1. You're late.
I'm sorry.
The path out there was dark.Copy !req
2. Anybody see you?
No. And I parked
where you told me.Copy !req
3. Good. Take that.Copy !req
4. Pull yourself together.
There's no reason to be frightened.Copy !req
5. It's just my uncle.Copy !req
6. And I assure you,
he's far more amiable now
than he ever was when he was alive.Copy !req
7. I'll be all right.
Of course you will,
my love.Copy !req
8. I couldn't possibly be
any help to your career
from inside a gas chamber.Copy !req
9. Don't say things like that.Copy !req
10. Anyway, what difference
does my career make?Copy !req
11. Dale, look,
they're all yours now.Copy !req
12. They will be,
but not unless you do your part.Copy !req
13. Don't worry, Dale.
I... I was just a little upset.Copy !req
14. Now I'm fine.
Good.Copy !req
15. Now remember,
when you open the window, fire high.Copy !req
16. You better get started.
That electric blanket
goes back upstairs...Copy !req
17. Top drawer, left side.
How many times have you
told me that? Dale, hurry!Copy !req
18. All right, Melvin,
5,000 and it's a steal.Copy !req
19. Would you please move faster?
Uh, boys, keep those bottles popping.Copy !req
20. Thank you. Good evening.Copy !req
21. One thousand dollars?
And you're not even a Frenchman.
Mingle, mingle.Copy !req
22. Well, you see, the only thing
I really need is something pink
for the guest bathroom.Copy !req
23. I just paint the pictures, ma'am,
I don't set prices.Copy !req
24. Don't pick on my artist, darling.
After all, your husband
adores cactus. He told me so.Copy !req
25. I know, but it's the wrong shade
of pink for the wallpaper.Copy !req
26. Well, how about 800?
I mean, that's if he takes
the green Indian to go in the office.Copy !req
27. Mind you...
I'm so glad you...Copy !req
28. Oh, excuse me.Copy !req
29. Dale! Dale Kingston,
I don't believe it.Copy !req
30. Your invitation said free champagne,
Mitilda, my love.Copy !req
31. Oh, you're such a snob.
You never come to my showings.
Sam, quick!Copy !req
32. Well, I had nothing to do
tonight anyway. I was
half hoping that it'd be over by...Copy !req
33. Oh, it's just begun.
Please, Dale. Excuse me.Copy !req
34. Uh...
Sam... This is Sam Franklin.Copy !req
35. It's his first private showing,
so would you please be nice?
Honey, this is Dale Kingston.Copy !req
36. How do you do?
Yes, yes.
How do you do, sir?Copy !req
37. Oh, you must be the artist of these,
uh, arid little landscapes, aren't you?Copy !req
38. Well, they're not too bad.
Not too bad at all.
Thank you.Copy !req
39. Mr. Kingston?
Mr. DaleKingston?
Yes.Copy !req
40. Yes.
And you're
the famous art critic?Copy !req
41. Well, as of the moment, yes,
whatever the moment happens to be...Copy !req
42. Of course he is, darling,
and you're already
raving about Sam's work.Copy !req
43. I'm sorry, dear.
But you couldn't possibly have
this cactus for a penny less than 12.Copy !req
44. - I have five minutes to 11:00, sir.
- Five to 11:00.Copy !req
45. - Yes.
- So it is.Copy !req
46. Thank you very much, Mr., uh, Franklin.Copy !req
47. Oh, of course
you'd love champagne.
Oh, you bet.Copy !req
48. Sam, the painting.Copy !req
49. And so that the meaning of the mobile
stems not only from its form,Copy !req
50. but the relationship between the pieces,
which gives it its meaning.Copy !req
51. And I suppose the relationship
between the pieces
is really where it's at, isn't it?Copy !req
52. Yes.Copy !req
53. It's not so much a question of
his masculinity. I think the artist
just saw him that way.Copy !req
54. I'll drink to that.Copy !req
55. You notice no matter
how abstract the painter,Copy !req
56. he always signs his name
realistically, doesn't he?Copy !req
57. Of course.Copy !req
58. Were you home tonight?
Oh, no, sir.Copy !req
59. My wife and I
left the house at 8:00.
It's our regular night off.Copy !req
60. There's just you and your wife?
No other servants in a place this size?Copy !req
61. Well, Mr. Mathews
seldom entertained.Copy !req
62. He was divorced many years ago
and has very few friends.Copy !req
63. Tonight I believe he planned
to spend in his room reading.
Just a minute.Copy !req
64. You got all this, Columbo?
You want anything more
from Mr. Evans?Copy !req
65. No.Copy !req
66. Please, sir.!Copy !req
67. Mr. Mathews was very fussy
about smoking.Copy !req
68. Oh, sorry.Copy !req
69. Oh, Doctor,
call us from downtown, will ya?Copy !req
70. Oh, I don't think the autopsy
will change my opinion.Copy !req
71. It was a single bullet.
Must've died almost instantly.Copy !req
72. And the time of death?
Oh, I'd say around 11:00,
give or take a few minutes.Copy !req
73. Wasn't it?
Yeah. The body was still warm.Copy !req
74. Talk to you later, Captain.Copy !req
75. Oh, Mr. Kingston.
I've been trying to reach you.
I'm so terribly sorry.Copy !req
76. Somebody broke in, I assume?
Yes, your uncle
probably came down...Copy !req
77. I told him about it.
He just got back to
his apartment at 2:00,Copy !req
78. His gun is missing from his desk.
After some party
at a gallery, he says.Copy !req
79. There are two paintings missing,
I think. I told them
to hold everything for you.Copy !req
80. Mr. Kingston, we've been waiting
to dust some of these canvases
for fingerprints.Copy !req
81. Evans wouldn't let us
touch anything but the frames.Copy !req
82. Well, it's perfectly all right.
No problem as long as you're careful.
Which ones did you want?Copy !req
83. These right here.
I suppose he's gonna be
your new boss, huh?Copy !req
84. Well, I would hope he keeps on
and keeps the house.Copy !req
85. After all, he's Mr. Mathews's
only living relative.Copy !req
86. But, really, sir,
at a time like this...
Oh, listen. I'm sorry.Copy !req
87. Of course. You're absolutely right.Copy !req
88. Would you like to spend some time with
your wife? I'm sure she's very upset.Copy !req
89. Thank you.Copy !req
90. Uh, Mr. Kingston,
before you get too involved there...Copy !req
91. Excuse me a minute, Captain.
Okay.Copy !req
92. I wonder if maybe first you'd try to
help me out with a problem I have?Copy !req
93. Yes.
Um, it's this...Copy !req
94. this painting.
Well, what's the problem?Copy !req
95. Havert you ever seen people
without faces before?Copy !req
96. They've loaned them out.Copy !req
97. You've heard of two-faced people,
I suppose?Copy !req
98. Oh, yes.
But, uh,Copy !req
99. you see, it's this
crazy signature that bothers me...Copy !req
100. DeGrote. George DeGrote.
Quite famous.Copy !req
101. I thought so.
Isn't that funny?Copy !req
102. 'Cause I noticed the signatures
on this other painting, um...Copy !req
103. Does that say Birnbaum?
Yes, it does.Copy !req
104. That's what I thought.
'Birnbaum."Copy !req
105. You'd think that these artists
would be able to write more clearly.Copy !req
106. Really, do you think all this is
quite appropriate at this time, Mr...Copy !req
107. Oh, I guess not.
Uh, I realize this has been
a terrible shock for you.Copy !req
108. I wanna express my deepest sympathies.
Thank you, Mr...Copy !req
109. Lieutenant Columbo.
Oh, yes. Thank you.Copy !req
110. Uh, tell me, Mr. Kingston,
has anybody tried to
rob this place before?Copy !req
111. Certainly. This place is
a magnet for art thieves.Copy !req
112. It's one of the finest collections
in the world.
Is that so?Copy !req
113. Yes.
Really? Very impressive.Copy !req
114. You seem inordinately fascinated
by these paintings.Copy !req
115. Well, I'll tell you what bothers me.
You see, it's this.Copy !req
116. If you came in here
to grab some paintings,
wouldn't you grab a DeGrote first...Copy !req
117. instead of a Birnbaum?
Perhaps.
But then, I'm an art critic.Copy !req
118. You're the detective.
You're the art critic.
That's right.Copy !req
119. And I'm gonna need
a lot of your help.
I suppose you noticed that already.Copy !req
120. Uh, like in there,
there's two little frames
and they're empty,Copy !req
121. and there doesn't seem to be
anything around that fits inside.Copy !req
122. Oh, no.Copy !req
123. Now, Mr. Evans
wasn't quite sure either.Copy !req
124. He thought that one of'em
had some dancing girls.Copy !req
125. But I don't think
he knows much about art either.Copy !req
126. He also said that
a lot of these things
had just been rehung.Copy !req
127. That they'd just come back from
some kind of a traveling exhibit?Copy !req
128. Yes, that's what those crates are
out in the hall there. I unpacked
most of them myself.Copy !req
129. Yeah. You know, I noticed that
a piece of that wrapping paper
had been torn loose.Copy !req
130. These two are listed
in the exhibit catalogue.Copy !req
131. Got that in here somewhere.Copy !req
132. Here, look.Copy !req
133. Those were the two
that were taken?
Yes.Copy !req
134. - Hey, they're beautiful.
- They're two of my favorites.
Degas pastels.Copy !req
135. Pastels? You mean like
the kids use in school?Copy !req
136. Nobody ever used pastels
like Degas, Lieutenant.Copy !req
137. These two alone together
happen to be worth
over a half million dollars.Copy !req
138. You know, that's funny too.Copy !req
139. Not at all. There isn't a painting
in this entire exhibit
that's worth under 50,000.Copy !req
140. No, I mean that out there,
somebody picked a Birnbaum first.Copy !req
141. Then when your uncle interfered,
then when he went to his desk
and took out a gun,Copy !req
142. then when he was killed...
in the middle of all that, then...Copy !req
143. the thief suddenly got smart,Copy !req
144. and he took two of
the most valuable paintings
in the house and he ran.Copy !req
145. Guess that does seem
a bit inconsistent, doesn't it?Copy !req
146. Then life has
its own inconsistencies.Copy !req
147. Lt. Columbo?
Oh, Sally,
nice of you to come.Copy !req
148. Let's go out back.
I wanna try something.Copy !req
149. Uh, Mr. Kingston,
you might be interested in this.Copy !req
150. Uh, you were here?
Yeah, that's right.Copy !req
151. Wait there.
I'll holler.
All right.Copy !req
152. Hi.
Hi. Hi, Charlie.
How are you?Copy !req
153. What's all this?Copy !req
154. Well, you see,
they have private patrolmen here
to make checks at every hour.Copy !req
155. At 11:00...
No, no, no.
I mean this, this, this.Copy !req
156. What? Oh, the lock?
Yes.Copy !req
157. Well, you see, he found that open.
The lock was scarred like
it'd been forced from the outside.Copy !req
158. Of course, what I don't understand
is why the burglar alarm didn't go off.Copy !req
159. A professional thief could
manage that pretty well, couldn't he?
No, no, no.Copy !req
160. You see, professionals,
they always pick windows.Copy !req
161. They're just easier to crack.
Sally, are you ready?
Whenever you are.Copy !req
162. Okay. When I holler inside,
you run just the way
I told you to run.Copy !req
163. Okay! Here she goes!Copy !req
164. Well?
That's it.
That's what I heard.Copy !req
165. I couldn't be sure before.
I was running myself.Copy !req
166. Now you heard high heels
on those stone steps?
Yes, sir.Copy !req
167. Thank you very much.
You bet.Copy !req
168. Charlie, will you get Sally?
Wait a minute.Copy !req
169. You mean, you think
the thief was a woman?
One of'em.Copy !req
170. - One of them?
- Well, there were too many pictures for
one person to carry, don't you think?Copy !req
171. And besides, the burglar alarm thing.
You know, there's only one way
to really beat that...Copy !req
172. is if you have somebody else
from the inside open the door.Copy !req
173. - I don't think I understand.
- You know what?
That's the trouble. Neither do I.Copy !req
174. Well, if you ever want to know
any more about art, Lieutenant.Copy !req
175. Oh. Thank you very much.
Well, listen, now that you mention it,
tell me this.Copy !req
176. How does a thief get rid of
a painting like that?Copy !req
177. I mean, if they're that famous,
how can anybody sell it?Copy !req
178. Well, someone in
a foreign country maybe.Copy !req
179. Although, art thieves usually try to
make a deal of some kind with the owner,
the gallery, the insurance company.Copy !req
180. You see, that's what I thought.
It's just like a kidnapping.Copy !req
181. Yes.
In other words, what they want really
is the ransom.Copy !req
182. Exactly.
Right.Copy !req
183. So, you know in this case,
somebody must be pretty scared
right now, don't you think?Copy !req
184. Might be anxious to settle quick.Copy !req
185. Possibly.
Sure.Copy !req
186. You know, and since
you're the first person
they might try to contact...Copy !req
187. I'll tell you what.
You give me your telephone number...Copy !req
188. and I'll put a tap on your phone
and we'll monitor all your calls.Copy !req
189. You wouldn't mind that, would you?Copy !req
190. Of course not.
Why should I?Copy !req
191. Gee, thank you very much.
Good night.Copy !req
192. Good night.Copy !req
193. Look out!
Gee, I'm sorry.Copy !req
194. Oh, that's all right. I've been
bumping into things myself today.Copy !req
195. A little bit too much of
the grape last night. I didn't
clear out of here till 3:00 a.m.Copy !req
196. Mr. Kingston went home
a little earlier than that, I guess.Copy !req
197. Well, he stayed long enough
to make every other gallery owner
on the street green with envy.Copy !req
198. Of course, you know,
Dale is usually in London or Paris.Copy !req
199. He doesn't fool around
with us peasants.Copy !req
200. I'll tell you what
I really wanna know...
what time he got here.Copy !req
201. Yes. I know, I know.Copy !req
202. Uh, Sam is right through there.
I called the parking boy.
Be over in a minute.Copy !req
203. Sam, this is the policeman
who phoned.Copy !req
204. Is it all right?
Uh, bring him in.Copy !req
205. They interrupted Rembrandt,
why shouldn't they interrupt me?Copy !req
206. Yeah, what is it?Copy !req
207. If I'm interrupting something...
No, you're not
interrupting anything.Copy !req
208. Uh, forgive the mood,
but, uh, you caught me
in a bad day.Copy !req
209. This here is Chris.
Oh, hi.Copy !req
210. Hello.
Are you an artist?
No.Copy !req
211. I can come back another time.
I think I'm...
Go ahead and interrupt.Copy !req
212. I'm here under duress.
Thanks a lot.Copy !req
213. Stop moving!
I'm trying to paint you.
Well, paint.Copy !req
214. Well, actually, it's very routine.
It's not that important. I think...Copy !req
215. Well, me and champagne
are not routine.Copy !req
216. And if you're interested in
finding out about Mr. Kingston,
what time he got here I don't know.Copy !req
217. Uh, there was something about
his watch, but I'm not sure.Copy !req
218. Might help if
you try to remember.Copy !req
219. Oh, yeah. Well...Copy !req
220. Uh, there was something wrong
with his watch.Copy !req
221. Yeah, that's it, and, uh,
and he asked me what time it was.Copy !req
222. That's it.
That's it. I see.Copy !req
223. Well, thanks.
Sorry to bother you.
No bother.Copy !req
224. Right.
I'm in my commercial phase
right now.Copy !req
225. Yeah. Sam's just mad at
the whole world that's all.Copy !req
226. That's because I made him
put her in his pretty pink cactus.Copy !req
227. Can you imagine? He thinks
the artist should decide what the...
Mitilda, are you looking for me?Copy !req
228. Fine.Copy !req
229. Well, listen, I'll let you
finish your work. Excuse me.Copy !req
230. Do come back soon.
Stop moving.!Copy !req
231. All right.Copy !req
232. Hey, Joe,
didn't the other boys tell me
you parked Kingstors car last night?Copy !req
233. Sure, I remember.
The guy who gave me two bucks.Copy !req
234. Two bucks?
Just for parking a car?Copy !req
235. No. He lost a cuff link.
I helped him search
the whole car for it,Copy !req
236. trunk and everything.
Did you find it?Copy !req
237. No. Why?
Well, you know, most people's trunks,
they're kind of messy to look into.Copy !req
238. His wasn't. Nothing but a spare tire
and a topcoat. Nothing else
in the whole car.Copy !req
239. What time was that?
Would you know?Copy !req
240. Oh, sure, 'cause he asked me.
Something was wrong with
his watch, I guess.Copy !req
241. - It was five minutes to 11:00, sir.
- Mmm. Thanks. All right, that's it.Copy !req
242. Now, uh, what is
this all about?Copy !req
243. Because, like, uh,
Dale's uncle was murdered
sometime last night, right?Copy !req
244. Oh, no. Oh, no...Copy !req
245. When I think what this
is gonna do to the art world.Copy !req
246. Can you imagine an art critic ineriting
that gorgeous collection? I do.Copy !req
247. Hey. Hey, would you look at that.Copy !req
248. A blue horse?Copy !req
249. Painting the ladies and gentlemen
of the Spanish court with a savage brush.Copy !req
250. Relentlessly, unremittingly
showing them in every detail,Copy !req
251. down to the tiniest wart.Copy !req
252. But, when you take the ' W"
off of wart,Copy !req
253. you are still left with ' art,"
and Goya was the penultimate artist.Copy !req
254. We will continue our discussion
of this fascinating artist tomorrow.Copy !req
255. Copies of today's lecture may be
obtained for a nominal fee
by writing to this station.Copy !req
256. This is Dale Kingston.
Good afternoon.Copy !req
257. Be with us again tomorrow
when Channel 16...Copy !req
258. brings you
Dale Kingstors World of Art.Copy !req
259. [TVClicks OffCopy !req
260. Studio 2. Yeah, we just broke.
I'll call him.Copy !req
261. Telephone call, Mr. Kingston.
Thank you, Phil.Copy !req
262. Phil, listen. While I've got you,
can we manage to get... Is that on?Copy !req
263. Phil, can't you cut that camera off me
the minute I finish talking, please?Copy !req
264. I'm always left
with egg on my face.
Thank you.Copy !req
265. - Yes.
- Dale, I finally got you.Copy !req
266. - I remembered you'd be
doing your show.
- What are you doing calling?Copy !req
267. - I told you not to call
for a whole week.
- I know, but I was worried.Copy !req
268. That's just free-floating anxiety, dear.
Now, relax. Everything's going just...Copy !req
269. I'm terribly sorry.
No, I simply don't have time.Copy !req
270. Well, Lieutenant.
Gee, I wish you wouldn't hang up
like that, Mr. Kingston.Copy !req
271. I mean, somebody you don't know
tries to call...
Lieutenant,Copy !req
272. I get a dozen calls a day
just like that from would-be artists,Copy !req
273. from ladies who want to evaluate some
stupid, little print their maiden aunts
left them in their attic.Copy !req
274. If I paid attention to
every one of'em...
You mean, that was a woman?Copy !req
275. Yes, and it wasn't any ransom call
if that's what you're thinking.Copy !req
276. Now if you'll excuse me,
I have a museum to go to,
then a dinner, then a lecture.Copy !req
277. Well, I was hoping that
we could have a little time to talk.
We can get together later if you'd like.Copy !req
278. No, I've gotta
take my makeup off anyway.Copy !req
279. May as well do it now.
Follow me.
Fine. Thank you very much.Copy !req
280. Uh, so this is
a television studio, huh?
Yes.Copy !req
281. Quite a place.
Well, it's a barn, really.Copy !req
282. I'm sure it's not as glamorous
as you'd thought it'd be.
That's right. It isn't.Copy !req
283. But things aren't really
what they seem to be, are they?Copy !req
284. My, how observant you are.Copy !req
285. Hildy, my beauty,
how fast do you think
we can get this paint off me?Copy !req
286. I'll use high-speed turpentine.Copy !req
287. Well, anyway, uh,
I'm sorry to bother you here,
but you haven't been home much.Copy !req
288. Now that's too bad in a way.
That tap on your phone,
it's not helping us any.Copy !req
289. I'm not
your only possibility, Lieutenant.Copy !req
290. I don't know whether
you know this,
but my uncle was married once.Copy !req
291. In fact, his ex-wife still lists
herself in the phone book
under her married name.Copy !req
292. So, you see, whoever took
those paintings could very well be
trying to contact her.Copy !req
293. You know, somebody mentioned that.
So I saw Mrs. Mathews this morning.
We're watching her phone too.Copy !req
294. Oh, that must have been
some interview.Copy !req
295. Aunt Edna can be
a bit trying.
I thought she was kind of nice.Copy !req
296. Oh, she's very nice,
but, uh, trying.Copy !req
297. Well, you said you had
some questions you wanted to ask me?Copy !req
298. Yeah. Nothing important,
just a few details.Copy !req
299. Like that backdoor thing.
That really bothers me.
What about it?Copy !req
300. Um, does that coffee machine work?
Yes, of course it does.
What about it?Copy !req
301. Well, you know, the lab says that
there was just no way for that lock
to be forced from the outside.Copy !req
302. Thank you, Hildy. So?Copy !req
303. Would you like a coffee?
No, thanks.Copy !req
304. Well, how did anyone get in?Copy !req
305. You see, Evans is positive that
all the doors were locked
when he left the house earlier.Copy !req
306. And I don't see your uncle
letting anyone in, unless he knew 'em.Copy !req
307. Did you come all this way
just to tell me that?Copy !req
308. Well, I thought you'd be interested.
Like, I did clear up one routine thing.Copy !req
309. You know that gallery
you went to? Checked out.
Hope you don't mind.Copy !req
310. Well, that's your job. And?Copy !req
311. The parking lot boy, he remembered
when you got there all right.Copy !req
312. So that if Mr. Mathews
was killed at 11:00,
then you sure didn't do it.Copy !req
313. Now isn't that a shame, Lieutenant?Copy !req
314. And here I am your best
and most obvious suspect too.Copy !req
315. Aw, don't say things like that.
Really, you've got me all wrong.Copy !req
316. Oh, yeah.
It's just that I get bugged by
those little things.Copy !req
317. Like, no connection.Copy !req
318. But why would a person look in
the trunk of a car
for a missing cuff link?Copy !req
319. 'Cause I happened to toss
my topcoat in there...Copy !req
320. in order to
keep it from getting stolen.Copy !req
321. - Then I noticed that the link
was missing.
- Of course.Copy !req
322. See, I could've guessed that.Copy !req
323. A little while later I found the link
caught in the lining of my sleeve.Copy !req
324. I'm gonna tell you somethir.Copy !req
325. Do you know that there is
a reasonable explanation for everything
if you just put your mind to it?Copy !req
326. Of course, sometimes these things,
they pop up.Copy !req
327. Like with alibis.
Do you know in most cases,Copy !req
328. people, they don't remember
what time it is.Copy !req
329. They forget all that.
Like the artist fella.Copy !req
330. He's all mixed up about the time.Copy !req
331. And Mrs. Mathews,
she don't even remember
what time she went to bed last night.Copy !req
332. Well, being sober
might help, I suppose.Copy !req
333. Now, with you, Mr. Kingston,
it's just the opposite. Very unusual.Copy !req
334. With you, we know exactly
where you were and when.Copy !req
335. Not only that,
we know your whole car was empty.Copy !req
336. Yes. Isn't that nice?Copy !req
337. Well, if you'll excuse me.
Mm. Oh, listen, by the way,
can I show you something?Copy !req
338. It's only gonna take a second.
Uh, you can rent paintings,
did you know that?Copy !req
339. Yes, I know.
And my father-in-law,
he loves Western movies,Copy !req
340. so I figured, a few bucks,
you can't get hurt.Copy !req
341. Uh, what do you think?Copy !req
342. Any good?
For wallpaper in a child's room,
absolutely perfect.Copy !req
343. In fact, it looks like
it might've been done
by an untalented 12-year-old.Copy !req
344. You know, I was kind of
afraid you were going to
say something like that.Copy !req
345. But you know, then I say,Copy !req
346. why would you bother to
go there last night
if this guy's stuff is so bad?Copy !req
347. I mean, this was painted by the artist
whose exhibit you were covering.Copy !req
348. Lieutenant Columbo,
unlike my uncle, I am not
independently wealthy.Copy !req
349. I have to work for a living.
Magazines pay me to review art.Copy !req
350. Unfortunately, they pay me best
when I write hostile reviews
about hacks like Sam Franklin.Copy !req
351. Oh. Well, I'll tell ya,
I'd sure hate to see
his review when you write it.Copy !req
352. Mmm.
Oh, listen.
One more thing.Copy !req
353. It just... It'll just take a second.
I stopped by your apartment a few times.Copy !req
354. Why, do you want to
search my place?Copy !req
355. No. Just to ask you something
about art.Copy !req
356. You said you had some books
and things there that I could see.Copy !req
357. You may look at anything you wish.Copy !req
358. You can snoop in all of my closets.
You can peek under the beds.Copy !req
359. You won't find any stolen paintings.
Oh, really, I've never said
anything about...Copy !req
360. Here. Would you like the key
to my apartment? You may simply
leave it under the mat when you leave.Copy !req
361. No, really. L...
No, no. Go ahead.
I insist.Copy !req
362. See what I live like.
Find out what kind of
human being I am.Copy !req
363. Learn everything you can
about me.Copy !req
364. Well, l... I mean, I admit
it would be more convenient.Copy !req
365. But, uh, thank you
very much, Mr. Kingston.Copy !req
366. Uh, I'm sorry I took up
so much of your time.Copy !req
367. I might drop by
and borrow a few books
or something like that.Copy !req
368. See ya.Copy !req
369. Dale!Copy !req
370. You all right?
Yeah. I'm sorry
I called you.Copy !req
371. Well, I just couldn't wait.
I had to know what was happening.Copy !req
372. Nothing's happening.
No problems at all.
Everything's just perfect.Copy !req
373. Now, the gun and the paintings,Copy !req
374. they're still in your car, right?Copy !req
375. Oh, yeah.
I did exactly what you told me.
I haven't touched a thing.Copy !req
376. Good. You'll feel a lot better
once you get those off your hands.Copy !req
377. Hold that open for me.Copy !req
378. Dale!
What's the matter?Copy !req
379. Well-Well, I never saw them before.
They're beautiful.Copy !req
380. Now why can't I
paint like that?Copy !req
381. Patience, my dear.
Patience.Copy !req
382. I told you you had talent
when you first came to see me, remember?Copy !req
383. Takes time to get
what you really want.Copy !req
384. Sometimes I think my talent
isn't what you like best about me.Copy !req
385. Well, it's a combination
of things, Myla.Copy !req
386. Dale, you do
care for me, don't you?Copy !req
387. After the risks
you've taken for me?Copy !req
388. Of course I do.Copy !req
389. Now let's get out of here.
Is there anything else
you want me to do?Copy !req
390. Not a thing.
I'll be in touch with you by phone.Copy !req
391. - When will I see you again?
- Very shortly, my love.Copy !req
392. When will l...Copy !req
393. Columbo.Copy !req
394. - Mr. Kingston.
- What are you doing here
at this hour of the night?Copy !req
395. Is it night?Copy !req
396. Yes, it is.Copy !req
397. Gee, l...
I must've fallen asleep here.Copy !req
398. I came in to read these book...
Did you get your key?Copy !req
399. I left a key under the mat.
Oh, good. You got it.Copy !req
400. Gee. Yes, l...Copy !req
401. I was readir these articles.
I must've fallen...Copy !req
402. Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm terribly sorry.
I just fell asleep here.Copy !req
403. Look, it's quite late, Lieutenant.
If you don't mind,Copy !req
404. I've just had a tiresome evening
at a lecture,Copy !req
405. after which I spent some time
with some even more tiresome people
from the museum.Copy !req
406. So if you'll excuse me.
Oh, of course.Copy !req
407. I'll get out of your hair.
I'm-I'm awfully sorry about this.Copy !req
408. Did you pick up something interesting?Copy !req
409. Uh, no, just some, um,
insipid watercolors that
these people want me to evaluate.Copy !req
410. Watercolors?
Yes.Copy !req
411. I was just looking at watercolors.
Matisse? Wonderful.Copy !req
412. I'd love to hear
what you had to say about him.Copy !req
413. Could we take just a moment...
No... Lieutenant, please!Copy !req
414. If you don't mind, l...
Oh.Copy !req
415. It's quite late.
I'm-I'm quite exhausted.
Some other time, please.Copy !req
416. Oh, I'm sorry. Of course.
I should've realized.Copy !req
417. I just got so caught up
in this art thing...
My phone. My phone, Lieutenant.Copy !req
418. Your phone?
My phone.Copy !req
419. Oh.
It, uh, just might be
people about the ransom.Copy !req
420. Oh. By all means.Copy !req
421. Hello? Yes.Copy !req
422. Yes, he is. Just a moment.
It's for you.Copy !req
423. I told 'em at the office
that I might stop by.Copy !req
424. Thank you very much.
It's all right.Copy !req
425. Yeah? What?Copy !req
426. Well, where was it?Copy !req
427. Yes, I understand,
but why are you calling me for?Copy !req
428. Oh. Okay, I'll be right down.Copy !req
429. Mmm.Copy !req
430. Listen, I'm sorry.
I gotta run.Copy !req
431. Gee, it's always somethir.Copy !req
432. This highway patrolman,
he found a girl in a car.Copy !req
433. Ran over a cliff to Malibu Canyon.Copy !req
434. Dead.Copy !req
435. You get all sorts of cases,
don't you?
Yeah, listen.Copy !req
436. They won't let me live.
What are you gonna do?Copy !req
437. Uh, I'm sorry.
L-I didn't mean to fall asleep here.Copy !req
438. I hope I didn't bother you too much.
It's all right.Copy !req
439. Get some rest.Copy !req
440. Mrs. Mathews?Copy !req
441. Oh, Lieutenant Columbo!
How are ya?Copy !req
442. I'm fine.
Good. Listen,Copy !req
443. Mr. Kingston and the attorney
said it was all right
if I dropped by.Copy !req
444. I hope you don't mind.
Oh, no! Of course not.Copy !req
445. The more, the merrier.
But it...Copy !req
446. it does seem such a shame
to hear poor Rudy this way.Copy !req
447. All those ' whereases."Copy !req
448. It won't sound like him at all.Copy !req
449. You know, lawyers
always have a way of makir...
It's like an old movie...Copy !req
450. with all the barristers
and the butlers
and the discarded wives...Copy !req
451. all gathering together
in the library to hear the will read.Copy !req
452. Oh! Perhaps we'd better go.Copy !req
453. It's never bothered me
till just about two months ago.Copy !req
454. Really? You know, I have a friend...
He wasn't always
a very nice man, you know.Copy !req
455. Just business, business, business.Copy !req
456. And then collecting.
Oh!Copy !req
457. Collecting like some old pack rat.Copy !req
458. But how anyone
could want to kill Rudy, l...Copy !req
459. Oh, hello, Dale.
Edna, darling.Copy !req
460. How are you?
Hello, Lieutenant.Copy !req
461. Mr. Kingston.
What have you got there this time,
a pink rabbit?Copy !req
462. Oh, this? No, no, not really.
But it is something
that I wanted to show you.Copy !req
463. Oh, show me too.
Edna, my dear.Copy !req
464. Frank.
Dale.Copy !req
465. And Lt. Columbo.
We can begin now.Copy !req
466. Mr. Evans and his wife
are here already.Copy !req
467. But Lieutenant was just going
to show us...
Never mind. He'll show me.Copy !req
468. We'll join you in a little while.
Thank you, Frank.Copy !req
469. I hope you're feeling better, Edna.Copy !req
470. What do you think?Copy !req
471. It's frightful.
That's what I figured.Copy !req
472. But you know what?
I thought maybe you just might
recognize the style or the signature.Copy !req
473. No.
Who on earth is Tracy?Copy !req
474. Well, do you remember the other night
when I had to leave your place in a hurry?Copy !req
475. Oh, yes, that highway patrol thing.
Some kind of an accident, wasn't it?Copy !req
476. That's what it looked like.
But you see, I told...Copy !req
477. I said whenever a case comes up
that has anything to do
with art or painting, you call me.Copy !req
478. Now, wait a minute.
You mean it wasn't an accident?Copy !req
479. Oh, yeah, it's an accident.
I mean, that's what it's listed as.Copy !req
480. But, anyway, you see, the dead girl,
she was some kind of an art student.Copy !req
481. And I thought, well, who knows,
maybe you knew something about her.Copy !req
482. Tracy O'Connor?Copy !req
483. Lieutenant, there must be
over 100,000 art students
in Southern California.Copy !req
484. Well, you see,
I remember seeir one of those
lecture schedules in your apartment.Copy !req
485. And a couple of months ago,
you gave several lectures
in the school where this girl was enrolled.Copy !req
486. This is what she looks like.
Be realistic, Lieutenant.Copy !req
487. You think I can remember
everyone who ever sat in
on one of my lectures?Copy !req
488. I've never seen that girl before
in my life. Why don't you stop
wasting everybody's time?Copy !req
489. These are all minor details.Copy !req
490. Sit down, Dale, won't you?
Thank you, Frank.Copy !req
491. 'For their devoted service to me...Copy !req
492. for the past 10 y..."Copy !req
493. Uh, Lieutenant, why don't you
make yourself comfortable.Copy !req
494. We've uh, skimmed over the preliminaries.
We're now down to the salient points.Copy !req
495. Proceed as you wish, Counselor.
Mmm.Copy !req
496. 'For their devoted service to me
for the past 10 years,Copy !req
497. 'I bequeath to Mr. And Mrs. Evans jointly...Copy !req
498. "an annual payment of $2,000...
Oh!Copy !req
499. "To be paid on the first day
of each and every year...Copy !req
500. 'in which either one of them
is still surviving.Copy !req
501. Such a kind man.Copy !req
502. "Finally, to, uh...
to my primary heir of all previous wills,
to my nephew Dale Kingston,Copy !req
503. "whom I once supported
through college...Copy !req
504. "and who has had the full freedom
of my home and possessions
ever since without thought of recompense,Copy !req
505. 'I bequeath the full bulk and remainder
of my estate...Copy !req
506. 'with this one single exception:Copy !req
507. "To Edna Mathews,
the wife whom I mistakenly
divorced 15 years ago,Copy !req
508. "I bequeath
my entire art collection,Copy !req
509. Including all of those paintings listed
in the so-called Mathews Collection. "Copy !req
510. - Mr. Kingston! Oh, no!
- If you please.Copy !req
511. This will is properly signed and
witnessed as of the 10th oflast month.Copy !req
512. Here. I think you all
should take a look at these.Copy !req
513. Dale, I'm sorry.
L-I'm really sorry.Copy !req
514. Oh, no.
Don't be silly, Aunt Edna.Copy !req
515. All it means is that I'll now
be able to criticize your collection
like I used to criticize his.Copy !req
516. Thank you, Frank.
Mm-hmm.Copy !req
517. Lieutenant.Copy !req
518. Mrs. Mathews, I hope...
This is just such a surprise.
We are... I'm happy for you.Copy !req
519. I know you'll be pleased with it.
I'm sure you will.Copy !req
520. I wasn't prepared for that.
Nope. Really is a shock.Copy !req
521. File those, would you, please?
I tried to talk Rudy out of it, naturally.Copy !req
522. He always intended to leave
that collection to Dale.Copy !req
523. Then, give it to her.Copy !req
524. That's why I thought
you'd like to be here.Copy !req
525. Legally, I couldn't say anything until...
Oh, sure. I understand that.Copy !req
526. It's just that
that was a new will?Copy !req
527. Only last month?
That's correct.
He wrote most of it himself.Copy !req
528. Oh, he promised to let me
draw up something more detailed
and complete later on, but...Copy !req
529. Boy, I can't figure it. L...Copy !req
530. You'd think the nephew
would get the paintings.Copy !req
531. I agree. I agree.Copy !req
532. Mr. Mathews had
disagreements with Dale,Copy !req
533. but an art collection like that
is big business.Copy !req
534. To manage that requires
specialized skill, taste.Copy !req
535. Why he'd simply leave the whole thing
to a poor, unstable creature like Ed...Copy !req
536. Those comments are hardly
professional of me, are they?Copy !req
537. One thing, though.Copy !req
538. If Mr. Kingston doesn't get the collection,
he at least gets the rest of the estate.
It's meaningless.Copy !req
539. He rented that big house.Copy !req
540. Rudy disposed of all his business interests.Copy !req
541. There really isn't any
remaining estate to speak of.Copy !req
542. Oh.Copy !req
543. Well, listen, uh,
thanks for lettir me come down.Copy !req
544. I gotta get back to work.
Uh, Lieutenant?Copy !req
545. Your painting.
Oh, thank you very much.Copy !req
546. Uh, Lieutenant?
My lighter.Copy !req
547. Oh.Copy !req
548. Thank you.
Mm-hmm.Copy !req
549. Miss Henderson,
I'll make my calls now, please.Copy !req
550. Looking for me, Lieutenant?Copy !req
551. Oh. Yeah, I thought
I'd kind of catch you
out in the parking lot.Copy !req
552. Expect you'd find me there
kicking my tires in frustration,
I suppose?Copy !req
553. Well, I thought there'd be
the normal amount of disappointment.
You are so transparent, Columbo.Copy !req
554. You had this thing all figured out
right from the start, haven't you?Copy !req
555. Dale Kingston hired someone
to fake the theft and kill his uncle.Copy !req
556. Maybe even some
poor little art student, perhaps.Copy !req
557. Mr. Kingston, I never said that.
And even though I had
an ain'tight alibi by total accident,Copy !req
558. at the time of my uncle's murder,
that still didn't stop you, did it?Copy !req
559. Mr. Kingston, really, l...
Well, at this point,Copy !req
560. I'm sure that even a compulsively
suspicious bureaucrat like you...Copy !req
561. must have his doubts
about my guilt.Copy !req
562. Because you heard it up there,
Mr. Columbo.Copy !req
563. You heard it in plain English.
I do not inerit.Copy !req
564. Edna does.
That's very true, Mr. Kingston.Copy !req
565. That's very true, except...
Except what?Copy !req
566. Well, maybe you didn't know that
your uncle changed his will.Copy !req
567. Oh, I was hoping you'd say that,Copy !req
568. because, you see,
I've known for more than 10 days...Copy !req
569. that I couldn't possibly inerit
any part of that collection.Copy !req
570. But since you won't believe me,
maybe you'll believe my uncle.Copy !req
571. Go on. I'm sure
somebody in your department...Copy !req
572. is capable of verifying
that signature.Copy !req
573. Go on, read it.Copy !req
574. He sent me that letter 10 days ago
telling me about the new will.Copy !req
575. Look at the postmark.Copy !req
576. - So you did know?
- Of course I knew.Copy !req
577. Now, would you please
do me a favor
and stop pestering me...Copy !req
578. and go on out and do what you
should've done in the first place, huh?Copy !req
579. Find the real killer!Copy !req
580. Lieutenant, I'm not a busybody.
I never said that.Copy !req
581. Yeah, well, some landlords
like to pry into the lives
of their tenants, but not me.Copy !req
582. My policy is live and let live.Copy !req
583. Come on. What's bothering Walter?
He won't eat?
Well, maybe he's not hungry.Copy !req
584. Listen, it's not that you're a busybody.
You live here and you see things.Copy !req
585. I mean, how can you live here
and not see things?
Such as?Copy !req
586. Well, who goes out with who
and who's doing what.
All those things.Copy !req
587. Oh.
This girl, Tracy O'Connor,
who did she go out with?Copy !req
588. Come on. Tell me.
She dated, didn't she?
Oh, of course she dated.Copy !req
589. Oh, you know, that was
a terrible shame about that accident.Copy !req
590. That was a very talented girl.
Very.Copy !req
591. Well, you oughta know.
You took one of her paintings
the last time you were here.Copy !req
592. She was a very gifted girl.
You're darn right.Copy !req
593. And it was a shame about the accident.
Right.Copy !req
594. You know why I hated
to give up the painting?
Well, why did you give it up?Copy !req
595. I had to.
What for?Copy !req
596. Well, that was evidence.
Evidence for what?Copy !req
597. Listen, I don't wanna get into that.
That's too complicated.
Walter, come here.Copy !req
598. Come here, boy.
Don't-Don't-Don't-Don't do that!Copy !req
599. Why not?
Walter doesn't like strangers.
He'll bite.Copy !req
600. Will he? Oh.
It was an accident, wasn't it?Copy !req
601. Listen, are you gonna tell me
about the men in her life or not?Copy !req
602. All right, the men.
Now, remember,Copy !req
603. I wasn't particularly trying
to find out about her,Copy !req
604. but I do remember one or two.Copy !req
605. There was an actor fella.
There were a couple
of those beach types.Copy !req
606. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
And there was a kid that played...Copy !req
607. You want me to tell you the truth?
Yeah.Copy !req
608. I'm interested in one guy in particular.
Who?Copy !req
609. Forty years old, well dressed,
distinguished.Copy !req
610. Wait a minute.
Now, wait a minute.Copy !req
611. Come to think of it,
there was one older gentleman
she was seeing.Copy !req
612. Really? Can you describe him?Copy !req
613. Would a picture help?Copy !req
614. A picture?
Are ya kidding?
Mm-mmm.Copy !req
615. You have a picture of this fella?
Yeah, it's around here someplace
if I haven't thrown it away.Copy !req
616. It's probably in my album.Copy !req
617. Where did you get a photograph of him?Copy !req
618. Well, I was taking
some snapshots of my nephew
out at the pool.Copy !req
619. And Tracy and her friend
were out there,
so I took one of them too.Copy !req
620. I'm sure it's in one of these.
You're a lifesaver.Copy !req
621. Well, let's see.Copy !req
622. Oh! Here was one.
That's when my cousins
were out here from Milwaukee.Copy !req
623. We stopped at one of those
roadside stands, you know,
for date malts.Copy !req
624. Oh, I got so sick,
but they're awful good.
Have you ever had one?Copy !req
625. Think you'd like 'em.Copy !req
626. Oh, there's Cindy Lou.
That's my cousirs kid.Copy !req
627. She's named for me. Look at her.
That's at Graumars Chinese.Copy !req
628. She's trying to fit her feet into the...
you know, the things in the concrete.Copy !req
629. That's awful cute.
I made her that dress.Copy !req
630. Doesn't that look nice?
Um...Copy !req
631. Can you see...
Well, let's see, now.Copy !req
632. Oh! Here's a whole bunch of us
that went out to the family plot
and had a picnic.Copy !req
633. We did some weeding and planting.
We had the best time.Copy !req
634. We had more laughs...
Look, isn't that cute?
That's my Uncle Henry there.Copy !req
635. Oh.
Now, wait a minute.
We must...Copy !req
636. Do you have any...
That's a nice one too. Look at that.
That was taken at the zoo.Copy !req
637. Isn't that a good one of a lion?
Wonderful. Do you have any idea...Copy !req
638. Now, wait a minute.
Oh-oh, here it is. Here you go.
There. Well, there he is.Copy !req
639. That's the one.
Any help? No kidding?Copy !req
640. That's not him.
Oh, I'm sorry.Copy !req
641. You guys still guarding this place?Copy !req
642. Just me. I keep the tourists away.Copy !req
643. Say, uh, you know anything
about aphids?Copy !req
644. Aphids?
Yeah, they're destroying my roses.Copy !req
645. My wife doesn't want me
to use any pesticides.
Hmm.Copy !req
646. Hard spray from your garden hose
around 4:00 or 5:00 p.m.Copy !req
647. Uh, the surs still hot enough
to dry,Copy !req
648. and it won't burn your flowers.Copy !req
649. Just water, huh?Copy !req
650. Thanks. I'll try it.
Okay.Copy !req
651. Hey! Come here!Copy !req
652. Look at this!Copy !req
653. Your ex-husband lived
right up there, didn't he?Copy !req
654. Uh, y-yes, right up there on the hill,Copy !req
655. brooding down on me like Zeus.Copy !req
656. When we were married,
I always used to like this house.Copy !req
657. As soon as we got divorced,
I moved in.Copy !req
658. But for years, Rudy and I couldn't
have been farther away from each other...Copy !req
659. if I'd bought a house on the Moon.Copy !req
660. Are you sure
you wouldn't like a drink?
Oh, no.Copy !req
661. Thank you very much.
Are they real?Copy !req
662. Yes.
May I?Copy !req
663. Oh, of course.
Help yourself.
Thank you.Copy !req
664. So, uh, what changed all that?Copy !req
665. I mean, how did you and Rudy
get to seeing one another again?Copy !req
666. Well, we just bumped into each other
a couple of months ago.Copy !req
667. And, well, we were older...Copy !req
668. and he wasn't
quite so stuffy anymore.Copy !req
669. And maybe I don't throw things...Copy !req
670. like parties and handsome Italians
quite so much.Copy !req
671. Ma'am, I know you're in a hurry.
You wanna go shopping.Copy !req
672. But I wondered first
if we could talk about...Copy !req
673. But you want to know
about that will thing.Copy !req
674. Of course.
L-I don't blame you.Copy !req
675. Uh, but don't misunderstand.Copy !req
676. Rudy and I weren't starting...Copy !req
677. to sing September songs
or anything like that.Copy !req
678. But...Copy !req
679. Well, you see, years ago...Copy !req
680. I used to think I was artistic,Copy !req
681. and I literally dragged him
into his first museum.Copy !req
682. And that's how
his whole collection all began.Copy !req
683. Because naturally, Rudy started
sensing a good investment area.Copy !req
684. And some of the paintings
I liked weren't too bad.Copy !req
685. But it was my understanding that
it was his nephew
who picked out all his paintings.Copy !req
686. Oh, yes, later on.Copy !req
687. But Dale was just in college then.Copy !req
688. Uh, that was just about the time when...Copy !req
689. when I started misbehaving.Copy !req
690. And then, of course,
after our divorce, the collection
became an obsession with Rudy...Copy !req
691. and a whole career for Dale.Copy !req
692. So since you were in at the beginning,
Mr. Mathews last month decided
to leave the whole collection to you?Copy !req
693. But he didn't want me to keep them.Copy !req
694. You don't think that, do you?
Well...Copy !req
695. Oh, dear.
I guess nobody's going to understand.Copy !req
696. No. You see,Copy !req
697. poor Rudy was finally tired of it,
that's all...Copy !req
698. all the greedy buying
and bidding and hoarding.Copy !req
699. He finally...
He finally agreed with me...Copy !req
700. that the people should own
those lovely things
instead of just collectors.Copy !req
701. He decided to give them all away...Copy !req
702. to schools, museums.Copy !req
703. Oh! But, oh, dear,Copy !req
704. it takes so much time to work that out...Copy !req
705. to decide which places
get which.Copy !req
706. And in the meantime, he didn't want
Dale Kingston to get his hands on it.
Is that it?Copy !req
707. I don't like to say that.Copy !req
708. I was just so happy that
Rudy was finally turning human.Copy !req
709. Who on Earth...Copy !req
710. Hello, Aunt Edna. May I come in?
How are you, dear?Copy !req
711. I didn't think you'd even remember
where I lived.Copy !req
712. Of course I do.
Got a message from a Lt. Col...Copy !req
713. Oh, there you are.
What's this all about?Copy !req
714. Is it about the gun?
What?Copy !req
715. Wait a minute.
What gun? What is all this?Copy !req
716. Well, I thought you'd be interested.
About a half hour ago,Copy !req
717. a gardener up on that hill there,Copy !req
718. he found a.38 revolver,Copy !req
719. and it's the same kind as the one
that was missing from your uncle's desk.Copy !req
720. Uh, may I use your phone?Copy !req
721. Oh, yes, of course.Copy !req
722. Isn't that silly?
Right up above my house.Copy !req
723. L-I've walked on that hill myself.Copy !req
724. Ballistics.Copy !req
725. Is this Charlie?
Lt. Columbo.Copy !req
726. Charlie, I sent that stuff over there
over a half hour ago...Copy !req
727. Oh. Thank you.Copy !req
728. - It's the murder gun, all right.
- Oh.Copy !req
729. Oh, there's nothing to be upset about.Copy !req
730. But I was just telling Dale,Copy !req
731. l-I go up there myself
when I want a breath of air.Copy !req
732. I even walked over to see Rudy
just the night before he was killed.Copy !req
733. Aunt Edna, I don't think
you oughta say another word.Copy !req
734. The lieutenant may get
the wrong idea.
What?Copy !req
735. Oh, but-but surely
no one would think that l...Copy !req
736. Threw that gun there?
Oh, no, Mrs. Mathews.
No, no, no, no, no.Copy !req
737. No, you see,
I finally figured out what happened.Copy !req
738. Whoever was in that house that night,
they ran out the back.
They just kept on going.Copy !req
739. Well, naturally, they were anxious
to get rid of your ex-husband's gun.Copy !req
740. It could've been anybody.Copy !req
741. It could?
Yes. Absolutely, it could.Copy !req
742. You have nothing to worry about.
Now, did you wanna go shopping?Copy !req
743. Well, I was planning to meet
some friends at the fashion center,
but I can do that some other time.Copy !req
744. No, I want you to go right ahead,Copy !req
745. and I want you
to forget about all this.Copy !req
746. Just do what my wife does,
'cause when she hits
a department store,Copy !req
747. she can forget anything,
even the fact that
I'm sittir outside waiting.Copy !req
748. Have a good time, Edna.
Bye.Copy !req
749. What are you trying to do to her?Copy !req
750. I'm sorry, I don't follow.
Well, you know perfectly well...Copy !req
751. that it was a woman that ran out
of that place that night.Copy !req
752. You said so yourself.
Yeah, sure, but not her.Copy !req
753. Oh, I hope
you really mean that, Lieutenant...Copy !req
754. that you're not just playing
some kind of a game with her.Copy !req
755. A game?
Yes. You know what I mean.Copy !req
756. Lulling her into
a sense of false security.
Edna's a very vulnerable woman.Copy !req
757. Mr. Kingston,
you've got me all wrong, really.
I wouldn't think of a thing like that.Copy !req
758. That lady wouldn't hurt a fly.
Lieutenant?Copy !req
759. Can you come around here for a minute?Copy !req
760. You told me not to bother you
until she'd gone.Copy !req
761. What is it?
Well, we found something else.Copy !req
762. She's got some trash cans back here.Copy !req
763. 'Rudy Mathews,
417 Pine View."Copy !req
764. Looks like that piece of wrapping paper
that was torn from the rest of it
in his house. Remember?Copy !req
765. We figured the thief used it.Copy !req
766. All right, you'd better
get that down for fingerprinting
and comparison with the other paper.Copy !req
767. Is there anything else?Copy !req
768. No, we've covered
every inch of the grounds.Copy !req
769. Be careful with that.Copy !req
770. Now what?
I don't know.Copy !req
771. I know what you're thinking, Lieutenant.Copy !req
772. The gun,
and now this new evidence.Copy !req
773. Looks pretty bad for her.
Yes, it does. Yes.Copy !req
774. I'm still convinced that Edna
had absolutely nothing to do with this.Copy !req
775. You know,
I think I agree with ya.Copy !req
776. Look at it this way.
If she's really guilty,Copy !req
777. she's not gonna put that paper
in a garbage can, is she?Copy !req
778. I mean, she's probably gonna
burn it in the fireplace or somethir.Copy !req
779. Yes, exactly.
That's the point.Copy !req
780. And you know something else,
Mr. Kingston?
You're absolutely right about her.Copy !req
781. She's a...
What did you call it before?Copy !req
782. Vulnerable.
Vulnerable, yes.
She's a vulnerable woman.Copy !req
783. And I'm afraid that
if I press her too hard,Copy !req
784. she'll fall apart.
Oh, yes.Copy !req
785. And I sure don't wanna make
the same mistake
that I made with you.Copy !req
786. No, sir.
What I'm gonna do is this.Copy !req
787. I'm gonna sit on everything
until those stolen paintings show up.
I see.Copy !req
788. - I mean, that's the best way
to handle it, don't you think?
- Yes, yes, of course.Copy !req
789. I mean, I don't wanna go around
pointing my finger at anyone
until I have an ain'tight case.Copy !req
790. - Right?
- Right.Copy !req
791. Uh, Lieutenant,Copy !req
792. your man said that you'd, uh...
you'd covered every...
every inch of the place here.Copy !req
793. Did that include the inside of the house?
Well, she gave us permission,
but I don't wanna bother.Copy !req
794. Well, don't you think you should?Copy !req
795. I mean, for her protection.Copy !req
796. And when you fail to find the paintings,
you can cross her name off the list entirely.Copy !req
797. Well, it hardly seems worth the trouble.
Neither of us thinks she's guilty.
Why bother?Copy !req
798. Well, for her sake so she can be certain.
Search the house, Lieutenant.Copy !req
799. No, really,
I think it's a waste of time.Copy !req
800. But if anything new comes up,
I'll let you know.Copy !req
801. Edna? She's utterly harmless.Copy !req
802. Exactly.
That's why we've got to help her.Copy !req
803. But is there really
any danger of her arrest?Copy !req
804. You told me yourself
the lieutenant doesn't think she's guilty.Copy !req
805. That's today, Frank.
Who knows what he'll think tomorrow?Copy !req
806. In case you haven't noticed,
he is a very haphazard individual.Copy !req
807. Hmm. And if he doesn't
break the case soon?
Exactly.Copy !req
808. He starts looking for a scapegoat
because the pressure's
building up on him,Copy !req
809. and Edna's the most
obvious candidate.Copy !req
810. Well, what should we do?Copy !req
811. Protect her.
I'm sure Rudy would've wanted
both of us to look out for her interests.Copy !req
812. She trusts you, Frank.Copy !req
813. Get her in here.
Talk to her like a Dutch uncle.
Fill her in on the situation.Copy !req
814. You're sure we should
allow her house to be searched?Copy !req
815. Absolutely. In fact,
I think you ought to recommend
that we insist on it.Copy !req
816. And that way, we get it on the record
that nothing has been found
to incriminate her.Copy !req
817. All right. Miss Henderson,
get me Mrs. Mathews.Copy !req
818. Oh, uh, she's shopping
at the fashion center in Beverly Hills.Copy !req
819. You could bring her in here right now
and clarify this whole thing.Copy !req
820. Miss Henderson, have her paged
at the fashion center.
We'll clear it up today.Copy !req
821. Well, there may be
one small hitch to that.Copy !req
822. Unfortunately, Lt. Columbo
refuses to search the house.Copy !req
823. He claims it to be a waste of time.
Oh?Copy !req
824. Which merely perpetuates
Edna's anxiety.Copy !req
825. I really wish there was something
we could do about that man, Frank.Copy !req
826. Well, perhaps there's, um,
some way around him.Copy !req
827. You really think so?Copy !req
828. I have a few friends at city hall.
Let me look into it.Copy !req
829. Fine. Thank you.Copy !req
830. I'll just run one little errand,
and I'll be right back.Copy !req
831. Fine. Fine.
Uh, Miss Henderson,Copy !req
832. after I talk to Mrs. Mathews,
I want the police department.Copy !req
833. Dale?Copy !req
834. Edna does have an excellent motive.Copy !req
835. You, uh... You don't think
there's any chance...Copy !req
836. Of course not.Copy !req
837. You oughta be ashamed of yourself, Frank.Copy !req
838. Yeah. Sorry.Copy !req
839. I just don't understand any of this.Copy !req
840. It's just a precautionary measure,
Aunt Edna, nothing more.Copy !req
841. But what do you want them
to search my house for?Copy !req
842. What will they find?
Absolutely nothing.
That's just the point.Copy !req
843. Now, come on.Copy !req
844. Frank.
Mm-hmm.Copy !req
845. Where, uh...
Where do you want me to put these?Copy !req
846. Oh, uh, in there.Copy !req
847. Anywhere.
Oh, I need a drink.Copy !req
848. Of course you do, darling.
So do I. Let me fix it for you.Copy !req
849. Here are your keys.Copy !req
850. Still scotch?
Yes.Copy !req
851. How about you, Frank?
A drink?
Yes, on the rocks, please.Copy !req
852. I'm sorry we have to
put you through this now.
But believe me,Copy !req
853. it'll all be over soon, huh?Copy !req
854. Why would anyone think that
I'd want to kill Rudy?
Nobody does.Copy !req
855. We just wanna make sure
that it stays that way, that's all.Copy !req
856. That's why Frank is having the police
come in and search the house.Copy !req
857. Believe me, it's all for the best.Copy !req
858. Dale, I don't even remember
what happened...Copy !req
859. the night Rudy was killed.Copy !req
860. I get so nervous,
l-I take sleeping pills sometimes.Copy !req
861. - That's one thing you should...
- Oh!Copy !req
862. Oh! Excuse me.
Oh!Copy !req
863. Let me just dry off.
I'll be right back.Copy !req
864. Oh!Copy !req
865. Oh, isn't that a shame?Copy !req
866. Uh, Frank...Copy !req
867. Frank, must we go through this?Copy !req
868. Edna, you will be
so much better off...Copy !req
869. - Come on. Come on.Copy !req
870. Nothing to be nervous about now.Copy !req
871. Go ahead.Copy !req
872. Miss Mathews?
Captain Wyler, police department.Copy !req
873. Yes. Please, come in.Copy !req
874. Thank you.Copy !req
875. Sorry. You can't go in there.Copy !req
876. I'm a lieutenant,
so, do you mind?Copy !req
877. It's okay, Ferguson.
Let him in.Copy !req
878. Hi, Captain.
Columbo.Copy !req
879. Uh... Oh, hi, Mr. Kingston.
Hello, Lieutenant.Copy !req
880. Listen, I just heard about this.
Word came down from above
to have the place searched.Copy !req
881. Is that so?
Yeah. And I can't
understand why.Copy !req
882. The fact is,
I was kind of bypassed
when I came over here.Copy !req
883. Well, apparently you're
just not needed here then, Lieutenant.Copy !req
884. Why don't you just go home
and have your dinner?Copy !req
885. Oh, no, I'd better hang around,
because, you know,Copy !req
886. if I leave now,
it looks bad upstairs, you know.Copy !req
887. Mmm.Copy !req
888. Oh, hello, Mrs. Mathews.
Mr. Simpson.
Hi.Copy !req
889. Gee, I hope this is not
upsetting you too much.Copy !req
890. Well, I'm not very happy...Copy !req
891. about my house
being torn apart.Copy !req
892. - But they advised me to do it.
- They?Copy !req
893. - Who is "they"?
- Mr. Kingston and I
thought it was necessary, Lieutenant.Copy !req
894. Oh, I see.
Oh.Copy !req
895. It's really very confusing.Copy !req
896. You said you didn't suspect me
of anything, didn't you?Copy !req
897. Yes, I did, ma'am,
and I meant that.Copy !req
898. And, actually,
I was opposed to...
Captain Wyler.Copy !req
899. Clear this table.Copy !req
900. Where'd you find those?Copy !req
901. Linen closet in the hallway.Copy !req
902. Edna, how could you?Copy !req
903. Dale, believe me,Copy !req
904. I have no idea how they got there!Copy !req
905. - You'd better not say another word.
- But...Copy !req
906. Edna, he's right.Copy !req
907. Do you intend
to charge her formally, Captain?Copy !req
908. It's up to Lt. Columbo.
It's his case.Copy !req
909. What do you mean it's his case?
I thought it was...Copy !req
910. We know what you thought,
Mr. Kingston.Copy !req
911. Lieutenant?Copy !req
912. Well, I think we can
get started with the fingerprinting.
Let's get the kit.Copy !req
913. Careful, there.
Be very careful.Copy !req
914. Gee, they're something,
aren't they?Copy !req
915. Pastels, you know.Copy !req
916. May I ask
what this is all about, Lieutenant?Copy !req
917. Both of'em.
Lieutenant?Copy !req
918. Oh, Mr. Kingston.
Uh, yes, just give us a moment, please.
Do you mind?Copy !req
919. We're getting a few.
Good.Copy !req
920. I'd like an answer, if you don't mind.Copy !req
921. Uh, well, I'd have to start
with your uncle's will.Copy !req
922. What about it?Copy !req
923. Well, you see, he pulled a rug
out from under you when
he left his collection to Mrs. Mathews.Copy !req
924. So you only had
one thing that you could do...Copy !req
925. murder him and blame it on her.Copy !req
926. I hope you realize the full import
of what you're saying, Lieutenant.
There are witnesses here.Copy !req
927. You see, under the law,Copy !req
928. anyone who criminally causes
the death of someone else
can't inerit from that person.Copy !req
929. Is that right, Mr. Simpson?
That's correct.Copy !req
930. So if Mrs. Mathews is convicted,
you're next in line.Copy !req
931. Everything goes to you.
That's why you planted the gun,Copy !req
932. and that's why
you planted the wrapping paper,Copy !req
933. and that's why
you planted these paintings.Copy !req
934. Dale.! I can't believe it.!Copy !req
935. But you'd like to, wouldn't you?Copy !req
936. Get you right off the hook.Copy !req
937. All right, Lieutenant.
You claimed that I planted these paintings?
Suppose you prove it.Copy !req
938. - Can we?
- Yeah.Copy !req
939. Yeah... with fingerprints.Copy !req
940. Sorry to disappoint you, Lieutenant.
Fingerprints won't help you at all.Copy !req
941. My fingerprints are all over
those paintings.Copy !req
942. My uncle and I unwrapped them
when they came back from the exhibit.
I told you, didn't I?Copy !req
943. I told you myself.
They're covered with my prints.Copy !req
944. No, we're not looking for your prints.Copy !req
945. What?Copy !req
946. Do you remember the time
that I was in your apartment,
and you came in with some paintings?Copy !req
947. And you said that they were watercolors,
and you wanted to evaluate 'em.Copy !req
948. And remember I wanted to see 'em,
and you wouldn't let me?
And I even touched 'em.Copy !req
949. - You touched...
- Yes, my fingerprints
are on those paintings.Copy !req
950. Now, if Mrs. Mathews is guilty,Copy !req
951. how could my fingerprints
get on paintings that she stole?Copy !req
952. Uh, this is entrapment.Copy !req
953. It's a setup, that's all.Copy !req
954. You-You-You-You touched
those paintings just now
while I wasn't looking.Copy !req
955. You saw him do it, didn't you?
You put your prints on those paintings...Copy !req
956. while you were bent over watching them
while they were working on it!Copy !req
957. He touched them.!
You touched... You...Copy !req