Pat Novak for Hire: Give Envelope to John St John 05/21/1949

Summary

Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives – "Pat Novak for Hire: Give Envelope to John St John" (05/21/1949)

---

Episode Theme & Overview

This episode dives into the shadowy, hard-boiled world of Pat Novak, a San Francisco waterfront tough, as he’s drawn into a web of murder, intrigue, and espionage. Hired by a dying man to deliver a mysterious envelope to a John St. John, Novak finds himself ensnared with dangerous women, corrupt psychiatrists, and murderous double-crosses. The story's noir atmosphere is thick with witty banter, sharp narrative, and classic criminal twists, all tied together with Novak’s sardonic narration.

---

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. A Rainy Night Job Gone Wrong

• Opening Scene [00:43]
  • Pat Novak introduces himself, his line of work, and the gritty setting: “Sure, I'm Pat Novak for Hire... On the waterfront in San Francisco, you don't get prizes for being subtle. You rob Peter to pay Paul and then you put it on the cup.” (Pat Novak, 00:43)
  • Novak assists a dying old man who is hit by a car and is given two envelopes—one with $300 and another, sealed, marked only with a spliced cross. He’s instructed to deliver the sealed envelope to "John St. John".
  • The man offers cryptic clues as he dies, leaving Novak confused and with only minimal leads—an address on Haight Street and the car’s license plate.

2. Seeking Leads: Jocko and Haight Street [04:46–06:57]

• Novak contacts Jocko Madigan—a washed-up drunk with a knack for piecing things together.
  • Jocko’s comedic verbal jabs inject humor: “You have no more self-control than a bucket of mercury dumped on a marble staircase.” (Jocko Madigan, 05:04)
• Jocko agrees to investigate the hit-and-run car, while Novak heads to the address found with the old man.

3. A Dangerous Blonde & Double-Crosses [07:35–10:29]

• At the Haight Street address, Novak finds Lee Norton, a femme fatale oozing seduction and suspicion.
  • “It was the kind of neighborhood where a For Rent sign reads like a ransom note.” (Pat Novak, 06:57)
  • “Won't you come into my cobweb?” (Lee Norton, 07:41)
• Two toughs barge in, demanding the envelope. Novak gets beaten and left unconscious with the gas on—an attempt on his life.

4. Recovery and Escalation [11:16–13:27]

• Jocko rescues Novak from potential gas poisoning, reporting the hit-and-run car is registered to Sidney Bronson.
• They discover Lee Norton (the blonde) dead, and a distinctive ring with the same spliced-cross insignia as the envelope—tying the murders together.

5. Police, Alibis, and Further Dead Ends [13:33–15:22]

• Inspector Hellman finds Novak at the crime scene and aggressively questions him, implying suspicion of Novak in the mounting murders.
  • “You always cut her throat before she goes to sleep?” (Inspector Hellman, 13:40)
• Jocko is arrested as a decoy to give Novak room to maneuver.

6. Novak Faces Sydney Bronson [16:29–20:20]

• A second blonde, colder but just as deadly, confronts Novak—she's Sydney Bronson, owner of the hit-and-run car and another figure tied to the mystery organization.
  • “Because I'm Sydney Bronson. See you soon, Patsy.” (Sydney Bronson, 19:59)
• The letter Novak was meant to deliver has gone missing.

7. Bodies Pile Up – Third Victim and Espionage [20:52–24:16]

• Hellman summons Novak to Seal Rock, where the third corpse, Walter Avery, is discovered—again with ties to the spliced-cross.
• “This guy on the beach is the third one.” (Pat Novak, 22:14)

8. A Sanitarium Showdown [24:16–27:02]

• Novak traces the spliced-cross insignia to Bellcrest Sanitarium and uncovers the involvement of Dr. Emil Schoenig, a psychiatrist.
• Novak is drugged, but learns from Sydney that the stakes revolve around critical government documents.

9. The Final Confrontation & Truth About John St. John [27:02–28:18]

• Sydney Bronson outsmarts Dr. Schoenig by poisoning his drink. As she dies, she confesses:
  • “I'll tell you about John St. John.” (Sydney Bronson, 27:20)
  • Novak realizes John St. John was never a person, but the code name for an espionage ring trading in stolen government secrets.
  • “John St John was the name of an organization buying and selling government information.” (Pat Novak, 28:18)

10. Case Close & Noir Reflection [28:18–30:01]

• The letter is recovered, containing top-secret plans.
• The case exposed a conspiracy, multiple double-crosses, and left only Novak standing, reflecting on the fate of murderers: “Either he goes too far or he doesn't go far enough.” (Pat Novak, 29:53)

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |------------|-------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:43–02:48| A dying man’s request | Novak encounters the old man and receives the envelopes. | | 04:46–06:57| With Jocko at the bar | Novak solicits Jocko’s help, reveals case details. | | 07:35–10:29| The femme fatale & attack | Novak meets Lee Norton, is attacked and nearly killed. | | 13:33–13:56| Hellman confrontation | Police arrive and tension mounts around the murder. | | 16:29–20:20| Nova/Sydney Bronson standoff | Novak’s showdown with Sydney; envelope goes missing. | | 20:52–22:21| Dead body at Seal Rock | Discovery of Walter Avery’s corpse and further clues. | | 24:16–27:02| Sanitarium revelation | Novak and Sydney face off with Dr. Schoenig, the truth emerges amid more deaths. | | 28:18–30:01| Resolution & wrap-up | Novak explains the real identity of "John St. John." |

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Doing Business Down the Waterfront:
  • “You rob Peter to pay Paul and then you put it on the cup...” (Pat Novak, 00:43)
• Novak's sardonic view of trouble:
  • “Because sooner or later you draw trouble a size too big.” (Pat Novak, 00:59)
• Jocko Madigan's wit:
  • “You have no more self control than a bucket of mercury dumped on a marble staircase.” (Jocko Madigan, 05:04)
• Femme Fatale’s Entrance:
  • “Won't you come into my cobweb?” (Lee Norton, 07:41)
  • “Mr. Novak, I'll bet you're awfully slow when it comes to throwing somebody out in the hall.” (Sydney Bronson, 16:51)
• The truth on John St. John:
  • “John St. John was the name of an organization buying and selling government information.” (Pat Novak, 28:18)
• Noir wisdom:
  • “It's always that way with a guy who commits murder. Either he goes too far or he doesn't go far enough.” (Pat Novak, 29:53)

---

Tone & Original Style

The episode delivers classic noir with witty repartee, cynical insight, and relentless pacing. The dialogue is quick, sharp, and laced with wisecracks, rough poetry, and the unmistakable world-weariness of postwar detective fiction. Novak’s narration is sardonic and atmospheric, with a style that’s more hard-boiled than scrambled eggs.

---

Summary for New Listeners

Even without listening, this summary reveals the episode’s twisting plot: a seemingly straightforward courier job spins into an international espionage tangle, filled with unexpected deaths, lurking femmes fatale, deadly rivalries, and double-crosses at every turn. Every character is playing their own deadly game, and in true noir style, the case is only solved when almost everyone is dead and the last layer of deceit is finally peeled back.

If you love moody mysteries packed with crackling dialogue, high-stakes intrigue, and a protagonist who’s equal parts tough and tragic, “Pat Novak for Hire: Give Envelope to John St John” delivers a classic Golden Age detective yarn.

Transcript

[Apollo Announcer]

Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings? Meet Apollo, the go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busy work, finding leads, drafting emails and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today. Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook.

[Pat Novak]

Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank.

[Apollo Announcer]

You for [e-mail].

[Pat Novak]

Pat Novak or higher. Sure, I'm pat novak for hire. That's what the sign out in front of my office says. Pat Novak for Hire. Down on the waterfront in San Francisco, you don't get prizes for being subtle. You want to make a living down here, you gotta get your hand in the till any way you can. You rob Peter to pay Paul and then you put it on the cup. Oh, I rent boats and tell a few white lies if the price is right, it's a happy life. If you don't mind looking up at a headstone. Because sooner or later you draw trouble a size too big. I found that out Tuesday night. It was raining and the street was as deserted as a warm bottle of beer. Must have been about 11 o' clock when I came out of the office and started down the waterfront. As I got near the corner, I stopped. An old man stepped out of the darkness and started across the street. It was a short trip because a car started up down the street and the old man couldn't have made it with a pocket full of aces. I started over to him. The car sl I slowed down for a minute and then turned the corner and disappeared as it passed under the street light, I caught a glimpse of the license plate in a dull, surprised way, the way you'd grab a feather out of an angel's wing. I bent over the old man and rolled him on his back. He didn't seem to be in pain. He was just an old man with a frightened look of a small boy in a storm who was breathing hard as I cushioned his head. Please help me. Can you please help me? That's a big order, mister.

[Inspector Hellman]

Oh, I must talk to you.

[Pat Novak]

Well, if you've got any good quartz, you better get them off your chest fast.

[Inspector Hellman]

My pocket.

[Pat Novak]

Inside my pocket. You please put your hand.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah.

[Pat Novak]

In here? Yeah, sure. Two envelopes. What about them?

[Inspector Hellman]

One is money for You.

[Jocko Madigan]

You have the other one?

[Pat Novak]

So far.

[Inspector Hellman]

The other one. Please keep sealed and you will give.

[Jocko Madigan]

It to John St. John.

[Pat Novak]

John St. John?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah.

[Pat Novak]

Where does he live? Oh, you don't understand.

[Jocko Madigan]

It's not.

[Inspector Hellman]

I. I want to tell you.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You don't understand.

[Pat Novak]

He was right on that one. I didn't understand a thing except he slipped out of my arms and stopped paying taxes. I dragged him over the side and I went through his stuff. There was nothing there. No identification. Just a card with an address out on Haight Street. I opened the envelope and $300 tumbled into my breast pocket. The other one was sealed. There was no name on it. But up in the corner there was some kind of marking. It looked like two crosses spliced together. There wasn't anything I could do for him except pray. And I owe some back dues. So I went back to my office and called police headquarters. I told him where the old man was and then I checked in the phone book. There was no John St. John listed. Well, it wasn't going to be easy to find him. And I only had two leads. That license number and the address on Haight Street. So I looked up the only honest guy I know. An ex doctor and a boozer by the name of Jocko Madigan. A good guy, but to him, a hangover is the price of being sober. I finally found him singing in a Mason street bar. Jocko, I want to talk to you.

[Jocko Madigan]

Ah, Patsy, just in time for the counterpoint. I'm singing a song, a little sentimental thing from my childhood.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, well, it'll keep. I got a problem.

[Jocko Madigan]

You'll always have a problem, Patsy, because you can't keep out of trouble. You know that, don't you? You have no self control.

[Pat Novak]

All right, Jocko?

[Jocko Madigan]

You have no more self control than a bucket of mercury dumped on a marble staircase.

[Pat Novak]

All right, now, shall we check the bright talk? I just saw a guy get killed.

[Jocko Madigan]

Oh, you. You are like some violent disorder in nature. Some large but unprofitable storm. You keep whirling in circles, Patsy. If you ever go more than 10ft in one direction, it's because some woman is 9ft away. Then it begins all over again.

[Pat Novak]

Are you all through?

[Jocko Madigan]

Yes. Get to the point. That's another of your troubles. You never get to the point.

[Pat Novak]

I just saw a guy killed 10 minutes ago.

[Jocko Madigan]

How would that interest me? Are you selling an eyewitness account?

[Pat Novak]

Some old guy got killed down on the Embarcadero. He checked out 15ft away from him.

[Jocko Madigan]

Who killed him?

[Pat Novak]

I don't know.

[Jocko Madigan]

Why do you care? Professional jealousy.

[Pat Novak]

Some car came out of nowhere and clipped him.

[Jocko Madigan]

You sure it wasn't an accident?

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, just like the Berlin blockade. Will you stop kneeling me? Jocko, I told you a guy got killed. He was murdered right in front of me. I gotta find a guy called John St. John.

[Jocko Madigan]

How? St. John.

[Pat Novak]

John St. John. I don't feel like vaudeville tonight, Jocko. The old man gave me 300 to deliver a letter and I made him a promise.

[Jocko Madigan]

Well, you can break it now with only the slightest risk.

[Pat Novak]

I got the license number of the car. I want you to hop down and look it up. And then check at headquarters to see if the guy's got a record, will you?

[Jocko Madigan]

I don't like policemen. They depress me.

[Pat Novak]

Check it. I gotta go out to Haight Street. What kind of neighborhood is it out there?

[Jocko Madigan]

Well, it's not exactly a neighborhood. It's. It's more like an architectural afterthought. A lingering defense against the early California bear.

[Pat Novak]

All right, all right, no speeches. Just check on that license plate, huh? Now, if I'm not at my place, try this address.

[Jocko Madigan]

Yes, that's always very interesting at this time of night. Good night, lover.

[Pat Novak]

Jocko was right about the neighborhood when I left him. I doubled by my place and left the envelope. I put it inside another envelope and stashed it behind some books. And then I headed out to looked up John St. John. Oh, it must have been about midnight when I got there. And it was the kind of a neighborhood where a For rent sign reads like a ransom note. I found the place, though. It was an old rooming house, a third floor apartment. I knocked at the door and when she opened it, I knew it was time to wire home for money. A tall blonde blister with lots of Fahrenheit. She stood there leaning against the door, smiling and looking at you as if you had gold plated muscles. It gave you a weak feeling where your dinner ought to be. And her voice came right out of the oven.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Well, you're out kind of late.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, I'm looking for a guy named John St. John.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Oh, won't you come into my cobweb?

[Pat Novak]

Sure. For a spider, you're nice and chubby.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

The spider man. My name's Lee Norton. You want to write it down?

[Pat Novak]

I'm Pat Novak. I'm looking for a guy named John St. John.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You seem to be running a temperature on the subject. Sit down.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, the couch will do.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'll bet you carry rainy nights in your pocket.

[Pat Novak]

All right, now let's get out of the woods, Angel. I'm looking for a guy I know.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You're wearing out the pad. I don't know a John St. John.

[Pat Novak]

A dead man was carrying around your address.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

He was? That seems rather futile.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, an old guy about 60. He got killed crossing the street.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

He should have had a boy Scout then. I don't know anything about him. Mr. Novak. Despite occasional temptations, I don't collect 60 year old men.

[Pat Novak]

Well, he was looking around your address. Why?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I don't know. Maybe he admired me from afar. Like a sunset or something.

[Pat Novak]

No, he stopped admiring sunsets about 20 years ago.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I see. What are you, the avenging angel?

[Pat Novak]

He gave me a sealed envelope.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

And you were supposed to give it to a man named John St. John.

[Pat Novak]

That's right. He gave me 300 bucks to ease the pain.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I forget that. You don't look like the charitable type.

[Pat Novak]

He was a nice old guy. So I'm gonna find his boy.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Maybe I could help you.

[Pat Novak]

You got a clear fast track. Let's see you go.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Well, I told you I don't know John St. John. But I'll do this much.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, I know you're gonna be big hearted and offer to take that letter. Just in case you ever meet someone named John St. John.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You brought along your crystal ball.

[Pat Novak]

Your hand's shaking, baby.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Maybe it's the wing. You better hold it.

[Pat Novak]

You need a handrail, friend.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah. What are your plans?

[Pat Novak]

I'm open minded about it.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You're a nice spider man.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. The wind's getting a little worse, isn't it?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah. Wish you'd act a little more surprised, though.

[Pat Novak]

I'm not. When I walked in, I could see you had both arms broken. Did you pay the rent this month?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Keep the kettle on. I'll only be a moment.

[Inspector Hellman]

Hello, Lee. If we're early, just give us a magazine.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

No. Come on in. Well, just enough for some bridge.

[Pat Novak]

You're right. You're only gone for a moment. Who are your friends when I don't soak? Did they lock the manhole before they left home?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

His name's Novak.

[Inspector Hellman]

Yeah, that's a pretty name. It don't rhyme with anything, but it's pretty. A Joe.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, it's all right. Let's have the letter.

[Inspector Hellman]

Novak.

[Pat Novak]

You got hold of a bad rumor fella.

[Inspector Hellman]

The one I got scored.

[Pat Novak]

Let's have it. I don't want to strain your mind, junior, but try to understand. I don't have a letter.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Ask him again.

[Pat Novak]

Go on home, mister. You're not going to get anything out of me. Except a small tip. Now, if you're a good boy, I'll give you a nickel for your friend too.

[Inspector Hellman]

All right, Joe, hold him up. Yeah, just too many. He's got a head of head.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Hold him up. All right, Mike, that's enough. That's enough.

[Inspector Hellman]

All right, baby. Don't look so sorry you can't have everything.

[Pat Novak]

It's easy to sleep if you got the right friends. When those two gonifs were through, I hit the floor and made Rip Van Winkle look like an insomnia victim. I didn't like the floor, but it was in better shape than my face. I don't know how long I was there, but it must have been a couple of hours. I rolled over once and tried to get up, but it was like trying to barbecue a cake of ice. There was a sick, sweet smell in the room. I tried to place it, but my nose was out on strike. So I went to sleep again. The next thing I knew, it sounded like New Year's Eve. Here you go, Patchy.

[Jocko Madigan]

Up on the couch.

[Pat Novak]

What's the matter?

[Jocko Madigan]

Nothing, if you're a kitchen stove. The room's full of gas. Oh, you ought to open the window if you're going to turn on the gas.

[Pat Novak]

Some of my playmates, I guess.

[Jocko Madigan]

Well, you. You weren't at the apartment, so I tried here.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah? What time is it?

[Jocko Madigan]

2 o'. Clock. Who got the quaint idea of the gas chamber?

[Pat Novak]

The girlfriend. It was love at first sight.

[Jocko Madigan]

I see. Let's go home to bed.

[Pat Novak]

I'm getting used to floors. That old man started a ball game. Jocko. When I mentioned John St. John to this girl, she turned banker and brought in the gunsels.

[Jocko Madigan]

Did she get the letter?

[Pat Novak]

I left it at home.

[Jocko Madigan]

You're getting smart.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. $300 worth. They lifted my dough.

[Jocko Madigan]

You couldn't have used it where you were going.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah.

[Jocko Madigan]

I've checked on that hit and run car. It's listed under the name of Sidney Bronson.

[Pat Novak]

Has he got a record? No. Everybody's a beginner. Well, let's go home.

[Jocko Madigan]

Oh, it'll be dull but you'll get used to it. Wait till I wash my hands.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Jocko Madigan]

Patsy.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah?

[Jocko Madigan]

What did your girlfriend look like? Was she the lively type?

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, why? What's the matter?

[Jocko Madigan]

Because she's not anymore.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. Those gunsels play rough.

[Jocko Madigan]

She's kind of pretty. What did she do besides sending out vibrations?

[Pat Novak]

I don't know, but she knew all about John St. John. She picked up the bait like a hungry bass. Also, look at that ring.

[Jocko Madigan]

How'd you get around to that?

[Pat Novak]

The insignia on it. The same one that's on that envelope. Spliced crosses.

[Jocko Madigan]

Let's go home, Patsy. The police will be here.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, even Hellman will know she's dead. Come on. We better go.

[Apollo Announcer]

Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings? Meet Apollo. The go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busywork. Finding leads, drafting emails, and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today.

[Pat Novak]

On your way out the door, Gio, try it sideways because I think it's blocked.

[Inspector Hellman]

Hello, Novak. You look pale.

[Pat Novak]

It's my color scheme. What do you care, Hellman?

[Inspector Hellman]

None. She looks peaceful.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. Be quiet or you'll wake her up.

[Inspector Hellman]

I'll tiptoe. You always cut her throat before she goes to sleep. Who is she, Novak?

[Pat Novak]

I don't know.

[Inspector Hellman]

It's awful cozy here for a bunch of perfect strangers.

[Pat Novak]

I don't know every dead girl in town, Hellman. You'll have to check.

[Inspector Hellman]

You can still write, can't you, Novak? That's all you'll need down at headquarters. Come on.

[Pat Novak]

Oh, get out of the haze, Hellman. You don't know who's dead yet, but you're gonna book somebody. Yeah.

[Inspector Hellman]

What are you doing up here, appraising the joint?

[Pat Novak]

I came up to find a guy named John St. John.

[Inspector Hellman]

She doesn't look like a guy named John St. John.

[Pat Novak]

She was my lead. I came up here to smell out a rat. She had a half nelson on me when two gunsels walked in.

[Jocko Madigan]

They came up to fix the gas meter, I think.

[Inspector Hellman]

You stay out of this.

[Jocko Madigan]

I'll make every effort.

[Pat Novak]

Now, if you're smart, you'll fingerprint this place. Hellman, these boys were cute. They've been in somebody's jail.

[Inspector Hellman]

I'll handle my job.

[Pat Novak]

You stick to murder, you'll go a long way to pin this on me, Hellman.

[Inspector Hellman]

I can go a long way, Novak.

[Pat Novak]

Not with what you got to drag.

[Inspector Hellman]

We get a call in the middle of the night, come up here and find you standing over a dead girl.

[Pat Novak]

That's right.

[Inspector Hellman]

And you want me to sprinkle powder all over. Back up and take a better look, Novak.

[Pat Novak]

Oh, the view's fine, Hellman. And if you'll take a good look, you'll know why. You haven't got anything to give the DA except a slim lead and a fake fat hand. You're gonna need help.

[Inspector Hellman]

Not on this one.

[Pat Novak]

You need help to find the street. Come on back to center, Hellman. Even with both hands, you couldn't.

[Jocko Madigan]

Yeah.

[Pat Novak]

Forget it.

[Inspector Hellman]

So take the medicine like a good boy. I'm not gonna walk out and let the two of you tour the town. I'm gonna book one or both of you on a murder charge.

[Pat Novak]

All right, book Jocko here, then.

[Jocko Madigan]

I love you in a generous mood.

[Pat Novak]

You got a string then, Hillman? Somebody's got to find John St. John.

[Jocko Madigan]

Who's going to find Jocko?

[Pat Novak]

Oh, stop worrying. I'll bail you out.

[Inspector Hellman]

You haven't got the right size heart, Novak. You'll let him die on the vine.

[Jocko Madigan]

Hellman, sometimes you're guilty of unexpected wisdom. I know it's reflex action, but it's consoling anyway.

[Inspector Hellman]

I want you, Novak. I want your bad. I'll take this guy as a down payment, but I'm going to close out with you. Remember that.

[Pat Novak]

I will.

[Inspector Hellman]

All right. Come on, mister.

[Jocko Madigan]

Wait a minute, Patsy. You're not going to let him lug me off like this.

[Pat Novak]

What else can I do? The guy likes you. It was a bum curve to throw Jocko but somebody had to dig us out of a hole. Jocko wasn't the boy. You can't shovel dirt with a bar rag. I had no idea where to start. There were two murders and they were both tied up with this John St. John. He didn't look like a good guy to know. Then there was that insignia, too. The one on the letter and the one on the girl's ring. Sure, it could be a coincidence, but that's what they said about Bluebeard. The only thing I could do was open that letter. So I went back to the apartment. I didn't have to turn on the light. They were running in pairs tonight. She was sitting there on the couch proud of a pair of long silk legs and smiling like a guy who knows he's got a million bucks in the bank. She was blonde, too. A little more lemon juice, maybe, but blonde. Anyway, she was nice and comfortable and I got the idea she just signed a lease.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Good evening. How do you do?

[Pat Novak]

Not very well so far.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

A sly remark, Mr. Novak?

[Pat Novak]

No, I'm just bringing you up to date. Your girlfriend's dead.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yes.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, the gas jets out in the kitchen.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

It is. I think that's supposed to be mysterious.

[Pat Novak]

You clear it up, then. Find a name for yourself and a reason why you picked out my furniture.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Oh. Do you mind my being here?

[Pat Novak]

I just want to know your name before I throw you out in the hall.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Mr. Novak, I'll bet you're awfully slow when it comes to throwing somebody out in the hall.

[Pat Novak]

Not if they can bounce as well as I figure you can.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

When you do throw me out, throw the letter out, too.

[Pat Novak]

All right, Now, I've already had a dress rehearsal. The answer is no.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

At least I know where you stand. By the way, why are you standing? Please sit down.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. Who's John St. John?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Don't be redundant, mister.

[Pat Novak]

Who is he? If you want that letter, you know him.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Don't shout. I'd like you better if you.

[Pat Novak]

I don't need your vote. Who's John St. John?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I don't know him.

[Pat Novak]

You want that letter because you collect stamps.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I want it. And you'll have to take my word. I don't know John St. John. Is he worth breaking your heart over?

[Pat Novak]

Look, there's a good guy down in the clink sweating on a murder rap for me. So I want John St. John.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You've got nice friends.

[Pat Novak]

Who's Sidney Bronson?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

How does that fit into the picture?

[Pat Novak]

This started with a waterfront corpse. The leftovers belong to an old guy that was hit by a car. The car is registered in the name of Sydney Bronson.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Mr. Novak, you seem so intense. It's a pity to waste it on random speculation.

[Pat Novak]

Now, look, I told you, lady, I got a friend in the jug.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Loyalty is a nice trait.

[Bushnell Golf Announcer]

Great shots start with confidence. Bushnell Golf delivers the most accurate distances available, so you never second guess the number. From GPS devices to laser rangefinders, every product is built for precision, ease of use and reliability anywhere you play. It's innovation trusted by the PGA Tour and backed by decades of leadership in golf technology. Play with certainty. Bushnell Golf. Trust the number. Visit bushnell golf.com One of your nicest.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah, you're a pretty thing, Patsy.

[Pat Novak]

Let's don't get fooled by the rapper.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'll take a chance.

[Pat Novak]

Anybody ever brief you on trouble?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You're hard to see that far away. Come on over into focus, Betsy. Yeah, you're pretty, Betsy.

[Pat Novak]

You look like you want a bill of sale.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'm a gentle kind, Novak. I just like to break your ribs.

[Pat Novak]

Go ahead. I can get a brace.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Come here.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. What's on your mind?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

What you're gonna say when you find out about this gun, huh? That's right, sweetheart. My finger isn't hollow. Back up and take a look at the gun.

[Pat Novak]

You got to that purse huh?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

That's right.

[Pat Novak]

You've ruined my confidence.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'll give you a testimonial. In the meantime, I want the letter.

[Pat Novak]

You go after everything the same way.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I want the letter.

[Pat Novak]

It's in the desk. Come on. Right here in the top drawer. All right, go.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Stay away from.

[Pat Novak]

I'm already here, lady. All right, now come on. Drop the gun at this.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Let go of my arms.

[Pat Novak]

Now that's your version.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Let go of me.

[Inspector Hellman]

Let go of me.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

What was that for?

[Pat Novak]

A little something on the house. Now beat it.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Well, you've ruined my confidence.

[Pat Novak]

You're lucky. Go on home.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You won't change your mind about that letter?

[Pat Novak]

No.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Suit yourself. I'll be going. Patsy.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I can't help you on John St. John, but I wouldn't worry about that fellow Sydney Bronson. Why? Because I'm Sydney Bronson. See you soon, Patsy.

[Pat Novak]

I'll let that one sink in for a but it got about as far as my brain and ran out of gas. She wasn't driving that murder car, otherwise she wouldn't get that talkie. Began to look like a big, fat, well fed double cross. And John St. John was holding up his end. I had to find out what was in that letter, so I made tracks for the bookcase. All I could do was browse because the letter was gone. Whoever took it didn't even leave a tip. I thought of the girl, but that didn't make sense. And I thought of John St. John. That made lots of sense. Things didn't look rosy for me or Jocko. I was about to buy a file and bake a cake when the phone rang.

[Jocko Madigan]

Yeah?

[Inspector Hellman]

Hello? Novak?

[Pat Novak]

No, Hellman.

[Inspector Hellman]

The coroner got a report on that dead girl. She died at 12:30.

[Pat Novak]

That's pretty close. What's he got? A stopwatch.

[Inspector Hellman]

15 minutes either way. Those fingerprints panned out, too. Yeah, Couple of LA strongarm men.

[Pat Novak]

That's new for la. You got a call out.

[Inspector Hellman]

We already picked them up. Your favorites named welcome Danglers.

[Pat Novak]

I could make a joke.

[Inspector Hellman]

I already got one. They're set up with a perfect alibi for 12:30.

[Pat Novak]

That means I killed a girl.

[Inspector Hellman]

Nobody's arguing. I got some more news.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah?

[Inspector Hellman]

I'm out at Seal Rock.

[Pat Novak]

You got the figure for it?

[Inspector Hellman]

We just found an envelope floating around the water. It's one of yours. You better come on out.

[Pat Novak]

You found an envelope. So what?

[Inspector Hellman]

So the envelope turns out to be in some guy's pocket. Come on out.

[Pat Novak]

Well, that only meant one thing. Whoever took that envelope out of my place got popular. It was Getting late. So I grabbed a cabin, rode out to the beach. When I got there, Hellman was standing down near the water. He had Jocko with him. The surf was rolling in and Jocko wasn't much better.

[Jocko Madigan]

Hello, Patchy.

[Pat Novak]

Hiya, Jocko. How's jail?

[Jocko Madigan]

Dry.

[Inspector Hellman]

Thanks for coming, Novak. You're sweet.

[Pat Novak]

Where's the envelope? Here. Yeah, it's the same one and makes you look good. There was a letter in here. Did you take that with the guy's money?

[Inspector Hellman]

Hellman, you got all there is.

[Pat Novak]

This guy on the beach is the third one.

[Jocko Madigan]

It's my opinion the case will solve itself. We're running out of people.

[Pat Novak]

Who is the guy?

[Inspector Hellman]

His name's Walter Avery. Here's his stuff.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah? What's left? Well, this spliced cross really gets around. It keeps bobbing up. Here it is on the guy's fountain pen.

[Inspector Hellman]

I'm gonna run this guy through the morgue. And then I'm gonna look you up, Novak.

[Pat Novak]

Yeah, sure.

[Inspector Hellman]

We want you down with us.

[Jocko Madigan]

That's right, Patchy. I'll introduce you to all the best people. Good night, lover.

[Pat Novak]

Well, it was close to five, so I tagged by my place for some sleep. I tossed around like a fish on the living room rug. Hellman called about nine to throw more dust in my eyes. He said one of the airlines had a passenger to Portland named Walter Avery. Just to make it tough. The Guy made the 12 o' clock plane and got off at Portland. Well, I had left field all to myself. I got dressed and looked up Sidney Bronson's number. There was no answer, so I went over. The place was locked and I looked up the janitor. He wasn't going to let me in. But it turned out his wife had a birthday coming up. Sydney's apartment was real high powered. I don't know where she got the dough. But I knew I wasn't going to find a tin cup and pencils. What I found was lots better. A card with that same insignia, the spliced cross. The card said Bellcrest Sanitarium. And down in the corner there was a guy's name. Dr. Emil Schoenig, psychiatrist, Vienna. Without the walls. The Bellcrest Sanitarium was down near San Carlos. So I borrowed a new Nash from a guy I know and headed down that way. Everything was fine until I got in the front door. They didn't even let me, Reg. I woke up on a couch in Shoenig's office. It was dark outside and my left arm was throbbing like a love story in a woman's magazine. The radiator sitting next to me was Sydney.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

You're a deep sleeper.

[Pat Novak]

I think I got some help. What happened to my arm?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Hypodermic. You only need one arm.

[Pat Novak]

Anyway, in your case, I need a spare. Who did it?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Dr. Schoenig.

[Pat Novak]

He's a darling boy. Where is he?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Out on the phone, trying to figure out what to do with you.

[Pat Novak]

What's that make me? A patient?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

That's one way of putting it. You made things easy. We were coming to you for the letter.

[Pat Novak]

You want to try that over again?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

We were on our way when you stumbled in.

[Pat Novak]

You're wrong, Sid. Somebody's giving you a fast pitch. That letter was gone when you were up at my place.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I don't want a bum rib, Patsy. I want that letter.

[Pat Novak]

You're trailing a field angel. I told you, the letter's gone. A guy by the name of Walter Avery took it out of my place.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Walter Avery?

[Pat Novak]

That's right. And somebody thanked him. They found him this morning making like a dead seal.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Walter Avery left for Portland last night.

[Pat Novak]

A plant. Sweetheart, you better read up on your friends.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah. Thanks, Patsy.

[Inspector Hellman]

I told you the watching Sid. You had more shots.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

What's the difference?

[Inspector Hellman]

None, I suppose. Why don't you mix this a drink while I talk to Mr. Novak?

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'll be right with you.

[Inspector Hellman]

Well, Mr. Novak, you're one of my best patients.

[Pat Novak]

That's because I like your needles. You better go easy on that drink. Yes. Why? You'll get drunk and run somebody down the way you did that guy on the waterfront.

[Inspector Hellman]

Oh, a good guess. You should be proud. That's a good, sensible, final emotion.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Here's your drink, Emil.

[Inspector Hellman]

Thank you, my dear. Here's to Mr. Novak. Sorry there's no drink for you, Mr. Novak.

[Pat Novak]

You probably will. Me, huh? Forget it, Emil.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I talked to Mr. Novak before you came in. He thinks you're a heel.

[Apollo Announcer]

He does?

[Inspector Hellman]

So do I. I can stand it.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

He told me about Walter Avery.

[Inspector Hellman]

I'm sorry about that.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Walter got that letter. You killed him and took it. I was supposed to blunder around till you got rid of me too. That's a bum joke, Emil.

[Inspector Hellman]

You're getting hysterical with laughter.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Emil, you put one of your boys on that plane. Only Novak aired the wash too fast.

[Inspector Hellman]

Suppose I did. Somebody ought to bring you up to date, Sydney. You've been hanging on too long. The free ride's over. Might as well tell you now. You're all through. I can't. A whole bunch along and I'm all through.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Steady, Emil.

[Inspector Hellman]

What's the matter with Me? What's the matter with me, Sid.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Give him a hand, Novak. He just had a bad drink.

[Inspector Hellman]

You wouldn't do that, Sid.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'm full of surprises. You got a stomach full of poison. You got a stomach full of poison in 15 seconds. Amel. Put down that gun, Emil.

[Inspector Hellman]

I want you too, Sid.

[Pat Novak]

Please.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Emil, put down the gun.

[Pat Novak]

I will tell his personal.

[Inspector Hellman]

This happened kind of fast. Fallen over.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Lots of noise, huh, Patsy?

[Pat Novak]

Yeah. I'll get you a pillow.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

I'd rather have your lap.

[Pat Novak]

You get mercy, not love, baby.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Thanks for small favors. How do I look?

[Pat Novak]

Not so good. That was the three and two pitch.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yeah, I had it coming up. I'll tell you about John St. John.

[Pat Novak]

I know there was no such guy.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

That's right. It was the name of the group.

[Pat Novak]

Those spliced crosses.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Yes, I had a little late, but it's always that way. That's the way I found out about you. Yeah? Had a funny hunch about you and me. I found out a little late, but I know now, Patsy. Does that help?

[Pat Novak]

John St John was the name of an organization buying and selling government information. That old man tried to tell me, but he checked out too fast. I began to figure something like that when those spliced crosses started showing up. Shoney killed the old man in Sydney's car. He couldn't stop because I was around. The two girls and Walter Avery were both in on the deal. Schoenig knew who I was when he saw me go into my office. He tailed me to my place and left Avery there to look for the letter. He killed that girl up in the rooming house and then he found out she didn't have the letter. When Avery showed up, he took it away from him and threw him to the fish. Schoenig was trying to shake Sidney by sending her up to my place. After he had the letter, the scheme went haywire. When I showed up at the sanitarium. He was trying to work himself out of that one when the payoff came. John St. John? Right from the start, Jocko said he was either dead or in the state pen because anybody with a name like John St. John would have killed his parents as soon as he got old enough to find out about it. Worked out all right. They found the letter out at Schonig's place. They were some plans for guided missiles and a few other trifles. Well, Hellman asked only one question. How come Shoney didn't kill me before I could talk to the girl? Well, it's always that way with a guy who commits murder. Either he goes too far or he doesn't go far enough.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

Sam.

[Pat Novak]

The Armed Forces Radio Service has just.

[Inspector Hellman]

Brought you Pat Novak for Hire, starring Jack Webb. Pat Novak is produced by William P. Russo. Jocko Madigan is played by Tudor Owen.

[Pat Novak]

Inspector Hellman is played by Raymond Burr.

[Inspector Hellman]

Music was composed and conducted by Basil Edmond. Be with us again next week when over most of these same stations we'll.

[Pat Novak]

Bring you Hat Novak or Higher. For Hire was previously released by abc.

[Inspector Hellman]

The American Broadcasting Company, for listeners in the United States States and rebroadcast for our men and women overseas. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio Service, the voice of information and education.

[Lee Norton / Sidney Bronson / Emil Schoenig (female and male roles)]

It.

[Apollo Announcer]

Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings? Meet Apollo, the go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busy work finding leads, drafting emails and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today. Tired of juggling sales tools or spending hours on prospecting just to book a few meetings? Meet Apollo, the go to market platform for finding leads, connecting with buyers and closing deals all in one place. Apollo gives you access to over 210 million contacts and AI that handles all your busy work finding leads, drafting emails and even prioritizing your day. So stop paying for five different sales tools when one does it all. Visit Apollo I.O. and sign up free today.

[Bushnell Golf Announcer]

Great Shots Start with Confidence Bushnell Golf delivers the most accurate distances available, so you never second guess the number. From GPS devices to laser rangefinders, every product is built for precision, ease of use and reliability anywhere you play. It's innovation trusted by the PGA Tour and backed by decades of leadership in golf technology. Play with certainty. Bushnell Golf Trust the number visit bushnellgolf.com.