08x24 - The Case of the Careless Kitten

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

(cat meowing)

WOMAN:
Uh, squiggles.

I want one with squiggles on it.

MAN:
Matilda.

MATILDA: It's a lighter shade
of blue than the sky.

Well, it's like this one,

only the left-hand squiggles
go out instead of in.

Matilda, I haven't much time.

I just dropped by...

Oh, there it is
under your elbow, of course.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Don't bother to tell me
why you've come.

I know.

I... I always know.

Well, it isn't that I need
much money, you understand.

Gerald, why is it
that every lawyer

in town is so rich
and you're so poor?

It really is
rather embarrassing sometimes

to have to explain to people
why one's own brother-in-law...

Matilda, will you stop it.

I-I just don't care about money
the way some people do.

How much do you want this time?

No.

I don't want
to borrow any money.

I just want to see
that Franklin's will

is finally probated, that's all.

Nonsense.

Now, uh, either get your elbows
off the table or...

Franklin is dead, Matilda.

You know he is.

A man just doesn't disappear
for ten years.

Don't you touch me.

Now, just because you want
to talk about unpleasant things

doesn't mean that you have
to act like Franklin, does it?

Oh, Matilda,
you can't stay angry forever,

just because he once
ran away with some woman.

And you can't pretend
that he's alive,

when every police department
in this country

has told you for years...

Gerald, I don't want
to talk about it!

Now, I will not have Franklin's
name mentioned in this house.

And I will not allow you
or anyone else...

(cat shrieks)

(screams)
Helen!

- Helen! You, you little beast!
- No, no!

Oh, don't, don't, don't!

- Now, now...
- Oh, Cosmo, where are you?!

Everything's all right!
Wait a minute!

(cat shrieks)

Oh, stop it!

Now, you get that creature
out of here.

He att*cked me.

I know that
I'm bleeding somewhere.

Well, you don't have to hit him.

Come on, Monkey.

Come on, baby.

Helen, I warned you.

I warned you about Siamese cats.

I won't have a dangerous
creature like that in my house.

I'm sorry, Auntie.

I said I was sorry.

Poor little baby.

I've tried to explain
to your aunt that these kittens

can be trained
not to jump, not...

Oh, stop wasting your breath.

The only thing she understands
is hating everybody.

Now, now, let me take
the little rascal.

But she may have hurt him.

Miss Helen,
there's a telephone call for you

in the study downstairs.

Now, try to smile, please.

Oh, darling, please marry me

and rescue me from this crazy...

Oh, excuse me.

I-I was expecting a call
from somebody...

Who?

W-Who did you say you are?

Uncle Franklin?

Helen! Helen!

Where are you?!

What on earth
is this door doing locked?

Helen!

Wait.

Just a minute!

Y-Yes, I understand.

No.

No, not one word, honestly.

And, Uncle Franklin,
I'm so glad that...

Helen!

Good-bye.

Most people lock the door after
they're married, not before.

Oh, sorry, the catch must...

That was your silly boyfriend
on the phone, wasn't it?

Uh, yes, yes.

Just Frank, that's all.

You know that, uh, I warned you

not to let him
give you that kitten.

What?

How many times
has it scratched people?

How many times
have you been bitten?

Oh, never.

Aunt Matilda, what on earth
are you talking about?

Rabies.

What do you think?

That creature of yours
is upstairs dying of rabies.

No!

(dog barking)

Now, let's put Buff
in room one, shall we?

Doctor?

Well, sorry to keep you
waiting so long.

Is Monkey all right?

Of course, of course.

There's nothing to worry about.

There, you see?

Just an ordinary convulsion.

As I told you, Helen,

puppies and kittens
are very susceptible...

Now, we emptied the stomach,
and you can pick him up

in a couple of hours,
take him home if you like.

Oh, thank you, Doctor.

But I'm afraid
it wasn't just a convulsion.

Your kitten was poisoned,
Miss Kendall.

What?

Got into
some snail bait, perhaps,

or some other garden supply.

Oh, no.

No, that's impossible.

Monkey never goes outside,

and he wasn't allowed
in the kitchen...

Now, now, now,
wait a minute, Helen.

What you mean, Doctor,
is that the symptoms were

perhaps similar
to those of poisoning.

But obviously you can't...

No. What I mean is, that kitten
had eaten some strychnine

a short while ago.

Fortunately, we got to him
in time for us...

(buzzer sounds, dog barking)

Excuse me, I'll be right back.

Strychnine?

(sobbing):
Uncle Gerald.

Now, now, now, here.

There's probably
some simple explanation.

It's not just Monkey,
it's everything.

I know, darling.

I know, I know.
I understand.

You haven't had any rest since
you got back from college.

And the way your Aunt's
been acting is enough to...

I promised him
I wouldn't tell anybody,

but I've just got to.

Tell whom, dear?

Uncle Gerald, there's going to
be worse trouble at that house,

I just know it.

No, Helen, you won't have
to live there anymore.

Now, I've talked this over
with your young man.

You see, I'm starting
legal proceedings

to declare that Franklin
is finally dead.

And that means that your
inheritance, as well as mine,

will be settled.

And then we'll have
all the money that we want

to do what we want with it.

No!

That's what I've been
trying to tell you.

Uncle Franklin isn't dead!

What?

But if it was only
a telephone conversation...

But it was really Franklin,
Mr. Mason.

Helen told me they talked
for quite a long time

and he recalled to her intimate
things about her childhood

that only the two of them
could know.

Oh, this is no hoax.

It's no, it's no practical joke.

It's the real thing.

Franklin, I'm afraid,
has come back.

And he didn't mention
where he's been

or what's happened to him
for the past ten years?

Well, he-he's going to explain
all that to her tonight.

Mr. Shore, was the relationship

between you and your brother...
congenial?

Oh, yes.

We were very close.

Then I wonder why
he didn't contact you first.

I don't know.

I don't know why he's back,
I don't know what he wants.

You don't sound very happy
about his return.

Well, of course
I'm happy that he's alive.

But I realize that this could
mean a lot of trouble.

Matilda, for instance-- she's
been just living for the day

to get even with him.

And he may feel
the same about her, ll...

He told your niece to keep
his visit completely secret?

Oh, yes.

He instructed her about meeting
him, like a regular spy movie.

Well, I wasn't going to let
a young girl like that

go down and meet him alone,
at first.

I don't intend
that he shall use her

for any crazy scheme, you know.

Possibly you're right.

Well, that's why I-I think
you should be along, Mr. Mason.

Oh, I'll go along, too.

But, um, copyright
is my specialty.

And I think she should
have an outsider,

and someone who-who understands
this odd sort of...

And of course,
someone who isn't involved

in the family inheritance,
right?

Exactly. What?

How much would you inherit
if your brother

were declared legally dead,
Mr. Shore?

Um... hundred thousand dollars.

And Helen is in his will

for approximately
the same amount, I think.

I see.

Oh, but, Mr. Mason,

that is not what's so upsetting
about all this--

the loss of a few dollars.

After all, Matilda stands
to lose millions.

Franklin didn't take any of
his money when he left her?

Only a few thousand, apparently.

Hmm.

He can't very well claim any
part of their joint estate now,

unless he's willing
to come out in the open.

Quite a puzzle, isn't it?

Yes, Mr. Shore.

Tell your niece
I'll only be too happy

to look out for her interests.

Why, sure, Miss Helen.

I'll take care
of your kitten for you.

I'd be glad to.

Thank you so much, Thomas.

You've met Frank Templar,
haven't you?

I sure have.

Won't you folks come in.

You folks will have
to forgive the mess,

but you know
how us bachelors are.

Why, don't be silly, Thomas.

Now, there you go, Monkey!

Best seat in the house for you.

All nice and warm and cozy.

(chuckles)

You might give him
some milk later on, Thomas.

He's... he hasn't been
feeling very well, that's all.

Ah.

Oh, maybe you folks

would like some coffee?

Uh, no, thanks.

Miss Kendall has a date
this evening.

Frank's mad at me because
I've broken a date with him

to-to go out with
my Uncle Gerald this evening.

Oh, I'm not angry.

I mean, I enjoy
tearing up theater tickets.

Oh, stop it, Frank.

I told you I'd explain
everything later.

Honestly, I will.

If, uh, if you could
take care of him for...

well, maybe several days.

I don't know just yet.

Look, Miss Helen, I'm not gonna
ask you to explain anything.

'Tain't none of my affair.

And you, young fella,
I don't think you quite got

a clear picture yet
of the kind of crazy house

that this young lady lives in.

Now, you take me, for example.

You see, I mean, I been gardener

with the Shores now for, well,
almost years, I guess.

I used to live in that little
gatehouse there, you see.

Well, I'm gonna tell you
something true.

I couldn't stand it, either,
after her Uncle Franklin left.

And that's a fact, Miss Helen.

Not that I wasn't sorry
for your Aunt Matilda

for those first two years,
'cause I was.

But she was so angry
all the time.

And then when she brung in
that spooky, limey butler--

well, I just don't blame you

for not wanting
your kitty in that house.

You know, that Cosmo--
why, he'd step on a cat's tail

and he'd laugh.

And that's a fact.

You always liked
my Uncle Franklin, didn't you?

Yes, Miss Helen.

I did, for a fact.

Because it was
a happy place then.

You remember that.

Of course, you...

you can't excuse a man
running around.

Well, I mean,
after ten years, huh?

Why-why pick on
a poor fella that...

that obviously ain't
going to ever come back?

I mean, why pick on the dead?

That's what I always say.

Don't you?

I guess we'd better
be going now, Thomas.

- Thank you.
- Thank you.

And how about you,
little Monkey?

(Monkey meows)

Ain't that what you always say?

"Don't pick on the dead.”

(giggling)

But wouldn't you like to come in
with us, Mr. Shore?

Uh, no.

No, not at first.

You see, he's expecting
to meet Helen alone,

and if a whole mob of us
went in, I'd...

Well, you certainly
don't have to worry

about leaving me in the car,
Mr. Shore,

just because it isn't
a very fancy neighborhood.

I wonder why Uncle Franklin
would stay in a place like this.

I don't understand.

Well, maybe he's not here,
Helen.

He told you on the telephone
that you were to ask

at the desk
for a Mr. Henry Leech.

Oh, but I think that's just him.

Don't you?

Oh, th-that's what I think.

Because my brother's
apparently being

very wary
about being recognized.

And he may be
in serious trouble.

And that's why I think
that we should stay out here.

And if he's willing later
to see me, why, you just call.

Don't you think that's the...?

Whatever you say.

Helen.

(bell dings twice)

In the car, you mentioned

that your kitten
had been poisoned.

Oh, Monkey's perfectly
all right, Mr. Mason.

I'm sure it was just...

But your Uncle Gerald
hadn't mentioned it to me.

Now, would you mind
if I have someone investigate?

Just to make sure that
the poisoning was accidental?

-(door opens)
- No.

(door closes)

Someone's coming.

Now, don't look so frightened.

I was just thinking
about the last time

I heard from Uncle Franklin.

It was on my th birthday.

And it was about six months
after he ran way, and I...

I got this postcard
from Florida.

Help you?

I'd like to see
that postcard, Helen.

Uh, would you tell me
which room Mr. Henry Leech

-is staying in, please?
- Not here, lady.

Would you tell him
it's Helen, please?

Oh. Well, I ain't lying, lady.

But if you're Helen,

Mr. Leech phoned in
about an hour ago.

He left a message for you.

Car... car trouble someplace.

Uh, I got the message
right here.

What does he look like?

I mean, it-it's
been quite some time

since I've seen Mr. Leech,
and...

and his health
was never very good.

Search me, lady.

He checked in last night
for the first time.

Cash on the line--
that's all I care about.

I-I have the message here
someplace.

Here it is.

He says for you to go
to the "amp-i-theater,”

and he'll meet you
in the parking lot.

Where?

The... the amp-i-theater.

This place is closed.

Maybe there's
another place to park.

Certainly don't see any car.

Hold it. Over there.

Uncle Franklin.

Helen, wait.

Helen!

Nobody here.

Maybe he left a note.

(screams)

MASON: He's been sh*t--
back of the head.

HELEN:
Is it Uncle Franklin?

Mr. Mason...

I've never seen
this man before in my life.

His name's Henry ♪. Leech,
Lieutenant.

That's all I can tell you.

When his body fell
from the seat,

his wallet dropped out
of his pocket and...

No.

No one's touched a thing.

The only reason I left was so
I could telephone the police.

But if you don't get
off the phone and get up here

so we can properly
report this...

Okay, Lieutenant.

(ringing)

Yes. Hello?

This the Shore residence?

What do you want?

My name is Mason.

I'm a friend
of Mr. Gerald Shore.

Do you happen to know
where I could locate him?

Oh. Oh, uh... well, no,
I really don't, sir.

He doesn't live here, you know.

Mr. Gerald has his own
apartment in...

He's not there,
and this is quite urgent.

I thought perhaps...

Well, I wish
I could help you, sir.

And forgive me
if I sounded impatient before.

I was just going out
of the front door

when the phone rang and...

But could I speak
to Mrs. Matilda Shore?

Perhaps she could tell me...

Uh, well, now,
she's not here, either.

Do you happen to know
if she's just recently gone out?

Yes, just this moment.

I mean...

(sighs)

Well, you see, actually,
this is my evening off.

Mrs. Shore was here alone.

But about an hour ago,
she called me

at my own apartment
and asked me to hurry over.

I'm telling you this, sir,

because perhaps if you are able
to locate Mr. Gerald,

you can tell him
what's happened.

Tell him Mrs. Shore has been
taken to the General Hospital.

Hospital?

The doctor just now

drove off with her himself.

I called him
the moment I got here.

He... he seems to feel

that Matilda Shore has been...

poisoned.

ANDERSON: All right,
that's enough. Take him away.

Well, Lieutenant,
do you need us anymore?

Yes. Uh, Mr. Shore?

(indistinct police radio
transmission)

(crickets chirping)

Take another look
at these things

-in the handkerchief, Mr. Shore.
- Well, what more can I say?

They're Franklin's--
there's no question about that.

The pen there
has a gift engraving

with his name on it, sir.

I certainly remember
that watch.

Uncle Franklin
used to let me wind it for him

when I was little.

We didn't touch
any of those items, Andy.

The tied-up handkerchief
was sitting on the front seat.

We didn't even attempt to see

what was inside
the handkerchief.

I know, I know,
but what I'm curious about is

why this man Leech
would have had them in his car.

Well, if he was going to take me
to meet Uncle Franklin...

Yes. Yes,
th-the bundle was there

to verify his identification,

so that Helen
wouldn't be frightened.

Obviously, Franklin
gave all those things

to this, uh, L-Leech

to show to her.

Now, she'd certainly
recognize that watch.

As a matter of fact,

he-he carried all those things
all his life.

But that's just
an assumption, of course.

Now, if you'll excuse us, Andy.

Perry.

What are you so itchy about?

Well, it seems to me
my client has told you

all she can about the phone call
from her uncle.

But not one lead
to actually help us

locate Franklin Shore.

I don't know
where he called from.

I don't know any more
than I've already told you.

Furthermore, Andy,
since none of us

could have k*lled
this man Leech...

All right, all right,
that's enough.

If there's anything further,

we'll check with you
in the morning.

Well, thank you very much.

Come on, dear.

Uh, Perry.

I don't blame you.

Until you know
what's involved here,

don't let anybody
tell the police

one single word more
than is absolutely necessary.

(chuckles)
Your advice, not mine.

Good night, Andy.

Oh, I'm perfectly
all right now, Mr. Mason.

You must tell Gerald that.
And Helen, too.

You know, I tried
to reach Gerald on the phone,

-but, uh...
- He was out with me, Mrs. Shore.

And Helen asked me to come
the moment she heard.

Oh, this is all so silly.

Oh, dear.

They do maybe care just a little
for me, don't they?

But, I mean,
all this-this poison nonsense!

I think that
I've figured it out now.

I wasn't feeling well
and I'd been napping

late this afternoon, and there
are all sorts of medicines

in the cabinet-- well,
when I went into the bathroom

to get something
for my headache...

You think you were poisoned
by taking the wrong medicine?

Well, it was some kind
of an accident,

I know that's all that it was,

and I did fumble around
in the dark, I remember.

Is that what your doctor thinks?

Well, I don't know.

Oh, why does everyone
have to make such a fuss

about all this--
it wasn't enough poison

to actually k*ll me, they say.

But who would want to do
such a horrible thing?

(sighs): Mr. Mason,
I don't even understand

exactly what it is
that you're doing here.

Now, why should my niece
want to send a lawyer over?

- Just...
- Mrs. Shore...

something has happened
which the... other members

of your family think I ought
to discuss with you first.

First? What are
you talking about?

Well, to begin with,
does the name Henry Leech mean

-anything to you?
- No.

Man about ,

quite tall, slender,
light coloring?

Oh, wait a minute.

Leech. Lee... Yes.

We had a neighbor once
by that name?

When?

Too many years ago.

I never did know him
particularly.

He was a friend of my husband's.

A friend of Franklin Shore?

Oh, yes, indeed.

For about a year, they, uh,
they played hooky together.

Mr. Leech had just
gotten a divorce,

and he used to give
all of these parties,

and my devoted husband
used to sneak over there

whenever he got a chance.

Perhaps that's where he met her.

- Don't know.
Her?

Well, whoever that, uh...
that creature was

that he ran away with.

I don't recall seeing
Mr. Leech much after that.

(laughs):
Well, will you please tell me

-what on earth...
- Mrs. Shore...

I've just seen
Mr. Leech tonight,

and Mr. Leech was...

Small world, Andy.

Too small.

I was just about
to ask Mrs. Shore...

I'll do the asking,
if you don't mind.

Good night again, Perry.

(chuckles)
I can just see his face.

There's nothing Andy
likes better than to...

Paul, the trouble is,
Andy thinks I know something

- don't know.
-(sighs): Like, uh...

why Franklin Shore came back

and why he wanted
to see your client?

- Perhaps.
- Or like where is he now

and what's he gonna do next?

I'm only sure
of one thing, Paul:

in some way, all of this
ties together.

Unless we move fast...

I talked to the veterinarian.

There was strychnine in
the kitten's stomach, all right,

but a pretty low grade--
no stronger than could be found

in a dozen different compounds.

But what will cats eat
that humans also eat?

Well, that's just the hitch.

Put that bitter stuff in milk,
for instance,

and the kitten, at least,
wouldn't even touch it.

Maybe that's not a hitch.

Paul, you know someone
at the police laboratory.

They've got a handkerchief
down there.

A handkerchief?

The one that was
tied around those articles

belonging to Franklin
that Leech had in his car.

Could you get a report on what
that handkerchief looks like,

under ultraviolet ray?

You want the laundry mark?

Exactly.

Okay, but what's that
got to do with poison?

Maybe you'd better go find out.

Perry, if you'd just
cut yourself down

to two thoughts at one time.

Go out to the Shore house,
I mean.

Helen should be
back there by now.

Her boyfriend was going to
pick her up at Gerald's,

then take her home.

So you want me to be

a jump ahead of the police, huh?

- Okay.
- Paul.

One jump ahead of the m*rder*r.

There.

Mind if I come in?

Of course not, Frank.

I don't care.

Well, if you don't care,
one way or the other...

Oh, just shut the door,
will you, please?

It's cold.

Boy, you can sure say that.

: a.m. I get out of bed
to be a taxi service for you,

and all you can talk about
is a postcard!

Well, I'm just
trying to remember

where I saw it, that's all.

It's something Mr. Mason
spoke about earlier,

and I want to find it for him.

It's somewhere in one of
Aunt Matilda's scrapbooks.

Okay. Okay, fine.

Well, why is this guy Mason
so important to you?

And where have you been
all evening?

Why do you keep shaking
all the time?

Oh, darling.

Honey...

Honey, what is it?

What happened? What's wrong?

I-I want to tell you,

but Uncle Gerald says
I shouldn't yet.

Or... or at least not
until we know what's involved

and-and where Uncle Franklin...

I mean... you're not involved,

and he seems to feel that...

Shh.

Now, your Uncle Gerald's
a perfectly smart guy.

So why don't you just
do what he says.

Now, shut me up and I'll
find you something to drink.

Think Matilda
would have a conniption

if I stole
one of her chocolates?

Why not? You bought them
for her, didn't you?

Hey, maybe this is it.

Eureka!

The postcard.

Yes.

From Palm Beach
on my birthday...

(door creaks quietly)

I thought this was
Cosmo's night off.

It is.

Okay, so we woke up
the devil herself.

Be quiet.

No, I won't be quiet.

Look, I don't care
what Matilda thinks.

We're over ,
we're properly engaged...

Aunt Matilda's
in the hospital tonight.

That's... that's part of what
I've been trying to tell you.

(door creaks quietly)

Frank, wait!

Cosmo?

Cosmo, is that you?

Frank, be careful!

Where are you!

- Frank, please...
-(door opens)

HELEN:
Be careful!

Who's in there?

(g*nsh*t)

Frank! Frank!

Easy, now.

Just relax.

- There.
-(low groan)

- There we are.
-(sighs)

sh*t with luck, that's me.

Yes, but you better spend
the night right here.

-(mumbles)
- Uh-uh, no.

Don't move, don't move.

I thought he was going to die.

The way he kept bleeding...

FRANK (weakly): Oh,
it's three drops, that's all.

You didn't see or hear
anything after the sh*ts?

No, i-it stunned me, kind of.

I... I don't know.

Probably knocked you out
for a moment.

It can happen when
you get creased that close.

FRANK:
The window...

Whoever it was, now, he went
through that balcony window.

-(door closes) -MAN: That's
what we figured, too, sir.

Find anything more, Sergeant?

Uh, footprints, maybe?

Enough to say it was a man,
that's about all.

HELEN:
Well, of course it was a man!

And you couldn't see him
because the room was dark,

but he could see you
in the lighted hall, right?

- That's right. -So he was
aiming at which one of you?

(laughs) Look, there
wasn't any time for aiming.

You see, like I said, I just
got sh*t with luck, that's all.

Sure. Caliber . luck.

-(phone ringing)
- Excuse me.

Does Lieutenant Anderson
have the ballistics man

over there at the house?

Just finished digging
the b*ll*ts out of the wall.

Henry Leech was k*lled
with a . .

The k*ller was
in that room, all right.

Every b*llet appears to have
come from the same g*n.

We're sure the lab
will confirm the rest.

Mr. Mason,
telephone in here for you.

(groans, sighs quietly)

MASON (in other room):
Hello?

Paul! Where on earth
have you been?

Well, I got up
to the Shore house

about two seconds
after the police arrived.

So now I'm on their list, too.

They kept me waiting around
about an hour,

then I started over to
the doctor's place to meet you.

Only I ran into
somebody outside.

Perry, you better join me quick.

Where, who is it,
and why should...

Wants to see Helen?

Well, why is he
afraid of the police?

Perry, just hurry, will you?

This guy says
he has Helen's kitten,

but he acts more like
he's gonna have some himself.

Mm.

Well... yeah, I...

I guess Miss Helen
wrote this, all right.

Now, can't you tell me
what it is

you wanted to see her about?

Well, I-I just thought
that she'd be the one

I ought to talk to.

You see, Miss Helen is
the only one in that family

that I'd trust to keep quiet...

But she tells you in that note
to trust Mr. Mason,

doesn't she?
That he'll keep secret

-anything you tell him?
- Now, don't start arguing

with me, Mr. Drake!

Helen's exhausted, Thomas.

I just couldn't let her
come out again.

You mean those policemen
got something to do

with her being in trouble?

- Is that what's the matter?
- No, but...

Oh, I seen 'em, running
all over that place up there.

Holy smoke! You see, I was
on my way up to see Miss Helen,

because I didn't want
to be responsible all alone.

Why, I even thought Mr. Drake
there was a policeman

when he first grabbed me.

You didn't want to be
responsible for what?

DRAKE: Thomas, we can't help you
unless you tell us.

Uh... you fellas ever hear
of a Mr. Franklin Shore?

- Yes. What about him? -Everybody
thought he was dead, you know.

But he ain't.

He's down at my place right now,

sound asleep in the spare bed.

Well, this is... this is it.

Here we are.

You say he seemed upset?

Uh, oh, a-a lot worse
than that, sir.

'Course, me, I-l near fainted
when I opened the door

and saw him standing there.

A lot grayer and balder,

but, uh, same-same old
Franklin Shore.

About what time
was that, Thomas?

A time? Oh, just-just
a short while ago, sir.

Not more than or minutes,

uh, fore I snuck out
and went to see Miss Helen.

- Well, let's go.
- You know,

Mr. Shore was just weavin'
and wobblin' back and forth.

He looked just plain wore out.

You see, he said that he didn't
want to talk about nothin',

he just wanted
a safe place to stay.

And do you know
something, Mr. Mason,

I offered him
a glass of whiskey,

and his hand was shaking
so that he could hardly hold it.

Yes, sir. And then,
do you know what happened?

He spotted that spare bed,
and 'fore I know'd it,

he flopped down
and was out cold.

Now, me, I just went and sat
in my chair in the living room,

trying to puzzle out what to do.

And the next thing I know'd
I hear'd him snoring,

and I s-said to myself,
if I'm gonna sneak out

and see Miss Helen, this is
the time for me to do it.

See, 'cause I figured someone
else better do the deciding.

You'd better
go in first, Thomas.

Oh. Yes, sir.

Just a second, now.

And you...

- Hey! What are you doing?
- Take it easy, it's all right.

Thomas... we're not the police,

nor are we gonna hurt anyone.

That's a promise.

It's right this way, sir.

Uh, Mr. Shore?
Mr. Shore, sir?

(knocking)

Sorry to wake you up, Mr. Shore.

Mr. Shore, sir?

- Mr. Mason, I can't figure...
- Was this open when you left?

No, sir. No, it wasn't.

I wonder if he heard us coming.
I better go check.

Don't waste your time.

We would have seen
or heard him leaving.

THOMAS:
Well, he was here before.

- He was lying right on that...
- Watch it, watch where you step.

DRAKE:
Cat tracks.

Yes, I noticed them
out there, too, Paul.

THOMAS: What have you
been getting into there, Monkey?

He's been cleaning his paws.

Looks like flour.

Let's turn around,
work backwards.

We'll see where the cat's been.

Nice, clear tracks.

Hey, there's some
up here on the bed.

Looks like he came in from here.

Came in from there,
jumped up on the bed...

then jumped down from the bed.

DRAKE: Well,
that's where he started out.

-(meows) -THOMAS: But that don't
tell us where Mr. Shore has...

- Say, Mr. Mason,
do you figure... -Thomas,

-this where you keep your flour?
- Yes, sir.

Well, what's the matter,
Monkey, you hungry?

(chuckles) He's sure some
jumper, ain't he, Mr. Mason?

You know, I'll bet you
that's just what happened.

That little rascal remembered

I was out here getting him
some milk earlier,

and he just come back
snooping around,

messed things up.

Yes, but he jumped just now
to see what I was doing.

Those, uh, first tracks of his
are pretty far apart.

Do you supposed somebody
chased him out of here?

- Did you chase him, Thomas?
- Oh, no, sir.

What did you cook
with flour tonight?

Nothing.

I ate down
at the corner drugstore.

Why, I-I ain't made pancakes

in, oh, it must be
several days now.

Pancakes?
Be a funny thing

for Franklin Shore to wake up
and start cooking.

. .

Holy smoke!

Look out!

(footsteps approaching)

That does it.

No, I didn't say
that you'd done anything

exactly unethical, Perry.

Of course he hasn't.

Perry, I just want you
to understand

how the police department feels.

Every place they've gone
on this case,

you've been there first.

Every witness they've talked to,
you've talked to first.

- They feel...
- Were there any fingerprints

on that g*n, Hamilton?

Perry, you know there seldom
are good fingerprints on a g*n.

I don't think there's any doubt
that it's the m*rder w*apon.

Now, the police department...

Any trace of Franklin Shore yet?

Will you stop
interrupting me, please?

- I came here as a friend.
- Well, I certainly didn't think

you came calling
officially, Hamilton.

It seems very unlikely
the police department would have

turned this case over to
the District Attorney's Office

for prosecution at this point.

Don't you worry,
they're going to,

pretty soon now... because
they've got all the facts.

Well, almost.

They're... just cleaning up
the thing about the poison,

and as soon as their dragnet
picks up Franklin Shore...

Is he the one
who k*lled Henry Leech?

Not only that--
he's the one that had a motive

to try to poison Matilda Shore.

Perry, listen,
in a community property state,

where a man
has deserted his wife,

how could he possibly get back
his own personal fortune

unless...

Well, maybe I shouldn't
be talking quite this much

at this particular time.

But the evidence

is building up all the time.

I just wondered, that's all.

Perry, your position
is perfectly simple.

You're Helen Kendall's attorney.

She needs some help
collecting an inheritance

from the will of Franklin Shore,

(chuckles): only Franklin Shore
happens to be alive!

Uh, what if you find him
m*rder*d, too, Mr. Burger?

Then, Miss Street,
you may go to probate court

with Mr. Mason;
be my guest.

- Perry...
- Hamilton...

why are you so positive
Franklin Shore k*lled Leech?

That's what I've been trying
to explain to you, Perry.

Lieutenant Anderson
happens to be miles ahead of you

this time, Perry.

For instance, he's found
evidence indicating clearly

that Leech was a blackmailer.

A what?

A blackmailer!

He had no visible means
of support,

but he had big bank accounts
in several cities.

Ten years ago, Leech

and Franklin Shore were buddies,
did you know that?

And since then, they've
seen each other many times.

In the same area in Florida,
incidentally,

which Shore picked to run away
to when he disappeared.

Florida. Florida...

Let's see.

Postmarked Miami June .

"Happy birthday, honey.

"Wish you could be
in this wonderful, mild climate.

"Believe it or not,
we go swimming every day.

- Lots and lots of love.”
-(knocking, door opens)

Perry, I have...

Oh, excuse me.

Do you have the, uh, information
on the financial reports

and records?

Now, just a minute, you two.

Listen, Drake, if this is
more material on this same case,

I'm warning you, your license
can be reexamined.

And, Perry,
I don't have to tell you

-what the Bar Association...
-I appreciate the fact

that you feel
I'm interfering, Hamilton,

but I have an appointment
at the Shore house just now.

Gerald's bringing Matilda
back from the hospital.

BURGER:
Don't go there, Perry.

Lieutenant Anderson
is there right now.

I'll let you know
in half an hour

just how persuasive you've been.

All right?

(door opens)

(door closes)

Why, this is all ten years old.

I can't remember exactly what...

I thought the bank record there
might remind you.

Well, I-l...

I have had financial
difficulties now and then.

- I'm not much of a moneymaker...
- It bothered me

when you didn't want to go
into that hotel, Mr. Shore.

- What?
- With Helen and me, remember?

To meet Mr. Leech
or your brother Franklin.

- Oh. -Whoever it
might have turned out to be.

- Oh. -But the person
you were reluctant to see,

of course, was the desk clerk,
isn't that right?

Yes.

Were you afraid
he'd recognize you?

Had you been there before?

Yes. Right after
I left your office.

I hadn't intended to,

but I thought that if-if
I could see Franklin first,

I-I might be able to...

You were worried because he'd
contacted Helen instead of you.

You were afraid because
he was angry with you.

It's all here in that...
in that book.

There was a deposit I made

just two days
before Franklin disappeared.

It's... it's not easy,
Mr. Mason,

to admit something that you've
been ashamed for ten years.

I think you'd
better tell me about it.

It was $ , that Franklin
had promised me.

He... As a matter of fact,
he had the check all typed out

in his office, and, uh...

then he disappeared.

Well, I needed
the money desperately,

and-and it was mine, actually,

so I... I signed the check.

I signed...
his name to the check.

You were afraid that Franklin
had somehow found out,

is that it?

Yes. Yes, of course.

There was no other
sensible reason

why he should get in touch
with Helen instead of me.

We were very close, he and I.

I would have kept
his return secret.

He must have known

-about the check.
-(door opens)

COSMO:
Oh, I beg your pardon.

- Excuse me, gentlemen.
- That's quite all right, Cosmo.

May I use the telephone?

Certainly, sir.
This way.

Oh, Mr. Mason?

Try harder, Mr. Shore.

Your logic is...

inadequate.

If-if there's
anything else, sir?

A cup of coffee,
perhaps, Mr. Mason?

Uh, no, thank you, Cosmo.

Hello. May I speak
to Mr. Burger?

This is...

Hamilton?

Perry.

I can't take your advice,
I'm afraid.

No, I'm sorry, this case
is just too interesting.

Besides, I've been thinking
about the behavior of cats.

Cats, as in kitten.

All right, Hamilton.

Come on out, if you like.

But you better make it fast, if
you want to meet the m*rder*r.

Kitten?

Kitten? I don't understand.

Well, if you mean
it's being poisoned

or accidentally getting into
something that contained poison,

we're working on that now,
Perry, so I'd rather...

All right, Andy, but I think
you're wasting your time.

What do you mean by that, Perry?

Well, this whole
poison business,

including the poisoning
of Mrs. Shore...

Oh, of course, I'm sure
it was just an accident.

And I'm sure they'll
find evidence sooner or later

that your husband somehow got
that strychnine into the house

- Mrs. Shore.
- What?

It was an elaborate scheme
to commit m*rder.

But I'm afraid poisoning the cat

was a more important part of it
than poisoning you.

Oh, really, Mason!

Why would Franklin want
to poison the cat?

Because if the cat

had been made sick,
Helen, of course,

would then have left the house
for several hours.

You and she spent
quite some time

down there at
the veterinarian's, didn't you?

Yes. Yes, we did.

And you, Cosmo...

where were you that afternoon?

It was my evening off, sir;
I left the house early,

immediately after they departed
with Monkey, in fact.

Of course.

Leaving you all alone,
Mrs. Shore.

Well, I didn't feel well.

Uh, if someone had
come into the house,

I wouldn't have known it,
I suppose.

I was asleep for some time.

Or did you go out for a while
and then come back

and give yourself
a small doses of strychnine,

just to...
heighten the illusion?

I poisoned myself, is that it?

And then, I suppose,
I, uh, I sh*t some man

who was practically
a perfect stranger,

and then somehow,
from my hospital bed,

I also sh*t
at my poor little niece

and her stupid boyfriend,
is that it?

Thomas?

Thomas, are you out there?

Yes, sir. Here we are,
right here, sir.

Yeah, Monkey, you tried
to tell us, didn't you?

Now, think about it, Andy.

From the tracks we saw
in Thomas's house,

this kitten obviously jumped up
onto the counter

when someone was busy
putting the m*rder w*apon

into that flour canister, right?

That's right.
Then jumped down,

tried the bed, then
went back into the front room

and, uh, settled down
in the chair.

And I'll bet Helen could have
figured everything out

right then and there.

She knows cats
better than we do.

What do you mean, Mr. Mason?

- Well, don't they like a nice,
soft, warm place to sleep? -Yes.

Then why didn't Monkey
stay on the bed?

Perhaps it wasn't warm;
perhaps it had just been...

rumpled a little, to look
like Franklin had slept there.

How about it, Thomas?

But Mr. Franklin was there, sir,
just like I said.

- He came to my house...
- Sorry, I don't believe you.

Any more than
I believe Franklin Shore

ever came back to Los Angeles.

Oh, wait a minute, Mr. Mason.

Uncle Franklin
was here yesterday.

I mean... I know that
was he on the telephone.

Helen, how could you have
recognized your uncle's voice?

You were only a child
when he disappeared.

But he said things to her, all
kinds of things she remembered.

Now, just a minute.

Gerald... the voice part
was why you weren't contacted.

That's the only reason.

But those little memories
from Helen's childhood,

they only could have come
from you, I suppose.

Oh, yes, naturally.

And then I lowered
my voice real deep

and I pretended I was a...

No, but you could
have coached Thomas.

He could have disguised
his voice enough to fool Helen.

Isn't that right, Thomas?

(Monkey yowls)

Now, tell the truth.

Every word you spoke
to Mr. Drake and me last night

was a lie, wasn't it?

No! No, I-I... I mean...
why would I?

Desperate but clever lies
to cover the fact

that you'd just
been in the house,

that you'd just taken a sh*t
at Helen's boyfriend.

No. No, sir.

No, I'm... what I mean is,

it... I didn't want
to hit anybody!

Be quiet, Thomas!

You've helped her
at every turn, haven't you?

Helped her build the illusion
of Franklin still being...

-(stomping foot)
- Stop it, stop it, stop it!

Mrs. Shore,
did you m*rder Henry Leech?

Was it you he was blackmailing?

Of course it was, Hamilton.

And she's probably
been plotting his m*rder

for a long, long time.

But last night I guess
she made a mistake.

After k*lling him
at their parking lot rendezvous,

she brought the g*n back home.

Is that right, Thomas?

Yes, sir.

She-she phoned me
from the hospital,

and-and I came
to pick up the g*n

before anybody else
came searching.

I'm sorry, ma'am.

I did the best I could
to cover up.

Is that all you've covered up
in the past ten years?

- Hm? -Of course not.
He's my gardener, isn't he?

What do you think
the blackmailing neighbor saw?

How do you think
that Leech person bled me

year after year after year?

- Franklin?
- Yes, Mr. Mason.

My wonderful husband, Franklin.

He's been out there

for the last ten years.

The third tree from the left.

Isn't that right, Thomas?

He's right under the poison ivy.

(crying):
Right where he belongs.

HELEN:
But why were you so sure

that Uncle Franklin
was dead, Mr. Mason?

MASON: Well, I wasn't
until I saw that postcard.

Yes, you started to explain
what was wrong with it,

but you never quite finished.

(chuckles softly)
"Happy birthday, honey.

Wish you could be in this
wonderful, mild climate.”

Mild? Florida? In June?

You mean it was really written
from some different place,

farther north?

MASON:
Much farther. Remember this?

Uh, "Believe it or not,
we go swimming every day.”

Your aunt admitted
it was a card

she hadn't mailed for him
the year before.

The year they went to Sweden.

DRAKE:
Well, coffee!

And with a little bit of brandy.

There we are.

-(Monkey yowls)
- HELEN: That looks good.

FRANK:
Great. Wonderful. Thank you.

(Helen yells)

(laughing)

Well... after all,

he did help solve the m*rder
for you, didn't he?

That's right, wise guy.

Steal all the credit.

(theme song playing)