* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday to you
* Happy birthday, dear Trampas
* Happy birthday to you
I made it myself.
Well, aren't you
gonna say something?
That's a beautiful cake,
Bets.
Thank you.
Candles look good enough
to eat, too.
Better blow 'em
out first.
Only ten candles.
He looks older than that.
Oh, he worries a lot.
Go ahead and blow
'em out and make a wish--
all in one breath,
or you don't get your wish.
Now,
wait a minute.
Shouldn't there be
another candle?
You know,
one to grow on?
Oh, he's
big enough.
Oh, I forgot.
I should've put one
right in the middle.
Go ahead and blow
'em out, Trampas.
Yay!
I knew it! I always knew
you were full of hot air.
You get your wish!
Oh? When are we
gonna get married?
Come on, sit down,
Betsy.
Speech?
Speech!
Speech!
Speech!
Well, being as unaccustomed
as I am to public speaking...
Hear, hear!
All I can say about
this unexpected honor
is that... couldn't happen
to a nicer fellow.
Go ahead and cut it.
I want to see how it turned out.
Well, here goes.
Mm-hmm.
What's the matter?
I don't know.
Must be a dull knife.
Anybody got an axe?
Oh, here.
Let me do it.
Don't sprain
your wrist, now.
There.
You ingrate!
Nice surprise, Betsy.
Thank you.
Pass the plates!
Yeah!
I hate to have to cut
into your name, but...
That's the way it goes--
here today, gone tomorrow.
Cut me a big piece.
Morning, Sheriff!
Just in time
for some birthday cake.
I hate to break up a party,
but I'm here on business.
Betsy, you better go
on up to the house.
Well, why?
'Cause I'm asking
you to, honey.
This is ridiculous.
I'm not a baby.
Betsy, you'd better go.
Oh, some party!
Thanks, Bets.
What's on your mind, Mark?
This is Sheriff Luke Donaldson.
This is Deputy Clay Friendly.
Howdy.
Howdy. How are you?
They're
from Rocky Point.
Rocky Point? You boys
are a long way from home.
Clear across the state.
They have a warrant
for Trampas's arrest.
But, uh--
My arrest?
For what?
It's all right in here.
Read it for yourself.
You men better
get to work.
This warrant says attempted
m*rder and robbery
at the Rocky Point Bank.
That's right.
Got away with $60,000.
Mister, you're lucky you
didn't k*ll the man you shot.
Mister, if I shot anybody
he would be k*lled.
The only thing wrong
is I've never been
to Rocky Point in my life.
You'll have a chance
to prove that
when we get back there.
I don't need to make the trip.
I'll prove it right now.
That warrant says
I robbed a bank last May.
Well, I was working here then,
at Shiloh.
I'm not here
to take testimony.
My job's
to take you back.
Look, Sheriff,
figure it out.
Now, how could I have
robbed a bank
in Rocky Point
when I was working here?
He's right.
Trampas was right here.
He'll tell you.
Tell 'em.
Go ahead.
Tell 'em.
I'm afraid Trampas
didn't sign on till June.
All right,
so it was June,
but if I robbed
a bank in May,
why did I hire on
for 30 bucks a month
right after that?
I told ya-- I'm not here
to try the case.
Anything you got to say
you can say
loud and clear
when the time comes.
Mind if I ask you what
this warrant is based on?
They drew my name
out of the hat.
That's what
it's based on.
All you gotta know
is it's legal.
Ask your own sheriff.
That's right.
Who saw me do it?
Answer me that.
Two witnesses.
Not me, they didn't.
We got more
than witnesses.
We got your partner.
Partner?
This is loco!
Gotta go back
with them, Trampas.
**
Well, don't worry,
Trampas.
You'll be back
in time for roundup.
I'm not in that big
a hurry to get back.
I'll take
your g*n.
I'm gonna feel pretty naked
without it on the ride back.
You can have it
if there is a ride back.
Careful.
It goes off easy.
Good morning.
Morning.
Good morning, ma'am.
Good morning.
Is this the bank
they robbed last spring?
Yes.
You work here?
Yes.
When it happened?
Yes.
Would you excuse me,
please?
Good morning, Joe.
Not that I don't appreciate
the hospitality,
but we've got better coffee
back at Shiloh.
Heh. I never thought I'd feel
that way about our coffee.
I just want to make sure
you know your rights.
You're entitled to have
a lawyer here if you want to.
No, sir.
Have it your way, son.
Clay, get Gleason in here.
Right.
You better think twice
about not having a lawyer,
Trampas.
Nothing doing.
Trouble with lawyers,
they make trouble
where there's
no trouble at all.
Why, you--!
Trampas!
You know Gleason, huh?
He wasn't calling
himself Gleason
when I busted
his teeth.
I met
this miserable...
I was in a poker game
last spring in Jefferson.
Caught him using the crib.
Settled for a couple
of his teeth.
Yeah, that's--
that's true enough, Trampas.
We... sure had our ups
and downs, didn't we?
That was the first and last time
I ever laid eyes on you!
Now, hold on,
both of you.
Gleason here
already told us
about your squabble
in Jefferson,
but his story is
you hooked up again later on,
patched up your differences,
then come down to Rocky Point
and stuck up the bank.
That's when you
shot Frank McGowan.
I never robbed a bank,
and I never shot
anybody named McGowan.
I never once saw this lying
snake after that card game.
Just sitting here
denying everything
won't help any,
Trampas.
The sheriff will need
something to go on.
Tell him what you did
and where you went
between the time
you left Jefferson
and when you signed on
at Shiloh.
Let's see.
I left Jefferson
the same night
as that card game.
I headed south.
I was riding
that big roan.
You remember
that gelding?
I rode him on the line
last summer at Shiloh.
Yeah.
I headed for the high country.
Followed the creek
for two or three days, at least.
It comes to me I took
that long cut
across that open country
north of Shiloh.
I did come in
from the north, didn't I?
That's right.
How long did
all this take you?
Uh... better'n
a week, I guess.
Who'd you see?
Who'd you talk to?
Who's to see
on a ride like that!
You heard me saying
I'd been drifting
for a couple of weeks.
You thought
you'd pay me back
for those teeth, huh?
There's no use lying
about it, Trampas.
Tell them the truth
and get it over with.
Now, believe me--
I wouldn't give
the town drunk
a night in jail
on his word.
Where's this man
he's supposed
to have shot?
Why don't you bring
him in here?
Frank McGowan's dead.
Died two months ago.
Pneumonia.
We still got
two other witnesses.
Fine. Let them take
a look at me.
All right.
Come on.
I would say
that's the man, Sheriff.
Mister, you didn't see me.
You couldn't have.
I was never in this town
before today!
Hold on, now, Joe.
You would say it's the man,
but are you saying
it's the man?
I guess
that's him, Sheriff.
You hear that?
He's guessing.
I knew he couldn't
identify me.
He's right, Joe.
Guessing's no good.
It's gotta be yes or no.
Yes, he's the one.
Well, how could--
How can you stand there
and say yes
when a minute ago
you were guessing?
I say you're the one.
I'll say it to anybody!
Now, you just take
your own good time, Miss Delia.
One way or the other,
I know you want to be sure.
I remember telling
you, Sheriff,
the man I...
told you about
was wearing
a heavy coat
and had a bandana
over his face.
In all fairness,
I-I think...
Of course. I should've
thought of that myself. Clay.
Okay.
Got my winter coat
in the closet.
That oughta fit him.
What about the guard?
Where was he
during the robbery?
They didn't hire him
until after the holdup.
Miss Delia?
Yes, that's the man.
Now maybe we'd better
get you a lawyer.
**
Unless you can prove
you were elsewhere
at the time
Frank McGowan was shot,
I don't see how we can
sell your story to a jury.
That's fine. Great.
My own lawyer quits on me
before we get to court.
He's only trying to tell you
what you're up against.
Now, you don't know me,
Mr. Trampas.
If you did,
you'd know I don't quit,
but we're up
against the testimony
of two eyewitnesses,
reputable people
who've named you
as the man
who shot McGowan.
They lied, both of them.
They looked right down
my throat and lied.
They never saw me
in that bank and they know it.
They didn't lie.
Mistaken, that's
something else again.
I tell you,
these are good people.
Joe Darby's lived
in Rocky Point for 12 years.
Married, got a family,
ushers at the church,
has the respect and affection
of everybody in this town.
That leaves the woman.
What about her?
There isn't
a more admired woman
in these parts
than Delia Miller.
Lost her mother
when she was just a young girl.
Took care of her invalid father
till the day he died,
and he wasn't
the easiest man
in the world to get
along with, either.
No, sir, attacking
Joe Darby or Miss Delia
is about
the worst thing we can do.
They don't say
anything bad about me,
I won't say anything
bad about them.
Whoa!
Good afternoon.
Oh, good afternoon, sir.
Have a room?
Oh, yes, sir.
Will you be with us
long, Mr. Brent?
Long enough to interview
those bank robbers
you got locked up.
I'm a reporter,
Salt Lake Chronicle.
Oh, Rocky Point's getting
to be real famous, I guess.
Tell you the truth,
when they robbed our bank
and then tore out of town,
I never expected
to lay eyes
on them again.
Oh, you saw them?
Oh, just a manner
of speaking.
Nobody really saw 'em
except the people
down at the bank,
at least not close enough
to get a good look.
That's a nice
little paper.
Well, it's not as big
as the one you work on,
but well, we don't often
have much news here,
and a thing like this,
a bank robbery,
doesn't come along
every day.
Good thing
for the depositors.
You say there
were witnesses?
Yeah, two people
down at the bank,
Miss Delia Miller
and Joe Darby.
They identified
both of the robbers.
Say, uh, are you
gonna mention
their names
in your story?
I certainly am.
Takes courage to
do what they've done.
Oh, yes, sir.
It's room 207,
and you take the stairway
to the right.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Mr. Darby?
Hello, Mr. Darby.
Remember me?
Yes. You're the friend
of the fellow who shot
Mr. McGowan.
That's right.
I was wondering
if I could talk
to you for a minute.
I don't think I should
be talking to you,
if you don't mind
my saying so.
I'm supposed
to get up in court
and testify
against your friend.
Well, I can understand
a man doing his duty,
Mr. Darby,
but you didn't seem any
too sure this afternoon
when you pointed
him out.
I'm just wondering
if you'd thought
any more about it.
The way I look at it
is once a man's
made up his mind
on something so important,
it's not right for him
to go on stewing about it.
Well, I don't see how you
can help stewing about it,
considering you could be
ruining a man's whole life.
I realize he's your friend,
and I can't blame you
for wanting to help him,
but like you said,
a man has got to do
his duty as he sees it.
I wouldn't want you to do
anything else, Mr. Darby,
but I've got the feeling
that everybody's been
kind of influenced by what
this fellow Gleason said.
I wouldn't trust him
on a stack of Bibles.
I don't think
you would, either,
if you knew him better.
That had nothing
to do with it.
Just wanted to be sure.
Good afternoon, sir.
**
I'm sorry he's
not here, Sam.
Think he went down
to the hardware store.
I could sent the boy
next door to get him.
No, I don't think
that's necessary, Coralee.
I think maybe
you can help us.
Now, this may sound
a little odd to you,
but do you remember
when Joe started
to wear glasses?
I've been trying
to remember,
but I just can't.
My goodness, has he been talking
to you about them, too?
What do you mean?
He's always complaining
that they don't fit him right.
He should've started
wearing them a long time ago,
but you know
how stubborn Joe is.
About the date, Mrs. Darby--
could you remember?
I can reckon it
by the flower garden.
The petunias had been
coming in, I remember that,
because one morning,
Joe came down the steps,
proud as a peacock,
wearing his new glasses,
and he said to me,
"Coralee, I never knew
"that petunias
could be so pretty
till I saw 'em
from the porch just now."
When was that?
Let me see.
They bloom in June.
June. That's it.
You sure of that,
Coralee?
Oh, absolutely.
I remember Joe and I'd
been talking about it.
It was right after
dinner that night.
Well, thank you
very much, Coralee.
You've been a big help.
Well, thank you!
Afternoon, Mrs. Darby.
Good afternoon.
Salt Lake Chronicle.
We're always glad to cooperate
with the papers, Mr. Brent.
Which one you want
to talk to first?
Doesn't matter.
Well, I don't think you'll
get much out of Trampas.
I'd better speak
to the other one, then.
It's all right with me
if it's all right with him.
I can't force him
to talk to you.
I understand.
Clay, take Mr. Brent
back to Gleason's cell.
All right.
Thank you, Sheriff.
Oh, uh, Mr. Brent.
Do me a favor.
Don't call me
a hick sheriff
in your story.
That's a deal.
That the other fellow?
Yeah, gotta keep 'em
as far apart as we can.
They ain't exactly
pals anymore.
Gleason, you got
a visitor, a reporter.
Malcolm Brent,
Mr. Gleason.
Salt Lake Chronicle.
You gotta believe me, Mel.
I didn't have no choice.
You didn't give me
much of a choice, either.
Two men you sent
made that plain enough.
What else could I do,
rot in jail?
You're the one that shot
that old man.
When we split the money,
we made an agreement--
each go his own way.
I didn't figure
to get caught.
That changed things.
How'd it happen?
I got drunk.
I busted up a bar
in Petersville.
Cal and Dusty
were there.
And I'd have gotten off
with just a drunk charge, too,
except that I still had
some of that bank money on me
when they threw me in jail.
I only had time
to tell Cal and Dusty
to get the word to you.
They got the word
to me, all right,
like a g*n at my head.
Either I get you out,
or you turn me in.
Yeah, that's how
it's gotta be.
I'll get you a lawyer,
best in the state.
That's as far
as I can go.
That's not enough!
You realize the risk
I took coming back here?
Anybody recognizes me,
we're both dead.
Not a chance.
Just changing
the color of your hair,
that came close
to fooling me.
Besides, nobody is
looking for you now
since I put that Trampas
fellow in your place.
You really expect me
to bust you outta here?
Cal and Dusty'll
take me out of here,
but you're gonna pay them,
because I got no money.
You signed
a confession that you
and this other fellow
did the job.
There are two witnesses
backing you up,
identifying him.
Seems to me you haven't
got much to bargain with.
I could walk out of here
and never come back.
No, you couldn't.
You put your money
in a business in Denver.
You've got a wife
and kid there.
You'd have to walk
away from them, too.
Now, you told him
you were a reporter--
that's a lie.
The color of your hair,
that's a lie.
Take all that away,
them witnesses ain't
gonna be fooled a second time.
You'd tell 'em?
I'd tell them.
All right, Walt.
I'll get you out.
I knew you'd
see it my way.
What else are
friends for, huh?
Only make it quick!
Now, how can you say
you're not sure
when his own partner
identified him?
Hey, what was that
I heard?
That ain't none
of your business.
You were sure enough
at the bank.
I just want to find out
what made you back down.
I'm not backing down.
I'm simply telling you
I'm not sure anymore.
It sounds like one
and the same thing to me.
One minute
you're positive...
the next minute, you want
to withdraw your identification.
Ah, you get
what you wanted?
Yeah, I got
an earful.
Mind if I hang around?
Well, I'm kind of
busy right now.
Oh, I understand,
Sheriff.
Maybe if I stop by
again later?
Fine, you do that.
Sit down, Joe.
Now, Joe...
I just want to find out what
made you change your mind.
If I make a mistake,
an innocent man
can go to prison.
Don't you see?
I just can't walk
into a court of law,
put my hand on the Bible,
and swear that that boy
locked up in there did it.
I don't blame you
for wanting to be
absolutely sure, Joe,
but this morning
you were sure!
About the first man, yes.
Glasses or no glasses,
I'd know him.
But the other man
was clear across the room.
Well, can't you see
across the room?
Well, yes,
I can now.
But I hadn't started
wearing glasses
when the robbery
happened.
Never entered my mind
till Coralee told me
someone asked her
about it today.
Who asked about it?
Oh, Sam Cole
and that other fellow.
**
Evening, Miss Miller.
Good evening.
Mind if I sit down?
Well, I'm
just finishing.
This'll only
take a minute.
This morning,
just before you told
the sheriff that Trampas
was the bank robber,
I noticed that you
looked over at Mr. Darby,
as if you wanted to be
sure that he was sure
before you made
your identification.
Not at all!
But it did help to know
that he agreed with you?
It didn't matter.
What are you getting at?
I think Mr. Darby's going to
withdraw his identification.
You see, it turns out
he hadn't started wearing
his eyeglasses
at the time of the robbery.
Well, he's quite right
to withdraw if he's not sure.
But you are.
I'm afraid I am.
Well, I admire
your conviction,
Miss Miller.
I just wish I could
understand it.
You were a lot farther
away than Joe Darby
when Mr. McGowan
was shot.
I have excellent eyesight.
Mr. Darby does not.
But your life was
in danger at the time.
A holdup was taking place,
a man was shot.
With all that going on,
I don't...
Miss Miller,
I got caught up
in a range w*r in Montana
a few years back.
It all started
over a horse
and whose corral
he belonged in.
Everybody was so sure
they were right.
When the smoke settled,
four men were dead,
and it turned out
the horse belonged
to a traveling salesman
that had gone fishing.
Emotional people
often make mistakes.
You see, I'm just not
an emotional person.
I believe that,
and I don't doubt
you're honest,
but this happened
over a year ago--
That comes mighty close
to tampering
with a witness, I'd say.
Nothing has been said
that has changed my...
mind in the slightest.
I saw Mr. Trampas
sh**t Mr. McGowan,
and I intend
to swear so in court.
Now, if you gentlemen
will excuse me.
You know, uh, being
a man's friend is one thing,
but obstructing justice
is another.
I'm not obstructing
justice.
I'm just trying to see
that it's done.
That's not your job.
Your friend's got a good lawyer.
Take my advice.
Let him handle it.
**
Well, good evening,
Miss Delia.
Good evening.
I'm taking this book up
to Mrs. Hockstedder.
Well, that's
real nice of you.
I guess she's pretty lonely
since her husband died.
I'm Delia Miller.
May I come in?
Why, it's
a little late, miss.
My reputation will protect
us both, Mr. Brent.
Won't you sit down?
In a safe place,
I have a little tin box,
and in it are
my mother's wedding ring,
my birth certificate,
and a few rare coins.
I used to collect them
as a child.
In it also is a letter.
In all fairness,
I must tell you it is addressed
to the county prosecutor.
With it are instructions
to give to him
in case of my, uh,
my violent or sudden death.
Do I have your interest?
You could say
I'm listening.
Mr. Trampas did not
sh**t Mr. McGowan.
You did.
I what?
That is what is
in my letter.
Well, lady, I don't know
what you're after,
but I do know this--
if you think I had
anything to do
with that bank robbery,
the sheriff's the man
for you to see.
Very well.
Wait a minute, Miss Miller.
You interest me.
As a reporter, that is.
Would you have a drink?
No, thank you.
Now, about this
crazy notion of yours.
Tell me, what
do you base it on?
Your eyes.
When I sat across from you
in the hotel
dining room tonight,
I got a good look
at them.
At first I couldn't figure out
what was so familiar about you.
Then it came to me.
Eyes were the thing
I got the best look at
during the robbery.
Did it occur to you
that the man in jail,
the man you identified,
has blond hair?
Oh, most women are familiar
with hair dye, Mr. Brent,
or whatever
your real name is.
Is it necessary for me
to rinse this out
to prove my point?
Now, if any of this
made sense,
you know what I'd do?
I'd gag you, tie you up,
and get out of town fast.
They'd find you.
I have a very accurate
description in my letter
of that scar.
I saw that
in the dining room tonight.
It was very well
covered up during the robbery.
You can't go around forever
wearing your collar up.
I can't think
of a man like you
as an itinerant
bank robber.
My guess is that you--
you have a wife
and possibly a family,
and you just can't
keep running forever.
What do you want?
$10,000.
And for that you'd
keep your mouth shut?
Indeed I will.
There's still something
I've gotta get straight.
You've identified
this fellow Trampas.
You knew all along
he was innocent?
Oh, it was a mistake,
but an honest mistake.
I didn't realize that
until I saw you.
You're trying to tell me
you'd get up in court
and say the words
that send this man to prison?
Think about that.
I have thought about that.
Lady, you want $10,000
worse than anybody
I ever heard of.
It's taken me
a long time
to realize that life
gives you nothing.
You have to look out
for yourself.
I'm not buying.
I'll tell you why.
You got nothing to sell.
You can talk big,
talk tough here with me,
but that's as far
as you could take it.
You're a small-town woman
with a small-town conscience,
and that conscience
won't let you do this.
I'll tell you about
my small-town conscience.
I had it squeezed out
of me by a man
who had no conscience
at all, my father.
I thought he
was a cr*pple.
I took care
of him for 12 years.
We lived off the money
I made at the bank.
Oh, he had a fine time,
despite his infirmity.
He drank beer and played cards
with his cronies,
and they looked after him
and waited on him hand and foot.
One day...
I came home
and found him dead.
He was lying on the porch.
The crutches
he couldn't move without
were inside the house,
leaning against the fireplace.
There was nothing
wrong with his legs.
He had hung on to me
and lived off
of me for 12 years.
When he died,
my conscience
died with him.
As you said, Mr. Brent,
I want $10,000
worse than any person
you ever heard of.
What would you do...
pretend some
long-lost relative died
and left it to you?
I don't have
to explain anything.
I won't be here.
You think $10,000
will make you young again?
Even get you a husband?
Mr. Brent, have you
ever been to Rome?
No.
It will be a delightful city
for a woman with $10,000.
You been there?
Oh, not yet,
but I've been reading
and dreaming about it
for years.
I will buy my dresses
at the best couturiers,
I will dine
at the finest restaurants,
I shall wear a wedding ring
on my right hand--
that's what widows
do, you know--
and I might marry.
People never think widows
are too old to remarry.
Spinsters are the only ones
that seem to have
an arbitrary age limit
to their desirability.
Remember this...
if you change your mind
and go weeping
to the authorities,
they'll throw you in jail
for perjury.
And they'll take the money,
'cause it's stolen money.
No need to worry.
Know something?
I believe you.
The money?
It'll take me
a while to get it.
I don't carry
that kind of money with me.
Well, I've waited
a long time.
I could wait
a few more days.
Change your mind?
No, thank you.
You don't mind
if I do?
Not at all.
Most expensive drink
I ever had.
**
Whiskey.
Gleason said
you'd take care of us.
How much did he
promise you?
$500.
He was wrong.
$100 apiece.
Ain't enough.
More than enough
for a job like this.
Hick jail,
one deputy.
$200 apiece.
All right.
See you later.
Good morning.
You check to see
if anyone followed you?
You needn't worry.
I take a drive
every Sunday morning.
You brought the money?
Would you like
to count it?
When I get home.
Now I'll take the letter.
The letter stays
where it is
for the time being.
You think I'm paying
$10,000 for a promise?
You bought my silence.
The letter makes me sure I'll be
alive to enjoy the money.
When I feel safe,
I'll destroy it.
You didn't think
I was stupid enough
to bring it along,
did you?
It was worth a try.
Open it.
Hey, what's going on here?
Let him out.
Am I glad to see
you boys!
There you are.
Now beat it.
Shh!
Look at me.
I'm not gonna hurt you.
You understand me?
I'm not gonna hurt you.
I just want you
to talk to me.
I want you to listen
to me very carefully.
Now, I'm not gonna--
I'm not gonna hurt you.
All right?
How did you get in here?
Never mind that.
I'm gonna light this lamp
so you can take
a good look at me.
And this time,
take a good long look.
Now, I wasn't the man
you saw, was I?
You know that now,
don't you?
Well?
What do you want me to do,
change my testimony?
All I want you to do is
to realize that you're wrong.
I was never
in this town before.
Everybody's lying.
Why are you helping them?
Will you look at me?
Now...
Now you know
that you're wrong.
You've gotta know it.
Mr. Trampas,
I can't identify you
if you're not in court.
You mean you want
me to run?
Is that it?
What, afraid
to light a campfire,
afraid of everybody I run into?
No, I won't do that.
Please leave this town.
Please, I can't help you.
Why? Why do you
want me to run?
Because you know I wasn't
the man that did it?
Because you don't want me
on your conscience...
No, no, no.
I don't want to have
to tell the truth.
Unless you k*ll me,
I have no choice.
**
Try the north road!
All right, let's go.
Got away, eh?
Both of them.
No doubt about them both
being guilty now, I guess.
Gleason's guilty.
Trampas is just stupid.
Well, if you figured you
had to break out of jail,
you could've at least
kept on going.
I didn't figure nothing.
I was minding my own business
when they broke Gleason out.
Saw my chance
and I took it.
Where you go from here?
I don't know.
I've been to see
the Miller woman.
That was a waste
of time.
All she did
was tell me to run.
She told you that?
To run?
I guess she figured
it was an easy way out for her.
You run and they'll chase you
for the rest of your life.
And if I stay,
the best I've got
to look forward to
is 20 years on the rock pile.
You'd better make up your mind
quick one way or the other.
I told you, I don't know
what to do.
What would you do?
I can't tell you that.
Why not?
I'm asking you.
Well, if I told you
to give yourself up,
it wouldn't carry
any weight.
I'm not in your shoes.
You gotta make
your own decision.
Well, you're a big help.
I can tell you this.
You run and they catch you,
you won't have a chance
at the trial.
Don't look like I got much
of a chance either way.
Well...
I'll get my horse and tie
him up behind the hotel.
If he's gone
in the morning...
good luck.
Thanks, boss man, but...
Well, I won't be
needing that horse.
You make me the same offer
after the trial.
Hope the sheriff's
got the coffee hot.
One thing's sure.
Going back can't
hurt you with the jury.
No.
That's just
far enough.
Figured you
might come here.
He was gonna
turn himself in.
Sure he was.
Let's go.
All rise.
Be seated.
Is counsel
ready to proceed?
May it please the court,
the defense requests
a postponement.
On what grounds,
Counselor?
The man who accused
my client of armed robbery
and of being involved
in the attempted m*rder
of Frank McGowan
broke jail last night.
Now, it is
my client's position
that he cannot
be fairly tried
until that man
is returned to custody.
Prosecution will
object, Your Honor.
If our case
were based solely
on the signed confession
of Walter Gleason,
we might be more sympathetic
to Mr. Cole's request.
Will counsel
approach the bench?
Reporters?
Other one come in
to town today.
I don't see
that fellow Brent.
Yeah, he's some reporter.
Trial starts, he leaves.
Mr. Finney's argument against
the continuance is well taken.
The motion is denied.
Mr. Brent,
why, he checked out
late yesterday
afternoon.
Say, how's
the trial coming?
Oh, it just started.
They haven't picked
the jury yet.
He give you any reason
for checking out?
No, why should he?
He just paid his bill
and left the way
everybody does.
Well, I was just
wondering why he came
all the way from Salt Lake
to cover the trial
and then left
before it began.
Well, maybe his paper gave
him another assignment.
You know
how newspapers are.
The message would've come
through the desk, wouldn't it?
That's right.
Say, come to think of it,
he didn't get any messages.
You sure of that?
I'm positive.
Was he traveling
by stage, do you know?
Yeah.
Say, that is funny.
There wasn't any stage
after 2:00 pm.
He didn't check out
till after 7:00.
He, uh, have any visitors
in the last day or two?
Not that I know of.
No one asked
for him at the desk.
And no one went
up those stairs
except
the registered guests.
I keep an eye on that,
you know.
We get drummers here,
and sometimes
they like to party it up.
No, sir, outside of Miss Miller,
no one went up those stairs.
Miss Miller?
Yeah, she was calling on
old Mrs. Hockstedder,
bringing her a book.
I remember
'cause it was kinda late.
How late was it?
About 10:30.
Mrs. Hockstedder usually
goes to bed about 9:00, so...
Uh, what's this
Mrs. Hockstedder's
room number?
203, just up the stairs
and down the end of the hall.
Would she be in now,
do you know?
Oh, yeah,
she's almost always in.
Doesn't feel too well.
Thanks.
Do you think there's
something funny
about this here
Mr. Brent?
Either that or he's the worst
reporter I ever heard of.
**
Would you send that off
right away, please?
Kind of longwinded,
ain't you, son?
Cost you a buck six bits
to get that to Salt Lake.
Well, sh**t the works.
Right.
We'd better get going.
Horses have rested
long enough.
In a minute.
I still can't figure
why you come along.
You could've stayed
back in town,
nobody'd known
the difference.
Had some
unfinished business.
How do you mean,
unfinished business?
W-wait a minute, I--
I've waited long enough.
I'll never bother
you again.
I swear.
I'll get out of the country.
You're stupid enough
to get caught once.
You could get
caught again.
I can't spend
the rest of my life
paying for your mistakes.
You won't have to.
I'll be careful from now on.
I just ran
into some bad luck.
You sure did.
Is the man who shot
Frank McGowan
in this courtroom?
Yes.
Will the defendant
please stand up?
Is that the man?
Yes.
Your witness, Mr. Cole.
Here it is.
Just come in.
Thanks.
Hey, Cole, look at this.
What?
Order.
Mr. Cole, what is the meaning
of this interruption?
Your Honor, before
cross-examining Miss Miller,
I would like to call
Mr. Ezra Peters to the stand.
He's just received information
that will be most pertinent
to my cross examination.
This is irregular.
But if Mr. Finney
has no objection?
No objection, Your Honor,
for the present.
Very well.
You may step down, Miss Miller.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Would you take the stand,
please, Mr. Peters?
Do you solemnly swear
to tell the truth,
the whole truth,
and nothing but the truth?
I do.
Please be seated.
Would you state
your name?
Ezra J. Peters.
The J stands for Jasper.
And what is
your line of work?
I'm a calligrapher.
And did you send
a telegram yesterday
to the editor of
the Salt Lake Chronicle?
Yep. Twenty-eight words.
Did you receive
a reply?
Yep.
Is this it?
Yep.
Would you read that aloud,
please, Ezra?
"No reporter by name
Malcolm Brent
"employed Salt Lake
Chronicle or any other
Salt Lake newspaper. Stop.
"No coverage of trial there
by any newspaper here.
Signed, Phineas Blake,
editor."
Thank you, Ezra.
You may inquire, Mr. Finney.
Your Honor, I move that
this testimony be stricken
on the grounds that it
has no bearing on the case
before the court.
Your Honor.
A stranger calling
himself Malcolm Brent,
claiming to be
a newspaper reporter,
was a recent visitor
to this town.
That this mysterious stranger
was a liar and a fraud,
that he has apparently
vanished into thin air,
will be proved to be both
pertinent and important
to the case
for the defendant.
Your motion is denied,
Mr. Finney.
Do you have any questions
to ask the witness?
No questions.
Your Honor, the defense
would now like
to cross-examine
Miss Miller.
You may step down,
Mr. Peters.
Will Miss Delia Miller
take the stand, please?
The witness is reminded
that you are still under oath.
Yes, Your Honor.
Miss Miller,
you've already testified
against the defendant.
Now, we know your first concern
is for truth and justice.
With these goals in mind,
the defense has seen fit
to call you back
to the stand.
Now, you've heard
reference in this court
to a man calling himself
Malcolm Brent,
claiming to be a newspaper
reporter from out of town?
Yes.
Did you see this man?
Yes, I saw him.
Did you at any time
have a conversation with him?
No.
Not even a casual
"good morning"
when you passed him
on the street,
a word or two
about the weather?
I was never even
introduced to him.
Then it is your statement,
under oath, that you
did not at any time
talk with the man calling
himself Malcolm Brent.
Is that your testimony,
Miss Miller?
Yes.
Is it not a fact
that on Thursday night last
you were at the hotel?
Thursday, let me--
let me see.
Yes, yes,
I was at the hotel.
For what purpose?
To see Mrs. Hockstedder.
Did you see Mrs. Hockstedder?
Objection.
On what grounds, Mr. Finney?
On the grounds that
this line of questioning
is incompetent,
irrelevant,
and immaterial,
and can have
no bearing on this case.
Your Honor, my question
goes straight to the heart
of the matter.
The defense contends
that Miss Miller
has deliberately
lied under oath.
I further submit that
her entire testimony
before this court
has been a string of lies.
Objection overruled.
Answer the question.
Before you do,
Miss Miller,
I think it only fair
to tell you
that I'm prepared
to call Mr. Carlin,
the clerk at the hotel,
who saw you go upstairs
at 10:30 that night
after telling him that
you were going to deliver
a book to Mrs. Hockstedder,
and I am further prepared
to call Mrs. Hockstedder,
who will testify that you
did not arrive at her room.
Well, suddenly I realized
how late it was.
You did not go
to her room,
yet you stayed upstairs
for more than half an hour.
Now, where were you
all that time?
Must I answer,
Your Honor?
I'm afraid so.
But I gave my word.
I promised.
Miss Miller,
I must remind you
that this man is charged
with a serious crime.
You are directed
to answer the question.
Well, Miss Miller?
I was in Mr. Brent's room.
And yet you deliberately
lied under oath.
I tried to explain.
I've heard
no explanation.
Well, earlier in the day,
Mr. Brent asked me
for an interview,
and when I found out
it was too late
to see Mrs. Hockstedder,
on an impulse
I went to see him.
Why did you
keep it a secret?
Well, he asked me
not to tell anyone
about the interview.
He wanted what he
called an exclusive.
It seemed
very important to him,
so I gave him my word.
Well, I didn't want
to break my word.
Even under oath?
Well, I didn't realize
my testimony
was that important.
About this interview.
Mr. Brent said
he wanted an exclusive,
is that correct?
Yes.
An exclusive.
Now, that would mean
information that you
would give to no one
but him, private information.
Would you tell the court
just what private information
you had for him?
Well, he wanted
a personal story
about what I saw
and what I heard
during the robbery.
And you told him?
Yes.
We've established
that Mr. Brent was
not a newspaper man.
Were his questions alert,
to the point, professional?
Well, it seemed so to me.
And what was he doing
while you were answering
these questions?
Listening to me.
He was very interested.
Now, Miss Miller,
everyone knows
that newspaper men
do not trust their memories
during interviews--
they take notes,
and yet you say
he only listened?
Now, didn't that strike you
as being odd?
Unprofessional?
As downright amateurish,
in fact?
Well, I don't know.
How could I?
I thought he was
a newspaper man.
Even Sheriff Donaldson
and Mr. Finney thought so.
Miss Miller, your story
just won't wash.
I submit that you have
a reason for lying,
for not telling the truth
about your so-called interview
with the man calling
himself Mr. Brent.
Objection, Your Honor!
The counsel is badgering
the witness.
Sustained.
You will confine
your cross examination
to questions,
not conclusions.
I have no more questions,
Your Honor.
Thank you, Miss Miller.
No redirect.
That is all, Miss Miller.
Order!
That is all.
Why have you come here?
The jury's been out
for two hours now.
I thought you might
be interested to know that.
Two hours!
Then maybe--
Maybe they're what?
Gonna find him innocent?
Let him go?
Not a chance.
You did too good a job
on him for that.
I told the truth.
You lied and you know it,
and I know it.
Trampas's lawyer knows it,
but not the jury.
There's no way they could.
The law says you can't
tell a jury what you know,
only what you can prove.
The lawyer
and I worked it out.
It took time to put
all the pieces together,
but when we did the whole
picture was there,
not a single crack in it.
First off,
Brent came to Rocky Point
for just one reason--
to break Gleason
out of jail.
Why would he do that?
Because he's the man
Trampas is supposed to be.
This is preposterous!
He figured he'd be safe
enough with Trampas in jail,
only he ran into a little
bad luck, didn't he?
He ran into you,
and you recognized him.
How much did he pay you?
I am trying very hard
to remember Mr. Trampas
is your friend,
but if you don't
leave this instant--
That's very fancy.
Pretty color, too.
It's not the kind of dress
you usually wear, is it?
No, you didn't make this
to wear in Rocky Point.
Get out.
I promise you this--
you let Trampas go to jail
and you go
someplace to enjoy
the money you
got from Brent,
and for the rest
of your life
you'll have a second shadow
wherever you go.
Me.
**
Whiskey.
You're a pal of that guy
they got on trial, ain't you?
That's right.
Good evening, Mr. Darby.
Oh, good evening.
I, uh, I don't
come in here often,
but these last few days
I feel I could use a drink.
I know what you mean.
Whiskey, please.
Here.
Take it out of that.
Kind of a short payoff,
ain't it?
What do you mean?
Only one drink for getting him
to change his testimony?
How dare you
insinuate--!
Take it easy,
Mr. Darby.
He's just trying
to start trouble.
Oh, are you gonna
hand me any?
Some other time.
Come on,
let's get out of here.
Not so fast,
mister.
I'm gonna show
you what-- oof!
Hey! You awake?
Yeah, I'm awake.
What do you want?
Well, I was just thinking,
that g*n of yours,
the one the sheriff
took from you,
I'd give you
a good price for it.
What makes you think
you won't be giving it
back to me tomorrow?
Oh, it ain't gonna be
that way, kid.
I got the word.
How 'bout it.
Wanna sell?
Get outta here.
Well, you think
it over.
You ain't gonna be
using it anymore.
**
Yeah?
It's Cole.
Come in.
Heh.
That bad, huh?
Who told you?
The bailiff.
He put the jury to bed.
They'll bring in
a verdict of guilty
when court convenes
in the morning.
Does Trampas know?
I didn't have
the nerve to tell him.
Delia Miller lied.
Couldn't the jury
see that and hear
it in her voice?
How could they
still believe her
after you caught her
in a lie?
She grew up
in this town.
They believe her to be
an honest, decent woman.
Her identification
of Trampas
and Gleason's confession
convinced the jury.
To be fair about it,
it almost convinced me.
What do we do now?
Well, I'm going home,
have four stiff drinks,
go to bed, and try
to get some sleep.
I suggest you
do the same.
Hey, how 'bout selling
me that bottle?
No charge.
I'll pick up another
on the way home.
Thanks. Good night.
Good night.
**
No need to fight anymore.
It's all over.
What do you mean,
"it's all over"?
The jury found him guilty.
Oh, so you brought along
this-- this bottle
of whiskey
for a celebration.
Victory for me,
defeat for you.
Something like that.
Even though
I've disliked you,
I've never taken you
for a fool... until now.
Did you really
think it would work?
What do you mean?
That I would
take enough drinks
to confess to all the crimes
you've accused me of?
"In wine there is truth"--
is that what you counted on?
Well, I've got to admit
it wasn't very subtle,
but I've tried every
other way to get you
to tell the truth.
This was
the only one left.
In the first place,
I don't drink,
and if I did,
I wouldn't drink with you.
But if I were
to drink with you,
you'd only hear what I've
been telling you all along.
I'm a fair judge of men,
and once in a while
of women.
I know Trampas is innocent,
just like I know you lied
about him and Brent
and the whole thing.
One of these days,
the truth is gonna
break out of you,
because even you
aren't tough enough
to keep it locked
up forever.
All I can hope is
when you are ready
to clear Trampas
it won't be too late.
But he's not going
to be hung.
He's only facing
a prison sentence.
You got any idea
what prison can do
to some men?
I'm talking
about men like Trampas,
men who've lived with
prairies and mountains
and open skies
all their lives.
A man like that's got to
be free to stay alive.
Lock him in a cage,
and he's as dead
as if they'd hung him.
So you're not just
sending Trampas to prison.
You're k*lling him,
as sure as if you'd
put the rope around
his neck yourself.
And now if you're
all through?
I'm all through.
Oh, you forgot something.
**
Oh... Sheriff!
Sheriff?
Sheriff!
Sheriff! Sheriff!
The sheriff,
I've got to talk to him.
He's not here, ma'am.
Where is he?
At home.
What's the matt--
Miss Delia!
Miss Delia!
I'll go get a doctor.
Won't do no good.
She's dead.
The defendant will rise.
A jury has found you
guilty of--
grand larceny
and the attempted m*rder
of Frank McGowan.
It is the duty of this court
to pass sentence upon you.
It is the judgment
of this court
that you be sent
to the state penitentiary
for a period
of not less than 20 years...
If it please the court.
My apologies, Your Honor,
but it would be inhuman
to prolong
the defendant's suffering.
This letter was just found
among Delia Miller's affects.
It explains
a lot of things,
including why Miss Miller
was looking for the sheriff
so desperately last night.
As you can read,
it clears the defendant
completely.
Court will entertain
your motion, Mr. Finney.
If it please the court,
in view of this new evidence,
the prosecution moves
that the jury's verdict
be set aside
and that the defendant
be fully exonerated
of the charge
against him.
Counsel's motion
is granted.
The defendant is herewith
released from custody.
Sure you can find
your way back?
I'm stopping
at every ranch house
between here and Shiloh
in case someday I'm
gonna need an alibi.
So long, Sheriff.
So long.
**
Whoa.
Considering all the trouble
this town give us,
maybe we should
rob that bank.
You'd make
a good bank robber.
When you call
me that, smile.
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01x13 - The Accomplice
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The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.
The series was loosely based on The Virginian: Horseman of the Plains, a 1902 Western novel by Owen Wister that Hollywood had previously adapted for movies.