Three Bells to Perdido - Recap

At the Hotel Carlton in San Francisco, the Chinese servant Hey Boy brings in the newspaper and Paladin picks up the most recent issue. After going through all the papers, he comes across an article about Jesse Reade, a rancher in New Mexico invading Perdido, Mexico. Reade is trying to recover his daughter, Nancy, who ran off with outlaw David Enderby. Perdido is an outlaw refuge and it's believed Enderby fled there. Reade and 26 of his men were repelled and only six of them came back. Paladin sends his card to Reade.

Sometime later in New Mexico, the injured Reade answers the door and discovers Paladin at his doorstep, arriving in response to his wire. Reade denies sending him a wire but his man Gotch comes in and admits he sent the wire. Paladin offers to recover Nancy and offers $1,000 when he brings back Enderby. Reade is skeptical and asks to see Paladin's gun. Once he has it, he boasts that Paladin is now helpless. Paladin removes a derringer from his belt, points it at Reade's head, and takes his gun back. Reade backs down and agrees to pay him, and then gives him directions to Perdido, a half day's ride.



Paladin crosses the Rio Grande but is soon spotted and the observer sounds an alarm. Paladin continues on into Perdido and tips a man to tell him where Enderby can be found. The man notes that people come to Perdido to be safe and Paladin turns over his guns before going into the cantina. Enderby and a friend are competing at knifethrowing and the friend asks for Enderby's knife. Enderby asks Paladin if that's reasonable and Paladin refuses to get involved. When Enderby attacks his friend, the bartender intervenes and warns that fighting between visitors isn't allowed. Enderby backs down and lets his opponent use his knife... and then threatens to stab him in the back. Enderby turns back to Paladin and admits who he is, and then pulls a gun on Paladin. Paladin tells him he'll be taking him back and explains that Reade wants him alive. He figures that the villagers are probably sick enough of him to let him go. Enderby directs him to see Nancy, figuring she'll be amused.



Outside, Paladin notices that another man, Mayor O'Brien, has taken his guns. O'Brien points out the town bell, a former church bell, and rings when someone leaves for good. Enderby says that Paladin won't be leaving, and O'Brien insists that his job is to keep things peaceful.

Paladin has a meal with Enderby and Nancy, and she explains that she followed her husband. She figures that Reade wants to pit Paladin against Enderby because the rancher has never liked his son-in-law. Nancy warns that Paladin won't get her back, but Enderby notes that Paladin is there for him and doesn't want to see Nancy. Paladin points out that Enderby and his men shot Reade, but the outlaw insists that he told his men to spare Nancy's father. Enderby denies it and Paladin wonders who she believes, and Nancy believes in her husband. When Paladin taunts Enderby, the outlaw sends Nancy inside. The gunfighter taunts him further, accusing him of being a coward and saying he couldn't finish anyone face-to-face. Enderby throws his knife and Paladin blocks it with his chair, punches Enderby, and takes his guns. Nancy runs out and Paladin tells her that he's taking her home. When she refuses, Paladin prepares to shoot Enderby and Nancy agrees to go and gives her word there'll be no trouble.



Paladin and Nancy ride out of town and find O'Brien waiting for them. He admits that he couldn't take Enderby and Nancy says that she'll be escorting him out. O'Brien wishes him well and they ride out past the sentries. However, the bell rings and a sentry opens fire. Paladin shoots him down and they gallop away. When they stop briefly, Nancy warns that Enderby will catch up to them. She drops her handkerchief but Paladin notices. Later, she drops her glove, leaving a trail.

Come the morning, Paladin tells her Enderby should catch up to them and points out that he's known all along she's been leaving a trail. He explains that Enderby wants her back simply because she's a possession, and no one takes anything from him. Enderby sneaks up as Nancy asks for the truth. Paladin tells her that Enderby tries to shoot her father in the back. She notices Enderby and Paladin notices her seeing her husband. He grabs her and ducks into the brush as Enderby opens fire. Nancy insists that Enderby loves her and runs to him, but he opens fire. Only Paladin's quick action saves her when he pulls her back to cover. Paladin tells her to stay put while he goes after Enderby. Paladin runs up into the hills after the outlaw. The man trips and turns to aim, only to find Paladin ready. The gunslinger dares him to try and Enderby surrenders.



Paladin delivers Enderby to Reade and demands his payment. The rancher is eager to shoot Enderby but Paladin insists that the outlaw stand trial and tells Reade his daughter is outside. The rancher runs outside and gruffly tells her that she should come into her house. The two embrace, reconciling their differences. Inside, Paladin wonders how Enderby could have given up someone who loved him, and takes him away to the marshal.



Later, Paladin returns to the Hotel Carlton and tells Hey Boy that his business trip was a pleasure. He notices a man going by and recognizes him as a card shark, and figures he'll sit in on the game. As he goes upstairs, an attractive woman passes nearby and Paladin whispers something amusing to her.

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