Dangerous Assignment: The Empty Matchbook 12/02/1950

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment – "The Empty Matchbook" (12/02/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Title: Dangerous Assignment: The Empty Matchbook
Original Air Date: December 2, 1950
Podcast Release Date: July 15, 2026
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Dangerous Assignment takes listeners on a suspenseful journey as government agent Steve Mitchell is tasked with unraveling the theft of a seemingly worthless Civil War map in Richmond, Virginia. The assignment quickly spirals into international intrigue involving espionage, murder, and a high-stakes battle over lucrative mining rights. Set against the backdrop of postwar uncertainty and classic radio wit, the episode brims with colorful characters and sharp dialogue, capturing the essence of Golden Age detective radio drama.

---

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

Assignment and Mystery Setup (01:23–03:54)

• Steve Mitchell receives a new assignment: track down a stolen Civil War map, last seen at Colonel Carruthers's estate in Richmond, VA.
• The map's thief is suspected to be Ekman, an international agent with a dubious past.
• Although dismissed as a minor relic, the map's theft draws high-level concern.

"I get sent to a lot of places I can't even pronounce. They all spell the same thing—trouble." — Steve Mitchell [01:23]

Investigation at Colonel Carruthers's (03:54–08:08)

• Mitchell visits Colonel Carruthers, who describes the map as historically valuable but useless beyond being an artifact.
• The map, a rough sketch used by the Confederate army, was gifted to Carruthers and has a personal connection with the Cartier/Carter family.
• Carruthers reveals that Ekman posed as “Claiborne,” researching for a book, and vanished after the theft.

“As you see, my study is filled with relics of the Great War—war between the states, that is.” — Colonel Carruthers [04:32]

Tracking the Thief: Shipboard Suspicion (08:57–15:59)

• Mitchell traces Ekman to a ship—the Southern Empress—bound for Lisbon.
• Onboard, Mitchell meets:
  • Zoe (aka Miss Magnolia Blossom), a flirtatious Southern belle with suspicious motives.
  • John J. Cully, chatty “button salesman,” with a quick wit and suspiciously helpful demeanor.
• Steve follows up several false leads before finding Ekman’s ransacked stateroom—where Mitchell is knocked out by an assailant.

“You know, I’ve sold an average of 2/3 of a button to every man, woman, and child in the United States.” — John J. Cully [12:22]

The Murder & Clues Multiply (17:29–21:16)

• Ekman is found dead in his stateroom.
• The ship’s Captain hands Mitchell the stolen map, discovered in the ship’s safe.
• Mitchell’s investigation links Zoe to the crime via the lingering scent of Turkish tobacco found in her (and Ekman’s) room.
• Documents connect the Civil War map to financial entanglements involving the Ortegue family in Lisbon.

International Espionage: Lisbon Rendezvous (21:16–24:00)

• Mitchell contacts Corelli, a shadowy operative representing “certain interests” and the Ortegue family, who are ready to pay a fortune for the map.
• At the American embassy, Mitchell learns the backstory:
  • The Ortegue family’s mining land in the Middle East depends on the legitimacy granted by the map.
  • Mrs. Ortegue inherited the land based on a family connection to Cartier—a link now called into question.

"The map proves that she doesn't own the land." — Steve Mitchell [25:55]

The Truth Revealed: Button Salesman Exposed (24:00–27:00)

• John J. Cully reveals himself as the criminal mastermind behind Ekman and Corelli’s murders—driven by greed for total control of the payoff.
• A tense showdown unfolds as Cully, gun drawn, tries to coerce Mitchell into handing over the map.
• Mitchell outsmarts Cully, causing a commotion in a speeding car, subdues him, and foils the plot.

“There's only one more thing I have to button up... and I can do that very nicely with just one slug.” — John J. Cully [24:16]

Resolution and Memorable Lines (27:00–28:36)

• The map is returned; Cully is arrested for murder.
• Mitchell explains the whole convoluted inheritance—legitimizing the Carters in Richmond as the rightful heirs, reshuffling international mining rights to favor US interests.

“A man who poses as a button salesman sometimes ends up getting clipped right on the article of the same name.” — Steve Mitchell [28:02]

---

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Steve Mitchell’s dry humor:
  • "I suppose the next thing I’ll find out is that I’m up against a plot to blow up Chesapeake Bay." [03:54]
• Zoe’s Southern charm masking duplicity:
  • “Poor little helpless girl like me, she needs friends wherever she is. I tell you for sure, you don't look very helpless to me…” [10:45]
• Cully’s transformation from comic relief to villain:
  • “You’re a real go-getter, aren’t you?” — Steve Mitchell to Cully [26:57]
  • “Right you are, friend. There’s only one thing more I have to button up…” — Cully [27:00]
• Sharp reveal tying history to present intrigue:
  • “...I guess you forgot that fine old Southern proverb: A man who poses as a button salesman sometimes ends up getting clipped right on the article of the same name.” — Steve Mitchell [28:02]

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Steve gets assignment: 01:23–03:54
• Interview with Colonel Carruthers: 04:09–08:08
• Onboard the Southern Empress; meeting Zoe and Cully: 10:07–14:03
• Ekman’s murder and Mitchell’s discoveries: 17:29–21:16
• Lisbon, meeting Corelli, embassy exposé: 21:39–24:00
• Final Confrontation (Cully revealed): 24:00–27:00
• Resolution and outro: 27:00–28:36

---

Episode Tone and Style

The episode is rife with brisk, wisecracking dialogue, suspenseful atmosphere, and classic radio drama sound effects. Characters are drawn with care—mixing Southern hospitality, bureaucratic banter, and international intrigue. Underneath the humor and casual camaraderie lies a genuine sense of peril—a hallmark of "Dangerous Assignment."

---

Conclusion

“The Empty Matchbook” weaves a clever, globe-spanning mystery around a forgotten scrap of Civil War history. Brian Donlevy’s Steve Mitchell is equal parts sardonic and shrewd, piecing together a puzzle that turns relics into weapons of international leverage. In the end, it’s old-fashioned legwork and quick thinking, not just luck, that saves the day—buttoning up another dangerous assignment with radio drama’s trademark blend of wit and danger.

Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] now a full hour

[Narrator]

of mystery adventure, the Saturday night feature of NBC's All Star Festival. Thirty minutes from now, it's the Man Called X. Right now.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Assignment.

[Narrator]

Starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell. Brought to you by the makers of Anison for fast relief from pain of headaches, neuritis and neuralgia. By Chesterfield, the only cigarette that combines mildness with no unpleasant aftertaste. The cigarette that brings you Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. By your local Ford dealer, who is now displaying the new 1951 Ford, the car that's built for the years ahead. And by RCA Victor, world leader in radio, first in recorded music, first in television.

[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, the whole trouble. But when I walk into the Commissioner's office, I don't realize this assignment's going involve a worthless scrap of paper which almost turns out to be my own death warrant. Morning, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Steve.

[John J. Cully]

I suppose I pulled you right out of a big deal as usual.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, matter of fact, it was all very innocent this time, Commissioner. I was out getting some new furniture for my apartment.

[Colonel Carruthers]

You were what?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, I just bought a coffee table with a lazy Susan.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Really?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, on second thought, Susan wasn't so lazy after all.

[Commissioner]

That's what I thought.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, Commissioner, I finally gotten the jump on you.

[Commissioner]

How's that?

[Steve Mitchell]

You're always calling me in here and sending me off into the wild blue yonder. So this time I'm ready for you. I'm all packed up and I've got my passport in my pocket. Now what wild and woolly spot are you sending me to this time?

[Commissioner]

Richmond, Virginia.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

You heard me, sir.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Richmond, Virginia.

[Steve Mitchell]

Great. That's what I get for trying to be a mastermind. Okay, so I unpack.

[Commissioner]

I wouldn't do that just yet, Steve. You start in Richmond. Where you end up is anybody's guess.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's the deal?

[Commissioner]

Ekman's in this country.

[Steve Mitchell]

Ekman? Hasn't anybody done the world a favor by knocking him off yet?

[Commissioner]

Steve, you know as much about Ekman as I do. He's part time foreign agent, part time international information peddler. He's smooth and tough and he's been in our hair for longer than I care to remember.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's he doing in the United States?

[Commissioner]

Can you Think of any reason why Ekman would steal an old Civil War map?

[Steve Mitchell]

Civil War map? Are you kidding?

[Commissioner]

We know Ekman went to Virginia. We also know he managed to crash a fancy dress ball given by a Colonel Carruthers there. After the ball, this map was missing from the wall of the Colonel's study.

[Steve Mitchell]

But I still don't see how a Civil War map could be important enough.

[Commissioner]

Neither do I. That's why you're going to Richmond now, Steve. Get down there, talk to Colonel Carruthers, then go anywhere and do anything you have to to get to the bottom of this whole deal.

[Narrator]

Well, that's it.

[Commissioner]

You've got your assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good luck.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dangerous Assignments starring Brian Donlevy in the role of Steve Mitchell, colorful, two fisted government agent. At all those places of the world where danger and intrigue walk hand in hand. There you will find Steve Mitchell on another dangerous assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I've had a lot of screwball assignments in my time, but this one takes the cake. A Civil War map yet. I suppose the next thing I'll find out is that I'm up against a plot to blow up Chesapeake Bay. It's Wednesday. When I get to Richmond, I head for Colonel Carruthers mansion.

[Colonel Carruthers]

We're delighted in order to make your acquaintance, Mr. Mitchell, sir. Although I must confess I'm a little puzzled as to why they should send a man from Washington to investigate such a minor theft. But then the things they do in Washington have puzzled me for quite a spell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now, we're interested in the case primarily because of the man who apparently stole the map, Colonel Carruthers. As for the map itself, the document

[Colonel Carruthers]

is of historical value only, sir. As you see, my study here is filled with relics of the Great War. War between the states, that is.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. And the map had no value other than as a relic, huh?

[Colonel Carruthers]

None whatsoever? No, sir. No. It had to do with the Battle of Fredericksburg. December 1862. Decisive victory for the South, I might add. As a matter of fact, it was merely a rough sketch. But it was actually used by the Confederate army. That gives it value to a collector.

[Steve Mitchell]

Do you know this man? Ekman? Colonel Ekman? Yeah, the one who swiped the map.

[Colonel Carruthers]

The scoundrel passed himself off to me as a clayman. Fine old Southern Main. Or he claimed to be writing a book on the Battle of Fredericksburg. Matter of fact, I remember thinking at the time it was rather strange.

[Steve Mitchell]

What was?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Well, at least you'd be writing a book on the Battle of Fredericksburg when one was just Polish. Last month, one in which my relics and my research appear quite prominently. But to get back to this Cleburne or Ekman. Yes? Well, he wanted to browse through my books and my relics. I was quite preoccupied at the time. I was making preparation for a fancy dress ball, so I gave him permission. And it was after the ball was over that I discovered that the map

[Steve Mitchell]

was missing and the man with it. I see.

[Colonel Carruthers]

However, now, if you would care to see what that map looked like, there's a picture of it in this book I spoke of, the one that was published last month. It's the one in which my relics in my research appear. I happen to have a copy of that right here. The picture of the map is on page 263, approximately. Let's see. Oh, say, sir, just. Just in passing, here's a picture of the very sword used by Jeb Stewart himself in the charge of the battle.

[Steve Mitchell]

But the map. Colonel, please.

[Colonel Carruthers]

I'm coming to the map. Now, here's a picture of a. Of a genuine mini ball here.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mini? Mini how?

[Colonel Carruthers]

They used to shoot out a cannon.

[Steve Mitchell]

Colonel, the map.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Now, here's here. Somebody else is. Really? Yeah.

[Zoe]

Now, here we are.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Yeah. Here we are. Madness. Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

You were right when you said it was just a rough sketch. I don't get it. Why would a foreign agent like Ekman steal a map like this?

[Colonel Carruthers]

That's the mystery of it, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

Of course, we're not completely sure it was Ekman who stole it. Colonel, these guests you were entertaining at the time.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Sir, if you were trying to imply that the people I invite into my home are of the caliber that would stoop to common sense.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm not trying to imply anything, Colonel. I'm just. What's this scrawl in the lower right hand corner here?

[Colonel Carruthers]

I see it, sir. Thank you.

[Zoe]

Oh.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Oh, yes. Well, that is the signature of the man who made the map. A Frenchman named Cartier. He fought for the south during the Great War. Great friend of my daddy's. As a matter of fact, it was Cartier's great grandson, Bill Carter, who gave me this map. Bill Carter comes from a fine old Richmond family.

[Steve Mitchell]

Carter Cartier.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Yeah. Well, family changed the name around. I suspect Bill was shooking me up a little with the gift of that map. So the young blade could ask for my granddaughter Juliana's hand in Mary.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, thanks for the information, Colonel. I'll see you later. I leave Colonel Carruthers house still as much in the dark as when I came. Why Ekman would steal a map. 90 years old is a Way beyond me. But there must be a reason. I've got to find out what it is. Which means that first I've got to find Ekman. So I start checking. Three hours and 25 bucks later, I find a cab driver who remembers taking a man answering Ekman's description to the colonel's house last night, waiting for him a few minutes, and then taking him to a hotel in Richmond. I try the hotel, but Ekman's just checked out. The clerk remembers, however, hearing him inquire about the sailing time of a ship named the Southern Empress from Norfolk. I get there just as the ship is hauling in her gangplank. But I may get aboard the last second and head for the bridge and the captain.

[Captain]

No Mitchell. There's no Claiborne on my passenger list, and no Ekman either.

[Steve Mitchell]

That doesn't surprise me. Captain Ekman used the name of Claiborne in Richmond. And he could be using another name now.

[Captain]

You sure he's on this ship?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Pretty sure.

[Captain]

Well, you've written down his description for me. I'll pass it along to the rest of my officers.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Okay.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll nose around the ship and spread the word among the stewards.

[Captain]

I think that would be your best chance.

[Steve Mitchell]

Incidentally, where are we heading?

[Captain]

Lisbon, Portugal.

[Steve Mitchell]

Lisbon?

[Captain]

Does that make sense to you? This man Ekman, I mean, is that where you figured he'd be heading?

[Steve Mitchell]

Lisbon? Coney Island? What's the difference does it make? Right now, nothing about this deal makes sense. Well, I'll check with you later. I nose around the ship all day, but I don't spot it. None of the stewards I talked to remember noticing him either. By now, I'm beginning to wonder if he's even on the ship. This is gonna look just great in an official report. Steve Mitchell, government agent on a wild goose chase across the Atlantic after a Civil War map. Well, towards evening, I head for the bar. Then I spot the girl. When I first noticed her, she's three stools away. The next time I look, she's two stools away. Then all of a sudden, she's right beside me.

[Zoe]

Howdy.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Hello.

[Zoe]

I always feel a girl shouldn't sit in a bar alone. Doesn't look right.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, now you're not alone.

[Zoe]

You probably think it's real brazen of me to talk to a man I don't know.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, they tell me life on board ship is pretty informal, miss.

[Zoe]

Besides. But my first name's Zoe.

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell.

[Zoe]

Now, isn't that one.

[Steve Mitchell]

That one.

[Zoe]

I just knew your name would be Stevie. Oh, no, it's my. Hi. I just.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, you're a one up on me there. I didn't just know your name would be Zoe.

[Zoe]

You enjoying the boat ride, Stevie?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, not particularly. How about you? Sounds like this is the farthest you've ever been away from the Mason Dixon Line.

[Zoe]

Now you're just poking fun at me, Stevie. I think I myself a mighty fine boat ride. Sure enough I managed to make me some friends. Poor little helpless girl like me, she needs friends wherever she is. I tell you for sure, you don't

[Steve Mitchell]

look very helpless to me, the way you've been downing those straight shots.

[Zoe]

Oh, those are just to give me some courage, Dede. I'm naturally such a shy little old person.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I can see that. You on a vacation, Zoe?

[Zoe]

Uh huh.

[Steve Mitchell]

How'd you happen to pick Lisbon?

[Zoe]

Now, isn't that one? I couldn't in all the world tell you. Why, Stevie. I just stuck a pen and a map and it said Elizabeth.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Zoe]

Do you know this? Life aboard the boat is all so new to me. Sometimes I wish I'd stayed right at home. Body gets to feeling so helpless.

[Steve Mitchell]

So now we're back on that helpless routine.

[Zoe]

Oh, but I really am, Stevie. Why, you wouldn't believe it, but I can't even get that little old door on my stateroom lock. 35B, that is. That lock just won't seem to work right. Isn't that awful? Well, as a matter of fact, I think I ought to go try it again. I just know I won't be able to make it work right. Maybe sooner or later I'll find me some nice person who can help me.

[Steve Mitchell]

I don't doubt it.

[Zoe]

I'll see you later.

[Steve Mitchell]

You never can tell.

[John J. Cully]

That's quite a number, friend. I say, the little lady, she's quite a looker, isn't she?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, she's looking all right.

[John J. Cully]

Cully's the name, friend. John J. Cully Mitchell's mine.

[Steve Mitchell]

How are you?

[John J. Cully]

Oh, well, I've had a little bout with my stomach right after we put to sea. But I'm feeling much better now. See, this is my first boat trip. I've ridden every railroad in the United States in my time, but never hot on the briny. Yes, it's quite an experience. Yes, sir.

[Steve Mitchell]

You travel a lot?

[John J. Cully]

Oh, yes, yes, sure do. Sure do. Here's my card, friend.

[Steve Mitchell]

John J. Coly, Acme Button Company. You sell buttons?

[John J. Cully]

Well, I don't give them away. Oh, yes. I figure I've sold an average of 2/3 a button to every man Woman and child of the United States.

[Steve Mitchell]

Quite a record. But what good's 2/3 a button?

[John J. Cully]

I'll say. You're mighty quick on the uptake, then.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I'm a card.

[John J. Cully]

You ought to be shuffled and cut.

[Steve Mitchell]

Fine.

[John J. Cully]

You know, you and I speak the same language, Fred.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks.

[John J. Cully]

Yes, I've sold buttons in every state there is. Now I'm going over to do the same thing in Europe.

[Steve Mitchell]

The zipper doesn't have you scared, huh?

[John J. Cully]

Well, sir, that used to be a dirty word to me. But the way I've got it figured out now is this is a big world, friend. There's room in it for the zipper and the button.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that's reassuring.

[John J. Cully]

You know, our president said to me, not a week ago, he called me into his office, he did, plunk me down in a chair. And then old SH Says, sh, that's our president. Says to me, jj, That's. That's you, right? Yes. Says to me, go out, J.J. go out and button up the world. It's a great thought, isn't it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, inspiring.

[Captain]

I Beg your pardon, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, Captain. Excuse me, Mr. Cully.

[John J. Cully]

Sure thing, Fred.

[Steve Mitchell]

Keep them flying.

[John J. Cully]

You may keep them button.

[Steve Mitchell]

What is it, Captain?

[Captain]

You know that particular passenger you're looking for, Ekman? There's A man in 31B who answers the general description, but his name is Pettibone.

[Steve Mitchell]

Thanks, Captain. I'll pay him a little visit. 31b.

[Zoe]

Why, Stevie.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wow. Ms. Magnolia Blossom. I thought your statement was 35B.

[Zoe]

Oh, it is. But I always feel that a person belongs to get acquainted with the neighbors. And when Mr. Pettibone was kind enough to ask me to step in for a teeny little old drink.

[Steve Mitchell]

Where is Mr. Pettibone?

[Zoe]

He just stepped out for me and I'll be right back.

[Steve Mitchell]

You said you were just on a vacation, didn't you, Zoe?

[Zoe]

I shouldn't have did.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're sure that's all there is to it? You don't happen to be interested in any Civil War relics, do you?

[Zoe]

You mean the war between states? Well, I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about, Steve. Oh, here's Mr. Petty. Bone Lion.

[John J. Cully]

Hold it.

[Zoe]

Where's it going, Big?

[Steve Mitchell]

You're not a one.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Of course, Uncle Eggman.

[Steve Mitchell]

Of course I'm not Eggman. I'm Mr. Pettibone, if you please. And if you're a private detective, you can tell my wife. Private detective?

[John J. Cully]

Wife.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. Thank you and good evening, Mr. Pettibone. I go back on deck and I realize I'm Getting nowhere fast. The old feeling that this whole thing is some kind of a gag starts gnawing away at me again. Then the captain sends word to me that the mate has spotted another passenger who answers Ekman's description, a man in 42B. So I head below again. Probably another wild goose chase, but I've got to follow it up. I knock. No answer. Doors unlock. I go inside. Stateroom's dark, and I catch a whiff of a heavy Swedish smell. I flick on the lights. The room is all torn up. Then I hear a sound behind me. I start to whirl around, but too late. Something hard connects over my right ear and I hit the deck. When I come out of it, I know I've finally found Ekman. But I still don't know why he swiped the Civil War map. He's very, very dear.

[Narrator]

Have you ever wondered what Hope says to Crosby? Let's listen and find out.

[John J. Cully]

Say, Bob, incidentally, now that you're with Chesterfield, suggestion, please. Why don't you try and conjecture yourself with a little. Little savoir faire, A little je ne sais quoi, Joie de vivre.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, vie en rose. Don't try to dazzle me with that

[John J. Cully]

stale French of yours. I could dazzle you with English, Bob. Daz'll be enough out of you. Seriously, friends, Skin, Flint and I, we do agree 100% on this. Chesterfields are milder and they leave no unpleasant aftertaste. So always buy our cigarette.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Chesterfield.

[John J. Cully]

The best cigarette for you to smoke.

[Zoe]

Chesterfield. Chesterfield always wins first place. That milder, mild tobacco never leaves an aftertaste.

[Colonel Carruthers]

So open a pack, give him a smell, then you smoke them.

[John J. Cully]

Don't forget to give Crosby for Christmas. I mean the Chesterfield Christmas carton with Bing as Papa Santa Claus.

[Narrator]

Now back to dangerous assignment and brian donlevy as steve mitchell.

[Captain]

Any idea who killed Ekman, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

None at all, Captain. It was probably the same person who hit me over the head when I walked into Ekman's stateroom.

[Captain]

Whoever it was couldn't have gotten very far from Ekman's room.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Captain]

Well, I came down the passageway just about a minute after you went into the stateroom. There was no one in sight.

[Steve Mitchell]

Let's see, who are some of the passengers whose staterooms are near Ekman's on B deck.

[Captain]

Well, ekman's stateroom was 42B. There's a Ms. Forsyth and 35B.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, the Southern Fried Chicken.

[Captain]

And a Mr. Pettibone in 31B.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I've already met Mr. Pettibone, too.

[Captain]

I believe that most of the rest of the passengers from that area were up on deck when it happened.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, so now I'm worse off than ever before. Now I don't know. Who's got the map.

[Captain]

I wouldn't say that.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean, Captain?

[Captain]

You have the map, I have the.

[Steve Mitchell]

Now look.

[Captain]

Take a look in this envelope.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey, the map. Where did you get it?

[Captain]

Captain, the mate told me this Ekman had asked him to lock up the envelope in the ship safe. So I thought I'd better see what was in it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, it looks like the picture of it that I saw in that book. That colonel Cary this place back in the states.

[Captain]

What's so important about it, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's the point. It's just a rough sketch drawn by a guy named Cartier almost 90 years ago. So now I've got it. But I still don't know what the deal is all about. Wait. Did you lock up Eckman stateroom after we left?

[Captain]

Yes. I also posted a guard there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good. I'd like to examine his papers. I'll meet you there in 10 minutes. First I want to have a talk with the bell of the south.

[Zoe]

Well, I say.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello, Zoe.

[Zoe]

N. I just bet you finally came to see if you could help me fix that little old lock on my door.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, not exactly. Oh, Zoe, the last time I saw you, you were in Mr. Pettibone's stateroom. How long did you stay there after I left?

[Zoe]

Only a minute, Steven. Mr. Pettibone, he was quite disturbed about your visit. He seemed to think you were a nasty old private detective or something like that. I told him I wouldn't pay you no never mind. Why you ask.

[Steve Mitchell]

Because not long ago, a man was killed just a few staterooms away.

[Zoe]

Oh, me. The things that can happen on a boat.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, the things that can happen on a boat. I suppose you wouldn't be knowing anything about it.

[Zoe]

Well, Stevie, whatever do you mean?

[Steve Mitchell]

I. Hmm.

[Zoe]

What's the matter?

[Steve Mitchell]

Nothing. Got a cigarette, Zoe?

[Zoe]

Why, no, sugs. I'm all out.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see.

[Zoe]

Where you going?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'll see you later, Zoe.

[Zoe]

I do declare. If you aren't the strangest man I ever did.

[Steve Mitchell]

I leave Zoe's stateroom, go up on deck for a smoke? Now I know the trail is heating up. I caught a whiff of the same aroma in Zoe's room that I'd noticed in Ekman's room. And now I've got the smell pegged. It's turkish tobacco. So at this point, it looks like Zoe's tied up in the deal. But before I do anything about her, I've got to find out what the deal is. I head for Ekman's stateroom to meet the captain. On the way, I pass the bar cully. The button king flashes me a big grin and waves me to come over. But I've got no desire to talk buttons at this moment, so I keep walking. The captain and I go over all of Ekman's papers carefully. And finally I find something.

[Captain]

What is it, Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

A letter, Captain, written by a guy named Corelli in Lisbon. An address to Ekman. It refers to certain interests who are willing to pay for proof.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Proof of what?

[Steve Mitchell]

It doesn't say. It also mentions an orteague family in Lisbon and says they're willing to add a big bundle of money, too.

[Captain]

You think that the Civil War map is somehow connected with all of this?

[Steve Mitchell]

I think it is. It could be the proof this Corelli talks about in that letter. But proof of what? I don't even have a glimmer right now. When do we dock in Lisbon?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Tomorrow morning.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, I got a hunch that shortly after we dock, this Corelli is going to receive a visit from Ekman's partner.

[Captain]

But Ekman's dead.

[Steve Mitchell]

I know. That's why his partner has to carry on with the deal.

[Captain]

But do you know who this partner is?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Yeah. Who?

[Steve Mitchell]

Me? Yes, Corelli.

[John J. Cully]

Who are you?

[Steve Mitchell]

A friend of Ekman's.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Oh.

[Commissioner]

Come in. When did your boat die?

[Steve Mitchell]

20 minutes ago.

[Commissioner]

Where is Ekman?

[Steve Mitchell]

Somebody caught up with him.

[Colonel Carruthers]

He's dead. Dead?

[Commissioner]

What's him up?

[Steve Mitchell]

Don't worry about the map. It's a good thing Ekman and I both were working together on this deal.

[Commissioner]

You have the map?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Commissioner]

Give it to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Not so fast, Corelli. I've been thinking. I'm not sure the dough is enough.

[Commissioner]

What? But it was all agreed. The interests who wish the map are willing to pay $10,000American. And the Ortique family is willing to add another 10,000.

[Steve Mitchell]

Maybe the map is worth more than that.

[Commissioner]

I would strongly advise you not to try and bargain with them. They are getting restless as it is. Any further delay might ruin the entire transaction.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. I'll call you in a couple of hours, Corelli.

[John J. Cully]

Very well.

[Commissioner]

If you do not have the map for me by then, I would not be surprised if the parties I represent had something for you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Something for me? What do you mean? A bullet. So now I've made the contact. But I still don't know why the map's so valu. But I do know I can't stall Corelli very long. I've got to get a line on the Orteague family and how they figure in the deal. So I head for the American Embassy.

[Embassy Official]

The Orteg family?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Sure.

[Embassy Official]

They've been a thorn in our side for quite a while, Mitchell. At least Mrs. Ortig has.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's just what I'd like to know, Woods. What about them?

[Embassy Official]

Well, Mrs. Ortig owns some land in the Middle east with a chromite mine on it. You know, the stuff that's used in steel manufacturing.

[Colonel Carruthers]

Yeah.

[Embassy Official]

She's leased the mine to the interests on the other side of the fence. We'd like the least because we need all the chromite we can get. Her husband's willing to go along with us, but she says no soap and it's her land. So there we are.

[Steve Mitchell]

How'd this Mrs. Ortake get the land in the first place? We've got a pretty big file on it.

[Embassy Official]

She inherited the land from her grandfather. He was the only living relative of his uncle. There'd been a son, but he was lost at sea on the way to America. So the upshot is, old man Cartier leaves the land to his nephew, who in turn leaves it to his granddaughter, Mrs. Ortega.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. Did you say Cartier?

[Colonel Carruthers]

Yeah.

[Embassy Official]

Mrs. Orteg's maiden name. Why does the name ring a bell?

[Steve Mitchell]

A fire alarm? Let me check those files. I think this whole deal just fell into place. I go through the files, and 10 minutes later, I've got the answer. I go out and get into my car, and as I'm pulling away from the curb, I smell a very familiar aroma. The same Turkish tobacco I'd noticed in Ekman's room at the time of his murder. And later in Zoe's room. But before I can turn my head around, there's a gun barrel pressing against the back of my neck. Well, hello, Zoe. I can't say I'm too surprised to find you in my back seat.

[John J. Cully]

I'm afraid you've got the wrong party, friends.

[Steve Mitchell]

Cully.

[John J. Cully]

Yes. Just call me JJ. Keep your eyes straight ahead, friend.

[Steve Mitchell]

So the words leading button salesman turns out to be the big boy in this deal.

[John J. Cully]

Right you are, friend. There's only one thing more I have to button up.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's that?

[John J. Cully]

Have you? And I can do that very nicely with just one slug.

[Narrator]

Here's a word from RCA Victor. Only six shopping days before Christmas, but that still gives you time to adopt the RCA Victor Plan for 365 Christmases every year. Just hire yourself your RCA Victor dealers on Monday and acquire that perpetual Santa Claus, the gift that keeps on giving every day, every year to everybody. An RCA Victor million proof television set. You'll have Your choice of 18 different members of the RCA Victor Royal Family of television. Every one is a superb value. But if you're a real wizard at investment, you'll choose a magnificent combination which gives you RCA Victor console radio and console phonograph right along with your RCA Victor television, all in one beautiful cabinet. And for far, far less than you'd pay for separate instruments of comparable quality. Whichever RCA Victor set you choose, it'll make every day feel like Christmas for everybody in your family.

[Commissioner]

See?

[Narrator]

RCA Victor million proof television.

[John J. Cully]

He's driving straight ahead, friend. And remember, I'm sitting right behind you with a gun. Okay, gully, now reach in your pocket real gentle. I can pull out that map and hand it over.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, it took me quite a while to find out why that map was so valuable to Mrs. Orteague and the outfit she's leasing that Middle east mining land to. The map proves that she doesn't own the land.

[John J. Cully]

Quite an important little piece of paper, isn't it, friend?

[Steve Mitchell]

It sure is. Old man Carter owned the land years ago and he thought his son was lost at sea on the way to America. So he left the land to his nephew who in turn passed it on to Mrs. Ortig. But actually that son wasn't lost at sea. He got to America and among other things, he drew a map with his signature on it. He's got some direct descendants in Richmond, Virginia, who are the rightful owners of the mining land.

[John J. Cully]

Sure, that's why certain people who are anxious to keep the lease don't want the map floating around. Now come on, hand it over.

[Steve Mitchell]

It was you who knocked off Ekman on the boat, huh?

[John J. Cully]

Really increasing the profits, friend. Originally it was going to be a three way split. Corelli, Ekman and myself. But I figured jj, that's you. Right, jj? I said to myself, why a three way split?

[Steve Mitchell]

So you knocked off Ekman to make it a two way split.

[John J. Cully]

I'm a jump ahead of your friend. I just took care of Corella. Now it's a one way split.

[Steve Mitchell]

You're a real go getter, aren't you?

[John J. Cully]

That I am.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that explains the smell of Turkish tobacco. You just killed Ekman and knocked me on the head. When you heard the captain coming down the passageway, you had to duck into another stateroom and you picked Zoe's. She was with Pettibone at the time. And that's why I smelled the smoke in her room. Later.

[John J. Cully]

Look, friend, Starling isn't going to do you any good now. Just trot off the map and give it to me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. I guess I haven't got any choice. I got it here in my pocket.

[John J. Cully]

Hey, why did you speed up?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm sorry, my foot slipped.

[John J. Cully]

Well, I'm slipping. Mitchell, that park car ahead of us.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see it. You're heading right for it, J.J.

[Colonel Carruthers]

you

[Steve Mitchell]

can't shoot when you draped over the front seats. JJ Let go of me. Let go of the gun.

[Zoe]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's better,

[John J. Cully]

Mitchell.

[Captain]

Maybe.

[John J. Cully]

Maybe we can make a deal.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sorry the deck just got stacked against you, Cully. And a little matter of murder charged staring you in the face. And I'm sure when the Carter's back in the States, find that they own the mining land, they'll be happy to turn the lease over to our government. You had it all figured out, Cully. But I guess you forgot that fine old Southern proverb.

[John J. Cully]

What are you talking about?

[Steve Mitchell]

A man who poses as a button salesman sometime ends up getting clipped right on the article of the same name.

[Narrator]

Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell, is written by Bob Rife and Adrian John Doe. The music by Robert Armbruster and is produced and directed. Directed by Bill Karn. Be with us next week at this same time when Brian Donlevy, starring in the role of Steve Mitchell, will embark on another Dangerous Assignment. Dangerous assignment came to you from radio city in hollywood. Now more mystery on NBC's all star festival. Stay tuned for herbert marshall as the man called x. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.