01x19 - The Man Who Wouldn't Die

[bunniefuu]

Yes?

Is Bradford in?

I'm sorry, Mr. Bradford
is gone for the day,

and the office is closed.

What about Willson?

Is Mr. Willson expecting you?

Is he in?

Mr. Willson is busy right now.
May I help you?

My business is with him.

Now look here!

Just a minute!
I'll tell Mr. Willson.

There's no need to announce me.

Why, Judge Garth...

how are you, sir?

Good to see you again.

What brings you all the way
to San Francisco?

You.

Well, that is
a pleasant surprise,

except you couldn't have picked
a worse time to talk business,

Judge, I'm trying to catch
a train.

Pick out the papers
I have to take with me.

I'll tell you,
there's no end to the paperwork

that a business man
has to put up with these days.

You know,
you're the luckiest man alive,

with only cattle, coyotes,
and cowboys to keep track of.

No.

You're the luckiest man alive...

that I don't k*ll you
here and now.

That's quite a favor.

Consider it so.

I don't understand.

I know what you
and your partner did.

Now do you understand?

I know!

I never thought you
or your partner were capable
of anything like this.

You didn't come here
just to hand down an opinion,
Judge.

If it takes
the rest of my life,

every penny I've got...

I'll run the two of you
out of business.

Thanks for the warning.

I mean what I say!

I wouldn't go any farther.

And I'd turn around...

unless you want it in the back.

I don't know
what's in your mind, Judge,

but I didn't come up
from where I did

and wind up half-owner
of a 20-million-dollar company

by standing by
and let someone else
dig my grave.

Here's a warning for you.

Fair exchange.

Go back to Wyoming, Judge.

Now.

Let's not hear
anymore wild talk
about trying to ruin me.

I'll go back...

when I'm through with you.

Just to let you know.

And the next time,
I won't miss on purpose.

Why you...

Lock him up.

Who's the officer in charge?

What do you
wanna see him about?

I'd like to talk to him.

What about?

I k*lled a man.

This is Lt. Kenner, Mister...

Uh, Garth.

Henry Garth.

Now what's all this about?

I want to report...

I k*lled a man.

Go on.

Well, that's all.

We had an argument
over a business matter.

He pulled a g*n, was gonna...

Anyway, the g*n went off.

I had no intention of...

Now who was the man
that you k*lled
in self

Willson.

Railroad man.

Paul J. Willson?

Yeah.

Mr. Garth.

Isn't this where you said
you left the body?

Right here.

Then you only wounded Willson.

I k*lled him.

Well, if you did,
what happened to the body?

I don't know.

The shot was point blank.

He was hit in the heart.

You also said that he
took a shot at you

and that the b*llet
smashed a lamp.

This one here on the desk?

That's not the same lamp.

Where was that shot
fired from?

Over there.

Where?
Over here behind the chair?

Yeah.

Well, fired from over here
and smashing that lamp

would mean that the b*llet
hit the window.

See if there are any holes.

Not one.

The window must have been open.

Mr. Garth, don't you remember?

No, but...

Mr. Garth, I don't know
what's going on here.

Neither do I, but...

I'm telling you the truth.

The body was here
when I left the room.

The g*n was on the floor.

All these papers
were scattered all about.

Now somebody's
replaced everything,
including the lamp.

Somebody's
changed everything back!

What reason would anyone have
to remove the body?

Or to cover any sign
of a struggle, Mr. Garth?

I don't know....

but I'm not imagining this.

This really happened.

I'm sure it's all very real
in your mind,

but can you prove
that you were even here?

As a matter of fact, I can.

You have a witness?

One...

but that should be enough.

Good evening.

I'm George Mitchell.
I understand you wanted
to see me.

Oh, yes, that's right.

Then would you mind telling me
what this is all about?

The officer you
sent to bring me here
was most uncommunicative.

I'll let Mr. Garth explain.

I think you know Mr. Garth.

Can't say I've
had the pleasure.

How do you do, sir?

You do remember me, don't you?

No, sir.

Well,
it was only two hours ago.

You must have me
confused with someone else.

You did work for Willson,
didn't you?

I still do, for the firm
of Bradford and Willson.

Well, don't you remember?
I came to the office.

Never saw you before
in my life, sir.

I don't know
what's behind this,
why you're lying.

I'm not lying.

Well, you know
I went into his office.

You even tried to stop me!

I'm sorry, sir,
but you couldn't have been
with Mr. Willson.

He had no visitors
this evening.

You quite sure of that?

Positive.

It would've been worth my job
to permit anyone to see him,

after the office closed.

May I know how this
concerns Mr. Willson,
if not myself?

He claims he k*lled him.

k*lled Mr. Willson?

In his office.

But that's impossible.

Why is it impossible?

Because I put Mr. Willson
on the train over an hour ago,

along with Mr. Chase,
one of our engineers.

They were going to New York.

From there, on to Europe
on a survey.

What train was that?

The 8:40.

Which means he's been on
that train now 85 minutes.

Yes.

So he could hardly have k*lled
Mr. Willson two hours ago.

Uh-huh. Well, uh,
you may go, Mr. Mitchell.
Thank you.

Thank you.

Well, you have to admit,
it does look peculiar,
Mr. Garth--

insisting that you k*lled a man.

Usually,
it's the other way around,
you know.

The guilty profess
their innocence,

even when all the evidence
is against them.

He never put Willson
on that train...

unless it was in a coffin.

Why don't you wire ahead,
see who's lying.

Exactly what I'm doing.

I'm gonna have a sheriff
board that train

at the first town
where they stop.

That's right.
Willson is on that train

with Mr. Chase,
his chief engineer,

and their credentials
are in order.

But they can't be!

You're a long way from home,
Mr. Garth, and all alone,

according to what you tell me.

If you like,
I'll send someone
back with you.

You think I'm insane.

Not at all...

but under pressure.

It's no disgrace.

I don't know who's
behind all this or why,

but I know what happened

from the minute
I went into Willson's office
until the time I left,

and if it's the last thing
I do, I'm gonna run it down.

Tom, who is it?

Well, for the love of me...

it's Henry Garth.

Kitty.

Well, where are your things,
Henry?

Tom, get his things.

Could I get you
something to drink, Henry?

Here, try this
new chair on for size.

Now...
what's wrong?

Anything I can do to help?

Tom, as U.S. Marshal,

your jurisdiction
extends beyond San Francisco?

Well, I can reach out, yes.

I k*lled a man tonight...

and yet the police tell me
he's alive...

on a train right now
headed for New York.

Then you've only wounded him.

I k*lled him.

Shot him in the heart.

You don't believe me.

It's so incredible.

You could begin
at the beginning.

The beginning...

that would be
seven months ago...

when Willson--
that's the man I k*lled--

and his partner Bradford

first came to Medicine Bow...

along with a woman
who knew these men

but pretended not to.

But, Daddy!

Nothing more to talk about.

I can't believe it.

I can't believe that
you'd do such a thing!

What's so terrible about it?

To send me away from home.

You're only going as far
as Boston.

Boston?!
Do you know where that is?

Yes, the last I heard,

it was up
in New England somewhere
in the state of Massachusetts.

Yep, you know,
I think it's still there.

Well, what would I do there
in a finishing school?

Learn manners,
for one thing!

And what's wrong
with my manners?

Well...
to begin with, you raise
your voice to your father.

What? Now louder, I can't--

Who's raising whose voice now?

Listen, I've made up
my mind.

You've got to go to school
in Boston.

This is no place
for a young lady to grow up.

Well, I love Shiloh.
What's wrong with it?

It'll still be here
when you get back...

with an education.

Education my foot.

You show me one good book

that teaches me
how to ride a horse

or crack a whip at a round up
or anything that really counts.

Honey, there's more
to learning

than you can get
from a lot of cowhands.

I've sent the tuition off
a year in advance.

You'll leave on the 25th.

I won't go.
You can't make me.

Judge, you got company,

and I ain't had no notice.

So if you aim to invite them
to supper, by gumption,

you're just gonna have to wait

till I get
the extra vittles cooked.

Who's here, Alex?

It's two gents
from San Francisco.

Oh, yes, yes.

Have them come in.

You invitin' them to supper
or not?

No, I doubt it, Alex.

Like as much,
you'll change your mind.

It ain't as simple as throwin'
an extra bean in the pot.

Hello, Judge.
Good to see you, sir.

You look well.

All things considered--
that what you mean?

J., I want you to meet
the one man

I told you was worth a trip
to the wilds of Wyoming.

Judge Garth,
my partner Paul Willson.

Call me J.--
my middle initial--
all my friends do.

Probably want something
to drink after your trip
from the station.

No, thank you.
Yes.

Frankly though,
it did seem endless.

You know, Judge,
what you need is a spur line
to your front door.

We could gallop for a week
they told us

and still have far to go
just to see half of Shiloh.

Quite a place you carved out
of the wilderness--an empire.

And I've come by it all
honestly.

Meaning?

Now, J., I'm sure--

You know our reputation.

That's why you came to us
in the first place.

Oh, yes.

There wasn't a company that
came more highly recommended,

one less likely to turn out
to be a bunch of pirates.

No one's ever questioned
our honesty.

Except you.

And in my last letter to you,
I made it quite clear why.

Yes, clear enough
to sue you for libel

if you made those
accusations public.

You can bet I will...

unless I get some action.

Now, now, Judge.

We've come all the way
from San Francisco

to lay our cards on the table

and show you that you've
nothing to worry about.

Now there's only one thing
I want--

To get from the north of Wyoming
to the south

on a railroad you were paid
to build a year ago!

But everything's on schedule.

You haven't lifted a shovel.

Building a railroad takes time
and a lot of preparation.

You've seen our reports--

lawyers we've hired
to get land clearances,

the number of surveying crews
out along the right-of-way.

Oh, yes,
I've seen your reports.

I've sent them to a firm
in your state capitol--

a firm with a reputation
above reproach!

Here are their reports.

You haven't a single surveyor
or a lawyer at work.

Guerin and Brand.
This firm's services
don't come cheap.

But, Judge, just what
did you expect to get

from that little extra expense?

I want to see
that railroad built

not because
I put so much money into it,

but because I talked my friends
into putting up even more

because Wyoming needs
that north/south route.

I'm gonna see that we get it.

And you will.
That's what we're trying
to make you understand.

I understand
you're doing nothing,

but we're gonna change
all that.

And how are you
going to do that, Judge?

By making you live up
to every word of that contract.

But we are,
to the letter.

Open starting date--

that means we can get going
whenever we feel the time
is right.

Remember? You signed it.

Oh, yes.

I know open starting date
is standard practice
in such contracts,

but it's also standard practice
not to abuse it.

And we're not.

We're merely exercising
our judgment

as to the best time
to start spending the money
entrusted to our care.

You're gonna start
the minute you get back.

Judge, some friendly advice--

Leave us alone
and we'll do the same for you.

What does that mean?

It means stop pushing us.

Otherwise, it could be years
before we lay one tie.

You've got one month
to start showing
tangible results.

After that,
I really start to push.

Now, gentlemen...
is there anything more
to discuss?

Uh--
No.

We didn't intend
to take advantage
of your hospitality, Judge.

Good day, sir.

I guess you know
what I'm thinking.

I don't wanna discuss it.

I don't like it
anymore than you do,

but is there another way?

I don't think
there's any choice.

No, I really didn't think
there would be.

Good morning.

Oh, good morning, ma'am.

I'd like to place
an ad- ver- tisement
in your newspaper.

You mean adver- tise- ment.

I think Webster
would accept ei- ther.

You mean "ei- ther."

I must sound
terribly foreign to you.

Well, for these parts,
Miss, uh...

Mrs. Wallace.

I think I'd like it
in a box on the front page.

Cost you double,
and it's not worth it.

Our readers don't skip a word,
including the obituaries.

Yes, but I'd like
to make certain

that it attracts the attention
of all of your subscribers.

One thing--
I'm not promising anything.

Promise to keep
an open mind.

It's wide open.

Far as a crack, I'll bet.

Well, here it is.

What's the matter?

There, I finished praying
that you'll like her.

An old battle-ax, no doubt.

Whether I like her or not
is beside the point
if she doesn't qualify.

Well, aren't you gonna knock?

I thought I heard voices.

Did you want to see me?

Um, Mrs. Wallace?

Yes?

Well, I'm Betsy,
Betsy Garth.

Hello, Betsy.

And this is my father,
Judge Garth.

How do you do?

You're beautiful,
Mrs. Wallace.

I'm no such thing.
Won't you come in?

Thank you.

Please, sit down.

Thank you.

I'm sorry
I can't offer you
any refreshment.

Oh, that's quite all right.
We're perfectly refreshed,
aren't we, Daddy?

I--I mean just seeing you.

Well, he was sure
you'd look like an old relic
or something,

and I had the most awful time
convincing him

that you were the nicest,
kindest, sweetest, smartest,

and prettiest school teacher
in Medicine Bow.

Well, that remains to be seen.

Well, you are the prettiest.
Isn't she, Daddy?

Well, that's quite evident.

Thank you.

I assume you've
came in response
to my advertisement.

Oh, the minute I saw it,
I just couldn't let Daddy be.

Can you imagine
being sent away to Boston

when you can go
to finishing school
right here in Medicine Bow?

Logic would appear
to be on your side.
Let's hope your father is.

If you'd like to look at
the curriculum, you'll find
that social graces--

Oh, you don't have to sell me,
Mrs. Wallace.

Have you had
any other applicants?

Frankly no, but my ad appeared
only just this morning.

Well, I wouldn't count on
too much of a response.

Oh, I have every reason
to be optimistic.

Actually,
there are no girls' schools
anywhere near here

and many ranches.

Not many. There's a few.

But I've investigated.

Do you know there
are over 50 families
living in this area,

including the town,
and almost all have daughters?

Yes, but there's
a great difference
in their ages.

Well, I've taught
in more than one
little red schoolhouse.

I'm quite prepared
for an assortment.

Hmm.

But are the people here
prepared for you?

I don't know what you mean.

Well, there's more
than a little prejudice here

about sending their daughters

to what they call
a "fancy school."

Attitudes can be changed.

Oh, absolutely,
and they will be.

But out here,
things take longer
than I think you realize.

I didn't expect anything
to be easy in this country.

Why are you trying
to discourage me?

Oh, I'm not trying
to discourage you.

I just want you to know
what to expect.

But there is a position
waiting for you.

Oh!

Well, he means
you can live on our ranch
and teach me.

Well, you do, don't you?

Yes.

Oh, that'd be wonderful!

That's why I came today.
I knew you wouldn't get far
with that ad.

Oh, I have no intention
of being a governess.

Mrs. Wallace, please.

You can name
your own salary.

Well, money
isn't the only consideration.

I had my heart set
on a school of my own.

And you'll have it too.

With Betsy
as your first pupil,

people around here
will sit up and take notice,

and you'll get more offers
and when you have enough,

you can open your school.

I don't know.

Betsy is of an age when she
needs some feminine influence

as well as a good education.

That's why I was thinking
of sending her off

to finishing school
where she can get both,

but if you can stay at home...

I have no other children.

I shall have to let you know.

Whoa.

Welcome, ma'am,
whoever you are.

And whoever you are, thank you.

Oh, is this a wedding ring
I see on your finger?

Yes.

For real or for protection?

It was very real.

Was?

The man who put it there died.

Eh, I could cut out
my tongue for that.

Please don't do that,

at least not until you tell me
if Judge Garth is in.

Uh, no, ma'am, he's out.

But he sure is comin'.

Howdy.

Hi!

Listen, Betsy, I wanted to--

Oh!

Oh, I knew you'd come!

A long

Aunt

Who?

She's my teacher.

Yes, Trampas, that's the way
they grow them these days.

Oh, come on!

Well, that's two helpings
to your one.

You aren't even half caught up.

Frankly, this is much more
than I customarily have
for breakfast.

Excuse me, I'm late.

Where are you going, dear?

To see Trampas.
He promised to help me
get my new pony shod.

Every girls' school in Boston
starts promptly at eight.

We can do no less,
can we?

We'll even do better
than Boston.

It is now one minute
before eight.

If you can deliver your message
and return in time.

Oh, well, I won't be long.
I promise.

In Boston, one second
places you among the t*rd,

and t*rd is regarded
as a lack of self-discipline.

Well, I guess it can wait.

Well, if you'll excuse me...

Good luck to you
on your schooling,

and, um, good luck to you.

Any well-bred young lady
in polite society today

must be versed
in the art of music.

Now let's see what you can do.

**

Well, Judge,
I guess it's a choice
of mendin' the fences

or fixin' that road
up on the hill

or fixin' that hole
in the bunk house roof.

**

Or, uh, maybe fixin' that piano.

It sounds stuck to me.

You know how many years
I've been waiting to hear that?

That?

Yes, that...

**

ever since Betsy's fingers
were strong enough
to strike a key.

No matter what I could do,
I could never get here near
that piano.

And now listen to her.

**

Sweetest music I ever heard.

Well, you go back
to mendin' the fences.

You can forget the road.

Right, Judge.

**

**

**

Oh, well, the curtsey
should be very low
and graceful.

Yes, all right.

It's very difficult to do
without a man.

Well, hello!

Mornin'.

Won't you come in?

I never needed
a second invitation
from a pretty lady.

Well, good.

Hey, where were you
yesterday?

Thought you wanted
to try out your new pony?

Well, I would have been
late for class.

What she learnin'?

Music.
Now it's Terps or something.

Terpsichore--the dance.

Oh, Terpsichore, huh?

And one, two, three.

One, two, three.
One, two, three.

Around, two, three.
One, two, three.

Now bow at the waist
while your partner curtsies.

No, no. No, no, Mr. Trampas.

Down, very low at the waist.
That's very good.

And your hand here, there.
Just a bit lower.

Yes, that's fine.
That's very good, Mr. Trampas.

Judge.

Excuse me, ma'am,
I've got work to do.

No, no, I'll pass it on
to the Virginian.

Oh, he wouldn't take kindly
to that, not the Virginian...

or nobody.

I suppose you could use
a dancing partner.

Quite.

I'll go get you a volunteer.

Nah, you'll do fine.

You won't find anyone better
at dancing chores, Mrs. Wallace.

Feel free to call him anytime,
find him most obliging.

Thank you very much.

Well, I mustn't hold up
the march of culture.

All I need is for this
to get around.

You look silly bowing to me!

All right now, come on.
Down very low.

This low?
That's right.
That's very good.

That low, yes.

All right,
now let's try it once more.

Yes, all right.
Now and...

And one, two, three.
One, two, three.

Why didn't you ride your pony?

When do I ever get
to go outside?

Mrs. Wallace, must I?

Indeed you must.

No young lady
can consider herself
truly cultivated

without an intimate knowledge
of the beauty of verse.

Now we shall start by scanning
the meter of each line.

Of all the literary arts,

poetry requires
the most concentration.

Most concentration.

It requires you
shutting out the world
and all of its tawdriness.

Is something wrong,
Mrs. Wallace?

Wrong?

Well, you didn't sound
like yourself.

Well, I wasn't aware of it.

Now let's start by reading
that poem aloud, very slowly.

"If though must love me,
let it be for not,

"except for love's sake only.

"Do not say 'I love her
for her smile, her look,

"her way of speaking gently,'

"for a trick of thought
that falls in well with mine

"and sure is brought a sense
of pleasant ease on such a day,

"for these things in themselves,
beloved, may be changed
or change for thee,

"and love so wrought
may be unwrought so.

"Neither love me for thine own,
dear, pity's wiping
my cheeks dry.

"A creature might forget to weep
who wore thy comfort long

"and lose thy love thereby,
but love me for love's sake,

"that ever more thou
mayith love on,

through love is eternity."

What's the matter?

Well, it's 4:00
and school's out,

and I've got
a million things to do!

I've gotta get my pony shod,
take care of that new litter
of pups.

Mrs. Wallace.

Good afternoon.

Well, it's been quite a week.

Yes, Betsy's given me
no problem at all.

Was there any mail for me?

No, I'm sorry.

Mrs. Wallace...

I want you to know
how much I appreciate
you're coming here.

No reason to feel obliged.

You pay me well--
much more than I deserve.

Besides, Betsy's reward enough.

Well, I know how
she feels about you.

Thank you for telling me.

Then we'll see you at supper.

I'd rather have supper
in my room, if you don't mind.

You won't be eating with us?

No.

Please don't ask me to explain.

Yes?

Well, hope you're starved.

You should have let Alex
bring it up.

Oh, that old cowhand?
He'd only spill everything.

Well, thank you.

Why Daddy let's old bandy legs
keep house, I'll never know.

It's because he realizes
how old people feel about
being put out to pasture,

totally disregarded.

Um, how do you feel,
Mrs. Wallace?

I'm well, thank you.
Why do you ask?

Well, the only time
I ever have food in my room

is when I'm too sick
to come down.

Someday you'll understand
how one feels when one
simply must be alone,

the importance of solitude.

I understand.

Daddy told me
about your sick friend,
and I hope he gets better.

It happens to be a woman.

Will Daddy ever be happy
to hear that!

Well, I mean that it's
a woman you're worried about
and not a man.

Well, not exactly happy,
I mean, but just glad that

you're not worried about a man
because Daddy likes you.

Oh, he'll never say anything,
but...

well, I can tell
by the way he looks at you.

Betsy!
Your supper's getting cold!

And let Mrs. Wallace have hers!

Oh, coming Daddy!

Excuse me.

You wanna see me, Judge?

I wanna get this out
on the first train west.

If you ride hard,
you can make the 6:15.

6:15--I could walk
and beat that one...

all the way to Sacramento.

Hey, how 'bout that, Judge?
I always wanted to see
California.

Wait another minute,
and you'll have every chance
to see it on your own time.

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
Right away, sir!

Yes, sir!

It's wrong.
I know it is!

All right,
let's try it again.

Conjugate the verb "to be"
in French.

It's no use.

I've been at it for hours,
and it just won't stick
in my head!

Please sit down.

Perseverance
is the best exercise
of character.

Well, I know of better ways,

like staying out
on the trail all day

or riding all night
looking for strays.

I guess you
wouldn't know about that,
would you, Mrs. Wallace?

That is not what your father
employed me to teach you.

Why do I have to be
taught anything?

Why can't I just grow up
and be left alone?

That privilege, if it is one,
belongs only to the animals.

But French?
In the middle of Wyoming?

A cultured young lady
must be able to speak fluently
in another language.

Now when you take
your proper place in society,

it will be expected of you.

But I have my place here,
and the cowhands I know

don't give a hoot
about "le" or "la"
or any of the rest of it.

And yet they
are very proud of you,
as I am.

In the past few weeks,
you've--

Weeks!
Oh, it seems like years!

I don't know what I'm doing
most of the time!

You've gotten my head
swollen like a balloon

with music and Terps--
why, I can't even say it.

Then first, the Minuet,
and then the Gavot- te.

Gavotte.

Oh, those classics.
That old Greek Homer.

Why, he's even worse
than Shakespeare,
and that's bad enough!

Boy, those Englishmen
that talk like that must
have been crazy!

Oh, I bet.

And all that stuff
about social decorum--
why can't I wear jeans?

We've been through
all that before.

Oh, sure.

"At no time must a young lady
depart from her proper garb,

"for any occasion,
because society
is a severe judge

when a young lady
exercises bad taste."

If I taught you that much,
I have hope for the future.

But what does it matter
what people say

or how they say it
or what they think of you?

Then what does matter?

What they feel
about each other.

The way I thought it
would be between us,

I thought we'd be friends.

But we are.

Oh, how can you say that
when we never even talk anymore.

I--I mean really talk,
like a sister or...

or a mother.

Maybe you don't even care.

But I do.

I don't believe you!

May I join you?

If you wish.

I, uh, couldn't sleep either.

It's a great night.

Not unusual, though,
as you know.

Yes, I heard you
come down those stairs
night after night...

quietly,

so as not to let anyone know
you were going out.

Does that seem strange to you?

No.

I can understand
you're wanting more

of a feeling of peace
than you can find indoors.

If you understand that much...

It's what I don't understand
that won't let me sleep.

Now I don't wanna intrude
on your privacy, but...

Privacy? You have a right
to talk to me about Betsy
whenever you wish.

I assume
that's why you're here.

No, it isn't.

Something's troubling you,

and I wanted to ask
if there was anything I--

something I might do.

Maybe I shouldn't ask.

There's nothing troubling me.

I think there is.

Began after the first week
you came to Shiloh.

Something went wrong.

Nothing went wrong.

You put a wall
between yourself and Betsy,
between us too.

Oh, you have a right
to do that, I guess.

But I'm assuming
the equal right to...

to ask why.

It's something
that doesn't concern you.

Doesn't concern me?

And for the first time
in years,

I have said even this much.

We could never mean anything
to each other.

I want you to know that.

All right.

But knowing it isn't enough.

I'd like to understand it.

You don't even know me.

I know you've
been married before

and that the man
you loved died.

You said as much
to Trampas.

And that there
isn't anyone else...

so you said to Betsy.

I've come to know you
as a human being.

What else do I have to know?

I would never marry again.

You can't live with the dead.

You can't abandon them either.

They live in our memories.

We'd been married seven years
when it happened.

Death came in so deceptive
a guise...

on a splendid bridge
that my husband had designed
to cross a wild river.

I was there.
I saw it happen.

Builder had not followed
the specifications.

The bridge collapsed...

carrying the only man
I'd ever loved into the river
with it.

Judge.

Ma'am.

Uh, Alex said
you were out here.

Uh, Anyway, I was in town
when this special delivery
came in.

Sacramento.

Postmaster figured
I could ride harder
than he could.

**

* Da da da da da *

* Da da da da

**

That will do.

I have a dreadful headache.

I'm sorry,
I guess my piano playing
hasn't helped any.

No. Actually,
I woke up with it this morning.

I'm afraid I'm gonna have
to call off the remainder
of today's studies though.

The whole day?

Yes.

When these headaches come on,
they invariably last.

Well, is there anything
I can do?

No, thank you.

What will you do
with your day?

Don't worry about me.

Everybody's workin'
at the stone ridge.

They could use some help.

You'll get to spend some time
with your father too.

No, he had to go
to Medicine Bow.

Mrs. Wallace, I'm sorry
for what I said yesterday.

Oh, that's quite all right.

No, I should have been
horse-whipped,

but I'll make it up to you.
You'll see.

I'll study real hard,
and I'll watch my manners
like a hawk.

Oh, you're wonderful!

I'll stop by and see you
when I get back,

but don't expect me
before sundown.

Come on. Hiya.

Betsy told you that?

Once I got her calmed down

and could make sense
out of all her cryin'.

Well, why didn't
she come to me?

Because she couldn't
face you with it, Judge.

I promised I'd do it for her.

Well, what is this nonsense
you've been telling
the Virginian?

Nonsense?

Accusing Mrs. Wallace of--

But it's true!
I saw her!

I saw her in here
looking through your papers!

You realize
what you're saying?

Do you think I'm lying?

Tell her I wanna see her.

I can't understand
what would make Betsy
say such a thing--

to come into your study
and go through your desk.

Why, I've never even been
in this room.

But I saw you!

What earthly reason
would I have?

How can you lie like that?

She is your child...

so naturally,
your first loyalty is to her.

But children
are sometimes vindictive,

for reasons known
only to themselves.

What are you doing?

"A person must have ideals,"
she says,

and then she lies!

Oh, stop that.

Oh, what good are books

if the person
who makes you read them
can't even live up to--

Oh, that's enough!

Are you sure
it couldn't have been
someone else?

Were you really
close enough to see?

I was close enough.

I mean, the blinds were down,
you could have been mistaken.

Oh, I wish I were.
I only wish I were.

Oh, I loved her too, Daddy.

The roan
isn't in there, Judge.

Hey, what's happening?
I came down for breakfast
and nobody's there.

Mrs. Wallace is gone.

She took off some time
during the night.

What train
did Mrs. Wallace take?

Well, Judge,
seein' there was only one train
passed through this morning,

it's right easy
to recollect what ticket
I sold where to who.

Well, where'd she go?

The end of the line--
San Francisco.

I wonder
if you could help me.

Say the word.

I, uh, I was supposed to meet
a friend of mine

on the 10:00 A.M. limited
and, uh, missed it,

and I don't have her address.

Maybe you might remember.
She's a woman in her mid-30s,

rather pretty, slender,
probably wearin' a blue coat.

I had a passenger
off that train--

pretty, tall,
but not too tall,

skinny,
but not too skinny,

didn't talk much,
but sounded like a lady.

Well, remember
where you took her?

Sure do.

Who is it?

Garth.

I have nothing to say to you.

I didn't get a chance
to say good-bye,

you left in the middle
of the night.

I thought it best
under the circumstances.

To steal off?

To avoid any further scenes
such as I had to endure.

Now, if you'll excuse me,
I'm occupied.

So am I...

trying to fit the pieces
together.

Please.

And they won't fit...

like going from a place
like this

to a cow patch
called Medicine Bow.

I see no reason why
I have to justify my choice.

How did you happen to pick
what amounts to a whistle-stop

to open a finishing school?

I was ill-advised.
Is that a crime?

Going to all that trouble
of running an ad,

putting out bait
for me to bite,

and I did.

You knew I had a daughter
of school age.

I was planning
to send her away

because there was no
qualified teacher around.

That was no secret
in Medicine Bow...

but how did it cross
a couple of state lines
and end up here?

Oh, it was cleverly planned.

Expensively ex*cuted.

Since I am no longer
in your employ,

I see no reason
why I should submit to this.

You wanted that job
so you could wangle your way
into my home...

and then into my confidence,

to say the least.

Any illusion you may have had
was none of my doing.

And Betsy?
What about her?

Making her love
and respect you--

what about that illusion?

Please. Please, go.

Becoming a trusted member
of the family.

For what?
To find out what was happening?

To search through my papers.

Why?
What did you expect to find?

I told you, Betsy lied.

I know my daughter.
She wasn't lying.
You were.

What were you looking for?!

Since you refuse to leave,

I shall have to call
the superintendent.

Ah, no, not until I find out!
Let me go!

Bradford and you?

What about that story...

about the man you loved,

long past death?

I told you that
because I thought you were
falling in love with me.

I knew you
wouldn't understand.

Oh, I understand...

now.

I know why he
sent you to Shiloh,

what you were
supposed to find out.

You were supposed to keep
close watch over me,
weren't you?

To listen!
To go through my mail!

Weren't you?!

Please.

I went to Bradford's home.
He wasn't there.

Then I went to the office,
and Willson was there

just getting ready to leave,
and the rest you know,

except when I came back
with the police,

the corpse was gone.

Everything was put back
in place

just the way it was
before I k*lled him.

The police
won't believe it happened,
but...

I know it did.

I know it.

Judge, who would want
to hide all the evidence,

cover up
what might be thought of
as a crime for you?

That's what I
keep asking myself--

who would wanna do this
and why?

All I know is it happened.

Judge, do you realize

most of what
you've been telling me
is about a woman?

Well, she's tied in with it...

hand-in-hand
with Bradford and Willson.

It's the woman
you're upset about.

She's what you've
been telling me about,

but where's the connection?

I don't know.

All I'm trying to do
is piece the things together
in my mind.

Have you?

I mean, sorted the pieces out
in your mind?

No. No.

I don't know.

She must have felt guilty
about what she'd done.

She knew I
was going after Bradford.

She followed me.

She followed me
to the office...

and she must have heard
the shot that k*lled Willson.

And when I went
to get the police...

she must have used Mitchell.

She got Mitchell
to remove the body,

clean everything up.

Mitchell.

That's why he said
he never saw me.

It was all part of her plan
to protect me

because she
didn't know I k*lled Willson
in self-defense.

She thought I
committed a m*rder.

Do you really think
that makes sense?

Well, it's the only thing that--

it's the only thing that does!

It has to be her!

Well now, why don't you
sleep on it tonight,

and we'll see
how everything looks
in the morning.

You still don't believe me,
do you?

Well, I'd be a poor friend
if I told you I do.

I think--

Where are you going
this time of night?

And I counted on you!

I counted on you,
and you let me down!

For the first time since we met
when I really needed you!

The way you handled it,
you came near blasting
my whole life!

And what do you think
you did to my life

when you asked me to go
into a man's house, to use...

Who is it?

I wanna talk to you.

No, we have nothing
to say to each other.

Please, open the door.

You were there,
weren't you?

You followed me.

Followed you?

I've got to have the truth.

Did you try to hide what I did

because you thought
I k*lled Willson in cold blood?

You k*lled Paul Willson?

You didn't know?

What did you mean
about my trying to hide it?

I thought I k*lled Willson
in a struggle for his g*n but...

when the police and I
returned,

it was as if nothing
had happened--

no body, no...
no signs of a struggle.

Maybe the police were right.
Maybe it didn't happen.

Maybe when I learned
about you and Bradford...

after what you meant to me.

I never thought the day
would come when I question
my own sanity,

but if I don't know
the real from the unreal, it--

No, no, no,
you're not losing your mind,
it did happen,

and somebody did try
to hide it.

Shut up.

Let her finish.

What you did to me
was bad enough,

but you only degraded me
and made me feel cheap.

Now you're willing to let a man
feel he's losing his sanity.

When it was you who--
That's enough!

There was a time
when I couldn't bear
to see you hurt,

when I would come running.

Well, why did he do this

Certainly not to make me think
I was losing my mind!

No, it had nothing to do
with you.

Well, what then?!

For the same reason
he couldn't free himself
of his wife to marry me.

You say another word
and you'll regret it
the rest of your life.

His company,
presumably worth millions,

is on the verge of bankruptcy.

A divorce would have meant
opening the books in court.

Now do you understand?

Of course.

If your partners dies,
the company goes into probate.

The books are thrown open.
The creditors swarm in.

You had to keep his death
a secret

so that you could stay solvent.

Yes, and then Mitchell
must have called you,

and the two of you
covered it up, eh?

Why you...

I'm going to the police.

You better get dressed,
I can't leave you here
with him.

Ah! MM.

Well, how's my girl?

Never better.
And how's my Daddy?

I can't complain.

Never saw you
look so chipper.

Well, why shouldn't I be?

Mrs. Wallace said that
a big writer once wrote

that "everything happens
for the best

in this best
of all possible worlds,"

and she told me
never forget it,
so I'm not forgetting it.

And don't forget
all the other things
she taught you.

Like what I saw her do?

Betsy, I wouldn't
judge her too harshly.

I think you can give her
the benefit of the doubt.

I wish I could believe that.

Well, you did find her there.

Oh, yes, I found her.

And in spite of
what you saw her do,

I think she's worth
every bit of affection
you had for her.

Then I do too.