The Brasher Doubloon Page #3

He saw you come in this time.

What about the fingerprints, Spangler?

All Anson's.

And one other guy.

Yeah, the other guy's me.

Nobody could be as dumb as you act.

Nobody ain't.

You beat it downstairs.

I'll call you if I need you.

Let's go in here

where it's quiet.

You know something Marlowe...

You and I are going to get along.

That's fine... I'm all for it!

Part of your story sticks in my craw,

Marlowe.

And I don't like your trying to make

the manager think you hadn't been in here.

Why should I get involved in a murder

thats none of my business?

Murder is everybody's business.

This one maybe yours

more than anybody else's.

Let's see what you got

in your pockets.

Alright, that does it...

Take him down to headquarters

and hold him as a material witness.

And see what he's got on him.

Okay... if that's the way

you want to play.

Who is Elisha Morningstar?

A friend of mine

in the Belfont Building.

A coin dealer.

Those are to my garage,

office, and apartment.

What's this for?

Golf clubs. Checked them there

this morning

so I wouldn't have to leave them

in that car all day.

Stick your arms out.

Now can I go?

You know somethin Marlowe...

you're smart.

But don't try to be too smart.

Alright, I'll try to be

just smart enough!

That'll be 2 bits.

I figured I was probably

looking at the Brasher Doubloon.

But somehow it didn't send me.

I guess I'm not the collector type.

All I wanted to know was

whether this was the genuine coin...

or just a reasonable facsimile.

That called for another chat

with the old coin expert.

Morningstar!

I can always claim my finding

2 stiffs in one afternoon

was pure coincidence.

But I had a hunch the boys from Homicide

would be sceptical.

Especially since the lieutenant

had asked me about Morningstar.

The gun looked exactly like the one

I'd seen in Merle's desk.

But I figured it was worth a trip

to Pasadena to make sure.

I still can't seem to find a match.

How did you get in here?

Didn't they tell you?

I came to see you.

No one told me.

And no one would have let you in.

I'm not supposed to

have visitors.

Hey... what sort of deal

have you got here?

Straight slavery?

Or just a 10-year bond?

I'm quite satisfied with my job,

Mr Marlowe.

Mrs Murdock is not only my employer,

she's the best friend I have.

You know, that's not saying much,

seeing as she doesn't allow

any competition.

- But to get to more immediate business...

- For instance how you got into this house...

We've already discussed that...

Let's not repeat ourselves.

Especially on Mrs Murdock's time.

You're not on her time.

Didn't you get my wire?

Wire?

No, I haven't been back to my office

since noon.

What did it say?

Just that you needn't go any further

with the case

because Mrs Murdock has recovered

the Brasher Doubloon.

I see!

Well, she said you could

keep your cheque though,

as payment in full

for your services.

Did she?!

You were right this morning

when you said she was generous.

Well, you should feel quite relieved...

It's been a very profitable day for you.

Oh... educational too!

And how about you, Miss Davis?

Do you feel relieved?

Well, naturally I'm glad Mrs Murdock got...

Of course you do!

Getting the coin back

meant everything to you!

A happy girl now!

All your problems solved.

Please get out of here!

You have no business here any more...

There's nothing to discuss.

There's one thing more.

Is this your gun?

Well... is it?

I don't know...

Where did you find it?

I won it in a raffle

at a church social!

- Is it yours?

- How would I know?

You're trying to trick me.

You may have taken it out of

my desk... give it to me.

I'm not trying to trick you and

I didn't take it out of your desk.

If it's mine, give it to me.

Not until I know a lot more than I do

about how it got where it did.

Miss Davis...

Do you think I want to hurt you?

No.

What I'd like to do is help you.

Do you believe me?

Yes!

Good... now I know this is going to

sound kind of radical, but...

Did it ever occur to you that it

might make things easier

if you told the truth occasionally?

I can't!

There are things I can't talk about.

Ah... Mr Marlowe.

Oh Leslie!

You frightened me!

Well, come in. Just the man

I want to see.

I didn't say anything, Leslie.

Not a word!

What's the matter Marlowe?

Don't you know not to leave

when you're not wanted?

Miss Davis tells me your Mother's

recovered the doubloon.

Yes... as it turns out

we really didn't need you.

Well, you do now.

You see, two men

have been killed today...

Two men directly connected with

this business of the Brasher Doubloon.

- Oh no!

- Go on... beat it!

No, stay here!

Now just a minute, Marlowe.

This is my mother's house...

Wouldn't you like to know who

the two men were who were killed?

Aren't you even just

a little bit curious?

Frankly, no.

Murders happen every day.

Well, whether you're

interested or not, I am.

As a result of all this

the cops are after ME.

You don't say!

All I have to do Murdock,

is tell the police what I know.

OK... if it means keeping

our name out of it.

I took the doubloon, Marlowe,

to pay a debt.

A gambling debt?

Perhaps.

But the point is my mother

found out the coin was gone

and so I had to get it back.

What about the debt?

Well, I pointed out to the gambler

that it would scarcely be to his advantage

to have me disinherited.

That he might better wait a bit

for his money.

Fortunately, he agreed.

And gave the doubloon back?

So you see, there's really nothing for you

to concern yourself with, further.

Quite a simple story really.

Yeah... so simple, it smells.

What did your mother say

when she found out you had

a gambling debt?

Well naturally I didn't tell her

that part of it.

No, you wouldn't.

Merle, do I hear that man

Marlowe in there?

Yes, Mrs Murdock.

Well, send him in here.

Don't say anything about the gambling,

will you Marlowe?

Not unless I have to.

Well Mr Marlowe,

must I come in there?

You seem to be a hard man

to get rid of.

I'm going to be even

harder than that

until I get hold of a few facts

around here.

Perhaps it would be worth

giving them to you

just to see the last of you.

Yes!... First of all...

What's wrong with Miss Davis?

Is there anything

wrong with her?

Why does she live in this house

in a constant state of terror?

Aren't you fictionizing

just a little?

I might be... but what's she afraid of?

And why isn't she allowed

to have callers?

By what right do you ask

those questions?

Has she been with you

a long time?

5 years.

Ever since my husband's death.

Why?

Do you think Miss Davis

is perfectly rational?

Suppose we say that

she's a very high-strung girl...

...easily disturbed.

Disturbed?

That's a word they use about

insane patients.

Is it?

So that's what she's so

darned grateful about.

You've kept her here instead of

sending her to an asylum.

Why is she easily disturbed?

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