The Brasher Doubloon

I was sore at myself with coming all the

way out to Pasadena on a day like that...

just to see about a case.

And how I hate summer winds.

They come in suddenly

off the Mojave Desert

and you can taste sand for a week.

I knew it was the voice of the girl

on the phone that had got me.

And I was reminding myself how often

your ears play a dirty trick on your eyes.

But this time, there was no let-down.

Mr Marlowe?

Yes.

I was so terribly glad

you could come.

Well I'm beginning to feel

better about it myself.

Well, just having you here makes me sure

everything's going to be alright.

You have even more confidence

in my ability than I have.

Where'd you hear about me?

Oh... I didn't. I picked your name

out of the phone book.

Well I'm usually not so lucky.

Oh, neither am I, Mrs Murdock.

Oh I'm not Mrs Murdock,

I'm Miss Davis, her secretary.

I hope you're not disappointed.

I'm disappointed

you're not my client.

But, the 'Miss' makes up for it.

I'll tell Mrs Murdock you're here.

But first I'd better tell you

a little bit about her.

Oh sure... by all means.

I'm in no rush.

You may find her a little difficult

and rather eccentric.

Yeah?... Do you?

Oh no... I understand her.

But there are people who don't.

They don't know the trouble

she's had, Mr Marlowe.

They don't realise how wonderful

and generous she is underneath.

I see.

What does she want

a private detective for?

I think she's prefer

to tell you that herself.

I just wanted to make sure

you didn't judge her too harshly.

There's something I'd like

to make sure of, too.

Are you around here all the time?

I mean... if I take the case,

will I see you?

That should depend on you, Mr Marlowe.

You look like a man of initiative.

What's he here for.

Why has she sent for a detective?

I'm sorry, but I can't

tell you that, Leslie.

Your mother wouldn't like it.

I have a right to know...

Tell me!

Leslie, don't! Let me go, please!

You're Marlowe, aren't you?

I've just seen my mother...

I'm afraid we've put you to some

slight trouble for nothing.

She's decided not to employ you,

or anybody, for that matter.

How much do we owe you?

Nothing, Mr Murdock.

Mrs Murdock will see you now.

Thanks.

You must've forgotten to tell your mother

she didn't want to see me!

It's right in there.

Good morning.

Good morning Mr Marlowe.

Sit in that chair, please.

And don't light that cigarette...

I'm asthmatic.

My doctor prescribes port

for my asthma.

Since it's a medicine,

I'm not offering you any.

That's alright...

Now what's your trouble.

Something's been taken from this house,

and I want it back.

Why don't you go to the police?

Because I don't wish

anyone arrested.

You know who took it?

Yes I do, but I don't intend

to tell you.

Well, before we go any further,

perhaps I better tell you...

Your son tried to get rid of me

just now.

Why?

I'm not interested in discussing

my son's motives with you, Mr Marlowe.

Have it your way.

What's been taken?

A coin. A rare gold coin

called the Brasher Doubloon.

- The what?

- The Brasher Doubloon.

It's a collector's item,

worth at least $10,000.

Probably more.

It's a mint specimen. There are only

two of them in the whole country.

The Smithsonian Institute has the other.

Where was it taken from?

From that safe in there.

- May I see inside it?

- Merle!

Who, beside yourself

has the combination?

Only my secretary, Miss Davis,

and my son.

- Yes, Mrs Murdock?

- Open the safe for Mr Marlowe.

You're a coin collector,

Mrs Murdock?

My late husband was.

Merle, bring me the tray from which

the Brasher Doubloon was taken.

Wait outside please.

What did the kid do,

twist your arm?

Mrs Murdock will hear you.

Why do you have to take

that stuff from him?

Mr Marlowe... please!

What's the matter, Merle?

Can't you find it?

She's got it.

Shall I leave it here?

And close the door

on your way out.

Just a minute, Merle.

You've got to make out a cheque

for Mr Marlowe.

What do you charge

for your services?

If I take the case...

$25 a day and expenses.

I see... and how much of a retainer

do you expect?

$100 should hold me.

I should hope it would.

Alright Merle, make out a cheque

for $100, payable to Mr Philip Marlowe.

And keep your mouth shut

about it.

Mrs Murdock!...

I think you know that

I never talk about your affairs.

Well, I just wouldn't!

Not for the world... and I don't...

Does this tell you anything?

Is that the only one

that's missing?

The only one.

All the trays were checked, in my presence,

after I discovered my loss.

When was that?

Day before yesterday.

A man named Elisha Morningstar,

coin dealer, telephoned

and asked me if the Brasher Doubloon

was for sale.

I told him if he were a numismatist

of any repute, he'd know it wasn't.

I see.

What did he say to that?

He asked if he could see

the Doubloon and I told him no...

and he laughed and hung up.

Naturally that roused my curiosity.

And I went to look at the coin.

It wasn't there.

Elisha Morningstar, eh?

His office is in the Belfont Building

in downtown Los Angeles.

There you are, and I hope

you're worth it.

To tell you the truth,

I expected an older man...

Someone more intelligent looking.

I'm wearing a disguise.

So you don't think your son's

eagerness to get rid of me

has any bearing on the case.

Mr Marlowe, as I've already

told you...

your job is merely to get

the Doubloon back.

If you handle this matter for me,

you'll handle it in MY way.

Sorry, that's not the way I work,

Mrs Murdock.

If I have to do only what you want

me to do, I can't take the case.

Indeed! And how DO you work?

First of all, I insist my clients

tell me everything.

And then I'll handle things MY way.

It's known far and wide as

"Marlowe's muddled method".

Good day.

Nothing is, around this house,

as far as I can see.

What sort of hold have these people

got on you, anyway?

Now really, Mr Marlowe, do you

have to find deep dark motives

and sinister plots everywhere?

Just because we have

a little problem to clear up?

Don't you ever run across

any normal people in your work?

Once in a while.

My standards are pretty high.

For instance, it doesn't seem

quite normal to me

when a girl like you

suddenly goes to pieces

because the old dame in there

raises her voice.

She likes to be treated that way...

that's all!

I told you she was eccentric,

What about the kid?

And don't tell me you play

straight to him

just to build up his ego!

That's already been done.

Leslie's a little strange, too.

His mother loves him so much,

she's spoiled him.

In other words, everybody in this case

is off-balance, except you.

And you, Mr Marlowe.

Oh, I'm not in this case.

I just told Mrs Murdock

I wasn't going to take it.

But I forgot to give this back to her.

Oh, you mustn't!...

You've got to take it.

Sorry.

Would it make any difference

if I told you it was important to me?

Is it?

Yes, it's terribly important... It means

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