Dangerous Assignment: Smash Alien Smuggling Ring 08/13/1949

Summary

---

Dangerous Assignment: "Smash Alien Smuggling Ring" (08/13/1949)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Host: Choice Classic Radio

Date: November 19, 2025

Episode Theme:

Steve Mitchell travels to Portugal to investigate his friend’s murder and to dismantle a ruthless alien smuggling ring sending illegal immigrants from Europe to the United States.

---

Episode Overview

This episode of "Dangerous Assignment" follows government agent Steve Mitchell (portrayed by Brian Donlevy) as he tracks the murder of his friend, Alan Prescott, whose investigation into an alien smuggling ring in Portugal led to his death. Posing undercover, Mitchell works with local police and navigates through deception, danger, and double-crosses to smash the ring and bring justice for his friend.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. The Assignment: Alan Prescott’s Death

• [02:07] – [02:52]
  • Steve Mitchell is called in by the Commissioner upon news that Alan Prescott, Steve’s old friend and fellow agent, was found dead—hung from a bell rope in a deserted Portuguese monastery.
  • Commissioner: "Alan Prescott is dead."
    Steve Mitchell (shocked): "Let me have that again." (02:20)
  • Prescott had been investigating rumors of a large-scale operation smuggling people from Europe to the U.S.
  • The Commissioner assigns Steve to go to Portugal, connect with a reliable local contact, Perez—a pet shop owner.

2. Arrival in Portugal: Mysterious Pet Shop Contact

• [03:57] – [05:54]
  • Steve meets "Perez" at the pet shop but immediately senses trouble: Perez is injured and claims attackers were after him.
  • “Two men came into my shop with knives. Tried to kill me. I got my gun and drove them off.” (Perez, 05:24)
  • Perez claims to have been working on the same smuggling ring case with Prescott and promises to deliver more info the next day.

3. Working with Lieutenant Vieira and Uncovering Victims

• [06:09] – [08:13]
  • Steve introduces himself to Lieutenant Vieira, sent from Lisbon, who has been observing new arrivals.
  • The chilling discovery: Five bodies are found under a wharf, hands and feet tied, possibly the latest victims of the smuggling ring.
  • One is identified—Luis Delgado, whose sister Maria lives in Vila Real.

4. Confronting Maria Delgada

• [09:20] – [11:10]
  • Steve and Vieira question Maria, who reveals her brother was trying to reach America to join their uncle Emilio.
  • Maria’s evasiveness and grief hint at deeper connections to the smuggling racket.

5. The U.S. Connection and Unfolding Plot

• [11:53] – [13:45]
  • Investigation reveals Emilio Delgada, the uncle in the Bronx, paid a travel bureau in New York $3,000 to help Luis enter the U.S.
  • “A small travel bureau in New York. Delgado gave them $3,000. They promised to smuggle his nephew into the United States.” (Commissioner, 15:14)

6. Steve’s Undercover Operation: Nick Grotto

• [15:00] – [17:45]
  • Steve initiates a sting: he will pose as deported mobster "Nick Grotto," arranging for his own illegal transport with the travel bureau.
  • U.S. agent Summers plays his brother in New York for the set-up.

7. Final Act: The Cliffside Cave Trap

• [17:45] – [23:38]
  • Steve meets a handler (Bogota) and, along with two others, Maria Delgada (undercover herself) and old man Pimentel, is led to a hidden cliffside cave to await the boat.
  • Steve realizes the operation leaders intend to kill them and take their money, as they have done before.
    • “Instead of a ticket to the United States, they get a ticket to the morgue.” (Steve Mitchell, 22:58)

8. Twists and Showdown

• [22:34] – [23:07]
  • The master villain is revealed: the "Perez" Steve met at the pet shop was an impostor who had already murdered the real Perez.
  • Steve’s identity is blown, and the smugglers prepare to dispose of all witnesses.
  • Pimentel heroically rushes the entrance to draw the smugglers' fire, hoping noise will attract the daily police launch.

9. Escape Through the Cave

• [24:26] – [27:18]
  • Steve deduces there must be a back entrance (evidenced by a draft).
  • In the confusion as the police launch approaches, Steve and Maria escape into the cave’s flooded tunnel.
  • The impostor Perez pursues them. In the darkness, Steve ambushes and overcomes the villain.

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Steve’s Motivation:

  • “I'm thinking of Alan Prescott dangling at the end of that bell rope.” (Steve, 15:57)

• The Impostor's Revelation:

  • “The real Perez is dead, Mitchell... You assumed I was Perez. I played along with you... I threw his body in the bay.” (Impostor Perez, 22:46)

• Old Pimentel’s Sacrifice:

  • “What happens to me is not important. I'm old, sick. This way, perhaps I can prevent Perez from taking the dreams of others and ruining them as he did mine.” (Pimentel, 25:03)

• Steve’s Dry Humor (Final Scene):

  • “That was just a parrot, Commissioner.”
    “Parrot?”
    “Yeah, from Perez’s pet shop. He took a shine to me, I guess...”
    “‘Drop dead, Steve!’” (28:09–28:36)

---

Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:07] – Steve receives the assignment regarding Prescott’s death.
• [05:54] – Perez claims impending new information.
• [07:30] – Discovery of the five drowned bodies.
• [11:12] – Maria’s uncle Emilio Delgado identified in the U.S.
• [15:45] – Steve plans undercover operation as "Nick Grotto."
• [19:14] – Steve enters the hidden cliffside cave.
• [22:34] – Identity of the real smuggling ringleader (Impostor Perez) is revealed.
• [25:03] – Pimentel’s self-sacrifice to attract the police.
• [27:09] – Steve defeats the villain in the flooded cave tunnel.
• [28:09–28:36] – Closing comedic parrot exchange.

---

Tone & Style

• Direct, urgent, and hardboiled: Steve’s manner is gruff and quick-witted, but tinged with determination and loyalty to friends.
• Atmospheric suspense: Set in shadowy fishing villages and echoing caves, the sound design heightens danger and intrigue.
• Touches of humor: The recurring theme with Perez’s parrot provides levity after tense moments.

---

Summary

This episode encapsulates the essence of old-time radio detective drama: high-stakes international intrigue, ruthless criminal masterminds, clever deducing, and ultimate heroism. As Steve Mitchell unravels the layers of the smuggling operation, he faces betrayal, peril, and ultimately justice, with classic noir atmosphere and doses of dry wit.

---

Transcript

[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 you for [e-mail].

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company brings you Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment.

[Commissioner]

Sunset.

[Steve Mitchell]

The place.

[Narrator]

A small fishing village on the coast of Portugal. Two fishermen trudge wearily homeward past a deserted monastery near the waterfront. A sudden sound breaks the stillness of the evening air.

[Pimentel]

Sanchez, listen. The monastery bell is ringing.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, but that is impossible, Naranya.

[Narrator]

No one has lived in that monastery for five years.

[Pimentel]

Now it's quiet. Come, Sanchez. We better go see.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Naraya. Here is some food and blankets.

[Narrator]

Someone has been living here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, Madremeer. A man hanging from the bell.

[Maria Delgada]

Roll.

[Steve Mitchell]

Quick.

[Pimentel]

Let us cut him down.

[Steve Mitchell]

It's too late, Naranya. He's dead.

[Narrator]

You've seen him in such pictures as Wake Island. Standby for action and command decision. Now here is our star, Brian Donlevy in another two fisted portrayal as Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hi, Commissioner. You know, you pull me away for more big deals.

[Commissioner]

I want to talk to you about Alan Prescott, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, is he back? That's good.

[Commissioner]

No, he's not back, Steve. Alan Prescott is dead.

[Steve Mitchell]

Let me have that again.

[Commissioner]

I'm sorry, Steve. I know he was one of your best friends.

[Steve Mitchell]

Alan? Dead? How did it happen, Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

He was found hanging from a bell rope in a deserted monastery.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where?

[Commissioner]

Portuguese fishing village. Mazimbra is the name of it.

[Steve Mitchell]

What was he doing there?

[Commissioner]

Alan had been assigned to investigate rumors about a wholesale racket to smuggle aliens into the United States.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. Looks like he got too warm.

[Commissioner]

Yeah. Steve, I figured you'd want this assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

I do. There'll be any contacts over there?

[Commissioner]

One. And for a change. It's a man we know we can trust. He's helped us before in the past. And he was working with Alan on this illegal entry investigation.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's his name?

[Commissioner]

Perez. He runs a pet shop in Nazimbra. That'll be your first stop in Portugal. Okay. As usual, you'll pose as a foreign correspondent. Steve, I want you to go over there and find the men who killed Alan. And get enough information so he can smash their racket. You got your assignment. Good luck.

[Radio Announcer]

Flight nine now departing for Bermuda, the Azores and Lisbon, Portugal. All aboard, please.

[Pimentel]

Here is Senor Perez.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Pet shop.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

And his light is still on.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Okay, driver. There you are.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Gracias.

[Perez (Impostor)]

You want me to wait for you, senor?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, thanks.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Hey, Senor Perez. There's many birds in these shops in your.

[Steve Mitchell]

So I hear.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Good night, Gino.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good night. Boy, what a menagerie. Anybody home?

[Commissioner]

Perez.

[Maria Delgada]

Perez. Perez.

[Steve Mitchell]

Perez. Okay, Polly, you call him too. Hey, Perez.

[Maria Delgada]

Perez.

[Steve Mitchell]

Perez.

[Maria Delgada]

Perez. Stop. You're joking me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey. Hey. What's the matter, Paula? You got a persecution complex?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Maybe.

[Steve Mitchell]

Perez is in the back room here.

[Commissioner]

Perez.

[Maria Delgada]

Perez, you're choking me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, shut up. Dark in here. Wonder where he is.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Come in and close the door.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

What?

[Perez (Impostor)]

I have a gun. Do as I say.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Look, Perez, I want to talk to you. I'm a friend of Alan Prescott's.

[Perez (Impostor)]

I will turn on the lights.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's better. I Rez. What's the matter? You're bleeding.

[Perez (Impostor)]

There has been a fight.

[Steve Mitchell]

Come on over here and sit down. Let me help you. Thank you.

[Perez (Impostor)]

I will be all right.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happened?

[Perez (Impostor)]

Two men came into my shop with knives. Tried to kill me. I got my gun and drove them off. When I heard you come in a minute ago, I thought they had come back.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I guess that's what your parrot thought too.

[Perez (Impostor)]

You say you are a friend of Alan Prescott. You were sent to take over the case he was working on?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's right.

[Perez (Impostor)]

The alien smuggling ring. I was working on it with Senor Prescott.

[Steve Mitchell]

How much had he found out?

[Perez (Impostor)]

Why, so far, very little, Senor.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Over.

[Perez (Impostor)]

I expect to come into possession of some valuable information tomorrow.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, I'll check with you then. Now you better get a doctor to look after those cuts. Perez, I'm going to the police.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

The sergeant are the test that you wish to see me, senor?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. You in charge of the police here?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

At the moment I am Lieutenant Vieira, Senor Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm a foreign correspondent. I just flew in from the States today.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

You landed at Lisbon, took the train to Mazimbra by taxi cab to the pet shop of Senor Perez. What remained there 30 minutes, then walked here to the police station.

[Steve Mitchell]

I didn't know my activities were a matter of such interest to you.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I have been sent here from Lisbon to investigate certain matters, senor. So at the moment I am interested in everyone who comes to Mazimbra.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, Well, a friend of mine came here a couple of days ago and he got killed in a deserted monastery.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

You are perhaps referring to Alan Prescott, another so called foreign correspondent.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean so called?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

There are indications that he was investigating the existence of an organization to smuggle Europeans into the United States.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're right. Lieutenant Viera and I've been assigned to take over the investigation.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I see. You have proof of this?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Here Are my credentials so, Senor Mitchell.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

There is something in the next room which may be of interest to you. Oh, after you, senor.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, this looks like the morgue.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

For the present, it must serve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Five bodies.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Sim. They were found under one of the fishing wharves, their hands and feet securely tied.

[Steve Mitchell]

You figure that these men were some of the paying customers in this alien smuggling racket? It is possible, yeah. Maybe things got a little too hot for the smugglers all of a sudden, so they dumped these guys in the water. Who discovered the bodies?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

We did. Our police launch patrols the entire bay every day at sunset.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see any identification on any of them?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Their pockets were empty, but we were able to identify this man.

[Steve Mitchell]

How?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

From his fingerprints.

[Steve Mitchell]

Got a criminal record, huh?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

See, his name is Luis Delgado. From Villarreal to the north of here. He has been living there with his sister, Maria Delgada.

[Steve Mitchell]

Might be a good idea to pay Maria a visit.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I was about to suggest it, Senor Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Let's go. How much farther to Villa Real, Lieutenant?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

But a few miles.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mitchell, you sure believe in taking precautions, don't you, senor? Having one of your boys Taylor's tailors?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I. I do not understand, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that car behind us, it's been following us for the last 10 minutes.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I gave no orders to follow us, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

What? Then who?

[Perez (Impostor)]

Hey.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey. He's coming up at us.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Can you see who it is?

[Steve Mitchell]

No, it's too dark. Pierre, watch out. He's trying to run us off the road.

[Maria Delgada]

Get down. Mitier, get down.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Go.

[Steve Mitchell]

We're spinning.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Hey, preachers in.

[Steve Mitchell]

Watch out. Boy, that was close. Nice driving here, huh?

[Commissioner]

Thank you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thank you, Mitch. Well, somebody's sure anxious to put us out of the way. Beginning to look like we're on the right trail.

[Perez (Impostor)]

See me.

[Steve Mitchell]

We will continue our trip to the.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Delgado house in Via Real. I regret to bring you this news of your brother's death, Senorita Delgada.

[Maria Delgada]

You say he was drowned in the base? Senior Lieutenant. How did he get there?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

That is a question, senorita.

[Maria Delgada]

Your Mini was murdered.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Senorita Delgado. If you do not mind, Signor Mitchell and I will ask the questions.

[Steve Mitchell]

Maria, did you notice your brother talking to any strangers the last few days?

[Maria Delgada]

Strangers? He talked to no strangers.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, when he left home, did he say where he was going?

[Maria Delgada]

He told me nothing.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Senorita, I think you are withholding information.

[Maria Delgada]

No, he is not.

[Commissioner]

True.

[Maria Delgada]

I tell you everything.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I must remind you that your brother.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Luis Delgada, had a criminal record.

[Maria Delgada]

It was long ago when he was in trouble. My brother was a good man.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Perhaps he intended to commit a crime when he left here.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Perhaps that is why he would not tell you where he was going.

[Maria Delgada]

He was not going to commit a crime. He was going to the United States to live with my uncle. I. I do not remember what he told me.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I see. Have you anything more to tell us? Very well, Senor Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, let's go. Thanks, Maria.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

We will question you more if necessary, Senorita.

[Steve Mitchell]

Night. Well, Maria sure clammed up all of a sudden. But not until she told us what we wanted to hear seen. You know, it's a cinch that some of the arrangements on these deals are made in the United States. I wish we knew the name of that uncle Maria spilled about.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

It is Emilio Delgada.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

As you were talking to the senorita, I noticed on the table an envelope addressed to her dead brother. In the upper left hand corner was the name Emilio Delgado.

[Steve Mitchell]

Was there an address?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

I. I do not know if it was an address or not, Mitchell. In the United States, is there a place called Bronx?

[Steve Mitchell]

Bronx? Yeah. That's an address all right. Well, good work, Lieutenant. Let's go to the nearest telegraph office.

[Radio Announcer]

Here's a report from State Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Thanks, Ruth. Definitely on trail of illegal entry. Racket. Go on.

[Radio Announcer]

You must be working fast, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Apparently, last cargo of paying passengers too hot to handle. All five drowned.

[Radio Announcer]

Nice organization.

[Commissioner]

Yeah. One identified his uncle in the United States who apparently was helping make arrangements. Find and question Emilio Delgada, the Bronx.

[Radio Announcer]

Take down that name, Emilio Delgado.

[Commissioner]

Delgado?

[Radio Announcer]

Oh, Delgada.

[Steve Mitchell]

Right.

[Commissioner]

And working with police Lieutenant named Viera. Just for the record, please check on him for me.

[Steve Mitchell]

You got that, Ruth?

[Commissioner]

Vieira, here's some more. Perez at pet shop. Very cooperative and counting heavily on him to furnish hot lead. I'm on way back to Mazimbra now to talk to Perez again. We'll keep you informed.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Come in. Ah, Senor Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lieutenant.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Vera.

[Steve Mitchell]

I. I'm worried, Jim. I've been counting on Perez at the pet shop to give me some hot information. He hinted at yesterday Paris. Soon as we got back from Villarreal. Last night I went to his Parrot palace and he wasn't there. I've been there on an awful day today and he still hasn't shown up, Jim.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

He has shown up, Senor Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, has he? Well, that's good.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

No, no, it is not good.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

This afternoon, a fisherman saw something floating in the bay. A man face down. It was pere.

[Narrator]

In just a moment, our star, Brian Donlevy. Returns as Steve Mitchell in Dangerous Assignment. Here's a message for the technically minded young men of America. The armed forces of the United States want volunteers. Volunteers for the greatest scientific enterprise in history. Volunteers for the world's greatest educational program. The new Scientific Armed Forces offer training in dozens of technical specialties. Radar, radio, diesel, jet propulsion, aviation and many, many others. So if you're thinking of an active career, a vital career, think of the United States Armed Forces. Now the National Broadcasting Company brings you Act 2 of Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy in the role of Steve Mitchell. The time, four hours later. The place. The commissioner's office in the United States.

[Radio Announcer]

I finally got hold of Steve, Commissioner. He's on the line.

[Commissioner]

Thanks, Ruth. Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

We located Emilio Delgado in the Bronx. First, he wouldn't talk, but when we told him his nephew had been murdered trying to get out of Portugal, he opened up.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, did he put the finger on the stateside branch of the racket?

[Commissioner]

It's a small travel bureau in New York. Dalgali gave them $3,000. They promised to smuggle his nephew into the United States.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Commissioner]

Incidentally, I checked on Lieutenant Vieira. His record is excellent.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good. I figured it was, but I didn't want to take any chances.

[Commissioner]

Steve, we close in on the travel bureau in New York, the gang in Portugal will slip away from us.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, don't close in on the travel bureau yet, Commissioner. I tell you, send one of your agents there to arrange transportation for a relative over here in Portugal.

[Commissioner]

Relative? What do you mean me?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm gonna use the name Nick Grotto. G R A D O Grotto. For the record, I'm going to pass as a minor mobster deported last year.

[Commissioner]

Steve, think of the danger.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm thinking of Alan Prescott dangling at the end of that bell rope. Now, look, I'm going to Lisbon and register at the Lagos Hotel under the name of Nick Grotto. So long, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Hi, Steve. Well, I hope he knows what he's doing. Ruth.

[Radio Announcer]

Yes, Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

Which of our agents looks the most like a gangster?

[Radio Announcer]

Summers. He looks pretty rugged.

[Commissioner]

Okay, we'll send him to that travel bureau in New York. Summers will pose as the brother of Nick Gratto in Portugal. He'll offer the travel bureau $3,000 to smuggle Grado into this country. Draw the money out of a special account.

[Shopify Advertiser]

When it's time to scale your business it's time for shopify get everything you need to grow the way you want like all the way Stack more sales with the best converting checkout on the Planet. Track your cha chings from every channel right in one spot. And turn real time reporting into big time opportunities. Take your business to a who new level. Switch to shopify. Start your free trial today.

[Commissioner]

You in charge of this travel bureau and I want to arrange some transportation for yourself.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

No, my brother in Portugal.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's simple. We represent several steamship companies and.

[Commissioner]

You don't understand. My brother was in the rackets over.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Here and got deported to Portugal last year.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, well, that kind of transportation is very difficult to arrange. And expensive.

[Commissioner]

Here's 3000k says you can arrange it.

[Steve Mitchell]

May take a long time.

[Commissioner]

He can wait.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. What's your brother's name?

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Nick Grado.

[Commissioner]

He's staying at the Lagos Hotel in Lisbon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Forget you were ever here. We'll make all the arrangements. Your brother will be contacted at the.

[Commissioner]

Lagos Hotel in Lisbon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Commissioner]

Your name? Nicarado.

[Steve Mitchell]

Who are you?

[Commissioner]

Bogota. You want to take a trip?

[Steve Mitchell]

Trip?

[Commissioner]

Your brother in America.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. Oh, okay. Well, I'm all packed up.

[Commissioner]

Do not carry any identification. You have your money and valuables?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, right here on me. Go to.

[Commissioner]

Good. The car is outside.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where are we going?

[Commissioner]

To the cliffs overlooking the sea. Near cliffs. See? There's a cave at the water line. You will wait for the boat there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay, let's go. Hey, look. Bogota. Climbing down the side of a cliff in the dark is not my idea of fun. How about a life?

[Commissioner]

No, you're almost there. To your right a little.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay.

[Commissioner]

You see the entrance now?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Pretty well hidden, isn't it? Hey, there's enough room inside the entrance to dock a boat.

[Commissioner]

See? Follow the ledge you are on into the cave.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. Quite a place.

[Commissioner]

It serves our purpose.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. There's a light up ahead.

[Commissioner]

See the other passengers?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, how many are there on this trip?

[Commissioner]

Two others.

[Steve Mitchell]

Business falling off.

[Commissioner]

It is good enough. Granov.

[Pimentel]

Who is there?

[Commissioner]

Here we are. Who is it, old man?

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you one of the passengers?

[Commissioner]

Sim.

[Pimentel]

I am P. Monel.

[Steve Mitchell]

Nick Grotto is my name.

[Commissioner]

Where is the other one? The girl?

[Steve Mitchell]

Girl?

[Maria Delgada]

Here. Here I am. Oh, I. Senor Gro, did you say?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Senorita Maria is.

[Maria Delgada]

Enough.

[Commissioner]

All of you stay here. I'm going to hide the car. Jorgo. Ta.

[Pimentel]

How much longer must we wait here?

[Commissioner]

It's not for you to ask questions or man.

[Maria Delgada]

Well, Senor Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Michio Maria Delgada. The grief stricken sister.

[Maria Delgada]

So you are supposed to be Nicarado. What are you doing here? Signor Mitch?

[Steve Mitchell]

I was just going to ask you the same thing. Maria.

[Maria Delgada]

When you and Lieutenant Viera told me about my brother's murder. I knew I could not rest until I found out who killed him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Bogota doesn't know who you are.

[Maria Delgada]

No. And he will not unless you tell him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, you keep your mouth shut about me, and I'll do likewise.

[Maria Delgada]

See? It is a promise, you know.

[Steve Mitchell]

Quiet. Here comes the old man.

[Pimentel]

Wait.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait.

[Pimentel]

All we do is wait.

[Steve Mitchell]

Bogota. Say how long we stay here?

[Pimentel]

Until the boss comes with the boat, he said. But he would not tell me when that would be.

[Steve Mitchell]

Did he say who the boss was?

[Commissioner]

No.

[Maria Delgada]

Pimentel, you do not look so good. Why you don't try to rest?

[Pimentel]

Oh, thank you for your kindness, senorita. I'm sick and an old man. But everything will be all right when I get to America.

[Steve Mitchell]

Everything means a lot to you, huh?

[Pimentel]

It is what I'm living for, senor.

[Steve Mitchell]

Say, how far back does this cave go, anyway?

[Maria Delgada]

Bogota told us to stay on this ledge and not to go back any farther. He said that narrow channel below winds back and ends against a solid wall of rock.

[Steve Mitchell]

The front entrance. The only one, huh?

[Maria Delgada]

That is what he said.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, looks like nothing's due to happen tonight. I think we all better get a little slee.

[Commissioner]

Senor. Senor. Wake up. Oh, Bogota, this past noon. Wake up, you old man.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wake up.

[Maria Delgada]

Bogota.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh. What is the meaning of this recording?

[Commissioner]

Money and valuables out of your pockets. Pile him on the rock here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, what is this? What are you doing with that gun?

[Commissioner]

As I say, all of you. And as for you, senor. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mitchell.

[Commissioner]

Hey, we know who you are.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, thanks for tipping them off, Maria.

[Maria Delgada]

No, I did not tell them, Stephen. I swear.

[Commissioner]

The boss wishes to talk to you, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

The boss? When did he arrive?

[Perez (Impostor)]

I gave him my boat while you were asleep.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

What? Perez. Hey, what is this? The police told me you were dead.

[Perez (Impostor)]

The real Perez is dead, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Real Perez? Wait a minute. You mean when I talked to you in Perez's pet shop?

[Perez (Impostor)]

I had just skipped Perez before you came in. You assumed I was Perez. I played along with you after you left. I threw his body in the bay.

[Steve Mitchell]

Great. So you're the boy who's running this racket.

[Perez (Impostor)]

A profitable one, I assure you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, and a vicious one. You get the passengers out here, you take their money and kill them. Instead of a ticket to the United States, they get a ticket to the morgue. What?

[Perez (Impostor)]

You.

[Pimentel]

You mean we will not be taken to America?

[Perez (Impostor)]

What do you think, old man? We will go back to the entrance.

[Steve Mitchell]

What happens now?

[Perez (Impostor)]

For the present, you will all wait here and Senor Mitchell, I would not advise you to an attempt an escape. There's only one entrance to this cave and Bogota and I will be guarding that entrance with guns.

[Maria Delgada]

If they are going to kill us, why don't they do it now? Look at them sitting at the entrance to the cave like two vultures. What are they waiting for?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's what I've been trying to figure out. It's almost 6pm I will never see America.

[Pimentel]

It was just a dream. It's all over for me.

[Commissioner]

Over?

[Perez (Impostor)]

You fool. Do not light your cigarette here in the entrance. The launch will see you.

[Steve Mitchell]

The launch? Hey, that's what they're waiting for.

[Maria Delgada]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

Lieutenant Vieira said the police launch patrols the coast every day at sunset.

[Maria Delgada]

Police launch?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Is probably waiting until after the launch goes by. So that our bodies won't be discovered until tomorrow. I could only figure out a way to attract the launch's attention.

[Maria Delgada]

But what good would that do, Steve? Bogota and Paris would shoot us.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Hey, wait a minute. Perez says there was no back entrance to this cave. Didn't he see he was lying?

[Maria Delgada]

How you know?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look at the smoke from my cigarette.

[Maria Delgada]

What a bodied.

[Steve Mitchell]

See what happens to it?

[Maria Delgada]

Well, it just goes straight up in the air, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, for a way. But then it starts drifting towards the front entrance. That means there's a draft up there. The draft could be caused by a back entrance, Steve.

[Maria Delgada]

But how can we find him?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, listen. Yeah, a boat. Probably the police launch. Whatever we do, we got to do in a hurry. As soon as the launch goes by, we're dead pigeons.

[Pimentel]

No, Senior.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Pimentel]

I old Pimentel, will help you. And God willing, I will save you.

[Steve Mitchell]

What are you talking about?

[Pimentel]

I will go to the front entrance and call for help.

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you crazy? Perez would kill you, senor, but the.

[Pimentel]

Noise and flashes of the gun might summon police. Now look, senor, what happens to me is not important. I'm old, sick. This way. Perhaps I can prevent Perez from taking the dreams of others and ruining them as he did mine.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now wait a minute.

[Pimentel]

No, Senior. This is the best way.

[Steve Mitchell]

Clementel, come back.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Clementel.

[Commissioner]

What are you doing?

[Perez (Impostor)]

Get back.

[Maria Delgada]

Police.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Over the gay boy.

[Maria Delgada]

Steve, don't go. It is too late to help him now.

[Commissioner]

You fool.

[Perez (Impostor)]

They hurt in the police launch. They are coming. Take the boat out and lead them away. I'll take care of Mitchell and the girl. I'll meet you at the rear entrance.

[Steve Mitchell]

Rear entrance? So there is one. Come on, Maria, this is our chance. Hey, look. The ledge ends here. Okay, Maria, come on. Into this channel.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Nicole.

[Maria Delgada]

Stop.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

Nicole.

[Steve Mitchell]

You can't see us in the dark, Maria. He's just shooting blind. Keep going.

[Maria Delgada]

I can't see a thing, Steve. It is so dark in here. The water is up to my waist.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, these walls are getting closer together, too. Hey, wait a minute. Oh, great. Solid rock.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, this is the end of the line. We took a wrong turn back there somewhere.

[Maria Delgada]

Listen, Paris is still after us. Yeah, we can't just sit here and wait for him to kill us.

[Steve Mitchell]

Maria, keep talking.

[Lieutenant Vieira]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

Keep talking as if I were with you. Repeat what you've been saying. I'm going to backtrack and wait for him.

[Maria Delgada]

All right, Steve. What can we do? We. We cannot go any farther. It is a blind alley. Perez is stepping closer to me.

[Perez (Impostor)]

You're right, senorita. Perez is getting closer. And there is nothing ahead of you but solid rock.

[Maria Delgada]

Did you hear that? It is Perez.

[Perez (Impostor)]

See?

[Pimentel]

And the two of you are caught.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Like rats in a trap. I have Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

That gun's not going to do you any good underwater, Perez.

[Perez (Impostor)]

I do not need the gun. There is strength enough in my arm.

[Maria Delgada]

Steve, he.

[Steve Mitchell]

I can't. That's okay, Maria.

[Maria Delgada]

Oh, I. I could not tell which one of you was which. Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I was a little in doubt myself for a second, or. Come on, Maria. Let's get out of this rat trap. Well, that's about it. Commissioner Perez is dead. And the police picked up his hired hand. Bogota.

[Perez (Impostor)]

Look, Steve, where you calling from?

[Steve Mitchell]

My hotel room. I'm up here drying out, all alone.

[Maria Delgada]

Stop, you're choking me.

[Commissioner]

It sounds like you're all alone.

[Steve Mitchell]

That was just a parrot, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Parrot?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, from Perez's pet shop. He took a shine to me, I guess.

[Commissioner]

Now, Steve, you can do better than that.

[Perez (Impostor)]

No, no.

[Steve Mitchell]

It is a parrot, Commissioner. I'll prove it to you. Look, I taught him something to say to you. Go ahead, Polly. Polly.

[Maria Delgada]

Drop dead. Drop dead, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

So long, Commissioner.

[Narrator]

You have just heard the sixth in an exciting new adventure series, Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell. Dangerous Assignment is written by Bob Rife and directed by Bill Karn, with music by Bruce Ashley. Be with us again next week at this same time, when Brian Donlevy, starring as Steve Mitchell, will embark on another Dangerous Assignment. This program came to you from hollywood. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.