Nero Wolfe: Stamped for Murder 10/20/1950

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Nero Wolfe: Stamped for Murder" (10/20/1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Nero Wolfe: Stamped for Murder
Air Date: October 20, 1950
Summary Date: November 4, 2025
Starring: Sydney Greenstreet as Nero Wolfe

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Episode Overview

This episode delivers a classic, twist-filled detective story featuring the brilliant, eccentric, and epicurean Nero Wolfe and his street-smart assistant, Archie Goodwin. Centered around a fraudulent treasure map, an inheritance gone awry, and a pair of deadly swindlers, the episode deftly combines humor, suspense, and old-school detective reasoning set in 1950s New York.

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Main Characters

• Nero Wolfe: Genius, stubborn, food-loving orchid fancier and private detective.
• Archie Goodwin: Wolfe’s irreverent and clever assistant and narrator.
• Gloria Kent: The distressed young woman at the center of the case.
• Mr. Kent: Gloria’s father, a victim of fraud—and murder.
• Elmer Rodman: Librarian and link to the genuine old letters.
• Cross & Halleck: Two con artists behind the treasure map scam.
• Ben Sanford: “Expert” at the document lab and key to the deeper mystery.
• Inspector Kramer: Persistent but often outmaneuvered NYPD detective.

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Key Story Segments & Details

1. The Case Arrives at Wolfe’s Door (01:54 - 06:02)

Gloria Kent, with Elmer Rodman, pleads for Wolfe’s help: her father lost her $10,000 inheritance in a treasure map scam. Wolfe initially rejects “domestic” cases, but Archie talks him into investigating out of guilt and attraction toward Gloria.

Notable Quote [03:29, Wolfe to Kent]:
“Your pretty face beguiled Mr. Goodwin. He should have warned you this office does not undertake cases involving... family problems.”

2. The Swindlers & the Map (07:30 - 10:43)

Archie tracks down Cross and Halleck, who unexpectedly and suspiciously return the $10,000 immediately, asking only for the forged documents in exchange. Wolfe suspects something deeper is at play.

Notable Quote [09:53, Wolfe]:
“He surrendered too quickly, Archie, too easily—and that money in the envelope he was carrying, all ready to refund... Something’s fishy.”

3. Murder Strikes (10:43 - 12:47)

Archie goes to return the money to Gloria, but discovers her father murdered—throat cut. Gloria is grief-stricken, seeking justice or even revenge.

Notable Moment [11:28, Archie’s discovery]:
“What in the d—He’s dead. His throat’s cut.”

4. Tangled Motives: What’s the Real Prize? (13:06 - 15:19)

Inspector Kramer investigates, focusing on the missing map and letters—and suspects. Wolfe points out the criminal actions revolve around the “phony” documents, suggesting there’s more to them than meets the eye.

Notable Quote [14:07, Wolfe]:
“She must be found. More important, we must learn why forged letters and a forged map produce such turmoil.”

5. The Document Lab Revelation (15:19 - 17:43)

At the lab, Archie learns Ben Sanford, allegedly an expert, certified the map’s authenticity. Wolfe deduces Sanford is in league with the swindlers.

Notable Exchange
Wolfe: “You alone believe in the value of the map. Therefore, you alone would have murdered Kent for the map.”
Sanford: “Now, wait a minute...”

6. A Second Murder & the Red-Headed Temper (18:33 - 21:46)

Archie tries to find Gloria at Rodman’s apartment, only to witness Rodman murdered in a similar fashion. Gloria, meanwhile, impersonates the maid at Cross and Halleck’s apartment, intent on vengeance.

Notable Moment [21:31, Archie to Gloria]:
“Cut it out... Give me the gun, Gloria. That’s right. Who did you think I was?”
Gloria: “Halleck.”

7. The Final Confrontation & Wolfe’s Trap (22:51 - 27:47)

Wolfe assembles all suspects, revealing Gloria still possesses the letters. Using heat, he reveals secret writing—but the real ploy is to expose the true criminal. The swindlers panic as the envelope stamps burn, but Sanford alone remains calm, exposing himself as the killer who knew the “real” documents were switched.

Key Exchange [25:04]:
Halleck: “The stamps—the ‘Missionaries’ are worth a fortune!”
Wolfe: “Of course... Mr. Sanford is not alarmed. Why not? ... Only one man could know I prepared these dummy letters...That is the killer.”

Archie [26:17]:
“Self-confessed? Like fun. He was booby-trapped!”

8. Case Resolution (27:47 - 28:35)

Wolfe explains the underlying motive: rare 1851 Hawaiian “Missionary” stamps, each worth up to $25,000, were on the letters, not the map. Rodman, belatedly realizing what he’d sold, tried to rectify his error. Greed, then, proved fatal for Kent and Rodman, but Wolfe’s reasoning delivers justice.

Notable Quote [28:12]:
“I ask something that would not be easy to grant... Will you use your red hair, your pretty face, your admirable figure, and your ample fortune to lure Mr. Goodwin away... I would like to enjoy my dinner in peace.”
— Wolfe, humorously requesting peace and quiet for once

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Notable Quotes

• Wolfe [04:46]: “No, Ms. Kent, I’m sorry. This is not for me.”
• Archie [05:22, on Gloria]: “She’s lost all of her money. She needs help.”
• Archie [11:28]: “What in the d— He’s dead. His throat’s cut.”
• Wolfe [09:53]: “He surrendered too quickly, Archie, too easily…”
• Wolfe [13:44]: “There are other matters more important. I dine at eight. That leaves me one hour to solve your murders.”
• Archie [28:12]: “Let’s have an understanding right now, Gloria. Difficult for you or… or for me?”
• Wolfe [28:35]: “There is only one word for you, Miss Kent: intrepid.”

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Timestamps for Key Moments

• 01:54 – Clients arrive, Wolfe resists taking the case.
• 07:30 – Confrontation with Cross & Halleck.
• 10:43 – Archie discovers Mr. Kent’s murder.
• 13:44 – Inspector Kramer enters.
• 15:19 – Identification of Ben Sanford at the document lab.
• 18:53 – Rodman is killed.
• 21:31 – Archie stops Gloria from acting rashly.
• 22:51 – The assembled showdown at Wolfe’s house.
• 24:18 – Wolfe uses heat to expose “secret writing.”
• 25:07 – Swindlers panic over burning stamps.
• 26:15 – Wolfe sets the trap and names the killer.
• 27:47 – Case solved: explanation and value of stamps.
• 28:12 – Wolfe jokingly pleads for dinner in peace.

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Tone & Style

• Crisp, witty, and often droll dialogue, especially between Wolfe and Archie
• Fast-paced detective unraveling with clever explanations
• Colorful period flavor with nods to food, orchids, and 1950s New York

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For new listeners and classic radio fans alike, this episode is a masterclass in witty banter, plot twists, and old-school detective style—with a delightful payoff and a dash of romance and humor at the end.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome to Choice classic radio where we bring to you the greatest old time.

[B]

Radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank.

[A]

You for [e-mail] Stay tuned for Nero Wolf. If the chimes shudder a little on Sunday afternoon, well, they know there's mystery in store. Sunday with men of action like Mike Waring, better known as the Falcon, who brings his fearless and romantic touch to the solution of another mystery. After the Falcon, it's high adventure. Then the big guy steps in. The new private eye, Charlie Weil concludes with a few casual homicides. The chimes mean mystery in action this Sunday afternoon on NBC.

[B]

Transcribed My boss is the smartest and the stubbornest, the fattest and the laziest, the cleverest and the craziest, the most extravagant detective in the world, Nero Wolf.

[A]

It's the adventure of stamped for murder with that brilliant eccentric private detective, orchid fancier and gargantuan gourmet, Nero Wolf, starring Sydney Greenstreet. Instructions for this morning. Archie, your Notebook, please. First, Mr. Salonsback, inform him that the Long island peafowl he sent were most unsatisfactory. Peafowl's breast flesh is not sweet and tender unless it is well protected from all alarms, especially from the air to prevent nervousness. Long island is full of airplanes. Look, Mr. Wolf, I should want a dozen chickens that have been raised on blueberries and a fresh killed lamb for tomorrow.

[B]

Mr. Wolf, please listen, there's Mr. Goodwin.

[A]

Be quiet. And then dinner on the following day becomes a problem.

[B]

Mr. Wolf, dinner any day is going to be a problem if we don't pay Sozenbach's bill.

[A]

And pay it with what?

[B]

The bank account's empty.

[A]

Ridiculous. They were $4,000 yesterday.

[B]

But you bought that shipment of orchid bulbs from wine, old Gluckner. Mr. Wolf, we need money. You've got to stop eating and drinking beer long enough to earn some.

[A]

You're an alarmist.

[B]

Will you for the love of heaven, stop turning down clients and turn an honest dollar? I've got a couple of prospects right outside the door.

[A]

Send them away.

[B]

No, sir.

[A]

Send them away. Tell them I've gone to Egypt.

[B]

Nothing doing, sir.

[A]

Confound you, Archie, you obey order. Send them away.

[B]

Ms. Kent, Mr. Rodman. Come in, please. Thank you.

[A]

Confound you, Archie, you're mutinous.

[B]

Yes, sir. And you're stuck with it. This is Ms. Gloria Kent and Mr. Rodman. They arrived as advertised, with a pressing problem.

[A]

Good morning. You people are here by sufferance only. I shall speak to Mr. Goodwin about it later. Yes, indeed. I don't like pressing problems, Ms. Kent. What are yours?

[C]

My father.

[A]

Indeed? I'm not a court of domestic relations, Ms. Kent. What did your father do? Beat you? Withhold your earnings? Discourage your suitors? Mr. Goodwin should have informed you this office does not undertake cases involving marital or family problems.

[C]

But that's.

[A]

If Mr. Goodwin had not been beguiled by your pretty face, he might have warned you and avoided this embarrassment to you and annoyance to me.

[B]

Now, now, now, now, take it easy. Take it easy? How many times have I told you, you don't know how to handle women.

[A]

Then suppose you let Ms. Kent handle me.

[C]

Well, it's simply this, Mr. Wolf. I had some money my mother left me. My father's just spent it without my permission. I want it back without a scandal.

[A]

Thanks, Ms. Kent. How much? Housepent.

[C]

$10,000. Father bought a treasure map.

[A]

Indeed. From whom?

[C]

A pair of swindlers named Cross and Halleck. They've driven him crazy, talking about fortune salvaged from the SS this and the SS that. He's got a map and old letters he studies. He's childish.

[A]

Many fortunes have been recovered. Many more await on the sea bottom. How do you know your father has been duped?

[C]

Well, I know.

[A]

You do, Mr. Rodman?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Cross and Halleck bought some old letters for me written by my grandfather from Hawaii. They used them to manufacture the map.

[B]

And evidence and that's what they sold to Kent.

[C]

Father thought he was being so clever, he had the paper analyzed. Of course, the document research laboratory said the letters were genuine. They were, but something new had been added. I'd have never known if Mr. Rodman hadn't told me.

[A]

You're a party to the swindle, Mr. Rodman. I was not. I never knew what they were up to.

[C]

Mr. Wolf, you've got to help me. I can't do anything with Father. I can't convince him. Even Mr. Rodman can't.

[A]

No, Ms. Kent, I'm sorry. This is not for me.

[C]

But you must. You must.

[A]

Not in my office, madam. No tears, please. Please. Archie, stop her.

[B]

Okay, okay, okay.

[A]

Archie. When Ms. Kent has finished her disgraceful exhibition, show them out.

[C]

How dear. Walk out on a.

[B]

Easy, easy, easy. I know him. I know him. You don't. He gets into a panic when women cry or else he's curious about what Fritz is cooking for lunch. Now, just wait a minute, please. Oh, aren't you ashamed of yourself? Walking out like that on that poor.

[A]

Kid, that hysterical gamma.

[B]

She's lost all of her money. She needs help.

[A]

I charge high fees, Archie.

[B]

So charge a small fee. Do you want her to starve?

[A]

Good heavens, starve? How monstrous.

[B]

I'm not kidding. While you'll be in here smelling your dinner, she and her father will be starving.

[A]

I thought you were bringing me a paying client.

[B]

Well, this is different.

[A]

She's beautiful. Archie, you're impossible. Oh, very well. Go back into them. Get names, addresses, facts. I am not committed to Ms. Kent's case. But we'll see. Be a tribute. I pay for your weakness for a pretty face.

[B]

Rodman and Gloria Kent were gone, however, so all I had were the few facts they'd given me before they met Wolf. I felt guilty about that. When he came back into the office and sat down in his specially built chair, he closed his eyes and I glared at him. Well, how much of you is awake, Mr. Wolf? Well, they disappeared. Did you tell me you were going to help this girl just to get her out of the office? Or did you mean it?

[A]

You're a gadfly.

[B]

No, sir. No, sir. You made a promise and you're stuck with it.

[A]

What did you get from Rodman?

[B]

Name, address, occupation? He's a librarian.

[A]

That's all very careless, Archie. You missed a significant point.

[B]

Such as?

[A]

How did Rodman discover the letters he sold were being altered by forgery and used for swindle? How did he locate the Duke, Mr. Kent?

[B]

I guess you're right. I'll ask him next time. But what about now? Are you going to get Gloria's money back?

[A]

I assume you call Ms. Kent Gloria solely in order to annoy me. It does.

[B]

Stop it.

[A]

Get Cross and Halleck. On my way. You'll find them at the Hotel Bogard.

[B]

Wrong, sir. According to my notes, their address is.

[A]

Never mind their address. The Hotel Bogard is the headquarters for successful confidence tricksters. They celebrate their victories there while the money lasts. You will possibly find Cross and Halleck drinking whiskey or lunching? Probably both.

[B]

I located Cross and Halleck in the hotel bar and lured them back to our place on 35th Street. Wolf was sitting behind his desk with his hands crossed on his impressive middle, at peace with his lunch and the world. When I ushered them in, he sat bolt upright and scorched me with a look. Good afternoon, Mr. Wolf. The tall one's name is Cross. The short one is Halleck. They want to help me invest my money. Gentlemen, Mr. Nero Wolf.

[A]

Huh? Nero Wolf. Hey, what is this? None found you out here. How drunk are they?

[B]

Not too drunk for business.

[A]

Let's get out of here. Come on.

[B]

Wait a minute. You want me to keep him here, Mr. Wolfe?

[A]

Not by violence. Archie, Come back here. Gentlemen, unless you want seven years in the steep pen penitentiary. You got nothing on us, Wolf, nothing. I have the Kent case.

[B]

The Kent?

[A]

That's a laugh. We're sitting pretty. Sittin pretty you are not, sir. You imagine you possess legal immunity. Mr. Kent believes you a grotesque balderdash and will not sue for fraud. Ms. Kent cannot sue because she is reluctant to accuse her father of wrongfully obtaining her money. Ergo, you think you are invulnerable. Now listen. But you forget me. I'm a detective with a fee to earn.

[B]

A big fee.

[A]

Quiet, Archie. I am determined to get that fee. Therefore, as Ms. Kent's agent, I can and will bring action against you. I'm indifferent to her tears or her father's disgrace. I'm indifferent to anything outside of money. You will return the $10,000 to me at once, sir, or you will be in jail by morning. You mean that? I do, Mr. Cross. Alec, come here. Come on, honey. Okay. Here. Mr. Wolf, Alec and I have decided we don't want to get in any trouble with you. Here's your 10 grand.

[B]

Let's have it.

[A]

Give the dough to Camp Mr. Wolf and get the letters and map back for us. You've got a reputation for being tricky. But honest, we trust you. Come on, Alec, let's go.

[B]

Well, how about that?

[A]

Preposterous. No, sir, take a look.

[B]

$10,000. Genuine coin of the realm.

[A]

That man Cross is a fool. Does he imagine I ain't to be fooled so easily?

[B]

What do you mean he left the money?

[A]

He surrendered too quickly, Archie, too easily. And that money in the envelope he was carrying all ready to refund.

[B]

Why? Well, maybe he's got a better sucker. I heard him mention of Ben Sanford.

[A]

Nonsense. Does he need Kent's forged letters and map to cheat dispense Sanford? Couldn't he repair another set?

[B]

I guess you're right. Something's fishy.

[A]

In any event, it's no concern of mine. Thank heaven.

[B]

Why not?

[A]

I'm not committed to Ms. Kent in any way. As a favor to you, I undertook to regain her money. I have done that. You may take it back to her and obtain the forge papers in return. But. Silence, Mr. Goodwin. Go to your redhead charmer. Leave me in peace. I intend to spend this afternoon with my new World atlas.

[B]

I left him 3,000 miles up the Amazon with his magnifying glass and drove up to East 69th Street. The Kent house was a broken down little brownstone and as I went up the stoop, the door opened and Gloria Kent burst out like a skyrocket. Hey, Ms. Kent.

[C]

Easy, easy. Mummy. Let go.

[B]

What's wrong? What's wrong?

[C]

Wrong, wrong. Nothing is wrong, nothing at all.

[B]

Well, how about seeing your father?

[C]

You want to see my father? Come inside.

[B]

Oh, for the love of heaven.

[C]

Come inside, Mr. Goodwin, I'll introduce you. He's in a back room. Come right through the living room.

[B]

What else came through this living room? A hurricane?

[C]

No, Mr. Goodwin, something else. There's my father. Mr. Goodwin.

[B]

What in the d. He's dead. His throat's cut.

[C]

Father, this is Archie Goodwin from Nero Wolf's office. He and his boss refused to help while they could. Maybe he can help you now.

[B]

Stop it.

[C]

All I'm good for now is revenge, that's all. Stop it.

[B]

Stop it and look at me. When did that happen?

[C]

I don't know.

[B]

When did you find him?

[C]

Just now.

[B]

Keep looking at me. Who went through this house like a hurricane?

[A]

You?

[C]

No.

[B]

Where did you go after you left the office?

[C]

To the laboratory.

[B]

What lab?

[C]

Document the search. The place that checked the map.

[B]

How long were you there?

[C]

Until an hour ago. I was with Mr. Rodman.

[B]

Keep looking at me. And then I had lunch with Rodman alone.

[C]

And then I came home.

[B]

All right, all right. Now listen to me. I want you to go to Mr. Wolf's house right now. Have you got cab there?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

All right, take a cab. I've got to stay here, But I'll call Mr. Wolf and tell him you're on the way. Now get. I called Wolf, told him everything and he instructed me to advise Inspector Kramer who arrived with the homicide squad. I gave the inspector everything while the squad photographed and measured, print dusted. And detective, at 3:30, Kramer took me back to the house on 35th street for a fight with Wolf.

[A]

It's a great story, Wolf, Great. Kent buys a phony treasure map.

[B]

Everybody knows it's phony except Kent.

[A]

But Cross and Halleck try to buy it back and Kent gets himself murdered. Did you find the map and letters in the house, inspector? No, no, I didn't. Kill. It was after the map. A phony map? Certainly. Why? Well, if we knew that, we would know why Cross and Halleck so willingly paid back the money and why Kent was murdered.

[B]

Maybe it's not phony.

[A]

I'd better see the girl now. Oh, you fancy her for the murder? Well, I'll know after I ask a few questions tonight. She's had a shock, Mr. Kramer. She needs rest. Look, Wolf, I Want her? Why bother with her when there's so much to be done? Such as? Cross and Halleck? Find them. And the mystery man they spoke of? Ben Sanford. These are the men you want now, not this poor overwrought girl. Yeah, all right. The girl will be here for questioning tonight, though, huh? Tonight, Mr. Kramer.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You'll hear from me later on.

[B]

Well, you buffaloed him out of that. Okay. Say, why don't you want her questioned? Is she guilty?

[A]

I don't know.

[B]

Well, what did she say when she got here?

[A]

She said nothing. She never arrived.

[B]

She never what?

[A]

He never arrived.

[B]

Well, then why did you tell Kramer she was resting?

[A]

Would he have believed the truth? She must be found. More important, we must learn why forge letters and forge mapper produces turmoil.

[B]

Find the killer and you find the map. You said so.

[A]

I said the reverse, which is an altogether different statement. Archie, I want a photograph of that map. Get it.

[B]

Oh, sure, sure. Any particular camera you want me to use?

[A]

You'll find a photograph at 200 Vanderbilt Street.

[B]

Are you kidding?

[A]

The lab cannot check the authenticity of old papers without photographing them in ultraviolet light, infrared light and so on. If this Document Research Lab has examined those papers, they will have photographs. Get them.

[B]

He got out of his chair and waddled back to the house elevator. It was 4 o' clock and time for his regular afternoon session with the orchids. I drove down to the Document Research Laboratory on Vanderbilt and got such a shock that I grabbed the office phone and dialed Wolf at once.

[A]

This is near a. Wolf.

[B]

Mr. Wolf. Archie here.

[A]

What's the matter? You lost? No, sir. No, sir.

[B]

But I found something.

[A]

Photographs?

[B]

No, Mr. Wolf, I don't think you'll ever see any photographs of the Kent map. I don't think any were taken.

[A]

Indeed.

[B]

But guess who runs the Document Research Laboratory? No, no, no, no, no. Don't guess. You probably know a man named Ben Sanford and he's sitting right here looking at me.

[A]

Bring him home with you. Home?

[B]

But it's four in the afternoon. This is the sacred hour when you pray over your orchids and Mr. Sanford.

[A]

Can join the ceremony. Hey, how about this place? How about it? There must be a million flowers up here.

[B]

No, not flowers. Orchids. Only Mr. Wolf has 10,000 plants.

[A]

Never saw anything like it.

[B]

And you never will again, brother.

[A]

Hey, What? What kind is that?

[B]

On the bench? Oh, that. That's our pride and joy. Odontogosum harianum. Above them, the Van Peter Serana. And the pink ones are the Celogiani Pandoratas. Now, the large object mulching flower pots is Nero Wolf. Mr. Wolf, Ben Sanford.

[A]

Good afternoon, sir. Hi. I came along to be obliging. I've got nothing to say about anything. How much have you offered Cross and Halleck for their treasure map? No comment. Mr. Sanford, I'm going to make some assumptions. I assume that you are not in fact, a document expert but an accessory to the fraud of Hallicon Cross. No comment. That you actually prepare fraudulent maps for those swindlers and then, in the guise of an expert, guarantee their authenticity? No comment. This you must answer. You did guarantee the authenticity of the map and let us can't board. It's on record. All right, I did. And will you admit they were forged? What are you, a comic? No. You guarantee the value of the can map? Yes. As an expert? Yes. And you've convicted yourself of murder. Murder? What is this? Mr. Kent was murdered, sir. Evidently for the map and letters he bought. But of all persons involved, you alone believe in the value of the map. No one else does. Therefore, you alone would have murdered Kent for the map. For the love of. Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute.

[B]

Chew it over, brother. Chew it over. Either way, he's got you.

[A]

Okay, okay.

[B]

You.

[A]

You want me to level here? It is level, Hatchie.

[B]

Okay, boss. Thief type talk. It means tell the truth.

[A]

It's like you say. The letters were bought from Rodman. I forged the map and evidence on them. I guarantee them to Kent.

[B]

The swindle.

[A]

The letters are without value. Oh, sure, they're old. That's all from 1851. Just tired family gossip and stuff. Indeed. There we have the problem again, Archie. Mr. Kent is swindled with a map and letters that are known to be worthless. He alone believes the fantasy of the treasure. There isn't any treasure. Never was. Yet Cross and Halleck refunded the swindle money so eagerly. It is obvious they want those worthless documents back badly. Someone else wants them so bad he murders Mr. Kent. Why?

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

Archie, we must find the girl. There's a chance she turned to Mr. Rodman for refuge. I'm sorry, you'll have to go there at once. If the girl isn't there, bring Rodman. Yes?

[B]

Hello, Rodman. Remember me? I'm Archie Goodwin from Nero Wolf's office. Oh.

[A]

Oh, yes, Good.

[B]

I came to get Gloria Kent. There's been a change in plans. Tell her to come out, please. Gloria?

[A]

Well, she's not here.

[C]

Why should she be?

[B]

Haven't you heard?

[A]

Heard what?

[B]

Well, I guess you'd better come down and see Wolf. Mr. Goodwin, I'm afraid I can't.

[A]

I'm rather busy.

[B]

Look, Rodman, maybe you ought to know old man Kent was murdered. What? Yes, yes, just after you and Gloria left us. Kent murdered? But this is awful, Mr. Goodwin. You want to see Mr. Wolf now? Get your hat.

[C]

Murder?

[B]

Well, believe me, I never wanted this.

[A]

I'm going to tell Nero Wolf the.

[B]

Whole mess, every word of it. Okay, then, Come on, let's go. Yes, of course.

[C]

Just a minute.

[B]

I'll get my hat in the bedroom. Murdered. I never dreamed.

[A]

Oh.

[B]

Come on, Rodman.

[A]

Come on, Rodman.

[B]

Come on. What? I didn't hear you. Oh, Rodman. What? Rodman. Oh, Rodman. Good Lord, what next? Come on, come on.

[A]

Is it nearer work?

[B]

Archie? Here. We've had a tough break.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

While I was waiting for Rodman at the front door, he went into the bedroom for his hat. The killer was there.

[A]

How do you know?

[B]

He cut Rodman's throat. The back window was open. It's the ground floor apart. When he was out and gone before I had a chance.

[A]

Archie, where were your wits? Let me alone.

[B]

I've had a man murdered 20ft from you. Think I'm cheering?

[A]

Mr. Kramer is here and he has news for us. Archie. He could not locate Cross and Halleck in their apartment. They had not been home all day. The maid informed him that she was waiting for her weekly salary.

[B]

So what?

[A]

She was most angry and peppery, Mr. Kramer informs me.

[B]

Red pepper.

[A]

Exactly.

[B]

Okay, okay. Maybe I know what you mean. I'll try to deliver the goods this time. Goodbye. I drove down to the apartment house on Gramercy Square where Cross and Halleck lived, took the elevator up to the 10th floor, found the right door and slipped in with a pass key. Come on out, come out, wherever you are. I know you're in here. You fooled Kramer pretending to be the maid. But you didn't fool Wolf.

[A]

You'd better.

[B]

Gloria. Cut it out. Cut it out, you idiot. Lay off, Archie. Archie, you dope. Archie Goodwin from Nero Wolf's office. Remember me? Give me the gun, Gloria. Give it to me. That's right.

[C]

Who?

[B]

Who did you think I was?

[C]

Hollock.

[B]

Oh, brilliant. So Wolf figured you out, huh? You are a brave girl. They killed your father. You came up here and waited for them. You were going to kill them right back, huh? Oh, that redheaded temper. And you bluffed Kramer into thinking you were the maid.

[C]

I had to do something. It was the only thing I could think of to come here and kill him.

[B]

Well, you're coming home with Archie. And just remember one thing. When Wolf's working for you, don't try to do any thinking. It only gets in Wolf's way. I got Gloria Kent back to the house at 7 o'. Clock. I parked the car, brought her into the office and got the shock of my life. There was a convention on Wolf was there with Inspector Kramer representing the cops. Cross, Halleck and Sanford were there representing the crooks. When Kramer saw Gloria, he scowled first at her and then at Wolf.

[A]

So it was a slick one after all. Wolf, you didn't have the girl. You had no intention of producing her. Please, Mr. Kramer, that can wait. There are other matters more important. I dine at eight. That leaves me one hour to solve your murders. Murders? More than one?

[B]

Yes, two.

[A]

Elmer Rodman. I haven't. Good one. If you please, Mr. Kramer. Not now. First, Ms. Kent. Good evening, Ms. Kent. I presume you have met these gentlemen, Cross, Halleck and Sanford. II Take your purse, please.

[C]

Why?

[A]

Don't think me as naive as Mr. Goodwin, miss. When you left your home after the murder of your father, you took the map and letters with you. They are in your purse now.

[C]

True.

[A]

Archie, the purse. Thank you. We have here an interesting situation. There exists some old letters and map forged and fraudulent. They're worth $10,000 and more to Cross and Halleck. And worth two murders to a killer. Why? There must be something of great value in the letters. Such as? Something which Mr. Sanford could not see, although he worked on the document closely. Yet something which could be made manifest. What is the answer, Ms. Kent? You know it.

[C]

I swear I don't.

[A]

Secret writing. Archie, bring the chafing dish from the dining room. Right. Secret writing. I saw nothing when I worked on those letters. Naturally, Mr. Sandberg. The writing is invisible. That heat is an agent. It makes most forms of secret writing visible.

[B]

The chafing dish, boss.

[A]

Thank you, Archie. Place it before me and light it.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Now I open Ms. Kent's purse. From it, you see, I withdraw these ancient letters which he took from her house after her father's murder.

[C]

That's not true.

[B]

That's enough, Gloria. That's enough. From now on, you just listen.

[A]

We remove the letters from the envelope and toast them gently. Secret ink, vintage 1851, will easily succumb to the agency of heat. Careful. Those envelopes will catch fire. Hey, hey, hey.

[B]

They're caught.

[A]

Don't be upset, Mr. Cross. Mr. Halleck. The envelopes. They'll burn safely in the dish. We can concentrate on the writing. Watch closely. I don't want to be accused of trickery, you fat fool. The envelopes are everything.

[B]

Don't sit there.

[C]

Put them out.

[A]

Why, Mr. Haddock. Well, the stamps.

[B]

The missionaries are worth the fortune.

[A]

The missionary. Of course, you know that. Mr. Cross knows. So does Mr. Sanford, right? Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, Cross. Sanford knows. You old fool.

[A]

Mr. Sanford is not alarmed. Why not? I don't know what you're talking about. 50 or $100,000 is burning before your eyes, Mr. Sanford. Cross and Halleck are burning their fingers putting out the flaming envelopes. And you sit there quite indifferently.

[B]

Why?

[A]

Well, I've. You know the value of the missionary stamps on the letters you bought from Rodman. But you know these aren't the real letters. Isn't that it? Not the real letters. I told you I'm tough to crack, Wolf. You didn't fool me with those dummies. Dummies? How do you know? Mr. Cross didn't know. Mr. Haddock didn't know. How did you? Well, I. I'll tell you, sir. Only one man could know I was framing Ms. Kent as a decoy. Only one man could know I prepared these dummy letters and pretended to take them from her purse. And that is the killer. The man who murdered her father and stole the map and letters this morning. You s. Sanford?

[B]

Well, I'll be.

[A]

Mr. Kramer, there's your killer. You'll find the missing map and letters on him or concealed in his home or office. You won't need the evidence anyway. Look at his face. He self confessed.

[B]

Self confessed? Like fun. He was booby trapped.

[A]

No, Mr. Krano. Not a complicated case, really. Very simple. Elmer Rodman sold a packet of old family letters to the swindlers for a small sum. They used the letters to perpetrate their fraud on Ms. Kent's father.

[C]

And the stamps on the letters were valuable?

[A]

They were a special Hawaiian issue, 1851. Ms. Kent, nicknamed Missionaries because missionaries use them for writing home. They are extremely rare stamps worth upwards of $25,000 each. Hey, no wonder they were worth two murders. We found five of them on San Excellent. Somewhere or other. Rodman discovered the value of the stamps after he sold the letters. In his effort to get them back, he communicated his discovery to the swindlers, Cross, Hallock and Sanford.

[B]

So that's why they refunded the money so fast.

[A]

Precisely. In an effort to have the sale rescinded. Rodman sought out Kent and tried to convince him of the fraud. Alas, he would not listen to the truth. Mr. Kramer, I get it. And while the others were hassling around, Sanford tried to steal a march and quietly resorted to murder. There you have it.

[C]

Ha ha.

[B]

Great job, boss. Great job. So Gloria not only gets her 10 grand back, but five times 25, which is about 125,000 worth of goodies. Now, figuring your rates by the hour, that means you've done a gratis job worth about.

[A]

Yes, Ken, I did not. Nor will I demand a large fee for what I have done. I will not go back on my word that I can beg for a favor.

[C]

I'll only be too happy.

[A]

Wait, wait, wait. I ask something that would not be easy to grant.

[C]

What is it?

[A]

Will you use your red hair, your pretty face, your admirable figure, and your ample fortune to lure Mr. Goodwin away from this house Tonight? I would like to enjoy my dinner in peace.

[C]

That won't be difficult, Mr. Wolf.

[B]

Let's have an understanding right now, Gloria. Difficult for Hugh or. Or for me.

[C]

I'll be delighted.

[A]

Indeed. Spend an evening with Mr. Goodwin. There is only one word for you, Miss Kent. Intrepid. You have been listening to the new adventures of Nero wolf starring Sydney green street. Tonight's story by Alfred bester was based on the famous characters created by rex stout, produced by edwin fadiman and directed by j. Donald Wilson. In the cast were wally mayer as Archie goodwin and gene bates, Howard mcnair, Jay novello, Larry dobkin, Bill johnstone and herb vigren. Music by Joseph enos. Next week at this same time, nero wolf and Archie will bring you the case of the careworn cop. Don stanley speaking. The preceding was transcribed. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. The chimes ring for Dennis day and Judy canova tomorrow night on NBC. Also, Judy canova prepares to go operatic tomorrow because her special guest is Ezio pimza. This is chester william bendix Ridley. The man called x follows on NBC.