Boston Blackie: Oscar Wolfe, Troublemaker 06/11/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary: Boston Blackie: Oscar Wolfe, Troublemaker

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Airdate: June 11, 1945 (rebroadcast: January 10, 2026)
Featured Detective: Boston Blackie

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Main Theme Overview

This episode of Boston Blackie immerses listeners in a classic whodunit involving suicide attempts, criminal rackets, double-crosses, and clever detective work. It opens with Blackie and his friends intervening in an apparent suicide attempt by a distraught woman, only to quickly spiral into a murder investigation when the notorious Oscar Wolfe is found dead. With damning evidence planted against Blackie, he must dodge the police, unravel the real culprit’s identity, and clear his own name in typical fast-talking, wisecracking fashion.

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Key Discussion Points and Narrative Unfolding

1. Suicide Attempt & Introduction to the Case

• [00:54–01:40] The episode starts with Blackie, Mary Wesley, Shorty, and Ms. Wesley witnessing Janice Larson attempting to jump from a window. They manage to prevent her suicide.
• Despite their concern, Janice remains evasive, only revealing her distress is tied to "Oscar Wolfe."
• Memorable exchange:
  • Janice Larson: "I've got to die."
  • Boston Blackie: "Nothing can be as bad as all that."
    (01:21–01:24)

2. Who is Oscar Wolfe?

• [02:05–03:41] Janice Larson finally gives her name and reveals "Oscar Wolfe" is at the heart of her troubles.
• Shorty confirms Wolfe is trouble for "everybody," and Blackie sets out to meet this shadowy figure against Shorty's warnings.

3. Confrontation with Oscar Wolfe

• [06:34–08:25] Classic detective noir drama: Blackie visits Wolfe's office. The confrontation is direct and loaded:
  • Boston Blackie: "I didn't know I was going to talk to you. You don't have clients, you have victims." (07:13)
  • Oscar Wolfe (icily): "You propose violence to put an end to my business."
    Blackie: "And to you too, Wolf." (07:50–07:53)
• Wolfe's assistant secretly records their conversation.

4. Murder and Blackie Framed

• [08:54–12:02] Wolfe is soon found dead. Inspector Faraday interviews Wolfe's dimwitted secretary, Jeter, who plays the recorded threat:
  • “Are you suggesting, Blackie, that you'll go so far as to kill me?" — Oscar Wolfe
  • "Why not? Nobody'd miss you except the people your death would make happy." — Boston Blackie (09:44–09:51)
• Faraday arrives at Blackie's apartment to arrest him, but Blackie gives him the slip in a comic exchange:
  • Inspector Faraday: "This is one time Blackie's talked himself into a charge of murder." (09:58)
  • Blackie to Faraday (after outwitting him): "I'm tired, and mostly of you." (10:53)

5. Piecing Together the Frame-Up

• [13:09–14:39] Blackie, on the run, reflects on two theories with Mary:
  • Either Shorty and his pals killed Wolf, or Janice’s suicide attempt was a staged prelude to framing Blackie.
  • They notice Janice gave a false name, and she’s suspiciously tied to the murder’s timing.

6. The Hazleton Clue and Pursuit

• [14:39–16:39] Blackie and Mary trace Janice/Larson via her rare Hazleton purse, a clever piece of sleuthing.
• At an apartment traced through the purse, they realize the nervous maid is Janice in disguise, and the whole suicide act was a setup.

7. Setting the Trap and Walking In

• [16:49–18:29] Blackie trails Janice (the maid). Mary tries to dissuade him and secretly writes "Blackie" on his car in lipstick as a tracking method.
• Blackie knows he is being lured into a trap—"Perfect. I'll ride right into it." (17:26)—but follows, hoping to uncover the real murderer.

8. Showdown & The Truth Revealed

• [19:13–23:53]
  • Faraday catches up and, reluctantly, allows Blackie to interrogate a thug, extracting the address of 47 Willis Street.
  • At 47 Willis, they find Jeter (Wolfe's secretary), who, it turns out, orchestrated the frame. Blackie reveals:
    • Jeter sent Janice to stage suicide and connect Blackie to Wolf just before killing Wolf himself.
    • Jeter’s "dopey" persona was an act; he wanted to take over Wolf's racket.
    • Janice (the maid), thinking she’d been double-crossed, bursts in demanding her $500 fee, further cementing Jeter’s guilt.
• Inspector Faraday: "You're coming down to headquarters for questioning... to a charge of murder. I know when I've found my man." (23:47–23:50)

9. Resolution and Final Twist

• [24:06–end] Blackie and Mary wrap up. Blackie jokes about his worry that Faraday found him too easily.
• Mary confesses: "I dropped [my purse] so that I could use my lipstick to write the word Blackie on that nice cream colored car of yours." (24:38–24:47)
• Blackie, laughing: "You mean I drove down the street with the word Blackie written on the side of my car in lipstick? ... Well, maybe, Mary, but that's getting it the hard way." (24:51–24:54)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Blackie’s Warning to Wolfe
  • "Leave certain friends of mine alone, or I'll not only break your racket but your neck along with it." (07:34–07:46)
• Faraday Dismisses Blackie's Innocence
  • "This is one time Blackie's talked himself into a charge of murder." (09:58)
• Mary’s Resourcefulness
  • "I dropped [my purse] so I could use my lipstick to write the word Blackie on… your car." (24:38)
• Blackie's Humor
  • "I was just thinking about you. Or rather, I was thinking about absolutely nothing. And that's the same thing." (10:36–10:42)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------|------------| | Suicide attempt introduction | 00:54–01:40| | Blackie visits Oscar Wolfe | 06:34–08:25| | Wolfe is found dead | 08:54–12:02| | Blackie’s theories | 13:09–14:39| | Hazleton purse clue | 14:39–16:39| | Blackie trails Janice | 16:49–18:29| | Car chase & confrontation | 19:13–21:00| | The trap at 47 Willis | 21:18–23:53| | Mary’s lipstick trick | 24:33–24:54|

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Tone & Style

The episode brims with snappy, sardonic dialogue, energetic banter, and rapid plot twists typical of 1940s detective dramas. Blackie is clever and cocky, the supporting cast blends subtle comedy and genre tropes, and the conclusion delivers both justice and a wink at the audience.

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In short, this is a finely-plotted detective story featuring a dangerous frame-up, tightly executed investigation, and sly humor, all delivered with the punchy style of classic radio’s golden age.

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]

It.

[Shorty]

Sure is a nice day, isn't it, Ms. Wesley?

[Mary Wesley]

Now, how can you tell, Tom, all.

[Janice Larson]

You do is go up and down.

[Mary Wesley]

In the elevator all day long.

[Boston Blackie]

When I'm on the main floor, I can sneak a look out the front.

[Announcer]

Door to keep myself posted.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I see.

[Boston Blackie]

Here's your floor, Ms. Wesley.

[Mary Wesley]

Thank you.

[Janice Larson]

When Mr. Boston Blackie arrives, bring him.

[Mary Wesley]

Right up, will you?

[Boston Blackie]

Sure will.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Tom.

[Janice Larson]

Tom, quick, come in.

[Inspector Faraday]

Holy mattress.

[Janice Larson]

Jump, Jump. Jump.

[Mary Wesley]

Please.

[Shorty]

Wesley, grab her, quick. I'm coming.

[Janice Larson]

Get away from that window.

[Shorty]

Get away from me.

[Janice Larson]

Let go of me. Let out much longer.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm coming.

[Janice Larson]

Let me tell.

[Boston Blackie]

Please.

[Janice Larson]

My brother. You have no choice of family. Well, you shouldn't have stopped me.

[Shorty]

You shouldn't. You shouldn't.

[Inspector Faraday]

25 stories, lady.

[Shorty]

In town all the way.

[Mary Wesley]

Let's take you to my apartment.

[Shorty]

Yes, ma'.

[Boston Blackie]

Am.

[Inspector Faraday]

Good thing we got here.

[Janice Larson]

No, you've just postponed it. I tell you, I've got to die.

[Boston Blackie]

Now.

[Announcer]

Meet Richard Kalmer's Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, Friend to those who have no friend.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, I'm glad you're here. I couldn't do a thing with it.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all right, Mary. Maybe I can do something.

[Shorty]

Anything I can do.

[Boston Blackie]

Be a nice boy, shorty. Nice and quiet.

[Shorty]

Oh, sure, boss.

[Boston Blackie]

Mary, what's this girl's name? I don't know.

[Mary Wesley]

She won't tell me.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Mary, Mr. Whatever your name is.

[Janice Larson]

Oh, please, I want to die. Can't you let me alone?

[Boston Blackie]

Look, nothing can be as bad as all that.

[Janice Larson]

Please let me go.

[Boston Blackie]

When you're all right, we'll let you go.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm all right now.

[Boston Blackie]

Jump out the window again. Oh, no, please.

[Janice Larson]

I want to die. I have to die.

[Boston Blackie]

Won't you tell us your name? No Looking up her, Mary. And see if you can find a name and address.

[Mary Wesley]

All right? You don't understand, either one of you.

[Boston Blackie]

We understand perfectly. That's why we want to help you.

[Mary Wesley]

No one can help me. Life is a doable bird. Ooh, no wonder it's a haven.

[Boston Blackie]

What about identification?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, well, there doesn't seem to be much of anything in it. This card.

[Boston Blackie]

Let's see it.

[Mary Wesley]

There's a name written on it in pencil. Oscar Wolfe. Up here.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, miss, what's your name? Are you Mrs. Oscar Wolf?

[Shorty]

No.

[Mary Wesley]

If you must know, my name Larson. Mrs. Janice Larson. Say, bored, boy?

[Boston Blackie]

Just a minute, shorty. Look, Mrs. Larson, what's your connection with Oscar Wolfe?

[Janice Larson]

He's the reason that I.

[Shorty]

That I.

[Boston Blackie]

In words. Then he's making trouble for you.

[Shorty]

That guy Wolf makes trouble for everybody, boss.

[Boston Blackie]

You know him, Julie, that's what I've.

[Shorty]

Been trying to tell you.

[Janice Larson]

Please let me go, will you?

[Boston Blackie]

Not yet. Try to keep it quiet, will you, Mary? Thanks, Shorty. How do you happen to know Oscar Wolf?

[Shorty]

Well, I guess I shouldn't have said nothing, Blackie, but me and my pals are gonna take care of Wolf our own way.

[Boston Blackie]

Now wait a minute, short one. You know better than to get in trouble again.

[Shorty]

Yeah. What me and my pals are figuring out doing to this Wolf ain't no trouble, boss. That's a pleasure.

[Boston Blackie]

You let me handle Wolf for you.

[Shorty]

No, no, no. Thanks, boss.

[Boston Blackie]

Where can I see him, Shorty?

[Shorty]

Now look, please, boss, stay away from him, will you?

[Boston Blackie]

Mrs. Lawson, maybe you'll be able to tell me where I can get in touch with Mr. Wolf.

[Mary Wesley]

I can't tell you.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, Shorty.

[Shorty]

Blackie, do I have to?

[Boston Blackie]

What's his address?

[Shorty]

Well, all right. Got an office in a hollow building, number 2121. But that's just the front.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks, Rudy. And Mrs. Larson, cheer up. When I find out what's behind that front, I'll be back.

[Shorty]

Take the phone, take a letter to Mr. Robert Hyman. Dear Mr. Hyman, how are you? I am fine. I am fine, period.

[Boston Blackie]

Cellar calling.

[Shorty]

It'S not a regular profession. Now let's see how it comes back. Say, you push the best part needle back.

[Announcer]

So.

[Shorty]

Take the phone, take a letter to Mr. Robert Hyman. Dear Mr. Hyman, how are you? What? Peter. Ah, hiya, Mr. Wolfe. How many times have I told you not to play with that dictaphone? Oh, Mr. Wolf, it's fun.

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, I've been buzzing you on the.

[Shorty]

Inter office phone for a whole minute. Couldn't you hear me? Was that what the buzzing was, Mr. Wolf? I'm sorry. Listen, we're having a visitor in a few minutes. Yeah, Boston Blackie? Yeah, he phoned from downstairs. He's on his way up. Yeah. Do you have to answer?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, yeah.

[Shorty]

To everything I say? Yeah. Listen, I don't know why Boston Blackie suddenly wants to see me, but I have a good idea. Probably find out what we're up to. Yeah, all right. Maybe Blackie knows nothing, so no rough stuff unless it's necessary. When you say the word, Mr. Wolf, I'm gonna let you Decide when and if this Blackie needs your attention. When he comes in, send him right into my office. You sit here at your desk and listen in through the inter office telephone, understand?

[Boston Blackie]

Sure.

[Shorty]

And don't take time off to play with that dictaphone. No, listen, then on you will be just as much fun. All right. If what Blackie talks to me about hits too close to home, you come into my office and get rid of him. Rough stuff maybe, huh? Only if necessary, understand? Yes. That's probably Blankie on the hall. Now wait a minute and then send him into my office.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah?

[Boston Blackie]

Mr. Wolf.

[Shorty]

Come in.

[Boston Blackie]

It's after Walt's office. Yeah, I'm Boston Blackie, I just phoned and made an appointment. Mr. Wolfe.

[Shorty]

Go right in, he's waiting for you.

[Announcer]

Thanks.

[Shorty]

The door right there.

[Boston Blackie]

Thank you. Ms. Wolf.

[Shorty]

Come in, come in.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm Boston Blackie.

[Shorty]

And to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?

[Boston Blackie]

It may not be a pleasure, Wolf. You know you look very familiar to me.

[Shorty]

I get out and arose.

[Boston Blackie]

I think you mean in and out, Wolf, in and out of jail.

[Shorty]

I've never been in jail, not under.

[Boston Blackie]

The name of Otka Wolf.

[Shorty]

What do you mean?

[Boston Blackie]

I came here with the idea that I was going to talk to a semi legitimate businessman about some clients of his. I didn't know I was going to talk to you. You don't have clients, you have victims.

[Shorty]

Well, go ahead.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Wolf, I don't know what your racket is, but that's only because I haven't bothered to check into it yet.

[Shorty]

Is this the beginning of a threat?

[Boston Blackie]

That depends on you. It might only be a warning. But leave certain friends of mine alone or I'll not only break your racket but your neck along with it.

[Shorty]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Boston Blackie]

But you know what I mean, don't you?

[Shorty]

You propose violence to put an end to my business.

[Boston Blackie]

And to you too, Wolf.

[Shorty]

Are you suggesting, Blackie, that you'll go so far as to kill me?

[Boston Blackie]

Why not? Nobody'd miss you. Except the people you're on death with make happen.

[Shorty]

You entertain rather morbid thoughts.

[Boston Blackie]

I am the entertaining type. But don't let these friends of mine have any more trouble with you, Wolf. That's all I've got to say.

[Shorty]

I still don't know what. Yes he is, but I think he's leaving.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I guess I am.

[Shorty]

Goodbye, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

If I were you, I'd keep hoping this is goodbye.

[Shorty]

Well, Peter, I'm glad you didn't forget to listen in on the Inter office phone. I did more than that, Mr. Wolf. I not only listened, I took down everything he said on a Dictaphone. Won't you ever stop playing with that Dictaphone? Oh, boys, it was fun. Now I got something else to listen to besides the decephone coming back to me.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, where's the guy who calls himself Jada?

[Shorty]

Here, you want to talk to me, huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. When you came into this office this morning, you find your boss's body, huh?

[Shorty]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

Did you know Oscar Wolf was really Teddy pascal?

[Shorty]

He was, Mr. Wolf.

[Inspector Faraday]

You look dumb enough to believe that. Who's been gunning for him lately?

[Shorty]

Nobody.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come on, come on. A guy like Wolf has guys waiting for him in every corner. Who could have come in here and let Wolf have it?

[Shorty]

A man came in here yesterday and said he would like to kill Mr. Wolf.

[Inspector Faraday]

Know the man's name?

[Shorty]

Question Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

No.

[Shorty]

No.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't believe it. This is one time I won't be talked into thinking Blackie killed a guy.

[Shorty]

I have a sycophone record that talks back to Blackie and Mr. Wolf.

[Inspector Faraday]

You better talk sense. You won't believe me.

[Shorty]

Listen. Play it way.

[Boston Blackie]

Now, listen.

[Shorty]

Are you suggesting, Blackie, that you'll go so far as to kill me?

[Boston Blackie]

Why not? Nobody miss you except the people your death would make happy.

[Shorty]

You entertain rather morbid thoughts.

[Inspector Faraday]

Stop that thing.

[Boston Blackie]

Good.

[Shorty]

Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

That was Blackie talking, all right. This is one time Blackie's talked himself into a charge of murder.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't think Wolf will bother you again, Shoney.

[Shorty]

Oh, me and the boys are seeing to that, Blackie. In fact, we might have seen to it already.

[Boston Blackie]

Huh? What does that mean?

[Shorty]

Nothing. Nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

Shorty, if you're up to anything, I'll get it. Probably the laundry. See if my fountain pen's in the bedroom, will you, Shorty? I've been missing it.

[Shorty]

Oh, sure, Paul.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, all right, all right. Now, what do you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, Inspector Faraday, I suppose I have to invite you in.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll come in anyhow.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm sure of that. I was just thinking about you. Or rather, I was thinking about absolutely nothing. And that's the thing. Same thing.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't try any tricks now, Blackie. This time I've got you on a murder app. You'll never be. You're coming with me.

[Boston Blackie]

No, no, not again. Put that gun away, Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come back here. I'll shoot.

[Boston Blackie]

Then go ahead and shoot. I'm going into the bedroom and lie down. I'm tired, and mostly of you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie.

[Shorty]

Sir.

[Inspector Faraday]

Help me. Open that door. I'll let you have it. Unlock that door, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

I can hardly wait.

[Shorty]

Who did I kill this time?

[Inspector Faraday]

Inspector Teddy Pascal, alias Oscar Wolf. Teddy Pascal, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

You might seen that face somewhere before.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, then you admit you went to see him.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, I saw him. What did I do, forget to pay admission?

[Inspector Faraday]

You threatened to kill him, Blackie, and you're dead.

[Boston Blackie]

Did that puff brain sidekick of his hear anything I said to Wolf?

[Inspector Faraday]

He not only heard it, wise guy, he made a recording of it.

[Boston Blackie]

Every word.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's why I'm taking you in for the murder of Oscar Wolf.

[Boston Blackie]

Sorry, Inspector, but I have other plans.

[Inspector Faraday]

The only thing you'll be able to plan from now on is a jailbreak, chum. Because I've got the goods on you this time.

[Shorty]

All right, Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

I gave you the warning to open that door.

[Shorty]

Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie.

[Shorty]

Yeah. Oh.

[Inspector Faraday]

What's the idea of scaring me like that? You know I missed on purpose. But next time I won't. And on purpose. Open up. Okay, that's better. Come out with your hands up.

[Mary Wesley]

I ain't done nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure.

[Inspector Faraday]

Do you mean to tell me I've been talking to you?

[Shorty]

Yeah, me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Where's Blackie?

[Shorty]

Well, a minute ago, he all of a sudden got tired of convoicing with you, and I tailed it out the back way.

[Announcer]

Now, back to boston blackie. When a woman who later identified herself as Janice Larsen tried to commit suicide, she was stopped by Mary Wesley, Boston Blackie's girlfriend. Blackie discovered that a man named Oscar Wolf was the cause of the woman's difficulties. Wolf, it seems, had also been making trouble for Shorty, Blackie's longtime friend. So Blackie saw Wolf, threatened him and left. Later, Wolf was found dead. When Inspector Faraday began to investigate, he found that Wolf's assistant had made a recording of the conversation between Wolf and Blackie. Rarity went to Blackie's apartment to make an arrest, but Blackie escaped. It is late the same afternoon and Blackie is sitting on a park bench with Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

What are you thinking about, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Not what I ought to be thinking about at a time like this in a place like this. You'll forgive me, won't you, Mary? Well.

[Mary Wesley]

All the same, we aren't just going to sit here and count ages, are we?

[Boston Blackie]

No, no, no. I've been doing some thinking.

[Mary Wesley]

About what?

[Boston Blackie]

About what saps we were to fall for that Larson woman's story. On account of it, I've had to duck Faraday's cops for hours.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Blackie, it Seems so real.

[Boston Blackie]

If the story she told was real, why isn't the woman real too? There's no such person as Jennifer Janice Lawson. A telephone book or a city director.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, then she just gave a false name. Under the circumstances, I don't blame him.

[Boston Blackie]

She's tied up with Wolf's death. In fact, I have two theories about Wolf's murder.

[Mary Wesley]

Two?

[Boston Blackie]

Shorty and his underworld pals were considering some kind of action against Wolf.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, you don't think Shorty and his friends might have killed him?

[Boston Blackie]

I hope I'm wrong, but until I find Shorty, I have to think so.

[Mary Wesley]

You said you had two theories.

[Boston Blackie]

My other guess is that Janice Lawson's attempt at suicide was a phony and the beginning of a plot to frame me for Wolf's murder.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, darling, what makes you think so?

[Boston Blackie]

Isn't it just a little more than coincidence that Oscar Wolfe was killed a few hours after I threatened him? Oh, yes, and isn't it peculiar that Wolf's dumb assistant makes a recording of everything I said?

[Shorty]

What?

[Mary Wesley]

You said he was just like an overgrown kid with a new toy.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, all I know is Faraday is going to hunt through this town till he finds me. If he has to start using a vacuum cleaner. And I have to find Mrs. Larson before he finds me.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, Mrs. Larson had a Hazleton purse.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, that certainly helps.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, of course it does, silly. Hazelton purses are custom made by the B.J. hazelton Company. I don't think they make more than 40 or 50 a year.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, if we can describe Mrs. Lawson's purse, the Hazleton Company might tell us where we can get a hold of her.

[Mary Wesley]

I should think so.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, come on, let's get down to Hazleton's. You may have the answer, right?

[Mary Wesley]

Do you think so?

[Boston Blackie]

If we can get some information on the bag. This thing may be in the bag. Fourth floor, please.

[Mary Wesley]

So far so bad, huh, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, we found out from Hazelton that just two people bought a bag like the one we described, not 20.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, but the first woman we went to see wasn't our Mrs. Larson.

[Boston Blackie]

Then this has got to be.

[Mary Wesley]

What if it isn't?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, not to even think about that.

[Mary Wesley]

Here we are, apartment 411.

[Boston Blackie]

Cross your fingers, Mary. This is better.

[Announcer]

Be it.

[Mary Wesley]

They've crossed the heart. They ache. Bring the buzzer.

[Boston Blackie]

What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Wednesday evening.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes?

[Boston Blackie]

We'd like to speak to the lady of the house.

[Mary Wesley]

She isn't in.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey, don't close the door just yet. We'll Come in and wait.

[Mary Wesley]

She's out of town, Chief. We'll be back for a moment.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks. In that case, we won't wait.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, what are we going to do?

[Shorty]

I don't know.

[Boston Blackie]

Come on.

[Mary Wesley]

Maybe we better go back and ask if he a picture of that woman.

[Boston Blackie]

Say, Mary, did it seem to you that that maid at the door was nervous? Yes, I noticed that she should be. She is the woman we're looking for. She's Janice Lawson, Blackie.

[Mary Wesley]

You're right. Of course you are. I wondered why she almost closed the door as soon as she saw us.

[Boston Blackie]

But I got a good look at her before she did.

[Mary Wesley]

And I see now how she got her expensive clothes in that Hazleton's purse. She borrowed them from the woman who lives in that apartment.

[Boston Blackie]

And she picked your building in your floor to stage a suicide. She was hired by someone planning to kill Wolf. The whole thing is a frame.

[Mary Wesley]

Then Shorty didn't kill Mr. Wolf.

[Boston Blackie]

Shorty may still be mixed up in this some way.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, let's go back and talk to that maid.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, no, no, no. I'm leaving her alone until tomorrow night.

[Mary Wesley]

Tomorrow night? Thursday.

[Boston Blackie]

Thursday, my sweet. That's maid night Out.

[Mary Wesley]

Hi, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Get in the car, Mary. Too bad you didn't get back sooner. I was just listening to the police on the radio. Guess what? After two days, they're still looking for me.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm so surprised.

[Shorty]

Move over.

[Boston Blackie]

Convenient instruments. Order radios.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, the maid is in that drug store. And she's doing just what you thought, Frankie. She's telephony. She knows that we've been following her.

[Boston Blackie]

Close the door. She may come out in a minute and drive off.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay. I got close enough to the telephone booth to hear part of what she was saying. She's going out to meet her friends and she has told them that you were following her.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, this is working out better than I thought.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie. No, it isn't. They apparently told her to let you follow it. I'll set a trap for you.

[Boston Blackie]

Perfect. I'll ride right into it.

[Mary Wesley]

No, Blackie, no, you can't.

[Boston Blackie]

No, I'm pretty sure I can. Don't you see, Mary? If that maid is leading me into a trap, she also is leading me to Oscar Wolf's killer.

[Mary Wesley]

And also to an early grave.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe, but cemeteries are so pretty this time of year.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, they'll be waiting for you. You don't know when or where. Now that they know you suspect them, there's no telling what they'll do to you.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Mary, I'm glad you're worried about me. I wouldn't like it any other way. But unless I follow this girl, I'll have Faraday following me the rest of my life. Now, that's a repulsive thought.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, if you must trail this girl, then call the inspector and have him go with you.

[Boston Blackie]

Mary, if I called Faraday, I'd have to go with him. But you're right about the danger, honey. I think I better solo from here on.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, please, please, will you get Faraday?

[Boston Blackie]

Why do you think I left my own car at home and rented this cream colored jalopy? I don't want Faraday near me.

[Mary Wesley]

Please don't do this, darling.

[Boston Blackie]

Honey, I have to. Now be a good girl and go home. I'll call you as soon as I have this thing cleared up.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, you. You're such a fool.

[Boston Blackie]

Go ahead, Mary, please. A fool then, huh? Out.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll say I'm getting out. Oh. Oh, my goodness, my purse. I dropped it.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, you dropped your purse. Wait a minute, I'll come around and pick it up for you.

[Janice Larson]

I can pick up my own purse, thank you.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, better do it quickly then. Our girlfriend, the maid, is coming out of the drugstore.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, please, will you change your mind and call Faraday?

[Boston Blackie]

Not a chance. I won't call him and he has no way of finding me.

[Mary Wesley]

No. If I were you, Blackie, I wouldn't be quite so sure.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, brother, another red light.

[Inspector Faraday]

Give me a lift, Bun. Sorry, I don't yell for no cops or this gun will go off in your middle.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, you came along sooner than I thought you would.

[Inspector Faraday]

You gotta go light.

[Shorty]

Get going.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure. Okay. Where to?

[Inspector Faraday]

Just keep following that car.

[Boston Blackie]

With pleasure.

[Inspector Faraday]

And with me, Go left at this crossroads. I got a gun on you, see?

[Boston Blackie]

I'd rather watch the road than the rod joke.

[Shorty]

Glad you told me. And it's a cop car in back of it. Can't warn us, but don't give no.

[Inspector Faraday]

Signals when he passes.

[Boston Blackie]

Signals? You mean like dropping my handkerchief?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, somebody to break that cop. And cut the door.

[Boston Blackie]

How unfortunate.

[Shorty]

What is it?

[Boston Blackie]

That we have company.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, blankie, don't try any tricks. I got a gun on you, Inspector Faraday.

[Boston Blackie]

Why, everybody has a gun on me, Even my little playmate here.

[Inspector Faraday]

Grab him on the other side, Monahan.

[Boston Blackie]

Got him.

[Shorty]

Why do you go with me?

[Inspector Faraday]

I got a permit. Sure, sure. Come on, Blackie, you and your partner are going down to headquarters.

[Boston Blackie]

Not till I finish what I started.

[Inspector Faraday]

You were finished when you killed Oscar Wolfe.

[Boston Blackie]

I Didn't kill Wolf. And thanks to you, my one clue to Wolf's real kill.

[Inspector Faraday]

I got away. Oh, Starling, come on.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Faraday, give me 60 seconds alone in this car with my pal here, and I'll find out who Wolf's killer.

[Inspector Faraday]

Really is and have you drive away. Nothing doing.

[Boston Blackie]

All right.

[Shorty]

Here.

[Boston Blackie]

Here are the keys to this car, ignition and everything.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't know why I listened to you, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Because if you don't, you won't know anything.

[Shorty]

Let me out of here.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, no, pal. Oh, no. You and I are going to sit here and play patty cake. Faraday, you and Monahan take a little walk, will you?

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you going to do?

[Boston Blackie]

Give my pal here 20 seconds to tell me where I can find Wolf's killer.

[Inspector Faraday]

What if he won't talk?

[Boston Blackie]

He'll talk, Faraday, or it'll be a week before he can move his jaw again. That mug said Wolf's killer was at 47 Willis street and this is 47 Willis Street. All right, let's open the door.

[Inspector Faraday]

How did you do that?

[Boston Blackie]

It was extremely difficult. I turned the knob. Wait a minute. Adhesive tape is coming off my knuckles. My pal's jaw was a little hard.

[Inspector Faraday]

Look, if that door was unlocked, we're not on the trail of any killer. A killer doesn't hide out in an unlocked house.

[Boston Blackie]

He may have been expecting someone. You know. You? Yes. He expected me to be following a girl named Janice Lawson.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who is she?

[Boston Blackie]

The girl I was following. And not for the reason you think. She probably screamed when she heard the siren on your car. Janet. Sh. What did I tell you?

[Inspector Faraday]

A voice came from that room there.

[Boston Blackie]

Let's go. Not so fast, Janet. Unless he thinks it's Janice, he may duck out the back way. Come on, open the door, quick.

[Shorty]

Who's that? It's Janice.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, Faraday, let's go.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, don't move.

[Shorty]

Hey, what is this?

[Boston Blackie]

Hey, Faraday, look who's here. It's Jeter, Oscar Wilde's secretary.

[Shorty]

Hey, Inspector Fardy.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, aren't you going to say hello to me? Or did you expect me to arrive with less official company?

[Inspector Faraday]

What's this guy got to do with killing Wolf?

[Boston Blackie]

Check on Wolf and you'll find he was the boss of a very high paying racket.

[Inspector Faraday]

I've already checked. He was hijacking drugstore supplies and selling them to anybody who'd take a chance.

[Boston Blackie]

And this guy Jeter wanted to boss the racket himself.

[Inspector Faraday]

He's too dumb for that.

[Shorty]

I wouldn't hurt Mr. Wolf. He was Nice to me.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't start putting on that act again, Jeter. No dope could have planned to frame me into Wolf's kill as well as you did. First you sent that Lawson girl up to Mary's apartment house to pretend suicide, then to tell me a phony story so I'd come down to see Wolf.

[Shorty]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I do. When I told you, Trick, you made a recording of everything I said to Wolf, which just about cinched the case against me. When what you had on that record sounded like condemning evidence against me, you shot and killed Wolf.

[Shorty]

You don't make any sense.

[Inspector Faraday]

It seemed kind of funny to me that you'd have a record of Blackie's voice was too pat. I don't say this proves you killed Wolf, but you're coming to headquarters for questioning.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't yell, Jeter. Just say come in. Let's get behind the door and stab it quick.

[Shorty]

Come in.

[Mary Wesley]

Peter, something awful has happened. Blackie stopped following me and I had a duck. Some guy.

[Shorty]

Who are you?

[Mary Wesley]

What do you mean, who am I? You owe me $500.

[Shorty]

I never seen you before me life.

[Mary Wesley]

You never saw me before. You hired me to put on an act in that apartment building for you so you could get Boston Blackie into your boss's office. That's it.

[Boston Blackie]

Barnie, you fool.

[Shorty]

Why didn't you keep your mask shut? All right, lady.

[Inspector Faraday]

You too, Jeter. You're coming down to headquarters still.

[Boston Blackie]

Only for questioning, Inspector, for answering Blackie.

[Inspector Faraday]

To a charge of murder. I know when I found my man.

[Boston Blackie]

My congratulations, Inspector, for the brilliant way you found him.

[Mary Wesley]

You seem very happy tonight, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm a little puzzled though, Mary, and worried.

[Mary Wesley]

Worried? About Shorty?

[Boston Blackie]

No, no, no. I found Shorty. He and his friends had nothing to do with Wolf's death. And the reason I couldn't find Shorty before is that he was looking for me.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, then what are you worried about?

[Boston Blackie]

The way Faraday managed to find me when I was trailing the maid's car. He's getting too smart.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh. Oh, Blackie, I'm afraid I have a confession to make.

[Boston Blackie]

A confession?

[Shorty]

Uh huh.

[Mary Wesley]

You remember when I accidentally dropped my purse?

[Boston Blackie]

Accidentally?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, it wasn't accidentally. I dropped it so that I could use my lipstick to write the word Blackie on that nice cream colored car of yours.

[Boston Blackie]

You mean I drove down the street with the word Blackie written on the side of my car in lipstick?

[Mary Wesley]

Sure. Don't you like Blackie in lipstick?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, maybe, Mary, but that's getting it the hard way.