Charlie Chan at the Opera Page #5

So sorry.

But hoped for assistance...

...to apprehend murderer of husband.

I'll do anything you ask, Mr. Chan.

But I won't be able

to wear Lilli's costume.

Own costume sufficient.

Thank you so much.

What's the idea of making us

get into costume again?

Agnes! Agnes! Give me

Madame Barelli's costume right away.

- Are we ever going home?

- Is this gonna keep up all night?

- Here.

- Where's the belt?

If it isn't there, I don't know

where it is. Here. Take this. It'll do.

Oh, hurry up.

Let's get it over with.

This was place you occupy

when Madame Lilli on stage?

- Yes.

- Please to remain here while Madame Barelli sing.

- Very well.

- Thank you.

If that Chinese dick

knows where he is...

...why don't we grab him

and haul him down to headquarters?

Unwise officer who eat apple

not yet ripe get official tummy ache.

The commissioner will certainly make

the fur fly if anything goes wrong.

And bouquets fly

if everything go right.

I'm all ready, Mr. Chan.

Shall we go on?

Please.

- Keep the stage lights full on. We're taking no chances.

- Yes, sir.

If he makes one mis-move...

Dim those lights, you fool.

This scene is played in shadows.

Darker. Darker.

I knew he was hiding in the theater.

He came to my dressing room

before the opera.

But I didn't dare warn you,

because he said he'd kill me if I told.

Then when l...

I was singing Lilli's aria...

...and he reached for the knife,

l... I couldn't stand it.

Egg Foo Yong, the guy that

pulls rabbits out of the hat...

Sending a woman out there

to let a nut stick a knife in her.

Well, Chief, that

about closes the case.

Contradiction, please.

Case still wide open like swinging gate.

- What do you mean?

- Gravelle not murderer.

- Not Gravelle?

- Excuse, please.

Will demonstrate hypothesis.

What?

Word of Greek derivation...

"hypo" meaning...

"Hypo." I get it.

He's hitting the pipe again.

Go on, Charlie.

Knife worn by Gravelle.

Observe coating of oil...

...used by property department

to preserve blade from rust still intact.

- So what?

- Prove most elemental fact in deduction.

Could not have been used for murder.

Of course he didn't use his own knife.

He used Barelli's.

Beg to differ. Knife used

to murder Barelli...

...later used to kill Madame Lilli.

If Gravelle guilty...

...must have had both knives

on person while singing aria.

Previous examination of costume...

...disclose no telltale bloodstains.

Also, madman would not use

Barelli's knife...

...having one in his own scabbard.

- He was crazy, wasn't he?

- But method devised by real murderer...

...born in rational mind.

Used presence of maniac in theater...

...as perfect alibi to cover own guilt.

Concealed murder knife

after first crime...

...fearing fingerprints.

Later, frightened by immediate arrival

of police after second crime...

...was forced to hide same

in bouquet of flowers.

Unfortunately, fingerprints

obliterated by Mr. Whitely.

- Do you mean to insinuate...

- Pardon, please.

Have special insinuation

for your honorable attention.

Can explain presence

of your fingerprints...

...on ghost of card from flower shop...

...found in Madame Barelli's

dressing room?

My fingerprints?

That's impossible.

Fact most definitely established...

...by comparison with those found

on your cigarette case.

- What about it, Whitely?

- I can explain that, Inspector.

I knew Barelli had sent flowers

to the theater this afternoon.

I suspected they were for my wife.

I came here to see the card.

Then sent same flowers to wife

with threat of death?

Yes, but I swear I never intended...

I only wanted to frighten

her away from Barelli.

- You know Gravelle?

- I never heard of him.

You state complete truth about position

in wings during entire aria?

Yes, and I can prove it.

Madame Barelli saw me standing there.

- Will corroborate, please?

- Why, l... I don't know.

As I came off the stage,

I was so terrified...

...at the thought of Gravelle

being loose in the theater...

I hurried to my dressing room

and locked myself in.

You must have seen me. You were standing

in the wings only a few feet from me.

Why, yes. I saw you there,

Madame Barelli.

You left just after

Mephisto began his aria.

Thank you so much.

Fact that Madame Barelli

in wings during aria...

...final link in chain of evidence.

- You are murderess.

- Why, how...

You were only one who knew Gravelle

planned to sing Mephisto role tonight.

Later, standing in wings...

...recognize voice

not that of husband.

Instinctive curiosity force you

to husband's dressing room to investigate.

You discover him unconscious...

...so avail self of perfect opportunity...

...to avenge intrigue which

cause you so much humiliation.

Is this some ridiculous attempt

to save your face, Mr. Chan?

Humble countenance

merely facing facts.

That same belt you wore

with costume earlier tonight?

Why, no. The wardrobe department sent me

this because the clasp on the other was broken.

Strange.

Have original belt here with clasp

in most perfect condition.

- Where did you get that?

- Found hidden in cushion...

...of chaise longue

in your dressing room.

Observe.

Stain of blood on inside lining...

...prove definitely

you conceal knife on person...

...after murder of husband.

You're right.

And I used it on Lilli when I came back

with the smelling salts and found her alone.

You knew what was going on...

...but you weren't man enough

to do anything about it.

That's all.

I'm ready, Inspector.

- May I see you, Mr. Regan?

- Certainly.

That fellow got

a lucky break, Inspector.

The bullet never touched the brain.

In fact, it may relieve the condition

that's been causing amnesia.

You think Gravelle

have happy chance of recovery?

An even chance...

...if we can keep him quiet

till we get him to the hospital.

He's very restless.

Keeps repeating the name, uh, Kitty.

Excuse, please.

Request most charitable act.

Innocent man unfortunately

wounded by impetuous marksman...

...call for daughter

not seen for many years.

Would please take place

of missing loved one for small moment?

Perhaps save life.

Please?

Much better if relationship

not known until recovery certain.

- Well, Charlie...

- Uh...

All I can say is

that you have certainly...

Very lucky in finding solution.

Proving, as said before, luck happy

combination of foolish accidents.

You're all right,

just like chop suey...

...a mystery but a swell dish.

- Thank you so much.

- By the way, Charlie...

I didn't quite catch that

Chinese lingo you sprung on us...

...just before you asked

Madame Barelli to sing.

Ancient proverb meaning when fear attack

brain, tongue wave distress signal.

I get it. You made her sing with Gravelle

just to scare her into talking.

- Yes, you catch quickly.

- Sure.

Hey, Pop!

Pop, I found Madame Barelli's

smelling salts in Madame Lilli's room.

- This proves that she...

- Excellent clue.

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