Spy Hunt (1950) Movie Script
1
- Buonasera, signorina.
Buonasera, signore.
- Boy, if you could speak English,
I'd tell you you're really stacked.
- And if you could speak
English instead of American,
I might understand what you mean.
Skip it.
Um, looking for somebody?
- Mm-hmm, your little pets there.
I'm a correspondent from
the Apex News Service
and I'd like an interview.
They won't talk.
- But maybe you will, Mister...
- Quain.
Steve Quain.
- I'm Catherine Ullven,
and our office wired me
to get a story on you and
your two black panthers.
- Uh-huh, well, I was born
in Seattle, Washington,
at a very early age.
Everybody said I was a
singularly beautiful child.
At the age of two, I-
- Oh, I should have told you, Mr. Quain,
this is just going to be
one story, not a serial.
Much as I'd love to hear
about your childhood,
could we get to the panthers?
- Raja, Rani, Ms. Catherine Ullven.
- Well, you don't think it
will hurt their feelings
if I don't shake hands?
- You'll have to pardon their manners,
they don't like trains.
As a matter of fact, I
haven't been able to discover
anything they do like.
- Where are you taking them, Mr. Quain?
- I'm chaperoning them from Rome to Paris,
then aboard ship back to the USA.
- "The adventurous young American
who is daring the perilous trip
with two ferocious panthers
told our special correspondent..."
You're doing this just for
the excitement? The thrill?
- Yeah, for the thrill of 250 bucks cash
and a free trip to the United States.
- "Told our correspondent that
the challenge of adventure
was his sole reason for
making the dangerous journey."
- You confirm my opinion of newspapers.
- How did you happen to be in Rome,
and why are you going back to America?
- Well, I happened to be in Rome
because that's where my dough ran out.
After kicking around Europe,
trying to pick up a fast lira,
franc, mark, pengo, zloty,
with notable lack of success,
I am now heading back to try
to pick up a fast dollar.
Bradley's Circus came
through just in time.
- I'm a trifle puzzled by their collars.
- Well, they were in a
rich man's private zoo
outside of Rome.
He used to have the trainer run 'em around
in a couple of leashes until he found out
they preferred trainers to milk.
- That reminds me, I
brought something for them.
- Yeah?
A week ago, they'd have to
fight me for this. Go ahead.
Hey!
You know that old gag
about eating off your hand?
They will.
Which is which?
- Raja, he's the male.
He's got diamond-shaped
studs in his collar.
Rani is his mate.
- See what you can
learn from wild animals?
He and she are having a drink together.
- You mean when in Milan,
do as the panthers do?
- There's a bar across
from the station. Angelo's.
I've got two hours before my train leaves.
- I'll meet you there.
In an hour, at 10 o'clock.
- Why waste an hour?
- I have to stop in at my office first.
Till 10?
- I'll be there.
"See what you can learn
from two wild animals?"
"He and she are having a drink together."
- So you got rid of it.
Now Gormand, we are
through playing with you.
Where is it?
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- Not so impetuous, my
dear fellow, please.
I haven't very much more time
to waste on you, Gormand.
Perhaps if I tell you
how much we already know,
you'll realize how foolish you are being.
When Anton Trazark,
late prime minister of my
country, committed suicide,
it cleared the way for
Peter Malko and our party
to take over the government.
It would be tempting to have
an academic discussion with you
about the so-called democratic ideals
of the late prime minister.
But I'm afraid that the time
is too short for such abstraction.
- Gah, Malko had Trazark assassinated.
You know it, I know it, he knows it.
Even the British intelligence
service knows it.
But what they can't prove won't help them.
- My friend here puts it
crudely, but concisely.
Unfortunately for you,
the proof of Trazark's
assassination by Malko
and all of that extremely damning evidence
is in that microfilm you
carried here from Istanbul.
It is not expedient, shall we say,
for that microfilm to
reach British intelligence
to be given into the hands
of the United Nations.
No, I think you're too intelligent
to require a further argument.
Here.
500 American dollars for you.
Now, where is it?
- Don't!
I'll tell you, I'll
tell you, I'll tell you!
It's in his collar.
The panther, in his collar.
- Why, he's lost his mind!
- It's true!
I swear it!
It was all prearranged
by British intelligence.
The girl has hidden the film
in one of the panthers' collars.
They're in the last
car of a freight train,
leaving for Paris tonight.
You can go and see for yourself.
And then, when you've found
it, you can set me free.
- The Paris freight, what track is it on?
- One moment.
Train number 745, track 19.
- Do you happen to know if two panthers
are being transported?
- Yes, I was speaking to the
young American this afternoon.
It's an unusual cargo to-
- How soon will the train leave?
- Number 745?
- Yes.
It left 10 minutes ago.
- For a telegram, signorina?
- Si.
- "Arthur Morton, 343
Boulevard, Saint-Germain, Paris.
Brother and sister just left.
Brother bringing package.
Meet them without fail. Love, Katie."
Grazie.
- I wish to place a call
to Zurich, Switzerland.
For Signore Emil Vanay, V-A-N-A-Y,
at the Hotel Bristol.
Vanay speaking.
What?
You bungling fool!
I shall have it attended to.
At Brieg.
Yes, Brieg!
- Good morning, Mr. Quain.
I'm Dr. Stahl.
- Good morning.
Where, uh...
- You're at Brieg, Switzerland,
and this is the Hotel L'Hermitage,
of which I am the proprietor.
- Guess I'm still woozy.
I thought you said you were Dr. Stahl.
- Must a physician always
dwell with the infirm?
I like happy people, so at some hours,
I am Stahl the physician.
At others, more pleasant
hours, I'm Stahl the innkeeper.
- I remember jumping from the freight car.
A runaway.
- You were very lucky, Mr. Quain.
You only suffered a slight concussion.
Still enough to keep you
unconscious for several hours.
- The panthers, where are they?
- Mr. Quain.
Innkeeping, yes.
Medicine, yes.
Panthers, no.
They are strictly Captain
Heimer's province.
As a matter of fact, he's
been waiting to see you.
Captain Heimer of the
Swiss Army, Mr. Quain.
- How do you do?
- What about my panthers, Captain?
- Your panthers are not
only alive, they are free.
- Free?
- The freight car was
smashed. They escaped.
I regret to tell you, Mr. Quain,
in escaping they killed your companion.
- My companion?
- A horrible sight. He
was completely disfigured.
- Unidentifiable.
You were very lucky, Mr. Quain.
Incidentally, we identified
you by your papers,
but your companion had none.
- The car broke loose.
What caused the accident?
- Well, there was no accident.
The car was uncoupled
and a chain was placed across the track.
- Sabotage, unquestionably.
- For what purpose, we cannot imagine.
So I was sent down here
in command of a detachment of troops
to warn everybody in this
district to be strictly on guard,
and with orders to hunt down your panthers
and shoot them on sight.
- If you shoot those panthers,
I may have to swim the
Atlantic Ocean to get home.
- Sergeant Migros, your squad
will search North Valley.
Sergeant Roche, take your men
along both banks of the river.
And Sergeant Fitzer, the forest detail
to the foot of the glacier.
At first sight of the
panthers, shoot to Kill.
Platoon dismissed.
- Come in.
- Ah, Steve Quain, I presume.
I'm Chris Denson, and this
my friend, vin ordinaire.
We've come in to wish
you a speedy recovery.
Cheers.
Well, what's the matter, old boy?
- Did Dr. Stahl prescribe this?
- No, I did. Go on, drink up.
Nice bouquet, hasn't it?
- You're not a wine salesman, are you?
No. I'm what's glamorously known
as a foreign correspondent.
Actually, I'm an errand boy
for the Europa News Service,
and this is one of my errands.
- Have you heard anything
about the panthers?
- Oh, I've heard about nothing else
since I got here this afternoon.
Everybody in the neighborhood's
in a perfect panic of fear
and practically nobody but
Heimer and his soldiers
dare move out of doors.
- Then they haven't killed them yet, huh?
- Killed them?
They jolly well haven't
even caught sight of them.
But they've come across
two sheep and a cow
that were finished off by your beasts.
Now look here, old boy.
I've been doing this sort of
thing for quite a few years,
covering everything from wars
to asking old ladies how they managed
to reach their hundredth birthday.
Off the record, of course, it's
just a publicity stunt, eh?
- Yeah? What makes you think so?
- Oh, come off it. Absolute
circus stuff, obviously.
I mean, it's great
publicity for Bradley's.
You can't deny that, can you?
- No?
No cats, no cash, eh?
That's rather hard luck on you.
I still say it's great
publicity for Bradley's.
- I'm glad you like it.
- Makes a very pleasant
change from my usual routine.
Nice view, well-stocked bar downstairs.
I shan't mind spending a few days here.
Welcome, Herr Kopel.
- I see you received my telegram.
- Yes.
- I have several bags in
the car and some guns.
How about my dogs?
- Oh, we have some very
nice kennels in the stable.
Georg.
- Thank you.
- Won't you come in?
- I've had a long drive.
Will you join me in a drink, Doctor?
- It's a pleasure, sir.
Would you care to register?
- I'm Captain Heimer, sir.
I know you by reputation,
Herr Kopel, and may I say,
I'm very glad to have you with us.
- Thank you, Captain.
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- A representative of the English press.
Mr. Denson, Herr Kopel.
- Ah, Kopel the hunter?
- Evidently fame is not so
fleeting as I had thought.
- Herr Kopel.
Good hunting.
- Thank you.
The same to all of us.
- Ah, my restless patient.
I thought you might be joining us shortly.
- You must be Mr. Quain.
I'm greatly indebted to you, sir. Greatly.
- Meet Paul Kopel.
Biggest of the big-game hunters.
He's shot everything there is to shoot.
Oh, except a pink elephant I once saw.
- Well, not quite everything,
my dear Mr. Quain.
Which is why I shall be
eternally grateful to you.
- How's that?
- Well, because of a very
severe attack of tropical fever,
which debarked me from
further hunting in Asia,
I had resigned myself to
never getting a black panther,
the only great quarry I still lacked.
And now you, in the guise of fate,
have accomplished the impossible.
You have actually given my back my...
I would say my missed opportunity.
- Pour me a brandy, will you, Doctor?
And don't tell me I'm not well enough.
- You know, you've given me a good idea
for a Sunday article
about you, Herr Kopel.
Panthers in the Alps. Eighth
wonder of the world, eh?
- Mr. Quain, when your
panthers broke loose,
you emptied my hotel of
guests almost overnight.
Now you're filling it again.
- Probably some more of
the, uh, workings of fate.
- Ah that must be Monsieur Paradou.
He telephoned this
morning to secure a room.
- Oh, don't tell me it's
another correspondent.
I'd rather hoped to get
an exclusive out of this.
- Well, as long as he
is not another hunter,
I really don't care.
- No, he informed me he
was an artist from Geneva.
- You know, magnetic
personalities, these cats of yours.
You want them alive,
Heimer wants them dead,
Kopel wants them as trophies,
and I want to write about them.
And I hope
to sketch their likeness.
- Maybe you boys better get in line.
Gentlemen, Monsieur Paradou.
- A pencil is not much of
a weapon, Monsieur Paradou.
I should think the escaped panthers
would frighten you to death.
They do.
But I came here to face my fear
in the hope that my fear might die.
After all, these are
not ordinary panthers.
Well, what I mean to say is,
the world has always cherished rarities,
and black panthers are very rare.
- Monsieur Paradou has a viewpoint.
- Well, from an artist's standpoint,
these panthers represent more
than just fierce jungle creatures.
They symbolize evil,
and man's subconscious
desire to control evil.
Their former owner in Rome
perhaps understood this
when he decided to collar his beasts.
And this is the picture I
the two black panthers,
the two faces of evil
with their graceful necks,
seemingly encircled by civilization,
with colorful brass-studded collars.
- Preposterous. I've heard
nothing about collars.
- Mr. Paradou is right,
they do wear collars.
Whoever wrecked that freight car
didn't know what they were starting.
Or did they?
When is the next train for Paris, Doctor?
- Well, there's one just before midnight.
Goodnight.
- Unsociable chap.
Well, even with collars,
I'm sure the cats aren't as
colorful as their hunters.
Or as ferocious.
- You're late.
- Oh, eh, what do you mean, I'm late?
- Our date was for 10 o'clock last night.
- Oh. Well, you see, I-
- Don't tell me you followed me
all the way to Switzerland to apologize.
- Don't flatter yourself.
I followed the panthers, not you.
They make an even better
story now than before.
The first report of the
accident said you'd been hurt.
- And you were worried about me, huh?
- Of course I was.
- Look, sister, anybody can
play me for a sucker once.
- Now what makes you think that-
- But I don't like it when somebody thinks
they can hook me twice without
even changing the bait.
- If you'll only give me
a chance to explain, I...
You're a fool.
- Maybe I am a fool, but
not too big of one to know
that I got shoved into something
I don't want any part of.
All of this didn't just happen.
Somebody makes a runaway
out of my freight car
and tries to kill me, the
panthers take care of him.
All of a sudden this
hotel is getting crowded
with guys who may or may
not be what they claim.
And this all happens right
after you make a date with me
and then stand me up.
I don't know what this is all
about and I don't want to.
All I want is to get back to
the United States, like I said.
- Suppose I tell you that...
There's something vitally important
hidden in the male panther's collar,
and I have to get it back.
- Don't tell me it's the
plans for the flying saucer.
- I can't tell you what
it is, I'm not allowed to.
All I can do is ask you to help me.
- You're cute.
What's in it for me?
Nothing.
And if you're an example
of American chivalry,
I'll do better by myself.
- Good luck.
- Excuse me, sir.
- Hey, Georg.
- Yes, sir?
- How long does it take to
walk to the station from here?
- Oh, not more than 10 minutes, sir.
- Okay.
Thanks for everything.
- Thank you, sir.
- Who's the character who just arrived?
- Just arrived, sir?
Hmm, but I don't understand.
- The new guest.
- No new guest has arrived, sir.
Oh, you mean the young lady?
- Oh, doesn't matter. So long.
- I have no time to waste.
Talk fast or I'll be forced to use...
I-.-
I think maybe I was wrong
about your chivalry.
- Don't kid yourself.
I just wondered who your boyfriend was.
- I'm glad you did.
- You know this guy?
- I saw him in the
railroad station in Milan.
All I know is that he's
one of the ones against me.
- Any idea who the rest
of our opposition is?
- I looked at the names
in the hotel registry
when I got here.
Kopel, Denson, Paradou,
they meant nothing to me.
- Paradou.
He mentioned the panthers' collars.
- He did?
I look forward to seeing this Paradou.
Perhaps I'll recognize him.
- I'll call Captain Heimer.
- No sign of them.
You circle around.
- That prowler you and Mr.
Quain caught last night
has turned out to be quite a prize.
- Really?
- The Brieg police to
whom I handed him over
informed me early this morning
that's he's wanted in Milan,
for murder no less.
- Good heavens.
- He and a confederate killed a man,
named, um, Gormand.
But they had already
arrested the other man
and sent out the alarm for this one.
- I wonder what he was doing here.
- I have...
- Excuse me, Captain. You're
wanted on the telephone.
- Thank you, Georg. Excuse me.
- Well, I must say, the
addition of a charming girl
to our company makes
this a perfect holiday.
- Even though she is a competitor?
- My dear Ms. Ullven, I can
only regard you as an ally.
- These rifles, Monsieur Paradou,
are much more accurate
than any army rifle.
- I know little of such things.
- Well, it seems that our heroine here
escaped not only a sneak thief last night,
but Heimer tells us the man
turned out to be a murderer.
Oh, I think you've met all of
us except Monsieur Paradou.
May I introduce Monsieur Paradou?
Ms. Catherine Ullven, a fellow reporter.
- Charmed.
- It's unnecessary to ask
your profession, monsieur.
- Ah, the dark, possessed
look of the hunter.
- But not the man.
I see no trace of kindness in it.
- Oh, Monsieur Paradou isn't prejudiced.
He'll also sketch the
panthers without kindness.
- I told you I'll be able to fix you up.
You see, we usually have enough clothes
for our hunting and skiing visitors.
- Morning.
- Good morning.
- I say, take a look at this, old boy.
- Oh! Pretty good likeness.
- I'm glad to see you included his rifle.
- Well, drawing Herr
Kopel without his rifle
would be like drawing the
panthers without their fangs.
- Thank you, Denson. I
consider that a compliment.
- A panther killed one of my men!
- Did he get the panther?
- No.
- I think we'd better go in groups.
May I look forward to
your company, Ms. Ullven?
- Yes.
Thank you, Herr Kopel.
- I think I'll tag along with you two.
We reporters must stick together.
- Well, I guess that
leaves you and me, Quain.
- Yeah.
- Perhaps we may achieve our objectives.
- Take him down to the village.
Any sign of the panthers?
- No, Captain. Not enough
snow to follow their tracks.
- These two can.
- I'm going up to the lookout post.
- Yes, Captain.
- Kopel wasn't kidding about those dogs.
They're good.
- I'm positive Herr Kopel
isn't kidding about anything.
- I feel I'll be very lucky today.
- Yes?
- Perfect day, perfect quarry,
and you as my companion.
You blundering idiot!
I had a perfect shot,
I couldn't have missed.
- An excellent shot, Mr. Quain.
- I missed, that's all.
- That's what I meant
by "an excellent shot."
- My dogs are very restless tonight.
That's Sabina. She's always the leader.
And of course, like all of us poor males,
Rex is her devoted follower.
- That's a very nice story, my dear.
I should've let you write mine for me.
- You sound surprised.
- Well, I find it very
difficult to believe
that a pretty girl like you
could be a grubby newspaper hack.
- Dr. Stahl, could Georg take this
to the telegraph office right away?
- Of course, Ms. Ullven. Georg?
- What about your story?
- Oh, I filed that this afternoon.
I wanted to keep my head clear
for my evening's drinking.
- I must go out and quiet the dogs.
Will you join me?
Maybe afterwards we can go for
a little walk along the lake?
- Later, perhaps.
Just now I'd like to rest and relax.
- Well, it's too beautiful an evening
to waste in this smoky room.
- Excuse me, old boy.
- Not only smoky, but crowded.
- And you prefer the wide-open spaces?
- Under certain circumstances, yes,
but I've learned how to be patient.
- Mr. Quain, you're in check.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor.
- Perhaps Mr. Quain is still meditating
on his bad shot today.
- Well, tomorrow's another day.
I was angry for a moment, my friend,
but I must admit you
deserved the first shot.
- You mean the first miss.
- Well...
- I wouldn't have missed.
- Are you a good shot?
- Oh, I'm an absolute William Tell.
With clay pigeons and ducks
in a shooting gallery.
But when it comes to live animals,
I'll stick to feeding them candy and nuts.
No hunting instinct, eh?
- Shall we say, no taste for it.
- I hope you will try one
of my guns tomorrow, Quain.
- Thanks, I'll do that.
Maybe I'll have better luck.
- Here.
- Thank you.
- Is it finished? May I see it?
Best I could
gather was a rough impression.
You're very
talented, Monsieur Paradou.
It has tremendous feeling
of strength and power.
Oh, it's just a sketch.
- Good morning, Dr. Stahl.
- Oh, good morning, Ms. Ullven.
- Where is everyone?
- Oh, such excitement this morning.
Herr Kopel's dog, Sabina,
broke out of the stable during the night.
- Sabina?
- Uh-huh, Kopel was very upset.
He rushed off at the first light of dawn
with Monsieur Paradou and Captain Heimer.
- Excuse me.
- Poor Sabina.
She was such a brave animal.
- Come on.
- Not a sign of 'em.
- Steve!
Which one is it?
- Couldn't see the collar.
Can you handle a rifle?
- Why?
- I thought maybe you could cover me
while I try trapping the cat inside there.
- I'm sure you can handle a
gun much better than I can.
- Let's go.
Nice going.
- If you feel something
shaking, it's my knees.
- Too bad you haven't got some more
of that drugged sausage right now.
- We've got to get a look at its collar.
- There's Kopel.
- And Paradou and Heimer. They
would have to turn up now.
- Looks like that collar
will have to wait.
Now if I can catch the other
one, I'll be back in business.
- I assure you, Mr. Quain,
as soon as I can reach my
superiors by telephone,
I shall have authority to
have this murdering beast
destroyed regardless of
whose property it may be.
- I'll be talking to your superiors too.
- Deschner, you will remain
on guard here till midnight,
at which time Jurmann shall relieve you.
At the fist sign that the
temporary cage may not hold,
you will shoot the panther.
Understand?
- Yes, Captain.
This animal has
killed for the last time.
- Well, we'll all feel the
better for some dinner.
- Don't move my easel, please.
I shall come back a little later
when the animal is less restless.
- After all, as long as they don't know
it's the wrong panther,
we're that much better off.
- That's one reason I didn't
want Heimer to shoot her.
She'll keep their minds occupied
while you and I get the other one, I hope.
- Red jack on black queen, old boy.
- Why don't you get lost?
- It's a bit stuffy in here.
I think I shall go out
and get some fresh air.
Unsociable chap.
I say, Kopel.
Where on earth are you off to?
- Well, the moonlight
is too fine to waste.
- Well, you don't mean to tell
me that you're going stalking
at this time of night?
- This is what we call a hunter's moon.
- Almost looks as though you didn't want
the rest of us along.
- A night hunt is a
dangerous thing, Quain.
At night the eyes of a panther
see much better than those of a man,
and the hunter may find
himself becoming the hunted.
- Just the same, if you don't mind,
I'd like to come with you.
- Suit yourself.
- I think I'll join you both.
My instinct tells me
there may be headlines
in the making tonight.
- Don't overlook the possibility
that you might make them.
- Oh, really?
Oh, what an unpleasant thought.
Oh, I think I'll take my courage with me.
If I get a good story,
I'll share it with you.
- Watch yourself, Steve.
- You're cute. You're worried about me.
Keep an eye on Paradou and Stahl.
- All right.
- Captain Heimer!
Captain Heimer!
- What is it?
What's the matter?
- Your guard's been knocked unconscious
and the panther's dead.
Hurry, hurry!
- Deschner!
Well, who hit you?
- I don't know, Captain.
Somebody must have hit me from behind.
- How did you happen to find him?
- I came out here to finish
my sketch after taking a walk.
I found him lying there just
regaining consciousness.
The poor fellow evidently sust...
- He was here, not long ago.
I don't think he will be far ahead.
Come on.
Get ready.
A perfect trap for the panther.
Or for us.
Quain, you take Rex.
Move slowly, and I'll circle to the left.
- Anything I can do?
- Yes, stay behind me
and don't get in the way.
And when you feel you're
close enough, let Rex go.
We'll try to drive the
cat out into the open.
- Quain!
Throw the collar out here,
and I'll let you get away with your life.
It's your last chance, Quain.
Denson!
Steve.
Steve!
Lie still.
- Right pocket.
- That ought to put you
to sleep in no time.
- I'd much rather stay awake.
- You do what the doctor says.
- Beginning tomorrow,
I'll eat an apple a day.
- You can thank Ms. Ullven that
you feel as well as you do.
If she hadn't applied the
tourniquet that quickly,
you'd have lost much more blood.
- Thanks, Doctor.
What did Heimer say?
- He's perfectly satisfied
that I had no choice
but to kill Denson.
And that Denson killed Kopel.
- I never figured Denson.
Goodnight, darling.
We'll have plenty of time
to talk in the morning.
- I wanted to ask you about-
- Shh.
Go to sleep.
- Ms. Ullven, in my capacity as a doctor,
I prescribe a hot toddy for you.
And in my capacity as an innkeeper,
I shall proceed to make it at once.
- I'll be glad to take my medicine.
- How is Mr. Quain?
- He's resting. Dr. Stahl
gave him a sedative.
- From what Captain Heimer
told me before he went to bed,
I realize we have a heroine in our midst.
As a timid man myself,
let me congratulate you upon your courage.
- I just didn't have
time to be frightened.
- Goodnight, mademoiselle.
- Goodnight.
- Here, my child.
After what you went through today,
this ought to do you good.
- I can't decide whether
you're better as a doctor
or as an innkeeper.
- I sometimes have my doubts
which profession is
the more difficult one.
At least when I lose a patient,
he is no longer in a position to complain.
With a guest, it's different.
- That came from Steve's room.
He must be awake.
Steve.
Quiet.
- What in heaven's name?
- What have you done to him?
- Nothing yet.
- But his bandages.
- It occurred to me that you
might have taken Dr. Stahl
into your confidence,
and the bandages would've made
an excellent hiding place.
- Hiding place for what?
I don't understand.
- Quite obviously.
But this young woman does.
- Please let Dr. Stahl take care of him.
- He's quite safe.
At least for the present.
And your evident concern betrays you.
A romantic interest is
so often a fatal error
for those in our profession.
Now get over there.
What are you going to do?
- For the moment, I'm
merely going to awaken him.
- Huh? What?
What's the matter?
What is it?
Wake up, I haven't all night.
- What do you want?
Catherine.
Pay attention to me, not her.
Paradou.
- Where's the microfilm?
Where is it?
Since you were unconscious
probably from shortly after the time
that bungling fool Denson shot you,
quite possibly you don't know where it is.
No doubt our clever little
lady knows where it's hidden.
As I told you, a romantic
interest is always a mistake.
- No. No, don't.
I'll tell you.
- I had no doubt that you would.
Well?
- It's in there.
In one of the bullets.
- Pick them up.
Stand back, you.
Put them on that table.
A very clever hiding place.
I congratulate you, mademoiselle.
You seem to be nervous.
There's no need to be, providing
you're telling the truth.
Well?
- I need that to take the bullet out.
That's the way I did it before.
- Go ahead.
But if you're under the misapprehension
that you can load that rifle and use it,
it will be the last error of your life.
- It's not in that one.
- Just be certain it's in
one of them, that's all.
- Captain Heimer! Captain Heimer!
- Before ending this quiet
and restful vacation,
there's a couple things I'd like to know.
Number one, what's that
microfilm all about?
Will you please tell me?
- Tomorrow, as soon as we
have delivered it in Paris.
Next question?
- Where is it now?
- In all the excitement,
I forgot to tell you.
In one of these.
- Well, how did you know
it wasn't in one of those
you opened for Paradou?
- I didn't, I just had to chance it.
But there were five bullets,
so the odds were in my favor.
- What a girl.
- I'll admit it was the
biggest gamble of my life.
- Up until now.
- What do you mean?
- I, uh, thought you might like
to take an even bigger one.
- For instance?
- Me.
- You're cute.
- Buonasera, signorina.
Buonasera, signore.
- Boy, if you could speak English,
I'd tell you you're really stacked.
- And if you could speak
English instead of American,
I might understand what you mean.
Skip it.
Um, looking for somebody?
- Mm-hmm, your little pets there.
I'm a correspondent from
the Apex News Service
and I'd like an interview.
They won't talk.
- But maybe you will, Mister...
- Quain.
Steve Quain.
- I'm Catherine Ullven,
and our office wired me
to get a story on you and
your two black panthers.
- Uh-huh, well, I was born
in Seattle, Washington,
at a very early age.
Everybody said I was a
singularly beautiful child.
At the age of two, I-
- Oh, I should have told you, Mr. Quain,
this is just going to be
one story, not a serial.
Much as I'd love to hear
about your childhood,
could we get to the panthers?
- Raja, Rani, Ms. Catherine Ullven.
- Well, you don't think it
will hurt their feelings
if I don't shake hands?
- You'll have to pardon their manners,
they don't like trains.
As a matter of fact, I
haven't been able to discover
anything they do like.
- Where are you taking them, Mr. Quain?
- I'm chaperoning them from Rome to Paris,
then aboard ship back to the USA.
- "The adventurous young American
who is daring the perilous trip
with two ferocious panthers
told our special correspondent..."
You're doing this just for
the excitement? The thrill?
- Yeah, for the thrill of 250 bucks cash
and a free trip to the United States.
- "Told our correspondent that
the challenge of adventure
was his sole reason for
making the dangerous journey."
- You confirm my opinion of newspapers.
- How did you happen to be in Rome,
and why are you going back to America?
- Well, I happened to be in Rome
because that's where my dough ran out.
After kicking around Europe,
trying to pick up a fast lira,
franc, mark, pengo, zloty,
with notable lack of success,
I am now heading back to try
to pick up a fast dollar.
Bradley's Circus came
through just in time.
- I'm a trifle puzzled by their collars.
- Well, they were in a
rich man's private zoo
outside of Rome.
He used to have the trainer run 'em around
in a couple of leashes until he found out
they preferred trainers to milk.
- That reminds me, I
brought something for them.
- Yeah?
A week ago, they'd have to
fight me for this. Go ahead.
Hey!
You know that old gag
about eating off your hand?
They will.
Which is which?
- Raja, he's the male.
He's got diamond-shaped
studs in his collar.
Rani is his mate.
- See what you can
learn from wild animals?
He and she are having a drink together.
- You mean when in Milan,
do as the panthers do?
- There's a bar across
from the station. Angelo's.
I've got two hours before my train leaves.
- I'll meet you there.
In an hour, at 10 o'clock.
- Why waste an hour?
- I have to stop in at my office first.
Till 10?
- I'll be there.
"See what you can learn
from two wild animals?"
"He and she are having a drink together."
- So you got rid of it.
Now Gormand, we are
through playing with you.
Where is it?
- I don't know what you're talking about.
- Not so impetuous, my
dear fellow, please.
I haven't very much more time
to waste on you, Gormand.
Perhaps if I tell you
how much we already know,
you'll realize how foolish you are being.
When Anton Trazark,
late prime minister of my
country, committed suicide,
it cleared the way for
Peter Malko and our party
to take over the government.
It would be tempting to have
an academic discussion with you
about the so-called democratic ideals
of the late prime minister.
But I'm afraid that the time
is too short for such abstraction.
- Gah, Malko had Trazark assassinated.
You know it, I know it, he knows it.
Even the British intelligence
service knows it.
But what they can't prove won't help them.
- My friend here puts it
crudely, but concisely.
Unfortunately for you,
the proof of Trazark's
assassination by Malko
and all of that extremely damning evidence
is in that microfilm you
carried here from Istanbul.
It is not expedient, shall we say,
for that microfilm to
reach British intelligence
to be given into the hands
of the United Nations.
No, I think you're too intelligent
to require a further argument.
Here.
500 American dollars for you.
Now, where is it?
- Don't!
I'll tell you, I'll
tell you, I'll tell you!
It's in his collar.
The panther, in his collar.
- Why, he's lost his mind!
- It's true!
I swear it!
It was all prearranged
by British intelligence.
The girl has hidden the film
in one of the panthers' collars.
They're in the last
car of a freight train,
leaving for Paris tonight.
You can go and see for yourself.
And then, when you've found
it, you can set me free.
- The Paris freight, what track is it on?
- One moment.
Train number 745, track 19.
- Do you happen to know if two panthers
are being transported?
- Yes, I was speaking to the
young American this afternoon.
It's an unusual cargo to-
- How soon will the train leave?
- Number 745?
- Yes.
It left 10 minutes ago.
- For a telegram, signorina?
- Si.
- "Arthur Morton, 343
Boulevard, Saint-Germain, Paris.
Brother and sister just left.
Brother bringing package.
Meet them without fail. Love, Katie."
Grazie.
- I wish to place a call
to Zurich, Switzerland.
For Signore Emil Vanay, V-A-N-A-Y,
at the Hotel Bristol.
Vanay speaking.
What?
You bungling fool!
I shall have it attended to.
At Brieg.
Yes, Brieg!
- Good morning, Mr. Quain.
I'm Dr. Stahl.
- Good morning.
Where, uh...
- You're at Brieg, Switzerland,
and this is the Hotel L'Hermitage,
of which I am the proprietor.
- Guess I'm still woozy.
I thought you said you were Dr. Stahl.
- Must a physician always
dwell with the infirm?
I like happy people, so at some hours,
I am Stahl the physician.
At others, more pleasant
hours, I'm Stahl the innkeeper.
- I remember jumping from the freight car.
A runaway.
- You were very lucky, Mr. Quain.
You only suffered a slight concussion.
Still enough to keep you
unconscious for several hours.
- The panthers, where are they?
- Mr. Quain.
Innkeeping, yes.
Medicine, yes.
Panthers, no.
They are strictly Captain
Heimer's province.
As a matter of fact, he's
been waiting to see you.
Captain Heimer of the
Swiss Army, Mr. Quain.
- How do you do?
- What about my panthers, Captain?
- Your panthers are not
only alive, they are free.
- Free?
- The freight car was
smashed. They escaped.
I regret to tell you, Mr. Quain,
in escaping they killed your companion.
- My companion?
- A horrible sight. He
was completely disfigured.
- Unidentifiable.
You were very lucky, Mr. Quain.
Incidentally, we identified
you by your papers,
but your companion had none.
- The car broke loose.
What caused the accident?
- Well, there was no accident.
The car was uncoupled
and a chain was placed across the track.
- Sabotage, unquestionably.
- For what purpose, we cannot imagine.
So I was sent down here
in command of a detachment of troops
to warn everybody in this
district to be strictly on guard,
and with orders to hunt down your panthers
and shoot them on sight.
- If you shoot those panthers,
I may have to swim the
Atlantic Ocean to get home.
- Sergeant Migros, your squad
will search North Valley.
Sergeant Roche, take your men
along both banks of the river.
And Sergeant Fitzer, the forest detail
to the foot of the glacier.
At first sight of the
panthers, shoot to Kill.
Platoon dismissed.
- Come in.
- Ah, Steve Quain, I presume.
I'm Chris Denson, and this
my friend, vin ordinaire.
We've come in to wish
you a speedy recovery.
Cheers.
Well, what's the matter, old boy?
- Did Dr. Stahl prescribe this?
- No, I did. Go on, drink up.
Nice bouquet, hasn't it?
- You're not a wine salesman, are you?
No. I'm what's glamorously known
as a foreign correspondent.
Actually, I'm an errand boy
for the Europa News Service,
and this is one of my errands.
- Have you heard anything
about the panthers?
- Oh, I've heard about nothing else
since I got here this afternoon.
Everybody in the neighborhood's
in a perfect panic of fear
and practically nobody but
Heimer and his soldiers
dare move out of doors.
- Then they haven't killed them yet, huh?
- Killed them?
They jolly well haven't
even caught sight of them.
But they've come across
two sheep and a cow
that were finished off by your beasts.
Now look here, old boy.
I've been doing this sort of
thing for quite a few years,
covering everything from wars
to asking old ladies how they managed
to reach their hundredth birthday.
Off the record, of course, it's
just a publicity stunt, eh?
- Yeah? What makes you think so?
- Oh, come off it. Absolute
circus stuff, obviously.
I mean, it's great
publicity for Bradley's.
You can't deny that, can you?
- No?
No cats, no cash, eh?
That's rather hard luck on you.
I still say it's great
publicity for Bradley's.
- I'm glad you like it.
- Makes a very pleasant
change from my usual routine.
Nice view, well-stocked bar downstairs.
I shan't mind spending a few days here.
Welcome, Herr Kopel.
- I see you received my telegram.
- Yes.
- I have several bags in
the car and some guns.
How about my dogs?
- Oh, we have some very
nice kennels in the stable.
Georg.
- Thank you.
- Won't you come in?
- I've had a long drive.
Will you join me in a drink, Doctor?
- It's a pleasure, sir.
Would you care to register?
- I'm Captain Heimer, sir.
I know you by reputation,
Herr Kopel, and may I say,
I'm very glad to have you with us.
- Thank you, Captain.
- Shall we go?
- Yes.
- A representative of the English press.
Mr. Denson, Herr Kopel.
- Ah, Kopel the hunter?
- Evidently fame is not so
fleeting as I had thought.
- Herr Kopel.
Good hunting.
- Thank you.
The same to all of us.
- Ah, my restless patient.
I thought you might be joining us shortly.
- You must be Mr. Quain.
I'm greatly indebted to you, sir. Greatly.
- Meet Paul Kopel.
Biggest of the big-game hunters.
He's shot everything there is to shoot.
Oh, except a pink elephant I once saw.
- Well, not quite everything,
my dear Mr. Quain.
Which is why I shall be
eternally grateful to you.
- How's that?
- Well, because of a very
severe attack of tropical fever,
which debarked me from
further hunting in Asia,
I had resigned myself to
never getting a black panther,
the only great quarry I still lacked.
And now you, in the guise of fate,
have accomplished the impossible.
You have actually given my back my...
I would say my missed opportunity.
- Pour me a brandy, will you, Doctor?
And don't tell me I'm not well enough.
- You know, you've given me a good idea
for a Sunday article
about you, Herr Kopel.
Panthers in the Alps. Eighth
wonder of the world, eh?
- Mr. Quain, when your
panthers broke loose,
you emptied my hotel of
guests almost overnight.
Now you're filling it again.
- Probably some more of
the, uh, workings of fate.
- Ah that must be Monsieur Paradou.
He telephoned this
morning to secure a room.
- Oh, don't tell me it's
another correspondent.
I'd rather hoped to get
an exclusive out of this.
- Well, as long as he
is not another hunter,
I really don't care.
- No, he informed me he
was an artist from Geneva.
- You know, magnetic
personalities, these cats of yours.
You want them alive,
Heimer wants them dead,
Kopel wants them as trophies,
and I want to write about them.
And I hope
to sketch their likeness.
- Maybe you boys better get in line.
Gentlemen, Monsieur Paradou.
- A pencil is not much of
a weapon, Monsieur Paradou.
I should think the escaped panthers
would frighten you to death.
They do.
But I came here to face my fear
in the hope that my fear might die.
After all, these are
not ordinary panthers.
Well, what I mean to say is,
the world has always cherished rarities,
and black panthers are very rare.
- Monsieur Paradou has a viewpoint.
- Well, from an artist's standpoint,
these panthers represent more
than just fierce jungle creatures.
They symbolize evil,
and man's subconscious
desire to control evil.
Their former owner in Rome
perhaps understood this
when he decided to collar his beasts.
And this is the picture I
the two black panthers,
the two faces of evil
with their graceful necks,
seemingly encircled by civilization,
with colorful brass-studded collars.
- Preposterous. I've heard
nothing about collars.
- Mr. Paradou is right,
they do wear collars.
Whoever wrecked that freight car
didn't know what they were starting.
Or did they?
When is the next train for Paris, Doctor?
- Well, there's one just before midnight.
Goodnight.
- Unsociable chap.
Well, even with collars,
I'm sure the cats aren't as
colorful as their hunters.
Or as ferocious.
- You're late.
- Oh, eh, what do you mean, I'm late?
- Our date was for 10 o'clock last night.
- Oh. Well, you see, I-
- Don't tell me you followed me
all the way to Switzerland to apologize.
- Don't flatter yourself.
I followed the panthers, not you.
They make an even better
story now than before.
The first report of the
accident said you'd been hurt.
- And you were worried about me, huh?
- Of course I was.
- Look, sister, anybody can
play me for a sucker once.
- Now what makes you think that-
- But I don't like it when somebody thinks
they can hook me twice without
even changing the bait.
- If you'll only give me
a chance to explain, I...
You're a fool.
- Maybe I am a fool, but
not too big of one to know
that I got shoved into something
I don't want any part of.
All of this didn't just happen.
Somebody makes a runaway
out of my freight car
and tries to kill me, the
panthers take care of him.
All of a sudden this
hotel is getting crowded
with guys who may or may
not be what they claim.
And this all happens right
after you make a date with me
and then stand me up.
I don't know what this is all
about and I don't want to.
All I want is to get back to
the United States, like I said.
- Suppose I tell you that...
There's something vitally important
hidden in the male panther's collar,
and I have to get it back.
- Don't tell me it's the
plans for the flying saucer.
- I can't tell you what
it is, I'm not allowed to.
All I can do is ask you to help me.
- You're cute.
What's in it for me?
Nothing.
And if you're an example
of American chivalry,
I'll do better by myself.
- Good luck.
- Excuse me, sir.
- Hey, Georg.
- Yes, sir?
- How long does it take to
walk to the station from here?
- Oh, not more than 10 minutes, sir.
- Okay.
Thanks for everything.
- Thank you, sir.
- Who's the character who just arrived?
- Just arrived, sir?
Hmm, but I don't understand.
- The new guest.
- No new guest has arrived, sir.
Oh, you mean the young lady?
- Oh, doesn't matter. So long.
- I have no time to waste.
Talk fast or I'll be forced to use...
I-.-
I think maybe I was wrong
about your chivalry.
- Don't kid yourself.
I just wondered who your boyfriend was.
- I'm glad you did.
- You know this guy?
- I saw him in the
railroad station in Milan.
All I know is that he's
one of the ones against me.
- Any idea who the rest
of our opposition is?
- I looked at the names
in the hotel registry
when I got here.
Kopel, Denson, Paradou,
they meant nothing to me.
- Paradou.
He mentioned the panthers' collars.
- He did?
I look forward to seeing this Paradou.
Perhaps I'll recognize him.
- I'll call Captain Heimer.
- No sign of them.
You circle around.
- That prowler you and Mr.
Quain caught last night
has turned out to be quite a prize.
- Really?
- The Brieg police to
whom I handed him over
informed me early this morning
that's he's wanted in Milan,
for murder no less.
- Good heavens.
- He and a confederate killed a man,
named, um, Gormand.
But they had already
arrested the other man
and sent out the alarm for this one.
- I wonder what he was doing here.
- I have...
- Excuse me, Captain. You're
wanted on the telephone.
- Thank you, Georg. Excuse me.
- Well, I must say, the
addition of a charming girl
to our company makes
this a perfect holiday.
- Even though she is a competitor?
- My dear Ms. Ullven, I can
only regard you as an ally.
- These rifles, Monsieur Paradou,
are much more accurate
than any army rifle.
- I know little of such things.
- Well, it seems that our heroine here
escaped not only a sneak thief last night,
but Heimer tells us the man
turned out to be a murderer.
Oh, I think you've met all of
us except Monsieur Paradou.
May I introduce Monsieur Paradou?
Ms. Catherine Ullven, a fellow reporter.
- Charmed.
- It's unnecessary to ask
your profession, monsieur.
- Ah, the dark, possessed
look of the hunter.
- But not the man.
I see no trace of kindness in it.
- Oh, Monsieur Paradou isn't prejudiced.
He'll also sketch the
panthers without kindness.
- I told you I'll be able to fix you up.
You see, we usually have enough clothes
for our hunting and skiing visitors.
- Morning.
- Good morning.
- I say, take a look at this, old boy.
- Oh! Pretty good likeness.
- I'm glad to see you included his rifle.
- Well, drawing Herr
Kopel without his rifle
would be like drawing the
panthers without their fangs.
- Thank you, Denson. I
consider that a compliment.
- A panther killed one of my men!
- Did he get the panther?
- No.
- I think we'd better go in groups.
May I look forward to
your company, Ms. Ullven?
- Yes.
Thank you, Herr Kopel.
- I think I'll tag along with you two.
We reporters must stick together.
- Well, I guess that
leaves you and me, Quain.
- Yeah.
- Perhaps we may achieve our objectives.
- Take him down to the village.
Any sign of the panthers?
- No, Captain. Not enough
snow to follow their tracks.
- These two can.
- I'm going up to the lookout post.
- Yes, Captain.
- Kopel wasn't kidding about those dogs.
They're good.
- I'm positive Herr Kopel
isn't kidding about anything.
- I feel I'll be very lucky today.
- Yes?
- Perfect day, perfect quarry,
and you as my companion.
You blundering idiot!
I had a perfect shot,
I couldn't have missed.
- An excellent shot, Mr. Quain.
- I missed, that's all.
- That's what I meant
by "an excellent shot."
- My dogs are very restless tonight.
That's Sabina. She's always the leader.
And of course, like all of us poor males,
Rex is her devoted follower.
- That's a very nice story, my dear.
I should've let you write mine for me.
- You sound surprised.
- Well, I find it very
difficult to believe
that a pretty girl like you
could be a grubby newspaper hack.
- Dr. Stahl, could Georg take this
to the telegraph office right away?
- Of course, Ms. Ullven. Georg?
- What about your story?
- Oh, I filed that this afternoon.
I wanted to keep my head clear
for my evening's drinking.
- I must go out and quiet the dogs.
Will you join me?
Maybe afterwards we can go for
a little walk along the lake?
- Later, perhaps.
Just now I'd like to rest and relax.
- Well, it's too beautiful an evening
to waste in this smoky room.
- Excuse me, old boy.
- Not only smoky, but crowded.
- And you prefer the wide-open spaces?
- Under certain circumstances, yes,
but I've learned how to be patient.
- Mr. Quain, you're in check.
- Oh, I'm sorry, Doctor.
- Perhaps Mr. Quain is still meditating
on his bad shot today.
- Well, tomorrow's another day.
I was angry for a moment, my friend,
but I must admit you
deserved the first shot.
- You mean the first miss.
- Well...
- I wouldn't have missed.
- Are you a good shot?
- Oh, I'm an absolute William Tell.
With clay pigeons and ducks
in a shooting gallery.
But when it comes to live animals,
I'll stick to feeding them candy and nuts.
No hunting instinct, eh?
- Shall we say, no taste for it.
- I hope you will try one
of my guns tomorrow, Quain.
- Thanks, I'll do that.
Maybe I'll have better luck.
- Here.
- Thank you.
- Is it finished? May I see it?
Best I could
gather was a rough impression.
You're very
talented, Monsieur Paradou.
It has tremendous feeling
of strength and power.
Oh, it's just a sketch.
- Good morning, Dr. Stahl.
- Oh, good morning, Ms. Ullven.
- Where is everyone?
- Oh, such excitement this morning.
Herr Kopel's dog, Sabina,
broke out of the stable during the night.
- Sabina?
- Uh-huh, Kopel was very upset.
He rushed off at the first light of dawn
with Monsieur Paradou and Captain Heimer.
- Excuse me.
- Poor Sabina.
She was such a brave animal.
- Come on.
- Not a sign of 'em.
- Steve!
Which one is it?
- Couldn't see the collar.
Can you handle a rifle?
- Why?
- I thought maybe you could cover me
while I try trapping the cat inside there.
- I'm sure you can handle a
gun much better than I can.
- Let's go.
Nice going.
- If you feel something
shaking, it's my knees.
- Too bad you haven't got some more
of that drugged sausage right now.
- We've got to get a look at its collar.
- There's Kopel.
- And Paradou and Heimer. They
would have to turn up now.
- Looks like that collar
will have to wait.
Now if I can catch the other
one, I'll be back in business.
- I assure you, Mr. Quain,
as soon as I can reach my
superiors by telephone,
I shall have authority to
have this murdering beast
destroyed regardless of
whose property it may be.
- I'll be talking to your superiors too.
- Deschner, you will remain
on guard here till midnight,
at which time Jurmann shall relieve you.
At the fist sign that the
temporary cage may not hold,
you will shoot the panther.
Understand?
- Yes, Captain.
This animal has
killed for the last time.
- Well, we'll all feel the
better for some dinner.
- Don't move my easel, please.
I shall come back a little later
when the animal is less restless.
- After all, as long as they don't know
it's the wrong panther,
we're that much better off.
- That's one reason I didn't
want Heimer to shoot her.
She'll keep their minds occupied
while you and I get the other one, I hope.
- Red jack on black queen, old boy.
- Why don't you get lost?
- It's a bit stuffy in here.
I think I shall go out
and get some fresh air.
Unsociable chap.
I say, Kopel.
Where on earth are you off to?
- Well, the moonlight
is too fine to waste.
- Well, you don't mean to tell
me that you're going stalking
at this time of night?
- This is what we call a hunter's moon.
- Almost looks as though you didn't want
the rest of us along.
- A night hunt is a
dangerous thing, Quain.
At night the eyes of a panther
see much better than those of a man,
and the hunter may find
himself becoming the hunted.
- Just the same, if you don't mind,
I'd like to come with you.
- Suit yourself.
- I think I'll join you both.
My instinct tells me
there may be headlines
in the making tonight.
- Don't overlook the possibility
that you might make them.
- Oh, really?
Oh, what an unpleasant thought.
Oh, I think I'll take my courage with me.
If I get a good story,
I'll share it with you.
- Watch yourself, Steve.
- You're cute. You're worried about me.
Keep an eye on Paradou and Stahl.
- All right.
- Captain Heimer!
Captain Heimer!
- What is it?
What's the matter?
- Your guard's been knocked unconscious
and the panther's dead.
Hurry, hurry!
- Deschner!
Well, who hit you?
- I don't know, Captain.
Somebody must have hit me from behind.
- How did you happen to find him?
- I came out here to finish
my sketch after taking a walk.
I found him lying there just
regaining consciousness.
The poor fellow evidently sust...
- He was here, not long ago.
I don't think he will be far ahead.
Come on.
Get ready.
A perfect trap for the panther.
Or for us.
Quain, you take Rex.
Move slowly, and I'll circle to the left.
- Anything I can do?
- Yes, stay behind me
and don't get in the way.
And when you feel you're
close enough, let Rex go.
We'll try to drive the
cat out into the open.
- Quain!
Throw the collar out here,
and I'll let you get away with your life.
It's your last chance, Quain.
Denson!
Steve.
Steve!
Lie still.
- Right pocket.
- That ought to put you
to sleep in no time.
- I'd much rather stay awake.
- You do what the doctor says.
- Beginning tomorrow,
I'll eat an apple a day.
- You can thank Ms. Ullven that
you feel as well as you do.
If she hadn't applied the
tourniquet that quickly,
you'd have lost much more blood.
- Thanks, Doctor.
What did Heimer say?
- He's perfectly satisfied
that I had no choice
but to kill Denson.
And that Denson killed Kopel.
- I never figured Denson.
Goodnight, darling.
We'll have plenty of time
to talk in the morning.
- I wanted to ask you about-
- Shh.
Go to sleep.
- Ms. Ullven, in my capacity as a doctor,
I prescribe a hot toddy for you.
And in my capacity as an innkeeper,
I shall proceed to make it at once.
- I'll be glad to take my medicine.
- How is Mr. Quain?
- He's resting. Dr. Stahl
gave him a sedative.
- From what Captain Heimer
told me before he went to bed,
I realize we have a heroine in our midst.
As a timid man myself,
let me congratulate you upon your courage.
- I just didn't have
time to be frightened.
- Goodnight, mademoiselle.
- Goodnight.
- Here, my child.
After what you went through today,
this ought to do you good.
- I can't decide whether
you're better as a doctor
or as an innkeeper.
- I sometimes have my doubts
which profession is
the more difficult one.
At least when I lose a patient,
he is no longer in a position to complain.
With a guest, it's different.
- That came from Steve's room.
He must be awake.
Steve.
Quiet.
- What in heaven's name?
- What have you done to him?
- Nothing yet.
- But his bandages.
- It occurred to me that you
might have taken Dr. Stahl
into your confidence,
and the bandages would've made
an excellent hiding place.
- Hiding place for what?
I don't understand.
- Quite obviously.
But this young woman does.
- Please let Dr. Stahl take care of him.
- He's quite safe.
At least for the present.
And your evident concern betrays you.
A romantic interest is
so often a fatal error
for those in our profession.
Now get over there.
What are you going to do?
- For the moment, I'm
merely going to awaken him.
- Huh? What?
What's the matter?
What is it?
Wake up, I haven't all night.
- What do you want?
Catherine.
Pay attention to me, not her.
Paradou.
- Where's the microfilm?
Where is it?
Since you were unconscious
probably from shortly after the time
that bungling fool Denson shot you,
quite possibly you don't know where it is.
No doubt our clever little
lady knows where it's hidden.
As I told you, a romantic
interest is always a mistake.
- No. No, don't.
I'll tell you.
- I had no doubt that you would.
Well?
- It's in there.
In one of the bullets.
- Pick them up.
Stand back, you.
Put them on that table.
A very clever hiding place.
I congratulate you, mademoiselle.
You seem to be nervous.
There's no need to be, providing
you're telling the truth.
Well?
- I need that to take the bullet out.
That's the way I did it before.
- Go ahead.
But if you're under the misapprehension
that you can load that rifle and use it,
it will be the last error of your life.
- It's not in that one.
- Just be certain it's in
one of them, that's all.
- Captain Heimer! Captain Heimer!
- Before ending this quiet
and restful vacation,
there's a couple things I'd like to know.
Number one, what's that
microfilm all about?
Will you please tell me?
- Tomorrow, as soon as we
have delivered it in Paris.
Next question?
- Where is it now?
- In all the excitement,
I forgot to tell you.
In one of these.
- Well, how did you know
it wasn't in one of those
you opened for Paradou?
- I didn't, I just had to chance it.
But there were five bullets,
so the odds were in my favor.
- What a girl.
- I'll admit it was the
biggest gamble of my life.
- Up until now.
- What do you mean?
- I, uh, thought you might like
to take an even bigger one.
- For instance?
- Me.
- You're cute.