Original subtitles

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(SIGHING)

(TIRES SCREECHING)

(HORNS HONKING)

(CRASHING)

That's our truck. Yeah.

Truck drivers think they own the road.

Look at that fender.

They'll pay for that fender!

Pay for it? I saw what happened.

We don't pay you a nickel.

MAN 1: That's right. JEFF: You own this truck, don't you?

MAN: Yes, it's our truck but we're not paying you one red cent.

I got witnesses.

I can get twice as many witnesses.

MAN: In the first place, you got no right parking here.

In the second place, you didn't stick your hand out.

We can sue you.

That's right. You pay me for my fender.

Pay the man.

Who are you?

MAN: I never saw you before.

What are doin' driving one of our trucks?

Well, your Flagstaff office needed a driver in a hurry.

They didn't tell me this truck here had no brakes.

Go on pay the man for his damages.

We pay nothing. That's right.

Now, wait a minute. I get $15 for this run. I'll take it now.

See the cashier in the mornin'.

I'll take it now.

Straight shot. All whiskey?

How is it?

Bought whiskey.

All whiskey.

Ugh! That's awful.

Why drink it?

You like to clean glasses?

I don't mind.

(CASH REGISTER DINGING)

What's goin' on up there?

Little gambling.

I thought it was illegal in this state.

So is spitting on the floor.

Can anybody go up there?

Nope. Only a select group.

Who do I have to know?

It's not who you know, it's what you're gonna to show.

Oh?

What's it worth?

It's a 21-jewel movement, the case happens to be pure gold.

$10. It's worth 60, I'll take 15.

Kind of warm, isn't it?

That's him officer. That's him, the one sitting at the bar.

What's your name?

Lambert. Why, what's the trouble?

Your full name.

Michael Lambert. L-A-M-B-E-R-T.

Let's have your driver's license.

This expired three months ago.

Hey, that's right.

(CLEARING THROAT) Well, I have been out of the country.

Driving trucks? There's nothing wrong with driving trucks,

but it's not my business.

So it seems.

Wanted to get down into this town.

Why? Do you know anybody here?

No.

I was looking for a job. I'm a mining engineer.

Now, suppose you tell me, what's the trouble?

We'll let the Judge tell you.

I wouldn't have time to read all the charges against you.

Let's go.

Come on, let's go. All right. All right.

Reckless driving.

Driving through a boulevard stop.

Driving without a license.

Plead guilty?

Yes, sir.

It's not as simple as all that though.

JUDGE: $50 or 10 days. Pay the clerk.

I haven't go $50.

MIKE: That's the man that ought to be fined.

JUDGE: What man? That one?

Yeah, that trucking foreman there.

He knows that truck had no brakes.

What about that?

Your Honor, they all have excuses when they break the law.

MAN: No man works four our outfit

unless he agrees to full responsibility for any traffic violations.

We gotta do that, Judge or them drivers would bankrupt the company.

Did you agree to this?

I suppose so.

I needed the money.

Then they hand me a truck without any brakes.

I fought that truck for seven hours

comin' down into this cheap town.

$50 or 10 days?

I told you I haven't got it.

Ten days.

All right, 10 days is all I want in this town.

I'll pay the fine.

For this man? Yes.

Pay the clerk.

Case is closed. You're free to go.

Name?

Always the same.

Always the same.

Same old pair.

Women and...

Do you know whose fault it is?

The woman? No, it's mine.

But not anymore. I'm gonna...

Settle down and I'm gonna be a success.

Success, that's me.

Sure, I know.

Well, this is the payoff.

Bailed out by a woman.

She's waiting for you.

Yeah, well, let her wait.

I'm through with all that.

I'm gonna settle down, I'm gonna make good here.

I'm...

I'm gonna make good.

I'm gonna make good.

That's right.

Make good.

That's right. I'm gonna make...

It isn't the money, Julio.

Because we can stretch and give you a little more.

No, I'm just tired and I want to quit.

Is clothes?

Yes.

Well, when a girl like you wants something,

she's going to get it.

Come on, Mike.

Come on.

Pretty girl.

You're beautiful, Paula.

Yes, Mike.

(SIGHING)

(DOOR CLOSING)

(ENGINE STARTING)

I found him.

What does he look like?

Same height as you.

Same build.

And his face?

Not like you at all.

Well, doesn't matter.

We'll fix that.

Are you upset? No.

Excited?

A little.

What about you, darling? You must be exhausted.

All evening on your feet in that crowded smoky place.

I shouldn't have let you do it.

You couldn't do it and it had to be done.

Five weeks of looking, waiting and looking.

Sometimes I felt it wasn't worth it.

Not even for a quarter of a million dollars.

If it weren't for this place,

to come here in my free time and relax and feel like a human being,

I don't know what I would have done.

Well, uh...

You think it was wise to quit?

Quit the La Paloma? Yeah.

Why not?

We're ready.

Yeah, that's true.

Better to wait now than disappear without a word.

This way it's finished.

Are you sure he's the man?

Of course.

And he knows no one in town?

No relatives, no connections?

No one but me.

You've got to make sure he doesn't make any other friends.

I'll make sure.

Steve, it's wonderful luck.

He's very much like you.

STEVE: Really?

Not really.

Do you remember the day I met you?

That first day, two years ago, almost.

How could I forget?

I was modeling furs for a living.

And you were standing on the steps being photographed

and that Chicago wind was blowing through your hair.

You looked like an angel in furs.

Someone else's furs.

You were beautiful.

Steve, do you have the card for the safety deposit box?

Well, of course.

It's all filled out.

You just sign it.

What about the keys?

They keys? To the safety deposit box.

Oh, I've got them. I'll have to keep them with me.

In case anything goes wrong I can put the money back in a hurry.

Steve. Yes.

How soon?

A week. Four days, three days.

I have a lot of things to take care of.

The sooner the better.

Yes.

It's late. We better go.

I'll turn the car around.

PAULA: I'll be right down.

Don't worry.

I'm sure it'll work.

It has to work.

Why, Beth!

You still up?

I couldn't sleep.

What's the matter, Beth?

All right, so I've stayed out all night again.

Would you like an accounting?

I didn't ask you where you've been.

I don't particularly want to know.

It's your own business. Of course, dear.

And if I did tell you I'm sure you'd take it for granted I was lying.

Please, Steven, please. I'm not trying to make a scene.

Don't you think it's time we thrashed this out like two sane people?

Yes, yes, I know, Beth.

You're gonna say all the things you've been saying for weeks now.

Something's been happening to us.

Hasn't' it?

I've told you repeatedly, you imagine all these things.

Steven, no women imagines it when she ceases to feel like a wife.

And now what are you talking about?

About the way you avoid the issue.

You have a quaint and childish way of admitting all your sins.

I'm not asking you to admit them, I'm asking you to do something about them.

I'm sorry, Beth but I'm a little too old to change.

I'm not a hypocrite.

No, I suppose you're not.

It's a strange thing.

We're married nine years,

I still don't know exactly what you are.

I'm exactly what you wanted me to be.

I'm a respected Vice President

of the respected Empire Trust and Savings Bank.

All thanks to you, Beth.

All that I am and hope to be,

I owe to my angel wife.

You ta" as though you didn't want it.

On the contrary, it's exactly what I do want.

My father described you pretty accurately before we were married.

An opportunist?

He was quite right, Beth.

But even he admitted I was an intelligent one.

I had a good education and made no use of it.

I had nice manners and a fine disposition,

so you married me and made me respectable.

You wanted to know what I am, I told you.

Now do whatever you like about it.

That's for telling me what I bought and paid for!

(SIGHING)

What time you got?

Clock right up there.

Were you on duty last night?

Yup.

Did you see me come in?

Yup.

How'd I get here?

Lady brought you in.

Lady?

What lady?

Didn't say.

Just brought you in.

How much for the room?

We collect in advance.

Who'd you collect from? Me?

Nope.

The lady.

The lady.

Mmm-hmm.

CLERK: Hey.

CLERK: Phone booth's over there.

Thanks.

Where can I get some coffee around here?

CLERK: Across the street, down about a block.

Put your sample down there.

I have no sample. You opening up any new mines?

Well, might be. Do every once in a while.

Well, I'm...

I'm a mining engineer. Is that so?

Got a regular degree? Sure I have.

Oh, I don't want to see your credentials.

I ain't going to hire you.

Oh.

Oh yeah?

Do you know anybody who might?

I'm a pretty fair man in my field.

SANDY: Had experience? Plenty.

Tell you what, son.

There was a man came in here yesterday

with a sample that looked pretty good.

Assayed pretty good too.

Got the report all ready for him.

Oh yeah? What is it?

Well, I'm not supposed to say.

Silver and assays pretty high, too.

Mmm.

Is that so?

Might be able to use you.

If I were you, I'd stick around.

Awful nice fellow, too.

Old codger's been trying and trying.

Looks pretty good, eh?

Yeah, you sit right down there and wait for this fellow.

He should be in right about now.

That's a lot for the tip and I'll wait.

SANDY: Of course, I wouldn't take a job like that no matter what they paid me.

Packing up them trails. or no trails at all.

Log bunk house, cold at night and...

Bitter cold in the day.

Live off beans and coffee.

Boil 'em in the same pot, most likely.

Hello, Sandy.

Hell, Jeff. How are you?

Want anything special?

Now, don't keep me, Sandy. Haven't you got that assay for me, or not?

Well, I might have it. Might have it.

Let's see, got it in here, somewhere.

JEFF: Yes, come on. Bring it up. Bring it up.

Oh, yeah. Here it is.

I don't know. Am I reading right?

SANDY: Regular assay, according to form.

- Looks good. SANDY: Is good.

I knew I had something.

I was dead sure of it.

Look, Sandy.

Don't that say? 121 ounces per ton.

That's right. Maybe I struck her this time.

JEFF: Maybe I struck her!

They said it was all worked out.

(CHUCKLING) By gee, Sandy,

I'm gonna open up that mine in two weeks, you see if I don't.

Jeff, want a man to work with you?

Who? You?

Me? Not me, you old food! (BOTH CHUCKLING)

A mining engineer, college graduate.

Might be a good man for you.

Hey, engineer. Yeah?

SANDY: Now, this is the miner I was telling you about.

How are you? Hey, don't I know you?

Sure, you're the fellow who ran into my car yesterday.

(BOTH CHUCKLING) Glad to see you. That's right.

Sandy, this here is an honest man.

SANDY: What'd I tell you? (CHUCKLING)

So, you're a mining engineer, huh?

Well, I'm a lot better at that than I am at driving trucks, I tell you.

(CHUCKLING) He's a good man.

Well, think you can use me?

Well, come on, man. Come on. Let's celebrate first.

Well, I'd do better with something a little more solid in here,

if it's all right with you?

Sure. Gosh, I'm glad I met you this way.

So long, Sandy. (CHUCKLING)

Red mountain, here.

Now here's the old shaft.

And the tunnel heads right up this way.

Right here is where the vein ran out.

They thought. (CHUCKLING)

They missed it by just that far.

And pretty. Man, you should see it.

And what's the condition of the tunnel?

Not bad. Timber's in pretty good shape.

Water nearby?

Yeah, we got a mountain stream right up here.

Solid in the winter,

dry in summer and flooded in spring. (CHUCKLING)

Far from here?

Man, it's 10,000 up and 50 miles from a nearest house.

That bother you any? Oh, no that's good.

Man, when we get goin'...

By gee, I gotta by myself a new hat.

This one's been snowed on, spit on, chewed on by mountain squirrels.

(CHUCKLING) It brought you luck, though, hmm?

Not for the last three years, it hasn't.

By gee, we got her now.

And we can cut 500 a day out of that vein.

Say, I want to sign a contract with you.

Whatever you say.

JEFF: 10% of all the silver you can cut out of that mountain.

That fair enough?

Fair? That's 10% more than I figured on.

All I wanted was a job.

That's the way I want it.

Well, it's your money. I'll get it out of you. (CHUCKLING)

You'll work all the harder.

Now, you ahead and finish your breakfast.

I'm gonna go buy a new hat and get to that Empire Bank before noon.

Are you on good terms with the bank?

With a report like this, man, this is money. (CHUCKLING)

Is it a deal? Do we go to work?

Sure. It's a deal. Good.

You pack your shirts and be over at the assay office, 2:00.

Right.

By gee I forgot your name again.

Oh, it's Mike Lambert.

Jeff Cunningham. Right.

(BOTH CHUCKLING)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Come in.

Wow.

You didn't call so I just dropped in to see if you were all right.

(CHUCKLING)

You were in a bad way last night.

Yeah?

You act as though you wish I hadn't come.

Mmm, no, no.

No, I just got a lot of things on my mind, that's all.

I noticed that last night.

What do you mean?

Oh, you kept running away from liquor and women.

Or was it "a woman"?

Don't count on anything I said last night.

Liquor blanks me out.

Oh!

I'm sorry about that.

Why?

You said I was beautiful.

I told you I never remember what I do after I have had a couple of drinks.

You handle everything just like a man.

Going somewhere?

Mmm-hmm.

What are you running away from this time?

I got a job outta town.

Don't go worrying about your money, you'll get it back.

You know I'm not worried about the money.

You make more sense when you're drunk.

Maybe.

You're afraid.

Of what?

Me.

That's to show you how wrong you are, lady.

Paula's the name.

I came here to get a job, that's all. Now I got it.

Better than that, the owner's cutting me in on 10%

of all the silver I can get out of that mine.

It's the first break I've had in a long time.

Now, nobody's going to spoil it. Not even me.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interfere.

MIKE: It's all right. Forget it.

Where's the mine?

Well, it's about 50 miles from here.

Who owns it?

Fella named Cunningham.

When do you leave?

This afternoon, 2:00, if there's no hitch.

How could there be a hitch? You said it was all set.

Well, not in my deal. I mean the money arrangements.

Cunningham's at the Empire Bank now negotiating a loan.

You know, It takes dough to get that silver out.

I see.

You know, I wish you all the luck you deserve, Mike.

Thanks.

PAULA: If you ever need another button sewed on,

the address is 211 Park Street.

Goodbye, Mike.

Good luck.

This looks all right, Cunningham.

Mr. Price, you never said a truer word.

You know I never thought that hill had anything left in it but rocks.

We'll have to send one of our men out tomorrow to look at the property.

That suits me fine.

Now, what would you estimate the... (INTERCOM BUZZING)

Oh, excuse me, Cunningham.

Yes? Helen Bailey on the phone.

I'll call her later. She says it's very important.

All right.

Hello. Steve.

Are you alone?

No. Then just listen.

There's a miner named Cunningham on his way to see you.

Or maybe he's there already.

Yes.

He's offered our man a job.

I don't know how he made the connection but he did.

I see.

Yes, that's a very sound idea, thank you.

Goodbye.

Now, Cunningham what did you estimate the loan should be?

Well, my rough figuring come to 30,000.

Uh-huh. How does that sound?

Well, frankly it sounds like far too much.

Well now, I don't know.

I suppose we could scrape through with 5,000 less.

That's still too much.

I don't figure it that way.

Cunningham, you realize the bank can't afford

to take a gamble on as big a sum as that.

Why not? I paid back every red cent I ever borrowed and paid it on time.

This bank knows me.

We can't do business on sentiment, Cunningham.

This is not sentiment.

Now, here's what I suggest.

A short term note, say, three months.

Short term!

STEVE: For $5,000.

What? That wouldn't even pay for the tool shack!

What you're doing is turning me down.

Oh, I wouldn't say that, Cunningham.

I've done business with this back for 15 years.

It's long before you came here.

Long before you married your money and long before you ever sat in that chair!

Last time I'll ever come to this bank.

You gave me a lot of greasy ta" then you turned me down.

STEVE: I'm sorry.

You're not sorry. But you will be.

We got lots of time now.

What's wrong? No loan.

What? What happened?

I don't know exactly.

That no good Vice President of the bank.

The deal was all set when suddenly...

I just don't understand it.

Well, there's another bank in town, isn't there?

Yeah, there is sure. But they won't touch a mining investment.

No, I'll go outta town and see my old partner, Walt Donovan.

He may be able to dig me up a couple of thousand, maybe more.

Well, what about our deal?

Does is still go? Well, sure, man.

Sure it does, Mike.

But, you know how things look.

If I'm not back in two or three days...

Maybe you better get yourself another job, huh?

Okay. Good luck to you, Jeff.

You got a new hat out of it anyway, huh? (CHUCKLING)

It is kinda pretty, ain't it?

The same?

No. What'll you have?

You got a match?

Thanks.

(CASH REGISTER DINGING)

Looking for someone in particular?

Mmm-hmm.

She quit last night.

Good for her.

(DOORBELL BUZZING)

Come in.

Mike.

Expecting somebody?

Certainly not you.

I thought you were on your way.

I was.

Well?

The deal fell through.

Oh, I'm sorry.

So am I.

Maybe I shouldn't be.

Sit down, Mike.

Thanks.

I just left the La Paloma.

See anything interesting?

Heard you quit your job.

I hope it wasn't because you got mixed up in my troubles.

Oh, no.

I was just tired.

You're a strange girl.

Working in a two-bit cafe and yet you look like...

Like what?

I'm trying to decide.

Mike?

Yeah.

There's a bottle of rye in the kitchen.

No, thanks.

PAULA: Sure? I don't need it.

What happened?

Did you swear off liquor and women?

Maybe.

The deal meant an awful lot to you, didn't it?

Something.

You don't want to ta" about that.

Depends on how you tell it.

Oh, it's a very short story.

Money. How much?

More than the bank wanted to risk.

What are your plans?

Well, it all depends.

Maybe I'll hang around a couple of days to sorta...

What?

Catch up on things.

And then?

Mmm, Vancouver,

Alaska.

Still running away?

Not yet.

I can see several good reasons why I should stay.

Put it in the garage, Paula.

What's happened?

Nothing to be alarmed about.

It's hardly 5:00.

We've never come here this early.

What's the trouble? There's no trouble.

It's just that the bank examiners are coming the day after tomorrow.

Then there is trouble.

No.

No, it's quite the usual thing.

But when they arrive they work about two weeks.

I don't want the delay. I think it's dangerous.

I agree.

We can't wait that long.

How about your car? Plenty of gas in it?

Yes, Steve.

All right, we leave it here in the garage. It'll only be for the night.

But darling, what about the money?

You think I'd forget that?

Of course not, Steve.

But they're so many things.

It's in your safe deposit box.

All of it?

250,000.

They'll be searching for that money from here to Los Angeles.

And all the while it'll be right under their noses.

In my own bank, in your name.

Now, Paula.

Under that robe you'll find a wrench.

Now, about your friend Lambert?

I'll get him here.

But remember, it's your place not mine.

He still thinks I'm a waitress.

I want to go over this from beginning to end.

That sign, "Dangerous curve," on the right...

This is where I stop and where you... I know.

Steve. Yes?

I'm worried about one thing.

What's that?

What if they find something to identify him?

Where there's an accident, there's usually a fire.

Suppose there isn't?

There will be.

There'll be nothing left to identify.

And Lambert becomes Price.

Yes, Steve.

A just end for an embezzler.

Let's take a look.

For the first time, I really believe it's going to happen.

Tomorrow night.

Tomorrow night.

(MUSIC PLAYING)

Hey, club open? Yup.

That's yours for ten bucks.

It's the same watch.

It still runs. Is it a deal?

Okay.

A drink? No.

1-9.

DEALER: 1-9. A winner.

Put your bets, gentlemen. Comin' right out.

Craps. 7-11.

A seven!

Four, the pawn is four.

Highway, Joe. Ten he comes.

Come bets, up at eight and field now.

Hi four! Lose, seven, hi lost it.

Next player. Come down early now. They're coming right out for number.

Win, seven. Seven a winner, good beginner.

Shoot it.

DEALER: Win. Seven. You win some more.

Coming right up for a number now.

Shoot it.

Win, the 11. Another winner.

I'll take the money.

What? You quit? You plenty hot!

Don't be loco! DEALER: Coming right out for number.

Craps. 7-11.

Hey, psst.

I'll buy that watch back for 20 bucks.

Come on, come on.

Expecting me?

Of course.

You feel so good.

What's the matter?

I came to pay off my debt.

Forty, 50, that's for the fine.

Three dollars for room number seven.

Five dollars you gave me, for whatever the five dollars is for.

And here, that's for your trouble.

Mike, you're insulting!

Well, I couldn't insult you, that wouldn't be possible.

You're drunk!

I wish I were.

Now, this is beginning to make sense.

A waitress that doesn't look like a waitress.

Quittin' her job.

Why?

'Cause she's tired?

(CHUCKLING)

Expensive perfume, plenty of money,

money to throw away on a guy like me.

To pay his fine, getting him a room. What for? A laugh?

Are you through?

Yeah, I'm through and I'm getting' out of here.

You're getting out of here!

But first you're gonna tell me...

I got nothing to tell you!

What's the matter with you?

I was standing at the corner of Fifth and Clark Street about an hour ago.

You fool.

A car stopped at the curb.

Do you know who that was? I don't want to know!

You've got to know. It was Price.

Who happens to be Vice President of the Empire Bank.

Congratulations.

I didn't go for my sake, I went for yours.

That's great.

Doesn't the Cunningham deal mean anything to you anymore?

Well, what about it?

I persuaded Price to reconsider the loan.

He's going with us tomorrow to look at Cunningham's property.

You understand, Mike? You've got the deal.

Yeah?

You don't have to believe it.

You have the appointment. See for yourself.

What did you do to persuade him?

What's the difference now? A lot of difference!

I don't want a woman fronting for me.

I wanted you to get the job.

I couldn't let you drift away.

Pick up the money, Mike.

How does a waitress at the La Paloma

come to know the vice president of a bank?

A lot of people come to La Paloma.

Hmm, so I've noticed.

One way or another, a smart girl gets to know

in which closet they keep the family skeleton.

And when she rattles that skeleton...

Bingo!

Where's the skeleton in the Price family?

Mrs. Price...

But it's a long story. Going to stay to hear it?

Where are your cigarettes?

Same place as they were last night.

Have you finished those letters?

No, Mr. Price. You see, those...

Never mind. I'll sign them tomorrow.

I'm driving out to look at the Cunningham holdings.

Cancel all my appointments for today.

Yes, Mr. Price.

Oh, uh...

I want to see the examiners when they arrive first thing in the morning.

Been in our city long, Mr. Lambert?

Well, couple of days.

Say, aren't you gonna have one of your engineers look the place over?

A banker, Mr. Lambert, has to know a little about most everything.

I happen to have a mining degree.

Good enough.

Suppose we take these samples back

and have another assay run on them, just for confirmation.

Suit yourself. It'll give us a clearer picture.

Right. Just a second, I'll get something to carry them in.

Everything working out, Mr. Price? I imagine so.

It must seem a boring trip. On the contrary.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Had to dump out Cunningham's laundry, but he won't mind.

You know, Mr. Lambert, I think I may have been too hasty yesterday.

Cunningham, of course, was a little rude.

I got angry, naturally.

Oh, I don't think Cunningham meant to be.

Well, it looks good to me.

In fact, I think we stand to make a little money.

Well, that calls for a celebration.

Not a bad idea.

Where would you like to stop?

I don't know this section at all.

I'll tell you what. We might turn off to my place.

I've got a little shack up there.

I'm sure we can find the fixings.

I need something to warm me up.

Well, personally, I'm off liquor.

Well, one drink won't shorten a man's life appreciably now, would it?

Oh, what a lovely place!

Yeah, it's quite a shack. Come on in.

Make yourselves comfortable.

Lambert, let me take your hat. Thanks.

Now, I'll fix some drinks.

Wonderful. How would you like it, Miss Craig?

Water? Soda?

Some sherry? Sherry.

Whiskey, Lambert? All right.

Just a short one though.

You know, Cunningham's gonna be mighty happy when he hears about it.

Yes, I think we can do business.

Well...

Here's to luck. And a little extra.

To all of us.

Is anyone else hungry? I'm famished.

Let's go. There ought to be a diner along the road somewhere.

Nonsense! I have all the staples in the refrigerator.

Eggs, bacon, the usual things.

And perhaps Miss Craig would...

Fine. Where's the frying pan? Right out here.

Your coat...

Where can I wash my hands?

Right up ahead of the stairs. All right.

So far so good.

Stall for time. It's still too early.

(DOOR CLOSING)

Find everything, Lambert?

Yeah.

What's got into you?

Why are you drinking?

To you.

Won't you join us in the kitchen, Lambert?

I like it better out here.

Something's the matter with him. I know.

He saw your robe upstairs.

My robe?

He's in love with you.

What'll we do?

Let him drink.

It'll make it that much easier.

PAULA: He's passed out. You'll have to carry him.

(THUDDING)

Come on, Mike. Come on!

(CRASHING)

Paula?

Banker killed in accident! Read all about it!

All about the auto crash! Banker killed in auto crash!

Read all about it!

All about the auto-crash!

Paper?

Banker killed in auto-crash!

(SIGHING)

How do you feel?

What happened to me?

Don't you remember? No.

The only thing I remember is a white robe.

Mike, let's not pretend anymore.

No, let's not.

I did lie to you about Price.

But that's over! That's passed!

That was before I... Before what?

Before I met you.

Don't you see, Mike? Price never meant...

I don't care what he meant to you.

I'm pulling out of this.

Mike...

Have you seen this?

(READING) "Stephen Price killed..."

Well, that's impossible. We were with him.

It says here he was alone in his car.

Have you been to the police? If they actually...

We can't go to the police.

Well, why not?

It wasn't that kind of an accident.

What do you mean?

You killed him, Mike. Don't you remember?

I... Yes.

No, you...

You're out of your mind!

I tried to stop you. You were drunk.

You accused him of making advances.

When he called off the deal, you got angry and hit him.

He fell against the fireplace, hitting his head.

I killed him?

No.

Just an accident. Where are you going?

To the police. You can't!

He's dead. And as far as everyone is concerned, it was an accident.

Listen to me...

If you go to the police you'll hang.

You came into this town a drifter,

and they'll never believe that you didn't mean to kill him.

Does it matter? I'll hang too.

I helped to cover for you.

To make it look like an accident.

And I thought I had something this time.

Go pack your things,

we're going to leave town, tomorrow.

I'm right back where I started...

Nowhere.

Paper, mister?

Paper.

(READING) "Auto accident proved murder."

How do they know it was murder?

It says so right here in the paper.

"A blow in the back of the head with blunt instrument,

"causing severe cerebral hemorrhage."

WOMAN: Oh, that's awful! Have they got the murderer?

Oh, they got him all right.

Five minutes, that's all.

How are you, Jeff?

Bad! How would you feel with a charge like this against you?

Mike, you know I didn't do it.

I couldn't kill anybody.

I didn't like him, but I wouldn't kill him.

Oh, take it easy, Jeff. Of course you didn't do it.

And they got to prove it before they can convict you.

Well, I'm sorry, Mike. I didn't mean to fly off the handle.

I'm in a tough spot.

Well, you have your alibi. You went out to see your friend, Donovan.

That's just it. He wasn't there.

I stayed in his shack overnight,

and when he didn't show up the next day, I came on back to town.

Well, they claim that you threatened Price.

I did no such thing!

I went to see him about the loan.

First he says, "Yes, Cunningham. Fine, Cunningham."

I think the deal's all set.

And then we were interrupted, he ta"ed on the phone and...

When he got through his call, wouldn't hear of the deal.

He offered me 5,000!

I didn't threaten him, but I told him off and walked out.

Sit down!

I know you didn't do it.

Yeah, sure. You see, my laundry bag was in the wrecked car.

Mike, I swear I don't know how he got it.

I wasn't with him.

(WHISPERING) Jeff...

I was the last man with Price.

You?

We drove up to the mine. He changed his mind about your deal.

Wanted to go through with it?

Yeah. Then he backed out again.

And that's when I may have killed him.

Don't you know?

No, I don't. I...

I had a few drinks. I...

Mike, you didn't murder anybody no more than me.

I don't know.

Something loco about this man, Price.

Changes his mind and then he changes it again.

I don't get it.

He wasn't crazy. Not Price.

Hey, wait a minute, Jeff.

You say that when you went into his office he got a phone call?

That's right, he did.

What'd he say?

Ooh, nothing. Just, "Yes," "No," "Yes," "No."

Yeah, well, who was he talking to?

I didn't pay any attention.

Just a phone call. None of my business.

Maybe that's something.

Maybe it's nothing but it's all we've got.

Police ought to know.

No, they'd only throw me in jail.

Time's up.

Look, Jeff. I think I have an idea who might have done it.

What I don't know is why. I need time to find out.

But I promise you, you're not gonna be in here more than 24 hours.

Well, another day won't make no difference.

Mike, don't get in no trouble on account of me.

It's all right, Jeff.

Can't you read?

I'm looking for Mr. Price's secretary.

Who? Mr. Price's secretary.

Well, she's not here. I know that. What's her name?

I don't know her name. Why do you wanna know for?

Well, I got to see her. I'm a... I'm a reporter.

Can you find out?

(DOORBELL BUZZING)

I'd like to see Miss Woodworth.

She's retired for the night.

Wait, is she the young lady that worked for Mr. Price?

I'm her husband. What do you want with her?

I'm a reporter for the Chronicle... Look, brother!

Every cop in town has been questioning my wife.

The phone's been ringing all day long.

They've ta"ed to her till she don't know what she's saying.

Why don't you give her a break and come back tomorrow?

Mister, this is important. There's a man in jail.

He'll be in jail tomorrow, too.

It may mean this man's life...

...and all I want is one minute of Mrs. Woodworth's time.

Let him come in, Jack.

Mrs. Woodworth, I'll be very brief.

It's about Jeff Cunningham.

You say you overheard a quarrel?

That's right. He was shouting insults at Mr. Price.

Well, while Cunningham was in Mr. Price's office,

Mr. Price got a phone call, didn't he?

He had a dozen calls.

Didn't you ring Mr. Price on the inter-phone while Cunningham was there?

Yes, I did.

Is that important? Well, it may prove vital.

Who was it who called?

Let me think...

Try to remember.

You don't have to answer him if you don't want to.

He's not the police. It's my job!

Look, was it a man or a woman who called?

Oh... It was a woman.

What was her name?

Try to think. I've got to know. Why? What's the hurry?

I've got to make the morning edition.

Look, your wife's trying to cooperate, why shouldn't you?

Whittier?

Nelson... Carlson...

Barkley...

(SIGHING) Gee, it's right on the tip of my tongue.

Never sent a reporter, is that it?

Just what I figured.

No, you send for the police.

I'll hold him here.

Yeah, it'd be a pleasure.

Oh, I know, of course!

Helen Bailey.

That's the name. Helen Bailey.

Did you ever see her?

No.

But she called three or four times a week.

Helen Bailey, of course.

Thanks. You've helped a lot.

How about a cup of coffee before you leave?

Oh no, thanks, I'm in a hurry.

No need to hurry.

The Chronicle has no morning edition. Never did.

Sit down.

Sorry.

(SIRENS WAILING)

(VEHICLE DRIVING AWAY)

OPERATOR: When you hear the tone, the time will be 9:15.

(DOORBELL BUZZING)

Mike! I'm so glad!

Hello, Paula.

I've been frantic all night worrying about you.

Where have you been and what have you been doing?

Thinking...

Oh don't. Don't think about it. There's nothing we can do.

We'll leave this town in a couple of hours.

I'll fix you some coffee.

I went to see Cunningham yesterday.

He's in a bad spot.

Oh, he'll get out of it. After all, he is innocent.

Proving it is something else.

There's nothing you can do.

I can confess.

Oh no, Mike, I can't let you.

We've got to think of us.

Paula... Yes, darling?

You know this town pretty well.

Some.

Do you know a woman named...

Helen Bailey?

No.

No, I don't recall the name.

Why do you ask about her?

Who? Helen Bailey.

No reason. Except that she was a friend of Price's.

How do you know?

It was in the paper this morning.

Price's secretary ta"ed to Miss Bailey several times,

but claims she never saw her.

Darling...

I have to go to the La Paloma and pick up my last check.

We'll need every cent of the money.

Mike, I'm sorry.

I'll get another. You run along.

I'll be right back.

Now don't run away again.

I won't.

(BELL RINGS)

(DOOR OPENING)

Open it, Paula.

Open it.

You'd let me go on believing that I killed him.

I had to hold you.

You killed him...

...for that.

It was either Price or you.

He wanted to kill you and let you burn,

so they'd think it was him.

It would have hurt less that way.

I couldn't tell you before, Mike. I was afraid I'd lose you.

I didn't care what you were or what you did before we met.

Listen to me...

We met by luck. We had a few hours.

We belong to each other, Mike, you know that.

Sure.

I wanted it that way more than anything in the world.

But it's no good, Paula.

Mike...

Mike, listen to me.

We can go away. Anywhere.

All that money's ours.

We could do anything we want.

What about Cunningham?

Would you let him die for something he didn't do?

We could get him a good lawyer.

It's no good, Paula.

I can't let this go.

I waited too long, Mike.

You don't know what it is to wear someone else's clothes.

To have to smile when you don't want to.

Oh Mike, if I had only known you before I met Price.

Then this is goodbye, Mike.

Mike, help me!

I'm scared, Mike.

They're out there.

You told them.

You'll get a big reward for this.

You keep it.