Tales Of The Texas Rangers and The Silent Men

Summary

CASE CLOSED! – Feb 25, 2026
Episode Summary: Tales of the Texas Rangers (“No Living Witnesses”) and The Silent Men (“Food and War”)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Case Closed! revives riveting crime stories from the golden age of radio, presenting two classic radio dramas: Tales of the Texas Rangers (“No Living Witnesses,” originally aired May 6, 1951) and The Silent Men (“Food and War,” originally aired April 23, 1952). Both stories dive deep into the world of law enforcement, with one set against the rugged Texas range and the other in postwar Italy, highlighting the tireless fight against crime and injustice.

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1. Tales of the Texas Rangers – "No Living Witnesses" ([00:22]-[27:15])

Main Theme

A gritty investigation unfolds as Ranger Jace Pearson and Sheriff Ross Betsy probe the murder of a beloved small-town doctor, unraveling a connection to a broader series of violent crimes involving cattle theft, ambush, and a community torn by suspicion.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

• Discovery of the Crime

  • Sheriff Betsy and Mrs. Blackburn visit Dr. Hemet’s home after he vanishes ([00:24]-[05:02]).
    • “Don’t go gettin’ jumpy, Ms. Blackburn. There could be a hundred reasons for the doc to be missing.” — Sheriff ([00:23])
  • Break into the doctor’s home; find him murdered with evidence of both a blow to the head and a bullet wound.

• The Initial Investigation

  • Jace Pearson, Texas Ranger, joins the sheriff at the scene ([05:05]-[07:51]).
  • Forensic clues:
    • Blood on the exam table not matching the doctor’s wounds.
    • Used medical instruments indicate the doc recently treated someone else, possibly for a bullet wound.

• Building the Theory

  • Deduction: The murderer was a patient seeking treatment for a gunshot—a visit not premeditated to kill, but resulting in murder to hush a witness ([08:34]-[09:29]).
    • “Doc was killed to keep him from talking about the visit… Only if he treated anybody for a bullet wound. That’s right, Jace.” – Sheriff and Pearson ([08:34]-[09:23])

• Clues and Evidence Gathering

  • Find .303 Savage slug, bloody denim, and evidence the wounded man bled profusely ([09:29]).
  • Pursuit of a matching shooting report in the area leads to another murder scene on Thunder Ridge ([10:20]-[13:56]).

• Linking the Crimes

  • Ranger and partner Steve Clark connect the dots: Cattle theft, two murders by the same .45, and a wounded criminal whose blood type matches clues from the doctor’s office ([14:00]-[21:00]).

• Closing in on Suspects

  • Clues from cattle branding and skinned hides lead to local ranchers, Yancy Coburn and his son Jed ([21:00]-[25:00]).
    • “Yancy and Jed ain’t exactly hospitable.” — Steve
  • Suspicious purchase of medical supplies ties the Coburns to the crime ([24:00]).

• Climax & Confession

  • Rangers find the hides, confront the Coburns, and trap Jed, wounded and hiding in the attic ([25:01]-[27:11]).
    • “All right, come down, Jed… Now you better get down here with your father while you still got the chance.” — Pearson

• Resolution

  • Ballistics and blood type evidence clinch the case. The Coburns are convicted and sentenced to life ([27:11]-[27:45]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On motive and method:
  • “They killed him because... they knew Doc Hemet and he knew them. If you were shot and wanted to keep it covered but had to be treated, what would you do? Go to your own family doc, I reckon.” – Pearson & Steve ([16:30])
• On rural justice:
  • “You’ll love it up in Huntsville, Jed. Then it’s full of innocent fellows just like you.” – Steve ([27:05])
• Story's charm:
  • “Gee whiz, where were the Texas Rangers?” Quoting a child’s reaction to Old Testament suffering ([27:48]).

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Important Timestamps

• [05:05] – Forensic investigation starts
• [09:29] – Theory forming; search for a matching gunshot report
• [13:56] – Crime scenes linked; cattle rustling emerges
• [24:47] – Showdown at Coburn ranch
• [27:11] – Case resolution and verdict

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2. The Silent Men – "Food and War" ([30:11]-[59:32])

Main Theme

Special Agent Dick Brooks confronts sabotage and propaganda as an international relief effort is nearly derailed by Communist operatives using food theft to spark anti-American sentiment in postwar Italy.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

• From Innocence to Outrage

  • Maria Rocco, a young girl, is heartbroken after receiving an empty UN food package ([30:46]-[32:53]).
    • “Here is the Paco. Look. Well, this is a United Nations food package… It’s empty. That was your country’s joco, señor. A food Paco with nothing inside.” – Maria ([31:30])

• Brooks Investigates

  • Brooks consults with Alan Burns of the European Relief Program. The problem is widespread: 4,000 packages delivered empty in Rome ([33:50]-[34:22]).
  • Realizes it’s being twisted into Communist propaganda—accusing America of false promises.

• Into the Roman Underworld

  • Brooks investigates black marketeers, tracing stolen food back to a racketeer, Pietro Paroli ([37:12]-[39:52]).
    • “For only 5 lira I tell you something about yourself, about me. Baroli knows you are a government man. Well, he says someday he has to kill you.” – Informant ([39:38])

• Piecing the Puzzle

  • Brooks and Burns trace the food at every stage: shipments left New York intact, tampering occurs after European arrival ([41:30]-[42:12]).
  • Brooks plans to accompany the next shipment’s journey by train from Le Havre to Rome, coordinated with French and Italian police ([43:15]-[46:00]).

• Danger on the Rails

  • Brooks is attacked in France, shot in the arm, but continues with his mission ([48:21]).
  • On the train, Brooks encounters Paroli, who plans to kill him before reaching Rome ([50:00]-[55:00]).
    • “The good senor meant it. Of that I had not the slightest doubt… I’ve seen his type before in the war crime trials.” – Brooks ([53:14])

• The Takedown

  • At a stop in Italy, police rescue Brooks and arrest Paroli, who submits with a cold, philosophical resignation ([56:10]).

• Epilogue: Restoring Goodwill

  • Brooks delivers a new, full food package to Maria and her mother, rekindling their faith in American promises ([57:00]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On propaganda:
  • “That sounds like a sentence dictated by Moscow. Then why do they send the empty Pacos?... They say the Pacos are like all American promises. Empty.” ([33:30])
• On espionage and personal risk:
  • “My friends do not miss. He’s dead. I will not quarrel with you. You are tired. You go back to sleep.” – Paroli ([54:00])
• On closure:
  • “As individuals, we can declare ourselves on the side of friendship and goodwill. The best way to express your goodwill is through CARE.” – Narrator ([58:30])

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Important Timestamps

• [31:30] – Maria confronts Brooks over empty package
• [34:22] – Confirmation of widespread incident
• [39:38] – Informant warns Brooks of Paroli
• [41:40] – Proof shipments sent full, sabotage in Europe
• [48:21] – Brooks shot in attempted kidnap
• [55:00] – Police intervention, Paroli arrested
• [57:10] – Restoring trust: Brooks returns to Maria with food

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Tone & Language

The dramas retain their original, earnest lawmen and postwar intrigue tones, with clipped dialogue, period idioms, and an emphasis on justice and duty. Notable moments of sly humor and pathos enrich the narratives, especially in the warmth expressed between characters and wry lawman banter.

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Conclusion

This episode of Case Closed! offers listeners a pulse-pounding ride through the high stakes of justice in both the American Southwest and Cold War Europe, blending action, investigation, and the human impact of crime. Both stories highlight the relentless work of "silent men"—whether Texas Rangers or US Agents—who confront violence, conspiracy, and propaganda, ensuring that justice and goodwill persevere.

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To hear more episodes or support the show, visit relicradio.com.

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

This is Case Closed Crime stories from the golden age of radio. Welcome back to Case Closed.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

This week's hour of crime begins with

[Narrator/Host]

Tales of the Texas Rangers.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

We'll hear the May 6, 1951 episode titled no Living Witnesses. After that, it's the Silent Men and Food and War. Their story from April 23, 1952. The National Broadcasting Company presents Joel McCrae in Tales of the Texas Rangers. Tonight, transcribed from Hollywood, another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers. Tales of the Texas Rangers, starring Joel McRae as Ranger Jace Pearson. Texas. More than 260,000 square miles and 50 men who make up the most famous and oldest law enforcement body in North America. Now, from the files of the Texas Rangers come these stories based on fact. Only names, dates and places are fictitious for obvious reasons. The events themselves are a matter of record. Case for tonight, no living witnesses. It is 11:30am A Monday morning in November 1939. Sheriff Ross Betsy turns his car into a quiet residential street of Harper's Landing, Texas. Seated in the car with him is Mrs. Blackburn, a medical assistant. She becomes increasingly nervous as they approach a sign marking the home of Dr. Walter Hemet. Now don't go gettin jumping, Ms. Blackburn. There could be a hundred reasons for the doc to be missing. Not Doc Hemet and you know it. It ain't like him to just disappear. No sign of him since Saturday night. Wasn't at church yesterday and he ain't at his house this morning. He's always there for visiting hours at 9:30. So he's probably out on a house call. Maybe over to the hospital at Ridge Hill. If he was the phone operator know about it? Besides his car still in the garage. Well, here's a house. Better get out of the car and see if we can't raise him. That's what I've been trying to do all morning. You sure he wasn't at church yesterday? Of course I'm sure. He always gave me a ride home to my place and I'd always make Sunday breakfast for him before he'd start on his house call. You don't work for a man for 10 years without learning his habits. Especially a doctor. Well, he's got to be around someplace. Doc.

[Narrator/Host]

Hello?

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Doc? Doc?

[Narrator/Host]

Doc Hammett.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Don't you have a key, Ms. Blackburn? Never needed one before. Front door to the waiting room's always been open. Except at night, of course. He could have driven off with somebody, but. Oh, I don't know. But if he's here, why doesn't he answer well, even doctors get sick. And Doc Hammond. Snow youngster. He might have had a stroke. What are you gonna do, Sheriff? We gotta get inside. I got no legal right to bust in without a warrant. But that'll take time and maybe this can't wait. Why don't you just go in then? Doc knows you. He'd understand. He doesn't understand. I reckon he'll just have to sue me for a broken window. I'll knock this in with my gun. Then I'll climb in and let you in through the door. Well, hurry. All right, come in. Where's Doc's bedroom? Back here. Not here. Bed's been used, though. It was all made up Saturday night when I left. And he slept here Saturday night. Bathroom door is open. Nothing in there. Reckon we better go through the rest of the house. Kitchen's clear. You can see out back through the windows. There's nothing there either. Sheriff, I'm. I'm frightened. The sliding door to his office was closed when we come into the waiting room. Better have a look at that office. If he isn't in here, I don't know. Oh, Sheriff. Better stay back, Ms. Bike. Brandon. Oh, Dr. Hammond. Dressed in a robe and pajamas. Must had a heart attack. Come in here to get something for it and.

[Narrator/Host]

Wait a minute. What is it?

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Only his robe. It looks like blood. Tis blood from a bullet wound. He's been murdered. Sheriff Batsby made an immediate request for the aid of a Texas Ranger. Ranger Jace Pearson was assigned. He joined the sheriff at the home of Dr. Hemmett shortly after 1:00pm Jason, this is Ms. Blackburn. She was Doc's helper. This is Ranger Pearson, Ms. Blackburn. Howdy. Howdy, ma'. Am. I asked Ms. Blackburn to stay until you got here. Reckon she knows more about doc than anybody. I gather you didn't live here in the house, ma'. Am. No, I have my own place. I don't know just what I'd like to ask you yet. Until I look around, would you mind waiting a little longer? I'll stay as long as you need me. Thanks, ma'. Am. Where's the body, Sheriff? In the office, through that sliding door. I've been keeping it closed off. Nobody's been in here but me and one deputy. He just took a couple of pictures. Yeah. Medical examiner been here yet? No, but he'll be along soon. He's driving down from Hesterville. Mark alongside the doc's temple here. Bruise about 2 inches long.

[Narrator/Host]

A pretty heavy blow.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Looks like he might have been knocked out with a gun barrel. That figured because he wasn't standing up when he was shot. He was lying here on the floor. What makes you think so? Bullet went right through the chest and buried in the floor under him. I moved him a little and I dug the slug here. 45. Yeah. There's something funny about this though. Quite a bit of blood on this examination table almost six feet away from the body. Yeah, I wondered about that myself. Instrument tray and surgical dressings pulled up beside the table as a couple of hypodermic needles that look like they've been used. Lj. Doc couldn't have been trying to treat his own wound. He never moved after he was shot of that slug wouldn't have been in the floor right under him. Of course he. He might have staggered around before he was shot. After he got hit on the head. It still wouldn't account for the blood on this table. There was no bleeding from the mark on his head. That means the blood on the table come from somebody else. Medical examiner can type it for us later. I want to see Mrs. Blackburn for a minute. We can use some help from you now, Miss Blackburn. I'll tell you anything I can. Mrs. Blackburn, was it part of your job to clean the doctor's office? Yes. Every day after his final visiting hours. According to the sign outside, his evening Hours were from 5 to 7pm that's right. You clean the place after 7pm Saturday night? Yes. What time did you leave? Well, doctor had a few calls to make after visiting ours.

[Narrator/Host]

House calls.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

I waited until he got back, fixed his dinner for him. Reckon it was late when I left. After 10 o'. Clock. Look through the door of the examination room for a minute. Yes. Is that surgical tray usually in that position? I mean, did you leave it like that Saturday night? No, everything was put away in the cabinet. How about the examination table? You clean that off Saturday night? Yes. Was the doctor expecting any patient after you left late? No, no.

[Narrator/Host]

He said he was going right to

[Co-Host/Announcer]

bed and he must have gone to Jace. The bed had been slept in. You can see what he was wearing. I think it'd be all right for you to go home now, ma'.

[Narrator/Host]

Am.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

If I need any more information, we can reach you there. Thank you. Tell the deputy outside that I said to drive you home. I just soon walk. Yes. Well, thanks for helping me as Blackburn. Well, that settles one thing, Jace. Doc had an unexpected patient late Saturday night. Somebody who routed him out of bed and killed him. But why? I got an idea it was to keep the doc from calling you. Keep him from calling Me? What do you mean? Whoever came here was hurt. Bleeding. So it wasn't a planned visit. Not somebody who came here deliberately to kill a doc. Doc was killed to keep him from talking about the visit. Oh, documented. Never talk about a patient's business. Only in one case where the law would require it. He'd have to report it if he treated anybody for a bullet wound. That's right, Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

That could be it.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

That probe on the instrument tray has blood on it. And that's just what a doc had used to dig out a bullet.

[Narrator/Host]

I know.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

I've had a few dug out myself. Let's comb this examination room again. What are you looking for? If we're right, a slug. Doc him at dug out of his patient. We found it wrapped in a piece of blood stained gauze in one of the trash containers. There was something else in the container, too. Part of a faded blue denim shirt that had been used to bind a wound. It must have been a bad wound, Jace. That denim was soaked. Yeah. Take a look at this slug. Looks like a slug from a savage.303. But Doc was killed by 45. That's natural. The man who came here wounded was shot someplace else by somebody else. Wouldn't be the same gun fellow we're after must have been in a gunfight then. The way it shapes up with all that blood, he couldn't have come far. Couldn't have waited too long to get to a doctor. And the chances are he wasn't alone. Somebody must have been helping him. Oh, they could have just left Doc knocked out, trust him up and gotten away. Why'd they have to kill him? I can't answer that one. When the medical examiner gives us the wounded man's blood type, I'm going to send the two slugs we've got through to Austin for a ballistic check. Get a rundown on every police report involving gunplay that took place anywhere within 100 miles of here on Saturday night. The medical examiner came and after a quick check, gave us the blood type of the man we were after, arranged for the two slugs we had to be sent through to Austin at the same time. Phone for a complete report on all shooting incidents that had occurred on Saturday night. And the sheriff and I started the drive to his office. This looks like a tough one to me, Jace. We got a blood type check for, but I reckon a million people in Texas have type O blood. Yeah, but not all of them are going to have a recent bullet wound they can't account for. You're right. If we find one who's been wounded. But for all we know, the man doc treated might have got himself shot by accident. If he did, he wouldn't have killed the doc to keep him from reporting it. Guess you got me hogtied on that point. But all the same, I don't know. Hold it a minute, Sheriff. That's for me. Unit 10 to KTXA. Go ahead. Have info you requested on cases involving firearms. None. Report at your general vicinity for Saturday night. 10 4, there is possible lead though unit 10. What is it? Body of man killed by gunfire discovered a few hours ago on slope of Thunder Ridge. Roebling county, about 70 miles west your present location. Time of death not yet determined. Waiting report of medical examiner. 10 4. Is another unit assigned to that case. Unit 3 covering this unit. Proceeding to join unit 3 to explore possibility of link between two killings. 10 4, best approach to scene is west slope of Thunder Ridge. We'll have to leave. Car go in mounted. 10 4. Unit 3 making contact by field set. Will notify unit 3 of your coming. 10 4. Unit 10 clear KDXA. Austin. You think that might hook up with us, Jace? It's the only thing that's turned up now. The ranger unit's there. Unit three. That's Steve Clark. We can work it together. Suppose I leave you on deck here to cover? Anything that turns up. Suits me. Just drop me at my office. Even if this fellow you're gonna see was killed on Saturday night, Jace, it could still be a coincidence. I know. But it'll stop being a coincidence if he was killed by the same.45 that was used to murder Doc Hemet. I dropped the sheriff off, then headed for Thunder Rid. When I got to the base, I unloaded charcoal from my horse trailer and started the climb. The sun was sinking as I started up the slope and darkness came fast. I spotted torches moving like fireflies. I rode for them. Easy, easy. Charcoal. Watch your foot. And boy. Hello there. Hello. That you, Steve? Yeah. Right. Coming up to you. Hold up back there. Howdy, Steve. Howdy, Jace. Got a walkie talkie message you were coming. Didn't come down the road to meet you. Because we wanted to get the body out of here. The medical examiner can't do much till we get it into town. Where is the body? Back there in a pack mule with the sheriff's deputies. I'm leading the way down. I might as well get moving. Then. I'll ride with you. Right. All right, we're gonna move again. Follow this gully all the way down. And watch your Step. Come on, boy. Come on. Sharkey. Any line on how long he's been dead? Not for sure. But I think it's gonna fit in with what you're looking for. What I can judge, he was killed Saturday night. You got anything to back that up? Yeah. The man's a cowpoke. Works on that ranch at the base of the ridge. He rode up here Saturday night to see some Mexican gal. He's been caught, but he never did get back to the ranch after he left her shack. I wonder why anybody traveled all the way up here to kill him. He was ambushed on the way back to the ranch. Had been just as easy for the killer to wait until he hit the flat down by the ranch. Funny you should say that. Why? Because he was shot down on the flat. Then how did his body get up here? Near as I can figure, he started to ride back up to get help. He wasn't killed right off. Fell out of the saddle and died where he fell. Seems to me he'd have ridden onto the ranch for help. The ranch house is 11 miles off. Back up this way was only one mile. Jase, I'll be able to show you the whole thing when we get down. I'll follow his tracks both ways. Say, you. You leave your car near mine? Yeah. Well, the shooting took place not far from where we're parked. There was a break in the fence there and the marks of a truck. But they weren't deep enough to make a cast of them. You mean whoever gunned him had a truck down there? Yeah, that's right, Jase. They say there are cattle tracks all over the place, too. That might mean he surprised somebody who was trying to run some stock off the place. Yeah, not only trying, but succeeding. Few white faces that were grazing in that section can't be located. They just fit in with your doctor killing depends on whether your cowpoke was killed by a.45. And whether he returned fire and hit one of the men he saw down there. And he fought with him, all right. He was carrying a saddle rifle. He dropped it when he got hit. I reckon I found it beside his tracks down below. Already sent it down to Austin. Only one thing you got to tell me then, and I'll know. If the two killings go hand in hand. What kind of a rifle was the cowpoke using? What kind you looking for? J. Savage. 303. You got a case? That's what it. In just a moment, we will continue with Tales of the Texas Rangers starring Joel McCray as Ranger Jace Pearson. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. We're boasting a little because here at NBC, you'll find the roughest, toughest, most romantic crime fighters ever assembled under one network roof. Take Wednesday evening, for example. On Wednesdays, you'll hear action with Mr. District Attorney, the big story, and that new, daring private eye, Rex Saunders, played by Rex Harrison. So just keep your mystery air glued to your NBC station every Wednesday. We continue now with tales of the Texas Rangers and tonight's case. Null living witnesses. An authentic story from the files of the Texas Rangers. The cowpoke and Dr. Hemet had been killed by the same man. All right. Ballistics proved the bullet dug out of the floor from under the doctor was a twin to the.45 taken out of the murdered cowpoke. Steve Clark and I put our horses in the double trailer I was towing and headed for Harper's Landing. Ballistic boys at the lab didn't take long comparing those slugs, did they and ever do. It all fits. They even test fired the cowpoke's rifle. It fired the slug Doc Hammer took out of that patient we're looking for. We're not only looking for him, we're gonna find him and whoever was with him. It must be more than one man. All right. Once you told me about the blood on that piece of denim shirt, he couldn't have been in any condition to drive by himself. Not all the way to Harper's Landing. 70 miles. And he must have known he was gonna need a doctor. You look like that gives you an idea. It does. I think it answers a question the sheriff asked me. Why they killed the doc instead of just tying him up. And what's the answer? They killed him because they didn't just happen by his place. They knew Doc Hammett and he knew them. That's a big conclusion, Jason. Not hard to reach either. Look, Steve, Documents house in Harper's Landing isn't on the main street through town. It's on a side street. Not easy to find in the middle of the night unless you knew where it was. Not only that, but they had to pass through two bigger towns on the way there. Towns with more than one. Dr. Steve, if you were shot and wanted to keep it covered but you had to be treated, what would you do? Well, go to my own family, doc, I reckon. And hope that I could talk him into keeping it quiet. You're right, Jace. That means the men we're after must live in or near Harper's Landing. Let's say on a ranch somewhere outside the town. Someplace they could have taken stolen cattle. We know the brand, Mark. And those stolen white faces say we're gonna do some range riding until we find them. Until they show up for sale at some commission house or auction barn. You think the sheriff will be willing to ride with us? Of course he will. Doc Emmond was a friend of his, and the sheriff doesn't take to. Larson Ranch is about two miles farther on. Might stop there and get some grub if you'd like. I'm all for it, Sheriff. How about it, Jace? Haven't taken much eating time for the past two days. Why don't you just grab a handful of range grass? It's loaded with vitamins. You'll be loaded with buckshot if you come up with any more ideas like that. Here. Come on, Jase, before we get so skinny that Augusta wind will lift us right out of the saddle. Okay, okay. I guess the horses can use a rest. You see there, Sheriff? He don't care about us, just the horses. Look who's talking. I never saw you sit down to a meal without seeing to it that your horse was fed and watered first. I was only kidding, Jase. Let's get out of that Larson place. Right. Get up, boy. Get up, Turkey. I wish we'd find some sign of those white faces. We must have looked over a couple of thousand head without finding a single altered brand. They gotta be around, Steve. They haven't been sold through any commission house or barn. All records have been checked back through last Saturday. We better find them soon before too many people know what we're doing. Ranchers who've seen us know we're not riding this range for exercise. Yeah, at the Larson ranch off there to the right of the mesa there. Nope. That place belongs to Yancy Coburn and his son Jed. Yeah. Pull up a minute. Those cattle are acting kind of funny, Jace. Yeah. Disturbed and excited, milling around. Can't see any reason for it. Wide open range. No sign of a coyote or a mountain cat. Must be something they smell. I've seen them act just that way when a beef has been slaughtered on the range. Blood smell stirs them up and they start bunching just like that. Oh, nothing in that herd to interest us, though. Jace can see none of them's white faces. Their white parts might have been painted over. You know that kind of camouflage been used before? I can't tell till we get close up. Gonna have to check them sooner or later. Might as well be now. Well, there goes our lunch, Steve. I guess they eat on the Coburn place too. Yeah, But Yancy and Jed ain't exactly hospitable. Well, come on, get up, boy. Yeah, they're bunching right along Cockburn's fence line. That's good. We won't have to cut the fence. We can just tie the horses off there and climb through. They sure are acting up. All right. Hold up. Oh, Sharkey. I'll hold the wire, Jake. Thanks. Climb through, Sheriff. Then I'll come through and hold it for Steve. Right. Okay, Steve. Come ahead. Okay. I'm gonna let it go. Yeah. Ain't no strange stock here, Jace. They're all wearing Coburn's brand. Yeah, I can't spot any that have been altered. Besides, it's not a white face in the lot. You see that plain? Now what are they so head up about it? Beats me. What are you looking at, Jace? Tracks. The way they've been milling around, marks form a big circle. A boulder over there seems to be the middle of it. Move up toward it and they start to mill and pull back. Come on. Wow, look at the mess of red ants around that boulder. They're just pouring in and out of that varmint hole under it. Hey, look at them. Hole's bigger than it looks. Most of it's been covered by the boulder. Hey, let's see if we can move it out, Steve. Yeah. Jam too tight, Jason. There's enough of an opening for my arm. I'll stretch flat and stick my hand down there. Well, watch out, Jason. Get ants all over you. Don't care about the ants so much. Just hope I don't get a mess of gopher teeth in my hand. Feel anything down there? Yeah. Look. Quick line. Hey, Jakes, you better wash that off right away. I will. You got your wire clippers? Sure. What's the matter? Cut the fence and bring the horses through. We're going to pull this boulder. Why, Jace? What's down there? Felt like a bunch of fresh skinned beef hides. They were hides all right. Stripped from a half dozen white face a place where the brand should have been. Were burned over to obliterate what had been there. Pack the hides on our horses and headed for the Cockburn ranch house. They sure wiped out. Any proof on those hides? Yes. Yeah, there wasn't something wrong with them. They wouldn't have gone to the trouble of hiding them. But he's smart, butchering the stuff before they sold it. Probably figured every commission house in the state to be watching for brands. They couldn't risk altering them and they couldn't risk keeping the stock around. You seen The Coburn's lately, Sheriff? Haven't seen Jed for some time. But I saw Yancy only last night at the drugstore in town. Yeah? He buying something? Yeah, he was. A lot of stuff. Bandages, adhesive tape. I saw the druggist wrapping it up. Sounds like the stuff he'd need to change dresses. And a bad wound. Jase, we're coming to their sheds. House is just the other side of them. Ride right into the sheds. Leave the horses there. I don't want them to see these hides yet. Okay. Here we are. Oh, boy. Take a look on that floor there. Chase over there. Yeah, one spot cleaned up mighty good. Look. Look at the beam. Right over it. Meat hooks. Little blood on them. Yeah. Must have done his butchering right here. Made awful sure to get that floor clean. Let's go talk to. There's Yancy now at the back screen door. Howdy, Yancy. What you fellas wanting on my place? The Rangers want to have a little talk with you. I ain't got much time for talking. I got work to do. So have we. Where's your son? I don't know. What do you mean, you don't know? Just like I said, I don't know. Anything else I can help you with? Don't get smart, Yancy. You know where Jed is. You better talk up. He took yourself a little trip down to Mexico. Suppose you invite us in and tell us all about it. Rick and I don't have to have you in if I don't want you, Sheriff. He's perfectly right, Sheriff. So Steve and I'll just wait here while you ride into town and get a warrant and we can invite ourselves in. You want to make us do it the hard way, Yancy? I ain't got nothing to hide. Want come in. Come in. You keep a gun in the house? Shotgun there in the corner by the stool. How about a.45, Yancey?

[Narrator/Host]

Never own one.

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You haven't slaughtered any beef lately either, have you? Any log in it? Nobody said there was. Stashing the hides away under a boulder is a little bit unusual. You're getting kind of pale, Yancy.

[Narrator/Host]

There ain't no.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

What'd you stop for, Yancy? You're about to say there aren't any brand marks left on those hides, weren't you? You putting words in my mouth? Choose your own words, but answer me. Tell the truth. Where's your son, Jed? I told you, he's. He's not in Mexico. He's holed up someplace recovering from a wound. The wound Doc Hemet was Killed for treating. I don't know what you're talking about. Jed. In here. Tell you, Jace, look at that ladder there in the corner. Just a ladder. I was. Was fixing to do some paint. A man who's gonna paint usually buys some paint before he brings a ladder in. What's that up in the ceiling? Looks like an entry into the attic. Get out here. Get out. Get your hands off that shotgun. Oh, that's better. I'll hold this for safekeeping. You might hurt somebody. Keep him covered. Steve, I'm gonna use that ladder and see what we got upstairs. I'll help you, Jace. Jed's probably up there and he ain't the kind to come quiet if he's cornered. That's right, Sheriff. Get cover, Sheriff. Kill him, Jed. Shut up, Yancy. Don't move. Be smart, Jed. You can't get out of that attic. No, but I can blow the head off and anyone comes up here to take. Now I gotta see you first. Remember that. We don't have to come up after you, Jed. We can rake every foot of that ceiling with gunfire. Yeah, that's just a sample. Can make it look like a sieve and you look like one with it. Now you better get down here with your father while you still got the chance. Come down, Jed. Come down or they'll kill you. We didn't do nothing. They can't prove nothing. How about it, Jed?

[Narrator/Host]

All right.

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My leg is hurt. You have to bring a light on to help me down.

[Narrator/Host]

Sure.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Just to make it friendly. Open that trap all the way and drop your gun down here. That's better. All right, Sheriff. Set the ladder up again. This is the gun we wanted, Steve. Yeah. 45 all right yet. Ease yourself down and I'll help you. Bye. My leg hurts. Come. Come Look. We didn't do nothing. And that's all we're ever going to say. We didn't do nothing. Here. You love it up in Huntsville. Then it's full of innocent fellows just like you. You ready, Steve? Yeah, Sheriff. All set, Jace.

[Narrator/Host]

Good.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

All right, Yancy. Jed, get moving. Throughout their trial, Yancey and Jed Koban steadfastly denied any crime. However, Jed's blood type matched the blood found in the office of Dr. Hemet. And ballistic experts definitely identified his.45 caliber gun as the weapon used to murder both Dr. Hemet and the cowboy whose body was found on Thunder Ridge. It took the jury less than two hours to bring in a verdict of guilty. The Cobins were sentenced to Huntsville Penitentiary for the rest of their natural lives. And now, here again is the star of our show, Joel McCrae. I believe you'll enjoy an amusing story I heard recently comes from a young lady who lives in the Lone Star State. It seems that a Sunday school teacher was making quite an impression with the little ones in her class as she told how the pharaohs of early Egypt drove the children of Israel from that land. A little fellow in the front row was biting his nails fiercely as the teacher went on to describe the cruelties inflicted upon the Israelites, how they were beaten and driven forth without food or water. When the story was over, the young fry stared straight ahead. Finally, he snapped, gee whiz, where were the Texas Rangers? See you next week, folks. Good night. Next week, Joel McCray in another authentic reenactment of a case from the files of the Texas Rangers, Joel McCray is currently seen starring in the Universal International Technicolor production Frenchie. Tonight's cast included Tony Barrett, Virginia Greg, Herb Ellis, Ed Begley and Harley Bear. This story was transcribed and adapted by Joel Murcott, and the program was produced and directed by Stacy Keats. Hal Gibney, SPE. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Turn back the calendar Tomorrow evening, the Railroad Hour takes you back to a golden, bygone era with a refreshing presentation of the musical comedy High Button Shoes. Railroad Hour singing star Gordon McRae is joined by Margaret Whiting for this program. And remember, tomorrow you'll also hear a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra. Phil Baker invites you to join the 64 question next on NBC.

[Narrator/Host]

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. In the silent Men. The National Broadcasting Company proudly presents Douglas Fairbank production of the Silent Men Transcribed stories of the undercover operations of the special agents of every branch of our federal government and their relentless fight against crime. Now here is Douglas Fairbanks. The communist propaganda machine is busy the world over, undermining and trying to destroy the power of democracy. Nothing must stand in its way. People, truth, decency, all must bow to it. This is well illustrated in a story you are about to hear. The details I learned while I was on an inspection tour for the offices of CARE in Rome. In it, I will assume the role of Special Agent Dick Brooks. A file case entitled Food and War, in which only the names and places are fictional. It was a beautiful Italian afternoon, one of those days when even a special agent takes time off. Just stand and look out of his open window. I'd been attached to the American embassy for more than a year, and during this time I'd made many friends. I saw one of them on the Street. Approaching the outer door to my office, Mario Rocco looked grave and determined. More so than any little girl of nine ought to look. Under her arm she clutched a paper wrapped package. She started up the steps and I went to open the door for her. Hello, Maria. Well, how's my little sweetheart? No sweetheart. Oh, what's the matter, Maria? Something wrong at home? No. Well, you better sit down and tell me what's on your mind. I come to say a deal. Goodbye. Has Mama Rocco sold a running house? No, but I say goodbye. I see. And I never speak to you again. Oh, so long I live, I never speak to you in Americana. Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait a minute. You can't take it out on Uncle Sam just because you don't love me anymore. I am sorry. You teach me to speak English. I am sorry. You buy me gift. Well, thought I get a chance to defend myself. You give much pain to me, Mama. I did. It was a big jocko. When the Paco come, Mama cry because she was so happy. When what came, Maria? You think there will be chocolato inside? Then the Gioco. Here is the Paco. Look. Well, this is a United nations food package. See? Open. It's empty. That was your country's joco, senor. A food taco with nothing inside. Oh, it's just a mistake, Maria. I'll write them a letter and they'll send you another one right away. He's no mistake. Everybody find the same thing. Empty. Pacos. Adios, senor. Just a minute, Maria. Just a minute. My first thought was that some clerk had stolen the contents of Mama Rocco's parcel and forwarded the empty tin. I thought I might get it replaced for her. So I called Alan Burns, head of the European Relief program in Rome. Burn stalking. This is Brooks, Dick Brooks. Oh, yes, how are you? Fine. I was wondering if you could do me a favor. A friend of mine got a food package this morning. Was empty. I'd like to have it replaced. Another one, huh? What do you mean another one? Whole shipment. 4,000 packages delivered empty. Been flooded with calls all day. I don't wonder. Abuse. I've had it in every dialect. Were the packages empty when they arrived in Rome? No idea. Post office knows nothing. Railroad knows nothing. We'll investigate, of course. Well, hold off till I see you. Sure. You coming down right away? Yeah, in about an hour. Gotta patch up a quarrel with a little girlfriend. Oh, well, good luck. Maybe you can help me out. You know where I can pick up a fresh supply of bubble gum? Mama Rocco ran a little Rooming house near San Silvestro Square. I'd stayed there till I got an apartment closer to my office. But I liked her cooking, so I was a frequent visitor. She was busy in the kitchen when I came in. She gave me a smile and a greeting when she saw me. But behind it, I sensed a deep hurt. Hello. Hello, Mama. Rocco, what you making for supper? Smells good, Maria. She come to see you about the Paco? Yes, Mama. Rocco, I tell her not to go. Well, it's good she did. Thank you. D to make fun. Non salare, Maria. But, Mama, you say. I say only what the others say. They say the Pacos are like all American promises. Empty. That sounds like a sentence dictated by Moscow. Then why do they send the empty Pacos? This is not the first time they were opened by thieves and the food taken out. Mama, you tell that to your friends. But in the state of the street.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Maria,

[Narrator/Host]

I will tell them. But you must prove it. Es suvito? I will, Mama. Don't worry. Buona sino. If this happens again, your country will lose many friends. On the way to Burns office, I bought an Italian paper. The stories of the empty food packages were now front page news. What seemed to be a straight hijacking theft was being treated like an international incident. The headlines hinted that we were sending the empty packages to serve our own propaganda end. When I was admitted into Burns office, I found copies of the party line papers spread out on his desk. Listen to this one. American Gangsters are Pranksters. Certainly seems to be stirring up some violent reactions. On surface, it looks like a smartly engineered bit of thievery. But I think there's more to it than that. Turned out to be good communist propaganda. Yeah, it's almost as if they had the presses all set up, knowing this was going to happen. Doing all we can to find out. I'll report into my chief. May want our office to take over. I'll be tickled to death. If we can prove the local Communists engineered the whole thing, propaganda value will reverse itself. Show them up for what they are. Yeah. Steal food from their own people. Where was this shipment loaded? New York. Okay. Contact New York and check to see if the packages had their full weight and when they were loaded on the ship. There'll be records of that. Then see if you can check the weight when they unloaded Lahar. Well, that'll give us something to go on.

[Co-Host/Announcer]

Right.

[Narrator/Host]

Any way of identifying the contents of these packages? Sure. Easy. Yeah. They're all like this. Yeah. I'll go out and see if I can Buy some. Buy them where? Same place you can buy a locomotive if you wanted one bad enough on the black market. I went looking for tins of meatloaf. Un food pack brand. The black market in Rome operates on a 24 hour basis. The food section operates in the far end of San Silvesto Square, right near the church. And although it was nine o' clock in the evening when I got there, the place was a big beehive of activities. Strange contrast to the ever present church bells in the background. Aha. Un americano. I know what you want. Cigarette, huh? Every kind. No. Maybe caviar. Coffee. See? Coffee. What can you want? No, that's not what I'm looking for. You come to look or to buy? Everybody comes to look pretty soon we make a rule. Charge admission. No, I'm a customer. Cash customer. What would you like to buy? You know the food packages the UN people send over here? Sure. Good stuff. They have a meatloaf they put out. I want six tins. Where can I get it? Down the street. All you want. Hey, just a minute. Just a minute. What? What do you want? You're no customer. I want you to buy six tins for me. Huh? You cost you 500 lir. Okay. In a few minutes he had completed the transaction and was cutting his way back to me. I saw a heavy set man stop him. They talked a short while, then Massetto brought the tins of food over to him. Here you are, senor. Oh, thanks. Mila. Lira for the misery. How would you like to make another 500, eh? What do I have to do to answer a few questions? You know I got answers. I'll take a chance, you know, for 1000 lira I know much more. All right, Walk to the church. I meet you there in a few minutes. All right, Senior, I cannot stay long. How many tins like these do they have for sale? Thousand. Another kind too. Cheese. Super. Where do you get them? Cook a piece. I never see so many on the market. Is each man selling for himself? No, senor, they work for someone else. Who? The man I talked to. What's his name? Is he here on the black market all the time? You ask too many questions for so small a price. What other kind of work does he do? He kills people who talk to me. That's his real name, Pietro baroli. For only 5 lira I tell you something about yourself, about me. See? Something you should know. Baroli knows you are a government man. Well, he says someday he has to kill you. I went to the main police Headquarters and asked for all the information I could get on Pietro Paroli. I got plenty. Petro parole. Fascist. Black marketeer. Communist black marketeer, the record said in part. I asked for a 24 hour watch on Paroli and the commandant said he would do it immediately. Next morning I showed up at Burns's office with the six little tins of food and a paper sack. Yeah, that's them all right. Yeah. Got any other tins belonging to the same lot? Uh huh. In the warehouse. That's a mare mail den. Let's check these against them. I got that information from New York for you. Packages way down all right. And reached La Havre okay. I thought so. Yes. Things are hard to open sometimes. All right. What number do you have on the bottom of your tent? 17. 9882. Check. Same shipment. Next bunch is due in 10 days. You say, huh? But not such thing as a regular rail schedule in Italy. You know the route the shipment will take? New York to Le Havre, across France to Turin and down to Rome. Freighter express. Express? Why do you ask? I'm planning a little trip in about 10 days from Le Havre to Turin to Rome by. The newspapers kept up their howl about the empty food packages. The communist press wouldn't let it die. That's their propaganda technique. Seize on one little thing and keep on ramming it down the reader's throat. Always fanning a resentment until it hits a peak. We were at the peak now, and I had no trouble getting a travel permit and the necessary authorization for my chief for a trip to Lahav and back. That night I went down to see Mama Rocco. Maria had evidently gotten over her. Mad, my sweetheart. Oh, a little more reserved, Maria. Such enthusiasm can get you into trouble, you know. Come, come see Mama. What is that noise? Maria, Look. See who's here. Oh, Senor Brooks, is it not? Goody came. Maria's grown up. I honestly think she washed her neck today. You know, Aunt Yamo, I show you what I'm making. Food. Sure. Maria. See, Mama, you must not stay here anymore. Upstairs to bed. But Mama. This very minute. Oh, let her stay for a while. No, senor. Mama. Go to your room with your good name. I count three. Uno, Bruno, Trey. Buena note. Maria. Senor, please do not come here anymore. But Mama. Rocco, why? Americanos are not welcome in our house today. Tonight. That's not your real reason. Mama. What is it? I would not want anything to happen to you. They were here yesterday. They asked about you. Please go. All right. Mama arrived, senor. Yeah. I'll take Care of myself. In the next few days, I became convinced of two things. One, that Paroli or someone equally interested had put a shadow on me. Two, that the same thing would be tried on the next shipment of food packages. My chief agreed with me, and between the two of us, we set up a pretty comprehensive operation. The ship was due in the Havre in four days. My shadow tailed along after me when I went to have a final word with Burns. Oh, hi, Brooke. Just got a message from your chief. You're not gonna like it. Well, let me sit down first. You better. The detectives following Paroli lost him. Well, that's not too surprising. I've got a hunch I'll meet up with him in the next week or so. He's pretty confident. Any way you look at it. From a money point of view, it's a terrific deal for parolees. From the communist angle, it's even better. Yeah. Figured out how you can enab set up? Very prettily, if I say so myself. I'm leaving for La have tonight. I'll be there when the ship docks. From there, if everything's all right, I'm going to ride the shipment back to Rome. You going it alone? Not exactly. French authorities will see that the train gets across France. When we get to Turin, the Italian authorities will take over. You'll work with them? Sure. At every stop past the Italian frontier, somebody will be posted to see that the train goes through. As soon as it leaves one station, the next one is wired to watch for it. If there's any delay, both stations on either side of the train. Follow me. Yeah. Both stations send their men in to locate the train and find out if anything's wrong. That's it. When and if the stuff gets loaded in the express cars, I'll wire you the exact numbers. Oh, will you be riding the train? Yeah. Look, you can do something for me. All right, shoot. Go ahead and buy me three neckties and a couple of cheap hats. Maybe an extra shirt and some dark brown hair dye. What are you gonna do, disguise yourself? Huh? I've got a shadow to lose. Oh, you're kidding. I thought that stuff went out with Pinkerton. Be surprised what a quick change of necktie and a limp can do. All right. I'll go out the back way. Good idea. Make sure you're not being tailed. Oh, and burn. Yeah, a couple of sandwiches and some wine. I'm famished. Funny how people do a take when you tell them that the art of disguise is still very much in the operator's book. Maybe it's because they think a disguise means a Robin Hood costume or something. I waited in Burns office till about 9 o'. Clock. Then I slipped out the back way and lost my shadow forever. An hour later, I was on a plane taking me to Le Havre in France. I was at the dock three days later when the freighter empire scraped into a berth. Minute the gangplank was down, I went aboard. Captain Billiam. Rough trip, Shan? A rough trip? What do you want? Ride home. I suppose that's standard in Paris. Or was it Monte Carlo? No, nothing like that, sir. This is the workhouse now, the kindergarten for homesick Americans. Take a look at these credentials. I cash no checks and they give no rides on credit. Richard Brooks, Special Agent Federal. Well, why don't you say so? You're carrying a shipment of food packages for transfer to Rome. That's what my manifest says. I'd like to see them, please. They're down in the hole. Can I go down, take a look, Captain? It's very urgent. All right, come on. But it ain't orthodox. And I'm defying the shipping laws of a foreign country. Quite a ship, sir. Elevator service. Yeah. Makes you sick to see how they've mechanized everything. Know what the most useless thing aboard this ship is now? What, sir? A captain. This way. Got lost down here once. Couldn't find my way back to the bridge for three days. Here they are. Seems heavy enough. I'll have to open one of these, Captain. If there's any complaints, I'll send them to Washington. Well, they're all here. Meat, sugar, cheese, chocolate. What'd you expect, wild duck? I contacted the French authorities when I first got into the Havre. I gave them a photograph of Baroli and asked them to be on the lookout for him. They made a thorough check, but he was nowhere to be found. I wasn't taking any chances, though. And while the parcels were being taken out of the hold, I stood by myself to see that they weren't being tampered with. And when the two express cars were consigned to Italy, were loaded and sealed, I telephoned Alan Burns in rome. It was 2am when I got through to him. Hello? That you, Burns? A little sleepy, but it's me. I've been waiting up all night for you to call. Any special reason nobody's heard from you? Your office contacted me for information. Tell him I've been busy. Everything all right at your end? So far. Any sign of parolee? No. Police been looking for him since you left. No trace of him. I thought he'd show up here, but he hasn't. It's got me worried. Yeah. Maybe he's scared off. That wouldn't do us much good. I hope not. Hey, you sound kind of funny. Sure everything's all right? Yeah, I'm just tired. Haven't slept for quite a few days. You all ready at your end? We're ready. Here's the number of the two cars. You got a pencil? Yeah. Both of them are riding next to the engine. I get these numbers. 1, 4, 0, 7, 8, 9. You got it? Yep. And 7, 2, 4, 48 1. 7, 2, 4, 4, 8, 1. Right. When are they pulling out? In about an hour. I'll be seeing him. Yeah. I had almost an hour to kill before train time. My eyes began closing, so I slipped into a booth in the little restaurant for some of the stuff they call coffee in France. I guess I must have dozed off, because all of a sudden I found myself being tapped on the shoulder. He was a little Frenchman with a bristling moustache and an officious looking bowler hat. Wake up. I'm awake. What is it? I have a message for you. Who are you? I'm with the other police. A detective you look at. Skip it. What's the message? The commissioner wishes to see you immediately. He has your man in custody. Pietro? Parole. In custody? Where? I. I can't leave the station. Tell him to hold him. He says you must come. I tell you, I can't leave the station. He is only outside in the car. Well, then tell him to come in here. He will not do that. He's personally guarding him. You say he's in front? Oui, monsieur. I don't know. Perhaps you would like to see my credentials. Well, that might help some. Henri La Busiere, Detective. Oui. I salute you, Monsieur Labousier. Let's go. The Commissioner is very proud that we have found Monsieur Carolyn. Right this way. I thought you said it was right in front. A few steps, that is all. That's no police car. Wait. No, you don't. Let me see. Come in. I felt the hot zing of metal in my arm and then I went down. They took me inside and stretched me out on the floor and tried to make something big out of it. But I knew a flesh wound when I felt one. So I got some gauze, antiseptic, and did a first aid job on myself. The train was ready to pull out and I got into my compartment and sat down. After that I fell into a kind of. I didn't know if it Were hours or days later when the man came into my compartment. I didn't know who he was at first. Signore Brooks would perhaps like some company. Not only see, senor, even though we have never met. Pietro Peroz. You have a good head for photographs, no? What are you doing here? Oh, perhaps one needs an American permit to travel on a European train. Hey, you hurt your arm. Some of your friends took a shot at me. My friends do not miss. He's dead. I will not quarrel with you. You are tired. You go back to sleep. Where are we now? We have passed Turin in Italy. See you have had a long rest. Yeah. I thought you'd be a more formidable opponent, Senor. Brooklyn. Where is the American thoroughness and preparation. We hear so much about only one man and a tire. The sick one. To prevent an operation that is so important to each of us. We're ready for you. Oh, come, come. Such melodrama from so intelligent a man. I am a realist. You are a realist. You have lost. I have won. That door. You must be realistic. There are international courts. True, senor, but dead men do not testify. And by the time we reach Rome, you will have completely disappeared. I've only been waiting until the train arrived on Italian soil. The good senor meant it. Of that I had not the slightest doubt. I'd seen his type before in the war crime trials in Nuremberg. Completely rational, appearing beings who kill because of necessity. Coldly, calculatedly, and sometimes with a certain good humor. My only hope was that the operation I'd set up would work. I don't know how many hours had passed since we passed the frontier. But through the window I could see the threads of day in the sky. Where are we now? I can't see any town. Probably because there is none. What's happening? The engine's pulling away. It will be back soon. Merely has to remove two cars for a siding. Three hours, four hours at the most. Yet the work will be done. Let me out of here. Sit down, you fool. What can you do out there? I'm going anyways. This gun says you are not. Door is locked, of course. And I have the key. Come and take it from me. You win. That's right. I win. Now you sit down. The hours dragged by painfully slowly. Haroli kept his gun on, a cold mockery in his eyes. 1 hour, 2 hours, 20 minutes. Then. Then I heard the muffled sound of running feet alongside the car. And I knew hope again. What is all the noise about? Italian police. Lots of them. Impulsive. Go on, take a look. Out the window. Hey, I'm afraid you're right. I have underestimated you. That's a bad habit. Some of you commies have a temporary setback for the relief. We will resume our association some other day. You and my brother break in the door. That won't be necessary. Here is the key, senor. In my gun. I told you I'm a realist. Please. Realist. I know another name for it. Yes, Paroli was a realistic. He submitted with philosophical resignation. And realistically, the Italian government is making sure that he stays out of circulation for a long time. Well, this story started out with a little girl. And it ended in very much the same way. Only this time I was bringing Maria and her mother the biggest food package I was able to get my hands on. Nyard. Quick thing. Hello, Maria. Brooke. You come back. Yep. After all the things we say. Oh, you couldn't help it, Mama. Here's something for you. Look. A buckle. A pot taco. Me and. And she. Suckero Chocolate and bubble gum. Now, my dear sweetheart, Maria. Oh, senor, I'm going to marry you. This is Douglas Fairbanks again. The case of the stolen food parcels closes another chapter in the distinguished chronicle of our Silent Men. The special agents of all branches of our federal government who daily risk their lives to protect the lives of all of us. Next week we will tell you a story involving an internationally famous painting and an infamous crime in the File case entitled Tolan Masterpiece. Another venture undertaken for our protection by silent men. The Silent Men is produced and directed by Warren Lewis. The File case, Food and War was written by Lewis and Rusoff and transcribed in Hollywood. Only the names and places were fictional. Featured in our cast were Paul Freeze, Fritz Feld, Alma Lawton, Men Rights, Ralph Moody and Joan Ray. Your announcer is downstairs. Douglas Fairbanks is currently presenting Betty Davis, Gary Merrill and Emlyn Williams in the motion picture Another Man's Poison. Listen again next week and every week to other exciting cases involving the law enforcement adventures of the special agents of our federal government. For they are the Silent Men. As individuals, we can't solve all the problems of international strife and tension. But as individuals, we can declare ourselves on the side of friendship and goodwill. The best way to express your goodwill is through CARE C A R E. The non profit international organization that delivers food and clothing packages to the needy and other lands. CARE is the most efficient and economical way to send food and clothing abroad On a person to person basis. Delivery is guaranteed and you can send more dollar for dollar than in any other way. Just send $10 to Care New York or only $5 and a half for the new thrift package. Give your name and address and the name and address of the person who is to receive your package. If you don't know of anyone you'd like to help personally, CARE will select a deserving family for you. Follow the campaign of the next President on NBC. There's more from Tales of the Texas Rangers, the Silent Men, Case Closed alongside

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all of the other Relic Radio podcasts at the website relic radio.com Thousands of podcast episodes to listen to there, and a shoutcast stream with even more Old Time Radio.

[Narrator/Host]

And you can donate if you'd like

[Co-Host/Announcer]

to help support this and all of the shows. Thanks to those who have thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back next Wednesday with another hour of crime from the golden age of radio on Case Closed.