Original subtitles

Barnaby Jones, a Quinn Martin production, starring Buddy Ebsen, also

starring Lee Merriweather, Mark Schera, with guest

stars Bradford Dillman, Ron Masak, Charlotte

Stewart, Heather Menzies.

Tonight's episode.

Fraternity of thieves.

We're in.

Relax. Just like breaking into a sorority, huh?

Eagle Security.

Gabe.

What?

You were hijacked?

Where? I just saw you drive in.

Damn.

Okay, I'll call.

Sergeant, this is Nielsen at Eagle Security.

Three guys hijacked one of our trucks on North Pico.

Yeah. They took his keys and just drove in here a few minutes ago.

Come on.

Why can't you hurry it up?

Relax, Lester.

Relax? What if that driver gets untied?

We left him out in the middle of nowhere.

Suppose a car comes by and takes him to a phone.

That's good.

where I can see them.

Nice and easy.

Get out of here.

Help me, Al.

Help me. It'll be all right, mister.

It'll be all right.

I'm cool. I'll drive.

Put him in the back.

Shot himself in the back cleaning his gun?

We've got to do something.

I think I... I know a doctor who won't ask too many questions.

Al?

Al?

He's dead, Rog.

He's dead!

What are we going to do, Rog?

There's only one thing we can do.

Say a prayer over his grave and go on with our plans.

His grave?

Now, how do we explain that?

We don't, Al.

We'll bury Lester out here.

Are you crazy?

What are we supposed to say to Ruth when he doesn't come home?

We don't tell her anything. We don't know anything.

I tell you what.

We'll leave his car at the airport.

See? That way they'll find it eventually and think he split town.

I don't know, Rog.

Well, it's the only way.

Look, I feel as badly about this as you do.

We've already taken the first step. If we back out now, it's not going to start

Lester breathing again.

I'll call you as soon as those new shades come in.

I'm sorry, Mr. Jones. I tried to get the day off, but one of the girls called in

sick. Well, that's all right, Mrs. Schiller.

I understand that you spoke to the police.

The very next morning.

Sergeant Anderson said that it wasn't that unusual for husbands to disappear.

Like little boys running away from home, they usually came back.

Did you check the hospitals?

That's the first thing I did.

Where did your husband say he was going that night?

To the health club.

He'd been going there about twice a week lately.

After that, he was going to meet a friend of his for dinner, Albert Woods.

They were fraternity brothers in college.

Did you talk to Woods?

Yes.

He didn't meet Lester because something came up and he had to work late.

He doesn't know if Lester showed up at the restaurant or not.

Are you sure he went to the health club?

No.

I called there, too.

But it's a busy place. No one remembers seeing him.

Mrs. Schiller, are you and your husband having any problems?

We have the usual problems.

Too little money, too many bills.

What does your husband do for a living?

He held insurance.

He's been a little frustrated lately.

A little restless.

Well, that could be enough to cause a man to seek a change of scene.

Maybe from his work.

But not from me.

Besides, wouldn't he have taken something with him?

A change of clothes.

He even left his wallet behind.

His money, his credit cards.

Even his driver's license.

Does that sound like a man running away from home?

No.

No, it doesn't.

Good morning, sport.

Glad you could make it. I've got to talk to you.

Would you smile, Melinda?

Hi, Al.

Where's Lester?

I don't think you've heard from Lester for the last couple of days, have you,

Al? I know.

Why do you ask?

Well, he said he'd call me. It sounded like he had something important to tell

me, but that was days ago. Well, I'm sure he'll turn up sooner or later. You

know how it is when you work for a living.

On second thought, maybe you don't.

Where's that grog you promised?

Uh, yeah.

I've got a better idea. Why don't you change into something more practical,

I'll take you to lunch. I don't look good in practical.

Oh.

What's wrong?

I haven't seen that long a face since they threatened to take away your

scholarship. Very funny.

Ruth's been calling me about Lester. Oh, you've been calling me too. I tell her

I haven't seen him. Have you had another chance to look over the blueprints?

I've gone over those so many times I can see them in my sleep.

Rog, there is no way to get into that vault without setting off the alarm.

You're sure?

Look, this is the locking device.

There are ten switches.

You have to push each switch in a certain sequence.

That means there's 1 ,024 different possibilities.

Then what about neutralizing the alarm?

Too sophisticated.

You disturb any of the wires inside the box and the alarm goes.

Then how about cutting into the vault?

A torch would cause the heat -sensitive contacts to expand.

But listen to me, Raj.

Let's forget about the whole thing.

Two million in diamonds was a nice dream while it lasted.

Fine. Then you just go on designing executive washrooms.

And I'll go on sponging off of the rich.

babysitting their beach houses while they're on the Riviera. Is that what you

want? Roger. Look.

Look.

I haven't just been wasting my time combing the beach, you know.

I found out that we can rent an office on the same floor as the diamond

exchange.

So? So?

You know that building. You helped design it.

Where are the ventilation ducts?

They run between the ceilings and the floors.

So what is to keep us from using those ducts to get to the top of the vault and

then cut our way inside?

It's possible, isn't it, Al?

Well, he could still reach the switch contacts, but it's possible. You bet it

is.

Oh, we'd need to be a little front money, you know. A couple of months'

security, equipment.

A little extra to splash around.

Ten, twelve thousand at the most.

Ten, twelve thousand?

Where do you expect to get it?

I thought we'd mortgage your home.

My home? Sport, I'd mortgage this if it were mine.

Hey, Rog, that house was left to Janet by her father. Now, that's all we've

Is it all you want?

Look, we're talking about investing ten grand to get back two million.

Hey, buddy, you remember what it was like in college, fourth down, seconds to

go. You always went for the big one, and you used to get it, too, didn't you?

Rog. Hey.

Come on.

Come on.

Let's see the old dog.

That was 15 years ago.

Let it go.

Let's see the bomb for the easy life.

Let's see the old dog.

Something I want to talk to you about.

Oh.

This is Mr. Jones. He's a private detective that Ruth's hired to find

Mr. Woods?

Sir. This is my associate, Jenna Nye Jones.

Hi. Excuse me.

Sure.

Oh, we've been admiring your renderings. Your wife tells me that you're an

architect with Carl Upjohn Associates.

I'm still a long way from concrete and steel. I do mostly detail work.

Why don't you sit down?

Sure.

What can I do for you?

I understand that you are Lester Schiller's closest friend. I thought you

be able to tell us where he is.

I haven't seen Lester in almost a week.

But you were supposed to meet him for dinner the night he disappeared.

That's right, but he never showed up.

How do you know that?

What? How do you know that he never showed up?

According to his wife.

You were working late that night, and you never got to the restaurant

I tried to call there several times to tell him, and, well, he never answered

the page, so I just assumed.

Yeah, I see.

Look, did you try the health club? I mean, that's where he said he was going

first. Hocus -pocus time.

That's what the manager of the health club calls it when a man tells his wife

he's working out, but he's really out playing.

But Lester never went to the health club that night. In fact, he hasn't been

there in a month.

It brings me to a question. Was he seeing another woman?

Lester? Are you kidding?

Yes, he was.

Jan?

Well, if it's going to help, find him.

We went to a party about a month ago at the beach.

Ruth and Lester were there, and we were all introduced to this very pretty girl

named Melinda.

About two weeks later, Hal and I were out for dinner, and we...

I saw Lester and Melinda sitting in the back of the bar.

They didn't see us. They were too busy seeing each other.

Miss Melinda, do you happen to know her last name?

Marks. Melinda Marks.

She said she was studying to be an actress.

Do you know her address?

No. Well, if she's an aspiring young actress, I'm sure she won't be difficult

locate. Thank you very much for your help.

Pleasure.

You told him about Lester and Melinda.

Janet told him I couldn't stop her.

Raj, what are we going to do?

We're going to break into that vault.

What about Jones?

Al, you just get Janet to sign the mortgage paper.

I'll take care of Jones.

Harvey Johns, I'd like to talk to you a minute. One minute, I'm on the phone.

Lester, I'd better hang up with someone at the door.

It's just that it's so sudden.

I need time to think about it.

Look, darling, give me the number of where I can reach you.

Oh, all right, all right, all right.

Yes, I promise.

Lester, I love you.

Goodbye.

Yes? Miss Marks, uh... I'm Barnaby Jones, private investigator.

This is my associate, Jedediah Jones.

I wonder if you could help us.

Come on in.

What's this all about?

Well, in a way, it's about your phone conversation.

We're not eavesdroppers, but we had no trouble in hearing you through these

jerry -built walls.

You were talking with someone named Lester Schiller?

No.

Lester Grant.

Oh, I'm afraid you've got me mixed up with somebody else.

I don't know anybody by the name of... What was it? Schiller? Schiller.

Come on, Melinda. You met him at a party with Janet and Albert Woods. Later on,

you were seen out with him.

Did his wife hire you?

She is very worried.

Look, the last thing I wanted was to get involved with a married man. It just

happened.

We fell in love.

He said he was going to ask for a divorce, but he never got the nerve.

Instead, he ran away.

And now he wants me to join him.

Who is he?

He wouldn't tell me.

He just said that he flew back east somewhere and he'd be moving around a

and he'd call me.

Well, at least we know what he's... Well, if you should happen to hear from

again, would you please give him my phone number and ask him to call me?

Thank you.

Thanks for your help.

You said there'll never be another Sarah Bernhardt.

All right, what's this really all about? Where is Lester?

Ah, good old Lester, yes. He's on assignment.

What kind of assignment?

Top secret.

But I'm sure that as soon as he returns, he'll express his appreciation by

making an honest woman out of you. Well, he'd better, because I'm really getting

sick of listening to all his promises.

Oh? What sort of promises?

About getting his hands on a lot of money to pay for the divorce.

What else?

Did he say how he was going to get the money?

Dad, he was going into business with you and Albert.

He mentioned what kind of business?

No.

But I've been putting two and two together, and they add up to something

exactly legal.

And here I thought you were just another pretty face.

I like watching you brush your hair.

Maybe that's why I like to do it.

Jan?

Jan?

Well, I'm afraid.

This house is all we have, and if we borrow against it, we could lose it.

Honey, that's not going to happen.

I know what I'm doing.

Darling, it's not you I'm worried about.

It's Roger.

You know how he's always getting these quick money schemes, and he's always

losing money.

Other people's money.

This is not a scheme.

It's the import -export business.

I know many of them already.

But they don't have Roger's connections.

Honey, you know how he gets around. He knows everybody.

I wish I had your confidence.

I wish you had faith in me.

Oh, darling, I do.

No, I mean like when we first began dating.

You remember, Chance?

Do you?

I mean, wow, what a year that was, huh?

We were number one.

I led them all the way to the championship, and you, you were the

princess in the queen's court.

Remember, Jan, you said I would become the world's greatest architect.

I do believe that.

What's happened, honey?

Where are all the tall buildings, huh?

Where are the dreams, the success?

It takes time.

Maybe I just haven't got it.

Al, I won't hear that. Now, wait. Now, listen to me.

Maybe... Maybe I'm just a draftsman after all.

Maybe I left it out there on the campus somewhere.

I don't believe that.

You don't want to believe it.

But what if it's the truth?

What have I got to look forward to?

I mean, I'm only 37.

And this is all I'll ever be.

Darling, there is nothing wrong with what you are.

And remember, we still have each other.

We still love each other, don't we?

I love you.

And I love you.

But, honey, I want something more.

For the both of us.

I want that chance to be a hero again.

And I want you to be the homecoming queen.

Any indication of how long it's been here?

Well, I found the parking ticket. Front seat of the car. It's marked 1245 on the

night he disappeared.

Looks like he took the Red Eye Express.

Looks like this bumper collided with something.

Whatever it was, it sure was yellow.

Yeah.

Wasn't a car, though.

How do you know that?

Well, it's by paint.

Cars have a high gloss enamel.

Anything unusual inside?

Take a look for yourself.

You see the seat cover?

The top one here is missing.

Yeah.

Whoever tore it out didn't have any regard for neatness.

Maybe he just didn't want somebody to see something that was on it.

You think it's blood?

I don't know yet.

I have to run some tests.

Call the insurance company that Lester used to work for.

You think it's his?

It's a possibility.

See if they have a record of his blood type.

Call Mrs. Schiller.

Ask her about the seat cover. Anything else?

Yeah, I might as well touch all the bases.

Ask her about the dent in the bumper.

thank you this one is a six karat marquee

it's a perfect stone

We're in business.

Sign the lease?

I did everything but join the Better Business Bureau.

We can come and go as we please.

Got it all mapped out, sport?

I designed this place, remember?

Want to look around?

I once saw Jimmy Cagney take his way out of prison like this.

I only hope we're not digging our way in.

The end of the rainbow.

Rog? What?

Ventilation pipe.

Sport.

I'd be blood all right.

What did you find out about Lester's blood type be positive?

That's the same thing I've got here. It's from the back seat of the car.

I also found out from Mrs. Schiller there was a seat cover on when she drove

car earlier that day, and there wasn't a dent anywhere.

That's very interesting.

Wannabe Jones' office?

Means it happened after Lester took the car that night.

Okay, yeah, sure, I'll tell him. Thanks for your help.

Betty, I have a feeling that our runaway husband isn't running anymore.

Wannabe, that was the police lab.

They analyzed the yellow paint you found on Lester's car.

They said it's a commercial type that the city uses to paint everything from

road building equipment to street signs and fire hydrants. Better call the

Department of Public Works.

See if they have any report of damage to any of their equipment the night Lester

disappeared. I'll get right on it.

I think it's time that we gave Melinda another audition.

Okay.

You want me to take over?

When have you ever worked with your hands?

Please, sport.

I'd fix a great martini.

How much longer before we get to the vault?

A couple of hours.

Are you sure that exchange closes at noon on Saturday?

Of course, I'm sure. As soon as they leave, we can take our time getting into

the vault.

Look, there's nothing you can do to help me here. Why don't you go on home and

get some rest? I can handle this.

You're going to stay here all night?

Yeah.

What did you tell Janet?

That we had to drive to San Diego to look at some merchandise that was coming

from Hong Kong?

You're getting to be as good a liar as I am.

Yeah.

That's what bothers me.

Mr. Jones.

Are you all right?

Yeah, sure, I'm fine.

Oh!

Oh, that shouting you heard in there.

Oh, I was just rehearsing for a part in a play.

I got it this afternoon.

Well, congratulations.

Thanks. It's not a very big part, but my agent says it's a good showcase.

Well, we understand that there are no small parts, just small actors.

What's this going to do to your plans?

My plans?

To join Lester Beck East.

Oh.

Well, my career comes first.

Lester's just going to have to understand that. Right now, Melinda, I

think it's going to make much difference to Lester one way or the other. What

are you talking about?

I have a feeling Lester's dead.

Dead? I have a further feeling that it wasn't Lester you were talking to on the

phone the other night.

I was, too.

Look, maybe you just thought it was Lester. Maybe it was somebody imitating

voice. It's possible, isn't it? No, it was Lester, I'm sure of it. Now, I want

you two to get out of here.

Melinda, this has gone a long way beyond play acting.

If Lester is dead, and you know anything about it that makes you an accessory,

is that the way you want it?

Who are you trying to protect? I am not trying to protect anyone.

Lester is alive. I talked to him on the phone. That's all I know. Now, please

go.

You know, Melinda, you may in time become a very good actress, but won't it

shame that...

Nobody will be able to come to see you perform.

Roger? Roger?

Roger? Roger, wake up. What time is it? 7 .30, Roger. I've got to talk to you.

Before or after?

This is serious.

Roger, that Detective Jones came to see me last night.

He did?

And what did he want?

To invite me to a funeral.

Lester's.

He said he had a feeling Lester was dead.

Melinda, beautiful Melinda, would you take my word for it?

Lester is very much alive.

In fact, you're going to be seeing him tonight.

See him where?

Oh, a little party that I'm giving to celebrate our business venture and to

split the profits.

The way I figure it, your share, you and Lester.

She'd come close to $100 ,000.

$100 ,000?

That should pay for his divorce.

And send both of you off into the sunset with a nice little nest egg, huh?

Yeah. So, you think he'll be ready around 8 o 'clock tonight?

With bells on.

Good. I'll give you a call, tell you where to meet us.

What else did this, um, this Jones have to say? He didn't believe I was talking

to Lester on the phone that night.

And he also thought I was trying to protect someone.

Did he say who?

No, he was fishing.

And what did you say?

I told him he was wrong.

That's a good girl.

Roger, what time did you say you were going to call me this evening?

Around eight.

Over the pole on your way to Europe?

That's right, Melinda.

As you can see, it's a one -way ticket. I'm leaving at six o 'clock.

Then it was all a lie.

Everything you said.

Lester never went away.

He's dead, isn't he?

Was he ever really alive?

Oh, my...

here to deal with Jones and the police? I'm sure you can talk your way out of

it. You have a whole world of people you can use.

I've used all mine. I've got to make it on my own now.

You're not going to make it with my help.

You're not going to use me the way you did the others.

Melinda.

Please. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that you feel that way.

I was hoping that we meant more to each other.

Morning. Morning.

I understand your fire hydrant got knocked off the other night.

How'd it happen?

If you mean did I see who hit it, the answer is no, but I've got some

suspicions. What kind of suspicions?

Well, since it happened a short time after the break -in, and since the

left in such a hurry, I figure they might be the ones.

Had a break -in that night?

Three of them. Caught them myself, up on the second floor where they keep all

the installation plans.

Wounded one of them, but they managed to get away.

Did they take anything?

We went through those filing cabinets with a fine -tooth comb. Not a single

of plans was missing.

Could they have photographed one of them?

We thought of that, but there was no way of telling for sure.

Did you get a good look at them?

Like I told the police, it was dark.

Is that familiar?

Don, if it don't look like the one I shot, I sure wouldn't want to swear to

though.

I wonder if we could take a look upstairs.

You have to speak to Mr. Keller about that. Right in the main building.

Thank you very much.

Five more minutes and we'll have a place to ourselves.

What is it?

There's an electrical box in here that is not in the blueprint.

So what?

Oh, my God.

What's wrong?

Take a look.

What is that?

High -intensity light beams.

Break any one of them and it sets off the alarm.

Why haven't we seen them before?

Because we never looked at the vault with the door closed before. That's what

activates them.

Why weren't they on the plans?

Because they were installed by a different company.

Well, can't you cut some wires and neutralize it in some way? Not as long

door is closed.

Any interruption of the circuit, the alarm goes.

What if the door were open?

Well, there might be a chance I could bypass the alarm signal.

Okay, I'll give you five minutes.

Raj, it's just a chance.

And if I'm wrong and she closes that door again, we're dead.

What are we now, sport?

Any idea where you want to start, Mr. Jones?

I'll start with a hunch.

You do any work for Carl Upjohn Associates?

Sure. They're one of our best customers.

These are their files over here. Which ones?

All of them.

I was afraid of that.

You know, we're closed.

It won't take a minute.

Yes. My name is Oliver Clayton. Oliver Clayton, import, export. I just rented

the office up the hall. And you're, uh... Lillian Stanhope. Ah, Miss

just received a call from a client of mine in Toronto asking me if I could

locate a 10 -carat emerald -cut diamond, and I thought you might have one.

Yes, we have several. If you'd like to come in on Monday... No, no, I'm afraid

that would be too late. I told him I'd let him know today.

Well, tell him yes. Now, if you're concerned about the quality, I assure

that... No, no, no, I'm sure that it's perfect, but since he's a very good

client, before giving my word, I felt I should at least take a look at it

myself.

Well, of course, the transaction would be in cash, and as for receipts...

Have you got a loop?

Oh, of course.

Thank you.

Oh, yes, that's... That's beautiful. That's really beautiful.

How much does it cost?

$75 ,000.

All right, that's fine.

I tell you what, I'll get in touch with my client and I'll let you know first

thing Monday morning. Fine.

Unless I could let you know at dinner tonight.

Well, it just so happens I'm free.

May I... May I have your address?

2721 Arabelle Drive.

Apartment 3.

Ground floor.

So I'll uh, I'll see you then around eight time

Barnaby

isn't it possible that we could be on the wrong track with this. I mean, even

Woods is an architect.

Great Pacific Building.

What?

You know, of all the buildings that Upjohn designed, it's like this one

the crown jewels.

Continental Diamond Exchange.

Mr. Johns, that vault's foolproof, even with the plans.

Yeah, I've heard that before. Betty, I called you to die.

Tell him to meet me at the Great Pacific Building. Shall I notify the police?

No. In case I'm on the wrong track, I don't want to be towing the super chief.

You still think I'm crazy?

Building closed at noon on Saturday, Mr. Jones.

All attendants left the building? Most of them. I still think you're just

wasting your time. Anyone try to get into that diamond exchange, we'd know

it.

Is that a tie?

Where does that vent go?

That runs across the whole ceiling.

Are any of the other tenants...

On this floor right now.

Yeah, yeah, the new guy that moved in the other day.

I saw him come in early this morning. I don't think he ever left.

What does he look like?

About six foot, brown hair, nice looking.

Has he got a partner?

Yeah.

Yeah, about 6 '2", built like an athlete.

What room do they occupy?

1215, right around the corner.

Do me a favor.

Take a look in the bin.

Come on, let's go.

It's time to go in business for yourself.

That's far enough, Jones.

Don't just stand there. Get his gun!

Move it!

Okay, Jones, let's go.

Get the elevator.

By now, I figure this building is surrounded by police. For your sake,

hope you figure it wrong.

What are we going to do with him? What do you think?

Just get behind the wheel and drive.

Might be the biggest mistake of your life.

Well, we gave it a try, huh, sport?

Four seconds to go.

We went for the bomb.

Yeah.

Just one thing, Rog.

We're not in college anymore.

Mr. Jones?

My wife is expecting me home soon.

And I'd rather she didn't hear about this from the police.

Well, if you'd like, I'll go by and tell her myself.

Thanks.

Where'd you learn to drive, Jedediah?

Well, now... Oh, you taught me one of these.

Remember when you came to visit Chicago a couple summers back? Ah, yeah.

Well, that just proves there's no substitute for good training.

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