THE CRAB LOUIE CAPER and THE SPANISH PRISONER CAPER ADVENTURES OF SAM SPADE

Summary

Podcast Summary: 1001 Radio Crime Solvers

Episode: THE CRAB LOUIE CAPER and THE SPANISH PRISONER CAPER – Adventures of Sam Spade
Host: Jon Hagadorn (public domain radio plays)
Original Broadcast Theme: Classic Golden Age radio detective stories
Date: February 8, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features two back-to-back radio crime stories from "The Adventures of Sam Spade:"

1. The Crab Louie Caper – A moody tale of suspicion, community justice and hidden riches among the crab fishers of San Francisco’s North Beach.
2. The Spanish Prisoner Caper – Sam Spade squares off against a classic confidence game, unspooling into a case of con artistry, counterfeiters, and accidental irony.

Both stories showcase the signature hard-boiled wit and keen observation of Sam Spade, laced with period lingo, colorful local characters, and clever dialogue. The episode maintains the original dry, sardonic narration and rapid-fire banter characteristic of 1940s detective radio drama.

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1. The Crab Louie Caper (00:30–27:12)

Main Plot

Sam Spade is called to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf by Bartolomeo Maggiore, whose only son, Louis, is presumed drowned under mysterious circumstances—his boat-mate Dominic the only witness to the night-time tragedy. The North Beach community, fueled by grief and Sicilian notions of honor and vengeance, wants more than the official police verdict of “accident.”

Key Discussion Points and Plot Beats

• Setting the Scene (03:32):
  The wharf is introduced as a lively enclave by night, “changeable as an Italian wench... all smiles and laughter,” but ominous by early dawn.

• Community Justice (04:05–08:19):

  • Dominic is put “on trial” before the entire community, forced to recount events.
  • Bartolomeo: “Two men, friends, alone in a boat in a heavy fog. One of them dies... In the hearts of his friends, he was murdered.” (06:27)
  • No evidence or witnesses—Dominic is “acquitted,” but shunned.

• Questioning Motives (10:00–12:43):

  • Sam interrogates Rosalia (Louis’ fiancée), suspecting a love triangle motive.
  • Rosalia’s impassioned denial: “I love Dominic. I’ve always loved Dominic ... I begged him to marry me ... You tell me he murdered for the love of me. He wouldn’t walk across the street.” (11:08)
  • Reveals Louis’ mental instability and his obsession with a “treasure” (a chunk of wax) he claimed would make them rich.

• A Threatening Phone Call (13:30–15:11):

  • Sam receives a threatening call from someone claiming to be Louis, then is lured to a fog-shrouded meeting and nearly knifed.
  • Memorable line: “If you don’t play, you won’t need [the hundred bucks].” (13:46)

• Breakthrough & The Real Treasure (21:03–23:07):

  • Louis had sent a wax sample for analysis—it’s actually valuable ambergris, worth $60,000.
  • Sam: “It may not look like much to you and me, but to a perfume manufacturer it’s prettier than the Venus de Milo.” (23:07)

• Final Confrontation & Climax (24:20–26:33):

  • On the crab boat, Spade and Bartolomeo confront Dominic, who breaks down under psychological pressure.
  • A body tangled in a crab line emerges—Dominic confesses. The “corpse” is actually a wax dummy (Captain Kidd statue), swapped out to draw a confession.

• Resolution (27:12):
  Dominic and Fosky (the supposed judge at the trial) face murder charges and the case closes with Spade’s wry summary and comic banter with Effie about back pay and cioppino.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Community Verdict:
  “In the records of the police, Señor, my Louis died in an accident. In the hearts of his friends, he was murdered.” – Bartolomeo (06:42)
• Rosalia’s Passion:
  “You tell me that he murdered for the love of me. He wouldn’t walk across the street.” (11:08)
• Spade’s Deadpan:
  “I make a lot of my dough with my big flat feet. But I do make some of it with my head. Now try again.” (14:25)

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2. The Spanish Prisoner Caper (30:09–56:14)

Main Plot

Sam Spade is hired by Marjorie Loveland, a kindly but gullible woman, who has given a stranger $1,000 to “free a noble Spaniard wrongfully imprisoned” in exchange for a promised share of a hidden family treasure. Spade unravels a classic “Spanish Prisoner” scam, only to find the con is tangled with real crooks—and a genuine Spanish engraver at the center of a counterfeiting ring.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Beats

• The Swindle Set-Up (32:39–35:24):

  • Marjorie recounts being approached by “Señor Palmera” at her hotel, enticed by the promise of treasure in exchange for bail money.
  • Sam quickly recognizes the “Spanish Prisoner” grift.

• Effie’s Banter & Clues (37:02–38:01):

  • Effie and Rosalia conduct research—"Spanish prisoners" swindle tied to Pedro Rodriguez, who associates with Lolita Montoya.

• Undercover & The Lighthouse (41:31–45:21):

  • Spade follows leads to a seedy bar, questions the “lighthouse keeper,” and eavesdrops as the crooks (Pedro and Lolita) plot their next move.
  • Spade is found out and gets into a bar fight, comically ending up jammed in a pinball machine.

• Homicide & A Real Prisoner (50:26–52:20):

  • A real Spanish aristocrat, Raymond Montoya, turns up dead—a victim not of greed but of family ties and manipulation by the con artists, who forced him to engrave counterfeit plates.

• Effie’s Mistake Leads to Break (52:26–52:39):

  • Effie’s confusion over file cards uncovers the actual counterfeiting operation—Simplex Printing Company, where pesos are being run off.

• Final Twist and Comic Irony (53:51–55:56):

  • Spade returns Marjorie’s stolen money—taken from the thief in a meta twist as “Señor Palmera” tries the same con on Spade.
  • Spade deducts his fee and returns the rest with the lesson: “Never trust strangers… the world’s full of sharks looking for easy middle-aged ladies with bankrolls.” (54:49–55:05)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Marjorie’s Gullibility:
  “He saw your bankroll and figured you on a matter of terrible urgency. … The world is full of sharks.” – Sam Spade (54:49)
• Effie’s Wisdom:
  “That’s one thing I’ve learned from you, Sam. I had my savings in a real good, solid thing.” — “An avocado mine.” — “Where?” — “In Nome, Alaska.” (56:08–56:16)
• Running Motif:
  The recurring joke on “argyle socks” (personal knitting) interweaves with Effie’s investigative work.

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Memorable Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:26: Bartolomeo explains the community’s demand for truth over official verdicts.
• 11:08: Rosalia’s emotional denial of love motive.
• 13:30: Spade receives threatening “Louis” phone call.
• 23:07: Sam reveals the “wax” is actually valuable ambergris.
• 26:32: Body (Captain Kidd dummy) recovered, tricking Dominic into confession.
• 34:08–35:24: Spanish Prisoner scam outlined by Marjorie and Sam.
• 41:31–45:21: Spade’s run-in in the Lighthouse bar with Pedro and Lolita.
• 50:26: Appearance of the real Raymond Montoya, the “Spanish prisoner.”
• 54:49–55:05: Sam’s closing moral for Marjorie—and the audience.
• 56:12: “Avocado mine in Nome” joke as coda.

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Signature Lines and Tone

• Dry Humor, Hard-Boiled Philosophy:
  “I do make some of it with my head. Now try again.” (14:25)
  “Stupidity. He ought to know better than to try to get by with a Spanish prisoner, honey.” (45:21)
• Wistful Melancholy:
  “In the hearts of his friends, he was murdered.” (06:42)
• Comedic Coda:
  “It’ll make a perfect sleeping bag for a fat cat. Tell him your boss lost them up.” (57:36)

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Summary

This episode captures two strikingly different facets of detective fiction—one a community mired in suspicion and the foggiest of motives; the other, a tangled grift spiraling toward murder and mistaken identity. Both stories are driven by Sam Spade’s relentless probing, dry wit, and ultimate sense of justice—even when everyone else is fooled. The interplay of comic banter, local color, and Spade's signature skepticism makes these radio plays enduring classics and a joy for modern listeners.

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For those new to radio detective drama or to Sam Spade, this is a pitch-perfect introduction—rich in twists, atmosphere, and that inimitable old-school charm.

Transcript

[Sam Spade]

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[Marjorie Loveland]

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[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company presents the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective.

[Rosalia]

Sam Spade Detective Agency.

[Effie]

Buono, buono.

[Rosalia]

I beg your pardon.

[Sam Spade]

Suanati il campanello.

[Rosalia]

Sam, what are you.

[Sam Spade]

Nothing at all, sweetheart. I just happen to have the tourist lists of handy Italian phrases before me.

[Rosalia]

Never did that to you before.

[Sam Spade]

Say, North Beach. Never did anybody like it. Just did me f. But I thought.

[Rosalia]

You said old Bartolomeo just wanted you to drop by for a friendly talk.

[Sam Spade]

And some garlic bread and red wine. But does that explain the knife gash on my coat?

[Rosalia]

Your new tweed.

[Sam Spade]

My old tweed. Now, cherub, you see, it was never meant to be swum in the bay. Yes.

[Rosalia]

Not again.

[Effie]

What else?

[Sam Spade]

By now your keen feminine instincts should tell you this is not the social call, Wonder girl. As a matter of fact, I plan to drop by. Presto, presto.

[Effie]

With words.

[Sam Spade]

Anent a little something I call View of Fisherman's Wharf from the Water or.

[Effie]

The Crab Louis Caper.

[Narrator]

Transcribed for NBC. William Speer, Radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime Drama, brings you the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Zing, zing, zing.

[Effie]

Ding, ding, ding, ding.

[Rosalia]

Balloon, John. Oh, Sam.

[Effie]

Well, ballooning up, huh?

[Rosalia]

Let me see now. Oh. Etidero un carboratore per la carol zela.

[Sam Spade]

Great, Great. What's it mean?

[Rosalia]

I found my secretary's list of most used Italian phrases, Sam. It means I want a carburetor for my voitorette.

[Effie]

I'll remember that.

[Sam Spade]

Shall we proceed with the business at hand?

[Rosalia]

Ready, Sam?

[Sam Spade]

Date. Fill it in two Bartolomeo Maggiore. Copy to Lieutenant Rossi, North Beach Division, from Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Subject, the Crab Louis Caper. Dear Bartolomeo, Fisherman's Wharf, as you know, is as changeable as an Italian wench. All smiles and laughter of a Saturday night with the lights blazing and the cioppino palazzos and the tourists three deep around the steaming cauldrons outside. But it's something else again. Of an early dawn. Dark and lonely and quiet, except for the mutter of engines as the crab boat snows out into the fog that hang over the gate. Last night was somewhere in between. The lights were blinking out as I left my cab and walked over to your place of business. A gaudily painted building at the foot of the wharf with a red, yellow and blue sign reading Museo Maggiore Curios souvenirs, waxworks. Admission 10 cents.

[Rosalia]

Who is it?

[Sam Spade]

I'm Sam Spade. Bartolomeo called me.

[Rosalia]

He isn't here. Flashy grotto at the end of the warp.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. Look, is there anything I can. Sorry. Except for Flasky's at the very end. The warp was dark now. It seemed early, as if something had interfered with business as usual. And the late customers had been brushed off a couple hours ahead of time. I peeked through a hole in one of Fasque's window shades and saw why. It looked like the entire population of north beach was inside.

[Effie]

If everyone is ready.

[Dominic Torio]

Who's this?

[Sam Spade]

Me.

[Dominic Torio]

Yes, you.

[Sam Spade]

What do you want? I'm Sam Spade. Bartolomeo Maggiore sent for me?

[Narrator]

Ah, si, si.

[Sam Spade]

Obregate Adair.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

You are wondering why we are here.

[Sam Spade]

As a matter of fact, I am. Bartolomeo, I thought.

[Effie]

I know.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

I know is. But my son, Louis. My son. My only son.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, he's inside?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

No, no, not inside. Out in the darkness. Somewhere cold and alone.

[Effie]

You.

[Sam Spade]

You mean he.

[Effie]

See.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Six days now they have searched for his body.

[Dominic Torio]

Oh.

[Sam Spade]

When did it happen?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

One week. Today Crab bowl his boat. Today San Felipe.

[Sam Spade]

Was he alone when it happened?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

You detectives, you strike the point. I know he always. Always alone. Until this time.

[Sam Spade]

Who went out with him?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Dominic Torio. His friend. Dominic. This gathering is assembled in Dominic's honor, you see.

[Sam Spade]

You mean a hearing or something?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Something more than that. Come listen to them.

[Effie]

I'm a sick.

[Rosalia]

In my belly.

[Effie]

I'm a sick. This opera buffo fat.

[Rosalia]

You should sell it a ticket.

[Effie]

Keep your temper. Although, what are the facts? Six year Louis fishy the crab alone. Each day he's a layover clothes to break a line and string it apart. Each day he's bringing the San Felipe home. Okie dokie. That's right. Everybody. Until one fine day Dominic hit. Go with Louis to help. Help. Aldo. Aldo. We must deal. In fact, Dominic is suspended. Sure is the king, Louis. And you know why? Because he's the one, Rosalia.

[Rosalia]

That's the one.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

You See how it is.

[Sam Spade]

Who's Rosalia?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

You must have seen her at the museum. Yes, with reason. Next week, she and my Louis were to be married.

[Effie]

It's tough.

[Sam Spade]

You think this Dominic was in love with her? Maybe.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

I think nothing, senor. Two men, friends, alone in a boat in a heavy fog. One of them dies. The other says it is an accident. It is not for us to think or make guesses.

[Sam Spade]

Say, what am I supposed to do?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

In the records of the police, senor. My Louis died in an accident. In the hearts of his friends, he was murdered. For my sake, for Dominic's, for the sake of us all, we must know the truth. For this, I prefer to employ one who is professional and impartial.

[Effie]

Come here.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

We go in.

[Effie]

I don't believe it.

[Dominic Torio]

Believe me, before heaven, I miss.

[Effie]

Once again, Dominic. How far was the boat from Seal Rocks?

[Dominic Torio]

100 yards.

[Effie]

I think I heard the breaker. Silencio. Let Dominic tell the story. Go on. Now. You had dropped the last crab pot over the side.

[Dominic Torio]

Then something went wrong with the motor. Louie told me to look at it. I went below. Then it happened. Louie was leaning over the gunnel. We untangled a float and the sea took us by the stern.

[Effie]

We broached.

[Dominic Torio]

I saw him go over and plunge into the white water. I brought the boat about. Then for two hours, I yelled, I circled around, I blew the whistle, everything. Then the Coast Guard came. Fosky. I swear it. That's all I know. I never saw you yet.

[Effie]

Impossible, My brothers. It was your will that I sit here in judgment of Dominic Torio. Before I go on, are there any more questions you have to ask him? Are there any among you who have evidence to offer against him?

[Narrator]

So be it.

[Effie]

You know as well as I, there is only one verdict here. The charge is dismissed. The court is adjourned.

[Sam Spade]

Everyone was still for a second. Like a big tableau. Fosky, white haired and dignified on the platform, looking down at Dominic and the rest of them all on their feet now, boring holes through him with their eyes. He was the first to move, turning slowly, walking out through the crowd toward the door. Looking tentatively from face to face. Knowing now he hadn't been acquitted at all. As one by one, they turned their backs on him. I felt terribly sorry for Dominic until he walked past me and I got a look at his face, at his eyes. In my racket, I see that look more often than the next guy. I never saw it any clearer than I did now. It was fear and hatred and guilt. So I left you talking to Fasque Bartolomeo and walked back down to the wharf to the Museo Rosalia.

[Rosalia]

Rosa, I told you Bartolomeo is not here.

[Sam Spade]

I've seen Bartolomeo. I want to talk to you. Sit down.

[Rosalia]

I don't want to sit down.

[Sam Spade]

That's a good girl. It was quite a place to Museo A catch all for everything nautical you'd run across in 60 odd years of living on the sea or next to it from a 10 foot shark pickled in for to a life size figure of Captain Kidd complete with drawn sword, lace cuffs and treasure chest at his feet next to the door. I turned back to Rosalia sitting on a rum keg under a flickering hurricane lamp, the only light in the room.

[Rosalia]

What do you want of me?

[Sam Spade]

Bartolomeo wants the truth about what happened on the San Felipe.

[Rosalia]

They're deciding that at the meeting.

[Sam Spade]

They already did.

[Rosalia]

They did? You mean Dominic. How did they decide?

[Sam Spade]

Dismiss the charges. No evidence, no witnesses. It was the only thing Fosky could do. You feel better?

[Rosalia]

It doesn't bring back my Louis.

[Sam Spade]

No, it doesn't. Dominic's gone free now from both the law and his people. No vengeance for Louis. Why were you crying when I came by tonight?

[Rosalia]

Haven't I the right to cry with my Louis?

[Sam Spade]

Drop it.

[Rosalia]

Huh?

[Sam Spade]

Why didn't you go to the meeting? Afraid to give yourself away?

[Rosalia]

I didn't feel like it, that's all.

[Sam Spade]

You're a Sicilian, Rosalia. Vengeance is pretty important to you. If you'd love Louis, you'd have been in there screaming for Dominic's scalp.

[Rosalia]

You shut your mouth.

[Sam Spade]

But no, you sat home crying, not for Louis, but for Dominic, right? How long had it been going on? Did you know Dominic was going to kill him when they put out in the San Felipe?

[Rosalia]

Why would Dominic kill him?

[Sam Spade]

That's a stupid question. He's in love with you.

[Rosalia]

In love with me? In love with me?

[Sam Spade]

Drop it. Drop it. Rosalia.

[Rosalia]

In love with me. I wish it were so.

[Dominic Torio]

Huh.

[Rosalia]

He killed for me. Is that what they say? It's all very flattering. Very. I love Dominic. I've always loved Dominic, since I was a little girl. I threw myself at Dominic and I begged him to marry me. That's not easy for a girl to do, Mr. Spade. I begged him and I promised to work for him, to be his slave. You know what he did? He laughed and he spit upon me. And you, you stand there and you tell me that he murdered for the love of me. He wouldn't walk across the street.

[Sam Spade]

All right, all right. Take it easy now.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Come on.

[Sam Spade]

Take it easy.

[Rosalia]

So. So I do the silly woman thing. I. I promise myself. To Louis. To crazy Louis.

[Sam Spade]

To a madman crazy.

[Rosalia]

You don't believe that, huh? Louis, the great El Campione. A champion of the crab fisherman. Who dares to fish right on the breaker line. Catches more crab than anyone else. Louis the Fearless. You know why he's fearless? He's too crazy to be afraid.

[Sam Spade]

What do you mean?

[Rosalia]

He mutters. He talks to himself of great riches of thousands of dollars. Of him and me, Louis the crab fisherman, and me living in the finest house in North Beach.

[Sam Spade]

When was this?

[Rosalia]

Last week. He went up in Bartolomeo's attic one night. And he came down with a big hunk of his raw wax from the waxworks Vitrezoar he called a stupid lump of wax. And he held it up before me so. And he says with a mad gleam in his eye, from this, Rosalia, from this I will carve for us the biggest, finest house you can dream of.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Here, look.

[Sam Spade]

What's Captain Kidd got to do with it?

[Rosalia]

He puts it in the treasure chest. See? You will keep this a secret, Rosalia, he says, if you love me. And he laughs again like a madman. Me? Love Louis Maggiore? I hated him.

[Effie]

He was too good to be phony.

[Sam Spade]

The triangle notion had to go. You could hardly blame Rosalia for thinking he was crazy. And the treasure chest was a hunk of tallow. Not a very fresh hunk at that. And Louis routine with it must have hit her like the graveyard scene from Hamlet. Therefore, having no theory, nor evidence nor witnesses, I also had no motive. As always in situations like this, I did the sensible thing. I went home and went to bed.

[Effie]

Or I thought I went to bed.

[Sam Spade]

Hello, Spade?

[Effie]

Yeah?

[Dominic Torio]

I got a tip for you. Find yourself a nice, dirty divorce case somewhere. And stay out of North Beach.

[Sam Spade]

This almost sounds like a threat.

[Dominic Torio]

All that advice. There's a hundred bucks in the mail for you. You'll get it this morning.

[Sam Spade]

Plus a bribe.

[Effie]

A gift.

[Sam Spade]

Can I keep it if I don't play?

[Dominic Torio]

If you don't play, you won't need it.

[Sam Spade]

I suppose it's useless to ask who this is.

[Dominic Torio]

Louis Maggiore.

[Sam Spade]

Say that again.

[Dominic Torio]

Louis Maggiore. Shall I spell it?

[Sam Spade]

You might explain it.

[Dominic Torio]

You talk to Rosalia. Figure it out for yourself.

[Effie]

Sure, sure.

[Sam Spade]

So she never loved you and you knew it. So you go over the side when the coma hits, swim ashore, then discover they think you're dead and decide to leave it that way rather than go through with a wedding.

[Narrator]

You got It.

[Sam Spade]

I got more. So life without Rosalia in North beach is impossible. You can't face the shame and loose talk that goes with a busted wedding. So you're going over the hill and find a new life for yourself.

[Dominic Torio]

Wait a minute.

[Effie]

Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, there's more. There's more. So you're tossing over a car, a bank account, a boat worth $7,000. Walking out on your old man. To say nothing of three years apprenticeship and six years of hard work to get where you are. I understand perfectly, and you're being a little insulting. I make a lot of my dough with my big flat feet. But I do make some of it with my head. Now try again.

[Dominic Torio]

You don't believe I'm Louis Maggiore?

[Sam Spade]

That is the general idea. And it might surprise you to know that five minutes ago I was ready to chuck the whole antipasto. Now I'm back in with both feet. What's with the music box?

[Dominic Torio]

Nothing. Tell me, would you know Louie if you saw him?

[Sam Spade]

I've seen his picture.

[Dominic Torio]

Fine. I guess I'll have to prove it to you. If I satisfy you, I'm Louis Maggiore, will you stay home?

[Sam Spade]

Scout's honor. Now, where do we prove it?

[Dominic Torio]

You know Castellani's grotto, halfway out in the wharf? Yeah. There's a ramp running around behind it. I'll see you there in a half hour.

[Sam Spade]

I know just what you're going to say, Bartolomeo. But I didn't go alone. Roscoe was right there with me with his safety off. It was the kind of fog San Francisco puts on once a year for the tourists. Just to nail down its position as runner up to London. I had to feel my way along the row of dark chowder houses to Castellani's. Except for the foghorn and the lapping of the water below, there wasn't a sound. The only cheerful thing in the picture was Roscoe, who was now out of my pocket at the ready. I eased up to the corner of Castellani's. There was an alley between it and the next building leading around on the ramp over the water. I could see the glove of his cigarette first. Then I made him out in a slouch hat and overcoat. He was standing at the rail.

[Dominic Torio]

Spade.

[Effie]

Right here.

[Dominic Torio]

Well, you satisfied now?

[Sam Spade]

I'll let you know. I moved out from the side of the building and walked toward him. He must have known about Roscoe, because he didn't move. Just let me come right up next to him. I was stupid, sure, but it wouldn't have worked for him except for the fog. Two feet away, I saw what I thought was Louie was a booby trap. The hat and overcoat were slung over a piling with a burning cigarette on the rail next to one of the sleeves. I rolled to one side just in time. The knife slashed through the padding on my left shoulder and he was on me. Rascoe went in the drink and I took on the arm with a knife. With my two hands and 32 teeth, unhappily overlooking a spare foot he knew.

[Narrator]

What to do with.

[Sam Spade]

I went through the railing like in a silent version of a sea wolf, arriving thus in the limpid and soothing waters of San Francisco Bay. At the moment, I was not sorry.

[Narrator]

You are listening to the weekly adventure of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Sunday. Theater Guild on the air presents one of the greatest dramatic undertakings in the history of radio. It's a full hour and a half adaptation of Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet. The immortal lines and matchless beauty of Hamlet come to life Sunday with John Gielgud, Dorothy Maguire and Pamela Brown in Theater Guild on the air. And a reminder that this Sunday also means another gala broadcast of the big show. And now back to the Crab Louie Caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Wetting my finger and holding it up in the wind, I quickly determined where north was and just as quickly decided there was no percentage in swimming. The Golden Gate, A bright blur on my starboard bow, called to mind the old saying, where there's a light, there's light. So I headed there three strokes this side of exhaustion. I pulled up at what proved to be a landing with a Jacob's ladder, at the top of which I found the rear entrance to Fosky's, or more accurately, Foskey's private office. The door was open. I'm Sam Spade. I've been swimming, if you're wondering.

[Effie]

Bartolomeo told me about you. He didn't say you were crazy.

[Sam Spade]

Well, maybe he didn't know. You wouldn't have a brandy lying around loose, would you?

[Effie]

Sure. Sit down.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. I think I saw Louis tonight.

[Effie]

Louis?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Impossible. Where?

[Sam Spade]

Behind Castellani's?

[Effie]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Bless you, Fosque. Oh, hit me again, will you?

[Effie]

Yeah. But what about Louis?

[Sam Spade]

Call me up. Said he'd meet me there. Just try to knife me.

[Effie]

But it's impossible.

[Sam Spade]

Is it?

[Effie]

Why would he play Dane? And why would he try to kill you?

[Sam Spade]

Maybe he's crazy.

[Effie]

How do you mean?

[Sam Spade]

You've heard of the dear old lady who had the trunk full of pancakes, haven't you? Louie saves old Tallow. Captain Kidd's treasure chest at the museo is full of it.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Who told you this?

[Sam Spade]

Rosalia showed it to me.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Hey.

[Libsyn Ads Host]

May I?

[Effie]

Help yourself.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks.

[Effie]

Might be a good idea to call.

[Sam Spade]

Another meeting and tell the people. Make it easier for Dominic.

[Effie]

Funny of the whole meeting here. I alone doubted his guilt.

[Sam Spade]

Good thing they made you the judge, or he might be six feet under by now. Got a cigarette?

[Effie]

They're in the box there next to the phone.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. Yeah, I. I went right along with him, too. Shows how wrong you can be.

[Effie]

When you went. What?

[Sam Spade]

When you. When you go by emotions and not by evidence. This is quite a cigarette box.

[Dominic Torio]

Yes.

[Effie]

It stops when you put it down. Hmm. Well, I suppose now you'll drop your assignment. Sure, sure.

[Sam Spade]

I'm a detective, not a psychiatrist. You've got a lunatic running around. That's your problem. Good night, Fosky, and thanks for the brandy. If Roscoe had been along, I might have played it differently. But when you're sitting across a coffee table from a guy you suddenly realize has the wet cement already, you do what I did. Make polite noises and concentrate on getting out on two feet. It was seven to three. Dominic was stashed in a handy closet listening to the whole thing. Which was handy since the next obvious move was his room in a house on Jefferson Street. A rooming house owned and operated by a four corsage bosom type lady known as Mama Luca.

[Rosalia]

Oh, senor. I don't know nothing. I don't know nothing.

[Sam Spade]

You're scared, Mama. Did Dominic threaten you?

[Rosalia]

No, no, no. Don't ask me.

[Sam Spade]

He killed Louis Maggiore. I gotta know why.

[Rosalia]

I don't know why. I don't know nothing about it.

[Sam Spade]

Louis came here?

[Rosalia]

Yes. Yes. Louis came here the night before it happened.

[Effie]

Why?

[Rosalia]

I don't know. He was all excited. A handful of wax.

[Narrator]

Wax?

[Rosalia]

You know.

[Sam Spade]

What about it?

[Rosalia]

He showed it to Dominique and they go into his room and talk. And then he ran off to send a telegram.

[Sam Spade]

Telegraph office, huh? Well, since it's official business, I can let you read the office copy here. This message just came in tonight. Dominic Torrio regarding your inquiry analysis of samples sent here by Louis Maggiore. Highly promising. If quality, uniform and weight correct. Would estimate value minimum $60,000. Hartley Associates, Vancouver, BC. A lump of smelly stuff that looked like old tallow picked out of the Ocean and worth $60,000 was a strong enough clue for even stupid Sam to pick up. I left the telegraph office on the double. And pulled up at the Museo Maggiore ten minutes later.

[Effie]

Blasted lock.

[Sam Spade]

His jam. He was too busy to notice me. I slid a marlin spike out of a rack next to the rum keg. Locked.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Must be locked.

[Sam Spade]

I hate to do this, Fosky. Wait a minute, mate. Wait. The next voice you'll hear will be the nurse with a breakfast tray.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

What have you.

[Effie]

Look.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

What have you done?

[Sam Spade]

His Honor was playing Pandora with Captain Kidd's treasury treasure box.

[Effie]

But why?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Who is it? Who? Vaski surprised Fasky. Why would he, of all people?

[Sam Spade]

He likes a buck as well as the next one. Possibly even more when there are 60,000 of them.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

$60,000?

[Dominic Torio]

Yeah.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Is he mad?

[Sam Spade]

Like a fox. Here, let me pry this cover off.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

There. What is this?

[Sam Spade]

It may not look like much to you and me, but to a perfume manufacturer it's prettier than the Venus de Milo. Talo Ambergris. It's what happens when a whale gets a tummy ache. Louis must have run onto it 10 days ago.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

$60,000.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, that's the veg why of it. Bartelle Mayo.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

What now? You think fast.

[Sam Spade]

He won't talk. Neither will Dominic. It's their next and they know it.

[Narrator]

Still.

[Sam Spade]

Two men alone in a fog. In a boat. See? There were only a witness.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

There was a witness. The eye of God was on Dominic when he did it. And the judgment of God is swift and is sure Dominic knows it.

[Sam Spade]

You think so?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

I know Dominic. Why you ask?

[Sam Spade]

There's a way to find out. What time is it?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Half past one.

[Sam Spade]

There's time. Where do you keep your razor racer?

[Effie]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

I'm going to shave Captain Kidd. Which I did, finishing around 2am and during the next three hours I got wet, cold and seasick in the order named but made it back to the museo in time for a couple of stiff horns of grapple before you and I hustled down to the wharf where Dominic was picking up bait for his crab nets.

[Effie]

Dominic, huh?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Oh, The Paloma and the Senor Spade.

[Dominic Torio]

I remember Mr. Spade.

[Effie]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Last night in Bacca Castellanes. I don't know what you're talking about. Sure, Dominic. It's all a horrible mistake.

[Dominic Torio]

Lay off me, will you? Herbert Foskey said. Didn't you? They dropped the charges. I'm innocent. They cleared me.

[Sam Spade]

That's just why we're here.

[Effie]

We.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

We want to make it up to you, my boy.

[Dominic Torio]

What's in your mind?

[Sam Spade]

You did Louis a great favor, dominic. When his 32 crab pots got too much from the handle you went along to help him. Today. We're going along to help you. Now, when do we cast off? There's a float up ahead.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

What color?

[Effie]

Yellow and red.

[Sam Spade]

Is that yours, Dominic?

[Dominic Torio]

That's mine.

[Narrator]

Great, great.

[Sam Spade]

Pull up alongside.

[Dominic Torio]

Well, what's this all about?

[Sam Spade]

I told you, Dominic.

[Dominic Torio]

You're lying. What are you trying to do, break me down? He's dead. In an accident, you heard.

[Marjorie Loveland]

What?

[Dominic Torio]

Plastic.

[Effie]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Forget it, Dominic. Forget it. We love you like a brother.

[Dominic Torio]

I told the truth. I told the truth. What are you trying to do, torture me? Is that what you want?

[Effie]

Revenge? No.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

The matter is in other hands now.

[Dominic Torio]

You mean.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

There is always one witness, isn't there, Dominic?

[Effie]

Oh.

[Dominic Torio]

That'S what you mean, huh? Is that why you came? To tell me that? That's a good one. Hold the wheel, spade. I'll bait my neck. I'll spit in your eye. One day, old man. One day. When you get smart. You and a whole lousy war both.

[Sam Spade]

Watched him haul the line, prattling to himself like a little kid whistling in the dark. He was a lousy actor, pale under his sunburn and drenched with sweat.

[Dominic Torio]

I won't let you forget.

[Sam Spade]

Coil by coil. Then it began to come slower.

[Dominic Torio]

Make it stick. When I can prove it in court, I'll sue you till you plea. Hey, what's the matter here? What's pulling on this line?

[Sam Spade]

Maybe it's your conscience, Dominic.

[Rosalia]

It's.

[Dominic Torio]

It's heavy.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

It's. The Lord moves in strange ways.

[Dominic Torio]

Hey, Jack, get it up.

[Sam Spade]

Let me help you. There we go. One, two.

[Effie]

Oh, Louie. Get away from me. Let me go.

[Rosalia]

Louie.

[Sam Spade]

No. I hauled Louie up onto the deck, and a grisly sight he was, too. With a knife still sticking in his back. I figured that that was where Dominic would put it. I was right. Not that it mattered, because Dominic wasn't thinking logically. From the moment he saw Louie's body tangled in his crab line. He sang us all 50 verses then and there and repeated them for the police stenographer. Later, when we got him to headquarters, it looks like a first degree rap for both him and Fosky. But I'm waiting till it happens before telling him the corpse was Captain Kidd. Minus beard and ruffles. Period. End of report.

[Rosalia]

Damn. Again and again I rediscover you.

[Sam Spade]

And each time a new facet, a new thrill.

[Rosalia]

You're just wonderful.

[Sam Spade]

It's true.

[Dominic Torio]

True.

[Sam Spade]

But it pleases me to hear it from you. F. And so I propose to reward you in a fitting manner. First.

[Effie]

Tut, tut.

[Sam Spade]

A carburetor for your washerettes. And second back salary, 10 free tickets to the Museo Maggiore. Third back salary, an invitation to accompany me, your employer, to browse upon two bowls of cioppino tonight at Castellani's. And four.

[Rosalia]

I give up.

[Sam Spade]

Back salary.

[Rosalia]

Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Count it, girl. Count it and bless you. The watcher at complete with carburetor will call at your door in precisely one hour.

[Narrator]

Until then, then.

[Rosalia]

Good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Narrator]

Three chimes mean good times on NBC. You're invited to a one hour concert tomorrow by the renowned NBC Symphony under the direction of noted conductor Wilfred Pelletier. Featured soloist on tomorrow's symphony performance is Helen Traubell. For the world's greatest music, hear the NBC Symphony tomorrow and every Saturday. Tonight's transcribed Adventure of Sam Spade was produced, edited and directed by William Speer. Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn. Lorene Tuttle as Effie. Script for tonight's adventure by Harold Swanton. Musical scoring by Lud Gluskin conducted by Robert Armbruster. Join us again next week, same time, for another adventure with Sam Spade. Through the years, the Red Cross has helped the victims of disaster and helped protect the health of our nation. Today, with the country rising to meet the challenge of possible aggression, the Red Cross has been asked by the government to undertake the additional tremendous tasks. A goal of $85 million must be reached during the 1951 Red Cross campaign. This year, when you support the Red Cross, you'll be helping to mobilize for the defense of our nation. Join the magnificent Montague. Then it's Duffy's Tavern on nb.

[Effie]

The National Broadcasting Company presents the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective.

[Rosalia]

Sam's Spade Detective Agency.

[Effie]

Me, sweetheart. Now, if all is forgiven like I told you.

[Rosalia]

How can you forgive me, Sam? I almost killed you.

[Effie]

Why kick yourself? F. You would have done the private detective profession a great favor.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, don't say that.

[Effie]

By removing from its roles the only operative in San Francisco stupid enough to shake an apple tree for an entire evening trying to pick up an apron full of bananas.

[Rosalia]

But they all can't come out right in the end. Say.

[Effie]

Ah, but you haven't heard the postscript, angel. Postscript, Postscript, indeed. Batting down the hatch and warn all within earshot that they're about to catch stupid Sam the Incomparable in a new act. For during the next 29 minutes and 30 seconds, I shall down the mantle of Don Quixote, shoulder my battered lance and tilt at windmills in an object lesson to the gullible Entitled the Spanish Prisoner Caper. Transcribed for NBC, William Spear, Radio's Outstanding Producer, Director of Mystery and Crime Drama, brings you the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade. Oh, now, there, there, angel. Don't cry, little girl. Don't.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I'm so stupid.

[Rosalia]

You might have been.

[Effie]

Yes. We'll have no more of it here. Not a word. Not a word.

[Rosalia]

Book.

[Effie]

Pencil. They fill it into. Ms. Marjorie Loveland, Brockhaven Apartments. From Samuel Spade. Still license number 137596.

[Narrator]

Down.

[Effie]

F.A.

[Rosalia]

Down.

[Effie]

Subject. The Spanish Prisoner Caper. Dear, dear Marjorie, when they made you darling, they threw the mold away. In this day of the emancipated self sufficient, 100% confident female, it came as a fresh breeze and a boost to my masculine ego to run across a lady, white haired and fragile withal who needed protection. After meeting you, I knew what the fellow had in mind when he wrote Heaven will Protect the Working. As a matter of fact, you could have been the very girl since you and the song were about the same vintage.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Do please sit down, Mr. Stage. May I fix you some tea?

[Effie]

No, thanks.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I planned to come to your office, but I. I decided I just couldn't risk going out at this time.

[Effie]

Oh, why that?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Well, he might come, you see, and I'd never forgive myself if I was out.

[Effie]

Oh, who's this?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Senor Palmeira. Oh, he's more than a week overdue now, and I'm on pins and needles. I gave him our address here at the Brockhaven, but there's the Brocklebank and the Brockhurst and the Brockmorton and the Brock. It would be so easy for him to become confused, being a stranger in town.

[Effie]

Well, I'm a native. I'm confused myself.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Well, I thought perhaps you could locate him. He should be back from Mexico by now with Don Luis. Dear me, so many things could happen to them. Walking the streets with all that money.

[Effie]

What money?

[Marjorie Loveland]

The gold and the precious gems.

[Effie]

How about starting all over again?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Why haven't I Made myself clear, Mrs. Spade?

[Effie]

Well, I have the end fairly straight. Yes, but if you'll give me the beginning, we'll have everything.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh. Oh, well. Well, I suppose the beginning was three weeks ago.

[Effie]

Where?

[Marjorie Loveland]

In the lobby of the Grand Hotel for Women.

[Effie]

I see.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I. I was staying there temporarily while I was waiting for this apartment, you see.

[Rosalia]

So.

[Marjorie Loveland]

So the day I got word I could move here, I packed up and had them take my things out to the taxi. Then I went to the desk and got my money from the vault.

[Effie]

Oh, how much?

[Marjorie Loveland]

$840?

[Effie]

Cash? Yes, in bills.

[Marjorie Loveland]

My annuity money had just come to me.

[Sam Spade]

Well?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Well, I just put the bills in my purse and was starting out the door when it happened. This voice came over my shoulder. A soft Latin voice saying, senorita, I come to you on a matter of terrible urgency.

[Effie]

And lo and behold, it was Senor Palmeira.

[Marjorie Loveland]

How did you know?

[Effie]

I have a feeling for those things. Go ahead.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Well, his uncle, Don Luis Alvaro, was in terrible trouble, he said. In prison in Mexico City on some sort of trumped up political charge.

[Effie]

Ah. And the family, though noble, was financially impoverished.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Yes, except.

[Effie]

Except for a casket containing the family jewels and an assortment of priceless heirlooms, all hundreds of years old, hand wrought, of the finest virgin gold. Mr. Steve, how evidently said caskets and its precious hoard being hidden away in a secret place known only to Don Luis. All he needs is a paltry $840.

[Marjorie Loveland]

It was 1000. I went to the bank.

[Effie]

A paltry thousand dollars to bribe a jail official, and presto, Don Luis goes free, unearths the casket and rewards you with an ample share of the family treasure.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Mr. Spade, you've talked to Senor Palmera?

[Effie]

Nope. How badly do you need the dough?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh. Need it? Why, good heavens, Mr. Spade, it's. It's all I have until next June. There's a small pension from the school board in Kirchhoff. But, dear me, I don't know just how. Mr. Spade. You mean me? He isn't coming back with my money.

[Effie]

The truth of the matter, Marjorie, was that you'd fallen for the Spanish prisoner swindle. A hoary old chestnut that goes back to the day of P.T. barnum and before. But you look like if I gave you an honest answer, you'd dissolve into tears. As I said, I was in one of my heaven and Spade will protect the working girl mood, so I made up a dishonest one. Mr. Spade, I'll try and look him up. Maybe it's all a terrible misunderstanding.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, good. That's nip two and snip two, isn't it, Dorothy?

[Effie]

Happy? What'd you say, Ms. Perrine?

[Rosalia]

Oh, Sands Bay Detective Agency.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade, is this is Mr. Spade. Charming one.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, Sam, I'm sorry.

[Effie]

Yes.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Darcy's here, and I'm trying to learn.

[Rosalia]

To knit argyle socks.

[Effie]

Well, fine. Drop all stitches and look in the file for me, will you? I remember getting a circular a while back on a con man who was running the Spanish prisoner around here.

[Marjorie Loveland]

What would it be under, Sam?

[Rosalia]

Spanish prisoners.

[Effie]

Con games, obviously. Get out the file.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, just a minute. It's Sam Darcy.

[Rosalia]

Compost.

[Marjorie Loveland]

While I look in the file. Confidence game. Oh, here.

[Rosalia]

You told me to knit two and slip two.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I'm sure.

[Rosalia]

Sam.

[Effie]

Yum.

[Rosalia]

I found it. His name's Pedro Rodriguez.

[Effie]

Rodriguez.

[Marjorie Loveland]

There's no address, but it says he habitually associates with somebody named Lolita Montoya.

[Rosalia]

Sounds Spanish.

[Effie]

Slightly. Slightly. Any address for her?

[Rosalia]

615 Mason Street.

[Effie]

Fine, fine.

[Rosalia]

That's all there is there. Oh, golly. I'm so mixed up with these darn argyles.

[Effie]

What's so tough about that?

[Rosalia]

You ought to try it sometime.

[Effie]

What row are you on?

[Rosalia]

27. Knit three and slip one, she says. And I.

[Effie]

She's wrong. Wrong, wrong. Knit two, slip one. Knit one, pass one and knit one. You got it.

[Rosalia]

All?

[Effie]

Nothing. Nothing at all. I've been going out with a gray lady. 615 Mason street was a very large apartment building with the usual brass plate in the entry listing the inhabitants, among which, I was happy to note, was lolita Montoya, apartment 408. I pick up the house phone and press the button. Yeah? Telegram for Lolita Montoya. Lolita isn't here. Lolita? My Lolita? Who is calling? Just the telegram, pop. Stick it in the box. Eh, Money order. Somebody has to sign for it, but it may be important. Always stick better with understand things. Yes, Yes, I understand. Sonny. Yeah? Climb back into that cab I saw you get out of. Hustle over to Western Union and tell the president Lolita's on a vacation. Get it going for you now. Hello? Hello? Nothing.

[Narrator]

Door.

[Effie]

I pressed a few bells until one of the less suspicious tenants gave me the front door. Buzz walked in and took the automatic elevator to the fourth floor. Or I should say toward the fourth floor since halfway between the third and fourth she quit cold. The elevator, that is, but there are devices for such things. I pushed the button marked emergency and it took me only 50 minutes to get out. Assisted by the janitor, the manager and 12 tenants, the doors on the fourth floor, it seemed at the been carelessly pried open and held that way by a magazine carelessly stuck in the crack. Continuing my Stealthy approach to 408, I found my man and his pal had somehow sensed I was coming and run off without stopping to close the door. The apartment was filled with cigarette smoke and not much else. A bed, an empty dresser and a table on which were one pot half full of foul black coffee, a little pointed gadget that looked like a nut pick and a handful of metal shots. Evening. I was contemplating what connection, if any, this had with your missing thousand bucks when young. This is St. Pedro. I just wanted to inquire how everything is coming along. If it all see Gr. How much? Well, there's a thousand. It's a good. What do you think, Pedro? To save you joyous news. Like you said, Pedro, our Spanish prisoner is a valuable man. I must hustle over to the lighthouse and inform the leader. Lighthouse? She has been very conscientious in the rural. Oh, see, Gray, it's not every girl who would sell out her grandfather so readily. Pedro. Nope. We must not take Lolita for granted. I will give it a new rumble, and we'll see you tonight at Simplex. Bye. See? Right. Arrivor, Pedro. Arrivore. What a revor. Oh. The only lighthouse I knew was a gin mill perched midway down the Embarcadero, south of Market, surrounded by shoals strewn with human wrecks of all description. A place you might find shell game men and car grifters, but hardly a habitat for a con man smooth enough to work. The Spanish prisoner, the lighthouse keeper, who looked like he'd retired from the sea after a losing battle with Moby Dick, was bent over a pinball machine next to the door. As far as I could see by the one light in the joint, it was empty. Get up.

[Rosalia]

Get up. Get up.

[Dominic Torio]

Get up.

[Effie]

Get up. Get up. Too bad. Light. Housekeeper. Yeah. What do you have? Well, a beer when you're ready. Do you know Pedro Rodriguez? Yeah, it worked for me once a couple of years ago. I cad them. Why? Ah, he's a swab. Only honest nickel he ever made was when he was here. All right, get up. Get up. Get up, get up. Thanks.

[Rosalia]

Yeah.

[Effie]

Crooked swab is Pedro Rodriguez. He's up to something right now, if you ask me. Spanish prisoner. Oh, you mixed up with it, too, huh? Nope. I just want to be. How does it go? Well, I don't know about you about it, Only it seems to smell. See, Pedro was sitting at the bar the other night with another swab talking about an old Spanish gent who's gonna make him a million dollars. Just come over from Spain. Nice shot. Body English, pure and simple. So what about the Spanish, then? Well, I didn't hear no more about that. I'll tell you what you do. You ask Lolita about it. Anything Pedro's mixed up is she generally knows about. Good. Where do I find Lolita? Let's see. I ain't sure whether it's the third or the fourth. Third or fourth what? The booth from the back there. Oh, she's been Sitting there all night writing letters. You better be careful, though. She got awful temper. Thanks, lighthouse keeper. How about the beer?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Effie]

And Larry draw one. So Larry drew one and I took it down to the bar to a point opposite booth number four, which indeed contained Lolita. A fragile little thing wearing a turtleneck sweater marked Stillman's Gym. The table was covered with writing paper and her alabaster brow was a mass of unsightly wrinkles as she chewed the end her fountain camp. I'd no sooner settled down than the front door open and what appeared to be the reincarnation of Gargantua the gorilla, only with clothes, steamed down the aisle and slid in next to Lolita, who was not alarmed at all. Lolita, my dear Titus, listen to this.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I am making progress. Grandfather dear, you cannot know how dire is the peril into which I have been tr.

[Effie]

Okay.

[Rosalia]

Or maybe.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Maybe. Grandfather beloved, as I take up my pen in hand, I am overcome with fear. Things look very black indeed. I have fallen into the clutches of a.

[Rosalia]

Garbison.

[Marjorie Loveland]

What are you grinning at?

[Effie]

I have just conversed to tape you and your telephone. We are in. Really?

[Rosalia]

Hey, you mean no more letters?

[Effie]

No more. Pedro is exalted, he says.

[Marjorie Loveland]

What's the matter?

[Effie]

Are we interfering with your train of truth? What's this? No, no, no, no. Go right ahead. I'll just sit here and drink my beer.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Wait a minute. Now look, George. There is plenty of bar down near the front door.

[Effie]

He's just a schmo.

[Rosalia]

I'm not so sure.

[Marjorie Loveland]

He's got an honest look about him. I do not like. What is on your mind, George?

[Effie]

Pedro. Pedro, huh? Yeah, yeah. He's getting careless, Shortchanged a friend of mine. A thousand bucks. I just pick it.

[Marjorie Loveland]

This man is supple sty. And you are anxious to put the bite on Pedro for a grand, right?

[Effie]

That is, unless Pedro wants to take a five year rap. It's up to him.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Five year rap?

[Rosalia]

For what?

[Effie]

Stupidity. He ought to know better than to try to get by with a Spanish prisoner, honey. Spanish prison?

[Marjorie Loveland]

What did I tell you? It's a shakedown.

[Effie]

Relax, Iverson. Violence will get you nowhere. Out of my way. I'll show that the kid runs very off. Lolita, not the grunge said get out of my way. You better let me have it, baby. I got hold of a gun with one hand while Lolita chewed on my other one. Meanwhile catching my head under his arm like a nutcracker and kicking me in the stomach with his knees. This went on for some time. Then I became vaguely aware of St's fist, as big as a ham coming up from the me on the side of the head, and I skidded down the marble floor past the row of booms like a ball in a bowling Alley, scoring a 10 strike on the pinball machine, which leaned drunkenly over me, stuck out its coin drawer and flashed a red light in my face reading foul ball. Try again. Stupid me.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

I did.

[Effie]

You are listening to the weekly adventures of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. There's Music Mystery tomorrow on NBC. For music, your hit parade brings you the top tunes in the land, as selected by you and presented by Raymond Scott's orchestra, Eileen Wilson and Snooki Lanson. For mystery, Herbert Marshall stars as the man called X, an intrepid adventurer in international intrigue who travels to all corners of the world, wherever there is danger, romance and mystery, there you will find the man called X. And now back to the Spanish prisoner caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade. I came to with my head jammed between the brass rail and the bar next to what proved to be the lighthouse keeper's left shoe, parked, as always, in front of the pinball machine. Larry, mess up front. Get up, get up, get up, get up, get up. Where are they? Top holes all filled with three balls to go. Congratulations. How about Lolita in the mug? Oh, dad. All right, get up, get up, get up, get up, get up, get up. Oh, that took off. Blast them. I had 780,000 points run up and they had to go throw you at the machine. Cause a tilt.

[Rosalia]

And Larry.

[Effie]

I sat until the buzzing in my ears quieted down and tried to hark back to the phone conversation with Sty in the apartment. It came eventually, and I pried my host, the lighthouse keeper, away from the pinball machine and sat him down next to me with the yellow and standard sections of the telephone book. Simplex Bar Supply. No. No. Simplex Easy Do Garden furniture? Nope. How About Simplex Printing Company, 509 Sad Some Street? Nope. Simplex Office File? Simplex Service Station 12? No, no, no. Well, how do you know, mate, there's 42 simplexes in this book alone. You find one that sounds like the front for a con operation, I'll buy it. Simplex Cleaners. Nope. Nope. Simplex Associates? No. What's that? Nothing. Nothing suspicious. Simplex Associates. Business opportunities, Investments, gold, oil and mining, securities marked cards, loaded dice and Las Vegas real estate. Nothing. That just sounds like it might be a possibility, though. Homicide. Dundee. Hey, Sam. Dundee, do me a favor, will you, pal? What? Run across the hall and check the Bunko files. There's an outfit called Simplex Associate. What's it about? It started out as a con game. A grifter took my client for a thousand bucks on the Spanish prisoner. Spanish prisoner?

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

Yeah.

[Effie]

What's that got to do with me? Call Bunker yourself. They're closed down at this time of night. Dundee, be a sweetheart. Now, sweetheart, I'm a homicide lieutenant, and I don't run a service agency for private detectives. Unless there's a corpse in it, you can take your business elsewhere. Dundee, look, hold it, will you? I can't hold it. I got to get. Lord, where is she? Where is my. I got him. Put him down on the floor. The couch at the back. No, no, no. Don't go easy.

[Rosalia]

There.

[Effie]

That's it. I know she's here. They must free her. You must call the police. Why? Why was Pedro holding her? To make me do this thing, this terrible thing, and I have done it. But you must stop him now. He will let my Lolita go now. Then, you must stop him. Millions. Millions of pesos in my honor. You must. You must.

[Sam Spade]

Where is.

[Effie]

He's in a bad way. Baked. Not anymore. He was an aristocrat. Thin face, silver hair, and the look of a bourbon. It stopped me, Marjorie, because here it was just like your Senor Palmera told you. The nobleman in the ragged clothes and bags dangling from one of his ankles, the broken chain of a leg iron. In short, the complete Spanish prisoner, only it's legitimate. Now you've got your corpse. There was nothing on him to indicate who he was or where he came from, but I had a feeling I'd seen him before. After making the lighthouse keeper promise me he'd lay off a pinball game until Dundee around, I. I took off from my office on a very practical errand.

[Rosalia]

Listen, Sam. Oh, Sam, what are you doing?

[Effie]

Buckling on my.45, sweetheart. And if I had a light tank and a bazooka, I'd take them, too.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, Sam, you're faithful.

[Effie]

I know. I know, sweetheart.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Oh, Sam, about the Spanish prison.

[Effie]

Well, there's a real Spanish prisoner in this one F. He's dead now, by the way. And from the cheap grift of a thousand bucks from a poor retired school teacher, we're now up in the million dollar brush. They got a murderous ex Chlorine playing like she's been kidnapped and writing extortion notes to her grandpa and a mug who looks like a monkey's nightmare and nut Picks and metal shavings and someplace or somebody named Simplex, not to mention.

[Rosalia]

Oh, Sam. Sam, stop it. It's all my fault. I was so mixed up with the argyles.

[Effie]

What are the argyles got to do.

[Rosalia]

With when you called about the file? The circular on the confidence man?

[Effie]

Yeah.

[Rosalia]

I was looking under Carl and the.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I got out the one next to it by mistake.

[Effie]

No.

[Rosalia]

Yes.

[Marjorie Loveland]

The one my counterfeiter.

[Effie]

Only then did I remember where I'd seen the old man before. The paper was still on my desk and his picture was still on the front page over an article that ran something like this search on for ex Spanish treasury official. Police today were still without definite leads. And the search for Raymond Montoya, former chief engraver of the Spanish myth. Montoya, who arrived in San Francisco three weeks ago to visit his granddaughter, vanished from his hotel room shortly after checking in. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. Yes, Sam, Call Lieutenant Dundee at the lighthouse on the Embarcadero. Also, call the Treasury Department. Tell him both Pedro Rodriguez and his two assistants are even now busily running off currency from plates engraved by Raymond Montoya at The Simplex Printing Company, 509 Sansom Street.

[Rosalia]

Yes, sir.

[Effie]

Mexican pesos it was by the basketful and the treasury dicks agreed it was a happy thing for Mexico that Raymond had kept his engraver's tool on the right side of the ball up to now. As to the matter of your Senor Palmera and his Spanish prisoner, I had excusably, I hope, lost my enthusiasm. And so it was, Marjorie, that I walked into the Palace Hotel lobby a couple of hours later to call you.

[Dominic Torio]

Yes, sir.

[Effie]

I'd like some nickels to phone, please. Why, certainly. Shall I.

[Bartolomeo Maggiore]

No, no, no, no.

[Effie]

They're phony Mexican bills. Oh, dear.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Dear me?

[Effie]

Oh, good heavens. You shouldn't show money around like that. I just stuck them in my pockets forever. Forgot to turn them over to the Treasury. Ah, here we are. Here's a dime.

[Narrator]

Yes, sir.

[Marjorie Loveland]

And here you are.

[Effie]

Yeah. Hey, seor, you drop some big money.

[Sam Spade]

Ah.

[Effie]

Back in my pocket. Excuse me, please.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Senor John, look, I want to talk.

[Effie]

Hello, Marjorie, this is Sam Spade. Look, seno, I got the book.

[Rosalia]

Spade.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Did you find him?

[Effie]

I'm sorry, Marjorie. I beg your pardon. Just a minute, Marge. Look, buddy, you can have the phone in a minute. Now, will you relax?

[Marjorie Loveland]

You mean my money is gone?

[Effie]

I'm afraid so, Marge. It's an expensive lesson, but it's worth it. If you remember, honey, from now on, never flash your money in public places. Then you'll Flee. I'm almost through. Will you wait a minute? And never trust strangers. Marge, the world is full of sharks. Looking around for easy middle aged ladies with bankrolls.

[Marjorie Loveland]

But he seems so honest, Mr. Spade.

[Narrator]

That's the trouble.

[Marjorie Loveland]

The way he came up to me and said, senorita, I come to you on a matter of terrible urgency.

[Effie]

I know, I know. He saw your bankroll and he figured you on a matter of terrible origins. Figured? You look like an easy mark, Marge. So. Just a minute, Marjorie. What did you say? I say I come to you on a matter of terrible urgency. My uncle, Don Luis Alvarado, he's in awful trouble. Oh. Oh, there's going to be great reward, senor, if you help. You know, we just might be able to work something out. Well, Marjorie, he had $1,358 from which I deducted your thousand enclosed herewith, plus $58 representing my standard retainer period, end of report.

[Marjorie Loveland]

It must be awful to be gullible like that. Dear, sweet little sweet.

[Effie]

Yeah.

[Marjorie Loveland]

Imagine her falling for a transparent swindle like that.

[Rosalia]

That's one thing I've learned from you, Sam.

[Marjorie Loveland]

I had my savings in a. In a real good, solid thing.

[Effie]

What's that?

[Marjorie Loveland]

An avocado mine.

[Effie]

An avocado mine?

[Marjorie Loveland]

Where in Nome? That's in Alaska, you know.

[Effie]

Well, nevertheless, and notwithstanding, go tight. That Hup. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. For something new about the army, hear the Phil Regan show every Sunday on NBC. Coming from a different service base every week, Phil Regan brings you songs and fun and brings prizes to talented GIs. It's an exciting newcomer in your Sunday Chime lineup on NBC. And Sunday also means Cary Grant and Betsy Drake as Mr. And Mrs. Blanding.

[Rosalia]

Here it is, Sam. One.

[Effie]

Sam, knit two, purl three, slip one and nip one.

[Rosalia]

You see? How many rows did you do?

[Effie]

I'm on 57.

[Rosalia]

Why? You sure you're right, Sam?

[Effie]

Well, look at it. Have you ever seen such a gun?

[Rosalia]

Well, that's what I mean, Sam. They. They sort of billow out, don't they?

[Effie]

Well, who cares? That guy you're making them for probably won't appreciate them anyway.

[Marjorie Loveland]

But they have to fit, Sam.

[Effie]

Well, look at that. It'll make a perfect sleeping bag for a fat cat. Tell him your boss lost them up.

[Marjorie Loveland]

But, Sam. Oh, dear.

[Effie]

What's the matter?

[Rosalia]

There's going to be a supplies. They're for.

[Effie]

No.

[Rosalia]

Yes.

[Effie]

Well, I'll treasure him, sweetheart. They're the beautiful. Just what I wanted.

[Marjorie Loveland]

That's my boss. Good night, Sam Good night, sweetheart.

[Effie]

Tonight's transcribed adventure of Sam Spade was produced, edited and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn.

[Narrator]

Loreen Tuttle as Effie.

[Effie]

Also in the cast were Verna Felton, Lou Merrill, Shirley Mitchell, Ed Max, Jerry Hausner, Nestor Paiva, and Tony Barrett. Script for tonight's adventures by Harold Swanton. Musical scoring by Lud Gluskin conducted by Robert Armbruster.

[Rosalia]

SAM.

[Effie]

Join us again next week, same time, for another adventure with Sam Spade. For more mystery excitement tomorrow, it's the man Called X on NBC.

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