Original subtitles

This place smells like a flower bed!

If Harper would take a bath a little bit more often,

he wouldn't have to use so much of that stuff.

I like to put my best foot forward when I meet a lady,

and I'm lookin' forward to meetin' Miz White.

I never thought I'd see the day when John got married.

Beats me how he escaped this long,

half the females in town after him.

What I wonder is why they were after him...

when there's you and Trampas around.

Well, they're young and good-lookin', but he's rich.

Well, he earned it. Except for an occasional hunt, I can't remember John...

ever giving a thought to anything but that freight and stage line of his.

Come to think of it, I never even seen him at a poker game.

That's why he lives in the biggest house in Medicine Bow.

And we're still livin' in the bunkhouse.

You know, it's hard for me to believe,

but you're takin' longer to get ready than Elizabeth,

who has been patiently waiting for 20 minutes.

Now, if you don't hurry up and get dressed, we're gonna be there...

just in time for their golden wedding anniversary.

And I'd like to get there before I'm too old to enjoy her.

Oh, well, in that case, I think I'd better hurry.

Yeah, a bath.

You need a little bath? You need a little bath? How about that?

I was speakin' before about goin' to a party!

Are you guys ever gonna get dressed?

How come it takes a woman so much longer to dress for other women...

than for men?

I stole you away from all of 'em.

They're going to be looking me over very carefully.

They can look and look and look, but they won't find anything wrong.

And when they get to know you, they'll all love you.

Now relax and enjoy it, 'cause it sounds like they're here.

Well, hello, Elizabeth. Hello.

Mrs. White. How do you do?

Jimmy. Glad to see you, sir.

Mrs. White. John.

Hello, Harper. My wife, Mrs. White.

Mr. and Mrs. Jones, this is my wife.

Hello, Charlie. How are ya? My wife. Congratulations.

Thank you. Hello, baby brother.

Hello.

Well, Mrs. White. We'd about given up on old John here.

But now that I've seen you, I can see why he changed his way of living.

It's got nothing to do with the way she looks.

She's the only lady I know likes to hunt and fish.

I'm the only lady you know...

who received a hunting rifle as a wedding present.

- For Christmas, you get a fishin' pole. - Good.

- Do you shoot as well as he says you ride? - She's a better shot than I am.

In the old days, I'd have had her riding shotgun.

Brother John.

I wouldn't mind that at all.

Won't ever happen as long as you're drivin'.

Brother or not, I don't trust you.

I guess he really doesn't.

And he's in a whale of a hurry to get his will changed.

You'd think he knew he was gonna die next Tuesday.

I had a hunch you were here for more than pleasure.

A man usually doesn't carry his work to a party.

If it was up to Brother John, Jeff would live out here like Frank does.

Well, stage and freights are a 24-hour business, Billy.

It'd be kind of silly for John to have to ride into town...

every time a problem came up.

After all... Yeah, I know.

Frank is Brother John's good right arm.

The only member of this organization he doesn't consider indispensable is me.

By the way, where is Frank? I thought he'd be here.

Somewhere between here and Cheyenne on a freight run.

I cook for man of this house many years.

I know what he like.

I'm sure you do. But this is a different kind of cooking.

He likes it so much.

I think there will be many changes in this house...

that I will not like.

I will go now.

Natawista.

Natawista, please.

Please, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

I'm glad you made it, Frank. I didn't think you would.

Well, the teamsters didn't like it very much.

I had to pay 'em off with your money and my liquor.

Steve?

Come and meet my right-hand man.

Frank Benteen.

- How do you do? - Well, I... It's been a long time.

I didn't know you knew each other.

Well, no. I, uh... I guess she wouldn't remember me.

But... I remember her.

She's a...

She was a-a legend.

She read the tarot cards on the old Mississippi Belle.

It's funny how many of her readings came true.

What are tarot cards? They're a way of telling the future.

I don't think I wanna find out mine.

Well, I'd sure like to know mine.

How about reading the cards, Mrs. White?

You see, I've got this case coming up before Judge Creighton...

I don't read the cards anymore.

I'm not gonna sit idly by...

and let that-that woman get her hands on what's rightfully mine!

That woman is my wife.

She's entitled to whatever I wanna give her.

Well, Dad never expected his business to go to some stranger...

that doesn't know word one about it.

Dad left it to me because he knew...

that you'd gamble it away in two years!

If anything should happen to me,

Steve will know all she needs to know about this business.

Well, Brother John,

you've just lost yourself a driver.

You can climb up on that coach and drive it yourself!

Or try to hire somebody at the money that you pay me.

Oh, don't be a fool.

Or, better yet,

teach her.

Let her earn her inheritance. How are you gonna live?

You don't know how to do anything except lose!

Well, don't worry about me, Brother John.

I'll get along.

Billy? Billy?

How much of that did you hear?

I didn't marry you for your money, John.

I know that.

Then please go after him and patch it up.

I can't do that unless I leave him the business,

and I won't do that. But I don't want it.

Steve.

When a man loves a woman,

he wants to leave her all the security he can.

The only security I've ever wanted...

was the right man.

And I have that.

You're trembling. Why?

There's blood on the moon.

I don't see a drop of it.

First Natawista. And then Billy.

Oh, John. I'm afraid.

Very, very afraid.

Name your price.

Half the fun of horse tradin' is hagglin' over the price.

With you, I've never won one yet.

Steve? Come on out here!

If he suits her, we may have a sale.

Good morning.

It's a lovely morning.

Oh, isn't he beautiful!

Is this an example of feminine intuition,

or do I talk in my sleep?

How did you know I was buyin' a horse for you?

This one? Well, if you decide you want him.

You got time to take her for a ride?

It'd be my pleasure.

But I'd planned on going to Rock Creek with you.

Oh, it's a rough trip. Why don't you stay here and get acquainted with him?

Married a month and already he wants to get away by himself.

As soon as I hire a new driver, we're gonna take a huntin' trip in the Tetons.

Beautiful country up there. I'll saddle the colt, Mrs. White.

Thank you.

Take care.

It reminds me of a poem I once read.

"I've been here before,

"but how or why, I... I cannot tell.

"I know the grass beyond the door,

"the sweet, clean smell,

the sighing sound."

The wind does sound like that sometimes, doesn't it?

You're a very versatile woman, Mrs. White.

Oh. Sure. Jack-of-all-trades, master of none.

How far is it to Rock Creek? Just beyond those hills over there.

You think we could make it in time so that I could challenge him to a race?

Sure hate to miss that. Let's go.

Hah! Hah, hah, hah!

Hah! Hah!

Hah! Hah, hah, hah!

- John! - Maybe not. You stay here.

Hah! Hah, hah, hah!

Hah! Hah! Come on! Come on!

I told you to stay put!

Something's happened to John. There's no way of tellin'.

I know. There's no way you can help right now.

Now, I want you to stay out of sight till I find out what's goin' on.

He's dead. No, he's not.

Now, don't try to move him till we get a doctor out here.

Oh! Now, Stephanie, listen to me.

You've got to pull yourself together, because the two of us can't handle this.

You understand? Uh-huh.

You've got to ride for help.

I won't leave him. You can't stay out here alone.

You don't bring me some help, he doesn't stand a chance. Now come on.

Come on!

I, uh...

I think we'd better go outside for a minute.

I, uh...

I don't know how conscious he is,

how much he might understand, and, uh, I...

I don't want him to hear this.

Miss White, I... I think your husband's going to live.

But if he does, I gotta tell you,

there's a very good chance he'll never walk again.

If John can't walk, he won't live.

That's just why he shouldn't know.

It's not definite. He said there's a chance.

A very good chance.

I don't know.

I... I don't know what to do.

Don't worry, Steve. I'll take care of everything.

If you don't mind, Mr. Benteen,

only my husband calls me that.

Steve.

Uh, I'll stop by this evening, Miz White. Steve!

Thank you, Doctor.

I'm here, John.

Oh, Steve.

I can't... move my legs.

I tried.

I can't seem to move my legs.

It's all right, darling.

It's going to be all right.

Don't worry.

Steve.

We've never...

lied to each other... yet.

No.

And I'm not going to begin now.

I love you, John.

And I need you.

Just don't worry.

I think of spending the rest of my life in this contraption...

Just take it one day at a time, John.

I never knew the days could be so long.

And the nights...

are even longer.

I, uh... I'd better get into town...

and make sure that those freight wagons are loaded and ready to roll.

You don't like being penned up either, do you?

You want to run free.

Same way you do.

I want no more of that kind of talk,

and no more sneaking around behind me.

Sorry. I know you're edgy.

It isn't easy living with John these days.

I've never seen a man change the way he has.

He has reasons.

Sometimes, I think he'd... be better off dead.

- Be easier on you. - That's not your concern.

Aren't you fed up with his self-pity yet?

Stop it, Frank! Just stop it!

He may live to be a very old man.

And there'll come a time when you're tired of being a servant to a cripple.

And I can wait.

You take whatever you've got and get out of here!

Why, I couldn't do that, ma'am.

Why, your husband can't get along without me, ma'am.

Like he said, there's gotta be one man around the house.

If you ever touch me again, I'll... I'll kill you!

I came by to visit John.

Is there anything I can do?

Yes. Yes, there is.

When you go back to Shiloh, I'd like you to take the colt.

He needs to be exercised.

- Do you good to ride some. - But not for John.

You're quite a woman.

In that respect, at least, John's a lucky man.

I've never brought luck to any man I ever loved.

John?

John? Hmm?

I think... I think I hear somebody downstairs.

It's probably Frank... comin' home from a poker game.

Go back to sleep.

No. Last time he came home,

he forgot to lock the door.

I-I think I'd better have a look.

Steve?

How does it feel being married to...

half a man?

You're more of a man the way you are...

than any man I've ever known.

Rebel?

Rebel?

Rebel.

Rebel.

Rebel.

- Rebel. - Get away from that safe!

John!

John, I'm coming! John!

Help me. Help me!

John! Out of my...

John!

John, I'm coming!

John! Oh!

Oh! John!

Oh, God! John!

John!

Oh! Not again!

Oh! John!

John.

Marc?

Oh!

Oh, no! No.

Secure it in place!

Get these hoses off and get 'em upstairs to the top story!

Marc! Get 'em up!

Watch your head.

Marc!

Stephanie, no!

No, Stephanie. No. Don't look.

Marc. Marc!

I've got to find Marc.

I-I've got to find Marc.

Marc, where did you go?

I killed him.

God, I...

My God, I killed 'em all. Stephanie, no!

Where's John?

I've-I've got to find John.

John...

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God! John!

No. It's like you said. He's... He's better off dead.

No! No, no, no, no, no!

You let me go! I've got to find John!

I've got to find John!

Hitch up the rig. We gotta get her away from here.

Oh! Oh!

There's no way we could get to him. I'm sorry.

Oh!

Marc! Marc!

Marc, why didn't you listen to me?

Double, straight up.

Raise you 10.

Terrible thing happened in Medicine Bow last night.

Big fire. Man was burned to death.

Really? Folks in Medicine Bow are real upset about it.

Wife seems to be real bad off.

Did she get burned? Wasn't burned at all.

Seems it did something to her up here.

Talkin' wild, not makin' sense.

And she doesn't remember anything that happened.

People are real concerned.

He had a good business goin'. They don't rightly know who's gonna take it over.

There's a brother someplace. No one knows where.

And the poor lady sure can't run it.

Ah. Deal me in.

She hasn't said a word.

Every once in a while, she shivers.

Most of the time, she just looks up at the ceiling.

Has she eaten anything?

No. Just a cup of coffee.

Well, nothin' to do but try, I guess.

Mrs. White?

Mrs. White?

Stephanie?

Good morning.

Don't be alarmed if you can't remember everything right away.

You've had a terrible shock.

I'm sorry. I don't...

Your horse is, uh,

stampin' around down there waitin' for you to be up and out.

He doesn't much like the rest of us.

My horse.

Can't say I blame him after seein' you ride.

The horse John bought me? Uh-huh.

John.

Oh, dear Lord.

John.

You go right ahead, Stephanie. You've got a right.

I don't believe...

How... How could it happen twice?

You've been... calling for Marc.

Have I?

I don't remember.

Marc was... my first husband.

We were on the Mississippi Belle.

That's where you... met Frank.

Frank?

When you were reading the tarot cards.

Marc was, I guess...

I suppose you'd call him a professional gambler.

He used to call himself "unlanded gentry."

His family had had money, but that was long since gone.

He was very handsome...

and very good to me.

It was a Thursday night...

No.

No, it was Friday night.

The Belle was jammed.

A very young woman... Blonde, pretty,

just married...

Asked me to read their cards.

She turned up her death card.

I got frightened.

You see, I-I... I didn't tell her.

I-I never told people those things.

Then, four more people... turned up Death.

I told Marc.

But he said it was just coincidence.

He went to...

To play in his blackjack game, and...

I was in bed. I...

I didn't believe it... when it first happened.

It... It sounded like a...

A giant thunderclap.

Then the boat rocked.

People screamed.

There was fire everywhere.

Someone grabbed me and pushed me on deck, but I...

I tried to get back to Marc.

I couldn't. People were jumping into the water.

But some couldn't swim.

I looked for Marc everywhere.

You know, I've...

I've always felt I should have told the captain.

And you've been blaming yourself all this time?

Yes.

Do you honestly think if you told the captain,

he would have done anything about it?

I don't know. You know what you've been feeling...

What anyone who's ever survived a war or an accident has felt.

It's that moment when you realize that...

someone you loved is dead...

and you're glad it's him and not you.

For that one brief second,

you can punish yourself for the rest of your life.

Then I have two moments to pay for.

Why, Stephanie? What happened?

John and I were asleep.

And I woke up because there were strange sounds.

Then the dog barked, so I... I got up.

I lit the lamp, and I went outside.

Something had happened to the dog.

He was dying.

Then I-I heard John yell.

I looked up, and our room was...

Was on fire.

I ran back into the house, and I-I... I got to our bedroom door.

The flames were... Were everywhere.

And then, I...

I-I heard John's screams.

I didn't go in. I-I should have tried.

I should have tried harder.

There was nothing you could do. You couldn't have moved him alone.

I wasn't alone.

- Thank Heavens you're all right. - "Thank Heavens you're all right"?

Why didn't you help me move him? Had you killed him already?

Is that what you were scared of? Is it?

Or did you think I'd burn too?

I don't know what she's talking about.

Neither do I.

Where were you night before last?

Me? I was in Rock Creek playing poker.

- Look at him. - I've got witnesses.

- You killed him. - Stephanie, you're out of your mind.

You killed him!

One way or another, you killed him!

Please, get out, both of you.

They said she was in a bad way,

but I had no idea.

She's a strong woman. She'll come out of it all right.

Listen, can she stay here till I get the house rebuilt?

Can't think of a better place.

Well, I can't ask Miss Liz to do the taking care of.

I mean, it's just too big a load.

I'd get Natawista to come help. I'm sure she'd do it.

She'd do anything for me.

Anyhow, it's the only thing I can do.

I gotta take care of her. Brother John would've wanted that.

I sure can't send her back to an institution.

What are you talkin' about?

The poor lady spent some time in a mental hospital.

And I guess they thought she was cured to release her.

But then nobody knows for sure what's cured or not in cases of the mind, do they?

You saw her at her worst.

She was making perfect sense till she saw you.

One spoonful in a glass of water every four hours.

Understand?

Mrs. White, the doctor says you're gonna be all right.

But you've gotta get some sleep.

I can't sleep.

I keep seeing... I know. I know.

But the doctor says this medicine will keep you from it.

And just relax. You're in good hands.

Stephanie, you can't go on like this.

You haven't had anything to eat or drink in a day and a half.

I also haven't had any nightmares.

I don't know what she's trying to do to me...

Whether she's trying to poison me or drive me insane.

Either way, it looks like she's going to succeed.

Why would she wanna do either one?

I don't know.

I just don't know.

Where you been for the last two days?

What'd you say? I can't hear you!

I said, where you been for the last two days?

You better watch your step, friend.

Because I'm running things now.

And unlike Brother John, I don't find you indispensable.

You have no idea...

how indispensable I am.

Oh, by the way, what time is it?

Don't change the subject.

Oh, that's right. You wouldn't know, would you?

'Cause I got your watch.

It was real careless of you to drop it in the barn.

And it was a real coincidence that it happened the night of the big fire.

I was in Rock Creek that night.

Oh, yeah. I know you were.

Hey, you got some real loyal friends there, Billy boy.

How much you payin' 'em?

I don't know what you're talkin' about. You know,

there's one thing you shouldn't ever do...

to a man in a poker game, Billy boy.

Oh, you shouldn't ever take your seat back when he's losin'.

Oh, that fella's real upset with you, Billy boy.

You know, he managed to recall how you...

How you tried to bet your watch.

And when they wouldn't let you, why, you left to get some money.

Yeah, he remembers that, uh,

well, he sat in for ya.

And he played, oh, a... a goodly length of time 'fore you showed up again.

It was the next mornin', he said.

What you got in mind?

I got half your business in mind, Billy boy.

Why, I can't give it to you.

Well, it doesn't belong to me.

I mean, Brother John left it all to Stephanie.

But I got confidence in you, Billy boy.

I just know that you... You're gonna find a way.

Dear Steve...

From Frank.

What are you making?

I'm sewing a button on my blouse.

Mrs. White, it's so good to see you're feeling better.

I feel so much better that I think I would like to go riding tomorrow.

Do you think you could find me some clothes?

You can have some clothes on one condition.

You're gonna have to start eating.

All right, as long as that woman...

does not go near the food.

Well, that's a bargain.

Somebody! Help!

Please!

It is a terrible thing I do.

I fell asleep. When I wake, it is too late.

What's all the ruckus about? I don't know.

Something about how it's terrible how she fell asleep or somethin'.

Mrs. White... she is gone.

Gone? Gone where?

I do not know for sure.

But... I am frightened.

Why?

All day, she talk of Frank.

She has much hate for him.

He was to take care of her man.

But he go away. And now her man is dead.

Well, I always did enjoy a little moonlight ride.

Considering the moonlight, maybe you'd better put your pants on.

Make it fast. No telling how long she's been gone.

Strange time of the night to come callin'.

All right. What are you doin' here?

But you sent for me.

What are you talkin' about?

But you... you said in your note that you could help me.

What note?

Don't play cat and mouse with me, Frank.

You said you had proof that Billy was here the night of the fire.

Get down!

Oh, God!

Billy, you're out of your mind!

Billy!

Why did he do it?

Take my... Take my gun and get out of here.

Why didn't he kill me? He didn't have to.

They'll blame you for this.

Listen, Steve. There's a...

I'm sorry, Frank.

Steve.

Steve?

Steve. St...

His last word was "Steve." I'm gonna try to find her. You go get the sheriff.

Don't move!

I said don't move!

- You're gonna use that again? - Frank was right.

He said they'd blame me. I believed him.

But I didn't think you'd be one of them.

You wanna tell me you didn't kill him, I'll listen.

- I did not kill him. - All right then.

Put that gun down, and let's talk.

Billy did it.

Frank said he'd kill me too.

I said why didn't he, and he said there was no need.

That they'd blame Frank's death on you.

Looks like we'll have to do something about that.

Did you see Billy? No, I didn't see anyone.

But I heard the shots. Where'd you get the gun?

Frank gave it to me. Two shots gone.

Frank fired. I don't think he hit anything,

because all he had to aim at were shadows.

Please.

Please give me your horse.

Mine's gone lame. I've got to get away.

No one will believe me. Please.

You couldn't run far enough or fast enough.

They'd catch you finally.

As far as they're concerned, your running would be proof of your guilt.

Why did you go to that house tonight?

Oh. Uh, Natawista gave me a note.

She said it was from Frank.

It said if I would come to the bunkhouse,

he would give me proof that Billy was there the night of the fire.

Have you got the note?

Yes, I put it in my drawer.

Well, come on. That's all we need.

There's nothing else to do.

What did you do with it? I do not know what you talk about.

Oh, yes, you do! You gave me the note.

I read it, and I put it right there!

I do not know of what she talk.

I gave her nothing. She did. She did!

She gave it to me, and I read it and put it right there!

Miz White? Yes!

Sorry, but I'm gonna have to take you in.

Why? You can't. I-I didn't do anything.

Well, I honestly hope you'll be able to prove that.

Until then, it's my duty to charge you with the murder of Frank Benteen.

Why did you make me come back? I should have run.

This isn't over yet.

When do you think it's gonna be over?

When I'm dangling from the end of a rope?

As you can see, we haven't got a shred of evidence on our side.

I know that. But in spite of it, I still think she's telling the truth.

So do I. That's no help.

Mornin'. Hello, Billy.

Jeff, you got a minute? Sure. Come on in.

I'll get out of your way. No, no.

There's nothin' private about what I gotta say.

I just wanted to ask old Jeff here what tricks he had up his sleeve.

The talk around town is that it doesn't look too good for Steve.

Well, the talk's right.

She insists on a straight plea of not guilty.

She doesn't have anything but her word to back her up.

Maybe they'll believe her. She is a most persuasive lady.

They might have,

but the word's gone out that she's not in her right mind.

So that's a very dim hope indeed.

Look, Jeff, you know your job,

and I know you'll do everything there is to be done.

Just remember, you're doing it for Brother John.

And remember, too, money is of no concern.

Oh, I-I know that.

I'll see you in court tomorrow.

Right.

I do not know of a note.

You don't like Mrs. White very much, do you? Why?

She say bad things about me.

But I do not know of a note.

All right. That will be all. Thank you.

I'm sorry, Stephanie. I know she's lying,

but I can't shake her and I can't prove it.

Why should she tell the truth?

She didn't swear on her Bible.

I know she said I did it, and she said I killed my brother too.

And she said that Natawista was poisoning her. I don't know.

I'm real sorry for her.

Can you think of any reason why...

she would want to kill Mr. Benteen? No, sir.

Well, Frank always did have an eye for the ladies,

and he might have bothered her some.

But I don't think there had to be a reason.

I don't think she knows what she's doing.

He must've practiced for years to lie like that.

No, sir. She didn't always make sense.

She got the past confused with the present.

She had terrible nightmares.

What phrase did she use most during those nightmares?

Miss Elizabeth, I must remind you you're under oath.

Omission is just as serious an offense as lying.

She said, "I killed them.

I killed them all."

Oh, my God.

There's no way out.

Even my friends destroy me.

When you encountered Mrs. White, did she have a gun, and was it fully loaded?

Yes, she had a gun. Two shots had been fired.

What were Mr. Benteen's last words?

He said, "Steve."

After John's accident, you spent a good deal of time at the ranch,

- did you not? - Yes, I did.

Did you witness any trouble between Mr. Benteen and Mrs. White?

No, I didn't witness any trouble.

Your accusations are surprisingly complicated, Mrs. White.

No offense intended, but nobody in Medicine Bow...

ever thought of Billy White as a giant intellect.

It's the truth. I'm telling the truth.

I dislike bringing up painful memories, Mrs. White,

but it's true, is it not, that you were confined to a mental hospital for a time?

Yes, it's true.

I, uh, happen to have here a letter...

from the doctor who treated you.

He says that, uh, you had a hard time...

remembering things that you had done...

and that you imagined a lot of things you hadn't done.

Would you say that that was a fair statement?

Did he also tell you, when I left, I was well?

Would you say this is a fair description of your behavior?

Yes.

And would you also agree that your behavior...

on the night of the fire, and subsequently,

was very much like that described in this letter?

I wouldn't. But I'm sure you would.

Thank you, Miz White. That's all.

I am innocent of the charges brought against me.

There may be some of you who believe that.

To those, I...

I want to say that...

I will understand if you vote against me.

You have only my word,

and that has... been discredited.

I've lived with guilt,

real and imagined,

for much of my life.

It isn't pleasant.

I'd...

I'd like for you to believe that...

I don't wish that for you.

You have got to let me change your plea.

Now, there's a new law. It's only been on the books a couple of years.

I don't know if it's been used here in the territory.

I heard they used it back East. Let's try.

What law? "Not guilty by reason of insanity."

No! It is the only way...

No! No! I can save your life!

"Life"?

That's a bad word to describe what goes on in those places.

I've been there. I'd rather hang.

Stephanie, let him try it.

Play for time. We need time.

I won't go back.

Time is our only hope, our only weapon.

You've got to give me a chance to smoke out some evidence.

You really want to do this?

Anything goes wrong,

my death is on your head,

not this court's.

No.

No. I won't go back.

Yes, I really want to do it.

You've got your time.

Your Honor?

Your Honor, we would like to change our plea...

to not guilty by reason of insanity.

Beats me. I can't believe she did it in her right mind.

It's just as hard to believe that she's insane.

I feel sorry for old Frank though.

You know, he worked hard all his life.

It's a pity to see a man get gunned down just when he hit pay dirt.

Oh, I hadn't heard anything about that. Oh, yeah. Yeah.

I talked to him the day it happened, you know.

Said he'd just come back from a trip.

The most important trip of his life.

He said, uh, Billy had given him a partnership in the business.

He say where he'd been? No, no.

He did say somethin' funny though.

He said first time he'd lost money at a poker game and come out winnin'.

It's a pity.

No doubt in my mind that Frank had something on Billy.

He wasn't about to give him a partnership out of the goodness of his heart.

I wonder what it was. I have a hunch it had something to do...

with where he was the night John died.

Well, a good way to find out about that...

would be to play some poker in Rock Creek.

Why don't you do that? With your money or mine?

Well, whatever it was, Billy was in no position...

to give him any part of the business unless he knew Stephanie wouldn't be around.

It's a pretty clever way of gettin' rid of her.

But he hasn't.

I wonder if he knows that it won't ever belong to him until she's dead.

Well, if he does, I'd say her chances...

of livin' to a ripe old age are reasonably slim.

Maybe. Maybe not.

Why don't you just get on your horse and ride up to Rock Creek?

If that doesn't work, you and I will just have to figure out something else.

Frank was in a poker game in Rock Creek asking a lot of questions about Billy.

Jim's talked to six of the players in that game.

But so far, he hasn't been able to shake their story.

It's hopeless.

Not quite. There were seven players in that poker game.

- Our job is to find that seventh man. - Time's running out.

I know.

Stephanie, Billy wants you dead.

As long as you're alive, that business is yours wherever you are.

Now, I have an idea. It's very dangerous.

What I need to know is if you're willing to risk your life on it.

There's no risk involved.

I won't go back to that purgatory, not alive.

What I wanna do is set you up as a target.

My guess is that Billy will try to kill you. I don't know how.

I'll be with you to protect you. But there's no guarantee I'll be able to.

You're willing to risk your life...

on the chance you can save mine?

I'm not a fool, Stephanie. If I didn't think it would work, I wouldn't do it.

And if it doesn't work,

then there's some things worth risking your life for.

John used to say that.

By the way, I couldn't pay you a higher compliment.

Thank you. Now, listen carefully.

Mark, I'm ready.

I'm free! I'm free! What are you doing?

I'm free! I'm free! You're a drunk!

I'm proud of that, lady.

You see? He's a drunk. He's proud of it.

Stay there!

- Stay there. - Stay there!

Miz White! Miz White, please, put that down.

No! Please, Miz White!

Attagirl, lady!

You shut up, or I'll see you never get out of here!

Mrs. White... Hey, put those books down, Mrs. White!

Ah! Give me my keys.

Yeah! Yeah, look what I got. I got the keys!

I got the keys. I'm gonna lock you up! Yes, I am!

Stephanie... Get out of here!

Get... Ow! Don't just stand there! Do something!

Miz White!

- Get out of my way! - No, No. Not my lamp!

Yeah!

All right, Miz White, that's enough!

Mrs. White...

Stephanie. Don't hurt me. No. Don't hurt me.

Don't let him hurt me.

Don't let him hurt me, please.

Please. You won't, will you?

You did that very well.

You won't let him hurt me, will you?

All we can do is hope that the doctors find some way to help her.

Well, the sheriff delegated me to get her there.

Question is, how? The state she's in,

a train trip hardly seems feasible.

People staring at her like she's some sort of a freak.

I can't let her go through that.

Tell you what. I'm headed for Rock Creek.

I'll cancel out the Saturday run. You can take her by stage.

Well, that's very nice of you.

Well, that's the least I can do.

But the way she feels about me...

I better get somebody else to do the driving.

See you Saturday, Billy.

Well, don't get me wrong.

I'll be very happy to get rid of her a day early.

I never know what she's gonna do.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask for some kind of identification.

Oh, yes, of course.

Miz White, this is Dr. Sam Kincaid. He's come to take you to the hospital.

No, I won't... I won't go.

Well, it's gonna be all right, Mrs. White.

You're gonna get the best possible care.

Don't you understand, Sheriff? They're going to kill me.

They're going to kill me! Nobody means you any harm, Mrs. White.

Quicker you get there, the better off you'll be.

I won't go without the Virginian.

There's no sense fighting it, Stephanie.

This is the way it's going to be.

Sheriff, would you please get me a large-size shirt?

Don't get that shirt.

No, I-I-I know what that is. Don't get that shirt!

Murderers! Murderers! Bring her upstairs.

Why not leave her down here? Murderers!

I've got my reasons.

Murderers! Killers!

Put her there.

Hold her.

Murderer! Murderer!

First time, it's hard.

The second time, it's easier.

And the third time,

you don't even have a qualm.

You see, Stephanie,

the Virginian isn't due to meet up with you until tomorrow morning.

And by that time, you'll have escaped us...

and returned here to the scene of your crime...

and burned yourself up in the house,

in the very room that Brother John burned up in.

Isn't that a fitting way for you to go and meet him, Stephanie?

I'd better get the buggy away from the house.

Sam. You know what to do.

I'll see you in Rock Creek in a couple days with the money.

Yeah, well, the sooner, the better.

And by the way, Billy, don't try for a fourth.

I got friends that'll come lookin' for me.

I gotta go now.

I'd stay and keep you company,

but this house... This house depresses me.

I'm really looking forward to building one from scratch.

Monongahela. Where is everybody?

Well, the ones that aren't out with the posses...

are home protecting their families from the dangerous Mrs. White.

And where have you been? Jeff told me you were gonna be here at 5:00.

What are you talkin' about? What happened?

Well, at approximately 11:30 this morning,

Billy White, along with an alleged doctor named Sam Kincaid,

removed Stephanie from her cell in order to allegedly transport her to the sanitarium.

Well, why didn't you stop 'em?

I didn't even hear about this until approximately 4:30 this afternoon...

when the alleged doctor returned with a small

bump on his head and a small explanation...

that Stephanie had calmed down under the sedation.

Billy had untied her, whereupon she removed Billy's gun from his holster,

knocked both of them over the head unconscious and made her escape.

If she did escape,

she'd look for either you or me, and you were closer.

If Billy does have her, where would he take her?

Let's get over to the White place.

Put it on the cuff.

It's locked.

Check around the other side of the house.

There's no sign of anybody. Doors are locked,

and the windows are all boarded up.

Check Frank's house. I'll look in the barn.

Help me!

Hey. Did you hear somethin'?

No, I didn't hear anything.

- No! Come back! - Now, you had to hear that.

- What do you think it was? - I don't know, but I aim to find out.

You wait here. I may need you.

Help me!

Help!

How did you find me?

Ain't got time for explanations.

Oh. Are you hurt, or are you just scared?

I'm all right.

He'll be back. He's coming back to burn the house down.

Then we'll have to arrange a proper reception for him.

She's here. She's all right. Go find the sheriff.

Fast.

He's back.

This wasn't exactly the reception I had in mind.

Can you untie your feet by yourself?

As soon as I get the blood circulating, yes.

All right, I want you to stay here in this room,

and don't leave it unless you hear me yell.

If that happens, go out the window. My horse is on the far side of the coral.

Stephanie.

The time has come, Stephanie.

Stephanie!

You're lookin' the wrong way, Billy.

There was no way I couldn't win this hand.

John always said the only way you won a hand was when they let you.

Well, rake in the pot, lady. It's all yours.

Come in.

We need...

My, my. You certainly pull yourself together in a hurry, don't you?

Well, I find I don't do this as well as I ride and shoot.

I've got a feeling you'll learn fast.

If you get fed up with it, come on out to Shiloh. I'll put you to work.

Sit down. I just might do that.

How does one say thank you for my life?

There's no way, I guess, except to say that...

John was very proud to have you for a friend.

I'm proud, too, for the same reason.

That goes for you too. Me?

All I did was lose a lot of money playing cards.

Ah. Speaking of cards.

Aren't you the one that wanted to know what the tarot cards are?

Yes, that's right. Okay.

In the ancient art of tarot,

this card represents the atmosphere...

and influences around the question.

This card... judgment.

It says guard against overindulgence in drink.

Now, who'd have thought such a little old card could have so much truth in it?

Intemperance. Injustice.

Mmm. Scandal. Dishonesty.

And double-dealing.

Yeah. That's me.