WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:04.000 Personal notice, dangers my stock and trade. 00:04.000 --> 00:08.000 If the job's too tough for you to handle, you got a job for me, George Valentine. 00:08.000 --> 00:10.000 Write full details. 00:10.000 --> 00:30.000 Why the frown, pal? 00:30.000 --> 00:34.000 Worried about that lawnmower you lent the guy next door two years ago? 00:34.000 --> 00:40.000 Not just because he lost his memory when he went ten rounds with Lewis is no reason to get yourself in a snit. 00:40.000 --> 00:43.000 My advice to you is let George do it. 00:43.000 --> 00:45.000 You know George Valentine. 00:45.000 --> 00:47.000 Take your problems to him. 00:47.000 --> 00:49.000 Everybody else does. 00:49.000 --> 00:51.000 You'll find him in the phone book. 00:51.000 --> 00:53.000 That's where Abner found him. 00:53.000 --> 00:55.000 Only Bruxy got him first. 00:55.000 --> 00:57.000 Bruxy fronts for George. 00:57.000 --> 01:00.000 And even over the phone you'd know she's perfect for the job. 01:00.000 --> 01:02.000 But not our Abner. 01:02.000 --> 01:04.000 All he could do was confuse the issue. 01:04.000 --> 01:05.000 Hello? 01:05.000 --> 01:07.000 I would, but I can't, you see. 01:07.000 --> 01:09.000 It's a great ad. I've seen it lots of times. 01:09.000 --> 01:12.000 Oh, a great ad, I said to myself. 01:12.000 --> 01:14.000 There's a kind of a guy that when a guy's in a pinch can... 01:14.000 --> 01:16.000 Well, just a minute. Mr. Valentine... 01:16.000 --> 01:17.000 I'll get on the extension, Angel. 01:17.000 --> 01:19.000 Hello? Hello? I haven't got much time. 01:19.000 --> 01:21.000 Yeah, I'm right here. I got it. 01:21.000 --> 01:24.000 No time to write, but who are you? What's your problem? 01:24.000 --> 01:26.000 Now, this is a real pleasure, sir. 01:26.000 --> 01:29.000 If you'll permit me, my name is Abner and I'm in jail. 01:29.000 --> 01:30.000 Your what? 01:30.000 --> 01:32.000 Only don't get me wrong. 01:32.000 --> 01:34.000 The reason I can't write is because I can't write. You understand? 01:34.000 --> 01:36.000 Wait a minute. Wait a minute. You said you were... 01:36.000 --> 01:38.000 That's right. I'm in jail. 01:38.000 --> 01:41.000 And let me tell you a more unjust thing has never happened to me. 01:41.000 --> 01:42.000 There ain't no justice... 01:42.000 --> 01:44.000 Mr. Abner, slow down a little. I'm trying to write. 01:44.000 --> 01:46.000 It's important, that's all. 01:46.000 --> 01:49.000 There wouldn't be time to write either, I guess, for that matter. 01:49.000 --> 01:51.000 But the main thing is it's important. 01:51.000 --> 01:54.000 That's what I've got to make you understand, see? You get me? 01:54.000 --> 01:56.000 Oh, sure. You make it so easy. 01:56.000 --> 01:58.000 Yeah, well, I'm kind of excited. 01:58.000 --> 02:00.000 You see, the jail burned down. 02:00.000 --> 02:02.000 Oh, yeah. And you burned down, wouldn't you? 02:02.000 --> 02:04.000 Now, hold on. I mean the jail over in Melody. 02:04.000 --> 02:06.000 That's where I'm calling from. 02:06.000 --> 02:08.000 Melody? Over in the valley? 02:08.000 --> 02:12.000 Yes, sir. That's the one. And a beautiful little town it is for tarantulas. 02:12.000 --> 02:15.000 But that old jail, let me tell you, was the biggest I saw in... 02:15.000 --> 02:18.000 Hold it, hold it, will you? Now, say something sensible or hang up. 02:18.000 --> 02:21.000 But I am. I mean, just because I can't write. 02:21.000 --> 02:25.000 Listen, the fire was last night. They moved us out, that's all. 02:25.000 --> 02:28.000 Now we're locked up in the sheriff's office. That's how I could get to the phone. 02:28.000 --> 02:29.000 Ah, clear as a bell. 02:29.000 --> 02:33.000 Listen to me. I got out of the fire, understand? 02:33.000 --> 02:36.000 Only one of the guys in the big cell, he didn't. 02:36.000 --> 02:40.000 He's dead. And if I tell what I know about it, I'll be dead too. 02:40.000 --> 02:41.000 What? 02:41.000 --> 02:43.000 I mean it. It's a rough deal. Get over here, will you? 02:43.000 --> 03:01.000 If you don't help me, if they make me tell what I know, they'll burn me. 03:01.000 --> 03:04.000 I wonder if this Abner's telling the truth. 03:04.000 --> 03:08.000 Could be he's taking George on a wild goose chase. 03:08.000 --> 03:10.000 Well, all I know is my friend here won't lead you astray... 03:10.000 --> 03:13.000 because what he has to say is straight into the point. 03:13.000 --> 03:17.000 Lead on, Macduff. 03:17.000 --> 03:20.000 You made every word live, son. 03:20.000 --> 03:23.000 Now let's see if George and Brooksy can do as much for Abner. 03:23.000 --> 03:27.000 Oh, that's them pulling up in front of the sheriff's office. 03:27.000 --> 03:28.000 Well, that's the sheriff's office, George. 03:28.000 --> 03:32.000 Yeah. Sure needs a coat of paint, all right. 03:32.000 --> 03:34.000 But I guess this is the place that dopey guy on the telephone to... 03:34.000 --> 03:36.000 Hey! Hey! 03:36.000 --> 03:39.000 Shh! That's you, Valentine. 03:39.000 --> 03:40.000 Yeah. 03:40.000 --> 03:41.000 Oh, they were in the... 03:41.000 --> 03:42.000 The alley, George. 03:42.000 --> 03:45.000 Here. Right here. Hurry up. Don't let anybody see you. 03:45.000 --> 03:48.000 Okay. You're Abner, huh? 03:48.000 --> 03:50.000 But I thought you said you were locked up inside. 03:50.000 --> 03:51.000 Right you are, lady. 03:51.000 --> 03:53.000 Transferred to all of us here when the jail burned down. 03:53.000 --> 03:55.000 Only now I'm... I'm nuts, see? 03:55.000 --> 03:56.000 Well, how did you get out? 03:56.000 --> 03:57.000 They turned us loose. 03:57.000 --> 04:00.000 I just dropped into town for a little game. 04:00.000 --> 04:04.000 A slight flutter of the pasteboards and wham, they picked me up. 04:04.000 --> 04:08.000 But the way they treat you in this town, you'd think you'd murdered a whole city block. 04:08.000 --> 04:10.000 We got in the way and they turned us loose. 04:10.000 --> 04:11.000 I don't blame them. 04:11.000 --> 04:15.000 Kicked me out and told me to get out of town without even giving me a free meal. 04:15.000 --> 04:17.000 Can you imagine? There ain't no justice. 04:17.000 --> 04:22.000 Oh, now listen, Buster. I drove four hours just so I could try to make sense out of what you said on the phone. 04:22.000 --> 04:24.000 Sure, sure, sure. So let me tell you just what... 04:24.000 --> 04:26.000 Oh, no, you don't. I'll tell you. 04:26.000 --> 04:29.000 We stopped at the scene of the fire on our way in. You weren't lying. There was a fire. 04:29.000 --> 04:30.000 Well, that's what I... 04:30.000 --> 04:36.000 Furthermore, a man, a prisoner, who was hauled in last night, another big gentleman like yourself, didn't get out. 04:36.000 --> 04:37.000 He died in that fire. 04:37.000 --> 04:42.000 It's plain to see you got the facts. But I don't know his name. Nobody knows his name. 04:42.000 --> 04:46.000 Sure, sure, but it was a plain, simple death so far as anybody knows. 04:46.000 --> 04:48.000 So Abner, whatever you know had better be... 04:48.000 --> 04:50.000 He was dead before the fire. 04:50.000 --> 04:51.000 What? 04:51.000 --> 04:55.000 You heard me. In a big jammed up cell. Conditions are terrible here, I tell you. 04:55.000 --> 05:00.000 In that big snoring mass of men, that guy was already dead as a mackerel. 05:00.000 --> 05:01.000 How do you know? 05:01.000 --> 05:05.000 Because when the fire started, I tried to rescue him, that's why. 05:05.000 --> 05:09.000 Because I put my hands on him and shook him and practically got frozen for my trouble. 05:09.000 --> 05:11.000 Body cold as ice, I tell you. 05:11.000 --> 05:13.000 All right. All right, we get the idea. 05:13.000 --> 05:15.000 Why didn't you tell the police? 05:15.000 --> 05:17.000 Because they're mixed up in it, that's why. 05:17.000 --> 05:21.000 In some way, I tell you in this town they got a chief of policing... 05:21.000 --> 05:22.000 Oh, no, wait a minute. 05:22.000 --> 05:25.000 His name's McNabb and his crew are crooked as a cactus. 05:25.000 --> 05:30.000 For instance, you know what? He beats me, hauls me into his office and beats me. 05:30.000 --> 05:33.000 You don't believe me. Ask Hank. Hank, come over here. 05:33.000 --> 05:34.000 Hank? 05:34.000 --> 05:35.000 He was there. He knows. 05:35.000 --> 05:37.000 Hello, everybody. 05:38.000 --> 05:39.000 Hank, huh? 05:39.000 --> 05:40.000 I beg your pardon. 05:40.000 --> 05:44.000 Whiskers do not measure a man, nor the patches in his pants. 05:44.000 --> 05:45.000 How do you do? 05:45.000 --> 05:47.000 Pleasure, young lady. Pleasure indeed. 05:47.000 --> 05:48.000 Now listen, Mr. Valentine. 05:48.000 --> 05:51.000 Hank here was visiting my humble abode. 05:51.000 --> 05:52.000 Humble abode? 05:52.000 --> 05:54.000 A small place, not too elegant. 05:54.000 --> 05:58.000 As for that big guy, the guy who died, we did entertain him. 05:58.000 --> 06:01.000 Hank and I invited him to share our diggings a couple of days ago. 06:01.000 --> 06:03.000 Don't exaggerate, Abner. 06:03.000 --> 06:06.000 Your room is a dump. And you didn't even know the guy's name. 06:06.000 --> 06:11.000 I remember you said hello and I said hello and he says, oh, fascinating fellow. 06:11.000 --> 06:13.000 What do you know about his death, Hank? 06:13.000 --> 06:15.000 It's just what Abner's told you, I suppose. 06:15.000 --> 06:19.000 It's no skin off my neck. I don't like people who won't talk. 06:19.000 --> 06:23.000 I doubt if even he said three words to the cop who threw him in. 06:23.000 --> 06:24.000 You mean when he was arrested? 06:24.000 --> 06:25.000 Rounded up a whole bunch of us. 06:25.000 --> 06:28.000 Yes, they do it every Saturday night in this town. 06:28.000 --> 06:30.000 That's the cross we have to bear. 06:30.000 --> 06:33.000 And I may say at Draftier Jail cell... 06:33.000 --> 06:36.000 Now listen, that guy didn't die of no cold. 06:36.000 --> 06:38.000 He didn't look any too well. 06:38.000 --> 06:41.000 I wouldn't be surprised if the fright and the excitement of the fight... 06:41.000 --> 06:44.000 It was a treatment he got, I'm telling you, the rough way that they had... 06:44.000 --> 06:46.000 What rough treatment? What kind of stuff are you guys trying to put... 06:46.000 --> 06:48.000 Beat you, that's what they do. 06:48.000 --> 06:51.000 Round you up, say change your clothes and into the tank you go. 06:51.000 --> 06:53.000 No chance to argue or nothing. 06:53.000 --> 06:56.000 I tell you that McNab's a regular guest top... 06:56.000 --> 06:59.000 Oh, get off the soapbox, Abner. Live and let live. 06:59.000 --> 07:01.000 Take it easy, there's no excitement. 07:01.000 --> 07:03.000 Okay, Abner, okay. 07:03.000 --> 07:04.000 Where do I find this chief of police? 07:04.000 --> 07:06.000 Oh no, oh no you don't. 07:06.000 --> 07:08.000 I'm not going to come within five miles... 07:08.000 --> 07:09.000 I wouldn't ask you to. 07:09.000 --> 07:11.000 Hey you, Hank, come on, lead the way. 07:11.000 --> 07:13.000 How did I get dragged into this? 07:13.000 --> 07:15.000 Quit kicking, friend. 07:15.000 --> 07:29.000 I could ask the same question myself. 07:29.000 --> 07:32.000 So they say he died somehow before the fire, is that right? 07:32.000 --> 07:34.000 Yes, chief, they said that... 07:34.000 --> 07:37.000 Now wait just a minute how you used that word they. 07:37.000 --> 07:38.000 It's Abner who said... 07:38.000 --> 07:40.000 Oh, get out of here, go on, beat it. 07:40.000 --> 07:42.000 Look out, chief, don't hit me. 07:42.000 --> 07:44.000 What? What did you say? 07:44.000 --> 07:47.000 Well, I haven't done anything and when you talk like that Abner... 07:47.000 --> 07:50.000 Go on, Hank, go on, we don't need you. 07:50.000 --> 07:53.000 Well, sure, if you say so. 07:53.000 --> 07:55.000 I didn't mean any harm. 07:55.000 --> 07:58.000 Pleasant morning to you, chief. 07:58.000 --> 08:00.000 There's a wreck of a man. 08:00.000 --> 08:03.000 Big words, little work. 08:03.000 --> 08:05.000 What are you looking at me like that for? 08:05.000 --> 08:07.000 I suppose you expect me to hit people too. 08:07.000 --> 08:09.000 All right, now just take it easy, chief, will you? 08:09.000 --> 08:11.000 I know what kind of a guy Abner is. 08:11.000 --> 08:14.000 But I also saw that jail had burned. 08:14.000 --> 08:18.000 And it wasn't exactly a model one for as big a town as this. 08:18.000 --> 08:22.000 Sure, sure, my fault. Blame it on the chief. 08:22.000 --> 08:26.000 Wouldn't have anything to do with how much money the town gives me to run this force, would it? 08:26.000 --> 08:27.000 Skip it, will you? 08:27.000 --> 08:31.000 There was no connection between the fire and that other bum's death. 08:31.000 --> 08:37.000 Unless somebody set the fire in order to get rid of some evidence, like a blow or a bullet. 08:37.000 --> 08:40.000 Just in case that death wasn't natural, I mean. 08:40.000 --> 08:42.000 Oh, but George, that doesn't make any sense. 08:42.000 --> 08:46.000 All that trouble just to get rid of some unknown, a man nobody cared about? 08:46.000 --> 08:47.000 Now look, both of you, I want to... 08:47.000 --> 08:48.000 Excuse me, chief. 08:48.000 --> 08:49.000 Oh, get out of here, sergeant. 08:49.000 --> 08:51.000 I thought you ought to see that dead guy's clothes. 08:51.000 --> 08:52.000 You know what? 08:52.000 --> 08:55.000 Well, here, for the wing of the jail that wasn't burned, where they changed. 08:55.000 --> 08:57.000 You mean what he was wearing when he was thrown in? Here, let me see that. 08:57.000 --> 08:59.000 I'll do that, mister. 08:59.000 --> 09:05.000 Ah, eleven cents change, huh? Big man. 09:05.000 --> 09:07.000 Typical vagrant, I tell you. He was just... 09:07.000 --> 09:09.000 No, here, chief, a piece of paper. 09:09.000 --> 09:12.000 So many on a Saturday night, we don't really have time to go over them, you know. 09:12.000 --> 09:15.000 Let me see that. 09:15.000 --> 09:17.000 Mr. Walter F. Smith. 09:17.000 --> 09:18.000 Who? 09:18.000 --> 09:23.000 Yeah, mystery sol, chief. That's his name, apparently. 09:23.000 --> 09:28.000 Suggest you stick pretty closely to plenty of milk, leave out too much starch, 09:28.000 --> 09:30.000 be careful of pepper or any seasoning. 09:30.000 --> 09:31.000 What? 09:30.000 --> 09:31.000 What's that? 09:31.000 --> 09:34.000 That's all. Some doctor's name, Kansas City. 09:34.000 --> 09:38.000 Yeah, a diet list, chief. So he was just a nobody, huh? 09:38.000 --> 09:39.000 Oh, no. 09:39.000 --> 09:41.000 Well, what's the matter? I should think that would help you... 09:41.000 --> 09:45.000 Chief just realizes he might be in a worse spot than ever, right, McNabb? 09:45.000 --> 09:48.000 Very smart, Valentine. You catch on real quick. 09:48.000 --> 09:50.000 Negligence, angel. If there was anything wrong with this guy, 09:50.000 --> 09:52.000 then the police should have found out about it. 09:52.000 --> 09:54.000 Maybe he needed help instead of a cell. 09:54.000 --> 09:56.000 Go on, get out of here. I got work to do. 09:56.000 --> 09:57.000 Oh, wait a minute, sir. There's something else. 09:57.000 --> 10:00.000 Now, look, sergeant, you've caused enough trouble yourself for one day. 10:00.000 --> 10:03.000 I'm sorry, chief, but over at the morgue, there's a woman. 10:03.000 --> 10:06.000 She says she's Mrs. Walter F. Smith. 10:06.000 --> 10:07.000 His wife? 10:07.000 --> 10:10.000 Well, I guess, or used to be. 10:10.000 --> 10:12.000 Anyway, she's been looking for him several months. 10:12.000 --> 10:13.000 Read about this in the newspaper. 10:13.000 --> 10:15.000 Just flew into town on a hunch to look at the body. 10:15.000 --> 10:20.000 Flew in? The wife of a typical nobody? 10:20.000 --> 10:23.000 I mean, you better see it, chief. 10:23.000 --> 10:25.000 I mean, she wears a mink coat. 10:25.000 --> 10:40.000 Of course there's nothing I can tell you. What could I tell you? 10:40.000 --> 10:42.000 Don't be ridiculous. I'm going back to my hotel. 10:42.000 --> 10:44.000 Look, I know how you feel, Mrs. Smith. 10:44.000 --> 10:47.000 I don't know whether he was ill or not. I don't know anything about him lately. 10:47.000 --> 10:48.000 But the chief of police asked me to... 10:48.000 --> 10:51.000 I'm sorry. I've been through enough seeing Walter there like that. 10:51.000 --> 10:52.000 Mrs. Smith, if you don't... 10:52.000 --> 10:53.000 My taxi's waiting. I'm sorry. 10:53.000 --> 10:54.000 Which hotel? 10:54.000 --> 10:56.000 Let her go. Leave her alone. 10:56.000 --> 10:58.000 Sure, where's a mink coat? 10:58.000 --> 10:59.000 Wife of a bum? 10:59.000 --> 11:01.000 Well, we asked her to stay until you... 11:01.000 --> 11:04.000 I wanted to see what the teletype check said on his name, that's all. 11:04.000 --> 11:05.000 Well? 11:05.000 --> 11:07.000 Walter F. Smith is wanted by the law. 11:07.000 --> 11:08.000 What? 11:08.000 --> 11:09.000 Embezzlement. 11:09.000 --> 11:13.000 Well, all right. What are you so sour about? 11:13.000 --> 11:18.000 If his death was the police's fault anyway, it's better for you than if he was a respectable citizen. 11:18.000 --> 11:20.000 Hold still. I'll give you the facts. Have fun with him. 11:20.000 --> 11:25.000 In addition to Smith, his loot of $200,000 is also wanted. 11:25.000 --> 11:30.000 Oh. Do you suppose someone found out what he did with it and then murdered him last night? 11:30.000 --> 11:32.000 There you go. Having fun already. 11:32.000 --> 11:35.000 Take it easy, Chief. At least you're off the hook. 11:35.000 --> 11:38.000 So now everybody else is up to something, that's all. 11:38.000 --> 11:57.000 As Abner puts it, there ain't no justice. 11:57.000 --> 12:01.000 Our boy Valentine sounded a little burned up when he said there ain't no justice. 12:01.000 --> 12:06.000 And he's right. Where's the body he always stumbles on along about now? 12:06.000 --> 12:09.000 This could ruin his reputation. 12:09.000 --> 12:30.000 You know, I'd ask my friend here to drop dead, except I know he has something pretty good to tell you. 12:30.000 --> 12:34.000 Now let's get back and see if George's temper has improved. 12:34.000 --> 12:38.000 Not that I blame him. Abner would make anybody see red. 12:38.000 --> 12:45.000 If you remember, Abner is the old coot that accused Chief of Police McNabb of barbecuing a fellow prisoner by burning down the pokey. 12:45.000 --> 12:50.000 As an added touch, Abner swears the victim was dead before he got the hot foot. 12:50.000 --> 12:58.000 Then to make matters more complicated, the Chief discovers the body belonged to a Walter Smith, who was wanted for taking $200,000 that didn't belong to him. 12:58.000 --> 13:01.000 Complicated? You bet. 13:01.000 --> 13:05.000 But George hasn't figured. He says it's murder. 13:05.000 --> 13:10.000 Even so, I think I'd better lend our boy a hand as he starts asking questions around town. 13:10.000 --> 13:12.000 I have a landlady, George. 13:12.000 --> 13:17.000 Walter Smith came to town a couple of days ago. You must have noticed something about him, or he must have had some baggage that you... 13:17.000 --> 13:21.000 I'm a working woman, Mac. I don't have time to sit around and gab with a guess. 13:21.000 --> 13:29.000 I just thought he was a drifter like the rest of them, that's all. And he had no baggage. I can tell you that in one word, no baggage. 13:29.000 --> 13:33.000 Two words. But you notice baggage, huh? Keep your eye out for that sort of thing? 13:33.000 --> 13:37.000 I gotta protect it, you know. Don't want nothing stolen from the guess. 13:37.000 --> 13:39.000 Uh-huh. Nothing in his bureau? 13:39.000 --> 13:44.000 Oh, spare shirt maybe. How should I know? I'm telling you like I told McNabb. 13:44.000 --> 13:49.000 Smith was here, but I didn't notice him until he wasn't here last night, and somebody said he was in jail. 13:49.000 --> 13:50.000 Who said? 13:50.000 --> 13:53.000 A guy named Abner. Seemed all upset. 13:53.000 --> 13:54.000 Oh, yeah. They're rounding up Abner again. 13:54.000 --> 13:57.000 Ain't that interesting. Look, if you're through nosing around... 13:57.000 --> 13:59.000 Here's your newspaper. 13:59.000 --> 14:00.000 Huh? 14:00.000 --> 14:07.000 Yeah, it's today's newspaper. Room hasn't been occupied since yesterday, and I don't know who else would read the fashion page around here. 14:07.000 --> 14:08.000 Thanks. 14:08.000 --> 14:11.000 Now, you've been going through this room. What did you find? 14:11.000 --> 14:19.000 Nothing. Gee, 200,000 bucks they say he's got someplace. But I'm telling you, not a thing. Not any baggage, not nothing. 14:19.000 --> 14:20.000 You expect me to believe that? 14:20.000 --> 14:21.000 George. 14:21.000 --> 14:22.000 Yeah, in here, Brooksy. 14:22.000 --> 14:23.000 George, I can't find it. 14:23.000 --> 14:24.000 If you're looking for me, dearie... 14:24.000 --> 14:27.000 Mrs. Smith, his wife. I tried every hotel in town. 14:27.000 --> 14:29.000 That taxi driver who drove her away from the morgue? 14:29.000 --> 14:33.000 The police had already located the driver. He says he dropped her off downtown here in the business section. 14:33.000 --> 14:36.000 What are you two talking about? You know something I don't? 14:36.000 --> 14:39.000 I doubt it. Come on, Angel, I've learned all I need to. 14:39.000 --> 14:57.000 So it wasn't the fault of the big bad police, Valentine. I just talked long distance to that doctor in Kansas City, the one whose name was on the diet chart. 14:57.000 --> 14:58.000 What did you find out, Chief? 14:58.000 --> 15:07.000 There was nothing really wrong with Smith's health. He was one of them hypochondriacs. You know, warriors, pill takers. Doc finally booted him out. 15:07.000 --> 15:11.000 All right, all right. So the police are pure. Did you locate that Abner for me? 15:11.000 --> 15:15.000 I haven't done anything for you, but I'll take you down to a garage if you want. 15:15.000 --> 15:16.000 A garage? 15:16.000 --> 15:22.000 Smith's wife. She went down to this garage and rented a car. Only now the car's back and she's disappeared. 15:22.000 --> 15:36.000 I don't know where she went when she took the car. 15:36.000 --> 15:39.000 Didn't you see Mrs. Smith when she came back to your garage? 15:39.000 --> 15:46.000 She was gone about an hour, I guess. Anyways, I didn't notice the car. It was just a few minutes ago parked here in the alley. 15:46.000 --> 15:49.000 It's been someplace with a lot of dust. 15:49.000 --> 15:54.000 I got the sergeant around combing the town for her. She's back. She's got to be around someplace. 15:54.000 --> 15:55.000 You're sure about that? 15:55.000 --> 15:56.000 Why not? 15:56.000 --> 15:59.000 Well, I didn't have much luck and I must have been looking after she came back. 15:59.000 --> 16:00.000 Twenty-two miles. 16:00.000 --> 16:01.000 What? 16:01.000 --> 16:04.000 Well, you set the speedometer back to zero when you hire a car out, don't you? 16:04.000 --> 16:05.000 Well, that's right. 16:05.000 --> 16:08.000 So wherever she went, it was 11 miles out and 11 miles back. 16:08.000 --> 16:13.000 With all that dust, too. Now look, a piece of sage brush. 16:13.000 --> 16:15.000 What's ticking in your head? 16:15.000 --> 16:18.000 Most of the roads around here are paved. There's only a couple of... 16:18.000 --> 16:21.000 This is grape country. Irrigated, most of it. So how did that sage brush get there? 16:21.000 --> 16:24.000 Come on, hop in my car. I'll show you. 16:35.000 --> 16:37.000 This is the third and last road. 16:37.000 --> 16:38.000 Ten and a half miles. 16:38.000 --> 16:40.000 Yeah, plenty of sage brush on this one. 16:40.000 --> 16:43.000 Yeah, old double-A place. Sold out and cut the water off. 16:43.000 --> 16:45.000 Hey, wait a minute. 16:45.000 --> 16:46.000 What's that building over there? 16:46.000 --> 16:48.000 Abandoned winery. Only the mileage... 16:48.000 --> 16:52.000 Wait a minute. Hold it. Stop. Tracks. Right there. See them turning off? 16:52.000 --> 16:54.000 Yeah. Only there's two cars. 16:54.000 --> 16:56.000 Yeah, there's one right there. 16:56.000 --> 16:57.000 What? 16:57.000 --> 16:59.000 An old pickup truck. See? Beyond the building. 16:59.000 --> 17:00.000 Hey. Hey, you. 17:00.000 --> 17:01.000 It's Abner and Hank, George. 17:01.000 --> 17:02.000 Hey, look out. Stay back. 17:02.000 --> 17:03.000 Abner. 17:03.000 --> 17:05.000 Wait for me, Abner. I didn't do anything. 17:05.000 --> 17:06.000 Stop. Both of you. 17:06.000 --> 17:07.000 Stay away from that truck. 17:07.000 --> 17:10.000 Wait, Abner. We haven't done anything, my boy. 17:10.000 --> 17:12.000 Stop or I'll shoot. 17:12.000 --> 17:16.000 McNabb's with him. Come on. 17:16.000 --> 17:18.000 Hey, slow down, Hank. 17:18.000 --> 17:19.000 I'm not doing anything. 17:19.000 --> 17:22.000 Okay, Hank. Your friend left you. That's all. 17:22.000 --> 17:25.000 Oh, cut it out, McNabb. He got away. Let him go. 17:25.000 --> 17:27.000 But if I don't get after him right now... 17:27.000 --> 17:30.000 Abner was just looking for you, Mr. Valentine. 17:30.000 --> 17:31.000 We just got here. 17:31.000 --> 17:35.000 A garage man told him you were out trying some roads or something, 17:35.000 --> 17:38.000 so he borrowed the truck and grabbed me along. 17:38.000 --> 17:41.000 Skip it. Radio the Highway Patrol, McNabb. They'll get him. 17:41.000 --> 17:42.000 And take Miss Brooks into town for me. 17:42.000 --> 17:44.000 What? Who do you think is chief of police in this town? 17:44.000 --> 17:46.000 I've told her what I want. 17:46.000 --> 17:49.000 Help me. I hurt my foot a little. 17:49.000 --> 17:51.000 Okay, okay. I'll take care of Hank here. 17:51.000 --> 17:53.000 Only get your car away from here, McNabb. Quick. 17:53.000 --> 17:55.000 Okay. 17:55.000 --> 17:58.000 All right. Cool off, Hank. We'll just wait. 17:58.000 --> 18:14.000 In the shade, if we can find any. 18:14.000 --> 18:17.000 How long are we going to wait, Mr. Valentine? 18:17.000 --> 18:21.000 Oh, relax. Relax, Hank. Sun will set in a couple of hours. 18:21.000 --> 18:24.000 Couple of hours? Then it'll be just as bad. 18:24.000 --> 18:26.000 It gets real cold out here in the evening. 18:26.000 --> 18:28.000 It goes through your bones. 18:28.000 --> 18:30.000 I don't know how I got into this crazy... 18:30.000 --> 18:31.000 Yeah, sure I know. 18:31.000 --> 18:33.000 Abner brought you out here with him, huh? 18:33.000 --> 18:37.000 Abner got me into this because he already had a little idea who Smith really was. 18:37.000 --> 18:39.000 Is that check? 18:39.000 --> 18:41.000 I guess so, Mr. Valentine. I don't know. 18:41.000 --> 18:43.000 Sure, sure. You were all in jail together. 18:43.000 --> 18:47.000 Abner thought maybe I could help point him toward the money, is that right? 18:47.000 --> 18:50.000 I guess he thought that because Mrs. Smith came out here, 18:50.000 --> 18:53.000 well, then the money was out here, too. 18:53.000 --> 18:55.000 Yeah, yeah. It might be. 18:55.000 --> 18:57.000 You really think so? 18:57.000 --> 19:00.000 Well, in that case, while everybody's gone, maybe you and I... 19:00.000 --> 19:02.000 Oh, no, no. It's too hot. 19:02.000 --> 19:06.000 No, we'd never find it, Hank. Let the police worry. 19:06.000 --> 19:09.000 Abner doesn't trust McNam. That's why he took off. 19:09.000 --> 19:12.000 I know it. But he'll be back, looking for the money. 19:12.000 --> 19:16.000 Look, Mr. Valentine, was this guy Smith murdered? 19:16.000 --> 19:18.000 I don't know. 19:18.000 --> 19:21.000 Holy smoke. Maybe he killed himself. 19:21.000 --> 19:25.000 Well, it could have happened, only it doesn't tie with anything very well. 19:25.000 --> 19:29.000 Come on, we're losing our shade. Let's move. 19:29.000 --> 19:35.000 Maybe Smith was just not in too good health and kicked off. 19:35.000 --> 19:38.000 A man has to take care of himself. 19:38.000 --> 19:40.000 Yeah, you're right. 19:40.000 --> 19:41.000 Here's a good place. 19:41.000 --> 19:43.000 The winery? 19:43.000 --> 19:46.000 There. It ought to be cool inside here, don't you think? 19:46.000 --> 19:48.000 Okay. 19:48.000 --> 19:51.000 Boy, it's dark. 19:53.000 --> 19:54.000 What in the name of... 19:54.000 --> 19:56.000 Hey, what happened? Did you fall? 19:56.000 --> 19:59.000 I'm all right. 19:59.000 --> 20:01.000 Look. 20:01.000 --> 20:03.000 I tripped. 20:04.000 --> 20:06.000 Look. 20:06.000 --> 20:09.000 Mrs. Smith. 20:09.000 --> 20:19.000 The body of Mrs. Smith. 20:26.000 --> 20:29.000 Oh, thank goodness. At last a body. 20:29.000 --> 20:31.000 Too bad it had to be Mrs. Smith. 20:31.000 --> 20:35.000 But you know the old saying, here today and ghoul tomorrow. 20:35.000 --> 20:42.000 Anyway, while George is getting to the bottom of this, I want my friend here to dish a little off the top. 20:56.000 --> 20:58.000 You know, there's an ironic twist to this story. 20:58.000 --> 21:02.000 It all takes place in a town called Melody. 21:02.000 --> 21:05.000 As far as I can see, it's been one discord after another. 21:05.000 --> 21:09.000 And this fellow Hank isn't helping matters with his off-key baritone. 21:09.000 --> 21:12.000 Look, I don't like it around here, and it's cold even in here. 21:12.000 --> 21:13.000 I told you it'd be cold, and I... 21:13.000 --> 21:14.000 Quiet. Well, you don't make so much noise. 21:14.000 --> 21:16.000 But she's been dead a long time. 21:16.000 --> 21:18.000 Get over the head. Yeah, I can see for myself. 21:18.000 --> 21:20.000 So somebody else drove the car back. 21:20.000 --> 21:22.000 She drove out, and somebody else drove it back. That's more like it. 21:22.000 --> 21:25.000 I'm getting nervous. Somebody will be back here. 21:25.000 --> 21:28.000 Yeah, you're right. All we know about her is that her husband left her. 21:28.000 --> 21:30.000 He was hiding out, posing as a bum. 21:30.000 --> 21:32.000 So she came after him to get the money. 21:32.000 --> 21:34.000 You mean to say the money was here? 21:34.000 --> 21:36.000 I mean, I've caught on to this case, that's all. 21:36.000 --> 21:39.000 Mrs. Smith didn't know where her husband was. 21:39.000 --> 21:42.000 How could she know where the money was if he was dead before she got to town? 21:42.000 --> 21:43.000 Oh, for the love of... 21:43.000 --> 21:45.000 Okay, okay. I'll stop talking, Riddles. 21:45.000 --> 21:47.000 Shh. You hear that? 21:47.000 --> 21:49.000 Yeah. We got company. 21:49.000 --> 21:52.000 Get back in here. He can't see you. 21:52.000 --> 21:54.000 Hold it. 21:54.000 --> 21:56.000 McNabb. 21:56.000 --> 21:57.000 Valentine? 21:57.000 --> 21:59.000 Oh, yeah. Right here, Chief. 21:59.000 --> 22:03.000 Oh, holy smoke, Chief. We thought you might be somebody else. 22:03.000 --> 22:04.000 Where's Miss Brooks? 22:04.000 --> 22:06.000 Out in the car. We haven't located Abner yet. 22:06.000 --> 22:08.000 Did you two find what I told Brooks about? 22:08.000 --> 22:11.000 Yeah. Pills, medicines, a small drugstore. 22:11.000 --> 22:12.000 Okay, where was it? 22:12.000 --> 22:16.000 First place you suggested. But I doubt if it'll do much good as evidence. 22:16.000 --> 22:19.000 I know it, but I got a better idea. Go on back to the car. 22:19.000 --> 22:20.000 Okay, sure. 22:20.000 --> 22:23.000 Say, what's the idea? 22:23.000 --> 22:25.000 What's so funny? 22:25.000 --> 22:27.000 Well, you might not see the jail, Cank. 22:27.000 --> 22:31.000 Sit down. We're gonna wait some more. For days, if we have to. 22:31.000 --> 22:34.000 Wait? What for? 22:34.000 --> 22:36.000 A confession. 22:36.000 --> 22:37.000 What? 22:37.000 --> 22:40.000 Yeah, a man named Smith was a fugitive from the law, and from his wife, too. 22:40.000 --> 22:43.000 Had money and plenty of trouble, and worst of all, he was sure he was sick. 22:43.000 --> 22:45.000 So the money couldn't give him much fun, could it? 22:45.000 --> 22:50.000 And result? He was hiding on Skid Row when he got an idea. 22:50.000 --> 22:52.000 Why not die? 22:52.000 --> 22:55.000 Look, I'm... I'm cold, and I'm dying of religion. 22:55.000 --> 22:58.000 He did. He did just that. He died of murder. 22:58.000 --> 23:02.000 And afterwards, set fire to the jail he was in, so his body couldn't be examined too closely. 23:02.000 --> 23:03.000 He what? 23:03.000 --> 23:05.000 It all worked beautifully until his wife showed up. 23:05.000 --> 23:07.000 She kept her mouth shut when she saw the body. 23:07.000 --> 23:11.000 But afterwards, must have spotted Smith herself, and so he brought her out here and he killed her. 23:11.000 --> 23:16.000 Probably told her the money was here, when really, I suppose, it stashed away in Kansas City or anyplace else. 23:16.000 --> 23:19.000 I'll say you don't know anything. You're so mixed up. 23:19.000 --> 23:22.000 Oh, I should have caught on when I found Smith's room had no baggage. 23:22.000 --> 23:26.000 That's where the pill taker's private drug store should have been. 23:26.000 --> 23:28.000 But of course it wasn't. 23:28.000 --> 23:32.000 They were with your stuff, Walter F. Smith. 23:32.000 --> 23:34.000 That's where McNabb found it. 23:34.000 --> 23:36.000 Oh, is that so? 23:36.000 --> 23:39.000 Yeah, the man you killed was just a poor penny-ante gambler. 23:39.000 --> 23:41.000 A man you knew hardly ever opened his mouth. 23:41.000 --> 23:44.000 No one knew anything about him. He'd never be missed. 23:44.000 --> 23:47.000 So you knocked him over the head, I suppose, when all the rest of the men were asleep. 23:47.000 --> 23:50.000 I don't know what you're talking about, Mr. Valadar. 23:50.000 --> 23:53.000 They put that diet chart in his clothes. Oh, not a bad stunt. 23:53.000 --> 23:55.000 Make the police think they might have done a pretty terrible thing. 23:55.000 --> 23:57.000 Make them want to cover it up and keep it quiet. 23:57.000 --> 23:59.000 I won't admit any of it. There's nothing you can do for me. 23:59.000 --> 24:01.000 Oh, Buster, what an ironic spot you sit on. 24:01.000 --> 24:05.000 Oh, you're cold? Oh, well, come on, let's have a brandy. 24:05.000 --> 24:08.000 You know, I remember the items on that diet list. 24:08.000 --> 24:11.000 Milk, no pepper, just bland stuff. 24:11.000 --> 24:15.000 So the guy it was written for must have been worried about his stomach. 24:15.000 --> 24:17.000 Come on, Hank, have a brandy. 24:17.000 --> 24:21.000 Little sharp, maybe, kind of strong for some stomachs, maybe, but for you it'll... 24:21.000 --> 24:22.000 I don't want it. 24:22.000 --> 24:24.000 Too bad you didn't have the sense to stay away from here. 24:24.000 --> 24:26.000 Just curious, I guess. Shut up, shut up. 24:26.000 --> 24:30.000 Look, Mr. Smith, if all I've said isn't true, well, go ahead, have a drink. 24:30.000 --> 24:33.000 There's nothing wrong with you. The diet chart wasn't yours. 24:33.000 --> 24:34.000 Shut up! 24:34.000 --> 24:38.000 And after you're really hungry, we'll go in for a nice spicy Mexican dinner, maybe. 24:38.000 --> 24:40.000 There'll be no excuse for you not to eat it, will there be? 24:40.000 --> 24:41.000 Cut this out! 24:41.000 --> 24:43.000 After all, you're OK. You can eat anything. Go on, have a drink. 24:43.000 --> 24:48.000 You! You! 24:48.000 --> 24:50.000 All right, come on, Mr. Smith. 24:50.000 --> 24:52.000 Ms. Brooks will take it down in shorthand. 24:52.000 --> 24:55.000 And then we're going back to town and find Abner. 24:55.000 --> 24:58.000 And see how he can take some gentle persuasion. 24:58.000 --> 25:02.000 Abner, I want you to get out of Melody and keep going. 25:02.000 --> 25:03.000 And right now... 25:03.000 --> 25:05.000 Look out! Don't you hit me again, Chief. 25:05.000 --> 25:07.000 Oh, I've never hit you. Nobody on my force has ever... 25:07.000 --> 25:10.000 Abner, listen, will you? The Chief here is all right. 25:10.000 --> 25:13.000 With a little publicity on this case, maybe the town will wake up 25:13.000 --> 25:15.000 and give him the money his department needs. 25:15.000 --> 25:17.000 But, Abner, I am not a cop. 25:17.000 --> 25:18.000 I'm not a cop. 25:18.000 --> 25:19.000 I'm not a cop. 25:19.000 --> 25:20.000 I'm not a cop. 25:20.000 --> 25:21.000 I'm not a cop. 25:21.000 --> 25:22.000 I'm not a cop. 25:22.000 --> 25:23.000 I'm not a cop. 25:23.000 --> 25:24.000 I'm not a cop. 25:24.000 --> 25:25.000 I'm not a cop. 25:25.000 --> 25:26.000 I'm not a cop. 25:26.000 --> 25:28.000 Abner, I am not a cop. 25:28.000 --> 25:29.000 I'd be glad to hit you. 25:29.000 --> 25:30.000 No, no, you wouldn't. 25:30.000 --> 25:31.000 That's what you think. 25:31.000 --> 25:33.000 I don't like being played for a sucker, so start moving. 25:33.000 --> 25:36.000 No, look, I mean, I know I did a lot of lying 25:36.000 --> 25:37.000 to get you into the case. 25:37.000 --> 25:39.000 I figured we could make some dough together. 25:39.000 --> 25:40.000 There goes. 25:40.000 --> 25:42.000 No, no, no. 25:43.000 --> 25:45.000 Thanks, Fran, thanks. 25:45.000 --> 25:47.000 That guy sure was a headache. 25:47.000 --> 25:48.000 Don't mention it. 25:48.000 --> 25:49.000 Okay, Brooksie, let's go. 25:49.000 --> 25:50.000 All right, George. 25:50.000 --> 25:51.000 So long, McNabb. 25:53.000 --> 25:54.000 Well, where you been, Angel? 25:54.000 --> 25:56.000 Seems to me you kind of dropped out of things. 25:56.000 --> 25:57.000 Missed me? 25:57.000 --> 25:58.000 Mm-hmm. 25:58.000 --> 26:00.000 Oh, well, I was busy with the case, so... 26:00.000 --> 26:01.000 Never mind. 26:02.000 --> 26:05.000 As Abner used to say, there ain't no justice. 26:18.000 --> 26:20.000 Say, did you ever see a dream walking? 26:20.000 --> 26:23.000 Maybe not, but you just saw a bell burning. 26:23.000 --> 26:24.000 Brooksie. 26:24.000 --> 26:27.000 And if she'll be good enough to hold that torch she's carrying 26:27.000 --> 26:29.000 a little closer, I'll be able to read that Robert Bailey 26:29.000 --> 26:32.000 plays George Valentine with Virginia Gregg as Brooksie. 26:32.000 --> 26:36.000 Don Clark directed the script by David Victor and Jackson Gillis, 26:36.000 --> 26:39.000 and Eddie Dunstetter's music kept things blazing. 26:39.000 --> 26:42.000 I'd like you to make a mental note right now 26:42.000 --> 26:44.000 to save a half hour for us next time 26:44.000 --> 26:53.000 when you will hear what happens when you let George do it.