 But for a moment, out over the ocean, I felt very close to him. I love the ocean, you know, especially at night. He'd go racing down to the beach for a swim, no matter how late it was. And usually I'd be fool enough to go with him. If any husband of mine ever chased me into the ocean in the middle of the night, I'd shoot him. He did a lot of crazy things. Some of them bad. But I don't think I could ever love another man the way I love Paul. Chris, you've got to stop talking like this. You're getting morbid. Oh, it's not as bad as all that, Rat. It is bad, this dress. You can't wear black when you're going out on a date. Looks as if you were still... well... In the morning? Well, yes. I just happen to like black, that's all. I know, but just for tonight, it isn't exactly appropriate. Don't wear your wedding ring tonight either. Why not? It might make it awkward for Martin. Is Martin going to propose again tonight? Well, he might. He can't very well put an engagement ring on your finger if that's already there. By the way, what kind of a ring has Martin bought for me? An enormous diamond with... Oh, Chris, you will say yes tonight, won't you? I suppose I'd better. Otherwise he might sue you for breach of promise. Darling, I'm so excited, and I've got just the right dress all picked out for you. Will you wear it? Anything you say. I'd bring out my new ermine, will you? You know, Chris, I think your cloak with a sequins might look better on you tonight. But could you have a date for tonight, too? As a matter of fact, I have. All right, I'll wear the sequins, you wear the ermine. Well, if you insist. I like your hair like that. But you could do with a little more lipstick. And you could do with a little less. You know, Martin would never hawk a horn at a lady. It's probably your young man. By the way, which young man is it tonight? It's... you know, I've forgotten. Have a good time and come home early. Well, I can't do both. Then you come home early. You come home engaged. That's his favour, Mr. Rabbitman. Thank you, Emily, I'll take it here. Hello, Martin. Don't tell me you're standing me up. No, no, it's just that some idiotic client came into the office at the last minute, and I... Well, no, I know it's not serious, but I particularly didn't want to have anything interfere with tonight. Well, no, you see, I wanted to show you that I'm not always the lawyer with his mind on cases and affidavits. Oh, I'm really the romantic type with my mind on you. Yeah, I thought it was a nice speech. I dreamed it up this afternoon in Thumbelina Court. It doesn't matter if we're a little late, Martin. The first act's no good anyway. I'll walk over along the beach to your house, then you won't have to waste the time driving over here. Oh, I wouldn't do that. But I want to walk over, Martin. I'll enjoy it. Oh, of course it's safe. Now, stop talking like an old maid. Goodbye. There's dark down there, ma'am. And you, Emily, stop talking like Martin Abbott. Lock the patio door after me, will you? Good night. See, I was wrong. Sometimes I am. You weren't mistaken. My husband died two years ago. And I felt I could not be wrong. I saw him dead. And his car in flames. I'm sorry. I don't understand how you know all this. I suppose people do talk. Do you live around here? No, I wish I did live on the ocean. Here is my name, where I live. Alexis, psychic consultant. Oh. I see you place me in the same category with fortune tellers, snake charmers, and magicians. Oh, well, many people do. But you must know who I am. How else would you know all these things? Perhaps because we are very much alike. Like the night, the mist of the ocean, the wind whispers to us and the sand feels cool under our feet. We're not like... I have his name now, like Martin. There's nothing wrong with Martin. Of course not. If only he would understand how little he understands. Well, Martin is very logical. Yes, that's why you should marry him. Even free spirits have to come in out of the night sometimes and put on their shoes, pay their bills, go to the dentist, and, of course, family dinners on Sunday. You really shouldn't be so irritated by his little mannerisms, like when he clears his throat, announcing that he's going to kiss you any minute, when he counts of all his plans and the tips of his fingers. I can't tell you how I know these things. But it hardly matters, does it, since we're not going to meet again. Christine? Oh, over here, Martin. You certainly had me scared. What kept you so long? Well, I was talking to this man. Well, he was here. Could I have imagined him? He was fantastic enough. Well, let's get going. Oh, I've torn my dress, Martin. I'll have to go back to the house. All right. We'll go to your house first. Skip the theater, directly to the Blue Angel. Nothing. It's just that it's so late, and I'm a little upset. Could we make it some other night? You sure you understand? When it concerns you, Christine, there's nothing I don't understand. Take this off my hands, or I'll have to wear it to the office tomorrow. Fix yourself a drink. I've got to change this torn dress. Right. I thought of this in the first place. This is much better than any nightclub. Yes, and just think. No head waiter, no smoke, no people. And at the end of the evening, no check. Oh, Martin, you're thinking such practical terms. I'm a very practical man. For instance, I just said that to make you pout. But better to do this. I've been trapped. Right. Now, if you'll just step over here to the sofa by the fire. Another trap? Definitely. Darling, what's the matter? That music. What's just the phonograph? But we don't have that record. Of course you do. It was right on top of the cabinet. What's the matter, Chris? I'm sorry, but that was Paul's favorite prelude. I've heard him played a hundred times right here in this room. Turn it off, will you? No, I won't. Paul's been gone too long for you to act like this. Chris, I'm not saying this for my sake, but your whole life's ahead of you. You can't waste it probing into the past. If I can't make you forget Paul, we'll find someone else who can. You're right, Martin. I'm sorry I acted like a child. Would you get me a drink? Right here, ready for you. So you think I should go find somebody new? Only if it's absolutely necessary. But I've been so out of touch with people lately. Especially men. What do you expect me to do? Bring some around? Well, that would be very nice of you. Only you know how hard it is for me to meet new people. I can see I'll just have to propose to you. Oh, Martin, I talked you into it. You sure did. And very fortunately for you, I just happened to have an engagement ring on me. It wasn't a dream. The windows blew open. What's so unusual about a window blowing open? The ring was gone. The flowers were all with it. False picture. Just a bad dream? My wedding gown, there in the closet. It came toward me. I swear it did. It's just your bathrobe. You probably pull the door open like this. And it flung out like that. The wedding dress isn't there? How could it be, Chris? It's been locked in the trunk room for years. It wasn't a nightmare, I tell you. I saw those things. I think it was Paul and he doesn't want me to marry. You've got some feeling that it's not loyal to Paul if you marry again. It's on your conscience that it makes your dream. Why don't you talk it over with an analyst? He wouldn't understand. He'd think I was losing my mind. Nobody would understand. Except perhaps Alexis. Alexis? Just somebody I once met. Come on. Get to bed. Just three. You haven't got time for any more dreams tonight. Why are you up? Would you get me a glass of water? Janet, you're supposed to be the baby in the family. Here, give me that water. Move over, baby. I think the ocean and the fog were more effective. I agree. But in my work, I deal with many different kinds of minds. Generally speaking, I think you could say that three types of people come here to see me. The first, a fairly large group, come here to scoff. Sometimes a few of them remain to pray. The second, with childlike, credulous minds, they long to believe they're tired and sad and need comfort. All this helps them. It creates mood like music. And in it, they find a few brief moments of comfort which helps them to continue with their grey little lives. And so I do not think it is so childish after all. Do you? The third group is those of us who honestly explored the secrets of the outer world. I feel that you have come here today to join that group. Well, I did want to talk to you about something. I know. He was close to you last night. He's close to you now. Maybe I should repel him. Not bringing him closeness is so strong. It might be dangerous. How could Paul's presence possibly be dangerous to me? You want to get married and lead what is termed a normal life? But if Paul is trying to reach me, then I want to help him. Have you thought what people will think? What Martin will think? I'm not afraid to think as I choose. Then, Christine, if you have the courage and the will to explore, I will help you. Let your mind be free and receptive. Have a tendency to dramatize. Stop treating me like a child. I tell you she's been going to see him for weeks. I'm talking about Paul as if he was still alive. He gives me the creeps. Let's go. Now what are we going to do? We're going to get a detective to see what he can find out about this spook shape. For 20 years I've been operating among these phony mediums as a private detective. And I've yet to find one concrete bit of evidence of communication with the dead. But my sister's absolutely convinced. He's told her things he couldn't know unless he were psychic. He's probably gone to a lot of trouble to investigate her past. That's our own clever. I can't understand, is Christine falling for such a dribble? You'd be amazed at the people who do. But there's a millionaire right in this town who wouldn't buy a bag of popcorn without consulting his medium. What's this one's name? Alexis. It's a new one on me. Doesn't they change their names often enough? There's a picture of him in this pamphlet he wrote. I used to be a magician. That's how I got into this racket. I was called to Chicago on a case once. No man named Maru. Swindled a society lady on a whole pack full of money. That's Alexis. He certainly looked corny. That's Alexis. We've been reporting to the police. What charge? He served his stretch and that's that. At least Christine'll be through with him. I mean, if we can prove he's a crook. How can we identify him? Well, I could go out there and try to get his fingerprints. But I think the only time these fakes are really psychic is until you take them around. They look in their crystals and see you coming. Maybe we could send somebody who wouldn't know. Oh, no. I think that... Mrs. Charles G. Harper. Yes. I mean, no. I'll concentrate and soon your thoughts will merge with mine. Perhaps both hands would be better. So much better. I can feel your vibrations much more clearly now as your pulse is racing. Are you excited? Nervous? No. Oh, but of course, this problem is troubling you. But faintly, almost as though it were... false. Another question comes through with all the power and strength of love and truth. You are concerned about someone you love. A woman. Your sister. Is it your sister? No, but still you have a maternal protective feeling about her. In many ways, you were more mature than she. I'm glad somebody finally realized that. Of course, you didn't always feel that way. Once you were jealous of her. You envied her popularity in her pretty clothes and you used to try them on when she went out. And this suited you because there is an air of maturity and sophistication about you. In many ways, especially intellectually, you are much older than the many young men who admire you. You know, I'd notice that. Does this feel uncomfortable to you? I think I'll have a cigarette. Mrs. Harper. Mrs. Harper. Did you know why I wanted them? No. Nor do I need to. It is enough for me to know that you wanted them. Alexis, I hope that nothing you've done to help my sister will get you into trouble with the police. I mean, if they should investigate you or your past life, would they find anything that would make trouble for you? Well, there are many things in my life of which I'm ashamed. But, and this may sound strange, the memory that I cherish is a term in prison. There are many brave men who were imprisoned in their fight for science and truth. And I'm proud to be one of them. You may be able to understand this. No, but anyway, do with this as you think best. I trust you. Yeah, Mrs. Farrell, no, Mrs. Farrell. I think cigarette. And how is our client? She's hoped good. Good, she is. And, uh, must you feel that her beloved husband is close to her? It's a surprise she hasn't asked me to lay an extra place at the dinner table. It's a photograph of her parents. It was in the trunk where I found the wedding dress. Oh, Vivian, you've put things so crudely. I imagine that very soon Mrs. Faber is going to press money on me to continue my psychic research. Good. I'm getting sick of this sweetie shagon. I need a new row. Oh, I have a new assignment for you. Hmm. Straight from the obituary column. A lonely millionaire who wants to pay. Oh, here. Help me get these things out of the way. What do you pay for those chunks of glass these days? Three dollars a piece. Used to be a dollar ninety-five. You know, somebody ought to do something about this high cost of living. You should complain. Selling them for twenty-five bucks to your psychic students. I used to. But who am I to fight inflation? I'm charging fifty now. Expensive car. No brains and lots of money. So long as you're here, Vivian, you might as well check the car for me. There might be some papers or something in the glove compartment. Okay. I'll use a turban in case you find out something. Such a pleasure. I mean, I've heard... Tonight, Martin, really, I'm much too tired. Well, let's decide about Friday later. Call me tomorrow. Well, that's beyond Mrs. Faber. That's all, Emily. Thanks. Chris. Hmm? Get you and I to spend the evening together. If you're tired, we could go to a movie. Well, actually, I'm busy tonight, Janet. I have an appointment. Chris, don't see Alexis tonight. Don't see him ever again. Janet, I thought we agreed not to discuss this. I'm not attacking Alexis, Honest. I think he'd be very... for certain people. But not for me. Well, you see, when some people meet a fascinating personality, they're swept right off their feet. Like me? Yes. But other people can be more objective. Like me. It's true, Chris. In many ways, I'm more mature than you are. Janet, I have lived through most of your growing pains, and oftentimes you've been insufferable. But tonight... You see, you can't be objective. You're getting sore just because I'm trying to give you some good advice. Give me advice, Janet, please. It is good advice. Alexis agrees with me. Disagrees with you? You see, I've talked to him a few times about your problem. I went to his house. What did you find him? Fascinating. He has one of the most vibrant person. You came to this conclusion while discussing my problem? Well, we talked a little about me, too. Janet. I'll leave you alone with your objectivity. We reached the outer world tonight. We must leave behind us all thoughts that are hostile and on a low emotional level. This is your first seance. There must be some skepticism in your mind. Oh, no. Perhaps only in your subconscious mind. But nevertheless, we shall proceed under test conditions. If you would be good enough to hold this key for me, will you tie my wrists together securely? Oh, there's no need to do that, Alexis. I have every faith in you. Oh, but I insist. For my own sake. Yeah, Chris, you take the key. I'll tie his wrist. All right, Janet. Start with the right one. Tie one knot in the center. Tie my hands behind my back. Very tightly. Now lock the cabinet so that you know that I cannot possibly move from this chair. Christine, will you switch off the light? The switch is right in behind you. The room must be completely dark. Stay down on the table. Be between your palms. If you see anything at all, do not move around or cry out. You don't like to know what's going on in there. If he's staging a seance, it would be a good opportunity to prove he's a phony. Let's sneak around back. There may be a window we can look through. Well, climb through. What are you doing? Showing you what a phony this man is. Where's the key? If you think he's still in here. Quick on his feet. I'll say that for him. How could he get out when I locked him in? He could show you if he wanted to. You're tired not like this. And then? More than this is dreadful. Yes, it is. I'm afraid I must insist you don't come here again. Insist? By what right do you insist? Well, we're engaged. Well, even if we were married, I'd think as I pleased. And I won't close my mind to truth just because you don't have to understand them. Truth, poppycock, be logical, Chris. Be logical. Pardon me, Mr. Abbott. Do you think you could possibly defer your discussion long enough to untie this rope? Oh, I'm sorry, Alexis. I'll do it. I happen to understand more about these things than you do. Do you realize that man has a criminal record? Alexis told us he was once in prison, if that's what you mean. Sometimes a prison record is something to be proud of. I'm terribly sorry about this interruption, Alexis. I saw him. I saw Paul. Oh, we will bring him back. Even if you could bring him back, she'd be better off if he stayed where he is, dead. She never meant anything to him but money. Martin. He'd been married and divorced before, each time with cash settlements. If he'd lived, he'd have made you miserable and ended up where he belongs, in jail. I never thought you'd attack a dead man with lies he can't answer. Yes, it's in the records. When Martin disappeared, did you or did you not ask me to investigate? Yes. Well, in the course of my snooping, I found the second Mrs. Faber, divorced in Las Vegas just six months before he married you. I think he went over there to see her. I never could find her, though, and Paul was dead, so it seems very strange that if it were true, you didn't find it necessary to tell Mrs. Faber. Yes, I suppose it is strange. I'm very silly to try and protect the girl you love. She only runs as fast as she can to another phony like you. Come on, Hoffman, let's get out of here. I'm going so soon. I hope we might stay around a while. You should stay. We'd soon learn what amazing powers Alexis has. I'm always willing to learn. Perhaps you'd like to resume the seance. Yes, under real test conditions. And have you report me for conducting a sales? I should say not. He probably could report you now. But if you sit down here at this table and while we all hold hands like real good friends, if you can make any of your spirits walk or talk, I think Mr. Hoffman will let it ride this time. Show them, Alexis. Yes, Alexis. Do. I'm afraid in such hostile circumstances any contact with the spirit world will be practically impossible. Yeah, yeah, I've heard that pattern routine before. I know it's easier when you can run around the room in the dark. He doesn't run around in the dark. Go on, Alexis. Let them see for themselves what you can do. Okay, let's go. You really ought to have an assistant on the premises for tight spots like this. We checked, you see, to make sure you hadn't. You mean we'll frighten the ghosts? Always loved you. You know that. I'll take you home. Since my widow started coming to you, Alexis, I find your methods quite amusing. How do you get out of that rope thing? By manipulation. But how did you... Push a button and the idiots reach for their checkbooks. It isn't quite as simple as all that. There's a lot of psychology involved in research. Sounds dangerously like work. However, your bag of tricks can be useful to us in our present plans. We, um, have plans? I didn't help you out tonight just for fun of it, my friend. I can use you. You see, I need money. I don't understand. If you went back to Christine, you could have anything you want. You don't seem to have a very analytical mind. No, but Christine still loves you. She...you mean if you weren't dead, the police might want to know who it was they found burnt to death in your car? Exactly. If I've been using the wrong piece of music... What? Oh, no, no. You have the right one for Christine. I used this one for my first try. Is it her ashes they found in the car? It was me they found in the car. Don't forget it. Perhaps I should point out that I'm in a very curious position. Since I'm believed dead, I could even kill a man. Nobody think of looking for me. You're in a curious position, too, Alexis. You can't tell anybody I'm alive without exposing yourself. That's right. I can't. It is a very curious position. And a profitable one. I don't think it's too premature to congratulate you upon an extremely advantageous marriage. Marriage? Come, come, my friend. You must be prepared to make some small sacrifice. You don't expect me to marry Christine. No, no, the little one, Janet. She's still young enough to be dazzled by you. From then on, getting that estate will be like taking candy away from a baby. I don't think Christine will allow it. I'll take care of Christine. A little rusty on this one. I'll have to practice. Have this piano tuned, will you? Are you hot milk? Yes, ma'am. I'll see that she drinks it, Emily. All right, I'll take it, but it won't do any good. You should really try and get more sleep, Christine. But I just can't. I'm never alone anymore, I voice now and seeing his face to comfort me, I suppose, but it's been frightening. Drink your milk while it's hot. It'll help. Alexis, do you suppose we've made a mistake? That first day when I came to your house, you said it might be better to repel Paul's spirit instead of bringing it closer. Perhaps you were right. Perhaps I was right. Then would it be better to try to break the contact now and not go too late? At this stage, I could never break the contact. We'll have to finish what we started. Well, let's begin the seance now. I think that before we start, you should relax. And I should be more familiar with the surroundings. It is very difficult for me in a strange house. Perhaps if I walked around the outside for a while... I'll show you. We can even go to the ocean. Now, I'm feeling rather tired. Well, it could be. Did you ever see a better spirit manifestation? It was an old-time record. We joined together someday in celestial companionship through all eternity. Yes, I'm sure. I think I'd make a good celestial companion and we'd love each other through all eternity. Oh, even longer. Start right here on the earth plane. She thought the house was haunted. And I can see what she means. I want to talk to Mrs. Faber. I don't think she wants to talk to you. Making herself ill with this morbid nonsense. Oh, it isn't bad. Chris had a fall last night on the cliff. She might have killed herself if Alexis hadn't caught her. What was she doing on the cliff? She thought she heard Paul calling. The doctor said. Chris wouldn't have a doctor. She had to be logical about this. She's not badly hurt. She's just bruised and shaken. In the first place, she's in a state of hysteria. In the second place, she shouldn't be in this house. Everything in it reminds her of Paul. And finally, she shouldn't be left alone for one second. There's no telling what she might do. But I'm with her all the time. I haven't lived... For you to stay here. You need rest and care. Perhaps in a hospital. You're trying to separate us. I won't go to a hospital. I won't leave this house. Only until you're better. No. You try to drive him away again. Now get out. Get out. Before I upset her anymore. I'll see you to door, Martin. Can you resume the treatment? If you hadn't tried to play the hero last night, all this wouldn't be necessary. I had to save Janet, didn't I? You're not falling in love with her, are you? Look, if I'm going to marry into this estate, there's got to be somebody for me to marry. Just by way of making a conversation, that wife of mine in Las Vegas, the one who tried to back out on me and wanted a cash settlement back, I settled with her. But not for cash. But now if you should back out on me, I wouldn't hesitate to settle with you either, Alexis. I know. Because you're in such a curious position. Till you just get rid... Lay, I'm dead and I'm going to stay that way. If you're alive, I won't be able to. It's too bad you came down here, Janet. You have been privileged to witness my best performance. You made one little mistake. I started with seven shells. I have one in the chamber. But now you must forget me. No, never. I don't need a crystal to see that your future is bright, Janet. Don't you go cling to the... Alexis, I'm afraid for you... I'll be all right.