Original subtitles

[theme music]

[music continues]

[laughing]

Hey, you two save some of that whisky

for tomorrow night, you hear?

- You betcha. - Alright.

Bye-bye!

[instrumental music]

[glass shattering]

[music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

Bobby: Hey, hey, hey! What's happening?

[glass shattering]

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

- Good afternoon, sir. - Good afternoon.

And how long did you plan to be with us?

Well, only till tomorrow morning.

I've come here to meet a friend.

Mr. Whelan.

Oh, I see he's registered.

Tell me what room he's in.

I asked you what room is he in?

Are you, uh... You're a friend of Mr. Whelan?

Yes, I am. Is there anything wrong?

Why, uh... I'm afraid Mr. Whelan

isn't a guest of the hotel any longer.

Oh. Well, do you know where he is?

[instrumental music]

You say this happened last night?

A little before midnight I was told.

And I take it there hasn't been time to notify the family.

No, uh, I wasn't aware he had a family.

Alright, I'll see to it.

I'll also arrange with the railroad

to have his body sent home for burial.

Uh, the sheriff intends to have the remains stay here

until after the hearing, you understand?

Oh. And when would that be? The hearing?

It's going on now over at the courthouse.

It's a closed hearing. Not open to the public.

I am not the public. I'm the dead man's friend.

I'd be careful who I mentioned that to, sir.

I mean, after what he tried to do to Nan Allen...

there are some who might not take it kindly

if you tried to stand up on his behalf.

Get a proper coffin.

That box isn't even decent.

[instrumental music]

Court's in closed session. Nobody allowed in.

Oh.

Isn't Arnold Carver

the presiding judge of this district?

That's right. He is.

Would you tell the judge that Alan MacKenzie

would like to be admitted to the hearing?

I'm a business associate and friend of Thomas Whelan.

You wait right here.

I'll see what he says.

Takes some amount of sand, don't it?

Claimin' friendship for a raper?

Man 1: It sure does.

Thank you.

Judge.

Good to see you again, colonel.

The sheriff says you have an interest in this matter.

Yes, sir, I have.

MacKenzie: As a friend and associate of the dead man.

It's also my duty to inform his family of their loss.

I hope I can tell them that his death

is being thoroughly investigated.

Are you aware of the reason

this hearing's been closed to the public?

I've heard some very unpleasant innuendos about Mr. Whelan.

Yes, I'm afraid the whole situation

is unpleasant and delicate.

All of us are most concerned that the lady involved

be spared any undeserved notoriety.

Judge, we've only known each other a short time,

but I assure you, I'm a man of my word.

Of course you are. There's no question to that.

Nan: Please, let him stay.

I thank you.

That's very gracious of you.

Judge Carver: Very well, colonel, take your seat.

Thank you.

Judge Carver: Mr. Hill, let your records show

that Colonel Alan MacKenzie of Shiloh Ranch

was admitted to the hearing as an interested party.

This hearing is to determine

whether criminal charges should be lodged

against Robert Allen.

He has already voluntarily admitted shooting Mr. Whelan.

Alright, Robert.

Go on with your sworn statement about last night.

Bobby: Yes, sir.

Um...

Well, I'd spent the night at the Gold Spike.

Drinking and, uh, playing cards with some friends.

And then I, uh, I went home.

Well, a little bit before midnight.

Uh, it's good thing I did too

because you see, when I, I, uh...

I-- I play cards, I play all night.

[chuckles]

I-- I got home to the front of the house

and I looked up and I saw a light on in--

in my sister Nan's bedroom upstairs.

Bobby: And then the light went out

and I heard a sound like the noise

of, uh, glass breaking.

And I went into my sister's bedroom and she was

uh, struggling with this Mr. Whelan.

I yelled at him and he let go of Nan.

And then he came at me.

I shot him.

And the shot knocked him through the window

and down under the trellis.

And, uh, I went to see how Nan was...

And then I went and got Sheriff Tracey and, uh...

That's really all there is to it, sir.

Colonel, do you have any questions?

Did you go to get a gun

on your way to your sister's room?

No, sir. I had it with me.

[chuckles] Isn't it strange to wear a gun

when you're spending an evening with friends?

Uh, no because I...

I make the bank deposits for Nan.

MacKenzie: But did you really haveto use it?

I mean, you're younger and stronger than Whelan.

Couldn't you have stopped him in some other way?

Uh, s-- sir, he-- he came at me.

He was out of his head. He was-- he was like a madman. I...

So you... you shot in self-defense?

Yes, sir. I sure did.

Now you say you... you heard breaking glass

when you were outside the house.

What got broken?

Uh, the lamp on a little table next to Nan's bed.

It was knocked over during her struggle with Mr. Whelan.

And it didn't set fire to anything?

Um, no. It was just a glass chimney.

Not the whole lamp that was knocked over.

I see.

MacKenzie: Thank you.

Judge Carver: Miss Allen.

Will you come forward, please, and be sworn?

Do you swear to answer all questions truthfully

holding nothing back, so help you God?

- I swear. - State your name, please.

Nancy N. Allen.

Just tell us in your own words

the events leading up to the shooting.

Mr. Whelan came to my office yesterday morning.

I'd met him a few times before on-- on business matters.

Yesterday he was acting as an,

an agent for Shiloh Ranch.

He was interested in an offer I'd made

to receive and load Shiloh cattle

at our shipping yards here.

It was an unusually busy day...

many interruptions.

So I invited him to our house for supper.

We ate together and then Bobby had to go off

and visit some of his friends.

Then he...

He began to talk about personal things.

About his wife having passed away, uh, some years ago and...

about how lonely he was.

I was sympathetic.

Maybe he mistook that for encouragement.

I haven't been able to stop thinking about that part of it.

Wondering if-- if I'd been cooler or more reserved,

it might not have happened.

Anyway, uh...

I knew that if-- if he stayed any longer

he'd make advances and I asked him to leave.

I was a little abrupt.

As I remember, he...

he looked hurt and disappointed.

But he did leave.

At least I thought he did.

I, uh, shut the front door after him

and... I left it unlatched

because Bobby would be coming in later.

And I went up to my room to get ready for bed.

All at once, Mr. Whelan was there in my bedroom.

I-- I tried to talk to him, but he-- he...

It was as if he couldn't-- he couldn't hear me.

Uh, he came at me...

we struggled, and...

The rest is the way Bobby told it.

Colonel.

Do you have anything you wish to ask Miss Allen?

I find myself in a very

difficult position here, Your Honor.

I thought that I knew my friend, Tom Whelan.

It's absolutely impossible to believe

that this side of his character existed.

He wasn't a bad man.

We'd had wine with dinner

and he'd had two or three brandies after that.

I'm sure it was the wine that made him...

made him act the way he did.

He was so lonely.

And maybe, I...

Maybe I, w-- without meaning to, somehow encouraged him.

I'm more sorry than I can tell you about all of it.

I have no more questions, Your Honor.

Judge Carver: Neither have I.

Out of the circumstances, I can only make the finding

that this was a justifiable homicide...

in defense of Miss Allen.

Therefore no charges of any kind

shall be brought against Robert Allen.

[chuckles]

Well, I sure do thank you, Judge Carver.

Sheriff.

I'll ask you to see that your town newspaper

prints a very brief

and circumspect account of this matter.

Alright, judge.

And, Mr. Hill, your record of this hearing

shall be held in closed safe-keeping

and not made available to anyone unless on my orders.

Court's adjourned.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Say, mister. You're headin' in the wrong direction.

The town dump is back that way.

Ah!

[grunts]

Oh, he could've run you over and killed ya.

Well, he's gonna wish he had.

Come on.

[instrumental music]

Woo, woo, boy.

Uh, mister, would you give me a hand here?

Ah, sir, could you give me a hand here?

[music continues]

[grunts]

[music continues]

[groans]

[groaning]

[music continues]

[grunts]

Alright, stop, a little candy?

What's the matter with you?

What's the matter with all of you?

Come on, Bobby!

Man 2: Figured any friend of that snake you shot

don't deserve no better.

You figured wrong.

All of you.

Colonel MacKenzie.

I hope you will accept my apologies for these... people.

- Bobby, would you, uh... - Hm?

Help the gentleman with what he was doing?

Oh, yeah. Alright.

Come on.

All of you, come on.

They've hurt you.

No, I'm fine, I'm fine. I'm alright.

But I'm glad your brother came when he did.

I'd like to skin the bunch of them.

I mean, the way they acted, I wish you had skinned them.

[chuckles]

Well, now, you, uh...

you must come home with me for some repairs.

I insist on that.

Well, I won't take no for an answer.

Bobby, would you take the buckboard back

to Mr. Bristol?

Nan: Colonel MacKenzie needs some doctoring

and I'll take him home in the buggy.

Boys said they're sorry, uh, they're gonna hang around

the depot until the train gets here.

Make sure there's no more trouble.

MacKenzie: Well, thank you.

That old Luke there, he said it's a good thing

we stopped him 'cause, uh,

he was beatin' you so much that you would've killed him.

[laughs]

My buggy's on the other side of the loading yard.

Do you feel up to walking that far?

Well, now, uh, if you were to take my arm,

I think I might justmanage it.

[instrumental music]

Afraid I made a bit of a mess in there.

[chuckles]

Here. You sit down and let me-- let me have a look at that.

Mm? Alright.

Oh, good, it's, it's looking fine.

You know, you're most awfully kind.

[rattling]

Oh, Bobby's back already.

That noise is your brother?

Yes, he drags a-- a stick across the fence.

He's done it since he was a little boy.

Uh, I don't think he even knows he's doing it anymore.

[door opens]

Hi.

MacKenzie: Hello.

Hm, you look some better.

Oh, yes.

Your sister has a healing touch. She's a...

She's a Florence Nightingale.

Oh, a who?

Florence Nightingale.

You know, Bobby, like our Clara Barton in the civil war.

Robert: Oh.

Well, I, I'm afraid this is the best I can do.

- Well, thank you very much. - Mm-hm.

Mm.

Oh, that's very good indeed.

You see, now I'm further indebted to you.

I wonder if you'd consider allowing me

to repay your kindness.

Would both of you do me the honor of coming

and having supper with me tonight at the hotel?

Well, we'd love to.

But, I'm sorry, we can't.

Oh, but you can. Especially if you'd love to.

Uh, well, what Nan means, sir, is that it's a little soon.

It just wouldn't be proper, so soon.

Yes, but...

Are you sure I can't persuade you?

No. No, I'm sorry, we can't.

- Well, goodbye, Mr. Allen. - Yes, sir.

Well, Miss Allen... this is my goodbye, too.

I'm sorry... but...

How can I ha-- have supper with you?

How can I stay in this house...

after last night.

By doing it.

Just doing it.

Living one day at a time.

Each day a little easier than the last.

Until eventually, it becomes just a faint memory.

Goodbye, Miss Allen.

- Uh, colonel... - Hm?

We will have supper with you.

Wonderful!

Eight o'clock?

Alright, yes. Yes, we'll come.

Will I ever be able to thank you, Alan...

for being so very gentle and generous with us?

You already have.

[instrumental music]

By calling me Alan.

Eight o'clock.

Goodbye.

[music continues]

Afternoon, sheriff.

I was just on my way up to see you, Colonel.

I heard about the ruckus at the train depot.

Oh!

You have the right to, uh, make charges, you know?

Charges? After the way it turned out.

I was thinking of offering those boys a job at Shiloh.

Well, you're a more understanding man than most.

You're a bit taken

with Miss Nan yourself, aren't you?

Now, sheriff. That's, that's rather private.

Oh, not in Cooper Spur, it ain't private.

[laughs]

Ah, if you was to claim you wasn't taken with Nan Allen,

that'd be private.

You'd be all by your lonesome.

Only man in town fool enough to lie about it.

Yes, I understand what you mean.

Tell me, sheriff, there's something I don't understand.

A woman with the qualities of Miss Allen...

Why isn't she married?

Well, she almost did get married once.

- Yeah? - Five or six years ago.

Fellow she was engaged to, got himself killed.

Some freak accident down at the shipping yards.

She doesn't have much luck with men, does she?

Seems not.

Well, good afternoon, colonel.

Afternoon, sheriff.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Well!

They said America has no royalty.

[clears throat]

Miss Allen, you look absolutely stunning.

Well, thank you, sir.

You see, he thinks I look alright.

Uh, I ordered champagne. I hope you like it.

How can anyone not like champagne?

Now... before we get down to any,

uh, serious eating...

there's something I'd like to discuss.

MacKenzie: It's a business matter.

Mm.

[instrumental music]

I can't argue with these figures.

If the railroad would guarantee these rates--

I have their guarantee in writing.

Well, then, there's no question.

I could save important money by shipping here.

Figure ten days, you haven't seen

our high country villa yet.

Well, you can't trail a beef herd

for ten days or even eight days

without grass. It won't work.

Uh, yes, it will. Now, just listen.

We set up feed lots along the way.

Three on my side of the pass and two on yours.

We move the herd from one to another.

They'll drop a few pounds per head,

but we fatten them up here before we load them, anyway.

Feed lots? Where'd you get the feed?

We haul it. By a freight wagon.

Won't the cost be prohibited?

Not if you own the freight line, which I do.

Oh, it'll, it'll cost alright, but we...

we'll have margin for profit.

How much profit?

I'll make thirty cents a head.

If...

If what?

If you haul your own feed

to the two caches on your side of the mountains.

Nan, you are a wonder!

It's ingenious.

- You have a deal. - That's marvelous.

- Bobby, we're going to do it. - Well, sure.

How could he do anything else when you laid it out for him?

That's right, Bobby. Come on, let's drink to the lady.

[sighs]

No more for you.

[MacKenzie chuckles] Alright, you clown.

Just remember in the morning, I told you so tonight.

Come on, come on.

Let's start again, huh? To Nan.

[instrumental music]

Bobby, you come straight home

after you've mapped the last feed station.

Hm. No place else to go up there, sis.

And you do your share of the camp chores.

Nan, your voice is awful piercing this morning.

Serves you right.

Well, Nan.

Yes.

I wish, uh...

Well, I wish so many things, but...

most of all, I wish I had more time.

I know.

But I will see you again.

As soon as I can manage it.

Look after Bobby. He's not going to be too steady today.

[chuckles]

Don't worry.

You look after yourself, hm?

Come on, boy.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

Well, here looks pretty good.

Why don't we mark this number one feed area, huh?

Alright.

[music continues]

[thunder rumbling]

[music continues]

[wind whistling]

Blowing up a rainstorm.

Don't think we're gonna go back tonight, huh?

We'll camp here.

Yeah, I wouldn't argue with you on that.

You look after the horses, I'll try and put up the tent.

Alright.

[thunder rumbling]

Robert: It wasn't any of them businesses my dad started

with a plugged nickel when he died.

Most folks, they'd go broke within a month.

But Nan, she went around all the ranches

and asked them to ship with us

instead of that big outfit over there in Casper.

[thunder rumbling] Robert: You know?

She cut prices, made a lot of promises.

Before you know it, we were shipping more cattle

than both, Casper and Douglas put together.

Lot of folks from Cooper Spur figured the town would have

never gotten a railroad if weren't for Nan.

Town would've just dried up and blown away then.

Mm, she's a remarkable woman, your sister.

Yeah.

A tragedy what happened with that fiance.

Oh, that fellow? He wasn't any loss to anyone.

Nan's really too fine a woman for any man I ever seen around.

[thunder rumbling]

But why did she never marry? Lots of men must've asked her.

Asked her? Oh, yeah, they asked her.

They used to stand in line almost to ask her.

Used to?

Well, I guess they got the message by now.

[thunder rumbling]

[rumbling]

[rumbling]

Do you hear something?

I hear somethin' strange.

Wait a minute, I'll go and have a look.

[horses neighing]

[rumbling]

Bobby, get out!

[intense music]

[groans]

Bobby, Bobby, Bobby!

[instrumental music]

Mr. Finley: Miss Allen.

A telegraph just came from Medicine Bow.

Your brother's hurt badly.

[instrumental music]

I'll need help, Mr. Finley.

Uh, someone to drive.

Fresh horses waiting along the way.

I want to get to Medicine Bow as fast as possible.

MacKenzie: He's not better?

No.

But he's no worse either.

That's something, anyway.

But he's been unconscious for two days and two nights.

Colonel, he can stay this way for another two months more...

and still come out of it alright.

Or he... may never come out of it.

Every breath he takes, could be his last.

We just don't know enough about injuries to the brain,

colonel, I'm sorry.

Well, if you can't tell me whether he'll live or die,

at least tell me what I'm going to say to his sister

when she arrives tomorrow.

Just say he may get well, it won't be a lie.

Completely well?

He can sit up in bed tomorrow morning

and order a bunkhouse breakfast.

You just never know until it happens.

Near as I can tell, it's just a bad concussion.

No sign of fracture,

no blood inside the skull.

But I just can't swear to it.

Most people recover from concussions.

Hemorrhage inside the brain.

Well, that's something else again.

MacKenzie: I'm sorry, doctor, I didn't mean

to get sharp with you.

I'll stop by again in the morning.

[instrumental music]

Can I get you something, sir?

Oh, no, thank you, Parker. How is he?

Much the same I'm afraid, sir.

He still doesn't even move an eyelid.

Yeah, I know. Well, look, you go on off to bed.

I'll look in on him after, huh?

[knock on door]

Who the devil?

It's past three in the morning--

Oh, let's see.

- Ah. - Nan, good heavens, come in.

I wasn't expecting you till tomorrow.

You must've come straight through without a stop.

I had to stop a while in Cheyenne.

My driver collapsed and then I had to hire a new one.

Has there been any change in Bobby?

- No, I am sorry, no. - Oh.

Parker, Miss Allen's driver will need hot food and a bed.

- And the lady, sir? - You look after the driver.

- I'll look after the lady. - As you say, sir.

- Please take me to see Bobby. - Of course. Come on.

- Let me take your coat. - Yes.

There.

[instrumental music]

Nan, don't be frightened by the way he looks.

He-- he's been like this since he was hurt?

Yes.

What did the doctor say?

He could make a full recovery.

Could?

Ah, he's, he's had a serious injury, but you must understand

everything that can be done is being done for him.

You must believe that.

Nan, you need food and rest yourself.

You're on the verge of collapse.

I wanna be with him...

be near him.

It's no good to him if you make yourself ill.

Nan, look.

Look, I think he's heard your voice.

That's the first time he's moved a muscle since he's been here.

Bobby? Bobby?

It's Nan.

- Do you, do you understand? - Hey.

Nan: It's me. I'm with you, I'm here.

Nan.

You did it, Nan.

Hey, Nan.

- Hey, colonel. - Hello, Bobby.

Uh, ha...

The rain, what...

Uh, what happened to the tent?

Well, ha-ha-ha. That's quite a story, Bobby.

I'll tell you about it one day.

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

MacKenzie: Parker!

Parker. Oh, there you are.

- Oh, she's awake then, huh? - Yes, sir.

And ate a nice bit of breakfast.

Oh, that's good.

- I-- is, Dr. Walker, here? - He's come and gone, sir.

He says the only worry we should have with young Mr. Robert now

is tryin' to keep him in bed

for a couple of days, till his head mends.

That's very good.

Tell you what, you go and, uh,

prepare a bit of lunch for us now.

I'll look in on Miss, uh, Miss Allen, huh?

Good as done, colonel. Good as done.

[whistles]

[knock on door] Come in.

Well, now...

that's worth coming home to.

Come in, Alan, and shut the door.

Aren't you frightened I might compromise you?

What would Parker think?

Parker is a delightful gentleman,

but I'm sure he's never had an evil thought in his life.

Yeah, he'd like to hear you say that.

Please, come in and shut the door.

Parker told me what you did.

You brought Bobby down from the pass in the dead of night...

in the worst storm in years.

He told me all about that.

Parker has a vivid imagination.

I'm sure he wasn't exaggerating.

You saved Bobby's life.

Well, what else was I gonna do?

I don't know, you could've done something else.

You could've played it safer.

But you're not a man who plays...

with your life in a safe way, are you?

You didn't in Cooper Spur and you didn't in the pass.

Well, I am not going to play it safe either.

[instrumental music]

I owe you that, Alan.

Nan, you don't owe me anything.

Nan.

You're a very special woman, Nan.

Maybe, you're the woman I thought I'd never find.

And if you are, I want us both to know...

I may never will if gratitude gets in the way.

- Gratitude? - It's weak stuff, Nan.

Alan, are you just going to walk out like that?

Only as far as the kitchen, I'm hungry.

It isn't gratitude and you know it isn't.

Alright, then maybe it's just masculine pride.

Shall I tell Parker you're gonna join us for lunch?

Yes, yes, you tell him that.

Nan.

[instrumental music]

Dr. Walker: It's considerably better.

You'll be alright, young fellow, until the next time

the mountain falls on top of ya.

Sometimes, having a thick head has its advantages.

[chuckles]

Did you tell him I was the thick headed half of the family?

I never said any such thing.

Nobody had to tell me anything, sonny.

But when I give a patient instructions to stay in bed

and he don't, and not to drink liquor, and he does...

I can figure out for myself that he's got a thick head.

He hasn't stayed down all the time, that's true, but drinking?

Ah, you must be mistaken, doctor.

Think so?

Well, wouldn't be the first time.

Anyway, there's no reason he can't start doing

a few of the things he is used to doing.

Just take it a might slow at first.

Well, I guess that means we can go home soon, huh?

There's, uh, no reason we should rush right back.

Dr. Walker: Ooh, I wouldn't be in too big

a hurry about travellin'.

I hear you folks live clear over

the other side of Laramie mountain.

That's right, it's, it's not the easiest travelling there is.

Well, I'd wait another week

anyway before starting home.

I won't need to see him again.

Anyway, unless he does something

to set himself back some way.

Doctor, I'd like to, uh, make payment on your services.

I can give you a draft on the bank in Cheyenne.

My fee has been taken care of, Miss Allen.

Nice of you to mention it though.

Well, I'll be bidding both, your brother and yourself

a very good day, ma'am.

Thank you for everything and a good day

to you too, doctor.

Ah, he's a crusty old fellow, isn't he? Ha-ha.

Guess the colonel paid his bill, huh?

- Huh, he shouldn't have. - Eh.

Strikes me the colonel takes in an awful lot on himself,

don't you think?

What do you mean by that?

Oh, like when I got hurt.

Bring me back here, instead of taking me to Cooper Spur.

Hey, no, wait, Bobby, it was 15 miles closer this way.

He brought you here because of w... To get you help faster.

Yeah, I suppose that's one reason.

Kind of takes after that big stud, don't he?

Bobby, you don't seem to completely understand.

Colonel MacKenzie, saved your life.

Oh, sure, I know that. Don't you think I know that?

Sometimes I wonder.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

[music continues]

Hey, come on, boy, come on over here.

Yeah, come on.

Come on, come on. Like that, huh?

Smell good? Smell good to you, huh?

Come on, come on.

Yeah, you stick with ol' Bobby, everything will be fine, huh?

[instrumental music]

Oh, it's so peaceful here.

- Would you like take a walk? - Hm.

Come on, boy.

[music continues]

Oh, Alan.

I know, Nan, I know, darling.

I'm sorry I can't be prim and proper.

If that's how you want me to be, I'll try.

Nan.

Tomorrow...

I'm gonna check the grazing in the west pasture.

And there's a little... lying cabin there

that I-- I use sometimes...

during round-up.

It's a long way, Nan.

We'll have to start at dawn.

It could be a thousand miles for all I care.

[music continues]

[horses trotting]

[instrumental music]

Robert: Well, now, don't this beat all.

Ha-ha.

You know I was just thinking about the long ride home.

Nice you two came along, 'cause now

I won't have to ride home alone.

[music continues]

[piano music]

Well, I think I'm going to get some coffee, care for some?

I'm gonna have a brandy.

- Bobby? - Uh, no.

I'm glad that you approve of my brandy.

Would you care for one now?

No, no, thank you. Not right now.

That is a gramophone.

Uh, it's a new thing with music box, huh?

I heard you and Nan playing with it the other night.

Oh, really?

- I hope we didn't disturb you. - No, not at all.

Huh.

I was wondering about this morning...

how you found your way to the lying camp so early.

Uh, I couldn't sleep last night.

Felt a little restless, so I, uh...

took a ride.

And found your way directly there?

- Quite a coincidence. - Ha, sure was, ha-ha.

You don't mind my wandering around your place

when I feel like it, do ya?

Oh, of course not. After all, you're my guest.

Oh, I'm sorry about that. This thing is...

It's flimsy as you said it was.

It's alright.

It's not important.

Well, I think I'll have some more of that brandy wine.

It helps me drop off at night.

- Help yourself. - Thank you.

Nan: Don't you dare drink all of that.

Robert: Oh, Nan.

Well, it appears we'll finally be alone.

Yes, yes, and Bobby, does not like it.

Nan, he's behaving very strangely.

Alan, you have to understand something.

I've been the only mother he's ever had.

You see, our mother died

when he was born and our father,

when he was just twelve.

So I've had to-- to be everything to him.

Which makes us, hm, closer

than most brothers and sisters.

We-- we just have to make allowances for Bobby.

Maybe, too many allowances have been made already.

Are we going to talk about Bobby the rest of the night?

Oh, no, no, no. Subject is closed.

Oh, no, what happened to your gramophone?

Well, what always happens to toys.

A child broke it.

[instrumental music]

Woo, woo.

Oh, oh!

Stay in here.

What happened?

I'm sorry, sir.

There's just no savin' him.

But how did it happen? Who did it, huh?

Hm?

Oh, hey, uh, yeah.

I should have listened to these fella's, colonel,

'cause, uh...

that ol' horse of yours, he don't jump too good

with strangers up on him.

Oh, I'm okay, since I fell in the soft mud over there

by the water trough up there, I hardly felt anything.

Nan, go up to the house, take him with you.

Yeah, n-- no, I don't mind shooting

that horse for you, colonel, I mean,

that's the least I can do, ha-ha.

Will you go up to the house?

[instrumental music]

Mm-hm.

I'm so happy to see your appetite is so much improved.

Well, you know me,

I always did eat like a horse, hah.

Oh, I am sorry, colonel. I didn't mean to remind ya.

- Bobby! - That's alright.

Plenty more in the kitchen.

I just might take you up on that.

I was, uh, thinking today...

since you do seem to be recovered, Bobby...

we ought to be, uh, starting for home.

Hey, wow, that sounds great to me.

When would you like to leave?

In the morning.

Well, I'll have Parker put up some lunches for you.

I think, maybe, I better do it now.

Excuse me.

[instrumental music]

Oh.

[music continues]

- Couldn't sleep either? - No.

- I smelled your tobacco. - Huh.

It's rather permeate, the house.

I should've stepped outside.

Don't be silly, it's your home.

It's a beautiful home, Alan.

I don't believe I've told you that.

Well, you have now.

I'm sorry to leave it.

I'm so very sorry to leave you.

[instrumental music]

We'll start sending the feed out to the trail stations

as soon as we're back.

They should be ready for you in a week and a half.

That's perfect.

Then I could round-up the cattle

and start my drive.

Everything will be waiting for you, Alan.

Everything.

I'll be waiting.

I may turn out to be a hard driving trail bush.

I'm going to miss you terribly.

We won't always have a-- a mountain between us.

Uh, I'm ready.

Well...

Three weeks, Nan. Sooner if possible.

Make it sooner, Alan.

[instrumental music]

Haven't you fella's got work to do?

Grinning like a lot of ninnies. Huh?

[music continues]

Judge Carver.

Why, this is an unexpected pleasure.

I wish it were, colonel, but I don't think either of us

will find much pleasure in what I've come about.

Why, what's happened?

Sheriff Tracey brought me some of Tom Whelan's effects.

Things left behind in his hotel room

after his death and, uh...

I was looking through them trying to decide

how to dispose of them.

Yeah?

Well, I don't know where to begin, colonel.

I wouldn't have believed it,

if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

Believed what, judge? Please, sit down.

A letter written from her to him.

He'd brought it with him from Chicago.

It was very discrete, uh, no return address.

Signed only with the initial N, but it was hers alright.

A letter?

A letter from... Nan to Whelan?

It was nothing like what she told us, nothing.

They'd had a liaison for months.

Every chance they found to meet...

I don't believe it.

Judge Carver: It's true.

I saw it. I read it.

But are you sure?

A-- are you sure it's what you say?

It was nothing brazenly explicit,

nothing like that.

At the time I suppose, she went on about, uh...

her loneliness.

Herloneliness, isn't that incredible?

And, uh, how she had to be discrete, uh,

her obligation to the town and her neighbors.

But that isn't enough to--

It was there, man! It was unmistakable.

Don't you see what this means?

She let her brother think she was being attacked.

She let Whelan die and then she smeared his name

to save her reputation and her brother from prosecution.

Yeah.

Yes, her brother.

Why do you... why do you come to me?

'Cause I don't know what to do.

You were his friend, his associate.

You were there.

The only one not from that town...

not under her spell.

Who else knows about this?

No, no one. [inhales]

The letter was among his papers,

I'm sure the sheriff didn't go through them.

I-- I have it here.

Uh, when are you going back to Cooper Spur?

Oh, not for a month.

I have endless matters at the capital.

I wish I could never go back there again.

Do you know what she is in that town?

She's a saint.

Yes, I know.

I know.

See, this is more than just a matter of law.

I don't know where my duty lies.

I'm going back there myself.

You see...

I'm in business with Ms. Allen.

Didn't you know?

No.

I had no idea.

And what you said about me not being under her spell...

I'm afraid that isn't so, judge.

Isn't so at all.

[instrumental music]

[rattling]

Bobby, is that you?

Oh, Alan! Oh!

I thought it was Bobby.

I heard the stick on the fence.

- Was that you? - That's right.

That's a habit he has, isn't it?

Where is he?

Oh, he's working late, getting the last repairs done

on the loading pens.

But he won't be back for about another hour or two.

But you don't know.

You're never really sure about Bobby, are you, Nan?

Oh, let's not talk about Bobby.

You're here an-- and...

that's what's important.

What's wrong?

Oh, nothing.

Tired, I suppose.

I've come a long way since we last saw each other.

You're two weeks ahead of time.

Were you that anxious to see me?

Yes.

Oh, that makes me very happy.

I want to ask you something.

Oh, Alan.

I don't understand.

Nan.

Nan, you know I love you.

Please, will you tell me the truth?

The truth?

About what?

About you and Tom Whelan.

[dramatic music]

You know the truth about that.

Yes, Nan.

I know.

Uh, wha-- what's this?

Are you accusing me of writing this?

Nan, will you stop lying?

I'm not lying.

You say that you-- that you

love me and-- and then you...

accuse me of this.

What in the world do you want from me?

I want Tom Whelan's name cleared...

and the truth about your brother.

[whistling]

[humming]

Hey, Bobby, I've been lookin' for you.

Hey, well, I'm right here. Heh.

Listen, you know who rode to town just a little bit ago?

- Unh-unh. - Colonel MacKenzie.

- You sure? - Sure I am.

Headed for your place too, looked like.

Well, he can go anywhere he wants.

It's a free country.

You drink a little whisky tonight?

Uh, no, I-- I forgot some stuff down at the, uh, yards.

I better get out and get it, I'll see you later.

Alright.

You expected Bobby to be out all night playing cards

just as he always did.

Tom Whelan didn't force his way into your room.

He came by invitation.

- Just as he has in the past. - I won't listen.

There you were, in your room

alone with Whelan

and Bobby comes home, early, unexpected.

You heard the noise on the picket fence outside.

- And you knew you were caught. - It's a lie.

One of you tried to blow out the lamp.

The glass chimney fell to the ground and smashed.

And then Bobby came in and killed him.

- That's not true. - It is true.

You've been lying, just as you've been lying

to save him for years.

- Oh, please stop it, please. - Nan.

- Don't you understand? - No.

He's mad. He's insane.

- He's so jealous of you... - He isn't.

He'd kill anyone who comes near you.

- He couldn't have. - Nan, he's insane.

Your fiance, you remember?

He didn't die in an accident. I know.

- Bobby killed him. - No!

And then he frightens away

any man who tries to come near you, Nan.

He believes that you're perfect.

Pure, untouched.

And, oh, Nan,

you let him go on believing that.

You're as much to blame as he is.

[instrumental music]

Oh, Alan.

Nan: It's true, true.

I knew what he was.

But I couldn't-- I couldn't face it.

I-- I just couldn't see it.

I-- I raised him.

I was so alone here...

except for Bobby.

Alan, you... can't you understand?

I-- I'm a woman, I have needs

you know that.

I had to keep it from him.

He saw me as a... as a saint.

I couldn't destroy that image.

And so you destroyed him.

And Tom Whelan.

And I also destroyed...

the most wonderful thing that ever happened to me.

Your love for me.

No, Nan, you haven't.

You haven't destroyed that.

[rattling]

[gunshot]

[glass shattering]

Get away from him, Nan.

[gunshot]

Oh, no.

Nan.

Oh, my God, no.

No.

Nan.

[dramatic music]

Alan.

What a pity.

[instrumental music]

[crickets chirping]

[indistinct chatter]

It wasn't like that.

Like what you said inside, she was...

fine.

Too fine for any man I ever saw around.

[instrumental music]

Nan: Will I ever be able to thank you, Alan?

For being so very gentle

and generous with us?

[music continues]

[music continues]

[theme music]

[music continuous]