"In every man there's an imperfection, a seed of destruction." "You discovered that, Foster, when you traded principles for personal glory" "When you sacrificed integrity for power." "You discovered that in eight short months." "Climbing to a governor's mansion from a district attorney's office." "District Attorney." "Hello, Jack." "He's in conference." "May I take a message?" "Hello, Mary" " Hello." "I've got the Beckford file for the boss." "He's in conference." "Well, can I trust you with it?" "I'll take them in." "May I?" " I guess so." "What if it is personal?" "You're not an old maid, are you?" "The Beckford file, boss." "Thanks, Wolfe." "I don't suppose there's any secret about it." "I'll be 48 next month." "Forty eight." "That's just about right." "That'll be all, Wolfe." "Right for what?" "There's gossip around." "Governor Lambert's gonna retire." "He's old." "Pushing 70." "The race will be wide open this fall." "Very interesting." " I thought it might be." "I got some more gossip for you too." "A fellow who's 48 could win." "With the right sponsors." "Provided the sponsors are out of jail." "They will be." "That's not the way the jury's going to feel about your man, Hanson." "I think it is after what I heard today." "Seems you had a subpoena issued for some books of his." "Books with figures in them." "Go on." "Hanson was gonna bring them down except something funny happened." "They caught fire." " I don't believe you." "I'd have brought them myself to show you only..." "I didn't think you'd want your office cluttered up with ashes." "You're licked, Foster." " No." "And you don't think so either." "Or you wouldn't be talking about governorships." "Let me tell you about that." "My people up here have been complaining about you." "Breaking their slot machines, closing the bookies, breaking up the numbers game." "It's cost them and me a lot of money." "Then Hanson." "You missed but I have an idea you'll try again." "Of course, there's another way to stop you but that's messy." "Blood, a lot of bad publicity." "I don't think either of us care for that." "What then?" "I gather you're offering me a choice." "A governorship or a shroud." "I wouldn't want to put it..." " I don't want to put it any way." "Suppose you get out." "So you don't want to dance, eh?" " That's right." "Maybe you will anyway." "The Reverend, Dr. Garfield." " Come in, Tom." "Trouble with Faulkner?" " Yeah, bad trouble." "He and his man, Hanson have outsmarted me." "Sit down, Tom." " Ah, Joseph." "Burned Hanson's records." "You must have expected that." "Not the way I had the thing set up." "Of course, I wanted the records but I knew if I went after them before the trial, he'd destroy them." "So I built my case to look as if I wasn't going to use them at all, figuring on a raid later on when he was off guard." "One of my assistants secured the subpoena this morning." "But it got through to Hanson too." "I wouldn't worry." "You've made a fine record" "No district attorney in the country has done better." "No, it's not me." "It's the little people, the corner grocer, the basement tailor, the one truck cleaner." "All paying from five to ten dollars a week for protection." "From what?" "Hanson." "Someday he'll overreach himself." " Someday's not soon enough." "I'm going to get him and I'm going to get him now if I have to..." "I'm sorry." "Why should I be bothering you with my troubles?" "Did you bring the boy?" "Wolfe has him outside." "Has him?" " He's a bit wild." "That's why we have the club." "Hello, Reverend." " Hi, Matt." "Well, athletes." "What're ya gonna do, make me a boy scout?" "I know what I'd do with you." " You ain't big enough." "Come with me, Larry." "Say,Joseph?" "Yes?" "Wouldn't the burning of the books be evidence of Hanson's guilt?" "It would be if i could prove he did it which I can't." "It's a pity." "After all the work you've done." "Let's go in the office, Larry." " What for?" "I just want to talk with you." "If that kid was mine..." " He wouldn't be here, Wolfe." "Sit down." "I'd sooner stand." "What've they got for for, Larry?" "Auto rap." "Want to tell me about it?" "Why should I?" "No reason except that I was once in the same spot." "Don't give me that soap." "When you were a kid you wore lace pants." "When I was your age I could lick every kid on the waterfront and most of the sailors too." "Lace pants." "But I'll tell you something, Larry." "I found out it doesn't pay." "Not in the long run, not any more than what you're doing." "If it weren't for Dr. Garfield, you'd be in a reform school." "What's the matter with reform school?" "You want to go there?" "Sure." "This is sissy stuff." "The guys on the block would laugh at me." "Do you think anybody laughs at me?" "No." " Well, there." "Why don't you give it a try?" "Say for a month." "No." "I don't think I'd..." "About ready to come home, darling?" "I'm always ready to come home." "Martha, this is Larry Price." "He's thinking of joining us." " Oh, you like it here, Larry?" "Maybe." "You look tired, dear." "Bad day?" " Not good." "Hanson?" " I'm afraid he's outwitted me." "Oh, what a shame." "Joseph would rather convict Hanson than be president, I think." "He's the last of our evil forces." "He's the last and the biggest." "He's like an octopus." "Sucking the blood of every little business in the city." "I'd give my soul to nail him." "Mr. Foster?" " Yes." "What is it, son?" "A man told me to give this to you." "Thanks." "Listen to this." "If you want to nail Hanson, come to the China Coast at 8 tonight." "It's almost as if he heard you." "Son?" "He beat it." "Joseph, you're not thinking of going?" "I would if I knew where he was." "It's a joint of Front St. Next to the M  R wharf." "Thanks." "Martha, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself." "I'll run you home and then drop in on my anonymous friend." "It's probably just a joke." "'Bye, Tom." " 'Bye, Joseph." "Well, Larry, will you give us a try?" "Yeah, I guess so." "You must have had a tough trip, Joe." "Yeah." "I'm two days out and the motor conked out." "And the radio." "For a week we drift south." "Good evening, gentlemen." "Where did you come from?" " Out there." "There's nothing but bay out there." " That's right." "I'd like two drinks." "Separate drinks brought to this table and some ginger ale and a small glass of Barbados." " Barbados?" "Rum, my friend, a dark, pungent rum." " We ain't got none." "I think you have." "A square bottle." "You'll find it." "You'll find it, he says." "As though i didn't know every drink in the joint" "Carl." " What?" "There ain't even a dory out there." "Well, maybe he swum." "Barbados." "Barbados." "Where does he think he's at?" "He'll drink what we..." "Bridgetown Barbados." "Five years I been here and..." "Mr. Foster." "You're the man that sent me the note?" " Sit down." "Drink?" " Well, a little ginger ale." "Here it is." "That'll be..." " Exactly one dollar." "Look, mister." "Nevermind." "Mutual prosperity, Mr. Foster." "Before I drink to that, you might tell me who you are." "If you like." "Nicholas Beal, agent." "Agent for what, Mr. Beal?" "That depends." "Possibly for you." "Foster promises clean city with Hanson conviction." "That's right." "Only I hear you've run into a little snag." "Some missing books." " Where did you hear about that?" "What would you say if I'd dig them up for you?" "Why would you be so obliging?" "I'm just a humble follower of your work." "Wayward boys set right, criminals successfully prosecuted and I... admire you." "Incorruptible enemy of the legions of evil." "Rather flamboyant way of putting it." "Perhaps." "But of course, I'm not altogether altruistic." "I thought so." "But you're interested." " Naturally." "How much will this cost?" "Whatever you decide is fair." "That's a proposition I can hardly refuse." "Should we be going?" "Well?" "Canning records don't intrigue you, Mr. Foster?" "Hardly." "You may be wrong." "You'll find Hanson's signature at the bottom of each page." "And how did you happen to..." "Mr. Beal?" " Yeah?" "How did you happen to know about these?" "I hear things." "Of course, I can't take them." "Why not?" "Illegal." "Without a warrant." "Didn't you say you'd give" "I believe it was your soul to nail Hanson?" "Yes." "I guess I did." "Mr. Beal?" "Where are you?" "Beal?" "Beal?" ""Foster Triumphs - Hanson Guilty"" ""Foster Convicts Hanson"" "What's this, Martha?" "I thought we might celebrate Hanson's conviction." "Oh." "Sure." "You know..." "I feel a little odd." "You're not sorry for him?" "No." "It's something else." "Remember my telling you about Hanson's account books?" "Of Course." "There's something else I didn't tell you" "What?" "I stole them." "I didn't have a warrant to search the cannery until afterwards." "Do you mind drinking with a criminal?" "I don't know." "It's not that serious, Martha." "But you've never done anything like that before." "I never convicted Hanson before either." "Yes, I know." "But Joseph." "Next time even if it's more important than Hanson you won't let it happen again?" "Not while I have a conscience." "And a wife." "We ought to go somewhere this evening." "How long since we've been dancing?" " The New York trip." "That's five years ago." " Yes, I know." "I'm a pretty dull sort of husband." "I wouldn't say that." "Mr. Foster?" "Dr. Garfield and some other gentlemen." "We'll have the champagne after they go." "Coming, Martha?" " In just a minute, dear." "Eileen, did you fill the ice bucket?" "No, ma'am." "Well, the reform element seems to be out in force." "Naturally now that Hanson's gone." "Judge Hobson tells me you did a splendid job." "Pulling those account books out of your sleeve at the last minute was a great piece of work." "Thank you, Ben." "But sit down, sit down, gentlemen." "The furniture's reliable." "I'll fetch you a drink." "This isn't exactly a social call." "There's a party caucus next week" "We're wondering if you have any ideas especially for the governorship." "What about you, Norton?" "You know municipal finance." "You've been on the board of commissioners for the last 20 years." "I'd like to run; as lieutenant governor." "Why not for governor?" " That's you." "Me?" "Oh, a dozen better men." "No." "At the risk of turning your head, I'll explain." "Hanson's conviction has made you a national figure." "And your boy's club work is known all over the state." "We have nobody quite like you." "We sort of figured on hanging on to your coattails." "Would you object, Joseph?" "I don't know." "It's a bit sudden." "I sound like a girl receiving her first proposal tonight." "I'll make you a drink and sort out my thoughts." "Alright." "He'd make a good governor." "There isn't any ice, my friend." "How did you get in here?" "I've been here ever since you started dinner." "That isn't what I meant." "Don't worry about me." "I'm doing fine even without ice." "So I see." " Darling?" "Oh." "Sorry." "I didn't know anybody was here." "Martha, this is Mr. Beal." "A pleasure, Mrs. Foster." "Aren't you the man who found Hanson's papers?" "He tell you about that?" "Joseph and I have very few secrets." "Then you must be feeling pretty proud tonight." "He didn't tell you he's to be our next governor?" "Joseph." "Martha, will you take this inside?" "Tell them I have some business to transact." "I suppose you came here to collect." "How much?" "Did you tell your friends how you got the books?" "No, I didn't." "Well..." "We said whatever we thought was fair under the circumstances." "That's right." "Only it seems like circumstances have changed." "I have a feeling your political career depends on my keeping quiet." "It wouldn't look good if people learned you didn't have a search warrant." "How much?" "Make it out for $4,586.11" "That's absurd." "We haven't got that much money." "Ask the governor to take a peek at his balance." "You're a hundred dollars off." "I can't be." "There's that check you gave me at the office this morning." "Yes, that was for a hundred." "You must have friends at the bank." " Maybe." "Not backing out, are you?" "No." "I gave my word." "Joseph, you can't." "I think Hanson's conviction is worth it." "Especially with a governorship thrown in." "Thanks." "Now, if you'll wait" "You'll hear me tell my friends exactly how I got the books." "Well, well." "I guest the reports weren't exaggerated." "Real integrity." "Would be a shame to take advantage of it." "The first completely honest person I've met in a long time." "I'm not surprised." "I'd kind of like to participate in your campaign." "I think we can do without your help." "You don't like me do you, Mrs. Foster?" "No, I don't." "Would you change your mind if I made a small contribution?" "Say twenty five thousand?" "But I haven't decided to run yet." "You will." " Don't take it." "No strings attached." " How do we know?" "How do we know that you're not some sort of racketeer?" "My racket concerns good government, Mrs. Foster." "I don't believe you." " No?" "We don't want your money." "You letting her run things?" "I think she's right." "OK." "But I think she's wrong." "Joseph, his money." "Mr. Beal?" "Excuse me." "Where'd he go?" " Who?" "The man who just came out of there." "I didn't see anyone." " Neither did I." "Well, Joseph have you come to a decision?" "I'll have to talk it over with Martha first." "She makes the decisions." "That's fair enough." "Yes, behind the decision of every man" "I've found there's generally a woman." "Light?" "Give me another bourbon." "Hey sister, that's not your drink." "Isn't it?" "I'm so sorry." "What happened to mine?" " I wouldn't know." "Hijacking drinks." " That ain't all she's trying to hijack." "How did you get in here anyway?" "Look, piano legs..." "Piano legs?" "How do you like that?" "Come on, break it up girls!" "Break it up!" "Break it up." "Come on." "Let me go!" "Take it easy, baby." "You need some air." "Now scram and stay scrammed." "How about giving a lady a hand?" "Sure." "Are you alone, honey?" "I'm looking for Donna Allen." "That's me." "I know." "What do you want?" "A woman quite beautiful," "wearing sapphires, and silk" "and sable." "What are you talking about?" "Come on, give us the gag." "Are you a cop?" "Why don't you come along and find out." "You sure got a different line, mister." "No key?" "Never use one." "Come on in." "Brother, what a place." "Yours?" "No." "Looks like a dame's apartment." " That's right." "Who?" "You." " Me?" "Excuse me while I die laughing." "Answer it." "Hello." "Wait a minute." "He wants to know if we want some packages sent up." "We do." "Send them up." "Look, what's the deal and who's this girl?" "A girl that's had some bad luck." " That sure must have changed." "I'll tell you about her." "Good family, two years of college, and tried the New York stage only she got fouled up." "Actor named Boyden." "Boysie, she called him." "Only it turned out he forgot to tell her he was married." "One night they had a fight and he fell down some stairs." "Accident they called it." "Where you going?" " Getting out of here." "Where do you want me to put them, miss?" " On the couch." "Want me to unpack them, sir?" "No." "We'll attend to that." "Thanks." "Where did you hear about Boysie?" "New York." " Are you a friend?" "I met him once." "Oct. 13, 1944." "That's the night he was killed." "That's right." "What's that?" "Cigarette case and lighter to match." "Look at them." "Sapphires!" "That's what I said." "Sapphires, silk," "sable." "Put it on." "That wouldn't be right." " Read what it says." "Donna Allen." "Put it on." "Now look at yourself." "What have I got to do?" "Murder?" "Just the opposite." "Reform work." "In a boy's club." "Two hundred and fifty dollars." "I'm sorry it isn't larger." "We ought to be paying you for all the work you're doing around here." "This place is in order for the first time in five years." "You and poor Dr. Garfield are so busy." "I do hope you let me stay on." "We'd be crazy if we didn't." "It's almost like a miracle the way you just dropped out of the sky." "I did social work at home." "I missed it." "It isn't a miracle." "Garfield and I have our own opinion." "The boys too." "Do you mind if I do something rather personal?" "Something no woman can resist." "I'm afraid it's not very presentable." "It doesn't quite match your personality." "You ought to wear something gay for a change." "You think so?" "Next time you go shopping for ties why don't you take me along?" "I'll do that." "I hear you've been looking for me." "Yes I was." "I called the China Coast." "Miss Allen, this is Mr. Beal." "How do you do, Mr. Beal?" "Glad to know you." "I've got something for you." "Sure you don't want it now that you know it isn't hot?" "Hot?" "I hear you had the serial numbers checked." "Mrs. Foster thought." "She would." "But the deal still goes." "You'll be needing money for your campaign." "I haven't even been nominated yet, Mr. Beal." "But they're meeting tonight, aren't they?" "Yes but no telling what might happen." "Joseph, it's six o'clock." "Is it?" "I'll get my hat and be right with you." "Hello, Miss Allen." " Hello, Doctor." "Something interest you, Reverend?" "I don't know." "You remind me of something." "Someone I..." " It's not impossible." "Would you mind telling me your name?" "Around here it's Beal." "Nick Beal." "I thought you two had met." "This is Dr. Garfield." "I know." "But we've got to get along." "Come on, Miss Allen." "I'm sorry if I seemed rude." "I had a strange feeling I'd seen you before." "I don't do much business with preachers." "Alright, fellows." "Form over here." "Come on, come on let's go." "Hello, Larry." "How are you doing?" "OK I guess, Mr. Foster." "That's the ticket." "We have an old fashioned custom here, Mr.Beal." "Every afternoon at the end of the day someone reads the boys a passage from the Bible." "And whenever it's possible we try to have someone different read." "It makes them realize that the Bible belongs to us all." "Would you like to read?" "Me?" "What do I know about things like that?" "That doesn't matter." "I've marked a passage." "It's one of the psalms of David." "No." "It's your book, read it yourself." "Alright." "The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." "The world and they that dwell therein" "For He had founded it upon the seas, established it upon the floods." "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?" "And who shall stand in His holy place?" "He that hath clean hands and a pure heart." "Who hath not lifted up his soul to vanity nor sworn deceitfully." "He shall receive the blessings of the Lord and righteousness and the God of his salvation." "This is the generation of them that's seeking." "that seek thy face." "Amen." "Amen." "About ready, darling?" "What in the world are you doing?" "I haven't got a tie that's fit to wear out." "What's the matter with those?" "No color they're drab." "They make me feel like a retired undertaker." "I'm sure the Whites know you're not a retired undertaker." "I'm aware of that, Martha." "But if a man feels gay, he wants a gay tie." "Even if it is only to a bridge party." "Alright, darling, I'll buy you some first thing in the morning." "No you won't." "You have a picture of me as if I were a doddering old fossil." "I'll buy them myself." "Does somebody else have a different picture, Joseph?" "Why do you say that?" "Maybe intuition." "Mr. Foster." "Come in, Eileen." "There's a man downstairs says he has to see you." "He's acting sort of queer." "Queer?" "Excuse me." "Help me with these will you, Eileen?" " Yes ma'am." "Mr. Foster?" "Yes?" " My name is Finch." "Henry T. Finch" "You got someplace we can talk?" "In the library but I haven't much time." "I haven't either." "I have to get out of town." "I've been hiding but they're on to me." "You see, they think I did it." "Did what, Mr. Finch?" "I guess I'm not making much sense." "I'm nervous." "I was bookkeeper at the Highwater Cannery." "I kept Hanson's books on the side." "Let's go in here." "You're the man we were trying to find during the trial." "So were they." "The funny thing is I burned those books the day Hanson told me." "Then you came up with them." "Same figures, same signatures." "I saw the photographs in the papers." "Are you trying to say the books were faked?" "I'm not blaming you, Mr. Foster." "You had to do it to get him." "But you sure put me on the spot." "That's why I got to clear out." "A couple of thousand could carry me." "This is a very feeble attempt at blackmail." "No." "You got it wrong." "I'm helping you." "Otherwise I'd have to get police protection, tell about the books." "Who put you up to this?" "Nobody." "You didn't burn any books." "Yes, sir." "I burned them all." "Watched them go up in smoke." "As close as I am to you." "Maybe you didn't know they were faked." "China Coast?" "I want to speak to Mr. Beal." "Nick Beal." "Oh, he's not?" "Will you ask him to call Mr. Foster if he comes in?" "Yes." "That's right." "Thanks." "I wish I knew what kind of game you were up to." "Hurry." "The Whites are here." "There's too many people here." "I gotta go." "I'll see you at your office at ten." "I burned them, Mr. Foster." "Joseph, we're waiting for you." "Yes, I'm coming." "What's the matter?" "I'll have to leave in an hour or so." "Wolfe promised to show me some papers around ten." "There was a message for you." " I got it." "How did it go?" "Alright." "Is he going to meet you?" "Ten at his office." "Good." "I got the pipe." "I don't know why you want it." "I collect them." "Don't tell him." "Tell me something?" "You know I did burn Hanson's books." "You don't believe me." "Sure I believe you." "Then how?" "Probably copied them before the trial began." "Yeah." "That's all." "That would be smart." "I better go." "It's already ten." "Won't be necessary." "The money." "I've got it." "You have?" "That's swell." "I was kind of nervous." "Only not here." "Mr. Beal?" " Yeah." "You forgot your pipe." "Did I?" "You sure you have the money?" "You been trying to find me?" "Yes, I have." "What for?" "I was talking to Hanson's bookkeeper." "So?" "I thought he'd skipped town." " No, he's here." "He's supposed to be here at ten." "He has a very odd story, Beal." "Says he personally burned Hanson's books." "Claims the ones we used are counterfeit." "They looked alright, didn't they?" "If they're faked, I want to know it." "What did the guy want?" "$2,000" "Shakedown." "I'm not sure." "Why else would he pick the night they're deciding who's going to run for governor?" "I don't know." "I wouldn't worry." "It's quarter past ten" "I'll lay even money the fellow doesn't even come." "That's beside the point." "I want to know if those books were faked." "What do you think?" "I'm asking you." "Yes or no?" "Take it easy." "How could they be faked if they were burned?" "By putting ashes through a printing press?" "I want a direct answer, Beal." " Don't touch me." "I don't like to be touched." "Besides what's the difference if they were faked?" "I have to admit in this trial and set Hanson free." "And blow the governorship sky high?" "That doesn't matter." "I happen to have a conscience about these things." "Hello." "Oh." "Hello, Ben." "Yes." "I knew the committee was meeting." "Oh, they have?" "Well, tell the committee that I'd be very pleased to accept the nomination." "If we can get all the churches in the state staring a series of sermons on good government..." "We want to blast Kennis." "Yes on that tax decree." "What about" "That'll be fine." "Mimeograph some copies to our list of women's clubs." "May I see it please?" "No, no." "Change this." "Joseph Foster means good government." "Just Foster on top and good government below." "Print 5000 copies to begin with." "Yes, Miss Allen." "He hasn't come in yet?" "No, Mr. Norton, I'm sorry he hasn't." "But it's nearly three o'clock." "Well, the jury's luncheon lasted longer than we expected." "Miss Allen speaking." "You'll have to ask at the regular press conference." "Is the committee still in there?" "They've been waiting for over an hour." "Let them wait." "You should have been with us." "A thousand women and ten thousand questions." "The governor wowed them." "I knew he would." "I wish everybody had as much faith in me as you have." "Everybody doesn't know you as well as I do." "Don't overplay it, sugar." "Sorry I'm a bit late, gentlemen." "It was an interesting gathering." "Joseph, I'm afraid we have some bad news for you." "The Stafford report." "What about it?" "Indicates you were run more than a hundred thousand short of Kennedy." "Couldn't be wrong." "It's accurate to more than one percent." "What should we do?" "We keep working and hope something will happen." "Kennedy's too smart for that." "You've got just one chance." "And what's that, Mr. Beal?" "Make a deal with Faulkner and his downstate machine." "You're not serious?" "You want to win, don't you?" "Not that much!" " We couldn't!" "Biggest crook in the state." "Just the kind of people we're out to beat." "What do you say, Joseph?" "I agree with these gentlemen, of course." "It would negate everything we stand for." "It's out of the question." "I'm surprised you'd suggest such a proposition." "Gentlemen, shall we consider next week's agenda?" "Feeling low?" "I'm disappointed." "You don't like the Faulkner idea, huh?" "No, I don't." "That's too bad because the deal's already made." "I set it up the day before yesterday." "You set it up?" "No charge, Governor." "Beal" "I'm going to toss you through that window." "I don't like anyone to touch me." "Alright." "But get out." "Sure." "I'll get out after I speak my piece." "Whose team do you think I'm playing on?" "I don't know and I don't care." "I'm playing on yours." "I'm trying to help you." "I want you to be governor." "If I've done wrong, you can repudiate it." "And me too." "Alright, I intend to." "And sell the state down the river at the same time?" "It's funny about reformers." "They're all colorblind." "They see everything either in black or white." "No in-betweens, no greys." "They don't realize that politics is full of greys; all different shades." "Like in this case." "In order to do good as governor you must be elected first." "And to be elected you must make a deal with Faulkner." "Sure, that's kind of grey." "But it's white beside Kennedy's color." "You know that, don't you?" "Are you through?" "And it's funny about you being sore." "You didn't set the deal." "Your conscience is clear." "After you're governor all you have to do is throw Faulkner a couple of scraps from the table." "Get out." "Get out." "I'd think it over." "Would you like to check these, Miss Allen?" "Have they been signed?" " Yes" "Send them right away." " I'll get a special messenger." "You've got a date tonight, baby." "Who with?" "The next governor of the state." "Better get prettied up." "And don't forget the case." "It cost me three thousand." "Good evening, Donna." "Good evening, Doctor." "Oh." "Mr. Beal." "I've been trying to place your face for over a month now." "Maybe you better give up." "Did anyone ever paint your portrait?" "Yes." "Yes, Rembrandt in 1655." "No thanks, Eileen." "Darling," "I'm not hungry." "Something's bothering you, isn't it?" "No." "Joseph, what's the matter with us?" "We used to be able to talk things over when we had problems." "It's not that girl?" "What would she want with an old duffer like me?" "I'd want you." "Can't you tell me?" "It's that Falkner machine downstate." "Beal made an arrangement with it in my name." "It's no problem." "Issue a statement to the newspapers." "It means giving up the governorship." "It's that important?" "Yes." "Yes it is." "It amounts to electing Kennedy." "Selling the state down the river." "I'd rather have you sell the state than yourself." "That's not the point." "There's so many good important things I could do if elected." "Isn't that what Hitler said once and Mussolini?" "That's a lot of nonsense." "There's no comparison." "But they made deals with downstate machines too." "Martha," "You just asked me why I don't talk things over with you anymore." "Well, I'll tell you." "I'm fed up with cant, righteousness and sanctimony." "I'm fed up with preaching." "You're not a wife." "You're a missionary." "Good evening, Opal." "Good evening, Mr. Beal." "Tell Miss Allen I'm here." "Yes, sir." "Looks as though you were wrong about tonight." "He'll show." "Put those down." " Why?" "I had Opal fix them special." "That isn't all that was fixed special." "What's wrong with this?" "Same as the dish; too obvious." "Now wait a minute." " Look, I know the deal." "A couple of drinks, light down low, half a pint of perfume and some sultry conversation." "It's worked before." "Yeah, well, it would tonight but it won't stick." "Not with him." "And i want it to stick." "What do you recommend, Mr. Beal?" "I'll tell you." "He's coming up here worried and tired." "He just had a fight with his wife and wants somebody nice to talk to." "That's you." "I said nice." "For instance, if he wants a drink you don't have anything like that in the apartment." "Then he'll ask your advice about a deal I cooked up with a politician named Faulkner." "I approve?" "Only first you want to know what his wife thinks." "She doesn't like the idea." "You get sore." "Does she want Kennedy to win?" "Is she trying to wreck his career?" "Can you remember that?" "I'm a quick study." "You better be because here comes the tough part." "You mention something about wishing his Martha felt that way." "And that's your cue." "Your big speech." "Joseph," "I've a confession to make." "Sometimes I wish you weren't married so that we could..." "I've shocked you, haven't I?" "Me?" "Don't be stupid." "That's you." "Say it." "Joseph, I have a confession." "Sometimes I wish that you weren't married so that we could" "I've shocked you, haven't I?" "No." "No, you haven't." "Because I've a confession of my own." "Each day when I go down to campaign headquarters," "I'm afraid you won't be there anymore." "Then when I see you I know everything is alright again." "And the times we've had lunch together." "Do you remember how many?" "Six." " Six." "And each one a red letter day in my memory." "Now you." "Joseph, don't say any more." "Joseph, don't say any more." "But I have to." "It's all bubbling out." "No, Joseph, no." "No, Joseph, no." "But what's the matter?" "I'm frightened." "I'm frightened." "But there's nothing to be frightened of." "Please, Joseph." "Go now." "I'll see you in the morning, darling." "He'll say, "I'll be counting the minutes."" "How corny can we get?" "Nevermind that." "Just remember those lines." "Yeah but will he remember his?" "You must be out of your head because he's not going to say all those things or even a part." "Hello." "This is Donna Allen speaking." "Tell him to come up." "Tell him to come up." "You better hurry up and change." "The black suit." "Put it on." "With you in here?" "OK." "Eighth floor." "Is Miss Allen at home?" "Who's calling?" "Mr. Foster." "Mr. Foster, come in." "I'll tell Miss Allen you're here." "Hello, Joseph." "I'm not interrupting, am I?" "No." "No, of course not." "I happened to be in the neighborhood and I thought..." "I'm glad you dropped in." "I was lonely." "May I sit down?" "Yes." "You look tired." "I am." "Could I get you some coffee?" "I'll need something stronger than coffee to pick me up." "Well I'm" "I'm afraid I haven't got anything like that." "I'm sorry." " You needn't be." "It's unusual and a pleasure to find a non-drinking female these days." "That makes me sound awfully old fashioned, doesn't it?" "No." "Sensible." "You look worried." "That's one reason why I dropped in." "Is it Faulkner?" "How did you know?" "Nick Beal said something about it on the way out tonight he he seemed very upset." "I don't understand Nick." "I'm sure Nick's trying to help you in his own clumsy way." "I suppose so." "What do you think about Faulkner?" "Me?" "I shouldn't advise you, Joseph." "What does your wife think?" "She's very much opposed to Faulkner." "I can understand." "She doesn't realize what what one has to put up with in politics." "She thinks I'm turning into some sort of Hitler." "Oh, she doesn't." "She must know that" "It would be far worse to let Kennedy win." "And then there's your career." "Doesn't she realize that this is only the beginning?" "You're on the road to something really important." "I wish Martha felt that way." "Joseph" "I have a confession to make." "Sometimes I wish that you weren't married so that we could..." "I've shocked you, haven't I?" "No you haven't." "I have a confession of my own." "Each morning when I go down to campaign headquarters I'm afraid you won't be there anymore." "Then when I see you everything's alright again." "And the times we had lunch together." "Do you remember how many?" "Six." " Six." "Each one a red letter day in my memory." "Don't say anything more." " But I have to." "What's the matter?" "I'm frightened." "There's nothing to be frightened of." "Joseph, you should you better go now." "I'll see you in the morning." "Really I..." "I'll see you in the morning." "I'll be counting the minutes." " Thank you." "Nick." "Nick?" "Nick!" "Nick." "Did you call, Miss Donna?" "Where did Mr. Beal go?" " I didn't see him." "He's not out here." "It's eight floors to the ground." "How did he get out?" "He could have swung across to that fire escape on the next building." "But it's sure a long swing." "Going out, Miss?" "Yeah." "What's the time?" "You just asked me that." "I didn't ask you what I just asked you." "I asked you what's the time?" "It's 10:48." "Thanks." "Wait a minute." "Come here." "I want to tell you something." "I'm a heel." "Oh, now Miss, I wouldn't say that." "Don't argue with me." "I'm a heel." "Admit it." "He's a bigger one." "Pushing little people around." "Making up speeches for them." "Sneaking up and down fire escapes." "What do you think of a guy like that?" "Don't interrupt me." "What was I talking about?" "Fire escapes." "Fire escapes." "You know something?" "Got one of my own." "I got a railroad ticket to nowhere." "Train leaves in exactly" "What is it?" "Ten?" "Ten fifty." "Twenty minutes." "I'm gonna disappear in twenty minutes." "You think I'm scared, don't you?" "It sounds like it." "Well, I'm not." "You're wrong." "I'm not scared." "See this?" "Nice." "It's not nice." "It's probably rabbit fur." "I'm gonna take it with me anyway." "Services rendered." "Boys clubs, campaigns," "love scenes." "What's the time?" "10:51" "You're a great little conversationalist." "You sound just like a talking clock." "Now look, miss, I'm a " "Gimme a cigarette." "Cigarette?" "Least you can do is offer a lady a cigarette." "I just got time" "How are they coming in the 11th?" "Can't you give us some partial returns?" "Kennedy's leading by 2,900." "How are we doing?" " Still quite close." "Neck and neck." "That's not bad." "I'm afraid it is, Joseph." "Why?" " Only five districts left." "And the 21st and 22nd belong to Faulkner." "Kennedy's stronghold." "You'll pick up some votes in the 5th and 9th but not nearly enough." "Something coming through now." "Pardon me." "Martin 1-6-5-8" "Kennedy 35-6-0-8" "Foster 97,493" "That's really close, Mr. Foster." "Joseph," "You didn't make any arrangement with Faulkner, did you?" "No, Ben, I didn't." "Then he must be double crossing Kennedy in some way." "Kennedy 7-8-8-2-8-2" "Foster 8-4-7-2-6-6" "Fifty thousand ahead." "That's wonderful." "Hello, Bill." "Mr. Faulkner." "Well, Governor." "Looks like we're in business." "What's that?" "Let's go over here, Faulkner." "Nothing from the 21st yet, eh?" "Faulkner" "I'd like you to explain your remark about being in business." "That's what I said." "I wouldn't worry about the 21st." "The hat's full there too." "That fifty grand you gave me to spread around will pay off about three votes to the dollar." "You gave him fifty thousand dollars?" "Where did you get it?" "From me." "Joseph!" "It was only a loan." "I'll pay it back when I can." "Quiet!" "Quiet everybody!" "We have some important news!" "We just got a flash." "Kennedy concedes the election!" "Speech, Governor, speech!" "I only want to say you've worked harder than any group I've ever known." "You've been swell." "And I won't forget it." "Pardon me." "Congratulations, Governor." "A wonderful night, Governor, a wonderful night!" "Let me explain." " Good night, Joseph" "Don't worry." "They'll come around." "I wonder." "Of course, they will." "They don't understand." "You're elected, darling." "You're governor." "Now you can do all the wonderful things you want to and prove how wrong they were." "How about a celebration?" "This doesn't happen every day." "Of course, we'll celebrate." "That's the ticket." "Listen everybody" "We're having a party at the Gold Room." "Music, floor show, all the trimmings." "It's on me." "Coming, Foster?" "I've never danced with a governor." "Yes, I'm coming." "With bells on." "That's the spirit." "Hello." "Yes. just a moment." "Who is it?" "Mrs. Foster on the phone." "Tell her the governor is in conference." "Oh, no, no." "33" "You heard me. 33." "Let's get on with it." " Yes, Governor." "Mr. Beal is here." "Send him in." "Get this right." "It has to last two years." "Maybe four." " Hello, Nick." "Have you seen the early edition of the Globe?" "No, I haven't" "Something in there might interest you." "Read it." "Independent Party disowns Foster." "In a move unparalleled in political history the Independent Party today renounced its connection with governor elect, Joseph Foster." "Superior Judge Ben Hobson disclosed that" "Foster's misuse of unauthorized campaign contributions" "Let me see that!" "That hypocritical old goat." "I'll ram that committee of his down his throat." "Hello, Joseph." "I'm glad someone will talk to me." "I've been wanting to." "What happened to Ben and the committee?" "Not one of them will see me." "I think you know." "Though I believe they would have overlooked the Faulkner arrangement if you hadn't lied about it." "I didn't lie." "I said I didn't make the deal and I didn't." "But you agreed to it." "But Tom," "You and Ben and the others have known me for more than twenty years and you know there's nothing to worry about when I'm governor." "I'll have to throw a few scraps to Faulkner but that's all." "Nothing has changed." "You've changed, Joseph." " How?" "Your clothes for one." "Well, what are clothes?" "And there are there are rumors about you and" "Miss Allen." "I know I shouldn't mention them." "Or the story that" "You and Martha are estranged." "Is it true?" "In a way." "What's my personal trouble got to do with it?" "They're all indications of change." "Then there's the influence of this Nick Beal seems to have over you." "Influence nothing." "He loaned me some money and I'll pay it back." "That's all." "I wonder." "Have you signed anything with him?" "Any sort of contract?" "Of course not." "What are you driving at?" "I don't know exactly." "But there's something strange about him." "Something eery." "It's a pose to impress people." "How did he get out of your house the night you were there?" "Why was he afraid to read the Bible?" "Are you serious?" "I know I can't be." "But I am." "And there's another thing." "Somewhere I've seen a portrait of him." "A medieval drawing or woodcut." "I'm trying to remember where." "Drawing as what?" "Lucifer." "We're in the twentieth century, Tom." "Nobody believes in such things since the Salem witch burnings." "Besides aren't there a few items missing?" "Where's the tail and the horns?" "Where's the smell of sulphur and brimstone?" "And where's the contract you're talking about signed in blood and promising the delivery of one slightly used soul?" "Maybe the devil knows it's the twentieth century too, Joseph." "I'm sorry about Martha." "And if people are talking about us" "Well, I'm sorry about that too." "Well, I'm not." "You're the one thing I'm not sorry about." "But Ben and the others that hurts." "I know, Joseph." "The trouble is I can't give up." "I must justify the position I've taken." "I suppose there are other reasons too." "The idea of being governor the flattery of having people know you." "The authority and the power" "I sound egotistical, don't I?" "Selfish too." "No, because" "I know you'll do the best job you can." "I wonder." "There's Faulkner." " He's nothing." "And Nick Beal." "Yes, there is Nick." "How do you feel about him?" "I don't know, Joseph." "He gives me the creeps." "Someone else said that." "In other words." "Joseph, I wish I..." "You better go now." "Will I see you tomorrow?" "Of course." "And don't you worry." "Don't let other people make your decisions." "You make them yourself." "Promise me?" "I promise." "Going soft?" "Where did you come from?" "Down the chimney." "What's the idea?" "He's in trouble." "You bet he is." "Nick, what's he ever done to you?" "Nothing." "Then why do you want to destroy him?" "He's good and he's decent." "Why don't we forget him?" "Why don't we go off together?" "Just you and me." "Let him make his own decisions." "You and I could have a lot of fun together." "Don't touch me." "Don't ever touch me." "Why?" "Are you afraid of me?" "You stupid tramp." "I ought to toss you back in the gutter where you belong." "Keep in line." "I'll talk to him tomorrow." "You won't need to." "I'm taking care of him myself." "Tonight." "Joseph?" "Yes?" "The inauguration Thursday, I won't be there." "Why not?" "I think you know." "But Martha," "There needn't be any talk." "You can say I'm ill." "I don't want to say anything." "I want you there." "No you don't." "We're strangers, almost enemies." "For the last two months you haven't even known I'm alive." "I guess that's so." "I'm sorry." " So am I." "I've been thinking tonight." "I'm trying to figure out what's changed everything." "I can tell you." "Mr. Beal." "That's what everybody says but it's not Beal it's me." "I don't seem to want the things I used to want." "It isn't too late to change back." "I'm going to be governor no matter what happens." "I want you to be governor." "To be a good governor." "With no shoddy alliances." "You sound like that reform committee." "Well, I don't feel like it." "I feel sad." "All of the wonderful things that we've had are gone." "Do you remember the good times we used to have on twenty dollars a week when you were going to law school?" "And all the problems we used to share?" "I know this isn't fair." "I'm just saying these things to prove to you that I want only the best for you." "I know you do." "Then you must believe me when I tell you that Beal is dangerous." "Alright." "I'll get rid of him." "You owe him $50,000." "I know." "Martha" "Would you be very angry if I sold the house?" "No, I'd be pleased." "And if that isn't enough, I've got the bonds Mother left me." "I don't deserve you." "Promise me one thing." "Don't see him again." "I don't know that I can exactly" "This is the first really important thing I've ever asked of you." "Alright." "I promise." "Thank you." "Mr. Foster?" " Oh, It's you, Beal." "I was just going to write you a note but now that you're here" "Save it for later." "You're in quite a bit of trouble." "I don't quite understand you." "You remember Hanson's bookkeeper and the coroner's verdict on his death?" "Yes, accidental." "They put a new tag on him a couple of weeks ago that reads murder." "Murder?" "Why didn't I hear about this?" "You'd be the last one they'd tell." "Seems like whoever tipped them off mentioned your name." "But I only saw the man once in my life here in this house." "They know him." "They also know from your maid that you had an argument with him." "And from some bridge playing friends of yours that you left the house shortly before ten which is when he got it." "Where did you hear this?" "A friend in the bureau." "I'll tell you it's a very flimsy case." "Sure, only they don't think so." "They'll be here any minute now to pick you up." "On circumstantial evidence like that?" "Oh, I forgot." "They found something on the body." "A pipe with a silver band around its stem and three silver dots on the bowl." "And traced back to a set you got two or three years ago." "That's impossible." "How many pipes in the set?" "Seven." " Count them." "There's one missing." "Did you have it with you that night?" "You don't think that I" " I wouldn't know." "But I got a feeling it's going to interfere with you becoming governor." "For weeks something inside me has been saying I wouldn't make it." "I guess it's been telling me the truth." "Not necessarily." "Because I can pull you clear." "How?" "I've been sticking my neck out for you." "Hanson's evidence, Faulkner, angles in your campaign." "Cost me a lot of money too." "And now this." "I'd like some protection." "And I'd like it in writing." "Joseph." "What's Mr. Beal doing here?" "We're discussing business." "But you said" "What did he say, Mrs. Foster?" "Martha, can't you see you're interrupting?" "But you promised you'd never have anything more to do with him." "Maybe I didn't put it clearly." "I wish you'd leave." "You'd better read it over." "It includes a small reward for services rendered." "Keeper of the state seal?" "That doesn't mean anything." "It doesn't even pay a salary." "Maybe I like state seals." "Oh, and there's sort of a default clause you ought to read too." "In case I fail to make the above appointment" "I do hereby agree to accompany the aforesaid Nicholas Beal" "To the Island of Almas Perdidas." "What island is that?" "Owned by some friends of mine." "They need new personnel." "At what kind of work?" "Why worry?" "The clause will never take effect." "You can give me the state job the minute you become governor." "Yes, that's right but I don't like this anyway." "It's too ambiguous." "It might mean anything." "Then you want to face the music?" "Mr. Foster." "Mr. Foster." "There's a detective at the door." "He says he has to see you." "Have him come in, Eileen." "Mr. Foster will see you in the library." "May I take your hat?" "No, thank you." "Come in." "Mr. Foster?" " Hello, Lieutenant." "This is Mr. Beal." "Lieutenant Dodds and Sergeant" " Sergeant Harold." "What brings you up here?" "We're working on the death of a man named Henry Finch." "Finch?" "That isn't the man who was Hanson's bookkeeper, is it?" "Yes, that's him." "It's kind of an odd story." "Don't mind Beal." "It seems the harbor detail made a mistake a few months ago." "They figured this Finch fell from the pier down to the bay and hit his head on some rocks." "No water in his lungs." "Then we began to hear rumors." "So we took a look at the tide tables for that night." "High water at 10 o'clock." "The closest rocks were eight feet under." "So he got knocked in the head before he fell." "Murder." "That's what the rumor said." "They found this pipe by his body." "Ever see it before?" "I don't know." "Looks familiar." "Looks like one of the pipes that was given to me in a set." "This set." "Seven." "One, two, three, four five, six, seven. they're all there." "Almost a perfect match, though." "You weren't thinking of hanging it on Mr. Foster were you, Lieutenant?" "No, Mr. Beal, we never really thought" "Don't apologize, Dodds." "It's your job to run down clues wherever they lead." "I guess we're both glad this was a dud." "We must be running along." "We have a lineup at ten." "Good night, Mr. Beal." "Mr. Foster" " Good night, Lieutenant." "Eileen." "Would you see these gentlemen out?" "Your handwriting is very legible, Governor." "Good, clear signature." "There's all but the last page." "Take it down to the hotel stenographer." "Yes, sir." "And rush it." "I'll need it in a half hour." "Good morning, Governor." "Not much of a day for the inauguration." "No." "You didn't eat much." "I wasn't hungry." "Nerves." "I've been talking to the boys." "They'd like a couple of things more." "Two members on the power commission, two more in the marshlands committee and chairman of the liquor control board." "That's practically every key post." "I wouldn't say that." "You'd still have the fish and game commission and me as the keeper of the state seal." "You didn't forget that, did you?" "No." "I'm sure you wouldn't want that forfeit clause to go into effect." "The fellows think you ought to drop that two hundred thousand for boy's clubs." "The budget's oversized now." "Alright." "The car will be downstairs in twenty minutes." "I better get at the inaugural address." "Address?" "Didn't I tell you?" "You wrote that last night." "A really first rate job." "Good morning, Governor." "How about a picture for the Globe?" "Your new home, Governor." "Think you'll like it?" "Joseph." "Donna." "I had to say goodbye." "Goodbye?" "But why?" "Just a moment, miss." "It's alright, officer." "Yes, sir." "What are you doing in those clothes?" "Everything else belongs to Nick." "To Nick?" "I'm so frightened of him." "Something terrible is happening." "Something he's planned." "Joseph, watch out." "He's a a devil." "He doesn't care about anything or anybody." "Better come inside, Governor." "Can't have you getting your feet wet." "You might catch cold." "Park here, Governor, until the ceremony starts." "I think you ought to look at these." "Might interest you to see how far you've come in the past eight months." "Foster inaugural today." "Foster elected governor." "This one goes back to the time when you were district attorney." "Foster promises clean city with Hanson conviction." "I think you can read the rest yourself." "I'll let you know when they're ready for you." "Mr. Foster?" "Mr. Foster." "They're ready for you, sir." "And that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of governor" "According to the best of my ability." "According to the best of my ability." "Justice Fisk, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen," "A few weeks ago the Independent Party whose candidate for governor I was" "issued a statement renouncing me for certain political commitments" "I am supposed to have made prior to election." "I never answered that statement because it is absolutely true." "Through greed, avarice vanity, ambition," "I made certain alliances with various groups of corrupt figures." "Alliances which I realize now will prevent me from serving my state properly." "Needless to say, I am ashamed of myself." "So ashamed that I am taking the only action possible." "I resign the governorship in favor of an honest man," "a man who was once my friend," "Lieutenant Governor Paul Norton." "Congratulations, Foster." "Impressive speech, fine gesture." "Virtue triumphant." "I'm surprised to see you take it so well." "Why shouldn't I?" "Your plans didn't quite work out." "Just the opposite." "They worked out exactly as scheduled." "Except that you lost a governor." "They're a dime a dozen." "But you won't get Norton." "No, I won't get Norton." "Or the state seal either." "We'll talk about that later." "Yes we will." "Soon." "Martha?" "Martha." "Hello." "Remember the forfeit clause in our contract, Foster?" "Well, tonight's collection night." "China Coast at eleven o'clock." "Got it?" "I advise you to be there, my friend." "And don't let the fog throw you." "It won't bother us." "Not where we're going." "Almas Perdidas." "The Island of Almas Perdidas." "There's no such place listed in the atlas or on this globe." "That's the way the contract reads." "But if the island doesn't exist" "I'm sure the contract isn't valid." "Tom, the things I signed in good faith, I gave my word in effect." "The last six months I've been acting selfishly and in bad faith." "I'm through doing that." "I'm through going against my conscience." "Your conscience tells you to go with Beal?" "Why don't you talk to Martha?" "She's gone away somewhere." "Besides if this is what you're hinting at, if there's something strange about it, I don't want to involve her." "Then you admit the possibility." "I don't know." "Do you know Spanish?" "No." "I wondered if you knew what the translation of the Island of Almas Perdidas was." "The Island of Lost Souls." "Strange, isn't it?" "But that can't be." " I know." "As you once said, it's the wrong century for superstition." "For werewolves, vampires and devils." "For even enchantments and black magic." "But Joseph, I do know this spiritual problems exist today just as they did in earlier centuries." "The battle between good and evil still goes on." "We all fight it." "Every day of our lives." "When you found the courage to renounce the governorship you expiated your sins." "You confessed." "You washed yourself clean." "That was your battle." "And it was with yourself not with Beal." "He can't make you go anywhere or do anything if you're no longer willing." "Don't you realize, Joseph you've already won." "Forget Beal." "Go to Martha who remembers you as you were." "As you still are." "She still loves you." "The two of you can make a fresh start together." "She's at my house." "Thanks, Tom." "Taxi." "Hello, Mr. Foster." " Hello, Larry." "838 Kerserage Place." "Dr. Garfield's house?" "Yes." "Are you sure that's where you want to go, Governor?" "Hello, Larry." "The printer said to tell you he was sorry he was late with these." "That's alright." "Say, Dr. Garfield?" "That Mr. Beal." "What about him?" "I never knew he was a taxi driver." "He isn't." "I just saw him in a cab driving off with Mr. Foster." "Leaving, Foster?" "Yes, I'm leaving." "I'll see you at home tomorrow, Beal." "Think you'll get there?" "Of course." "He was crossing against the light." "Is he badly hurt?" "I'll call an ambulance." "That won't be necessary." "I'll take care of him." "He has to catch a boat." "We've got to find him." "How?" "That place that he first met Beal." "Joseph said it was his headquarters." "Do you remember the name?" "No." "Try." "Perhaps Larry would remember." "If he's still outside." "Here we are, my friend." "Yes, brethren, every word is true." "I've walked in the darkness." "Glory be." "I've wrestled the devil and thrown him." "I've pinned his shoulders to the mat." "Yes, I've pinned his shoulders to the mat." "I wonder if he knows it's two falls out of three." "Not quite time yet." "We'll have a drink." "A glass for my friend." "Can't get through." "We've got to." "A man's life may depend on it." "I got my orders, mister." "Everyone takes the detour." "Just follow the signs." "As for your job, you'll never miss it." "We've important plans for you." "Wonderful work." "Travel everywhere." "Good evening, Mr. Beal." "Good evening, Cuthbert." "Good evening, Mr. Beal." "Hello, Foster." "Yes, you'll be a valuable addition." "Good front, inspire confidence and people will trust you." "Shall we move along?" "The last time I was here was quite exciting." "The city was on fire." "Picked up quite a lot of recruits that night." "Made quite a transportation problem." "Joseph!" "What are you doing, darling?" "Fulfilling an agreement, Mrs. Foster." "No, he's coming home." "I'm afraid you're wrong." "He's given his word on paper." "Right, Foster?" "That's right." "Joseph." "I doubt if he put his name to anything, Mr. Beal." "No?" "Take a look." "Good, clear signature." "You'll find everything else in order too." "It should be." "My company has negotiated quite a number of these." "Your company?" "A trading company, Reverend." "With representatives in all parts of the world" "Now if you'll just return it, we'll be on our way." "It seems to be alright." "Sorry." "Pick it up." "Wait a minute, Tom." "Suppose you pick it up, Mr. Beal." "It's right at your feet." "You've jockeyed me into sort of a morality play, haven't you?" "Only we've a pier instead of the knave of a cathedral." "But the props are the same." "It's always been bell and candle or that worn out book of yours." "It always will be." "I'm ready, Beal" "If you are." " No." "You saved yourself just in time, didn't you?" "There will be others who won't." "A lot of others." "And I'll tell you why." "In everyone, there's a seed of destruction a fatal weakness." "You know that now, Foster." "You're lucky." "You're luckier than I was when I fell." "But that was a long time ago." "He's gone." "But where?" "I wouldn't ask." "You've won." "That's the important thing." "Forget him." "Go home."