1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:01,720 No. 2 00:02:14,380 --> 00:02:15,380 This one's stupid. 3 00:02:15,700 --> 00:02:19,420 Please, Chuck, it's getting so dark I can't. It's over by the fence. 4 00:02:19,760 --> 00:02:24,340 Of all the lousy outfielders, didn't you ever play baseball before? 5 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:30,820 Hey, hurry up before Mom starts yelling, will ya? 6 00:02:55,140 --> 00:02:56,140 Kid? 7 00:02:57,040 --> 00:02:58,040 Miles? 8 00:02:58,280 --> 00:03:02,700 If you stole that ball, hear me, kid, you'll get chased out of this town so 9 00:03:02,700 --> 00:03:03,700 you won't even dare. 10 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:06,320 Why didn't you yell? 11 00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:07,960 Can't you do anything right? 12 00:03:08,280 --> 00:03:10,000 Hey, what you been doing out here? 13 00:03:10,240 --> 00:03:12,520 I got better things to do than chase your old ball. 14 00:03:12,820 --> 00:03:15,880 Well, what do you want me to do, give it to you? I already gave you my mitt, 15 00:03:16,020 --> 00:03:16,809 didn't I? 16 00:03:16,810 --> 00:03:20,050 Listen, Miles, there's no point in you hitting any until you learn how to 17 00:03:20,190 --> 00:03:23,890 see? You gotta know something about something before you can... I know 18 00:03:23,890 --> 00:03:25,590 while you guys don't know. Listen, Chuck. 19 00:03:25,850 --> 00:03:28,270 Kid, why do you always act so people want to hit you? 20 00:03:28,750 --> 00:03:29,750 Charles! 21 00:03:30,210 --> 00:03:32,750 You're lucky. You don't even have them want to yell at you. 22 00:03:33,290 --> 00:03:34,390 Chuck, I do know something. 23 00:03:34,810 --> 00:03:36,610 Promise not to tell anybody else. 24 00:03:37,750 --> 00:03:41,150 Charles! Your mom sure is a big flogger, isn't she? 25 00:03:41,610 --> 00:03:43,790 Please, Chuck, you only take a second. 26 00:03:44,250 --> 00:03:47,050 I know a secret then. Who cares that you're no stupid? 27 00:04:17,360 --> 00:04:18,360 Would you answer it, please? 28 00:04:23,420 --> 00:04:24,900 All you have to do is let him in. 29 00:04:25,340 --> 00:04:26,680 I thought you were watching TV. 30 00:04:27,160 --> 00:04:28,260 I'm sorry, Aunt Sue. 31 00:04:28,600 --> 00:04:30,860 Honey, if you're going to stay here with us, you're going to have to stop saying 32 00:04:30,860 --> 00:04:32,700 you're sorry all the time. Excuse me. 33 00:04:33,260 --> 00:04:36,620 Well, I mean, you don't have to watch it, you know, but until my brother gets 34 00:04:36,620 --> 00:04:39,920 back from the bowling alley... I'm sorry, Aunt Sue. Honey, just go on. 35 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:40,920 the door, will you? 36 00:04:41,300 --> 00:04:42,300 I'll be right there. 37 00:04:47,600 --> 00:04:48,539 Hello, son. 38 00:04:48,540 --> 00:04:50,360 I think you'd better tell your mother... She's not my mother. 39 00:04:50,660 --> 00:04:52,020 She's not even my real aunt. 40 00:04:52,260 --> 00:04:54,220 I don't even have to live here if I don't want to. 41 00:04:54,620 --> 00:04:55,820 You can come in, I guess. 42 00:05:00,080 --> 00:05:01,100 Where do you live? 43 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:02,720 Where is your mother? 44 00:05:02,860 --> 00:05:04,920 I don't know. But I've got four of them someplace. 45 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:06,400 I really do. 46 00:05:07,920 --> 00:05:08,920 Oh, excuse me. 47 00:05:09,280 --> 00:05:12,020 I didn't realize... You want to turn along? 48 00:05:12,700 --> 00:05:14,500 Mrs. Thompson, my name is Mason. 49 00:05:15,140 --> 00:05:16,660 I was having dinner with Mr. Downing. 50 00:05:17,190 --> 00:05:18,790 Oh, of course, Mr. Mason. 51 00:05:19,630 --> 00:05:21,950 You're spending the night at his country place, aren't you? 52 00:05:22,310 --> 00:05:23,430 Won't you come in and sit down? 53 00:05:24,190 --> 00:05:27,150 Joe said you would be expecting Bill Sheridan and might be worried. 54 00:05:28,190 --> 00:05:29,690 Joe needs you at the trucking office. 55 00:05:29,910 --> 00:05:32,870 He thought we'd save time if I stopped to explain. 56 00:05:33,410 --> 00:05:34,730 Well, what's the matter? What happened? 57 00:05:35,970 --> 00:05:37,630 Miles, will you please go watch TV? 58 00:05:40,970 --> 00:05:43,870 Now, don't be alarmed. But the police called. 59 00:05:44,230 --> 00:05:45,230 There's been a shooting. 60 00:05:45,530 --> 00:05:46,730 Your office was just robbed. 61 00:05:51,630 --> 00:05:52,630 Mr. Dole? 62 00:05:52,810 --> 00:05:53,569 Yes, sir? 63 00:05:53,570 --> 00:05:56,470 Good night, Miles. Your Uncle Flick will be home at work. You'll get bit if I 64 00:05:56,470 --> 00:05:57,429 sit down here, Doc. 65 00:05:57,430 --> 00:06:00,350 Come on, we've taken quite a chance to tell you that. How long has this been 66 00:06:00,350 --> 00:06:01,069 going on? 67 00:06:01,070 --> 00:06:04,410 Oh, this is the second time. If I wasn't shot, I'm all right. 68 00:06:04,830 --> 00:06:07,930 The doctor should have stayed here. For what? For a bump on the head? That's all 69 00:06:07,930 --> 00:06:09,430 it was. I was out for a couple of minutes. 70 00:06:11,070 --> 00:06:13,770 I'm just sorry I loused up on a date, that's all. 71 00:06:14,090 --> 00:06:15,170 Bill, don't be ridiculous. 72 00:06:15,530 --> 00:06:18,390 Mrs. Thompson, will you help the sergeant there? Take a look in that 73 00:06:18,390 --> 00:06:21,010 want to know exactly what's missing here. Of course, Mr. Donovan. 74 00:06:21,670 --> 00:06:23,390 Don't pick on her, Joe. She likes me. 75 00:06:24,050 --> 00:06:26,490 Bill, tell Mr. Mason here now just what you told me. 76 00:06:27,290 --> 00:06:28,870 I stopped by here to do a little work. 77 00:06:29,250 --> 00:06:32,910 What with all the big brass descending on us in the morning, I thought it might 78 00:06:32,910 --> 00:06:35,110 be a good idea to make sure the ashtrays were clean. 79 00:06:36,030 --> 00:06:38,990 You've managed this branch office for quite some time, I take it? 80 00:06:40,070 --> 00:06:41,090 Los Angeles, huh? 81 00:06:41,430 --> 00:06:42,870 It's got suburbs on the moon. 82 00:06:43,370 --> 00:06:46,590 You see, I thought my dear cousin Joey here was being a great benefactor when 83 00:06:46,590 --> 00:06:47,589 handed me this job. 84 00:06:47,590 --> 00:06:51,050 Actually, Perry, it's been less than a year because my partner Frank Horner was 85 00:06:51,050 --> 00:06:54,350 setting up this yard to service our Arizona traffic while I was up in Oregon 86 00:06:54,350 --> 00:06:55,349 building that branch. 87 00:06:55,350 --> 00:06:58,870 And now they have their own building on Wilshire Boulevard where the lucky 88 00:06:58,870 --> 00:06:59,789 people work. 89 00:06:59,790 --> 00:07:03,910 No sagebrush, no, uh... Bill, you're wasting our time. He doesn't care about 90 00:07:03,910 --> 00:07:04,910 that. 91 00:07:05,170 --> 00:07:06,069 Sure, Joe. 92 00:07:06,070 --> 00:07:07,070 Okay. 93 00:07:09,530 --> 00:07:12,210 I was, uh, sitting at that desk. 94 00:07:13,660 --> 00:07:16,800 Now, I had opened the safe to check on some things. The lights were on, Mr. 95 00:07:16,860 --> 00:07:19,160 Sheridan? Well, of course the lights were on. 96 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:21,040 Go on, Mr. Sheridan. 97 00:07:21,820 --> 00:07:22,820 That's about all there is. 98 00:07:23,460 --> 00:07:26,100 I was sitting at the desk. I didn't even hear the door open. The next thing I 99 00:07:26,100 --> 00:07:28,460 know, I'm on the floor. You're positive you never heard a shot? 100 00:07:28,680 --> 00:07:29,680 Yes, I'm positive. 101 00:07:30,400 --> 00:07:32,400 The slug only missed you a foot or two, maybe. 102 00:07:33,260 --> 00:07:34,420 Where did you find that slug? 103 00:07:34,780 --> 00:07:35,900 I dug it out of the floor there. 104 00:07:37,140 --> 00:07:38,740 What's your figure, Mrs. Thompson? How much? 105 00:07:39,420 --> 00:07:43,040 Well, there was $3 ,400 in the driver's expense fund. 106 00:07:43,440 --> 00:07:48,000 600 plus in petty cash, it totals $4 ,061. It's missing. 107 00:07:48,620 --> 00:07:49,620 Not a bad haul. 108 00:07:50,280 --> 00:07:54,340 Oh, well, it could have been much worse. You know, we sometimes have payroll and 109 00:07:54,340 --> 00:07:56,580 shipping deposits and cash. 110 00:07:57,080 --> 00:07:58,940 So, the thief didn't know your routine here. 111 00:08:00,040 --> 00:08:03,280 As for this, maybe he slugged you with his gun and it went off. 112 00:08:03,480 --> 00:08:04,480 You wouldn't have heard. 113 00:08:05,380 --> 00:08:08,040 Several explanations, and they all add up to simple robbery. 114 00:08:08,340 --> 00:08:09,380 Was anything else taken? 115 00:08:10,380 --> 00:08:11,380 I don't think so. 116 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:13,080 Those, uh... 117 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:17,160 A pile of papers are probably all messed up because the money's at the bottom, 118 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:18,200 don't you think? 119 00:08:18,260 --> 00:08:19,640 I could sit down and check. 120 00:08:20,120 --> 00:08:22,020 No, never mind. We'll let Harry lock up now. 121 00:08:23,040 --> 00:08:25,740 I'll have Miss Francis out from town to check the records with me the first 122 00:08:25,740 --> 00:08:26,760 thing in the morning. Good night, everybody. 123 00:08:33,659 --> 00:08:34,659 Joe! 124 00:08:34,880 --> 00:08:35,880 Joe! 125 00:08:36,840 --> 00:08:37,840 What's the matter? 126 00:08:38,020 --> 00:08:39,780 Don't you think this was a simple robbery? 127 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:41,679 No, Perry, I don't. 128 00:08:46,730 --> 00:08:47,970 the sheriff's substation. 129 00:08:48,210 --> 00:08:52,090 The local office of the Horner and Downing Trucking Company was robbed 130 00:08:52,570 --> 00:08:56,370 Several thousand dollars were taken from the office safe by an assailant who 131 00:08:56,370 --> 00:08:59,070 apparently broke into the building about 8 o 'clock this evening. 132 00:08:59,450 --> 00:09:01,010 Branch manager... Uncle, is that you? 133 00:09:02,630 --> 00:09:03,790 You're still awake? 134 00:09:04,370 --> 00:09:09,150 That's a big idea. It's almost 11 o 'clock. Wait! $4 ,000. 135 00:09:09,810 --> 00:09:13,490 The robber was reported as armed with a .38 caliber pistol. 136 00:09:14,010 --> 00:09:16,390 which he fired once, fortunately without effect. 137 00:09:16,730 --> 00:09:22,230 The man fled hurriedly, and police suggest he may be frightened and naked. 138 00:09:22,690 --> 00:09:24,890 Uncle Flint, don't! Didn't you hear? 139 00:09:25,130 --> 00:09:26,810 Aunt Syl's office was robbed. 140 00:09:27,030 --> 00:09:31,330 Sure, and somebody got knocked out. And they stole thousands and thousands of 141 00:09:31,330 --> 00:09:33,070 dollars. You get your bed. 142 00:09:33,490 --> 00:09:34,490 But it's true. 143 00:09:34,670 --> 00:09:37,450 There's a man came here a long time ago, and he took Aunt Syl. 144 00:09:37,670 --> 00:09:40,470 You want my sister coming home and find you downstairs? 145 00:09:41,600 --> 00:09:44,780 You know how upset she's been ever since you've been here? 146 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:47,820 But, Uncle Flick, I want to taste her. 147 00:09:48,040 --> 00:09:51,420 I said go to bed, you little... Go on! 148 00:09:56,440 --> 00:09:57,560 That's a good boy. 149 00:09:58,920 --> 00:09:59,980 And don't worry. 150 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:03,880 Tomorrow I'll let you watch me play pool like I promised. 151 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:05,280 Okay? 152 00:10:27,810 --> 00:10:29,290 no no 153 00:11:23,850 --> 00:11:27,390 It's for 38. 154 00:12:35,199 --> 00:12:36,460 Flick? Where are you, Flick? 155 00:12:36,780 --> 00:12:39,180 He's probably in the kitchen sopping up the beer. 156 00:12:39,460 --> 00:12:42,320 No, the light will be on. I've got to go upstairs and check on Miles. 157 00:12:42,600 --> 00:12:45,180 Honey, when are you going to get rid of that kid? 158 00:12:45,980 --> 00:12:48,480 I mean, children are all right, but he's such a nuisance to you. 159 00:12:50,580 --> 00:12:53,200 I mean, ever since he's been here. 160 00:13:09,120 --> 00:13:10,260 My brother's still bowling. 161 00:13:10,780 --> 00:13:11,940 I'll be down in a minute, Bill. 162 00:14:32,650 --> 00:14:33,650 Good afternoon. 163 00:14:34,070 --> 00:14:35,070 Hello. 164 00:14:35,210 --> 00:14:36,630 I'm Horner. Frank Horner? 165 00:14:37,610 --> 00:14:38,449 Oh, Mr. 166 00:14:38,450 --> 00:14:40,310 Downing's partner, the trucking company. That's right. 167 00:14:40,550 --> 00:14:43,990 I just got in from San Francisco, and there was a message telling me that our 168 00:14:43,990 --> 00:14:47,410 little get -together has been called off. Now, Joe's up in the desert. Miss 169 00:14:47,410 --> 00:14:50,950 Francis, our chief accountant, is apparently up there with him. So me, I'd 170 00:14:50,950 --> 00:14:53,190 like to know what's going on. Hello, Mr. Horner. 171 00:14:53,410 --> 00:14:56,490 Miss Mason, you were up at Joe's last night, weren't you? I guess you want to 172 00:14:56,490 --> 00:14:58,650 hear about the robbery. I was just getting a report from Mr. Drake. 173 00:14:58,910 --> 00:15:01,990 Well, I'm not interested in that. We're insured. Who cares about that? 174 00:15:02,430 --> 00:15:06,450 Mr. Mason, Joe told me he wanted to get together and have an inspection tour of 175 00:15:06,450 --> 00:15:07,630 all our branch offices, right? 176 00:15:07,890 --> 00:15:11,330 He said he had a real hot offer to sell, and then after we looked things over, 177 00:15:11,390 --> 00:15:12,390 we'd sit down and talk, right? 178 00:15:12,690 --> 00:15:13,990 That's why Joe called me in. 179 00:15:15,010 --> 00:15:18,150 National Trucking's very interested in buying your company, and Joe wanted 180 00:15:18,150 --> 00:15:20,030 private legal advice in case of a sale. 181 00:15:20,430 --> 00:15:22,090 Well, maybe I'm not too eager to sell you. 182 00:15:22,730 --> 00:15:26,330 Tell me something. Is Joe being a fuss budget about this robbery? Is that why 183 00:15:26,330 --> 00:15:27,450 can't sit down and talk right now? 184 00:15:27,730 --> 00:15:30,190 I really don't know his reasons for delaying, Mr. Horner. 185 00:15:30,650 --> 00:15:33,110 He just suggested I come back to town for a day. 186 00:15:33,530 --> 00:15:37,970 Did he happen to mention a worthless cousin by the name of Bill Sheridan? By 187 00:15:37,970 --> 00:15:39,590 chance would this have anything to do with him? 188 00:15:39,870 --> 00:15:42,090 The way Bill's been running things out there, maybe. 189 00:15:43,550 --> 00:15:44,550 Joe's your partner. 190 00:15:45,070 --> 00:15:46,470 Why don't you wait and ask him? 191 00:15:47,950 --> 00:15:48,990 I won't have to now. 192 00:15:49,990 --> 00:15:50,990 Thank you, Mr. Mason. 193 00:15:52,910 --> 00:15:58,510 Oh, and don't worry, I won't ask Joe. If he's uncovered a private hornet's nest, 194 00:15:58,530 --> 00:16:00,560 I... Guess he can take care of it. 195 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:04,740 Let's hear the rest of your report, Paul. 196 00:16:07,460 --> 00:16:08,640 Paul Lang Miles Jefferson. 197 00:16:09,200 --> 00:16:11,240 Dependent child of the court since he was six months old. 198 00:16:11,800 --> 00:16:14,300 Compton orphanage three years, then a series of foster homes. 199 00:16:14,740 --> 00:16:16,600 So that's how the boy acquired four mothers. 200 00:16:16,960 --> 00:16:18,520 Yeah, bad luck in all of them, I guess. 201 00:16:19,220 --> 00:16:23,180 Anyway, several weeks ago, a distant relative named John Flickinger applied 202 00:16:23,180 --> 00:16:25,260 took the kid to live with him and his sister for a while on trial. 203 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:27,420 His Uncle Flick arranged it? 204 00:16:27,840 --> 00:16:31,610 Sure. Guy's out of a job and the state pays about 75 bucks a month child 205 00:16:31,610 --> 00:16:35,010 support. And if you happen to have a soft -hearted widow's sister who's 206 00:16:35,010 --> 00:16:37,470 to do a little extra cooking... A little too soft -hearted, maybe. 207 00:16:37,990 --> 00:16:39,270 That's what Joe's worried about. 208 00:16:40,190 --> 00:16:42,110 He's finding things in her books out there. 209 00:16:42,350 --> 00:16:43,350 So what? 210 00:16:43,710 --> 00:16:48,610 Perry, I still don't see what's important about... Paul, wouldn't it be 211 00:16:48,610 --> 00:16:51,810 important to you if you were eight years old and still hadn't found a home? 212 00:16:55,390 --> 00:16:57,750 I have to run back to the office, Marcy. 213 00:16:58,400 --> 00:17:02,240 Just had your lunch, you know, so don't play on a full stomach. 214 00:17:02,540 --> 00:17:03,540 All right, Aunt Sue. 215 00:17:11,960 --> 00:17:14,140 Miles! Hey, boy! 216 00:17:16,560 --> 00:17:18,260 I've been hiding all morning. 217 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:20,619 Thought you wanted to watch a little pool today. 218 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:23,819 I thought I'd rather play baseball, maybe. 219 00:17:24,220 --> 00:17:28,220 Ah, you can do that any time. Come on, make a man out of... 220 00:17:42,440 --> 00:17:43,440 by the seven. 221 00:17:43,860 --> 00:17:47,060 So... Miles, you listening? 222 00:17:47,480 --> 00:17:48,600 Sure. It's interesting. 223 00:17:49,360 --> 00:17:52,100 Only thing better is bowling. 224 00:17:52,380 --> 00:17:54,100 You know how long I bowled last night? 225 00:17:54,540 --> 00:17:56,460 Four solid hours. 226 00:17:56,860 --> 00:17:58,480 From supper straight on. 227 00:17:59,040 --> 00:18:01,500 Yes, sir. Four solid hours. 228 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:04,380 I never left that bowling alley once. 229 00:18:11,060 --> 00:18:12,900 Boy, How'd you do last night, kid? 230 00:18:13,340 --> 00:18:17,440 Oh, I sat in my room, I watched TV, and I read. 231 00:18:17,660 --> 00:18:20,220 You were going to tell me something, remember? 232 00:18:21,140 --> 00:18:24,980 You said something about playing baseball with Chuck? 233 00:18:25,260 --> 00:18:26,840 What about the seven ball, Uncle Fred? 234 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:33,600 Wow. 235 00:18:34,000 --> 00:18:38,400 I must have sounded a little rough last night, finding you up so late, I mean. 236 00:18:39,310 --> 00:18:42,070 Or maybe it was listening to that robbery thing on TV. 237 00:18:42,490 --> 00:18:45,910 I didn't know how it'd be in your Aunt Syl's office and all. 238 00:18:48,490 --> 00:18:53,490 Now, you kids, I suppose, get all excited about things like that. Go 239 00:18:53,490 --> 00:18:57,170 each other, looking for clues, snooping around. 240 00:18:59,190 --> 00:19:00,210 Come on, Miles. 241 00:19:02,870 --> 00:19:06,870 Please, Uncle Flick. I want to go home and just read or something. Well, 242 00:19:06,870 --> 00:19:08,030 wouldn't you rather see that movie? 243 00:19:08,560 --> 00:19:12,620 Sure, but it's a double bill. And if I miss something... Oh, look, here, here. 244 00:19:12,920 --> 00:19:15,280 Here, go buy yourself a couple of candy bars. 245 00:19:15,620 --> 00:19:17,380 I'll fix it with your Aunt Syl. 246 00:19:17,940 --> 00:19:21,860 Don't worry so much, boy. You run along now. I got things to do. Go on, go on. 247 00:20:05,150 --> 00:20:06,890 Now, what are you messing up that file for? 248 00:20:07,350 --> 00:20:08,670 I'll tell you what I want to look at. 249 00:20:08,970 --> 00:20:10,690 Miss Francis, put these with the other figures. 250 00:20:10,990 --> 00:20:11,990 Yes, Mr. Downing. 251 00:20:12,970 --> 00:20:15,870 Look, you must be aware that the final accounting is done at the main office. 252 00:20:15,990 --> 00:20:19,690 All I do is send in the subtotals and the money spent by Mr. Sheridan. You may 253 00:20:19,690 --> 00:20:20,690 turn on the lights. 254 00:20:21,410 --> 00:20:23,030 I'm about ready to start adding this up. 255 00:20:28,850 --> 00:20:33,270 Mr. Downing, you've been kind enough to take an interest in the little boy that 256 00:20:33,270 --> 00:20:34,430 my brother brought to stay with us. 257 00:20:35,530 --> 00:20:38,990 Well, he won't get a bite to eat. All right, go on. We can always get you back 258 00:20:38,990 --> 00:20:39,990 if we need you. 259 00:20:43,350 --> 00:20:45,210 Good night, Sylvia, dear, and thank you. 260 00:20:49,090 --> 00:20:51,030 Bill, what's the matter with him? 261 00:20:51,350 --> 00:20:54,050 Do you think he found that petty cash thing from April? What are you talking 262 00:20:54,050 --> 00:20:55,730 about? Joe's got ulcers, that's all. 263 00:20:56,010 --> 00:20:57,770 And you lost that money in Las Vegas. 264 00:20:59,190 --> 00:21:00,910 You balanced it on the other book, didn't you? 265 00:21:01,750 --> 00:21:02,750 So... 266 00:21:04,170 --> 00:21:05,170 We made it up. 267 00:21:06,610 --> 00:21:09,030 $700. Sylvia, why don't you go home and comb your hair? 268 00:21:09,450 --> 00:21:13,150 There are other things, other items. I never have had full bookkeeping out 269 00:21:13,330 --> 00:21:15,050 There are certain things I can't explain. 270 00:21:16,050 --> 00:21:18,650 You know my case of whiskey is always missing a bottle or two? 271 00:21:19,690 --> 00:21:21,270 Things happen here, so what? 272 00:21:23,090 --> 00:21:24,170 I'll see you later, okay, baby? 273 00:21:26,470 --> 00:21:28,470 Hey, come on, come on. Let me help you with that. 274 00:21:28,850 --> 00:21:30,550 You sure you won't strain yourself? 275 00:21:32,150 --> 00:21:33,150 Hey, uh... 276 00:21:34,090 --> 00:21:37,450 It's about time for a couple of martinis and a nice steak, isn't it? 277 00:21:38,350 --> 00:21:40,250 What about your girlfriend? 278 00:21:41,310 --> 00:21:44,010 You know, listen, don't you go making remarks about my mother. 279 00:21:56,230 --> 00:21:57,230 Miles? 280 00:21:57,950 --> 00:22:00,070 Where are you, honey? I bet you're starved. 281 00:22:00,670 --> 00:22:01,670 Hiya, Syl. 282 00:22:02,000 --> 00:22:04,340 This kid isn't home yet. I just got here myself. 283 00:22:04,620 --> 00:22:06,760 Well, where is he? You could have cooked something for him. 284 00:22:13,060 --> 00:22:18,640 Say, uh, still, uh, I thought maybe I'd duck out for a few days. 285 00:22:19,580 --> 00:22:22,020 My, uh, my back is bothering me. 286 00:22:22,580 --> 00:22:24,600 Maybe a week at the Veterans Hospital. 287 00:22:28,300 --> 00:22:31,880 I guess I better go round up the kid, huh? For heaven's sake, yes. You brought 288 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:33,620 the poor child here. Do something about it. 289 00:22:36,180 --> 00:22:37,180 John, I'm sorry. 290 00:22:39,140 --> 00:22:40,380 I'm sorry about your back. 291 00:22:41,080 --> 00:22:42,140 It's your hot bath. 292 00:22:42,540 --> 00:22:48,960 No, no, no, that's okay. I mean, sis, I didn't know the kid was going to bother 293 00:22:48,960 --> 00:22:49,960 you so much. 294 00:22:50,140 --> 00:22:53,660 And if I'd figured maybe you and Bill Sheridan were going to get married, I 295 00:22:53,660 --> 00:22:54,660 never would have... 296 00:22:58,340 --> 00:22:59,340 Hello? 297 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:01,880 Yes, Miss Francis. 298 00:23:03,560 --> 00:23:05,680 Well, I just barely got home. 299 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:10,280 Well, you do whatever you like, dear, but I'm leaving. 300 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:16,280 And I thought you ought to know that the minute Mr. Sheridan left, Mr. 301 00:23:16,480 --> 00:23:17,960 Downing sent for his lawyer again. 302 00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:23,860 So if I were you, I... Look, I'll 303 00:23:23,860 --> 00:23:26,340 find a kid. 304 00:23:26,780 --> 00:23:28,560 I'll fix supper. Don't you worry. 305 00:23:44,440 --> 00:23:45,440 Miles? 306 00:23:49,360 --> 00:23:50,700 Miles, your supper's ready. 307 00:25:01,740 --> 00:25:02,599 Remember me? 308 00:25:02,600 --> 00:25:04,460 Sure. Sure, hi. Hi, Mr. Mason. 309 00:25:04,820 --> 00:25:05,920 You're a little late, aren't you? 310 00:25:07,080 --> 00:25:08,660 Want to lift home? It's right on my way. 311 00:25:08,900 --> 00:25:09,900 All right, I guess. 312 00:25:12,420 --> 00:25:13,420 Let's get out of the movie? 313 00:25:13,760 --> 00:25:15,400 I guess so. What's the matter? 314 00:25:16,120 --> 00:25:17,120 Worried you missed supper? 315 00:25:19,140 --> 00:25:20,380 Maybe I can help you explain. 316 00:25:21,160 --> 00:25:24,260 See, I found out quite a bit about you, Miles. 317 00:25:24,460 --> 00:25:26,300 What? You don't mind, do you? 318 00:25:27,420 --> 00:25:28,420 Come on, shut the door. 319 00:25:28,780 --> 00:25:29,820 We'll talk while we drive. 320 00:25:30,120 --> 00:25:31,120 Talk about what? 321 00:25:31,780 --> 00:25:33,200 Oh, whatever you want to talk about. 322 00:25:34,000 --> 00:25:35,000 Whatever you want to tell me. 323 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:37,080 No, maybe I'd better walk. 324 00:25:37,280 --> 00:25:38,720 Oh, wait a minute, son. Goodbye, Mr. Mason. 325 00:25:39,120 --> 00:25:40,120 Son. 326 00:26:19,120 --> 00:26:20,120 No, don't touch him. 327 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,380 Wait till I call the doctor. He's been shot, I think. 328 00:26:24,540 --> 00:26:25,560 Never mind the doctor. 329 00:26:31,160 --> 00:26:32,480 Sure, barefoot's all right. 330 00:26:32,720 --> 00:26:34,300 Only two blocks from my house anyway. 331 00:26:34,740 --> 00:26:36,800 I have to play with your little girl. 332 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,560 Well, now, it's not that painful. 333 00:26:38,980 --> 00:26:40,060 At least for a while. 334 00:26:40,940 --> 00:26:42,240 See you in the morning, boy. 335 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:44,600 We'll shoot some more pool tomorrow, huh? 336 00:26:45,360 --> 00:26:48,220 Won't I get locked up if I can't sail? 337 00:26:48,670 --> 00:26:50,090 Well, for gosh sakes, what for? 338 00:26:51,030 --> 00:26:54,350 I fixed it up with the sheriff's office so we could make things comfortable for 339 00:26:54,350 --> 00:26:56,490 you. Keep you here while the court decided something. 340 00:26:57,170 --> 00:27:00,590 About your aunt, maybe, or about where you're going to live next, maybe. 341 00:27:02,170 --> 00:27:04,170 Well, Mr. Mason, the lieutenant already left. 342 00:27:05,130 --> 00:27:08,130 I wonder if I might talk with the boy for a moment. 343 00:27:08,490 --> 00:27:09,770 Sure, I don't see why not. 344 00:27:10,590 --> 00:27:12,310 I'll go and see if I can find those slippers. 345 00:27:16,190 --> 00:27:17,190 It's all right, Miles. 346 00:27:17,490 --> 00:27:18,490 Don't be scared. 347 00:27:18,510 --> 00:27:20,490 Oh, I'm not scared of you. 348 00:27:21,410 --> 00:27:24,310 It's just that, well, Aunt Sue was funny sometimes. 349 00:27:24,910 --> 00:27:26,050 She never said much. 350 00:27:26,470 --> 00:27:28,150 But then one night she kissed me. 351 00:27:28,590 --> 00:27:30,590 And now she's in pretty bad trouble, isn't she? 352 00:27:32,630 --> 00:27:35,170 Miles, you never had anyone really to talk to, did you? 353 00:27:35,450 --> 00:27:36,450 Huh? 354 00:27:37,070 --> 00:27:40,610 I guess... I guess that's one of the toughest things there is when you're 355 00:27:40,610 --> 00:27:43,190 growing up, not having someone to talk to, to tell things to. 356 00:27:43,410 --> 00:27:46,990 Mr. Mason, I don't know... Because the more you hide things, the bigger they 357 00:27:46,990 --> 00:27:48,790 grow. But they don't need to. 358 00:27:50,070 --> 00:27:53,930 The happiest people in the world are the ones who can just, well, open up. 359 00:27:54,510 --> 00:27:55,510 Share everything. 360 00:27:56,090 --> 00:27:59,910 Mr. Mason, I'm not... I'm not hiding anything. 361 00:28:01,430 --> 00:28:04,710 Oh, sure. At first you think, who do I trust? 362 00:28:05,370 --> 00:28:06,410 Another foster mother? 363 00:28:07,170 --> 00:28:08,930 An aunt who doesn't really want me, maybe? 364 00:28:10,430 --> 00:28:11,810 Well, I'm a lawyer, Miles. 365 00:28:13,030 --> 00:28:16,450 And part of a lawyer's job is to keep secrets for people. 366 00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:19,080 To never use those secrets to hurt anyone. 367 00:28:20,020 --> 00:28:24,760 To try to help people when... Hey, uh... What about your toothbrush, huh, boy? 368 00:28:25,000 --> 00:28:26,080 You remember your toothbrush? 369 00:28:26,560 --> 00:28:28,200 Sure, Uncle Fred. I got it. 370 00:28:28,500 --> 00:28:30,200 Here, slip it, Miles. 371 00:28:33,540 --> 00:28:34,540 All set? 372 00:28:34,820 --> 00:28:35,820 Good night, son. 373 00:28:36,620 --> 00:28:41,880 Mr. Mason, thanks for... for asking me if I wanted to ride home from the movies 374 00:28:41,880 --> 00:28:42,880 yesterday. 375 00:28:54,220 --> 00:28:56,560 You can see why I need a lawyer. I didn't kill Mr. Downing. 376 00:28:57,260 --> 00:29:00,220 But I saw you running away from there myself, Mrs. Thompson. 377 00:29:00,500 --> 00:29:03,540 I went back to the office to explain something to Mr. Downing. 378 00:29:04,160 --> 00:29:06,560 There were some things. He kept finding the books. 379 00:29:06,840 --> 00:29:08,680 They haven't been able to locate all the records. 380 00:29:09,120 --> 00:29:12,800 But apparently those figures Joe was adding up show that your branch has an 381 00:29:12,800 --> 00:29:15,220 unexplained loss this year of nearly $50 ,000. 382 00:29:17,980 --> 00:29:19,700 Well, now that I can't explain. 383 00:29:21,740 --> 00:29:24,580 Anyway... I didn't get a chance to say anything to him. 384 00:29:25,200 --> 00:29:27,020 When I got back to the office, he was dead. 385 00:29:27,940 --> 00:29:29,000 I guess I screamed. 386 00:29:29,300 --> 00:29:32,840 I guess I heard somebody coming and I ran. All I could think of was to run 387 00:29:33,100 --> 00:29:36,500 And of course you were also thinking that Bill Sheridan or someone else close 388 00:29:36,500 --> 00:29:39,300 you must have killed Joe Downing. No, no, that's not true. 389 00:29:40,580 --> 00:29:41,840 At least I don't think it is. 390 00:29:43,500 --> 00:29:48,000 Mr. Mason, you must think I'm innocent or you wouldn't be willing to help me. 391 00:29:48,680 --> 00:29:49,680 Mrs. Thompson. 392 00:29:50,090 --> 00:29:52,550 I'm not taking your case because I believe you're innocent. 393 00:29:54,370 --> 00:29:58,770 What? But if you are innocent, then I think one small boy deserves every 394 00:29:58,770 --> 00:29:59,930 possible break he can get. 395 00:30:00,250 --> 00:30:01,250 Don't you? 396 00:30:01,590 --> 00:30:02,590 Oh, 397 00:30:05,070 --> 00:30:06,670 I've been so... 398 00:30:06,670 --> 00:30:12,190 Well, 399 00:30:12,370 --> 00:30:15,150 what are we waiting for? 400 00:30:16,150 --> 00:30:17,730 I'm sure you have a great many questions. 401 00:30:18,380 --> 00:30:19,720 My question, sir, is this. 402 00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:25,280 At what time did you so clearly see the defendant, Sylvia Thompson, standing 403 00:30:25,280 --> 00:30:27,160 over the dead body of Joe Downing? 404 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:29,820 It was exactly 8 o 'clock, sir. 405 00:30:30,340 --> 00:30:34,340 I was just passing the side of the building and looked in the window. Did 406 00:30:34,340 --> 00:30:35,340 hear anybody cry out? 407 00:30:35,660 --> 00:30:37,580 Did you hear the sound of a shot, perhaps? 408 00:30:37,860 --> 00:30:38,859 No, sir. 409 00:30:38,860 --> 00:30:42,680 But the fucks were coming in and out, making so much racket of their own. 410 00:30:42,880 --> 00:30:43,880 Of course, I understand. 411 00:30:43,940 --> 00:30:47,820 But you did say that you saw the defendant put something in her purse. 412 00:30:48,330 --> 00:30:51,610 Well, she was just raising up. 413 00:30:51,890 --> 00:30:53,510 She did just close in her purse. 414 00:30:54,670 --> 00:30:57,150 Maybe I dropped my purse. I don't know. 415 00:30:57,930 --> 00:30:58,930 I don't know. 416 00:30:59,110 --> 00:31:02,650 But it was 12 minutes past 8 when our patrol car reached the defendant's house 417 00:31:02,650 --> 00:31:04,050 to apprehend her for questioning. 418 00:31:04,650 --> 00:31:06,570 The officers found no gun in her possession. 419 00:31:06,950 --> 00:31:10,590 But you said it takes less than 2 minutes to drive from her office to her 420 00:31:11,310 --> 00:31:15,450 8 to 8, 12, that leaves more than 10 minutes of her time unaccounted for, 421 00:31:15,550 --> 00:31:16,550 doesn't it? Yes. 422 00:31:17,050 --> 00:31:20,810 On this business of disposing of a weapon, Your Honor, I don't think it's 423 00:31:20,810 --> 00:31:24,210 line for me to say that there's lots of sand and wind in these parts. 424 00:31:24,590 --> 00:31:28,150 And anything thrown out of a car window can be found for money, if ever. 425 00:31:28,530 --> 00:31:32,710 I can recall several cases where... I think the court will be able to draw its 426 00:31:32,710 --> 00:31:34,530 own conclusion, Sergeant. Thank you. 427 00:31:35,430 --> 00:31:36,430 Cross -examined. 428 00:31:37,750 --> 00:31:43,010 Sergeant, you stated that a single bullet caused Mr. Downing's death, and 429 00:31:43,010 --> 00:31:45,390 it was fired from a .38 caliber pistol. 430 00:31:45,650 --> 00:31:46,650 Correct. 431 00:31:46,890 --> 00:31:50,870 Now, the night before the murder, you recovered a bullet from the floor which 432 00:31:50,870 --> 00:31:53,430 had also been fired from a .38. Is that correct? 433 00:31:53,850 --> 00:31:54,789 It is. 434 00:31:54,790 --> 00:31:57,510 I suppose you ran a comparison test on those bullets. 435 00:31:58,270 --> 00:31:59,370 So, tell us. 436 00:32:00,270 --> 00:32:04,550 Were the two bullets fired from the same gun? Well, the first bullet smashed a 437 00:32:04,550 --> 00:32:09,130 nail. So the ballistics man couldn't give an absolute yes or no answer. 438 00:32:09,370 --> 00:32:11,530 Of course, maybe if he had the gun to check with. 439 00:32:11,730 --> 00:32:15,270 Your Honor, the state is not charging the defendant with robbery. 440 00:32:15,840 --> 00:32:16,840 Only with murder. 441 00:32:17,280 --> 00:32:18,700 I think I agree, Mr. Mason. 442 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:22,220 I would like this hearing to proceed as expeditiously as possible. 443 00:32:23,240 --> 00:32:24,940 Then I have no more questions, Your Honor. 444 00:32:25,880 --> 00:32:28,500 I call Mr. John Flickinger to the stand, please. 445 00:32:43,820 --> 00:32:45,180 Mr. Mason said what? 446 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:48,780 He wanted you to know that your uncle, Uncle Flick, is here now. 447 00:32:49,220 --> 00:32:53,200 And he'll keep him here with something called a subpoena for just as long as 448 00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:54,520 want. Why? 449 00:32:55,200 --> 00:33:00,080 I'm not scared of... Miles, all I know is there's some sort of a secret between 450 00:33:00,080 --> 00:33:01,360 you and Mr. Mason, isn't there? 451 00:33:02,020 --> 00:33:03,020 A secret? 452 00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:04,560 Yes, Miles. 453 00:33:04,940 --> 00:33:08,520 About something that you might know that could help your Aunt Sylvia. 454 00:33:11,880 --> 00:33:14,760 Miles, you'd be a lot happier if you'd just tell Mr. Mason. 455 00:33:15,520 --> 00:33:16,800 Please, I don't know anything. 456 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:19,400 Well, look, honey. 457 00:33:19,980 --> 00:33:22,180 Mr. Mason just wanted you to have this number. 458 00:33:22,660 --> 00:33:24,760 And they can call him to the phone any time. 459 00:33:38,400 --> 00:33:42,560 I didn't know my sister came home at 8 o 'clock or 8 .15. I tell you, I was out 460 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:43,560 looking for the kid. 461 00:33:43,710 --> 00:33:45,810 But you knew the boy was at the movies, didn't you? 462 00:33:46,030 --> 00:33:50,490 I didn't want to tell her. I knew, I mean, that I passed him the money. I 463 00:33:50,490 --> 00:33:52,570 that I just walked around, that's all. 464 00:33:52,950 --> 00:33:54,510 I knew he'd be home pretty quick. 465 00:33:54,730 --> 00:33:56,610 It was your sister's money, I suppose. What? 466 00:33:57,150 --> 00:34:00,290 Well, hasn't your sister been supporting you since you were fired from your last 467 00:34:00,290 --> 00:34:01,650 job, your trucking job? 468 00:34:02,550 --> 00:34:04,990 I got this bad back, see. 469 00:34:05,970 --> 00:34:06,970 Service disability. 470 00:34:08,389 --> 00:34:10,710 Driving a truck, you... Be careful now. 471 00:34:11,190 --> 00:34:14,969 I have information from the Veterans Hospital that there's nothing really 472 00:34:14,969 --> 00:34:15,969 with your back. 473 00:34:16,590 --> 00:34:20,290 They also have a notation that reads, record of malingering. 474 00:34:20,730 --> 00:34:23,830 Well, you can't always tell about these bad discs. 475 00:34:24,050 --> 00:34:25,130 No, you can't. 476 00:34:26,330 --> 00:34:27,610 But just tell us this. 477 00:34:28,330 --> 00:34:31,010 Who was it that fired you from your trucking job? 478 00:34:31,230 --> 00:34:34,389 Fired you for reporting to work drunk? 479 00:34:40,010 --> 00:34:44,310 There was, uh... Mr. 480 00:34:44,510 --> 00:34:45,670 Dowling fired me. 481 00:34:56,830 --> 00:35:01,750 Yes. I've examined the company records, those books that Mr. Dowling was working 482 00:35:01,750 --> 00:35:05,190 on the night he was killed, as thoroughly as possible, Mr. Berger. And 483 00:35:05,190 --> 00:35:06,810 the exact shortage or loss? 484 00:35:07,450 --> 00:35:09,730 In last year's operation of that branch office. 485 00:35:09,970 --> 00:35:13,410 The total came to just a little less than $50 ,000. 486 00:35:13,890 --> 00:35:17,650 But that doesn't mean it's been stolen or embezzled or anything like that. 487 00:35:17,710 --> 00:35:22,850 There's no record to positively indicate that the books have been doctored by, 488 00:35:22,950 --> 00:35:24,210 say, Mrs. 489 00:35:24,450 --> 00:35:25,348 Thompson there. 490 00:35:25,350 --> 00:35:30,090 Really? You just admitted one $700 item that you found, didn't you? 491 00:35:30,370 --> 00:35:34,510 Well, that could be very easily the transferring of monies from one account 492 00:35:34,510 --> 00:35:35,510 the other, that's all. 493 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:38,180 How much proof do you need of embezzlement, Mr. Horner? 494 00:35:38,380 --> 00:35:40,340 Your Honor. I'll withdraw the question, Your Honor. 495 00:35:41,060 --> 00:35:44,220 Did you speak to Joe Downing the day he died, Mr. Horner? 496 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:50,060 Yes, he called me in Los Angeles at about 7 .30 that night. That may well 497 00:35:50,060 --> 00:35:51,800 been his last conversation with anyone. 498 00:35:52,420 --> 00:35:56,060 Would you tell us what he said to you, sir? His exact words, if you can 499 00:35:56,060 --> 00:35:57,038 them. 500 00:35:57,040 --> 00:36:01,840 Well, he said that he would tell me more about it in the morning, but that it 501 00:36:01,840 --> 00:36:04,880 looked like he might have to fire Sylvia for... 502 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:08,260 As he put it, dipping to the till. 503 00:36:09,960 --> 00:36:10,960 Your witness. 504 00:36:12,140 --> 00:36:13,620 Let's get this clear, Mr. Hohner. 505 00:36:14,180 --> 00:36:19,020 Have either you or the accountants that have been called in found any clear 506 00:36:19,020 --> 00:36:20,480 record of actual theft? 507 00:36:20,880 --> 00:36:21,880 No, we have not. 508 00:36:22,140 --> 00:36:26,340 So you'd be prepared to write off this $50 ,000 loss as what? 509 00:36:26,580 --> 00:36:27,580 Carelessness? 510 00:36:27,780 --> 00:36:28,780 Bad business? 511 00:36:29,240 --> 00:36:33,180 Mismanagement? I guess that's probably what it was. Which, Mr. Hohner? 512 00:36:34,180 --> 00:36:38,960 Mismanagement. But wouldn't mismanagement have been the fault of 513 00:36:38,960 --> 00:36:39,960 than the defendant? 514 00:36:40,060 --> 00:36:43,480 Well, it certainly would have. Bill Sheridan's the man in charge out there. 515 00:36:43,840 --> 00:36:45,800 Why isn't there a more complete record? 516 00:36:46,080 --> 00:36:49,540 Is there a possibility that more than money was stolen the night before the 517 00:36:49,540 --> 00:36:53,020 murder? Is it possible that the theft from the safe was only a cover for the 518 00:36:53,020 --> 00:36:54,020 destruction of records? 519 00:36:55,020 --> 00:36:58,620 Records which would have proved someone's criminal action. 520 00:36:59,820 --> 00:37:02,540 I'd say that was a definite possibility. 521 00:37:19,950 --> 00:37:21,530 Sylvia Thompson and I were friends. 522 00:37:22,050 --> 00:37:23,050 That's all. 523 00:37:23,450 --> 00:37:26,190 Sure, I took her out a few times in the last few months, but nothing serious. 524 00:37:27,230 --> 00:37:31,750 I mean, life can get pretty dull in a place like that. But she did help you 525 00:37:31,750 --> 00:37:34,350 with a gambling debt once or twice. Didn't she say that? 526 00:37:34,570 --> 00:37:38,170 Yes. Yes, and I'll be the first to admit that. And blame myself, too. 527 00:37:38,410 --> 00:37:40,830 And she did this by manipulating your office accounts. 528 00:37:41,250 --> 00:37:43,790 Oh, come on. There's nothing wrong with that. You heard what Mr. Honus said. 529 00:37:43,990 --> 00:37:47,470 Then why didn't you do it yourself, Mr. Sheridan? If you were the man in charge, 530 00:37:47,530 --> 00:37:48,810 if the funds were available to you? 531 00:37:50,279 --> 00:37:52,960 Well, frankly, I wouldn't have known how. 532 00:37:53,840 --> 00:37:56,100 You don't know anything about bookkeeping, Mr. Sheridan? 533 00:37:56,740 --> 00:37:57,740 No. 534 00:37:58,560 --> 00:38:00,800 No, I'm afraid I don't even know how to work an adding machine. 535 00:38:01,820 --> 00:38:04,700 Now, I couldn't juggle an expense account any more than I could juggle an 536 00:38:04,700 --> 00:38:05,700 elephant. 537 00:38:30,640 --> 00:38:34,620 Mr. Sheridan, you testified that you left the office around 7 o 'clock. Look, 538 00:38:34,640 --> 00:38:37,440 how many times do I have to tell you? Yet my investigator reports that you 539 00:38:37,440 --> 00:38:39,980 weren't located by the police until after 9. 540 00:38:40,700 --> 00:38:44,000 I can prove that I didn't kill Joe Downing if that's what you're driving 541 00:38:44,440 --> 00:38:46,600 I was having dinner and a couple of drinks. 542 00:38:47,960 --> 00:38:51,700 You're quite sure you can prove that, Mr. Sheridan? Yes, I'm quite sure I can 543 00:38:51,700 --> 00:38:52,700 prove that, Mr. Mason. 544 00:38:53,140 --> 00:38:54,900 If you don't believe me, you can ask her. 545 00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:57,600 Ask Miss Francis. 546 00:39:14,830 --> 00:39:16,110 I didn't have any drinks. 547 00:39:17,490 --> 00:39:21,090 But... But just to satisfy Mr. Mason, you were with Mr. Sheridan. 548 00:39:23,050 --> 00:39:24,650 I was with Mr. 549 00:39:24,890 --> 00:39:27,450 Sheridan. I told you, they don't allow kids in the courtroom. 550 00:39:27,890 --> 00:39:32,190 If there's something you want to give someone, I'll, uh... Hey! 551 00:39:32,670 --> 00:39:36,310 Miss Francis, you say you telephoned Miss Thompson shortly after seven. 552 00:39:36,550 --> 00:39:37,550 Yes. 553 00:39:37,690 --> 00:39:41,410 I thought it only fair that Sylvia had the chance to explain matters to Mr. 554 00:39:41,590 --> 00:39:43,130 Downing before you arrived. That's all. 555 00:39:43,400 --> 00:39:45,860 Didn't you just want to get her back to the office? 556 00:39:46,520 --> 00:39:47,700 I beg your pardon? 557 00:39:48,060 --> 00:39:51,880 You heard the doctor testify that the time of death is always difficult to 558 00:39:51,880 --> 00:39:52,880 determine. 559 00:39:53,040 --> 00:39:54,240 I don't understand. 560 00:39:54,760 --> 00:39:56,300 Couldn't you have killed Joe Downing? 561 00:39:56,940 --> 00:40:00,900 Couldn't you have then tried to involve the defendant in... Mr. Mason, let's get 562 00:40:00,900 --> 00:40:02,140 something clear right now. 563 00:40:02,440 --> 00:40:04,800 I have never fired a gun in my life. 564 00:40:05,200 --> 00:40:06,200 Mr. Mason! 565 00:40:29,040 --> 00:40:30,080 the box under the house. 566 00:40:30,620 --> 00:40:34,180 I was afraid to go near it again because I was sure Uncle Flick might see me. 567 00:40:34,520 --> 00:40:36,020 But then the tail went and got it. 568 00:40:36,480 --> 00:40:37,860 And that's all there is, I guess. 569 00:40:38,680 --> 00:40:41,160 I mean, I didn't think I'd have to tell it to everybody. 570 00:40:42,620 --> 00:40:44,740 Well, you've done the right thing, young man. I want to thank you. 571 00:40:45,200 --> 00:40:46,019 Here it is. 572 00:40:46,020 --> 00:40:46,979 Thank you. 573 00:40:46,980 --> 00:40:50,260 Now, suppose you go in the other room and wait for Mr. Mason. 574 00:40:54,700 --> 00:40:58,340 Well, Hamilton, quite a confused case you have here. 575 00:40:58,600 --> 00:40:59,720 I don't think so, Your Honor. 576 00:41:00,140 --> 00:41:04,120 It's the murder gun, all right. Has the lab test fired it? Yes, they have, and 577 00:41:04,120 --> 00:41:06,800 now they're positive. Both bullets were fired from the same gun. 578 00:41:07,120 --> 00:41:08,680 There were no fingerprints, of course. 579 00:41:08,880 --> 00:41:09,880 There never are. 580 00:41:10,320 --> 00:41:13,060 But they also checked the box he hid it in, Perry. 581 00:41:13,280 --> 00:41:14,280 All right, now, never mind. 582 00:41:15,020 --> 00:41:16,960 I don't want to hear any more of this until it's evidence. 583 00:41:18,420 --> 00:41:20,860 I'll go back in court and declare recess until tomorrow morning. 584 00:41:21,500 --> 00:41:22,500 Is that what you want? 585 00:41:22,740 --> 00:41:24,680 Yes. We'll clear this up fast, Your Honor. 586 00:41:27,120 --> 00:41:29,960 Very well, gentlemen. I wouldn't be too sure, Hamilton. 587 00:41:30,300 --> 00:41:32,280 That boy's uncle has a lot of explaining to do. 588 00:41:32,880 --> 00:41:35,040 All right, Perry, we'll go hear what he has to say now. 589 00:41:35,880 --> 00:41:41,720 But even if he did help her that night, even if he was her accomplice, it was 590 00:41:41,720 --> 00:41:44,240 Sylvia Thompson's fingerprints they found in that shoebox. 591 00:41:48,720 --> 00:41:52,680 I certainly hope you never have to explain to those two what you made the 592 00:41:52,680 --> 00:41:53,680 to her. 593 00:41:54,800 --> 00:41:57,420 But it's the truth, Mr. Berger. Same as I told your assistant. 594 00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:02,000 Pitch dark it was in here. So dark I couldn't even see my own nose. I just 595 00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:03,120 through this gate here. 596 00:42:03,540 --> 00:42:06,940 Sergeant, are you sure there was absolutely no evidence of how the thief 597 00:42:06,940 --> 00:42:08,000 into the building that night? 598 00:42:08,240 --> 00:42:11,720 All right, all right. So I borrowed my sister's keys once in a while. But I 599 00:42:11,720 --> 00:42:12,720 wasn't going to steal anything. 600 00:42:13,020 --> 00:42:17,600 I didn't even see the safe was open. How could I? Black is the inside of it. 601 00:42:17,680 --> 00:42:21,140 Now, there's a likely story. That safe was open for over an hour. I was sitting 602 00:42:21,140 --> 00:42:23,120 right... Oh, no, you weren't. Listen to me. 603 00:42:23,580 --> 00:42:27,440 This thing jabs into my backseat and I grab for it. And his voice is hands up 604 00:42:27,440 --> 00:42:31,520 and I grab for his gun. Only then we fall down and the gun goes off. I don't 605 00:42:31,520 --> 00:42:33,420 know whether I shot him or not. Well, I run. 606 00:42:33,920 --> 00:42:35,140 That's what I do, wouldn't you? 607 00:42:35,640 --> 00:42:38,480 And I didn't take a single dollar from this place. 608 00:42:38,800 --> 00:42:39,800 I swear it. 609 00:42:41,060 --> 00:42:43,860 He must have taken it after I left. Him right there. 610 00:42:44,120 --> 00:42:45,640 Bill Sheridan. You're a liar. 611 00:42:45,980 --> 00:42:46,980 You're a liar. 612 00:42:53,070 --> 00:42:54,690 You must have come in here to steal something. 613 00:42:54,930 --> 00:42:58,010 I ain't gonna say one more word till I get a lawyer of my own, see? 614 00:42:58,730 --> 00:43:05,390 But in my mind, abstractedly, that is, borrowing a bottle from a man's desk for 615 00:43:05,390 --> 00:43:08,090 a little after -dinner drink just ain't grand theft. 616 00:43:08,590 --> 00:43:09,710 It ain't. See? 617 00:43:10,230 --> 00:43:11,230 Hurry. 618 00:43:15,030 --> 00:43:17,790 It looks like I made a mistake having them out here together. 619 00:43:18,610 --> 00:43:21,070 Not at all. I think they're both telling you the truth, Hamilton. 620 00:43:21,870 --> 00:43:25,810 What? Just as I think Sylvia Thompson told the truth when she said that 621 00:43:25,810 --> 00:43:29,150 was empty when she handled it half an hour before the killing. Oh, now, look, 622 00:43:29,210 --> 00:43:30,210 Perry. 623 00:43:30,270 --> 00:43:33,870 Maybe Fleck got the gun like he said and threw it away like he said. 624 00:43:34,630 --> 00:43:38,450 And maybe the kid found it and hid it under the house like he said. 625 00:43:39,030 --> 00:43:43,750 But later on, that same gun killed Donnie and then flew right back into the 626 00:43:43,750 --> 00:43:49,050 shoebox. So who else but Sylvia or her brother or the two of them in cahoots 627 00:43:49,050 --> 00:43:51,170 could possibly have told it? 628 00:43:53,800 --> 00:43:56,200 Well, Mr. Baker, here we are. 629 00:43:56,860 --> 00:44:02,240 Hamilton, I asked you to have Mr. Hohner bring Miss Francis here because I think 630 00:44:02,240 --> 00:44:06,100 everybody is telling us the truth and probably will continue telling us the 631 00:44:06,100 --> 00:44:07,260 truth. Good heavens. 632 00:44:07,540 --> 00:44:08,920 What a thing to live up to. 633 00:44:09,400 --> 00:44:10,400 Wait a minute. 634 00:44:11,240 --> 00:44:17,040 Hamilton, if you believe the building was dark the night that 635 00:44:17,040 --> 00:44:19,100 Flick ended it, 636 00:44:20,140 --> 00:44:23,600 Then Bill Sheridan must have already been unconscious on the floor. 637 00:44:23,940 --> 00:44:26,760 Someone else must have hit him over the head and rifled the safe. 638 00:44:27,260 --> 00:44:30,860 The same person who jabbed the gun into Flick's back and then lost it to him in 639 00:44:30,860 --> 00:44:32,420 the wrestling match in the dark. 640 00:44:33,000 --> 00:44:33,859 Go on. 641 00:44:33,860 --> 00:44:37,340 Well, don't you think that person would have been pretty anxious to recover the 642 00:44:37,340 --> 00:44:40,880 gun? Been afraid of fingerprints or other identification? 643 00:44:41,300 --> 00:44:44,300 You mean whoever it was followed Flick? 644 00:44:44,840 --> 00:44:46,360 Maybe spotted him searching? 645 00:44:46,910 --> 00:44:48,650 Finally spotted the kid and the box. 646 00:44:48,870 --> 00:44:51,710 And later that night, stole the gun back from where the boy had hidden it. 647 00:44:51,970 --> 00:44:53,310 Perry, what is this? 648 00:44:53,630 --> 00:44:55,970 Miss Francis, think carefully. 649 00:44:57,070 --> 00:45:00,890 Were the records out here thoroughly audited before Bill Sheridan took over 650 00:45:00,890 --> 00:45:01,890 manager last year? 651 00:45:01,910 --> 00:45:04,130 No. No, they weren't, Mr. Mason. 652 00:45:04,410 --> 00:45:07,030 Now, hold on, Perry. Will you stick to one subject, please? 653 00:45:07,250 --> 00:45:08,250 That's what I'm doing. 654 00:45:08,770 --> 00:45:10,710 Because it's murder we're concerned with. 655 00:45:11,250 --> 00:45:15,690 And hiding a $50 ,000 theft from your own company is a pretty good motive. 656 00:45:16,590 --> 00:45:17,810 Don't you think so, Miss Francis? 657 00:45:18,810 --> 00:45:20,390 Yes, I suppose it is. 658 00:45:20,610 --> 00:45:24,650 Allowing a bad manager to slowly mess up the business is one way of hiding it. 659 00:45:25,090 --> 00:45:27,930 Staging a phony robbery is a quicker way to get rid of records. 660 00:45:28,990 --> 00:45:33,830 Oh, now look here, Parrish. But events had started moving too fast, hadn't 661 00:45:34,730 --> 00:45:39,650 Sudden possibility of selling the company made Joe Downing keep on 662 00:45:40,110 --> 00:45:41,110 Straight to the truth. 663 00:45:41,330 --> 00:45:45,190 But Mr. Downing thought that it was Sylvia Thompson who was responsible for 664 00:45:45,210 --> 00:45:46,210 Did he? 665 00:45:46,640 --> 00:45:52,000 Or did he just want to get her part of things absolutely clear before he 666 00:45:52,000 --> 00:45:53,500 the only person who could have been responsible? 667 00:45:54,280 --> 00:45:57,320 The man who built up this branch and ran it originally. 668 00:45:57,680 --> 00:46:00,880 His own partner. That's why I asked about the audit, Miss Francis. 669 00:46:02,220 --> 00:46:07,020 Now, isn't it possible that this branch was $50 ,000 short before Bill Sheridan 670 00:46:07,020 --> 00:46:08,020 took over? 671 00:46:08,040 --> 00:46:14,980 Mr. Honan, the day after the robbery, you let my secretary think that you'd 672 00:46:14,980 --> 00:46:15,980 been in San Francisco. 673 00:46:16,520 --> 00:46:20,500 But my investigator, Paul Drake, can't find any record of it. 674 00:46:20,820 --> 00:46:26,800 Now, weren't you actually out here both of those nights? 675 00:46:27,820 --> 00:46:29,680 Right here in this office? 676 00:46:30,860 --> 00:46:33,080 Answer him, Frank. Say something. 677 00:46:36,180 --> 00:46:37,180 Answer him. 678 00:46:38,180 --> 00:46:40,260 He knows I can't do that. 679 00:46:45,610 --> 00:46:46,770 but I still don't understand. 680 00:46:47,010 --> 00:46:49,050 How did the gun get back in the shoebox? 681 00:46:49,790 --> 00:46:53,270 Well, after the murder, it occurred to Frank Hohner that if he put the gun back 682 00:46:53,270 --> 00:46:58,030 where he found it the night before, possibly Sylvia and maybe Flick would be 683 00:46:58,030 --> 00:46:59,270 blamed for what he'd done. 684 00:47:00,530 --> 00:47:02,310 I make such a nice patsy, don't I? 685 00:47:02,610 --> 00:47:04,310 Oh, now, Sylvia. No, please. 686 00:47:05,810 --> 00:47:09,050 I want you to understand, Mr. Mason, I've told my brother to go jump in the 687 00:47:09,050 --> 00:47:10,049 ocean. 688 00:47:10,050 --> 00:47:11,970 You don't think I'm going to object to that, do you? 689 00:47:12,750 --> 00:47:13,750 No, but... 690 00:47:14,290 --> 00:47:19,250 Well, I want you to realize that when a person starts feeling too sorry for 691 00:47:19,250 --> 00:47:25,170 herself, well, for what's happened to her life, when she makes one mistake 692 00:47:25,170 --> 00:47:28,930 another... Now, Sylvia, don't tell me about Bill Sheridan. 693 00:47:29,450 --> 00:47:30,570 Don't tell me about his thing. 694 00:47:33,730 --> 00:47:35,370 Hi, Mr. Mason. You know what? 695 00:47:35,650 --> 00:47:37,270 Never mind. Wait a minute. Let me tell him. 696 00:47:37,890 --> 00:47:42,890 Harry, now, I have you know, there are exactly 322 steps... 697 00:47:43,150 --> 00:47:44,150 Up to this floor. 698 00:47:44,530 --> 00:47:46,010 Oh, Miles, no. 699 00:47:46,750 --> 00:47:48,470 Sure, Mr. Mason. It's true. 700 00:47:49,470 --> 00:47:50,470 All right, Miles. 701 00:47:51,190 --> 00:47:53,070 Now it's time to go home with your Aunt Sylvia. 702 00:47:53,370 --> 00:47:55,650 Sure, I know that. We're having apple turnover. 703 00:47:56,010 --> 00:47:59,330 But she can wait in the car, can't she? Mr. Drake said it was all right. 704 00:47:59,590 --> 00:48:00,590 Oh? 705 00:48:01,150 --> 00:48:02,150 What's all this about? 706 00:48:03,570 --> 00:48:05,670 Oh, just a little bet, Perry. That's all. 707 00:48:06,270 --> 00:48:08,910 See how many steps you count going down the fire stairs.