Tell No Tales (1939)

[bunniefuu]

Hello, Sam.

A great idea of yours, Mr Cassidy.

The boss just gave me copy.

Makes a nice souvenir, don't it.

There's been a lot of changes in the paper in 75 years, Sam.

Do you think so, Mr Cassidy?

I see one thing we ain't changed.

Say, there's a man waiting in your office, Mr Cassidy.

He looks like a big-sh*t and he's awful nervous.

Ain't that terrible. A Mr Chalmers.

Charlie wants to know should he roll on the first edition?

I'll call him myself.

Mr Cassidy. I'm busy, Chalmers.

Mr Cassidy, you can't publish that story.

Why not?

What I did twenty years ago was foolish, not criminal.

You committed a felony and you served time. Is that true?

I know you take your orders from Matt Cooper.

Mr Cooper owns The Guardian.

He doesn't control the news we print.

Not in The Guardian, but in this other paper, in The Record ..

We've nothing to do with The Record.

The Guardian dug up your story and The Guardian is printing it, exclusively.

Why? Because Cooper knows the weight The Guardian carries.

He knows no-one would believe The Record after the lies and filth it's published.

About the entire administration. But The Guardian?

We're ready to roll Commissioner, whenever you're through.

If you wanted an honest, responsible man ..

You wouldn't have called me this morning.

To give me a chance to deny what you knew was a fact.

Now give me a chance to finish.

I've done a better job .. because I knew what it was to suffer.

To see what it was like on the wrong side of the fence.

City desk.

I've lived a respectable life for twenty years.

And I've worked hard at my job.

I need at least one year to finish it.

Give me a year.

And then I'll resign. I promise you I will.

Charlie?

k*ll that story on Commissioner Chalmers.

Shove in something else and re-plate it right away.

See you in a year, Commissioner. Thank you.

You're not really leaving us before you're fired, Johnny.

Why?

Why, you haven't heard about the great brain, here?

Keeping the death-watch outside the Senator's house ..

Until he saw a bottle of rye go by and flip a cork at him.

So?

So he spent the night in the drunk-t*nk.

And we kept running 'Senator Sinking Fast' ..

Three hours after every other paper was out with his death.

What do you think you are, Mack? A march of time? Get busy.

Morning, Mr Cassidy.

We've started our day, Miss Arnold. b*at it.

Sorry.

I ought to break your neck, Johnny.

Get to work.

Mike, how come we have to re-plate at the last minute?

I'd thank you for a little warning.

Warning? Get back in your cage, you moth-eaten old rabbit.

Yesterday, witnesses graphically described the East Continental Rail ..

Train wreck last August.

And have filed again a damage suit before supreme court justice Winslow.

Period. Paragraph.

The first witness was Edward Morton of Springfield. Comma.

Who was a passenger. Period.

His voice was barely audible. Misspelling.

And he was visibly nervous on the stand. Period.

Mary.

He testified that he was ..

Huh?

Mr Cassidy. Well.

Do you know what I was thinking today, Miss Mary?

I was sixteen years old when I first came to work for The Guardian.

I used to chase in and out of here with copy for you.

Remember me?

Why, of course Mr Cassidy. Why, of course.

I can still hear you calling 'Michael'.

'Michael.'

But very politely.

You haven't changed much, Miss Mary.

There is something I want to get your opinion on.

My opinion? Uhuh.

Well, I'll be only too glad but ..

I'm thinking of changing the location of the Proof-Room.

You should never do things in too much of a hurry, Mr Cassidy.

How long have you been using the old Proof-Room, Miss Mary?

Not so very long. Only since .. let me see ..

1910 or 1915.

Well, I've been thinking of moving it down here.

More room. Down here?

It will be less crowded.

But we'd be so close to the press room.

Yes, that's true. Are you sure?

You mean down here? Right in there.

Well, I .. you will excuse me for saying so.

You don't mean in there?

Or do you? Uhuh.

Do you hear murmuring, Mr Cassidy?

I think I do, Miss Mary.

You are 75 years old today, Miss Mary. And so is The Guardian.

So we're celebrating both birthdays together.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

Which nobody can deny.

Which nobody can deny.

Which nobody can deny.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

For she's a jolly good fellow.

Which nobody can deny ..

Ladies and gentlemen.

I propose a toast to The Guardian's oldest employee.

And a real lady.

Miss Mary Anderson.

Speech!

Speech .. speech!

Mr Cassidy. From your secretary.

I give you ..

I give you ..

A great newspaper.

Our paper.

Listen, Cooper. You bought The Guardian with the intent of k*lling it.

Exactly.

Why?

If I don't please you, fire me. But why throw 400 of my people on to the street?

Oh that: The Guardian of the poor.

Some of those people have given their lives to the paper.

It's their religion.

It's what they live for.

You are intolerant, Cassidy.

That's how I feel about The Record.

I started it myself.

I intended to make it a great newspaper.

With no competition. A newspaper? This?

Look at it.

"Bare more secrets of girl who saw Roberts kidnapping."

That's a beautiful example of what I mean.

A young teacher who happened to see the kidnappers who k*lled the Roberts child.

Who in spite of the danger, had courage enough to tell the police about it.

And what's her reward?

You have persecuted the girl ever since.

Crucified her with silly stories just to sell a few more copies of this thing.

And you call it a newspaper?

Listen to me, Cooper. The Guardian .. The Guardian is dead.

You've nothing to worry about personally.

There is a job for you at The Record.

And you can pick your own spot.

Thanks, no.

No job for me on The Record.

No job of any kind.

Vic.

I want ten empty glasses. Right, sir.

It's not your lucky day, Mr Cassidy.

What?

I say it weren't your lucky day.

There is a good deal in what you say, Vic.

Cash this.

I was saying to the missus last night:

I don't believe there is any truth at all in all the talk.

About The Guardian, I mean.

Am I right, sir?

Wrong, Vic.

Oh Mr Cassidy, I'm that sorry.

Fill up the glasses, Vic.

Yes, sir. And keep them filled.

Right, sir.

This one is mine. Whenever you see it's empty, fill it.

The other nine are for anybody from the office that comes in.

Whenever you see them empty, fill them.

During the course of the evening I'll be back.

Here it is, five o'clock in the morning, sir.

How about letting me fix you up with a bit of a pick-me-up?

What do I owe you, Vic?

Never mind, don't tell me that.

You'll be feeling better, sir.

It's bad business at first, when you lose something that means a lot.

I know.

When I lost my boy ..

It was months before I had anything in my chest but a big, dry stone.

You've had a great loss, Mr Cassidy.

But I always look at the ..

Mr Cassidy, this bill. What's the matter? Counterfeit?

Is that one of the bills I gave you last night when I cashed your check?

It must be.

Well then, that's one of them. I'm sure of it. It's one of them.

One of what?

One of them ransom bills. From the Roberts kidnapping.

The only one to show up.

I just checked it with the list at my cash register.

I didn't check it when they gave it to me or check it when I gave it to you.

But I checked it now. Just now. Shut up, Vic. Let me see that list.

The first break in the case.

That's what I say. Right on my own cash register.

Would that make a story? Think of it. Right in your own hands.

It's yours, Mr Cassidy.

It's your money and it's your story.

It belongs to you.

Can you keep your mouth shut? Yes sir, I can.

How do I know? I always have, Mr Cassidy.

Who gave you this hundred-dollar bill? Oh, I don't know. I can't think.

I can't think. Think, Vic.

How long before I came in last night? Think, Vic.

Yes, yes. It was about five o'clock last night.

Charlie Daggett gave it to me. He ordered some champagne for a wedding.

He's getting married. I got the address here.

Who's Charlie Daggett?

He has a jewellery store. A kind of a short chap.

He gave me the address of the bride where we are to send the wine.

Alright.

Now, listen. I'm a detective, see?

Very tough.

A blackjack in my pocket, a g*n under my arm.

I've got you in the back room, cornered up against a wall.

Now.

Listen bartender, do you know Mike Cassidy?

Yes, sir.

Was he here last night? Yes. - You talk to him?

I said 'Good evening Mr Cassidy' and he didn't say nothing.

He just set the drinks up and left a short time after.

Okay. And that's it, Vic.

And just that. That's all.

Only to the police. Nothing to anybody else.

Even if my own mother came in here and begged you to tell her all about it.

Even if she fell on her knees, right here on the floor, Vic.

Oh heaven forbid, sir. Well, what would you do?

Oh, I'd pick her up and give her a drink, sir.

Good.

Hello Cassidy. What are you doing here?

I want you to let The Guardian go on publishing, Cooper.

I've got a story that will sell half a million copies a day for weeks.

What story?

I've got the first one of the Roberts ransom bills to show up.

Are you sure? Yes, I'm sure. Now listen, Cooper.

Today is Sunday. The Guardian's an evening paper. We don't publish today.

So if we come out on Monday, we don't miss an issue.

I want you to go on publishing until I can track this down.

Don't be absurd. The Guardian is closed. Let me see that bill.

What you say? You're childish.

Report to Hollis on The Record. Then you can handle the story as you like.

It's worth a bonus to you.

Why spoil The Record by publishing something that's true?

It's either The Record or the police, Cassidy.

Refusing to divulge evidence is a felony.

Why, you sanctimonious .. Joe.

Yes, sir?

You won't get this for The Record.

See that this man doesn't leave here.

Let me speak to the Commissioner of Police.

This is Matthew Cooper.

I'll give you one more chance, Cassidy.

Where did you find that bill?

In an Easter egg.

Hello.

Yes, Michael.

What?

What?

Now listen, Davie. I want you to get down to the paper and stay there.

Keep all of yesterday's pages on the presses except page one.

Because you and I, all alone Davie, will put out one more issue of The Guardian.

Mike, lad .. are you sober?

Now listen, Davie .. very carefully.

I've got one of the Roberts ransom bills.

I'm going to try to track that bill back to the kidnappers.

The only person who saw the kidnapping is a teacher in a private school.

Surrounded by Cops.

I've got to get her out of that school.

Because I need her, to recognise the kidnappers for me.

Goodbye.

Bye.

Goodbye. Bye.

Great kids.

There's a girl in this house. Ellen Frazier.

The only witness to the Roberts kidnapping.

Okay, Lieutenant.

So we were put here to guard Miss Frazier.

Not to play ring-around-a-rosy with these kids.

Here.

These ladies are to be permitted to come into the trusties meeting.

Only these ladies and a lawyer.

More. More what?

More dames.

And don't let hanging around here make you childish.

[ Telephone ]

[ Telephone ]

Answer it, Miss Frazier.

And suppose I won't this time?

It's for your own protection, Miss Frazier.

Well, there is a limit to how much protection I can stand.

Come on.

Hello.

It's another newspaper.

For heaven's sake, if you're to protect me ..

Why can't you keep those fiendish newspapers away?

Look, one of these calls might be a clue to the K*llers, Miss Frazier.

We hope they'll try to thr*aten you.

You hope?

You ..?

Well, I won't stand it any longer.

And I'm going to tell Miss Brendon so right now.

Miss Brendon.

You've been very, very kind, but I'm afraid I'll have to leave.

Now, Ellen dear.

I'm sorry myself.

A girl tries to do her duty as a citizen.

And you refuse to let her have a moment's privacy.

And you keep her practically a prisoner.

Sure. It's for her own good.

Well is it for my own good I can't turn round without finding you under my foot?

Is it for my own good I haven't left this place for weeks?

You are in danger, Miss Frazier. You are the only witness.

Well, witness or no witness, I'm going home to Springfield.

And you can't stop me.

I'm afraid that's impossible.

You mean I can't go?

Well, what can I do then?

Well, you could ..

Now don't blow up at this. It's only a suggestion.

But you can draw your $3.30 a day as a material witness by going into custody.

Into custody?

Go to jail, you mean?

Oh that's just wonderful, Lieutenant.

That's really brilliant.

I have the privatize of going to jail because I happened to see a kidnapping.

Why, just you let me tell you something.

Ellen. Ellen, my dear.

Come in and keep the minutes for us at the trustees meeting.

This meeting concerns you and I want you there.

Mr Moore?

How do you do.

You know, of course, why I've asked you to be here.

Oh good morning. Mr Moore, I believe?

Yes.

How do you do. I'm Miss Brendon. Please sit down.

There has been a sharp difference of opinion.

As to Miss Frazier's continuance in the school.

Needless to say, I am most emphatically in favor of it.

I requested an opinion from our lifelong attorney, Mr Hofstadter.

Unfortunately, Mr Hofstadter is ill.

But he promised to send an opinion through an associate, Mr Moore.

Mr Moore, if you will ..

Miss Brendan.

Ladies.

It will only take me a moment to tell you that mister ..

Hofstadter.

Agrees most emphatically with Miss Brendon.

As does his entire staff, myself included.

I believe I speak for all of us.

I ..

I speak for every father.

For every mother who loves her child. When I say that to ..

Penalise Ellen Frazier.

To selfishly cause her to suffer further.

Is an incredible reward for her ..

Fine act of brave citizenship.

Miss Frazier deserves from us ..

Not our anxiety over a policeman or two in the hallways, but ..

Our most profound gratitude.

Ladies, coffee will served in the music room.

This way please.

I've been wanting to meet you, Miss Frazier.

Thank you.

So many people want to meet me that the police form a daisy-chain round me.

That's too bad.

You didn't have to submit to this treatment.

Didn't I?

I wasn't asked whether I cared to submit.

Miss Frazier, two kinds of people get smacked by the law.

One kind lands on its feet.

The other kind lands on its back and gets walked on.

Really?

And you've got footprints all over your face.

You know, good legal advice would have saved you all this trouble.

I wonder.

Well anyway, it's too late now. Oh, I don't think it is.

No. Not at all.

Judge Sewell - you've heard of him of course - is a friend of mine.

I could take you to his house and get him to issue a temporary injunction.

Then you could go home. And they couldn't bring you back ..

Unless they actually caught the criminals and put them on trial.

Is that true? Yes, Miss Frazier.

Are you sure?

Are you sure I can go home?

Just as sure as .. that I'm a lawyer.

Miss Frazier, I'll have to see you for a moment.

What is it, Lieutenant?

As you know only too well I have no secrets.

They want you down at the county jail.

To stay down there.

They just phoned me.

One of the ransom bills has turned up.

And that means the K*llers may become desperate.

Will you get ready please?

I knew a man once, a material witness ..

Who spent 11 months in a cell while the police sought a holdup man he'd seen.

Eleven ..?

Miss Frazier.

If you can get yourself out of this place I can make you a free woman.

But the police are all over the school.

Can't we get out the back?

Miss Brendon.

Mr Moore has asked me to show him through the school.

Of course, my dear.

This way, Mr Moore.

That's the music room.

This is the dining room.

Miss Brendon's office.

Are you telling me the truth?

I'm going to help you, Miss Frazier.

Fairly easy so far, isn't it?

There is a high iron fence all around the grounds.

[ Dog barking ]

Quiet, Shakespeare.

Shakespeare.

This is the servant's garden.

Oh.

[ Dog barking. Loud ]

How long will you have to stay?

[ Dog barking ]

Quiet, Shakespeare. Quiet.

Olga. Yes, ma'am?

Would you tell the officer Lieutenant Brandt would like to see him right away.

Yes, ma'am.

Hey you, Simmons.

You'd better come on, now. The boss wants to see you.

Maybe he's going to fire you. Yes, what a pity.

Why next time, you tell him to pick out a good-looking fellow.

What?

You want me, Lieutenant? No.

Who said I wanted you? Well ..

Mr Moore, the lawyer.

Mr Moore?

They went out the back.

Come on!

Let me ask you a few questions, Miss Frazier.

About the men you saw.

The kidnappers.

[ Radio music. Loud ]

Driver, will you stop that radio.

I can't.

What?

Some kid has broke the knobs and knocked my vibrator loose.

When I go over a bump it makes contact.

Would you just listen now while I speak my piece?

What?

I said, would you just listen.

To what I have to say.

See what I mean?

I did come down here just to get you away.

Suppose I told you that my name isn't Moore and I'm not a lawyer.

[ Radio music. Loud ]

See. All morning.

I'm a newspaperman. My name is Mike Cassidy.

A newspaperman?

Why you rotten .. Wait, Miss Frazier.

Let me out of this car.

If I hadn't taken you out of that school ..

You'd be on your way to the county jail by now.

What do you want?

That's better.

Now listen. I have the only one of the Roberts ransom bills to show up so far.

I intend to track that bill to the kidnappers.

But I need you or I won't know who they are when I get to them.

You're the only one who's seen them.

Right now, every railroad station, but terminal and airport in this city ..

Is being covered.

Every road leading out of town is being fine-combed.

They are stopping cars in the street.

I don't know if we can get away with this, but we can try.

Now, if you want to rot in a jail cell that's your privilege.

And if you get out of this cab, that's exactly what you'll do.

If I have to turn you in myself.

Where are you taking me?

To a wedding.

Of a gentleman named Charles Daggett.

Who owns a jewellery store. He's getting married today.

He bought some champagne from a bartender.

And he paid for it with this ransom money.

Now, Mr Daggett may be harmless.

But he may also be one of the kidnappers.

One of the men you saw.

We're going to find out.

How do you do? Is Mr Daggett here?

I don't know. Nobody is here.

I was hired only to help with the wedding.

Well the bridegroom? Isn't he here?

Oh him .. yes.

He's upstairs.

We'd like to see him. It's important.

Will you tell him that, please? Yes.

Wait.

That's Mr Daggett the bridegroom isn't it?

Sure, that's him upstairs.

Is that one of the men you saw?

No.

What is it, Gertrude?

Oh.

You're some of his friends, aren't you? That's right.

Can I see Charlie, please? Important.

Important? What is it?

I'm sorry. I can't discuss that with anybody but him.

Is that so? Well.

I'm his intended mother-in-law and anything you have to discuss with him ..

You will tell me .. first.

I'm sorry Mrs Haskins, but this is business.

Well, I should think it very funny if ..

My wife will explain matters to you.

I'm sure I can trust you to explain to Mrs Haskins, my dear.

The very idea.

Talking business to a man at the happiest moment of his life.

Well.

Just go on. Go on.

Tell me where you got the $100 bill.

That's the end of it as far as you're concerned.

You don't want to get mixed up in a kidnapping, do you?

No. No, I don't know anything about it.

I'm getting married. I knew something funny was ..

What's going on here, Charles Daggett? Now, wait a minute.

I remember a doctor's wife gave me it. Did you hear what I said?

I remember because we never got a $100 bill before.

What's wrong, Ma? What did she buy?

Now take it easy, Myra.

A gentleman's cigarette case.

It cost $94. Listen, you little shrimp.

What?

Quiet, please. What was her name?

Lovelake. Mrs Lovelake.

Who's he? A doctor's wife.

A doctor's wife. I remember .. I knew he was up to something.

I want to know who this man and woman are.

What man and woman? You remember what?

Nothing, Myra. You're a liar, Charles.

You remember what? Will you talk, Charlie? Talk.

I couldn't figure out why they came all the way over to the other end of town ..

You stupid little nincompoop. You remember the address?

What did you call me? A stupid little nincompoop.

I must know who he is. You remember the street?

Right now or you're not getting married.

Come on, Daggett. The street?

West Side Boulevard.

Okay, that suits me fine. Just fine.

A stupid little nincompoop, eh? Well, that suits me fine.

I'm tired of your shuffling around you sourpuss old battle-axe.

Yes, and you too!

Hey, wait a minute, you. Open the door. He's got a g*n.

Open the door! Watch out .. what out.

Stop that man! The police want him. Look.

Mrs Lovelake?

Right through, sir.

Who is that?

Doctor Lovelake? Yes.

I'm sorry to intrude.

But it is extremely important that I talk to your wife at once.

Who are you?

Could we step into another room, please?

This gentleman wishes to speak to you, Lydia.

What about?

Will you come this way.

My name is Davis, doctor. I'm from the Treasury Department.

Not the Income Tax, surely? No, no.

The Criminal Bureau.

We're tracing down some counterfeit bills.

Once they begin to show up we must move fast.

Yes?

Among several that showed up during the past week .. was this one.

Which was passed by you, Mrs Lovelake.

A counterfeit bill?

Yes. You recently purchased a cigarette case.

A man's cigarette case from Daggett's Jewelry Store on South Broadway.

You paid for it with this bill. You remember that, of course?

Yes .. yes.

This is the case.

We'll send the man a check for it at once.

You can do what you like about that.

The thing I want to know is, of course, where you got this bill.

From my husband.

Yes .. on Thursday.

It was the gesture of a too-generous patient.

We were at dinner .. when a colored man.

A well-dressed gentleman was brought in here by two others.

He had a lacerated shoulder.

Obviously the work of a Kn*fe.

However, as my questions remained unanswered.

I dressed the shoulder.

I did manage to note his name.

That was very shrewd of you, doctor.

May I have that name, please? Most certainly.

James Alley.

"A-L-L-E-Y". James Alley. The 'Alley Cat'.

You know the man?

Yes, I've heard of him. I know who he is, doctor.

If you don't need me, my guests .. Don't go, dear.

Mrs Lovelake persuaded me not to inform the police.

She was afraid that Mr Alley or 'Alley Cat', might be displeased.

Before they left.

He said to one of his men.

Give the Doc a "C".

Yes, that was: Give the Doc a "C".

Yes, that's short for a century. A hundred dollars, that is.

Thank you, Doctor Lovelake. Mrs Lovelake.

That's all I need. I shan't disturb you any longer.

You can find your way out? Oh yes, doctor.

Goodnight.

You bought that case for him.

You promised me, Liddy.

You promised me six months ago that you'd give him up.

He's not a man.

He's a 'thing'.

Living off you.

I've asked you to let me go. Why don't you?

Why don't you get rid of me?

Perhaps I will, Liddy.

Perhaps I will ..

Is that him? Yes.

Would you pay the taxi dear, before I'm arrested for four dollars?

I'm sorry about this, sir.

But I ain't going to get stuck twice in the same week.

I had a bunch of kids kicking my car apart.

Not in one week.

Is that enough?

Sure. Thanks.

Keep the change. Okay.

Okay? Okay.

I hated to do this, Miss.

You're a bright girl, Miss Frazier. I told you couldn't get away.

Oh I know. When I got into the cab we stopped at an intersection ..

And the newsboys were selling extras about me. I knew you were right.

So I got out. But when I went to pay the cab driver I didn't have any money.

He saw that.

So I got in again and went back to the house that you called on ..

Then a man left the house. I recognised him from the picture. It was Mr Daggett.

And he said you were here and he was awfully angry.

Please don't walk so fast.

I didn't know what I'd do if you weren't here.

Then my skin began to creep.

I thought there was a car following us.

And I kept looking back all the time and then the ..

Driver became more and more suspicious.

And he stopped on the corner and asked a policeman to help him get his money.

And the policeman asked me some questions and I told him my ..

My husband would pay.

But the driver asked the policeman to come with us anyway.

You are good and frightened aren't you Miss Frazier.

Yes. Yes, I am.

I haven't anywhere to go.

And they're looking for me.

Please don't leave me alone.

They're looking for both of us.

Oh, but please don't leave me alone.

I'm going to send you to a friend of mine.

His name is Davie Bryant. He's in The Guardian building on 12th Street.

You'll be safe there until I come for you.

But you said you needed me and that's why you'd help me.

Here, you take this.

And don't take a cab.

Take the subway.

Listen.

Did you tell the police that the kidnappers were colored men?

No. No, they weren't.

Are you positive? Yes.

Alright, you go that way.

The subway.

Remember. 12th Street. The Guardian building, 7th floor.

Davie Bryant. Remember? Yes.

And when I've reached who I think we're looking for, I'll come and get you.

Alright.

Keep your face hidden.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Get in this car.

Get in.

Yes?

Jim Alley inside?

Upstairs, yeah. First floor.

What do you want?

I want to talk to The Cat.

About a proposition I've got for him.

For Jim?

A proposition for Jim?

You can talk to him .. and if hears you mister, you're a good man.

He my boy.

He my boy.

He my boy.

What did you want from Jim?

I was going to ask him something. It doesn't matter now.

No.

It don't.

He ain't going to answer you now, mister.

Can't that woman shut up yet?

Making them noises is driving me crazy.

Now wait, Ruby. That's the boy's own mama.

I don't care if it's his grand-mama, she can't make them noises.

I'm his married wife, ain't I?

What did she do for him? What did you do for him?

What did anybody do for him, but Ruby?

If not for me, he wouldn't be wearing the clothes he's buried in.

And I ain't making no noises.

Am I?

Am I? Shame.

Shame .. there are dead in here.

Screaming and fighting in the house of the dead.

I've got to go now, sister Alley.

He's my boy.

He's my boy.

I'd do anything for Jim.

You know that, Belle.

He's my boy.

He's my boy.

He's my boy.

Ruby sure acting like she's sorry The Cat gone.

I dreamed of three fours: 4-4-4. See?

I believe it, just like that.

And if it come again, I'm going to believe ..

He was a good boy.

He sure was a coming ..

His left was bad.

But I fixed that.

I was on the go and didn't read about it.

How was he k*lled?

He was run over by a car.

That's too bad.

Well ..

I'll just say goodbye to Ruby.

He's my boy.

Ruby.

I want to talk to you for a minute.

Excuse me.

Ruby. Jim didn't make much fighting, did he?

No.

I talked to a doctor just now who treated Jim for a Kn*fe wound.

I didn't tell you that.

I don't know nothing about that. He was k*lled by a car.

That's a good way too, if you can't s*ab a man in the back.

Listen, Ruby .. I don't know and I don't care who was sore at Jim.

That, I'll let the cops worry about. Mister, please keep your mouth shut.

What sort of a bad racket was Jim in on the side?

You're afraid of the boys that k*lled Jim, aren't you Ruby.

They tried to get him before, didn't they?

Jim gave that doctor that fixed him this hundred-dollar bill.

I don't know nothing about that.

You can tell that to the cops.

Sooner or later ..

They'll get you in a little room downtown and close the door.

Just you and the Cops.

What do you want?

Where did Jim get this?

I gave it to him.

You?

I'd swear it.

I gave him everything I got.

Where did you get it?

I work for Miss Lorna Travers. I'm her personal maid.

A friend of Miss Lorna's gave it to me last Wednesday. That's the truth.

He gave you this hundred-dollar bill? Yes.

Who was he?

I don't know. He was some big man, I guess.

He gave it to me and he said:

Ruby, take good care of Miss Travers and you'll get one more like this Christmas.

Maybe Jim was in some kind of racket.

I don't know.

I don't know why they k*lled him.

He was always needing money and I gave him everything I got.

I loved Jim.

And I tried to hold him.

Now he's dead.

You'll forget about it, Ruby.

You won't be in any trouble.

Hey, Mike.

What's all this stuff in the papers about you disappearing?

Come over here .. I don't want to be caught by a sandbag.

Yeah, but these fellahs are supposed to be looking for you.

Marty.

Do you remember the time I got you out of a jam in Atlantic City?

Oh, don't talk about it.

The place is crawling with Coppers.

I get it.

Miss Travers has a nice voice.

You her agent, Marty?

A nice voice and a nice heart, like Grant's tomb.

No, I don't handle her.

Anyway Mike, what are you doing back here?

The Commissioner wants to see me.

Now ..

What about a knockdown on Miss Travers?

Uhuh.

I'll forget all about Atlantic City if you'll forget my name is Cassidy.

I'm on the loose.

This is a police show.

Introduce me as a visiting Copper.

Only important, from Washington maybe.

Yeah but Mike, I ..

Listen to that gal.

Very fine, Lorna. Very fine.

Smooth and a heart like a banana split. Look out.

Lorna. Honey.

How do you do, Mr Ranford.

Arthur Ranford. The original.

I explained to Lorna about your visiting the Commissioner.

And first thing, asking to meet her.

Be careful, Lorna. You got a real Copper. And a heart as big as a morgue.

Your name couldn't possibly be Ranford, could it?

I'm afraid little Marty is still a burlesque comedian.

That's right, Miss Travers.

But I did come here to speak to you.

Really?

Could we go in to your dressing-room please?

What for?

Please.

Alright.

You were great, Lorna, great.

What is it you want to speak to me about?

This is a federal matter, Miss Travers.

Kidnapping. What?

Here is a $100 bill, Miss Travers.

It's part of the Roberts ransom money.

A friend of yours whom you saw last Wednesday had this bill.

What friend? I have no friend who .. Please, let's no waste time.

Ordinarily we wouldn't tell you this.

But there is no time to place you under surveillance.

24 hours from now may be too late.

[ Door knocks ]

What's the name of the man, Miss Travers?

Yes? Captain Hendricks.

The Commissioner wants to thank you personally, Miss Travers.

Is the Commissioner here? May I bring him now?

Give me a minute to chance, please. Certainly, Miss Travers. Forgive me.

Why shouldn't I tell the Commissioner about this at once?

You'll have to .. if you don't tell me.

The Commissioner's first move will be to take you and your pal to headquarters.

All I'm interested in is the man's name.

You can tell me or you can tell the Commissioner.

That and everything else he can think of to ask you.

That's your choice, Miss Travers.

My maid didn't appear tonight.

Has that any connection with this? Not the slightest.

Your maid Ruby was married to a prize-fighter named Alley.

Who was run over and k*lled by a car yesterday.

Yes.

Yes, that's right.

What is the name, Miss Travers?

Hello, Davie?

Yes, Mike .. where are you?

I did what you said.

Is the girl alright?

"Is who alright?"

The girl I sent down there to you.

Mike lad, are you sober? There is no-one here at all.

But she must be. She's there some place.

Look for her, Davie. She must be hiding some place.

Hiding? Who?

What are you talking about?

For heaven's sake Mike, what's it all about?

What's the story?

"For the Extra."

"Mike .. Mike."

[ Ellen Frazier: ]

"And then I thought there was a car following."

"And I kept looking back."

"Please don't leave me alone."

"Please."

"I've nowhere to go."

"And they're looking for me."

"Please don't leave me alone."

So you're giving up?

Give me the bill.

Where's the Frazier girl?

I don't know.

What happened after you took her out of the school?

I lost her.

You're stupid, Cassidy. Stupid.

You've obstructed justice, lost a good job and a big bonus.

I know.

What did you come here to see me about?

Help.

The girl is in trouble.

Maybe dead by now.

Well, I'm sorry.

I offered to help you once, but it's too late to do anything about it now.

Why turn me in?

I'm going to let Hollis turn you in.

I don't want any part of it.

You tell Hollis everything you know and I'll see what I can do for you.

That's swell.

Mr Hollis .. Mr Cooper calling.

You're a stubborn ass, Cassidy.

How far did you get with this bill?

Pretty far.

I tracked it to Lorna Travers apartment.

You know, the singer.

Wait a minute, Jim.

Lorna Travers.

Where did you get that bill, Cooper?

Why, you're insane, Cassidy.

I only saw Miss Travers once.

On a business matter. Stop it.

You gave her colored maid that bill.

Where'd you get it?

You know, if I was sure that Ellen Frazier was dead, I'd stop right here.

Just for the pleasure of seeing what The Record would do about you.

Hollis is a good newspaperman. Let me talk to him.

I'll call you back.

A hundred-dollar bill.

That you gave Lorna Travers' maid.

The maid gave it to her boyfriend.

A prize-fighter who was stabbed in some sort of a row last week ..

And was finally k*lled yesterday.

And the boyfriend gave it to a West Side Boulevard society doctor of all people.

If it has to be you at the end of the trail, Cooper.

If we finish right here, it's alright with me.

That slightly green face of yours will look pretty with news print all over it.

You can't blackmail me, Cassidy.

Put your eyes back in their sockets.

I'll tell you when I'm ready to blackmail you.

Where did you get this bill?

Come on Cooper, come on. Think back. Where did you get it?

Well, it must have been the night ..

Wednesday.

At the gambling house.

Arnos .. yes, that's it.

I won.

I gave the maid the bill. Arnos?

You sure it was Arnos? I'm positive.

You've got to go on with this, Cassidy. Let me help you.

Mike Cassidy.

Hello, Mr Cassidy. Hiya, Nick.

Glad to see you.

Mr Cassidy of The Guardian.

Just a moment, please.

Hello Mike.

Come in.

Hello Arno.

I know you didn't want to go in to the gambling room.

I'm on the loose.

That's what I read.

Drink? Alright.

Old Timer, straight?

Thanks.

I never forget what a friend likes.

Somebody has played you a dirty trick, Arno.

That's my business Mike, all day long.

Yeah, but not this.

Whoever it was.

Passed you some of that Roberts ransom money.

Now my problem is to try to find out who it might have been.

It was taken out of here on Wednesday night.

Are you sure, Mike?

You know, we don't get stuck with hot money.

Why not?

When you buy chips from my cashier.

He examines your money very carefully.

Then one of my boys checks it again.

Yeah, but when a cashier pays off a winner ..

Couldn't he pay him off in hot money?

Deliberately. Money he took out of his own pocket.

Sure. Easy.

That's why I don't take chances, Mike.

The cashier is my own brother.

Phil.

Wednesday night.

Let me think.

Come out here. I want to show you some new ones.

What Lulus.

Beautiful.

You remember? Uhuh.

I've got one here from Lisbon.

Portugal, Mike.

It took me a year. Look .. beautiful?

See how it comes to me .. it tweets.

How about it?

Beautiful, Arno.

Well listen, this other thing. I know, I know.

I've got one idea, Mike.

Wednesday night, a couple of boys ..

I wouldn't have let them in myself. But I was in here with the birds.

They don't like to bother me in here.

A couple of boys from the old Gantley mob. You remember?

Yeah.

A young fellah, Nevis.

And somebody a little older. I don't know his name.

I went inside about one o'clock.

I think they played the dice.

Maybe I only imagined that.

But as you know, sometimes a man will take out cash when he makes a big bet.

And it can change hands very rapidly among the players personally.

I wish you could be in here sometimes when they all sing together.

Beautiful.

Where would I find those boys, Arno?

Ah, not so fast. If I thought you'd go yourself, I wouldn't tell you.

I can't call any cops. No?

No. That's right.

The reason you're on the lam. It all ties up.

Right.

Fritz.

Who won the money?

Cooper, the boss. Cooper, eh?

Mr Cooper, Fritz. Mr Matthew Cooper.

When did he play here last?

Wednesday night.

What table. Dice.

Did he win?

Three thousand. A little more.

Where are those boys? Now wait, Mike.

At least let me send somebody with you.

I don't want you to get hurt.

Fine, thanks.

Where would I find this Nevis and the other one?

I don't know myself.

Up on the north side some place. But my boys will know.

Fritz, tell Alec and Cammy to wait for Mr Cassidy in the car.

He's going up to the north side to look for two of the Gantley boys.

Nevis, and who was the other fellow who was in her with him?

Frankie Lewis.

Alright, Fritz. Thank you.

Bad boys, Mike.

Bad.

Mike.

I still think you ought to call the cops.

Thanks, Arno.

Thank you. Where will I find the car?

Right outside. It will be in the driveway in a minute.

Don't get hurt, Mike.

Good luck.

So, you were in on the Roberts kidnapping after all, my brother?

I just sent a pretty good guy up to see your friends, Nevis and Lewis.

I gave Fritz the sign to call them and tell them to watch out for this guy.

Mike Cassidy.

A smart fellow.

I sent him up there to be rubbed out ..

So you won't go to the chair, my brother.

You'd better get up there and join your pals.

And don't come back.

I never want to see you again, Phil ..

As long as you live.

Let me do the talking.

Okay, but I'd better go in first.

Listen. I'm Phil Arno.

My brother didn't know anything about this, see.

Did you understand what I'm saying?

But he knows if I get caught, I go to the chair, see.

I didn't have anything to do with this.

No. They gave me fifty percent for passing the dough.

Now listen.

Where is the girl? Right there.

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

I'll make a deal with you.

I don't want to k*ll anybody, see.

No. I'm on your side.

But if we're to get out of this jam ..

You've got to help me. I'll help you.

Cut my hands loose.

Can they burn me?

I won't let them, Phil.

Don't forget I've got a newspaper. Sure, sure.

Have you got a g*n? I've got nothing.

There is nothing back here.

Alright.

Start on the girl.

Where are we going?

They said to a dock near the Morristown bridge.

It's muddy and quicksand on the bottom.

They used it before, they said.

If he looks back, we're though. Shut up.

Stay on your feet, Ellen.

Hold on to the side here.

He'll have to slow down around the curves in this fog.

I'm going to squeeze you through here.

When I tell you to jump, just let go. Drop.

Hold your body very loosely.

Don't be afraid now. Out you go.

I've got you.

Now then .. drop!

Ellen.

Ellen, are you alright? I'm alright. You?

Swell.

My leg.

Quick.

Come on.

The bridge.

Turn around .. turn around.

We'll get 'em.

That's wire. They didn't go through that.

There they are .. pull up.

Get down.

Get up out of there.

Get up.

Get up.

Get up.

On your feet.

Get over there in the light.

Wave to him to come on over here.

Go on, wave.

Alright. Get back.

What's your pal's name? Frankie Lewis?

Okay, if he speaks you sing out: 'Back here, Frankie', and that's all.

He hasn't made a sound.

One of those sh*ts must have .. Hey, Joe.

Yeah, Frankie?

Where are you, Joe?

Back here.

Stick 'em up, Frankie.

Now back up. Come on, move.

Ellen.

Get over there behind Frankie and take his g*n away from him.

Look under his armpit.

That's the girl. Let me have it.

Oh, I can handle a g*n very well.

That's fine, Ellen.

Alright, you two. Pick him up.

Go on, pick him up.

Okay, off we go to the truck.

Where Miss Frazier will demonstrate some plain and fancy taping. Come on, move.

Ellen, pick up a phone book and find Dr Gordon Stewart.

Tell him I said get down here as fast as he can.

He's ..

He's dead.

You heard me, Davie. Quick, call Doc Stewart.

Ellen, honey.

Ellen.

Take a little of this.

I'm sorry, I ..

He'll be right here.

You ready, Davie? Ready for what?

Ready? What do we do here?

Yes, Mike. I've been ready all night.

Two columns, 12 by 4. Copyright 1939 to The Guardian.

All rights to republication reserved.

An 18-point exclusive in caps. Sit down, Davie.

You ready? Sure.

The perpetrators of the brutal Roberts kidnapping.

Were caught early today.

Tracked down and caught by The Evening Guardian.

Paragraph.

Are you ready, Mike? Ready, Davie.

Let her roll, Mike?

Let her roll!

But I owe you my life.

If you hadn't come after me ..? Forget it.

I came after you for the same reason I almost made you lose your life.

For the paper.

Well .. I suppose I'd better take you back to school, teacher.

School? Oh, no.

What I wanted to ask you about was .. well ..

About a job.

Do you think I might? A job?

Is that all?

Then you will?

Why, of course.

Oh, wait a minute.

I remembered, I can't very well promise you a job. I'm out of a job myself.

I wanted The Guardian to go out in a blaze of glory.

Well it has.

It's all over now.

The Guardian is closed.

Just stay back, wait a minute. Back.

I'm Matthew Cooper.

That's just lovely. Come on, get ..

Just a minute, officer.

Well, Mr Cooper.

I'm certainly glad to meet you.

My name is Mary Anderson.

I've been on The Guardian for over fifty years.

And now is the first time I've ever been ashamed of anything connected with it.

And I mean .. you.

Now listen to me, young man.

You'd better not go upstairs if you know what's good for you.

You'd better run away some place and hide your head.

Don't shove her like that. Wait a minute, let me help you.

I don't need your help .. thank you.

We can help ourselves on The Guardian. Now wait, Miss ..

Anderson. Mary Anderson.

You see these people? Miss Anderson, let me say ..

We are the biggest newspaper in the country today.

And you're going to close it?

Miss Anderson, will you tell Mr Cassidy ..

No .. I will not.

You tell him yourself and I hope he'll .. he'll ..

Knock your block off.

Even if you tell him that I've no intention of ever closing The Guardian?

That I congratulate him for a magnificent job?

What ..? You mean ..?

You mean ..? Oh ..

Out of my way, flatfoot.

Quiet .. quiet!

I am sorry to interrupt. May I come in, Mr Cassidy?

Quiet! Listen.

Come in, Miss Mary.

Michael. I mean, Mr Cassidy.

I met him down there in the street.

I have some news for you.

Who, Miss Mary? He told me to tell you that ..

Who?

0h, Mister ..

I just got word from Cooper.

That The Guardian will never close.

That's it.