The House on Telegraph Hill Page #6

That's quite a long way

from your place.

So she made a mistake. So what?

People don't make mistakes like that,

unless it's part of a pattern.

Look, I'm not very good at riddles.

What's on your mind?

I'm worried about Karin.

I don't have to tell you

what she went through in Europe.

I've tried everything

to make her forget.

I blame myself for letting her drive.

That accident on the hill

didn't help her nerves any.

A thing like that would play

hard with anybody's nerves.

Of course, but with her it seems to-

I don't know.

Suddenly she's become suspicious

of everything and everybody around her.

I talked to Dr. Burkhardt about it.

He suggested I take her to a specialist.

I know you've never thought very

much of me, Marc- too pushing

and ambitious for your taste.

Well, maybe you're right.

But Karin's made

a difference in my life.

My only ambition now

is to make her happy.

And I'm helpless.

The harder I try, the more

I realize that... I'm losing her.

It's ironic, isn't it?

Yeah, life's full

of little ironies.

And I'm afraid it's something

you're gonna have to work out

between yourselves.

Would you like to dance?

Go ahead, darling.

The report from the chemist, Marc-

what does it say?

I'm sorry, Karin. There wasn't a trace

of grease or oil on those gloves.

But those spots, Marc,

those dark spots.

Ink. Nothing but plain,

ordinary blue-black ink.

Karin, I'd like to tell you

that Alan is a black-hearted monster...

capable of the worst crimes

in the book.

I can't, 'cause I'd be lying,

and I-I can't lie to you.

I know you've been through so much-

those years at the camp, and-

But you've got to

snap out of this mood.

Oh, I'm not hysterical, Marc.

Please believe me.

I've realized now, there was

something wrong from the beginning:

the way they tried to keep me from coming

to America; the cold, heartless cables...

some lawyers send me that Aunt Sophie

was dead, and not a word about Chris-

- What lawyers?

- I don't know.

I don't remember their names.

- Why? Is it important?

- No, I-I just wondered.

I can show you the cable.

Alan doesn't know, but I still have it.

I could bring it to your office.

- All right. Why don't you?

Like to get a look at it.

- All right, Marc. Tomorrow.

- I'll bring it to your office

in the morning, huh?

- All right.

Oh, no.

After what happened today,

I-I shouldn't go there again.

Where could we meet?

Well, let me see.

The yacht basin at the marina.

Any taxi driver will know where it is.

- Thank you.

- Wait a minute.

It's my turn now.

My secretary searched all the files

and checked with everybody...

and says there's absolutely no record

of this having been sent from our office.

But it is signed, "Bennett, Compton

and Maxwell." Your firm, Marc.

- Then I'm right.

Alan sent the cable himself.

- It's possible.

But see, this is dated May 31, 1945.

My father was still alive then.

He handled your aunt's affairs.

Alan could have showed him

the cable just as he told you.

And unfortunately, now there's no way

of finding out what actually did happen.

Look. First thing Monday morning,

I'll call Callahan.

That's the lawyer

you met in New York.

- He may be able to tell us something.

- I hope so.

Now, don't be afraid.

I've got to get home now.

I promised to take Chris to the ball game.

You are afraid, aren't you?

Sometimes, yes.

But not when I am with you.

That's what I want to talk to you about.

There's no sense in our going-

Oh, Marc. No, not now.

It- It isn't right.

What is right- for you to

go on living with Alan, feeling

the way you do about him?

For us to exchange polite small talk

every time we meet?

- Is it wrong for me to say

that I'm in love with you?

- No, Marc. No.

But it is wrong

for someone to lie, to cheat...

even if only to find

happiness and safety.

Now what are we talking about?

About me. I'm not

Chris's mother, Marc.

Karin Dernakova died in Belsen.

I took her papers

and stole her name.

- Victoria.

- Yes. Victoria Kowelska.

That's my real name.

- Victoria Kowelska.

- But, Marc, you didn't hear what I said.

- I'm not Chris's-

- Sure, sure. You're not Chris's mother.

What do you want me to do-

condemn...

a starved, scared, homeless girl

who saw a chance for

a better life and grabbed it?

I saw Belsen too, Karin.

But I am trapped now by my own lies.

Even if Alan lets me go,

he will never let me have Chris.

- And I will not leave him

behind in that house!

- Well, that's it.

You've been living with this

on your conscience so long,

you've magnified these things.

Oh, no. Please don't think that.

Chris is in real danger.

- You've said that before. Nothing

is gonna happen to Chris.

- Something is going to happen.

If I only could

make you believe it.

- I love him so much, and he needs me.

- I know he does.

- I'm gonna talk to Alan. I think-

- Oh, no, Marc.

Alan mustn't know

I told you anything.

There must be a way

to prove all this to you.

Will you stop

tearing yourself apart?

Take Chris to the ball game.

Have some fun for a while.

- Karin.

- Hmm?

I said, take Chris to the ball game.

Get away from the house for the afternoon.

- Yeah.

- Would it help if I call later...

when I find out

what Callahan has to say?

- Yes, call me. Maybe I-

- Now, don't do anything silly.

Chris will be all right.

Oh, I-I hope so.

- Hello, Margaret.

- Good afternoon, Mrs. Spender.

- Where's Chris?

- He's having his lunch.

He said you were taking him to

the ball game. I'll tell him you're back.

All right.

Margaret, uh-

Would you mind

very much taking Chris to the game?

He has been counting on it,

and... I have such a bad headache.

- Why, I'll be glad to take him,

if you like.

- Thank you.

Good-bye, darling.

Have a good time.

- And, remember, just one hot dog.

- Okay, Mom. And I'll keep

the scorecard for ya.

Bye, Mom! Bye!

- Bye!

- Good-bye!

"Death came yesterday"-June 3.

But the cable was sent in May.

She wasn't dead then.

- Hello, dear.

- Oh, Alan.

Well, go ahead.

Finish your call.

It's not important.

- Well, who were you calling?

- My watch stopped. I wanted

to find out the correct time.

Oh.

It's about a quarter of two.

Um, 14 of.

- All right.

- Margaret called and said

you weren't feeling well.

- I thought I'd come home

and keep you company.

- Thank you, dear.

It was just a headache.

It's gone now.

But, darling, if you have work to do,

please, don't let me hold you back.

I'm all right now.

Well, of course, I can always

find something to do. Um-

Okay. Put on your coat and come along.

The drive will do you good.

Oh, I don't think so, Alan.

I'd rather stay home.

Why don't you go?

No. The work will keep

until tomorrow.

Why, you haven't eaten a thing, Karin.

Why don't you try the souffl?

It's excellent.

Yeah, Mom. It's swell.

- I'm not hungry, darling.

Would you like to have mine too?

- Yeah, sure!

If you don't mind, I'll go to the library

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