Don't you sit down you'll need more than mirror tricks now Burdock I guess you're
right crim how'd you know with me a good detective never forgets a voice but you
didn't think I'd come back did you yes I did grim again your voice gave you away I
knew that was you who phoned tonight only you're 30 minutes earlier than I
expected that's where a good detective made a fatal mistake I'm afraid you made
the fatal mistake crim listen to that applause I'll get $50,000 by pray if I
get in there say I got a phone the break stadium
pardon me may I have a light why certainly certainly how did you like the
play I thought it was a massive try quite it was pretty good that's because
you know nothing about criminology neither does the fellow who wrote that
nightmare imagine imagine the detective recognizing the murderer by his voice
no what's wrong with that the man only spoke 10 words before the final scene you
were going to remember mine and week from now could you certainly but your five
dollars you couldn't it's a bet and who's money will I have the honor of
taking oh I'm Bill Devils district attorney I'm afraid so this is going to
be a pleasure and now a guest and fellow members of the pen and pencil club how
would you like to hear a few words from the author whose play you have just
witnessed ladies and gentlemen it gives me a great pleasure to present to you the
celebrated mystery author Paul Ward thank you ladies and gentlemen instead of
making a speech I'm going to ask a man who has an authority on crime to
criticize my play I'm referring to your eminent district attorney mr. William
Devons because of a previous engagement I must rush away and I'm terribly sorry I
won't be able to hear your speech good night everyone
ladies and gentlemen took it long enough to get your wrap now we're going to be
late for the fight now Jake don't talk like a husband remember you're only my
agent Polly that's a great idea will you marry me you could save my 10% yes and
you'd get my 90% no thank you this is a stick out reach part don't try any yell
if you know it's good for you sure this sport Jake after all you two are in
practically the same business only he uses a gun yeah what's his racket he's
my agent I ought to let you have it you're a rat don't shoot here's my wallet
all right you're over against that wall hold it
mr. Devons why didn't you notice me I thought you'd recognize my voice pretty
clever aren't you not nearly as clever as the detective in your play do I get
the fire you know this is very cheap for a lesson in criminology have you a permit
to carry this certainly
you ought to be ashamed of yourself holding up people at the point of a gun
don't you know it's only a matter of time before an officer will come up behind
you and say don't move you're under arrest take it easy old timer I'm a
district attorney yeah and I'm the governor hold out your hands just a
minute tell him who I am he's a dangerous criminal officer do your duty you're
dang cute in a will I guess I know a crook when I see one and cut me to him
lady while I keep him covered with pleasure now wait a minute hold out
your hands please I will not my trigger fingers just it's in young
fellow you better do what she says there and let this be a lesson to you my man
crime does not pay right I don't see why we can't just go in and enjoy the fights
like anyone else publicity famous authorist picks the winner they'll be
photographs of the both of you shaking hands all over the sport pages or the
comic sections well here we are
I told you to stay out of here but I've got to see a coming you can see a man
that's fine if I catch you sneaking around here any more heavy a person I go
on as well as a sensation in the ring one of the last 10 fights by knockouts should
be a great bow yeah I've been carrying me for 20 years you're the first truck
ever put him on I mean the first time I've used him funny me arresting the
district attorney very busy still yes he is here I'll be danged must have filed
a long break this is Nick Nichols your sports commentator broadcasting from
Hollywood Stadium where the semi-windup is just about to start here comes another
celebrity it's that well-known mystery writer Polly Ward or in private life
Ms. Pauline war I wish you could all be here tonight
thank you I bet
the semifinal here
this lovely Al Media beans we can picture star sitting with Let's keep saying you
I think there's more to this in publicity.
I'll bet you're going soft on him.
You just saw it because it's going to beat your fighter tonight.
Maybe it is, and maybe he ain't.
Here comes Ralph Portimer,
a he-man star and he's still wearing dark glasses.
You see Ralph and Ace Cummings were doing a fight scene
for a picture the other day.
Ralph didn't pull his punches,
so Ace let him have one that gave him the prettiest
shine I've ever seen.
Hello, Ralph. Who are you betting on tonight?
Chen.
But Ace is a three-to-one favorite.
I'm still betting on the Chen.
That's nothing to do with that black eye, has it?
That's my business.
Listen, what kind of stakes did you use on it?
Run along, Nick. You're not being funny.
Oh, come on. Tell us. What does a star use?
Billy Mignon or just plain round stakes?
This is Nick Pickles broadcasting for the back of his deck
on the floor, where Ralph Portimer just pushed him.
Ralph seems to be a little touchy about that black eye,
but I guess he can't blame him.
Everybody's been rubbing him about it.
Welcome to Chen Madison with Ace Cummings now.
Won't be long now.
Please, let's give him a good fight.
May the best man win.
There ain't no question in your mind who the best man is,
is there?
I hope you kill him, champ.
Come on.
Now, champ Madison can beat Ace Cummings tonight.
His title should be secure for a long time
because Ace is his only threat.
Hello? Hello, this is Nick.
What?
Oh, that's too bad.
It's only to do it.
Up there.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I have some sad news for you.
A few minutes ago in a New York hospital,
that great heavyweight fighter of yesterday, Joe McHugh,
passed away.
In reverence to that great fighter,
friends and gentlemen,
I'm going to have the house like dim
while we count Joe McHugh out for the first and last time.
What happened?
There's somebody over there.
What's the matter?
Somebody grabbed me by the leg.
Well, don't look at me, lady.
Oh, it's Dusty again.
Hey, that's funny smelling perfume you're using.
Yeah, you liked it low enough last night.
What is that, the cue you're holding?
Say, this is a four-bit cigar.
Ladies and gentlemen,
this is the main event of the evening.
Ten rounds of boxing,
the champion at 198 Tommy Madison.
And in this corner, we have at 201 the challenger,
Ace Tommy.
Take him out!
Dr. Carly! Dr. Carly!
The Cummings are still on the canvas, folks,
for the first time in his career as a fighter.
Oh, it looks bad.
Just a bit of a try to find out what happened.
Come on, we ought to get out of here.
Wait, folks. Wait a minute.
Yes, I just got a nod from the doctor here.
Ace Cummings is dead, and it looks like murder.
Quiet, please! Keep your seat!
Quiet, please! Keep your seat!
Not so fast, sister.
But I've got to get out. I've got to.
No, not till the police come, you don't.
Come back to your seat now.
They tuned to this station, friends,
for scoop news on the stadium murder.
This is Nick Nichols, your sports commentator.
You going down there? I have not.
Are you supposed to?
I'm not going anywhere until I get rid of these handcuffs.
Oh, shit.
I kind of thought I might get in on the excitement.
Never mind the excitement.
Here, file a file.
Here's the latest on the stadium murder case.
Captain Filson with the homicide squad has taken the office upstairs,
and is trying to get to the bottom of things.
But, doctor!
All right. I know it sounds crazy,
but that man was killed by powdered poison being thrown in his face.
Yeah, but what that got...
The moment he touched the mucus membranes of mouth and nose,
he went out like a lake.
Uh, this is a pretty mess.
And 2,000 suspects down there that they can't hold much longer.
I better call the DA.
Flash, the Hollywood stadium.
This is Polly Ward, one of our celebrities of the evening,
has just been arrested and taken up for questioning.
I don't know what they have on her,
but stay tuned in and I'll find out.
Grab that hatchet.
All right, smash it.
Come on, come on, come on. What are you waiting for?
Well, I can't see very good out the reading glasses.
Which one's your wrist?
Give me that hatchet.
Where are you going? The stadium.
Hello, Mr. Devonson. I'm glad you're here.
It's all mine. Remember me?
Sure you do. Well, that's the lady.
Oh, yes, of course. That's Miss Ward, isn't it?
How are you? Very fine, thank you.
Hey, is this guy a suspect?
Hey, you can't pin this murder on me.
I've got an iron-clad alibi.
He's a friend of mine.
Rather a close friend, isn't he?
Oh, oh, these.
I was sure he might have put them on in a hurry.
We found he'd lost the key.
You think any of the boys will have a key
that will fed him or fill some?
Uh, Mason, see what you can do there.
You say you put the handcuffs on him.
Careful, Miss Ward, you're a murder suspect.
Nothing you say will be used against you.
You've got me there, Mr. Devonson.
Remember these keys will work. They're pretty old handcuffs.
Well, I guess you'll have to file them off.
Maybe I can open them for you.
You.
Another five says I can.
It's a bet.
Right here, please.
Oh.
There you are.
I'll take my $5 back, please.
Thank you.
And now shall we, uh, continue with the investigation?
Hey, Mason, take my handcuff.
You don't have to worry about Miss Ward, Philson.
But she knew that Ace was poisoned
before the doctor did.
Uh, she ought to.
She's written enough about the acrid odor of bitter almonds.
The acrid odor of bitter almonds.
Say, that sounds all right. You should have been a writer.
You let the dant of it, will you, please?
Acrid odor.
Come on.
And you, my brave man, may go home.
Home? Nothing doing.
I'm going to solve the murder for you.
I know a crook when I see one.
Well, what do we do now?
Find the murderer.
Standing around here.
Well, how would you go about it?
I? Well, first I'd tell the crowd the doors are locked
and we'll stay locked until the guilty person's caught.
Hmm, hmm.
And you and the sitting would be swamped with lawsuits
for false arrests.
I can't legally hold 2,000 people.
You can't let them go. The murder is among them.
Just, uh, just about where would you say?
In a seat near the ringside.
Listen.
Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.
I've just been authorized to announce
that you can all go home.
Excepting the people in the first three rows.
Three rows!
I'm going to order something to eat.
Eat?
Yes. I was so absorbed in your play
that I forgot all about my dinner.
Hey, what do you expect us to do? Stay here all night?
Well, keep quiet.
We'll let you know as soon as we can.
Come on, friends. Let's make the best of it.
I see, uh, Smiley Burnett.
The motion picture comedian down here.
How about a little entertainment, Smiley?
You got a microphone? Well, thank you very much.
Well, it didn't bring any instrument with me tonight
to sing for you, but I'm going to do the next best thing.
I want to tell you about the Indianapolis Speedway.
There was a fellow there at the races the other day,
had one of these microphones up in the balcony,
and he was broadscattered and sounded something like this.
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
Here we are in Indianapolis, Indiana,
for the big Speedway Classic of the Year.
Yes, so there's 50,000 to 60,000 people out here in the stands.
I wish all you folks out in the air could be here
to see this gigantic classic.
Yes, there's going to be a fine race.
The car's just warming up now. I want to make a few commercial announcements.
Oh, I haven't got time. Here comes car number 61.
That's certainly a fact. Here comes number 35.
Here comes two cars at once.
I don't get the number now.
There's a couple of facts.
Oh, I wish you could see.
Here comes a little midget car by the stand now.
Plant!
Why, that a cute little fella?
Looks like the race ought to be off here any minute now.
Yes, sir.
They're up to the north-west part of the corner of the track.
Ladies and gentlemen, check those flags out here in front.
Here they go by the stand now.
There's the one I bet on.
Ladies and gentlemen,
because of the many phone calls this station has received,
this broadcast will continue throughout the evening,
bringing you the latest developments
in this unusual murder case.
Stay tuned to this station for last minute news and news.
Stay tuned to this station for last-minute news flashes.
I think our little lunch is going to be interrupted.
By whom?
By a man in dark glasses.
There's something I can't figure out.
What?
Whether your eyes are blue or violet.
You'd better stick to your murder case.
Say, what is this?
Dragging me up here like an ordinary criminal.
His father just came up to me and...
I know, officer.
Trying to bribe me to let him go.
What's your hurry, Mr. Mortimer?
Well, I've got to be at the studio at seven o'clock in the morning.
I want to get some sleep.
Are you sure that's your reason?
You don't think I killed these comings, do you?
You got pretty excited tonight when Nick Nichols
kidded you about that black eye.
Why shouldn't I be?
It's all I've heard for a week. It's getting on my nerves.
Now, if you don't mind, I'm leaving.
If you want me, you know where you can find me.
Yes, at the ring side.
I've got to get some sleep, I tell you.
You can sleep in your seat.
You haven't heard the last of this, Mr. District Attorney.
Well, I see you haven't heard the last of it either, Mr. Mortimer.
If you're going to start that again, I'm leaving.
Wait a minute.
You know?
You know, I believe your eyes are blue.
They told me to tell you that I'm leaving.
They told me to tell you the captain wants to see you in the office upstairs.
What are you doing in here?
Snaking, huh?
So you're the one.
You killed him. You killed him.
Why, you...
You're dead.
Shut up.
Shut up. You killed him.
You killed him.
You killed him.
You killed him.
You killed him.
You killed him.
You killed him.
Shut up. I don't shut up. You killed him.
Here, what is this?
Who are you?
I'll tell you who she is.
She's Edna Mayberry, a cast-off girlfriend of Ace's.
She killed him because she was jealous of him.
That's a lie, and she knows it.
She came to his apartment last night and threatened us both.
I caught her in here going to their cabinet.
She was the one Ace threw over.
He was going to tell the newspapers about it.
And she wanted to stop him.
Thought being turned down by a price fighter might hurt your career, Miss Ames?
It's absurd.
Well, then, what were you doing in this room?
Oh, I followed her in here.
She was snooping around looking for something.
Well, I suppose you tell us what you were looking for.
Nothing.
Take charge of her.
I'm sorry I made a scene, Mr. Devons.
I was only trying to help.
You see, I loved Ace.
We were to be married soon.
That's funny.
You may go, Miss Ames.
Have some candy?
No thanks.
All you men think about is eating.
Where'd you get this?
Well, I don't know.
I never saw it before.
Where were you when they turned off the lights?
Well, I was down at the ringside, right at the corner.
Which corner?
The champ's corner.
I remember I had my setting on the floor of the ring.
Come on, I want you to help me.
There's no fingerprints on this.
Captain.
Oh, please, Miss Ward.
You know, we've got works or two here.
The doctor said that...
I'll tell you that gun killed Ace. I know it.
So, you did threaten to kill Ace?
I didn't mean it. Honest, I didn't.
I would have had crazy when I wrote that letter.
No, I looked, Miss Maybray.
If you did do it, why not get it off your mind?
Smarter people than you will try to get away with murder,
but it can't be done. You know that.
I didn't. I tell you, I didn't.
Are you going to make it tough for yourself?
After all, you did write this letter.
And you did come here to get it in order to destroy it.
You realize that there's going to be a lot of trouble
if you don't do it.
I'll tell you.
I don't know what I'm saying,
but I didn't kill him.
Bring him up to the office.
Here's the kid that called me out of the dressing room.
Yeah? Bring him along.
You know you can read all about this thing
in the papers tomorrow morning.
I'll excuse your rudeness, but not your ignorance.
Now, you watch closely,
and I'll show you how the murder was committed.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
I was just demonstrating how Ace was killed.
Huh?
Oh, don't be alarmed. It's only fake powder.
Where'd you get that gun?
In his basket.
I didn't put it there. I never saw it till she found it.
I'm going to soon find out. Book him, too.
No, you can't. He didn't have anything to do with it.
I did it.
Don't you believe him, mister?
She's just trying to protect me. She's my sister.
Well, now we're getting somewhere. Go on, go on.
Well, after what Ace did to her,
I shot him.
I see.
You both killed him, man.
Now let's have the truth.
The truth is neither one of them did a...
I didn't ask you. I'm telling you, I have a theory.
I see. Miss Ward, but you step outside.
You, uh, you folks have an excuse, please?
Uh...
Polly, will you marry me?
Marry you?
Yes.
Then I'd have the legal right to box your ears.
Oh, a wife beater.
No thanks, Mr. Devons.
But I'll give you the solution of this crime
if you'll listen to me.
Oh, got it all figured out, eh?
Yes. Chap Madison dropped that gun in the candy tray
to get rid of it.
Oh, you think the champ killed Ace?
Well, we could have had a better reason.
With Ace out of the way, his title was safe for another year anyway.
See anything unusual about these pictures?
No, except they're not very good likenesses of the champ.
The girl with him isn't bad.
These pictures weren't developed by a camera shop.
They were done at home. See the champ's initials there?
What, uh, what does that prove?
Listen, Mr. District Attorney, Ace was killed with a poison.
It's a little difficult to buy.
They use it in developing pictures.
Well, to make it very clear for you,
if the champ does his own developing,
he's likely to have that poison.
Does that suggest anything?
Well, it might, yes.
But the champ couldn't possibly have killed Ace.
He could, too.
I'll prove it to you if you let me re-enact the crime.
Lights!
Bill! Mr. Devon, the lights!
Turn on the lights!
What's the matter, Polly?
I can't pull the trigger with the boxing gloves on.
I knew that all the time.
Then why'd you let me make a fool of myself?
For $5.
Oh!
You got the pictures, boys?
Let me see them as soon as they're developed.
Uh-huh.
Look at that.
Who's getting ready to shoot somebody?
Get Slatsky. Yes, sir.
There's my permit to carry it.
Get in the air when the joke's quick.
Listen carefully, ladies and gentlemen,
and you'll hear an actual police third degree
brought to you with considerable danger
by your favorite sports reporter.
Well, we can do that gun, Keith.
Help you guys if you needed it.
Thanks.
Don't talk. Get out of here, Nick.
I'll run you in.
Ah, I'm only doing my job.
There's a couple of million people sitting here.
Well, then it's time a couple of million people
went to sleep. Now go on. Beat it.
All right.
Hey, if you guys think that I was jealous
of that Monk Price,
why do you all wrong?
And another thing,
if I was going to kill a man,
I wouldn't use poison.
How did you know it was poison?
Well, he wasn't shot, was he?
And he wasn't stabbed.
You're holding back something, Slatsky.
Oh, am I? Maybe you'll talk in jail.
Take him down and lock him up.
Yeah, but I got a client.
You can call your lawyer in the morning.
Hey, if you think I'm going to spend the night in the can,
you're crazy.
Hey, hey, you come on up and stop.
Open your hands.
Come on, open your hands.
Come on, open your hands.
Let me out of here.
Slatsky got away.
Don't let him get out of the stadium.
Albert Keefe, alias Slatsky,
has just escaped from the Hollywood stadium.
Yeah, he's wanted on suspicion of murder.
No, send out a general alarm.
Here's a description.
Well, folks, it looks as though this case will be closed
when the police find Slatsky.
This is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Keefe,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
and this is Nick Nichols,
your sports commentator,
signing off.
Good night.
How about letting the boys
get a picture of you two together?
Picture?
Sure, publicity.
Mystery writer helps district attorney
sell stadium murder.
Why, it'll sell more books
than our publishers can print.
Do you mind?
Not at all.
We got something.
Come on, boys.
Over here.
Wait for the crowd.
Ah, this is perfect.
Stand right here.
Oh, Mr. Devons, on this side, please.
Yes.
This is it, boys.
Ready?
Cute.
Is this it?
Yes.
This is the only way
it could have got down there.
Well, I suppose
that the union men come with me.
I'm coming too.
You are not.
I'm going to get out of here, and I ain't coming back.
Say that guy ain't a slug nutty as I thought he was.
I'm going to get out of here. Come on, Polly.
I'm staying.
All right. I'm going. Good night.
All right.
Catch hold.
You were stabbed in the back.
Here's what was used.
Slippery of glass.
Pretty clever.
It was right in protected the murder from police.
I'm going to get out of here.
I'm going to get out of here.
I'm going to get out of here.
I'm going to get out of here.
I'm going to get out of here.
Come on, Polly.
It was right in protected the murder from cutting his hand,
and at the same time kept him from leaving any fingerprints.
Yeah, but look.
He did leave a lot of footprints there.
Don't look at that.
No.
Shut off your lights.
Somebody's moving over there.
I got him.
Polly.
She's fainted.
Polly.
Polly, it's all right.
Look, it's me.
It's Bill.
There you are.
Oh, Bill.
The murder frightened me so when he grabbed me.
It was I who grabbed you, Polly.
You?
Yeah.
The very idea of what do you mean jumping on me,
you big bully?
Well, how did I know it was you?
Well, it might be a good idea to look before you leave.
It might be a better idea if you'd stay out of places
when I tell you to.
Look.
There's a man over there by the body.
Put up your hands.
Reach.
It's only me, Devons.
Don't shoot.
This is Nick Nichols, ladies and gentlemen,
standing on the exact spot where someone's stabbed slats
keep with a sharp piece of glass.
I thought I told you to keep out of this investigation.
Oh, I'm not hurting anything.
No.
No.
Look what you've done to the murderer's footprints,
dragging that cord all around.
Get out.
Get out fast.
Okay.
That is the gentle voice of the district attorney, ladies and gentlemen.
He's a very pleasant fellow.
Devons.
Devons.
Come here.
Quick.
Come on.
Dead demeanor.
She's not dead.
Just not unconscious from a blow on the head.
She's coming, too.
Don't.
Don't hit me.
Sure.
Don't.
Don't.
Don't.
Don't.
Don't.
Don't.
Don't hit me.
You're all right now.
What happened?
There were two men and he stabbed him.
Did you see who did it?
No.
It was too dark.
I ran and he hit me.
Are you sure you didn't see?
How could you when he hit her from behind?
Yes, but she was stuck on the far edge, you see.
She may have a skull fracture.
You better take her to the hospital and stay with her.
Why not take her up to my apartment?
I can have my doctor look after her.
I'm sorry, but she's under arrest.
Better call the coroner.
You mean you don't believe her story?
About the two men?
Of course not.
Here's what knocked her out.
She ran into it after stabbing Slat's Keith
in revenge for the murder of her sweetheart.
Well, that girl's as innocent as a baby.
You better arrest her.
She's already arrested.
Those devils, I hate you.
I never want to see you again.
You know perfectly well she wouldn't do
a terrible thing like that.
Good morning.
What brings you round so early?
To remind the innocent, you know what I'm here for.
Toast and coffee?
No.
Edna Mayberry.
Well, good for Edna.
I wonder where she went.
I wonder...
Well, if you think she's here,
you're welcome to search the apartment.
You haven't seen her?
Cross my heart.
All right, I'll take your word for it.
Well, none of that settled.
How about having some toast and coffee?
That's a swell idea.
On second thought, maybe it isn't such a good idea.
After all, you see the maid just left for the day.
Oh, don't let that worry you.
You're looking at the greatest little coffee
and toast maker in the country.
Come on, show me who this stuff is.
Oh, Bill.
Let's stay out of my way.
Oh, Bill, wait.
Maybe I better tell you the truth.
You see, I already have a breakfast date
and I haven't much time to get dressed.
Well, this is a fine.
How do you do?
Invite me to breakfast in one breath
and taking it back in the next.
Oh, well, I'm sorry.
How about a rain check?
I'll settle for two.
OK.
Just, uh, just who is this fellow you're having breakfast with?
No, don't act like a house detective.
You run along and find Edna, if you can.
Why?
He's gone, Edna.
Oh, please forgive me, but the back door was open
and I just had to see you.
Oh, don't let them put me in prison.
Everybody thinks I did it, but...
Oh, what am I going to do?
What am I going to do?
Oh, there, there, don't cry.
I'll help you, but you must help me, too.
Here, sit down.
Now, try to think.
You said you saw two men under the stadium, remember?
Yes.
Now, the second man, the one that was following Keith.
Can you describe him?
No, it was too dark.
Well, was there anything unusual about him?
Did he walk funny or limp or hold his head in an odd way?
Oh, think hard.
Well, yes, there was.
He, uh, he...
Oh, I can't remember.
Make my headache when I try to think.
It'll make my headache if you don't.
Oh, I remember one thing.
I saw Slice Keith slip that Ames woman in envelope.
When was that?
Why, it was when a policeman was taking him to the dressing room.
I remember. Now, I was hiding.
Well, they are Ames.
Now, you stay here and don't answer the phone or the doorbell.
Oh, don't leave me long, please.
Well, there's nothing to be afraid of.
I know, but Mr. Devon's at the police might come and...
Well, please take me with you.
If you don't, I'll...
I'll jump out of the window. That's what I'll do.
I mean it.
All right, all right, but you can't go this way.
Somebody will recognize you.
Here, come upstairs.
Now, remember.
You're my maid and your name's Karola.
Yes, Miss Ward.
I'll tell you about that Southern drawl.
Now, listen.
Yes, Miss Ward. Yes, I won't forget.
Sure enough.
Yes, Miss Ward. I won't forget.
Sure enough.
That's better.
Will you all tell me where I can...
Oh, pardon my Southern accent.
I'd like to see Miss Althea Ames, please.
Have you an appointment?
No, but this is very important.
It's about the stadium murder case.
I'm sorry, Miss Ames won't see anyone.
Oh, Jake.
Oh, Paulie.
Can you get me in the studio?
Why, honey, I can even get you a screen test.
Okay, Ed. Friend of mine.
Come on.
Come along, Caroline.
Yes, ma'am.
Here, I'll be right out.
Come on.
Here.
Come on.
This is Paulie, Bill.
Are you busy?
Of course I'm busy.
Where are you?
I'm in Althea Ames' dressing room at the Regent's studio.
Yes.
What would you give for a clue to the stadium murder?
I'd give you a great big kiss.
Paulie.
Paulie.
Paulie, what's the matter?
Then I saw this figure in the mirror and screamed,
and then he hit me and threw me in the closet.
That's your right.
Do you know what was in the envelope?
No.
I was going to open it in your presence as soon as I had the time to call you.
Get to the studio gate.
No one leaves the lot without being searched.
We've got to find that envelope.
Kill some of you and your men, round up everyone you can find in those hooded outfits.
Did you get that letter?
Sure.
How'd you know?
Never mind.
Just give it to me.
Well, this is from a fight promoter.
Yeah.
He gave me a chance to come back.
I'm the guy with the iron jaw.
Here's another one I found.
Take off your hood, please.
Well, this is a surprise.
Take her down to the station and lock her up.
And this time I mean lock her up.
Oh, have a heart, Bill.
The girl didn't do it.
You know that.
No, listen, Paulie, you're a great girl, a wonderful girl, and I'm crazy about you.
But if you don't stop interfering in my business, I'll break your neck.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
That's all right, lady.
I'll pick them up.
Oh, wait a minute, boy.
I'm looking for a certain envelope, one that's been folded.
Have you it there?
I don't know.
Is this it?
Yes.
Can I have it?
Oh, no.
It's against the law.
This is the mail.
Well, then give me the address from it.
Box 255.
What do you want?
I want to see you, Nichols.
Oh, sorry, boys.
I'm busy.
You'll have to come back later.
Yeah?
All right, boys.
Push it open.
All right, now, where's that envelope?
What?
It's in there, but...
I don't know.
Hello there.
How did you get here?
Well, Nick told me.
Sure.
As soon as I read the letter, I knew it was for you.
Is there food?
Mm-hmm.
Were there anything you're friends on this?
Mm-hmm.
Gun hidden where nobody suspects.
I wonder where that could be.
Can't you guess?
Do you know?
Sure.
It was you who gave me the idea.
I?
When?
Well, remember when you tried to pull the trigger of the murder gun
with the boxing gloves on?
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
But it didn't occur to you that the gun might have been inside?
Just as in my play with the man's arm and the sling.
One of the gloves might have had a hole in it.
The chap knew he'd be washed up as soon as they slicked him,
so he took this way out.
Oh, no.
But I looked at the gloves when I put them on,
and I know there was nothing wrong with either of them.
But how do you know that those were the real gloves?
By that time, he'd have had plenty of opportunity to substitute others.
Well, I guess that's that.
Anyway, by the time you get down to your office,
I'll have the champ in jail.
No thanks, cigarette.
No thanks.
I've got a plan that'll make up for all the mistakes I've made.
Let the champ keep his fight date Friday,
and before the fight's over, I'll point out the killer to you.
You promise?
Yes.
If I fail, you can still arrest the champ,
and as a forfeit, I'll go dancing with you
anywhere you say and pay the check.
Anywhere?
Mm-hmm.
You're wrong.
But, uh, what makes you so cock-sure the champ didn't do it?
Well, a person doesn't usually chew gum
and whistle the same time, does he?
No.
I don't follow you.
Well, the champ always chews gum.
He just remembers the man who grabbed me
in Althea's dressing room whistled.
Softly, half to himself.
Like this.
That's it.
I remember now.
The man in the cellar.
He whistled that way.
Hmm.
Well, I think maybe you've got something here.
What you're going to do with it, I don't know.
You wait until the fight's tomorrow night.
I'll show you.
Watch Mortimer closely.
This is the main event of the evening.
There are two rounds of boxing, introducing at 198 pounds,
and Maddison.
Get him, champ.
One way or another.
You should have shot him before you started.
The champ seems to be in good shape tonight.
Woodchess trying to bore in for in-fighting,
but the champ ties him up nicely.
The referee breaks him apart.
The referee breaks him apart.
Hello, Max.
What are you doing here?
The champ give me a seat.
He and me are waking in the same picture.
Oh, that's fine.
Want a program?
I've got one.
Oh, Miss Ward, we're going nuts playing this thing so many times.
Never mind.
Play it again.
Here's news, ladies and gentlemen.
Even though champ Maddison won his fight, he's still aloof.
Because I've just learned the DA is going to arrest him
for last week's murder.
So I guess that settles the stadium murder case
and ends our broadcast.
It's a thick thick old speaking.
Good night.
He didn't kick off.
All right.
You go home with your brother.
Any luck?
No.
No?
Oh, no.
Feel too bad about it.
Don't grab us out of a hat as you think it is.
Come on, Phil, sit me and get out of the dressing room
and arrest the champ.
Why?
He's a murderer.
Don't let him get away.
He's a murderer.
Who said so?
I did.
I just found out.
Arrest him.
Nothing going.
I didn't pick up the champ for that challenge
and that's good enough for me.
Phil, Mr. Devons.
Shut up and come with me.
You're a very clever young woman, Miss Ward.
Too smart for your own good.
There I go again.
I've got to break myself for that habit.
It might get me into trouble sometime.
Why did you kill Ace Cummings?
Because I won 40% of the champ's contract
from Slats and the poker game?
I see.
If Ace had won the fight,
the contract wouldn't have been worth a nickel.
That's right.
Cigarette?
No thanks.
I suppose Slats' keep was another person
too smart for his own good.
He knew I killed Ace.
Blackmailed me into giving him back the contract.
So that's what was in that envelope?
It was until I saw you at the post office.
Come on, get a pencil and paper.
You're going to write a letter to the district attorney.
Come on, come on, hurry up.
Now then, write what I tell you.
Dear Bill, I am the murderer you have been looking for.
As I look back on it now, I realize I must have been crazy.
Goodbye and forgive me.
Now sign that Polly Ward.
Come on, sign it.
That's right.
That's the finest confession I ever dictated.
Nick, you don't intend to go through with this.
Don't I?
What?
Oh, Bill.
Well, that's the finish of Nick Nichols.
There's almost the finish of Polly Ward.
Not as close as you think.
We followed you and Nick here from the stadium.
Followed us?
Yeah.
That's suspicious when I saw him throw that program in your lap.
A couple with a spark that I found that when he told Dan Toby
about Joe McHugh dying and had him turn the lights out,
the McHugh wasn't even dead.
Matter of fact, he didn't die for nearly an hour later.
So I figured that Nick must have had some reason
for wanting to put the lights out when he did.
I thought he was going to grab in the stadium.
And lose my bet with you.
I should say not.
No, sorry.
Remember, you were going to point out the killer
or take me dancing anywhere I wanted to go
and pay the check.
Where do you want to go?
The Royal Hawaiian Hotel at Honolulu.
Good night, dear.
Good night.
Oh, my goodness sakes.
All right, go ahead.
Go ahead and laugh.
I'm going to open these things if it takes from here to Honolulu.
Not on my honeymoon.
Ha, ha, ha, ha.
