Confidence Girl (1952) - full transcript

##

These top five floors house
the Los Angeles County Jail,

where 40,000 prisoners
are booked yearly.

This building contains the
world's largest sheriff's office.

The man in command joined
the department in 1907

and has been sheriff since 1932.

His name, Eugene Biscailuz.

No one is more qualified to discuss
the confidence game swindlers

and their menace to the
country than Sheriff Biscailuz.

Would you believe it?

People are still buying
the Brooklyn Bridge.



Yes, even as recently
as this year.

It's hard to believe but true.

However, the usual victims
are successful citizens

who have been bilked through the
subtle craft of a person they trusted.

Were they stupid?

Not at all.

We all accept people
at face value.

Civilization couldn't
tick if we didn't.

And that is exactly what the
confidence operator takes advantage of.

He exploits this trust and
confidence between people.

The bunco games
shown in this picture

have all been pulled
in one form or another.

They can happen to you,
so beware of newfound friends

who offer you
something for nothing...



get-rich-quick gimmicks, questionable
schemes or confidential tips.

Here is a mug book
filled with pictures

of con game swindlers
and bunco artists.

Look at 'em.

Sooner or later, they all
end up in a book like this,

imprisoned and penniless...

the inevitable pattern
of all their careers.

It all began very inconspicuously
back on April 10, 1950.

Just around the corner
from Times Square,

a man entered the offices
of an insurance company.

I have an appointment
with Mr. Sheridan.

Mr. Sheridan?

Mr. Roger Kingsley,
The Kingsley Detective Agency,

is here by appointment.

You may go right in.

Thank you.

Mr. Kingsley?

Yes.

You mentioned Mary Webb's
name on the phone.

Just what's this all about?

As you probably know, she's one
of the slickest confidence women

who ever operated.

Yes, since we talked,
I've looked into the matter

and I found we've paid out

some pretty heavy
theft claims on her account.

And since you are one of the
biggest indemnity companies,

I imagine a large share of her
take came out of your pocket.

Probably so.

I've tried
to reconstruct her career.

Now, here's a partial list of
some of the stores she's taken.

Hmm... this girl has covered
quite a lot of territory.

Come into my office.

Thank you.

Sit down.

Thank you.

That's why the local police
haven't been able to cope with her.

She breezes into a city,
pulls a job, grabs a plane,

and a few hours later she's in
another city hundreds of miles away.

Just why have you taken such
a special interest in Mary Webb?

Because I figured
the indemnity companies

would have a special interest
in seeing her caught.

But indemnity companies very
rarely employ special investigators...

you know that.

On the other hand,
every time she takes

one of the stores that you insure,
it costs you ten grand and up.

Even so, we're only one of
dozens of indemnity companies

that have paid off claims
because of Mary Webb.

I realize that, but I've got
a pretty direct lead

that she intends to take

the Royal Department Store
in Los Angeles... tomorrow.

Hello, Ted?

Yes, sir?

Do we hold a floater on the
Royal Department Store in L.A.?

Yes, we do.

I thought so... thanks.

You're pretty thorough,
Mr. Kingsley.

I made it my business.

What's your proposition?

If I gamble the time and
money to catch this girl,

is it worth 10 grand to you?

I don't know.

What can you lose?

If I don't nab her red-handed,
I'll have to retrieve the merchandise

before you pay me.

I'll have to think it over.

I can make the 4:00 plane.

If you accept my proposal,
I'm taking it.

Here are my police credentials.

I've had a detective agency
here for many years.

You can check that.

By 9:00 the following morning,
Roger Kingsley was in the office

of the Los Angeles
Chief of Police.

He had a letter of introduction.

"To whom it may concern:

"This is to confirm the
employment of Roger Kingsley

"by this concern for
the purpose of apprehending

"a confidence woman
named Mary Webb.

Any cooperation
will be appreciated."

So you're a special
investigator, eh?

That's right, I work for
the Arlington Indemnity Company.

Flew in this morning
and came directly here.

You must be onto something
pretty hot to bring you this far.

I am.

Have you ever heard of a
confidence girl named Mary Webb?

I can't recall her name right off,

but we probably have
a bulletin on her.

We believe she's in Los Angeles.

That's why I'm here.

Oh, this is very interesting.

You don't know how interesting.

We've been tipped off
that she's gonna take

the Royal Department Store today.

Is this dope reliable?

I think so.

At least it's
the first break we've had.

Anything we can do to help?

Not yet, thanks.

I'll work along with the store
detective until we make the arrest.

By the way, maybe one of your
boys would give him a ring for me.

Oh, sure, we'd be glad to.

Thanks... I'll report to you
on my progress.

Oh, and Kingsley, when you
make the arrest, phone us.

We'll send a team out from the
Wilshire station to bring her in.

Don't worry, I will.

Within 18 hours from the time
Roger Kingsley had his meeting

with Andrew Sheridan,
he was in the Royal Department Store,

starting his first move toward the
capture of the elusive Mary Webb.

From what you've been telling me

about this Mary Webb,
the gal must have style.

You've got to hand it to her.

And she has.

I guess she's pulled about
every con game in the book.

This department store
routine's only one of her tricks.

Well, I've been a detective
for a good many years

but I've never heard
of anything like her.

You sent for me,
Mr. Walsh?

Oh, yes.

This is Miss Seabury.

She's the head
of our fur department.

This is Mr. Kingsley.

He's come out here from the East.

He's looking for a girl
named Mary Webb.

Show her the picture.

She specializes in furs,
expensive ones.

$15,000 and up.

Kingsley's been tipped off
she intends to visit you today.

How jolly.

We want you to circulate this
photograph among your saleswomen

so that they'll be familiar
with the girl's face.

Don't worry, we'll spot her
the minute she shows up.

She won't get away
with anything here.

Oh, hey, now, just a minute.

That's not the idea.

We wanther to steal the coat.

What? Exactly.

That's our reason for
alerting your salesgirls,

so that they will leave
the way open for her.

To steal a coat?

Of course.

We don't want to run
the risk of scaring her off.

But what about the coat?

Well, naturally we'll nab
her as she leaves the store.

You must understand that technically
no crime has been committed

until the thief is actually
outside the store...

With the stolen merchandise.

I'll go right to work on it.

Be sure to return
that card to me, please.

I will.

What's her gimmick?

It's always the same pattern.

Sweet, gray-haired old lady
comes into the store...

An accomplice of course.

Of course.

The old lady asks
to be shown furs, then...

I like this coat,
I like it very much,

but I want to see everything you
have before I make my final choice.

Certainly, Madame.

Of course we don't carry
many coats in stock of this value.

Just a minute, my dear.

Would you mind
leaving that coat here?

Very well.

It will help me make up my
mind if I can see them all together.

Certainly.

I'm afraid that would be
too short for my wife.

Do you think you can find
something a little longer?

Certainly.

##

May I be of service to you?

No, thank you, I'm just browsing.

This is one of our very best...

Oh, well, I'll bring you a mink...

##

Just a minute.

You're under arrest.

Call the police,
ask them to pick us up.

Right.

##

Now I shall have to wire
my new boss, Mr. Sheridan,

with doleful regrets that Mary
Webb has slipped through my fingers.

By the narrowest margin.

Shall I send your regards?

My profoundest gratitude.

She pulled a gun on me, got away.

Got away?

Don't worry, I'll get her.

Have the police put out an alarm.

Change that to emergency...
she got away.

Taxi!

Johnny Gregg's Chiffon Club.

You've got
a nice place here, Johnny.

Thanks.

How's it coming?

Okay.

Everything'll be ready
by Saturday.

Oh, what'll you have?

Scotch and soda, thanks.

You're sure
nothing's been overlooked.

Well, you can check
everything against your letters.

They're in my desk.

I've got a copy of them here.

You see, Johnny, there mustn't
be any slip-ups in this deal.

This is where we hit the jackpot.

I hope so.

It's taken more money
than we've estimated.

We've got to start
rehearsals tomorrow.

How many operators did you get?

Four.

Only four?

Well, that's all I could trust.

But I wrote you we needed ten.

Oh, well, anyway, I've got three
reliable guys coming from the East.

One's already here.

That's really beautiful.

Looks expensive too.

I can prove it... the price tag.

Here are the ads.

Johnny's been giving me the
lowdown on this little scheme of yours.

Yeah?

We must start
running these tomorrow.

We've got to make this the
biggest premiere that ever hit town.

What do you think
of the layout, darling?

Oh, sensational...
simply sensational.

"Introducing Lazuli, the girl
with the extrasensory perception.

"She will astound you,
she will baffle you.

She will frighten you,
she will shock you."

And she's going to
begin right now.

What do you mean by that?

I assume you're planning
on my being Lazuli.

Naturally.

You're the only person
in the world

who could pull it off...
you know that.

I'm afraid it's not my cup of tea.

Here's the shock, Roger...

I can't help you on this one.

What's that?

Oh, she talked the same way
before we pulled our first job.

She came through then,
she'll come through now.

I wouldn't be too sure about that.

But it's the sweetest racket
he ever hit on.

It's worth a million bucks.

This is what
we've been waiting for.

This is it, Mary.

Then why did I have to get
the lowdown from Johnny?

I'm sorry, baby.

Oh, by the way, I have to
report to the police.

The police?

Aren't you getting a little
old for practical jokes?

Next you'll be
down to a dribble glass

and a boutonniere
that squirts water.

Hello?

Get me Chief of Detectives
Brownell, please.

Just what is this all about?

Hello, Chief Brownell?

This is Kingsley talking.

I want to check on
the Mary Webb situation.

Yes, that's right,
it happened just as Walsh told you.

She had it concealed
in her bodice.

You know what happens
if you frisk a dame

and she doesn't have a gun on her.

Anyhow, I'm following up a hunch.

Okay, bye.

Now, what gives?

Don't you know?

Roger was the mastermind.

He covers all the angles.

He sounds as though
he's getting a little too cute.

Look at it this way, Johnny.

Being anchored like this
in one city is dangerous.

Yeah, but...

But I've got a way
of playing it safe.

I must admit it's brilliant,
really brilliant.

Thank you, darling.

As long as I know what the police
know about the ubiquitous Mary Webb,

there's not a thing in
the world to worry about.

It's too risky... I don't like it.

This time, Kingsley,
you've gone too far.

As a matter of fact,
not far enough.

Oh, yeah?

Remember I'm supposed to be
following up a hunch?

So?

So I'm going to prove that
I've picked up her trail.

Come on, Mary.

Where are you going now?

To Markwell and Company.

See you later, Johnny.

This new swindle was planned
as usual with efficiency.

Kingsley had even made a
flying trip out to Los Angeles

so that all details could be
checked personally.

Pardon me, may I please
speak to the owner?

Why, certainly, madam.

Just a moment.

Thank you.

This was just one more
step toward the big scheme.

That's what was important about it,
not the quick buck they'd make.

This way, madam.

Thank you.

How do you do,
Mr. Markwell?

I'm Eleanora Havermayer.

How do you do?

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

As you probably know,
I'm a concert violinist.

Oh, yes, yes, of course.

Um... cigarette?

Yes, please.

What can I do for you?

I would like to look
at some of your violins.

You mean to say you want to
buy a violin here in a pawn shop?

I guess it does sound odd.

But you see, every time
I'm in a new city,

I make it a practice to visit
all the leading loan companies

in the hope that I may run
across a really fine old instrument.

I'm afraid you won't find anything
like that here, Miss Havermayer,

but come along, let's take a look.

Good.

Who knows? Perhaps someday I
might find an undiscovered Amati

or a Guarneri or even a Strad.

You never can tell.

A friend of mine once found a genuine
Rubens in an East Side junk shop.

Well, here are two,
and I have two more here.

Only four violins?

Well, as a matter of fact,
I have quite a few,

but as long as the owners keep
up the payments, we can't sell them.

Oh, I can tell at a glance that
these two aren't what I'm looking for.

I'm sorry you don't have
a larger selection.

Well, it's good merchandise,
it moves quickly.

Just another fiddle.

Sorry, that's all I can offer you.

Look, I'm leaving town tomorrow.

While I'm here, why can't I
just look at the other violins?

Say, that's a thought.

Probably most of 'em will
never been redeemed anyway.

Jean, get out the violins.

Charlie, give her a hand,
will you?

If I'm lucky enough to find
what I'm looking for,

you can always
send it to me later.

Yes... well, here they are.

We have quite a selection.

I should say so.

You must know a lot
about violins, Mr. Markwell.

Oh...

Which one did you lend
the most money on?

Well, I wouldn't take that as
any criterion, Miss Havermayer.

We're hardly experts, you know.

Wait a minute, I think
I found something.

Look at that scroll.

Oh, it's really old.

I can tell by the varnish.

No one's made a violin
like this in over 200 years.

Listen to that.

Oh, it's what I've been
looking for.

I've searched a long time
for a fiddle like this.

And unfortunately
I can't sell it to you.

But I've got to have it.

Well, there's not much
I can do about it.

Well, can't you see the owner?

Can't you try and buy it from him?

He may not want to sell it.

How much would you give for it?

$10,000.

$10,000?

That's exactly
what it's worth to me.

Well, of course, that's different.

I'm sure it can be arranged.

I'll write you a deposit
right now.

What'll I make it,
a thousand, 1500?

Whatever you say.

A thousand would be fine.

Very well.

You can contact me
at the Beverly Wilshire,

but you have to attend
to it right away

because I'm leaving town
in the morning.

I see.

If you're unable to complete the deal,
which I hope won't happen,

you can return my deposit
to me at my New York address.

"Miss Eleanora Havermayer,
Park Avenue."

Please phone me just as soon
as you have some news.

I will indeed.

Thank you... goodbye.

Goodbye.

Say, that's a top address.

And I'll bet that coat set
her back at least 15 grand.

Yes, I noticed.

Anyhow, this check's
on a local bank.

I don't want to take any chances,
so get down there as quick as you can

and see if it's good,
and stop off at the Beverly Wilshire,

see what you can find out
about her.

Right.

Well, the check's okay,
Mr. Markwell.

The bank certified it.

Good.

And the girl is not only
registered at the Beverly Wilshire,

but she has a deluxe suite.

That's all I wanted to know.

Kingsley's contact with the police
was important, but to keep it alive,

he would have to supply
a fresh interest,

like proof that he really
was on Mary Webb's trail.

Mr. Markwell
would unwittingly

supply this proof...
also some ready cash.

It was a neat trick if he could do it,
and Kingsley thought he could.

Pardon me,
are you Mrs. Mallory?

Why, yes, indeed.

Did you wish to see me?

Yes, I'm Paul Markwell of
the Markwell Loan Company.

May I come in?

Of course you can! Thank you.

Oh, William, this is Mr. Markwell
of the Markwell Loan Company.

How do you do? How do you do?

It was so nice of you
to come out and see us.

Won't you sit down,
Mr. Markwell?

Thank you.

Would you like some tea,
Mr. Markwell?

Oh, I don't want to
put you to any trouble.

Oh, it's no trouble at all.

I always keep a kettle
on the stove.

It'll only take a minute.

Very well then, thank you.

You must pardon all these papers,
but I dabble a little in poetry.

Oh... uh, Mr. Mallory, I'll
come right to the point.

We have a customer who might
be interested in buying your violin.

Well, that's a coincidence,
Mr. Markwell.

I was gonna come in today and
pay back the $200 we borrowed on it.

I have the money here.

Now, wait a minute,
Mr. Mallory.

I think I might be able to get
you nearly $500 for that fiddle.

But we weren't thinking
of selling it.

Well, it's more than
twice what we loaned you.

You must understand,
Mr. Markwell.

My father was a musician.

It was his violin.

Naturally you have a sentimental
attachment to the instrument...

I'm afraid, Mr. Markwell,

we couldn't possibly
consider parting with it.

Oh, but...

Now, Mr. Markwell,
I'd like to ask your opinion

about a piece of poetry.

It's called
"List' to the Lark."

This is how it goes.

"List' to the lark,
on the wing again,

"Or in the meadow,
down in the glen,

"Winging his way
to his feathery love,

While fluffy pink clouds
go gliding above."

Or do you think I should use
"fleecy pink clouds"?

What do you think
I should do with it?

I hesitate to say.

Use your own judgment.

As a matter of fact,
Mr. Mallory,

our customer was quite
taken with that fiddle.

I think under the circumstances,
I might get her to go to...

...a thousand dollars,
cash on the line.

Oh, Mrs. Mallory...

I just offered your son a
thousand dollars for that violin.

What do you think of that?

Land sakes, that old fiddle's
not worth half that much.

I think our buyer is crazy too,

but, oh, that's
her business... here.

Would you mind?

Oh, very well.

Thank you.

I don't know, Mother,
what do you think?

We can't take
that kind of money for it.

I wouldn't feel honest.

Oh, now, don't you worry
about that, Mrs. Mallory.

All we have to do is to get you
and your son to sign this bill of sale

and the thousand dollars is yours.

One lump or two,
Mr. Markwell?

Oh, two, thank you.

By the way, Mr. Markwell,

going back to that piece
of poetry I read to you.

I wish you would help me
make up my mind

whether to use
"fluffy pink clouds" or...

All right, all right,
I'll double the offer.

But that's my limit.

And believe me,
that is a lot of money.

But here it is.

Now, Mrs. Mallory.

You know, Mr. Markwell,
this is all very confusing.

When I obtained the loan on the violin,
your man distinctly told me

it wasn't worth
a penny more than $400.

Oh, he was quite right.

I don't know why
the customer wants it.

Just a whim.

She's a rich woman.

Now, Mrs. Mallory...

It just occurred to me.

As she is so rich and there's
no market value to a whim,

perhaps she'd willing to...

To pay more?

Exactly.

Are you trying to hold me up?

Now, now, Mr. Markwell,
how could he be?

When we made it quite
definite we do not want to sell?

Raymond was merely philosophizing.

Of course, Mother.

Let me give you
a fresh cup of tea.

Think what you could do
with $2,000.

Oh, but, Mr. Markwell,
my dear husband's memory

cannot be evaluated
in terms of money.

Indeed it can't, Mother,
indeed it can't.

##

Well, I had to pay $8,000
for that violin.

Oh, we still make a $2,000 profit.

That's not bad for one day's work.

Hello?

Uh, hello... Miss Eleanora
Havermayer, please.

Uh, hello, Miss Havermayer?

Just a moment... Mr. Markwell
wants to talk to you.

Miss Havermayer?

Well, I've got
that violin for you.

It was a big struggle,
but I got it.

Seems the owner knew all along

it was a rare old violin
worth at least $15,000.

What?!
You don't want the violin?!

She's changed her mind.

But, but you've got to take it.

I paid $8,000 for that violin.

You can't get away with this.

You can't get away
with this, you...

She hung up.

I traced her as far as Seventh
and Hill and then lost the trail.

Yeah?

Several witnesses saw her enter

a large office building
on the southwest corner.

So Mary Webb's at it again, huh?

She didn't waste much time.

Here's one for the books,
Kingsley.

She pulled another job
right under our nose.

A pawnbroker named Markwell
came barging in here

and claimed that some woman
had taken him for eight grand.

That certainly makes
everything check.

I certainly gotta hand it to you.

You were at least
one jump ahead of us.

But still one jump
behind Mary Webb.

You better detail some men to
watch the depot and the airports.

They can recognize her
from these photographs.

How long will it take you
to have them reproduced?

Oh, just a few minutes.

We have a well-equipped
laboratory.

The photographs were
of a blonde, all right,

but the blonde was not Mary Webb.

Even the fingerprints
were of another girl,

taken in the morgue, name unknown.

You can see from the photographs
Mary Webb is just another blonde.

Markwell should identify
these photographs.

There's a call in for him now.

We needed more facts.

Let's drop in on
Lieutenant Fenton.

He's chief of the bunco squad.

Then he should be in on this.

Lieutenant Fenton's office.

I have Mr. Markwell on the
phone for Lieutenant Cobb.

Just a moment, he's coming now.

It's my guess she's going to
lay low for a while.

Here in Los Angeles?

That's just a hunch.

I hope so... it'll give us a break.

Lieutenant Cobb,
Mr. Markwell is on the phone.

Oh, I'll take it.

Hello, Markwell?

This is Brownell,
Chief of Detectives.

I have a special investigator
here named Kingsley.

I'd like you to talk to him.

Here you are.

Hello?

A young woman has just
bilked me out of $7,000.

What did the girl look like?

Well, she was tall,
dignified, intelligent.

You say she was
a short, dizzy blonde.

Markwell just described
Mary Webb perfectly.

She's our girl all right.

No, you misunderstand me.

I said she was tall and dignified.

I've got all that.

Yeah, but you said...

Don't confuse the issue.

Exactly what did she do?

But she wasn't short.

I have no time to argue.

Well, the girl came into my
office and wanted to buy a violin

and gave me as a deposit $1,000.

Oh, and the check bounced.

Well, no... as a matter of
fact, it was perfectly good.

Well, then what did she do?

Go on, Paul, tell him.

Well, I paid $8,000 for that
fiddle and she refused to buy it.

Now we're getting somewhere.

Her accomplices sold you the
fiddle and claimed it was worth $8,000.

Uh, no.

What did they say it was worth?

Well, they admitted it was
only worth about $400, but...

You're a pawnbroker...
you should know what it's worth.

Yes, matter of fact
we had a loan on it.

How much was the loan?

Uh... $200.

Exactly what was
that fiddle worth?

What's the matter with you?

Well, of course it was
only worth about $400, but...

In spite of that,
you paid $8,000 for it?

Why, yes, but...

Brother, you don't need
a detective,

you need a psychiatrist.

What did the detective say?

Oh, maybe it's best
to skip the whole thing.

How about a drink?

But you said the girl
had robbed you.

That you wanted to
put her behind bars.

Oh, yes, but you know
the old adage.

Live and let live.

I don't understand.

Well, it looks as though this time

Mary Webb operated
just within the law.

The public should be alerted
to these kind of things.

If they were, these contemptible
crumbs like Mary Webb

couldn't get away with it.

Let's go.

Give the story to the reporters

and tell 'em to run it...
and all the details.

Lieutenant Fenton?

This is Mr. Roger Kingsley.

Mr. Kingsley.Lieutenant.

Quinn? Yes, sir?

You should be in on this.

This is Mr. Roger Kingsley.

Sergeant Quinn.

How do you do? Glad to know you, Sergeant.

The sergeant's
Lieutenant Fenton's assistant.

He's just been on a case
in your city.

Yeah, the boys been
telling me about you.

You work for the Arlington
Indemnity Company?

That's right.

It's a little puzzling.

I've never known any of
the indemnity companies

to employ a special investigator.

That's because the indemnity
companies have never known

anyone quite like
our friend Mary Webb.

Sit down, Kingsley.

Still, they've always been
perfectly willing

to rely on our local police force.

This is hardly a local matter.

You see, Mary Webb rarely
stays in one city any length of time.

Or in any one country,
for that matter.

What's on your mind, Quinn?

Oh, nothing, it's just strange
that I've never heard of her,

especially since
she's pulled so many jobs.

I've been with New York bunco

for the past few months
working on a case.

Oh, she uses many aliases.

For instance, were you there
on February the sixth of this year?

February sixth... yes, I was.

On that day, she took a Madison
Avenue jewelry store for $12,000.

Well, I've got a file on all the
bunco cases while I was there.

You mind if I look it up?

No, of course not.

You wanna come in
the other office?

We're wasting a lot of time
horsing around.

Here's a record of just
about every job she's pulled

in the last six months.

Three days ago, she was
operating in Cleveland.

Houston last week.

Rio before that.

It's all here...
you can see for yourself.

Well, you don't mind if I take a
look at this file anyway, do ya?

Hey, Chief, Kingsley's right.

A blonde woman tried to sell
an emerald necklace.

The jeweler appraised it
at $12,000.

Then she went across the
street for a competitor's appraisal.

It's the old switch routine.

Yeah, then she returned
a few minutes later

to take up
the first jeweler's offer

but she'd substituted a paste
necklace for the real one.

And, as it was an exact replica,

the clerk didn't bother
with a reappraisal.

First thing I want you to do,
Fenton, is pick up Mary Webb.

Now, you two fellas
get down to business

and see what you can do about it.

Yes, sir.

Okay, Chief.

Lieutenant,
can I see you a minute?

You know, that Fenton's
a smart cop.

He doesn't take to Kingsley.

Wonder what's on his mind.

Get Walsh on the phone
for me, will you, please?

Well, for a private eye, this bird
Kingsley is certainly thorough.

Very.

Imagine the fantastic
amount of work it took

to backtrack on the career
of this globetrotting girl.

Oh, thanks.

Hello, Walsh?

Say, this is Brownell speaking.

How long was it between the
time Mary Webb made her getaway

and Kingsley took off after her?

Are you sure it was that long?

Okay, that's all I wanna know.

Nothing, forget it.

Say, there's a curious thing.

Even at 30 miles an hour,
a car would go three-quarters of a mile

in a minute and a half.

Yeah... how could Kingsley
have picked up her trail?

Yeah... that's not all.

How could he stop to telephone
me while he was trailing the girl?

What about it?

And yet he tracked her down

to the very building
where she robbed Markwell.

Just to play it safe,
wire the New York Police Department

and tell them to thoroughly
check this fella.

Okay.

To make a day like this possible
took weeks of meticulous planning,

and part of those plans
included a fashionable house

in a fashionable neighborhood.

Well, darling, for the next two months,
this is your home.

Roger, why did you lease
such an expensive house?

I had my reasons.

Won't the police think
it's rather sumptuous

for a private investigator?

I have a room in a cheap hotel.

I call in for my messages.

So help me, Maggie,
you look like the real thing.

Well, that's a dubious compliment.

I must say, you showed
excellent taste.

And tenacity.

I got the guy down nearly
a hundred bucks a month.

Good for you.

Have a look.

Well, how do you like it?

Quite a layout.

These paintings are lovely.

They're by an artist
named Bouguereau.

I fell in love with them myself.

What a sweet child.

Let's see the rest of the joint.

Oh, the library's in here.

Come on, Mary.

The master bedroom's in here.

What's in this room?

That's the nursery.

They have a little kid.

Look at this room, Roger.

Isn't it adorable?

There's a large pool and
tennis court out in back.

You can see it from this window.

Well, I've got to
get dinner started.

Fine.

Come on, I'll fix a cocktail.

It's nice living
in a house at night.

I haven't spent a night
in a house in a long time.

A very long time.

Pullmans and planes and hotels.

All one-night stands.

Silver, gold dishes and
an atmosphere of charm.

That's for you...
you were born for it.

"She played the part as
though she were born for it."

I read that once
in a corny review.

Prosaic, I admit,
but nevertheless true.

You and gracious living blend
together like candlelight and crystal.

You should set that to music.

And you did.

And all this, darling, is just
setting the stage for your future.

To Lazuli.

To Lazuli... the girl with
the extrasensory perception.

And her psychic powers tell
her that when you set the stage,

it all adds up
to just so much scenery.

Roger... what's the gimmick?

Gimmick?

Could be that you want to give
me a taste of what money can buy.

For instance?

To lull me into this Lazuli deal.

Would I have to be that devious?

Roger, I don't know.

Just how do you intend
cashing in on this scheme?

Johnny didn't tell me that.

Lazuli is bound to be a sensation.

The club'll be packed.

You make a million dollars
in 60 days?

No, darling,
let's have it straight.

Later.

Now.

Okay, Johnny and I got a
hold of a lot of bum copper stock

and we want to unload it.

At a handsome profit.

Correction... a fabulous profit.

No, thank you, I'm not hungry.

Nor am I.

So you pulled one
out of the files.

The old clairvoyant stuff,
no less.

The jokers ask
for private readings.

They trust Lazuli,
they believe in Lazuli.

And Lazuli recommends
the copper stock.

Of all the rackets, my streamlined
version required the most brains.

And the least conscience!

And that should be scored
with "Hearts and Flowers."

Perhaps you'd prefer to go
back to your fiddle playing.

Perhaps I would!

Even on a street corner
with tambourine accompaniment.

Can't you see, Roger?

It's bad enough taking
these indemnity companies,

but when it comes to bilking
people out of their life savings,

that's where I draw the line.

Oh, look, we live only once.

Life's pretty drab at the best.

For me, I'm gonna squeeze
all I can out of it.

Regardless of how you do it.

Yes, regardless.

Which is better, this life or
playing a fiddle for the drunks

in some East Side dump?

Living in a stinking two-bit room.

Garbage pails in the hall.

Cockroaches, blaring radios,
squalling brats.

Squalling brats?

Well, listen to this, Roger.

I'd rather have a kid
in that crib upstairs

than all this pomp put together...

if I could call it mine
and give it a name.

But I told you, we'll get married
as soon as we hit the jackpot.

And this Lazuli scheme can do it.

One more scheme.

One more scheme, one more scheme.

Yet every penny we take in

goes into keeping one jump
ahead of the police.

A one-way ticket
on an endless chase.

But this time we'll make a pile.

We'll get married...
you have my word.

Your word.

You haven't any intention
of ever getting married.

No matter how much I love you,

there has to be an end
to what I can take.

And this is it?

Yes... I'm tired
of stringing along.

I won't go for the Lazuli deal.

You can count me out.

Is that your final word?

It's an ultimatum.

Darling, I can understand
why you think I'm a louse.

I can't blame you.

Leave me alone.

Look, I'd like to have a kid too,
a smart boy I could be proud of.

But let's face it, what right do we
have to bring a kid into the world

as long as we're in this racket?

Then we can get out of it.

And struggle along on the
precarious pay of a private dick?

Other people get by, and besides,
I can get my job back.

Do you think I'd live off you?

You're doing it, aren't you?

We're partners,
we're working together.

Look, you've strung along
with me so far.

All I'm asking for
is 60 days more.

60 days and that's it.

No.

Did anyone ever tell you
you're a pretty wench?

I bet I look awful.

Baby, you look good to me.

Even with streaky makeup
and a red nose.

Oh, Roger.

"Tonight at Johnny Gregg's Chiffon Club,
"the world premiere of Lazuli.

"She will shock you, she will amaze you,
she will frighten you."

What hogwash.

Anyway, you fellas are planning on

going over there tonight,
aren't you?

Yes, we're gonna leave right away.

Anything Johnny Gregg
is in bears watching.

Especially if he gives a buildup
like this to a mindreading act.

Say, by the way, we got a report
from the New York Police Department.

Yeah?

They investigated and
Kingsley is a private dick

and he does work for the
Arlington Insurance Company.

Well, that's that.

No, not quite.

The report is probably
on the lieutenant's desk.

There appears to be nothing
significant in his background,

but the report states
that he had a girlfriend

who worked in a nightclub
on the East Side.

So?

So, she played the fiddle.

Oh! The girl who took
Markwell played the fiddle.

Well, there could be a connection,
but it's plenty remote.

Anyway, I asked them to try
and dig up a photograph of the girl.

Good.

Now let's go see what our
friend Gregg is up to, huh?

Hmm...

Well, Sergeant Quinn.

How are you?

Fine.

I suppose you're looking for
your sidekick, Lieutenant Fenton?

That's right.

He's right over here
in the corner.

Hi, Lieutenant.

Sorry I'm late.

I wrapped up that
Briggs thing all right.

Well, boys, Lazuli
goes on in a few minutes.

You're just in time.

How fortunate.

Maybe not so fortunate
for you, Gregg.

You know how downtown feels
about these phony mindreading acts.

You better watch your step.

And perhaps, Sergeant,
you better watch yours.

Bye now.

He's a fresh punk.

Wonder how he got all these
celebrities to show up.

Gregg's no dope, Lieutenant.

He advertises dinner
for $25 a plate.

So naturally when he hands
out free invitations,

the suckers tumble for it.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Unfortunately, most so-called
mediums are merely tricksters

who possess no
psychic powers whatsoever.

They usually rely on
a photographic memory,

having first made inquiries
about their subjects in advance.

They have stooges in the audience
or an assistant who speaks to them

through a prearranged code.

Or invisible writings or whatnot.

This is a new wrinkle.

That is why, ladies and gentlemen,

I take such pleasure
in presenting a young lady

whose extrasensory powers
are not only real,

but transcend anything
within the memory of man.

Tonight will go down in history.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I present Lazuli.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is
my first public appearance and...

quite frankly, I'm nervous.

I, I hope you will be
patient with me.

What's she doing, trying for
audience sympathy or what?

Sure, it's showmanship...

makes her act more believable.

Mm-hmm.

I'm having difficulty
concentrating.

There are so many
hostile minds out there,

I, I can't seem to get through.

She's scared to death.

Oh, I feel sorry for her.

I'm sorry, this,
this is embarrassing.

Is she kidding?

Well, I must say,
she impresses me as the real thing.

Oh, I do hope she comes through.

Wait a minute.

I just received a flash.

There are four people
at a table way over there.

One of them is a brunette
lady in a dark red dress.

She is very
antagonistic toward me.

Madam, would be kind enough to
write your name on a slip of paper?

I need your concentration.

Of course, madam,
what you have written is

"I think you are
a complete humbug."

Is that not right?

It's a neat trick.

That it is.

Your name is Gertrude...
Gertrude Palmer...

and you're with your husband Frank

and your friends
Joey and Alan Ridgeway.

Frank had lunch today
at the Biltmore Grill.

He meet an old pal,
Captain Payson.

You went on a shopping tour.

You bought a new hat
and it cost... $35.40.

Alan is carrying
a silver cigarette case

that you gave him for
Christmas in 19... 40... 1945.

It's inscribed,
"To my darling."

Is all this correct?

Yes, it is.

Girl's clever.

There's no denying that.

I could rattle on like this
for hours but I'm afraid I have

a serious message for you, Alan.

You and Frank were college
chums together at Hanover

and you consider Frank
your very closest friend.

Is that not so?

Why, yes.

In fact, you're both
employed by the same concern,

the Lipton Advertising Agency,
and you, Alan,

have worked out an ingenious
advertising campaign

with which you hope to land
an important Cleveland account.

Why, yes, I'm planning to
leave for Cleveland next week.

You have discussed
your ideas with Frank.

He knows all about them.

Frank has also told you that
he's leaving tomorrow morning

for a vacation at Tahoe.

Is that correct?

Yes.

This is embarrassing.

Tell her to skip us.

Alan, I'm sorry to tell you,

but the Palmers have no
intention of going to Tahoe.

That's not so.

Now lay off of us.

I'm going to give it to you
straight, Alan.

You'll find out
soon enough anyhow.

Frank is not your friend.

How dare you!

You're going too far!

This afternoon Gertrude purchased

two United Airline tickets
to Cleveland.

She paid $465.25 for them
and they're for flight 210

leaving at 8 a.m.
tomorrow morning.

I regret to tell you this, Alan,
but Frank and Gertrude

intend beating you to Cleveland

to steal the account
right out from under your nose.

That's a lie!

If that's so, Gertrude,
how do you explain the tickets?

They're right there
in your pocketbook.

So help me, Lieutenant, she
seems almost on the level.

Oh, all these clairvoyants
are phonies, you know that.

I know but...

A young girl over there
seated with her parents

has a message for me.

Is that not right, Hilda?

Why, yes, Lazuli, that's true.

You recently lost your husband.

It happened while you were
on your honeymoon

and you have created
a vision of him in your mind.

Yes.

The night before, you were
both on the beach, gay and happy.

He was strumming a ukulele.

You made up a song.

Is that correct?

Yes, Lazuli, yes.

You have written the song down...

the music is in your bag.

You called it
"The Song of the Shell."

I seem to be getting an
impression of the melody.

It is sad, plaintive,
but very sweet.

Lyrics start this way.

"Listen again
to the song of the shell."

Am I right, Hilda?

"Tells of a wave
in love with a dune."

That's right!

This beats me.

Yeah.

No one, absolutely no one but
Carl and I have ever heard that song.

Oh, you must be getting
the melody from him.

Please understand, Hilda, that I'm
not in communion with your husband.

Only sadistic charlatans
make such cruel pretenses.

What I have received, I have
received from your mind.

It is reality, it is scientific.

Just how scientific,
the patrons had little idea.

Now to go back
to the very beginning,

to the time that
the Palmers and Ridgeways

first arrived at the Chiffon Club,
and show you how it was done.

The first step was
for the parking attendant

to pick up fragmentary remarks.

The attendant then searched
each car thoroughly

for any bits of information
he could find.

The hat check girl caught
additional scraps of conversation

and even rifled coat pockets
for further data.

The headwaiter made a mental note

of any useable information
he overheard.

Reports from all these sources were
continually being conveyed by phone

to the central clearing office,

which occupied the whole
floor above the restaurant.

Here the customer
information was segregated

and catalogued according to
table numbers.

The data gathered from the employees
supplemented their main pipeline:

small microphones
concealed in the table lamps.

Each table mike had its own plug.

The operators were trained to
linger only on conversations of value.

In this way, an astounding
amount of personal information

was unwittingly revealed.

For instance, the dope regarding
the Palmers and Ridgeways,

with the exception of the cigarette
case inscription and plane tickets.

They were spotted through
dummy flush ceiling lights,

each contained a pane of glass
transparent from the operators' side

but opaque from the patrons'.

It was in this manner that the
operator also read Gertrude's note,

the information being
relayed to the clearing desk.

Even the ladies' lounge

was vulnerable to the prying
eyes of an operator.

It was while Gertrude Palmer
was freshening her makeup

that the Cleveland tickets
were revealed.

And in the same manner,
Hilda's "Song of the Shell"

was discovered by an operator

who knew enough music to
copy down the melodic line.

The mastermind, Roger Kingsley,
was the coordinator.

It was by combining

the various bits of dialogue
and information picked up

that he was able to piece
together the facts.

She's onstage, let's go.

Start with Table 14,

the girl in the red dress
is named Gertrude Palmer.

She's very antagonistic.

Kingsley's message was
picked up by a compact,

battery-operated walkie-talkie
set hidden by Mary Webb's dress.

A wire running
inside her clothes connected

with a button-sized receiver
in one ear.

Madame, would you be kind enough
to write your name on a slip of paper?

I need your concentration.

Wrote, "I think you are
a complete humbug."

She wrote, "I think
you're a complete humbug."

Of course, madam,
what you have written is

"I think you are
a complete humbug."

I just phoned your hotel
for messages.

There's an urgent
call from the police.

You're to go there immediately.

Johnny.

Yeah, be right there.

The girl is Gertrude Palmer.

Her husband is Frank.

He's with his closest friend,
Alan Ridgeway, and his wife, Joey.

Take over.

Start here.

I'll be back as soon as I can.

Okay.

Frank had lunch today
at the Biltmore.

He met an old pal, Captain Payson.

Oh, there you are, Kingsley.

Brownell wanted to see you.

Where is he?

He's working on a murder suspect.

They just brought the guy in.

Will he be long?

I don't know.

You can go down if you want.

Thanks.

All right, son, tell us
just what happened.

I got off work at Douglas
at about 10:00

and thought on the way home
I'd drop in and see Betty...

Miss Blake, that is.

How long have you known her?

Just a few weeks.

Well, go on.

When I got to the apartment,
I poured her a drink.

She took a sip and I poured
a drink out for myself.

Then she collapsed,
writhing on the floor.

And then you called the manager
of the apartment house, is that right?

Yes... Betty
was in pretty bad shape

by the time he got there.

He sent for a doctor
but it was too late.

Cyanide killed her.

How did it get in the whiskey?

I don't know, maybe she put
it in when I turned my back.

The girl didn't commit suicide.

The cyanide was in the bottle.

Besides, we found a receipt
for a new dress, bought today.

Here's a letter
we found in her desk.

It's to her sister.

"I got that new job
I wrote you about

and everything's
working out swell."

Those aren't
indications of suicide.

Where'd that bottle
of whiskey come from?

I brought it. You brought it?

Hello?

Let me talk to Johnny.

Okay, I'll wait.

Where'd you buy the liquor?

I didn't buy it.

I was walking past Rooney's Bar

when a guy came out
and handed it to me.

Who was he? I don't know,
I never saw him before.

You mean to tell me
that a complete stranger

made you a present
of a $5 bottle of whiskey?

Yes, yes, that's the truth,
that's how it happened!

All right, all right,
take it easy.

Johnny, quick,
don't ask any questions.

Has Mary started on
Lieutenant Fenton yet?

No.

Good, I've got a message for him
that'll put Lazuli in the headlines.

Now get to your mike.

Hello, Mary.

Roger's on the phone.

He's got a dynamite idea for you.

It's for Lieutenant Fenton,
he's as Table 42.

He's head of the bunco
squad, he's out to get you.

Now listen, here's the dope.

Those two grim-looking gentlemen
in the far corner of the room

are Lieutenant Fenton and
Sergeant Quinn of the bunco squad.

I have the impression,
Lieutenant, that you are

still skeptical of what
you have seen tonight.

Is that correct?

Correct.

Maybe I can change
your opinion, Lieutenant.

Supposing I tell you what is
happening at this very minute

in your chief's office
down at headquarters.

That I'd like to see.

Me too.

They just brought in
a young boy for questioning.

His name is Speel.

He is suspected of having
given a lethal dose of cyanide

to his girlfriend, Betty Blake.

As a matter of fact,
Chief of Detectives Brownell

is questioning young Speel
at this very moment.

The young man claims
that the bottle of liquor

was given to him by a
stranger in front of Rooney's Bar.

Your friend Brownell
thinks that Speel is lying.

He can't understand
why a perfect stranger

should make this young man a
present of a bottle containing cyanide.

I'm afraid Mr. Speel is in
a rather serious predicament.

May I suggest, Lieutenant, that you
phone and verify these impressions

with Chief Brownell.

We certainly will.

Go ahead.

Roger, Fenton's gone out
to phone Brownell... hang up.

524, please.

Hello, Chief, this is Quinn.

Look, don't think I'm nuts,

but are you questioning
a murder suspect named Speel?

Oh, I see.

How did I know?

I wouldn't dare tell you.

Well?

You're right.

Now I've seen everything.

Ladies and gentlemen,
that's all for this evening.

I'll get it.

Chief Brownell speaking.

Oh?

I see.

You say that this man who so generously
gave you this bottle of whiskey

was short, wiry and had a
bushy head of hair, is that right?

Yes... I didn't get
too good a look at him

but he gave me the bottle
and I went on.

Mm-hmm.

Rooney's Bar is still open.

Two detectives questioned
everybody in the joint.

No one there remembers
seeing a man of that description.

But there are a lot of
people in and out of the bar.

Just because nobody remembers him,
that doesn't mean anything.

Except that it leaves you
holding the bag.

The cyanide in the bottle
killed the girl,

and unless you can prove
where you got that bottle,

you're in a pretty
tough spot, young fella.

I tell ya, I know nothing
about the cyanide.

Sit down.

Was Betty Blake two-timing you?

No, she didn't
mean anything to me.

Were you jealous of her?

No, I told ya, no!

Why don't you come clean?

I didn't do it, I tell ya,
I didn't do it!

Lock him up.

Look... if I had intended
to murder the girl,

would I have called the doctor,
would I have stayed there

and waited for the police to come?

And would I have come up
with such a lame alibi

as to where I got the bottle?

He has a point.

He's got a good point.

Makes a lot of sense.

You're impressed with it.

A lot of people would be
impressed with it.

You know, I think you're
a pretty smart kid.

Maybe even smart enough to
have figured that all out in advance.

But I hardly knew the girl,
and I can prove that.

You'll get a chance to
prove a lot more than that.

Think it over.

Let's go.

What do you make of this?

Oh, I don't know.

It's a puzzler, all right.

The drugstores'll have a record of
every person who bought cyanide.

Chief Brownell speaking.

I want every available man
to call all the drugstores

and bring in anyone who made
a purchase of cyanide

in the last year,
and I want them here

by 12:00 noon
tomorrow... right.

I'm sorry, Kingsley,

I've been so long getting to
that Mary Webb matter.

We're both tired...

why don't you let it go
till tomorrow?

That's a good idea.

If you don't mind, I'll come
in shortly before noon.

I'd like to tag along
on this Speel case...

it interests me.

Okay.

Oh, Chief, can I see you a minute?

Sure.

Excuse me.

This Lazuli
over at the Chiffon Club

called the turn
on this Blake murder

right while you were
questioning Speel.

She did?

That's right, chief.

Any reporters in on it?

No, nobody but our own
boys... and Kingsley.

Kingsley?

Yeah, I sent for him.

Oh.

Well, we'll talk about
this tomorrow.

Good night, fellas.

Good night, Chief.

You know, if the Chief
himself hadn't sent for Kingsley,

I'd, I'd swear he had some
connection with all this.

Oh, now, wait a minute.

All right, then you tell me.

How did Lazuli get this dope?

Kingsley was
the only outsider here.

If she got anything from Kingsley,

she'd have to be a psychic
to end all psychics.

He might have phoned it in.

How? She was right there on
the stage in front of us all the time.

I don't know.

Well, I don't know, either.

But Kingsley is the only man
that was in New York...

All right, all right.

Well, I know one thing.

She played the fiddle, the girl
who took Markwell played the fiddle,

Kingsley's girl
played the fiddle...

everybody plays the fiddle.

All right, so it's a coincidence.

Sure, and it was a coincidence

that Kingsley could call almost
the exact hour she'd take the Royal.

And it's another coincidence

that though she had
a three-quarter-mile lead,

he was able to track her
down to Seventh and Hill.

I don't know.

You saw the police reports,
mug shots of Mary Webb.

She definitely is not Lazuli.

Oh, it's enough
to drive you screwy.

But the whole thing
may be solved like that.

Yeah, how?

When New York sends us a
photograph of Kingsley's girlfriend.

The house is swarming
with reporters.

Yeah, we're having a devil of a
time keeping them away from you.

They want a statement.

To find out whether young Speel
is guilty or innocent, I suppose.

Naturally, and we got a break.

Speel's sister called and
asked for a private reading.

Oh, no.

What do you mean, "Oh, no?"

It's terrific.

Don't you see?

We told her that if she'd
come down to the club tonight,

you more than likely would get
some impression that would be helpful.

Boy, wait till the reporters
get a load of that.

Oh, but it's cruel.

Be sensible, Mary.

This might even put us
on the front pages!

It's a cinch it would

if Lazuli could give Speel's
sister some inside track

that even the police don't know.

Boy, that would really
set the town on its ear.

Oh, no, wait a minute,
wait a minute.

It isn't enough
he pretends to be a cop.

Now he wants to outsmart
them to boot!

I did all right for you
last night, didn't I?

As a matter of fact,

I have an appointment with
Brownell in a few minutes.

Look, how far do you think you
can stretch your luck with these cops?

Now lay off, will ya?

You talk to him, Mary.

I don't think anybody
can tell Roger anything.

We're doing plenty
all right as it is.

Do you know I had to put on
two extra operators

at the club last night to answer
the calls, and do you know why?

Because the suckers are
clamoring for private readings.

So they really fell for it.

And in droves.

I tell you, after last night,

this town is a pushover
for our copper stock.

We'll hit our mark in 60 days.

This thing's really snowballing.

Just hold tight, Mary.

How about it?

I agreed.

Now I must go back to
playing cops and robbers.

So long.

The guy's got a nerve.

That he has.

While the audacious Roger Kingsley

was endeavoring to establish
the murderer of Betty Blake,

the New York Police were
endeavoring to establish

the identity of Mary Webb.

Your boss around?

No, he comes in after 7:00.

How long's he had the place?

Oh, about a year.

Were you here before that?

Yeah, why?

About a year and a half ago?

Maybe... something wrong?

Remember a blonde girl,
a violinist, she used to work here.

The one that
called herself Yvette?

Perhaps.

Well, she wasn't here very long.

I don't know anything about her.

Just a minute.

I want a photograph of the girl.

I'm sorry, I can't help you.

Well, there should be
a display photo of her.

Maybe there's one still around.

I doubt it.

You got any suggestions?

Well, there's a lot of junk
back there in the closet.

Thanks, I'll take a look.

Sullivan talking.

We've covered every drugstore.

Four men have bought
cyanide in the last year.

They're here now.

Good... send for Speel.

Let me know
as soon as he comes down.

Would you mind if I go along
on this meeting with Speel?

Not at all.

Kingsley, I'm sorry I
crossed you up last night,

but I was trying to arrange
a meeting with Markwell.

The pawnbroker?

Yes, but when this
Speel matter came up,

I had to call it off and I
couldn't reach you in time.

You see, Lieutenant Fenton
was supposed to cover this case.

What's the purpose?

Well, we have no proof that the girl
who took Markwell was Mary Webb.

But it was certainly
her type of operation

and I traced her
to the same building.

Well, it's a hundred-to-one
shot that it was Mary Webb,

but we've got to have
positive proof.

Of course.

That's probably Markwell now.

Speel is here.

We're waiting for you, Chief.

I'll be there in a few minutes.

Why don't you go ahead
and let me handle Markwell?

And when you get through,
come on in.

Mr. Markwell's here, sir.

Send him in.

This way, Mr. Markwell.

Mr. Markwell got tied up at
the last moment and sent me.

I hope that's all right.

Quite all right.

We wanted Mr. Markwell to identify
our photographs of Mary Webb.

Oh, I can do that, sir.

I remember her very well.

Bring in the photographs
of Mary Webb.

Never mind, Chief,
I have a set here.

Oh, that's the girl, all right.

I'm sorry, Chief,
but one of these birds says

he's just got to
get back to his business.

I'm coming.

She's very pretty.

Thanks, fella,
you did us a good service.

Come along.

Looks like the Series'll
go the limit this year.

Don't kid yourself.

The Yanks'll take the next
three games and sew the thing up.

Oh, yeah?

The Giants have got
a new team this year.

We're gonna show you
three men, Speel.

I want to see
if you recognize anyone

as the bird you claim gave
you the bottle of whiskey.

All right, fellas, let's go.

Come on.

Face front.

Face right.

Face right.

Face right.

That's him...
the guy in the middle.

He's the one that gave me
the bottle.

All right, step down.

Upstairs, you two.

What's your name?

Pope, William Pope.

He's the guy, I tell ya.

I'm the guy that did what?

You gave me that bottle of whiskey
last night in front of Rooney's Bar.

The boy's nuts, I never
saw him before in my life.

What is this, some kind of
a screwy frame-up?

All right, Pope, let's have it.

Why'd you put the potassium
cyanide in the bottle?

Potassium cyanide?

What are you talking about?

Dr. Braddock admitted
buying it for you.

For me?

I never even heard
of Dr. Braddock.

Now, wait a minute, Pope.

You're not gonna get
anywhere this way.

Dr. Braddock is one of the most
respected dentists in the town.

I don't care who he is.

If he says he bought any cyanide for me,
he's lying in his teeth,

and I'll tell him that
to his face too.

You'll get plenty
of chance to do that.

Lock him up.

What for?!

Suspicion of homicide.

Well, looks like we got our man.

On the contrary, I think
we're deeper in the dark.

I'm pretty sure Pope gave
the bottle to the boy.

His protests
sounded kinda phony to me.

He is a lousy actor.

You're right.

That's why I think he was on the
level about not knowing the doctor.

His rage seemed genuine.

Let's bring Dr. Braddock
in for questioning.

No, no, not yet.

I want to get a little more
evidence first.

Get out a warrant
to search Pope's house.

Question his wife,
intimate friends.

Find out anything you can,
but remember,

I don't want any of this
to get to the newspapers.

We've checked
Pope's record, Chief.

He's been arrested half
a dozen times on burglary.

Always been let go
on insufficient evidence.

How come?

A mouthpiece named Richard Downs
had a particular interest in the guy.

I'll see you later, Chief.

Right.

Oh, Lieutenant.

What's the gag regarding
this fellow Downs?

He was a crooked lawyer with
a thousand tricks up his sleeve.

We always thought he planned
the robberies for Pope

but never could prove it.

Hmm, I see.

I'd like to have my teeth cleaned.

I wonder if the doctor
could fit me in?

Well, did you have an appointment?

No, I'm afraid not.

Well, what's your name, please?

Roger Smith.

Oh, I'm afraid the doctor's
pretty well filled up today.

Well, I'm just killing time
between trains.

I may as well wait here
as at the station.

It might be quite some time.

Who recommended
Dr. Braddock to you?

Uh, one of his patients
the last time I was in town.

For the moment, I don't
recall his name.

Well, you just have a seat.

Thank you.

You may go in now,
Mr. Pringle.

Say, I believe
I remember that name now.

Does that doctor have a
patient by the name of Pope?

Pope?

No... no, I'm sure he doesn't.

Now I know.

I had Pope confused
with someone else.

The name I was trying to
remember is Downs, Richard Downs.

Oh, yes, of course.

Mr. Downs has been a patient
for quite some time.

In fact, Dr. Braddock and
Mr. Downs are old friends.

I see.

Well, I have a couple
of errands I can do.

Why don't I take
potluck after lunch?

That's a good idea.

I think your best time
will be about 3:30.

Thank you.

See if you can find the phone
number of Richard Downs.

What are you up to?

Brother, something plenty hot.

I got a tip down at headquarters
today and jumped the gun on Brownell.

I get it.

What did you find out?

Nothing definite,
it's a hunch, just a hunch.

But if I'm right, Lazuli
may have something sizzling

to say tonight.
Like?

Like naming the guy who put
the cyanide in the bottle.

What?

Say, that would be
out of this world.

Everything depends on
whether I can get this bird Downs

to come to the club tonight.

Here's that number you wanted.

Arizona 9-7248.

Dial it for me, will you?

Right.

If this Downs is our baby,

we might pick up some dope on the
mikes tonight that'll cinch the case.

Uh, hello?

Just a moment, please.

This Richard Downs?

Hello, Dick.

A friend of yours
asked me to call you.

He doesn't want his name
used but you're in trouble.

I suppose you read
in the papers this morning

about that clairvoyant
who's been calling the shots

on the Betty Blake murder?

What's that got to do with you?

Plenty, pal.

Your friend got a tipoff
that tonight Lazuli intends

to connect you with the murder.

If you're smart, you'll be
at Gregg's Chiffon Club

tonight to protect yourself
in the clinches.

So long, Dick.

You think it'll work?

I think it will.

I want all the spot announcements
on the radio we can get.

Television too, if possible.

But I don't get it...
the club's booked solid.

The more Downs hears,
the more worried he'll get.

The more worried he gets,
the more likely he'll come.

That's a good one there.

We'll say that Lazuli promises

to follow up her startling
revelations of last night

with even more sensational
disclosures on the Betty Blake murder.

Well, it's 10 after 12.

We can't hold up the show
any longer.

There's no sign of Downs yet.

No? Well, I guess we'll just
have to get along without him.

Don't worry, dear, we've
still got a lot of dynamite.

Anyway, Speel's sister's
been here for several hours.

She's at table 14 with her lawyer.

We've picked up quite a lot
of dope already.

Well, that'll help.

Come on, Mary.

Downs is here.

The parking lot attendant
found his name

on the registration slip
of his car

and the attendant
also found a pistol

concealed in
the glove compartment.

Hey, Downs and that guy with
him are being seated at Table 43.

Come on.

They're ugly-looking customers.

They frighten me.

Okay, let's get going.

We'll feed you the dope
as it comes through.

All right.

Ladies and gentlemen,
I present... Lazuli.

I'm trying to clear my mind of the
impressions that keep crowding in.

It is the answer to young
Hal Speel's guilt or innocence

that I am trying
to concentrate on.

Speel's sister phoned me
at the hotel today

and promised to be here tonight.

Yes, she is here...
definitely here.

I see the picture of a very
attractive brunette in a gray suit.

There she is, sitting with
a gray-haired gentleman.

He is an attorney.

She has engaged him
to defend her brother.

I know my brother didn't
murder that girl...

I know he didn't.

Please, please, Lazuli,
will you help us?

Of course...
I'll do all I can, Peggy.

I have some very good news
for you, Peggy.

I feel a positive vibration

that your brother's
innocence will be proven.

When, Lazuli? When?

Yeah, that's what
I'd like to know.

Very soon... tomorrow.

Tomorrow?

I seem to feel the vague
impression of a wiry little man.

He has steel-gray hair.

He had a mustache
but it is shaved off.

His name is...

It's beginning to come to me.

Pope.

Yes, that's it, Pope.

William... yes, he's the one

who gave your brother
the bottle of liquor.

Then... then Pope wanted to
murder my brother.

He put the poison in the liquor.

No... no, he didn't.

I, I don't understand.

It's confusing, very confusing.

The poison was intended for Pope.

That's the impression I'm getting.

The bottle was given to Pope.

He gave it to your brother
to get rid of it.

Go on, Lazuli.

Please go on.

Now, wait a minute.

You could have
gotten this information

through some pipeline
on our police force.

If you can really pull
these things out of the air,

tell us why Pope
gave the bottle to Speel.

I'm not on the witness stand to be
cross-examined, Sergeant Quinn.

I can only give you the
impressions as I receive them.

I do not know why Pope
gave the bottle to Speel.

I only know that he did.

It could have been because
Pope didn't like whiskey,

or perhaps he wanted no gifts from
the man who gave the liquor to him.

Then there was another man,
and he gave the liquor to Pope.

Is that it, Lazuli?

Of that I am sure.

Who is this man?

What's his name?

Let me see you answer that one.

I'm afraid that's all I can
give you for the moment.

I'll pass on to someone else.

There's a gentleman
at the table to my left.

Now, that's one way
to get out of it.

But my brother's life is at stake.

If you know who this man is,
please, please tell us, Lazuli.

I must admit, I don't
have much confidence

in this sort of thing, madam.

But if you can help this girl's brother,
it's your duty to do so.

I'll try.

That's it, darling,
you're doing great.

The more you can make
Downs sizzle,

the better chance we have
to get something out of him.

My impressions are out of focus.

They're, they're vague,
they're indistinct, they...

they come and go
like flashes of light.

Then can you tell us why this
man wanted to murder Pope?

That might help.

Yes, it's beginning to come to me.

It's because Pope was
involved in some robberies.

And this man,
the murderer, I mean,

had inside information
which enabled him

to plan the robberies
for Pope to execute.

He felt that Pope knew too much.

He wanted to get him
out of the way.

And that's why he gave him
the bottle of liquor.

It's not very clear,
but that's the way it comes to me.

How did she get all this?

I don't know.

You're on the right track...
Downs is cracking.

You've got Downs going.

Now's the time to strike.

Here's the dope on the dentist.

You know who
the murderer is, Lazuli.

You do, don't you?

For my brother's sake,
you must tell us... you must.

But I can't... it would
only be an impression.

It wouldn't prove anything.

I can't stand here
and accuse a man of murder,

not without any evidence.

Then you do know, you do.

I told you, Peggy,
you don't have to worry.

Your brother will be
cleared tomorrow.

Of that I am sure.

But if you won't tell us
why, how can I be sure?

Because the police will question
a certain dentist tomorrow.

His name is Braddock.

That's it... Dr. Braddock.

Dr. Braddock will admit
that he bought the cyanide

for the man who put it
in the bottle of whiskey.

Well, then, why did Braddock
tell the police

that he bought it for Pope?

Because the murderer
did not tell Dr. Braddock

that he was buying
the cyanide for himself.

He said he was buying it
for his friend Pope,

who wanted it for an insecticide.

But Lazuli, I don't understand.

It formed an alibi
for the murderer.

If Pope died from cyanide,
it would seem accidental.

Oh, but how?

How can we ever prove all this?

Dr. Braddock will confess.

That will break the case.

You know what to do.

His address is
435 North Flower Street.

Get going.

Downs just told his friend to
go to 435 North Flower Street.

Said, "You know what to do."

What did he mean by that?

I don't know.

Mary was talking
about Dr. Braddock.

Could it be that...?

I was thinking the same thing.

Give me that phone book.

The parking attendant
just reported

that guy tore out of the lot
in Downs' car.

And remember, there's a loaded
gun in the glove compartment.

Yeah, here it is.

You were right...

that's the address
of Dr. Braddock's house.

I better phone the doctor
and warn him.

No, that's no good.

Downs and Braddock are friends.

That's right, Braddock
wouldn't believe it.

He'd think it was a gag.

Well, it's a cinch if we don't do
something, Braddock'll be bumped off.

We're in trouble.

That fellow with Downs
has gone to get Braddock.

We must get Fenton to stop him.

Wait a minute, something
serious has happened!

A man has just left
this restaurant.

I don't know why I got this flash,

but he's on his way
to kill Dr. Braddock!

We must act quickly
to save a man's life!

Listen to me, Sergeant Quinn.

You must phone to send a
squad car to intercept this man.

He's in a green Cadillac and he's
headed for Dr. Braddock's house

at 435 North Flower Street.

You expect me to arrest a man just
on the say-so of a phony mindreader?

You must believe me.

If you don't act now,
a man will be killed!

You trying to make
a fool out of me?

This mindreading stuff
is just a racket.

Believe me, what I'm saying
is on the level.

Fenton's trying to trap you...
don't fall for it.

I called the turns
last night, didn't I?

Look, it was a trick then
and it's a trick now.

If this man's life
is really in danger,

then give me
some tangible evidence.

Tell me how you got
your information.

Don't say another word.

You've gone too far already.

What did she say?

Tell you on the way... hurry.

If you're withholding
any concrete evidence,

you're endangering a man's life.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Lazuli is exhausted.

She cannot go on.

You must excuse her for tonight.

That is all.

##

Roger, what'll we do?

Get out of here.

If we go now,
Braddock'll be killed.

So what?

If you don't want to spend the
next couple of years in jail, come on!

But don't you see, Roger?

If I can save a man's life
and I don't do it,

it'd be like killing him myself!

Well, what are we, his wet nurse?

He got himself into this mess.

It's his worry, not ours.

It's a man's life!

I can't let him be killed,
Roger, I can't!

You're coming with us.

It's bad enough what you asked
me to do to those people out there,

but murder, that's something else.

We're not the ones
that are killing the guy.

It depends entirely
on how you look at it.

I'm going back.

You'll do nothing of the kind.

Let me go.

##

A car can get from here
to 435 North Flower Street

in less than 15 minutes.

If you're on the level,
you better make it snappy.

All right, Sergeant, you win.

I'm Mary Webb
and this is all a fake.

We had microphones
hidden in the table lamps.

That's how we picked up
the information.

And I can tell you
something else, Sergeant.

The man who killed
Betty Blake is Richard Downs

and he was sitting at
that table right over there.

Don't worry, we'll get him.

##

Al, this is Quinn.

Yeah, put out an all-points
bulletin and pick up Richard Downs.

Right... thank you.

##

I want you to know
I'm gonna go to bat for you.

There's even an outside chance
you might get off with probation.

Thanks.

It doesn't matter anymore.

You ready?

Mm-hmm.

##

Tell you what, Sergeant.

Why don't you phone
for the squad car

and, um... let me
hold the prisoner?

I got news for you, Kingsley.

There's an "s" on the end
of the word "prisoner".

And here's something you can
add to your souvenirs.

Nice likeness of
Mary Webb, don't you think?

Remarkable.

Came in on the wire service
from New York.

Got it this morning.

We've known about everything
you've been up to.

Oh, darling, darling.

All right, let's go.

It might interest you to
know that Lieutenant Fenton

has Dr. Braddock
in protective custody.

We've got two men
staked out at his house.

See, it's difficult
to prove a poison murder.

We thought with your
hocus pocus here at the club,

it'd be a good way
to get the goods on Downs.

I guess I had you pegged
from the start, Kingsley.

Let that be a lesson
to you, Sergeant.

Always play your hunches.

And so, on April 20, 1950,

just ten days from the point
at which the story began,

the careers of our two
"master swindlers"

drew to their inevitable close.

##