Dangerous Assignment: Burmese Witnesses 05/24/1950

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Dangerous Assignment: Burmese Witnesses" (Choice Classic Radio Detectives Old Time Radio)

Episode Date: March 25, 2026
Original Air Date: May 24, 1950
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell

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Episode Overview

“Dangerous Assignment: Burmese Witnesses” delivers a classic Golden Age radio detective story, with Steve Mitchell, a persistent US government agent, tracking a fugitive witness through 1950s Burma (now Myanmar). Sent to solve a correspondent’s murder and unravel a political refugee racket, Mitchell navigates jungle intrigue, false identities, clever misdirection, and a pair of devious killers. This suspenseful episode features deception, double-crosses, and thrilling action right up to its nail-biting conclusion.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Assignment and the Murder ([01:27–03:39])

• Steve Mitchell enters the commissioner's office and learns he is being dispatched to Rangoon, Burma, to investigate the murder of American correspondent Kent Jackson.
• Chambers (Commissioner): "Last night an American newspaper correspondent named Kent Jackson was murdered in Rangoon, Burma. Your plane leaves in an hour." (01:52)
• Jackson was investigating a political refugee racket—smuggling refugees for a price, then returning them to their home countries for more money.
• The only lead is Linya, a Burmese girl who vanished after the murder. Steve is ordered to find her.

2. Establishing the Lead — Chambers and the Crime Scene ([03:39–05:09])

• Mitchell investigates the events of the night. Chambers recounts Linya running in, shots fired, and him being knocked unconscious.
• Ballistics connect the bullet fired at Linya to Jackson’s murder (04:23).
• Linya worked for Papa Valdez at a French restaurant; this becomes Mitchell’s next stop.

3. Rangoon’s Underbelly — Restaurant Interrogations and Red Herrings ([05:09–09:17])

• At the restaurant, Mitchell meets Lt. Ramat (police) and Papa Valdez. They deny detailed knowledge of Linya’s whereabouts.
• Logical deduction points to Linya possibly witnessing the crime on her way home, but Ramat says she couldn't have reached the crime scene in time. Suspicion remains.

4. The Rooming House & The Temple ([07:30–12:00])

• Mitchell questions the sleepy rooming house owner, learns Linya has one relative: Dalai Singh, a priest.
• At the temple, Mitchell barely dodges a booby trap (falling idol) and meets Dalai Singh, who cryptically tests Steve’s intentions with mysticism and questioning honesty (“Gaze into my eyes... You have passed the first test.” - Dalai Singh, 11:19).

5. Coded Instructions and Tests of Loyalty ([12:00–15:23])

• Through a series of coded encounters and red herrings (including being led through alleys, a fake “Linya,” and trust-testing), Dalai Singh finally tells Steve to take a riverboat and use a specific password:
  • Password Exchange:
    • Steve: “The jungle is very dark.”
    • Contact’s Reply: “But soon it will be light again.”
• Before leaving, Mitchell discovers Dalai Singh murdered, signaling escalation and imminent danger.

6. The Riverboat Ride — Suspense and Passwords ([17:02–21:06])

• Onboard, Mitchell scans fellow passengers: the elegant Marge, mysterious Lazarus in a white coat, and the flowery Egyptian, Camis.
• Tensions rise: attempts at the password with Marge are interrupted, and Lazarus acts suspiciously.
  • Notable Exchange:
    • Steve: “I stand there at the rail alone... At this point, it looks like Marge is the contact who’s to lead me to the girl Linya.” (21:06)
• Mitchell is nearly murdered (pushed overboard by a man in a white coat, assumed to be Lazarus), but survives.

7. Revealing the Villains ([21:06–26:41])

• At the next port, Steve confronts Lazarus, who insists he is the real contact. The password exchange confirms this:
  • Steve: “The jungle is very dark.”
  • Lazarus: “But soon it will be light again.” (22:40)
• Linya is found hiding in the back room. Tragically, she learns of her great uncle Dalai Singh’s murder.
• Linya’s recollections lead to a twist: she did not witness the murder directly, but happened to see someone (Marge) at the restaurant.
• Marge, revealed as the killer, appears with a gun: “Well, Steve, you were concentrating so hard on following Lazarus... you made it pretty easy for me to follow you. Thanks for leading me to Linya.” (24:45)
• Papa Valdez is also revealed as her accomplice.

8. The Final Standoff and Justice ([26:41–28:42])

• A tense standoff ensues:
  • Lazarus feigns terror to inch closer to Marge and intervenes.
    • “He’s squealing for mercy like a stuck, but all the while he's inching slowly forward...” (27:06)
• Gunfire, a scuffle, and Mitchell subdues Marge: “Drop the gun or I’ll break your arm.” (27:30)
• Mitchell reassures Linya and Lazarus, then turns Marge and Papa Valdez over to authorities.

9. Resolution and Closure ([28:01–28:42])

• Marge remains cocky about her prospects, but Steve delivers the final blow:
  • “The police back in Rangoon have the slug that killed Jackson. Five will get you Ten it matches these and your gun... Even in Burma they've got ballistics. And I bet that's one word you'll wish had never been invented. But no hard feelings, Marge. I mean, Buster. Come on.” (28:17–28:28)
• Justice, though hard-won, is served.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Difficulty of the Assignment:
  "Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing though. Trouble." – Steve Mitchell (01:27)

• Mystical Vetting:
  "Now gaze into my eyes. Do not blink. Gaze steadily... You have passed the first test." – Dalai Singh (11:12–11:22)

• Password Suspense:
  "The jungle is very dark. If that person replies, but soon it will be light again. That person is your friend." – Dalai Singh (14:36)

• Villain's Sarcasm:
  "Because I've got a real funny one stored up for you kids. It'll kill you." – Marge (25:00)

• Justice Served:
  "Even in Burma they've got ballistics... And I bet that's one word you'll wish had never been invented. But no hard feelings, Marge. I mean, Buster." – Steve Mitchell (28:21–28:28)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:27] Assignment Briefing, purpose, and stakes set
• [03:57] Rangoon — Chambers recounts night of the murder
• [05:09] Interrogation at restaurant; new leads
• [07:30] Interview at Linya’s Rooming House
• [09:17] Temple encounter; mystical vetting of Mitchell
• [12:23] Cryptic instructions and setup for the test
• [15:23] Dalai Singh found murdered—danger escalates
• [17:44] Riverboat scene, introductions to Marge, Camis, Lazarus
• [21:06] Attempted ‘accident’ at the rail; survival
• [22:40] Password confirmation and reveal of real contact
• [24:45] Marge revealed as killer, climactic standoff begins
• [27:32] Fight and subdual of Marge; conclusion of case
• [28:17-28:28] Ballistics evidence revealed, justice delivered

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Tone and Style

The episode maintains taut, suspenseful narration with pithy hard-boiled dialogue, atmospheric jungle and city sequences, and unfolding paranoia. Mitchell’s wry, often sardonic voice holds the story together as he navigates betrayals and danger at every turn.

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In Summary

“Burmese Witnesses” is a quintessential Detective Radio episode: full of clever reversals, colorful locales, and a tense chase ending in the capture of a pair of international criminals. If you love classic radio suspense, layered plots, and witty banter, this episode is a standout example from the Golden Age.

For more classic detective cases, tune in to the next episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives!

Transcript

[Howie Mandel]

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[Steve Mitchell]

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

[Narrator]

you for donating at choiceclassicradio.com Tweeties presents Dangerous Assignment. On stage tonight from Hollywood. Dangerous Assignment. Another in the Wheaties big parade of exciting half hour presentations. Dangerous Assignment starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, danger is my assignment. I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing though. Trouble. But when I walk into the commissioner's office, I don't realize this assignment is going to involve a dead correspondent, a Burmese girl, a trip through the jungle and a fallen idol. Morning, commissioner.

[Chambers]

Steve. Last night an American newspaper correspondent named Kent Jackson was murdered in Rangoon, Burma. Your plane leaves in an hour.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm flying clear to Burma because a correspondent gets himself killed.

[Chambers]

Kent Jackson had been posing as a European political refugee. We think he'd been investigating some sort of political refugee racket.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hmm, maybe he was getting too warm.

[Chambers]

Looks that way. Now we have one lead, a Burmese girl named Linya who we think witnessed the killing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where is this Linya?

[Chambers]

She disappeared.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great.

[Chambers]

The first contact in Rangoon will be chambers at allegation there. He'll fill you in on the background. Get over there, Steve. Find this girl linear and solve Kent Jackson's murder. Well, that's it. You've got your assignment.

[Narrator]

Good luck. Anybody who knows baseball has played with a bat knows Jackie Robinson is about the hottest thing in the game. And now Jackie has turned actor to play himself in the Jackie Robinson story. It'll be turning up at your hometown theater soon. Plan to take the kids. And by way of a short postscript of the movie, maybe you'd be interested in what Jackie told us about Wheaties. He says a bowl of those crisp whole wheat flakes sure helps me get set for the day. Well, that's about it. I think you'll like The Jackie Robinson Story. And I'm dead sure you'll like Wheatie's breakfast of champions. Try them both. Now here is Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Dunleavy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful two fisted government agent.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, this is going to be real easy. All I have to do is find a missing girl named Linya in one of the wildest countries in the world. Then get her to put the finger on a killer who'll probably be trying to do likewise to me. It's Monday when I get to Rangoon. It's raining and hot and Chambers is waiting for me at his house.

[Chambers]

Well, Mitchell, I was sitting right here reading the night of Jackson's murder, when suddenly I heard shots out in the garden. This girl Linya, ran in here screaming at me to save her. I ran out in the garden, got

[Steve Mitchell]

clipped on the head. Oh, I wondered what the bandage was for.

[Chambers]

When I came to, Linea was gone.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, did you know this girl Linea at all? Oh, yes.

[Chambers]

She worked in a restaurant about half a mile from here. I used to drop in there frequently.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't get the connection between Linea and Jackson's murder.

[Chambers]

When Lynia was shot at in my garden, one of the bullets was embedded in the side of the house. The police dug it out and compared it with the bullet that killed Jackson 15 minutes earlier. The two slugs matched.

[Steve Mitchell]

So Jackson's killer was after Linya too. Well, there's my tie in. All right. You know much about the deal Jackson was investigating?

[Chambers]

Yes. Somebody here in Burma has been receiving

[Steve Mitchell]

political refugees from Europe for a price.

[Chambers]

Then whoever it is contacts the European country involved and for more dough, delivers

[Steve Mitchell]

the refugees back to them. That sounds like a real sweet deal. Well, if I'm going to find this girl and you, I better start getting some leads about her. Let's see. You say she worked at a restaurant?

[Chambers]

Yes, a French restaurant run by Papa Valdez. You'll find it down the street about half a mile.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. I guess Papa Valder's is my next stop. Well, see you later, Chambers. I am sorry, monsieur, but I am closed for the night. I cannot serve you. I didn't come here for food. I came for information. You Poppy Val there? I'd like to talk to you about one of your waitresses. A girl named Linya. Oh, I didn't see you over there.

[Dalai Singh]

If you wish to talk about Linea, you talk to me.

[Narrator]

Really?

[Steve Mitchell]

Who are you? Lt. Ramat of the police.

[Dalai Singh]

And you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell.

[Dalai Singh]

May I ask why you are interested in the girl? Linear.

[Steve Mitchell]

You May ask, Lieutenant. And I think these credentials of mine will answer your question.

[Dalai Singh]

I see. I will be happy to cooperate with you, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thank you. Now, what can you tell me about the girl, Papa Valde?

[Dalai Singh]

Oh, very little, monsieur.

[Steve Mitchell]

Linya.

[Dalai Singh]

She was a good waitress and a very good girl.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where'd she live?

[Dalai Singh]

In a rooming house about a half hour's walk from this place.

[Steve Mitchell]

Here is the address. Thank you, Lieutenant. Lyndia walked home every night, huh? That is right, monsieur. Well, then it seems logical that somewhere on her route she passed the spot of Jackson's killing and witnessed it. I have investigated that.

[Dalai Singh]

Linya could not possibly have arrived at the scene of the killing at the time when the killing took place. I walked off the distance myself. She could not have been closer than three blocks to it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Then I don't get it. Why did the killer take off after her?

[Dalai Singh]

It is most puzzling.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure is. The only other answer is that Linya knows something that she doesn't realize. She knows. That means I've got to find her before the killer does.

[Dalai Singh]

Rangoon is a large city, Mitchet.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, we're not even sure she's still in Rangoon. Well, thanks for the information, gentlemen. I think I'll go over to Linear's rooming house and see what I can find out there. Hey, wake up. Snap out of it. Come on. Prop those little lids open a minute.

[Dalai Singh]

The return to reality is never as good as the dream.

[Steve Mitchell]

I saved the philosophy. You run this rooming house?

[Dalai Singh]

Yes, it is.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you got any idea where this girl Linea could be? No.

[Dalai Singh]

Non at all.

[Steve Mitchell]

Come on, Rip Van Winkle, pull yourself up off that desk.

[Dalai Singh]

Yeah. What do you wish to know?

[Steve Mitchell]

Do you know whether Linya had any relatives in this town? Any place that she could have gone to hide?

[Dalai Singh]

She spoke of only one. A great uncle.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's his name?

[Dalai Singh]

Dalai Singh is a priest.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where could I find this Dalai Sing? Oh, Dalai Singh. Go outside and face to the west.

[Dalai Singh]

You will see the temple.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, thanks. Well, how long, dreamboat? I locate the native temple and go inside. The only light comes from a few scattered candles. There are life sized idols sitting up on perches along the walls. Then I spot a light coming from a room in the back of the temple. I start toward it. Suddenly there's a grating noise. I look up. One of the idols is toppling over right on top of me. I dive to one side as it falls and it hit a glancing blow on the shoulder that sends me falling on floor. There's a rustle of drapes behind the idol and running steps. By the time I pull myself up off the floor, there's no one in sight. I go into the back room. A little old man with a face like a prune is sitting there, staring straight ahead. Excuse me, I'd like to talk to you. I said I'd like to talk to you. Look, would you mind focusing your eyes on me a minute?

[Dalai Singh]

I must apologize. I am withdrawn. Yes, my son, what is it?

[Steve Mitchell]

You're Dalai Singh.

[Dalai Singh]

That is my name.

[Steve Mitchell]

And you're Linya's great uncle.

[Dalai Singh]

That is the earthly relationship. Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

That was a pretty earthly reception you gave me a couple of minutes ago.

[Dalai Singh]

I do not understand.

[Steve Mitchell]

That idol. The one that almost fell on me.

[Dalai Singh]

You must pardon me. I was so immersed in meditation, I heard nothing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, I guess I wasn't that immersed because it sounded awfully noisy to me.

[Dalai Singh]

What do you wish of me?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm trying to find Linya.

[Dalai Singh]

For what purpose?

[Steve Mitchell]

I want to find out what she knows about a killing that took place a few nights ago.

[Dalai Singh]

Is this your true purpose, my son?

[Steve Mitchell]

That, and protecting her from whoever's after it.

[Dalai Singh]

Come closer.

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[Narrator]

Jack Harndale was helping his daughter Emily lift an awkward dresser up a staircase when he slipped and fell backwards. A week later, Emily asked him how he was doing.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm good.

[Narrator]

Truth was, he wasn't good. Jack needed help. Then the darndest thing happened. Emily called Pacific Source.

[Steve Mitchell]

My health plan.

[Narrator]

Jack learned that Pacific Source provides members with support beyond healthcare. In Jack's case, we got him in touch with the local food bank.

[Howie Mandel]

You guys do that?

[Narrator]

Yes, we do, Jack. Pacific Source Health Plan.

[Dalai Singh]

Now gaze into my eyes.

[Chambers]

No.

[Dalai Singh]

Do not blink. Gaze steadily.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look. What are you trying to do, hypnotize me?

[Dalai Singh]

But a little longer. So there is honesty in your eyes. You have passed the first test.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's good to know. Now, can you tell me where Linya is?

[Dalai Singh]

Be in front of the Shui Dagon Pagoda in one hour.

[Steve Mitchell]

Shwi Dagon Pagoda how do I go about finding it?

[Dalai Singh]

You cannot fail to see it. It looms over the entire city.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. In one hour will Linya be there?

[Dalai Singh]

Everything will be accomplished. Depart in peace.

[Steve Mitchell]

Dalai Singh was right. It isn't hard to spot the pagoda even at night. It's up on a rise overlooking the city. On the way up there, I get the feeling I'm being followed. I stop and turn around just in time to see a skinny little gent guard into the alley behind me. By the time I get to the pagoda, there's an uneasy thought packing away at my brain. This whole deal could be a trap. But there's nothing to do except to wait and find out.

[Marge]

Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

My arm. Look, I don't like guys slipping up behind me.

[Chambers]

Please.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, you're the guy who's been following me.

[Marge]

Yes, but I bring you no harm.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who are you? What do you want?

[Marge]

I am Molly. You seek the girl, Linear. I can take you to her.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah? How do I know this isn't a trap? Who sent you?

[Marge]

The priest? Dalai Singh.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Where is Linya?

[Marge]

I must take you there. Come, we will walk.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, Molly, but get this. I'll have one eye on you the whole way. And if this is a trap, if anything happens, it's going to happen to you first. Come on. Look, we've been winding our way through back alleys for the last half hour.

[Marge]

Molly, look, here we are at Papa Place.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, you first. And don't try anything.

[Marge]

Come

[Steve Mitchell]

dark in here.

[Marge]

I will turn on the light. So?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I sang.

[Dalai Singh]

Yes, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, what is all this? You send a guy to take me on a cook's tour of the city, then he brings me down a back alley to you again. You sure don't believe in taking any chances.

[Dalai Singh]

Toying with chance sometimes invites disaster.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, okay. Now, where's Linya?

[Dalai Singh]

Fetch the girl, Molly.

[Marge]

Very well, Esther.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, so this is Linya. You took a lot of finding, little lady.

[Dalai Singh]

Let the man speak for first, my child.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, Linya, the man who tried to kill you the other night is probably the same one who killed Jackson. Did you get a good look at him?

[Dalai Singh]

One moment, Mr. Mitchell. You accept this girl as Linea?

[Steve Mitchell]

Why, of course. You just got through telling me that.

[Dalai Singh]

No, no, I did not say she was Linea.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. You mean she isn't?

[Dalai Singh]

You have passed the second test, Mr. Mitchell. If you had been the one who was trying to harm Linea, then you would have known this girl was not she.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. Look, isn't it about time the examinations were over what? Do I have to get? Straight A's?

[Dalai Singh]

You have proven yourself. Now I will direct you to Linya.

[Steve Mitchell]

Is she here in Rangoon?

[Chambers]

No.

[Dalai Singh]

You must purchase a ticket on the river boat.

[Narrator]

River boat?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yes.

[Dalai Singh]

It will take you up the Irrawaty River. A person will approach you on the boat. You will say to that person, the jungle is very dark. If that person replies, but soon it will be light again. That person is your friend and will lead you to Linya at the next port.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sounds like a pretty involved routine.

[Dalai Singh]

Linya has placed herself under my protection. I can do no less than my best. And now we part. I to return to the temple, you to take the trip up the river. May your journey be as safe as mine will be.

[Steve Mitchell]

I go down to the waterfront and buy a ticket on the riverboat. I've got an hour before it shoves off. And then I realize I don't even know whether it's going to be a man or a woman who contacts me. So I go back to the temple to ask questions. I start walking along the row of idols. The one somebody tried to push over on me is still lying on the floor. But there's no vacant spot on the wall. There's another idol sitting there, but that idol moves a little. I go closer. Then, as it crumples over and drops to the floor, I see it's not an idol after all. It's Dalai Singh with a knife in his.

[Narrator]

Maybe you've got the idea that I tell you all these things about Wheaties just so you'll go out and buy them. Well, that isn't it at all. I'm not worried about you. You've been eating Wheaties long enough to know how good they are. It's those neighbors of yours I'm thinking about now. Suppose you just go over there some morning and just tell them all the nice things about Wheaties. Like they're whole wheat and they're wonderful with milk and fruit, and they make you feel fine. And kids love them. And they're flaky and crisp and loaded with vitamins. And I think that'd be a mighty

[Steve Mitchell]

neighborly thing to do. I'll say.

[Narrator]

I just happen to think, what if the neighbors are listening in tonight, too? They'll probably be over here tomorrow morning to tell you about Wheaties. Well, have fun. And now back to Dangerous Assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

May your journey be as safe as mine. That's what Dalai Singh had said to me. And now here he is, dead. And that gives me a strong hint as to what my journey is going to be like. Because if Dalai Singh talked before he died. There's only going to be somebody trying to contact me aboard the boat. There'll also be somebody else trying to kill me. Well, we shove off. It's an old side wheeler. I give the passengers the once over, trying to figure out which one to use the password about the Dark Jungle on. There are a few natives. A fat guy carrying a white trench coat. A smooth looking Egyptian and a girl. The kind of a girl you'd vote is the one you'd most like to take a trip up a river with. I stand there at the rail and pretty soon she saunters over.

[Marge]

Hello.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi.

[Marge]

What's your name?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve. You?

[Marge]

Marge.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi, Marge.

[Marge]

You got a smoke?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, sure.

[Marge]

Long way from home, Majesty.

[Steve Mitchell]

Funny, I was thinking the same about you.

[Marge]

No river boat or bar. That's home to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where you heading?

[Marge]

Up the river? Mandalay. Gonna sing in a joint up there. Oh, yeah? I guess my voice wouldn't get me into the store, Cub. But they're not so particular in Bremer.

[Steve Mitchell]

You've been around this neck of the woods quite a while, huh?

[Marge]

About three lifetimes.

[Steve Mitchell]

Say, that jungle is very dark, isn't it?

[Marge]

Hmm?

[Steve Mitchell]

I said that jungle is very dark.

[Marge]

Oh, yes. Well, I imagine it'll.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the matter?

[Marge]

That fat gent over there with the white trench coat. Is he a friend of yours?

[Steve Mitchell]

No. Why?

[Marge]

He seems to be trying to take in every word.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah? You know him?

[Marge]

I've seen him around Rangoon a few times. I think his name is Lazarus.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Excuse me a minute, Mark.

[Marge]

Yeah, she.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good evening, Lazarus. Hey, just a minute.

[Chambers]

What do you want?

[Steve Mitchell]

You seem pretty interested in what I was saying to the young lady a minute ago.

[Chambers]

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

[Steve Mitchell]

No? You were sure drinking in every word, Lazarus.

[Chambers]

You're mistaken. I was merely enjoying the view. Good night.

[Steve Mitchell]

I hope you will pardon my inclusion on your privacy. It was just that I could not avoid paying homage to such beauty.

[Marge]

You're a real flowery type guy, aren't you? Oh, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi. Looks like you just weren't meant to be lonely, Marge, this is.

[Marge]

What did you say your name was, Buster?

[Steve Mitchell]

Camis, at your service.

[Marge]

Camis, meet Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

I am indeed honored, Steve. I hope you will forgive my intrusion on your tte. Tate. Yeah. Egyptian, aren't you? Yes, from Cairo. What brings you here to Burma? Quite possibly the same thing that brings you here, Steve. What's that? Yes, I sense that we are two kindred Spirits, each seeking adventure. Each willing to travel around the world to find it. You're just looking for adventure, huh? Yes. You see, Steve, I am a romantic at heart. Else why would I leave my considerable estate in Cairo to travel up a Burmese river on a rickety boat?

[Marge]

Brother, if I had a considerable estate in Cairo or Cairo, Illinois, I wouldn't be paddling through this swamp.

[Steve Mitchell]

The quest for adventure often leads us to unlikely surroundings. It sure does. And now, please excuse me. Perhaps it was fated that we should meet Steve. If so, we shall meet again. Well, it'd be pretty hard to avoid meeting again on this tub. I'll see you around, commies. Good night to you both.

[Marge]

Get a load of him. I am a romantic at heart. Yet.

[Chambers]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, look, Marge. Just before you spotted that guy Lazarus watching us, I made a remark to you about the jungle being pretty dark.

[Marge]

Yeah, I remember.

[Steve Mitchell]

You started to say something in reply. What was it?

[Marge]

It'll keep, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, okay.

[Marge]

Well, I think I'll turn in.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll see you in the morning, huh?

[Marge]

Yeah. Matter of fact, I'll make a point of it.

[Steve Mitchell]

I stand there at the rail alone, staring down into the black water of the Irrawaddy River. Wondering how many crocodiles per cubic foot. At this point, it looks like Marge is the contact who's to lead me to the girl. Linear. That leaves either the flowery Egyptian commise or the guy with a white trench coat. Lazarus as the killer of Dolly Singh. But I've got to be sure who's who before I can do anything about it. Then suddenly, there's a faint sound behind me. A hand shoved me out of the corner of my eye. I get a glimpse of a white coat as I topple over the side. There's a loose line trailing in the water. I grab at it as I hit. Almost jerked my arm out of the socket. But hang on. Got no desire to be a crocodile bait. And finally I pull myself back on board. There's no one in sight. But I know the white coat I spotted belongs to one Mr. Lazarus. The next morning we dock at a river port. Lazarus is the first one ashore. I follow him to a little shop.

[Marge]

Oh, yes sir. May I say you some nice tank.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where's the guy who just came in here?

[Marge]

But I do not know what you're talking about.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. That door over there. Where does it lead?

[Marge]

Oh, just to the back room. But I have. Nice chick. What's up?

[Steve Mitchell]

Where are you going?

[Marge]

No, wait.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Lazarus.

[Chambers]

Good morning, Mr. Mitchell. Come in, please. Quickly. We have no Time to lose.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, what's this all about, Lazarus?

[Chambers]

I did not have a chance to contact you aboard the boat, Mitchell. You were never alone. So I reasoned that if I left the boat in a hurry, you would follow me. You did.

[Steve Mitchell]

You. You trying to tell me that you're my contact?

[Chambers]

I am delight seeing is a friend of mine.

[Steve Mitchell]

Don't give me that. You tried to shove me overboard last night. I spotted your white trench coat.

[Chambers]

That coat was stolen from my stateroom.

[Steve Mitchell]

All right, try this. The jungle is very dark, but soon

[Chambers]

it'll be lighting aid. And as further proof of my identity. Linya.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Marge]

Yes, Mr. Lazarus.

[Chambers]

Hey, you may join us now, child. So.

[Steve Mitchell]

So this is Linya. You've been hiding in the back of the shop ever since you left Rangoon, huh?

[Marge]

Yes. My great uncle, Dalai Singh said he would send help to me. How is he?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm sorry, Linya, but he's dead.

[Chambers]

What's that? My one friend gone.

[Steve Mitchell]

I think the same person who's after you killed him. And an American newspaper man named Jackson. When you. Now you've got to tell me who that person is.

[Marge]

I. Oh, but I know nothing, Mr. Mitchell. I do not know why someone is trying to kill me.

[Steve Mitchell]

You worked at Papa Valdar's restaurant in Rangoon?

[Marge]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

Every night you leave right at 8 and start walking home. Now, the night of the killing, you must have seen something on the way home.

[Marge]

No, I saw nothing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Then you heard something. Shots, for instance.

[Marge]

No.

[Chambers]

Mitchell, do you suppose the killer mistook Linya for another girl?

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't know. Look, I'm going to try once more. Lynn, you now try to remember.

[Marge]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

On the night of the killing, you left Papa Valdez at 8 o' clock as usual. Right. Now, 15 minutes later, you were within four blocks of the scene of the killing. That's about half a mile from Papa Valdez restaurant.

[Marge]

No, I did not get that far.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Marge]

I realized I had forgotten to take some food that Papa Valder had given me. So I went back to the restaurant to get it.

[Chambers]

But Michel, that means Lenya could not possibly have witnessed the killing. It must be a case of mistaken identity.

[Steve Mitchell]

Just a minute, Lazarus. Keep on, Linya.

[Marge]

Well, I opened the door. Then I saw someone inside the restaurant.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who was it?

[Marge]

I do not know. I had never seen this person before. I guess she means Miki. That is the one. Hold it. Nice and steady, all of you. Well, Steve, you were concentrating so hard on following Lazarus when he left the boat, you made it pretty easy for me to follow you. Thanks for leading me To Linear.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, congratulations to me, chump of the world.

[Marge]

Oh, now, Buster, let's not cry in our beer. Oh my, such long faces. It looks like little Marge will have to cheer you up.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what are you going to do? Tell a joke or something?

[Marge]

You know, I might at that. Because I've got a real funny one stored up for you kids. It'll kill you.

[Narrator]

No kidding. It actually may cost you money not to eat breakfast. Honest. Look, you skip breakfast, so comes lunch, and you gotta eat like a horse to catch up. And that's tough on the budget. So here's the deal. Start breakfast with a nice bowl of crisp whole wheat Wheaties with milk and some fruit. Maybe they'll be just about wearing off at noon and you'll be all set for a nice reasonable lunch. And you know, with those Wheaties in there, you'll feel as good as money in the bank all morning long. Now here is the conclusion of dangerous assignment.

[Chambers]

What are you going to do to it?

[Marge]

Are you kidding?

[Chambers]

You mean you're going to kill us? Just because Lyna happened to see you in a restaurant?

[Marge]

That's the general idea, lazy old boy.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, why don't you get it over with, Marge?

[Marge]

In a minute, buster.

[Steve Mitchell]

You called? You can call me Steve. And what are you waiting for, my little helper?

[Marge]

I don't want any slip up.

[Steve Mitchell]

Helper? Then you're not in this deal alone?

[Marge]

No, he's tying up that shopkeeper out in front. Oh, here he is now. Papa Val. There.

[Narrator]

Good evening, Linear.

[Steve Mitchell]

You have been most difficult to find. Well, I begin to get it. You and Papa Valde were running the political refugee racket together. March. You killed the correspondent Jackson, then went back to report the Val there. But just then Linya stuck her head in the door. You two didn't want to be seen together, so you took off after Linya. Come, my dear. Let us attend to the business at

[Marge]

hand without further delay. Okay, Pop.

[Chambers]

Wait. You must spare my life, I beg of you.

[Marge]

Oh, save it, hero.

[Chambers]

But I was only trying to do a favor for a friend. I had nothing to do with it.

[Marge]

You sure want nice brave guys to work with.

[Chambers]

Please don't kill me. I'll do anything to say. Please, I beg of you.

[Marge]

Get up off your knees. Take it like a big boy. Lazarus.

[Steve Mitchell]

Suddenly I realize what Lazarus is up to. He's squealing for mercy like a stuck. But all the while he's inching slowly forward on his knees towards Marge's gun.

[Marge]

I said get up.

[Chambers]

Very well.

[Marge]

Let go of that gun, Valder.

[Steve Mitchell]

Is behind Marge. He whips out his gun, jumps to one side, but I meet him halfway. Plug hits the wall, and Val there hits the floor.

[Chambers]

Marge gives Lazarus a foot in the

[Steve Mitchell]

face and swings her gun free, but a second too late.

[Marge]

Let go of my wrist.

[Steve Mitchell]

Drop the gun or I'll break your arm.

[Marge]

Oh, yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks. I'll take it now. You okay? Lazarus quite looks like he's a little bigger hero than you gave him credit for, Marge.

[Marge]

Okay, okay. So things didn't turn out quite like I'd figured. No hard feelings, Steve?

[Narrator]

Oh, no.

[Steve Mitchell]

No hard feelings. You kill a newspaper man and a priest. To say nothing of a few political refugees here and there along the line. But no hard feelings.

[Marge]

Well, you've got a right to your theories. Can I go now?

[Steve Mitchell]

You are kidding.

[Marge]

Look, buster, you've got no proof of any of this. There weren't any witnesses to either of those killings. And if you think you're going to get any kind of confession out of me.

[Steve Mitchell]

I've got your gun, Marge. And that's just as good as a confession.

[Marge]

What are you talking about?

[Steve Mitchell]

The police back in Rangoon have the slug that killed Jackson. Five will get you. Tenant matches these and your gun.

[Marge]

Wait a minute.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Even in Burma they've got ballistics. And I bet that's one word you'll wish had never been invented. But no hard feelings, Marge. I mean, Buster. Come on.

[Narrator]

Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell, is written by Bob Wright with music by Basil Adlam and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Join us again next Wednesday when Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell embarks on another dangerous assignment. And this is your Wheaties man, Frank Martin, inviting you to listen next Monday night to Frank Lovejoy in Nightbeat on the Wheaties Big Parade. See you then. Going to bake a pie sometime soon. Make it with crust quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. You know, it's a tender, flaky crust that's at the bottom of every delicious pie. Sure as you use crust quick and so easy.

[Marge]

Just add water to crust quick.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mmm. And what?

[Narrator]

Pie crust, Tender crust, tasty crust, Rich, short, lovely crust. Just like Betty Crocker makes. And you can make it.

[Marge]

Just add water to Crestquick.

[Narrator]

Crest quick. The Betty Crocker Pie Crust Mix. Tomorrow, perry como sings at the supper club on NBC.

[Howie Mandel]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time. Scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.