Boston Blackie: TV Poisoning 12/20/1945

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives: Boston Blackie - "TV Poisoning" (12/20/1945)

Episode Date: May 16, 2026 (original broadcast December 20, 1945)
Podcast Host: Choice Classic Radio

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Boston Blackie revolves around a dramatic murder during a televised civic forum. Cyrus Baxter—a civic leader poised to expose political corruption—dies on live television, apparently poisoned. Boston Blackie, with help from Mary Wesley and in frictional partnership with Inspector Faraday, investigates the locked-room mystery: How could Baxter be poisoned from a communal water pitcher, when everyone else drank from it too? As twists pile up—another murder, a faked suicide, and a tense televised reenactment—Blackie meticulously unmasks the killer among politicians in the public eye.

---

Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Setting the Scene: Watching the Crime Live

• Boston Blackie and Mary Wesley watch a live civic forum broadcast on TV from a friend’s apartment.
  • Notable Quote (02:14)
    Mary Wesley: "It's hard to realize that here we are sitting at home watching and listening to something taking place miles away. Don't you think television's wonderful?"
  • The forum features Inspector Faraday, civic leader Cyrus Baxter, and two others.
• Baxter suddenly collapses, clearly poisoned, as he stands to make a public accusation.

2. Initial Investigation and Suspects

• Faraday is exasperated at Blackie's interference. The murder is confirmed to be poisoning (05:00–06:00).
• Suspects:
  • Ralph Thomas: Local political insider and dinner host.
  • Richard Waters: Finance Council member.
  • Rex Daniels: Baxter’s secretary.
  • The butler, Jones, who prepared and served the dinner prior to the forum.

3. The Water Pitcher Mystery

• All four men at the dinner (Baxter, Faraday, Thomas, Waters) drank from the same water pitcher during the forum.
• Only Baxter died from poisoning, raising the puzzle: How could only one person be affected?

4. Chasing Clues: Dinner Party and Potential Motives

• Blackie contacts the butler, learns everyone ate the same food, except Baxter drank no coffee (13:00).
• At Thomas's garage apartment, Blackie and Mary are followed (15:00–16:00) and discover the butler has been murdered—killed to prevent him from talking.

5. Attempted Framing and a Third Murder Attempt

• Thomas is found apparently attempting suicide by gas, but Blackie deduces it was meant to look like suicide (17:32–18:10):
  • Notable Quote (18:01)
    Boston Blackie: “Nothing that you'd be interested in, except Thomas isn't dead. We broke in here just in time.”
• The crash-landing of Thomas thus fails to close the case.

6. Breakdown of Suspicions

• Blackie senses Thomas is too crafty, suspects framed, and begins to theorize about the mechanics of the specific poisoning.
• The motive: Baxter was about to expose Thomas for corrupt contract dealings; Waters had a stake in silencing Baxter to avoid being implicated as Thomas’s partner ("passing the buck").

7. The Televised Reenactment & The Trap

• Blackie has Faraday recreate the live forum dinner and water-drinking scenario at the studio (22:24–24:28).
  • Blackie “poisons” the water in front of everyone and asks each suspect to drink.
  • Waters panics, refusing to drink and exclaims about the antidote being hidden in coffee (which only Baxter didn’t drink).
  • Memorable Breakdown (24:15):
    Richard Waters: “Sure, you drank it. But you took an antidote at dinner. You had it in your coffee, and you wouldn't serve coffee to any of us. He's trying to murder us all. Don't let him. I'm going to get out of here—I won't drink that water!”
• Waters’s reaction exposes his guilt—he alone knew the mechanics of the poisoning.

8. The Solution and Clarification

• Waters bribed the butler to add antidote to the coffee, protecting all but Baxter (a milk-drinker).
• Waters murders the butler to cover his tracks and attempts to frame Thomas by making his “suicide” look suspicious (25:00).
  • Notable Quote (25:12)
    Boston Blackie: "Waters knew Baxter drank only milk, and so he had the antidote placed in the coffee by the butler. He believed I had done the same thing before I drank the water, and that gave him away."
• Blackie’s bluff at the reenactment was just water—a risky but controlled gamble.
  • Memorable Moment (25:45):
    Boston Blackie: “Don’t be silly—I knew I hadn’t any poison in that water.”
    Mary Wesley: “What?”
    Boston Blackie: "It was just more water I added, that's all. Tricky, huh?"

9. Comic Relief and Closing Playfulness

• Mary feigns poisoning after drinking water, playing on the episode’s theme:
  • Lighthearted Banter (26:09):
    Mary Wesley: “My throat. My throat. Oh, Blackie, I'm full—”
    Boston Blackie: "It's all right, dear... What's the matter?"
    Mary Wesley: "With you holding me, nothing's the matter. I'm a little tricky too, darling."

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:14] Mary marvels at early TV technology:
  "Don't you think television's wonderful?"
• [03:13] Blackie, joking about crime landing in Faraday’s lap:
  "Which means that somebody laid a murder right in Faraday's lap."
• [05:02] Inspector Faraday (exasperated), to Blackie:
  "Get out and stay out. Oh, have I got troubles."
• [18:01] Blackie, upon saving Thomas:
  "Nothing that you'd be interested in, except Thomas isn't dead. We broke in here just in time."
• [24:15] Waters panics, betraying himself during the trap:
  "You had it in your coffee, and you wouldn't serve coffee to any of us. He's trying to murder us all. Don't let him."
• [25:45] Blackie reveals the harmless “poison” in his trap:
  "It was just more water I added, that's all. Tricky, huh?"

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Content | |------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:50–03:22 | Blackie and Mary at Kingston's apartment, watching TV crime | | 04:26–06:13 | Faraday and Blackie discuss suspects and cause of death | | 09:15–10:03 | Blackie follows up with Thomas's butler by phone | | 13:25–15:49 | Blackie and Mary find the butler murdered | | 17:32–18:10 | Discovery of Thomas, “suicide” attempt foiled | | 22:24–24:28 | Dramatic reenactment with poisoned water—Waters exposed | | 24:40–26:18 | Resolution, explanation, and closing banter with Mary |

---

Final Thoughts

This episode typifies the witty, fast-paced banter and convoluted plotting of a classic radio mystery, with Blackie’s cleverness outshining both killers and the beleaguered Inspector Faraday. The crime—and its reveal—hinge on a subtle yet plausible twist: poisoning via omission of antidote, uncovered through a psychological ploy on live TV. Between sharp dialogue, playful jabs, and a layered “locked-room” puzzle, "TV Poisoning" is vintage Boston Blackie—humorous, suspenseful, and satisfying for whodunit fans.

Transcript

[Inspector Faraday]

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]

Comfortable, Mary?

[Mary Wesley]

Very. Is it time yet?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, a minute or two. Swell apartment my friend Charlie Kingston has here.

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah, it was nice of embarrass. Borrow it so we could use television. Imagine seeing Inspector Faraday on a television screen.

[Boston Blackie]

One of the nicest ways of seeing Faraday, you know, so near and yet so far away.

[Mary Wesley]

Turn it on, Blackie, will you?

[Boston Blackie]

Okay. Let's see what this little knob does.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, the screen's lighting up.

[Boston Blackie]

Edison and Blackie, wonderful team.

[Mary Wesley]

Ooh.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey, I see something on the screen.

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah, so do I, but it's a little blurred.

[Boston Blackie]

They must be televising Paraday's mind. I think it needs a little sharp.

[Mary Wesley]

Of tuning the set or the mind?

[Boston Blackie]

Both. Hey, that's better, isn't it?

[Mary Wesley]

Much. Oh. Oh, Blackie, there's paradise.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, I see him and three other men around the table. Well, inasmuch as they're broadcasting Civic Forum, that's as it should be.

[Mary Wesley]

The inspector seems a little nervous, doesn't he?

[Boston Blackie]

Because he's hitting the water pitcher. He probably read somewhere that all speakers drink a glass of water before they go on.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, the other members of the Forum must have read the same thing.

[Inspector Faraday]

No.

[Boston Blackie]

It's hot in the television studio, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

You know, Blackie, it's hard to realize that here we are sitting at home watching and listening to something taking place miles away. Don't you think television's wonderful?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, I don't know. It'll never replace the horse.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hmm.

[Mary Wesley]

You know, I think it's about time you told me I was wonderful, too, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't think you ever replaced the horse either.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey. I think that's Inspector Part eight. Yeah. Yeah. Now it's his turn to speak. I'll turn the radio part on.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, good. This is gonna be fun.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ladies and gentlemen, we continue our roundtable discussion by presenting an outstanding civic leader, Cyrus Baxter.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, it's not Saturday after all. Should I turn it down?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, let's hear what Baxter has to say. I think Faraday should follow him. He's sitting next to him.

[Mary Wesley]

Mr. Baxter seems to be a bit thirsty, too. Well, he's finally put down that water glass. Now maybe he'll.

[Boston Blackie]

Ladies and gentlemen, I have come here

[Inspector Faraday]

tonight for a specific purpose. Make accusation against one of.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey. Hey. What's happening to him? He's grabbing his throat.

[Boston Blackie]

He's choking Mary, look, he's falling back.

[Mary Wesley]

You're right into Faraday's arm.

[Boston Blackie]

Which means that somebody laid a murder right in Faraday's lap.

[Inspector Faraday]

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

[Boston Blackie]

wonderful vacation, to clean up leftover bills or for any good reason.

[Inspector Faraday]

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 back to Boston. Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friend.

[Boston Blackie]

There's Faraday over there with the police photographers.

[Mary Wesley]

Mary, he looks awful worried.

[Boston Blackie]

Brackie, he looks confused, but then he always does.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, darling, Faraday really, isn't it? If Baxter was murdered with Faraday right in the room, the police commissioner will do some plain and fancy screaming, and you know it.

[Boston Blackie]

No question about that. Oh, hold it, honey. We've been detected. Here comes the inspector. Hi, party.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blackie, before I do anything else, I've got one thing to say to you. Get out of here.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, Inspector Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, Ms. Wesley. I make that two things, Blackie. Get out and stay out. Oh, have I got troubles.

[Boston Blackie]

I know. I saw you by television. You photographed badly.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm not talking about that and you know it. Cyrus Baxter was standing right next to me when he was murdered.

[Boston Blackie]

Then he was murdered, huh? Why did you do it? Parody.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you mean, why did I do it? I didn't. Tell him, Blackie. Now beat it.

[Boston Blackie]

Sure. Inspector, did you find out yet what poison was used?

[Inspector Faraday]

Poison? Who said it was poison? How could it be poison? I drank from the same pitcher of water. So did everybody at the table. We weren't poisoned, were we?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, I don't know. How do you feel, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

I feel great. I feel like throwing you right out of here.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, why don't you stop? Darling, Inspector Faraday.

[Boston Blackie]

No, I'm sorry. You say Inspector Baxter was just about to accuse somebody of something when the poison hit him.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who said it was poison? I told you it couldn't be poisoned. Excuse me, Inspector Faraday, the medical examiner just finished with the body. He said that tell your Baxter was poisoned by the water. They won't be able to identify the poison till after the autopsy. Okay. Oh, Blackie, beat it. I'll Take it from here alone.

[Boston Blackie]

I'll go. But you won't be alone. Inspector. There's a person heading this way right now with purpose in his footsteps and you in his mind.

[Mary Wesley]

Do you know him, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

That's Rex Daniels. He was secretary to Mr. Baxter. Inspector. Inspector Faraday, I've got to talk to you for a moment. Not now.

[Boston Blackie]

I think you'd better listen to him, Faraday. And now.

[Inspector Faraday]

And nobody tells me what I better do. What do you want, Daniels? Inspector, I know what Mr. Baxter was going to say when he fell dead. I helped him prepare the indictment.

[Boston Blackie]

What kind of an indictment was that, Daniels?

[Inspector Faraday]

Who are you? Oh, he's Boston. Blackie. Who is Baxter going to indict? A man named Thomas. Ralph Thomas. Mr. Baxter was going to expose him to the Forum members. Yeah, we knew he was farming out city contracts, costing the taxpayers additional money. Thomas, huh? Hey, we all had dinner at his house tonight.

[Boston Blackie]

Who's all, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, me, Baxter, Ralph Thomas, and then the wound. I, Inspector Faraday. Yeah, and you, too, Waters.

[Boston Blackie]

Waters, huh? What do you do?

[Inspector Faraday]

Shut up, lanky. Mr. Waters has political connections. Very good one. Soon.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, I remember you, Mr. Waters. I saw you on our television set.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes, yes, I was scheduled to speak before. Well, before the unfortunate accident.

[Boston Blackie]

It wasn't an accident. It was murder. Somebody wanted to keep Baxter quiet. Faraday, you say you had dinner at Ralph Thomas house?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, four of us. Baxter, Mr. Waters, Thomas and I. Hey, Thomas could have poisoned Baxter then.

[Boston Blackie]

And have the poison take effect at exactly the right moment. Faraday, I don't think so. That happens except in books.

[Inspector Faraday]

So you don't think it happens? Well, who cares what you think? I'm going to go to work on Thomas right now. Are you sure Baxter was going to accuse Thomas Daniels? Of course I'm sure. Well, you're giving us some action, Inspector. That's all I wanted to be sure of. Come on, Daniels. Yes, sir. Thank you, Inspector Faraday. Thank you very much. I was very fond of my employer. Yeah, I know. Wait a minute. Do you figure to step into his job, Daniels? Well, I. I hadn't thought about it much, but I guess I am the only one who could handle it right away. That's all I wanted to know. You can go now. But I'll be seeing you. And you, too, Walters. Goodbye, Inspector.

[Boston Blackie]

We'll be seeing you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Paradise.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, hey. Does anybody remember I'm still here?

[Inspector Faraday]

See that you stay here and keep Blackie with you. I'm going to see this Ralph Thomas.

[Boston Blackie]

That's right, Inspector. Between the two of us. We'll make him talk.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. He's gonna talk between the one of us. And that means me. It also means you're going to keep away from his house. Far away. You get that? So long.

[Mary Wesley]

Goodbye, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, Miss Wesley. I'm sorry. Goodbye.

[Mary Wesley]

Goodbye.

[Boston Blackie]

Come on, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Would it be impolite to ask where?

[Boston Blackie]

To a phone booth. I'm going to call this Ralph Thomas and arrange to meet him before f get to him. And the subject we'll discuss when we meet will be another man's poison.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ralph Thomas residence.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello, is Mr. Thomas at home?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm sorry, sir, he is not.

[Boston Blackie]

This is Inspector Allen of the police. Did you serve the dinner at Mr. Thomas's house tonight?

[Inspector Faraday]

Why, yes, Inspector. Of course I did.

[Boston Blackie]

I just wanted to be sure it was you. Tell me one thing. Who cooked the dinner?

[Inspector Faraday]

I did, sir. It's one of my duties. Was anything wrong?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know yet. Tell me this. Did everyone at the table eat the same food?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yes, sir. And every bit of it too, if you'll pardon me. And there's nothing else. This is my night off and I was just about to leave the house.

[Boston Blackie]

One thing more. Do you know where Mr. Thomas is?

[Inspector Faraday]

This is his bowling night, sir. The Academy alleys. You might find him there.

[Boston Blackie]

Thank you very much. Goodbye. I'm in luck, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, yes, yes, yes, Mary.

[Boston Blackie]

Mr. Thomas has gone bowling and the chance to see him alone is right down my alley.

[Inspector Faraday]

How'd it go tonight, Mr. Thomas? Spoiled your own at a 165 average for seven games. Not bad. Not bad. Good night, Joe. Good night, Mr. Thomas. See you same time next week. All right, Joe. Good night,

[Boston Blackie]

Mr. Thomas. I'd like to see you at the same time this week.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who are you?

[Boston Blackie]

Boston Blackie. The name mean anything to you?

[Inspector Faraday]

Brigley. You were looking for me.

[Boston Blackie]

That's pretty apparent, isn't it? Mr. Thomas, did you know that Cyrus Baxter was murdered tonight?

[Inspector Faraday]

No, I didn't. How did it happen?

[Boston Blackie]

You don't seem very upset.

[Inspector Faraday]

There isn't much difference between life and death. It's the presence of one because of the absence the other. If you follow me.

[Boston Blackie]

That's a little beyond my depth, Thomas. But murder isn't. By the way, Baxter did have dinner at your house.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes, that's right, he did. So, Inspector Faraday of the police and Richard Waters. Were they poisoned too?

[Boston Blackie]

I never said that Baxter was poisoned.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, you didn't. But you mentioned he was murdered and brought up the fact that he had dinner at my house. Pretty obvious conclusion, don't you think either?

[Boston Blackie]

An obvious conclusion. A definite knowledge. Look, Thomas, you're in a spot. Baxter was preparing to expose you publicly at that forum. Did you know that?

[Inspector Faraday]

No. Well, it's possible my business is a little out of the ordinary.

[Boston Blackie]

Just what is your business?

[Inspector Faraday]

Just what business is it of yours?

[Boston Blackie]

Actually, none. But the police are after you, and if you're innocent, it's just possible I might be able to help.

[Inspector Faraday]

You don't think I poisoned Baxter?

[Boston Blackie]

No. I think you're too smart to do that. But come to think of it, this had to be a pretty smart stunt.

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you talking about?

[Boston Blackie]

Four men had dinner together, and there three of those men drank from the same water pitcher. The water was poisoned, but only one man died. That's a pretty good trick.

[Inspector Faraday]

Tell me how it was done.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe you'll tell me, first of all, did all four of you eat the same food at dinner?

[Inspector Faraday]

Identical. Cream soup, roast beef, boiled potatoes, lima beans, dessert and coffee. Baxter had no coffee. Is that important?

[Boston Blackie]

You know it's not. Who prepared the dinner? Thomas Jones, my butler.

[Inspector Faraday]

He's a very good cook.

[Boston Blackie]

I talked to him earlier. I understand he has the night off. Will he be home later?

[Inspector Faraday]

I think so. He has an apartment over the garage, generally in by midnight. On his night off?

[Boston Blackie]

I think I'll go to see him. Maybe your butler will open the door to a solution of this case.

[Mary Wesley]

Classy. Darling, this is my idea of completely nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

How can you say that, Mary?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, that's easy. I'll show you. Blackie, darling, this is my idea of completely nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

See, we're on the trail of a killer gal or loot. To what may turn out to be a killer's quarters in yon garage.

[Mary Wesley]

So suppose we find the butler. Then what?

[Boston Blackie]

Then we what? Somebody's following us. Get into these bushes, quick.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, all right, but I don't hear any. Hey, hey, hey. I do look like that.

[Boston Blackie]

Keep out of this, Mary. I'll handle him, whoever he is.

[Mary Wesley]

Wait here, Bucky.

[Inspector Faraday]

I mean, wait here quietly.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm gonna grab him. And, baby, when I grab somebody, they say, gramp.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hi. 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. Oh, yeah. Nationwide Auto Insurance gives you all the coverage you need. Oh, Nationwide doesn't cut corners. It's quality auto insurance at real low cost, beginning so good. Over two and a quarter million by Nationwide. Hey, you know a lot about it. I should. I'm a vice president with the company, and you're doing the jingle. Well, I just can't. Singing Along Nationwide Auturins your best buy by far. Nationwide always the best for you and your car. And now back to Boston, Blackie. While Blackie and Mary Wesley were watching by television, Cyrus Baxter fell dead in the television studio just as he was about to indict Ralph Thomas. Political lobbyists Thomas's secretary, Rex Daniels, and Richard Waters, a civic board member, are under suspicion as well as Thomas. When investigation shows that Baxter was poisoned and that he had had dinner with the others at Thomas's house, a search is made for the butler who cooked and served the dinner. En route to his quarters in the Thomas garage, Blackie and Mary realize they are being followed and Blackie jumps on the man.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, friends, that ought to hold you for a while. How do you like your face? Getting a apple massage?

[Mary Wesley]

Did you get him, B.L.

[Boston Blackie]

i got him an exercise. Hand me the flashlight, Mary, so I can see what I nabbed and what kind of a head I'll have hanging in my trophy room.

[Inspector Faraday]

Bl you dope. Let me up.

[Mary Wesley]

Always. Inspector Faraday. Oh, flashy.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, golly. I'm sorry, Inspector. I didn't know it was you. Here, let me help you up.

[Inspector Faraday]

What's the idea of hopping on me?

[Boston Blackie]

Why, I didn't know it was you. What was the idea of trailing me?

[Inspector Faraday]

I didn't know it was you either. I saw two figures.

[Mary Wesley]

One of them was mine. The good one.

[Boston Blackie]

Mary.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, cut it out, both of you. Where are you going, blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

Nowhere. Just out for a stroll.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, I know. Me too. Only I took my stroll first. I got to this garage 20 minutes ago. Nobody answered the door in Thomas's house, so I thought I'd try here.

[Mary Wesley]

Was anybody in the garage, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Nobody to speak of. Just a corpse.

[Mary Wesley]

That's nobody to speak to. Was it the butler?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. Knifed. I'd give a lot to know why.

[Boston Blackie]

I could tell you.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't want to know that badly. Come on, let's get into Thomas house and wait for him to come home.

[Boston Blackie]

All good police inspectors have skeleton keys, right, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

I got something better. You. Now, look. Can you open that back door, Blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. But past performances were in my favorite.

[Inspector Faraday]

I know. There it is.

[Boston Blackie]

Go to work. Okay. This is awfully illegal.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. Murder is a little bit against the law, too. How you coming?

[Boston Blackie]

Pretty well.

[Inspector Faraday]

There.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all unlocked.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, open it.

[Boston Blackie]

Right.

[Inspector Faraday]

Gas, Blankie. I smell gas.

[Boston Blackie]

Keep out of the way, Mary. Come on, Inspector. Put your handkerchief over your nose and come on.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, I'm with you.

[Boston Blackie]

Break that window. Inspect it first.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. Put your flashlight on it so I can see what I'm doing. Right. Right over here. Okay. Hey. Hey.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, Inspector. That body on the floor. It's Thomas.

[Inspector Faraday]

That makes the third one. First Baxter, then his butler, now Thomas here. He killed the first two and then committed suicide. Well, that washes this case.

[Boston Blackie]

Inspector, come here, quick.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now, what is it, genius?

[Boston Blackie]

Nothing that you'd be interested in, except Thomas isn't dead. He broke in here just in time.

[Inspector Faraday]

Not dead. But he's got to be dead. This room was loaded with gas from that. That kitchen range.

[Boston Blackie]

Not too loaded. Whoever did this might have wanted it to look like suicide, but didn't stuff the cracks under the doors. And we broke in in time to save Thomas. Look at this bump on the back of Thomas head.

[Inspector Faraday]

He got it when the gas hit him and he fell off that chair.

[Boston Blackie]

He could have gotten it when somebody hit him, turned on the gas and left him here.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's what you think. As soon as Thomas revives, I'm taking him to headquarters and booking him for murder.

[Boston Blackie]

Go ahead. But get an apology ready, kid. You're gonna need it when it turns out that Thomas is. Just keep driving anywhere. Mary. It doesn't matter where we go, as long as I have time to think.

[Mary Wesley]

You got time to think out loud?

[Boston Blackie]

I suppose so. Mary, would Thomas be clever enough to fake an attack on himself, hoping to throw us off the track?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, what would he hope to gain, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

He'd hope to throw suspicion on somebody else. Ralph Waters or Rex Daniels backs his secretary.

[Mary Wesley]

I mean, he figured you'd break in in time to maybe.

[Boston Blackie]

What bothers me, too, is that poisoning of Baxter. Faraday tells me there was poison found in the water that everybody at the Forum drank, yet it affected only Baxter. How can that be?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know. Would. Would finding a motive help you, Brackie?

[Boston Blackie]

No, not in this case, Mary. Everybody had a motive.

[Mary Wesley]

Don't they always in mystery stories?

[Boston Blackie]

Invariably. Only mystery stories generally wind up with a solution. I'd like to know what this one is.

[Mary Wesley]

You'll find it, darling. I know you will.

[Boston Blackie]

That line came out of the same mystery story.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, let's go to work. Suppose you drive me to Ralph Water's house. And as the dog said when he went flea hunting, we start from scratch.

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't think there's anything further I care to say to you, Daniels, and certainly nothing further I care to hear from you. Good Day. Not so fast, Mr. Waters. I happen to be very fond of Mr. Baxter. I admit that very much. Good day, Mr. Waters. You had opportunity to poison that drinking water at the television studio. And reason enough to want Mr. Baxter dead. So did you, for that matter. I had reason. Baxter's job. You've got it now. Maybe you'd better leave before I start putting pieces together. You're trying to insinuate I killed Mr. Baxter, the man who gave me the only chance I ever had. I could kill you for saying that.

[Mary Wesley]

Stop it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Stop it.

[Mary Wesley]

Stop it.

[Inspector Faraday]

You better stop it. Daniels.

[Boston Blackie]

Take your hands off him.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you want here, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Mr. Water's alive, for one thing.

[Inspector Faraday]

Have him arrested. Blackie, he. He almost killed me just now.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I know. I saw that. And it gave me an idea. All I've got to do is to put that idea of mine into execution. And both of you better hope it isn't your execution I'm talking about.

[Inspector Faraday]

Lights. Hurt your eyes, Thomas? Too bad. Go on, talk. Inspector Faraday, there isn't anything I can tell you except what I've already told you. Do I know nothing of how Mr. Baxter or my butler were killed or who tried to kill me and make it look like suicide? Thomas, I'm gonna. Now. Yeah? Faraday speaking. Well, what is it, Frankie? You want me to do what? Are you kidding? Of course I won't. Sure. I want to solve this case, and that's the way to do it, right? Okay. What can I lose? Except a couple of hours right away. 8:00 clock tonight is okay. Goodbye, Thomas. You're gonna have a dinner party at your house again tonight. And then we're going to the television studio just like we did last night. What's the reason for all this, Inspector? It's Blackie's idea. He says he's gonna make a murderer show his hand so we can get a look at.

[Boston Blackie]

Gentlemen, as you know, Inspector Faraday, Mr. Waters, Mr. Thomas and I have just come here to the television studio from a dinner where we ate exactly what was served at the dinner last night.

[Inspector Faraday]

This farce is a little late in getting started, isn't it? That's what I said.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe, Mr. Waters. But the ending is worth it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah. Come on, Blackie. Come on. Do something.

[Boston Blackie]

I will, Faraday. I'll start with a roll call first. Inspector Faraday of the police.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do I do now? Bow.

[Boston Blackie]

Not until this case is solved, though, fella. Rex Daniels, secretary to the late Cyrus Baxter.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here.

[Boston Blackie]

Richard Waters, member of the City Finance Council.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here. Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

And Ralph Thomas, political hanger on, holding no office, but packing a lot of weight.

[Inspector Faraday]

Thank you, sir.

[Boston Blackie]

It's very hot in the studio under these lights. Gentlemen, here in this pitcher of ice water, I. You'll all be able to have a drink, but I'm going to improve the taste a little. The small bottle I asked you for, Inspector, please.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah.

[Boston Blackie]

Thank you. There's poison in this water, gentlemen. The same poison that killed Baxter. I'm going to pour it into the water pitcher. And now I'm going to trick a glass the water building. There. Now, here's a glass of water. For you, Waters, for you, Thomas. And for you, Daniels, and for you, Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay.

[Boston Blackie]

Now, I want all of you to drink the water together. Come on, now. One.

[Inspector Faraday]

Two.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, no.

[Inspector Faraday]

I can't do it. I can't, I tell you.

[Boston Blackie]

I can't drink it. Daniels, with a count of three. One.

[Inspector Faraday]

Two. I won't do it. It's murder.

[Boston Blackie]

It'll kill all of us. I drank it, Mr. Waters. Remember?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure. Sure, you drank it. But you took an antidote at dinner. You had it in your coffee, and you wouldn't serve coffee to any of us. He's trying to murder us all. Don't let him. I'm going to get out of here. I won't drink that water.

[Boston Blackie]

Grab him, Parody. He's your murderer.

[Inspector Faraday]

Richard.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm listening, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm gloating, lovely one. Where shall I begin?

[Mary Wesley]

With the reason that Waters killed Baxter.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, that was because Baxter was going to indict Ralph Thomas. Thomas had to have a partner in a city job. That partner was Waters. If Baxter named Thomas, Thomas would pass the buck to Waters. Catch on.

[Mary Wesley]

Catch on. I know where the butler was killed, too. Waters had bribed him to put the antidote in the coffee he served at the dinner and later killed him to keep him from talking.

[Boston Blackie]

Nice going. Waters knew Baxter drank only milk, and so he had the antidote placed in the coffee by the butler. He believed I had done the same thing before. I drank the water, and that gave him away.

[Mary Wesley]

And then Waters later tried to kill Thomas and make it look like suicide so that Thomas would be suspected. How am I doing, Brackie? You're wonderful, Mary, but I still don't replace the horse, huh? Well, I think you were wonderful taking a chance on drinking that water you had poisoned.

[Boston Blackie]

Don't be silly. I knew I hadn't any poison in that water.

[Mary Wesley]

What?

[Boston Blackie]

It was just more water I added, that's all. Tricky, huh?

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, darling, you're tricky, huh? And I'm thirsty, huh? So, huh, I'll pour myself a little water.

[Boston Blackie]

I do all the talking and you get thirsty. That's what I call close friendship.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I'll answer that when I'm through there. Now, what? Was it you. Oh, Blackie. Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

What is it, Mary?

[Inspector Faraday]

What?

[Mary Wesley]

My throat. My throat. Oh, Blackie, I'm full.

[Boston Blackie]

It's all right, dear. Holding you. What is it? What's the matter?

[Mary Wesley]

Well, with you holding me, nothing's the matter. I'm a little tricky too, darling.