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 *