STOLEN INFORMATION GROUP (NORWAY) and FIND ANTONINA (PORTUGAL) DANGEROUS ASSIGNMENT

Summary

1001 Radio Crime Solvers: “Stolen Information Group (Norway)” & “Find Antonina (Portugal)” - Dangerous Assignment

Podcast Host: Jon Hagadorn
Featured Stories: Two back-to-back “Dangerous Assignment” radio drama episodes
Broadcast Date: March 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode immerses listeners in two thrilling radio detective stories from the golden age of radio, both starring government agent Steve Mitchell (Brian Donlevy):

1. “Stolen Information Group (Norway)” – Steve Mitchell’s undercover infiltration into an international espionage ring.
2. “Find Antonina (Portugal)” – A complex tale of espionage, suspected subversive activity, and double-cross in postwar Europe.

Each half-hour, Mitchell is sent by “the Commissioner” on a new assignment that takes him deep into danger and intrigue, capturing the suspenseful, hard-boiled adventure style of mid-century radio drama.

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“Stolen Information Group (Norway)”

(Start ~1:14)

Assignment Brief

• Commissioner sends Mitchell to Oslo, Norway, under the cover as “Nick Francis.”
• Objective: Infiltrate and apprehend the head of a massive “Bureau” smuggling secret information across Europe and the US. Mitchell will pose as a courier at a $50,000 payroll handover.
• Commissioner: “This man has agents operating in every European capital as well as here in the United States. They pick up any secret information they can buy or steal, funnel it back to the Bureau, where he sorts it out and peddles it to any nation interested.” (01:56)

Key Events and Investigative Twists

Arrival in Oslo

• At the airport, Mitchell (as Francis) is paged and approached by a mysterious blonde, Helga Strauss, who claims it’s not safe at the hotel and leads him to a secluded house (04:42–05:28).
• Turns out to be a setup to get him out of the way (“As neat a sucker play to get me out of the way as I’ve ever seen. No blood, no mess, no fuss.” 06:33).

Murder at Hotel Engar

• Mitchell heads to the hotel, only to learn that another “Nick Francis” has already checked in.
• Discovers the imposter killed in his room by a knife – likely the real boss with a quick elimination strategy (06:50–07:54).

Collaborating with the Police

• With Lt. Roberg, Mitchell investigates clues found on the victim (a locker key) (08:09).
• Helga is apprehended; she reveals fragments of the plot: her boyfriend Rudy, a ski instructor, was hired to impersonate Francis for the cash payout (09:18–09:53).
• “He was to come to the Hotel Ingar here in Oslo, pose as a man named Nicholas Francis and someone would give him $50,000.” – Helga (09:46–09:52)

To the Mountain Lodge (Avdal)

• Mitchell suspects the real boss is among the guests at a mountain inn, the scene of the phone call that started the caper (10:39–11:45).

At the Inn: Suspects Assemble

• He meets:
  • Mr. Whitley: Collector with a sword cane, suspect for his Oslo trip (13:49–14:21)
  • Lina: Innkeeper’s daughter, a potential accomplice or decoy (14:00–14:45)
  • Tasson: Guest with a broken ankle – later revealed as critical (16:16–17:10)
  • Mr. Coulter: Absent, returned from Oslo, also suspicious.
• Social interplay at the lodge is tense and full of subtle references to travel and alibis.

The Trap & The Reveal

• Mitchell spots the hotel clerk Linvald, follows him and Lt. Roberg outside. Linvald flees, falls to his death (18:39–19:07).
• Roberg sets a trap back at the inn: pretends Linvald is merely under arrest, luring the ringleader to act.
• Twist: It’s “Laughing Boy” Tasson himself, supposedly laid up with a cast, who comes for the car keys—revealed as the true boss (21:07).
• Climactic struggle on the balcony leads to Tasson’s undoing: “All his weight comes down on the bum foot and it can´t afford him...He took the big drop, just like his stooge, Lindvald. I guess that’s what you call two falls to a finish.” (22:25–22:51)

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Key Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Steve Mitchell (opening narration, 01:14): “Danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can’t even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble.”
• On the impostor’s murder: “He has a surprise look on his face. I guess he wasn’t expecting the knife that’s buried in his back.” (06:50)
• Helga, on her boyfriend: “He told me that he had uncovered a marvelous opportunity to make a lot of money…He was to come to the Hotel Ingar here in Oslo, pose as a man named Nicholas Francis and someone would give him $50,000.” (09:44–09:53)
• Revelation of Tasson as the ringleader: “You get around pretty well for a guy with one foot in a cast.” (21:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:14] Mission Briefing with the Commissioner
• [04:19] Arrival and Setup at Oslo
• [06:49] The Murder at the Hotel
• [09:12] Helga’s Interrogation
• [13:10] Onward to the Ski Lodge
• [20:44] The Trap is Sprung, Tasson Revealed
• [22:25] Climactic Balcony Struggle

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“Find Antonina (Portugal)”

(Begins ~26:25)

Assignment Brief

• Steve Mitchell is dispatched to Lisbon to follow Antonina Aguirre, recently deported from the US under suspicious circumstances.
• Arrest had been engineered by Antonina herself—indicating a double cross (“The anonymous tip…had been set up by the girl herself.” Commissioner, 27:15).
• Notable connection: She’s been seen with Luis Cortese, linked to subversive groups.

Key Events and Intrigue

Arrival in Lisbon & First Contact

• Antonina lands; Mitchell follows her onto a northbound train (29:07–29:50).
• Enters comic rapport with Sam Jessup, a chatty American passenger who provides cover.
• Mitchell engineers a meeting with Antonina by pretending to rescue her from Jessup’s unwanted advances (31:41–32:13).

Antonina’s Story

• She claims to return for her father’s health, but under pressure admits being used to courier mysterious envelopes in the US for Cortese (35:33–36:38).
• Mitchell: “Why did you set yourself up for deportation?”
  Antonina: “To get away from Cortese. The errands he forced me to do.” (35:59–36:02)
• The most recent envelope was stolen—by a man later revealed as Eduardo Podesta, who “rescued” her from the thief.

The Curious X-Rays

• Antonina finally looked in an envelope: it contained dental X-rays.
• “Just when all this was beginning to make sense, some guy has to shove his choppers into the act.” (37:17–37:20)

The Trap

• Mitchell and local police Captain Rios plan to draw out the enemy by staging Antonina in a conspicuous location, hoping to lure contact.

The Twist: Subterfuge Unmasked

• Antonina is kidnapped but released; her captors only want to know “how much she had told the police.”
• Major clue: The “passerby” who rescued her in the States—Eduardo Podesta—is actually a top Italian diplomat using a false name (45:01–45:19).

The Motive Unveiled

• The entire operation was a smokescreen: the aim was never the x-rays, but to discover the diplomat’s alias.
• “The dental x-rays were just a smoke screen. The whole deal was rigged so they could find out the name an Italian diplomat was traveling under.” (45:43–45:59)

Showdown at the Airport

• Mitchell races to Lisbon to thwart an abduction of Podesta.
• Shocking Reveal: Antonina’s uncle Sebastian is the traitorous mastermind. He draws a gun on Mitchell, hoping to intercept the diplomat's secret briefcase (46:56–47:16).
• In a dramatic scuffle, Mitchell foils the plan—“Well, Sebastian, looks like you and your buddies just aren't going to get a peek at that little briefcase.” (47:29–47:46)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Commissioner, on the suspicious tip: “They learned that the anonymous tip they had received, the one that led to the girl’s arrest, had been set up by the girl herself.” (27:15)
• Antonina, explaining her actions: “To get away from Cortese. The errands he forced me to do.” (35:59)
• Steve Mitchell’s deadpan on x-rays: “Oh, brother. Just when all this was beginning to make sense, some guy has to shove his choppers into the act.” (37:20)
• Mitchell, after thwarting the abduction: “That’s nothing. Back home we’ve got thousands of people who can do that…we call them pedestrians.” (47:49–47:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [26:25] Assignment Briefing: The Antonina Mission
• [29:07] Lisbon Arrival / Train Pursuit
• [31:41] First Interaction with Antonina
• [36:02] Secret Courier Revelations / X-Ray Clue
• [42:25] The Trap: Setting and Failure
• [45:19] Discovery of Podesta’s True Identity
• [46:55] Airport Showdown
• [47:46] Case Closure

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Episode Tone & Style

In classic hard-boiled fashion, Mitchell narrates his suspicion-laden adventures with humor and bullish confidence. The dialogue crackles with period-appropriate wit, noir turns of phrase, and an undercurrent of danger. Social engineering, double-crosses, and gunplay are all in a day’s perilous work.

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Final Thoughts

This double feature is a rich showcase of the golden age of radio detective drama, serving its classic tropes—a dashing government agent, a parade of femme fatales and shifty suspects, sardonic asides, and razor-sharp twists. Both mysteries are neatly resolved, with every clue freighted with suspense and every suspect given their moment in the intrigue.

Listeners unfamiliar with “Dangerous Assignment” or the era’s radio crime, will find this an accessible, entertaining introduction, brimming with action and the clever, fast-paced language that defined its genre.

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For Fans: New episodes of 1001 Radio Crime Solvers every Sunday at 5pm ET.
For details and more classic crime, visit www.1001storiespodcast.com.

Transcript

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[Steve Mitchell]

Well, nothing.

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[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble. But when I walk into the Commissioner's office, I don't realize that this assignment's going to wind up with me exactly one foot from death. Morning, Commissioner. You sent for me, Steve?

[Commissioner]

I've arranged an appointment for you in Oslo, Norway, tomorrow night.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, who am I supposed to meet?

[Commissioner]

We won't know until he shows up. Room 21, Hotel Ingar.

[Steve Mitchell]

Is this going to be a friendly meeting or are things apt to get rough? Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

We've been after this man for a long time, Steve. He heads an organization known as the Bureau of An International Clearing House for Stolen Information.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sounds like big business.

[Commissioner]

It is. This man has agents operating in every European capital as well as here in the United States. They pick up any secret information they can buy or steal, funnel it back to the Bureau, where he sorts it out and peddles it to any nation interested.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. So why is he going to show up at the Hotel Engar in Oslo?

[Commissioner]

He's bringing a payroll. He's to turn over $50,000 to a man representing his agents in this country.

[Steve Mitchell]

And how did we find this out?

[Commissioner]

Our boys grabbed this representative in New York last night as he was about to board a plane for Europe. He talked plenty.

[Steve Mitchell]

I get it. So I take this gent's place and go on to oslo to meet Mr. Big. Wait a minute. Commissioner, won't it sort of complicate things. If Mr. Big knows what the courier

[Commissioner]

looks like, he won't. A different man is sent for the payroll each time. And the man we have in custody has never met the big shot.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, what name do I use?

[Commissioner]

Francis.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're kidding.

[Commissioner]

Nick Francis. That's the courier's name. Get over to Oslo, Steve. It's vitally important we nail the head of this organization. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment. Good luck.

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company is presenting Dangerous Assignments starring Brian Dunleavy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful two fisted government agent. At all those places of the world where danger and intrigue walk hand in hand. There you will find Steve Mitchell on another dangerous assignment. Hollywood's greatest star studded spectacle. The Academy Awards presentation will be broadcast in its entirety tomorrow night by the NBC radio network. Listen tomorrow to NBC's exclusive broadcast of Hollywood's most impressive ceremony, the Academy awards. More than 30 of Hollywood's greatest motion picture stars will appear on the Academy Awards stage in the heart of Hollywood. Bob Hope will be master of ceremonies and Paul Douglas will be your NBC host for the evening. So set aside tomorrow night for the Academy Awards. Hear every moment of this stellar glamour gathering tomorrow night on the NBC radio network. It's Hollywood's most important night of the year and you can be a part of it when you listen on NBC.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure. I've got my assignment. Get over to Oslo, Norway under the name Nick Francis and keep an appointment with a gent who heads an international information ring. It's early Thursday evening when my plane lands at the Norwegian capital. As I saunter through the airport waiting room, I get the feeling that a pair of eyes are planted on the back of my head.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Attention please. Will Mr. Francis report to the information desk? Attention, Mr. Francis, report to the.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, here we go already. I don't know if that's good or not. I look around, spot the info desk at the far end of the waiting room and walk over.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Yes, sir, may I assist you?

[Steve Mitchell]

You were paging me? I'm Nick Francis. Oh yes.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

A lady has been asking for you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, let me see.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Ah, over there you see the large lady with the red hat carrying the Perrin cage?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh yeah.

[Narrator]

Sitting next to her on the left,

[Lieutenant Roberg]

the attractive blonde lady.

[Steve Mitchell]

That.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

That's the one.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's better.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Ah, here she comes.

[Steve Mitchell]

Looks like Oslo's answer to Marilyn Monroe. I beg pardon,

[Helga Strauss]

you are Mr. Francis?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's right.

[Helga Strauss]

Well, I am Helga Strauss. There has been a change of plans, Mr. Francis. IVA sent to Inform you it is not safe here at the hotel.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks for the tip. What now?

[Helga Strauss]

You will come with me. I will take you to the meeting.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Lead on, Helga. Outside, we ease into her car and drive off. During the next 10 minutes, she doesn't volunteer much information and I don't ask. Finally, she wheels the car to a stop in a small side street in a quiet neighborhood. I follow her down a winding path and around to the front of an old dilapidated house. We push through the rickety front gate and up onto the porch. Hey. Place kind of dark. Doesn't seem to be anyone home.

[Helga Strauss]

Wait here. I will go around to the back.

[Steve Mitchell]

Want me to come along?

[Helga Strauss]

No, no. You wait here.

[Steve Mitchell]

I light up a cigarette and wait. A couple of minutes go by. And then I happen to spot something partially hidden in the weeds not far from the porch. I go down and pick it up. It's a small sign on a post and I know just enough Norwegian to read it. For sale. I grab my bag and head down the path on the double. When I get back to the street, Helga's car is long gone.

[Sam Jessup]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

As neat a sucker play to get me out of the way as I've ever seen. No blood, no mess, no fuss. Simple but effective. I give myself three demerits and spend the next 10 minutes trying to find a cab. It's another 15 minutes before I pull up at the Hotel Engar. Good evening, sir.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Good evening.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm Leanvolt. May I help you? I have a reservation. The name is Nick Francis. But how can that be, sir? Look what goes. But Mr. Francis is already in his room. What? Yes, sir. He checked in an hour ago. Went upstairs immediately. I don't wait for the elevator. I take the stairs two at a clip. And 40 seconds later I pull up at the door of room 21 and try the knob. The door's unlocked. There's a gent curled up on the floor. Probably the phony Nick Francis. He has a surprise look on his face. I guess he wasn't expecting the knife that's buried in his back. Five minutes later, the law arrives in the person of one Lt. Roberg. He clears the room of interested spectators. And when we're alone, I show him my credentials and give him a fast rundown.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Then our killer could have been the man you are seeking. The head of this so called Bureau.

[Steve Mitchell]

Right. He walks in, recognizes this gent as a phony and slips him the knife.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Another possibility, Mr. Mitchell. What if he knew or suspected the man in the room here was an American? Agent.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't see how he could have found that out. But it's a thought and not a very pleasant one. I found this in his pocket. A key. Fits a locker, I'd say. There's a number stamped on the back. Also a manufacturer's mark. Yes, Yes.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

I do not think this will be difficult to trace.

[Steve Mitchell]

The lieutenant puts in a couple of phone calls and finds out the key is to a baggage locker. And 10 minutes later we roll up in front of the railroad station in a police car. As the lieutenant and I hurry inside, I bump into an old friend.

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, excuse me, I. What's you?

[Mr. Tasson]

Yeah, me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hold on, sweetheart.

[Helga Strauss]

Let me go wherever called the police.

[Steve Mitchell]

You can whisper for one. Helga, meet Lieutenant Rolberg.

[Helga Strauss]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

This Lieutenant, is the little lady I was telling you about. She's in the real estate business. Specializes in empty houses.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

So how fortunate we meet, my dear. I have some questions I would like to ask concerning the affair at the Hotel Engar this evening.

[Helga Strauss]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Steve Mitchell]

You can drop that routine, sweetheart.

[Narrator]

You're up to here in murder.

[Helga Strauss]

Murder?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Your boyfriend, Rudy.

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, you lie.

[Steve Mitchell]

A trip to the morgue might convince you.

[Helga Strauss]

Rudy did.

[Steve Mitchell]

What was your boyfriend's game? Come on, Helga.

[Helga Strauss]

I knew very little about it. We met, Rudy and I, at the inn two months ago. He is well. He was a ski instructor.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

What inn is this you speak of, Jornsen?

[Helga Strauss]

It is in the mountains near the village of Avdal. A few days ago he told me that he had uncovered a marvelous opportunity to make a lot of money. That I could help him.

[Steve Mitchell]

What was this opportunity?

[Helga Strauss]

He was to come to the Hotel Ingar here in Oslo. Post as a man named Nicholas Francis and someone would give him $50,000.

[Steve Mitchell]

And who was this someone?

[Helga Strauss]

I do not know. Rudy did not tell me. You said that he had heard part of a telephone conversation at the inn. One of the guests was involved. Did not tell me who that guest was, though.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, Lieutenant, suppose you escort Helga to the car, huh? I'll see what this locker key turns up.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Over here, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Ah. Where's our girlfriend?

[Lieutenant Roberg]

In the car. My man is with.

[Steve Mitchell]

Here's the stuff I found in the station locker. Small traveling bag, clothing. Also a wallet and identification papers. Checks with what Helga told us.

[Commissioner]

I see.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Come, let's go back to headquarters.

[Steve Mitchell]

Then you go on, Lieutenant. I've just bought a train ticket to Avdol.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

You are going up to the inn?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. I'm interested in the guests staying there or One of them, anyway. I'd like to find out which one. Took a little trip to Oslo today,

[Lieutenant Roberg]

having rid himself of Rudy. You think he has gone back to the inn?

[Steve Mitchell]

Maybe. Probably to set up another contact with Nick Francis. I see.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

But suppose our killer knew that the man he was to meet in that room was an American agent. Instead, he finds Rudy, whom he recognizes as the ski instructor. He kills him because obviously Rudy knows too much.

[Steve Mitchell]

Go on, Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

There is still the American agent to be disposed of.

[Steve Mitchell]

You.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

The killer hurries to the airport to contact Nick Francis, perhaps by the same

[Steve Mitchell]

method the girl used, only she beats him to it. But he gets a good look at me.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

And now if you show up at the inn.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I'm a dead pigeon. That is, if your theory is right. If you're wrong, I'll see you around, Lieutenant.

[Narrator]

Steve Mitchell will continue his dangerous assignment in just a moment. On our nation's highways, excessive speed is the number one killer. It takes more than half of the lives lost in traffic accidents in many states. And only you as a driver can help reduce the terrifying toll of human lives. Obey the signs of safety, the signs along the highways which indicate lawful speed limits. But when road conditions are hazardous, slow down for safety's sake. Many times the posted limits are not the safe limits. Remember that at 60 miles an hour, your car moves 88ft per second. And it only takes a moment for trouble to loom up out of nowhere. Take a tip from the professional truck drivers, the men who drive for a living. And stay alert. Keep your eyes on the road ahead, where you can see accidents threatened before they can happen. And avoid rushing headlong into that fatal accident. Obey these few good rules for safe driving. Keep alert. Keep your eyes on the road ahead. And remember that driving is a full time job. Then slow down, for the life you save may be your own. Now back to dangerous Assignment and Brian Dunlevy as Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, at this point it looks like Rudy, the ski instructor at Jorsson's Lodge up in the mountains, decided to deal himself into the card game by posing as Nick Frank to collect a payroll from the boss of an international secret information ring. Which of course is what I'm trying to do also in order to nab the boss. But Rudy got himself dealt a knife in the back, which of course doesn't exactly relax my shoulder blades any. Right now, though, it looks like my best chance of finding the killer is up at the inn. So I hop the next train. Two hours later, I get off at a small village at the foot Of a mountain. Then I spot another guy getting off the train. A fat gent with a cane who comes waddling toward me. Ah, good afternoon, sir.

[Narrator]

Good afternoon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi.

[Narrator]

Is your destination the inn?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. You know where it is?

[Narrator]

Site along McCain, sir, up on the

[Commissioner]

side of the mountain.

[Mr. Tasson]

Hey, long way up.

[Narrator]

Hey, Lena should be here any moment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lena? The innkeeper's daughter.

[Narrator]

She usually meets the trains.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, you're a guest at the inn,

[Narrator]

Ms. Whitley is the name, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Ronald Whitley.

[Narrator]

And you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell. Delighted.

[Narrator]

Yes, I'm a guest of the Inner.

[Steve Mitchell]

But you took a little trip into Oslo, huh?

[Narrator]

Yes, made a rare find too. Why, I'm a collector. Isn't this a beauty?

[Steve Mitchell]

The cane?

[Narrator]

Oh, it's much more than just an ordinary cane seat.

[Steve Mitchell]

Ooh, a soy cane. Hey, I'm sorry, old boy. Would you flourish that thing somewhere else than in the vicinity of my belt puffer?

[Narrator]

Did I come a bit too close for comfort?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Ah, here's Lena. Hello, Mr. Whitley, my dear.

[Commissioner]

This is Steve Mitchell, another guest for you.

[Helga Strauss]

Hello, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, hello.

[Narrator]

A charming addition to the inn, don't you think, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, and I haven't even seen the inn.

[Helga Strauss]

Come along, both of you. This is your room, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Very nice.

[Helga Strauss]

And here, a nice view from this balcony, don't you think?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, very long way down too.

[Helga Strauss]

Over there in that direction is.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, sorry, I did not mean to crowd you against the rain.

[Steve Mitchell]

Of course not.

[Helga Strauss]

I just wanted to point out the pond where we skied. And down there is another pond, Quite beautiful in the evening. Oh, perhaps you would like to see it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Perhaps you'd like to show it to me.

[Helga Strauss]

Perhaps tonight.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's a date. You know, things happen kind of fast up here. Must be the altitude.

[Helga Strauss]

Or the attitude.

[Steve Mitchell]

Could be many guests here at the inn?

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, quite a few. You have already met one of them, Mr. Whitley?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, the gent with the sword cane. He took a quick trip to Oslo last night, huh?

[Helga Strauss]

Yeah, with Mr. Coulter.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who's Mr. Coulter?

[Helga Strauss]

He's another guest who also took a trip into Oslo.

[Steve Mitchell]

Has he come back yet?

[Helga Strauss]

Yeah, on an earlier train this afternoon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where is he now?

[Helga Strauss]

I believe he's out skiing. Well, come along downstairs, Mr. Mitchell. I introduce you to some of the guests.

[Steve Mitchell]

Fine, Lina.

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, here's one of them now, coming down the hall.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's some cast he's got on that foot.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Helga Strauss]

Poor Mr. Tyson.

[Mr. Tasson]

Well, well, Lena, my dear.

[Helga Strauss]

Mr. Tyson, I'd like you to meet another guest, Mr. Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mr. Tasson.

[Mr. Tasson]

Make a tass, Steve. That's what everybody calls Me, Just plain Tass.

[Steve Mitchell]

Looks like you've had an accident. Oh, the ankle.

[Mr. Tasson]

Well, Steve, that one's on me. Yes, sir. I was a chucklehead. That's all there is to it.

[Steve Mitchell]

How so?

[Mr. Tasson]

Live dangerously, that's my motto. Old Tass has only been skiing a couple of months, but already he's not satisfied with easy slope back of the inn. No, sir. He's got to try the big one over the ridge.

[Helga Strauss]

A very dangerous slope, Ste.

[Mr. Tasson]

Talk about a three point landing. And one of the points happened to be my ankle.

[Helga Strauss]

But if you ever saw it happen, we thought it was dead for a moment.

[Mr. Tasson]

Only thing that saved me, I guess, was that I hit first on my head.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Well, I'll see you around, Mr. Tasson. I wander around the inn sizing up the guests. And of course I'm wondering about that cast on Tasson's ankle and if it's legit. But I find out real soon that it is. One of the guests is the doctor who set the ankle and he tells me it was broken in two places. That sort of crosses Laughing Boy Tasson off my list because the gent I'm after killed Rudy and Oslo. And Tassin hasn't left the inn. That sort of focuses attention on Whitley, the sword cane artist and Cooler, who's still out skiing. Also, I'm wondering about that quick date Lena made with me for tonight. She could be involved too. Towards night, I wander into the lounge.

[Mr. Tasson]

Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hmm?

[Mr. Tasson]

Over here by the fireplace.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Tassin.

[Mr. Tasson]

Come on in and join us for a drink, huh? Take the chill out of your bones. Oh, you know Whitley, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure. He made quite an impression on me earlier with the point of his sword. Kane.

[Helga Strauss]

You are enjoying your stay here, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I.

[Helga Strauss]

What is it, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

Nothing. I'll be back. What starts me moving is the sight of a man starting down the stairs. It's Lindball, the climbing clerk from the Hotel Engar in Oslo. As he reaches the bottom of the stairs, he spots me and ducks out a back door. I pound after him outside, he's nowhere in sight. I circle around the inn a couple of minutes, but there's no sign of him. And the snow is too cut up to do any tracking. Then as I round the corner of the building. Hey, Lieutenant Roberg from Oslo. What are you doing here?

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Well, I went to the Hotel Ingar to question the clerk, Lindbold again about the times involved in Rudy's murder. They told me Linvall had been taken ill. Suddenly, as I was leaving, I observed him coming out of the rear entrance.

[Steve Mitchell]

I followed him to the depot and then here. Come on. He can't be far.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

If Linval is involved, Mitchell, that means. What's the matter?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sounds like an engine of some sort. The ski lift.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Lindol's going up the slope in one of the seats.

[Commissioner]

Come on.

[Steve Mitchell]

We head for the ski lift, but halfway up the slope, Lindvall spots us and jumps off. We start after him. It's slow going in the snow, but we gain on him. Then over the ridge. He comes to a deep crevice. He tries to jump across, but he doesn't make it. Yeah, that takes care of Lindwald. Look, I figured he was just a stooge in the deal. Also, the people at the inn can't possibly know he's dead. So we're going back to the inn and set a little trap. If it works, I hook the boss. When we get to the inn, Lieutenant Groberg goes inside. Alone. He's up to a window where I can hear.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Is Mr. Mitchell here?

[Helga Strauss]

No, he went outside some time ago.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

I am Lieutenant Roberg of the Oslo police. When Mitchell returns, tell him I am taking a man named Lindvald into the village for questioning. I want Mitchell to join me immediately.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lt. Roberg leaves the inn. I wait a few minutes and then stroll inside. Say, the policeman looking for you?

[Helga Strauss]

He wants you to come into the village.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, yours is the only car here, Lena. Could I borrow it?

[Mr. Tasson]

Of course.

[Steve Mitchell]

She gives me the keys and I go upstairs. Supposedly to change clothes, but actually to wait and see who shows up. I figure the head of the information ring, one of the guests now thinks that Lindbold is under arrest. And if he's afraid Lindbold will talk, he'll either want to stop me from getting into the village or else he'll try it for a getaway. Either way, he'll want those car keys I've got and he'll come after them. And it didn't take him long. I say, Mitchell Whitley, if you're going

[Narrator]

into the village, would you pick up a couple of magazines for me?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, fine. Okay.

[Narrator]

Yeah, I've written down the names. Thanks, Oefler.

[Mr. Tasson]

Hold it, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, well, laughing boy. Tassin. I should have remembered. That balcony runs clear across the front of the inn. You get around pretty well for a guy with one foot in a cast.

[Mr. Tasson]

I manage. You don't seem surprised to see me.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm not. That's why Whitley showing up threw me for a moment. No. As soon as I found out Lindwald was in the deal. The light started to dawn and you were the logical one.

[Mr. Tasson]

How so?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, Rudy the ski instructor found out there was going to be a payoff to your American representative, Nick Francis. So Rudy decided to pose as Francis and collect.

[Mr. Tasson]

That's right.

[Steve Mitchell]

But he'd have hardly done it if he thought the boss was going to make the payoff in person. He had to be sure the boss wouldn't come to Oslo. How could he be sure? Well, a busted ankle, for instance. I see. Lindvald was to make your payoff for you. But Lindvald recognized Rudy as a phony and knocked them off. Then came back here to report to you.

[Mr. Tasson]

That's pretty nice figuring, Mitchell, but too late. Just step out on the balcony here and hand over those keys.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay,

[Mr. Tasson]

that's far enough.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happens now?

[Mr. Tasson]

An unfortunate accident. It's a long way down and you shouldn't have been standing so close to the rail.

[Steve Mitchell]

Neither should you, Mitchell. I dive to one side and hack at his gun. Knocks the shot wild. He swings the gun at me, but I duck under it and throw him off balance. All his weight comes down on the bum foot and it can't afford him. Oh, brother.

[Commissioner]

Mitchell.

[Lieutenant Roberg]

Mitchell. I double back as you suggested.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Lieutenant. That was Tasson. Yeah, he took the big drop, just like his stooge, Lindwald. I guess that's what you call two falls to a finish.

[Narrator]

Our star, Brian Donlevy will return in a moment. Remember, tomorrow's the night for NBC's exclusive broadcast of the fabulous Academy Awards ceremonies over the station. Listen and hear the glamour and glitter that is Hollywood's biggest night of the year, Academy Award night. Hear Bob Hope as master of ceremonies and Paul Douglas as NBC's host for the evening. Here are such great Hollywood stars as Loretta Young, Ginger Rogers, Janet Gaynor, Mary Pickford, James Stewart, Ray Milan, Olivia de Havilland, Jane Wyman and many, many others as they introduce this year's Oscar winners. Then hear the voices of the winners as they accept the highest award in the motion picture industry. Yes, you have a front row seat for all of the star spangled glamour that is the Academy Awards. When you set your radio dial to this station, this is the Academy's silver Jubilee year and all of Hollywood wonders who will win the Oscars. You can hear each award presented tomorrow night, so make it a date to hear every glittering moment of the ceremonies on the NBC radio network.

[Steve Mitchell]

Next week. Lisbon, a guy who didn't want to get arrested and a girl who did.

[Narrator]

And that will be Steve Mitchell's. Dangerous Assignment next week. Included in tonight's cast were ken peters, gigi pearson, paul freeze, dan o' herlihy and betty lou gerson. This is john storm speaking. Dangerous Assignments, starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell with Herb Butterfield as the commissioner, is written by Bob Rife and Adrian John Doe and is directed by Bill Karn. Be with us again next week at this same time when Brian Dunleavy, starring in the role of Steve Mitchell, will embark on another transcribed Dangerous Assignment. Who will win the Oscars? Listen tomorrow on NBC.

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[Narrator]

Dangerous assignment transcribed starring brian donleby as steve mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble. But when I walk into the commissioner's office, I can't realize that this assignment's going to wind up with me trying to decide whether I'd rather get run over or shot. Morning, Commissioner. You sent for me, Steve?

[Commissioner]

I'm putting you on the trail of a young lady.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, this must be my lucky day.

[Commissioner]

A very beautiful lady, I might add. Here's her picture.

[Steve Mitchell]

This gets better as it goes along. Tell me more, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Her name is Antonina Aguirre. She entered the United States illegally after the war, was picked up by immigration officials a short time ago, and is now being sent back to Portugal. At the moment, she's on a boat in the mid Atlantic bound to Lisbon.

[Steve Mitchell]

So I'll be there when the boat docks, huh? Why?

[Commissioner]

You're to follow us, Steve. Find out what she's up to.

[Steve Mitchell]

What makes you think she's up to anything?

[Commissioner]

Yesterday, the immigration department made a rather puzzling discovery, Steve. They learned that the anonymous tip they had received, the one that led to the girl's arrest, had been set up by the girl herself.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why?

[Commissioner]

We got to work on it right away and found out that she'd been seen on several occasions with a man named Luis Cortese, a man who has from time to time been connected with several subversive groups in this country. Get over there, Steve. Pick up Antonina Aguirre's trail and a boat docks in Lisbon and find out what this maneuver is all about. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment. Good luck.

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company is presenting Dangerous Assignment starring Brian Donlevy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful two fisted government agent at all those places of the world where danger and intrigue walk hand in hand. There you will find Steve Mitchell on another Dangerous Assignment. Thursday evening brings a host of entertainment over this NBC radio station. There's comedy fun with the Andersons when Robert Young portrays the title role on Father Knows Best. Roy Rogers brings western music and adventure from the Double R Bar Ranch in Paradise Valley. Ralph Edwards adds to the fun with an hilarious laugh filled session of Truth or Consequences. And Eddie Kanter presents another edition of his show business show. Judy Canova stars in a fun packed adventure at Cactus Junction. And the entire evening bubbles over with wonderful radio entertainment. So make it a date to hear all of these enjoyable programs every Thursday night on most NBC stations.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure. I've got my assignment. Get over to Portugal and meet a certain boat when it docks at Lisbon. All I have to do is keep my eye on a passenger named Antonina Aguirre and find out why she's had herself deported from the US and what her tie in is with the birth of groups in this country. It's late Friday afternoon when my plane lands and I hustle over to the docks. The boat pulls in a couple of hours later. I wait around another 15 minutes and then I spot Antonina trotting down the gangway. Two representatives of the law meet her and there's a brief conference. Papers are signed and finally she's sent on her way. An hour later, she's aboard a northbound train rolling out of Lisbon. I'm in the same car, a few seats away.

[Sam Jessup]

Howdy, pilgrim. Is this seat taken?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, no, help yourself. Here, I'll move my coat.

[Sam Jessup]

Oh, thank you.

[Commissioner]

Thank you.

[Sam Jessup]

Yeah. Excuse me. I'll just put my bag up here on the rack and it. Oh, I step on your foot, neighbor. Mash your little piggies today. I'm sorry.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's all right. Never use that foot anyway.

[Sam Jessup]

There. Sure does feel good to sit down. Yes, sir. Yeah, you might crowd in your pilgrim. Fat boy like me needs a lot of room, you know. Can I offer you a cigar?

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks, no.

[Commissioner]

Yeah.

[Sam Jessup]

Yes, sir. Always been a fat boy. Ever since I was knee high to a stirrup Back in Perch, we. Yeah. Only man I ever knew who was spatter. Postman of the old hometown. He lost his job on account of it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh.

[Sam Jessup]

Oh, yes. He was a fat what he was. On hot days, he'd perspire so much that the steam would unglue all the letters.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, fine.

[Sam Jessup]

Yeah. My name is Jessup, Sam Jessup. I travel at silks.

[Steve Mitchell]

It sounds real cooling.

[Sam Jessup]

Hey, look at that pretty little senorita over Yana. One with a pink bonnet.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I've sort of had my eye on her, too. You have?

[Sam Jessup]

Well, I'll tell you what program. I'll toss you for it.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, no, you go ahead.

[Sam Jessup]

Well, there's the coat of the traveling man. You know, you saw her first.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll sign a release. Go ahead, start trolling.

[Sam Jessup]

That's right decent of you, neighbor.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, here I go. There's an empty seat next to Anne Andina, and Jessup plops into it. He goes into his pitch, but the girl isn't paying too much attention. Finally, it's easy to see she's getting annoyed, which is just how I figured it. I decided it's time to make my play. So I walk over to them. Pardon me, miss.

[Helga Strauss]

Yes?

[Steve Mitchell]

Is this man annoying you?

[Sam Jessup]

Well, now, see here, pilgrim.

[Steve Mitchell]

Is he, miss?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes, senor, he is annoying me.

[Steve Mitchell]

In that case, buster, you'd better be on your way.

[Sam Jessup]

Well, by jingles, if I don't beat all, I never care street, pilgrim. Well, I've been Pearl harbor, that's what. That's the sneaky ascent attack I ever did.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, sure. Now move on, huh? Move.

[Sam Jessup]

Code of the traveling man don't mean a thing anymore.

[Steve Mitchell]

Not a thing.

[Helga Strauss]

Thank you, senor. It was very kind of you. Sometimes these American. Oh, I am sorry.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, that's okay.

[Helga Strauss]

I have met so many very fine people in your country.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, you've been to America?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes, I'm on my way home now. I come from Coimbra, a town to the north up here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Got a little lonesome for the old sights and familiar faces, huh?

[Helga Strauss]

No, it is not that. My father has become ill. Someone should care for him. But you, senor, you have been here long?

[Narrator]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

Seems like I just stepped off the plane somehow. I'm here on business.

[Helga Strauss]

Tell me about it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I'd rather talk about the United States.

[Helga Strauss]

You've been to California? To Hollywood?

[Steve Mitchell]

Hollywood? Sure. Very good friend of mine lives there. Good old Darryl Darrell Schwartz. He runs a meat market on Fairfax Avenue. Sweet fella. She wants to hear more about Hollywood. So I lean back and launch into a Narrative that would have the California Chamber of Commerce drooling for a week. My narrative runs down about 10 miles later, and Antonina excuses herself to check on something in the baggage car.

[Sam Jessup]

Well, it's my quisling friend.

[Steve Mitchell]

Huh? Oh, hello, Jessup.

[Sam Jessup]

Hey, you're piling up points, huh? Getting along first rate with a little filly?

[Steve Mitchell]

Looks that way. Not sore, are you?

[Sam Jessup]

Oh, I'm not one to hold a grudge, pilgrim. As a matter of fact, I'm much obliged to you. Yes, sir. I admire your technique. Gonna try it myself sometimes. I say, the little filly ain't getting off here, is she?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, she just went back to the baggage room to. Hey, wait a minute. This isn't Coimbra we're pulling into, is it?

[Sam Jessup]

No. Town up ahead's called Novantis.

[Steve Mitchell]

A regular stop?

[Sam Jessup]

Well, not unless somebody wants of.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why? Excuse me, Jessup. I want to check on something. I hurry through the train towards the baggage car. And when I get there, the train has grown to a stop. No sign of Andanina. I stick my head out the door and look down the tracks. And then I spot her running past the depot. I take off after on the double. I lose sight of her as I sprint around the station platform. I'm pretty sure she's headed into town, so I do likewise. It's well after midnight and the streets are deserted. All of which makes it easy for me to pick her up again. But it seems someone else has the same idea. A car up ahead suddenly sweeps around the corner. A gent jumps out and grabs Aunt Andina. You'll heard the lady, buster. Let's go.

[Helga Strauss]

Look out, Senora Knife.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm doing my best to make him drop the stiletto and still keep an eye on Annina, who is now starting to back away down the street. That's why I didn't notice the guy who slips up behind me and jumps on my back. We all land in a heap on the sidewalk. I'm just getting to my feet when a size 12 foot catches me under the chin. I toppled back, crash through a wooden railing and drop into somebody's cel.

[Helga Strauss]

Senor? Senor. Oh, Senor, can you hear me?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Helga Strauss]

Are you all right?

[Steve Mitchell]

I. I think so. Oh, my head.

[Helga Strauss]

Here, let me help you. Can you sit up?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Thanks. Well, I certainly didn't expect to see you again so soon.

[Helga Strauss]

I got away from them. Hidden. Came back.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who were those guerrillas?

[Helga Strauss]

The one in the car I've not seen before. But the other one I saw a few times in America. He worked for a Man named Cortesi.

[Steve Mitchell]

We already know quite a bit about Louis Cortese and Anina.

[Helga Strauss]

You know my name?

[Steve Mitchell]

Mine's Steve Mitchell. Here, better take a look at my credentials.

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, I see.

[Steve Mitchell]

First of all, why did you set yourself up for deportation?

[Helga Strauss]

To get away from Cortesi. The errands he forced me to do.

[Steve Mitchell]

What sort of errands?

[Helga Strauss]

He came to see me at the office where I worked two months ago. He said he had known of me for some time, that I had entered the country illegally. He requested my cooperation.

[Steve Mitchell]

And if you refused, you would tip off the immigration boys, huh?

[Helga Strauss]

I was frightened. I did not want to leave America, so I agreed to do what he asked.

[Steve Mitchell]

And that was to run an errand?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes. He gave me an envelope. I was to deliver that envelope at 11 o' clock that night to a man who would be waiting on a street corner about two miles from my apartment. Two days later, Cortesi contacted me again. Another envelope, but a different street corner.

[Steve Mitchell]

How many envelopes did you deliver?

[Helga Strauss]

2. The third one was stolen from me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Stolen?

[Helga Strauss]

I'd never seen the man before. I was waiting at the corner one night when he jumped out of the shadows, ripped the purse out of my hands. I struggled with him and then A passerby heard my cries and rushed up. The man got away. A few moments later, the police arrived.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. What had Cortesa have to say about that?

[Helga Strauss]

Oh, he was furious. He questioned me for a long time. Wanted to know about the man who had come to my rescue, what his name was. He seemed to think the man was implicated.

[Steve Mitchell]

What was this passerby's name? Do you remember?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes. Eduardo Podesta.

[Steve Mitchell]

About these envelopes you carried, did you ever look into them?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes. The last one. The envelope contained several X rays.

[Steve Mitchell]

X rays? X rays of what?

[Helga Strauss]

Teeth.

[Steve Mitchell]

Teeth? Are you sure?

[Helga Strauss]

Positive.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, brother. Just when all this was beginning to make sense, some guy has to shove his choppers into the act.

[Narrator]

Steve Mitchell will continue his dangerous assignment in just a moment. That a child may walk, that a soldier may live, that is the promise. A pint of blood holds today for gamma globulin and serum albumin are both products of a single blood donation. Gamma globulin GG, is the medicine which prevents the crippling effects of polio. And serum albumin is the medicine used on the battlefield to sustain life in the wounded. These two miracle medicines are derivatives of our blood, but the process of extracting them is expensive. Your Red Cross has increased its budget this year to finance the project. So parents, when you contribute to the 1953 Red Cross Fund Appeal. Remember the boys in Korea? The child in your own home and the child across the street. And give generously, won't you? And mothers, perhaps you can encourage others to give. That a child may walk, that a soldier may live. Answer the call. Contribute generously to the 1953 Red Cross Fund appeal. Now back to Dangerous Assignment and Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hold it.

[Helga Strauss]

They are coming back for us.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, get up the stairs, then out to their car and wait. They'll probably come down the outside stairs.

[Helga Strauss]

All right, but how about you?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll think. Wait. Here's an empty wine bottle. Go on, hurry.

[Helga Strauss]

Be careful, Steve. Be careful.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah. Hold it, Westerly. Feel my gun in your back, see? Blow you wide open if you try anything. Now. Drop your gun. Quick. Kick it to one side. Okay. I'll call your buddy, tell him to get down here. I. You heard me. Call him. Rodriguez. See? What is it?

[Commissioner]

Come down here.

[Steve Mitchell]

What is it, Jose? You told me to stay in the car. It's a trap.

[Narrator]

Huh? You're so right.

[Steve Mitchell]

You have no gun. It is a bottle.

[Narrator]

Sure is.

[Steve Mitchell]

Have a drink,

[Helga Strauss]

Parisi. Paris.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Let's. We take a few assorted back streets out of the village, then head for Tony's hometown, Coimbra. It's morning when we arrive. She directs me to the house of her Uncle Sebastian. It's quite a layout. He's apparently the money man of the family and he's been taking care of her sick father.

[Commissioner]

Ah, Tony. It's so good to see you.

[Helga Strauss]

Papa is better, of course.

[Commissioner]

Of course. He's gotten the best of care.

[Helga Strauss]

I do not know how to thank you.

[Commissioner]

For my own brother, I need thanks. No, Tony. I'm the one to say thanks to Senior Mitchell for getting you home to us.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, as long as things are pretty much in order on this end, I think I'd better be getting along.

[Commissioner]

What? No, I insist you join the family for breakfast. You have met none of them.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks, but I want to talk to the authorities. Could you tell me where the police station is, Sebastian?

[Narrator]

Of course.

[Commissioner]

It's on the south side of the plaza in the center of town. Police Captain Rio's in charge.

[Steve Mitchell]

You say that Antonina actually arranged for her own deportation back here to Portugal? That's right, Captain Rios. She figured she might as well. The outfit which was using her kept holding it over her head. And she didn't want to do any more of their dirty work for them. Yes, but I do not understand why. This envelope they give her to deliver Contained dental X rays. You and me both, Captain. Also, I don't understand why they tried to grab her back in that village. Well, in any event, you have delivered us safely home. Now your job is finished. I'm afraid not, Captain Rios. I've got to find out what's behind all this. You see, we know that the gent bossing the deal is head of a recognized subversive group back in the United States. Now, my job is to find out what he's up to. I see. What will be your next step then? There, you've got me. They probably won't try to grab her again as long as she's with the rest of her family at her Uncle Sebastian's. Wait a minute. Maybe that's the answer. What is, Captain? If Tony and her uncle will cooperate, I'd like to set up a little trap.

[Commissioner]

What you suggest may endanger Tony's life.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't think so, Sebastian. Look, Captain Rios has arranged for an empty apartment in town. There's a garage in the basement, and he and a police sergeant are waiting in the apartment.

[Helga Strauss]

The plan is for you to take me there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, real conspicuous. Like so anybody can follow us. Once inside, the police sergeant takes you down the back stairs to the basement and drives you back here. I'll leave by the front entrance and then double around the block and in the back. Rias and I'll wait in the apartment and see who turns up.

[Commissioner]

I don't know. Tony is safe here with her family to help you and your plan. She might not be safe.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, Sebastian, this is our best chance of luring this outfit into the open so we can grab them, find out what's behind it, and put them out of business. Tony won't really be safe until we do.

[Helga Strauss]

But please, Uncle Sebastian, I am willing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Very well.

[Commissioner]

You have my permission.

[Steve Mitchell]

It's nightfall When I drive Tony to the apartment. Captain Rios and the sergeant are waiting inside in the dark. We turn on the lights, and Tony walks back and forth in front of the window a couple of times. Then the sergeant sneaks her down the back stairs. I leave by the front and double around the block to the back. Rios and I wait. Pretty soon we hear steps in the hall, someone fumbling at the door. We jerk it open. It's my sergeant. Hey. He's been beat up. Our plan's gone cockeyed and they've got the girl. We head for the police station and throw out a dragnet. Then, half an hour later.

[Helga Strauss]

Hello, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Tony, are you all right?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happened?

[Helga Strauss]

When the Sergeant took me to the basement. He was attacked. Suddenly, a man grabbed him and forced me into the car. He drove me to an alley and questioned me. Then he released me.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Helga Strauss]

Yes, just like that.

[Steve Mitchell]

What did he ask you?

[Helga Strauss]

He wanted to know how much I had told the police. I said I had told them it was dental X rays in the envelope I was deliver back to the United States. And then he told me to get out of the car and drove off.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, Mitchell, what do you make of that? The only thing I make of it is that I'm more in the dark than ever. At this point. It looks like the outfit I'm bucking is pretty sure of itself. I decide to put through a transatlantic phone call to the commissioner back in the state. I sure am. Commissioner Cortesa's outfit's up to something, but I don't know what. It doesn't make sense. They make Tony deliver an envelope of dental X rays to a guy on a street corner that's right on her way, a guy tries to grab the envelope. A passerby comes to a rescue. A guy named Podesta, I think. Yeah, Eduardo Podesta. She continues on her way and delivers.

[Commissioner]

Wait a minute. This passerby. Did you say Eduardo Podesta?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Why? The name ring a bell?

[Commissioner]

A fire alarm. A very important Italian diplomat has spent three weeks in this country incognito for some secret talks. He's been traveling under the name Eduardo Podesta.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, brother. Where is he now?

[Commissioner]

En route back to Europe. Matter of fact, his plane's due at Lisbon in less than an hour. From there, he'll continue by boat to Italy.

[Steve Mitchell]

Commissioner, this deal just started adding up at last. I'll check with you later. How fast can I get to Lisbon? Captain Rios, the army can fly you there in about 40 minutes. Good. Sergeant, get me Colonel Menta on the telephone, please.

[Commissioner]

Now, Mitchell, suppose you tell me what

[Steve Mitchell]

this is all about. The dental X rays were just a smoke screen. The whole deal was rigged so they could find out the name an Italian diplomat was traveling under. That way they could find out what plane he was on and grab him on the way home. You mean they had one of their own men arranged to attack her when Podesta was in the vicinity?

[Mr. Tasson]

Sure.

[Steve Mitchell]

He must have had a habit of taking walks at night. Their timing was perfect. He gave his name to the policeman. Tony overheard it. And later, when they questioned her, she told them the name. Now they're probably waiting in Lisbon for his plane to land. But you know something? They're gonna have Company. On our plane to Lisbon, we radio ahead and start the ball rolling. By the time we get there, everything's in order. According to Colonel Menda, who is in charge of the arrangements the civilian plane carrying Podesta is landing now. He has been alerted by radio. That black sedan will pick him up at the plane then drive into the tree line road at the edge of the field. You will be waiting there. You will take Podesta's place in the car. I will pick up Podesta. You and your driver will be armed. The rest is up to you. I go over to the tree lined road. So far everything's just dandy. That is, until I feel a gun barrel in my back.

[Commissioner]

Stand still, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

What? Uncle Sebastian?

[Commissioner]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you're the ringleader. Sure. That explains how the outfit knew that Tony was an illegal entry. You tipped them off so they could use her.

[Commissioner]

Exactly.

[Steve Mitchell]

Some uncle, huh?

[Commissioner]

That should be Perdetza's car approaching. Now step out and flag it down. I want his briefcase. That will tell us what went on in our secret talks.

[Steve Mitchell]

Move. Sebastian stays in the trees, his gun pointed at me. I step out onto the road. The driver sees me and slows down. Suddenly I motion him on.

[Commissioner]

Stop it. Keep going.

[Steve Mitchell]

The car roars ahead. I dive across the road in front of it. Just in time. Sebastian's taken by surprise. After it roars by, he runs out onto the road and I meet him halfway. Mitchell, you take the gun. Thanks. Well, Sebastian, looks like you and your buddies just aren't going to get a peek at that little briefcase. You. You fool.

[Commissioner]

To throw yourself across in front of an automobile that way.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's nothing. Back home we've got thousands of people who can do that.

[Commissioner]

A nation of madmen could be, but

[Steve Mitchell]

we call them pedestrians.

[Narrator]

Our star, Brian Donlevy, will return in just a moment. Now that spring is officially here, more and more of us will be getting out of doors and away from our living rooms during our leisure moments. And as the call of warmer weather takes you out of doors once again, we remind you that wherever you go, there's radio. So if you find your pleasure through a day at the beach, if your outdoor living means a ride into the country or if your enjoyment of spring weather comes from digging in your garden, remember that you can take your radio entertainment with you wherever you go. And radio offers the finest in music, drama, mystery, comedy and up to the minute news. More than 22 and 1/2 million automobiles are now equipped with car radios. For Americans everywhere, know that radio entertainment is fine entertainment and Remember too, you can read and listen to the radio at the same time. Consult your local newspaper listings for the schedules of great programs this NBC station offers and and then set your dial here whether you're at home or away, for the finest in listening enjoyment.

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