Original subtitles

Bye.

Now, I want one with squiggles on it.

Matilda. That's a lighter shade of blue than the sky.

Much like this one.

Only the left -hand squiggles go out instead of in.

Matilda, I have much time. I just dropped by. Well, there it is under your

elbow, of course. Oh, I'm sorry, Annette. I'm sorry.

Don't bother to tell me why you've come. I know.

I, uh, I always...

ways, no.

Well, it isn't that I need much money, you understand.

Gerald, why is it that every lawyer in town is so rich and you're so poor? It

really is rather embarrassing sometimes to have to explain to people by one's

own brother -in -law. Tell her, will you stop it?

I just don't care about money the way some people do.

How much do you want this time?

No. I don't want to borrow any money.

I just want to see that Franklin's will is finally probated, that's all.

Nonsense.

Now, um, Either get your elbows off the table, or... Franklin is dead, Matilda.

You know he is.

A man just doesn't disappear for ten years.

Don't you touch me. Now, just because you want to talk about unpleasant things

doesn't mean that you have to act like Franklin, does it?

Oh, Matilda, you can't stay angry forever.

Just because he once ran away with some woman, and you can't pretend that he's

alive. when every police department in this country has told you for years...

Gerald, I don't want to talk about it.

Now, I will not have Franklin's name mentioned in this house. And I will not

allow you or anyone else... No, no, no. Oh,

don't, don't, don't. Oh, where are you? All right, wait a minute.

Now,

you jackass creature.

Here, he attacked me. I know that I'm bleeding somewhere.

Well, you don't have to hit him.

Come on, monkey. Come on, baby.

Helen, I warned you.

I warned you about Siamese cats. I won't have a dangerous creature like that in

my house. I'm sorry, Auntie. I said I was sorry.

Poor little baby.

I've tried to explain to your aunt that these kittens can be trained not to

jump. Stop wasting your breath.

The only thing she understands is hating everybody.

Now, now, let me take the little rascal.

But she may have hurt him. Miss Helen, there's a telephone call for you in the

study downstairs.

Now try to smile, please.

me from this crazy... Oh, excuse me. I was expecting a call

from somebody.

Who did you say you are?

when I get this door down locked.

Harlan!

Wait. Just a minute.

Yes, I understand.

No, not one word, honestly.

And, Uncle Franklin, I'm so glad that... Harlan!

Goodbye.

Most people lock the door after they're married and not before.

I'm sorry to catch my... That was your silly boyfriend on the phone, wasn't it?

Yes, yes, just Frank, that's all.

You know that I warned you not to let him give you that kitten.

What? How many times has it scratched people?

How many times have you been bitten?

Never. Aunt Matilda, what on earth are you talking about?

Rabies. What do you think?

That... Creature of yours is upstairs dying of rabies.

No!

Now let's put Buff in room one, shall we?

Well, sorry to keep you waiting so long. Is Monkey all right?

Of course, of course. There's nothing to worry about. There you see.

Just an ordinary convulsion. As I told you, Helen, puppies and kittens are very

susceptible. Now, we emptied his stomach. We need to pick him up in a

hours. Take him home, if you like. Oh, thank you, Doctor.

But I'm afraid it wasn't just a convulsion.

Your kitten was poisoned, Miss Kendall.

What? Cut in some snail bait, perhaps, or some other garden supply.

Oh, no. No, that's impossible.

Monkey never goes outside, and he wasn't allowed in the kitchen. No, no, no,

wait a minute, Helen.

What you mean, Doctor, is that the symptoms were perhaps similar to those

poisoning, but obviously you can't... No, what I mean is that kitten had eaten

some strychnine a short while ago.

Fortunately, we got to him in time for a... Excuse me, I'll be right back.

No, no, no, dear. There's probably some simple explanation.

It's not just monkey.

It's everything.

No, I know, darling. I know, I know. I understand.

You haven't had any rest since you got back from college. And the way your

aunt's been acting is enough to... I promised him I wouldn't tell anybody,

just got to.

Tell whom, dear?

Uncle Gerald, there's going to be worse trouble at that house. I just know it.

Helen, you don't have to live there anymore.

Now, I talked this over with your young man.

You see, I am starting legal proceedings to declare that Franklin is finally

dead. And that means that your inheritance, as well as mine, will be

And then we'll have all the money that we want to do what we want with it.

No.

That's what I've been trying to tell you.

Uncle Franklin isn't dead.

But if it was only a telephone conversation.

But it was really Franklin, Mr. Mason.

Remember, Helen told me they talked for quite a long time. And he recalled to

her intimate things about her childhood that only the two of them could know.

Oh, this is no hoax.

It's no practical joke. It's the real thing.

Franklin, I'm afraid, has come back.

And he didn't mention where he's been or what's happened to him for the past ten

years? Well, he's going to explain all that to her tonight.

Mr. Shore.

Was the relationship between you and your brother congenial?

Oh, yes.

We were very close.

Then I wonder why he didn't contact you first.

I don't know.

But I don't know why he's back. I don't know what he wants.

You don't sound very happy about his return.

Well, of course I'm happy that he's alive.

But I realize that this could mean a lot of trouble.

Well, Matilda, for instance.

She's been just livid for the day to get even with him.

And he may feel the same about her.

He told your niece to keep his visit completely secret? Oh, yeah.

He instructed her about meeting him like a regular spy movie.

Well, I wasn't going to let a young girl like that go down and meet him alone,

of course.

I don't intend that he should use her for any crazy scheme, you know.

Possibly you're right.

Well, that's why I think you should be along with the man.

And I'll go along, too.

But copyright is my specialty.

And I think he should have an outsider and someone who understands this odd

of thing. And, of course, someone who isn't involved in the family

right? Exactly.

What? How much would you inherit if your brother were declared legally dead, Mr.

Shore?

Um, $100 ,000.

And Helen is in his will for approximately the same amount, I think.

I see.

Oh, but, Mr. Mason, that is not what's so upsetting about all this. The loss of

a few dollars.

After all, Matilda stands to lose millions.

Franklin didn't take any of his money when he left her?

Only a few thousand, apparently.

Can't very well claim any part of their joint estate now unless he's willing to

come out in the open.

Quite a puzzle, isn't it?

Yes, Mr. Shore.

Tell your niece I'll only be too happy to look out for her interests.

Why, sure, Miss Ellen.

I'll take care of your kitten for you. I'd be glad to.

Thank you so much, Thomas.

You've met Frank Templer, haven't you? I sure have.

Won't you folks come in? You folks will have to forgive the mess, but you know

how us bachelors are.

Don't be silly, Thomas.

Now, there you go, monkey.

Best seat in the house for you. All nice and warm and cozy.

You might give him some milk later on, Thomas. He hasn't been feeling very

that's all.

Oh, maybe you folks would like some coffee.

No, thanks.

Miss Kendall has a date this evening.

Frank's mad at me because I've broken a date with him to go out with my Uncle

Gerald this evening.

I'm not angry. I enjoy tearing up theater tickets. Oh, stop it, Frank.

I told you I'd explain everything later.

Honestly, I will.

If you could take care of him for...

Well, maybe several days.

I don't know just yet.

Look, Miss Helen, I'm not going to ask you to explain anything. It ain't none

my affair.

And you, young fella, I don't think you quite got a clear picture yet of the

kind of crazy house that this young lady lives in.

Well, now you take me, for example.

You see?

I mean, I've been Gardner with the Shores now for, well, almost 20 years, I

guess. I used to live in that little gatehouse there, you see.

Well, I'm going to tell you something true.

I couldn't stand it either after her Uncle Frank left.

And that's a fact, Miss Ellen.

Not that I wasn't sorry for your Aunt Matilda for those first two years,

I was, but she was so angry all the time.

And then when she brought in that spooky, limey butler, well, I just don't

you for not wanting your kitty in that house.

You know, that Cosmo?

Why, he'd step on a cat's tail and he'd laugh.

And that's a fact.

You always liked my Uncle Franklin, didn't you?

Yes, Miss Helen.

I did, for a fact.

Because it was a happy place then.

You remember that?

Of course you. You can't excuse a man running around.

Well, I mean, after ten years.

Why pick on a poor fella that obviously ain't gonna ever come back?

I mean...

Why pick on the dead?

That's what I always say. Don't you?

I guess we better be going now, Thomas. Thank you.

Thank you.

And how about you, little monkey?

Ain't that what you always say?

Don't pick on the dead?

Wouldn't you like to come in with us, Mr. Shore?

No. No, not at first.

You see, he's expecting to meet Helen alone.

And if a whole mob of us went in, I'd... Well, you certainly don't have to worry

about leaving me in the car, Mr. Shore. Just because it isn't a very fancy

neighborhood. I wonder why Uncle Franklin would stay in a place like

I don't understand.

Well, maybe he's not here, Helen.

He told you on the telephone that you were to ask at the desk for Mr.

Henry Leach.

Oh, but I think that's just him, don't you?

Oh, that's what I think.

Because my brother's apparently being very wary about being recognized.

And he may be in serious trouble.

And that's why I think that we should stay out here.

And if he's willing later to see me, why, you just call.

Don't you think that's the... Whatever you say.

you mentioned that your kitten had been poisoned.

Oh, monkey's perfectly all right, Mr. Mason.

I'm sure it was just... But your Uncle Gerald hadn't mentioned it to me.

Now, would you mind if I have someone investigate?

Just to make sure that the poisoning was accidental.

No.

Don't look so frightened.

I was just thinking about the last time I heard from Uncle Franklin.

It was on my 12th birthday, and it was about six months after he ran away, and

got this postcard from Florida.

Would you tell me which room Mr. Henry Leach is staying in,

please? Not here, lady.

Would you tell him it's Helen, please?

Oh, well, I ain't lying, lady.

But if you're in heaven, Mr. Leach phoned in about an hour ago.

He left a message for you.

Car, car travel someplace.

I got the message right here.

What does he look like?

I mean, it's been quite some time since I've seen Mr. Leach, and his health is

never very good.

Search me, lady.

He checked in last night for the first time.

Cash on the line, that's all I care about.

I have the message. Here's something.

Here it is.

It says, for you to go to the Empire Theater, and I'll meet you in the

lot. Where?

The Empire Theater.

Well,

this place is closed.

Maybe there's another place to park.

Certainly don't see any cars.

Hold it. Over there.

Franklin.

Helen, wait.

Nobody here. Maybe he left a note.

He's been shot.

Back of the head.

Is it Uncle Franklin?

Mason.

I've never seen this man before in my life.

His name's Henry J. Leach, Lieutenant. That's all I can tell you.

When his body fell from the seat, his wallet dropped out of his pocket and...

Oh, no one's touched a thing.

The only reason I left was so I could telephone the police.

But if you don't get off the phone and get up here so we can properly report

this... Okay, Lieutenant.

Yes, hello?

This the Shore residence?

What do you want?

My name is Mason. I'm a friend of Mr. Gerald Shore.

Do you happen to know where I could locate him?

Oh, well, no, I really don't, sir.

He doesn't live here, you know.

Mr. Gerald has his own apartment in... He's not there, and this is quite

I thought perhaps... Well, I wish I could help you, sir.

And forgive me if I sounded impatient before.

I was just going out of the front door, and the phone rang, and... But could I

speak to Mrs.

Matilda Shore?

Perhaps she could tell me. Oh, well, no.

She's not here either.

Do you happen to know if she's just recently gone up?

Yes, just this moment.

I mean... Well, you see, actually, this is my evening off.

Mrs. Shaw was here alone.

But about an hour ago, she called me at my own apartment and asked me to hurry

over.

I'm telling you this, sir, because perhaps if you are able to locate Mr.

Gerald, you can tell him what's happened.

Tell him Mrs. Shaw has been taken to the general hospital.

Hospital? The doctor just now drove off with her himself.

I called him the moment I got here.

He... He seems to feel that Matilda Shaw has been... Poisoned.

All right, that's enough. Take him away.

Well, Lieutenant, do you need us anymore?

Yes.

Uh, Mr. Thorne?

Take another look at these things in my handkerchief, Mr. Thorne.

Well, what more can I say there, Franklin? There's no question about

That pen there has a gift engraving with his name on it, sir. I certainly

remember that watch.

Uncle Franklin used to let me wind it for him when I was little.

We didn't touch any of those items, Andy.

The tied -up handkerchief was sitting on the front seat.

We didn't even attempt to see what was inside the handkerchief. I know, I know.

But what I'm curious about is why this man Leach would have had them in his

Well, if he was going to take me to meet Uncle Franklin... Yes, yes. The bundle

was there to verify his identification so that Helen wouldn't be frightened.

Obviously, Franklin gave all those things to this Leach to show to her.

certainly recognized that watch.

As a matter of fact, he carried all those things all his life.

But that's just an assumption, of course.

Now, if you'll excuse us, Andy.

Perry!

What are you so itchy about?

Well, it seems to me my client has told you all she can about the phone call

from her uncle. But not one lead to actually help us locate Franklin Shore.

I don't know where he calls from. I don't know any more than I've already

you. Furthermore, Andy, since none of us could have killed this man, Leach...

All right, all right. That's enough.

If there's anything further, we'll check with you in the morning.

Well, thank you very much.

Perry.

I don't blame you.

Until you know what's involved here, don't let anybody tell the police one

single word more than is absolutely necessary.

Your advice, not mine.

Good night, Andy.

perfectly all right now, Mr. Mason. You must tell Gerald that. And Helen, too.

You know, I tried to reach Gerald on the phone, but... He was out with me, Mrs.

Shaw.

And Helen asked me to come the moment she heard.

Oh, this is all so silly.

Oh, dear.

They do maybe care a little for me, don't they?

But, you know, this is poison nonsense.

I think that I figured it out now.

I wasn't feeling well, and I'd been napping late this afternoon, and there

all sorts of medicines in the cabinet when I went into the bathroom to get

something for my headache.

You think you were poisoned by taking the wrong medicine?

Well, it was some kind of an accident. I know that's all that it was, and I did

fumble around in the dark, I remember.

Is that what your doctor thinks?

Well, I don't know.

Why does everyone have to make such a fuss about all this? It wasn't enough

poison to actually kill me, they say.

Well, who would want to do such a horrible thing?

Mr. Mason, I don't even understand exactly what it is that you're doing

Now, why should my niece want to send a lawyer over just... Mrs. Shore,

something has happened with the other members of your family. I think I asked

for the request of you first.

First? What are you talking about?

Well, to begin with, does the name Henry Leak mean anything to you?

No. Man about 50, quite tall, slender, light coloring.

Oh, wait a minute.

Leach. Yes.

We had a neighbor once by that name.

When?

Too many years ago.

I didn't know him particularly. He was a friend of my husband's.

A friend of Franklin Shore?

Oh, yes, indeed.

About a year, they played hooky together.

Mr. Leach had just gotten a... A divorce and he used to give all of these

parties and my devoted husband used to sneak over there whenever he got a

chance.

Perhaps that's where he met her.

I don't know.

Her?

Well, whoever that creature was that he ran away with.

I don't recall seeing Mr.

Leach much after that.

Will you please tell me what on earth... Mrs. Shaw.

I've just seen Mr. Leach tonight.

And Mr. Leach was... Small world, Andy.

Too small.

I was just about to ask Mrs. Shore.

I'll do the asking if you don't mind.

Good night again, Perry.

I can just see his face.

There's nothing Andy likes better than Andy. Paul, the trouble is Andy thinks I

know something I don't know.

Like, uh...

Why Franklin Shore came back and why he wanted to see your client?

Perhaps. Or, like, where is he now and what's he going to do next?

I'm only sure of one thing, Paul. In some way, all of this ties together.

Unless we move fast.

I talked to the veterinarian. There was strictant on the kitten's stomach, all

right, but a pretty low grade.

No stronger than can be found on a dozen different compounds.

But what will cats eat that humans also eat?

Well, that's just a hitch.

But that bitter stuff in milk, for instance, the kitten at least wouldn't

touch it. Maybe that's not a hitch.

Well, you know someone at the police laboratory. They've got a handkerchief

there. A handkerchief? The one that was tied around those articles belonging to

Franklin that Leach had in his car.

Could you get a report on what that handkerchief looks like under

ray? You want the laundromat?

Exactly. Okay, but what's that got to do with poison? Maybe you'd better go find

out. Perry, if you just cut yourself down to two thoughts at one time, go out

the shore house, I mean.

Helen should be back there by now. Her boyfriend was going to pick her up at

Gerald's and then take her home. So you want me to be a jump head of the police,

huh?

Okay, Paul.

One jump ahead of the murderer.

Sir.

Do you mind if I come in?

Of course not, Frank. I don't care.

Well, if you don't care, one way or the other. Just shut the door, will you

please?

It's cold.

Well, you can sure say that.

At 1 a .m., I get out of bed to be a taxi service for you, and all you can

about is a postcard.

Well, I'm just trying to remember where I saw it, that's all.

Something Mr.

Mason spoke about earlier, and I want to find it for him.

It's somewhere in one of... Okay, okay, fine.

Well, why is this guy Mason so important to you? And where have you been all

evening?

Why do you keep shaking all the time?

What is it? What happened? What's wrong?

I want to tell you, but Uncle Gerald says I shouldn't yet, or at least not

until we know what's involved and where Uncle Franklin... I mean, you're not

involved. And he seems to feel it.

Your Uncle Gerald's a perfectly smart guy.

So why don't you just do what he says?

Now shut me up and I'll find you something to drink.

Think Matilda would have a conniption if I stole one of her chocolates?

Why, that's what bought them for her, didn't you?

Hey, maybe this is it.

Eureka, the postcards.

Yes.

From Palm Beach on my birthday.

I thought this was Cosmo's night off.

It is.

Okay, so we woke up the devil herself.

No,

I won't be quiet. Look, I don't care what Matilda thinks.

We're over 21. We're properly engaged.

Aunt Matilda's in the hospital tonight. That's part of what I've been trying to

tell you.

Wait.

Cosmo?

Cosmo, is that you?

Frank, be careful.

Where are you?

Just relax.

There we are.

Good luck, Desmond.

Yes, but you better spend the night right here.

I thought he was going to die.

But he kept bleeding.

It was three drops, that's all.

You didn't see or hear anything after the shots?

It stunned me, kind of. I don't know.

Probably knocked you out for a moment.

It can happen when you get creased that close.

The window, though.

Whoever it was, he went through that balcony window.

That's what we figured, too, sir.

Find anything more, Sergeant?

The prints, maybe?

Not to say it was a man, that's about all.

Well, of course it was a man.

And you couldn't see him because the room was dark.

But he could see you in the lighted hall, right?

That's right.

So he was aiming at which one of you?

Look, there wasn't any time for aiming.

You see, like I said, I just got shot with luck, that's all.

Sure, caliber .38 luck.

Does Lieutenant Anderson have the ballistics man over there at the house?

Penny figuring the bullets out of the wall.

Henry Leach was killed with a .38.

The killer was in that room, all right.

Every bullet appears to have come from the same gun.

We're sure the lab will confirm the rest.

Mr. Mason, telephone in here for you.

Hello?

Paul, where on earth have you been?

Well, I got up to the shore house about two seconds after the police arrived.

So now I'm on their list, too.

They kept me waiting around about an hour, then I started over to the

place to meet you.

Only I ran into somebody outside.

Perry, you better join me quick.

Who is it and why is it... Wants to see Helen.

Well, why is he afraid of the police?

Harry, just hurry, will you?

This guy says he has Helen's kitten.

But he acts more like he's going to have some himself.

Well, yeah, I guess Miss Helen wrote this, all right.

Now, can't you tell me what it is you wanted to see her about?

Well, I just thought that she'd be the one I ought to talk to.

You see, Miss Helen is the only one in that family that I trust to keep quiet.

But she tells you on that note to trust Mr.

Mason, doesn't she? That he'll keep secret anything you tell him? Now, don't

start arguing with me, Mr. Drake.

Helen's exhausted, Thomas.

I just couldn't let her come out again.

You mean those policemen got something to do with her being in trouble?

Is that what's the matter?

No, but... Oh, I seen him. Running all over that place up there. Holy smoke.

You see, I was on my way up to see Miss Helen because I didn't want to be

responsible all alone.

Well, I even thought Mr.

Drake there was a policeman when he first grabbed me. You didn't want to be

responsible for what?

Thomas, we can't help you unless you tell us.

You fellas ever hear of a Mr.

Franklin Shore?

Yes, what about him? Everybody thought he was dead, you know.

But he ain't.

He's down at my place right now.

Down to sleep in the spare bed.

Well, this is it.

Here we are.

You say he seemed upset?

Oh, a lot worse than that, sir.

Of course, me, I nearly fainted when I opened the door and saw him standing

there. A lot grayer and balder, but same old Franklin Shore.

About what time was that, Tom? Time?

Oh, just a short while ago, sir. Not more than 20 or 30 minutes before I

out and went to see Miss Helen.

All right, let's go.

You know, Mr.

Shore was just weaving and wobbling back and forth. He was just plain wore out.

You see, he said that he didn't want to talk about nothing. He just wanted a

safe place to stay.

And do you know something, Mr. Mason? I offered him a glass of whiskey, and his

hand was shaking. so that he could hardly hold it.

Yes, sir.

And then, do you know what happened? He spotted that spare bed.

And before I know it, he flopped down and was out cold.

Now, me, I just went and sat in my chair in the living room trying to puzzle out

what to do.

And the next thing I know, I heard him snoring.

And I said to myself, if I'm going to sneak out and see Miss Helen, this is

time for me to do it. See, because I figured someone else better do the

deciding.

You better go in first, Dominic.

Ah, yes, sir.

And you.

Hey, what are you doing? Take it easy. It's all right.

We're not the police, nor are we going to hurt anyone.

That's a promise.

It's right this way, sir.

Mr. Shaw.

Mr. Shaw, sir.

Mr. Shaw, wake up, Mr. Shaw.

Mr. Shaw, sir.

Mr. Mason, I can't figure it to open on your left. No, sir. No, it wasn't.

I want to figure it out. I don't want to waste your time.

We would have seen or heard him leaving.

Well, he was here before. He was lying right on that. Watch it. Watch for

yourself. What?

That's right.

getting into there, monkey?

He's cleaning his paws.

Looks like flour.

Let's turn around and work backwards. We'll see where the cat's been.

Nice, clear tracks.

Hey, there's some up here in the bed.

Looks like he came in from here.

Came in from there, jumped up in the bed, and jumped down from the bed.

and tell us where Mr. Shaw is going. Say, Mr. Mason, do you figure it out? Is

that where you keep your file?

Yes, sir.

Well, what's the matter, Monty? You hungry?

He sure don't jump right in, Mr. Mason.

You know, I bet you that's just what happened. That little rascal remembered

was out here getting him some milk earlier, and he just come back snooping

around, messed things up.

Yes, but he jumped just now to see what I was doing.

Well, it's a pretty far apart. Is it possible somebody taped him out of here?

Did you chase him down? No, sir.

What did you cook with flour tonight?

Nothing. I eat down at the corner drugstore.

I made pancakes. It must be several days now.

Pancakes. If I ain't providing for Frank, I'm sure he'll wake up and start

cooking.

38. Holy smoke.

Oh, I didn't say that you've done anything exactly unethical, Perry.

Of course he hasn't.

Perry, I just want you to understand how the police department feels.

Every place they've gone on this case, you've been there first.

Every witness they've talked to, you've talked to first.

They feel... Were there any fingerprints on that gun, Hamilton? Perry, you know

there's seldom a good fingerprint on a gun. I don't think there's any doubt

it's the murder weapon.

Now, the police department... Any trace of Franklin Shore yet?

Will you stop interrupting me, please? I came here as a friend.

Well, I certainly didn't think you came calling officially, Hamilton.

It seems very unlikely the police department would have turned this case

the district attorney's office for a prosecution at this point.

Don't you worry, they're going to.

Pretty soon now.

Because they've got all the facts. Well, almost. They're just cleaning up the

thing about the poison, and as soon as they're dragging it, it picks up

Shore. Is he the one who killed Henry Leach?

Not only that, he's the one that had a motive to try to poison Matilda Shore.

Harry, listen.

In a community property state where a man has deserted his wife, how could he

possibly get back his own personal fortune unless... Well, maybe I

talking quite this much at this particular time, but the evidence is

all the time.

I just wondered, that's all.

Perry, your position is perfectly simple. You're Helen Kendall's attorney.

She needs some help collecting an inheritance from the will of Franklin

Only Franklin Shore happens to be alive.

What if you find him murdered, too, Mr. Berger?

Then, Miss Streets, you may go to probate court with Mr. Mason, be my

Perry, Hamilton, why are you so positive Franklin Shore killed Leach?

That's what I've been trying to explain to you, Perry.

Lieutenant Anderson happens to be miles ahead of you this time, Perry.

For instance, he's found evidence indicating clearly that Leach was a

blackmailer.

He had no visible means of support, but he had big bank accounts in several

cities.

Ten years ago, Leach and Franklin Shore were buddies. Did you know that? And

since then, they've seen each other many times.

In the same area in Florida, incidentally, which Shore picked to run

when he disappeared.

Florida.

Florida.

Postmark Miami.

Happy birthday, honey.

Wish you could be in this wonderful, mild climate.

Believe it or not, we go swimming every day.

Lots and lots of love.

Terry, I... Oh, excuse me. Do you have the information on the financial reports

and records?

Now, just a minute, you two. Listen, Drake.

If this is more material on this same case, I'm warning you, your license can

reexamined. And, Perry, I don't have to tell you what the Bar Association will

think about you. I appreciate the fact that you feel I'm interfering, Hamilton,

but I have an appointment at the Shore House just now.

Gerald's bringing Matilda back from the hospital. Don't go there, Perry.

Lieutenant Anderson is there right now.

I'll let you know in half an hour just how persuasive you've been.

All right?

Boy, this is all ten years old.

I can't remember exactly what... I thought the bank record there might

you.

Well, I... I have had financial difficulties now and then. I'm not much

moneymaker. You bothered me when you didn't want to go into that hotel, Mr.

Shore.

What? With Helen and me, remember?

Meet Mr. Leach or your brother Franklin.

Whoever it might have turned out to be.

Oh.

But the person you were reluctant to see, of course, was the desk clerk.

that right?

Yes. Were you afraid he'd recognize you?

Had you been there before?

Yes.

Right after I left your office.

I hadn't intended to, but I thought that if I could see Franklin first, I might

be able to. You were worried because he'd contacted Helen instead of you.

You were afraid because he was angry with you.

It's all here in this book.

It was a deposit I made two days before Franklin disappeared.

It's not easy, Mr. Mason, to admit something that you've been ashamed of

years. I think you'd better tell me about it.

It was $2 ,000 that Franklin promised me.

In fact, he had the check all typed out in his office.

And then he disappeared.

Well, I needed the money desperately, and it was mine, actually.

So I...

I signed the check.

I signed his name to the check.

You were afraid that Franklin had somehow found out, is that it?

Yes. Yes, of course. There was no other sensible reason why he should get in

touch with Helen instead of me.

We were very close, he and I.

I would have kept his return secret.

He must have known about the check.

Oh, I beg your pardon. Excuse me, gentlemen. That's quite all right,

May I use the telephone?

Certainly, sir. This way.

Oh, Mr. Mason.

Try harder, Mr. Shaw.

Your logic is...

If

there's anything else, sir, a cup of coffee, perhaps, Mr. Mason?

No, thank you, sir.

May I speak to Mr. Berger? This is Hamilton.

Perry.

I can't take your advice, I'm afraid.

I'm sorry. This case is just too interesting.

Besides, I've been thinking about the behavior of cats.

Cats? As in kitten?

All right, Hamilton.

Come on out if you like.

But you better make it fast.

If you want to meet the murderer.

Kitten? Kitten? I don't understand.

Well, if you mean it's being poisoned or accidentally getting into something

that's contained poison, we're working on that now, Perry, so I'm ready. All

right, Andy, but I think you're wasting your time.

What do you mean by that, Perry?

Well, this whole poison business, including the poisoning of Mrs. Shore.

Of course, I'm sure it was just an accident. And I'm sure they'll find

sooner or later that your husband somehow got that stricken into the

Shore. Why?

It was an elaborate scheme to commit murder.

But I'm afraid poisoning the cat was a more important part of it than poisoning

you. Oh, really, Mason?

Why would Franklin want to poison the cat?

Because if the cat had been made sick, Helen, of course, would then have left

the house for several hours.

You and she spent quite some time down there at the veterinarian's, didn't you?

Yes. Yes, we did.

And you, Cosmo?

It was my evening off, sir. I left the house early.

Immediately after they departed with Monkey, in fact.

Of course.

Leaving you all alone, Mrs. Shore.

Well, I didn't feel well. If someone had come into the house, I wouldn't have

known it, I suppose. I was asleep for some time.

Well, did you go out for a while and then come back and give yourself a small

dose of strychnine just to heighten the illusion?

I poisoned myself. Is that it?

And then I suppose I shot some man who was practically a perfect stranger.

And then somehow, from my hospital bed, I also shot at my poor little niece and

her stupid boyfriend. Is that it?

Thomas?

Thomas, are you out there? Yes, sir. Here we are.

Right here, sir.

You tried to kill us, didn't you?

Now, think about it, Andy.

From the tracks we saw in Thomas' house, this kitten obviously jumped up under

the counter when someone was busy putting the murder weapon into that

canister, right?

That's right.

Then jumped down, tried the bed, then went back into the front room and

down in the chair.

Now, that Helen could have figured everything out right then and there.

She knows cats better than we do.

What do you mean, Mr. Mason?

Well, don't they like a nice, soft, warm place to sleep?

Yes. Then why didn't Monkey stay on the bed?

Perhaps it wasn't warm. Perhaps it had just been...

rumbled a little to look like Franklin and slept there.

How about it, Thomas?

Well, Mr. Franklin was there, sir. Just like I said, he came to my house. Sorry,

I don't believe you.

Any more than I believe Franklin Shore ever came back to Los Angeles.

Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Mason.

Uncle Franklin was here yesterday.

I mean, I know that was he on the telephone.

Ellen, how could you have recognized your uncle's voice?

You were only a child when he disappeared.

But he said things to her.

All kinds of things she remembered.

Now, just a minute.

Gerald, the voice part was why you weren't contacted.

That's the only reason.

Those little memories from Helen's childhood, they only could have come

you, I suppose.

Oh, yes, naturally. And then I lowered my voice real deep, and I pretended I

was... Oh, but you could have coached Thomas.

He could have disguised his voice enough to fool Helen. Isn't that right,

Thomas?

Now, tell the truth.

Every word you spoke to Mr. Drake and me last night was a lie, wasn't it?

No. No, I mean, why would I?

Desperate but clever lies to cover the fact that you'd just been in a house.

That you'd just taken a shot at Helen's boyfriend.

No. No, sir. No, I'm... What I mean is, I didn't want to hit anybody.

Be quiet, Thomas.

You've helped her at every turn, haven't you? Helped her build the illusion of

Franklin still being... Stomachs. Stop it! Stop it!

Mrs. Shore, did you murder Henry Leach?

Was it you he was blackmailing? Of course it was, Hamilton.

And she's probably been plotting his murder for a long, long time.

But last night, I guess she made a mistake.

After killing him at their parking lot rendezvous, she brought the gun back

home. Is that right, Thomas?

Yes, sir.

She phoned me from the hospital, and I came.

To pick up the gun before anybody else came searching.

I'm sorry, man. I did the best I could to cover up.

Is that all you've covered up in the past ten years?

Of course not. He's my gardener, isn't he?

What do you think the blackmailing neighbor saw?

How do you think that leech person bled me year after year after year?

Franklin? Yes, Mr. Mason.

My wonderful husband, Franklin.

He's been out there for the last ten years.

The third tree from the left. Isn't that right, Thomas?

He's right under the poison ivy.

Right where he belongs.

Were you so sure that Uncle Franklin was dead, Mr. Mason?

Well, I wasn't until I saw that postcard.

Yes, you started to explain what was wrong with it, but you haven't quite

finished.

Happy birthday, Annie.

Wish you could be in this wonderful, mild climate.

Mild? Florida?

In June?

You mean it was really written from some different place, farther north?

Much farther. Remember this?

Believe it or not, we go swimming every day.

Your aunt admitted it was a card she hadn't mailed for him the year before.

The year they went to Sweden.

Wow, coffee.

And with a little bit of brandy.

There we are.

That looked good.

Great, wonderful. Thank you.

Well, after all, he did help solve the murder for you, didn't he?

That's right, wise guy.

Steel all the credit.