"Making a few camera studies?" " No savvy, señor." " Don't give us that." "Give me that basket." "There he goes!" "Why are they shooting at him?" "The poor man was only fishing." " With a camera equipped with a telephoto lens." " Camera?" " I'd be careful if I were you" " Señor Compton has very sharp eyes." "Oh, the lens is easy to spot at this distance." "He was probably making a record of that seaplane catapult on the warship." "It's just been approved by the American navy, I believe" "You're not trying to tell me he's a spy?" " I am." " Oh, come now." "As you English put it, I think you're pulling my leg." "My dear Miss Finch, surely you learned on shipboard I never take such liberties." "Why, Mr. Compton." "Oh, well, at least we're getting off to an exciting start." "It's like one of those "blood and thunder" novels you write." "I say, Miss Finch, do you really read me?" "Well, only so I can warn my pupils not to." "Well, I must say I'm disappointed— that dirty old fisherman a spy." "Miss Finch wants her spies to be handsome, suave men of the world." " Like yourself, Señor Manolo." " Thank you, señor." "You two make me nervous, as if you suddenly didn't trust each other." "Ah." "It is the atmosphere of this place, señorita." "The Panama Canal draws agents of all countries here." "No one is to be trusted." "It is the city of spies." ""The city of spies"" "Good title for a book, what?" "I think I'll use it" "But seriously, Miss Finch, Señor Manolo is right." "You're in dangerous territory." "I don't care." "For 18 years, I've been teaching the children of Chicago... the mysteries of algebra and geometry." "Now I'm going to see something of the world" "I've even going to Mr. Manolo's cabaret tonight." "You've promised to show me everything, haven't you, Mr. Manolo?" "Oh." "Sí, sí, señorita Pardon me while I speak to an old friend." "Any answer, Mr. Cabot?" "Just a minute." "Tell Captain Vincent I must report for duty first." "I'll try to see him next week if I can get over here" "Yes, sir." "Well, Mac, it is good to see you again." " How is the señora?" " I think you've made a mistake." "I am so sorry." "You look exactly like a friend of mine." "Please forgive me." "I am Manolo." " Manolo's Cabaret, you know." " Oh, yes." "I've heard of it." " You are new here, señor?" " Yes." " Government service?" " Yes." "Engineering." "Then permit me to welcome you." "You will like Panama City." "It is so gay, so cosmopolitan." " And I hope you will visit my cabaret." " Thanks." "I will." "Well, still asking strangers their life story, Manolo?" "Señor Godley, I— This—This is a surprise, huh?" "Why, there's that Mr. Godley who was on the boat with us." " He came from England with you, didn't he?" " Why, no." "He came aboard in New York—with you." "Hello, Godley, old man." "So you're going with us after all." "I thought you were going on to San Francisco." "I am, but I suddenly decided to fly over the canal rather than creep through it." "Gives me an extra eight hours in Panama City." " Cigarette?" " No, thanks." "I never smoke them." " Prefer a pipe." " Very English." " Miss Finch?" " Well, why not?" "Other women do." "Miss Finch, you're shedding inhibitions every moment." "Congratulations." "If you come to my cabaret tonight in a daring red gown..." "I will know the tropics have done their deadly work." "Don't talk nonsense." "I'm too sensible to have inhibitions, and I'm too sallow to wear red." "But I am enjoying this trip." "Oh, I say." "Look who's here." "Isn't that Kathi, the stewardess from the boat?" "Oh, yes." "The little Czechoslovakian refugee." " What's a stewardess doing flying cross-canal?" " Oh, I feel sorry for her." "So when she tell me she have sing in cafés in Europe, I give her a job." "Oh, you must all come tonight and encourage her." "Uh, pardon me, please." "Passengers for Panama City may come aboard now." "We're taking off in five minutes." " Thank you." " All right." "Ah, señorita, let me take your bag." "There is a good-looking young American on the plane." "His name— Cabot." "Get acquainted with him and find out all you can about him." "Oh, uh, take this." "Please do not look so nervous." "All cameras must be collected during the flight over the canal." " Army regulations." " All right with me, young lady." "Shows Uncle Sam isn't asleep." "My, isn't this cozy?" "Tight fit though." "Please, this seat is occupied?" "With things that have no business being there." " I'm sorry." " Thank you." "Ah." "Señor Halide, how are you?" "Monsieur Manolo, welcome home." "Did you have a nice vacation in Europe?" "Eh, but of course." "Tell me, business— she is still good here?" "Oh, very good, except for your barber, Felipe." "He's in jail." "Espionage" " Eh, I should have expected." " Why?" "Because when you find a barber who do not talk all the time... it is very peaceful but suspicious." "Dr. Grosser?" "Aha." "So the good doctor is still among us, huh?" "Will you take these, please?" "Thank you." " Cablegram for Dr. Grosser." " I am Dr. Grosser." " Cablegram for you, sir." " Thank you." "I'll put that in a baggage compartment for you." "No." "I look after this myself." " But the rules say that you can't—" " Ach Rules." "This box contains the result of a delicate experiment." "Months of difficult research." "One clumsy move could ruin everything." "Everything." " Well, may I take this?" " Thank you." "Fasten your safety belts, please." "We're taking off." " I'll put this out of your way, sir." " Thanks." "Oh, my— my cigarettes are there." " I'm sorry." "Smoking is not allowed." " All right." "Isn't this exciting?" "Oh, look." "There's our ship just going through the first lock." " Oh, I can't get up." " You may unfasten your belt until we're ready to land." "Here." "Sit on this side." "Please do." " This your first glimpse of the canal?" " Yes." "It's rather a shame to fly it the first time." "It looks so insignificant from the air." "When you go through it by boat, you realize what a gigantic piece of engineering it is." "That's what I've heard I'm sorry I missed it" "Were you on that ship?" " What's the matter?" " Nothing." " Thank you." " You're welcome." "I can't help thinking of those poor sailors who used to have to sail ships all the way around the Horn" "What if they could see us now?" "It seemed fantastic enough when the canal was built... and they cut the transit down to 10 hours." "Precisely." "Not satisfied with that, we want to fly it." "Stewardess, when shall we be in Balboa?" " Twenty minutes, sir." " Imagine!" "¡:" "Un númerol" "¿Un número, señor?" "¿Número?" " ¿Un número?" " No." "No, thanks." "Ror favor Lotería" "Thank you, señor." "Monsieur Godley." "Going to buy a hat?" "Yes." "They tell me this fella makes fine panamas." "Oh, yes." "And come to me for the best cigarettes." "You bet." "Where's the boss— Fu Yuen?" "Fu Yuen speaks and offers welcome." "How can I best serve most honorable patron?" "Uh, gentleman would like panama hat." "Please." "Try this one for size." "Oh, excuse, please." "This one mine." "Gentleman seek headgear for sports activity, for formal wear?" "Or perhaps businessman special." "I hear you're a man of many friends." "Thousand friends too few." "Do you have enemies?" "One enemy one too many." "I guess we understand each other, Mr. Chan." " Rlease, name is Fu Yuen" " Sorry" "Uh, try this one, please." "Good afternoon, señor." "Good afternoon, Fu Yuen." "In Panama, walls equipped with eyes as well as ears." "You can't be too careful." "Washington has a pretty straight tip that there may be an attempt at sabotage... when the fleet passes through the canal tomorrow night." "Humble self responsible for tip." "Notice large increase in number of secret agents... after fleet ordered back to Pacific." "Anything more definite than that?" "Regret to report nothing definite enough to act upon" "Maybe I can help you." "We've learned that the person who sabotaged the Eldridge dry dock... who crashed the 409—" " Was secret agent named Ryner." " Right." "He's the one man we can't spot." "It's uncanny." "He's brilliant, and yet he's a cold-blooded killer." "We think he's here." "Ryner in Panama?" "Hope you bring some slight clue to his identity." "Yes." "You see—" "Call doctor!" "Wait." "Too late for doctor." "Call police." "¡:" "Muertol i:" "Rolicíal i:" "Rolicíal" "Is he dead?" "While purchasing hat, deceased light cigarette." "He take one puff and fall to floor." " What you take from the corpse?" " Merely seek identification." "Fu Yuenl Fu Yuenl What has happened?" " Monsieur Godley" " You know this man?" "Why, yes." "I saw him on the airplane, but I can't understand." "He was well and strong when he left the seaplane landing." "¿Sí?" "Huh?" "Hmm." "Diplomatic passport." "He's an American official." "You a spy maybe." "You kill him!" "You come with me!" " One moment." " Stop!" "My hat, please." "Sí Vamos" "I'll have another shilling on that!" "There we are!" " Hey!" "What's going on?" " Pop!" "Am I glad to see you." "How'd you know it was me?" "Frequent spankings have made favorite son's anatomy most familiar." "Blimey, don't leave the game now." "You've got all my money." "I'll be back." "Just a minute." "Last information, offspring working as steward on boat... during college vacation." " Where is boat now?" " Well, gee, I guess it's sailed for New York." "Explain presence here." "Well, when my boat docked in Balboa this morning, I set out to find you." "And on the way, I stopped along the waterfront to take some pictures." "A few art studies—you know, machinery, locks and battleships." "I was arrested as a spy." "Man without relatives is man without troubles." "Say, Pop, what are you doing in jail?" "Cannot talk now." "Later." " You do not know who or what parent is." " Oh, I catch on." "Captain Lewis, I show you the spy I catch." "Lieutenant, your vigilance and cooperation are greatly appreciated." "I'll take this man to the governor at once." "You, come with me." "Hey!" "What about me?" "Oh, maybe tomorrow we shoot you, I think." "Come on." "Ryner here in Panama?" "Any clue to his identity?" "Unfortunately, Mr. Godley join ancestors when about to reveal same." "That's bad." "Come in." "Governor, I've completed the autopsy on Godley." " Let's have it, Doctor." " Concentrate of poison in both lungs." "Please, poison called "boanide"?" "Yes." "How'd you know?" "Most deadly when inhaled with smoke from cigarette." "You were right then, Charlie." " Did you analyze the cigarettes in the package?" " They all contained boanide." "Why, the poor devil didn't have a chance." "All right, Doctor." "Thank you." " What do you make of it, Charlie?" " Too soon to make much." "But unusual method of causing death... is Ryner's signature to crime." "Godley and Ryner play "cat and mouse" game." " And mouse strike first." " He mustn't strike again." "With the fleet scheduled to go through the canal in the next 18 hours, we've got to work fast." "Look here, Charlie." "Here's our fleet— concentrated off Cristobal at the Atlantic gate." "To reach battle stations in the Pacific... the fleet's full war complement must pass through the Gatún Locks... the Galliard Cut... the Pedro Miguel and the Miraflores Locks— any one of them a possible point of danger." "If the lock does not function, battleship caught like fish in trap." "A lot of fish, Mr. Chan." "The canal is practically invulnerable against naval or aerial attack." "But we're at the mercy of Ryner and his kind till they're run to earth." "We've got to stop him." "The full resources of Military Intelligence are at your disposal, Charlie." "Am deeply grateful, but think it wiser at present... to remain humble purveyor of hats— Fu Yuen." "Say, gee, Pop, this is just like old times." "Ah." "But getting offspring out of jail must not become habit." "No I mean you and I working together on a case is just like old times" "Was not aware of current collaboration." "Gee, now that I'm here, I can be a great help to you." "You just wait, Pop." "You'll be proud of me yet." "Can hasten pride by removing odor of jail." "Scrub." "What have you got there, Rop?" "Floor plan of airplane which bring Mr. Godley to Panama City." "Same supplied by Captain Lewis who has questioned stewardess and all passengers." " You mean the murderer might have been on the plane?" " Yes." "How do you figure that?" "Before boarding plane, Mr. Godley and schoolteacher... smoke cigarettes from Mr. Godley's pack." "Neither suffer ill effects." "So someone substitute poison cigarettes after boarding plane." "How'd they do it?" "Weren't they in Godley's pocket?" "Cigarettes in pocket Mr. Godley's topcoat... which stewardess place on rear seat." "Easily accessible to all passengers." " Then one of them is Ryner." " Quite possible." "But hiding behind what name?" " Finch?" "Halide?" " Achmed Halide?" "Say, he sells cigarettes right across the street from you." "And Godley was killed by a poison cigarette." "Have not overlooked fact." " Who's Miss Finch?" " Chicago schoolteacher." " Young?" " Young maiden of 50 summers or more." "Oh" ""Richard Cabot"?" "Who's he?" " Government engineer." " Oh, he's out then." "Say, here's a foreign name "Kathi Lenesch"" "Who's she?" "Young lady who left job as stewardess on boat... to sing in cabaret operated by Señor Manolo." "Left the boat, huh?" "Dad, that sounds suspicious." "I think I'll go to the cabaret and look that girl over tonight." "Parent has reserved task for self." "Well, isn't there anybody I can investigate?" "Who's Dr. Rudolph Grosser?" "Also neighbor." "Viennese scientist." " Has rooms over Halide's tobacco shop." " Wait a minute." "Dr. Grosser." "Rudolph." "Vienna— bugs!" "I've got it!" "We studied Grosser in our biology class" "He's an expert on tropical diseases and plagues" "Don't you see?" "Grosser's our man." "And he knows all about plagues." "Why, he could manufacture one... and let loose horrible disease germs into the American fleet." "Why, Pop, it-it's horrible!" "It-It's awful!" "Quite correct." "Suggest you waste no time investigating doctor." "All right, Pop." "Who, me?" "Investigate him?" "Alone?" "With all those bugs?" "Oh, Pop!" " Dr. Grosser." " Out of my way." "But you must listen to me." "You have got to move from here or stop what you're doing." " It's driving me insane." " Mind your business." "The rent I pay is big enough." "I do as I please." " The dangerl" " Ach!" "You are stupid, and I have no time for fools" "Stop it, Grosser, or I'll make you." "You'll make me?" "I do not advise you to try it." "Oh, Monsieur Compton." "You come to pay a visit to my shop?" "I thought I'd like some more of your mixture." " Oh, yes." "Come in, please." " Thank you." "Were you pleased with my last shipment, monsieur?" "An excellent blend." "I thought I'd stock up while I'm here." "I have a new mixture I would like you to try, monsieur... but, uh, it will be more expensive." "If I like it, I'll pay your price." "Send it along to the Hotel San Pablo." " Anytime this evening will do." " Thank you." "Oh, so Dr Grosser lives here, huh?" " Yes, monsieur." " Interesting fellow, what?" "Well, cheerio." "Good night, monsieur." "Bubonic plague?" "Oh!" "Pop!" "Pop!" "Good evening, señor." "Oh." "Fu Yuen." "This is a surprise." "Many time you visit my store." "Am now returning compliment." "Well, don't look so sad about it." "Have a drink." "Very difficult to smile." "Death visit my humble shop today." "Ah, yes." "Señor Godley." "I forgot it happen in your place." "Eh, just think." "Only today, we were on the same plane together." "Oh, it is too bad." "I—" "Gentleman complain of being sick on plane?" "Well, I do not know." "I was asleep most of the way." "Ah, General." "Greetings." "I have a fine table for you." "Come." "You're kinda curious, aren't ya?" "You'd better come go with me." " No!" "Let me go!" "Let me go!" " Hey, Corporal!" " Corpl Corpl" " Let me gol I've done nothing wrong" " What's the idea, sailor?" " I don't wanna start no spy scare, Corporal but this girl here, she's— she's trying to pump me about the fleet." "Yeah?" "Well, what does she wanna know?" "She wants to know the exact time the fleet goes through the canal." " Oh, she does?" " Just a minute, Officer." "This is ridiculous." " I'll vouch for this girl." " Who are you?" "I'm Cabot, new superintendent of the Miraflores power control." " That cuts no ice here." "You come with us." " What has happened here?" "Oh, the police." "Who cause trouble in Manolo's Cabaret?" "They're arresting Miss Lenesch as a spy." " But for why?" "She is a singer." " Yeah?" "Well, why does a singer want to know the exact hour the fleet goes into the canal?" "Is that why you arrest her?" "My good man, this is Ranama" "Everyone is interested in the coming and going of ships It is our living" "And with the entire fleet coming in perhaps to anchor, well—" "You can understand why a pretty singer... she is interested in the sailors who would come to hear her sing." " Is that all you had on your mind, sister?" " Of course." "I didn't know it was wrong to ask questions." "Well, I guess there's been no harm done." " Of course not." " All right, get back to your dancing, folks." " Have a drink with me?" " No, thanks." "Not while I'm on duty." "Sorry, lady." "Can I buy you a drink?" "I'm cutting in here, sailor." "Let's find a quiet place." "Miss Lenesch, it's none of my business, I know, but—" " Is there any way I can help you?" " Help me?" "Why, thank you, but I don't need any help." "You're frightened of something." "What is it?" "But I'm not." "I assure you." "Why are you working here?" "I must earn money to live." "You're a stranger to this country, and that's the reason I'm talking like this." "Oh, please don't misunderstand me, but this is no place for you." " Why, it's just a dive." " I know." "Do you have to work for Manolo?" "Do you have to?" "Please, if you really want to help me... don't ask any more questions." " All right." " Thank you." "This is a high-class place." "You're gonna like it." " Ah, Miss Finch." "You have keep your promise." " Ohl" " Welcome to Manolo's" " Thank you" "Well, now, this doesn't look so wicked" "Ah, you have looked for wicked place, huh?" "Of course not." "But I do intend to see all there is to see." "Aha." "So you bring a police escort, huh?" "Well, that is very nice." "Will you have a drink with me?" "Oh, not at the bar, but at a table perhaps." "Why, yes, of course." "This way." "Pop, you've gotta come with me." " Good evening." " What's this?" "Did you bust out of jail?" "No need to bust." "Absence of proof open cell door." "This is news, Mr. Fu Yuen." "What were you in jail for?" "Offense of no importance, señor." "Of no importance?" "I arrest you for espionage, "suspicious" of murder— and you say no importance." "Oh, goodness!" "Another spy?" "Where's the spy?" "Who's a spy?" " Who's the spy?" " Really, I don't know, but the lieutenant said that man." " Take him outside!" "Come on!" "Let's go!" " Leave him alone!" "¡:" "Silenciol" "You make a mistake." "I make a mistake." "You crazy!" "Well, of all the nerve." "You said he was." "Get the guy out!" "¡:" "Un momentol i:" "Un momentol You see what you did?" "You start a riot." "I started it?" "You started it." "You said you arrested him." "That's enough for me!" "Come on!" " No!" "Stop!" " Come on!" "Stop!" "He's not a spy!" "He's my pop— Charlie Chan!" " Charlie Chan?" " Charlie Chan?" "Char— Charlie Chan?" "The great Charlie Chan!" "Charlie Chan?" "Well, this is really exciting." "Mr. Chan?" "Why, I'm honored." "Not every day do I entertain a celebrity like you" "Gee, Pop, I'm awfully sorry." "I was afraid they'd hurt you." "Perhaps much better to let cat out of bag than drown same." "Excuse, please." " Oh, Mr. Chan, you aren't going?" " No, no." "Please, do stay." "I insist, as my guest." "I will give you royal box." "I will give you champagne." "And you can tell us some of your experiences." "Do stay, Mr. Chan." "Thank you so much for hospitality... but, please, must ask for rain check." " Good night." " Good night." ""Rain check." He talks nice." "Now will please explain reason for untimely visit?" "Dr. Grosser— his place is full of creepy animals." " Tarantulas, monkeys and rats." " Yes, yes." "I know." "Have not been asleep while living across street from mysterious doctor." "But do you know his rats are infected with bubonic plague?" " Bubonic plague?" " Yeah." "He's gonna use 'em to infect the fleet." "Must see rats." "When prepared for worst, can hope for best." "You must feel pretty foolish, Lieutenant, arresting Charlie Chan for espionage." "Maybe not so foolish While still posing as Mr Fu Yuen" "Chan told me that Señor Godley die in his hat shop." "He did?" "Is that why you arrested him, Lieutenant?" "I don't talk police business before nobody." "You don't have to worry about Halide, Pop." "I saw him following Dr. Grosser." "Hey, Pop, that room wasn't lit before." "Rerhaps doctor has returned" "Dr Grosser" "Dr. Grosser." "Oh." "Don't be nervous, Pop." "It's probably just that monkey." "Oh!" "That was no monkey." "Honorable pussycat." "Oh." "I knew it was some kind of an animal." "That's funny." "I could have sworn I heard a noise." "I must be hearing things" "Think you hear own imagination." "Did same imagination create infected rodents?" "Why, they're gone." "I tell you, Pop, these cages were full of rats when I left to get you." "These lights weren't on." "Somebody came in here and took 'em." "He's going to infect the fleet." "He's gonna spread the plague through the canal zone— everywhere." " Pop, Dr. Grosser is Ryner." " Possible." "Colonel Webster, Lieutenant Chan speaking." "Request detention of Dr. Grosser." "Bubonic rats?" "That's fantastic." "All right." "We'll pick him up for questioning." "Call Medical Corps and send out plague warning." "And have Dr. Grosser brought in for questioning." " Yes, sir." " Anything else, Charlie?" "No, but— One moment, please." "Yes." "Please request from British consul... complete information on Cliveden Compton, English novelist." " Thank you so much." " Cliveden Compton?" "But what's he got to do with Grosser?" "When answer is known, may prove very interesting." "Come." "But what are we gonna do now?" "Put number two son to bed." "Ah, gee, Pop, you can't drop me right in the middle of a case." "Pop!" "To bed." "Young brain like grass— need dew of sleep." " Oh, but, Pop, I've got a swell theory." " Theory also belong in bed." "Oh, well, all right." "Will return after small errand." "Do not wait." "Good night." " Mr. Compton, please." " Mr. Compton?" "Room 35." "The key is here." "I'm afraid the guest is out." " Thank you." "Will wait." " Señor" "Coffee, please." " Quick, Lieutenant, follow that man." " What?" "He was on the airplane today with Mr. Godley." "I think someone on that plane killed him." "I think if you don't stop playing detective, somebody gonna kill you." "All right, I'll behave." "Thanks so much for escorting me." "Shall we say the same time tomorrow night?" "Excuse, but I'm not on duty tomorrow night." "I'll send someone else." "Thank you." "Very well." " Buenas noches" " Good night, lady." "What are you doing here?" "Why you are not at the cabaret?" "I" " I was looking for you." "Mr. Manolo, I" " I can't go on with that job." "You saw what happened tonight." "You are very independent for a girl without a passport." "Go back to work." " Pop." " You." "It's a good thing you turned on that light." "I might have hurt you." "Thought too horrible to contemplate." "This was theory that overheat son's brain?" "Yeah." "I-I must have been thinking along the same lines as you." "You're here." " Was door unlocked when you arrive?" " Yes." "And what has amateur housebreaking revealed— Dr. Grosser's rats?" "Well, no." "But I found out Compton's an Englishman." "Excellent." "How you arrive at that?" "Well, I figured Compton might be Ryner posing as an Englishman." "But his clothes are really English." "So is his soap and his shoes." "Why, even this humidor has an English school emblem on it." "See?" "Huh." "You know, the Englishmen are very sentimental about their schools." "Does son suppose operator as clever as Ryner would be ignorant of same?" "Gosh." "I never thought of that." "If he was posing as an Englishman... this is exactly the kind of stuff he'd use." "Rop, be carefull" "Did-Did you see him?" "That gun was aimed right at you." "Am now very happy offspring divide time between study and baseball team." "They're gonna let me pitch next year." "Why wait?" "Aim already perfect." "What's that?" "Son also reveal secret of tobacco mixture." "Close doors." "Who's that girl?" "Young lady who calls herself Kathi Lenesch." "Gee, Pop, that's the way they photograph convicts." "Also method used in some European countries... where police keep record of all citizens." "But what's Compton doing with it?" "Is only one of many questions would like to ask invisible Mr. Compton." "A military map" "Pop, I've got it." "That tobacco came from Halide's." "I heard Compton ask him for a special mixture tonight, and Halide said it was expensive." "Don't you see?" "They were talking about secret information." "Compton is Ryner." "And Halide's been spying on fortifications." "He sent him this map in a jar of tobacco." "Look." "Here's the canal." "These buildings are probably fortifications." "And this "X" is the spot where they're gonna strike." " Sincerely hope so." " Huh?" "If enemy strikes at spot marked "X"..." " then fleet is very happily out of danger." " Why?" "What do you mean?" "This is map of old Panama cemetery." "Old Panama cemetery?" "Mr. Compton?" "Mr. Compton?" "Excuse, please" "You seek document containing most unflattering photograph?" "Can explain how Mr. Compton obtain possession of this?" "No." "But he telephoned me tonight he had it." "He said he'd return it if I came here and answered a few questions." " What sort of questions?" " I don't know" "Did he suggest Baroness von Czardas..." " might be secret agent?" " No, no." "Truth win more friendship than lies." "Yes." "He suspected me because I concealed my identity... because I'm so afraid of being sent back." "Why?" "Map of Europe has lost your native country." "But I could be sent back." "I have no passport." "Rlease Rlease don't give me away" "I want to make a new home in the United States" "I want to forget how my father and brother were executed... because they spoke against the cruelty of the invaders." "Don't you see?" "I can't go back." "It means death for me or— or the concentration camp." "You know person named Ryner?" "How do you know that name?" "Excuse." "I ask question first." "Ryner was a member of the secret police who arrested my father and brother." "Is he here?" "Has he come for me?" "No." "On soil of democracy, you are safe from persecution." "May I have my identity card, please?" "Later." "Inside pocket like vault of national bank." "You won't show it to anybody?" " May I go back to work now?" " Yes." " Thank you." " Good night." "Gee, you sure believed her alibi awful quick." "Bad alibi like dead fish— cannot stand test of time." "Meantime, suggest thorough search for more light on Mr. Compton's identity." "Oh, you know me, Pop." "I never miss a thing." "Pop!" "Is he dead?" "No heart strong enough to hold bullet." "Wh-What does the passport say his name is?" "Passport and photograph say "Cliveden Compton."" "Then he isn't Ryner." "Or wait a minute." "Maybe he is, and the baroness killed him." "She has a strong motive—" "Please, please." "Call police." "Hello." "Operator." "Operator!" "They don't answer." "Hello, Señor Chan." "Señor Manolo, may use telephone for urgent call?" " Why, yes, of course." "Come in." " Thank you." "There is the telephone." "Connect me with military police." " Have one of mine." " Thank you." "Captain Lewis, please" "Captain Lewis, Lieutenant Chan speaking." "Regret to report death of Mr. Compton at San Pablo Hotel." "Mr Compton murdered" "Thank you Will wait here" " When did this happen?" " Sometime earlier this evening." " Did you hear the shot?" " Oh, no." "I-I just come home." "Quick!" "Where you get cigarette?" "Why, I-I found them on the table in your room." " Well, what is wrong?" " These are cigarettes from Mr. Godley's body." "Godley?" "Why, they are poison!" "Señor Manolo" "How you know secret shared only by police and murderer?" "I'm going, Pop." "Everything's going black." "Suggest postponement of deathbed scene." "Cigarette quite harmless." "Huh?" "You-You mean they— they weren't Godley's?" "Boy, oh, boy!" "Why don't I think of nifties like that?" "Say, you just proved Manolo knew how Godley was killed." " He's Ryner." " Perhaps." "Gee, if that gun could only talk, it would tell us who tried to kill you." "Gun can be made to talk." "Observe, please." "Art of ballistics prove that bullet from Mr. Compton's body... fired by same gun also aimed at humble self." "No doubt about it." "The test bullet matches the murder bullet." "Marks left by gun barrel on bullet like fingerprints." "And you say this gun— the gun that killed Compton— is registered in Manolo's name?" "Yes." "The police have been on the lookout for him... ever since he ducked out of the hotel last night." "Charlie, do you think Manolo could be Ryner?" "Could be, or confederate." "If that's so, where does Compton come in?" "Why was he killed?" "Will know more when identity of Mr. Compton established." "We're checking on that as fast as we can." "He could be Ryner." "So could the missing Dr. Grosser." "In fact, any one of them could be Ryner" "Charlie, the fleet goes through the canal today." "We've got to break this." "You've got to get Ryner." "Will do humble best." "That map might have meant something to Compton or the man that killed him... but it doesn't tell me anything." ""X" marks the spot." "But where's the spot?" "We take path here to right." "Mr Chanl Mr Chanl" "Come over here quickly." "There's someone alive in one of these tombs." "I was photographing the stained glass window in one of the older tombs... when I heard someone groan." "I'm sure it came from there." "And, Mr. Chan, look at the name on it." "Achmed Halide?" "Isn't that the name of the Egyptian who was on the plane with us?" " You heard sound from inside?" " Distinctly." "Like a groan." "In view of what happened to Mr Godley and then Mr Compton" "I decided it was wiser to get help than to investigate alone." "Most wise." "Suggest you remain outside and away from door." " What, again?" " What are you doing here?" "Gee, Pop, am I glad to see you." "Why, it's your son." "Features familiar as markings on bad penny." "Now, son unharmed?" " Yeah." " Please explain." "After you left for the governor's office, I saw Halide leave his shop." " I decided to follow him." " He led you here?" " Yeah Did you see the name on the tomb?" " Yes" "Well, I got it all doped out The real Achmed Halide is dead and this fellow Ryner, whoever he is, is posing as Halide." "'Cause what would a guy that's alive want with a tomb?" "Say, there's something in what he says, Charlie." "Unless you consider his nationality and possible religion." "Miss Finch is right." "Not exceptional for Egyptian to prepare final resting place before death." "Sounds awful screwy to me." "Son's grammar result of expensive American education." "Did Halide enter tomb?" "No." "He circled around to the back and then disappeared." "I waited almost an hour before I decided to investigate." "Even in graveyard, son forgets parable of angels and fools." "Well, I didn't exactly rush in, Pop." "But the door was open, so I thought I'd take a look around." "And just as I started to investigate... somebody hit me over the head and dragged me over here." " Did you get a glimpse of who jumped you?" " No." "I was standing just about here when it happened." "Yeah, just about here." "Ahh!" "Gee, I-I didn't break my neck." "You're lucky, son." "Parent extremely grateful for son's safety." "Also discovery of hidden tomb." "Someone here recently." " Is it safe for me to come down?" " Well, suit yourself, lady." "What's this, Pop?" "Clothing too modern for corpse." "Look for identification of living man." "Okay, Pop." "I won't miss a thing." "Mr. Chan, come over here." "Look." "Mirror, makeup pencil— all articles necessary for disguise." "Nothing in these clothes, Pop." "All the labels have been cut out." "Charlie, look." "Container designed to treat contents gently." "This one's empty." "No smell." " This one's full." " Please." "Empty tins cause for alarm, not full ones." "What do you mean, Mr. Chan?" "Go on up, Miss Finch." "You too, Jimmy" " Gee, Pop, you look almost scared." "What is it?" " Explosive." "Explosive?" "Empty tins indicate contents recently transferred to different containers." "Gee, if some of the stuff isn't here, he must have taken it into the canal zone." "He's going to blow up the canal." "Sincerely hope son exaggerating as usual." "Oh." "I asked for excitement, but I didn't expect anything like this." "Gosh, this is terrible." " What's the matter?" " Why, the door." "I-I can't open it." " Dad, it's locked!" " What?" "Oh, Mr. Chan, do something." "Hiya." "Okay." "Better get a new card before this one falls apart." " Hi." "Need any help?" " Oh, no, no." "No, señor." " Aw, come now." "I'll give you a hand." " Uh!" "No!" "Up she goes." " What's the matter?" " Well, if I break a bottle, I—" " Oh, they dock you, huh?" " Oh, sí, señor Sí" " Well, haveJoe sign for this supply in the office." " Sí" "Aw, it's some more of that front office stuff." "I suppose we'll have to do it." "Gee, I'm thirsty today." " Give me a cup." " Sí, señor" "See you next week if we don't get too thirsty by then" " Hasta la vista." " Hasta la vista" "They left here at 11:00 this morning." "Any hint about where they were going?" "There's something gravely wrong... or Captain Lewis would have communicated with me sometime during the day." "And with Chan also missing, gentlemen, I confess, I don't know how to proceed." " What time is it now, Dad?" " 8:15." "Only three minutes since we looked the last time." "Nerves make time crawl backward." " We've got to find some way out of here." " Wait." "Have wasted enough shots on lock." "Tomb constructed like prison cell." "It's got me crazy." "We don't know where that stuff is planted or when it's due to go off." " And every minute that passes—" " I'll yell some more if you think it'll do any good." "If shouts fail to bring visitor in daytime, highly improbable at night." "Mr. Chan, I have an idea." "It may seem pretty foolish, but—" "Dividing line between folly and wisdom very faint in dark tomb." "Well, I wondered if we could take a small portion of that nitroglycerin... and blast our way out ofhere" "Rop, we could We could rig up one of those cans with some string—" " Please." "Please." " Use one of those candles—" "Very brave idea... but prefer to meet ancestors in more recognizable form." "I'll bet I could fix it." "Wait." " Oh!" " Quiet." " But if we don't call, they may go away." " Shh!" "Blow out candles." "Put up your hands!" "There he is!" "Mr Chanl Mr Chanl" "You got him, Charlie." " I did not fire." " You didn't?" "Neither did I. I was afraid of hitting you orJimmy." "Most strange." "Miss Finch, where are you?" " Here" " What happened?" "Someone fired two shots and ran right past me." " I'll take a look." " One moment, please." "Identity of victim may establish clue." "Manolo" "Is he... dead?" "He's dead all right." "Oh, Mr. Chan, that's the third one to go." "The third passenger on that plane" " What is it, Pop?" " Most important we find telephone at once." "Hello." "Hello, Charlie." "Where are you?" "What happened?" "No time to explain." "Must prevent fleet from entering canal." "That's impossible now." "The fleet began entry four hours ago." "Then make immediate search of powerhouse at Miraflores for high explosives." "Yes." "I understand." "We'll fine comb the plant." "I'll meet you there." " Get me the Miraflores power control." " Mr. Governor." "The fleet is well into the canal Our only hope now is to discover where Ryner planted the explosives." "We've searched every inch of the building, sir." "No evidence of any explosives." "I told you there's no bomb in here." "How could they have smuggled it in?" " Could we be wrong, Charlie?" " Of course you're wrong." "Most earnestly hope so." "Strange Governor Webster not yet arrive." " He should be here." " What are you doing here?" " I don't know." "They sent soldiers for me." " Who?" " Why have I been arrested?" "I have done nothing." " No one's been arrested yet." "Merely suggest all fellow passengers of Mr. Godley brought here for questioning." " But why here?" " Patience lead to knowledge." " How very true." " Hey, Pop, we'd better get out of here." "They can't find the stuff, and all of us will be blown up any minute." " Blown up?" " What does he mean?" "Why are we here?" "Oh, Mr. Chan, what's he saying?" " Monsieur Governor—" " Just a minute, please." "Dr. Grosser delayed me." "Have you found any explosives?" "Unfortunately, no." "Precaution much safer than daring." "Suggest immediate evacuation of building." " Order everybody out at once." " Yes, sir." "Everybody outside!" "Keep those doors locked." "Sorry." "Must ask present group to remain." "Are you insane?" "If there is real danger, you can't hold these people here." "Detention necessary to save Panama Canal." "Think what you're doing, man!" "If there is a bomb in here, you're murdering innocent people." "A few minutes ago, Mr. Cabot strongly doubt existence of bomb." "Well, please let Miss Lenesch go or at least the women." " Thank you." " Stay where you are." "Regret you are all suspects in plot to imperil fleet at moment of war crisis." "One among you is notorious master of sabotage known as Ryner." "Only Ryner knows where nitroglycerin is hidden." "Only Ryner know exact moment bomb set to explode" "Only Ryner can save own life now..." " and your lives" " But suppose he doesn't?" "Suppose he's the kind who's willing to die?" "Have considered possibility." "But can he wait minute by minute... second perhaps by second knowing exact moment explosion will send him to join his ancestors?" "There's Ryner!" "The plot is not only explosives but a plague, a horrible plague." "The man is insane!" "I experiment with plague virus on rats, yes." " Without permission of authorities?" " True." "But when I found the rats had been stolen, I did not hesitate in my duty." "Tonight I reported everything to the governor." "Everything." " And I accuse you of stealing them." " Anyone would have done that!" " Did you destroy them?" " Of course I did!" "One moment, please." "You will explain tomb in cemetery... and frequent journeys there." "I bought it years ago as a final resting place." "Recently, I learned others have visited there that it is used to hide something, and I suspected the doctor." " That he was Ryner!" " How you know then of spy named Ryner?" "Monsieur Compton was a member of the British secret service on the trail of Ryner." "And I sold him information." "That's how I know his—" "In the name of mercy, let us out of here!" " Please!" " Question these people someplace else." "Sorry." "Must continue question here." "You fool!" "You'll die with us!" "Am willing to assume risk to assist fleet of favorite nation." "Let me go back to my pop." "You can't let him stay in there." "Please get him out." " Why don't we do something?" " We are three against one." " Let's get him out of the way." " Stay where you are, gentlemen." " Oh, Mr. Chan, please." " We're getting out of here." " Stay where you are." " Dr. Grosser, Halide, come on." "Drop that gun, Mr. Chan." "Drop itl" "Get out of the way." "Get away from that door." "Don't one of you move." " Just a minute, Miss Finch." " A woman." "Is she— Say, is she—" "You think you've won, Mr. Chan, but you haven't." "You'll die with me." "Correction, please, Miss Ryner." "Sorry to steal moment of triumph." "But time bomb without electric arteries cannot speak." " Gosh, Pop, you mean—you mean there wasn't any danger?" " No danger." "Infernal machine rendered harmless before arrival of suspects." "Forgive trick of terror, but trick necessary... to force Ryner to betray identity through fear of death." "Miss Ryner, reputation for cleverness not exaggerated." "Our timely arrival in cemetery today prevented cold-blooded murder of favorite son." "Gosh, Pop, you mean me?" "Knowing Captain Lewis and self about to find son... lady cleverly led us to him... knowing at same time she was planning to lock us in tomb." " But she locked herself in too." " Proving superior intelligence." "Knowing explosives already on way to canal had only to wait with us in tomb... and provide self with unbreakable alibi." "But like actress intoxicated by success... lady overplayed part." "When speaking of blasting way out... she thoughtlessly used word "nitroglycerin"... when humble selfhad not revealed nature of explosives in container" "Lady's gun, please." "Too late now to punish your confederate, Manolo... for murder of Mr. Compton and Mr. Godley." "But science of ballistics will prove... that bullets which kill Manolo in graveyard tonight... were fired from this gun." "Take her away." "Baroness von Czardas need have no fear." "Betrayer of loved ones will now receive just punishment." "Gee, that's a great sight." "Intelligent defense of nation best guarantee for years of peace."