Original subtitles

Thank you.

You pass this, please.

Thank you.

All

right.

You may proceed.

Thank you. One moment, please.

Will you step in the car, please?

Ah, yes.

Get to Palmer.

Yes.

The young man with you?

My nephew, Thomas Palmer, as you can see from the other passport.

Yes, I see.

Well, Huffer, could it be you are mistaken?

Mistaken, Herr Strahm?

For what you have attempted, Fraulein, people have spent years in prison.

So, Boris, I hope that's it.

Understand, Mr. Mason.

I know you have come here as a kindness.

As so many have shown me kindness in this country.

But you cannot change my mind.

I will do as they ask.

I will go back to East Germany.

You risked your life escaping from the Russians after the war. You now trust

them to keep their word? You believe that once you're in their hands, they'll

free your granddaughter?

Yes.

They want me.

They do not need a six -year -old child.

Six?

Then you've never seen her.

We would not even have known that she existed.

Our letters to our daughter went unanswered. Then two months ago we heard

daughter's death and of her child in an orphanage in East Berlin.

How did you receive this information?

Could you come in, please, Gerta?

Who, my assistant?

Miss Palmer?

Mr. Mason?

How do you do, sir? How do you do, Miss Palmer?

I want to show Mr. Mason the photograph of my grandchild.

Yes.

Are you certain this is your daughter's child?

Goethe has seen her.

And the picture of my grandchild is identical with the picture of my little

mouse, my daughter, when she was a child. We all went to West Berlin.

And then Goethe, she should be blessed, she went across beyond the wall to bring

Elke back to us.

Miss Palmer, weren't you arrested at the border?

Yes. Who negotiated your release?

The East German government questioned her.

and threatened her, and then allowed her to return with a proposal.

I was to take word to her, Professor Ritter, that if he would return to East

Germany to do his work, Elke would be released to join her grandmother in the

West.

At least they offer a solution.

Not a solution, Doctor.

Blackmail.

Well, it is clear what I must do.

Oh, but it isn't clear.

You have no positive identification of the child they claim is your

granddaughter. You have no guarantee they will keep their agreement should

go over. An American citizen has no right to negotiate with a foreign power.

I love this country, Mr. Mason.

I would do nothing to hurt it.

But you exaggerate my importance.

The trade is simple.

My life is nearly over.

But the child's life stretches out beyond this century.

By trading my few years, For her many, I can assure her a good life,

a meaningful and free life.

Tell him, Mr. Mason.

Make him realize that he cannot trade himself as animals are traded.

But there is no alternative.

There is.

Mr. Mason can go to East Berlin and negotiate for you.

Negotiate what, Mrs. Ritter?

Elka's release.

In return for the Fermi prize money, $50 ,000 that we never touched.

Hello, this is Mr. Mason's office. Is Dr.

Ritter there?

Yes, of course, Mrs. Ritter. Perry?

Hello.

He's what?

He is on his way to East Germany, Mr. Mason.

I found a note he left for me on his desk.

Yeah.

He says that when he reaches East Berlin, he will have Elka

sent to the American zone.

I am to wait for her there.

So we are too late.

I'll be in touch with you, Mrs. Ritter.

Paul, check the overseas airlines and travel agencies.

And then?

Professor Ritter's on his way to East Berlin.

Chances are he'll take an indirect route to disguise his destination.

And you want me to catch up with him and keep him from crossing over. That's

right. Tell him I don't need my passport.

Mason. Over here.

Name's Carlton. Sam Carlton.

Uh, Porter, just put those bags in the car.

I'm sorry, Mr. Carlton. I don't believe we've met.

Oh, of course. I recognized you immediately, so I figured, well, I'm

Tours, Mr. Mason. Your travel agent in Los Angeles told me to take good care of

you while you're in Berlin.

Well, this is indeed rare service.

It's only a beginning.

Mrs. Ritter, Miss Palmer, Mr. Carlton.

Ladies.

Now, since we're going to be seeing a lot of one another, I want you to start

calling me Sam, okay?

Right. Now, the first order of business is to get you to your hotel.

I am sorry, Floor 9.

I should watch where I am going.

Coming, Miss Palmer?

Yes, I'm coming.

Come and sit with me.

You are Mr.

Mason? Yes.

This is Elka.

She speaks quite good English.

Good morning, Elka.

Hello, sir.

If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with her alone.

I was not instructed to allow that.

You are being so instructed now.

Did I ask you some questions?

Yeah.

When was it they took you away from your mother?

It has been almost one year.

They say she's too well to take care of me.

They take her to the crunken house.

The hospital?

Did your mother ever tell you what her mother called her when she was a little

girl?

A funny name.

Tiny Mouse.

Because she was so quiet.

That's right.

Little Mouse.

If you know, how come you ask me?

To make sure you're the Elka your grandparents are looking for.

Oh, I am.

I am Elka.

Here is someone your grandmother sent to you so you won't be alone.

Friend of mine.

Such things are not permitted to children, Mr. Mason.

Elker, join the others at once.

One thing we are certain of now...

Alka is really your granddaughter and not some child being used as bait to

your husband into East Germany.

I never doubted that she was my granddaughter.

You must admit there was some cause for doubt.

I thought the child might be an invention, a part of their plan.

Don't underestimate the East German People's Republic, Mr. Mason. I'm not

underestimating them.

I'm giving them credit for all the deviousness they've proved themselves

of.

Oh, I'm sorry to overhear, but I came in through the bedroom door.

You are probably wondering why I would try such a thing. So impossible a task.

Here, Liebchen.

Danke.

I question not the act itself, but the wisdom of it.

What made you believe you could manage it?

Oh, I have friends, Mr. Mason.

Friends who help many people to escape from behind the wall.

And they helped me. They have found Franz Hofer for me.

You know Franz Hofer?

I never saw or heard of him until Elke and I were stopped at the border.

And I didn't see him again until yesterday when he gave me the note at

station. I wonder how he knew we were arriving.

I have no idea.

I only know that when the East Germans released me to take their offer to

Professor Ritter, I was told that Hofer is to be my contact.

Do you know him, Mr. Carlton?

Now, you promised to call me Sam.

Do you know him, Sam?

No.

But I know of him.

I mean, I've never actually run into him going back and forth, but I know his

name.

If you want to deal in the black market, get a forged passport, you see Franz

Hopper. Somehow he's at home on both sides of the wall.

That doesn't surprise me about Hopper.

He seems a very cold and cruel man.

You've seen him again this morning?

Yes, and he's agreed to take you to a highly placed official in East Berlin

whom you can discuss your offer for Elke. Who is this highly placed

Hoffa wouldn't tell me.

My advice to you, Mr. Mason, is not to go until this highly placed contact is

revealed. But that's exactly why I'm here.

Yeah? He's here. One moment, please.

It's another long -distance call from Mr. Drake.

Hello? You're where?

Well, that was quick.

And you'd better get moving.

Is Hans still in New York where Mr. Drake found him?

No, Mrs. Ritter.

Your husband's at the London airport.

About to board a non -stop plane for Frankfurt.

Frankfurt? Then he'll be here this afternoon.

Unfortunately, yes.

And the appointment for tonight... It will be too late.

Professor Ritter.

Mr. Mason.

What are you doing here?

And how did you find me?

Your wife will explain.

Emma.

She's here too?

Yeah, hon.

Emma. I'm here.

Emma.

Please, Emma.

I've made up my mind.

I'm going on now.

Professor.

Go back to the hotel with Emma.

I'm meeting the East Germans tonight to negotiate.

If we're successful, there'll be no need for you to cross that border.

Forgive me, Mr. Mason.

But I do not believe what you tell me.

If I go with Emma, for my own good, you will say, you will not allow me to

cross.

Professor Ritter, your wife has been terrified that you'd manage to cross

before we could stop you.

Gerda has risked her life to prevent it.

Mr. Drake has followed you for 6 ,000 miles to be certain of your safety.

I apologize, Mr. Mason.

But a man must do what he must do.

I don't want your apologies.

I want your promise that you'll wait one more day.

Hans, please.

Barry, I hate to do this, but shall I just put him in the car?

No, Paul.

If Professor Ritter is so intent on martyrdom, so naive he's willing to turn

himself over before the child is freed, so arrogant as to believe that he and

only he has the solution to this dilemma, then he should go.

One more day.

I'll wait.

That was close.

Too close.

Mr. Maythorne?

I'm Frank Hopper.

And who is this?

A friend, Mr. Baldrick.

Right here.

There will be passes for both of you, waiting at the point where we will

We're going into East Germany?

Yes, but not far, Mr. Drake. Only to a small chalet a few hundred yards from

border.

May I present Mr.

Nathan and Mr. Drake.

This is Herr Wolfgang Strom.

Be seated, gentlemen.

I would offer you some vodka, but since it is Russian, I assume you would not

care for it.

You may leave us now, Hoffa. As you say, Herr Strom.

I have here a small dossier on you, Herr Mason.

It seems you are a most important man in your own country.

Relatively unimportant.

Now, I say it merely to point out that you are not so important here.

Thanks. As for you, Herr Drake, it appears you arrived in West Berlin a few

hours ago on the same plane that brought Professor Ritter here.

That's right.

Shortly after your arrival, you and Herr Mason and Frau Ritter prevented the

Professor... From crossing into East Berlin.

Why did you do that?

To give us time to present a counter -proposal.

An offer of something other than the professor for Alka -Dietrich's release.

Knowing the capitalistic mentality, I'm sure that something is money. Am I not

correct, Herr Mason?

Why, yes.

How much money, Herr Mason?

Fifty thousand dollars.

Do you have the money with you, Herr Mason?

I've listened to no more promises. I've found what was agreed upon.

No, not later.

And you actually believe that the East German People's Republic would so demean

itself as to accept such a sum?

Hasn't the People's Republic already demeaned itself?

Using a child to blackmail a scientist into defecting?

Nearly a move in a chess game.

And besides, my country is not involved.

Officially.

That's what I was given to understand.

Emerson, you're offering me a bribe?

Well, no matter. It is not acceptable.

Professor Ritter?

Or nothing?

Mr. Mason.

But where are Emma and Elke?

Emma and Elke?

You did not send for Emma?

No.

About a half hour ago, Franz Hoffa telephoned for Mrs. Ritter.

He said the offer for the child had been accepted.

What else did he tell her?

Well, he did not speak directly to her.

Emma was downstairs.

Mr. Carlton took the message.

Yes. Well, uh, Hoffa said you wanted Mrs. Ritter to bring the money to where

and Elka were waiting.

He said there'd be a car outside the hotel.

How'd you know where to go?

Alpha said you were in the eastern sector, somewhere called a safe house.

Gerda said she knew where that was.

Birch ahead of me.

Have you heard what happened?

Yes.

I tried to stop her at the border, but I had trouble finding a taxi.

What do you plan to do now?

Make certain that Humphrey delivers Elka.

Mr. Mason, I was told you were going to meet us at the border.

Where is Humphrey?

He's in the next room making arrangements for us to cross.

Is something wrong?

You shouldn't have come here alone, Mrs. Ritter.

But he told me if I did not come at once, we would never get Elka.

This was our plan, was it not?

No, Emma, it was not our plan.

But I gave him the check.

Arthur?

I seem to have arrived at a most inopportune time, Herr Mason.

I have listened to you for the last time.

If it weren't for you, all of this would not have happened.

Negotiate. Offer the money, you said.

You are naive, arrogant, you told me.

No, Mr. Mason.

It is you who are naive and arrogant.

The American authorities have been alerted.

Emma will have every protection her citizenship affords.

And that is no protection.

They hold her for murder.

But she's not guilty. She'll be acquitted.

The State Department will act on it. They will do nothing.

Because there is nothing to be done.

I wish to have your forgiveness, Mr. Mason.

Because I've spoken to you in such a way.

I know whatever you did, it was with an open heart.

You just don't understand what you're fighting on the other side.

It's time.

Straum agreed on the phone that Elko would cross over to our side as the

professor crosses over to the east.

At least I will see her as we pass.

You'll take care of her, Mr. Mason, until Emma is freed or until Getter

Sleep, kid.

Sleep, kid.

They lied, Paul.

They had no intention of returning Elka. They gave their word.

The good is their word.

You betrayed an old man.

You involved an innocent child in a cruel hoax. You harassed an old lady and

subjected her to the torture of a murder charge. And you've made me feel like a

fool for believing you could be trusted to keep your word.

What I have done has been done for the best cause.

Of course, the end justifies the means.

You know you're Lenin, Herr Strom, but apparently you don't know the meaning of

honor. And you do, you hypocrite.

Was it honorable?

Then you tried to bribe me, failed, and then bribed Franz Hoffer, a thief and a

renegade.

Was it honorable when your client, to avoid payment of the money, killed him?

I offered no bribe.

I made a counterproposal reducing your blackmail demand to dollars instead of

human flesh.

And Mrs. Ritter did not kill Hoffer. That is not for me to decide. It is a

decision for the people's court.

Then let me see the Ritters.

Mrs. Ritter's an American citizen.

She's entitled to proper representation.

And as soon as my government arranges for my credentials... When I see your

credentials, then you may see the Ritters not before.

Are you the public prosecutor, or aren't you?

If a woman's life doesn't concern you, then what does?

Herr Mason, I despair of discussing subtleties with Americans, but consider,

Herr Mason, what is the only real, irreplaceable treasure in our world?

A mind like Professor Ritter's.

If you can swallow your prejudices for just a moment, you will recognize what I

have already accomplished.

The opportunity to work with a man of Professor Ritter's eminence will

undoubtedly attract many other similar brains from all over the world. But

again, by what means? By any means, Herr Mason.

And that is all the time I have to waste with you, Herr Mason.

If your credentials arrive properly authenticated by my government, you may

represent Frau Ritter at her trial. If not, she must take her chances without

you.

Well, Herr Mason, still no word from your government?

Perhaps they are ignoring you.

Yes, Tom, if this is in truth, the court of law, if you make any pretenses to

justice,

You allow me to see my client?

Client? You have no client. You have no legal standing whatsoever.

Hurry. Down.

All properly signed and sealed.

Well, Head Trump?

Court will convene in 15 minutes.

You may have ten minutes with your client.

Ten minutes? That's hardly time to discuss. Ten minutes, Herr Mason. Take

leave it.

Efficiency.

Mr.

Mason. Ten minutes, no longer.

Herr Prosecutor, state your case against this woman.

In the matter of the death of Franz Hopper,

Citizen of the People's Republic, we have irrefutable proof that Frau

Emerita, and only Frau Emerita, had both the motive and the opportunity to

kill the deceased.

Then proceed with your case, Herr Prosecutor.

You were present when Herr Mason first visited the chalet and made an offer of

$50 ,000 for the child.

Were you not?

Jawohl, mein Herr.

And where did he say this money was?

With Frau Ritter.

And where were you when this was being discussed?

With Herr Hopper in his inner office.

Yes.

In his inner office.

Listening.

As Herr Mason knew he would be.

Because the money was not being offered to me. It was cleverly being offered to

a man without loyalties. To a man who would do anything for such a sum. To

Hopper.

A most ingenious scheme that almost bore fruit.

What did Hoffa do when he heard the offer of money?

He became quite excited and told me to bring the child to the chalet at once.

What did you do after you delivered the child to the chalet?

I waited outside for the child.

Who was with Hoffa at that time?

Only Frau Ritter.

Frau Magistrate, I request permission to offer objections to testimony presented

without regard for the rules of evidence.

The weighing of evidence is the function of this court.

Permission denied.

Proceed, Herr Prosecutor.

And it was approximately one hour after the two Americans crossed the border for

the first time that Frau Ritter crossed?

Ja. And she came before the two Americans, along with Fraulein Palmer,

second time?

Yes, approximately five minutes before.

You are positive of that?

I have it here in my logbook.

Read it into the record.

First the two Americans accompanied by Hoffer at 1 .40.

Then Frau Ritter at 2 .41.

And then Fraulein Pommer at 2 .46.

And then the two Americans again at 2 .55.

Five minutes at start.

Five minutes alone with Hoffer and the child.

Ample time for Frau Ritter to commit murder.

I went to the chalet, as has been said.

You went there?

Herr Hofer went into the inner room to make arrangements for Elke and me to

cross back to West Germany.

And what did you do at that time?

Elke and I waited in the outer room.

And then Herr Mason and the others came and they found the body.

No, no, Frau Ritter.

That is not what you did.

As Franz Hopper was arranging for you and your grandchild to return to West

Germany, you went into the inner room, waited until the arrangements were

completed, then stabbed him to death.

No!

Then you took back the cashier's check, which you thereupon destroyed.

Surely the court will not allow Herr Strom to stake conclusions based on

not in evidence.

Herr Messon, you will please not prompt the court.

Proceed, Herr Strom.

Frau Ritter, how do you account for the fact that a search of the body and of

the premises revealed no cashier's check?

I only know I did not go into that inner room.

I did not kill him.

Here, Professor Ritter.

I regret exceedingly the necessity of subjecting a man such as yourself to

ordeal.

We only desire confirmation from you of certain matters of date, place, and so

on.

The procedure requested by your wife's counsel.

Now, sir, you first learned of the existence of your granddaughter.

I'm hungry.

What's that, sir?

How can I study if I'm hungry?

Who took my books away?

Quiet!

How's a man to sleep?

Professor Richard, are you all right?

My things.

Where are my things?

This is not my razor.

You should know, I cannot abide pajamas.

Only a nightgown.

Old -fashioned, I suppose.

But so am I.

Try to get a hold of yourself, Herr Doktor.

Here.

There it is, the belt.

Stille Nacht.

Heilige Nacht.

I can't get it off my mind.

Such a tragedy.

What did those people expect?

It's a wonder that poor old man was able to endure as much as he did.

Well, they outsmarted themselves.

Now he's no good to them or anyone else.

Mr. Mason, do you think that he might recover perhaps by having his old

things around him?

I don't know, Greta.

Well, what are you doing here?

The chambermaid let me in.

I thought there might be some arrangements I could make.

Some way I might be of service.

It might help Greta with the luggage.

She's going to pack the professor's things.

Sure, I'd be glad to.

Would you excuse us? Paul.

It's hard to believe, isn't it?

I mean that Dr. Ritter...

Had a breakdown?

We won't talk to anyone about it. Not certain. He could just be ill.

How did you know about that?

Well, Mr. Mason mentioned it, didn't he?

On his way in.

Our travel agency representative, our Mr. Carlton, has been very busy.

I'm sorry. I seem to have picked this up by mistake.

Oh, thank you, Drake.

Just some notes I have for a travel book.

Well, let me know when you publish it. I'd like to buy a copy. You'll be the

first to know.

I can imagine what it must have been like in the courtroom when the professor

lost all sense of reality and slipped into some dream world of his own.

I'm convinced he's lost his mind.

I've been thinking, Paul, before coming to Germany when I worked out the

agreement with that editor, it was with the understanding that if the East

Germans dealt fairly with us, there would be no story.

Well, they haven't dealt fairly.

And though the story will have a slant we hadn't anticipated, I think now is

time to release it.

You think the communists will be embarrassed by the publicity?

Well, men are shot down every day trying to escape to the West.

The whole world watches, and the communists couldn't care less.

They're not as sensitive to public opinion as we are.

Then what's to be gained?

Well, according to Harris Strom, they're recruiting other eminent scientists

from around the world using whatever persuasion they can.

So?

Well, how many scientists do you think would even consider going over, no

what the persuasion, after they read what was done to one of the greatest of

them all?

Now, I'm going to call that editor.

By midnight, the story will be in print.

And by morning, it will be picked up by newspapers everywhere.

Where are you going?

To take this to the old man and to be with Mrs. Ritter.

That suitcase is too heavy for you. Here, let me carry it down. Oh, that's

kind, but it's not necessary.

I'll tell you what, my car is downstairs. I'll drive you over.

Well, if you're sure it's no trouble.

Because I won't have to change taxes at the border.

No trouble at all.

Well, so far so good.

Tramp baited and midnight's the deadline.

Yes, if the word gets back to Strom in time.

And Strom does the right thing.

Doggone, I forgot something.

Gerda, why don't you go on down, have my car ordered around, and I'll meet you

in front.

Okay? All right.

Right.

Julius?

Well,

I checked for the hotel again. Not worth it.

They must have cleared the checkpoint hours ago. Surely Strom has the word by

now. When girders pass like ours, it's good through tomorrow when court closes.

But Carlton?

Carlton hasn't had any trouble crossing back and forth before.

What happens if we don't hear from Strom by midnight?

The story is released, and our advantage is gone.

This, I believe, is our reason.

Thank you.

Is it?

I'm Strom.

What you propose is out of the question.

Impossible.

Perhaps it's just as well.

After what you've done to him, Dr. Ritter is of no use to us in our hands.

But in yours, there could be no better argument for living and working in

freedom than Professor Ritter's case.

We did not destroy his mind. We had no idea. The old man must have been

all along.

There is no doubt of his breakdown?

Unfortunately, no.

A board of eminent psychiatrists has been examining him. They've only just

finished.

And a frightening story this will make, Paul, for the entire world to read.

I sent for you to make your proposition.

Suppose I was to release Professor Ritter in your charge, in exchange for

silence. With his wife and the child?

Only the professor. The child is my guarantee that you would keep your

silence.

I can make one telephone call in your presence and not one word concerning Dr.

Ritter's mental condition will be printed.

But if I don't make that call, then promptly at midnight... The child is

actually of no importance to us if you keep your word. And neither is Fra

Ritter. Nibbles!

A feeble -minded old man.

A harmless child.

These we may give up.

But Dr.

Ritter can't manage without her now. Don't you understand that?

Nein, I do not have the authority.

My superior has arrived.

They kept me waiting for two hours while Professor Ritter was being questioned.

I'm a patient man, Fraulein.

I'm used to waiting. You may discuss your request, Herr Basin.

But I will recommend that under no circumstances will the people's

free a murderess.

I've told Herr Mason that in exchange for his silence concerning Professor

Ritter's illness, we will release both the old man and the child, but we will

not free a murderess.

If that is your only objection, Herr Strom, Frau Ritter is no more guilty of

murder than I am, or you are.

So you say. Not I. The testimony of your own witnesses in your own people's

court. I know that if your mind had not been filled with other concerns...

You would have seen it immediately in a testimony of the border sentry.

Fraulein Palmer crossed the border nine minutes before Mr. Drake and I did.

What are you trying to tell me, Herr Mason?

Fraulein Palmer told us she crossed the border after we did.

In effect, she lied.

Just as she lied to the immigration authorities when she applied for a U .S.

visa. Just as she lied when she told her story to Professor Ritter.

As she lied about the carefully rehearsed attempt to escape with Elka.

Goethe, you killed Franz Hofer.

Sit down, all of you.

If you search her belongings carefully, I imagine you'll find the stolen

cashier's check.

No, you won't.

I didn't want the money. I destroyed the check.

Fraulein, not only have you killed this man, you've made it impossible for us to

refuse Frau Ritter's release.

I fear I should have to report this to our superiors.

Report to them what you like.

I shall explain that I worked, planned and waited for so long to get Rita back.

And then when we were at the point of success, Franz Hofer was going to give

them our weapon, the child, for money.

I'm proud I killed him.

I would do it again and again for the cause.

Yes, Tron. There is only one way to absolve yourself of any blame for what

happened. Get her.

You cannot mask murder with false patriotism.

The future of the state cannot be entrusted to such as you, Bacher.

No, you don't dare. You don't dare. You can't take my place.

Now, Fraulein, you have no place.

Halsey!

Don't you touch me!

Have you talked to your editor?

Julius is all clued in.

To stop the story, I just have to call my office.

Before midnight.

Well, Herr Strom?

Very well, Herr Mason.

Make your telephone call.

Maybe you'd like the first interview with Professor and Mrs. Ritter and their

granddaughter in Free Berlin.

Great. Are you all right, Dr. Ritter?

I am lucid, young man, in possession of my faculties.

At least, I think so.

Mr. Mason, you were right when you accused me of not using my analytical

I did not realize exactly how you wished me to use it until you whispered to me

in the anteroom of the court.

That was an inspiration of the moment, Doctor.

And he sure did use it. He fooled a whole room full of psychiatrists.

Now, isn't it time for that young lady to be in bed?

Ja.

Oh, meine kleine Maus.