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Judging by your lugubrious gait
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and sour expression
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I assume that your endeavors
have achieved nothing.
5
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Well, there may have been
some buried clue or significant fact
6
00:01:19,046 --> 00:01:21,079
that showed itself,
but I missed it.
7
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Hmm.
8
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Then you better
type up the report.
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You mean my full report?
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You want it verbatim?
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Yes.
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Uh, that could take all
afternoon, maybe more.
13
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I suppose so.
14
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I asked you to type the report.
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I heard you
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but it's just a stall
and you know it.
17
00:01:45,005 --> 00:01:46,671
Archie, you might recall
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that I once returned
a retainer of $40,000
19
00:01:49,677 --> 00:01:52,644
to a client named
Zimmerman, because he...
20
00:01:52,679 --> 00:01:55,213
wanted to tell me
how to handle his case
21
00:01:55,249 --> 00:01:56,982
instead of leaving it to me.
22
00:01:58,352 --> 00:02:01,219
Please type up the report.
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00:02:09,596 --> 00:02:12,909
It would've been a pleasure
to take a gun out of the drawer
24
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and shoot that book
right out of his hand
25
00:02:14,902 --> 00:02:16,379
but I decided it
was inadvisable.
26
00:02:16,403 --> 00:02:18,414
So I swiveled, pulled
the typewriter to me
27
00:02:18,438 --> 00:02:20,558
got paper, twirled it
in and hit the keys.
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00:02:24,077 --> 00:02:26,344
Three and a half
hours later, at 6:00
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00:02:26,380 --> 00:02:29,748
I finished typing my report
and someone rang the bell.
30
00:02:42,329 --> 00:02:43,995
Yes, can I help you?
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00:02:44,030 --> 00:02:45,464
My name is Arthur M. Irby.
32
00:02:45,499 --> 00:02:47,598
I'm a lawyer and I
represent Eric Hagh
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00:02:47,634 --> 00:02:49,801
the former husband
of Priscilla Eades.
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00:02:49,836 --> 00:02:52,704
I would like to
speak to Mr. Wolfe.
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00:02:52,740 --> 00:02:54,740
Come in.
36
00:02:59,246 --> 00:03:02,914
Eric Hagh's lawyer, Albert
Irby, is here to see you.
37
00:03:02,949 --> 00:03:04,949
Where the devil did you get him?
38
00:03:04,985 --> 00:03:07,452
Well, I didn't exactly
get him, he came here.
39
00:03:07,488 --> 00:03:09,354
What does he
want? To talk to you.
40
00:03:09,389 --> 00:03:12,190
Look, since you don't
like a client horning in
41
00:03:12,225 --> 00:03:15,660
on a case of yours, I didn't
press him for particulars.
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00:03:15,695 --> 00:03:17,062
Bring him.
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00:03:20,967 --> 00:03:22,634
Mr. Wolfe will see you.
44
00:03:25,105 --> 00:03:27,773
I appreciate your
seeing me, Mr. Wolfe
45
00:03:27,808 --> 00:03:28,848
but I'm not surprised
46
00:03:28,875 --> 00:03:30,586
because I know of
your great services
47
00:03:30,610 --> 00:03:31,777
in the cause of justice
48
00:03:31,812 --> 00:03:33,856
and that's what I want
for my client, Eric Hagh.
49
00:03:33,880 --> 00:03:36,381
I was asked to represent him
by a colleague in Venezuela...
50
00:03:36,416 --> 00:03:37,560
My time and attention
51
00:03:37,584 --> 00:03:41,153
are not infinite, Mr. Irby.
52
00:03:41,188 --> 00:03:42,153
Oh.
53
00:03:42,189 --> 00:03:43,288
Of course.
54
00:03:43,324 --> 00:03:45,090
Forgive me.
55
00:03:48,061 --> 00:03:50,462
I have with me
56
00:03:50,497 --> 00:03:54,299
a photostat of a letter
dated August 12, 1946
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00:03:54,335 --> 00:03:56,601
written and signed by
Priscilla Eades Hagh
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00:03:56,636 --> 00:03:58,447
and witnessed by
Margaret Folmos.
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00:03:58,471 --> 00:04:01,273
In this letter, Priscilla
gives to her husband, Eric
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00:04:01,308 --> 00:04:04,008
a half interest in all
property, then hers
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00:04:04,043 --> 00:04:05,043
or to become hers
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00:04:05,079 --> 00:04:06,255
at any time in the future.
63
00:04:06,279 --> 00:04:07,446
This is a legal matter.
64
00:04:07,481 --> 00:04:08,580
I'm not a lawyer.
65
00:04:08,615 --> 00:04:10,682
I came to consult you
not in a matter of the law
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00:04:10,718 --> 00:04:12,317
but in a matter of fact.
67
00:04:12,352 --> 00:04:14,119
Miss Eades told me on Friday
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00:04:14,154 --> 00:04:16,854
that she signed the
document in good faith.
69
00:04:16,890 --> 00:04:19,691
She offered my client
a $100,000 settlement.
70
00:04:19,726 --> 00:04:22,560
He rejected it, so I
went to see Mr. Helmar.
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00:04:22,595 --> 00:04:25,096
I fail to see what this
has to do with me.
72
00:04:25,132 --> 00:04:28,066
Mr. Helmar claimed she
never signed the document
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00:04:28,101 --> 00:04:29,701
and accused my
client of forging it
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00:04:29,737 --> 00:04:31,802
so I called Mr. Hagh
and told him to get on
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00:04:31,838 --> 00:04:33,071
the first plane to New York.
76
00:04:33,106 --> 00:04:36,374
Uh, in five minutes,
my dinner is served
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00:04:36,410 --> 00:04:37,909
and I will be leaving this room
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00:04:37,944 --> 00:04:39,922
whether you are
finished speaking or not.
79
00:04:39,946 --> 00:04:42,425
You might consider
getting to the point
80
00:04:42,449 --> 00:04:44,249
sooner rather than later.
81
00:04:47,420 --> 00:04:50,288
It occurred to me that, um...
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00:04:50,323 --> 00:04:51,490
you could speak
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00:04:51,525 --> 00:04:54,325
to the authenticity
of the document.
84
00:04:54,360 --> 00:04:56,527
Miss Eades came to consult you.
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00:04:56,563 --> 00:04:58,062
She spent hours here.
86
00:04:58,098 --> 00:04:59,665
Surely the document
was discussed
87
00:04:59,700 --> 00:05:01,599
and surely she
acknowledged signing it.
88
00:05:01,634 --> 00:05:05,036
If Mr. Goodwin was also
here and can speak...
89
00:05:05,071 --> 00:05:06,738
that would clinch it.
90
00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:14,979
Such assistance would be
of great value to Mr. Hagh
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00:05:15,015 --> 00:05:17,115
amounting to...
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00:05:17,150 --> 00:05:18,750
five percent
93
00:05:18,785 --> 00:05:20,852
of the total sum received by him
94
00:05:20,887 --> 00:05:22,654
in settlement of his claim.
95
00:05:22,689 --> 00:05:24,656
Hmm.
96
00:05:24,691 --> 00:05:27,825
You say Mr. Hagh is
coming to New York?
97
00:05:27,861 --> 00:05:28,827
Yes.
98
00:05:28,862 --> 00:05:29,972
When does he arrive?
99
00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:31,596
Tomorrow afternoon, 3:00.
100
00:05:31,631 --> 00:05:32,998
Oh, I'd like to see him.
101
00:05:33,033 --> 00:05:34,633
Oh, certainly. I want you to.
102
00:05:34,668 --> 00:05:36,901
I'll bring him straight
here from the airport.
103
00:05:36,936 --> 00:05:38,770
Meanwhile... I've
prepared affidavits.
104
00:05:38,805 --> 00:05:41,684
No, there will be no affidavits
until I speak to your client.
105
00:05:41,708 --> 00:05:43,208
Then we'll see.
106
00:05:43,243 --> 00:05:46,511
I-I think there should be a
meeting of all those involved.
107
00:05:46,546 --> 00:05:47,979
Both sides
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00:05:48,014 --> 00:05:49,092
with you present
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00:05:49,116 --> 00:05:51,561
here in my office at
9:00 p.m. tomorrow.
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00:05:51,585 --> 00:05:53,385
I would welcome such a meeting
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00:05:53,420 --> 00:05:55,653
but I want some
assurance that...
112
00:05:55,689 --> 00:05:58,490
No. By making me a
flagrantly improper offer
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00:05:58,525 --> 00:06:01,492
you have forfeited
all rights to amenity.
114
00:06:01,528 --> 00:06:04,195
You'll have to
take it as it comes.
115
00:06:04,231 --> 00:06:07,198
My dinner is served.
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00:06:10,837 --> 00:06:12,104
Very well then.
117
00:06:14,641 --> 00:06:16,774
Good day.
118
00:06:23,550 --> 00:06:25,316
Are you satisfied?
119
00:06:25,351 --> 00:06:26,485
No, sir.
120
00:06:26,520 --> 00:06:28,386
And neither are you.
121
00:06:37,464 --> 00:06:40,443
The next morning, I decided
for the umpteenth time
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00:06:40,467 --> 00:06:42,311
I didn't have the
right temperament
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00:06:42,335 --> 00:06:43,769
for working with Nero Wolfe.
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00:06:43,804 --> 00:06:46,504
If I had, I would've long
ago quit being exasperated
125
00:06:46,540 --> 00:06:48,651
by his assumption
that there was no point
126
00:06:48,675 --> 00:06:50,715
starting the day's
detecting activities
127
00:06:50,744 --> 00:06:53,277
until he came down from
the plant rooms at 11:00.
128
00:06:55,983 --> 00:06:58,550
Nero Wolfe's office,
Archie Goodwin speaking.
129
00:06:58,585 --> 00:07:00,818
This is Sarah
Jaffe, Mr. Goodwin.
130
00:07:00,854 --> 00:07:01,920
Yes, yes, it is.
131
00:07:01,955 --> 00:07:03,599
I can tell by the
voice. Good morning.
132
00:07:03,623 --> 00:07:05,056
Good morning.
133
00:07:05,092 --> 00:07:07,359
I wanted...
134
00:07:07,394 --> 00:07:09,060
How are you?
135
00:07:09,096 --> 00:07:11,229
Oh, I'm fine. How are you?
136
00:07:11,265 --> 00:07:14,098
I'm fine, too.
137
00:07:14,134 --> 00:07:18,269
I just had my breakfast
and I wanted to phone you.
138
00:07:18,305 --> 00:07:21,038
There was no place
at the table but mine.
139
00:07:21,074 --> 00:07:22,074
Well, that's good.
140
00:07:22,109 --> 00:07:23,541
You know, in the long run
141
00:07:23,576 --> 00:07:25,877
that'll save a lot of
breakage on dishes.
142
00:07:25,913 --> 00:07:28,880
Oh, it'll save more than that.
143
00:07:28,915 --> 00:07:31,516
You took the coat
and hat away with you.
144
00:07:31,552 --> 00:07:32,829
Yes, I did, and for God's sake
145
00:07:32,853 --> 00:07:34,296
don't tell me you
want them back.
146
00:07:34,320 --> 00:07:35,286
I disposed of them.
147
00:07:35,322 --> 00:07:37,255
Oh, I'll never want them back.
148
00:07:37,291 --> 00:07:40,291
When I went into the
hall, long after you left
149
00:07:40,327 --> 00:07:41,459
I... I cried like a baby
150
00:07:41,494 --> 00:07:43,572
and I knew you had done
a wonderful thing for me
151
00:07:43,596 --> 00:07:46,264
and that I had to do anything
you asked me to do... anything.
152
00:07:46,300 --> 00:07:47,799
Only, of course not...
153
00:07:47,834 --> 00:07:50,135
I mean, anything
you would ask me.
154
00:07:50,170 --> 00:07:52,070
That is, anything I can do.
155
00:07:52,105 --> 00:07:54,105
So, just tell me what it is?
156
00:07:54,140 --> 00:07:56,407
Uh... yes. I see.
157
00:07:56,442 --> 00:08:00,645
Uh, well, uh, it's what I
asked you to do yesterday.
158
00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:01,979
Yes, I thought so.
159
00:08:02,015 --> 00:08:03,593
You'll have to
provide an attorney.
160
00:08:03,617 --> 00:08:05,161
I'm afraid mine
wouldn't approve.
161
00:08:05,185 --> 00:08:07,785
Well, uh, Mr. Wolfe's
attorney, Nathaniel Parker
162
00:08:07,820 --> 00:08:09,732
will be asked to
act on your behalf
163
00:08:09,756 --> 00:08:12,056
and you couldn't do any
better than Mr. Parker.
164
00:08:14,294 --> 00:08:16,239
I don't think I'm still
in that, Mr. Goodwin
165
00:08:16,263 --> 00:08:18,229
so I'm pretty brave
to be doing this
166
00:08:18,265 --> 00:08:20,331
and... I hope you know it.
167
00:08:20,366 --> 00:08:22,033
I do.
168
00:08:22,069 --> 00:08:24,301
And I appreciate it.
169
00:08:25,372 --> 00:08:27,105
Bye for now.
170
00:08:29,142 --> 00:08:32,744
And so we were going to
hatch Wolfe's plan after all.
171
00:08:32,779 --> 00:08:34,646
The legal merits
172
00:08:34,681 --> 00:08:36,960
are open to question
173
00:08:36,984 --> 00:08:38,628
but it should suffice
to get them here.
174
00:08:38,652 --> 00:08:41,719
We had given
Parker all the details.
175
00:08:41,755 --> 00:08:43,421
Well, I'm not so sure.
176
00:08:43,456 --> 00:08:45,501
Ah, don't worry.
177
00:08:45,525 --> 00:08:47,470
If you get disbarred
because of this operation
178
00:08:47,494 --> 00:08:50,094
I can get you a job
folding paper napkins.
179
00:08:50,129 --> 00:08:51,173
Lawyers are incapable
180
00:08:51,197 --> 00:08:53,042
of taking a joke
about getting disbarred
181
00:08:53,066 --> 00:08:54,699
because it takes them
182
00:08:54,734 --> 00:08:56,345
so much time and
money to get barred.
183
00:08:56,369 --> 00:08:59,048
Yes, Mr. Perry Helmar, please.
184
00:08:59,072 --> 00:09:01,851
This is Nathaniel
Parker's office calling.
185
00:09:01,875 --> 00:09:04,642
It's regarding a
Mrs. Sarah Jaffe
186
00:09:04,678 --> 00:09:06,355
and Softdown, Incorporated.
187
00:09:06,379 --> 00:09:08,112
This is Helmar speaking.
188
00:09:08,148 --> 00:09:10,815
Yes, Mr. Helmar, please
hold for Mr. Parker.
189
00:09:14,554 --> 00:09:16,120
Good afternoon, Mr. Helmar.
190
00:09:16,155 --> 00:09:18,522
Uh, my name is Nathaniel Parker.
191
00:09:18,558 --> 00:09:20,358
I am an attorney.
192
00:09:20,393 --> 00:09:21,992
Uh, I am preparing
193
00:09:22,028 --> 00:09:25,196
to start a case for a client
194
00:09:25,231 --> 00:09:28,065
and I'm calling you as a
matter of professional courtesy.
195
00:09:28,101 --> 00:09:30,402
Uh, the client is
Mrs. Sarah Jaffe.
196
00:09:30,437 --> 00:09:31,947
I believe you know her?
197
00:09:31,971 --> 00:09:34,172
Yes, I've known Mrs.
Jaffe all of her life.
198
00:09:34,207 --> 00:09:36,052
What kind of action
are you talking about?
199
00:09:36,076 --> 00:09:38,209
Uh, well, perhaps I
should explain to you
200
00:09:38,244 --> 00:09:39,677
that Mrs. Jaffe was referred
201
00:09:39,713 --> 00:09:41,846
to me by Mr. Nero Wolfe...
202
00:09:41,882 --> 00:09:43,047
That crook?
203
00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:44,749
That damn scoundrel?
204
00:09:44,784 --> 00:09:47,051
Well, I won't stipulate that
205
00:09:47,087 --> 00:09:50,688
and, uh, I doubt if
you can establish it.
206
00:09:50,724 --> 00:09:53,758
I was saying: Mrs. Jaffe
207
00:09:53,793 --> 00:09:56,394
would like me to ask a court
208
00:09:56,430 --> 00:09:58,129
to enjoin you and
members of the board
209
00:09:58,165 --> 00:09:59,196
from assuming ownership
210
00:09:59,232 --> 00:10:01,766
of any of the capital stock
211
00:10:01,801 --> 00:10:04,368
of Softdown, Incorporated
under the provisions
212
00:10:04,403 --> 00:10:07,372
of the will of the
late Nathaniel Eades.
213
00:10:07,407 --> 00:10:12,610
And from attempting to exercise
any rights of such ownership
214
00:10:12,645 --> 00:10:15,880
until it is determined
whether one or more of you
215
00:10:15,915 --> 00:10:19,951
has acquired this stock by,
um... murdering Priscilla Eades.
216
00:10:19,986 --> 00:10:22,153
This is an act of malice.
217
00:10:22,188 --> 00:10:23,921
Nero Wolfe put her up to this.
218
00:10:23,957 --> 00:10:25,601
I will speak with
Mrs. Jaffe myself.
219
00:10:25,625 --> 00:10:27,291
I-I don't think that will help.
220
00:10:27,327 --> 00:10:29,594
Uh, as Mrs. Jaffe's attorney
221
00:10:29,629 --> 00:10:32,930
I have advised her not to
discuss this matter with anyone
222
00:10:32,966 --> 00:10:35,099
except Mr. Wolfe,
if she sees fit.
223
00:10:35,135 --> 00:10:37,780
No judge would grant
such an injunction.
224
00:10:37,804 --> 00:10:39,148
Well, that remains to be seen.
225
00:10:39,172 --> 00:10:40,137
But I think
226
00:10:40,173 --> 00:10:43,174
an effort should be made
to protect all interests
227
00:10:43,210 --> 00:10:44,676
without going to court
228
00:10:44,711 --> 00:10:46,344
and Mr. Wolfe has agreed...
229
00:10:46,379 --> 00:10:48,979
uh, provided that such
efforts be made tonight
230
00:10:49,015 --> 00:10:53,384
at his office and that
all involved be present.
231
00:10:53,419 --> 00:10:54,452
At Wolfe's office?
232
00:10:54,488 --> 00:10:55,453
Yes.
233
00:10:55,488 --> 00:10:57,455
Never! Never!
234
00:10:57,490 --> 00:10:59,724
That man is a murderer himself!
235
00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:03,795
I think, Counselor, you
are a little free with words.
236
00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:05,996
Uh, we'll expect you at 9:00
237
00:11:06,032 --> 00:11:08,265
with the rest of the board.
238
00:11:10,870 --> 00:11:13,738
They'll come.
239
00:11:13,773 --> 00:11:16,586
The Softdown crowd showed
up on time as expected
240
00:11:16,610 --> 00:11:20,178
and we finally got
to meet Eric Hagh.
241
00:11:20,213 --> 00:11:22,424
There had been so much
talk about South America
242
00:11:22,448 --> 00:11:23,615
I had expected him
243
00:11:23,650 --> 00:11:26,350
to be a cross between
Diego Rivera and Peron.
244
00:11:26,385 --> 00:11:29,187
But I couldn't have
told him from a Viking
245
00:11:29,222 --> 00:11:31,182
if it hadn't been
for his clothes.
246
00:11:32,258 --> 00:11:33,491
Good evening.
247
00:11:34,527 --> 00:11:36,427
I have a prepared statement
248
00:11:36,462 --> 00:11:38,429
that I would like to read.
249
00:11:40,366 --> 00:11:43,568
"Speaking for myself
and my four associates
250
00:11:43,603 --> 00:11:46,504
"we denounce Nero Wolfe
251
00:11:46,540 --> 00:11:48,539
"for his instigation of
an unwarranted attack
252
00:11:48,574 --> 00:11:50,075
"upon us by Mrs. Sarah Jaffe.
253
00:11:50,110 --> 00:11:51,843
"We declare that
said instigation
254
00:11:51,878 --> 00:11:53,277
"was prompted by malice
255
00:11:53,313 --> 00:11:55,480
"and that the
threat of legal action
256
00:11:55,515 --> 00:11:59,450
"on behalf of Mrs. Jaffe is
an unjustified, unprovoked
257
00:11:59,486 --> 00:12:01,926
"and reprehensible
attempt at coercion
258
00:12:01,954 --> 00:12:03,466
"and we demand the right
259
00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:05,134
"to interview Mrs.
Jaffe privately
260
00:12:05,158 --> 00:12:07,837
"before entering into a
discussion with Counselor Parker
261
00:12:07,861 --> 00:12:14,332
and particularly any discussion
to which Nero Wolfe is a party."
262
00:12:14,367 --> 00:12:15,444
May I say that, uh...
263
00:12:15,468 --> 00:12:16,767
If you please, Mr. Helmar.
264
00:12:16,802 --> 00:12:18,435
There's no
question of your right
265
00:12:18,471 --> 00:12:20,805
to interview Mrs.
Jaffe privately.
266
00:12:20,840 --> 00:12:23,174
The only question is how
267
00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:24,920
she feels about it herself.
268
00:12:24,944 --> 00:12:27,078
Ask her.
269
00:12:31,884 --> 00:12:34,051
Sarah...
270
00:12:34,087 --> 00:12:36,821
you wouldn't let me speak
to you on the telephone.
271
00:12:38,358 --> 00:12:40,424
You've known
me all of your life.
272
00:12:40,459 --> 00:12:42,660
I held you in my arms
when you were a baby.
273
00:12:42,695 --> 00:12:45,196
Have you ever known me
274
00:12:45,231 --> 00:12:47,098
to do anything unfair or wicked
275
00:12:47,133 --> 00:12:48,399
or dishonest?
276
00:12:48,434 --> 00:12:49,534
Yes.
277
00:12:49,569 --> 00:12:52,236
What?
278
00:12:52,271 --> 00:12:53,537
Did you say "yes"?
279
00:12:53,572 --> 00:12:55,273
Yes, I did.
280
00:12:55,308 --> 00:12:58,109
You did all of
those things to Pris.
281
00:12:58,144 --> 00:13:01,946
You didn't love her
or understand her
282
00:13:01,981 --> 00:13:03,447
and you were bad for her.
283
00:13:03,483 --> 00:13:06,517
I want to say one thing.
284
00:13:06,552 --> 00:13:10,554
I haven't been coerced to do
this by Mr. Wolfe or Mr. Parker.
285
00:13:10,589 --> 00:13:13,691
I am doing this
because I want to
286
00:13:13,727 --> 00:13:15,960
and... it was Archie Goodwin
287
00:13:15,995 --> 00:13:19,063
who made me want to.
288
00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:22,244
It wouldn't do the
slightest good for you
289
00:13:22,268 --> 00:13:24,468
to speak with me,
Mr. Helmar, so... forget it.
290
00:13:24,504 --> 00:13:26,537
Listen, Sarah
291
00:13:26,573 --> 00:13:27,538
you don't understand...
292
00:13:27,573 --> 00:13:28,584
I think I do
293
00:13:28,608 --> 00:13:31,208
and... what if I don't?
294
00:13:36,249 --> 00:13:37,649
Does anyone else
295
00:13:37,684 --> 00:13:39,924
have a statement to read?
296
00:13:40,753 --> 00:13:42,965
Good.
297
00:13:42,989 --> 00:13:44,399
First, I'll make
one thing clear.
298
00:13:44,423 --> 00:13:46,056
I have been engaged
299
00:13:46,092 --> 00:13:49,027
to investigate the
murder of Priscilla Eades
300
00:13:49,062 --> 00:13:50,962
and that is my sole interest.
301
00:13:50,997 --> 00:13:52,430
By Sarah Jaffe?
302
00:13:52,465 --> 00:13:55,466
No, my client's identity
is not your concern.
303
00:13:55,501 --> 00:13:58,569
In my opinion, it
is entirely proper
304
00:13:58,604 --> 00:14:01,572
for Mrs. Jaffe to bring
the action contemplated
305
00:14:01,608 --> 00:14:05,643
but that will be determined
not by me, not by you
306
00:14:05,678 --> 00:14:08,123
but by a court tomorrow morning
307
00:14:08,147 --> 00:14:11,215
unless developments
here this evening
308
00:14:11,251 --> 00:14:12,950
make it unnecessary.
309
00:14:12,986 --> 00:14:15,786
What developments
could make it unnecessary?
310
00:14:15,822 --> 00:14:17,154
Oh, any of several.
311
00:14:17,189 --> 00:14:18,523
For instance
312
00:14:18,558 --> 00:14:20,836
my discovery of the identity
313
00:14:20,860 --> 00:14:22,059
of the murderer
314
00:14:22,095 --> 00:14:26,997
though I confess that I expect
no such happy expedition.
315
00:14:27,033 --> 00:14:28,543
Another possible development
316
00:14:28,567 --> 00:14:29,779
would be for me to conclude
317
00:14:29,803 --> 00:14:32,336
after inquiry that
none of you five people
318
00:14:32,371 --> 00:14:36,674
was involved in the
murder of Miss Eades.
319
00:14:36,709 --> 00:14:39,910
The reason for this meeting
is an explanation by you
320
00:14:39,945 --> 00:14:43,881
and Counselor Parker about
this whole preposterous event.
321
00:14:43,916 --> 00:14:45,950
Do you really mean that?
322
00:14:45,985 --> 00:14:47,952
Yes, I certainly do.
323
00:14:47,987 --> 00:14:49,787
Then get out.
324
00:14:49,822 --> 00:14:51,288
What's that?
325
00:14:51,324 --> 00:14:52,590
Get out!
326
00:14:52,626 --> 00:14:55,025
Before you go, Mr. Helmar
327
00:14:55,061 --> 00:14:56,872
there's a piece of
information for you.
328
00:14:56,896 --> 00:14:58,362
I am told
329
00:14:58,397 --> 00:15:00,330
that you are now claiming
330
00:15:00,366 --> 00:15:02,177
that the letter from
Priscilla Eades
331
00:15:02,201 --> 00:15:04,535
giving her husband half
her property is spurious.
332
00:15:04,570 --> 00:15:07,338
If you accuse me
of deception, sir
333
00:15:07,374 --> 00:15:09,818
I accuse you of an impudent lie
334
00:15:09,842 --> 00:15:13,011
in an attempt to defraud.
335
00:15:13,046 --> 00:15:14,345
In this room, Monday evening
336
00:15:14,381 --> 00:15:17,715
Miss Eades told Mr. Goodwin
and me categorically
337
00:15:17,750 --> 00:15:20,018
that she signed that document.
338
00:15:20,053 --> 00:15:22,553
And, of course, you knew that.
339
00:15:24,257 --> 00:15:25,323
Bravo.
340
00:15:25,358 --> 00:15:27,858
Now that is honesty, gentlemen.
341
00:15:27,893 --> 00:15:30,694
Oh... here it is.
342
00:15:30,730 --> 00:15:31,929
Here it is.
343
00:15:31,964 --> 00:15:34,164
Well, this is fantastic.
344
00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:36,534
We are subject to trial
on the charge of murder
345
00:15:36,569 --> 00:15:38,970
with you as the
judge and the jury.
346
00:15:39,005 --> 00:15:40,449
No, not as you put it.
347
00:15:40,473 --> 00:15:41,939
What do you mean by inquiry?
348
00:15:41,974 --> 00:15:45,476
Put it this way... I say
to you, Miss Duday
349
00:15:45,511 --> 00:15:47,745
there is a suspicion
350
00:15:47,781 --> 00:15:50,447
that you had something
to do with the murders
351
00:15:50,483 --> 00:15:52,494
of Priscilla Eades
and Margaret Folmos.
352
00:15:52,518 --> 00:15:55,786
That you may actually
have committed the crimes
353
00:15:55,821 --> 00:15:58,021
with your own hands.
354
00:15:58,057 --> 00:16:00,257
What have you to say
to remove or discredit
355
00:16:00,293 --> 00:16:01,533
that suspicion?
356
00:16:01,560 --> 00:16:04,161
That should be simple.
357
00:16:04,197 --> 00:16:06,097
It's true, of course
358
00:16:06,132 --> 00:16:08,932
that I'll get a large
block of stocks...
359
00:16:08,968 --> 00:16:11,402
As they will...
360
00:16:11,437 --> 00:16:13,504
But they can outvote
me and push me out
361
00:16:13,539 --> 00:16:15,372
if they feel like it.
362
00:16:15,408 --> 00:16:17,842
Whereas if Priscilla had lived
363
00:16:17,877 --> 00:16:21,245
I would soon have been
active head of the corporation...
364
00:16:21,281 --> 00:16:23,715
in complete control.
365
00:16:23,750 --> 00:16:25,316
Does that seem pertinent?
366
00:16:25,351 --> 00:16:26,884
Yes.
367
00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:30,288
Did you know that Mrs.
Jaffe was to be a director?
368
00:16:31,824 --> 00:16:33,924
Yes.
369
00:16:33,960 --> 00:16:35,392
That was because
Priscilla wanted
370
00:16:35,428 --> 00:16:37,127
all the directors to be women.
371
00:16:37,163 --> 00:16:39,730
Did these gentlemen
know that Miss Eades
372
00:16:39,766 --> 00:16:41,799
intended to put you in charge?
373
00:16:41,834 --> 00:16:44,301
I'd rather let them answer that.
374
00:16:44,336 --> 00:16:48,506
Except, if they say
no, then I'll speak to it.
375
00:16:48,541 --> 00:16:49,918
Very well.
376
00:16:49,942 --> 00:16:51,608
Uh, Mr. Helmar...
377
00:16:52,846 --> 00:16:54,645
join us.
378
00:16:54,681 --> 00:16:57,648
The idea that a man of my
training and temperament
379
00:16:57,683 --> 00:17:01,852
would perform so vicious a deed
and incur so tremendous a risk
380
00:17:01,888 --> 00:17:06,590
is repugnant to every reputable
theory of human conduct.
381
00:17:06,625 --> 00:17:08,503
Well, how do you
explain her backing out
382
00:17:08,527 --> 00:17:10,227
of her appointment with you
383
00:17:10,262 --> 00:17:12,463
and asking you not
to try and find her?
384
00:17:12,498 --> 00:17:13,598
Very simply.
385
00:17:13,633 --> 00:17:15,199
She knew that I was
coming with proof
386
00:17:15,234 --> 00:17:16,600
that Miss Duday was incompetent
387
00:17:16,636 --> 00:17:18,547
to handle the affairs
of a large corporation
388
00:17:18,571 --> 00:17:20,816
and she simply didn't
want to face me and admit it.
389
00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:22,280
What a monstrous liar you are!
390
00:17:22,308 --> 00:17:25,175
Don't call me a liar, you
vicious underhanded...
391
00:17:25,210 --> 00:17:26,310
How dare you!
392
00:17:26,346 --> 00:17:27,811
What about Miss O'Neill?
393
00:17:32,752 --> 00:17:35,052
I have nothing to say
about Miss O'Neill.
394
00:17:35,087 --> 00:17:36,887
Oh, come.
395
00:17:36,922 --> 00:17:40,090
She may be a mere
voluptuous irrelevance
396
00:17:40,126 --> 00:17:41,892
but I need to know
397
00:17:41,927 --> 00:17:44,996
was she intimate
with both Mr. Brucker
398
00:17:45,031 --> 00:17:46,108
and you?
399
00:17:46,132 --> 00:17:48,299
Or-or neither?
400
00:17:48,334 --> 00:17:50,167
How dare you.
401
00:17:50,203 --> 00:17:53,671
You make these vicious
and ignorant insinuations
402
00:17:53,706 --> 00:17:57,641
about a woman who, in her
innocence and modest merit
403
00:17:57,677 --> 00:18:02,213
is so far above all
of this depravity.
404
00:18:02,248 --> 00:18:04,581
Mr. Brucker?
405
00:18:04,617 --> 00:18:10,354
I'm only a... hardworking,
plodding businessman, Mr. Wolfe.
406
00:18:15,294 --> 00:18:17,761
But to the issue of murder
407
00:18:17,797 --> 00:18:22,600
I can only say that I
loved Priscilla Eades
408
00:18:22,635 --> 00:18:24,735
since the day...
As a five-year-old...
409
00:18:24,770 --> 00:18:27,304
That she told her father
410
00:18:27,340 --> 00:18:30,541
"Don't make Jay go
away with the others.
411
00:18:30,576 --> 00:18:33,778
You must keep Jay."
412
00:18:33,813 --> 00:18:37,381
Uh, this was during one
of Softdown's worst slumps.
413
00:18:37,416 --> 00:18:40,785
As you can see, I was kept.
414
00:18:40,820 --> 00:18:44,088
Do you really think that
this is pertinent in any way?
415
00:18:44,123 --> 00:18:45,489
I do, sir.
416
00:18:45,524 --> 00:18:48,925
You can imagine my feelings
417
00:18:48,961 --> 00:18:52,896
knowing that I am
suspected of killing Priscilla
418
00:18:52,932 --> 00:18:55,800
with these hands.
419
00:18:57,503 --> 00:19:01,138
Well... sir?
420
00:19:01,174 --> 00:19:04,041
I have nothing more to say.
421
00:19:04,076 --> 00:19:06,310
You're... y-you're not serious.
422
00:19:06,345 --> 00:19:09,480
Oh, yes, he is.
423
00:19:11,984 --> 00:19:13,684
Ah, Mr. Hagh.
424
00:19:13,719 --> 00:19:15,753
Hmm?
425
00:19:15,788 --> 00:19:16,898
Mr. Hagh
426
00:19:16,922 --> 00:19:19,023
uh, Mr. Brucker told Mr. Goodwin
427
00:19:19,058 --> 00:19:21,002
that perhaps you had
murdered your ex-wife.
428
00:19:21,026 --> 00:19:22,593
Who said that?
429
00:19:22,628 --> 00:19:24,172
Sit down, Mr. Hagh.
I want an answer.
430
00:19:24,196 --> 00:19:25,340
Hey, back off.
431
00:19:25,364 --> 00:19:26,564
I'm being accused of murder.
432
00:19:26,599 --> 00:19:27,831
So is everyone in this room.
433
00:19:27,866 --> 00:19:29,946
Now, sit down and
cook yourself a defense.
434
00:19:31,571 --> 00:19:33,271
This is outrageous.
435
00:19:33,306 --> 00:19:35,739
Thank you, Archie.
436
00:19:42,748 --> 00:19:45,761
Now, why would Mr. Hagh
437
00:19:45,785 --> 00:19:49,720
want Priscilla Eades
dead... Mr. Brucker?
438
00:19:49,756 --> 00:19:52,923
I can't tell you that.
439
00:19:52,959 --> 00:19:53,968
That's a pity,
440
00:19:53,992 --> 00:19:56,427
since the simplest
way for you people
441
00:19:56,462 --> 00:19:58,295
to make me doubt your guilt
442
00:19:58,330 --> 00:20:01,231
would be to offer an
acceptable substitute.
443
00:20:01,266 --> 00:20:03,545
Have you one, Mr. Brucker?
444
00:20:03,569 --> 00:20:04,702
No.
445
00:20:04,737 --> 00:20:06,237
Hmm.
446
00:20:06,272 --> 00:20:07,538
Mr. Quest?
447
00:20:07,573 --> 00:20:09,885
Bernie. Bernie.
448
00:20:12,145 --> 00:20:14,144
Sir...
449
00:20:16,114 --> 00:20:20,484
I have been with this
company 62 years.
450
00:20:20,519 --> 00:20:24,956
In 1933, when I was made
vice president by Nathan Eades
451
00:20:24,991 --> 00:20:27,190
he promised me that one day
452
00:20:27,226 --> 00:20:31,795
I would be given a substantial
share in the corporation.
453
00:20:31,831 --> 00:20:34,298
In 1942, he died
454
00:20:34,333 --> 00:20:38,235
and when his will
was read, I found
455
00:20:38,271 --> 00:20:43,174
that he had broken
his promise to me, so...
456
00:20:43,209 --> 00:20:45,009
I decided to kill
457
00:20:45,044 --> 00:20:46,710
his daughter, Priscilla.
458
00:20:46,746 --> 00:20:48,445
She was then
459
00:20:48,481 --> 00:20:49,547
15 years old.
460
00:20:49,582 --> 00:20:51,882
I decided to strangle her.
461
00:20:51,917 --> 00:20:53,394
Bernie!
462
00:20:53,418 --> 00:20:54,385
My God!
463
00:20:54,420 --> 00:20:56,453
I even worked out the details:
464
00:20:56,489 --> 00:20:58,689
where to find a rope;
465
00:20:58,725 --> 00:21:02,426
how to employ it; what
to do with it afterwards.
466
00:21:02,462 --> 00:21:04,028
And I practiced.
467
00:21:04,063 --> 00:21:07,865
I practiced, sir, by
strangling myself.
468
00:21:09,736 --> 00:21:11,769
But that was ten years ago
469
00:21:11,804 --> 00:21:12,936
and in the end
470
00:21:12,972 --> 00:21:15,273
I finally came to my senses.
471
00:21:15,308 --> 00:21:19,376
I didn't kill her then,
and now what's the point?
472
00:21:19,411 --> 00:21:20,611
I'm too old.
473
00:21:20,646 --> 00:21:25,916
My children are grown
and I have everything I need.
474
00:21:25,951 --> 00:21:30,121
Well, perhaps you
should've strangled yourself.
475
00:21:30,156 --> 00:21:31,622
Yeah.
476
00:21:33,159 --> 00:21:37,928
Have you anything
else to add, Mr. Quest?
477
00:21:39,532 --> 00:21:40,998
And you, Mr. Pitkin.
478
00:21:41,033 --> 00:21:42,600
What have you to say
479
00:21:42,635 --> 00:21:45,636
to remove or
discredit the suspicion
480
00:21:45,671 --> 00:21:47,771
that you are the murderer?
481
00:21:47,807 --> 00:21:50,441
That's not the way
it's done, Mr. Wolfe.
482
00:21:50,476 --> 00:21:51,742
That's un-American.
483
00:21:51,777 --> 00:21:54,345
First, show me
evidence, if there is any
484
00:21:54,380 --> 00:21:55,746
and I will answer it.
485
00:21:55,781 --> 00:21:59,149
Either, sir, you're an ass or
you're masquerading as one.
486
00:21:59,185 --> 00:22:01,919
If I had evidence that one
or more of you were guilty
487
00:22:01,954 --> 00:22:03,766
I wouldn't sit
here half the night
488
00:22:03,790 --> 00:22:05,022
inviting you to jabber.
489
00:22:05,057 --> 00:22:08,058
I would phone the police
to come and get you.
490
00:22:08,093 --> 00:22:10,895
Now, are you capable
of deliberate murder?
491
00:22:10,930 --> 00:22:13,897
No, because of the
way I look at things.
492
00:22:13,933 --> 00:22:15,899
How do you look at things?
493
00:22:15,935 --> 00:22:19,102
From the standpoint
of profit and loss.
494
00:22:19,138 --> 00:22:22,306
For example, if the risk of
the transaction is very great
495
00:22:22,341 --> 00:22:24,252
it should not be
considered at all
496
00:22:24,276 --> 00:22:26,977
no matter what profit is offered
497
00:22:27,012 --> 00:22:28,745
if it is successful.
498
00:22:28,781 --> 00:22:32,182
You apply that to
murder, what do you get?
499
00:22:32,217 --> 00:22:34,652
Profit and loss, Mr. Wolfe.
500
00:22:34,687 --> 00:22:36,620
Hmm.
501
00:22:36,655 --> 00:22:39,089
Mrs. Jaffe, your average income
502
00:22:39,124 --> 00:22:42,493
in Softdown dividends
503
00:22:42,528 --> 00:22:46,464
for the past five years
has been $40,000.
504
00:22:46,499 --> 00:22:47,798
Have you earned
505
00:22:47,833 --> 00:22:49,900
one penny of it?
506
00:22:49,936 --> 00:22:51,869
My father did the earning.
507
00:22:51,904 --> 00:22:54,304
And you, Mr. Hagh.
508
00:22:54,339 --> 00:22:56,707
You are demanding a
share of Softdown profits.
509
00:22:56,742 --> 00:22:58,620
You certainly haven't
earned anything
510
00:22:58,644 --> 00:22:59,655
isn't that correct?
511
00:22:59,679 --> 00:23:01,278
This is perfectly correct.
512
00:23:01,314 --> 00:23:02,980
And I feel no embarrassment
513
00:23:03,015 --> 00:23:06,383
being put in the same class
as the charming Mrs. Jaffe.
514
00:23:06,419 --> 00:23:10,487
The income I will get
from Softdown stocks
515
00:23:10,523 --> 00:23:12,656
is called unearned income.
516
00:23:12,692 --> 00:23:15,325
But actually, I have earned it
517
00:23:15,361 --> 00:23:17,861
by years of devoted service.
518
00:23:17,897 --> 00:23:20,964
I deserve it, unlike them.
519
00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:24,468
Well, Mr. Pitkin, how
about Miss Eades?
520
00:23:24,503 --> 00:23:27,037
Wasn't she also a parasite?
521
00:23:27,073 --> 00:23:30,708
Or-or had her recent
interest in the corporation
522
00:23:30,743 --> 00:23:33,744
made her an earner?
523
00:23:33,779 --> 00:23:36,380
That wasn't a service
to the corporation.
524
00:23:36,415 --> 00:23:38,048
That was an interference.
525
00:23:38,084 --> 00:23:40,518
In a week, she
would've taken title
526
00:23:40,553 --> 00:23:44,054
to 90% of the company
stock, leaving you earners
527
00:23:44,089 --> 00:23:46,857
with nothing but
your meager salaries.
528
00:23:46,892 --> 00:23:48,992
Now, wasn't that deplorable?
529
00:23:49,028 --> 00:23:52,362
Yes, we all thought so.
530
00:23:52,398 --> 00:23:53,475
I think, uh,
531
00:23:53,499 --> 00:23:55,410
I-I've had enough
of you, Mr. Pitk...
532
00:23:55,434 --> 00:23:58,669
I-I've... I've had
enough of all of you.
533
00:23:58,704 --> 00:24:00,037
It's late.
534
00:24:00,072 --> 00:24:03,540
I must digest what I
have heard and seen
535
00:24:03,576 --> 00:24:07,110
and I will make only
this commitment:
536
00:24:07,146 --> 00:24:10,847
Mr. Parker will take no
action on behalf of Mrs. Jaffe
537
00:24:10,883 --> 00:24:14,618
until he has heard from
me sometime tomorrow.
538
00:24:14,653 --> 00:24:16,286
Well, that's it.
539
00:24:16,321 --> 00:24:17,332
Thank you all for coming.
540
00:24:17,356 --> 00:24:18,667
Your coats are
by the front door.
541
00:24:18,691 --> 00:24:20,691
I'd appreciate it
if you left swiftly.
542
00:24:34,673 --> 00:24:37,207
So, which one?
543
00:24:37,242 --> 00:24:39,409
Which one what?
544
00:24:39,445 --> 00:24:40,844
Uh, excuse me...
545
00:24:40,880 --> 00:24:42,223
if you're as stumped as you look
546
00:24:42,247 --> 00:24:45,082
God help your client.
547
00:24:45,117 --> 00:24:48,252
Archie, do you know who killed
Mrs. Folmos and Miss Eades?
548
00:24:48,287 --> 00:24:49,385
Uh... nope.
549
00:24:49,421 --> 00:24:50,554
I do.
550
00:24:50,589 --> 00:24:52,790
But there's a contradiction.
551
00:24:52,825 --> 00:24:54,625
What about Sarah Jaffe?
552
00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:56,727
Is she a snake or a cheat?
553
00:24:56,762 --> 00:24:58,162
No, no, neither.
554
00:24:58,197 --> 00:25:00,164
Nice odds, ten to one.
555
00:25:00,199 --> 00:25:02,632
Then I have a question for her.
556
00:25:02,668 --> 00:25:06,503
Have her here at
11:00 in the morning.
557
00:25:09,542 --> 00:25:11,475
Yes, sir.
558
00:25:22,154 --> 00:25:23,787
Hello... yeah... Nero Wolfe's.
559
00:25:23,823 --> 00:25:25,634
Oh, I'm awfully
sorry, Mr. Goodwin.
560
00:25:25,658 --> 00:25:26,723
Did I wake you?
561
00:25:26,758 --> 00:25:28,558
Uh, not quite there, Mrs. Jaffe.
562
00:25:28,594 --> 00:25:30,627
Why don't you go
ahead and finish it.
563
00:25:30,662 --> 00:25:33,030
Well, I guess I should've
waited until morning
564
00:25:33,065 --> 00:25:34,976
but I thought you
might've found them
565
00:25:35,000 --> 00:25:36,533
and wondered whose they were.
566
00:25:36,568 --> 00:25:37,701
Did you find any keys?
567
00:25:37,736 --> 00:25:39,370
No, did you lose some keys?
568
00:25:39,405 --> 00:25:41,071
Is that what you're saying?
569
00:25:41,107 --> 00:25:42,072
Yes, two on a ring
570
00:25:42,107 --> 00:25:44,241
to the door downstairs
and my apartment.
571
00:25:44,276 --> 00:25:45,375
They were in my bag.
572
00:25:45,410 --> 00:25:46,988
Uh-huh, where are you now?
573
00:25:47,012 --> 00:25:48,579
I'm home in my apartment.
574
00:25:48,614 --> 00:25:49,646
How'd you get in?
575
00:25:49,681 --> 00:25:51,081
The night man, he has a key.
576
00:25:51,116 --> 00:25:52,816
I might've lost them in the taxi
577
00:25:52,851 --> 00:25:54,462
but I thought I
ought to phone you
578
00:25:54,486 --> 00:25:55,652
in case you found them.
579
00:25:55,688 --> 00:25:56,953
I'm sorry I bothered you.
580
00:25:56,989 --> 00:25:58,600
No, no, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait.
581
00:25:58,624 --> 00:26:01,559
Mrs. Jaffe, don't-don't
ring off there.
582
00:26:01,594 --> 00:26:03,793
Uh, is, uh, is Olga there?
583
00:26:03,829 --> 00:26:05,262
No, she doesn't sleep here.
584
00:26:05,297 --> 00:26:07,008
Uh, when did you miss the keys?
585
00:26:07,032 --> 00:26:09,066
While I was coming
up in the elevator.
586
00:26:09,101 --> 00:26:11,969
I went to get them from my
bag and they weren't there.
587
00:26:12,004 --> 00:26:14,805
How come you didn't notice
downstairs on the sidewalk?
588
00:26:14,840 --> 00:26:17,073
The night man was
there with the door open.
589
00:26:17,109 --> 00:26:18,420
Okay, here's what
you've got to do.
590
00:26:18,444 --> 00:26:19,554
You've got to keep that phone
591
00:26:19,578 --> 00:26:20,855
close to your ear
and mouth, okay?
592
00:26:20,879 --> 00:26:21,912
Why?
593
00:26:21,948 --> 00:26:23,057
Million to one it's nothing.
594
00:26:23,081 --> 00:26:24,993
It's just, uh, you lost
some keys, that's all.
595
00:26:25,017 --> 00:26:26,594
I-I'm nervous about
keys getting lost.
596
00:26:26,618 --> 00:26:28,663
Now, how long were you
there before you called me?
597
00:26:28,687 --> 00:26:29,953
After the night man let you in?
598
00:26:29,988 --> 00:26:31,033
I called you right away.
599
00:26:31,057 --> 00:26:32,934
I wanted to get you
before you were asleep.
600
00:26:32,958 --> 00:26:34,870
What do you mean
you're nervous about keys?
601
00:26:34,894 --> 00:26:36,960
I mean I'm coming
over right away.
602
00:26:36,996 --> 00:26:38,774
I'm coming over
now, matter of fact.
603
00:26:38,798 --> 00:26:40,430
What phone are you calling from?
604
00:26:40,466 --> 00:26:41,598
The living room phone.
605
00:26:41,633 --> 00:26:43,767
And that's at the far
end from the foyer?
606
00:26:43,802 --> 00:26:45,101
Yes.
607
00:26:45,137 --> 00:26:47,471
Did you say you're
coming over here?
608
00:26:47,506 --> 00:26:49,284
Yes... listen,
listen very carefully.
609
00:26:49,308 --> 00:26:51,219
This is almost
certainly a false alarm
610
00:26:51,243 --> 00:26:54,945
but... you've got to
listen and don't ring off.
611
00:26:54,980 --> 00:26:59,282
When I say to you, "go
ahead," you say to me, quote:
612
00:26:59,317 --> 00:27:01,551
"I don't think so, but
if you'll hold the line
613
00:27:01,586 --> 00:27:03,720
I'll go to the foyer
and see if it's there."
614
00:27:03,755 --> 00:27:05,488
Unquote. Did you get that?
615
00:27:05,524 --> 00:27:06,657
Yes.
616
00:27:06,692 --> 00:27:08,459
Do you want me to repeat that?
617
00:27:08,494 --> 00:27:10,060
Uh, no, you don't need to.
618
00:27:10,096 --> 00:27:12,062
Okay, good, now
after you say that
619
00:27:12,097 --> 00:27:14,865
you then put the phone
down, you don't ring off
620
00:27:14,900 --> 00:27:16,544
and you walk straight
to the front door
621
00:27:16,568 --> 00:27:18,546
you go through it and
you close it with a bang
622
00:27:18,570 --> 00:27:20,214
you go downstairs
and you wait for me.
623
00:27:20,238 --> 00:27:21,204
You got that?
624
00:27:21,240 --> 00:27:22,272
Yes.
625
00:27:22,307 --> 00:27:24,052
All right, are you going
to do it exactly that way?
626
00:27:24,076 --> 00:27:26,743
Yes, I... I will.
627
00:27:26,779 --> 00:27:28,044
All right, that's the girl.
628
00:27:28,080 --> 00:27:30,058
Now, don't forget to
close it with a bang
629
00:27:30,082 --> 00:27:31,180
because I'm going to be
630
00:27:31,216 --> 00:27:32,961
at the other end of
the phone, listening.
631
00:27:32,985 --> 00:27:34,396
And when I hear
that I'm going to come
632
00:27:34,420 --> 00:27:36,331
and then when I get there
you can have a good laugh
633
00:27:36,355 --> 00:27:38,099
about how nervous I
was about this whole thing
634
00:27:38,123 --> 00:27:39,568
and then we'll decide
what to do next...
635
00:27:39,592 --> 00:27:40,701
Maybe we'll go have a drink...
636
00:27:40,725 --> 00:27:41,692
Anyway... are you ready?
637
00:27:41,727 --> 00:27:43,360
Yes.
638
00:27:43,395 --> 00:27:45,195
Go ahead.
639
00:27:45,231 --> 00:27:49,199
Hold the line, I'll go check
and see if it's in the foyer.
640
00:27:51,837 --> 00:27:53,315
It had been a lot of years
641
00:27:53,339 --> 00:27:54,816
since I'd played
Prisoner's Base.
642
00:27:54,840 --> 00:27:56,651
The phone in the living
room was one base
643
00:27:56,675 --> 00:27:58,353
and the elevator
outside was another
644
00:27:58,377 --> 00:27:59,943
and it was up to Sarah Jaffe
645
00:27:59,979 --> 00:28:02,045
to make the run
without being tagged.
646
00:28:02,081 --> 00:28:03,780
I didn't hear the door bang.
647
00:28:03,816 --> 00:28:06,116
Maybe she forgot...
but I doubted it.
648
00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:17,094
I want in!
649
00:28:17,129 --> 00:28:18,295
What for?
650
00:28:18,330 --> 00:28:19,740
I want to see Sarah Jaffe!
651
00:28:19,764 --> 00:28:20,776
I'm expected!
652
00:28:20,800 --> 00:28:21,998
At this time of night, nuts!
653
00:28:26,472 --> 00:28:27,482
Get in the elevator.
654
00:28:27,506 --> 00:28:28,816
You take me to the sixth floor.
655
00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:30,318
Have you seen or
heard Sarah Jaffe
656
00:28:30,342 --> 00:28:31,308
in the last half hour?
657
00:28:31,343 --> 00:28:32,309
No, no!
658
00:28:32,344 --> 00:28:33,355
Talk fast! Get in there.
659
00:28:33,379 --> 00:28:35,212
That hack, he's going
to have a cop here...
660
00:28:35,247 --> 00:28:36,424
Get out your keys.
661
00:28:36,448 --> 00:28:38,192
You're going to open
the door, you understand?
662
00:28:38,216 --> 00:28:40,096
I'm not supposed
to do that... Aah!
663
00:28:43,722 --> 00:28:46,056
Fast, get it open.
664
00:28:50,229 --> 00:28:51,806
Take the elevator down.
665
00:28:51,830 --> 00:28:53,697
The police will want it.
666
00:28:53,732 --> 00:28:55,977
She had followed
instructions, all right
667
00:28:56,001 --> 00:28:57,946
but had never reached
the outside door.
668
00:28:57,970 --> 00:28:59,469
Three paces from where she lay
669
00:28:59,505 --> 00:29:02,271
he came out of the closet,
struck her with the bookend
670
00:29:02,307 --> 00:29:05,208
then finished up with a doubled
cord from a venetian blind.
671
00:29:05,244 --> 00:29:07,844
Everything was right there.
672
00:29:12,117 --> 00:29:13,083
Hello.
673
00:29:13,118 --> 00:29:14,563
Yeah, listen, it's Archie.
674
00:29:14,587 --> 00:29:15,518
Listen good, all right?
675
00:29:15,554 --> 00:29:16,598
We might get interrupted.
676
00:29:16,622 --> 00:29:18,822
Sarah Jaffe called
me from her apartment.
677
00:29:18,858 --> 00:29:20,056
That's where I am now.
678
00:29:20,092 --> 00:29:21,057
She lost her keys.
679
00:29:21,093 --> 00:29:22,458
The night man let her in.
680
00:29:22,494 --> 00:29:23,760
She asked me what to do
681
00:29:23,796 --> 00:29:25,061
I gave her some instructions.
682
00:29:25,097 --> 00:29:26,708
She listened to me,
but the problem is
683
00:29:26,732 --> 00:29:28,509
she didn't make it
through the front door.
684
00:29:28,533 --> 00:29:29,978
She's on the floor
now, dead, see?
685
00:29:30,002 --> 00:29:32,435
Next time she's in danger,
she should call someone else.
686
00:29:32,471 --> 00:29:33,648
Archie...
687
00:29:33,672 --> 00:29:35,738
I said it is vainglorious
688
00:29:35,774 --> 00:29:39,575
to reproach yourself
for lack of omniscience.
689
00:29:39,611 --> 00:29:42,913
The same is true
for omnipotence.
690
00:29:42,948 --> 00:29:45,214
Report in when you can.
691
00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:49,886
Is this straight, Goodwin?
692
00:29:49,922 --> 00:29:51,533
Yeah, whoever got her keys
693
00:29:51,557 --> 00:29:53,268
got in, conked her on the head
694
00:29:53,292 --> 00:29:55,191
strangled her and
now she's dead.
695
00:29:55,227 --> 00:29:56,971
And you're in Jaffe's
apartment right now?
696
00:29:56,995 --> 00:29:58,027
Yes.
697
00:29:58,063 --> 00:29:59,896
By God, you stay there.
698
00:29:59,931 --> 00:30:03,333
Put that phone down
and get your hands up!
699
00:30:03,369 --> 00:30:05,302
Over the next four hours
700
00:30:05,337 --> 00:30:07,904
I gave a complete account
of the meeting in Wolfe's office
701
00:30:07,940 --> 00:30:09,550
and my phone call
with Sarah Jaffe.
702
00:30:09,574 --> 00:30:12,509
The four of us disposed
of a dozen ham sandwiches
703
00:30:12,544 --> 00:30:14,356
six muskmelons
and a gallon of coffee.
704
00:30:14,380 --> 00:30:15,957
Wait, wait, hold
it, hold it, hold it.
705
00:30:15,981 --> 00:30:17,759
Now, I've just given
you everything I got.
706
00:30:17,783 --> 00:30:18,926
I want something from you.
707
00:30:18,950 --> 00:30:20,661
I want to see Inspector
Cramer right away
708
00:30:20,685 --> 00:30:21,830
and you can fix it for me.
709
00:30:21,854 --> 00:30:23,220
Is this about the case?
710
00:30:23,255 --> 00:30:24,465
Yes. Why won't I do?
711
00:30:24,489 --> 00:30:26,356
Because he can say yes to this.
712
00:30:26,391 --> 00:30:27,590
You can't.
713
00:30:27,625 --> 00:30:28,670
Hey, Pearly.
714
00:30:28,694 --> 00:30:30,204
When did I ever
ask you for a favor?
715
00:30:30,228 --> 00:30:32,240
Never, you're not that
dumb. No, not until now.
716
00:30:32,264 --> 00:30:34,108
I want you to let the
inspector know I'm here.
717
00:30:34,132 --> 00:30:35,276
I'm asking for five minutes
718
00:30:35,300 --> 00:30:37,412
and you will kindly keep
your trap shut. He's busy.
719
00:30:37,436 --> 00:30:39,413
Well, so am I busy, now,
let me just... Come on.
720
00:30:39,437 --> 00:30:40,570
What do you want to ask him?
721
00:30:40,605 --> 00:30:41,850
It's none of your business...
722
00:30:41,874 --> 00:30:42,874
Then you don't see him.
723
00:30:42,907 --> 00:30:44,752
Here he is. Oh, what the hell?
724
00:30:44,776 --> 00:30:46,587
What is this? Now,
this was my idea.
725
00:30:46,611 --> 00:30:47,544
I got something to say.
726
00:30:47,579 --> 00:30:48,656
Well, I haven't got time.
727
00:30:48,680 --> 00:30:50,224
All right, two
minutes, two minutes.
728
00:30:50,248 --> 00:30:52,026
Did Wolfe send you?
No, this was my idea.
729
00:30:52,050 --> 00:30:54,017
While Sarah Jaffe was
on the phone talking to me
730
00:30:54,052 --> 00:30:56,453
her killer was in the closet
waiting for her, all right?
731
00:30:56,488 --> 00:30:57,720
I told her what to do.
732
00:30:57,756 --> 00:31:00,123
I could've told her to go to
an open window and scream.
733
00:31:00,158 --> 00:31:01,203
That might've saved her.
734
00:31:01,227 --> 00:31:02,459
Instead, I had a better idea.
735
00:31:02,494 --> 00:31:03,593
Maybe I was wrong.
736
00:31:03,628 --> 00:31:04,594
What do you want, a medal?
737
00:31:04,630 --> 00:31:05,495
No.
738
00:31:05,530 --> 00:31:07,241
I don't want to go
home, sit on my ass
739
00:31:07,265 --> 00:31:09,466
and wait for Wolfe to
have a fit of genius, see?
740
00:31:09,501 --> 00:31:10,800
I want to do something here.
741
00:31:10,836 --> 00:31:13,236
I want to sit in on your
interviews with the suspects
742
00:31:13,271 --> 00:31:16,006
and maybe I can offer some
comments when it's appropriate...
743
00:31:16,041 --> 00:31:17,140
Typical Wolfe approach.
744
00:31:17,175 --> 00:31:18,653
No, no, this is
strictly personal.
745
00:31:18,677 --> 00:31:19,820
I was on the phone with her.
746
00:31:19,844 --> 00:31:20,877
Maybe I can help.
747
00:31:20,913 --> 00:31:23,746
You know him as
well as I do, Pearly.
748
00:31:23,782 --> 00:31:25,148
Is this straight?
749
00:31:25,183 --> 00:31:27,317
His head's been
swelling a long time
750
00:31:27,352 --> 00:31:30,420
and he got a bad jolt
and he can't take it.
751
00:31:30,456 --> 00:31:31,487
Yeah, I buy it.
752
00:31:31,523 --> 00:31:33,556
We can always toss him out.
753
00:31:33,592 --> 00:31:35,391
All right, Goodwin.
754
00:31:35,427 --> 00:31:38,427
But if this is a dodge...
755
00:31:38,463 --> 00:31:40,742
I'm going to hook you and
I'm going to hook you good.
756
00:31:40,766 --> 00:31:42,343
And not a word to
Wolfe or the press
757
00:31:42,367 --> 00:31:43,700
or anybody else.
758
00:31:43,736 --> 00:31:44,534
Agreed?
759
00:31:44,569 --> 00:31:45,868
Agreed.
760
00:31:45,904 --> 00:31:47,782
I'm going to do a
re-take on Helmar.
761
00:31:47,806 --> 00:31:49,605
You want to come along with me?
762
00:31:49,641 --> 00:31:52,161
All right, let's go.
763
00:32:00,785 --> 00:32:03,898
Okay, Mr. Helmar, we're
going to take it one more time.
764
00:32:03,922 --> 00:32:05,366
I've known her
since she was a baby.
765
00:32:05,390 --> 00:32:06,356
I held her in my arms...
766
00:32:06,391 --> 00:32:09,326
that's right, ja, I remember...
767
00:32:09,361 --> 00:32:12,128
♪ ...bah, bah, bah, let's
shoot the breeze... ♪
768
00:32:12,163 --> 00:32:13,608
been associated with Softdown?
769
00:32:13,632 --> 00:32:15,065
31 years!
770
00:32:16,134 --> 00:32:19,236
Couldn't Mr. Goodwin...?
771
00:32:19,271 --> 00:32:21,938
This is a joke...
772
00:32:21,974 --> 00:32:24,640
perpetrated probably
by the lackey on my left.
773
00:32:27,212 --> 00:32:29,172
I have no idea why I'm
here. This is preposterous.
774
00:32:31,316 --> 00:32:33,082
♪ ...you could hear him say ♪
775
00:32:33,118 --> 00:32:35,285
♪ "Hubba, hubba,
hubba, yuk, yuk..." ♪
776
00:32:37,022 --> 00:32:39,523
Good morning.
777
00:32:39,558 --> 00:32:41,724
Morning.
778
00:32:41,759 --> 00:32:43,626
Good God, you look awful.
779
00:32:43,662 --> 00:32:45,428
Thanks.
780
00:32:45,463 --> 00:32:47,296
What's for breakfast?
781
00:32:47,332 --> 00:32:49,999
Well, you relax, I'll
make you something.
782
00:32:50,035 --> 00:32:52,969
You know this is, uh,
getting to be a habit.
783
00:32:53,004 --> 00:32:54,004
What is?
784
00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:55,004
This early breakfast
785
00:32:55,040 --> 00:32:56,372
around this time in the morning.
786
00:32:56,407 --> 00:32:59,476
Yesterday, I was poaching
eggs for Mr. Wolfe and Saul.
787
00:32:59,511 --> 00:33:01,044
You were what?
788
00:33:01,079 --> 00:33:04,247
Poaching eggs for
Mr. Wolfe and Saul.
789
00:33:04,282 --> 00:33:07,184
Uh-huh, Saul's taking
over my job, I suppose.
790
00:33:07,219 --> 00:33:09,686
I have no idea
what Saul is doing.
791
00:33:10,789 --> 00:33:12,055
I'll be right back.
792
00:33:16,528 --> 00:33:19,273
There was nothing on
the desk that gave any hint
793
00:33:19,297 --> 00:33:20,897
of what Wolfe wanted with Saul
794
00:33:20,932 --> 00:33:23,399
but in the safe I
found a slip of paper
795
00:33:23,435 --> 00:33:25,313
that hadn't been there before...
796
00:33:25,337 --> 00:33:28,204
A notation that Wolfe
had given Saul two grand
797
00:33:28,239 --> 00:33:29,772
from our emergency fund.
798
00:33:29,807 --> 00:33:31,174
Naturally, I tried to decide
799
00:33:31,209 --> 00:33:34,511
what Saul Panzer was supposed
to be doing with 2,000 bucks.
800
00:33:34,546 --> 00:33:36,827
I made a lot of guesses,
but I bought none of them.
801
00:33:42,254 --> 00:33:43,631
What are you,
checking your mascara?
802
00:33:43,655 --> 00:33:44,666
What do you want?
803
00:33:44,690 --> 00:33:45,955
Where the hell have you been?
804
00:33:45,991 --> 00:33:47,902
Look at me, doesn't it show?
805
00:33:47,926 --> 00:33:48,958
Yeah. Let me touch you.
806
00:33:48,993 --> 00:33:50,427
I'm supposed to bring you in.
807
00:33:50,462 --> 00:33:52,695
They want you up at
the commissioner's office.
808
00:33:52,731 --> 00:33:55,765
Give me a minute.
809
00:33:55,800 --> 00:33:57,734
During the last 40 hours
810
00:33:57,770 --> 00:34:00,203
we've had more men on this case
811
00:34:00,238 --> 00:34:02,550
than on any other in my time
812
00:34:02,574 --> 00:34:05,942
and I can't see that
we've gained an inch
813
00:34:05,977 --> 00:34:08,278
and everyone agrees with me.
814
00:34:08,313 --> 00:34:10,725
There were 11 people
present in that room
815
00:34:10,749 --> 00:34:13,216
when those keys were lifted
816
00:34:13,251 --> 00:34:16,153
and we need to get
a line on the lifting.
817
00:34:16,188 --> 00:34:18,321
More questioning won't do it.
818
00:34:18,356 --> 00:34:22,091
We want to take everyone
back to Nero Wolfe's office
819
00:34:22,127 --> 00:34:25,328
and repeat as closely as we can
820
00:34:25,364 --> 00:34:28,131
everything that was said and
done on Thursday evening.
821
00:34:28,166 --> 00:34:29,244
Now, we can't compel
822
00:34:29,268 --> 00:34:31,300
Wolfe to let us in
823
00:34:31,336 --> 00:34:33,870
much less do his part.
824
00:34:33,905 --> 00:34:37,139
So, we want you, Mr. Goodwin
825
00:34:37,175 --> 00:34:39,042
to convince him.
826
00:34:39,077 --> 00:34:41,117
Well, I'll tell you,
you guys are rare.
827
00:34:41,146 --> 00:34:43,313
Rare breed. Rare as
rocking horse manure.
828
00:34:43,348 --> 00:34:46,549
Come on, Goodwin, don't
start with the hard-to-get stuff
829
00:34:46,584 --> 00:34:47,651
and don't be witty.
830
00:34:47,686 --> 00:34:48,686
Ah, poops!
831
00:34:48,720 --> 00:34:50,186
Last Tuesday, six days ago
832
00:34:50,221 --> 00:34:53,123
I was sitting on a
bench in this building.
833
00:34:53,158 --> 00:34:56,292
Mr. Wolfe was dragged
down here by Rowcliff...
834
00:34:56,328 --> 00:34:58,762
and, now, you know
how he felt about it then.
835
00:34:58,797 --> 00:35:00,497
Well, he's still sore as a pup
836
00:35:00,532 --> 00:35:04,501
and now you got a lot of gall
to ask me to ask him to do this.
837
00:35:04,536 --> 00:35:06,002
We need him to say yes.
838
00:35:06,038 --> 00:35:07,971
Hey, everybody needs
839
00:35:08,006 --> 00:35:09,050
something, commissioner.
840
00:35:09,074 --> 00:35:10,040
Inspector Cramer here
841
00:35:10,075 --> 00:35:11,553
needs to stop
chomping his cigar.
842
00:35:11,577 --> 00:35:13,343
Does that stop him?
843
00:35:16,114 --> 00:35:18,247
What phone do I use?
844
00:35:36,034 --> 00:35:37,044
Nero Wolfe speaking.
845
00:35:37,068 --> 00:35:38,212
Uh, yeah, it's Archie.
846
00:35:38,236 --> 00:35:39,669
Have you had breakfast yet?
847
00:35:39,705 --> 00:35:40,670
No.
848
00:35:40,705 --> 00:35:41,805
I'm calling on behalf
849
00:35:41,840 --> 00:35:43,873
of the people of the
state of New York.
850
00:35:43,908 --> 00:35:44,874
Indeed.
851
00:35:44,910 --> 00:35:46,153
Yes, yes. The whole shebang
852
00:35:46,177 --> 00:35:48,511
from the commissioner
down to Lieutenant Rowcliff
853
00:35:48,547 --> 00:35:49,812
which is quite a distance.
854
00:35:49,848 --> 00:35:51,725
How long are you
going to drag this out?
855
00:35:51,749 --> 00:35:53,015
Hey, I'm through dragging.
856
00:35:53,050 --> 00:35:54,784
Here's the point: we're flumped.
857
00:35:54,820 --> 00:35:57,320
We want to do a playback
of last Thursday night
858
00:35:57,355 --> 00:35:58,621
with the original cast
859
00:35:58,656 --> 00:36:00,723
and all you got to
do to play your part
860
00:36:00,758 --> 00:36:03,193
is let us in and just
be there, all right?
861
00:36:03,228 --> 00:36:05,528
I've told my associates
that it's almost certain
862
00:36:05,564 --> 00:36:07,764
you're going to tell
us to go to hell, and...
863
00:36:07,799 --> 00:36:09,332
Very well.
864
00:36:09,368 --> 00:36:10,466
Huh?
865
00:36:10,502 --> 00:36:13,503
When would you like to do this?
866
00:36:13,539 --> 00:36:15,838
Uh... well, as soon as possible?
867
00:36:15,874 --> 00:36:17,040
Very well.
868
00:36:17,075 --> 00:36:20,977
I never refuse a reasonable
request from a client.
869
00:36:21,012 --> 00:36:24,381
This request seems
reasonable, therefore I grant it.
870
00:36:24,416 --> 00:36:25,648
Shall we say 12:00?
871
00:36:25,684 --> 00:36:27,250
Will that be convenient?
872
00:36:27,285 --> 00:36:28,484
Uh... sure.
873
00:36:28,519 --> 00:36:31,488
Yeah, yeah, that'll,
uh, suit them fine.
874
00:36:36,595 --> 00:36:38,928
I must've got the wrong
number because...
875
00:36:38,964 --> 00:36:40,563
Come on, spill it, Goodwin.
876
00:36:40,599 --> 00:36:41,599
He said okay.
877
00:36:41,632 --> 00:36:42,799
We're to be there at noon.
878
00:36:42,834 --> 00:36:45,145
I didn't add that I
had a strong suspicion
879
00:36:45,169 --> 00:36:46,848
there was going to
be script revisions.
880
00:36:46,872 --> 00:36:49,539
Will you all please be seated as
you were on Thursday evening.
881
00:36:49,574 --> 00:36:50,606
Thank you.
882
00:36:50,641 --> 00:36:54,610
Not by any of us, and
not by any of the cast.
883
00:36:54,645 --> 00:36:56,546
I was here...
884
00:36:56,581 --> 00:36:58,926
Okay, I believe
this is the way it was
885
00:36:58,950 --> 00:37:00,349
when Mr. Wolfe entered.
886
00:37:00,385 --> 00:37:01,685
Does anyone disagree?
887
00:37:04,823 --> 00:37:06,200
Then I will ring Mr. Wolfe.
888
00:37:06,224 --> 00:37:10,193
I will be sitting
where Mrs. Jaffe was.
889
00:37:19,170 --> 00:37:22,371
Uh, you gentlemen don't
look very comfortable.
890
00:37:22,406 --> 00:37:25,408
We're all right.
891
00:37:25,443 --> 00:37:27,310
These people have been told
892
00:37:27,346 --> 00:37:29,212
why they have been brought here?
893
00:37:29,247 --> 00:37:32,326
Yes. Everybody's been
completely informed.
894
00:37:32,350 --> 00:37:34,317
Then, may we proceed?
895
00:37:34,352 --> 00:37:35,552
Please do.
896
00:37:36,954 --> 00:37:38,933
There was a little
tingle in my spine.
897
00:37:38,957 --> 00:37:42,192
I knew his look and manner
as well as I did his voice
898
00:37:42,227 --> 00:37:44,327
and there was
no doubt about it...
899
00:37:44,363 --> 00:37:47,764
he was going to
pull one... or try to.
900
00:37:50,869 --> 00:37:52,168
Miss Duday...
901
00:37:52,203 --> 00:37:53,470
and gentlemen.
902
00:37:53,505 --> 00:37:57,973
You understand that the
purpose of this gathering
903
00:37:58,009 --> 00:38:00,810
is for us to iterate our
words and movements
904
00:38:00,846 --> 00:38:02,479
of last Thursday evening.
905
00:38:02,514 --> 00:38:05,748
But before we do so, I
wish to make some remarks.
906
00:38:06,785 --> 00:38:08,595
After you people
left that evening
907
00:38:08,619 --> 00:38:12,455
I told Mr. Goodwin
that I thought I knew
908
00:38:12,490 --> 00:38:16,459
who killed Priscilla Eades
and Margaret Folmos.
909
00:38:16,494 --> 00:38:18,828
I based that on two things:
910
00:38:18,863 --> 00:38:21,931
first, my impressions
of all of you...
911
00:38:21,966 --> 00:38:25,268
And, second, the fact that
912
00:38:25,303 --> 00:38:26,469
Mrs. Folmos was killed.
913
00:38:26,504 --> 00:38:27,469
What?
914
00:38:27,505 --> 00:38:30,273
How does a fact that
Mrs. Folmos was murdered
915
00:38:30,308 --> 00:38:32,175
solve Priscilla Eades murder?
916
00:38:32,210 --> 00:38:34,810
Because the supposition
that the attack on Mrs. Folmos
917
00:38:34,845 --> 00:38:37,079
was solely for the
purpose of getting the keys
918
00:38:37,115 --> 00:38:39,682
to Miss Eades' apartment
was clearly not acceptable
919
00:38:39,718 --> 00:38:41,451
if any alternative could be had.
920
00:38:41,486 --> 00:38:43,987
Well, maybe she, uh,
recognized her attacker
921
00:38:44,022 --> 00:38:45,855
and that's why she was killed.
922
00:38:45,890 --> 00:38:47,734
That assumption
was not impossible
923
00:38:47,758 --> 00:38:49,304
but it implied that the murderer
924
00:38:49,328 --> 00:38:52,695
was an egregious
bungler and I doubted it.
925
00:38:52,731 --> 00:38:54,230
I prefer to assume
926
00:38:54,265 --> 00:38:55,664
exactly the opposite.
927
00:38:55,700 --> 00:38:57,900
That Mrs. Folmos had been killed
928
00:38:57,936 --> 00:39:00,537
not because she
recognized her attacker
929
00:39:00,572 --> 00:39:03,472
but because he knew
she couldn't recognize him.
930
00:39:03,508 --> 00:39:06,842
Is this for effect or do you
think you're getting somewhere?
931
00:39:06,878 --> 00:39:09,212
I am already somewhere.
932
00:39:09,247 --> 00:39:12,081
I just told you who
the murderer is.
933
00:39:15,887 --> 00:39:17,353
Go on and spell it.
934
00:39:17,389 --> 00:39:19,555
He wanted the keys, certainly
935
00:39:19,590 --> 00:39:23,292
but he didn't have to kill
Mrs. Folmos to get them.
936
00:39:23,327 --> 00:39:27,396
He killed her because she
was, herself, a danger to him.
937
00:39:27,432 --> 00:39:28,698
As great a danger
938
00:39:28,734 --> 00:39:29,766
as Miss Eades.
939
00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,233
It would have done him
940
00:39:31,269 --> 00:39:33,770
no good to kill the one
941
00:39:33,805 --> 00:39:35,004
unless he killed the other.
942
00:39:35,039 --> 00:39:36,717
I won't say I caught
up with Wolfe
943
00:39:36,741 --> 00:39:38,385
but at least I
could see his dust.
944
00:39:38,409 --> 00:39:40,521
And I admit that I had
also seen Saul Panzer
945
00:39:40,545 --> 00:39:42,912
not with any flourish,
take a gun from his pocket
946
00:39:42,947 --> 00:39:44,380
and rest it on his thigh.
947
00:39:44,416 --> 00:39:47,750
I suppose that the point here
is that Eric Hagh is not Hagh.
948
00:39:47,785 --> 00:39:49,085
He's a ringer?
949
00:39:49,121 --> 00:39:51,120
I knew all this Thursday evening
950
00:39:51,155 --> 00:39:52,655
but there was a contradiction
951
00:39:52,690 --> 00:39:53,890
that had to be solved.
952
00:39:53,925 --> 00:39:56,692
What is that
contradiction, Archie?
953
00:39:56,727 --> 00:40:00,162
Uh, well, if, uh, Sarah Jaffe
knew that it wasn't Hagh
954
00:40:00,197 --> 00:40:03,066
how come she didn't
say so on Thursday night?
955
00:40:03,101 --> 00:40:04,066
Are you saying you knew
956
00:40:04,101 --> 00:40:05,468
who the murderer was that night
957
00:40:05,503 --> 00:40:06,702
and didn't notify anybody?
958
00:40:06,738 --> 00:40:08,571
Phooey. That's childish.
959
00:40:08,606 --> 00:40:10,740
I had no evidence.
960
00:40:10,775 --> 00:40:13,976
You have every scrap of
information, Mr. Bowen, I have
961
00:40:14,012 --> 00:40:16,379
and the services of
Mr. Goodwin, to boot...
962
00:40:16,414 --> 00:40:17,980
Which is a great advantage
963
00:40:18,016 --> 00:40:20,116
when his head is on straight.
964
00:40:20,151 --> 00:40:21,984
It was only a hypothesis.
965
00:40:22,020 --> 00:40:23,453
It only became more
966
00:40:23,488 --> 00:40:25,454
when Mrs. Jaffe was killed
967
00:40:25,490 --> 00:40:27,757
and it was violently, tragically
968
00:40:27,793 --> 00:40:29,726
and completely validated.
969
00:40:29,761 --> 00:40:32,328
But I still had no evidence
970
00:40:32,363 --> 00:40:37,100
so I phoned Saul Panzer
and supplied him with money
971
00:40:37,135 --> 00:40:39,936
a newspaper photo of the
man calling himself Mr. Hagh
972
00:40:39,971 --> 00:40:41,403
and sent him on a flight
973
00:40:41,439 --> 00:40:43,205
to Cahamarka, Peru.
974
00:40:43,240 --> 00:40:44,840
You tell them, Saul.
975
00:40:44,875 --> 00:40:46,443
At Cahamarka
976
00:40:46,478 --> 00:40:48,644
I found people that knew Hagh
977
00:40:48,679 --> 00:40:52,181
and I learned that Hagh
was a professional gambler
978
00:40:52,216 --> 00:40:55,852
that he had not been in
Cahamarka in three years
979
00:40:55,887 --> 00:40:58,254
and that this...
is not Eric Hagh.
980
00:40:58,289 --> 00:41:01,157
Now, everybody there
knew about the paper
981
00:41:01,193 --> 00:41:02,369
that Miss Eades had signed
982
00:41:02,393 --> 00:41:04,205
giving the real
Hagh half her fortune.
983
00:41:04,229 --> 00:41:06,729
Hagh said that it
was her idea to do it
984
00:41:06,765 --> 00:41:08,442
but he was too proud a man
985
00:41:08,466 --> 00:41:10,166
to sponge off a woman
986
00:41:10,201 --> 00:41:12,836
so he just kept the
paper as a souvenir.
987
00:41:12,871 --> 00:41:14,715
I couldn't ask Hagh about it
988
00:41:14,739 --> 00:41:17,918
'cause he had died in a
snowslide three months ago.
989
00:41:17,942 --> 00:41:20,121
But the man that
I had pictures of
990
00:41:20,145 --> 00:41:22,489
the man that I'm
looking at right now
991
00:41:22,513 --> 00:41:28,117
is Sigfreid Meucke, also
a professional gambler
992
00:41:28,152 --> 00:41:30,297
and he was in the
mountains with Hagh
993
00:41:30,321 --> 00:41:31,698
when the slide happened.
994
00:41:31,722 --> 00:41:34,791
Armed with Miss Eades' letter
995
00:41:34,826 --> 00:41:37,459
to her now deceased ex-husband
996
00:41:37,495 --> 00:41:40,463
Meucke decided that
to pursue his claim
997
00:41:40,498 --> 00:41:41,965
for half of Miss Eades estate
998
00:41:42,000 --> 00:41:44,033
would require his
presence in New York.
999
00:41:44,069 --> 00:41:46,836
And, of course, it would
be fatal to his plans
1000
00:41:46,871 --> 00:41:48,971
if either Miss Eades
or Mrs. Folmos
1001
00:41:49,007 --> 00:41:52,375
ever got a glimpse of him
since they knew he wasn't Hagh.
1002
00:41:52,410 --> 00:41:55,378
There was only one
way to solve that difficulty.
1003
00:41:56,648 --> 00:41:59,148
They had to die.
1004
00:42:00,619 --> 00:42:04,721
So, uh, why didn't
Jaffe say anything?
1005
00:42:04,756 --> 00:42:08,157
Because it was not in
her character to do so.
1006
00:42:08,193 --> 00:42:11,561
She didn't like to get involved
with anyone or anything.
1007
00:42:11,596 --> 00:42:13,930
She came here
Thursday to lend her name
1008
00:42:13,965 --> 00:42:15,931
to a legal action
1009
00:42:15,966 --> 00:42:19,902
only because she was under
great obligation to Mr. Goodwin.
1010
00:42:19,937 --> 00:42:21,882
No, she did not denounce him.
1011
00:42:21,906 --> 00:42:23,117
But, somehow
1012
00:42:23,141 --> 00:42:26,175
indubitably made him
aware that she knew
1013
00:42:26,211 --> 00:42:27,877
he was not Eric Hagh.
1014
00:42:27,912 --> 00:42:31,914
He knew immediately that
he was in deadly peril from her
1015
00:42:31,950 --> 00:42:34,583
and he acted quickly
and audaciously
1016
00:42:34,618 --> 00:42:36,819
taking the keys from her bag.
1017
00:42:36,854 --> 00:42:38,620
You waylaid Mrs. Jaffe.
1018
00:42:38,656 --> 00:42:40,489
You struck her
1019
00:42:40,525 --> 00:42:41,657
and strangled her
1020
00:42:41,693 --> 00:42:45,695
exactly as you had done to
Miss Eades and Mrs. Folmos.
1021
00:42:45,730 --> 00:42:48,030
I said you were no bungler, sir
1022
00:42:48,065 --> 00:42:50,433
but the truth is...
1023
00:42:50,468 --> 00:42:53,569
Congratulations, Mr. Wolfe.
1024
00:42:53,604 --> 00:42:56,573
You must be very proud.
1025
00:42:56,608 --> 00:42:58,874
Well...
1026
00:42:58,909 --> 00:43:00,243
Gentlemen.
1027
00:43:15,826 --> 00:43:17,760
Come on, get up.
1028
00:43:19,463 --> 00:43:20,896
Come on.
1029
00:43:20,931 --> 00:43:22,799
Nice socks.
1030
00:43:29,607 --> 00:43:31,073
There you are.
1031
00:43:31,108 --> 00:43:33,687
Every Friday morning
at 11:00, after Nero Wolfe
1032
00:43:33,711 --> 00:43:35,756
comes down from the
plant rooms on the roof
1033
00:43:35,780 --> 00:43:37,780
he signs the salary checks.
1034
00:43:42,320 --> 00:43:45,088
There seems to
be a check missing.
1035
00:43:45,123 --> 00:43:47,957
Ah, and what
check would that be?
1036
00:43:47,992 --> 00:43:49,258
Yours.
1037
00:43:49,293 --> 00:43:51,160
Well, you know,
I like to get paid
1038
00:43:51,195 --> 00:43:53,562
uh, for my labors,
just like the next man
1039
00:43:53,598 --> 00:43:55,665
but, uh, last week
I was on leave.
1040
00:43:58,736 --> 00:44:00,536
Uh, what-what's this for?
1041
00:44:00,571 --> 00:44:02,449
Enough of this flummery.
Take your check.
1042
00:44:02,473 --> 00:44:04,674
But, technically, I wasn't
here as your assistant
1043
00:44:04,709 --> 00:44:05,841
but as your client
1044
00:44:05,876 --> 00:44:08,511
therefore, it is I who
should be paying you.
1045
00:44:10,114 --> 00:44:12,048
Now...
1046
00:44:12,083 --> 00:44:16,319
at present, this
is all I can afford.
1047
00:44:16,354 --> 00:44:18,954
I don't get paid much.
1048
00:44:18,990 --> 00:44:22,058
Phooey.
1049
00:44:22,093 --> 00:44:24,193
Very well.
1050
00:44:26,864 --> 00:44:27,964
Archie!
1051
00:44:33,137 --> 00:44:38,107
Captioning sponsored by
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1052
00:44:38,142 --> 00:44:42,211
Captioned by Media Access
Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
75709
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