Nero Wolfe: The Tell-Tale Ribbon 03/30/1951

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Nero Wolfe – The Tell-Tale Ribbon (03/30/1951)

Main Theme:
This classic Nero Wolfe episode, titled "The Tell-Tale Ribbon," immerses listeners in a sinister country house mystery. Renowned detective Nero Wolfe and his witty assistant Archie Goodwin are pulled into a web of suspicion, family secrets, and murder, all stemming from chilling anonymous notes and a fatal case of apparent poisoning.

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1. The Case Begins (00:15–02:04)

• Archie Goodwin receives a puzzling phone call from Mr. Jenkins, who claims he’s been delayed because “she was killed.”
• Further confusion arises, but Jenkins’ story quickly reveals that the victim was his horse, not a person, and he delivers a mysterious envelope to Wolfe.
• The envelope contains five $100 bills and a note, supposedly from wealthy manufacturer Edward Malott, pleading for Wolfe’s help for the weekend.

Notable Quotes:

• "Nobody, I said. Dad, hang up. It's late and it's too cold. And even if it weren't, I would not consider for one moment moving from this room." – Nero Wolfe (00:29)

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2. Arrival at the Malott Residence (04:21–07:52)

• Suspense builds as Archie arrives at the Malott house, greeted by an inhospitable butler and a confused Edward Malott.
• Malott insists he never sent the note or invited anyone, despite it being on his personal stationery.
• Key household members are introduced:
  • Dorothy Davis: Malott's secretary, acquainted with Archie and Wolfe’s reputations.
  • Eva Malott: Edward’s wife, frail and anxious.
  • Larry Jeffries: Malott’s son, suspicious and confrontational.

Memorable Moment:

• The eerie ambiance is established early—no party, icy welcomes, and the realization that no one wants Archie in the house.

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3. Eva Malott’s Confession & Fears (09:25–11:04)

• Eva discreetly seeks out Archie, revealing she wrote the note, fearing for her life after receiving three threatening typewritten messages.
• Symptoms of poisoning (gastric distress, sweating, weakness, thirst) have left her paranoid and dependent on yellow sleeping capsules.
• Eva suspects either her husband or Dorothy, citing an apparent affair between the two as possible motive.

Notable Quote:

• “My life is in danger. I've been threatened. I received three notes through the mail. They were all postmarked in New York City.” – Eva Malott (09:52)

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4. Suspicions & Motives Unravel (11:20–13:29)

• Archie questions Larry, who claims Dorothy wrote the notes, motivated by jealousy and suspicion.
• Dorothy is depicted as mysterious and attractive, "a beauty" who seems to know more than she’s letting on.

Highlights:

• Archie learns from Nero Wolfe: “The trouble will come to you. Bye.” – Wolfe’s intuition sets the stage for the impending crime (13:18).

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5. The Fatal Poisoning (15:04–19:34)

• That night, Archie and Dorothy have a tense exchange; Dorothy asks Archie to drive her to New York immediately, raising further suspicion when she offers him a questionable drink.
• Eva Malott is discovered dead. Dr. Hauser (family doctor) pronounces it acute gastritis, but Archie questions whether an overdose of sleeping pills could really be the cause.
• Archie suspects murder by poison, especially given Eva's fears and recent threats.

Notable Quotes:

• “That box was open on this nightstand when we stepped into this room. All right, let's have the box, Mr. Malott. Thank you. Why'd you pick it up?” – Archie Goodwin (18:55)
• “Mrs. Malott didn't die from an overdose of sleeping capsules. She was poisoned.” – Archie Goodwin (19:30)

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6. The Investigation Deepens (20:03–24:31)

• Nero Wolfe stays involved via phone, urging Archie to gather autopsy results and check for poison purchases.
• Archie and Wolfe analyze the suspects’ motives:
  • Dorothy’s love for Edward.
  • Larry’s resentment towards Eva and Dorothy.
  • Edward’s marital troubles.
• Discovery of Eva’s personal typewriter links all three threatening notes to her room.
• The autopsy confirms Eva was poisoned via her capsules.

Memorable Exchange:

• Inspector Cramer: “How do you know the notes were written on this typewriter?”
• Archie: “I've compared the type and the ribbon. They're both the same. These notes were written on this Remington.” (23:50)

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7. The Twist—A Murder Made to Frame (24:54–26:46)

• While searching Eva's room, Archie and Wolfe find a Pocketbook detective novel with pages marked—the same ominous phrases from the threat notes.
• Wolfe reveals the true culprit: Mrs. Malott herself died by her own hand, orchestrating the scenario to implicate Dorothy and Edward for murder.
• She planted evidence, echoing lines from the novel, and hoped jealousy would ensure both were blamed after her death.

Notable Quote:

• “It was more than suicide. It was suicide with an attempt to have both you and Dorothy convicted of murder.” – Nero Wolfe (26:20)

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8. Resolution & Reflections (27:12–28:24)

• All charges are dropped as the mystery is explained and proven, with Archie reflecting on the dark motives behind Eva’s actions and the mental torment she endured.
• The episode closes with Ner Wolfe’s subtle humor regarding Archie’s fondness for attractive suspects.

Quote of Closure:

• "You mean there's nothing in the book which says a good detective shouldn't spend a few minutes with an attractive brunette even though she is a murder suspect? The author of that book can be none other than the incomparable Archie Goodwin. Good night, Archie." – Nero Wolfe (28:04)

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Timestamps for Key Moments

• Opening Case Setup: 00:15–02:04
• Malott House Arrival: 04:21–07:52
• Eva’s Confession: 09:25–11:04
• Dorothy’s Late Night Conversation: 15:04–16:39
• Discovery of Eva’s Death: 17:38–18:30
• Montage of Suspicions: 20:03–24:31
• Climactic Revelation: 26:02–26:46
• Wrap-up Discussion: 27:12–28:24

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Notable Quotes

• Nero Wolfe (regarding Eva’s motives):
  "She was a very sick woman, mentally as well as physically. She probably felt she was going to die. And her warped mind seized on the opportunity to make sure that this Dorothy didn't get her man after she was dead." (27:24)

• Archie Goodwin (on suspecting Dorothy):
  "There are certain rules a good detective always follows. Some are in the book, others aren't." (27:57)

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Style & Tone

The dialogue balances the lived-in repartee between Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin—Archie's dry wit and Wolfe’s gruff, cerebral cool. The suspects' nervousness and the mounting tension in the secluded house channel the atmosphere of a classic “country house” whodunit, with a final twist characteristic of Rex Stout’s memorable mysteries.

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Summary:
Set in an atmosphere brimming with suspicion and secrets, "The Tell-Tale Ribbon" employs red herrings, clever deduction, and psychological undercurrents. Wolfe’s ultimate deduction—that the victim staged her own murder to punish those she loved or resented—serves as a haunting reminder of the darker recesses of human nature, all delivered with the wry flair of old-time radio’s classic detective team.

Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail]

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the ringing of that phone bell brings you mystery adventure.

[Archie Goodwin]

Nero Wolf's office, Archie Goodwin speaking. What?

[Nero Wolfe]

Who?

[Archie Goodwin]

Who is this? Who wants to speak to Mr. Wolf?

[Nero Wolfe]

Nobody.

[Archie Goodwin]

Nobody, I said.

[Nero Wolfe]

Dad, hang up. It's late and it's too cold. And even if it weren't, I would not consider for one moment moving from this room.

[Archie Goodwin]

Please, Mr. Wolf, I can't hear a thing this old gentleman's saying.

[Nero Wolfe]

Does it matter? You heard what I said. No.

[Archie Goodwin]

Now what did you say? You were late because she was killed. Who was killed? I can't hear you.

[Nero Wolfe]

What is it about Archie?

[Archie Goodwin]

He says he was due here an hour ago, but she was killed.

[Nero Wolfe]

Who was killed? What does he want?

[Archie Goodwin]

Do you want us to solve the crime? I say, do you want us to find out who killed her? Oh, he says he knows who did it, but he has an important message for you. Well then come right over.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

We'll be waiting.

[Archie Goodwin]

Mr. Jenkins.

[Nero Wolfe]

Archie. Why do you insist on taking every silly little case?

[Archie Goodwin]

Because, boss, we need to recover for March 15.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, it's that renowned genius who is the bulkiest, balkiest, most ponderous and most brilliant detective in the world. Yes, none other than that chair born mass of unpredictable intellect, Nero Wolf, created by Rex Doubt and brought to you in a new series of adventures over this NBC network in the person of Mr. Sydney Greenstreet.

[Archie Goodwin]

This case I like to refer to as the case of the Telltale Ribbon. Perhaps a better title would be Wolf

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Goes a Hunting For.

[Archie Goodwin]

In a way, this was one of those unusual instances in which my boss, of his own free will and without any coercion, actually decided to leave the house and go to the scene of the crime. It started when the strange old gentleman who phoned us finally arrived. Well, there's our client. Mr. Wolf. Evening.

[Edward Malott]

It's me.

[Archie Goodwin]

Who's me?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Oh, I just phoned you. I'm Jenkins. I got a dispatch for Nero Wolf.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, you're Jenkins. Well, come in, come in. Mr. Wolf, this is Mr. Jenkins, says he has a dispatch for you.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yep.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Are you Wolf?

[Nero Wolfe]

I am. Where is the dispatch from? Don't know.

[Archie Goodwin]

You don't know?

[Mr. Jenkins]

How come? Oh, I know, but I'm supposed to say I don't. See, that's my job.

[Archie Goodwin]

What is?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Just to say I don't know.

[Nero Wolfe]

What about the matter?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah. Who was killed?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Oh, My goodness, it was a terrible thing. We were just crossing the turnpike and this fella come at us out of nowhere.

[Archie Goodwin]

The killer?

[Nero Wolfe]

Yeah.

[Mr. Jenkins]

Must have been drunk I guess.

[Nero Wolfe]

Well, how did it happen? Did he shoot her? Stab her?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Oh no, no, he ran into her with his car and she was only 9 years old.

[Archie Goodwin]

Your granddaughter?

[Mr. Jenkins]

No, no, it was Bessie. But the police got him. I have to appear, I guess.

[Nero Wolfe]

Probably get 90 days. He will. The murder.

[Larry Jeffries]

Murder?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Was somebody murdered? I must have missed something.

[Archie Goodwin]

Look, we're talking about Bessie. And what do you want us to do about it?

[Mr. Jenkins]

Nothing. Bessie's my old horse.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh no.

[Mr. Jenkins]

But say, who was it that was murdered?

[Archie Goodwin]

Nobody. Yet. Good night, Mr. Jenkins. I thought you said it was important.

[Mr. Jenkins]

It might be. At least that's the way I was told.

[Nero Wolfe]

What might be?

[Mr. Jenkins]

This here letter I was bringing to you. This is dispatch. Well, gotta get along now.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Goodbye.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, get him. What a pixie. What is in the envelope, Mr. Wolf?

[Nero Wolfe]

Look.

[Archie Goodwin]

Five $100 bills. And the note says, Mr. Wolf, your services are desperately needed. Come up this weekend as my guest. Signed E. Malot.

[Nero Wolfe]

Ed Malot, the wealthy manufacturer.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, looks as though you're going out this weekend.

[Nero Wolfe]

Well, I pay my respects to Mr. Malot and I hope you enjoy the weekend. Good night.

[Archie Goodwin]

Something certainly phony about this. There's no party going on here tonight. Yes, what is it? Is this the Malot place?

[Dorothy Davis]

It is.

[Jeffries (butler)]

What do you want?

[Archie Goodwin]

My name's Goodwin. I'm a guest of Mr. Malott's.

[Jeffries (butler)]

A guest?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, he invited me down for the weekend.

[Jeffries (butler)]

Weekend? Oh, well, you better step in please, Mr. Goodwin.

[Archie Goodwin]

Quite a bolt you've got on that door.

[Jeffries (butler)]

Yes, isn't it? Just sit down there please. I'll get Mr. Melotti's in the library. Oh, here he is. This is Mr. Goodwin, sir. Says he's come down for the weekend.

[Edward Malott]

Mr. Goodwin. Good evening. You've come for the weekend you say?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes. Wasn't that the idea, Mr. Malott?

[Edward Malott]

I. I don't understand, Mr. Goodwin.

[Archie Goodwin]

Didn't you send me this note asking me to come here?

[Edward Malott]

Note? I did not. Well, well, this is my personal note, stationary. But I don't recall sending this. I didn't even type it. And I'm in the habit of signing my name with a pen, not with a typewriter. E. Malott.

[Archie Goodwin]

You're certainly Edward Malotte.

[Edward Malott]

Yes. Services are desperately needed. What does this mean? What services? Who are you? Mr. Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

Are you serious? I'm a private investigator. I'm Nero Wolf's assistant.

[Edward Malott]

Oh indeed? Nero Wolf, eh? I know of Him? Yes indeed.

[Archie Goodwin]

And you really don't know anything about this note?

[Edward Malott]

I do not.

[Archie Goodwin]

Are you having a weekend party here?

[Edward Malott]

I most certainly am not.

[Archie Goodwin]

Then who sent this? And there were five $100 bills as a retainer.

[Edward Malott]

I haven't the slightest idea. Oh, Dorothy.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes?

[Edward Malott]

Will you step in here please? Ms. Davis is my private secretary. She may know something about this.

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes, Mr. Malott.

[Edward Malott]

What is it, Dorothy? Dorothy, this is Mr. Goodwin.

[Dorothy Davis]

How do you do, Mr. Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well I. How do you do, Ms. Davis?

[Edward Malott]

Yes, yes. Well, Mr. Goodwin is assistant to Nero Wolf.

[Dorothy Davis]

You don't say. Nero Wolf the detective? Well I've heard a great deal about him and about you too, Mr. Goodwin.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well now, I'm mighty glad to hear you say that.

[Edward Malott]

Mr. Mr. Goodwin has a note here.

[Eva Malott]

Is anything wrong, Edward? I heard voices. Oh, do we have company?

[Edward Malott]

Nothing is wrong, Eva. I was calling Dorothy, that's all. Oh, this is Mr. Goodwin. Eva, my wife. Mr. Goodwin.

[Archie Goodwin]

How do you do, Mrs. Malone?

[Eva Malott]

Mr. Goodwin, I. Yes, how do you do?

[Edward Malott]

Now as I was about to say. Dorothy. Mr. Goodwin.

[Larry Jeffries]

What's going on?

[Edward Malott]

Mr. Goodwin, this is my son, Larry. Good evening.

[Larry Jeffries]

What's wrong?

[Edward Malott]

Mr. Goodwin has been invited here for the weekend. He has an invitation Supposedly written by me. At least it's on my stationery. Look at this, Dorothy. Know anything about this note?

[Dorothy Davis]

No, I certainly didn't write it.

[Edward Malott]

But it's my personal note paper and my signature is typewritten. I'd never do that.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well somebody sent it. Who's Jenkins?

[Edward Malott]

Jenkins? Never heard of him.

[Archie Goodwin]

A little dried up old man. He delivered it to us. Maybe it didn't even come from this house.

[Edward Malott]

I'm positive that it didn't. Never heard of Jenkins.

[Archie Goodwin]

You have a typewriter here of course.

[Dr. Hauser]

Yes.

[Archie Goodwin]

I'd like to see it.

[Edward Malott]

Certainly Mr. Goodwin, in the library.

[Eva Malott]

How far have you come, Mr. Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

From New York. Manhattan.

[Dorothy Davis]

Oh, and it's such a dreadful night too.

[Edward Malott]

Yes, yes, and it is rather late.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Late?

[Archie Goodwin]

It's only 7:30.

[Larry Jeffries]

Why not stay here for the night? Plenty of room.

[Eva Malott]

Yes, Mr. Goodwin, plenty of room.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well I. I don't really think that's necessary. On the other hand it would be a tough drive back to the city in this storm. I'll accept your hospitality, Mr. Malott.

[Edward Malott]

Very good. Oh word. Jeffries, show Mr. Goodwin to the east wing and take care of his car.

[Jeffries (butler)]

Yes sir.

[Edward Malott]

Good night, Mr. Goodwin.

[Archie Goodwin]

You mean you're all going to retire now? I haven't even had my dinner.

[Edward Malott]

We retire very early here. But Jeffries will prepare anything you want. Good night.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh Dear, who moved that phone? Hello? Wolf speaking.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Archie, boss. Well, I'm here at Malott's place, but

[Archie Goodwin]

there ain't no party.

[Nero Wolfe]

What happened? Are you in the right house?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

I'm afraid I am. They've all gone to bed. Weird bunch.

[Archie Goodwin]

His wife, who looks very sickly and

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

I think wants to say something to me alone. And Larry the son, and Malott's secretary, Dorothy Davis. She has me bothered a bit.

[Nero Wolfe]

How unusual. Especially if she's pretty.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

A beauty. But she seems to know all about me.

[Nero Wolfe]

Hmm. You better come home, Archie. I can see you're in no condition to handle this case properly. Give them the money back.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Oh, I forgot to tell you. They don't want me here. Malotte didn't send the note. No one here knows anything about it, so we can keep the dough.

[Nero Wolfe]

Interesting. Indeed. The circumstances would indicate that you should stay there and wait for it to happen.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

For what to happen?

[Nero Wolfe]

For whatever it is the fates have conspired to have happen there while your shining little ego is in the midst of it. Aye,

[Dorothy Davis]

Who is it?

[Archie Goodwin]

It's Archie Goodwin, Mrs. Malott.

[Eva Malott]

Come in. Come in, please.

[Archie Goodwin]

I saw you give me the eye when I was about to leave. I've been waiting till I felt sure they were all asleep. Now, what's up?

[Eva Malott]

I wrote you that note I sent for you.

[Archie Goodwin]

How do I know that old man

[Eva Malott]

Jenkins is a scissor and knife sharpener who happens along every month or so? They wouldn't know him. I put five $100 bills in the envelope.

[Archie Goodwin]

Okay.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Why?

[Eva Malott]

My life is in danger. I've been threatened. I received three notes through the mail. They were all postmarked in New York City.

[Archie Goodwin]

Did I see them?

[Jeffries (butler)]

Here they are.

[Archie Goodwin]

I'll typewriter.

[Eva Malott]

The first one reads, there is no love for you in Grey Gables. The second, why stay on in the face of death?

[Archie Goodwin]

And the third? The time is shorter than you think. Do you think this is a. Well, an Inside job, Mrs. Milla?

[Eva Malott]

Well, at first I didn't, but lately I've come to think it is.

[Archie Goodwin]

What caused you to think that?

[Eva Malott]

For some time I've been having severe spells. I thought it was indigestion, but then it occurred to me that I always broke out in cold perspiration. I was left horribly weakened, terribly thirsty.

[Archie Goodwin]

Thirsty? You fear you're being poisoned?

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes.

[Eva Malott]

And since the thought came to me, I've been living in fear. Fear of every bite of food or drink had so shattered my nerves that I have to take these yellow sleeping capsules to even close my eyes.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, here's your husband and the secretary and your son, Larry.

[Eva Malott]

Larry is my stepson.

[Archie Goodwin]

Which one do you suspect?

[Eva Malott]

The secretary Dorothy or my husband? Or both.

[Archie Goodwin]

What's the motive?

[Eva Malott]

Well, they're in love. She's been here over two years and they've spent most of their time together. The idea never occurred to me till last week and when I watched them, it. It was quite obvious.

[Archie Goodwin]

Anybody else know about these three notes?

[Eva Malott]

Oh, no.

[Archie Goodwin]

Then I'll keep them for a while. Good night, Mrs. Malotte, and don't wor.

[Larry Jeffries]

What are you doing, Mr. Goodwin? Snooping around at father's library?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, Larry, I was just trying to find out if this Remington was the machine you used to type those notes.

[Larry Jeffries]

What? What notes?

[Archie Goodwin]

The notes you sent your stepmother.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Why?

[Larry Jeffries]

I don't know anything about any notes.

[Archie Goodwin]

Then why were you so startled?

[Larry Jeffries]

I'm not startled, I just. Well, why would I threaten her?

[Archie Goodwin]

So you do know about them. I didn't mention the contents of the notes.

[Larry Jeffries]

I just happened to see them on the table in her sitting room.

[Archie Goodwin]

You don't care too much about your stepmother, do you?

[Larry Jeffries]

Oh, she's all right.

[Archie Goodwin]

You don't care too much about Dorothy either, do you?

[Larry Jeffries]

I certainly don't.

[Archie Goodwin]

Why not?

[Larry Jeffries]

I don't like her tactics, making a fool out of my father. If anybody here sent those notes, she did.

[Archie Goodwin]

You think Dorothy would have a motive?

[Larry Jeffries]

I certainly do.

[Archie Goodwin]

Of course, you wouldn't have a motive, would you?

[Larry Jeffries]

No.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, I'm inclined to think you would.

[Larry Jeffries]

Just what motive would I have?

[Archie Goodwin]

You don't seem to like any woman who's too close to your father. Maybe because you'd resent anyone sharing in the estate if your father died.

[Larry Jeffries]

If I were you, Mr. Goodwin, I'd leave tonight and the sooner the better.

[Nero Wolfe]

Good nighty. Oh, confounded boy. Yes, Archie, you have the wrong number.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

This is Sherlock Holmes speaking.

[Nero Wolfe]

Why don't you go to bed like the others? You don't have to push it. It'll happen.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Eva Malott thinks she's being slowly poisoned.

[Archie Goodwin]

Suspects her husband and his secretary.

[Nero Wolfe]

He could be right. What are the symptoms?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

She suffers gastric disturbances, weakness, thirst.

[Edward Malott]

Indeed.

[Nero Wolfe]

What about the son? Have any ideas?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

He doesn't like his stepmother and is

[Archie Goodwin]

decidedly against his father's secretary, Dorothy.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

He knew all about the notes Mrs. Milott had received, saw them on her dressing table. He believes Dorothy's the culprit.

[Nero Wolfe]

Then I should say that Dorothy should be the next on your list.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

You can say that again.

[Nero Wolfe]

Be careful, Archie. Use your head this time.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Incidentally, Larry advised me to Leave the place tonight. Bit of a threat it was, too. What shall I do, Mr. Anthony?

[Nero Wolfe]

Do nothing. The trouble will come to you. Bye.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, hello there, Mr. Malott. I thought you turned in for the night.

[Edward Malott]

It's quite obvious you thought so. Mr. Goodwin, what are you doing in the library?

[Archie Goodwin]

Why, just looking for something to read.

[Edward Malott]

You'll find the books all around the walls. Not on my desk.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, I was looking for a particular kind of book. I'm very much interested in poisons.

[Edward Malott]

Poisons?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah, a hobby of mine. You happen to have any books on toxicology?

[Edward Malott]

I do not.

[Archie Goodwin]

And what's that book on the fourth shelf right beside you?

[Edward Malott]

Why, I. Oh, toxic. Where did that come from? Never saw it before.

[Archie Goodwin]

Hmm.

[Edward Malott]

Perhaps it was in that assorted collection I bought a couple of weeks ago. Hadn't noticed it. Larry probably put them on the shelves.

[Archie Goodwin]

Mr. Malott, how long have you known Dorothy, your secretary?

[Edward Malott]

A little over two years.

[Archie Goodwin]

Did it ever occur to you that she might be, well, infatuated, in love with you?

[Larry Jeffries]

What?

[Nero Wolfe]

Well, of all the.

[Edward Malott]

Now, see here, I don't know what you're up to and I don't know how you got hold of my stationery to write that fake note.

[Archie Goodwin]

It isn't a fake note, Mulatt. I'm only trying to find out what's back of it.

[Edward Malott]

Mr. Goodwin, there is nothing going on here that requires the services of a detective. And Dorothy is not in love with me.

[Archie Goodwin]

I didn't say she was. I asked you if you thought she might be.

[Dorothy Davis]

Well, since this conversation seems to concern me, I suppose I am at liberty to come in.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, you're still up too, Ms. Davis.

[Edward Malott]

Did you hear what this man said, Dorothy?

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes, I did, Mr. Millight. And I'd like to have a few words alone with Mr. Goodwin, if you don't mind. Mr. Goodwin, would you mind coming with me for a few minutes?

[Archie Goodwin]

No, not at all.

[Dorothy Davis]

And, well, it's rather late, Mr. Malott, don't you think you should retire? It's a heavy day tomorrow.

[Edward Malott]

Well, yes. Yes, I suppose I should.

[Dorothy Davis]

And please don't let this upset you. Mr. Goodwin has been misinformed. I'll straighten him out. Come on, Mr. Goodwin, the bar is right across the hall. I'll fix you a nice soothing drink.

[Archie Goodwin]

That'll be nice.

[Dorothy Davis]

Well, now, what would you like, Mr. Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

The way it drinks? Oh, well, some 7Up.

[Dorothy Davis]

Really. Just sit down over there.

[Archie Goodwin]

Okay. What do you want to talk about?

[Dorothy Davis]

Well, where did you get the idea that I was in love with Mr. Melot?

[Archie Goodwin]

First, suppose you Tell me if you are in love with him.

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[Dorothy Davis]

Yes, I am. But until a few minutes ago, he wasn't even aware of it. I worship him and his work. I never wanted him to know because he's married. It would have caused trouble and I'd have had to leave here. But now he knows it's true.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, now that he knows, what will happen?

[Dorothy Davis]

Well, I'm going to leave tonight. Now.

[Archie Goodwin]

I see.

[Dorothy Davis]

And since I don't own a car, Mr. Goodwin, I'm going to ask you

[Eva Malott]

to do me a very great favor.

[Dorothy Davis]

Would you run me into New York? I want to leave without a word. If I wait till morning, I'll have to explain to Mr. Milott and. Well, that would be most embarrassing.

[Eva Malott]

Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

Oh, now it's Archie.

[Dorothy Davis]

You don't really mind, do you?

[Inspector Cramer]

No.

[Archie Goodwin]

No, I guess I don't. I should maybe, but don't you like your drink? What'd you put in this drink?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

What do you mean?

[Archie Goodwin]

What'd you dope it with?

[Dorothy Davis]

Archie? Why would I do that?

[Archie Goodwin]

Might be several reasons.

[Dorothy Davis]

There's nothing in that drink.

[Archie Goodwin]

No. And suppose you drink it, why

[Dorothy Davis]

give it to me? I'll throw it out. If you want another drink, fix it yourself. I'll have my things ready in five minutes. Are you going to take me?

[Archie Goodwin]

Sure. Certainly I'm gonna take you. But are you sure you have to go tonight?

[Dorothy Davis]

I must go tonight. Now.

[Archie Goodwin]

I wish I knew why Mr. Wolf's always so right.

[Larry Jeffries]

What?

[Archie Goodwin]

Just talking to myself.

[Edward Malott]

Dorothy.

[Nero Wolfe]

Larry Jeffries. Come upstairs.

[Dorothy Davis]

What's happened?

[Nero Wolfe]

Call Dr. Hauser. Something terrible has happened to Eva.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, Dr. Hauser.

[Dr. Hauser]

Poor Mrs. Malotte. No, there's nothing to be done now. It's all over.

[Edward Malott]

Eva. Eva.

[Dr. Hauser]

You'd better lie down, Mr. Malott. I'll phone and take care of everything. I'll be here if you need me. I have to make out the certificate.

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes, come along, Mr. Malott.

[Archie Goodwin]

Just a minute. You too, Larry. I don't want to make this any more unpleasant for you. But Doctor, just what are you going to put on the certificate as the cause of death?

[Dr. Hauser]

Acute Gastritis.

[Archie Goodwin]

Is that what you've been treating her for?

[Dr. Hauser]

Well, she's had several attacks lately. I'd warned her to be cautious of

[Archie Goodwin]

her diet and that was wise advice, too. Did you know about these attacks, Mr. Malott?

[Edward Malott]

Yes, I did.

[Archie Goodwin]

And you, Dorothy?

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes, I knew.

[Archie Goodwin]

And you knew also, Larry?

[Larry Jeffries]

No, I. I knew she hadn't been feeling well.

[Archie Goodwin]

How long had Mrs. Malotte been suffering from insomnia?

[Dr. Hauser]

Oh, a year at least. I prescribed Nembertol in yellow capsules. Of course, I wrote a prescription every so often calling for 12 capsules.

[Archie Goodwin]

You all knew about that, of course. I thought so. And would this be the prescription? This little box of capsules here on.

[Dorothy Davis]

Well, what's the matter, Mr. Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

That box was open on this nightstand when we stepped into this room. All right, let's have the box, Mr. Milad. Thank you. Why'd you pick it up?

[Edward Malott]

Because I. I didn't want the stigma of suicide on Eva's name, nor mine.

[Dr. Hauser]

Suicide?

[Edward Malott]

Yes. Eva had this prescription filled yesterday morning. The dose is one at bedtime. 12 capsules. She took one last night. I glanced at the open box when I came into the room and there were only eight capsules left. I. I knew instantly what had happened. She'd taken an overdose.

[Archie Goodwin]

Doctor, do you think three capsules would be sufficient to cause her death?

[Dr. Hauser]

I doubt it very much.

[Archie Goodwin]

So do I. Mrs. Malott didn't die from an overdose of sleeping capsules. She was poisoned.

[Edward Malott]

Poisoned? Are you crazy? By whom?

[Archie Goodwin]

By you or Dorothy or Larry?

[Larry Jeffries]

No, I didn't do it. I didn't write those notes.

[Edward Malott]

What notes?

[Archie Goodwin]

Mrs. Malott had received three notes threatening her life if she didn't leave this house. Each of you had a motive, so I'm sending this body to the coroner for an immediate autopsy.

[Edward Malott]

I won't permit it.

[Archie Goodwin]

The police will see to it. You have no choice.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes, Archie. What now? You know who did it.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

How do you know anything's happened?

[Nero Wolfe]

Let us call it extra sensory perception.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Well, Mrs. Malott was right. She's dead. Her doctor knew nothing about the spell she was having as being caused by anything but indigestion.

[Nero Wolfe]

How about an autopsy?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

It's all in the works. Looks like a metallic poison. All the symptoms.

[Nero Wolfe]

Oh. Did you search the house carefully for such a poison?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

I did. I'll check the drugstores in the morning.

[Nero Wolfe]

Somebody in that house will purchase some poison. Let me know when the autopsy report is in.

[Archie Goodwin]

Right.

[Nero Wolfe]

Let's see now. We have Mr. Milott, Dorothy Davis and Larry the son.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

He's Mr. Malat's son, but not the child of Eva Malott, remember?

[Dorothy Davis]

Yes.

[Nero Wolfe]

Is it true that Dorothy is in love with Milotte?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Yup. Dorothy admitted it to me but claimed Milotte wasn't aware of it until the night. And earlier this evening Dorothy tried her best to get me out of the house. Insisted that I drive her into town. She tried to give me a drink which I think might have contained knockout drops.

[Nero Wolfe]

You don't say. Archie, I should have Fritz drive me up to the Mallorc place at once. Archie, are you there?

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

No, boss, I just fainted.

[Archie Goodwin]

And that, Mr. Wolfe, is most of the story up to now.

[Nero Wolfe]

Very interesting. Yes, indeed.

[Dorothy Davis]

But it isn't true. I did not put anything in Mr. Goodwin's drink.

[Edward Malott]

Then did you ask him to take you into town?

[Archie Goodwin]

Yes, and I might have been found in a ditch.

[Dorothy Davis]

Oh, it's ridiculous.

[Nero Wolfe]

Why did you try to get Mr. Goodwin to take you to town?

[Dorothy Davis]

Because I felt it would be too embarrassing to remain until morning.

[Larry Jeffries]

Maybe you'd already given Mother the big dose of poison and wanted Goodwin out before it was discovered.

[Nero Wolfe]

Wait a minute now, Mr. Miller. You claim that you knew nothing about Dorothy being in love with you. Should we believe that?

[Edward Malott]

You can believe it or not, Dorothy

[Nero Wolfe]

had a motive to get rid of Mrs. Malott. It seems that Mr. Mallott had one

[Archie Goodwin]

too and so did Larry.

[Larry Jeffries]

What?

[Archie Goodwin]

You admitted to me that you didn't like your stepmother and that you disliked Dorothy even more.

[Larry Jeffries]

I didn't say that.

[Archie Goodwin]

You said Dorothy was making a fool of your father. You resented the possibility of any woman sharing in the estate.

[Nero Wolfe]

You knew about the sleeping capsules and you could have put poison in some of them. You could have written those threat notes. And by getting rid of your stepmother and placing the blame on Dorothy, you'd be getting rid of them both.

[Larry Jeffries]

I didn't. I did not write those notes.

[Nero Wolfe]

You were the only one who knew about them.

[Larry Jeffries]

I was not the only one. I saw Dorothy coming out of Mother's room. It was this afternoon. Mother was out taking a sun bath. Dorothy did it. She's the one.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

I think you're the one.

[Larry Jeffries]

No, no, Dorothy wrote those notes.

[Eva Malott]

That's a lie.

[Larry Jeffries]

No, she probably slipped into Mother's room and wrote those notes on Mother's portable.

[Nero Wolfe]

What? In just a minute. Archie, come here.

[Dorothy Davis]

I never heard of sex.

[Larry Jeffries]

Well, I didn't do it. You can't send me to jail. I'll kill you first. Larry, drop that gun. Don't come near me, any of you. You're such a fool.

[Archie Goodwin]

Larry, give me that gun.

[Larry Jeffries]

I'll shoot. I'll shoot.

[Archie Goodwin (phone conversations)]

Come on.

[Eva Malott]

There.

[Archie Goodwin]

Now you better quiet down, kid, or Inspector Cramer will take care of you when he ARR.

[Inspector Cramer]

Well, Mr. Wolf, what goes on here? Where's Goodwin?

[Nero Wolfe]

He sent him upstairs, Inspector Kramer. Upstairs to Mrs. Malott's room to check on something. Now here he is.

[Inspector Cramer]

What have you been doing, Goodwin?

[Archie Goodwin]

This, Inspector, is the piece de resistance. This is what Mr. Wolf has been waiting for. This little black box contains a typewriter. A portable, noiseless Remington.

[Nero Wolfe]

Mrs. Milotte's typewriter.

[Edward Malott]

What? I didn't even know she had a typewriter.

[Nero Wolfe]

Larry knew she had one. And this is undoubtedly the very typewriter the threat notes were written on. All three of them.

[Archie Goodwin]

You were right, boss.

[Larry Jeffries]

I knew she had a typewriter, but I didn't write those notes.

[Inspector Cramer]

Oh, shut up, Archie. How do you know the notes were written on this typewriter?

[Archie Goodwin]

I've compared the type and the ribbon. They're both the same. These notes were written on this Remington.

[Larry Jeffries]

It was Dorothy.

[Edward Malott]

Larry, I don't believe a word you've been saying. Dorothy couldn't possibly be guilty of such a thing. If anyone is guilty, you yourself certainly have all the earmarks.

[Larry Jeffries]

Everybody's against me, even my own father. But I'm innocent I tell you.

[Archie Goodwin]

Let me get it. I think I know who it is. Hello? Yeah, just a second. You better take it, boss.

[Nero Wolfe]

Wolf. Oh yes, go ahead. Let's have it. Yes, he's here, but he won't mind. Yes, I see. Uh huh. You just finished? Oh good. Right. Bye.

[Archie Goodwin]

Was it the coroner?

[Nero Wolfe]

The coroner reporting that poison was found in the sleeping capsules and the body.

[Archie Goodwin]

Did they find poison?

[Nero Wolfe]

They did.

[Archie Goodwin]

You're right again, boss.

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm going up to Mrs. Malott's room for a while. I want you to come along with me. Find anything yet, Archie?

[Archie Goodwin]

No, mostly bills and invitations to bridge parties and so on. You find something, boss?

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes or no? This Pocketbook detective story.

[Archie Goodwin]

What about it?

[Nero Wolfe]

I'm just flipping through the pages and I find this corner turned down. Well?

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, what is it?

[Nero Wolfe]

Look and read.

[Archie Goodwin]

Why stay on in the face of death?

[Nero Wolfe]

Interesting.

[Archie Goodwin]

The very words used in one of the notes.

[Nero Wolfe]

Give me the book. Of course, this doesn't prove a thing either. But it does confirm what I was. Oh, what now? This cinches it. Get them all up here. Archie, tell Kramer to bring them all to the bedroom.

[Inspector Cramer]

Well, Mr. Wolf? What now?

[Nero Wolfe]

As you all know, Mrs. Milot was poisoned by someone who had an opportunity to put it in the sleeping capsule. Someone in this household.

[Inspector Cramer]

Yeah, but which one? The kin.

[Larry Jeffries]

I never bought any poison in my life.

[Edward Malott]

Be quiet, will you?

[Nero Wolfe]

No, Inspector, it wasn't Larry.

[Dorothy Davis]

And I suppose you think I put the rest of that rat poison in your drink, Mr. Goodwin.

[Nero Wolfe]

No, Dorothy, it wasn't you. But how did you know it was rat poison?

[Dorothy Davis]

I didn't. I just guessed. I can think too.

[Edward Malott]

Then if it wasn't Dorothy or Larry, you. You must mean me.

[Nero Wolfe]

No, Mr. Lunt.

[Archie Goodwin]

No.

[Inspector Cramer]

Wait a minute. It had to be somebody.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yes. This is going to be painful for you, Mr. Malott.

[Edward Malott]

Well, you. You mean that Mrs. Malotte did commit suicide?

[Nero Wolfe]

It was more than suicide. It was suicide with an attempt to have both you and Dorothy convicted of murder.

[Dorothy Davis]

She planted things.

[Nero Wolfe]

She did.

[Edward Malott]

I can't believe it.

[Nero Wolfe]

Show him the Pocketbook mystery.

[Archie Goodwin]

Here's the proof.

[Nero Wolfe]

Some of the threat notes are lifted bodily from this novel. Look on the back cover. Isn't that Mrs. Milott's handwriting?

[Edward Malott]

Yes. And this is the other note, the one to you, Mr. Wolf, composed in pencil before she typed it out on her machine.

[Inspector Cramer]

Then, Wolf, the note you received was the same typing as the threat notes.

[Nero Wolfe]

See for yourself, Inspector.

[Inspector Cramer]

Then why the dickens didn't Archie compare them right away?

[Nero Wolfe]

It's one of those things, Inspector. There are times when even a good detective is a bit on the, shall we say, dull side. Don't you find it often true, Inspector?

[Edward Malott]

Hmm.

[Archie Goodwin]

Nice of you to go all the way out there, boss. I was a bit stuck.

[Nero Wolfe]

Quite all right, Archie.

[Archie Goodwin]

Yeah, there's something that still bothers me so. How can such a sweet motherly type as Mrs. Malotte Cook up such gruesome ideas?

[Nero Wolfe]

She was a very sick woman, mentally as well as physically. She probably felt she was going to die. And her warped mind seized on the opportunity to make sure that this Dorothy didn't get her man after she was dead.

[Archie Goodwin]

And speaking of Dorothy, she's a mighty pretty.

[Nero Wolfe]

Yeah. Some beer, please. Archie, if you were so certain that Dorothy wasn't guilty, what was the idea of spending so much time questioning her, huh?

[Archie Goodwin]

Why, I, I, I.

[Nero Wolfe]

Never mind the raised eyebrow department. Answer the question.

[Archie Goodwin]

Well, there are certain rules a good detective always follows. Some are in the book, others aren't.

[Nero Wolfe]

You mean there's nothing in the book which says a good detective shouldn't spend a few minutes with an attractive brunette even though she is a murder suspect? The author of that book can be none other than the incomparable Archie Goodwin. Good night, Archie.

[Edward Malott]

Ah,

[Narrator]

You have been listening to the New Adventures of Nero Wolf starring Sydney Green Street. Tonight's transcribed story by John Edison was based on the characters created by Rex Stout. This is an Edwin Fadiman production, produced and directed by J. Donald Wilson. In the cast were Harry Bartel as Archie Goodwin and Gene Bates, Irene Winston, Ted von Eltz, Jerry Hausner, Vic Rodman and Bill Johnstone. Next week at this same time, Nero Wolf and Archie will bring you the case of the Shot in the Dark. Don Stanley speaking. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. There's music in the air tomorrow evening, Music and fun brought to you by Dennis Day, Judy Canova and Grand Old Opry. Charming and boyish, Dennis gets himself tangled in another bewildering situation while Judy Canova gets together with her comedy pals for some mountain style goings on. And Saturday also means a killer cycle trip to Nashville for Grand Old Opry. Friday's fun includes Sam Spade and of course, the Magnificent Montague on NBC.

[Peloton Pilates Announcer]

Welcome to your peloton Pilates era. Built on precision, backed by results and trusted by over 2 million members. Experienced instructors with true Pilates expertise, offering classes for every level from foundational to powerfully challenging. Choose from 10 to 45 minute sessions with little to no equipment, anytime, anywhere. And with the cross training swivel screen, you can move seamlessly from cardio to mat press. Pilates small moves, big impact. Find out [e-mail] Pilates.