Maverick (1957–1962): Season 1, Episode 4 - Ghost Rider - full transcript
Bret is robbed by The Kid and trails him to a poker game, but The Kid's just been killed. As the winners rake in The Kid's money, they ask newcomer Bret if The Kid (Edd Byrnes, Kookie on "77 Sunset Strip") was a friend. "No but the money was," Bret sighs. Bret spies an entrancing widow sobbing on a bench, gives her a ride, but she vanishes in the chilly dark, wearing the coat containing the remainder of Bart's money. White Rock's townspeople ridicule Bret's tale, because she died weeks before (June 1872). When the local undertaker takes a gunshot at him, Bret's determined to stay in town to investigate, because the undertaker was the specter's fiancé.
You just rest easy in there, son.
Circuit judge will be in town next week.
He'll see that
you get a fair trial.
How do you do that, sheriff?
Folks in this town have already
tried me. We both know the verdict.
Keep a close eye on him, George.
- Yeah.
He's inclined to be
the least bit tricky.
Six, seven, eight, nine, 3000.
Thank you. I'll give you a
chance to get it back tomorrow.
I admire you, mister.
If I knew how to quit when
I was ahead, I'd be rich.
You're ahead when
you've won 10 cents.
Stop.
Now, you step in
here real careful like.
You got $3000, I want it.
I'd advise you not to do it, son. Three
thousand dollars is a lot of money...
but it won't bring you
happiness. Not when it's my 3000.
I'll give it a try.
Let's have it.
It's got a hair trigger,
mister. Don't move.
It's not too late to
change your mind.
I'll think about it.
Now turn around so I
won't have to kill you.
It won't take me
long to find you, kid.
So take real good
care of my money.
You gonna turn around?
Look, I don't wanna
have to pull this trigger.
A week later, I was on the
Kid's trail, after a few false starts.
But by cutting down on old
habits like shaving and eating...
I was making up
for the lost time.
- Howdy.
- Howdy.
- You look like you just about made it.
- Almost.
Thought for a minute
you was U.S. Grant.
Well, it's been a couple of
weeks since I had time to shave.
I've been kind of looking for a fellow. I
don't suppose he passed through here.
Young kid, about, uh, 22.
He was wearing black pants and
a checkedy black and yellow shirt.
No, he ain't passed
through here.
- He was headed this way.
- Yeah.
He got here, all
right, just didn't leave.
If it's the same fellow, he
pulled in about three days ago.
Seems to be, uh, staying over
there at the Paradise Saloon.
- Just drinking, I hope.
- Oh, not him.
No, he put some new life
in the local poker game.
He's been over there three
days now taking on all comers.
Well, would you mind
taking care of my friend?
- I may be gone a little while.
- Sure.
All right, sir.
I think I'll just see that.
Out.
Aces and 10 good enough?
Then we ought to
take his boots off?
It's too late.
There we are, on the table.
What happened?
- I was never so insulted in my life.
- What happened?
I knew that kid was no poker player
the minute he come in the game.
Accusing decent card
players of cheating.
- Yeah.
- I can't stand a poor loser.
- He lost, huh?
- Mm-hm.
How much did he lose?
Oh, heck, he must have
lost nigh under $3000.
Everybody in town's
got part of that money.
That's a heart-breaking thing.
Was he a friend
of yours, mister?
No, but the money was.
Somebody better tell Bert
Nicholson he's got another customer.
Is there something wrong, ma'am?
No, I'm all right, thank you.
I'll move on if you want me to,
but if I can help, I'd be glad to do it.
I'll be all right
in a few minutes.
There's really nothing wrong.
Any school kid could tell
there's something wrong...
when a young woman is out on
the street alone at night crying.
And you're freezing.
No sense in you getting a chill.
Thank you. You're very kind.
Would you, uh, feel
better if you talked it out?
It's really not that important.
I just had a terrible fight
with the man I'm engaged to.
I never knew he had
such a bad temper.
He just walked off
and left me here.
I'd be glad to walk you home.
I don't live here in town.
I live eight miles away.
I think we can make it.
I'm sure there's a
buggy at the livery stable.
Mine's Mary, Mary Shane.
Well, I'm glad to know you, Miss
Shane. And glad to see you feeling better.
I guess I just went to pieces.
Are you warm enough now?
Yes, thank you.
But you must be freezing.
Oh, I'm fine.
You know, that, uh, man of
yours must be quite a gambler.
I've never known him to gamble.
He is tonight.
Leaving a girl like
you alone in town.
We're coming to a
very narrow bridge.
It's dangerous if
you don't know it.
Maybe I'd better get
out and walk ahead.
- Better if I did, I know where to look.
- Whoa, there.
You go real careful.
I'll follow slow.
Don't move till I tell you.
I'll call back if it's safe.
How does it look?
You all right, Miss Shane?
Miss Shane?
Miss Shane!
That's the darnedest
thing I ever heard of.
For one thing, there ain't
no bridges out that way.
There ain't nothing
to put a bridge over.
Somebody put one over on me.
Anybody named
Shane live out that way?
Ain't nobody live out that way.
Any Shanes that live in town?
I'm not much of a hand
at remembering names.
What about faces?
Real nice-looking woman, good
figure, about 25, 26 years old.
Real pretty eyes
and, uh, light red hair.
Well, there was a redheaded lady living
over at Mrs. Clemmer's boarding house.
She fits the description, but
I'm pretty sure it wasn't her.
Where is this boarding house?
You turn left down past the
hotel, it's a white two-story house.
Oh, look, friend...
if I was you, I'd just figure I'd
been pranked and let it go at that.
You took the lady where she
wanted to go and she left you.
You'll find other pretty girls.
I'd rather find this one.
- What's so special about her?
- The way she's dressed, friend.
That coat of mine has a
$1000 bill pinned in the pocket.
All right, I'm coming.
Hah. Is that all you got to do?
Run around waking
people up, 10:00 at night?
Excuse me, I'm
looking for a young lady.
I was told she lives here.
Well, she don't.
A young lady with red
hair, very pretty, about 26.
Red haired you
say? Light red hair?
Yes, ma'am. The name she
gave me was Mary Shane.
- Well, she did live here.
- Could you tell me where I could find her?
I'm real sorry, young man.
I hope Mary ain't a
relative or something...
she died a week ago.
And you'll have
to admit, sheriff...
it just doesn't make
any sense at all.
I won't argue with that,
there's no sense in it.
A woman who's been dead for nine
days is sitting out in the street crying.
And you rent a buggy and take
her out to a bridge that don't exist.
She walks off with your coat...
and a $1000 bill just,
uh, tucked in the pocket.
You always keep a $1000
bill pinned to your clothes?
- That's right. For emergencies.
- Uh-huh.
All right, let's pretend
I'm not drunk or delirious.
- Did you know Mrs. Shane?
- I knew her and thought high of her.
She hadn't lived in White Rock more
than a year but she was respected.
A nice quiet widow
woman, a lady.
Never any trouble
that you knew of?
People in White Rock don't
get into trouble, Mr. Maverick.
Did she have any kinfolk?
No. No, she was just about
gonna get married though.
She was engaged
to Mr. Bert Nicholson.
Nicholson? Who's he?
Mr. Bert Nicholson is a
leading citizen of White Rock.
He runs a hardware store
and minds his own business.
Maybe I'll drop in
on him tomorrow.
Yeah, that ought to
make him feel a lot better.
There's nothing like
jokes in a time of sorrow.
I'll tell you what
might be a better idea.
Why don't you see if maybe there's
some money pinned to your pants?
And if there is get yourself
a new coat and a horse...
and a new town to play in.
Well, I'll think
about that, sheriff.
Right now, I'd like
to play this game out.
Next morning, I took a little ride out
to where Mary Shane had vanished.
I hadn't really expected to find
a bridge, and it's a good thing...
because there wasn't one.
What's going on? What happened?
Things are starting
to make sense.
- Who were you shooting at?
- Somebody was shooting at me.
Oh, I admire you, Mr. Maverick. You
come to a small town like White Rock...
and find more excitement overnight
than home folks do in a lifetime.
You still don't believe me?
You people can go back
and finish your naps now.
I've tried to believe
you, Maverick.
My only trouble is though...
I don't believe in ghosts.
Well, I don't either, especially
when they carry Winchester rifles.
Yeah, it did sound
a rifle, doesn't it?
Sheriff, ghosts
usually wear white.
At least, the
night-riding kind do.
The ghost with the Winchester
was wearing a black broadcloth suit.
Know anybody that
wears black broadcloth?
Yeah.
There's you.
Nobody else?
There's Bert Nicholson.
He's the one that's
engaged to Mary Shane.
Yeah, that's right.
Why would a man wear a black
suit to run a hardware store?
Because he's the undertaker too.
What did she die
of, Mr. Nicholson?
A bronchial condition.
That's what brought her
to this part of the country.
She was never what you
could call a well woman.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Is there anything
else you could tell me?
I'm afraid that's
all there is to tell.
There was one thing
more I'd like to know...
Mr. Maverick, I'm sure you'll understand
the past few days have been hard on me.
I've sustained a very
great personal loss.
And the whole subject is one
that I find painful to discuss.
Well, I can understand that.
What I wanted to know is...
where were you 45 minutes ago?
I was right here.
You see, I have a
funeral for tomorrow.
A young man was shot
last night playing poker.
I know.
What kind of a gun do
you carry, Mr. Nicholson?
Well, I have a
Colt .38 revolver.
Half the time, I never
remember to carry it.
If you have no further
questions, Mr. Maverick...
Maybe some will come to me.
I sure hope he don't aim to
settle down here permanent.
I thought he looked a little strange
when he come in here yesterday.
He sure leads
an interesting life.
Buggy riding with ghosts, and
being shot at by the undertaker.
I think that's real enterprising of
Bert drumming up business that way.
He's beginning to look
like a real go-getter.
The undertaker had been
nervous, but not careful.
So I managed to get close enough
to see what he'd come out here for.
To meet Mary Shane? No.
To play with rocks on a rockslide, which
made as much sense as holding a funeral...
for someone who was
still very much alive.
And taking a shot at me
for being curious about it.
We wouldn't want you to get
the wrong idea of this town, mister.
Ha, ha. Don't think all the
girls here is that forward.
I'm a local boy, they don't ask
me to take them buggy-riding.
Not even the dead ones.
You gotta remember this Mary
Shane was an out-of-town girl.
In this town, it's hard to tell the
live people from the dead ones.
We're not like city
people. Folks here,
they're quiet, they go
about their business.
That's one of the
first things I noticed.
The liveliest thing seems to
be the undertaking business.
Well, now, you ain't still mad
at our undertaker, are you?
Undertaker has to make a
living just like everybody else.
Oh, you folks are getting me wrong,
I'm all for a fellow making a living...
as long as his living
doesn't interfere with mine.
I'm sure gonna have to remember
that one. Ha, ha. Let's go, Harry.
Hank Foster.
Bret Maverick.
I guess I didn't get to hear
the first part of that story.
Afraid it wasn't any
funnier than the last part.
They seem to get a kick out
of joshing you about your girl.
- My girl?
- Well, this, uh, Mary what's-her-name.
Oh, it's a local joke.
I hardly know the girl.
Just happen to spend part of
the evening with her last night.
Not knowing she'd
been dead a week.
You mean real dead or, uh, just the
type you run into in a town like this?
- Prettiest ghost I ever saw.
- Well, that's sure a pity.
But you can't get
mad at the undertaker.
No, I guess you can't.
Did I hear he
took a shot at you?
Someone did.
Usually it's the father
that does the shooting.
But I haven't had much
experience with ghosts.
You don't look like
a local boy to me.
Thank you.
Just passing through
on business, huh?
Just passing through.
Well, I hope you make it. Don't
let them get you outnumbered.
Good evening. FOSTER: Evening.
- Got a nice room on the street side?
- I think so.
"Maverick." That's the one over in
the slew that sees ghosts, isn't it?
That's the one. Ha, ha.
- Heard a friend of Mary Shaye.
- Shane.
He sure does have a grudge
against your local undertaker.
- Um, Mr... What's his name?
- Bert Nicholson? Tsk.
As if poor Bert didn't have
enough on his mind already.
- Why, was he a friend of Mary Shane?
- More than that.
They was right on the
brink of getting married.
Isn't that a shame?
I knew the key to the
whole thing was right here.
Probably buried
somewhere under the rock.
But where would I begin?
And what was I looking for?
Bert, I'm afraid.
Stop that. Get ahold of
yourself. It could be anybody.
It's him. I know it's him.
What are we gonna do?
You'd better hide
in there, quick.
Clear away some
of that, just in case.
- Who is it? FOSTER: I've
got to talk to you. Business.
- What is it? Who are you?
- Are you Nicholson?
Yes, that's right.
What can I do for you?
You can tell me
where the money is hid.
- Money? What money?
- All of it, mister.
Sixty-thousand dollars
with a Wells Fargo label on it.
Me? Sixty-thousand
dollars? Why, this is ridiculous.
It's gonna be worse than that. It's
gonna be fatal in about three seconds.
Now, wait a minute, mister.
You've... You've got the wrong man.
No, you got the wrong man.
You tried to kill
a fella today...
just because he and I
fit the same description.
I don't make mistakes
as easy as you do.
Not when there's
$60,000 in the pot.
I've trailed that money a long
way, and the trail leads right to you.
- What would I know about $60,000?
- What would you know about Mary Shane?
- Mary Shane?
- She died, they tell me.
Sudden and convenient.
- You don't make sense, mister.
- I don't, huh?
If I wanted someone to think I was
dead, who would I get to help me?
- The undertaker.
- Why? Why would I do a thing like that?
Because maybe Mary Shane
gave you something to do it.
Like part of that $60,000.
When I count to three,
this thing goes off.
- One...
- Well, now wait.
Now, Felton, listen.
Felton? That's real interesting.
I signed the hotel
register "Foster."
Two.
Now, wait. I'll tell
you. I'll tell you.
I had a feeling you would.
It's, uh, hidden.
It's buried in a box out on
the north side of the canyon.
That was a stupid thing to do.
Bert?
Well, isn't it nice to have
the neighbors drop in.
I think we've have enough
of your jokes, Maverick.
Did you make a special
trip to tell me that?
You had me misjudging you,
I thought you was harmless.
You had yourself a real good
joke with Bert Nicholson...
but he ain't laughing anymore.
You mind telling me
what you are talking about?
Where were you 20 minutes ago?
I was riding out west of town.
- All by yourself?
- That's right.
You made it real clear that you
don't think much of our undertaker.
I don't like being gunned by
a man I've never seen before.
And you're the type to
do something about it?
- In general. What are you getting at?
- You're under arrest...
- for the murder of Bertram Nicholson.
- What?
I'm obliged to warn you that anything you
say may be used in evidence against you.
You just rest
easy in there, son.
Circuit judge will be in town next
week. He'll see that you get a fair trial.
Keep a close eye on him, George.
- Yeah.
He's inclined to be
the least bit tricky.
He's a killer. I knew that the
minute he rode in into town.
I was the first
one he talked to.
And I could tell, he was looking
for a guy to gun right then.
How's that, Jeff?
Well, he come riding up to my
place looking mean as all get-out.
He as much as said he was
tracking down a man to kill.
Anybody in particular?
Sure. That kid you had
to kill in that poker game.
- Kid in the checkedy shirt?
- Right.
When he found he couldn't kill him,
he started looking for somebody else.
He's learning his lesson the hard
way. You don't come into White Rock...
and gun down decent people
in their own funeral parlor.
Well, if he don't know it now,
he'll know it this time next week.
Judge McClaw gives
that element short shift.
I'd give him shorter than that. I
wouldn't wait for Judge McClaw.
He's been known to turn people loose.
- What would you do?
When my daddy was a boy, when they
caught a killer, they killed the killer.
That's the way it
ought to be now.
One thing we got plenty
of is cottonwood trees.
And rope.
We've got peace officers too.
Everything all right, George?
- Quiet as church.
Sure hope it stays that way.
Better keep that
front door locked.
Afraid I might
break out, sheriff?
No. Afraid the folks
in town might break in.
Is it that bad?
Better get that shotgun
and keep it across your lap.
Sure will, sheriff.
Who's out there?
You got a prisoner
named Bret Maverick?
Who are you?
I'm his lawyer.
- Anybody with you?
- No.
All right.
Let me hear your guns
drop on the sidewalk.
All right, state your
business, mister.
I'm here to talk with my client.
The law doesn't allow
anybody to stop me from that.
Go ahead and talk.
The law says we talk in private.
Can you leave me
alone with him, please?
I can go outside, but I'll
have to lock you in with him.
Well, that's the way
they usually do it.
- Howdy, Bret.
- Good evening.
Open it.
What are you doing here?
I figured you needed a friend.
How'd you guess?
There's sort of a citizens' meeting
going on over at the schoolhouse.
The shades are drawn. You're not the
one who cashed in that undertaker, are you?
In this town, I can't
be sure he's dead.
Over there, they think you've killed
him. They're organizing a hanging, B.
If you wanna help me, why
don't you tell the sheriff about it?
The sheriff can't help you now.
You've just done too
much talking around here.
You as much as told them you'd
get Nicholson before he got you.
Did I?
And all that talk about that
dead girl didn't help any either.
That doesn't make
any sense at all.
You know, I keep
getting the feeling...
that, uh, she's tied up with
the rest of this some way.
You really think so?
Why don't you tell me the whole story
and maybe I can help you figure it out.
You know what I think?
- What's that?
- I think you're more interested...
in Mary Shane than you are Bret
Maverick. Are you her lawyer too?
All right, you've called me.
And I suppose I have
to show you my cards.
That's agreeable with me.
I'm not here in this
town by accident.
And I'm not just a
tramp cowpoke either.
I'm a special investigator
for the railroad.
Well, doesn't that beat all?
It just happens you know
some things I've got to know.
I'm prepared to
make you a bargain.
Spell it.
You tell me everything you know
about this Mary Shane business...
and I'll get you out of here
ahead of that lynching party.
Maverick, I don't care a hoot
about these cow-town hicks...
or who hangs for
killing one of them.
All I want is to track down some
money that was stolen from my company.
And you don't want me to run out
of breath before I've talked to you.
There isn't much time.
What's the plan?
Disarm the deputy,
lock him in his own jail...
and watch him till you've
had time to ride out of town.
Can you do it without
shooting anybody up?
Like who?
Like that deputy out there.
I don't want anybody hurt.
Nobody's gonna get hurt.
You don't think I want
that kind of trouble, do you?
- All right, it's a deal.
- Good.
Now, the deputy's
horse is out back.
You wait for me in that little grove
just beyond the west end of town.
Uh...
If you overshoot it, I'll
manage to catch up with you.
Jailer, anytime you're ready.
I think you can let
one of us out now.
Come on out and
lock it behind you.
You'll find your hardware
out where you dropped it.
Thanks a lot, sheriff.
Good night, Mr. Maverick.
You've got your case in good hands.
If it wasn't for you, I could
be in bed asleep now.
Don't lose any
sleep on my account.
Take your gun out real easy.
Now unlock the door
and step out into the street.
I don't lose sight
of you for a second.
Unlock the door.
Step inside.
There's nothing
personal about this.
Don't make any noise
going out of town.
- Maverick?
- Yeah.
- Well, I see you made it all right.
- Yeah. Thanks to you.
Railroad detective, huh?
What's that for?
What were those shots
I heard back there?
I thought I heard shots.
- Probably some of the crowd at the saloon.
- The saloon was closed.
Oh, that's right, it was.
I thought so.
The deputy?
- Well, yes.
- Why?
If I hadn't, those people
would be looking for both of us.
Thanks. Now they're
just looking for me.
You know, Foster, this is a real
tiresome habit you're getting into.
This is the second
killing you've hung on me.
Why'd you shoot Nicholson?
What'd I tell you?
It's a funny thing about me...
I couldn't ride back into
town without the answer...
and if I was ever going to find it,
the rockslide was the only hope.
Ain't it time the
house bought a drink?
I thought you went
home for the night?
I did, but I seen your
lights go back on.
You sleep with one eye
cocked on this place?
I was just being neighborly.
Why aren't you out
searching with the others?
I figured if you're gonna
have to miss out on the fun...
the least I could do
is keep you company.
- Any luck?
- He don't seem to be hiding in town.
I don't see searching the
countryside in the dead of night.
Well, since we're all up, we
might as well have another drink.
Good evening, Mrs. Shane.
Looks like we're bound to
keep running into each other.
How did you find me?
- Well, I can tell you, it wasn't easy.
- I'll just bet it wasn't.
It's a long way from Montana to
Texas when you have to stop...
and kill people
all along the way.
Ah, that's a terrible thing
to say about anybody.
It wasn't my husband's
idea to break out of prison.
He promised me he'd
serve his full sentence...
so we wouldn't
have to run anymore.
And then you came
along. He wrote me about it.
It was you who planned the break,
and it was you who killed the guard.
- Maybe.
- When you found out...
what you needed to know about the
holdup money, you killed my husband too.
And you killed Bert Nicholson.
You didn't have to kill Bert.
Ma'am, you're jumping to
an awful lot of conclusions.
No, I'm not.
Ah, how could you have known
where I was? What name I was using.
Nobody but my husband knew that.
And maybe the man
he broke out of jail with.
You sound like you
were there at the time.
I didn't have to be.
It was in the paper when
the two of you escaped.
I knew you'd show up.
The paper gave your
name and your description.
Yeah, I figured it would.
I wish you wouldn't
stand so close to that.
One wrong step and
you could turn your ankle.
I take it this is where
the treasure's buried.
How much money
you figure we got here?
Exactly $59,400.
I used 600 to live on while I
was waiting for my husband.
You sure buried it deep.
The rockslide did that.
It wasn't my idea.
I'd recommend you use
the shovel, Mr. Felton.
In fact, I insist on it.
Well, I'll be.
Take those guns out
real easy and drop them.
Now, dig.
That's fair enough.
What do you think we
ought to do with this money?
I know what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna
turn it over to the people it belongs to.
The money and you.
Couldn't you have turned it in
when they captured your husband?
Saved everybody a
lot of fuss and bother?
I promised him I'd hide
out and hold it for him.
I was loyal to him.
- And the undertaker too?
- Just you keep digging.
Well, the least you could do
is talk to me while I'm working.
It wasn't my fault I met Bert.
I couldn't help falling in love with
him. He was the kindest man I ever met.
But I still didn't tell
him about the money.
Not till I read
about the jailbreak.
If either one of you
had have been smart...
you'd have dug up the money
and hit the trail right then.
We came to dig it up.
The rockslide was over it.
Ma'am, I'm thankful to you. You
finally told me why you played dead.
When your husband got here, he'd
hear the news and keep on going, right?
Use the shovel.
I'll take that.
No, I'll take that.
I'll shoot.
I just thought you'd talk a
little easier holding a rifle.
I took the precautions
to empty it first.
You gonna kill me?
Mrs. Shane, I have a
confession to make to you.
My name isn't Felton and I
never knew your husband.
I hope you brought
your own coat this time.
That's good. I've
become attached to mine.
Shall we start back toward town?
If you're not Felton,
who are you?
My name's Maverick,
like I told you before.
I'm just a plain old
innocent bystander.
Tell me something, Mrs. Shane.
What was the point and
purpose of us going buggy riding?
Bert saw you in the saloon.
We knew Felton was coming
and you matched the description.
I was to get you out there
where we stopped the buggy...
and Bert would be
waiting with a rifle.
- He was going to shoot me in cold blood?
- We thought you were Felton.
It was kill or be killed.
Besides, Felton was
wanted dead or alive.
Bert didn't show up. There was
a boy killed in a poker game...
and they came to get Bert
and he couldn't get out of it.
It sure is a small
world, isn't it?
I didn't mean to keep
you waiting so long.
I see you've made
good use of your time.
Well, now, that's more
than I can say for you.
I figured you'd at least
have your feet loose by now.
I've got to talk to you.
You can do all the talking you
want on the way to the sheriff's office.
- I wanna talk in private.
- You're among friends.
Oh, by the way, I forgot the
introductions. Mrs. Shane, Mr. Felton.
There's one thing
I have to know.
Is my husband dead?
Did you kill him?
I don't like the
way you put that.
Let's just say he's dead.
Get on your horse.
Hey, sheriff.
I don't believe it.
I'm gonna tell you something,
up to a half an hour ago...
when that telegram came in on those
two convicts, I still didn't believe you.
If we had hung you, it sure
would have been a joke on us.
Yeah, wouldn't it though?
I'd have died laughing.
You'll be staying for a while, won't you?
At least till the reward comes through?
That might not be a bad idea.
How much do you figure
that reward will come to?
Well, figuring 5 percent,
I'd say around $3000.
What's the matter, Mr. Maverick?
That's exactly how much the Kid
stole from me. I'm just breaking even.
Well, we could
take care of that.
I don't suppose you're
a poker-playing man?
Well, I've always
meant to try it once.
Mr. Maverick, there's
no time like the present.
And his credit's good.
Right this way.
- A chair for you.
- Thank you. Ahem.
- We always let newcomers have first deal.
- Well, thank you.
Now, let me see
if I've got this right.
Uh, each player
gets five cards, right?
Circuit judge will be in town next week.
He'll see that
you get a fair trial.
How do you do that, sheriff?
Folks in this town have already
tried me. We both know the verdict.
Keep a close eye on him, George.
- Yeah.
He's inclined to be
the least bit tricky.
Six, seven, eight, nine, 3000.
Thank you. I'll give you a
chance to get it back tomorrow.
I admire you, mister.
If I knew how to quit when
I was ahead, I'd be rich.
You're ahead when
you've won 10 cents.
Stop.
Now, you step in
here real careful like.
You got $3000, I want it.
I'd advise you not to do it, son. Three
thousand dollars is a lot of money...
but it won't bring you
happiness. Not when it's my 3000.
I'll give it a try.
Let's have it.
It's got a hair trigger,
mister. Don't move.
It's not too late to
change your mind.
I'll think about it.
Now turn around so I
won't have to kill you.
It won't take me
long to find you, kid.
So take real good
care of my money.
You gonna turn around?
Look, I don't wanna
have to pull this trigger.
A week later, I was on the
Kid's trail, after a few false starts.
But by cutting down on old
habits like shaving and eating...
I was making up
for the lost time.
- Howdy.
- Howdy.
- You look like you just about made it.
- Almost.
Thought for a minute
you was U.S. Grant.
Well, it's been a couple of
weeks since I had time to shave.
I've been kind of looking for a fellow. I
don't suppose he passed through here.
Young kid, about, uh, 22.
He was wearing black pants and
a checkedy black and yellow shirt.
No, he ain't passed
through here.
- He was headed this way.
- Yeah.
He got here, all
right, just didn't leave.
If it's the same fellow, he
pulled in about three days ago.
Seems to be, uh, staying over
there at the Paradise Saloon.
- Just drinking, I hope.
- Oh, not him.
No, he put some new life
in the local poker game.
He's been over there three
days now taking on all comers.
Well, would you mind
taking care of my friend?
- I may be gone a little while.
- Sure.
All right, sir.
I think I'll just see that.
Out.
Aces and 10 good enough?
Then we ought to
take his boots off?
It's too late.
There we are, on the table.
What happened?
- I was never so insulted in my life.
- What happened?
I knew that kid was no poker player
the minute he come in the game.
Accusing decent card
players of cheating.
- Yeah.
- I can't stand a poor loser.
- He lost, huh?
- Mm-hm.
How much did he lose?
Oh, heck, he must have
lost nigh under $3000.
Everybody in town's
got part of that money.
That's a heart-breaking thing.
Was he a friend
of yours, mister?
No, but the money was.
Somebody better tell Bert
Nicholson he's got another customer.
Is there something wrong, ma'am?
No, I'm all right, thank you.
I'll move on if you want me to,
but if I can help, I'd be glad to do it.
I'll be all right
in a few minutes.
There's really nothing wrong.
Any school kid could tell
there's something wrong...
when a young woman is out on
the street alone at night crying.
And you're freezing.
No sense in you getting a chill.
Thank you. You're very kind.
Would you, uh, feel
better if you talked it out?
It's really not that important.
I just had a terrible fight
with the man I'm engaged to.
I never knew he had
such a bad temper.
He just walked off
and left me here.
I'd be glad to walk you home.
I don't live here in town.
I live eight miles away.
I think we can make it.
I'm sure there's a
buggy at the livery stable.
Mine's Mary, Mary Shane.
Well, I'm glad to know you, Miss
Shane. And glad to see you feeling better.
I guess I just went to pieces.
Are you warm enough now?
Yes, thank you.
But you must be freezing.
Oh, I'm fine.
You know, that, uh, man of
yours must be quite a gambler.
I've never known him to gamble.
He is tonight.
Leaving a girl like
you alone in town.
We're coming to a
very narrow bridge.
It's dangerous if
you don't know it.
Maybe I'd better get
out and walk ahead.
- Better if I did, I know where to look.
- Whoa, there.
You go real careful.
I'll follow slow.
Don't move till I tell you.
I'll call back if it's safe.
How does it look?
You all right, Miss Shane?
Miss Shane?
Miss Shane!
That's the darnedest
thing I ever heard of.
For one thing, there ain't
no bridges out that way.
There ain't nothing
to put a bridge over.
Somebody put one over on me.
Anybody named
Shane live out that way?
Ain't nobody live out that way.
Any Shanes that live in town?
I'm not much of a hand
at remembering names.
What about faces?
Real nice-looking woman, good
figure, about 25, 26 years old.
Real pretty eyes
and, uh, light red hair.
Well, there was a redheaded lady living
over at Mrs. Clemmer's boarding house.
She fits the description, but
I'm pretty sure it wasn't her.
Where is this boarding house?
You turn left down past the
hotel, it's a white two-story house.
Oh, look, friend...
if I was you, I'd just figure I'd
been pranked and let it go at that.
You took the lady where she
wanted to go and she left you.
You'll find other pretty girls.
I'd rather find this one.
- What's so special about her?
- The way she's dressed, friend.
That coat of mine has a
$1000 bill pinned in the pocket.
All right, I'm coming.
Hah. Is that all you got to do?
Run around waking
people up, 10:00 at night?
Excuse me, I'm
looking for a young lady.
I was told she lives here.
Well, she don't.
A young lady with red
hair, very pretty, about 26.
Red haired you
say? Light red hair?
Yes, ma'am. The name she
gave me was Mary Shane.
- Well, she did live here.
- Could you tell me where I could find her?
I'm real sorry, young man.
I hope Mary ain't a
relative or something...
she died a week ago.
And you'll have
to admit, sheriff...
it just doesn't make
any sense at all.
I won't argue with that,
there's no sense in it.
A woman who's been dead for nine
days is sitting out in the street crying.
And you rent a buggy and take
her out to a bridge that don't exist.
She walks off with your coat...
and a $1000 bill just,
uh, tucked in the pocket.
You always keep a $1000
bill pinned to your clothes?
- That's right. For emergencies.
- Uh-huh.
All right, let's pretend
I'm not drunk or delirious.
- Did you know Mrs. Shane?
- I knew her and thought high of her.
She hadn't lived in White Rock more
than a year but she was respected.
A nice quiet widow
woman, a lady.
Never any trouble
that you knew of?
People in White Rock don't
get into trouble, Mr. Maverick.
Did she have any kinfolk?
No. No, she was just about
gonna get married though.
She was engaged
to Mr. Bert Nicholson.
Nicholson? Who's he?
Mr. Bert Nicholson is a
leading citizen of White Rock.
He runs a hardware store
and minds his own business.
Maybe I'll drop in
on him tomorrow.
Yeah, that ought to
make him feel a lot better.
There's nothing like
jokes in a time of sorrow.
I'll tell you what
might be a better idea.
Why don't you see if maybe there's
some money pinned to your pants?
And if there is get yourself
a new coat and a horse...
and a new town to play in.
Well, I'll think
about that, sheriff.
Right now, I'd like
to play this game out.
Next morning, I took a little ride out
to where Mary Shane had vanished.
I hadn't really expected to find
a bridge, and it's a good thing...
because there wasn't one.
What's going on? What happened?
Things are starting
to make sense.
- Who were you shooting at?
- Somebody was shooting at me.
Oh, I admire you, Mr. Maverick. You
come to a small town like White Rock...
and find more excitement overnight
than home folks do in a lifetime.
You still don't believe me?
You people can go back
and finish your naps now.
I've tried to believe
you, Maverick.
My only trouble is though...
I don't believe in ghosts.
Well, I don't either, especially
when they carry Winchester rifles.
Yeah, it did sound
a rifle, doesn't it?
Sheriff, ghosts
usually wear white.
At least, the
night-riding kind do.
The ghost with the Winchester
was wearing a black broadcloth suit.
Know anybody that
wears black broadcloth?
Yeah.
There's you.
Nobody else?
There's Bert Nicholson.
He's the one that's
engaged to Mary Shane.
Yeah, that's right.
Why would a man wear a black
suit to run a hardware store?
Because he's the undertaker too.
What did she die
of, Mr. Nicholson?
A bronchial condition.
That's what brought her
to this part of the country.
She was never what you
could call a well woman.
Well, I'm sorry to hear that.
Is there anything
else you could tell me?
I'm afraid that's
all there is to tell.
There was one thing
more I'd like to know...
Mr. Maverick, I'm sure you'll understand
the past few days have been hard on me.
I've sustained a very
great personal loss.
And the whole subject is one
that I find painful to discuss.
Well, I can understand that.
What I wanted to know is...
where were you 45 minutes ago?
I was right here.
You see, I have a
funeral for tomorrow.
A young man was shot
last night playing poker.
I know.
What kind of a gun do
you carry, Mr. Nicholson?
Well, I have a
Colt .38 revolver.
Half the time, I never
remember to carry it.
If you have no further
questions, Mr. Maverick...
Maybe some will come to me.
I sure hope he don't aim to
settle down here permanent.
I thought he looked a little strange
when he come in here yesterday.
He sure leads
an interesting life.
Buggy riding with ghosts, and
being shot at by the undertaker.
I think that's real enterprising of
Bert drumming up business that way.
He's beginning to look
like a real go-getter.
The undertaker had been
nervous, but not careful.
So I managed to get close enough
to see what he'd come out here for.
To meet Mary Shane? No.
To play with rocks on a rockslide, which
made as much sense as holding a funeral...
for someone who was
still very much alive.
And taking a shot at me
for being curious about it.
We wouldn't want you to get
the wrong idea of this town, mister.
Ha, ha. Don't think all the
girls here is that forward.
I'm a local boy, they don't ask
me to take them buggy-riding.
Not even the dead ones.
You gotta remember this Mary
Shane was an out-of-town girl.
In this town, it's hard to tell the
live people from the dead ones.
We're not like city
people. Folks here,
they're quiet, they go
about their business.
That's one of the
first things I noticed.
The liveliest thing seems to
be the undertaking business.
Well, now, you ain't still mad
at our undertaker, are you?
Undertaker has to make a
living just like everybody else.
Oh, you folks are getting me wrong,
I'm all for a fellow making a living...
as long as his living
doesn't interfere with mine.
I'm sure gonna have to remember
that one. Ha, ha. Let's go, Harry.
Hank Foster.
Bret Maverick.
I guess I didn't get to hear
the first part of that story.
Afraid it wasn't any
funnier than the last part.
They seem to get a kick out
of joshing you about your girl.
- My girl?
- Well, this, uh, Mary what's-her-name.
Oh, it's a local joke.
I hardly know the girl.
Just happen to spend part of
the evening with her last night.
Not knowing she'd
been dead a week.
You mean real dead or, uh, just the
type you run into in a town like this?
- Prettiest ghost I ever saw.
- Well, that's sure a pity.
But you can't get
mad at the undertaker.
No, I guess you can't.
Did I hear he
took a shot at you?
Someone did.
Usually it's the father
that does the shooting.
But I haven't had much
experience with ghosts.
You don't look like
a local boy to me.
Thank you.
Just passing through
on business, huh?
Just passing through.
Well, I hope you make it. Don't
let them get you outnumbered.
Good evening. FOSTER: Evening.
- Got a nice room on the street side?
- I think so.
"Maverick." That's the one over in
the slew that sees ghosts, isn't it?
That's the one. Ha, ha.
- Heard a friend of Mary Shaye.
- Shane.
He sure does have a grudge
against your local undertaker.
- Um, Mr... What's his name?
- Bert Nicholson? Tsk.
As if poor Bert didn't have
enough on his mind already.
- Why, was he a friend of Mary Shane?
- More than that.
They was right on the
brink of getting married.
Isn't that a shame?
I knew the key to the
whole thing was right here.
Probably buried
somewhere under the rock.
But where would I begin?
And what was I looking for?
Bert, I'm afraid.
Stop that. Get ahold of
yourself. It could be anybody.
It's him. I know it's him.
What are we gonna do?
You'd better hide
in there, quick.
Clear away some
of that, just in case.
- Who is it? FOSTER: I've
got to talk to you. Business.
- What is it? Who are you?
- Are you Nicholson?
Yes, that's right.
What can I do for you?
You can tell me
where the money is hid.
- Money? What money?
- All of it, mister.
Sixty-thousand dollars
with a Wells Fargo label on it.
Me? Sixty-thousand
dollars? Why, this is ridiculous.
It's gonna be worse than that. It's
gonna be fatal in about three seconds.
Now, wait a minute, mister.
You've... You've got the wrong man.
No, you got the wrong man.
You tried to kill
a fella today...
just because he and I
fit the same description.
I don't make mistakes
as easy as you do.
Not when there's
$60,000 in the pot.
I've trailed that money a long
way, and the trail leads right to you.
- What would I know about $60,000?
- What would you know about Mary Shane?
- Mary Shane?
- She died, they tell me.
Sudden and convenient.
- You don't make sense, mister.
- I don't, huh?
If I wanted someone to think I was
dead, who would I get to help me?
- The undertaker.
- Why? Why would I do a thing like that?
Because maybe Mary Shane
gave you something to do it.
Like part of that $60,000.
When I count to three,
this thing goes off.
- One...
- Well, now wait.
Now, Felton, listen.
Felton? That's real interesting.
I signed the hotel
register "Foster."
Two.
Now, wait. I'll tell
you. I'll tell you.
I had a feeling you would.
It's, uh, hidden.
It's buried in a box out on
the north side of the canyon.
That was a stupid thing to do.
Bert?
Well, isn't it nice to have
the neighbors drop in.
I think we've have enough
of your jokes, Maverick.
Did you make a special
trip to tell me that?
You had me misjudging you,
I thought you was harmless.
You had yourself a real good
joke with Bert Nicholson...
but he ain't laughing anymore.
You mind telling me
what you are talking about?
Where were you 20 minutes ago?
I was riding out west of town.
- All by yourself?
- That's right.
You made it real clear that you
don't think much of our undertaker.
I don't like being gunned by
a man I've never seen before.
And you're the type to
do something about it?
- In general. What are you getting at?
- You're under arrest...
- for the murder of Bertram Nicholson.
- What?
I'm obliged to warn you that anything you
say may be used in evidence against you.
You just rest
easy in there, son.
Circuit judge will be in town next
week. He'll see that you get a fair trial.
Keep a close eye on him, George.
- Yeah.
He's inclined to be
the least bit tricky.
He's a killer. I knew that the
minute he rode in into town.
I was the first
one he talked to.
And I could tell, he was looking
for a guy to gun right then.
How's that, Jeff?
Well, he come riding up to my
place looking mean as all get-out.
He as much as said he was
tracking down a man to kill.
Anybody in particular?
Sure. That kid you had
to kill in that poker game.
- Kid in the checkedy shirt?
- Right.
When he found he couldn't kill him,
he started looking for somebody else.
He's learning his lesson the hard
way. You don't come into White Rock...
and gun down decent people
in their own funeral parlor.
Well, if he don't know it now,
he'll know it this time next week.
Judge McClaw gives
that element short shift.
I'd give him shorter than that. I
wouldn't wait for Judge McClaw.
He's been known to turn people loose.
- What would you do?
When my daddy was a boy, when they
caught a killer, they killed the killer.
That's the way it
ought to be now.
One thing we got plenty
of is cottonwood trees.
And rope.
We've got peace officers too.
Everything all right, George?
- Quiet as church.
Sure hope it stays that way.
Better keep that
front door locked.
Afraid I might
break out, sheriff?
No. Afraid the folks
in town might break in.
Is it that bad?
Better get that shotgun
and keep it across your lap.
Sure will, sheriff.
Who's out there?
You got a prisoner
named Bret Maverick?
Who are you?
I'm his lawyer.
- Anybody with you?
- No.
All right.
Let me hear your guns
drop on the sidewalk.
All right, state your
business, mister.
I'm here to talk with my client.
The law doesn't allow
anybody to stop me from that.
Go ahead and talk.
The law says we talk in private.
Can you leave me
alone with him, please?
I can go outside, but I'll
have to lock you in with him.
Well, that's the way
they usually do it.
- Howdy, Bret.
- Good evening.
Open it.
What are you doing here?
I figured you needed a friend.
How'd you guess?
There's sort of a citizens' meeting
going on over at the schoolhouse.
The shades are drawn. You're not the
one who cashed in that undertaker, are you?
In this town, I can't
be sure he's dead.
Over there, they think you've killed
him. They're organizing a hanging, B.
If you wanna help me, why
don't you tell the sheriff about it?
The sheriff can't help you now.
You've just done too
much talking around here.
You as much as told them you'd
get Nicholson before he got you.
Did I?
And all that talk about that
dead girl didn't help any either.
That doesn't make
any sense at all.
You know, I keep
getting the feeling...
that, uh, she's tied up with
the rest of this some way.
You really think so?
Why don't you tell me the whole story
and maybe I can help you figure it out.
You know what I think?
- What's that?
- I think you're more interested...
in Mary Shane than you are Bret
Maverick. Are you her lawyer too?
All right, you've called me.
And I suppose I have
to show you my cards.
That's agreeable with me.
I'm not here in this
town by accident.
And I'm not just a
tramp cowpoke either.
I'm a special investigator
for the railroad.
Well, doesn't that beat all?
It just happens you know
some things I've got to know.
I'm prepared to
make you a bargain.
Spell it.
You tell me everything you know
about this Mary Shane business...
and I'll get you out of here
ahead of that lynching party.
Maverick, I don't care a hoot
about these cow-town hicks...
or who hangs for
killing one of them.
All I want is to track down some
money that was stolen from my company.
And you don't want me to run out
of breath before I've talked to you.
There isn't much time.
What's the plan?
Disarm the deputy,
lock him in his own jail...
and watch him till you've
had time to ride out of town.
Can you do it without
shooting anybody up?
Like who?
Like that deputy out there.
I don't want anybody hurt.
Nobody's gonna get hurt.
You don't think I want
that kind of trouble, do you?
- All right, it's a deal.
- Good.
Now, the deputy's
horse is out back.
You wait for me in that little grove
just beyond the west end of town.
Uh...
If you overshoot it, I'll
manage to catch up with you.
Jailer, anytime you're ready.
I think you can let
one of us out now.
Come on out and
lock it behind you.
You'll find your hardware
out where you dropped it.
Thanks a lot, sheriff.
Good night, Mr. Maverick.
You've got your case in good hands.
If it wasn't for you, I could
be in bed asleep now.
Don't lose any
sleep on my account.
Take your gun out real easy.
Now unlock the door
and step out into the street.
I don't lose sight
of you for a second.
Unlock the door.
Step inside.
There's nothing
personal about this.
Don't make any noise
going out of town.
- Maverick?
- Yeah.
- Well, I see you made it all right.
- Yeah. Thanks to you.
Railroad detective, huh?
What's that for?
What were those shots
I heard back there?
I thought I heard shots.
- Probably some of the crowd at the saloon.
- The saloon was closed.
Oh, that's right, it was.
I thought so.
The deputy?
- Well, yes.
- Why?
If I hadn't, those people
would be looking for both of us.
Thanks. Now they're
just looking for me.
You know, Foster, this is a real
tiresome habit you're getting into.
This is the second
killing you've hung on me.
Why'd you shoot Nicholson?
What'd I tell you?
It's a funny thing about me...
I couldn't ride back into
town without the answer...
and if I was ever going to find it,
the rockslide was the only hope.
Ain't it time the
house bought a drink?
I thought you went
home for the night?
I did, but I seen your
lights go back on.
You sleep with one eye
cocked on this place?
I was just being neighborly.
Why aren't you out
searching with the others?
I figured if you're gonna
have to miss out on the fun...
the least I could do
is keep you company.
- Any luck?
- He don't seem to be hiding in town.
I don't see searching the
countryside in the dead of night.
Well, since we're all up, we
might as well have another drink.
Good evening, Mrs. Shane.
Looks like we're bound to
keep running into each other.
How did you find me?
- Well, I can tell you, it wasn't easy.
- I'll just bet it wasn't.
It's a long way from Montana to
Texas when you have to stop...
and kill people
all along the way.
Ah, that's a terrible thing
to say about anybody.
It wasn't my husband's
idea to break out of prison.
He promised me he'd
serve his full sentence...
so we wouldn't
have to run anymore.
And then you came
along. He wrote me about it.
It was you who planned the break,
and it was you who killed the guard.
- Maybe.
- When you found out...
what you needed to know about the
holdup money, you killed my husband too.
And you killed Bert Nicholson.
You didn't have to kill Bert.
Ma'am, you're jumping to
an awful lot of conclusions.
No, I'm not.
Ah, how could you have known
where I was? What name I was using.
Nobody but my husband knew that.
And maybe the man
he broke out of jail with.
You sound like you
were there at the time.
I didn't have to be.
It was in the paper when
the two of you escaped.
I knew you'd show up.
The paper gave your
name and your description.
Yeah, I figured it would.
I wish you wouldn't
stand so close to that.
One wrong step and
you could turn your ankle.
I take it this is where
the treasure's buried.
How much money
you figure we got here?
Exactly $59,400.
I used 600 to live on while I
was waiting for my husband.
You sure buried it deep.
The rockslide did that.
It wasn't my idea.
I'd recommend you use
the shovel, Mr. Felton.
In fact, I insist on it.
Well, I'll be.
Take those guns out
real easy and drop them.
Now, dig.
That's fair enough.
What do you think we
ought to do with this money?
I know what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna
turn it over to the people it belongs to.
The money and you.
Couldn't you have turned it in
when they captured your husband?
Saved everybody a
lot of fuss and bother?
I promised him I'd hide
out and hold it for him.
I was loyal to him.
- And the undertaker too?
- Just you keep digging.
Well, the least you could do
is talk to me while I'm working.
It wasn't my fault I met Bert.
I couldn't help falling in love with
him. He was the kindest man I ever met.
But I still didn't tell
him about the money.
Not till I read
about the jailbreak.
If either one of you
had have been smart...
you'd have dug up the money
and hit the trail right then.
We came to dig it up.
The rockslide was over it.
Ma'am, I'm thankful to you. You
finally told me why you played dead.
When your husband got here, he'd
hear the news and keep on going, right?
Use the shovel.
I'll take that.
No, I'll take that.
I'll shoot.
I just thought you'd talk a
little easier holding a rifle.
I took the precautions
to empty it first.
You gonna kill me?
Mrs. Shane, I have a
confession to make to you.
My name isn't Felton and I
never knew your husband.
I hope you brought
your own coat this time.
That's good. I've
become attached to mine.
Shall we start back toward town?
If you're not Felton,
who are you?
My name's Maverick,
like I told you before.
I'm just a plain old
innocent bystander.
Tell me something, Mrs. Shane.
What was the point and
purpose of us going buggy riding?
Bert saw you in the saloon.
We knew Felton was coming
and you matched the description.
I was to get you out there
where we stopped the buggy...
and Bert would be
waiting with a rifle.
- He was going to shoot me in cold blood?
- We thought you were Felton.
It was kill or be killed.
Besides, Felton was
wanted dead or alive.
Bert didn't show up. There was
a boy killed in a poker game...
and they came to get Bert
and he couldn't get out of it.
It sure is a small
world, isn't it?
I didn't mean to keep
you waiting so long.
I see you've made
good use of your time.
Well, now, that's more
than I can say for you.
I figured you'd at least
have your feet loose by now.
I've got to talk to you.
You can do all the talking you
want on the way to the sheriff's office.
- I wanna talk in private.
- You're among friends.
Oh, by the way, I forgot the
introductions. Mrs. Shane, Mr. Felton.
There's one thing
I have to know.
Is my husband dead?
Did you kill him?
I don't like the
way you put that.
Let's just say he's dead.
Get on your horse.
Hey, sheriff.
I don't believe it.
I'm gonna tell you something,
up to a half an hour ago...
when that telegram came in on those
two convicts, I still didn't believe you.
If we had hung you, it sure
would have been a joke on us.
Yeah, wouldn't it though?
I'd have died laughing.
You'll be staying for a while, won't you?
At least till the reward comes through?
That might not be a bad idea.
How much do you figure
that reward will come to?
Well, figuring 5 percent,
I'd say around $3000.
What's the matter, Mr. Maverick?
That's exactly how much the Kid
stole from me. I'm just breaking even.
Well, we could
take care of that.
I don't suppose you're
a poker-playing man?
Well, I've always
meant to try it once.
Mr. Maverick, there's
no time like the present.
And his credit's good.
Right this way.
- A chair for you.
- Thank you. Ahem.
- We always let newcomers have first deal.
- Well, thank you.
Now, let me see
if I've got this right.
Uh, each player
gets five cards, right?