F.B.I. Girl (1951) - full transcript

"Washington, DC."

"Once, just the capital

of the United States."

"Today a symbol of strength."

"And a bulwark of hope

for the entire world."

"And as Washington has grown

in international significance."

"So has the Department Of Justice."

"It's nerve center is the

Federal Bureau of Investigation."

"The FBI and its carefully selected and

trained special agents, or G-Men .."

"Have earned a reputation

for integrity and efficiency."

"Every 18 seconds, somewhere,

somebody is committing a crime."

"More than six million

persons have police records."

"In one year the FBI laboratory made

over 67,000 examinations of evidence."

"And the identification division with

a file of 120 million fingerprints .."

"Answers thousands of identification

requests daily from police offices."

"Individual identification can be

made in as little as three minutes."

"Fingerprinting is the best personal

identification system ever developed."

"A man's fingerprints can

never be altered or destroyed."

"From the time he is born

until after he is dead."

"A single print in these files."

"Can mean the difference between

freedom and imprisonment."

"Even life or death."

"Yet a man desperate

enough to dare anything."

"Might try to gain access to the

files through the FBI girls and boys."

"Not trained, capable special agents."

"Just nice, normal young human beings."

"To whom the keeping of

these files is a sacred trust."

"Our story started .."

"When the Senate Crime Committee

listed Capitol City for investigation."

That's right, gentlemen.

I think this senate crime enquiry ..

Is a splendid example

of democracy in action.

Are you not worried about the committee

coming to Capitol City, Governor?

Worried?

Why, on the contrary, I welcome it.

I think it's a healthy influence.

Now it might be different

if I had something to hide.

What about those stories

connecting you with the syndicate?

Absolutely nothing to them.

Vicious, ugly and unfounded rumors.

Started by my unscrupulous opponents.

My skirts are clean, gentlemen.

If the committee hadn't decided

to come to Capitol City.

I would have requested

this investigation.

Is that good politics, Governor?

It's the best politics.

Look at it this way.

If you wanted a clean bill of health

personally, what would you do?

Have a physical examination. Right?

"It's the same way with the government."

"The way to keep it vigorous, healthy,

serving the interests of the public .."

"Is to examine it periodically."

"I think this senate

crime investigation .."

"Will prove one of the finest things

to ever happen in our great state."

I'm sorry, gentlemen. But that's

just about all the time we'll have.

We'd like to thank Governor Grisby for

this inspiring democratic message.

Thank you for the opportunity.

- We hope to have you back again soon.

Tune in next week at the same time for

another meeting with the Press Panel.

We're off the air.

Hello, Blake.

Those were lovely words, Owen.

This is no time for sarcasm.

We're in desperate trouble.

You know that as well as I do.

Take it easy, Governor.

If it were just this committee,

I wouldn't worry.

After all, what can they do?

But if I am convicted of any

charge, no matter how trivial.

My fingerprints automatically

go to the FBI in Washington.

I can see the headlines now.

"Fingerprints identify Governor

Grisby as John Williams."

We've been able to keep your

secret pretty well up to now I think.

I sometimes wonder if it would have been

best to have given myself up years ago.

Living with a thing

like this for so long, I ..

If it hadn't been for you

Blake, I think I would have.

You're taking this

far too seriously, Owen.

We haven't done too badly together.

But has it been worth it?

What about Carl Chercourt?

For all the money we're giving him,

he should be able to do something.

A lobbyist can only do so much.

No matter how powerful he is.

My influence stops at the front door of

the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

But I think I've found

a way in, just the same.

We'll be able to get your John Williams

fingerprint card from the FBI files.

Is that possible?

No-one knows better than

I how important this is.

I've worked on a thing for 2 months now

now just in case. I think we're ready.

I wouldn't be surprised to see

those prints within 24 hours.

I hope so.

This is getting to be

almost too much for me.

Why don't you look on the

bright side of things, Owen?

The Senate elections are

coming up within a year.

If you clear this investigation alright,

you'll make great senatorial timber.

You think so?

Why not?

Well, wish me luck.

Yes. Yes, I wish us both luck.

You know.

It would be a novelty in this

great country of ours, wouldn't it.

A man running for the

United States Senate.

With a murder charge

hanging over his head.

Yes.

Yes, Mr Blake.

Well of course I understand.

What?

No .. no, not yet.

Look, my sister is with me

here now and I'm sure she'll ..

Who is that, Paul?

Well you ..

You won't have to do

anything like that, Mr Blake.

No.

You can depend on me.

Yes.

Yes, sir.

What's wrong, Paul?

Who were you talking to?

A guy I know.

Look, Sis'.

I've got to ask you to do

something for me. It means ..

Well, it means an awful lot.

More than I can say.

You are in some kind of trouble.

Big trouble.

I'll do anything I can Paul, to help.

I always have.

I know, Sis'.

This isn't very easy.

I hate to have to ask you.

If it weren't so important

I'd never even ..

So tell me. What is it?

You've got to get me a fingerprint

card out of the FBI files.

A card?

Oh boy.

I know how you feel about the Bureau.

I'm in an awful jam, but ..

Donald, you're the clumsiest, you are.

Now look what you've done.

That's alright. Mine are in the "N"s.

And yours are in the "W"s.

Look, see? See, here is yours.

John ..

- Thanks.

Yeah, but I can't find

your charge-out slip.

Never mind.

You know what they'll do if

you pull out a file without it.

I know all about it.

I'm just kidding, Miss Craig.

Sure.

If I can help you at all,

I'd be very glad to.

Donald, I told you never mind.

Okay.

Yes, Owen?

It's all taken care of.

You have nothing to worry about.

Just a minute. Stop that, Georgia.

I'm sorry, Owen. I just got word.

His sister is picking

up the prints tonight.

Hell, I hope so.

The investigators will be

here in less than two weeks.

You'll have that card tomorrow.

And they can probe as deep as they like.

What about the girl? She might talk.

Don't worry.

Alright, boys.

"The local police were handling Natalie

Craig's death as a usual hit-and-run."

"But because she was a clerk in the

Identification Division of the FBI."

"The Bureau was notified and

we were sent to investigate."

Any luck?

Found a couple of latent

prints on her handbag.

Rush them right over to Identification.

And tell McAllister to give us a report.

- Right.

What's the story?

The guy wears 11 and a

half shoes. A big fellow.

Must tip the scales way over 200.

You got her address?

- Stanley Apartments.

Natalie Craig.

Too bad. She was a pretty

good looking dame.

Yeah, and I got a date with a live one

back at the hospital in half an hour.

Hit that siren will you, junior.

I should have listened to Marion and

stuck to my criminal law practice.

You should have.

Yeah, only she didn't approve of some of

the characters I came in contact with.

So the ones you meet now

are such an improvement?

"Those prints on Natalie's handbag

were all we had to work on."

"That and a hunch this

wasn't just a hit-and-run."

"When we got McAllister's report

on the prints, we were sure of it."

These are the prints we

got off the girl's handbag.

And these belong to a character

named George Denning.

Also known as George Denton.

Also, Georgia.

Weight, about 240.

And wears an 11 and a half shoe?

A friend of yours?

Just psychic.

What else have you got on him?

Tried once on suspicion of murder.

Supposed to have carved

up a girl three years ago.

He beat the rap. Served

time on three convictions.

All as a guest of the State of Georgia.

It seems he underwent

psychiatric treatment in prison.

Emotionally unstable, eh?

The worse kind of a killer.

Well, there is nothing

more we can do here.

Let's get over the Stanley Apartments.

Cigarette?

No thank you. I've got to go in.

Five minutes.

You forget I'm a working girl.

But these might be the most important

five minutes of your whole life.

I may ask you to marry me again?

I've already said yes. How many

times do I have to keep telling you?

Oh, I just like to hear you say it.

[ Buzzer ] [ Buzzer ]

[ Buzzer ]

FBI.

Oh?

Sorry to bother you so late. But there

are some questions we want to ask you.

Well, wait just a second.

Who is it?

From The Bureau they said.

Young?

- Too tired to tell.

Can I examine your identification

cards again please?

Thank you. Will you come in.

I'm Doris Kay.

Mr Stedman, Mr Donley,

this is Susan Matthew.

How do you do.

When did you girls

last see Natalie Craig?

Well, not since work.

But why do you want to know?

Hello.

This is Shirley Wayne,

our other room-mate.

Mr Stedman, Mr Donley.

Shirley, they're here from

the Department asking about Nat.

This is Carl Chercourt.

How do you do.

- How are you?

What about Natalie?

Well, it is not very pleasant.

She was killed tonight.

Killed?

How?

Another car ran her off the road.

I'm sorry, Shirley.

Then again, it might

have been deliberate.

But why should anybody

want to kill Natalie?

That's what the FBI

would like to find out.

Where did she spend the evening?

We had dates in town.

It was Natalie's turn to use the car.

What about her friends?

Why, she didn't go out very much.

She kept to herself most of the time.

Her brother Paul was the only

person I ever heard her mention.

She seemed unusually upset this morning.

I saw her at lunch today.

She was with Paul.

They both seemed terribly worried.

Anything else you can tell us?

I know this is none

of my business, but ..

Can't this hold until tomorrow?

Yeah, well.

Come on, Glen. Let's call it a night.

Thanks very much, ladies.

Goodnight.

Thank you.

- Goodnight.

But I keep telling you ..

I don't know anything.

I don't know who'd want to kill her.

Or why.

Paul.

We think somebody deliberately

murdered your sister.

Can't you tell us anything?

But I've already told you.

Tonight at the morgue is ..

The first time I've seen her in ..

Days.

You had lunch with her today.

I forgot about that.

Why were the two of you so scared?

We weren't.

We had lunch. That's all.

That's all, Paul. Thanks.

You can go home now.

Brand, drive Mr Craig home will you.

The kid is scared.

He's knows more than

he's telling. That's for sure.

We'll have him tailed.

Owen, it was all arranged so

she'd have to come through.

The place .. the time .. the accident.

Everything worked out.

Just one thing.

"The prints weren't on her."

- Why did you have to kill her?

I couldn't take the chance.

She might have led them straight to us.

"What about her brother?"

We thought they'd be together.

Now the FBI is watching him.

I don't think he'll do much

talking though for a while.

He is too scared.

I don't know how much

more of this I can stand.

A murder to cover up another.

And we still don't have

those fingerprints.

There are some things that

can't be done with a gun.

Or a pay-off.

Removing your fingerprints from

the FBI files is one of them.

You reached one girl.

Can't you find another?

It took me two months

to set up the Craig girl.

I can't perform a miracle in two weeks.

- You must.

Unless you do, I'm giving myself up.

Gosh. I was sure sorry

to hear about Natalie.

So was I.

And Shirley, you know what?

I just remembered.

Natalie pulled a card yesterday

without a charge-out slip.

Are you sure?

I'm so sure I'm positive.

Donald, come with me.

Well she had this card in her hand.

And when I pulled the file drawer

open, I didn't see her behind me.

I guess it took her by surprise.

Well go ahead, Donald.

You're doing fine.

Well anyway, she dropped the card.

And I went to help her pick it up.

Not that I did it on

purpose or anything.

What about that card she dropped?

Well, like I told Shirley.

I mean, Miss Wayne.

She didn't have a charge-out slip on it.

When I started to get the card, I felt

she would faint she was so nervous.

She almost took my arm

off grabbing it away from me.

But I got a quick look at it.

Was the name on the card George Denning?

Oh, no sir.

It was in the W's.

Williams: John Williams.

Well how about running downstairs

and lifting him out of the files for us?

It's going to take a

long time, Mr Donley.

There is nearly ten thousand

John Williams's in the file.

No record George Denning, also known as

George Denton also Georgia. This city.

Carlson, Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, Philadelphia,

Boston, New York.

The same from every office. Nobody home.

If you ask me our Georgia

friend is still holed up in town.

Let's throw him a coming-out party.

Look mummy. It looks just like daddy.

Come on.

Well he does, doesn't he.

"And in cooperation with

the FBI and local police."

"We are televising the official

photographs of this man."

"Taken from the files of the FBI."

"If you have ever seen this

man or know where he is."

"Contact your local FBI

or police immediately."

"Hello?"

This is Alex Nicholson.

And I'm a bellhop at the Howard Hotel.

"This George Denning

you're looking for."

Well there is guy living here at the

hotel who could be his brother.

Only his name isn't

Denning. It's Douglas.

There was a card party up in his room

the other night. I took up some drinks.

And they had a young kid in

the game they called Craig.

Yeah, that's it. Paul Craig.

Of course I don't know. But I thought it

might have something to do with that ..

Natalie Craig girl that got killed.

Is he still there?

Yeah. Room 202.

We'll be right over.

Code Baker. Destination: Howard Hotel.

Denning lived here alright.

- We've got an ambulance on its way.

Too bad he can't enjoy the ride.

Check room 202 and pick

up anything you can.

Let's get over to Craig's apartment.

Get the boys out for anyone

who can identify him.

The kid is probably next on the list.

What's all the excitement?

Denning just packed away the Night

Clerk at the hotel where he lives.

We figure he is out gunning for Craig.

I just got him wrapped up for

the night about 20 minutes ago.

He's probably up there

brushing his teeth right now.

Well, we'll just make sure

he cleans them pretty good.

Stick around will you.

[ Door knocks ]

[ Door knocks ]

Hey, Craig.

Call an ambulance.

"Brother of FBI girl clings to life."

"Paul Craig lingers near death

after knifing by unknown assailant."

You stupid pig!

Why didn't you make sure he was dead?

I don't understand it, Mr Blake.

I gave him the same treatment

I have that Bellhop at the hotel.

I don't understand it.

You will if he lives to talk.

Then I guess I maybe should

do something about that.

The police's fingers are

around your throat so tight ..

It's a wonder you don't

strangle to death.

Well done.

Mr Blake.

You know I'm a cautious soul.

Why, all of Georgia didn't sleep

for a whole year just looking for me.

And they had bloodhounds.

You've a stronger smell about you today.

Well, go ahead.

Yes, Father?

Paul Craig's room number please.

I'm sorry, but he's allowed no visitors.

- Yes, I know, but I was sent for.

Room 914.

- Thank you.

Good day to you, Reverend.

A shame about that poor lad.

It's rumored he won't

last to see the night.

But with you now about

to be praying over him.

Maybe there will be a miracle.

It's what I'll be praying for.

I'm sorry, Father.

Call the fire department.

We want him off that ledge alive.

Sorry, Pop.

We're looking for a man out there.

Don't be stupid, Denning.

You can't go anywhere.

If you want me alive, come and get me.

Yeah, we want you alive.

What am I worth to you?

No deals.

You make me laugh.

May I speak to him?

Well you can try, Father.

But I don't think it will help.

This man.

He's a Priest.

No Father, he's not a real Priest.

He's not even human.

Whatever you have

done, this is not the way.

You can never justify

taking your own life.

Keep talking if it makes

you happy. Go on, talk.

No matter what you've done, don't

add to it with the worst of all crimes.

It's not too late.

You can remake your life

and atone for what has past.

If we try honestly to make amends.

He can still forgive.

Heaven talk will get you nothing.

Besides, this ain't Sunday.

Won't you give me your hand?

Let me help you.

Another death.

- Yes.

Fortunately for us,

he didn't live to talk.

You know, you could

always depend on Georgia.

He died for a noble cause.

Four deaths.

And we're no better off

than before we started.

I wouldn't say that, Owen.

My fingerprints are still in

the FBI files in Washington.

Further out of our reach than ever.

And instead being wanted

on one murder charge.

I am now implicated in three others.

They haven't got a thing on us.

The only possible witnesses are dead.

- That isn't the point.

If I had known that it would have meant

violence, I never would have consented.

But Owen.

It's your life we're trying to save.

Not mine.

- I can always resign.

And do you think that would

influence the crime committee?

It would only confirm their suspicions.

Well I .. I can get out of the country.

How far do you think you'd get?

Your face is too well known.

I haven't been a bad governor.

For twenty years I've

honestly tried to do my best.

But there is no other course open now.

I've got to give myself up.

At least then it will

be off my conscience.

You know you would be destroying

a lot more than your own life.

That's unfortunate

but it can't be helped.

I think it can.

What are you doing?

I need a set of your prints.

We are going to kill John Williams.

Legally.

- Legally?

Yes. Give me your right hand, Owen.

A drunk with no name was

found dead in the gutter today.

We're going to substitute

your prints for his.

Send them to Washington

for identification.

The FBI will identify them

as John Williams' prints.

John Williams will be legally dead.

The prints will be

removed from the file.

The file will be closed.

I'm sure this is the same

card that Miss Craig had.

Thanks, Donald.

You can go now.

- Yes, sir.

It doesn't add up, Don.

The fingerprints match

but the descriptions don't fit.

These belong to bindlestiff they found

dead in a rail yard up in Capitol City.

Well, dead or alive.

This Williams as we know him,

must be a prominent man.

A man with plenty of money

and contacts in Washington.

A man almost clever enough,

according to our files and ..

To kill our girl and knock off the two

witnesses who could put a finger on him.

Well, if that's the kind of a

character we're dealing with.

What's to prevent him from planting

his prints on some poor stiff and ..

Have us close the case for him?

Say, this guy seems to be

very much to be alive.

And there is just one place to find out.

Capitol City.

"We didn't take much with us to

Capitol City except hunches."

"A hunch this Capitol City drunk

wasn't John Williams at all."

"A hunch that John

Williams was still alive."

"And that he was involved in the

murders of Natalie and Paul Craig."

"Our first stop was a broken down

rooming house across the tracks."

"Listed by the police as

Williams' last address."

Are you looking for me?

If you're the landlady.

- I am.

The room is six dollars a week

and there is no cooking.

You get clean sheets every Saturday.

And the bathroom is down the hall.

What about your last client?

- And another thing: no drinking.

I've been all morning scrubbing to

get the smell of the stuff out of here.

I don't want no pigs living here.

But you don't look like that type.

Well, thanks.

The man who had this room.

You know anything about him?

What did you say?

- I said, the man who lived here.

When did you last see him?

If you want that room.

For you?

I'll let you do cooking.

Would I be hanging a "For rent" sign

out front if his things were still here?

He took the place yesterday

morning. I haven't seen him since.

What happened to his things?

Some jerk came along this morning and ..

Said he was his brother.

He cleaned all his stuff out.

You know what I think?

He's probably dropped dead somewhere.

Dead drunk.

Well, the one that came in her this

morning. Did you get his name?

I didn't hear him too good.

The only names I remember

is the ones .. on the money.

Let's go, Donley.

We're wasting the lady's time.

Did you want the room?

Well, if we change

our mind, we'll be back.

John Williams, huh?

Wanted for murder, huh?

You'd never think it to look at him.

Of course if you lay in

that icebox for 24 hours ..

They all come out peaceful

and innocent looking.

Oh yeah, Williams. Here he is.

Brought in day before yesterday. Found

down by the railroad tracks dead drunk.

It's all here in the book.

Just like I said.

Let's have a look at him.

His brother came in to claim him.

A kind of a quiet, ugly guy.

Never even bothered looking at him.

Just had me ship him over to

Chauncey Brothers mortuary.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

I'm Mr Chauncey.

What can I do for you?

We're checking on a man

by the name of Williams.

Williams?

Of course, sir. John Williams.

Mind if we take a look at him?

Excuse me.

I'll be back in just a moment.

Here he is.

His brother arranged for .. everything.

"Donley had to check

with our field office."

"So I took the plane back

to Washington alone."

"It was quite a trick

they tried to pull."

"Palming off the identity and prints of

a man wanted for murder on a dead man."

"Then cremating the body

before we could check."

"It might have worked too."

"Except for the coincidence of one clerk

spotting one card out of millions."

"Anyway, we were convinced John Williams

was alive somewhere in Capitol City."

"This was a day for coincidences."

"Even though I didn't

realize it at the time."

Anyone using this seat?

No. Sit down.

Thank you.

A lady up there is

travelling with a baby.

Not that I don't like children.

- Yes, I know what you mean.

Newspaper, sir?

- Yes, thank you very much.

And you, sir?

- No, thank you.

A funny thing, this

senate investigation.

Good for the country, don't you think?

- Yes, I do.

I heard Governor Grisby discussing

it on television the other night.

Did you happen to hear it?

No, I'm sorry. I live in Washington.

Oh.

Working for the government?

- Yes, just another bureaucrat.

I'm from Capitol City but my work

takes me to Washington occasionally.

Oh, what's your line?

Oh, public relations.

- Ah.

What do they think of Grisby

down in Washington?

What do you mean?

Well we think he is senatorial material.

As a matter of fact.

There are several groups in Capitol

City who are thinking of backing him.

What about this investigation?

Oh.

Take a fine house and look hard enough.

You'll find a little dirt under the rug.

But as far as Grisby

is concerned, why ..

"A nice fellow I thought

as I listened to him."

"We even made plans to get together

for a drink sometime at The Mayflower."

"If I'd only known."

"We were going to get together

alright but not for a drink."

"And the lining of the coat

matches the lining of the pocket."

"And the lining of the hat

matches the lining of the shoes."

"And the handkerchief

matches the shirt for sure."

"So the cuff-links match the ring, the

lining of the sleeve matches the shirt."

"And now ladies and .."

Do you give all your time

to the FBI, Mr Stedman?

Are you sure you don't know

what time Shirley will be home?

Does it really matter that much?

"I don't even know why I talk to you."

"What are you talking about now? All

of a sudden you've got such a big head."

"Backstage I asked you a very important

question and you walked right past me."

"I didn't say hello to you backstage?"

- "That's right."

"I'll tell you the excuse."

- "What is it?"

"You know the reason?"

"Since our flight from Buffalo, Tom,

my ears have been plugged up."

"I've had thee periodic spells of

deafness. I can't hear a thing."

"Pete, why didn't you tell me?"

"The same thing happens to me."

- "You're joshing?"

"Every time I get in an aeroplane my

ears plug up. I can't hear a thing."

"What do you do for it, Tom?"

"Well I tell you Pete,

on a trip from Cincinnati."

"I picked up these medically

treated pieces of cotton, see."

"Now you take these pieces of

cotton, put them in your ears."

"You can hear anything anybody says."

- "Huh?"

"I said with the cotton in your ears

you can hear anything anybody said."

"Can you speak up Tommy.

The airplane ride from .."

"I said, with the cotton in your ears!

Just a second, I'll show you."

"I said with the cotton in your ears

you can hear anything anybody said."

"Huh?"

"I said where did you get the cotton?"

- "Your lips move. Are you talking?"

"Certainly I'm talking. I said .."

"I said where did you get

the cotton? They're great."

"I got them in Cincinnati."

- "Huh?"

"I picked them up in Cincinnati."

- "What was that, Tom?"

"I bought them in Cincinnati!

I'll give them back to you."

"I bought them in Cincinnati."

- "No kidding. How much did they cost?"

"Huh?"

"I said how much are the ear plugs."

- "You're not coming in, you know."

"I said .."

"Could you raise it an octave higher?"

- "How much did they cost?"

"You've got them in, Tom."

"Ten dollars a pair."

- "Was it that?"

"Fix this."

"Ten dollars a pair."

- "Do they come in colors?"

"Any color you like."

- "Peppermint coated?"

"Like to dance?"

- "I'd love to dance."

Well, hello.

Boy, am I glad to see you.

I want to talk to you, Shirley.

Alone.

It's important. Official.

We can take a hint.

Well, excuse us a

minute will you, girls.

Very funny guys.

Yeah. Very funny.

Dopes.

I thought the "B" in

FBI stood for bravery.

Well it did until your room-mates

tried to make a test case out of it.

I have a date this evening. I'm

being picked up in about an hour.

Do you mind if I change?

- Not at all. Go right ahead.

Thank you.

What is it you wanted to see me about?

Well.

You're not going to like it.

How do you know until you ask me?

Shirley.

We've hit an impasse on the Craig case.

The card that Natalie pulled on

John Williams turned up again.

This time there is an inquiry

from the Capitol City police.

Asking us to identify a dead man.

What threw us was that the prints match

those of William that we have on file.

We followed the lead

back to Capitol City.

And all we got for our troubles was a

handful of ashes and a couple of angles.

A hunch that John

Williams is still alive.

And that the one who may

know his real identity is ..

Carl Chercourt.

- Carl?

Do you mean to tell me that ..

He had something to

do with Natalie's death?

Now, we don't know that yet.

But we know that John Williams, whoever

he is, is a big man in Capitol City.

And Carl is the number one lobbyist for

all the big interests in Capitol City.

He's been trying for weeks to kill a

senate crime committee hearing ..

Into the political machine

that runs that State.

You'll never convince me that Carl

had anything to do with murder.

Now Shirley, this is important.

He may know who Williams is.

Well, why don't you ask him?

What, and blow the

case if he is involved?

I was hoping you'd be our inside angle.

Let me get this straight.

Are you telling me that you're going to

use me to get information out of Carl?

I told you you wouldn't like it.

Goodnight, Mr Stedman. Here is your hat.

And you might look up the meaning

of another word in your FBI motto.

"Fidelity".

What's the matter, darling?

Carl .. those people you lobby for.

You never talk about them.

Who are they?

Business people.

Politicians with their hands

out looking for favors.

But what are they like?

- I don't know.

I never stopped to figure it out.

With me, it's strictly a job.

You know, it's cold reality that

operates my world, Shirley.

Money.

I made up my mind on

that a long time ago.

I made up my mind when I saw

my father die from a stroke.

In the middle of a speech

on the senate floor.

He'd spend his whole

life fighting for causes.

He died broke.

But not me.

Not when I can use

the contacts I have ..

And make more money in a year

than he made in his whole lifetime.

Why all the .. the sudden questions?

Carl, I've been hearing

rumors inside the Bureau.

Never take a rumor

in Washington seriously.

If they ever stopped nobody would

have anything to talk about.

This is different.

It's about you and the

people you lobby for.

The people I lobby for

is my own business.

I'm registered with the government.

Why should it bother the FBI?

Well it does.

The Bureau think somebody

in your group killed Natalie.

When she didn't turn over a fingerprint

file on a man wanted for murder ..

The same file turned up later and was

identified as belonging to a dead man.

Well, the FBI thinks that man is alive.

And through your connections ..

You might know who he is.

That's ridiculous.

My job is politics, not murder.

That's why I'm telling you, Carl.

Those fingerprints.

What did you say the

name of the man was?

I didn't.

But it's John Williams.

John Williams.

Never heard of him.

It must be important you calling

me up here at this hour of the night.

What's the big mystery you couldn't

talk about over the phone?

John Williams.

Who's he?

I thought you might be

able to tell me, Blake.

Since we're all brothers under the skin.

He's one of us.

Did you pull me out of bed and drag

me clear across the Potomac ..

Just to play a name quiz?

The FBI wants him for murder.

Does that mean anything to you?

It might impress me.

What else do you know about him?

That he's supposed to be dead.

Then what's the problem?

The FBI doesn't think he is.

Who is he, Blake?

Where did you dig all this up?

Straight from the FBI.

The girl I'm engaged to happens

to work for the Bureau.

Really?

How convenient. What division?

Fingerprint identification.

Carl.

For a young fellow you've

come a long way.

You've managed to get all

the good things out of life.

Lucky girl.

I only hope she can enjoy them.

What are you driving at?

We have a slight problem on our hands.

There's a rope around our necks.

Big enough to fit all of us.

But I think now it can be removed

without too much difficulty.

This .. girl you're engaged to.

It should be simple for her to extract a

certain set of prints from those files.

Like Natalie Craig?

Uhuh.

You've picked the wrong

girl this time, Blake.

No.

No, I haven't.

Well.

Here is to your future happiness.

Anything else?

- No. That's all, thanks.

Shirley.

Something has happened.

It's about what you told me last night.

Today it has a different meaning.

Yes, Carl?

I want you to listen

to me very carefully.

And try hard to understand.

Suppose.

Suppose Williams was

a really important man.

Who got off to the wrong start.

And no matter how hard he

tried, couldn't make up for it.

And now his past is

about ready to explode.

And unless something is done about it.

Several innocent lives may be destroyed.

Why don't you say it, Carl?

You want me to get John Williams'

fingerprints out of the file.

That's what you're

trying to say, isn't it?

Last night you said you had nothing to

do with him. You didn't even know him.

Now today you're asking me to ..

Betray a trust for a murderer.

It's not for him, Shirley.

It's for us.

For everything I've battled for.

For all the things I want for you.

And you want me to help buy it?

I can't explain it Shirley, but ..

But do it. Do it for me.

I'll be late for work, Carl.

Can we leave?

That jerk.

I asked him in to say goodnight and all

of a sudden I've a struggle on my hands.

All he wanted to do was to show me

how they take fingerprints, he said.

So I gave him my fingers.

All five of them, right in his face.

So what did he do?

He almost broke my arm, the idiot.

Come on in.

Have a chair.

I'm sorry about what I said last night.

I am the one who should have

understood the meaning of fidelity.

Did you tell Chercourt?

Yes.

I knew you would.

You knew?

- Sure.

That's exactly what he wanted you to do.

But I ..

- Now what about Carl?

Well today, since the

first time I've known him.

He was waiting outside my

apartment to drive me to work.

I knew why he was there and I ..

Suddenly got all twisted up inside.

He wants you to pull the

fingerprint card on John Williams?

What were his reasons?

His career.

Everything he's worked for.

Our life together.

Well, pretty convincing reasons.

And what do you think of them, Shirley?

I'm all mixed up.

I love him but if he's tied in with

the wrong things I've got to know.

You said Carl was your last angle.

Yes.

You might get hurt.

Yes, I know.

What can I say, Shirley.

There is nothing to say.

I did what you wanted.

And what about us?

Carl.

I was the one who always thought

money could buy anything.

Causes, people.

Anything.

Now it is ironic.

The one time I couldn't buy my way out.

I had to come to you.

You'll never know how sorry I am.

I said I'd bring the

prints to you, Blake.

I thought I'd save you a trip.

I followed her here.

Just for insurance.

Is this a good enough premium?

Why, that depends.

Now stay away from us, Blake.

And that depends.

I think I'd better go now.

We've both got a lot to think about.

Convinced those are

not my prints, Blake?

I'm convinced.

You think Carl helped her?

No, I don't think so.

He is much too involved.

What about the FBI?

If they knew who John Williams was ..

You wouldn't be here, Owen.

And just to protect your luck.

There is a quiet little

church down the road.

Drop in and make an offering.

A large one.

And a prayer might help.

But will the FBI hear it?

I'm sure they will.

All set.

We had a camera crew staked out

across from Chercourt's apartment.

We knew that once you

gave him the prints ..

He'd deliver them personally

or turn them over to a contact.

He never left his place but

he certainly had lots of callers.

While you were in the apartment

we saw this man enter.

He sat next to me on the

plane from Capitol City.

He claimed to be a public relations man.

Do you know who he is, Shirley?

I was on the balcony.

I heard voices but I couldn't

hear what they were saying.

We had him followed to the airport

where he took a plane to Capitol City.

We are still waiting for a report.

About half an hour after

you left this kid showed up.

He only stayed a few minutes.

Turned out to be Sonny Pardoe.

He works for the biggest bookie in town.

Yeah. Chercourt must have had a bad day.

Who is she?

She is a stenographer.

A very efficient one too.

Does 120 words a minute shorthand, and

rattles off 90 a minute on a typewriter.

Like to see the report?

This intriguing character turned out

to be "Handsome Harry" an ex-wrestler.

He now makes with

massages instead of faces.

While Chercourt was having a

rub down, Steven Merrow, the ..

Real estate king from

Capitol City paid him a visit.

[ Telephone ]

Give it, Rand.

Donley.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Uhuh.

Okay, thanks.

That was Palmer from Capitol City.

He trailed Chercourt's friend

to the Mannering Hotel.

That's where he lost him.

Just his luck the hotel was

overcrowded with three conventions.

He said the place was a madhouse.

We're right back where we started.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.

That's alright, Shirley.

Keep in touch with us.

I will.

I think the pressure is

beginning to show on our girl.

Well, she's in a pretty rough spot.

Doing a man's job for us ..

Carrying a torch for Chercourt.

Miss Wayne?

- Yes. What do you want?

I'm a close friend of Carl Chercourt.

I'd like to talk to you.

In private.

Why did you switch those prints?

Miss Wayne, about those fingerprints.

I couldn't go through with it.

I thought any set would

get by so I used my own.

I'm only going to say this once Miss

Wayne, so I want you to remember it.

I want the real fingerprint

file on John Williams.

Hello Benson? Glen Stedman.

Say, how long would it take

you to forge a set of prints for me?

What about file cards?

Good. I'll send the card

right over. Oh and ..

Age it down a bit will you.

This little dream operates on the

same principle as a walkie-talkie.

Built-in batteries.

Extra sensitive microphone.

This switch when you

want to go on the air.

Turn it on a minute will you, Glen.

The range is a little

bit less than a mile.

But all our cars are tuned to the

same wavelength. Same as this.

You try it.

What will I say?

Just don't run out of words

when the right time comes.

See if you can turn it off okay.

Shouldn't have any trouble.

Can't tell it from the original.

We gave it the complete treatment.

Dust and all.

A fine job, Gibson.

Then what?

I'm to have Carl pick me up.

I'm to give them to him.

It's not too late to back out.

I've still got things to find out.

You make your call to Chercourt.

Relax Shirley.

Yes, Miss Wayne. Relax.

- Blake.

Just watch the road.

We don't want any accidents.

Keep going straight ahead.

I'll take that fingerprint

card now, Miss Wayne.

"Let's have the prints."

"Thanks."

Donley.

Keep a clear channel.

Wayne with Chercourt.

License number "D".

9-6-6-9.

"Headed over the 14th Street bridge."

"Speed 35 miles an hour."

"Put Operation One

into effect as planned."

"They are coming out of the bridge now.

It could be any place from here."

Don't get lost.

Harris, you and Lockwood

reach this point.

You have to hit 55 and 60 all the way.

- Right, sir.

You and Barnes get to this spot

and stake yourselves out ..

Until you pick up further word

from Donley and Stedman.

All police have been alerted.

You won't be stopped.

Is it asking too much to

tell us where we're going?

Not at all.

I'm having a little celebration

at my house tonight.

You two are the guests of honor.

- How nice.

Then we'll get to meet Mr Williams.

It's a surprise party, Miss Wayne.

"You wouldn't want me to

spoil all the fun, would you?"

If we hit open country we'll have to

drop back and we'll lose contact.

Get the flash to Whitey.

Donley again.

They are on the Virginia side.

Heading towards the Lincoln Highway.

Over.

Stay with him. Operation One under way.

Slow down for a minute.

Now, keep driving at the same speed.

Do you always have your

car following, Mr Blake?

Your eyes are as good as

your memory, Miss Wayne.

Company.

Yeah, the wrong kind.

I never figured you to

pull a double-cross, Blake.

I said it all depends.

They are fading fast.

I don't like it, Glen.

If we pace him he'll see us, and

if we pull back we'll lose him.

We'll have to sweat it out.

What about the girl?

- What about her?

Well, go ahead and say it.

There are times to forget the case

and think of the people involved.

It's nice work if you can do it.

Once you start to compromise personal

feelings, it's time to quit this job.

Donley, to all cars .. all cars.

The target has picked up a seeing eye.

We have to pull back.

Request Operation Two at once.

Do you get me, Whitey?

Over and out.

All cars. Verify positions.

Barnes at Point A proceeding as planned.

Lockwood. Cruising assigned route.

On schedule.

Hold positions.

Keep channel open for Operation Two.

Over and out.

"Yes, sir?"

Scott. Washington airport.

"Turn left at the next

road marker, Chercourt."

"Doesn't that take us along the river?"

Scott. Operation Two from helicopter.

"Picked up range on target Two.

Moving in to follow."

"It turned off Lincoln Highway.

Destination some place along the river."

"All cars covered. Scott out."

There is a narrow dirt road half a

mile just beyond that clump of trees.

Turn in to it.

"Scott. Over target now."

"Leave highway and hit river."

"About three miles up

and follow my tail light."

"I'll be hanging right

over them. Scott out."

"Scott to all cars."

"Do you see me? Over."

Lockwood. Check.

We're right with you.

Barnes. Check.

Position minus two miles.

Donley. Check.

Hello Carl.

Governor Grisby.

I'm sorry you had to

be dragged into this.

It was the only way.

Here is your miracle, Governor.

It will take more than a miracle

to get you out of this, Governor.

I've waited a long time.

Carl. There will always be

a place for you with us.

I have two more years in office.

Next, it might even be the White House.

You haven't a chance.

Not with men like Blake

in your organisation.

You've just burned up your past.

But you're not blowing up my future.

"Chercourt is not setting the fuse."

"We're doing this my way."

"Scott to all cars."

"Target to my left."

"Right on river."

"Check me if you're in range."

We're in range.

Keep your tail light burning.

We're homing on it.

Donley out.

Barnes to Scott. Give us ten minutes

and we'll be under your landing gear.

Barnes out.

Lockwood. Your light is in our window.

[ Bang! ]

Lockwood to all cars.

We're out of the running.

We blew a tire. Over and out.

Governor Grisby.

Did you ever stop to think there might

be copies of your fingerprint records?

Or that I may have had

them photographed?

Where are they?

I mailed copies to my room-mates.

With a note saying if I wasn't

back within 24 hours ..

They were to notify the FBI.

I don't think you did, Miss Wayne.

I don't think you had time

to mail anything to anybody.

If she did have duplicates

made, they are in here.

So, they've heard everything we've said.

"That's very interest?ng."

"I hope they are still listening."

I'm walking out of here and

Miss Wayne goes with me.

Whether she lives or not is up to you.

We've not much time.

You go ahead, Blake.

I'm tired.

Tired of running.

"Both targets appear

to be broadcasting."

"I'll hang it up over the area. Check

me when you enter. Scott, out."

Cops!

Get her up, Fred.

Almost made the Honor Plaque ton?ght.

You still have to make it the hard way.

- Yeah, looks like it.

* Steve D *