Philip Marlowe and The Sounds Of Darkness

Summary

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Case Closed! Podcast Episode Summary

Episode Title: Philip Marlowe and The Sounds Of Darkness
Date: November 26, 2025
Podcast: Case Closed! (old time radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com

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Episode Overview

This episode features two classic crime dramas from the golden age of radio:

1. Philip Marlowe: The Hiding Place – The hardboiled detective takes on a missing persons case that spirals into murder, theft, and dark secrets.
2. Sounds of Darkness: The Smell of Death – Blind detective Lee Masters investigates the suspicious murder of a narcotics agent, unraveling a case of obsession and psychological tragedy.

Both stories reflect the atmospheric, morally complex world of mid-20th-century radio crime fiction, engaging listeners with tough dialogue, intricate plots, and character-driven mysteries.

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1. Philip Marlowe: "The Hiding Place"

Starts at 00:10

Main Theme

A woman hires private detective Philip Marlowe to find her missing son, Chip. The investigation reveals lost love, betrayal, murder, and the aftermath of a jewel heist, all centering around a mysterious "house with the big wheel."

Key Plot Points & Insights

• The Case Begins

  • [01:47] Mrs. Bryant asks Marlowe to find her missing son, Chip, who vanished six months prior.

  • Chip's only recent contact is a cryptic letter mentioning a meeting at the "house with the big wheel" from a glamorously troubled woman, Toby Packler.

    "His name is Chip, Mr. Marlow, or rather Chip now that he’s a grown man. He left suddenly without a word six months ago. I’ve heard nothing until this morning..." — Mrs. Bryant [02:51]

• Small Town Trail

  • Marlowe traces the lead to San Luis Obispo, questioning locals at motels and bars.

  • He notices someone tailing him: Lou Race, a menacing figure with connections to Bryant and the elusive jewels.

    "I've been tailing you every inch of the way since old lady Bryant went to see you this morning. What's the connection?" — Lou Race [07:49]

• Twists and False Leads

  • A woman with a severely scarred face and an anklet, identified as Ms. Palmer, hints at a deeper story.

  • Marlowe learns from newspaper archives about a car crash (involving Toby) and a $110,000 jewelry heist linked to two men and a woman—suspecting these crimes are interconnected.

    "A woman identified as Toby Packler of Los Angeles suffered severe injuries to head and face today when a car she was driving skidded into a bridge abutment two miles north of here. So that’s how come the face..." — Philip Marlowe [12:42]

• The Escobar Mansion

  • Marlowe visits the decaying home of Adam Escobar, where he suspects the jewels could be hidden.

  • As midnight approaches, Marlowe warns Escobar to stay out of danger, but Escobar insists on confronting crime as a matter of principle.

    "Every honest man has something to do with every criminal—his duty." — Adam Escobar [17:34]

• Revelations and Showdown

  • At the water wheel, Toby tries to recover the hidden jewels, only to find the stash missing.

  • Escobar reveals he killed Chip Bryant after the latter found the jewels and that he buried both body and diamonds.

    "I think, Toby, that he killed Chip Bryant almost six months ago...and that he buried him here on these grounds without knowing that Chip had already found the jewels." — Philip Marlowe [24:33]

    "Quite dead. I killed him. Two days after your accident. I found him searching for the jewel." — Adam Escobar [24:45]

  • A deadly confrontation is averted by Marlowe's intervention; tragedy and loss linger.

• Compassionate Lie & Closure

  • Marlowe spares Mrs. Bryant the brutal truth, telling her Chip died at sea on his way to a new life, maintaining her memory of him.

    "It's a funny thing. Lies can cause more trouble in this world than almost anything else...and at the same time can sometimes bring the most happiness." — Philip Marlowe [27:39]

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2. Sounds of Darkness: "The Smell of Death"

Begins at 30:13

Main Theme

Lee Masters, a blind but brilliant detective, investigates fellow narcotics agent Tony Carpetti’s murder, which may be linked to a serial killer terrorizing New York. The tightly woven plot explores guilt, dual identities, and the dangers of obsession.

Key Plot Points & Insights

• Tony Carpetti’s Murder

  • [33:45] Tony is found dead behind a speakeasy, apparently killed by someone he knew. The death deeply affects his colleagues, especially Sam and Johnny.

    "He was out on a case, as you know. Either a junkie or a wheeler got him. Broken neck outside a small speakeasy about an hour back." — Johnny Bridges [34:04]

• Crime Scene Analysis

  • Masters deduces from footprints and evidence that the killer was familiar to Tony and used the element of surprise.

    "They walk together, then stop here...the larger print circle round behind. That’s how he was chopped down. By someone he knew..." — Lee Masters [38:34]

• Building Deductions

  • A diary hidden behind a painting in Tony’s apartment points to connections between Tony and the fearsome serial “Strangler” plaguing the city.

    "He always kept a diary. Take a well-known date attached to it, something you’ve read about. Think of someone who attracts to himself that which he fears most..." — Lee Masters [46:00]

• Suspects and Tensions

  • Neil Bates, Narcotics head and Tony’s close collaborator, becomes increasingly agitated and defensive.

  • Johnny suspects Neil, but Masters encourages him to look “within a dead man.”

    "Tension, irrationality, psychopathic mania...It all points to one man, Sam. The man who shouldn’t be suspected. The man who killed those people and Tony Carpetti. Neil Bates." — Johnny [51:58]

• Showdown & Twist

  • In a dramatic confrontation, Lee Masters reveals that Tony himself was the Strangler, his diary pointing to a split personality. His murder, thus, was perhaps an act of mercy by McDonald, Tony’s half-brother, driven by fear of future killings.

    "Tony Carpetti...Tony was the killer. But who killed Tony? The diary, the evidence, Neil here. Sometimes a psychopathic personality knows what he's done, though he feels no guilt." — Lee Masters [55:13]

    "Tony was the killer. But who killed Tony?...Maybe he killed in self defense. It was the 24th, remember. Maybe a mercy killing, I believe." — Lee Masters [55:13]

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Atmospheric Observations

  "You want to know something, Johnny? Something worth remembering? Death smells before it happens, as it's happening, after it's happened. Smells like burnt milk..." — Lee Masters [36:17]

• Masters's Calm Analysis

  "Think about that, Johnny. A psychopathic killer may attract to himself what he fears most: being found out." — Lee Masters [50:42]

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Notable Quotes by Timestamp

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|----------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:51 | Mrs. Bryant | "His name is chip, Mr. Marlow... He left suddenly without a word six months ago." | | 07:49 | Lou Race | "I've been tailing you every inch of the way since old lady Bryant went to see you this morning." | | 17:34 | Adam Escobar | "Every honest man has something to do with every criminal—his duty." | | 24:33 | Philip Marlowe | "I think, Toby, that he killed Chip Bryant almost six months ago. And that he buried him here..." | | 27:39 | Philip Marlowe | "It's a funny thing. Lies can cause more trouble in this world than almost anything else..." | | 34:04 | Johnny Bridges | "He was out on a case, as you know. Either a junkie or a wheeler got him..." | | 36:17 | Lee Masters | "Death smells before it happens, as it's happening, after it's happened. Smells like burnt milk..." | | 38:34 | Lee Masters | "They walk together, then stop here... that's how he was chopped down." | | 46:00 | Lee Masters | "Take a well-known date attached to it, something you’ve read about. Think of someone who attracts to himself that which he fears most..."| | 55:13 | Lee Masters | "Tony was the killer. But who killed Tony?... Maybe he killed in self defense..." |

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Philip Marlowe:

  • 00:10 — Opening narration
  • 01:17 — Mrs. Bryant seeks Marlowe’s help
  • 06:58 — Encounter with Lou Race
  • 12:22 — Researching the car crash and jewel heist
  • 15:14 — Visit to Escobar’s estate
  • 23:03 — The water wheel confrontation
  • 24:33 — Escobar confesses to killing Chip
  • 27:16 — Marlowe lies to Mrs. Bryant for her peace

• Sounds of Darkness:

  • 30:13 — Beginning of the case discussion
  • 33:45 — Discovering Tony’s murder
  • 36:17 — Lee Masters on the smell of death
  • 38:34 — Analyzing the crime scene
  • 45:59 — Finding Tony’s diary
  • 50:42 — Psychological clues point to Tony or Neil
  • 55:13 — Final reveal and resolution

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Summary in Original Tone

This Case Closed! episode artfully wove together two tales packed with classic radio noir flavor: Marlowe’s morally ambiguous quest for the truth behind a mother’s heartbreak, and Lee Masters’ psychological unraveling of a cop killing that pointed inward as much as outward. Gritty narration, sharp banter, and atmospheric settings immerse the listener in an era where every clue and confession mattered, and the line between justice and mercy was razor-thin.

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For fans of suspenseful, character-rich mysteries, this double feature is not to be missed.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is case closed crime stories from the golden age of radio.

[Philip Marlowe]

Get this, get it straight. Crime is a suckers road. Those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave. There's no other end, but they never learn.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of crime fiction comes his most famous character in the Adventures of Philip Marlowe. Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlo. We bring you tonight six exciting story. The Hiding place.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Misses Brown's Hip Shop. Oh, yes, yes, Mr. Waltman. The bookends. Well, let me see now. That was the little Dutch figurines, wasn't it? The boy and the girl. All right, fine. Well, I'll have to. Oh, hold. Hold the line a minute, Mr. Walt. Mr. Marlow, you're back.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yes, Mrs. Bryant.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Did you find him? Mr. Marlow, did you find Chipper?

[Philip Marlowe]

Chipper is dead, Mrs. Bryant. Oh, take it easy, Mrs. Bryant. Maybe you better sit down here.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

No, no, I'm all right. There's a customer waiting on the phone. I'll finish that. Then I want you to tell me everything you found out about my son.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sure, sure.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I'll only be a moment.

[Philip Marlowe]

As Martha Bryant went to the telephone, I braced myself for the story I had to tell her. I tried to figure some last minute way of making hard facts a little softer for a sweet, brave gray haired lady who deserved a better break. The first thought about what had happened brought the whole ugly business rushing back at me again. Turned my mind back like a CL where it had all begun. Yesterday morning in my office, that same Martha Bryan, full of hope and quiet courage, walked up to my desk, handed me a letter and asked me to find a son.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

His name is chipper, Mr. Marlow, or rather Chip, now that he's a grown man. He's 22. He left suddenly without a word six months ago. I've heard nothing until this morning when that letter they addressed a Chip came in the mail.

[Philip Marlowe]

Postmark St. Louis Obispo. Oh, sit down, won't you, Mrs. Bryant?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Thank you. Maybe I shouldn't have opened it, but, well, you see, it's the first indication I've had in all that time that he's even alive. Ricky.

[Philip Marlowe]

Dear Chip, it's been a long drag with the waiting is finally over. Darling, time is now. Meet me at 11:30 Monday night at the house with the big wheel. Signed Toby. House with a big wheel? What does that mean, Mrs. Bryant?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I have no idea, but for some reason it frightens me.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, 11:30 Monday night. Monday night? That must be tonight. Who is this Toby.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Toby Packler. She's a very, very beautiful young woman. Platinum blonde. Chipper believed he was in love with her, I'm afraid. Oh, please don't misunderstand me, Mr. Marlow. I'm not a possessive mother. I knew I'd give Chipper up someday, only I hoped it would be to a nice, sincere girl.

[Philip Marlowe]

Toby Packler isn't.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

But she's much too fast. The kind who uses too much mascara and wears things like those little anklet chains they call slave bracelets. I tried to find her after Chip left, but she was gone too.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, tell me, did you and your son argue about Toby, Mrs. Bryant?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

No. No, I only saw her once. He knew I didn't think much of her. But that didn't drive him away, Mr. Marlowe.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What did?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I never been able to understand. After his father died, Chip became irresponsible. And a little while perhaps, especially since I had to spend all my time running our gift shop on Ivar. But. But he was a good boy, really. I've tried to convince myself that he left just to prove his independence. To test his wings, you know. But now.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now what, Mrs. Brown?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Now I'm worried. That letter, it puzzles me. I don't like it.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, it may mean nothing more than you're getting a daughter in law uses too much mascara.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I hope you're right. I want Chip to be happy, to settle down. I want to turn my business over to him. And will you try to locate him for me? Here? I have his picture here in my wallet. See?

[Philip Marlowe]

Hey, Chip looks a lot like his mother, doesn't he?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yes. Please find out if my son is all right.

[Philip Marlowe]

Sure. I'll do my best. From my office window, I watched her leave the building, saw her stop politely and answer a question for an oily sidewalk passerby in a black pinstripe suit and move quietly on down the street toward a shop on Ivar. A neat, gentle, very lonely woman. I hoped I'd find a happy story for her in San Luis Obispo. She had one coming. I was still hoping five hours later when I pulled into a mobile gas station in the little town at the foot of the Santa Lucia Mountain 200 miles up the coast. I filled up, asked a few questions and found out there were only four good hotels, five not so good, and two or three dozen motor carts. And that ran the gamut. So even with nothing but the name Toby to go on the job wasn't completely impossible. By the time I'd worked my way down into the motor courts, the sun was sneaking off, but the the rocky.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hills toward the ocean.

[Philip Marlowe]

And I was still collecting negative answers until I tried a mirrored neon combination bar, restaurant and motel called Pinky's on the north edge of town.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sorry, mister. No Toby Packler registered here.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now, wait a minute. Are you sure? She's a lovely platinum blonde About.

[Narrator/Announcer]

About what? Huh? Never mind.

[Philip Marlowe]

Skip it. Pinky. Maybe this is better. When I glanced across the lobby at the bar, I caught a man watching me. It was the same oil character in a black pinstripe suit that I'd seen stop Mrs. Bryan on the street outside my office back in LA. He ducked away and I beat it into a bar just in time to see him slip out a side door. So I followed him outside. A gravel path wormed through a grove, dejected pepper trees wound up in a lonely walled patio. And when I got there, Oily was out of sight. The reason was simple. The nose of his gun in my back said he was behind me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Don't move, Marlowe.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, well, name and all.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, sure.

[Philip Marlowe]

I've been tailing you every inch of the way since old lady Bryant went to see you this morning. What's the connection?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oily?

[Philip Marlowe]

Exactly. Six long months of watching and waiting. For what? For a move a new two skunks would have to make sometime. From the way you've been working, you don't know enough to do yourself any good or me any harm. So take some advice.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Go back to la.

[Philip Marlowe]

Leave it alone.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Leave what alone?

[Philip Marlowe]

That's none of your business, people. I'll take over from here. But just in case you're running to Chip Bryant or Toby on your way.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Out of town, tell them from me they're not cutting Lou Race out of his share of 110gr.

[Philip Marlowe]

I'm gonna get it one way or another. And so you won't forget, use this. Oh. Or a reminder. When the brick floor of the patio finally stopped pushing, I was alone except for my ugly thoughts. I knew I was on the right track. But from the sound of things, Chip o' Brien was much less a mama's boy than his mama believed. I made sure Lou Race was nowhere around the motel and I went into the bar again to see what a double scotch would do for my headache. The bartender obviously was the type who got around. So I took a chance and asked him about Toby Packley. It was no good when I described Toby as a beautiful platinum blonde. A girl sitting alone two stools down. A girl with a short, ragged mouse brown hair and extremely flat, misformed face dropped her eyes and looked away. I suddenly felt very cheap. I flipped a silver buck on the bar and got up. You know, it was the kind of dumb stunt you can't apologize for. You just leave. I was halfway to my car before I realized that the girl had followed me out.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Hey, mister. Yeah, you. Just a minute.

[Philip Marlowe]

I turned and watched her come toward me. The garish, neon lighter face was jarringly unreal, the color and texture of hard putty.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I. I heard you inside when you asked about Toby.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, I thought you had. Do you know her, Ms. Palmer?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yeah, I know her. She's one of my few friends. What do you want with Toby?

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, my name is Marlow. I'm from la. I want to talk to her about a fella named Chip Bryant. She's my only lead.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Chip Bryant?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

She never mentioned that name to me. Anyway. You're too late, Mr. Marlowe.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you mean?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Toby left town this morning.

[Philip Marlowe]

Left town? Oh, no.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

She was going up north to Seattle, I think, on some kind of personal business.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now, listen, did she ever say anything about a house with a big wheel? Where it was, what it means?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

House with a big wheel.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

No, I'm afraid not. I'm sorry, Mr. Marlowe. I guess I'm not much help. I. Well, good night.

[Philip Marlowe]

Thanks anyway. Good night, miss.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Ms. Palmer?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, Palmer.

[Philip Marlowe]

Good night. As the girl walked back to the bar, the little gold chain I'd spotted around her ankle glinted in the brittle light. It was like an echo of a memory. A slave bracelet on her was as out of place as a morning glory in a bed of toadstools. But that gave me a crazy hunch. A hunch that somehow, in the last six months, a gorgeous blonde named Toby Packer had become a drab brown head with a flat, stiff face. So I didn't chase wild geese to Seattle. Instead, I got in my car and I waited. An hour went by and it was almost dark before she finally came out again, stepped down into a sleek new convertible and drove north out of town. I followed as she turned off a neglected side road and for eight miles twisted through jagged rocky hills toward the mountains. Then suddenly, from the crest of a small rise, I saw what she'd been heading for. An old stone house squatting in a grove of eucalyptus trees. The girl I figured to be Toby Packler had slowed almost to a stop. I watched a creep along until she was out of sight. And I got out of my car and I went down for a closer look. Round, brown shingled couplers reared proudly out of choking overgrowth and on a huge, rusty iron gate in front of was the name Escobar. But in the trees behind the house, I saw more turning slowly in the stream. There was a giant water wheel. A big wheel. I drove fast back to town and stopped at the only place I could figure for a quick answer. The office of the San Luis Obispo Daily Eagle. The night editor was strictly old school, from green eyeshade to sleeve. Gutted, but still very much on the ball.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Sir, you want to see the issues of exactly six months ago, you said? Yeah, that'd be November. About the 8th, 9th and 10th. Here, son, help us out.

[Philip Marlowe]

Thanks. Thanks a lot. If I'm right, this oughta sent you carefully.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Don't rip those copies. Say, by the way, what story are you looking for?

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, a small something on a party named Toby Packley. It's not here. Wait a minute. Maybe it'll be in. Yeah, sure, sure. This is it on page three. A woman identified as Toby Packler of Los Angeles suffered severe injuries to head and face today when a car she was driving skidded into a bridge abutment two miles north of here. So that's how come the face. Ms. Packard's condition was announced as critical by Clark emergency hospital attendant.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Is that all you wanted?

[Philip Marlowe]

That's enough.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

If that answers your question, young man, I put these copies away. Gotta be careful.

[Philip Marlowe]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. That headline, eh? What was that? Let's see that. Santa Barbara Jewelry Store Rob. Daring Thieves Escape with gems valued at 110,000. 110 grand.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Yeah, I remember that. Two men and a woman. Got away clean too. Never caught a one of them. You don't mean there's a connection between these stories, do you?

[Philip Marlowe]

I don't know. Ask me again after I've checked in at the old Escobar place.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Adam Escobar's place out in the hills. Oh, you're joking, son. What in the world could that crackpot possibly have to do with the jewel robbery and a car wreck six months ago?

[Philip Marlowe]

It beats me, but there's some tie in. You can count on it.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

I think you're crazy, but if you're going out there, maybe you should be.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now, what's that supposed to mean?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You'll have something in common with Adam. He's lived in his own private dream world for so long, he's forgotten what the real world's all about. Goodbye, son. I'll see you later, I hope.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

In just a moment. The second act of Philip Marlowe. But first, the fun is always fresh and furious. When Groucho Marx takes over on CBS Wednesday nights with his wonderful quiz, you Bet your life. Groucho, the master of ad lib, teams up pairs of opposites and then goes to work with his quips and questions. Very, very solid with laughter. This Groucho Mark show here at this Wednesday and every Wednesday on most of these same CBS stations. Now with our star, Gerald Moore, the second act of Philip Marlowe, and tonight's story, the hiding place.

[Philip Marlowe]

From the road. I had thought of Adam Escobar's place as just another hundred year entry home. You know the kind. Big, aloof, wrinkled, like an aging nobleman who had retired long ago with his memories. But now that I was there, and at the rusted iron gate that resented my intrusion out loud, I changed my mind. I saw now it had to be a degenerate nobleman. Also, the nobleman had to be flat broke. I saw it everywhere. The name Escobar on the gate and copper lettering. It turned a sickly spotted green. The scuffed faded family crest inlaid in tile in the cement walk was cracked and crumbled. The exquisite stained glass door was cracked all the way down the middle. Only the engraved card in the slot under the knocker that said Adam Escobar Squire was neat and new. Landed gentry's last ditch stand. I was about to knock one.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You need not bother knocking, sir. I saw you coming up the walk. I am Adam Escobar.

[Philip Marlowe]

He was a small, slight man of maybe 60 plus, with a large head held high in spite of the frayed cuffs, patent leather slippers that were cracked and peeling. I introduced myself, then followed him into a musty living room. There, Wiley apologized for no longer having any servants and poured us each some brandy from a cut plastic. I told them all about my search for Chip Ryan, complete with Toby and lou race.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Frankly, Mr. Marlow, I am puzzled. Your drinks are confused. What does all this have to do with me?

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, maybe nothing, Mr. Escobar, but the only guess around is that the jewels were hidden here on your property. A house with a big water wheel. The night of the robbery, six months ago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

But why?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

For what reason, sir?

[Philip Marlowe]

The police, probably. Trio wouldn't want to be picked up with the stuff on him. Salud.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Under yours, sir.

[Philip Marlowe]

Thank you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Then.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Then, Mr. Marlowe, soon after they did that hid the jewels. I mean, the girl, the one with the injured face, had that accident. Those are the circumstances?

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, more or less. And if I've had it right, company's coming by 11:30. It's 10:30 now. It might be a good Idea if you left the home grounds for a while.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Me?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Leave my own home because of some thieves? Because of three common detectives, Mr. Escobar.

[Philip Marlowe]

It's that or the police. And I'd rather not have them in.

[Narrator/Announcer]

It for a while.

[Philip Marlowe]

I still owe my CL the slight benefit of the doubt that's left.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You think I am afraid? Is that what you are trying to say?

[Philip Marlowe]

No, of course not. But I don't see why you should stick your neck out. These people have nothing to do with you.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You are wrong, sir. Every honest man has something to do with every criminal his duty. I know that now, Mr. Marlow. If I had known it many years ago, I might still have both my wealth and my property intact.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well, okay. Who knows? When I come back, it may be I'll come back.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

But where are you going, sir?

[Philip Marlowe]

In a town I'd still like to catch up to Chip Bryant before the reunion. I don't think there's going to be the time or place for conversation.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Conversation? With that Bryant hoodlum? About what sort?

[Philip Marlowe]

About a mother, Mr. Escobar. A nice old lady who doesn't deserve a kick in the teeth. Back in San Luis Obispo. I return to the missing person door to door canvas for the third time that night Only now I confined myself to the wrong side of the tracks exclusively. And the deeper the dive, the better. I didn't figure that Chip Ryan would show anywhere else. And after a half a dozen quick stops, number seven proved lucky. It was a cramped, greasy bar with a sawdust and cigarette butt floor and a single customer. I hadn't found Chip, but I was close to the death of Mr. Lou Race, the bar keeper ball of fat, wearing a sweatshirt the size of a tent at his back to me when I entered. So did Race. So when I tapped the tricky man on his padded shoulder and he turned, he was surprised to see me swing. That slicker was an old dick.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

This just in case.

[Philip Marlowe]

The cat got your tongue? Now get up. Get ready to answer a few simple questions.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Hey.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Hey. What do you think you're doing?

[Philip Marlowe]

You're busting my table. I'll pay you for it. Unless you want to be up there rolling chins in trouble with the law, Junior? Don't try to help the clientele. The cops.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Okay, okay. Why didn't you say so? I don't know nothing about this guy.

[Philip Marlowe]

And I don't know enough. Now, come on, Race. You talk or eat sawdust. Which? No. No. Well, I'll tell you what. Do you want one? You, Chip, Brian and Toby pack My stuck up that Santa Barbara jewelry store six months ago, right? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, we did it.

[Philip Marlowe]

But they crossed me up. It was when the cops were coming and we split. Splitter? You played Hooray Falu Race and ran without worrying about the others. What's the difference? The reason Toby and Chip Ryan won't tell you where they hid the jewels. That's a difference? Nuts. You're standing on one ear, peeper. Toby had a different reason for crossing. Like what? Ah, like I fallen in love with that louse Bryant. The kid she baited into coming along with us by flapping her baby blues. The kid who was supposed to drive the car, period.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That's how she crossed me.

[Philip Marlowe]

Anything else? Yeah, The Topper. Where's Brian now? One of two places, either with Toby Packler or without. Oh, Toby Packler.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Philip Marlowe]

By the time I made it to the door, the second company, Sam Spade, was across the street behind a parked car and streaking for an alley in the middle of the block. Just as I thought I was going to lose him, he came abreast of a dark doorway and I saw it. An arm raised quickly. The glint of a knife blade. The arm dropped sharply. Whoever had done it slid away in the dark as suddenly as he appeared. When I was next to Race, there was only the caller's card. A black ivory handled knife driven to the Hilton between the dapper nine shoulders. It was going out fast.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Hey.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Holy cow.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

How'd it happen?

[Philip Marlowe]

Shut up, Race. Race, do you know who got you the knife? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Has it got a dark, black, black ivory handle?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why? Why?

[Philip Marlowe]

What does it mean? Who does it belong to? Race? The kid. What kid?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Cecil Healthy Chip Ryan. Hey, he's dead, huh?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. And so are all the prayers of one Mrs. Martha Bryant. Huh?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Who's she?

[Philip Marlowe]

Never mind, never mind. Listen, call the cops. Tell her. My name's Philip Marlow. I'm a private detective and I may be able to explain all this later. Right now I'm due at a house with a water wheel. And explain that later too, if I'm lucky.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Oh, Mr. Marlow. I am glad you're here, sir. It is almost 11:30.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

I know.

[Philip Marlowe]

Have you seen anyone? Must ask a bar.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

No, sir. And I have been watching very closely and in readiness. My father owned this pistol.

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, well, I hope it's been oiled since. Now, look, I didn't locate Chip right. Wait a minute. Isn't that a car there turning off the road without any lights on?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Yes, and going along the side of my property line back to the water wheel. It is a woman, Mr. Marlowe, and.

[Philip Marlowe]

No doubt named Tony Peckler. Now look, you stay here, Mr. Escobar, and keep that blunderbuss ready. Don't forget Chip Bryant's Jew out here too, and he's a killer. Keep your eyes open. We'll stand a better chance meeting him one at a time. I went around to the side of the house quickly, then kept close into a long line of eucalyptus trees that ended at a crumbling building that had once been servants quarters. After that it was only 20 yards. The water wheel, 20 open yards. The huge ancient circle of hand hewn wood that complained against the side of a dreary squat stone mill that had long ago died of old age. There, in the faint half light of a hazy moon, I saw Toby Packler kneeling at the corner of the building and with both hands working furiously to loosen a stone the size and shape of a football. There was a gun on the ground next to her. I moved closer, my hand tight on the.38 in my pocket, and I waited till she had the stone out. And that baby ends a six months old secret for you. That wasn't bad aim. Just a warning, Toby.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

How do you know my name?

[Philip Marlowe]

I read your mail. I get back over to your homespun safety deposit box there and take the jewels out. Go on.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

All right. Why shouldn't I, soldier? You won't go anyplace with him. Chip will see to that. He'll. They're gone.

[Philip Marlowe]

Get back.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

They're not here, I tell you. Do you understand? They're gone. Gone. All the hogs.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now tell me, is this why you hit him?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Of course.

[Philip Marlowe]

Nobody else knew Race or Chip.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Brian Grace didn't even know about this place.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Don't dare move, Mr. Marlowe. Now drop your gun.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Do it.

[Philip Marlowe]

Ms. Packley. Mr. Adam Escobar, Esquire. Keep quiet.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

So Chief Bryant had the jewels all the time, did he? I never thought of that.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

What do you know about jewels?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Oh, quite a bit. You see me practically that night six months ago when you stood over there on the other side of the water wheel and told Bryant that you had hidden the jewels and would tell him where later on. I was listening.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

You knew they were here?

[Philip Marlowe]

I'll tell anything to anybody.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

It was of course, quite by chance that I overheard you. But after you had that accident with your car, I searched as diligently as though I Worry, partner. Searched Ms. Peckler for money that could mean so, so much to me. But I found nothing.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Then where are they? You lady here. Tell me where Are they?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Do you know, now that I see this hiding place? Yes. It was where Chief Brian stood. Therefore, the jewels are no doubt buried.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

What do you mean?

[Philip Marlowe]

I think, Toby, that he killed Chip Brian almost six months ago. And that he buried him here on these grounds without knowing that Chip had already found the jewels.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

What Chip? Dead.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Quite dead. I killed him. Two days after your accident. I found him searching for the jewel.

[Philip Marlowe]

No.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

No, you're lying. Chip was supposed to go back to Los Angeles and wait until I was. Well, wait for my letters.

[Philip Marlowe]

He didn't. Toby came out here, found the jewels and was killed by our host.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

No wonder I couldn't find them. These monks type search day in and day out. Scratch them dog and cold and in rain. By Zolin, by dark.

[Philip Marlowe]

No one.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

I buried them with him.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, but you didn't bury his knife, did you? That you kept the news on Lou Race tonight. Exactly.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Stay back, Ms. Bexler.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Why? So you can shoot me, then him. But so that if I'm very lucky, I can run away to live some more. Live with his smashed ugly face. What have I got to lose?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You've been warned.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

My pretty face is gone.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Take another step, the man I love is gone.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I assume the cool story.

[Philip Marlowe]

Escobar. Turn around. Point that gun at me.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Great job, Mr. Milo.

[Philip Marlowe]

Now it's self defense. Toby. Toby is bad.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yeah, real bad. I. I had so much once. My face, a guy named Chip Jules. And everything.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

I was a.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

A big wheel.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wasn'T I? So.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yes. Yes, Mr. Altman. The bookends will be sent out to you this afternoon at the latest. Thank you for calling. Goodbye. I'm sorry to have kept you, Mr. Marlowe. I. Well, it may be hard for you to believe then. The minute I was on the phone and even while I talked, I think I saw Chipper's whole life before me.

[Philip Marlowe]

I know what you mean. Well, Mrs. Bryant, I found out that your son, Chip.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yes. You found out what, Mr. Marlow? What are you staring at?

[Philip Marlowe]

Oh, that showcase there.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Oh, our Mother's Day display. It's attractive, isn't it?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, very. Mrs. Bryant, Chip was killed in a storm at sea a week. A week after you saw him. It was off San Francisco. His body was never recovered. I was told that he was on his way to a new job in Canada at the time. And incidentally, that letter from San Luis Obispo, that was all a mistake. That girl never saw a Chip again. Outside, I left my car where I'd parked it and walked through the busy city street. You know, It's a funny thing. Lies can cause more trouble in this world than almost anything else they say and at the same time can sometimes bring the most happiness.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

The Adventures of Philip Marlowe, bringing you Raymond Chandler's most famous character. Star Gerald Moore are produced and written by Norman McDonald and written for radio by Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt. Featured in the cast were Virginia Gregg, Joan Banks, Herb Butterfield, Louis Jean Height, Bob Griffin, Howard McNear and Lee Millar. The special music is composed and conducted by Richard Arant. Be sure and be with us again next week when Philip Marlow says it.

[Philip Marlowe]

Started at dawn in a Los Angeles taxi and wound up that night on a cliff in the middle of the Pacific. All because of a Dutchman with $50,000, a corpse in a lily pond and an Oriental with a chauffeur who wanted a cloak made of nothing but feathers.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Time, Half past nine. There are, for example, two distinctly divergent schools of thought on the question of whether there is an essential difference in kind between one entire group of mental disorders which are called neuroses, and another, which we know as psychosis. Dr. Lincoln? Yes, Lee? Surely in practice this distinction is a useful and convenient one. I think we all should know that under its terms, neuroses are those disorders of emotional and also intellectual functionings with no loss of contact with the reality. Psychosis, on the other hand, is as you'll agree, Doctor. All right. More phone call for you. Tony Carpet has been knocked off. Narcotics want you. What? Who's phony? Johnny Bridges. All right, I'll tell him. If you'll excuse me, Dr. Lincoln. Gentlemen. Goodyear presents the Sounds of Darkness. Good evening. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, makers of passenger, truck and tractor tires for every requirement in South Africa's farming, commerce and industry, bring you Lee Masters, the blind detective who challenges the sounds of darkness.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Sam?

[Narrator/Announcer]

In tonight's sounds of darkness, you will hear tony j. As lee masters, james white as johnny bridges and elaine lee as samantha darlington. Others in the cast are hugh rouse, brian o' shaughnessy and gordon mulholland. And now let's join the world of Lee Masters. In tonight's Sounds of Darkness, the smell of death. Hello, Johnny. Sam. Hi, Lee. You got my message? Yeah, I got it, Johnny. During the lecture. Dry your eyes, Sam. All the crying in the world won't bring him back.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

I'm sorry, Lee. I. I was really crying.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stop sniffling then. I heard it the moment I came in. That's how I knew you were here. Sorry, honey, but Take it easy. All right, Johnny. When, where and why? Well, I don't know all that much about it, Lee. He was out on a case, as you know. Either a junkie or a wheeler got him. Broken neck outside a small speakeasy about an hour back. How long dead? Killed about four this morning. And he lay there outside until nine. This morning? It seems so, Lee. Was a back giant on 5th and 27th. Even if they saw anything down there, they wouldn't talk about it. You know how they love cops. Who's on it, Johnny? Neil Bates. He rang here, wants your help. Feeling better now, Sam?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Yeah, Lee, I'm sorry. It's just that we've known Tony a long time and, well, he was a nice guy. Oh, it all seems so senseless.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I know him about 10 years. And 10 years is a long time to live in Narcotics. He could have got bumped off a long time ago. For, say, about five years. Tony's been living on borrowed time. Look at it that way, Sam, and it won't hurt so much.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Gee, thanks, Lee. I'm sorry I'm so sniffly. You want me to get Faith for you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Please. And a cup of coffee, black, like Johnny's there on the table.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Oh, Bates first or coffee, Lee?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Coffee, Sam. Okay, Johnny. Did they circle off the area? Yeah, Lee, Bates said to tell you it's being held that way until you look at the scene. Why not homicide? There aren't to it as well, Lee. But this is Narcotics. Don't forget FBI work, our work leave. Plus the fact that Tony was an old friend. In a way. MacDonald must miss him. He was one of Tony's takers. They shared an apartment and a mother. It's true, he's Tony's half brother. As volatile, as precipitate as Tony ever was. But who killed him? A junkie denied a fix. Desperate. A Wheeler stopped by. Tony from selling the smoke. I wonder. It's not gonna be easy, Lee. No. And when things aren't easy, look under the obvious. Even look inside a dead man if you have to.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

The perk's not working, Lee. I made you instant. Okay.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thanks, Sam. No milk, just like I said. So, Tony Carpetti. You want to know something, Johnny? Something worth remembering? Death smells before it happens, as it's happening after it's happened. Smells like burnt milk. Sharp, acrid. Sam, get me Neil Bates, will you? This is where it happened, Lee. No one disturbed the place. Oh, the guy that saw the body land out of here as quick as he could. Didn't touch thing. Okay, Johnny, tell Me what you see. Just this little Alley, Lee. About 15ft across. The stretches from here to 28. About 40 yards at the most. High walls, both sides about 8ft high. Garbage bins down the bottom. Tarmac in the center of the alley. A bit of muck and gravel, both sides for about two feet in. Thanks, Johnny. Neil, the body just about over here. That's where you found it. Was it found facing up or down? Facing down. Lee hid my side over here. This side. Okay. Tell me about the prints, Johnny. Two sets, Lee. Close together. One small. Yeah, that would be Tony. He took size six. He was small, like his I type forbears. And a bigger prince next to his. Walking parallel? No. Maybe a six inch stretch behind the others. No, no more prince. The depression in the ground. So they were walking off the tarmac, Tony inside, right? Yeah, but how did you know? Tony was a careful man. He'd walk close to a wall anytime. Well, let me see now. They walk together, then stop here.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Let me feel the larger print. Circle round behind. That's how he was chopped down. By someone he knew who stopped with him in this alley. Probably asked for a cigarette, took out matches and dropped them behind Tony. Then he stood up and struck with his fist at the back of the neck. Neck broke, Tony dies. Ali, this is all very clever.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Clever?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Homicide can deal with this. I killed you across to give me a hand on the narcotic side. Not. It's a small depression here. Could have been a box of matches dropped by the killer. No, no, more likely a lighter. Neil, you were saying? Leave this to Homicide, Lee, you know I got a lot to talk about. All right, let's go to your office and talk. Was Tony still mucking about with women, by the way? No, I. I heard he'd stopped that. I want to talk to your informant first, then we'll go to your office. Take me to him, Johnny.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

That's all I see.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I see.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

This is smaller man, Ali.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We have a talk. I remember him. He's a people come from Milano, same as mine. He eats a hamburger, then he goes up. I did not see him again until I walk out.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

I go through the alley to 28.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Street to where I live.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

I see the body, I ring the pleat. Alice.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mister, that is all I know. Take it easy. I believe you. He spoke to no one else? No, I am assured of that. No one at all. But he was killed by a man he knew. Okay, Franco, if that's your name, he won't be booked. But I think the cops will want you to stick around. But you are the cops, mister. Yeah, once removed. Don't try and work it out, Neil. Let's go. I see they haven't got the strangler yet. Lee should strike soon. So Kearney says It's after the 24th. What does Kearney know about crime, Johnny? Or the phases of the moon? Or the meaning of killings on the 24th of each month? Well, he is the DA. And boy, are they kicking at him. Why don't the police safeguard the lives of every citizen? Why? They have to do something about it. I should hate to be in his shoes. As strong as a nut. I get him in the end. No description, though. Clever nut, the way I admire him. Don't get me wrong on that, please. These bumped off four people, they can't even begin to find him. Admire a maniac, Neil? Possibly. Schizoids live in a world of their own. I can understand that. Is he schizoid, I wonder? Or just psycho idiopathic, hebrophrenic, catatonic, paranoid? Well, that's the killing stage, Lee, you've been attending FBI lectures again. Yeah. Doc Lincoln, he knows his stuff. Yeah, we're changing the subject. Any hunches on Carpetian? No, not yet. No hunches, just a few deductions. He was onto something big, wasn't he? Yeah, heroin. Gonna crack it too, he thought. Yeah, he thought. I hope you don't mind our using your radio room like this, Bob. Well, now, it's. Sir. Glad to see you on the team. When's Johnny reporting in from the car? Should be any moment. He's watching Carter and McDonald, two of Tony's best boys. Trying to make contact with Tony's lead, huh? Yeah, that's right. Car 42 calling in. Car 42 calling in. Come in, Pete. You got Lee Masters there. Johnny Bridges wants to talk with them.

[Philip Marlowe]

Over.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Got him right here.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Hold on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay, Lee, it's yours. Thanks, Johnny. Lee, we haven't got much. We are parked out of sight down here. Connor McDonald are on the corner. Now, I'm watching him like you said I should. This place was Tony's last connection with the drunk boys. But nothing's happened so far. And those poor guys have been standing out in the rain for over two hours right now. You check that speakeasy again?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah, Lee?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Nothing. Actually, we were in a bit of a fix. Carter McDonald. Don't know who Tony made contact with. Working in the dark over something I'm used to. Johnny. Now, listen, he was onto something. Heroin smoke someone was buying and squealing Whoever squeals at Tony, if it happened that way, will still want his dough. Okay, keep looking, Johnny. Call me back in 20. Okay, Lee, we'll go. Over and up. You know, Bob, the wrong way around. Who gets killed when someone squeals? The cop. Seldom, more often the squealer by his own rats. But Tony gets slugged. He's a big boy in narcotics. Well known.

[Philip Marlowe]

Why?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, it's odd, isn't it? Unless it. I don't know. I try to work it out since it happened. You got any hunches? No hunches, Bob. A deduction. The beginnings of a deduction. At a tangent. A rather crazy tangent, Bob. You are listening to the smell of death. Tonight's sounds of darkness brought to you by Goodyear. The greatest name in rubber. Is McDonald on duty? Yeah, Lee. He won't disturb us. You know, for someone so close to Tony, he seems mighty unconcerned. Fatalist, maybe. They happen in our business. Yeah. You want me to check the bookcase again? And what about telling me what we're looking for now? Just look for something small and innocent, Johnny. Nothing. Well, that painting's still in the middle of the wall. Tony always kept a painting, you know. Reproduction, Old Master. In the middle wall of this apartment. Yeah, it's still there. Johnny, if you were trying to hide something small in this place, where would you do it? Maybe behind that picture. Help me get it down, will you? No, nothing behind it, Lee. Cardboard at the back. We press down.

[Philip Marlowe]

Like this?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah. Slight flat projection. And a slit in the cardboard above it. Get it out for me, Johnny.

[Philip Marlowe]

All right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A diary, right? All right. Don't confirm it. He always kept a diary. Recorded his life in it, as it were. When Neil told me they'd found nothing, I read it to me, Johnny. Slowly, from the beginning. Just this one. Ali 24th. I saw him. I know him. Someone close to me. Carter and McDonald weren't with me this night, nor on the others. But I have seen him. That's interesting, Johnny. Very interesting. Now, here's a lesson in observation for you. Take a well known date attached to it, something you've read about. Think of someone who attracts to himself that which he fears most. And think of someone who goes beyond the meaning, the implication held in this diary. That's a real Lee Master's puzzle. Oh, hi. I saw the lighter. I thought maybe the place had been broken into. That's McDonald, isn't it?

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And you got permission to bust into my apartment? It was Tony's, too. Don't forget that. Sorry, MacDonald. We were just putting out feelers. Oh, well, the guy's dead. Leave him be. All right, so we find his killer, then we think different. But leave him be. He was a great guy. Yeah, he was an unhappy man. Unhappy or who's happy he's dead, that's all. All right, MacDonald. Sorry we broke in. Yeah, well, that's all right. Forget it. I could do with the rye. You won't join me? No, no, no. We'll. We'll.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Look.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The homicide was told someone was in the flat. This is before McDonald gets to you. Ten minutes after you leave, homicide arrives thinking maybe a mob was breaking up the place. Why didn't you get my permission first? What are you doing anyway? Casing the joint, like we told McDonald. Just checking, Neil. Well, don't check without me in future.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

I get it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why so angry, Neil? Obsessed by something I don't like being roasted by a half baked, trumped up chief of homicide, that's why.

[Philip Marlowe]

Well.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, what, Neil? You know, you're confusing poor Sam, mind. You gonna apologize or something? All right, I apologize. Yeah, well, I. I guess you meant well.

[Philip Marlowe]

Leave it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

For heaven's sake. Let me know what you're doing, will you? Why didn't you phone through to me, Neil, here at the office? Because I wanted to have it out with you myself in person. I know you're the great Lee Masters, but to me, sometimes you're just.

[Philip Marlowe]

Yeah. Oh, yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You're a great guy, Leon. I'm sorry, but. Head up about Tony's death. The break he was waiting for, that just hasn't broken. I guess I've forgotten too, how you work. I'm sorry.

[Philip Marlowe]

Forget it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No news from Carter or McDonald? Oh, no, nothing at all. You're sending Johnny out with him again? Yeah, tonight.

[Philip Marlowe]

Ah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

If it's okay with you. I said I'm sorry. Don't rub it in, Lee. Maybe Neil can explain the diary we found, Lee. Yeah, Neil, I was going to tell you about that. We found a diary in Tony's flat.

[Philip Marlowe]

You.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You said you weren't in there looking for anything, Lee. I wasn't looking for it. I knew it would be there. But there's nothing in it really. Just a half page toward the end. Something about dates, seeing someone. I. I better take it with me, I guess. I'll give it to him, Johnny. No, no, let me. Here are, Neil. Thanks. Your hand shaking, Neil? You mustn't lose your temper so much. I. I'm getting on, that's all, palsy, you know. I'll hand this over to Baker Homicide when I've gone through it. You do that, Neil.

[Philip Marlowe]

Okay, then.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll be going. I'm sorry I bit your head off, Lee. Well, it's still there on my shoulders. Yeah. So long. Well, did I make a boo boo giving him a diary? He's FBI. Assistant head of narcotics. Wants to find Tony's killer. Wants Tony's contacts followed up. What do you think? Lee and I don't know much about psychology, but that was an unnatural reaction of his. He's been dealing with the straight cops for years, so. Or perhaps he is getting old and palsy, as he said. I was thinking about that conundrum you told me. Oh, yeah? Something I read about. Now, what's a particular interest recently? The Strangler. Now that's step one. A psychopathic killer may attract to himself what he fears most. Being found out. Or the man who's able to find him out. So finally. I'll keep going, Johnny. Now, someone who seems beyond the meaning of the dates in the diary. Someone untouchable. Someone not connected with the 24th. The 24th of the last four months. Someone known to Tony Carpetti. Seen by Tony Carpetti on the night she was out of Narcotics. But. But Lee, it can't be. It can't be. You know, mania is not found as often as we like to think, Johnny. Pure obsessional mania, that is, without a schizoid imprint.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tension, irrationality, Psychopathic mania.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Johnny, Johnny, what are you getting at?

[Narrator/Announcer]

It all points to one man, Sam. The man who shouldn't be suspected. The man who killed those people and Tony Carpetti. Neil Bates. What? Who killed Tony because. Because somehow Tony had found out.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Are you out of your mind?

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

Johnny?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

We've known Neil for years. Neil Bates, the famous Strangler. Nonsense.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, Johnny, you're doing all right. Except for one thing. Yeah? The Strangler hasn't killed again. Think about that while Sam gets me a number. Sam?

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Uh huh.

[Narrator/Announcer]

McDonald and Carter, Tony's takers. I'm going to ask them to meet us tonight. Then I'll ring Neil Bates. He'll be along too. You're aiming for a dramatic showdown, Eli. With those two along to help, we can do it on our own. Get me that number, Sam.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

Right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm. I'm waiting, Johnny, for someone to react, that's all. It'll happen tonight. Can you beat it? Neil Bates. Well, if he confesses with Carter McDonald as witnesses, you've got him sewn up. All right, all right, let's get on with him. Now you'll Wonder why I called you here tonight. And why here? Sense of the dramatic, I suppose. I know who killed Carpeti. At least I think I know. I could be wrong. Not you, Lee. Tony was a friend of mine. He wasn't on to anything big. He wasn't going to break a case like Neil here thinks. Well, what was he up to then? You have to drag us down here to this warehouse to play the brain, Lee. Tony was up to some. In a way he knew what was going on. What was that, Mr. Masters? He knew who the strangler was. The strangler who's been filling the city of New York with fear for the last four months. That's why he died. You, McDonald? You, Carter? Or you, Neil? Who killed Car Petty? Do you want me to tell you or will you tell me now?

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

Look here, Lee.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This has got on long enough.

[Philip Marlowe]

Leave him. Leave him, Johnny.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You little rundown, you. Shut up, Neil. He was going for his gun.

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

Leave.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I was reaching for my handkerchief. You were what? It wasn't your fault, Johnny. I let you deduce a few things. But perhaps you don't know Dr. Lincoln. And that makes a difference. The answer to the poser first. Who killed on the 24th of the last four months. I'll tell you. Tony Carpetti.

[Mrs. Bryant / Toby Packler / Female Characters]

What?

[Radio Show Host/Announcer]

Ohlina.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Isn't that right? McDonald? Yeah. I heard some outside. I better go check.

[Adam Escobar / Night Editor / Other Male Characters]

You.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You see it well, you know. Yeah. Look within a dead man, Johnny. Tony was the killer. But who killed Tony? The diary, the evidence, Neil here. Sometimes a psychopathic personality knows what he's done, though he feels no guilt. And such a personality can developed late in life. Lincoln again. Tony kept a diary. He knew he was an insane killer. The hymn referred to in his diary himself. His other killing self. Yeah, I'll leave it at tone. Doesn't explain. Think of someone who might have been tainted. Who feared in himself what Tony was doing. Tony his blood relative. I found MacDonald. And there dies your killer. Don't ask me how he found out about his half brother, but he did. And maybe he killed in self defense. It was the 24th, remember. Maybe a mercy killing, I believe. Why kill himself now? He could have stood trial, got up. Fear, Neil, of what he might one day do. All right, let's go collect the body. Oh, tell me you don't happen to smell something like. Like burnt milk, do. So ends tonight's Sounds of Darkness. Presented for your entertainment by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. Makers of World famous passenger tires, truck and tractor tires for every requirement in South Africa's farming, commerce and industry. Join us next Friday and every Friday night at 9:30, when Goodyear will again present the blind detective Lee Masters in the Sounds of Darkness.