Boston Blackie: Mary Disappears 11/01/1945

Summary

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Boston Blackie: Mary Disappears (Airdate: 11/01/1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Title: Boston Blackie: Mary Disappears
Release Date: April 4, 2026
Episode Theme:
A suspenseful detective drama from the golden age of radio featuring Boston Blackie as he attempts to rescue his friend Mary Wesley after she disappears while undercover, unraveling a case involving a swindled ex-soldier, a farmhouse with secrets, and a missing fugitive.

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Episode Overview

This classic episode centers around Boston Blackie’s effort to exonerate his friend Shorty, who is wrongfully accused of robbery, by locating the real criminal, Donald Bolton. Blackie’s loyal companion Mary Wesley goes undercover on the Bolton farm to search for Donald—only to vanish herself, setting off a race against time involving secret codes, a shady real estate deal, murderous intent, and the tension between heart and duty.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Shorty’s Arrest and Donald Bolton’s Disappearance

[00:50–01:40]

• Inspector Faraday visits Mary Wesley to deliver a warning for Blackie: stay out of the case—Shorty is in jail and considered guilty.
• Mary reveals Shorty claims innocence and that Donald Bolton, missing for two years, committed the crime.
• Notable moment: Exchange of wry banter between Faraday and Mary about how elusive Blackie is.

“Tell him to keep his nose out of this case, that Shorty's guilty and he's going to trial!”
—Inspector Faraday to Mary Wesley (01:32)

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2. Mary Wesley Goes Undercover at the Farm

[03:01–04:39]

• Blackie orchestrates Mary’s infiltration of the Bolton farmhouse by posing as a country girl seeking work.
• The aim: Discreetly discover if Donald is hiding at his parents' home.
• Light-hearted ribbing about Mary’s rural disguise and the coded communication with Blackie.

“If you do locate Bolton there, call me and I'll come out from the city and make him talk. It's the only way I know to get Shorty out of jail.”
—Boston Blackie (03:56)

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3. Mary’s Disappearance & Initial Investigation

[05:12–06:11]

• Mary, after gaining the job, phones Blackie but is soon threatened—someone (later revealed as Donald) catches her and confines her.
• Blackie arrives at the farm the next morning, greeted with denial from the Boltons about Mary’s existence.
• Blackie seeks help from Judd (the hired man), and visits the local switchboard operator who denies any call was made from the farm (suspiciously).

“You turn around to look at me or open your mouth to yell, my fine hired girl, and I'll cut your throat right here.”
—Donald Bolton (06:11)

“Bewildered would be a whole lot better.”
—Boston Blackie, on his confusion (09:42)

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4. A Soldier Swindled, a Murder Uncovered

[09:52–13:01]

• Blackie encounters Eddie Adams, an ex-soldier who claims he bought the Bolton farm for $15,000 through an agent, only to be swindled.
• When Blackie and Eddie find the agent (Mr. Willis), they discover he’s been stabbed, marking a turn to homicide.

“It looks like the end of the road for Mr. Willis. And the end of the trail for us.”
—Boston Blackie, upon discovering Willis’s body (12:45)

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5. Piecing Together the Plot and Seeking Help

[14:39–16:36]

• Faraday, initially dismissive, resists Blackie’s pleas for help until murder is confirmed.
• Blackie lays out the logic: Willis swindled the farm sale, Donald kills Willis, the money’s missing, Mary may be held as a witness or leverage.
• Faraday is convinced to join the action.

“Listen, you've got to come up here. Mary has disappeared. It's a police case. You are a police officer, aren't you?”
—Boston Blackie (15:36)

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6. Mary Held Captive / The Secret Message

[16:36–17:58]

• Mary is locked in the attic, guarded by Mrs. Bolton at gunpoint.
• She ingeniously tries to get word to Blackie with a $20 bribe to Judd, the farmhand.
• “Land of Nod” clue: Mary subtly communicates key information using reversed spelling ("Nod" for "Don" = Donald).

“When Mary said this was the Land of Nod, she emphasized Nod. Spell that backwards. It's Don. Don for Donald. She was trying to tell me Donald was there.”
—Boston Blackie (21:30)

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7. Confrontation and Resolution

[19:09–23:27]

• Blackie, Faraday, and Eddie storm the farmhouse—Mary pretends she’s enjoying herself, secretly signaling to Blackie.
• Outside, Blackie deciphers Mary's secret code and sets a trap.
• Donald exposes himself, confesses to both the robbery and the murder, and attempts to kill Faraday and Eddie. Blackie intervenes just in time.

“I've been operating from here since I split with the gang. Now walk. Nobody's got a chance to find either of you for an hour when Blackie gets back.”
—Donald Bolton (23:02)

“Drop the gun, Don. Blackie's back now.”
—Boston Blackie, with perfect timing (23:06)

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8. Aftermath and Light-Hearted Closure

[23:52–25:18]

• Mary recounts her harrowing experience, noting she was never truly afraid—“the gun was pointed at you.”
• Shorty is exonerated, the stolen money is recovered, and Mary muses about a quiet life in the country.

“Boston Blackie, you had the whole story figured right. All the time I was talking to you and Inspector Faraday, Donald Bolton was watching through the sights of a loaded rifle from the kitchen.”
—Mary Wesley (23:52)

“Raise chickens? Mary, is that something spelled backwards?”
—Boston Blackie teasing (25:15)

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Notable Quotes

• “Tell him to keep his nose out of this case, that Shorty's guilty and he's going to trial!”
  —Inspector Faraday (01:32)
• “Bewildered would be a whole lot better.”
  —Boston Blackie (09:42)
• “It looks like the end of the road for Mr. Willis. And the end of the trail for us.”
  —Boston Blackie (12:45)
• “When Mary said this was the Land of Nod, she emphasized Nod...Spell that backwards. It's Don. Don for Donald.”
  —Boston Blackie (21:30)
• “Boston Blackie, you had the whole story figured right...the gun was pointed at you.”
  —Mary Wesley (23:52)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Shorty’s Innocence and Blackie’s Mission: 00:54–01:40
• Mary Goes Undercover: 03:01–04:39
• Mary’s Disappearance: 05:12–06:11
• Blackie Investigates at Farm: 06:30–09:42
• The Real Estate Swindle & Murder: 09:52–13:01
• Blackie Explains Theory to Faraday: 14:39–16:36
• Mary in Captivity & Code Message: 16:36–17:58
• Rescue, Showdown, and Confession: 19:09–23:27
• Aftermath and Wrap-Up: 23:52–25:18

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Memorable Moments

• Mary’s Code: Her clever use of the word “Nod” as a backward clue for “Don(ald),” demonstrating resourcefulness under threat (21:30).
• Blackie’s Iconic Entry: Timely intervention as Donald is about to eliminate Faraday and Eddie—classic “detective in the nick of time” (23:06).

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Episode Tone & Style

Witty, brisk, and brimming with classic hardboiled humor, the episode delivers suspense, clever dialogue, and an ingenious blend of deduction and disguise—hallmarks of golden age detective drama.

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Summary

In "Mary Disappears," Boston Blackie must clear Shorty's name, leading Mary Wesley undercover at the Bolton farm. Mary’s disappearance launches Blackie into a tangled plot involving a criminal fugitive, a swindled soldier, and a murder. The classic mix of banter, deduction, and brave action culminates in a code-breaking rescue and a heartwarming coda, capturing the enduring charm of radio mystery.

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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].

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Inspector Faraday, would you like a cup of tea? Or would you say your visit was an official one?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure, I'd say it, Ms. Wesley. Why shouldn't I say it? It is official. And I'm giving you an official message for your friend, Boston Blackie.

[Mary Wesley]

Why don't you give it to him yourself?

[Inspector Faraday]

Because I can't find him, that's why. I never can find him when I want him.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, dear. Sometimes I have the same trouble.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, so you have trouble, too. Now listen, I've got Shorty in jail and I'm gonna keep him there because he stuck up a gas station night before last.

[Mr. Bolton]

You get that?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, yes. Only Shorty told Blackie didn't do it. Said it was a fellow named Donald Bolton that did.

[Inspector Faraday]

Donald Bolton? We've only been looking for him for two years. He's probably wearing cement shoes by now. Now, you got the message I want

[Mary Wesley]

you to give Blankie if I hear from him.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, if you hear from him. Now, you know what to tell him.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, no, no. That's the detail you forgot to mention, huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, so I'm remembering. Now, tell him to keep his nose out of this case, that Shorty's guilty and he's going to trial. Now, don't forget to tell Blackie what I said.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, I know. If you hear from him. Goodbye, Miss Wesson.

[Mary Wesley]

Goodbye, Inspector. All right, Blackie, go on. You can come in here. Now.

[Inspector Faraday]

Cash.

[Eddie Adams]

Beneficial Finance Company has the cash you want for any good reason.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just say the word.

[Eddie Adams]

Call up, tell us how much you want and when you want it.

[Inspector Faraday]

You're the boss.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, you're the boss at Beneficial.

[Mary Wesley]

Right.

[Eddie Adams]

Now you get ready cash at Beneficial. The instant way to clean up bills. Buy the things you need, do the things you want for a service that's just a little friendlier and faster. Come to Beneficial for ready cash.

[Mary Wesley]

Cash.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just say the word.

[Eddie Adams]

When you want cash for any good reason, just tell us how much you want and when you want it, you're the boss.

[Boston Blackie]

You're the boss at Beneficial.

[Eddie Adams]

Beneficial Finance Company.

[Narrator]

And now meet Dick Colmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friend.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Blackie, do I look like a girl looking for a job?

[Boston Blackie]

I think you're a little too well fed. That gingham dress does make you look like a country girl, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, that's the general idea, isn't it? For me to see that self maid who doesn't know where her next tail is coming from.

[Boston Blackie]

That's it, Bet. Now I'm going to stop the car in a while and you're going to get out and walk to that farmhouse on the hill.

[Mary Wesley]

Then what?

[Boston Blackie]

Then you're gonna ask the farmer if he could use a hired girl. And you're gonna get the job, I hope.

[Mary Wesley]

Then what?

[Boston Blackie]

One more. Then what? And you retain permanent possession of that expression. Then you're gonna find out if Donald Bolton is hiding out at his parents farm.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, isn't this about the time I ought to begin getting scared?

[Boston Blackie]

If it is, do it now and get it over with.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay.

[Boston Blackie]

Donald Bolton's parents are decent, hard working people. You won't have any trouble with them. Maybe they're hiding out there, son. If they are, I want to know it.

[Mary Wesley]

If they are, I'll find out, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Gee, I hate to ask you to do this, Mary, but if I went snooping around, Donald would either hole up or skip.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, this is as far as I go. If you do locate Bolton there, call me and I'll come out from the city and make him talk. It's the only way I know to get Shorty out of jail.

[Mary Wesley]

If he's there. I'll find him, Blackie. That is, providing I get the job. Wish me co Co. Sure that flux fell backwards. Everybody's spelling things backwards lately. It started with advertising slogans or something. Oh, Blackie, don't you know anything?

[Boston Blackie]

I guess ton that's not spelled in reverse. Now get going. Mary, I don't care how you pronounce your words, but don't be backward about getting the information we need.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm awfully glad you've come to work for us, Mary. You'll like it here. I hope we'll try to make you

[Mr. Bolton]

feel at home, Mr. Mary.

[Boston Blackie]

Will we?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure will.

[Mr. Bolton]

And it'll be a lot less lonesome now. This pretty big house for just mom and me and the hired man to live in.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, thank you very much for everything. I would like to telephone my mother and say I'm all right. May I? Well, of course, dear. Pa and I are going to bed. Life begins kind of early on the farm. You coming, Pa?

[Mr. Bolton]

Well, I was going to wait up for the hired man to come in, but I reckon he ain't coming back from town early. You'll meet him in the morning, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

All right.

[Mr. Bolton]

Yeah. I'll go with you, Mom.

[Inspector Faraday]

Good night, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Good night, both of you. And thanks again. Good night, Mary. Hello? Hello, this is Mary Wesley. I'm at the Bolton farm and I would like to get Barclay 14577 in the city, please. Certainly. You're the new hired girl out at the farm? Why, well, yes. Yes, I am. Probably seems strange to you that I know that. Only there isn't much in a small town that a telephone operator doesn't. I can imagine that. Here's your party. Thank you.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, Blackie? This is Mary.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, will you get out here first thing in the morning? I can't tell you why over the phone.

[Boston Blackie]

I'll be there. Are you all right, Mary? Does anybody suspect anything?

[Mary Wesley]

Not a thing. I've got to go now. Good night, Blackie. And don't worry. Nobody here has any idea who I am. Oscar, now, that's backwards for so long.

[Eddie Adams]

So nobody knows who you are.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I, I.

[Eddie Adams]

You turn around to look at me or open your mouth to yell, my fine hired girl, and I'll cut your throat right here.

[Mr. Bolton]

Good morning.

[Boston Blackie]

Good morning. You're Mr. Bolton, I imagine.

[Mr. Bolton]

Yes, I am. But I don't think we'd be interested in buying anything right now.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, I'm not selling anything, Mr. Bolton. I'd like to see Mary Wesley, if I may.

[Mr. Bolton]

Mary Wesley?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes. The girl you hired yesterday afternoon.

[Mr. Bolton]

Must be some mistake. We didn't hire no girl yesterday.

[Boston Blackie]

Why, I can't understand this. Mary told me on the telephone she was working here.

[Eddie Adams]

No.

[Mr. Bolton]

Maybe some other farm. There's Tom Gordon's place over past Four Corners. Or Ed Stanley's farm about two miles down the road. Did you try that?

[Narrator]

No.

[Boston Blackie]

No, I didn't. I suppose I might, though. Say, that young fellow working on the fence over there, is that your son?

[Mr. Bolton]

We don't have no son.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm sorry.

[Mr. Bolton]

Believe me, that's a hired man. Judd Garson. Been with us for years.

[Boston Blackie]

Mind if I talk to him?

[Mr. Bolton]

No, go right ahead. I'm sorry I couldn't help you, young man.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all right. Now, what's this all about?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, Judd.

[Boston Blackie]

Me?

[Mr. Bolton]

Me?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes. Stick there for a second, William. Like to talk to you.

[Eddie Adams]

I'll be here here all day tomorrow, next week, fixing this fence. What's on your mind, stranger?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I need some help. Last night a girl named Mary Wesley telephoned me. She said she was speaking from this farm and that she'd been hired by Mr. And Mrs. Bolton yesterday afternoon.

[Eddie Adams]

Don't know nothing about that.

[Boston Blackie]

You didn't see a girl about 23, blonde and blue eyes, about this high?

[Eddie Adams]

Not since the carnival came to town

[Mr. Bolton]

last year, I ain't.

[Eddie Adams]

You say she telephoned you?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, and she said she was here at this farm.

[Mr. Bolton]

Well, telephone central's located in town, a

[Eddie Adams]

couple of miles down the road. You could get there and find out about any call made from here. You'll be able to find the town all right.

[Boston Blackie]

I think so. I wish I could be as sure of finding Mary.

[Judd Garson]

Excuse me, please. I saw you drive up from that direction. Can you tell me how far the Bolton farm is from here?

[Boston Blackie]

About three, four miles, Soldier. I just came from there.

[Judd Garson]

Hey, it's ex. Soldier, if you don't mind. Took me three years to get that X added to the word, and I kind of like to keep it on now.

[Boston Blackie]

I see what you mean. Say, I'm in a rush. I'll drive you back to the farm if you want to wait while I go into the telephone office here.

[Judd Garson]

Oh, that's swell. I'm Eddie Adams.

[Boston Blackie]

Glad to meet you, Eddie. I'm Boston Blackie.

[Judd Garson]

Boston Black? Hey, you're not the Boston Blackie who

[Boston Blackie]

is in a great deal of hurry right now. Yes, I am. Wait for me, Eddie. I won't be long.

[Judd Garson]

Okay, Blackie, I'll be here.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello.

[Mary Wesley]

I wish somebody would walk in here sometime and say something besides hello. I'm a little sick of that word.

[Boston Blackie]

I can understand why. Tell me something, honey. William, were you working at the switchboard last night at about 10:30?

[Mary Wesley]

Yes. Only operate on duty 10 at night to 10 in the morning. It's quite a stretch, isn't it?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, quite. Well, I want to know if a telephone call was made from the bolton Farm at 10:30 last night.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I can look it up if you like, but I can tell you right now there wasn't. If there was, I'd remember it. Could probably tell you what was said, too. Don't get much else to do at night except listen in on calls. Say, you look a little tired. You know that?

[Boston Blackie]

Tired isn't the word, young lady. Bewildered would be a whole lot better.

[Judd Garson]

Awful nice of you to drive me out to the farm, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

It's nothing, Eddie.

[Judd Garson]

Boston Blackie, my chauffeur. I'm getting up in the world. One day I'm a soldier, the next day I'm a farm owner, and today I got a chauffeur.

[Boston Blackie]

Farm owner?

[Judd Garson]

Yeah, sure. I bought the Bolton farm yesterday. Saw it last week through an agent in town and bought it yesterday at My price.

[Boston Blackie]

How much?

[Judd Garson]

$15,000. It's a steal. They wanted 25,000 for it, but 15 was all I could raise, so they took it. Got the papers? In my pocket. Agent signed them last night.

[Boston Blackie]

So the Bolton sold that farm, huh?

[Mr. Bolton]

Yep.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, you're the new owner, right?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure.

[Judd Garson]

Bought it yesterday.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I want to go through that farmhouse with you as soon as we get there. I want to go through it from top to bottom. If I don't find what I'm looking for, I'm going to take everything on that place apart. Starting with Pa Bol.

[Mr. Bolton]

Hello. What can I do? Oh, it's you again.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, it's me again, Mr. Bolton. I want to come in.

[Mr. Bolton]

Sorry we ain't receiving visitors today. Mom, hand me my shotgun.

[Mary Wesley]

What's the trouble, Pa?

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Mr. Bolton, we don't want any trouble.

[Mary Wesley]

Here's the gun, Pop.

[Mr. Bolton]

I don't want no trouble either, son. That's why you're going to move off my property now and you're going to stay off it from now on.

[Boston Blackie]

It isn't your property anymore, Ms. Bolton.

[Mr. Bolton]

Oh, no? Who says so?

[Judd Garson]

I do. I bought your farm for Mr. Willis, your agent, last night. I paid cash for it and I got the papers.

[Inspector Faraday]

Approve it? Yeah.

[Mr. Bolton]

I don't care what papers you got. Nobody had no right to sell this farm except me. And I didn't sign no papers. Now get going, both of you, and fast. Unless you figure you'll both look good in buckshot.

[Judd Garson]

Blackie, what am I going to do? That money was all I had in the world. I. I had to borrow half of it, at that.

[Boston Blackie]

I've got my own problem to worry about, Eddie. My girlfriend, Mary has disappeared, but there's just a chance your problem and mine are connected in some way. Who sold you the farm?

[Judd Garson]

Mr. Willis. He was registered at the hotel in town. Only, if this is a phony deal, he's probably skipped by now.

[Boston Blackie]

That's right, he probably has. But we'll go back and see, just to make sure. Maybe talking to a guy who sells real estate will help me do a little groundwork.

[Judd Garson]

The clerk said Mr. Willis hadn't checked out. And this is his room, Blackie. Number 928.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, maybe I better go in alone.

[Judd Garson]

Door locked?

[Boston Blackie]

Temporarily, but only temporarily, believe me.

[Judd Garson]

Gosh, Blackie, I'd heard you could open anything. And now I'm actually watching you do it.

[Boston Blackie]

You mean you actually watched me. Yeah. That did it. Mr. Willis is probably not in. Come on in, Eddie. We'll make ourselves the homes he gets Here.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, Blackie.

[Judd Garson]

That's Mr. Willis lying on the floor. He's been stabbed.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, Eddie. It looks like the end of the road for Mr. Willis. And the end of the trail for us.

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[Inspector Faraday]

Why?

[Nationwide Insurance Announcer]

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[Inspector Faraday]

and you'll be convinced.

[Nationwide Insurance Announcer]

For full details, call your local Nationwide man. He's in the Yellow Pages.

[Inspector Faraday]

Nationwide Auto matures your best life by far. Case and wise. Auto insurance always the best for you and your car.

[Narrator]

And now back to Boston Blackie. Boston Blackie knew that if he could find Donald Bolton, racketeer, son of a farming couple, he could get his friend Shorty out of jail. He sent Mary to the Bolton's farm to find out if they were hiding their son. And though Mary telephoned Blackie that she was there and asked him to come out the next morning, Blackie found no trace of her. When he arrived in town, he met an ex soldier who had developed was swindled out of $15,000 which he had put up for the purchase of the Bolton farm. And Blackie and the soldier go to look for the agent who negotiated the deal and find him dead. It's two minutes later in Inspector Faraday's

[Inspector Faraday]

office in the police headquarters. Yeah, yeah, I know, lady. I know, lady. Sorry, lady, we haven't had any word of your husband. Okay, try us again later, lady. Her husband isn't missing. He just ran away to get away from her voice. Yeah, fairly speaking.

[Boston Blackie]

Are you Inspector Paraday? Yes, Sheriff Calkins, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, so it's Sheriff Calkins. What about it?

[Boston Blackie]

It's me, Inspector Blackie. Wait a minute.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't hang up. No, why shouldn't I? What's the idea of putting on that phony voice?

[Boston Blackie]

To be sure you talk to me, Faraday. I'm in a jam.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, hooray.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm serious, Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

I need help. Ever try advertising in the papers? We got a maid that way once.

[Boston Blackie]

Please inspect it. This is important. Mary is missing. I can't find it.

[Inspector Faraday]

First she can't find you, now you can't find her. You know, I got an idea. It's a game you two kids are playing.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, I need you And a warrant to get into the Bolton farmhouse up here in Greene County.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sorry, it's out of my territory. Anything else I can't do for you today?

[Boston Blackie]

Listen, you've got to come up here. Mary has disappeared. It's a police case. You are a police officer, aren't you?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure, but let me remind you, I'm in the Homicide Department. There'd have to be a murder to get me out.

[Boston Blackie]

I've got that, too. A real estate agent by the name of Sam Willis has been stabbed. I'm in his hotel room now.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yeah, Blankie, why don't you do it? I'll get you for this. Oh, I see. Cute, aren't you? Just a gag to get me up there. I'm sorry, Blankie. It didn't work.

[Boston Blackie]

But there has been a murder here, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

So report it to the local cops. I got no authority up there anyhow. You ought to know that.

[Boston Blackie]

I've got your authority, too, Faraday. This killing is a lead to Donald Bolton. I've got reason to believe he's alive. How'd you like to bring him into headquarters on a motor rack?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'd rather bring you in on one, but I'll settle. Where did you say you you were?

[Boston Blackie]

At Beacon Hotel, Northville. It's about 200 miles.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. Keep the local. Local cops away from that bunny, and I'll fly up there. And, Blackie, don't kill anybody else, at least until I get there.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm sorry we have to keep you up here in the attic, Mary, but we must. But why must I? Brought you some ham. We smoked it ourselves. And some milk. Thank you, but can't you please let me out? Please. Please. I'm sorry. What's that noise? That's nothing to get excited about. It's a hired hand in the next room. Mrs. Bolton. I've got to get out, and right now. Now, I don't like to do this. Please don't come near me, Mary. Oh, I'm afraid I'll have to use this. A gun? Mrs. Bolden, just what are you. I'm going to have to go now and lock you in again. Please don't make any disturbance. Bye. Jud, can you hear me through this wall?

[Eddie Adams]

Yeah, Yeah, I can hear you all right.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I've got $20. I'm pushing through this crack in the board there. Now, take it and get in touch with a man named Boston Blackie in the city. You tell him that I'm being held prisoner here in the attic. And. And. Judd. Judd, please. Please hurry.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. Blackie. So it's a body. And according to the clerk, it's Sam Willis, a real estate agent. So what?

[Boston Blackie]

So he was a swindler, Faraday. He took 15,000 from this soldier here and gave him a worthless deed for the Bolton farm.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, so he's a swindler and he got murdered. If he was alive, all he'd get is maybe 20 years. He got paid off better than the law could do.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, I know that. Forget this, Faraday. Suppose Donald Bolton was hiding out on his parents farm.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, I'm supposing. What do I do next?

[Boston Blackie]

You use your head. Donald sells his folks an idea. They ought to sell the farm for 25,000 and go somewhere to make a fresh start.

[Inspector Faraday]

You know, maybe I'm a little dumb like you always say, Blankie. I must be. I'm still listening.

[Boston Blackie]

I'll make jokes when I'm finished making sense. The Boltons use a real estate agent named Willis to handle the details. He double crosses everybody concerned and pockets Eddie Adams 15,000. Donald Bolton finds out about the cross and kills him.

[Inspector Faraday]

It could be. But where does Mary fit into this?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. Unless she Donald's hiding place. And they're holding her somewhere on that farm right now, I hope. Come on, Faraday. Let you and Eddie and I break into that farmhouse and break this case wide open.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come on, come on, open up in there.

[Mary Wesley]

This is the law.

[Inspector Faraday]

Open up. Well, it's about time. All right, come on in, Blankie. You too, Eddie.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't worry, Faraday. I'm with you now. Mr. Bolton, where is she? Where's Mary?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll handle this, Blankie. This the guy you say is keeping Mary prisoner?

[Boston Blackie]

That's the man, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. What'd you do with that girl? Come on, come on, talk before I go to work on you. Where's Mary Wesley?

[Mr. Bolton]

Mary Wesley?

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't give me that innocent stuff. Where's Mary Wesley? Where have you got her hidden? Come on, come on, start talking before I get taught Mary wet.

[Mr. Bolton]

Oh, if you mean our new hired girl, she's here.

[Boston Blackie]

We know she's here, but where?

[Mr. Bolton]

Well, just a second. I think she's in the kitchen. You want me to call her?

[Boston Blackie]

I certainly do. He's bluffing for me.

[Mary Wesley]

Mary.

[Mr. Bolton]

Mary, would you come out a minute, please?

[Judd Garson]

Hey, Blackie, this whole thing's mixed up worse than ever.

[Boston Blackie]

No, it isn't. I haven't seen Mary yet. I don't even think she. Oh. Oh, hello, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, Blackie. And Inspector Faraday. Well, what are you doing here?

[Boston Blackie]

What do you mean? What is he doing here? Mary, what have they been doing to you?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, nothing, nothing. It's wonderful here. I love it.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, fine. Well, you're going to love it from a distance. You're leaving right now.

[Mary Wesley]

Now, wait a minute, Blackie. I don't want to go.

[Boston Blackie]

Mary. I don't understand.

[Inspector Faraday]

You don't understand? There are lots of things at headquarters I don't understand. And you make me travel 200 miles to get confused. Come on, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm not leaving without Mary.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I'm staying. Why, Blackie, I haven't slept as well in months as I do out here. You know, people have been looking for years for the Land of Nod. And I found it right here. This is the Land of Nod. Goodbye, Blackie. Call me sometime.

[Boston Blackie]

Come on, Fernie, let's go. Eddie.

[Judd Garson]

Hey, what about my money?

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie, you said you'd take care of that later, Eddie. Well, Inspector Chairman, before I lose my temper in front of Mary. Goodbye, Mr. Bolton.

[Nationwide Insurance Announcer]

Sorry to have bothered you.

[Inspector Faraday]

You won't be annoyed again. Okay, Blackie, now talk. What's this all about? As if you knew.

[Boston Blackie]

I do know. Keep walking along this path, Inspector, until we get to those bushes and you and Eddie hiding them.

[Inspector Faraday]

If I was a genius like you, I suppose I'd know why.

[Boston Blackie]

That's right. Because we've got to go back in the house and surprise the Boltons, that's why. Donald Bolton is there. Mary told me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, Mary told you, huh?

[Eddie Adams]

Where was I?

[Inspector Faraday]

All this time?

[Judd Garson]

I didn't hear her say anything. Blackie. Ain't nothing about any Donald Bolton.

[Boston Blackie]

She said it just the same. Here, hide these bushes while I get the car.

[Inspector Faraday]

Another new game, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Listen, when Mary said this was the Land of Nod, she emphasized Nod. Spell that backwards. It's Don. Don for Donald. She was trying to tell me Donald was there. And he is probably with a gun pointing at her from the kitchen to make sure she said nothing about him.

[Inspector Faraday]

Nod means Don.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, spelled in reverse. That should have been easy for you. You were a backwards child. Now, wait here. You probably are watching the road to see if we drive off. I'll take the car into town and pick up the local police. Just make sure nobody leaves.

[Judd Garson]

This is just like a foxhole, Inspector, with branches.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, maybe. But believe me, I don't feel like any fox. What am I doing here anyhow?

[Boston Blackie]

Gee, don't you know?

[Inspector Faraday]

When Blackie's around, I don't know anything.

[Eddie Adams]

Okay, both of you out of that. Putting your hands up quick.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, what's this? Who are you? Never mind. I know who you are. I've been looking at pictures of you for two years.

[Eddie Adams]

Recognize me even with this beard, huh? Inspector? Well, just borrow your gun in case you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Listen, Dallo. Botanist. So you were hiding out on this farm?

[Eddie Adams]

Sure. I was the hired hand. I watched from the house and saw you two hiding here. Well, when Blackie gets back, he'll find your bodies.

[Judd Garson]

You gonna murder us?

[Eddie Adams]

It's either you or me. And I'm selfish that way.

[Inspector Faraday]

What about this soldier store? Bolton? What's that story that I told Willis

[Eddie Adams]

to take 15,000 bucks from him and give him a phony deed? Then I bumped Willis and took the 15 grand.

[Boston Blackie]

Simple.

[Eddie Adams]

Now you and a soldier start walking toward the house.

[Mr. Bolton]

Parody.

[Eddie Adams]

We're suddenly gonna have a fire take place there.

[Inspector Faraday]

Wait a second. Did you pull the gasoline station hold up Monday night?

[Eddie Adams]

Sure. I've been operating from here since I split with the gang.

[Boston Blackie]

Now walk.

[Eddie Adams]

Nobody's got a chance to find either of you for an hour when Blackie gets back.

[Boston Blackie]

Drop the gun, Don. Blackie's back now.

[Eddie Adams]

What the.

[Boston Blackie]

I said, that's just to let you know that this is no toy I'm carrying.

[Eddie Adams]

Okay, Blackie. Gun's on the ground. I thought you drove away.

[Boston Blackie]

That's just what I wanted you to think. Okay, now let's all of us go into the house and have a little reunion. It's getting a little dark out here.

[Eddie Adams]

Dark enough for me to get away.

[Inspector Faraday]

Give me that gun right here. Got him. And I hope he lives long enough to tell us where he stashed your 15 grand, Kid Jay.

[Judd Garson]

I hope so.

[Boston Blackie]

Wait for me here. I'm gonna get Mary. Be seeing you two. My, oh, my. There's nothing like a nice, peaceful day in the country.

[Mary Wesley]

You had the whole story figured right, Blackie? All the time I was talking to you and Inspector Faraday, Donald Bolton was watching through the sights of a loaded rifle from the kitchen.

[Boston Blackie]

Were you scared, Mary? Not a bit, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, why should I have been scared? The gun was pointed at you.

[Boston Blackie]

I see what you mean. Tell me what happened after you hung up the telephone and asked me to come out the next morning?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, whoever grabbed me, you know now it was Donald, alias the handyman.

[Boston Blackie]

Mm.

[Mary Wesley]

Thought I knew his identity, so we parked me in the attic.

[Boston Blackie]

What was it you wanted to tell me that you couldn't say on the phone?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, that. But I missed you. And that I wanted to come back to the city. Well, now, I couldn't very well tell you that with the operator listening in, as I knew she was doing.

[Boston Blackie]

Of course she was listening. She was Donald's girlfriend. We found out. Which is why she lied about the call ever coming from the farmhouse.

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah. You know, Blackie, I'm glad Faraday didn't prefer charges against Pa and Marble. They were really very sweet. They wouldn't have harmed me. All they actually did was try and protect their son.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, yes, I know. Well, Shorty's out of jail, you're off the farm. Eddie Adams is in the 15,000 Faraday recovered from Donald. I guess the Bolton case is closed.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, you know, Blackie, I kind of like it on that farm. Someday I think I'll get married and live a simple life in the country up at dawn, milk the cows and maybe raise chickens.

[Boston Blackie]

Raise chickens? Mary, is that something spelled backwards?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, no, Black, that. Well, that is, until the real thing comes along.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sa.