A VERY ODD JOB and DIARY OF DEATH BARRIE CRAIG CONFIDENTIAL INVESTIGATOR

Summary

Podcast Summary: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: “A VERY ODD JOB” and “DIARY OF DEATH” – Barry Craig Confidential Investigator
Date: May 6, 2026
Host: Jon Hagadorn

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Episode Overview

This episode of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers features two back-to-back classic radio mystery stories from the series "Barry Craig Confidential Investigator":

1. A Very Odd Job – Barry Craig is given a strange assignment: deliver a weird puppet to a nightclub performer, only to become entangled in a case involving a missing woman, counterfeit money, and murder.

2. Diary of Death – Craig travels to the small village of Seneca to investigate a bizarre claw murder that unravels a chain of killings, all linked to old relics and the promise of hidden treasure.

Both stories capture the noir tone of the golden radio era, with fast-paced detective work, snappy dialogue, and layered mystery plots.

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Story 1: A Very Odd Job

Main Themes

• Deception and trust in detective work
• A mundane delivery turns into a murder investigation
• The destructive lure of easy money (counterfeit bills)
• Complex motivations and identities

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Key Plot Points

• Barry Craig’s Task: Lieutenant Trav Rogers approaches Barry with an easy $200 job: deliver a puppet to nightclub performer Anne Kelly at Easy’s Open House (03:49–05:39).

  • “How often does a job come running after a man?” – Barry Craig, (04:30)

• The Puppet’s Effect: When Craig gives the puppet to Anne Kelly, she faints instead of being happy as Rogers predicted (08:10).

  • “Unless every time Aunt Kelly got happy, she passed out.” – Barry Craig, (08:26)

• The Disappearance: While Craig checks with the club owner, Anne Kelly vanishes. Her dressing room is swiftly reassigned to another performer, stonewalling his search (10:10–12:19).

  • Memorable Moment: “So it’s going to be this way. I never saw Aunt Kelly. She wasn’t here. I never handed her a… Wait a minute. What’s this?” (11:36)

• Seeking Help: Craig brings in Lieutenant Rogers, shares his suspicions, and learns about Anne Kelly’s hidden past involving a touring puppet show, her real name (Ann Keegan), and her late father’s ties to counterfeiting (15:13–16:43).

  • “About a year ago, the department became indirectly interested in the puppet show homicide. The puppets worked with a tent show… Not a bad center for distribution.” – Lt. Rogers (15:31)

• Murder & Motive: Craig and Rogers find Osborne (an associate) dead, pointing to a deeper conspiracy involving Ann, counterfeit money, and club owner “Easy” (18:28).

  • “He’s not nearly so pretty anymore.” – Barry Craig (18:28)

• The Showdown: Craig tracks the gang, bluffs about the counterfeit money’s location to protect Ann, and exposes the killer’s motives and manipulations (22:16–24:38).

  • “We’ve both got something. You’ve got the boys downstairs. Me, I’ve got the green stuff. The $200,000 in counterfeit money.” – Barry Craig (24:11)

• Resolution: Craig and Rogers arrest the ringleaders. Ann is exonerated due to her honesty and willingness to cooperate (33:02).

  • “She was honest… she’d come straight to us. And it paid off, didn’t it?” – Lt. Rogers (33:31)

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Detective Cynicism:
  “The trouble with murder as a business is that very few of the men who take it up have any judgment. Sooner or later, they run it right into the ground.” – Barry Craig (03:07)

• On Trust:
  “I always believe a client, even if he happens to be a mug. This one. But he wasn’t a liar.” – Barry Craig (06:13)

• Confronting the Villain:
  “I don’t like the way you treat women, Dus. I’m firing you as a client.” – Barry Craig (23:02)

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Key Timestamps

• Job Offer and Puppet Delivery: 03:07 – 08:10
• Anne Kelly Disappears: 10:10 – 12:19
• Revelation About Puppet Show and Counterfeiting: 15:13 – 16:43
• Osborne Discovered Dead: 18:28
• Final Confrontation & Wrap-Up: 22:16 – 33:32

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Story 2: Diary of Death

Main Themes

• Small town secrecy and superstition
• The danger of greed and obsession with hidden fortune
• Consequences of manipulating trust and history

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Key Plot Points

• Arrival and Reluctance: Town Supervisor Samuels asks Barry to solve a grisly murder in Seneca. Barry is at first reluctant, joking about small-town simplicity vs. big city crime (36:12–37:36).

  • “No amount of pleading, no power on Earth, not 50 claw killings can entice me 40 miles from New York.” – Barry Craig (38:02)

• Doc Tyler’s Murder: The village’s horse doctor is killed with a garden claw. The only missing item: an old paperweight called "Old Baldy" (38:42–40:03).

  • “The claw marks on the skull were made by a garden tool, looks like.” – Barry Craig (38:54)

• Eccentrics & Motives: Barry meets various townsfolk, including the odd Harmony and antiques dealer Fred Stanley, who offers big money for a worthless ship print, “Princess Ida” (46:00).

  • “$100 for a $1.00 picture. Who made the offer?” – Barry Craig (45:58)

• Attacked for an Antique: Someone tries to steal the Princess Ida print from Ms. Pringle’s attic, nearly killing Barry in the process, and later, Ms. Pringle is found dead, with the print gone (43:36–55:37).

• Revelations: Barry learns both stolen items (Old Baldy, Princess Ida) were bought at an auction after the death of local miser Mitchell Stanley. Rumors suggest pieces of a treasure map were hidden within these objects (57:17–60:16).

• Unmasking the Real Mastermind:
  – Fred Stanley confesses he believed in and killed for the treasure.
  – Barry deduces the “treasure map” diary was a forgery, planted by Will Briggs for revenge against fellow townsfolk (62:43).

  • “Briggs here forged the diary, sheriff, and planted it where young Stanley would be sure to find it. That Stanley killed three people Briggs hated, while Briggs sat back and enjoyed the show.” – Barry Craig (62:56)

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Barry’s Weariness with Small Town Life:
  “Great job you rope me into. But Will Briggs pulled a switch… fell all over himself cooperating for $20.” – Barry Craig (56:49–57:06)

• The Folly of Greed:
  “I killed three people for a load of junk. There weren’t any pieces of map in Old Baldy or the Princess Ida or the Snowman.” – Fred Stanley (61:11; 61:15)

• On Justice and Deception:
  “I’m not one to pity the dead, but I’m one to pillory the living.” – Barry Craig (62:31)

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Key Timestamps

• Murder & First Clues: 38:42–41:20
• Motive for Theft: 45:58–47:04
• Ms. Pringle Attacked/Print Stolen: 43:36–47:46
• Stanley and the Treasure Map: 57:06–61:15
• Briggs Unmasked as the Manipulator: 62:43

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Style & Tone

The episode retains the trademark hard-boiled narration of the period, with Barry Craig’s dry witticisms and skeptical worldview. Dialogue brims with period slang, barbed repartee, and the introspective philosophies that typify radio noir. The supporting cast’s voices and quirks bring the small towns and seedy nightclubs to vivid life.

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Final Thoughtful Observations

• These stories exemplify the gold standard of radio detective fiction—layers of misleading clues, shadowy motives, and flawed but fundamentally human characters.
• The conclusion of both stories hinges as much on Craig’s empathy and psychological insight as on traditional sleuthing.
• Notable Line: “There’s an old school motto with a modern twist, folks. An empty barrel makes a fine casket.” – Barry Craig (35:33)

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For Further Listening

Catch the next episode teaser (64:05):

“Next week, I have a wow of a time in the kindergarten when a whimsical corpse insists on playing hide and go seek. See you next week, folks.” – Barry Craig

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Perfect for listeners who enjoy intricate puzzles, noir atmosphere, and the crackling wit and cynicism of classic detective radio.

(Skip to 03:07 for main story content; advertisements and promos bookend the show.)

Transcript

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[Barry Craig]

visit zepbound.lilly.com welcome back, everyone to 1001 Radio Crime Solvers. This is your host, John Hagedorn. Get ready for Barry Craig, Confidential Investigator.

[Narrator]

William Gargan stars as Barry Craig Confidential Investigator.

[Barry Craig]

The trouble with murder as a business is that very few of the men who take it up have any judgment. Sooner or later, they run it right into the ground.

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company presents William Gargan in another transcribed drama of mystery and adventure with America's number one detective, Barry Craig. Confidential investigator.

[Barry Craig]

Barry Craig speaking with the weather. What it is. A smart operator would be spending his evenings indoors, parked near the steam heat with a glass in his hand and a small warm glow in the region of his lower chest. I guess I don't qualify. I still like to take walks around about this time of the night. There's no not much on the street. The air's cold and clean. It's nice to find out you have a pair of lungs which can use that air.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Hey, you.

[Barry Craig]

Me? Hold it.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Eh?

[Barry Craig]

Hold what?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

The lippy tag?

[Barry Craig]

No, no. Just not quick, that's all.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You're Craig.

[Barry Craig]

That's more or less what I answer to.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I got a job for you.

[Barry Craig]

I better make a note of it. What the devil you took? How often does a job come running after a man?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I saved the conversation for a friend. Craig, you would like to make a couple of hundred?

[Barry Craig]

Easy, Me and most of the adult male population of the United States.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Take this.

[Barry Craig]

This a small puppet? Come to think of it, are there any big puppets?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You deliver that. That's all 200.

[Barry Craig]

I deliver it. To who?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

The name is Anne Kelly.

[Barry Craig]

She wants a puppet.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

She'll be very happy to get that one.

[Barry Craig]

See? Not exactly, but there are lots of Kelly's in the phone book.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

This time of night she'll be at Easy's Open House. It's a clip joint over in the East 80s.

[Barry Craig]

She helps easy keep the house open.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

She helps him keep it filled.

[Barry Craig]

What does she use?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

A hook. You catch her routine, you'll be able to add it up for yourself.

[Barry Craig]

That's in addition to the 200. Yeah, I don't see the 200 yet.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

It's on your office desk.

[Barry Craig]

It's going to get awful dusty. You know, the last time I looked, I didn't notice any money on that desk.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

It's there now, but don't try to collect it, see? Not till after you deliver the puppet.

[Barry Craig]

Makes a kind of sense. Do I give Miss Kelly your regards along with the puppet?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Do you know whose regards to give her?

[Barry Craig]

No.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Then you better skip it. You can make the joint in maybe 15 minutes. I wouldn't be happy about you dragging it out.

[Barry Craig]

Craig always keeps his clients happy. I'll get it to her in 15 minutes, shall I?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I wouldn't bother remembering the license plates.

[Barry Craig]

You wouldn't?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

No. They don't belong to the car.

[Barry Craig]

Well, that's so.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Ah, even more than that. Yeah, the car don't belong to me.

[Barry Craig]

I didn't bother about the license plates. I always believe a client, even if he happens to be a mug. This one. But he wasn't a liar. Easy's Open House was over in the East 80s, and it was open. Aunt Kelly wasn't at the moment helping keep the house open. I ducked a head waiter and headed for the dressing room. One of the advantages of being a confidential investigator. You always know where the back rooms are, if you can call an advantage. One of the doors had a great slip of paper glued to it. The name on the paper was Ann Kelly. I didn't have to think about it much, the slip of paper. It started out in life nice and

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

white, practicing how to be a drummer boy.

[Barry Craig]

That, I decided, was an invitation to come in. Anne Kelly had started out in life nice and clean. We all do. In her case, she'd held on to a little of that niceness. Cleanness. A little. What happened to you?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You lost your table or something?

[Barry Craig]

No, I'm on display.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Out on the floor. Not back here, mister.

[Barry Craig]

My name's Barry Craig.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, that's a very fine name. I'll write home and tell Mother all about it.

[Barry Craig]

Your Aunt Kelly.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm not the king of France, but I guess you could tell that they

[Barry Craig]

haven't got a king in France.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Aw.

[Barry Craig]

I'm here on a job.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Really?

[Barry Craig]

It's an odd kind of job.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You want to cry on my shoulder about it?

[Barry Craig]

It's a nice shoulder, but offhand, there wouldn't seem to be anything wrong with the job.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Then why don't you do it?

[Barry Craig]

Yeah, it's in my pocket. Here.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Your job.

[Barry Craig]

The most important part of it. I was instructed to deliver it to you. This.

[Ms. Pringle]

That.

[Barry Craig]

That's a puppet. Here. Oh, no, no, Ms. Kelly. My client had said Aunt Kelly would be very happy to get the puppet. He was wrong. Unless every time Aunt Kelly got happy, she passed out. Ms. Kelly. Ms. Kelly.

[Narrator]

Kelly, you're on.

[Ms. Pringle]

Kelly.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I don't like to be nasty, Kelly, but the customers are impatient at.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, she fainted.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Really, sir, you shouldn't. I mean, after all, I didn't.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, you. Easy.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I beg your pardon. You meant, am I Mr. Easy?

[Barry Craig]

That's what I meant.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm so sorry. I'm not. I'm Osborne.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, don't fret about it. Where can I find Easy?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, his office is down the hall. Oh, what a delightful puppet. You must have dropped it.

[Barry Craig]

No.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, I mean, is it yours?

[Barry Craig]

No.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, it must be Kelly's, then.

[Barry Craig]

Fancy. I'm too busy right now. Better hang around until she comes to, huh?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, I suppose I must.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah. I didn't spend any time thinking. I hadn't anything to think about. The hallway back at the club was a carbon copy of them all shabby. The walls greasy with ancient dirt, the light bulb overhead. Not putting up much of a fight. Easy's office wasn't hard to find, that figured. Light leaked out from under the door. Somebody was in. The door was locked. Osborne could have been lying,

[Narrator]

impatient friend.

[Barry Craig]

He wasn't. Mr. Easy was at home. But why the delay?

[Narrator]

The strong, silent type. Friend.

[Barry Craig]

The name's Craig. I think I'd like you using it better than friend.

[Narrator]

I'll try to remember you coming in,

[Barry Craig]

Craig, if you don't mind.

[Narrator]

So now what?

[Barry Craig]

Just information. What do you know about Aunt Kelly?

[Narrator]

Why do I discuss her with you?

[Barry Craig]

I'm on a job, and it could turn out pretty nasty. And it could be the Kelly girl doesn't deserve it.

[Narrator]

She appeals to you. That could be arranged. You got a heavy hand, friend.

[Barry Craig]

Lay off the friend, huh?

[Narrator]

Going around protecting virtue. You're a little late with Kelly.

[Barry Craig]

I asked you a question.

[Narrator]

So you did. I.

[Barry Craig]

No. The desk drawer stays shut. I don't want to admire your gun. About the girl.

[Narrator]

She works here. The customers like her. I pay her 155 a week, period.

[Barry Craig]

How'd you come to hire her?

[Narrator]

She dropped in, asked for an audition,

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

and she got it.

[Barry Craig]

So she got the job nice and neat.

[Narrator]

Don't try to make a thing of a girl passing out Craig. Kelly happens to pass out easy.

[Barry Craig]

How'd you know she fainted? You stole me outside the door. Come on.

[Narrator]

I like it here.

[Barry Craig]

I said, come on. All right, take your hands off.

[Narrator]

I'm coming.

[Barry Craig]

Thanks. Stole me outside your door. Stole me in your office. You knew about her fainting? The pretty boy must have phoned from her dressing room. This one.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

What's the Idea of busting in here.

[Barry Craig]

You're not Aunt Kelly.

[Narrator]

Of course she isn't, Craig. I could have told you that before you half knocked the door down.

[Barry Craig]

Hold on. Yeah, the same room. A hunk of paper with her name on it was torn out the door.

[Narrator]

Look, Craig. The little lady here's dressing for her act. Were in her way.

[Barry Craig]

This was Aunt Kelly's dressing room up until a couple of minutes ago.

[Narrator]

Crazy. I'm beginning to think you never even seen her.

[Barry Craig]

Where is she? Easy. She finished her last show for the night.

[Narrator]

Probably on her way home.

[Barry Craig]

No, the little lady could start screaming.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

That would bring us lots of company.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah. So it's going to be this way. I never saw Aunt Kelly. She wasn't here. I never handed her a. Wait a minute. What's this?

[Narrator]

That looks like a puppet to me.

[Barry Craig]

Whose puppet?

[Narrator]

How would I know? Maybe it belongs to Susie.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Does it, Susie? Yeah.

[Narrator]

Hey, Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Well, a nice snooker play. Shut Craig off in a corner. Get Kelly out of the place and. Okay. Excuse me, little lady.

[Narrator]

Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah?

[Narrator]

I don't want any trouble. I don't know what you think you saw.

[Barry Craig]

Make it short.

[Narrator]

But if you want to look through the place, it's okay with me.

[Barry Craig]

Thanks. I'm not much good at closing stable doors, though. So long, Easy. I was in a hurry and Kelly wouldn't be in the phone book. I needed help. A confidential investigator isn't much good on a big deal in a hurry. Whatever the book says. I yelled for help to the cops. Lieutenant Rogers.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, Craig, the perambulating operative.

[Barry Craig]

Take it easy, Trav. And don't forget, I never went to college.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Will anyone ever forget?

[Barry Craig]

I did lead a clean life. And maybe they will. Trav, I need help in a hurry. What kind of help? I want a girl named Ann Kelly found, and found fast.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

What's special about her?

[Barry Craig]

She faints when you shove a puppet under her nose.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I feel something like that about puppets myself.

[Barry Craig]

You're not joking? No.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

All right. We'll go see what the boys in the back room are having.

[Barry Craig]

What can you give me on her? She's an entertainer at Easy's Open House. So far, pretty bad. I've got a feeling she's in the wrong place. Chivalry, Barry. It's part of a job. I beg your pardon.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I almost insulted you by implying you have a heart.

[Barry Craig]

Everybody's got a heart. All it does is pop the blood around. I was hired to deliver a puppet to her. She took one look at it and passed out. I went visiting Easy.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Not a nice Man, No.

[Barry Craig]

He stalled me. By the time I realized it and shot back to the girl's dressing room, they planted somebody else there. The girl was gone.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You stop here. I'll go inside, find out if there's

[Barry Craig]

a record on her.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You sit down, write out a nice description.

[Barry Craig]

You might feed a pretty boy named Osborn to your men, too.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Works for Easy Osborne.

[Barry Craig]

Sit down, Barry.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Get that description done. No poetry, though.

[Barry Craig]

Poetry? What's that? Trav didn't need a written description. He just thought it might be a good idea if I had something to do while I was waiting. I guess it showed pretty plainly. I didn't bother with the description. I just waited.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Mary?

[Barry Craig]

Yeah.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Nothing like Kelly. No record. You got that description done.

[Barry Craig]

She's blonde, blue eyed, medium height, in her twenties. What good would it do you? No good. Come on. Come on where?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Osborne's in the books. I've got an address for him.

[Barry Craig]

All right.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

On our way over, you can tell

[Barry Craig]

me about who hired you for the puppet delivery.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah, I'll tell you something in return for it.

[Barry Craig]

You will? What about puppets? We climbed into Lt. Rogers car and went away from headquarters. My story didn't take up very much time.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You never got a good look at your client then?

[Barry Craig]

No, I recognize him, but maybe it'll

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

come out in the wash. Or perhaps we can correlate a couple of stories.

[Barry Craig]

You're speaking to somebody who had his troubles with the eighth grade.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I imagine the eighth grade had more

[Barry Craig]

trouble with you, Barry. About a year ago, the department became

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

indirectly interested in the puppet show homicide. Homicide? The primary interest was by the Treasury.

[Barry Craig]

Sees a couple of people who were

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

very good with puppets. Also did pretty well with distributing counterfeit money.

[Barry Craig]

Peculiar tie up?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

No, no. The puppets worked with a tent show. A tent show's always moving. Hits every part of the country. Its customers keep changing. It's not a bad center for distribution.

[Barry Craig]

I guess not.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

The puppets were handled by a couple of people. A blonde girl named Ann Keegan and

[Barry Craig]

her father, Keegan Kelly.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

A possibility. However, the treasury started pressing things happened. There was no direct evidence about the girl. But her father was definitely implicated.

[Barry Craig]

Along with a couple of men in the background.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

One to supply the counterfeit, the other to run the whole operation.

[Barry Craig]

They had names.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

The manufacturer was called Dalgos. The man in charge may have been John Easy.

[Barry Craig]

May have been no evidence.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Dalgos served a year on an old charge. The operation was broken up. But a couple of hundred thousand dollars in very good counterfeit currency disappeared at the time.

[Barry Craig]

And somebody's looking for it now. You Said Homicide was interested.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yes. The girl's father was cracking under the pressure. He was ready to confess.

[Barry Craig]

But someone got to him before then and he died.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

He died.

[Barry Craig]

Jigsaw puzzles are fun working out. You keep looking at the pieces. After a while, you begin putting them together. You have your problems, but pretty soon you lick them. And then you're finished. But suppose you don't like the picture you wind up with.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Osborne's got an apartment in this house.

[Barry Craig]

He tie in with the tent showdown. No evidence. Osborne.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Osborne. Yes. Apartment 1C would be on the ground floor.

[Barry Craig]

Convenient.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You probably think you're being cynical, but you're right. For a criminal, the ground floor is definitely convenient.

[Barry Craig]

I'm bright without knowing it, huh? About the only way I'm bright. Your modesty is becoming how accurate it is. No knock. No knock.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

This one ought to do it. We won't loiter until invited. Yes.

[Barry Craig]

Guess what. The room's empty, but the lights are on. Door on the opposite wall shut. However,

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

bedroom and not empty. That's your friend Osborne.

[Barry Craig]

He's not nearly so pretty anymore. The girl?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

No sign of her in here.

[Narrator]

Nor in the living room.

[Barry Craig]

The bathroom? No.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

The body's still warm.

[Barry Craig]

Window open. Allie, anything besides the garbage Cans? Sure.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Ash cans. Phone? No, back in the living room. Nice apartment. A Modelani on the wall.

[Barry Craig]

Modern furniture with thick walls. The shots weren't hurt. A white on the wall. That painting looks more French than Italian.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You knew who Modulani was all along.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, well.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

We'll have company in a few minutes. The girl must have decided she didn't care for Osborne's hospitality. Barry. Barry, come back here. I don't want you sticking that thick neck of yours out. Mary,

[Barry Craig]

I wasn't in the mood for company. Besides, everything had gone too smooth too fast. The cops would have a time breaking things out into the open. They were dealing with professionals. Me, maybe. I wouldn't be figured close. I never won any medals for brilliance. It might be a help. Everything had happened in a Hun. The man who'd handed me the puppet that started everything had mentioned how smart I'd be if I stayed away from my office until my job was done. That meant a man would be watching it. Maybe nobody had notified him I'd finished my job. Maybe he'd still be watching the office. He was there. He wasn't happy about it either. That was a cold doorway he was holding down. Me. I picked another doorway and waited. I wait. Very good. One of these days I'm going to start a movement to have all Doorways heated if I ever thaw out. A car came down the street. A quick look told me it was the same one I'd seen the boy with the puppet riding. I let it pass me and made my car. And watch the car up ahead stop for the mug on center duty. He climbed in. Everything was okay now. Craig could go upstairs and collect his 200. But Craig had other ideas. They weren't expecting company. They weren't very careful. They led a straight run downtown and over towards the harbor. They pulled the car up into an alley, left it there and used their feet. It wasn't a long walk. They used a stoop, went into a house that was young and fresh, maybe when the last century died. And shut the door behind them. Force of habit. Got me to the back door. There wasn't a cop in sight. I leaned on the door. It opened. They were pretty sure of themselves. Downstairs was nothing much, a couple of empty rooms. One that wasn't empty. Two mugs, neither of whom interested me. I tried to stand. Nobody was worried. I got to the top. Things improved up there. If you could call it an improvement.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Waterworks don't make much of an impression on me. Kid, I don't know what you want. In a pig's eye. You already told you? Sure. And I already didn't believe you.

[Ms. Pringle]

I can't.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I got lots more.

[Barry Craig]

Well, I could open the door and walk in. I might live long enough to identify my client. But not long enough to do the girl much good.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I ain't got all year. I need the green stuff. I got sent up. The cops took over my equipment. I need the green stuff. I pass it on. Back in business again. You wouldn't want to stand in my way, would you? I never knew anything. Sure, sure. It was your old man. Remember what happened to him? It could happen to you.

[Barry Craig]

What was the smart move? Get out of there and yell for the cops. Maybe they would have showed up in time, but who's smart? Hello, Das.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Private eye.

[Barry Craig]

What? I don't like the way you treat women. Dus. I'm firing you as a client.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Okay, you've been funny. Now talk straight.

[Barry Craig]

That was straight.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

What are you waiting for, medal?

[Barry Craig]

I'll take Ann Keegan instead.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You know who I am?

[Barry Craig]

It's been a lousily kept secret.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Excuse me for interrupting, but I ain't giving out Ann Kiggins tonight.

[Barry Craig]

Just one will be enough.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You packing a rod, snoop?

[Barry Craig]

What do you think?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I think he ain't. Otherwise you'll be showing.

[Barry Craig]

So I can break you in half. Before you get yours out, maybe.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

But the boys downstairs, what do you think they'll be doing?

[Barry Craig]

You'd be dead before they got here.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Maybe, maybe not. But after they got here, you would be dead. And the girl, she might not be so lucky.

[Barry Craig]

We've both got.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, you got your prayer.

[Barry Craig]

No. You haven't yelled for help yet.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

So what?

[Barry Craig]

So you're afraid of what I'd do to you before they got here.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm just hanging around, waiting to see

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

how bright you are.

[Barry Craig]

We'll leave it at that. I'm not at all bright. I want the girl. Nah. We've both got something. You've got the boys downstairs. Me, I've got the green stuff. The 200 grand and counterfeit money.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Hey, where did you.

[Barry Craig]

Not here. Not on me. How foolish do you think I am?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You're running a nice bluff.

[Barry Craig]

No bluff. Anne, how'd you get your job at the open house?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

After my father was killed. Easy. Offered it to me. Used to be a friend of my father's. He said he'd look after me.

[Barry Craig]

I'll bet he did.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

None of this tells me where the stuff is.

[Barry Craig]

Nobody's telling you. Not till the girl and I are out of here.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You take me for a second?

[Barry Craig]

You picked the girl up after she left the nightclub. You'd sent me to her with a puppet. You figured it would frighten her and make her run.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You're not telling me anything I don't know.

[Barry Craig]

Yes, I am. Was anyone with her? Yeah, yeah. Cute little fella.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I didn't have any trouble with him.

[Barry Craig]

His name's Osborne.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I died just for an introduction.

[Barry Craig]

You picked up something else when you picked Dan up. Yeah, a murder rap.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

That's supposed to be funny. A murder rap for who?

[Barry Craig]

Osborne.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

What are you talking about? All I did was push him around a little.

[Barry Craig]

When the cops found him, he'd been pushed around a lot with half a dozen.32 caliber lead nosed slugs.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, what's that got to do.

[Barry Craig]

You've got it all now. How do you like it?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I don't like it at all.

[Barry Craig]

You've got one chance of beating that rat. Yeah, Keeping the girl and me alive.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

How would that happen?

[Barry Craig]

I can clear you if I want to, but it'll cost you.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Cost me what?

[Barry Craig]

$200,000 in counterpit money. It took him a little time to decide. Him a little time and me a lot of sweat. But then he came around halfway. He let Ann go. She went, but me. Me he was holding on to until I could produce the counterfeit money. And the out for a murder rap.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I got a gun on you and I keep it on you. The boys cover the open house, front and back. Any funny business?

[Barry Craig]

I know, I know.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah, but you ain't sure. You can be sure with that rap right in my shoulders. What have I got to lose?

[Barry Craig]

What do you want me to do? Turn green with fright?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Now we've arrived. How do you know? Hey, Sam. Get out first. Cover a big boy from the outside, huh? You go out.

[Barry Craig]

Craig thanks me with you.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

We walk nice and close together. The gun right under your ribs. You wouldn't think of a quick wrestle, Trigger?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Shave goes off if I breathe to her.

[Barry Craig]

It's all built up. Lets go, huh?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Sam, you take the bank. Big boy walks out without me, he gets it hard. You stay out here, Beef. Same orders for you. Come on, fake that joint ain't open.

[Barry Craig]

Not for business. There's a back office.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah, that's where we do business, right?

[Barry Craig]

We go in.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

It don't smell good in here.

[Barry Craig]

You ever been in a place that

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

did you watch it. I insult Easy.

[Barry Craig]

Easy reminds me. Ever know a man named Easy? Nah. You're going to come on light to that door. It's the one we want. I don't think we knock. Hello, Easy.

[Narrator]

Craig.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

And hey, what did you call him?

[Barry Craig]

Easy John Easy. Any objections?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, the name's Marlo, ain't it? Marlo.

[Narrator]

Hello, doggos. Long time no see.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Not such a long time. A one year stretch and that's over.

[Narrator]

I'm pleased for you. Though I can't say I approve of the company you're keeping.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Never mind, Dad, I got a gun on him.

[Barry Craig]

But one of us. The man worked with you and Keegan before you were sent up to Alus. Yeah, he's the man gave Ann Keegan a job here because he used to be a friend of her father.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Nothing wrong with that.

[Barry Craig]

Except who killed Ann Keegan's father, Dalgas?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I don't know.

[Barry Craig]

Did you?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You're fishing. For what?

[Barry Craig]

The truth. I don't think you killed him, Dargus.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Thanks for nothing.

[Barry Craig]

But who did? Who does it have to be, Dalgos?

[Narrator]

Why my office? I mean, if you enjoy playing games with this thick headed idiot.

[Barry Craig]

I don't think you killed Osborne either, Dalgas. But look, when Osborne dies immediately after you are released from jail, I. And under what circumstances? When he was supposedly hiding Ann Keegan out, what does that add up to? Your conviction because you wound up with Ann Keegan.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

That much I know. What you're handing me now is John

[Barry Craig]

Easy, alias Marlow he had the motive. He'd latched on to the $200,000. He knew you'd be after Ann as soon as you got out. That's why he hired her. So he could use her for a bait. A bait for a trap in which you could break your neck.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Could be that way now.

[Narrator]

Gus.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah?

[Narrator]

You got your gun on Craig?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Then you won't be able to do very much about this, would you? Well, yeah, my gun pointing at you. As far as yours is concerned, shoot Craig or not, as you please. You're using that gun on Craig?

[Barry Craig]

No.

[Narrator]

I suppose you. Drop it.

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[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

SafetyRxOnly okay.

[Narrator]

Mr. Craig is unfortunately right. Too bad you had to get him involved in this doggos. Otherwise you'd have a little longer to live. Not much, but every hour counts, doesn't it?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You've got that dog.

[Narrator]

Of course I have. And I'll have fun spending it with caution. Now think of your orphan doggos.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You can't afford or I can.

[Narrator]

Craig tracked you down. You and he had a gunfight.

[Barry Craig]

You both got killed.

[Narrator]

Who knows, Craig might even get a medal. It'll work, Dalgos.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I don't think so. What? Drab it. I said what? Hi Barry.

[Barry Craig]

Hello and welcome. Trav.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Mr. Easy. Or I guess I should say Marlow will live long enough.

[Barry Craig]

The counterfeit money in his safe.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I guess we'll find out. Are you waiting for anything, Dalgos? No, no, no, no, no, no. I've got a few policemen outside. They've collected his associates. I think they'll be pleased to pick him up. He's managed to acquire a few brand new charges in a very short time.

[Barry Craig]

Thanks for showing up on time. I was beginning to wonder if you ever would.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You were gambling on the girl, weren't you?

[Barry Craig]

Uh huh.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

But she was honest.

[Barry Craig]

That she'd come straight to us. And paid off, didn't it? She's waiting for you at headquarters.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

She wants to See you, Barry. When you get to her, I think you'll first realize just how well it paid off.

[Barry Craig]

Good night, folks. See you next week.

[Narrator]

You'll be listening to William Gargan in another exciting transcribed mystery drama from the adventures of Barry Craig, confidential investigator. Tonight's story, A Very Odd Job, was written by Louvitis. Next week, it's the strange story titled Diary of Death, about which Barry Craig has this to say.

[Barry Craig]

Next week, murder counts to a bloody three. When three pieces of a treasure map that should lead to a great fortune only leads to greater misfortune. See you next week, folks.

[Narrator]

Featured in the role of Anne was Elspeth Eric. Barry Craig, starring William Gargan was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is Don Parlo speaking. Now Robert Montgomery presents something different in news analysis on NBC. William Gargan stars as Barry Craig, confidential investigator.

[Barry Craig]

There's an old school motto with a modern twist, folks. An empty barrel makes a fine casket.

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company presents William Gargan in another transcribed drama of mystery and adventure with America's number one detective, Barry Craig. Craig, confidential investigator.

[Barry Craig]

Barry Craig speaking. Manhattan Island's my beat. From Battery Place uptown to Spite and Dilo. I've got my footprints on every inch of sidewalk. A memory in every mile. Get used to a beat and it's like home to you. You're an island native, and only a pretty fancy fee can drag you even across the river to Brooklyn or three other boroughs. To drag you out of town needs a major earthquake or an act of Congress. So how come I find myself 40 miles from Broadway in an incorporated village called Seneca on the trail of a claw murderer? A nice little A gent with side whiskers like Abraham Lincoln coaxed me into it. Town Supervisor Samuels, he called himself. His pitch went something like this.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I came straight to you from Lieutenant Trav Rogers of your Metropolitan Police. Mr. Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah? Lieutenant Rogers phoned me. You just left his office. No dice, old man. Seneca's off my beat.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

But it's a situation of desperate emergency.

[Barry Craig]

What's the population of your village, Samuels?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

300.

[Barry Craig]

A killer can't lose himself in that smaller crowd. But order every townsman to line up in the public square. Then go up and down the line. When you see a wild gleam, nab him.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

A wild gleam.

[Barry Craig]

The guy you're looking for is a lunatic first class. The claw used in the killing shows that one nut in the neighborly crowd. Your sheriff can't be that helpless.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

How many years? Burkey's only honorary sheriff. His business is farm tools and Tractors.

[Barry Craig]

Who's your regular sheriff?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

We have nobody. Crime and Seneca is a rare thing. Don't even have a jail.

[Barry Craig]

Pass the hat and build yourself one. Crime's here to stay, people say.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

And the board of supervisors empowered me to supersede Bucky. To contract outside help someone experienced in homicide. You will highly recommend it.

[Barry Craig]

By Trav Rogers. The lieutenant's having his joke. Please, Mr. Craig, you're a nice town supervisor. And you look like a tintype of an old favorite uncle of mine. I'd like to help you, but no amount of pleading, no power on Earth, not 50 claw killings can entice me. 40 miles from New York. In Seneca, flanked by Samuels and the sometimes sheriff, I got a look at the corpse. The morgue was the back room of a taxpayer, divided into a grain oats and seed shop and mortuary parlor.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

This was Dr. Tyler, Mr. Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Doctor, huh?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Horse doctor.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, sad day for Dobbin. Pretty thorough job of annihilation.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Shocking crime.

[Barry Craig]

The claw marks on the skull were made by a garden tool, looks like.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Yeah.

[Barry Craig]

Did Doc Tyler have any enemies or. Look the sheriff answer Samuels.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Why, no. Not to my knowledge, he didn't. Doc Tyler was a pillar in the community. A fine, respected.

[Barry Craig]

Save the eulogy for the funeral services, huh? Theft then. Was anything stolen?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

No, I'll have to say no to that. All Tyler had was accounts receivable, bills owing him for his doctoring work.

[Barry Craig]

You went over his property then?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I did. The robbery was my notion too, at first. I ordered an inventory of everything Tyler owned right down to the horse bales.

[Barry Craig]

And nothing was missing?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Nothing of any account? No. Except for old baldy. Everything was right where it belonged.

[Barry Craig]

Except for old Baldy, you say, huh?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, yeah. Old baldy is an old iron paperweight. The American eagle. Doc Tyler always had it on his desk on top of a pile of paper.

[Barry Craig]

And old Baldy was missing? Yes, yes.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

We couldn't find hide nor hair of it. Well, either somebody borrowed it and planted the keep it now that Tyler is gone, or Tyler threw it out, or

[Barry Craig]

the murderer, Claude Tyler to get it. Oh.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Now, why would anybody want to commit murder for a worthless old paperweight?

[Barry Craig]

Can't say. But that's why I'm in this whistle stop to find out why.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

And that brings us down to cases, you and me.

[Barry Craig]

Come again?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You being here, Samuels brought you out against me.

[Barry Craig]

Against you?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I'm serious.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Shut up, Samuels. This is between me and Craig. Against me? I said Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, I get it. Your pride's hurt, huh, Sheriff?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

When you Jackassed around a while. And Samuels admits to being the finicky fool he is. I'm marching you to the railroad station

[Barry Craig]

with a brass band and local school mom doubling as drum majorette. A big goodbye to a conquering hero sheriff. Because my parting gift to Seneca is your claw. Murderer in person. Want a bed? I found overnight accommodations at a Ms. Pringle's split seconds before a storm broke. Ms. Pringle was a spinster who looked it. And a fluffy white poodle who looked as if he was eating himself into his grave to escape. Ms. Pringle, this is Fluff. Mr. Fluff, huh? Does he bark?

[Ms. Pringle]

Seldom. Fluff has chronic laryngitis. Oh, Dr. Tyler. Piece to him was treating fluff.

[Barry Craig]

Sad about Dr. Tyler.

[Ms. Pringle]

You're here to find the fiend.

[Barry Craig]

I'm here to get a night's sleep.

[Ms. Pringle]

Very well. You. You can have the attic room.

[Barry Craig]

Why so high a climb?

[Ms. Pringle]

But I'm. I'm not accustomed to. To taking me lodgers.

[Barry Craig]

Enough said. Blankets, towels. Is everything there?

[Ms. Pringle]

Oh, yes, yes, the room is ready.

[Barry Craig]

And a wall outlet so I can plug in and shave.

[Ms. Pringle]

No, no. The electric wires don't extend to the attic. There's a kerosene lamp. Now if you go to your room.

[Barry Craig]

You're pushing me, Ms. Pringle.

[Ms. Pringle]

But I'm not accustomed to men in my parlor.

[Barry Craig]

Enough said. I'll see. See you in my dream. Good night, Miss Pringle. There were things I wasn't accustomed to, like addicts, like figuring out how to light kerosene lamps. Or like having the roof suddenly cave in on my. I went down from a sneak blow. A club. The weapon felt like. I went down, but not out. I could see through a red haze, like a film of blood. And I could hear glass breaking somewhere in the room. I rolled on the floor, not to be a sitting duck for a second blow. But no second blow came. Just quiet. And the rain outside. The rain blowing in from an open window. The window my sneak opponent had used getting in and out. I went out the window after him. Outside, just at the edge of Ms. Pringle's driveway, I ran into a reasonable facsimile of King Kong. A guy who looks as if he should be swinging from trees, sitting behind the wheel of an open convertible. It's top down, working the car starter and getting nowhere. Having trouble, friend?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

It's slow. Don't want to go.

[Barry Craig]

The wires are wet.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm driving good, and then it stops.

[Barry Craig]

Your wires are wet.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm driving good, and then it stops. And then it will go.

[Barry Craig]

You're getting all tangled up in your iq, friend. Doesn't the top go up?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah, easy. This button here, you push it.

[Barry Craig]

So push it. No, you got a medium sized lake around you, flood waters rising from the floorboard.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'm not pushing no button. I like it like this.

[Barry Craig]

How did you happen to stall here?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I told you, I'm driving. Good. And then it stops and then it won't go. You making fun of me?

[Barry Craig]

No, no, no, no. Did we meet a while ago?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Huh? Where?

[Barry Craig]

In Ms. Pringle's attic.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, I'm driving, so how could it be.

[Barry Craig]

How could it be parked here the last five minutes? Did you see anybody in a hurry to quit the General neighborhood of Ms. Pringles?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

No, I seen nobody.

[Barry Craig]

You're sure?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Are you trying to mix me up?

[Barry Craig]

Nature got to you first. Just for future reference, what name do you answer to?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Harmony.

[Barry Craig]

Harmony?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yeah, you like it?

[Barry Craig]

Back in the attic, with the kerosene lamp lit and Ms. Pringle in a trembling spasm, I took stock of the room.

[Ms. Pringle]

What you told me, Mr. Craig, it's unbelievable.

[Barry Craig]

Believe it. I wasn't born with this rhinoceros egg on my head.

[Ms. Pringle]

But. What? Purposely?

[Barry Craig]

I'm checking to see this picture on the floor. Where was it hanging originally? The kerosene lamp's throwing so many shadows, I can't see the nail hole.

[Ms. Pringle]

Why? It hung there, over the highboy. The glass broke.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah, it needs a new glass. A ship's print, huh?

[Ms. Pringle]

Yes, the Princess Ida, an old whaling vessel.

[Barry Craig]

The picture have any special meaning?

[Ms. Pringle]

Special meaning?

[Barry Craig]

A value. An heirloom or something?

[Ms. Pringle]

Why, no. No value. I only paid a dollar. Oh, wait. Yes. Come to think of it, I was offered a good price for it.

[Barry Craig]

How good a price?

[Ms. Pringle]

$100, if I recollect.

[Barry Craig]

For a dollar print. Who made the offer?

[Ms. Pringle]

The young Mr. Stanley. The one with the new antique shop out on North Rigby.

[Barry Craig]

Why didn't you sell the picture to him?

[Ms. Pringle]

Well, I'm not sure. For spite, I guess.

[Barry Craig]

Spite?

[Ms. Pringle]

Well, the young man was too persistent and bad mannered. Calling me on the telephone and then tracking his muddy boots on my parlor rugs. But I don't understand. Why these questions?

[Barry Craig]

Somebody was up here to steal the picture. I got in the way and was struck down.

[Ms. Pringle]

But nobody stole the Princess Ida.

[Barry Craig]

It was dropped in the commotion in the getaway. I heard breaking glass while rolling on the floor.

[Ms. Pringle]

Oh, you're trying to frighten me.

[Barry Craig]

Just enough to make you twice the cautious miss you already are. No men in your parlor there's one joker abroad who might not respect that rule.

[Ms. Pringle]

You're not alluding to the Claw Murderer.

[Barry Craig]

Bolt your door and sleep with one eye open. I've just found you beautiful and I don't want to lose you.

[Ms. Pringle]

Mr. Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Yes, Ms. Pringle.

[Ms. Pringle]

There's a fine room on the first floor, right next to mine.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, no thanks. I'm getting to light the attic.

[Ms. Pringle]

There's electricity and a wall outlet. You can shave.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, really kind of you, but I'm looking forward to roughing it. It'll toughen me up.

[Ms. Pringle]

Mr. Craig, I insist you move to the room downstairs next door.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, this creeping infatuation for me. Fight it, Ms. Pringle, to your last drop of blood. We could get to be the talk of Seneca.

[Ms. Pringle]

I don't care, Mr. Craig, I'm frightened.

[Barry Craig]

In the morning I took breakfast with Town Supervisor Samuels. Breakfast and information.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I'm sorry, Sheriff, but unwelcome.

[Barry Craig]

Burkey's sensitive to competition.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I'm sorry about your injury.

[Barry Craig]

My injury?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You were attacked and beaten last night.

[Barry Craig]

How could you know?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Ms. Pringle had me on the telephone in the middle of the night.

[Barry Craig]

Oh, I want to know about a couple of your townspeople. First, a bright chap who calls himself Harmony. Harmony?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Now, what reason could you.

[Barry Craig]

Never mind. I'm asking the question. Tell me about it.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Harmony's big. Toby Keller hires out for odd jobs. Spring plowing, window washing, garage work.

[Barry Craig]

How about dirty work?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

No, Craig, you're wrong about Harmony. I'd take an oath. His mind isn't the best, but we know him to be good natured, honest.

[Barry Craig]

What about a young Mr. Stanley?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Fred Stanley? He's a newcomer to Seneca.

[Barry Craig]

What brought him here?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

A lawyer got him to come in the first place. From Chicago, I think. Yeah. Yeah, Chicago. Fred Stanley came thinking he was a missing heir. Claim his grandfather's fortune.

[Barry Craig]

But there was no fortune.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Only an old house just this side of the Seneca line. Not worth the taxes on it.

[Barry Craig]

Why? Was there any idea of a fortune at all?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

The grandfather, old Mitchell Stanley, was said to be a rich miser who put no trust in banks. When Mitch Stanley died, there wasn't a penny. They had to auction off his furniture to pay for his funeral.

[Barry Craig]

But young Stanley stayed on in Seneca.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Yeah, Opened an antique shop in the old Stanley house.

[Barry Craig]

Can he make out in a one horse town like this?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

He has business signs posted on the highways, hoping to get the tourist trade. What's your interest in Fred Stanley?

[Barry Craig]

He tried to buy a ship's print, the Princess Ida, from a girlfriend of mine, Ms. Pringle. Stanley offered a hundred dollars for a picture worth $1. A Liberal offer like that. Craig. No. Don't blow your gasket. Only a parcel delivery through your closed window. Did you order this?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

What is it?

[Barry Craig]

A claw, a garden tool like the one used on Doc Tyler. And a note with it. It's addressed to me, Barry Craig. Get out of Seneca by 10 this morning or never.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Get out of Seneca by 10.

[Barry Craig]

9. I've got an hour of grace a night.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Never.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Craig, it's a threat against your life.

[Barry Craig]

I'll be planted in the country, A city fellow like me.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

The handwriting.

[Barry Craig]

No handwriting. The note was put together with newsprint. Can I borrow your car?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Of course.

[Barry Craig]

Stanley's antique shop is on North Rugby Road, just this side of the Seneca line.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You see, it's a three mile drive up the incline to Widders Ridge, then left a quarter mile. Craig, be careful, please. I don't want your murder on my conscience.

[Barry Craig]

Okay, I'll stay alive. But only for your sake, mind you. Staying alive is a deal that sometimes needs the cooperation of unknown parties. In my wagon anyhow. Climbing the steep incline to Widow's ridge, climbing maybe 300ft into morning mists as thick as pea soup. I knew I wasn't going to get that kind of cooperation. A rifle shot that blew a tire into confetti. Flash off the incline. Had to come. Funny distortions in your eye when you first come to and start taking inventory to see if you're alive. A half frozen robin who didn't have the sense to fly south for the winter. He sat on the side of the hill 10ft from where I lay. Staring solemnly at me and chirping prayers for my safety. Oh, when I started getting to my feet, the robin flew away. The inventory added up. I was all there in one place. Peace with a few dents that couldn't hurt forever. Samuel's car was down at the foot of the incline, topsy turvy like it was playing dead dog. I'd been thrown clear of the wreck. Half my fee into the poor box. I took an oath on that. As I started for Rugby Road on foot, Fred Stanley gave me the expected answer.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Just what do you find so unusual about my interest in buying old pictures, Mr. Craig?

[Barry Craig]

$100 for a $1 picture. Doesn't make sense.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

And why must it make sense?

[Barry Craig]

It's a cold, practical world, chum. People generally don't go haywire with money. They conserve it.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Now look, Craig, I collect Americana. Whatever strikes my fancy. I buy the cost Is secondary.

[Barry Craig]

But you're in business to buy cheap and sell at a profit.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Technically, yes, but it doesn't work out that way. I love buying and I hate selling. A profit is rare.

[Barry Craig]

That gets expensive. Where does the money come from?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

That's none of your business, Craig. Now, if you don't mind, I'll terminate this interview.

[Barry Craig]

I'm in no hurry.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Now look here, Craig.

[Barry Craig]

And I'm in no mood for the polite formal approach, Stanley. Or the kind of weasel talk you've been giving me or being terminated.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Are you insane?

[Barry Craig]

I walked away from my own murder 20 minutes ago. I came to this whistle stop against my will to do a big good deed and go home. I don't intend to settle here for keeps.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

But what has that got to do.

[Barry Craig]

You lied to me. A fancy eccentric pose that's as phony as I am born to enact in Shamokin. The ship print signifies something more than just another antique. No polite formal approach, Stanley. I'm going to pound the truth out of you.

[Narrator]

Crazy.

[Barry Craig]

Let me go. Tell me about the Princess Ida ship print.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Let go. Harmony.

[Barry Craig]

Harmony, help. Harmony.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Huh?

[Barry Craig]

Now we're making headway. So King Kong's hired out to you.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Harmony, help. I want you should let Stanley go.

[Barry Craig]

Strapping ape like you, Harmony, you don't need a gun to take charge.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I want you should let Stanley go.

[Barry Craig]

Sure, I'll let Stanley go. I was only fixing his tie. How?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Craig, you had no right to manhandle me. No right?

[Barry Craig]

It paid off. I got to find out who was providing Harmony with his raw meats.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Harmony's with me on day hire to do general cleaning and polishing, scrape down

[Barry Craig]

old furniture, plus prowl and addicts, plus distribute garden tools shaped like claws all over town. Plus take rival shots at passing cars.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You're out of your mind. You assaulted me and Harmony rescued me. Now get out of here.

[Barry Craig]

Sure, but I'll be back. I'll be back, Stanley, the minute I tumble to your motive. Back at Ms. Pringle's to wash up and change my suit for a whole one, I found her prized parlor rug. A mess spots all over it. And the dog fluff, suddenly cured of laryngitis and barking warm spots with a sticky feeling to the hand, red like blood. Blood tracked in by fluff from somewhere. I followed the tracks to Ms. Pringle's bedroom. The blood was Ms. Pringle's goodbye to spinsterhood. The garden tool shaped like a claw lay beside her on the floor like a third hand. Town supervisor. Samuel's aged 20 years and 20 seconds, Craig.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

It's ghastly. Ghastly?

[Barry Craig]

We'll skip the rhetoric. Ms. Pringle was murdered by someone who made off with the Princess Ida.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You know that.

[Barry Craig]

The picture is gone. I searched high and low.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

The murder then clears Stanley and Harmony of any suspicion. No, but you saw them both.

[Barry Craig]

Ms. Pringle could have been murdered earlier while I was here breakfasting with you. The Princess Ida and Old Baldy. Two murders for two worthless relics.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You're convinced these relics motivated the atrustes?

[Barry Craig]

It figures. The relics and somebody's lust to kill for its own sake. We're dealing with a nut to boot. Do the articles have any history?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

History?

[Barry Craig]

A story? Some legend they figure in, say?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

No, no, nothing I know Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Some background that could tell us why two hunks of junk produced two killings.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I'm sorry.

[Barry Craig]

Is there anybody in Seneca who could know a village librarian or a local historian?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You could ask Will Briggs. Will used to be our recorder until the town board voted to abolish the job.

[Barry Craig]

Will Briggs?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Will's crotchety, bad tempered. I don't think he'll be disposed to help you, even if he could.

[Barry Craig]

Even in a town crisis like this,

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Will Briggs don't feel very civic about Seneca and its problems. Since we abolished his job for economy reasons, Will's been feudin. Sued in the courts for pension, making a rumpus at town hall meetings.

[Barry Craig]

Great cooperative little town you've got here. Great job you rope me into. But Will Briggs pulled a switch on Samuel's characterization of him. Briggs fell all over himself cooperating for $20.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Mr. Craig, I'm a man without funds.

[Barry Craig]

20 bucks. Okay. You get it?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

That counted Board of Supervisors did you dirt?

[Barry Craig]

Old Baldy and the Princess Ida scratch

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

your memory and the Princess Ida. Funny.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Now you should be asking about them.

[Barry Craig]

Why is it funny?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You're the second party that's come to me asking.

[Barry Craig]

Who came first?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Oh, Mitchell Stanley's grandson. The one who settled himself into a shop. Here is better go young Fred Stanley.

[Barry Craig]

What did you tell him?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

What I'll tell you if you wait. I have the record here.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Yes, here it is. The sales sheet in my own writing for that auction they held at Mitchell Stanley's once to raise money for burying them. I was scraping for the auctioneer that day.

[Barry Craig]

Get to it, please.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

My time. See? Says here we sold beds and tables and floor coverings. Down here it says old baldy. $0.50. Sold to Dr. Tyler. Princess Ida, $1.00.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Sold to Ms. Pringle and the Snowman.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Sold for $0.75.

[Barry Craig]

What's the snowman?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

The design on a patchwork quilt.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

It's named for who bought it.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Let me see. So do Adam Samuels. It says that's the town supervisor himself.

[Barry Craig]

Where's your telephone, Briggs?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Telephone?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

It never invented it from its use to me, keeping body and soul together as it is.

[Barry Craig]

Riggs, don't bend my ears.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

What's got your back up, Samuels?

[Barry Craig]

Your town supervisor's number three on the claw murderers list.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

If it's so I say good riddance to the black hearted.

[Barry Craig]

Good riddance are bad. Someone else would have to judge Samuel's merits as a human on on earth. The garden tool shaped as a claw lay across the room where it had been thrown. A claw with bright red fingers. Fred Stanley resisted arrest to the last gasp. Harmony's last gasp, that is.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Craig, get out of here.

[Barry Craig]

They're under arrest. Stanley, you have no authority. Got a gun, Harmony. That ape man comes through the door and he's dead. Harmony, you're asking your moronic stooge to commit suicide.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

We'll see, Harmony.

[Barry Craig]

One down. And Seneca's a better place for it.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

You.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

You killed him.

[Barry Craig]

He's only wounded. Where do you want it, Stanley?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I'll go with.

[Barry Craig]

Stanley. Put his confession on record. After a little workout and a lot

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

of sweating, I. I found a diary that once belonged to my grandfather Mitchell Stanley. A diary hidden behind the oak paneling over a fireplace. In the diary, three pieces of a map were mentioned.

[Barry Craig]

A piece each hidden in Old Baldy, the Prince of and the Snowman. Huh?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Yes, a treasure map. The three pieces were to fit together into a treasure map. Through them I'd find the wealth my grandfather was reputed to have. The wealth that never turned up when he died.

[Barry Craig]

Insanity runs in the Stanley line, huh?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

My grandfather's whole genius was a genius for hiding and hoarding. Hiding from the world in that awful house at the edge of the town line.

[Barry Craig]

Hoarding his gold.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Fantastic thing like a child's treasure map was well in character with my grandfather. The shabby trick too was well in character with my grandfather.

[Barry Craig]

What does that mean?

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Well, it was all a grotesque joke.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

My grandfather's ghoulish sense of humor.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I killed three people for a load of junk.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

There weren't any pieces of map in Old Baldy or the Princess Ida or the Snowman.

[Barry Craig]

That diary, Stanley, give it to me. Here.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Go hunt yourself up some treasure, Craig.

[Barry Craig]

There was an anti climax to the Stanley story in a village beanery with the sometimes sheriff Burkey trying to act apologetic and yet keep his Dignity.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

I suppose you'll be leaving now, Craig.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah, I can't wait to stand on Broadway and flip a cigarette into the gutter.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Well, I've been a jealous fool.

[Barry Craig]

So would I be in your shoes.

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Oh, thanks. Will Briggs is coming over to see. He says you owe him something.

[Barry Craig]

Yeah, yeah. 20 bucks for valuable services rendered, Mr. Briggs.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Briggs, it's not out of order now

[Barry Craig]

to dun me for 20 bucks. Here you are.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Thank you. And we go.

[Barry Craig]

Stick around a minute, Briggs. I want to go over that feud you had with the town board.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

I'm over it now.

[Barry Craig]

Now, with the town board extinct, now that the murders of Doc Tyler, Ms. Pringle and Samuels have left Seneca without

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

a town board, I'm not one to

[Barry Craig]

pittery the dead, but I'm one to pillory the living. Here's that alleged Mitchell Stanley diary that produced three murders.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Is it now?

[Barry Craig]

And this is that auction sales sheet in your own handwriting, as you told me. Do I have to tell you that the handwriting in both is the same even down at the Greening?

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

Briggs. What are you getting at with Briggs?

[Barry Craig]

That Briggs here forged the diary, Sheriff, and planted it where young Stanley would be sure to find it. That Stanley killed three people Briggs hated, while Briggs sat back and enjoyed the show. That young Stanley was only a dupe, a tool used for revenge. Make the arrest, sheriff, and then flag down a train so I can scram out of this whistle stop. The sweet neighborliness around here is just killing me. Good night, folks. See you next week.

[Narrator]

You have been listening to William Gargan in another exciting transcribed mystery drama from the adventures of Barry Craig, confidential investigator. Tonight's story, Diary of Death, was written by John Robert. Next week, it's the strange story titled A Time to Kill, about which Barry Craig has this to say.

[Barry Craig]

Next week, I have a wow of a time in the kindergarten when a whimsical corpse insists on playing hide and go seek. See you next week, folks.

[Narrator]

Featured in the role of Samuels was Louis Van Ruten. Barry Craig, starring William Gargan, was under the direction of Hyman Brown. This is Don Parlo speaking.

[Town Supervisor Samuels]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

Next, Robert Montgomery presents something different than News analysis on NBC.

[Barry Craig]

Thanks for joining us at 1001 Radio Crime Solvers. Reviews are always appreciated. So if you have a moment, please do stop and send us one. Until next time, everyone stay safe and

[Lieutenant Trav Rogers]

we'll be back soon.

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[Barry Craig]

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