Mrs. Stoker Quotes in The Walls Came Tumbling Down (1946)

Matthew Stoker: My name is Stoker, Mr. Archer. Matthew Stoker. This is my wife.

Gilbert Archer: What do you want?

Matthew Stoker: It would appear that you were well acquainted with a priest named Father Walsh, who unfortunately died last night. It would appear too that you'd paid him a visit at his rectory to discuss a pair of rare Bibles.

Gilbert Archer: Don't tell me you believe everything you read in the papers.

Matthew Stoker: I choose to believe this. For some time, we've been searching for two Bibles of a certain edition. Not long ago, I traced them to this unfortunate priest, Father Walsh. I'm prepared to pay a large amount of money to gain possession of them.

Gilbert Archer: Very interesting. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm busy.

Matthew Stoker: You are dismissing us, Mr. Archer?

Gilbert Archer: That's the general idea, Reverend.

Matthew Stoker: Oh. I'd hoped to find you more hospitable. Since you aren't, we will dispense with the amenities. I want those Bibles.

Gilbert Archer: What makes you so sure I've got them?

Matthew Stoker: We know that you had a conversation with a priest here in your apartment a few hours before he died.

Gilbert Archer: How much?

Matthew Stoker: Ten thousand.

Gilbert Archer: I can't hear you.

Matthew Stoker: Very well. Fifteen thousand.

Gilbert Archer: I'll think it over.

Matthew Stoker: There's no time. I want them now.

Gilbert Archer: Don't crowd me, Reverend. I'm sensitive. It goes back to my childhood. When I went to Sunday school, men of the cloth were more polite. I don't think you're even a missionary.

Mrs. Stoker: You don't? My dear, please show Mr. Archer your credentials.

[Stoker pulls a gun out of his pocket]

Matthew Stoker: That's enough, Rausch. Give him some brandy. Thank you, Rausch.

Gilbert Archer: Did you find the Bibles, Holy Joe?

Matthew Stoker: You know we didn't.

Mrs. Stoker: We really must apologize for Rausch, Mr. Archer. He's our most devoted convert and I fear at times a little over-zealous.

Matthew Stoker: The Bibles, Mr. Archer.

Gilbert Archer: The money, Reverend. It will take me three days to get them, and I never work for less than four figures a day.

Matthew Stoker: Very well. Here is a retainer of $3,000. You will kindly sign a receipt, just to make the transaction legitimate, which of course it is.

Gilbert Archer: Where can I reach you?

Matthew Stoker: You can't, Mr. Archer. We'll reach you when necessary.

Gilbert Archer: The entire holy trio?

Matthew Stoker: Precisely. The balance will be paid after you have delivered the Bibles to us. In the meantime, remember this receipt, if you should decide to call the police. My dear...

[motioning for his wife to prepare to leave]

Matthew Stoker: Oh I wonder, Mr. Archer, if you would do me a slight favor.

Gilbert Archer: Now just name it, Reverend. After all, we'll in business together.

Matthew Stoker: Thank you. Would you be kind enough to mention in your column that the Reverend Matthew Stoker and his very charming wife are spending the season in New York? Thank you.

Gilbert Archer: Is this where you hold your Wednesday night prayer meetings?

Matthew Stoker: Oh no, Mr. Archer. On Wednesday nights, I preach at the mission.

Gilbert Archer: That I'd like to see. Good evening, Mrs. Stoker.

Mrs. Stoker: It's so nice of you to call, Mr. Archer.

Gilbert Archer: Well, Mr. Bradford. Now isn't this comfy?

Rev. George Bradford: You don't seem very surprised to find me here, Archer.

Gilbert Archer: Surprised? Mr. Bradford, I already had you pegged as a member of the unholy family.

Rev. George Bradford: Really? Since when?

Gilbert Archer: Since earlier this evening when we met at the hotel.

Matthew Stoker: Mr. Archer is a little late in putting two and two together, but he's a man of keen perception. And now, Mr. Archer, the Bible if you please.

Gilbert Archer: According to our deal, Mr. Helms was to confirm this transaction in person.

Rev. George Bradford: I assure you we're all most anxiously waiting for Mr. Helms. Rausch went to fetch him, and he should be here presently.

Gilbert Archer: Rausch?

[He notes that Stoker is carrying a gun]

Gilbert Archer: I wouldn't dream of quibbling.

Gilbert Archer: I'll make you a proposition. You want that missing page. I want information.

Mrs. Stoker: Information, Mr. Archer?

Gilbert Archer: Let me put it this way. I have a few theories I'd like to have you confirm.

Matthew Stoker: Mr. Archer, you've always found me a very reasonable man.

Gilbert Archer: You've been reasonable, Holy Joe, but not very bright. You thought I was in this for the money, but from the first I only wanted to find out one thing: Who murdered Father Walsh. You did, you and that trained ape of yours.

Mrs. Stoker: Isn't that interesting?

Gilbert Archer: You didn't intend to kill Father Walsh, but when you put Rausch to work on him, he got too rough.

Matthew Stoker: Brilliant, Mr. Archer!

Gilbert Archer: And then you hanged his dead body from a beam and made it appear that a priest of God had taken his own life. You, Bradford, you called me to your office to make sure that my apartment would be unoccupied. While you were searching it, Catherine Walsh arrived with the first Bible, and you killed Catherine Walsh. Those are the theories I wanted to verify. Well, let's go.

Rev. George Bradford: Not yet. We're waiting for Mr. Helms to confirm the transaction.

Gilbert Archer: I'm willing to forego that now.

Matthew Stoker: No, no. We wouldn't have you do that, Mr. Archer. We'll wait. You were so insistent upon seeing him.