Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 23 - The Case of the One-Eyed Witness - full transcript
Marian Fargo has been blackmailed by Samuel D. Carlin for the last 10 months and has already paid him $10,000. He tells her that for a lump sum of another $10,000 he will give her what she wants: a file he has on Charles Gallagher, her brother. She finally breaks down and tells her husband Arthur Fargo what has been happening. She's supposed to meet Carlin in a restaurant for the exchange but when he leaves a message with the Maitre d' for her to come to his house, she gets Perry Mason to deliver it for her. When both Carlin and Arthur Fargo are found dead, Marian is charged with murder and Perry defends her.
CARLIN: My dear Mrs. Fargo.
What a delightful surprise.
What are you doing here, Carlin?
I could say that I came
to see some friends off,
but that wouldn't
be telling the truth.
Actually, I came
expressly to see you.
How did you know? That
you were going to Harristown?
My dear Mrs. Fargo, I know
every move that you make.
Had you by any chance forgotten
that tomorrow is the 15th of the month?
How could I ever forget?
And yet you were
going to leave town.
(CLICKING TONGUE)
Haven't you been
blackmailing me long enough?
Mrs. Fargo, please.
$1,000 every month
for the past year.
Actually, it's only
been 10 months.
Believe me, Mrs. Fargo,
I can sympathize
with you completely.
Tell me, how would you like it
if you were never
to see me again?
Well, I can see the
prospect is attractive.
For a lump sum payment,
I could oblige you.
How much?
Oh, shall we say $10,000?
You wonder what
assurance you would have
that I would never
bother you again.
You have my word of honor.
Well, I can see you would
consider that insufficient.
Suppose that I were to turn over
the complete Charles
Gallagher file to you.
When?
Simultaneously with your
turning the $10,000 over to me.
All right.
I shall be having
dinner tomorrow evening
at a little French
restaurant called Ferrolds.
Are you familiar with it?
Yes. Excellent.
I shall be delighted
to have you join me
any time between 8:00 and 9:00,
with the money, Mrs. Fargo.
With the $10,000.
Marian, what happened?
Did you miss your bus?
Honey, what is it?
What's wrong?
You're shaking.
Here sit down.
I'll get you a drink.
No, no, I'm all right, Arthur.
Well, what happened?
I'm not going to Harristown.
Why?
I'm just not going, that's all.
Marian, look at me.
You've got to tell
me what's going on.
It's nothing, Arthur. Honest.
Look, honey, I...
I haven't pressed
you about this thing.
I figured you'd tell
me at the right time.
I don't want to be
a problem, Arthur.
But you're my wife.
I'm being blackmailed.
I thought it was
something like that.
Is it because of Charles?
I've been paying $1,000 a
month for the past 10 months.
Marian!
What else could I do?
But $1,000 a month!
Who is this man?
How long do you think you can
go on paying him at this rate?
This is the end.
I saw him tonight.
For another $10,000,
he said he'd never
bother me again.
And you're depending on
the word of a blackmailer?
Well, he has a
complete file on Charles.
He said he'd turn it over to me.
And how will you know
this file is authentic?
I'll know.
Marian, it's your money,
but I tell you, you're
making a mistake.
There's only one way
to handle a blackmailer.
Go to the police.
You know I can't do that.
When are you meeting him?
Tomorrow night. Where?
Tell me.
(SOBBING) Oh, Arthur.
So I tailed this character
home after he met Mrs. Fargo.
His name is Samuel D. Carlin.
(COUGHS)
How do you spell that?
C-A-R-L-I-N.
Where does he live?
6920 West Lorendo.
Did you happen to hear what
he had to say to Mrs. Fargo?
No, I never got close enough.
But she was very
upset, that's for sure.
And she didn't take the
bus for Harristown, huh?
No.
Well, thank you, Daniels.
How much do I owe you?
Well, I can send you
a bill, Mr. Gallagher.
Well, I'm leaving Los
Angeles in the morning.
Well, in that case,
it'll be 100 bucks even.
Are you sure there's nothing else
I can do for you, Mr. Gallagher?
No, not a thing. I can
take it from here. Thanks.
Good hunting.
(COUGHS)
(ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING)
(PHONE RINGING)
Good evening. Ferrolds
Cafe. Pierre Reynaud speaking.
Pierre, this is Mr. Carlin.
I won't be able to keep that
reservation I made for this evening
with Mrs. Fargo.
Oh, I am so sorry.
What would you like
for me to tell the lady?
Oh, you can trust me, sir.
Thank you, Pierre.
I don't know what
I'd do without you.
You are most kind.
I hope I will have the
pleasure of serving you soon.
Good evening, madame.
Is Mr. Carlin here?
You are Mrs. Fargo? Yes.
I just this moment
spoke with him.
He asked me to
make his apologies.
He wondered if you could
drop by his home this evening.
His home?
One moment, please.
Good evening. Do
you have a reservation?
Yes, it's under the
name of Perry Mason.
Ah, Mr. Mason.
One moment, please.
This way, please.
You know, this restaurant's going
to need a lawyer one of these days.
Why?
Grand larceny.
Look at these prices.
My dear Miss Street, you
know enough not to read
in the right-hand
side of the menu.
Coffee, one dollar.
Coffee, one dollar.
Coffee, one dollar?
Phone call for you, Mr. Mason.
Did anyone know we were here?
I didn't even know myself
until I called for the reservations.
If you would rather
not be annoyed...
No, no, I'll talk to him.
It is not a him. It is a her.
Hmm?
Then by all means, put her on.
Hello?
Yes?
Who is this?
That's not important
at the moment.
I want to retain your services.
Do you have a pencil?
Uh, just a moment. Pencil.
Yes?
Please take down this name.
Samuel D. Carlin.
The address is
6920 West Lorendo.
Have you got that?
Now that I've got it, what
am I supposed to do with it?
In a few minutes, you'll
receive an envelope
and a retainer.
Please deliver this
envelope to Mr. Carlin,
but only after he
gives you a file.
And what kind of file?
It concerns a man
named Charles Gallagher.
Charles Gallagher.
Yes.
Please examine it closely.
Unless it's complete
and authentic,
you're not to pay for it.
Hello?
That's funny.
Funny is hardly the word for it.
That woman sounded
frightened to death.
Didn't she give you her name?
No.
Well, it looks like
we'll have to settle
for a quick cup
of dollar coffee.
Monsieur Mason?
The lady asked
me to give you this,
and this one has
your name on it.
Do you know who this lady is?
No, monsieur.
She was very pretty.
A brunette, I think.
She was wearing a raincoat.
The kind you could see through.
Thank you.
$500 retainer.
Well, I guess we won't even
have time for that cup of coffee.
You're right.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
I've got a feeling we're going
to earn those 10 $50 bills.
Good evening.
Mr. Samuel D. Carlin?
Yes, I'm Mr. Carlin,
but I don't seem to recall...
My name is Perry Mason.
This is my secretary,
Miss Street.
I'm sorry to bother
you at this hour,
buy my client insisted it
had to be done tonight.
Your client? But I
don't quite understand.
Please, please,
won't you come in?
Could I offer you
a glass of sherry?
A cup of hot tea, perhaps?
It's such a damp night, I
got thoroughly soaked myself.
Nothing, thank you.
Well, if you should
change your mind.
You... You said
something about your client.
I have an envelope, Mr. Carlin,
containing a sum of money,
which I've been instructed
to hand you upon receipt
of the Charles Gallagher file.
Naturally, I shall have
to see the file first.
This is most extraordinary.
A famous attorney
comes to my house
in what is certainly
the middle of my night,
offering me money in
return for a mysterious file
on behalf of a client
he doesn't identify.
You mean, you don't
know what I'm talking about?
No, I don't.
Then this whole thing is
rather pointless, isn't it?
Yes, I... I suppose it is.
I wish I could have
been of more assistance.
I... I fear your client simply
gave you the wrong address.
I'm sorry to have
inconvenienced you.
Not at all, Mr. Mason.
You've more than redeemed
yourself by bringing Miss Street
to these rather drab
bachelor quarters.
Thank you.
Good night. Good night.
Mr. Mason. Good night.
Well, I suppose you
overheard everything?
I heard.
Of course, I haven't the vaguest
notion what Mason was talking about.
You're a liar, Carlin.
Arthur, I resent that.
You planned to nick my
wife for another $10,000
and then skip out.
Would I do a thing like that?
You would and you have.
Marian told me that she's
been paying you $1,000 a month.
But that's not true.
I only asked for $500,
as you and I agreed,
on my word of
honor... Oh, shut up.
The way I figure it,
you've double-crossed me
out of five grand already.
I don't see how you
arrive at that figure.
$500 a month for 10 months.
And I want it, Carlin.
No, Arthur, please.
And you're going
to dig it up for me.
And then you're
gonna phone Marian
and tell her to get that
envelope back from Mason.
My dear man, you're in no
position to make any threats.
Supposing that I tell your wife
that you're behind
this extortion plot,
and when you have
relieved her of all of her funds,
you plan to take off with a
little lady from San Francisco.
What do you think
would happen then?
Oh, you're forgetting
something, Carlin.
You're a blackmailer.
If I killed you
for what you did,
you think any jury
would convict me?
I'll be back in a couple
of hours for the money.
(PHONE RINGING)
Yes?
OPERATOR: Miss Street?
That's right.
This is Paul Drake's exchange.
We still haven't been
able to locate him.
Have you tried his
Wednesday night poker club?
Yes, ma'am. He isn't there.
Well, that's just dandy.
But I'm sure he'll be
checking in within the hour.
I'll have him call you the
minute I hear from him.
Thank you.
What are we stopping
here for, Paul?
Honey, I just forgot something.
I got to call my exchange.
At 11:00 at night?
We never sleep.
Doctors and detectives, huh?
And some lawyers.
Won't take a minute.
Paul Drake. Any action?
Okay, put me
through. I'll hang on.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Well, it's nice to hear
from you, Mr. Drake.
Listen, Perry's been waiting
for you for over an hour.
Okay, put him on.
That's just it,
Paul. He isn't here.
He's at 6920 West Lorendo.
What's he doing
in that territory?
Yeah, I know. But
why'd he go back there?
He'll tell you when
you get there.
Della, wait a minute. Have
a heart, will you? I got a date.
She expects to go
to a few nightclubs.
And Perry expects you to
be at 6920 West Lorendo.
Now just who's
going to be stood up?
Okay, I'll be there.
Paul. Yeah?
Get around to
the back door fast.
Perry, what do
you got going here?
Didn't Della tell you?
No, she just said
it was a big rush.
Better call the fire
department. Yeah.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
(FIREFIGHTERS CHATTERING)
I just talked with the
assistant fire chief.
They're bringing a body out.
Man or woman? Man.
No.
You can't tell anything about
him from the condition he's in.
They told me he was
middle-aged, short and stocky.
That's Carlin, all right.
Any sign of the woman?
Depends on what
you mean by sign.
Somebody left a
bullet in Carlin's head.
Good morning.
(GREETING IN FRENCH)
Je regrette we
don't open until noon.
It's all right. I'm not hungry.
Is the head waiter around?
Pierre? Oh, no.
What time's he due in?
Who are you?
Well, I don't think my name
would mean much to you,
but here's one of my cards.
Oh.
Now, where can I find Pierre?
You can't. He quit.
When was this?
Oh, last night.
He walked away and told
the boss he was through.
What are the chances of
seeing your reservation list?
Offhand, I would
say pretty good.
(SPEAKING FRENCH)
And then I checked at this
Pierre Reynaud's boarding house.
They couldn't tell me a thing.
MASON: Couldn't or wouldn't?
I don't know.
What luck did you
have at the cafe?
Samuel Carlin made a
reservation for two for 9:00,
but he didn't show up.
Under Carlin's name, Pierre had
written in parentheses, "Fargo."
Fargo?
The reservation was for two,
so I worked under the assumption
that Fargo was probably
the name of a woman.
Was it? Yes.
The parking lot attendant
said she was driving
a two-tone convertible,
beige and black.
We got the canceled
parking ticket,
and the license
number was on it.
It's registered to a
Mrs. Arthur D. Fargo,
2281 Livington Drive.
Did you talk with her? No.
Well...
(SIGHS)
Let's go.
Time I met this evasive client.
(DOORBELL BUZZING)
Paul, take a look
at the driveway.
It was raining up until
about an hour ago.
The car must have been
parked there all night.
It's been gone
less than an hour.
(DOORBELL BUZZING)
Well, I guess nobody's home.
Perry, take a look.
What have you got?
"Dear Arthur, I'm catching
the 8:00 bus to Harristown.
"I'll try to phone you
tonight. Love, Marian."
You think your
client wrote that?
Could be.
Well, this must be her husband.
And that could be her alibi.
Paul, I want to know
if she's on that bus.
Charter a plane. Catch
the bus at Harristown.
I want the names
of any witnesses
who saw her get
on it in Los Angeles.
What difference will that make?
Well, judging from the signs, he
must have died, say, around 9:30.
If Mrs. Fargo got
on the bus at 8:00,
then she's in the clear.
Now get going. Use my car. Okay.
Homicide, please.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Is the bus from LA in yet?
It's just coming in now.
Would you page Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please?
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo, please.
Well, goodbye, Miss
Maynard. Goodbye.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Were you paging Mrs. Fargo?
It's that gentleman
there who wants you.
Mrs. Fargo? Yes?
Mrs. Fargo? Police.
We're going to
have to detain you.
But why? What happened?
Your husband,
he's been murdered.
What? You might have
broken it a little easier.
Who are you? The name's Drake.
Oh, a private detective.
Just imagine that.
Who sat next to you
on the bus? What?
What are you, a wise guy? Quick,
Mrs. Fargo, who sat next to you?
Come on. You
looking for trouble?
Not me, Officer.
Excuse me, is that
young lady in trouble?
Yes.
Well, I rode up from
Los Angeles with her,
and she seemed like
such a nice person.
I'd like to help
her, if I could.
Well, you can help her.
What's your name, please?
Diana Maynard.
You live here in Harristown?
No, in Los Angeles,
at the Hayward Arms.
How long are you going to
stay here, Miss Maynard?
Just for the day. I came
up to visit my sisters.
Would you mind? Sure.
I have a slight infection.
Miss Maynard,
would you be willing
to dictate a
statement to the effect
that Mrs. Fargo was on that bus
ever since it left Los Angeles?
Well, of course, but I'm
afraid I don't understand.
Ever hear of a lawyer
named Perry Mason?
Well, isn't he the one
who's always mixed up
in some kind of a murder
case? Exactly what this is.
Come on, let's go find
us a public stenographer.
Well, according
to her statement,
this Diana Maynard seems
to be in our corner, all right.
One hundred percent. There's
only one big trouble. Hmm?
The cops have found
a couple of witnesses
who swear that Mrs. Fargo
got on the bus in
Wayne City at 11:30.
How could she do that? By chartering
a plane from LA to Wayne City.
She could make the
flight in 20 minutes.
But the Maynard woman maintains
Mrs. Fargo got on
the bus in Los Angeles.
I'd hate to have her
confused on that point.
Well, I've got a good
operative, Nora Kelly,
who could maybe stick
with her for a few days.
Good.
Suppose you have Nora invite Mrs.
Maynard down to Palm Springs as our guest
until we need her for the trial.
I think that could be arranged.
Can you also arrange
to have Mrs. Maynard
not see any of the news stories
in this case while she's away?
I wouldn't want her upset
by conflicting evidence.
Nora has a very
sharp pair of scissors.
I'll take care of
that, Miss Maynard.
Oh, wait a minute. I
knew I forgot something.
I'm supposed to go shopping
with my cousin tomorrow.
I'll call her for you
from Palm Springs.
Now why didn't I think of
that? I can talk to her from there.
You're not even going to lift
a phone while I'm on the job.
Mr. Mason wants you
to have a real vacation.
He's the most thoughtful
man I've ever met.
Yes, he thinks of everything.
You sent this to me last Monday
night, along with a $500 retainer.
Did you anticipate your
husband being murdered?
Of course not!
MASON: Who's Charles Gallagher?
I can't tell you.
Look, Mrs. Fargo, you're
going to be on trial for your life.
I still can't tell you.
Why was Carlin blackmailing you?
He wasn't.
Then how do you
account for that money?
Arthur, my husband,
wanted me to give it to him.
Why?
I have no idea.
I'm trying to help you,
but if you're gonna
continue to lie to me...
I'm not lying!
I was in love with my husband.
Can't you understand that?
What possible motive
could I have to kill him?
What possible motive could
you have had for killing Carlin?
What?
The police think the
murders are connected.
Both Carlin and your husband
were killed by the same gun.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I told you I had
nothing to do with it.
Yes.
That's what you told me.
Very well.
I'll look in on you tomorrow.
(INTERCOM BUZZES)
Yes, Gertie?
Who?
Send him right in.
DELLA: Mr. Gallagher?
I'm sorry, Mr. Mason
isn't in right now,
but I expect him any time.
Well, I can't wait too long.
I just wanted to see Mason
before I went to
the district attorney.
I'm Della Street, his secretary.
Maybe I could help you.
I'm the reason
Marian Fargo is lying.
I'm her brother.
I, uh, I don't understand.
She's trying to protect me.
You see, Miss Street, I'm what
they call a fugitive from justice.
Do sit down.
You were, uh, saying
you're a fugitive?
Oh, yeah, I'm a very
dangerous criminal.
When I was 16, I broke
into a grocery store.
They caught me with $3
worth of canned goods.
That must have been
during the Depression.
Yeah. They were afraid I might
give other hungry kids ideas,
so I drew from three to
five in the state prison farm.
It was a wonderful
place for a growing boy.
There was a guard there
I'll always remember.
Fella called Jonesy.
He had a cute trick of bringing
his shotgun down on your toes
to get your attention.
I took it for two years.
Then one day, I took
the gun away from him.
I let him have it
right across the head.
I understand he was in
the hospital for five months.
I didn't wait
around to find out.
If I had, they probably would
have given me another 10 years,
or killed me.
You escaped?
Yes, and I bummed
my way to California.
Three months later, I got a
job here at Mayfair Aviation.
When things looked
good, I sent for my sister.
She was the only one
left of my entire family.
I hope I'm not boring
you, Miss Street.
Oh, no. Please, go on.
Well, that's about all there is,
except while I was at Mayfair,
I invented a refinement
for a carburetor,
made some money.
Came just in time
for me to retire.
Retire?
I had to.
You see, while I was
in prison, I picked up TB.
It flared up again.
That's why I moved
to Harristown.
And there you have
the story of my life.
Except, of course,
for the final chapter.
About a year ago, a fellow
named Carlin showed up.
He told my sister he
was an investigator
from the state prison
farm back home.
That's when your
sister became involved.
Yes. She was quite worried,
but he told her she didn't
have a thing to worry about,
because he had a pal who was
a big shot in the prison setup,
and for a few bucks, they
could arrange to pull my file.
Then that was the file that
we were supposed to pick up
that night at Carlin's house.
I just wanted to tell
Mason the whole story
before I turn myself in.
It should make
his job a lot easier.
No, you're wrong.
This will give the
district attorney
the very motive
he's looking for.
He'll believe your sister
killed her husband and Carlin
just to protect you.
Well, then what can I do?
I don't know.
Suppose I kick it
around with Mason.
You can't. He's an officer of the
court. He'd have to turn you in.
Well, then the best thing
for me to do for the time being
is get lost, don't you think?
I'm not permitted to
advise you, Mr. Gallagher.
Can I get out that way?
Thank you.
I know you'd be aiding
and abetting a fugitive
if you delivered a
message for me,
but tell your boss if he
needs me for anything,
I'll be around.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Hello, Mr. Gallagher.
Surprised to see me?
Mind if I come in?
Well, you're leaving town, huh?
Any objections, Daniels? No.
As a matter of fact, I thought
you'd be a long time gone.
When I did that job for
you a couple of weeks ago,
you said you were
leaving the next day.
Say, why don't I sit down, huh?
You mind? No, no.
Go ahead, make yourself at home.
Thanks.
You know, it's a funny
thing about that guy, Carlin.
What was so funny?
Twenty-four hours after I give
you the guy's name, he's dead.
You know, I thought
a lot about that.
Couldn't get it out of the old
bean, you know what I mean?
Especially when your
brother-in-law got it, too.
My brother-in-law?
Arthur Fargo.
So you found out
about that, huh?
I'm a private
detective, remember?
I got the trench
coat to prove it.
Now you listen to me.
You listen to me,
Daniels. Take it easy!
Now, look, this set
me back 50 bucks.
Now, look, Mr. Gallagher,
I'm a very reasonable man.
I did a lot research on
this the last couple of days.
Now, what would it be worth to you if I
kept my mouth shut and didn't go to the DA?
What would it be worth?
You know, Daniels,
that's the funniest joke
I've heard in years. Joke?
Why don't you let me in on
it, then we can both laugh.
Look, you idiot,
you can't shake me down.
How do you think we got into
this mess in the first place, huh?
Because my sister didn't know that
you can't do business with blackmailers!
Every penny I ever gave to
her she turned over to Carlin.
Now you go on, run to the DA.
You don't worry
me a bit, Daniels.
What are you waiting for?
Go on, run!
(COUGHING)
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
evidence you're about to give
is the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
What is your
occupation, Mr. Danvers?
I'm a parking lot supervisor
at the international airport.
On the day following the murder
of Arthur Fargo, November 26,
the police removed a car
that had been parked there
for something over 24 hours.
Are you familiar with that car?
Yes, sir.
It was a beige and brown
convertible. Two-tone job.
Now, the parking ticket
was stamped 11:45 a.m.
Do you remember
the license number?
Well, let's see. K-C,
1-7-4-3.
And do you remember
who parked the car?
Yes, sir. It was Mrs. Fargo,
the defendant over there.
(CROWD MURMURING) Thank you.
Cross-examine.
That's not true. I
didn't park my car there.
Then who did?
Mr. Danvers, how
many cars would you say
were parked in the lot
in any 24-hour period?
50, 100, 1,000?
I don't think there'd
be that many.
Not in my lot, anyway.
I'd say closer to
200 or 300, maybe.
200 or 300 cars?
And you can point out a woman
who parked there
last November 25th?
How do you explain that?
Well, she stuck in my mind
because she was
wearing dark glasses.
You see, it had been
raining all morning,
and it was a real
dark, overcast day.
I figure that there'd
be only one reason
for a woman to be wearing dark
glasses and a hat with a floppy brim
when there was no sun out.
Hmm, and what was the reason?
So nobody'd get a
good look at her face.
Was she successful?
Yes, sir.
You mean, she successfully
concealed her face,
and yet you were still
able to identify her?
(CHUCKLES) That's remarkable.
Would you tell us about
the phone call you received
on the morning of the
murder, Mr. James?
Well, like I said, I run
a charter plane service,
and around
11:00, I got this call
asking me if I could fly a
passenger to Wayne City
in time to be at the
bus depot at 2:00.
I said there was nothing to it.
Would you describe
the passenger?
She was a young woman.
As much as I could see of
her face, she was good-looking.
Why couldn't you
see all of her face?
Because she was
wearing dark glasses
and a hat with a brim.
I see.
Is there anyone
in this courtroom
whose age and general appearance
are the same as that woman
that you flew to Wayne City?
Yes, sir, the defendant.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Mr. James, I
show you this scarf.
It has been
previously identified
as having been
purchased by Mrs. Fargo.
Have you ever seen it before?
Yes, sir.
I found it in the airplane
when I got to Wayne City.
I turned it over to the police.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.
Mr. James, you said that the
arrangements for this flight to Wayne City
were made by telephone?
That's right, but he
didn't give any name.
Oh? You mean it was
a man who phoned?
Yes, sir.
Did your passenger talk
with you during the flight?
No, she never said a word
from the time she got
in the plane till she left it.
And yet, you're willing to swear
that the defendant,
Mrs. Marian Fargo,
was that passenger?
It sure looked like her.
MASON: But was it Mrs. Fargo?
Now, Mr. James,
your answer may be a
matter of life or death.
Yes, I'm positive
it was Mrs. Fargo.
(CROWD MURMURS)
Thank you. That's all.
Doesn't look so good, does it?
The weather or your case?
Both.
As a matter of fact, both
of them look very bad.
You've only one
chance. To tell the truth.
What do you mean?
I don't think you murdered your
husband. I do think you killed him.
You what? I think you
acted in self-defense.
That's the most
ridiculous thing I ever...
Why did you set
up that phony alibi?
It wasn't a phony alibi!
Who was the man who
chartered the plane for you,
your brother?
Then you know about Charles.
Yes, he came to my office.
Well, then, you can understand
why I don't want to involve him.
If he ever goes back to that
prison farm, they'll kill him.
You don't have
anything else to tell me?
No.
Well, at least we have
one trump card left.
Diana Maynard.
She'll testify you got on
the bus at Los Angeles.
Yeah, but what
about all the witnesses
that said I got on
in Wayne City?
Wouldn't be the first time
the majority was wrong.
(RINGING)
Yes?
Well, won't he give his name?
Just a second.
An anonymous tipster.
See if you can trace the call.
All right, put him on.
MAN: (IN FRENCH
ACCENT) Mr. Burger?
That's right. Who is this?
Names are unimportant, sir.
I have a little
information for you.
Why not ask Mrs. Fargo why
she was being blackmailed?
What was that again?
I'm sure you understand me.
You might also talk
to Diana Maynard
at the Hayward Arms.
I believe Mr. Mason plans
to use her as a witness.
Would you repeat
the address, please?
I think you're
trying to delay me
so you can trace
the call. Adieu.
(PHONE CLICKS)
(SIGHS)
BURGER: Any luck?
No. Not enough time.
He had kind of a French accent.
Yeah. I wonder...
The head waiter
at Ferrolds Cafe.
His name is Pierre Reynaud.
He's the character who
made the reservation
for Carlin and Mrs.
Fargo that night.
Why don't you pick him up?
Well, he skipped.
We've been trying
to trail him down.
Well, maybe you'd better
pick up Mrs. Maynard.
That ought to be easy enough.
Oh, thanks, Miss Kelly.
I had a marvelous time.
And will you thank
Mr. Mason for me?
You can do it yourself
first thing in the morning.
Oh, uh, I'll take that.
I hope I didn't startle
you. I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
I wonder if you'd be good
enough to come along with me?
And, uh, give my
regards to Mr. Mason.
But Mrs. Fargo
didn't kill her husband.
She couldn't.
She got on the bus
in Los Angeles at 8:00.
I've got half a dozen witnesses
that say she got on
at Wayne City at 11:30.
They're wrong.
Everybody's wrong
but you, is that it?
Was the bus crowded
when you got on?
Very.
And how soon did
you notice Mrs. Fargo?
Right after the bus started.
I mean, I read
for a little while,
and then when I finished
my magazine, I... I saw her.
That might have been a half-hour
after the bus started, mightn't it?
Well, yes.
Or even an hour.
(SCOFFS) I don't think so.
When you noticed Mrs.
Fargo, where was she sitting?
In the middle of the bus.
On which side?
The right, as you
face the driver.
Suppose we told you
that Mrs. Fargo claims
she was sitting right
behind the driver?
I would've sworn that she...
And you would've
been guilty of perjury.
That concludes the case
for the people, Your Honor.
The State rests.
Mr. Mason?
I call as my first
witness Diana Maynard.
BAILIFF: Diana Maynard.
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
evidence you are about to give
is the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
Now, Mrs. Maynard,
where were you on the
afternoon of November 25th
at approximately 4:30?
I was at the bus
depot in Harristown,
where I met a Mr. Paul
Drake, a private detective.
And did you go with Mr. Drake
to a public stenographer
where you dictated a statement?
Yes, but I realize
now I was wrong.
I was under the
mistaken impression that...
Just a moment, Mrs. Maynard.
We're not interested in
mistaken impressions.
Now, when you arrived
on the bus in Harristown,
where were you sitting?
On the right-hand
side, near the center.
Where was Mrs. Fargo sitting?
She was sitting next to me.
Thank you. You
may cross-examine.
Mrs. Maynard, you got
on the bus in Los Angeles,
is that correct?
Objection. The
question is improper.
Really, Your Honor.
The district attorney
is well aware
that a witness cannot
be cross-examined
except on testimony
elicited on direct examination.
If you will consult the
records, Your Honor,
you will find I
asked no questions
about the bus
leaving Los Angeles,
only about its
arrival in Harristown.
Would you like the
court stenographer
to read back that
part of the testimony?
No, thank you, Your Honor.
That won't be necessary.
Of course, if
Mr. Burger cares to,
he can make Mrs. Maynard
a witness for the prosecution.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
With the court's permission,
that's just what I intend to do.
JUDGE: Proceed.
Mrs. Maynard, where were you
on the day of November 25th?
I was in Los Angeles
and in Harristown,
both places on the same day.
And how did you get from
Los Angeles to Harristown?
By bus.
When did you first see
the defendant, Mrs. Fargo?
When she got on at Wayne City.
Was she on the
bus prior to that?
No, sir.
You're sure of that?
Yes, sir, I am now.
Thank you, Mrs.
Maynard. That's all.
Just a moment.
Your Honor, please,
since Mrs. Maynard has testified
as a witness for
the prosecution,
I desire to cross-examine her.
Very well.
Mrs. Maynard,
I'm curious about the
patch you've over your eye.
Tell the court why you wear it?
BURGER: Objection!
Your Honor, Mr. Mason
just made a specific objection
to my cross-examining
this witness
on material not covered
in direct examination.
I asked the witness
nothing about her eye.
But the prosecutor did ask the
witness when she saw the defendant.
Since that involved
the use of her eyes,
I'm entitled to question
the condition of her eyes.
Objection overruled.
(SCOFFS)
You will explain the
reason for the patch.
I have an infection.
A chronic infection?
Certainly not.
You were also wearing an eye patch
on the 25th of November, were you not?
Part of the time.
I put it on when I left the bus
so the wind wouldn't
irritate my eye.
Then you have had
considerable eye trouble?
It's a temporary infection.
I have 20/20 vision.
You mean, when you
have the use of both eyes.
I can see all I
need to with one.
Mrs. Fargo got on
the bus at Wayne City.
Do you recall how
she was dressed?
Yes, she was wearing
a gray checked skirt,
a light gray cardigan sweater,
black gloves and shoes,
and a wool topcoat with a
fancy design on the front.
You have an excellent memory.
I sat with her all the way
from Wayne City to Harristown.
Who else did you sit with?
I don't know what you mean.
Who did you sit with before
you sat with Mrs. Fargo?
Some woman who
got off in Knoxville.
Will you describe
this woman for us?
I don't see what
that has to do with it.
She was just some woman.
I didn't pay much attention.
In other words,
you can't remember anything
about the other woman at all?
No.
Are you sure there
was another woman?
Isn't it possible
your eye trouble
caused you to see
something that wasn't there?
Your honor, Mrs. Maynard
was not wearing the eye patch
while she was on the bus.
That's exactly my
point, Your Honor.
I'm trying to prove that some
people can see with one eye
but not with two.
I'd like a technical explanation
of that point, Mr. Mason.
It's a lack of
coordination, Your Honor.
I think you'll find that this witness
can see adequately with one eye,
whereas with two eyes...
That's not so. I can see perfectly.
I challenge the witness
on that point, Your Honor.
I submit that with both eyes,
she cannot make
an identification
of an individual known
to her in this courtroom.
It's an interesting point.
Remove the eye patch, please.
This is absolutely absurd.
You ready, Mrs. Maynard?
Yes.
Do you know that
gentleman there?
He's Lieutenant Tragg.
And the lady?
That's Miss Kelly.
You using both eyes?
Yes. Then who is that man?
I don't know his name,
but he's the parking
attendant at the airport.
You're sure about that?
Positive.
You recognize him as the man
you saw at the airport parking lot?
(STAMMERING) No, I
recognize him as a witness.
How could you do that? This is the
first session of court you've attended.
Well, I saw his
picture in the papers.
You couldn't have.
Miss Kelly made sure
you saw nothing that
concerned this trial.
Well, I... I talked to
Mr. Burger after I got back...
How did you know he was
the parking lot attendant
unless you parked Mrs.
Fargo's car at the airport yourself?
(LAUGHS) You're wrong.
Where would I get the key?
From her husband's
body after you killed him!
You've got it all mixed up.
No, you've got it all mixed up.
You mean, you did not drive
Mrs. Fargo's car to the airport?
Yes, I drove her
car to the airport,
but I did not kill her husband.
Then who did?
The mastermind. Him.
It was all his bright idea.
What's going on
here? Who is that man?
The genius who
dreamed up this stunt,
Mr. Samuel D. Carlin.
(LAUGHS)
Look at him.
And he was going to
get away with murder.
"and His Excellency, the
Governor, wishes me to inform you
"that our state has no desire
to extradite Charles Gallagher.
"We feel that
Mr. Gallagher has proved
"he can be a good
and useful citizen.
"Kindest personal regards, George
Mayberry, Chairman, State Penal System."
That's wonderful.
I thought so.
Well, something else
you want cleared up?
Yes.
Who was the man they identified
as Carlin that night of the fire?
That was our old friend Pierre,
head waiter from Ferrolds Cafe.
He was Carlin's messenger boy.
But Burger said that he
phoned him just last night.
That was Carlin with
a phony French accent.
That phone call accomplished
two things. What?
It convinced the police
that Pierre was still alive
even though they
couldn't find him,
and it set it up so that Burger
could locate Diana Maynard.
And the whole thing was
a trap. Sure, it was a trap.
Both Carlin and Diana
wanted us to base
our entire defense
on her testimony.
It was Diana who got
on the bus at Wayne City.
There. How's that?
Very nice.
Am I presentable enough
to take you to dinner?
Definitely.
Where do you want to go?
Ferrolds Cafe. Why there?
Well, there's something that
still puzzles me in this case.
Mmm-hmm?
What could they possibly
put in a cup of coffee
to make it worth a dollar?
(CHUCKLES) No
more questions, please.
What a delightful surprise.
What are you doing here, Carlin?
I could say that I came
to see some friends off,
but that wouldn't
be telling the truth.
Actually, I came
expressly to see you.
How did you know? That
you were going to Harristown?
My dear Mrs. Fargo, I know
every move that you make.
Had you by any chance forgotten
that tomorrow is the 15th of the month?
How could I ever forget?
And yet you were
going to leave town.
(CLICKING TONGUE)
Haven't you been
blackmailing me long enough?
Mrs. Fargo, please.
$1,000 every month
for the past year.
Actually, it's only
been 10 months.
Believe me, Mrs. Fargo,
I can sympathize
with you completely.
Tell me, how would you like it
if you were never
to see me again?
Well, I can see the
prospect is attractive.
For a lump sum payment,
I could oblige you.
How much?
Oh, shall we say $10,000?
You wonder what
assurance you would have
that I would never
bother you again.
You have my word of honor.
Well, I can see you would
consider that insufficient.
Suppose that I were to turn over
the complete Charles
Gallagher file to you.
When?
Simultaneously with your
turning the $10,000 over to me.
All right.
I shall be having
dinner tomorrow evening
at a little French
restaurant called Ferrolds.
Are you familiar with it?
Yes. Excellent.
I shall be delighted
to have you join me
any time between 8:00 and 9:00,
with the money, Mrs. Fargo.
With the $10,000.
Marian, what happened?
Did you miss your bus?
Honey, what is it?
What's wrong?
You're shaking.
Here sit down.
I'll get you a drink.
No, no, I'm all right, Arthur.
Well, what happened?
I'm not going to Harristown.
Why?
I'm just not going, that's all.
Marian, look at me.
You've got to tell
me what's going on.
It's nothing, Arthur. Honest.
Look, honey, I...
I haven't pressed
you about this thing.
I figured you'd tell
me at the right time.
I don't want to be
a problem, Arthur.
But you're my wife.
I'm being blackmailed.
I thought it was
something like that.
Is it because of Charles?
I've been paying $1,000 a
month for the past 10 months.
Marian!
What else could I do?
But $1,000 a month!
Who is this man?
How long do you think you can
go on paying him at this rate?
This is the end.
I saw him tonight.
For another $10,000,
he said he'd never
bother me again.
And you're depending on
the word of a blackmailer?
Well, he has a
complete file on Charles.
He said he'd turn it over to me.
And how will you know
this file is authentic?
I'll know.
Marian, it's your money,
but I tell you, you're
making a mistake.
There's only one way
to handle a blackmailer.
Go to the police.
You know I can't do that.
When are you meeting him?
Tomorrow night. Where?
Tell me.
(SOBBING) Oh, Arthur.
So I tailed this character
home after he met Mrs. Fargo.
His name is Samuel D. Carlin.
(COUGHS)
How do you spell that?
C-A-R-L-I-N.
Where does he live?
6920 West Lorendo.
Did you happen to hear what
he had to say to Mrs. Fargo?
No, I never got close enough.
But she was very
upset, that's for sure.
And she didn't take the
bus for Harristown, huh?
No.
Well, thank you, Daniels.
How much do I owe you?
Well, I can send you
a bill, Mr. Gallagher.
Well, I'm leaving Los
Angeles in the morning.
Well, in that case,
it'll be 100 bucks even.
Are you sure there's nothing else
I can do for you, Mr. Gallagher?
No, not a thing. I can
take it from here. Thanks.
Good hunting.
(COUGHS)
(ACCORDION MUSIC PLAYING)
(PHONE RINGING)
Good evening. Ferrolds
Cafe. Pierre Reynaud speaking.
Pierre, this is Mr. Carlin.
I won't be able to keep that
reservation I made for this evening
with Mrs. Fargo.
Oh, I am so sorry.
What would you like
for me to tell the lady?
Oh, you can trust me, sir.
Thank you, Pierre.
I don't know what
I'd do without you.
You are most kind.
I hope I will have the
pleasure of serving you soon.
Good evening, madame.
Is Mr. Carlin here?
You are Mrs. Fargo? Yes.
I just this moment
spoke with him.
He asked me to
make his apologies.
He wondered if you could
drop by his home this evening.
His home?
One moment, please.
Good evening. Do
you have a reservation?
Yes, it's under the
name of Perry Mason.
Ah, Mr. Mason.
One moment, please.
This way, please.
You know, this restaurant's going
to need a lawyer one of these days.
Why?
Grand larceny.
Look at these prices.
My dear Miss Street, you
know enough not to read
in the right-hand
side of the menu.
Coffee, one dollar.
Coffee, one dollar.
Coffee, one dollar?
Phone call for you, Mr. Mason.
Did anyone know we were here?
I didn't even know myself
until I called for the reservations.
If you would rather
not be annoyed...
No, no, I'll talk to him.
It is not a him. It is a her.
Hmm?
Then by all means, put her on.
Hello?
Yes?
Who is this?
That's not important
at the moment.
I want to retain your services.
Do you have a pencil?
Uh, just a moment. Pencil.
Yes?
Please take down this name.
Samuel D. Carlin.
The address is
6920 West Lorendo.
Have you got that?
Now that I've got it, what
am I supposed to do with it?
In a few minutes, you'll
receive an envelope
and a retainer.
Please deliver this
envelope to Mr. Carlin,
but only after he
gives you a file.
And what kind of file?
It concerns a man
named Charles Gallagher.
Charles Gallagher.
Yes.
Please examine it closely.
Unless it's complete
and authentic,
you're not to pay for it.
Hello?
That's funny.
Funny is hardly the word for it.
That woman sounded
frightened to death.
Didn't she give you her name?
No.
Well, it looks like
we'll have to settle
for a quick cup
of dollar coffee.
Monsieur Mason?
The lady asked
me to give you this,
and this one has
your name on it.
Do you know who this lady is?
No, monsieur.
She was very pretty.
A brunette, I think.
She was wearing a raincoat.
The kind you could see through.
Thank you.
$500 retainer.
Well, I guess we won't even
have time for that cup of coffee.
You're right.
(DOORBELL RINGS)
I've got a feeling we're going
to earn those 10 $50 bills.
Good evening.
Mr. Samuel D. Carlin?
Yes, I'm Mr. Carlin,
but I don't seem to recall...
My name is Perry Mason.
This is my secretary,
Miss Street.
I'm sorry to bother
you at this hour,
buy my client insisted it
had to be done tonight.
Your client? But I
don't quite understand.
Please, please,
won't you come in?
Could I offer you
a glass of sherry?
A cup of hot tea, perhaps?
It's such a damp night, I
got thoroughly soaked myself.
Nothing, thank you.
Well, if you should
change your mind.
You... You said
something about your client.
I have an envelope, Mr. Carlin,
containing a sum of money,
which I've been instructed
to hand you upon receipt
of the Charles Gallagher file.
Naturally, I shall have
to see the file first.
This is most extraordinary.
A famous attorney
comes to my house
in what is certainly
the middle of my night,
offering me money in
return for a mysterious file
on behalf of a client
he doesn't identify.
You mean, you don't
know what I'm talking about?
No, I don't.
Then this whole thing is
rather pointless, isn't it?
Yes, I... I suppose it is.
I wish I could have
been of more assistance.
I... I fear your client simply
gave you the wrong address.
I'm sorry to have
inconvenienced you.
Not at all, Mr. Mason.
You've more than redeemed
yourself by bringing Miss Street
to these rather drab
bachelor quarters.
Thank you.
Good night. Good night.
Mr. Mason. Good night.
Well, I suppose you
overheard everything?
I heard.
Of course, I haven't the vaguest
notion what Mason was talking about.
You're a liar, Carlin.
Arthur, I resent that.
You planned to nick my
wife for another $10,000
and then skip out.
Would I do a thing like that?
You would and you have.
Marian told me that she's
been paying you $1,000 a month.
But that's not true.
I only asked for $500,
as you and I agreed,
on my word of
honor... Oh, shut up.
The way I figure it,
you've double-crossed me
out of five grand already.
I don't see how you
arrive at that figure.
$500 a month for 10 months.
And I want it, Carlin.
No, Arthur, please.
And you're going
to dig it up for me.
And then you're
gonna phone Marian
and tell her to get that
envelope back from Mason.
My dear man, you're in no
position to make any threats.
Supposing that I tell your wife
that you're behind
this extortion plot,
and when you have
relieved her of all of her funds,
you plan to take off with a
little lady from San Francisco.
What do you think
would happen then?
Oh, you're forgetting
something, Carlin.
You're a blackmailer.
If I killed you
for what you did,
you think any jury
would convict me?
I'll be back in a couple
of hours for the money.
(PHONE RINGING)
Yes?
OPERATOR: Miss Street?
That's right.
This is Paul Drake's exchange.
We still haven't been
able to locate him.
Have you tried his
Wednesday night poker club?
Yes, ma'am. He isn't there.
Well, that's just dandy.
But I'm sure he'll be
checking in within the hour.
I'll have him call you the
minute I hear from him.
Thank you.
What are we stopping
here for, Paul?
Honey, I just forgot something.
I got to call my exchange.
At 11:00 at night?
We never sleep.
Doctors and detectives, huh?
And some lawyers.
Won't take a minute.
Paul Drake. Any action?
Okay, put me
through. I'll hang on.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Well, it's nice to hear
from you, Mr. Drake.
Listen, Perry's been waiting
for you for over an hour.
Okay, put him on.
That's just it,
Paul. He isn't here.
He's at 6920 West Lorendo.
What's he doing
in that territory?
Yeah, I know. But
why'd he go back there?
He'll tell you when
you get there.
Della, wait a minute. Have
a heart, will you? I got a date.
She expects to go
to a few nightclubs.
And Perry expects you to
be at 6920 West Lorendo.
Now just who's
going to be stood up?
Okay, I'll be there.
Paul. Yeah?
Get around to
the back door fast.
Perry, what do
you got going here?
Didn't Della tell you?
No, she just said
it was a big rush.
Better call the fire
department. Yeah.
(FIRE CRACKLING)
(SIRENS WAILING)
(FIREFIGHTERS CHATTERING)
I just talked with the
assistant fire chief.
They're bringing a body out.
Man or woman? Man.
No.
You can't tell anything about
him from the condition he's in.
They told me he was
middle-aged, short and stocky.
That's Carlin, all right.
Any sign of the woman?
Depends on what
you mean by sign.
Somebody left a
bullet in Carlin's head.
Good morning.
(GREETING IN FRENCH)
Je regrette we
don't open until noon.
It's all right. I'm not hungry.
Is the head waiter around?
Pierre? Oh, no.
What time's he due in?
Who are you?
Well, I don't think my name
would mean much to you,
but here's one of my cards.
Oh.
Now, where can I find Pierre?
You can't. He quit.
When was this?
Oh, last night.
He walked away and told
the boss he was through.
What are the chances of
seeing your reservation list?
Offhand, I would
say pretty good.
(SPEAKING FRENCH)
And then I checked at this
Pierre Reynaud's boarding house.
They couldn't tell me a thing.
MASON: Couldn't or wouldn't?
I don't know.
What luck did you
have at the cafe?
Samuel Carlin made a
reservation for two for 9:00,
but he didn't show up.
Under Carlin's name, Pierre had
written in parentheses, "Fargo."
Fargo?
The reservation was for two,
so I worked under the assumption
that Fargo was probably
the name of a woman.
Was it? Yes.
The parking lot attendant
said she was driving
a two-tone convertible,
beige and black.
We got the canceled
parking ticket,
and the license
number was on it.
It's registered to a
Mrs. Arthur D. Fargo,
2281 Livington Drive.
Did you talk with her? No.
Well...
(SIGHS)
Let's go.
Time I met this evasive client.
(DOORBELL BUZZING)
Paul, take a look
at the driveway.
It was raining up until
about an hour ago.
The car must have been
parked there all night.
It's been gone
less than an hour.
(DOORBELL BUZZING)
Well, I guess nobody's home.
Perry, take a look.
What have you got?
"Dear Arthur, I'm catching
the 8:00 bus to Harristown.
"I'll try to phone you
tonight. Love, Marian."
You think your
client wrote that?
Could be.
Well, this must be her husband.
And that could be her alibi.
Paul, I want to know
if she's on that bus.
Charter a plane. Catch
the bus at Harristown.
I want the names
of any witnesses
who saw her get
on it in Los Angeles.
What difference will that make?
Well, judging from the signs, he
must have died, say, around 9:30.
If Mrs. Fargo got
on the bus at 8:00,
then she's in the clear.
Now get going. Use my car. Okay.
Homicide, please.
Lieutenant Tragg.
Is the bus from LA in yet?
It's just coming in now.
Would you page Mrs.
Arthur Fargo, please?
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo, please.
Well, goodbye, Miss
Maynard. Goodbye.
Mrs. Arthur Fargo,
please step to
the ticket counter.
Were you paging Mrs. Fargo?
It's that gentleman
there who wants you.
Mrs. Fargo? Yes?
Mrs. Fargo? Police.
We're going to
have to detain you.
But why? What happened?
Your husband,
he's been murdered.
What? You might have
broken it a little easier.
Who are you? The name's Drake.
Oh, a private detective.
Just imagine that.
Who sat next to you
on the bus? What?
What are you, a wise guy? Quick,
Mrs. Fargo, who sat next to you?
Come on. You
looking for trouble?
Not me, Officer.
Excuse me, is that
young lady in trouble?
Yes.
Well, I rode up from
Los Angeles with her,
and she seemed like
such a nice person.
I'd like to help
her, if I could.
Well, you can help her.
What's your name, please?
Diana Maynard.
You live here in Harristown?
No, in Los Angeles,
at the Hayward Arms.
How long are you going to
stay here, Miss Maynard?
Just for the day. I came
up to visit my sisters.
Would you mind? Sure.
I have a slight infection.
Miss Maynard,
would you be willing
to dictate a
statement to the effect
that Mrs. Fargo was on that bus
ever since it left Los Angeles?
Well, of course, but I'm
afraid I don't understand.
Ever hear of a lawyer
named Perry Mason?
Well, isn't he the one
who's always mixed up
in some kind of a murder
case? Exactly what this is.
Come on, let's go find
us a public stenographer.
Well, according
to her statement,
this Diana Maynard seems
to be in our corner, all right.
One hundred percent. There's
only one big trouble. Hmm?
The cops have found
a couple of witnesses
who swear that Mrs. Fargo
got on the bus in
Wayne City at 11:30.
How could she do that? By chartering
a plane from LA to Wayne City.
She could make the
flight in 20 minutes.
But the Maynard woman maintains
Mrs. Fargo got on
the bus in Los Angeles.
I'd hate to have her
confused on that point.
Well, I've got a good
operative, Nora Kelly,
who could maybe stick
with her for a few days.
Good.
Suppose you have Nora invite Mrs.
Maynard down to Palm Springs as our guest
until we need her for the trial.
I think that could be arranged.
Can you also arrange
to have Mrs. Maynard
not see any of the news stories
in this case while she's away?
I wouldn't want her upset
by conflicting evidence.
Nora has a very
sharp pair of scissors.
I'll take care of
that, Miss Maynard.
Oh, wait a minute. I
knew I forgot something.
I'm supposed to go shopping
with my cousin tomorrow.
I'll call her for you
from Palm Springs.
Now why didn't I think of
that? I can talk to her from there.
You're not even going to lift
a phone while I'm on the job.
Mr. Mason wants you
to have a real vacation.
He's the most thoughtful
man I've ever met.
Yes, he thinks of everything.
You sent this to me last Monday
night, along with a $500 retainer.
Did you anticipate your
husband being murdered?
Of course not!
MASON: Who's Charles Gallagher?
I can't tell you.
Look, Mrs. Fargo, you're
going to be on trial for your life.
I still can't tell you.
Why was Carlin blackmailing you?
He wasn't.
Then how do you
account for that money?
Arthur, my husband,
wanted me to give it to him.
Why?
I have no idea.
I'm trying to help you,
but if you're gonna
continue to lie to me...
I'm not lying!
I was in love with my husband.
Can't you understand that?
What possible motive
could I have to kill him?
What possible motive could
you have had for killing Carlin?
What?
The police think the
murders are connected.
Both Carlin and your husband
were killed by the same gun.
I don't know what
you're talking about.
I told you I had
nothing to do with it.
Yes.
That's what you told me.
Very well.
I'll look in on you tomorrow.
(INTERCOM BUZZES)
Yes, Gertie?
Who?
Send him right in.
DELLA: Mr. Gallagher?
I'm sorry, Mr. Mason
isn't in right now,
but I expect him any time.
Well, I can't wait too long.
I just wanted to see Mason
before I went to
the district attorney.
I'm Della Street, his secretary.
Maybe I could help you.
I'm the reason
Marian Fargo is lying.
I'm her brother.
I, uh, I don't understand.
She's trying to protect me.
You see, Miss Street, I'm what
they call a fugitive from justice.
Do sit down.
You were, uh, saying
you're a fugitive?
Oh, yeah, I'm a very
dangerous criminal.
When I was 16, I broke
into a grocery store.
They caught me with $3
worth of canned goods.
That must have been
during the Depression.
Yeah. They were afraid I might
give other hungry kids ideas,
so I drew from three to
five in the state prison farm.
It was a wonderful
place for a growing boy.
There was a guard there
I'll always remember.
Fella called Jonesy.
He had a cute trick of bringing
his shotgun down on your toes
to get your attention.
I took it for two years.
Then one day, I took
the gun away from him.
I let him have it
right across the head.
I understand he was in
the hospital for five months.
I didn't wait
around to find out.
If I had, they probably would
have given me another 10 years,
or killed me.
You escaped?
Yes, and I bummed
my way to California.
Three months later, I got a
job here at Mayfair Aviation.
When things looked
good, I sent for my sister.
She was the only one
left of my entire family.
I hope I'm not boring
you, Miss Street.
Oh, no. Please, go on.
Well, that's about all there is,
except while I was at Mayfair,
I invented a refinement
for a carburetor,
made some money.
Came just in time
for me to retire.
Retire?
I had to.
You see, while I was
in prison, I picked up TB.
It flared up again.
That's why I moved
to Harristown.
And there you have
the story of my life.
Except, of course,
for the final chapter.
About a year ago, a fellow
named Carlin showed up.
He told my sister he
was an investigator
from the state prison
farm back home.
That's when your
sister became involved.
Yes. She was quite worried,
but he told her she didn't
have a thing to worry about,
because he had a pal who was
a big shot in the prison setup,
and for a few bucks, they
could arrange to pull my file.
Then that was the file that
we were supposed to pick up
that night at Carlin's house.
I just wanted to tell
Mason the whole story
before I turn myself in.
It should make
his job a lot easier.
No, you're wrong.
This will give the
district attorney
the very motive
he's looking for.
He'll believe your sister
killed her husband and Carlin
just to protect you.
Well, then what can I do?
I don't know.
Suppose I kick it
around with Mason.
You can't. He's an officer of the
court. He'd have to turn you in.
Well, then the best thing
for me to do for the time being
is get lost, don't you think?
I'm not permitted to
advise you, Mr. Gallagher.
Can I get out that way?
Thank you.
I know you'd be aiding
and abetting a fugitive
if you delivered a
message for me,
but tell your boss if he
needs me for anything,
I'll be around.
(KNOCKING ON DOOR)
Hello, Mr. Gallagher.
Surprised to see me?
Mind if I come in?
Well, you're leaving town, huh?
Any objections, Daniels? No.
As a matter of fact, I thought
you'd be a long time gone.
When I did that job for
you a couple of weeks ago,
you said you were
leaving the next day.
Say, why don't I sit down, huh?
You mind? No, no.
Go ahead, make yourself at home.
Thanks.
You know, it's a funny
thing about that guy, Carlin.
What was so funny?
Twenty-four hours after I give
you the guy's name, he's dead.
You know, I thought
a lot about that.
Couldn't get it out of the old
bean, you know what I mean?
Especially when your
brother-in-law got it, too.
My brother-in-law?
Arthur Fargo.
So you found out
about that, huh?
I'm a private
detective, remember?
I got the trench
coat to prove it.
Now you listen to me.
You listen to me,
Daniels. Take it easy!
Now, look, this set
me back 50 bucks.
Now, look, Mr. Gallagher,
I'm a very reasonable man.
I did a lot research on
this the last couple of days.
Now, what would it be worth to you if I
kept my mouth shut and didn't go to the DA?
What would it be worth?
You know, Daniels,
that's the funniest joke
I've heard in years. Joke?
Why don't you let me in on
it, then we can both laugh.
Look, you idiot,
you can't shake me down.
How do you think we got into
this mess in the first place, huh?
Because my sister didn't know that
you can't do business with blackmailers!
Every penny I ever gave to
her she turned over to Carlin.
Now you go on, run to the DA.
You don't worry
me a bit, Daniels.
What are you waiting for?
Go on, run!
(COUGHING)
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
evidence you're about to give
is the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
What is your
occupation, Mr. Danvers?
I'm a parking lot supervisor
at the international airport.
On the day following the murder
of Arthur Fargo, November 26,
the police removed a car
that had been parked there
for something over 24 hours.
Are you familiar with that car?
Yes, sir.
It was a beige and brown
convertible. Two-tone job.
Now, the parking ticket
was stamped 11:45 a.m.
Do you remember
the license number?
Well, let's see. K-C,
1-7-4-3.
And do you remember
who parked the car?
Yes, sir. It was Mrs. Fargo,
the defendant over there.
(CROWD MURMURING) Thank you.
Cross-examine.
That's not true. I
didn't park my car there.
Then who did?
Mr. Danvers, how
many cars would you say
were parked in the lot
in any 24-hour period?
50, 100, 1,000?
I don't think there'd
be that many.
Not in my lot, anyway.
I'd say closer to
200 or 300, maybe.
200 or 300 cars?
And you can point out a woman
who parked there
last November 25th?
How do you explain that?
Well, she stuck in my mind
because she was
wearing dark glasses.
You see, it had been
raining all morning,
and it was a real
dark, overcast day.
I figure that there'd
be only one reason
for a woman to be wearing dark
glasses and a hat with a floppy brim
when there was no sun out.
Hmm, and what was the reason?
So nobody'd get a
good look at her face.
Was she successful?
Yes, sir.
You mean, she successfully
concealed her face,
and yet you were still
able to identify her?
(CHUCKLES) That's remarkable.
Would you tell us about
the phone call you received
on the morning of the
murder, Mr. James?
Well, like I said, I run
a charter plane service,
and around
11:00, I got this call
asking me if I could fly a
passenger to Wayne City
in time to be at the
bus depot at 2:00.
I said there was nothing to it.
Would you describe
the passenger?
She was a young woman.
As much as I could see of
her face, she was good-looking.
Why couldn't you
see all of her face?
Because she was
wearing dark glasses
and a hat with a brim.
I see.
Is there anyone
in this courtroom
whose age and general appearance
are the same as that woman
that you flew to Wayne City?
Yes, sir, the defendant.
(CROWD MURMURING)
Mr. James, I
show you this scarf.
It has been
previously identified
as having been
purchased by Mrs. Fargo.
Have you ever seen it before?
Yes, sir.
I found it in the airplane
when I got to Wayne City.
I turned it over to the police.
Thank you.
Your witness, Mr. Mason.
Mr. James, you said that the
arrangements for this flight to Wayne City
were made by telephone?
That's right, but he
didn't give any name.
Oh? You mean it was
a man who phoned?
Yes, sir.
Did your passenger talk
with you during the flight?
No, she never said a word
from the time she got
in the plane till she left it.
And yet, you're willing to swear
that the defendant,
Mrs. Marian Fargo,
was that passenger?
It sure looked like her.
MASON: But was it Mrs. Fargo?
Now, Mr. James,
your answer may be a
matter of life or death.
Yes, I'm positive
it was Mrs. Fargo.
(CROWD MURMURS)
Thank you. That's all.
Doesn't look so good, does it?
The weather or your case?
Both.
As a matter of fact, both
of them look very bad.
You've only one
chance. To tell the truth.
What do you mean?
I don't think you murdered your
husband. I do think you killed him.
You what? I think you
acted in self-defense.
That's the most
ridiculous thing I ever...
Why did you set
up that phony alibi?
It wasn't a phony alibi!
Who was the man who
chartered the plane for you,
your brother?
Then you know about Charles.
Yes, he came to my office.
Well, then, you can understand
why I don't want to involve him.
If he ever goes back to that
prison farm, they'll kill him.
You don't have
anything else to tell me?
No.
Well, at least we have
one trump card left.
Diana Maynard.
She'll testify you got on
the bus at Los Angeles.
Yeah, but what
about all the witnesses
that said I got on
in Wayne City?
Wouldn't be the first time
the majority was wrong.
(RINGING)
Yes?
Well, won't he give his name?
Just a second.
An anonymous tipster.
See if you can trace the call.
All right, put him on.
MAN: (IN FRENCH
ACCENT) Mr. Burger?
That's right. Who is this?
Names are unimportant, sir.
I have a little
information for you.
Why not ask Mrs. Fargo why
she was being blackmailed?
What was that again?
I'm sure you understand me.
You might also talk
to Diana Maynard
at the Hayward Arms.
I believe Mr. Mason plans
to use her as a witness.
Would you repeat
the address, please?
I think you're
trying to delay me
so you can trace
the call. Adieu.
(PHONE CLICKS)
(SIGHS)
BURGER: Any luck?
No. Not enough time.
He had kind of a French accent.
Yeah. I wonder...
The head waiter
at Ferrolds Cafe.
His name is Pierre Reynaud.
He's the character who
made the reservation
for Carlin and Mrs.
Fargo that night.
Why don't you pick him up?
Well, he skipped.
We've been trying
to trail him down.
Well, maybe you'd better
pick up Mrs. Maynard.
That ought to be easy enough.
Oh, thanks, Miss Kelly.
I had a marvelous time.
And will you thank
Mr. Mason for me?
You can do it yourself
first thing in the morning.
Oh, uh, I'll take that.
I hope I didn't startle
you. I'm Lieutenant Tragg.
I wonder if you'd be good
enough to come along with me?
And, uh, give my
regards to Mr. Mason.
But Mrs. Fargo
didn't kill her husband.
She couldn't.
She got on the bus
in Los Angeles at 8:00.
I've got half a dozen witnesses
that say she got on
at Wayne City at 11:30.
They're wrong.
Everybody's wrong
but you, is that it?
Was the bus crowded
when you got on?
Very.
And how soon did
you notice Mrs. Fargo?
Right after the bus started.
I mean, I read
for a little while,
and then when I finished
my magazine, I... I saw her.
That might have been a half-hour
after the bus started, mightn't it?
Well, yes.
Or even an hour.
(SCOFFS) I don't think so.
When you noticed Mrs.
Fargo, where was she sitting?
In the middle of the bus.
On which side?
The right, as you
face the driver.
Suppose we told you
that Mrs. Fargo claims
she was sitting right
behind the driver?
I would've sworn that she...
And you would've
been guilty of perjury.
That concludes the case
for the people, Your Honor.
The State rests.
Mr. Mason?
I call as my first
witness Diana Maynard.
BAILIFF: Diana Maynard.
Raise your right hand.
Do you solemnly swear the
evidence you are about to give
is the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth?
I do. Be seated.
Now, Mrs. Maynard,
where were you on the
afternoon of November 25th
at approximately 4:30?
I was at the bus
depot in Harristown,
where I met a Mr. Paul
Drake, a private detective.
And did you go with Mr. Drake
to a public stenographer
where you dictated a statement?
Yes, but I realize
now I was wrong.
I was under the
mistaken impression that...
Just a moment, Mrs. Maynard.
We're not interested in
mistaken impressions.
Now, when you arrived
on the bus in Harristown,
where were you sitting?
On the right-hand
side, near the center.
Where was Mrs. Fargo sitting?
She was sitting next to me.
Thank you. You
may cross-examine.
Mrs. Maynard, you got
on the bus in Los Angeles,
is that correct?
Objection. The
question is improper.
Really, Your Honor.
The district attorney
is well aware
that a witness cannot
be cross-examined
except on testimony
elicited on direct examination.
If you will consult the
records, Your Honor,
you will find I
asked no questions
about the bus
leaving Los Angeles,
only about its
arrival in Harristown.
Would you like the
court stenographer
to read back that
part of the testimony?
No, thank you, Your Honor.
That won't be necessary.
Of course, if
Mr. Burger cares to,
he can make Mrs. Maynard
a witness for the prosecution.
Thank you, Mr. Mason.
With the court's permission,
that's just what I intend to do.
JUDGE: Proceed.
Mrs. Maynard, where were you
on the day of November 25th?
I was in Los Angeles
and in Harristown,
both places on the same day.
And how did you get from
Los Angeles to Harristown?
By bus.
When did you first see
the defendant, Mrs. Fargo?
When she got on at Wayne City.
Was she on the
bus prior to that?
No, sir.
You're sure of that?
Yes, sir, I am now.
Thank you, Mrs.
Maynard. That's all.
Just a moment.
Your Honor, please,
since Mrs. Maynard has testified
as a witness for
the prosecution,
I desire to cross-examine her.
Very well.
Mrs. Maynard,
I'm curious about the
patch you've over your eye.
Tell the court why you wear it?
BURGER: Objection!
Your Honor, Mr. Mason
just made a specific objection
to my cross-examining
this witness
on material not covered
in direct examination.
I asked the witness
nothing about her eye.
But the prosecutor did ask the
witness when she saw the defendant.
Since that involved
the use of her eyes,
I'm entitled to question
the condition of her eyes.
Objection overruled.
(SCOFFS)
You will explain the
reason for the patch.
I have an infection.
A chronic infection?
Certainly not.
You were also wearing an eye patch
on the 25th of November, were you not?
Part of the time.
I put it on when I left the bus
so the wind wouldn't
irritate my eye.
Then you have had
considerable eye trouble?
It's a temporary infection.
I have 20/20 vision.
You mean, when you
have the use of both eyes.
I can see all I
need to with one.
Mrs. Fargo got on
the bus at Wayne City.
Do you recall how
she was dressed?
Yes, she was wearing
a gray checked skirt,
a light gray cardigan sweater,
black gloves and shoes,
and a wool topcoat with a
fancy design on the front.
You have an excellent memory.
I sat with her all the way
from Wayne City to Harristown.
Who else did you sit with?
I don't know what you mean.
Who did you sit with before
you sat with Mrs. Fargo?
Some woman who
got off in Knoxville.
Will you describe
this woman for us?
I don't see what
that has to do with it.
She was just some woman.
I didn't pay much attention.
In other words,
you can't remember anything
about the other woman at all?
No.
Are you sure there
was another woman?
Isn't it possible
your eye trouble
caused you to see
something that wasn't there?
Your honor, Mrs. Maynard
was not wearing the eye patch
while she was on the bus.
That's exactly my
point, Your Honor.
I'm trying to prove that some
people can see with one eye
but not with two.
I'd like a technical explanation
of that point, Mr. Mason.
It's a lack of
coordination, Your Honor.
I think you'll find that this witness
can see adequately with one eye,
whereas with two eyes...
That's not so. I can see perfectly.
I challenge the witness
on that point, Your Honor.
I submit that with both eyes,
she cannot make
an identification
of an individual known
to her in this courtroom.
It's an interesting point.
Remove the eye patch, please.
This is absolutely absurd.
You ready, Mrs. Maynard?
Yes.
Do you know that
gentleman there?
He's Lieutenant Tragg.
And the lady?
That's Miss Kelly.
You using both eyes?
Yes. Then who is that man?
I don't know his name,
but he's the parking
attendant at the airport.
You're sure about that?
Positive.
You recognize him as the man
you saw at the airport parking lot?
(STAMMERING) No, I
recognize him as a witness.
How could you do that? This is the
first session of court you've attended.
Well, I saw his
picture in the papers.
You couldn't have.
Miss Kelly made sure
you saw nothing that
concerned this trial.
Well, I... I talked to
Mr. Burger after I got back...
How did you know he was
the parking lot attendant
unless you parked Mrs.
Fargo's car at the airport yourself?
(LAUGHS) You're wrong.
Where would I get the key?
From her husband's
body after you killed him!
You've got it all mixed up.
No, you've got it all mixed up.
You mean, you did not drive
Mrs. Fargo's car to the airport?
Yes, I drove her
car to the airport,
but I did not kill her husband.
Then who did?
The mastermind. Him.
It was all his bright idea.
What's going on
here? Who is that man?
The genius who
dreamed up this stunt,
Mr. Samuel D. Carlin.
(LAUGHS)
Look at him.
And he was going to
get away with murder.
"and His Excellency, the
Governor, wishes me to inform you
"that our state has no desire
to extradite Charles Gallagher.
"We feel that
Mr. Gallagher has proved
"he can be a good
and useful citizen.
"Kindest personal regards, George
Mayberry, Chairman, State Penal System."
That's wonderful.
I thought so.
Well, something else
you want cleared up?
Yes.
Who was the man they identified
as Carlin that night of the fire?
That was our old friend Pierre,
head waiter from Ferrolds Cafe.
He was Carlin's messenger boy.
But Burger said that he
phoned him just last night.
That was Carlin with
a phony French accent.
That phone call accomplished
two things. What?
It convinced the police
that Pierre was still alive
even though they
couldn't find him,
and it set it up so that Burger
could locate Diana Maynard.
And the whole thing was
a trap. Sure, it was a trap.
Both Carlin and Diana
wanted us to base
our entire defense
on her testimony.
It was Diana who got
on the bus at Wayne City.
There. How's that?
Very nice.
Am I presentable enough
to take you to dinner?
Definitely.
Where do you want to go?
Ferrolds Cafe. Why there?
Well, there's something that
still puzzles me in this case.
Mmm-hmm?
What could they possibly
put in a cup of coffee
to make it worth a dollar?
(CHUCKLES) No
more questions, please.