Boston Blackie: Blood on Blackie's Sleeve 09/20/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Boston Blackie – “Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve” (Original Airdate: 09/20/1945)

Date of Choice Classic Radio Release: February 21, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Boston Blackie centers on a tense murder mystery involving Boston Blackie himself as a prime suspect. After the release and subsequent murder of the vengeful Fred Arlen, Blackie, along with a cast of possible suspects—all with motive—races against the police to solve the crime and clear his name. The story spirals through twists, false alibis, and old resentments, all delivered with the classic sharp wit and rapid-fire dialogue characteristic of Golden Age radio detectives.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. The Mystery Sets In: Suspicion on Blackie

• Scene Setting (00:41 – 01:34):
  • In the parking garage, Blackie is hurrying and appears nervous. When questioned about a red stain on his sleeve by Jim, Blackie evades the inquiry.
  • Quote [01:17]:
    Jim: “The red stuff…That looks like blood. What is that?”
    Blackie (deflects): “That’s none of your business.”

2. A Warning and a Motive

• Carol’s Warning (01:51 – 03:47):
  • Carol Williams meets Blackie, alerting him that Fred Arlen, freshly out of jail (thanks to Blackie’s testimony), has sworn to kill him. She shares her new identity, Leslie Barnes, and address.
  • Carol: “Fred’s going to kill you, Blackie.” [02:24]

3. The Murder and the Suspects

• Murder Discovery (04:01 – 05:47):

  • Inspector Faraday calls Blackie to inform him that Fred Arlen has been killed at the Midland Hotel. Blackie becomes a primary suspect, as Arlen vowed revenge against him.
  • Inspector Faraday: “An old pal of yours, Raggy...has sworn to kill you...he’s been dead just a little while. And I have a hunch you killed him.” [04:22]

• Suspect Spotlight (05:28 – 10:54):

  • John Arlen, Fred’s brother, is questioned and admits resentment toward Fred, even saying:
    John Arlen: “I’d like to shake [Fred’s killer's] hand…He made my life miserable since we were little kids.” [05:48]
  • John and Bill Andrews, another associate, both discuss alibis and their hatred for Fred.
    Bill Andrews: “I was his business partner…After he went crooked, I spent a few years in prison myself. I’d have killed him on general principle…” [10:10]

• Blackmail Subplot (11:13 – 12:28):

  • Jim, the garage attendant, attempts to blackmail Blackie about the “blood” seen on Blackie’s sleeve.
    Jim: “It was blood on your sleeve last night, Blackie. And when a guy gets shot, he bleeds…It’s 50 bucks or do I go to the cops?” [11:34–11:55]

4. Investigation and Deceit

• Police Inquiry (13:13 – 14:20):

  • Faraday brings in Carol Williams, revealed to have purchased the murder weapon, and suspects her involvement.

• Pawn Shop Detail (14:04 – 15:29):

  • Rodman, the pawnshop owner, reveals Carol bought the murder gun and that a man (identified as John Arlen) followed her to learn what she purchased.
  • Blackie connects the dots: “Did you identify the girl who bought the gun?...Right after this Williams girl left my shop, a fellow walked in and asked me what she bought. So I told him she had bought a pistol.” [14:39–15:04]

5. The Trap & The Twist

• Wheelchair Twist (16:03 – 16:44):

  • Blackie tricks Bill Andrews (who's supposedly paralyzed) into standing and walking by faking a fire.
    Blackie: “You’ve just taken half a dozen very healthy steps. I thought you couldn’t walk.” [16:29]
  • Andrews is exposed as having faked his paralysis for two years, casting suspicion on his alibi.

• Establishing Alibis & Exposing Lies (17:13 – 18:43):

  • Inspector Faraday clears John Arlen based on alibi verification (seen in the lobby at the time of the murder).
  • The timeline is challenged—was John really in the lobby before or after the killing?

6. The Reveal: The Real Killer Exposed

• Key Demonstration (21:10 – 23:40):

  • Blackie demonstrates that someone could call room service from the lobby—not from the victim’s room—to create a fake time of death. This points to John Arlen as the real killer, who staged a call after Fred’s death to frame a later time of death.
  • Blackie: “You think I’m in room 802, don’t you? ... I’m in a booth in the lobby using the house phone. Maybe the same phone John used at 8:16 to call room service after he’d killed his brother.” [22:13]

• Breakdown of the Crime (23:07 – 24:23):

  • The episode clarifies that John Arlen followed Carol, stole the gun, and killed his brother, then established a false alibi using the lobby phone.

• Secondary Reveal (24:11–24:23):

  • Bill Andrews is guilty of insurance fraud, not murder.
  • Inspector Faraday: “He’s been posing as a cripple ever since to collect a lot of heavy accident insurance compensation. …All I’m interested in is this guy John Allen.” [24:11–24:18]
  • Blackie (with trademark wit): “You’ve got the goods on him only because I supplied the material.” [24:23]

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Blood on the Sleeve:
  Jim: “The red stuff down there by the sleeve buttons…that looks like blood. What is that?” [01:17]
• Vengeful Motives:
  Carol: “Fred is different from the others…I was his girl for three years.” [02:35]
  John Arlen: “I’d like to shake [the killer’s] hand…I’d like to have killed him myself.” [05:48]
• Blackie’s Signature Sarcasm:
  Blackie: “Bet it outsmarts you. Who's dead, Inspector?” [04:19]
• Classic Detective Breakdown:
  Blackie: “You think I’m in room 802, don’t you? …I’m in a booth in the lobby using the house phone.” [22:13]
• Dramatic Unmasking:
  Blackie: “You’ve just taken half a dozen very healthy steps. I thought you couldn’t walk.” [16:29]
• Episode Ending Banter:
  Blackie: “You’ve got the goods on him only because I supplied the material.” [24:23]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve Discussed: [01:17]
• Carol’s Warning and New Identity: [02:12–03:14]
• Murder Revealed; Blackie Implicated: [04:22]
• John Arlen’s Hatred for the Victim: [05:48]
• Bill Andrews and John Devise Alibis: [08:20–09:05]
• Jim Blackmails Blackie: [11:34–11:55]
• Wheelchair Trick Exposes Bill: [16:29]
• Faraday Confirms John’s Alibi: [18:30–18:43]
• Fake Phone Call Demonstration: [22:13–22:23]

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Summary Tone

The episode captures the classic, brisk, and clever tone of radio detective stories. Boston Blackie’s confidence, Inspector Faraday's skepticism, and the suspects’ desperate plotting all contribute to the suspense and entertainment, with wry humor peppered throughout.

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Conclusion

This episode is a quintessential Golden Age detective drama, featuring false leads, dark motivations, sharp verbal jousting, and a clever solution. Boston Blackie remains cool-headed and quick-witted, ultimately solving the case in trademark style and clearing his own name with a combination of deductive reasoning and street smarts. For fans of classic radio mysteries, “Blood on Blackie’s Sleeve” is a twisty, engaging ride from start to finish.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows, like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Boston Blackie]

Can you get me my card, Jim?

[Jim]

Oh, black Vexone.

[Rodman]

Sure.

[Carol Williams]

Hey, Tom.

[Jim]

Get Boston Blankie's time and tell him to hurry, Jim. You bet, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

And on a double time. How much do I owe you?

[Jim]

Give me your barking check. I'll figure the time.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Carol Williams]

What you nervous about, Blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

In a hurry, that's all. Here's the check.

[Carol Williams]

Thanks.

[Jim]

Better stamp the timeout before I can figure out what you owe me. There we are.

[John Arlen]

How much do I owe you?

[Jim]

In at 7:45 and out at 8:12. That would be 30 cents. You keep a check.

[Bill Andrews]

All right.

[Boston Blackie]

Here you are. Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to drop it.

[Rodman]

You are nervous.

[Jim]

What's the matter?

[Boston Blackie]

Nothing, nothing.

[Jim]

Hey, what's that on your sleeve?

[Boston Blackie]

My sleeve?

[Carol Williams]

Yeah, that.

[Jim]

The red stuff down there by the sleeve buttons. Oh, Blanky, that. That looks like blood. What is that?

[Boston Blackie]

That gym is none of your business.

[Announcer]

And now we return to Richard Kmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friends.

[Carol Williams]

Just a minute, please.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes?

[Carol Williams]

You're Boston Wifey, aren't you?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, but I'm in a hurry.

[Carol Williams]

The switchboard operator said you'd be back. I've been waiting for you for two hours.

[Boston Blackie]

Two hours? Sorry.

[Carol Williams]

I'd have waited two days if necessary.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, don't I know you?

[Suzanne]

Oh, you might.

[Carol Williams]

I'm Carol Williams.

[John Arlen]

Oh, yes.

[Boston Blackie]

You used to be pretty friendly with a fellow named Fred Allen.

[Carol Williams]

Yes, that's why I'm here. Fred got out of jail yesterday. I just wanted to warn you.

[Boston Blackie]

About what?

[Carol Williams]

About Fred. He's going to kill you, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

You mean he's gonna try?

[Carol Williams]

You were the one that sent him to jail. You know what he promised to do when he got out?

[Boston Blackie]

They all promised that.

[John Arlen]

Yes.

[Carol Williams]

Fred is different from the others.

[Bill Andrews]

I ought to know.

[Jim]

I was his girl for three years.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know why you go to the trouble of warning me about Fred. He went to prison with no love for you.

[Carol Williams]

Or for his brother John or for Bill Andrews either. But you're the first on his list.

[Boston Blackie]

I'll take care of myself.

[John Arlen]

Don't worry.

[Carol Williams]

Look, Fred's getting to town today. I don't know how soon there'll be trouble. Would you take my new name and address, just in case?

[Boston Blackie]

New name?

[Carol Williams]

Yes, I moved to an apartment on 928 Davis Lane under the name of Leslie Barnes. The day I heard Fred was getting out of jail. No one knows my new address or my new name.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I know it now, but nobody else. Look, let's stop fooling. What do you really want to talk to me about?

[Carol Williams]

Just what I've told you. Stay out of Fred's way or he'll kill you. Now, I don't want him to kill you and I don't want you to kill him.

[John Arlen]

No?

[Boston Blackie]

What do you want?

[Carol Williams]

Nothing but the pleasure of killing Fred all and myself.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, all right. When I get inside. All right, I said either rings when I'm coming in or going out or taking a shower. Okay, don't overdo it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, Maggie, this is Faraday.

[Boston Blackie]

It's all right, Inspector. I won't tell anybody.

[Inspector Faraday]

I've been trying to reach you for the last hour.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, that's swell. If it's your last hour, I don't

[Inspector Faraday]

want any of your wisecracks, Blankie. I'm in room 802 in the Midland Hotel.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, and you're lonesome.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, I'm not lonesome. I've got a corpse to keep me company.

[Boston Blackie]

Bet it outsmarts you. Who's dead, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

An old pal of yours, Raggy. A guy who swore to kill you as soon as he got back from a vacation in the big house.

[Boston Blackie]

Fred Arlen?

[Inspector Faraday]

That's right, Reagan. He's been dead just a little while. And I have a hunch you killed him.

[Boston Blackie]

Your hunch. Drunk as usual, Faraday? I didn't murder Arlen Anybody I can

[Jim]

murder for you today.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't say it was murder, Blankie. It was probably self defense. But everybody in town knows island was

[Bill Andrews]

out to get you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Were you at the Midland Hotel a

[Boston Blackie]

little while ago when? When you ask me, that means you don't know. So why don't you try to find out? So long, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blankie, you listen.

[Suzanne]

Yes, Suzanne. Yes, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Suzanne, were you at the lobby switchboard when I was down there talking to that young lady a little while ago?

[Suzanne]

Oh, yes, I've been here since 4 this afternoon.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, she said she'd been waiting for me for two hours. Is that right?

[Suzanne]

Oh, no, Blackie. She came in about five minutes before you did.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, you guys finish with those pictures and watch those fingerprints down to headquarters. We gotta get that body out of here.

[Rodman]

Right away, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right. You. You're the dead guy's brother, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Here's Inspector Faraday. I'm John Arland.

[Inspector Faraday]

This Gun in my handkerchief. Never see it before?

[John Arlen]

No, I don't think so.

[Inspector Faraday]

Got any idea who killed your brother?

[John Arlen]

No, but I'd like to shake his hand.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you mean by a crack like that?

[John Arlen]

Figure it out. Made my life miserable since we were little kids. I'd like to have killed him myself.

[Inspector Faraday]

You live in this hotel, don't you?

[John Arlen]

Sure. You know that. The room right next to this one.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's kind of convenient, isn't it?

[John Arlen]

Very. Sorry, I didn't have a chance to take advantage of it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now, your brother phoned room service at 8:16 and a waiter found him dead at 8:25. So he's killed between 8:16 and 8:25. Where were you at that time?

[John Arlen]

I haven't the slightest idea.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, where were you most of the evening?

[John Arlen]

I'm not sure. A lot of places, I guess.

[Inspector Faraday]

Name one.

[John Arlen]

Well, I was down in the lobby for 45 minutes or an hour, but I don't know just when, whether it

[Inspector Faraday]

was before or after 8:16. Who saw you down there? Who'd you talk to?

[John Arlen]

I don't know. I bought a paper.

[Boston Blackie]

I remember that, but didn't pay any

[John Arlen]

attention at the time.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, I'll check that. I may need you later. Don't go too far away.

[Boston Blackie]

I can go now?

[John Arlen]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

But just make sure you're around if I need you.

[John Arlen]

I will.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello there.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm from the Globe.

[Inspector Faraday]

Aren't you John Allen, the dead man's brother?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, but I don't want to talk to reporters.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who killed your brother, Mr. Allen?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know, but I'm sorry I didn't.

[John Arlen]

I'll print that.

[Jim]

Print it.

[John Arlen]

Put in a headline for all I care.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's your room, right next to the murder room.

[Boston Blackie]

That's right. Put that in the headlines too.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, come on, Mr. Arlen.

[John Arlen]

Give me a pig. Yes, operator? Get me Ingersol 2015 61.

[Suzanne]

Yes, sir.

[Bill Andrews]

One moment, please.

[John Arlen]

Police porters.

[Boston Blackie]

Better leave me alone.

[Bill Andrews]

Hello?

[John Arlen]

Bill Andrews? Yes. Bill, this is John Arland.

[Suzanne]

Oh.

[Bill Andrews]

Oh, yes.

[John Arlen]

Fred's been killed.

[Bill Andrews]

Yes, I know.

[John Arlen]

I want to talk to him.

[Bill Andrews]

I'd like to talk to you too.

[John Arlen]

Your house isn't safe. Cops will be after you. You can't come here.

[Bill Andrews]

I can meet you in my car. Your car?

[Boston Blackie]

You can drive a car?

[Bill Andrews]

I can't walk, but I have special braces for driving. I'll meet you at the corner of Oak and Brewster street so we can talk in my car. Okay. What do the police know so far? Do they know much about us?

[John Arlen]

Doesn't everybody? We better frame our alibis together. I'll see you at the corner of Oak and Brewster. It's amazing, Bill, the way they fixed it so you can drive a car even though you can't walk a step.

[Bill Andrews]

The leg braces aren't comfortable, John, but after two years, it's worth anything to get out of that wheelchair once in a while.

[John Arlen]

Someday they'll give you braces you can walk with.

[Bill Andrews]

I hope so. But about Fred.

[John Arlen]

I told the cops I was sorry I didn't get to kill him.

[Bill Andrews]

When they come to me, I'd like to tell them the same thing.

[John Arlen]

You might as well. You have as good a reason as I do.

[Bill Andrews]

Maybe better. But I don't dare tell him that.

[John Arlen]

Look, Bill, I was in the hotel when Fred was killed. You got to give me an alibi.

[Bill Andrews]

Oh, that's fine. Only I was in the hotel when it happened too.

[John Arlen]

You were? Did you kill.

[Bill Andrews]

I think we better frame an alibi for the two of us.

[Boston Blackie]

What do you say? We framed one for the three of us.

[Jim]

Who are you?

[Boston Blackie]

What are you doing back there sitting on the floor. It's very uncomfortable too.

[Bill Andrews]

Who are you and where did you come from?

[Boston Blackie]

I came from your garage, Andrews. I was on my way to visit you, and I saw you wheeling yourself out to your car, so I thought I'd ride back here. Who are you? Boston Blackie, John. Another one of your brother Fred's pet peeves, Remember?

[Inspector Faraday]

Remember?

[John Arlen]

You're the guy he promised to kill

[Inspector Faraday]

within 24 hours after he got out of jail.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, but that's one worry I don't have any longer.

[Bill Andrews]

Then you're in this as much as we are.

[Boston Blackie]

That's why I suggested a moment ago that we frame an alibi for the three of us.

[John Arlen]

Or perhaps I should have said for the four of us. Four of us?

[Boston Blackie]

Carol Williams is involved in Fred's death too. In fact, she mentioned both your names to me.

[John Arlen]

Bill and I were at the hotel when Fred was killed. Were you and Carol there, not together?

[Boston Blackie]

I was there. I know. And I have a hunch she was there too. She lied about having waited for me in my apartment building for two hours.

[Bill Andrews]

Carol hated Fred as much as I did. She could have killed him.

[Boston Blackie]

Why did you hit him, Bill?

[Bill Andrews]

I was his business partner in the better days. When he went crooked, he involved me. I spent a few years in prison myself.

[Boston Blackie]

That's not gonna sound so good when Faraday hears it.

[Bill Andrews]

Oh, I'd have killed him on general principles, but I didn't have any better reason than the Rest of you, no better reason.

[Boston Blackie]

Only a better alibi. You can't walk.

[John Arlen]

Now, look, only one of us killed him.

[Boston Blackie]

Do you want to take a credit, John? I've got troubles enough.

[John Arlen]

What about you?

[Boston Blackie]

I was in the hotel earlier tonight. Does that answer your question?

[Inspector Faraday]

We were all in the hotel.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, we're not getting anywhere accusing each other.

[Bill Andrews]

I say we better get hold of Carol, get our stories straight. We're all suspects.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes. Four of us were in a jam, Andrews. And I think we'd better get alibis that will gel. Coming. Coming, Coming.

[Jim]

Morning, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, hi, Jim. What'd I do, Leave something in my car last night?

[Jim]

No, I. I want to talk to you, Blackie.

[John Arlen]

Oh, sure.

[Boston Blackie]

Come in.

[Jim]

Thanks.

[Boston Blackie]

What's the trouble?

[Jim]

No trouble.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, you wanted to talk to me.

[Inspector Faraday]

What about?

[Jim]

Remember when you took your car out of my garage last night, there was something on your sleeve.

[Boston Blackie]

So?

[Jim]

So I read in the papers today how Fred Arlen was found shot to death in his room at the Midland Hotel. It was blood on your sleeve last night, Blackie. And when a guy gets shot, he bleeds.

[Boston Blackie]

So?

[Jim]

So you could have killed Fred Arlen. I could tell the police about what I saw in your sleeve last night.

[Bill Andrews]

Yes.

[Jim]

Yeah, but for doe, I could forget all about it. I'll take 50 bucks on account. It's 50 bucks or do I go to the cops? Now, look, Blackie, it's. Now, wait. Now, look, don't. Don't get sore. Look, now, Blackie, I didn't mean anything nice. I didn't. Blakey. Blackie, what are you going to do? Blackie, what are you going to do?

[Boston Blackie]

What can I do, Jim, except pay you the $50?

[Announcer]

And now back to boston black.

[Boston Blackie]

Four people could have murdered Fred Allen.

[Announcer]

Four people had a good reason to wish him dead. These same four people might have been in the hotel at the time Fred Arlen was killed. And one of these four people is Boston Blackie. As we return to our story, Blackie

[Boston Blackie]

is in the office of Police Inspector Fern.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, Blackie, this is once I don't have to waste my time chasing you around town.

[Boston Blackie]

What are you going to waste your time doing, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, don't get me sore. I know you didn't kill Fred Allen. But you're not clear of this completely. A girl by the name of Carol Williams came to see you last night, didn't she?

[Boston Blackie]

Sure. So what?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, it's just as I thought. She shot Alan and came to see you right after. Boy, you think I don't know what I'm Talking about, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, Inspector, I always think that.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, wise guy. I had my men check on the pistol we found in Fred Allen's room. It was bought at Rodman's Pawn Shop. And it was bought by a girl Rodman identified as Carol Williams. And I'm holding her.

[Boston Blackie]

Where did you say she bought the pistol?

[Inspector Faraday]

At Rodman's Pawn Shop. Say, maybe she bought the gun for you.

[Boston Blackie]

I do my own shopping, thank you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, Blakey, if you know what's good for you, keep your nose out of this.

[Boston Blackie]

I'll do even better, Paraday. I'll hold my nose in the air and maybe I may sniff something. Are you Robin? Yeah. I'd like to ask you a couple of questions.

[Rodman]

Now, look, are you a cop?

[Boston Blackie]

Why does it matter?

[Rodman]

Well, it matters a lot. I don't like cops. They interfere with my business. And I don't like cops. Questions.

[Carol Williams]

They get me all mixed up.

[Boston Blackie]

Will it help if I tell you I'm Boston Blackie?

[Inspector Faraday]

Will it help? Look, Blackie, what do you want?

[Rodman]

The store's yours.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't want your store. Thanks. Just a little information. Did you identify the girl who bought the gun that killed Fred Arlen?

[Bill Andrews]

Well, I hate it too, Blackie, but.

[Rodman]

Well, yes, I did. But there's something I didn't tell the police.

[John Arlen]

Oh?

[Rodman]

Right after this Williams girl left my shop, a fellow walked in and asked me what she bought. So I told him she had bought a pistol.

[Boston Blackie]

He walked in here?

[John Arlen]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

Crushy walked in.

[Rodman]

That's a natural way for a man to come in here, ain't it?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, Rodman, it is. And it makes the identity of Fred Arlin's killer a natural, too. Look, Andrews, I'm sorry to bother you. I know it's tough to get out of bed and into a wheelchair in the middle of the night, but I think I have Fred Arlen's killer. It's John Allen.

[Bill Andrews]

John killed his own brother, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Carol bought the murder gun, but a man followed her into the Rondman Pawn Shop. This man walked into the shop. That means it wasn't you. Oh, it was John, all right.

[John Arlen]

Well?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, sometime later on, John stole the gun from Carol's apartment and killed his brother with it. It's that simple.

[Bill Andrews]

Well, I. What does that. I smell smoke.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, I think you're right. It is smoke.

[Bill Andrews]

Maybe we'd better investigate. I can't move this wheelchair of mine too fast.

[John Arlen]

All right, I'll have it.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, there it is, Andrews. The smoke's coming from under the door.

[Bill Andrews]

Good heavens. The only exit from this room is

[Boston Blackie]

black except for the window. And I'm getting out of there.

[Jim]

Hey, Blackie, wait.

[Carol Williams]

Help me.

[Boston Blackie]

Sorry, pal. There's one thing I can't stand. It's fire. I'm getting out of here.

[Jim]

Wait for me. I'm getting out with you.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, Anderson.

[Carol Williams]

Thanks.

[Bill Andrews]

Thanks for what?

[Boston Blackie]

You've just taken half a dozen very healthy steps. I thought you couldn't walk.

[Bill Andrews]

The fire, Blacky.

[Boston Blackie]

That there isn't any fire. The smoke's coming from some newspapers I set on fire before I came in. So you can walk, Anders, huh?

[Bill Andrews]

All right, I can walk. So what?

[Boston Blackie]

For two years you've been confined to a wheelchair, supposedly paralyzed from the waist down. Did you plan on killing Fred Arlen that long ago?

[Bill Andrews]

I didn't kill Fred. You can't prove that I didn't.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe not, Andrews, but I certainly am gonna try. Yes? Telegram for John Arling.

[John Arlen]

All right, just a minute.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, John.

[John Arlen]

Frankie, I want to talk to you.

[Boston Blackie]

Blackie, beat it. Don't close the door yet.

[Jim]

I said meet it. You're not getting in?

[Boston Blackie]

No, I think I am in. What do you want with me? Well, I. I just want to give you some good news. I know who killed your brother.

[John Arlen]

Huh?

[Boston Blackie]

It was Bill Andrews.

[John Arlen]

You're crazy. Bill can't even walk.

[Boston Blackie]

I tricked him into getting out of his wheelchair and he not only walked, he ran. I'm sure he killed your brother, but I have to have proof. Will you help me get it?

[John Arlen]

I can't.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday says your brother was killed between 8:16 and 8:25 last night. Don't you know what you were doing at that time?

[John Arlen]

Of course not. I wasn't paying any particular attention to the time. I had no importance then. Come in.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, I didn't know you had company. Alan.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blankie, what are you doing here?

[Boston Blackie]

Bringing personal condolences to an old friend of mine.

[Inspector Faraday]

You stay out of this, Blackie.

[John Arlen]

What brought you up here again, Inspector? More questions?

[Inspector Faraday]

No, Alan, I just want to tell you. I checked your story about being in the lobby when your brother was killed. You were there all right.

[John Arlen]

Somebody saw me. That's good.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, at age 17 exactly. You asked the desk clerk about changing a room. Then you bought a paper and you sat down there for, well, a good half hour. And you'd been in the lobby for some time before 8:17 too.

[Boston Blackie]

Pretty good checking, Inspector. But how does that prove John didn't kill his brother?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, at 8:16, Fred called room service and asked for a sandwich. He was Alive Then at 8:25, the waiter went into his room and found him dead.

[Boston Blackie]

So?

[Inspector Faraday]

Fred Allen was killed sometime between 8:16 and 8:25 last night.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, you're wonderful.

[Inspector Faraday]

I do all right when you're not around, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Then I'm clear, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, I never thought you would. In spite of the crazy story Carol Williams has been trying to feed me.

[John Arlen]

What crazy story?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, she admits she bought the murder gun, all right. But she says you followed her from Rodman's Pawn Shop and stole the gun out of her apartment.

[John Arlen]

Her apartment? I've never seen it.

[Boston Blackie]

In fact, I've never been on Davis Lane in all my life.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, never mind, son. I know you're in the clear. You can come and go as you please now.

[John Arlen]

Thank you.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, John, now that you're cleared, you have only one thing to worry about.

[John Arlen]

Yeah?

[Boston Blackie]

Blackie.

[Bill Andrews]

What?

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday thinks you're innocent. And Faraday invariably bats a thousand percent.

[John Arlen]

Wrong.

[Inspector Faraday]

Again.

[Boston Blackie]

Get my cough on me, William?

[Jim]

Yeah, sure. I'm like.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't know why I let you drive me downtown when I can ride in any squad car in town.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe it's because you like my company, Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Keep thinking that. At least it's one thing I know you're wrong about.

[Boston Blackie]

You're improving, Faraday. Hey, Jim, get my car, will you?

[Jim]

I want to talk to you a minute, Frankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, excuse me, Barney.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, hurry it up, will you? I haven't got it all day.

[Boston Blackie]

What do you want, Jim?

[Jim]

That 50 bucks you gave me didn't last very long. I want more.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure, Jim, but I'd like you to meet a friend of mine first.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, Faraday, come over here, will you? Look, will you stop stalling? Let's get out of here.

[Boston Blackie]

I think we're leaving right now. Jim, this is Inspector Faraday of the police.

[Jim]

Huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Now, would you still like to.

[Jim]

I'll get your car right away, Blankie. Give me your ticket. I'll stamp it here. The timeout shows exactly one hour. That's 75 cents. Here's your ticket, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks.

[Jim]

I'll get your car out right away.

[Inspector Faraday]

Where are you putting that ticket in your pocket for, Blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. Have it, I guess. Say, I must have save itis. Here's my parking ticket for my. Holy mackerel.

[Inspector Faraday]

What were you doing down here last night?

[Boston Blackie]

You'll find out.

[Jim]

Hey, Jim, I'm getting your car, Blank.

[Boston Blackie]

Never mind. Check it in again. I won't be needing it just yet.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, what is this?

[Boston Blackie]

This is where we go back to the Midland Hotel. Paradise.

[Inspector Faraday]

What For.

[Boston Blackie]

For you to go down to the room service and for me to go on the phone and show you how a dead man can call for a sand.

[Suzanne]

Yes?

[Boston Blackie]

Give me a room service, please.

[Carol Williams]

Yes, sir.

[Bill Andrews]

Room service.

[Boston Blackie]

Is Inspector Faraday down there?

[Bill Andrews]

Oh, yes, he is. He's right here by the phone.

[Boston Blackie]

Put him on, will you?

[Bill Andrews]

Yes, sir. Here he is.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, this is room 802. I'd like you to send up a roast beef sandwich and a glass of milk, please.

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, Blackie, will you quit playing games?

[Boston Blackie]

I'm not playing games, Faraday, I'm serious. You say Fred Arlen was killed sometime after 8:16 last night. Because at 8:16 he called room service for a sandwich. Now, is that much right?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, that's right. Can a dead man make a telephone call?

[Boston Blackie]

No, but somebody else can fake it. You think I'm in room 802, don't you?

[Bill Andrews]

Aren't you?

[Boston Blackie]

No. I'm in a booth in the lobby using the house phone. Maybe using the same phone that John used at 8:16 to call room service after he'd killed his brother.

[Inspector Faraday]

Very clever, Blackie. Except for one little point. You have no way of knowing Fred island was dead before 8:16.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice point, Faraday, but I do know Fred was dead before 8:16. The parking ticket I got last night when he was killed shows I took my car out of the garage at 8:12.

[John Arlen]

So what?

[Boston Blackie]

So I just come from Fred Arlen's room and he was dead. And it's a good five minutes walk from here to that garage.

[Inspector Faraday]

I thought I'd find you were mixed up in this.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm not the one that's mixed up. You fell for John's story about being down here in the lobby just the way he wanted you to fall for it. I bet Fred was dead, well, a good half hour before John established his alibi.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, but what about the gun? It belongs to the girl.

[Boston Blackie]

She told you the truth, Baron.

[John Arlen]

Eh?

[Boston Blackie]

Didn't she say she'd just moved to an apartment on Davis Lane under an assumed name so Fred Arlen couldn't find her.

[John Arlen]

Yeah, so what?

[Boston Blackie]

Remember when John denied he'd stolen the gun from her? He said he'd never been on Davis Lane in his life.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's right, Blackie, he did.

[Boston Blackie]

That's so right, Inspector, it proves he did steal again. Unless he followed her, he couldn't have known where she lived. And I've just proved how he could have been down here in the lobby after his brother was dead and built himself an alibi.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blankie, I think you're right.

[Boston Blackie]

You think I'm right?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure, it's as simple as the Alphabet

[Boston Blackie]

now but it wasn't simple when I started. There were three suspects Carroll Williams, John Allen and Bill Andrews.

[Inspector Faraday]

A cripple who could walk. So how did he fit into this?

[Boston Blackie]

He didn't. He hated Fred Allan, sure but Faraday, you can get him on another charge. He was temporarily paralyzed after an accident two years ago and has been posing as a cripple ever since to collect a lot of heavy accident insurance compensation.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well that's not my department but I'll see that it's investigated. All I'm interested in is this guy John Allen. I'm going to grab him but quick.

[Boston Blackie]

You better be quick Faraday. He outsmarted you once.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, but remember I've got the goods on him this time.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure you have but remember you've got the goods on him only because I supplied the material.

[Suzanne]

It's. Sa.