Philo Vance: The Argus Murder Case 09/28/1948

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Philo Vance: The Argus Murder Case (Original Airdate: 09/28/1948)
Date Released: May 16, 2026

This episode revives the thrilling world of Philo Vance, one of the golden age detectives, as he dives into the murky waters of gambling ships, desperate spouses, and a sinister murder plot. The suspense unfolds on the gambling ship "Argus" when Edith Walters disappears, triggering a complex investigation full of twists, desperate suspects, and clever detection.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Mystery Emerges: The Disappearance of Edith Walters

• Philo Vance is approached by Edgar Walters, distressed over his wife Edith’s disappearance after visiting the gambling ship, Argus. (02:22)
• Edgar suspects foul play as his wife is addicted to gambling and hasn't returned home hours after all games onboard ceased.
• Vance agrees to investigate, promising to keep Edgar informed. (03:13)

2. Gambling Ship Argus: High Stakes Drama

• On the Argus, Edith Walters and owner Lucky Saunders engage in tense, high-stake card games, with Edith repeatedly winning with a “strange affinity” for the queen of clubs. (04:34)
• Mary Henderson—a rival and wife of bookmaker Ace Henderson—confronts Edith, holding her at gunpoint, and threatens her life out of jealousy and financial grievance. (07:15)
• Memorable Moment: Edith, in a panic, sends a distress signal from the ship’s radio:

  “Anybody who can hear me anywhere...I’m going to be murdered. Listen, my name is Edith Walters...” – Edith Walters (08:50)

3. Race Against Time: Vance Learns of the Distress Call

• Vance and District Attorney Markham are alerted when an amateur radio operator picks up Edith's SOS. They organize a police launch to the Argus, joined by Edgar Walters. (10:22)
• Amidst heavy fog, Edgar reveals detailed knowledge of the ship’s location, aiding the search party. (11:06)

4. Onboard the Argus: Suspects and Denials

• Vance interrogates Lucky Saunders and the Hendersons, all denying seeing Edith on the ship despite the SOS message originating there. (12:52)

• Quote:

  “You say you haven’t seen Mrs. Walters in two days, that she was not aboard this ship last night?” – Philo Vance
  “That's right.” – Lucky Saunders (12:58–13:07)

• Each suspect has a motive: Saunders wants to avoid scandal; Mary Henderson harbors hatred; Ace Henderson is owed money.

5. No Evidence, No Body

• As Sergeant Heath and his men scour the ship to no avail, Vance is left with no evidence Edith was ever there, much less murdered. (16:42)
• Vance, dissatisfied, continues his investigation ashore to scrutinize the facts and suspects.

6. A Twist at the Racetrack

• Learning Edith frequented the racetrack, Vance probes Ace Henderson, who admits Edith owed him a huge gambling debt but is tight-lipped about collection methods. (19:25–20:53)

7. Ellen Deering Takes a Risk

• Vance's secretary, Ellen Deering, abruptly quits to pursue a hunch: she suspects Edgar Walters murdered his wife and tries to extort a confession from him, leveraging his suspiciously precise knowledge of the Argus’s location. (21:13–22:24)
• Key Insight: If Edgar only visited the Argus a week ago, how did he know its secret location, given the ship moves nightly? Only the murderer would know.

8. The Trap and the Confession

• Ellen arranges a payoff meeting with Edgar, but he instead tries to abduct her, threatening her with a knife and revealing he killed Edith and buried her in his cellar in concrete. (23:40)

• Vance and Sergeant Heath intervene just in time. (23:55)

• Edgar Walters’ filmed confession details his calculated crime:

  “I murdered my wife by going out to the gambling ship Argus...Her gambling was ruining me. I had to kill her.” – Edgar Walters (24:52)

9. Resolution & Motives Exposed

• The investigation is recapped, with Vance explaining the suspects’ motives for lying and the clever alibi Edgar thought he'd created by hiring Vance.
• Mary Henderson confesses to threatening Edith, which led to the radio SOS.
• Lucky Saunders covered up to protect the ship’s reputation, while the Hendersons and Saunders feared implication due to their connections with Edith.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

Distressed Radio Plea

“Please, if anybody hears this. Get in touch with the police. Tell them to hurry. They're coming in for me now. Tell them to hurry. Hurry before it's too late. This is Edith Walters.”
— Edith Walters (08:50)

Saunders' Gambler’s Philosophy

“Most gamblers are called lucky, Mr. Vance.”
— Lucky Saunders (14:26)

Ellen’s Bold Accusation

“I'm the only one that knows that you murdered your wife. Do you want to know how I know you murdered her?”
— Ellen Deering (21:32)

The Murderer’s Confession

“Her gambling was ruining me. I had to kill her. I don’t know how anybody could have figured my actions, but Philo Vance did.”
— Edgar Walters (24:52)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Initial Approach & Case Introduction: 02:18
• Deadly Poker Game & Threats: 04:34–08:17
• Radio SOS Broadcast: 08:50
• Police Alerted, Launches Assembled: 10:22
• Onboard Interrogations: 12:52–14:28
• Sergeant Heath Admits Dead End: 16:42
• Ellen’s Confrontation with Edgar Walters: 21:13–22:24
• Showdown & Confession: 23:40–24:52
• Philo Vance Explains Motives: 25:23–27:48

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Conclusion

The Argus Murder Case showcases the intricate plotting emblematic of classic detective radio: lost wives, high-stakes gambling, and a web of deceit, all untangled by Philo Vance’s razor intellect and the brave initiative of his secretary, Ellen. The gripping confession and resolution underscore a timeless lesson on vice, jealousy, and the dangers of trying to outwit justice.

Final words from Philo Vance:

“That was the beginning of Mrs. Walters’ trouble.” (27:46)

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Transcript

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[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].

[Philo Vance]

Well, Markham, it certainly seems strange being with you in the middle of the night when we haven't been working on a murder.

[District Attorney Markham]

Even district attorneys take some time off, Vince. And here's your apartment house.

[Philo Vance]

That it is. Well, thanks for taking Ellen home and for dropping me.

[District Attorney Markham]

No trouble at all, Vance. Upon you tomorrow.

[Philo Vance]

If anything interesting happens, I'll be waiting. Good night, Markham. Meet you at a murder.

[Edgar Walters]

I beg your pardon, Mr. Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Yes? I'm Vance.

[Edgar Walters]

I've been waiting here in front of your house for hours, Mr. Vance. I'm Edgar Walters. I must talk to you. It's about my wife. She's missing.

[Philo Vance]

There's nothing I can do about that tonight, not at this hour.

[Edgar Walters]

You've got to do something, Mr. Vance. I'm desperate. You know that gambling ship that's anchored offshore?

[Philo Vance]

Yes, I know about it. Why?

[Edgar Walters]

Well, my wife went out there this evening to gamble with Lucky Saunders. He owns the ship. She can't help gambling. She.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

She.

[Edgar Walters]

She has to. Cards, roulette, horses. It doesn't make any difference.

[Philo Vance]

There are people like that. But as long as you know where she is, Mr. Waters.

[Edgar Walters]

I know where she was, Vance, but all gambling stops on board at 2am and it's almost 4 now. She should have been home an hour ago. I. I know something has happened to her.

[Philo Vance]

And you want me to find out what, if anything.

[Edgar Walters]

You're a private investigator, Vance, and I'll pay you well.

[Philo Vance]

I'll go upstairs and change my clothes, be on my way in half an hour.

[Edgar Walters]

Here. Here's my car. Advance. Call me as soon as you find out anything, will you? And thank you. Thank you very much.

[Philo Vance]

You're quite welcome, Mr. Walters. I only hope I give you a real reason for thanking me before long.

[Lucky Saunders]

Your deal, Mrs. Wallace.

[Edith Walters]

Your cut, Mr. Saunders. How much did I owe you before we started this evening's session, Mr. Saunders?

[Lucky Saunders]

12,000. And now I owe you 3,000. It's time to quit, isn't it? I have a stateroom fixed for you, Mrs. Walters. We could go on with the game in the morning.

[Edith Walters]

Uh, Lady Luck smiling at me right now? Tomorrow she might be laughing out loud.

[Lucky Saunders]

One cut, double or nothing for 3,000.

[Edith Walters]

That's right.

[Lucky Saunders]

If I win, you join your friends, Mr. And Mrs. Henderson, and leave, huh?

[Edith Walters]

Oh, if I win, I'll stay here on board. There are no more water taxis to shore. I sent the last one off an hour ago. The Hendersons don't mind spending the night aboard ship. You're cut, Mr. Saunders.

[Lucky Saunders]

As you say. There we are. Nine of diamonds.

[Edith Walters]

And mine's the queen of clubs. That makes 6,000.

[Lucky Saunders]

Queen of clubs again. That's the third time you've picked that queen, Mrs. Walters. I suggest we quit. You won 6,000. I have it here in my safe. I'll get it for you.

[Edith Walters]

Maybe you won't have to get me anything. Or 12,000. Double or nothing, Mr. Saunders. One cut uncut.

[Lucky Saunders]

They say never fight the cards. But there is also a law of averages to be taken into consideration. Your cut first. 12,000 or nothing.

[Edith Walters]

You are a gambler, aren't you? Very well. My cut, the queen of clubs. Why, yes.

[Lucky Saunders]

You seem surprised. You shouldn't be. You've had a strange affinity for that card since we started. Perhaps we'll discuss that a bit after I've cut.

[District Attorney Markham]

There.

[Edith Walters]

Oh.

[Lucky Saunders]

Jack of diamonds. You win. 12,000.

[Edith Walters]

Once more?

[Philo Vance]

Hardly.

[Lucky Saunders]

You want the cash now?

[Edith Walters]

I think so. Then in the morning, with my friends, Mr. And Mrs. Henderson as bodyguards, I leave the ship.

[Lucky Saunders]

Really, Mrs. Walters, would you like to cut double or nothing on that, too?

[Mary Henderson]

It's almost five o'.

[Edith Walters]

Clock.

[Mary Henderson]

Ace. Do you think she's still playing?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

No. She hasn't come to her stateroom, has she? Lucky Saunders told me he had the one next to this fixed for her. She'll be here as soon as she wins. Enough.

[Mary Henderson]

Edith Waters mustn't win.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

She mustn't when she plays with Lucky Saunders. The weather's clear and the track fast. But if she does win, maybe she'll take care of the markers I've been holding. She's in my book for 10,000 she dropped on the horses.

[Mary Henderson]

You don't generally let anyone get into you for that much, Ace, you know, I think that, uh.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Honey, you're the one I married to, and I like it that way. There's nothing between her and me. I suppose we just forget all this and go to bed.

[Mary Henderson]

I've got to know whether she won or not.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

I've got to in the morning. Comes the morning, we'll both find out.

[Mary Henderson]

Go ahead to sleep if you want to. I'm waiting up until I hear her come in. And if she won tonight, I'm going to get that money she owes you. If she lost.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Yes, Honey, what if she finished out of the money?

[Mary Henderson]

Then I'm going to fall asleep laughing.

[Edith Walters]

Who is it?

[Mary Henderson]

Mary Henderson.

[Edith Walters]

Wait a minute. What do you want?

[Mary Henderson]

You mean, what do we both want? Me and this gun. Same answer, though. We both want you.

[Edith Walters]

You're being a little dramatic, aren't you, Mary?

[Mary Henderson]

Maybe. How much did you lose to Saunders?

[Edith Walters]

I don't know that it's any of your business, but I didn't lose.

[Mary Henderson]

That's what I was afraid of. You know I don't like you, Edith.

[Edith Walters]

I gathered that quite some time ago.

[Mary Henderson]

I liked you more when I first met you. I despised you then. I was praying you'd lose to Lucky Saunders tonight.

[Edith Walters]

Sorry to disappoint you. I still don't know any reason for that gun.

[Mary Henderson]

I'll explain. It's very simple. There are no boats leaving for shore and certainly none coming out from shore. For the next couple of hours, we're practically alone on this ship. You and I. My husband and Lucky Saunders.

[Edith Walters]

So?

[Mary Henderson]

So you've got no means of either getting off or getting help. And I wanted to announce to you personally that you'll never leave this ship alive.

[Edith Walters]

You've lost sight of one thing, haven't you, Mary? My husband knows I came out here.

[Mary Henderson]

Your husband thinks you came out here. Nobody knows except my husband, Lucky Saunders and I. And I'm sure none of us will ever remember seeing you on board.

[Edith Walters]

You're. You're going to kill me.

[Mary Henderson]

Maybe. You're going to be dead, I can tell you that.

[Edith Walters]

I.

[Mary Henderson]

You're afraid, aren't you? I was afraid, too. I've been afraid for months. Afraid I'd lose my husband to you. But I won't now. There'll be no you around to lose him to.

[Edith Walters]

You forget there's a radio room on board right next door. I can send a message for help. And I'm going to right now. Stop, Edith. Stop. One of these switches turns on the microphone. One of them does. Must be this one. It's got to be anybody. Anybody who can hear me anywhere. Get in touch with the police. I'm gonna be murdered. Listen, my name is Edith Walters. I'm on board the gambling ship Argus. Please, if anybody hears this. Get in touch with the police. Tell them to come out here. Tell them to hurry. They're coming in for me now. Tell them to hurry. Hurry before it's too late. This is Edith Walters.

[Philo Vance]

Call a ball. Hello, Markham? This is Vance. I didn't wake you up, did I?

[District Attorney Markham]

No, no, you didn't.

[Philo Vance]

As a matter of fact, I've been trying to reach you on the telephone for 10 minutes. Your line's been busy.

[District Attorney Markham]

I've been trying to get you, vance, but it's 6 o' clock in the morning. What do you want me for?

[Philo Vance]

I've tried for two hours to get some sort of transportation so I could get out to the gambling ship Argus. I can't find a thing at this hour. I'm going to need a police launch.

[District Attorney Markham]

What you want to get out to the Argus for?

[Philo Vance]

To look for a woman named Edith Walters. Her husband.

[District Attorney Markham]

Edith Walters. She's the reason I've been trying to reach you, Vance. A half hour ago an amateur radio operator picked up a call for help from Edith Walters. She was screaming. She was about to be murdered and the call was cut off in the middle of a sentence.

[Philo Vance]

We've got to do something, Markham. How soon can you meet me? I'm down at the docks now.

[District Attorney Markham]

Well, Sergeant Heath is picking me up. I'll be there in 10 minutes. Police launch has already been ordered.

[Philo Vance]

Pick up Edgar Walters on the way. He's at the Buckingham Apartments. I'll be waiting for you, Markham, at the foot of the docks to get to the bottom of this mystery. Take it easy, Walters. We'll be out at the gambling ship very shortly now.

[Edgar Walters]

I know, Vance. It's just that I'm afraid of what we'll find when we do get there.

[District Attorney Markham]

Vance, we're a little bit lost. This fog is so heavy the launch pilot says he can't see a thing. We're going by compass, but we don't know exactly where the Argus is anchored.

[Edgar Walters]

Oh, I know, Mr. Markham. It's exactly two miles along the coastline from the dock and we round a blinker light and head due east into the ocean. I was out there only the other night with my wife and that's how we got there.

[District Attorney Markham]

Oh, that's fine, Walters. Thanks. I'll tell the pilot, Sergeant, he.

[Philo Vance]

Don't take it so hard, Walters. Things may not Be as bad as you imagine.

[Edgar Walters]

No, no, maybe they aren't. All I'm sure of is that they couldn't be any worse.

[District Attorney Markham]

There's the Argus fence. Thanks again for those directions, Mr. Walters.

[Edgar Walters]

Don't forget it, Mr. Markham. Let's worry about my wife.

[Philo Vance]

I'll try to find her for you, Mr. Walters, believe me. Let Heath and his men search the ship and give me a half hour to question anybody on board. And I promise you, if Mrs. Walters ever arrived on the Argus, I'll have news for you.

[District Attorney Markham]

You going to use the master's cabin as an office, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Temporarily, Markham. What luck has sergeant Heath had?

[District Attorney Markham]

None at all. He's had men searching this ship for a half hour. They can't find Mrs. Walters body and they can't even find any evidence that she ever was aboard. Is this really a case, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Yes, I know. I'd like to see the owner of this ship, Markham. He's waiting outside. In fact, I'll see him and Mr. And Mrs. Henderson together.

[District Attorney Markham]

All right, I'll tell them right now. Vance. Mr. And Mrs. Henderson and Mr. Saunders, will you come in here, please? Yes, of course.

[Edgar Walters]

Glad to come in.

[Philo Vance]

Please sit down and make yourselves comfortable.

[Lucky Saunders]

What do you want with us, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

I'm not quite sure. You say you haven't seen Mrs. Walters in two days, that she was not aboard this ship last night?

[Lucky Saunders]

That's right.

[Philo Vance]

Mr. Saunders. How do you account for the radio message that was picked up and relayed to the police?

[Lucky Saunders]

I've got no idea how, why or from where it was sent.

[Philo Vance]

The message did say it came from the Argus and we do have a

[Lucky Saunders]

radio sending set aboard. But there's no way in the world to prove it came from here.

[Philo Vance]

No, there isn't. Mrs. Henderson, your story, I take it to the same as Mr. Saunders.

[Mary Henderson]

Not at all.

[Philo Vance]

I beg your pardon?

[Mary Henderson]

He said he hadn't seen Edith Waters in two days. I haven't seen her in a week.

[Philo Vance]

I see. And you, Mr. Henderson?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

I was supposed to meet her at the track yesterday afternoon, but she never got there.

[Philo Vance]

That proves nothing one way or another. Mr. Saunders, how long have you been operating this gambling ship in these waters?

[Lucky Saunders]

About a month. It's all very legal, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

That's a matter of opinion.

[Lucky Saunders]

It's legal.

[Philo Vance]

Well, say it's within the law. It's outside the state's jurisdiction. So state laws do not apply to it. Has the ship always been anchored in just this spot?

[Lucky Saunders]

No, no, we move it around every night a few miles up or down the coastline just to prevent any Possible hijacking. We move it every night, but we keep it outside state limits every time we do.

[Philo Vance]

I understand. They call you lucky, don't they, Mr. Saunders?

[Lucky Saunders]

Most gamblers are called lucky, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

I've got an idea, though, that your name isn't complete offhand. Despite the fact that we can find no evidence that Mrs. Walters was here and certainly none that points to your having murdered her, I'd say your name should be Lucky. Up to now,

[Minky Couture Announcer]

Summer adventures are better with Minky Couture. From road trips to ball games, beach nights to backyard movies, Minky has you covered. Don't miss the Everywhere Blanket. Water resistant, ultra soft and made for life on the go. Wherever summer takes you, bring comfort along. Minky couture.com the original best blanket Ever. It's cozy season and nothing compares to wrapping yourself in a Minky Couture blanket. Luxuriously soft, perfectly warm, thoughtfully made from movie nights to chilly mornings, Minky Couture turns everyday moments into pure comfort. Once you feel it, you'll understand why it's called the original Best blanket ever. Visit minkycouture.com or a store near you and make this cozy season your softest one yet.

[District Attorney Markham]

This is District Attorney Markham. The Argus murder case started when Edgar Walters came to Philo Vance asking him to help find Walter's wife. She had gone out to a gambling ship, the Argus, but nothing had been heard from her for several hours. Then an amateur radio operator relayed a frantic message from Mrs. Walters to the police and it sent Vance, Sergeant Heath and me along with Mr. Walters out to the Argus. There we met Lucky Saunders, owner of the ship, and Mr. And Mrs. Henderson, both of whom knew Mrs. Walters and both of whom deny she was ever on board.

[Philo Vance]

Hi, Mr. Vance. Oh, yes, Sergeant Heath. I was just on deck getting a little air. What have you found? I haven't found a thing. No trace of Mrs. Walters anywhere on board. But I'm sure that dame was on board this boat, Vance, and that she was murdered. Only how do we prove it? We don't. We can't unless we find the body. And if she were murdered and the body thrown overboard, which is probably what happened. If she were murdered, we'll never find it. Hey, I never heard you so pessimistic before. Vance never had more reason to be. Heath. I'm going ashore to check over my facts and I'm taking Mr. Walters with me. I'll contact Markham if I find out anything. Well, that's it. Up to date, Ellen. You've got all the facts.

[Ellen Deering]

Yes, Vance? All of them.

[Philo Vance]

Can you think of anything to add to what I've dictated to Ms. Dearing, Mr. Walters?

[Edgar Walters]

No, no, I can't. You've been very thorough, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Ellen, when will you have those notes typed up so I can see them?

[Ellen Deering]

Oh, I don't know. I. I'm not sure.

[Philo Vance]

Please be sure. I'd like them in a half hour. Come into my private office, will you, Mr. Walters?

[Ellen Deering]

Wait a minute, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

I beg your pardon?

[Ellen Deering]

I'm not going to transcribe these notes today. I'm taking the rest of the day off.

[Philo Vance]

I'm sorry, Ellen. Some other day, if you like. Come along, Mr. Walker.

[Ellen Deering]

Vance, I said I was taking the rest of the day off. I'll be back in the morning.

[Philo Vance]

You may take all day tomorrow if you like. But, Ellen, those notes must be transcribed now.

[Ellen Deering]

Sorry. There is something I've got to do, but that's not it. Goodbye, Ellen.

[Philo Vance]

If you leave now, I'd just assume you didn't come back to work for me.

[Ellen Deering]

Okay, if that's the way you want it, Mr. Vance.

[Edgar Walters]

I'm sorry.

[Philo Vance]

I had nothing to do with it. I've felt this coming for quite a while. Let's get back to your wife, Mr. Walters. Who were her friends? Who might she have been with if she actually didn't go out to the Argus last night?

[Edgar Walters]

She had few friends, Mr. Vance. Nobody she was very close to. Most of the days she spent at the track.

[Philo Vance]

The track, eh? Where would she be at the racetrack if she were going there?

[Edgar Walters]

Somewhere around Ace Henderson's box. He's a bookmaker. You met him on board the Argus.

[Ellen Deering]

Mmm.

[Philo Vance]

I'm going out to the racetrack this afternoon. Maybe I can pick a winner. And that has nothing to do with horses.

[Race Announcer]

They're off. Off to a perfect start with Dave Perry in the lead. Count Joe on the rail, Toby dalia in.

[Philo Vance]

Hello, Mr. Anderson.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Oh, hi, Vance. Didn't know you follow the ponies.

[Philo Vance]

I don't, generally.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

I got something good going in the next race, if you're interested.

[Philo Vance]

I'm interested, but not in races, Mrs. Walters. Come on, Joy.

[Race Announcer]

Come on, Joy.

[Philo Vance]

Yes, Mrs. Walters. I'd like to talk to you about her right after the race,

[Race Announcer]

closing in on Dave Derry. At the 3/4, it's still Dave Derry and Rasputin. Dave Derry by 3 lengths, but Rasputin's closing in. Dave Derry by 2 lengths, 1 length. Rasputin is alongside. As they approach the finish line, it's neck and neck, nose and nose. There goes Rasputin out in front of Sparker. Goes for the whip. It's Rasputin by half length. Rasputin the winner. In second place, Dave Derry. Third place. Count Joe winners. Time, 137. Next race, 20 minutes.

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Well, Vance, I dropped a few on that one.

[Philo Vance]

We won't bother then about the good thing you had for me in the next race. Henderson, how much did Mrs. Walters owe you?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

A few. Eight, ten thousand.

[Philo Vance]

How did she intend to pay you?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

That's never my problem.

[Philo Vance]

Vance, isn't there some way bookmakers have of making sure that their clients do pay them?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

Yes, there is.

[Philo Vance]

What is it?

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

What happened to Mrs. Walters?

[Ellen Deering]

Coming.

[Edgar Walters]

Coming.

[Ellen Deering]

Hello.

[Edgar Walters]

Why, I don't think I know who you are, do I?

[Ellen Deering]

You should. I'm Ellen Deering. I was Philo Vance's secretary. Remember me now, Mr. Waters?

[Edgar Walters]

Oh, yes. Yes, of course I do.

[Ellen Deering]

Well enough to ask me to come in? Don't bother. I don't need an invitation.

[Edgar Walters]

I don't understand what you want with me.

[Ellen Deering]

Don't you? Okay, then I'll tell you. I'm the only one that knows that you murdered your wife. Do you want to know how I know you murdered her?

[Edgar Walters]

I didn't kill her. I haven't even seen her since she left here yesterday morning.

[Ellen Deering]

Oh, no. You told the police you'd been out to the gambling ship exactly a week ago, right?

[Edgar Walters]

Well, of course that's right.

[Ellen Deering]

They changed the position of that ship a couple of miles every night. Yet the time when you and Vance and Markham went out there, you gave exact directions on how to reach the Argus. Now, the only way you'd have known that is if you'd been there earlier.

[Edgar Walters]

Well, that's right.

[Ellen Deering]

But don't get excited. Nobody realizes that little fact except me.

[Edgar Walters]

And what do you want?

[Ellen Deering]

Money. 10,000 will do.

[Edgar Walters]

I don't have that kind of money.

[Ellen Deering]

Well, then go get it. Here's my apartment address. Shall we say nine o' clock tonight? And $10,000 in cash. What time is it?

[Edith Walters]

Pants.

[Philo Vance]

Few minutes to nine. Frightened, Ellen?

[Ellen Deering]

Yes, but I'll go through with it. You were right about Waters. Of course. But what happens when he gets here?

[Philo Vance]

I'll be in the next room. You get him to talk and tell the whole story. Take the money, then I'll come out and take him.

[Ellen Deering]

Well, suppose he has other ideas? Idea is that he can pay me less expensively with a bullet than with a bundle. What then?

[Philo Vance]

Don't worry, Ellen. Nothing will happen to you. I promise.

[Ellen Deering]

Oh, listen. That's the door. And that'll be Walters, Vance. Please stay close. Hide. But Stay close, just in case.

[Philo Vance]

Don't worry, Ellen. I'll be here.

[Ellen Deering]

Well, right on time, Mr. Walters. Come on in.

[Edgar Walters]

Oh, no, you're coming out. Out here in the hall. Come on.

[Ellen Deering]

Hey, listen, you're hurting my arm.

[Edgar Walters]

Your apartment might have been a trap, taking no chances. We'll talk out here in the hall. I just locked your door. And here's the key right here in my pocket. Now, come on. You can't make me see this knife. I'll slash it across your face if you don't come.

[Ellen Deering]

What happened to your wife? You tell me that first.

[Edgar Walters]

She's in the cellar at my house, all dressed up in concrete, and you'll be keeping her company. Are you coming, or do I use this knife?

[Ellen Deering]

I think I. I'm coming.

[Philo Vance]

This guy's going.

[Ellen Deering]

Oh, Sergeant Heath. Am I glad to see you.

[Philo Vance]

Didn't you expect me. Oh, didn't Vance tell you? He asked me to be here in the hall in case this guy got cute.

[Ellen Deering]

No, he didn't. And that reminds me, I've got something to say to Mr. Philo Vance.

[District Attorney Markham]

You won't be able to see a thing for a moment, Vance, now that Heath has turned the lights out.

[Philo Vance]

I figured that out for myself, Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

The FBI have done this, Vance. Taken movies of an actual confession, but it's not done too often in police work. I think you're entitled to see the film, though. The film featuring Edgar Walters in his first and last starring role.

[Philo Vance]

Okay, Markham, let's see and hear it.

[District Attorney Markham]

All right, Heath, let's have the film.

[Edgar Walters]

This is Edgar Walters. Of my own free will and volition, I'm confessing that I murdered my wife by going out to the gambling ship Argus in a small boat I had chartered the day before. I met her by arrangement, and I killed her as soon as we reached land. Her gambling was ruining me. I. I had to kill her. I don't know how anybody could have figured my actions, but Philo Vance did. That is all.

[District Attorney Markham]

All right, Heath, let's have some lights.

[Philo Vance]

All right, Mr. Markham. Very interesting, Markham. Very interesting explanation. Which reminds me, I've got some explaining still to do to Ellen Deering. She won't be satisfied till she knows the whole story. But then, neither was I. Well, Ellen, I know you waited very patiently. So let's talk about the Argus murder case. It really had me puzzled for a while. I was quite certain that Mrs. Walters had been on board the Argus. But the denials of lucky Saunders and Mr. And Mrs. Henderson threw me for a while.

[Ellen Deering]

Why did they lie, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

They all had reason. Saunders would have made himself a wonderful suspect if he'd admitted that Mrs. Walters had been on board. And in addition have given his gambling ship bad reputation.

[Ellen Deering]

A gambling ship, a bad reputation? Well, that sounds like a reason skunks don't eat scallions, but I'll buy it. Why did the Hendersons lie?

[Philo Vance]

Mrs. Henderson hated Edith Waters. And Edith Waters was welching on money she owed Ace Henderson. Both would be ready made suspects if they told the truth.

[Ellen Deering]

I suppose I'm dumb, but it's hard to figure out why Walters came to you in the first place.

[Philo Vance]

He was trying to be smart. He figured it was a perfect alibi to ask me to work on his wife's disappearance. He knew I couldn't possibly get out to the gambling ship at four in the morning. But he could and he did.

[Ellen Deering]

But what about that radio message that Mrs. Walters sent?

[Philo Vance]

Mrs. Henderson admits now that she threatened Edith Walters. That Mrs. Walters ran into the radio room and sent the message that brought us out to the Argus.

[Ellen Deering]

And then?

[Philo Vance]

Then while she was sending the message, Saunders came along, let himself into the radio room with his own key and put his hand over Mrs. Walters mouth. He didn't want the police out on his boat. Naturally.

[Ellen Deering]

Commonly known as Natch. Then what?

[Philo Vance]

Then Saunders talked Mrs. Henderson out of any desire for personal revenge against Edith Waters and saw to it that Mrs. Walters got to her cabin. But she had arranged with her husband to meet him, as we know. And she rode with him to the shore. And her death. It was a very clever plan.

[Ellen Deering]

Walter said there's a moral in this somewhere. Something about wives not gambling or playing around with gamblers.

[Philo Vance]

That was the beginning of Mrs. Walters trouble.

[Ellen Deering]

Yes, I suppose it was. And this is the end of the Argus murder case.

[Edith Walters]

Sam.

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