Perry Mason (1957–1966): Season 3, Episode 23 - The Case of the Slandered Submarine - full transcript

Hello, Jim.

How's Naval Research?

What're you doing back
on the old submarine?

I'm the project officer.

We're moving out on the
Alpha Electronic test tomorrow.

What is it, Jerry?

One of my boys in trouble
with Naval Intelligence?

Still your "boys"
after three months.

You heard about the murder
of the café entertainer?

Well, the police
want our cooperation.

Sergeant Cole will be
aboard at 3 to talk to the crew.



What makes them think one
of my boys might be involved?

None of them wear glasses.

Well, the crushed lens
found in the murder room

was a plain-colored sunglass.

No corrective values whatsoever.

The police believe the glasses

may have been
used as a disguise.

The sailor seen leaving
the premises after the murder

could have been a civilian
using a uniform as a disguise too.

According to the police, there
was a Navy man in her life.

This is a pretty big Navy.

And I understand that
girl knew a sailor or two.

I'm sorry, Jim, but
there's reason to believe

that this sailor may be a
member of the Moray's crew.



Hey, Chapman,
meet Johnny Larkin.

Brown's replacement. Hi.

Hi.

Well, now. What have we here?

"To Brownie. Always, Dolores."

Not that I wanna
hitch in sick bay,

but I sure wouldn't
mind replacing Brown

in this department.

It would've been no sweat.

What do you mean,
"would've been"?

Is she out of
circulation, chief?

Permanently.

Someone tied a knot
around her neck...

with a nylon stocking.

Well, uh, any of you fellas
ever make any time with her?

Not me.

I was outmanned
before I came on deck.

Well, nobody's admitting it now,

you know, what with
her murder and all,

but, uh, you could say

I was a close friend.

Come on, Larkin,
I'll show you around.

I'll see you later, fellas.

Page can smell an
inferior piece of equipment

without setting a
foot in the plant.

I know. I served
with him for six years.

Hansford,

I intend to get that contract.

Oh, let's face it, Gordon,

our system can't
compete with Devco's.

It simply will not stand a
temperature rise of 10 degrees.

And Page won't let up
long enough to let it cool off.

I'm only interested
in the end result.

You know that Page and I
barely tolerate each other

since he married Vivian.

Nevertheless, you'll be
aboard the Moray with us

when she leaves
tomorrow morning.

Yes?

Commander Page to
see you, Mr. Russell.

Have him come in. Yes, sir.

How are you, commander?

Hello, Mr. Russell.
You know Hansford.

Hello, Lou.

Won't you sit down?

What did you think of
the gadget, commander?

I'd rather reserve my opinion
until I've had an opportunity

of seeing the
entire unit in action.

Hm. I'm sure you won't mind
answering a few questions.

After all, I do know the Devco
test showed great promise.

Mr. Russell, I'd like to know

how you found
out that information.

Come, come, Page.

If Alpha Electronics is
going to remain in business,

I must know what the
competition's doing.

Now, look, commander,

I've spent a lot of money in
the development of this device,

and I'm prepared to spend more.

Russell,

you know better than to
try to buy a favorable report.

Commander.

I suggest you
speak to your wife.

Darling.

Vivian, what connection is there

between you and
Alpha Electronics?

I own it.

It's one of several plants
that I recently acquired.

Well, why didn't you tell me?

You know I'm testing
their equipment.

The Navy could take a dim
view of a contract awarded,

on my recommendation,
to my father-in-law.

Oh, Jim. Alpha Electronics

wasn't purchased
with the intention

of trading on our relationship.

It happens to be the hub

of a projected $300
million enterprise.

And I suppose you only
learned about it this morning.

Dad did tell me about
it three weeks ago.

That was just after the
conclusion of the Devco tests.

So Russell had no difficulty
in obtaining his information.

The reason I didn't
mention Alpha Electronics

was to avoid influencing
any of your decisions.

Oh, Jim, you must believe me.

If you have any doubts, I
suggest you disqualify yourself.

Yes,

it would be easier with me
out of the way, wouldn't it?

The test will take
place as scheduled,

but I'm gonna request
an investigation.

Whom are we impressing?

Uh, Mr. Anthony M. Beldon.

The, uh, M stands for "money."

Anyway the office
needed tidying up.

Well, we certainly
mustn't keep him waiting.

No, no.

Mr. Beldon, will you
come in? Thank you.

Mason. How do you do?

Mr. Beldon, won't you
sit down? Thank you.

Mr. Mason, I understand that
you are the only man in California

with the necessary
qualifications

for the legal action
that I have in mind.

What legal action, Mr. Beldon?

To institute a suit against
the United States Navy.

Can I do it?

Common law holds
that a government body

is immune to suit,
providing its activities remain

within the strict purviews
of governmental affairs.

However, if you
have valid justification,

you may seek redress.

Will $5,000 be
sufficient as a retainer?

I assume you do have
such, eh, justification?

Mr. Mason, I didn't come
here to be cross-examined.

I came here to
retain an attorney.

You haven't
answered my question.

Aren't you interested in my fee?

Mr. Beldon, I suppose
you're accustomed

to owning what you pay for,

but this entitles you only
to my services as counsel.

And your attitude
has virtually eliminated

my inclination and availability.

Well, I'll get a
run for my money,

if you're half as
tough with the Navy.

The Navy has never knowingly
refused to rectify an injustice.

Mr. Mason,

a device manufactured
by Alpha Electronics,

one of my subsidiaries,

will be tested aboard the
submarine U.S.S. Moray

at Terminal Island.

I have reason to
believe those tests

will not be judged
with impartiality.

Why won't they?

Commander Page, who's
in charge of the tests,

happens to be my son-in-law.

Now, he's convinced that Vivian,

my daughter, and I are engaged
in some sort of a conspiracy.

And you want Page relieved
of this particular command?

Yes.

Will you accept my retainer?

Oh, we'll hold it, Mr. Beldon.

However, I would like to
talk to Commander Page first.

All right. The Moray
will be making a test run

with our device at
6:00 in the morning.

She should be back
in the harbor by 9.

I'll be there. Good.

Anthony M. Beldon?
Well, is he a client?

I won't know that until
I get to Terminal Island

tomorrow morning at 9:00.

I'll pick you up at 6:30.

Sir.

Oh, come in, chief.

I, uh... I didn't know

you were using the
captain's quarters, sir.

Oh, Commander Stewart thought
I might be more at home here.

So you will, sir.
Just like old times.

Can I help?

Oh, I cut it on
a sliver of glass

when we started to
inventory Brown's gear.

You know if Brown was
acquainted with that murdered girl?

Well, sir, they...
They were friends.

But those shoes
belong to Chapman.

His locker is right
next to Brown's,

and I opened it by mistake.

Well, let's not convict
him on suspicion.

These slivers of glass
don't prove that Chapman

put that nylon stocking
around that dead girl's neck.

Sir, it's only that the police
were questioning us yesterday

about that crushed lens
they found next to her body.

I'll check it, chief.

In the meantime, I don't
want any idle speculations.

Aye, aye, sir.

Oh, welcome aboard, gentlemen.

I'm sure you can use the
captain's quarters to change.

Thanks. Where's Mr. Beldon?

In the control room.

They're uncrating
the basic unit.

Beldon? What's
Beldon doing aboard?

He's an official of
Alpha Electronics.

As a matter of fact, he owns it.

Or did Vivian
forget to tell you?

Lou, there was a time when
we were very good friends.

How could you have
stolen Vivian from me

if you hadn't have
been my best friend?

Please see that these gentlemen

get every assistance they need.

Still carrying the torch, hm?

Can't you forget Page is
the man who married her?

Matt, please call me when
they're ready for the test.

Hansford said it would
be at least an hour.

That means two.

Hey, is it chilly in
here, or is it me?

Probably due to
your lack of sleep.

Why don't you get some shuteye?

Thanks, Matt, but
there's still that little matter

of Chapman's shoes, remember?

I'll talk it over
with you later, Jim.

You've known these
boys longer than I have.

All right, Matt.

Commander. We're all ready, sir.

Sir?

Commander Pa...?

I object to this indignity.

The Navy has no
jurisdiction over us.

Your protest and
lack of cooperation

will be duly noted, Mr. Beldon.

Chapman's shoes
are not in this bag, sir.

And there's no sign of
Commander Page's letter.

Well, if there's no further
reason for detaining us...

You may leave.

However, you will hold
yourselves available

for the inquest.

Matt, are you sure that
Jim didn't mail that letter

asking for an investigation
into Beldon's activities?

He told me he'd
deliver it personally

right after the test run.

That's when he gave me
the carbon copy for my files.

We've checked everything,
including the torpedo tubes.

There's no trace of
Chapman's shoes.

They might have been
disposed of at sea.

Matt, I want all personnel
restricted to the ship.

No liberty for anyone until
I've questioned Chapman.

Yes, sir. Wait right here, sir.

The Moray, huh?

That sub made the
headlines three weeks ago.

Her crew was questioned
about the strangling

of a girl here in Long
Beach. The case is still open.

A Mr. Perry Mason and Mr. Drake
to see Commander Page, sir.

Perry Mason, the attorney?

His office called Jim last
night for the appointment.

Take Chapman to my office as
soon as the ambulance moves out.

You'd better go
along with 'em, chief.

Aye, aye, sir.

Mr. Mason. Mr. Drake.
I'm Commander Burke

of Naval Intelligence.
Commander.

Would you mind
telling me the purpose

of your appointment
with Commander Page?

I'm sorry, but I can't divulge
that information at the moment.

Perhaps Commander Page
might be willing to enlighten you.

I'm afraid the answer will have
to come from you, Mr. Mason.

Commander Page is dead.

Some question about his death?

No question.

It was murder.

It wasn't necessary to
return this check, Mr. Mason.

The manner in which
your son-in-law died,

and the fact that you
withheld certain information,

would have made your retainer
unacceptable in any event.

Mr. Mason, are you
suggesting that my father

may have had something to
do with my husband's death?

No. But your husband died
believing you'd betrayed him.

He'd accused you of revealing

certain information
to Mr. Russell.

And I don't think you would
have enjoyed the spotlight

of a Naval investigation.

I won't even bother
denying such nonsense.

Commander Burke
was under the impression

that I'd been retained to defend
you against that nonsense.

Excuse me.

Hello.

Yes, just a minute.

It's your secretary.

Yes, Della.

Perry, I've been trying to
reach you for over an hour.

Well, there was a man
that called from San Pedro

who refused to identify himself.

He seemed very
insistent about seeing you.

So when he mentioned the Moray

I told him you might
be at Page's home.

Thanks. I haven't
heard from him.

I'll talk to you later.

Mr. Mason, you seem
to have the impression

that my father...

The Navy is holding
Robert Chapman

for the murder of my husband.

A man we don't even know.

Your husband was murdered
at a time he was about to test

the Alpha Electronic device.

Your father was
aboard at that time.

Perry, I can't understand why
you got so involved in there.

I thought all you wanted
to do was return his check.

I wonder on what evidence

the Navy's holding
this man Chapman.

What's this?

"Would you be interested in
representing Robert Chapman?"

Any signature?

No.

Could be Della's
unidentified caller.

Oh. These bills are new

and numbered consecutively.

Mr. Anonymous may have
left his name in some bank.

Mm-hm. And someone
might be able to identify

the handwriting on that note.

I'll start with Robert Chapman.

The handwriting looks familiar,

but I just can't
seem to place it.

Mr. Mason, I'm going to be
tried by a Navy court-martial.

Even though the
Navy has appointed

a qualified officer
to defend you,

you're also allowed to
retain individual counsel.

What's the use? I
can't pay you anyway.

Someone else is
willing to do that.

There was $5,000
enclosed with that note.

Five thousand...

I must be crazy. She couldn't
have written this, she's dead.

You mean Dolores
couldn't have written it?

According to Commander Burke,
you denied knowing Dolores,

but the glass particles
in your missing shoes

indicated you were there
the night she was murdered.

Oh, I knew her.

Maybe not as well as
some of the others did,

but then, I was
only her husband.

When the police uncover
that fact, if they haven't already,

they may assume you
concealed your marriage

to avoid implicating yourself.

Dolores asked me not to tell.

Besides, who was I
going to tell anyway?

The guys she was
running around with?

You just don't brag
about that kind of wife.

How long were you married?

Less than six months.

I thought it would work
out after she promised

to quit the Aloha, that's
the bar where she worked,

and go to live with my
parents in Kansas City.

I bought her a whole new outfit.

Dresses, lingerie, shoes...

Stockings?

Three pair.

She was strangled
with one of them.

It all adds up,
doesn't it, Mr. Mason?

I had to kill Commander
Page to prevent him

from discovering I'd
murdered Dolores.

Did you?

No, sir, I didn't.

What made Dolores
change her mind

about going to live
with your parents?

Five thousand dollars.

She showed it to me
later on that same night

before she was... murdered.

I went back to the
house hoping I could

talk her into
returning the money.

Why didn't you
report the murder?

Well, I didn't know
she was dead that night.

I didn't go in the house.

The door was locked.
I knocked... Knocked?

You certainly must have
had a key to your own house.

I'd thrown my key away.

Well, if you decide you want it,
just call Ernest Pritchard, huh?

Having trouble?

Yeah, everybody wants to
know where her body was found.

I-it's like trying to
lease the morgue.

My name is Mason. I'm
Robert Chapman's attorney.

Oh. He's a... He's a nice kid.

I'm glad he got a lawyer.

Were you here when they
discovered Delores Chapman?

Yeah. I was the one
that found her body.

You know, the minute I
got here the next morning,

I knew something was wrong.

That... That sign was
trampled down into the lawn.

You know, Chapman must
have run from the house

like a drunk or a
blind man that night.

He said he didn't
enter the house.

Well, then how did his
shoes pick up that glass?

That's... That's what you
were looking for, wasn't it?

The only glass I saw

was that crushed lens

near her body.

Uh, that mat. Yeah?

Was that here the
night of the murder?

Oh, yeah, that's
where it always is.

I-I was just using it
to prop the door back.

But the police examined it,
and they didn't find anything.

That mat is smaller
than the outline.

Hm?

It's that Hazelton
woman next door.

She's always trading
things. This is her mat.

She's got Chapman's here.

Eh.

There you are.

So Chapman was
telling the truth.

He didn't go inside the house.

How come you're so
interested in this crime, Mason?

The theory is that both crimes

were committed
by the same person.

This may tell us
who that person is.

Thank you, Mr. Pritchard.

Hi, Perry.

How long have you been here?

Long enough to learn
that the bartender's name

is Julio Remarto, and
that he's Dolores' uncle.

That's why her picture's
still hanging there.

He refuses to take it down

until the man who
murdered Dolores is dead.

How about the money?

Pick up anything on it?

This $5,000 was withdrawn
from the Long Beach State Bank

three weeks ago
by Alpha Electronics.

Dolores had $5,000 the
day she was murdered.

And that was three weeks ago.

Yeah. And that's about the time
Beldon, Hansford, and Russell,

the brass at Alpha Electronics,

tried to pick up the
Devco test results.

They get that
information from Dolores?

Well, they bought
something with that 5,000,

and I don't think it
was entertainment.

And Russell. He's the
guy who invented angles.

He never misses.

What about Hansford?

He's their chief engineer.

And if you're thinking in terms
of a suspect for Page's murder,

he fits. He was formerly
Vivian Page's boyfriend.

He's hated Page ever since
the day they were married.

And, uh, Beldon?

Well, his activities are
spread all over the country.

Oil, chemicals, electronics.

He bought into Alpha Electronics
only when he couldn't buy Devco.

Quite an assortment.

Paul, I want them
covered from now on.

All right.

We also need a
detailed breakdown

on the chemical composition

and optical
properties of this glass.

This piece should be big
enough for the purpose.

Mr. Mason,

we spend hundreds of
thousands of dollars each year.

I don't see how you
expect us to remember

a $5,000 expenditure.

I'm sure Alpha Electronics
keeps at least one set of books.

I resent your insinuation.

If Commander Page had
accepted Mr. Russell's offer,

what sort of entry would
have been made for bribery?

I don't believe
this involves me.

I had nothing to do
with bribing Page.

Murder is more
important than bribery.

You were present on the
Moray. I suggest you remain.

I would still like to know
how Alpha Electronics

spent this $5,000.

I fail to see how that money
affects your client's case.

His wife, Dolores, had $5,000
just before she was murdered.

That doesn't prove it
was the same money

we drew from our bank.

Just what are you
alluding to now?

The matter of how you
obtained the Devco test results.

Della, may I have the
manual for courts-martial?

I'll get it. I'll
bring it right in.

Hi, Perry. Paul.

Here's the report on Messrs.
Beldon, Hansford and Russell.

It's not very much.

What about the glass
found at the Chapman place?

Uh, the lab's still working
on the optical properties,

however, an analysis of
the chemical composition

proved that those
particles are not plain glass.

Yes, Gertie. Oh, put him on.

It's Commander Reynolds,
the appointed defense counsel.

Hello, Commander.

June 1st.

Thank you.

Right.

Thanks again.

Well, they've just referred the
charge against Robert Chapman

to trial by general
court-martial.

They must have the evidence.

Well, that doesn't
necessarily mean he's guilty.

What Paul means is
they don't try a man

by general court-martial
unless they have

substantial
evidence against him.

Well, maybe there are some
facts that the Navy doesn't know.

Della, the only thing the
Navy might not know about

is what the Army's doing.

Oh.

Yes, Gertie. Put him on.

Just a moment, please.

It's the man from San
Pedro. I recognize his voice.

Hello.

No, there are no
additional funds required

for Chapman's defense.
But who are you?

Mr. Anonymous?

Perry, I don't know
if it would help or not,

but each time that man called

there was Hawaiian
music being played.

The jukebox at the Aloha Café.

Paul, there were quite a number

of the Moray's crew at
that place, weren't there?

Sure. It's their hangout.
But don't forget,

when the money
was put in your car,

the entire crew was restricted.

Except for Chief Scott.

He was in Burke's
office when we arrived.

He left right after
making his statement.

Della...

Call the Aloha Café at San
Pedro and ask for Chief Scott.

Right.

Hello. Aloha Café.

Just a minute, miss.

Chief.

It's for you. Who is it?

I don't know, but
she sounds nice.

Oh, these dames. They
just won't let me alone.

Hello.

Oh, I'm sorry, I don't
recognize your voice,

but if you wanna come
down here to the Aloha,

I'll buy you a drink.

Chief Scott is the
man who called here.

I'll be on my way. Call
Commander Reynolds,

tell him to meet me
at the Aloha Café.

See you later, Paul.

All right, sir, I put that
money in Mr. Mason's car.

Is that a crime,
to help someone?

Possession of that
money could be a crime.

That money came
from Alpha Electronics,

and we have reason to
believe that it was used

to buy the results
of the Devco test.

I didn't sell them anything.

That $5,000 was a down payment

for a half interest
in the Aloha.

We were gonna buy it from Julio.

Who's the "we"?

Who was buying the
other half interest?

Dolores Chapman.

She was the main
attraction in the place.

Having her as a partner
would have been good business.

When did she, uh, give
you that down payment?

A few hours before
she was killed.

I've kept the money in a
safe deposit box ever since.

I... I didn't know
what to do with it.

Until Chapman was arrested.

Why did you use

this, uh, anonymous
method of helping him?

I just didn't wanna
get involved, that's all.

Then when I heard that Chapman
was married to Dolores, I...

I wanted to return the money.

I thought he'd need it.

Violation of the Uniform Code
of Military Justice, Article 118.

Specification: In that
Robert Samuel Chapman,

Machinist Mate Second
Class, United States Navy,

did onboard the U.S.S.
Moray on May 14th,

with premeditation,

murder James Edward Page,
Commander, United States Navy,

by means of stabbing
him with a screwdriver.

The charge was served on
the accused by me on May 20th.

Before making your plea you
are advised that any motion

to dismiss any charge
or to grant any relief

should be made at this time.

Robert Chapman,
how do you plead?

The defense has no
motions to be made.

The accused, Robert
Chapman, pleads,

to the specifications
and charge:

not guilty.

Trial counsel may proceed.

The prosecution has
no opening statement.

We call as a witness
Commander Jerome Burke.

State your full name,
rank, organization,

station and armed force.

Jerome Burke, Commander,

Naval Intelligence,
11th Naval District,

United States Navy.

Do you know the accused?

I do.

Commander Burke, on
the afternoon of May 14th

you took the
accused into custody?

Yes, sir. He was arrested

for the theft of a
pair of his own shoes,

which had been in the
possession of Commander Page.

Go on, commander.

The heels of the shoes
contained glass particles.

A crushed glass lens had been
found at the scene of a murder.

What murder was that?

The murder of Dolores Chapman,

the defendant's wife.

Now, it seems the trial
counsel is inquiring into matters

not specifically connected
with the matter at hand.

Mr. Mason, do you
have an objection?

Defense has no objection.

You may proceed, sir.

I will now go to the
morning of May 14th.

What transpired on that
morning, commander?

I received a message
from the U.S.S. Moray

informing me of
Commander Page's death.

I found his body on his back,

the plastic handle
of a screwdriver

protruding from his chest.

I show you this screwdriver,

prosecution exhibit number two,

the murder weapon, and
ask if you can identify it.

Yes. It's one of a set
belonging to Chapman.

His initials are on it.

And was this tested
for fingerprints?

It was.

Most of the prints were smudged,

however, there was one
identifiable thumbprint.

The defendant's, Robert Chapman.

Thank you.

The prosecution has no
further questions of this witness.

Commander Burke, you
stated that a glass lens,

which had been crushed,
was found at the scene

of Dolores Chapman's murder.

That's right.

Was that, uh, lens
examined for optical qualities?

It was. According to the police,

it was not a prescription lens.

It was simply the
smoke-colored lens of a sunglass.

Now, commander, you testified
that the screwdriver in question

belonged to Robert Chapman.

Isn't it true that
tools, when in use,

were available to other
members of the crew?

As a matter of fact,
to anybody present?

Well, yes. Yes.

Now, along with Robert
Chapman's shoes,

a letter, written by
Commander Page,

disappeared from
his compartment.

Did that letter make any
reference to the defendant?

No.

Then there were two thefts,

one of which had no
bearing on the accused?

That is correct.

To whom did the letter refer?

It referred to the
people connected

with Alpha Electronics.

In what way?

It contained a request for a
Naval Board of Investigation.

The court has a question
to ask trial counsel.

Does the prosecution
intend to introduce

the letter in question
at a later time?

No. Defense has
stipulated as to the letter,

after being made
aware of its contents.

Since the letter will
serve no purpose

in the prosecution's case,

it has been forwarded
to Admiral Lansing

for such measures as
he may deem necessary.

Defense counsel may continue.

Commander Burke, have
you been able to establish

that Chapman
took that letter? No.

Now, you placed the
defendant under arrest

for the theft of his own shoes.

What has happened
to that charge of theft?

That charge has been dropped
due to the lack of evidence.

Thank you,
commander. That'll be all.

Are there any
questions by the court?

No questions.

Before excusing the witness,
it's my duty to instruct you

not to discuss your testimony
in this case with anyone

except the counsel
or the accused.

You'll not allow any witness
in this case to talk to you

about the evidence he
has given or intends to give.

Now, Mr. Russell, you've stated
that you were aboard the Moray

at the time of
Commander Page's death.

During that time did you have
occasion to meet the accused?

He was assigned by
Commander Stewart to assist us.

And did the accused
remain with you

during the entire
period of preparation?

No. No, he disappeared
about a half hour

before the test was
scheduled to start.

Now, just how did the accused
assist you before he left?

He helped uncrate the basic unit

and bolted together some
of the interlocking parts.

Did he use a particular tool?

He used two tools.

A wrench and a screwdriver.

I show you exhibit 2 and
ask if you can identify it.

Not positively.

As I have said before,

it appears to be the
same screwdriver

he used in my presence, but
I can identify it only generally,

uh, just as to shape and size.

I ask you to examine the
length of the screwdriver blade.

I can say it was
approximately this long.

That's 11 inches long.

Yes, sir. The screwdriver
the defendant used

was at least this long.

Thank you. No further questions.

Mr. Russell, who was
with you in the control room

at the time of the uncrating?

Well, there was
Chapman, Chief Scott,

Mr. Beldon and Hansford.

At the time the accused
left the control room,

did he leave the screwdriver?

I don't know.

Did you see the screwdriver at
any time after the accused left?

I don't recall.

If he did leave the
screwdriver there,

it would've been accessible

to anybody in the
control room, however?

Yes. I imagine so.

Now, who else
left the control room

about the time of
the start of the test?

I don't know. I
didn't take note.

But you did note the
departure of the accused?

Yes.

Yes.

Thank you, that'll be all.

Yes, sir. It's Chapman's.

He bought a set of that kind.

None of the crew
had a screwdriver

with a long thin
blade like that.

None of the crew? No, sir.

They all had the shorter
machine-shop issue.

But every man on the
crew knew his was different

and identifiable too, sir.

Mr. Beldon, when
the Moray surfaced

and you went up on
the bridge for a smoke,

besides an officer
and the watch,

was anyone else there?

Yes. Robert Chapman.

What was the accused doing?

He was in the act of discarding
a box of trash overboard,

on Commander Stewart's orders.

A large amount?

Well, I wouldn't know what
would be large or small.

It seemed like a large amount.

Large enough to have
contained a pair of shoes?

Oh, yes.

No further questions.

Mr. Beldon,

could you have thrown
something overboard

without being observed?

Well, as far as I know.

Then you could've
torn a letter to bits

and, uh, thrown the pieces
overboard, could you not?

Yes.

Thank you. That's all.

Now, Mr. Hansford,
please relate what transpired

as you passed Commander
Stewart's compartment?

Well, the curtain
wasn't quite closed,

I had come to tell
Commander Page

that the equipment would
be ready in 20 minutes.

Not later, as we
had first thought.

Go on.

I was about to go in when I saw
someone bending over his bunk.

The person's arm was extended,

touching or holding something.

Then he straightened up,
turned around and started out.

I ducked around
the corridor, and I...

I saw Robert Chapman
come out of the compartment,

look around and exit
in the opposite direction.

Then what did you do?

I went into the compartment.

I stood inside and
looked at Page.

His back was to me, and
I thought he was sleeping.

Then I turned away and
went back to the engine room.

Then?

Well, when the Alpha
device was ready,

I told Commander Stewart,

and he sent someone
to wake Page.

Now, could you be
mistaken in your identification

of the man you saw bending
over Commander Page?

No, sir.

It was Robert
Chapman, the accused.

He was dead. I was frightened.

I didn't know what to do.

Your witness.

Mr. Hansford, you say you
went to inform Commander Page

that the equipment would be
ready sooner than expected.

Yes. That's right.

Why didn't you send
someone to do this?

I just thought I'd go myself.

You did know, as a
former service man,

that there is an intercom
between the engine room

and the captain's quarters?

Yes.

Why didn't you use it?

I didn't.

Isn't it true that you
and Commander Page

were not on the best of terms?

Not to the point of threatening
each other with screwdrivers.

As a matter of fact, it could
have gone further than threats.

Didn't you hate Commander
Page because you were in love

with the woman he married?

Why do you keep trying
to drag her into this?

Maybe she belongs here.

Her husband accused
her of turning over

the Devco test results
to Mr. Russell, did he not?

That accusation was untrue.

Russell got that
information from...

From Dolores Chapman?

I didn't say that.

No, but that $5,000 says it.

And it puts you,
Beldon and Russell

right in the middle
of two murders.

Perry.

How's the Navy treating you?

The Navy's fine.

Tough but honest.

It's the civilians who are
making me look like this.

What happened
to Dolores' picture?

Her, uh, Uncle
Julio took it with him

when he got out of town
in a hurry this morning.

He, uh, left this for you.

This supplies a
motive for her murder.

Why did Julio leave?

Well, the Devco engineer

from whom Dolores
got that information

was picked up last night.

He accused Julio
of arranging things

between him and Dolores.

What things?

An introduction. He's
62 and she was 22.

Oh. I'm sorry it took so long,

but here's the lab report
on the optical properties

of that glass you
found on the mat.

Corrective? Mm-hm.

It, uh, might give
you some ideas.

Now, the prescription called

for a particular
type of colored glass

designed for the left
eye where the right eye

needs no correction.

Of course, I'm still
checking, but as yet,

I found no record in the city of
any such unique prescription.

Susceptible to glare.

Yes, Paul,

it does give me an idea.

All parties to the
trial who were present

when the court closed
are now present.

The defense requests that
Mr. Gordon Russell be recalled.

Master at arms, call
Mr. Gordon Russell.

Uh, Mr. Russell.

Two months ago,

in the company of
Mr. Beldon and Mr. Hansford,

you drove to Dolores
Chapman's home.

What was the
purpose of that visit?

Business.

The sole purpose of that
business was to obtain

classified information on a
device that was just tested

for the Devco
Company, was it not?

Since that information
has been declassified,

and I believe the law is not
retroactive in that respect,

maintaining my
business is no crime.

In the manner in which
you've been conducting it,

I'd say it was.

However, our
interest here is in crime

of a much more
serious nature: murder.

Objection.

Prosecution asks that
this irrelevant testimony

be stricken from the record.
The witness is not on trial here.

How does defense counsel
justify this line of questioning?

Defense intends to
establish that the testimony

not only is relevant,

but that a conspiracy
between Anthony Beldon

and the witness to
obtain certain information

led to the death of two people,

namely Dolores Chapman
and Commander Page.

The court will withhold its
ruling on the admissibility

of the witness' testimony

until we've determined
its relevancy.

How well did you know
Dolores Chapman?

I met her in a bar,
the Aloha Café.

She was just another girl.

According to her
uncle, Julio Remarto,

she threatened to expose
you unless you paid her

an additional $5,000.

He's lying. I never
saw her again.

Didn't you return to her home
on the night she was murdered?

Certainly not.

I was involved in an
automobile accident

and was in the
hospital that night.

Wasn't that accident
due to the fact

that you were driving
without your glasses?

Glasses?

I don't wear glasses.

Defense requests permission
to bring a slide projector

and screen into the courtroom.

The court would like to know
the purpose of this request.

It will be self-evident.

However, due to its
experimental nature,

defense asks the indulgence
of the court and the prosecution

until the experiment
is concluded.

Has the prosecution
any objection?

As this appears to be part

of defense counsel's
previous line of questioning,

prosecution will
withhold its objections

pending the court's ruling
as to the admissibility

of the testimony
and the presentation.

Defense may proceed.

Now, Mr. Russell,
we're going to show you

some scenes on the projector.

Scenes with which
you are familiar.

Can you see the screen?

Why, yes. Certainly.

As you will note, Mr. Russell,

this is a picture
of your office.

Would you describe
the objects on your desk?

There are two telephones.

A desk pad in the center.

A pen set.

And a carafe and two glasses
on a tray near the bookcase.

Thank you, Mr. Russell.

May we have slide
number two, commander?

Now, Mr. Russell,

would you please describe
the contents of your living room?

The floor is
carpeted, of course.

There are two
full-length couches

facing each other in
front of the fireplace.

Three easy chairs.

Two lamps, a coffee table

and three paintings.

Shall I describe them?

That won't be
necessary, Mr. Russell.

May we have the
third slide, please?

Now, Mr. Russell,

this picture of Commander
Page's compartment.

Will you describe
its furnishings?

Well, there's the
bunk, of course. And...

As I said, there's the...

Why, that's the picture
of an automobile accident.

That's right, Mr. Russell.

The accident in which
you were involved

the night you killed
Dolores Chapman.

Your glasses were
broken by her frantic effort

to avoid being strangled by you.

When you left her
house that night,

you were driving blind,
Mr. Russell, glare blind.

About as blind as you
were a few minutes ago

when you couldn't see
the picture of that accident.

The lens found in her room
was made of plain glass.

If what you say is true,

how would that have
helped my driving?

It wouldn't.

There are only two
reasons for wearing a lens

made of plain glass.

If your eye is perfect
and requires no correction,

or if it is blind and a
correction is unnecessary.

That particular lens
was merely decorative.

It concealed the fact that
you are blind in one eye.

I would like permission
to speak with Mr. Drake.

Permission granted.

Perry. Here's the
information you wanted.

Thank you, Paul.
Stand by, will you?

Uh, Mr. Russell,

do you still insist
that you did not return

to Dolores Chapman's house
on the night she was murdered?

I certainly do.

There's no proof
that lens was mine.

There are plenty of blind
people who use that kind of lens.

But very few blind in one eye

and super-sensitive
to glare in the other.

I've just received a
report that gives us

the name of the optometrist

who prescribed these very
unusual glasses for you.

You couldn't.

Dr. Amos Waddell of Chicago.

His place of business
on Michigan Boulevard.

That doesn't prove anything.

The prescription
matches in every detail

the optical qualities of the
glass particles in the mat.

What mat? What do you mean?

The mat outside
Dolores Chapman's home.

The mat where the
corrective lens was found.

It is the corrective lens
which traps you, Mr. Russell.

I don't understand.
You're trying to confuse me.

Trying to confuse you?

Only the murderer could've
known that investigation

of the glass particles embedded
in Robert Chapman's shoes

would reveal who
killed Dolores Chapman.

To prevent exposure when
you discovered those shoes

in the captain's compartment,

you also had to kill
Commander Page.

Now, Mr. Russell,
are you still confused?

No.

No.

That was quite a party.

They were ready to change the
sub's name from Moray to Mason.

That party was just
their way of saying thanks

for clearing Chapman
and the Navy.

You know, Perry, there's
something I don't understand.

What made you
think it was Russell?

Oh, the letter.

It had to be a
civilian who took it.

And obviously it
must've been taken

after Commander Page was killed.

How could you
be so sure of that?

Well, the removal of the
letter, while he was still alive,

wouldn't have
served its purpose,

which was to prevent
an investigation.

He would merely have
written another one

as soon as he discovered
its disappearance.

Why Russell? Why
not Beldon or Hansford?

Well, Hansford had
served time in the Navy

and knew what the
procedure as to carbon copies.

Beldon hadn't been
in the compartment.

He couldn't have
known about the letter.

It had to be Russell.

Why did Russell take the letter?

Was it his loyalty to Beldon?

Oh, no. His loyalty to Russell.

The investigation would
certainly have revealed

his relationship with
Dolores Chapman.

You know, one of these days

I'm gonna take a
nice, long sea voyage.

Any particular place?

No, just anywhere. I
haven't made up my mind yet.

Oh. What's that?

Join the Navy and see the world.