Charlie Chan in Reno Page #4

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since Mrs. Bentley was killed in here.

Yet room continues to attract visitors,

and passkey still missing.

You mean we're gonna sleep in here

and wait for somebody to sneak in on us?

Perhaps sleep more attractive

in university classroom?

Oh, no. I don't mind.

Those things don't affect me!

I was just thinking about you,

that's all. It might be dangerous.

I agree with him, Mr. Chan.

When searching for needle in haystack,

haystack only sensible location.

Very well. I'll have her things packed

and moved out when you're ready.

One moment. Have kept

Mrs. Whitman's room?

- Yes. Why?

- Expect her here this afternoon.

- She's being released?

- In custody of husband.

- Oh, I'm so glad.

- Perhaps somebody else not so glad.

Request no mention

be made of release as yet.

- I understand.

- Thank you so much.

These police pictures sure are spooky.

- Death usually grim.

- What was she wearing the mask for?

Lady using new psychology on wrinkles.

Scares them away.

Oh.

Gee, this Mrs. Bentley

sure liked herself.

She kept a publicity scrapbook,

just like a movie actress.

- Where you find scrapbook?

- Hmm? Right here on the trunk.

Police pictures indicate scrapbook

on vanity when body discovered.

Then somebody's moved it

since the murder.

Say, do you suppose this Burke fellow

might've killed her for the money?

Possible. Look for scissors

among lady's effects.

Okay. Uh, any particular kind?

Straight edge indicate

use of long desk shears.

You mean it might have been used

as a death weapon?

If closed, would leave wound

as described by police surgeon.

Gee, then I'd better look hard.

And if I don't find any,

it'll look like we're right.

I don't see any in here.

Find something important, Pop?

What I do not find

is more important.

- What do you mean?

- Pages covering 1935 and '36 have been removed.

Why, do you suppose?

Someone strangely anxious to conceal

lady's activities during those years.

- Continue search for scissors.

- Okay.

What's the matter?

What's happened?

Get a load of that

Honolulu bloodhound.

Sounds good.

- Well, what about him?

- What about him?

Looks like his nose just

led him straight to the bar.

Did you get me over here just to show me that?

- Ain't it enough?

- Listen, Tombstone. I knew Charlie was throwing this party.

He's doing it for a special reason...

and I want you to stay out of it.

I'll stay out of it, but while he's

wasting his time in there drinking...

where's that murderer

he was so sure of catching?

- Well, he may be drinking with him.

- Then why don't he arrest him?

Relax, will you? And for heaven's sake,

don't call me again unless it's important.

- There.

- Thank you.

What's in it, Mr. Chan?

Something to loosen the tongue?

Humble Hawaiian drink.

Very mild.

- I'll stick to bourbon.

- Do we toast with humble drink, or just dive into it?

Suggest toast to very gracious woman

and unhappy husband...

now entering.

You don't have to hold your chin

quite that high, Mary.

But they stared so.

How long do we have to stay?

Well, Charlie said for just one drink.

We can go someplace else for dinner.

I just want to get

back up to my room.

All right, Mary.

Anything you say.

So, tell me, Mr. Chan, have they dropped

the case against Mrs. Whitman entirely?

Police realize evidence very weak.

Personally, I don't think much of the motive.

You do not find

Mr. Whitman attractive?

I couldn't be attracted to any man who was

stupid enough to fall forJeanne Bentley.

Well, thanks.

Perhaps acquaintance with murdered lady

too brief to learn real character.

It took me a couple of months,

but I finally found her out.

It didn't take me long. The minute

she walked in the hotel, I had her labeled.

- That was first meeting with Mrs. Bentley?

- Yes.

And you, Dr. Ainsley?

I never knew her before she came here.

Why should you ask me?

Was only asking if you required

to have glass refilled.

Oh, uh, yes.

Yes. Thanks.

That was slick, Mr. Chan...

but if you're trying to find someone who knew

her before she came here, why don't you ask?

Have asked all except Mrs. Russell.

- I didn't know her.

- Mr. Burke, it looks like you're still leading the pack.

- What are you trying to do?

- Oh, don't be stuffy.

If you did do it, I'm all for you.

That woman had at least

one murder coming to her.

Would you have killed Mrs. Bentley?

Probably. If she'd annoyed me enough

and the knife had been handy.

Lady killed with scissors,

not knife.

- Scissors?

- What kind of scissors?

Very sharp. Pointed on end and long

enough to inflict very deep wound.

Implying surgical scissors?

Found doctor's office

well-equipped with same.

- I didn't know you had called.

- So sorry, doctor not in.

Are you accusing me?

What possible motive

could he have had?

None. But Mr. Burke seems

to have had plenty.

- Mr. Burke.

- Just a minute.

This is the second time you've tried to

pin this thing on me. What's on your mind?

Well, you never explained

where you got the money.

Come on. I don't want you to

get mixed up in this.

- You stay out there!

- Curt!

Hello. Give me

the police station, quick!

Hello. Give me the chief. Hurry!

Yes. King speaking.

What?

I said you knew

he was throwing a party...

but did you know

he was staging a riot?

Well, stop it, you fool,

before somebody gets hurt.

Okay. But you told me

to keep out of it.

- Think he's hurt badly?

- I hope not.

- Who hit me?

- Are you hurt, Mr. Fletcher?

You're darn tootin' I'm hurt.

I got a good mind

to arrest the whole bunch of you.

I'll take him to his room.

All he needs is a sedative.

He'll sleep it off.

Perhaps you had better

assist doctor.

If honorable sheriff will permit...

think head need examination.

It's not my head

that needs examining.

It's the people's that let you

come in here and stir up a lot of trouble.

Regret accident, but sometimes

must strike innocent to trap guilty.

Yeah? Well, if you think you're gonna use

my skull for bait, you're crazy.

Thank you so much.

- Mr. Chan?

- Yes?

- Telephone.

- Oh.

- Yes?

- Hello? Pop?

I just got the report

from the telegraph office.

Wally Burke's family

cabled him $1,500 yesterday.

- Oh.

- Can I join the party now?

Party all finished.

Hey, Pop, somebody's

trying to get in here.

What?

Oh, gee. I-I'm awfully sorry.

- Hello, Pop.

- Pop humbly suggest you assist young lady to rise.

Oh, sure. Gee, I hope

I didn't hurt you.

My dignity is slightly bruised,

but no bones broken.

Excuse please.

Can explain presence in this room?

Yes, honorable sir.

Are you Charlie Chan?

Praise in any language very sweet...

but young lady have not yet

explained presence here.

My name is Choy Wong, honorable sir.

Gee, that's a pretty name.

Uh, isn't it, Pop?

- My name's Jimmy.

- Jimmy Chan is also a nice-sounding name.

If Choy Wong will be so kind...

have not yet explained

presence in this room.

I was told that I'm now free

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