Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones.

Starring Buddy Ebsen.

Also starring Lee Merriweather.

With guest stars Sherry North.

Lynn Marta.

Special guest star Mark Jenkins.

75 ,000 bucks.

Well, the judge really lowered the boom on you, Mr. Kemper.

He's a hanging judge.

Look, on a hitman felony, my bail should be five $10 ,000 tops.

And it would be if I didn't come from out of town.

Maybe, maybe not.

You almost killed the man you hit. You destroyed thousands of property. You

endangered other lives. You resisted arrest.

You know, look, I don't understand what the hang -up is, Mr. Weyburn.

You get your 10%. I mean, any other bail bondsman in L .A. would jump at the

chance to earn this kind of fee.

Look, Mr. Kemper, I'd really like to help you, but I can't go back to my boss

and justify a $75 ,000 bond without the collateral to back it up.

Hey, look.

Come on, will you waver?

Give me a break.

Look, I'd really like to help you, because if I help you, I help myself.

But under the circumstances... Hey, tell me something.

You married?

Get kids? Oh, no way. I'm still in law school.

No kidding.

You work and go to school at the same time?

Must be tough. It's not so bad.

Nothing a little money would make easier.

Get no argument out of me.

Hey, wait, wait. Sit down a minute.

What's your first name?

Jim. Jim Ross.

Look, Jim.

I got a business in the street that can't wait.

And I'm going to take a chance.

And I'm going to level with you.

Now, what if I told you that you could get your hands on enough money to stop

working?

Enough money to finish law school.

And after that, enough to set you up.

Maybe even for life.

Look, Mr. Kemper, I have another... No, no, no. I mean it.

And to get you off the hook with the bonding company.

What if I also told you I could dig up collateral right away today?

Stocks that would more than cover my bill.

You interested?

Well, if you do have the stock to cover the bond, what's the problem?

Wait, Bernie, are you going to play dummy or interested? I'm talking about

cutting you in on something big.

Includes a lot of stocks.

Worth maybe five, eight times the price of my bail.

Is that enough collateral?

I can't accept stolen stocks.

So you made a mistake.

By the time anyone finds out they're hot, I'm long gone.

How much? I mean... How would I figure in?

Comes to about a million, too.

I'd say you could have the, uh, two.

I want to tell you, kid, you handle that release like a real pro.

Your boss thought a pin of metal on you. Yeah, well, I don't think I'll take any

bows until I get my hands on that collateral.

I told you not to worry, didn't I?

Now, where are you parked? Over there.

I'll be right with you. I've got to make a phone call.

Add another dime to my bill?

Joe, this is for the rent.

Keys in the room. If someone wants you, what do I tell them?

Tell them to drop dead.

Oh!

Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you.

You finished?

A year off my life coming on me like that.

Manners!

Well, you've certainly moved fast, kid.

What do you think I am, an idiot? Is that what you think?

Well, anybody can make a mistake.

I guess I made one about you.

You think I didn't check you out, find out where you live?

Hey, look, now, cool down, kid. Now, that gun can go off. I took a big chance

you, Kemper.

I trusted you, and you played me for a dummy.

Now, look, just take it easy, kid, huh?

Nothing's lost. I still got your share. It's right here.

I'll take it myself.

Just hand it over.

Okay.

Thank you.

Please, bear me, Mr. Biggs. I don't want to hear any more about how you were

rousted on a bum rap.

Honest, Roxy, it was a bum rap. When a policeman accosts you because you are

seated peacefully on a park bench communing with nature, Mr. Biggs, that

a roust.

But when that same policeman finds you drunk on a park bench beating your wife

to a pulp, that is a no -no.

Go, Mr. Biggs, and sin no more.

Well, thanks anyway, Roxy.

Bailed me out again.

Goodbye.

To a pulp?

It was a fair fight, Mrs. Biggs. He could be a wrestler.

Oh, Barnaby.

How nice to see you.

Tea? Coffee?

Oh, I forgot.

Milk? No, I think I had my quota at the office.

Roxy, you're as pretty and spiffy looking as ever. How are you?

Wiser. Maybe a little poorer if you don't find Ross Kemper for me.

Roxy? I always figured the reason I never got much business from you was

you were too smart a bail bondswoman to be taken by some skip out.

Never would have happened if I'd been minding the store.

So you finally took that vacation you've been talking about.

No chance.

Doctor wanted to make some tests, so he put me in the hospital for a few days.

Hospital?

You all right?

Oh, yeah, I'm fine.

It's just that when I was away, Jim Weyburn, that's the young man that works

me, handled the bonding transaction.

He took collateral in the form of stock certificates.

Turns out they were hot.

Didn't he check the certificate's serial number? I can't blame Jim.

He's inexperienced and he's eager to bring in a big commission.

I just should have been here, that's all.

When did you find out the stock was stolen?

Yesterday. When Kemper didn't show up for the arraignment, I had the numbers

checked. That's when the roof caved in.

How much was the bond?

$75 ,000.

That's a big one, Roxy. I hope the police find him. If they don't produce

in court within 90 days, I'll have to forfeit the entire amount.

That's why I need you, Barnaby.

Roxy, I'm sorry I'm late again. I was up and fitting for my test pretty late

last night, and I got by over at the plant. Mm -hmm, and I'll bet you didn't

even take time to have lunch.

Lunch? I'm still trying to find time for breakfast.

Oh, oh, excuse me.

Barnaby, this is the future of Clarence Darrow. Jim Weyburn, Barnaby Jones.

Hi, Jim.

Nice to meet you. Same here, Mr. Jones.

I'm sorry about this mess I've made up.

I already told the police everything I know, and if there's anything else I can

do, just let me know, please.

Well, when it comes to asking for help, you'll always find me at the head of the

line. You've been moping about this ever since Kemper skipped town yesterday,

and I don't want it to affect your studies. Understand? It was an honest

mistake. Now get out of here and take time for lunch.

And don't forget a ham on rye for me, okay?

Roxy, I'm going to make this up to you.

If Mr. Jones doesn't... Well, if things don't turn out right, I'll pay you back

every cent. It takes the rest of my life.

It's a life that's going to end in about two seconds if you don't get out of

here and put some meat on your bones.

Now go.

Goodbye.

Seems like a fine young man.

He is. He just brightens up my day to have him around here.

You will find Kemper for me, won't you? I mean, Betty said that your calendar

was very busy.

It's never too busy for you, Roxy.

I'll get right on it.

Don't you ever give up.

No, I'm going to keep chasing you until you catch me. You're impossible.

Adorable, but impossible.

So, why haven't you returned my calls?

I thought we decided you were bad for me. No, you decided.

Remember something else I decided.

I need a prosperous lawyer, not a poverty -stricken student.

Well, that's just what I want to talk to you about. Who's talking when you don't

listen?

How's that from a poverty -stricken student?

About what I'd expect. Where'd you get it? The dime store?

You know, that's the trouble when you become too cynical. You look, but you

don't see.

Now look again.

It's real.

It is real, isn't it?

And there's more.

Lots, lots more.

Now, can we talk?

Vicki, fill in for me for a few minutes, will you?

What

do you mean

there's more?

There's enough London, Paris, Rome.

It was enough for you to quit this lousy job. It was enough for us. Just a

minute.

Where did you get this?

I had a lucky day down at the office.

Where, Jim? What difference does it make?

The point is, it's yours.

You like it?

Stolen, isn't it?

Does that scare you?

I don't know. It should, I guess.

What have you done?

There's nothing to worry about.

I mean, believe me, it's free and clear.

And there's more?

There's over one million bucks worth more.

What?

Now are you scared?

Right down to my toes.

How did you get it?

I'll tell you all about it later, but right now I have to figure out a way to

turn it into cash.

You're into something way over your head, aren't you, Jamie?

Trust me.

Okay?

I remember that girl you shared your apartment with last year, Linda.

What about her? Remember you told me how upset she was with the guy she was

dating. She gave him the brush because she found out he was a crook.

Yeah, she found out he dealt in stolen property.

And do you think you could get in touch with him?

I think so.

Good.

Then we're in business, baby.

It's as simple as that.

Oh, welcome to the hunt, Barnaby. Did Roxy tell you I'm on the case?

No, but I figured if Roxy got in trouble, you'd be the first she'd turn

Any trace of Kemper?

Not yet.

Carter, the manager, said he left here about 1 p .m. yesterday carrying a

belief. Didn't say where he was going.

You can see it all in the report.

Should he give your department a bigger budget last year?

Bigger budget?

Lacing your milk with something these days?

Well, how come the expenditure of all these man hours on a common ordinary hit

-and -run fugitive?

Well, the stakes went up.

Palm Beach police sent this down a little while ago.

The stock came from the Alexander Rockwell job.

Palm Beach suspects Kemper pulled the job together with one Sven Rowley.

Now, their grapevine has it that Kemper doubled -crossed Rowley and then took

off with a whole bootle.

That would explain why Kemper was in such a hurry to get bailed out.

Too bad we didn't get that make -back sooner. We kept a tighter lock on

I heard of this Rowley. He's supposed to be a bad boy.

Has he been seen in town?

No, but they've got the same news in Florida that we have about Kemper

bail, so we're expecting him.

You, uh...

You watch yourself, Barnaby. Be careful.

Don't get caught in the middle, huh?

I'll keep that in mind.

Bray is sparkling, genuine imitation diamonds.

Look at it. A sparkling dream.

The kind of stuff that maybe Napoleon gave to his broad, uh... Josephine.

Josephine. Right.

Or Caesar gave to Cleopatra. Or Clyde gave to Barney.

Hey, how can you pass up something with that kind of history?

Sold, Andy. How much?

Sixteen bucks. And that's wholesale, Barney, be honest.

Here's fifty.

You want change or are you buying something else?

Like a lion on Ross Kemper.

You figured. When Betty called and said you wanted to see Andy Burns up here, it

wasn't to play cello in a string quartet. Come on, Andy. Do you think

going to help us find him?

Hey! When a guy's on the land with over a million bucks, he doesn't hold up a

sign saying, here I am, you know.

He's gonna have to surface sometime in order to fence the loot.

Hey, with the cops hot on his tail, what's his hurry?

Nah, he may not surface for months.

I'd buy that except for one thing.

Sven Roley is also looking for him.

Sven Roley?

Was he on the Rockwell heist, too?

The police think that Kemper double -crossed Roley and took it all.

Include me out.

Number one ain't getting himself killed messing around with Sven Rowley. No,

sir. Oh, don't be so demanding, Andy. Nobody's trying to get you killed.

Just thought maybe you'd like to do a favor in return for all of those I've

for you.

Look at this.

Woman's got a memory like an elephant.

Okay.

I'll check around and see if any of the fences are contemplating suicide.

Peggy.

Peggy something or other.

Who's Peggy something or other?

This girl.

When Kemper was in L .A. about six months ago, he was sporting this light

-haired girl on his arm. A real beauty.

Peggy. What's her last name? Peggy, Peggy.

It's no use.

Anyway, he was showing her off as a scuba diving expert, trying to scare up

backing for a sunken treasure scam in Florida.

I think she's still in town, maybe.

Where? East side, west side. Take your pick.

I gotta get running. I'll see you later.

Betty. I know.

A light -haired scuba diving expert named Peggy something or other.

This could make the telephone company rich, you know.

It's the line.

I know.

Sally has been quite secretive. She didn't give me your name.

Yes, I know that, too.

One can't be too careful, can one?

This is a fine burgundy.

Domestic. Excellent.

No, thanks. I'm not thirsty.

Let's get on with it, okay?

Cultural suicide.

That's what our prepackaged barbaric civilization is headed to.

Very well.

This confinement of engravings and baubles your young lady talks about, how

one be certain you are really in possession of that merchandise?

All you have to do is check the number.

I will.

Still, business being business, I will have to see all the merchandise before I

commit to a deal.

A percentage deal, of course.

What kind of percentage?

Oh, 20, perhaps as much as 25%. You've got to be putting me on.

Consider the difficulties involved.

These engravings are tainted and require special arrangements for their

disposal.

The baubles present a completely different set of problems.

Cutting and resetting stones.

A cone.

$250 ,000 to $300 ,000.

A sizable amount of money, isn't it?

When? It's got to be right away.

Raising that amount of cash is not easy.

But manageable.

This is my place of business.

Be there tonight at 10.

And remember...

Come with all the merchandise.

All right, Virginia.

Turn around, take a deep breath, and fall into the water backer.

Peggy Gibson?

I'm busy right now.

Just let yourself go. Don't push off.

I'm a private investigator, Barnaby Jones.

You mind if I ask you a few questions about Ross Kemper?

Yes, I do mind.

It's kind of important.

I told you, I'm busy.

Did Ross Kemper do that to you?

No. Some gorilla looking for him, just like you, who couldn't get lost for an

answer. So if you think you can do a better job on me, then go right ahead.

But you better take your best shot, mister, because you'll just get one.

Hold it.

The only time I ever struck a woman, she was three and a half years old and had

a penny stuck in her throat.

I'm sorry.

But after that big ape bounced me around my apartment, I've been a nervous

wreck.

Who did it?

He didn't leave a calling card.

Just said Ross would know.

He look like that?

That's him, all right.

Sven Rowley.

Has something happened to Ross?

Do you have any special reason to believe something may have?

Two days ago, he called from his apartment just after he'd been released

bail. And he said he needed a place to stay for a while, so I told him to come

over. But he never showed up.

Maybe he just decided he wanted to get out of town in a hurry.

Maybe.

But then he would have called.

Something. Anything.

Unless he couldn't.

No.

Something has happened to Ross.

Don't you expect to find Jack the Ripper?

I'm a legitimate businessman.

You think I would...

To trickery?

If I let you.

Well, where's the merchandise?

I warned you there'd be no bargaining until you show good faith.

You show me some good faith first.

We'll be here in a few minutes.

Hello? It's okay.

Bring it.

Wait, Jim, don't hang up.

After I dropped you off, I drove around the block the way you told me to, and I

saw a car parked in the alley behind the shop. There's a man sitting in it. All

right, you know what to do.

What are you so nervous about?

I'm only trying to ensure our privacy.

Give me the keys.

Give them to me!

You always stop by when you see a squad car?

I got a call from an informant.

He tipped me that Sonderheim may be the only man in town big enough to handle

the Rockwell loot.

That's a pretty good tip.

We found some of the loot on his body.

What's the bottom line on this?

I'm still trying to work out a few puzzlements.

Like? Like the .32 caliber slug that killed Sonderheim went clear through his

body.

Killer must have been standing close.

Right. Now, these slugs, .38 caliber, were dug out of the casings near the

there in front of the shop.

Could have been somebody took a few shots at the killer as he left.

That's one of the puzzlements.

See, Sonderheim's gun wasn't fired.

Now, that adds up to three guns.

One of them could have been Spinaroli.

Could have been.

If he's in town.

He's in town.

He worked over at Kemper's lady friend yesterday.

Ah.

All right. That just might explain how those bullets got in the casing, but

a look at this.

I'm at you for it.

Double or nothing.

Win or lose, you'd end up short -changed.

Just doesn't figure that Sunderheim would try to rip off a couple of

professionals like Rowley and Kemper, does it?

That's what I mean. Puzzlements.

You know, if I was a... A man who jumped to quick conclusions. I'd say

Sonderheim set Kemper up for Rowley, and Kemper found out about it, killed

Sonderheim, and took off with Rowley taking a few shots at him.

You buy that?

Why should I buy it if you don't?

Sure would like to.

It wrapped his homicide up nice and neat.

Only there are a couple of thorns that keep sticking.

Like the fact that Sonderheim isn't doing business with amateurs.

That and some things in Kemper's M .O.

See, he preferred a .45 automatic.

What's more, he's been known to doctor his bullets so they splatter when they

hit. Makes it a little difficult for ballistics to trace.

But the slug that killed Sonderheim didn't splatter. It wasn't a .45.

Of course, Kemper could have changed his M .O. and he's packing a .32 now.

Maybe the answer is a lot simpler than that.

Try me. It's a seller's market.

Maybe it wasn't Kemper in the first place.

You shouldn't have come here.

I didn't sleep one minute last night, Jim. I'm scared.

Look, everything's going to be all right. Calm down.

What have you got me into?

First Kemper and now Sonderheim.

Look, what did you want me to do? The man was going to kill me.

I know that, but you could have... Just go on home and leave everything to me.

That's not good enough, Jim. We've got to get out of town now.

Be reasonable.

They'd suspect me in a minute if we ran.

And anyway, there's no reason to run. The only ones who can tie me to the

Rockwell loot are Kemper and Sonderheim.

And they're dead.

What about the man who shot at you last night?

He may not know who you are or where to find you, but what if Sonderheim told

him who I am and where to find me?

Oh, yeah.

You're right.

We've got to get away from here now.

But I can't just cut out and disappear without some story for Roxy and Barnaby

Jones, or they'll get wise.

Well, it's better than hanging around letting that man find us.

You got any cash?

Twelve or thirteen hundred in my savings account.

Oh, great. Take it out.

I've got a couple hundred myself.

That'll be enough for us to get to Mexico.

When? Tonight.

I'll call Roxy from San Francisco.

I'll tell her we just eloped and that we're going to go to tramp around the

country for a while.

Instead, we'll take off for Mexico City.

We can get at the fence there.

Here are

the

keys to my apartment. Stay there. Now, whatever you do, don't go back to work

and don't go back to your own apartment.

What about my things?

We'll get you all new things.

Go on. I'll call you later.

Secrets?

Not for much longer.

How cryptic we are when romance rears its beautiful head.

Oh, I'll get the Kemper file.

How's it going, Mr. Jones?

Well, like most cases, I have to go back to the beginning every now and then to

see if there's anything I missed.

Did you miss anything?

Me? Yeah, sometimes things happen that don't seem too important at the time or

things that people forget to mention. Like, for instance, when you sprang

Kemper, he may have said something useful that didn't sound too important

time.

All he talked about when I drove him home was how glad he was to be out of

And you didn't see anybody suspicious hanging around?

No.

What'd you do when you got home?

We went right up to his apartment. He gave me the stock certificates and I

About what time was that?

It must have been just before one o 'clock.

According to the police report, the apartment house manager says he checked

about a few minutes later.

One o 'clock.

That's what he said.

Now, the curious thing is that the manager also said that Kemper left

the underground garage.

What's so strange about that?

He didn't have a car.

His car was impounded as evidence in the hit -and -run case.

That's right.

Now, wouldn't you think that if he wanted a cab or wanted to be picked up

somebody, he would have gone out the front door?

I suppose so.

Now, Roxy, I'll look at that file later.

Yeah, that's right, Mr. Jones. I didn't see Mr.

Kemper when he came home after they let him out on bail.

But I did see him leave through the garage.

That's right.

Any reason why?

To do his wash.

To do his what?

His wash.

Oh, scared me half to death he did.

I was just putting a quarter in the dryer when he burst in.

Almost gave me cardiac arrest.

I can't imagine why he stopped to do his laundry.

Tempo's all checked out. He was carrying up a lease.

Did you have that vent repaired recently?

No, it ain't been touched since we were put in.

You have any trouble down there lately?

Not that I know of.

No shootings?

Hold -ups?

No.

That Mr. Kemper was a menace, he was.

Glad to be rid of him.

Oh, stop crabbing so much, Mrs. Loomis.

What you're telling it like it is, Mr. Carter?

All right, all right, so he scared you a little. Well, that wasn't all for one

day. He knocked me down when he came home.

Running through the hall that way, a menace.

Kemper was running?

I was just coming out of my apartment with my voice, heading for the basement,

and there he comes. Bang, right into me.

Not so much as a beg your pardon and up he flies.

Doesn't even wait for the elevator.

The young man with him, was he running too?

What young man? He was alone.

Are you sure Kemper was alone when he came home?

There was no young man about 24 with curly hair?

No, wasn't a soul with him.

you last

where

is he please what do you want i spent a lot of time sweet talking to those gals

you work with at that restaurant to find out who your boyfriend is and where he

lives now that i found out i'm here to collect what's mine

Hello, Roxy?

Barnaby, where did you rush off to?

I had to check on something.

Is Jim there?

No, no. He had to go home and get some law school notes.

Do you have an address on him?

Sure. It's 2239 West Lake Parkway.

What's this about, Barnaby?

I'm not sure yet. Roxy, does Jim own a gun?

I should think not.

If we run into any problems, there's my .32 revolver I keep in the desk.

Would you take a look and see if the gun is there now?

Hold on.

It's not there.

Thanks, Roxy.

I'll explain later.

Oh, hi.

Now, don't get mad at me, but I didn't get home. I ran into a lawyer friend of

mine, and he had a client who needed bail, so I thought I'd come back and get

the paperwork started.

He had a couple of calls for you, Ralph. Who?

I don't know. She didn't say. And I have to get to the bank before it closes.

You've only got 15 minutes.

Have you seen my gun anywhere?

Isn't it in your drawer?

No, I looked, but I couldn't find it.

It must be around somewhere. I'll look for it.

One of the calls from Barnaby.

Why would he want to know whether or not you owned a gun?

How should I know?

You're not in any kind of trouble, are you?

Me? No, no, no, no. Everything's cool.

Bank's going to close on you.

Right. Bye. See you later.

Proxy Morgan bail bonding.

You talk nice and normal, you dig?

Jim, it's me.

Sally, will you quit calling? Just sit tight.

I got the tickets.

The plane leaves at 9 .20.

That's great.

It's just that I'm afraid to be alone.

There's nothing to worry about. We're all set.

Jim, I have to see you. Can you come over now?

I don't want to be alone, that's all. If you don't come over, I'm going to

leave. All right, right.

Roxy will be back in a few minutes. I'll come over then.

to the point where I'll blow your head off.

If your boyfriend doesn't come up with the loot, I'm going to give you

to cry about.

So shut up!

Better wait around, young lady.

You got some explaining to do.

Operator, get me the police.

No, Jim.

Not you.

When Barnaby asked me all these questions, I knew there was something

terrible and wrong.

That's it.

Where's Roth Kemper?

Did you kill him for what's in there?

I'm sorry, but it turned out this way.

I didn't want you to be hurt by this.

No.

Don't you dare tell me that you didn't mean to hurt me.

God, you're done.

I'm going now, Rox.

Move out of the way.

I'm not going to let you do this. It's done.

I don't make it any tougher than it is.

Please.

You're going to have to kill me first.

Roxy.

Don't make...

Stay

where you are, Jones.

Easy, Jim. Nobody's crowding you.

That's right. It's all over, boy.

Don't move.

Or I'll shoot.

Pretty good shot.

Please don't kill him.

Jim?

Throw your gun out.

Come out with your hands up.

Give it up, son.

You're in a lot of trouble.

Maybe we can help you.

We'll try, but not if you force this.

Think, Jim.

Think!

You want it to end like this?

Judge Barrow just signed this.

When the police found Kemper, where Jim said he was, he officially dismissed a

$75 ,000 liability.

Thank you, Barney.

Well, now, let me see.

I always hate to take advantage of a date, but...

Seeing as Mr. Alexander Rockwell is paying Barnaby such a handsome fee for

helping to return his property, I think I'll go hog wild. How about you, Roxy?

Shall we start off with shrimp cocktail or escargot?

Anything.

Roxy, I had a talk with Jim's lawyer. They're going to plead guilty, but they

have a very strong argument that Jim only killed in self -defense.

Now, I have a hunch that he's going to get out.

With a decent part of his life still ahead of him.

I'd like that.

Well, you ought to perk up because my hunches are usually right.

What's bothering you, Roxy? Those tests you took at the hospital?

Huh?

I'm sorry.

No, the report came back this morning and the tests were all negative.

Oh, I'm so happy for you. Well, I think that calls for a toast to Roxy Morgan.

May she do business at the same stand for a while longer.

A heck of a while longer.