The Saint Takes Over

Here. Four spades vulnerable.

If you'd returned my lead, they wouldn't have made it.

WOMAN: That gives us the rubber.

MAN: Want to play another one?

No, I don't think so.

Let's see, that's, er, exactly 460.

Have you a pen?

Yes, yes.

SOMEONE WHISTLES A TUNE

Just a minute. I wouldn't bother to pay that if I were you.

Why not? What do you mean?

Well, it's hardly fair, is it?

After all, you know so many more card tricks than she does.

You mean to insinuate there's anything wrong with this game?

Oh, no, I'm not insinuating anything.

I'm just telling you. Excuse me.

A very interesting device known to the profession as "readers."

Hence the old saying,

"Don't go to bridge classes with men who wear glasses."

I think you might as well forget about it.

Don't you?

Shall we go?

Good night.

I suppose I should thank you,

but I feel such an awful fool.

You know, there are notices all over the ship

warning little girls not to play cards with strangers.

I know, but...

But they seem such nice, respectable people.

Of course, they always do. That's part of their stock and trade.

All right, go on, trample on me.

I'd much rather buy you a drink.

Do you have one of these things?

Now, then, what will it be?

Ahem, scotch and soda.

One with plain water.

Yes, sir.

Crime seems to be quite a business for some people.

What have you got there?

"New York police inspector cries foul play."

Et cetera, et cetera.

"John Henry Fernack of the Homicide Bureau...

"unable to explain the source of 50,000 found in his safe."

And so forth.

Could have said he won it on a horse

or roulette or something.

Fernack is much too honest for that.

Or too stupid.

Well, let's drink to him, anyway.

Seems to me he'll need more than that.

Maybe he needs a guardian angel.

Or a patron saint.

Aren't they both just about the same?

I was thinking of that fellow that they call "The Saint,"

the one that the newspapers refer to

as a sort of modern Robin hood.

Oh, yes.

Sounds like something you read about

in a magazine.

I don't believe much of it, anyway.

But it is sort of an idea to daydream about.

You know, if there really were someone like that,

that went out after these racketeers who are getting away with murder...

Of course, he'd be tall, dark, handsome...

Did you ever see a picture of him?

Oh, no, I don't think so.

Well, I did once.

He's fat and bald-headed,

and he's got a wart on the end of his nose.

Oh. Let's talk about something else, shall we?

Well, would you like to get some fresh air?

Mm-hmm.

By the way, you still haven't told me your name.

Ruth. Well, if it comes to that, I don't know yours, either.

Tombs. ..It was my father's.

Why, only a few more hours, and this happy interlude will be over.

Yes, I know. I'll go my way, and you'll go yours.

Not if I know where your way is.

That's one thing I'm not going to tell you.

Won't you even tell me where you live?

No. Or your phone number?

Uh-uh.

I shall track you down.

I'll stay on your trail like a bloodhound,

sniffing in a high falsetto.

Please don't. I'd much rather it stay like this.

I know what I'd much rather do.

And I think I'll do it.

Your technique isn't very original.

I suppose you wouldn't believe that it's sincere.

I'm not interested. Thanks for the drink.

Good night.

Good night, Mr Tombs.

Oh, steward, is the flower shop open?

Yes, sir.

Would you buy a corsage of red roses

and have them delivered to Miss Ruth, er...

Yes, sir.

TELEPHONE RINGS

Hello? ..Oh, hello, Ben.

What's the good word?

Have you looked over the morning paper yet, Rocky?

It informs the people in general

that Henry Fernack has been removed in his official capacity

as a nosy dick.

He is now at liberty until he can explain to a judge

why Santa Claus dropped 50,000 into his safe.

Only he can't find a judge who still believes in Santa Claus!

Neither can I.

What's it costing me?

We're sharing the expenses among all the boys, Rocky.

The whole show will cost about 90,000.

Four into 90 is what you owe.

That's just 22,500. Bring it to my house at 11, will you?

OK, Ben. Right.

What does it say, you dope? Read it.

Well, he walks into the room where this mob is at, see,

and he gives them the fish-eye.

Now, they don't know this guy's got a whole sleeve full of aces.

So Blackjack Moran puts a gat on him,

and he's just gonna let him have it...

Wait a minute. What do you think you're reading?

Dick Tracy. The guy's terrific!

Give it to me! Hey!

I'm on the front page, and you read the funnies!

I was coming to that, Rocky.

"Graft charges follow nightclub owner's acquittal."

Hey, what's it say about Fernack?

"Following the killing last Monday of Johnny Summers,

"chief witness for the State in the unsuccessful attempt

"to convict Albert Rocky Weldon on charges of race-fixing,

"Commissioner Doyle yesterday called in the badge

"of Inspector Henry Fernack, ace detective who arrested Weldon."

Well, Lucy, looks like I'm famous.

Maybe we better start a scrapbook.

Let's see it, Henry.

Oh, I don't think that's a very good picture of you.

You look like...

Like a man who's just made a haul,

that's why they picked it.

Commissioner Doyle doesn't actually believe this nonsense, does he?

Oh, I hope not, but there's nothing he can do about it.

The evidence doesn't give him any choice.

I can't for the life of me understand

how that money got into the safe.

It just doesn't seem possible.

Oh, it's possible to open safes without damaging them.

This house isn't so hard to get into.

Couldn't you tell the Commissioner that?

Yes, dear.

Well, then, it's ridiculous.

Anyway, you are a wonderful detective.

And you can easily prove your innocence.

Yes, of course, darling.

It's as easy as eating ham and eggs.

Well, then, everything's going to be all right.

Well, I hope so.

But it won't be if I don't do something about it myself.

Seems funny not to be going to work, Lucy.

So, that's what you think, is it?

That's your mistake, Henry.

You're just going to find out what real work is!

22,500. No tax on that, is there, Ben?

Thank you, Leo. That takes care of everything.

Well, gentlemen, I hope you're all satisfied.

Well, it just seems to me

that Rocky here ought to stand

for more than one-fourth of the cost.

I agree with Max.

It was Rocky's trouble.

He ought to pay more than we do.

Suppose it had been your trouble, Sam?

It wasn't my trouble.

I don't get into that kind of trouble.

I can spot a stool pigeon two miles away with my eyes shut.

You're very clever, Sam.

Some of us aren't quite so lucky when we make mistakes.

Johnny Summers was taken care of, wasn't he?

MAX: Yes...

but not soon enough.

He found out plenty before we spotted him.

Gentlemen, our agreement calls for equal shares of all profits and expenses,

except in a case like this, of course,

where my end of it was taken care of by my professional services.

I think we ought to congratulate ourselves

that it all came out so well.

Now, there are a couple of other things.

First of all, I think we oughta keep very quiet for a while.

Just because we got Fernack out of the way

doesn't mean there's nobody else watching us.

Well, gentlemen, how about a drink?

Sure. I'll join you.

MAN: I'm on the wagon.

Just a minute. There's the other thing.

I had some news from a friend of mine in London

I thought you'd want to hear.

It seems there's someone we might be very interested in

arriving this morning.

I sent a welcoming committee down to the dock.

I like your roses.

Are you free?

Well, that depends on what you got in your luggage.

I've only got a couple of bags,

and I left all my jewellery at home.

There they are, all open and ready for you.

Well, where's your declaration?

Yes...

Here you are, lady. Thank you.

Take care of those for me, please, porter.

Yes, ma'am. Thank you.

Oh, oh, please don't go without saying goodbye.

We said that last night.

You staying long?

I'll be through in a minute.

I don't know. Just got some business to attend to.

Well, did you have a nice trip?

Yes, wonderful.

Those are what they call "pyjamas".

Those funny little things are socks.

Uh, I know, I know. And I get paid for doing this.

Porter? Yes, sir?

See if you can get these things delivered to the Carlton Hotel

sometime within the next ten years.

OK.

Come along, now, sister, don't make it tough.

But I don't understand!

You will. We'll see!

Yah!

What goes on here?

I don't know, Officer.

Or is this what you call a "civic welcome"?

Reach for it!

Someday, you're gonna see your own face in the mirror

and drop dead with fright.

It's my nerves. You know, I ought to have a psychology.

All I dream about is prisons and executions.

I gotta do something to get that trial off my brain.

I may have a job for you tonight.

What's up?

I know where to find 90,000, Pearly.

Where at?

You're gonna pay a call on Mr Eagan.

Is he in on it?

Not unless you wake him up.

Oh. ..Oh!

Ooh!

Hello, Pearly.

Don't try anything sudden.

You might startle me.

Get up.

I can't.

Don't be a fool. You haven't been shot.

Not with this gun, anyway.

Gee, I thought I had a paralysation from the slug or something.

Haven't you ever had your picture taken before?

You mean that's what that flash was?

It was just an ordinary flash bulb.

And with any luck,

we should have a beautiful picture of you

with the safe half-open.

What were you looking for?

Nothing.

You think I'm a half-wit?

Why, no, Mr Eagan.

You wouldn't have been looking

for 90,000 in cash, by any chance?

Why, gee, I didn't know

there was that much money in the world!

Who told you to come here and find out?

Nobody! I was... Well, I just thought...

Don't waste my time!

You never thought up anything like that yourself!

You're just a hired safe-cracker.

I know your record.

I'll tell you what I'm going to do.

I'm going to give you just ten seconds to tell me who sent you.

And if you don't tell me,

you know what's going to happen?

No.

I'm going to have to shoot you.

Yeah.

I have a picture to prove that you were opening my safe.

I'll plant a gun on you.

And I'll say that you were trying to draw it as I came in.

Well, I never squealed on anybody in my life.

If you don't start now, you'll never have another chance.

Well...

..it was Rocky.

Oh...!

Thank you, Pearly.

That's all right.

You are being very helpful.

I'm going to ask you to do just one more thing for me...

then we'll forget all about it.

Well, sure, Mr Eagan. Anything you say.

Go back to Rocky. Don't tell him anything about this.

Tell him that I ran into you on the street

when you were on the way here.

Say that I sent you to tell him

that I particularly want to see him here tonight.

Sure, sure.

And don't forget,

if you don't get this story right,

some of the boys at headquarters might like to see

that picture I have of you.

That's OK, Mr Eagan.

I'll tell him.

Good night, Pearly.

Good night, Mr Eagan.

DOOR OPENS

GUNSHOT

SOMEONE WHISTLES A TUNE

Simon!

Templar, you crazy fool!

Hello, Henry. How are you?

Glad to see you again.

Well, you seem to be adding to your woes.

Who is this gentleman?

Eagan. Now, you know that as well as I do!

Oh, yes, of course.

One of the members of that race-fixing fraternity

that made you a present of 50,000.

Henry, I call it most ungrateful of you.

Biting the hand that fed you!

Listen to me, now...!

By all means, Henry. By all means.

That's exactly what I came all the way across the Atlantic to do.

I read something in the newspaper about your fall from grace,

and I simply couldn't wait to hear the whole story from your own lips.

Now, confide in me.

Was he threatening to cut off your subsidy?

Now, this is no joking matter.

You realise I'll have to book you for this.

Let me see your badge, Officer.

Well, I can still turn you over to the authorities...

as a citizen who witnessed a crime.

Did you witness a crime, Henry?

Well, maybe not technically.

Once right through the heart, eh?

Simon, I know you did this for me,

but I've got my duty to perform.

All right, Henry, search me.

In the name of the law.

Can't shoot a man unless you have a gun, you know?

Uh, may I?

I see. Reloaded it before I got here.

All right, I won't tell anyone.

Now, let's have the rest of it. What were you doing here?

Well, I came to have a look in that safe.

Eagan kept books for the entire organisation.

Blackmail, Henry?

You seem to forget I've been suspended from duty!

I've got to clear myself. Nobody else is going to!

Yes, of course.

Well, it makes a pretty good story so far.

Somebody beat you to it, was interrupted by Eagan,

but wasn't quite fast enough on the draw.

That's what it looks like.

I wish Eagan lived a little longer.

Why? Didn't you have enough time to gloat over him?

Don't talk like that. You know I didn't do this!

Now, what good would it do me?

Somebody's got to make a confession to clear me.

Now, why should I kill one of the five men I might've got a confession from?

I know, Henry, but I expect you have your motives.

Far be it for me to interfere with your private business.

Now, before we get out of here,

I suggest we look around

to see if you haven't left any clues behind.

Did you notice this, Henry?

A very interesting device.

Rather a clever chap, your Mr Eagan.

Yeah? Then what's he doing down there on the floor?

Oh, we all miss sometimes, Henry.

It's a good thing we found this gadget.

Let's take it home and develop it.

See if it really flatters you.

What have you got there?

Oh, nothing, just a rose petal.

Say, Henry, what did you do with that 50,000?

Not so loud. You'll wake up my wife.

Do you mean to say you didn't share it with her?

One more crack like that and I'll make you eat that negative.

Now, Henry, if you want me to work with you,

you'll have to make a clean breast of the whole thing.

I had enough on that Eagan bunch to hang the whole mob.

And they had just enough on you to get your badge, eh?

Ah, Henry, you're getting old.

Yeah, I started ageing when Eagan got rid of my prize witness.

You mean Johnny Summers? Yeah.

He was a smart boy,

and I had him planted at Weldon.

He got a dose of lead poisoning.

That was careless of him.

Very careless. The papers resented it almost as much as he did.

Is the developer ready? It is.

You're going to see a picture of a very beautiful woman.

Now, remember, Henry, you're a married man.

I'll try to control myself.

Hey!

Gorgeous, isn't she?

I guess I can still struggle along with Lucy.

Now, whatever made you think it was a woman, anyway?

I don't know.

I suppose it was just my romantic soul getting the better of me again.

Well, for the benefit of your romantic soul,

that monkey puss belongs to "Pearly" Gates,

Rocky Weldon's muscle man.

So he killed Eagan, eh?

I wonder why.

Probably some beef over a pay-off.

Let's see, it's one o'clock.

Rocky's still at his night club...

Now, wait a minute, Simon.

Why? Can't I go to a nightclub?

I'll not be party to any rough stuff.

You toddle off to bed like a good boy.

These dens of iniquity are no place for respectably married men.

I'll just drift into Rocky's gin palace and see what's going on.

You better be careful, Simon.

Don't worry.

And if I can squeeze a confession out of him,

will you split those 50,000 smackers with me?

DOOR CLOSES

Good evening. Good evening.

Table this evening, sir?

No, thanks. I'm just going to the bar.

Thank you.

Evening, sir. Good evening.

Scotch and plain water.

Well, well, well, fancy meeting you.

Haven't you made some mistake?

Oh, no. You should take more care over your disguise.

No use hanging all that mosquito netting over your face

while you're still wearing that bracelet.

I noticed it on the boat.

I'd hoped I'd lost you.

I warned you I'd stay on your trail.

And it seems you don't take me seriously.

I'm glad you liked my roses.

Thanks for sending them.

They were a peace offering.

And since you're wearing them, you must have forgiven me.

What makes you think so?

Well, because if you were still mad at me,

you would probably have thrown them on the floor

and jumped up and down on them, foaming at the mouth.

Ahh! That's better.

You know, for a long time,

I was afraid you weren't going to like me,

especially when you made such a quick getaway from the dock.

Of course, I had no idea you were going to be met.

Who were they?

Just a couple of friends.

Yes, I noticed how affectionate they were.

I was quite jealous.

You shouldn't have made a scene.

I realised that afterwards.

You must have been terribly embarrassed.

Of course! That's why you ran away!

Exactly.

And your friends didn't stay very long, either.

I think they were rather upset, too.

It's a pity. I would have liked to have known them better.

May I?

Making a collection?

Yes, I was thinking of starting one.

A man was murdered this evening.

Really? Anyone interesting?

A man named Eagan.

He was reputed to be the mouthpiece

of this bunch of race-fixers

that Fernack got himself in trouble about.

You remember, we were talking about it on the boat.

Oh, yes, I remember.

Would you be interested if I told you who killed him?

Do you know?

I have a theory.

Go on.

I think it was a jealous woman.

Oh! Jealous women don't do those things these days.

They just sue the man and retire on the proceeds.

That's true.

Of course, Eagan's safe had been broken open,

so maybe she paid herself off that way.

Yes, sir?

Brandy and a paper.

A glass of milk.

Wish I knew why I ever hired a moron like you.

I suppose you know the spot you put me in?

But you should have seen the spot I was in!

That's the sort of risk you get paid to take.

Should have thought of something else to say

without telling him I sent you.

Listen, Rocky, I had to tell him!

He said he knew I never got an idea like that out of my own head.

Why, he was gonna blast me right there if I didn't squeal.

And I told you about it, ain't I?

So, when you go see him, you can go heeled.

Why didn't you shoot him when you got outside

and had the chance?

I never thought of it, boss. I was too scared.

All I could think of was to get back here and tip you off.

Eh, you nit-wit!

They tell me you ought to chew this stuff.

Now I ask ya, how is a guy gonna chew milk?

Chew that!

Gee!

So you never thought of that, eh?

Aw, now, wait a minute, Rocky!

And you wanted me to go out there heeled

so I could be caught with a gun

and charged with killing Eagan?

Listen, you rat!

I'll give you just 15 minutes flat

to bring that money upstairs.

You understand?

But I, I...

Excuse me, I want to say hello to a friend.

Certainly.

And don't run away this time.

Hello, Pearly. Hi.

Hey, I don't know you!

I know you.

Yeah? What are ya, a cop?

Well, they call me "The Saint".

You may have heard about me.

Saint who?

The Saint?!

I figured you and I ought to get acquainted.

Yeah, well, what do you want with me?

I want to show you a picture.

Hey, this is me!

Exactly.

I don't really think it does you justice,

but it's quite recognisable.

Hey, this looks like...

That's just what it is, brother.

It's Mr Eagan's safe.

Ahh.

Now, don't you wish that was the negative?

Now, look, I didn't do it.

He caught me at the safe, that's all,

then he told me to go back to Rocky.

And I'm telling ya, I didn't do it!

Did you tell that to Rocky?

Yeah, sure.

What did he say?

I got 15 minutes to raise 90,000 bucks.

Hey, I gotta lam out of here.

Just a minute, what 90,000 bucks?

The dough that was supposed to be in Eagan's safe!

What did you do with it?

I didn't get it, I tell ya. It wasn't there.

I'm on the spot!

Don't be in such a hurry.

Supposing I show that picture to Rocky?

Or supposing I just mailed it to police headquarters,

you'd be even more on the spot then,

wouldn't you?

I get it. You killed Eagan.

You got that dough!

Well, that's hardly the point, is it?

The point is that I can prove you did it.

Yeah.

OK, what's the deal?

I can't be any worse off than I am.

Well, supposing that I don't send that picture to the police?

Supposing I tell Rocky that you didn't do it

and that you haven't got the money?

On account of you done it?

Maybe.

Eh, so what do I do?

You help me to prove that Rocky and his pals framed Fernack.

Hey, I'd be taking an awful chance.

It's a better risk than the electric chair

or waking up in a ditch somewhere

with the top of your head blown off.

I ain't got no choice, have I?

I'm afraid not.

Let's go and see Rocky together.

He's got an apartment upstairs, hasn't he?

Yeah.

Yeah, we can go out that door.

He's got a private elevator.

All right. Let's go.

I just wish I knew your angle, Saint.

Whose side are you on?

I'm on my own side.

Where does that put me?

That depends.

If you were cleverer than you look,

you'd be on my side.

Gee, the weighing machine said I'd be clever.

I'm just wondering if you're cleverer than Rocky.

ELEVATOR STOPS

Now, see here, Templar...

Why, hello, Henry.

What a small world it is.

And what's your alibi this time?

Rocky.

Pearly, this time we've got you

dead to rights.

Who, me?

Yes, you.

First Eagan, then you took care of Weldon here.

I'm downstairs, I'm talking to Rocky,

he goes upstairs, so I'm talking to The Saint.

So we go upstairs.

What am I, a magician?

That's right, Henry.

If you ask me,

this flatfoot is trying to squeeze the two of us

behind the eight ball, Saint. Am I right?

Certainly looks like it.

For heaven's sake, quit clowning, Templar.

You know better than that.

I hope so, for your sake.

Pearly, what was this money that was in Eagan's safe?

You think we oughta discuss it in front of him?

Oh, he's all right.

Well, that 90 grand was the fix money.

All the boys chipped in, see?

What boys?

Well, there was Big Ben and Rocky.

There was Sam Reese and Leo Sloan,

and there was Max Bremer.

Don't ask me how they fixed this dick,

I wasn't in on their private confidences.

I see. Now, that leaves Sloan, Bremer, and Reese

still among the living.

Maybe. Unless this phony's already's been to call on them.

Tell me, Pearly,

after Eagan and Weldon,

who do you think rates number three?

Well, that oughta be Leo Sloan.

He and Eagan did most of the brain work for the bunch.

Hey, wait a minute.

Maybe I'm tagged with a number, too.

You know, I think it'd be a good idea if we had a conference about this

and did some powerful thinking.

But this is hardly the place for it.

Because somebody else might butt in here at any moment,

and we certainly don't want to be caught

with any more dead bodies strewn around us,

do we, Henry?

Hey, I ain't got any place else to go.

I used to live here, too.

Well, you've got a home, Henry.

Yes, but my wife...!

Oh, yes, of course. I was forgetting.

You haven't told her anything

about this new racket of yours, have you?

Well, can't you get her out of the way,

tell her you want to be free to work on this case by yourself

or send her off to comfort

her paralytic old aunt in Podunk or something?

Well, I suppose...

All right. That's settled, then.

We'll meet at your place tomorrow morning.

So what happens to me?

You can come along to my hotel with me, if you like.

Then I'll be sure you keep out of mischief.

Henry, how did you get in here?

The fire escape.

Oh. Well, what's good enough for you

is good enough for me.

Pearly, go downstairs and get my hat and coat

and meet us outside.

Oh, if we only knew who was going around

murdering all these men.

Ain't he the slick one, though?

Well, you know, all this isn't getting us anywhere at all.

Here's how it stacks up.

It's perfectly simple.

We can kill two birds with one stone...

if you'll pardon the expression, Henry.

How?

We just borrow comrade Sloan.

What?

Take him away.

You can't do that.

We can try.

And if we make it, we do two things.

We save his life, perhaps.

And then we can work on him a little,

and maybe we can persuade him

to tell us all about this graft business.

Oh, we'd never get away with it.

We've got to, Henry.

I suppose you're right, but...

We need you, too, Pearly.

Me? What for?

You got to keep Leo safe for us

until we can pick him up.

Now, I'd rather leave that until after dark.

It'll make it much easier.

So I want you to call him and tell him that Weldon

told you something before he died.

Tell him he's in danger.

Tell him to lock all his doors and windows

and not to move a step until you get there this evening.

But, hey, that puts me between the devil and the frying pan.

Ah, but you've got something to look forward to.

The day one of these gentlemen decides to confess,

I'll get rid of that little negative.

Yeah, if they don't get rid of me first.

Well, suppose we do get away with it.

Now, where are you going to take him?

Now that Lucy's gone,

what's wrong with that nice little cellar

you've got downstairs?

Yes, sir?

Scotch and water.

I don't want anything.

I want a glass of milk.

All right, Pearly, you can call him now.

Why do we have to take him along?

We need him to get into Sloan's.

Besides, I'm getting fond of him.

I'd like to keep him for a pet.

Hello, Leo?

Pearly.

I'm on my way now.

I'll see you in a few minutes.

OK.

Well, ain't nothing happened to HIM yet.

Well, I hope we get there before it does.

Oh, I don't figure there's no rush.

Just so long as YOU'RE still with us.

Hey, it says here my life is gonna take a change.

And to "watch out for a man who will pose

"as a loyal partner in a risky enterprise."

You stay in the car, Henry,

and if anybody comes, blow the horn.

Say, what sort of man is your pal Sloan?

He's smart like an owl.

But he's about as tough as a butterfly.

Hey, what am I gonna tell him?

I'll do the talking.

SLOAN: Who is it?

Hello, Leo, this is me, Pearly.

All right, Pearly.

Ain't gonna shoot him, are you?

Not if I can help it.

Gee, I wish I'd been an architect

like my old lady wanted.

Hello, Pearly.

Hello, Leo.

What's this all about?

Oh, er, this here's a pal of mine, Leo.

I'm Simon Templar.

Templar? The Saint?!

I wouldn't.

Neither would I, Leo.

You dirty double-crosser!

You murdered Eagan for that money,

and then Weldon.

What do you want with me? I haven't got anything.

But I think you know something, Leo.

Anyway, we're going to find out.

You don't think you're gonna

get away with this, do you?

You'll be surprised what I think I can get away with.

Now, you just be a good boy and come along for a ride with us.

What...?

Where are we going?

Oh, come on, Leo. We ain't got all night.

Hello, Leo.

Fernack!

You're a police officer, Fernack.

You can't let them do this to me.

I WAS an officer, you mean.

Don't let them do it, Fernack!

Give me a chance!

Cool down, Leo.

We're going to give you a chance.

Have you heard any good new tricks

in the third degree lately?

Well, they say you can do a lot with a dentist's drill.

I've always wanted to try that.

Oh, that must be rather amusing.

Hot irons are getting so old-fashioned.

Well, you got to know how to use them.

That's right. You've got to get the temperature right.

If you get them too hot, they don't hurt so much.

This way, Mr Sloan.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

I do hope you didn't hurt yourself.

Here, sit down, won't you?

Aah!

What happened?

I think Mr Sloan is just a little excited, that's all.

Try again, Mr Sloan.

I'm sure it'll be all right this time.

Now, then, Henry...

..what should we start with?

Maybe a little fancy hammer work on the shins

just to warm him up, eh?

No, no, no, no!

No! I'll do it!

I'll do anything you say.

Don't do anything to me!

I'll tell you everything I know!

We better get it in writing.

Pearly, go upstairs to the icebox and get some cold beer.

I think this is going to be a thirsty session.

You got some paper down here?

No. I'll get some.

I'll get it. Where is it?

It's in Lucy's desk.

All right.

GUNSHOT

Well, Henry?

What happened?

Oh, I get it.

Somebody shot him through that window.

Pearly, you may as well go outside

and see if you can find anyone.

Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Henry, I used to think I was pretty good,

but I've never seen anybody run up a score

like you can.

Templar, I'm telling you...!

That's all right, Henry. You don't have to tell me.

I'm not a policeman.

What worries me is what the boys

down at headquarters are going to say.

And then there's the jury to face.

Juries are so dumb.

Of course they haven't any artistic sense.

They just don't appreciate a good story when they hear one.

Well, if there's anything I can do,

help you with your will, for instance...

I'd like to will you a headache.

Now, is that kind, Henry?

Here I am trying to help you...

I couldn't find anybody.

Well, it happened just after you left the room.

A hand come through that window with a gun.

I took a wild shot at it.

Look! See here, Templar.

I only heard one shot.

Well, you don't think I did it.

Not much.

Hey, hang on to that rod.

This guy's a mad killer.

Yeah.

That leaves only two of the boys

that can clear you now, Henry.

Simon, we have to find them.

So you can plug 'em?

Not me. I'm wiping my hands of this crime wave.

You're too late, Pearly.

You've got to help us get a hold of Bremer and Reese

before they get it, too.

Because after them...

Me?

Pearly, my entire career depends on the lives of five men.

Three of them are dead already.

Now, a bullet from that gun didn't kill Leo Sloan.

That can be proven.

And if you want to duck, you're welcome to go now.

On the other hand, if you want to stay with us,

perhaps we can prevent this killer from counting up to six.

Well... OK.

What are we going to do with Leo here?

Maybe Henry would like to keep him as a souvenir.

But then Lucy wouldn't like that very much, would she?

So I suppose we better take him back to where we found him.

The sooner the better.

Why not now?

I'll feel a lot better when we get Leo home.

Only one more block, Pearly.

Extra! Paper! Extra!

Night club owner found murdered!

Extra! Paper! Read all about it!

Police baffled by murder wave!

They really got you baffled, ain't they, Mike?

They ain't got me baffled, sonny.

Yeah, you guys on the beat

always have it figured out ahead of the big brains.

Extra! Paper! Extra! Read all about it!

Henry, pull up at the corner.

I want to get a paper and see if there's any more news.

Don't be a fool. See that officer standing there?

Henry, the one sure way to attract suspicion

is to start evading policeman.

Go on, pull up.

Extra paper! Read all about it!

Let's have a paper, sonny.

Here you are, sir. Thanks.

Another murder?

Yeah, but Mike here has got it all solved.

Have you a theory, Officer?

Well, here's the way I analyse it.

This Eagan mob framed a dick named Fernack, see?

The way I look at it,

this Fernack put the slug on both of these guys, see?

To scare the rest of the mob into talking, see?

SAINT: Sounds plausible.

Haven't any of the big boys thought of that?

Maybe. Only now they can't find Fernack.

I wouldn't care to be in his shoes.

No, and I wouldn't care to be any of the guys he's after, neither.

I bet they're ready to cut their own throats by this time.

Hey, that's an idea.

Huh?

Good night, chief.

Well, er, take it easy.

Good night, Mr Sloan.

Did you say Sloan?

Sure. He's one of my best customers.

But I never saw him tight like that before.

What do you mean, tight?

I never seen him tight neither.

Well, look at him now.

Has he got a snootful!

This thing is getting out of control, Templar.

You know, that policeman gave me an idea.

He gave me a nervous breakdown.

Did you hear him say that the rest of the mob

must be ready to cut their own throats?

Are you suggestin' that I cut mine?

Not yet.

But if we can pretend to frame

Sloan's murder on to Reese,

we might be able to scare him into squealing.

Well, how are you going to do that

when you haven't got the gun that killed Sloan?

I'll get it.

I see, you'll just find the killer

and ask him to turn over the gun.

That's all.

TELEPHONE RINGS

You take it. Well, what do I say?

I'll tell you when I know who it is.

Hello?

Hello, Leo?

It's Bremer.

Tell him it's you.

No, it's me - Pearly.

Leo just stepped out for a minute.

Well, when's he coming back?

He didn't say.

BREMER: Are you waiting for him?

Yeah.

'Well, will you give him a message?

'Tell him I've just seen the papers.

'I'm taking the 2:43 train back to town tomorrow.

'I'd like him to meet me at the Penn station.'

Ask him where he's calling from.

Where're you at?

'Baltimore.

'I came down to see the horses at Laurel.'

OK, I'll tell him.

Well, that solves one problem.

With Bremer out of town, the odds are

that our assassin will take Reese next

and then wait for Bremer to come back.

Henry, I've often wondered

whether the perfect crime could be committed.

I'd say somebody beat us to it.

Now, cheer up, Henry.

The sun'll soon be shining.

Just make yourself comfortable

while I go and get the gun.

You come along with me, Pearly.

You're not going to leave me here alone with this?

I shan't be long, Henry.

Turn on the radio if you're frightened.

And if any more hands appear at the window, just take an aspirin.

They'll disappear. Come along, Pearly.

Now, here's what you do.

I've got to fix up this Sloan business,

and I want you to see that nothing happens to Reese

until I can get to him.

So ring him up and tell him to meet you

some place where it'll be safe for him.

Where?

Oh, Weldon's club'll be all right,

as long as he stays downstairs.

Well, what do I tell him?

Say that you've got something important

about these other killings

and that you'll meet him as soon as you can.

Then go to my hotel.

OK.

CLOCK CHIMES

GLASS CLINKS

SOMEONE TRIES DOOR HANDLE

Why don't you turn on the light?

Won't you sit down?

I fixed you a drink.

You won't need that any more.

What are you doing here?

Waiting for you.

Who are you?

I might have known.

Where's Reese?

Last time I saw him, he seemed to be quite healthy.

I wanted to get Eagan, Weldon and Sloan the same way,

but you anticipated me.

Did I?

I didn't mind so much about the others,

but after all, comrade Sloan was more or less under my protection.

Your real name is Ruth Summers, isn't it?

Yes.

Johnny Summers' sister?

Yes.

I see.

And you think these men killed Johnny?

I know it.

Couldn't we join forces?

I'd rather do this alone.

Supposing I talk to the police?

What would you tell them?

They do the most amazing things

in police laboratories these days.

It wouldn't be any trick at all to prove that this was the gun.

Eagan, Weldon and Sloan.

Two for Bremer and Reese, and one to spare.

All right.

I'd do it again if I had the chance.

Now, won't you sit down?

You know, I'm still rather interested to know what happened

to that 90,000 that was in Eagan's safe.

Please don't try to find out about that.

Johnny's wife doesn't know where it came from.

Oh, I see.

If only you hadn't been so clever for another two days.

I wasn't trying to be clever.

I was only trying to help a friend.

Just another knight errant.

Maybe I am.

You remember what we were talking about on the boat?

I wanted to believe in The Saint then.

I wish I could do it now.

Well, you must.

Now, listen.

I've got Sloan back at his house.

I can arrange to get Reese there.

Then Fernack and I walk in and pretend to catch him red-handed.

He'll do plenty of talking then

to get himself out of that jam.

What kind of talking?

About the framing of Fernack, I hope.

But if I leave Bremer and Reese to you,

I'll never be able to do it.

But they killed my brother.

I know. I want to get them for that, too.

But it'd be much better for all of us

if we did it legally.

Eventually, this whole thing

will have to be ironed out in court, anyway,

and you've got yourself into plenty of trouble already.

But if you'll help, Fernack, I know, will be grateful,

and I'll do anything in the world for you.

But suppose you don't get the confession?

Let's worry about that if I fail.

Pick up some cigarettes

and keep driving around the block until I come out.

And wish me luck.

I do.

Was that the guy, Mike?

That's him.

Now, look, Grady, I could be wrong.

All I say is, the other guy looked like

the pictures of Fernack that was in the paper, see?

Ten'll still get you 20 it ain't Fernack.

I'll bet a year's salary against Mike's badge

that Fernack's in the clear on both killings.

Come on, Mike.

We'll show you how easy it is

to make a monkey out of yourself in this racket.

Are you sure this is the gun that killed Eagan and Weldon?

That's right, Henry.

As the District Attorney would say,

that is the lethal weapon.

Now, then, let's see...

Yes, that's about the way his arm would be,

don't you think so, Henry?

Sure. Where did you get this gun?

TEMPLAR: You wouldn't want me

to violate a confidence, would you?

Why not? We've done practically everything else.

Well, it was accidental.

The road to Sing Sing is paved with accidents.

This is going to be an exception.

Right now, I'd settle for a ticket to Mexico.

You would?

I just lost a bet on you, Henry.

Uh, the gun. Sure, Grady.

That's the weapon that killed Eagan, Weldon and Sloan.

He's loco.

Just plead insanity and you'll be a cinch.

We can explain the whole business.

Can you explain it to Leo, too?

That's not MY gun!

Whose is it?

Well, I, I don't know.

Well, where'd you get it?

Well... where DID we get it, Templar?

Templar?

The Saint?

Henry, did I hear you say something about the road to Sing Sing

being paved with accidents?

An eavesdropper, eh?

Yeah, and we ain't selling any tickets to Mexico, either.

Well, what are we waiting for?

What's the idea, Templar?

Henry, I owe you an apology.

There's no such thing as a perfect crime.

But I'll show you the perfect getaway.

Now, you stand right here in the doorway,

with your arms raised.

And if anybody moves, you'll get it first.

Is he gone yet, Phillips?

Let's wait just a second longer, to make sure, huh?

Something must have happened.

Yes, the unexpected.

The police?

They interrupted us.

It was rather embarrassing, particularly for Fernack.

Where is he?

By now, he's probably on his way to a psychopathic ward.

They'll accuse him of murder.

Probably three murders.

We'd better park the car here.

We can walk until we get a cab.

After all, it's Henry's car, you know.

What are you going to do?

That, darling, is the big problem of the moment.

You can save Fernack by turning me in.

They wouldn't believe me.

They'd believe me.

No. There must be some other way.

Now, wait a minute.

I'm getting an idea...

one of my most stupendous ideas!

Calling all cars, calling all cars.

Pick up Simon Templar, alias "The Saint",

wearing blue suit, light grey hat...

Look, Henry,

the whole department'll go to bat for you.

But you can't sell no jury that story you told us.

Wade, we've been going over the same ground all day.

I've told you exactly what happened,

from the time I got myself involved

up to where Grady and Phillips here walked in on us.

Now, if you want to call me a liar,

I won't even feel insulted.

You say you found Ben Eagan dead.

Then Weldon.

Then Leo Sloan. Yeah.

All right, so you found 'em.

But there's one thing I want to know.

If this here is the lethal weapon,

and that's what it is,

then whose is it and where did you get it?

I don't know.

Beat it, boys.

OK, Henry, where'd it come from?

I wasn't born yesterday, neither.

But we got the DA to answer to.

Wade, if I knew, I'd talk,

but I don't know.

KEY IN LOCK

Maybe he's here already.

I'll go in first.

Get 'em up!

That's him, that's the guy -

The Saint.

That's right, gentlemen - Simon Templar.

But some people do call me The Saint.

Search him, Pearly. Keep 'em up.

Three shots fired - Eagan, Weldon and Sloan.

And you were going to plant it here.

That's what I told you, ain't I?

Well, you must admit it was a good idea.

Only I shouldn't have let you in on it.

I suppose you thought Pearly was gonna play right along with you.

We all make mistakes sometimes.

But there's always the last time.

Hey, there's something screwy coming in over the radio

on the police wavelength -

something about The Saint.

TEMPLAR, ON RADIO: 'Now look here, can't we be reasonable about this?

'It's true you've got me for the moment,

'and I suppose you could shoot me if you wanted to.

'But what satisfaction would that be?'

REESE: 'Plenty -

'more than I can tell you right now.'

That sounds like Sam Reese's voice.

TEMPLAR: 'Probably the same sort of satisfaction

'you got out of murdering Johnny Summers.'

BREMER: 'That wasn't so bad, either.

'At least he won't bother us any more.'

Bremer.

TEMPLAR: 'You did arrange to have Johnny Summers murdered, didn't you?'

BREMER: 'Murder is such a crude word.

'We all have to die sometime.

'Let's just say that we caused Johnny Summers to die

'a little sooner than the rest of us.

'And it's going to be a pleasure to do the same thing

'for you, Mr Templar.'

TEMPLAR: 'The question is, is it worthwhile?'

BREMER: 'You bet it is.'

You flatter me, gentlemen.

I never thought it'd be worth 90,000 of anybody's money

to shoot me.

What do you mean?

I mean the 90,000 that Eagan had

before his death was, er, put forward.

FAINT CONVERSATION ON RADIO

CONVERSATION BECOMES CLEARER

TEMPLAR: '...You would all subscribe to it.

'It was the expense money

'for getting Weldon out of his little spot of trouble,

'money to pay for taking Johnny Summers for a ride,

'money to fix up Weldon's trial.

'And, of course, 50,000 that you'd had planted

'in Fernack's safe at home,

'so that you could get him cashiered

'because he was too hot on your trail.

'You did plant that 50,000 on Fernack, didn't you?'

BREMER: 'I didn't.'

TEMPLAR: 'Now, why quibble about it?

'You and the rest of the bunch arranged it.

'You were all in on it, weren't you?'

REESE: 'What of it?'

TEMPLAR: 'You were all in on it, weren't you?'

Why do we have to go on talking?

Now, wait a minute.

Suppose we did?

Well, did you?

If we're going to get anywhere,

we've got to be honest with each other.

You've got nothing to be afraid of.

You've got me here, and if you don't like my proposition

you don't have to do anything about it.

But you may as well listen.

All right.

We did it.

BREMER: 'We got rid of Johnny Summers.

'We framed Fernack.

'We planted 50,000 in his safe.

'Now what?'

TEMPLAR: 'Now, perhaps, we can make a deal.

'How much would it be worth to you to let me go?'

It's coming from somewhere in the East 40s.

East 40s?

Bremer's office is on 49th.

Let's go.

Calling all cars, calling all cars.

Converge immediately on 86 East, 49th street.

'8-6 East, 4-9 street, code 30.'

SIREN

'Calling all cars, converge immediately on 86 East, 49th street.'

SIRENS

How do we know this is on the level?

I should have thought that was obvious.

I want to stay alive.

He's already killed Ben and Rocky and Leo.

If we let him go...

I didn't kill them. Then who did?

I can't tell you. That's not part of the bargain.

Was it Fernack?

No, it wasn't Fernack.

It was somebody else.

But I can promise you this,

the eliminator has retired.

There'll be no more killings.

All right, then, where's the money?

Why don't you ask Mr Reese about that?

What? That's a laugh.

I told you there would be a trick, Max.

What's the gag, Saint?

There's no gag.

This is one thing I didn't tell Pearly.

I admit I was after some of that money.

But I didn't see why HE should have any.

I never saw the money, Max.

Would I be here if I had it?

SIRENS

TEMPLAR, OVER RADIO: 'Why do you think

'I was going to plant the gun here, Bremer?

'Because after I'd turned you in to the police,

'I could then go to you, Reese, and say,

' "either you split that money with me

' "or I'll tell Bremer that you killed the others and planted the gun here." '

You don't believe any of that stuff, do you, Max?

I don't know.

That's right, Max, that's what he told me,

right after he took Leo back to his house. I see.

What do you mean, he told you?

I mean, that's what I heard him tell Fernack,

when they were talkin' together.

What do you mean,

right after he took Leo back to his house?

Well, I mean... I mean, they...

You dirty stool pigeon!

You've been working for The Saint all the time.

He fixed it for you to get us here.

What for?

I don't know, Max. Honest I don't, I...

You'd better start talkin' fast.

You haven't got much more time.

And you haven't any more time, Max.

Take a look.

SIRENS

Max, the cops!

It's no use, Max.

Every policeman in town has heard our conversation.

There's a microphone under that coat.

And the transmitter's in your filing cabinet.

It's been broadcasting every single word

that was said in this room.

Don't anyone move.

DOOR HANDLE RATTLES

Come on, help me break in this door.

If anyone comes in while I'm here,

The Saint gets it first.