Dangerous Assignment: The Nazi and the Physicist 04/24/1950

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dangerous Assignment: The Nazi and the Physicist

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Date: February 18, 2026 (original broadcast: 04/24/1950)
Starring: Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell

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Episode Overview

This episode of Dangerous Assignment follows government agent Steve Mitchell as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of two scientists—Dr. Herman Kreutzer (an ex-Nazi) and Dr. William Peters, a nuclear physicist—in Alaska. What begins as a supposed vacation quickly turns into a complex web of espionage, deception, and murder, as Mitchell uncovers a plot involving stolen identities, a submarine, and international intrigue.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. The Assignment Begins: From “Vacation” to Mission

• [01:55] Steve is told by his boss, the Commissioner, he has a vacation, but with strings attached: he must go to Alaska to check on two missing scientists.
  • Quote - Steve Mitchell: “My vacation has just turned into a busman’s holiday.” [02:46]
  • The missing are Dr. Kreutzer (ex-Nazi, “de-Nazified, we think”) and Dr. Peters (nuclear physicist).
  • The wife of Dr. Peters is in Alaska, worried after her husband missed calling on their anniversary.

2. Initial Leads in Alaska

• [04:51] Steve meets Mrs. Peters at the Waterfield Hotel in Fairbanks.
  • She insists her husband would not forget to call, suggesting foul play or trouble, and gives Steve a postcard from “Mrs. Ludwig’s boarding house” in Cordova as a clue.
  • Quote - Mrs. Peters: “Bill is a scientist, Mr. Mitchell. He never forgets anything.” [05:05]

3. Tracking the Scientists in Cordova

• [06:34] Steve questions Mrs. Ludwig, the boarding house owner, who claims Kreutzer and Peters skipped out on their bill and moved to the Atlas Hotel for one night.
  • A curt boarder, Mr. Campbell, acts suspicious but offers no help.
  • Mrs. Ludwig refers Steve to Julian, the shoe repairman. [08:53]

4. Clues and Obstacles: Julian, the Shoe Repairman

• [09:27] In the shoe shop, Julian confirms having spoken to the missing men and offers a potential lead: they planned to visit Christine Beauvais in Anchorage.
  • Julian mentions the day they left coincided with a submarine sighting off the coast: “we had the scare about the submarine.” [10:52]

5. Christine Beauvais — Stonewalled and Ambushed

• [11:56] In Anchorage, Christine Beauvais denies knowing Kreutzer and Peters, but her evasive behavior and subsequent actions arouse suspicion.
• [13:00] Steve follows her, ending up ambushed in a dark alley by a mysterious car—narrowly escaping death, he realizes he’s being tailed by the same man from Julian’s shop.

6. The Plot Thickens: Missing Boat and Submarine Mystery

• [15:10] Back in Cordova, Steve meets Fred the Boatman, who says Kreutzer and Peters rented and abandoned his boat four days earlier (same day as submarine sighting). No trace of the men is found.
  • Quote - Steve Mitchell: “I thought our boys had had a change of heart and decided to leave the country. But what happened a half an hour ago changed my mind.” [19:47]

7. Contact from Christine & Attempted Murder

• [16:07] Christine calls, admits she lied due to fear, and sets a meeting at Pete’s Bar, then changes location to the cannery via message.
• [18:01] The cannery proves to be a trap—Steve is nearly killed but escapes after a tussle with the assailant who smells of “something familiar… can’t peg it.”

8. The Revelations: The Real Fate of the Scientists

• [19:03] After regrouping with the Commissioner, Steve learns Kreutzer and Peters were spotted in Victoria and Seattle—but inconsistencies surface.
  • Atlas Hotel clerk and Mrs. Ludwig confirm that the men who checked in under the scientists’ names did not match their photos [22:15], revealing a case of stolen identities.

9. Showdown at Julian’s Shoe Shop

• [23:13] In Julian's shop, Steve finally identifies the mysterious scent as shoe polish.
  • He rips up the new pine flooring, uncovering the bodies of the real Kreutzer and Peters, killed and buried by Julian and his accomplices.
  • The imposters used the scientists’ identities to collect military data for foreign agents and intended to escape via submarine.
  • Quote - Steve Mitchell: “Yeah, that’s what tripped you up, Julian. Or maybe I should say polished you off.” [28:06]

10. Final Confrontation and Resolution

• [24:24] Julian and his henchmen confront Steve—gunfire ensues. Steve prevails, killing Julian and exposing the espionage ring.
• Steve pieces together the entire conspiracy and connects the details, with the shoe polish smell being the critical clue.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Comic Relief / Suspense:

  • “Well, what part of the world do I head for to get shot at this time?” — Steve, dryly greeting the Commissioner [01:57]
  • “Haven’t you ever heard of baked Alaska?” — Commissioner, with playful sarcasm [02:24]

• Detective’s Deduction:

  • “I never thought I’d find a Chinese puzzle in Alaska, but it sure looks like I’m staring one in the face right now.” — Steve [11:06]
  • “I thought that submarine was hanging around to pick up some agents. I didn’t realize it had landed a couple.” — Steve, summing up the plot [27:30]

• Episode’s Catchphrase:

  • “Yeah, that’s what tripped you up, Julian. Or maybe I should say polished you off.” — Steve, punning as he cracks the case [28:06]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:55] — Assignment introduction by the Commissioner
• [04:51] — Meeting with Mrs. Peters, the emotional wife
• [06:34] — Arrival at Mrs. Ludwig’s boarding house
• [09:27] — Discovery of Christine Beauvais as a lead
• [13:00] — Steve’s first ambush in Anchorage
• [15:10] — The missing and damaged boat revelation
• [16:07] — Phone call from the frightened Christine
• [18:01] — Attempt on Steve’s life at the cannery
• [19:03] — Call with the Commissioner: new information surfaces
• [22:15] — Confirmed: imposters at the hotel, not the real scientists
• [23:13] — Clue falls into place: the smell of shoe polish
• [24:24] — Discovery of the bodies, final confrontation
• [27:30] — Steve’s wrap up, connecting all the pieces
• [28:06] — Steve’s final pun as he closes the case

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a classic hard-boiled detective tone full of wry humor and rapid dialogue. Steve Mitchell is cool, quick-witted, and skeptical, always ready with a retort. Supporting characters are colorful: from the gruff Mrs. Ludwig, to the evasive Campbell, and the sly, menacing Julian. There’s a blend of suspense, intrigue, and the occasional wisecrack, all wrapped in the fast-paced, stylized language of old-time radio drama.

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Summary

What starts as a missing-persons case in the wilds of Alaska is soon revealed as a deadly game of international espionage. Steve Mitchell’s investigation untangles a strike team of enemy agents using the identities of murdered scientists to steal secrets—and the linchpin to solving the crime is the overlooked scent of shoe polish on the villain’s hands. With suspense, snappy banter, and a satisfying twist, this “Dangerous Assignment” delivers a memorable tale of Cold War intrigue from the golden age of radio.

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]

Dangerous Assignment starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell. First, a word from the Ford dealers of America.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Everyone's saying that the 50 Ford is a great car. Listen to what Mr. W.W. henderson of Pomona, California, one of more than 470,000 owners of new Ford, says.

[Steve Mitchell]

Last January I bought a new 1950 Ford six cylinder, two door. This car is truly a pleasure to drive and its economy is wonderful. I've driven it about 6,000 miles in city and country, driving an average over 21 miles per gallon. It rides quiet and steers easily, too.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Yes, the owner of a 1950 Ford knows the real meaning of economy. He'll tell you that his big new Ford is low in first cost, inexpensive to maintain and thrifty to operate. But find out for yourself. Stop at your nearest Ford dealers and get the facts on Ford economy. Then get in the driver's seat and test drive the big new Ford for 50.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good morning, Commissioner.

[Commissioner]

Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what part of the world do I head for to get shot at this time?

[Commissioner]

You've been hounding me for a vacation lately, haven't you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, but that hound is a barking dog you never bite.

[Commissioner]

You've got a vacation coming to you. Go ahead and take it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Come again?

[Commissioner]

You heard me. Take the vacation.

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you kidding?

[Commissioner]

Of course not. There's just one condition.

[Steve Mitchell]

I should have known. What is it?

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

I picked a spot.

[Steve Mitchell]

Alaska. Alaska. Now look, if I'm taking a vacation, I'd like to go somewhere and bake in the sun.

[Commissioner]

Haven't you ever heard of baked Alaska?

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, you're in real great form today.

[Commissioner]

Look, do you want this vacation or don't you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Do I have a choice?

[Commissioner]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's what I thought. Well, you're sure, of course, that it is a vacation?

[Commissioner]

You know, you're a very suspicious man. Sure, it's a vacation. Of course, there is the matter of the two missing scientists.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, great. My vacation has just turned into a busman's holiday. Okay, let's have it.

[Commissioner]

Probably nothing to it, really, just a simple matter.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, sure, just a simple matter. But somebody will probably have me chained to a sinking iceberg before it's over.

[Commissioner]

Steve, A week ago, two scientists went to Alaska. An ex Nazi named Dr. Herman Kreutzer, who's been de Nazified, we think. And a younger man, a nuclear physicist, Dr. William Peters.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hmm. Why'd they go up there to conduct.

[Commissioner]

Experiments on the effect of water temperature on a new theory of submarine detection. They were to be gone three months. Two days ago was Peter's wedding anniversary. He promised to call his wife on that day. She didn't hear from him.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, a guy forgets to call his wife. So you send me to Alaska.

[Commissioner]

When Mrs. Peters didn't hear from him, she got worried and flew to Fairbanks. She's there now waiting to meet you.

[Steve Mitchell]

You think these two scientists stumbled onto something important up there?

[Commissioner]

I don't know anything about it, Steve, other than what I've just told you. But I can't help thinking that.

[Steve Mitchell]

Sure, sure, when you think I move. Okay, Alaska it is.

[Commissioner]

Mrs. Peters is at the Waterfield Hotel in Fairbanks. Well, that's it, Steve. You've got your assign. I mean your vacation.

[Steve Mitchell]

Good luck.

[Narrator]

You are listening to Dangerous Assignment. Starring Brian Donlevy as Steve Mitchell. Colorful two fisted government agen 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]

Sure, I've got myself a vacation. A big fat week. Nothing to do but enjoy myself. Plus of course, the little matter of locating two missing scientists in an area big as most of Europe put together. Well, it's Wednesday. When I get to my destination, Mrs. Peters is waiting for me in her hotel room.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I'm so glad you're here to help, Mr. Mitchell. I've been worried sick. Oh, I know it sounds silly. Call it a premonition or a woman's intuition or whatever you want, but I think something's happened to Bill and Dr. Kreutzer.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, it could have slipped his mind.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Bill is a scientist, Mr. Mitchell. He never forgets anything.

[Steve Mitchell]

I understand he's a nuclear physicist.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

That's right.

[Steve Mitchell]

Seems a little strange that he should come up here with Dr. Kreutzer when the purpose of the trip had nothing to do with his specialty.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

He's been working very hard lately. He thought the change would do him good.

[Steve Mitchell]

How long has your husband known this Dr. Kreutzer?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Ever since Kreutzer came to the United States shortly after the war.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know much about Kreutzer?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

No, hardly anything. But Bill seemed to take a liking to him right from the first.

[Steve Mitchell]

He ever talked to you about Kreutzer's political beliefs?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

No, as a matter of fact, Bill has always avoided any political discussion.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see. Well, have you any leads that I can follow?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Yes, this postcard. It's from Bill, mailed the day you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Arrived from here in Fairbanks?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

No, from a place called Cordova. He mentioned staying at a Mrs. Ludwig's boarding house there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Cordova. Let's see. I've got a map of Alaska here someplace. Yeah, here we are. Cordova is a town south of here on the coast. Incidentally, take a look at these pictures they gave me in the States. One's your husband and the other's Dr. Kreutzer. Are they reasonably good likenesses?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Yes, they are, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I'm going to fly down to Cordova and talk to this Mrs. Ludwig at her boarding house. And I'll let you know if I turn up anything there.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I come, I come, I come, I come.

[Mr. Campbell]

Yes.

[Steve Mitchell]

You run this boarding house?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

I am Mrs. Ludwig. You want a room?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I want some information about two ex boarders, Kreutzer and Peters.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Who are you?

[Steve Mitchell]

Steve Mitchell. I'm a friend of theirs.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Then I want to talk to you, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, that makes it mutual.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Come in, come in. Yes, I want very much to talk to a friend of Kreutzer and Peters.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Because they skip out of here without paying that bill. Oh, now, if you are a friend of theirs, maybe you pay for it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, how much is it?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Room and board, three days. For the two of them, $30.

[Steve Mitchell]

So they only stayed here three days, huh?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Yeah, and that is not bad enough for them to skip out without paying. They have to check in at the Atlas Hotel for another day. But they pay over there.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. Let's get this straight. They leave this boarding house, check in at the Atlas Hotel and leave again after a day there?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

How long ago did they spend this day at the hotel?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Three days ago.

[Steve Mitchell]

Did they leave any forwarding address there?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

No, thought I check. The clerk is a friend of mine, but he told me that they leave no address. Now, about this money they owe. You take care of it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I'll make a deal with you, Mrs. Ludwig. I'll take care of their bill if you can give me any more leads about them.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Leads? What this leads?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what I mean is.

[Mr. Campbell]

I thought you told me you were going to clean up my room this day.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I am.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

I can't do two things at once, Mr. Campbell. I get round to it as soon as I have time.

[Mr. Campbell]

For the price a man pays here, he's a right to expect a little service.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

You don't like it here?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

You?

[Mr. Campbell]

I've a good mind.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hey. Hey, wait a minute.

[Mr. Campbell]

Are you addressing me?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Look, you're a boarder here. Maybe you heard the two guys I'm looking for. Talking about where they were going without.

[Mr. Campbell]

Knowing whom you're looking for? I couldn't say.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

This is Mr. Mitchell. He says he's a friend of Kreutzo and Peters. The two that skipped out a few days ago.

[Mr. Campbell]

Mr. Mitchell, I've got no time to indulge in idle gossip. I'm a hard working lumberman.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I figured that without your telling me.

[Mr. Campbell]

What do you mean by that?

[Steve Mitchell]

That pine smell sticks out all over you. But if you could just tell me anything that you might have heard them say.

[Mr. Campbell]

I've got no information that will help you.

[Steve Mitchell]

Nice friendly guy.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Well, he pays his rent, which is more than your friends did. Now, are you going to pay that bill or not?

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. And I'll take a room here too. Now, is there anyone else who might have information about Kreutzer and Peters?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Mr. Julian used to talk to them now and then. He's another border. Runs a shoe repair shop down the street.

[Steve Mitchell]

Mr. Julian. Okay, I'll check with him.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Just a minute.

[Steve Mitchell]

You think of something else?

[Commissioner]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

If you want a room here, it's cash in advance.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yes, he'll be right with you. Okay.

[Julian]

Ah, what can I do for you, sir?

[Steve Mitchell]

Your name Julian? Yeah, I'm Steve Mitchell. Nice little place you've got here.

[Julian]

Well, thanks, Mr. Mitchell. Yeah, I finally got in the place in pretty good shape.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, I see you've been doing a little remodeling.

[Julian]

Heavy machinery is hard on these pine floors. I have to put in new flooring every now and then.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, the smell from these boards remind me of when Mr. Campbell. Oh, you know Campbell? Yeah, I just met him at Mrs. Ludwig's. About as friendly as a clam, isn't he?

[Julian]

He's not what you'd call talkative, Mr. Mitchell. I don't think that you came here either to talk about Mr. Campbell or to have your shoes fixed. What's on your mind?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I'm trying to locate two friends of mine, Kreutzer and Peters. Mrs. Ludwig told me that you'd talked to them a couple of times at the boarding house and I thought maybe you could help me. Go ahead and wait on your customers. I'm in no hurry.

[Commissioner]

All right.

[Julian]

They sell shoes here only secondhand on claim pairs during the winter.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Julian]

Help yourself, please. Be with you in just a minute.

[Commissioner]

All right.

[Julian]

Mr. Mitchell, are you sure that you're a friend of Croit's son, Peterson?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Why?

[Julian]

Because I think I know where you might find your friends. Where I heard them speak of going to see a girl named Christine Beauvais. I think they called her up in Anchorage. I didn't say anything to Mrs. Ludwig about it because if they want to leave without paying their bill, that's their business. I'm a shoe repair man, not a debt collector.

[Steve Mitchell]

Christine Bove. How. How long ago was that?

[Commissioner]

Oh, three.

[Julian]

No, no, four days ago. Yeah, I remember four, because that was the day that we had the scare about the submarine.

[Steve Mitchell]

What submarine?

[Julian]

Oh, a couple of fishermen cited what they thought was a periscope close offshore. We've had several reports like that up here lately.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, we've had them all over lately. Okay, thanks, Julian. I'll see you around. Well, I never thought I'd find a Chinese puzzle in Alaska, but it sure looks like I'm staring one in the face right now. Two scientists take off for Alaska on a three month trip. They skip out of a boarding house in Cordova, check in and out of the Atlas Hotel in the same town, then head for Anchorage to see a girl named Christine Beauvais. At this point, I don't even have a glimmer of what's behind it all. But I do know my next stop is Anchorage. It's dark when I get there and I look up Christine Beauvais in the phone book and go on over.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Yeah?

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you Christine Bovet?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Sure, come on in.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm trying to get a line on a couple of friends of mine.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I know a lot of guys.

[Steve Mitchell]

Their names are Kreutzer and Peters.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Never heard of them.

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, they supposedly came here to Anchorage to see you.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I tell you, I don't know them.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, well, they were talking about coming to see you. Beat it now, Chris.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I said beat it.

[Steve Mitchell]

All right, but if you change your mind, I'm staying at Mrs. Ludwig's boarding house in Cordova.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

You heard me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Get lost. Add another piece to the puzzle. Why did Christine lie about knowing Kreutzer and Peters? I go down the street away and I wait. A few minutes later, she comes out and takes off along the boardwalk. I follow. Suddenly, she darts into an alley. I speed up and turn in. It's dark in there, but enough light to tell me that she's disappeared and that it's a blind alley. Then I hear the car behind me. I whirl around. It's just entering the alley, heading for me. And the alley's just wide enough for that car. There's no room left over for me and nowhere to go. I'm tr.

[Narrator]

In a moment, you will hear the second act of Dangerous Assignment. After this brief message from the Ford dealers of America.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

When you want the facts about a car, it pays to go to the people who know. And this year, the folks who have had a chance to compare the new Ford are saying that it is the finest car Ford has ever turned up. Yes, ask any Ford owner, any garage mechanic, any filling station operator, and you'll soon learn that the beautiful new Ford is tops for comfort, for performance, for safety and for economy. They'll tell you what a thrill it is to drive this great car. They'll talk about its power and the way it stands up under all kinds of driving conditions. And they'll give you the facts about Ford. Economy for this car is low in first cost and high in resale value. It's inexpensive to maintain and thrifty on gas and oil. But see, hear and feel the difference yourself. Before you buy any car at any price, stop at your local Ford dealers and test drive the big new 1950 Ford.

[Narrator]

And now, here is the second act of dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Dunleavy as Steve Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

The car keeps coming down the alley toward me. It's no use to flatten myself against the wall. Then I spot a side door in the building. Locked. I throw my weight against it. Car's right on top of me. Now the door gives just in time. The car screeches to a stop, jams into reverse, piketails back out of the alley. But not before I've spotted the guy inside. It's the man who came into the shoe shop while I was talking to Julian. So I've been followed.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

But why?

[Steve Mitchell]

It's morning when I get back to Mrs. Ludwig's boarding house in Cordova, and she's talking to a tall, skinny gentleman.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Mr. Mitchell, this is Fred the boatman. He's got some information about your deadbeat friends.

[Steve Mitchell]

What is it, Fred?

[Mr. Campbell]

Well, I make my living rent and boats, see? Well, four days ago, this Kreutzer and Peters came to me and wanted to rent a boat, see? Yeah, they wanted to go fishing, they said. So I rent them a boat, see?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, what about it?

[Mr. Campbell]

Well, that's what I'd like to know. They never bring it back, see? This morning, I find it hung up on a rocky point south of town.

[Steve Mitchell]

Uh, no sign of the two of them.

[Commissioner]

Nothing.

[Mr. Campbell]

So my boat's ruined, see? And nobody to pay for it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. The day they rented that boat, was that by any chance? The day a sub was sighted off the coast? Why?

[Mr. Campbell]

What say ya?

[Steve Mitchell]

Four days ago? Yeah.

[Mr. Campbell]

Yeah, I think it was.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

I call Him?

[Steve Mitchell]

Why?

[Mr. Campbell]

What's that got to do with it?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's what I'm wondering. See?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. For me?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

That's what the lady said. Steve Mitchell.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Steve Mitchell]

Hello?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

This is Christine Bovet. Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Christine Bovet. Well, this is one call I never thought I'd be getting.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I couldn't talk to you at my apartment last night. I was afraid.

[Steve Mitchell]

Afraid of what?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Someone's been following me.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, is that why you ducked into that alley?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Yeah. I knew they were after me, but I managed to get away from them.

[Steve Mitchell]

I was almost not so lucky.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Mr. Mitchell, will you meet me at Pete's Bar tonight? I want to tell you something about Kreutzer and the Peters.

[Steve Mitchell]

So you do know them.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Of course. When you asked me about it last night, I was afraid you were working with the men who'd been after me. I'll tell you all about it tonight.

[Steve Mitchell]

Okay. I'll be waiting there at 8. See you then.

[Boatman]

Howdy, friend.

[Steve Mitchell]

What's it gonna be, brother? I know where you're from.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Texas?

[Steve Mitchell]

Nope.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Oklahoma?

[Julian]

Uh oh, just across the line.

[Boatman]

On a windy day we could hear them Texans talk though. Friend, if you think I talk funny, you ought to hear the accent on them Texans.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah.

[Boatman]

Your name?

[Steve Mitchell]

Mitchell.

[Boatman]

Some high stepping fella left you a message.

[Steve Mitchell]

Oh, what is it?

[Boatman]

She wants you to meet her at the cannery.

[Steve Mitchell]

The cannery? Where's that?

[Boatman]

Out on the pier yonder. Can't miss it.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wonder why she wants me to meet her there.

[Boatman]

Fran, I don't ask no one no questions. You want to do your sparkling and canneries, why, that's your business. But me, son, I'll take.

[Steve Mitchell]

Wait a minute. When this filly, as you call her, came in, was a man following her?

[Boatman]

Friend, if I hadn't been on duty, I'd have followed her myself. But not to the cannery.

[Steve Mitchell]

Me, I'd have followed her.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Steve Mitchell]

Here. That's for the drink.

[Boatman]

Better have a refill, friend. Might kill your sense of smell.

[Steve Mitchell]

What do you mean?

[Boatman]

You get a whiff of the cannery. You know what I mean.

[Steve Mitchell]

The cannery on the pier is. It's dark. I spot a side door. Open it and the aroma of fish almost knocks me down. Suddenly a hand closes around my mouth, pulling my head back. A gun jams into my back. Through the fish smell I can catch a whiff of something else. A familiar smell I can't pick. Then the gun eases a little. There's a flashlight outside. Steps along the pier. Probably the night watchman. The killer's waiting until he passes I can't call out. My only chance is to make noise somehow. Then my eye catches a glint of shiny metal. A stack of tin cans near me. I drop to one knee and grab the hand over my mouth. The guy goes flying. The gunman takes off through the garden cannery. I try to follow, but I bump into every hunk of junk in the place. He gets away. Oh, Christine Beauvais was just a decoy. But again comes the big question.

[Mr. Campbell]

Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

Why now? I'm tired of asking myself. So I decide to ask the commissioner. Commissioner?

[Commissioner]

Oh, yes, Steve.

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm glad you called.

[Commissioner]

I've been trying to get in touch with you. What have you got so far?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I thought I had the whole deal figured out, Commissioner, but it just blew up in my face.

[Commissioner]

What do you mean?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, put it together this way. Two scientists come up here. One of them is an ex Nazi. Those boys have a reputation of selling out to the highest bidder. So the other's the nuclear physicist who avoids the mention of politics. So they disappear from a rooming house, pop up at a hotel near the waterfront. They check out of that hotel, and somewhere along the line, they rent a boat to go fishing. Now, that boat turns up later, but they don't. And along about this time, there's a submarine sighted off the coast. Yeah? I thought our boys had had a change of heart and decided to leave the country. But what happened a half an hour ago changed my mind.

[Commissioner]

What do you mean?

[Steve Mitchell]

Somebody tried to kill me in a cannery. Now, if the scientists had left, the deal would be all over. Then why the attempt on my life?

[Commissioner]

Now, that's the point, Steve. Kreutzer and Peters haven't left the country. That's why I've been trying to reach you. Three days ago, they checked into a hotel in Victoria, British Columbia.

[Steve Mitchell]

What?

[Commissioner]

They also dipped down to Seattle. At last report, they were heading north again.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, they could be collecting information from various points.

[Commissioner]

And that was my thought. Maybe they're still planning on leaving the country after they've collected the information. If that's true, you've got to stop them.

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, first I've got to find them.

[Commissioner]

Any leads at all?

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I've only got one left. They checked in and out of the Atlas Hotel here in Cordova a few days ago. I'll go over there now. There's just a bare possibility that they may be back.

[Commissioner]

Where are you now, Steve?

[Steve Mitchell]

I'm at Mrs. Ludwig's boarding house. I'll.

[Commissioner]

What's the matter?

[Steve Mitchell]

Somebody just came in the front door. I'll call you back. Well, Mr. Campbell, the lumberman.

[Mr. Campbell]

Oh, it's the man Mitchell, isn't it?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah, it's the man Mitchell. You out kind of late tonight for a hard working lumberman, aren't you?

[Mr. Campbell]

I believe a man has a right to take a walk in the evening if he wants.

[Steve Mitchell]

That all depends on where he walks. You weren't by any chance taking a walk down near the cannery, were you?

[Mr. Campbell]

Now why would I be walking down there?

[Steve Mitchell]

That's just what I'm wondering.

[Mr. Campbell]

I think you're to mind your own business, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know that's just what I'm trying to do. Well, sweet dreams, Campbell.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Okay, okay, I'm coming, I'm coming.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Sick and tired.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

I'm sleeping and he rings a bell. What do you want?

[Steve Mitchell]

Look, a couple of guys stayed here at the Atlas Hotel about four days ago. Their names were Kreutzer and Peters. Do you remember them?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Did you haul me out of bed? Just ask me about them. All I know is they stayed here a day and then they left.

[Steve Mitchell]

I know, but there's a chance that they may come back here. Now I want you to take a look at these pictures and if you ever see these guys again, there's 20 bucks in it if you let me know right away.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

What do you mean see them again? Let me take a look here. I never seen them guys in picture before in all my life.

[Narrator]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

But this is Kreuter and Peters.

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Yeah, well them pictures ain't the guys who registered as Kreutzer and Peters.

[Steve Mitchell]

Are you sure about that?

[Mrs. Ludwig]

Oh, sure, I'm sure.

[Steve Mitchell]

I see, I see. Well, thanks a lot. Go on a way.

[Julian]

Oh, good evening, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Julian. You're working a little late tonight, huh? Yeah.

[Julian]

Seems like everybody in Cordova needs new half soles. Shoes don't last long in this country.

[Steve Mitchell]

Julian, I want you to take a good look at these pictures I've got. Sure. What about them? Are they Kreutzer and Peters?

[Mr. Campbell]

Of course.

[Commissioner]

Why?

[Steve Mitchell]

Because the guys who registers as Kreutzer and Peters at the Atlas Hotel weren't really.

[Commissioner]

What?

[Julian]

But look, I don't understand. What does that mean?

[Steve Mitchell]

I think I'm beginning to see part of the answer.

[Julian]

But I. Mr. Mitchell. What's the matter?

[Steve Mitchell]

So there I am standing on the new pine flooring in Julian's shoe shop when the smell hits me again. It's the same one I'd noticed before when that guy in the cannery had clapped his hand over my mouth. And now at last I've got It pegged. And also, at last, a lot of things suddenly fall into place.

[Julian]

What's the matter, Mr. Mitchell?

[Steve Mitchell]

I. I just had a thought. Julian. Say you can do me a favor, if you will.

[Mr. Campbell]

Of course.

[Narrator]

What is it?

[Steve Mitchell]

What time will you be through here? Oh, half an hour. Okay. I want you to go to the boarding house and get Campbell the lumberman. Get him to go to the cannery with you. And then the two of you wait there for me, will you, Campbell, huh?

[Julian]

All right, Mr. Mitchell. I don't understand what you're up to.

[Steve Mitchell]

But I'll be glad to help. I leave Julian's shop, round up a crowbar, shovel, flashlight and my gun. Then I come back. The shop is dark by now. I go in a window and start ripping up the new pine flooring. A few minutes later, I'm digging in the dirt underneath. Pretty soon I find what I'm after. Two bodies. I pull the pictures out of my pocket and by flashlight, I compare them. Yeah, no doubt about it.

[Julian]

Congratulations, Mr. Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, hello, Julian. I see you brought your two stooges with you. Yeah.

[Julian]

I didn't realize until almost too late that your purpose in sending me to find Campbell was to get me out of your way. However, I returned in time, and I must say, it was very considerate of you to dig your own grave.

[Narrator]

You will hear the conclusion of Dangerous Assignment after a brief message from the Ford dealers of America.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Tonight there are more than 470,000 enthusiastic 1950 Ford owners. And most of them are talking about their cars. Listen to what Ms. Barbara Sargent of San Francisco says.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

I've been wanting a car for a long, long time. So when I decided to buy, I took my time and looked all of them over very carefully. Finally, I chose the new Ford because it was the only car that gave me everything I wanted. It's a beauty, both inside and outside. It's the easiest car to drive I've seen yet. And it gives me the smoothest ride of all the cars I tried. If anyone who is thinking of buying a new car will just drive one of the new Fords, I believe they'll agree with everything I said.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

Yes. Ford owners, mechanics, service station attendants and garage men all over the country.

[Narrator]

Agreement.

[Ford Commercial Announcer]

The new 1950 Ford is the finest car Ford has ever turned out. They're saying it's tops for performance, for comfort and for economy. But see, hear and feel the difference yourself. Stop at your neighborhood Ford dealers and test drive the big new Ford tomorrow.

[Steve Mitchell]

Well, I guess that makes us even. Julian, I couldn't get you out of the way. But your stooges missed on me when they tried to run me down in Anchorage. How'd you boys enjoy your junket around the country posing as Kreutzer and Peters? Pick up a lot of information from your contacts.

[Commissioner]

Come on, Julian.

[Steve Mitchell]

Let's get this over with.

[Julian]

Yeah. Get up out of that hole, Mitchell.

[Steve Mitchell]

I know the floor covers me from the waist down. I put one hand on it like I'm gonna climb out. But I fish the gun out of my pocket with the other. Then I throw a quick shot at the light overhead. I drop back into the hole just in time. I spot the pistol flash and let him have it. Only two to one now.

[Boatman]

Stop circling, Marcus.

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

Stop circling.

[Steve Mitchell]

That's bad. If they come at me from two different directions at the same time, I'm cooked. I reach down and pick up my flashlight. I snap it on and toss it out on the floor. One of them throws a shot at it. I give him one back. The third guy has had enough. He heads for the door. But as he jerks it open, he silhouetted. I scrambled out of the hole, grab my flashlight and run to the door. The guy lying there is Julian. Well, the merry go round was nice while it lasted, Julian. Only you weren't lucky enough to grab the brass ring. You got a lead slug instead.

[Julian]

I thought I had a good plan.

[Narrator]

You did.

[Steve Mitchell]

You know, I thought that submarine was hanging around to pick up some agents. I didn't realize it had landed. A couple you guys had heard about Kreutzer and Peter's trip. You grabbed them right after they got up here and killed them. Then your boys took their papers and started around the country collecting information and reports from your various contacts. That about the way it breaks down, huh?

[Mrs. Peters / Christine Bovet]

What?

[Steve Mitchell]

What went wrong, Mitchell? You gave yourself away, Julian.

[Commissioner]

No.

[Steve Mitchell]

No, I couldn't have. When you clapped your hand over my mouth down at the cannery, I got a whiff of a very familiar smell. But I couldn't peg it until I was in here talking to you earlier tonight. Then I smelled it again, and it registered shoe polish.

[Julian]

Shoe polish?

[Steve Mitchell]

Yeah. Like most smart boys, you overlooked one little item. In this case, the smell of shoe polish on your hands. Yeah, that's what tripped you up, Julian. Or maybe I should say polished you off.

[Narrator]

And now, a special announcement for friends of Dangerous Assignment. Dangerous Assignment will next be heard Wednesday, May 3, at the same time over most of these NBC stations. That's Wednesday, May 3rd, at this same time. You've just heard another episode in the exciting new adventure series Dangerous Assignment, starring Brian Donlevy in the role of Steve Mitchell. Dangerous Assignment is written by Bob Rife with music by Bruce Ashley, and is directed by Bill Karn. Be with us again Wednesday, May 3, at the same time when Brian Donlevy, starring as Steve Mitchell, will embark on another Dangerous Assignment.

[Steve Mitchell]

Tomorrow is Tuesday.

[Narrator]

That means bob hopes on NBC.