08x28 - The Case of the Grinning Gorilla

[bunniefuu]

(theme song playing)

Perry, here I am.

Did you have a chance
to call the office?

Well, I was just going to,
but...

We have to be up in
in less than five minutes.

Yes, I know.

If you'll just hold this,

it will only take me
a minute to call Gertie.

What is it?

Oh, wait till I tell you.

It only cost five dollars.

I was down at the public
administrator's office

this morning-- you know,

that's where
my friend Nellie works, but...

Just a minute.

MAN:
Mr. Mason.

Well, hello, Jefferson.

When did you get interested
in bathing beauties?

(chuckles)
Now, let's see, I was born on...

No, I mean the blonde type,

you know, long, Swedish, suntan,
all that stuff.

You sound like one
of your own scandal stories.

I figure, a criminal lawyer
doesn't go around

chasing after dead girls
for nothing.

Or is it the monkey man
you're interested in?

Come on, Mr. Mason,
why did you buy this thing?

Gertie said there
was nothing important.

Della, from now on, will you
please carry your own packages?

Oh, hello, Mr. Jefferson.

Hi.

Come on,
why are you two so interested?

That's all I want to know. You
see,

we were at the Public
Administrators auction, too,

to buy Joe's kid a bicycle...

Sorry, we're due in court.

Well, when we saw Miss Street
buy this thing,

then we found out
it was personal possessions

of Helen Cadmus...

Helen Cadmus?

Sure, lots of people
still remember

that poor kid that jumped
off her boss's yacht.

So you see, it could be a story,
now couldn't it?

Get a picture, Joe.

Good-bye, gentlemen.

Don't print it.

I'm sorry, I-I just couldn't
resist it, that's all.

And it only cost
five dollars and...

I suppose you're angry
with me now, aren't you?

I wonder what is in here?

MASON: So that's what
Helen Cadmus looked like.

DELLA: Uh, yes.

It happened when you were
in Europe last year, remember?

Yes, I remember.

Police never decided

whether it was accident
or su1c1de.

This is one of her diaries,

and then there are
all of these other things.

Yes, well, I've got
that brief to work on.

So you just read
your Sunday supplement while...

Perry, do you realize
that these were the only things

that were found in her stateroom

other than her clothing
the next morning?

Now, she either fell

or she jumped overboard
from the yacht

-during the night.
- Della, Della,

I was kept much too long
at that lunch today.

The brief is going to take me
at least two hours or more.

Yes, but Perry,
look at this girl.

Does she look like a person
that would commit su1c1de?

Normal, healthy,

good job, so beautiful she even
had offers to do pictures.

Della, even the police
couldn't come

to a decision.

Well, and in her diary,

there isn't even a love affair
to make her unhappy.

All she does
is write pages and pages

about this funny little monkey

that keeps stealing her earrings
and hiding them.

And she liked sports cars

so Mr. Addicks
just gave her one of his to use.

I thought her employer was
that eccentric anthropologist.

That's right,
but he was also a millionaire.

Just because the newspapers

make him sound peculiar
doesn't mean that...

All right, Della,
maybe she didn't k*ll herself.

Maybe she was strangled

by one of those absent
simian progenitors

Addicks uses in research.

- But right now...
- Perry.

Perry, you can't work
on your briefs right now.

Why?

There's somebody in there.

I told him he could wait
in your office,

so that I could explain
all of this to you.

You see,
his name is Nathan Fallon.

Nathan Fallon?

Nathan Fallon, and, uh,

he saw the item

in Mr. Jefferson's column
this morning.

Nathan Fallon
is personal assistant

to Benjamin Addicks.

Mr. Mason?

Yes, of course it's Perry Mason.

I've watched
your triumphs in court

quite a number of times,
indeed I have.

It's an honor, sir,
honor and a pleasure.

What's on your mind,
Mr. Fallon?

Not my mind.

Not my mind at all, nothing.

I work
for a rather eccentric man,

and Mr. Addicks noticed
in the newspaper this morning

that you had, um,
made a certain purchase.

You're talking about the
property of Helen Cadmus,

her diaries and so forth?

Precisely.

Not that they have any value

or that they're of particular
interest to anyone.

Helen had no family
of her own you know.

That poor girl.

MASON:
No, I didn't know.

So I guess it struck
Mr. Addicks' curiosity

as to what your interest
in the matter might be,

whom you might be representing?

I have no client concerned
in the matter,

nor do I have any
personal interest in the matter.

FALLON:
Well, of course you don't.

I said as much myself
at breakfast.

Now, is that all you came
to ask me?

Yes.

Yes, uh...

(chuckles) No.

It's practically all.

I'm sure you understand

the feelings of a sensitive man.

And Mr. Addicks
does so love his privacy.

And I'm sure you appreciate
the nuisance and the pain

that renewed publicity
in a matter

that's over and done with
could cause.

He's afraid we'll turn
the diaries over

to some disreputable magazine,
is that it?

(chuckles)
I told him it was ridiculous.

I told him
what sort of man you are.

And further I told him
I wasn't going

to insult you
by offering you one more cent

than you yourself had paid.

So you want to buy
the contents of that package?

I believe the price
was five dollars?

Well, that seems
reasonable enough.

Though my secretary,

of course,
has put in some time on it.

Of course,

I'd want to recompense her,
too, naturally.

Shall we say another $ ?

MASON: Mr. Fallon,

would you pay us $ ?

Well, really, Mr. Mason,

if your interest was
only idle curiosity, ...

Would you?

Uh... (chuckles)

It would be different

if there were anything
in that material,

but everyone's been over it,

the police, and everyone.

As for the bathing suit
photographs...

I asked you a question,
Mr. Fallon.

I want to know
how much you'd pay.

(clears throat)
This is not

what I expected of you,
Mr. Mason.

Now surely, you must understand
how publicity,

invasion of privacy,
can hurt people,

how it can affect the outcome

of even the simplest sort
of lawsuit.

Lawsuit?

Oh, yes, of course.

Yes, of course.

Well, if you want to make
a k*lling for your time,

here's $ , in cash,
Mr. Mason.

Now may I have the contents
of that package, please?

I didn't say I'd accept
your offer, Mr. Fallon.

What?

Now good-bye.

I have a great deal
of work to do.

- Now, see here.
-I said good-bye.

(chuckles)

I don't like a liar.

What lawsuit
is he talking about?

I don't know.

Get a hold of Paul
and bring those diaries in here.

All of them.

Yes, sir.

Here I am, Paul.

Hope I didn't keep you waiting,
Mrs. Kempton, isn't it?

Miss Kempton.

How do you do?

Won't you have a bite
to eat with us?

- Something to drink?
- No, thank you.

I've been explaining
to Miss Kempton

that I tried to reach
her lawyer for you,

but he's out of town
this evening.

Yes, and if that's Jim Etna,

he's quite a good friend
of mine, Miss Kempton.

He's also
a very talented young man.

He's all I could afford.

Well, as I understand it,

he's representing you
in a lawsuit

which is coming to court
in a day or two?

Miss Kempton is suing
Benjamin Addicks

for defamation of character.

I see.

She, uh, used to be housekeeper
at the Addicks estate.

And cook,
and bottle washer sometimes

to all those stupid
little monkeys.

Yes, Addicks does research,
doesn't he?

Keeps quite a menagerie
out there.

She was fired last year, Perry.

A few days after Helen Cadmus's
accident off the yacht.

Oh?

Did you know Helen Cadmus well,
Miss Kempton?

I'd prefer not to say,
thank you.

Miss Kempton was
aboard the yacht herself.

Just she, Helen, Mr. Addicks,
and the crew.

I will not speak one single word
against anyone.

I will not even say what I think

of the cruelty and maliciousness
of that horrible Mr. Addicks.

I'm sure Jim Etna
has very wisely told you

not to speak to anybody
before you go to court,

and it certainly
wouldn't be proper

for me to ask you anything

about your trouble
with Mr. Addicks.

He's a miserly liar
who manipulates people.

I've already bumped
into one of his subordinates.

But I am curious about the death
of Helen Cadmus.

KEMPTON:
Oh.

MASON:
So I simply wanted to know,

if I clear it
with your lawyer first,

is there anything
you could tell me about Helen

which hasn't appeared
in the newspapers?

(chuckles)

Well, that would depend.

Miss Kempton
isn't exactly wealthy, Perry.

I'm a pauper,

and you're a lot more famous
than that Etna youngster.

Maybe if the jury saw
you were on my side...

No, no, I'd never interfere

with representation
as capable as...

It's really a very simple case.

Why, Mr. Addicks
has said just awful things

about me in letters to people,

and they'd all testify.

Why, he's made me
lose job after job,

and I didn't even know why
for months after.

Addicks told people
she was a thief.

KEMPTON:
Can you imagine?

I'd give his name as a reference

and then if they checked
with him,

then he'd finally write back,

and then they'd just let me go
without any explanation.

Well, if that isn't
defaming the innocent.

Excuse me,
telephone for you, sir.

DRAKE:
That's probably Jim Etna.

I left word for him to call.

No, sir.
It's your secretary.

(chuckles)
Thank you.

Yes, sir.

Yes, Della?

Mr. Mortimer Hershey?

I know Mr. Hershey.

He works for Mr. Addicks.

He has a pickle face
and eats nothing but gruel.

What's he want, Della?

Well, the same thing
as Mr. Fallon, I think.

Maybe to buy the diaries,
but he's on the other line

and insists he won't hang up
until...

Hold on.

Miss Kempton, what did Addicks
accuse you of stealing?

Oh, things I wouldn't even
want anyway.

Ring he wore sometimes,

claimed it was
the first real diamond

he and his brother found
in the jungle,

and a watch
that wouldn't even run.

Platinum heirloom, he called it.

That and some antique jewelry.

Della, tell Mr. Hershey

I want an appointment
with Mr. Addicks tonight.

I'll, uh, pick you up
in a few minutes.

Oh, and second volume
of the diary in your purse.

It's a long drive.

I want to do some reading.

DRAKE:
Well, that's interesting.

Miss Kempton, maybe you
and I can work together.

Good night, Paul.
Miss Kempton.

(dogs barking)

(crickets chirping,
dogs barking)

Well, what did he say?

Mr. Hershey wasn't expecting
you'd bring your secretary.

But he says
it's all right, I guess.

If you mind opening
the gate for us?

Not till I tell you
to stay right on the road.

Don't get out of the car
till you get to the house.

Don't stop till you get there.

I'll try not
to have any tire trouble.

MAN: If you do, stay put,
honk for help.

But why?

Lady, there's electric eyes.

Step in front of one,
and the bells go off.

The switch on the bells
makes the lights go on.

The switch on the kennels
turns the dogs loose.

The switch down here...

Well, never mind.

Just do what I told you.

(dogs barking)

(laughs)

It's the monkeys, that's all.

You'd be surprised
at the trouble

we've had with our neighbors,
even out here.

Well, Mr. Hershey,
why does he have the dogs...?

He's getting rid of them.

He's finally getting rid of
the whole mess, thank heavens.

In here, Mr. Mason, this way.

- Uh, Della?
Mm-hmm.

My, isn't this
a beautiful home?

I just love these old places
with real woodwork...

I think we'll be more
comfortable in the study here.

Oh, do you mind if I just look
around while you gentlemen chat?

I haven't seen a tapestry
like that since...

Well, help yourself!

I'm sure you can find
the light switches.

Mason?

Where's Mr. Addicks?

He had a little accident
a few days ago.

He doesn't feel too well.

I'm his business manager, Mason.

Sit down, sit down.

I thought
my secretary explained.

It's Mr. Addicks
I want to see.

I have spoken
to Mr. Addicks.

He told me
to state his position to you.

He's rather autocratic,
I understand.

Nonsense.

Odd, yes.

Scientist, you know.
They all are.

Yes, he likes
to have his own way,

ride roughshod over people?

Nate Fallon came
to see you today.

Made a botch of something
simple, I suppose.

He usually does.

And now you are all curious,

when there is nothing
to be curious about!

I think there is.

Helen Cadmus supposedly
had no personal connection

with anyone here in the house,
including Mr. Addicks.

Yet suddenly,
everyone is anxious

to get the diaries
and pictures back.

Yes, yes,
Fallon probably lied to you,

made it sound mysterious
just because

he hoped
to make himself a few dollars.

Well, I don't know why
Addicks wants that material.

I don't care,
and neither should you!

Our offer is $ , ,
take it or leave it!

I told Mr. Fallon the diary
and pictures were not for sale.

I have no interest
in making money from them.

If you don't take it, Mason,
I warn you,

Addicks is a very powerful man!

I would no more think
of crossing him myself than...

MASON: Then why is he afraid
to talk to me?

I'm sorry, Mr. Hershey,
but I came out here

to see Mr. Addicks.

DELLA (whispering):
Perry?

I can't find it.

Pots out here are pre-Columbian,
I believe.

They're what?

But the diary said Grecian.

- ADDICKS: Mason!
- Well, there are a couple

of enameled urns...

What the devil are you up to?

I've been wondering the same
thing about you, Mr. Addicks.

I'm sorry to trouble you
when you're not feeling well.

He thought I was lying
about you, Mr. Addicks.

All right, so what?

A word of advice, Mason.

Don't ever wear a necktie

when you're working
around a gorilla's cage.

A gorilla?

A gorilla did that?

One of those friendly,
lowland creatures, too.

Well, it looks worse
than it is, miss.

Just one swing-bang
against the bars of the cage.

You see, I'd let my help go,

was giving up the research,
you know.

Most of the animals
have been sent away already.

Sir, the doctor asked you

to please not stay
on your feet any more than...

Hang the doctor!

And hang you too.

And as for you, Mr. Mason...

Mr. Addicks, we've been admiring
some of the collection here.

Your, um, Grecian urn,
in particular.

Oh, this thing?

Well, most people don't know
it's Grecian.

Early Macedonian,
to be technical, I guess.

But look here, Mason.

Will you please tell
Mr. Addicks

your reasons for coming?

There's only one thing I wanted
to ask you, Mr. Addicks.

Now would you mind if we turned
that urn upside down?

If what?

You're being sued for calling
a woman a thief.

Well, Helen Cadmus also
had trouble in this house

with items she had stolen.

Bright things,

things she'd handle,
things she'd wear,

but of course Helen
only thought it was funny,

because there was
a pet chimpanzee

running around the house.

So you mind giving me a hand,
Mr. Hershey?

ADDICKS:
A chimpanzee?

Well, I don't see what that...

Blasted thing must weigh a ton.

ADDICKS: Mason, if you're
concerned with what I said

about Miss Kempton woman,

Well, it's true.

She is a thief.

Why, she stole my...

Wait a minute, Mr. Addicks.

DELLA:
Look, Perry.

There's the watch

and antique jewelry.

And there's a ring.

What were you saying

about Miss Kempton
being a thief?

Good heavens.

Every single item is here,

everything you thought
was stolen.

Look, my old wallet

and these keys you lost,
Mr. Addicks, remember?

FALLON: Well,
she put them there, just now.

Miss, uh, Street.

I mean, she must have, sir.

I've been in the front parlor,

and I noticed her snooping
around the urn.

Shut up, you idiot!

It's all right.

Miss Street isn't in the habit
of suing people

or hurt their lives
by making false accusations.

Oh, good Lord,

I-I don't know what to say.

That poor Kempton woman.

Mr. Mason, um,
you guessed all this

from something in Helen's diary?

That's right.

HERSHEY:
Well, let me see.

I've told Mr. Mason
you'd like to buy those diaries,

and of course for any price

he'd care to ask.

For the last time,
they're not for sale.

Good night, Mr. Addicks.

Uh, just a-a moment.

Sydney Hardwick
is in the front parlor, sir.

- I've had him waiting...
- Is Hardwick

-your attorney?
- Yes, yes.

I thought perhaps if we sat down

with him and Mr. Mason,
we might...

Not me!

You figure it out.

I think I've done
enough wrong things already.

I'm going up to bed
where I belong.

I'm sorry, Mr. Mason,
Miss Street.

We certainly have no interest
in seeing Hardwick.

- Let's go, Della.
- Mr. Mason, wait.

Uh, tell me, um,

what... what else is
in those diaries?

Good night, gentlemen.

Mmm-hmm.

Now let's find a phone.

A phone?

I'd say Josephine Kempton's
lawyer

is about to make the fastest
out-of-court settlement

in history.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

Yeah, speaking.

This the exchange?

Who?

Yes, all right, put her through.

Hello, Miss Kempton?

Congratulations.

Jim Etna called me back,

said he was getting you
$ , for...

What?

You're where?

What are you doing
out at the house?

It's nearly : a.m.

Miss Kempton,
I can't hear you very well.

Miss Kempton?

Miss Kempton, what's wrong?

What?

Miss Kempton?

That was the road, Perry.

Miss Kempton says there's nobody

on that front gate
at this hour.

Where are you going
to meet her then?

There's a service drive.

Side door
to the service buildings

that go straight
into the house.

(screams, tires squeal)

Perry, look, the top window.

What was it?

I'm not sure.

Where's Josephine?

Supposed to meet me by the door.

Said she had a key.

That's how she got in.

What are you going to do?

It's all right, Della, just...

(dogs barking)

Somebody must be around.

No, no,
they go on automatically.

Remember, the man down below
said that they...

- Perry?
- Now, take it easy, Della.

Let's get out of here.

No, she said she'd be here.

She'd call from the house.

She needs help, Della.
She begged me.

Listen, you go back to the car
and you give me five minutes.

You're not going in there.

This leads straight
to the house.

I won't go outside, but if I'm
not back in five minutes,

you drive as fast as you can

to that phone by the road
and you call...

No, Perry, please.

Make it four minutes then.

Now go back to the car.

(barking continues)

(animals chattering)

I

(deep grunting)

I

Miss Kempton?

Miss Kempton, are you there?

(high-pitched grunting)

Hi there.

Miss Kempton?

(chuffing)

(chuffing)

Miss Kempton? Miss...?

(gorilla bellowing)

(chuffing)

(panting)

Don't look at him. No!

(panting)

Get down on your knees.

Have you got any coins
in your pocket?

(panting)

Just, uh...

anything you've got.

Keys, or... or, uh...

Put them on the floor.

(panting)

Make it look like a puzzle.

Make him think
you're playing a game.

(gorilla growling)

(chuffing)

KEMPTON:
No!

Don't look at him, I said!

(quiet chuffing)

(quiet chuffing)

(Kempton sighs deeply)

Mr. Addicks?

He's dead. Come on!

(siren blaring)

(siren blaring)

(dogs barking)

(garbled radio transmission)

(dogs barking)

(Kempton whimpers)

(Kempton sighs, panting)

-(garbled radio transmission)
- Perry, are you all right?

Here, Della, take care of her.

She has a nasty bump
on the head.

Mr. Addicks is dead!

One of those awful creatures!
Blood all over!

I think you'd better
come with us, Mr. Mason.

I don't know
whether there's anyone else

in there or not, Sergeant.

No, just Mr. Addicks.

Well, my men
will take care of it.

Go ahead, Miss Street.

All three of you
can sit in back.

Here. Where we going,
to the hospital?

Headquarters.
There's a doctor there for her.

If you'll drop me
at Mr. Mason's car.

I'll send somebody for it,
don't worry.

Now, just a moment, Serg...

Look, Mr. Mason this is not
Los Angeles County.

The captain says
if it's anything like this,

I should bring all of you
straight in,

and what he says goes!

Well, of all the...

DEPUTY:
Besides, I don't want to have

to stick around here
and help catch them things!

Now, please, ma'am, get in.

(dogs barking)

Perry,
there's something funny...

It's all right, Della.

At this point, I don't mind
sitting down for a while.

The sheriff's car
will do very well.

(engine starting)

Benjamin Addicks.

Originally an anthropologist,
zoologist,

and researcher in the psychology
of lower primates.

But ten years ago
on the upper Amazon,

he and his brother Charles found
a few diamonds.

They split the loot,
and Charles moved to Australia.

A few years later,
Benjamin came back to Brazil

and made a king-size k*lling.

That's when he retired,

bought himself
a yacht and a mansion.

But he's always been alone,

a, uh, hermit
with some nutty hobbies.

What about that evasion of taxes
last year, Paul?

Perry's very curious
about your report.

Nothing to it.

Government cleared him
completely.

But it's true that Addicks
wasn't always cruising

on his yacht
when he said he was.

Did you check the phone company?

If, as you say,
he phoned the yacht

from shore
and then reversed the charges...

We're tracking down
phone numbers as fast as we can.

But what's so urgent
about this stuff?

I mean, so he's...

Addicks is some kind
of an oddball

and pulls crazy stunts,
but what's the rush?

Miss Kempton is still being kept
in jail, Paul.

Well, that's what Perry said
on the phone this morning.

DELLA:
At first, like last night,

Perry thought that the police
were just being unpleasant

because all of the neighbors
have complained

about Mr. Addicks
and his menagerie,

so anything
that happens out there...

Well, suppose Miss Kempton
went out to the house

and discovered Addicks' body,

and got herself conked
on the head

by the same hairy critter
that made such a mess of him?

Paul, the doctors now claim

that Mr. Addicks wasn't
just mauled and beaten.

He was also stabbed

with something
like a pair of scissors.

Mr. Mason,
I don't know anything about it.

I left here at : last night,
just half an hour after you did.

Do you mind telling me
what you did then, Mr. Hardwick?

(laughing): Well,
you already know, don't you?

I met Mr. James Etna
at his home in Los Angeles.

Mort Hershey said
that the old man, Addicks,

wanted to arrange a settlement

as soon as possible
for Miss Kempton.

And after hearing how you found
that stuff in the urn,

I couldn't have agreed more.

So that's why

you and Mr. Etna decided
on $ , .

Well, the young man checked it
with his client, and she agreed,

so I called the house here.

Mort Hershey said he'd type out
a check for the old man to sign

so that Miss Kempton
could have her money

first thing in the morning,
and that's all I know!

I went home to bed.

You don't happen to know

what Mr. Hershey did then,
do you?

(Hardwick sighs)

Mr. Mason,
the police have asked me

to help them go over some
of Mr. Addicks' papers,

so if you don't mind...

All right, then...
then tell me this.

Who's going
to inherit Mr. Addicks' money?

He d*ed intestate.

He what?

HARDWICK:
Oh, I know, I know,

I'm not much of a lawyer,
you'll say,

but I just never could get
the old man to make out a will.

Of course, a lot of his money

I've helped him set up
into a trust

for the only thing
he ever really cared about--

some research he'd started
down in Brazil.

Does that mean his brother
Charles will inherit,

or are there other relatives?

No, just Charles.

(chuckles)

He's not much, I guess.

But Addicks used
to worry about him a lot.

At least he once sent
Nate Fallon down to Australia

to get Charles
out of some trouble or other.

Well, what about Fallon?

Isn't he taken care of
in some way?

Or Mr. Hershey?

Not a penny.

There's no will, I told you!

Well, of course,

you'll automatically
be appointed administrator,

so naturally, you'll have a hand
in recommending...

Mr. Mason, a moment ago,

you asked me
where Hershey went last night.

Since I picked him up
this morning, I happen to know.

He left here
shortly after midnight

and drove back to Los Angeles

to his room
at the Franchise Club.

Leaving Mr. Fallon alone here
with Mr. Addicks.

No, no. Mort drove Nate back to
town with him, and dropped him

-off at his apartment.
- Oh.

Mr. Mason, there's one
other thing I can tell you.

The deputy out there tells me
they found

a pair of bloody scissors,
about half an hour ago.

Where?

Tucked into a trash barrel,
all neatly out of sight.

Just like a gorilla might do.

A lady gorilla.

Yoo-hoo! Anybody home?

Why, Miss Kempton!

Hello, my dear.

And Mr. Mason.

Well, what happened?

Obviously, you've been released.

Certainly. Can't hold a person
forever, can they?

I've been arguing that point
myself with the police.

Not when
that person is innocent.

Not when that person doesn't
breathe one single word

her lawyer hasn't said
she could breathe.

Oh, what did you tell them,
when I wasn't there?

Oh, now, let me see.

Um, Mr. Addicks phoned me
at : a.m. last night.

Said he was very upset,
said he simply had to see me.

Well, I just thought it was

something more
about the settlement.

So, I went out there

and let myself in
through the back way.

Did you tell them you used a key

which you'd kept for nearly
a year after being discharged?

Of course! And then, when I went
up to Mr. Addicks' room,

just as he had told me to,
there he was! Dead!

What about your reasons
for phoning me

instead of the police?

Oh, well, Mr. Mason, I, um...
I knew I was in trouble.

It just didn't occur to me

that one of those creatures
might have k*lled him!

Only then, I heard something
behind me, and...

and the next thing I knew,
there I was, flat on the floor.

Miss Kempton,
why didn't it occur to you?

Well, because those gorillas
are so harmless, that's why!

Like I told the sergeant,
why, if you know

how to handle the things,
like Mr. Addicks did.

Uh, you told the police?

Mr. Mason, is there something
going on here

that I don't know about?

Something wrong?

Let's forget it.

Just tell me what happened
that night on the yacht.

What?

The yacht, remember?

The night last year when
Helen Cadmus went overboard.

Oh! Well, she certainly
didn't jump!

Not a snooty young thing
like that.

All right, you didn't like her,
but what happened?

Did Addicks push her overboard?

Don't be ridiculous.

A man twice her age?

Why, to him,
she was just the hired help!

No, the only man that she could
have been involved with

around that house
was Mr. Hershey.

I saw him kissing her once.

Mr. Hershey wasn't on the yacht
that night, but you were.

Now, did you push her overboard?

Mr. Mason, I was seasick!

I didn't even speak
with Helen that night!

MASON:
You didn't? Are you sure?

KEMPTON:
Course I'm sure! You see,

I went down there before dark
with some supplies for the cook.

Well, they said the going was
going to be rough that night,

so I just took my pills
and went straight to bed!

They make me sleep
during the worst part, you know.

Well, I woke up once or twice.

Uh, we were at sea by then.

And I could hear Helen
next door.

Her stateroom was next to mine.

So then,
I could hear her typing,

and Mr. Addicks was dictating
to her while she typed.

Well, then,
the next thing I knew,

it was :
in the morning, and...

and everybody was running around
like crazy

because Helen had disappeared.

(phone ringing)

Hello.

Just a minute. It's Paul.

Yes, Paul.

Perry, I got something.

Those phone calls Addicks made
were mostly to motel rooms,

and the ones
we've checked so far

were all registered
to the same person.

It looks
like our eccentric hermit

was meeting a lady friend.

Yeah, some Russian woman,

and I've got a pretty good lead
on her present address.

Russian?

Well, don't be ridiculous.

You know who it is, don't you?

Helen Cadmus.

My name is Chadmunski,
I tell you.

So you shortened it

when you thought
you might become an actress.

But that's not
what I'm interested in.

Oh, yes, yes, I understand.

But Mr. Drake, I don't know
anything that can help you.

Why, I haven't even
seen Mister...

Mr. Addicks
for several weeks now.

The Laguna Motel
on the twenty-second.

Please.

All right, let's talk
about his background.

What?

I was told to ask
about his brother Charles.

Oh, well...

I don't know very much
about him.

Benny didn't like him, I think.

He used to get letters,

and-and be all upset
for several weeks.

But wouldn't explain.

Once he sent Mr. Fallon
to Australia

to straighten something out,
but I don't know what it was,

and I'd never even
seen Charles, so...

Was Addicks afraid
of his brother?

Had he done something to him?

I don't know!
Really I don't!

Well...

...why did he want you
to disappear?

Why did he set up
such a risky stunt?

You were never even
aboard that yacht, were you?

Come on, now.

Let's have the truth.

Mr. Drake, you've got
to believe this.

To me, Benny was kind,
he was nice.

I know he was a lot older,

but I did care for him
a great deal.

And when he asked me to help him
pretend, to do all this,

he said he would explain
sometime when I was older.

I don't buy it.

It's the truth.

He didn't tell me
and I didn't ask him.

Then how much did he pay you?

This is carrying
the perfect secretary bit

a little too far, isn't it?

But I wasn't just
his secretary anymore.

Don't you understand?

I was his--
I was Benjamin Addicks' wife!

Hello.

Yes, Paul.

I see.

That is interesting, but...

Of course I can't get excited.

Right now, I'm mad.

The police are back again.

This time, with a warrant.

The warrant says
Miss Kempton is being charged

with first-degree m*rder.

En-what?!

Entrapment?

Would you mind
saying that again, please?

Well, I'm sorry if the word
offends you, Mr. Snell.

But Mr. Mason was pretty upset

when the police
released his client,

then arrested her again
just three hours later.

Oh, not again, Mr. Drake.

The night before,

she was only being held
as a possible witness.

Sergeant, will you
come in here, please.

Will you tell our friend
from the city here

what happened to your car
in the garage last night.

Well, the parking space
for squad cars

is on the ground floor
down at headquarters.

That's where we left the car
when we brought Mr. Mason,

his secretary and Miss Kempton
in for questioning.

Oh, three,
maybe four hours later,

the service man
came up to my office.

He found something tucked in
the cushion on the backseat.

This, Mr. Drake.

A check?

A check typed earlier by
Mr. Hershey for $ , .

Uh, "Pay to the order
of Josephine Kempton.

Signed, Benjamin Addicks."

Of course, there's no telling

how it got in
the seat of your car.

No. No, we can't imagine.

We ran it through
the usual tests, of course.

With no results?

No fingerprints?

So what did you do,
put it back in the car seat?

Oh, now you get the idea.

Then the next morning,
when Miss Kempton was released,

there just happened to be
some men watching her.

That figures.

And she did go out
through the garage, Mr. Drake.

She did pick up the check.

And she did still have it in
her purse when she was arrested

three hours later.

Well, a stunt like...

You tell Mr. Mason
that it's his client

who's entrapped herself.

Because this signature
is also a forgery.

She forged Addicks' signature.

No, no, no, no, I did not!

I didn't, Mr. Mason.

I put the check
in the car cushion, I suppose.

I was afraid the police
might search me.

Now, wait just a minute.

Now, let me explain.

You see, when I went up
to Mr. Addicks' room,

that check was
the first thing I noticed,

lying right there on the table.

Well, when I saw him,

I guess I thought the check
might incriminate me.

Yes, I was afraid.

You thought someone else
might take it, you mean.

You were afraid
you wouldn't get your money.

Well, that is my money!

I deserve it,
every cent of it and more!

Why, when I think
of the awful things

that Mr. Addicks
said about me...

But why didn't you tell me?

Why didn't you say something?

Oh, Mr. Mason, I wouldn't want
to admit to anything

that might embarrass you.

Now, will you tell me please,
when did you forge that che...

Don't you dare doubt my word!

Now, that check was
just like that when I found it.

Mr. Addicks had
already signed it!

But if it's a forgery,
Mr. Addicks couldn't have...

You know something, Josephine?

You might solve this case yet.

Not this poor soul,
the next one.

Sir, there's just one thing
I don't understand.

It's true his face
was considerably d*sfigured...

You saw the authorization.

All these ladies,
at one time or another,

worked out at Mr. Addicks' home.

Ah, of course.

And don't worry.

He is much improved,
if I may say so.

Ladies?

Well, thank you, ladies.

What I meant to say, sir,

was that if it's
this poor man's identity

you're curious about,
his dentist was here

less than half an hour ago.

- His own doctor has confirmed...
-I know.

Thank you very much.

Why did you make me do that?

(sniffles)

I know I said I would help
to find the k*ller...

Because we're wrong.

The only explanation
for Addicks marrying you,

then having you disappear,

and setting up irrevocable
trusts in South America,

seemed to be that he was gonna
disappear himself.

Maybe to keep his money
and escape his brother.

I don't know.

Well, who does?

Who did you think
that was in there, anyway?

The brother?

Charles Addicks?

No, Mr. Mason, we haven't
been able to locate him yet.

But he spends a lot of time
out in the Australian bush.

Here's a picture of him, though.

Mr. Hardwick located it for me.

Doesn't look much like him,
does he?

No, Mr. Mason, I really can't
think of any reason

for postponing this hearing
any longer.

I appreciate your cooperation,
Mr. Snell.

Particularly after the little
stunt the police pulled.

Well, I'll admit I had a little
word with them about that.

Not that I'm conceding
there was entrapment, mind you.

But in light
of recent decisions...

Oh, I'd never mention
a word like "entrapment.”

Not if you'd let me try
a little stunt of my own.

I saw them leave, I tell you.

They were in
Mr. Hershey's car and...

Of course he saw us leave.

It was about, uh, : we left,
wasn't it, Mort?

Exactly.

And since the doctors say

Addicks didn't die until :
or : in the morning...

See, I'd just piled in my car
to go off duty

when they came
driving past toward town.

I wave hello
to Mr. Hershey and...

Besides which, the clerk
at my club will tell you

what time I checked in.

Never mind, Mr. Hershey.

We've corroborated all of this,
Mr. Mason.

Yeah, and after the guard
has locked up,

it's impossible
to get in the front.

Same out back.

You throw a rock
over that fence anywhere

and one of them
electric eyes will...

They even got a counter
on the back door.

Only two people came through
that door after midnight.

Well, that's me, of course.

Me and then Mr. Mason.

I asked you to remain quiet,
Miss Kempton.

Well, the truth's the truth.

That's what I always say.

It certainly is, Miss Kempton.

So, does that answer
all your questions, now?

Well, not quite.

Mr. Hardwick, you said what was
left of Mr. Addicks' estate

would probably go to his brother
Charles in Australia.

That's right.

Well, how much
will that actually amount to

after Addicks' widow
has made her claims?

His what?

Who?

Widow?

Nonsense.

Just 'cause you're mad at me,
Mr. Mason...

He wasn't married.

It's not true.

Didn't any of you know?

Mr. Drake's been
talking with his widow

right there in the study,
as a matter of fact.

All right, all right,

but this doesn't concern
anyone else, Mr. Mason.

You've had your time, now.

Thanks for your patience,
everyone.

You can take Miss Kempton
back downtown now.

I don't believe it.

I just don't believe it!

Oh! Why I ever got
mixed up with any lawyer

is more than I can understand.

Helen! Helen!

Mort, I'm so glad to see you.

What on earth?

Where did you come from?

I wanted to tell you;
I couldn't tell you.

Oh, but this past year,
the times I've thought of you,

I've wished and wished
I hadn't been so unkind

and put you off.

I don't understand.

When did you...

Oh, I need someone now so badly.

Oh, Mort, I talked to a lawyer.

And he says I can claim
nearly all of Benjamin's estate.

Darling, aren't you glad
to see me at all?

Well, of course I am, Helen.

It was just such a shock that...

Helen?

Mr. Fallon.

Where'd you come from?

Oh, don't look so flabbergasted.

Darling, didn't you even
tell him one word about...

What?

You double-crosser.

No, no, she just means...

Oh, but thought
you two were partners.

Mort, honey,
didn't you tell him...

After leaving me
with all the dirty work.

Shut up, Nate!

Honey, why?

She's lying.

Don't listen to her;
she's lying.

Al right.

That's enough.

What's going on here?

Shut up, I said!

Yes, I think you've said enough,
Mr. Fallon.

It was Mr. Hershey, not you,

that the guard waved to
as he drove away.

Hershey was driving.

The person on the other side
of the driver

is pretty hard to see at night.

What are you talking about?

Well, you could have stayed on
in the house, couldn't you?

So you could have been the one
who turned the monkeys loose,

the one who m*rder*d
Mr. Addicks.

(scoffs):
Please.

But who was the other person
in that car, Mr. Hershey?

Just a hired impersonator?

MASON:
Of course.

The man we talked to
and thought was Mr. Addicks.

But with all those
phony bandages...

And then, of course,
he refused to see Mr. Hardwick.

So Hardwick wasn't in on this.

And I refuse to say
one word until...

You just helped plan it,
I suppose, Mr. Hershey.

Maybe you're the one
who discovered

what Mr. Addicks himself was
planning and then figured out

how to take advantage of it
by making a deal

with Mr. Fallon's friend,
brother Charles.

No.

No, I never actually
hurt anyone.

No.

No, that's not true.

Because he kept Addicks
tied up in the closet

for more than two days, while we
set the scene for k*lling him.

Nate!

And don't tell me to be quiet.

You be quiet!

Because if you'd
done your job right,

I wouldn't have had
to use those scissors.

But Addicks fought me,
and I had to do it.

I covered up
after myself though, didn't I?

I got Miss Kempton out here,

so she'd be blamed,
in case the gorilla marks

weren't good enough, didn't I?

I mean, what more do you want
from me, Mortimer?

I k*lled a man for you,
didn't I?!

(scoffing)

But I don't want any money,
Mr. Mason.

During that year,
I hated myself more and more.

Nice as Mr. Addicks was,
to be married--

even if it was in name only--

to a man so fearful
of losing his money.

He apparently cheated
his brother Charles,

and was always afraid

Charles would come after him
in some way.

And now they're not even sure
that Charles is alive.

It was Mr. Fallon
and Mr. Hershey

who kept up the correspondence,
and the illusion.

And even had it set up

to collect an inheritance
in Charles' name.

And if it hadn't been
for your client suing...

Oh. I should at least
keep enough money

to pay her legal fees,
don't you think?

(chuckles)

Well, uh, she has said already

that she thinks
they're a little too high.

(knocking)

Oh, come in, Paul.

Helen, you asked
why Hershey forged the signature

on that check.

Well, Hershey knew my client,
knew how she'd scream

if there wasn't some evidence
of the settlement...

What's the matter, Perry?

Still a little spooky?

No, I just thought it might be
Miss Kempton, that's all.

(theme song playing)