Original subtitles

Ah!

Pull him out of there.

Lift him up.

I think his leg is broken.

In view of the laxity with which the prosecution has

presented its case against the accused,

I regret I have no alternative other than to dismiss the case

and discharge the defendant, Edward Clayton.

Court adjourned.

What was the matter, Dan?

What went wrong?

I'm sorry, Sam.

I can't tell you here.

But you're the best prosecutor on the DA's staff.

I thought you'd get a conviction easy.

Didn't I get enough evidence?

You did a swell job, Sam.

It's not your fault.

Hey, Dan.

Thanks for the break.

But if you could only give me some explanation, Dan.

It was an open and shut case.

I know that.

And you knew it was the first good chance

we've had at any of those fake accident racketeers.

Why, I could understand it if you were a new man,

prosecuting your first case.

You must have had some reason.

Tell me what it was.

I can't.

Not now.

And under the circumstances, there's only

one thing for me to do, resign.

You know I don't want that, Dan.

Why don't you think it over?

I have.

Goodbye.

And thanks.

Well, I don't understand it, Silsby.

Why the district attorney promised full cooperation.

We've had to contend with public indifference and jury...

Dan Adams sold out.

Well, what else is there to believe?

I don't know.

...that he didn't consider the case serious

enough, merely taking the average man's attitude that,

I don't care if an insurance company gets stuck.

They have plenty of money.

A layman might believe that, but not a man from the district

attorney's office.

Why, I went over our reports with Harrison myself.

I showed him how nearly every company had to double

their public liability rates, how the motoring public alone

has to pay 15 millions of dollars

a year added premiums just because of these fake accident

racketeers.

And he passed that information on to Adams.

Well, he told me he did.

Everything bit of it.

Well, Adams threw the case.

That's the only word for it.

It's taught us one thing.

We'll have to depend more on our own legal department

after this.

Yes, provided we get another chance as good as this one.

Yes?

A Mr. Daniel Adams to see you.

Adams?

What do you suppose he wants?

It should be interesting to find out.

Show him in.

You want me to stay?

No, I'll see you later.

Mr. Adams?

Yes.

Well, I hardly expected a visit from you after what

happened in court yesterday.

I came here to explain that, Mr. Curtis.

That's very thoughtful of you.

But I think your actions explained themselves.

I deliberately threw the case against Edward Clayton

because he's really Edward Adams, my brother.

What?

I'm not trying to justify my actions.

I've already resigned from the district attorney's office.

But I intend to make up for what I did by trying to smash

the whole fake accident ring.

And with your cooperation, I believe I can.

With my cooperation?

Yes.

I want to position on your legal staff.

And I want the assignment of running those men down.

Sit down, Mr. Adams.

Thank you.

And imagine the nerve of the man coming

here, after the Clayton case.

What do you supposed Mr. Curtis is saying to him?

Plenty, if I know Mr. Curtis.

I'd like to meet that Mr. Adams and give

him a piece of my mind.

He isn't worth the bother, Miss Carter, just another crook.

How can a man sink so low?

Ah, some men have no pride in their professions.

I have more respect for the racketeers

than I have for a sneak like that.

And I, Miss Carter.

Me, too.

I'd like to walk up to that fellow and say, Adams... uh, oh.

Mr. Silsby.

Mr. Adams is to join our legal staff.

Mr. Adams?

Why...

Mr. Adams is to work as special investigator

and take his instructions from me.

How do you do, Mr. Silsby?

How do you do?

Mr. Adams, Mr. Johnson.

How do you do, Mr. Johnson?

How do you do, I'm sure.

And Miss Carter, Mr. Adams.

How do you do?

Miss Carter is in charge of our claims adjustment department.

I see.

You'll find that she can be very helpful to you.

You'll cooperate with Mr. Adams in every way you can,

Miss Carter?

Yes, sir.

You may use this desk and call on me

for anything else you may need.

Thank you, Mr. Curtis.

Miss Carter, Mr. Curtis told me you have some theories

about the fake accident racket.

I should be interested in hearing them.

I doubt if you'd find them very interesting, Mr. Adams.

But of course, I... Miss Carter.

Yes, Mr. Adams?

Mr. Curtis told me you have a file of questionable cases.

I'd like to see it please.

Certainly.

Here they are, alphabetically listed by name of claimant,

cross indexed under name of attending physician, lawyer

handling case, type and nature of injury,

summary of the claim, the disposition and judgment.

This gives you the main file number for reference

to complete case history.

The individual vouchers are filed over there.

Is there anything else, Mr. Adams?

No, not at present, thank you very much,

Oh, it's you.

What do you want?

You and I are going to have a little talk.

Maybe I don't feel like talking to you.

Go on, beat it.

I haven't got anything to say to you.

Would you rather talk to the police?

All right.

There, madam, is the effect I hope to achieve.

Delph blue and sweeping, lovely lines.

For contrast...

Russet, to carry and mirror the warmth of your personality.

And for highlight, majolica.

How perfectly exquisite.

I know I'll simply adore it.

One cannot but be inspired, creating for your background,

madam.

If we can make an appointment tomorrow, Mrs. Russell,

I shall be more thoroughly prepared to discuss the plans

I have for your guest chambers.

Eddie, why didn't you call last night?

I had some things to attend to.

Besides, I can't kiss you over a phone.

Got a light?

I don't smoke those things.

They're terrible.

Well, what are they here for?

To impress the customers.

Here.

Duke told me how lucky you were in court.

Yeah, that was a sweet break.

You will quit now, won't you, Eddie?

Oh, Tonya.

But you promised me.

I know, but I've got to have a bank

roll before we can get hitched.

We have enough now, enough to go someplace else

and open up a shop like this.

An antique shop, me?

But there's loads of money in it.

And I know the business now.

The only really way to get dough out of antiques

is to sell them phony oil stock.

Eddie, I'm serious.

I love you so much and I'm so afraid that someday...

All right, honey.

I'll pull out of this racket.

When?

I'll talk it over with the Duke now.

Talk what over?

A little business.

All right, kid.

I'll see you in a minute.

Tonya, you better straighten up the salon,

handle any customers that come in.

Very well.

Hi, boss.

Is everything set?

Yeah.

How do you like the get up?

I got the cab out back.

Fine.

Why didn't you park it in front, give

the police a little more help. - Ah.

Did you have any trouble getting the job?

Not a bit.

See?

Chauffeur's license, company card, and everything.

OK, OK.

Get that cab on the streets and keep out of trouble.

What did you find out?

Boss, I spotted a new excavation this morning,

and I was thinking maybe Pop could do a nip up in...

Don't waste your time trying to think.

Just do what you're paid for.

Where's Daisy?

Last time I seen her, she was sitting in her wheelchair,

sobering up.

I think she's out...

All right, skip it.

All right, let's deal a new one.

Well, what's on your mind, kid?

Got a new angle?

Brand new one, Duke.

I want to check out,

Out of the gang?

Why?

Well, that trial came kind of close.

I'm getting hot in this town.

Anyway, I promised a couple of people I would.

Who did you promise?

Tonya, for one.

Tonya?

Who else?

My brother, Dan.

Your brother?

He came to see me last night, got me out of bed,

gave me one of those big brother stories.

He promised me a trip up the river if I didn't go straight.

How much did you tell him?

I didn't tell him anything.

I wouldn't squeal on the gang.

You know that.

I just promised him to go straight.

I had to.

Scared of the DA's office, hey?

He's not there anymore.

He resigned yesterday.

Oh?

Now he's signed up with some insurance company.

He swears he's going to this racket wide open.

And you let that worry you.

Well, now that I've been to court.

You weren't convicted, were you?

Well, we're taking lots of chances, Duke.

Using the same flop artist over and over.

That's out from now on.

I've made arrangements to swap the ones

we've been using for some useful bucks from St. Louis.

Yeah?

Yeah, I telephoned long distance

to Scarletti last night.

He runs the racket there.

And I'm working out the same kind a deal

with the boys from Los Angeles and New Orleans.

Say, you figure all the angles, don't you?

Ah, that's only the beginning.

Eddie, I got some big things lined up for you.

Have you?

You bet I have.

No more mugging around, running risks of being picked up.

From now on, you're working with me.

You're going to be my assistant.

Well, that kind of puts a new slant on it, Duke.

I knew you were a smart kid.

Now listen, I want you to line me

up some real accident victims.

Real ones?

You mean people who've been hurt on the level?

Yeah, and the more serious, the better.

What if Dan finds out I'm still in on the racket?

Say, will you forget about that brother of yours?

I'll see that he leaves you alone.

Now look, see if you can find me a woman who...

I haven't had time do a great deal of investigating,

but I am convinced, at least to my own satisfaction

that half of these claims are fraudulent.

Have you any plan of action?

Yes I have.

In going over these suspicious cases,

I found that most of them are handled

by Russick, Collins, and Allen.

Furthermore, Russick personally represented all the claimants.

Isn't that more or less natural?

They specialize in insurance cases.

Yes, I know.

But from some of the reports on these cases...

Any particular one?

Yes.

I've been looking into the Walters claim.

Oh, that case is legitimate.

Russick's coming up there in a day or two

to make a little adjustment.

Mr. Curtis, will you do me a favor?

Why, certainly.

Don't give him a check until I say so.

Well, very well, I won't.

But, you know, I...

Meanwhile, I think I'll call on Mr. Russick.

Yes?

Miss Carter would like to see you, Mr. Curtis.

Oh, have her come in.

Well, this is a bigger proposition

than appears on the surface.

Adams, we're up against both brains and organization.

Come right in, Miss Carter.

Mr. Adams was just leaving.

Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Curtis.

Here are those report you asked for, Mr. Curtis.

Thank you.

Oh, uh, how are you and Adams getting along, Carla?

Very well, I suppose, only...

Only what?

Nothing, nothing at all.

Was there anything else you wanted?

Yes, I want to hear what you were going to say.

Why did you hire Adams when you knew

how he threw the Clayton case?

Oh, so that's it, hey?

Oh, I know it's none of my business, but...

Sit down, young lady.

In justice to Adams, you ought to know the whole story.

Russick, Collin, and Allen.

I'm sorry, Mr. Russick can't be disturbed.

Russick, Collin, and Allen.

Just a moment.

Judge Andrews of the Bar Association

calling, Mr. Russick.

Yes, sir.

Hello.

I'm awfully sorry, sir, but Mr. Russick isn't in right now.

If you could call back, say in half an hour or so?

Thank you.

Russick, Collin, and Allen.

Oh, yes, Mr. Trotti.

Mr. Trotti calling.

Go right ahead, Mr. Trotti.

Evidently this Mr. Trotti is a very

important personage, isn't he?

Yes, Mr. Trotti is a very important interior decorator

and one of our very best clients.

Obviously.

Did you say you wanted to consult Mr. Russick

about a case of some kind?

Not exactly a case.

I just want... I'll uh... I'll be at Trotti's if anything

urgent arises, Miss Brooks.

Yes, Mr. Russick.

Oh hello, Adams.

Hi, Mr. Russick.

You want to see me?

Yes, yes, I want to talk to you about the Walters claim.

Oh, that's right.

You are with Consolidated now, aren't you?

- Yes, I am. - Well, I'm glad to hear it.

I hope you make good. Thank you.

Now, about the claim.

I'm sorry, old man, but I'm in a bit of a rush.

I'll be dropping into Consolidated in a day or so

and I'll see you then, hey?

Well, best of luck, old man.

Best of luck.

Goodbye.

Did you say you wanted to consult

Mr. Russick about a case?

No, I didn't.

But just a moment.

I have to fill out this appointment card.

I'm sorry there's been such a delay on this Walters

case, Mr. Russick, but frankly, we've

had some question about it.

Do you want to take it into court?

No.

I don't think that will be necessary.

Oh, very smart on your part.

If I put that poor young woman on the witness stand,

it would cost you five times more than I'm asking now.

Well, you're asking plenty as it is.

A mere pittance compared to her suffering.

A beautiful young bride, confined to a wheelchair

since the accident.

And even the doctors don't know how long

it'll be before she'll recover.

Hm.

Yes, sir.

Tell Adams that Mr. Russick's in my office.

The Walters claim.

Yes, sir.

Adams?

What has he to do with this?

Oh, merely a matter of routine.

He's an attorney for the company.

More red tape, hey?

Well, I'm due in court in an hour.

I hope this doesn't take too long.

It won't.

Hello, Mr. Russick.

Well, what's all that for?

Motion picture projector, 16 millimeter,

you know, and this is a screen.

Obviously.

Amateur photography is one of my hobbies.

I thought you might be interested.

If this is your idea of a joke, Mr. Curtis,

I'm afraid I don't see the point.

You will.

I haven't any time to waste on nonsense.

I'm a busy man.

Do you want to close the Walters claim now

or shall I take it into court?

No, we'll close it right now, Mr. Russick.

As I recall, the claim you filed,

Mrs. Walters' car was struck by one of our assureds.

She suffered with a dislocated hip, a fractured shoulder,

internal injuries...

And severe suffering, both mental and physical.

Why the poor woman is still in agony

and has been ever since the accident.

Of course, of course, and we don't object

to paying legitimate claims.

But with so many fraudulent suits

as there have been recently...

Mr. Curtis, is this man speaking as a representative

for your company?

He is.

Then permit me to tell you that he's making your firm

liable for a slander suit.

My practice has always been reputable,

my name one of the most reputable in the city.

But you could be imposed upon, couldn't you?

A man with my experience?

Ridiculous.

Oh, I've had enough of this idiocy.

I came here to close the Walters claim.

Now won't you be patient and sit down?

We're going to close it right now.

In just a moment.

There we go.

This is your client, Miss Walters, I believe.

It is.

Why, you can see for yourself how pitiful her condition is.

Yes, indeed.

Have you ever heard of a telephoto lens, Mr. Russick?

I believe that I have.

Wonderful invention.

It enables you to take a picture at a distance,

without your subject realizing it.

That's how I got this next shot.

That's still your client, isn't it?

Why, why, yes.

Rather rapid recovery, isn't it?

You see the headline in that newspaper?

That was published yesterday.

We could prove in court when the picture was taken.

Oh, there's Sam Beldon.

You know him, the detective.

That's a pictures from the rogues gallery he's holding.

It's of a professional flop artist

that the police know as Dislocation Daisy.

But then we know her as Mrs. Walters, don't we?

All right.

Show's over.

Hope you enjoyed it, Mr. Russick.

I don't know what to say.

I never was so startled in all my life.

To think that I was fooled by that innocent looking woman.

I never dreamed that... Why if I had

thought for one moment that...

We realize that.

We wouldn't dream of accusing you, Mr. Russick.

Certainly not.

Good day, gentlemen.

Good day.

Nice work, Adams.

Thank you, Mr. Curtis.

That sounds excellent, Duke, excellent,

provided that you find the right victim, uh, subject.

Eddie's lining one up now, a young widow with a kid.

She fell off a step ladder the day before yesterday

and busted her leg.

Splendid.

Will she make a good witness?

She hasn't a dime.

She'd lie herself black in the face to save

her kid from going hungry.

We promised her $500 if we win the claim.

To join suit against the taxi company and Car Line.

It's a natural, Duke.

You'll be sure there aren't any slip ups.

You know what Adams did it to the Walter frame up.

I don't forget things like that.

It's time Mr Adams was spoken to gently.

You think you two boys can handle it?

It would be a pleasure, boss.

Good evening.

Oh, hello.

Oh, I'll get these things out of your way.

Don't move them.

If you're going to do any work...

I thought perhaps I could help you.

May I?

Oh, well, I guess I can muddle through.

I have the hang of these files now.

But I want to help.

Really?

I want to make up for the way I've treated you.

But you haven't.

I've been absolutely hateful because I

didn't know the whole truth.

Please forgive me.

Oh, there's nothing to forgive.

Friends?

Friends.

Where do we begin?

Uh, let's recheck these descriptions.

All right.

You're right, Carol.

The description of the woman is identical in every case.

And it showed by a different company each time.

It's too bad we haven't a picture of her.

Sam would know her.

Who's Sam?

Sam Beldon, the best detective on the force.

I wonder if he could identify her from that description?

He might.

I'll call him.

You know, I bet we could find other duplicate cases

in these files.

I wouldn't be surprised.

He's still working in the office

and that dame's with him.

Don't he ever know when to quit?

Maybe you better park the car round the corner, Chick.

Yeah, it's a good idea.

OK Sam, in front of the building in five minutes.

And thanks a lot, yeah.

Have you ever been to the Rogue's Gallery?

No.

Well, get your hat and come along.

I'll show you some prize beauties.

Cot a match, bud?

Yeah, sure.

Dan!

Stop it!

Stop it!

Dan!

Dan!

Stop it!

Let him go!

Let him go!

Let him go!

Leave him alone!

Beat it!

Does it hurt much?

Oh, no.

No, not at all.

OK, Jimmy.

We'll have it checked for fingerprints.

Right.

Well, they found the car, abandoned.

Stolen, I suppose.

Sure, sure.

Belonged to a respectable businessman.

He reported the swipe about 10 minutes ago.

There goes that lead.

Sure.

You could hardly pin a slugging job on an interior decorator.

Interior decorator?

Yeah.

The car was hooked from a guy named Trotti.

Trotti?

Yeah, L. Trotti.

Hm.

Of all the idiots, you two are the worst.

Pair of old women could have done better.

Well, uh, how did we know that that flatfoot

would come busting in on us?

An intelligent person is prepared

for every possible eventuality.

But look, boss...

And letting them spot the license number.

They fell for the stolen car gag, didn't they?

I hope so.

Let's forget everything.

I will if you don't do any boners today.

Come on.

How much longer, Chick?

Practically there, boss.

How do you feel, Mrs. Turner?

I'm all right.

Why, of course you are.

You'll take good care of my Johnnie, won't you?

Why certainly we will.

He and my secretary are getting along splendidly.

So the little boy took the golden apples home, back

to his mama, and made her very, very happy.

Wasn't that nice?

Yes.

Where's my mommy?

Your mommy's gone for a long ride in a big automobile.

And then she's coming back to you.

In the automobile?

That's right.

And you know what you and I are going to do?

No. We're

Going out to buy some ice cream cones.

There we are, boss.

Fine,

OK.

Now, you understand just what you're

to say after the accident?

I asked the driver to slow down.

I tried to brace myself, but I didn't have time.

Perfect.

When do I get the money?

As soon as we win the court judgment.

Well, I guess we're about ready.

- We're all ready. - All right, boys.

Now, take it easy boys.

Now, don't worry.

There's nothing to be afraid pf.

I'm not afraid.

That's right.

Make it a good crash.

I got you.

We'll make a cool $10,000 out of this.

You got the witnesses planted?

They'll be there.

Brace yourself.

Here we go.

Hello.

Yes?

Yes, Moxie.

What?

You blundering fool.

What's wrong?

She's dead.

A very unfortunate twist of fate, very unfortunate.

You should have insured her life.

Well, it's too late to talk about that now.

But we still got the kid.

Isn't there something we can do with him?

Of course.

First, one of us will have to be appointed

as the child's guardian.

Can you arrange that?

For enough money, yes.

Go ahead.

Then the child's guardian brings suit against the taxi

company and Car Line.

Will they pay off in a case like that?

If we don't collect $100,000 for that poor little orphan,

I'm not half the attorney I think I am.

$100,000?

And if anything should happen to the boy?

Nothing must happen to him until after he

wins the judgment.

No, of course not.

Oh, I can't stop.

So many suspicions and so little proof.

They're bound to make a slip somewhere, sometime.

That's just the trouble.

Probably made dozens of slips, slips we're too blind to see.

Oh, it's all such a terrible muddle.

How about the Armstrong case?

Anything suspicious there?

Plenty.

Same lawyer, same doctors, but what can we prove?

Where's the file?

My desk.

Hello there.

And how is the Royal Oder of Night Owls?

Hello, Ben.

Good evening.

Oh, hello, Miss Carter.

Could I steal a few minutes of your time, Danny?

Oh, of course.

What's the good news?

Well now, I don't know whether it's good news or bad.

I've run across a funny one, accident case, maybe.

This concern here writes the insurance for the street car

company, doesn't it?

Yes, it does.

How about the Peerless Taxi Company?

We write their coverage too.

Good.

Have you had a claim filed against either of them for uh,

Mrs... wait a minute, don't rush here now, wait a minute.

Mrs. Edith Turner?

I can find out.

If you please.

What's this all about, Sam?

Well, I had it handed to me to investigate what looked

like an ordinary accident case, you

know a taxi driver trying to argue the right of way

with a street car.

So I started a routine checkup.

And all at once, I began to smell

a whole basement full of rats.

Were any of them the rats I'm after?

Well, now, I don't know.

The woman who was killed was a poor widow with a young child.

She had been laid up in bed with a broken leg.

She broke it a week ago.

A week ago?

And she was riding in a cab?

That's right.

With no sign of a plaster case or a bandage.

That doesn't make sense.

You're right it don't.

And to make it funnier yet, the boy has disappeared

and no trace of him has been reported.

And that taxi driver was Moxie Malley.

Never heard of him.

Huh?

Well, the police have plenty.

You know, he'd been driving for the cab company

about three days when the accident

happened, said he's reformed.

You know, he claimed he was trying

to make an honest living.

Couldn't the woman have been on her way to a doctor?

With no plaster cast and her leg broke like a china plate

over a week ago?

And she paying taxi fare when she only had $5 to her name

and a child to feed?

Hm.

Well, what do you make of it, Sam?

You might make most anything, if the woman

was insured for a large sum of money

payable to say, uh, Russick?

Trotti.

Uh, huh.

I've looked through the new claims files,

and there's no report.

Oh well, it may show up in a day or two.

Would you let me know?

The moment it comes in.

OK, so much for that.

Now tell me, how are things breaking for you two?

Well, not so good.

I may have something before tomorrow.

Just what do you mean by that?

I'll tell you more later.

Sam, will you take Miss Carol home?

I've got to make a visit.

I'd be willing to pay for the privilege.

Hello, Eddie.

Oh, hello, Dan.

What's the matter?

You expecting trouble?

Why no, of course not.

What do you want?

What does the and Mrs. mean?

Just what it says.

I told you I was going straight.

Well, I am.

I married a swell girl to straighten out for both of us

from now on.

Well, I'm glad to hear it, kid.

Listen, Eddie, I want you to give me a little help.

Hello, Eddie.

Wait inside, will you?

Yeah, of course.

What's on your mind?

Who was that?

My brother.

Oh, hoh.

I'm not talking to him or anyone else.

No, of course not.

You're not that kind.

Where have you been the last couple of days?

Oh, around.

Well, the boys thought maybe you ran out on them.

I told you I was quitting and I have.

Only a sap quits when the going is good.

All right then, I'm a sap.

But I'm quit and I'm staying quit.

That Turner business was one too many.

OK, kid.

Good luck.

Thanks, Duke.

Oh, by the way, stop into the office tomorrow, will you?

What for?

A wedding present, you chump.

The boys have chipped in.

Say, that's swell of them, and you too.

Skip it.

Be seeing you.

So long.

What kind of help do you want from me?

I thought you'd left the gang.

I have, on the level.

Good.

Listen, Eddie, I want to smash this fake accident racket

with or without your help.

But if you will help me...

Nothing doing.

Not me.

Afraid?

Yeah.

Not so much what they'll do to me, to Tonia.

Oh, I see.

She's a great girl, Dan.

She knows about me, all of it, but...

Oh, Eddie, are you all right?

Of course I am.

I'm sorry.

I thought you were alone.

Dan, this is Tonia, my wife.

This is my brother, Dan.

How do you do?

I'm very glad to know you.

I've just been down to the corner to get some things

for a midnight snack.

On the way back, I saw...

Yes, he was here.

Everything's all right.

Oh.

May I fix a place for you?

Oh, thank you.

I was just going.

Please.

Sure, stick around.

It won't take but a minute.

Well, all right.

If I'm not being too nosy, have you lined up a job, Eddie?

Because if you haven't, I might be able to...

We're going into business.

You are?

Yes, we are negotiating with a man down state.

He has an interior decorating shop for sale.

Tonia knows that business inside out.

And as soon as we can convince the man

to cut his price another 500, the place will be ours.

If he cuts the price.

Well, I have a couple of thousand in the bank.

You're welcome to any part of that.

Oh, we couldn't do that.

We weren't trying to put the bee on you.

Oh, no.

I want to help.

Well, look, Dan.

Will you make a regular business loan, let us pay you interest?

Well, if you insist.

You're a swell fellow, no fooling.

Oh,

Forget it.

I want to see you two make a bang up success of marriage.

You hear that?

Coming from the most confirmed bachelor in town.

Oh, no more.

What?

I'm uh, changing my views.

Who's the girl?

When did you take the jump?

Well, she doesn't know anything about it yet.

I haven't worked up enough courage to propose.

Don't wait too long.

I won't.

Do I know her?

I don't think so.

What's her name?

Carol Carter.

She works for the same firm I do.

Well, that calls for another cup of coffee

whether you got room for it or not.

And for her sake as well as his own, he's afraid to talk.

I can't say that I blame him.

Me neither.

Looks like our only lead now is that missing Turner child.

Yes, and until we locate him, there's nothing we can do.

Except wait until someone files legal guardianship papers.

I wish the old days was back again, the days when

I was pounding me first beat.

What would you do?

I'd drag that shyster Russick into the basement

of the station house and I'd shake

him loose from his rattles.

Sam, remember what I told you, about Eddie being

nervous last night about the chap who came to see him,

and how Tonia acted when she found out he'd been there?

Uh, huh.

Well, there may not be any connection,

but see if this description means anything to you.

He's about 30, 35, medium height, slim, about 145,

dark complexion, smooth shaven, good dresser,

distinct Latin type.

Sure.

I know a lot of dudes that would fit that.

Say, that's not a bad description of Trotti.

Trotti.

Duke Trotti again.

You were right, Dan.

Every single lead we goes straight back to that man.

Well, that settles it.

I'm going to get into that shop and have a look around.

You might just as well walk right into the morgue

and stretch out on a slab.

Sam's right.

They've got you spotted.

You let me take care of it.

Every crook in town knows you, Sam.

You wouldn't have a chance of learning anything.

Well, I guess that puts it up to me.

Don't be silly.

What do you mean?

I know a little about interior decorating.

And with a bit of brushing up, I could

talk it as glibly as anyone.

Now if I can just persuade Mr. Trotti

that I'm an ambitious young girl looking for work...

What a lovely material.

Yes, isn't it?

A bit apart from the conventional trend.

It's a bit expensive for my client.

It's $12.50 a yard.

I'll give you the customary reduction.

I do hope I can persuade her to buy it.

You may tell her I recommended it if you wish.

Oh thank you.

Not at all.

You've no idea how difficult it is

for a freelance decorator like myself

to persuade a client to really spend money.

Well, I sometimes have the same trouble.

Oh, but you're established.

I'm not.

You have very excellent taste, Miss Palmer.

Thank you, and a great many friends who are

all very lovely and flattering.

But when they have their homes redone,

they always commission some well known firm.

I don't know how many chances I've lost that way.

Oh, but how very unfortunate.

If I only had the prestige of some well-established firm

to back me up, I'm sure I could get ever so much business.

Could I make some sort of an arrangement with you?

Oh, uh, in what way?

Let me be a representative of Trotti Limited.

We could divide the commissions on any work I might bring in.

Well, it has certain possibilities.

I'm sure we'd make a great deal of money.

We'll talk about it, shall we?

Do think your client would be interested in some bronzes?

Well, they would fit in in my plan.

Italian Renaissance, isn't it?

Yes, by Francesco D'Corelli.

What a lovely patine.

Yes.

And this for a foil, German Gothic.

Perfect.

I have some more in my stockroom

if you'll excuse me just for a moment.

Just make yourself at home.

Thank you.

Chick, come here.

Take a look at that girl.

Ever see her before?

No, never.

She's a phony of some kind.

Yeah?

Claims to be an interior decorator,

and doesn't know a real Corelli bronze

from those cheap imitations.

I told her that baroque silver gilt was German Gothic

and she never batted an eye.

Oh, I wouldn't hold that against her.

I'm going to get rid of her.

I want you to shadow her.

See where she goes and what she does.

OK.

I'm afraid the things I wanted to show you have been mislaid.

Oh, that's too bad.

I'm having one of my men look for them.

Why don't you go and have lunch, come back afterwards,

and we'll make arrangements about our business connection.

All right, say in about an hour?

Well, make it an hour and a half.

Hello, old man.

I was afraid you weren't coming.

I told you I would.

I'll be with you in a minute.

I'll be running along now, Mr. Trotti.

All right, Miss Palmer.

See you at have past one?

At half past one then.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Well, Eddie, how's the wife?

Just fine.

She's a wonderful girl.

You're lucky.

I know it.

Sit down, Eddie, I want to talk you.

Well, I'd like to, but I promised Tonya.

What?

Taking orders already?

Well, you know.

I was only kidding.

They don't know any better than Tonya, Eddie.

She deserves everything you can give her.

You bet.

But there's mighty little profit in going straight these days.

Now if you stuck to me, you could buy

her everything a woman wants.

Nothing doing.

I promised her.

But you wouldn't be running any risks, just holding in money,

money to buy her card, clothes, jewelry.

Sorry, Duke.

I've made up my mind.

So you won't listen to reason, hey?

Not that kind.

OK, kid.

Have it your way.

I'll go and tell the boys you're here.

Pretend you don't know anything about the wedding present.

They want to surprise you.

OK.

Well?

He's there now.

- What did he say? - Same thing.

I couldn't reason with him.

Maybe he's not so crazy at that.

What if Eddie does want to quit?

He ain't the kind of a guy that turns stool pigeon.

Oh, any quitter is that kind of a guy.

And we can't afford to take any chances.

I still don't think he would.

What?

You're not going to like the info.

What happened?

I tailed her about three blocks to a drugstore.

She was plenty cagey too.

Finally she went into a phone booth.

I ducked into the next one.

I could hear everything she said through the petition.

Well, go on, go on. What did she say?

She said, this is Carol Carter.

Get me Dan Adams.

Then she say, hello, Dan?

Dan Adams, get that.

Dan.

He said, he fell for it beautifully.

I'll call you again this evening.

Then she hung up.

I guess we know now whether Eddie talked to Dan or not.

I've heard enough.

Let's get him out here.

Wait a minute.

Eddie ain't no squealer.

Maybe Dan got his lead someplace else.

And maybe he didn't.

We ought to make sure.

OK, we'll prove it.

Beat it around outside and come in the front door.

Get an ear for what goes on in that office.

- OK. - Fix up the present.

Oh, Eddie.

Come on in.

Say the boys are nearly set.

They are getting a kick out of it.

They're sure a swell bunch.

Yeah.

By the way, remember that girl that

was leaving as you came in?

I saw her, yes.

Know who she is?

Never saw her before in my lief.

Well, maybe you're getting out just in time.

She's a plant. - She is?

Uh, huh.

Came around here looking for a job.

Said her name was Isabel Palmer, but it didn't

take me long to spot her.

Well, uh, who is she?

Some snoop from the police or the insurance companies.

Her name's Carol Carter.

Well, what are you going to do?

What do you think?

Stick around.

I'll see if the boys are set.

Hello, Consolidated Insurance?

I've got to speak to Dan Adams.

Hurry up.

It's important.

Yes, honey, everything's just fine.

I'll be home in an hour.

Hello, - Chick.

Hello, Eddie.

Where have you been keeping yourself.

I'm a married man now.

So we heard.

Congratulations.

Thanks.

Oh, Eddie.

I'll be right there.

Coming?

You bet.

How's the blushing bridegroom?

Put it there.

What happened?

All right, Moxie, let it go.

Little surprise for you, Eddie.

I'll say.

How about you guys come up to the plant for a goodbye dinner?

That'll be swell.

You better ask Tonya first.

Well, I guess we're all set.

Eddie, on behalf of the other fellows and myself,

allow me to present you with a little token of our friendship.

Gee, fellows, Tonya had her eye on this for a long time.

I don't know what to say.

You don't have to say anything, kid.

You've got it coming to you.

You've been a regular guy.

I know a lot of fellows that wouldn't quit a gang

without double-crossing them.

And you're not that kind.

You know I wouldn't squeal on a gang like this.

There are rats who would.

It must be pretty hard for you, Eddie,

especially when you've got a brother like Dan Adams.

Dan knows I wouldn't squeal.

Sure, but blood's thicker than water.

He'd expect you to call him, especially

if you found out one of his coworkers was on the spot.

What do you mean?

What do you think I mean, Eddie?

You sounded kind of serious.

Course, I might have known you were kidding.

I wouldn't kid you, Eddie, and you wouldn't kid me, would you?

Of course, I wouldn't kid you.

And you wouldn't try to phone your brother either

if you knew Chick was listening, would you, Eddie?

Chick.

I think we could go for a little more of that music,

don't you, Chick?

Right.

Hello.

Been waiting long?

No, I just got back.

Well, I've been thinking the matter over,

and if you still care to be part of Trotti Limited...

Oh, I do.

All right.

I'll tell you $50 a week and give you half the profit

of any business you find.

That's more than fair.

Now, let me see.

I'm going to be busy this afternoon.

I need somebody to go out to the Colby home.

Where's that?

Oh, thirty odd miles from town.

They're a fussy old couple and I rearrange their furniture

every three months.

They want it done today. - I see.

Now if you can take charge of it, I'll send one of the mean

along to do the heavy moving.

- All right. - Fine.

I'll get them.

It's all set.

Have Chick and Moxie gone?

- Just drove away. - Good.

Come on.

Miss Palmer, this is Kelly.

He'll show you where the home is.

You have your own car?

Yes, it's right outside.

Mrs. Colby will be expecting you at three.

Very well, goodbye.

Goodbye.

Stay here.

I'll see what happened.

Works well.

Get back to the car.

State patrol's due here any minute.

Is he badly hurt?

I'm afraid you killed him.

Here, take a drink of this.

It'll brace you up.

No, I don't want it.

Go ahead.

You need it.

When did this happen?

Who did it?

The woman driving that car, just a minute ago.

Why this man is dead.

Did you two see this?

Yeah, I saw the whole thing.

She was driving all over the road like she was drunk.

What's your name, young lady?

Carol Carter.

Drunk, hey?

No, no, I'm not drunk.

You don't understand.

I understand drunk driving and manslaughter.

Come along.

No, no really.

I'm not drunk.

Officer, no!

It's just as I've told you, as I've told the police.

The man stepped right back in the road in front of the car.

I tried to stop, but, I couldn't.

Why not?

I don't know.

The brakes didn't hold.

Carol, I hate to put you through all this,

but you must help me.

Remember I'm your attorney.

I know.

What is it, Dan?

Now is there anything you've forgotten to tell me?

No, I don't believe there is.

All right, dear, but if you recall any incident, no matter

how unimportant it may seem...

I'll let you know.

Have they identified the man?

Oh, Beldon's working on that.

I can still see him falling right in front of the car.

Falling?

But you said stepping backward before.

Now, which was it?

Why falling, I believe.

It all happened so quickly.

Oh, hello, Dan.

Hello, Sam.

Hello, Miss Carter.

Have you discovered anything, Mr. Beldon.

Not much.

But we've got half of headquarters

working on the case.

Could I see you alone for a minute, Dan?

Oh, yeah, sure.

Carol, there's no use denying that things look bad.

But you must have faith in us.

I have, Dan, ever so much.

Well?

Well, first off, Russick has filed application for

guardianship of the Turner kid.

And Russick is Trotti's lawyer.

All right, all right, but what about the man

that Carol's car hit?

Well, I haven't got the police lab's report yet.

The boys are still working.

Did you get the identification?

Yep.

Well?

Well, it's bad news for you, Dan.

For me?

That poor boy was your brother.

My brother?

Come on, Sam.

We're going to the police lab.

According to these reports, there were a great many cuts

and bruises on the body.

That's right.

It would necessarily mean quite a loss of blood, wouldn't it?

There must've been.

And here's a photograph taken at the scene of the accident.

You see any sign of blood stains on the road?

Well, I know I didn't.

If there had been any stains, we'd see them in this print.

What happened to the piece of twine

that was found near the body.

I have it right here.

Did you make a check on it?

Yes, I did.

I had a lot of trouble identifying it too.

Well, why?

Looks like a regular piece of cord.

Yes, but it isn't quite so ordinary.

This is upholsterer's twine and is used in the construction

of furniture.

Furniture?

Yeah, now this may not mean anything,

but my guess is that the victim worked in a furniture factory.

Why do you say that?

I made a microscopic examination of some scrapings

from the clothes.

And there was a lot of lint there.

Well, what kind of lint?

Well, quite a mixture, horse hair and fabric threads

and then there was a trace of glue

and some wax and varnish and sawdust.

Did you find any foreign materials like that

in the cuts on his face?

In the cuts?

What do you mean?

Will you make a check on it?

Yes, I will.

Sam, does Eddie's wife know yet?

I don't believe so.

I don't know why he went so far out of the city.

I don't understand it.

When did you see him last?

At 11:00 this morning.

He said he'd be back in an hour.

Where did he say he was going?

He didn't tell me.

Where did he say he was going?

I just told you.

I don't know.

He didn't tell me.

Tonya, Eddie wasn't killed an automobile accident.

He was murdered.

Murdered?

I'm almost certain of it.

And if you can tell us where he went,

I think I can get the proof.

He did tell me.

Where did he go?

I'll take you there.

I still have my key.

Well, give us the key.

Tell us where he went.

I'm going with you.

I want to see for myself.

That's just what I thought.

Where is the work room?

Back there.

Sam.

Huh?

Look here.

Blood stains or I never saw any.

I want a sample of this lint for the lab.

Good.

We'll take a sample of this twine, too.

Right.

If this matches...

It will, Dan.

I know it will.

Can you tell me now what happened?

Yes, I think I know.

Tell me.

It isn't pleasant.

Tell me.

I knew Eddie wasn't killed in that accident.

There was no blood in the road and Eddie was badly cut.

It's only dead bodies that don't bleed.

Then this is where they... they...

Yes.

And then they took his body out there

and framed an automobile accident.

Yes, Tonya.

Can you prove who killed him, prove it in court?

I don't know.

I'm not sure.

It's Trotti.

Duke Trotti killed my husband.

If I could only get him here and trick

him into a confession.

I can do that for you.

You?

Yes.

Ah, you wouldn't dare try that.

It's too risky.

Not if he thinks I'm alone.

Doesn't know that you two are listening.

It's a long chance.

But a chance worth taking.

Duke, this if Tonya.

I'm at the shop.

Never mind that.

Where's Eddie?

No, I haven't heard from him since the morning.

You've done something to him.

I know you have.

Don't lie to me, Duke.

I found bloodstains on the workroom floor.

I'm going to phone the police.

All right.

I'll wait till you get here.

But you've got to tell me where Eddie is.

He's coming.

All right, Sam.

Be careful.

Here I am, Tonya.

Where's Eddie?

Eddie?

I haven't seen Eddie since this morning.

Don't lie to me, Duke.

Where's my husband?

I don't know.

He left here about 1:00.

What have you done to him?

Now, why should I do anything to Eddie?

He's probably at your apartment now, wondering where you are.

What happened in the workroom?

In the workroom?

Oh, you mean those stains on the floor.

Oh, it's too bad they got you all upset, Tonya.

That's nothing but dye.

Dye.

Yes, dye.

Old man Hanson was dipping some drapes for Mrs. Russell's home

and he spilled some on the floor.

Who are you going to call? - The police.

Leave that phone alone.

I'll tell you the truth.

I selected the drapes for Mrs. Russell.

And sent them to her home last week.

You killed my husband in the workroom.

And I'm going to have the police investigate you.

Now, wait a minute, Tonya.

I'll tell you how it happened.

It was a kind of an accident.

Accident?

Yes, accident.

Eddie was seeing too much of his brother.

So we start to work him over, that is, Connie and Moxie

and Chick.

Well, the boys got a bit rough and why, it's

tough on you, Tonya, but you're in this business

as deep as we are.

And if the police should find out...

Police, Duke.

I'll call headquarters.

Looks you sort of talked yourself right into a nose,

didn't you, Trotti?

Police headquarters/

Drop that gun, flatfoot.

Drop it!

Hang up that phone.

Get up.

Nice work, Connie.

Me and Moxie figured you took a long time.

For once, you and Moxie figured right.

That was a nice little trap, Adams.

But you didn't expect me to bring my boys with me, did you?

Get the car around back.

Right.

We're taking our company for a little fresh air.

I regret that my facilities for entertaining unexpected company

are somewhat limited.

I hope you won't be too bored.

It was really too bad about Eddie.

But if you haven't persuaded him to go straight,

he might have been alive now.

So you see, it was really his fault,

not... don't open that purse. - Why not?

Give it to me.

I only wanted my handkerchief.

I'll get it

Now stand back!

Don't touch that gun.

Now you're going to pay, pay for killing Eddie.

- Tonya. - Stop her, stop her.

She'll kill me.

Just as you killed my husband.

I didn't kill him. I swear I didn't.

It was an accident.

Accident?

Tonya, you can't do that.

Drop those guns.

Come on.

Put 'em up.

You too.

Tonya, call the police.

Stick 'em up!

As pretty a piece of work as I've ever seen.

And thanks to the information she gave us,

we were able to give a lot of other cities

some real help in cleaning up their fake accident rings.

The insurance companies are certainly

indebted to you, Harrison.

You mean Dan.

He's the best investigator I have.

Had you, mean.

Oh, Dan, here's something I've been saving for you.

Your resignation.

Oh thank you.

I wanted to see you tear it up yourself.

No, no, don't do it.

Go ahead.

I will, but not now.

Why not now?

You're not going to stick to a stodgy insurance company job?

St... you bet he is, at his own salary.

I'm sorry, Mr. Curtis.

I'll tear this up one month from today

when I get back from my honeymoon.

Honeymoon?

Oh, gentlemen, Mrs. Adams.

Come on, dear.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

G-g-goodbye.

That' certainly leaves me in a fine spot.

Not only do I lose my best attorney,

but the most efficient girl I ever employed.

You know, Curtis, that marriage is

about the only fatal accident that wouldn't

gyp an insurance company.