1
00:01:09,402 --> 00:01:11,571
Judging by your lugubrious gait

2
00:01:11,606 --> 00:01:12,837
and sour expression

3
00:01:12,872 --> 00:01:15,874
I assume that your endeavors have achieved nothing.

4
00:01:15,909 --> 00:01:18,945
Well, there may have been some buried clue or significant fact

5
00:01:18,980 --> 00:01:21,482
that showed itself, but I missed it.

6
00:01:21,981 --> 00:01:23,716
Then you better type up the report.

7
00:01:25,018 --> 00:01:26,830
You mean my full report?

8
00:01:26,865 --> 00:01:28,643
You want it verbatim?

9
00:01:29,758 --> 00:01:31,471
Yes.

10
00:01:31,506 --> 00:01:33,557
Uh, that could take all afternoon, maybe more.

11
00:01:33,592 --> 00:01:35,179
I suppose so.

12
00:01:41,036 --> 00:01:42,613
I asked you to type the report.

13
00:01:42,648 --> 00:01:45,405
I heard you but it's just all and you know it.

14
00:01:45,406 --> 00:01:47,105
Archie, you might recall

15
00:01:47,106 --> 00:01:49,881
that I once returned a retainer of $40,000

16
00:01:49,916 --> 00:01:52,632
to a client named Zimmerman, because he...

17
00:01:52,667 --> 00:01:55,348
wanted to tell me how to handle his case

18
00:01:55,383 --> 00:01:56,976
instead of leaving it to me.

19
00:01:58,384 --> 00:02:01,420
Please type up the report.

20
00:02:10,202 --> 00:02:12,640
<i>It would've been a pleasure to take a gun out of the drawer</i>

21
00:02:12,675 --> 00:02:14,407
<i>and shoot that book right out of his hand</i>

22
00:02:14,442 --> 00:02:16,567
<i>but I decided it was inadvisable.</i>

23
00:02:16,602 --> 00:02:18,554
<i>So I swiveled, pulled the typewriter to me</i>

24
00:02:18,589 --> 00:02:20,865
<i>got paper, twirled it in and hit the keys.</i>

25
00:02:24,410 --> 00:02:26,544
<i>Three and a half hours later, at 6:00</i>

26
00:02:26,579 --> 00:02:30,049
<i>I finished typing my report and someone rang the bell.</i>

27
00:02:43,379 --> 00:02:44,328
Yes, can I help you?

28
00:02:44,363 --> 00:02:46,124
My name is Arthur M. Irby.

29
00:02:46,159 --> 00:02:47,833
I'm a lawyer and I represent Eric Hagh

30
00:02:47,868 --> 00:02:50,453
the former husband of Priscilla Eades.

31
00:02:50,488 --> 00:02:53,039
I would like to speak to Mr. Wolfe.

32
00:02:53,074 --> 00:02:54,774
Come in.

33
00:03:00,328 --> 00:03:03,015
Eric Hagh's lawyer, Albert Irby, is here to see you.

34
00:03:03,050 --> 00:03:05,149
Where the devil did you get him?

35
00:03:05,184 --> 00:03:07,787
Well, I didn't exactly get him, he came here.

36
00:03:07,822 --> 00:03:08,671
What does he want?

37
00:03:08,706 --> 00:03:09,521
To talk to you.

38
00:03:09,522 --> 00:03:12,523
Look, since you don't like a client horning in

39
00:03:12,558 --> 00:03:16,028
on a case of yours, I didn't press him for particulars.

40
00:03:16,063 --> 00:03:17,330
Bring him.

41
00:03:21,233 --> 00:03:22,969
Mr. Wolfe will see you.

42
00:03:25,842 --> 00:03:28,174
I appreciate your seeing me, Mr. Wolfe

43
00:03:28,209 --> 00:03:29,006
but I'm not surprised

44
00:03:29,041 --> 00:03:30,776
because I know of your great services

45
00:03:30,811 --> 00:03:32,043
in the cause of justice

46
00:03:32,078 --> 00:03:34,211
and that's what I want for my client, Eric Hagh.

47
00:03:34,246 --> 00:03:36,415
I was asked to represent him by a olleague in Venezuela...

48
00:03:36,450 --> 00:03:37,682
My time and attention

49
00:03:37,717 --> 00:03:41,187
are not infinite, Mr. Irby.

50
00:03:42,488 --> 00:03:43,789
Of course.

51
00:03:43,824 --> 00:03:45,091
Forgive me.

52
00:03:48,963 --> 00:03:50,695
I have with me

53
00:03:50,730 --> 00:03:53,766
a photostat of a letter dated August 12, 1946

54
00:03:53,801 --> 00:03:56,802
written and signed by Priscilla Eades Hagh

55
00:03:56,837 --> 00:03:58,502
and witnessed by Margaret Folmos.

56
00:03:58,537 --> 00:04:01,574
In this letter, Priscilla gives to her husband, Eric

57
00:04:01,609 --> 00:04:04,210
a half interest in all property, then hers

58
00:04:04,211 --> 00:04:05,477
or to become hers

59
00:04:05,478 --> 00:04:06,562
at any time in the future.

60
00:04:06,597 --> 00:04:07,647
This is a legal matter.

61
00:04:07,682 --> 00:04:08,913
I'm not a lawyer.

62
00:04:08,948 --> 00:04:11,116
I came to consult you not in a matter of the law

63
00:04:11,117 --> 00:04:12,669
but in a matter of fact.

64
00:04:12,670 --> 00:04:14,118
Miss Eades told me on Friday

65
00:04:14,153 --> 00:04:16,972
that she signed the document in good faith.

66
00:04:17,007 --> 00:04:19,917
She offered my client a $100,000 settlement.

67
00:04:19,952 --> 00:04:22,691
He rejected it, so I went to see Mr. Helmar.

68
00:04:22,726 --> 00:04:25,396
I fail to see what this has to do with me.

69
00:04:25,431 --> 00:04:28,467
Mr. Helmar claimed she never signed the document

70
00:04:28,502 --> 00:04:29,645
and accused my client of forging it

71
00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,871
so I called Mr. Hagh and told him to get on

72
00:04:32,906 --> 00:04:33,841
the first plane to New York.

73
00:04:33,876 --> 00:04:36,709
Uh, in five minutes, my dinner is served

74
00:04:36,744 --> 00:04:38,576
and I will be leaving this room

75
00:04:38,611 --> 00:04:40,396
whether you are finished speaking or not.

76
00:04:40,431 --> 00:04:42,782
You might consider getting to the point

77
00:04:42,817 --> 00:04:44,517
sooner rather than later.

78
00:04:47,553 --> 00:04:50,589
It occurred to me that, um...

79
00:04:50,624 --> 00:04:51,856
you could speak

80
00:04:51,891 --> 00:04:54,493
to the authenticity of the document.

81
00:04:54,528 --> 00:04:56,662
Miss Eades came to consult you.

82
00:04:56,697 --> 00:04:58,362
She spent hours here.

83
00:04:58,397 --> 00:05:00,132
Surely the document was discussed

84
00:05:00,167 --> 00:05:01,832
and surely she knowledged signing it.

85
00:05:01,867 --> 00:05:05,337
If Mr. Goodwin was also here and can speak...

86
00:05:05,372 --> 00:05:06,992
that would clinch it.

87
00:05:11,305 --> 00:05:14,829
Such assistance would be of great value to Mr. Hagh

88
00:05:14,864 --> 00:05:17,066
amounting to...

89
00:05:17,101 --> 00:05:18,749
five percent

90
00:05:18,784 --> 00:05:21,523
of the total sum received by him

91
00:05:21,558 --> 00:05:22,688
in settlement of his claim.

92
00:05:25,517 --> 00:05:27,893
You say Mr. Hagh is coming to New York?

93
00:05:27,928 --> 00:05:29,160
Yes.

94
00:05:29,195 --> 00:05:30,027
When does he arrive?

95
00:05:30,062 --> 00:05:31,580
Tomorrow afternoon, 3:00.

96
00:05:31,615 --> 00:05:33,064
Oh, I'd like to see him.

97
00:05:33,099 --> 00:05:34,799
Oh, certainly. I want you to.

98
00:05:34,834 --> 00:05:37,002
I'll bring him straight here from the airport.

99
00:05:37,037 --> 00:05:39,136
Meanwhile... I've prepared affidavits.

100
00:05:39,171 --> 00:05:41,774
No, there will be no affidavit until I speak to your client.

101
00:05:41,809 --> 00:05:43,474
Then we'll see.

102
00:05:43,509 --> 00:05:46,545
I- I think there should be a meeting of all those involved.

103
00:05:46,580 --> 00:05:48,245
Both sides

104
00:05:48,280 --> 00:05:49,113
with you present

105
00:05:49,148 --> 00:05:51,751
here in my office at 9:00 p. m. tomorrow.

106
00:05:51,786 --> 00:05:53,720
I would welcome such a meeting

107
00:05:53,755 --> 00:05:54,824
but I want some assurance that...

108
00:05:54,859 --> 00:05:58,907
No. By making me a flagrantly improper offer

109
00:05:58,942 --> 00:06:01,727
you have forfeited all rights to amenity.

110
00:06:01,762 --> 00:06:04,330
You'll have to take it as it comes.

111
00:06:06,027 --> 00:06:07,912
My dinner is served.

112
00:06:10,836 --> 00:06:12,138
Very well then.

113
00:06:15,323 --> 00:06:16,561
Good day.

114
00:06:23,849 --> 00:06:25,584
Are you satisfied?

115
00:06:25,619 --> 00:06:26,851
No, sir.

116
00:06:26,886 --> 00:06:28,621
And neither are you.

117
00:06:37,730 --> 00:06:40,309
<i>The next morning, I decided for the umpteenth time</i>

118
00:06:40,344 --> 00:06:41,679
<i>I didn't have the right temperament</i>

119
00:06:41,714 --> 00:06:42,980
<i>for working with Nero Wolfe.</i>

120
00:06:43,015 --> 00:06:46,017
<i>If I had, I would've long ago quit being exasperated</i>

121
00:06:46,052 --> 00:06:48,161
<i>by his assumption that there was no point</i>

122
00:06:48,196 --> 00:06:50,235
<i>starting the day's detecting activities</i>

123
00:06:50,270 --> 00:06:53,345
<i>until he came down from the plant rooms at 11:00.</i>

124
00:06:56,272 --> 00:06:58,551
Nero Wolfe's office, Archie Goodwin speaking.

125
00:06:58,984 --> 00:07:01,153
This is Sarah Jaffe, Mr. Goodwin.

126
00:07:01,188 --> 00:07:01,986
Yes, yes, it is.

127
00:07:02,021 --> 00:07:03,756
I can tell by the voice. Good morning.

128
00:07:03,791 --> 00:07:05,057
Good morning.

129
00:07:05,491 --> 00:07:07,443
I wanted...

130
00:07:07,478 --> 00:07:09,360
How are you?

131
00:07:09,395 --> 00:07:11,780
Oh, I'm fine. How are you?

132
00:07:11,815 --> 00:07:14,131
I'm fine too.

133
00:07:14,166 --> 00:07:18,504
I just had my breakfast and I wanted to phone you.

134
00:07:18,539 --> 00:07:21,106
There was no place at the table but mine.

135
00:07:21,141 --> 00:07:22,373
Well, that's good.

136
00:07:22,408 --> 00:07:23,674
You know, in the long run

137
00:07:23,709 --> 00:07:25,878
that'll save a lot of breakage on dishes.

138
00:07:26,312 --> 00:07:28,879
Oh, it'll save more than that.

139
00:07:28,914 --> 00:07:31,517
You took the coat and hat away with you.

140
00:07:31,951 --> 00:07:33,252
Yes, I did, and for God's sake

141
00:07:33,287 --> 00:07:34,553
don't tell me you want them back.

142
00:07:34,588 --> 00:07:35,386
I disposed of them.

143
00:07:35,421 --> 00:07:37,555
Oh, I'll never want them back.

144
00:07:37,590 --> 00:07:40,560
When I went into the hall, long after you left

145
00:07:40,595 --> 00:07:42,285
I... I cried like a baby

146
00:07:42,320 --> 00:07:43,661
and I knew you had done a wonderful thing for me

147
00:07:43,662 --> 00:07:46,852
and that I had to do anything you asked me to do... anything.

148
00:07:46,887 --> 00:07:47,965
Only, of course not...

149
00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:50,169
I mean, anything you would ask me.

150
00:07:50,204 --> 00:07:52,355
That is, anything I can do.

151
00:07:52,390 --> 00:07:54,506
So, just tell me what it is?

152
00:07:54,541 --> 00:07:56,640
Uh... yes. I see.

153
00:07:56,675 --> 00:08:01,013
Uh, well, uh, it's what I asked you to do yesterday.

154
00:08:01,048 --> 00:08:02,189
Yes, I thought so.

155
00:08:02,224 --> 00:08:03,787
You'll have to provide an attorney.

156
00:08:03,822 --> 00:08:05,316
I'm afraid mine wouldn't approve.

157
00:08:05,351 --> 00:08:07,953
Well, uh, Mr. Wolfe's attorney, Nathaniel Parker

158
00:08:07,988 --> 00:08:10,087
will be asked to act on your behalf

159
00:08:10,122 --> 00:08:12,291
and you couldn't do any better than Mr. Parker.

160
00:08:14,460 --> 00:08:16,629
I don't think I'm still in that, Mr. Goodwin

161
00:08:16,664 --> 00:08:18,364
so I'm pretty brave to be doing this

162
00:08:18,399 --> 00:08:20,532
and... I hope you know it.

163
00:08:20,567 --> 00:08:22,233
I do.

164
00:08:22,268 --> 00:08:24,436
And I appreciate it.

165
00:08:25,738 --> 00:08:27,473
Bye for now.

166
00:08:29,208 --> 00:08:33,112
<i>And so we were going to hatch Wolfe's plan after all.</i>

167
00:08:33,147 --> 00:08:34,812
The legal merits

168
00:08:34,847 --> 00:08:36,981
are open to question

169
00:08:37,016 --> 00:08:38,716
but it should suffice to get them here.

170
00:08:38,751 --> 00:08:41,787
<i>We had given Parker all the details.</i>

171
00:08:41,822 --> 00:08:43,756
Well, I'm not so sure.

172
00:08:43,791 --> 00:08:45,656
Ah, don't worry.

173
00:08:45,691 --> 00:08:48,076
If you get disbarred because of this operation

174
00:08:48,111 --> 00:08:50,462
I can get you a job folding paper napkins.

175
00:08:50,497 --> 00:08:52,170
<i>Lawyers are incapable</i>

176
00:08:52,205 --> 00:08:53,897
<i>of taking a joke about getting disbarred</i>

177
00:08:53,932 --> 00:08:54,765
<i>because it takes them</i>

178
00:08:54,800 --> 00:08:56,969
<i>so much time and money to get barred.</i>

179
00:08:57,004 --> 00:08:59,891
Yes, Mr. Perry Helmar, please.

180
00:08:59,926 --> 00:09:02,174
This is Nathaniel Parker's office calling.

181
00:09:02,209 --> 00:09:04,777
It's regarding a Mrs. Sarah Jaffe

182
00:09:04,812 --> 00:09:06,462
and Softdown, Incorporated.

183
00:09:06,497 --> 00:09:08,077
This is Helmar speaking.

184
00:09:08,112 --> 00:09:10,768
Mr. Helmar, please hold for Mr. Parker.

185
00:09:14,753 --> 00:09:16,453
Good afternoon, Mr. Helmar.

186
00:09:16,488 --> 00:09:18,657
Uh, my name is Nathaniel Parker.

187
00:09:18,692 --> 00:09:20,409
I am an attorney.

188
00:09:20,444 --> 00:09:22,092
Uh, I am preparing

189
00:09:22,127 --> 00:09:24,480
to start a case for a client

190
00:09:24,515 --> 00:09:28,200
and I'm calling you as a matter of professional courtesy.

191
00:09:28,235 --> 00:09:30,169
Uh, the client is Mrs. Sarah Jaffe.

192
00:09:30,204 --> 00:09:32,069
I believe you know her?

193
00:09:32,104 --> 00:09:34,273
Yes, I've known Mrs. Jaffe all of her life.

194
00:09:34,308 --> 00:09:36,459
What kind of action are you talking about?

195
00:09:36,494 --> 00:09:38,610
Uh, well, perhaps I should explain to you

196
00:09:38,645 --> 00:09:40,363
that Mrs. Jaffe was referred

197
00:09:40,398 --> 00:09:42,081
to me by Mr. Nero Wolfe...

198
00:09:42,116 --> 00:09:43,347
That crook?

199
00:09:43,382 --> 00:09:45,082
That damn scoundrel?

200
00:09:46,105 --> 00:09:48,122
Well, I won't stipulate that

201
00:09:48,157 --> 00:09:50,756
and, uh, I doubt if you can establish it.

202
00:09:50,791 --> 00:09:53,757
I was saying: Mrs. Jaffe

203
00:09:53,792 --> 00:09:55,955
would like me to ask a court

204
00:09:55,990 --> 00:09:58,827
to enjoin you and members of the board

205
00:09:58,862 --> 00:10:00,299
from assuming ownership

206
00:10:00,334 --> 00:10:01,999
of any of the capital stock

207
00:10:02,034 --> 00:10:05,157
of Softdown Incorporated under the provisions

208
00:10:05,192 --> 00:10:07,638
of the will of the late Nathaniel Eades.

209
00:10:07,673 --> 00:10:12,878
And from attempting to exercise any rights of such ownership

210
00:10:12,913 --> 00:10:15,879
until it is determined whether one or more of you

211
00:10:15,914 --> 00:10:20,120
has acquired this stock by, um... murdering Priscilla Eades.

212
00:10:20,155 --> 00:10:22,077
This is an act of malice.

213
00:10:22,112 --> 00:10:24,121
Nero Wolfe put her up to this.

214
00:10:24,156 --> 00:10:25,891
I will speak with Mrs. Jaffe myself.

215
00:10:25,926 --> 00:10:27,860
I- I don't think that will help.

216
00:10:27,895 --> 00:10:29,760
Uh, as Mrs. Jaffe's attorney

217
00:10:29,795 --> 00:10:33,265
I have advised her not to discuss this matter with anyone

218
00:10:33,300 --> 00:10:35,399
except Mr. Wolfe, if she sees fit.

219
00:10:35,434 --> 00:10:37,548
No judge would grant such an injunction.

220
00:10:37,583 --> 00:10:39,931
Well, that remains to be seen.

221
00:10:39,966 --> 00:10:40,170
But I think

222
00:10:40,205 --> 00:10:43,242
an effort should be made to protect all interests

223
00:10:43,277 --> 00:10:44,076
without going to court

224
00:10:44,111 --> 00:10:46,712
and Mr. Wolfe has agreed...

225
00:10:46,747 --> 00:10:50,199
uh, provided that such effort be made tonight

226
00:10:50,234 --> 00:10:53,652
at his office and that all involved be present.

227
00:10:53,687 --> 00:10:54,520
At Wolfe's office?

228
00:10:54,555 --> 00:10:55,786
Yes.

229
00:10:55,821 --> 00:10:57,521
Never! Never!

230
00:10:57,556 --> 00:10:59,725
That man is a murderer himself!

231
00:11:00,159 --> 00:11:04,063
I think, Counselor, you are a little free with words.

232
00:11:04,098 --> 00:11:06,249
Uh, we'll expect you at 9:00

233
00:11:06,284 --> 00:11:08,400
with the rest of the board.

234
00:11:11,868 --> 00:11:14,004
They'll come.

235
00:11:14,039 --> 00:11:17,191
<i>The Softdown crowd showed up on time as expected</i>

236
00:11:17,226 --> 00:11:20,546
<i>e finally got to meet Eric Hagh.</i>

237
00:11:20,581 --> 00:11:22,608
<i>There had been so much talk about South America</i>

238
00:11:22,643 --> 00:11:23,981
<i>I had expected him</i>

239
00:11:24,016 --> 00:11:26,583
<i>cross between Diego Rivera and Peron.</i>

240
00:11:26,618 --> 00:11:29,221
<i>But I couldn't have told him from a Viking</i>

241
00:11:29,256 --> 00:11:30,956
<i>if it hadn't been for his clothes.</i>

242
00:11:32,969 --> 00:11:33,559
Good evening.

243
00:11:34,860 --> 00:11:36,812
I have a prepared statement

244
00:11:36,847 --> 00:11:38,764
that I would like to read.

245
00:11:40,499 --> 00:11:43,969
"Speaking for myself and my four associates

246
00:11:44,004 --> 00:11:46,537
"we denounce Nero Wolfe

247
00:11:46,572 --> 00:11:48,740
"for his instigation of an unwarranted attack

248
00:11:48,775 --> 00:11:50,493
"upon us by Mrs. Sarah Jaffe.

249
00:11:50,528 --> 00:11:52,211
"We declare that said instigation

250
00:11:52,246 --> 00:11:53,477
"was prompted by malice

251
00:11:53,512 --> 00:11:55,646
"and that the threat of legal action

252
00:11:55,681 --> 00:11:59,585
"on behalf of Mrs. Jaffe is an unjustified, unprovoked

253
00:11:59,620 --> 00:12:02,187
"and reprehensible attempt at coercion

254
00:12:02,222 --> 00:12:03,454
"and we demand the right

255
00:12:03,489 --> 00:12:05,189
"to interview Mrs. Jaffe privately

256
00:12:05,224 --> 00:12:07,826
"before entering into a discussion with Counselor Parker

257
00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:14,333
and particularly any discussion to which Nero Wolfe is a party. "

258
00:12:14,766 --> 00:12:15,599
May I say that, uh...

259
00:12:15,634 --> 00:12:16,546
If you please, Mr. Helmar.

260
00:12:16,581 --> 00:12:18,710
There's no question of your right

261
00:12:18,745 --> 00:12:20,839
to interview Mrs. Jaffe privately.

262
00:12:20,874 --> 00:12:23,025
The only question is how

263
00:12:23,060 --> 00:12:25,177
she feels about it herself.

264
00:12:25,212 --> 00:12:27,346
Ask her.

265
00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:34,251
Sarah...

266
00:12:34,286 --> 00:12:36,889
you wouldn't let me speak to you on the telephone.

267
00:12:38,624 --> 00:12:40,757
You've known me all of your life.

268
00:12:40,792 --> 00:12:42,961
I held you in my arms when you were a baby.

269
00:12:44,669 --> 00:12:45,529
Have you ever known me

270
00:12:45,564 --> 00:12:47,299
to do anything unfair or wicked

271
00:12:47,334 --> 00:12:48,600
or dishonest?

272
00:12:48,635 --> 00:12:50,569
Yes.

273
00:12:50,604 --> 00:12:52,469
What?

274
00:12:52,504 --> 00:12:53,805
Did you say "yes"?

275
00:12:53,840 --> 00:12:55,506
Yes, I did.

276
00:12:55,541 --> 00:12:58,794
You did all of those things to Pris.

277
00:12:58,829 --> 00:13:02,047
You didn't love her or understand her

278
00:13:02,082 --> 00:13:04,450
and you were bad for her.

279
00:13:04,485 --> 00:13:06,783
I want to say one thing.

280
00:13:06,818 --> 00:13:10,722
I haven't been coerced to do this by Mr. Wolfe or Mr. Parker.

281
00:13:10,757 --> 00:13:13,759
I am doing this because I want to

282
00:13:13,794 --> 00:13:16,361
and... it was Archie Goodwin

283
00:13:16,396 --> 00:13:19,398
who made me want to.

284
00:13:20,699 --> 00:13:22,399
It wouldn't do the slightest good for you

285
00:13:22,434 --> 00:13:25,637
to speak with me, Mr. Helmar, so... forget it.

286
00:13:25,672 --> 00:13:26,737
Listen, Sarah

287
00:13:26,772 --> 00:13:27,639
you don't understand...

288
00:13:27,674 --> 00:13:28,906
I think I do

289
00:13:28,941 --> 00:13:31,543
and... what if I don't?

290
00:13:37,059 --> 00:13:38,015
Does anyone else

291
00:13:38,050 --> 00:13:40,144
have a statement to read?

292
00:13:41,086 --> 00:13:42,329
Good.

293
00:13:42,364 --> 00:13:44,556
First, I'll make one thing clear.

294
00:13:44,591 --> 00:13:46,256
I have been engaged

295
00:13:46,291 --> 00:13:49,328
to investigate the murder of Priscilla Eades

296
00:13:49,363 --> 00:13:51,063
and that is my sole interest.

297
00:13:51,098 --> 00:13:52,763
By Sarah Jaffe?

298
00:13:52,798 --> 00:13:55,834
No, my client's identity is not your concern.

299
00:13:55,869 --> 00:13:58,835
In my opinion, it is entirely proper

300
00:13:58,870 --> 00:14:02,340
for Mrs. Jaffe to bring the action contemplated

301
00:14:02,375 --> 00:14:05,811
but that will be determined not by me, not by you

302
00:14:05,846 --> 00:14:08,378
but by a court tomorrow morning

303
00:14:08,413 --> 00:14:11,450
unless developments here this evening

304
00:14:11,485 --> 00:14:13,150
make it unnecessary.

305
00:14:13,185 --> 00:14:16,132
What developments could make it unnecessary?

306
00:14:16,221 --> 00:14:17,522
Oh, any of several.

307
00:14:17,557 --> 00:14:18,789
For instance

308
00:14:18,824 --> 00:14:20,993
my discovery of the identity

309
00:14:21,028 --> 00:14:22,259
of the murderer

310
00:14:22,294 --> 00:14:27,065
though I confess that I expect no such happy expedition.

311
00:14:27,100 --> 00:14:28,601
Another possible development

312
00:14:28,636 --> 00:14:30,067
would be for me to conclude

313
00:14:30,102 --> 00:14:33,572
after inquiry that none of you five people

314
00:14:33,607 --> 00:14:37,007
was involved in the murder of Miss Eades.

315
00:14:37,042 --> 00:14:40,043
The reason for this meeting is an explanation by you

316
00:14:40,078 --> 00:14:43,982
and Counselor Parker about this whole preposterous event.

317
00:14:44,017 --> 00:14:46,168
Do you really mean that?

318
00:14:46,203 --> 00:14:48,320
Yes, I certainly do.

319
00:14:48,355 --> 00:14:50,307
Then get out.

320
00:14:50,308 --> 00:14:51,274
What's that?

321
00:14:51,309 --> 00:14:52,623
Get out!

322
00:14:52,658 --> 00:14:55,225
Before you go, Mr. Helmar

323
00:14:55,260 --> 00:14:57,875
there's a piece of information for you.

324
00:14:57,910 --> 00:14:58,695
I am told

325
00:14:58,730 --> 00:15:00,430
that you are now claiming

326
00:15:00,465 --> 00:15:02,165
that the letter from Priscilla Eades

327
00:15:02,200 --> 00:15:04,803
giving her husband half her property is spurious.

328
00:15:04,838 --> 00:15:07,423
If you accuse me of deception, sir

329
00:15:07,458 --> 00:15:10,008
I accuse you of an impudent lie

330
00:15:10,043 --> 00:15:12,123
in an attempt to defraud.

331
00:15:12,158 --> 00:15:14,169
In this room, Monday evening

332
00:15:14,204 --> 00:15:18,014
Miss Eades told Mr. Goodwin and me categorically

333
00:15:18,049 --> 00:15:20,110
that she signed that document.

334
00:15:20,145 --> 00:15:23,310
And, of course, you knew that.

335
00:15:24,323 --> 00:15:25,589
Bravo.

336
00:15:25,624 --> 00:15:28,226
Now that is honesty, gentlemen.

337
00:15:28,261 --> 00:15:30,829
Oh... here it is.

338
00:15:30,864 --> 00:15:32,095
Here it is.

339
00:15:32,130 --> 00:15:34,264
Well, this is fantastic.

340
00:15:34,299 --> 00:15:36,902
We are subject to trial on the charge of murder

341
00:15:36,937 --> 00:15:39,071
with you as the judge and the jury.

342
00:15:39,106 --> 00:15:40,771
No, not as you put it.

343
00:15:40,806 --> 00:15:42,072
What do you mean by inquiry?

344
00:15:42,107 --> 00:15:45,577
Put it this way... I say to you, Miss Duday

345
00:15:45,612 --> 00:15:48,179
there is a suspicion

346
00:15:48,180 --> 00:15:50,782
that you had something to do with the murders

347
00:15:50,817 --> 00:15:52,482
of Priscilla Eades and Margaret Folmos.

348
00:15:52,517 --> 00:15:55,920
That you may actually have committed the crimes

349
00:15:55,955 --> 00:15:58,121
with your own hands.

350
00:15:58,156 --> 00:16:00,325
What have you to say to remove or discredit

351
00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:01,591
that suspicion?

352
00:16:01,626 --> 00:16:04,012
That should be simple.

353
00:16:05,063 --> 00:16:06,363
It's true, of course

354
00:16:06,398 --> 00:16:09,000
that I'll get a large block of stocks...

355
00:16:09,035 --> 00:16:11,568
as they will...

356
00:16:11,603 --> 00:16:13,772
but they can outvote me and push me out

357
00:16:13,807 --> 00:16:15,472
if they feel like it.

358
00:16:15,507 --> 00:16:18,075
Whereas if Pscilla had lived

359
00:16:18,110 --> 00:16:21,580
I would soon have been active head of the corporation...

360
00:16:21,615 --> 00:16:23,714
in complete control.

361
00:16:23,749 --> 00:16:25,484
Does that seem pertinent?

362
00:16:25,519 --> 00:16:27,184
Yes.

363
00:16:27,219 --> 00:16:30,689
Did you know that Mrs. Jaffe was to be a director?

364
00:16:31,990 --> 00:16:34,124
Yes.

365
00:16:34,159 --> 00:16:35,677
That was because Priscilla wanted

366
00:16:35,712 --> 00:16:37,160
all the directors to be women.

367
00:16:37,195 --> 00:16:39,798
Did these gentlemen know that Miss Eades

368
00:16:39,833 --> 00:16:42,201
intended to put you in charge?

369
00:16:42,236 --> 00:16:44,534
I'd rather let them answer that.

370
00:16:44,569 --> 00:16:48,907
Except, if they say no, then I'll speak to it.

371
00:16:48,942 --> 00:16:50,173
Very well.

372
00:16:50,208 --> 00:16:51,943
Uh, Mr. Helmar...

373
00:16:54,945 --> 00:16:54,945
join us.

374
00:16:54,980 --> 00:16:57,981
The idea that a man of my training and temperament

375
00:16:58,016 --> 00:17:01,920
would perform so vicious a deed and incur so tremendous a risk

376
00:17:01,955 --> 00:17:06,691
is repugnant to every reputable theory of human conduct.

377
00:17:06,726 --> 00:17:08,860
Well, how do you her backing out

378
00:17:08,895 --> 00:17:10,560
of her appointment with you

379
00:17:10,595 --> 00:17:12,764
and asking you not to try and find her?

380
00:17:12,799 --> 00:17:13,597
Very simply.

381
00:17:13,632 --> 00:17:15,367
She knew that I was coming with proof

382
00:17:15,402 --> 00:17:16,633
that Miss Duday was incompetent

383
00:17:16,668 --> 00:17:18,802
to handle the affairs of a large corporation

384
00:17:18,837 --> 00:17:20,971
and she simply didn't want to face me and admit it.

385
00:17:21,006 --> 00:17:22,307
What a monstrousy liar you are!

386
00:17:22,342 --> 00:17:25,343
Don't call me a liar, you vicious underhanded...

387
00:17:25,378 --> 00:17:26,610
How dare you!

388
00:17:26,645 --> 00:17:27,946
What about Miss O'Neill?

389
00:17:33,151 --> 00:17:35,320
I have nothing to say about Miss O'Neill.

390
00:17:35,355 --> 00:17:37,020
Oh, come.

391
00:17:37,055 --> 00:17:40,524
She may be a mere voluptuous irrelevance

392
00:17:40,525 --> 00:17:42,259
but I need to know

393
00:17:42,260 --> 00:17:46,646
was she intimate with both Mr. Brucker and you?

394
00:17:46,681 --> 00:17:48,133
Or- or neither?

395
00:17:49,176 --> 00:17:50,467
How dare you.

396
00:17:50,502 --> 00:17:54,189
You make these vicious and ignorant insinuations

397
00:17:54,224 --> 00:17:57,876
about a woman who, in her innocence and modest merit

398
00:17:57,911 --> 00:18:02,214
is so far above all of this depravity.

399
00:18:02,647 --> 00:18:04,781
Mr. Brucker?

400
00:18:04,816 --> 00:18:10,455
I'm only a... hardworking, plodding businessman, Mr. Wolfe.

401
00:18:15,660 --> 00:18:17,794
But to the issue of murder

402
00:18:17,829 --> 00:18:22,601
I can only say that I loved Priscilla Eades

403
00:18:23,034 --> 00:18:24,769
since the day... as a five-year-old...

404
00:18:24,804 --> 00:18:27,337
that she told her father

405
00:18:27,372 --> 00:18:30,842
"Don't make Jay go away with the others.

406
00:18:30,877 --> 00:18:33,844
You must keep Jay. "

407
00:18:33,879 --> 00:18:37,782
Uh, this was during one of Softdown's worst slumps.

408
00:18:37,817 --> 00:18:40,784
As you can see, I was kept.

409
00:18:40,819 --> 00:18:44,542
Do you really think that this is pertinent in any way?

410
00:18:44,577 --> 00:18:45,624
I do sir.

411
00:18:45,625 --> 00:18:49,025
You can imagine my feelings

412
00:18:49,060 --> 00:18:52,964
knowing that I am suspected of killing Priscilla

413
00:18:52,999 --> 00:18:56,001
with these hands.

414
00:18:57,736 --> 00:19:01,171
Well... sir?

415
00:19:01,206 --> 00:19:04,680
I have nothing more to say.

416
00:19:04,681 --> 00:19:06,874
You're... y- you're not serious.

417
00:19:06,909 --> 00:19:09,881
Oh, yes, he is.

418
00:19:12,050 --> 00:19:13,785
Ah, Mr. Hagh.

419
00:19:15,572 --> 00:19:17,220
Mr. Hagh

420
00:19:17,255 --> 00:19:19,389
uh, Mr. Brucker told Mr. Goodwin

421
00:19:19,424 --> 00:19:21,159
that perhaps you had murdered your ex-wife.

422
00:19:21,194 --> 00:19:22,859
Who said that?

423
00:19:22,894 --> 00:19:23,561
Sit down, Mr. Hagh.

424
00:19:23,596 --> 00:19:24,229
I want an answer.

425
00:19:24,230 --> 00:19:25,462
Hey, back off.

426
00:19:25,497 --> 00:19:26,863
I'm being accused of murder.

427
00:19:26,898 --> 00:19:28,195
So is everyone in this room.

428
00:19:28,230 --> 00:19:30,543
Now, sit down and cook yourself a defense.

429
00:19:31,570 --> 00:19:33,738
This is outrageous.

430
00:19:34,729 --> 00:19:35,907
Thank you, Archie.

431
00:19:42,847 --> 00:19:45,849
Now, why would Mr. Hagh

432
00:19:45,884 --> 00:19:49,788
want Priscilla Eades dead... Mr. Brucker?

433
00:19:50,776 --> 00:19:53,258
I can't tell you that.

434
00:19:53,293 --> 00:19:54,090
That's a pity,

435
00:19:54,125 --> 00:19:56,728
since the simplest way for you people

436
00:19:56,763 --> 00:19:58,428
to make me doubt your guilt

437
00:19:58,463 --> 00:20:01,499
would be to offer an acceptable substitute.

438
00:20:01,534 --> 00:20:03,668
Have you one, Mr. Brucker?

439
00:20:03,703 --> 00:20:06,236
No.

440
00:20:06,271 --> 00:20:07,537
Mr. Quest?

441
00:20:07,572 --> 00:20:10,175
Bernie. Bernie.

442
00:20:12,344 --> 00:20:14,512
Sir...

443
00:20:16,247 --> 00:20:20,550
I have been with this company 62 years.

444
00:20:20,585 --> 00:20:25,754
In 1933, when I was made vice president by Nathan Eades

445
00:20:25,789 --> 00:20:27,737
he promised me that one day

446
00:20:27,772 --> 00:20:32,630
I would be given a substantial share in the corporation.

447
00:20:32,665 --> 00:20:35,291
In 1942, he died

448
00:20:35,326 --> 00:20:38,335
and when his will was read, I found

449
00:20:38,370 --> 00:20:43,575
that he had broken his promise to me, so...

450
00:20:43,610 --> 00:20:45,275
I decided to kill

451
00:20:45,310 --> 00:20:47,045
his daughter, Prcilla.

452
00:20:47,080 --> 00:20:48,364
She was then

453
00:20:48,399 --> 00:20:49,613
15 years old.

454
00:20:49,648 --> 00:20:52,250
I decided to strangle her.

455
00:20:52,285 --> 00:20:53,516
Bernie!

456
00:20:53,551 --> 00:20:54,384
My God!

457
00:20:54,419 --> 00:20:56,588
I even worked out the details:

458
00:20:56,623 --> 00:20:58,722
where to find a rope;

459
00:20:58,757 --> 00:21:01,584
how to employ it; what to do with it afterwards.

460
00:21:01,619 --> 00:21:04,361
And I practiced.

461
00:21:04,396 --> 00:21:08,601
I practiced, sir, by strangling myself.

462
00:21:10,828 --> 00:21:12,637
But that was ten years ago

463
00:21:12,672 --> 00:21:13,878
and in the end

464
00:21:13,913 --> 00:21:16,191
I finally came to my senses.

465
00:21:16,226 --> 00:21:19,577
I didn't kill her then, and now what's the point?

466
00:21:19,612 --> 00:21:20,844
I'm too old.

467
00:21:20,879 --> 00:21:26,564
My children are grown and I have everything I need.

468
00:21:27,866 --> 00:21:30,422
Well, perhaps you should've strangled yourself.

469
00:21:30,457 --> 00:21:31,723
Yeah.

470
00:21:33,458 --> 00:21:38,229
Have you anything else to add, Mr. Quest?

471
00:21:39,531 --> 00:21:41,266
And you, Mr. Pitkin.

472
00:21:41,301 --> 00:21:42,966
What have you to say

473
00:21:43,001 --> 00:21:46,037
to remove or discredit the suspicion

474
00:21:46,072 --> 00:21:47,772
that you are the murderer?

475
00:21:48,206 --> 00:21:50,541
That's not the way it's done, Mr. Wolfe.

476
00:21:50,576 --> 00:21:52,075
That's un-American.

477
00:21:52,110 --> 00:21:54,713
First, show me evidence, if there is any

478
00:21:54,748 --> 00:21:55,979
and I will answer it.

479
00:21:56,014 --> 00:21:59,050
Either, sir, you're an ass or you're masquerading as one.

480
00:21:59,085 --> 00:22:02,087
If I had evidence that one or more of you were guilty

481
00:22:02,122 --> 00:22:03,822
I wouldn't sit here half the night

482
00:22:03,857 --> 00:22:05,088
inviting you to jabber.

483
00:22:05,123 --> 00:22:08,159
I would phone the police to come and get you.

484
00:22:08,194 --> 00:22:11,213
Now, are you capable of deliberate murder?

485
00:22:11,248 --> 00:22:14,232
No, because of the way I look at things.

486
00:22:14,267 --> 00:22:15,932
How do you look at things?

487
00:22:15,967 --> 00:22:19,402
From the standpoint of profit and loss.

488
00:22:19,437 --> 00:22:23,068
For example, if the risk of the transaction is very great

489
00:22:23,103 --> 00:22:24,877
it should not be considered at all

490
00:22:24,912 --> 00:22:27,245
no matter what profit is offered

491
00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:28,945
if it is successful.

492
00:22:28,980 --> 00:22:32,450
You apply that to murder, what do you get?

493
00:22:32,485 --> 00:22:35,053
Profit and loss, Mr. Wolfe.

494
00:22:36,788 --> 00:22:39,390
Mrs. Jaffe, your average income

495
00:22:39,425 --> 00:22:42,826
in Softdown dividends

496
00:22:42,861 --> 00:22:46,765
for the past five years has been $40,000.

497
00:22:46,800 --> 00:22:48,031
Have you earned

498
00:22:48,066 --> 00:22:50,200
one penny of it?

499
00:22:50,235 --> 00:22:51,970
My father did the eaing.

500
00:22:53,053 --> 00:22:54,537
And you, Mr. Hagh.

501
00:22:54,572 --> 00:22:57,822
You are demanding a share of Softdown profits.

502
00:22:57,857 --> 00:22:58,910
You certainly haven't earned anything

503
00:22:58,945 --> 00:23:00,494
isn't that correct?

504
00:23:00,529 --> 00:23:02,228
This is perfectly correct.

505
00:23:02,263 --> 00:23:03,892
And I feel no embarrassment

506
00:23:03,927 --> 00:23:06,935
being put in the same class as the charming Mrs. Jaffe.

507
00:23:06,970 --> 00:23:11,404
The income I will get from Softdown stocks

508
00:23:11,439 --> 00:23:13,483
is called unearned income.

509
00:23:13,518 --> 00:23:15,528
But actually, I have earned it

510
00:23:15,563 --> 00:23:18,297
by years of devoted service.

511
00:23:18,332 --> 00:23:20,997
I deserve it, unlike them.

512
00:23:21,032 --> 00:23:24,502
Well, Mr. Pitkin, how about Miss Eades?

513
00:23:24,537 --> 00:23:27,070
Wasn't she also a parasite?

514
00:23:27,105 --> 00:23:31,176
Or- or had her recent interest in the corporation

515
00:23:31,211 --> 00:23:32,762
made her an earner?

516
00:23:32,797 --> 00:23:35,145
That wasn't a service to the corporation.

517
00:23:35,180 --> 00:23:38,348
That was an interference.

518
00:23:38,383 --> 00:23:40,517
In a week, she would've taken title

519
00:23:40,552 --> 00:23:44,024
to 90% of the company stock, leaving you earners

520
00:23:44,059 --> 00:23:47,058
with nothing but your meager salaries.

521
00:23:47,093 --> 00:23:49,227
Now, wasn't that deplorable?

522
00:23:49,262 --> 00:23:52,697
Yes, we all thought so.

523
00:23:52,732 --> 00:23:53,530
I think, uh,

524
00:23:53,565 --> 00:23:56,167
I- I've had enough of you, Mr. Pitk...

525
00:23:56,202 --> 00:23:58,770
I- I've... I've had enough of all of you.

526
00:23:58,805 --> 00:24:00,036
It's late.

527
00:24:00,071 --> 00:24:03,974
I must digest what I have heard and seen

528
00:24:03,975 --> 00:24:07,410
and I will make only this commitment:

529
00:24:07,445 --> 00:24:10,915
Mr. Parker will take no action on behalf of Mrs. Jaffe

530
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:15,479
until he has heard from me sometime tomorrow.

531
00:24:16,034 --> 00:24:17,361
That's it. Thank you all for coming.

532
00:24:17,396 --> 00:24:18,688
Your coats are by the front door.

533
00:24:18,723 --> 00:24:21,130
I'd appreciate it if you left swiftly.

534
00:24:34,772 --> 00:24:37,158
So, which one?

535
00:24:38,422 --> 00:24:39,633
Which one what?

536
00:24:39,668 --> 00:24:40,845
Uh, excuse me...

537
00:24:41,279 --> 00:24:42,580
if you're as stumped as you look

538
00:24:42,615 --> 00:24:44,004
God help your client.

539
00:24:44,039 --> 00:24:48,653
Archie, do you know who killed Mrs. Folmos and Miss Eades?

540
00:24:48,688 --> 00:24:49,520
Uh... nope.

541
00:24:49,555 --> 00:24:50,787
I do.

542
00:24:50,822 --> 00:24:52,991
But there's a contradiction.

543
00:24:53,026 --> 00:24:54,960
What about Sarah Jaffe?

544
00:24:54,995 --> 00:24:56,895
Is she a snake or a cheat?

545
00:24:56,930 --> 00:24:58,161
No, no, neither.

546
00:24:58,196 --> 00:25:00,330
Nice odds, ten to one.

547
00:25:00,365 --> 00:25:02,932
Then I have a question for her.

548
00:25:02,967 --> 00:25:06,871
Have her here at 11:00 in the morning.

549
00:25:09,908 --> 00:25:11,643
Yes, sir.

550
00:25:22,487 --> 00:25:23,788
Hello... yeah... Nero Wolfe's.

551
00:25:24,222 --> 00:25:25,957
Oh, I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Goodwin.

552
00:25:25,992 --> 00:25:26,789
Did I wake you?

553
00:25:26,824 --> 00:25:29,432
Uh, not quite there, Mrs. Jaffe.

554
00:25:29,467 --> 00:25:30,693
Why don't you go ahead and finish it.

555
00:25:30,728 --> 00:25:34,259
Well, I guess I should've waited until morning

556
00:25:34,294 --> 00:25:35,397
but I thought you might've found them

557
00:25:35,432 --> 00:25:36,801
and wondered whose they were.

558
00:25:36,836 --> 00:25:38,067
Did you find any keys?

559
00:25:38,102 --> 00:25:39,620
No, did you lose some keys?

560
00:25:39,655 --> 00:25:41,139
Is that what you're saying?

561
00:25:41,174 --> 00:25:43,004
Yes, two on a ring

562
00:25:43,039 --> 00:25:44,674
to the door downstairs and my apartment.

563
00:25:44,709 --> 00:25:45,476
they were in my bag.

564
00:25:45,511 --> 00:25:47,229
Uh-huh, where are you now?

565
00:25:47,264 --> 00:25:48,947
I'm home in my apartment.

566
00:25:48,982 --> 00:25:49,779
How'd you get in?

567
00:25:49,814 --> 00:25:51,835
The night man, he has a key.

568
00:25:51,870 --> 00:25:53,443
I might've lost them in the taxi

569
00:25:53,478 --> 00:25:55,016
but I thought I ought to phone you

570
00:25:55,051 --> 00:25:55,904
in case you found them.

571
00:25:55,939 --> 00:25:57,153
I'm sorry I bothered you.

572
00:25:57,188 --> 00:25:59,574
No, no, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

573
00:25:59,609 --> 00:26:01,960
Mrs. Jaffe, don't-don't ring off there.

574
00:26:01,995 --> 00:26:03,712
Uh, is, uh, is Olga there?

575
00:26:03,747 --> 00:26:05,395
No, she doesn't sleep here.

576
00:26:05,430 --> 00:26:07,759
Uh, when did you miss the keys?

577
00:26:07,794 --> 00:26:09,299
While I was coming up in the elevator.

578
00:26:09,334 --> 00:26:12,153
I went to get them from my bag and they weren't there.

579
00:26:12,188 --> 00:26:14,973
How come you didn't notice downstairs on the sidewalk?

580
00:26:15,008 --> 00:26:16,828
The night man was there with the door open.

581
00:26:16,863 --> 00:26:18,443
Okay, here's what you've got to do.

582
00:26:18,478 --> 00:26:19,518
You've got to keep that phone

583
00:26:19,553 --> 00:26:21,045
close to your ear and mouth, okay?

584
00:26:21,080 --> 00:26:21,772
Why?

585
00:26:21,807 --> 00:26:22,909
Million to one it's nothing.

586
00:26:22,944 --> 00:26:25,383
It's just, uh, you lost some keys, that's all.

587
00:26:25,418 --> 00:26:26,649
I- I'm nervous about keys getting lost.

588
00:26:26,684 --> 00:26:28,853
Now, how long were you there before you called me?

589
00:26:28,888 --> 00:26:30,154
After the night man let you in?

590
00:26:30,189 --> 00:26:31,455
I called you right away.

591
00:26:31,456 --> 00:26:33,191
I wanted to get you before you were asleep.

592
00:26:33,226 --> 00:26:34,926
What do you mean you're nervous about keys?

593
00:26:34,961 --> 00:26:36,895
I mean I'm coming over right away.

594
00:26:36,930 --> 00:26:38,830
I'm coming over now, matter of fact.

595
00:26:38,865 --> 00:26:40,565
What phone are you calling from?

596
00:26:40,600 --> 00:26:41,831
The living room phone.

597
00:26:41,866 --> 00:26:44,035
And that's at the far end from the foyer?

598
00:26:44,070 --> 00:26:45,301
Yes.

599
00:26:45,336 --> 00:26:47,505
Did you say you're coming over here?

600
00:26:47,540 --> 00:26:49,474
Yes... listen, listen very carefully.

601
00:26:49,509 --> 00:26:51,374
This is almost certainly a false alarm

602
00:26:51,409 --> 00:26:55,278
but... you've got to listen and don't ring off.

603
00:26:55,313 --> 00:26:59,650
When I say to you, "go ahead," you say to me, quote:

604
00:26:59,685 --> 00:27:01,836
"I don't think so, but if you'll hold the line

605
00:27:01,871 --> 00:27:03,988
I'll go to the foyer and see if it's there. "

606
00:27:04,023 --> 00:27:05,723
Unquote. Did you get that?

607
00:27:05,758 --> 00:27:06,990
Yes.

608
00:27:07,025 --> 00:27:08,543
Do you want me to repeat that?

609
00:27:08,578 --> 00:27:10,061
Uh, no, you don't need to.

610
00:27:10,495 --> 00:27:12,195
Okay, good, now after you say that

611
00:27:12,230 --> 00:27:15,266
you then put the phone down, you don't ring off

612
00:27:15,301 --> 00:27:17,316
and you walk straight to the front door

613
00:27:17,351 --> 00:27:18,736
you go through it and you close it with a bang

614
00:27:18,771 --> 00:27:20,368
you go downstairs and you wait for me.

615
00:27:20,403 --> 00:27:21,191
You got that?

616
00:27:21,226 --> 00:27:22,605
Yes.

617
00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:24,375
All right, are you going to do it exactly that way?

618
00:27:24,410 --> 00:27:26,943
Yes, I... I will.

619
00:27:26,978 --> 00:27:27,968
All right, that's the girl.

620
00:27:28,003 --> 00:27:30,032
Now, don't forget to close it with a bang

621
00:27:30,067 --> 00:27:30,895
because I'm going to be

622
00:27:30,930 --> 00:27:32,840
at the other end of the phone, listening.

623
00:27:32,875 --> 00:27:34,751
And when I hear that I'm going to come

624
00:27:34,786 --> 00:27:36,119
and then when I get there you can have a good laugh

625
00:27:36,154 --> 00:27:37,812
about how nervous I was about this whole thing

626
00:27:37,847 --> 00:27:39,264
and then we'll decide what to do next...

627
00:27:39,299 --> 00:27:39,968
maybe we'll go have a drink...

628
00:27:40,003 --> 00:27:41,726
anyway... are you ready?

629
00:27:41,761 --> 00:27:43,426
Yes.

630
00:27:43,461 --> 00:27:45,196
Go ahead.

631
00:27:45,630 --> 00:27:49,534
Hold the line if it's in the foyer.

632
00:27:52,136 --> 00:27:53,403
<i>It had been a lot of years</i>

633
00:27:53,438 --> 00:27:55,138
<i>since I'd played Prisoner's Base.</i>

634
00:27:55,173 --> 00:27:56,908
<i>The phone in the living room was one base</i>

635
00:27:56,943 --> 00:27:58,643
<i>and the elevator outside was another</i>

636
00:27:58,678 --> 00:28:00,323
<i>and it was up to Sarah Jaffe</i>

637
00:28:00,358 --> 00:28:02,446
<i>to make the run without being tagged.</i>

638
00:28:02,481 --> 00:28:04,102
<i>I didn't hear the door bang.</i>

639
00:28:04,137 --> 00:28:07,100
<i>Maybe she forgot... but I doubted it.</i>

640
00:28:15,993 --> 00:28:17,294
I want in!

641
00:28:17,329 --> 00:28:18,561
What for?

642
00:28:18,596 --> 00:28:19,897
I want to see Sarah Jaffe!

643
00:28:19,932 --> 00:28:20,765
I'm expected!

644
00:28:21,199 --> 00:28:22,066
At this time of night, nuts!

645
00:28:26,838 --> 00:28:27,670
Get in the elevator.

646
00:28:27,705 --> 00:28:29,006
You take me to the sixth floor.

647
00:28:29,041 --> 00:28:30,308
Have you seen or heard Sarah Jaffe

648
00:28:30,741 --> 00:28:31,609
in the last half hour? Have you seen or heard Sarah Jaffe

649
00:28:31,644 --> 00:28:32,442
No, no!

650
00:28:32,477 --> 00:28:33,344
Talk fast! Get in there.

651
00:28:33,778 --> 00:28:35,513
That hack, he's going to have a cop here...

652
00:28:35,548 --> 00:28:36,779
Get out your keys.

653
00:28:36,814 --> 00:28:37,925
You're going to open the door, you understand?

654
00:28:37,960 --> 00:28:39,851
I'm not supposed to do that... Aah!

655
00:28:43,754 --> 00:28:46,357
Fast, get it open.

656
00:28:50,261 --> 00:28:51,996
Take the elevator down.

657
00:28:52,031 --> 00:28:53,696
The police will want it.

658
00:28:53,731 --> 00:28:55,900
<i>She had followed instructions, all right</i>

659
00:28:55,935 --> 00:28:58,069
<i>but had never reached the outside door.</i>

660
00:28:58,104 --> 00:28:59,769
<i>Three paces from where she lay</i>

661
00:28:59,804 --> 00:29:02,371
<i>he came out of the closet, struck her with the bookend</i>

662
00:29:02,406 --> 00:29:05,443
<i>then finished up with a doubled cord from a venetian blind.</i>

663
00:29:05,478 --> 00:29:08,045
<i>Everything was right there.</i>

664
00:29:13,469 --> 00:29:14,117
Hello.

665
00:29:14,152 --> 00:29:15,002
Yeah, listen, it's Archie.

666
00:29:15,037 --> 00:29:15,853
Listen good, all right?

667
00:29:15,888 --> 00:29:16,686
We might get interrupted.

668
00:29:16,721 --> 00:29:18,740
Sarah Jaffe called me from her apartment.

669
00:29:18,775 --> 00:29:19,790
That's where I am now.

670
00:29:19,825 --> 00:29:20,771
She lost her keys.

671
00:29:20,806 --> 00:29:22,052
The night man let her in.

672
00:29:22,087 --> 00:29:23,264
She asked me what to do

673
00:29:23,299 --> 00:29:25,076
I gave her some instructions.

674
00:29:25,111 --> 00:29:27,130
She listened to me, but the problem is

675
00:29:27,131 --> 00:29:28,179
she didn't make it through the front door.

676
00:29:28,214 --> 00:29:30,133
She's on the floor now, dead, see?

677
00:29:30,168 --> 00:29:32,770
Next time she's in danger, she should call someone else.

678
00:29:32,805 --> 00:29:33,638
Archie...

679
00:29:34,071 --> 00:29:35,771
I said it is vainglorious

680
00:29:35,806 --> 00:29:39,710
to reproach yourself for lack of omniscience.

681
00:29:39,745 --> 00:29:43,181
The same is true for omnipotence.

682
00:29:43,216 --> 00:29:46,101
Report in when you can.

683
00:29:49,118 --> 00:29:50,086
Is this straight, Goodwin?

684
00:29:50,121 --> 00:29:51,856
Yeah, whoever got her keys

685
00:29:51,891 --> 00:29:53,591
got in, conked her on the head

686
00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:55,291
strangled her and now she's dead.

687
00:29:55,326 --> 00:29:57,061
And you're in Jaffe's apartment right now?

688
00:29:57,096 --> 00:29:58,327
Yes.

689
00:29:58,362 --> 00:30:00,062
By God, you stay there.

690
00:30:00,598 --> 00:30:02,787
Put that phone down and get your hands up!

691
00:30:02,822 --> 00:30:04,599
<i>Over the next four hours</i>

692
00:30:04,634 --> 00:30:07,424
<i>I gave a complete account of the meeting in Wolfe's office</i>

693
00:30:07,459 --> 00:30:09,605
<i>and my phone call with Sarah Jaffe.</i>

694
00:30:09,640 --> 00:30:12,768
<i>The four of us disposed of a dozen ham sandwiches</i>

695
00:30:12,803 --> 00:30:15,037
<i>six muskmelons and a gallon of coffee.</i>

696
00:30:15,072 --> 00:30:16,173
Wait, wait, hold it, hold it, hold it.

697
00:30:16,208 --> 00:30:17,882
Now, I've just given you everything I got.

698
00:30:17,917 --> 00:30:19,148
I want something from you.

699
00:30:19,183 --> 00:30:20,918
I want to see Inspector Cramer right away

700
00:30:20,953 --> 00:30:22,237
and you can fix it for me.

701
00:30:22,272 --> 00:30:23,185
Is this about the case?

702
00:30:23,220 --> 00:30:23,671
Yes.

703
00:30:23,706 --> 00:30:24,672
Why won't I do?

704
00:30:24,707 --> 00:30:26,557
Because he can say yes to this.

705
00:30:26,592 --> 00:30:27,823
You can't.

706
00:30:27,858 --> 00:30:28,691
Hey, Pearly.

707
00:30:28,726 --> 00:30:31,205
When did I ever ask you for a favor?

708
00:30:31,240 --> 00:30:32,397
Never, you're not that dumb.

709
00:30:32,432 --> 00:30:34,365
No, not until now. I want you to let the inspector know I'm here.

710
00:30:34,400 --> 00:30:35,631
I'm asking for five minutes

711
00:30:35,666 --> 00:30:37,115
and you will kindly keep your trap shut.

712
00:30:37,150 --> 00:30:37,834
He's busy.

713
00:30:37,835 --> 00:30:39,985
Well, so am I busy, now, let me just... Come on.

714
00:30:40,020 --> 00:30:40,889
What do you want to ask him?

715
00:30:40,924 --> 00:30:41,816
It's none of your business...

716
00:30:41,851 --> 00:30:43,005
Then you don't see him.

717
00:30:43,040 --> 00:30:43,704
Here he is.

718
00:30:43,739 --> 00:30:44,846
Oh, what the hell?

719
00:30:44,881 --> 00:30:45,919
What is this?

720
00:30:45,954 --> 00:30:47,048
Now, this was my idea.

721
00:30:47,083 --> 00:30:48,099
I got something to say.

722
00:30:48,134 --> 00:30:49,081
Well, I haven't got time.

723
00:30:49,116 --> 00:30:50,379
All right, two minutes, two minutes.

724
00:30:50,414 --> 00:30:51,735
Did Wolfe send you?

725
00:30:51,770 --> 00:30:53,021
No, this was my idea.

726
00:30:53,056 --> 00:30:54,919
While Sarah Jaffe was on the phone talking to me

727
00:30:54,954 --> 00:30:56,487
her killer was in the closet waiting for her, all right?

728
00:30:56,522 --> 00:30:57,283
I told her what to do.

729
00:30:57,318 --> 00:30:59,568
I could've told her to go to an open window and scream.

730
00:30:59,603 --> 00:31:01,224
That might've saved her.

731
00:31:01,259 --> 00:31:02,128
Instead, I had a better idea.

732
00:31:02,163 --> 00:31:03,826
Maybe I was wrong.

733
00:31:03,861 --> 00:31:05,123
What do you want, a medal?

734
00:31:05,158 --> 00:31:05,561
No.

735
00:31:05,596 --> 00:31:07,773
I don't want to go home, sit on my ass

736
00:31:07,808 --> 00:31:09,500
and wait for Wolfe to have a fit of genius, see?

737
00:31:09,535 --> 00:31:11,140
I want to do something here.

738
00:31:11,175 --> 00:31:13,306
I want to sit in on your interviews with the suspects

739
00:31:13,341 --> 00:31:15,123
and maybe I cann offer some comments when it's appropriate...

740
00:31:15,158 --> 00:31:16,397
Typical Wolfe approach.

741
00:31:16,432 --> 00:31:19,043
No, no, this is strictly personal.

742
00:31:19,078 --> 00:31:19,910
I was on the phone with her.

743
00:31:19,945 --> 00:31:21,177
Maybe I can help.

744
00:31:21,917 --> 00:31:23,814
You know him as well as I do, Pearly.

745
00:31:23,849 --> 00:31:25,514
Is this straight?

746
00:31:25,549 --> 00:31:27,683
His head's been swelling a long time

747
00:31:27,718 --> 00:31:30,755
and he got a bad jolt and he can't take it.

748
00:31:30,790 --> 00:31:32,175
Yeah, I buy it.

749
00:31:32,210 --> 00:31:34,455
We can always toss him out.

750
00:31:34,490 --> 00:31:36,274
All right, Goodwin.

751
00:31:36,309 --> 00:31:38,527
But if this is a dodge...

752
00:31:38,562 --> 00:31:41,164
I'm going to hook you and I'm going to hook you good.

753
00:31:41,165 --> 00:31:42,466
And not a word to Wolfe or the press

754
00:31:42,501 --> 00:31:43,768
or anybody else.

755
00:31:43,803 --> 00:31:44,869
Agreed?

756
00:31:44,904 --> 00:31:45,901
Agreed.

757
00:31:46,839 --> 00:31:48,105
I'm going to do a re-take on Helmar.

758
00:31:48,140 --> 00:31:49,840
You want to come along with me?

759
00:31:49,875 --> 00:31:50,708
All right, let's go.

760
00:32:01,118 --> 00:32:04,155
Okay, Mr. Helmar, we're going to take it one more time.

761
00:32:04,190 --> 00:32:05,456
...I've known her since she was a baby.

762
00:32:05,491 --> 00:32:06,722
I held her in my arms...

763
00:32:06,757 --> 00:32:09,325
...that's right, ja, I remember...

764
00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:12,396
...bah, bah, bah, let's shoot the breeze...?

765
00:32:12,431 --> 00:32:13,698
...been associated with Softdown?

766
00:32:13,733 --> 00:32:15,433
31 years!

767
00:32:16,300 --> 00:32:19,119
Couldn't Mr. Goodwin...?

768
00:32:19,154 --> 00:32:21,939
This is a joke...

769
00:32:22,373 --> 00:32:24,975
perpetrated probably by the lackey on my left.

770
00:32:27,578 --> 00:32:29,313
I have no idea why I'm here. This is preposterous.

771
00:32:31,482 --> 00:32:33,182
...you could hear him say?

772
00:32:33,217 --> 00:32:35,386
"Hubba, hubba, hubba, yuk, yuk... "?

773
00:32:39,006 --> 00:32:39,724
Good morning.

774
00:32:39,759 --> 00:32:41,857
Morning.

775
00:32:41,892 --> 00:32:43,627
Good God, you look awful.

776
00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:45,761
Thanks.

777
00:32:46,537 --> 00:32:47,496
What's for breakfast?

778
00:32:47,531 --> 00:32:50,350
Well, you relax, I'll make you something.

779
00:32:50,385 --> 00:32:53,170
You know this is, uh, getting to be a habit.

780
00:32:53,205 --> 00:32:54,003
What is?

781
00:32:54,038 --> 00:32:55,304
This early breakfast

782
00:32:55,339 --> 00:32:56,605
around this time in the morning.

783
00:32:56,640 --> 00:32:59,677
Yesterday, I was poaching eggs for Mr. Wolfe and Saul.

784
00:32:59,712 --> 00:33:01,377
You were what?

785
00:33:01,412 --> 00:33:04,413
Poaching eggs for Mr. Wolfe and Saul.

786
00:33:04,448 --> 00:33:07,485
Uh-huh, Saul's taking over my job, I suppose.

787
00:33:07,520 --> 00:33:10,087
I have no idea what Saul is doing.

788
00:33:10,955 --> 00:33:12,256
I'll be right back.

789
00:33:16,594 --> 00:33:19,630
<i>There was nothing on the desk that gave any hint</i>

790
00:33:19,665 --> 00:33:20,896
<i>of what Wolfe wanted with Saul</i>

791
00:33:20,931 --> 00:33:23,534
<i>but in the safe I found a slip of paper</i>

792
00:33:23,569 --> 00:33:24,873
<i>that hadn't been there before...</i>

793
00:33:24,908 --> 00:33:27,993
<i>a notation that Wolfe had given Saul two grand</i>

794
00:33:28,028 --> 00:33:29,841
<i>from our emergency fund.</i>

795
00:33:29,876 --> 00:33:31,238
<i>Naturally, I tried to decide</i>

796
00:33:31,273 --> 00:33:34,120
<i>what Saul Panzer was supposed to be doing with 2,000 bucks.</i>

797
00:33:34,155 --> 00:33:38,484
<i>I made a lot of guesses, but I bought none of them.</i>

798
00:33:43,312 --> 00:33:43,921
What are you, checking your mascara?

799
00:33:43,956 --> 00:33:44,754
What do you want?

800
00:33:44,789 --> 00:33:46,524
Where the hell have you been?

801
00:33:46,559 --> 00:33:48,259
Look at me, doesn't it show?

802
00:33:48,294 --> 00:33:50,207
Yeah. Let me touch you.

803
00:33:50,242 --> 00:33:52,056
I'm supposed to bring you in.

804
00:33:52,091 --> 00:33:54,040
They want you up at the commissioner's office.

805
00:33:54,075 --> 00:33:55,784
Give me a minute.

806
00:33:56,101 --> 00:33:58,588
During the last 40 hours

807
00:33:58,623 --> 00:34:00,954
we've had more men on this case

808
00:34:00,989 --> 00:34:03,251
than on any other in my time

809
00:34:03,286 --> 00:34:05,811
and I can't see that we have gained an inch

810
00:34:05,846 --> 00:34:08,847
and everyone agrees with me.

811
00:34:08,882 --> 00:34:12,284
There were 11 people present in that room

812
00:34:12,319 --> 00:34:14,048
when those keys were lifted

813
00:34:14,083 --> 00:34:16,419
and we need to get a line on the lifting.

814
00:34:16,454 --> 00:34:18,622
More questioning won't do it.

815
00:34:18,657 --> 00:34:22,092
We want to take everyone back to Nero Wolfe's office

816
00:34:22,526 --> 00:34:25,528
and repeat as closely as we can

817
00:34:25,563 --> 00:34:28,165
everything that was said and done on Thursday evening.

818
00:34:28,200 --> 00:34:29,917
Now, we can't compel

819
00:34:29,952 --> 00:34:32,095
Wolfe to let us in

820
00:34:32,130 --> 00:34:34,203
much less do his part.

821
00:34:34,238 --> 00:34:38,698
So, we want you, Mr. Goodwin to convince him.

822
00:34:38,733 --> 00:34:41,395
Well, I'll tell you, you guys are rare.

823
00:34:41,430 --> 00:34:43,312
Rare breed. Rare as rocking horse manure.

824
00:34:43,347 --> 00:34:46,817
Come on, Goodwin, don't start with the hard-to-get stuff

825
00:34:46,852 --> 00:34:48,951
and don't be witty.

826
00:34:48,986 --> 00:34:51,250
Last Tuesday, six days ago

827
00:34:51,285 --> 00:34:54,179
I was sitting on a bench in this building.

828
00:34:54,214 --> 00:34:57,074
Mr. Wolfe was dragged down here by Rowcliff...

829
00:34:57,075 --> 00:34:58,923
and now you know how he felt about it then.

830
00:34:58,958 --> 00:35:00,663
Well, he's still sore as a pup

831
00:35:00,698 --> 00:35:04,602
and now you got a lot of gall to ask me to ask him to do this.

832
00:35:04,637 --> 00:35:06,246
We need him to say yes.

833
00:35:06,281 --> 00:35:07,855
Hey, everybody needs

834
00:35:07,890 --> 00:35:09,065
something, commissioner.

835
00:35:09,100 --> 00:35:10,206
Inspector Cramer here

836
00:35:10,241 --> 00:35:11,763
needs to stop chomping his cigar.

837
00:35:11,798 --> 00:35:13,711
Does that stop him?

838
00:35:17,221 --> 00:35:18,482
What phone do I use?

839
00:35:36,824 --> 00:35:38,045
Nero Wolfe speaking.

840
00:35:38,080 --> 00:35:39,232
Uh, yeah, it's Archie.

841
00:35:39,267 --> 00:35:40,340
Have you had breakfast yet?

842
00:35:40,375 --> 00:35:41,003
No.

843
00:35:41,038 --> 00:35:42,556
Anyway, listen. I'm calling on behalf

844
00:35:42,591 --> 00:35:44,074
of the people of the state of New York.

845
00:35:44,109 --> 00:35:44,907
Indeed.

846
00:35:44,942 --> 00:35:46,208
Yes, yes. The whole shebang

847
00:35:46,243 --> 00:35:48,846
from the commissioner down to Lieutenant Rowcliff

848
00:35:48,881 --> 00:35:50,381
which is quite a distance.

849
00:35:50,416 --> 00:35:51,799
Wou going to drag this out?

850
00:35:51,834 --> 00:35:53,148
Hey, I'm through dragging.

851
00:35:53,183 --> 00:35:55,352
Here's the point: we're flumped.

852
00:35:56,487 --> 00:35:59,305
We want to do a playback of last Thursday night

853
00:35:59,340 --> 00:36:00,263
with the original cast

854
00:36:00,298 --> 00:36:01,973
and all you got to do to play your part

855
00:36:02,008 --> 00:36:03,613
is let us in and just be there, right?

856
00:36:03,648 --> 00:36:05,763
I've told my associates that it's almost certain

857
00:36:05,798 --> 00:36:07,105
you're going to tell us to go to hell, and...

858
00:36:07,140 --> 00:36:08,139
Very well.

859
00:36:08,174 --> 00:36:10,499
Huh?

860
00:36:10,534 --> 00:36:13,353
When would you like to do this?

861
00:36:13,388 --> 00:36:16,286
Uh... well, as soon as possible?

862
00:36:16,321 --> 00:36:17,111
Very well.

863
00:36:17,146 --> 00:36:20,944
I never refuse a reasonable request from a client.

864
00:36:20,979 --> 00:36:24,415
This request seems reasonable, therefore I grant it.

865
00:36:24,450 --> 00:36:25,681
Shall we say 12:00?

866
00:36:25,716 --> 00:36:27,451
Will that be convenient?

867
00:36:27,486 --> 00:36:28,717
Uh... sure.

868
00:36:28,752 --> 00:36:31,687
Yeah, yeah, that'll, uh, suit them fine.

869
00:36:36,994 --> 00:36:39,163
I must've got the wrong number because...

870
00:36:39,198 --> 00:36:40,898
Come on, spill it, Goodwin.

871
00:36:40,933 --> 00:36:42,576
He said okay.

872
00:36:42,611 --> 00:36:43,638
We're to be there at noon.

873
00:36:43,673 --> 00:36:45,019
<i>I didn't add that I had a strong suspicion</i>

874
00:36:45,054 --> 00:36:46,936
<i>there was going to be script revisions.</i>

875
00:36:46,971 --> 00:36:50,490
Will you all please be seated as you were on Thursday evening.

876
00:36:50,525 --> 00:36:51,794
Thank you.

877
00:36:51,829 --> 00:36:54,743
<i>Not by any of us, and not by any of the cast.</i>

878
00:36:54,778 --> 00:36:56,848
I was here...

879
00:36:56,883 --> 00:36:59,192
Okay, I believe this is the way it was

880
00:36:59,227 --> 00:37:00,435
when Mr. Wolfe entered.

881
00:37:00,470 --> 00:37:01,719
Does anyone disagree?

882
00:37:05,816 --> 00:37:07,094
Then I will ring Mr. Wolfe.

883
00:37:08,421 --> 00:37:10,732
I will be sitting where Mrs. Jaffe was.

884
00:37:20,137 --> 00:37:22,539
Uh, you gentlemen don't look very comfortable.

885
00:37:22,574 --> 00:37:25,541
We're all right.

886
00:37:25,576 --> 00:37:27,936
These people have been told

887
00:37:27,971 --> 00:37:29,445
why they have been brought here?

888
00:37:29,986 --> 00:37:32,516
Yes. Everybody's been completely informed.

889
00:37:32,551 --> 00:37:34,685
Then, may we proceed?

890
00:37:34,720 --> 00:37:36,403
Please do.

891
00:37:37,914 --> 00:37:39,729
<i>There was a little tingle in my spine.</i>

892
00:37:39,764 --> 00:37:42,687
<i>I knew his look and manner as well as I did his voice</i>

893
00:37:42,722 --> 00:37:44,474
<i>and there was no doubt about it...</i>

894
00:37:44,509 --> 00:37:48,132
<i>he was going to pull one... or try to.</i>

895
00:37:51,168 --> 00:37:52,469
Miss Duday...

896
00:37:53,424 --> 00:37:54,529
and gentlemen.

897
00:37:54,564 --> 00:37:58,108
You understand that the purpose of this gathering

898
00:37:58,143 --> 00:38:01,033
is for us to iterate our words and movements

899
00:38:01,068 --> 00:38:03,087
of last Thursday evening.

900
00:38:03,122 --> 00:38:06,187
But before we do so, I wish to make some remarks.

901
00:38:06,784 --> 00:38:09,681
After you people left that evening

902
00:38:09,716 --> 00:38:12,821
I told Mr. Goodwin that I thought I knew

903
00:38:12,856 --> 00:38:16,155
who killed Priscilla Eades and Margaret Folmos.

904
00:38:16,190 --> 00:38:17,800
I based that on two things:

905
00:38:17,835 --> 00:38:22,634
first, my impressions of all of you...

906
00:38:22,669 --> 00:38:24,703
and, second, the fact that

907
00:38:24,738 --> 00:38:26,737
Mrs. Folmos was killed.

908
00:38:26,772 --> 00:38:27,569
What?

909
00:38:27,604 --> 00:38:30,641
How does a fact that Mrs. Folmos was murdered

910
00:38:30,676 --> 00:38:32,341
solve Priscilla Eades murder?

911
00:38:32,376 --> 00:38:34,978
Because the supposition that the attack on Mrs. Folmos

912
00:38:35,013 --> 00:38:37,112
was solely for the purpose of getting the keys

913
00:38:37,147 --> 00:38:39,750
to Miss Eades' apartment was clearly not acceptable

914
00:38:39,785 --> 00:38:41,900
if any alternative could be had.

915
00:38:41,935 --> 00:38:44,088
Well, maybe she, uh, recognized her attacker

916
00:38:44,123 --> 00:38:46,221
and that's why she was killed.

917
00:38:46,256 --> 00:38:47,774
That assumption was not impossible

918
00:38:47,809 --> 00:38:49,920
but it implied that the murderer

919
00:38:49,955 --> 00:38:53,376
was an egregious bungler and I doubted it.

920
00:38:53,411 --> 00:38:54,744
I prefer to assume

921
00:38:54,779 --> 00:38:56,043
exactly the opposite.

922
00:38:56,078 --> 00:38:58,975
That Mrs. Folmos had been killed

923
00:38:59,010 --> 00:39:00,536
not because she recognized her attacker

924
00:39:00,571 --> 00:39:04,169
but because he knew she couldn't recognize him.

925
00:39:04,204 --> 00:39:07,077
Is this for effect or do you think you're getting somewhere?

926
00:39:07,112 --> 00:39:09,211
I am already somewhere.

927
00:39:09,246 --> 00:39:12,969
I just told you who the murderer is.

928
00:39:16,908 --> 00:39:18,960
Go on and spell it.

929
00:39:18,995 --> 00:39:20,903
He wanted the keys, certainly

930
00:39:20,938 --> 00:39:24,055
but he didn't have to kill Mrs. Folmos to get them.

931
00:39:24,090 --> 00:39:28,065
He killed her because she was, herself, a danger to him.

932
00:39:28,100 --> 00:39:31,145
As great a danger as Miss Eades.

933
00:39:31,180 --> 00:39:32,019
It would have ne him

934
00:39:32,054 --> 00:39:33,936
no good to kill the one

935
00:39:33,971 --> 00:39:35,237
unless he killed the other.

936
00:39:35,272 --> 00:39:37,007
<i>I won't say I caught up with Wolfe</i>

937
00:39:37,042 --> 00:39:38,742
<i>but at least I could see his dust.</i>

938
00:39:38,777 --> 00:39:40,876
<i>And I admit that I had also seen Saul Panzer</i>

939
00:39:40,911 --> 00:39:43,080
<i>not with any flourish, take a gun from his pocket</i>

940
00:39:43,115 --> 00:39:44,381
<i>and rest it on his thigh.</i>

941
00:39:44,815 --> 00:39:47,851
I suppose that the point here is that Eric Hagh is not Hagh.

942
00:39:47,886 --> 00:39:49,118
He's a ringer?

943
00:39:49,153 --> 00:39:51,104
I knew all this Thursday evening

944
00:39:51,139 --> 00:39:53,056
but there was a contradiction

945
00:39:53,091 --> 00:39:53,889
that had to be solved.

946
00:39:53,924 --> 00:39:55,941
What is that contradiction, Archie?

947
00:39:55,976 --> 00:40:00,165
Uh, well, if, uh, Sarah Jaffe knew that it wasn't Hagh

948
00:40:00,200 --> 00:40:02,486
how come she didn't say on Thursday night?

949
00:40:02,521 --> 00:40:03,809
Are you saying you knew

950
00:40:03,844 --> 00:40:05,636
who the murderer was that night

951
00:40:05,671 --> 00:40:07,171
and didn't notify anybody?

952
00:40:07,206 --> 00:40:09,023
Phooey. That's childish.

953
00:40:09,058 --> 00:40:10,806
I had no evidence.

954
00:40:10,841 --> 00:40:14,311
You have every scrap of information, Mr. Bowen, I have

955
00:40:14,346 --> 00:40:17,105
and the services of Mr. Goodwin, to boot...

956
00:40:17,140 --> 00:40:18,720
which is a great advantage

957
00:40:18,755 --> 00:40:20,301
when his head is on straight.

958
00:40:20,336 --> 00:40:22,119
It was only a hypothesis.

959
00:40:22,154 --> 00:40:23,374
It only became more

960
00:40:23,409 --> 00:40:25,554
when Mrs. Jaffe was killed

961
00:40:25,589 --> 00:40:28,184
and it was violently, tragically

962
00:40:28,219 --> 00:40:30,360
and completely validated.

963
00:40:30,395 --> 00:40:33,096
But I still had no evidence

964
00:40:33,131 --> 00:40:36,433
so I phoned Saul Panzer and supplied him with money

965
00:40:36,468 --> 00:40:40,337
a newspaper photo of the man calling himself Mr. Hagh

966
00:40:40,372 --> 00:40:41,638
and sent him on a flight

967
00:40:41,673 --> 00:40:43,390
to Cahamarka, Peru.

968
00:40:43,425 --> 00:40:45,134
You tell them, Saul.

969
00:40:45,169 --> 00:40:46,809
At Cahamarka

970
00:40:46,844 --> 00:40:48,977
I found people that knew Hagh

971
00:40:49,012 --> 00:40:51,896
and I learned that Hagh was a professional gambler

972
00:40:51,931 --> 00:40:54,781
that he had not been in Cahamarka in three years

973
00:40:54,816 --> 00:40:58,520
and that this... is not Eric Hagh.

974
00:40:58,555 --> 00:41:01,214
Now, everybody there knew about the paper

975
00:41:01,249 --> 00:41:02,424
that Miss Eades had signed

976
00:41:02,459 --> 00:41:04,515
giving the real Hagh half her fortune.

977
00:41:04,628 --> 00:41:06,913
Hagh said that it was her idea to do it

978
00:41:06,948 --> 00:41:08,903
but he was too proud a man

979
00:41:08,938 --> 00:41:10,251
to sponge off a woman

980
00:41:10,286 --> 00:41:13,508
so he just kept the paper as a souvenir.

981
00:41:13,543 --> 00:41:15,003
I couldn't ask Hagh about it

982
00:41:15,038 --> 00:41:17,641
'cause he had died in a snowslide three months ago.

983
00:41:17,676 --> 00:41:20,261
But the man that I had pictures of

984
00:41:20,296 --> 00:41:22,811
the man that I'm looking at right now

985
00:41:22,846 --> 00:41:28,485
is Sigfreid Meucke, also a professional gambler

986
00:41:28,520 --> 00:41:30,654
and he was in the mountains with Hagh

987
00:41:30,689 --> 00:41:31,920
when the slide happened.

988
00:41:31,955 --> 00:41:34,774
Armed with Miss Eades' letter

989
00:41:34,809 --> 00:41:37,559
to her now deceased ex-husband

990
00:41:37,594 --> 00:41:40,631
Meucke decided that to pursue his claim

991
00:41:40,666 --> 00:41:42,331
for half of Miss Eades estate

992
00:41:42,366 --> 00:41:44,066
would require his presence in New York.

993
00:41:44,101 --> 00:41:46,644
And, of course, it would be fatal to his plans

994
00:41:46,679 --> 00:41:48,919
if either Miss Eades or Mrs. Folmos

995
00:41:48,954 --> 00:41:52,720
ever got a glimpse of him since they knew he wasn't Hagh.

996
00:41:52,755 --> 00:41:55,379
There was only one way to solve that difficulty.

997
00:41:56,680 --> 00:41:59,941
They had to die.

998
00:42:01,018 --> 00:42:04,887
So, uh, why didn't Jaffe say anything?

999
00:42:04,922 --> 00:42:08,357
Because it was not in her character to do so.

1000
00:42:08,392 --> 00:42:11,862
She didn't like to get involved with anyone or anything.

1001
00:42:11,897 --> 00:42:15,468
She came here Thursday to lend her name

1002
00:42:15,503 --> 00:42:16,164
to a legal action

1003
00:42:16,199 --> 00:42:20,103
only because she was under great obligation to Mr. Goodwin.

1004
00:42:20,138 --> 00:42:22,272
No, she did not denounce him.

1005
00:42:22,307 --> 00:42:23,105
But, somehow

1006
00:42:23,140 --> 00:42:26,609
indubitably made him aware that she knew

1007
00:42:26,610 --> 00:42:27,876
he was not Eric Hagh.

1008
00:42:27,911 --> 00:42:32,249
He knew immediately that he was in deadly peril from her

1009
00:42:32,284 --> 00:42:34,851
and he acted quickly and audaciously

1010
00:42:34,886 --> 00:42:37,020
taking the keys from her bag.

1011
00:42:37,055 --> 00:42:38,755
You waylaid Mrs. Jaffe.

1012
00:42:38,790 --> 00:42:40,490
You struck her

1013
00:42:40,924 --> 00:42:42,696
and strangled her

1014
00:42:42,731 --> 00:42:46,306
exactly as you had done to Miss Eades and Mrs. Folmos.

1015
00:42:46,341 --> 00:42:48,904
I said you were no bungler, sir

1016
00:42:48,939 --> 00:42:50,432
but the truth is...

1017
00:42:50,467 --> 00:42:53,937
Congratulations, Mr. Wolfe.

1018
00:42:53,972 --> 00:42:56,974
You must be very proud.

1019
00:42:57,009 --> 00:42:58,726
Well...

1020
00:42:59,918 --> 00:43:01,095
Gentlemen.

1021
00:43:15,856 --> 00:43:17,794
Come on, get up.

1022
00:43:20,248 --> 00:43:21,264
Come on.

1023
00:43:21,299 --> 00:43:23,000
Nice socks.

1024
00:43:30,845 --> 00:43:31,899
There you are.

1025
00:43:31,934 --> 00:43:34,029
<i>Every Friday morning at 11:00, after Nero Wolfe</i>

1026
00:43:34,064 --> 00:43:36,125
<i>comes down from the plant rooms on the roof</i>

1027
00:43:36,160 --> 00:43:38,524
<i>he signs the salary checks.</i>

1028
00:43:43,442 --> 00:43:45,338
There seems to be a check missing.

1029
00:43:45,992 --> 00:43:48,158
Ah, and what check would that be?

1030
00:43:48,193 --> 00:43:49,424
Yours.

1031
00:43:49,459 --> 00:43:51,159
Well, you know, I like to get paid

1032
00:43:51,194 --> 00:43:53,797
uh, for my labors, just like the next man

1033
00:43:53,832 --> 00:43:55,966
but, uh, last week I was on leave.

1034
00:43:59,704 --> 00:44:00,702
Uh, what-what's this for?

1035
00:44:00,737 --> 00:44:02,437
Enough of this flummery. Take your check.

1036
00:44:02,472 --> 00:44:05,075
But, technically, I wasn't here as your assistant

1037
00:44:05,110 --> 00:44:05,907
but as your client

1038
00:44:05,942 --> 00:44:08,545
therefore, it is I who should be paying you.

1039
00:44:10,860 --> 00:44:12,414
Now...

1040
00:44:12,449 --> 00:44:16,353
at present, this is all I can afford.

1041
00:44:16,388 --> 00:44:18,955
I don't get paid much.

1042
00:44:20,379 --> 00:44:21,991
Phooey.

1043
00:44:23,070 --> 00:44:24,594
Very well.

1044
00:44:27,197 --> 00:44:28,065
Archie!

1045
00:44:38,475 --> 00:44:42,379
Subtitles by Brainquake.

1046
00:44:42,429 --> 00:44:46,979
Repair and Synchronization by
Easy Subtitles Synchronizer 1.0.0.0


