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This is case closed crime stories from the golden age of radio. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective, brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic, the non alcoholic hair tonic that contains lanolin. Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men who put good grooming first. Sam Spade Detective Agency. They offered me a cool million and a half, but I couldn't be bought. Oh, Sam. All the time fooling straight good savvy. Oh, really, Sam, Why didn't you take it? Oh, but you couldn't, of course. That's right. Angel taxes. Oh, you mean it would put you in a bracket. The girl's name, in case you were going to ask, was Sugar Cane. Was she sweet? Oh, Effie, you made a joke. Oh, not much of one, though that is true. But even though you do seem to be, as you would say, in a jugular vein, I shall be right down. Serious and frowning to dictate a chronicle steeped in the bitter tea of general confusion, brewed in a witch's cauldron of murder. Green and avarice. That's what gives it that nutty flavor. What? Sam? Silly girl. I refer to the Sugar cane caper on which I will forthwith my report be down to dictate on it with goodbye. Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hard Boiled Private Eye, and William Spear, radio's outstanding producer, director of mystery and prime drama, join their talents to make your hair stand on end with the Adventures of Sam Spades presented by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the hair. Want to look better on the job? Get Wild Root Cream Oil. Want to look better to that gal of yours? Get Wild Root Cream Oil. Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic improves your entire appearance by grooming your hair neatly and naturally, relieving dryness, removing loose dandruff. If your family hasn't yet enjoyed the benefits of America's leading hair tonic, here's what to do about it. Ask at your drug or toilet goods counter for the new 25 cent get acquainted bottle of Wildroot Cream Oil Hair Tonic. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children too. And now, with Howard Duff starring as Spade Wildroot brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade. Hello, Sam. How are you? Sam? You were so lugubrious over the phone. Sometimes you're so bucolic, but tonight. What am I? When lugubrious tonight? Just, Just. Just bowling over. Do you possibly mean I'm being lush? With my verbiage. There, you see? Now, that's because I've been at work in the environs of Snob Hill where they never use one. Word of 12 will do. Are you ready for the dictation? I guess it is. I plan to be most amusing tonight. Already I am. Yet. Look, I haven't even started. Really, I haven't. All right, now, pencil. Date. Alan should have such an audience. Date. October 3, 1948. To Clifton Kavanaugh, Esquire. Down epi from Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Subject the sugar cane caper. On Thursday last at 11:00am As I waited for the traffic signal so that I might legally cross Powell street in order to board a cable car, a cat rubbed up against my leg. I leaned over to stroke it and noticed that it had six toes. I wondered if that meant anything. It didn't. Most Knob Hill addresses don't mean much anymore. But yours still does. The house was big, hideous and reassuring. Oh, are you from Pepper Snow? No, I'm in business for myself. Mr. Kavanaugh in? Oh, come on in. Can't understand what happened to that boy from Peppersnow. Oh, pardon me if I seem a little hungover. Gladly. But can you ever forgive yourself? I like you. You got a sense of humor. You'll need it. You trying to tell me you don't approve of Mr. Kavanaugh? That perfumed pothead? What did he do to you? He married my mother. Oh. Stepfather. Yeah. I'm Fred Blair. Spade's my name. Where do I find him, Detective? Check. I'll give you a clue. Look behind you. I did. I turned and found myself looking straight into your handsome face. You looked several years younger than your stepson with regular aquiline feature, dark, widely spaced eyes and blue black hair. Well. So you're the notorious Sam Spade. Well, I don't want to seem modest. Come into the conservatory. There's just the barest chance that we'll not be overheard. Good. There. Sit down. What's your problem, Mr. Kavanaugh? Problem, indeed. Problems, plural. Starting with that junior grade lush that collared you at the door. He's very fond of you too. You can't imagine what a trial that boy has been to me. Both the children. For some reason, neither Fred nor his sister Eunice ever quite accepted me as their father. You don't say. I suppose my youth counted against me. I think they misinterpreted my motives. When any man marries a wealthy widow twice his age. Yeah. Why did you send for me, Mr. Cavanaugh? Well, it all started several months back, before my wife, their mother. Where was I? Well, died. The scandal quite literally killed her. You're sure that's what did the trick. Fred, who, among other talents, was a positive genius for knowing the wrong sort of people, struck up an acquaintance with a hoodlum named Johnny Verona. Nice, clean cut gangster type. Runs a joint on Pacific Street. Precisely. With a positively hysterical name of the Subtropical. Well, there was a sordid brawl of some sort. A man shot, obviously. This Johnny Verona shot. Fred had to give testimony before the grand jury. It was all we could do to keep it out of the paper. But you did. No. Old Eleanor, my wife, that is, dropped dead when the butler brought in the Chronicle. But the worst was yet to come, Sam. Well, don't keep me hanging, Cliff. Well, Fred continued to frequent this bistro, this dive. Verona, I understand. I believe the bait is a toothsome little teaser with the unlikely name of sugar cane. She likes Fred. No woman in her right mind would look twice at that idiot, even if he were twice as rich and only half a sodden. Then where was I? Oh, yes, this. This. This Verona person came here several times on the pretext of pouring thread through the front door and thereby met my. My. My stepdaughter, Eunice. Well, that's a very interesting story, Mr. Cavanaugh. Now, maybe you'll tell me what you want a detective for. Because my stepdaughter has brazenly informed me that she intends to marry this gangster. I want you to help me prevent that marriage. I don't see. Don't see what? I don't see how I can. Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. When Verona was arrested for that shooting in his club, Fred didn't tell the grand jury all he knew. Now, if you could prove that Verona is guilty, then we'd be rid of him for good. Is it Verona you want to get rid of or your stepson? Good Lord. You don't think Fred did it, do you? Why, no, of course not. Okay, supposing Verona did it. Then Fred goes up on a perjury wrap, maybe accessory. Oh, well, I have no overwhelming desire to injure Fred. Look, why don't you tell me what you have an overwhelming desire for? Well, under the terms of her mother's will, Eunice will inherit $3 million as soon as she marries. When? When what? When do I meet her? Be serious, man. Now, I will pay Verona $50,000 in cash if he'll stay away from her. Would you take 50 grand as the payoff? In a 3 million dollar caper. In this instance, yes. Eunice is not very well. And you may quote me on that book, chapter and verse, to Johnny Verona. To Johnny Verona. Okay. Water's mighty cold this time of the year at the bottom of the bay. But if you don't care. I don't. Thank you. Let me know how it comes out. Don't give it a second thought. You'll know. Don't get up, Mr. Kavanaugh. I know the way out. Hey, Spade, wait up. Well, you look a little better. Listen, there's something you ought to know. He was my sister's boyfriend before he married my mother. He did it out of revenge because Eunice threw him over. He still wants to marry her. Any particular reason? Oh, my mother put that crazy marriage clause in her will. He's been systematically getting rid of every man who's been interested in her. Brought him off, threatened him off any way he could. Why? He thinks Eunice will eventually marry him to get her inheritance. But she won't. She'll kill him first. And if she doesn't, I'll do it for her. Fred. Oh, yeah. Fred. What on earth are you saying? Who is this man? Well, he's the detective. Sam Spade. You're Eunice Blair? Yes. I want to talk to you, Fred. Go. Go and. Yeah, see you later, Spade. I know why my stepfather hired you, Mr. Spade. If you need the money, go ahead, but this time it won't work. You look as if you'd like to be a nice girl. How did you happen to settle for a cheap grifter like Johnny Verona? Because we understand each other and he can't be scared off. Any message I can take him from you? Tell Johnny I'll meet him at the usual place. And tell him I still like my coffee black, no sugar. I didn't ask her what kind of sugar she didn't want any of. I thought I knew the only thing wrong with Sugar Cane's dance was her dancing. But the customers didn't seem to mind and I didn't either. It was a pleasure to size her up carefully, as I would have felt obliged to do anyway in my professional capacity. She was a black haired member with aquin features and widely spaced dark eyes. It was a beautiful combination and I wondered where I'd seen it before. Quite recently I decided to find out. Hey, what's the idea of barging in here after me? Can't you see the sign on the door? No customers in the dressing room. Then let's go someplace else. I want to talk to you beat it. Take it easy. This is on business. Good. I'll fix it up with the boss. Johnny. Yeah, Sugar? What's the matter? This Joe giving you trouble? He trailed in here after me, the chief masher, on the pretext of discussing business affairs. Okay, out. You fell. Wait a minute. Come on, move. And don't come back. Well, sorry I had to give that bum thrush routine. I don't want to get her excited. She's a nice kid and she doesn't know why you're here. I take it you do? Yeah. Eunice called me and told me you'd be down. Okay, Johnny. I'll give it to you fast and get out. Clifton Kavanaugh will pay you 50 grand to leave Eunice alone. He also made a few idle or not so idle threats about what might happen to her if you don't take his money. For example. He said she hasn't been feeling well, might not live long enough to get married. I don't have to tell you what I think about that kind of talk. And I wouldn't be peddling it if my office rent wasn't due. That's why when you started giving me that bums rush, I made only, shall we say, a token resistance. Yeah, about me marrying Eunice. You can tell Clifton to stop worrying. Yeah. Eunice and I got married three weeks ago. You what? Married. You want to see the papers? Why the secrecy? I don't want her to get hurt. You're scared of Clifton? Nah, Sugar, she's got a very low boiling point. She's a. Oh, pardon me. Yeah? Yeah. Nick, what is. Go ahead. Yeah, I heard you. No, no, don't touch anything. Don't let anybody in. I'll be right over. Bad news? Yeah, Eunice. She's dead. How? One of my boys found her in my apartment. She was supposed to wait for me there. How did it happen? He's not sure. He thinks she took poison. I had to give Johnny Verona one thing. He didn't make any pretense about being grief stricken. But after all, he just inherited 3 million bucks. Sugar cane took it standing up, too. But she just lost the rival and got her man back. Three million bucks richer. I wasn't with you when you got the news, Mr. Kavanaugh, but the one I really wondered about was Eunice's brother, Fred. What brought that on was something I picked up in Johnny Verona's apartment, where we found Eunice's body sprawled out over a tray of coffee things. It was a medicine bottle with a doctor's prescription Number on the label. The name of the druggist that had put it up was Feffish. Now I remembered what Fred had said to me when he admitted me to your house that afternoon. Quote, are you the man from Feffishnows? I wondered if I'd answered yes. Would Eunice still be alive? The makers of Wild Root Cream oil are presenting the weekly Sunday adventure of Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective, Sam Spade. Now here's important news on good grooming. If you want the well groomed look that helps you get ahead socially and on the job, Listen. Recently, thousands of people from coast to coast who bought wild Root Cream Oil for the first time were asked, how does wild root cream oil compare with the hair tonic you previously used? The results were amazing. Better than four out of five who replied said they preferred wild Root Cream oil. Remember, non alcoholic wild root cream oil contains lanolin. It grooms the hair naturally, relieves dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. So if you want your hair to be more attractive than ever before, get the generous new 25 cent size of wild Root Cream Oil, America's leading hair tonic, on sale at all drug and toilet goods counters. It's also available in larger economy bottles and the handy new tube get Wild Root Cream Oil again and again. The choice of men who put good grooming first. By the way, smart girls use wild Root Cream Oil too, and mothers say it's grand for training children's hair. And now back to the sugar cane capers, tonight's adventure with Sam Spade. The morning papers didn't carry anything new on Eunice's death. Cause was put down to an overdose of a toxic drug. The doctor who prescribed it said she'd requested it for migraine headaches, which he suggested might have driven her to suicide. He did not explain why she had taken four doses and capsules and dissolved the rest of it in a decanter of coffee. I thought somebody else had dosed the coffee. And so did you, Mr. Kavanaugh. Verona did it. Of course. He knew she was taking those pills and dosed the coffee. Just enough to be fatal when added to what she took voluntarily. You knew all that, too. So did Fred. But you had more reasons. 3 million more. But they were already married. You know that when you hired me? Yes. Then how come I knew she was planning to do away with herself? I thought if we could pin it on Verona. After all, he's guilty of that old murder. Fred's a witness to that. Well, if he were convicted, the money Would revert to me nuts. You don't believe me? She wasn't planning suicide and you know it. Well, then, I don't care who takes the flaw. But I got less on Verona than I got on you. Then I'll give you something. Here. Take a look. Verona's lawyer sent this around before her body was cold. A claim for $3 million notarized yesterday while Eunice was still alive. Well, Mr. Spey, pardon me. When I dropped dead, you did. And waited hopefully. But I managed to stay on my feet. I even managed to make it down the hall of the bar where I found your stepson ambushed behind a row of empty bottles. Fine detective you turn out to be. I warned you. Shut up like a man. That's all right. I'll take on both of you. Come on, sober up. Makes sense. Where's my drink? Who took my glass? There it is. Give me a. Sure. Spill it. Ice on my shirt. Listen to me. This is very important. Important? You were expecting a delivery from a drugstore when I arrived there yesterday morning. Who ordered it? She did. Eunice. She told me to watch for it and bring it to her. Did you do that? No. No, she wasn't here. What did you do with that bottle of medicine? I'm sleepy. I gotta get some rest. Wake up. I said wake up. Leave me alone. Now, listen. You took that bottle with you when you went out. Where did you take it? I tell you, when he let me go to sleep. You took that bottle with you, didn't you? You're guessing. I know you're third degree. You went to Verona's apartment, didn't you? Two Gentlemen of Verona. Willie Shakespeare. You doped that coffee, didn't you? With the poison that killed your sister? I didn't mean it for her. I didn't know she was going there. Go on talking. I want a lawyer. I know my rights. Listen, I'm not a cop. I'm not taking a statement. You're too drunk for it to hold anyway, so you can tell me. Okay, here's how to happen. She took four pills and she went to bed. I sneaked a bottle out of the medicine chest and I went over to his place. His boy Nick was there making coffee for the boss. He said when he got home. I hung around talking for a while. I stripped some of the stuff in the percolator while he was getting out the cups. That's all. Why did you want to kill Johnny Verona? So Eunice wouldn't have to marry him. What do you mean, have to? He was doing it for me so he'd keep quiet about that brawl in the club. That old killing they tried to nail Johnny for. Yeah, that's it. The gun that did it. He got rid of it before the cops arrived. That was my gun, Fred. Straighten up. Look, Johnny dictated the story you told the grand jury. How do I know he didn't dictate the one you're telling me now? Who are you covering for? I didn't say anything. I didn't tell you anything. Get out of here. What's the matter with you? I get out the window. The revolver barrel that crashed through the darkened window pane behind the bar spoke twice. I answered it. I looked out into the darkness. Making myself a good enough target to draw some fire. I fired back at the flashes. I was depending more on luck than aim. And luck was what I wasn't having much of. I went back to the place where Fred had fallen. The shots that had dropped him were luckier. He'd been dead before he hit the floor. What is it? What's happened here? See for yourself. Who shot through the window? Couldn't see anything, but the gun muzzle looked like a.45. Johnny Verona. He backs a.45. Who told you that? It came out of that investigation. One of the reasons they couldn't indict for that old shooting. There are a lot of reasons they couldn't get that indictment. What are you driving at? Neither one of the leading suspects was guilty. I don't follow you. Sugar Cane did that job. That's wild. What if I told you Fred made a statement of that effect before he was shot? You're lying. He confessed. Did I tell you that? Well, he must have. He always talked about it when he was drunk. All right. All right, I was bluffing. Why? Just a crazy hunch. I thought there might be something between you and Sugar. Now I'm sure there isn't. Of course not. Should have spotted it before. You're too much the same type. Even look alike. I can't make you out. Well, don't try. It's not worth it. You better call Homicide about Fred here. Tell Lieutenant Dundee if he wants my statement, I'll be at my apartment. After I pretended to leave, I came back and did a little eavesdropping of my own. You didn't phone Homicide, but you did spend an hour filing out the barrel of a.45 automatic. Then you went out. I tailed you to an address on Slope Boulevard. A short time after you went in, Sugar Cane came out alone. I followed her to. You know the answer My apartment. I went in the back way via the fire escape and arrived in time to answer her buzz. Oh, Mr. Spade. Thank heaven I found you at home. So am I. Come in. I know it's terribly late. Forget it. Why don't you take off your coat or something? Can't stay very long. It's not safe. I may have been followed here. Oh, surely not, Sam. You don't mind if I call you Sam? I'm so frightened. It's about Johnny Verona. I don't know what he may do. He's convinced that Fred killed Eunice and he's out gunning for him right now. We've got to stop him before he does anything rash. You come to the wrong party, sugar. I'm working for the enemy. Enemy? Kavanaugh. It's no skin off his nose if Johnny Varuna drops Fred Blair. If you all drop, all he does is sit back and collect. He can't be as cynical as that. You ought to know. Has he told you anything about me? I'd rather hear it from you, maybe. Sit down. Well, there's not much to tell. I played along with Johnny for one reason and one reason alone. To save Fred from that old murderette. Were you figuring on marrying into that family too? A regular pincers movement, wasn't it? Johnny and Eunice, you and Fred. All right, it's true. I wasn't in love with Fred. But it wasn't all the money. I was sorry for him. Money's not what I really want. I know that now. What do you want? Someone. Someone I can trust. Me too, Sugar. Oh, Sam. You're what I want. Say you want me to. Please say it. Don't answer it, Sam. Why not? Johnny may have followed me here. He's insanely jealous. Well, I gotta face it out with him sooner or later. Might as well be now. Sam, be careful. Stand out of the way. Sugar. No, Sam. No. No. Please. Don't reach Johnny. I'm not gunning for you, Spade. In that case, come on in. Well, Sugar, I didn't believe him that you were coming here. I had to. Johnny, he got some crazy confession out of Fred while he was drunk. I had to stall him till you and Cliff could talk to him. To save Fred, I mean. Oh, stop horsing around. We all know that. We all know Fred is dead. And we all know that. We all know who killed him. Then Cliff was leveling. You are trying to pin that on me. I don't need it. But if you want it, you can have it. There's 3 million bucks in my part of it. I'll split down the middle with you. If you throw in with them. It's a three way split. There's no split at all if you take the rap for Eunice's killing. And you will if you throw in with me. It's their word against mine. Two witnesses against one. And all I've got is a confession by a drunk who is now dead. Sam. Oh, Sam. I was sure for a moment. You get away from me. Go on. Go to work on him. I should have given you a little more time. That wasn't fair, was it, Sugar? I hate you. I hate you both. I never want to see you again. Get back in that room, Sugar. Cliff. What happened, Sugar? Why were you running away? Johnny double crossed us. Now Sam knows everything. What does he know? The whole chamber. Part of it I wasn't quite sure of until I saw you and Sugar standing side by side. That blue black hair, the same eyes. Plus the fact that the bell on Sugar's apartment and Sloat Boulevard reads Cane parenthesis. Kavanaugh. You took a crazy chance when you knocked off Fred with me right there in the room. The kind of a crazy chance a brother would take to keep his sister clear. I could have told you that. It would have helped a lot, Johnny. But you didn't. A man lets his sister go on dancing in a joint like yours after he's in the chips and she goes on liking it. You can be sure they're both playing for big stakes and for nobody but themselves. Where do you think you were supposed to wind up, Johnny? I'll tell you. Drinking that poison coffee that Eunice got hold of by mistake. That isn't true, Johnny. I never told Fred a thing. He thought you really loved Eunice. I don't know how he found out you were forcing her into that marriage. Did you also neglect to tell him that he was innocent? That you pulled a trigger in that old killing and shoved a gun into his hand when he was too drunk to know what he was doing? I've heard enough. Watch it, Johnny. No. I winged you a split second before you fired. Your aim went wild. All I saw at first was that it missed Johnny. Then I saw him move forward in her direction. She was leaning against the wall, a puzzled expression on her face, her hand plucking nervously at a spot of red that was spreading against the white of her dress. He caught her as she pitched forward and carried her over to a couch. She didn't speak again. You and Johnny knelt beside her until the Cops arrived. If you were aware of each other's presence, neither of you showed it. Period. End of report. That was a sad ending, Sam. Yes, it is. I'm sorry it ended so sadly. Well, it was bound to, one way or the other. There wasn't anybody in the whole gallery that thought about anybody but himself. Except poor Fred, I guess. And his. His only friends arrived in bottles and left in the ash can all those millions and millions who get the money. Now, Sam, I'm glad you asked that. It leaves me cold. Go type that up while I knit myself a sweater. And now listen to this. It's the smart mother who sees to it that wild root cream oil is always kept handy around the house. For she knows that Wild root cream oil grooms her family's hair neatly and naturally relieves dryness, removes loose dandruff. Get acquainted by asking for the new 25 cent bottle. Also ask your barber for a professional application of Wild Root Cream oil Hair tonic again and again. The choice of men and women and children, too. Well, here it is, Sam. Goodness, what a terrible group of unfortunates. As you say, it just had to end badly. If you hope to get back in my good graces by quoting me to trick me into agreeing with you, you have succeeded. There you go, Sam. So, Effie, what is this? What means lugubrious? Oh, Sam, it's wonderful. It's my new habit every time I read a book now, you know, like you read a book and there's a word, you don't know what it means or you're not sure. Well, I make it a practice now to write down and learn three new words per day and learn the definitions, to use them in conversation. You know, like desultory and lugubrious. Yes, that's one of my three for the day. You see, Lugubrious. Right. Here it is to talk a great deal, you, colleague, state of being sorrowful and verbose to be out in the country. I see, I see. Very praiseworthy, enlarging your vocabulary. Love it, love it. Yes, I am. But I don't expect to be really lugubrious for. Oh, for the nuns. Look, Effie, why don't you go verbose for the weekend? It's the best cure for the bucolic. Oh, Sam, look what I've done. What have you done? I've clipped the wrong definitions to the right words. Well, for instance, lugubrious. Well, it isn't that at all. And bucolic. Oh, Mrs. Oh, Sam, I've learned them wrong. I wasn't gonna tell you, Effie. It's better to find out for yourself. It's more Effie cases. My new habit. Oh. Good night, Sam. Good night, sweetheart. The Adventures of Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective are produced and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade is played by Howard Dove. Lorene Tuttle is Effie. The adventures of Sam Spade are written for radio by Bob Tallman and Gil Dow. Musical direction by Lud Gluskin with score composed by Renee Garrigan. Join us again next Sunday when author Dashiell Hammett and producer William Speer join forces for another adventure with Sam Spade. Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men who put good grooming first. This is Dick Joy reminding you to get Wild Root Cream oil, Charlie. It keeps your hair in trim. You see, it's non alcoholic, Charlie. It's made with soothing lanolin. You better get Wild Root Cream oil, Charlie. Start using it today. You'll find it. You will have a tough time, Charlie. Keeping all the gals away, are you, baldy? Get wild root right away. This is cbs, the Columbia broadcasting System. Transcribe. Ladies and gentlemen, the ringing of that phone bell brings you mystery adventure. Narrow Wolf's office. Archie Goodwin speaking. Hello, is this Mr. Wolf? If it's for me, I'm not here. Hello? What if it's a case? If it is, tell them no, I will not. Hello? Hello? And find your Archie. Do as I say. Uh, hello? Hello, is this Mr. Wolf's residence? Yes, is this Mr. Wolf? Uh, yes, yes, Mr. Wolf speaking. Oh, I am in very much trouble. Could I see you, please? Immediately. Well, now, yes. What kind of trouble, miss? Give me that phone. Auntie. Oh, hello. Sorry, I had to turn the radio down too loud, you know. Oh, may I see you right away? Well, I retain a fee. Yes, yes, yes, indeed. I'll take the case. Come right over. The address is 601 W. 35th Street. I cannot, Mr. Wolf. I just cannot come there. Well, where do you live? I am staying at the pol Hotel, room 304 and. Hello, boss, that was a shot. Hello? Hello? Ladies and gentlemen, it's that renowned genius who is the bulkiest, bulkiest, most ponderous and most brilliant detective in the world. Yes, none other than that chairborne mass of unpredictable intellect, Nero Wolf, created by Rex Stout and brought to you in a new series of adventures over this NBC network in the person of Mr. Sydney Greenstreet. We have usually referred to this story as the case from 304. The girl on the phone had a decided foreign accent. I wasn't quite able to decide what nationality she was, but it sounded like French. Anyway, there was what sounded like a shot, then dead silence for a second or two. Hello? Hello? Hello? Well, Aji. Another woman by, Mr. Wolf. I heard a shot and then the line clicked off. Trouble, women, always trouble. I said I heard a shot on the phone. Indeed. I'm going over to her hotel and see what goes on. By all means, Mr. Wolf. Yeah. Huh. Now that I've been insulted to the tone of being called a radio. I'm sorry, Mr. Wolf, but we needed the money and this was $1,000. If you would excuse me, I have to attend to my orchids. Mr. Wolf, what about the girl? The shot? Fascinating, isn't it? You figure it out. Okay. I've got to get over there. Room 304, Paul Hotel. So long, boss. Good luck. Mr. Wolf, please phone me from time to time. 301, 302, 304. What do you know? The door's open. Oh, hello. Who are you? Archie Goodwin. Now it's your turn. I'm Jay Bream, pilot for Jan Airlines. You've seen? Yeah, I guess you have. This girl's been shot. Oh, that's all? Yeah, dead, Real dead. What do you know about this? I don't know anything. Say, who are you? Looks like you're in a spot, pal. You better start digging, hadn't you? I got here a few seconds before you did. I knocked on the door. Door was partially open, so I pushed it wide. Well, there was no answer. I couldn't see anyone, so I came in and there she was. You know her? Yes. Why do you think I came here? That's what I'm trying to find out. Look, what right have you got asking me all these questions? What's it to you? Did you ever hear of Nero Wolf? Of course, who hasn't? Like I said before, I'm Archie Goodwin, Wolf's assistant. Would you rather talk or should I call the police? I've told you all I know. Who is she? Helen Rennie. French? I don't know. European. Anyway, why'd you come here tonight? I have a dinner date with her. You mean you did have. Yeah. Let's turn her over. There an automatic in her hand. Yeah, I never saw it before. Hey. Hey. I wouldn't use the phone. Fingerprints. Okay, I'll use this handkerchief. Who you calling? My boss. Near a wolf speaking. Archie, boss. Archie, I thought you were near a wolf. You sound very much like it. Please, boss, be Serious? Oh, but I am. I'm here at the girl's apartment, the one who called me. She's dead. Beautiful. Yes, was very beautiful. She would be. How did happen? Shot. Neat round hole in her right temple. She's married and looks like she shot herself. When I turned her over, I saw a wedding ring on her finger and a.32 automatic still in her hand. You alone? No. A fella named J. Bream, a pilot. He was here when I arrived. No one heard the shot? Apparently not. No one showed up yet. Very interesting. What do you do now, Mr. Wolf? Should I call Inspector Kramer? No. Say nothing to anyone. Get over here at once. And bring Mr. Breen, the pilot, with you. Goodbye. That's all you know about it, Mr. Breen? That's right, Mr. Wolf. Just like I told Mr. Goodwin here. The whole thing sounds. Hey, I just thought of something. Pray tell, Archie, it can't be suicide. Oh, and why not? How can a dead woman hang up a foe? You finally arrived at that, Archie. Amazing. Of course she couldn't. She was murdered. Murdered? Yes, Mr. Bream. But I. I thought she committed suicide. Please, Mr. Bream. It'll be better if you don't think. Where are you staying? 321 West 19th, apartment 5. And your job? I have 10 days vacation, started yesterday. One thing, Mr. Bream. I suggest you don't leave town. Furthermore, talk is not advisable. I strongly recommend that you adopt precautions. Yes, sir. Show Mr. Bream to the door, Archie. Yes, sir. Right this way. Good night, Mr. Walt. Good night. I didn't want to tell you in front of Mr. Breen, but I found this in her purse when I sent him for a sheet to cover the body. Thousand dollar check made out to Mr. Nero Wolf. Well, boss, I think it's time we phoned Inspector Kramer. Should I? Who else? Archie? Who else? My apologies. I forgot how heavy that phone really is. Archie, do you want me to talk to the inspector? I'll do the talking. Should I hold the phone for you? Then give me some beer. Inspector Kramer. One moment. Here you are. Isn't there a Wolf? Inspector, I think you had better go over to the Paul Hotel. Why? I believe you'll find a dead woman there. A dead woman? What is this, a gag? Wolf? I'm afraid not, Inspector. How did you know about it? Have you been over there? Telepathy, Inspector Mantleton. Wolf, I'm too busy today to listen to nonsense. Telepathy? Don't give me that kind of stuff. If I find a body, I'll lock you and Goodwin up. You watch your blood pressure, Inspector. Never mind about my blood pressure. One thing, Inspector. Yeah? Would you hold off the press for the present? Why? What are you holding back? Wolf, will you stop your idiotic jabbing? Do what I ask. Okay. By the way, Wolf, I suppose you know the girl's room number. Naturally, Inspector. It is room 304. So hurry. Dear Inspector. Creamy soup on the meat. Archie. Yes, sir. I suggest you call the bank in the morning and find the person who is handing Ms. Renee's account. Try to bring all her canceled checks over here. What if they won't hand them over and Kramer will get an order issued to do so. Simple. Coming. Well, where's Wolf? Where do you think he'd be? In his big chair. Good evening, Inspector. I expected you before this. Inspector. What kept you so long? If I told you I had a flat tire, would you believe me? I'll start giving. Wolf. What did you know about the dead girl? Inspector? Kramer, do sit down. Relax. Nervous tension is such a deadly thing. Now listen here, Wolf, would you like some beer? Most soothing, you know. Come on, what's the dope on this case? Fill the inspector in on the details, Archie. I was here talking to the girl over the phone. It was a shot. And then I went over to her hotel and found her the same as you did, dead on the floor. The phone was placed back on the hook. Come on, Wolf, there's more to this than that. Let's have it. Really, Inspector, who was she? You don't know? I mean, what do you know about her? Now get this straight, Wolf, I. Please, Wolf, what's this all about? A girl's been shot. Her name is Helen Ranny. What's the dope? Did you have a ballistics report made on the gun? Well, not in this short time, but I will. How did you make out your report? Suicide, naturally. Thought she was talking to the girl on the phone at the time she was shot. So she chooses to kill herself talking to your assistant. Why, you big flat footed. Inspector, Precisely. How can a dead girl hang up a phone? Why, she. You see, Inspector, quite impossible. And now I suggest you make out your report. Murder. Murder. Wolf, tell me, why is it you're always mixed up in these cases? That Inspector would be as difficult to answer as it would be to convince Archie of the danger of the female of the species. Oh, what's the use? No one ever answers my questions. I give up. Oh, Inspector, I do hope you will bring the girls canceled checks tomorrow. If they don't turn them over to us. What? The inspector is just going. Archie, please see him to the door. I'm not helpless. Good night, Inspector. Good night. Please, boss, can't we have just a little air in here? You've been out all the morning. Isn't that enough? Gonna get me an oxygen tank to use in here. Did you contact the bank regarding the girl's account? I did. I finally talked to the head of the accounting department. He told me about our personal agent here, Mr. Renfrew. He was handling all her financial affairs. Went to see Renfrew? What did he have to say? Very little. But he seemed very upset when he learned of her death. I didn't tell him how she died. He said Helen Rene was here buying technical equipment for her government in Europe. Technical equipment? What kind? Laboratory stuff. Did she make any definite purchases from the Arrow Company here in town? A Mr. Paul Morio is the head man of this arrow company. Mr. Renfrew, her agent, gave us quite a bit of an argument about coming over here today. Said it was very irregular to show bank statements. But he finally gave in. I didn't need the inspector's help. What time do we have the honor? He said he'd be here at noon. Noon? You know I'll be busy that time. Well, I didn't think you'd let. Archie, you never do. Your lunch will keep. Just this once, Mr. Wolf. Not this once nor any other time. Archie, you know I have lunch precisely at noon. Not after, not before, understand? Yeah. I surmise you have the address of the Arrow Lab supply company. Yes, sir. You want me to go have a talk with Mr. Morio, who runs the place sometimes. Archie, your conclusions are fantastic. I'm leaving. One thing more. And after you return from your visit with Mr. Mario, would you be so kind as to entertain Mr. Renfrew until after my lunch? And don't stand there with the door open. Sorry, boss. I'll go out through the coal chute. Do forgive me. Nero supply company. Oh, Mr. Morio in? Yeah. I'm Mario. My name's Archie. Archie Goodwin. What can I do for you? Goodwin? Nero Wolf's assistant. You've heard of Nero Wolf? I don't get around much. Tell me about him. How should I answer that? Any way you like. Nero Wolf's a detective. Did you ever hear of a Miss Renee? Stop shadow boxing, Mr. Goodman. What's on your mind? I understand you sold Miss Rene some laboratory equipment. Is it a jail term? Now, listen, Mr. Goodwin, I have a nice, respectable business here. So what do you want? Spill it. When'd you last see Ms. Rena? Two days ago. Talked to her since once on the phone. What time was that? Yesterday morning. You called her from your office here? No, from my hotel room. Now, look, let's quit playing cat and mouse. Why all the questions? Ms. Rena is dead. Dead? Who did it? Now, wait a minute. You don't think I had anything to do with it? What makes you think anyone did it? Be the only reason cops would get into it. You know, Mario, I'm beginning to wonder just how long you've been in the lab supply business. You know what a retort is? Don't tell me it's a snappy comeback. What's the matter, Goodwin? What's eating you? Look, Mario, I came here to find out something about Helen Rene. Just what sort of equipment did you sell her? It was heavy stuff. Heavy chemical works. Where is it? We don't have samples, just pictures. Yeah, we ship it direct. Oh, so the purchaser never sees what he's buying. That's right. Could I see what she purchased? I'm afraid not, Goodwin. Besides, what difference would it make? Did Ms. Rene see what she bought? No, I already explained that. Now I'm busy, Goodwin, so if you don't mind. Okay, I'll run along. Good afternoon, Mr. Mario. I'm sure we'll meet again soon. Nero Wolf speaking. Archie, boss. Yes, Archie just left the Arrow Lab Supply Company. And as far as I'm concerned, something's rotten in Denmark. Indeed. This guy Mario who runs the company doesn't sound like a legitimate lab supply man. I think he's running some kind of a racket. What makes you believe that, Archie? Just not the type to be in legit business. Things just don't jive. And she didn't see what she bought. You believe then that he would have reason to want Ms. Renee out of the way? Yeah. Guy made me see red. I wanted to take a poke at him. Archie, you're an idiotic hothead. He said it was all heavy lab stuff she bought and was too late for me to see it. We get in now. Get over here as soon as you can. Immediately. Immediately. Have you forgotten you have an appointment with Mr. Renfro at noon? Goodbye. Coming, coming. Hello, Mr. Goodwin. Mr. Renfro. Well, well, who's this? My goodness. Come in. Yes, come in, my dear. Thank you, Mr. Goodwin. I brought my secretary along. I hope you don't mind mine. Why, Mr. Renfrew, how could anyone object? Goodwin, Ms. Bennett. Oh, Ms. Bennett. First name Jean. Do you always use this approach, Mr. Goodwin? Only at noontime and my name's Archie. Well, this is a happy surprise. Please sit down, Jean. Allow me. Thank you. Well, wasn't it Mr. Renfrew you wanted to see? Uh, yes. Mr. Wolf will be down shortly, Mr. Renfrew. Please be seated. Thank you. Is something wrong, Mr. Goodwin? Not a thing, Ms. Bennet, not from where I sit. I don't believe a word he says, Miss. His judgment concerning women is not to be trusted. Thank you, Mr. Wolf, you're so kind. Mr. Wolfe, Miss Ben. How do you do, Mr. Wolf? Mr. Renfro, I presume. Yes. Now we can get down to business at hand, Mr. Renfrew. Yes, yes, by all means. I don't understand why we couldn't have discussed this on the phone, Mr. Wolf. The whole thing is highly irregular. Of course I know you're trying to do your duty, but I prefer not to discuss the dead girl's business affairs on the phone, Mr. Renfrew. You should appreciate that. Yes, yes, I see. Now what is it you wish to know? How long have you known Helen Rene? About a month. When's the last time you talked to her? Yesterday. What time? Why, about 2:30. I called her from my room. She was here on government business. You brought the cans of checks? Here you are, Mr. Wolf. Quite sizable amounts, Mr. Dentro. Very interesting indeed. Yes, you see, Ms. Renee made some very large purchases, Mr. Wolf, and of course they were all quite legitimate. Would you mind if I kept these checks overnight? Well, thank you, Mr. Renfrew. By the way, was Ms. Rennie right or left handed? Why left handed, Mr. Wolf. Why, just inquisitive. Now if you would excuse me, Ms. Bennett. Mr. Renfro, I have a very urgent appointment. Well, if I could be of any more service, don't hesitate to call on me, Mr. Wolfe. Thank you, sir. Oh dear, poor Ms. Renee. I hope the person who did this dreadful thing is dealt with properly. Indeed. I must run along now. Yes, this way. Must you go too, Miss Banner? Good day, Mr. Wolf. I must. And good day. See you soon, Miss Banner. Well, boss, what do you think? Isn't she a beauty? I'm sure I'm not a fair judge. Archie, do you happen to know where the Mario warehouse is? Why yes, it's at the other end of town, near the river. Oh no, not again. Nine o' clock tonight, okay? Okay. I suppose you want me to take a gander at what's in the warehouse. Break in like a burglar. Archie, if your mind were free of women, I do believe you could reach phenomenal heights. In this your chosen profession, Nothing around here but a bunch of old tubes and glassware. I hope Wolf knows what he's doing. I don't. All right, stand where you are in reach. What's it? Flip the lights on, Joe. That's better. Now sing up and tell me what you're doing here. I beg your pardon? I'm a little deaf. I couldn't hear you. I said what are you doing here? Oh, Ellen. I was supposed to meet her here. Makes sense, will ya? You think I can? What's the matter, Mac? Visit this and this bird refuses to talk. Well then knock it out you two. Talk it over. Don't bother telling me how it comes out. Hey, wait a minute you. You ain't leaving? All right, you win. This night is just full of surprises, ain't it? Let's see what you talk. Hey, who do you think you're shoving around? Just full of questions, ain't you? You know, someday you're gonna end up by getting into trouble. It's illegal to push people around. I guess. You better understand. Hey, you kidding? Get the point? Now get up. Now talk. Why you still want to play, huh? He's hot like a light, Mac. What are you going to do with him? He won't do any more snooping around here, you know. Sup, Mac? You got an awful disposition. I'm actually scared of you. You're that mean? Yeah. Now dump him outside. Hey boss, it's me, Archie. Remember? Archie, These interruptions are detestable. Can't you see I'm busy? Is that you, Archie? I've been busy too, boss. Look at my face. I had an accident. From your appearance I say that someone else had been busier. All right, Mr. Goodwin, as long as you insist upon interrupting my meditation. Start at the beginning. Mr. Wolf. I arrived at the warehouse. I went inside. I saw a lot of packing cases and a bunch of old glassware, worn out junk. Two men jumped me. I came to lying in the alley. I staggered to a cab and made it home. End of story. After. Your repertoire of words is most astonishing. And your description of Mario's warehouse is without doubt most enlightening. I thought you'd like it. And now Archie, I suggest you get Fritz to give you a piece of beefsteak for that eye of yours. And after that I've arranged a gathering for 5 o' clock tomorrow afternoon. Then I shall repair to my bed to suffer in silence. You should be more careful on these nefarious expeditions. You might get hurt sometimes. Yes, I've been a careless fellow. Mr. Wolf. Good night. Good night, Audrey. Pleasant dreams. Mr. Wolf. I'm glad you called me early. I was just about to leave town for a couple of days. What is this conference about? Not at this time, sir, if you please. I'm glad you could come along, Ms. Bennet. I'll be happy to assist in any way I can. Mr. Goodwin. Algie. Right. Well, good evening, Mr. Morio. I knew we'd meet again. It's no fault of mine, Goodwin. Please come in. Come in, Mr. Morio. You don't want to keep the rest of the guests waiting. What do you want with me? I want nothing. Mr. Wolf versus Mr. Morio. Sit down, sir. Take the red leather chair for special guests. Mr. Morio. Yeah. Now, gentlemen, you're probably wondering why I asked you here. Naturally, you know it has to do with the death of Helen Renee. Mr. Morio, I understand you and Ms. Rene had some business transactions that involved quite a sum that you purchased laboratory equipment. That's right. Archie told me that your warehouse contained nothing but second hand junk. It was a shame, Mr. Mario, that this shipment was delayed by a shipping shortage. Otherwise you might have gotten away with it. Is this why you called me over here? It is immaterial to the keys at hand. Actually, I'm only interested in Rennie's murder. Hey, wait a minute. You don't think I did it? Didn't you? No. Mr. Wolf, I admit everything you said about the equipment, but I've had no part in any murder. I see. Mr. Breen, you're the pilot of warfare. If you had shot the girl and wanted it to look like suicide, in which hand would you put the gun? Why, her right hand. Indeed. Where did you first meet Ms. Renee? Boarding the plane at Orleyfield. Europe. Mm. Mr. Renfrew. Now look here, Wolf, this has gone too far. I won't be put through any third degree. If you'll excuse me, I. I have to get to the des. Sit down, renfrew. Well, I. Mr. Renfrew, I'm astonished that anyone would be as amateurish as they were in this case. I don't understand. Could it be that you killed Ms. Rene and attempted to make it look like suicide? Because she was about to tell me that true forgeries. Her bank account was $50,000 short. Well, what reason would I have to kill her? You told me yourself you phoned Ms. Renee from your hotel the day she died. Yet there was no outgoing cause charged to your account. Oh, this is nonsense. Ridiculous. She suddenly became suspicious of you. And you are probably the only Person here who knew that she was left handed. Well, what does that have to do with it? She was shot through the right temple, Mr. Renfrew, while talking on the telephone with a gun in her left hand. Wouldn't it be awkward for her to twist her arm around her face and shoot herself? In your excitement you forgot you had shot her in the right temple. And what else do you know, Mr. Wolf? That you once worked in Europe, where you met Miss Rene, arranged to represent her in this country. Only you would know how much he had in the account here. And I've heard enough of this nonsense. Yesterday you made a statement, quote, I hope whoever did this dreadful thing is dealt with. Probably only the police, the Nazi. And I knew Ms. Rennie had not died naturally. How did you know that? Unless you are the murderer. Don't make a move, any of you. I was forced to eliminate her. She accidentally learned about the shortage and she became most unreasonable about it. Warned you about it. Oh, dear me. So utterly weary of these melodramatics. Put up that gun. I've spent 15 years sweating trying to get enough money to live the way that I want. Now I have it. And neither you nor anybody is going to take it away from me. I'll kill anyone who tries to follow me out of this house. Oh, no, Mr. Wolf. Stand back, Mr. Renfrew. Don't, please. I will take that gun from you and. What the. Well, Inspector, you certainly arrived at the proper time, even if you are late. What do you mean, late? I've been standing out there listening to Renfrew for five minutes. Boy, that's too close. Glad he missed you, Inspector. Well, good night, Mr. Wu. You're not so fast, Mr. Morio. I suggest you hold Mr. Morio here for swindling Ms. Rennie and her government. And Archie. Yes, sir? Do you know how to care for a person who has fainted? I certainly do. Then look behind you. Your pretty Ms. Bennet has collapsed. I'll get him. Hello. Is this Ms. Jean Bent? Yes. Thought you could have been there. Well, yes. Just a minute. So, you watching for me? No one knows I'm here. Hello. I thought I'd find you there. Archie. How'd you know I was here? I figured that by the skill you expressed on reviving a patient from a deep faint. Archie, on the way home, I want you to stop at the delicatessen and pick up the following things. Ham, beer, cheese, olives. My boss. How'd he know you were here? Pure deduction. That's why he's called the world's greatest detective. Really? Come here, Archie, you shouldn't do. Archie, you listening to me? Oh, well, guess you didn't hear a word of it. Good night, Archie. You have been listening to the New Adventures of Nero Wolf, starring Sydney Green Street. Tonight's transcribed story by Virgil Reimer was based on the characters created by Rex Stout. This is an Edwin Fadiman production, produced and directed by J. Donald Wilson. In the cast were Harry Bartel as Archie Goodwin and Lucille Alex, Val Brown, Bill Johnstone, Hal Gerard, Betty Lou Gerson, Vic Rodman and Ed Daly. This is Don Stanley speaking. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Just listen to the stars on this Sunday's big show. Jimmy Durante, Ethel Merman, Milton berle and Gordon MacRae, plus Meredith Wilson and his orchestra. Your MC on the big show, of course, is the glamorous Tallulah, and you're invited. And on Theater Guild on the air this Sunday, you'll hear the comedy the man in Possession, starring Rex Harrison and Lily Palmer. Don't forget here Ethel Merman on the big show Sunday on NBC.