Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case 10/25/1945

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case" (October 25, 1945)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Boston Blackie: Richard's Diamond Case
Air Date (Original): October 25, 1945
Date of Podcast Release: March 21, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Overview

This episode of "Boston Blackie" drops listeners into a classic whodunit from the golden age of radio. Blackie, a clever detective with a knack for trouble, becomes both a suspect and investigator in the murder of John Richards, who was killed during the attempted theft of a valuable diamond. Meanwhile, Blackie's friend Mary Wesley faces a crisis of her own—her dog Mutzie is slated for destruction after being accused of biting a man for the third time. The cases intertwine as Blackie tries to clear both his and Mutzie’s names by exposing the real criminal.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Setup: Diamond and Danger

[00:39]

• John Richards has a rare diamond and asks Boston Blackie, a known diamond expert, to authenticate it.
• Mary Wesley voices concern over letting anyone know about the diamond’s presence, fearing for their safety.

2. A Murder and an Accusation

[01:25]

• During a phone conversation, a commotion occurs, and John Richards is shot.

• Before dying, Richards claims Boston Blackie shot him, setting up Blackie as the prime suspect.

  Shorty: "He came in the door for the diamond. I shot him in the shoulder." (01:52)

3. Blackie in the Frame

[03:23]

• Inspector Faraday wastes no time in accusing Blackie, noting his bullet wound as damning evidence.

• Blackie maintains his innocence and tries to concoct an alibi involving a gun accident at Charlie Kingston's apartment.

  Faraday: "You're not gonna wisecrack your way out of this one, Blackie. I know you're at Richard's house. I know you stole the diamond from him. And I know he shot you before you shot him." (04:15)

4. The Dog in the Dilemma

[08:04]

• Mary’s dog Mutzie is at risk of being euthanized for biting a man named Robert Washburn, allegedly for the third time.

• Mary and Blackie attempt to persuade Washburn to withdraw the complaint. Blackie notices something odd: Washburn's bandaged hand shows no pain when shaken.

  Blackie: "I squeezed it as hard as I could and he didn't wince. That means Mutzy never bit him." (11:21)

5. Following the Diamond Trail

[14:02]

• Blackie confronts Mrs. Richards, who suspiciously has the missing diamond herself.

• Faraday arrives, arrests Blackie, and takes the diamond as evidence.

  Mrs. Richards: "This is the man who killed my husband." (15:04)

6. A Canine Clue

[17:51]

• In a pivotal moment, Mutzie runs off, leading Blackie and Mary to a buried jacket with a bullet hole and blood stain—the real perpetrator’s clothing.
• They trace the jacket via a cleaner’s tag to Johnson Cleaners and get an address: Robert Washburn's.

7. The Reveal: The Real Culprit

[21:14]

• Faraday visits Washburn’s home, unknowingly meets the butler but is tipped off by Blackie. Blackie realizes that the butler is actually Washburn in disguise.

• Washburn, not Blackie, has the gunshot wound (evidence that he struggled with Richards and was shot by him, not vice versa).

  Blackie: "Washburn slugged me as I was leaving Richard's house last night. Then he tried to rob Richards, only Richards didn't want to be robbed and shot first." (21:37)

  Faraday: "Washburn switched with the butler… Grab the guy pretending to be the butler and you'll have Washburn, bullet wound and all." (23:33)

8. Justice For All—Including Mutzie

[24:02]

• Faraday confirms Blackie’s theory: Washburn confesses, and his wound matches the crime scene.
• Mary's dog is exonerated, and Blackie cracks the case.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Blackie’s wit with Inspector Faraday

  Boston Blackie: "It was a good morning, so you came along, Inspector. Pull up a straight jacket and make yourself at home." (03:58)

• Faraday’s determination

  Faraday: "Now, Blackie. I knew the day would come and I really had you cold, and this is it. I'll take that diamond. I'll have one of my men take you down to headquarters. Well, where's your sense of humor, Blackie? No joke about the electric chair." (15:16)

• Clever deduction about the dog bite

  Boston Blackie: "I squeezed it as hard as I could and he didn't wince. That means Mutzy never bit him." (11:21)

• Lovable banter

  Mary Wesley: "Oh, Blackie, I'm so happy. Think I'm nuts, Mutzy? Mutzie, don't scratch the floor like that, please." (24:29)

  Boston Blackie: "After what he's done for us, we're gonna see that tonight Mutzi is one dog who is going to put on the dog." (24:49)

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Segment Timestamps

• [00:39] – Start of Richards’ diamond affair; Blackie’s involvement
• [01:25] – Murder and Mary’s phone call
• [03:23] – Inspector Faraday confronts Blackie about the shooting
• [08:04] – Mary and Blackie discuss Mutzie’s accused biting incident
• [11:21] – Blackie discovers Washburn faked the dog bite
• [14:02] – Blackie confronts Mrs. Richards, is arrested
• [17:51] – Mutzie finds the buried jacket evidence
• [21:14] – Jacket traced to Washburn via cleaner’s mark
• [23:33] – Faraday unknowingly meets Washburn disguised as a butler
• [24:02] – Case closes: Blackie and Mutzie are cleared

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Tone and Style

The episode brims with brisk, witty dialogue, classic detective genre elements, and humorous banter between Blackie and Faraday. Blackie’s sarcasm, the earnestness of Mary, and the dog Mutzie add light-hearted charm and suspense in equal measure.

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Listen For

• Smart clues: Blackie’s deduction based on shaking Washburn’s bandaged hand.
• Banter: The constant wisecracking between Blackie and Faraday.
• Intertwined plots: The way Mutzie’s case and the diamond theft overlap.
• Classic OTR pacing: The rapid sequence of cliffhangers and reveals.

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This episode serves as a stellar example of old-time radio detective storytelling—complete with red herrings, clever twists, and a satisfying conclusion where the good guy (and his dog) come out on top.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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]

John, who was that man who just left?

[Shorty]

Boston Blackie. Myra. I want him to look at the diamond I'm buying tomorrow.

[Mary Wesley]

John, you shouldn't have done that. Why?

[Shorty]

Boston Blackie is a diamond expert. I want to be sure I'm getting the real thing before I pay for it.

[Boston Blackie]

After all, I don't want to put

[Shorty]

$75,000 in a piece of glass.

[Mary Wesley]

John, you shouldn't have let anyone know you have the diamond until you can put it in the vault.

[Shorty]

A Boston Blackie can be trusted, Myra. Besides, I had this in my pocket all the time.

[Mary Wesley]

Put that gun away, John. It scares me.

[Shorty]

All right, dear, but don't worry about anything. Blackie's the only one in town who knows a diamond is here.

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know why you sucked in. I still wish you'd. Oh, that's probably Carolyn on the phone. Shall I tell her we'll join them for dinner tomorrow night?

[Shorty]

Yes, why not? Tell her we'd be glad to. And while you're talking, I'll make out a list of people I. I might turn this diamond over.

[Mary Wesley]

All right, dear. Hello? Hello, Myra? Yes, Carolyn. I was expecting you to call. Oh, sorry it had to be so late, but Frank and I just got back from the country. Well, how was it? Wonderful. Myra now. But tomorrow. Oh, my Billy shot. John. John. John. Darry, what happened? What's the matter? Oh, John. John, what is it? What is it? Oh, John, you're hurt.

[Shorty]

He came in the door for the diamond. I shot him in the shoulder.

[Mary Wesley]

I shot him first and he shot. Wait. Who was it, John? Was it Boston Blackie?

[Shorty]

Yes, it heavily. It's summer money time. Yes, it's summer money time. Come to Beneficial. Now it's summer money time. Right now it's summer money time at Beneficial Finance Company. Get the cash you want for a wonderful vacation, to clean up leftover bills

[Boston Blackie]

or for any good reason.

[Shorty]

You'll find the service just a little faster, just a little friendlier, and you get this Beneficial extra. Your own international credit card, good for cash wherever you go. Cash. Just say the word. You're the boss at Beneficial, where it's summer money time. And now meet Dick Kalmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend. Gee, Blackie, it's a good thing that bullet went clean through your Shoulder. You'd have had to see a doc. What did it do, boss?

[Boston Blackie]

Skip a johnny?

[Shorty]

Hey, don't pull the bandage that tight. Oh, I'm sorry, boss. Here, get this.

[Mary Wesley]

Better?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, it's more like it. Shorty, you should have been a doctor.

[Shorty]

Yeah. I'll help you out with your shirt.

[Boston Blackie]

No, I can do it, Shorty. There. That isn't too bad for an invalid, is it? Yeah.

[Mary Wesley]

What tie you want to wear, boss?

[Boston Blackie]

You pick it up.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay. I'll get you that green one.

[Shorty]

Ms. Wesley gave you that.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, that should be Inspector Faraday.

[Shorty]

You want to do a scrum?

[Boston Blackie]

All of us? No. Come in, Faraday. The door isn't locked.

[Shorty]

Well, good morning, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

It was a good morning, so you came along, Inspector. Pull up a straight jacket and make yourself at home.

[Shorty]

Very good, Blackie. How you feeling?

[Boston Blackie]

Fine. You'll be sorry to hear, really.

[Shorty]

Say, what's that pan of water for? Goldfish.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm gonna give them a bath.

[Shorty]

What's the towel there for?

[Boston Blackie]

To dry them. You think I want my goldfish to catch cold?

[Shorty]

All right, Mikey, I'm taking you to headquarters for the murder of John Richards.

[Boston Blackie]

Same old Faraday. Same old routine. The only thing that changes is the corpse and your apologies afterwards.

[Shorty]

You're not gonna wisecrack your way out of this one, Blackie. I know you're at Richard's house. I know you stole a diamond from him. And I know he shot you before you shot him. Because Richard's talked. Before he died, he told his wife he put a slug in his killer.

[Boston Blackie]

Very interesting.

[Shorty]

Why did he hit you, Blacky?

[Boston Blackie]

He didn't.

[Shorty]

Oh, Well, I thought I could bluff you. Congratulations, blankie. Mind if I pat you on the back there?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, hey, that's my shoulder.

[Shorty]

Sure it is. And you jumped just now because you were shot in it last night. That gunshot wound in your shoulder is all the proof I need. Come on.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, so I do have a bullet wound in my shoulder, but not because Richard shot me.

[Shorty]

Well, I suppose you shot yourself.

[Boston Blackie]

As a matter of fact, I did. I was at the Charlie Kingston's apartment last night. I was cleaning one of his guns. It went off accidentally.

[Shorty]

That's alive. Lucky. Now, stop Starling, and let's go.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Faraday, don't be a SAP, will you? If I had killed John Richards, would I be here in my apartment where you could find me?

[Shorty]

Well, maybe not, but I'm going to check on that story about how you got shot.

[Boston Blackie]

Go ahead. Kingston will back me up.

[Shorty]

He better, or I'm Going to back up a paddy wagon and tuck you to sleep in a cell.

[Boston Blackie]

So long, Inspector.

[Shorty]

Yeah, but maybe not for long. Gee, Blackie, why don't you tell me, dad?

[Boston Blackie]

Tell you what, Shorty?

[Mary Wesley]

That you got shot cleaning a gun at Charlie Kingston's?

[Boston Blackie]

Because I don't lie to you, Shorty.

[Mary Wesley]

Huh? Oh, gosh, Blackie. Inspector Friday's gonna check with Kingston, maybe right away.

[Boston Blackie]

I know that. That's why I'm gonna phone Charlie right away. Mabel, get me Trafalgar 19928, will you, like a good girl? I'll do it any way you like, as long as I get the number.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I get it, Bucky. You're gonna tell Charlie Kingston what to say, huh?

[Shorty]

Shorty, you're brilliant.

[Mary Wesley]

I am?

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, Charlie, this is Blackie. Listen, Inspector Faraday is on his way up to see you.

[Shorty]

What for?

[Boston Blackie]

He's gonna ask you how I got a bullet wound in my shoulder. Now, I want you to tell him I got a cleaning a gun in your apartment last night.

[Shorty]

Blackie, you weren't up here last night. Hang up, Kingston. Blackie, don't hang up.

[Boston Blackie]

What was that?

[Shorty]

I thought you were lying to me. Blackie. Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

That's Inspector Faraday. Charlie. Never mind about the alibi. Now hang up.

[Shorty]

All right, but call me back. You thought you could put a fence for it, Blinky?

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, you're getting positively brilliant. Where are you?

[Shorty]

Still in the building, pal. I thought you'd call Kingston to frame that phony alibi, so I cut in on your line from the switchboard down here. I'll see where you are, Bleedy.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure, Inspector.

[Shorty]

I'm coming up there to catch you. And don't try to duck out on me, because I have two men right here in the lobby. Open up, overnight blankie.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm coming, Inspector.

[Shorty]

Farley. Where's Mikey, Shorty?

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie. Who's Blackie?

[Shorty]

Fine. What's that trail of blood doing on the floor? What blood? I don't see no blood. It's going toward the kitchen and the back door. Huh?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, is he?

[Shorty]

He can't get very far with that wound. I'll get him before he can reach the straight.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, Blackie, you can come out of the closet now.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice work, Shawnee.

[Shorty]

I didn't do nothing for us. I just didn't tell him that was ketchup on the floor, not blood.

[Boston Blackie]

Poor old Faraday. I think I'd better go hide out at Mary's for a while, though. Uh. Oh, now what? Now it's too tough For I know that much.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, Blackie. This is Mary.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, Mary, I'm glad you called. You'll have to give me a hand. The police are after me.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, you'll have to give me a hand. Meet me. I'll be in a cab at Washington Road and 45th street because the police are after me too.

[Boston Blackie]

Have I kept you waiting long, Mary?

[Mary Wesley]

30 cents and three gray hairs worth. Rusty.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah? Wait a second. I want to close this window between the driver and us.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay, but hurry.

[Shorty]

There.

[Boston Blackie]

Now we can talk.

[Mary Wesley]

Why are the police after you?

[Boston Blackie]

First let's hear why they're after you.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, it's because of Mutzy here.

[Boston Blackie]

Mutzy? Oh, that nice little pooch. Come up here.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, no, no, no, Blackie, you better stay on the floor.

[Boston Blackie]

What's Mutzy done? Turned a corner without holding out his tail.

[Mary Wesley]

He did a man last night, and he'd bitten people twice before I got him. The state law says if a dog bites people three times, it has to be destroyed. And, Blackie, I just can't let them do that to Mutzie.

[Boston Blackie]

Do you know who put in the complaint about being bitten?

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah. Man named Robert Washburn. That's what he said. Mutzie bit him last night. But, Blackie, wasn't Mutzy with you last

[Boston Blackie]

night for a while? I took him with me when I went to see John Richards.

[Mary Wesley]

Wait a minute. I heard over the radio this morning that John Richards was murdered last night.

[Boston Blackie]

That's why the police are looking for me.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, Blackie is right. The police are looking for a guy with a bullet wound in his shoulder, and I'm the guy.

[Mary Wesley]

Darling, you've been shot.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, but don't ask me how. Right after I got outside Richard's house, somebody slugged me.

[Mary Wesley]

Was Mutzie with you then?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, and he's a fine watchdog. He watched, all right. He watched me get hit over the head. When I came to, I found out I'd been shot in the shoulder.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, but how? And who shot you?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. Unless I walked around in a daze after I was slugged. Actually did try to rob Richardson was shot then.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I guess I better worry about the dog myself. You have more of a problem than I have.

[Shorty]

Oh, no.

[Boston Blackie]

We can't let Mutzi down. We'll go see this watchman and try to get him to withdraw the charge.

[Mary Wesley]

But what do we do with Mutzie? I can't let a policeman see him.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, say, there's a dog show at the stadium. Take him down there and enter him. Nobody will think of looking there for him. Mutzie's a dog, isn't he?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, to tell you the truth, Blackie, sometimes I'm not so sure.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I'd like to see Robert Washman, please.

[Shorty]

Who's calling?

[Boston Blackie]

Ms. Wesley and Boston Blackie.

[Shorty]

I'll see if he's in.

[Boston Blackie]

It's about the dog that bit him.

[Shorty]

Oh, yes. Won't you come in?

[Mary Wesley]

Thank you.

[Shorty]

Right this way.

[Mary Wesley]

Was. Was Mr. Washburn bitten? Badly, do you know?

[Shorty]

I couldn't say, miss. All I know is he was bitten. You know, the dog.

[Mary Wesley]

He's my dog.

[Shorty]

Oh, I'm sorry. You can see Mr. Washburn in the library here.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes?

[Shorty]

The owner of that dog is here to see you, Mr. Washburn. Oh, yes, yes. Have him come in. Go right in.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks. Go ahead, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Thank you, Blackie.

[Shorty]

Oh, two of you? Which one of you?

[Mary Wesley]

It's my dog, Mr. Washburn.

[Shorty]

Oh, sorry I had to run in with him, miss.

[Mary Wesley]

Miss Westley, Mary Wesley. And this is Boston Blackie.

[Shorty]

Oh, yes, yes, Boston Blackie. I've heard of you.

[Boston Blackie]

We were wondering if you'd withdraw your charge against Ms. Wesley's dog, Mr. Washman. You see, the dog is. Bit people twice before. If you won't withdraw the charge, the law of the state says he has to be destroyed.

[Shorty]

Oh, I'm awfully sorry. If I'd known that, I certainly wouldn't have complained. But I did get a rather nasty bite, as you can see by the size of the bandage. And I do use my right hand a lot.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I'm so sorry about that, Mr. Washburn.

[Shorty]

I'm sorry too, Ms. Wesley, but I'm afraid the damage is done. The complaint went right to the police. If I'd only known.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm afraid Mr. Washburn is right, Mary. They're isn't anything he can do now.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I. I guess not.

[Shorty]

No hard feelings?

[Boston Blackie]

None at all, Mr. Watchman. And we'll shake on that.

[Shorty]

Oh, good enough, good enough. Well, goodbye.

[Boston Blackie]

Goodbye.

[Mary Wesley]

Goodbye. Well, guess that's that.

[Boston Blackie]

Mary, did you notice when I shook hands with Washburn, he gave me his bandaged hand.

[Mary Wesley]

So?

[Boston Blackie]

So I squeezed it as hard as I could and he didn't wince. That means Mutzy never bit him.

[Mary Wesley]

But that doesn't make any sense.

[Boston Blackie]

It may make a lot of sense if we can find out why Washburn wants Muxie killed. Look, you go to the dog show and I'll meet you there. I'm gonna see Mrs. Richards and find out who might have Been after her husband's diamond. Then maybe I'll know how I got shot and when I got shot. And who shot.

[Shorty]

Okay, kids, let's get ready to sing the Nationwide Auto Insurance jingle. Hi.

[Boston Blackie]

Hi.

[Shorty]

You're new around here, huh? Say, you know about this Nationwide Auto Insurance we're singing about? I sure do. The best and not expensive.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, yeah.

[Shorty]

Nationwide Auto Insurance gives you all the coverage you need. Oh, Nationwide doesn't cut insurance at real low cost. So good. Over two and a quarter million by Nationwide. Hey, you know a lot about it. Well, I should. I'm a vice president with a company. And you're doing the jingle. Well, I just can't resist singing Nationwide

[Mary Wesley]

all over your best 5 5. Nationwide. Always the best for you and your car.

[Shorty]

And now back to Boston Black. Boston Blackie has been shot in the shoulder. How he doesn't know. What's more, Mary Wesley has a problem too. Her dog, Mutzie is in trouble with the law for biting a man who it is discovered later, has not been bitten. Unable to find the answer to either of these two puzzling problems, Blackie has sent Mary to hide Mutzie at the dog show and has gone to see Mrs. John Richards, wife of a man killed and robbed of a valuable diamond last night. As we continue our story, Blackie is at the door of the Richards Hall.

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[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I'd like to speak to Mrs. Richard, please.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I'm sorry. She's not seeing anyone.

[Boston Blackie]

Tell our Boston Blackie is here. In fact, tell her the two of us are here. Me and this gun. It's all right if I come in now, isn't it?

[Mary Wesley]

Please. Yes, miss.

[Boston Blackie]

That's better. Where's Mrs. Richards?

[Mary Wesley]

She's in the den there.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks. You stay right over there. Don't move and don't scream. You won't be hurt. Now stay way over there and be quiet.

[Mary Wesley]

Hazel. How dare you open the door.

[Boston Blackie]

In case you don't know me, Mrs. Richards, I'm Boston.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, what do you want?

[Boston Blackie]

I did want to ask you a few questions, but I think they're already answered. That's a very lovely diamond you have in your hand, Mrs. Richards.

[Mary Wesley]

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

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, yes, you do. I got a glimpse of it. Open your hands.

[Mary Wesley]

No, no, no, please don't come near me after that.

[Boston Blackie]

Then I'll just have to do it myself. There.

[Shorty]

Drop that gun, Bucky. Drop it.

[Boston Blackie]

All right. Okay. Happy now, Parody?

[Shorty]

You don't know how happy.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Inspector Faraday, I'm so glad you got here when you did it. This is the man who killed my husband.

[Shorty]

I know it, Mrs. Richards.

[Mary Wesley]

And now he has the nerve to come here and. And try to sell me my husband's diamond. You see, he has it in his hand.

[Boston Blackie]

Baraday, I can explain everything. Now, Blackie.

[Shorty]

I knew the day would come and I really had you cold, and this is it. I'll take that diamond. I'll have one of my men take you down to headquarters. Well, where's your sense of humor, Blackie? No joke about the electric chair.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, a very funny joke about the electric chair, Inspector. It's killing me. Well, I made it here, Mary, but I had to slip out of a pair of handcuffs and away from one of Faraday's cops who was taking me to headquarters. How's the dog show, Mary?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know, Blackie. I haven't had a chance to see it.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, they ought to let you see it. You have a dog in it, don't you?

[Mary Wesley]

That's just it. They wouldn't let Mutzie in. I hid him in a trash basket. But, Blackie, I found out something about Mr. Washington. The reason he knew he could have Mutzy killed is that the doorman at my apartment household, him Musty, had already bitten two snakes.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, that explains plenty. Come on, let's get Mutzi and take him with us.

[Mary Wesley]

Where are we going now?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I went to see our friend, Mrs. Richards, and that charming lady turned out to have the diamond she reported stolen from her husband.

[Mary Wesley]

You don't suppose Mrs. Richards killed her husband, do you?

[Shorty]

I don't know.

[Boston Blackie]

Her husband had that diamond and approval, only it wasn't paid for yet. She may have tried to steal it from him and had to kill him when she was caught. It's worth a lot of money, you know.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, here's where much is hidden. Reach down on the papers, William. You'll find them.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay. I haven't out chicken. My feet.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, what a Sweet puppy. Not a bark out of you. And Mr. Washburn said you missed him.

[Boston Blackie]

What do you expect, Mary? Don't you know a biting dog never barks?

[Mary Wesley]

Jackie, you haven't said a word for five minutes. Can't you talk while you drive?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure I can, but I'm thinking about what a crazy mess this is.

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah, it is strange, everything about it. Would you sit still, Mutt, and stop jumping around?

[Boston Blackie]

I wish this case would hold still for a minute. First, I get hit on the head by someone I'd never see. Then I wake up with a bullet hole in my shoulder. And then someone wants your dog killed when he did absolutely nothing.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, and let's not forget Mrs. Richard turning up with a diamond supposedly stolen.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm hoping to clear that little matter up right now. Richard's house is just a few blocks away. Hey, Mutzy, come back here.

[Mary Wesley]

He jumped out of the window. Yeah, I saw him, too. Like to stop him running down that other road? We can catch him, Mutti.

[Boston Blackie]

Let's not catch him, Mary.

[Shorty]

Let's follow him.

[Mary Wesley]

Follow him? Why?

[Boston Blackie]

I won't know why until Mutzy gets where he's going. And then maybe I'll get somewhere in this case myself.

[Mary Wesley]

Mutzie went into the woods right here, Blackie. And there he is. Look, he's digging.

[Boston Blackie]

I hope he hasn't been reading those phony stories about buried treasure, like a year.

[Mary Wesley]

Didn't Mutzy? What are you digging for?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, don't make him stop to answer that now. He's doing all right.

[Mary Wesley]

Look, look. He's pulling something out of that hole.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I'll be. Mary, it's a man's jacket.

[Mary Wesley]

Here, Mutzie. Here, Mutzie boy. Give it to me.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice boy, Mutzie. Nice boy. And maybe nice going.

[Mary Wesley]

Look like it has blood on it.

[Boston Blackie]

And a bullet hole in the left shoulder in just about the same spot I was shot. See? What else? No labels or identification on this jacket anywhere. Should have expected that. But wait, here's something in the sleeve.

[Mary Wesley]

It's like a dry cleaner's tag.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, it is.

[Mary Wesley]

What good is that to us, Blackie? The police are the only ones who can trace cleaner's marks without going all over town.

[Boston Blackie]

I know, but Faraday can use his files and find whose mark this is in 30 minutes. And, Mary, this is one time I'm gonna be glad to let Faraday take me to the cleaner.

[Shorty]

Come in. I've been waiting for you to get back the office. Inspector Paraday. Any trace of Blanket yet? No, but A half hour ago, a boy brought this package. A note. The note says here. Read it. This will give you absolute proof that Boston Blackie killed John Richards. What's in the package? A blood stained jacket with a bullet hole on the left shoulder. Only identification is a cleaner's tag. Well, take the cleaner's tag to the files and check it. I already did, Inspector. It's from the Johnson Taylor Shop, 1157 W. Main St. Okay, thanks. Now, if anyone's looking for me for the next hour, I'll be at the Johnson Taylor shop pressing my case against Boston Blackie. This must be it. Johnson Cleanse, 1157 West Maine.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't move, Faraday. I have a gun in your back.

[Shorty]

Blackie, where did you come from?

[Boston Blackie]

I've been following you all the way from headquarters. Thanks for finding the cleaners for me. Without your help it would have taken me weeks.

[Shorty]

Smart guy, aren't you? You'll be behind bars by morning.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe, but I'm behind this gun. Right now. You'll come inside the cleaners with me and I'm doing the talking, understand?

[Shorty]

Okay, okay.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, go on, go inside and behave yourself.

[Shorty]

So help me, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm doing the talking, pal, remember?

[Shorty]

Something I can do for you gentlemen?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, there is. Mr. Johnson, I'm Inspector Faraday of the police.

[Shorty]

Oh, the police, yes.

[Boston Blackie]

And this is my assistant, Plainclothesman Jones.

[Shorty]

Is that right, Jones? Yes. Say yes, sir, Jones. Yes, sir. Sir.

[Boston Blackie]

Johnson, we've traced a possible murder clue to your store here. This jacket. Isn't that right, Jones?

[Shorty]

Yes, yes, what? Yes, sir. Why, yes, that jacket was cleaned by us. I remember it Now. I can check on who brought it in, but I'll have to look in my book.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, look fast, we don't have much time.

[Shorty]

It's right. Right over here. I see. Yes. Ah, here it is. The address is 915 Brookville Road.

[Boston Blackie]

The name?

[Shorty]

Robert Washburn.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Faraday, I've given you my gun. Now let me go to Washburn's with you.

[Shorty]

So you can mess things up there? Not a chance, Buggy.

[Boston Blackie]

Mess things up? I'm the only one who can straighten them down. Now look, I know the whole story now.

[Shorty]

Yeah, Tell it to me sometime when I can't sleep.

[Boston Blackie]

Barely.

[Shorty]

Get this.

[Boston Blackie]

Washburn slugged me as I was leaving Richard's house last night. Then he tried to rob Richards, only Richards didn't want to be robbed and shot first.

[Shorty]

Who did he shoot? Himself. He's dead, remember?

[Boston Blackie]

He shot Washburn and then Washburn shot and killed him. He didn't wait to grab the diamond he came for.

[Shorty]

He just scrammed, leaving the diamond.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure, sure. That's how Mrs. Richards happened to have it. Yeah, it wasn't paid for yet, so she thought. She just keep it and report it stolen. Well, that's not important, though.

[Shorty]

Tell me what is.

[Boston Blackie]

The fact that Washman came out of the house, found me unconscious and fired a bullet into my shoulder. Just in case. Richards had lived long enough to say he had shot his murderer. Only Washman didn't figure on Mutzy.

[Shorty]

Yeah, whoever he is, he's a dog.

[Boston Blackie]

And he was with me last night. Chances are he followed Richard when he went out to bury that jacket. Mr. Johnson just identified Richard. Must have tried to kill the dog then, but couldn't and so decided on having the state do the job for him.

[Shorty]

In other words, I'm supposed to find a bullet wound in Washburn?

[Boston Blackie]

That's right.

[Shorty]

Okay, but I'm going up there alone.

[Mary Wesley]

Now.

[Shorty]

You wait in your apartment with two of my men. And if Washburn isn't wounded, believe me, your pride is gonna be.

[Mary Wesley]

Golly, Blackie, shouldn't the inspector seeing Mr. Washburn by now?

[Boston Blackie]

I should think so. They said he'd call as soon as he finished with him.

[Mary Wesley]

I wonder if your theory's right.

[Boston Blackie]

It has to be right. And Faraday has to find that bullet wound and watchman's shoulder. I'm sure of it.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, maybe this is the inspector.

[Boston Blackie]

I hope so.

[Shorty]

Hello, Blinky. This is Faraday.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, shall I tell you police. Got it. And go home now?

[Shorty]

No.

[Boston Blackie]

What's the matter? Can't you find Washburn?

[Shorty]

I found Washburn all right. Maybe his hand is bandaged, but there's not a mark on him, much less a bullet wound.

[Boston Blackie]

Now, Blakey, wait a minute. Faraday is the man you saw short, fat and a little bald?

[Shorty]

Yeah. Butler took me in to see him.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, you dope. You didn't talk to Washburn. You saw his butler. Washburn switched with him. Grab the guy pretending to be the butler and you'll have Washburn, bullet wound and all. Is the butler tall, dark, with a mustache?

[Shorty]

Yes.

[Boston Blackie]

Grab him. That's Washburn.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll hold the phone for a minute. I was too scared to breathe.

[Boston Blackie]

I wasn't exactly relaxed myself. Golly. Lucky I remembered that butler. Faraday's visit would have tipped Washman. He was wise to him and he'd skipped.

[Mary Wesley]

But, Blacky, what if Washman doesn't have a bullet wound either?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, you would think of that.

[Mary Wesley]

Do you want me to pack a few things for you.

[Boston Blackie]

No, thanks. The state is very nice about providing clothing.

[Shorty]

Hello? Hello? Hello, Blackie. Blackie, this is Faraday. Well, I grabbed the buffer. Well, it was Washburn, all right. I grabbed him fast and he talked fast. He had a bullet wound in his shoulder. It happened just the way you said it did. Sorry, Blankie.

[Boston Blackie]

Sorry, Faraday, about what?

[Shorty]

Sorry it wasn't you. I really had all the evidence I needed.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I know, Faraday, but don't forget, as usual, it was all wrong. Goodbye, Inspector.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, I'm so happy. Think I'm nuts, Mutzy? Mutzie, don't scratch the floor like that, please.

[Boston Blackie]

I think he's trying to dig for something again. Mary, last time he dug, he got a bone as his reward.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, stop digging, Mutzy, and I'll buy you steak.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, good boy, Mutzie. We'll make it a big steak.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, not that big, Blackie. Steak is awfully expensive.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, but after what he's done for us, we're gonna see that tonight. Mutzi is one dog who is going to put on the. Do.

[Mary Wesley]

It, Sam.

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