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It is evening in a small town as a carriage is driven through a main street.
The scene closes in on a large building with the sign reading "CITIZENS BANK
of KINGSBURG AUGUST BINFORD, President." Inside the bank, an argument is in progress.
Binford: You can't be serious!
Bank Mangager: Over eighty thousand dollars is missing. Now, that is serious.
Binford: You think I'd steal money from my own bank.
Bank Manager: Well, it may be your bank, Mr. Binford, but it's the
depositors' money.
Binford: Well then, we'll have a complete audit of the books
and if there are any withdraws unaccounted for, we can...
Bank Manager: (interrupting) Mr. Binford, that money must be returned immediately.
Binford: You really are serious. You're accusing me of stealing.
Bank Manager: I'm afraid so. It's nothing against you, Mr. Binford. I...I even
look up to you for some things, but speculating with other people's money is not one of them. Those
people trusted us with their money, don't that mean anything to you? (pause) Mr. Binford, if
that money is not returned to the safe Monday morning, I shall be forced to telegraph the state bank examiner.
Binford: You know, Charlie, you're right. I did take that money and I was wrong.
It must be returned as soon as possible.
Binford walks away from Charlie and collects his things from his desk.
Binford: You're an honest man Charlie and that's what the world needs more
of...but not right at this moment.
Binford turns to face Charlie with a gun in his hand. The scene fades out.
When the scene returns, Binford is busy cleaning
all of the cash out of the safe. He closes the safe and exits the bank. Binford runs
down the alley behind the bank. Back inside the bank, the scene pans across the teller
stations finally showing Charlie lying on the floor dead.
Back outside, Binford is running back towards
the bank with a crowbar and dynamite in his hands. He uses the crowbar to pry the door to
the bank open. Inside the bank, Binford hangs the bundle of dynamite on the handle of the
safe. He looks at the crowbar in his hand, then takes off his hat and taps himself in the head
with the crowbar. He takes a mirror to inspect the damage. Not satisfied, he hits himself
again in the head, this time a bit harder so that now he is bleeding. He strikes a match across
the safe and lights the dynamite. He runs around to the other side of the teller wall for
cover. First the crowbar, then Binford come up for a peek at the safe. As the fuse burns
closer to the dynamite, Binford ducks down behind the counter. The safe explodes and the
opening credits begin.
As the opening credits flash across the screen,
several different characters are shown. First, Binford with a woman inspect some
stones. Then, Soapy is shown behind a table in an opulent room opening and displaying the
contents of a box which Heyes and Kid come to inspect. We see the interior of the box contains
several sparkling stones. The scene changes to show someone in gloves emptying a bag of these
stones onto a desk. The scene changes again to show Binford placing stones on a velvet lined
display tray. In the final scene, it is a beautiful, sunny day outside a large
mansion. Inside the house, Soapy is walking downstairs speaking to his butler.
Soapy: Smith and Jones?
Butler: They mentioned the Gentlemen's Jockey Club and a young lady named Grace.
Soapy: Grace Turner?
Butler: Yes sir.
As Soapy reaches the foyer nearing the front door, Heyes calls out.
Heyes: Soapy!
Heyes and Kid dressed in suits and holding their hats in their hands are standing downstairs by the door.
Soapy: Well. Well. Well. How are you?
Soapy takes Heyes' hand and they shake.
Soapy: And the Kid.
He shakes Kid's hand.
Soapy: Come in, come in. What a pleasure?
They walk across the large entry hall.
Soapy: I thought I'd seen the last of you two.
Butler: Gentlemen.
The butler takes their hats as they enter a very large salon, the sunroom.
Soapy: Boys, I've got brandy here that's older than the both of you and this calls
for the best.
Heyes: You know, we didn't come just to visit, Soapy. We're here to ask a favor.
Soapy: I just did you a favor.
Soapy walks around the bar as Heyes and Kid walk up on the other side.
 Soapy
pours them all drinks.
Heyes: Yeah, I know, I know, but this time we're in real trouble.
Soapy: Don't tell me I have to go back to work again. I told you last month
I'm a gentleman in retirement. Look around. And I'm gonna stay that way. What's
your problem?
Curry: Well, it's nothing you have to work at, Soapy.
Soapy: Good, but I didn't really mean that. After all, if it wasn't for you two,
I'd be spending my old age in a Nevada penitentiary.
They all pick up their glasses and toast.
Soapy: What can I do for you...that isn't too expensive or too dangerous?
Heyes: Well, it's about our amnesty deal again.
Soapy: Don't tell me the governor welched on you?
Heyes: No. But, he will if we don't straighten this out.
Heyes hands Soapy a newspaper article that he pulled from his jacket's inside pocket. Soapy puts
on his glasses and begins to read the article aloud.
Soapy: "Outlaws Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry rob Kingsburg Bank. Bank manager
killed. Bank president injured." (looking up at the guys) I can see how the
governor might have a twinge of doubt about you. Did you do it?
Heyes: You know we didn't do it. Look how he describes us. He's got those
descriptions straight off a wanted poster. He's even got the mark on my neck on the wrong side
like the posters.
Soapy: Look how who describes you?
Kid picks up the article and begins to read.
Curry: "Authorities had high praise for bank president, August Binford, who was
extremely accurate in his descriptions of the assailants despite his own considerable injuries."
Soapy: I've never met a banker yet I could trust.
Soapy walks around to the other side of the bar.
Soapy: What's he got against you two?
Curry: We finally figured that out. We think.
Heyes: We figured he faked the robbery, else why the description.
Soapy: That's gonna to be a wee bit hard to prove. Isn't it?
They both nod in agreement.
Heyes: That's where you come in. We've gotta get Binford so deep into trouble he'll
do anything to get out. Even admit he lied about Heyes and Curry.
Curry: We want you to teach us one of your swindles, Soapy.
Soapy: Boys, you're joking? That's like asking DaVinci to teach ya how to paint.
They leave the bar and walk over to the sitting area near the fireplace.
Soapy: And anyway, all my cons have been imitated to death. Run to the ground
by a lot of second raters with no imagination of their own. And you can't con a banker. He's
got his own game going and that makes him naturally suspicious of everyone else.
Curry: But, you gotta help us, Soapy. There's no other way to get at a man like that.
Soapy: Sorry, Kid. Marks are a special breed and a banker is never a mark.
Heyes: Don't you understand, Soapy. We're not just talking about losing our chances
for amnesty. A man was killed in that robbery. Unless we can get Binford to admit
he didn't see us, we're wanted for murder.
Soapy: Well, I'll give it some thought boys, but I'm afraid I can't help. Meantime,
you're both gonna have dinner with me right here.
Soapy turns and begins to walk away, but suddenly stops and turns back to them.
Soapy: Wait a minute. Maybe I can help.
Heyes and Kid smile with relief.
A stagecoach is traveling across a dry, barren landscape
of desert and rocks. In Kingsburg on Main Street a lone man on horseback rides down the
street. The rider passes Kingsburg bank, then the scene changes to the interior of the bank
outside the door of August Binford's private office. The door opens.
The cashier, an older, bald man
in an apron, walks out and opens the gate for a scruffy-looking Heyes and Curry. They
are ushered into Binford's office by the cashier.
Heyes: Thank you.
Heyes leads with Curry close behind as they head inside Mr. Binford's office. They approach
Binford's desk and wait. Binford is sitting at his desk. Distracted and unimpressed,
Binford speaks to them.
Binford: (frowning at them; they look pretty raunchy) My Cashier tells me you want to
rent a lockbox.
Heyes: Yes, Sir. That's right.
Binford: (sourly) He also tells me you're reluctant to comply with bank rules about that
rental.
Heyes: If reluctant means we're not gonna tell you what we're putting in that
lockbox... Yes Sir, then we're reluctant.
Binford gets up and walks around his desk heading for the office door. He opens the door dismissing the
guys.
Binford: (interview over) Well that's too bad. 'Cause we have to know what we're
responsible for and that's all there is to it. Good day, gentlemen.
Heyes and Curry exchange an uncertain glance as they make a show of mulling it over. Heyes walks over
to Binford and speaks in a confidential manner.
Heyes: If we were to tell ya what we're gonna put in that
box... it wouldn't have to go no further, would it?
Binford: Well, I could make a confidential rental record, yes.
Heyes checks with his partner. Curry nods. Heyes pushes the office door shut and takes
a leather pouch from his pocket. He returns to Binford's desk and empties the contents out.
Heyes: You know what those are?
Binford: (unimpressed) Rocks.
Heyes and Curry look at each other exchanging annoyed
 looks.
Curry: Diamonds, that's what they are.
Curious now, Binford approaches, sits back down at his desk and inspects the stones.
Binford: (skeptically) Never saw diamonds like those before.
Heyes: That's because you never seen 'em fresh outta the ground before.
Binford: That so? Where'd you get 'em?
Heyes: (with an edge) You gotta know that, too, before you rent us the lockbox?
Binford: No, of course not. Just curious, that's all.
Curry: Well, are you gonna rent us that box or not?
Binford: Yes, certainly, certainly.
Heyes: Oh, there's one other thing. We've been out prospecting for quite a
while. We're a little short of cash. Seeing as how this is a bank and all, could
you loan us a hundred dollars? ...just, so you know, a nice hotel room, some clean clothes, a
few decent meals?
Binford: Well, that's a lot of money just to be handing out. You got any security?
Heyes: Security? Those diamonds we're putting into your bank are worth a quarter of
a million dollars!
Binford: (awed) A quarter of a million?!
Heyes: (nodding) Give or take a few thousand. And if that's not good enough for you,
I've got a horse and a saddle that's worth a hundred.
Binford: Well, let's just say I'm a good judge of human nature and I figure you two boys
are good for a hundred.
Binford reaches out to gather up the diamonds, but Heyes puts a hand down over Binford's hands and
gently but firmly stops him.
Heyes: If you don't mind, we'd like a receipt for those.
Binford: Yes, of course. (he takes out his receipt book) ...but not for a
quarter of a million.
Heyes: (smiles) Just say for ten little stones that sparkle and glitter a lot.
Binford starts to write out the receipt and he looks up to smile beamingly at them. Heyes and
Curry exchange grins.
It is night outside a saloon in Kingsburg. A few
people are out milling about. Heyes and Curry, now cleaned up and wearing new clothes, are
standing near the corner of a building shielded behind a wagon. They are looking off at the
Jewelry shop. Binford comes bouncing out down the sidewalk in a light sprint.
Curry: Well, he hasn't disappointed us yet.
They watch as Binford jogs to the hotel and goes inside. They move from behind the wagon and head
across the street towards the hotel.
Binford jogs down the opulent hallway inside the
hotel. He bounds into a room. Inside the luxurious suite, a pretty young woman, Betsy
Jamison, is sitting in front of her dressing table. Binford hurries into the room to where
Betsy is seated.
Binford: (excitedly) Betsy. Betsy.
Betsy: (annoyed) You could knock sometimes.
Binford: (excitedly) I couldn't wait. I've just hit on the biggest thing that's
ever happened to us!
Betsy: (sarcastically) Another hot mining stock?
Binford: Oh, I've missed a few times...but this is really it. It's all we've
ever dreamed of! Look! Look! Look!
Binford takes one of the uncut diamonds and holds it up for Betsy to see.
Betsy: (not impressed) What is it?
Binford: It's our ticket to Europe, that's what it is! Didn't I promise you
everything would work out?
Betsy: (with an edge) You promised me a lot of things, but here I am still
stuck out in the middle of nowhere.
Binford: But, Look!
Betsy: (glances at stone) What is
 that?
Binford: A raw, uncut diamond...dug right out of the ground!
Betsy shows some interest now as she takes the diamond from Binford's hand and examines it.
Betsy: Is it really?
Binford: I just took these down to the jewelry shop and
Fred when he looked through that glass of his, his eyes just bugged right out of his head.
They both glow as they continue to study the diamonds.
Heyes and Curry are outside the hotel sitting on a couple of
porch chairs with their legs streched out on the porch rail. They are smoking cigars. Binford
walks out of the hotel.
Heyes calls out to him.
Heyes: Evening, Mr. Binford.
Binford returns to the porch.
Binford: Well. Good evening, gentlemen. Lovely evening, isn't it?
Heyes and Curry agree. Binford takes a cigar case from an inside jacket pocket and extends it
toward Heyes and Curry.
Binford: Have a cigar?
Heyes and Curry wave the cigars they're holding.
Binford: Oh, yes... I've been thinking about you boys and of my responsibility
to you as your banker.
Curry: Now, we don't recall hiring you as our banker.
Binford: Then, allow me to volunteer. This world is full of scoundrels, my boys.
Binford pushes his way behind Heyes and Curry so that they have to sit up as he goes for the porch chair
to the left of Curry.
Binford: ...who'd think nothing of taking advantage of honest men like
yourselves. But, with August Binford as your financial advisor, I assure you, they'll find
very slim pickings indeed.
Curry: Well, I know you volunteered, but I don't hear us accepting.
Heyes: We're not sure you're a man we can trust. You took our stones down to the
jeweler's and had 'em evaluated.
Curry: After you gave us your word you weren't going to say anything to anybody.
Binford: (hesitantly; thinking as he goes) Well, yes... But, there was a very good reason
for that. You see, I had to have an evaluation made of those stones in order to decide on a course
of action to properly utilize your assets.
Heyes: What'd he have to say?
Binford: He said they were real diamonds... of the very highest quality.
Curry: The man's a credit to his profession.
Binford: Of course, if there were more like these, this could be even bigger than
you gentlemen realize.
Heyes: You know those stones you got in your safe? It took us less than a week to
find those. A few more days out and we'd have come back with twice as many.
Binford: You mean you just picked them up off the ground?
Curry: Well now, we did have to dig down a couple of inches for some of 'em.
Binford gets up and walks behind their chairs again forcing them to sit forward to let him pass.
Binford: Gentlemen, if we market this properly, there could be millions in it for you!
Heyes: (to Curry) I don't think it would do any harm to listen to what he has to say.
Binford: You won't be sorry. I assure you. Shall we go somewhere where we can
talk privately.
Liquor is poured from a decanter into a crystal
glass. Betsy is the one pouring and Heyes is holding the glass.
Heyes: (openly admiring Betsy) You're right, Mr. Binford, this is a little better for
talking.
Binford: I thought you'd appreciate it, being men of the world.
Betsy finishes pouring the drinks.
Betsy: Is there anything else I can get you?
Binford: No thank you, my dear. I think we're quite comfortable.
Betsy walks over to the couch where Curry is sitting, kneels down before him and strikes a match to
light his  cigar.
Binford: And I know you men of the world understand that whatever
relationship we enter into will be strictly financial.
Betsy and Curry look meaningfully at each other as she lights his
cigar. She blows out the match without breaking eye contact with Curry.
Heyes: Oh, we understand. Yes. (to Curry) You heard Mr. Binford, didn't ya?
Heyes walks over to the couch and sits down beside Curry.
Curry: (reluctantly) Yes, I guess I did.
Binford: Good. As long as we know the situation.
Heyes: We do...we do.
Betsy leaves the room, but looks back at Curry one last time before exiting.
Binford: Now, if you Gentlemen have really discovered a diamond field - and
it'll take an expert opinion on that one - no one man can really afford to pay you what it's
worth. The thing to do is incorporate. Sell stock to the public.
Heyes: We don't know anything about stock. We just know about
prospectin'.
Binford: Do I understand you'd rather sell out completely?
Heyes and Curry look at each other and nod.
Heyes: Yeah.
Binford: Well, I'm not a rich man but I think I could afford to
let you have twenty thousand dollars...hard cash - once I check out that field.
Heyes: That's real brotherly of ya, but we had a higher price in mind.
Binford: Well, I might go a little higher. How much were you thinking about?
Heyes: A hundred thousand dollars - for me.
Curry: ...And a hundred thousand dollars for me.
Binford: Two hundred thousand!? No, that's impossible!
Heyes: Well no, it wouldn't be though, after you got that corporation
you're talking about started and sold some of that stock, would it?
Binford: (hesitantly) I don't know. I suppose not.
Heyes: All right, heck we could wait for the two hundred thousand
dollars. We don't need that right off. You could see the field
and start selling your stock and, oh, we need some good faith money first though.
Binford: Well, I could let you have a few thousand while we're working things out.
Heyes: Well, we had more in mind like twenty-five thousand dollars.
Curry: Apiece.
Binford: (outraged) Fifty thousand dollars! Nobody has that kind of money
lying around! Not even bankers!
Heyes: Mr. Binford, we are talking about
 diamonds.
Heyes gets up from the couch as Binford sits down. He walks around behind the couch.
Heyes: A whole diamond field! Now, we have just
made the richest strike we're ever gonna make and we're not gonna deal with pikers on it.
Binford: (still stunned, but recovering quickly) All
right. All right. But, you won't get a penny until I inspect
that diamond field and have the area surveyed by a mining engineer.
Heyes: (unconcerned) We figured that.
Binford: And I'll have to have those stones evaluated.
Heyes: You already did that.
Binford: I'm talking about an expert opinion from the best there is.
You're gonna have to let me send those stones to T. F. Ayers & Co. in New York.
Heyes and Curry both blanch a little.
Binford: You don't have any objections, do you?
Heyes: (forcing a smile) Noo. Noo. T. F. Ayers & Co. Real
good... Yep. (Heyes comes back to sit on the couch) Best in the world.
Binford: If they're worth what you say they are...we've got a deal.
A carriage with large red
wheels with long slender spokes is moving down the street in the afternoon.
Heyes and Curry are walking down the sidewalk. Curry grabs Heyes by
the shoulder as he leans against a post in front of the restaurant. Their attention
is directed across the street where Betsy is window shopping.
Curry: (whistles) Sure is a pretty girl, idn't it?
Heyes: Too pretty for Binford.
Curry: Just what I was thinking.
Heyes: It'll be at least a week before Binford gets an answer back from New York. Sure
would be nice spend some of that time with her.
Curry: Nice and dangerous, Binford wouldn't like that.
Heyes: If he knew about it. You could keep it nice and quiet, couldn't you?
Curry: Well now, you know, you usually save something like that for yourself. How
 come
you're bein' so good to me?
Heyes: (big grin) Well, I'm just thinking about what's best for us. (across the
street, Betsy enters a shop: Milady's Modes.) I saw the way she looked at you. You
could almost hear the violins.
Curry: I did hear violins.
Heyes: Yeah. Somethin' like that could work for us. See, she'll know when
that telegram comes in as soon as it gets here. And she'll also know whether it's good news or
bad news. Sure would be nice havin' her on our side.
Curry: You know, Heyes, you're right. It's time I pitched in and helped.
Curry moves across the street. Heyes takes his place leaning against the post and watches his
partner's progress across the street. Betsy comes out of the shop, Milady's Modes, loaded with
packages. We hear Curry address her.
Curry: Good morning, Ma'am.
He has his hat in hand as he flashes his most charming smile. Betsy nods a hello.
Curry: I wonder if I might walk along with you?
Betsy: Why?
Curry: Well, it's such a beautiful day and all, and I can't think of anyone else I'd rather walk
 with.
Betsy: I can.
Betsy moves away and begins walking. Curry follows and walks beside her.
Curry: Well now, maybe if we just walked a little while and talked a little bit, you might
get to like it.
Betsy stops and faces him.
Betsy: I don't think so.
Curry: Well now, that's a real puzzle, Ma'am, 'cause last night I got the distinct
impression you kinda liked me.
Betsy: Well, whatever gave you that idea? (Betsy begins to walk again, but Curry
moves in front of her blocking her path.) I was just being pleasant. I'm always pleasant to
my fiance's business associates.
Curry: Fiance?
Betsy: That is correct. Mr. Binford and I are going to be married. Now, if
you'll excuse me....
Curry steps aside letting Betsy pass. He looks after her for a moment, then turns, putting his
hat back on, he walks across the street toward Heyes. Heyes is still leaning against the post
in front of the restaurant. His eyes are averted as Curry stops beside him, neither looking at
each other. Curry's a bit dejected.
Curry: You sure that was violins we heard?
Heyes: I said it'd be nice romancin' her. I didn't say it'd be easy.
They exchange a look.
A tall, muscular cowboy, Ben Morgan stops at
Betsy's hotel room door and quietly taps on it with a special knock. The door is
opened immediately. Morgan quickly moves into the room. The corridor is still and empty for
a moment, then a small closet door across the hall opens and Curry sticks his head out.
Inside the hotel room, Betsy and Morgan are deeply involved in a passionate embrace. A knock sounds
on the hallway door and they break off their kiss. They stare at each other startled.
Morgan: Binford?
Betsy: No, it couldn't be!
Morgan: Why not?
Betsy: Because he's home with his wife.
A second knock sounds and Betsy takes Morgan's hand and leads him through the connecting door.
Betsy closes the door and takes a moment to compose herself. She goes to the door and opens
it. Curry is casually leaning against the door frame.
Curry: Evening. I hope you don't mind me calling on you unexpected like this.
Betsy: Well, I'm afraid I do.
Betsy starts to close the door in Curry's face, but he pushes the door open and walks into the room.
Betsy: (furious) What do you think you're doin' here. You get out of here right this minute!
Curry: What I'm doing is trying to help you, Betsy.
Betsy: Why?
Curry: Well, maybe sometime you can help me.
Betsy: No, I meant what makes you think I need any help?!
Curry: Well, for one thing, you're not too careful...because if
I know you've got a man
hiding in here, maybe somebody else does too.
Betsy angrily glares at Curry as the bedroom door opens and Morgan comes back into the room. Betsy
moves to close the hallway door.
Morgan: (angrily) What do you want here?
Curry: Ohh, just to have a little talk...in private.
Morgan folds his arms across his chest as he angrily squares off against Curry.
Morgan: Well, you've got about ten seconds to get outta here.
Curry: Well now, I know how you feel, but you see, Betsy and I really do have something
to talk over. (easily) ...and I was just hopin' you'd kinda see your way clear to come callin'
another night.
Morgan: You want some advice, friend? You'll head back through that door and forget
you ever saw anyone in here.
Curry: Well, that's pretty good advice. I hope you don't mind if I don't follow it.
Betsy stares at the confrontation with wide-eyed excitement. The standoff last a few moments as
the scenes flashes from Besty to Morgan to Curry. Morgan angrily reaches for his
gun, but Curry draws his own gun in a fantastically fast and smooth draw. Stunned, Morgan freezes in
the middle of his draw. He stares unbelievingly at Curry, who has his gun already drawn, aimed
and  cocked.
Betsy: Uuhmm, Ben, I think you better go.
She moves off the hallway door to allow Morgan's exit.
Morgan: (nervously) Yeah, I think I better go too.
Morgan, never taking his eyes off Curry, walks toward the door. Curry follows his progress with
his gun still drawn and aimed. Morgan opens the door and as he heads out, he speaks to Betsy.
Morgan: You think you'll be all right?
Betsy: I'll be all right.
Morgan closes the door. Betsy moves away from the wall she was leaning against and approaches Curry.
Betsy: Now, what is it that we have to talk about that's so all-fired important?
Curry: You and me.
Betsy: Well, that's a short conversation.
Curry: You know, we can do a lot of good for each other, Betsy. Binford tell you about
the deal we're in with him?
Betsy: Uhh...He mentioned it.
Curry: Well, then you know it involves a lot of money - millions of dollars.
Betsy rolls her eyes and walks past Curry to sit at the piano bench.
Betsy: (mocking) Millions of dollars. Everybody's always talking about
millions and when it gets right down to it, it's eight dollars and twenty cents.
Curry: Well, this time there really is millions. (Curry takes off his hat and sits
down beside Betsy on the piano bench.) ...but my friend and I need some help...from you.
Betsy: Why should I help you?
Curry: Because, Betsy dear, we're gonna make it worth your while. You see, we don't
understand too much about high finance and we think your friend Binford's gonna try to chump us. Now,
what we need is somebody that knows every move Binford's gonna make. We need you and we're
willin' to pay for the service.
Betsy: No sale. You got the wrong idea finding another man in here.
Augie
and I are still gonna be married. Soon as he gets enough money to divorce his wife, we're going to
Europe and I'm gonna be Mrs. August Binford.
Curry: Wouldn't you rather make that trip a free woman? - if you had money enough?
Betsy: What's enough?
Curry: Ten thousand dollars?
Betsy: What could I possibly do for you that's worth ten thousand
dollars?
Curry: You can keep Binford from chumping us. You see, if he plays it straight, in
about a week or so, we're gonna have fifty thousand dollars...and then, when the deal's set, we're each
gonna have a hundred thousand more. Now, with that money, we're gonna go to Europe or South America
somewhere and live a mighty fine life. And if you play your cards right, you can come along too -
with ten thousand dollars in your own little ole bank account. Now, don't you even want to think about that?
Betsy: (pause) Well, I guess I could think about it.
Betsy smiles at Curry.
It is daytime outside Kingsburg bank. Inside a woman
finishes her business at the teller window. As she leaves the lobby, Heyes and Curry
enter. Binford approaches them from inside the teller area.
Heyes: Mr. Binford.
Binford: Good morning, Thaddeus, Joshua. I sent for you because we've just received a
telegram from T. F. Ayers & Co. in New York. They've evaluated those stones and they're sending
them back by rail. Come in.
Binford motions them toward his office. They exchanges a look as they enter the gate,
then they follow Binford to his office. Just outside, Heyes questions Binford.
Heyes: What kind of an evaluation did they make?
Binford: You boys exaggerated a bit, but they're diamonds, of course...not top grade, but
still diamonds. However, I'm still gambler enough to go through with that deal we talked about -
provided there is a diamond field and I see it with my own eyes.
Heyes: There is and you will.
Binford opens his office door and walks in. Heyes and Curry follow him inside. Oliver
 Bristow is
waiting. Heyes and Curry both look warily toward Bristow.
Binford: Gentlemen, this is Oliver Bristow...the best mining engineer between here and
Virginia City.
Heyes and Curry both smile an uneasy hello.
Binford: I believe in experts. T. F. Ayers certified those stones were
diamonds. Now, Bristow here is going to determine whether you have a field or not.
Bristow: Is it a Bortz diamond field or a Carbonado?
Heyes: That's right. When would you like to leave, Mr. Binford?
Binford: Well, whenever you're ready. Do you mind if I bring Betsy along? I
don't like to leave her here alone in town.
Curry: Oh sure, why not?
Binford: Good. Then, let's start out first thing in the morning.
It is very early in the morning. Heyes and Curry are
leading the way, riding along on a rough dirt road. Binford, Betsy and Bristow are riding along on
the road some fifteen or twenty feet behind them. All are on horseback.
Curry turns back to look at Binford, then addresses Heyes privately.
Curry: Tell me something, Heyes. Have you given any thought
to what we're gonna do when that mining engineer finds out we salted that field with diamonds?
Heyes: No. We're just gonna have to hope he doesn't. We have to gamble on that.
Curry: I don't mind gambling, it's the stakes I don't like...our necks.
Heyes: Yeah. Hold it.
Heyes raises his right hand. Curry and Heyes turn around in their saddles to face Binford and his
party. Binford, Betsy and Bristow close the distance to Heyes and Curry.
Binford: What are we stopping for?
Heyes: You're going to go the rest of the way blindfolded.
Binford: Blindfolded?! What are you talking about!
Heyes: Faith, Mr. Binford. Faith. Before we left town we found out, once again, that we
can't trust  you.
Curry: You lied to us again, Mr. Binford. That's twice now.
Heyes: It's not too hard finding out what's inside a telegram, especially if the telegrapher
is underpaid and unhappy. T. F. Ayers & Co. didn't say those stones were okay. They said
they were diamonds of the highest quality worth over one hundred thousand dollars.
Binford: (pause) All right. So, I didn't put all my cards on the
table. That doesn't mean you can't trust me. Now, I've made a deal with you and
I'm ready to go through with my part as soon as I see that field.
Heyes: You'll see the diamond field, all right... (firmly) ...but you're not
gonna see how to get there until until we've got our first fifty thousand dollars.
Binford backs down and nods.
Binford: All right. We'll do it your way.
They are now riding through the open countryside. Heyes
has the reins to Binford's horse in hand with Bristow and the pack horse following closely behind.
Curry has the reins to Betsy's horse bringing up the rear. The terrain is a lot more rugged
now. It is still daylight as they ride through the foothills area. Finally, they rein
their horses to a stop in the middle of a meadow.
Heyes: All right folks. Welcome to our diamond field.
Binford, Betsy and Bristow take off their blindfolds and look around. Heyes and Curry simultaneously
dismount. Bristow carefully scans the area from his saddle.
Bristow: (knowledgeably) It could be carbonado. That kind of a field
might look just something like this.
Binford and Betsy dismount. They move out and start searching the ground with their
eyes. Heyes and Curry look off toward Binford and Betsy for a moment, then turn back to Bristow who
still hasn't moved from his saddle.
Heyes: Aren't you gonna look around?
Bristow: I can see what I want to see a lot better from up here.
Heyes and Curry look a little uneasily at Bristow as he sits where he is and expertly surveys the area with
his eyes. Binford and Betsy are searching the ground with their eyes. Binford bends down and
wiggles a rock out of the ground.
Binford: (shouting) Hey, I think I found one!
Betsy quickly moves to join Binford as he holds up an uncut diamond. Heyes and Curry look at each
other. Bristow dismounts and hurries toward Binford and Betsy. He takes the diamond and looks
at it.
Betsy: (gasps) You did!
Binford: Is it possible? - lying just under the surface like that?!
Bristow: Yes sir. That's the way they're found in Africa--sometimes
laying right on the surface.
Heyes and Curry sigh with relief. Binford and Bristow continue to
study the diamond. Betsy moves away scanning the ground with her
eyes. Then, she reaches down and picks up a stone.
Betsy: (excitedly) I found one!
Binford and Bristow rush over to her.
Curry: (to Heyes) I wonder where Binford got his expert from?
Heyes: Oh, he's an expert. Gold mines, silver, probably even tungsten and copper...
(with a smile) ...trouble is, this is the first time he's ever come face to face with a
genuine salted diamond field.
The activity gets more vigorous now. All decorum is thrown to the winds now as they all run around
searching the area. Heyes and Curry watch from the side with amusement. Binford, Betsy and
Bristow are running around in different parts of the meadow now on a regular easter egg hunt, overturning
rocks, looking into crevices, searching every inch of ground, letting out whoops of joy as they find
another uncut diamond, getting wilder and wilder as they get more and more caught up in the excitement of
the search.
It is night and a small campfire is burning with a large
coffee pot over it. Binford, Betsy and Bristow are sitting on the ground, huddled
together. Binford is counting the diamonds they've found.
Binford: ...fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen...
Heyes and Curry are off to the side of the group, leaning against a tree and drinking coffee from tin
cups. They are listening as Binford finishes counting the stones.
Binford: ...eighteen, nineteen.
Curry pauses as he was about to drink his coffee. He whispers confidentially to
Heyes.
Curry: Nineteen? What happened? I thought we planted twenty-one?
Heyes: Well, what do you expect from a banker? We'll show them where to find the
other two before we break camp tomorrow.
Binford: (to Betsy) Didn't I tell you it was gonna be like this?
Betsy is unable to take her eyes off the diamonds. She holds one out measuring how it would look
as a ring on her finger.
Heyes and Curry share a satisfied smile.
There are several diamonds displayed on a black velvet lined
tray on a desk. Binford picks one up. He is sitting at his desk
in his office back at the bank.
Binford: They're beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
Heyes and Curry are behind the desk, standing to Binford's right. Binford stares at the diamonds
for a moment longer, then pulls himself out of it and is businesslike.
Binford: Now, gentlemen, I think we should conclude our business.
Binford leans over and opens a desk drawer to his left. He removes stacks of bundled
money. Heyes reaches across the desk for a carpetbag.
Binford: Fifty thousand dollars.
Heyes takes a bundle in each hand and places them into the carpetbag that Curry holds open.
Heyes: Ahh. Yes. Fifty-thousand dollars.
Binford: Now, that's an awful lot of money. Are you sure you don't want to leave it
here for safekeeping?
Curry: We've got a safe place to keep it, thank you.
Heyes reaches into his pocket and takes out a some papers. He lays them on the desk before Binford.
Heyes: Here's the claim...and here's where we found it.
Binford studies the map and the claim for a moment and nods his head in satisfaction. Then, he
reaches into the middle top desk drawer, takes another piece of paper out.
Binford: Now, I've had this contract drawn up...turning over
this claim to my corporation. You both have to sign it to make it all legal.
After we sell the stock,
you'll get the rest of your money.
Binford dips the pen into ink and hands the pen to Heyes who quickly signs the contract.
Heyes, then
he hands the pen to Curry who also signs the contract.
Heyes: Mr. Binford, (Heyes removes his right hand glove and offers his hand to
Binford. They shake) I would like to say that it's a real pleasure doing business with you.
Curry has the carpetbag as he and Heyes walk out of the office. Binford
blows on the ink on the contract, then picks up the map and the
claim to study. As they leave the office, Curry opens the door and
exits while Heyes turns for one last look at Binford
before closing the door. Binford leans back in his chair admiring the
map.
Heyes and Curry come out of the bank and walk across the street.
Heyes: You know something, Kid? We sure picked a fine time to go
straight, didn't we?
Curry: Heyes, you're reading my mind again. It makes me nervous.
They walk up the steps into the hotel.
Betsy is having a cup of tea inside her hotel suite when
there is a knock on the hallway door. She crosses to open it. Curry is leaning against the
door frame. He walks into the room and removes his hat. He walks over to the piano bench and
sits down, stretching out his legs in front of him.
Curry: Well, Binford just paid us the the money - fifty thousand dollars.
Betsy walks over to sit on the sofa across from Curry.
Betsy: Yes, I know. I thought you and your friend would be out tearing up the town
spending it by now.
Curry: No. There's a couple of things we'd like to know first. Like where Binford
got the money.
Betsy: What difference does that make?
She pours a cup of tea for Curry and offers it to him. He ignores her
and she sets it down on the table.
Curry: It makes a big difference. Where'd he get it? (Betsy is silent) You
know, I have a hunch he embezzled it from his own bank, but I gotta know that for sure. (Betsy still
doesn't say anything) I thought you were joining our side, Betsy.
She holds out a plate with crackers. He takes one.
Betsy: Well now, I didn't say that. I said I'd think about it...and I have thought
about it...and I've decided I'm staying with August.
Curry: That's a bad decision.
Betsy: Is it? Now that you've all signed those papers, Augie's looking good to
me again...a lot better than a piddling ten thousand dollars.
 Curry
gets up and walks over to sit beside her on the couch.
Curry: (threateningly) You know, he might trade you for nothin' if he finds out about your
cowboy friend.
She stands abruptly and walks around the couch.
Betsy: (upset) What do you care anyway where he got the money!? He'll keep his deal
with you - the whole hundred thousand!
Curry: If you don't tell me where he got that fifty thousand, there idn't gonna be any
deal! I mean that!
Betsy: (exasperated) Oh, you know where he got it! - out of his own bank! Anyway, it'll
all be put back in a few weeks and nobody'll the wiser. There! Are you satisfied?!
Curry: (amused) Yes, Betsy. I'm satisfied.
He gets up and collects his hat on the way out the door. He turns as goes out, glancing once more at
her. She has a troubled expression on her face.
Inside Binford's office he proudly holds a colorfully
detailed, newly printed stock certificate. Heyes and Curry are leaning against the front edge of
Binford's desk each studying a copy of the certificate.
Binford: Aren't they beautiful? Engraved and printed in three different
colors. American Diamond Company...Incorporated.
Binford moves back to his desk. There are two high stacks of stock certificates
sitting on the edge. Binford picks up a leather pouch and offers it to Heyes.
Binford: Oh, by the way, these just came back from T. F. Ayers in New York.
Heyes takes the pouch.
Heyes: I'm afraid we have bad news for you, Mr. Binford...real bad news. (Binford
looks at him questioningly.) You've been had...there is no diamond field.
Binford: What are you talking about? We were there
ourselves with an expert. We picked diamonds up with our own hands.
Heyes: Diamonds we planted there for you to pick up. Oh, and about your expert, don't
take him with you next time you go shopping for a diamond field.
Binford: (disbelieving) Are you out of your mind? Those diamonds alone are worth
four times what I paid you.
Heyes: (flatly) These diamonds are worth exactly twenty-five thousand dollars.
Binford: But my jeweler here in town and T. F. Ayers in New York says different.
Heyes: A friend of ours once told us there was no one in this country who could evaluate
rough, unpolished diamonds...and bless him, he was right.
Heyes turns to smile at Curry.
Binford: Now, see here. If this is a confidence game...why are you telling me this?
Curry: 'Cause we know how you got that money you gave us.
Heyes: And we're gonna to give it all back to ya...make you an honest man again.
The whole thing is still not making sense to Binford.
Binford: Why?
Heyes: Because you're going to the Sheriff and you're going to tell him your conscience is
botherin' you. Those two men who robbed your bank and killed your manager? You're gonna tell
the Sheriff you got their descriptions all wrong.
Binford: What for?
Curry: Nevermind what for...just get used to the idea 'cause you're gonna do it.
Binford: I can't do that!
Binford walks around to the front of his desk standing in front of Heyes and Curry. Curry stands up.
Curry: (easily) Sure you can.
Binford: I can't! The Sheriff would get suspicious. He might might even think I
had something to do with that robbery!
Heyes: You can tell him all about your conscience. Or how you got scared that people
might think you robbed your own bank, so you lied a little. Now, you want to straighten the record
out. You can give him a new description. Tell him one of the men was five feet tall and the
other one weighed three hundred pounds. Who knows, he might even believe you.
Binford: I don't understand all this! Who are you?
Heyes: Mr. Binford, don't you recognize your own descriptions? (Heyes stands up so he is in
Binford's face and Curry moves in closer.) I'm Hannibal Heyes and he's Kid Curry.
Curry: And we don't rob banks anymore.
Heyes: And when we were robbing banks, we didn't kill people. Now, you've put us into
terrible  trouble,
Mr. Binford. We were trying our best to get an amnesty and you tore it all apart.
Curry: (evenly) And we want that amnesty real bad.
Heyes: So now, you're gonna go to the Sheriff and you can tell him any story you like so long
as it's real strong about not being Hannibal Heyes and Kid Curry who robbed your bank and then we'll
bring back your money.
Binford: You'll do that?
Curry: (nodding) That's right.
Heyes: As long as we see a story in the local newspaper telling them that you've changed your
mind about your descriptions, you'll get your money back. (correcting himself) That is, you'll
get your depositors' money back.
Binford walks back around to stand behind his desk.
Binford: How do I know you'll keep your word?
Curry: Have you got a choice? You don't get that story right, we're just gonna up and
disappear...money and all...leaving you to face twenty years in prison.
They stare at each other. Heyes and Curry turn and leave Binford's office. Binford sits down
in his chair. He scowls and kicks the stock certificates off the edge of his desk.
Heyes and Curry exit the bank and walk out onto the
street. They are pretty happy with themselves. They walk a few steps out of the bank when
they hear a familiar voice.
Lom: Well, if it isn't my old friends, Smith and Jones!
They're frozen for a moment in surprise and they slowly turn toward the voice. Sheriff Lom Trevors
is standing a few feet away. He walks toward them.
Heyes: Lom Trevors! This is a...ah...
Lom: (dryly) A surprise?
Curry: Yeah. A big one. What brings you to Kingsburg?
Lom: You two. I heard about that bank robbery...came down to investigate on my
own. I was just going in to see this Binford fellow.
Heyes: That's real nice of you, Lom, but things are going to straighten out all by themselves.
Curry: Real soon.
Lom: Yeah? How?
Heyes: You'll read about it in the local newspaper tomorrow morning. (beaming)
Big story...completely clearing
 us.
Lom: (skeptically) Yeah, well if you fellas don't mind, I'd rather not wait 'til
tomorrow. All right?
Lom heads toward the bank and Heyes spins him around grabbing his arm. Curry grabs his other arm as they lead him toward the hotel.
Curry: Lom, it's a real long story...but if you've got the time, we'll tell it to ya.
Lom: (still skeptical) You boys will have my undivided attention.
Inside Betsy's hotel suit, she is looking at a copy of
the front page of the Kingsburg Gazette. The headline reads: "BANKER ADMITS DESCRIPTIONS
NOT ACCURATE." She leaves her room, walks down the corridor and
up the stairs. She knocks on a door on the floor upstairs.
Curry: (from the other side of the door) Who's there?
Betsy: It's Betsy. Let me in!
Curry: Just a moment.
Inside the room, a door can be heard closing as Curry walks to the door and opens it. Betsy enters.
Betsy: (motioning with her newspaper) Have you seen this paper?
Curry: Yep.
Betsy: You two had something to do with it, didn't you?
Curry: (innocently) What us?
Betsy: There is something all wrong here! And it's driving me crazy trying to figure
it out! First you force me to tell you that Augie embezzled that money from the bank... (motioning
with the newspaper again) ...and now out of nowhere, he up and does something like this. Why?
Curry: Why don't you ask your friend Binford?
Betsy: I can't. He's home with his wife, as if he's afraid to come near me! And
you forced him into this, didn't you?!
Curry: Betsy, I'm afraid I've got bad news for you. (he sits her down and he leans
against the footboard of the bed folding his arms over his chest.) Your friend Binford isn't
gonna make millions on that diamond field. That's 'cause there idn't any diamond field.
Betsy: Well, you're a liar! I was there, remember?
Curry: No, that was just a piece of meadow salted with uncut stones that we borrowed from
a nice, rich old friend - (mock sympathy) - so, I'm afraid that Binford just idn't gonna be able to take
you to Europe.
Betsy: (stunned) You mean it was a fraud? (Curry nods) From the very
beginning? (Curry says nothing) But why?! If it was only the money you were after you
two would have left town the minute you got your hands on the fifty thousand dollars!
Curry: Oh, now you're right there, Betsy.
Betsy: Then, I don't understan---
She stops herself short, staring at him with sudden recognition.
Curry: (smiles) I think you just got it.
Betsy: (pause) You mean, you're...Kid Curry...and your friend...Hannibal Heyes...
Curry: Well, you see, when your friend, Binford tried to tack that murder charge onto our
records. Well, we decided we had to do something about that.
Betsy says nothing for a moment. She gets up from the chair and walks over to the window and looks
out. Then, she turns and speaks to Curry.
Betsy: You know, there's a lot of people that are gonna still think it was you two that
killed that bank manager.
Curry: (shrugs) Yeah, I know, but we've done all we can.
Betsy: Well, what if there was something more? Something *I* could do?
Curry: Like what?
Betsy: You once promised me ten thousand dollars. If I could clear you completely,
would you keep your promise?
Curry: Well now, that sounds like a pretty fair price...if you can really do it.
Betsy: Well, I can. (confidentially) The night of the bank robbery, Augie came to
my place after midnight, which is something he never does and he wanted a drink. At first he
wouldn't tell me what was wrong, but his hand shook so bad he could hardly hold his drink. He got a
little drunk and he broke down and he started to cry. Then, he told me what happened. His
bank manager found out that he was using the depositors' money to speculate on mining stocks. So,
uhm, Augie killed him and he, uhm, staged the bank robbery to cover it up. Don't you think that
that's a bargain for ten thousand dollars?
Curry: Betsy, that's a steal. That's more than I expected. There's only one
trouble...we don't have any money to give you.
Betsy: Augie gave you fifty thousand dollars! I know!
Curry: Yeah, but we don't have it. We turned it over to a friend of ours. (calling)
Lom...
The door to the adjoining room opens and Lom accompanied by Heyes, steps into the room as Betsy stares at him.
Curry: Did you hear it all?
Lom: Every word. (to Betsy) Oh, I'm Sheriff Lom Trevors, ma'am. I'm going
to need you later to make a statement. (to Heyes and Curry) Keep an eye on her while I pay a
call on Mr. Binford.
Lom crosses to the closet.
Betsy: I'm not making any statements for you! Or for anyone else!
Lom opens the closet door and takes out the carpetbag.
Lom: (to Betsy, unconcerned) All right. I doubt if we'll need a statement from
you anyway. (Lom tips his hat in courtesy.) Ma'am.
Lom leaves out the hallway door with the carpetbag firmly in hand.
Heyes: Betsy, what do you think was in that carpetbag?
Betsy stares at them in disbelief. She is completely stunned.
Betsy: Who are you?
Heyes: He told you. I'm Hannibal Heyes and he's Kid Curry.
Betsy: Oh no, you're not! If you were Hannibal Heyes and you were Kid Curry, you would
not turn fifty thousand dollars over to a sheriff!
Heyes and Curry exchange a glance and turn back to
 Betsy.
Heyes: We should have known you were too smart to fool. He's Hotchkiss and I'm
Rembacker, agents of the United States Treasury Department.
Curry: And we've been on this case right from the start, night and day.
Heyes: But, we're telling you this in confidence. It's a government secret, and you
must never, never repeat it. Do you understand?
Betsy nods and slowly exits the room. Heyes and Curry exchange looks and
fall in to laughter.
The Kingsburg Gazette is held out with the large headline
reading: BANKER BINFORD CONFESSES MURDER. Soapy voice is heard reading aloud in his home in San
Francisco.
Soapy: (reading) "August Binford today confessed to the murder on March 7th last
of Charles Wells, his bank manager. Binford stated that conscience alone led to his
confession. It is felt that his making a clean breast of the shocking affair without any pressure,
except from his own conscience will probably save him from hanging."
Soapy lowers the paper, shaking his head. He smiles at Heyes and Curry, who are seated across
from him.
Soapy: (delighted) Boys, I either overestimated bankers or underestimated you!
And the girl! She really believed that story? You two? (laughs) Government agents?
Heyes: (enjoying Soapy's delight) She was so confused by then, she didn't know what to
believe.
Soapy: You won't change your minds? - have supper with me?
Curry: Sorry Soapy, we'll miss our train.
Heyes and Curry stand up to leave. Soapy rises and walks with them to the door. The butler
hands them their hats.
Soapy: (as they walk) All right, but keep in touch with me. I still owe you a
few more favors. And besides, I always enjoy doing them.
Curry starts to open the door and Soapy stops him.
Soapy: Uh, aren't you forgetting something?
Heyes appears to have his memory suddenly jogged. He reaches into his pocket and takes the bag
of diamonds from his pocket and hands them over to Soapy.
Heyes: Oh. Thank you, Soapy.
Heyes shakes hands goodbye.
Curry: (Shakes Soapy's hand) Soapy, it's been a pleasure.
Heyes: Hope to see you soon.
Soapy: Anytime, boys, anytime. Bye-bye. (after they exit, Soapy empties the
bag of diamonds and starts to count the stones.) One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
nine...
The diamonds are the last thing seen as the episode ends.
Closing Theme and Credits |
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