Original subtitles

It's Johnny Sabatini.

Now you're going to tell me that you're the Mr. X

that has, um, vital information for me.

I'm not usually so dramatic, Mr. West,

but it did serve to get you down here.

Well, what does the "King of the Rackets" want with me?

I want to have a private little talk with you, West.

Private little talk, uh, Sabatini-style.

Now we're alone.

Now I can tell you why I got you here.

Because I need your help.

Sabatini, what makes you think I'm gonna help you?

I'll think of a reason.

Because you see, Mr. West,

I'm dying.

Brandy, Mr. West?

France's best.

So why should I come to you for help, eh?

That's easy.

You scratch my back, and I'll scratch your back.

My back isn't itching, Sabatini.

I think maybe you could develop an itch

for, uh, Harry Borman maybe?

All right, Sabatini, you know I want Borman.

Are you telling me you can arrange it?

Let's start with what I want from you, okay?

Clarence, the box.

There's someone's name and address

on this piece of paper

whose life could be in danger when I bow out.

A woman?

You were always pretty good

at filling in the empty spaces.

And you want me to protect her against who?

Let me tell it my way.

To begin with...

Clarence, what good is brandy

without a cigar?

All right, now, Clarence, beat it.

To begin with,

I'd like you to go to a place called Calliope.

Calliope, Missouri?

I thought maybe you heard of it.

You look up a man in Calliope

named Swanson,

and you give him this key.

He gives you back, let's say, a gift.

Sabatini, why me?

Why not one of your own boys?

West, you and I have been

on opposite sides of the fence a long time,

but you're the only one I can trust.

That's more than I can say

for most of my associates and friends.

A-all right, Sabatini,

now how does Borman figure into this?

He's going to try to stop you.

And that's how I find him?

That's the only way.

Now, the woman,

she knows me as Mr. Caroline.

I'd like it kept that way.

This key, there's more to it

than just giving it to Swanson.

You'll find that...

The key...

Swanson...

The Madonna...

statue...

Look at it...

Look for...

You were right, Jim.

Sure enough, it's poisoned.

Why, there's enough curare in there to kill a moose.

But, you know, I can't understand,

who'd wanna murder a man who was already so near death?

For openers, what about someone who doesn't want Jim

to go to Calliope to pick up that gift?

Calliope, Missouri,

where a half a million dollars of army payroll was stolen

and never recovered.

And where a finance officer,

Captain Nolan,

who engineered the operation,

was murdered for cheating on his own gang.

Rumor has it

that the loot is still stashed away

somewhere in Calliope, right?

Right.

Half a million dollars.

That's quite a gift

to just hand over to your lady friend. Ha-ha!

If that's what Sabatini's gift is.

Yes, if.

And, uh, we won't know anything about that

until you meet the, uh, late Mr. Sabatini's

light of love, will we?

Sir, if you don't mind,

I'd like to go directly to Calliope

and see what Swanson has to say.

All right.

Ned, uh, you've been complaining for a long time

how dull life is in the chemical section,

how would you, uh, like to interview the young lady for us?

Why, sure, eh... Why not?

You know, Jim, I keep thinking,

we don't really know what this Borman looks like

except that he had a leg injury.

Second, we... We've only got Sabatini's word for it

that Borman will show up in this at all.

That's true.

For some strange reason, sir,

I think he was telling the truth.

All right.

Anything that might lead us to Borman

is a chance worth taking.

I'm on my way to Calliope, sir.

Bon voyage, Jim.

I'll drop by and see

Sabatini's little lady while you're gone.

I'll report to you there.

Yes, come in.

Keep a sharp eye out here, Walters.

Oh, I'm sorry. Eh, my name is Ned Brown.

I'm looking for a woman named Sylvia, but I...

I'm Sylvia, Mr. Brown.

Oh, I'm afraid not.

You see, the Sylvia that I know,

eh, well, she knows Mr. Caroline.

And, uh, he asked me to come... You're from Mr. Caroline?

I knew there was something special about today.

I felt it the first thing I woke up this morning and...

I'm sorry. I'm forgetting my manners.

Will you have a cup of tea?

Tea? Eh...

Oh, well, yes, of course.

That's just what I need.

How long have you, uh...?

How long have you known Mr. Caroline?

Always.

My first happy memory is of him and the way he...

I'm sorry. I really am forgetting my manners.

How is Mr. Caroline?

I knew the last time I spoke to him

he wasn't feeling very well.

He was everything that was...

kind and thoughtful and generous.

It wasn't that he just provided for me

or gave me this lovely house to live in.

It was knowing that he cared for me

as no one else ever did.

Even in death he cared for you, Sylvia.

There is a very special gift he left for you.

You look a might lost, stranger.

Nope, it's the journey's end.

That so?

Not many folk arrive in Calliope

saying things like that.

But it happens to be the way I feel too.

Is this, uh, town always so lively?

Like I said,

there ain't many folk left in Calliope.

But they're quiet, peace-loving folk.

Something or someone you looking for in particular?

I'm looking for a man named Swanson.

You'll find him at the edge of town.

That little brick building.

Thank you, sheriff.

Though your heart be heavy in your hour of trial,

it is not the end,

for she has gone on ahead

and lovingly awaits you around the bend.

She?

He or she, as the case may be.

It's my way of comforting the bereaved

who pass through the portals

of the Fabian Swanson establishment.

Uh, Mr. Swanson, the reason...

Yes, I-I know, dear sir. I know.

And believe me,

in providing only the finest

can you be comforted for him or her,

as the case may be.

Mr. Swanson...

Will you just caress that quilted duvetyn?

Go ahead.

Feel the straight grain of the Oregon hickory.

And grasp if you will

these genuine simulated bronze handles.

Sometimes, I tell you, I feel I could crawl in...

That's a very interesting key.

Where did you get it?

You tell me.

Sabatini?

I give you this key,

you tell me where to find...

Uh! Notice the... The... The Oregon shell...

Still ain't got rid of that old pine casket,

hey, Mr. Swanson?

Pine? It's the finest Oregon hickory

and the highest-quality duvetyn.

I'm just spoofing you a little bit, Mr. Swanson.

I just dropped by to make certain

you were able to find your way.

Oh, no problem at all,

thanks to you, sheriff.

Well, that's what a sheriff is for, ain't he?

To help out folks

and to keep law and order?

Now, you take your time, sir,

and, uh, think about which one of these you want.

Here are the... The figures.

Oh, thank you, Mr. Swanson.

Funny, ain't it? Hardly enough live people here,

let alone bodies to keep old Swanson's mortuary going.

Except for those misguided folks

who come here searching for Mr. Nolan's treasure,

which any fool knows is just a heap of talk,

right, friend?

I wouldn't know anything about that, sheriff.

About time to put on the feedbag, Mr. Swanson.

What say we head for the hotel,

some dinner?

Oh, no, thank you, sheriff. I've had a long ride.

I think I'll freshen up and change clothes.

Yes, come in.

It's Clarence.

Did I do wrong dropping by like this?

No, no, Clarence.

It's good of you to call on me.

Well, now that Mr. Caroline is gone,

I just wanted to come by

and see that you were all right.

Clarence, you're very kind.

Well, I can't forget

when... When Mr. Caroline was taken badly,

no matter how painful it was,

all he could talk about was the gift

that he wanted you to have.

That's what's been troubling me, Clarence.

He's given me so much already.

Is there something I've forgotten?

You still remember nothing of your early life?

Nothing before the age of 6 or 7.

My memories start here in this house

with Mr. Caroline so kindly taking care of me.

Well, things will be happier

when you receive the gift

that Mr. Caroline wanted you to have

from Calliope.

Calliope?

Calliope.

I've heard that name before.

Well, go on, my dear.

I'm sorry.

I saw something in my mind,

but it's gone now.

Clarence, do you know where Calliope is?

Oh, yes, it's downriver, not very far.

Would you take me there?

I, take you to Calliope?

Well, of course, I could, but don't you...?

I have a feeling it's very important.

It could bring things back to me.

Please, Clarence.

Well, of course, if that's what you want,

I'll take you there.

And, of course, there was them two brothers

who came into town a couple years back

to find Captain Nolan's hidden treasure.

What was their names? You remember, Mr. Farnsworth.

They bought enough supplies in your store for ten men.

Kellum, I think.

Yeah, that's right.

I never saw two fellows more bound and determined

to find a hidden fortune somewhere here.

But they just disappeared right into thin air.

You know, Calliope has a lot more to offer

than a lot of half-baked rumors about treasure.

Actually, we've got

a mighty fine little town here, Mr., uh...?

Oh, West, sir.

Yes, there are quite a few attractive things

about this town.

And, of course, it don't show too much right now.

Not more than ten people

drift into the town limits in a month.

Yes, but you mark my words.

One of these days,

Calliope's going to be known as the jewel of the Midwest.

Why, when I was in Denver last year,

I saw plans drawn up

to... To bring the railroad through here

on its way to St. Louis.

Don't you worry, Snidley,

your hotel's gonna be full of customers once again.

You don't have to tell me.

I got rooms upstairs

I ain't even so much as opened the door to

for longer than I can remember.

Sheriff, I declare, it's a positive disgrace

how dusty the streets of Calliope have become.

Now, you promised me on your honor

you would have them watered down

so a person didn't come close to suffocating

every time she... Oh!

I declare, to goodness, I didn't realize we had a guest.

Miss Nolan, this here is Mr. West.

He's got business in our town.

Well, I declare,

it's been eons since we had visitors

in our little town,

and a lot longer than that

since we had one so good-looking.

Thank you.

You know, Mr. West, it's things like tea, hm,

and our little gatherings here every evening

to share a common repast

that bolsters the spirits of we few

who still call Calliope our home.

Of course, this was once a magnificent town.

Dancing, excitement.

Oh, my. People used to come from miles around just to...

Just to see where your brother lifted

a neat half million dollars

from the United States Army.

Sheriff, I get the impression that remark was uncalled for.

Are you putting me down, Mr. West?

Yeah.

Well, heh, enjoyable as it is,

I have to get back to my duties,

sad though they may be.

You gotta tend to that land office business

you're doing, Mr. Swanson?

The devil finds work for idle hands.

I-I always say.

Evening, Miss Melanie.

He's a dear man,

but with that unfortunate smell of formaldehyde

forever about him.

Well, if you'll excuse me.

You leaving so sudden, Mr. West?

We usually sit and have a few friendly whiskeys

after dinner, Mr. West.

Well, I hate to miss it,

but I do have a horse to bed down.

Gentlemen. Ma'am.

Oh, Mr. West?

I am embarrassed to confess this,

but my harness traces don't feel quite right,

and I was wondering, would you be so kind?

Be a pleasure.

Mr. West, you really make a lady feel like a lady.

I must say, Mr. West,

there are a few folks in this town

who could stand a few brush-up lessons

in manners and gentility.

Thank you.

Well, everything seems to be all right, ma'am.

Mr. West, I've been thinking,

you must come visit me at my home, Sans Souci.

It's just around the rise, right outside of town.

I'd like to do that, ma'am.

Years back, you know, on Sunday afternoon,

people used to just pour in from all over the county,

just to be at Sans Souci's garden parties.

I'd be honored, ma'am. Good night.

Good night, Mr. West.

What is it, Jim? Who were you after?

Whoever he is, he's gone.

Come on, Ned, there are two in the alley.

Well, there were two bodies here, Ned.

Ned, there goes our main lead.

He's now a customer of his own establishment.

Swanson's dead?

A small matter of murder,

and before he could tell me what the key opens.

That leaves us with Sabatini's girlfriend.

She's not what we expected, Jim.

She's a lovely young girl of 18, and she's blind.

Well, what about the Madonna statue?

It would seem a logical place to look for a Madonna

would be in a church.

The local church burned down years ago.

Which would leave the cemetery. Might be on a headstone.

Why don't you try the cemetery?

I'm gonna take a ride out to the Nolan home.

Mrs. Nolan should know quite a bit about this old town.

Right.

I thought I heard a ruckus going on here.

Who are you, if you don't mind my asking?

Not at all.

My name is Tobias.

You don't say?

On the contrary, I do say, sir.

Eh, good evening to you, sir, and, uh, sheriff.

Good evening.

What's his business here?

It's your town, sheriff.

Did you finish your business with Mr. Swanson?

It was finished for me.

What exactly does that mean?

He's dead.

Hello?

Now it's the furniture.

It's this house...

There's a special smell.

It brings back scattered memories,

but nothing makes sense.

But it's as if this lovely, warm, old chair

were somehow a dear friend.

Yeah, well, Sylvia, tell me about the chair.

Does it bring back any particular memories?

Something.

I'm sure I've been in this very room before.

I...

Yes?

Well, Sylvia, my dear, go on.

There's a room. I remember a room in the other wing.

Something frightens me.

Oh, why, Mr. West,

what are you doing here?

Clarence, what are you doing here

with this young lady, whom I assume is, uh, Sylvia?

Mr. West, you're Mr. Brown's associate.

That's right, Sylvia.

Clarence, what are you doing here?

Well, I... I... I...

Like you, Mr. West,

I'm merely trying to help her to find the present

that Mr. Caroline wanted her to have.

The name Calliope sparked something in her mind,

and she insisted on coming to the town

and to this house.

Well, she's on her way back to St. Louis now.

Back? Well, no.

Oh, I think so, sir.

I promised Mr. Caroline that I would protect Sylvia,

and I don't believe that Sylvia's safe here.

Back?

Back to St. Louis?

No, she isn't yet!

Why, Mr. West,

how kind of you to respond to my invitation,

and so quickly.

I am honored. Won't you...?

S-Sylvia?

What happened?

Hello, pussycat.

By any chance, you haven't seen

the statue of a Madonna around here, have you?

No, I'm sure you haven't.

A Madonna statue?

Aylmer E. Nolan.

Johnny Sabatini.

You sure he's in here?

I thought I saw a shadow.

Oh, I'm... I'm just sorry.

I... My goodness,

I don't know what came over me. I...

Well, I do know what came over me.

It was such a shock.

It's Sylvia, my...

My brother Captain Nolan's little daughter.

All these years, I thought you were dead.

You don't remember me though, do you, darling?

I'm your Auntie Melanie.

No, I'm sorry, I don't.

So many things seem to be coming back to me,

but it's all so confusing and... frightening.

Oh, now, now, now, now, don't you worry.

Don't you worry about a thing.

Oh, you were such a dear, delightful little girl.

And all the fun we used to have.

Packing picnic baskets and...

And those times that you used to stand up there

with your eyes as wide as saucers

watching me pretty up for some dance or something.

Oh, the lovely times we had here.

The whole country, everybody would come.

What made you think she was dead?

Well, I...

Well, oh, my goodness, I...

I thought at least you'd remember that, darling. I...

But I mean...

Her mother was killed in the fire.

The fire.

That's what frightened me.

And something else.

A man's voice, angry and brutal.

My mother and me, we're running to the church.

He's there, he's pushing in the door,

demanding to know where some hidden money is,

stolen money.

Oh, please go on, Sylvia.

He thinks we know something.

He says he's been cheated out of his share.

Yes, I remember now. It's the fire.

He burned down the church.

I feel the heat and the flames and my mother screaming.

This man that you were so afraid of,

do you remember what he looked like

or what his name was?

Nothing. Ex...

Except he dragged his foot.

Oh, it's clear to me now.

I remember that awful scraping noise he made

when he dragged his foot.

He dragged his foot?

Harry Borman.

Please don't let her out of your sight.

Mr. West is right.

I remember that name.

The man who dragged his foot, it was Harry Borman.

Was it, child?

Jim, Captain Nolan and Johnny Sabatini are one and the same.

There's a crest of his face on the crypt in the mausoleum.

Harry Borman was the one who was after the money?

Is that what you mean?

It's dark, so it must be night.

I can see my mother now.

There used to be a picture of us in this room.

I'm asking her to play the harpsichord for me

before she puts me to bed.

She's frightened.

Mother's frightened.

What frightened her, darling?

Borman.

She's crying.

I can hear his voice.

It's about the money.

He's threatening us.

We're running upstairs...

to hide in this room.

Go on, child, about the money.

Did you know where it was?

I can't think.

All I remember is somehow

we escaped through the yard to the church.

I hear my mother screaming.

I'm running through the night and the weeds.

And the branches hurt.

Keep talking, child, it'll do you good.

Why'd you go to the church?

I'm frightened.

Try, child.

What was there? What was hidden there?

The money maybe? I don't know.

All I remember is that dragging foot following.

But, first...

a passage of some kind.

A tunnel.

Darkness.

Sylvia?

Sylvia?

It's your Auntie Melanie.

Sylvia?

Honey, where are you?

Sylvia?

Sylvia?

Honey, if you hear me, plea...

Sylvia?

No one wants to harm you, honey.

Quiet. It's me. It's all right.

Harry Borman, he's after me.

It's Harry Borman.

Come on, I know where you can be safe.

Mr. West, where are we?

We're in the Nolan Mausoleum.

Mausoleum.

Yes, of course, the mausoleum.

Think back, Sylvia.

Has there ever been a statue in here?

A Madonna.

Madonna, where?

There's a tall man with gray hair.

He's telling me about the Madonna statue.

He's showing me.

What does it look like?

The Madonna, can't you see it?

The statue, it was right here.

What was that?

Thanks for finding it for me, Mr. West.

Harry Borman.

Quite right. Harry Borman.

Harry, I want to see it...

now.

Laura Samples,

my dear good friend.

Efficient, dependable, but somewhat greedy.

Now would you kindly get away from that crypt?

I wouldn't do that, Mr. West.

And don't you make no funny move neither.

So the whole town's in on it except for Swanson.

Think of it as a corporation, Mr. West.

And before we take care of you,

I want you and Captain Nolan's lovely little daughter

to share in my happiness.

Joe, Carson, give me a hand.

Hurry.

All right, go!

Nothing.

That's right, Borman.

You didn't find it before, and you won't find it now.

Watch your step, little lady.

Underfoot.

That's it.

There you are.

For Sylvia.

Eh...

Would you read it to me, please?

Yes, certainly.

"To all whom it may concern,

"here, before God,

"let it be known, the attached document

"hereby entitles Miss Sylvia Nolan

"to her rightful heritage

"as owner of all Nolan properties

"in and about Calliope, Missouri,

"including the Nolan home

"and the extensive acreage on file

"with the territorial governor's office,

"east and south of the town,

"as indicated on the documents.

"By orders of Captain Aylmer E. Nolan."

This is what he wanted her to have, Jim.

Well, that's it, huh, Ned?

That's it, Jim.

I pulled your chestnuts out of the fire for you,

covered myself with a little glory,

and rescued a little lady from a fate worse than, well...

Ha-ha-ha! By the way, how is Sylvia?

Uh, she's fine now, thanks to Sabatini's gift.

Back to Washington, huh, Ned?

Nope. I'm off on a well-deserved vacation.

London, Paris, or Rome?

I'm gonna make a big dream come true.

And you know what my big dream is?

I'm gonna spend a vacation all alone...

on a desert island.

Jim, see you.

Good luck.