Espionage Agent (1939) - full transcript

800 killed, 2,000 injured.

American working men
slaughtered at their benches.

Is it part of our job Mr. Secretary
to stand by and do nothing?

Officially our relations with the
imperial German government are friendly.

And yet we're being
attacked, not by troops in uniform...

by an internal army of
spies, saboteurs and propagandists.

Are the victims of the black
Tom explosion any less dead...

because their blood was shed unofficially?

That is something
congress must face Mr. Corvall.

It is something congress
should've faced long ago.

Will we as a nation ever learn the
distinction between tolerance and stupidity?



But I don't understand
what this is all about.

What are they shooting each other for?

- Madam, they're having a revolution.
- Revolution?

- Good heavens, will it come over here?
- No madam.

- How do you know they won't?
- Tangier is protected by international law.

Young man, don't you know that
revolutionists don't obey the law?

I demand to be protected
by the United States government.

- You will be madam.
- That's better.

But I can't understand,
why can't I go into Morocco?

It's on my schedule,
I paid for it. There, you see?

Fifth day, breakfast at Tetuan,
leave by caravan for desert.

Now it's the seventh day, all my plans upset.

I may not be able to go
to the desert after all.

Madam, there are other deserts you can go to.



Next please.

What is this, a wake?
I can't stay here forever.

There goes my vacation.
What you going to do with us now?

Why can't you get us hotel rooms?

Will you please tell me how
we can get a boat out of here?

Please please.
I realize what you've all been through.

Now, if you'll just be
patient a little longer.

- You can't soft soap me young fella.
- Quite sure of that.

You got to get me out of this
dump today, I got business.

You got to get me out of here, quick.

Be glad to get you out as quick as we can.

What's yours Barry?

- Theota Road.
- Mine is the Old Gate.

Well, we split here then, I go straight east.

How do you suppose so many Americans
got to Morocco in the first place?

Oh, travel folders, I suppose.

Africa must sound good after Medicine Hat.

Give me Medicine Hat,
they don't have air raids.

Keep your feet dry.

This is an outrage, I'm an American
citizen and I demand my rights.

I demand protection against
those foreigners out there.

You just tell them who you are
Phineas, tell them who you are.

I'm Phineas T. O'Grady, chairman of
the National Dollar Day Committee.

- Don't mean a thing to him.
- Maybe they don't speak English.

Sure, me work in Brooklyn...

uno, dos, tres, 8 years ago.

You all right,
only don't run, they shoot you.

You fat, you eat too much.

Oh, never mind that,
I demand to be allowed to go along.

What are you keeping
us here for? I demand to go on.

Just a minute, just a minute, I'm
Corvall, of the United States consulate.

- You all American?
- Yes.

You're darn tooting we are.

Now, let's have a little
action around here, why don't keep...

Easy, easy.

These gentlemen are officers,
they're merely doing their duty.

Oh, so you're going to take
their side of it, are you?

Now, wait till my
congressman hears about this.

Now, just a minute, just a minute,
let me see your passports.

Here's mine sir.

- All right.
- Thank you.

Here's mine.

- My wife, daughter and myself.
- Well, where's yours?

Oh, I can't find it.
What difference does it make?

- Don't we look like Americans?
- You couldn't be mistaken...

but the formality is required.

I've no time to argue with
you young man, I demand my rights.

All right.

For the time being, just give me your name,
your place of birth and your residence.

The name is O'Grady,
and we're from Queens on Brooklyn.

Thank you Mr. O'Grady.

All right, I'll vouch for
them, they're from Brooklyn.

Ok, Brooklyn.

Come here, quick.

- I know you.
- Yes.

Can you make it?

I think so.

Nerves, I guess.

I've never been
frightened before, not like this.

Oh, it's awful.

- Where will we go?
- Tangier.

Oh, it'll be the same there.

- No.
- We'll be interned.

No, we got friends there.

We go get passports, Muller is there.

Wait.

Fraulein, Muller is here.

Herr Muller will see her.

I'm as surprised as I am delighted.

Allow me to present,
is it still miss Ballard?

- It is.
- Herr Strawn.

How do you do?

- You come from Morocco.
- Yes.

Suppose you tell us about it.

I was touring with
a company from the Madrid opera.

The, I guess you'd call
it a revolution broke out.

We were taken to headquarters and questioned.
My papers of identity were taken from me.

You know why.

Afterward, I was
interned but I managed to escape.

Miss Ballard is an American.

She was left destitute in Geneva,
wasn't it? By the death of her parents.

At the time, we needed the assistance
of an attractive young woman and miss...

Ballard fit into our plan admirably.

On several other occasions
she was of service to the organization.

Later, there was a regrettable exposure...

and I suspect that her papers have
been a sort of trouble to her ever since.

I see.

And you are here because you
wish an American passport.

Yes. Please...

- you owe me that.
- Yes.

Miss Ballard is unknown in America.
I'm sure she would be useful.

In return for the passport, you
will of course expect to render us...

- a slight service from time to time.
- Oh yes, I'll do anything...

anything to get out of this,
to have a little peace.

Not to see death anymore, not to be hounded.

Just a moment please.
Have your passport ready.

- Is that all?
- Yes, that's all.

Oh, it's you.

Yes and I'm not looking
for my aunt Minnie either.

Well, that's one American
we won't have to worry about.

Bless her sweet soul, what's up Dud?

Just dropped in to say goodbye.

- Yeah? Where to?
- Everywhere, anywhere.

- Which side of the street?
- Side trouble is on.

Right now it looks like Spain.

Fuse is sputtering there...

but the explosion might come in
Austria, Poland, China, I don't know.

Remind me not to apply for
an appointment in those places Barry.

Doesn't matter,
Europe is full of powder kegs.

And there's an American State
Department man sitting on every one.

Unpleasant thought.

But Barry and I are through
with powder kegs after Saturday.

- Going into the foreign service school.
- Congratulations.

- When do you take off?
- Sailing on the Fredonia.

Well, study hard.

Maybe you'll have a bigger
powder keg to sit on someday.

But while you're holding
this one down, take my tip...

and watch out for the fancy pants guys.

They'll liable to steal the consulate
before your successor gets here.

- You wouldn't mean spies, would you?
- I would.

This place is an anthill of them.

And when you get back
to the states, try to convince them...

that isolation is a political policy
and not a brick wall around the nation.

The fancy pants guys walk
right through political policies.

I'll try and remember that Dud, but right
now I'm so busy with my lost sheep...

- that I...
- Please...

If you please.

You see?

Chilled.

- Not a doctor in the house.
- Take her in that other room.

Am I keeping you?

Well, as a matter of fact, you are.

I've an appointment to meet a bunch
of Iowa tourists and go quietly insane.

Please do.

- If you'll excuse me.
- Of course we'll excuse you.

- Is this a habit?
- What?

Fainting in consulates, here.

- Bless you.
- What?

Bless you.

Oh yes, I sneezed.
It's been so long since I heard that.

You been away from the
United States long miss...

- Miss Ballard?
- Yes, a long time.

- This is smudged, isn't it?
- Oh yes, the rain, it got wet, you know.

Yes, so did you, you
feel up to a few questions?

Of course.

- Who would you like to have notified?
- Of what?

Of your safety, of course, your family
must've known you were in the war zone.

Heaven knows how you got across the border
without being shot, but as long as you did...

you might as well let the folks in on it.
It's on uncle Sam, you know.

Thanks, I haven't any family.

- Well, about your friends?
- Haven't any friends either.

Well, it's incredible,
there must be someone to notify.

- What about your enemies?
- I don't think they'd be interested.

Miss Ballard, you're hiding something from
me, now don't tell me you ran away from home.

Do I have to tell you
the story of my life now?

No, of course not, go ahead.
Finish the rest of your medicine.

- Oh, it's bitter.
- Well, it's regulations.

You know, my mother used to make me
take that every time I got a cold.

Either that or she rubbed
me all over with camphor oil.

- Now, of course if you'd prefer I'd be...
- I'll take the medicine.

Right.

Practically cured.

You intend going back to the
United States soon miss Ballard?

- Yes.
- Good, should.

- Why? Am I that much trouble?
- No, not at all.

As a matter of fact, I'm sailing too.

Going back to the foreign
service school in Washington.

You know, take sort
of a postgraduate course in...

what to do with charming young
ladies that faint in your consulate.

You seem to know
already, you've been very kind.

Purely in the line of duty.
If I can be of any further service.

Could you tell me if
there's a ship sailing soon?

Yes, as a matter of fact, there are two,
the Ocean Queen and the Fredonia.

But the fredonia, there's a ship,
that's the one I'm sailing on.

Now, if you'd like, I'd be glad
to arrange accommodations for you.

Well, if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

You think it would be possible to get
something that's not very expensive?

You see, all I have
left is a letter of credit...

and when I get through
buying the clothes I need...

Now, don't you worry about
a thing, I'll get at it immediately.

You are kind.

Purely in the line of duty.

- In the line of duty?
- Well, yes.

They taught me that in the service.

But as a matter of fact, this is the first
time I've been enthusiastic about the idea.

I'll have this fixed up for you.

This isn't mine.

- Yes miss, this is cabin C-22.
- Oh no, there must be some mistake.

No miss, there's no mistake.

- Pleasant crossing miss.
- Thank you.

Why didn't we just come aboard as stowaways?

- Is there anything wrong old man?
- Well, you see nothing wrong I suppose.

No, I can't say that I do.

Nothing wrong, eh? We book
first class passage and look what we get.

A miniature Turkish bath,
a steam heated phone booth.

Yes?

Oh, hello.

Plumber's idea of heaven,
a pipe fitter's nightmare.

Quiet.

What?

Oh, that?

Well, we have a dog in our cabin.

Yes, he's been yelping and crying
ever since we got underway.

Self respecting Airedale wouldn't be
found dead in this supercharged flea trap.

You mean to tell me
this is an inexpensive cabin?

Well, it's just what I told you I'd pay.

Well you know, they were going to put
you down in some dinky little old hole and...

Lowell wouldn't stand for it.

- No sir, he used his political pull.
- So I've got political pull, have I?

Then I'm going to use it right away to
get us out of this pint sized barbecue pit.

- Now, give me that phone.
- The purser please.

Give me the phone.

Will you marry me?

Will you marry me?

It says here darling, why won't you marry me?

Will you marry me?

Hello.

- Hello.
- Hello.

Bit misty, eh?

The fog, I mean.

Fish swimming around in
the stuff, dangerous to navigation..

Yeah.

Our stateroom is somewhere around
here but I'll be hanged if I can find it.

You shouldn't give up so easily old boy.

- Perhaps not, you don't mind if I shove on?
- Oh, no, not at all.

- But why darling? Tell me why.
- Please Barry.

Look Brenda, as soon
as this fog lifts we'll be in New York.

Then in a few minutes, we'll be all
mixed up with other people and things.

Unimportant people and things but...

they may get us separated
and I couldn't stand that darling.

Oh, yes you could Barry.
It'd be the best thing for you.

Besides, you, you'd have
your work and your career.

But you don't seem to understand
I'm head over heels in love with you.

- You're my career.
- No, I'm not Barry.

Yes, Brenda.

Why do you think I joined
the consulate service?

Why do you think I was sent to Tangier?
So I'd be there when you came walking in.

I know why you joined the service Barry.

Remember what you told me about your father?

And how much your career
means to your mother?

Look, I've been trying
to ask you a simple question...

50 times a day for the last 5 days
and you keep dragging my career into it.

Oh, why don't you give me a simple answer?

The first time you asked me
I didn't think you meant it.

- After that I, I was afraid you did.
- Why? Why were you afraid?

- Because I love you.
- You what?

Because I love you.

- Now, don't force me to tell you the rest.
- What else is there to tell?

About me.

The reasons why I can't marry you.

The reasons why it would be unfair to you...

to your mother, to
your career, if I did marry you.

- Barry, what do you know about me?
- Everything.

I know that I love you and that you
love me and that's all I want to know.

- You don't understand.
- Yes, but I do understand.

Whatever it is you're afraid of is a long
way off, yesterday swallowed it up.

Today and tomorrow and all the rest
of the tomorrows belong to us together.

All the tomorrows? Barry, if it could be?

Lost again, can't find it for the life of me.

Say, would you mind doing that
again, I mean, what you were doing?

Gladly.

- Barry.
- Mother.

Oh, my dear.

Oh, how are you?

Never felt better in my life,
six days of sea breezes, you look fine.

Washington breezes
maybe, there plenty of them.

Looks like they agreed with you.

- Lowell, welcome home.
- Thanks Mrs. Corvall, it's nice to see you.

Mother, I have a surprise
for you. Miss Ballard, Brenda.

So glad to meet you.

Well Mrs. Corvall, if you'll
excuse me, I think I'll be getting along.

- Oh, come with us.
- No thanks, I've to go on to Richmond.

- Call you when I get back Barry.
- Right.

Good bye.

Well mother, I'm here too.

Of course, I don't blame you for not
being able to take your eyes off Brenda.

I can look at you at home.

Is your home in Europe?

Oh, that is I never think of it as home.

- She's a waif mother.
- A waif? Really Barry.

If you want to be technical, a refugee, but
I think waif is a much nicer name for it.

Say, could we drop this little waif off
at the Kaslan house on our way home?

I'm sure we can.

Come here skipper, glad to see me?

It's good to be home after
the way things are in Europe.

Barry, who's Brenda?

Oh, I told you about her.
I mean, how I met her.

Oh, are you very much in love?

Do I show it that much? How do you like her?

Oh, I like her as much as I've ever liked
anyone after seeing her for 10 minutes.

But you won't be surprised at me...

when I'd seen her for
10 minutes, I decided to marry her.

Have you asked her to marry you?

You don't mind, do you?

Barry, I wouldn't stand in the way of
you happiness for anything in the world.

Thanks mother.

All the same, I have an idea that you'd
be glad to know that she turned me down.

Yes I am Barry.

But you probably won't
take her first answer as final.

- Well now, what would be your advice?
- My advice...

Is to remember that marriage is a very
important thing in any man's career...

- especially a diplomat's.
- I know that mother.

Perhaps you don't know
what a promising career you have.

You've done very well in the service, I heard
that from several people in the department.

Well, that's not bad on the ears.

You know dear, your father
and I had such ambitions for you...

that you should've a
career as distinguished as his.

And be as happy as he was too, I hope.

What do you really know about Brenda?

- Well, what do I have to know?
- A great deal, I should think.

I know, mother, but...

That's the way it is in diplomacy,
you have to take chances.

You take a chance that wins,
they call you a farseeing statesman.

You take a chance that loses,
they call you an impractical blunderer.

But if you don't take any chances at all...

you wake up one morning and find
the whole parade is passed you by.

I don't want that to happen to me.

Information, get me the Kaslan house please.

With European war shadows deepening daily...

you men have been
brought back to Washington...

to prepare yourselves for duties that
henceforth will be more difficult than ever.

As at the outbreak of the last war,
you will need great care, tact, caution.

But beyond that, the most important
thing for you to carry on with you is this...

remember you are
Americans, representing America...

and the American policy of maintaining peace.

It is on the basis of your
confidential reports to this department...

that our government operates this policy.

One of your most difficult tasks...

will be the sending in of reports
of conditions as they really are...

not as the other fellow's foreign
office wants you to believe they are.

Remember you cannot let sympathy or prejudice
affect your reports to this department.

The flags designate the 349
outposts of the department...

the embassies, legation,
consulate offices and agencies.

Each of these outposts operate under
the fundamental principles of the service...

which is to recognize
the sanctity of treaties...

and the equality of all men
and nations, strong and weak alike...

under the protection of international law.

- Looks pretty mysterious, doesn't it?
- Sure does.

Let me have one.

- It's almost human.
- Better, it doesn't talk.

Ever since the world war, we've
been trying to perfect a machine...

that would encode and decode automatically.

Well, here it is.

What's to prevent a foreign power
from using the same kind of machine?

It would do them no good unless
they had a key to each message.

The machine offers a variation of
2,372 entirely original codes.

That would give any inquisitive outsider...

2,371 chances of being wrong,
even if he had the machine to work with.

Does this machine take the
place of all former code books?

Oh no, not at all, we have these also.

You must remember,
secrecy of diplomatic codes...

is as important to our national
defense as the Army and Navy.

Totalitarian countries
show no mercy to spies...

whose fate is the ax,
guillotine or the firing squad.

In this country, we are
more tolerant with spies.

Many foreign spies enter this
country on forged passports.

This one was the real thing.

Apparently, was stolen
from the person it was issued to...

then cleaned up with ink
eradicator, the serial number changed...,

and this photograph pasted in.

There are, however, organized
rings who deal in forged passports...

making it a comparatively simple
matter for spies to obtain them.

- Good luck.
- Thanks, Barry. Same to you.

Mr. Peyton, what's your
opinion of the present situation?

Unofficially, you mean?

You see, we are the richest
storehouse of war material in the world...

and both sides want access to it,
hence, our present state of affairs..

Let me show you gentlemen,
how history repeats itself.

About 20 years ago, our country was
infested with a secret army of...

spies, enemy agents and saboteurs.

And although their machine was hastily thrown
together, they were able to wreck Bridges...

blow up factories and munition
plants, sink American ships...

spread disease in the stockyards
and set incendiary fires in our forests.

Finally, congress took action and gave us
protective laws and counterespionage.

But, was too late to keep us out of the war.

Today, we are in exactly the same
position that we were 20 years ago-

Up against the same fear of spies...

and what may be the same
kind of violence and disaster.

Well, just why were those
protective laws repealed?

Congress considered them a wartime
measure and, after the war, repealed them.

And the pity of it is that today
we need them more than we did then...

because today we have an alien
army on American soil that is much...

better organized than it was 20 years ago...

and in a far better position
to plunge the country into...

chaos the moment
the word of command is given.

It's a pity the State Department
can't do anything about it.

It is.

But unfortunately, we are not
a counterespionage organization.

The rooting out of spies has to
be done by the Department of Justice...

and Army and Navy intelligence.

But what does concern us is this...

that these spies and saboteurs I speak of...

are in league with some of those
who we will find buzzing around...

the agencies, legations and consulates.

So be on your guard.

It almost makes one wonder what's the use
of defending our American rights abroad...

if no one bothers to defend them at home.

Well, the only way I can answer that
is by asking you all to do the best you can.

If America, lacking the protective laws
it needs, is drawn into another war...

it will be because of those human ostriches
who keep their heads buried in the sand.

This, of course gentlemen, is off the record.

That's all gentlemen, thank you.

What I get?

Greenland, congratulations.

That's a swell place for you Lowell, now you
can spend your weekends at the North Pole.

- Do they always do that?
- Oh yes, always.

They pretend to believe they'll be sent
wherever the dart strikes on the map.

- Does it ever happen?
- It did once, my husband hit Russia.

Few minutes later, he heard he's going there.

I'll try my luck.

- What I get?
- Germany.

- Germany?
- Now please be seated gentlemen.

I will now read your assignments in the
order of your final standings in the class.

Mr. Sabin Dawson, third secretary assigned
to the embassy at London, Great Britain.

Mr. Barry Corvall, third secretary assigned
to the embassy of Paris, France.

Mr. Lowell Warrington, vice-consul assigned
to the consulate at Geneva, Switzerland.

Lovely party, isn't it? That's officially.

Privately, I'd much prefer a clambake.

- Have you seen Barry?
- No, I thought he'd be here.

He should be.

Lowell, you think you could again
forget that officially you're a diplomat?

Surely, turn it on and off like a tap.

Fine, tell me, what do you
know about miss Ballard?

- She's a charming girl, don't you think?
- I think you're turning it on again.

At least you'll agree
that she's lovely to look at.

Yes, Barry seems to think so.

I wouldn't worry if
I were you, Barry is no fool.

What man isn't, when he's in love?

- Good evening Mr. Corvall.
- Good evening.

- Nervous, are you?
- A little.

- I'll see if I can find mother.
- Don't be long.

Good evening.

- Lowell...
- Oh, hello Barry.

- Will you wait for Brenda for me?
- Surely.

Will you excuse me?

Why so late dear?

Well I, I think I have the best
excuse in the world for being late.

Now, what are you trying to tell me?

Well I...

I'll be leaving
Washington soon for a new post and...

well, there wasn't much
time, so Brenda and I decided to...

There didn't seem to be any reason for delay.

- So you're married.
- That's about it.

Let me be the first to
wish you happiness dear.

Thank you mother.

You don't seem very surprised.

Well, did say you made up
your mind and I know when you do that...

You mind telling me
when and where it happened?

In Baltimore, this morning.

- Will you bring your wife to meet me now?
- So we're forgiven?

There's very little you
could do that I wouldn't forgive.

Young man, I was just on the verge
of being very peeved with you...

- being late at one of my receptions.
- My humblest apology.

I'm not as forgiving as your mother.

Well, you better fight my
battles for me mother, excuse me..

Thanks Lowell.

I don't know what to say...

except that I love Barry and I'll
do my best to make him happy.

You couldn't said
anything any better my dear.

- This is Mrs. Peyton.
- I hope you'll be very happy my dear.

Thank you.

Well...

I think our friends should learn the news.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Mrs. Corvall would like to say something.

Mrs. Peyton has given
me permission to announce...

the marriage of
miss Brenda Ballard to my son.

Paris darling...

we'll have a magnificent garret
looking out on some beautiful chimneys.

I'll hate to leave Washington.

Nonsense, you know it's too bad
they still don't wear knee breeches.

- I'd dazzle them.
- You will anyhow.

I'm afraid I'll have to
leave that up to you darling.

- How did you get in?
- By invitation.

I assure you my dear, my
credentials are as good as yours.

Excellent match.

Quite brilliant.

In fact, you seem to have
settled yourself so well...

that I hate to remind you
what you're really here for.

What is it you want?

I want you to go to work my dear.

Second section of the industrial
mobilization plan is been completed.

- I want you to get it for me.
- How?

Your husband may have access to it.

If not, you will meet friends
of his who will help you.

- How soon do you need it?
- As soon as you can get it.

Where shall I get in touch with you?

You are most fortunate my dear Brenda...

being able to combine business with pleasure.

- Oh, I beg your pardon.
- Oh, not at all, I should beg yours...

For having lured your charming wife
away for a little chat about old times.

This is Mr. Muller, we used to
know each other in Vienna.

Yes, old friend.

In fact, a very dear friend.

Well, we'll doubtless meet again.

I hope so.

- Who was that? Some newspaperman?
- Yes.

- Oh, what's the matter?
- Nothing darling.

Well then I beg to remind you
Mrs. Corvall, that this is my dance.

Already?

Don't like the way you say that, you
forget that I'm a very remarkable dancer.

You are darling, you are.

Brenda?

What is it darling?

Barry...

Remember on the boat when I
tried to tell you something?

Yes.

You said that yesterday had swallowed
up the thing that I was afraid of...

and that all the tomorrows belonged to us.

- Why do you mention that now?
- Because yesterday's caught up with me.

There aren't going to be any
more tomorrow's for us Barry.

Has that got anything to do with
that newspaperman, that Muller?

Yes, only he's not a newspaperman.

His business is to
collect military information...

and sell it to the highest bidder.

What he want from you?

He wanted the details of an
Industrial Mobilization Plan.

Or some such thing.

Oh, that's a pretty big order.
Why did he come to you?

Oh Barry...

More than anything else in this
world, I want you to understand.

Please try Barry.

Please try to understand what it means to
a girl to be on her own in a strange country.

Without money, without friends,
without even enough to eat sometimes.

And always hounded by landlords.

Even waiters in cheap restaurants,
can you understand that Barry?

I think I can.

Then can you see how that girl
could have got so desperate...

so tired, so sick, so weary...

so utterly desperate that
she'd take the first job she could get...

without realizing what it meant.

Without even stopping to think
that she was working for spies?

What kind of a hold have
they got on you Brenda?

- How much does Muller know?
- Everything.

The passport that I presented to you
in Tangier was forged, he gave it to me.

- There was an agreement.
- Naturally.

But I never intended to go through
with it Barry, you must believe that.

I'd quit, I thought I was through with them.

And then in Morocco, when all that
trouble broke out, I was recognized.

The police took my papers away from me.

Oh, I had to get out of there.

I was afraid, I was desperate,
I'd seen death all around me.

Well, I had agreed
to anything just to come home.

And I don't regret that part of it Barry.

All I regret is that I met you...

that I didn't have the courage to tell you.

But you offered me the only
happiness that I'd ever known.

- Oh, I tried to tell you but...
- But I wouldn't let you, would I?

Please forgive me Barry, I love you so much.

Everything is all mixed up.
Suddenly the world is turned upside down.

But there's one thing it's right.

Makes me very humble
and grateful, your love Brenda.

- Grateful? After what I've done to you?
- You haven't done anything.

Things have been done to you.

Now, want you to tell me all you
know about Muller and his crowd...

and I want ask you a great favor.

I want you to come with
me to the State Department.

But Barry, when they find
out about me, the passport?

We have an obligation that's a little
more important than you or me Brenda.

When that's fulfilled, nothing
can spoil our tomorrows.

They'll still be ours.

I don't know why you should
bother to send for me gentlemen...

but I have no objection at all
to answering your questions.

- Won't you be seated?
- Do you mind if I smoke?

- What is your name?
- Karl Muller.

- What's your profession?
- Journalist.

- For what papers do you work?
- The Central European News Syndicate.

But you have contacts with certain
newspapers over here, have you not?

I send them European news and in
return they pass on American news.

From the continental papers.

You talked to Mrs. Corvall at
my home last Wednesday evening.

I did.

Did you tell her that you were
interested in the most recent details of...

the United States
Industrial Mobilization plan?

- Certainly.
- Why?

Well, it is news, is it not?

Why did you imagine that she
could tell you anything about it?

Mrs. Corvall and I had met in Europe.

As a matter of fact, we
knew each other fairly well.

So naturally, when I heard she had married
a young man in the foreign service...

I thought I might use her as an
occasional source of information.

We journalists do
not miss any chances, you know.

Did you suggest that Mrs. Corvall should
obtain his knowledge from her husband?

No, I did not suggest it but it
was naturally what occurred to me.

We also find your office to be
the fountainhead of a flood of..

Poisonous propaganda constantly being sent
out to numerous publications in this country.

Flood of poisonous propaganda?

- I don't understand.
- This originate in your office?

Certainly.

But I would hardly call it propaganda.

Merely items of foreign news sent out
to our subscribing papers in this country.

Mr. Muller, by your actions,
by your writings these articles...

you make very plain your
dislike for our American institution.

You leave no doubts to what you
think of our system of democracy.

Is it not true that you are
opposed to our system of democracy?

Since you insist on
obtaining my opinion, it is true.

- Then why do you stay here?
- Why shouldn't I? I have my work.

And under a
democratic system such as yours...

I am perfectly entitled to preach
against democracy if I wish.

Free speech, after all, is one
of your country's greatest boasts.

Free speech yes, but not treason.

You're not a journalist, you're a spy.

Is that what your wife said I was?

But have you Mr. Corvall,
ever asked yourself what she is?

I did not wish to mention this Mr. Corvall.

Considerations of chivalry would've inclined
me to preserve as long as possible...

the blissful innocence of a newly
married husband about his wife's past.

But her own statement compels me to
defend myself in the only way possible...

by telling you the simple truth.

It is your wife who is a spy.

Brenda, as she was generally known to
her acquaintances, was always a clever girl.

It was a brilliant idea to stage a faint
to attract your attention at the legation.

And then to cross here on a forged passport.

I really must apologize for inflicting such
shocks to your innocence Mr. Corvall, but...

On the contrary, you're telling
me nothing I didn't already know.

Then if you'll excuse me
gentlemen, I have an appointment.

Or do I understand that there's a
charge on which you're detaining me?

- Are you an American citizen Mr. Muller?
- No.

- Then unfortunately that will be all.
- Thank you gentlemen.

Well, gentlemen, I think
there's nothing more to detain us.

But I should like you to call at
my office tomorrow morning Mr. Corvall.

I think I know what you have to
say to me and I'd rather you said it now.

I think tomorrow would be better.

You going to ask me to resign.

I'll save you the trouble.
Please accept my resignation now.

As you wish.

But Barry hasn't done anything wrong, they
can't punish him for something that I did.

In diplomacy Brenda, a mistake
is as blame worthy as a crime.

And his mistake was me.

From the viewpoint of
the State Department, yes.

But don't misunderstand me.
I'm not condemning you dear.

Diplomats' wives are guilty the moment
there's a slightest whisper around them.

And what's more, their
guilt infects their husbands.

Mrs. Corvall, all I ever
wanted was to make Barry happy...

and the dowry I brought to
him was scandal and disgrace.

- Oh, don't blame yourself too much dear.
- I do blame myself.

If I'd had the courage, I
could've spared him this.

Maybe it's not too late.

Barry can get an annulment, can't he?

I could disappear, that
would clear the slate for him.

If I went away, if nothing
was ever heard of me again.

You love Barry very much, don't you?

I think he feels the same way about you.

You think he'd be happy if you went away?

Barry will never be happy without his career.

The least I can do is give that back to him.

I'm afraid you can't.

- I'm afraid Barry's career ended today.
- Whose career is ended?

Barry, they didn't ask for your resignation?

- Of course they did and I gave it to them.
- But Muller...

I've just discovered for the
second time in a generation that...

this country has no laws for men like Muller.

But that's ridiculous.

They release him and punish you.

It's a case of the innocent bystander being
shot while the bandit goes free darling.

Then your career is ended.

There's that word again.
Say, what is a career anyway?

Is it a title, a name on your office door,
the medals you wear, or the work you do?

What work is there left for you to do dear?

I don't know. I haven't had
time to think it over yet.

But it's got a lot to do
with Muller and his crowd.

Yes Barry, I know how you
feel but what can you do now?

What I'd like to do is explode one
firecracker under our congressional ostrich.

Wake him up to the danger of these
saboteurs before they do it with bombs.

- But how?
- Well, I don't know.

I might have to go
to Europe looking for powder.

You know, just a little informal visit, alone
with no particular plan and a lot of hope.

But not alone Barry, with me.

And maybe with a plan.

Because I know the people that Muller
worked for and I'm sure I can help you.

I'm sorry darling, but this is
my party and you're not invited.

Barry, when I first told you about Muller...

you said that we had an obligation that
was greater than either of us, remember?

I can see I'm going to have a lot
of trouble with Brenda mother.

Would you take her
into the other room and explain...

to her what every young bride should
know, not to argue with her husband...

not to be sticking her pretty nose
into things that don't concern her?

I don't know what all this will lead
to and I'm afraid for both of you...

but I'm on Brenda's
side this time, I know how she feels...

and I think she's a right to be heard.

All right, but before you start Brenda,
I just want to tell you one thing...

the answer is still no.

As we see it, our key man is the
Paul Strawn Brenda met in Tangier.

Our first job is to locate him and then...

Well, from then on we need a lot of luck.

And if we succeed, we may
be able to convince congress...

of the real danger of these enemy agents.

They'll have a clear picture of the
whole vicious system, facts, names...

Exactly how hundreds of these saboteurs are
planning on attacking the United States.

Barry...

as an official of the State Department,
I don't even know what you're talking about.

In fact, you didn't even come here tonight.

But if I had any official
knowledge of your plans,

it would be my duty to tell
you that if you're apprehended...

the department will give
you no aid nor protection.

Your status will be that of unauthorized...

and independent agents.

And I don't have to tell you that in
some countries such agents are beheaded.

Yes, I've considered that. I know I'm not
within throwing distance of being a hero.

But still there are cases...

where the job to be done is more
important than the risk involved.

That, of course, is speaking entirely for
myself, as far as it concerns Brenda...

Why didn't you stay out of this?

It's a long story darling.

When I was a little girl I always
wanted to play with firecrackers...

and they wouldn't let me.

Now that I've got the
chance, nothing can stop me.

- There's a wife for you.
- I agree, there is a wife for you.

Mrs. Corvall, you came into our life so
abruptly that I haven't had an opportunity...

to claim a privilege that is mine,
as an old friend of the family.

So, just to keep the record
straight, may I claim it now?

That's unofficial, of course.

You know, Geneva is a beautiful city.

It's too bad they've to have
people like Strawn to dirty it up.

- How do I look?
- Look very wicked.

- That's the idea, isn't it?
- No, I don't like the idea.

I'm tired of it, I'm going with you.

Barry, you can't, this is our one way that
we have of getting in touch with Strawn.

It's our one chance, we got
to do it just the way we planned.

Oh, all right.

Half past, he's nearly
always there by 8 o'clock, I got to go.

Well, good luck darling.
If you get in any trouble, just sing out.

- I'll be somewhere in the neighborhood.
- For heaven's sake Barry, keep out of sight.

I will, but you just sing out.

Bye darling.

Mrs. Corvall.

- How do you do?
- How do you do?

Oh, I said it first.

So you're in Geneva again.

- And Mr. Corvall?
- Why you want to know?

Curiosity.

I heard about his unfortunate experience.

- That was too bad.
- He thinks so.

You know...

you really should not
have tried to dupe our friend.

- He is a man of very high intelligence.
- Listen, if you're talking about Muller...

high intelligence?

I have my apartment upstairs, perhaps
we can talk there in greater privacy.

Privacy? I don't want any privacy.

But perhaps you do.

As a result, I had to make
a clean breast of everything...

in order to protect my own interests.

Oh I see. Naturally,
your own interests came first.

- Naturally.
- Well, at least you're frank.

But instead of advancing my interests
I merely placed them on an insecure basis.

Instead of rewarding my husband for exposing
Muller, his government discharged him.

So I understand. And
now your husband blames you?

On the contrary, he blames his government.

For not considering me
the patriot he thinks I am.

Are you inferring that he is
in error in that supposition?

Having been a woman without
a country for so many years...

patriotism is a luxury I
can't afford, Herr Strawn.

And your husband?

Is he solvent enough to afford the luxury?

Perhaps, if he weren't married to me.

He happens to love me
very much and I'm a trifle expensive.

And you propose to improve your
financial status through my organization?

Why not? My husband has friends, contacts.

Here, for instance.

- These items are already known to us.
- These are samples Herr Strawn.

You are very clever madame, but
forgive me if I seem to doubt your loyalty.

My loyalty is not the sale Herr Strawn,
my stock in trade is information, facts.

I propose to sell it on the highest
market, you've been offered first bid.

That was well stated madame.

Now, if you will excuse
me, I have an appointment.

It is quite possible my dear
Mrs. Corvall, that you may hear from us.

After you've made an
investigation, of course.

I reiterate madame, you are very clever.

Indulging in several light flirtations..

A fact which has caused
many quarrels between the two.

Corvall appears extremely in love with his
wife and except when in a fit of jealousy...

completely dominated by her.

They have had no visitors
except Mr. Lowell Warrington...

an undersecretary at
the United States consulate...

with whom Corvall seems
on the friendliest terms.

We understand they were
classmates in Washington.

Their mail is light,
contains no official letters.

There have been no long distance calls
placed since we began the investigation,

And only a few local calls, those to
the consulate being all to Warrington.

Corvall is traveling on a letter of
credit which amounts to slightly less...

than 5,000 Swiss francs.

You believe him to be an
emotionally unstable young man?

Infatuated with this woman.

And the woman is his own wife?

- Extraordinary.
- She is beautiful?

- Extremely.
- I'll accept your opinion.

However, you will take every precaution.

You will meet this woman, see to it
that Corvall is also occupied at that time.

Once they're so engaged, you will
search their apartment thoroughly...

and arrange for their constant surveillance.

When you've completed these arrangements,
you will telephone Strawn.

So far, our experts have
been unable to break it.

We know it is not a machine code
and we believe it's one not often used.

Barry would know.

He might know the type but no man could
carry such a complicated formula in his head.

This is not the original document, of course.

Just a copy of a few of the repeated symbols.

However, if he could get the key for them an
expert cryptographer could break the rest.

A few minutes alone with
the manual, if the consulate has one.

- Can that be managed?
- I think so.

- And the terms, our usual arrangement?
- Very well.

Come in.

- You're wanted on the telephone sir.
- Excuse me.

The apartment has been
investigated, nothing of interest found.

- The other arrangements have been completed.
- Good.

Remember, this time there can be no excuses.

One step in the wrong direction for either
you or Corvall will bring instant disaster.

I'm not likely to forget that.

- What on earth kept you so long?
- Sorry darling, I met some friends.

- Champagne cocktail please.
- Yes madame.

A code they want broken.

Barry, where you've been keeping
yourself? I've called you a dozen times.

Well, I haven't been
answering the phone lately.

- Been sick?
- Well, you might call it that.

Come on in.

There isn't anything wrong with you
that 2 fingers of this won't cure.

Oh no thanks Lowell, I...

I've tried that, doesn't work.

Don't let it get you down Barry.

There are a lot of things to
do besides being in the service.

Well, it isn't losing my job in the
service that got me down, It's just...

Well, when this whole thing came up
there was one thing we all took for granted.

- That was Brenda's sincerity.
- Anyone with a grain of sense can see that.

Well, I'm not so sure now.

- Are you crazy?
- Well, I got a good start.

It's enough to drive anyone crazy
the way she's been acting lately.

Mysterious engagements with strange men,
phone calls day and night she won't explain.

I tried to believe there was
an innocent explanation for it, until...

Well, until I found this among her things.

- Code, eh?
- Can you recognize it?

- Looks a little like Interdepartmental 29C.
- Yes, that's what I thought.

But I know enough about 29C
to know it isn't that, but it is familiar.

It does look suspicious.

If that's one of our codes,
you can tell me in 2 seconds.

Do it for me,
will you Lowell? I want to know.

Want to come code room with me?

You've forgotten the rules, haven't you?

It's right, somehow I can't get
the idea of your not being in the service.

Neither can I.

Hurry it up, will you Lowell? Brenda
is calling for me in just a few minutes.

Right.

- I'm sorry Barry, it's our code all right.
- Are you sure?

Look for yourself.

That word decoded is airplane.
That one is conversion.

Seems that someone has snaffled
a fairly important message.

Couldn't be any mistake, could there?

The only mistake seems to be the
one you made by marrying a pretty...

girl who fainted
in your consulate one day in Tangier.

And he tricked Warrington
into giving him the key to the code...

- without Warrington suspecting a thing.
- Good.

Hello Mrs. Corvall, your husband is in with
Mr. Warrington. Shall I tell him you're here?

Thanks, but don't bother him, I'll wait here.

All right.

I know it's tough Barry,
but you've got to face it.

Beside, you won't be
filing that report. I will.

This is unofficial
Lowell, I came to you as a friend.

You haven't any right to file
that report unless I ask you to.

All right.

She may have some explanation, at
least I owe her the right to clear herself.

- Watch your step Barry.
- Thank you Lowell.

- Well, it worked but I'm not proud of it.
- Barry, the porter, did you notice?

- Why?
- I've seen him somewhere before.

He recognized me too,
I think he's worked for Strawn in Paris.

Don't worry, we may need him.

Hello PA? Is Donald Garrett in yet?
Good, let me speak to him please.

Hello, Garrett speaking. Oh, hello, Barry.

Hello Don, when did you get in?

Good, what's the condition?

Bad, as usual, looks like war this time,
we'll know something by tonight.

Broadcast goes on in a few minutes.

- What's new with you?
- Well, I made contact, that's about all.

Look, I'm staying at the Palace,
but don't come here and don't call.

Yeah, I got an idea I'm a
goldfish, I'll get in touch with you.

Ok, good luck.

Berlin broadcast.

Then by shortwave to the United States and
Canada, broadcasting from the press-room...

of the Pan American
Press Bureau in Geneva, Switzerland.

And now Mr. Donald Garrett,
world famous correspondent...

will give you his interpretation
of today's dramatic events.

Mr. Garrett.

Throughout Europe tonight,
the voices of hate are still crying...

and Europe's war of nerves,
this time more than ever before...

seem about to blast into a real war...

a war of Cannon and
warplanes and the blood of men.

If it does start, we,
your American correspondents...

will attempt to give you the
authentic reports of news as it happens.

But already in London, Paris, Berlin...

in almost every capital in Europe, plans
are completed for a lid tight censorship.

Tonight, in what may very well
be the last uncensored broadcast...

I want to forewarn you the people of America
not to believe everything you will hear...

until there is official confirmation.

Sift the accounts, study the sources...

and look to your American correspondents
who will try to bring you the truth.

And above all, let the
hatreds of Europe remain in Europe.

Keep them out of our country.
Remember that America should be neutral.

Now for the summaries of the
events of the past 12 hours.

Yes.

Yes, it will be comparatively
simple to decode from these notes.

- Quite satisfactory madame.
- Thank you.

This was the understanding, I believe.

- Yes, thank you.
- That will be all madame.

Is no other way I can be of service?

Not for the present madame but
we shall be in constant touch with you.

One can understand the
young man's infatuation with her.

We shall have no further use for her.

Good night madame.

Leave your hats and coats
here gentlemen, now this way.

Come in gentlemen.

This graph represents the working program
of the United States industrial plan...

first and second sections.

The chief agent in each zone
is represented by a large black circle...

and subordinate agents by smaller circles.

You can see gentlemen, that we have
infiltrated into every vital industrial...

nerve center in the United States.

The organization is in
fact a combat secret service.

With a war potential more destructively
effective than a division of shock troops.

- This has all been completed?
- Yes, your excellency.

Impossible, no American could be that stupid.

There have been no secret
arrests, no counter-checks.

Whether they are stupid or
merely indifferent, I don't know.

That's something
difficult for us to understand.

But the fact remains that no
effective counterespionage measures...

have been able to get through their congress.

Incredible, this seeming
indifference has not affected your vigilance?

No, your excellency.

Your instructions have been
carried out to the letter.

No agent knows more than one or two others.

Any score of them could be arrested.

Would not affect the
organization nor would it lead to us.

There is only one record, known only
to me, you may be sure that it's safe.

These agents have been carefully selected?

- You can guarantee their effectiveness?
- Yes, your excellency.

Should there be reason to order it,
the war industries will be destroyed first.

Transportation lines crippled, food supplies
poisoned or contaminated beyond salvage.

Reservoirs polluted.

Overnight, the nation
will be in chaos, helpless...

the civilian population
in terror and confusion.

Very good Rader, you will arrange your cover.

Stand by for further orders
which may come any day.

Very good your excellency.

- Good night gentlemen.
- Good night.

I know who they are,
everyone at the head of the ring-

Rader, Strawn, Decker,
Struegel at the consulate.

But that's no better than
knowing Muller in Washington.

What I got to get is proof-documentary
evidence for a report to congress.

If they only could see what I saw.

Why, even the maps they
used tonight might've been enough.

But I got to get names
and addresses of those agents...

records of their payment, their stations.

They told Rader he might
get orders within a few days?

- Yes.
- Yeah?

We'll know by then, war or peace.

And if it's war, they'll tack
off and you won't stand a chance.

I know, but I got to take that gamble.

Say, can you charter a plane through this
office, have it ready day and night?

- Sure, anything else you want to tell me?
- No, that's all you can do to help.

Ok, the plane will be there and good luck.

If anything happens
I'll write you a fine obituary.

Thanks Don.

Well, it's getting near
the zero hour darling.

I know, it ought to be
a lovely firecracker Barry.

- If I'd known, if I could have foreseen...
- it's too late to talk about that now.

Beside, nothing is going to happen to me.

And if there weren't a man sitting
over there who seems to be watching us,

I'd lean over and kiss
you in a very public manner.

- Shall I leave first?
- Please.

- Bye-bye.
- Bye.

- What you find out?
- Quite a lot.

So did I, I did some
investigating on my own hook.

Sorry to hear that.

- But in a thing of this importance...
- Lowel, we can talk about that later.

The important thing now is that I
find out the gang she's working with.

- Ever hear of the world peace brotherhood?
- Yeah.

Well, that's their headquarters
and their boss is Dr. Anton Rader.

I've also heard that Dr. Rader
may be called away at any moment.

- We couldn't risk that.
- What you want me to do?

Notify the Swiss
police that Rader's activities...

are a violation of
the country's neutrality laws.

Well madame, since you insist on seeing
me, I hope your business is of importance.

Dr. Rader, I've just found out something.
My husband is working against you.

Explain yourself madame.

He's working for the US government,
has been ever since we left Washington.

His only reason for being here
is to smash the organization.

Oh, I didn't know,
I didn't know anything about it.

What makes you think this?

Oh, it isn't something I think, I know.

I overheard a conversation between
him and one of the men at the consulate.

What kind of a trick is this?

You've got to believe me...

and you've got to believe
that I had nothing to do with it.

Yes?

Corvall is here at the legation now.

- With Warrington.
- Yes?

Very well, stay at your post.

Struegel.

You're under arrest.

Pay no attention to anything I've said
and above all, don't do anything.

What? Why?

I'll tell you later, in the meantime
keep our friend here locked up.

Have this place evacuated at once.

Notify all agents in Geneva to destroy...

everything they have
that may be incriminating.

Their future orders will come
through the established cover addresses.

Yes doctor.

Would seem that you told
the truth, our thanks madame.

You must take me with you,
you can't leave me here.

Yes, might dangerous to leave you behind.

We shall see, Corvall
undoubtedly has confederates.

Of course he has, he couldn't find
out everything he has without help.

That's true.

The airports, the railways,
the borders all might be watched.

But if they have police there,
why don't they come here?

It's not me they want, it's
what I shall carry with me.

The point is how to get out of Geneva.

We can drive to Nyon and
catch the Strasbourg express there.

Yes...

but since you suggest it, that's the
very last thing I shall do madame.

Dr. Rader, haven't I proved you can trust
me by coming here as soon as I found out?

Possibly, but one of the tricks of hunting
is to flush the quarry from their cover.

Such an idea might've
occurred to you and your husband.

We shall use your idea, the station will not
be Nyon nor the train the Strasbourg express.

You will come with me.

If you've told the truth, you'll be safe.
If not, you'll be a very charming hostage.

120 kilometers, we have to stop at 4 - 2 - 7.

- Yes, we have time, is your car ready?
- Yes doctor.

You will follow us as usual, this way madame.

I followed them here to Fribourg,
where they caught the express.

I see, what did you say
about Corvall? Was he hurt?

Where? The world peace headquarters.

All right.

- What?
- Barry, are you hurt?

No, no, but they got away
and Brenda is with them.

- Yes I know, they took the Fribourg express.
- Why you know that?

I told you I was doing some investigating
on my own, I had a man trailing Brenda.

- No? Lowell, you're a wonder.
- Hey, where you going?

- I'm going to take your car.
- Hey, wait a minute.

Plane is all warmed
up and waiting, good luck Barry.

Thanks Don.

- Wait, you got a map?
- Yes, is right here.

- Where is the Fribourg express go through?
- Oh, it goes through here.

Is there a landing field in Munchenstein?

- Yes, there's a small one there.
- What about Basil?

- Oh, there's an emergency field there.
- Good.

You drop me at Munchenstein and go
on to Basil, I'll pick you up there later.

. Right.

One more stop before the border.

- Are you nervous?
- No.

You must've had a very
poor opinion of our intelligence...

if you thought we were taken in by you.

Not for one moment Mrs. Corvall.

You thought you were very clever, didn't you?

We know America has no counterespionage.

In a few minutes, we shall
be in another country and then...

Well, we have ways of
dealing with people like you.

Not very nice ways,
but they're surprisingly effective.

- Munchenstein.
- Now, here we are.

Passport examination.

Come in.

- Don't move Rader.
- Barry.

- Well, this is a surprise.
- Stand up.

You're a very clever man Mr. Corvall.

Unfortunately, your cleverness
is of very little consequence.

We're on the borders of my country.

This car is full of our soldiers.

I've only to cause an alarm.

- Dr. Rader.
- Doctor Doctor.

Search the train.

- Anybody pass through here?
- Yes sir, a man and a woman.

Come on, let's make it.

Obviously, by plane.

Notify our agents in
Geneva, Bern, Paris, Prague, London.

All capitals to watch the airports.

Men must be placed in all United
States embassies and legations.

Corvall must be stopped
at any cost, very well.

All Britain is preparing for war.

Antiaircraft and coastal
defense forces have been...

called out and every man
and woman in the British isles...

is been warned to get a gas mask.

In Hyde park and other green
spaces we find people digging trenches.

For the past week, Americans have been
crowding every steamship leaving the country.

Tonight, the Queen Mary sails,
a last ship to leave England.

We'll make it, we've got to.

Well, there it is Barry...

everything we've been hoping and
fighting for, summed up in a headline.

You helped write the headline and you helped
forge the weapon the service so badly needed.

And yet the service can't show its gratitude.

Ironic, isn't it?

That your career should bear
fruit only when you became a private citizen?

Being a private citizen is quite
a career in itself, isn't it sir?

Yes indeed and I think your
father would've thought so too.

- Don't you Mrs. Corvall?
- Yes.

And he would've known something
I've just begun to understand...

A career isn't the uniform
you wear or the medals you win.

It's the work you do.

I know mother...

the work is just beginning and I'll be happy
to help in it if I can, one way or another.

We'll leave the medals
to the next Barry Corvall.