Old Time Radio Mysteries and More

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The Chief of Detectives is giving the reporters a statement about the fifty thousand dollars worth of jewels stolen from a house in the Hollywood Hills. The Chief says "It was a simple as ABC. We knew it was an inside job, because there's no sign of forced entry. Whoever did it, got in the house with an ordinary house key, and not only that, but we found a screwdriver under a chair that matched up with the marks on the jewel drawer where he jimmied it open. We know that screwdriver came out of one of the family cars, so we started looking around. There's a maid, a cook, a chauffeur, and a gardener. We looked up their records, and found out this chauffer is an ex-con who served two terms for burglary. There you are. He wasn't very smart". It seemed very simple. It made no difference that the chauffeur swore that he had nothing to do with it, and that he'd been trying to go straight. Meanwhile, in a little room over First Avenue, a young, tough, Sammy Copeland is waiting for his business partner, Albert Easily, to arrive. Sammy is pacing the floor, and peeking out around a drawn blind. and getting nervous. When Albert finally arrives, Sammy says "It took you long enough. Where you been?" Albert says "Relax, you're in the big time now. You can't just dump fifty thousand in hot rocks like you pawn a watch. It takes a little time and some diplomacy. You have to sit down and chat with the fence for a while, be sociable. Here, pull up a chair". Sammy says "Nuts. The main thing is did you get it?" Albert says "It's all here, right in the briefcase". Albert opens it up and says "How do you like it?" Sammy says "Yeah, yeah. Look at it. Fifty thousand clams!" Albert says "Fifty thousand? That shows your inexperience, son. There's only thirty thousand here". Sammy says "Thirty? But you said those rocks were worth fifty!" Albert says "Sure they are, but you don't think a fence will give you the full value on hot rocks. He's taking a risk, too, and got to have some profit". Sammy says "Oh, yeah? How do I know you ain't got the other twenty cached out somewhere?"

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In the ornate drawing room of the Walters Mansion, in the East 60s area of Manhattan, Mrs. Walters, a middle-aged patrician, shivers a little, despite the summer heat. A strange fear shows in her voice as she says to the person across from her "I can't believe that you, of all people, would do this to me. My husband trusted you and so did I. And now I find that you've been stealing from me. Don't deny it, you've been stealing. Oh, uh, really, this makes me ill. Where are those soda mint tablets? The ones you gave me the other day. Oh, there on the mantle. Give them to me, please. Thank you. They always help". As Mrs. Walters takes some, she says "That's strange, they taste so bitter". As a panicked look appears on her face, she says "What have you given me? What have you given me? Help me .... help ...." Mrs. Walters falls to the floor!. Mrs. Newell, the housekeeper, says "Mrs. Walters! ... Mrs. Walters, answer me!" Just then, the Walters' daughter, Phyllis, enters the room and says "Mrs. Newell, what's the matter? What is it? Why did you .... mother!" Mrs. Newell says "Oh, Miss Phyllis, don't look. Please don't look. Her face! Miss Phyllis, I'm afraid your mother is dead!" The next day, at Central Headquarters, Mr. Chameleon has just walked into the Police Commissioner's office, and says "Hello Commissioner, do you want to see me?" Commissioner says "Yes, Chameleon, I have some news for you". Chameleon says "Oh? Bad, no doubt". Commissioner says "Bad for Mrs. Harrison P. Walters. She's dead. Committed suicide". Chameleon says "What? I can't believe that". Commissioner asks "Is that your considered judgment?" Chameleon says "Well, it's my unconsidered judgment. I saw her just last night at the St. Regis Hotel with her daughter and a Mr. Lucas. I went over to her table. She seemed perfectly healthy, and perfectly happy. How'd she do it?" Commissioner says "Poison. It seems, for some time, she'd been carrying these pills around with her that everyone thought were soda mints. It turned out they weren't".

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In the ornate drawing room of the Walters Mansion, in the East 60s area of Manhattan, Mrs. Walters, a middle-aged patrician, shivers a little, despite the summer heat. A strange fear shows in her voice as she says to the person across from her "I can't believe that you, of all people, would do this to me. My husband trusted you and so did I. And now I find that you've been stealing from me. Don't deny it, you've been stealing. Oh, uh, really, this makes me ill. Where are those soda mint tablets? The ones you gave me the other day. Oh, there on the mantle. Give them to me, please. Thank you. They always help". As Mrs. Walters takes some, she says "That's strange, they taste so bitter". As a panicked look appears on her face, she says "What have you given me? What have you given me? Help me .... help ...." Mrs. Walters falls to the floor!. Mrs. Newell, the housekeeper, says "Mrs. Walters! ... Mrs. Walters, answer me!" Just then, the Walters' daughter, Phyllis, enters the room and says "Mrs. Newell, what's the matter? What is it? Why did you .... mother!" Mrs. Newell says "Oh, Miss Phyllis, don't look. Please don't look. Her face! Miss Phyllis, I'm afraid your mother is dead!" The next day, at Central Headquarters, Mr. Chameleon has just walked into the Police Commissioner's office, and says "Hello Commissioner, do you want to see me?" Commissioner says "Yes, Chameleon, I have some news for you". Chameleon says "Oh? Bad, no doubt". Commissioner says "Bad for Mrs. Harrison P. Walters. She's dead. Committed suicide". Chameleon says "What? I can't believe that". Commissioner asks "Is that your considered judgment?" Chameleon says "Well, it's my unconsidered judgment. I saw her just last night at the St. Regis Hotel with her daughter and a Mr. Lucas. I went over to her table. She seemed perfectly healthy, and perfectly happy. How'd she do it?" Commissioner says "Poison. It seems, for some time, she'd been carrying these pills around with her that everyone thought were soda mints. It turned out they weren't".

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It was Scotty and Eve's first day in Havana. They had taken a horse drawn carriage taxi, and spent the afternoon driving around to see the sights. In the Chinatown area, they stopped at a little curiosity shop. Eve was always crazy about jade. They made a few purchases, and started back toward the main part of the town. It was getting dark, and Eve snuggled up close to Scotty in the carriage and says "It's been a wonderful day, Scotty. I was scared at first. A couple of times I thought I saw him in the crowds there, in Chinatown. I guess it was just my imagination". Scotty says "Sure it was. He wouldn't try any rough stuff this far from his home base". Eve says "He said he'd get me if I ever left him, no matter where I went". Scotty says "Well, he sent us a radiogram wishing us luck". Eve says "Yes, that's what worries me. He didn't say which kind of luck". The coachman stops the carriage near a cantina. Scotty asks "Hey, what's this driver? he says "Sloppy Joe's, senor. Big attraction of Havana". Scotty says "Of course, want to go in, darling?" Eve says "Why not? We can only die once". So, Scotty paid the coachman and they went into Sloppy Joe's. The place was jammed full of people and so noisy they couldn't hear themselves think. It was like a football scrimmage when they moved, and like sardines in a can when they stood still. Then, suddenly the crowd parted in front of them like the Red Sea. A little photographer came through using an old-fashioned tripod for a battering ram. He set up his camera and pointed it in Scotty and Eve's direction. He says "The senor and the lady would like a picture for to show the friends back in the states?" Eve says "Oh, please, Scotty. We've never had a picture taken together". Scotty says "Go ahead". As the picture is taken, Eve lets out a groan. Scotty says "He's taken it. Come on, honey. Everyone is looking at us". Eve says "Give me time". Scotty says "What is it? Why are you limp? Darling, what happened? Eve?" Scotty looks at the crowd and says "Somebody do something! She's been knifed here in my arms!"

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A man known to be a busybody is talking to Inspector James Waters of Scotland Yard. Waters did not care for the man and sat scribbling aimless words on a block of yellow paper as he talked. The man says "I fully realize it's none of my business, Inspector Waters, but I feel it my duty as a British subject, sir". Waters says "Go on, please". The man says "In my opinion, he's murdered her". Waters says "Oh, come now". The man says "Bare with me, Inspector". Waters says "I am listening, sir". The man says "First of all, reflect that they have been on bad terms for a long time". Waters says "So, you said". The man says "So, he had plenty of uh what do you call it? Motive?" Waters says "Motive. Yes". The man says "So, you see?". Waters says "I'm afraid I don't, sir. What you have is the information he has given you, that his wife was visiting relatives in America, in Los Angeles. He said that his wife died there and was buried in Los Angeles". The man says "That is true". Waters says "Well?" The man says "I believe he murdered her and hid the body". Waters says "But my dear sir, there's no evidence that he .... " The man says "Pardon me sir, but there is". Waters asks "What?" The man says "Well, first the evidence that he requested her friends, including myself, to send no cards, no floral offerings, whatever, to him, in memory of his wife. Well, I think you will agree, that is a little strange". Waters says "Yes, but ...." The man says "And second, the fact that I've lately returned from America myself. I interrupted my business trip, sir, to Los Angeles, to call upon her mother and offer my condolences. I was informed by her mother, sir, that the woman had not been in Los Angeles for more than four years". That bit of information prompted Inspector Waters to make a call on the widower at his home in Camden Town, Number 39, Hilltop Crescent. A battered tin sign bearing his name was tacked under the door, Dr. Edward Walton Harvey.

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Ken Thurston and the Chief of the Intelligence Bureau are discussing the latest information concerning the country of Haiti, and, in particular, it's capital city of Port-au-Prince. Ken says "There has been five assassinations in the last three weeks, and every one of the victims have been a government official. I just phoned the Haitian council a few minutes ago, Chief. They said the whole island's in a turmoil down there". Chief says "Well, what gets me, Ken, is this business about zombies, the walking dead. Why, it's right out of a dime novel. It's ridiculous". Ken says "All right, Chief. You don't believe in zombies and I don't. But a lot of the natives in Haiti do, and that's the point". Chief says "Oh, I know there's still plenty of superstition left in the world, but this whole thing just doesn't make sense". Ken says "I've seen it done before in Salon, the Sudan, India. It's a matter of hypnotism and drugs. It creates a perfect assassin with no thought for his own safety and only one idea in mind, to kill". Chief asks "But why? Assuming somebody is doing this in Haiti, why?" Ken says "Well, all the victims have been government officials. It looks like an attack on the government itself". Chief says "Yeah, and the little hot spots have a habit of turning into big ones. Sure. Serbia, Spain. All right, Ken. Go to it". Ken says "Somebody stands to profit by this. The problem is to find out who. And the answer? Well, I guess I better look for it in Haiti. So long, Chief". After landing in Port-au-Prince, Ken is approached by a man that says "Pardon me, sir. Are you Mr. Ken Thurston?" Ken says "Yes, that's right". The man says "Captain Andreas at your service, sir. I've been assigned to escort you to General Brock". Ken says "General Brock?" Andreas says "The general commands the Department of Police and Military Affairs". Ken says "Oh, yes. Tell me, have there been any new developments?" Andreas says "No, sir. Not since his excellency, the finance minister, was killed in front of the government building two days ago".

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It's Sunday evening in New York. Joe Greco, Danny Bell, and William Palmer are sitting in the rear booth of the Pelican Club, Palmer says "Well, of course, the big thing in our favor is the element of surprise. Webber won't be expecting any opposition". Danny says "Yeah, that's smart operating, Palmer. We pulled the same deal in Saint Louis". Palmer says "Oh, did you, Danny?" He says "Oh, sure, I just walked into this guy's place and gave him twenty four hours to leave. He left in four". Palmer says "They play awfully rough in Saint Louis". Joe says "Maybe this league won't be fast enough for him, Boss". Palmer says "There's always that possibility". Danny says "Well, I remember one time ...." Palmer says "As much as I'd love to hear you reminisce, Danny, I'm afraid it's uh, getting late". Danny says "Oh, oh well, that's okay. Just remind me to tell you sometime about Lefty Wilson". Palmer says "Uh, yeah, I'll make a note of that. But, getting back to Webber ...." Danny says "Uh, you don't have to draw me a diagram, Palmer, I got the picture already. This Webber gets the big gambling play from the society crowd, and you want it". Palmer says "Very much so". Danny says "Okay, I'll have a little talk with the man". Palmer says "Oh I don't doubt that you're a brilliant conversationalist, Danny, but Mr. Webber is also gifted. Let's assume that nothing you say moves him. What's you next step?" Danny says "Well we, uh, we take over". Palmer laughs a little and says "You see, Greco, nothing baffles him. We just take over". Danny says "Yeah". Palmer says "Wonderful. When can we expect this eviction to take place?" Danny says "Hey now, wait a minute". Palmer says "Don't tell me that you haven't an answer for that?" Danny says "Well, don't forget I'm a newcomer in town". Palmer says "Oh I've got news for you, Danny. The people in New York are exactly like those in Saint Louis. They eat, they sleep, they breathe, and a little .38 caliber slug can stop all those vital functions".

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It was Monday, February 17th, and raining in Los Angeles. Detective Sergeants Joe Friday and Ben Romero were working the day watch out of homicide detail. At 4:18 PM they meet with Thad Brown, Chief of Detectives, in Room 26. Also present at that meeting are Captain Steed, Special Agent Ray Kimball, and his friend, Mr. Trudeau. After the introductions, Thad Brown says "Gentlemen, Mr. Kimball and Mr. Trudeau here have some important information to give us. Mr. Trudeau, would you like to repeat for these officers what you told us a few moments ago?" Trudeau says "Yes, sir. Well, a friend of mine wants me to kill his wife for him. I'm convinced he means to go through with the thing". Thad Brown says "Naturally, it goes without saying that Kimball here will back up the veracity of his story". Ben asks "Well, Mr. Trudeau, who is your friend?" Trudeau says "His name's Charles Stone. He owns a string of warehouses around town. I used to work for him. Well, the other day, he called me and asked me if I was working. I told him no. Then he asked me to meet him in front of the public library. That was last Saturday afternoon". Joe asks "Did you meet him?" Trudeau says "Yes, I did. He took me to a bar in the neighborhood, and started telling me all about his troubles at home. He said his wife was running around with other men. Well, we had quite a few drinks and I guess I thought that's what accounted for it". Ben asks "What's that Mr. Trudeau?" He says "Well, he leaned toward me and he said, here's the dough. The wife and I haven't been getting along well at all for about a year. She's stepping out with some other guy on me and, to make a long story short, well that's when he told me. He said, I want to lose her. I told him I didn't quite get the drift of the thing and then he said I want my wife killed. I'll pay a thousand dollars for the job". Ben says "Do you have you any idea why he contacted you on this thing?" Trudeau says "Well, I don't know other than the fact that I hadn't been able to work for some time. He knew I needed the money pretty badly".

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The police received information as to the whereabouts of two convicted murderers, Dawson and Murdoch. At 3:00 AM, Faraday and his men are closing in on them in an upstairs room of a cheap rooming house. Faraday says "Quiet, you guys. You want to send them a telegram that we're coming after them?" Officer Smith says "Yeah, sorry Inspector Faraday, the stairs creaked". Faraday says "Yeah, your brain would be creaking if you had one. Those two mugs we're after are killers". Smith says "Yeah, I know that, Inspector. I don't think they heard us". Faraday says "I don't think so either. There'd be lead pouring down on us by now. Okay, here's the landing, and that's the door. Get to work on it with your pass key and don't make any noise". Smith says "Yeah, all right, Inspector. They're probably asleep anyhow. It's 3:00 AM, and we know they went upstairs about midnight". Faraday says "Never mind what they are, just get that door open. You sure you've got the right key?" Smith says "Yes, it'll work Inspector Faraday. I tried it this afternoon while Dawson and Murdoch were out. Yeah, this is the one, all right. Faraday says "Okay men, not a sound now. This is it. As soon as the door is open, make a beeline for that bed. Remember the two men in it will shoot if they get a chance. See that they don't get the chance. Go to work, Smith". A few seconds later, a click is heard. Smith says "There. The lock turned, Inspector. I'll open the door". They take a few steps inside. Faraday says "Get a look at those two. Sleeping as if they didn't have a care in the world". Faraday looks back at his men and loudly says "Okay boys, go get them". The officers rush in. Soon, an officer says "All right, we got them, inspector Faraday. Both of them handcuffed". Faraday says "Good. Drag them out of here and down to the jail". As Dawson is being lead out, Faraday says "Well, Dawson. We finally got you, huh?" Dawson says "You think so, flatfoot? There isn't a jail in this town or country strong enough to hold me and Murdoch".

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Walking into the Commissioner's office, Steve says "Morning, Commissioner. Ruth said you had an assignment for me". The Commissioner says "I do, Steve, and I suppose you were all tied up with a big deal". Steve says "Well, let's just call it a pet project". Commissioner says "Steve, ever hear of the name Captain Jaeger?" Steve says "Sure, he's supposed to be a notorious character in the China seas, sort of an American soldier of fortune, or I should say, sailor of fortune. He operates a string of small boats and does just about anything for a buck". Commissioner says "That's the story all right". Steve says "Supposedly, he runs guns and other contraband to ports on the China coast, but we can never get the goods on him". Commissioner says "Well, you're up to date on Captain Jaeger, all right. Steve, we're going to use Captain Jaeger to nail whoever is financing the entire contraband operation". Steve says "Then this Captain Jaeger just runs this string of smuggling boats, huh?" Commissioner says "Yeah, you might put it like that. Captain Jaeger's personal boat is supposed to be a rusty old steamer named the Shanghai Lady". Steve says "Look, Commissioner, this is all pretty vague. Captain Jaeger's ship is named the Shanghai Lady, and we're gonna use Jaeger to nail the brains of the operation. But, how? Where do I start? Who do I work with?" Commissioner says "You report to Naval Intelligence at Luzon in the Philippines, Steve". He says "Uh huh, hey, you know there's a very peculiar gleam in your eye, Commissioner. He says "Who, me?" Steve says "Yeah, you. There's a lot you haven't told me about this deal". Commissioner says "I've told you all I can at this stage of the operation, Steve. Naval Intelligence in the Philippines will take it from there, and your plane leaves in just one hour. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment, Steve. Good luck".

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Slate and Saylor are taking a ride in the Bold Venture around the harbor. Slate says "And to Lourdes, Saylor, we see Morro Castle, the famous fort guarding the entrance to Havana Harbor. It was constructed in 1589, and contains many interesting and exciting relics of the past". Saylor says "Oh, shut up". Slate laughs a little and says "What's the matter with you? I take you for a moonlight ride aboard the Bold Venture, point out the places of scenic interest, and give you choice bits of information. It develops the mind. Where else could you get all this gratis?" Saylor says "All this gratis I could get by curling up in my downy bed with a circular". Slate says "All right, Saylor, what do you expect from a man who takes you for a boat ride around the harbor? You expect him to anchor and.... " Noticing a boat heading toward them, Slate says "Hey, hey, look at that maniac". Saylor says "He's trying to run us down". Slate says "It's not a he, it's a she, just standing at the wheel headed for us". Saylor says "That crazy fool, doesn't she know ...." A loud crash is heard! Slate says 'She slammed her boat into the sea wall, let's go!" Saylor says "Folded it up like an accordion, that girl must be...." Slate says "I'm going in after her" and jumps into the water. After a few seconds, Saylor asks "Do you got her, Slate?" He says "Yeah. I'll hand her up to you, just hold her arms until I get aboard". Slate climbs back onto his boat, and says "Okay, here, I'll take her". Slate pulls her on board, and says "Such a beautiful girl". Saylor says "Don't just stand there admiring her, she's nearly drowned". Slate says "It's worse than that". Saylor says "She drowned?" Slate says "Look, this mark on the front of her head. It's probably from the crash. My guess is that's what did it". Saylor says "She is beautiful, and to have died like this". Slate says "To kill herself like that, for what reason, Saylor?"

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As Lieutenant Ben Guthrie walks into the lineup viewing area, Sergeant Quine says "Lieutenant, here's Mr. Bomash". Ben says "Oh, how do you do, Mr. Bomash?" He says "Still a little nervous, Lieutenant". Ben says "Why, sure you are. Uh, we can sit right here". Bomash says "This isn't exactly the kind of day I want to remember". Quine says "Need me, Lieutenant?" Ben says "No, thanks". Quine says "I'll see you then. Goodbye, Mr. Bomash". He says "Oh, goodbye, Sergeant. I wish he had been at my place this afternoon when it happened". Ben says "Yeah, so do I. Mr. Bomash, we picked up a couple of men in the neighborhood that you might recognize. Now just take your time, and look them over". Bomash says "I do my best, but you know how it was". Ben says "Yeah, sure". As Sergeant Matt Grebb starts the lineup instructions for the witnesses, Bomash asks "Is that the officer that was with you?" Ben says "Yeah, Sergeant Grebb". Once the instructions are finished, the actual lineup procedure begins. After the first suspect starts answering questions, Ben says "How about it, Mr. Bomash?" He says "No, he is too tall". The second suspect answers some questions, then Grebb moves on to number three. Ben says "How about that one?" Bomash says "No, that isn't him either". After a few seconds, Bomash asks "Lieutenant, didn't you say the same men held up another loan office?" Ben says "Yeah, the day before yesterday". Bomash asks "Why isn't the other man who was robbed here tonight?" Ben says "He was killed, Mr. Bomash". The next day, Ben is in his office when Grebb walks in. Ben says "Hi Matt". Grebb says "Morning, Ben. Well, Bomash didn't do us any good last night, huh?" Ben says "Nothing. Those guys sure know what their doing. They tell them to turn around and face the wall before anyone gets a peek. One of them is called "Orchid". They robbed two loan offices and killed one man".

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In a large, well furnished, suburban house, Edna is making a hurried telephone call to her sister, Betsy, in a state of apparent fear and excitement. Betsy says "Hello?". Edna says "Betsy, this is Edna". Betsy says "Oh, hello, dear. I was waiting for your call. Have you moved into your new house?" Edna says "Yes, I moved in an hour ago. Betsy, can you come over here immediately?" Betsy asks "What's the matter, Edna? You sound nervous". Edna says "I am. I can't explain. I'm not sure of what I've found yet, but I wish you'd come over. I'm frightened". Betsy says "I'll be there in fifteen minutes". Edna says "All right", and hangs up the phone. Edna says to herself "I hope Betsy comes right over". Suddenly, she sees someone and screams "No! No, don't! Let me go! Don't kill me! Don't! ...." The next morning, Betsy appears at Mr. Keen's office. Keen asks "Do you want to see me, Miss?" She says "Yes. My name is Betsy Harlow. I've come to you for help, because I'm terribly worried about my sister, Edna. Something's happened to her, I just know it". Keen says "Take it easy now". He turns to Mike and says "Would you bring over a chair for Miss Harlow?" Mike says "Why sure, boss. Betsy sits down and says "I'd have gone to the police, only I'm not certain what happened. I looked throughout the house, but everything was in order. I've been up all night hoping I'd hear from Edna". Keen asks "Your sister has disappeared, Miss Harlow?" She says "Completely, Mr. Keen. Edna phoned me yesterday about 6.30 in the evening. She just moved into a new house she rented on Wilson Drive. When she phoned, she seemed to be very worried about something. She asked me to come right over to her house, and she'd explain. When I got there, the house was dark. I kept ringing the doorbell for half an hour, and then managed to find a window on the ground floor that was unlocked. That's how I got in and searched the place. Keen asks "What did you find, Miss Harlow? Wasn't your sister there?" Betsy says "No, Mr. Keen. There wasn't a trace of Edna".

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At 6:30 PM, March 13th, at the Judd Wilkins ranch house, it is raining heavily. Judd and Alvin Briggs, from a neighboring ranch, finish their dinner. Alvin says "Rain sure coming down, Judd". He says "Yeah. You're welcome to stay the night here if you want to". Alvin says "No, thanks. I got to get back to my own place tonight. I told the kid who's been doing my chores over there for the last three days that I'd meet him in the morning to pay him". Judd says "I sure appreciate you helping me and Billings vaccinate the cattle. I'm planning on doing the same for you at your place when you're ready". Alvin says "I'll be ready in a couple of days, I reckon". Suddenly, the front door opens. Judd says "Hey, the wind must have blown open the ...." Blake Wilkins, Judd's half brother, comes walking in, and says "Hello, Judd". Judd says "Blake?" He says "Yeah. Hello, Alvin. Well, you don't see none too happy to see me either, Judd". Judd says "Well, no, it's just it's a big surprise, you're popping up this way after two years, boy. Of course, I'm glad to see you, you're my brother ain't you?" Blake says "Oh, yeah". Alvin asks "Where's Kelly? Where's my daughter?" Blake says "Didn't you hear?" Alvin says "Hear what?" Blake says "Kelly and me, we split up. We split up in Dallas. I thought you knew". Alvin gets angry and says "You get her to run away with you, and then when you're through with her you toss her to one side?" Blake says "No, that ain't true. That ain't the way of it". Alvin gets up and grabs Blake, and starts to fight with him!" Judd says "Alvin, cut it out. Take your hands off Blake! Stop it now!" Alvin says "Blake, I'll get you. If you wasn't your Pa's boy ...." Blake says "You've got to listen to me!" Alvin says "Just stay away from me, from now on" and leaves the house. Blake asks Judd "How come Alvin didn't know about Kelly and me?" Judd says "Well, you see ...." Blake says "I wrote here to Pa, right after we split up. I told him the whole story in that letter. Kelly was just using me to get away from home. She left me as soon as she found somebody else who could do her more good".

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In most any small coal mining town, a pretty young woman stands out in sharp and refreshing relief against the dinginess of the community. And often she is the target for the idol gossip of the envious. In this particular mining village in Ohio, the pretty young woman was Mary Clifton, whose husband John always drank too much beer at the corner bar, and sometimes got wind of too much gossip. Tonight, as usual, Mary has put supper in the warming oven while waiting for John to return home. John comes in and says "Mary?" She says "I'm right here. John". He says "Oh, is supper ready?" Mary says "Yes. Let me have your dinner pail, dear". John says "I can take care of myself. And don't call me that". Mary says "Call you what?" John says "Dear. Let me have your dinner pail, dear. Supper's ready, dear". Mary says "John, please". John says "You know why I don't like the word? It's because I know that's what you call him, too". Mary says "Who are you talking about?" John says "Jim Monroe". Mary says "Yes. He came to see you". John says "Don't give me that. Everybody in town knows who he comes to see. He's in love with you". Mary says "John, don't say that". John says "Everybody in town is saying it". Mary says "Now look, you've been drinking". John says "That's what you always say when I start talking about you and him. You don't like to hear me talk about it, but you do like it when he comes here to see you". Mary says "Stop it, John. I can't stand this". John says "But, you can stand him loving you, can't you? Can't you?" John slaps Mary across her face. Mary says "Thank you, John, for helping me get hold of myself so I can tell you something". John says "What?" Mary says "I'm leaving. Through the years we've been married, you've done everything possible to kill the love we had. I'm leaving tonight". John says "Oh, no. You're not leaving".

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Randy Stone got up early today because he wanted to see what the afternoon sun felt like. Anyone who has ever worked the overnight shift knows all about that. The sun felt good, but lonely, so he dropped into the reporter's room with the receiving hospital to see if he could find a poker game. He couldn't even find a reporter, as they were all out chasing a local fire. As he was leaving, he spots a couple of familiar faces through the open door of the examination room. One of them says "Hey, Randy". There were a couple of young doctors that Randy knew as Ed and Herb. There was a third person in the room lying on the examination table. Herb says "Come on in, Randy". Randy says "Oh sure. Hi". Herb says "You want to hear troubles? Get a load of Eddie". Ed says "Can you believe it? Dinner and the theater, not just dinner, not just the theater, both. And she gives me that dodge about I just have to get up early for work tomorrow". Herb says "Okay, so next time you'll ask questions first and then spend money. What are you doing around here, Randy?" He says "Listening to people's troubles". Herb says "Yeah. This guy on the table, he's got troubles". Randy asks "Is he your patient?" Ed says "Yeah, he's our patient, temporarily". Randy asks "What happened?" Ed says "Gunshot wound in the head". Randy asks "Suicide?" Herb says "Well, if it was, he must have swallowed the gun". The delirious patient calls out for someone named "Lorraine". Ed says to him "You'll be all right". Herb says "Randy, we better talk over here". They step away from the patient, and Randy asks "Is he gonna die?" Herb says "Maybe. I don't know. We've done what we can. Maybe Reynolds can save him". Randy says "Reynolds?" Herb says "Brain surgeon, the best. We've got a call in for him". Randy asks "Who shot him?" Herb says "Who knows? If you want the story, I'll tell you what I know".

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Early afternoon at the Blue Note Cafe, Ethelbert, the head bartender, is engaged in conversation with a rather weak looking young man named Archie Purcell and a very good-looking young woman named Miss Mildred Sells. The street door opens, and Casey and Miss Anne Williams come in from the cold weather. Ethelbert says "Well, look who's here". Casey and Miss Williams says "Hi Ethelbert". Archie says "Casey!" He says "Well, dog gone, how are you, Archie?" He says "Fine, and you?" Casey says "I'll feel better when Spring comes". Mildred says "Don't you remember me, Casey?" He says "Mildred. Say you look like a million in that mink coat". Ethelbert says "I gather you know these folks". Casey says "I've known Archie ever since he was a punk in grammar school, and Miss Sells here ...." Mildred says "Our acquaintance goes back only a few years, to the Warren affair". After introducing Miss Williams to Mildred and Archie, Casey says "Annie, you know Archie's father. He's one of our favorite cops". Anne says "Not Lieutenant Purcell?" Archie says "He's my old man". Anne says "We have a great admiration for your father". Archie says "Yeah, he's quite a guy". Casey says "They don't come any better". Archie says "Well, Miss Sells and I must be running along. We have a date. It was nice meeting you, Miss Williams. See you again, Casey". As they leave, Ethelbert says "There goes one beautiful babe, Casey". He says "Yeah, she's dynamite, too. I mean that literally. You know, she's a stooge for Old Iron Hat". Ethelbert says "Tim Lansing?" Anne says "The political leader?" Casey says "Yes, the Boss. The crook under the old fashioned derby who protects professional gambling in this mid-town section".

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Johnny receives a call from George Reed, who worked in the Hartford-based North American offices of Floyd's of England Insurance Company. Johnny says "Oh, hello George. How's Floyds of England doing these days?" George says "Well, if payments keep coming the way they started this morning, the company will go broke". Johnny asks "What's that mean?" George says "One of our old clients. Quite a character, by the way". Johnny says "Oh no. Wait, George. For just once give me a case involving some nice, ordinary, normal person. First, it was that old fuss budget Jodiah Gillis. Then, it was big bad Michael Meanie who thought he owned half the state of Louisiana". George says "Well, yes, I know, but compared to them, Durango Laramie Dalhart is as normal as they come". Johnny says "Durango what?" George says "Except for one thing, of course. The payment of his insurance premium this morning". Johnny asks "What was the matter with it?" George says "He paid 4,500, in hundred dollar bills. They're still here on my desk". Johnny says "Hundred dollar bills? You call this character normal?" George says "Listen, will you? Every one of these bills is counterfeit". Johnny says "Oh, I'll be right over". In a few minutes, Johnny arrives at George's office. he walked in to find George staring grimly at a pile of paper money spread around on the top of his desk. George says "Well, there they are, Johnny. Forty five one hundred bills. And every one of them is phony as I've ever seen. Look at them". Johnny says "Yeah. I see what you mean. Whoever turned these out didn't even have sense enough to use the proper kind of ink. It looks like he must have diluted it". George says "Yeah. You ever seen such washed out looking money in all your life?" Johnny says "He used good, tough paper though. Just like the real McCoy". Studying the bills more closely, Johnny says "Well, this is unusual for counterfeit". George asks "What?" Johnny says "Well, they've all been printed up with different serial numbers. Counterfeits usually have the same number on all the bills".

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Barrie Craig was in his office on Madison Avenue when the telephone rang. he picks up the receiver and says "Barrie Craig speaking". The voice on the line says "Barrie, this is Mark Reed". Barrie says "Mark, I haven't heard from you in a ...." Mark says "Listen, I don't have much time. Can you get down here, right away?" Barrie asks "Get down where?" Mark says "My house. The old Tower House, right outside Dorning. That's upstate". Barrie says "Well, I've driven through Dorning". Mark says "Don't drive. There's a train at midnight. It's faster". Barrie asks "What's my hurry?" Mark says "Take that train tonight. Please, Barrie". He asks "But, why?" Mark says "I can't say anymore, so long" and hangs up the phone. Barrie says "Mark, Mark?, hmmm". Barrie knew Mark for quite a few years, and he didn't seem to be the imaginative type. Later that night, before getting onboard the train, Barrie asks the conductor "How long before we get to Dorning?" The conductor says "An hour, or so". Barrie says "The train's kind of empty". Conductor says "Not many people on the late run. Makes it nice and quiet". Barrie says "And dull". Conductor says "The observation platform back of the train gives you a better view". Barrie says "Of nothing". Conductor says "Oh, I wouldn't say that. There's a blonde girl been there ever since we pulled out of the city. I ain't trying to promote romance, but I'm a little worried about her". Barrie asks "Why?" Conductor says "The way she looked, frightened sort of. She's actually stayed out there all alone for hours now". Barrie says "Maybe I'll go back and see if the moon looks the same from the observation platform". Conductor says "Well, I think that might be a good idea, only uh one thing I maybe ought to tell you". Barrie asks "What's that?" Conductor says "She was carrying her ticket in her handbag. When she opened it to get the ticket, I noticed she was carrying something else in that handbag". Barrie asks "What?" Conductor says "A gun".

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Rocky shut down the Tambourine about 11:00 o'clock that night. He had just gotten into bed in his room upstairs for some extra sleep, when he heard the roar of motor cars coming down the street. He looked out the open window as two identical sedans break to a stop directly in front of the Tambourine. The doors flew open, and a dozen uniformed men scrambled out. One of them started barking orders. Rocky was already throwing on a robe when a big slamming sound opened up at the front door. He hurries down and says "Cut the racket. I'll get there". Rocky opens the door and says "Yeah, what's it about?" A government official says "Put on your clothes, Mr. Jordan. You're coming with us". Rocky says "It takes a warrant, buster". The official says "As you wish. Read that quickly". Rocky says "Foreign ministry?" The official says "Precisely, Mr. Jordan. The Egyptian government does not like to be kept waiting". A few minutes later, Rocky was in the back seat of the lead car. All of his questions were met with a stony silence. Whatever this was about, they were making it look big. Reaching the governmental center, the car slowed and soon rolled up to the big foreign ministry building. Guards took Rocky out of the car, and escorted him into the building. They marched him down a long, marble floored corridor. At the far end, they ushered Rocky through a door and into a small anteroom. The guards left, locking the door behind them. After an hour of waiting, the door to the inner office opened. Another guard beckoned Rocky inside. Seated behind a huge desk was a spectacled Egyptian official. The nameplate read "Herod Bey". After asking Rocky some questions that seemed accusatory about his time in Egypt, Herod says "In this envelope, Mr. Jordan, is a one-way flight ticket to New York City. A TWA plane leaves the Cairo airport at three o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I suggest that you be on it".