06x16 - The Stalking Horse

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[dramatic music]

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[telephone ringing]

Jenkins, Station-7.

[Colson] 'This is Colson on Central Security.'

Yes, sir.

I'm not getting a monitor picture from the computer room.

'You better go by and check out the closed circuit camera.'

Right.

[dramatic music]

[intense music]

[music continues]

Get me Mr. Barrington.

Barrington.

Uh, Mr. Barrington, this is Jenkins

down at the computer room.

'I hate to bother you when you're working so late'

'but something's come up.'

Yes, what is it, Jenkins?

Well, uh, looks like somebody's been

in the computer room tonight.

Well, that's a little ridiculous, isn't it?

It's always locked at night.

Yes, sir, I know, but someone has been here tonight.

'Would you mind coming down, sir?'

Well, I'm working on a report

but alright, I'll be down in a few minutes.

Yes, sir.

[dramatic music]

[male narrator] "The FBI."

A Quinn Martin Production.

Starring, Efrem Zimbalist Jr.

Also starring, Philip Abbott.

William Reynolds.

With guest stars, Steve Forrest..

...Harold Gould..

...and special guest star, Diana Hayland.

Tonight's episode, "The Stalking Horse."

[dramatic music]

Evidence of tampering with a laboratory computer

at Millard Industries, in Dallas, Texas

alerted the company to suspected espionage

involving a new top secret m*ssile fuel.

"The Cronus Project," known to be among top targets

of the Communists Bloc Intelligence Services.

The FBI was immediately contacted

and Inspector Lewis Erskine arrived

to spearhead the investigation.

Mr. Erskine.

[Lewis] 'Mr. Millard.'

Well, I'm certainly glad to see you.

Thank You.

I'm grateful for the FBI's help.

We appreciate your cooperation, Mr. Millard.

As you've requested, I haven't told anyone

not even my top management staff.

Now, as far as they're going to know

you're the computer quality control expert

down here to make your yearly report, right?

That'll be fine.

Sit down, please.

What else can we do to help you?

Well, to start of with, I'll need an office, obviously

and, uh, full security clearance around the plant.

Surely, that can be arranged.

Have you made any progress in your investigation

since we talked?

Well, our own security people have done about as much

nosing around as they can without creating suspicion.

What about the computer itself?

It can tell us many things, inspector...but it won't tell us

who tampered with it.

No, you-you mentioned a code word

that has to be used to activate it.

[Millard] That's right.

I've ordered the code words changed

on a more frequent basis.

And who would have access to those?

The lab chief of course, programmers.

That would include you, I assume.

Yes, two members of my management team also.

Could I have a list of those people?

Surely.

Now, Dennis, you're one of the best men we've got.

You're part of the image that's gonna put our company on top.

So far, it still isn't getting me any closer

to that promotion you promised.

Well, don't be too impatient.

I talked to Millard, just the other night.

You'll see.

Be back in ten minutes.

Oh, Lee.

Good morning, Vincent.

Lee, I want you to meet, Lewis Erskine.

He's gonna be with us for a few weeks

doing a quality control study

on our whole computer complex.

How do you do?

Lee Barrington, Dennis Carey.

- How are you? - Nice to meet you.

Lee here, is our technical sales and research director.

And Dennis is one of our brilliant, young chemists.

Well, I hope I have a chance to talk to you both, later.

Glad to help anytime, Mr. Erskine.

Now, if you'll excuse me..

And don't worry about that other matter, Dennis.

I'll take care of it.

Well, Lewis, I'll have to get you over to the house

some weekend while you're here and let my beautiful wife

show you some Texas hospitality.

I'd enjoy that.

Yes, Lee has another title which isn't printed

on the company stationary

he's also married to my daughter, Carol.

Well, it's good old American way, work hard

apply yourself and marry the boss' daughter.

Oh, I'm afraid Lee tends to be a bit modest.

Hey, did you invite him to the c*ck party?

No, I hadn't thought about it.

Little company get-together at my club, tomorrow night.

- Would you like to come? - Oh, sounds like fun.

I doubt it, probably as dull as a board meeting

but the drinks are free.

Look, I've gotta get over to legal for a few minutes.

Call me if you need anything, Lewis. Anything at all.

Thanks.

Come on, let me show you, your office.

[dramatic music]

[Lee] Joanne.

What a lovely surprise.

What'd they say?

Lee, they can't use half a formula.

Well, did you tell him, that was all I could get?

That the guard almost caught me.

I explained it, but it didn't help.

What we gave them is useless without the rest of it.

Well, that's too much.

I can't go through that again.

But the company won't pay unless you do.

They can't compete with Millard Industries

with only half a formula.

Well, the company doesn't know how dangerous it is.

But, darling, that's why they are paying us $75,000.

And with that money we could have gone off

somewhere by ourselves like we planned.

Why make it any worse?

You want me to be happy because it is?

Instead of the end of a rainbow, it's the end of a dream.

Now..

Now, we'll find a way.

Sure, someone will just wave a magic wand.

Oh, Lee, with that money, it would have given you

the freedom from your wife's check book.

You make it sound like I have a business arrangement

with my wife.

Don't you?

Come on, Joanne. I tried. It just didn't work, that's all.

Right and that's all I have a right to ask.

Look, they've tightened security procedures at the plant.

Even if I wanted to go back into that laboratory

it would be too risky.

Oh, Lee, what are we going to do?

It was our only chance.

We shouldn't talk here. Come upstairs.

I-I can't. I have to get home.

Tomorrow?

There is this party.

It's a company thing. I have to go.

With your wife?

Look I didn't say, I wanted to go.

Come on, let's not argue.

We won't. Not anymore. Goodbye.

Joanne.

[instrumental music]

[Lobler] 'Did you have a lovely day, Joanne?'

What if I had brought him up here?

But you didn't.

Delicious. Thank you.

If you were that hungry, you could've sent out for something.

Your concern is not food. It is Mr. Barrington.

I know my job.

- Yes, of course you do. - He is scared.

Then soothe him, comfort him.

'Tell him it's going to be alright'

'once he gets the rest of the formula.'

It's not that easy.

If I push him too hard I'll scare him away.

I am doing the best I can.

Better.

Oh, you must do better.

I'll give you one more week to get it.

You want a miracle.

Then you give me a miracle.

Is that all, Lobler?

Joanne, one more week.

[intense music]

[telephone ringing]

Cryptanalysis, Colby.

Yeah, Lou, hold on.

Mr. Ward. Inspector Erskine.

Yes, Lewis. How's it going out there?

Well, I've been going over the company security reports.

The fragment left in the computer, didn't yield enough

to identify the stolen chemical formula.

Well, we may have something here that will help you.

A shortwave message was intercepted

this morning in New York.

We are still working out the code

but we managed to pick out several words.

One of them was Saturn.

But Millard isn't involved in the Saturn Project.

I know that, but he is involved with the Cronus Project

and if you'll bone up in your mythology, you'll find

that the word Saturn is Latin for the Greek God Cronus.

Code within a code. That's most arid out of you, Arthur.

Also the West German police picked up a courier in Bonn

carrying the copy of a chemical formula

or rather half a chemical formula.

We have tentatively identified it as a Cronus propellant.

I'd like to check it against the formula

stored in Millard computer just to be sure.

Well, we want confirmation alright

but I strongly suspect it'll match.

When can I get a copy?

Colby is coming out there to work with you, he will bring it.

Good.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

I need a drink.

What's the matter? Seem quiet.

Do I?

Come on, Carol, this is supposed to be an occasion.

Well, I guess, I just want you all to myself.

It seems we seldom get a chance to be together anymore.

Lee..

...I love you.

What brought that up?

I just felt like saying it, that's all.

Waiter, would you fix me a scotch and water please.

Lee, who is that woman with Dennis Carey?

I don't know.

Leave it up to a swinging bachelor

to get the prettiest woman in town.

Nonsense, I've got the prettiest woman right here.

I wish it were so, just for you.

- Mr. Carey. - Oh.

Glad to see you, Mr. Erskine.

I'd like you to meet Joanne Kinston.

- Hello. - How are you?

Are you with Millard Industries too?

No, I'm with a company that sells to Millard.

He's what is known as a quality control specialist.

It sounds very interesting.

Yes, I suppose so.

I've been trying to get Dennis to tell me

what he does, but all he'll say

is that he makes mud pies in the laboratory.

Ah, but the mud I use is very special.

Never mind. I don't want to hear it now.

Excuse me, darling.

Would you excuse me for a moment?

Well, Mr. Barrington, how nice to see you.

Oh, Ms. Kinston, I didn't know you are coming to this party.

Well, call it luck.

I found a young man who was interested enough to take me.

Joanne, why are you doing this?

Oh, why not? I am not attached to anyone.

Shouldn't I be allowed to go to parties

with young, attentive bachelors.

He is not your type.

A girl can't be too sure these days.

Well, if you excuse me, I must get back to my date.

[Vincent] 'Ladies and gentleman'

'may I have your attention for a moment.'

Now, I know that this is a party

and not a time for listening to speeches

so I am going to make this brief.

'You all know that Millard Industries has been'

'without an assistant to our chief chemist Dan Harold'

'for the past month.'

'Well, if we, uh, if we didn't have so many worthy'

'bright young men to choose from'

I could've made the decision long ago.

It's been a tough choice to make.

'But I think that the man we finally settled on'

is the right man. Dave Solen.

'Dave, congratulations.'

I feel so sorry for Dennis.

Shows how much your father thinks of my recommendations.

'Now, ladies and gentleman, I am not finished yet.'

I have another announcement to make.

Now, this may come as a surprise to some of you

but once you hear it, I don't think too many of you

will be surprised.

'You all know that Millard Industries'

has been expanding.

Well, in the light of this, we decided that there is room

for more than one man at the top, besides me, that is.

So it makes me very proud

and I don't feel the least bit guilty in announcing to you

that the new post of executive vice president

'will be filled by Lee Barrington.'

Hi, thank you. Thank you.

Let's go, huh?

Well, shouldn't we congratulate him?

Suit yourself.

Flory, thank you. Thank you.

Mr. Barrington, may I offer my congratulations.

Right now, you must be the happiest man in the whole world.

Thank you.

[theme music]

How was your trip?

Well, it could have been more enjoyable

if I hadn't been carrying this.

It's a copy of the formula taken from the...courier in Bonn.

Hm, thanks.

And, uh, this envelope contains a resume

prepared by the office here, principle, management people

executives, lab personal.

Any possible suspects?

Nothing on the face of it, Lou.

Nothing in their backgrounds.

No apparent financial problems

to tend to compromise any of them.

Doesn't help much.

Someone present with an interesting

employment background.

Name is Denise Cary, one of the chemists.

Yeah, I met him.

From the record, um, he is considered to be

a brilliant scientist, but erratic.

Five different jobs in three years.

Seems to be the pattern, he gets disenchanted

for one reason or another, resigns and moves on.

What do his previous employers had to say about him?

Well, we're checking on them.

One thing we know..

...all of his jobs have been involved

with the aero space field.

Top secret government work.

Well, well, well.

[knock on door]

- Who is it? - 'Lee, let me in.'

I thought you were still celebrating your promotion.

I don't want it.

Really?

Important job, a loving wife

lots of money in the family.

Sounds very comfortable to me.

It's a trap.

Velvet lined trap.

I seemed to have heard a variation of that before.

A man's married, doesn't love his wife, hates his job

and no one understands him.

One day, he is going to quit it all.

Meanwhile.

It's not a cheap game with me, Joanne. I love you.

Oh, Lee, don't make it worse.

Alright, the two of us will go away right now.

I'll dump it all.

And do what?

Start all over again?

Oh, Lee, you said it yourself, that the only reason Millard

pushed you to the top was because of his daughter.

[sighs] If you leave her

I can just see the kind of job reference he'll give you.

Well, I'll find something else.

Without any money?

Oh, Lee, listen to me.

I'm touched that you really love me enough

to, to start all over again.

But a year from now, you'll still be struggling

and hating me for being the cause of it all.

I want us to have more of a chance than that.

Joanne, if you love me, you'll wait for me.

That promotion will mean a raise and I'll save all I can

and when I've got enough, we'll go.

But that could take five years.

I can't wait that long.

Alright I'll try again.

First chance I get, I'll try again.

Oh, Lee.

Lee, it's going to be so wonderful for us.

[instrumental music]

See those spools, are where the information

is stored magnetically.

Until the computer is activated by the proper code word.

That's right.

Well, can we check out the two formulas now?

Surely.

[machine processing]

Hear this.

'Well, that confirms it.'

Espionage without a doubt.

I'm afraid so.

You know I, I started this business in a garage workshop.

Nobody seemed very interested in my work then.

It's the price of success.

You're pretty sure whoever it was only managed

to get half a formula.

Well, I think the guard interrupted him.

Well, half a formula isn't gonna do them much good.

We're depending on that.

And they could try it again.

I've ordered that closed circuit security camera

moved away from the light fixture.

Well, I'd rather see everything left as it was.

'We don't want them to think we're, expecting return visit.'

Oh, you are right of course. I'll cancel the work order.

Are you making any progress on that list I gave you?

There is one question I'd like to ask about Denise Cary.

Denise, you think he's the one?

Well, according to the security reports

he's been, spending a lot of time extra time in the lab.

I was wondering, is he involved

in some kind of a special project?

No, his workload is no different from the other chemists.

I see.

I wasn't going to mention this, but..

Well, seemed my problem rather than yours.

At the party last night

Denise came up to me and resigned on the spot.

Did he say why?

Seems he's taking a new job at

Lophlon Laboratories in Pittsburg.

I told him we could release him within a week.

[theme music]

'I think that is about ready, don't you?'

Alright, folks, we're almost ready.

Come on, Vincent, tell us, what's the secret formula?

Oh, no, Hank, not a chance.

The Millard steak, one of the best kept secrets in the world.

Not even my daughter knows the recipe.

Come on, Lee, join the party, please.

I'm here, I have to be, it's our house.

Carol, I'm tired of that dialogue.

"The great Millard steak

the master piece of culinary perfection."

Well, I-I better go help dad serve the guests.

You coming?

In a minute.

Here, Carol, you can take over now.

[instrumental music]

Well, Vincent, another triumphant cookout.

Alright, Lee, let's get it out in the open

where we can both take a shot at it, huh?

- I don't know what you mean. - Yes, you do.

I'm talking about your attitude.

Anybody else would have jumped at the chance to become

executive vice president.

And yet you..

Well, I get the feeling you actually resent it.

Look, Vincent, it's not that.

[Vincent] 'Well, what is it?'

As your father in law and your employer

I have a right to know.

It's me, it's something personal.

Well, does it, uh.. Does it involve Carol?

Oh, no. No, no. She's happy, I think.

Whatever it is, I want you to work it out.

Don't spare the expense, if it's emotional, get a doctor.

Look, I want you to be ready, willing and able

to work with me now.

Sure, Vincent, anything you say.

[sighs]

Alright, Lee, I'm not supposed to say anything.

Not even to my own family, but..

...doesn't seem to be any other way to make you understand.

The, um, company is in a critical situation right now

'I need somebody who's strong and trustworthy to back me up.'

What kind of critical situation?

There's been some espionage at the plant.

Espionage?

I've called the FBI.

Hm, who do they suspect?

Well, checking everybody.

But it seems they're narrowing it down, to only those

who are able to operate the computers.

And of course, those who were there the night it happened.

Well, taking quite a few of us, isn't it?

[laughs]

Lee, you're not being fair.

I'm not allowed to tell you who wants the formula.

It's called business ethics.

It's not for another company at all.

The FBI is investigating. It's espionage.

It's for a cause and a very good cause.

You're an agent. You're some kind of a spy.

Oh, Lee, don't be so dramatic.

And we can work this out together.

No. No more.

There are no more games to be played between us.

[Lobler] 'Regretfully the gentlemen is right, Joanne.'

Who're you?

Your partner, Mr. Barrington.

A silent partner, until now.

Well, I'm not getting involved.

Whoever you are...I'm finished.

I'm getting out.

'But you are already involved.'

It was you who stole the formula from the computer.

I'm not doing it anymore.

Oh, I think you will.

You see, there is no choice.

'They can put you in prison for what you have already done.'

'Now you have to cooperate to protect yourself.'

- The FBI will-- - They are investigating.

Your own words.

'That means, they have not found their suspect.'

How long do you think it'll take them to get to me?

Not long. Unless we help you.

Help me?

'You've already put a noose around my neck.'

Oh, yes, but we can let them hang another man in your place.

Oh.

Have you ever heard of a stalking horse, Mr. Barrington?

It was a technique used in Europe

back in the 16th century by hunters.

They would walk behind a horse in the fields..

...hiding behind it.

'Until they would get close enough to k*ll their game.'

That is what we will give you, Mr. Barrington.

A stalking horse to hide you from the FBI.

How do you plan to--

'We plant a little money here.'

Little information there.

It's just a matter of finesse.

Lee, listen to him. Let him help you.

It's still not too late for us.

I talked with the Lophlon Laboratories in Pittsburg.

'Seems Dennis Carey had been negotiating with 'em'

'for several months on this new job.'

Have any idea why he decided to take it now?

Oh, they were kinda puzzled by it too.

They'd kinda given up on Carey and suddenly

he called him and accepted their offer with no explanation.

If he's the one, he's not making much of an effort

to hide it, is he?

One thing more, Lou.

Carey opened an account with the bank in Pittsburg

with the deposit of $5000.

And no withdrawal from the local bank to account for it.

Alright. I want a 24 hours surveillance on him.

You better check out all his friends

including Joanne Winston.

The woman he took to the party.

[dramatic music]

Dennis.

What's this I hear about you leaving?

Couldn't turn it down.

Lophlon Laboratories offered me a good job.

And I didn't.

It's a big competitive world, Mr. Barrington.

You got another rung up the ladder.

Look. May be you could help in time.

But the new job gets me where I wanna be now.

Oh, I'm sorry, Dennis, because in time

I would've gotten you that promotion.

You're a good man. We hate to loose you.

But I know how you feel.

Frankly, I didn't think you'd be quiet so..

...understanding.

Nonsense. I'm happy for you, Dennis. I really am.

We're friends and I'd like to keep it that way.

Thanks, we will.

Look, when you have time, let's talk.

- Want to hear all about it. - Sure.

[dramatic music]

Get me the maintenance department.

[Pete] 'Wouldn't, uh, talk much about it.'

'But, uh, the paper looked important.'

Uh, that's why I called security.

Well, I hope he didn't do anything wrong.

Oh, no, Pete. No. Not at all.

Good decision.

Very glad you made it.

You say Mr. Carey called you to fix this tire.

Yes, sir. He said it'd gone flat right here in the parking lot.

What is this?

Mr. Millard, aren't any employees

allowed to quit around here?

Dennis, Pete found this in the back of your car

while he was changing your tire.

You recognize it?

Sure, I recognize it.

It's part of the Cronus formula.

What's it doing in my car?

That's what we were hoping you'd tell us.

[dramatic music]

I've told you all I know about it.

I didn't call Pete to have the tire fixed.

Because I didn't even know the tire was flat.

Do you have any ideas to how that formula got in your car?

No. I'm a chemist. Not a spy.

I think that'll be all for the moment, Mr. Carey.

Our photo surveillance on Joanne Kinston

turned up some interesting subjects.

Here's the one on Lee Barrington.

Now, we haven't been able to identify this man yet.

- 'Maybe you know him.' - Mm-mm.

We've sent a copy on to the bureau.

She seems to know her way around Millard Industries pretty well.

[Tom] 'Not difficult to see why she's so popular.'

What about Carey?

Well, he's still sticking to his story.

Uh, he has no explanation for how that data got into his car.

How could he?

You wouldn't call someone to fix his tire knowing

they'd discover the formula in the back of his car.

Looks like somebody maybe trying to set him up.

[telephone buzzes]

Hello?

Lewis, we've got some information on Joanne Kinston.

Oh, hang on, Arthur, Tom's here.

I think he oughta hear this.

I'm on, sir.

We've run down an employment application on Joanne Kinston.

Her name's an alias. Her real name is Marie Roska.

R-O-S-K-A.

'She was married to a man named Abel Roska.'

'Who was connected with the Code Green trade agency at London.'

Where's he now?

All we know is that he suddenly disappeared

behind the iron curtain four months ago.

Arthur, I'm sending you a picture of her.

I'd like an ident on the man with her as soon as possible.

We may have to move quickly.

Carol.

[dramatic music]

[sighs]

Joanne, looks like we can relax.

I caught him a while ago in a parking lot.

'Now, do I sound upset?'

I don't mind telling you I was pretty scared.

Huh, Lee, I knew it would work out this way.

Listen they will relax

and then you can get the rest of the formula.

Oh, can you give me a few minutes rest?

'I just can't break into the lab'

'and steal secrets because you want me to.'

But, Lee, the sooner it's done, the sooner things will be

back to where they belong with us.

[Lee] 'I'm not so sure anymore.

Don't you love me?

Of course I love you.

'Why else would I go through all this?'

Well, then please hurry. Just for me.

Tomorrow, maybe tomorrow.

[dramatic music]

Carol, I thought you were..

Gone? So I see.

Forgive me, darling, I didn't mean to interrupt your romance.

Oh, it was just a business call.

You always tell all your business calls

that you love them?

Or-or just that particular call?

Now, you don't understand.

No but I'm beginning to.

'Tell me about her.'

'And, and how you have to break into the lab to steal secrets.'

It's his wife, she heard him talking to me.

That's unfortunate.

It is, because he's a poor liar.

Then perhaps we better pay the Barrington's a visit.

[music continues]

Get me Inspector Erskine in Unit-1.

Unit-1, go ahead.

Lou, a call just came in from the bureau.

The man in that picture is Yanos Lobler.

Up until about six months ago, he worked

for the, uh, Code Green trade agency in New York.

'And about a month ago he disappeared.'



They were blackmailing me, there was nothing I could do about it.

Blackmailing you for what?

Well, this woman..

I met her a couple of months ago, she's very pretty.

Before I realized it I was trapped.

I thought I.. I thought I loved her but..

Go on, Lee.

Well, she convinced me to steal some things from the laboratory.

Secret formula we were working on.

She was gonna sell it to a competitor.

They were gonna give her a lot of money for it.

I tried to break off with her, but she wouldn't let me.

There was a man with her and..

They said unless I...did what they said

they would tell you everything.

Didn't you realize what you were doing?

Well, Lee, not only to me but to my father

to, to this whole country's security.

I know.

It was my own stupidity, my own weakness.

But don't you see, Carol, it's over now.

They can't blackmail me anymore, you know everything.

Do I?

What about that formula you stole from the laboratory?

I only gave them half of it, its useless without the other half.

Help me, Carol.

Will you go to the police with me?

The police?

Well, no.

They'll incriminate me too.

You don't want me to be locked up, do you?

Carol, they'll lock me up like a common criminal.

Funny, it was something I always wondered about.

When would you get tired of me?

When would you find another woman?

Oh, I was wrong, Carol, I know that now.

And it's wrong not going to the police.

That formula, it's for a government project.

Alright.

Go ahead, if you don't love me I can't stop you.

- Call the police. - But I do love you, Lee.

I know you do.

And I love you.

- What are you doing? - I have to call the police.

You're not calling anybody.

Are you crazy?

Carol!

[dramatic music]

This is DL3, we're maintaining surveillance of Joanne Kinston

and an unidentified male companion.

'They've just arrived at 4476 Rancho Drive.'

Barrington home.

The man is probably Yanos Lobler.

Keep them under surveillance, we're on the way.



[music continues]

Carol!

Carol!

'Carol!'

Wait here.

[dramatic music]

- FBI, miss! - Get her.

Carol!

DL-3 to DL-1, subject has escaped

'in to the woods beyond the house.'

[music continues]

- Carol. - No, let me go.

Listen. You don't understand.

If you call the police, they'll k*ll you, they'll k*ll us both.

Huh, oh, what have you done to us?

Please, Carol, come to the house with me now.

Lee!

You have been careless, Mr. Barrington.

This has nothing to do with her, leave her alone.

Now, it does.

She knows too much, I cannot allow that.

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

[tire screeching]

- Lee, I can't go any further. - Got to.

[music continues]

Lobler, this is the FBI.

Drop the g*n!

[g*nsh*t]

[dramatic music]

Would you look this statement over, please?

Make sure it's the way you've dictated it before you sign it.

That's about it.

Looking back now, I can't say that's the way I wanted it.

Maybe I wanted too much.

- Is there anything else? - No, that will be all.

Mr. Barrington.

Did you tell them every little detail, love?

Every little detail.

[male narrator] Yanos Lobler recovered from his wounds

and with Lee Barrington and Joanne Kinston was tried

and convicted in federal court

of conspiracy to commit espionage.

[theme music]

[music continues]