The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries (1977–1979): Season 1, Episode 3 - The Mystery of Witches' Hollow - full transcript

(male narrator)
Tonight, the Hardy Boys in

The Mystery
of Witches' Hollow.

What do you think?

Well, the road's
not so good,

but I don't think
we're lost.

I-I knew
this was a mistake.

Here we are,
in the middle of nowhere,

a storm coming and no food.

Chet, you closed the
hamburger stand in Forestburgh.

That was an hour ago.

If I couldn't see
where you put it,



I wouldn't know
where it went.

Hey, we're okay. I just saw the
old barn with the hex sign on it.

Hex? W-what's a hex?

A hex sign.

Farmers in Witches' Hollow
always put them out.

It's, uh,
kind of an old superstition.

Huh?

Black magic.

It's supposed to
keep away witches and goblins.

We're not far from Salem,
you know.

(Chet) I could've gone to
California for the summer.

I didn't have to come
camping here with you guys.

What are we stopping in
a place like this for anyway?

Callie's uncle, Capt. Maguire,
told Dad



that there are some strange
things going on up around here.

How strange?

Oh, witches and goblins
and things like that.

What?

Well, naturally,
Dad wanted it checked out.

I-I-I don't see why
we have to do it.

Why would your father want us

to get involved in a dangerous
place like this, anyway?

What can be dangerous?

There are no such things as
witches and goblins.

Besides,
Dad's working on another case.

Of course, if you'd rather get
out and thumb your way back...

No-no-no thanks.

[snickering]

[thunder cracking]

[wind howling]

(Joe)
Looks like the Captain's home.

(Chet)
Hope he has dinner ready.

(Callie)
Oh, don't worry, Chet.

(Callie) Uncle Mac always has
something good on the stove.

[wind howling]

(Chet)
Some camping trip.

Witches' Hollow.
Gives me the willies.

[knocking on door]

We won't be here long.

Just long enough
to check with Callie's uncle.

Ma'am, we're looking for Capt. Maguire.

The Captain's not home.

When are you
expecting him, miss?

Mrs. Thompson.

I just come by to clean
the place once a week.

Don't know
when he'll be back.

(Frank)
If that's the Captain's mail,

it doesn't look as if
he's been around for a while.

I don't know.

Mrs. Thompson, I'm Callie
Shaw, Capt. Maguire's niece.

He was expecting us
tonight.

He didn't say nothing to
me about it. But, uh...

Now at least we know
how the place got its name.

...if you want to wait.

(Callie)
Thank you, Mrs. Thompson.

[thunder clapping]

Better make yourselves
comfortable.

(Mrs. Thompson) You might have
a long wait if they got to him.

They?

The forces of evil.

The devil's workers
and witches.

What?

I told the Captain.
But he don't listen.

(Mrs. Thompson) I told him
Witches' Hollow would get him.

Mrs. Thompson, you can't expect
a grown man to believe in witches.

You don't know what goes on
in Witches' Hollow, young man.

Dogs, cats go in the Hollow
and never come back.

[wind howling]

Mrs. Thompson, when my Uncle
Mac retired from the N.Y.P.D.,

he moved here
because it was so quiet.

Not all that quiet,
young lady.

(Mrs. Thompson)
But have it your way.

Be like the Captain.

You want to wait...

Let's go.

...it's up to you.

Come, let's go.
Let's go, let's go.

(Mrs. Thompson)
Good night.

You know, she sounds as if
she believed all that.

She sure had me
convinced.

(Joe) You were right about one thing.

The Captain's been gone
for a while.

Some of the mail's postmarked
over a week ago.

Hey, guys.

(Callie)
Uncle Mac's favorite gun,

the one with the engraving
is missing.

(Joe) Looks like he left in a big hurry.

Could be
he's just hunting, but-

Well, maybe we should
call your dad.

Uncle Mac did say

there were some very
strange things going on here.

Look, why don't we just
drive home and talk to him?

[crickets chirping]

(Fenton) I think you're
overreacting, Frank.

Witches' Hollow has a way
of rubbing off on people.

I've known Maguire for years.

Wouldn't be the first time
he'd gone off hunting

without telling anybody.
Callie can tell you that.

Well, what about the mail and
the spilled shotgun shells?

Sounds like Mrs. Thompson is
just not a very good housekeeper.

If you could see
your room right now,

you'd know that a mess
does not make a mystery.

Sorry, Dad, I meant to
clean up before I left.

Chet's dog is the only
real mystery around here.

How do you get him
to calm down

long enough to hold
a phone conversation?

Chet's parents will be by
tomorrow morning to pick him up.

Ask him what we do if
the Captain doesn't show up.

Now you tell your brother
Maguire can take care of himself.

I should be there
day after tomorrow.

I'll have the Tanner case
wrapped up by then.

[sighs]

And tell Chet

that I'm looking forward
to seeing his folks.

(Frank)
Okay, I'll tell him.

Good night, Dad.
Thanks.

Well, don't worry.
We'll spend the night here.

If the Captain doesn't
show up by morning,

we'll go into Forestburgh.

[thunder rumbling]

[wind howling]

[rumbling continues]

[Callie screaming]

[cat snarling]

Joe!

I'm going after him.
Joe, wait!

What's going on?

Someone
was in the cabin.

Someone
or something.

[metal clinking]

Someone.
Something doesn't use a knife.

You two stay here.

Terrific.

(Frank)
Joe!

Joe, where are you?

(Joe)
Over here, Frank!

[Frank exclaims]

Joe, answer me!

Joe!

(Joe)
Help! Frank!

Joe!

(Joe)
Frank! The cliff.

Joe!

(Joe)
Down here, Frank.

Hurry, Frank.
I can't hold on much longer.

(Frank) Hold on. I'll
have you up in a minute.

Hurry up, Frank.

[wind howling]

Hold on.

Hurry up, Frank.
It's a long drop.

Grab the belt.

Not yet.

You wouldn't be so patient
if you were on this end.

Put your wrist
through the loop.

Come on.
Got it.

(Frank)
You've got it.

[Joe panting]

Come on.
That's it, Joe.

Push.

[Joe gasps]

[Joe groaning]
Okay. Push up.

[Joe grunts]

Can you give me some help?

[panting]
I'm trying.

[both grunting]

That's it, that's it.

[both exhaling]

[both panting]

That was close.

[panting]

Are you hurt?

I'm all right.
I fell for a kid's trick.

You shouldn't run off into
the woods alone like that.

You almost got killed.

Wasn't my fault.

The guy I was chasing
tripped me.

Did you say a guy?

I don't know.

A guy, a thing.

Could've been a girl,
for all I saw.

No, couldn't have been.

You wouldn't mind so much
falling for a girl.

Right.

[chuckling]

Thanks, brother.

Let's get back.
We'll never find him now.

[thunder cracking]

[wind howling]

(Joe)
Hey, Frank.

Show your light over here.

[wind whistling]

[thunder cracking]

(Frank)
It's a 12 gauge.

Same as the ones
that are in the cabin.

Either the Captain
was getting pretty careless,

or whatever
he was hunting-

Was hunting him.
Look at this.

Hunting coat pocket?

Yeah, looks like it.

That stain could be blood.
What do you think?

I don't think we should
show this stuff to Callie

until we find out
what's going on.

Do you feel up to a trip into
Forestburgh to see the Sheriff?

One good trip
deserves another.

You're holding up pretty
good for a younger brother.

It's your example
I'm trying to live down to.

[both laugh]

(Frank)
Come on.

You wake me up
in the middle of the night

to show me a shotgun shell
and a piece of hunting jacket?

(Frank) We think something's
happened to Capt. Maguire.

Joseph Hardy,
your father would be ashamed

to hear you jumping to
a conclusion like that.

Uh, I'm Joe.
He's Frank.

Look, I don't care
if you're Sherlock Holmes.

This isn't
evidence of anything.

No matter what you two thought
you were chasing.

But we told you,
Maguire's gun was missing.

Look, that gun is missing
most of the time.

The Captain bought that cabin
for that purpose.

So he could hunt and fish.

Without interference.

We're not interfering.
He asked us to come.

Oh? I thought you told
me he called your dad.

Well, technically, yes.

Well, then,
technically,

I'll get worried
when your father does.

Any more questions?

Yeah. That is blood?

Son, a game coat is for carrying game.

Not cookies.

Sir, you still
haven't explained

all the strange things
going on in Witches' Hollow.

Uh-huh.

I see you've been talking
to old Mrs. Thompson.

Yes, sir.

Well, then,
you'd better listen to her,

and you'd better stay indoors.

Then the witches and goblins
won't get you.

Sir, it wasn't
our imagination.

Come on, Joe. The Sheriff knows
his county better than we do.

You know,
that's the most sensible thing

I've heard you two say
since you came in here.

Thank you for your help,
Sheriff.

Say hello to the Captain
for me when you see him.

Yes, sir, and we will see him.

One way or another.

[door shutting]

[birds chirping]

[cat snarling]

[growling]

[door opening]

[door closing]

(Donner)
Here you are, my pet.

[cat gulping]

[cat eating]

Ah, Flatfoot,

I see you're still with us.

(Maguire)
Dunderhead.

Why don't you let me out
of here while you still can.

I'm surprised you haven't
found your way out already.

Before she was fully trained,

Tabetha got out of this cage
several times.

Thanks.

Of course,
I can see your problem.

She never has taken to you

since the night we found you
spying on our little enterprise.

Now I have no choice.

You still have a choice.
Nobody's gotten hurt. Yet.

(Hudson)
Do I know Forestburgh?

Sonny, I've lived here
man and boy for 63 years.

Can't know a place
much better.

Then you know about
Witches' Hollow.

All I want to know.

I've heard her
and I've seen her.

You've seen her? Seen who?

Reckon that's for you
to find out.

Nobody else has.

Hasn't anyone tried?

You're kind of keen on
questions, aren't you, sonny?

Well, I'm looking for a friend.
His name is Capt. Maguire.

Yeah, city fellow
that moved into the Hollow.

We're getting
a lot of that.

A lot of what?

City folks.

Moving in,
cluttering up the countryside.

That new fancy parkway
gets finished,

there won't be room for a gnat
to turn around in this town.

Well, about Capt. Maguire.

What about him?

Have you seen him?

Used to be, you'd see the
folks you know every day.

Now it's construction workers,

campers
and real estate dealers.

Uh, Mr. Hudson...

Yeah, Maguire. I seen him.

Came in for gas
about, uh, three days ago.

Can you think of anyone else
who might've seen him?

Well, he was mighty thick with
that other city fellow Donner.

Construction man,

bought the old place
back of the Hollow.

Gonna tear it down,
they say. If it-

Frank,
I've got Dad on the phone.

Excuse me,
Mr. Hudson.

Yeah.

[sighs]

Hi, Dad.

Joe told me
what happened last night,

about your run-in
with Sheriff Houghton.

Now don't worry,
it's just the man's way.

Oh, I'm not
worried about that.

But I am worried about
Capt. Maguire.

No word yet?

No, sir.

There's enough circumstantial
evidence to hang your hat on.

Look, I can't possibly get
up there until tomorrow.

I'm gonna call and get

all the information I can on
Bill Maguire out of New York.

New York?

A chief of detectives
can make lots of enemies.

Better to be safe than sorry.

It could take
a couple of days

to go through all the cases
Capt. Maguire's handled.

Ten minutes on the computer.

I'll call Callie with it
as soon as I get it.

And you tell her not to worry.

Her uncle can handle himself.

I will.

In the meantime,

don't you two let the, uh,
witches and black magic get to you.

That's easy
for him to say.

I'll see you tomorrow morning.
Goodbye, Son.

Okay. Bye, Dad.

[sighs]

[fuselage flap shutting]

That'll be $11.

About Mr. Donner,
how do we find his place?

Just take the left fork
back to the Hollow.

Don't blame me
if you run into trouble.

He's a cheery character,
isn't he?

My sentiments exactly.

[van approaching]

[birds chirping]

(Donner) I agree with
you boys about one thing.

I don't hold much credence in
all the talk about the Hollow.

Neither does
the flatfoot.

Flatfoot?

[chuckles]

Sorry. Capt. Maguire.

You should hear what he calls
me after a couple of drinks:

dunderhead.

[all chuckle]

You don't seem very worried.

About Maguire?

You should hear
some of the stories he tells.

The list of crooks
he's run in.

Reads like
a who's who in crime.

That man's as tough as nails.

Though I can't say
I'd like to be in his shoes

if some of them
got out of jail.

Mr. Hudson says you're
tearing this place down.

Is it your construction company
that's finishing the parkway?

No, that's
Wallis & Mathers' project.

I'm in development.

Houses, condominiums,
office buildings.

Here's what this place
will look like

if that parkway
ever gets finished.

It's very nice.
You say if it gets finished?

Wallis & Mathers
could well wind up bankrupt.

They're having
a lot of trouble.

Breakdowns,
faulty materials, pilferage.

It's going to cost me
a lot of money

if that project
gets canceled.

You mean
they can cancel the parkway?

When it's costing three times
as much as it should, they can.

Especially if there's
enough local resistance,

and believe me,
there's resistance here.

I can't understand why.

Small towns
and small-town fears.

Witches' Hollow
is a good example.

Mr. Donner, what exactly is
the legend of Witches' Hollow?

It involves an old lady
who lived here in the woods.

On this site,
as a matter of fact.

That's why I was able to get
such a bargain.

And?

Well, it was during
the Salem witch-hunts.

And apparently,
she had a thing for cats.

(Donner)
She took in strays,

all kinds,
as a matter of fact.

Well, the legend says

that she raised
a mountain cat.

A black one, and big.

My thought is,
if any of this is true,

she must have found it
as a baby.

What we would call
affection training today.

Back then,
you would be branded a witch.

They burned witches
at the stake.

Not in this case.

When they came to get her
for the trial,

she barricaded herself in the
house along with this big cat.

It's, uh,
not a very pretty story.

It's not a story at all
without a finish.

Well, when she wouldn't come
out, they set fire to the place.

And she never came out.

No.

And from then on,

whenever there was a sound
in the Hollow,

it was her screaming.

And every time
someone had a run-in

with a mountain lion
or a bobcat...

Exactly, and that's
the stuff of legends.

You make it sound
pretty simple,

but we've heard
the scream.

[laughs]
Oh!

Then you boys best not go
into Witches' Hollow.

Because the curse says
those that hear the scream

are destined to be
the next victims.

You mean,
you've never heard it?

Oh, I've heard
night sounds.

But then I don't get out
in the woods much at night.

I leave that
up to the flatfoot...

Uh, Capt. Maguire and young
detectives like yourselves.

Well, thank you,
Mr. Donner.

My pleasure.

(Frank)
Thank you for your time.

(Joe)
Thank you very much.

When Maguire gets back,

you tell him I've got a
brandy waiting for him.

Okay, we'll do that.

Some story, huh?

You know,
there's no way

to really find out what's
going on at Witches' Hollow

unless we spend
the night there.

Okay.

[engine starts]

[crickets chirping]

(Chet)
You know,

sometimes I don't know
what to make of you two.

First, you run off and leave
us last night, then you-

We didn't want
to upset Callie.

Besides, you were asleep
when we got back.

That's what you're
supposed to do at night.

[scoffs]

I won't close my eyes at all
out here.

I told you, you could stay
back in the cabin with Callie.

I'm beginning to wish I had.

[owl hooting]

(Frank) You're really going
to love it out here, Chet.

Camping out in the open.

[owl hoots]
Sleeping under the stars.

Really communing with nature.

Sure, just like
a worm on a fishhook.

That's an awfully direct way
of putting it.

But the phrase does have
some truth in it.

(Frank) Dad may be right
about Maguire's old enemies.

My bet still is

that the clue lies
in Capt. Maguire's messages

about Witches' Hollow.

If you're right,

I think we can expect some
pretty strange things to happen

before the night is over.

Will you two cut it out!

Maybe Chet's right.

Joe, think of a number
between one and 10.

Five.

No, you lose.
I'll take the first watch.

Just for the record,
what was the number?

It doesn't matter. I just
don't feel like sleeping.

[crackling]

[owl hooting]

(Callie) There's still no
sign of the Captain yet.

The boys went to camp
in Witches' Hollow.

They wanted to see what was
happening in there firsthand.

Oh, that could be trouble,
Callie.

I just got the report from
the New York Police Department.

And it seems
there are several people

that have been
released from prison lately

who could be after
your Uncle Bill.

One of them
is particularly unstable.

Oh, what should I do?

I don't expect the boys back
till morning.

Callie, this could be
very important.

Is there some way
to get word to the boys?

Well, I'd better try.

Why don't I take
the information from you now.

[owl hooting]

[crickets chirping]

(Callie)
Joe?

[frogs croaking]

Frank?

[snarling]

Joe?

(Chet)
Joe?

(Joe) I got him, Frank! I got him!

You've got me!

Sorry.

I'm coming.

(Frank)
Joe, hurry up!

I'm coming.

Get his arms.
Pin him down.

(Chet) Frank, Frank, Joe, what is it?

Who is it?

(Frank)
Get his legs.

Wait, I-I got-
I have a stick.

[grunting]

If he gives us trouble,
hit him.

[all panting]

(Joe)
He's just a kid.

(Chet)
Don't! No!

(Frank) Easy, easy. No
one's gonna hurt you.

[kid panting]

Chet.

[frog croaking]

Take it easy.

What in the world

were you sneaking up
on us like that for?

You might as well tell us.

We're gonna find out
anyway.

Frank, I don't think
he can speak.

Is that it?

[panting]

[mimicking wildcat]

[snarls]

[snarling]

[Callie screaming]

What was that?

(Joe)
Where did it come from?

[Callie continues screaming]

(Frank)
He knows. Let's go.

Hey, guys,
wait for me!

[cat growling]

[snarling]

[screams]

[screaming continues]

Callie, what happened?

Was that you screaming?

Oh, I thought
I could find your camp.

I barely got into
the woods when...

When what?

I don't know. It was...

With gleaming eyes,
it was coming towards me.

Eyes? How many?

Well, like a cat.
It was dark with no shape.

Just those eyes
and a low whispering growl.

(Frank) What were you doing
out there anyway, Callie?

(Callie) Your dad called with
the information from New York.

Well, these-these woods can
play tricks on you at night.

Joe and I
have found that out.

Frank, there was something
moving in those trees.

(Callie) It was coming
after me. I saw it.

Hey, Frank,
take a look at this.

That's it.
That has to be what I saw.

Who's he?

(Frank)
We don't know yet.

But that must mean
that he saw the cat, too.

He was trying to warn us.

Thanks.

By the way, what you were
doing in here last night?

Now we know why the Captain
stocked so many provisions.

Callie, why don't you
get him something to eat.

(Frank)
Since we've been here,

he hasn't had a chance
for a decent meal.

I was right about one thing.
It was a kid's trick I fell for.

Oh, I don't think
he meant any harm.

Why don't you and Chet see
what you can find out.

(Frank)
We'll get the sleeping bags.

Hey, don't I even get
to pick a number?

Don't worry.
I've got a feeling

Callie's scream scared every
witch out of the Hollow.

Come on.

[crickets chirping]

I got to say,

this case
really has me baffled.

Still no sign
of the Captain,

and we really haven't
learned anything.

I wouldn't say that.

We know that there is a real
cat that roams these woods.

And when we get a chance
to question the kid,

I think we're gonna learn a lot more.

[thunder rumbling]

Callie?

(Callie)
Shh.

[door closing]

They're both asleep.

Too bad. I wanted to talk to the kid.

(Callie)
The kid's name is Simon.

How'd he tell you that?

I'm afraid that all that he
can write is his first name.

When I asked him about anything
else, he just drew pictures.

And pretty good ones,
too.

What's this?

(Callie) Apparently that's the
shack in the woods where he lives.

And those are his pets.

They're not the only thing
squirrelly about this place.

What's this?

That one,
I don't know.

When I asked him
about that,

he just got excited
when I didn't understand.

(Frank) Well, we can talk
to him in the morning.

Why don't you two
get some sleep.

I wanna go over the notes
that Dad sent up.

You're sure
you don't want me to do it?

You really want to?
No.

Then why don't you jump
into your sleeping bag.

I don't have to.
I could sleep standing up.

Good night.

[wolf howling]

[fire crackling]

[coughing]

Frank.

[wheezing]

[gasping]

What?
We're locked in.

The place is on fire.
Get Callie.

[both coughing]

(Frank)
Callie!

(Frank)
Callie!

Callie, wake up.
The place is on fire.

Chet! Chet, get up!

Come on, everybody out.
The place is on fire.

[all coughing]

[continues coughing]

Callie, are you all right?

(Chet)
Hey, Joe, Frank.

Simon just
showed me something.

The cabin isn't on fire.

There's just something stuck
up there on the chimney.

(Joe) Frank, that can't be an accident.

Someone's trying to
get to us.

Yeah, or scare us.

Either way, somebody thinks we're
getting too close for comfort.

Chet, do you think you could
get that thing off the chimney?

Why me?

Please, Chet.
We need to talk to Simon.

Okay.

Simon, you were friends
with Capt. Maguire?

Now we know
he let you eat with him.

Did you ever
go hunting together?

The last time,
did he go hunting without you?

Do you know where he is now?

Looks like
we're back to square one.

Hey, wait a minute. I think he
wants us to ask him another question.

Hey, maybe he wants us
to ask him the big one.

Did someone come
and take the Captain away?

[exclaims]

I don't get it. Can you make
anything out of this, Joe?

No, but I think
I know someone who can.

[animal yowling]
The Sheriff?

Right. Come on, Simon,
get in the van.

You stay here.

All right.

(Joe) By the way, if
Chet falls off the roof,

just give him his sandwich.
He won't need a splint.

[laughs]
Okay.

[engine starting]

Hey, where are you guys going?

(Joe) We just want to check
out something. Be back soon.

[groans]

[coughing]

(Joe) So now, it all
has to fit together.

You mean the Captain's
disappearance and the legend?

Not exactly.

The shotgun, the shell,

the piece of cloth we found
from the Captain's coat.

Yeah, not to mention
what's happened to us.

Someone's definitely trying
to cover something up.

And you're supposed to say,
"But what?"

I would, but I know
you don't know either.

He wants something?

He wants you to turn.

(Frank)
There's no road to turn into.

(Joe)
What's to lose?

We've run into a dead end
ever since we got here.

This has to be the heart
of Witches' Hollow.

You kidding?

It couldn't have a heart
after what we've been through.

(Frank)
What do you make of that?

What is it?

[engines rumbling]

[speakers screeching]

(Joe)
Listen to those screams.

They're the same ones
we heard before.

I don't get it. What's a
truck convoy doing here?

[continues screeching]

(Joe) Those speakers, look at them.

Very clever.

They record the screams
and then play them back

to scare people
out of the Hollow,

so no one discovers
their operation.

[screams continue]
What operation?

I don't know, but there's gotta be some
reason why they're using this old road.

That means they're hauling something
they don't want anyone to see.

Right.

Smugglers?

[screams continue] (Frank) Or thieves.

There's only one way
we're going to find out.

Call the Sheriff.

Uh-huh. By the time he gets
here, they'll be long gone.

Frank, you're not
suggesting what...

I mean, those guys have gone to a
lot of trouble to keep people away.

The higher the stakes,
the more desperate the game.

And that means Capt. Maguire's
life is in real danger.

We've got only one tangible
clue if we don't let it get away.

Simon, can you get back
to the cabin by yourself?

We'll meet you there.

I'd be happy
to go with him.

What, and miss the first train
to Witches' Hollow?

Let's go.

[screaming continues]

You certainly know how
to thumb a ride.

Years of experience.

I feel like
I hit a ton of bricks.

You're close.
It's cement.

Hey, what did Donner say
the name of that company was,

the parkway contractors?

Wallis...

[both panting]

"Wallis & Mathers. "

But this is no way
to build a parkway.

Donner said
they'd had pilferage

but this is grand theft.

They'll be bankrupt in no time
at this rate.

And there's a good chance Capt.
Maguire discovered the same thing.

(Frank) Yeah. He could
be in big trouble.

I can't think
of a better reason

why not to get off this
thing right now. Come on.

Frank, looks a lot
faster from here.

Just close your eyes
and jump.

And don't forget to roll.

[water splashing]

Joe, where are you?

Over here.

You're the one
who told me to roll.

Don't worry.

You'll dry off.

It'll be morning before
we get back to the van.

That's a pleasant thought.

You mean
the boys are in a truck?

Headed where?

Into Witches' Hollow, Simon?

[exclaims]

Oh, I don't like it,
Callie.

From what
you've told me,

with Maguire disappearing
and now the boys,

looks like the Sheriff is
gonna have to put out that posse

whether he likes to
or not.

[thudding]

Joe, Frank,
are you all right?

He's in great shape.

[door closing]
A-any word on Maguire?

Well, not exactly.

We don't know how he
disappeared, but we may know why.

Whole truckloads of Wallis &
Mathers construction materials

are being stolen

and hidden somewhere
in Witches' Hollow.

Wait a minute. Wallis
& Mathers? Who are they?

The parkway contractors. Someone's
trying to stop the parkway project.

And they're using the legend of
Witches' Hollow to cover their tracks.

We think
Maguire was onto them

and they had to
get rid of him.

Now, hold on,
slow down.

Wait a minute. Why does anyone
want to stop the parkway project?

Right.

Well, there's a lot of
local resentment

against the parkway and all
the outsiders it'll bring in.

Aha. Felony resentment.

That's not a very good motive.

You certainly have a way of
punching holes in our balloons.

Only when there isn't
enough air in them.

Have you got
any other ideas?

Well, not yet.

The commercial interests
stand to lose their shirts

if the parkway
isn't finished.

Mr. Donner's plans for
all those houses and condos

will go up in a puff of smoke
without it.

Donner?

(Joe) He's a good
friend of the Captain's.

(Fenton) That's it?
That's all you've got?

Well, we've only been working
on it for two days, Dad.

Well, It seems that was long enough
for you to alienate Sheriff Houghton.

Callie, I'd like you
to come with me.

I think we're going
to need a little charm

if we're going to get a, uh,
posse out into the woods.

Right.

In the meantime, you're
going to stay out of trouble.

But, Dad...

No buts.
Come on, Callie.

[door closing]

Sorry, I don't understand.

(Frank) The storm the night we arrived.

The cat attacked
the Captain?

Doesn't look like
any captain to me.

(Joe)
This is the Captain?

It still
doesn't make any sense.

Joe, are you thinking
what I'm thinking?

Frank, it's a foot.
It's a flatfoot.

Flatfoot, the name that
Donner called the Captain.

And this is Donner?

Remind me never to do
another crossword puzzle.

I still don't understand
what's going on.

You don't have to understand.
I think Simon does.

Come on, let's go.

Chet, if Dad calls,

tell him we've gone over
to Donner's place.

Here we go again.

[birds chirping]

(Maguire) When this scheme
of yours falls apart,

you'll be a lot better off facing
a larceny charge than homicide.

But it's not going
to fall apart.

There's a bill
in the legislature right now

to suspend
the parkway construction

for 6 months, pending study.

The accident you're going to
have at the construction site

would be all that's needed
to pass the bill unanimously.

I was wondering why
you kept me here this long.

It can still blow up
in your face.

Only when it does, you've got
a man's life on your conscience.

Listen to me, Maguire.

I've been pushed around
and laughed at all my life

by speculators
and money men.

Now I'm gonna have my
chance to do some pushing.

All those speculators
will come running to me,

begging me to take their
restaurant and gas station sites

at half-price.

And of course,
they'll stop laughing

when the temporary shutdown
ends,

and I come up
millions ahead.

Then we'll see
who pushes who.

Have a good meal.
It's your last.

You'll be leaving when the
trucks pull out tonight.

Donner.

You can't be sure the
shutdown will be temporary.

Those speculators just might
have the last laugh after all.

It will be temporary.

I'm not without influence,
Flatfoot.

[growling]

Hi.

Uh, I called Emerson,
uh.

Lead the way, Simon.

[cat snarling]

Simon, you sure you
know what you're doing?

He knows.

[creaking]

[door rattling]

[growling]

Another dead end.

Maybe not.

This panel's loose.
Here, give me a hand.

How about a foot?

[door crashing]

Who's there?

Capt. Maguire?

Stay back. The cat.

[snarling]

Wait a minute.
I have a way with animals.

Yeah. So did Jonah.

[growling]

Nice kitty.

Nice kitty.

Careful, son.
T-that's no house pet.

You don't have to tell me.
Come on.

[snarling]

Come on.

Nice kitty. Yeah.

(Maguire)
Wait a minute, son.

I'll throw him
a piece of meat.

Yeah.

That's it.
That's a kitty.

That's it, that's it.
That's it.

(Joe)
Good.

Nobody's gonna hurt you.

It's okay.

[Joe panting]

That's it.

Give it to me.

[hissing]

[cat snarling]

[sighs]

[growling]

You're a regular Clyde Beatty.

Thanks.

Well, you have the honor
of opening the cage.

[broom rattling]

[cat snarling]

You are gonna tell us how
all this happened, aren't you?

Just open the door, son,
before Donner gets back.

[creaking]

Now I want you
to get that material

and get it over
to the Hollow tonight.

Hold it, Donner.
Hold it.

Move over. I'll drive.

(Maguire)
Hold it!

(Donner) What's going
on? I can't see anything.

[police siren wailing]

Nice going.

Yeah, nothing to it.

Well, uh, it was dangerous
up there, you know.

I was hanging on...

(Maguire)
Sheriff, give me a hand.

(Callie)
Oh, Uncle Mac.

Oh, Uncle Mac,
it's so good to see you.

(Frank) And we were lucky, I guess.

How are you?

Well, you boys do intend to
tell me what you're doing here?

Nothing, Dad.
Just a little catnapping.

Catnapping?
That's pretty good.

[engine starting]

(Sheriff}
Thanks, Mac.

(Callie)
Thank you.

Clouds, lightning, thunder,
it rhymes with dunder.

Dunderhead. Why didn't
we figure that one out?

Simon saw
Donner with the cat.

That's why
I went out in the woods

the night
his drivers grabbed me.

But he didn't put the two
together until you boys showed him.

It looks like
Simon did all right.

That Wallis & Mathers reward
is all right, that's for sure.

Well, it's more than enough
to see Simon through art school

and the special tutoring
he needs.

That's really what he's
wanted for some time now.

Well, with his talent,
Simon will be fine.

Hey, what's gonna happen
to Tabetha?

Oh, Clyde Beatty here is going
to take her home as a house pet.

I think
the zoo is a better idea.

Un-unless Joe wants
to take on the job

of training his Aunt Gertrude,
too.

Oh, no.
I'm through with cats.

Besides, we have to take Chet on
the camping trip we promised him.

Not in Witches' Hollow.

Well, you see,

there's a place a little further
north called the Devil's Rock.

There's a legend there
that says the place-

Forget it!
Wonderful.