04x09 - The Case of the Nine Dolls

[bunniefuu]

( noirish jazz theme playing )

( mellow theme playing )

Hey, I wouldn't mind
having this myself.

Come in handy for snagging
the olives out of martinis.

( chuckles )

Look at these flies,
Paul.

A retired government man
up near Palo Alto

is teaching me how
to hand tie them.

Well, if I were
a trout in Scotland,

I wouldn't
worry too much.

What do you
mean by that?

Look at the record.
For three years now

you've been polishing up
your Highland brogue

and your fly casting,
and the closest

you've gotten to Scotland
so far is Pasadena.

I know, Paul.

But this time
nothing interferes.

Lawyers have as much
right to vacations

as, uh, plumbers,

stock brokers,

and/or
private investigators.

I couldn't agree more,

but -to-
you don't make it.

Here, look.

Jet non-stop to London.

Berth on the night train
to Edinburgh.

A confirmed two-weeks
reservation at

the Inn at Glenkindie in
the Cairngorm Mountains.

By this time Monday
I'll be

knee-deep in some
little stream fishing--

Yes, Della?

I know you said
no business today,

but, uh, there's
a young lady outside

who insists on seeing you.

Della, even if Cleopatra
were out there

I still wouldn't see her.

I have a feeling
she's in trouble.

You always have that feeling
about prospective clients.

Especially if they're, uh,
personable young ladies,

which I'm sure
she must be.

She's more than
personable, Perry.

You'll fall in love with her
at first sight.

Well, it might
be better

to explain
to her in person.

All right, Della,
have her come in.

All right, Della,
have her come in.

Miss Smith.

Hello.

DELLA:
This is Mr. Drake,

and this is
Mr. Mason.

How do you do?

Uh, excuse me,
how do you do?

Won't you sit down?

Thank you.

And now, Miss Smith.

I'm Peggy.

All right, Peggy.

Now, you wanted to
consult me about something?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

Virginia Hobson
recommended you.

Virginia Hobson?

She's my best friend
at Westcroft.

That's the school I go to.

Virginia said
her father said

that you were
the only lawyer he would go to,

if he were in trouble.

Are you in trouble,
Peggy?

Yes.

Well,
how can I help you?

Could you find out
who I am, Mr. Mason?

Find out
who you are?

Yes. You see,
nobody seems to know.

( suspenseful theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

LORIMER:
But you see,
Mr. Mason,

I wasn't here when Peggy
was enrolled at Westcroft.

Miss Clemmens
was headmistress then.

Well, she must
have told you something

about Peggy's background.

Oh, I never met
Miss Clemmens.

She died
before I came West.

As for
Peggy's background,

well, all I know is that
she's apparently the offspring

of a Swiss bank
and an electronic brain.

( chuckles )

That's a rather
odd combination.

What has she told you?

Well, only that she doesn't
think she's Peggy Smith.

And she'd like me
to find out who she really is.

And that in the five years
she's been here,

she hasn't received one visit
or one letter from anyone.

That does seem absurd.

Absurd, but true, Mr. Mason.

You see,
Peggy's tuition is paid by

Tobler & Sons Bank
in Geneva, Switzerland.

We bill them quarterly

for her clothing,
medical expenses,

allowance, summer camp,
everything.

And back comes a check.

Miss Lorimer,

who brought Peggy here
in the first place?

Well, the story goes
that she arrived

in a gleaming limousine,

unaccompanied except for
a rag doll

and a chauffeur,
who just left her.

No reference names
in her file?

No names at all.

Well, it's certainly
a glamorous mystery all right.

Swiss banks,
gleaming limousines.

Where does the electronic brain
come in?

I'll show you in Peggy's room.

Will you come with me, please?

She's just lovely.

Her name is Maggie,

and she came here
with me.

I used to pretend
she was my sister.

But that's only when
I was a little girl.

Not that I'd mind
having a real sister,

or somebody.

Peggy, aren't they
good to you here?

Oh, yes.
They're very good.

Especially Miss Lorimer.

But teachers aren't the same
as a family of your own,

are they, Miss Street?

Well, maybe not.

But if you don't
have a family,

who gave you all of these
beautiful dolls?

I was just going
to tell Mr. Mason

about the dolls,
Miss Street.

Hi, Mr. Mason.

Hi, Peggy.

You were also gonna tell me
about the electronic brain.

Oh. Well, that's the only thing
I can think of

that could be
sending Peggy her dolls.

You see,

each year,
two of these arrive.

One on the day
before Christmas,

and the other
on the th of June.

No card,
no message, nothing.

Just a doll.

Nine since Peggy's been here.

The th of June.

Is that, uh,
Peggy's birthday?

LORIMER:
We think so.

Is that your birthday,
Peggy?

Nobody ever told me.

Oh.

Oh, surely you remember
having a birthday party

before you came here?

We think Peggy
was about then,

so naturally her memories
are rather dim.

Now, the only names
that she can recall

are "Auntie" and "Martha."

And Maggie too.
She's my own doll.

There's, um,

one lead here.

These dolls all came
from the same shop.

Oh.

Kringle's Gifts & Dolls,
Gstaad, Switzerland.

You know,
a good investigator,

working in
Geneva and Gstaad,

should,
without any trouble,

unearth the person
who bought these dolls.

LORIMER:
You see, Mr. Mason,

we'd all like to help Peggy
find out who she is.

But I'm afraid
it's just not a thing

that Westcroft School
has any business financing.

I understand.

I'm afraid we'll
have to be going now, Peggy.

Goodbye, Mr. Mason.

Bye, honey.

May I see you for a moment,
Miss Lorimer?

LORIMER:
Why, yes, of course.

Bye-bye, Peggy.

Take good care
of Maggie.

Miss Street, but--

But what?

I thought
if I could find my family,

and they could see
I really wasn't so terrible,

they might want me back again.

Peggy, I'll come
and see you.

I'll come and see you
real soon. Okay?

Okay.

Goodbye, Miss Street.

Bye.
Bye.

( somber theme playing )

Perry, it's getting late.
We better get going.

I'm just about ready.
Della--

Oh.

It's getting late.

Perry,
I was just thinking

about that
poor little girl.

Got the tickets, Della?

They're right here.

Look, Perry,

suppose I went to
Westcroft--

Are you sure
they're in order?

Everything
is in order.

Los Angeles to London,

by way of
Geneva, Switz--

Geneva, Switzerland?

Uh, Perry,
you better hurry.

I, uh, think
she's gonna kiss you.

I'm only stopping there
because I need a new watch.

( dramatic theme playing )

I received your cable,
Mr. Mason.

And I must tell you at once,
I can't give you

any information
about Peggy Smith.

You must know something
about her, Mr. Tobler.

Otherwise you wouldn't be
paying for her education.

( chuckles )

Tobler & Sons
are not paying.

We merely act
as agents.

Agents for whom?

I'm sorry, Mr. Mason,

but I cannot
tell you that.

Mr. Tobler,

Peggy Smith
is a little girl,

a rather pathetic
little girl,

who needs a family.

A family to love
and to be loved by.

You're denying
her that.

I have no choice.

Very well then,
tell me this.

Do you forward
her bills to someone,

or has an account
been set up for her?

An account, Mr. Mason.

A numbered account.

One with
no name attached?

Exactly.

Except in a secret book,

which under the Swiss law,

I'm forbidden
to show anyone,

except in case
of national emergency.

You could hardly call

the problem of
one child in America

a Swiss national emergency,

could one, Mr. Mason?
No, thank you.

No, I don't suppose
one could.

I'm extremely sorry to have
bothered you, Mr. Tobler.

Oh, it's quite all right.

Bonjour, monsieur.

Mademoiselle?

I wish to place a call,

to the United States of America.
Los Angeles, California.

The number is Crestview .

( mysterious theme playing )

( train whistle blows)

( bells ringing )

( music box playing lullaby )

She's beautiful,
isn't she?

Mm.

Do you send many of these
to America, Mr. Kringle?

No.

Most of them are sold
to tourists here in Gstaad.

Except, of course,

two we send to
Los Angeles each year.

Yes, of course.

To, uh, Peggy Smith.

Yes.

( bell tinkles )

Oh, please wait.

I'll be with you
in just a moment.

Are you sure
that's the man?

I looked at
the hotel register.

Perry Mason.

Linda, remember
when we were kids,

and we used to think
this was Santa Claus' shop?

Whatever gave you
that idea?

Kringle, stupid.
Kriss Kringle.

( all laugh )

Miss Osborne, I'll be
with you right away.

All right,
Mr. Kringle.

Now, uh,

you know Peggy Smith,
Herr, uh...?

Mason.
Yes, I know her.

Then perhaps you can
explain something

which has been
puzzling us here.

I'd be glad to try.

Exactly who is Peggy Smith?

A collector of dolls?

Oh, no. She's a little girl
in a boarding school.

Hm.

Miss Osborne,

our mystery
has been solved.

Peggy Smith
is a little girl,

just as you thought.

Yes, I heard.

Mr. Kringle told me
about the dolls.

We're old friends.

But apparently there's
even more mystery, mm?

Well,

I would like to find out

who's been paying
for the dolls.

Why, Tobler & Sons.

A bank in Geneva.

How did you know that?

Mr. Kringle told me.
KRINGLE: Mm-hm.

And somebody
picked out those dolls?

I pick them out, HerrMason.

Well, when did all this
get started, Mr. Kringle?

Who ordered the dolls
in the first place?

It began, uh,
five years ago.

A letter came from the bank

describing a certain doll

and asking it to be sent.

For three dolls
it was this way.

The fourth, uh,
only a check,

leaving the selection to me.

And it has been this way
ever since.

Odd, HerrMason,

but, uh,

very good business
for Kringle's.

( chuckles )

Yes.

And a very
baffling business for me.

Excuse me.

( mysterious theme playing )

Everything satisfactory,
MonsieurOsborne?

Yes, thank you.

Will you bring us
the check, please?

Certainly.

Bonsoir,
monsieur.

Good evening, may I have
a table for one?

Yes, monsieur,
this way.

Good evening.
Good evening.

The man from
the doll shop again.

Come on,
let's go upstairs.

I think I'll go
talk to him.

Helene.

Now, darling,

don't play
the stuffy husband.

The dolls
intrigue me.

So does he.

May I join you,
Mr. Mason?

Pardon, mademoiselle.

Please do.

Uh, bring another glass,
will you please?

Oui, monsieur.

How did you
know my name?

My sister-in-law told me.

Miss Osborne?

That's right,

you were with her in the shop
this morning, weren't you?

Thank you.

Yes, and after you left,

Linda told me the story
of the little girl

and her nine dolls.

How did you know
there were nine dolls?

Thank you.

Mr. Kringle
said there were,

and if I don't hear
the whole story

I shall die
of unrequited curiosity.

Unless it's something
top secret?

No, I don't suppose
it's a secret at all.

Then you'll
tell me about it?

Well, unfortunately,
Mrs., uh--?

Osborne.

Helene Osborne.

Mrs. Osborne,

I'm a lawyer working
on behalf of a client

and it just wouldn't be ethical
for me to talk about it.

Unless, of course,
you can convince me

that you have a legitimate
interest in the matter.

Have you?

No, it's just curiosity,
as I said.

I didn't mean to pry.

Oh, you're not prying.

Helene.
It's getting late

and we're leaving
at in the morning,

so don't make me
twist your arm.

All right, Larry.

Perhaps I'll see you
before we go, Mr. Mason.

And perhaps
you won't.

Do you like
our cognac?

Oh, yes, very nice.

Um, I'll have
some more, please.

Certainly.

Attractive woman,
Mrs. Osbert.

Osborne.

Mr. and Mrs.
Laurence Osborne

and Mademoiselle
Linda Osborne.

They're
very nice people.

Very nice
and very rich.

They have been
coming here for many years.

From Chicago.

No, from Los Angeles.

I thought that
you Americans

would know all about
each other by now.

Didn't they
speak to you?

After they followed you
out of the hotel this morning?

Uh, no, I guess
we missed each other.

What, you're not
an American?

Oh, oh, yes,
I'm an American.

( chuckles )

Uh, I understand
they're leaving.

Yes, they are
taking a plane

from Geneva
tomorrow afternoon,

flying back to America.

I'm sorry they're going.

Yes, I'm sorry
they're going.

Tell me, is there anything
you'd like me to do for you?

No, uh,
everything's fine.

You can leave the bottle,
thank you.

Uh, here you are.

Oh, merci, monsieur.
Merci beaucoup.

( door unlocking )

( suspenseful theme playing )

( mysterious theme playing )

( phone ringing )

Hello.

That's right, operator.

The Westcroft School
in Brentwood.

I wanted to speak--

Oh, you have?
Yes, I'm ready.

( line ringing )

Hello?

This is Perry Mason,

I'd like to speak
to Miss Lorimer, please.

She isn't?

Well, is it possible
for Peggy Smith

to come to the telephone?

Went out with whom?

Well, who was the woman?

You don't know?

All right, thank you.

( taps switch hook )

Operator?

( taps switch hook )

Operator.

( sighs )

( rings )

Hello.

Perry. Where are you?

Gstaad?

Well that's pretty fancy
even in summer, isn't it?

Me? Oh, I'm just, uh,
stealing a couple of your books.

Sure, what's wrong?

Peggy Smith?

Well, shouldn't
I notify the police?

Okay, as soon as I check.
I'll call you the minute I get--

( knock on door )

Wait a minute.
You can relax.

Nothing's happened to Peggy.

That's good.

But, Paul, I still want
some things done.

A day and night watch
put on the school

until I get back.

And this I'd like you
to handle personally.

Uh, hold on
a minute, Perry.

Female births
in the county,

June th, seven,
eight and nine years ago.

Perry, that'll run
into thousands.

Oh.

Just females
named Margaret.

Okay. Will do at once.

And, uh, send us a wire
and we'll meet you.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Well, this certainly
is a coincidence.

Not only the same plane,
but the next seat.

My lucky day,
Miss Osborne.

Thank you. And your quest
for the person

sending the dolls
to the little girl?

Were you lucky
with that too?

Oh, I might have
come across something.

Do you live
with your brother

in Los Angeles,
Miss Osborne?

No. With my uncle,
Courtney Jeffers.

The oil man?

My mother was
his sister.

We went to live with him
when my father died,

and then when Mother died
I just stayed on.

You know,
I'm surprised

a girl as pretty as you
hasn't married.

I got as far as
the altar once.

Any more questions,
Mr. Mason?

Yeah.

Yesterday I had
a very curious feeling,

that I was
being followed

all the way
to the toy shop.

Followed by you,

your brother
and his wife.

Oh, why,
that's absurd.

We were just out
for a stroll.

And later did one of you
stroll into my room?

With a broken doll?

A broken doll?

And a note attached.

Oh, I don't know
anything about it.

What was in the note?

Nothing really.

Probably just
a joke of some kind.

Probably just a joke.

( suspenseful theme playing )

Eustaces, Newbolds
and Lemkos,

they all got a daughter
named Margaret,

and I haven't got a clip
on any of them.

What's this all about,
Paul?

I'm not exactly sure myself.

All I know is
I'm supposed to get a list

of all the Margarets born
in the county on June th,

seven, eight
and nine years ago.

The County Clerk's Office
came up with eight,

along with the names and
addresses of their parents.

This Perry Mason business?
Uh-huh.

Now, none of these names
rang a bell,

so I thought I'd see
if you had anything

in your files on any of them.

Paul, you know
that newspapers

don't keep clips
on just anybody.

I know.

I have a hunch that
this Margaret's parents

aren't just anybody.

Now, the ones you tried
were for seven years ago.

Let's try the two
for eight years ago.

Barry and
Elizabeth Fitzjames,

and Clark
and Margaret Lawson.

Fitzjames
and Lawson.

Nothing on Fitzjames.

"Margaret Lawson, see Jeffers."

Jeffers, Jeffers, Jeffers.

Margaret Jeffers, here's one.

"Oil heiress elopes
with bond salesman.

"Margaret 'Peggy'
Jeffers,

"daughter of oil tycoon
Courtney Jeffers,

"early this morning
eloped to Las Vegas

with Clark Lawson,
a bond salesman."

That's a picture
of them.

Oh. Here's some
bad news.

What's the matter?

"Oil heiress k*lled
in Palm Springs crash."

Yeah,
I remember that one.

When was this?

Six and a half
years ago.

Does it say anything about
her being survived

by a baby daughter?

Well, hm.

You're lucky
you got that much.

Courtney Jeffers
hates publicity.

And besides being a friend of
the publisher of this newspaper,

he's probably one of
the most cantankerous

old buffaloes
in the city.

Martha!

Coming, Mr. Jeffers.
I'm coming.

Where the devil is Linda?

It's after and her plane
was supposed to land at .

She's here, sir.

Then why hasn't she
been in to see me?

Well, who'd dare wake
an old grizzly bear

when he's taking a nap.
Oh, Linda!

You're the only one
who would dare, Miss Linda.

Go away, go away,
go away.

I missed you, child.

When you still
had Martha to roar at?

No, it's not the same,

because you
always roared back.

Leave that fire alone,
Martha, and get out.

Yes, Mr. Jeffers.

You see, what fun
is there yelling at her?

How was Gstaad?

Lovely.

Your mother always
thought so too.

And your trip back?

All right.

Most of the time
I sat next to a man

named Perry Mason.
( doorbell rings )

We didn't hit it off at first,
but later I found him charming.

Charming, indeed.

Do you know who Mason is?

He's a criminal lawyer

and he'll charm the gold
right out of your back teeth.

Mr. Jeffers.
Yes, Benson?

A caller, sir.
A Mr. Mason.

Perry Mason?

I believe so,
Miss Linda.

Of all the
unmitigated gall.

Not three hours
off the plane

and he has the nerve
to come calling.

Or did you invite him?
Not I.

He asked for you, sir.

Me?

Very well. Show him in.

Aren't you staying?

He asked for you, Uncle C.

BENSON:
Right in here, sir.

MASON:
Thank you.

Mr. Jeffers, my name is Mason.
I'm an attorney--

I know who you are. What do you
want?

I'm here on behalf

of a young child
named Peggy Smith.

Peggy Smith?
The name means nothing to me.

I have every reason to believe
that she's your granddaughter.

Granddaughter?
I have no granddaughter.

I have no children.

What are you up to, Mason?

You had a daughter, Margaret,

who married a man
named Clark Lawson.

Get out.

I don't quite understand.

Ever since
her marriage,

Margaret's name
has up until now

been mentioned
but twice in this house:

When I disinherited her
and when she died.

It is not to be
mentioned again.

Very well.

Did you also intend to
disinherit your granddaughter?

There was no granddaughter.

According to
the records

in the County Clerk's
Office there was.

Here's a photostat
of the birth certificate.

Are you,
by any chance,

representing
Clark Lawson?

No, I'm not.
Well, he is back of it.

And you, yourself are
either a knave or a dupe.

Won't you read this photostat?

It's a forgery.

Or another one
of Lawson's tricks.

Get out.

A piece of paper can easily
be destroyed, Mr. Jeffers.

But it's another matter

when it comes to
one's own flesh and blood.

Won't you at least
see Peggy?

Won't you at least
talk to her?

Benson!

Yes, Mr. Jeffers?

Show this man out.

That won't be necessary.

( suspenseful theme playing )

It's all right,
Mr. Mason.

I like to come out
with Della,

and Mr. Jeffers doesn't sound
very nice anyway.

Peggy, he's probably
very nice.

Perhaps he just wasn't
feeling well today.

I suppose so.

( phone rings)

Yes, Gertie?

Oh, just a minute.

Would you like to see
Linda Osborne?

Linda Osborne?
Mm-hm.

Peggy,
would you mind

if I spoke to
Miss Osborne for a moment

before we start
back to school?

No, Mr. Mason.

All right.

Take Peggy
into the library,

and bring
Miss Osborne in,

will you please?
I'll get the phone.

Come on.

Uh, Gertie,
Della will be right out.

Any word
from Paul Drake?

Well, keep on checking.

( door opens )

Thank you.

Well, Miss Osborne,
this is rather a surprise.

Won't you sit down?
No, thank you.

I had to come,
Mr. Mason,

to beg you to please
leave my uncle alone.

He's old and ill

and a hoax like this
could k*ll him.

What makes you think
this is a hoax?

I grew up
with Margaret Jeffers

and I know
she never had a child.

Were you with her all the time

between her marriage
and her death?

No,
but my mother was.

And she certainly
would have told me

if Margaret had had a baby.

Didn't Mr. Jeffers tell you

I'd found a record of the birth?

He said records
could be forged.

And little girls,
can they also be forged?

I heard what you
were talking about.

If Mr. Mason is right,

we're maybe relatives,
aren't we?

You and me.

I always knew if
I belonged to somebody

it just must be somebody
as pretty as you are.

I'm Peggy,
and this is Maggie.

Don't touch me.

Don't you dare touch me.

You keep her away from me.

You keep her away
from our house.

( dramatic theme playing )

Could I go back to school now,
Mr. Mason?

A little more brandy,
Helene?

I need something
to liven things up.

This has been more
like a wake

than a welcome home
party.

You two have
a quarrel or something?

No.
I'm just tired, I guess.

It's been a long day.

Not that long.

What's eating you, sis?
You're acting as though

your best friend has
just kicked the bucket.

Mr. Jeffers.

What is it, Benson?

Mr. Mason is here again,
sir.

Mr. Mason?

Yeah,
I sent for him, Linda.

He's in the library,
sir.

( Jeffers grunts )

JEFFERS:
Go away, go away!

Uh, Linda, uh,
help me please.

Why is Mason here?
What does he want?

JEFFERS:
You two just sit tight.

I didn't think you'd dare
produce her, Mason.

She's right here, Mr. Jeffers.

You brought her here?

PEGGY:
Miss Osborne,

I'm sorry I upset you
so this afternoon.

I didn't mean to.

Really, I didn't.

Peggy. My Peggy.

Come here, child.

Come to your grandfather.

( tender theme playing )

The foregoing instrument
was on the date hereof

by the said Courtney Jeffers
subscribed, published

and declared to be his
last will and testament

in the presence of us,

who at his request
and in his presence,

and in the presence
of each other,

have signed the same
as witnesses thereto.

Leave the usual
underlined places

for the witnesses'
signatures, Della,

and that ends that.

I'm so happy for Peggy
I could almost cry,

if that makes
any sense.

Of course
it makes sense.

Under that new will,

Peggy stands to be
a very rich girl.

( phone rings )
Hm, I'll get it.

Hello.

What's that?

Mr. Mason,
something awful has happened.

Something awful.

I'm going to need your help.

I-- I'm--
I'm going to need your help.

Please hurry.

( dramatic theme playing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

These last three days
have been a nightmare.

Questions and questions.

But I didn't k*ll him,
Mr. Mason.

I swear I didn't.

I believe you, Linda.

Now, you must understand

that today will be just
the preliminary hearing.

I'll try to clear you,
of course,

but if I can't that won't be
the end of things.

Not by a long shot.

Now, just remember
what I said.

Thank you.

What about Peggy?

I told you.
I won't see her.

But why?

Why do you dislike her so,

when all she wants
is just someone to be close to?

Because she is
so like her mother.

But her mother
was your best friend.

You grew up together.

Margaret, Peggy's mother,

eloped to Las Vegas
with Clark Lawson.

Yes, I do know that.

What you don't know is that

on that very day Clark
and I were to be married.

I was left waiting
at the church,

like a bride
in the comics,

only it wasn't
funny to me.

Two people
I loved most in the world.

Uncle Courtney sided with me,
and kept it out of the papers,

but I was crushed.

( sobs )

Peggy brought it all back
that day in your office.

Brings it back
every time I look at her.

I know it's not her fault.

She's a wonderful little girl,

but I just can't bear
to have her around.

I hate myself for it,
but I--

I just can't bear it.
I just can't.

( sobbing )

( suspenseful theme playing )

The state's evidence
will disclose

a motivation based upon
a hidden relationship.

Now, if it please the court,
I would like to explain.

Mr. Jeffers,
at the time of his death,

believed that,

through the activities
of Perry Mason,

he had discovered a grandchild
about whom he knew nothing.

Now, it may well appear
that this young woman

actually was a grandchild.

But that matter will have to be
established or refuted

in another court
at another time.

But the fact that
the deceased did believe

that this girl
was his grandchild

caused him to prepare
to change his will.

And the state contends
it was this change in the will

that brought about his m*rder

at the hands of the defendant.

Now just where did you
find that button,

Sergeant Willoughby?

By the dead man's
right hand.

Uh,
Mr. Jeffers, I mean.

And what did you
do about it?

I showed it
to Lieutenant Tragg.

And then?

He told me to see if I could
find the garment it came from.

Were you successful
in this?

I was.

I located it in
a closet upstairs.

Now, I ask you
to examine this robe.

That's the garment.

You can see where
the button was pulled off.

Did you discover to whom
this robe belonged?

Yes, sir.
To Linda Osborne.

The defendant.

CHAMBERLIN:
Sergeant Willoughby,
I think you heard

the coroner's physician
testify that in his opinion

death was caused by a blow

from a rod-like
metal object?

Yes, sir, I did.

I now show you
this poker,

already entered
into evidence.

Do you recognize it?
Yes, sir.

It's the one I found
by the body.

That's my identifying tag
on the handle.

CHAMBERLIN:
Did you test this poker
in the crime lab?

WILLOUGHBY:
Yes.

Toward the working end

were traces of blood
identical in type

to those of the decedent.

On the handle
were found fingerprints.

The defendant's
fingerprints.

Thank you.

Your witness, Mr. Mason.

Uh, may I see that poker again,
Mr. Chamberlin?

Of course.

Looking
isn't going to erase

either blood stains
or fingerprints, counselor.

Sergeant,

in taking samples of blood
for testing in the laboratory,

it was necessary
to clean this poker?

No, sir.
The poker was clean,

except for blood traces.

And all I removed of them
were a few dried flakes,

as you can see.

And the only fingerprints
found on it

were those
of the defendant?

Yes, sir.

MASON:
Thank you, sergeant.

No more questions
at this time.

Uncle Courtney called
Linda and me

into the library
after Mr. Mason left

and told us about
the new will.

You two being the sole heirs
up to this point?

Well, so we'd been
given to understand.

Now, you were
cut off completely

in favor of
this granddaughter

that had materialized
out of thin air?

Well, that's
the general idea.

Were you angry
about this?

Well, no. No, not really.

Why should we be?
I have a job.

After all, it was
his money, wasn't it?

CHAMBERLIN:
Then you didn't go
into the library

with your husband
and, uh, Miss Osborne?

No, I wasn't included
in the will.

But you waited for
your husband to come out?

Yes, and when he did
he said,

"Let's have
another brandy."

And I said, "Why?"
And he said,

"Because it isn't every day
you lose $ million."

And then he told me
what had happened.

Now, while you were drinking
this brandy, Mrs. Osborne,

did you hear
anything unusual?

Yes. Linda and Uncle Courtney
were shouting at each other

in the library like a couple
of Indians on the warpath.

Helene!

Well, Larry, I can't help it.
That's how they sounded.

We can do without any outbursts,
Mr. Osborne.

Please resume your seat.

Could you hear what they
were saying in the library?

No,
just their voices.

And then Linda
stormed out,

mad as a hatter
and ran upstairs.

Objection, Your Honor.

So far as the Mad Hatter
is concerned,

the witness is
volunteering an opinion.

Objection sustained.

The witness' answer after
"Just their voices"

will be stricken.

You will please
confine yourself

to answering such questions
as you are asked, Mrs. Osborne.

Yes, Your Honor.

Now, what did you
and your husband do

after the defendant
ran up the stairs?

We went home.

CHAMBERLIN:
Thank you.

CHAMBERLIN:
Then you were in the library,
Mrs. Benson,

during this quarrel.

I mean this
rather noisy discussion

that went on between
Miss Osborne and her uncle?

Yes, sir.

With the warm milk
and the two pills

that I always took
to Mr. Jeffers at : .

What was the
discussion about?

It was about
the little girl.

Go on.

Well, Mr. Jeffers
was determined

to bring her
into the house

so Miss Linda
could care for her.

What was Miss Osborne's
reaction to this?

MARTHA:
Well, Miss Linda

not only said she
would not care for her,

but she would not even

live in the
same house with her.

And Mr. Jeffers' reply?

Well, he told her
to pack up and get out.

But of course,
he did not mean that.

Now, it isn't your function,
Mrs. Benson,

to determine what
he did or did not mean.

What happened after that?

Uh, Miss Linda
ran out of the library.

And you were still
in the kitchen

at : that night,
Mr. Benson?

Yes, sir.

Polishing the silver,
as I do each week.

And your wife
was helping you?

No, sir.
She'd gone to bed.

Oh, then, this is not
the same quarrel

that she testified to?

Oh, no, sir. This--

This was
a good hour later.

Well,
tell us what happened.

Well, I-- I went into
the dining room

to put some of
the silver back.

Suddenly from the direction
of the library

I heard Mr. Jeffers speak.

"Linda?" he asked.

Then he said,
"No. Oh, no."

Then I heard
a kind of thud.

I looked out
into the hall

and caught a glimpse
of Miss Linda

just disappearing
up the hall stairs.

What was she wearing,
Mr. Benson?

A robe of some sort.

CHAMBERLIN:
That's all for the prosecution,
Your Honor.

Gentlemen, it's already
ten minutes past .

And as I have a motion
for a new trial

set in another case
at this time,

I declare a recess of this court
until : this afternoon.

( knocking on door )

News, Perry. And at least
some of it's good.

You located Tobler?

No, not yet.
My people in Switzerland

say they're getting
the run around

at both his house
and the bank.

Sometimes it's better
to use the direct approach.

Della, put in a long-distance
call to Mr. Tobler.

Mm-hm.
I don't want this phone tied up.

Oh, fine.

What about Clark Lawson?

Well, we ran him down through
his GI insurance.

He was k*lled in Korea.
No known relatives.

I see.

Is this the poker from
the upstairs sitting room?

From Linda's room?
Mm-hm.

How did you know
it'd be the same?

I didn't.

Just hoped it would.

Well, wait till you see
the chemist's report.

Here.

What about
the other robe?

Apparently
doesn't own one,

but I'm having my men
check all

the cleaning establishments
in the neighborhood.

I hope they
find it fast, Paul.

And there's
one final thing,

though I don't know
what it means.

For the past
three years,

Larry Osborne has
been drawing large checks

to cash on his
personal account.

They add up to
grand a year.

No clue as to what he's
been doing with the money?

Not a one.

( intercom buzzes )

Yes, Della.

DELLA:
I got through to Switzerland.

But, Perry, Mr. Tobler's here.

What?

He's here in Los Angeles
at the Sunset Hills Hotel.

You're forgetting that
I'm a Swiss citizen,

and as such
you cannot compel me

to break my own
country's laws.

This is a m*rder case,
Mr. Tobler.

A young woman's life
is in jeopardy.

I cannot help that.

Then I cannot help
giving you this subpoena,

answerable in Superior Court
at : this afternoon.

And I can assure you,

if you refuse to answer
my questions at that time,

you'll be held
in contempt of court,

Swiss law
or no Swiss law.

( sighs )

I cannot
have you do that.

My reputation and
the bank's will be ruined.

It can be easily prevented,
Mr. Tobler,

by answering
the questions now.

You wish to know who created
the fund for Peggy Smith?

That's right.

Mr. Jeffers' late sister,
Constance Osborne.

The mother of Larry
and Linda Osborne?

Yes.

Then you were the one

who notified them
of my inquiries?

I notified Larry Osborne.
I called him in Los Angeles,

found out he was in Gstaad,
and I called him there.

What are doing here
in Los Angeles now, Mr. Tobler?

Mr. Mason,

the Tobler bank is not as
cold-blooded as you think.

I came here
to tell Larry Osborne

we would gladly release

all details about
Peggy Smith's fund

if it would
save his sister.

And he refused
to let you do this?

Yes, Mr. Mason.

I know it was wrong,

but I was hoping
Linda would get off

without the story
having to come out.

Will you please tell
this Court the whole story,

beginning with
the Las Vegas elopement

of Margaret Jeffers
and Clark Lawson?

Well, in less
than two months

Margaret realized what
a mistake she'd made

and kicked Lawson out.

I think he joined
the Army or something.

Did Mr. Jeffers know that?
( door opens )

Margaret didn't want
him to know.

He'd disinherited her,
cut off communications.

She wanted
to keep it that way.

Uh, even after
the baby came?

She let my mother and Martha
help her with it,

but she still wouldn't let them
tell Uncle Courtney.

What was done with the baby?

She was placed
in a foster home

and then
in the Westcroft School.

It was at that same time
that my Mother set up

the fund
with the Tobler bank.

Why didn't she tell Mr. Jeffers
about the baby?

Well, that was
the shameful part.

She--

She wanted the estate
for Linda and me.

She knew we'd be
left out of it

if he ever found out
about Peggy.

She told me all this just
before she died three years ago.

Told just you,
not your sister?

Just me.

So you were
the one who left

the broken doll
in my room in Gstaad?

Broken doll?
What broken doll?

Did you k*ll
your uncle?

No. I'd never do
such a thing. Never.

But you were
perfectly willing,

by keeping silent,
to cheat a mere child

out of her
rightful inheritance?

Yes, I was.

You were also
willing to be blackmailed

to accomplish that,
were you not?

Blackmailed to the tune
of , a year.

How did you know that?
Never mind how.

Just tell me,
who was blackmailing you?

To whom were you
paying the money?

Uncle Courtney's man,
Benson.

( crowd murmuring )

You were recalled
to the stand, Mr. Benson,

for the purpose
of clarifying these issues.

Now, will you please
answer the question?

Well, I don't call it
blackmail at all.

Just a simple
business deal.

It may not be
quite so simple

if Mr. Osborne decides
to press charges against you.

Now, I'd like you
to look at this poker.

It came from what room
in Mr. Jeffers' house?

Why, the library,
of course.

Isn't there another poker
just exactly like it

in Miss Osborne's
sitting room upstairs?

BENSON:
Well, since the poker
was missing

from the downstairs set,

I thought--
Just a moment.

I'd like you to take
a look at this robe again.

Are you sure

this is the robe you saw
vanishing up the stairs

after you heard
Mr. Jeffers cry out?

No,
I can't say positively.

Can you say positively

that the woman in the robe
was Linda Osborne?

Well, I didn't think
it could be anyone else.

Miss Linda was living there.

Couldn't it have been
someone else

who was familiar
with the house?

Y-Yes, I suppose so.

Couldn't it have been
Helene Osborne, for instance?

Why, yes,

I-- I guess it could have
been Mrs. Osborne.

I-I admit that,
Mr. Mason.

I did put the broken doll
and the note

in your hotel room.

But I was trying
to help Larry.

So you knew about Peggy,
about who she was?

Yes.

Larry told me
a long time ago.

But I didn't
k*ll his uncle.

I didn't.

Where were you between
: and :

on the night
of the m*rder?

I was with Larry.

He can tell you that,
so can Martha.

She saw us leave
the house together.

Yes, sir.

They left together,
all right. I know that.

Of course,
I can't say that

either one of them
didn't come back.

And you, Mrs. Benson?

Where were you between
: and : ?

I was in bed.

Are you sure,
Mrs. Benson?

Are you sure you didn't wait

until Mr. Jeffers
was finally alone,

and then enter the library
and k*ll him?

What?

Why, of course not.

MARTHA:
Well, Mr. Jeffers
saw that it was Linda.

He called out
her name.

MASON:
Yes, he called out
her name,

thinking
it was Linda.

But it was you,
was it not?

It was you
wearing the robe

your husband saw
vanishing up the stairs?

Wearing this robe?

Your robe.

The robe you sent
to the cleaner's

after vainly trying
to wash blood from it.

Your employer's blood,
Mrs. Benson?

No.

No.

MASON:
No?

Take a look
at this poker, then.

This is the poker
you ran upstairs to get,

because you knew her
fingerprints would be on it

instead of yours.

This is the poker
you exchanged

for the real
m*rder w*apon.

And while you were upstairs,

you tore a button from the
defendant's robe, did you not,

to further
incriminate her?

Won't you tell the truth now,
Mrs. Benson?

Or must I show you
that second poker?

Must I show you
the chemist's report

of finding on that poker
minute traces of blood?

Your employer's blood?

Stop it!

The blood
of the man you k*lled.

It...

It's true.

I k*lled Mr. Jeffers.

( Martha sobs )

MARTHA:
You see,

we were in his will.

Quite generously.

But when
Mr. Jeffers found out

what we'd done,

how Mr. Larry
had been paying us,

how we had helped keep
his grandchild from him--

( Martha sobs )

--then he was
going to cut us out.

He was going
to get rid of us.

He was going
to discharge us.

Oh, don't you see?

We were going
to lose everything.

( Martha sobbing )

( dramatic theme playing )

I remembered
using that poker

here in the library
myself.

So when the police said

only your fingerprints
were on it,

I became
rather curious.

That's when
he sent Paul upstairs.

When he discovered
the substitution.

She'd wiped the other
poker clean, of course.

But not quite
clean enough.

I'm so terribly grateful to you,
Mr. Mason. Thank you.

What are your
plans now?

A trip, I think.

Then perhaps Peggy better
go back to Westcroft School.

Unless, of course,
you'd like to take her with you.

LINDA:
No, I-- I'm afraid
I can't do that.

MASON:
She'd like
you to continue

living here in the house
when you get back.

LINDA:
Thank you, Peggy.

But I'm afraid
I can't do that either.

Now if you'll all
excuse me, please.

Miss Osborne?

( melancholy theme playing )

I just wanted
to say goodbye.

( sighs )

Oh, Peggy.

( chuckles )

( noirish jazz theme playing )