01x18 - The Case of the Cautious Coquette

[bunniefuu]

( suspenseful theme playing)

( noirish jazz theme playing)

( up-tempo theme playing)

(doorbell buzzes)

Who is it?

Who is it?!

You know who it is.

Harry.

You forgot to say
"come in," Elaine.

That's bad manners.

(scoffs)

Teach me manners, Harry.

Do that, will you?

Oh, relax, honey.

I didn't come here to fight.

I know what you came for.

I don't have any money.

With all that dough
you make as a model?

I've got bills to pay.

That's simple.

Turn them over to
Mr. Ross Hollister.

(scoffs)

You would think that.

Why not? He wants to
marry you, doesn't he?

(chuckles)

That ought to be worth
a little something to him.

Get out.

(sighs)

Do you want me
to go to Hollister?

If you ever talk
to him, I'll k*ll you.

I mean that, Harry.

k*ll your own husband,
your own ever-loving...

That was all over
five years ago.

(chuckles)

I made a mistake.

(chuckles): You made a few.

You walked out on me.
Now, that's desertion.

I know. You've told
me often enough.

Why can't you call
an end to it now

and let me have a divorce?

Why, sure, honey.

I'd go to Vegas
myself, but, uh...

It takes money.

Do you think if I had it,

I'd give it to you?

Well... Did Hollister
give you this?

No. Huh?

That oughta be
worth a grand, at least.

Yes, sir.

There's the first
two weeks in Vegas.

That leaves you four to go.

When you die, Harry,

I know exactly who'll
be at your funeral.

You.

(chuckles)

Well, I guess I never did
win any popularity contests.

But no one can ever
say I wasn't a patient man.

This is Monday.

I'll give you a week, Elaine.

One week.

Make the most of it.

( ominous theme playing)

( ominous theme
swells dramatically)

( mellow jazz theme playing)

(sighs) You quitter.

Come on back in,
Elaine. You hardly got wet.

Oh, I've had enough
for today, Ross.

I have a slight headache.

You've had a slight
headache for days.

What's bothering you, honey?

Bothering me?

W...

Well, nothing.

Come on. Can't you tell me?

(sighs)

Really, darling, I
haven't the slightest idea

what you're talking about.

Anybody home?

I would have knocked,
but I couldn't find a door.

Sheila!

Come on in.

How about a swim? Oh, no thanks.

I'm the working member
of this firm, remember?

I just came from the office.

Hello, Elaine.

I hope you'll forgive me,

but since Ross is
leaving town tomorrow,

I thought I'd better drop by

and pick up the company
books he was working on.

Oh, don't hate me, Sheila,

but I completely
forgot about them.

It's perfectly understandable.

ROSS: Look, I'll go
over them tonight,

and then I'll drop the
books and my report

by your place in the morning.

But that'll be taking you
miles out of your way.

Why don't you drop them
by Elaine's tomorrow morning,

and I'll pick them up from her.

I'll be in Hollywood anyway.

Would you mind, dear?

Oh, of course not.

But I have to be
at work very early,

so I... I'll give you my key.

I have an extra one.

And I'll leave it
under the mat for you.

That's good enough.

Oh, incidentally, Ross,

this came for you in
the mail this morning.

Oh.

Thanks.

Well, you have a good trip.

I'll see you in two weeks.

Make lots of money for us.

Bye, dear.

Bye.

(sighs)

She always manages
to find some excuse

to drop by, doesn't she?

Darling, you really don't think

that Sheila's interested in me?

Well, when an attractive
widow takes a good-looking man

and makes him one of
her business partners,

she...

Oh, I... I'm sorry, Ross.

I'm making noises
like a jealous female.

What are we waiting for?

Let's get married tonight.

We can fly up to Vegas and...

No.

But you've been
saying no for months.

Elaine, I don't understand you.

One second you're jealous,
and then the next you're...

Where's your ring?

Oh, I-I left it at home.
It... It's been slipping off.

(chuckles)

Darling, it's getting late,

and you have an
awful lot of work to do.

I better get dressed.

"This is to inform you

"that we have finally
identified the man

"who has been visiting Ms.
Elaine Barton at her apartment.

"His name is Harry Pitkin.

"We hope to have
additional information for you

in our next report."

( dialing)

Hello, Elaine?

(chuckles)

Well, guess who this is.

Oh, now, sweetie,
that's no way to talk.

You know, your week is up.

I know, Harry, but I told
you I haven't got any money.

I've got bills to pay.

Well, just to prove I'm
not such a bad guy after all,

I'll tell you what I'll do.

I'll give you
another couple days.

If you don't have
the dough by then,

I'm gonna sit me down
with Mr. Ross Hollister

when he gets back,

and guess what we're
going to talk about...

Special delivery. It just came.

You didn't open it.

I didn't dare.

I see what you mean.

Isn't she the bold one.

It's an answer to our
ad in yesterday's paper.

Did she see the Bob
Finchley accident?

"Dear Mr. Mason,

"this is an answer

"to your advertisement
in the Chronicle.

"If you're interested
in locating a person

"who witnessed the
hit-and-run accident

"in which a client
of yours was injured

"on Monday, May 3rd, at 10 p.m.,

"the party you want
is Elaine Barton,

"who lives at 719 Fairmont.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Barton
cannot get in touch with you

"at this time.

"However, you'll find
the license number

"of the hit-and-run car

"inside the back cover of
the notebook in her desk.

"Since Elaine is rarely at home,

"I am enclosing a
key to her apartment.

A friend."

Call the Drake Detective Agency.

Have Paul stand by.

We may need to have a
license number checked.

You aren't going
to use that key?

Why not? It looks like a trap.

Yeah, it has all the earmarks.

Well, you're not
gonna walk right into it?

What else is a trap for?

( ominous theme playing)

(buzzes)

(buzzes)

Just a minute.

Ms. Barton? Yes?

My name is Mason. Perry Mason.

Perry Mason?

May I come in?

Well, you'll forgive
the way I look.

I'm not used to having
famous lawyers turn up

in my apartment at this hour.

I'm sorry I awakened you.

(yawning): It's all right.

Oh, I guess I'm
still half-asleep.

Will you excuse me a minute?

Of course.

I wanna put some
water on for the coffee.

I'll be right back.

(sighs)

Now, what can I do for you?

Don't you know?

No.

Didn't you see this ad
in yesterday's paper?

"Five hundred dollars' reward. If the party
who witnessed the hit-and-run accident

"at the intersection of
Hickman and Vermesillo Drive

"around 10 p.m. on
Monday, the third,

will communicate with
the office of Perry Mason."

This doesn't mean a thing.

I assumed that you
were that witness.

Obviously, I was misinformed.

Obviously.

That's too bad.

A client of mine, a young
fellow named Robert Finchley,

was badly hurt.

Well.

Oh, uh...

Just for the record,

would you mind telling me
where you were that night?

That was a week ago Monday?

That's right.

Well, I had dinner with a
friend named Ross Hollister.

By 8:00 I was back here.

Then this whole thing is a
case of mistaken identity.

Got both of us out
of bed too early.

I haven't even had
my morning coffee yet.

Would you like to join me?

You sure it isn't
too much trouble?

Not a bit.

ELAINE: I hope you
like instant coffee.

Fine.

Do you take cream or sugar?

No, thanks.

Here we go.

Thank you.

Mr. Mason, I don't know
who gave you my name,

but, well, frankly,
I'm delighted.

I need a lawyer. Are
you very expensive?

Very.

I'm not joking.

I need your help.

I'm being blackmailed.

And I thought, well,
if someone like you

could go and talk to this man,

maybe you could
frighten him off.

What do you think?

I think you're an excellent
actress, Ms. Barton.

Thank you for the
fine performance.

And thank you for the coffee.

It was good too.

I don't understand, Mr. Mason.

I... I stood on that corner
for at least 20 minutes.

I didn't see a soul.

And from the way you
describe this Elaine Barton,

I would have noticed her.

There's always the chance

she came along as
you crossed the street.

Yeah, I suppose so.

When that car sent me flying,

I wasn't in a mood
to notice anything.

I gotta get out of here.
I've got a mother to support.

Don't worry about it, Bob.

I do worry. I have
exactly $76.41 in the bank.

That's hardly
enough to retire on.

(phone rings) (chuckles)

I'll get it.

Hello?

This is Paul Drake.

I'd like to speak to
Mr. Mason, please.

Oh, Perry, good.

I'm down at the license bureau.

JPE-098 is registered
to Stephen Argyle,

4225 Rosslyn Lane.

4225 Rosslyn Lane.

Good work, Paul.

You check out his
insurance company.

I'll attend to Mr. Argyle.

Get some sleep, young fellow.

I'll be in touch with you.

Thanks, Mr. Mason.

( dramatic theme playing)

Well, don't misunderstand
me, Mr. Mason.

I am flattered by your call.

But you're puzzled

by the reason for it? Yes.

Your car was involved
in a hit-run accident

on Monday night,
May 3rd, at 10:00.

I beg your pardon.

There was a witness, Mr. Argyle.

We have your license number.

Oh, that's impossible.

Last Monday evening I was
at the Broadmoor Country Club.

Around 8:30 I
called my chauffeur

and asked him
to bring the car by.

He parked it in the
driveway and returned home.

I didn't leave the
club until, oh, after 11.

Would you arrange for
me to see your chauffeur?

Of course.

Oh, would you come
up to the study, please.

I imagine you're
representing the injured party.

His name is Robert Finchley.

I hope he wasn't seriously hurt.

He has a broken hip.

He'll be in the General
Hospital for at least a month.

Oh, what a pity. (knock on door)

Come in.

You wanted me, Mr. Argyle?

Mr. Mason, my
chauffeur, Harry Pitkin.

How do you do?

How do you do?

ARGYLE: Mr. Mason would like

to ask you a few
questions. Sure.

You drove Mr. Argyle's
car last Monday night?

Yeah. I took it to
the club around 9:00.

Left it there.

How did you get home?

Took the bus.

Say, what's this all about?

Oh, Mr. Mason thinks
my car was involved

in a hit-and-run accident at 10.

Oh, no, sir. That's...
That's impossible.

How did the right front
fender become damaged?

Oh. I was, uh,
parked on the street

in Beverly Hills a
couple of days ago.

I just stopped
off for an errand.

When I got back, I
found the car that way.

Mr. Argyle, did you ever hear
of a girl named Elaine Barton?

ARGYLE: Elaine Barton?

I don't think so.

Well, I'm sorry to have
taken up so much of your time.

Oh, not at all. I wish I
could have been more help.

If you think of anything,
get in touch with me.

Of course.

Perhaps I should
leave one with you too.

Thank you.

( dramatic theme playing)

( dramatic theme playing)

Hi, Pat. Hello, Harry.

How's the world treating ya?

Swell. You? Okay.

Hey, where's Mr. Argyle?

Oh, he's home.

Ah, he sure is a swell guy.

Ha-ha. He's the
salt of the earth.

Say, Pat, uh...

Do you remember Monday,
uh, you were mentioning to him

about your rheumatism acting up?

(chuckles)

Mr. Argyle wasn't
here Monday night.

(laughs)

Well, then how would the boss
know about your rheumatism?

I'm always complaining.

Well, he wanted
you to have this.

It's a new medicine.

Did wonders for
the boss's arthritis.

Ah, that's awful nice of him.

That's what I've
been telling ya.

He's a great guy.

You better look
in the bag again.

A hundred bucks.

(chuckles)

Just a little present.

You better spend it
on a memory course.

You need one if
you don't remember

Mr. Argyle being
here Monday night.

Now, who said he wasn't?

(chuckles)

It all comes back
to you now, huh?

Sure.

Like it happened
five minutes ago.

I remember Mr. Argyle
arriving about, uh...

Six thirty.

He didn't leave till after 11.

I dropped the car
off here for him at 9.

That's just what
I was gonna say.

(chuckles)

See ya.

( dramatic theme playing)

And when we received this call
from the Drake Detective Agency,

inquiring about your
automobile insurance,

well, naturally,
we were disturbed.

We made some
inquiries of our own.

Now, see here,
Mr. Bates... Oh, no, no.

There's no reason to
get upset, Mr. Argyle.

Let's try to maintain
a little perspective.

Do you realize what this
accident could cost my company?

Do you realize what
it could cost me?

I could go to jail.

Exactly.

You could go to jail.

You see, we both have
a good deal to lose.

How do you think it
would look to a jury

if Perry Mason proved...

your chauffeur, Pitkin,

tipped the doorman at
the Broadmoor $100?

Well.

Mr. Argyle,

I'm gonna lay my
cards on the table.

Now, I've got an
angle on this thing

that could make
both of us look good,

but my company
must never find out.

Can I trust you?

Of course.

Good.

(chuckles)

We're gonna settle
this thing out of court.

I don't know if I should sign.

I wish Mr. Mason were here.

Well, I'm sure Mason would never
turn down a $2,500 settlement.

I think the insurance company

is being very
generous, Mr. Bates.

Well, we try to be fair.

And I'm ready to add my
personal check for $1,000 more.

What?

Just to get this
thing out of the way.

Well, that's $3,500,
Mr. Finchley.

And all you gotta do

is just put the old John
Hancock right there.

I don't know if I
should, Mr. Bates.

Well, if you're so rich

that you can afford to
throw away $3,500...

And take your
chance with a jury.

Thirty-five hundred dollars.

No, I'll be talking to you.

You know, there's something

about insurance
adjusters like Bates.

They're so dependable.

You can always rely on them
to stick a Kn*fe in your back.

What would happen if
you called his company?

I did that.

They have no more
use for him than I have,

but what could they do?

He came in waving Bob
Finchley's signed release.

(buzzes)

Yes, Gertie?

Elaine Barton.

No.

Uh, Gertie, t-tell Ms. Bar...

Wait, wait.

Put her on, Gertie.

Hello?

Well, this is a surprise.
What can I do for you?

Oh, no, I'm sorry.
I couldn't possibly.

I have a dinner date tonight.

I know, but...

All right, I'll...
I'll be there at 8.

( suspenseful theme playing)

(doorbell buzzes)

(sighs) You're late.

I thought you'd forgive me
under the circumstances.

A little gift from
a grateful client.

What's this for?

Don't you think it's about
time we ended this farce?

You were a witness to that
hit-run accident on May 3rd.

No, I wasn't.

Then how do you explain

my finding the license number

in your address book?

Next to the back cover.

I didn't write this.

You know Stephen Argyle?

He's Harry's boss.

Harry?

Harry Pitkin.

Let's go from the beginning.

Now, why did you call me?

I told you I was in trouble.

What do you call trouble?

( dramatic theme playing)

Harry Pitkin, isn't it?

Yes.

He's my husband.

That your g*n?

You are in trouble.

(dialing)

Homicide?

Lieutenant Tragg, please.

Is this your g*n, Mrs. Pitkin?

What?

Oh, I'm terribly sorry.

I understood the victim
was your husband.

Then you are Mrs. Pitkin?

Yes.

And this is your g*n?

Would you like to tell
me how it happened?

I don't know, lieutenant.

I went out for a
walk about 4:00.

I left the front door open.

When I came back he was there.

Yes, of course.

How did you and your
husband get along?

I wouldn't answer
that if I were you.

You representing the lady?

No, I just... Yes, I am.

I'm afraid I'll have to ask
you to come downtown.

I'll get my coat.

Yes, I'd pack a bag too.

( dramatic theme playing)

MAN: No, there's no
question about it, lieutenant,

the b*llet came from this g*n.

Um, what about fingerprints?

Mrs. Pitkin's.

That all?

No, there's a right
forefinger on here too.

Yeah, it looks
like a man's, huh?

Are you sure it isn't Pitkin's?

Positive.

I don't like this.

We got a beautiful
case against this gal.

I'd hate to lose it

because of a fingerprint
that we can't account for.

Run it down.

(playing solemn organ music)

What is it, Jimmy?

Excuse me, sir, there's
a Mr. Mason to see you.

Tell him... I've gone to bed.

MASON: He wouldn't believe it.

Good evening.

All right, Jimmy.

I suppose I should apologize,

but, frankly, I just didn't
feel up to seeing you tonight.

I shouldn't wonder.

Now, look, Mason,

I've done nothing
I'm ashamed of.

You're very
fortunate, Mr. Argyle.

Most of us have a conscience.

I don't like that insinuation.

Everything considered,

I think it was a pretty
handsome settlement.

A b*llet in the head?

What are you talking about?

I was referring to your
client Robert Finchley.

I was referring to your
chauffeur, Harry Pitkin.

He was m*rder*d this afternoon.

I don't believe it.

You care to check
with the police?

Well, who did it?

Right now, they're inclined
to suspect Elaine Barton.

Elaine Barton.

Didn't you mention
that name before?

Her legal name is Elaine Pitkin.

She was his wife.

I didn't know he was married.

Apparently there was more
profit in keeping it secret.

Now, when was the
last time you saw him?

Last night.

This was his day off.

Thank you.

I believe the last time I was
here, I gave you my card.

I'm still at the same address.

( dramatic theme playing)

Did, uh, Pitkin
ever mention a man

by the name of Joe Raymond?

No.

They roomed together.

Did he ever mention
any other name?

What did you two talk about?

Money.

That's all he ever wanted.

Where did you get
the ring you gave him?

The police found the
pawn ticket for it in his room.

Now, who gave you that ring?

Ross Hollister.

Ross Hollister.

Did Hollister know
you were married?

No.

Where can I find him?

I don't know. He's out of town.

Have you heard from him
since you've been in here?

How do you explain that?

He hasn't heard about it.
He's in Canada somewhere.

There are plenty of newspapers
in Canada, you know.

Does Hollister have a
key to your apartment?

Yes. I have two.

I loaned him one Monday night.

He was going to drop some
company records off for Sheila.

Sheila?

Sheila Cromwell. They're
in business together.

Did she pick those records up?

I suppose so.

There was nothing
there Tuesday night.

But how did she get in?

You told me Hollister
had your other key.

Well, he was supposed to
leave it for her under the mat.

Did he?

I don't know.

That's it.

Yes, it is.

Someone mailed it to me.

Who?

That's what I'd like to know.

Now, where can I
find Ross Hollister?

(crying): How many times
must I tell you I don't know?

I just don't know.

( dramatic theme playing)

Did you know Pitkin?

Well, I saw him several
times at the office

when he came by for Mr. Argyle.

How's this?

Fine.

Oh, by the way, thank
you for meeting me here.

I so seldom get a chance
to get away from the office.

Not at all.

I appreciate your seeing
me, Mrs. Cromwell.

Frankly, I was curious.

And so was I.

Is Argyle a business
associate of yours?

Yes.

He certainly gets around.

Although not as
much as Ross Hollister.

What's that supposed to mean?

I take it you know
Hollister fairly well.

Very well.

Don't you think it's strange

he's made no effort to
get in touch with Elaine?

Oh, you're mistaken.

Ross called me this morning.

He's very much
concerned about her.

Where is he?

In Canada.

Where in Canada?

I don't recall the
name of the town.

I guess I was stupid

not to ask.

Did he say anything about
returning to Los Angeles?

He wanted to.

I assured him there was
nothing to worry about.

His girlfriend is
charged with m*rder,

and you assured him there
was nothing to worry about?

Well, I follow your
cases religiously.

I have a great deal of
confidence in your ability.

I'm flattered.

However, I would like
to have Mr. Hollister here

before the hearing.

I'll tell him the
next time he calls.

Thank you.

But I wouldn't give
Elaine any false hope.

I don't expect to hear
from him for a week or two.

Shall we order?

( dramatic theme playing)

( dramatic theme playing)

People v. Elaine Barton Pitkin.

This is the time fixed for
the preliminary hearing.

Are you ready, gentlemen?

The prosecution is
ready, Your Honor.

And ready for the defense, sir.

Then you may call your
first witness, Mr. Burger.

I call Frederick Arms.

COURT CLERK: Frederick Arms.

Raise your right hand, please.

Do you solemnly swear
the testimony you give

will be the truth,
the whole truth?

I do.

State your name. Frederick Arms.

Be seated, please.

What is your
occupation, Mr. Arms?

I'm employed by the
Apex Detective Agency.

Tell the court your
connection with Elaine Pitkin.

We were hired to keep her
under surveillance for two weeks.

BURGER: Who hired you?

Mr. Ross Hollister.

During those two weeks,

did the deceased, Harry Pitkin,

ever visit the defendant?

Yes, sir, twice.

Once on April 28th and
then again on May 1st.

What about May 10th,

the day that Pitkin
was m*rder*d?

I couldn't say. We were
no longer on the case.

I call your attention to
the date of April 29th.

That's the morning
after Mr. Pitkin's first visit.

Did anything unusual occur?

Yes, sir.

At 11:00, Mrs. Pitkin
went into a pawn shop

on Main Street and bought a g*n.

Did you question the
pawnbroker after she left?

Yes, sir, I did.

He gave me the serial
number of the g*n.

I copied it down.

I object, Your Honor.

This is pure hearsay.

If Mr. Burger wishes the
pawnbroker to testify, why...

Thank you, Mr. Mason.

We'll do that.

We'll do that this afternoon.

Your witness.

Mr. Arms, you say you've
been hired by Ross Hollister?

Yes, sir.

Did he tell you why he wanted
the defendant shadowed?

No.

I just assumed
he didn't trust her.

Have you ever been
hired before by a man

to shadow his
wife or girlfriend?

Yes, sir, hundreds of times.

And wouldn't you say
that, in a great many cases,

it was the man who
should have been watched,

because of his
unreasonable suspicions?

That's not for me to say.

Isn't it possible

that Ross Hollister was
capable of k*lling anyone

who became his rival?

I object, Your Honor.

The witness is hardly
an expert in psychiatry.

Objection sustained.

MASON: No further questions.

All I can tell you

is that I considered
Pitkin a loyal employee.

I never found any
fault with his work.

And how long had he
been employed by you?

Eight months.

During this time, he never
had any trouble with anyone,

as far as you know?

No, sir.

And he never had any
quarrel with Ross Hollister?

Not to my knowledge.

Thank you.

Your witness.

Mr. Argyle,

how well do you
know the defendant?

Oh, I don't know her at all.

And you never heard Ross
Hollister mention her name?

No.

Why should he?

I understood you and Hollister

were in business together.

Well, that doesn't
make me his confidant.

And you had no knowledge
of the defendant's relationship

with your chauffeur, Mr. Pitkin?

None at all,

until you told me.

That is all.

JUDGE: You may step down.

Thank you.

I call Mrs. Sheila Cromwell.

BURGER: Now, Mrs. Cromwell,
how long have you known

the defendant, Mrs. Pitkin?

Almost a year and a half.
Mr. Hollister introduced us.

Has she ever expressed
an opinion to you

about Mr. Hollister?

Several times.

Do you remember what she said?

Well,

I recall on one occasion,

Elaine told me that Ross meant
everything in the world to her,

and she would never let anybody
stop her from marrying him.

In other words, you felt that
she was capable of anything,

even murdering
anyone who interfered?

I object.

Counsel is leading the witness.

JUDGE: Sustained.

You may cross-examine.

Mrs. Cromwell,

you consider yourself a
friend of the defendant?

I do.

But you consider yourself

a better friend
of Mr. Hollister?

Well, I've known Ross longer.

Before my husband d*ed,

he brought him
into the business.

That the only reason?

I don't understand.

You are interested in
Hollister, are you not?

Of course. My husband and
I thought very highly of him.

Where is Mr. Hollister now?

I don't know.

Isn't that rather a peculiar
way to run a business?

No.

We're merchandising
a new product.

Mr. Hollister's on an
extensive selling trip.

He could be anywhere.

When was the last
time you saw him?

On the afternoon of May
3rd. I dropped by his house.

Why?

There've been some discrepancies
in the company's books.

Mr. Hollister was
checking them for me,

and I wanted his opinion
before he left town.

And what was his opinion?

He hadn't finished.

He was going to drop the
books by Elaine's apartment,

and I was to pick them
up the following day.

Did you?

No, I couldn't get in.

He was supposed to
leave the key under the mat,

but it wasn't there.

Where are those records now?

I have no idea.

Didn't you attempt to reach
Mr. Hollister to find out?

(voice breaking): It
wasn't that important.

It was important to
him before he left town.

(crying): No.

Important enough for him to
make complicated arrangements

such as borrowing
the defendant's key

and having you make a
special trip to her apartment.

No, you don't understand.

Then we need
clarification, Mrs. Cromwell.

Would you please explain
to this court why you,

as a close business
associate of Hollister's,

wouldn't know his itinerary
on this supposed business trip,

and why, when the woman he
loved was charged with m*rder,

you failed to make one
attempt to contact him.

Stop.

Please stop.

(sobbing): Don't let him do it!

(spectators
murmuring, gavel bangs)

Your Honor, I think

this has gone quite far enough.

Mr. Mason's cross-examination
is highly improper.

If Your Honor please,

I feel Mrs. Cromwell's testimony

shows her to be
completely unreliable.

If you allow me to continue,

I believe I can present
sufficient evidence

to warrant a charge of perjury.

Your Honor, it must be obvious

the witness is in no
condition to continue.

May I suggest an adjournment.

Mr. Mason?

If I may resume my
cross-examination

in the morning.

You may.

This hearing stands adjourned

until 10:00 tomorrow morning.

( suspenseful theme playing)

Ross Hollister, Route
1, Halsey, California?

Yes.

Four, five, six...

Thirteen words.

That will be $1.15
plus 12 cents tax.

How soon will it get there?

Halsey?

About two hours.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Ready, sir? Huh?

Oh...

I can't think of enough
to fill up 15 words.

Thank you very much.

( mysterious theme playing)

When we adjourned yesterday,

Mrs. Cromwell was
being cross-examined

by defense counsel.

Since the witness has
already been sworn in,

you may proceed, Mr. Mason.

Thank you, Your Honor.

Are you feeling better this
morning, Mrs. Cromwell?

Yes.

Then perhaps you
will be able to tell us

where Mr. Hollister is

and why you neglected
to get in touch with him.

I can only add one thing
to what I said yesterday.

Ross was upset when
he left Los Angeles.

About what?

Those reports from
the detective agency.

He called me that
night to talk about it.

He felt that he'd given
Elaine every opportunity

to tell him the truth
about Harry Pitkin.

He didn't know what to do.

And what was your advice?

Well, it wasn't advice. I...

merely suggested that
he take a short vacation

before he went away
on the business trip,

to think things over.

And where did Mr. Hollister go

to "think things
over," as you put it?

I have no idea.

Mrs. Cromwell,

I have here a list
of five telegrams,

dated May 6th, 7th, 9th, 11th,

and one dated
yesterday, May 19th.

These telegrams were
addressed to Ross Hollister,

Route 1, Halsey, California,

and they were all sent by you.

Do you care to change
your testimony now?

He didn't k*ll Pitkin.

Is that your opinion,

or do you know it
for a positive fact?

I know it.

How?

I-I just know it, that's all.

Mrs. Cromwell,

why is Hollister hiding?

And why have you been
constantly lying to protect him?

Give me one good
reason. Just one.

Mrs. Cromwell?

(sighs)

That's all.

Mr. Burger...

To close this hearing,

I suggest you have your office

examine this witness's testimony

for possible charges of perjury.

You may step down.

Very well, Your Honor.

However, I may be able
to clarify this situation

with my next witness.

I call Sheriff Mark Daley.

COURT CLERK: Sheriff Mark Daley.

Do you solemnly swear the
testimony you're about to give

will be the truth,

the whole truth? MARK: I do.

State your name. Mark Daley.

Be seated.

You are a deputy
sheriff of Orange County?

Yes, sir.

You investigated a call

to your office last
night at about 11:00?

Yes, sir.

Will you please tell this
court what you found.

The body of a man

hidden on the high
rocks at Crane Beach.

Were you able to
identify that body?

Yes, sir.

It was the body
of Ross Hollister.

(gasps)

Has the county coroner
examined the remains?

A preliminary examination
early this morning.

There was a b*llet
through his left temple.

And were you able to fix the
approximate date of death?

Yes, sir.

May the 3rd, sometime
in the evening.

How could you be so specific?

By medical examination

and the fact that there were
several papers in his pocket

that were badly smudged

when his body was
covered by seawater.

Now, this could
only have happened

on the night of May the 3rd,

when we had the
highest tide of the year.

So Mr. Hollister was k*lled

a full week before the
m*rder of Harry Pitkin.

Thank you, sheriff.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Um... no questions.

( dramatic theme playing)

( dramatic theme playing)

Excuse me, sir. Yes, Jimmy?

Mrs. Sheila Cromwell to see you.

Sheila?

She say, "Very important."

All right, Jimmy.

Hello, Stephen.

Sheila,

what a delightful surprise.

Uh, will you join me?

Well, that was quite a
session you had in court.

Wasn't it?

Have you seen a lawyer?

No.

You should. (sighs)

At the moment, Stephen,

perjury is the
least of my worries.

You know how I felt about Ross.

No.

I was in love with him,

only he couldn't
see me for dust.

I had no idea.

I tried to hide it
from everyone,

including myself.

But Elaine Barton
saw through it.

I'm sorry for you, Sheila.

And I'm sorry for you.

Me?

I'm going to k*ll you.

(chuckles)

Oh, I'm perfectly serious.

That's not funny, Sheila.

I don't intend it to be.

No.

No, just stay right
where you are.

You k*lled Ross.

Are you insane?

You were in court.

You heard that sheriff testify

that Ross was
m*rder*d on May 3rd.

The very same
time you were guilty

of hit-and-run driving
some 70 miles away.

Yes.

It was very clever
of you, Stephen.

It was a wonderful alibi.

Who'd ever think that a man

would deliberately
frame himself?

What are you talking about?

You didn't hit
Mr. Mason's client,

though you purposely
did everything you could

to make yourself look guilty,

from mailing that letter
with the key to Mr. Mason,

to bribing the
doorman at the club.

Don't be ridiculous, Sheila.

I was very fond of Ross.

Not $187,000 worth.

What?

That's how much the
books show is missing.

Ross must have discovered
it that night and called you.

That's when you realized
you had to k*ll him.

You're wrong, Sheila.
Pitkin k*lled him.

Then who k*lled Pitkin?

It must have been...

Elaine Barton.

You heard all the evidence.

She was the one that seem...

Now, if you'd care
to finish your drink...

(gasps)

Ah!

Ah!

The trouble with you, Sheila,

you're far too clever
for your own good.

I'm afraid this calls for
rather drastic measures.

The same drastic
measures you used

on Ross and Harry Pitkin?

I'm sorry, my dear,

but you know what they
say about self-preservation.

TRAGG: Sorry to
break in this way,

but we couldn't afford to
let your boy announce us.

You don't think we'd
be silly enough to load it?

No.

A fellow could hurt
himself that way.

Come on.

Did you hear everything?

You were great, Mrs. Cromwell.

Thanks for a wonderful job.

Don't thank me.

The pleasure was all mine.

( upbeat theme plays)

( dramatic theme playing)

That Sheila Cromwell
is quite a gal.

Did you have trouble
selling her the idea, Perry?

No, none at all.

She was only lying
to protect Hollister.

Once she learned he was dead,

she wanted to help
as much as possible.

But how did you convince
her that Argyle was guilty?

First I had to convince
myself, then Burger.

When I realized that Hollister
had been m*rder*d before Pitkin,

then I knew where
that key came from.

Hollister had it,

and Argyle removed
it from his body.

And Argyle had the
best motive to k*ll him.

Don't forget the
discrepancy in the books.

What about Pitkin?

MASON: Well, he was m*rder*d
because was blackmailing Argyle.

I guess he knew where
the body was buried.

Well, my good friends,

I give you...

(knock on door)

Oh, heh, excuse me.

My name is Bates.

Francis Bates.

I-I'm an insurance adjuster
with Harvard Casualty.

Oh, yes.

There was no one outside
in the reception room,

so I... Heh, I
just came right in.

Um, good.

There's, um,

a little matter I'd like
to discuss with you.

You see, we paid your
client, Robert Finchley, $2,500.

So I understand.

Well, it... It... It now develops
that our insured, Mr. Argyle...

wasn't liable at all.

No, he wasn't.

Well, frankly,

my firm doesn't, uh, approve

of the way I handled the deal.

But I'm sure I could
straighten everything i-if...

If you'd only return our check.

Oh, I advised Mr. Finchley
to keep the money.

Well...

He can't.

Why, he wasn't
injured by Argyle. W...

It would be completely illegal.

You are familiar with your
standard form of release,

the one that Finchley signed?

Yes, of course.

Then you should remember

that you admitted no
liability in the first place.

But...

But that means we
paid him $2,500...

for nothing.

Well, I wouldn't say that.

He thinks the world of you.

Now there is still no one
outside in the reception room,

so you can just
go, uh, right out.

But I-I-I...

I-I-I... Out.

Now... (chuckling)

where was I?

"Well, my good
friends, I give you..."

Hm?

Mr. Bates.

Mr. Bates.

Mr. Bates.

( upbeat theme playing)

( noirish jazz theme playing)