The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse Page #2

be kept in a secure place?

They were in a secure place

until I took them out.

That seems to be

a fairly accurate account.

The jewels were insured for over

a hundred thousand dollars. Quite a haul.

Yes, indeed, quite a haul.

"One diamond platinum necklace,

one diamond and sapphire brooch...

...one set of pearl earrings,

two diamond rings..."

I don't remember two diamond rings.

Doctor, these jewels aren't

the same as this list.

Would you mind reading that

while I make an inventory?

You can't mean

you actually stole these jewels?

They are the proceeds of... Let me see,

Richardson, Sutherland, Challing, Updyke.

- My fourth burglary.

- You, a burglar?

Well, not professionally.

And never from any of my own patients.

That would be taking

an unsporting advantage.

But they'll put you in prison for years.

Oh, that reminds me.

Edward, drive by Inspector Lane's office.

- Inspector Lane?

- Police headquarters.

But why?

On the theory

that the best defense is a bold attack.

Would you mind reading that list, please?

I'm not interested

in long-winded explanations.

- Give me some action. I want results.

- You'll have them.

Inspector, you said that

when Challing's place was robbed.

Challing is a prominent man. He

wasn't insured and he's raising the roof.

It's lucky the Updyke's stuff

was insured.

Never mind that. I want this solved.

Can't I depend upon anyone

around here?

- I was just looking for you.

- You were looking for me?

Stop it and get busy on the Updyke job.

- I can't depend on a soul around here.

- I only wanted to explain...

I'm not interested in explanations.

Give me some results.

- Make some arrests. I want action.

Hi, captain.

Hey, what're you doing here? Why aren't

you working on that Updyke suspect?

Can't I depend on anybody?

Give me some action, lieutenant.

Why, doctor. Miss Randolph.

What are you doing here?

I was worried about you.

How are you feeling?

- I couldn't feel worse. How is Grant?

- I got him straightened out now.

You know, I envy Grant, resting

there in that nice, peaceful hospital.

No commissioners tearing their hair.

No unsolved crimes.

No crooks lying to you

or laughing at you.

But I'll be there soon, doc,

unless I'm in a padded cell first.

I had an idea I'd find you a bundle

of nerves. That's why I came by.

It wouldn't be so bad

if I could get a decent night's rest.

Well, we'll take a look at you.

- Oh, Miss Randolph...

- Yes, doctor.

Tell me, how did things turn out

at the Updyke's? Anything new?

No. I don't believe that monkey

ever had the jewels.

- Really?

- Either he had a partner who got away...

...or this story about somebody else

getting there first is true.

- An early bird who caught his worm.

- Right.

And that same bird

is probably responsible...

...for this entire series of burglaries.

And how many were there, inspector?

Four last month and all the same style.

- Oh, you recognize the style?

- Oh, certainly. That's easy.

This crook does his job at certain

intervals. He'll do another in a few days.

Look here. I had him down for tonight

and he came through.

Well, that's very interesting.

You knew when.

- Oh, surely.

- But you didn't know where.

- No. That's right.

- He sounds rather clever.

Clever? He's a rank amateur.

- Amateur?

- Why, certainly.

On this Challing job he climbed ladders,

went over roofs, picked a lock.

But the library window, the room

he wanted to get into, was wide open.

Well, nevertheless,

this, uh, rank amateur...

...has kept you crime experts guessing

for over a month.

I should think that the terms

"amateur" and "crime expert"...

...might very well be reversed.

Now, doc, you're gonna start

that scientific approach again?

No. I'm afraid it's, uh, too late.

But someday I hope to be able

to convince you with evidence.

And has this burglar

taken very much, inspector?

Quite a bit,

and he's holding onto it plenty tight.

Well, how can you know that?

We've checked the fences.

He hasn't tried to sell yet.

Fence? Oh, do you mean receiver?

Fence, receiver, stop,

it's all the same racket.

Somebody who buys hot stuff.

We've got them all covered.

Sooner or later this amateur

is gonna peddle his stuff.

And we'll drop on him

like a load of bricks.

The crook would be double-crossed

by the fence?

Sure. A fence wouldn't take a chance

on a crook he doesn't know.

- Might figure him to be a stool pigeon.

- Perhaps there are fences he could trust.

No, I know them all.

From Benny the Gouge...

...to Jo Keller, the biggest of them all.

Jo Keller? That's very interesting.

Oh, tell me, inspector, how does

a criminal get in touch with a fence?

- Through other criminals.

- Supposing he doesn't know any?

I mean, this is just as a matter of

curiosity, but where do fences hang out?

Everywhere.

Jewelry shops, drugstores, nightclubs.

Now, this Jo Keller owns a hotel.

Excuse me.

Hello.

Inspector?

- Yes?

- Sergeant Davis reporting.

- Yeah.

That guy down at the hospital

is ready to talk now.

Says he can identify the fellow

who was at the safe...

... when he climbed in the window.

That's fine. I'll be right down, sergeant.

Looks as though

we're getting somewhere.

- Have you finished with me, doctor?

- Why, yes, yes, inspector.

- Here's a prescription for sleeping tablets.

- Thank you.

If we can get our hand on those jewels,

I won't need any tablets. Do you mind?

Why, certainly.

- Show Dr. Clitterhouse to his car.

- Yes, sir.

- Oh, doctor?

- Yes?

- You forgot your bag, didn't you?

- Oh, yes, I... I left it on the table.

I'll get it.

Yes, sir. If we could only get

our hands on those jewels.

- Mustn't forget your bag of tricks, doc.

- Quite right.

- No tricks, no doctor.

- That's right.

Thanks for dropping in.

You're welcome, inspector.

- Good night.

- Good night.

By the way, would you mind letting me

know whom your prisoner identifies?

- Not at all. But why?

- No reason except scientific curiosity.

All right, I'll phone you.

- This way, please.

- Thank you.

The next time

we're escorted by an officer...

...we'll probably both

be wearing handcuffs.

A blood pressure on yourself?

- Yes.

Unfortunate that interruption

in Mrs. Updyke's boudoir...

...would have been a perfect moment

for a blood pressure during the robbery.

I can't get over it.

You deliberately committing a robbery.

Four. Four perfect crimes in four weeks.

And the inspector calls me an amateur.

What can you possibly want

that jewelry for?

I don't want it. Frankly, it's a nuisance.

But for some time now...

...I've been profoundly interested

in crime and criminals.

The jewelry is sort of a byproduct.

Then, you're experimenting

with criminals, doctor?

I'm being one.

Inspector Lane believes

the only way to prevent crime...

...is to catch the crook

and put him away behind bars.

My theory is

you must start long before that.

- Start psychologically?

- No.

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