The Talk of the Town Page #5

I understand you laugh at my

kind of law and wink at the other.

What kind do you practice?

I refuse to be dragged into any further

discussion of the philosophy of law.

Well, then let's not.

Joseph, I'm sorry.

It isn't that I have no respect

for your intelligence.

- But you're taking a vacation from law.

- Exactly. But I was a little sharp.

- Don't mention it.

- Now, let's see. My king is in check.

As a matter of fact, Joseph, I'm very

grateful for your presence in the house.

And you're a big treat

to me, professor.

Thank you, Joseph.

They've picked up Dilg's scent.

They'll let us know when they

get him cornered. They never miss.

You wouldn't believe it, Sam,

the way those two like each other.

- Maybe the thaw is actually setting in.

- Maybe.

That professor's got a mind

like a steel trap.

And sometimes he seems like such

a little boy, I feel like kissing him.

- Not a bad idea.

- Never do that.

- What are you doing out?

- An active man has to stretch his legs.

Naturally you feel like kissing him.

He's a wonderful man.

- I only meant that I...

- Of course.

And the way he looks at you... When

a thaw sets in, anything can happen.

Leopold, stop acting like a fool.

His man Tilney may arrive any minute.

There's plenty of time.

Holmes is whipping up such hysteria,

they'll go over this whole country.

Tomorrow he's pulling a big affair

at the factory ruins.

- Well, that's fine.

- What do you mean?

A most important experience

for our professor.

I'm getting awfully... How do you think

I'm going to get him down there?

There are some old buildings

down there.

Some of the best examples of early

American architecture in New England.

And he's a cultured man from Boston.

Should be simple.

Get back in the attic.

Joseph!

Help!

We're getting close, sheriff.

- We got him, sheriff.

- Dilg, come down.

- Them hounds never miss.

- I'll shoot you.

Don't shoot!

Don't shoot. Don't shoot, boys.

Take off that beard, Dilg.

I recognize you.

His name is Professor Lightcap.

I'm sorry, professor, but I've never

known hounds to make a mistake.

- This town is nothing but mistakes.

- Bad dogs.

And I'll thank you to call

your men off and your dogs too.

I'll see that you lose

your badge for this.

I can't understand it.

I raised those hounds and this is the

first time they've ever made a mistake.

- That house there was built in 1740.

- Yes, yes.

Beaver.

It's a game. First one to spot a beard.

Beards are unusual in these parts.

I suppose they are. I don't think I

ever told anyone how I came to grow it.

I was one of the youngest ever

to graduate from Harvard Law School.

In fact, I was teaching at

Commonwealth before I was 22.

I had a frank and open face. People

in trolley cars used to call me "sonny."

Boys I was teaching would slap me

on the back. Women would wink at me.

- Is that bad?

- No, but I had no time for nonsense.

The beard became a sort of fortress.

And then I grew attached to it.

- I think it's pretty.

- What am I to say to that?

- I wonder what's going on over here.

- Pulaski's, the borscht place.

- We must get some for Joseph.

- We haven't time.

But think of his face, the ecstasy.

- You're going to spoil that man.

- Spoil Joseph?

- Yes, sir.

- Borscht, please.

- A quart.

- Yes.

With an egg in it.

- It must have an egg beaten up in it.

- Yes, sir. In a moment, sir.

Ma, come on.

- Look. Look at those two.

- I see them. So?

- They ordered a quart of borscht.

- So?

- With an egg!

- Is that a crime?

Only one customer ever

orders it that way:

Leopold Dilg!

Sherlock Holmes, you think that

he's Leopold Dilg with a beard, huh?

- I'm going to follow them.

- My own Federal Bureau of Investigation.

I'm an American citizen. In America,

everybody is responsible for everything.

- I'm following.

- He's such a...

With an egg. It's wonderful.

30 cents.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- This is the way back to the car.

- But this is the shortest way.

Well, well, as I live and breathe,

Michael Lightcap.

- Hello, Nora.

- Hello.

- What's cooking over there, Sam?

- Holmes is having pictures taken...

...to remind people Dilg is a villain.

- I think our car is this way.

- You mustn't miss this. See that pose?

That's how you try a case out

of court and stack the evidence.

Right there, Mr. Holmes. Hold it.

That's good, thank you.

- See how it's done.

- No, I have an appointment.

Mr. Lightcap, for goodness' sakes.

I'm very glad to see you again, sir.

- I want you to meet Mr. Holmes.

- I must be going...

- Mr. Holmes.

- Give Mr. Holmes room.

Mr. Holmes, meet

Professor Michael Lightcap.

I'm glad to see you. I don't wonder

this tragedy attracted even you.

- As a matter of fact...

- Public feeling has run high.

As for Mr. Dilg, justice

will not be cheated.

- I'm sure it won't.

- Miss Bush.

Here's an example of how deeply this

tragedy has struck.

Miss Bush, a friend of Clyde

Bracken, the man who was killed.

I'm pleased to meet you.

- We found her searching the ashes.

- I was looking for a watch I gave Clyde.

All they found of Bracken

was a medal he had won in school.

It gives a girl a queer feeling.

A man weighs 211 lbs. And, wham, all

that's left is a medal for shot-putting.

Too bad they're not taking a picture

of Dilg swinging from a pole.

- Who said that?

- I did.

Jake, I told you anybody

talking like that had to fight me.

I've licked you four times in two weeks.

I'm tired of hitting you.

- Go on, put them up.

- Sam Yates, you're a disgrace.

- Save that wind for the bench, judge.

- Jake, now, come on.

- Break it up.

- Let him go.

Hit him!

- Go on, break it up.

- Why don't you guys act like men...

...instead of a couple of kids?

Miss Shelley?

- I looked all over for you.

- I won't have it, Miss Shelley.

Yates deliberately

dragged me into this.

- His motives aren't selfish.

- That has nothing to do with it.

I know, but you take a man like

Holmes whipping people into hysteria...

...it makes you wonder.

- Not me, I cannot be involved.

- If it's your purpose to see that I...

- Professor, this amounts to violence.

And from you? Making charges against

Miss Shelley without evidence?

- Perhaps I'd better resign, professor.

- No, Miss Shelley...

You're right, Joseph.

I apologize, Miss Shelley.

Now, you see, a happy family again.

And the question is, are

we ready for dinner?

- Are we ready for dinner?

- I'll be right down.

- Any time you're ready, Joseph.

- One minute!

- I'm very sorry I lost my temper.

- That's all right. You're forgiven.

I've been thinking of something.

I may be going to Washington.

I can't tell you in what capacity.

Not just yet.

But I'll need someone there with me,

more than a secretary.

Someone I can trust and respect.

It would be an important job, for life.

It would mean your giving up

your career in Lochester...

...so I can't urge you to take it,

but I sincerely wish you would.

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