Mannix (TV Series)

Search in the Dark (1973)

Mike Connors: Joe Mannix

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Quotes 

• Orville Moffatt : [entering Starr's cabin on a boat]  He was exactly where you said, Mr. Starr, at Jonah's Place.

  Hamilton Starr : Welcome aboard, Mannix. Well, how does he look, Orville? Have the years treated him kindly?

  Orville Moffatt : Looks about the same.

  Joe Mannix : Well, you finally got your hands on the Auroras, huh?

  Hamilton Starr : Magnificent, aren't they? Banked fires to warm a man's soul. No wonder so many people have died for them through the years.

  Joe Mannix : Last night you nearly added Terry Graham's name to the list.

  Hamilton Starr : I had nothing to do with the attack on Miss Graham.

  Joe Mannix : You expect me to believe that? When you're sitting here gloating over this collection?

  Hamilton Starr : [laughs]  My dear fellow, these are nothing but paste. Your eyes are deceiving you. You're a man of keen senses, Mannix. Use them. These have no melody, no... heat. The Auroras burn and sing. That's why I've wanted them all my life- not to sell, just to own that fierce light. It would be almost like having my sight back.

  [pause] 

  Hamilton Starr : So I planned. For years, I planned. Blueprints of Robert Blakely's house, the design of the safe, servants' schedule, nights watchman's rounds. Right, Orville?

  Orville Moffatt : How can you forget?

  Hamilton Starr : And finally, five years ago, I moved. There was only one thing I couldn't anticipate- the worthless imitations in the safe. Someone had beaten me to the Auroras.

  Joe Mannix : Howard Graham.

  Hamilton Starr : Exactly. Yeah. Rather a bitter joke on Mr. Blakely, wouldn't you say? Hoodwinked by the son-in-law he despised. Took me years before I was sure it was Graham. Then Jonah came to my rescue. He told me that Graham was prepared to deal for the jewels. I sent Orville here on his trail, he saw the girl come into the park, and there were the Auroras within arm's length. Orville lost them as a runt hound might lose a hapless rabbit.

  Orville Moffatt : I did the best I could.

  [lights a cigar for Starr] 

  Hamilton Starr : Yes. And that's the pity of it.

  [pause] 

  Hamilton Starr : Sorry, Mannix. The point is, someone else got the Auroras, which is the reason for your being my guest this morning.

  Joe Mannix : Who else could have known Graham had them?

  Hamilton Starr : Who else, indeed, Mannix? Mannix, I want the Auroras. I'm willing to pay you for them. But, unless I get them soon, there's going to be more blood on them.

  Joe Mannix : If there is, Starr, I'll find you.

  Hamilton Starr : Don't try to threaten me. I've lived in the dark too long to be frightened by anything. The Auroras, Mannix. Hard way, the easy way... it's up to you.

  [Mannix leaves the cabin] 

  Hamilton Starr : We'll have them soon, Orville. Did I offend you?

  Orville Moffatt : It's... you know, it's in front of people.

  Hamilton Starr : Sorry. We make a good pair, you and I. You're my eyes, and I'm your brain. It's a very satisfactory arrangement.