Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 1, Episode 39 - The Case of the Rolling Bones - full transcript
Donna Knox cashes a check for $20,000 from the elderly Daniel Reed after Reed overrides his nephew and niece when the bank calls. The money is shared by Knox and her partner Maury Lewis with $500 for their helper Dave Kemp, a busted private detective. Kemp expected half the money. Perry Mason takes on the case of Daniel Reed after his friend, Millie Foster seeks his help. Daniel has been confined to a psychiatric institution against his will, with a diagnosis of senile dementia. It seems that the elderly Daniel's nephew and scheming wife, Willard and Arlene Scott, are behind it all. Perry files a writ of habeas corpus and gets the judge to agree but Daniel escapes from the institution before he gets the news. When Daniel finds his old business partner Monty Siwel dead, he is charged with murder and Perry defends him. D.A. Hamilton Burger seems to be getting information out of Perry's office and thinking his office is bugged, Perry tries to feed Burger false information. It almost backfires on him.
Excuse me, please.
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Well, who's calling Mr. Scott?
Oh. Well, just a moment.
It's for you. Herb
Walker at the bank.
Hmm.
If he wants you to play cards
Wednesday night, you can't.
Yes, Herb?
Listen, Willard,
a woman just walked in the bank
with a check signed
by your Uncle Daniel.
It's payable to M. Lewis.
It's for $20,000.
$20,000?
There's a girl at the bank
with a check from
Uncle Daniel for $20,000.
Mr. Walker, this is Mrs. Scott.
Mmm-hmm.
Don't cash that check.
I don't care about
your legal obligations.
Just tell her there's no
money in the account.
Or better still,
tell her the truth.
Tell her Daniel Reed's
as crazy as they come.
Somebody mention my name?
Is that for me?
Thank you.
Hello? This is Daniel Reed.
Who's talking at your end?
I see. You know
something, Mr. Walker?
I don't like the way
you run your bank.
I'm afraid I'll have to move
my account elsewhere.
Now, you go ahead
and cash that check.
I always say it's nice to do
business with an old established firm.
I may be back soon.
What's keeping the girl?
Bank closed an hour ago.
Relax, Kemp.
Donna knows what she's doing.
Has she ever had her
hooks on $20,000 before?
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Trouble with you, Kemp, is
you've got a suspicious mind.
Did you have any
trouble? Not a bit.
(EXCLAIMING) Did you ever see
anything so pretty in all your life?
There's $5,000 in
each of those packages.
Hmm, that makes it
nice and convenient.
One, two, three, four, five.
That's for you.
500 bucks? Uh-huh.
You said we were
gonna split 50-50.
I guess I can't be trusted.
If you think you're
gonna double-cross me...
I wouldn't do anything
foolish, Mr. Kemp.
Hey, don't you want this?
What's he sore about?
Come here, honey. How'd I do?
Oh, you were magnificent.
You know something, sweetie?
We're going to
be on easy street.
Go on. Well, that's
all there is to it.
I just felt you people
oughta know the score
before Maury Lewis
and his girlfriend
take your uncle for
every dime they have.
Well, it... Sweetie.
Oh, I'm sorry.
And just why was Mr. Reed
paying this blackmail?
That I couldn't tell you.
Lewis only hired
me to find Mr. Reed.
Naturally, when I found out
they were gonna shake
him down, I bowed out.
Well, I certainly appreciate
you coming, Mr. Kemp.
I don't know what
we can do about this.
I do.
How is he, Doctor?
You have no need to
disturb yourself, Mr. Scott.
Your uncle's
perfectly all right.
I must say he's rather
strong for a man of his age.
And quite obviously
suffering from senile dementia.
You said he's been giving
money to absolute strangers?
Well, the other day he
gave... ARLENE: That's right.
A couple of days ago
he gave away $20,000.
Well, how did he explain it?
He couldn't.
He became absolutely
violent when I asked him.
When did you first notice
that Mr. Reed was behaving,
shall we say, childishly?
Well, it's been going along
for some time now, Doctor.
Why, for months he's lost
his temper about nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
FOSTER: Daniel Reed is the
easiest going man in the world.
I never saw him lose his
temper as long as I know him.
And that's more years than
a lady likes to remember.
So when I heard that
his nephew, Willard,
and that wife of his
railroaded Daniel
into a sanitarium,
I figured it was up to
me to do something.
Are you related to
Daniel Reed, Miss Foster?
Well, I'm his, uh...
Fiance. Is that how you say it?
Well, anyway,
we was planning
on getting hitched.
Well, why not?
I'm no spring chicken,
but Daniel and me
got a lot in common.
We can talk together.
How many young
folks can do that?
You got a point there.
Tell me, did you speak to the
doctor in charge of the sanitarium?
Yeah, but for all
the good it did me,
I could have been
talking to myself.
Oh, this Dr. Norris
is a real brain.
Any day now, I expect
he's gonna write a book.
He kept posing for
his picture on the cover.
He even smoked a pipe
that would photograph well.
Tell me, what did the doctor say
about Mr. Reed's condition?
He said that Daniel had...
Wait a minute, I've
got it written down.
He said Daniel had
"Senile dementia
"evidenced by arcus
senilis," whatever that means.
Well, what about it, Mr. Mason?
I gotta spring Daniel
out of that coop.
All right, Miss Foster,
arcus senilis, huh?
Della, we'll get out a petition
for a writ of habeas corpus.
I want to present it
to Judge Treadwell.
I'd be interested in
His Honor's opinion.
Uh, Mr. Mason?
My name is Lewis, Maury Lewis.
I'm an old friend
of Daniel Reed.
Oh?
If there's anything I
can do to spring him,
just let me know.
Well, thank you.
Thank you very much.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Hello, Miss Foster.
Now, don't you worry.
Reading the return to
the writ of habeas corpus,
I understand you were the one
who arranged for your
uncle, Daniel Reed,
to enter Dr. Norris' sanitarium.
Is that correct?
Yes, Your Honor.
You see, he had exhibited certain
symptoms that led me to believe...
Are you a doctor, Mr. Scott?
No, sir.
Then let's wait for
the experts to testify.
Did you ask your uncle if he
wanted to go to a sanitarium?
No, sir. You see,
my wife and I thought
he was in no condition
to give an answer.
TREADWELL: Was he
conscious? SCOTT: Yes, sir.
And did he make any objections
to entering the sanitarium?
Well, yes.
And how was that
objection overcome?
Two male nurses carried him in.
I see.
Well, that's all.
You may step down.
May it please the court...
TREADWELL: Yes, Mr. Metcalf?
I can understand
Your Honor's desire
to question the witness himself.
I certainly don't dispute
your right to do so.
Thank you, Counselor.
However, as attorney
for Willard Scott,
I have a showing
I'd like to make.
I feel entitled
at this time to...
Your opportunity is now at hand.
May I see Daniel Reed?
He's not here, sir.
The court order reads
that he be produced.
We understand, Your Honor.
Mr. Reed is physically
unable to attend.
We have Dr. Norris present
to testify on that point.
Very well. Let him testify.
On examination, I
found Daniel Reed
to be a man of
approximately 71 years of age
and apparently suffering
from senile dementia.
He was incoherent in his
speech and violent in his actions.
Was there anything
else you noticed
at the time of your
examination of the patient?
Yes, there was a
well-defined arcus senilis
on the pupil of the right eye.
That is due to a
higher-line degeneration
of the lamellae and
cells of the cornea.
In your experience, Doctor,
just what does an
arcus senilis indicate?
In my opinion, it is indicative
of the first stages
of senile dementia.
And it was at your suggestion that
Mr. Reed was not brought into court?
It was at my positive
orders, Mr. Metcalf.
The patient in his present nervous
state would be highly excited
and I did not want
to be responsible
for the results following
an appearance here.
Thank you, Doctor.
Your witness.
Excuse me, Doctor. Did
I understand you to say
the patient was incoherent
when you first saw him?
He was. And he was
excited and angry?
Violently.
And from that you immediately
diagnosed senile dementia?
There were other
symptoms as well.
I see.
Uh,
isn't there a similar
disease called, uh,
dementia praecox?
That is hardly the
same as senile dementia.
Of course.
Of course, in the cases
of dementia praecox,
the patient usually seems
completely indifferent to his fate.
That is correct.
All right.
Let's see where that leaves us.
A man, 71, is
taken out for a drive
by a trusted nephew.
He suddenly finds
himself at your sanitarium,
where he is
dragged out of the car
by two male nurses
and taken in hand.
Yet you found him
angry and incoherent.
Now, wouldn't that state of
mind be perfectly natural?
That depends on
the circumstances.
Then if he hadn't been angry,
you would have
found him indifferent
and diagnosed his condition
as dementia praecox.
You're deliberately
distorting my testimony.
You have no right. Now, now,
Doctor, don't you get angry.
Mr. Reed did and
you said he was senile.
I've already testified that there
were other symptoms as well.
Arcus senilis, for one.
Yes, of course you did.
Now, uh...
Doctor, would you
mind describing
that particular condition
again for the court?
An arcus senilis appears
as a crescent shaped ring
in the outer periphery
of the cornea.
A crescent shaped ring.
You mean like the ring
in Judge Treadwell's eye?
Of course, an arcus senilis
is not in itself
indicative of a psychosis.
It's just a symptom to
be evaluated with others.
I appreciate that, Doctor.
In other words,
if I kicked up a row
when I was shanghaied
and you noticed
this thing in my eye,
you would have
said I was senile.
Are there any more
questions, Counselor?
No, Your Honor.
I think this examination
has gone far enough
and I'm not at all impressed
with Dr. Norris' reasons
for Mr. Reed's not
being here as ordered.
The court is forthwith going
to Dr. Norris' sanitarium
to examine the patient.
If necessary, we will retain
some reputable psychiatrist
to pass upon
Mr. Reed's condition.
Court is adjourned
until 2:00 this afternoon,
when we will reconvene
at the sanitarium.
The bailiff will
arrange transportation.
I can't understand
what's keeping them,
unless the patient
is being difficult.
He should have been down...
Where is Mr. Reed?
I don't know. He escaped.
He escaped?
He told one of the attendants
he had a sick headache at noon.
That was Walsh.
Go on.
Well, when Walsh
arrived with the aspirin,
the patient was
waiting behind the door
and he hit him over
the head with a sock.
A sock?
It had a large
bar of soap in it.
Well, how did he get
out of the building?
He switched uniforms with Walsh
and he locked Walsh in the room.
And nobody tried to
stop him on his way out?
Well, the receptionist tried to,
but he told her he
was a new laundry man
and couldn't find
the service entrance.
He'd pulled the sheets off the
bed to make his story look good.
If Your Honor please,
call it what they may,
no one can say
Mr. Reed was incompetent
in managing this affair.
I quite agree with
you, Counselor.
The writ of habeas
corpus is granted.
Your Honor...
As for you, Doctor, you'll be
ordered to appear and show cause
why you should not be found
guilty of contempt of court.
If Your Honor would
permit me to explain...
You'll have your chance, Doctor.
But, Your Honor,
believe me when I tell you
that nothing like this
ever happened before.
I think we'd better go.
I don't think you'll make Mrs.
Scott's list of favorite people.
Thank you so much, Mr. Mason.
Those thanks may
be a little premature.
Have you any idea where
Daniel Reed will go now?
Well?
Let me know the minute
you hear from him.
Holly 2-6231.
Hello? Hello, is
this you, Millie?
Daniel. Where are you?
DANIEL: I can't talk now.
But, honey, you have
nothing to worry about.
Didn't you see the papers?
I hired Perry Mason to spring
you out of that squirrel cage.
You don't have to go back.
Well, that's good to hear.
FOSTER: You sound strange.
Listen, Daniel,
Maury Lewis was in court today.
Oh. We can talk
about that later.
Meet me at our usual
place in 20 minutes.
Are you sure there's
nothing wrong?
Oh, everything's fine.
Hello.
I'll have your laundry back
on Tuesday, Mr. Lewis.
ARLENE: It's all your fault.
If you hadn't convinced the judge
that Uncle Daniel was in his right mind,
none of this would
have happened.
They would have stopped him
before he killed an innocent man.
Now, honey... Sweetie.
The man's a maniac.
And you let him go.
Now what are you
going to do about it?
I don't know, Mrs. Scott.
I'll have to talk
to my client first.
Have you any idea
where I can find Mr. Reed?
Why don't you ask Millie Foster?
Willard, sweetie, let's go.
We've got to find Uncle
Daniel a decent lawyer.
Fortunately, this city
has many able attorneys.
(DOOR CLOSING)
I don't think you'll make her
list of favorite people, either.
Whatever gave you that idea?
You know, I'm surprised Lieutenant
Tragg hasn't been hammering on our door
demanding to know where
we've hidden Daniel Reed.
He'll be around.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Hi.
MASON: No luck?
Millie Foster has
definitely skipped.
She has not been home all night.
Then she must
have gone with Reed.
But where? That's the problem.
I got hold of the
teller at Reed's bank.
A $20,000 check was made
payable to Maury Lewis.
And there's our motive.
The district attorney
will claim that
Lewis has been
blackmailing Reed.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
There's no getting around...
Yes, Gertie?
Do you want to talk
to a Dave Kemp?
Dave Kemp?
He's a private investigator.
At least, he used to be.
He lost his license
about six months ago.
Put him on, Gertie.
Hello?
Mason? Got a little tip for you.
You oughta talk to a
girl called Donna Knox.
Donna Knox? Why?
She used to be
Maury Lewis' girl.
Or so he thought.
Well, do I have to
draw you a diagram?
Hardly.
Do you happen to
know her address?
2217 Dennis Road?
Thank you very much.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Come in.
Miss Knox?
That's right.
My name is Tragg, Lieutenant
Tragg. I'm with the police.
It's all right.
I'd like to talk to you
about Maury Lewis.
Go ahead and talk.
How well did you know him?
I was his girl.
Would you happen to know why
Daniel Reed gave him $20,000?
He liked him.
I wish you'd
cooperate, Miss Knox.
I understand how you feel.
Do you, Lieutenant?
You know what it feels like when
somebody suddenly cuts out your insides?
Maury wasn't the
greatest guy in the world.
Far from it, he was a
heel, but he was mine.
Then I'm sure you'd
want his murderer
to get everything
that's coming to him.
Are you kidding? You
haven't even found him yet.
Well, I will, I promise you.
Can you promise me he'll die?
No.
Mason claims Reed was
crazy when he killed Maury.
We know Reed was perfectly
sane and we can prove it,
but we need your help.
If Maury Lewis really
meant anything to you...
Shut up.
What do you think I've been
drinking this stuff for, 'cause I like it?
They say it helps you forget.
It doesn't work for me.
Would you talk to Mr. Burger?
I'll talk to the devil
if it'll put Maury's killer
in the gas chamber.
And I wanna be there
when they drop the pellets.
Come in, Perry.
Hello, Lieutenant. This
is Perry Mason, Donna.
If it wasn't for you,
Maury would be here now.
They would have
caught that lunatic.
You're wrong, Miss Knox.
Get out of here.
Get out.
How did it go or
shouldn't I ask?
Tragg got there ahead of me.
Heard anything more from Paul?
Yes, he's getting together a
complete dossier on Daniel Reed.
He's also waiting for more word
from his contact in
Fairbanks, Alaska.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes, Gertie?
Personally?
Long distance, Reno.
Mrs. Frank Sebastian?
I don't know any Mrs...
Wait a minute.
Put her through, Gertie.
Hello?
Mr. Mason?
You know who this is?
Yes, I do. Where are you?
Miramar Hotel?
MASON: Is our friend with you?
Yeah.
I convinced him that
he oughta talk to you,
but he says he won't
go back to Los Angeles
and he won't give himself up.
Get hold of Paul right away.
Book two tickets on
the next flight to Reno.
Mrs. Sebastian, you
stay right where you are.
I'll be up to see you
in three or four hours.
Stop gulping your
food like that, Daniel.
You know what it does to you.
I always said no one can
pour coffee like you, Millie.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Daniel.
I'm not letting anyone
sneak up on me.
Mr. Mason, this is Daniel.
It's about time we met.
You're a hard man to
keep up with, Mr. Reed.
You should have
seen me when I was 60.
I'm going to arrange for you
to surrender to the authorities.
What did you say?
MASON: I want you
to give yourself up.
That's what I thought.
Coffee, gentlemen?
No, thank you.
Well.
Looks like I really got
myself into a mess, huh?
Looks like.
Who do you think
killed Maury Lewis?
Why did you give him $20,000?
He's an old friend
and he needed money.
Lewis was in court on
the day of the hearing.
He told me he'd do anything
to get you out of that sanitarium.
Well, I said he
was an old friend.
No, he wanted you out
so he could bleed you.
Now, what did he have on you?
You've gotta tell him,
Daniel. If you don't, I will.
I mean it.
Well, Lewis knew
that I was partners
with a young fellow
named Monty Sewel
30 years ago up in
Fairbanks, Alaska.
That's where I met Millie.
Go on.
Well, Sewel and
I struck it rich.
And when I say rich, I mean
we got ourselves a gold mine.
And that's no joke.
But that wasn't
enough for Sewel.
He wanted it all.
Well, sir, one night when I
was pretending to be asleep,
he tried to shoot me.
Obviously he didn't succeed.
No, I was a little
faster than we was.
Now you know that's
how it happened, Millie.
What did you do
with Sewel's body?
I buried it in the snow and I told folks
that he had to go to Seattle on business,
and then a few days later,
Millie and I cleared out of Alaska.
And nobody questioned
Sewel's disappearance?
No.
It was my disappearance
that confused them.
You see, I bought a boat
ticket in Sewel's name.
I even used his name
when I married Millie.
Then officially, you're
Mr. and Mrs. Sewel.
Millie walked out on me
during the honeymoon.
See, she got mad at me because
I wouldn't let her go to the police.
We didn't see each
other again for 30 years.
Well, that explains
almost everything.
Except how Maury
Lewis fits into the picture.
Lewis bought the old shack that
Sewel and I owned up in Alaska.
He found Sewel's body and
figured out what happened.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Am I intruding?
Well, it seems I'm running
into you wherever I go.
Yes, so it would seem.
We realize that this
is the state of Nevada,
but if you want us to waste
time arranging extradition...
That won't be necessary.
Mr. Reed will cooperate.
Oh, no, I won't.
We have nothing to
hide. Do we, Mr. Reed?
Okay, Lieutenant.
I guess that won't be necessary.
Take care of yourself, honey.
I'd better get ready.
What do you think?
It's amazing. Tragg
showed up right on our heels.
He also beat me to Donna Knox.
Maybe he's been
reading your mail.
Whatever they're
doing, I have a feeling
they know exactly what's
going on in our office.
And if Burger is
in on this pipeline,
I'm really going to confuse him.
Paul, I want you to call your
answering service in Los Angeles.
Have them send one of your men out
to see Della tonight at her apartment.
How about Faulkner? He'll do.
He's to tell her I'll call the office
tomorrow morning, 9:30 sharp.
She's not to pay any
attention to whatever I say,
she's just to
answer accordingly.
I got it. You're
gonna wait for Millie?
Yeah, sure.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes, Gertie?
Line one? Thank you.
Hello, Perry, how are you?
Yes, I heard from Paul.
Well, Tragg took Daniel
Reed back to Los Angeles
earlier this morning.
I put Millie on the same plane.
We'll be in on flight 12.
Uh, Perry, did you find out
why Mr. Reed was being
blackmailed by Maury Lewis?
Maury Lewis' real
name is Monty Sewel.
Lewis' real name
was Monty Sewel?
It doesn't seem possible.
Well, it's true.
If you'll notice, "Lewis" spelled
backwards is very much like "Sewel."
MASON: Reed and Sewel
were partners in a gold claim
near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Sewel was cheated out of
his share of the claim by Reed.
What do you know?
Of course, I don't have to tell you
not to breathe a word of this to anyone.
If it gets out,
Reed will go right
to the gas chamber.
Don't worry, Perry, I'll
be as silent as the grave.
Good girl.
We'll be in the
office around 6:00.
Well,
that ought to keep Burger
going around in circles.
That was my intention. Come on.
Perry.
What a nice surprise.
What's the trouble?
Did you make up that
story about Monty Sewel
and Maury Lewis
being the same person?
Why?
Because they are. It's
true. Every Last word of it.
Burger checked it out
and Sewel is Lewis.
Or was Lewis. You
know what I mean.
The Alaskan police made positive
identification from his fingerprints.
He served six months
for assault in 1927.
It isn't possible.
I was right there
when you made it up.
I recall one part of
my story in particular.
I said, "If it ever gets out,
"Reed will go right
to the gas chamber."
Come on.
Hiya, Counselor.
How are you, Daniel?
Couldn't be better. Sit down.
Preliminary hearing
starts tomorrow.
That's what Millie told me.
Oh, I had lots of
company this morning.
First Millie and then my
nephew, Willard and his wife.
What did they want?
They recommended
another lawyer named Metcalf.
Mr. Metcalf thought I could
get off by claiming insanity.
I told them the only
time my head was addled
was when I went
to live with them.
Metcalf's a good lawyer.
Well, like the fellow said to the
dealer when he got himself a royal flush,
"I like what I got now."
And I like you.
But that doesn't
alter the situation.
We're in a jam.
I know. It's my fault.
Yes, it is.
Why didn't you tell me
Maury Lewis and Monty Sewel
were one and the same?
I just thought it would
create problems.
What have we got now?
Did you actually think you
killed Sewel 30 years ago?
I did.
Till three months ago, when
he and that gal showed up.
Donna Knox?
Yes. Monty always did
fine with the womenfolk.
Did...
Did he do fine with Millie?
You've got to understand
that 30 years ago
Millie was a
beautiful young girl.
Lots of fellows were
interested in her.
Was Millie present the
night you tried to kill Sewel?
No.
Did Sewel ever tell you what
happened to him after you shot him?
Yeah, some Indian trappers found
him and nursed him back to health.
He only lost a couple
of toes from frostbite.
I know it sounds awful
complicated, Mr. Mason.
Daniel.
As far as the district
attorney is concerned,
our only hope is to make
it even more complicated.
The, uh, telephone in the room
had been used at
24 minutes after 9:00.
How do you know
that, Lieutenant?
Well, I talked to the
switchboard operator.
And what number was
called from Mr. Lewis' room?
Holly 2-6231.
And in whose name
is that number listed?
Millie Foster.
BURGER: And did you
subsequently meet this Millie Foster?
Yes, sir, when we arrested
the defendant in Reno.
She had rented the hotel room
in which Mr. Reed was hiding.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Cross-examine.
Now, Lieutenant,
how did you discover
that Maury Lewis and Monty Sewel
were one and the same person?
Well, we had reason to
believe that the deceased
had at one time been living
near Fairbanks, Alaska,
and we checked
with police there.
Did you check on Mr. Sewel's
movements after he left Alaska?
Yes, I did.
He bought a boat
ticket to Seattle,
where he married Millie Foster.
Where did Mr. Sewel
go upon leaving Seattle?
Oh, well, he
traveled quite a bit,
and his last stop before
he came to Los Angeles
was Phoenix, and he lived
at the Waverly.
Waverly Hotel there
for about six months.
And knowing how thorough you are,
Lieutenant, I'm sure you must have talked
with the manager at that hotel.
Oh, yes, sir.
Did he describe
Mr. Sewel for you?
Yes.
Would you please oblige us
with a report of that conversation?
Well, I asked him what
Mr. Sewel looked like
and he said Mr. Sewel
was a man in his late 60s,
about 5'5".
Weighed around 140 pounds.
Yet we know the victim
was in his early 50s,
almost 6 feet tall and
weighed close to 180.
Yes, sir.
Seems to me, Lieutenant,
that the description you just gave
fits the defendant, Mr. Reed,
far better than it
does the victim.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
That will be all.
You may stand down.
I call Victor Kowalski
to the stand, please.
Well, sir, I was carting away
a sand jar on the fifth floor.
Some wise guy broke it.
You see, there's a sand jar
on every floor right
near the elevator.
Yes, I'm sure I understand.
We have the picture
very clearly, Mr. Kowalski.
You were carrying
a broken sand jar
down the corridor
of the fifth floor.
What happened then?
Well, the door to
Mr. Lewis' room opened,
and some guy came out in a white
uniform carrying a load of laundry.
Is that man in the
courtroom now?
Yes, sir.
Him.
Let the record show
that the witness is pointing
at Daniel Reed, the defendant.
Do you know what time this was?
Yes, sir. It was exactly
26 minutes after 9:00.
Twenty-six minutes after 9:00?
But didn't you hear
the doctor testify
that Mr. Lewis died
between 8:00 and 9:00?
Yeah. Well, I figured out
that Mr. Reed said that,
about the laundry, you know,
to make me think
Mr. Lewis was still alive.
I object, Your Honor. The
answer is not responsive.
The district attorney
merely asked the witness
if he heard the
doctor's testimony.
The objection is sustained.
The reporter will
strike the last response.
The witness will only answer
questions asked of him.
Sorry, Judge.
Thank you, Mr. Kowalski.
You may cross-examine.
Now, Mr. Kowalski.
Are you sure that the defendant
is the man you saw
coming out of the room
that had been occupied
by the deceased?
Oh, absolutely. I'd
know him anywhere.
And the time was?
Exactly 26 minutes after 9:00.
How can you be so positive?
I looked at my watch.
You're certain that no one
refreshed your memory on that point?
They didn't have to. I told
you, I looked at my watch.
It keeps perfect time.
What time is it now?
21 minutes after 3:00.
That's right.
And you consulted
this particular watch
right after the defendant
came out of Mr. Lewis' room?
Yeah, I told you that before.
So you did.
However, I would like to know
how you got this particular
watch out of your pocket
at a time you were
carrying a broken sand jar
which must have
weighed at least 60 pounds.
Thank you, Mr. Kowalski.
No further questions.
Yes, I knew my uncle had
some trouble up in Alaska
with a man named Monty Sewel.
He told me about it once.
Didn't he also tell you that he
thought he had killed Monty Sewel?
Your Honor, I object.
Counsel is leading the witness.
Your Honor, this
is a hostile witness.
He's the nephew of the
defendant. He's refused to testify.
The objection is overruled.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Well, Mr. Scott?
Didn't your uncle tell you that he
thought he'd killed Monty Sewel?
Yes, sir.
Did he also tell you what
they quarreled about?
I don't remember.
But you do remember that when your
uncle finally returned to Los Angeles,
he was a very wealthy man. Yes.
And that he had been
partners with Monty Sewel. Yes.
And that he thought
he had killed him. Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Scott.
Your witness.
No questions.
Witness may stand down.
I tell you, Perry, they've
got to have this thing bugged.
And if they do, it's illegal.
You don't think that'd
stop Burger, do you?
Of course I think so.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Careful.
Hello?
All right, Gertie, send him in.
There. That wasn't too
incriminating, was it?
See you later.
Who is it?
Dave Kemp.
This is Miss Street,
my secretary.
Hello.
Can we have a little privacy?
Confidential secretary.
All right.
I suppose you're wondering
what I'm doing here.
I have a pretty good idea.
You want to give me some
ammunition to use against Donna Knox
when she gets on
the stand tomorrow.
You're pretty sharp.
No, it's fairly obvious. What
are you after? Revenge?
Never mind what I'm after.
I got some dope that can
blow this case sky-high.
Monty Sewel had $20,000
in cash on him before he died.
They never found it in his room.
Now, haven't you asked yourself the
question what happened to that money?
Several times.
I've also asked myself
what you were doing
at the time of Sewel's murder.
Why didn't you ask me?
I was having a couple of drinks
with Mrs. Scott at the Kelsey club.
It was business.
Nice that you can
alibi each other.
You got your lumps
coming to you, Mason.
You intend giving
them to me? No, not me.
I'm not in your league.
I'm just advising you
to talk to Donna Knox
and find out what
she did with the 20 G's.
Good night, Mr. Kemp.
He has all the warmth
and charm of a cobra.
Did you get any ideas?
Several.
I'm not going to
cross-examine Donna Knox.
I'll wait till Burger
rests his case,
then I'll put Willard Scott on the
stand as witness for the defense.
He can testify to his
uncle's incompetency.
Are things that bad?
Bad enough.
But by putting
Scott on the stand,
I may catch Burger off-guard.
After all, Scott was a
witness for the state.
All right, Mr. Burger, you
may call your next witness.
If Your Honor please,
instead of calling
Donna Knox at this time,
I should like to
recall Willard Scott.
If it please the court...
The district attorney
has concluded
his direct examination
of Mr. Scott.
That's true, Your
Honor, but I now know
that Mr. Scott is in
a position to testify
on certain other matters
pertaining to this case.
Your Honor... Were these
facts in your possession before?
No, Your Honor. I
discovered only late last night
the importance of his testimony.
Then I will permit you
to recall this witness.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Is Willard Scott in court?
Will you please take the stand?
May I remind Your Honor
that this is a hostile witness.
Now, Mr. Scott, on
July 25th of this year,
did you drive to a sanitarium
run by a Dr. Norris?
Yes, I did.
And was the defendant, Daniel
Reed, with you at that time?
Yes, sir. Would
you tell us, please,
why you took your
uncle to a sanitarium?
We...
I thought he needed help.
BURGER: What kind of help?
Well, he's not a young man and
he acted very childishly at times.
So you just decided
to have him committed?
Yes, sir.
Only his attorney, Perry Mason,
presented a writ
of habeas corpus
to Judge Treadwell,
is that correct? Yes, sir.
What was Judge
Treadwell's decision?
He granted the habeas corpus.
Which means in
effect that your uncle
is responsible for all his acts
and knows exactly what he's doing.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Scott.
Your witness.
Can you tell us, Mr. Scott,
if you believe
now that your uncle
is in complete
possession of his faculties?
No, I don't.
And as his only living relative,
you felt it your duty
to look after him.
Yes, sir.
Was it your duty to look
after his money as well?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
That never entered
your mind? No.
Then why did you have an
attorney named Richard Rice
draw up the necessary papers?
It was just something I
thought should be done.
Did your wife know
about this? Of course.
Then tell us, Mr. Scott.
If your wife did know that
you had retained Mr. Rice,
why did you permit her
to retain another attorney
by the name of George Metcalf
to draw up similar papers?
She thought Metcalf
was a better lawyer.
Yet you went to see Mr. Rice
the day after your
meeting with Metcalf,
and whereas
Mr. Metcalf's petition
provided for you and Mrs. Scott
to be joint guardians
of Daniel Reed,
you asked Mr. Rice to
make you the sole guardian.
Well, isn't that true?
Yes.
I now ask you, Mr. Scott,
what were you doing between 8:00
and 9:00 on the night of the murder?
I resent this. I'm
not on trial here.
Answer the question.
I was at home with my wife.
No, you weren't. Your
wife was at the Kelsey club
with a man named Dave
Kemp discussing business.
The manager there identified
her from her photograph.
Now, I ask you
once again, Mr. Scott,
what were you doing between 8:00
to 9:00 on the night of the murder?
I don't remember.
Then I'll tell you.
You drove over to
the Quincy Hotel,
where you killed a man by
the name of Monty Sewel.
That's ridiculous. I
didn't even know the man.
But you knew your uncle
would be accused of his murder.
And you decided if
you couldn't gain control
of Daniel Reed's money
by having him committed,
you then wanted to see
him go to the gas chamber.
No.
No, I didn't want him to
go to the gas chamber.
I just thought they'd
put him away someplace.
I wanted to get away from her.
I wanted it so bad.
You don't know what it's like
to listen to her
nagging day after day,
night after night.
Sixteen years.
Sixteen years, and
never a minute's peace.
I just wanted
to get away from
her, that's all.
I just wanted to get away.
I have no further
questions, Your Honor.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Well, it's not out
on the terrace.
It must be somewhere
in this room.
I didn't wait to be announced.
Maybe I can help.
This what you were looking for?
Cute little gadget, isn't it?
That thing will pick up both
ends of a telephone conversation,
plus anything else
that's said in the room.
Well, maybe I owe
you an explanation.
Yes, I think you do.
Well, Burger and I
knew nothing about this.
We had no idea the
place was bugged.
Who was it? Dave Kemp?
I got the story 20 minutes ago.
Kemp got in here one
night last week, planted it,
and has been feeding information
to an eager beaver
in my department
who told me that it
came from a pet stoolie.
Well, you can see
what Kemp was after.
Sure.
He wanted his license back.
Well, I don't have to tell
you that he won't get it back.
I hope you believe me, Perry.
You know I do.
Now I think you owe
me an explanation.
Who put you on to Willard Scott?
Process of elimination.
Kemp and Mrs. Scott
had alibis for each other,
Donna Knox had no motive.
She could have
taken that 20 grand.
No.
No, she must have turned
that over to the police.
Burger wouldn't have put her on
the stand if she'd been vulnerable.
You left out Millie Foster.
She had her chance at Sewel.
30 years ago in Alaska.
You mean she was
the one that shot him?
Daniel Reed was just
covering up for her.
And that brought
us to Willard Scott.
When you told Della you wanted
to call Scott as your own witness,
you were just playing
that scene for Burger.
How did he like the performance?
Loved it.
But just make sure
that you don't invite him
the next time that
you're doing a benefit.
(ALL LAUGHING)
(PHONE RINGING)
Hello?
Well, who's calling Mr. Scott?
Oh. Well, just a moment.
It's for you. Herb
Walker at the bank.
Hmm.
If he wants you to play cards
Wednesday night, you can't.
Yes, Herb?
Listen, Willard,
a woman just walked in the bank
with a check signed
by your Uncle Daniel.
It's payable to M. Lewis.
It's for $20,000.
$20,000?
There's a girl at the bank
with a check from
Uncle Daniel for $20,000.
Mr. Walker, this is Mrs. Scott.
Mmm-hmm.
Don't cash that check.
I don't care about
your legal obligations.
Just tell her there's no
money in the account.
Or better still,
tell her the truth.
Tell her Daniel Reed's
as crazy as they come.
Somebody mention my name?
Is that for me?
Thank you.
Hello? This is Daniel Reed.
Who's talking at your end?
I see. You know
something, Mr. Walker?
I don't like the way
you run your bank.
I'm afraid I'll have to move
my account elsewhere.
Now, you go ahead
and cash that check.
I always say it's nice to do
business with an old established firm.
I may be back soon.
What's keeping the girl?
Bank closed an hour ago.
Relax, Kemp.
Donna knows what she's doing.
Has she ever had her
hooks on $20,000 before?
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Trouble with you, Kemp, is
you've got a suspicious mind.
Did you have any
trouble? Not a bit.
(EXCLAIMING) Did you ever see
anything so pretty in all your life?
There's $5,000 in
each of those packages.
Hmm, that makes it
nice and convenient.
One, two, three, four, five.
That's for you.
500 bucks? Uh-huh.
You said we were
gonna split 50-50.
I guess I can't be trusted.
If you think you're
gonna double-cross me...
I wouldn't do anything
foolish, Mr. Kemp.
Hey, don't you want this?
What's he sore about?
Come here, honey. How'd I do?
Oh, you were magnificent.
You know something, sweetie?
We're going to
be on easy street.
Go on. Well, that's
all there is to it.
I just felt you people
oughta know the score
before Maury Lewis
and his girlfriend
take your uncle for
every dime they have.
Well, it... Sweetie.
Oh, I'm sorry.
And just why was Mr. Reed
paying this blackmail?
That I couldn't tell you.
Lewis only hired
me to find Mr. Reed.
Naturally, when I found out
they were gonna shake
him down, I bowed out.
Well, I certainly appreciate
you coming, Mr. Kemp.
I don't know what
we can do about this.
I do.
How is he, Doctor?
You have no need to
disturb yourself, Mr. Scott.
Your uncle's
perfectly all right.
I must say he's rather
strong for a man of his age.
And quite obviously
suffering from senile dementia.
You said he's been giving
money to absolute strangers?
Well, the other day he
gave... ARLENE: That's right.
A couple of days ago
he gave away $20,000.
Well, how did he explain it?
He couldn't.
He became absolutely
violent when I asked him.
When did you first notice
that Mr. Reed was behaving,
shall we say, childishly?
Well, it's been going along
for some time now, Doctor.
Why, for months he's lost
his temper about nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
FOSTER: Daniel Reed is the
easiest going man in the world.
I never saw him lose his
temper as long as I know him.
And that's more years than
a lady likes to remember.
So when I heard that
his nephew, Willard,
and that wife of his
railroaded Daniel
into a sanitarium,
I figured it was up to
me to do something.
Are you related to
Daniel Reed, Miss Foster?
Well, I'm his, uh...
Fiance. Is that how you say it?
Well, anyway,
we was planning
on getting hitched.
Well, why not?
I'm no spring chicken,
but Daniel and me
got a lot in common.
We can talk together.
How many young
folks can do that?
You got a point there.
Tell me, did you speak to the
doctor in charge of the sanitarium?
Yeah, but for all
the good it did me,
I could have been
talking to myself.
Oh, this Dr. Norris
is a real brain.
Any day now, I expect
he's gonna write a book.
He kept posing for
his picture on the cover.
He even smoked a pipe
that would photograph well.
Tell me, what did the doctor say
about Mr. Reed's condition?
He said that Daniel had...
Wait a minute, I've
got it written down.
He said Daniel had
"Senile dementia
"evidenced by arcus
senilis," whatever that means.
Well, what about it, Mr. Mason?
I gotta spring Daniel
out of that coop.
All right, Miss Foster,
arcus senilis, huh?
Della, we'll get out a petition
for a writ of habeas corpus.
I want to present it
to Judge Treadwell.
I'd be interested in
His Honor's opinion.
Uh, Mr. Mason?
My name is Lewis, Maury Lewis.
I'm an old friend
of Daniel Reed.
Oh?
If there's anything I
can do to spring him,
just let me know.
Well, thank you.
Thank you very much.
(PEOPLE CHATTERING)
Hello, Miss Foster.
Now, don't you worry.
Reading the return to
the writ of habeas corpus,
I understand you were the one
who arranged for your
uncle, Daniel Reed,
to enter Dr. Norris' sanitarium.
Is that correct?
Yes, Your Honor.
You see, he had exhibited certain
symptoms that led me to believe...
Are you a doctor, Mr. Scott?
No, sir.
Then let's wait for
the experts to testify.
Did you ask your uncle if he
wanted to go to a sanitarium?
No, sir. You see,
my wife and I thought
he was in no condition
to give an answer.
TREADWELL: Was he
conscious? SCOTT: Yes, sir.
And did he make any objections
to entering the sanitarium?
Well, yes.
And how was that
objection overcome?
Two male nurses carried him in.
I see.
Well, that's all.
You may step down.
May it please the court...
TREADWELL: Yes, Mr. Metcalf?
I can understand
Your Honor's desire
to question the witness himself.
I certainly don't dispute
your right to do so.
Thank you, Counselor.
However, as attorney
for Willard Scott,
I have a showing
I'd like to make.
I feel entitled
at this time to...
Your opportunity is now at hand.
May I see Daniel Reed?
He's not here, sir.
The court order reads
that he be produced.
We understand, Your Honor.
Mr. Reed is physically
unable to attend.
We have Dr. Norris present
to testify on that point.
Very well. Let him testify.
On examination, I
found Daniel Reed
to be a man of
approximately 71 years of age
and apparently suffering
from senile dementia.
He was incoherent in his
speech and violent in his actions.
Was there anything
else you noticed
at the time of your
examination of the patient?
Yes, there was a
well-defined arcus senilis
on the pupil of the right eye.
That is due to a
higher-line degeneration
of the lamellae and
cells of the cornea.
In your experience, Doctor,
just what does an
arcus senilis indicate?
In my opinion, it is indicative
of the first stages
of senile dementia.
And it was at your suggestion that
Mr. Reed was not brought into court?
It was at my positive
orders, Mr. Metcalf.
The patient in his present nervous
state would be highly excited
and I did not want
to be responsible
for the results following
an appearance here.
Thank you, Doctor.
Your witness.
Excuse me, Doctor. Did
I understand you to say
the patient was incoherent
when you first saw him?
He was. And he was
excited and angry?
Violently.
And from that you immediately
diagnosed senile dementia?
There were other
symptoms as well.
I see.
Uh,
isn't there a similar
disease called, uh,
dementia praecox?
That is hardly the
same as senile dementia.
Of course.
Of course, in the cases
of dementia praecox,
the patient usually seems
completely indifferent to his fate.
That is correct.
All right.
Let's see where that leaves us.
A man, 71, is
taken out for a drive
by a trusted nephew.
He suddenly finds
himself at your sanitarium,
where he is
dragged out of the car
by two male nurses
and taken in hand.
Yet you found him
angry and incoherent.
Now, wouldn't that state of
mind be perfectly natural?
That depends on
the circumstances.
Then if he hadn't been angry,
you would have
found him indifferent
and diagnosed his condition
as dementia praecox.
You're deliberately
distorting my testimony.
You have no right. Now, now,
Doctor, don't you get angry.
Mr. Reed did and
you said he was senile.
I've already testified that there
were other symptoms as well.
Arcus senilis, for one.
Yes, of course you did.
Now, uh...
Doctor, would you
mind describing
that particular condition
again for the court?
An arcus senilis appears
as a crescent shaped ring
in the outer periphery
of the cornea.
A crescent shaped ring.
You mean like the ring
in Judge Treadwell's eye?
Of course, an arcus senilis
is not in itself
indicative of a psychosis.
It's just a symptom to
be evaluated with others.
I appreciate that, Doctor.
In other words,
if I kicked up a row
when I was shanghaied
and you noticed
this thing in my eye,
you would have
said I was senile.
Are there any more
questions, Counselor?
No, Your Honor.
I think this examination
has gone far enough
and I'm not at all impressed
with Dr. Norris' reasons
for Mr. Reed's not
being here as ordered.
The court is forthwith going
to Dr. Norris' sanitarium
to examine the patient.
If necessary, we will retain
some reputable psychiatrist
to pass upon
Mr. Reed's condition.
Court is adjourned
until 2:00 this afternoon,
when we will reconvene
at the sanitarium.
The bailiff will
arrange transportation.
I can't understand
what's keeping them,
unless the patient
is being difficult.
He should have been down...
Where is Mr. Reed?
I don't know. He escaped.
He escaped?
He told one of the attendants
he had a sick headache at noon.
That was Walsh.
Go on.
Well, when Walsh
arrived with the aspirin,
the patient was
waiting behind the door
and he hit him over
the head with a sock.
A sock?
It had a large
bar of soap in it.
Well, how did he get
out of the building?
He switched uniforms with Walsh
and he locked Walsh in the room.
And nobody tried to
stop him on his way out?
Well, the receptionist tried to,
but he told her he
was a new laundry man
and couldn't find
the service entrance.
He'd pulled the sheets off the
bed to make his story look good.
If Your Honor please,
call it what they may,
no one can say
Mr. Reed was incompetent
in managing this affair.
I quite agree with
you, Counselor.
The writ of habeas
corpus is granted.
Your Honor...
As for you, Doctor, you'll be
ordered to appear and show cause
why you should not be found
guilty of contempt of court.
If Your Honor would
permit me to explain...
You'll have your chance, Doctor.
But, Your Honor,
believe me when I tell you
that nothing like this
ever happened before.
I think we'd better go.
I don't think you'll make Mrs.
Scott's list of favorite people.
Thank you so much, Mr. Mason.
Those thanks may
be a little premature.
Have you any idea where
Daniel Reed will go now?
Well?
Let me know the minute
you hear from him.
Holly 2-6231.
Hello? Hello, is
this you, Millie?
Daniel. Where are you?
DANIEL: I can't talk now.
But, honey, you have
nothing to worry about.
Didn't you see the papers?
I hired Perry Mason to spring
you out of that squirrel cage.
You don't have to go back.
Well, that's good to hear.
FOSTER: You sound strange.
Listen, Daniel,
Maury Lewis was in court today.
Oh. We can talk
about that later.
Meet me at our usual
place in 20 minutes.
Are you sure there's
nothing wrong?
Oh, everything's fine.
Hello.
I'll have your laundry back
on Tuesday, Mr. Lewis.
ARLENE: It's all your fault.
If you hadn't convinced the judge
that Uncle Daniel was in his right mind,
none of this would
have happened.
They would have stopped him
before he killed an innocent man.
Now, honey... Sweetie.
The man's a maniac.
And you let him go.
Now what are you
going to do about it?
I don't know, Mrs. Scott.
I'll have to talk
to my client first.
Have you any idea
where I can find Mr. Reed?
Why don't you ask Millie Foster?
Willard, sweetie, let's go.
We've got to find Uncle
Daniel a decent lawyer.
Fortunately, this city
has many able attorneys.
(DOOR CLOSING)
I don't think you'll make her
list of favorite people, either.
Whatever gave you that idea?
You know, I'm surprised Lieutenant
Tragg hasn't been hammering on our door
demanding to know where
we've hidden Daniel Reed.
He'll be around.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Hi.
MASON: No luck?
Millie Foster has
definitely skipped.
She has not been home all night.
Then she must
have gone with Reed.
But where? That's the problem.
I got hold of the
teller at Reed's bank.
A $20,000 check was made
payable to Maury Lewis.
And there's our motive.
The district attorney
will claim that
Lewis has been
blackmailing Reed.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
There's no getting around...
Yes, Gertie?
Do you want to talk
to a Dave Kemp?
Dave Kemp?
He's a private investigator.
At least, he used to be.
He lost his license
about six months ago.
Put him on, Gertie.
Hello?
Mason? Got a little tip for you.
You oughta talk to a
girl called Donna Knox.
Donna Knox? Why?
She used to be
Maury Lewis' girl.
Or so he thought.
Well, do I have to
draw you a diagram?
Hardly.
Do you happen to
know her address?
2217 Dennis Road?
Thank you very much.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Come in.
Miss Knox?
That's right.
My name is Tragg, Lieutenant
Tragg. I'm with the police.
It's all right.
I'd like to talk to you
about Maury Lewis.
Go ahead and talk.
How well did you know him?
I was his girl.
Would you happen to know why
Daniel Reed gave him $20,000?
He liked him.
I wish you'd
cooperate, Miss Knox.
I understand how you feel.
Do you, Lieutenant?
You know what it feels like when
somebody suddenly cuts out your insides?
Maury wasn't the
greatest guy in the world.
Far from it, he was a
heel, but he was mine.
Then I'm sure you'd
want his murderer
to get everything
that's coming to him.
Are you kidding? You
haven't even found him yet.
Well, I will, I promise you.
Can you promise me he'll die?
No.
Mason claims Reed was
crazy when he killed Maury.
We know Reed was perfectly
sane and we can prove it,
but we need your help.
If Maury Lewis really
meant anything to you...
Shut up.
What do you think I've been
drinking this stuff for, 'cause I like it?
They say it helps you forget.
It doesn't work for me.
Would you talk to Mr. Burger?
I'll talk to the devil
if it'll put Maury's killer
in the gas chamber.
And I wanna be there
when they drop the pellets.
Come in, Perry.
Hello, Lieutenant. This
is Perry Mason, Donna.
If it wasn't for you,
Maury would be here now.
They would have
caught that lunatic.
You're wrong, Miss Knox.
Get out of here.
Get out.
How did it go or
shouldn't I ask?
Tragg got there ahead of me.
Heard anything more from Paul?
Yes, he's getting together a
complete dossier on Daniel Reed.
He's also waiting for more word
from his contact in
Fairbanks, Alaska.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes, Gertie?
Personally?
Long distance, Reno.
Mrs. Frank Sebastian?
I don't know any Mrs...
Wait a minute.
Put her through, Gertie.
Hello?
Mr. Mason?
You know who this is?
Yes, I do. Where are you?
Miramar Hotel?
MASON: Is our friend with you?
Yeah.
I convinced him that
he oughta talk to you,
but he says he won't
go back to Los Angeles
and he won't give himself up.
Get hold of Paul right away.
Book two tickets on
the next flight to Reno.
Mrs. Sebastian, you
stay right where you are.
I'll be up to see you
in three or four hours.
Stop gulping your
food like that, Daniel.
You know what it does to you.
I always said no one can
pour coffee like you, Millie.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Daniel.
I'm not letting anyone
sneak up on me.
Mr. Mason, this is Daniel.
It's about time we met.
You're a hard man to
keep up with, Mr. Reed.
You should have
seen me when I was 60.
I'm going to arrange for you
to surrender to the authorities.
What did you say?
MASON: I want you
to give yourself up.
That's what I thought.
Coffee, gentlemen?
No, thank you.
Well.
Looks like I really got
myself into a mess, huh?
Looks like.
Who do you think
killed Maury Lewis?
Why did you give him $20,000?
He's an old friend
and he needed money.
Lewis was in court on
the day of the hearing.
He told me he'd do anything
to get you out of that sanitarium.
Well, I said he
was an old friend.
No, he wanted you out
so he could bleed you.
Now, what did he have on you?
You've gotta tell him,
Daniel. If you don't, I will.
I mean it.
Well, Lewis knew
that I was partners
with a young fellow
named Monty Sewel
30 years ago up in
Fairbanks, Alaska.
That's where I met Millie.
Go on.
Well, Sewel and
I struck it rich.
And when I say rich, I mean
we got ourselves a gold mine.
And that's no joke.
But that wasn't
enough for Sewel.
He wanted it all.
Well, sir, one night when I
was pretending to be asleep,
he tried to shoot me.
Obviously he didn't succeed.
No, I was a little
faster than we was.
Now you know that's
how it happened, Millie.
What did you do
with Sewel's body?
I buried it in the snow and I told folks
that he had to go to Seattle on business,
and then a few days later,
Millie and I cleared out of Alaska.
And nobody questioned
Sewel's disappearance?
No.
It was my disappearance
that confused them.
You see, I bought a boat
ticket in Sewel's name.
I even used his name
when I married Millie.
Then officially, you're
Mr. and Mrs. Sewel.
Millie walked out on me
during the honeymoon.
See, she got mad at me because
I wouldn't let her go to the police.
We didn't see each
other again for 30 years.
Well, that explains
almost everything.
Except how Maury
Lewis fits into the picture.
Lewis bought the old shack that
Sewel and I owned up in Alaska.
He found Sewel's body and
figured out what happened.
(KNOCK ON DOOR)
Am I intruding?
Well, it seems I'm running
into you wherever I go.
Yes, so it would seem.
We realize that this
is the state of Nevada,
but if you want us to waste
time arranging extradition...
That won't be necessary.
Mr. Reed will cooperate.
Oh, no, I won't.
We have nothing to
hide. Do we, Mr. Reed?
Okay, Lieutenant.
I guess that won't be necessary.
Take care of yourself, honey.
I'd better get ready.
What do you think?
It's amazing. Tragg
showed up right on our heels.
He also beat me to Donna Knox.
Maybe he's been
reading your mail.
Whatever they're
doing, I have a feeling
they know exactly what's
going on in our office.
And if Burger is
in on this pipeline,
I'm really going to confuse him.
Paul, I want you to call your
answering service in Los Angeles.
Have them send one of your men out
to see Della tonight at her apartment.
How about Faulkner? He'll do.
He's to tell her I'll call the office
tomorrow morning, 9:30 sharp.
She's not to pay any
attention to whatever I say,
she's just to
answer accordingly.
I got it. You're
gonna wait for Millie?
Yeah, sure.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Yes, Gertie?
Line one? Thank you.
Hello, Perry, how are you?
Yes, I heard from Paul.
Well, Tragg took Daniel
Reed back to Los Angeles
earlier this morning.
I put Millie on the same plane.
We'll be in on flight 12.
Uh, Perry, did you find out
why Mr. Reed was being
blackmailed by Maury Lewis?
Maury Lewis' real
name is Monty Sewel.
Lewis' real name
was Monty Sewel?
It doesn't seem possible.
Well, it's true.
If you'll notice, "Lewis" spelled
backwards is very much like "Sewel."
MASON: Reed and Sewel
were partners in a gold claim
near Fairbanks, Alaska.
Sewel was cheated out of
his share of the claim by Reed.
What do you know?
Of course, I don't have to tell you
not to breathe a word of this to anyone.
If it gets out,
Reed will go right
to the gas chamber.
Don't worry, Perry, I'll
be as silent as the grave.
Good girl.
We'll be in the
office around 6:00.
Well,
that ought to keep Burger
going around in circles.
That was my intention. Come on.
Perry.
What a nice surprise.
What's the trouble?
Did you make up that
story about Monty Sewel
and Maury Lewis
being the same person?
Why?
Because they are. It's
true. Every Last word of it.
Burger checked it out
and Sewel is Lewis.
Or was Lewis. You
know what I mean.
The Alaskan police made positive
identification from his fingerprints.
He served six months
for assault in 1927.
It isn't possible.
I was right there
when you made it up.
I recall one part of
my story in particular.
I said, "If it ever gets out,
"Reed will go right
to the gas chamber."
Come on.
Hiya, Counselor.
How are you, Daniel?
Couldn't be better. Sit down.
Preliminary hearing
starts tomorrow.
That's what Millie told me.
Oh, I had lots of
company this morning.
First Millie and then my
nephew, Willard and his wife.
What did they want?
They recommended
another lawyer named Metcalf.
Mr. Metcalf thought I could
get off by claiming insanity.
I told them the only
time my head was addled
was when I went
to live with them.
Metcalf's a good lawyer.
Well, like the fellow said to the
dealer when he got himself a royal flush,
"I like what I got now."
And I like you.
But that doesn't
alter the situation.
We're in a jam.
I know. It's my fault.
Yes, it is.
Why didn't you tell me
Maury Lewis and Monty Sewel
were one and the same?
I just thought it would
create problems.
What have we got now?
Did you actually think you
killed Sewel 30 years ago?
I did.
Till three months ago, when
he and that gal showed up.
Donna Knox?
Yes. Monty always did
fine with the womenfolk.
Did...
Did he do fine with Millie?
You've got to understand
that 30 years ago
Millie was a
beautiful young girl.
Lots of fellows were
interested in her.
Was Millie present the
night you tried to kill Sewel?
No.
Did Sewel ever tell you what
happened to him after you shot him?
Yeah, some Indian trappers found
him and nursed him back to health.
He only lost a couple
of toes from frostbite.
I know it sounds awful
complicated, Mr. Mason.
Daniel.
As far as the district
attorney is concerned,
our only hope is to make
it even more complicated.
The, uh, telephone in the room
had been used at
24 minutes after 9:00.
How do you know
that, Lieutenant?
Well, I talked to the
switchboard operator.
And what number was
called from Mr. Lewis' room?
Holly 2-6231.
And in whose name
is that number listed?
Millie Foster.
BURGER: And did you
subsequently meet this Millie Foster?
Yes, sir, when we arrested
the defendant in Reno.
She had rented the hotel room
in which Mr. Reed was hiding.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
Cross-examine.
Now, Lieutenant,
how did you discover
that Maury Lewis and Monty Sewel
were one and the same person?
Well, we had reason to
believe that the deceased
had at one time been living
near Fairbanks, Alaska,
and we checked
with police there.
Did you check on Mr. Sewel's
movements after he left Alaska?
Yes, I did.
He bought a boat
ticket to Seattle,
where he married Millie Foster.
Where did Mr. Sewel
go upon leaving Seattle?
Oh, well, he
traveled quite a bit,
and his last stop before
he came to Los Angeles
was Phoenix, and he lived
at the Waverly.
Waverly Hotel there
for about six months.
And knowing how thorough you are,
Lieutenant, I'm sure you must have talked
with the manager at that hotel.
Oh, yes, sir.
Did he describe
Mr. Sewel for you?
Yes.
Would you please oblige us
with a report of that conversation?
Well, I asked him what
Mr. Sewel looked like
and he said Mr. Sewel
was a man in his late 60s,
about 5'5".
Weighed around 140 pounds.
Yet we know the victim
was in his early 50s,
almost 6 feet tall and
weighed close to 180.
Yes, sir.
Seems to me, Lieutenant,
that the description you just gave
fits the defendant, Mr. Reed,
far better than it
does the victim.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Lieutenant.
That will be all.
You may stand down.
I call Victor Kowalski
to the stand, please.
Well, sir, I was carting away
a sand jar on the fifth floor.
Some wise guy broke it.
You see, there's a sand jar
on every floor right
near the elevator.
Yes, I'm sure I understand.
We have the picture
very clearly, Mr. Kowalski.
You were carrying
a broken sand jar
down the corridor
of the fifth floor.
What happened then?
Well, the door to
Mr. Lewis' room opened,
and some guy came out in a white
uniform carrying a load of laundry.
Is that man in the
courtroom now?
Yes, sir.
Him.
Let the record show
that the witness is pointing
at Daniel Reed, the defendant.
Do you know what time this was?
Yes, sir. It was exactly
26 minutes after 9:00.
Twenty-six minutes after 9:00?
But didn't you hear
the doctor testify
that Mr. Lewis died
between 8:00 and 9:00?
Yeah. Well, I figured out
that Mr. Reed said that,
about the laundry, you know,
to make me think
Mr. Lewis was still alive.
I object, Your Honor. The
answer is not responsive.
The district attorney
merely asked the witness
if he heard the
doctor's testimony.
The objection is sustained.
The reporter will
strike the last response.
The witness will only answer
questions asked of him.
Sorry, Judge.
Thank you, Mr. Kowalski.
You may cross-examine.
Now, Mr. Kowalski.
Are you sure that the defendant
is the man you saw
coming out of the room
that had been occupied
by the deceased?
Oh, absolutely. I'd
know him anywhere.
And the time was?
Exactly 26 minutes after 9:00.
How can you be so positive?
I looked at my watch.
You're certain that no one
refreshed your memory on that point?
They didn't have to. I told
you, I looked at my watch.
It keeps perfect time.
What time is it now?
21 minutes after 3:00.
That's right.
And you consulted
this particular watch
right after the defendant
came out of Mr. Lewis' room?
Yeah, I told you that before.
So you did.
However, I would like to know
how you got this particular
watch out of your pocket
at a time you were
carrying a broken sand jar
which must have
weighed at least 60 pounds.
Thank you, Mr. Kowalski.
No further questions.
Yes, I knew my uncle had
some trouble up in Alaska
with a man named Monty Sewel.
He told me about it once.
Didn't he also tell you that he
thought he had killed Monty Sewel?
Your Honor, I object.
Counsel is leading the witness.
Your Honor, this
is a hostile witness.
He's the nephew of the
defendant. He's refused to testify.
The objection is overruled.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Well, Mr. Scott?
Didn't your uncle tell you that he
thought he'd killed Monty Sewel?
Yes, sir.
Did he also tell you what
they quarreled about?
I don't remember.
But you do remember that when your
uncle finally returned to Los Angeles,
he was a very wealthy man. Yes.
And that he had been
partners with Monty Sewel. Yes.
And that he thought
he had killed him. Yes.
Thank you, Mr. Scott.
Your witness.
No questions.
Witness may stand down.
I tell you, Perry, they've
got to have this thing bugged.
And if they do, it's illegal.
You don't think that'd
stop Burger, do you?
Of course I think so.
(INTERCOM BUZZING)
Careful.
Hello?
All right, Gertie, send him in.
There. That wasn't too
incriminating, was it?
See you later.
Who is it?
Dave Kemp.
This is Miss Street,
my secretary.
Hello.
Can we have a little privacy?
Confidential secretary.
All right.
I suppose you're wondering
what I'm doing here.
I have a pretty good idea.
You want to give me some
ammunition to use against Donna Knox
when she gets on
the stand tomorrow.
You're pretty sharp.
No, it's fairly obvious. What
are you after? Revenge?
Never mind what I'm after.
I got some dope that can
blow this case sky-high.
Monty Sewel had $20,000
in cash on him before he died.
They never found it in his room.
Now, haven't you asked yourself the
question what happened to that money?
Several times.
I've also asked myself
what you were doing
at the time of Sewel's murder.
Why didn't you ask me?
I was having a couple of drinks
with Mrs. Scott at the Kelsey club.
It was business.
Nice that you can
alibi each other.
You got your lumps
coming to you, Mason.
You intend giving
them to me? No, not me.
I'm not in your league.
I'm just advising you
to talk to Donna Knox
and find out what
she did with the 20 G's.
Good night, Mr. Kemp.
He has all the warmth
and charm of a cobra.
Did you get any ideas?
Several.
I'm not going to
cross-examine Donna Knox.
I'll wait till Burger
rests his case,
then I'll put Willard Scott on the
stand as witness for the defense.
He can testify to his
uncle's incompetency.
Are things that bad?
Bad enough.
But by putting
Scott on the stand,
I may catch Burger off-guard.
After all, Scott was a
witness for the state.
All right, Mr. Burger, you
may call your next witness.
If Your Honor please,
instead of calling
Donna Knox at this time,
I should like to
recall Willard Scott.
If it please the court...
The district attorney
has concluded
his direct examination
of Mr. Scott.
That's true, Your
Honor, but I now know
that Mr. Scott is in
a position to testify
on certain other matters
pertaining to this case.
Your Honor... Were these
facts in your possession before?
No, Your Honor. I
discovered only late last night
the importance of his testimony.
Then I will permit you
to recall this witness.
Thank you, Your Honor.
Is Willard Scott in court?
Will you please take the stand?
May I remind Your Honor
that this is a hostile witness.
Now, Mr. Scott, on
July 25th of this year,
did you drive to a sanitarium
run by a Dr. Norris?
Yes, I did.
And was the defendant, Daniel
Reed, with you at that time?
Yes, sir. Would
you tell us, please,
why you took your
uncle to a sanitarium?
We...
I thought he needed help.
BURGER: What kind of help?
Well, he's not a young man and
he acted very childishly at times.
So you just decided
to have him committed?
Yes, sir.
Only his attorney, Perry Mason,
presented a writ
of habeas corpus
to Judge Treadwell,
is that correct? Yes, sir.
What was Judge
Treadwell's decision?
He granted the habeas corpus.
Which means in
effect that your uncle
is responsible for all his acts
and knows exactly what he's doing.
Yes, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Scott.
Your witness.
Can you tell us, Mr. Scott,
if you believe
now that your uncle
is in complete
possession of his faculties?
No, I don't.
And as his only living relative,
you felt it your duty
to look after him.
Yes, sir.
Was it your duty to look
after his money as well?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
That never entered
your mind? No.
Then why did you have an
attorney named Richard Rice
draw up the necessary papers?
It was just something I
thought should be done.
Did your wife know
about this? Of course.
Then tell us, Mr. Scott.
If your wife did know that
you had retained Mr. Rice,
why did you permit her
to retain another attorney
by the name of George Metcalf
to draw up similar papers?
She thought Metcalf
was a better lawyer.
Yet you went to see Mr. Rice
the day after your
meeting with Metcalf,
and whereas
Mr. Metcalf's petition
provided for you and Mrs. Scott
to be joint guardians
of Daniel Reed,
you asked Mr. Rice to
make you the sole guardian.
Well, isn't that true?
Yes.
I now ask you, Mr. Scott,
what were you doing between 8:00
and 9:00 on the night of the murder?
I resent this. I'm
not on trial here.
Answer the question.
I was at home with my wife.
No, you weren't. Your
wife was at the Kelsey club
with a man named Dave
Kemp discussing business.
The manager there identified
her from her photograph.
Now, I ask you
once again, Mr. Scott,
what were you doing between 8:00
to 9:00 on the night of the murder?
I don't remember.
Then I'll tell you.
You drove over to
the Quincy Hotel,
where you killed a man by
the name of Monty Sewel.
That's ridiculous. I
didn't even know the man.
But you knew your uncle
would be accused of his murder.
And you decided if
you couldn't gain control
of Daniel Reed's money
by having him committed,
you then wanted to see
him go to the gas chamber.
No.
No, I didn't want him to
go to the gas chamber.
I just thought they'd
put him away someplace.
I wanted to get away from her.
I wanted it so bad.
You don't know what it's like
to listen to her
nagging day after day,
night after night.
Sixteen years.
Sixteen years, and
never a minute's peace.
I just wanted
to get away from
her, that's all.
I just wanted to get away.
I have no further
questions, Your Honor.
(CLEARING THROAT)
Well, it's not out
on the terrace.
It must be somewhere
in this room.
I didn't wait to be announced.
Maybe I can help.
This what you were looking for?
Cute little gadget, isn't it?
That thing will pick up both
ends of a telephone conversation,
plus anything else
that's said in the room.
Well, maybe I owe
you an explanation.
Yes, I think you do.
Well, Burger and I
knew nothing about this.
We had no idea the
place was bugged.
Who was it? Dave Kemp?
I got the story 20 minutes ago.
Kemp got in here one
night last week, planted it,
and has been feeding information
to an eager beaver
in my department
who told me that it
came from a pet stoolie.
Well, you can see
what Kemp was after.
Sure.
He wanted his license back.
Well, I don't have to tell
you that he won't get it back.
I hope you believe me, Perry.
You know I do.
Now I think you owe
me an explanation.
Who put you on to Willard Scott?
Process of elimination.
Kemp and Mrs. Scott
had alibis for each other,
Donna Knox had no motive.
She could have
taken that 20 grand.
No.
No, she must have turned
that over to the police.
Burger wouldn't have put her on
the stand if she'd been vulnerable.
You left out Millie Foster.
She had her chance at Sewel.
30 years ago in Alaska.
You mean she was
the one that shot him?
Daniel Reed was just
covering up for her.
And that brought
us to Willard Scott.
When you told Della you wanted
to call Scott as your own witness,
you were just playing
that scene for Burger.
How did he like the performance?
Loved it.
But just make sure
that you don't invite him
the next time that
you're doing a benefit.
(ALL LAUGHING)