Michael Shayne: Judge Stanton Murdered 06/04/1945

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Michael Shayne: Judge Stanton Murdered (06/04/1945)

Episode Overview

In this suspenseful old-time radio episode, private detective Michael Shayne and his assistant, Phyllis Knight, have their quiet evening plans upended when they are swept into a baffling murder mystery. Federal Judge Stanton has been murdered, and all signs—especially some seemingly impossible fingerprints—point to Victor Ratner, a recently pardoned ex-con. As the investigation unfolds, a complex plot involving fake fingerprints, hidden loot, an elusive ex-wife, and a mysterious Texan emerges. This classic whodunit teems with red herrings, sharp banter, and the steady tension of Golden Age detective drama.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdowns

1. The Interrupted Evening and Judge Stanton’s Murder

• [01:16] Michael Shayne and Phyllis are preparing to leave for the movies with Inspector and Mrs. Faraday when Faraday bursts in with grim news:

  “Federal Judge Stanton has just been murdered.” – Inspector Faraday [01:54]

• The urgency of the case is quickly established, and the trio, along with Faraday, head to police headquarters.

2. An Impossible Puzzle: Fingerprints and Timelines

• [02:40] Faraday presents a mystery: fingerprints of Victor Ratner (recently released from prison) have been found at a series of recent burglaries—impossible since Ratner was still incarcerated.

  “If two men can have the same fingerprints, our whole criminal procedure sails right out of this window.” – Inspector Faraday [04:03]

• Discussion highlights Ratner’s supposed embezzlement and the missing $100,000, setting the scene for deeper intrigue.

3. Crime Scene Clues & Ratner’s Suspected Motive

• [04:38] At Judge Stanton’s study, the investigation reveals:
  • The judge was murdered and his house robbed.
  • Ratner’s fingerprints appear on broken glass, but the break-in seems amateurish.
  • Ratner, a former attorney, might have a larger score; smaller burglaries don’t fit his M.O.
  • The confusion with fingerprints continues to deepen the mystery.

4. Ratner’s House Yields New Leads

• [06:39] At Ratner’s place:
  • Phyllis discovers a hidden basement (by finding disturbed dirt near a door), where the team finds photographic equipment and a suspicious patch of loose bricks.
  • They suspect the stolen money might be hidden there.

5. A Mysterious Woman and the Trap

• [08:22] A woman (later revealed to be Vera Miller, Ratner’s ex-wife) enters the house while the team hides; she locks them in the basement and flees.

  “Mike, that’s a woman’s footstep.” – Inspector Faraday [08:46]

• Their escape plan involves shooting off the lock.

6. Interviewing the Ex-Wife and Texan “Suitor”

• [12:07] At the home of Vera Miller, the ex-wife, tensions rise with Vera, her brother (William Miller), and Vera’s new Texan fiancé, “Mr. Johnson”.
  • Vera denies involvement or knowledge of Ratner’s whereabouts.
  • The group offers conflicting and slippery stories.

  “We heard it on the radio—Victor wouldn’t do such a thing. I know he’s innocent.” – Vera Miller [13:20]

• Phyllis notes the suspicious dynamics, particularly with Vera’s brother and Johnson.

7. The Body in the Basement

• [15:51] Shayne and team return to Ratner’s basement, digging under the bricks to find:

  “A man’s leg. Here, let me grab hold.” – Michael Shane [16:16]

  • Victor Ratner’s corpse, dead for at least two days—proving he didn’t kill Judge Stanton.

8. The Glass Clues and the Fingerprint Frame-Up

• [18:44] A visit to neighbor A.J. Bremner reveals that the glass with Ratner’s fingerprints doesn’t match those from the actual window—indicating the prints were planted.

  “These fingerprints were faked and planted here and at all the other houses.” – Michael Shane [19:36]

9. Breaking the Fingerprint Racket

• [22:13] Back in the basement, Michael demonstrates how old glass plates from Ratner’s camera gear could retain and duplicate fingerprints.

  “This is where Ratner’s fingerprints have been coming from.” – Michael Shane [22:48]

• Ratner apparently engineered the scheme to provide an alibi, but someone used his method for greater crimes—including murder.

10. The Trap and the Unmasking of the Killer

• [24:18] Michael wears Ratner's distinctive ring and gathers the suspects at Judge Stanton’s house.
• [25:53] The group disperses, but Michael and the police lie in wait in Ratner’s basement, betting the true murderer will return to check the body.

11. The Killer Revealed: The Texan “Johnson”

• [26:40] Mr. Johnson (the Texan fiancé) returns to the scene and is confronted by Shayne and Faraday; he is unmasked as Ratner’s former cellmate and the murderer.

  “You’re the only one who knew Ratner was dead and where he was buried.” – Inspector Faraday [26:59]

• Johnson confesses to the plot: Ratner engineered the fingerprint scam; Johnson did the burglaries, double-crossed Ratner, and killed Judge Stanton for revenge.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Impossible Clue:

  “If two men can have the same fingerprints, our whole criminal procedure sails right out of this window.” – Inspector Faraday [04:03]

• Discovery of the Body:

  “A man’s leg. Here, let me grab hold.” – Michael Shane [16:16]

• Scheme Revealed:

  “This is where Ratner’s fingerprints have been coming from. Neatly stacked away down here, then planted in the smashed glass at every one of those robberies.” – Michael Shane [22:48]

• Identifying the Killer:

  “You’re the only one who knew Ratner was dead and where he was buried.” – Inspector Faraday [26:59]

• The Texas Slip-Up:

  “Our cattle man from Texas wouldn’t use a jailbird’s word for getting out of prison. He didn’t say Ratner was pardoned. He said he was sprung.” – Michael Shane [27:59]

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:54 – News of Judge Stanton’s murder
• 04:03 – The impossible fingerprint conundrum
• 06:39 – The search through Ratner’s home and discovery of the basement
• 08:22 – Mysterious woman locks the team in the basement
• 12:07 – Interview with Vera Miller and company
• 15:51 – Recovery (and discovery) of Ratner’s body
• 19:36 – Realization that fingerprints were faked
• 22:48 – Explanation of the photographic fingerprint scam
• 26:40 – The murderer (Mr. Johnson) caught in the act
• 27:59 – Michael reveals his suspicion based on a slip of tongue

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Conclusion: Case Closed

Through quick thinking, dogged investigation, and a clever ploy involving a flashy ring, Michael Shayne not only reveals the true method behind the fingerprint mystery but exposes a deadly double-cross and brings justice for Judge Stanton. With brisk pacing and tight dialogue, this episode is a stellar example of the intrigue and fun that epitomized the golden age of radio detectives.

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Transcript

[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]

[Narrator]

the Adventures of Michael Shane Private Detective. The people who make 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company present. The adventures of michael shane private detectives. Starring wally mayer and kathy lewis. The official slogan of San Francisco goes like this. The city that knows how. The slogan of San Francisco's favorite detective might well be the man who knows who done it. This evening, Mike Shane and his assistant Phyllis Knight have put work behind them. They're about to leave their office in the Rust Building to meet their old friends Inspector and Mrs. Faraday for an evening at the movies.

[Michael Shane]

Hey, hurry it up, Phil, honey, will you stop primping and fussing? They'll be waiting for us.

[Phyllis Knight]

Just a second. Golly. You know, it'll be fun to see Mrs. Faraday again. It's weeks since I've heard any of her Irish stories.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah. Gosh, it's been weeks. Months since Farad Saturday. And I manage the same evening off. I must be taking a holiday in our town.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah. All set, Mike. How does my hat look?

[Michael Shane]

Screwy as ever. And the face below it? Beautiful as ever.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, Mike. Oh, pretend we didn't hear it. Come on, Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Don't worry. It's not a client. It's after hours.

[Narrator]

Hello, Mike.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's off. I can't go.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, now, Faraday, that's how I feel too.

[Inspector Faraday]

This is something special. Federal Judge Stanton has just been murdered.

[Michael Shane]

Holy jumping.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come down to headquarters. Mike, I'm afraid this is more than straight murder.

[Michael Shane]

What do you mean?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm not sure myself. Just get down here, Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, Hi, Sarge.

[Inspector Faraday]

Evening, Mr. Shane. Ms. Knight.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hello.

[Michael Shane]

Hello, Quinn. The inspector in his office?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes, sir, but I think he's busy.

[Michael Shane]

So he said, Inspector. Hey, Mike.

[Inspector Faraday]

Fellas, come in, come in.

[Phyllis Knight]

Now, you look all frazzled, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

I am, Phil. I'm worried. Plenty worried.

[Michael Shane]

Well, come on, come on, give with the details. When was Judge Stanton murdered?

[Inspector Faraday]

Less than an hour ago, near as we can tell. I just got back from his house. But first, Mike, take a look at these fingerprint cards on my desk.

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Michael Shane]

Fingerprints found at robbery, Jackson street, night of the 17th. And this one housebreaking Van Ness Avenue, night of the 21st.

[Inspector Faraday]

And two more.

[Phyllis Knight]

But they're burglaries. Inspector. What's the tie up with Judge Stanton?

[Inspector Faraday]

The judge was shot, Phil, but his house was robbed, too. I got an ugly feeling that the fingerprints we found at his place are. Ah, that's it now. Yes, we checked the fingerprints, Inspector. They belong to Victor Ratner. You're short of it. Yes, sir. Positive. Okay, that's all. I was afraid of that.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

These fingerprints you just looked at, Mike, they belong to Victor Ratner too.

[Michael Shane]

Well, what's the matter with that? Don't they identify the killer?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, they do. But these burglaries took place last month. Ratner was released from the penitentiary only two days ago.

[Michael Shane]

What?

[Phyllis Knight]

It's impossible.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's what we said. Two years ago, Victor Ratner was sent to the pen for embezzlement. A 15 year rep. The proof was his fingerprints found on a safe. Then the last couple of weeks came four robberies. Victor Radner's fingerprints at every one of them.

[Phyllis Knight]

While he's still in the state penitentiary.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, he was pardoned, Phil. Wrongful conviction. Now this murder and his fingerprints again.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, I thought no two people in the world had the same prints.

[Inspector Faraday]

That's the point. If two men can have the same fingerprints, our whole criminal procedure sails right out of this window right now.

[Michael Shane]

Well, Inspector of Flatner was released two days ago and the judge was murdered tonight. He's still bound to be your suspect.

[William Miller]

Haul him in and make him prove

[Michael Shane]

his whereabouts at the time of the killing.

[Inspector Faraday]

I've already ordered him to be picked up. Meanwhile, I gotta go back to the judges and finish the examination. You kids like to come along?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, of course. Where the bloodhounds go, we follow.

[Inspector Faraday]

This is the judge's study. On the flare over there by the desk. Is the, uh huh.

[Michael Shane]

Covered over with a sheet?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah. Hey, the desk drawers are all pulled out, Mike. The killer must have been looking for something.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, the judge's wife said he didn't keep any valuables in here. And yet.

[Michael Shane]

Where did you find Ratner's fingerprints?

[Inspector Faraday]

On the broken glass from the terrace door. Here it is on my desk, Mike. Exhibit number eight.

[Phyllis Knight]

Hey, this door must have been locked at the time. He broke a pane of the glass, reached inside and turned the key, huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, but he was careful to wipe off the key afterwards. If he hadn't touched the glass, we wouldn't have a clue.

[Michael Shane]

Now, this doesn't look like the work of a professional housebreaker to me, Inspector. All he had to do was use a little pressure and the door would have come open anyway.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, he used the same system at each house. Smashed a window or door, then in.

[Michael Shane]

Say, wait a minute, wait a minute. I remember reading something in the paper about Ratner's conviction. Wasn't he an attorney?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, a lawyer for a loan company. He got a hold of the combination of their safe somehow and made up with almost 100,000 bucks.

[Phyllis Knight]

Did they get the money back?

[Inspector Faraday]

Not a nickel.

[Michael Shane]

Then this doesn't make sense at all. He's got the dough stashed away somewhere. He wouldn't go in for penny anti robberies.

[Phyllis Knight]

Now, could all those burglaries be just a red herring, Mike? You know, a build up so we'd think tonight was just another theft with a killing on the side.

[Michael Shane]

You're forgetting the main point, Angel. Ratner was safely put away in mothballs until the day before yesterday. How did his fingerprints turn up at robberies three weeks before he was released?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, that's a mystery. Good enough to bind in three quarter Morocco.

[Inspector Faraday]

Inspector. Yes, Sergeant? We just got a call from headquarters. The boys can't find Ratner anywhere. Not at his house, huh?

[Michael Shane]

No.

[Inspector Faraday]

Better get ahold of his attorney. Yeah, they've done that, sir. He says he hasn't seen Ratner since the day he got the pardon for him. What do you say to that, Mike?

[Michael Shane]

He's probably hiding out. We'd better get on his trail fast while it's still warm.

[Phyllis Knight]

Fine. If we only knew where to start.

[Michael Shane]

We do, huh? At the old homestead of Mr. Victor Ratner.

[Inspector Faraday]

Find anything in the bedroom, Mike?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, a couple of suitcases. I can't tell whether Ratner was packing or unpacking them.

[Phyllis Knight]

No food in the kitchen. Guess he didn't plan to Terry long.

[Inspector Faraday]

I searched his desk. All his papers date back two years or more. Looks like we're out of luck.

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Michael Shane]

Say, honey, do you mind turning off the kitchen light?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, yeah, yeah, I'll get it, Mike.

[Inspector Faraday]

Maybe we'll have to play a waiting game. If Ratner tries to skip town, we can nab him at the depot or airport.

[Michael Shane]

Pretty slim chance, Inspector. He'll probably hit the highway.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike. Inspector. Come here.

[Michael Shane]

Coming. Something?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, yeah, this door here. Just now I noticed dirt trailing away from it. And look. Look.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, a stairway.

[Michael Shane]

Must be a basement. Where's the light switch?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh,

[Michael Shane]

now watch your step, Angel. Those high heels.

[Phyllis Knight]

Yeah, I will.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's a big basement. Brick floor. Cupboards and shelves around the walls.

[Phyllis Knight]

Half an inch of dust and dirt

[Michael Shane]

on everything except the seat of this chair.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, and look. It's placed right below these cupboards. Ratner climbed up to get something out.

[Michael Shane]

Well, let's have a look,

[Inspector Faraday]

huh?

[Michael Shane]

A couple of cameras, a tripod, glass plates, film packs, projector. The guy's a Real shutterbug.

[Vera Miller]

Ow.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, doggone.

[Inspector Faraday]

What happened, Phil?

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, I turned my ankle on a loose brick.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just a minute. There's more than one brick loose.

[Narrator]

Mike.

[Michael Shane]

Coming.

[Vera Miller]

Look.

[Inspector Faraday]

There's no mortar between these bricks.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah, an area of about 3 square feet. I think we know what this means. Below these bricks, Mr. Ratner banked his

[Inspector Faraday]

hundred thousand bucks and came back to dig it up. Listen.

[Phyllis Knight]

Upstairs.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ratner.

[Michael Shane]

He's come back. Sounds like he's heading for the kitchen.

[Phyllis Knight]

What? What if he comes down here?

[Michael Shane]

Quick. Turn off the light. Where?

[Phyllis Knight]

I. I don't see a switch.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, great. It turns off from the head of the stairs.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, then duck under the steps.

[Narrator]

Fast.

[Vera Miller]

Yeah.

[Michael Shane]

Now. Not a sound.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, good heavens. My purse. I left it hanging on that chair.

[Michael Shane]

It's too late now.

[Inspector Faraday]

Mike, that's a woman's footstep.

[Vera Miller]

Hello? Who? Who's down there?

[Inspector Faraday]

Who?

[Michael Shane]

Oh, she sees Phil's purse.

[William Miller]

Hey, stop.

[Vera Miller]

Stop.

[Michael Shane]

Come on, Faraday, after her.

[Inspector Faraday]

Holy hairy. Mike, I think. I think we're locked in.

[Michael Shane]

You think we're locked in? You know darn well we're locked in.

[Narrator]

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[Michael Shane]

Oh, this is no ordinary door. There's no gift to it.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, maybe if both of you hear

[Inspector Faraday]

this here way, we'll shoot the lock off. Stand back, Phil.

[Phyllis Knight]

Gladly.

[Michael Shane]

Ah, that did it.

[Inspector Faraday]

You gotta find that woman.

[Phyllis Knight]

Save your legs, Inspector. Just listen.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah, but who in the blazes was that woman?

[Phyllis Knight]

Some gal who has a key to his house. And I don't mean the cleaning woman.

[Inspector Faraday]

Say, what's the matter with me? My brains are smoke dried and kippered.

[Narrator]

Huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

His ex wife.

[Michael Shane]

Swell. If we can't find Mr. Ratner, his ex wife Will do. Where does she live, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Headquarters can tell us that. Vera. What's her name? Vera. Vera Miller. That was her maiden name. She may be using it again.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, Inspector. So let's find vanishing Vera and see what she can tell us.

[Announcer]

Yes? Who is it?

[Inspector Faraday]

This the resident of Vera Miller?

[Announcer]

It is.

[Michael Shane]

May we talk to her, please?

[Narrator]

I don't know.

[Announcer]

Who are you?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm Inspector Faraday, Police department.

[Announcer]

Oh, well, come on in. Please excuse my manner. I thought it might be about something else.

[Narrator]

My name's William Miller, a relative of the Virus, her brother.

[Announcer]

She's in the parlor here with a caller.

[Narrator]

Vera?

[Vera Miller]

Yes?

[Announcer]

These people want to see you.

[Michael Shane]

Inspector Faraday and Mike Shane and Phyllis Knight.

[Announcer]

And this is Mr. Johnson Curran.

[William Miller]

Anvil Johnson. I'm right glad to know y'.

[Announcer]

All.

[Phyllis Knight]

Don't get up, please.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ms. Miller, I believe you were once married to Mr. Victor Ratman.

[Vera Miller]

Is there something wrong?

[Michael Shane]

We'd like very much to talk to him if we can locate him. Do you know where he is?

[Vera Miller]

Well, no, I'm afraid I don't.

[Inspector Faraday]

May we ask why you locked us in his basement a few minutes ago?

[Announcer]

His basement?

[Vera Miller]

There's some mistake. Mr. Johnson and I just got back from the movie.

[Narrator]

We just.

[Michael Shane]

Honey, just skip it. Skip it? The lady says she went to a movie. So she went to a movie.

[William Miller]

Sir, I don't like your attitude toward My.

[Narrator]

Toward Ms. Miller.

[Announcer]

What do you people want Of Retina? Wasn't he pardoned and released?

[Inspector Faraday]

The coy approach. I see. We want to talk to him about Judge Stanton.

[Vera Miller]

Judge? The one who was killed?

[Phyllis Knight]

Marvelous. The news flashes you can get at the movies nowadays.

[Vera Miller]

We heard it on the radio. Victor wouldn't do such a thing. I know he's innocent. They let him out of prison because they were wrong about his fingerprints. They're wrong again.

[Announcer]

Well, I never trusted him. I wrote him while he was in prison that if he ever came near there again, I'd stop it.

[Inspector Faraday]

I get stabbed.

[Narrator]

Vera, honey.

[William Miller]

Now wait a minute. I want to talk to you, honey.

[Phyllis Knight]

On my way.

[Inspector Faraday]

Mr. Miller, you seem pretty burned up about Ratner. Perhaps you had a business deal with him once.

[Announcer]

I wish they'd left him in prison for the rest of his natural life. Vera was a fool to marry him. And now she's heading for more trouble with this Texan.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, what's wrong with him?

[Announcer]

Why, she's known him only two months. His soft talk. A ranch in Texas.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike. Yeah, Micah? I overheard Mr. Johnson ask her what she meant about going to the movies. He just got here ahead of us. She said she'd explain later. And then he asked what she wanted down in Ratner's basement.

[William Miller]

Y' all don't mind, I'll tell the story myself. I just wanted to know if vera had seen Mr. Ratner since he was sprung from prison. I think a fiance is entitled to know these things.

[Announcer]

Not to mention her brother.

[Michael Shane]

Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, Mike?

[Michael Shane]

If you've asked all your questions, I think we can leave this family love fest.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, I agree with you, Mike.

[Michael Shane]

It's been a pleasure to meet all of you.

[Inspector Faraday]

One final word, Mr. Miller. Ms. Miller, it's a prison offense to shield a criminal or aid in his escape. You might think that over. Good night.

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[Phyllis Knight]

You know, kids, I don't believe a thing we heard here.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right. It's the hammiest performance I've seen since Uncle Tom's Cabin.

[Michael Shane]

Still, there's a grain of truth in every lie. Bill Miller is awful anxious about Ratner and Sister Vera.

[Inspector Faraday]

And what was she doing in that basement?

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, what was she?

[Michael Shane]

That's what we're going to find out. Angel, remember those loose bricks in the basement? Well, I'm afraid we're going to find more than money.

[Inspector Faraday]

How we coming, Mike?

[Michael Shane]

Just a few more bricks, then we can pull up these planks.

[Phyllis Knight]

Why are there planks underneath the bricks?

[Inspector Faraday]

It Was the Ford fill. Otherwise the floor would cave into the hole there.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, Faraday, up with the boards.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now pull it. See everything yet?

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Michael Shane]

Something. Maybe I can reach down and pull it up.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike.

[Michael Shane]

A man's leg. Here, let me grab hold.

[Phyllis Knight]

That's it.

[Michael Shane]

Lay him down here.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, this is the end of the trail, Mike. It's Ratner.

[Michael Shane]

Two, three, four bullet holes.

[Inspector Faraday]

Thorough job.

[Phyllis Knight]

But Judge Stanton was murdered only an hour and a half ago. Rentner couldn't have killed him.

[Michael Shane]

Not unless he committed suicide, then buried himself under the bricks.

[Inspector Faraday]

I wonder how long he's been dead.

[Michael Shane]

There's a newspaper here in his coat pocket. Maybe that'll tell us something.

[Narrator]

Well?

[Michael Shane]

Bullet went right through it. Evening paper. The date is night before last.

[Inspector Faraday]

He wouldn't carry an old newspaper in his pocket, Mike. That means he was killed the day he got out of prison.

[Phyllis Knight]

Ratner wasn't murdered for nothing. There must be some tie up with Judge Stanton.

[Michael Shane]

There is Ratner's fingerprints. It wasn't any ghost that left that calling card on the judge's glass door.

[Inspector Faraday]

We know that, Mike, but that's all we do know.

[Michael Shane]

Faraday, you said those fingerprints were found at four different burglaries?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, we've got to recheck every one of them. Now, where's the nearest?

[Inspector Faraday]

Let's see. We're on 27th Avenue. There's one, uh.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, A.J.

[Inspector Faraday]

brenner.

[Phyllis Knight]

Where's he?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, you'll razz the whiskers off me, Mike. He's on 26th Avenue right behind us, in fact. The two backyards join.

[Michael Shane]

Inspector Faraday, will you please open that clam like face of yours and tell us these things?

[Inspector Faraday]

I know, Mike, but I got so wound up on Judge Stanton, I clean forgot the robberies.

[Michael Shane]

Back door neighbors, eh?

[Inspector Faraday]

Ah, but he won't tell you anything, Mike. He's as sore as a goat of the department. Keeps ringing up every day to ask if we found the stuff he had stolen.

[Phyllis Knight]

Sounds like he's keeping tabs for a reason.

[Michael Shane]

All right, Inspector, call headquarters and have a man bring out all your exhibits. We'll meet him at A.J. bremner's. Now, please, please, Mr. Bremner.

[William Miller]

I've paid taxes in this city for 25 years, and what do I get for it? My house is robbed and the police do nothing. Nothing. Isn't that right, Margaret?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, dear.

[Michael Shane]

Now, look, Mr. Bremner, I'm not a policeman. I'm a private detective. If I can help you get your

[William Miller]

stuff back, I've had enough talk. I want results don't we, Margaret?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, dear.

[Inspector Faraday]

We just want to look at that smash window, Mr. Bremner, to see the glass.

[William Miller]

I've replaced it. We weren't going to freeze, were we, Margaret?

[Vera Miller]

Yes, dear.

[Phyllis Knight]

No, dear. What did you do with the old glass?

[William Miller]

I don't know.

[Vera Miller]

I think I threw it in the trash can in the backyard.

[Michael Shane]

Then let's go to the backyard.

[William Miller]

Well, I suppose I'll have to show you. Back door is this way.

[Inspector Faraday]

Come on, Sergeant. Yes, sir.

[Michael Shane]

This way.

[William Miller]

You put the glass, Margaret.

[Vera Miller]

Yes, dear.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right. Now, if we can pick out the glass.

[Phyllis Knight]

Wait a minute. I'll hold the flashlight.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right.

[William Miller]

By the way, how many years was that fellow rattler sentenced to?

[Inspector Faraday]

15 years.

[William Miller]

Hmm. And I think he'd be willing to sell that house of his.

[Michael Shane]

You interested in buying?

[William Miller]

Well, it's a good rental property.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here you are, Inspector. All the glass I could find.

[Michael Shane]

All right, now. Now, the pieces you brought with you, Sergeant. Now let's put them all together on the pavement here.

[William Miller]

Beats me what you people are up to.

[Inspector Faraday]

There's something wrong, Mike. They won't all fit.

[Michael Shane]

Well, that's no great surprise. Here, Inspector. Here. Feel these two pieces of glass.

[Inspector Faraday]

What about them?

[Michael Shane]

One of them is your exhibit piece with Ratner's fingerprints, Inspector. But this other glass is at least an eighth of an inch thicker than the glass with the fingerprints.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm beginning to smell a rat.

[Michael Shane]

Yes, these fingerprints were faked and planted here and at all the other houses.

[Inspector Faraday]

And the man who did it killed Judge Stanton.

[Phyllis Knight]

Which is still a king size mystery.

[Michael Shane]

Mr. Bremner, can we get to Ratner's house through your backyard?

[William Miller]

Yes, yes. There's a gate behind the garage. Say, if. If you fellas don't mind, I'd like to go along and watch you work this out. Wouldn't you, Margaret?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, yes.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, I'm sorry. Not at this stage. We'll give you an invitation a little later on, I promise you, Mike.

[Phyllis Knight]

That sounds ominous.

[Michael Shane]

Don't twist my words, angel. The killer has made his first mistake. Now we'll trick him into his last one.

[Narrator]

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[Inspector Faraday]

Mike.

[Narrator]

Phyllis and the inspector are once more in the basement tomb of Victor Ratner. Spread out on a tool bench are the dead man's cameras and photographic accessories.

[Michael Shane]

As you can see, Inspector, he's got two candid cameras here. As modern as he could buy two years ago.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, darn expensive.

[Michael Shane]

Now, all his equipment fits these cameras, except one item. This stack of old style glass film plates.

[Phyllis Knight]

That's right, Mike. They're way too big.

[Michael Shane]

Ah, but maybe Ratner kept them for a purpose. Honey, take this plate and blow some dust across it.

[Phyllis Knight]

Okay.

[Michael Shane]

Now here, Inspector. Yeah? You take another and do the same. Okay, that's it. Now what do you see?

[Phyllis Knight]

Fingerprints. A whole set of them.

[Inspector Faraday]

As neat and clean as the files at headquarters.

[Michael Shane]

Yes, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes.

[Michael Shane]

This is where Ratner's fingerprints have been coming from. Neatly stacked away down here, then planted in the smashed glass at every one of those robberies.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I'll be here.

[Michael Shane]

I'll bet you this is what Ratner had in mind. He was arrested because his fingerprints were found on a safe. So he built himself an alibi to. He knew the state would probably release him if the same fingerprints turned up while he was in prison.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, then he must have had help, Mike. Somebody to rob houses and scatter this glass for him.

[Michael Shane]

Aha.

[Announcer]

Check.

[Michael Shane]

And the same person killed Judge Stanton tonight. He planted these fingerprints so we'd go

[Inspector Faraday]

looking for Ratner and never find him. Because he was already dead and buried.

[Phyllis Knight]

Mike, what are you staring at?

[Michael Shane]

The body. Nobody knows Ratner is dead except us and the killer. Ah, this. This may be a little ghoulish, but here. See this ring of Ratner's?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah.

[Michael Shane]

It's big and Flashy and an odd design.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, don't put it on your finger. Oh, my.

[Michael Shane]

Now, we'll gather our suspects together. We'll meet at Judge Stanton's house. We'll have an innocent little talk. Doesn't matter what we say, so long as we keep the secret of Ratner's death.

[Inspector Faraday]

I get it. The killer will see you wearing his ring, right?

[Michael Shane]

And what do you think will pass through his mind knowing he left Ratna buried under a layer of bricks and 2 inch planks?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sorry we had to call all you people together at this hour of the night, but it seemed necessary.

[Announcer]

Well, why bring us to Judge Stanton's house?

[Michael Shane]

I frightened her. Killed him.

[Announcer]

That's not our concern.

[Michael Shane]

It happened to suit our convenience. Mr. Miller.

[William Miller]

Excuse me for asking, sir, but what am I doing here? Mr. And Mrs. Bremner and I just seem to be what you might call excess baggage.

[Narrator]

Well, I don't mind.

[William Miller]

It's all very interesting. Especially if I get my stolen property back. Isn't that right, Margaret?

[Phyllis Knight]

Yes, dear.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ms. Miller, would you tell us when you last went up to the penitentiary to see your ex husband?

[Vera Miller]

Oh, then you know.

[Michael Shane]

Just answer the question, please. Your brother would learn about it anyway.

[Vera Miller]

Well, must have been two months ago.

[Inspector Faraday]

Did he give you anything or ask you to do something for him?

[Phyllis Knight]

No.

[Michael Shane]

And you, Mr. Miller, when did you last visit him? In prison?

[Announcer]

Are you trying to be funny? I'd never go near him.

[Michael Shane]

Then it ought to please you to know that Ratner never should have been pardoned. He did embezzle that money.

[Vera Miller]

I don't believe it. They made a mistake.

[Inspector Faraday]

No, Ms. Miller. Victor Ratner's fingerprints were fakes. They were planted at those house robberies.

[Vera Miller]

You're just trying to trick her.

[William Miller]

Please, please, honey. You mustn't rile yourself.

[Michael Shane]

There will be no further cause for it, Mr. Johnson. We've told her. She refuses to cooperate. That's all we can do.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yep. That's all for tonight. You folks can go home now.

[William Miller]

You mean all this for nothing?

[Michael Shane]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

The officer of the door let you out.

[Michael Shane]

Okay, Faraday, fill us out the back way. We've got to race the murderer to that basement.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, I hope this is the last time we have to climb down into this basement. I can feel the moss sprouting on my north side.

[Michael Shane]

We'd better hide behind the staircase.

[Inspector Faraday]

Phil, turn off your flashlight.

[Phyllis Knight]

Okay.

[Inspector Faraday]

I hope this worked, Mike. Nobody said a word about that ring you were wearing.

[Michael Shane]

They wouldn't, but I flashed it.

[Narrator]

Enough.

[Phyllis Knight]

You scratched your nose like you had the seven year Itch.

[Michael Shane]

He's got to come back. He's got to see if that body has been disturbed.

[Phyllis Knight]

You taking any bets on who shows up?

[Inspector Faraday]

I put my money on Vera and her brother. She looked delectus in this basement, remember? And brother Bill, there's something awful fishy about him.

[Phyllis Knight]

Well, I'll risk a dollar on Mr. Bremner. And yes dear, he's too curious for me.

[Michael Shane]

I think you'll both lose your bets if I sh.

[Phyllis Knight]

The front door. Jeepers, if they turn on the lights, they go.

[Michael Shane]

Now, Mike, your gun. I'm ready. Put up your hands.

[William Miller]

Huh?

[Phyllis Knight]

Why you.

[Michael Shane]

Mike, look out. My hand. Next time it may not be your hand, Mr. Johnson. I don't know what this means.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't you? You're the only one who knew Ratner was dead and where he was buried.

[William Miller]

Well, this is all wrong.

[Michael Shane]

No, Mr. Johnson. No, you are all wrong. And there's just one way to put it right. And you know what it is.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, I thought you kids had gone home.

[Michael Shane]

Oh, no, not until we hear Johnson's confession.

[Inspector Faraday]

He just dictated it. He admits he was Ratner's cellmate up at the penitentiary. Released two months ago. Ratner got him to do the robberies and worked the fingerprint deal with him.

[Michael Shane]

Well, what about Judge Stanton?

[Inspector Faraday]

It was revenge, Mike. So Stanton was the judge who sent him up. Johnson had big plans for this fingerprint racket. So he double cross Ratner.

[Phyllis Knight]

I'll say. Even tried to marry his ex wife.

[Michael Shane]

I doubt it, honey. Probably just playing around with Vera to learn where that money was hidden.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's just what he said, Mike. But the girl was innocent.

[Phyllis Knight]

To Mike, the inspector and I bet on everybody but Johnson. You said we'd lose. How do you know?

[Michael Shane]

Well, I got to thinking over that first talk we had with him. Our cattle man from Texas wouldn't use a jailbird's word for getting out of prison. He didn't say Ratner was pardoned. He said he was sprung. Of course that wasn't proof, but it made me suspicious.

[Phyllis Knight]

I see. Well, I guess that winds up the case.

[Michael Shane]

Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

Thanks a million for helping me out, kid. Sorry it ruined the evening.

[Phyllis Knight]

Oh, that's all right, Inspector. There's always another night for fun.

[Michael Shane]

Well, what's the matter with this one, angel?

[Phyllis Knight]

You know, I knew I shouldn't have said that.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the seventh war loan will soon be over. We believe that you know the urgent reasons for buying extra war bonds. For making that extra effort to show how well we know here in the west that the war is still going on. This message is not an effort to sell you on buying extra war bonds. We don't believe there's an American alive who needs selling on the subject of war bonds, but we do want to remind you that the time to do your part in this renewed offensive is growing short. So if you've not already subscribed to the intensified war on Japan by buying barns for the seventh war lone drive, please do so soon. Thank you. Tune in again next week at 8 for another adventure with Michael Shane, Private Detective, starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis, with Joe Forte as Inspector Faraday. Tonight's story was written by Richard DeGraff and based on the character created by Brett Halliday. Music was composed and directed by Bernard Katz. This is John Lang saying good night for the people who make 76 gasoline and Triton motor oil. Union Oil Company. This is the mutual don lee broadcasting system.

[Inspector Faraday]

Sam.