"( noirish jazz theme playing )" "( triumphant theme playing )" "MAN:" "Hello, Jim." "How's Naval Research?" "What're you doing back on the old submarine?" "I'm the project officer." "We're moving out on the Alpha Electronic test tomorrow." "What is it, Jerry?" "One of my boys in trouble with Naval Intelligence?" "Still your "boys" after three months." "You heard about the murder of the café entertainer?" "Well, the police want our cooperation." "Sergeant Cole will be aboard at 3 to talk to the crew." "What makes them think one of my boys might be involved?" "None of them wear glasses." "Well, the crushed lens found in the murder room was a plain-colored sunglass." "No corrective values whatsoever." "The police believe the glasses may have been used as a disguise." "The sailor seen leaving the premises after the mu could have been a civilian using a uniform as a disguise too." "According to the police, there was a Navy man in her life." "This is a pretty big Navy." "And I understand that girl knew a sailor or two." "I'm sorry, Jim, but there's reason to believe that this sailor may be a member of the Moray's crew." "Hey, Chapman, meet Johnny Larkin." "Brown's replacement." "Hi." "Hi." "Well, now." "What have we here?" ""To Brownie." "Always, Dolores."" "Not that I wanna hitch in sick bay, but I sure wouldn't mind replacing Brown in this department." "It would've been no sweat." "What do you mean, "would've been"?" "Is she out of circulation, chief?" "Permanently." "Someone tied a knot around her neck... with a nylon stocking." "Well, uh, any of you fellas ever make any time with her?" "Not me." "I was outmanned before I came on deck." "Well, nobody's admitting it now, you know, what with her murder and all, but, uh, you could say" "I was a close friend." "Come on, Larkin, I'll show you around." "I'll see you later, fellas." "( mysterious theme playing )" "( dramatic theme playing )" "( mysterious theme playing )" "Page can smell an inferior piece of equipment without setting a foot in the plant." "I know." "I served with him for six years." "Hansford," "I intend to get that contract." "Oh, let's face it, Gordon, our system can't compete with Devco's." "It simply will not stand a temperature rise of 10 degrees." "And Page won't let up long enough to let it cool off." "I'm only interested in the end result." "You know that Page and I barely tolerate each other since he married Vivian." "Nevertheless, you'll be aboard the Moray with us when she leaves tomorrow morning." "( intercom buzzes )" "Yes?" "MAN:" "Commander Page to see you, Mr. Russell." "Have him come in." "Yes, sir." "RUSSELL:" "How are you, commander?" "Hello, Mr. Russell." "You know Hansford." "Hello, Lou." "Won't you sit down?" "What did you think of the gadget, commander?" "I'd rather reserve my opinion until I've had an opportunity of seeing the entire unit in action." "Hm." "I'm sure you won't mind answering a few questions." "After all, I do know the Devco test showed great promise." "Mr. Russell, I'd like to know how you found out that information." "Come, come, Page." "If Alpha Electronics is going to remain in business," "I must know what the competition's doing." "Now, look, commander," "I've spent a lot of money in the development of this device, and I'm prepared to spend more." "Russell, you know better than to try to buy a favorable report." "Commander." "I suggest you speak to your wife." "( dramatic theme playing )" "Darling." "Vivian, what connection is there between you and Alpha Electronics?" "MAN:" "I own it." "It's one of several plants that I recently acquired." "Well, why didn't you tell me?" "You know I'm testing their equipment." "The Navy could take a dim view of a contract awarded, on my recommendation, to my father-in-law." "Oh, Jim." "Alpha Electronics wasn't purchased with the intention of trading on our relationship." "It happens to be the hub of a projected $300 million enterprise." "And I suppose you only learned about it this morning." "Dad did tell me about it three weeks ago." "That was just after the conclusion of the Devco tests." "So Russell had no difficulty in obtaining his information." "The reason I didn't mention Alpha Electronics was to avoid influencing any of your decisions." "Oh, Jim, you must believe me." "If you have any doubts, I suggest you disqualify yourself." "Yes, it would be easier with me out of the way, wouldn't it?" "The test will take place as scheduled, but I'm gonna request an investigation." "( dramatic theme playing )" "( muttering )" "Whom are we impressing?" "Uh, Mr. Anthony M. Beldon." "The, uh, M stands for "money."" "Anyway the office needed tidying up." "Well, we certainly mustn't keep him waiting." "No, no." "Mr. Beldon, will you come in?" "Thank you." "Mason." "How do you do?" "Mr. Beldon, won't you sit down?" "Thank you." "Mr. Mason, I understand that you are the only man in California with the necessary qualifications for the legal action that I have in mind." "What legal action, Mr. Beldon?" "To institute a suit against the United States Navy." "Can I do it?" "Common law holds that a government body is immune to suit, providing its activities remain within the strict purviews of governmental affairs." "However, if you have valid justification, you may seek redress." "Will $5,000 be sufficient as a retainer?" "I assume you do have such, eh, justification?" "Mr. Mason, I didn't come here to be cross-examined." "I came here to retain an attorney." "You haven't answered my question." "Aren't you interested in my fee?" "Mr. Beldon, I suppose you're accustomed to owning what you pay for, but this entitles you only to my services as counsel." "And your attitude has virtually eliminated my inclination and availability." "Well, I'll get a run for my money, if you're half as tough with the Navy." "The Navy has never knowingly refused to rectify an injustice." "Mr. Mason, a device manufactured by Alpha Electronics, one of my subsidiaries, will be tested aboard the submarine U.S.S. Moray at Terminal Island." "I have reason to believe those tests will not be judged with impartiality." "Why won't they?" "Commander Page, who's in charge of the tests, happens to be my son-in-law." "Now, he's convinced that Vivian, my daughter, and I are engaged in some sort of a conspiracy." "And you want Page relieved of this particular command?" "Yes." "Will you accept my retainer?" "Oh, we'll hold it, Mr. Beldon." "However, I would like to talk to Commander Page first." "All right." "The Moray will be making a test run with our device at 6:00 in the morning." "She should be back in the harbor by 9." "I'll be there." "Good." "Anthony M. Beldon?" "Well, is he a client?" "I won't know that until I get to Terminal Island tomorrow morning at 9:00." "I'll pick you up at 6:30." "( military theme playing )" "Sir." "Oh, come in, chief." "I, uh" " I didn't know you were using the captain's quarters, sir." "Oh, Commander Stewart thought I might be more at home here." "So you will, sir." "Just like old times." "Can I help?" "Oh, I cut it on a sliver of glass when we started to inventory Brown's gear." "You know if Brown was acquainted with that murdered girl?" "Well, sir, they-- They were friends." "But those shoes belong to Chapman." "His locker is right next to Brown's, and I opened it by mistake." "Well, let's not convict him on suspicion." "These slivers of glass don't prove that Chapman put that nylon stocking around that dead girl's neck." "Sir, it's only that the police were questioning us yesterday about that crushed lens they found next to her body." "I'll check it, chief." "In the meantime, I don't want any idle speculations." "Aye, aye, sir." "Oh, welcome aboard, gentlemen." "I'm sure you can use the captain's quarters to change." "Thanks." "Where's Mr. Beldon?" "In the control room." "They're uncrating the basic unit." "Beldon?" "What's Beldon doing aboard?" "He's an official of Alpha Electronics." "As a matter of fact, he owns it." "Or did Vivian forget to tell you?" "Lou, there was a time when we were very good friends." "How could you have stolen Vivian from me if you hadn't have been my best friend?" "Please see that these gentlemen get every assistance they need." "Still carrying the torch, hm?" "Can't you forget Page is the man who married her?" "Matt, please call me when they're ready for the test." "Hansford said it would be at least an hour." "That means two." "Hey, is it chilly in here, or is it me?" "Probably due to your lack of sleep." "Why don't you get some shuteye?" "Thanks, Matt, but there's still that little matter of Chapman's shoes, remember?" "I'll talk it over with you later, Jim." "You've known these boys longer than I have." "All right, Matt." "( mysterious theme playing )" "( sighs )" "( triumphant theme playing )" "MAN:" "Commander." "We're all ready, sir." "Sir?" "Commander Pa--?" "( dramatic theme playing )" "( mysterious theme playing )" "I object to this indignity." "The Navy has no jurisdiction over us." "Your protest and lack of cooperation will be duly noted, Mr. Beldon." "Chapman's shoes are not in this bag, sir." "And there's no sign of Commander Page's letter." "Well, if there's no further reason for detaining us..." "You may leave." "However, you will hold yourselves available for the inquest." "Matt, are you sure that Jim didn't mail that letter asking for an investigation into Beldon's activities?" "He told me he'd deliver it personally right after the test run." "That's when he gave me the carbon copy for my files." "We've checked everything, including the torpedo tubes." "There's no trace of Chapman's shoes." "They might have been disposed of at sea." "Matt, I want all personnel restricted to the ship." "No liberty for anyone until I've questioned Chapman." "Yes, sir." "Wait right here, sir." "The Moray, huh?" "That sub made the headlines three weeks ago." "Her crew was questioned about the strangling of a girl here in Long Beach." "The case is still open." "A Mr. Perry Mason and Mr. Drake to see Commander Page, sir." "Perry Mason, the attorney?" "His office called Jim last night for the appointment." "Take Chapman to my office as soon as the ambulance moves out." "You'd better go along with 'em, chief." "Aye, aye, sir." "Mr. Mason." "Mr. Drake." "I'm Commander Burke of Naval Intelligence." "Commander." "Would you mind telling me the purpose of your appointment with Commander Page?" "I'm sorry, but I can't divulge that information at the moment." "Perhaps Commander Page might be willing to enlighten you." "I'm afraid the answer will have to come from you, Mr. Mason." "Commander Page is dead." "Some question about his death?" "No question." "It was murder." "( dramatic theme playing )" "It wasn't necessary to return this check, Mr. Mason." "The manner in which your son-in-law died, and the fact that you withheld certain information, would have made your retainer unacceptable in any event." "Mr. Mason, are you suggesting that my father may have had something to do with my husband's death?" "No." "But your husband died believing you'd betrayed him." "He'd accused you of revealing certain information to Mr. Russell." "And I don't think you would have enjoyed the spotlight of a Naval investigation." "I won't even bother denying such nonsense." "Commander Burke was under the impression that I'd been retained to defend you against that nonsense." "( phone rings )" "Excuse me." "Hello." "Yes, just a minute." "It's your secretary." "Yes, Della." "Perry, I've been trying to reach you for over an hour." "Well, there was a man that called from San Pedro who refused to identify himself." "He seemed very insistent about seeing you." "So when he mentioned the Moray" "I told him you might be at Page's home." "Thanks." "I haven't heard from him." "I'll talk to you later." "Mr. Mason, you seem to have the impression that my father..." "The Navy is holding Robert Chapman for the murder of my husband." "A man we don't even know." "Your husband was murdered at a time he was about to test the Alpha Electronic device." "Your father was aboard at that time." "( door opens )" "( door closes )" "Perry, I can't understand why you got so involved in there." "I thought all you wanted to do was return his check." "I wonder on what evidence the Navy's holding this man Chapman." "MASON:" "What's this?" ""Would you be interested in representing Robert Chapman?"" "Any signature?" "No." "Could be Della's unidentified caller." "Oh." "These bills are new and numbered consecutively." "Mr. Anonymous may have left his name in some bank." "Mm-hm." "And someone might be able to identify the handwriting on that note." "I'll start with Robert Chapman." "( dramatic theme playing )" "The handwriting looks familiar, but I just can't seem to place it." "Mr. Mason, I'm going to be tried by a Navy court-martial." "Even though the Navy has appointed a qualified officer to defend you, you're also allowed to retain individual counsel." "What's the use?" "I can't pay you anyway." "Someone else is willing to do that." "There was $5,000 enclosed with that note." "Five thousand..." "I must be crazy." "She couldn't have written this, she's dead." "You mean Dolores couldn't have written it?" "According to Commander Burke, you denied knowing Dolores, but the glass particles in your missing shoes indicated you were there the night she was murdered." "Oh, I knew her." "Maybe not as well as some of the others did, but then, I was only her husband." "When the police uncover that fact, if they haven't already, they may assume you concealed your marriage to avoid implicating yourself." "Dolores asked me not to tell." "Besides, who was I going to tell anyway?" "The guys she was running around with?" "You just don't brag about that kind of wife." "How long were you married?" "Less than six months." "I thought it would work out after she promised to quit the Aloha, that's the bar where she worked, and go to live with my parents in Kansas City." "I bought her a whole new outfit." "Dresses, lingerie, shoes..." "Stockings?" "Three pair." "She was strangled with one of them." "It all adds up, doesn't it, Mr. Mason?" "I had to kill Commander Page to prevent him from discovering I'd murdered Dolores." "Did you?" "No, sir, I didn't." "What made Dolores change her mind about going to live with your parents?" "Five thousand dollars." "She showed it to me later on that same night before she was..." "murdered." "I went back to the house hoping I could talk her into returning the money." "Why didn't you report the murder?" "Well, I didn't know she was dead that night." "I didn't go in the house." "The door was locked." "I knocked-- Knocked?" "You certainly must have had a key to your own house." "I'd thrown my key away." "( mysterious theme playing )" "Well, if you decide you want it, just call Ernest Pritchard, huh?" "Having trouble?" "Yeah, everybody wants to know where her body was found." "I-it's like trying to lease the morgue." "My name is Mason." "I'm Robert Chapman's attorney." "Oh." "He's a-- He's a nice kid." "I'm glad he got a lawyer." "Were you here when they discovered Delores Chapman?" "Yeah." "I was the one that found her body." "You know, the minute I got here the next morning," "I knew something was wrong." "That" " That sign was trampled down into the lawn." "You know, Chapman must have run from the house like a drunk or a blind man that night." "He said he didn't enter the house." "Well, then how did his shoes pick up that glass?" "That's" " That's what you were looking for, wasn't it?" "The only glass I saw was that crushed lens near her body." "Uh, that mat." "Yeah?" "Was that here the night of the murder?" "Oh, yeah, that's where it always is." "I-I was just using it to prop the door back." "But the police examined it, and they didn't find anything." "MASON:" "That mat is smaller than the outline." "Hm?" "It's that Hazelton woman next door." "She's always trading things." "This is her mat." "She's got Chapman's here." "Eh." "There you are." "So Chapman was telling the truth." "He didn't go inside the house." "How come you're so interested in this crime, Mason?" "The theory is that both crimes were committed by the same person." "This may tell us who that person is." "Thank you, Mr. Pritchard." "( mysterious theme playing )" "( Hawaiian music playing )" "( door opens )" "Hi, Perry." "How long have you been here?" "Long enough to learn that the bartender's name is Julio Remarto, and that he's Dolores' uncle." "That's why her picture's still hanging there." "He refuses to take it down until the man who murdered Dolores is dead." "How about the money?" "Pick up anything on it?" "This $5,000 was withdrawn from the Long Beach State Bank three weeks ago by Alpha Electronics." "Dolores had $5,000 the day she was murdered." "And that was three weeks ago." "Yeah." "And that's about the time Beldon, Hansford, and Russell, the brass at Alpha Electronics, tried to pick up the Devco test results." "They get that information from Dolores?" "Well, they bought something with that 5,000, and I don't think it was entertainment." "And Russell." "He's the guy who invented angles." "He never misses." "What about Hansford?" "He's their chief engineer." "And if you're thinking in terms of a suspect for Page's murder, he fits." "He was formerly Vivian Page's boyfriend." "He's hated Page ever since the day they were married." "And, uh, Beldon?" "Well, his activities are spread all over the country." "Oil, chemicals, electronics." "He bought into Alpha Electronics only when he couldn't buy Devco." "Quite an assortment." "Paul, I want them covered from now on." "All right." "We also need a detailed breakdown on the chemical composition and optical properties of this glass." "This piece should be big enough for the purpose." "Mr. Mason, we spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year." "I don't see how you expect us to remember a $5,000 expenditure." "I'm sure Alpha Electronics keeps at least one set of books." "I resent your insinuation." "If Commander Page had accepted Mr. Russell's offer, what sort of entry would have been made for bribery?" "I don't believe this involves me." "I had nothing to do with bribing Page." "MASON:" "Murder is more important than bribery." "You were present on the Moray." "I suggest you remain." "I would still like to know how Alpha Electronics spent this $5,000." "I fail to see how that money affects your client's case." "His wife, Dolores, had $5,000 just before she was murdered." "That doesn't prove it was the same money we drew from our bank." "Just what are you alluding to now?" "The matter of how you obtained the Devco test results." "( dramatic theme playing )" "Della, may I have the manual for courts-martial?" "DELLA:" "I'll get it." "I'll bring it right in." "( knock on door )" "Hi, Perry." "Paul." "Here's the report on Messrs. Beldon, Hansford and Russell." "It's not very much." "What about the glass found at the Chapman place?" "Uh, the lab's still working on the optical properties, however, an analysis of the chemical composition proved that those particles are not plain glass." "( rings )" "Yes, Gertie." "Oh, put him on." "It's Commander Reynolds, the appointed defense counsel." "Hello, Commander." "( man speaking indistinctly )" "June 1st." "Thank you." "Right." "Thanks again." "( receiver clicks )" "Well, they've just referred the charge against Robert Chapman to trial by general court-martial." "They must have the evidence." "Well, that doesn't necessarily mean he's guilty." "What Paul means is they don't try a man by general court-martial unless they have substantial evidence against him." "Well, maybe there are some facts that the Navy doesn't know." "Della, the only thing the Navy might not know about is what the Army's doing." "Oh." "( phone rings )" "Yes, Gertie." "Put him on." "( Hawaiian music playing )" "Just a moment, please." "It's the man from San Pedro." "I recognize his voice." "Hello." "( man speaking indistinctly )" "No, there are no additional funds required for Chapman's defense." "But who are you?" "( clicks )" "Mr. Anonymous?" "Perry, I don't know if it would help or not, but each time that man called there was Hawaiian music being played." "The jukebox at the Aloha Café." "Paul, there were quite a number of the Moray's crew at that place, weren't there?" "Sure." "It's their hangout." "But don't forget, when the money was put in your car, the entire crew was restricted." "Except for Chief Scott." "He was in Burke's office when we arrived." "He left right after making his statement." "Della" "Call the Aloha Café at San Pedro and ask for Chief Scott." "Right." "( phone rings )" "Hello." "Aloha Café." "Just a minute, miss." "Chief." "It's for you." "Who is it?" "I don't know, but she sounds nice." "Oh, these dames." "They just won't let me alone." "Hello." "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't recognize your voice, but if you wanna come down here to the Aloha," "I'll buy you a drink." "Chief Scott is the man who called here." "I'll be on my way." "Call Commander Reynolds, tell him to meet me at the Aloha Café." "See you later, Paul." "All right, sir, I put that money in Mr. Mason's car." "Is that a crime, to help someone?" "Possession of that money could be a crime." "That money came from Alpha Electronics, and we have reason to believe that it was used to buy the results of the Devco test." "I didn't sell them anything." "That $5,000 was a down payment for a half interest in the Aloha." "We were gonna buy it from Julio." "Who's the "we"?" "Who was buying the other half interest?" "Dolores Chapman." "She was the main attraction in the place." "Having her as a partner would have been good business." "When did she, uh, give you that down payment?" "A few hours before she was killed." "I've kept the money in a safe deposit box ever since." "I" " I didn't know what to do with it." "Until Chapman was arrested." "Why did you use this, uh, anonymous method of helping him?" "I just didn't wanna get involved, that's all." "Then when I heard that Chapman was married to Dolores, I" "I wanted to return the money." "I thought he'd need it." "MAN:" "Violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 118." "Specification:" "In that Robert Samuel Chapman," "Machinist Mate Second Class, United States Navy, did onboard the U.S.S. Moray on May 14th, with premeditation, murder James Edward Page, Commander, United States Navy, by means of stabbing him with a screwdriver." "The charge was served on the accused by me on May 20th." "Before making your plea you are advised that any motion to dismiss any charge or to grant any relief should be made at this time." "Robert Chapman, how do you plead?" "The defense has no motions to be made." "The accused, Robert Chapman, pleads, to the specifications and charge:" "not guilty." "Trial counsel may proceed." "The prosecution has no opening statement." "We call as a witness Commander Jerome Burke." "State your full name, rank, organization, station and armed force." "Jerome Burke, Commander," "Naval Intelligence, 11th Naval District," "United States Navy." "Do you know the accused?" "I do." "Commander Burke, on the afternoon of May 14th you took the accused into custody?" "Yes, sir." "He was arrested for the theft of a pair of his own shoes, which had been in the possession of Commander Page." "Go on, commander." "The heels of the shoes contained glass particles." "A crushed glass lens had been found at the scene of a murder." "What murder was that?" "The murder of Dolores Chapman, the defendant's wife." "Now, it seems the trial counsel is inquiring into matters not specifically connected with the matter at hand." "Mr. Mason, do you have an objection?" "Defense has no objection." "MAN:" "You may proceed, sir." "I will now go to the morning of May 14th." "What transpired on that morning, commander?" "I received a message from the U.S.S. Moray informing me of Commander Page's death." "I found his body on his back, the plastic handle of a screwdriver protruding from his chest." "I show you this screwdriver, prosecution exhibit number two, the murder weapon, and ask if you can identify it." "Yes." "It's one of a set belonging to Chapman." "His initials are on it." "And was this tested for fingerprints?" "It was." "Most of the prints were smudged, however, there was one identifiable thumbprint." "The defendant's, Robert Chapman." "Thank you." "The prosecution has no further questions of this witness." "Commander Burke, you stated that a glass lens, which had been crushed, was found at the scene of Dolores Chapman's murder." "That's right." "Was that, uh, lens examined for optical qualities?" "It was." "According to the police, it was not a prescription lens." "It was simply the smoke-colored lens of a sunglass." "Now, commander, you testified that the screwdriver in question belonged to Robert Chapman." "Isn't it true that tools, when in use, were available to other members of the crew?" "As a matter of fact, to anybody present?" "Well, yes." "Yes." "Now, along with Robert Chapman's shoes, a letter, written by Commander Page, disappeared from his compartment." "Did that letter make any reference to the defendant?" "No." "Then there were two thefts, one of which had no bearing on the accused?" "That is correct." "To whom did the letter refer?" "It referred to the people connected with Alpha Electronics." "In what way?" "It contained a request for a Naval Board of Investigation." "The court has a question to ask trial counsel." "Does the prosecution intend to introduce the letter in question at a later time?" "No." "Defense has stipulated as to the letter, after being made aware of its contents." "Since the letter will serve no purpose in the prosecution's case, it has been forwarded to Admiral Lansing for such measures as he may deem necessary." "Defense counsel may continue." "Commander Burke, have you been able to establish that Chapman took that letter?" "No." "Now, you placed the defendant under arrest for the theft of his own shoes." "What has happened to that charge of theft?" "That charge has been dropped due to the lack of evidence." "Thank you, commander." "That'll be all." "Are there any questions by the court?" "No questions." "MAN:" "Before excusing the witness, it's my duty to instr not to discuss your testimony in this case with anyone except the counsel or the accused." "You'll not allow any witness in this case to talk to you about the evidence he has given or intends to give." "Now, Mr. Russell, you've stated that you were aboard the Moray at the time of Commander Page's death." "During that time did you have occasion to meet the accused?" "He was assigned by Commander Stewart to assist us." "And did the accused remain with you during the entire period of preparation?" "No." "No, he disappeared about a half hour before the test was scheduled to start." "MAN:" "Now, just how did the accused assist you before he left?" "RUSSELL:" "He helped uncrate the basic unit and bolted together some of the interlocking parts." "Did he use a particular tool?" "He used two tools." "A wrench and a screwdriver." "I show you exhibit 2 and ask if you can identify it." "Not positively." "As I have said before, it appears to be the same screwdriver he used in my presence, but I can identify it only generally, uh, just as to shape and size." "I ask you to examine the length of the screwdriver blade." "RUSSELL:" "I can say it was approximately this long." "MAN:" "That's 11 inches long." "Yes, sir." "The screwdriver the defendant used was at least this long." "Thank you." "No further questions." "Mr. Russell, who was with you in the control room at the time of the uncrating?" "Well, there was Chapman, Chief Scott," "Mr. Beldon and Hansford." "At the time the accused left the control room, did he leave the screwdriver?" "I don't know." "MASON:" "Did you see the screwdriver at any time after the accused left?" "I don't recall." "If he did leave the screwdriver there, it would've been accessible to anybody in the control room, however?" "Yes." "I imagine so." "Now, who else left the control room about the time of the start of the test?" "I don't know." "I didn't take note." "But you did note the departure of the accused?" "Yes." "Yes." "Thank you, that'll be all." "Yes, sir." "It's Chapman's." "He bought a set of that kind." "None of the crew had a screwdriver with a long thin blade like that." "None of the crew?" "No, sir." "They all had the shorter machine-shop issue." "But every man on the crew knew his was different and identifiable too, sir." "MAN:" "Mr. Beldon, when the Moray surfaced and you went up on the bridge for a smoke, besides an officer and the watch, was anyone else there?" "Yes." "Robert Chapman." "What was the accused doing?" "He was in the act of discarding a box of trash overboard, on Commander Stewart's orders." "A large amount?" "Well, I wouldn't know what would be large or small." "It seemed like a large amount." "Large enough to have contained a pair of shoes?" "Oh, yes." "No further questions." "Mr. Beldon, could you have thrown something overboard without being observed?" "Well, as far as I know." "Then you could've torn a letter to bits and, uh, thrown the pieces overboard, could you not?" "Yes." "Thank you." "That's all." "Now, Mr. Hansford, please relate what transpired as you passed Commander Stewart's compartment?" "Well, the curtain wasn't quite closed," "I had come to tell Commander Page that the equipment would be ready in 20 minutes." "Not later, as we had first thought." "Go on." "I was about to go in when I saw someone bending over his bunk." "The person's arm was extended, touching or holding something." "Then he straightened up, turned around and started out." "I ducked around the corridor, and I" "I saw Robert Chapman come out of the compartment, look around and exit in the opposite direction." "Then what did you do?" "I went into the compartment." "I stood inside and looked at Page." "His back was to me, and I thought he was sleeping." "Then I turned away and went back to the engine room." "Then?" "Well, when the Alpha device was ready," "I told Commander Stewart, and he sent someone to wake Page." "Now, could you be mistaken in your identification of the man you saw bending over Commander Page?" "No, sir." "It was Robert Chapman, the accused." "He was dead." "I was frightened." "I didn't know what to do." "Your witness." "Mr. Hansford, you say you went to inform Commander Page that the equipment would be ready sooner than expected." "Yes." "That's right." "Why didn't you send someone to do this?" "I just thought I'd go myself." "You did know, as a former service man, that there is an intercom between the engine room and the captain's quarters?" "Yes." "Why didn't you use it?" "I didn't." "Isn't it true that you and Commander Page were not on the best of terms?" "Not to the point of threatening each other with screwdrivers." "As a matter of fact, it could have gone further than threats." "Didn't you hate Commander Page because you were in love with the woman he married?" "Why do you keep trying to drag her into this?" "Maybe she belongs here." "Her husband accused her of turning over the Devco test results to Mr. Russell, did he not?" "That accusation was untrue." "Russell got that information from" "From Dolores Chapman?" "I didn't say that." "No, but that $5,000 says it." "And it puts you, Beldon and Russell right in the middle of two murders." "( ominous theme playing )" "( Hawaiian music playing )" "PAUL:" "Perry." "How's the Navy treating you?" "The Navy's fine." "Tough but honest." "It's the civilians who are making me look like this." "What happened to Dolores' picture?" "Her, uh, Uncle Julio took it with him when he got out of town in a hurry this morning." "He, uh, left this for you." "This supplies a motive for her murder." "Why did Julio leave?" "Well, the Devco engineer from whom Dolores got that information was picked up last night." "He accused Julio of arranging things between him and Dolores." "What things?" "An introduction." "He's 62 and she was 22." "Oh." "I'm sorry it took so long, but here's the lab report on the optical properties of that glass you found on the mat." "Corrective?" "Mm-hm." "It, uh, might give you some ideas." "Now, the prescription called for a particular type of colored glass designed for the left eye where the right eye needs no correction." "Of course, I'm still checking, but as yet," "I found no record in the city of any such unique prescription." "Susceptible to glare." "Yes, Paul, it does give me an idea." "All parties to the trial who were present when the court closed are now present." "The defense requests that Mr. Gordon Russell be recalled." "Master at arms, call Mr. Gordon Russell." "Uh, Mr. Russell." "Two months ago, in the company of Mr. Beldon and Mr. Hansford, you drove to Dolores Chapman's home." "What was the purpose of that visit?" "Business." "The sole purpose of that business was to obtain classified information on a device that was just tested for the Devco Company, was it not?" "RUSSELL:" "Since that information has been declassified, and I believe the law is not retroactive in that respect, maintaining my business is no crime." "In the manner in which you've been conducting it," "I'd say it was." "However, our interest here is in crime of a much more serious nature:" "murder." "MAN:" "Objection." "Prosecution asks that this irrelevant testimony be stricken from the record." "The witness is not on trial here." "How does defense counsel justify this line of questioning?" "Defense intends to establish that the testimony not only is relevant, but that a conspiracy between Anthony Beldon and the witness to obtain certain information led to the death of two people, namely Dolores Chapman and Commander Page." "MAN:" "The court will withhold its ruling on the admissibility of the witness' testimony until we've determined its relevancy." "How well did you know Dolores Chapman?" "I met her in a bar, the Aloha Café." "She was just another girl." "According to her uncle, Julio Remarto, she threatened to expose you unless you paid her an additional $5,000." "He's lying." "I never saw her again." "Didn't you return to her home on the night she was murdered?" "Certainly not." "I was involved in an automobile accident and was in the hospital that night." "Wasn't that accident due to the fact that you were driving without your glasses?" "Glasses?" "I don't wear glasses." "Defense requests permission to bring a slide projector and screen into the courtroom." "The court would like to know the purpose of this request." "It will be self-evident." "However, due to its experimental nature, defense asks the indulgence of the court and the prosecution until the experiment is concluded." "Has the prosecution any objection?" "As this appears to be part of defense counsel's previous line of questioning, prosecution will withhold its objections pending the court's ruling as to the admissibility of the testimony and the presentation." "Defense may proceed." "MASON:" "Now, Mr. Russell, we're going to show you some scenes on the projector." "Scenes with which you are familiar." "Can you see the screen?" "Why, yes." "Certainly." "As you will note, Mr. Russell, this is a picture of your office." "Would you describe the objects on your desk?" "There are two telephones." "A desk pad in the center." "A pen set." "And a carafe and two glasses on a tray near the bookcase." "Thank you, Mr. Russell." "May we have slide number two, commander?" "Now, Mr. Russell, would you please describe the contents of your living room?" "RUSSELL:" "The floor is carpeted, of course." "There are two full-length couches facing each other in front of the fireplace." "Three easy chairs." "Two lamps, a coffee table and three paintings." "Shall I describe them?" "That won't be necessary, Mr. Russell." "May we have the third slide, please?" "Now, Mr. Russell, this picture of Commander Page's compartment." "Will you describe its furnishings?" "Well, there's the bunk, of course." "And" "( coughing )" "As I said, there's the" "Why, that's the picture of an automobile accident." "That's right, Mr. Russell." "The accident in which you were involved the night you killed Dolores Chapman." "Your glasses were broken by her frantic effort to avoid being strangled by you." "When you left her house that night, you were driving blind, Mr. Russell, glare blind." "About as blind as you were a few minutes ago when you couldn't see the picture of that accident." "The lens found in her room was made of plain glass." "If what you say is true, how would that have helped my driving?" "It wouldn't." "There are only two reasons for wearing a lens made of plain glass." "If your eye is perfect and requires no correction, or if it is blind and a correction is unnecessary." "That particular lens was merely decorative." "It concealed the fact that you are blind in one eye." "( door opens )" "I would like permission to speak with Mr. Drake." "Permission granted." "Perry." "Here's the information you wanted." "Thank you, Paul." "Stand by, will you?" "Uh, Mr. Russell, do you still insist that you did not return to Dolores Chapman's house on the night she was murdered?" "I certainly do." "There's no proof that lens was mine." "There are plenty of blind people who use that kind of lens." "But very few blind in one eye and super-sensitive to glare in the other." "I've just received a report that gives us the name of the optometrist who prescribed these very unusual glasses for you." "You couldn't." "Dr. Amos Waddell of Chicago." "His place of business on Michigan Boulevard." "That doesn't prove anything." "The prescription matches in every detail the optical qualities of the glass particles in the mat." "What mat?" "What do you mean?" "The mat outside Dolores Chapman's home." "The mat where the corrective lens was found." "It is the corrective lens which traps you, Mr. Russell." "I don't understand." "You're trying to confuse me." "Trying to confuse you?" "Only the murderer could've known that investigation of the glass particles embedded in Robert Chapman's shoes would reveal who killed Dolores Chapman." "To prevent exposure when you discovered those shoes in the captain's compartment, you also had to kill Commander Page." "Now, Mr. Russell, are you still confused?" "( dramatic theme playing )" "No." "No." "( triumphant theme playing )" "That was quite a party." "They were ready to change the sub's name from Moray to Mason." "That party was just their way of saying thanks for clearing Chapman and the Navy." "You know, Perry, there's something I don't understand." "What made you think it was Russell?" "MASON:" "Oh, the letter." "It had to be a civilian who took it." "And obviously it must've been taken after Commander Page was killed." "How could you be so sure of that?" "Well, the removal of the letter, while he was still alive, wouldn't have served its purpose, which was to prevent an investigation." "He would merely have written another one as soon as he discovered its disappearance." "Why Russell?" "Why not Beldon or Hansford?" "Well, Hansford had served time in the Navy and knew what the procedure as to carbon copies." "Beldon hadn't been in the compartment." "He couldn't have known about the letter." "It had to be Russell." "Why did Russell take the letter?" "Was it his loyalty to Beldon?" "Oh, no." "His loyalty to Russell." "The investigation would certainly have revealed his relationship with Dolores Chapman." "You know, one of these days" "I'm gonna take a nice, long sea voyage." "Any particular place?" "No, just anywhere." "I haven't made up my mind yet." "The, uh, commander knows a slogan that might help you." "Oh." "What's that?" "Join the Navy and see the world." "( triumphant theme playing )" "( noirish jazz theme playing )"