Boston Blackie: Mary At Sea 07/30/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary: Boston Blackie – "Mary At Sea" (07/30/1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Boston Blackie: Mary At Sea
Date Released: January 31, 2026
Series Host: Choice Classic Radio
Main Cast: Boston Blackie, Mary Wesley, Inspector Faraday

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Overview of the Episode

In this classic radio detective romp, Boston Blackie and his companion Mary Wesley find their routine overnight boat trip disrupted by the discovery of a woman's body in Mary’s cabin. Inspector Faraday arrives to investigate, quickly suspecting Blackie. As the ship remains docked, the group unravels a web of murder, smuggling, and mistaken identities. Old time radio lovers are treated to Blackie’s wit, Mary’s charm, Faraday’s stubbornness, and a tangled mystery steeped in suspense and humor.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Events

1. Setting the Scene: Boarding and Discovery (00:39–02:27)

• Blackie and Mary Wesley board a night boat bound for Westfield, playfully bantering as they settle into their cabins.
• Blackie jokes about life at sea:

  “It’s very apparent, Lydie, that you’ve never been to sea. We seafarers call a bed a bunk.” (01:03, Blackie)

• Mary finds the upper bunk occupied by a dead woman, which immediately launches the central mystery.

2. Investigation Begins: Enter Inspector Faraday (02:58–04:47)

• Inspector Faraday finds Blackie at the scene and naturally suspects him first:

  “No matter where you go, you find a body, don’t you?” (02:58, Faraday)

• The dead woman is identified as Charlotte Akin, a wealthy woman connected to a two-million-dollar fortune.
• First mate and Captain Randall join the investigation, providing background and ship’s records.

3. Suspects and Motives: The Companions (05:53–08:08)

• Martha Vale, Charlotte Akin’s traveling companion, is questioned, and her brother Bob is introduced as protective and wary.
• Blackie points out the oddity that the body was found not in Mrs. Akin’s cabin but in an empty double cabin (06:57–07:53).

  “It seems very strange… that Ms. Vale should be traveling with Mrs. Akin and get off the ship alone, leaving Mrs. Akin in her stateroom dead.” (07:46, Blackie)

• Tension mounts with Faraday’s usual suspicion falling on Blackie and Martha.

4. More Death, More Danger: The Steward’s Secret (08:46–12:19)

• Blackie is questioned separately by Faraday, who again tries to pin the crime on him.
• A ship’s steward approaches Blackie, saying he knows the killer and sets a secret midnight meeting (10:13–10:45).
• At the rendezvous, Blackie and Faraday find the steward dead—stakes rise, suspicion on Blackie doubles.

5. Escaping and Digging Deeper (12:54–14:41)

• Faraday attempts to arrest Blackie for two murders; Blackie escapes using a clever tear gas ruse involving suitcases:

  “I thought you’d try to be a wise guy and want to carry the big suitcase for your protection. This little one contains a tear gas bomb for mine.” (13:35, Blackie)

• Amidst chaos, Blackie and Mary flee the ship to continue their sleuthing.

6. Chasing the Truth: Interview with Martha Vale (15:04–17:13)

• Blackie and Mary track down Martha on a train, pressing her about her alibi and suspicions.
• Discover Martha is set to inherit Charlotte’s fortune, raising motives.

7. The Smuggling Angle: The Buoy Mystery (17:13–19:11)

• Mary and Blackie piece together Martha’s timeline and the ship’s route.
• They investigate a marked spot at sea by airplane, discovering a loose chain with a snap hook on a buoy, likely used for smuggling.

8. Unmasking the Smuggler (19:11–23:09)

• Faraday reveals the killed steward had a record for smuggling.
• Blackie realizes the ship is being used to collect smuggled goods from offshore buoys:

  “Smuggled goods from overseas was attached to it, then picked up by someone on the Westfield boat as it passed by.” (19:54, Blackie)

• Blackie explains to Captain Randall how the murder and smuggling are linked: Mrs. Akin witnessed the illegal transfer and was killed as a result.

9. The Confrontation and Arrest (21:46–23:09)

• Captain Randall, confronted by Blackie, admits to smuggling diamonds. He tries to threaten Blackie with a gun.
• Blackie uses a collapsible life raft to disarm Randall:

  “Isn’t it funny how a little air in this life raft took the wind out of your sails?” (23:09, Blackie)

10. Closing Moments: Resolution and Return (23:09–End)

• Mystery resolved, Blackie and Mary joke about boarding trouble-free and checking the upper bunk just to be sure—this time, no body is found.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Blackie’s Reputation:

  "Well, Blackie, no matter where you go, you find a body, don’t you?" (02:58, Inspector Faraday)

• Blackie’s Signature Wit:

  "So now I’m a porter? ... It’s very apparent, Lydie, that you’ve never been to sea. We seafarers call a bed a bunk." (00:53–01:03, Blackie)

• Faraday’s Grudging Respect:

  “You must be good at figures, Blackie, if you can slip past the police guards on this boat and walk right into my quarters.” (20:26, Faraday)

• Blackie Defuses Danger:

  “Isn’t it funny how a little air in this life raft took the wind out of your sails?” (23:09, Blackie)

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:39] – Blackie and Mary settle in; find the body
• [02:58] – Inspector Faraday arrives; initial investigation
• [05:53] – Interview with Martha Vale and Bob
• [10:45] – The steward hints he knows the murderer
• [11:49] – Steward found dead in Blackie’s cabin
• [13:35] – Blackie escapes with tear gas suitcase ruse
• [15:04] – Questioning Martha on the train
• [17:21] – Map and location clue from the ship’s route at midnight
• [18:05] – Buoy investigation by airplane
• [19:40] – Steward’s background as smuggler revealed
• [21:10] – Blackie explains the smuggling scheme and links it to the murder
• [22:10] – Captain Randall’s confession and attempted murder
• [23:09] – Randall disarmed and the case closed

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Tone and Style

The episode brims with fast-paced repartee, classic detective suspense, and Blackie’s sardonic humor. Mary Wesley’s light-hearted and inquisitive nature balances Faraday’s bluster and Blackie’s quick wit, bringing a charming, playful quality to the tense investigation.

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Final Thoughts

"Mary At Sea" serves up a quintessential Golden Age radio mystery, blending murder, smuggling intrigue, and clever banter. Boston Blackie proves once again why he’s friend to the friendless (and a nightmare for bumbling crooks), all wrapped in the crackling energy of vintage radio drama.

Transcript

[Boston Blackie]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio, where we.

[Inspector Faraday]

Bring to you the greatest old time radio shows, like us on Facebook, subscribe.

[Boston Blackie]

To us on YouTube, and thank you for [e-mail].

[Mary Wesley]

21 22. Here's my cabin, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Hmm. Not very far from mine. Open the door, will you, Mary? I have my arms full of luggage.

[Mary Wesley]

Lucky luggage. Oh, very well. Porter, put my luggage at the foot of the deck.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, so now I'm a porter? I'll put it where you want it, Lydie.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, fine, fine. That will be all, Porter. At the foot of the bed, please.

[Boston Blackie]

It's very apparent, Lydie, that you've never been to sea. We seafarers call a bed a bunk.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, it's a lot of bed.

[Boston Blackie]

It's a lot of bunk.

[Mary Wesley]

Ooh.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, I should have my reservation at the last minute, too. The walls of my cabin are so close together they practically press my pants.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Blackie, that's strange. This looks like a double cabin.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, strange it should look like a double cabin when it is a double cabin. But don't think you have to sleep in both bunks just to get your money's worth.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll remember that. Will this be a long trip?

[Boston Blackie]

No, just overnight. We get to Westfield in the morning, and then we'll have some fun.

[Mary Wesley]

I thought you were making this a business trip for Charlie Kingston.

[Boston Blackie]

It is, but business for Charlie always leaves time fun. So I thought this black suitcase was too heavy to belong to you.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, that isn't mine. You must have left one of mine in your cabin.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, this is Charlie's suitcase full of buns. Well, I'll take it back to my cabin because you might pull the handle of it.

[Mary Wesley]

Why shouldn't I?

[Boston Blackie]

It's tear gas. And then I'd cry for you.

[Mary Wesley]

It would take tear gas to make you cry for anything. Well, which bunk should I sleep in tonight? The lower or the upper?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. Let's see which one is softer.

[Mary Wesley]

Mmm, the lower one's lovely. Now, let's see about the one on top.

[Boston Blackie]

Uh, Mary, I. I think you'd better sleep in the lower bunk, regardless.

[Mary Wesley]

Why?

[Boston Blackie]

It'll be a little crowded in the upper bunk. You have a cabin, mate. But I don't think she'll disturb you much. She's dead. Now, here's wretched commerce. Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friends.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, Blackie, no matter where you go, you find a body, don't you?

[Boston Blackie]

Isn't it the most annoying habit. Inspector Faraday, hurry and solve this case, will you? The ship is already 30 minutes late pulling out.

[Inspector Faraday]

So what?

[Boston Blackie]

So you going to Westfield with us? No.

[Inspector Faraday]

And this boat isn't going.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, this is a ship.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ship, sloop, raft, canoe or a kayak. It's not leaving this dock till I found that woman's killer.

[Boston Blackie]

Who was that woman in Faraday?

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't know yet.

[Boston Blackie]

We should have asked her before the coroner took her away.

[Inspector Faraday]

Why did you kill her, Blackie?

[Mary Wesley]

Inspector, may I say something?

[Boston Blackie]

No.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I will. Blackie had nothing to do with it. I was with him when he found the body.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, that's no help to Blackie in my book.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, golly, Blackie, this is all my fault. If I hadn't wanted to go to Westfield with you, you wouldn't have reserved this stateroom for me.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't feel badly about it, Mary. If you hadn't taken this room, we wouldn't have found the body, Faraday wouldn't be here and we'd be missing all this.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, look. There's a man's face in the porthole.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, you.

[Boston Blackie]

What do you want?

[Inspector Faraday]

Come, let's go out and deck and head him off. Well, that was certainly a false alarm, Ms. Wesley.

[Mary Wesley]

But, Inspector, how did I know he wasn't snooping?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, he wasn't. First mate said he was trying to repair a broken guy wire or something.

[Boston Blackie]

Or something, Inspector, you should have followed that up.

[Inspector Faraday]

He told me what it was, but I don't understand this Seago and lingo.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, let's get out of here.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just sit still, you two. The captain will be here in a minute.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, put this under the captain's chair. There's something just like it on the wall in my cabin.

[Boston Blackie]

There's one in every cabin. Mary, it's a life raft.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who you trying to kid, Blackie? It looks like a rolled up inner tube with a tube of toothpaste attached to it. That thing wouldn't float a midget.

[Boston Blackie]

It'll float a couple of people. Faraday, it's a collapsible life raft.

[Mary Wesley]

What do you have to do, unfold it and blow it up?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, no. Mary, press that little button on top of that tube there and in about two seconds you have a raft about twice as big as the top of the captain's desk and one half the size of Paraday's head.

[Mary Wesley]

Let's press it and see what happens.

[Boston Blackie]

No, no. Now, Mary, please don't. Not now.

[Mary Wesley]

I never have any fun.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sorry to Keep you waiting, Inspector Paraday. That's all right, Captain Reynolds. Who is the dead woman? Could you find out?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes.

[Inspector Faraday]

She was Charlotte Akin.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I've heard of her. Something about money.

[Boston Blackie]

Something about 2 million.

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, when I want information from you two, I'll ask for it.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, before this is over, you'll be begging for it.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll beg you right now to keep quiet.

[Boston Blackie]

Say please.

[Inspector Faraday]

Please. I said quiet. Captain Randall, where did Mrs. Egan board the ship? At Westfield, just before sailing time yesterday afternoon. With Martha Vail, her traveling companion. Where is this Martha Vail? At home. Better get me her address. I'll have to see her. Forgive me, Inspector, but I took the liberty of sending for her myself, asking her to come down here. You captains are used to running everything, aren't you? Aboard ship? Yes, Inspector. I've ordered a complete passenger list for you, sir. Thanks. I'd like a copy of it, but I think I have my killer. Meaning me?

[Boston Blackie]

Of course.

[Inspector Faraday]

Why not? Blankie? There are 150 staterooms on this ship, and I find you and the one with a body in it.

[Boston Blackie]

The one, Faraday? Well, maybe there are other staterooms equipped with bodies. Let's look.

[Inspector Faraday]

Excuse me, Inspector, but it's way past our sailing time. When can I give the order? Don't worry, Captain. In an hour's time, your ship will be at sea.

[Boston Blackie]

So that's where you'll be, too, Faraday. At sea and sending out an SOS for me.

[Inspector Faraday]

So help me, Blacky.

[Boston Blackie]

So I'll help you. Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Wait. Don't go in there.

[Mary Wesley]

Bob, what are you doing here?

[Inspector Faraday]

Stopping you. Hey, what's going on out there? I'll break your neck if you.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, don't, Bob.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come on, let's go outside and see what this is all about.

[Boston Blackie]

Careful, Faraday. You may get into trouble.

[Inspector Faraday]

So you're a fool. Why do you want to get mixed up in a murder?

[Mary Wesley]

What should I do? Hi.

[Inspector Faraday]

It wouldn't do you any good. I'd find you if he didn't get.

[Boston Blackie]

Lost looking for you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Quiet, Frankie. Who are these people? Captain, this is Martha Vale, Mrs. Aiken's traveling companion. I don't know the man with her.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, Captain Randall. This is my brother, Bob.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, this is Inspector Faraday of the police.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yes, Ms. Vale. Were you with Mrs. Hagan on the trip she made from Westfield last night?

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

How about you, son? No, I never traveled with Mrs. Aiken. If I could have had my way, my sister wouldn't have been traveling with that Aiken woman either. All right, Keep on talking, son, and.

[Boston Blackie]

Say something when you do. I'm not so selfish that I want to be the inspector's only suspect in this murder.

[Mary Wesley]

You. Oh, dear.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't look so alarmed, Ms. Vale. Inspector Faraday accuses me of every murder in town. I think you'd better tell me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, no, she doesn't, Blackie. She tells me.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, she tells you, and then I figure it out for you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Quiet, Blackie. Now, answer a few questions for me, Miss Vane. Remember, Martha, by law, you needn't say anything. Look, son, am I gonna have trouble with you? I want my sister to know her rights. She's mixed up in this. She should see a lawyer before she answers. You.

[Boston Blackie]

And, Faraday, why don't you stop asking all the stock questions and ask the one question that really should have an interesting answer?

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you talking about, Blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

It seems very strange to me that Ms. Vale should be traveling with Mrs. Akin and get off the ship alone, leaving Mrs. Akin in her stateroom dead.

[Inspector Faraday]

Excuse me, Inspector Faraday, Mrs. Akin wasn't found in her own cabin. Hers was number 85. Her body was found in 22. Hmm. That means something.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't you wish you knew what?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, darling, be quiet.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, everybody, enter the captain's quarters for questioning.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, must you now?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sorry. Okay, everybody, get inside. Oh, now look what you've done, Martha. You've got us all involved in this.

[Mary Wesley]

Coming, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

The man called Faraday said everybody.

[Inspector Faraday]

You stay here, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, are you ill? You're not going to question me?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm gonna question you.

[Mary Wesley]

All right, Blackie, give the inspector nice answers.

[Boston Blackie]

My very nicest. See you in the captain's quarters in a few minutes, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Right.

[Inspector Faraday]

If I don't have him up in my quarters for a few years. Captain Randall, hold those people in your cabin till I'm ready for them. Of course, Inspector.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, well.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, Blackie, what's this all about?

[Boston Blackie]

You don't know, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, Blackie, I figured you knew something about this the minute I found you with that body.

[Boston Blackie]

I. If you didn't think so, I'd be awfully disappointed, as a matter of fact. But why don't you stop calling me names and start calling a few shots on Charlotte Akin's death?

[Inspector Faraday]

Can you call any names are shots either?

[Boston Blackie]

You really want to know who killed Charlotte Akin?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I didn't come down here to go for a boat ride.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, Faraday. I'll tell you all I know. Well, we went through that well routine already. I'm telling you all I know.

[Inspector Faraday]

You're not saying anything.

[Boston Blackie]

That's because I don't know anything. About this case, that is.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I know something.

[Boston Blackie]

The time of day, no doubt. Uh oh, there goes that gun again.

[Inspector Faraday]

And here you go again too.

[Boston Blackie]

I know. Down to headquarters.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh no, wise guy, you're holding out on me. You know something about this case you're not telling. And until you talk, I'm gonna put you in your cabin under guard.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, at least you think so much of me you want to give me police protection.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come on.

[Boston Blackie]

On second thought, Faraday, am I being put under protection for your sake or for mine?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes, boys.

[Mary Wesley]

And Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes? Send it to Mr. Stewart.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes? I want something to eat.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sandwich, sir?

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, anything.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes sir, sandwich. Right away.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, what are you standing there for?

[Inspector Faraday]

I. I know who killed Mrs. Akins.

[Boston Blackie]

What?

[Inspector Faraday]

And I know why she was killed.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, never mind that sandwich. Let's have this instead. Better still, let's get Faraday in here first.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, I can't go to the police. I don't dare talk to you now. The cabin is being watched. I'll see you here at midnight.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice of you to walk around the deck a few times, Faraday. Are you sure it's no bother?

[Inspector Faraday]

I even take my dog for a walk every night.

[Boston Blackie]

Two to one he outsmart you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Very funny, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I didn't think so.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here's your camera. Take a good deep breath of air because you're in for the night.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Good night. Go on, Blackie, get in there alone. No, I'm going in with you.

[Boston Blackie]

I'd rather be alone. I'd be in better company. Where'd I turn on the light?

[Inspector Faraday]

I just want to make sure you're not hiding something that.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh Faraday, stop looking so pleased with yourself. That's not a body in my bunk. It's just a steward.

[Inspector Faraday]

Why is he lying in your bunk?

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe he's tired.

[Inspector Faraday]

Maybe I am too. Are those half wit remarks of yours?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, he offered to come in here and tell me a little story entitled whodunit.

[Inspector Faraday]

You mean he knows who killed Mrs. Hankin?

[Boston Blackie]

That's what he told me. Let's wake him up and hear his story. Hey Stuart, wake up. Wake up. Shake him before using.

[Inspector Faraday]

Very funny. Hey Stuart, wake up. Wake up.

[Boston Blackie]

I know that booming voice of yours is disturbing Faraday, but even you can't wake our friend up. He's dead.

[Inspector Faraday]

What? Hey, hey. I know that boy. He's done time and plenty of it.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, he's not gonna do any more. I Guess I should have expected this.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't move, blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, Faraday, put away that gun.

[Inspector Faraday]

I've got you for two murders now, Blankie. And I don't put this gun away till I put you away for keeps.

[Boston Blackie]

And now, back to Boston. Black. Blackie and Mary Wesley boarded the night boat to Westfield. But the journey was upset when the body of Charlotte Akin, wealthy widow, was found in the upper bunk of Mary Wesley's stateroom. While Inspector Faraday was questioning Martha Vale, the dead woman's traveling companion, the steward of the ship came to Blackie and promised to tell him at midnight who killed Mrs. Aiken. At midnight, Blackie and Faraday found the steward dead. Faraday charged Blackie with killing him. And as we return to our story.

[Inspector Faraday]

The inspector is about to take Blackie to jail. All right, Blackie, move.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, when I move, Faraday, I like to take my luggage with me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, take the suitcases along. Thanks.

[Boston Blackie]

Help me, will you?

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, but knowing you, I'm going to carry the big suitcase. The little one will be no match for the big one if you start swinging it.

[Boston Blackie]

I always said you'd make a good red cap boy. Pick up the large suitcase, please. I'll carry the small one.

[Inspector Faraday]

And no more wise cracks, wise guy. Come on.

[Boston Blackie]

After you.

[Inspector Faraday]

After you. You're not getting away from me this time.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, no. Hey.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, what's that hissing noise? Tear gas. Tear gas?

[Boston Blackie]

I thought you'd try to be a wise guy and want to carry the big suitcase for your protection. This little one contains a tear gas bomb for mine. What?

[Inspector Faraday]

Why are you carrying tear gas?

[Boston Blackie]

Because the suitcase you're carrying contains a quarter million dollars worth of negotiable bonds.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey. Hey, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Blackie, where are you? I'm right here, Faraday, by the door.

[Inspector Faraday]

Where?

[Mary Wesley]

Where's the door?

[Inspector Faraday]

I can't see a thing.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, in a few seconds, you won't be able to see me either. I'm leaving.

[Mary Wesley]

Blacky.

[Boston Blackie]

Blacky, come back here.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come back here or I'll kill you.

[Boston Blackie]

Go ahead and shoot me, Faraday. I dare you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Help me, Blackie.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll put you behind bars for this.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, before you put me behind bars, Inspector, figure out how you're gonna get.

[Mary Wesley]

Out from behind this door.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm locking it.

[Mary Wesley]

What's the matter?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, Mary. Where'd you come from?

[Mary Wesley]

Captain Randall's letting us take a walk on deck. Why are you crying?

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday just told me the nicest thing. He never wants to see me again. So let's get off the ship and make sure he doesn't.

[Mary Wesley]

If she isn't on the train back.

[Boston Blackie]

To Denver, then Martha Vale is smarter than we are. My brother told us she was on this train, and, oh, here she is.

[Mary Wesley]

She's alone, too.

[Boston Blackie]

She looks like the lone wolf type. Hello, Miss Vale. Going somewhere?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I. I didn't kill Mrs. Aiken. She was alive when I left the boat.

[Boston Blackie]

How do you know?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I. Well, I guess. I don't know. We had separate cabins. I left the ship as soon as it dark. I had some shopping to do for Mrs. Aiken. It was very important.

[Boston Blackie]

Then she could have been dead when you left the boat.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, maybe she could have. I didn't go into her stateroom before I went ashore. She sometimes slept late.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, tell me, did Mrs. Aiken act at all strangely on the trip from Westfield?

[Mary Wesley]

Not unless there's something strange about taking a walk in the middle of the night, because you can't sleep about.

[Boston Blackie]

What time did she go for this walk?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, just before midnight.

[Boston Blackie]

What time did she come back?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, did anything strange happen last night after Mrs. Akin went on deck?

[Mary Wesley]

No.

[Boston Blackie]

Think now.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh. Well, just before I fell asleep, the ship slowed down a little, but it always did around that time of night on every trip. I tell you, I don't know anything about Mrs. Akin's death. Will you please leave me alone?

[Boston Blackie]

If you'll tell me just a little bit about your brother.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I see.

[Boston Blackie]

He didn't like the idea of your being Mrs. Aiken's companion.

[Mary Wesley]

He wouldn't tell me.

[Boston Blackie]

What else wouldn't your brother tell you?

[Inspector Faraday]

Where he made all.

[Mary Wesley]

I mean, nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

You mean where he made all his money, don't you, Miss Vale?

[Mary Wesley]

I didn't mean anything.

[Boston Blackie]

I think you meant a lot. I'm getting off at the first stop, and I'm going to see him. Maybe he doesn't know more than you do, but maybe he'll say more. Mary, I found out from Robert Vale that his sister inherits Mrs. Aiken's money. What did you find out?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, the Westfield nightboat leaves Westfield at seven in the evening, and it arrives here at nine the next morning.

[Boston Blackie]

Did the steamship company tell you where the ship would be at midnight when it slowed down?

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah. Yeah. The clerk gave me this map, and here he made a mark on it. The boat will be right here where the little X is.

[Boston Blackie]

Hmm. X marks the spot, huh? But I wonder what else it marks.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, you're the great boss in Blackie. Why don't you swim out there and see?

[Boston Blackie]

It's a Good idea.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, will you stop being silly?

[Boston Blackie]

I'm dead serious. Only I'm not gonna swim. We're gonna trade water wings for airplane wings and fly out there.

[Inspector Faraday]

This is a spot on the chart you showed me, Blakey. It's a boy on the water.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice flying, buddy. We're right beside it.

[Mary Wesley]

Is that chain hanging from the top of the boy fastened to whatever holds it into the water?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes. I. I think we. Say, wait. The chain that holds a buoy in place would be underneath it, not on top of it.

[Inspector Faraday]

A chain is hanging loose. Blackie, why don't you have a look at it?

[Boston Blackie]

Okay. Wait a minute. I'm gonna climb out on the wing. Now I can reach the. And now I have it.

[Mary Wesley]

What is it, Blacky? Just a loose chain.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, with a sort of a snap on it, like the one you find on the end of a dog leash. So? Nothing. Okay, pilot, let's go back to the mainland.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, are we going up in the air again?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes.

[Boston Blackie]

And if I don't get a bright idea, pretty soon we'll be up in the air in more ways than one.

[Inspector Faraday]

Inspector Faraday speaking.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, Faraday. This is Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, Blackie, stay where you are. You're under arrest.

[Boston Blackie]

And you're under delusions again, Inspector. I want some information and I want you. Nice of you to say so, pal, but listen, you knew the steward who was killed in my cabin. What did he do time for?

[Inspector Faraday]

None of your business.

[Boston Blackie]

It's your business, though, Faraday. Tell me and I'll bring in your killer.

[Inspector Faraday]

Nothing doing.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, Faraday, if you don't want to solve this case, all right.

[Inspector Faraday]

But don't forget where you got the information.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't think you'll let me. What was the steward sent up for?

[Inspector Faraday]

Smuggling. Now, is that any help to you?

[Boston Blackie]

Probably not. You give such useless information, Faraday. So long.

[Inspector Faraday]

You listen to me, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, Mary, the steward was arrested for smuggling.

[Mary Wesley]

Does that need help?

[Boston Blackie]

No, I don't see it. Smuggling. Smuggling. Yes, of course. Of course it helped.

[Mary Wesley]

How?

[Boston Blackie]

The chain and the boy smuggled goods from overseas, was attached to it, then picked up by someone on the Westfield boat as it passed by.

[Mary Wesley]

How does that explain Mrs. Akin's death?

[Boston Blackie]

She walked the deck of the boat last night and saw something she shouldn't have seen.

[Mary Wesley]

That's right. The ship passes the buoy at midnight. And Martha Vale said that at exactly midnight, Mrs. Aiken went for a walk on deck.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, if Mrs. Aiken was killed last night because she went for a walk, we're going to solve this murder by a walk, too. This is the way I figured, Captain Randall.

[Inspector Faraday]

You must be good at figures, Blackie. If you can slip past the police guards on this boat and walk right into my quarters.

[Boston Blackie]

Let's not waste time with my accomplishments, Captain Randall. I'm more interested in the doings of someone on this ship.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you mean?

[Boston Blackie]

I think Charlotte Akin was killed because she couldn't sleep last night. I have good reason to believe that this ship of yours is being used for smuggling small but highly priced articles into this country.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's absolutely fantastic. My ship goes to no foreign port. Why? We never sail a course more than eight miles offshore.

[Boston Blackie]

But you pass a certain buoy about eight miles offshore every night at midnight.

[Inspector Faraday]

When we're on schedule. Yes.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, here's what's been happening on your ship, Captain Randall. When it slows down as it passes that buoy, someone on the lower deck reaches out with a hook or something and very neatly catches a chain dangling from the top of the.

[Inspector Faraday]

You know there's a chain on the top of that boy?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I looked at it myself. On the end of that chain would be a package or a box or a container of some kind. Once the smuggler has that container aboard, he can bring it into the country.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes, that's true. We don't have to pass through customs. What makes you think my ship is used for smuggling?

[Boston Blackie]

Your steward, the one who was found dead in my cabin, was once arrested and convicted for smuggling. Mrs. Aiken was killed because she was on deck at midnight last night and saw the smuggler at work.

[Inspector Faraday]

If she was killed at sea, why wasn't her body tossed overboard?

[Boston Blackie]

The smuggler didn't have time for that, I suppose. But he put her body where he was sure it wouldn't be found.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you mean?

[Boston Blackie]

The killer checked the reservations list for the return trip and found the stateroom 22 would be empty. He hid Mrs. Akin's body there, hoping to get rid of it at sea the next night.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yeah.

[Boston Blackie]

And the reason Stewart was killed was that he saw Mrs. Aiken's body being taken into the cabin and was going to tell me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie, you're too smart to live.

[Boston Blackie]

Everybody pulls a gun on Blackie. What are you smuggling, Captain?

[Inspector Faraday]

Diamonds from Africa. My partners bring them from Africa. As far as the boy, I bring them the rest of the way. Just stand where you are.

[Boston Blackie]

I just want to get a little closer to you so when you shoot, you won't miss.

[Inspector Faraday]

I won't miss. Then I'll Dump your body overboard.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, when you do, will you throw this collapsible life raft in after me? This one under your chair? Looks like a big one.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't touch that.

[Boston Blackie]

I won't touch the rat, Captain, only the inflation valve.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't do that. Hey, please.

[Boston Blackie]

You look awfully silly on the floor, Captain.

[Inspector Faraday]

Give you for this, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

How are you gonna kill me after I get this gun out of your hand? After you drop that gun, you're breaking my.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, I've dropped it.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, Randall, get up. I have a gun of my own. Don't shoot. Don't worry. Say, isn't it funny how a little air in this life raft took the wind out of your sails?

[Mary Wesley]

21, 22. Here's my cabin again, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Open the door, will you? Mary, I've got my arms full of luggage.

[Mary Wesley]

Lucky luggage. Oh, I said that. Poor tonight.

[Boston Blackie]

I liked it just as much the second time.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, very well, Porter. Just put my luggage at the foot of the bed. Blackie, will we get to Westfield this time?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. I can't guarantee anything.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, do you think we dare look in the upper bed? I mean, bunk?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know.

[Mary Wesley]

You look.

[Boston Blackie]

No. Maybe you'd better look.

[Mary Wesley]

I'd rather you look.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, if you'll remember, last time I looked, we found a body up there.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, yes, that's right. All right, I'll look there. Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

What, Mary? What is it?

[Mary Wesley]

Believing enough. There isn't a body up there. It's.