A Holy Terror

Is there anything else, Mr. Woodbury?

No.

Just send Mr. Putnam in.

Oh.

These are the letters he dictated this morning, sir.

Any messages?

Mr. Hedges' telephone.

He asked me to inform you they'd made the change you ordered in your personal papers.

Yes. yes, my will.

Anything else?

Why, a telephone call.

That same man?

Yes, sir.

What did he say this time?

He said he was an old friend.

And I told him he wouldn't be home.

He said he'd take a chance on finding you in this afternoon.

Don't you think I should notify the police?

No!

No.

Where's Mr. Anthony?

Your son is playing Polo at the Westfall Hunt Clubs.

Yes, yes. I remember.

Anything else?

Ahh... Let me see.

No, I guess not.

Oh, by the way, uh... Say what you can do, Putnam.

Better run into the city and get those papers from Hedges.

And bring Hedges back with you.

I may need them.

Yes, sir.

Mr. Woodberry, I believe.

Bill Drew, I thought so.

So you're Thomas Woodbury?

No wonder it took me 25 years to find John Bard.

I suppose you know why I'm here.

That's the boy.

Fine-looking man.

You've done pretty well by him.

Looks like his mother.

Too bad she passed away so young.

She'd been mighty proud of him.

She was a fine woman.

She was, that.

Well?

Oh, yes, of course.

I almost forgot what I come for.

Funny, isn't it, I should forget now.

After thinking of nothing else for all these years.

Take her.

Nice one, Tony.

Sock it wide Tony. Sock it wide for me!

Say where do you think you are? At a prize fight?

Hit the ball Tony.

Play ball...

Ooh .... Ahh ....

There is a message at the office ...

... for y'y'you for you to call your home Miss ... Mr ... Wwwww Woodbury.

Alright Jones, if they call again, tell'em I'm on my way.

Yes.

Did you think we did good.

Yes, but you were the best.

Tony was the best?

You!

Mr. Anthony.

Yes.

Uh ... Mr. Hedges is waiting to see you, sir.

Oh, so Tom's here? Oh, okay. Fine.

Hello Tom, what's happened?

Tony, there's been an accident.

An accident?

Well, what? Father?

Yes.

He's been shot.

Shot?

Who did it? How did it happen?

We don't know, Tony.

In there.

Doctor, isn't there anything... Nothing, Tony.

I'm sorry.

You see, it must have been instantaneous.

Through the heart.

All about the Woodbury murder!

Woodbury murder mystery!

Son inherits ...!

Solving the Woodbury case!

The father kept everthing in the guarantee vault.

Yes I did too.

Now then. Let's see what's here.

Well this is strange?

What is it Tom?

It's a decree of the court in South Dakota.

Nearly 25 years ago.

Giving permission to John Bard...

to change his name too ... Thomas Woodbury

Then Woodbury wasn't his name.

No.

And you never knew it?

I never even suspected it.

I believe I was your father's closest friend when he passed.

That is, up to the time when he came to New York, he was a closed book to me.

But this...

explains a great many things.

Meaning what?

Well, for instance, his aversion to publicity.

He never permitted a picture of himself to be published.

I never thought of it while he was living, but it just occured to me since this happened

... How far apart were we?

He was a good father to you Tony.

Oh, I don't mean that, Tom.

He gave me everything I wanted.

It seemed we had nothing in common.

Hmm.

Well...

Look here, what's this?

Apparently, Father had this man drew under surveillance for 25 years.

Yes.

We must notify the police at once.

No, Tom, no.

Well whatever all this means, it's evident that Dad didn't want anyone else in on it.

As much as I hate to find a skeleton in the family closet,

I don't want to start an investigation that might reflect on his good name.

But what can you do about it?

I'm going out to Wyoming and look up this man, Drew.

I have an idea he knows something about this.

It may prove a dangerous adventure.

There's no time to consider that.

Yes, but Tony, don't you see that if you... I'm sorry, I've made up my mind.

Well... I guess you know best, son, but keep me advised of everything.

And remember, I'm here to back you up.

Thanks, old boy.

Don't forget the old smile and keep that chin up.

OK Tom.

What are you doing in here?

Oh, I beg your pardon.

Will you please get out of here?

Sorry, I want to apologize. I...

I wish you'd get out of here.

Please accept my apology.

I had a forced landing. I...

Will you go out of here!

Get out of here, quickly!

I'm leaving now.

Oh...

Anybody hurt?

Hey what happened? Anybody hurt?

Jerry?

Huh?

Where's Jerry?

Jerry?

Miss Foster.

Oh, if you mean the young lady whose bathroom I just flew into.

She was okay when I saw her last.

Except she was a little surprised.

Hey, Sheriff, watch this guy. I'm going...

Wait a minute, old man. Give the girl a chance.

Are you the aviator?

Well, I was.

Don't you know there's a law against flying low over El Dera?

One of those smart stunt fliers, eh?

I was trying to make a landing and lost control.

Why don't you try to learn how to fly?

Gentlemen, I'm sorry I crashed in the building, but I'm ready to pay for any damage I've done.

Yeah?

Well, you better not try to leave this town until you do.

Are you the owner?

No, I'm not.

Miss Foster's a friend of mine.

And she's perfectly able to take care of her own affairs.

What?

I'm glad you're not hurt, Jerry.

I was just trying to help you.

Thanks, Steve.

May I assure you, Miss Foster, that I'll gladly pay for any damage I've done?

- Well, now, see here... - Just a minute, Sheriff.

I think this little matter can be settled out of court.

He doesn't look like a hit-and-run flier to me.

Thank you, boys.

Come on, Butch.

You better make sure he can pay better than he can fly.

I can't tell you, Miss Foster, how happy I am that you weren't hurt.

That's very thoughtful of you.

Nice place you have here.

I'm glad you like it.

Have you any of those Indian good luck rings?

Yes.

They're some very nice ones.

For a lady?

Uh, yes, yes.

Ah ... blonde or brunette?

Brunette.

Brunette?

Very funny.

Now don't forget, Kitty, if he ever comes to New York, be sure to look me up.

Oh, yeah?

Why?

So I can show you the town, big boy?

Well ... I bet you're good at that.

He hasn't ever been any further east than Omaha. That's a big shot.

Three sixes.