Dangerous Assignment: Deadly Bacteria 06/07/1950

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment – "Deadly Bacteria" (06/07/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dangerous Assignment – Deadly Bacteria
Original Air Date: June 7, 1950
Podcast Release Date: April 8, 2026
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell
Notable Guest Characters: Commissioner, Lt. Devrick, George Champlin, Kozan, Abdul, Kumsar
Setting: Istanbul, Turkey

---

Episode Overview

In this exciting "Golden Age of Radio" thriller, international agent Steve Mitchell (Brian Donlevy) is dispatched to Istanbul, Turkey, to investigate a mysterious plot that threatens thousands of lives. The mission becomes a race against time as Steve follows a trail of sabotage, deadly bacteria, and deception in a desperate attempt to prevent a mass disaster and expose those who plan to frame Americans with a biological attack.

---

Key Discussion Points and Plot Summary

1. The Assignment and Initial Briefing

• Steve Mitchell receives his orders from the Commissioner: Investigate the disappearance of an American radio commentator, George Champlin, in Istanbul who reported “something hot” on tape relating to a possible sabotage or smear against the U.S.
  • “I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing, though. Trouble.” (01:00, Steve Mitchell)
• Champlin’s cryptic call: He claimed to have evidence of a plot against the U.S. set to occur Thursday.
• Steve is sent to work with Lt. Devrick of Istanbul police and find both Champlin and the crucial tape.
• Insight: The backdrop involves Cold War paranoia and propaganda—attempts to discredit Americans abroad.
  • “We're up against a giant conspiracy to discredit us in all parts of the world.” (01:48, Commissioner)

---

2. Arrival in Istanbul and Deadly Discovery

• Steve arrives just as Champlin’s body is discovered—supposedly killed in a suspicious car crash.
• Eyewitnesses Kozan and Abdul recount seeing another person (possibly a woman) struggling with Champlin before the crash (05:01–06:30).
• Steve and Devrick discover a burnt fragment of magnetic tape on Champlin’s body.
  • Memorable moment: The protagonist painstakingly recovers what might be an overlooked clue.
• They play the fragment (08:06–09:13), revealing conspiratorial voices plotting an attack for “Thursday at midnight.”

---

3. The Threat Unveiled: Deadly Bacteria

• A university researcher, Kumsar, bursts in: Bacteria samples—some of “the most deadly known to man”—were stolen from his lab after he was attacked.
  • “In those test tubes were some of the most deadly bacteria known to man.” (11:47, Kumsar)
• Clue tie-in: The plotters are heard on the tape referencing the need for “necessary equipment”—now revealed to be stolen bacteria.
• Stakes clarified: The plan is to unleash disease and blame the Americans, exacerbating international tensions.

---

4. Chasing the Clue: The Ferry Boat Whistle

• Steve notices a background sound on the tape—a ferry boat’s whistle, precisely at 10:00 p.m., helping to fix the location.
• Implements a clever forensic plan: Record ferry whistles at incrementing distances on the same night to match volume levels with the original tape (15:02–18:24).
  • “When the two needles hit the same spot on the dial. That's it.” (17:16, Steve Mitchell)
• The volume-matching method identifies that the “call” was made about nine blocks from the waterfront.
  • Notable quote: “It also means the room we're looking for is somewhere on the circumference of that circle I just drew on the map.” (18:44, Steve)

---

5. High Stakes Search and the Final Confrontation

• Systematic search of buildings along the identified zone, aided by a tip from an apartment owner.
• Misstep: They almost search the wrong apartment, but realize from a clue on the tape (“pull the window down”) that the real room is elsewhere—a rooftop room with a sash window, not a casement window.
  • “How did that guy close the window?...He pulled the window down...It was an up and down window. And this one's a casement window. This isn't the room.” (22:26–22:47, Steve & Devrick)
• Find the correct room as the plotters emerge, and a chase begins.
• Big reveal: The supposed “innocent witnesses,” Kozan and Abdul, are unmasked as conspirators—voices matched from their initial testimony and the recording (23:53–24:12).

---

6. The Race to Stop Mass Murder

• Kozan flees with the bag of deadly bacteria, heading toward the new American-engineered water filtration plant at Lake Dercos—a recent U.S. project, set to start at midnight.
  • “So that's the plan. Kozan dumps the bacteria in the water and then half the city drops dead.” (25:06, Steve)
• High-speed pursuit to the plant; brief gunplay and chase up the water tank ladder.
• Steve wrestles Kozan, causing him to lose his grip (and the bag)—Kozan plunges to his death.
  • Closing thought: “Yeah, those bacteria were deadly, all right. To Cozen.” (27:08, Steve)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “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 (01:00)
• “Of course many will die. That is the plan. The Americans will be blamed for it.” - Tape conspirator (08:26)
• “In those test tubes were some of the most deadly bacteria known to man.” - Kumsar (11:47)
• “It also means the room we're looking for is somewhere on the circumference of that circle I just drew on the map.” - Steve Mitchell (18:44)
• “How did that guy close the window?...He pulled the window down...This isn't the room.” - Steve & Devrick (22:26–22:47)
• “So that's the plan. Kozan dumps the bacteria in the water and then half the city drops dead.” - Steve Mitchell (25:06)
• “Yeah, those bacteria were deadly, all right. To Cozen.” - Steve Mitchell (27:08)

---

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• Assignment and briefing: 01:00–03:14
• Discovery of Champlin’s fate and recovery of tape: 04:20–09:13
• Playing the tape, spotting clues: 08:06–09:39; 09:45–10:56
• Reveal of bacteria theft: 11:04–12:07
• Ferry whistle forensic plan and location search: 13:39–19:02
• Rooftop chase and reveal of real conspirators: 23:13–24:12
• Final pursuit, climax at filtration plant: 24:37–27:08
• Resolution/afterword: 27:08 onward

---

Summary and Tone

This episode expertly mixes suspense, spycraft, and Cold War melodrama. The fast-paced story and the clever use of forensic deduction (analyzing sound levels and background details on tape) are standout features. The dialogue is taut but often witty, especially in Steve's self-deprecating asides and sharp interplay with the local police.

Listeners are treated to a classic cat-and-mouse plot with a layered mystery and a ticking clock, ending in a life-or-death struggle high above Istanbul.

---

For New Listeners

If you’ve never tuned in to old time radio thrillers or "Dangerous Assignment," this episode offers an excellent taste of the genre’s sharp pacing, espionage atmosphere, and ingenious problem-solving—plus a healthy serving of midcentury international intrigue.

---

Transcript

[A]

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 donating at choiceclassicradio.com

[B]

Wheaties 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.

[A]

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 that this assignment is going to involve my trying to save the lives of several thousand people with just a ferry boat whistle, a window and a hunk of t. Well,

[C]

here he is, Commissioner. I found him slaving over a hot swimming pool.

[D]

Thanks, Ruth. Morning, Steve.

[A]

Commissioner. I'll have his papers in order when

[C]

you're through with him. Commissioner.

[D]

Steve, what do you know about Istanbul, Turkey?

[A]

Well, is that something like chicken a la king?

[D]

You can take that up with their Chamber of Commerce the day after tomorrow.

[A]

What? I'm flying to Turkey.

[D]

You're practically airborne right now. What's the deal, Steve, with the Korean situation? What it is, we're up against a giant conspiracy to discredit us in all parts of the world. And we've got to be on the alert against it, no matter how fantastic these attempts are. Last week, for example, we were accused of dropping potato bugs in eastern Germany to ruin the crop.

[A]

Yeah, I guess you can call that fantastic. All right.

[D]

Sure it is. But don't forget that a lot of people in this world have been brought up to believe what they're told.

[A]

Yeah, but look, how does all this tie in with my flying to Istanbul?

[D]

There's a radio commentator named George Champlin who's been touring the Near East. This morning he called his headquarters here in the States to tell them he'd recorded something pretty hot on his tape recorder.

[A]

Well, what was it?

[D]

We don't know. He said over the phone that it affects our government directly and that whatever it was, it was going to happen Thursday. Then the connection was broken off and Champlin hasn't been heard from since.

[A]

He said it was going to happen Thursday. Well, look, it's Tuesday now. I won't even get to Istanbul until Thursday.

[D]

I know it's cutting it off. We're close, but we can't help it. Now, Steve, this could be another of those attempts to discredit us. We've got to find out. Lieutenant Devrick of the Istanbul police is in charge on their end. Get over there, work with him and find Champlin and his roll of tape. Well, I said you've got your assignment.

[E]

Good luck.

[B]

Dangerous assignment. Will continue in a moment. Now here is the Wheaties man.

[A]

Frank Martin.

[B]

Isn't that a perfect name they thought up for him? Says just exactly what they are. Wheaties. There just isn't anything that sounds wheatier than that. Nothing that gives you more 100% whole wheat energy either. The good kind that stays right in there with you all morning long. You just try it and see. Just see how Wheaties at 7 can help at 11. You get a bowl of Wheaties under your belt or apron tomorrow morning. And see how the big Thursday chores all seem to turn out to be. Little ones, vicious to do, breeze right through them, tough customer to call on, nothing to it, papers to carry, ball game to win. They're all going to seem a lot lot easier with Wheaties vitamins and minerals helping you out. So tomorrow for sure. See how Wheaties at 7 can help at.

[A]

That's the swell thing about my job. I'm always fighting the ar hand. All I have to do is fly five or six thousand miles to Turkey and find a guy named George Champlin and his tape recording. The day I get there. Well, my plane lands at Istanbul and I head for the police station. Lt. Devrick is roosting behind his desk, staring glumly at two natives who are squirming uneasily in their chairs across from him.

[F]

I am afraid you are too late, Mitchell.

[A]

What do you mean, Lieutenant?

[F]

You are looking for this man, George Champlin.

[A]

That's right.

[F]

His body has just been taken to our morgue downstairs.

[A]

What?

[D]

Yes, You.

[F]

What is your name again?

[C]

I am Cozan. Honored, Lieutenant.

[F]

Yes. Tell Mr. Mitchell what you have just told me, cousin.

[C]

Yes, it was a bad thing. I was leading my horse cart along a narrow road in the hills outside the city. Suddenly, I saw a car traveling down the road toward me. Very fast. It was weaving back and forth across the road. Oh, I was covered by fear. I looked for a place of safety.

[F]

But I can tell your story to the essentials, cousin.

[C]

Yes, Anat, Lieutenant. I jumped to one side just as the car hit my horse cart and plunged over the side of the hill. I ran to the edge of the hill and looked over in time to see the car burst into flames.

[F]

One of my men nearby heard the crash and went to investigate. He found a body in the wreckage. We have identified that body as that of the American George Champlin.

[A]

I see. Cousin, you said the car was weaving back and forth across the road as it approached?

[C]

Yes, it was so. At first I thought the driver was drunk. But then as the car drew near, it looked as though he was struggling with someone who was in the back seat.

[A]

Did you get a close look at this other person?

[F]

No. Could this other person have jumped to safety as the car went over the hill?

[C]

That is a perhaps. The car hesitated on the side of the hill for an instant, then plunged to the bottom.

[A]

Where does this other fellow fit into the deal, Lieutenant?

[C]

Permit me. I am Abdul. What this man cousin says is true. I was walking along the road when this car sped by me and hit his horse cart.

[A]

Did you get look at the person in the backseat, Abdul?

[C]

Only for a moment. It seemed to me it was a woman.

[A]

A woman?

[C]

But I could not be certain.

[A]

Very well, very well.

[F]

The two of you may go now. Thank you.

[C]

Honored Lieutenant. Thank you.

[F]

But leave your names and addresses with the sergeant outside this office.

[C]

It will be done. One question, if you will permit.

[F]

What is it?

[C]

Who is to pay for my horse and cart?

[F]

You will be notified as to the insurance company involved. The matter rests between you and them.

[C]

Thank you. Arnold Lucent.

[F]

A most regrettable development in the case, Mitchell.

[A]

Yeah, I suppose you know I'm also looking for some tape on which Champlin supposedly recorded something pretty hot.

[F]

Yes, according to our understand it was something vital to our government. We did find a tape recorder and some spools of tape in the back of Champlin's car. But they were almost completely destroyed by fire.

[A]

You say Champlin's body is in the morgue now?

[F]

Yes, downstairs.

[A]

Come on, let's take a look. There was nothing in his pockets, huh?

[F]

No tape, if that is what you mean.

[A]

Well, I guess we can't fight on anything more here, Brother. His clothes sure look like they took a beating.

[F]

Yes, they are quite scorched.

[A]

Yeah.

[F]

You see how this sleeve pulls away in your hand?

[A]

Derek?

[D]

What is it?

[A]

Look. Wrapped around his arm, under the sleeve.

[F]

A fragment of tape.

[A]

Yeah, just a fragment, but maybe it's what we're looking for. Come on, let's get a recorder and play it.

[F]

I'm ready, Mitchell.

[A]

Let her go. Very well.

[F]

I will start the machine.

[E]

Nasif, you know who this is?

[A]

Good.

[E]

Now listen carefully. The meeting will be here on Thursday night at midnight.

[A]

Hi.

[E]

Just a minute. There is too much noise.

[A]

There.

[E]

I closed the window. Now your job is to get the necessary equipment. You understand? Hmm. Do not tell me you are getting faint hearted, Nasir. Of course Many will die. That is the plan. The Americans will be blamed for it. And do not let me hear any more of your stupid fears. One more thing. Contact the other party involved and have him telephone me for his instructions within 30 minutes. I will wait here until 10:30.

[A]

That's all there is of the tape?

[F]

Yes. The rest was burned beyond use.

[A]

Oh, great. We've sure got a lot to go on. So there's going to be a meeting somewhere in Istanbul tonight. It has a lot to do with a plot to kill a lot of people. Look, I still don't see how my government can be blamed.

[F]

It is very mystifying, Mitchell. We have only a recorded fragment of a telephone conversation to go on. But one thing is certain. We must find the location of that meeting place before midnight tonight.

[A]

Yeah, but how? That guy on the phone wasn't kind enough to furnish us with his address. I. Hey, Wade.

[D]

What is it?

[A]

Rewind that tape and start it over again.

[F]

Very well. What do you have in mind, Mitchell?

[A]

There's a sound in there I want to hear again. Up near the front.

[F]

Yes, yes, I was wondering about that also. There it is.

[A]

Rewound.

[F]

Now here it is again.

[E]

Nasif, you know who this is.

[A]

Good.

[E]

Now listen carefully. The meeting will be here on Thursday night at midnight.

[A]

I.

[E]

Just a minute. There is too much noise.

[A]

That's the sound I wanted to hear.

[F]

It sounds like a boat whistle.

[A]

Mitchell. Yeah?

[F]

Have you heard enough?

[A]

Wait there.

[E]

I closed the window. Now, your job is to get the necessary equipment.

[A]

Turn it off, you understand? It's not much to go on.

[F]

Indeed it is not. All we know is that a boat whistle sounded as he was talking on the telephone.

[A]

Yeah. We also know that that whistle was sounded at about 10pm the guy on the phone said that he'd wait there till 10:30. That's 30 minutes later. The pegs the time for us, doesn't it?

[F]

Yes, yes, but we still do not know where he called from.

[A]

Yeah, that's what we've got to try to find out.

[F]

And we have no idea what's behind this whole thing.

[A]

And you've got me. Excuse me, I wonder.

[F]

Lieutenant Deverek speaking. Yes, What? But. I see. Send him in at once.

[A]

Mitchell, what's the matter?

[F]

A very strange occurrence. This must be the man.

[D]

Now.

[F]

You. You are Lieutenant Devrek? Yes. You are the one from the university? That is right. Yes, I am.

[A]

Kumsar. Hey, you look like you've been tangling with a meat grinder.

[F]

Tell us your story, Kumsar. I work for the university. In their research laboratory. An hour ago I was carrying a rack full of test tubes to the vault. I was attacked and knocked unconscious. When I recovered, the test tubes were gone. What was in these test tubes? Cultures of many. Rabbi Sali, I have the list written down, as you can see.

[A]

Skip the technicalities and give it to us in plain English. Very well.

[F]

In those test tubes were some of the most deadly bacteria known to man.

[A]

What? Look, do you have any idea who jumped you?

[F]

No. I heard one of them called the other Nasif. I think it was Nasif.

[A]

That was the name the guy on the tape recording used. And he told him to get what he called the necessary equipment. It ties in Deverek.

[F]

But that means those test tubes will be at the meeting tonight.

[B]

11. Say, I've got a little story to tell you about that. One of my wife's girlfriends was saying the other night that every time she goes to the store to buy laundry supplies, it reminds her to buy a couple of boxes of Wheaties. She knows doggone well if she's going to do the washing, she needs all the stamina and drive and energy she can get. So naturally she starts wash day off with a good big bowl of Wheaties. What's on your things to do list for tomorrow? Maybe it's not the washing. Maybe you're going to go a couple of rounds with a vacuum cleaner or sell a man a new car or cultivate the South 40. Well then, isn't it good sound sense to let Wheaties good sound vitamins and minerals give you a boost? And if this is your vacation, why, you can even loaf better when you've had your Wheaties. Wheaties, the golden, light hearted little whole wheat flakes that eat as good as they make you feel. Honest, substantial Wheaties. Each crisp flake made from a whole kernel of plump ripe wheat. Well, how's about you? You just try it. Just see how Wheaties at 7 can help at 11. Now back to dangerous assignment and Steve Mitchell.

[F]

Mitchell. As you suggested, I have checked with all the boat companies along the waterfront. There is a ferry boat which makes a regular trip along the waterfront. Each night at 10 o', clock, as it nears its mooring, it sounds the whistle.

[A]

That could be the boat whistle we heard on the tape recording.

[F]

But that whistle can be heard over this entire section of the city. That does not help us locate the room from which that man was telephoned.

[A]

What time is it?

[F]

Six o'.

[A]

Clock. And we've got to find that meeting place before midnight. That doesn't leave us Much time.

[F]

Have you been able to think of any reason why you Americans would be blamed for anything that might happen with those deadly bacteria?

[A]

No. I telephoned my boss, the Commissioner, back in the States. He's checking on it for me. So far all he knows is that we've sent quite a few engineers and equipment over here.

[F]

Yes, yes, I am aware of that, but I still don't see the connection.

[A]

Look, Devrick, suppose you call the ferryboat company and tell them to have their boat stop its engines at 10 tonight and keep sounding its whistle. Then mount all the tape recorders you can get hold of on jeeps and trucks. Use the same volume setting that was used on Champlain's recorder.

[F]

I. I do not understand what you have in mind.

[A]

It's a slim chance, but it's our only chance of locating that room. Have your boys meet me at the ferryboat slip at 5 minutes to 10 tonight and I'll fill them in on the plan then.

[F]

Attention, men.

[A]

Quiet.

[D]

Quiet.

[F]

This is Steve Mitchell from the United States. You will take your orders from him.

[A]

I want you men to start up this road which leads away from the waterfront. Station your jeeps at four block intervals. When that ferry boat starts tooting its whistle in a couple of minutes, record it. Then drive a block away as fast as you can. Cut your engines and record the toot again. Each of the jeeps will cover four blocks. Lieutenant Deverek and I will cover the four blocks closest to the waterfront in our jeep. Now, when you've made your recordings, take them to police headquarters as fast as you can. Any questions? Okay, shove off and take your station.

[F]

I hope this will work, Mitchell.

[A]

Well, we picked a nice night for the job anyway. Look, the moon is just starting to come up over that building across the street.

[F]

Ah, yes. One wishes he were not engaged on official business on an evening such as this.

[A]

Yeah, that's funny. Looks like a man in the moon. Hey, Desrick.

[F]

Yes?

[A]

There's a guy on top of that building. Get down.

[F]

Mitchell. Mitchell, are you all right?

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

That second shot hit the door handle beside me. Looks like somebody doesn't like the color of our tape recorder. Come, we may be able to catch you. No, no, there's not time. It's 10 o' clock right now. There's the boat whistle. Start recording.

[F]

The recorder's on me too.

[A]

Okay, we'll drive to the next block. Now, turn the recorder off and label the recording you just got. We'll take one at each block in our stretch and then we're going to make a Beeline for head police headquarters. You got all the recordings together, Devrick?

[F]

Yes. Six Jeeps, four recordings each.

[A]

24 recordings, 24 hunks of tape. Well, I hope our answer's in there somewhere.

[F]

What are you going to do with them?

[A]

I've got two recorders here. Each of them is hooked up to a volume indicator. On one machine I've got the recording of the guy on the phone.

[F]

And on the other machine, you're going to play the tapes we just made?

[A]

That's right. We'll be trying to match the volume of that boat whistle. Now watch those volume indicators. When the two needles hit the same spot on the dial. That's it.

[F]

I am ready.

[A]

Okay, I'll start the tape we made. Now you start. Champlin's ready.

[F]

When?

[E]

Just a minute. There is too much noise.

[A]

No, no, too loud. Shut it off. The one Champlin recorded was louder than ours. Okay, we'll try the one we made a block closer to the waterfront.

[F]

But Mitchell, we have 24 recordings to cover. This will take all night.

[A]

If it takes past midnight, we're cooked. Come on, set up that next recording. Start ours first and then Champlin.

[F]

Very well.

[E]

Just a minute. There is too much noise.

[A]

Hey, we're getting closer. What recording was that you just played?

[F]

Number eight.

[A]

Okay, try number nine. I'll reset the original. Ready?

[F]

Yes.

[A]

Let it go.

[E]

Just a minute. There is too much noise.

[A]

Yeah, that's it. Look at the needles on those volume indicators at the same level. Okay, turn it off. That was number nine, huh?

[F]

Yes, yes, it was recorded nine blocks from the waterfront.

[A]

Show me on the map of the city now.

[F]

Very well. Now, let me see here. Here at this spot.

[A]

Okay. And I've got the ferry boat's location already plotted. Now, I take this compass. I point the point at the ferry boat position and the pencil on the spot the whistle was recorded from. Then I draw a circle.

[F]

Ah, yes, yes, I see. The two whistles were of the same volume. That means our number nine recording was made at the same distance from the whistle as the original tape.

[A]

That's right. About a thousand yards from the whistle. It also means that the room we're looking for is somewhere on the circumference of that circle I just drew on the map.

[F]

But half of the circle is out in the water.

[A]

Yeah, we get a break, we can forget about that part of it. And another quarter of the circle is out in this side of the channel in the harbor. We can throw that out, too. That just leaves us a quarter of it. Are your men standing By Deborah.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Give them copies of this map with the quarter circle drawn on each one. Have them start along the rim of the circle from each end. Give them pictures of that dead correspondent. Tell them to try and find somebody along that route who remembers him. What time is it?

[F]

11 o'.

[A]

Clock. That's what I was afraid of. We've got just one hour to find that meeting place. So we sit and wait and sweat. The minutes tick by. 11:15, 11:30. Then at 11:40, Devrick's phone jangles. One of his boys has found a small apartment house whose owner remembers the dead radio correspondent Champlin. Deverek and I beat it up.

[F]

You say. You say you rented an apartment to this man Chaplin several days ago?

[B]

Yes, Lieutenant, but I have not seen him since. Here is the apartment.

[F]

Unlock the door.

[A]

Very well.

[F]

No sign of Champlin having lived here, Mitchell. It is obvious that he rented this apartment for but one purpose.

[A]

Yeah, to make that tape recording that sort of points to the apartment next door. Who lives there?

[B]

Man called Groven. But I do not see much of him. He comes and goes mostly by night.

[A]

I think we're getting pretty warm, Deverek. Come on out in the hall.

[B]

What are you going to do, Mr. Mitchell?

[A]

We're gonna crash that party next door,

[B]

if there is one. Oh, please.

[A]

I don't want any trouble. You got a key?

[E]

Yes, Lieutenant Deveric.

[F]

What do you want, Urkan?

[C]

This cable ram from Mr. Mitchell arrived at police headquarters right up there.

[E]

The two of you left. Here you are.

[A]

Thanks. From the commissioner back in the States.

[D]

What does he say?

[A]

It's a list of the projects here in Istanbul that American engineers are working on.

[F]

Good, good. Maybe we can get some idea from studying as to what is behind all this.

[A]

Look, this is no time to be reading lists. I still want to find out what's going on in this apartment of next to Champlin's. Here, give me that key.

[B]

Here you are.

[E]

Okay.

[A]

Get ready for anything, Deverek.

[D]

Yes.

[A]

Okay. Come on.

[F]

It is empty.

[A]

Oh, great. Look. This has got to be the meeting place. Champlin already had an apartment in Istanbul. Why? Why? Why would he rent the one next door here Unless it was to make that recording?

[F]

Maybe. Maybe. The meeting has not yet taken place.

[A]

What time is it?

[F]

One minute after midnight.

[A]

Well, I guess the only thing to do is to wait. Hope we're not too late.

[F]

Yes.

[D]

Yes.

[F]

Oh, it's tough in here. I will open the window. Yeah, that is better.

[A]

Yeah. Hey, wait a minute.

[F]

What is the matter?

[A]

Oh, brother, have I been a chump. What I was so busily listening to the sound of that ferryboat whistle on the tape recording that I didn't pay any attention to another sound that was just as important. Look, this can't be the room where the meeting's to be held.

[F]

But why not?

[A]

You just opened that window. How did you open it?

[F]

Why, I just pushed it open.

[A]

Yeah, that's the point. It's a casement window. Now think back to that recording. How did that guy close the window?

[F]

Why? Let me see. He just. Wait, wait. He pulled the window down.

[A]

Yeah, that's the point. It was an up and down window. And this one's a casement window. This isn't the room.

[F]

Yes, yes, you are right, Mitchell. But that means we have lost.

[A]

Where's that apartment house owner?

[F]

Dragna?

[A]

Yes. Look, Dragna, do you have any apartments in this building that have up and down windows?

[E]

Why, I don't believe so.

[B]

They all have casement windows except the

[A]

little room on the roof. What little room?

[B]

Oh, just a small place on the roof. Which is rented to a friend of Grove and the man who has this apartment.

[A]

Come on, Derek.

[F]

You think that is the place?

[A]

Mitchell, it's got to be the place. I only hope we're not too late. Here. This must be the door that opens out on the roof. Yeah.

[F]

Mitchell. Mitchell, there is the room over there.

[A]

Yeah, sort of a poor man's penthouse.

[F]

Wait, someone is coming out.

[A]

Yeah, one of them's got a little black bag.

[E]

Abdul, the police take care of them.

[A]

I will take the bag.

[F]

Stop. Stop or I will shoot. You will not shoot.

[A]

Out of the way, butcher.

[F]

Mitchell. Mitchell. The one with the black bag jumped over onto the next roof. You miss.

[A]

Come on, after him. Careful now.

[F]

Mitzu. Mitu, do you realize who those two men are?

[A]

Sure. Cozen and Abdul. The two innocent peasants who witnessed Champlin's accident. That was quite a little act they put on for us. But now they've changed clothes and voices.

[F]

Yes, yes. As soon as I heard Kosan's regular voice a second ago, I recognized it as a voice on the tape recording.

[A]

I gotta hand it to them, that was a pretty neat cover. Hey, look. Cozan went through that door. When we reach the stairway, Cozen is nowhere in sight. We pound down through the building, not on the street. Just in time to spot a car pulling away fast. It's Cozen heading out of the city. Deverek throws a couple of shots after him, but they don't take effect. We grab the first car we see and start hightailing after him.

[F]

We Are not gaining much on him, Mitchell.

[A]

I know. Where's he heading, anyway?

[F]

This road leads out to Lake Dercos.

[A]

But why should he be. Hey, wait a minute. Did you say Lake Derrickos?

[F]

Yes, yes. Why?

[A]

That name rings a bell. I think the commissioner listed it in this cable. Let's see. Yeah, here it is. Hey, that's one of the projects the American engineers are working on. A new water filtration plant.

[F]

Yes. Yes, that is right, Mitchell. And that plant started pumping at midnight. It supplies one entire quarter of the city with drinking water.

[A]

So that's the plan. Kozan dumps the bacteria in the water and then half the city drops dead. And Cozen's got a half a mile head start start on us.

[F]

We are almost to Lake Darcos, Mitchell. There. There is the water filtration plant ahead of us on that right.

[A]

Yeah, I see it. And Cozen is there. Look, he stopped his car.

[F]

He's getting out.

[A]

I'm okay.

[F]

Here we are.

[A]

He's heading for that water tank.

[F]

Yes. Yes. Look. There is a night watchman.

[A]

There was the night watchman. See if you can get a shot at him, cousin.

[F]

Yes, Just the shoulder wound. I am all right. Get him, Mitchell. It is up to you.

[A]

I head for the water tank and Cozen. If I've counted right, his gun is empty. If not, he's got a slug for me. When I get to the tank, he's halfway up the middle ladder. Then I spot his gun on the ground and know my arithmetic is okay. I start climbing up after him. He's almost to the top by now, But I'm climbing faster than he is because he's holding a little black bag of tubes in one hand. Just as he reaches the top rung, I grab one of his ankles. He kicks at my hand, grinding my knuckles into the ladder. I let go, then grab both of his ankles. He twists his body and pulls me off the ladder, But I'm still hanging onto his legs. He's only hanging on with one hand now. I know if he goes, I go with him. I swing back to the ladder and wrap my legs around it. Then I jerk as hard as I can. I get back down the ladder, and lieutenant Devrick is bending over Kozan.

[F]

He. He is dead, Mitchell.

[A]

Yeah, I shouldn't wonder. I almost went with him.

[F]

One second more and we would have.

[A]

Yeah, one second more and we'd have been two too many. Well, it's pretty fitting, I guess. What?

[F]

What do you mean?

[A]

Cozen was out to kill a lot of people with that little black bag. But that bag is the reason he couldn't hold onto the ladder. Yeah, those bacteria were deadly, all right. To cozen.

[B]

Now, here is our star, Brian Dunleavy.

[A]

Well, Frank, I'm waiting.

[B]

You're waiting, Mr. Dunleavy? Waiting for what?

[A]

Waiting to find out what you're going to say about Wheaties tonight.

[B]

Why so interested, Brian?

[A]

Well, I want to see if you'll say about the same things I would.

[B]

Well, let's see. Wheaties are whole wheat.

[A]

Yep.

[B]

And that means good, solid all morning long. Energy.

[A]

Check.

[B]

Wheaties are packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals.

[A]

Oh, lots of them.

[B]

That help you feel better and work better and play harder.

[A]

Check, check and check.

[B]

Wheaties taste so good.

[A]

Check. Well, that isn't all, is it?

[B]

Oh, what do you. Oh, you mean see how.

[A]

Check.

[B]

See how wheaties at 7 can help at 11?

[A]

Well done, Frank. You took the words right out of my mouth.

[B]

Check, Brian. See you next week. Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Dunlevy as Steve Mitchell, is written by Bob Wright with music by Basil Adlam, conducted by Ralph Hollenbeck, and is produced and directed by Bill Karn. Join us again next Wednesday when Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell embarks on another dangerous assignment. Now, Brian Donlevy, I believe you said you had another word for us.

[A]

Yes. I want to remind everyone that they can help feed Europe's hungry through care. 550 to care new York will send a package of food to a hungry family in Europe. Mail your 550 tonight. Care New York.

[B]

Next, The Falcon, one of three exciting mysteries tonight on NBC.