Charlie Chan in Reno Page #2

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I don't think it turned out just right.

Hey, a telegram

just came for you, Jimmy.

Telegram?

Oh, gee, thanks.

Whew!

Do you have to make that stuff?

Hey, listen to this.

It's from Pop.

"Honorable sprout, unexpectedly find self

on way to Reno, Nevada.

Will visit you before return home. "

Reno? Is your Dad

gonna get a divorce?

Oh, gee, no.

I- I don't think so.

Say. You know that murder we read about

and I said I knew the people?

- Yeah.

- That's what Pop's on his way to Reno for.

- No kiddin'!

- No foolin'.

Say, Jack, the Easter holidays start tomorrow,

and you're not going anywhere.

- Can I borrow your car?

- Well, the tank's empty.

- I'll fill it up.

- How long are you gonna use it?

Oh, I'll be back

before vacation's over.

Hey, wait a minute!

That's a week.

Oh, don't worry. With me helping Pop,

it won't take that long.

We'll have this case

cleaned up in no time!

Young man, you'll clean that up

before you clean up any mysteries.

Yes, sir.

- Oh!

- What's the trouble?

My pal here got smacked

by a hit-and-run.

- Oh!

- Is he hurt bad?

Looks like it. I got to get him to a hospital.

Say, we're only 20 miles from Reno.

I'll be glad to take you there.

- Thanks, buddy.

- Hey, I'll help you.

Oh!

Hey!

You can't do this to me!

Yes, sir. It's the biggest little

city in the world, Mr. Chan.

I knew you was the famous detective

the minute I seen you.

Congratulations upon penetrating

humble disguise.

Aw, you're kiddin'.

We got a pretty smart

police force of our own.

Eager to make acquaintance of same.

Would kindly drive us there first?

- To the police station?

- Please.

All right, but if you're here to solve the

killing at the Hotel Sierra, you're too late.

'Cause they've already arrested

the woman that done it.

Has unfortunate lady confessed?

Nope. Too smart for that.

But they got her dead to rights.

Motive and everything.

It seems her husband and this-

Yes. We read all about it

in the papers.

Yeah, but you didn't see her

the night she got here, like I did.

I knew there was

something wrong, even then.

She didn't say nothin'.

Just sat back there quiet-like

and stared out the window.

I figured she was unhappy about a divorce...

but of course, now I know she was just

sittin' back there cooking up the murder.

Very interesting evidence.

This man will prove

most valuable on witness stand.

Witness stand? Who? Me?

I ain't getting mixed up in any murder trials.

No, sir. Not me!

I ain't saying another word.

Thank you so much.

- What's your name?

- Mr. Jones.

Yeah? And I suppose yours is Smith?

Correction, please.

Lieutenant Chan of Honolulu Police.

I thought so.

Lieutenant Chan! Oh, yes.

The chief is expecting you. This way, sir.

Well, Charlie! You old son of a gun.

I'm glad to see you again.

Sincerely hope

status does not change.

- Why should it?

- Quite possible I make large nuisance of self.

Chief of Police King,

Mr. Curtis Whitman.

- How do you do?

- How do you do? L-

Whitman? Oh.

Well, I'm sorry to meet you

under these circumstances, Mr. Whitman.

I know you're anxious to talk about the case,

but I'm on my way to the show-up.

- Like to have you come with me. Won't take long.

- Thank you.

Disorderly conduct, drunk, heaving brick

through window, hitting two police.

Take him away, Clancy.

Wow, that helps me.

Boys, we've got

a distinguished visitor today-

an old pal of mine from Honolulu,

Charlie Chan.

- So this is Charlie, eh?

- How do you do? It's a pleasure.

- So pleased.

- Sit right down here, Charlie.

And we'll show you the choicest collection

of con men and crackpots you've ever seen.

- Uh, meet Sheriff Fletcher.

- Most honored to meet illustrious Sheriff.

Oh, are you?

I've heard a lot about you too.

And, uh, this is a friend

of Lieutenant Chan's, Mr. Whitman.

- How are you?

- Whitman? That name sounds familiar.

It ought to.

That's the case you're on.

That's where I heard it.

Well, Chan, I reckon you ain't here

with Whitman for nothing.

Excellent observation.

Then we might as well

understand each other right now.

Me and King got this case well in hand, and

we don't need no outside help... or interference.

Don't mind him, Charlie. He's known

as "Tombstone. " I guess you can figure out why.

Tombstones often engraved

with words of wisdom.

Yeah, and ain't all of them

covered with moss either.

Now that you're here, young fella...

there's a couple of questions

I'd like to ask you.

- I know as little about this as you do.

- Yeah.

All right,

let's get on with the show-up.

Bring 'em in, Mac.

All right, come on, you guys,

and make it snappy.

- Get up on there.

- Quit pushing!

Quiet!

Hurry it along.

- You're gonna be sorry for this.

- Get up on there!

Take off your hats.

- Anything wrong, Charlie?

- Sudden shock to eyesight. Not permanent, I hope.

Step forward.

You too!

What's the charges on this kid?

Violation of ordinances 106, 109, 214-A.

And suspected of being nuts.

I am not nuts.

I told 'em how some hitchhikers stole

all my clothes, and-and a car I borrowed.

Violent too.

What's your name, bub?

It's Jimmy Chan, sir. And my father's

Charlie Chan. Everybody's heard of him.

Mm-hmm, and I suppose you'd recognize

your famous pa if you was to see him?

- Of course I would.

- Well, here.

Pop! Am I glad to see you!

You mean, he's really your son?

Must admit to dubious honor.

Pop, tell these guys I'm not crazy.

Parent must first

convince self of same.

Possible to release

offspring in my custody?

Sure, now that he's been identified.

Thank you. Now, will kindly

explain presence here?

I just came up during the holidays

to help you catch the murderer.

Pop appreciates valuable help

of number two son...

but first use talent

to catch new pair of pants.

Thanks. Don't do anything

on this case until I get back.

Is he gonna be on the case too?

- Self-appointed.

- He ain't the only one.

What's your name?

Who me? I'm Charlie Chan's

number three son.

Me go home now?

Charlie. Oh, Charlie,

I didn't do it!

You know I didn't do it!

Have brought somebody.

Curt.

Thank you for coming, Curt.

Are you all right?

I mean-

Don't worry about anything.

Charlie's here to help you.

Sit down, please.

Now, want you to tell me exactly

what occurred on night of murder.

Well, I was in bed, but not asleep.

- What time, please?

- About 12:
30.

While I was lying there,

I- I heard a scream...

not loud, but close to my room...

and it was cut off sharply.

It frightened me,

and I got up to see what was wrong.

How long after scream

before you reach hallway?

Oh, I don't know.

A minute, maybe longer.

You saw no one in corridor?

No. But the door opposite mine

was open a little, and the light was on.

I looked in and saw her

lying on the floor.

Even when I reached her,

I didn't recognize her at first.

She was wearing some sort of beauty mask

that completely covered her face.

Police have pictures?

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