Kid Glove Killer (1942) Movie Script
Well, Gerry. Do I look like a mayor?
- Not exactly.
You look honest.
You know, it's a pretty big moment
in my life seeing you sit there.
The way you campaigned over
the radio is what put me here.
I never thought we'd make it.
The toughest part is from now on.
Doing what we said we would.
We'll do it.
- Sure you will.
You have a top man in Hunter Turnley.
He'll make a hard-hitting
district attorney.
Wait a minute.
You're talking about me and
Hunter Turnley. What about you?
I'm going back to practising law.
Look, Gerry.
You are a fighter. And we
are going to need fighters.
You've got to give up your private
practice and work with us from now on.
As what? The only job I could do
for you Turnley has got covered.
Well, I'll talk it over with Hunter.
Hello, Matty.
- Hello, Gerry.
Hello boys.
- Hiya.
I hope you have a good reason
for dragging me out here tonight.
I did.
It looks like a lot of things are going
to be thrown to Hunter Turnley.
Oh it does, huh?
I wouldn't concern myself too
much with that, Your Honor.
Don't brush it off too easily.
Turnley wasn't kidding when he made his
campaign promise to clean up this town.
What's he going to clean up?
When he starts looking for
dirt I know who he'll find.
Don't you?
I see what you mean.
Well, this little thing will
have to be taken care of.
I knew you would have an idea.
I can't let an ambitious kid
like you down you know.
Anything else?
- No. That's about it.
It makes a nice smoke, Your Honor.
What is this 'Your Honor' thing?
Lots of people are called Your Honor.
People who start out
as special prosecutors.
And then become mayors,
and then governors.
Even senators sometimes.
Goodnight, Gerry.
Goodnight, Matty.
Pull her in, Jim. Swing her round.
Pull her in.
I'm caught on a log or something.
- Okay.
Holy smoke, Jim.
Look.
12 hours ago my friend Hunter Turnley
was found murdered in Birch Lake.
Badly beaten and bound hand and foot.
Ladies and gentlemen this is
the underworld's first blow...
Against the kind of governance Chatsburg
will get under Mayor Richard Daniels.
He asked me to get back
on the air to tell you this.
And also to tell you he has
more resolve than ever.
To exterminate every vicious,
political and criminal rat in this city.
He has appointed me his
special prosecutor to help him.
"3 times a week I report our progress
directly to you on this station."
Now we get some action.
"The first thing I promise."
"Is the quick capture and conviction
of the man who killed Hunter Turnley."
He'll do it too.
"The next thing is to arrest all
racketeers preying on small businesses."
That's telling them.
Maybe we're going to
get a break after all.
"You'll be protected.
Fear is your worst enemy."
I'll send him a letter tonight.
No man in your city hall will rest one
moment until we smash the corruption.
That makes the rackets.
That makes the murderers that
threaten every one of you.
Goodnight.
Gerry. Anything on the Turnley
killing you couldn't say on the air?
Not yet boys, but there will be.
I'm going to the police lab now
to check with Gordon McKay.
Excuse me.
Mitchell.
One minute, please.
- A minute here, a minute there.
Before you know it you've
dribbled away a whole lifetime.
What you doing anyway?
- Just what you told me to do.
Missed again?
You keep that beautiful schnozz
of yours out of my personal life.
That's the closest you
ever came to the heart.
I hit a rib once.
Eleven months ago.
In the 3 months I've been here all you
have done is massacre his right sleeve.
Don't be fresh.
No trace of cyanide.
Did you rule out the alkaloids?
Now look, Mr McKay.
I hate this job and you may
think I'm a creep at it.
But I do know how to make an analysis.
After all I didn't get my masters
by slugging the board of regents.
You have a master's in chemistry?
I told you that when you
okayed my appointment.
The stuff they let out
of college nowadays.
Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Match me.
Alright, I'll take your word for it.
Turnley wasn't poisoned.
So what happened to him?
Well, somebody tied his
hands and feet with a rope.
Tossed him in the lake and he drowned.
People get drowned every day.
Only sometimes the wrong people.
How are you, Gerry?
What you say, Sherlock? How are you?
You don't look different as a prosecutor
than you did when you chased ambulances.
I feel a lot worse though.
Any dope on Turnley?
He wasn't poisoned.
Of course he wasn't poisoned.
I see, I see.
Well, I made a mistake. A bad mistake.
I should have locked
her up in the file room.
Miss Mitchell - Mr Ladimer.
Jane - Gerry.
- Hello, Miss Mitchell.
How do you do, Mr Ladimer?
The lab was getting awful dirty.
I needed a maid to clean the joint up.
She hates chemistry.
- She should.
Pay him no mind, Mitchell.
I've heard your talks on
the radio, Mr Ladimer.
They don't sound like
your kind of person.
What kind of person would that be?
She never heard a horse
talk over the air before.
I didn't mean that at all.
He sounded so authoritative
and brusque and...
Well, important.
My radio personality.
Okay Ladimer, you've been in
there pitching long enough.
I'll give you all the dope and
save you a lot of snooping.
Her name is Jane Mitchell.
She is twenty-four.
Has a master's from Montana and
lives at the National Apartments.
Phone number Maine 7826.
With a room-mate from her hometown.
Her name is Margaret.
- The room-mate's name is Margaret.
Margaret.
Any time you feel like discussing
Turnley I'm ready, Mr Ladimer.
Okay, my bug-chasing friend.
What have you there?
We're checking on the rope that was
tied to Turnley's hands and feet.
Any fingerprints?
No. The fellow used canvas gloves.
Very fastidious. Also, smart.
A lot of things stick to rope though.
That's what we're doing now.
What?
That's what we're doing.
Finding out what.
The way you work we'll be old
by the time you deliver this killer.
We need speed, Gordon. The mayor has
committed himself on it. So have I.
Mitchell.
Take a peek at this.
Well?
Some sort of animal hair.
- Right. The kid is getting good.
Check it against domestic pets.
Dogs and cats first.
If this fiend owns a Dachshund I resign.
You getting somewhere?
Who knows. We're checking.
Maybe I'll stick around.
Watch you go through your act.
Confidentially, we work
better without an audience.
A fine friend you are.
I'm just trying to keep
the wolf from her door.
Yeah, I know.
Anything else we can
do for you, Mr Ladimer?
Yeah, you can cut your throat.
You ain't kidding either, pal.
- So long, Gordon.
Lynch, you're sure only 4 people bought
this tanning cream in the last 3 months?
That's all, Gordon. We've checked
every drugstore in the county.
Yeah?
A Miss Mitchell to see Mr McKay.
Send her in.
- I'm in. Hello.
Hello.
165 people who paid dog
licenses on Schnauzers.
You got a Mrs Harkness Chetwold?
1195 Park Place?
- Got it.
Good. What is it with Chris Spyro?
Not got.
Not got. Lulu May?
Hmm. Gaiety theater.
That ought to be interesting.
That's two. Allison Stacy?
No Allison Stacy.
It's a pretty name though.
Don't you fall in love
with any name but Gordon.
Any chance of providing a police car
for me, a driver and one of the boys?
You are a cinch.
Unless I miss my guess, you can send
me a quart of gin tomorrow morning.
Why? You going to get married?
Better than that.
I'm delivering Turnley's killer to you.
A nice day.
A little hot though.
Not if you didn't kill Turnley it isn't.
Thanks.
Do you ever carry any matches?
How do you like that?
You've been mooching
cigarettes off me for weeks now.
When I had a boss I always
carried matches for him.
Oh please, Jack. Pretty soon I'll
be walking home from a police car.
What's the matter?
Was I making passes at you?
Passes? You?
You never pay attention to anyone unless
you can see them through a microscope.
That's how I cracked
this case, isn't it?
You haven't cracked it yet.
Personally, I think it's all nonsense.
What's nonsense?
We're two grown people looking for
a man who was a sailor or a cowboy.
It doesn't have to be a man.
Anyone who ties a square knot.
Well, that's how Turnley
was tied, isn't it slug?
What about the burns on the hands?
You found that, beautiful.
All I found was tannic acid and
a coal tar product called Grisol.
Put the two together
and it soothes a burn.
But why on the hands?
Didn't we find evidence of
brown dye on the rope?
Wasn't the ointment mixed with the dye?
Didn't we prove that brown
dye is used on canvas gloves.
What do you want, a road map?
And the Schnauzer hair
was also on the rope.
That means that if we find all the
dope on one person we got him?
He, she or it. We got him.
You are okay, McKay.
A little underpaid. That's all.
Police. Someone to see you.
He's from the police department.
Tell him I made the payments yesterday.
The company says okay.
Did you get a burn recently?
- Sure. All the time.
Hot grease.
Let me look at your hands, please.
Come on, come on.
Turn them over.
Okay.
Okay. No trouble?
There will be if you
let those steaks burn.
Yeah?
Anyone here named Allison Stacy?
Yeah, I'll get him.
- Don't bother.
I'd better get him. He don't like guys
busting in on him. He gets sore easy.
So do we.
- Get back to your game.
We're from homicide.
Oh, that's different.
At first I thought you meant trouble.
What do you want?
We're from downtown.
Are you Allison Stacy?
Yeah I guess so. Why?
- What kind of a dog do you own?
Do I look the a guy who'd
waste time on a dog?
No, I guess not.
Let me take a look at your hands.
Alright. Take a look.
Turn them over.
Don't waste time telling my fortune.
It bores me.
You bought some Grisol
tanning ointment on the 3rd.
The day before the election, didn't you?
Yeah I did, come to think of it.
- What for?
Burns.
Were you burned on your hands?
No, it wasn't for me.
It was for a friend camping at Jackson
Lake in the northern part of the state.
I see.
Alright. Thanks for the cooperation.
This friend of yours...
Where is he now?
He ain't. Poor guy.
He had a bad habit of
saying things out loud.
Jackson lake, huh?
- Yeah.
I suppose the sheriff up there
has all the dope on your friend?
What dope there is.
What's the idea?
What are you trying to pull?
I think you'd better come on
down to headquarters with us.
You've been reading too many of
them cheap detective magazines.
Now get out of here.
Hey, Mack.
We've struck oil.
[ Gunshot! ]
Drop it, bud.
[ Gunshot! ]
Call for the ambulance, Steve.
All of you, keep your hands on
the table. You dial the operator.
Never mind the ambulance.
Just get the coroner and Lynch.
Sorry I had to slug you, Mitch.
Sorry.
Thanks, boss.
You're alright, youngster.
What made you change
your mind about him?
I had an idea he was lying.
I knew when I saw this package.
It's covered with square knots.
Catch on?
What some people will
do to make a dollar.
As I promised you a few nights ago over
this same station, ladies and gentlemen.
Mayor Daniels and his efficient
and honest administration...
Has apprehended the
murderer of Hunter J. Turnley.
It was a spectacular feat the
police department accomplished.
"Great praise is due to
the commissioner of police."
"To chief of the homicide
squad Lynch, and above all..."
"To the head of the scientific
crime laboratory... Gordon McKay."
"From a rope and no other clues."
"He pieced together the evidence which
eventually led to the discovery..."
"Of Allison Stacy who was
killed resisting arrest."
This just came, sir. Special delivery.
Thank you.
Phone the radio station and
leave a message for Mr Ladimer.
Ask him to come here when
he finishes his broadcast.
Important.
- Yes, sir.
Then you can go, Miss Huser.
I'll be working late tonight.
Yes, sir. Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Every 24 hours brings you a
cleaner city in which to live.
Here's the big news today.
"We smashed the vicious
restaurant racket..."
"Which has bled small restaurant owners
of half a million dollars a year."
"Fourteen thugs and collectors
were arrested in a citywide raid."
Why don't you ever give me a receipt?
- A receipt? Ha.
See you next week, Eddie.
"Restaurant owners no longer will
have to pay tribute to racketeers."
"And this is only a sample of what the
other rackets have in store for them."
Hey, what you doing?
I like to hear that guy.
Turn him on again.
He and the mayor do a great job.
"If you have any information."
"That will help us in our fight against
crime, ladies and gentlemen."
"You just call this station."
Eddie.
You mustn't show the
customers how you feel.
Why don't Ladimer get guys like that
monkey who rips us every Friday?
Why don't he get the top guys?
- Honey.
What will you do?
- Put the cops on the right track.
No, don't do that, Eddie.
Please don't do that.
Remember when you went to the police
before and then there was a leak?
Honey, you'll just get beat
up again and it isn't worth it.
Do you think it's fun for us to
slave away 15 hours a day...
And everything we make
going to those bloodsuckers?
Don't worry, baby.
I'm not going anywhere near the police.
This time I'm going straight
to the mayor. At his home.
He's an honest guy and
maybe we get some action.
So nobody will know I've talked
except the mayor and me.
Honey, if anything
ever happened to you...
I would...
Just bury me with one of your
swell hamburgers on my chest.
With onions?
You ought to know by now.
Well, working late again, eh?
It wears me out trying
to keep up with you.
Hello Gerry.
Sit down please.
Thanks.
Hello?
He's still here, Dick. He won't leave.
I am afraid, dear.
Alright, dear. I'll take care of it.
Keep all the doors locked.
Send a radio car out
to my house right away.
Mrs Daniels says there
is a prowler outside.
You want to see me?
Yes, Gerry.
This came about an hour ago.
It's from the Warranty Life
Insurance company of Canada.
It says: 'Mr Gerald Ladimer
has made application to us...'
'For an $80,000 paid-up policy'.
'For which he is paying
$28,000 in cash'.
'In his application he states he is
a special investigator on your staff'.
'We would greatly appreciate your
giving us any information you have...'
'Regarding his personal
habits and character'.
'Respectfully, yours'.
Don't you believe in insurance?
Isn't there something
you want to tell me?
Why yes, Mr Daniels.
When you write that reference, don't say
anything about my having robbed a bank.
You are quite a hero to most
of the people in this town.
I suppose you know that, eh Gerry?
I hadn't thought of it that way.
You are a symbol of honesty.
You've rallied the people behind
us and they're all eager to help.
Gerry, I'm absolutely sincere about
our plan to clean up this town.
So am I.
But I can't allow the slightest
suspicion to fall on us.
It would ruin the start
we've already made.
Gerry.
Where did you get that $28,000?
Don't you think that's my
own personal business?
You and I have become
pretty good friends, Gerry.
I don't want to see you
do anything foolish.
I don't know what you're thinking...
- Well, here is what I'm thinking.
Nine months ago you came to me broke.
I let you 500 dollars.
Since that time the total monies that
you've received from me and the city.
Come to $2,250.
That's a long way from 28,000.
Gerry, for the last time.
Where did you get that money?
Alright. Sorry, but tomorrow
morning I start an investigation.
Goodnight, Mr Mayor.
Why are you hanging around here?
- I want to see the mayor.
The place to see him is the city hall.
Got any identification on you?
Is that your name, Eddie Wright?
- Yeah.
Own your own business?
Yeah. More or less.
You shouldn't hang around the street
like a Vagrant. You'd better beat it.
A pleasure to see you, Gerry.
- Hello, Matty.
If we get through with this fast
I have a big party inside.
Yeah?
I've been invited to a big party too.
That's fine, Gerry.
- But I'm going to be the only guest.
At first.
The mayor is throwing it
starting tomorrow morning.
Sooner or later I should expect
an invitation, shouldn't I?
We're in it together.
Except I've been paying you
a thousand bucks a week.
You've been getting
value received, Matty.
Every penny-alley grifter and chiseler
has either left town or he's in jail.
I've made this town look honest
so you can collect all the gravy.
True.
True.
It looks like our little business
transaction is headed for the rocks.
Not if you take care of the mayor.
That isn't quite equitable, Gerry.
You asked me to help with
Hunter Turnley and I did.
Even though it meant laying Stacy off.
That won't happen again.
From now on I watch every angle.
I'll protect you everywhere.
Wouldn't it be fairer if
you handled the mayor?
After all, you are the logical man.
You are the closest to him.
Everybody thinks well of you.
It would give me the feeling you're
delivering fifty percent on our deal.
Oh.
Your Honor.
I'll be back for it, Matty.
Okay, Gerry.
Hello Jane.
Gerry.
Fine.
I'm taking you and that stupid
boss of yours out tonight...
To celebrate the windup
of that Turnley thing.
I don't know where that stupid boss
of mine is but I'll dig him up.
Fine.
I hope this is alright, Mr Ladimer.
Just bring us a lot of champagne
and don't worry about the table.
We need another chair for McKay.
- We're expecting another.
Let's do it this way.
That is for McKay.
A nice place. Nice music.
- Nice food.
And our motto is the customer is always
right until we have to throw him out.
Not much more of this left, Mr Ladimer.
Laurent-Perrier '33.
French.
- Oh, really?
For you there always will be a bottle.
- Fine.
What's the matter?
- They certainly make a fuss over you.
I'm the hottest kid in town.
You got more credit on the
Turnley case than we did.
Well, it's just because
they hear me on the radio.
Do you want to dance
before McKay shows up?
Don't you think we're too
middle-aged for that sort of music?
They keep a pulmotor handy just in case.
What's the routine Gordon told me
about you hating chemistry and so on?
I do hate it.
Why do you stick at it then?
I had a horrible childhood.
They taught me to eat.
Hello, Gerry.
Well, how are you this evening, sir?
Chemistry or starve?
Not for the rest of your life I hope.
I'll probably get
married sooner or later.
I hope sooner.
Mr Ladimer.
I could interpret that as proposal talk.
Go ahead.
Hold me to it.
Not you attorneys.
You can wriggle out of anything.
Well, hello boss.
Hello, Gordon. How are you?
Your message said 'vitally important'.
What's vital and what's important?
I'm entertaining in celebration
of your spectacular scientific feat...
To capture Mr Allison Stacy.
Thank you very much, Gerry.
That's very decent of you.
Here is half of what I just got.
As a matter of fact we were
very lucky to grab Stacy.
And luckier still that he got killed.
Why do you say that?
You never can tell how juries will kick
around the evidence I slap together.
Stacy must have felt the
same way about that you do.
Until he lost his nerve.
That's what I always count on.
My hocus-pocus always panics
a guy when he's guilty...
And right then he figures I've got
more on him than I really have.
You, my little man,
are going to get crocked.
Not only that but I'm going to
take myself a week to sober up.
I'm going fishing up in Pine Rapids.
- Who's going to cook for you?
Cook for me? Are you kidding?
Listen.
When I whip a trout off the hook.
And toss him in a pan.
- Don't you clean him?
Quiet please.
I slit.
Scoop.
Wash.
Salt.
Oh.
Solidly inside and out.
Next.
The butter.
Now, depending on the size of...
Ants.
You can't get rid of them.
Depending on the size of the fish.
In this case about...
A quarter of an inch spread.
Now comes the master touch.
Very few people know this.
You got your sleeve in it.
- Oh, sorry.
Ketchup.
Now most people...
Most people.
Prefer a heavier meat sauce.
But I've discovered with
long years of experience.
That the plain old garden-variety
ketchup is by far superior.
Sprinkle sparingly.
Now.
We take the fish.
Throw it away and open up a can of
beans because nobody in the world...
Could eat that fish.
That's just the way I like to eat it.
I'm going to Pine Rapids with you.
You just bought yourself something.
I'll pick you up at 8 in the morning.
I have a better idea than that.
I pick you both up.
Are you going too?
Why not? I'd be a sucker with you there.
Gerry, that's swell. We'll have a
million laughs the three of us.
I'll pick you up at a quarter
of 8 and you at 8 o'clock sharp.
Hurray. We're all going
fishing in Pine Rapids.
Let's just all be careful
we hook the right fish.
Dick, Darling. Tell me what
it is that's bothering you.
It's nothing, dear. Nothing much.
I'll tell you tonight.
You know what we'll do on Sunday?
- I've called a meeting...
Which you'll call off when
you get to the office.
We'll put on our old clothes on Sunday.
And spend the whole day working
in the garden like we used to.
Say, wouldn't it be nice if we could
have the day together for a change.
I wish we could.
- I think we can.
I lock the door and take
the phone off the hook.
And no-one will ever think we
were in the garden working.
We'll have dinner alone and
forget all about politics.
It's a difficult project but
I think we can arrange it.
We'll just consider that
meeting cancelled.
Goodbye.
- Goodbye, darling.
Blue thread from outside
left garage door.
Blue thread.
Outside left door.
Hold that end please.
Four feet eight and a half
inches from the ground.
Four feet eight and a half
inches from the ground.
Have a man take the mayor's
clothing down to the lab.
Right.
Is everything photographed
just as it was?
Yep.
Alright boys. Let's lift up the chassis.
Bring a jack, one of you.
Where do you think
the bomb was fastened?
Judging the angle of the splinters in
his body, I'd say under the floorboards.
Burlap sacks directly
under flywheel housing.
What's that?
It's a piece of the bomb.
Hello Lynch.
- Hi, Gerry.
Pretty horrible.
Whoever put it there had
proper reasons for making sure.
Hey Gordon.
How are you, Gerry?
- Hello.
Any ideas who manufactured this mess?
Maybe.
- Found anything yet?
I can't say. She's keeping it a secret.
Bombing kinda destroys
any clues, doesn't it.
Nothing is ever destroyed, my friend.
Chief.
- What is it?
We got a prowler call last night.
A young guy hanging around here.
Take him in?
No. Not a vagrant.
Seemed alright so I sent him away.
Get his address?
- Yes.
Pick him up and take him
to the homicide office.
That's right.
I was with the mayor
last night in his office.
Mrs Daniels called. Said something about
a prowler. The mayor called a squad car.
Looks like a quick break.
All I ask is a few
suspects to work over.
You'll get them. The mayor made
enemies every day he was in office.
If you find out anything let me know.
- Yeah.
But they know I hung around
the mayor's house last night.
Who is 'they'?
- The cops.
They came and gave me the 'move along'.
They'll try to pin this on me sure.
Well, I'll not play the
sucker any longer.
I must get out of town for a while.
Eddie, the police can't hurt
you if you are innocent.
Yeah? I know different.
They go out of their way to be dumb.
Eddie.
You had nothing to do
with this. I know that.
And running away is only
going to make you look guilty.
You may be right.
Wright. The chief has a lot of
questions to ask you. Okay?
Eddie.
- Don't worry, baby.
I'll be back in a little while.
Hiya, Lynch.
Hiya, Gerry.
- The wheels turning?
Yeah, the wheels are turning.
In quicksand.
What about the suspect department?
Five.
Number 1 is a fire marshal that
Daniels discharged for taking pay-offs.
Yeah?
We know he threatened the mayor
but he has a vacuum-packed alibi.
Number 2 is a guy name Bunny Martel
who used to have a parking concession.
Numbers 3 and 4 respectively
are a nut and a crank.
I didn't know there was any difference.
A nut has got a mania
on one subject only.
A crank has got crazy
ideas about everything.
They both wrote threat
letters to the mayor.
What about number 5?
- A good suspect.
A kid from the beanery.
Eddie Wright?
Yeah. We're grilling him right now.
You want to listen in?
- Okay.
Listen closely this time, Eddie.
Try to remember that thing called truth.
Why did you go to the mayor's home?
- I told you.
I've been paying out protection money
just so my place wouldn't be smashed.
I figured the mayor was honest.
I figured he'd beat down on the crooks.
- That's pretty thin, Eddie.
Why didn't you bring your
complaint to the police?
I did. Once before after
they smashed my diner.
Somebody in the department tipped
off the crooks and they beat me up.
This time I figured it was
safer to go to the mayor.
Oh, so you don't trust us?
It's nice to know you hate cops.
- What do you expect?
I wasn't sticking my neck
out again if I could help it.
You went to the mayor's house and
hung around like a panhandler.
That's it. That's all there is to it.
- An interesting story.
A barrel of fish.
- Smells as bad too.
Wright.
Is that the coat you wore last
night at the mayor's home?
Why, yes.
- Let's have it.
Take this over to the lab right away.
- Okay.
Now the quicker you tell the truth the
quicker you are going to get home.
I am telling the truth.
You are in a spot, Eddie.
I'm not in any spot.
You guys are trying to put me in one.
Hello Eddie.
Cigarette?
Do you know me?
Sure.
You are Gerry Ladimer.
The radio racket-buster.
That's right.
Take it easy, take it easy.
I don't believe you
did this thing, Eddie.
I doubt you're smart enough.
Sure, I didn't do it.
You can trust me as you can the mayor.
He and I were in this fight together.
Now, let's get the real dope, Eddie.
It's just like I told
them cops, Mr Ladimer.
I tried to see the mayor
because he was the top guy.
But I never got a chance to talk to him.
Why should I want to kill the
only guy who could help me?
I see.
And I believe you, Eddie.
I'll do all I can to help you.
Gee, thanks, Mr Ladimer.
- Okay. Don't worry.
Well, what's his story?
He hasn't got one. He's stalling.
I think you've got your man.
- I know I have.
McKay wants us over at
the lab. The kid too.
Do you recognise this coat?
The cops just took it away from me.
Take a look in here.
That's a magnified thread
taken from the coat of yours.
Item 'A' please.
Item 'A' from the scene of the bombing.
Right, now look again.
They look the same.
They're the same. They're identical.
That's all, Eddie.
We've compared them
for the number of fibres.
We measured the weave
undulations and they match.
Mitchell has tested both chemically
and they have the same dye.
Now, this last thread you saw here we
found on the door of the wrecked garage.
And it came from your coat, Eddie.
You didn't say anything about being
near the mayor's garage. What about it?
Well, I didn't think it was important.
It would look bad.
Mighty bad if you ask me.
Take him back to my office.
Thanks a lot, Gordon.
- Sure, sure.
Well, that just about does it.
We'll book Eddie Wright for murder.
On what?
- On what you found.
You mean, because he was by the garage
and caught his coat on a splinter?
Look Gordon, here is how I figure it.
We know the kid was hanging
around the mayor's house.
You've just now shown us he was near
the garage. It all adds up perfectly.
Now wait just a minute, Gerry.
It doesn't add up to anything.
Can I help it if you can't add?
Mitchell.
- Yes, sir?
Bring me those burnt
matches will you please.
I'm going to show you something.
Item 'K'.
These are some burnt matches
we picked up near the garage.
And here is a match you
just lit your cigar with.
Now, if they check.
We are going to hold you
for Mayor Daniels' murder.
Well.
Did I kill him?
Look for yourself.
The match on the left is evidence
and the one on the right is yours.
They're the same.
There are probably a hundred thousand
matches like Gerry's in this town.
Now wouldn't I be a dope to think
that anything so flimsy is conclusive?
Does he mean I'm innocent?
You shouldn't play gags
like that on your friends.
You'll be checking on me next.
I had to prove to you gents that you
mustn't go round jumping at conclusions.
And I mean Eddie Wright.
- Okay, okay. Sold.
However, I'll make you a little bet.
Your scientific procedure so far
may not point you to Eddie Wright.
But five against ten that he did it.
- Maybe.
When we finish Wright will be so guilty
that no-one can get him out of this.
Or he'll be so innocent
no man can convict him.
No bets?
The only thing Mitchell and I ever
bet on is who buys the cigarettes.
And you know who always
loses, don't you.
Careful with matches round here.
He may find you did the murder
and I'd have to defend you.
I'm the prosecutor and that
wouldn't be so hard, would it?
No it wouldn't.
Mitch and I could go for a long walk.
Is now too soon?
Gerry, we don't know a better
man for the job than you.
And I think the entire
city will agree with us.
You will have to give me a couple
of minutes, gentlemen. After all...
This idea of my running
for mayor is brand new.
And a little frightening.
You are the one logical person to carry
on the reforms started by Daniels.
You know, if you were asking me to
follow any other man in this job...
I wouldn't be so overwhelmed by it.
To follow a man like Mayor Daniels...
You owe it to Daniels to go
on with what he started.
Think I have a chance?
Do you think I can win?
Why, of course.
- Like shooting ducks in a barrel.
There's one large 'if', Gerry.
If the special prosecutor you're able
to find convicts the mayor's murderer.
There would be no doubt about it.
- He's right.
Of course he's right.
If I could deliver the killer today and
give up any hope of ever being mayor...
I'd do it in a minute.
You all know that.
We know how you feel, Gerry.
Good luck.
- Thanks.
Thanks.
The Bamboo room. One o'clock.
Ask for my table.
Goodbye.
It's lovely, Gerry.
I looked all over town for the
finest orchid I could find...
And I still say it doesn't
do you justice.
You know it's very funny.
- What's very funny?
The way things change.
I've known you a short while. I've made
up my mind the kind of person you are.
How do I rate?
- Not bad.
Now I have to go all over the
score and figure it out again.
Why take all that trouble?
Because you are going to be mayor.
Other people see in you
sides I haven't seen.
Different sides.
A hard side, an official side.
An older side.
Now wait a minute,
I'm not the mayor yet.
But you will be because you want to be.
Well.
My chances of getting anywhere
are completely cooked...
Unless I can deliver Mayor
Daniels' murderer right away.
My only hope is Gordon.
And Gordon's only hope is concentrating
on Eddie Wright. I know that.
You're sure he did it, aren't you.
- Every clue points to him. Every one.
You may be right.
Of course I am.
If I can wash up this
case quickly, smartly.
The people will force
me right to the top.
And then maybe they'll
send me to Washington.
It sounds okay, doesn't it?
You are ambitious, Gerry.
Jane, when I was a kid I never
just wanted to be on the team.
I wanted to be the captain.
What did you do about the other
little boys who wanted the same job?
I was the captain.
I wouldn't like to be in your way
if you were headed someplace.
You could never be in my way.
But you could go with me.
I wouldn't be surprised if I did.
You mean you want to be on my team?
Gerry, being with you
is exciting. It is fun.
But I need time.
You got any other offers?
I like competition.
I still need time.
And I haven't got it right now.
Waiter.
Didn't go out to lunch again, eh?
Uhuh.
You are going to ruin your stomach.
Not until I'm forty-five.
That's the ulcer age.
Did you enjoy your salad
with mineral-oil dressing?
How did you know I had
mineral-oil dressing?
Because it's non-fattening. When a girl
eats with a man she watches calories.
And how did you know I ate with a man?
The way you went out of here.
And the way you came back.
How are we doing?
We're burning up the world, Mitchell.
Powder grains from the bomb.
Shall I inspect them?
No. Wait for Lynch.
Here is the copper wire
used as a conductor.
Snipped off by mechanical pressure.
Not cut with a knife.
Not by a pair of wire cutters either.
The cut isn't neat enough.
Probably by a pair of
ordinary fingernail clippers.
Ordinary fingernail clippers?
Yes. This whole thing was
put together by an amateur.
The chances are he used whatever
he had on him to cut the wire.
Then it is simple.
We find where he bought the
clippers and we have him.
Mitchell, you kill me.
What's the matter with
wanting to find the clippers?
Well, it's just like those matches.
There are probably a hundred thousand
fingernail clippers in this town.
How are you going to
check on a thing like that?
I can and will.
We've just got to get this case solved.
People are getting fidgety.
What people?
The People of Chatsburg.
I get around. I hear
what they're saying.
They say anything about me?
Not you specifically.
The whole city administration.
They want to know who
killed Mayor Daniels.
Well now, that's just fine. Who doesn't?
I've a good mind to try and run down
those fingernail clippers on my own.
Any objections?
- No, no. You go right ahead.
If you find the murderer with that clue
I'll see you get all the credit for it.
I don't want credit.
I want to find the murderer.
Is that all?
I thought you'd got ambitious enough
to make a career out of this business.
It's no career for a woman, boss.
You know that.
It's not much of a career
for a man either.
No prestige, no glamour, no money.
People holler at you when
there are no miracles.
You don't think much of your chances
to get something out of life, do you.
I've been a little too busy for that.
How about you?
I... I want to get married I suppose.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing is wrong with it. If you can
hypnotise some jerk into marrying you.
Well.
Now, that's a brilliant answer for a
girl I thought had some intelligence.
What will you say if I said I don't have
to hypnotise some jerk into marrying me?
Here. Keep on picking until it's clean.
Mitchell.
Why bother? You are
always missing the target.
Yeah.
Hi there, Gordon.
- Good afternoon.
Oh, Hello Mitchell.
We've been waiting for you, Captain.
This is the powder that
was used in the bomb.
What kind of powder?
That's what we are
going to find out now.
Step right in. The second feature
goes on in about twenty seconds.
You got some new gadgets, eh?
This one is called a spectrograph.
Evidence goes in the hollow
point of this carbon pencil, see.
You're not using much evidence.
You don't need much. Just a speck.
Steel dust, powder. Anything.
Ready, Captain?
- Let 'em roll.
Get the lights, Mitchell.
Not running a Mickey Mouse today.
Just a crime short.
What's cooking in there?
The material is burned under
terrific heat in the lamp-house here.
The flame forms a spectrum.
A series of tiny vertical
lines over there.
Which is reflected back
here to this camera.
Where we now have a photograph.
Alright. Lights, Mitchell.
In other words, you
can take any material.
Find out what it's made of and how much
of each element goes to make it up.
Hmm. It's a smart thing to
stay straight these days.
Hit that film developer as
soon as you can, Mitchell.
I'll see you in the file room.
With Lynch as a chaperone,
I'll take that risk.
This band of lines represents all the
usual chemical elements of the spectrum.
This band of lines is the
photograph we just took...
Of all the chemical elements
in the bomb powder.
Now all we've got to
do is match them up.
Ready, Mitchell?
- Ready, Mr McKay.
Potassium.
Hold it.
A vanadium triplet.
Vanadium. That's good.
Okay with the light switch.
Vanadium was put in by the manufacturer
just to identify the powder.
This is my gunpowder bible.
It's got everything from firecrackers to
2,000-pound aerial bombs for the B17s.
And who makes them.
This Magnum powder is made for the new
high-velocity .38 revolver cartridge.
It is manufactured by the
Neo-Nitro Powder Company.
It is sold directly to the cartridge
maker and is never sold in bulk.
This fellow bought a lot of .38
Magnum revolver cartridges...
Pulled out the bullets and
used the powder for his bomb.
A hard-working guy, huh?
- Yep.
Know what I need?
Bring in everyone who
bought .38 Magnum cartridges.
That's right. Have them here tomorrow.
Do you think a smart boy like this is
going to admit he bought Magnums?
He won't have to. I'll examine
the material under his fingernails.
If he's been horsing around with
Magnum powder it will still be there.
What's wrong now?
Mitchell, who gave you that orchid?
That's your next crime case, doctor.
Anything for dessert, folks?
Yeah. I don't see that on the menu.
Oh him? He's my husband.
Any dessert?
No dessert. Here you are.
Thank you very much.
That's my trouble.
I'm nobody's husband.
Are you anybody's uncle?
- Now don't change the subject.
Not really.
I'm ready to face facts.
Well, do you think you'll ever
get around to saying yes?
The best I can give you
is a definite maybe.
Why 'maybe'?
Because I've got a jerky little job.
Gerry, you know I can't walk out
on McKay until he gets his man.
And I get a vacation.
Oh, McKay will never find
anyone but Eddie Wright.
What he needs is more pressure.
Like putting pressure on a
tree to make it grow faster.
Just a waste of time.
We've got one good lead though.
McKay has analysed the
powder used in the bomb.
It came from a lot of .38
Magnum revolver cartridges.
Pretty clever, eh?
- Not so clever.
Lynch is getting us a list of all the
people in town who've bought them.
I bought some.
You did?
Sure. I had to carry a
gun during the campaign.
I hope you are clean
under the fingernails.
Fingernails?
People don't get gunpowder under their
fingernails from playing gin rummy.
Oh.
Right. That's fine.
- Okay.
Gentlemen, thank you very much.
Sorry to bother you but we had to check
on everyone who had bought these shells.
Gordon, you forgot about me.
I bought some.
If I could think of an easy
way to frame you for this...
I'd do it and save
myself all this trouble.
That's okay with me...
If, when they strap me in and throw
the switches you're sitting on my lap.
No. I'll be up at Pine Rapids fishing.
No. There is nothing there.
That leaves you in the
clear and me in the fog.
What about the kid?
Did you test him yet?
Yeah. Not a sign of
gunpowder under his nails.
Maybe he wore gloves. How do you know?
Maybe.
I think you ought to concentrate on
the kid, Gordon. He's our best bet.
I don't mind a little bet now and
then but not on other people's lives.
Okay, okay.
That's the file room.
And that's the darkroom.
Mitchell isn't here.
Mitchell went shopping.
When she comes back,
can you tell her I'll phone tonight?
I certainly will.
If I can't think of some
good way to forget to.
Okay, Tootsie.
How is the clipper department?
You have no idea what
goes on in this country.
Why must they make so many thousands of
the things and so many different kinds?
Isn't it about time you gave up?
I never give up.
When you find the answer
be sure to tell it to me.
Why, Captain Lynch.
I'm not a happy guy.
I don't need a microscope to see that.
The public hammers
the police commission.
The police commission lights
fires under the chief.
And the chief hits me in the face
with a phone every five minutes.
And you're here to pass the
pressure along to me?
Naturally. Why not?
It's all up to you.
You're the bottleneck.
Lynch, at the earliest opportunity I'm
going to get into a quiet kind of work.
Like lion taming.
Cigarette department.
Match me.
What's the news from the outside world?
Ladimer and the boys
at the DA's office...
Are cooking up a watertight
case against Eddie Wright.
That ought to be interesting.
On what?
- That lead you gave them.
The thread from the garage door.
Those guys ought to be writing
fiction. It pays a lot better.
Come over here a minute.
I'm just starting in on a new lead.
Yeah?
These are burlap sacks we
found under the mayor's car.
I see.
The guy lay on those sacks
when he planted the bomb.
Now look through there.
Those are fibres from these sacks.
And whoever planted that bomb will
have fibres like these in his hair.
We can match those fibres with
any we find on a suspect.
And prove they are identical.
Speaking of suspects, we've three
new ones besides Eddie Wright.
They are citizens who are distinctly not
interested in an honest way of living.
The boys are trying to poke
holes in their alibis right now.
Alright. We'll go over and examine
them, including Eddie Wright.
Mitchell.
Come out of your orchid garden.
I want your help on a little deal.
It's a pity you are allergic to orchids.
We'll take the small kit.
What's this? What's this?
Take it easy, Bulge.
This is just a suction machine
to gather evidence.
What kind of evidence?
Anything we can get.
Okay, but I ain't responsible.
Give Miss Mitchell your name please.
Joe Salinas.
The people I like call me Bulge.
Relax.
Thanks.
Nothing?
Nothing on Salinas, nothing
on Ryerson, nothing on Burns.
And nothing on Eddie Wright.
- And nothing on Eddie Wright.
If he'd made the bomb we'd
have found traces of powder.
If he'd planted it there would have been
burlap fibres and dust in his hair.
We're now in the department
of utter confusion.
Dead-end Division.
- Brother, we are out on a limb.
I have a very strong hunch it's the
same limb I'm going to hang from.
My friend you are soured by
too much contact with humanity.
When I run into a dead end I just turn
round and start off on a different tack.
Is that stuff from the mayor's office?
- Uhuh.
We've checked through and
haven't found a thing.
No writing there.
I'll go over it with the Ardin spray.
Sometimes pencil marks leave
impressions on blank sheets underneath.
If you find anything...
- I'll let you know.
Come on, slug. Open up.
Give me the Ardin spray.
Kill the lights, Mitchell.
Anything?
Nope. Nothing.
Anything yet?
No, Mitchell. Nothing.
You'd better go to lunch.
Gee, thanks boss.
I'll bring you a sandwich.
No. No, don't bother.
When you finish lunch
keep looking for the...
Fingernail clipper. It may wind up being
our only chance of cracking this thing.
Uhuh. And I'm just the
little gal that can do it.
Mr Ladimer please.
Gordon McKay.
Hello Gerry?
Fine. Thanks.
Gerry, I've something very important
to show you. Can you come over here?
Yes you can make a five o'clock
appointment. I'll only be a minute.
Thanks.
I'm going to make a test now
that will go a long way...
To uncovering the guy
that planted that bomb.
Great work. Then I'll have some
real news for my broadcast.
Say Gordon, why don't you
say a few words on the air?
After all you're the one
who broke this case.
Oh, I don't know.
Talking isn't exactly my line.
Now watch this closely
while I get the reagent.
Bring a couple of straws.
I'm sorry, Gerry.
No. Keep your hands away.
It's caustic. You'll get burned.
So do something. Quick.
I give up.
And if I ever see you use one of
those clippers on your fingernails...
I quit without notice.
You won't have to, Mitch. I've got him.
Boss, really? Who is it?
I'll let you know definitely later.
I want to be sure first.
Oh please, who is he?
- I said I'd tell you later, Mitchell.
How did you get him?
The hair test. His hair was full of
powder grains and burlap fibres.
A couple of more checks
and it will be conclusive.
I'm glad it's all over.
It definitely takes us
out of the 'dope' class.
Do you mind if I run along since
there's nothing more to do on this?
I've got sort-of an important date.
Yeah, I know.
That was swell.
That Rio. What a place.
They tell me.
Never been there.
You haven't?
We'll have to take care
of that right away.
And how do we do that?
I take you to Rio.
- You do?
Certainly. It must be
wonderful honeymoon country.
I'd love it.
That settles it.
I think we ought to fly.
Did you ever fly?
Once.
Would you mind?
I wouldn't mind anything with
you, Gerry. You know that.
When do we leave?
I could leave almost any time.
Tomorrow even.
- You can?
McKay has got the killer.
He has?
Who, Eddie Wright?
- Nope. He was cleared.
He wouldn't tell me who.
He won't tell anybody until he's ready.
All he said is that he's got him.
Well, that's fine.
I'm so relieved. It was beginning to
look like we were a couple of idiots.
How did he get him?
From some samples of dust and
powder taken from the person's hair.
That was pretty smart of him.
Gerry, darling.
I can use a drink.
And a drink you shall have.
Uhoh. Clumsy ox.
What did you do?
- Spilled a drink all over my coat.
Never mind, darling.
I'll fix it. I won't be a minute.
Alright.
Hello Matty. This is Gerry.
Trouble. Call me back right away.
Hello? Yes, this is Mr Ladimer.
Oh, hello Mr Baker. How are you, sir?
Okay, so I'm calling you right back.
What's the trouble and what's
this 'Mr Baker' baloney?
Well, I don't know.
I'm pretty busy tonight but...
If it's so important it won't wait until
morning I guess you can come over.
But make it as soon as you can.
I'm planning on going out this evening.
Alright, Mr Baker.
See you in about ten minutes.
Of all the silly things.
What's the matter, darling?
- A dope named Baker.
One of the boys from the DA's office
called to say he must see me right away.
If it is private I'll go.
Would you mind, darling?
I'll tell you what.
I'll get rid of this
guy as soon as I can.
And then we'll go dancing and
talk some more about Rio.
I can't go in these clothes.
Well. Tell you what.
Let's save you some time.
You take my car and go home. Change.
And come back here.
By then I'll be all ready.
Sold.
Wait a minute. I got two things.
The keys to my car.
And this.
I'm only going to be gone an hour.
Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
[ Doorbell ]
Hello Matty.
- Hello Gerry.
Glad you are here.
What's the matter?
You look a bit jittery, Your Honor.
My pal McKay pulled a fast one.
- But you were sitting in his lap.
I thought so, but he's got
me for sure. I'm cooked.
Cool down, kid. Take it easy.
What's he got?
Evidence. Conclusive evidence.
I'm as good as dead I tell you.
Malarkey. Take the
evidence away from him.
Yeah? How?
You've got a brain. You have two hands.
And now you've got this.
Get up.
Away from the table.
What for?
I want the evidence you took.
Gerry, you're crazy. Put the gun away.
Either you give me that evidence
or you go where I sent the mayor.
Now get going.
Hello Boss.
- Welcome home, Mitch.
Didn't anybody clean up
around here for six weeks?
How was the vacation?
I got a lot of things out of my system.
That won't hurt you any.
What have you been
busying your little mind on?
Oh, a silly jerk stepped in the way
of his sweetheart's sledgehammer.
A woman wielding a sledgehammer?
Yeah. She was a blacksmith
at a plane factory.
Come over here, Mitch.
I need a little help.
Take a look at this.
You know boss, I always said
this was no job for a woman.
Stop beeping and look
into the microscope.
I've been doing a lot of thinking and...
- Look into the thing there.
Is this evidence or did
you write it yourself?
I wrote that with my own little hand.
That's all I've been waiting to hear.
Match me.
..f-s..
- Not exactly.
You look honest.
You know, it's a pretty big moment
in my life seeing you sit there.
The way you campaigned over
the radio is what put me here.
I never thought we'd make it.
The toughest part is from now on.
Doing what we said we would.
We'll do it.
- Sure you will.
You have a top man in Hunter Turnley.
He'll make a hard-hitting
district attorney.
Wait a minute.
You're talking about me and
Hunter Turnley. What about you?
I'm going back to practising law.
Look, Gerry.
You are a fighter. And we
are going to need fighters.
You've got to give up your private
practice and work with us from now on.
As what? The only job I could do
for you Turnley has got covered.
Well, I'll talk it over with Hunter.
Hello, Matty.
- Hello, Gerry.
Hello boys.
- Hiya.
I hope you have a good reason
for dragging me out here tonight.
I did.
It looks like a lot of things are going
to be thrown to Hunter Turnley.
Oh it does, huh?
I wouldn't concern myself too
much with that, Your Honor.
Don't brush it off too easily.
Turnley wasn't kidding when he made his
campaign promise to clean up this town.
What's he going to clean up?
When he starts looking for
dirt I know who he'll find.
Don't you?
I see what you mean.
Well, this little thing will
have to be taken care of.
I knew you would have an idea.
I can't let an ambitious kid
like you down you know.
Anything else?
- No. That's about it.
It makes a nice smoke, Your Honor.
What is this 'Your Honor' thing?
Lots of people are called Your Honor.
People who start out
as special prosecutors.
And then become mayors,
and then governors.
Even senators sometimes.
Goodnight, Gerry.
Goodnight, Matty.
Pull her in, Jim. Swing her round.
Pull her in.
I'm caught on a log or something.
- Okay.
Holy smoke, Jim.
Look.
12 hours ago my friend Hunter Turnley
was found murdered in Birch Lake.
Badly beaten and bound hand and foot.
Ladies and gentlemen this is
the underworld's first blow...
Against the kind of governance Chatsburg
will get under Mayor Richard Daniels.
He asked me to get back
on the air to tell you this.
And also to tell you he has
more resolve than ever.
To exterminate every vicious,
political and criminal rat in this city.
He has appointed me his
special prosecutor to help him.
"3 times a week I report our progress
directly to you on this station."
Now we get some action.
"The first thing I promise."
"Is the quick capture and conviction
of the man who killed Hunter Turnley."
He'll do it too.
"The next thing is to arrest all
racketeers preying on small businesses."
That's telling them.
Maybe we're going to
get a break after all.
"You'll be protected.
Fear is your worst enemy."
I'll send him a letter tonight.
No man in your city hall will rest one
moment until we smash the corruption.
That makes the rackets.
That makes the murderers that
threaten every one of you.
Goodnight.
Gerry. Anything on the Turnley
killing you couldn't say on the air?
Not yet boys, but there will be.
I'm going to the police lab now
to check with Gordon McKay.
Excuse me.
Mitchell.
One minute, please.
- A minute here, a minute there.
Before you know it you've
dribbled away a whole lifetime.
What you doing anyway?
- Just what you told me to do.
Missed again?
You keep that beautiful schnozz
of yours out of my personal life.
That's the closest you
ever came to the heart.
I hit a rib once.
Eleven months ago.
In the 3 months I've been here all you
have done is massacre his right sleeve.
Don't be fresh.
No trace of cyanide.
Did you rule out the alkaloids?
Now look, Mr McKay.
I hate this job and you may
think I'm a creep at it.
But I do know how to make an analysis.
After all I didn't get my masters
by slugging the board of regents.
You have a master's in chemistry?
I told you that when you
okayed my appointment.
The stuff they let out
of college nowadays.
Thanks.
- You're welcome.
Match me.
Alright, I'll take your word for it.
Turnley wasn't poisoned.
So what happened to him?
Well, somebody tied his
hands and feet with a rope.
Tossed him in the lake and he drowned.
People get drowned every day.
Only sometimes the wrong people.
How are you, Gerry?
What you say, Sherlock? How are you?
You don't look different as a prosecutor
than you did when you chased ambulances.
I feel a lot worse though.
Any dope on Turnley?
He wasn't poisoned.
Of course he wasn't poisoned.
I see, I see.
Well, I made a mistake. A bad mistake.
I should have locked
her up in the file room.
Miss Mitchell - Mr Ladimer.
Jane - Gerry.
- Hello, Miss Mitchell.
How do you do, Mr Ladimer?
The lab was getting awful dirty.
I needed a maid to clean the joint up.
She hates chemistry.
- She should.
Pay him no mind, Mitchell.
I've heard your talks on
the radio, Mr Ladimer.
They don't sound like
your kind of person.
What kind of person would that be?
She never heard a horse
talk over the air before.
I didn't mean that at all.
He sounded so authoritative
and brusque and...
Well, important.
My radio personality.
Okay Ladimer, you've been in
there pitching long enough.
I'll give you all the dope and
save you a lot of snooping.
Her name is Jane Mitchell.
She is twenty-four.
Has a master's from Montana and
lives at the National Apartments.
Phone number Maine 7826.
With a room-mate from her hometown.
Her name is Margaret.
- The room-mate's name is Margaret.
Margaret.
Any time you feel like discussing
Turnley I'm ready, Mr Ladimer.
Okay, my bug-chasing friend.
What have you there?
We're checking on the rope that was
tied to Turnley's hands and feet.
Any fingerprints?
No. The fellow used canvas gloves.
Very fastidious. Also, smart.
A lot of things stick to rope though.
That's what we're doing now.
What?
That's what we're doing.
Finding out what.
The way you work we'll be old
by the time you deliver this killer.
We need speed, Gordon. The mayor has
committed himself on it. So have I.
Mitchell.
Take a peek at this.
Well?
Some sort of animal hair.
- Right. The kid is getting good.
Check it against domestic pets.
Dogs and cats first.
If this fiend owns a Dachshund I resign.
You getting somewhere?
Who knows. We're checking.
Maybe I'll stick around.
Watch you go through your act.
Confidentially, we work
better without an audience.
A fine friend you are.
I'm just trying to keep
the wolf from her door.
Yeah, I know.
Anything else we can
do for you, Mr Ladimer?
Yeah, you can cut your throat.
You ain't kidding either, pal.
- So long, Gordon.
Lynch, you're sure only 4 people bought
this tanning cream in the last 3 months?
That's all, Gordon. We've checked
every drugstore in the county.
Yeah?
A Miss Mitchell to see Mr McKay.
Send her in.
- I'm in. Hello.
Hello.
165 people who paid dog
licenses on Schnauzers.
You got a Mrs Harkness Chetwold?
1195 Park Place?
- Got it.
Good. What is it with Chris Spyro?
Not got.
Not got. Lulu May?
Hmm. Gaiety theater.
That ought to be interesting.
That's two. Allison Stacy?
No Allison Stacy.
It's a pretty name though.
Don't you fall in love
with any name but Gordon.
Any chance of providing a police car
for me, a driver and one of the boys?
You are a cinch.
Unless I miss my guess, you can send
me a quart of gin tomorrow morning.
Why? You going to get married?
Better than that.
I'm delivering Turnley's killer to you.
A nice day.
A little hot though.
Not if you didn't kill Turnley it isn't.
Thanks.
Do you ever carry any matches?
How do you like that?
You've been mooching
cigarettes off me for weeks now.
When I had a boss I always
carried matches for him.
Oh please, Jack. Pretty soon I'll
be walking home from a police car.
What's the matter?
Was I making passes at you?
Passes? You?
You never pay attention to anyone unless
you can see them through a microscope.
That's how I cracked
this case, isn't it?
You haven't cracked it yet.
Personally, I think it's all nonsense.
What's nonsense?
We're two grown people looking for
a man who was a sailor or a cowboy.
It doesn't have to be a man.
Anyone who ties a square knot.
Well, that's how Turnley
was tied, isn't it slug?
What about the burns on the hands?
You found that, beautiful.
All I found was tannic acid and
a coal tar product called Grisol.
Put the two together
and it soothes a burn.
But why on the hands?
Didn't we find evidence of
brown dye on the rope?
Wasn't the ointment mixed with the dye?
Didn't we prove that brown
dye is used on canvas gloves.
What do you want, a road map?
And the Schnauzer hair
was also on the rope.
That means that if we find all the
dope on one person we got him?
He, she or it. We got him.
You are okay, McKay.
A little underpaid. That's all.
Police. Someone to see you.
He's from the police department.
Tell him I made the payments yesterday.
The company says okay.
Did you get a burn recently?
- Sure. All the time.
Hot grease.
Let me look at your hands, please.
Come on, come on.
Turn them over.
Okay.
Okay. No trouble?
There will be if you
let those steaks burn.
Yeah?
Anyone here named Allison Stacy?
Yeah, I'll get him.
- Don't bother.
I'd better get him. He don't like guys
busting in on him. He gets sore easy.
So do we.
- Get back to your game.
We're from homicide.
Oh, that's different.
At first I thought you meant trouble.
What do you want?
We're from downtown.
Are you Allison Stacy?
Yeah I guess so. Why?
- What kind of a dog do you own?
Do I look the a guy who'd
waste time on a dog?
No, I guess not.
Let me take a look at your hands.
Alright. Take a look.
Turn them over.
Don't waste time telling my fortune.
It bores me.
You bought some Grisol
tanning ointment on the 3rd.
The day before the election, didn't you?
Yeah I did, come to think of it.
- What for?
Burns.
Were you burned on your hands?
No, it wasn't for me.
It was for a friend camping at Jackson
Lake in the northern part of the state.
I see.
Alright. Thanks for the cooperation.
This friend of yours...
Where is he now?
He ain't. Poor guy.
He had a bad habit of
saying things out loud.
Jackson lake, huh?
- Yeah.
I suppose the sheriff up there
has all the dope on your friend?
What dope there is.
What's the idea?
What are you trying to pull?
I think you'd better come on
down to headquarters with us.
You've been reading too many of
them cheap detective magazines.
Now get out of here.
Hey, Mack.
We've struck oil.
[ Gunshot! ]
Drop it, bud.
[ Gunshot! ]
Call for the ambulance, Steve.
All of you, keep your hands on
the table. You dial the operator.
Never mind the ambulance.
Just get the coroner and Lynch.
Sorry I had to slug you, Mitch.
Sorry.
Thanks, boss.
You're alright, youngster.
What made you change
your mind about him?
I had an idea he was lying.
I knew when I saw this package.
It's covered with square knots.
Catch on?
What some people will
do to make a dollar.
As I promised you a few nights ago over
this same station, ladies and gentlemen.
Mayor Daniels and his efficient
and honest administration...
Has apprehended the
murderer of Hunter J. Turnley.
It was a spectacular feat the
police department accomplished.
"Great praise is due to
the commissioner of police."
"To chief of the homicide
squad Lynch, and above all..."
"To the head of the scientific
crime laboratory... Gordon McKay."
"From a rope and no other clues."
"He pieced together the evidence which
eventually led to the discovery..."
"Of Allison Stacy who was
killed resisting arrest."
This just came, sir. Special delivery.
Thank you.
Phone the radio station and
leave a message for Mr Ladimer.
Ask him to come here when
he finishes his broadcast.
Important.
- Yes, sir.
Then you can go, Miss Huser.
I'll be working late tonight.
Yes, sir. Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Every 24 hours brings you a
cleaner city in which to live.
Here's the big news today.
"We smashed the vicious
restaurant racket..."
"Which has bled small restaurant owners
of half a million dollars a year."
"Fourteen thugs and collectors
were arrested in a citywide raid."
Why don't you ever give me a receipt?
- A receipt? Ha.
See you next week, Eddie.
"Restaurant owners no longer will
have to pay tribute to racketeers."
"And this is only a sample of what the
other rackets have in store for them."
Hey, what you doing?
I like to hear that guy.
Turn him on again.
He and the mayor do a great job.
"If you have any information."
"That will help us in our fight against
crime, ladies and gentlemen."
"You just call this station."
Eddie.
You mustn't show the
customers how you feel.
Why don't Ladimer get guys like that
monkey who rips us every Friday?
Why don't he get the top guys?
- Honey.
What will you do?
- Put the cops on the right track.
No, don't do that, Eddie.
Please don't do that.
Remember when you went to the police
before and then there was a leak?
Honey, you'll just get beat
up again and it isn't worth it.
Do you think it's fun for us to
slave away 15 hours a day...
And everything we make
going to those bloodsuckers?
Don't worry, baby.
I'm not going anywhere near the police.
This time I'm going straight
to the mayor. At his home.
He's an honest guy and
maybe we get some action.
So nobody will know I've talked
except the mayor and me.
Honey, if anything
ever happened to you...
I would...
Just bury me with one of your
swell hamburgers on my chest.
With onions?
You ought to know by now.
Well, working late again, eh?
It wears me out trying
to keep up with you.
Hello Gerry.
Sit down please.
Thanks.
Hello?
He's still here, Dick. He won't leave.
I am afraid, dear.
Alright, dear. I'll take care of it.
Keep all the doors locked.
Send a radio car out
to my house right away.
Mrs Daniels says there
is a prowler outside.
You want to see me?
Yes, Gerry.
This came about an hour ago.
It's from the Warranty Life
Insurance company of Canada.
It says: 'Mr Gerald Ladimer
has made application to us...'
'For an $80,000 paid-up policy'.
'For which he is paying
$28,000 in cash'.
'In his application he states he is
a special investigator on your staff'.
'We would greatly appreciate your
giving us any information you have...'
'Regarding his personal
habits and character'.
'Respectfully, yours'.
Don't you believe in insurance?
Isn't there something
you want to tell me?
Why yes, Mr Daniels.
When you write that reference, don't say
anything about my having robbed a bank.
You are quite a hero to most
of the people in this town.
I suppose you know that, eh Gerry?
I hadn't thought of it that way.
You are a symbol of honesty.
You've rallied the people behind
us and they're all eager to help.
Gerry, I'm absolutely sincere about
our plan to clean up this town.
So am I.
But I can't allow the slightest
suspicion to fall on us.
It would ruin the start
we've already made.
Gerry.
Where did you get that $28,000?
Don't you think that's my
own personal business?
You and I have become
pretty good friends, Gerry.
I don't want to see you
do anything foolish.
I don't know what you're thinking...
- Well, here is what I'm thinking.
Nine months ago you came to me broke.
I let you 500 dollars.
Since that time the total monies that
you've received from me and the city.
Come to $2,250.
That's a long way from 28,000.
Gerry, for the last time.
Where did you get that money?
Alright. Sorry, but tomorrow
morning I start an investigation.
Goodnight, Mr Mayor.
Why are you hanging around here?
- I want to see the mayor.
The place to see him is the city hall.
Got any identification on you?
Is that your name, Eddie Wright?
- Yeah.
Own your own business?
Yeah. More or less.
You shouldn't hang around the street
like a Vagrant. You'd better beat it.
A pleasure to see you, Gerry.
- Hello, Matty.
If we get through with this fast
I have a big party inside.
Yeah?
I've been invited to a big party too.
That's fine, Gerry.
- But I'm going to be the only guest.
At first.
The mayor is throwing it
starting tomorrow morning.
Sooner or later I should expect
an invitation, shouldn't I?
We're in it together.
Except I've been paying you
a thousand bucks a week.
You've been getting
value received, Matty.
Every penny-alley grifter and chiseler
has either left town or he's in jail.
I've made this town look honest
so you can collect all the gravy.
True.
True.
It looks like our little business
transaction is headed for the rocks.
Not if you take care of the mayor.
That isn't quite equitable, Gerry.
You asked me to help with
Hunter Turnley and I did.
Even though it meant laying Stacy off.
That won't happen again.
From now on I watch every angle.
I'll protect you everywhere.
Wouldn't it be fairer if
you handled the mayor?
After all, you are the logical man.
You are the closest to him.
Everybody thinks well of you.
It would give me the feeling you're
delivering fifty percent on our deal.
Oh.
Your Honor.
I'll be back for it, Matty.
Okay, Gerry.
Hello Jane.
Gerry.
Fine.
I'm taking you and that stupid
boss of yours out tonight...
To celebrate the windup
of that Turnley thing.
I don't know where that stupid boss
of mine is but I'll dig him up.
Fine.
I hope this is alright, Mr Ladimer.
Just bring us a lot of champagne
and don't worry about the table.
We need another chair for McKay.
- We're expecting another.
Let's do it this way.
That is for McKay.
A nice place. Nice music.
- Nice food.
And our motto is the customer is always
right until we have to throw him out.
Not much more of this left, Mr Ladimer.
Laurent-Perrier '33.
French.
- Oh, really?
For you there always will be a bottle.
- Fine.
What's the matter?
- They certainly make a fuss over you.
I'm the hottest kid in town.
You got more credit on the
Turnley case than we did.
Well, it's just because
they hear me on the radio.
Do you want to dance
before McKay shows up?
Don't you think we're too
middle-aged for that sort of music?
They keep a pulmotor handy just in case.
What's the routine Gordon told me
about you hating chemistry and so on?
I do hate it.
Why do you stick at it then?
I had a horrible childhood.
They taught me to eat.
Hello, Gerry.
Well, how are you this evening, sir?
Chemistry or starve?
Not for the rest of your life I hope.
I'll probably get
married sooner or later.
I hope sooner.
Mr Ladimer.
I could interpret that as proposal talk.
Go ahead.
Hold me to it.
Not you attorneys.
You can wriggle out of anything.
Well, hello boss.
Hello, Gordon. How are you?
Your message said 'vitally important'.
What's vital and what's important?
I'm entertaining in celebration
of your spectacular scientific feat...
To capture Mr Allison Stacy.
Thank you very much, Gerry.
That's very decent of you.
Here is half of what I just got.
As a matter of fact we were
very lucky to grab Stacy.
And luckier still that he got killed.
Why do you say that?
You never can tell how juries will kick
around the evidence I slap together.
Stacy must have felt the
same way about that you do.
Until he lost his nerve.
That's what I always count on.
My hocus-pocus always panics
a guy when he's guilty...
And right then he figures I've got
more on him than I really have.
You, my little man,
are going to get crocked.
Not only that but I'm going to
take myself a week to sober up.
I'm going fishing up in Pine Rapids.
- Who's going to cook for you?
Cook for me? Are you kidding?
Listen.
When I whip a trout off the hook.
And toss him in a pan.
- Don't you clean him?
Quiet please.
I slit.
Scoop.
Wash.
Salt.
Oh.
Solidly inside and out.
Next.
The butter.
Now, depending on the size of...
Ants.
You can't get rid of them.
Depending on the size of the fish.
In this case about...
A quarter of an inch spread.
Now comes the master touch.
Very few people know this.
You got your sleeve in it.
- Oh, sorry.
Ketchup.
Now most people...
Most people.
Prefer a heavier meat sauce.
But I've discovered with
long years of experience.
That the plain old garden-variety
ketchup is by far superior.
Sprinkle sparingly.
Now.
We take the fish.
Throw it away and open up a can of
beans because nobody in the world...
Could eat that fish.
That's just the way I like to eat it.
I'm going to Pine Rapids with you.
You just bought yourself something.
I'll pick you up at 8 in the morning.
I have a better idea than that.
I pick you both up.
Are you going too?
Why not? I'd be a sucker with you there.
Gerry, that's swell. We'll have a
million laughs the three of us.
I'll pick you up at a quarter
of 8 and you at 8 o'clock sharp.
Hurray. We're all going
fishing in Pine Rapids.
Let's just all be careful
we hook the right fish.
Dick, Darling. Tell me what
it is that's bothering you.
It's nothing, dear. Nothing much.
I'll tell you tonight.
You know what we'll do on Sunday?
- I've called a meeting...
Which you'll call off when
you get to the office.
We'll put on our old clothes on Sunday.
And spend the whole day working
in the garden like we used to.
Say, wouldn't it be nice if we could
have the day together for a change.
I wish we could.
- I think we can.
I lock the door and take
the phone off the hook.
And no-one will ever think we
were in the garden working.
We'll have dinner alone and
forget all about politics.
It's a difficult project but
I think we can arrange it.
We'll just consider that
meeting cancelled.
Goodbye.
- Goodbye, darling.
Blue thread from outside
left garage door.
Blue thread.
Outside left door.
Hold that end please.
Four feet eight and a half
inches from the ground.
Four feet eight and a half
inches from the ground.
Have a man take the mayor's
clothing down to the lab.
Right.
Is everything photographed
just as it was?
Yep.
Alright boys. Let's lift up the chassis.
Bring a jack, one of you.
Where do you think
the bomb was fastened?
Judging the angle of the splinters in
his body, I'd say under the floorboards.
Burlap sacks directly
under flywheel housing.
What's that?
It's a piece of the bomb.
Hello Lynch.
- Hi, Gerry.
Pretty horrible.
Whoever put it there had
proper reasons for making sure.
Hey Gordon.
How are you, Gerry?
- Hello.
Any ideas who manufactured this mess?
Maybe.
- Found anything yet?
I can't say. She's keeping it a secret.
Bombing kinda destroys
any clues, doesn't it.
Nothing is ever destroyed, my friend.
Chief.
- What is it?
We got a prowler call last night.
A young guy hanging around here.
Take him in?
No. Not a vagrant.
Seemed alright so I sent him away.
Get his address?
- Yes.
Pick him up and take him
to the homicide office.
That's right.
I was with the mayor
last night in his office.
Mrs Daniels called. Said something about
a prowler. The mayor called a squad car.
Looks like a quick break.
All I ask is a few
suspects to work over.
You'll get them. The mayor made
enemies every day he was in office.
If you find out anything let me know.
- Yeah.
But they know I hung around
the mayor's house last night.
Who is 'they'?
- The cops.
They came and gave me the 'move along'.
They'll try to pin this on me sure.
Well, I'll not play the
sucker any longer.
I must get out of town for a while.
Eddie, the police can't hurt
you if you are innocent.
Yeah? I know different.
They go out of their way to be dumb.
Eddie.
You had nothing to do
with this. I know that.
And running away is only
going to make you look guilty.
You may be right.
Wright. The chief has a lot of
questions to ask you. Okay?
Eddie.
- Don't worry, baby.
I'll be back in a little while.
Hiya, Lynch.
Hiya, Gerry.
- The wheels turning?
Yeah, the wheels are turning.
In quicksand.
What about the suspect department?
Five.
Number 1 is a fire marshal that
Daniels discharged for taking pay-offs.
Yeah?
We know he threatened the mayor
but he has a vacuum-packed alibi.
Number 2 is a guy name Bunny Martel
who used to have a parking concession.
Numbers 3 and 4 respectively
are a nut and a crank.
I didn't know there was any difference.
A nut has got a mania
on one subject only.
A crank has got crazy
ideas about everything.
They both wrote threat
letters to the mayor.
What about number 5?
- A good suspect.
A kid from the beanery.
Eddie Wright?
Yeah. We're grilling him right now.
You want to listen in?
- Okay.
Listen closely this time, Eddie.
Try to remember that thing called truth.
Why did you go to the mayor's home?
- I told you.
I've been paying out protection money
just so my place wouldn't be smashed.
I figured the mayor was honest.
I figured he'd beat down on the crooks.
- That's pretty thin, Eddie.
Why didn't you bring your
complaint to the police?
I did. Once before after
they smashed my diner.
Somebody in the department tipped
off the crooks and they beat me up.
This time I figured it was
safer to go to the mayor.
Oh, so you don't trust us?
It's nice to know you hate cops.
- What do you expect?
I wasn't sticking my neck
out again if I could help it.
You went to the mayor's house and
hung around like a panhandler.
That's it. That's all there is to it.
- An interesting story.
A barrel of fish.
- Smells as bad too.
Wright.
Is that the coat you wore last
night at the mayor's home?
Why, yes.
- Let's have it.
Take this over to the lab right away.
- Okay.
Now the quicker you tell the truth the
quicker you are going to get home.
I am telling the truth.
You are in a spot, Eddie.
I'm not in any spot.
You guys are trying to put me in one.
Hello Eddie.
Cigarette?
Do you know me?
Sure.
You are Gerry Ladimer.
The radio racket-buster.
That's right.
Take it easy, take it easy.
I don't believe you
did this thing, Eddie.
I doubt you're smart enough.
Sure, I didn't do it.
You can trust me as you can the mayor.
He and I were in this fight together.
Now, let's get the real dope, Eddie.
It's just like I told
them cops, Mr Ladimer.
I tried to see the mayor
because he was the top guy.
But I never got a chance to talk to him.
Why should I want to kill the
only guy who could help me?
I see.
And I believe you, Eddie.
I'll do all I can to help you.
Gee, thanks, Mr Ladimer.
- Okay. Don't worry.
Well, what's his story?
He hasn't got one. He's stalling.
I think you've got your man.
- I know I have.
McKay wants us over at
the lab. The kid too.
Do you recognise this coat?
The cops just took it away from me.
Take a look in here.
That's a magnified thread
taken from the coat of yours.
Item 'A' please.
Item 'A' from the scene of the bombing.
Right, now look again.
They look the same.
They're the same. They're identical.
That's all, Eddie.
We've compared them
for the number of fibres.
We measured the weave
undulations and they match.
Mitchell has tested both chemically
and they have the same dye.
Now, this last thread you saw here we
found on the door of the wrecked garage.
And it came from your coat, Eddie.
You didn't say anything about being
near the mayor's garage. What about it?
Well, I didn't think it was important.
It would look bad.
Mighty bad if you ask me.
Take him back to my office.
Thanks a lot, Gordon.
- Sure, sure.
Well, that just about does it.
We'll book Eddie Wright for murder.
On what?
- On what you found.
You mean, because he was by the garage
and caught his coat on a splinter?
Look Gordon, here is how I figure it.
We know the kid was hanging
around the mayor's house.
You've just now shown us he was near
the garage. It all adds up perfectly.
Now wait just a minute, Gerry.
It doesn't add up to anything.
Can I help it if you can't add?
Mitchell.
- Yes, sir?
Bring me those burnt
matches will you please.
I'm going to show you something.
Item 'K'.
These are some burnt matches
we picked up near the garage.
And here is a match you
just lit your cigar with.
Now, if they check.
We are going to hold you
for Mayor Daniels' murder.
Well.
Did I kill him?
Look for yourself.
The match on the left is evidence
and the one on the right is yours.
They're the same.
There are probably a hundred thousand
matches like Gerry's in this town.
Now wouldn't I be a dope to think
that anything so flimsy is conclusive?
Does he mean I'm innocent?
You shouldn't play gags
like that on your friends.
You'll be checking on me next.
I had to prove to you gents that you
mustn't go round jumping at conclusions.
And I mean Eddie Wright.
- Okay, okay. Sold.
However, I'll make you a little bet.
Your scientific procedure so far
may not point you to Eddie Wright.
But five against ten that he did it.
- Maybe.
When we finish Wright will be so guilty
that no-one can get him out of this.
Or he'll be so innocent
no man can convict him.
No bets?
The only thing Mitchell and I ever
bet on is who buys the cigarettes.
And you know who always
loses, don't you.
Careful with matches round here.
He may find you did the murder
and I'd have to defend you.
I'm the prosecutor and that
wouldn't be so hard, would it?
No it wouldn't.
Mitch and I could go for a long walk.
Is now too soon?
Gerry, we don't know a better
man for the job than you.
And I think the entire
city will agree with us.
You will have to give me a couple
of minutes, gentlemen. After all...
This idea of my running
for mayor is brand new.
And a little frightening.
You are the one logical person to carry
on the reforms started by Daniels.
You know, if you were asking me to
follow any other man in this job...
I wouldn't be so overwhelmed by it.
To follow a man like Mayor Daniels...
You owe it to Daniels to go
on with what he started.
Think I have a chance?
Do you think I can win?
Why, of course.
- Like shooting ducks in a barrel.
There's one large 'if', Gerry.
If the special prosecutor you're able
to find convicts the mayor's murderer.
There would be no doubt about it.
- He's right.
Of course he's right.
If I could deliver the killer today and
give up any hope of ever being mayor...
I'd do it in a minute.
You all know that.
We know how you feel, Gerry.
Good luck.
- Thanks.
Thanks.
The Bamboo room. One o'clock.
Ask for my table.
Goodbye.
It's lovely, Gerry.
I looked all over town for the
finest orchid I could find...
And I still say it doesn't
do you justice.
You know it's very funny.
- What's very funny?
The way things change.
I've known you a short while. I've made
up my mind the kind of person you are.
How do I rate?
- Not bad.
Now I have to go all over the
score and figure it out again.
Why take all that trouble?
Because you are going to be mayor.
Other people see in you
sides I haven't seen.
Different sides.
A hard side, an official side.
An older side.
Now wait a minute,
I'm not the mayor yet.
But you will be because you want to be.
Well.
My chances of getting anywhere
are completely cooked...
Unless I can deliver Mayor
Daniels' murderer right away.
My only hope is Gordon.
And Gordon's only hope is concentrating
on Eddie Wright. I know that.
You're sure he did it, aren't you.
- Every clue points to him. Every one.
You may be right.
Of course I am.
If I can wash up this
case quickly, smartly.
The people will force
me right to the top.
And then maybe they'll
send me to Washington.
It sounds okay, doesn't it?
You are ambitious, Gerry.
Jane, when I was a kid I never
just wanted to be on the team.
I wanted to be the captain.
What did you do about the other
little boys who wanted the same job?
I was the captain.
I wouldn't like to be in your way
if you were headed someplace.
You could never be in my way.
But you could go with me.
I wouldn't be surprised if I did.
You mean you want to be on my team?
Gerry, being with you
is exciting. It is fun.
But I need time.
You got any other offers?
I like competition.
I still need time.
And I haven't got it right now.
Waiter.
Didn't go out to lunch again, eh?
Uhuh.
You are going to ruin your stomach.
Not until I'm forty-five.
That's the ulcer age.
Did you enjoy your salad
with mineral-oil dressing?
How did you know I had
mineral-oil dressing?
Because it's non-fattening. When a girl
eats with a man she watches calories.
And how did you know I ate with a man?
The way you went out of here.
And the way you came back.
How are we doing?
We're burning up the world, Mitchell.
Powder grains from the bomb.
Shall I inspect them?
No. Wait for Lynch.
Here is the copper wire
used as a conductor.
Snipped off by mechanical pressure.
Not cut with a knife.
Not by a pair of wire cutters either.
The cut isn't neat enough.
Probably by a pair of
ordinary fingernail clippers.
Ordinary fingernail clippers?
Yes. This whole thing was
put together by an amateur.
The chances are he used whatever
he had on him to cut the wire.
Then it is simple.
We find where he bought the
clippers and we have him.
Mitchell, you kill me.
What's the matter with
wanting to find the clippers?
Well, it's just like those matches.
There are probably a hundred thousand
fingernail clippers in this town.
How are you going to
check on a thing like that?
I can and will.
We've just got to get this case solved.
People are getting fidgety.
What people?
The People of Chatsburg.
I get around. I hear
what they're saying.
They say anything about me?
Not you specifically.
The whole city administration.
They want to know who
killed Mayor Daniels.
Well now, that's just fine. Who doesn't?
I've a good mind to try and run down
those fingernail clippers on my own.
Any objections?
- No, no. You go right ahead.
If you find the murderer with that clue
I'll see you get all the credit for it.
I don't want credit.
I want to find the murderer.
Is that all?
I thought you'd got ambitious enough
to make a career out of this business.
It's no career for a woman, boss.
You know that.
It's not much of a career
for a man either.
No prestige, no glamour, no money.
People holler at you when
there are no miracles.
You don't think much of your chances
to get something out of life, do you.
I've been a little too busy for that.
How about you?
I... I want to get married I suppose.
What's wrong with that?
Nothing is wrong with it. If you can
hypnotise some jerk into marrying you.
Well.
Now, that's a brilliant answer for a
girl I thought had some intelligence.
What will you say if I said I don't have
to hypnotise some jerk into marrying me?
Here. Keep on picking until it's clean.
Mitchell.
Why bother? You are
always missing the target.
Yeah.
Hi there, Gordon.
- Good afternoon.
Oh, Hello Mitchell.
We've been waiting for you, Captain.
This is the powder that
was used in the bomb.
What kind of powder?
That's what we are
going to find out now.
Step right in. The second feature
goes on in about twenty seconds.
You got some new gadgets, eh?
This one is called a spectrograph.
Evidence goes in the hollow
point of this carbon pencil, see.
You're not using much evidence.
You don't need much. Just a speck.
Steel dust, powder. Anything.
Ready, Captain?
- Let 'em roll.
Get the lights, Mitchell.
Not running a Mickey Mouse today.
Just a crime short.
What's cooking in there?
The material is burned under
terrific heat in the lamp-house here.
The flame forms a spectrum.
A series of tiny vertical
lines over there.
Which is reflected back
here to this camera.
Where we now have a photograph.
Alright. Lights, Mitchell.
In other words, you
can take any material.
Find out what it's made of and how much
of each element goes to make it up.
Hmm. It's a smart thing to
stay straight these days.
Hit that film developer as
soon as you can, Mitchell.
I'll see you in the file room.
With Lynch as a chaperone,
I'll take that risk.
This band of lines represents all the
usual chemical elements of the spectrum.
This band of lines is the
photograph we just took...
Of all the chemical elements
in the bomb powder.
Now all we've got to
do is match them up.
Ready, Mitchell?
- Ready, Mr McKay.
Potassium.
Hold it.
A vanadium triplet.
Vanadium. That's good.
Okay with the light switch.
Vanadium was put in by the manufacturer
just to identify the powder.
This is my gunpowder bible.
It's got everything from firecrackers to
2,000-pound aerial bombs for the B17s.
And who makes them.
This Magnum powder is made for the new
high-velocity .38 revolver cartridge.
It is manufactured by the
Neo-Nitro Powder Company.
It is sold directly to the cartridge
maker and is never sold in bulk.
This fellow bought a lot of .38
Magnum revolver cartridges...
Pulled out the bullets and
used the powder for his bomb.
A hard-working guy, huh?
- Yep.
Know what I need?
Bring in everyone who
bought .38 Magnum cartridges.
That's right. Have them here tomorrow.
Do you think a smart boy like this is
going to admit he bought Magnums?
He won't have to. I'll examine
the material under his fingernails.
If he's been horsing around with
Magnum powder it will still be there.
What's wrong now?
Mitchell, who gave you that orchid?
That's your next crime case, doctor.
Anything for dessert, folks?
Yeah. I don't see that on the menu.
Oh him? He's my husband.
Any dessert?
No dessert. Here you are.
Thank you very much.
That's my trouble.
I'm nobody's husband.
Are you anybody's uncle?
- Now don't change the subject.
Not really.
I'm ready to face facts.
Well, do you think you'll ever
get around to saying yes?
The best I can give you
is a definite maybe.
Why 'maybe'?
Because I've got a jerky little job.
Gerry, you know I can't walk out
on McKay until he gets his man.
And I get a vacation.
Oh, McKay will never find
anyone but Eddie Wright.
What he needs is more pressure.
Like putting pressure on a
tree to make it grow faster.
Just a waste of time.
We've got one good lead though.
McKay has analysed the
powder used in the bomb.
It came from a lot of .38
Magnum revolver cartridges.
Pretty clever, eh?
- Not so clever.
Lynch is getting us a list of all the
people in town who've bought them.
I bought some.
You did?
Sure. I had to carry a
gun during the campaign.
I hope you are clean
under the fingernails.
Fingernails?
People don't get gunpowder under their
fingernails from playing gin rummy.
Oh.
Right. That's fine.
- Okay.
Gentlemen, thank you very much.
Sorry to bother you but we had to check
on everyone who had bought these shells.
Gordon, you forgot about me.
I bought some.
If I could think of an easy
way to frame you for this...
I'd do it and save
myself all this trouble.
That's okay with me...
If, when they strap me in and throw
the switches you're sitting on my lap.
No. I'll be up at Pine Rapids fishing.
No. There is nothing there.
That leaves you in the
clear and me in the fog.
What about the kid?
Did you test him yet?
Yeah. Not a sign of
gunpowder under his nails.
Maybe he wore gloves. How do you know?
Maybe.
I think you ought to concentrate on
the kid, Gordon. He's our best bet.
I don't mind a little bet now and
then but not on other people's lives.
Okay, okay.
That's the file room.
And that's the darkroom.
Mitchell isn't here.
Mitchell went shopping.
When she comes back,
can you tell her I'll phone tonight?
I certainly will.
If I can't think of some
good way to forget to.
Okay, Tootsie.
How is the clipper department?
You have no idea what
goes on in this country.
Why must they make so many thousands of
the things and so many different kinds?
Isn't it about time you gave up?
I never give up.
When you find the answer
be sure to tell it to me.
Why, Captain Lynch.
I'm not a happy guy.
I don't need a microscope to see that.
The public hammers
the police commission.
The police commission lights
fires under the chief.
And the chief hits me in the face
with a phone every five minutes.
And you're here to pass the
pressure along to me?
Naturally. Why not?
It's all up to you.
You're the bottleneck.
Lynch, at the earliest opportunity I'm
going to get into a quiet kind of work.
Like lion taming.
Cigarette department.
Match me.
What's the news from the outside world?
Ladimer and the boys
at the DA's office...
Are cooking up a watertight
case against Eddie Wright.
That ought to be interesting.
On what?
- That lead you gave them.
The thread from the garage door.
Those guys ought to be writing
fiction. It pays a lot better.
Come over here a minute.
I'm just starting in on a new lead.
Yeah?
These are burlap sacks we
found under the mayor's car.
I see.
The guy lay on those sacks
when he planted the bomb.
Now look through there.
Those are fibres from these sacks.
And whoever planted that bomb will
have fibres like these in his hair.
We can match those fibres with
any we find on a suspect.
And prove they are identical.
Speaking of suspects, we've three
new ones besides Eddie Wright.
They are citizens who are distinctly not
interested in an honest way of living.
The boys are trying to poke
holes in their alibis right now.
Alright. We'll go over and examine
them, including Eddie Wright.
Mitchell.
Come out of your orchid garden.
I want your help on a little deal.
It's a pity you are allergic to orchids.
We'll take the small kit.
What's this? What's this?
Take it easy, Bulge.
This is just a suction machine
to gather evidence.
What kind of evidence?
Anything we can get.
Okay, but I ain't responsible.
Give Miss Mitchell your name please.
Joe Salinas.
The people I like call me Bulge.
Relax.
Thanks.
Nothing?
Nothing on Salinas, nothing
on Ryerson, nothing on Burns.
And nothing on Eddie Wright.
- And nothing on Eddie Wright.
If he'd made the bomb we'd
have found traces of powder.
If he'd planted it there would have been
burlap fibres and dust in his hair.
We're now in the department
of utter confusion.
Dead-end Division.
- Brother, we are out on a limb.
I have a very strong hunch it's the
same limb I'm going to hang from.
My friend you are soured by
too much contact with humanity.
When I run into a dead end I just turn
round and start off on a different tack.
Is that stuff from the mayor's office?
- Uhuh.
We've checked through and
haven't found a thing.
No writing there.
I'll go over it with the Ardin spray.
Sometimes pencil marks leave
impressions on blank sheets underneath.
If you find anything...
- I'll let you know.
Come on, slug. Open up.
Give me the Ardin spray.
Kill the lights, Mitchell.
Anything?
Nope. Nothing.
Anything yet?
No, Mitchell. Nothing.
You'd better go to lunch.
Gee, thanks boss.
I'll bring you a sandwich.
No. No, don't bother.
When you finish lunch
keep looking for the...
Fingernail clipper. It may wind up being
our only chance of cracking this thing.
Uhuh. And I'm just the
little gal that can do it.
Mr Ladimer please.
Gordon McKay.
Hello Gerry?
Fine. Thanks.
Gerry, I've something very important
to show you. Can you come over here?
Yes you can make a five o'clock
appointment. I'll only be a minute.
Thanks.
I'm going to make a test now
that will go a long way...
To uncovering the guy
that planted that bomb.
Great work. Then I'll have some
real news for my broadcast.
Say Gordon, why don't you
say a few words on the air?
After all you're the one
who broke this case.
Oh, I don't know.
Talking isn't exactly my line.
Now watch this closely
while I get the reagent.
Bring a couple of straws.
I'm sorry, Gerry.
No. Keep your hands away.
It's caustic. You'll get burned.
So do something. Quick.
I give up.
And if I ever see you use one of
those clippers on your fingernails...
I quit without notice.
You won't have to, Mitch. I've got him.
Boss, really? Who is it?
I'll let you know definitely later.
I want to be sure first.
Oh please, who is he?
- I said I'd tell you later, Mitchell.
How did you get him?
The hair test. His hair was full of
powder grains and burlap fibres.
A couple of more checks
and it will be conclusive.
I'm glad it's all over.
It definitely takes us
out of the 'dope' class.
Do you mind if I run along since
there's nothing more to do on this?
I've got sort-of an important date.
Yeah, I know.
That was swell.
That Rio. What a place.
They tell me.
Never been there.
You haven't?
We'll have to take care
of that right away.
And how do we do that?
I take you to Rio.
- You do?
Certainly. It must be
wonderful honeymoon country.
I'd love it.
That settles it.
I think we ought to fly.
Did you ever fly?
Once.
Would you mind?
I wouldn't mind anything with
you, Gerry. You know that.
When do we leave?
I could leave almost any time.
Tomorrow even.
- You can?
McKay has got the killer.
He has?
Who, Eddie Wright?
- Nope. He was cleared.
He wouldn't tell me who.
He won't tell anybody until he's ready.
All he said is that he's got him.
Well, that's fine.
I'm so relieved. It was beginning to
look like we were a couple of idiots.
How did he get him?
From some samples of dust and
powder taken from the person's hair.
That was pretty smart of him.
Gerry, darling.
I can use a drink.
And a drink you shall have.
Uhoh. Clumsy ox.
What did you do?
- Spilled a drink all over my coat.
Never mind, darling.
I'll fix it. I won't be a minute.
Alright.
Hello Matty. This is Gerry.
Trouble. Call me back right away.
Hello? Yes, this is Mr Ladimer.
Oh, hello Mr Baker. How are you, sir?
Okay, so I'm calling you right back.
What's the trouble and what's
this 'Mr Baker' baloney?
Well, I don't know.
I'm pretty busy tonight but...
If it's so important it won't wait until
morning I guess you can come over.
But make it as soon as you can.
I'm planning on going out this evening.
Alright, Mr Baker.
See you in about ten minutes.
Of all the silly things.
What's the matter, darling?
- A dope named Baker.
One of the boys from the DA's office
called to say he must see me right away.
If it is private I'll go.
Would you mind, darling?
I'll tell you what.
I'll get rid of this
guy as soon as I can.
And then we'll go dancing and
talk some more about Rio.
I can't go in these clothes.
Well. Tell you what.
Let's save you some time.
You take my car and go home. Change.
And come back here.
By then I'll be all ready.
Sold.
Wait a minute. I got two things.
The keys to my car.
And this.
I'm only going to be gone an hour.
Goodbye.
- Goodbye.
[ Doorbell ]
Hello Matty.
- Hello Gerry.
Glad you are here.
What's the matter?
You look a bit jittery, Your Honor.
My pal McKay pulled a fast one.
- But you were sitting in his lap.
I thought so, but he's got
me for sure. I'm cooked.
Cool down, kid. Take it easy.
What's he got?
Evidence. Conclusive evidence.
I'm as good as dead I tell you.
Malarkey. Take the
evidence away from him.
Yeah? How?
You've got a brain. You have two hands.
And now you've got this.
Get up.
Away from the table.
What for?
I want the evidence you took.
Gerry, you're crazy. Put the gun away.
Either you give me that evidence
or you go where I sent the mayor.
Now get going.
Hello Boss.
- Welcome home, Mitch.
Didn't anybody clean up
around here for six weeks?
How was the vacation?
I got a lot of things out of my system.
That won't hurt you any.
What have you been
busying your little mind on?
Oh, a silly jerk stepped in the way
of his sweetheart's sledgehammer.
A woman wielding a sledgehammer?
Yeah. She was a blacksmith
at a plane factory.
Come over here, Mitch.
I need a little help.
Take a look at this.
You know boss, I always said
this was no job for a woman.
Stop beeping and look
into the microscope.
I've been doing a lot of thinking and...
- Look into the thing there.
Is this evidence or did
you write it yourself?
I wrote that with my own little hand.
That's all I've been waiting to hear.
Match me.
..f-s..