Nero Wolfe: The Dear Dead Lady 11/03/1950

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Nero Wolfe: The Dear Dead Lady (Nov 3, 1950)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Date: November 18, 2025
Featured Characters: Nero Wolfe (Sydney Greenstreet), Archie Goodwin, Ted Oliphant, Barstow Young, Jack “the Babe” Hunter, and others.

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Episode Overview

This episode of Nero Wolfe, “The Dear Dead Lady,” transports listeners into the classic world of mid-century radio drama, full of wit, intrigue, and sharp detective work. Private detective and orchid enthusiast Nero Wolfe and his assistant Archie Goodwin are drawn into a complex murder mystery involving romance, jealousy, and secrets among the New York elite. The case centers on the strangling of Ilsa Dana, a socialite with a past, whose life and death unravel a tangle of suspects, motives, and revelations.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. Wolfe’s Finances & Oliphant’s Plea for Help

• [02:17 – 07:00]
  • Wolfe’s love of fine food and orchids contrasts with his strained bank account.
  • Ted Oliphant, leader of the Seekers of the Inner Power, approaches Wolfe, voicing concern for Ilsa Dana, whom he loves. Oliphant claims her other suitor, Jack “the Babe” Hunter, has threatened to kill her out of jealousy.
    • Quote (Ted Oliphant, 04:49): “I want you to save Ilsa Dana’s life.”
• Wolfe accepts Oliphant’s $7,000 retainer to look into the matter.

2. Ilsa Dana’s Warning Call and Her Death

• [07:22 – 08:45]
  • Ilsa Dana herself telephones Wolfe, contradicting Oliphant and dismissing the threat, but inviting a meeting.
    • Quote (Ilsa Dana, 07:52): “Not one word of it was true. I’d like to talk to you, Mr. Wolfe.”
• Archie arrives at Dana’s apartment ([08:16]), only to find her freshly murdered.

3. Suspect Parade: Motives and Alibis

• [10:22 – 17:17]
  • The investigation circles around three main suspects: Oliphant, Barstow Young (actor and would-be suitor), and “the Babe” Hunter (prizefighter and ex-lover).
  • Barstow Young claims Oliphant is a religious fanatic who threatened Dana’s life ([12:26]).
    • Quote (Barstow Young, 12:26): “Theodore Oliphant is a religious maniac.”
  • Hunter says Young was embittered after Dana refused to finance his new play, suggesting Young’s motive ([16:00]).
    • Quote (Hunter, 16:00): “Yeah, well, he’s your man, Wolfe. He got so sore when she told him she wouldn’t toss any more moolah into his broken down career, he went off his rocker and tore it down.”

4. The Postcard & Literary Clues

• [17:33 – 19:17]
  • The elevator boy discovers a postcard at the crime scene with the phrase “Have you prayed tonight? — O.” Wolfe realizes it’s a literary threat, echoing Othello just before Desdemona’s murder.
    • Quote (Wolfe, 23:30): “The line, ‘Have you prayed tonight?’, is spoken by the hero to the heroine just before he murders her. The name of the heroine is Desdemona, and the hero, as I’m sure you all know, is Othello.”

5. Burglarizing for Clues: The Pawn Ticket

• [19:27 – 20:51]
  • Wolfe sends Archie to Dana's apartment to search for anything overlooked. He finds a pawn ticket, which leads to a pawnshop and a steel box containing a marriage license for Dana and a man named Johann Jaeger.

6. Confrontation and Reveal

• [21:36 – 28:17]
  • All suspects are assembled. One by one, their alibis are questioned.
  • Wolfe proves Oliphant didn't have the opportunity ([22:28]), and Young lacked the physical strength to have committed the crime ([24:22]).
  • Wolfe catches “the Babe” Hunter in a linguistic slip, revealing his true identity as Johann Jaeger, Dana’s secret husband:
    • Quote (Wolfe, 25:11): “I asked you in German if Ilsa Dana was your wife, and you…answered me yes—in your mother tongue.”
    • Hunter confesses to being Dana's husband and discusses the pain and abuse he suffered, confirming the murder motive.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Archie on Wolfe’s Work Ethic ([10:39]):
  “I don’t like work of any variety, but this thing has its points.”
• Wolfe on Client Suspicions ([10:48]):
  “Merely because a reform playboy employs a detective doesn't exempt him from suspicion, Archie.”
• Barstow Young Reading from Othello ([23:28]):
  “Have you prayed tonight?”
• The Big Reveal ([25:11]):
  Wolfe exposes “Hunter” as Ilsa’s secret husband using a German phrase.
• Hunter’s Motive ([27:52]):
  “I married her on the terms that nobody should ever know I was her husband…But I was crazy about her, so I took it. What I’ve taken, you wouldn’t believe.”
• Wolfe’s Final Reflection ([28:06]):
  “The question is, will a jury believe you? And that we must begin to learn immediately.”

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:49] – Oliphant seeks Wolfe’s help for Dana
• [07:52] – Dana calls Wolfe, disputes Oliphant’s story
• [08:28–08:45] – Archie discovers Ilsa Dana’s body
• [12:26] – Young accuses Oliphant of being a fanatic
• [16:00] – Hunter shifts suspicion to Young
• [17:44] – The “Have you prayed tonight?” postcard
• [20:51] – The marriage license discovery
• [21:36–28:17] – Wolfe interrogates and unravels the suspects; the confession

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Tone and Character

The episode is a classic example of wry, rapid-fire detective banter punctuated by sharp observations and dry humor:

• Wolfe’s languid but razor-sharp intellect
• Archie’s wisecracking Brooklyn street sense
• The suspects’ dramatic and occasionally melodramatic declarations of love, jealousy, and innocence

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Conclusion

This brisk, engaging episode features all the hallmarks of Golden Age detective radio: red herrings, romantic entanglements, and an ingenious solution. Wolfe’s logical prowess and Archie’s tenacity expose the real culprit—a spurned, suffering, and secret husband—unraveling a mystery shrouded in secrecy, pride, and Shakespearean allusions.

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For fans seeking a classic detective escapade with sharp dialogue and twisting plot, this episode delivers both suspense and retro charm in spades.

Transcript

[Nero Wolfe]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Stay tuned for Nero Wolf.

[Narrator]

This Sunday marks the premiere of the big show on NBC. Not just any big show, it's the big show, NBC's hour and a half of comedy, music and drama. The best of each. The Big show will be heard every Sunday afternoon over most of these stations with Tallulah Bankhead as mistress of ceremonies. Your stars for this Sunday's broadcast include Jimmy Durante, Fred Allen, Ethel Merman, Frankie Lane, Mindy Carson, Meredith Wilson, Danny Thomas and hosts of others. All this and Tallulah too. No wonder it's the Big Show.

[Archie Goodwin]

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.

[Narrator]

It's the adventure of the case of the dear dead lady with that brilliant eccentric private detective, or orchid fancier and gargantuan gourmet, Nero Wolf. Starring Sydney Greenstreet. Nero Wolf had just come downstairs having tended to his precious orchids. He was, as usual, seated in the library which served as the office. He had just dialed a phone number and with his eyes closed, was leaning back in his specially built chair, which.

[Archie Goodwin]

Was big enough for two, but not two of him.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Halsbrucker's Market Domestic and imported delicacies.

[Nero Wolfe]

Mr. Halsbrucker, this is Nero Wolf.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Oh yeah, Mr. Wolf, I was just about to ring you.

[Nero Wolfe]

I have need of two pounds of duck liver. I do not, of course, refer to the commercialized Strasbourg pate.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Well, I appreciate the order, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

But next my cook Fritz informs me that we require three fine fat geese.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Look, Mr. Wolf, there's a little matter.

[Nero Wolfe]

Of an unpaid, you might add 12 cases of beer, a butcher of Vermont apples, green for stuffing, and a gallon of Marquisa patricia Roman oil, Mr. Wolf. In addition, Fritz has listed six dozen eggs, four braces of Sussex woodcock, and a few pounds of Westphalian ham. You have all that?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I. I can get it, Mr. Wolf, but my bookkeeper.

[Nero Wolfe]

Very much, Mr. Herzbracker. That will be all. Now then, Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, boss?

[Nero Wolfe]

You seem to be worried.

[Archie Goodwin]

I am. This means naturally that I'm supposed to handle Halzbrecher's delivery boy when and if he shows.

[Nero Wolfe]

I had thought of leaving a simple matter to you.

[Archie Goodwin]

And what about the simple matter of the money?

[Nero Wolfe]

Money?

[Archie Goodwin]

I hate to bring up a vulgar subject, but where Is it coming from.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh, of course, you're right, Archie. I should have said. Said what?

[Archie Goodwin]

Charge it. Boss, look, you don't realize. I know, but we're into that truffle broker for 500 odd bucks and change.

[Nero Wolfe]

All right, then give him a check.

[Archie Goodwin]

Okay, okay, I will give him a check. And I hope they'll let you keep the orchids in your cell.

[Nero Wolfe]

You're a wit, Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

You know I'm on the bank's mailing list. We got a notice this morning.

[Nero Wolfe]

You don't mean.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, but I do.

[Nero Wolfe]

Again?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah, you just can't take money out of an account, boss. Sometimes you gotta put some in. This is the only way to deal with the man I work for. And if I hadn't thrown him that scare, he wouldn't have been willing to listen when the door buzzer rang and a prosperous looking young guy in the kind of clothes that don't grow on trees came in and stood in front of the boss's chair, fiddling with the brim of his pork pie.

[Ted Oliphant]

My name is Oliphant, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oliphant?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, sir.

[Ted Oliphant]

Oliphant. I am the spiritual leader and guiding head of a small religious group known as the Seekers of the Inner Power.

[Nero Wolfe]

I see also a man addicted to marrying, neither wisely nor well, but often.

[Ted Oliphant]

You read the papers? I do, Mr. Wolf. I am as aware of my sin ridden past as anyone else is. The point is that I'm no longer that kind of man. Even a person such as I can see the light in time.

[Nero Wolfe]

Good. Might I ask why you've come to see me, Mr. Oliphant?

[Ted Oliphant]

I need your help, Mr. Wolfe, concerning a certain young lady with whom I'm deeply in love. Oh, I beg you not to confuse the present emotion with any of my earlier escapades. What I feel for Ms. Dana is the pure and righteous glow of an upright seeker of the inner power.

[Nero Wolfe]

I promise to look on you as thoroughly redeemed, Mr. Oliver. Proceed. Oh, by the way, do I recognize the name of your young lady as a Park Avenue socialite? An amateur swimming champion?

[Ted Oliphant]

Yes, but she's sweet, wonderful, beautiful. I've asked her to marry me and she's given me some hope. In time, I fully expect to make her my wife.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, then where's the problem?

[Ted Oliphant]

The problem is the presence of another man in her life.

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm sorry, sir. I'm a detective, not a matchmaker.

[Ted Oliphant]

This isn't a question of making a match, Mr. Woolf. I have much too much respect for your talents to think of Offering you such an assignment.

[Nero Wolfe]

Exactly what do you want me to do?

[Ted Oliphant]

I want you to save Ilsa Dana's life.

[Nero Wolfe]

Her life?

[Ted Oliphant]

Mr. Woolf, this other man I spoke of is insanely jealous. Not only of Ilsa's present, but of her past as well. He has threatened to kill her.

[Nero Wolfe]

I don't doubt your earnestness in this matter, Mr. Oliphant, but how would you know?

[Ted Oliphant]

I was listening on an extension in Ms. Dana's apartment a few days ago when Hunter called.

[Nero Wolfe]

Hunter?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, sir.

[Ted Oliphant]

Jack Hunter, known as Jack the Babe Hunter.

[Archie Goodwin]

Wait, wait, wait a minute. I know that canvas back, huh? Sure. He's a coffee and cake prelim waltzer.

[Ted Oliphant]

Oh, he's not. He's a boxer.

[Nero Wolfe]

Archie is being fancy overlooking Mr. Oliphant. Is Hunter in love with this lady of yours?

[Ted Oliphant]

I doubt it. He's a man of complete moral and spiritual corruption. I believe.

[Nero Wolfe]

Naturally you would. But what are the facts?

[Ted Oliphant]

In my opinion, he's after her for her money.

[Nero Wolfe]

She has money to burn. And you, Mr. Oliphant?

[Ted Oliphant]

Me?

[Nero Wolfe]

Can you also afford to burn?

[Ted Oliphant]

How much do you want?

[Nero Wolfe]

The answer to that would be astronomical. However, if you leave a check for, say, $7,000, I shall look into your matter the very moment I have completed a little research into the nutrition of the Polynesian orchid.

[Archie Goodwin]

Elephant's check. Gave our bank account a slight blood transfusion. I think it was the boss's plan to spend a week or two in the plant room before he got busy on the case. And he'd have done it, too, if that phone call hadn't come in about a little after nine. Just after Wolf had polished off one of Fritz's dinners and was settling back with a stein of beer in his hand.

[Nero Wolfe]

Don't disturb yourself, Archie. I'll get it now.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, look out you. Don't strain yourself, boss. You gotta straighten out an elbow to reach that receiver.

[Nero Wolfe]

You have an unfortunate flair for mixing humor with impertinence, my friend. Hello. Nero Wolf speaking.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

This is Ilsa Dana, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

How do you do, Ms. Dana? We were discussing you only this morning.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

So I've heard.

[Nero Wolfe]

Through whom?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Ted Oliphant.

[Nero Wolfe]

I see. The young man seem to be quite worried about you.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

The young man should tend to his own affairs.

[Nero Wolfe]

Said you were in some danger.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I know what he said, and not one word of it was true. Oh, I'd like to talk to you, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm sure it'd be an immense pleasure. Where do you live?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I have an apartment at 22 Blanton Street. Could you be here Soon, I could.

[Nero Wolfe]

Be there in a quarter of an hour. Ms. Dana. By proxy, of course.

[Archie Goodwin]

The proxy, naturally, was yours truly. Ten minutes later, at twenty past nine, I walked up to El Sedana's door with a nosy elevator boy giving me the double O. The reason for his interest was that.

[Narrator]

Her door was open and the room.

[Archie Goodwin]

Inside was empty except for a little twisted pile of pale pink satin, which, at close range, turned out to be a woman. Which woman turned out to be Ilsa Dana. And Ilsa Dana was dead.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

She used to be pretty. She isn't now.

[Archie Goodwin]

Strangulation doesn't help any girl's looks, son.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Make anything of it?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, the position of her body and the blood stains on her pointed fingernails tells me that she put up a tough struggle before somebody succeeded in smothering with a pillow from the sofa over there.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Yeah, it figures. When did it happen, I wonder?

[Archie Goodwin]

In the last 15 minutes, I'd guess. Say, who's been up in the elevator this evening?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Nobody for her.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, somebody came up.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Who says not? They could have used the stairs, you know.

[Archie Goodwin]

How well do you know Ms. Dana?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I know exactly zero about Ms. Dana.

[Archie Goodwin]

How could you ride her up and down every day? You know nothing about her.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

It's a rule at a house to keep your mouth shut. The rule also goes when being questioned by a cop.

[Archie Goodwin]

A cop? Who's a cop?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Oh, I guess you're a cello player from the Philharmonic.

[Archie Goodwin]

Look, I happen to work for a guy named Nero Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh.

[Archie Goodwin]

Heard of him, maybe. Well, if your memory comes alive, son, I might see my way clear to spend a few dollars with you.

[Ted Oliphant]

Understand?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I'll keep you in mind. Going down, mister.

[Archie Goodwin]

I spent time trying to get sense out of the superintendent and a set of chambermaids, but they were as quiet as a ballpark on Christmas Eve. Then I called the cops and told them about Oliphant and Hunter. By the time I got home, the house was dark and Nero Wolf was sleeping. Next morning, I gave him the details while he drank three bottles of beer. When I finished, he sat for a long time and then started another bottle.

[Nero Wolfe]

The prize fighter. What about the prize fighter? Archie Hunter.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, I phoned the hotel he lives in before you got up, and they told me he wasn't in.

[Nero Wolfe]

You know, I begin to think that Mr. Oliphant brought us a more absolving case than he suspected.

[Archie Goodwin]

You know, I'm glad you like it.

[Nero Wolfe]

I don't like it. I don't like work of any variety, but this thing has its points.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, what do we Do. Next.

[Nero Wolfe]

Next we investigate my client.

[Archie Goodwin]

What?

[Nero Wolfe]

Merely because a reform playboy employs a detective doesn't exempt him from suspicion action.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, now who's that?

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm afraid we have new choice but to open the door and see.

[Barstow Young]

My name is Young. Barstow Young.

[Archie Goodwin]

It's nice meeting you, Mr. Young. What do you want?

[Barstow Young]

I want to see Nero Wolf.

[Archie Goodwin]

About?

[Barstow Young]

About a certain young lady with whom I am deeply in love.

[Archie Goodwin]

Will you repeat that?

[Barstow Young]

I want to see Mr. Wolf about a certain young lady with whom I am deeply in love.

[Archie Goodwin]

Her name, please?

[Barstow Young]

Ilsa Dana.

[Archie Goodwin]

Is it possible that you entertain plans of making her your wife? Why, yes.

[Barstow Young]

But there's a problem involved.

[Archie Goodwin]

Another man?

[Barstow Young]

Yes.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, then do come in. Do come in. I think we've been waiting for you. Oh, Mr. Wolf. Here's another one.

[Barstow Young]

Ah, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

You've come to me about Miss Ilsa Dana, sir?

[Barstow Young]

I have come to you more specifically about a man who has threatened her life.

[Archie Goodwin]

How unusual.

[Barstow Young]

He's the treacherous kind. Mild mannered, you know. As we say in my profession, he underplays it.

[Nero Wolfe]

Your profession then, is the stage?

[Archie Goodwin]

It is, sir. Go on.

[Nero Wolfe]

You interest me deeply.

[Barstow Young]

I was present recently when he told her that he would certainly kill her unless she mended her sinful ways. Sinful? No one denies that Ilse has had, shall we say, a checkered career. But the man's attitude is totally fanatical.

[Nero Wolfe]

What's his particular brand of fanaticism, Mr. Young?

[Barstow Young]

Theodore Oliphant is a religious maniac.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, what do you know? He's come to give Theodore a bad report card.

[Barstow Young]

I don't understand. I've come to ask Mr. Wolf to prevent his murdering Ms. Dana.

[Nero Wolfe]

Am I allowed a direct question, sir?

[Barstow Young]

Why, of course.

[Nero Wolfe]

Where were you between 9 and 9:20pm last night?

[Barstow Young]

9 and 9 12. Why do you ask?

[Nero Wolfe]

You said I was permitted a direct question.

[Barstow Young]

Oh, I was walking in the park, as I remember.

[Nero Wolfe]

Do you make a habit of walking in the park?

[Barstow Young]

I have lately. I'm preparing for an important role in the forthcoming production. What's so important about last night?

[Nero Wolfe]

From your point of view? A great deal, sir.

[Barstow Young]

What do you mean?

[Nero Wolfe]

Last night Ms. Ilse Dana was murdered.

[Barstow Young]

What?

[Nero Wolfe]

Mr. Goodwin here discovered the body. No, I'm afraid I must insist, Mr. Young.

[Barstow Young]

Why are you looking at me like that?

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[Barstow Young]

Are you accusing me of.

[Nero Wolfe]

I have accused you of nothing, my dear sir.

[Barstow Young]

Well, no. Look, you're making a mistake. Oliphant killed her. You may be sure of that.

[Nero Wolfe]

I have your word?

[Barstow Young]

I know him. He was trying to reform her. Wanted to make her a devout follower of his cult, the Seekers of Power. I heard him tell her to her face that if she refused redemption, he would see to it that she didn't live on in her wickedness.

[Nero Wolfe]

You could produce other witnesses.

[Barstow Young]

Do you know, in your own smug way, you're as detestable a character as.

[Nero Wolfe]

I have ever had?

[Archie Goodwin]

All right, all right, let's everybody take five.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah, Nero Wolf.

[Archie Goodwin]

He's busy. This is Archie Goodwin.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

You'll do. Goodwin, this is Jack the Babe Hunter.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, how are you?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Great. Except the cops seem to want to talk to me about some murder fandango. Because as I get it, you name.

[Archie Goodwin]

My name, you got it wrong.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I doubt it. And I'm coming over there to set you straight. Why'd you ring me in on this mess, Wolf?

[Nero Wolfe]

You knew the girl pretty well.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Me? And how many more besides? What time was she murdered last night?

[Nero Wolfe]

Between 9 and 9. 20.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I see.

[Nero Wolfe]

So if you will inform the police where you were at the time, that should be that.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah.

[Nero Wolfe]

By the way, Mr. Hunter, where were you at the time?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I don't see your badge, Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

I was only wondering.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I haven't been near the Dana woman for over a month. But if you're really interested, I'll give you the name of the killer.

[Nero Wolfe]

Please do not keep us in suspense, Mr. Hunter.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

A couple of years back, Ilsa financed a guy in a big and lousy Shakespearean play that closed like a clam and nothing flat.

[Nero Wolfe]

Go on.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

It was money down the drain. The guy's got nerve. And he was in love with her. And he figured she'd do anything for him. So he comes back to her to finance him again. This time in Hamlet, no less. I see I don't have to tell.

[Archie Goodwin]

You what a flop that would be.

[Nero Wolfe]

You needn't tell me the actor's name either. You know, Mr. Barstow Young just left here.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah, well, he's your man, Wolf. He got so sore when she told him she wouldn't toss any more moolah into his broken down career, he went off his rocker and tore it down.

[Nero Wolfe]

Your reason for thinking so.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I met him on the street One day and he started beefing at me with blood in his eyes. It's all I could do not to punch him.

[Nero Wolfe]

Results might have been less fatal if you'd followed your instincts, sir.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I couldn't. Guy's built like a broomstick. He's weak as a cat. Hit him once, he'd crack like dry plaster.

[Nero Wolfe]

I see.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

What'S on your mind.

[Nero Wolfe]

This man you're accusing of Ms. Stainer's murder, Mr. Hunter. He was very much in love with her. She was thinking about marrying him, he said.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

He said.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes, he did. I heard him too.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

He was talking to a skullcap. Ilsa wasn't gonna marry anybody.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

No?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

No, she couldn't.

[Nero Wolfe]

Why couldn't she?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Well. But she just couldn't, that's all. So long.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, now we got a perfect circle with everybody pointing at everybody else and nobody able to prove a thing.

[Nero Wolfe]

What Hunter says isn't impossible. Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

You think young did it?

[Nero Wolfe]

I don't think at all yet. But if there's anything more dangerous than a woman scorned, it's an actor scorn. We have another visitor.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah?

[Nero Wolfe]

Who are you expecting? At this point, Anybody?

[Archie Goodwin]

Hi.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh, you.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

I told you you might hear from me.

[Archie Goodwin]

Come on in.

[Nero Wolfe]

Who's this fella?

[Archie Goodwin]

Runs the elevator at 22 Blanton Street. What do you got for me, kid?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Postcard.

[Archie Goodwin]

Postcard?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

The cops missed it, but I spotted the edge stuck under a rug.

[Nero Wolfe]

Nice of you to have delivered it.

[Archie Goodwin]

Maybe he was just being curious.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Curious?

[Archie Goodwin]

It's not every elevator boy who has a chance to see Nero Wolf in the flesh.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Oh, him come off at high pockets. I'm here because you mentioned something about spending a few bucks. Oh, I wouldn't cross the street to see the best gumshoe that ever breathed.

[Nero Wolfe]

Look, gum.

[Archie Goodwin]

Shoes, don't breathe. And how would you like a sock?

[Nero Wolfe]

Archie, pay him and let him go.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Yeah, pay me a. Let me go.

[Archie Goodwin]

Sure, Mr. Wolf.

[Nero Wolfe]

Here you are.

[Archie Goodwin]

Thanks.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Don't mention it. Anytime, pal. Any time.

[Archie Goodwin]

How do you like that? Fresh little punk.

[Nero Wolfe]

Archie, the lad has done us nobly.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Yeah.

[Nero Wolfe]

A typewritten card addressed to Ms. Ilsa Dana.

[Archie Goodwin]

What's it say?

[Nero Wolfe]

Rather peculiar message. Have you prayed tonight? It's signed with a single letter, O.

[Archie Goodwin]

Have you prayed tonight? Yes, signed O.

[Nero Wolfe]

Exactly. Weird, isn't it?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, what's weird about it? What could be plainer? Have you prayed tonight? Now I ask you, who is the man in this deal who's interested in praying?

[Nero Wolfe]

All of us, I hope, are God fearing.

[Archie Goodwin]

All right, all right. But I ask you Again. What does O stand for?

[Nero Wolfe]

It could stand for o' Brien obituary. Omaha.

[Archie Goodwin]

What about Oliphant?

[Nero Wolfe]

Oliver too.

[Archie Goodwin]

What's with this indifference? The case is cracking and you slough it off. You remember what Young said? Oliphant threatened to kill her because she wouldn't join that cockeyed movement of his.

[Nero Wolfe]

Don't exhaust yourself, Archie. We have a hard night ahead.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, but I don't understand.

[Nero Wolfe]

I don't mean to stifle your imagination, my friend, but if you'd reserve your deductions for a little while, you could lend me some much needed assistance.

[Archie Goodwin]

What do you want?

[Nero Wolfe]

I want you to become a burglar.

[Archie Goodwin]

A burglar?

[Nero Wolfe]

I want you to hurry over to the dead woman's apartment on Branton street and ransack it.

[Archie Goodwin]

For what?

[Nero Wolfe]

How do I know? We need help. Anything may help us Go through the place with a fine tooth comb.

[Archie Goodwin]

I tore the late Ms. Dana's apartment to shreds, but I saw nothing. Then, just as I was about to give it up as a bum job, I noticed a little writing desk in the living room. Pried loose the lock and spotted something among a pile of papers that belonged to no well to do flat. It was a pawn ticket. Lot 8N O4 6. And the address was a pawn shop around the corner on 6th Avenue. It wasn't more than 90 seconds later that I walked into the joint and tossed the ticket across the counter.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Oh.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh, yeah. This one.

[Archie Goodwin]

Redeem it and fast.

[Ted Oliphant]

Up, up.

[Nero Wolfe]

That's nothing. That's worth much, mister.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

No.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh. What is it?

[Nero Wolfe]

This small steel filing box.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Anything in it?

[Nero Wolfe]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Come to me.

[Archie Goodwin]

Locked. Never been able to get it open. We got it open. Wolf and I smashed the front end with a poker. There were some odds and ends inside. Old earrings, some thumbtacks, a cigarette lighter. Just trash. Then the boss stuck his fingers in and pulled out a plum.

[Nero Wolfe]

This is it.

[Archie Goodwin]

What do you mean, this is it?

[Nero Wolfe]

You fail to recognize this classic document? Marriage license, Archie. A marriage license now?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, whose marriage license?

[Nero Wolfe]

Wording is self explanatory. Listen. This is to certify. Etc. Etc. Thus licensing. On this third day of May, 1946, the marriage of Miss Ilsa Dana to Mr. Yuan Jaeger.

[Archie Goodwin]

Johann Jaeger.

[Nero Wolfe]

Exactly.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, who in the world is Johann Jaeger?

[Nero Wolfe]

We'll soon see.

[Archie Goodwin]

I don't get it.

[Nero Wolfe]

I can understand. It's a befuddling little puzzle. It'll be very easy for one to make a fatal mistake here.

[Archie Goodwin]

But of course you won't.

[Nero Wolfe]

I won't.

[Archie Goodwin]

Three hours later, I'd herded all the suspects into the office, and he sat in his chair and glared at them. Elephant, Young, and Hunter. It was tense and tight, and the boss let it stay that way, saying not a word to anybody while he calmly sipped his beer. It was Oliphant who cracked first.

[Ted Oliphant]

I didn't kill Ilsa.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I couldn't have.

[Nero Wolfe]

Jealousy is a very compelling motive, Mr. Oliphant. And you came to me, remember, complaining that there was another man in Ilsa Dina's life?

[Ted Oliphant]

Whatever I complained about, and jealous as I was, I didn't kill her as the sacred power is my holy judge.

[Nero Wolfe]

Being unacquainted with your sacred power, I'd have to ask you for a better authority. Sacred power?

[Ted Oliphant]

It simply wouldn't have been possible for me to have done it.

[Nero Wolfe]

Why not?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah, why not?

[Ted Oliphant]

Because I. I was at Mickey's Night Owl Club last night from 7 until.

[Archie Goodwin]

4Am contemplating the sacred power.

[Nero Wolfe]

No doubt that can be proved, Mr. Oliphant.

[Archie Goodwin]

Let me call.

[Ted Oliphant]

Now. Let the head waiter tell you.

[Nero Wolfe]

Hmm. Well, you take your embarrassment as an indication that you're telling the truth.

[Archie Goodwin]

Hey, wait a minute. You can't let him off like that.

[Nero Wolfe]

Don't be bothered so much.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah, but we got that card he wrote. The one about have you prayed tonight? Signed with his initial.

[Nero Wolfe]

He didn't write that card, Archie. Now, look. And the O is not his initial, is it, Mr. Barstow Young?

[Barstow Young]

I'm afraid I don't understand.

[Nero Wolfe]

On the contrary, I am afraid you do. But for the record, I'll explain. Oh, Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, boss?

[Nero Wolfe]

Hand Mr. Young that large red volume off the shelf behind Mr. Hunter's head.

[Ted Oliphant]

This one?

[Nero Wolfe]

That one. Thank you. Now then, Mr. Young, you will favor me by opening the volume to page 1133. But why open it, sir. Good. You will now count six lines down from the top and read what you see.

[Barstow Young]

Have you prayed tonight?

[Nero Wolfe]

Thank you, Mr. Yang.

[Archie Goodwin]

What the devil is going on?

[Nero Wolfe]

Mr. Yang has just given us a reading from a tragedy. The line, have you pray tonight? Is spoken by the hero to the heroine just before he murders her. The name of the heroine is Desdemona, and the hero, as I'm sure you all know, is Othello.

[Archie Goodwin]

Othello?

[Nero Wolfe]

Yeah. The O was not Oliphant, Archie. Othello, I think, was a Shakespearean play which Miss Dana financed for our Mr. Young. And knowing she would recognize the quotation as well as the threat behind it, he sent it to her to warn her that he meant to murder her. You won't have the unmitigated gall to deny that, will you, Mr. Young?

[Archie Goodwin]

No.

[Barstow Young]

No, I don't deny it.

[Archie Goodwin]

Do I call the police?

[Barstow Young]

But I didn't kill her. The fact that I sent the car doesn't mean I killed her.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, it'll do for my money.

[Nero Wolfe]

But not for mine. Archie.

[Barstow Young]

What?

[Nero Wolfe]

Mr. Young couldn't have killed Ms. Dana.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Why not?

[Nero Wolfe]

Because he lacks the strength to strangle such a healthy young woman. A champion athlete, wide awake and full of fight. He's rather a frail person, as we know. And smothering Ms. Dana with that pillow is no easy task. She struggled, therefore, she clawed the wrists of the murderer. I'm sure that if you examine Mr. Young's wrists, you will find no scratches or scars.

[Archie Goodwin]

Here, let me see that.

[Barstow Young]

Go ahead.

[Nero Wolfe]

Well, Archie?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah, you're right.

[Nero Wolfe]

Nothing. I was sure there wouldn't be. The person who actually killed Ms. Dana was a powerful physical specimen.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Yeah?

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes, Mr. Hunter. In all probability, a professional athlete. A muscular man in good condition.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

You pointing at me?

[Nero Wolfe]

Seems quite likely, doesn't it?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

You're out of your head.

[Nero Wolfe]

Am I?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes. Sedha NER er Frau nicht.

[Archie Goodwin]

Wah?

[Barstow Young]

Ja, vor.

[Nero Wolfe]

I. I mean, you said, yeah, Mr. Hunter, and you meant ja? Yes. I asked you in German if El Sedan was your wife. And you, in the heat of emotion, answered me, yes. In your mother tongue.

[Archie Goodwin]

Look, what's going on here?

[Nero Wolfe]

Allow me to present Mr. Johann Yeager. Archie.

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Him?

[Nero Wolfe]

I've known him since we first saw that marriage license. You see, Jack Hunter is the English translation of our friend's real name back in Germany, where he comes from. Mr. Johann Yeager. What do you know?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

So you proved nothing. Yeah. I was married to Ilse. That's why I said she couldn't marry anybody else. But I didn't kill her. She was my wife. I loved her.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oliver told us you were insanely jealous of him.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

What if he did?

[Narrator]

You know better.

[Nero Wolfe]

Do we? Sure you do.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

You also told yourself over the phone that every word Oliphant said was a lie.

[Nero Wolfe]

Interesting.

[Archie Goodwin]

What is?

[Nero Wolfe]

How you could possibly know what Ilsa Dana told me over the phone. I haven't mentioned it to you or anybody else.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Oh, well. Well, you see?

[Nero Wolfe]

I see most clearly, Mr. Jaeger, that you must have been in the apartment with her, listening on the extension phone, or you couldn't possibly have that information. And it was only a few minutes after that telephone call that Ilsa Dana was smothered to death.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

And. I see. It's about time I said good night.

[Archie Goodwin]

Wait a Minger, wait.

[Nero Wolfe]

Good work, Archie. I advise you to sit still, Mr. Ioann Yeager.

[Ted Oliphant]

Hunter, I was right. I told you we threatened the killer. But why?

[Nero Wolfe]

I've only guessed at the story. Reconstructed it, so to say. But I think you and Mr. Young are to be congratulated.

[Barstow Young]

On what, sir?

[Nero Wolfe]

On not having won your fair lady. You have always thought of her as a sweet, demure society girl. But actually she was a vicious person. As bad as the man who killed her, if not worse. She tortured him cruelly for four long years.

[Ted Oliphant]

How can you say that about her?

[Nero Wolfe]

How can you doubt it, Mr. Oliphant? There must have been a great many men in her life. We know at least two definitely you and Mr. Young.

[Ted Oliphant]

But she was in love with me.

[Barstow Young]

She was in love with me.

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm sorry to shatter your illusions, but she was not in love with either of you. She was using you for her purpose.

[Barstow Young]

What was her purpose?

[Nero Wolfe]

To mending the man she married. That was her preoccupation. Day and night, she delighted in tyrannizing over him as one might in breaking a bull or taming a wild mustang. Do I come near the truth, Hunter?

[Ilsa Dana / Elevator Boy]

Yes.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Until I couldn't stand it any longer.

[Nero Wolfe]

May I ask then, why you married her? Why?

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

Because I couldn't help myself.

[Narrator]

I crawled for her.

[Jack the Babe Hunter]

I married her on the terms that nobody should ever know I was her husband. She was too good for me. She told me that to my face, over and over. But we belong to different worlds. But I was crazy about her, so I took it. What I've taken, you wouldn't believe.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh, I'm sure I would, Mr. Hunt. I'm a very understanding man. The question is, will a jury believe you? And that we must begin to learn immediately. Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, sir.

[Nero Wolfe]

Phone for Inspector Kramer.

[Narrator]

You have been listening to the new Adventures of Nero Wolf, starring Sydney Greenstreet. Tonight's transcribed story by Peter Barry was based on the famous characters created by Rex Stout. This is an Edwin Fadiman program, produced and directed by J. Donald Wilson. In the cast were Herb Ellis as Archie Goodwin and Lee Millar, Marna Keneally, Larry Dobkin, Barney Phillips and Jerry Hausner. Next week at this same time, Nero Wolf and Archie will bring you the case of the headless Hunter. Don Stanley speaking. And don't forget, this Sunday marks the premiere of the big show on NBC. Not just any big show, it's the big show. NBC's hour and a half of comedy, music, drama and the best of each. The Big show will be heard every Sunday afternoon over most of these stations with Tallulah Bankhead as mistress of ceremonies. Your stars for this Sunday's broadcast include Jimmy Duratti, Fred Allen, Ethel Merman, Frankie Lane, Mindy Carson, Meredith Wilson, Danny Thomas and hosts of others. No wonder it's the big show and theater gill down the air. This Sunday presents Judy Garland in Miss Alice Adams. So don't forget, Tallulah Bankhead brings you the big show Sunday on NBC.