The Brasher Doubloon Page #4

What's happened to her?

I really don't see why

I should tell you, but...

5 years ago Merle was

my husband's secretary.

She happened to be present when he fell

from the window of his office

During the Rose Tournament Parade.

It was a dreadful shock

to a sensitive young girl.

Since then I've been

taking care of her.

She hasn't been well.

Now are you through prying

into her affairs? And mine?

I'm not prying half as much

as the police are going to...

When they trace the cause of 2 murders

to this house.

- Leslie... didn't you have a date?

- I did.

But if you need me here?

Nonsense. Kiss your mother

and run along.

I'm very fond of my son.

Very fond.

And this business of Leslie's taking

the Brasher Doubloon

has grieved me deeply.

Even though he was trying

to do me a favour.

So that's what he told you?!

Mr Marlowe you are treading on

thin ice.

Aren't we all?!

Merle!

Yes, Mrs Murdock?

See that Mr Marlowe gets

out of this house at once...

and don't talk to him.

Don't worry, I'm not interested

in listening to any more lies.

How dare you speak to me like that!

If you haven't all 3 been

lying your heads off,

then what's this?

Not until those murders

are cleared up.

Let me know if any further ideas

occur to you.

I've already told you all that I know.

Give it to me.

You can call the police

and tell them I've got it.

And that I won't give it

back to you.

Go ahead... do that.

No police, eh?

I don't blame you... I don't

like them either, right now.

Because they think I know more about

those murders than I've told them.

Is that your reason

to commit murder?

And yours, Miss Davis?

You'll have to get that coin

from him, Merle.

- How?

- That's entirely your own affair

But what can I do?

Didn't you see the way he was

looking at you?

I want the doubloon back tonight...

otherwise my responsibility

for you is at an end.

Capitalise on what you've got, child.

It would have been no problem for me,

when I was your age.

Something?

Are you Mr Marlowe?

The same.

What do you want?

I should like to talk to you

about the Brasher Doubloon.

After you.

Sit down!

What about the Brasher Doubloon?

It belongs to ME.

Who are you?

My name is Vannier... Rudolph Vannier.

And you claim that the Brasher Doubloon

is yours, eh?

Strictly speaking it does not

belong to me yet, but it will.

As soon as certain arrangements

have been accomplished.

But they cannot be accomplished

until I locate the coin...

and I think YOU know

where it is.

You were at Mr Anson's apartment

when he was...

When the unfortunate circumstance

of his death was discovered.

You still haven't told me

why you claim to be the owner

of a stolen coin.

Stolen? Hardly that!

'Borrowed' would be

a better word.

Borrowed so it could be exchanged

for something of much greater value.

What's the article the Brasher Doubloon

is to be exchanged for?

I'm sorry, but I can not

tell you that.

Well, what HAVE you

come here to tell me?

That unless I have the coin

in my possession some time tonight...

I shall be in great danger.

I'm not ordinarily

a violent man...

Mr Marlowe... but under

the circumstances

I have no other choice.

You will please give me

the Brasher Doubloon.

Oh for the love of Mike!

Maybe you better just

go ahead and shoot!

My luck's going to give out on me

sometime anyway!

I beg you not to joke!

I'm desperate!

OK... OK...

But there comes a time when

one gun more is one gun too many!

I give up.

Hey, this thing really sends you,

doesn't it?

Give it to me!

Sure.

Why so frantic, little man?

I must have that coin tonight, or...

Or else you'll go the way Anson

and Morningstar did?

Yes... but more than that

I cannot tell you.

Well, I'll help you.

You have something that's worth more

than the coin to someone else.

But less than that to you.

Something that someone

is desperately afraid of.

Yeah, now what's more frightening

than prison?

I'll tell you what it is...

When someone holds something

over your head.

Constantly threatening you with it...

Threatening to expose, or...

Or perhaps destroy you.

It's blackmail!

You give yourself away too easily,

Mr Vannier.

Now, whom are you blackmailing?

Merle Davis?

Why, she hasn't any money.

I was reaching for

my handkerchief!

That is my wallet.

May I have it back, please?

Not until I've looked it over.

You're a movie cameraman?

Answer when you're spoken to,

Vannier.

This card says you're

a movie cameraman.

I am... I was.

- You're not now?

- No.

What studio did you work for?

I'm asking you a question.

No studio...

when I came here

from Germany 10 years ago,

I worked as a freelance

newsreel cameraman.

I sold my stuff to

anybody who'd take it.

So that's what you're using

for blackmail!

Something you photographed.

What is it?

You cannot make me say more.

Even if you kill me.

No one's going to

get this thing

until I find out what

I want to know.

Good night!

The way he drooled

at the sight of that coin...

I could tell he was a collector

as well as a blackmailer.

A interesting combination.

But I could think of one that would

interest the cops even more.

A detective who hides a murder gun

and $10,000 of stolen property.

- Hey, Mr Marlowe... - Yeah?

There's a young lady upstairs.

She said I was to let her in.

Did she give a name?

She gave 'a' name... Miss Jones.

Sounds familiar.

But I can't place it

at the moment.

She said that you

were expecting her.

Did she?

Were you?

Does it really make any difference

Mr Shaw... deep down inside, I mean.

Oh, hello!

I gave myself even money

it'd be you.

I suppose this must seem

awfully forward of me...

Well... it's certainly

a change of pace!

What'll you have to drink?

Well, what do you think

I should have?

A noggin of plain water...

Unless you're not thirsty.

Would you like me to tell you

why I came here?

Yeah, then I can concentrate

on the real reason.

You're not being very nice,

Mr Marlowe.

But I suppose I can't blame you.

I do owe you an apology.

Forget it... I get an annual deduction

on my income tax for unpaid apologies.

How do you figure on getting me

to give you the doubloon?

By telling you the truth

and then asking you for it.

Better go easy on that whisky

Miss Davis...

That sounded almost like

a direct answer to a direct question.

After you left tonight, I thought about

what you said to me

About wanting to help me.

There wasn't any reason for you

to say that unless you liked me.

You do, don't you?

I like what I see.

Ask me again when we're

a little better acquainted.

I like YOU very much.

I've never felt so at ease

with anyone so quickly.

What about this phobia of yours?

It's responding to treatment already.

The curriculum is more intensive.

Take a deep breath.

This may hurt a little.

Now relax... all at once.

Let's try once more.

Like this...

Try to really relax.

All over.

That's right.

Good.

We'll take a short recess.

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