Original subtitles

- Hey, we got ourselves a real fish, son. - Yeah, who?

Michael Hammer.

Used to be a private jingle who got around.

Hey, that's the guy Captain Chambers wanted picked up.

Buzz the station, ask the Captain what we should do with him.

Use the phone. We don't want this on the air.

Yeah.

- Did you get Chambers? - Yeah.

He said we should bring him to his house.

Ok.

- Smoke, Mike? - Knock it off, Pat.

You filthy, drunken bum.

- Where are my clothes? - In the garbage.

You lousy slob.

You used to look a lot bigger than me, Mike.

But now you call me things like that and I'll belt you silly.

You lousy slob.

Hold it, Larry.

- Thanks, buddy. - We stopped being buddies a long time ago.

Now you can get yourself another paste in the kisser without trying hard at all, mister.

Oh, you're crazy, Pat. You can't do that to people.

I can't, ah?

I'm all right.

- You don't hit that hard. - I wasn't half trying, wiseguy.

- You let Larry take a look at you. - Don't need any medic.

Well?

He's been around. Pretty well marked.

- Fist fights, couple of bullet scars. - He's had them.

Fist marks are recent.

Bruise made by the usual blunt instrument. Typical alcoholic condition.

I'd say he isn't far from total, you know how they are.

- Damn it, quit talking about me

- in the third person. - Any suggestions?

He's okay now but later is another thing.

I don't care what happens to him when I let him loose.

I only want him sober for one hour so we can interrogate our prisoner.

- You can't be serious, Pat. - Oh, no?

Well, this guy won't talk to anybody else but him.

He's been shut up pretty bad and the only reason he's holding-up

is so he can see this bum.

- But... - But nothing.

The guy is dying. We want the one who pulled the trigger.

- Ok, it's your show. - Come on, let's get him cleaned up.

- How is he, Doc? - Better get in there.

The guy has a long minute at the most.

- You ready? - You asking?

- No not really, you don't have a choice. - No? First, I want a drink.

- No drink. - Oh, good. Drop dead.

Get him a shot, Leo.

- Go ahead and do it, Mike. - Why not?

I always had to do half his work for him anyway.

Clue me in, old buddy, what do you wanna know?

Who shot him? Just ask him that.

What's the connection?

One bullet almost went through him.

They got it out yesterday and the ballistic check

showed it to be from the same gun that killed Senator Knapp.

If this punk dies we lose our lead to a killer, you understand?

You find out who shot him.

Sure. Anything for a friend.

Cheers.

- You're Mike Hammer? - That's right.

- You don't look like... - I haven't been feeling well.

Out. Kick him out.

Ok guy, let's get some facts straight.

I never saw you before. Who are you?

Richie Cole.

Swell. Who shot you?

One of they called The Dragon.

No name. Terrible tooth and nail.

- Dragon. - You'll never do it.

Do what?

- Get her in time. - Who?

The woman, the woman, Velda.

You knew her.

- I know her. - Know?

- Alive? - Alive.

Where is she?

But she'll be killed if I...

Dragon is looking for her too.

Get her first.

Where?

I gave directions in an envelope

to Old Dewey. You see, on exit...

Velda said if I didn't see you...

that you'll be seeing her.

Where is she, Cole?

Get The Dragon before he gets her.

Why me? Why this? Why you had the cops?

Need someone terrible.

Someone worthless.

- You'll see why. - Cole.

Cole.

- You all right? - I'm okay.

- You want another drink? - No.

- You better have one. - Said I didn't want it.

To hell with him. Come on you, outside, let's go talk.

All right.

Come on, come on. Let's have it.

Who was he, Pat?

What did he say to you?

You'll tell me.

You'll get worked on till talking won't even be an effort.

It'll come out of you because there won't be a nerve ending left to stop it.

Now you, you know that, Mike.

Cut it out, Pat. He can't take much.

So who cares? Do you think I'm gonna worry about him?

Well, you just don't know me very well anymore.

- Who was he, Pat? - Oh, just...

Damn it, Larry. Knock off.

This bum learned something and I'm gonna get it out of him.

Now I can beat the skin off him, maybe he'll talk, maybe he won't.

But let me tell you this.

I'm gonna have my crack at him and when I'm...

finished the medics can pick up the pieces. Only first me...

you understand?

Yeah, I understand.

Maybe you could use a little medical help yourself.

He's right old buddy. You're real sick.

How do you feel this morning?

Silly question.

- We're keeping you in the hospital. - You think so? Just watch.

You're on the books as an acute alcoholic with a DND going against you to booth.

Pat's pushing you hard but he isn't the only one.

The DA and some unidentified personnel from higher headquarters are also interested.

Mike...

- I don't like what's happening to Pat. - Tough.

Pat used to be a nice guy.

Then you went to pot and I watched Pat's character change day by day.

What caused the change was you and what you did to Velda.

- Why should he care? - He says she was his friend.

- You know what she was to me? - Yeah, I think so.

- It could be he was in love with her too. - She was in love with me, doc.

Yeah.

Tell me about Velda.

Well?

- It was a long time ago. - So? Tell me.

- It was supposed to be a routine job. - Yeah.

I was contacted by Rudolph Sivick.

He married a Chicago widow with millions in loot.

She wanted to bring her new husband to New York to introduce him to society.

Typical.

So she was gonna give a big party

and sport all her gems which were considerable and she wanted protection.

Oh, sure.

So I was brought in.

My business was made up of stuff like that.

- Trivialities. - Sure, like unnecessary appendectomies.

Sure.

Anyway, it was routine.

I thought it be a smart move to bring Velda in because she could stay with the

client right into the ladies room.

She was my secretary but she was a real pro.

- And she could handle any situation. - Yeah.

At 11 o'clock Velda called me on a pre-arranged number.

Nothing unusual.

All the guests were reputable. Everything seemed fine.

Then the next day Mrs. Sivick was found in the river, shot in the head, her jewels

gone and her husband and Velda never seen again.

So, it took that to make you a bum and Pat a guy filled with hate.

All because of Velda.

- Kismet, buddy. - Yeah.

Except there's a subtle difference now, Mickey boy.

Something new has been added.

A little while ago, you were an acute alcoholic.

I think I know why you suddenly turned into a deadly sober man in a matter of minutes.

- Oh? - Cole, the dying man,

mentioned the name of the killer.

Now you're planning to go out on your own. Like in the old days.

But let me tell you something, Mike.

Pat's figuring the same thing, he wants that killer worse than you do.

Pat can go drop.

Mike...

I've heard so much about you, it's like we're old friends.

I'm really trying to help.

Sure. I know.

So long.

Hey.

You can't get out of bed.

Don't fight with me, honey, I'm not worth it.

- Come on. Come on. - Look, I'm supposed to be sick.

You'll be a lot sicker if you don't get back in bed.

Look, be sweet and get my clothes.

Lick your lips.

Thank you, Captain.

Federal agent.

That's right. I didn't think it showed, Arthur Rickerby.

It figures.

What's the bet? It's getting pretty late.

It's never too late for people like us, is it?

Make your point, friend.

If you've been reading my charge, forget the drunk tag.

- I've had it, you know? - I know. I know.

Then what do we need you in for?

I've been out of action for years. I got no ticket, no ride.

I haven't even crossed the state line and all the sudden I got a Fed on my back, why?

- Cole, Richie Cole. - What about him?

Suppose you tell me, Mr. Hammer. He asked for you, he talked to you.

I wanna know what he said.

Everybody wants to know that, Rickety-back.

- Rickerby. - So sorry.

- Well, you can discuss this, can't you? - Yeah, but I won't.

- Why not? - Because I don't like anxious people.

I've been kicked, bled, belted by a cop who used to be my friend.

And now I'm suddenly faced with the prospect of formal

charges because I don't like the police version of a hard sell.

All right.

Suppose I offer you a certain amount of immunity.

Now this is beginning to get interesting.

What about Cole?

He was one of us.

He and I were very close, matter of fact, he was more like my son.

I've got to find out who did it.

And nothing is gonna stop me.

- Do you understand this? - I get the picture.

Are you sure? Because there is no extreme that I won't go to.

That's not a very official attitude.

- I'm just trying to impress you. - Ok, I'm impressed.

What about Cole?

- There's another angle. - Not with me, there isn't.

Easy, mister, I'm not that impressed.

- Oh, you mean we just leave it that way, uh? - You push me, friend.

That's a device you ought to be familiar with.

- Damn cops. - You were one once.

- I never really stopped being one. - Well, then why don't you cooperate?

Ah, the facts are all screwed up.

I need one day.

And one other little thing you might be able to supply.

One day and what other little thing?

- Get me outta here. - Ah?

I can go on my own but you can make it easier.

Ok.

You just bought it.

Well, nurse.

Get this man his clothes. He can leave any time he wants to.

- But... - I'll clear it with the doc.

You get squared away and buy what you need. Then you come see me.

You come and see me so I won't have to go looking for you, huh?

I thought you were in a hurry for these.

- Your lips still wet? - Dripping.

- You're crazy. - Mad, kitten.

Out of my mind.

Hello there, Duck-Duck.

Ah, hello, Mike.

What are you doing here? They can you from the Clover, boy?

No, I still sweep out over there.

But I help Old Dewey out sometimes. Like when he eats and all, you know.

- Where's Dewey now? - I don't know.

So yesterday he don't turn up.

I take the key, open up.

Today, same thing.

Look, has he ever missed two days running before?

Like this the first time.

You know Old Dewey. He don't wanna miss nothing.

Did you check his flap?

No.

Hey, you think I should? Like he could be sick or something?

No, I'll do it myself.

Sure. He owns the whole building now.

- He lives over on Second... - I know where he lives.

- Hey, Mike. - What?

You look funny, man.

Like different from when I saw you down at China Boys' place.

You off the sauce?

- Like, for good. - Man, here we go again.

Like, for sure.

I'll find him, Dewey.

Come in.

Hello, old friend.

- Mike. Good to see you. - Thanks.

- You sell the junk from my office? - No, it's still there.

Just like when you left. Even the phones.

Auggie Strickling gave me the dough he owed you, so I paid your phone bill.

- Still got a key? - No. I love to stay.

Yeah.

Had it made special. I knew you would be back.

- So... - No, no. No thanks are necessary.

Please, don't talk. Just take.

- Remember when you gave? - Thanks, kid. You'll never know.

I know.

I know why you left. I know why you came back.

You know...

you don't look like you did, except maybe your eyes. That's the worst part.

- Is it? - For somebody.

I owe you an awful lot of rent.

Yeah, yeah. So, for you I'll hold the rent to a dollar a year.

Oh, Mike...

That was hers.

Hello, Rickerby? Hammer.

Look, have you got time for a talk?

Yeah. My old office. It's 808in the Hackett Building.

Bring a sandwich and a couple of beers, huh?

Good.

Colt automatic, caliber 45.

The day of the gun is back again.

Can I make it? Or I have no choice?

One mistake and Pat has me.

If he misses, The Dragon has me.

Oh, Pat...

Could he have loved her, too?

Something sure loused him up.

Well let him sweat.

Whoever killed Cole killed Senator Knapp and in all probability, Old Dewey too.

So, I'm one of them, Pat.

Whatever I do, I'll have to do right.

Some place, she's alive.

But for how long?

There's a killer loose and she's on the list.

Hello, honey.

It's been a long, long time.

Here we are. Got a can opener?

What do we talk about?

Let me ask you some questions, Ricky.

By, Rickerby.

Yes, sorry.

- Are you officially on this case? - No. Not this moment.

Richie Cole is dead, there's a local policeman out.

- Do they know who he was? - By this time, I assume so.

And your department won't press the matter?

If his death resulted in the line of duty he was performing...

- then your department would be interested. - Oh, definitely.

But suppose he died under peculiar circumstances.

Then his death will be a local police matter and his cover identity would stick, true?

- Now you draw your own conclusions. - I will.

I'd say right now, nobody knows why he died.

You're on detached duty because of a personal interest in this thing.

You couldn't be ordered off it or otherwise you'd resign and pursue it yourself.

For a guy who was an alcoholic a short time ago, your mind is awful lucid.

It's the shock. Suddenly meeting death in sober condition really rocked me.

Yeah...

My heart bleeds for you.

Go ahead with your questions.

What was Richie Cole's job?

I don't know, I wouldn't tell you if I did.

Ok, what was his cover?

Look, you said you would do anything to get Richie's killer.

Yeah, I guess you're right. Richie's cover was working as a seaman.

- A union man? - He had a full card.

Thanks.

Is that all?

You got anything you wanna tell me?

Nope.

Keep in touch.

Mike.

- You look lousy. - So I have been told.

A good lousy.

I am sorry about what happened between, uh, you and, uh, Pat.

I heard about it when you was still in the drunk tank.

Why did you get me out?

Well, I figured it would be good therapy for you.

And besides, the word is out.

You are poison.

- Look, Hy. How about a favour? - I was waiting for that.

Well, you know one thing, the favor department is always open to you.

- What can I do? - It's about Senator Knapp.

He died when I was, uh, away.

- He didn't die, he was murdered. - Why?

Well, the way papers reported it at the time, a burglar shot him.

But you got to remember this, that, that the Senator Leo Knapp was a big man.

He hated the commie punks just like we do.

And he worked hard at it, he was on a committee with teeth, with prestige...

with power, and besides, he was America's number one missile man.

What are you grinning about?

You've lost your old contacts and, uh, you want me to bird-dog her for you, huh?

And it won't be the first time. Shoot.

Look, keep Marilyn out of it will you?

To her you're still a new husband

and she doesn't want you going down bullet alley anymore.

Well, we both appreciate that. But let me have the details, uh?

It's about, uh, Senator Knapp's widow.

You got around to her pretty fast.

She's, uh, up in the country place that the Senator used to love so much.

It's where he was shot, ironically enough.

She keeps it open all summer and in the winter she lives in Washington

where she's knows as "The hostess with the mostest."

- And, uh, she's really stacked. - Sounds great.

Hy, have you got anything in the files on this case?

I should have, Mike, let me take a look.

Uh, let's see.

"K's", "K's", yes. Here it is.

"Senator Leo Knapp. Deceased."

Mike, I think you'll find all the clips you need right in here.

Good deal. Look, I'll get these back to you as fast as I can, huh?

You'd better.

And Mike...

Take it easy, will you?

There are an awful lot of bums who would like to catch up with you.

I think most already have.

- Hello. - Well, hello.

Isn't it a little cold for that sort of thing?

Not in the sun.

- Now, Mister... - Hammer, Michael Hammer.

And you're Laura Knapp?

Yes. Do I know you from somewhere, Mr. Hammer?

We've never met.

There is something familiar about you.

Well, I used to make the papers once. I was a private investigator.

Oh, yes. There was an affair with a Washington agency one time.

My husband was on a committee. So, you're Mike Hammer?

- Expect something different? - I don't know quite. Perhaps.

- I've been sick. - I can believe that.

- What are you doing here?

There's a chance you might be able to help me.

Does it bother you to go over the details of your husband's murder?

You're very blunt, Mr. Hammer.

It is away in the past. I'm not afraid to discuss it.

But wouldn't it have been easier to examine the records?

No, I'm glad I came.

But I did go over the clips on the case.

And why, may I ask?

Well, something's come up that might tie in your husband's killer with another murder.

- You mean that... - It's a wild supposition, that's all.

Another man was shot with the same gun that killed your husband.

I see. But why aren't the police here instead of you?

Oh, they will be.

Shortly you'll be seeing a New York cop.

I just didn't have any legal paperwork to do. So I got here first.

If I don't talk...

- will you belt me one? - Hell, I never hit dames.

- I always kick them. - I'll talk.

- Do I get a reward if I do? - Sure. I won't kick you.

Sounds enticing. What you want to know?

Tell me what happened.

Well, it was a little after 2 in the morning.

I heard a shot. I ran downstairs. I heard his voice shouting.

And there he was on the floor of the den. Dying.

He called my name out twice. Then he was gone.

I phoned the police. Not immediately, I was stunned.

It happens.

Whoever it was went out through the French windows, across the yard and out the gate

and had driven away.

There were no footprints, no tire tracks.

What about the house?

The safe was open and empty.

The police believe Leo surprised the thief.

There was nothing. No fingerprints.

And the safe had been opened with the combination.

And Leo was the only one who knew it.

They think the thief made Leo open it.

Well, nothing of value was missing according to the police reports.

Junk, just junk. About a thousand dollars of paste jewellery.

Replicas of genuine pieces I kept in the bank.

A false promise is a good reason for a robbery.

Nobody knew I kept the paste jewellery in there.

Two people did. Your husband and his killer.

Why didn't you have the combination?

I didn't need it.

Leo kept all his papers in there and I stayed out of his affairs completely.

Papers? Official documents?

Later, all his important papers were found in his safety deposit box.

The government men said there was nothing missing.

May I know what you're trying to get at?

One gun, two kills, years apart.

I try, that's all. Nothing seems to match.

I'm sorry.

- Anything else? - Could be.

- Can I see the den? - Certainly.

Here's the combination.

- Make yourself at home, I have to change. - Thanks.

Has anything been changed in here?

No, I left this room just as it was.

The night the Senator was killed, were things messed up at all?

Only the safe was opened. It all happened so quickly. Why?

- Well... - Just hold it right there, mister.

- You all right, Mrs. Knapp? - Why, yes. What's wrong?

The alarm on your safe tuned me in.

It buzzed me in the car as I was checking the grounds.

That's my fault. I should've called you first. I was testing it.

Yes, that's right. I let Mr. Hammer inspect the safe.

But I didn't know it had an alarm.

It's the only one in the county.

- And that's no way to test it. - Sorry.

Say, didn't the alarm go off the night the Senator was killed?

No, not according to the reports.

And if you're gonna test it again,

- give us a call first, eh? - Will do, buddy.

Sorry to trouble you, thanks anyway.

Is there some significance to all this?

I don't know.

But thanks for letting me take your time, Mrs. Knapp.

I hope you'll come back.

If only to let me know how you're making out.

- Well? - I saw Laura Knapp today.

Oh, we covered that angle like a tent.

The safe, the alarm that wouldn't go off, the fake jewellery.

And for your information, a complete check on Knapp's confidential papers.

- So it wasn't a great idea? - No. Nor original.

Well, have you decided to let me know what Richie told you?

- Not yet. I wanna know more about Cole. - I can't help you much.

He was disobeying orders. He wouldn't been on the carpet if he hadn't been killed.

Look, he was no novice.

No, that's what I can't understand.

His record was perfect. He was a book man through and through with experience.

- I just can't figure it out. - Well, something put him there.

- Listen, I need more time. - I figured you would.

A week.

Well, Richie is dead. A week isn't important.

But at the end of that time, you'd better spill what information Richie gave you

or I'll show you tricks to make a man miserable you never even thought of.

Well, thanks for the time. I appreciate it. I'll call you.

I'll be waiting.

- Hi, Morris. - Hello, Mr. Hammer.

Here, Mr. Hammer, would you mind signing the book?

Oh, sorry.

- Thank you. - Sure.

Hello, Nat. Don't ask any questions.

Get somebody up here to straighten up my office right away.

I'll tell you about it later.

You know where Joe Grissi's bar is? Near the waterfront?

- Yeah. - Let's roll, eh?

I'm sorry, buddy, we're closed up. No more customers.

Al.

- Señor, you don't want trouble here. - Me neither, kid.

Vamos. Go.

You're the tough one, eh?

- Enough, man. - How tough?

If you really wanna know, there's one way you can find out.

Think I will.

You know what I'm going to do with it?

And now you blow, uh?

Eat it.

Ok, Hammer, so you ruined them. How about taking off?

Tough guys I got all the time. Old tough guys I don't need.

So out, ok?

Don't die without cause, Grissi.

Bring me a beer, huh?

You don't remember me, do you, Mike?

Used to be on the old telegraph.

You gave me a bonus scoop when you handled the Elliott insurance case.

- What's with you? - What?

Even when I don't write I follow the columns, that Elliott case was years ago.

- How long were you a bum? - Too long.

You got no ticket for that ride, Mike.

Well, when you gonna ask it? The big question. The one you came for.

You think too much, Bayliss, boy.

This is a thief's mart, is just anybody doesn't come here.

You want something, don't you?

Ever hear of a sailor named Richie Cole?

Sure. He's got a room under mine. He's a good friend.

Smuggler. Supposed to be small-time but he had a big loot. Nice guy, though.

- Still live there? - Yeah. But he's no seaman.

Makes plenty of bucks, though. You'll like him.

Where is his place?

Come on, if he is in trouble, I'm not gonna make it worse.

You can't, Cole's dead.

How? Gun?

I felt something like that would happen to him, it was in the cards.

I saw his guns, three of them. Funny.

He sure wanted some peculiar information.

Richie Cole is a federal agent, he stayed alive just long enough to ask me in on this.

- Do you know what you'd be getting into? - I've been shot before.

Yeah. But you haven't been dead before.

- Take me to Cole's place. - Ok.

Velda.

What you find, Mike?

Somebody wanted to identify her pretty badly.

Who?

Nothing you'll understand. Cole and I had a mutual friend.

- Is there a back way out of this place? - Yeah, I'll show you.

Look out.

Come here, Bayliss.

I'll never learn to keep my mouth shut.

Did Richie Cole have much of a social life?

- What do you mean? - You know, like girls?

Oh.

Well, Richie's wife died in 1949. No children. Up till that time he got around,

Didn't cheat.

Naturally, after she died he was a normal man. Why?

Well, who would he go out with when he wasn't on the job?

Did he work with a dame?

Richie didn't have many friends. You can't have, in this work.

It's a lonely job.

Well, there was a Greta King, a stewardess in some airline.

She was a sister of somebody he served with in the army.

And, uh...

Alex Burt, also out of the army. Burt retired to a chicken farm upstate.

That's all?

No, there was somebody else he used to like to see.

A woman, an old friend. Never told me her name though.

Well, that's about it. You got something to tell me?

- I can't tell you what I don't know. - That's true.

Look, if it isn't classified, find out what Richie did during the war.

What his job was, who he knew.

During the war, you think it went back that far?

All right.

I'll see what I can do.

Say, George.

Yes, Mike, what can I do for you?

Could you mail this to my office for me?

- The address... - I know the address.

- Hello. - Hello.

Having fun? Good thing you didn't find a gun.

If I did, you'd be up on a Sullivan charge right now.

- How'd you get in here? - Don't get smart.

A warrant, mister.

When I heard there was a kill in this particular building,

I took this up first thing.

Would you mind, Mrs. Knapp, please waiting in the other room?

Why, no.

Thank you.

Damn you.

I'm getting fed up, Mike, now you'd better talk.

If I don't?

I'll put a tail on you day and night. If you so much as spit, I'll have you hauled in

and, brother, you don't even know some of the new rules in the book.

Ok, Pat, anything you want.

- But, first, a favour. - No favors.

Oh, it's not a favour. It's really a matter of public record, but it'll save me time.

Look up Velda's PI license for me.

The New York State law says you have to have three years

in an accredited police agency.

Now, her ticket was good but I never thought to ask where she got her background.

Yes or no, Pat?

You...

Don't pull your tangents on me. You're using her as an oblique switch to get

back at me for slapping you around.

- Well, you've just about had it, punk. - Don't "punk" me.

You tell me what I wanna know and I'll tell you where this came from.

Ok.

I can't take any chances.

But if it's a phony, that's it.

I'll call you about the license.

- No, you, you call me. - Pat...

Did you love Velda, too?

May I come in?

Sure.

- What are you doing here? - I asked to come.

I was at his office when he got the call.

- He hates you, doesn't he? - We used to be friends.

Aren't most friendships temporary, at best?

That's pretty cynical.

No, just realistic.

It seems your friends are only those at the moment.

Either you outgrow the old ones or something turns friendship into hatred.

- Well, it's a lousy system. - There it is, nevertheless.

It's even that way with nations.

Aren't our former enemies our best friends.

And our former ally, Russia, now our enemy?

You know, beautiful blondes aren't generally philosophers.

It really isn't funny.

When Leo was alive, at affairs in Washington...

I saw decisions made over cocktails that shook the world.

Friendships between nations wiped out...

all because of one stupid, pompous, political appointee.

I still carry on at the capital...

but I know all about friendships.

And love.

- Love? - Yes, love, Mike.

The woman both of you loved.

Is she dead?

If she's alive, I'll find her.

If she's dead, I'll find the one who killed her.

Why?

When Leo died, they were only interested in the political repercussions.

They seemed to forget to hunt down his killer.

But I haven't forgotten. I thought I had.

But now...

but you care, Mike, I know.

You're getting to a point, kitten. What is it?

Somehow, you know Leo's death is a part of her.

I feel the same way as you do.

Find her and along the line you'll find who killed Leo.

You think I can?

After you left, I found out all about you.

It was very fascinating information.

That was me a long time ago. I'm just out of the bum stage now.

That doesn't seem to stop you.

Laura...

My money can put a lot of things at your disposal.

Take it. Find the ones we want.

- But hurry. - You loved Leo very much, didn't you?

Very much.

Please.

Go through.

- Hi, doc. - Hello, Mike.

Well, so long.

No, stick around, Larry, this won't take long.

What did ballistics come up with?

That bullet came from the same gun that killed Richie Cole and Senator Knapp, eh?

- Ok, where do you get it? - We had something to trade, remember?

Bob, can you check on the gunshot report at 1-8-0-0 J Street.

- 1800 J Street. - That's right. 1800 J Street.

- Right away. - Thank you.

- Read it out loud. - Drop dead.

Oh, no, go ahead. Read it.

All right, Velda was an active member of the OSI during the war.

Thanks.

Come here, you.

There were two shots in that alley and they didn't come from the same gun.

This came from a 32.

The other was a large bore.

Like a 45.

- How about that? - Look at him. He's being cute.

You're playing guns again, Mike.

Well, you kill anybody on this part and I'll watch them strap you in the hot squat

because when you go down, it's gonna be a six-foot-four, like the man said.

- Thanks a bunch. - No trouble.

He's a sick man, doc.

He won't admit it, but he was in love with Velda, too.

Weren't you, Pat?

Yes.

Damn you.

Mike.

- Coffee, Mike? - Yeah, please.

- One more java. - What's all this information you found out?

Oh, it's pretty surprising.

You know, Richie was much bigger during the war than I figured.

- He commanded the 17 group. - Oh?

Did you ever hear of Butterfly Two?

Yeah.

Was the spy ring that backed up the political parties in Europe since before World War I

wasn't it?

- I'm amazed you ever heard of it. - I have amazing friends.

Yes, you have, indeed.

What's that supposed to mean?

It was your girl, Velda, that Richie used to meet on his trips home.

They met during the war.

A man named Gerald Irlick was Richie's prime target at that time.

He was head of Butterfly Two.

Now, the first time that Richie met Velda was in Paris in connection with that case.

Beginning to make sense?

Irlick had organized this huge espionage ring in 1910.

Briefly, it was a world conquest plan that the central powers

had developed to take over every nation, one after the other,

until they finally ran a single dictatorship world.

So, the Reds are gonna take over and bury us, huh?

Well, something like that.

The Reds uncovered the organization. They infiltrated and took it over.

That's why the free world is on the defensive right now.

You think Velda was part of Butterfly Two?

I don't care. All I want is Richie's killer.

Who's The Dragon, Art?

- What do you know about that? - Is it classified?

It's top secret.

Code name for an executioner.

For the commies?

Then how come with a name like The Dragon it never appeared?

Because it's our code name, not theirs.

You tell me what you know about The Dragon.

Sure.

He's the one you're looking for.

The Dragon killed Richie. Now he's trying to kill Velda.

Richie told me.

You know too much, Mr. Hammer.

You may become a target yourself.

Well...

Thanks for being so candid.

And thanks for The Dragon.

You leaving it like that?

Why not?

I got the information that I was after.

That's about it, isn't it?

Sucker.

You don't think I'm that stupid, do you?

I guess I lost my insight for a minute.

What else do you know?

Richie told me something else that will put the killer in front of a gun.

Like soon.

And for this additional information, you want what?

Not much.

Just an official capacity of some department so I can carry a gun.

Like in the old days?

Like in the old days.

Yes.

I'll call you back in a little while.

Thanks.

- Hi, Mike, how are things going? - Pretty good.

Look, can you code a message to your friends and get an answer back the same way?

- No problem. - Overseas too?

Sure, why not.

Find out what anybody knows about the Dragon.

The Dragon?

How soon can you get the request off?

Well, I'd say like right away but what's the bit with the Dragon?

Gerald Erlich, Butterfly Two.

You really got your neck stuck out this time.

What's that got to do with Senator Knapp?

The same gun that killed Richie Cole killed Senator Knapp.

Now, there might be a tie in.

Do you got an old picture of Erlich around?

I think so.

There he is.

You'd do anything to see that doll again, wouldn't you?

Well, if you run around long enough something's going to show up.

Like a doll, maybe?

- Like a doll, maybe. - Maybe.

Thanks.

- Hi, Mike. - Hi.

Feel like a swim?

- I didn't bring a suit. - So?

Come on. There are some things I'm prudish about.

Well, I'll be darned. You never can tell, can you?

You didn't come all the way up here to just see me, did you?

I didn't think so before I left.

Can I tell you something frankly?

I like you.

The feeling is mutual. It shouldn't be, though.

Why not?

Because we're miles apart. I'm trouble, kid, don't encourage me.

I only came up here on a flimsy pretext.

Tell me your flimsy pretext, then.

It's about Leo.

Did he ever tell you what his job was during the war?

He was a general. Procurement, I think.

He didn't get into action though he wanted to.

No, I didn't mean that. Was he ever with an Intelligence Department?

I don't think so, and I think I knew pretty well everything about him.

Look, honey...

have you ever seen this face in any of your husband's effects?

- No, who is he? - - Gerald Erlich.

He was an espionage agent who worked with the Nazis during the war.

- What did he have to do with Leo? - I don't know.

But his name has been coming up too often to be coincidental.

Mike, I have Leo's effects in the house.

You think you might find something useful in them?

It wouldn't hurt to look.

Stay there.

It was a shot, wasn't it?

Yeah, a silenced gun. That was a second try for me.

But who was it?

- The Dragon. - Who?

An assassin. He must be getting the jumps.

Oh my, this is crazy.

No, it isn't. Anyone close to me can be a target.

You're going to need police protection.

Oh, I can't afford the publicity of having a police escort, Mike.

We can't afford to take chances either.

I do keep a gun handy.

- What about out here? - There's one in the bathhouse.

No. No, police protection will still be your best bet.

Oh, I don't want it to get in the papers, Mike.

Congress reconvenes and I shall be entertaining Washington...

Oh, that's stupid.

Maybe.

But that's what Leo wanted.

I'm sorry.

We just bat in different leagues.

Maybe we're closer than you think.

All right, we'll keep it quiet.

From now on, I'll do some hunting.

Good.

Shall we go through Leo's effects, then?

Here they all are.

Thanks, honey.

A summer rain storm.

How many times have Velda and I walked in it, our shoulders and legs touching?

But where is she now? Alive?

She was a long time gone.

But think. No one saw her die. Cole had a reason to know her.

And she told him to look for me.

And when he did, he found a drunken bum.

His eyes told me I had messed things up.

But he had a chance to say the magic word that made all the difference.

Velda, ok, kid,

The odds are lousy, but I'll find you.

Anything, Mike?

No, everything is as mundane as mud pie.

I'm sorry.

There's still a thread left to pull.

It just makes me so damn mad that everything comes up so difficult.

Some things should be made easy for you then.

I'll be back.

Come on in, don't be bashful.

Your friend Nat Drutman gave me the key, I pressured him.

It's ok. If he didn't read you right, you wouldn't have gotten in.

So, what's with the visit. You getting impatient?

No, no, no. I'm just going along with the stream.

There isn't anything I can do that will bring Richie back.

But there isn't anything I won't do to get the guy that killed him. Here.

Now I can carry a gun, huh?

In any state.

- Thanks. - That's no trouble.

All right, you ready to lead me to Richie's killer?

I still have three more days.

All right, I'll wait you out, but don't forget,

if you find him, don't you touch him.

Why?

- I want him. - Pleasant thought.

Yes, isn't it?

You got a mean streak, kid.

Doesn't quite match up to yours.

- Someday, you'll see what I mean. - Ah, come on.

And meanwhile, I got some news for you.

Our old friend Erlich has been dead for five years.

He was shot. Body positively identified.

Why they knock him off?

Well, you see the Reds suckered him and got control of his Butterfly Two group.

Of course, anybody that knew the inside of that organization outside the Reds,

had to die.

Erlich knew so he died.

You sure he was the only one who knew all that?

Well, there could be others.

One thing we are sure of, Erlich was eliminated by the Red's chief assassin.

The guy we call the Dragon.

Well, you know where to find me. You need anything else?

Not now. Thanks for the ticket.

- Would you light that damn thing? - Oh, no, no.

No, thanks.

I can't stand the smell of cigar smoke.

Don't forget,

I want the Dragon alive.

I won't kill him, all right.

That's a good boy.

Don't you spoil my pleasure, or yours either, uh?

- Hello? - Oh, hi.

Mike? Glad you called. Can you get down here right away?

Important?

Oh, one word from you and everybody flips. Shake it up, huh?

- Right away. - Good.

Hello.

Are you going to be busy tonight, Mike?

Well, why?

I'm coming into your big city.

I know it'll be sort of late but I have to see an old friend of yours at 10 P. M.

And I thought whatever you had to do, you could do it with me.

Sure, come on in. If I said no, I'd be lying. Who's my old friend?

Old friend, new enemy. Captain Chambers.

For Pete's sake.

Besides I'll see you sooner than I hoped. Any special place?

Yeah, Moriarty's at 50 East 54th.

Real quick.

We got the answer to the message.

The Dragon is the hottest thing in the Cold War.

- So? - I'll read it to you.

Decoded.

There's been hell to pay behind Iron Curtain.

An American, black haired, beautiful was loose.

She knew something that could rock the entire Soviet espionage system

and had to be eliminated.

The Dragon got assignment, came in...

was close to making his hit but missed.

Now, nobody knows what the score is. Or do you, Mike?

- It's Velda. They're after her. - Velda?

It was a confidential postscript here and from what I read between the lines,

- Velda hasn't got a chance. - She's got a chance.

Well, here's a P.S.

Neither Dragon nor girl...

is in Europe.

End of message.

- You all right? - Don't worry about me.

I have a friend along now, legally.

- It gives me the chills. - It's supposed to.

Bring me a beer, please.

What time are you meeting Pat?

Oh, Captain Chambers. Here in five minutes.

- Shall we sit at a table? - Yeah, let's.

Does Pat know I'm coming?

I didn't mention it.

Oh, great. Just great.

- Hello, Mrs. Knapp. - Hello.

Nice of you to come down.

Glad you're here, too.

- Where do you get your connections? - Why?

It's peculiar how a busted private dick, in trouble up to his ears

can get a gun carrying privilege we can't break.

How do you do it, punk?

Well, you might need it at that.

A bright kid gave us a description of the guy who shot at you in the alley.

Big guy, lined face, high cheek bones like an Indian.

- Ever see anybody like that? - Nope.

Well, I'll tell you why I'm glad you're here. Save me from hauling you in tomorrow.

- Oh? - Yeah, oh.

There is a strange denominator running through our little murder puzzle here,

and I'm trying to figure out what it means.

Gems.

Three times they come in.

First when my friend here I and a girl die because of them.

Later when Senator Knapp died, paste jewels were taken from your safe.

Then, a known smuggler was killed with the same gun.

It occur to you, too, Mike? You were fast enough to visit Mrs. Knapp here.

- Listen... - Shut up, there's more.

Paste jewels. I think they're yours, Mrs. Knapp.

Yes, these are mine but, where?

An old junk-man tried to peddle them.

He said he found them months ago, the broker called us.

Make your connection, Pat.

So far all you have shown is that some smart crook

recognized paste jewellery and dumped it.

I was thinking about the Civac robbery.

The one you were supposed to prevent when you sent Velda in.

Maybe you turned sour way back there, Mike, tried for a big

score and then fouled yourself up.

You're nuts. I never saw a Civac.

I made that protection deal by phone.

Yeah, well anyway, here's what your deceased customer looked like.

Uh, do you positively identify these, Mrs. Knapp?

Yes, they're mine, all right.

Fine. You can come down to the office tomorrow and pick them up.

Thank You.

Goodbye, Mrs. Knapp and thank you again for coming down.

Goodbye.

See you soon, Mike.

You're very quiet.

Aren't we going to do the town?

You mind if we don't?

No. What you want to do?

Think.

Your place?

I have no place except my office.

Well?

Not there.

Let's go to my place, then.

It's cool, quiet and you can think better there.

We're home, Mike.

Your servants won't like me coming in.

They're not here. They're getting the Washington place ready.

You're crazy, kid, after what happened, you should have somebody around all the time.

I'm trying to.

Quit brainwashing me.

A lovely girl.

You seem so worried, Mike. Would it help you to tell me about it? Like Leo used to.

I'm a good listener. I used to be his sounding board.

- You're afraid of something. - Not of, for. Like for you.

I told you once that wherever I was, there'd be trouble.

And when you play guns, there are stray shots and I don't want you in the way.

I've already been there, remember?

Don't you like living?

I thought I had stopped living when Leo died.

- Laura... - Have I pushed you into anything?

No.

And I won't.

I don't want to make you an even bigger target.

Mike...

You love me at all?

I think so, but I can't be sure.

That's enough for now.

You want to talk to me?

I'll fill in the high points for you.

There's a man named Erlich. He was the big brain but he wanted out.

He came over here and called himself Civac.

They found him the night I sent Velda out.

They killed his wife and they abducted Velda and him in a pretended robbery.

When I was drinking myself into a lousy puddle,

Velda was in another puddle...

- in Russia. - I understand.

She wants to try to get word through to me somehow.

But every contact was killed except Cole.

What he'd told me made me believe she was still alive.

- What's the matter? - Something is missing.

What?

She had to get into this country some way.

Oh, let's forget about it for a while.

Let's take a swim. Come on. I'll get your suit.

- This the gun? - Yeah.

- Who put it here? - I did.

I thought you knew how to handle it.

I do.

You listen and you listen good.

You stuck this baby's nose in heavy clay and plugged both barrels.

Do you know what would happen to you if you ever tried to shoot it?

No.

This is high grade sporting ammunition, if you ever pulled the trigger, the back blast

will blow your lovely head right off your shoulders.

But I didn't realize.

Damn it, shut up. You'd have nothing left from the neck up.

You'd have the medical examiner picking pieces of your skull out of the wood-work

with needle-nose pliers.

- Please, stop. - Ok, I've made my point.

Nobly, to say the least.

So, take your swim, then.

You're going to leave me now, aren't you?

Yes, I am.

It's between your Velda or me, isn't it?

Will you come back?

I have to find her first.

You will.

Then, I'll come back.

- You shouldn't leave after that. - I have to.

Here, put this back.

The right way.

Hey, Mike. What do you know?

Dewey left me the stand, ain't that something?

Fine. Fine.

Say, did Dewey leave an envelope here for me?

No.

Well, none I've ever seen. You want to look around?

No, you would've found it by now.

Hey, Mike.

You still going to do business here?

Dewey had to drop off this stuff every month.

Oh, you just keep me on the list, Duck, I'll pick up everything in a few days, huh?

Hey, Mike. Mike...

- What do you want now? - Bayliss Henry around?

I'll find him for you. Sit down, I'll buy you a drink.

Never mind.

Mike, my boy, no more.

Whatever it is, I want none of it.

I'm getting old, I scare easy.

- The last time was enough. - You won't get shot at.

How can I argue? What do you want to know?

Which ship was Richie Cole on?

- The Vanessa. - What pier?

She was at number 12 but it won't do you any good.

She sailed day before yesterday. Why, Mike? What was on it?

I wanted to see a guy.

Maybe you still can. Half the men didn't sign on again.

Who did Richie hang around with on this ship?

Gee, Mike, I don't know. Wait a minute.

There was one guy, they'd drink and play chess.

Where can I find him?

You know where Annie Stein's pad is, the Flophouse?

Suppose you go along?

Mike, I told you.

Look, Art Gardner wants you to cover for him.

No kidding. Okay.

Hey, wake up. Red.

Wake up/.

Hey, hey, what's the idea?

Oh, boy.

- What are you, Cops? - No, friends of Richie Cole's.

Oh, you play chess?

Richie plays chess. Damn good, too.

Red, did you know about the girl on the ship?

Sure. It's a hell of a joke.

We hid her in the hold.

Where is she now?

I don't know.

Oh, I got her up on deck.

Dennis Wallace, he put her in a crate.

Then he called a friend of his and...

and, uh, then he took her off the ship.

Dennis gave him the crate. Some joke, huh?

- Dennis has got a place not far from here. - Ok, let's go.

Hey, hey, hey, you fellas, wait a minute.

How come everybody wants Dennis?

Who else wanted Dennis, Red?

Oh, big guy.

Bigger than you.

He gave me this bottle.

He's big and mean...

like an Indian.

The Dragon, come on.

Hey, hey, wait a minute...

I don't want no cops.

- Who do you want? - Dennis Wallace, he's a seaman.

He's got company.

Down the hall, number 6, that door there.

Wallace, grab a cab and get to Art Gardner right away.

Tell him everything you saw and call Pat Chambers, he'll know what to do, huh?

All right, get going.

The night of the Girl Hunters had finally come.

But there was still one more step left.

And The Dragon had put the pieces together first.

The truck that delivered Velda had been letted to Alex Bird,

And Wallace had died talking about that.

Alex knows where she is.

And I could have known, too, if I had found the note Old Dewey held for me.

Now, I had to be right or Alex and Velda would both be dead.

Hello.

- Hello. - I have him for you, I...

He's still alive.

Oh, thanks, Mike.

Thanks a lot. Where is he?

On the floor of Alex Bird's barn.

They just don't make dragons like they used too.

What about your problem? Is that solved?

Almost.

It just hit me.

I could have found Velda days ago.

We've always had a common contact. I just didn't look.

Did you know the Dragon was a team?

A what?

A team.

Richie told me.

Now, I know what he meant by tooth and nail.

Would you cover for me, buddy?

Everything will be taken care of. Just you ask.

Thanks.

Mike.

Your face.

Trouble, baby. I told you I was trouble.

It happens when you pull a dragon's tooth.

Oh, let me get dressed, darling. Then I'm going to look after you.

- What's this thing about dragons? - They are big and scaly and vicious.

They have teeth and nails.

And I'm St. George.

You talk so funny.

Only for now.

It will be over today.

Today? Are you sure?

Today.

- Want to hear what I think? - Please, Mike.

Pat and I were both a little bit right.

Your jewels were red herrings honey, decoys.

Oh?

Your husband was a frightening political figure, Laura.

But the Senator was smart.

He realized his work was being stymied.

He baited a trap.

Probably by casually remarking that important military papers were in his safe.

Then he caught the enemy opening his safe and they shot him.

Boy, that burglar alibi sure was beautiful.

Now, as a widow she could operates

still in top circles with an ear to the groundat important Washington functions,

her secret identity still perfectly safe.

Then came Velda, who'd been accidentally abducted with Erlich.

She got to know the big thing about Butterfly Two before she escaped.

She made contact with Cole and got smuggled back to the States with her secret.

Oh, the Dragon didn't get Velda, she sent for me.

Alex delivered her to an address Cole gave Dewey.

It's in the copy of a magazine I pick up every month.

What you have to say will open up the secrets of the greatest of the greatest espionage

organization the world is ever known.

I may be wrong.

But now there's only one way left to find out.

Mike.

Mike.

So long, baby.