- 6 days ago
A dashing insurance company investigator tries to catch an arsonist before he...or she...can strike again.
Erle C. Kenton, Edmund Lowe, Ann Sothern, Onslow Stevens, Robert Middlemass, Wyrley Birch, Selmer Jackson, Guy Usher, Miki Morita, Alma Chester, Stuart Holmes, Mike Lally, George Lloyd, Louis Natheaux, Iris Adrian, Richard Allen, Daisy Belmore, Mickey Bennett, Barlowe Borland
Erle C. Kenton, Edmund Lowe, Ann Sothern, Onslow Stevens, Robert Middlemass, Wyrley Birch, Selmer Jackson, Guy Usher, Miki Morita, Alma Chester, Stuart Holmes, Mike Lally, George Lloyd, Louis Natheaux, Iris Adrian, Richard Allen, Daisy Belmore, Mickey Bennett, Barlowe Borland
Category
🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00:00The End
00:00:30All right, you, come on.
00:00:58Get up on that ramp.
00:01:00Get out of the way.
00:01:01Hey, hey, you!
00:01:20I wonder how it started.
00:01:22Lower your head.
00:01:23My head?
00:01:24Good color, splendid blending, nice lines.
00:01:28What do you think you're looking at?
00:01:29The Statue of Liberty at sunset?
00:01:31I never answer questions.
00:01:32It saves time.
00:01:34Suppose I had to answer your question about how this started.
00:01:37I'd have to say there are 202 ways of starting a fire with a match alone.
00:01:41And 17 different ways of lighting a match.
00:01:44Ordinary people, do that.
00:01:49Careless people, do that.
00:01:56Indians rub two sticks together, just for something to do.
00:02:00Until some tourist comes along with a lighter they can borrow.
00:02:02Oh, pardon me.
00:02:05Would you have a cigarette?
00:02:06No, thank you.
00:02:09Leaving so soon?
00:02:10Yes, it's time.
00:02:11I learned very early in life not to engage in conversation with handsome strangers.
00:02:15Now, King Gambrinus had the right idea.
00:02:17He was an old 15th century fire-goer, too.
00:02:20Never missed a blaze.
00:02:21But he sensed a crying need after the fires.
00:02:24And one night seated in his palace, deep in thought, he summoned his magicians.
00:02:27And they brewed a magic potion.
00:02:28Sealed it in heavy casts and chilled it in deep dark cellars.
00:02:31And when this magic potion had reached its potency, what do you think they have?
00:02:35Beer.
00:02:36Correct.
00:02:37And there's a little place around the corner where this magic potion may be purchased at a price.
00:02:41Have a beer?
00:02:42No, thanks.
00:02:42Oh, that's too bad.
00:02:44Nice cold beer is very nice after a hot fire.
00:02:46How about some food?
00:02:47Thanks, no.
00:02:48A little stroll through the park, maybe?
00:02:49No, thank you.
00:02:50Well, there's hardly anything else I can offer you, without getting personal.
00:02:54You seem to think I was born yesterday.
00:02:55Let me see.
00:02:56What was yesterday?
00:02:58Sure you won't have a beer?
00:02:59Some other time.
00:03:00Some other place and some other drink, I hope.
00:03:02And some other girl.
00:03:12The Excelsior Paper Box Company's claim has been settled for $130,000.
00:03:27Gentlemen, the situation is appalling.
00:03:29Six big fires in his many weeks, representing a total loss to this company of $1,872,961.
00:03:37And $1,872,94 stands.
00:03:42Mr. Grayson, you've been in charge of these cases.
00:03:47I'm under the impression that an investigator is supposed to produce results.
00:03:51What, if anything, have you got to suggest?
00:03:55Gentlemen, we have some new and important evidence.
00:03:59I've incorporated it in my report.
00:04:01Your report tells us no more than the daily papers.
00:04:03Not as much.
00:04:03We don't want reports.
00:04:05We want results.
00:04:06I think I can promise you results.
00:04:09One of our advertising booklets was mailed back to us anonymously.
00:04:13It's obviously the work of a pyromaniac.
00:04:15Arson!
00:04:16Arson!
00:04:17Every time you investigators get up a tree, you cry firemunk.
00:04:21Better get Tom Fletcher back, boys.
00:04:23You can see for yourself.
00:04:26Commercial camera company.
00:04:30Deutsch Paintworks.
00:04:31Bristol Shipyards.
00:04:35Eureka Linoleum Company.
00:04:37Commonwealth Storage Warehouse.
00:04:39Excelsior Paper Box Factory.
00:04:41They're all here.
00:04:44When?
00:04:46That word, when, sounds ominous.
00:04:49Terrible.
00:04:50Six fires already are more threatened.
00:04:52The biggest campaign of crime ever aimed at a fire insurance company.
00:04:56Well, that's some kind of a record.
00:04:58Better get Tom Fletcher back, boys.
00:05:00He's the best insurance investigator in the country.
00:05:02Digby's right.
00:05:03Fletcher's record in arson cases is unbeatable.
00:05:06And so are some of his other records.
00:05:08The last case he worked on cost us over $20,000.
00:05:12And saved you $100,000.
00:05:13Grayson, go get Fletcher.
00:05:15Sure, get him back.
00:05:16Yes, let's have a talk with him anyway.
00:05:18Go ahead.
00:05:24Teacher Spank, you know my rule.
00:05:26Sobriety test before every drink.
00:05:28Marie?
00:05:28She sells seashells by the she's sword.
00:05:30Too bad.
00:05:32Nancy?
00:05:32Well, here I come, ready or not.
00:05:34Peter Piterpeck to Pinker Peckle Pippers.
00:05:36Oh, and I've only had one.
00:05:38How sad, how utterly pathetic.
00:05:44Hello, Tommy.
00:05:45Hello, John.
00:05:46Children, meet John Grayson.
00:05:47I do, I do.
00:05:48How have you been?
00:05:49A moot question, but this happens to be one of my moments.
00:05:52Will you join us?
00:05:52Oh, no thanks.
00:05:53I'm here on business.
00:05:53You picked a bad time, John, I'm in conference.
00:05:57And now, Sally, slowly and carefully.
00:05:59I dread the thought of drinking alone.
00:06:01Six sleek and supple salmon slapped on a platter for supper.
00:06:05Success!
00:06:08Your vacation's about over.
00:06:10You're going back to work.
00:06:11Really?
00:06:11Where?
00:06:12In Rocianic.
00:06:13John, you're slandering me.
00:06:14The board of directors is a little perturbed about this epidemic of fires.
00:06:17Oh, yes, I read the papers.
00:06:19It would seem that someone was indulging in a little home cooking.
00:06:22Something like that.
00:06:23What shall I tell them?
00:06:26You may tell that August body, the board of directors of Interocianic,
00:06:30that Thomas Ignatius Fletcher presents his compliments
00:06:32and tells them to go jump in the lake.
00:06:37I think you can write your own ticket.
00:06:39They're pretty anxious to have your back.
00:06:41John, that touches me deeply, but not deeply enough.
00:06:43They gave me a raw deal.
00:06:45Now's your chance to weave in the score.
00:06:47I think they're ready to eat the well-known humble pie.
00:06:50Peter Potter, please, have a pickle pepper.
00:06:53Quiet!
00:06:54Peter Potter, please, have a pickle pepper.
00:06:54Quiet!
00:06:56John, in some strange way, that idea appeals to me.
00:06:59I shall honor them with my presence
00:07:01and feed them heaping portions of humble pie
00:07:03while I munch casually on caviar.
00:07:06At their expense, of course.
00:07:09Jasper, my tabs, please.
00:07:11How about the tabs?
00:07:13Sorry, girls, but duty calls.
00:07:16John, we are now in company business,
00:07:19so list these as miscellaneous on the expense account.
00:07:21And don't stint, for Jasper is a friend indeed.
00:07:26Hurry back, Tommy!
00:07:28I am sorry, gentlemen.
00:07:30But when you're sick,
00:07:31you don't care whether you like the doctor or not.
00:07:33You just call them in.
00:07:34And Fletcher's a man that can cure us.
00:07:36Oh, he's hopeless.
00:07:37Certainly he is.
00:07:38He's an unreasonable, unspeakable,
00:07:40irresponsible, disrespectful clown.
00:07:42Mr. Fletcher always spoke well of you, gentlemen.
00:07:45Glad to see me, laughing boy?
00:07:48Ah, my old friend Digby.
00:07:50I suppose you're responsible
00:07:51for bringing me back to this chamber of horrors.
00:07:55Not me.
00:07:56I didn't want you back.
00:07:57Fletcher, here's what we're up against.
00:07:58Please, I know what you're up against.
00:08:00I know what you want,
00:08:01and I know just how much it's going to cost you.
00:08:03I don't like the sound of that.
00:08:05Gentlemen, the meeting will please come to order.
00:08:12Looking around me,
00:08:13I see the same old faces.
00:08:15I'm not very encouraged by that,
00:08:17for it seems that any change would be an improvement.
00:08:19I don't know what you're going to do with it.
00:08:21However,
00:08:22if by any chance I do accept the generous offer
00:08:24you gentlemen are about to make,
00:08:25I want several changes made in the terms
00:08:27and conditions of my employment.
00:08:28I will name them in the order of their importance.
00:08:30First,
00:08:30I want an electric refrigerator put in my office,
00:08:33and it must be well-filled at all times.
00:08:35Mr. Grayson will tell you my favorite brand.
00:08:37Then there's that little matter of the secretary.
00:08:39You know the type,
00:08:40not too young,
00:08:40not too old,
00:08:41one who will be decorative to the office.
00:08:43Of course,
00:08:43she won't have much work to do.
00:08:45And for transportation,
00:08:46I'll need a car and a chauffeur.
00:08:47Any kind of a car will do,
00:08:49as long as it's a Rolls Royce.
00:08:50A Follies girl couldn't ask for more.
00:08:53I'm sorry, gentlemen.
00:08:54I thought you sent for an arson investigator.
00:08:56I didn't know you wanted a Follies girl.
00:08:57However,
00:08:58I would recommend that statuesque blonde,
00:09:00the third from the left,
00:09:01in the second act finale.
00:09:03Hold on,
00:09:03let's get on to Casey's.
00:09:04Come on, Fletcher,
00:09:05stick a pin in yourself
00:09:06and let all the hot air out at once.
00:09:07Any other demands?
00:09:09Well,
00:09:10just a few minor details.
00:09:12Of course,
00:09:13my old salary must be doubled.
00:09:15Then there's that little matter of the bonus.
00:09:17What bonus?
00:09:18The bonus.
00:09:20For catching your pyromaniac.
00:09:21My idea is a modest little sum.
00:09:23Say,
00:09:23$100,000.
00:09:25What?
00:09:27Do you think we're crazy?
00:09:29Do we have to go into that?
00:09:32What do you say
00:09:33we call the whole thing off
00:09:34and go for a swim?
00:09:37Last one, then,
00:09:38is a,
00:09:39you know what.
00:09:40Stop the clowning
00:09:40and go to work.
00:09:41All right, Fletcher.
00:09:43It's a deal.
00:09:43Agree.
00:09:44Send the contract over to me later.
00:09:46I'll be in conference
00:09:46at the Biltmore Bar.
00:09:53A plain case of blackmail.
00:09:56I wouldn't want to be quoted,
00:09:59but I'll bet he started those fires
00:10:01just to get his job back.
00:10:02Good morning, John.
00:10:14Oh, hello, Tom.
00:10:16Your ice box arrived
00:10:18and it's well-stocked.
00:10:19It's a little small.
00:10:21Remind me to tell the French
00:10:22to get a larger one.
00:10:23What, spring cleaning, John?
00:10:24Knowing the way
00:10:25interoceanic operates,
00:10:26I'd rather bow out
00:10:27than be kicked out.
00:10:28Nonsense.
00:10:29I realize the fact
00:10:30that in talking me into this job,
00:10:31you talked yourself out.
00:10:33Such honesty of purpose
00:10:34should not go unrewarded.
00:10:35Give me Mr. French,
00:10:36the general manager.
00:10:40Hello?
00:10:41Hello, French.
00:10:42Fletcher.
00:10:43Will you have a desk
00:10:44rolled in here for me?
00:10:45What's the matter?
00:10:45Can't you use Grayson's desk?
00:10:47We're giving him his notice.
00:10:48Sure.
00:10:49There's room for both of us.
00:10:50I said we were
00:10:51letting Grayson go.
00:10:53Agreed.
00:10:53A very valuable man.
00:10:54Knows all about the case.
00:10:56Now listen, Tom.
00:10:57He's flopped on this thing
00:10:58and flopped badly.
00:10:59He'd be gratified
00:11:00to hear you say that.
00:11:02I tell you,
00:11:03I'm tying a can to him.
00:11:04Oh, yes.
00:11:05Yes, we plan to stick
00:11:06very close together.
00:11:08In fact,
00:11:09whether he goest,
00:11:09I goest.
00:11:10Thanks, French.
00:11:11Don't forget the desk.
00:11:12Say, if you think
00:11:13you can run this whole
00:11:14at all.
00:11:17Operator.
00:11:18Mr. Fletcher disconnected.
00:11:19Shall I call him back?
00:11:20Oh, never mind.
00:11:21Then, just order another desk
00:11:24moved into Grayson's office.
00:11:27French had no idea
00:11:28of letting you go.
00:11:29Said I needed you around
00:11:30for balance.
00:11:32Well, if they feel that way,
00:11:33I'd like nothing better
00:11:33than to be with you
00:11:34and see how you do it.
00:11:35That's well, John.
00:11:36I plan to keep an eye
00:11:37on your work, too.
00:11:40Mr. Fletcher?
00:11:41Yes?
00:11:43Mr. French said
00:11:43I was to do
00:11:44your secretarial work.
00:11:45Good old French.
00:11:47He also said
00:11:47the job was only temporary.
00:11:49That all depends.
00:11:51Won't you sit down?
00:11:53I'll get back to this case.
00:11:54Just where are we
00:11:55and where are we going?
00:11:56This advertising booklet
00:11:57ought to be a big help.
00:11:59It has been a big help.
00:12:02But not to us.
00:12:04Young lady,
00:12:05take a letter
00:12:05to the board of directors.
00:12:07Copies for every member,
00:12:07please.
00:12:08Gentlemen,
00:12:08allow me to compliment you
00:12:09on your advertising booklet.
00:12:10It's a masterpiece.
00:12:11It's a great help
00:12:12to pyromaniacs,
00:12:13arsonists,
00:12:13and firebugs of all kinds.
00:12:15My suggestion is
00:12:16in the future,
00:12:17any papers going out
00:12:17to the general public
00:12:18be accompanied
00:12:18by a small can of gasoline
00:12:19in the box of messages.
00:12:20Respectively yours,
00:12:21Tom Fletcher.
00:12:21Will that be all,
00:12:22Mr. Fletcher?
00:12:23I am optimistic enough
00:12:24to hope that it will not be all.
00:12:27Did you notice
00:12:27that all these fires
00:12:28happened on weekends
00:12:29or holidays?
00:12:30Yes,
00:12:30as though the firebug
00:12:31wanted to make sure
00:12:32not to endanger life.
00:12:33And that would indicate
00:12:34that it was not
00:12:35a general arsonist,
00:12:36but one who has
00:12:36a particular grudge
00:12:38against inter-oceanic.
00:12:40Correct, John.
00:12:41You'll also notice
00:12:42that the fires occurred
00:12:42in the exact order
00:12:43the buildings are listed
00:12:44in this booklet.
00:12:45I discovered that
00:12:46after the second fire.
00:12:48Nice going, John.
00:12:50What did you do about it?
00:12:51Put guards
00:12:51in all the buildings.
00:12:52But that didn't stop
00:12:53the fires.
00:12:54No, it didn't.
00:12:56You might just as well
00:12:56have hung a sign out.
00:12:58I can't understand it.
00:12:59They're all good men.
00:13:00John, I want you to call off
00:13:01all the men working
00:13:02on this case.
00:13:03All of them?
00:13:04I'll have my men
00:13:04take over the situation.
00:13:07All right.
00:13:07I do it in person.
00:13:09In person?
00:13:10In person.
00:13:14All right.
00:13:15I'll buy the office
00:13:21and get you a check.
00:13:21I'll let you know
00:13:22if I need you again.
00:13:23All right, Mr. Brayton.
00:13:45Where do you think
00:13:59you're going, O'fire?
00:14:01You guessed it, officer.
00:14:02Dave, cut across that car.
00:14:21Why don't you look
00:14:22where you're going?
00:14:24I never answer questions.
00:14:26It saves time.
00:14:27Will you please tell me
00:14:28why you're sure
00:14:29for cutting me off?
00:14:30Curious, that's all.
00:14:31It's a fire investigator's
00:14:32business to be curious.
00:14:34Particularly about people
00:14:35running away from a fire
00:14:36when everyone else
00:14:37is running to it.
00:14:38Well, I'm not running
00:14:39away from the fire.
00:14:40Damn greeners.
00:14:43Oh, hello.
00:14:44I didn't know it was you.
00:14:45I was just going around
00:14:46to 9th Street
00:14:46to get a better look.
00:14:48They wouldn't let me
00:14:48through the lines.
00:14:49But you make that
00:14:51all very simple.
00:14:52Do I?
00:14:52Certainly.
00:14:53The police won't stop me
00:14:54if I'm with you,
00:14:55will they?
00:14:56We'll soon find out.
00:14:58Hop in.
00:15:13Well, what do you want?
00:15:14Inter Oceaniaic.
00:15:14The lady's with us.
00:15:15All right.
00:15:16John, you play host.
00:15:17I'll see you in a little while.
00:15:19My name's John Grayson.
00:15:22I'm Fletcher's assistant.
00:15:22My name's Martin.
00:15:23Adrian Martin.
00:15:24How do you do?
00:15:24How do you do?
00:15:25Maybe we can see better
00:15:26over here.
00:15:43Finding a backdraft.
00:15:44Doesn't look so good.
00:15:49Well, Tony, what did you find out?
00:15:59Plenty, boss.
00:16:00I stay around the building
00:16:01all the day.
00:16:02Everybody should come home.
00:16:03You know, get a half a holiday.
00:16:05Make a bigger fiesta.
00:16:05Never mind that.
00:16:06Anybody come out later?
00:16:07Well, two people.
00:16:08It's one a little fella.
00:16:09He's much scared.
00:16:10And then a bigger fella
00:16:11comes out, a fancy guy.
00:16:12He looks off.
00:16:13He looks down.
00:16:14Then he goes away.
00:16:15You think you could find him
00:16:16in the crowd?
00:16:18One is a catch already.
00:16:20Over there?
00:16:21Josefina.
00:16:22She pointed him out.
00:16:23Josefina's my G-man.
00:16:25Come on, Josefina.
00:16:26Show Mr. Fletch.
00:16:34Go away, man.
00:16:35Take it away.
00:16:35Some fire, huh?
00:16:48Yeah.
00:16:49Interested in fires?
00:16:51I ought to be interested in this one.
00:16:54Why?
00:16:54That's my factory burning up.
00:16:57Oh, then you must be Mr. Crane.
00:16:59If it interests you, I am.
00:17:02And if it interests you,
00:17:03I'm the investigator
00:17:04of the interoceanic.
00:17:05I'd like to ask you a few questions.
00:17:11Tell me something about this, Mr. Fletcher.
00:17:15Well, he's the best fire investigator
00:17:16in the world.
00:17:17That's an odd sort of fame, isn't it?
00:17:19Yes, in a way.
00:17:20I've heard a lot of people say
00:17:21that if he weren't an arsonist at heart,
00:17:23he wouldn't be such a fine investigator.
00:17:25You mean set a thief to catch a thief?
00:17:27Yeah, something like that.
00:17:29He must be very clever.
00:17:30Tell me some more about him.
00:17:33Well, thanks very much, Mr. Crane.
00:17:34I'll call on you later.
00:17:37Young lady,
00:17:38when the Honorable Tommy
00:17:39passes into the great beyond,
00:17:41half the girls in town
00:17:42will be out shopping
00:17:43for morning outfits.
00:17:44Well, John's showing you
00:17:45all the fine points of firefighting?
00:17:46I've been learning everything
00:17:47a young girl should know,
00:17:49particularly about investigators.
00:17:51Oh, very nice.
00:17:52Building me up
00:17:52so I'll have further to fall.
00:17:53Well, she wanted your biography.
00:17:54Oh, but the best chapters
00:17:56are yet to be written.
00:17:57Oh, I know something about your history.
00:17:58Your friendship
00:17:59with that noble monarch,
00:18:00King Gambrinus,
00:18:01and that little place
00:18:02around the corner
00:18:02where his magic potion
00:18:03may be purchased at a price.
00:18:05Shall we have a beer?
00:18:07Some other time.
00:18:08Some other place.
00:18:09Some other drink.
00:18:10And some other girl?
00:18:13Some other girl won't do.
00:18:15You know, I'm disappointed in you.
00:18:18Not only as a prince charming,
00:18:19but as a fireman.
00:18:20No good detective
00:18:21wastes time in whining and dining
00:18:23when he should be working.
00:18:25She should be on our board of directors.
00:18:27Oh, but really,
00:18:28I've been working very hard
00:18:29on the most interesting case.
00:18:30And what might that be?
00:18:32You.
00:18:33Me?
00:18:35But why are you so curious?
00:18:37The National Correspondent's
00:18:39School of Detectives
00:18:39always taught me to be curious
00:18:41of stray beauties.
00:18:43Well, the young lady's 24.
00:18:45She's lived in France
00:18:46for the past five years.
00:18:48And she's an orphan
00:18:49with no mother to guide her.
00:18:50Doesn't that suggest possibility?
00:18:53And now that that's settled,
00:18:54why don't you get busy
00:18:55and tell us who started those fires?
00:18:57Well, it's too soon.
00:18:58You can't figure things out
00:18:59ahead of time.
00:19:00Well, if I were working,
00:19:01I'd have some suspects.
00:19:02Ah, but I have my suspects already.
00:19:05You have?
00:19:06Mm-hmm.
00:19:07Everyone in here.
00:19:09Plus the board of directors,
00:19:10plus the minor employees
00:19:12of Interoceanic,
00:19:13plus John Grayson.
00:19:15Me?
00:19:16Well, you're always at fires.
00:19:17But I haven't any motive.
00:19:20Give you one
00:19:20and you're in a perfect spot.
00:19:22Working on the case,
00:19:23knowing what's being done,
00:19:25one jump ahead of yourself.
00:19:27Plus Tom Fletcher, too, then.
00:19:30My motive?
00:19:32To return to a very important
00:19:33and lucrative position
00:19:34within Interoceanic,
00:19:35and that fat bonus.
00:19:37John,
00:19:38your powers of deduction
00:19:39are marvelous.
00:19:41Let's make it unanimous.
00:19:43How about little orphan Annie here?
00:19:44Me?
00:19:45Well, you're always at fires.
00:19:47Even caught you running away from one.
00:19:48If I were smart,
00:19:49I'd have you in the calaboose right now.
00:19:51And my motive?
00:19:52When Thomas Ignatius Fletcher
00:19:54detects a woman's motive for anything,
00:19:56he'll walk right up
00:19:57to a statue of Sherlock Holmes
00:19:58and say,
00:19:59move over.
00:20:01I'll drink to that, Tom.
00:20:02And after that, gentlemen,
00:20:03I think I shall say
00:20:05good night.
00:20:15You want to dig into
00:20:16this investigation, Tom,
00:20:17so I'll see Miss Martin home.
00:20:18Miss Miles, I'll be way, old man.
00:20:20Not at all.
00:20:20I don't mind if it's a pleasure.
00:20:21Pleasure? What's an honor.
00:20:22There seems to be some dispute here.
00:20:24Absolutely.
00:20:25Get out of the thing, Stone, please.
00:20:26There's only one way to settle it.
00:20:28Call it.
00:20:28Let me.
00:20:31Tails.
00:20:31Heads.
00:20:31Sorry, John.
00:20:39Make yourself at home.
00:20:41You'll find a good book
00:20:42in the icebox.
00:20:45A penny for your thoughts.
00:20:48They're not for sale.
00:20:49Too penny.
00:20:52I was just thinking.
00:20:54That's the first serious thing
00:20:55you've said to me
00:20:56since we've met.
00:20:57Well, that even is gone.
00:20:59Now, shall we start
00:21:00all over again?
00:21:01Then just be ourselves?
00:21:02Yes.
00:21:03All right.
00:21:04You know, you must hate me.
00:21:06On the contrary.
00:21:08Why should I?
00:21:10For taking up so much
00:21:11of your time
00:21:11when you should be working.
00:21:12Well, frankly,
00:21:13there's nothing for me to do.
00:21:14I mean, about the fire.
00:21:16Oh, you can't find out
00:21:17anything about a fire
00:21:18while it's blazing.
00:21:20It's like a love affair.
00:21:21You mean you never really
00:21:23understand it
00:21:24while it's flaming?
00:21:25It just happens.
00:21:26And later on?
00:21:28When it dies down?
00:21:29You find the reason for it
00:21:31in the ashes.
00:21:33There it is.
00:21:46Down there under that pipe.
00:21:49Don't touch it with your hands.
00:21:52Pick it up with your rags.
00:21:52Hello, bad news.
00:22:00Hello, chief.
00:22:02Let me have that box, too.
00:22:04Boys told me you were around.
00:22:06I thought Interoceana
00:22:07could send you out to pasture.
00:22:09They did.
00:22:10But I pined for you so much
00:22:12they brought me back.
00:22:14To do what?
00:22:15Stick a handful of ashes
00:22:16under a microscope
00:22:17and stop all these fires?
00:22:19You haven't been doing
00:22:20so well lately.
00:22:22If I didn't know it,
00:22:23I could trust you
00:22:23to remind me of it.
00:22:26You're down to the office
00:22:27early today, aren't you?
00:22:29Hello.
00:22:32I thought I'd find you
00:22:34poking around in the ashes.
00:22:35What brings you down
00:22:36to the ashes?
00:22:37I came for two reasons.
00:22:38One, to get my car.
00:22:40Oh, and the other?
00:22:42I have a complex.
00:22:43I want to be a fireman.
00:22:45Don't tell me your mother
00:22:45was frightened by a fire horse.
00:22:48Pick off your hat.
00:22:50This is a very solemn occasion.
00:22:51Put your left hand
00:22:52on the fire plug.
00:22:53Raise your right hand.
00:22:54Do you solemnly swear
00:22:54to learn to play
00:22:55pinochle dress in 10 seconds,
00:22:56slide down the pole,
00:22:57hang on to the hook and ladder,
00:22:57break into windows,
00:22:58flood the cellar with water,
00:22:59when the fire's in the attic,
00:23:00sound the siren,
00:23:01ring the bell,
00:23:02and chop up pianos
00:23:03with access as all false alarms?
00:23:04I do.
00:23:05Then you're a fireman.
00:23:06In that case,
00:23:06I'll go right to work.
00:23:07What have you got there?
00:23:09Souvenir.
00:23:10I get one at every fire.
00:23:11Mr. Fletcher speaking.
00:23:31Under no condition,
00:23:32ring this phone
00:23:33until you get further
00:23:33instructions from me.
00:23:34Good morning, Mr. Fletcher.
00:23:41Good morning.
00:23:43And who might you be?
00:23:43I'm your new secretary.
00:23:45What happened to the old secretary?
00:23:47Oh, see, that
00:23:48transferred to another apartment.
00:23:50Another what?
00:23:52Oh, I said apartment,
00:23:54but I meant department.
00:23:55Sometimes it's all the same thing,
00:23:57though, isn't it?
00:23:58I suppose you know
00:23:58what your duties are.
00:24:00Oh, mostly.
00:24:00Take the wire off wine bottles.
00:24:03Now, don't tell me
00:24:03it's lovely work
00:24:04if you can get it.
00:24:04Oh, Whitey.
00:24:05Better start opening one right now.
00:24:07I don't see how you stand it.
00:24:09I could never take a thing
00:24:10this early in the morning
00:24:11except orange juice.
00:24:14I don't like oranges.
00:24:15I don't like strawberries.
00:24:18Did they give you a rash?
00:24:21Mr. Fletcher,
00:24:23after all,
00:24:23you ain't my doctor.
00:24:29By the way,
00:24:29did Mr. French tell you
00:24:30that this job
00:24:31was only temporary?
00:24:32Yes, he told me that.
00:24:33Good old French.
00:24:39Gentlemen,
00:24:40the acme fire
00:24:41was started
00:24:41by a man
00:24:42who might easily
00:24:43have been miles
00:24:43away from the scene.
00:24:44My remote control,
00:24:46I suppose.
00:24:47Exactly.
00:24:48All he did
00:24:49was to make
00:24:49a telephone call.
00:24:51How about that, chief?
00:24:52Is anything possible?
00:24:54I've been a fireman
00:24:54for 32 years
00:24:56and I've yet to see
00:24:57anyone start a fire
00:24:58by sticking a nickel
00:24:59in a slot
00:24:59and saying hello.
00:25:01I've all the fantastic stories.
00:25:03If you gentlemen
00:25:03will pardon me
00:25:04while I make a phone call,
00:25:05I'll try and convince you
00:25:06of my statement.
00:25:08Presently.
00:25:09What am I to do
00:25:10with this?
00:25:14Mr. Fletcher speaking.
00:25:16Connect me with
00:25:17the board of directors' room.
00:25:18What's he talking about,
00:25:19Mason?
00:25:20You, Mr. Fletcher.
00:25:22Hello?
00:25:25What is it?
00:25:25What's happening?
00:25:26Get some water!
00:25:27Get some water!
00:25:28Well, what are you waiting for,
00:25:29chief?
00:25:29Somebody to ring a bell?
00:25:31Stand aside, man.
00:25:31I've got it.
00:25:37Nice going, chief.
00:25:37And that, gentlemen,
00:25:40is how the Acme fire
00:25:41was started.
00:25:42Sit down.
00:25:43Sit down.
00:25:43Find yourselves, boys.
00:25:44Mulligan's got everything
00:25:45under control.
00:25:47Your fires were started
00:25:48by a firebug
00:25:49who posed as a telephone repairman.
00:25:51In every single case,
00:25:52he has shown up
00:25:52the day before the fire,
00:25:53gotten into the building,
00:25:55tinkered with the telephone
00:25:55equipment,
00:25:56and hooked up a chemical charge
00:25:57that exploded
00:25:58when he called the number back
00:25:59on Saturday or Sunday
00:26:00when there was no one
00:26:01there to answer.
00:26:02Why didn't it explode
00:26:03when other calls came in?
00:26:04Oh, he blocked that
00:26:05by telling the operator
00:26:06that the phone was temporarily
00:26:07out of order,
00:26:08and he hooked it up
00:26:09on a direct line.
00:26:10And now what happens,
00:26:11mastermind?
00:26:12All the other companies
00:26:13that we insure
00:26:14have been notified
00:26:14to watch for a man
00:26:15who comes in to fix the phones.
00:26:17And the next time he shows up,
00:26:19we'll grab him
00:26:19with the goods.
00:26:20Before the fire starts.
00:26:21Exactly.
00:26:23Is that clear, gentlemen?
00:26:24I think so.
00:26:25Now all we have to do
00:26:26is to keep our mouths shut.
00:26:27A tough assignment.
00:26:31Very clever trick.
00:26:32Yeah?
00:26:33I handled my fires very well.
00:26:36Oh, I'd love to have seen it.
00:26:41It sounds better than a show.
00:26:42It was a show.
00:26:44The phone rang,
00:26:44and from then on,
00:26:45it was like a farce.
00:26:45You should have seen
00:26:46those directors hop.
00:26:47Were they surprised?
00:26:48I mean, when he proved
00:26:49to them there was a phone call
00:26:50that started the fires?
00:26:51Were they?
00:26:52Their mouths opened
00:26:52so wide they could have
00:26:53swallowed baseballs,
00:26:54and Mulligan was the funniest.
00:26:56Tom Fletcher is clever,
00:26:57isn't he?
00:26:58To figure that out
00:26:59from a tiny clue.
00:27:01Well, I did the detail work
00:27:02on it.
00:27:03My congratulations
00:27:05to you, too, then.
00:27:07Well, where did we get our man?
00:27:09Did they get a description
00:27:10of the man?
00:27:13No.
00:27:13You've seen changing the phone,
00:27:14but nobody paid much attention
00:27:15to him.
00:27:17I'm betting on Tom Fletcher,
00:27:19though, and you, too, of course.
00:27:20Say, how about forgetting
00:27:21Tom Fletcher for a while
00:27:23and having dinner with me?
00:27:25We'll run up into the country.
00:27:26I'm awfully sorry, John,
00:27:27but I can't.
00:27:29For the date?
00:27:30Yes, and one I can't
00:27:32very well break.
00:27:33Would you if you could?
00:27:35I think I would.
00:27:41Personal column, please.
00:27:42Yes, ma'am.
00:27:44That's 56 cents a line
00:27:46for one day only,
00:27:47and a special four-day rate
00:27:48at 48 cents.
00:27:50Four days.
00:28:30Good morning, Noah.
00:28:58Good morning, sir.
00:28:59We're having a guest
00:29:00for breakfast, a young lady.
00:29:01She ought to be ringing
00:29:01the doorbell at any moment.
00:29:02Yes, I see.
00:29:03But she mustn't see
00:29:03our picture gallery.
00:29:05Oh.
00:29:06You've taken down
00:29:07the photograph of Miss Wilson,
00:29:08Miss Dale,
00:29:09Miss Moore,
00:29:09and Miss Broderick.
00:29:10Yes, sir.
00:29:10All gone.
00:29:11I put away.
00:29:12A young lady, she...
00:29:13She's most unusual, Noah,
00:29:14but she has faults.
00:29:15Her nose turns up too sharply,
00:29:16her eyes are the wrong shade of blue,
00:29:17and sometimes in a serious moment
00:29:18she seems a little cloudy
00:29:19in the belfry.
00:29:20I don't know.
00:29:20There's something about her.
00:29:21But with all those faults,
00:29:22you still invite her
00:29:23over to Sunday breakfast.
00:29:24Well, well,
00:29:25you got here early,
00:29:25didn't you?
00:29:26Your powers of deduction
00:29:27are marvelous.
00:29:28I feel very flattered
00:29:29to be leading the field.
00:29:30Noah, why didn't you tell me
00:29:31that Miss Martin was here?
00:29:32Oh, I tried to very hard, sir.
00:29:34You talk too fast.
00:29:35That's what I said.
00:29:36You shouldn't creep up
00:29:37on people like that.
00:29:38It's a habit.
00:29:38You must break yourself up.
00:29:39I'll try very hard.
00:29:41Mmm, strawberries and champagne.
00:29:43And very good, too.
00:29:44It's an old family custom,
00:29:45started by my
00:29:46great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
00:29:47Give.
00:29:48I hate to admit it, sir,
00:29:54but you're a master dunker.
00:29:55I shall carry the memory
00:29:56of this luscious treat
00:29:57with me forever.
00:29:58Dunking is a noble custom,
00:29:59my good lady.
00:30:00It quickens the eyes,
00:30:01steadies the hand,
00:30:01pleases the palate,
00:30:02and greatly improves
00:30:03the flavor of the strawberry.
00:30:08But suppose this insidious fruit
00:30:10were to mark me.
00:30:11Ah, a strawberry mark
00:30:12on your pretty shoulder
00:30:13and you'd be the missing
00:30:13princess of Jorgenstein
00:30:14for the Balkan kingdom waiting.
00:30:16Sorry, I don't care for some.
00:30:17I've seen the Balkan.
00:30:19Oh, you've been around,
00:30:20haven't you?
00:30:20I'm Adrian of the Adriatic,
00:30:22leaving me with my secret.
00:30:24By the way,
00:30:25just what is your secret?
00:30:28Are you always
00:30:29this disagreeable at breakfast?
00:30:31Oh, no.
00:30:31Some mornings
00:30:32I don't eat breakfast at all.
00:30:38I want to ask you
00:30:38just one question.
00:30:41Remember,
00:30:41you don't have to answer it.
00:30:42That's what I said.
00:30:44Someplace in your
00:30:45dark and shrouded past,
00:30:46there ain't been
00:30:47no wedding bells.
00:30:48Has there, little gal?
00:30:49No, chief.
00:30:50Nary a tinkle.
00:30:52That's all I want
00:30:52to hear, darling.
00:30:54Because there ain't
00:30:54been none of mine either.
00:30:56And it's high time.
00:31:00There go your wedding bells,
00:31:01now.
00:31:02That's why I call
00:31:03up the irritator.
00:31:06Something's coming up.
00:31:08Sorry, Noah.
00:31:08What's going on?
00:31:11Where is it?
00:31:12Wall, left and west.
00:31:13Madison Littwood's company.
00:31:15Right on schedule, too.
00:31:16What's going on?
00:31:24All right.
00:31:35Hurry,igh.
00:31:36Hi.
00:31:37Come on.
00:31:38We're out.
00:31:38Then we're going.
00:31:39All right.
00:31:40Are you ready?
00:31:43Fine!
00:31:53Quite a fire, isn't it?
00:31:55It ought to be a corker. That's my reputation going up in smoke.
00:31:59Oh, here. Take this badge and go where you like. I've got a little work to do.
00:32:10Now, Molly, don't feel so badly about it. Tell me what happened.
00:32:13Oh, Mr. Fletcher, I'm that distressed with it. I'll take my sacred oath
00:32:17that no person, telephone man or anyone else went in that building since it's closed.
00:32:22Was there anyone at all around here last night?
00:32:24It being Saturday, there was a straggler or two, no more.
00:32:28Then a few came and went to the garage.
00:32:31Then there was an old duck in a long overcoat.
00:32:36A man?
00:32:37On me oath, I couldn't say. The coat came to the ankles.
00:32:42Struck me funny wearing an overcoat at this time of year.
00:32:48Yeah.
00:33:07That don't look much like a skylight now.
00:33:15Send me a glove.
00:33:19Come on, boys. Put some water on that stuff. Let's get a look at things.
00:33:37Hey, that's my glove.
00:33:42Well, you've got another one.
00:33:43Sure, but I've got two hands.
00:33:45You'll need them if you ever take up the saxophone.
00:33:52One of the finest glasses for its purpose.
00:33:54Concentrated light and electrotherapy.
00:33:56Thinnest magnifying glass ever made.
00:33:59Who manufactures it?
00:34:00Nobody now.
00:34:01The Maxwell Glass Company used to make it, but their factory's gone out of business.
00:34:06Who owned the factory?
00:34:07An inventor named Maxwell.
00:34:09Fred Maxwell and his wife.
00:34:11She was a very fine chemist.
00:34:14Are they still here?
00:34:15That I couldn't tell you.
00:34:17Much obliged.
00:34:18Send your bill to my office.
00:34:19Oh, I'll do that all right.
00:34:21Good morning.
00:34:27Good morning.
00:34:28Good morning.
00:34:30I'm Miss Appleby.
00:34:32Your story interests me.
00:34:33Proceed.
00:34:35I'm your new secretary.
00:34:36Oh, what happened to the old man?
00:34:38Mr. French is planning to give you a new secretary every three or four days.
00:34:42Good old French.
00:34:43Miss Appleby, can you open a bottle of wine?
00:34:46I've never tried.
00:34:47I disapprove of the use of stimulants in any manner.
00:34:50Shape or form.
00:34:51I know.
00:34:52Miss Appleby, take a letter, please.
00:34:56To Mr. French, the general manager.
00:34:58Esteemed sir, in the future, please don't reach so far down into the bottom of the barrel.
00:35:06Will that be all?
00:35:07I'm optimistic enough to hope that it will be all.
00:35:10And that, gentlemen, is how the Madison fire started.
00:35:23Here, Chief.
00:35:24Put this out, will you?
00:35:25Mr. French.
00:35:27They removed a pane of glass from the skylight and substituted a piece of optical glass.
00:35:31They placed it at such an angle so that the sun's rays would hit it about 11.30.
00:35:34And you'll see what happened.
00:35:35The goods which had been chemically treated were ignited.
00:35:38Did it take you a whole week to find that out?
00:35:40No, but it took me six days and nights in the laboratory to find out what this was.
00:35:45A non-evaporating chemical which bursts into flames.
00:35:48Did you discover the formula?
00:35:50I did.
00:35:52But it goes to the archives of the Department of Justice in Washington tonight.
00:35:56Seems that you boys talk too much.
00:35:58Explain that remark, please.
00:36:00Gladly.
00:36:01We're the only ones who know about the telephone hookup.
00:36:03That bit of knowledge leaked out.
00:36:05And warned the firebug to change its methods.
00:36:07What's the next step, then?
00:36:08Frankly, I don't know.
00:36:11First time I ever heard you say that.
00:36:14I'm sort of on a blind trail.
00:36:16The company that made this glass went out of business seven or eight years ago.
00:36:19The Maxwell Glass and Instrument Company.
00:36:21Owned by Fred Maxwell.
00:36:23I remember that company.
00:36:24Well, you ought to.
00:36:25You broke it.
00:36:26We refused Maxwell alone, on your advice.
00:36:28Oh, yes.
00:36:29I remember now.
00:36:30We got a bad report on him and he swore to get revenge.
00:36:33And it wound up in a big shoot against one of our other companies.
00:36:37I think I recall that case.
00:36:39Yeah.
00:36:40Don't strain yourselves, lads.
00:36:41You remember enough.
00:36:42Come on, Johnny.
00:36:43We've got a little knitting to do.
00:36:44The rest of you are dismissed.
00:36:45School's out.
00:36:50Better dig into the files on that Maxwell case.
00:36:52Get what you can on it and bring it to my apartment tonight.
00:36:55All right, I'll get right on it.
00:36:56See you around seven.
00:36:57Say, Tom.
00:36:58There's something you ought to know.
00:37:00Yeah?
00:37:01Not far away.
00:37:02Well, somebody else knew about that telephone set up.
00:37:05I accidentally talked about it myself.
00:37:08To whom?
00:37:09Adrian.
00:37:10Adrian?
00:37:11How did you happen to do that?
00:37:13Well, to be perfectly frank with you, Tommy, I've grown pretty fond of her.
00:37:17We were having a drink together, and I told it more as a joke than anything else.
00:37:21It's foolish of me, I suppose, but she won't let it go any further.
00:37:24We know that.
00:37:26John, when your mouth's closed, you can't put your foot in it.
00:37:30Remember that.
00:37:31You'd better get to work on that Maxwell case.
00:37:47Miss Martin, latest edition, just out.
00:37:49Thank you, Charles.
00:37:50Thank you, Charles.
00:37:51Thank you, Charles.
00:37:54Thank you, Charles.
00:38:26Open the building thoroughly. I'm going back to the barn.
00:38:37Well, well. One false alarm right after another.
00:38:40This one ought to be easy for you.
00:38:42All you got to do this time is to find out who started something that didn't happen.
00:38:48Too bad they had to wake you up, Chief.
00:38:56Oh, hello, boss.
00:39:09Did you turn in that alarm?
00:39:10No, I didn't know anything about it until I heard the sirens.
00:39:12Anybody wise to you?
00:39:13No, they think I'm a regular watcher.
00:39:15Keep your eyes open. This false alarm may be something new.
00:39:17I'll be careful, sir.
00:39:18I'll help you across the street.
00:39:27What did you turn in that alarm for?
00:39:28I didn't turn in. It was a woman.
00:39:30A woman?
00:39:31Yeah, I got a license number.
00:39:35Are you sure it was a woman?
00:39:36You think I'm blind?
00:39:37Yes, sir?
00:40:02I'm from the insurance company. Where's Miss Martin's car?
00:40:05Right there, beyond the second column.
00:40:06All right. Thanks.
00:40:36I represent an insurance company, madam.
00:40:39Have you given a thought of the future to your old age?
00:40:41Insurance is not a very pleasant, but it's a very vital subject.
00:40:44You interest me, sir.
00:40:45Won't you step in and show me some of your samples?
00:40:48I was in the neighborhood, so I thought I might buy a drink.
00:40:50Well, I'm just having some tea.
00:40:52Will you drink that?
00:40:53Well, if I must, I must.
00:40:56Working hard?
00:40:57No.
00:40:58There hasn't been a thing doing.
00:40:59Oh, I thought I heard fire engines go by a little while ago.
00:41:02Go by? Where?
00:41:03The hotel here.
00:41:04What time did you get back?
00:41:06Oh, I haven't been out.
00:41:07As a matter of fact, I was taking a nap, and the engines woke me up.
00:41:11Lemon?
00:41:12Thanks.
00:41:13Oh, it's probably a little far someplace.
00:41:15Would you like me to call and see?
00:41:16Oh, no, no.
00:41:17Anything important. They let me know.
00:41:18Why did you ask me if I'd been out?
00:41:24I thought I saw your car parked in front of the Biltmore.
00:41:27Oh, Mike, I haven't been out of the garage all day.
00:41:30You think I'd be running around like this?
00:41:32You're a terrible detective.
00:41:36I'm beginning to think so myself.
00:41:38Well, if we're going out tonight, I'd better run along and dress.
00:41:41All right.
00:41:42And I'll try very hard to make myself beautiful.
00:41:44Ah, it wouldn't be hard.
00:41:47Thanks for the tea.
00:41:48I hope it doesn't make you sick.
00:41:49No, I've been on a liquid diet for a long time.
00:42:00Good evening, Noah.
00:42:01Good evening.
00:42:02Mr. Fletcher in?
00:42:04Yes, sir.
00:42:04Go right in, please.
00:42:05Come on in here, John.
00:42:08What did you find out about Maxwell?
00:42:10Well, here's the story.
00:42:13Eight years ago, he owned the Maxwell glass company.
00:42:16Things got to looking bad.
00:42:17He tried to float loans.
00:42:19The bank turned him down.
00:42:20He'd done a lot of business with interoceanics, so he came to our board of directors.
00:42:24Imagine having to go to a bunch of buzzers like that for anything.
00:42:27He held a million dollar insurance policy.
00:42:29Couldn't he borrow on that?
00:42:30He already had.
00:42:32About a hundred thousand.
00:42:33So, when they turned him down for another hundred thousand, he laughed at them and swore he'd get even.
00:42:38Ah, it gets better.
00:42:39Yeah, that's what I thought till I learned he'd committed suicide to make them pay the million.
00:42:43Ah, tough way to get even.
00:42:46But, the company didn't pay off.
00:42:49Any lawsuit?
00:42:50Sure, they produced a suicide note.
00:42:52The clothes that were found on the dock, the man who saw him jump overboard.
00:42:55And no corpus delecti.
00:42:56Right.
00:42:58And the company beat the widow and orphans out of another million.
00:43:01How like the boys.
00:43:02Widow and orphan.
00:43:04One daughter named Adeline.
00:43:06And that's as far as I was able to get today.
00:43:10Adeline Maxwell.
00:43:11I guess that's far enough, John.
00:43:15I remember, all this took place seven years ago.
00:43:17I haven't had time to check up in the last section.
00:43:19Yeah, we'll get to that tomorrow.
00:43:20Oh, uh, here, uh, here are two tickets to the music box.
00:43:23A very charming young lady of your acquaintance is waiting to be taken there tonight.
00:43:26Adeline?
00:43:28She's expecting you.
00:43:29Yeah, well, tell her I'm busy.
00:43:30Something's sudden.
00:43:31Are you drunk?
00:43:31Not yet.
00:43:33Well, thanks very much.
00:43:34Say, I'll, I'll have to run along and dress, won't I?
00:43:36Yeah, drop in after the theater.
00:43:37Something came up, all of a sudden, he had to take care of, and there's the story in a nutshell.
00:43:43Very nice, if you like nutshells.
00:43:45But what's he supposed to be doing, looking for the firebox?
00:43:47Ah, young lady.
00:43:49But Fletcher is too, nobody knows.
00:44:00Music box.
00:44:07What's he supposed to be doing, looking for the firebox?
00:44:37Say, what's the idea of all that noise?
00:44:58What's that?
00:44:58Shut that thing off.
00:44:59Yes.
00:45:00I've driven 600 miles today, and I've got to have some sleep.
00:45:06Can't you read that sign?
00:45:07Oh, I'm very sorry, sir.
00:45:09Stay out of this hallway, or I'll complain to the manager.
00:45:11Yes, sir.
00:45:14Now, you see what you've done?
00:45:16You've made me lock myself out.
00:45:18Oh, that's all right.
00:45:19I'll let you in, sir.
00:45:23Now, be careful about this.
00:45:25Yes, sir.
00:45:25Now, be careful about this.
00:45:55Now, be careful about this.
00:45:56Now, be careful about this.
00:45:56I'm gonna be careful about this.
00:46:10Now, we'll be careful about this.
00:46:15Wait.
00:47:47Mr. Fletcher, into Oceanic.
00:48:09Hi, Mr. Fletcher.
00:48:13All right. Come on. Come on. Come on.
00:48:16Somebody hurt?
00:48:17Yes, it was a watchman.
00:48:18Just a moment, doctor.
00:48:30Hello, Sam.
00:48:32Hello, boss.
00:48:33What happened?
00:48:34I pushed the time clock at eight and it blew up in my face.
00:48:38Better not talk anymore.
00:48:39Now bring me a drink.
00:49:01Yes, sir.
00:49:05Wait a minute. Change my mind.
00:49:07Bring me several drinks.
00:49:08Yes, sir.
00:49:13Good evening, Noah.
00:49:14Good evening, Noah.
00:49:15Good evening.
00:49:15Mr. Fletcher in?
00:49:17Yes, sir.
00:49:17Come in. Come in.
00:49:24Do you know about this?
00:49:25Know all about it. All about it.
00:49:27Sit down and keep very quiet.
00:49:31What in the world are you trying to do, Tom?
00:49:33Play a song.
00:49:34This is a new instrument.
00:49:35I invented myself out of an octave of old champagne.
00:49:41This is no time to be drunk.
00:49:42You're telling me?
00:49:43But what about the fire?
00:49:45Shh.
00:49:45I told you.
00:49:47Know all about the fire.
00:49:48All about it.
00:49:52I know something you don't know.
00:49:54Come on, Tom. Snap out of it.
00:49:55No, no.
00:49:56She wants to know about fires.
00:49:58You know what happens to little girls who play with fire?
00:50:03They get burned.
00:50:05What happens to little girls who tell lies?
00:50:08What happens?
00:50:09Terrible things.
00:50:10Nobody likes them.
00:50:11Oh, very bad.
00:50:12Very bad.
00:50:13I better take Adrienne home.
00:50:14No.
00:50:15I'll stay.
00:50:20My name's Tommy Fletcher.
00:50:21What's yours?
00:50:23What's your name?
00:50:24Don't be silly.
00:50:25We all know her name.
00:50:27That's the funniest thing I ever heard of.
00:50:28We all know her name.
00:50:29I know her name.
00:50:31Funny when people change their names,
00:50:33they always keep the same initial.
00:50:34Adrian Martin, Adeline Maxwell.
00:50:37That's your name.
00:50:38Adeline Maxwell.
00:50:40And I know your father's name.
00:50:42Tom, what are you trying to do?
00:50:45And I know your mother's name, too.
00:50:48What's behind all this, Tom?
00:50:49Darling, I couldn't start to tell you.
00:50:51Because if I did, there isn't time enough for me to go through.
00:50:56Why do you go to all the fires?
00:50:58You won't tell me?
00:51:00All right, then tell me this.
00:51:02Why won't you tell me?
00:51:04I can't.
00:51:05You don't trust me.
00:51:07How did you happen to know where the fires were going to be?
00:51:09Oh, please.
00:51:10Wait a minute.
00:51:10Wait a minute.
00:51:11Why did you turn on that alarm today?
00:51:13Two hours before the fires started.
00:51:16Tell me that.
00:51:17I can't.
00:51:18But I'm your friend.
00:51:19Bless my heart and hope to die on him.
00:51:21Maybe I can help you.
00:51:23Maybe I'm trying to help you.
00:51:24I know about the whole business.
00:51:26How your mother was cheated and your father was...
00:51:28Tom!
00:51:28Can't you see what you...
00:51:30Shh!
00:51:31It all fits together in little pieces.
00:51:34You tell me, and I'll tell you.
00:51:36Don't you understand?
00:51:38I can't tell you!
00:51:39If you don't tell me now, you'll never want to tell me.
00:51:41Never!
00:51:42But you've got to tell somebody about this sometime.
00:51:46I think I'd better go.
00:51:48No, you can't go.
00:51:49Somebody wait to see you.
00:51:56You Adeline Maxwell?
00:51:58Yes.
00:52:00I place you under arrest on the charge of arson.
00:52:02This is Mr. Cope, the district attorney.
00:52:05We'll go to his office now if you're ready.
00:52:10I'm ready.
00:52:17Adeline.
00:52:21I'm going with you.
00:52:22John, please keep out of this.
00:52:28Do you realize what you're doing, Fletcher?
00:52:40Imitating a drunk.
00:52:41Imitating?
00:52:41You're as drunk as a fool.
00:52:43No, I'm not.
00:52:43I didn't want her to think I could do a thing like that sober.
00:52:48Well, drunk or sober, it's a terrible thing to do.
00:52:50Listen to me, John.
00:52:52I know who the pyromaniac is.
00:52:54Are you trying to tell me that Adeline...
00:52:55I'll never tell you anything about Adeline that would hurt you, John.
00:52:58Because it would hurt me just as much.
00:53:00Now, I want you to go right out and get on the trail of Mrs. Maxwell.
00:53:02Mrs. Francis Maxwell, widow of Fred J. Maxwell.
00:53:05Check up on every lead and get a good description of her.
00:53:08Adeline's mother?
00:53:09Yes, she's the pyromaniac.
00:53:11Her motive is revenge.
00:53:12The company broke and robbed her and sent her husband to his death.
00:53:15What happens to Adeline?
00:53:15What happens when any mother sees her daughter's in danger?
00:53:17I'm banking on that.
00:53:19She'll come out of hiding to protect Adeline.
00:53:21I'm going back to the office.
00:53:22Get what you can and bring it by there.
00:53:23Well, John, what did you find out?
00:53:31Plenty.
00:53:32Swell.
00:53:32Did you get a description of the mother?
00:53:34Perfect.
00:53:35One last scene.
00:53:36She weighed 135 pounds, 45 years old, gray hair, brown eyes, five feet tall.
00:53:41Here's a picture.
00:53:43That'll make it easy.
00:53:44I'll have a thousand copies made tomorrow morning.
00:53:46Yeah, that'll be great.
00:53:47We'll crack this case by tomorrow night.
00:53:49What else did you find out?
00:53:50Mrs. Maxwell died eight months ago.
00:53:53What?
00:53:56She's dead.
00:53:57She died before the first fire was ever started.
00:53:59She was buried in France, where they lived.
00:54:01Are you sure?
00:54:02Positive.
00:54:03Aren't you?
00:54:05What do you mean?
00:54:06What are you imitating now, Fletcher?
00:54:08A man who's surprised?
00:54:14You framed that girl.
00:54:15You're wrong about that, Grayson.
00:54:17Anybody ever tell you what a low-on, principled cad you are?
00:54:20Lots of times, but go ahead, or it'll make you feel any better.
00:54:22You'd crucify your best friend to solve a case.
00:54:24Go on, get it out of your system.
00:54:26All right, Fletcher, here it is.
00:54:27I've worked for you and rooted for you up to tonight,
00:54:29but from now on, I'm against you every foot of the way.
00:54:32Youist of Stratts and has lost you.
00:54:32He's in pain already, Kevin.
00:54:37No, youника't God.
00:54:37No, you don't, you're right.
00:54:39Nothingesh, no, you're right.
00:54:39Oh, I'm against you.
00:54:40Hello.
00:54:52Hello, Travis Detective Agency.
00:54:54This is Fletcher.
00:54:56I want you to send a man out to shadow John Grayson.
00:55:00Yeah, lives at the Cornell Arms.
00:55:01That's the one.
00:55:03Oh, nothing much.
00:55:05Just got a hunch that he does better imitations than I do.
00:55:10Look, I want that Maxwell girl sprung.
00:55:19What's the point?
00:55:20The point is I've missed on the case.
00:55:21That's why she won't talk.
00:55:22She knows nothing about it.
00:55:24I made a wrong guess.
00:55:25Go on, tell me some more.
00:55:27Now look, I'll take the rap with the newspaper boys or anybody else.
00:55:31I built the case against that girl deliberately.
00:55:33Out of nothing.
00:55:34Planted the evidence.
00:55:35Framed her.
00:55:36The whole thing's a mistake.
00:55:38But it isn't my mistake.
00:55:40Everybody knows you're stuck on this girl, but be reasonable, Tom.
00:55:44Why, the case is spread all over the front pages.
00:55:46Public opinion demands a trial.
00:55:48Now, if you can go out and convince the voters who put me in office that the girl is innocent,
00:55:53I'll spring her tomorrow.
00:55:54Can I see her?
00:55:56You know better than that.
00:55:57She's in arson arrest.
00:55:58Held incommunicado in the psychopathic ward?
00:56:00That's right.
00:56:01I can't even see her myself until the alienists complete a report on her mental condition.
00:56:06Grayson's been around trying to see her, too.
00:56:08I had to turn him down.
00:56:09Even the newspaper boys can't talk to her.
00:56:11It's only fair to warn you, Cope, that some way or other I'm going to spring that girl.
00:56:15There's only one way that you can spring her and that's to go out and find me the real pyromaniac.
00:56:19Well, well, well, well, look who's here.
00:56:23I'm just going to send the boys out to find you.
00:56:25Well, Chief, what's on your so-called mind this morning?
00:56:29We policemen may look dumb, but you shouldn't try to pull the oldest gag in the world on us.
00:56:33Look at this.
00:56:35All wrapped up in cellophane.
00:56:37Yeah, he said it.
00:56:38With love and kisses.
00:56:40Tom, love is blind, but the jailer's ain't.
00:56:43Now, here's an apple.
00:56:45All you have to do is pull the stem and inside is a little note.
00:56:51It's got whiskers on it and tried by a man who calls himself smart.
00:56:55I'm surprised.
00:56:55But listen to this.
00:56:58A. I got you into this and I'll get you out.
00:57:03Love.
00:57:04F. Old man remorse.
00:57:06She's been telling me the same thing.
00:57:08You guys are pretty smart, aren't you?
00:57:10Tom, on behalf of the guards at the county jail and the police department,
00:57:14I want to present you with this as a token of our love and affection.
00:57:18And you can either eat it yourself or return it and get your money back.
00:57:22And let this be a lesson to you, Tom.
00:57:25You'll have to hand it to you, Fletcher.
00:57:27You're a good judge of fruit.
00:57:28Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.
00:57:39All right, sir.
00:57:40Yes, sir.
00:57:41I'll take care of that.
00:57:41Fletcher, you're getting in my hair.
00:57:47It's a good thing I'm not twins.
00:57:49There wouldn't be room enough.
00:57:50That's not funny.
00:57:51Did I ask you?
00:57:52What does this fellow John Harmon look like?
00:57:54Hmm, slender, oldish fellow, about 60.
00:57:58Psychopathic ward?
00:57:59Yeah.
00:58:00And if they ever catch up with you, that's where you'll be.
00:58:04That's what I said.
00:58:09Over here is the woman's observation ward.
00:58:11And here's the men's observation ward.
00:58:13And this is a big yard in between with a wire fence running through.
00:58:15You sure?
00:58:16Say, this joint is practically the old homestead to me.
00:58:19I don't want to tell you something else, fellow.
00:58:21It's the oldest there in the country.
00:58:22Well, they could sell it to an antique dealer that's got so many wormholes.
00:58:25If a fire broke out, where would it be likely to start?
00:58:28Well, the paint shop would be about the best place.
00:58:31You see, when you're outside having your exercise, you can get into the paint shop there.
00:58:35And above the paint shop is the laundry where they clean the uniforms.
00:58:39Yeah, yeah.
00:58:40You're a sense to start a fire in the paint shop.
00:58:42That'd be about the best place.
00:58:44Give me a cigar, brother.
00:58:56Look at me, what kind?
00:58:57Five-center.
00:59:06Say, a man's following me.
00:59:08Do you know where I can find a policeman?
00:59:09Why, no.
00:59:10I wouldn't know.
00:59:11Well, I'll find one.
00:59:12And when I do, I'll have you arrested for impersonating an officer.
00:59:21Can you tell me where I can find a policeman?
00:59:23What?
00:59:23Woman without an umbrella.
00:59:25Across the street.
00:59:25There she was.
00:59:26Fifth Avenue.
00:59:26Streetcar.
00:59:27John pulled the gun.
00:59:28Shot the baby.
00:59:28No ambulance around when he arrived.
00:59:30What do you mean?
00:59:31Well, you dumb flat-foot woman without an umbrella.
00:59:33Johnson Troy shooting fast.
00:59:3445th Street.
00:59:35Kudo fast.
00:59:35Pulled out the gun.
00:59:36Hit the pillow.
00:59:36Shot the baby.
00:59:37No ambulance around when the elephant got there.
00:59:40Are you crazy?
00:59:42Crazy!
00:59:42What's going on, old caddy?
00:59:51This guy's as crazy as a bedbuck.
00:59:53Call the wife.
01:00:01Well, hello, John.
01:00:02What brings you here?
01:00:03Just wanted to congratulate you.
01:00:04You finally got the right man in jail.
01:00:05Sit down.
01:00:07Tell me that again.
01:00:09Maxwell Case.
01:00:10Fletcher's your man, all right.
01:00:12Say, wait a minute, son.
01:00:13You're going too fast for me.
01:00:14You don't have to cover up with me, Coke.
01:00:15He's in the county jail being held for observation.
01:00:17That's where he belongs.
01:00:19Fletcher?
01:00:20Yeah.
01:00:21How did you find this out?
01:00:22Had him tailed.
01:00:23I suspected him all along.
01:00:26Is that how you figure, John?
01:00:27Why, certainly.
01:00:29And when the case comes up for trial, I'll be right there to testify.
01:00:38Hello.
01:00:39John Harmon.
01:00:40All right, Al.
01:00:43Get in line.
01:00:45Tiberius Jones.
01:00:46All right, Al.
01:00:48Jones, I want you to go out and sit in the sun for a while.
01:00:56Okay, but don't forget, I've got to fight Max Bear tomorrow night.
01:00:58I've got a bet on time.
01:01:03Frank Olsen.
01:01:05All right, Al.
01:01:06I'm tired, old boy.
01:01:08Olsen, you're being allowed in the yard for a little exercise.
01:01:11But don't talk to any of the men.
01:01:12Me?
01:01:13Talk to them?
01:01:14No, sir.
01:01:15They're all crazy.
01:01:18They're all crazy.
01:01:48Come on, take a walk.
01:02:08Good night, my friend.
01:02:09Take a walk.
01:02:18Looking for someone?
01:02:37No.
01:02:38No, of course not.
01:02:48Put her down, Max, while you're through.
01:03:06You think so, do you?
01:03:07You think so.
01:03:18You think so?
01:03:38Come on, come on.
01:03:46Come on!
01:03:47Let's go.
01:04:17Let's go.
01:04:47Well, that's one on me.
01:04:50I never suspected Maxwell was behind all this.
01:04:53The next two of us.
01:04:54I have a confession to make, Tom.
01:04:56I suspected you.
01:04:57I'm sorry.
01:04:58Well, why be sorry?
01:04:59I suspected you.
01:05:00Yeah, I know, but I had a detective on your trail.
01:05:03Yeah, I found that out.
01:05:04But you weren't really suspicious, John.
01:05:06I had your phone wire tapped, a dictaphone in your apartment,
01:05:09and three Sherlock's tailing you in eight-hour shifts.
01:05:11And it was Maxwell all the time?
01:05:16Unalone and unaided, according to his confession.
01:05:19Right, Cope?
01:05:19Well, it's mighty lucky he lived long enough to tell the true story.
01:05:22If he hadn't, the boys would have arranged to make this place your permanent address.
01:05:26We might yet, unless you tell us how you worked it out, Tom.
01:05:30Well, it was easy, after I tumbled to the fact that there was no real proof of Maxwell's suicide seven years ago.
01:05:35Well, but we found a suicide note, then, and his clothes.
01:05:38But you didn't find the body.
01:05:40Remember that, Chief.
01:05:40If you ever want to commit suicide, leave the body around so we'll be sure.
01:05:45But that didn't lead you to look for him in jail.
01:05:48Well, if I must, I suppose I must.
01:05:50Now, step by step, the girl was in jail.
01:05:54She worked twice as hard as we did to stop her father.
01:05:57Even he had a little humanness.
01:05:58He didn't want his daughter to suffer for something he'd done himself.
01:06:01All right, what was his next move?
01:06:03To get her out of jail.
01:06:04How?
01:06:05By getting in.
01:06:07And once in, he used the weapon he knew so well.
01:06:10Arson.
01:06:10To create confusion and cover their escape.
01:06:14You didn't pick all that out of the air without a single clue, did you?
01:06:17No, I had a clue.
01:06:19Just one.
01:06:21You handed it to me, all wrapped up in cellophane.
01:06:24You see, F stands for Fletcher.
01:06:26But it also stands for Father.
01:06:28F?
01:06:30F?
01:06:30Yeah, that note in the apple.
01:06:33You see, gentlemen, I didn't send that basket of fruit.
01:06:43But you haven't told us where you're going on this extended vacation.
01:06:46Rome.
01:06:47And why Rome?
01:06:48Why don't I know?
01:06:49I've got a couple of theories to work out.
01:06:52You know, I've got a hunch that Nero played the fiddle to cover up.
01:06:55And it was really he who set far to Rome.
01:06:57So I'm going to poke around in the ashes.
01:07:00Goodbye.
01:07:02Goodbye, Tom.
01:07:02And the best of everything to you, always.
01:07:06And to you, John, well.
01:07:09Well, what?
01:07:10Just well.
01:07:12And after that brilliant farewell, he exits to the left.
01:07:14And if you don't mind, I'll exit.
01:07:15Down, please.
01:07:29Where are you going?
01:07:30Rome.
01:07:31Really?
01:07:32Really.
01:07:33I have a theory of my own.
01:07:35Do you think you'll find the answer?
01:07:38In the ashes?
01:07:38I think I will.
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