Philo Vance: Blackjack Murder Case 11/30/1948

Summary

Podcast Summary: Choice Classic Radio Detectives

Episode: Philo Vance: The Blackjack Murder Case (11/30/1948)
Date Released: June 13, 2026
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Original Air Date: November 30, 1948
Episode Length: ~28 minutes

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Overview of the Episode

This episode features a classic Philo Vance mystery: "The Blackjack Murder Case." Detective Philo Vance is called in to unravel the suspicious death of a guard, Al Durant, at Ward’s Rest Home, a private sanitarium with questionable practices. With a set of suspects, uneasy alliances, and a single physical clue—a few strands of black hair clutched in the victim’s hand—Vance must sort through deception, false confessions, and a web of greed to identify the real murderer.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Situation at Ward’s Rest Home

(01:08 - 03:18)

• Joan Westcott pleads for her aunt Alice's release, suspecting she’s been institutionalized for financial motives rather than health.
• Mr. Ward (the manager) claims Alice is content, but refuses to release her, hinting at the home’s darker undercurrents.
• Al Durant (head guard) reveals his knowledge of the home’s “racket” and demands a share, threatening the manager.

Joan Westcott (01:25): “She’s a wealthy woman. And her family had her put here so that they could get her money.”

2. The Crime and Early Suspicions

(03:44 - 07:15)

• Durant bullies the vulnerable Alice, while Joan attempts to secretly help her aunt escape.
• Durant is murdered with a blackjack; suspicion falls on both Alice and Joan who were present.
• Alice claims Durant was a cruel man and not sorry for his death, but there’s confusion whether she or Providence is responsible for the murder.

Alice Westcott (06:15): “You mean that Mr. Durant who is supposed to look after me? He's lying outside my door, isn't he? And he's quite dead... He was struck down by Providence, you know.”

3. Philo Vance Called to Investigate

(07:15 - 08:38)

• Vance hears about the murder and is concerned he wasn’t called by District Attorney Markham.
• Joan Westcott herself pleads with Vance not to work on the case, saying that the victim deserved to die.
• Vance, undeterred, commits to investigating.

Joan Westcott (08:10): “Please... don’t. The man who was murdered deserved to die.”

4. Suspect Identification & Forensic Focus

(08:38 - 13:09)

• Sergeant Heath determines the prime suspects based on hair color: Joan, Alice, and guard Bill Williams—all have black hair.
• Lab tests are set to compare the hair found in Durant’s hand to these suspects.
• Vance attempts questioning but is tied up by Ward and Joan in a bid to avoid interrogation; he is rescued soon after.

Bill Williams (09:48): “So all I have to do is take samples of their hair, send them down to the police lab... Whichever checks, that’s our killer.”

5. Confusion and Confessions

(16:16 - 18:01)

• Vance interviews Alice, who confesses to the murder. However, her confession blends fantasy with reality—she claims she “often killed Durant in her sleep.”
• The lab reports surprise everyone: no suspect’s hair matches those in the victim’s hand.

Alice Westcott (17:07): “Yes. But he was mean and very rude to me. He slapped me. I'd rather not be slapped, Mr. Vance.”

6. Breakthrough in the Case

(19:49 - 21:11)

• At the police lab, Vance examines the hair under a microscope and notices gum arabic (a glue) on the tip.
• The doctor clarifies it’s human hair, not from a wig, but Vance realizes something crucial is being missed.

Police Laboratory Doctor (20:35): “Notice, Mr. Vance, at the very tip of the hair on the right, a little unusual substance; that is gum arabic, generally used as a glue.”

7. Vance Solves the Mystery

(21:30 - 25:03)

• Vance confronts Mr. Ward, suggesting Durant was blackmailing Ward and was murdered to keep him silent.
• Ward’s evidence: his outward appearance is that of an old man with snow-white hair.
• However, Vance suspects a toupee. He instructs Sergeant Heath to remove it, revealing Ward's true black hair—linking the forensic clue and proving Ward is the killer.

Philo Vance (24:41): “I think Mr. Ward's hair, what's left of his own hair, is black. Take that toupee off his head, Heath.”

Bill Williams (24:48): “Vance, it came off in my hand. It is a wig.”

8. Case Closed & Aftermath

(25:31 - 26:31)

• Vance explains the glue/gum arabic from Ward’s toupee transferred to his remaining hair, which ended up in Durant’s hand during the fatal struggle.
• The home’s racket is exposed, Alice and Joan are innocent, and Ward is arrested.

Philo Vance (25:53): “I was sure then that Ward wore a toupee. And I reasoned that Durant must have come into his bedroom when he was preparing for bed, at which time he'd have taken off the toupee… That's how Durant got some of Ward's real hair in his hand.”

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• Joan Westcott expresses her resolve:
  “I'm going to see to it that she does get out. I promised that to Aunt Alice. And what's just as important, I promised that to myself.” — [02:17]
• Alice’s innocent defiance:
  “Well, you mustn't hit me like that. I'm an old woman and I've done nothing to you.” — [04:11]
• Vance’s deduction on motive:
  “The one thing missing from this case so far was a motive. I believe I have that now.” — [22:56]
• Ward’s exposure:
  “Vance says that's a toupee. Now get your hands down or I won't touch you. I'll scare.” — [24:47]
• Vance’s final lesson:
  “Like all rackets, eventually it backfired.” — [26:18]

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Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening confrontation about Alice’s confinement: 01:08 – 03:18
• Murder and first suspicions: 03:44 – 07:15
• Joan pleads with Vance: 07:55 – 08:18
• Hair evidence testing: 09:15 – 13:03
• Alice's strange confession: 16:16 – 18:01
• Lab analysis and clue revelation: 19:49 – 21:11
• Ward unmasked as the murderer: 24:41 – 25:00
• Vance’s explanation and resolution: 25:31 – 26:31

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Summary & Takeaways

• The murder mystery centers around greed and abuse in an institution masquerading as a rest home, with patients confined for their wealth.
• The clue that solved the case was physical—forensic evidence (strands of hair with glue)—combined with sharp psychological deduction.
• Philo Vance’s logical and unflappable style disarms lies and exposes Ward, whose criminality was hidden quite literally under a fake exterior.

For fans of classic detective radio, this episode provides a prime example of psychological manipulation, forensic reasoning, and the moral clarity of Golden Age sleuths.

Transcript

[Shannon Maldonado]

My name is Shannon Maldonado. I'm the founder of Yaoi, a gift shop. From the lens of artists and handmade objects, I chose Shopify because when I was testing other platforms, it was definitely one of the most user friendly. It was important to me to think about where we would be in the future. All of the tools for reading your sales, like planning inventory, they're just right there on your dashboard. For anyone starting a small business, the biggest thing I can tell you is it doesn't have to be perfect. Shopify can help you build upon it. Start your free trial on shopify.com.

[Philo Vance]

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].

[Mr. Ward]

I'm sorry, Ms. Westcott, what you ask is impossible. I cannot release your aunt.

[Joan Westcott]

But there's nothing wrong with her. There's no reason for her to be locked up in your. Whatever you call this place.

[Mr. Ward]

It's a rest home, Ms. Westcott. The finest in the East. Our patients have every comfort, every care.

[Joan Westcott]

Maybe. And if they're ill, maybe that's what they need. But not my aunt. There's nothing wrong with her. She's a wealthy woman. And her family had her put here so that they could get her money.

[Mr. Ward]

I'm sorry. That may be so. But your aunt has never said she was unhappy here, never asked to be released. Apparently, she's quite content. The only person making trouble, as far as I can see, is you. Oh, excuse me. Yes. Yes, I'll see him. Send him right in. I'm sorry, Ms. Westcott. I'll have to ask you to leave. To leave this building and these grounds. I have an appointment with my chief assistant.

[Joan Westcott]

With your chief guard, you mean. I've seen the way he treats Aunt Alice, Mr. Ward, believe me, I'm going to do something about this place. And about you.

[Al Durant]

You got company. I see.

[Mr. Ward]

Ms. Westcott was just leaving. Good day, my dear. We'll keep you informed as to your aunt's condition.

[Joan Westcott]

There'll be an improvement in that condition with her out of here. And I'm going to see to it that she does get out. I promise you that. I promised that to Aunt Alice. And what's just as important, I promised that to myself.

[Al Durant]

She's really got a beef, ain't she, boss?

[Mr. Ward]

She thinks she has. Durant, I sent for you because there have been complaints about your tactics. You're a little too rough with our. Our guests. Guests?

[Al Durant]

Stop kidding. You know, I've been meaning for you and I to have a talk, Ward, and this is as good a time as any. Oh, you got a good racket here. I want in on it.

[Mr. Ward]

Racket?

[Al Durant]

Don't raise your eyebrows at me.

[Bill Williams]

I work here.

[Al Durant]

That kindly little kisser of yours and your pretty snow white hair don't fool me. This joint's practically a prison for people whose families want him out of the way. You ain't such a nice character as you look, Ward.

[Mr. Ward]

Well, that does call for a little talk between you and me, Al. Shall we say this evening?

[Al Durant]

Look, Mrs. Westcott, I didn't bring your dinner up to your room just to have you sit and look at it. Eat it and hurry up.

[Alice Westcott]

I just don't think I want it right now. I leave, Mr. Durand, I. I just don't care for anything right now. Thank you.

[Al Durant]

You don't, huh? Well, you better. I'm through for the night. As soon as you eat. Now, Mrs. Westcott, I ain't got much patience. Start eating.

[Alice Westcott]

Thank you very much, but I really couldn't have a thing.

[Al Durant]

I said start eating.

[Alice Westcott]

Well, you mustn't hit me like that. I'm an old woman and I've done nothing to you.

[Al Durant]

I'm just starting.

[Bill Williams]

Now, eat.

[Mr. Ward]

Well, what's going on here? Quite a slugger, ain't you, Al? Like any woman. You'll wait, I bet.

[Al Durant]

What's up to you, Bill?

[Mr. Ward]

Nothing. Go ahead and hit her again for all I care.

[Al Durant]

Now, look, Bill, Mrs. Westcott here is on this floor. This is my floor. That's got nothing to do with you. You belong downstairs.

[Bill Williams]

Yeah, sure.

[Mr. Ward]

What I came up to tell you, though, Al, was that I ain't got the dough I borrowed from you.

[Al Durant]

No?

[Mr. Ward]

No. Maybe I'll be able to pay you in a couple of weeks. Maybe.

[Philo Vance]

Maybe? What do you mean, maybe?

[Al Durant]

You'll pay me that dough. Believe me, you'll pay it.

[Alice Westcott]

Please, please, gentlemen. You're giving me a headache with all that arguing. I'd much rather you didn't argue.

[Mr. Ward]

It ain't making Al very happy either. Just to make him just a little bit more unhappy. Take your time about eating. He'll wait. I'm making him wait for his dough. You make him wait, too.

[Al Durant]

Now, look, just because you work here too, Bill, don't give you any license to hold me up for my money or try to run this floor. Maybe I.

[Mr. Ward]

You won't. You ain't got the guts. You wouldn't take a chance at taking a poke at me after All. I ain't an old lady.

[Joan Westcott]

Aunt Alice. Aunt Alice, please wake up. Aunt Alice.

[Alice Westcott]

Joan. Joan, dear, what. What are you doing here at this time of night?

[Joan Westcott]

Let me in, quickly. Of course, Aunt Alice. Get your clothes together. I'm going to get you out of here.

[Alice Westcott]

But why, dear? I have no place to go. My family doesn't want me at home.

[Joan Westcott]

You always have a place to go as long as I have an apartment. Now hurry, please. I've been hiding here in this building till everyone went to sleep. And then I came right here.

[Alice Westcott]

Did you, dear? I wasn't sleeping, you know. I was just lying on the bed and thinking. Just think.

[Joan Westcott]

And Alice, please hurry. Something terrible has happened. But he deserved it. We know he deserved it.

[Alice Westcott]

You mean that Mr. Durant who is supposed to look after me? He's lying outside my door, isn't he? And he's quite dead. You know about that? Oh, yes, and I'm not a bit sorry. Not a bit. He was struck down by Providence, you know.

[Joan Westcott]

No, I don't know. I only hope that's what it was.

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, it was. Of course, sometimes, like in this case, Providence has to have a little outside help. Today's solution of murders lies not so much in the mistake made by a murderer, but in the absence possibility of the investigator to find that mistake. Well, I got that, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

That's good, Ms. Woods. Now, let me see.

[Alice Westcott]

How am I doing since Ms. Deering's been away? Seeing her mother, Mr. Vance. Great, huh?

[Philo Vance]

Adequate. Adequate but refreshing. Ms. Woods.

[Alice Westcott]

Mr. Vance. You seem a little unoccupied. Something on your mind?

[Philo Vance]

No, nothing. That's the reason for my being preoccupied, I imagine. I heard over the radio a little while ago of an unusual murder. And it disturbs me that my friend, the district attorney hasn't called me.

[Alice Westcott]

Who got killed?

[Philo Vance]

The guard at a private sanitarium. I don't understand. Why, Mark. I'll get that myself. Ms. Woods. It's probably Mr. Markham. Hello?

[Joan Westcott]

Mr. Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Yes.

[Joan Westcott]

This is Joan Wescott, Mr. Vance. There's something you must do for me, is there? Yes, yes. I'm calling from the Ward Sanitarium where that guard was murdered. I'm being held here because I tried to get my aunt out last night. Mr. Markham is here and Sergeant Heath. I heard Mr. Markham say that he was going to call you.

[Philo Vance]

And you're calling for him.

[Joan Westcott]

No, no. I want to beg you not to work on this case, Mr. Vance. Please. Please don't. The man who was murdered deserved to die.

[Philo Vance]

I'm afraid that isn't within Your province to judge. Ms. Westcott, I'm glad you called and told me Markham was there, though it gives me every reason to go up. Goodbye, Ms. Westcott.

[Bill Williams]

You see now why I didn't want you to call Vance. Mr. Markham, how can I miss solving this case myself?

[District Attorney Markham]

I don't know how you can. I just hope you don't. And I did phone Vance Heath, only he wasn't in. Now, let's see. The dead man was killed by a blunt instrument. Blackjack, probably. And in his hand you found three black hair.

[Philo Vance]

Yeah.

[Bill Williams]

Dang. He probably yanked him out of his murderer's head when he was struggling with him. Now, I talk to everybody in this joint that's got any sense. And there are three suspects, and all of them got black hair. First, that Joan Weskett, the young Damon got locked in Mr. Ward's private office there. She's a brunette.

[Mr. Ward]

Hmm.

[District Attorney Markham]

Quite attractive one, I'd say.

[Bill Williams]

It all depends on how old you think she is.

[District Attorney Markham]

On the contrary, it all depends on how old you think you are. Maybe.

[Bill Williams]

Well, my second suspect, anyhow, is her aunt. She's a little touched, I think. She's a patient here and she's old, but her hair is pitch black.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yes, I saw that. And the hair of Bill Williams, the guard you suspect is black, too.

[Bill Williams]

Sure. So all I have to do is take samples of their hair, send them down to the police lab with the samples taken from the dead guy's hand. Whichever checks, that's our killer.

[District Attorney Markham]

Somehow I'm sure that Vance would have another theory.

[Mr. Ward]

Mr. Markham. Mr. Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yes, what is it, Mr. Ward?

[Mr. Ward]

There's a Mr. Philo Vance outside. He says you're expecting him. Or rather, that you should be expecting him.

[District Attorney Markham]

I'll go out. Well, Heath, Vance is here.

[Bill Williams]

Yeah, I know, but am I happy? No. Hey, wait a minute. Sure, I'm happy. Now Vance will have a chance to see how I work. Hey, Mr. Markham. You tell Vance I'm glad he's here. I'm very glad. I'm overjoyed.

[Philo Vance]

Please, he.

[District Attorney Markham]

Don't overdo it.

[Philo Vance]

Thanks, Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

You're welcome.

[Philo Vance]

Just give me a few minutes in Mr. Ward's office with Joan Westgate and that other guard, Mr. Williams, and I'll be satisfied. All right. You know, of course, that the reason you didn't reach me on the phone was because I was on the way up here.

[District Attorney Markham]

Of course, my fault for calling late. Go right in, Vance. I'll wait for you here.

[Philo Vance]

All right.

[District Attorney Markham]

You know, murder in a sanitarium is such a delicate thing. I'M really gratified that you did come.

[Philo Vance]

Right. And thanks again. It's all right. Well, hello, you two.

[Alice Westcott]

Hello.

[Mr. Ward]

Hiya.

[Philo Vance]

My name is Vance.

[Alice Westcott]

Oh.

[Philo Vance]

I have a purely academic question to ask both of you. Ms. Westcott, did you kill Mr. Durant?

[Joan Westcott]

So you came after all, didn't you, Mr. Vance? Even after I begged you not to.

[Philo Vance]

I told you I would. Mr. Williams.

[Mr. Ward]

Don't bother me.

[Philo Vance]

I'm sorry, but I must. Mr. Williams. What's that? Changing of the guard.

[Mr. Ward]

Patients are exercising. We march them around. What about it?

[Philo Vance]

I'd like to see that.

[Mr. Ward]

So look. Yeah, Look, Vance, you can see it very plain from this window.

[Philo Vance]

Well, I'll try. Hmm. That's quite an imposing sight. Does Mr. Ward always lead the patients through those maneuvers?

[Mr. Ward]

No, that's my job. I'll show you where I generally do it from. You see, right about. I've got him.

[Bill Williams]

His waistcoat.

[Mr. Ward]

Clip him. Now grab that towel and cram it in his mouth. Get that towel. Hurry, or I'll take care of you, too.

[Joan Westcott]

Oh, here. Here it is.

[District Attorney Markham]

Good.

[Mr. Ward]

Now, get that roll of wire from the top drawer in Ward's desk and step on it. We'll tie him up good and get out of here.

[Joan Westcott]

I don't want to get out of here. Not this way.

[Mr. Ward]

Do what I tell you. Get that wire. Well, make it quick.

[Joan Westcott]

Okay.

[Mr. Ward]

That's better.

[Joan Westcott]

I don't like doing this.

[Mr. Ward]

Who cares what you like? Do what I tell you so I can get out of here. You want to stay, stay. I'll tie Vance up and then go to work on that window.

[Joan Westcott]

Here. Here's the wire.

[Mr. Ward]

Okay, Vance. Guy just walked in here. Wrong time for him.

[Joan Westcott]

There.

[Mr. Ward]

There. That takes care of his hands. I use my handkerchief to make sure that towel stays in his mouth. Tie it good and tight.

[Joan Westcott]

All right, but I.

[Mr. Ward]

Hurry up and shut up. Feet. There. One more turn to make sure. That does it. Well, you coming with me?

[Joan Westcott]

No.

[Mr. Ward]

Well, then, so long, sister. I'm getting.

[Bill Williams]

Now, what's going on in here?

[Mr. Ward]

Sergeant Heath, I guess that's. That seemed like a good idea at the time, though.

[Bill Williams]

Hey, come on in, Markham. Take a look at your friend Vance. All he needs is a spit and he's ready to be barbecued.

[Philo Vance]

Vance, what happened? Just a moment.

[Mr. Ward]

I'll have this.

[Philo Vance]

Look. There you are. Thank you for removing that gag, Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

It's all right.

[Philo Vance]

Please get to work. On my hands?

[Bill Williams]

Of course.

[District Attorney Markham]

What happened here?

[Philo Vance]

Ms. Westcott and Mr. Williams didn't want to be questioned? I imagine so. Mr. Williams knocked me out. Oh, thank you. Markham. I'm all right. Now

[Bill Williams]

I'm gonna show you how all wrong you are, Vance. I'm solving this case myself. You can watch if you like.

[Philo Vance]

I'd like to very much.

[Bill Williams]

Okay. Now, Al Durant, the dead man had three black hairs in his hand when we found the body. So a black haired guy or a gal killed him.

[Philo Vance]

That's entirely reasonable.

[Bill Williams]

Sure it is. Now I'm taking samples of the hair of this black haired gal and this black haired guy. Hold still, you.

[Mr. Ward]

Hey, what are you doing to my head?

[Bill Williams]

Just taking a couple of hairs off it. You won't miss him. Now you miss.

[Joan Westcott]

Don't you dare use that scissors on my head.

[Bill Williams]

Okay, do it yourself. Here.

[Joan Westcott]

Oh, all right. This is all completely ridiculous.

[District Attorney Markham]

Perhaps not, Ms. Westcott. Sergeant Heath is going to have your hair compared down at the police laboratory with the hair found in Alduran's hand.

[Philo Vance]

And if it checks, I'm afraid you're in rather a serious spot.

[Joan Westcott]

I'm not afraid.

[District Attorney Markham]

Heath.

[Philo Vance]

Let me ask you something.

[Mr. Ward]

Yeah.

[Philo Vance]

Suppose, just suppose, mind you, that you find that neither of those hair samples match the ones you took from Durant. Then what?

[Mr. Ward]

Whoa.

[Bill Williams]

Then that old Mrs. Westcott's hair will match. It's gotta be one of these three.

[District Attorney Markham]

Just supposing it isn't though, Heath.

[Philo Vance]

Well.

[Bill Williams]

Well then I'll take samples of every black haired person in this place. Even you agreed it had to be somebody here who killed Durante.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yes, we're reasonably certain of that.

[Bill Williams]

Well, okay then. One of them killed that guard. And that one's hair will match the sample we got. Then we got our killer.

[Philo Vance]

As simple as that. Ehe sure.

[Joan Westcott]

How much longer are you going to keep me here, Sergeant Heath?

[Philo Vance]

I don't know, Ms. Westcott, you're a rather contrary person. As I understand it, you wouldn't leave this place before Mr. Durant's death. Now, you're quite anxious to go.

[Joan Westcott]

Yes. Yes I am. I want to get out of here and take my aunt with me. I never want to see this. This awful place again.

[Philo Vance]

Well, Ms. Westcott, I wouldn't be so anxious to leave here if I were you. In the event that Sergeant Heath's hair test points to you. You'll be going to a much more uncomfortable place, I assure you.

[Shannon Maldonado]

My name is Shannon Maldonado. I'm the founder of Yaoi, a gift shop. From the lens of artists and handmade objects, I chose Shopify because when I was testing other platforms, it was definitely one of the most user friendly. It was important to me to think about where we would be in the future. All of the tools for reading your sales, like planning inventory, they're just right there on your dashboard. For anyone starting a small business, the biggest thing I can tell you is it doesn't have to be perfect. Shopify can help you build upon it. Start your free trial on shopify.com.

[District Attorney Markham]

This is District Attorney Markham. The blackjack murder case began when Al Durant, a guard in the private sanitarium run by a Mr. Ward, was found dead. Suspects include Bill Williams, another guard, a patient, Alice Weskert, and her niece, Joan Westcott. Vance has one important clue. Three strands of human hair that have been found in the dead man's hand. Vance told me he was on his way to interview Mrs. Westcott, and he should be there.

[Alice Westcott]

Sit down, Mr. Vance. Please do.

[Philo Vance]

Thank you. Mrs. Westcott.

[Mr. Ward]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

I have a few questions to ask you.

[Alice Westcott]

I don't mind. Really I don't. Only you won't slap me if I don't answer them, will you? I'd rather not be slapped, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

I won't slap you, Mrs. Westgate. In fact, I'd like to see anybody raise his hand to you while I'm around.

[Alice Westcott]

Mr. Williams. The other guard made Mr. Durant stop hitting me the day Mr. Durant was murdered. Just before they quarreled Yesterday, I believe.

[Philo Vance]

Mrs. Westcott, do you think Mr. Williams killed Mr. Durant?

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, no.

[Philo Vance]

Your niece, then, Mrs. Westcott?

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, my goodness, no. She's so nice and gentle. She wouldn't hurt anyone.

[Philo Vance]

I wonder, then, who did kill him?

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, I did.

[Philo Vance]

You? You killed Mr. Durant?

[Alice Westcott]

Yes. But he was mean and very rude to me. He slapped me. I'd rather not be slapped, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

I know. You told me that before. How did you kill him?

[Alice Westcott]

I opened the door and there he was. And he had a blackjack in his pocket. I took it out of his pocket and hit him with it. I'm sorry if I've caused everybody so much trouble, but nobody asked me until now whether I killed him.

[Philo Vance]

All they wanted was a few strands of your hair. Is that right?

[Alice Westcott]

Yes, but I don't know why.

[Philo Vance]

You're sure of what you just told me, Mrs. Westcott, that you hit Mr. Durant with his own blackjack.

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, I'm positive. I used to kill him very often. Every night, right after I fell asleep, I used to kill him, and always the same way. So you see, I know I did it.

[Philo Vance]

I see. I'll tell you one thing, Mrs. Wetcott. You've confused me, and very nicely. I wonder how ill you actually are, how imaginative you actually are. And above all, how clever.

[Bill Williams]

What a case this is, Mr. Markham. The only clue is a couple of hairs. And listen to this report the police laboratory sent me. You can listen too, Mr. Ward.

[Mr. Ward]

Thank you, Sergeant Heath.

[District Attorney Markham]

Go ahead, Heath.

[Bill Williams]

I sent him the hairs we found in Al Durant's hand and the hairs from our three suspects. Now listen, Sergeant Heath, this is to inform you that there is no similarity between the samples taken from the heads of your suspects and the original hairs found in the dead man's hand. Signed, Morgan Police Laboratory.

[Mr. Ward]

Hmm.

[District Attorney Markham]

Looks like we haven't gotten very far in this case, doesn't it, Heathen?

[Bill Williams]

Yeah, sure does. Fine time for your friend Vance to run out on us.

[District Attorney Markham]

Oh, he'll be back. I know that.

[Philo Vance]

You know it.

[Bill Williams]

But what do I know? All I know is a black haired guy killed Al Durant. Ah, well, I'll leave you with Mr. Ward. I'm gonna go looking for another black haired guy. See you later, Mr. Markham. Mr. Ward.

[Philo Vance]

Right.

[Mr. Ward]

How soon will the police leave here, Mr. Markham? They spoiled my discipline, my routine. They've ruined this office.

[District Attorney Markham]

How do they ruin it, sir? By using it.

[Mr. Ward]

Look and see. Papers, helter skelter, the desk moved, everything topsy turvy. Nothing is in its proper place. Everything must be in its proper place, Mr. Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yes, I know. And the reason we've made such a mess out of your office, Mr. Ward, is because we're trying to put a murderer in his proper place. Behind bars.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

Very well. Now, Mr. Vance, you may look through the microscope now if you like.

[Philo Vance]

Thank you, doctor. It's very nice of you to allow me here in the police laboratory.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

Ah, just nothing. Mr. Markham phoned me and asked for me to let you come in. I was glad to have you. Sometimes even scientists like a little audience here. Now look through the microscope, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

All right. Tell me. First though, doctor. Your test showed that none of the hair samples from the three suspects match the hair found in the hand of Mr. Durant, the murdered man.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

None of them match, Mr. Vance. Ah, you are looking through the microscope now.

[Al Durant]

Good.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

The single hair on the right, that is the one which was found in the murder man's hand. The one on the left is one of the samples.

[Mr. Ward]

Hmm.

[Philo Vance]

Vast difference, isn't there, Doctor? Under a microscope?

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

Definitely notice, Mr. Vance, at the very tip of the hair on the right, a little unusual substance, that is Gum arabic, generally used as a glue.

[Philo Vance]

As a glue? Well, doctor, perhaps the hair samples found in Mr. Durant's hand came from a

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

wig now, Now, I'm sorry, Mr. Vance. It came from no wig. They came from a human head, and they were pulled from that head when the head was alive. Now, Mr. Vance, that hair came from no wig. It came from a living head.

[Philo Vance]

But the gum arabic. That must mean something.

[Mr. Ward]

Yes.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

Yes, I imagine it does. But what?

[Philo Vance]

What, Doctor? Well, unless I'm very much mistaken, it means I know who murdered Al Durant.

[District Attorney Markham]

Well, Vance, welcome back.

[Philo Vance]

Thank you, Markham. Any progress on the murderer of Mr. Durant?

[District Attorney Markham]

No, none at all. Frankly, I've been waiting for you.

[Philo Vance]

I have an idea you'll be glad you did. Where's heath?

[District Attorney Markham]

He and Mr. Ward are gaving in Ward's office. You know, Vance, I was thinking that perhaps an outsider killed a guard. That is possible, you know.

[Philo Vance]

Undoubtedly. Only I'm quite sure that isn't what happened. Where's Joan Westgate? I'd like to see her.

[District Attorney Markham]

She's in that room right there, Vance. It wouldn't surprise me any if she were about to break down.

[Philo Vance]

I'd like to talk to her. Markham. I'll meet you in Mr. Ward's office in a few minutes, all right.

[District Attorney Markham]

Certainly, Vance. I'll be there with Ward and Sergeant.

[Philo Vance]

Hello, Miss Westcott.

[Joan Westcott]

What is it, Mr. Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Why were you crying, Miss Westcott? Any reason I might do something about.

[Alice Westcott]

No.

[Philo Vance]

Perhaps there is. I'd like to tell you something. This is no trick, believe me, but I know that neither you nor your aunt murdered Al Durant.

[Joan Westcott]

You know that?

[Philo Vance]

Very definitely. Now, will you tell me why you were crying?

[Joan Westcott]

Mr. Vance, I didn't mean to break down, but the hopelessness of this whole thing just got me. Just got me, that's all. I thought my aunt had killed Mr. Durant, and that's why I couldn't tell you about this place.

[Philo Vance]

I'm afraid I don't know what you mean.

[Joan Westcott]

Well, if she had killed your aunt, I wanted you to think that she was insane, that she belonged in a place like this. Only this isn't a rest home or a private hospital, Mr. Vance. It's a prison. None of the patients here have anything wrong with them.

[Philo Vance]

I'm beginning to understand a lot of things now, Ms. Westcott. The one thing missing from this case so far was a motive. I believe I have that now. You'd do all of us a great favor, Mr. Ward, if you'd cooperate with Sergeant Heath and me.

[Mr. Ward]

I'd be glad to, Mr. Vance. How can I help?

[Philo Vance]

I'll get around to that in a moment. First of all, as I understand it, Mr. Durant, the murdered guard wasn't too gentle with his patience.

[Mr. Ward]

Well, in this sort of institution, sometimes it's necessary to use force.

[Philo Vance]

Of course, Mr. Durant knew what kind of institution this was.

[Police Laboratory Doctor]

What?

[Mr. Ward]

I don't understand.

[Philo Vance]

I think you do, and I think he did. I think he knew you were operating this place as a wide open racket, keeping certain people in it because of the convenience that might provide to others, Mr. Vance.

[Mr. Ward]

Do you know what you're saying, Sergeant Heath?

[Bill Williams]

I don't know either. All I know is he generally does.

[Philo Vance]

Thank you, Heath. Mr. Ward, this Durant came to you the night of his death. Probably came to your room and demanded money in return for keeping his mouth shut.

[Mr. Ward]

What?

[Philo Vance]

You quarreled and you killed him, then dumped his body outside Mrs. Westcott's door. Ridiculous.

[Bill Williams]

This guy is the murderer of ants.

[Philo Vance]

That's right. Joan Westcott thought that perhaps her aunt had done it so she wouldn't talk and in fact tried to keep me off the case. The aunt thought Joan had done it, so she pretended to be slightly insane and confessed. But I have proof that it was Ward Vance.

[Bill Williams]

The murderer is a black haired guy. That much we know. Ward's hair is snow white.

[Philo Vance]

I think Mr. Ward's hair, what's left of his own hair, is black. Take that toupee off his head, Heath. Keep away.

[Mr. Ward]

Don't touch me.

[Bill Williams]

Vance says that's a toupee. Now get your hands down or I won't touch you. I'll scare.

[Mr. Ward]

Hey.

[Bill Williams]

Hey, Vance. It came off in my hand. It is a wig.

[Philo Vance]

So I see. What's left of his original hair is black. And I think you'll find the black hair matches the ones you took from Durant's hand.

[Mr. Ward]

I'll get you for this, Vance. If you live to be a thousand, I'll get you.

[Philo Vance]

I doubt that, Mr. Ward. I doubt you're getting me. I doubt my living to be a thousand. And I doubt that you'll live to your next birthday. See to that, will you, Heath?

[Alice Westcott]

You know, Mr. Vance, I'm so mixed up about that hair thing, I don't know how to begin asking you. What made you so sure I'm dumb, huh?

[Philo Vance]

Leading question, Ms. Woods. Perhaps I might explain, though. The one clue we had was the black hair. Yeah, it had a bit of gum arabic on it. I believe that the gum arabic or glue got on the hair from a toupee.

[Alice Westcott]

That's the way it turned out, too.

[Philo Vance]

That's right. I was sure then that Ward wore a toupee. And I reasoned that Durant must have come into his bedroom when he was preparing for bed. At which time he'd have taken off the toupee.

[Alice Westcott]

Oh, hey. Then they battled. And that's how Durant got some of Ward's real hair in his hand.

[Philo Vance]

That's right. Sergeant Heath spent his time looking first for a black haired individual.

[Alice Westcott]

Sure that Mr. Ward's toupee was snow white. He had quite a racket, didn't he, Mr. Vance?

[Philo Vance]

For a while. But like all rackets, eventually it backfired.

[Alice Westcott]

This one backfired. Very convenient for me. You got back here just at 5:30, right at the end of the day.

[Philo Vance]

That's right, Ms. Woods. And right at the end of the day where? Right at the end of the Blackjack murder case,

[Mr. Ward]

Sam.

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[Philo Vance]

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