Ellery Queen (1975–1976): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Adventure of the Chinese Dog - full transcript

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In a few minutes, this man
is going to be murdered.

The question is, who killed him?

Was it the frustrated nephew?

Do you really believe
that a devoted nephew

would kill his uncle?

The spurned housekeeper?

He had no further need of me.

The fiancé with a shady past?

I could get away with murder
out here.

The willful heiress?

I didn't kill my father!



Or was it someone else?

Hold it.

I'm sorry, Reverend.
I couldn't find the right door.

Match wits with Ellery Queen

and see if you can guess
who done it

Ellery, will you please hurry?

What's the rush, Dad?
The fish will still be there.

The best fishing's
early in the morning.

Then why are we leaving
in the middle of the night?

Now, what?

I can't find my book
on famous American murders.

On top of the desk.

Oh, yeah. Thanks.

Ellery, let's get going.



I can't find my glasses.

In the bookcase.

And if you're looking
for your car keys,

they're in the ashtray.

-Ashtray?
-That one.

Oh, yeah.

You'd forget your head
if it wasn't fastened on.

What's the matter
with the blasted thing?

It's hard to say. What we need,
I think, is a mechanic.

What's the matter
with our mechanic?

Didn't he see something was wrong
when you took it in for a checkup?

Checkup?

You mean you didn't?

Dad, I think I forgot.

Not sure I forgot,
but I think I forgot.

How could you forget?

We've been planning
on this fishing trip for weeks.

We've been talking
about nothing else.

As far as this car's concerned,

I've turned in better junk
to the scrap drive.

Well, here comes a car.

-Hey! Hold it!
-Hey! Hey, hey!

Stop in the name of the law!

That was the sheriff's car.

I know what it was!

What do we do now?

Are we gonna need the rifle, Sheriff?

-Bring it. We'll see.
-Yes, sir.

[ Rings doorbell ]

Morning, Tilda.

Oscar.
What are you doing here?

I came over to see Eben Wright.

Mr. Wright doesn't like to be
disturbed when he's in his study.

But, Tilda, he sent for me.

Oh, well, in that case,
wipe your feet.

You might have told me
you were coming.

What did he say on the phone?

Precious little. Just to hustle
on over here with my two deputies.

By the way, Tilda,
I hope I can count on your vote

come Election Day.

-We'll see.
-Well, here's a little reminder.

I'll pin it on myself...
if I have a mind to wear it.

I can't think of any place
I'd rather see it.

Mr. Wright is in the study.
Knock.

[ Knocking on door]

Come in.

[ Door opens ]

I'd about given up on you.

Well, I tell you, Mr. Wright,

that old county car
won't do more than 50.

Been a long time
since I nailed a speeder.

What would you have done

if this was a real
emergency situation.

Well, likely you'd have mentioned it
to me on the phone.

What can I do for you, Mr. Wright?

You know my daughter Julia's
getting married in two days.

I know that. Yes, sir.

Right after the ceremony,

she and her husband are leaving
for their honeymoon.

I'm giving them
a very special wedding present.

That's why I called you, Oscar.

I want it guarded
while it's in this house.

Some kind of jewelry
or something like that?

Not really.

Have you ever seen
anything like this?

What in blue thunder is that?

That's a Chinese temple dog --
solid gold.

-Those red stones.
-Rubies.

And the green ones are emeralds.

This was my wedding gift
to my bride -- Julia's mother.

Its value has increased
to nearly half a million dollars.

Is that a fact?

When I asked my nephew Warren
to bring it up from New York City,

I expected him to bring a couple
of armed guards with him.

You know Warren.

He throws this gold dog
into a suitcase with his underwear,

comes up here on the train alone.

Don't you worry none, Mr. Wright.

I guarantee its safety
as long as it's in my county.

-Ralph?
-Yes, sir.

You stand out front with your rifle.
Stu, you go 'round back.

You question everybody
coming into this house

that you don't know personally

and search everybody going out,
no matter who.

-Got it?
-Yes, sir.

Well, get cracking.

Don't you worry about a thing,
Mr. Wright.

Hey, Julia, look at that.

What, darling?

It's a deputy sheriff.

There's another one
in the front of the house.

It looks like an armed camp.
I don't like that.

What's he doing?

He -- He's waving to somebody
in the garden.

-Sir?
-Huh?

Oh, I'm sorry.
Were you talking to me?

I didn't realize.

Would you mind telling me
what you're doing out here?

Oh, not in the least. I was just
flicking an aphid off that leaf.

What are you doing out here?

-You're not the gardener.
-No. Are you?

Now, look, Mister, you got
any business in this house?

Well, I really don't see
what business

my business is of yours.

Well, there happens to be
a very valuable object in there.

Well, I happen to be the one
who brought it from New York.

See, I'm Warren Wright,
Eben's nephew.

-Oh, really?
-Mm-hm.

Well, I can't take your word for that.

Well, would you like to see
some identification?

I have my driver's license
right here.

Well, I am sorry, Mr. Wright.

Oh, that's all right.
I understand, Constable.

I live in New York mostly.

No reason why you should know
who I am.

Yes, sir.

Deputies are on the job, sir.
You can rest easier now.

I'll check back later on in the day.
Bye now.

I can let myself out, Tilda!

-Everything okay, Ralph?
-So far.

You did say to check everybody
coming out of the house?

-Everyone, no matter who.
-Yes, sir.

Sir, then I guess I better check you.

-Me?
-Well, yes, sir.

You're a real stickler, Ralph. Okay.

-Everything okay, Ralph?
-Yes, sir.

Good.
I'll see you around lunchtime.

[ Clock dings ]

-Sure you won't have one, Julia?
-No, thank you.

-Warren, scotch?
-Water, please.

This thing is parched.

Tilda, doesn't anyone ever sprinkle
the plants around here?

I do, when they need it.

Lunch is ready.

Where's Daddy?

He always has a glass of sherry
before lunch.

-Maybe he's breaking with tradition.
-Eben? Impossible.

I'll fetch him.

Well, good.
That'll give me time to finish this.

Well, here's to the day
after tomorrow, honey.

Cheers.

[ Tilda screams ]

-Tilda, what is it?
-What's the matter?

Is Daddy in here?

What's wrong? What's wrong?
What happened?

Ellery, you'll never catch a fish
without a fly in the water.

Dad, do you really think
there's trout in there?

I know there is.

I got a big fella last year
on the line, but he broke off.

He's the one I'm after.

You mean you came back here
for the same fish?

Of course I did.
Ever hear of Moby-Dick?

Yes, I have, Captain Ahab.

Tell you what, I'll read,
and you fish.

Ellery, there he is.
He just dimpled.

I'm gonna put this
right on his nose.

I got it! I got him!

Oh, Lord, don't let him break off.

Inspector Queen!

Oh!

You made me lose my fish!

The hotel said I'd find you here.

I take it you are
Inspector Richard Queen

of the New York Homicide Bureau.

Well, what about it?

And you must be Ellery Queen.

We know who we are.
Who are you?

Oh. Henry Palmer.

I own Palmer Groceries
in the village.

I'm also running for election
against Oscar Eberhart.

Sheriff Eberhart?

You know him?

I've seen the name.

Well, he's been the incumbent
for five terms,

and folks are saying
it's time for a change.

Now, we got the first murder
in this county in 20 years,

and I know he's gonna flub it.

Murder?

Ellery!

Somebody killed Eben Wright.

You know, Wrightsville was named
for his great-grandpa.

He's the one who started
Wright Galoshes Company.

Never heard of it.

ELLERY: I think I've seen
their slogan.

"You can't go wrong
with two Wright galoshes.”

That's it.

You can see we got one real
important murder investigation.

And I just feel it in my bones
that Oscar Eberhart can't handle it.

That's why I came to you.

Be a real feather in my cap

if I could get you
to step in unofficial-like.

Wrightsville's off my beat.

My dad came up here
for a well-earned rest.

What about you?

This is a real fascinating murder,
Mr. Queen.

In what way?

Ellery!

Well, take the way he was killed.

How was he killed?

He was hit on the head with a dog.

[ Laughs ]

A dog?

Chinese dog.

What are you trying to pull, Henry?

I thought you could use
a little help, Oscar.

I'm very grateful,
but everything's under control.

QUEEN:
Good. Glad to hear it.

Come on, Ellery. We still have
the rest of the afternoon.

Dad.

Do you have any lead
on the murderer?

Well, I wouldn't exactly say that.

Oh, tell the truth, Oscar!

You couldn't catch rainwater
in a sponge.

Now, just a doggone minute, Henry.

I just wonder what the voters
are gonna say

about you turning away
professional advisers.

-That's what I wonder.
-Well, these fellas can stay.

But you keep
your professional advice

till I need beans and baloney,
especially baloney.

You see what you're up against.
Good luck.

Sheriff, can you tell me
where the body was found?

Down here.

He was struck from behind
while looking at this ledger.

I see.

Beats me how the murderer
got out of the house.

My men were watching it,
front and back.

-What about the windows?
-Stuck.

They've been that way
since last year,

when the house was painted.

There must be other windows.
Can't all be stuck.

No trace of footprints
in the flower beds under the windows.

Sounds like an inside job.

Who else was in the house
at the time of the murder?

Tilda MacDonald,
the housekeeper.

She's the one who found the body.

Julia Wright, the daughter.

And Gordon Wilde,
the fella she's gonna marry.

I see. Just those three?

And Warren Wright,
Eben's nephew.

Warren tends to be away so much,
I forget him.

May I see the murder weapon?

Have those things
been checked for prints?

Yeah. Wiped clean.

We're not that far out
in the sticks, Inspector.

Thank you.

Ralph, take this evidence
down to the sheriff's office

and lock it up.

Is that the ledger
you were talking about?

Yep.
Found it where he dropped it,

open to the page I marked
with a tag.

"WW." -- Warren Wright?

It appears Eben kept a record
of every penny Warren spent.

In red ink.
He wrote him off as a loss.

Well, that's Warren, all right.

I wonder if he was holding it
when he was struck?

Don't forget this, Ralph.

-What's in the box?
-Personal effects.

I haven't had a chance
to check them yet.

I was hoping they'd be cigars.

-Do you mind if I talk to Tilda?
-She's out back.

-You want to talk to everybody?
-Sooner or later, yeah.

-You coming, Dad?
-No, thanks.

I came to catch trout,
not murderers.

Enjoy yourself.
I'm going fishing.

I don't know what else
I can tell you,

except what I've already told
Sheriff Eberhart.

Well, when you found the body,
Mrs. MacDonald --

Miss MacDonald.
I'm not married.

I'm sorry. Miss MacDonald,
when you found the body,

where was the weapon?

On the floor, near his head.

There was blood on it.
It was his blood.

I see. Do you know if there was
anything taken from the room?

No.

Whatever the reason for murdering
Eben, it wasn't robbery.

Do you know if he ever had any
violent disagreements with anyone?

-You mean his nephew Warren?
-Yeah. Did he quarrel with him?

-They had their differences.
- I see.

-Well, could you tell me--?
-What?

I don't eavesdrop, Mr. Queen.

You want to know anything
about that,

you discuss it yourself
with Mr. Warren Wright.

This is kind of a strange time
to be doing laundry, isn't it?

I don't think so. A body can't
just sit around and mope.

You were fond of him?

He was very good to me.

I came here to tutor
his daughter, Julia,

after his wife passed away,

and then I just stayed on
to manage his affairs

and run his house.

What are you going to do now?

I'm gonna put the wash away.

No, I mean after you leave
this house.

I haven't really thought about it.
Excuse me.

I don't know anything
about Mr. Ellery Queen,

and I don't see why we have
to answer any of his questions.

Aren't there enough local cops
without sending out for more?

It's not my idea, Mr. Wilde.

Then tell him to go away.
You're in charge, aren't you?

Well, yes, I am, but there are
certain things that--

-Are you in charge, or aren't you?
-Yes, I am, Ma'am.

But there are some
who think that Mr. Queen

would be helpful
in my investigation.

I get the distinct aroma of politics.

Why does Mr. Queen
want to question us?

Well, it's not just you.

It's everyone who was in the house
at the time of the murder.

Do you mean
that we are suspected of...?

I can't even say it.

What about it, Sheriff?
Are we suspects, huh?

I'm sure that no one thinks
that Miss Wright

had anything to do with it.

What about me?

Well, I don't know what goes on
in Mr. Queen's mind.

-Did he mention me specifically?
-Gordon.

I need a rest. I feel
a terrible headache coming on.

What am I going to tell Mr. Queen?

Tell him we're in my room.

You know you're fishing in my spot?

I didn't see no sign, stranger.

Why don't you keep going
right on downstream?

I don't want to go downstream.
The fish I want is right here.

You mean you seen him --
the big fella?

Seen him?
I hooked him twice.

Well, if you can, so can I.

Not with that yellow fly, you won't.
He's only taken to red.

Oh, red flies, blue flies.
It don't make no difference.

You're just wasting your time.

Why don't you step out of there?
Let me take a crack at him?

-I got him!
-You have?

Will! You're wanted in town.

Oh, doggone it!

Aw, that's too bad.

Oh, the sheriff sent me for you.
I've been looking all over.

-What's so all-fired important, Stu?
-Well, there's been a murder.

Oh, that's a fine way
to spoil a man's fishing.

What have you got to do
with the murder?

I'm the county coroner.
Who's dead, Stu?

-Eben Wright.
-Eben?

-That's right, Will.
-What happened to him?

Got hit in the head with a dog.

A dog?
Didn't even know he had a dog.

Well, come on, Stu.
We got work to do.

It's all yours, friend.

Where is everybody?

Miss Wright and Mr. Wilde
have gone upstairs.

Before you go, Mr. Queen,

I don't want you
to get the wrong idea,

but Mr. Wright was
a very powerful man in this county,

and I was counting on him
in my election. Now that he's dead--

You're hoping his daughter
will give you her support.

Well, that's about the size of it.

Have you questioned her at all?

Well, no. I don't want to upset
any apple carts.

I can understand
the political wisdom of that,

but, you see,
I'm not running for office,

so maybe I can ask a few questions
without stepping on any toes.

-You'll keep me informed?
-Absolutely.

Much obliged, Mr. Queen.
Proud to have you on the team.

Oh, yeah. Thank you.

First door. You can't miss it.

It's just so horrible.

But why would anybody
want to do a thing like that?

It just doesn't make sense.

I know this is a bad time
to be asking questions.

It's a lousy time!

Can't you see she's all broken up,
the poor kid?

Yes, but I have to find out
a couple of things.

It's all right.

I have to get straight
in my own mind

where everybody in this house was
at the time of the murder.

-I was here, in my room.
-I see.

-Mr. Wilde?
-Why should I tell you?

Well, you're gonna
have to tell somebody.

Gordon, please.

Gordon was with me in my room.

-Julia.
-We did nothing wrong.

I know.

Besides, we're going
to be married.

Yes, I know that.

Oh, and Daddy won't be here
to give me away.

-Anything else, Queen?
-Yes.

Did Eben Wright object
to your marrying his daughter?

That has nothing to do with it!
Daddy was wrong!

Gordon is not marrying me
for his money!

But it's your money now --
most of it, anyway.

That is, unless he spent it all.

Spent it?

Mr. Queen, my father held on
to the first dollar he ever earned,

the last dollar,
and every dollar in between.

But his wedding gift
is very, very generous.

That Chinese monstrosity?

Daddy knew what I really wanted,

and he could have
given it to me easily.

What was that?

I wanted him to make Gordon
a full partner in the company.

-Then you didn't want the dog?
-Of course not.

It was on loan to the museum
for the remainder of Daddy's lifetime.

I couldn't even sell
the dreadful thing.

All I could do was send it back
to the museum after the wedding.

I mean, what kind
of a present is that?

Oh, I sound so mean and vindictive.
I did love him. Really, I did.

Do you see what you've done?

You ask her one more question,

and you're gonna
have to answer to me!

I'd -- I'd watch that temper of yours
if I were you, Mr. Wilde.

Plants are a hobby of mine.

I certainly have had lots of time
to pursue my hobby --

much too much time.

You didn't work for the family,
Mr. Wright?

Oh, no.

Uncle Eben wouldn't let me
near the place.

He claimed I lacked business sense.

Occasionally, he did use me
for an errand boy,

but he never -- never --

consulted me
on anything important -- never.

And you resented that?

Well, it was a family business,

and I was his only-living
male relative.

I mean, I should have had some say.

-Well, I guess you will.
-You think so?

Well, I'm sure you'll inherit
your share.

Yes, my fair share.
Yes, that's true.

And I'm going to need an office,
aren't I?

-What?
-An office.

I must pick out an office
with lots of light.

That way, I can surround myself
with ferns.

-Ferns?
-Ferns.

-That'll make you happy?
-Ferns?

Ferns make me happy?

What a question.

Now let me ask you one.

Do you really believe
that a devoted nephew

would kill his uncle

simply to gain control
of a galoshes factory?

Well, that would depend
on how much the factory's worth.

Millions!
I thought you knew that.

When rubber was impossible
to get during the war,

they started making plastics.

In the right hands,
this factory could be a gold mine.

-He was talking to me, Tilda.
-Oh, you're quite right. Quite right.

Mr. Queen, there's some lovely,
fresh coffee inside.

-Wouldn't you like some?
-Yes, I would. Thank you.

I see your game, Tilda.

You just want him to think

I had a good reason
for killing Uncle Eben.

I can't think of anyone
who had a better reason.

Oh, can't you?
Well, think harder!

Look, don't you try
to throw suspicion on me.

I happen to know
what Eben thought of you.

And I happen to know
what he thought about you, my dear,

so just keep out of my way!

[ Honks horn ]

Hi, Dad.

Hope you had better luck
than I did.

Only the mosquitoes were biting.
I did more scratching than fishing.

Is that what you're using for bait?

Oh. The sheriff started campaigning
as soon as I drove up.

You know, Palmer's right.
This murder's too much for Eberhart.

He's running scared.

Well, what do you think, Ellery?
Did the nephew do it?

Dad, I thought you were
only interested in fish.

If it was the nephew, why did
he pick now to kill Eben Wright?

The wedding.

Eben Wright was
about to acquire a new son-in-law.

Now, this made Warren's position
even more insecure.

Now, Julia made it quite clear

that her father had no intention
of taking Gordon into their business.

Yeah, but you told me
that Eben Wright

never consulted Warren
about important matters.

Maybe Warren
didn't even know about it.

It's that "maybe” that bothers me.

All right.
I'll give you one without a maybe.

Julia Wright is disappointed

because her father isn't
gonna take her new husband

into the company as a partner.

With Papa dead, she inherits
a goodly share of said company,

and her husband winds up
with his partnership, after all.

Now, Ellery, you got to admit,
that makes sense.

What? I can't hear you, Dad.
I'm in the shower.

Are you expecting somebody?

[ Knocking on door]

Yeah? Oh.

Well, how's it going, Inspector?
You catch him?

Not after you scared him away.

-The killer?
-The fish.

What about
the murder investigation?

You'll have to ask my son
about that.

-Oh, hi, Mr. Palmer.
-Evening.

Did you find any good clues?

Hard to say.
I'll have to sleep on it.

Yeah.
We were just about to turn in.

I thought you city folks
were night owls.

Only in the city.

In the country, we go to bed
with the chickens.

Gotcha. We'll get together
first thing in the morning.

Oh, no. No. We're getting up
at the crack of dawn to go fishing.

Oh, say, I brought you
a little something

to make up for before.

Surefire for those big babies.

Hey, those are nicely tied.

A hobby of mine.

I tie the best trout flies
in the county.

They're yours.
Watch the hook.

Thank you, Mr. Palmer.

I'll use those first thing
in the morning.

Mr. Palmer, do you know
the county coroner?

-Will Bailey?
-Yeah.

I sure ought to.

I lost 8 bucks to him
at draw poker last night.

Why, you want to meet him?

Yes, I'd like to ask him
a couple of questions.

Well, he has breakfast every day
at the coffee shop.

We'll see him there tomorrow.

I guess I won't be trying these
first thing in the morning.

-Dad, do you mind?
-Oh, no. No.

Did anybody think
I just came up here to go fishing?

-Good night.
-Good night.

-Good night.
-Good night.

[ Gargling ]

People are dying all over the place.

Never know
who they're gonna bring in next,

snuffed out in the prime of life.

The trouble is, people don't
take care of themselves.

It was all them wartime shortages.

Why, nowadays, people act like pigs.

Uh, could I have a little more
of the maple syrup

and a couple more pats of butter,
please, Mamie?

-Sure thing.
-Thank you, Mamie.

They got me so busy,

I hardly have time
to even get my fishing boots wet.

If there's anything I like,
it's fishing.

And eating.

Just black coffee for me, Mamie.

What about you, hon?
Cream and sugar?

-Huh?
-You want some cream and sugar?

It's no use. He can't make
any major decisions

until he's had his morning coffee.

Well, how does he take it?

Leftover, lukewarm, and lumpy.

Did I tell you I got that big fella
on my line again yesterday, Henry?

Yeah. And he got away
from you again, right, Will?

[ Laughs ]

Mr. Bailey, you were about
to tell us about Eben Wright.

Speaking as the next sheriff, Will,

I'd appreciate any information
you can give these crime experts

that I personally brought
into the case

for the good of all the people
of this county.

Yeah. Yeah.

Well, I gave him a thorough
examination, head-to-toe.

The voters can rest assured that,
come Election Day,

I will be just as thorough
in my pursuit of lawbreakers.

-What did you find out, Mr. Bailey?
-Not very much.

Don't hold anything back, Will.
The people have a right to know.

If you'll stop campaigning
for a minute, I'll tell the people!

Now, in my judgment,
Eben expired

as a result of being struck
on the head.

Well, that's hardly news.

Was it a hard blow?

Hard enough to do the job.

Could a woman have done it?

Possible.

Now we're getting somewhere.

What about bruises
or lacerations?

Anything that might indicate
a struggle?

No. As I say,
the killer was behind him.

Probably never knew what hit him.

No, there were no more marks
on the body at all, except...

Except what?

Speak up, Will.
It's your duty as a public servant.

Well, I was looking
under his fingernails

through a magnifying glass.

I thought maybe I might find
some scrapings of skin or hair.

And?

Well, all I found was
a minute puncture

in the ball of his right thumb.

He must have got that
just before he died.

A puncture in the thumb?

Well, here it is.

See for yourself --
right there in the ME. report.

Thank you.

"Puncture in the ball
of the right thumb."

Now, what the heck
does that have to do

with the way he was killed?

He was hit over the head.

I didn't say he wasn't.
I said he had a hole in his thumb.

-Does it mean anything, Ellery?
-I'm not sure, Dad.

Coroner, do you happen to remember
what was in his pockets?

Oh, the usual --
keys, coins, handkerchief.

Nothing more than you'd expect
to find in somebody's pocket.

Take yourself, Mr. Queen.

What have you got
in your pockets right this minute?

I can tell you that -- a hole.

I know because I had to pick up
the tab for breakfast.

Here's the forms you wanted, Will.

What's this, some kind of caucus?

Oscar, this has nothing to do
with politics.

Well, he wouldn't be here
if it didn't.

It seems like somebody's nose
is out of joint.

I'm not worried
about some grocery clerk

putting his thumb
on the scales of justice.

Now, see here, both of you.
Quit your campaigning.

The coroner's office
is above petty politics.

Yeah, till next election,
when you have to run again.

Sheriff, I'm glad you're here.

We were just talking
about the confiscated belongings

taken from Eben Wright's body.

You suppose I could
have a look at them?

Will tell you about the telegram
that was found on him?

Telegram?

Come to think of it,
there was a telegram.

I forgot about that.

How many dead men you examine
have telegrams in their pocket?

[ Laughs ]

Not many.

I'd like to know more
about that telegram.

Since you know this much,
it was from New York --

a private detective named Sykes.

It said,
"A full report on G.W. will follow."

G.W. -- Gordon Wilde.

Eben Wright was having
his son-in-law-to-be investigated?

Dad, do you think you could
call Sergeant Velie

and have him talk to Sykes?

Okay, Sykes, let's hear it.

Look, I don't have to tell you
nothing about nothing.

I know my rights.

You see that?
I'm a licensed private investigator.

I don't have to take no pushing
around from the police department.

What was in that report
you made for Eben Wright?

That is confidential information.

If you want to find out,
ask my client.

Your client's dead.

Well, if he won't tell you,
neither will I.

Aw, come on, Sarge.
Let me go back to work, huh?

Tell me about Gordon Wilde.

Never heard of him.

Here's the Sykes file you wanted
from Traffic, Sergeant.

Thanks, Gracie.

-Well, Algy, what do we got here?
-What? What do you have there?

Parking violations -- unpaid.

And here's a speeding citation,
an illegal turn.

And here's another where you
knocked a guy's fender off

and left the scene.

This could cost you your license,
Algy. What about it?

[ Sighs ]

Okay, Sarge.
What do you want to know?

[ Door opens ]

-Any calls, Ralph?
-No, sir.

Inspector Queen's expecting
a call from New York.

Get the key for the property lockup.

You gonna look at the evidence
in the Wright case?

I made a list of everything,

if there's something special
you want to see.

I'd like to see the personal effects.

Oh, yes, sir.
Got them in a cigar box.

This has been
tampered with, Sheriff.

What are you talking about?

-Well, the lock's been jimmied.
-Well, open it.

It's empty.
Somebody stole the evidence.

Doesn't say much
for your security, Sheriff.

Ralph, did you leave this office
for one minute?

No, sir, I sure didn't.

Well, maybe for one minute,
when I went to check the cells.

There's nobody in the cells.

Well, it says on my duty schedule

to check the cells
every hour on the hour.

That means if we've got
a prisoner in the lockup.

It doesn't say that, Sheriff.

Deputy, you mentioned
a list of evidence.

Oh, yes, sir. I listed everything
that went there, in detail.

-May I see that list?
-Oh, you bet. I've got it right here.

Uh, somewhere.

Would this be it?

-Oh, yeah. In detail.
-Thank you.

The evidence pointed to somebody,
and, what's more, somebody knew it.

Is that any use?

Well, it's certainly detailed.

It even has
the exact amount of change

that Eben Wright was carrying --
83 cents.

"Keys, pocket comb,
handkerchief -- white cotton.

Wristwatch -- gold.
Ring -- monogrammed, gold.

One telegram from New York."

-That's it.
-No, it's not, Dad.

The cigar box wasn't all
that was stolen.

Yeah. The ledger
and the murder weapon.

Looks like a case of grand larceny
in the sheriff's office.

How's that gonna look
on Election Day?

Not too good.

While you were checking
empty cells.

[ Telephone rings ]

Sheriff's office.

Oh, yeah, just a minute.
He's right here.

Long distance, Inspector Queen.

Yeah, Velie.
What you got?

An earful, Inspector.

Algy Sykes is a slow starter,

but he had a lot to say
after I got him going.

For instance, "Gordon Wilde"
is only an alias.

What else did Sykes say?

No kidding.

All right. Thank you, Sergeant.
Talk to you later.

What did he have to say, Dad?

Gordon Wilde had an arrest record
going back to reform-school days.

And if Wilde knew
that report was on its way,

I'm not surprised the late Mr. Wright
is the late Mr. Wright.

I found the telegram
right here on the table,

after I returned from shopping.

-Then it came when you were out.
-Well, yes.

Otherwise, I would have taken it
straight in to Mr. Wright's study.

Of course. That means
somebody else signed for it.

Well, I got that.

So many telegrams came in
for Julia's wedding

that the boy began leaving them
under the door.

Wilde found it, opened it,
read it, and resealed it.

-Why didn't he just destroy it?
-Why don't you ask him?

Ralph, bring down Mr. Wilde
for questioning.

Yes, sir.

-Did I hear Gordon's name?
-Oh, yes, Miss Wright.

There are a few questions that
only your fiancé can answer for us.

-Questions about what?
-His past, for one thing.

Oh, dear.

You don't seem too surprised.

Ralph, what's taking you so long?
Bring him down!

Wilde ain't in his room, Sheriff.
I looked everywhere.

He ain't up here at all.

-Do you know where he is?
-No.

Search the rest of the house.
Start in that room.

He can't be in there.
I just came from there.

Maybe he's in the garden.

Unless I miss my guess,
he's nowhere near the house.

He saw us coming
and knew we were onto him.

Gordon wouldn't run away.

Even if he knew
he was suspected of murder?

Oh!

Oh!

Oh!

[ Coughing ]

What happened?

Well, you seem to have fainted.

When Mr. Queen said that Gordon
was the murder suspect.

Now, Tilda, you know
that's ridiculous.

Julia, maybe it's time you stopped
playing the Little Princess

and began to face
a few unpleasant facts

about your Prince Charming.

I will not have you
speaking to me that way.

Please leave this room.

Of course, Miss Julia.

And this house --
as soon as possible.

Do you think Gordon
killed my father?

Well, there's a lot
of circumstantial evidence

that points in that direction.

But Gordon would never
hurt anybody.

Well, he threatened me.

But you know he didn't mean it.
That was just a temper flare-up.

What evidence?

Uh, the telegram telling your father

that a report on GW.
was on the way.

It was downstairs on the table.

-Now, if he opened it--
-That's ridiculous.

Anybody could have opened it.

Well, that's true.
Even you could have.

You've been receiving
congratulatory telegrams all week.

-You could have opened it.
-No.

And found out your father

was having your fiancé investigated
by a private detective.

It's not true.

Confronted him with it,
quarreled with him,

picked up the nearest heavy object --
a Chinese dog--

No, Mr. Queen, I swear it.

I never saw that telegram,
and I didn't kill my father!

I only said it could have happened.

Anyone could have opened
that telegram.

I don't know why it would
concern anybody else.

Would you excuse me
for just a moment?

Put me through to the state
police barracks, please.

Your dad went out to check
on the cars in the garage

to see if Wilde borrowed one.

Right. Right.

Yeah, this is Sheriff Eberhart
in Wrightsville.

Harry, we've got a murder suspect
on the loose.

Yeah, I want you to send out
an all-points highway bulletin.

He goes under the name
of Gordon Wilde.

The description's as follows.

Sorry.

Hope I didn't interrupt
your train of thought.

Oh, my train isn't going anywhere.

That's a nice fern.

Yes. Maidenhair.

It could be nicer.
The poor thing's been neglected.

My uncle didn't always give me
free access to his study.

Now, of course, I can
come and go as I please.

Did you ever grow succulents?

Well, I've had some small success
with echeveria.

-Cactus plants?
-Yes.

I do prefer ferns, though, don't you?
I mean, they're so fragile.

Warren, when you brought
that Chinese temple dog

up from New York,

where -- where did
your uncle keep it?

Where did he put it?

Well, he put it right there.

I mean, that's the last place
I saw it.

Right here, huh?

If you're looking for dust,
you won't find any.

You can say what you want
about Tilda MacDonald.

She's a gem of a housekeeper.

Why my uncle didn't ask her
to marry him years ago,

I'll never know.

Would Tilda have married him
if he asked her?

In a flash.

I mean, she's been in love
with him for years.

I thought the whole town knew that.

I'm from out of town, remember?

Yes, I loved him...
with all my heart.

How did he feel about you?

I thought he loved me, too,
till his daughter got engaged.

For years, he used Julia
as an excuse for not marrying me.

"It wouldn't look right.”

Oh, I heard it all.
I believed it, too.

I had no reason to think
that he'd lie to me.

But once Julia was married,
he wouldn't have had that excuse.

That same thought occurred to me
in the middle of one night.

I mentioned it to Eben.

He said it was too late for marriage.
He was too old.

He was too set in his ways.

He wanted to maintain
the status quo.

No.

I would have accepted that.
I loved him.

No, he said something
quite different.

He wanted to give this house
to the children

as a surprise wedding present

when they came back
from their honeymoon.

He was gonna find
a small apartment in town.

He had no further need of me.

I hated him for that.

How much?

Oh, not that much.

-Ellery!
-Dad.

Why didn't you tell somebody
you were coming out here?

What's the matter, Dad?

We found out how Gordon Wilde
got away.

He used his fiancé's car.

But I've got a good notion
that she gave him the keys.

Well, so what? She loved him.
She'd do anything for him.

Yeah, well, I think she knows
where he went.

But she's locked herself
in her room. She won't come out.

If she's done herself any harm...

-Have you got the key?
-I do.

Hurry!

Hurry!

Another chicken flew the coop.

She's gone to him.
They're running off together.

I'll give the state police
a description.

Wait. I have a hunch
where they might have gone,

but I'd like to go alone.

-You can't do that.
-Please. Just give me one hour.

Stop here.

Here in the middle of nowhere?

Seems like a lonely spot
to leave a young lady.

-How much do I owe you?
-50 cents even.

-Keep the change, Delbert.
-Thank you, Ma'am.

I still feel bad about leaving you
all by yourself out here.

-I'll be all right.
-Okay.

Gordon?
Gordon, where are you?

-Here.
-Oh!

-Oh, you frightened me.
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

I heard a car drive up,

and I didn't want to take a chance
on being seen.

That was the taxi.
I sent it away.

-You sure you weren't followed?
-Positive.

Now, you intend to go
through with this?

Yes, but I do wish you'd go back
and talk to them.

No. Absolutely not.

-But, Gordon--
-Listen.

Do you trust me?

You know I do.
I lied for you, didn't I?

You didn't lie.

-I told Ellery you were in my room.
-I was.

But I let him think you were there
the whole time.

I didn't tell him that you left
and were gone for several minutes.

I went to get a drink.

You didn't come back
with a drink.

Is that how you trust me?

Okay, okay.

I decided it was too early
and settled, instead,

for a glass of water.

Do you believe that?

I love you.
That's what's important.

In other words,
you don't have to believe me.

But what about later?

Are you gonna look at me across
the breakfast table some morning

and wonder whether
I've been telling the truth?

No. Never.

So I'm okay
'cause you want me to be?

Prison, criminal records --
doesn't matter?

Not to me.

You know, we're miles
from the nearest house.

If you screamed,
nobody could hear you.

I could get away
with murder out here.

-Do you still trust me?
-Yes.

Do you, Gordon, take this woman
in holy matrimony,

to love and to cherish
in sickness and in health,

so long as you both shall live,
so help you God?

I do.

And do you, Julia--?

Hold it.

JULIA: Ellery!

Don't pay any attention to him.

He can't break in like this.

Julia -- I'm sorry, Reverend.
I couldn't find the right door.

Julia, do you know
what you're doing?

She's getting married to me.
Now go away.

-He never saw that telegram.
-Then why did he run?

What was I gonna do?

I saw those cops coming back.
I'm an ex-con.

He panicked.
Can you understand that?

Let's talk.

Can this wait until later?
I have a christening at 11:30.

We don't have anything
to talk about, Queen.

You're just like
all the rest of them.

You see a guy with a record,

and you're ready to pin
a murder on him.

If you'll just listen to me
for one moment.

I told you to go away.

Don't do that! Stop it!

The poker.

Of course.

I should have thought of that.

I know who killed Eben Wright,
and I'll bet you do, too.

The fireplace poker's important
because it wasn't used.

Oh, and don't forget the puncture
in the victim's right thumb.

And the murder weapon.

Got it?

It's a good chance for you
to campaign, Henry.

You don't get a crowd this size
every day.

Since they didn't come to hear you.

Is everybody here?

Well, half the Wrights,
it looks to me.

Ralph, you stand by that door
and don't let anybody out.

Yes, sir.

A rather unusual crime
took place in this room.

The murder weapon was
a valuable art object --

a gold Chinese temple dog
encrusted with precious jewels.

But why was it the murder weapon?
Let's see what happened.

Eben Wright was standing here,
taking a ledger off this stand.

Now, his back was
to most of the room,

including the fireplace.

Now, if the killer had struck
out of anger, malice, or frustration,

or simply a desire
to be rid of Eben Wright,

why not do the easiest thing --

grab the most obvious weapon
in the room?

Now, I admit,
that's a bit of a cliché,

but it sure would have
served the purpose.

And it was a lot more convenient
than the Chinese dog,

which is over here.

That choice was deliberate.

The killer wanted to strike Eben
with that dog.

Do you think there was some
special significance in that?

WARREN:
Yeah, that's good.

Maybe you should look for a man
named Rex or Rover.

No, the truth is a lot simpler.

It has to do with the motive --
robbery.

But, Ellery, there's nothing missing.

-Oh, yes, there is.
-What?

The dog is missing.

Forget that it's a murder weapon

and remember
that it's a valuable art object,

because that's what the killer
had in mind

when he chose it as the means
of killing Eben Wright.

He couldn't carry it out of the house
with the two deputies watching.

But he knew that after the murder,

it would be taken out
as part of the evidence.

So all the time,
he was planning to steal it

right out from under
the sheriff's nose.

Well, let's go back
for just a minute.

The killer has just struck,

and Eben Wright
has fallen to the floor.

But a flicker of life remains,

and he desperately wants
to leave us a clue

to the killer's identity.

But as the killer places
the Chinese dog next to his victim,

he sees that feeble movement,

and he tries to pry open
Eben Wright's hand

to remove
that incriminating evidence

without noticing that it has pricked
Wright's thumb.

Dad, you saw a list of the items
taken from Wright's body.

Was there anything there that
would have caused the puncture?

Nothing with a sharp point.

Well, but there should have been,

because he gave one
to everybody else -- even to me.

Get out of my way, Ralph!

Sheriff, you said not to let
anybody out -- anybody.

I saw the handwriting on the wall.

I was gonna lose the election.

I started out as a deputy
more years ago

than I can care to remember.

What would I do now?

I'm too old to start over again
as a deputy.

My record's not good enough
to get me elected anywhere else.

All those years of hard work,
and you wind up with nothing.

And then Eben Wright
showed you that statue.

All those rubies and whatnot
that could be pried off

and the gold melted down
and sold separately.

That's enough to make a body
mighty comfortable in his old age.

The idea just flashed
into my head.

I hit him with it, just the way
Mr. Queen said.

Later on, I pried open
the property box in my office

and took the Chinese dog
and all the other evidence.

It's hidden in my house,
down in the basement,

behind the furnace.

-Ralph, you got the cuffs?
-Yes, sir.

I hope you fellas realize
I had it figured all the time.

Is that a fact?

Oh, sure. Easy as pie.

Well, next year when you come up
this way again,

be sure and drop by
the sheriff's office and say hello.

I'll be there.

Let's go fishing, Dad.