Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

[gunshot]

Whoa. Whoa.

I hear ya.

And don't do it again.

Take what you want.

- Your name Trampas? - Yeah, that's right.

Acton: Did you stop over in Red Hill?

Yeah, I was there yesterday.

You got any visible means of support?

Uh, fif-fifty four dollars US, silver certificate.

That's alright. Put your money back in your pocket.

Well, if this is not a hold-up, uh,

do you mind pointing that somewhere else?

Just as soon as you relieve hold of your sidearm.

- You're takin' my gun? - That's right.

Slow and easy, let's get that gun belt off.

Mr. Wainwright over to the side

has got a bead on the back of your head.

Uh, well, do you mind if I ask why?

- I'll do the askin'. - You sound like a law man.

That's right. Howard Acton, sheriff of Red Hill.

Mr. Wainwright's my deputy.

I'm right with you, Mr. Wainwright.

No sudden moves. Slow and easy now.

Now, slow and easy. [chuckles]

- Am I under arrest? - Why, yes, I'd say so.

Any particular charge?

I'll let you know more about that,

the sooner we match up a couple of facts.

Come on, let's go.

[instrumental music]

- Come along. - Come on now, horse.

[music continues]

- You've been here before? - Yeah, this morning.

- What time? - Uh, 6:30.

Mm-hmm.

Would you please, uh, place your foot

next to that boot mark there?

- The right or the left? - The right, if you please.

Acton: Mm-hmm.

Royal, you and Ned go ahead and remove the remains.

Use this army blanket.

Ted, you take this shovel and dig out those exhibits

and place them out in flat boxes.

Be careful not to break the earth

so Judge Carver can't complain about our methods.

If you have to go to all this trouble,

I'll admit it, under oath or not,

I was here with the man that owns this place.

- Gerald Bishop? - Yeah.

We rode out here just before sunup.

Mm-hmm.

[intense music]

Uh...

they're carryin' a dead man?

Mm-hmm.

Gerald Bishop.

[instrumental music]

In exactly six days, Marshal Krug and I

intend to complete this session of the court.

At that time, we will travel to Governor Tindall's ranch

where we'll enjoy our first vacation in two years.

Now, if you think you can convict this, uh, Trampas

in six days' time, I'll hear the case.

If not, wait for the next judge.

Your Honor, does that, uh...

does that six days include Saturdays and Sundays?

We need rest, sheriff.

We do not intend to hold court seven days a week.

It does not include Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, sir. That leaves four working days.

Wait for the next judge.

Your Honor, it ain't easy to get a first-class judge

out here past the territory markers.

Hate to waste your last few days on chicken thieves.

I appreciate the compliments, sheriff,

but you have our ruling.

Yes, sir.

Four days, uh...

We'd have to get Abel Hewitt as prosecutor.

If anyone can hang it, Mr. Hewitt can.

Does, uh, Trampas have, uh, council to represent him?

Oh, no, sir. Your Honor, he'd, uh,

need a court-appointed lawyer.

We know the fact that Red Hill has only one lawyer.

I hereby appoint Mr. Grover Smith.

Thank you.

Uh, with Mr. Smith defendin',

it ought to take more than four days.

- Mr. Smith. - Sheriff.

Huh, Mr. Smith, we're in kind of a hurry.

We're rounding up a jury.

Judge Carver wants to sit in one more trial before he leaves.

I thought he'd finish off on small playing.

No, sir. It's a case for a full jury.

- Felony? - Yes, sir, capital crime.

- Murder? - Yep. Gerald Bishop.

Oh, yeah. Some vagrant killed and robbed him.

Well, I don't know about robbed,

but the prisoner needs council to defend him,

and naturally, Judge Carver appointed you.

Uh, it's gonna work out.

Tell the judge not to worry.

- Uh, work out, sir? - Yeah, I gotta leave town.

- My mother's ill back in Omaha. - Oh.

But my late partner's cousin is arrivin' today,

from Endicott City, to handle the practice in my absence.

Uh, that's the Finch part of the firm.

Ah-ha. But we can go ahead with the trial?

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Finch's cousin graduated with honors from Lincoln Law

and served as legislative assistant

to Jennings Colin Brandt.

Mm-hmm.

Tell Judge Carver

not to worry about the defense.

No, sir.

Mm-hmm.

Sit court, 4-10-12, District 11.

Judge Elmo J. Carver presiding. All rise.

All rise.

His Honor Judge Elmo J. Carver.

Court will come to order.

The defendant will approach the bench.

Defendant stands accused of murder in the first degree.

Do you plead guilty or not guilty?

Not guilty.

I see by the deposition before me,

you've recalled your occupation as ranch worker.

- Is that correct? - Yes, sir, that's correct.

You'll refer to His Honor as His Honor.

Yes, sir. Your Honor, sir.

Profession of ranch worker does not render you competent

to act as legal council on your own behalf.

In the interest of justice, it is my duty

to appoint legal council to defend you.

Carver: The council I'm about to appoint

is a member in good standing at the bar association

and fully accredited.

Do you accept the appointment of Frances B. Finch,

Doctor of Law?

Yes, sir. Yes, Your Honor, I accept.

Frances B. Finch, please step forward.

Your Honor, I am Frances B. Finch.

Ms. Finch, the court learned of your gender only an hour ago.

However, we have made the proper adjustments

and will extend every courtesy

consistent with our standard of ethics.

Your Honor enjoys a reputation for fair-mindedness.

- Do I hear any objections? - Hm? Me?

Uh, no, no.

Yes, sir. Uh, Your Honor, I...

I never knew there were any, um,

women, uh, lawyers.

Would you care to inspect my credentials?

Yeah. Um, no.

But I, I think we ought to get acquainted.

Defendant is remanded to the sheriff's custody.

Ms. Finch, you have until Friday to prepare your case.

Until then court is adjourned.

Well, uh, Miss, uh...

- Finch. - Yeah.

Would you like to, uh... uh, sit?

Well, you-- you sit down, please, Trampas.

No, I prefer to wander around.

It, uh... helps me get a bit of fix on your--

Yeah. Well, I guess I need fixed.

Well, one thing you'll have to put up with,

and that's my womanly intuition.

No matter how hard I try to be logical and precise,

I still rely on emanations.

Enamate... What?

No.

Influences, you know, the, the invisible aura

that surrounds people? Understand?

- Oh, yeah. A horse head. - Huh.

Trampas, I can't defend you

unless you tell me everything.

Okay, what do you wanna know?

I want to know

why a competent professional like Sheriff Acton,

a plain, simple-minded man,

thinks that you murdered Gerald Bishop.

I guess because I was the last man to see him alive.

- Wrong. - Why?

I think it's because somebody tipped him off.

And whoever it was, they didn't want to bring charges,

but they did want you arrested.

How do you know that?

Mm-hmm.

It says here in the, uh...

in the fact sheet prepared by the sheriff

that, uh, that, "The body of Gerald Bishop

was found in the west gallery of the Bishop Mine."

And here it asks us to believe...

that the sheriff just,

well-- well, happened to be wandering around in a mine...

found a dead man, found some footprints

and guessed that they belong

to a, an absolute and total stranger, you.

Trampas: Yeah, put it that way, he's a pretty good guesser.

The way I see it at this point,

there's, there's no use of my interviewing you.

I believe you know less about what happened than I do.

Then you believe I'm innocent.

As a new-born baby.

[scoffs] Well, I'm not that innocent.

You're innocent and helpless.

And you're in danger, Trampas.

Oh, phew. I knew that with my own intuition.

Well... we don't have time to prepare a defense,

so... we'll prepare an attack.

Uh, just-- just this one word before you go savin' my eye.

I'm against a woman gettin' a vote.

Well, don't worry.

We'll protect you in spite of yourself.

Who found the body of Gerald Bishop?

I did.

In the west gallery of the Bishop Mine?

That's right. Behind the conveyor cart.

Now, why did you go there to look?

Why not look down a well, somewhere up a hayloft?

Because the argument took place outside the mineshaft.

What argument?

Between Trampas and Gerald Bishop.

Did you overhear that argument?

No, I did not.

Well?

- I didn't hear it. - Oh, sheriff.

Don't make me pull teeth.

Who did hear the argument?

Ellie Bishop, Gerald Bishop's daughter.

Well.

Why has it taken so long to tell me

that it was Gerald Bishop's daughter, Ellie,

who reported the murder?

She didn't report it.

What? She didn't bring charges?

Well, she couldn't bring charges for argument.

And she didn't know her father was dead until we told her.

So she reported an argument

and you came running.

A raw argument with threats of violence that it scared her.

And when her father didn't meet her

like he said he was going to,

it frightened her and she came to me.

Did she describe Trampas?

Described him and told us she heard her father speak his name.

Well, why isn't this written up in your report?

Ms. Finch, Ellie is set to be a witness for the prosecution.

Oh, I see.

No point in warning the defense, huh?

Ma'am, your partner-in-law, Mr. Smith,

is used to our methods of procedure.

Acton: And you see, we work out things together ahead of time

and it saves a lot of long over-drawn wrangling.

We don't ram heads and it cuts down on the paperwork.

I see, so the trial is just

a sort of, uh, formality.

Well, it's fair and it's fast and it gets the job done.

In law practice we call that a put-up job.

- Now, look here, Ms. Finch! - Let's both look, sheriff.

For some reason you want to railroad this

right to the gallows. Why?

Ma'am, uh, your method of provoking people

seems to sort of get them on the run,

but not Howard Acton.

Now, I'm trying to hurry things along a little

because Judge Carver wants it all wrapped up neatly

in exactly four days.

Well, he can't have it.

Well, then I suggest you take it up with him.

Thank you. I intend to.

[instrumental music]

[door slams]

Finch: I appreciate your finding time

for a special consultation, Your Honor.

And I hope you'll forgive the liberty I've taken

in bringing over a little of my special tea.

Very thoughtful of you, Ms. Finch.

The, uh, the traditional recipe

calls for one aromatic, one alterative

and one demulcent soup.

A red clover, fupina

and wild cherry.

Do you prefer an infusion or a decoction?

Um, not too strong.

I always add just a touch of fireweed honey in the cup.

So...

[giggles] Well, see...

Uh, may I offer a cup to your bailiff?

Oh, Marshal Krug, Ms. Finch is offering you a cup

of her special herb tea.

Well, I, uh...

That's very... very considerate of you.

Oh.

You know, I had no idea that, uh,

a judge's chambers could give one

such a feeling of warmth and coziness.

It's thanks to you, Judge Carver.

Now, how can we be of service to you, Ms. Finch?

Well, really, Your Honor, it's such a small matter

that, um, well, I-- I feel reluctant to bother you with it,

but you see, I did promise to get back to Endicott City

as soon as possible and so I'm trying

to find ways of expediting things, the-- the best I can--

Well, perhaps we can help you.

Oh. I really don't see how.

I'm just so unprepared for this case

that I don't know where to begin.

Well, uh, have you examined your client?

Oh, yes, Your Honor, yes,

but, uh, he-- he's not much help.

I wouldn't say he's a clod, but, well,

he's a simple country fellow

and quite uneducated.

Well, you can't expect much of itinerant ranch labor.

No, no.

So I was wondering,

just because I'm-- I'm having some real trouble

in preparing this case,

if it would be possible for me to take him out of his cell

to visit the Social Center,

that's the, uh, that's the name of the saloon here,

uh, to observe him in his natural environment.

Why, I can't let him out on bail.

Oh, no, no, of course not, no,

not while he's held for a capital crime.

You know, I wasn't thinking of bail, actually.

I was wondering, perhaps, in custody.

But it wouldn't be safe.

A woman alone with a suspected murderer?

Oh, oh, no, I, I wouldn't dare be alone with him,

but I was thinking, perhaps,

with someone strong and impartial,

um, to act as a kind of guardian protector,

uh, you know, someone who knows how to keep order.

Well, perhaps Sheriff Acton

would let you have his deputy.

Who, Mr. Wainwright?

Oh, yes, 'cause he's a fine man.

Ah, but I believe he's already been requested

by Mr. Abel Hewitt to help in preparing the prosecution.

Hm. You do need someone impartial.

Marshal Krug, would you consent to escorting Ms. Finch

while she prepares her defense?

Oh. Why, well, just say the word, uh, Your Honor.

Oh, thank you, marshal.

We'll write out a court order

remanding the prisoner in joint custody.

Finch: Thank you, Your Honor.

I believe I do have...

an extra form here. Yes.

Um, um, custody, uh, joint custody of

Ms. Frances B. Finch

and...

Marshal...

H. Oh. Krug.

Krug.

Henry Arlington.

[instrumental music]

Oh. Come on, come. Alright.

This is where they took his footprints.

Oh, yes. Well...

They can prove that you were here.

I don't deny it.

Well, do you deny that you quarreled with Gerald Bishop?

- Nope. He cheated me. - How?

I bet this gold mine against all my money and my belongings,

including my horse.

- Well, you won. - Huh, yeah, look what I won.

- Let's go on inside. - Hup.

- Can't we go inside, marshal? - We're going inside. Follow me.

This mine is worthless to begin with.

Even that gave out.

- What's that? - It's just dirt.

Rotten shaft, and it's worthless.

Hewitt just now visited it. It's ever been worked.

Oh, hey. Okay, let's get outta here.

Let's stay to-- to this side. Timber's rotten here.

- Come, come, come. - You bet it's rotten.

The whole place is rotten.

Did you threaten Bishop?

No, I, uh, I called him a couple of names.

- Such as? - Well, I'd rather not say.

Oh, come on, you can tell me. I am your lawyer.

Well, it had to do with livestock.

Oh, well, tell Marshal Krug then.

That's not a threat, that's an accurate description.

When you went away, Trampas, did you leave him here?

- No. - No, I-- I mean, uh, there.

In the west gallery.

I never went back to the west gallery.

Why not?

I can see just more of the same.

Well, you're sure now

you didn't leave any footprints there?

Well, you couldn't tell anyhow.

I see the ground is made of, uh, bedrock.

Well, I, I am not very keen on this part,

but I, I suppose I'd better take a look at the spot.

They found him in the back of a conveyer cart.

Well, uh, do you know how to use one of these things?

Here, I'll show you. No, it's an overhand clutch.

This way. Alright. All five fingers.

Hold it high and out from you. No, no, mind your feathers, huh?

Alright.

- Trampas, here. - Alright.

What?

UH, are-- are you familiar with expensive hats?

- Well-- - No, don't clutch it.

Make your fist... Let it, let it rest.

Now, that's right. Now, keep it low.

- Oh, yeah. - And watch the blooms.

- Yeah. Watch your step now. - Mm-hmm.

The gouge you feel up against your liver

is the killing end of me Whitney.

Well, you mind keeping it on safety?

Well, I mind to keep it where it'll do the most good.

- Marshal? - Yeah, what is it?

[coughs] You better take this.

What's the matter?

- What is it? - It's a bit oppressive.

Oh, I don't know about that, but it sure is stuffy in here.

Better get you to some fresh air.

I'll thank you to take the lady over.

[coughing]

- There we go. - Excuse me.

- I'm sorry. - Oh, for goodness sake.

Sorry.

There's a water...

a water pump about two miles down the road--

No, no, thank you. Really.

- I'm alright now. - You're sure?

- Yes, quite. - Alright.

I don't ordinarily react so strongly

to the, the sight of blood.

Oh, my gosh. It's, well... That's right.

Of course, he was killed with a pick handle.

- Wasn't he? - Oh, yes.

Oh, here, let me help you in the buggy.

- No, no, I'll take that. - Wait, wait.

Before we go, just where exactly was the place

where you had your argument?

Right-- right over there.

I see. And you didn't hear anybody else around?

No. No, we were alone.

Oh, no, no, because somebody overheard you argue.

Well, how could they?

Unless they were up there behind those trees or somethin'.

Finch: Well, we'd better inspect them.

[instrumental music]

Tired and scratched, it's been trapped on a horse wagon,

he could have sat here, sure enough.

- Wagon? - Yeah.

Yeah, but I think I would have heard it.

Well, not if they was here before you got here.

No. Now, Bishop's daughter, Ellie, heard you arguing.

She must've been out here or you'd, you'd have seen her.

Yeah. Why didn't she make herself known?

She said she was frightened.

I was frightened.

Finch: Why were you frightened, my dear?

He threatened to kill him.

- Objection. - Sustained.

Ms. Bishop,

what exactly did Trampas say to your father?

What were his words?

Well, his exact words were,

"You have cheated me, you dirty dog.

I ought to beat your brains up."

That's not what I called him.

What exactly did your father say in reply?

My father said,

"You try it and you get yourself stamped on, bucky boy."

Finch: What then transpired, Ms. Bishop?

What then transpired was cursing, shoving.

- Objection. - Sustained.

The witness has already testified that she was listening

and not observing by visual contact.

You say you heard cursing.

- Yes. - And what else did you hear?

The sounds of umph and ugh

and noises of thumping

like someone was struggling for life.

- Objection. - Sustained.

Struggling for life is a conclusion. Strike it.

Proceed.

What did you then do?

- Run for the sheriff. - Huh.

Thank you, Ms. Bishop.

That will be all.

Ms. Finch, do you wish to cross-examine?

Well...

Ms. Bishop, what were you doing

out at the mineshaft alone?

Listening.

I mean, before you were listening.

What brought you out there?

Well, my father told me to meet him out there.

Finch: What for?

He told me to bring him a paper.

Hm. What kind of paper?

It was sealed in an envelope.

Do you have the envelope with you?

No. Mr. Hewitt has.

Your Honor, may we have it in evidence?

Mr. Hewitt.

It's the deed to the Bishop Mine.

Homestead tract 321, staked out by General Bishop

and claimed for mineral rights.

Sealed and dated, Your Honor.

Mark it exhibit A.

Ms. Finch.

Ms. Bishop, to the best of your knowledge,

why did your father not take the deed with him when he left home?

Well, it wasn't at home.

- Well, where was it? - In the bank.

Well, why didn't he stop at the bank?

Ellie: He left too early. The bank was still closed.

- So what time does it open? - 9 a.m.

And is that when you got the deed?

Oh, yes, ma'am.

The bank clerk can tell you

I was the first customer.

I see. Now, Ms. Bishop.

Did you get the deed before you heard the argument at the mine

or after?

Before. That's why I went out, to deliver it.

Uh-huh.

What time did you have the argument with Bishop?

Uh, uh, just after sunup.

Did your father leave home before sunrise?

Yes.

How long does it take to ride out to the mine?

- Close to an hour. - Objection!

Uh, Ms. Finch, are you trying to establish a discrepancy

in Ms. Bishop's testimony?

Your Honor, my client freely admits

to the argument at the mine,

but he places the time at just after sunrise.

Carver: Objection sustained.

The jury will disregard the last remark by defense. Proceed.

Uh, no further questions at this time.

Your Honor... may I add one word of explanation?

Carver: Proceed.

My father told me he was going to eat breakfast with Trampas,

then go out to the mine.

Did you eat breakfast with Bishop?

Uh, come to think of it, yeah.

Don't help me anymore.

That'll be all, Ms. Bishop. You may get down.

Those footprints match the boots of the defendant.

Acton: Yes, sir,

down to every last hobnail.

No further questions.

Sheriff Acton...

why did you go to so much trouble

spading earth into flat boxes and transporting it

when the defendant, from the offset, freely admits

that he was there at the time?

Huh, ma'am, that-- that's supportive evidence.

Evidence of what? That he makes footprints?

[all laughing]

Well, it's proof that he was there,

in case he changes his story.

Now, let us be clear as to what it does prove,

that he was present outside of the mine.

And inside, ma'am. There's footprints aplenty inside.

In the west gallery where the body was found?

Well, no, ma'am, that's solid bedrock.

Then you cannot connect these footprints with the body.

- Objection! - Sustained.

There's a reasonable connection.

Did you confiscate the defendant's gun?

Yes, ma'am.

Was General Bishop killed by the defendant's gun?

- Objection. - Sustained.

The murder weapon has already been established.

Well, then, uh, the defendant did not shoot General Bishop.

- Objection! - Sustained.

The fact that the defendant did not avail himself of his gun

does not rule out the possibility

that the assault was committed with the pick handle.

Oh. Well, anything's possible.

Ms. Finch, you will refrain from comments.

Oh.

Please forgive me, Your Honor.

It's just that there's so much to do

in such a short time.

Uh, may the record show that this is now Friday

and court will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

We keep adequate records, Ms. Finch.

Records of preparation time, Your Honor?

This trial will receive appropriate time

in all respects.

Then there is no time limit.

There can be no time limit on justice.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Until Monday morning at 9 a.m. this trial is adjourned.

All rise.

Finch: No offence, I hope, sheriff.

[sighs]

I actually hope you know what you're doing.

We can't let them give you a short trial.

Who cares how short or long it is

as long as it comes out not guilty?

- Look. - Look at what?

- Ellie and that young man. - What about him?

She gave him a look. Who is he?

Oh, it's Clyde Willis. He works in the tanner.

He's a good old boy. Now, come on, let's go.

Wait a minute. Trampas is in my custody.

Yeah.

Well, the sheriff said to collect him. Now, come on.

Joint custody, signed by Judge Carver.

Well, I have to check with the sheriff.

Now, you stick with me. Please, come on.

Well, now I'll expect him back here

at this table in five minutes.

I do what the sheriff tells me.

Uh, you get the feeling we're getting folks a little upset?

You can't trust 'em, not for two seconds.

You saw her box me into a corner.

No time limit. It's right there on the record.

Well, how long you figure she'll drag it out?

As long as she can squeeze it.

What, you ain't gonna let her get away with that, are you?

And she isn't gonna let us get away on vacation.

I'm telling you, marshal, I've dealt

with all kinds of council, but this one's a weasel.

Well, Elmo, they should never have lowered the requirement.

They didn't, they raised the requirement to keep him out,

but there's no way. They wriggle right in.

[knocking on door]

Oh, there you are, marshal.

- Are you ready? - Ready?

Well, our prisoner's waiting. Hm.

That was to help you prepare your case for the...

Your Honor, my compliments on a superb day in court.

I-- I don't know when I've seen such dignity

in the courtroom. It was an honor, sir.

- And a pleasure. - Well, it's no more than usual.

Ah, that's what makes it so exceptional.

You keep the standards up where they belong

and even higher.

You won't mind if I write about this

for the quarterly law journal?

Well, uh, I have no objection.

I am sorry to borrow the marshal again,

but I see now why you allowed Saturday and Sunday

to complete preparation.

- Complete preparation? - Yes, sir.

Uh, I hope my request to expedite things

hasn't caused too much inconvenience.

Um, no, of course, not.

Well, we'll really roll up our sleeves and pitch in.

Won't we, marshal?

Well, as they say in the territory, uh,

"Okay, partner, let's get rollin'." Hm?

[laughs] Well.

It'll help extradite the trial.

[instrumental music]

No, sir. We do not release him.

That paper applied to pre-trial preparation only.

But it was signed by the judge.

It said, "Joint custody."

That means Ms. Finch and Marshal Krug.

I am too dangerous to leave out alone?

Boy...

Boy, she is wrecking her chances.

She's got Judge Carver turning purple

and Marshal Krug...

Well, I can tell you right now.

Marshal Krug is going fishing over this weekend

and there is no power on Earth

that's gonna tie him down to riding shotgun on you.

Y-- you mind to tell her that, sheriff?

I'll tell her.

Finch: Well, here we are!

Delivered in person by Sheriff Acton.

- Now, look, Ms. Finch-- - I will take over from here.

Thought you were going fishing.

- Shall we go? - Uh, so long, sheriff.

[instrumental music]

[chuckles] Wake up, Trampas.

- Tea. - Oh, tea.

Yet somehow I don't feel on trial for my life.

Well, we've got to keep Marshal Krug happy.

I'll be a lot happier if I'd see some progress

towards not guilty.

Well, at least we've sown some seeds of reasonable doubt.

Hewitt can't prove that you ever were

in the west gallery of the mine.

It seems pretty same since I was everywhere else.

Do you know Clyde Willis?

I'm not sure it's whether, uh, seeing him in the courtroom,

but I-- I do get the feeling I've seen him before.

What, here? In Red Hill?

Yeah. At the saloon, what they call the Social Center.

That's it, he was leaning up against the wall

when I was playing cards at night

with Bishop and the others. That's him.

He was, uh, chewing on a cinnamon bar.

Well, we've got to check him out.

Why?

That look that Ellie gave him in the courtroom,

she's in love with him.

- In love? - Mm-hmm.

How are we gonna drag the marshal

away from his catfish?

Leave him to me.

[instrumental music]

[clears throat]

Marshal.

- Marshal! - Shh. Stop talking.

Try not to call out. Ah, that is sun-perchy nibbling.

Would it be alright if I take Trampas to go to the tannery?

You could stay here and go on fishing.

You don't want to mess with the tannery.

Besides, it's closed on Saturdays.

Oh, but we want to interrogate Clyde Willis.

Well, sure, Clyde don't know nothin'.

Uh, uh, look, just you go back and make yourself comfortable

and when these sun-perchies stop nibbling, uh,

and we'll go on, you can poke around as much as you like.

Uh, we would like to go now.

Alright, fine. Well, maybe, uh, maybe towards sundown.

- Now! - But look here now.

Hush, Ms. Finch.

Well, you don't go stomping your foot

till you lose your shoe in the mud.

Oh, no. No.

Oh, oh. Oh, shoot!

Yes, I want to tell you something.

Krug: You don't know, I approve, I really do,

of-- of women working as same as men

and I always try and treat 'em equal,

but I'm gonna tell you something else.

There is no man alive who would ever cut in

on another man's fishing, it just ain't done.

Now, look here, just, uh, just go back up there

and, uh, keep Trampas company, will you?

[grunts]

- Well? - He won't budge.

- How come? - He's acting like a man.

That's not exactly a fault.

Some people are born that way.

Well, I told him that we have to go and interrogate

potential witnesses,

but he prefers to stay and fiddle about with sun-perch.

Oh, well. It's your funeral.

[instrumental music]

Hm. A guy better take a run at him.

- Well, did you get him? - No. Uh, uh, no.

Serpent turtle down under there, they are chasing them away.

Hm, maybe you snagged on a branch.

I'll hold the pole for you if you wanna go get loose.

No, I, I...

Swamp grass rubbing.

Hey, lookie there. See that one, huh?

One just jumped right over there.

See where that, that dragonfly is jumping?

Oh, yeah.

The gouge you feel next to your liver

is the killin' end of your Whitney.

She put you up to it, didn't she?

Never mind who put who--

Oh, yes, there's no man alive

that would cut in on another man's fishing.

Yeah, well, our mistake was that you knew this water.

Now, we're all gonna work at saving my neck. Come on.

What, by holding a gun on a marshal?

No, by interrogating whoever we got to interrogate.

Oh, you're lucky. I like it, Trampas. You're really lucky.

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, I might take offence about

anyone picking my holster, but, well,

I know there's a female behind it

pushing you beyond your reason.

- Poor devil. - Hm, let's get moving.

- Well, what about my pole? - Bring it.

- Bring it? - Bring it.

- Well, for heaven's sakes. - There. I got it.

- Come on. - Alright. Alright.

Let's go.

What are you doing?

Getting him away from his catfish.

- Are you raving mad? - Not that I know of.

But you can't hold a gun on a marshal.

- What did I tell you? - Hey, y-- you stay out of this.

Uh, he's not about to come without some persuasion.

If you don't give him back his gun this minute,

I resign as you attorney.

Resign? But you started it when you were over there.

She put you up to it, didn't she?

I did no such thing.

Are we gonna check out Clyde Willis or not?

I trust you will overlook this breach of fair play,

Marshal Krug, and I do want you to know

that I'm not in anyway a party to it,

but in the interests of compromise,

if you would accept our apologies,

then perhaps we can work together

as Judge Carver expects us to.

Certainly.

[sighs]

Trampas, Marshal Krug's waiting for your apology.

That's right.

I sure hope you know what you're doing.

Alright, I apologize.

Oh. Here's your Whitney.

Your apology is accepted.

- Shall we go, Ms. Finch? - Thank you, marshal.

- Kettle. Kettle! - Huh?

- Kettle. - Oh. Excuse me.

Basket.

Blanket.

Here.

- I'll carry these. - I'll carry this one.

[instrumental music]

Hello, Arnold, how are you?

Marshal, if I was you, I'd have 'em pull up a couple of feet

to spare your wife the fragrance of this here hide.

Couple of feet ain't gonna do it.

Uh, Arnold, this ain't my wife.

- Uh, this is a lady lawyer. - A lady lawyer?

Yes. This Ms. Frances B. Finch. This is Arnold Boyle.

Mr. Boyle. How do you do?

Well, now, a lady lawyer.

[chuckles] You know, I'm a bit

of a free thinker myself.

Yes, siree, it's a part of the Orange Valley experiment.

Bigamy, trigamy, you name it, I've tried it.

Uh, you got a man, uh, working here

by the name of Clyde Willis?

You the husband?

[chuckles] No, no, no.

I-- I'm the prisoner.

[laughs] I know what you mean.

Oh, you don't, Arnold.

- Is Mr. Willis here? - No, ma'am.

Mr. Willis ain't here.

I took the pleasure of firing him as of last Friday.

- Well, why did you fire him? - 'Cause of his lip.

Got to sassin' me, come to questioning my judgment.

I warned him about his big mouth, but he didn't take heed.

Got nothing to blame but his lip.

Where could we find him, Mr. Boyle?

[chuckles] Find Ellie Bishop,

you'll find him.

Ah-huh? Well, we appreciate your help.

Always glad to help a free thinker.

Well, thank you, Arnold.

Now, mind my chickens on your way out.

Don't crush 'em.

[indistinct chatter]

[whistles] Hyah!

Krug: There it is. Right down there.

Ooh.

Uh, we better stay back.

I'm not exactly a welcome sight now.

Here, let me give you a hand down.

Watch out for your umbrella there.

Easy does it. Uh, there you go.

- Alright. - Uh-huh.

W-- watch your step.

[instrumental music]

[horse neighing]

[knocking on door]

Good afternoon, I'm Frances B. Finch.

- Attorney for the defense. - Yes, that's right.

- You're Mr. Willis? - That's right.

- Clyde Willis. - Is Ms. Bishop at home?

- Why? - Who is it, Clyde?

Uh, Mrs. Finch from the courtroom.

Yes, ma'am?

Oh, good afternoon, Ms. Bishop.

May I speak to you for a moment?

Oh. No, that's alright.

Mr. Willis is helping me with the arrangement.

I need a copy of your father's last will and testament.

Uh...

Ellie's father didn't leave one.

- Are you sure? - I'm quite sure.

We looked here and at the back.

Ellie is the sole surviving kin.

So she inherits everything.

If that's what the law says.

Well, I-- I really was hoping there would be a will

or a, a letter or something

with some mention of the Bishop Mine.

What about it?

There's bound to be

a question of ownership.

You see, my client won it in a card game.

Well, if you take the word of a murderer.

Of a man accused of murder,

but even if he's convicted,

he still owns the mine and his heirs will inherit it.

And provided you believe him.

Oh.

It's not up to me, Mr. Willis.

No. It's up to the jury.

Uh, I heard him threaten my father.

Yes, I know, you did. Yes. You testified under oath.

Um, "You have cheated me, you dirty dog"

and so on. Yeah.

Now, that doesn't mean that, uh, they were arguing over the mine.

Oh, no, no. No, it doesn't.

It could've been about money or--

Well, it doesn't matter. Ellie holds the title.

And your client will have to go to court to claim it.

If he goes free.

And if he's convicted, then he'll--

- He'll hang. - Yes.

It's ironic, isn't it?

All this suffering over a worthless tunnel of dirt.

Well, thank you, Ms. Bishop.

Mr. Willis.

Oh, please be sure and tell Mr. Hewitt

that I was here, will you?

Finch: I wouldn't want him to think

that I would do anything unethical

behind his back.

Good afternoon.

Krug: Now, looks like Willis is taking charge.

Finch: Oh, yes, he's making all the arrangements

for everything, including Ellie's inheritance.

Yeah, but her father was broke.

Well, that house is worth something.

Yeah, but it was mortgaged to the bank.

I would've taken it and sell it to a mine.

Oh, poor Ellie, she's in for a surprise

when Willis discovers that she's inherited her father's debts.

I thought your intuition told you it was love.

Yes, on her side it is,

but he's just out to take advantage of her.

- He told you all this? - Mm-hmm, hm.

By the, the way he stands

and the way he holds his head and the look in his eyes.

Why, it's written all over him.

I'll tell you what I see written all over him.

- A man holding a pat hand. - What?

Krug: Well, I tell ya, a pat hand, poker to our men.

Men use it when they play poker.

Fellow put on a face, you know,

so as not to let on that he's a winner.

I wish I knew what he was holding.

Aces back-to-back in the Bishop's Mine, I'll bet.

Where's the nearest assay office?

Uh, weighing gold? That's in, uh, Fort Comstock.

That's a couple of hundred miles from here.

Oh, yes, but people just ride over there

if they know they got a, a real winner,

you know, when they strike it rich,

but the fellow that tells him if their goods is worth anything,

he lives in Indiana, Indian Spring.

- Geologist? - I don't know.

[chuckles] But-- but he sure knows dirt.

Let's take him a sample.

[whistles]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

- Come on. - Alright.

[rumbling]

Will ya lay into it and get out of here? And hurry up.

Alright, let's get out of here.

Alright.

Go on.

[grunting]

[music continues]

[carriage rattling]

[birds chirping]

[thud]

[clears throat]

Uh, are you the geologist?

J.D. Drover. Pay-dirt appraiser.

Well, we want your professional advice.

Glad you put it that way.

My services require cash in advance.

- Oh. - Ho-- how much?

Oh, two percent of your strike

or three dollars in silver coin,

US mint.

You accept, uh, silver certificates?

No, sir, don't deal in paper.

I'm Marshal Krug.

- Marshal. - Hi.

- This official business? - Yes, it is.

This is possible evidence for a court case.

This is Ms. Finch, she's a lady lawyer.

Mr. Drover.

Well, it's none of my business

how people desert their family and home.

Drover: They tried to open a dance hall here in town,

with hostess types,

uh, drinkin' and smokin', but we closed 'em down.

Krug: Now, look here, Drover--

I assure you, Mr. Drover,

I neither drink nor smoke.

Moreover, I have three silver dollars.

- US mint. - Uh, uh, keep your money.

I, I offer my services to the law

free of charge.

- Uh, this come out of a mine? - That's right.

Smell rotten, stuffy?

[chuckles] I nearly fainted.

- Fairly poor. - I know it's not gold bearing.

The only thing you can do is to make that pay off

is process it down.

Couple of tons not yield 50 pounds pure.

- Pure? What, pure what? - Sulfur.

Sulfur? Then it is worth something.

Well, not this small a claim.

One man can't work it enough to pay off.

Takes bulk machines.

Best thing to do is sell it off to a big company

equipped to process.

Who'd buy?

Oh, chemical companies, uh,

medicinals, explosives.

For how much?

Depends on the extent of the strike.

Now, that there is about 31%.

Sell it around $40 a 100 weight.

You can figure on a average strike

to be worth around, uh,

$40,000 to $60,000 of silver US mint.

Sixty? Sixty thousand dollars? Phew.

Why didn't you ask the owner?

- That's what I told him. - You told the owner?

Yeah, he was in here a week ago.

I recognized the goods.

Not much raw sulfur comes across the counter.

- Would you recognize the owner? - Yes, ma'am.

What did he look like?

Oh, young feller.

Tall, curly hair.

Bishop was about 50. Uh, short, gray hair.

You got the wrong man.

We got the right one. Clyde Willis.

Uh, he didn't give his name, but he paid cash on the barrel.

Well, thank you, uh...

Say, uh, can I, uh, see you a minute?

Sure.

Here, uh... here.

Oh, oh, keep you money, marshal.

No, no, no, no. I...

I want that brooch right there,

that blue, blue brooch right there.

Oh, well, that-- that's four and a quarter.

Oh, alright, fine. That's fine.

That's the, uh, turquoise. The set is pure silver.

Krug: Fine.

You don't have to wrap it, uh...

The, um... lady, uh,

is, um... gonna wear it.

Oh, marshal, I... Oh, I can't.

I mean, you really ought not to--

Oh, sure, it-- it-- it's just turquoise and silver.

- It's nothing... - Oh. I see. Oh, it's...

It's lovely! Oh, well, thank you.

Thank you, uh, for your, uh, services.

- Uh, take these goods. - Oh, yeah.

Thank you, Mr. Drover.

- Yeah. - Yeah.

Royal soaps. Buy a round, can we?

I'll get the door there.

Well, what do we do?

Bring this old rock mold back to identify Willis?

But it won't help, all it'll do is prove

that Willis knew the mine was valuable.

Of course, Bishop didn't know. He wouldn't have bet it.

Finch: He would've sold it to get out of debt.

At least we know a good reason why Willis wants to marry Ellie.

Yes, and an even better one why he wants you out of the way.

All he needs is one piece of evidence

to prove that you were there in the west gallery.

Why don't we give it to him?

- To trap him? - Exactly.

How about it, marshal?

It's, uh...

[chuckles] it's like fishin'.

If he buys, we've got the murderer

and the, the judge will dismiss my case.

Well, you know how I feel about fishing.

[instrumental music]

You're not afraid of a woman working?

Afraid? No. No, no, no.

I just don't approve.

- Ooh? - Well.

I-- I believe a woman's place is...

Well, it's-- it's-- it's in a man's backroom.

Oh.

Finch: This jacket belongs to Trampas

and, uh, he also had a split in the sleeve repaired.

- Split? Uh, uh, which sleeve? - We'll make one.

Huh?

You wanna help a free thinker. Now, don't you?

- By ripping a jacket? - No.

By telling Clyde Willis that this is Trampas' jacket

and that a piece of fringe from here

found in the west gallery of the mine

would prove that Trampas was there.

I'm, uh, I'm afraid I don't follow you, ma'am.

Well, we're trying to set a trap for Clyde Willis.

- And we need your help. - What Willis do?

Looks like he killed Gerald Bishop,

but we want to be quite sure.

And you know him better than anyone.

I just fired him.

Well, go try and hire him back.

- He'll think I'm crazy. - No, he won't. No.

Not if you say exactly what I tell you to say.

Uh, this buckskin here belongs to Trampas.

And that a piece of fringe from here

found in the west gallery of the mine

would prove that Trampas was there.

You think he'll take a piece of this fringe

and plant it out there in the mine?

He will, especially, if you tell him

that you're going to leave this on your work bench all night.

Well, uh, do I tell him I wanna be paid off?

When he cashes in.

When he cashes in?

Hm.

Finch: He's told Willis.

- How do you know? - But he knows we are watching.

Finch: I told him to signal with his bandana.

You know, we may be here all night.

Look.

- Ellie? - She in on it?

Go on.

Wait a minute. Now wait, wait.

You can't trail a suspect with a crowd of folks like this.

Well, then, marshal, why don't you go?

- And, and we'll meet you back-- - No, no, no.

You know, I can't leave you alone with him.

Don't worry, I'll go straight back to my cell.

He will, marshal. He will, marshal. We'll meet you there.

No, no. Don't worry, I'll go right back to my cell.

I promise. I give you my word.

Promise you won't tell the judge.

Ooh.

Alright, goodbye.

Good luck, Henry. Uh, oh.

I need it.

[sighs] Well...

- Now is your chance to escape. - Yeah.

It may be a lot safer if I did get out of here.

- Well? - I don't know why.

I guess I feel I have to clear my name.

Supposing it doesn't work?

Supposing they found you guilty and hang you?

Well, one thing for sure...

I'd never trust another lady lawyer.

There you are.

Prisoner returned at 8:40 p.m.

Mm-hmm.

- Would you sign this, please? - What is it?

It's just a receipt to show that he's safe

back in the sheriff's custody.

Royal... Wainwright.

- Deputy. - Thank you, deputy.

Now, may I wait here outside his cell?

Well, visiting hours are over.

Oh, I'm not a visitor. I'm his lawyer.

And we're waiting for Marshal Krug.

Oh, well, in that case, permission granted. Excuse me.

[sighs]

Maybe we made a mistake coming back here.

Mm-hmm. Marshal said he'd meet us here.

We sent men out here to make a last inspection for clues.

Your Honor, and what he found made me think

it was important enough to ask you out to take a look

before our court comes to order this morning.

Well, I hope it is important.

I don't like to ride any more than I have to.

- Ned? - Yeah.

Light a lantern and, uh, show us what you found.

Uh, Your Honor.

Along here

is where we found Trampas' footprints.

In the west gallery where the body was found,

there weren't any footprints because it's solid bedrock.

Trampas denied ever going into that west gallery.

We had trouble proving him out to be a liar

until Ned here made his final inspection. Ned.

Excuse me, John.

Your Honor, here behind this conveyor cart

is where the body was found.

You can still see some of the blood stains.

And here on the edge of the cart

you see a rusted strip of metal pulled loose.

And caught under it is a fresh piece of leather.

Stripped the fringe, torn off a buckskin jacket.

You know who it belongs to?

Yes, sir. The defendant, Trampas.

And his jacket got a piece tore off that matches this exactly.

- Have you notified Mr. Hewitt? - Yes, Your Honor.

Uh, prosecution is fully prepared.

After you.

Ned, I'm gonna ask you to come into town.

You may be required to take the witness stand.

- Yes, sir. - Go ahead.

This piece of buckskin fringe

was found within inches of the spot

where the body was found.

- Is that correct? - Yes, sir.

Is this the jacket from which the fringe was torn?

- That is correct, sir. - To whom does it belong?

To the defendant, Trampas.

That will be all.

Sheriff Acton, you have testified in good faith,

but I regret to inform the court that you were mistaken.

The piece of fringe...

uh, found at the scene of the crime

so conveniently

is indeed a buckskin,

but I am now going to prove

that it was not left there by the defendant.

It was left there by, uh,

by, uh, by someone else.

- Objection! - Sustained.

Ms. Finch, do you have witnesses or evidence

unknown to the court?

Uh, not unknown, Your Honor,

uh, but, uh,

by someone unexpected.

Very well. Approach the bench and explain yourself.

I wish to call Trampas to the stand.

But we've already heard his testimony.

He admits being everywhere, except in the west gallery.

And now we have proof that he has perjured himself.

He has proof to the contrary, Your Honor.

Such as? Oh, very well.

- Objection. - Noted. Proceed.

Sheriff, you may sit down.

Trampas, please step to the stand.

Krug keeps shaking his head.

Well, he didn't come to meet us.

- You are still under oath. - Yes, Your Honor.

Now, Trampas, Sheriff Acton has identified

this buckskin jacket as yours. Is this your jacket?

- No, ma'am. - Objection.

Carver: Sustained!

Denial of ownership does not alter the fact.

Your Honor, as a matter of fact,

the defendant happens to have his own jacket with him

right here in the courtroom.

Where is it, Trampas?

It's on my chair. I was sittin' on it.

Please bring it to the bench.

Thank you.

Your Honor...

you will see that this jacket is indeed buckskin

and it is the same color as this other,

but you will note

that there is no fringe missing.

- Noted. - Objection.

Overruled.

Now, regarding this other jacket

from which the piece was torn, do you know the owner?

Yes, ma'am.

Please state his name

and point him out if present in court.

Mr. Boyle. He's sittin' right over there.

That's right.

Mine's cut from horse hide. Trampas' is cut from buckskin.

Order. Strike that from the record.

Thank you, Trampas. You may step down.

Your Honor, this is highly irregular.

Am I being denied access to the witness?

Your Honor, we have not quite finished.

We have another witness.

I call on Marshal Krug to give evidence for the defense.

Krug? What's going on here?

Yes, I know, uh, this is irregular, Your Honor,

but it's a chance to finish this trial in short order.

- I object. - Noted.

The court recognizes the irregularity,

but a man of Marshal Krug's integrity

is an unimpeachable witness.

- Short order? - Short order.

Very well, take the stand. We'll continue.

Thank you, Your Honor.

- Under protest. - Noted, Hewitt.

Now sit down.

- I'll swear you in myself. - Oh, yeah. Sorry.

- Place your left hand. - Yes.

And then raise your right hand.

Oh, right.

Do you solemnly swear the evidence

you are about to give is the truth,

the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

I do so swear.

Be seated. Ms. Finch.

- Marshal Krug. - Yeah.

We have had no opportunity

to review the testimony you are about to give.

- Is that correct? - That is correct.

You failed to show up for a meeting

to develop this line of questioning.

- That is correct. - Where were you?

Well, I was holding someone under surveillance.

Why?

Hewitt: Objection.

Sustained.

We'd like to know who before why.

Who were you keeping under surveillance?

- Clyde Willis. - Why?

Well, because I expected him to go to Boyle's Tannery

and steal a piece of buckskin fringe.

And why did you expect him to do that?

Well, because he thought it was Trampas' jacket.

- Objection. - Sustained.

Marshal, you know better than that.

You can't read a man's thoughts.

No. W-- well, I stand corrected. And I'm sorry.

Uh, well, I'll repeat the question, Your Honor.

Why did you expect Clyde Willis

to steal a piece of buckskin fringe?

Well, because I-I heard him say so in his own words.

Where did he say it and to whom?

I followed him to a house on Willow Road

and I listened close to the window

and I heard him say, and I'm going to quote here,

"That Trampas' jacket

will be at Boyle's Tannery all night."

End of the quote there.

Did you hear him use the name of the person he was talking to?

No, but, uh, he called him, quote, "Cousin."

Krug: And then he said that he needed more help

and that blood kin should stick together

and they'd come out of it together, rich.

And what did the man he called cousin say to that?

Well, he said, and I'm quoting here again, he said,

"I'm pushing the sheriff as hard as I can."

And then he said that he's going to steal

a piece of the buckskin fringe

and plant it in the west gallery of the mine

and then he was gonna order out one of the men

to make a final inspection of the conveyor cart

and report back any new developments to the sheriff.

That's enough! Come on, cover the marshal.

- Nobody move! Marshal! - Come on, take me with you!

- What are you doing? - Ellie!

Clyde, please!

[indistinct chatter]

[gunshot]

- Stay away! - Clyde, stop it, please!

- Don't shoot! - Come on, drop it, son.

Drop it!

- Alright, get him, sheriff. - Thank you, marshal.

Alright, Clyde, let's go. Come on, out.

Out the door.

Order! Order in the court.

The defendant is found not guilty.

The case is dismissed.

Well, well, that's one way to end a trial.

Triumphant.

- Oh. - Oh.

Oh! [chuckles]

Ms. Finch, I gotta say this to ya.

I hope this shows you that this is simply no life for a woman.

Well, maybe you're right, marshal.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Well, shoot, Frances,

there's a hundred things a woman can do.

She can, uh, well, be a mother and a wife and...

- Well, keep talking. - Well, a wife and a mother.

- Well, what's that all about? - Yeah.

Now, according to the law, who gets who?

Uh, I guess you might call that, uh, mutual custody.

- Yeah. - Here.

Oh, no, no. That's yours.

- So long. - Yes.

[theme music]

[music continues]