises, the least that will happen will be my

effectiveness will be destroyed.

No one will ever give me the time of day again.

You've got a problem, Harry.

If that should happen, it wouldn't make much sense for me to retain you, would

it?

Good evening, sir. This is Mr. Winford, waiting for you at the field office.

We've got to talk this thing out.

You can't cut my throat this way.

Don't look now, Harry.

But if you listen, you'll hear the death rattle.

Jerome.

Mr. Cleve.

I want you to look at the pipeline termination so we can make plans for the

for operation.

First of all, I want to have it out about that Rohan field.

Now, I've got orders to cap that well.

I don't buy that.

I didn't send for you to conduct a debate. That decision's been made.

Well, at least give me an explanation of why you're holding off on the

exportation of that Rohan strike.

Mr. Winford, if I made a practice of explaining my actions, most of the time

use one five -letter word.

Money.

The kind of pipelines you're talking about from the job for fields to the

Mediterranean, that's going to take about eight weeks to prepare for

Of course, we've got to run pressure tests on all the pumping equipment.

When can I take a look at the pump?

Well, we already have one in operation at the Oboe Field right here in Los

Angeles.

I'll let you know as soon as we run the tests.

Providing, of course, we can get together on your future plans for the

field. I don't make bargains.

Winford, you want that job per contract, you'll take it. No strings attached.

Well, at least let me make the announcement of the discovery, the

the Rohan field.

No, that's final.

Well, you can't stop me from announcing it.

No, but I can stop you from ever working in this industry again.

And if you don't think I have connections, I don't say friends.

Enough to do it?

Why, you go right ahead.

Try me.

Glad to cut that bullet, Winford.

Would have solved all your problems.

Out of gratitude, I'll give you some free advice.

You're going to be a winner.

Get a break like that, don't play the hero.

You take that break.

Let the other guy be hanged.

I want to caution both parties to this contract against divulging the contents

of paragraph three, subsection 18.

Or any part of it, for that matter.

I like to keep the competition guessing, even when there's nothing to guess

about. Paragraph three, subsection 18.

This relates to penalties to be paid by your company.

If the deadline date is not met 11 months from validation of the contract.

Why the secrecy, Mr. Mason?

Knowledge of the penalty payments could adversely affect the market value of

Klee oil stock until the deadline is met.

It'll be met.

I've never paid 10 cents in penalties.

I have no intention of starting now.

Jerome, I'm sorry.

Who let you in?

Darling, I had to come as soon as I heard somebody shot at you last night.

I'm touched at your concern.

Now, run away. I'm busy.

He's tied up right now there, though.

You've got to do something to protect yourself.

Whoever it was got away. He's still free.

He'll try it again.

Lennon, get her out of here.

I know 40 people who'd like to knock me off, but not one with guts enough to do

it. Since Miss Coram is here, I'd suggest she witness the signature along

Mr. Lannan.

I should consider it a favor, Miss Coram.

Is it all right, Jerome?

Mr.

Cleen, with the preparation of this contract, my obligation to you is

Mason, have it your way.

But just so I can write it down in my memory book.

Why? Why are you giving up a $50 ,000 a year retainer?

Because, Mr. Clee, representing you is like hiring out to be a hatchet man.

Good afternoon.

Where's Winford? I don't know. His message said that he... What about that

message? What exactly did he say?

Virgin, I see you tonight at my Oboe office at 11.

Otherwise, can't meet penalty date.

Winford.

Penalty date? I still don't know what it means.

I know what it means. That's all that's important.

See if you can raise Winford on the phone in that shack. Or try to find

who knows where he is.

Yes, sir.

Paul, how are you?

Is this where Clee got it?

What was the murder weapon?

14 -inch monkey wrench. It belonged to the suspect.

Well, it would do it. Can I see it?

It's already gone to the lab.

What's the charge? First or second degree murder?

First, the victim was deliberately lured out here.

How?

Paul, you'll have to ask Hamilton Berger that.

What do you make of this, Lieutenant?

Looks like some kind of a foreign coin.

Flying back up there where the car was parked.

Have anything to do with the case?

Well, I'm just a cop, not a clairvoyant.

We talked for an hour.

And you've told us only that you're innocent and that you've been badly

Very well.

Without argument, I'll accept that much.

But all this adds up to nothing if you can't explain your actions. Well, I

explain how the killer got a hold of my wrench.

Or how Clee was fooled into believing that I'd sent him a message. Or why I

didn't see or hear anything before I drove off in my pickup. But that doesn't

make me guilty.

What about your fight with Clee over the Rohan oil strike?

I wasn't the only one hurting that deal.

You're not the only one with a motive. But you're the only one in jail.

The only one on trial for murder.

You better stop lying to me, Jason Rohan.

That ain't lying.

Now, get off my back, woman.

Studying them fish.

Turn around, stand up, and look me in the eye.

That poor man, Mr. Winford, he's in jail.

Poor man?

He's just the one that brought all those trucks and gadgets out here in the

first place.

Now, Jason, tell me true.

I know how much you hated Mr. Clee.

All I did was wish him dead.

I want to believe you, but how come you lied to me the night you went to Los

Angeles and came home at three o 'clock in the morning?

I didn't lie.

Oh, you and that lawyer Mason sure sold me a bill of goods.

Oil ain't been nothing but a curse.

A blessing.

Oil has been a blessing and a salvation to my country.

It is transporting us from the 17th century to the 20th.

Dizzying speed.

Is that the right word?

Dizzying?

I didn't hear your question. I mean, my mind wandered. I'm terribly sorry.

No. I am the one who should apologize.

I have talked so much.

Foolishly, I thought I might help you forget your pain.

It's just that...

Jerome and I were so close for so long.

I tried to warn him that day after someone shot at him, but Jerome wasn't

afraid.

Nothing frightened him.

Nothing. I remember your warning him.

The day we signed the contracts, wasn't it?

I never saw him alive again after that.

I couldn't help it, Ross. You know how he was.

Couldn't help it. Couldn't resist it, Jermaine.

He was going to help me with my career.

The way he helped Mirabelle Coram?

I was afraid of him, Ross.

That's all it was.

I only wanted something or someone who could stand up to him.

Who didn't lay down and die when you reached out with that cold, clammy hand?

I wouldn't know about his cold, clammy hand.

Matt?

You put that gun back and go find your pa. Me and Joe's gonna go hunting. Ain't

had the dogs out for a couple of weeks. Do as I say. I'm worried about Jason.

He's been acting funny and I... I just don't know what's going on in his head.

I know what's going on in his head. He's just like the rest of us. He's scared.

Scared they're gonna call his loan and we ain't gonna be able to hold on to our

place. I haven't seen him torn up like this before and... And you and me and

is responsible.

I signed that fool paper, and you two boys worried him into going along with

Well, how do I know where he took off to?

He'll come back, just like he done the other night when he was gone all that

time. There's nothing me, nor you, nor Job can do about it.

So this is the weapon that crushed the skull of the decedent Jerome Clee.

Who owns this ranch, Lieutenant?

The defendant, Alan Winford.

This moulage that has been established consists of tire tracks found at the

murder scene. Whose tire tracks, Lieutenant?

They match the tires of the defendant's pickup truck.

And now, Lieutenant, to anticipate defense counsel, let me ask you this.

Do these tracks and this moulage positively establish the presence of the

defendant at the murder scene at the time of the murder?

No, they don't, Mr. Berger. But they do corroborate the statement of the gas

station attendant who identified the truck as being serviced less than a mile

from the murder site, 20 minutes after the murder.

Yes, of course. Thank you, Lieutenant Drum.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Lieutenant Drum, you've identified some 11 items taken from the murder scene and

linked by fact, innuendo, or hearsay to the defendant.

I've offered no objection, but...

I want to make certain that everything you found at the murder site has been

introduced. Now, has it? Well, Mr. Mason, the area was in constant use a

prior to the murder.

We, uh, we found a lot of things. A lunchbox, a plumb line. Did you find

anything unusual?

Yes, sir. We found a coin. A foreign coin.

Do you have it here in court?

No. Would you bring it to court after the recess?

Your Honor...

I have no idea what counsel is probing for.

We'll be happy to agree to bring the article to court if he'll agree to

its relevance.

Thank you, Mr. Berger.

I'll accept the bargain.

And you definitely recognize the truck that pulled away from the area

immediately after the decedent was killed?

Yes, sir. It was Alan Winford's truck.

Thank you, sir.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Now, Mr. Darling.

From your testimony, I gather you were not with Mr. Clee on the night someone

attempted to shoot him at the plant.

No, sir, I wasn't.

Now, it's obvious that the defendant saved Mr. Clee's life that night.

Objection. Sustained.

Mr. Darley, where were you that night?

I was in my apartment.

Alone?

No. Is there any reason why you don't want to tell the court who was with you?

No.

Monique Martin and I.

She came up for dinner.

We talked.

Objection, Your Honor.

Where do you suppose counsel is heading on this fishing expedition?

Your Honor, I don't want it to look like I'm trying to hide something.

I'll answer the question.

I know what Mr. Mason is getting at.

Monique was... was my girl, and Mr. Clee went for her.

It's not the end of the world when you lose your girl.

A normal man doesn't kill somebody because... That's right, Mr. Darling.

Under those circumstances.

A normal man doesn't kill.

Well, sir, Mr. Winford, he told me, you're going to be a millionaire and I'm

going to be the biggest man in all business.

And that was, of course, before Mr.

Clee ordered the well capped, right?

Yes, sir.

After it was capped, it was a different story.

I went to see Mr. Winford up by the well and he was red in the face, top of the

lungs, mad.

What did he say to you at that time, Mr. Rohan? He said I could do whatever I

like, but... He was going to be sure Clee didn't get away with it. Thank you,

sir. Your witness, Mr. Mason.

I have no questions for Mr. Rohan.

Oh, one moment, Mr. Rohan.

On the night someone shot at Mr. Clee, where were you?

I don't rightly recall.

Did you leave your ranch?

I went out for a drive in my car.

I was going to have to turn it back in, so I just drove around all by myself.

Did you by any chance drive in the vicinity of the Clee Oil Industries

plant? I drove all over.

Mr. Rohan, is it not a fact that you attempted to gain admission to the plant

that night?

Well, I wanted to talk to Clee, but that guard, he wouldn't let me in.

Did you have a weapon with you in that car, Mr. Rohan? No, sir. Did you leave

your car at all that night?

No, sir.

Thank you, Mr. Rohan. No further questions.

Witness may stand down.

Since I have a meeting in my chambers, court will stand adjourned until 10 o

'clock tomorrow morning.

Well, where are we?

I have a feeling we're treading water.

We're overlooking something obvious.

Something very obvious.

You're sure there's been no word?

When did you last check?

Okay. Well, as soon as the call does come through, switch it down here.

Relax, Paul. We've placed a call halfway around the world. It's bound to take

time. Well, if we do get through, at least we'll know whether Ben Alley sold

his brother or played it straight.

Depends on whether the final contract was less favorable than Clay's original

offer to the king.

Here's the copy you wanted.

This is what lured Jerome Clee to the murder scene.

I have a feeling that somewhere in this note is the solution.

Sounds harmless enough.

Urgent I see you tonight at my oboe office at 11.

Otherwise can't meet the penalty date signed Winford.

You're convinced your client didn't send it? I don't think Winford had any way

of knowing about that penalty date.

Yes? Came through.

Della, take the other phone.

Hello? Is this Jodper?

Could you switch me through to the palace, please?

Hello?

Oh, you speak English. Good.

I realize this is very irregular, but I'm calling from the United States and

like to speak with the king.

But can't you make an exception?

Tell his majesty it's of the utmost importance to his country.

I see.

No. No message. Thank you.

Impossible to speak to His Majesty under any circumstances until further notice.

After all the time we wasted sitting here.

Impossible. Of course it is, Paul.

Until further notice.

Why didn't I think of that before?

Tonight at my oboe office at 11, otherwise can't meet penalty date,

You were aware of this penalty date?

Of course.

It was at my insistence it was written into the contract.

This was in the best interest of the King of Jodhpur?

Of course.

I would never do anything that was not in the King's best interest.

Not even make a private deal with Mr. Klee?

Shaving the price of the crude oil in return for a payment into a private bank

account for your benefit?

Mr. Darley told you about that?

Yes, and he's willing to testify to it. I will not deny that such an offer was

made, but I refused it.

Along with all other such subversive offers.

There was only one other subversive offer.

Would you explain that, please?

Of course.

It was an offer from someone close to Mr. Clay.

I was told that if I would call off the deal for my country's oil, I would be

substantially rewarded.

Again, I refused.

And he threatened me with blackmail.

Who was this person close to Mr. Clay?

Mr. Harry Lennon.

Why, that...

I've been double -crossed by experts, but this Arab tops them all.

Mr. Mason.

Excuse me, Your Honor. All right, Mr. Mason.

You've got to put me on the stand. Give me a chance to explain.

You have pertinent testimony?

I have the pertinent testimony.

My offer to Ben Ali would have benefited everybody.

Mr. Rohan's oil would be developed.

Winford's discovery could be broadcast, making his reputation.

What about Prince Penali's country?

I told him I had a far better deal for his country than the one Clee offered

him. But the prince refused.

Not at first.

He let me go on, stick my neck out.

And then he said that he couldn't go back on his word with Clee, that they

already passed the coin.

What did that mean?

Custom in his country, I guess.

You exchange coins with the other fellow and that means that you've made a

contract.

This, uh...

Gold dinar.

Judd Purian coin Lieutenant Drum found at the scene of the murder.

Could this have been the coin passed by Prince Benally to Mr. Clee?

I think so.

But he could tell you that better than I can.

I intend to ask him.

Now, what about the reference to blackmail?

It wasn't blackmail.

I just threatened to tell his brother, the king, that he turned down my offer.

A far better one than Clee's.

For what reason?

Simple enough.

A bribe from Clee.

And your threat kept him quiet?

Until he got on the stand.

You're sure he didn't tell Mr. Clee that you were trying to undermine the

Jodhpur deal?

Of course not.

The prince knew what would happen if the word got back to his brother.

I call your attention to this note purportedly sent by the defendant, Mr.

Winford.

This penalty clause to which it refers.

Would that be paragraph 3, subsection 18 of the agreement?

I believe so, yes.

Which was to be held in the strictest confidence.

Yes. Now, Prince Ben Ali, the previous witness accused you of selling out your

brother, the king.

That accusation forced you to remain silent for fear you would be exposed.

Any comment to make on that?

Such exposure would have been impossible.

I think, Mr. Mason, you know that, don't you?

Let's say I guessed it would be. Attention!

Your Honor, this witness and defense counsel seem to be carrying on some sort

a private conversation with no possible bearing on the case.

Your Honor, once a single fact becomes clear, I believe the import of the

testimony will be obvious.

Overruled. All right, Mr. Mason, make your point.

Would you please tell this court your real identity?

I am Salim Abu Budin, King of Jodhpur.

And Ben Ali Boudim?

He is my brother.

He is at home in the royal palace.

Ben Ali is only 11 years old.

And you adopted his identity when you came to this country. Why, Your

Caution. I was advised that emissaries from countries like mine had been

subverted, induced to betray their trusts before by Mr. Clay.

And such offers were in fact made?

As I have said.

But once I decided to act as my own emissary, traveling under my brother's

identity, I was safe from betrayal.

And therefore, Mr. Lannan's threat to expose you to your brother was without

substance? Obviously.

So there was no reason for you not to reveal to Mr. Klee that his associate,

Lannan, had offered you a deal behind his back?

No reason whatever.

And did you in fact reveal Mr. Lannan's duplicity to Mr. Klee?

I did.

And that's why you lured Mr. Clee out to the oboe field that night. On the

pretext of a message from Alan Winford, isn't it, Mr. Lannan? Mr.

Clee knew of your attempt to ruin his Jodhpur deal.

No. Mr. Winford wouldn't have sent the message. He had no knowledge of any

penalty clause.

Mr. Clee wouldn't have sent himself a message.

The king would not have sent it.

It was to his country's interest that the penalty date not be met.

That left the only other man in the room with us when the penalty was discussed.

You, Mr. Lannan.

you had to be the killer had to be you're right I had to be everyone

else who had anything to do with him detested him but they were afraid afraid

kill him I had to

Now, it's going to have 27 rooms, including the TV room and the kitchen.

And right out here in back is going to be a big swimming pool.

Looks beautiful, Minna.

And incidentally, so do you.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Mason.

And thanks for the check.

You know, it just doesn't seem possible, but we're pumping oil already.

Now, Jason, I like the elevation of your new home.

Where are you going to have the contractor build it?

Oh, Mr.

Mason, no amount of money is going to change me that much. At least not this

time.

Well, new house is going up right around this one.

Here, you hold this.

Ain't going to be any contractor.

Going to build this and myself.