Philo Vance: The Girl Who Came Back 07/26/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Philo Vance: The Girl Who Came Back (Original Broadcast 07/26/1945)
Release Date: March 14, 2026

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Overview

This classic radio detective episode centers on Philo Vance investigating an incredible claim: the return of a wealthy man's daughter who was presumed drowned as a child nine years earlier. Her sudden reappearance, complete with intimate knowledge of the family estate, sets off a tangle of suspicion, imposture, long-hidden secrets, and ultimately, a deadly confrontation. The episode places classic detective tropes—amnesia, family inheritance, and murder—into the hands of clever, bantering characters and unfurls a tightly plotted, suspenseful story.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. The Setup: John Martin's Plight

• [00:23] The episode opens with the narration: "When a man is wealthy...the most logical way to get the money...would be to pretend to be the dead girl."
• John Martin, a widower, explains to Philo Vance that his only child, Jean, drowned nine years ago; her body was never found. His wife died three years later, overcome with grief.
• [03:54] Martin reveals: "Yesterday, Mr. Vance, Jean came home.”
  This stuns both Vance and his companions.

2. Jean Martin's Return and Skepticism

• The young woman claiming to be Jean knows detailed information about the home.
• She explains her absence as a case of amnesia after nearly drowning, claiming her memory only recently returned after a fall.
• [04:50] Lane: “She sounds clever.”
• Both Vance and others test her by questioning details about her past. A telltale childhood scar is used as a potential identifier.

3. Confrontation & Suspicion

• The imposter (or is she?) is grilled about her motivations; it's revealed there’s a considerable inheritance at stake.
• [07:14] Jean Martin: “Listen, mister, I'm Jean Martin and you and nobody else can prove any different. So let's get down to terms.”
• The scar is discussed; Jean claims it healed: “Scar can heal, can't it? I had the scar. It's gone now. It's been gone for years.” [07:48]

4. Investigating Allegiances

• Bill, the chauffeur, is introduced and denies knowing the young woman, but acknowledges the real Jean Martin had a scar from “cutting a watermelon at a picnic.” [08:40]
• Doubts about Jean’s identity persist; Vance even suggests she could be the real Jean, as childhood scars sometimes fade and amnesia cases are possible.

5. Attempted Poisoning

• [11:05] During a drink, Martin shouts: “Drink. That is poison, Vance. That glass is full of poison, Vance!”
  He accuses Jean of tampering with photographic chemicals from his darkroom to spike the drink, further raising tensions and suspicions.

6. The Twist: The Truth About Jean

• In Vance’s apartment, he asks Jean to remove "a layer of skin" from her wrist to reveal the scar, proving her true identity. [12:46]
• [13:03] "She’s got the scar." – Bill
• Jean’s real story is revealed: she truly suffered from amnesia and had been living at an orphanage, verified by Bill’s diligent search.
• [13:17] Jean Martin: “Quite true, Mr. Vance. I came to on the beach about six miles from our heart on the day I was supposed to be drowned...I was 11 years old.”

7. A Darker Revelation: Attempted Murder

• [15:04] Jean reveals to Vance: “My father tried to murder me. What? Yes...I wasn’t carried away by the tide that day. And he wasn’t on the shore as he said.”
• Bill corroborates: “He held her head underwater, Mr. Vance.”
• Jean and Bill admit their plan to feign imposture was self-protection, hoping to catch Martin off guard.

8. The Trap and the Confession

• Vance devises a plan for Jean to confront her father at the dock, singing a lullaby from her childhood and recounting the day he tried to drown her.
• [19:30] Jean Martin: “You tried to murder me in this water. You held me down until you thought I was dead. But I didn’t drown, Daddy. You see, I’m here now. I’m right here in front of you.”
• Martin, cornered and desperate, admits his guilt and attempts to murder Jean again, but is intercepted by Vance and law enforcement.

9. Vance’s Reasoning and Resolution

• Vance explains his deductions:
  • Martin claimed Jean knew about a darkroom installed after she was “drowned.” She couldn’t have known about it unless she really was his daughter.
  • The false accusation about the poison was a clumsy attempt to frame her.
• [21:12] Philo Vance: “...when he turned on Jean and accused her of stealing chemicals for my drink, he said she knew the dark room was there… She couldn't have if she were his daughter… And finally... the dark room was locked. Martin said as much himself.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [04:01] Mr. Martin: “This girl, this fraud, Mr. Vance, this cunning little imposter. She came to my home yesterday and tried to tell me she's my own daughter.”
• [07:14] Jean Martin: “Listen, mister, I'm Jean Martin and you and nobody else can prove any different. So let's get down to terms.”
• [11:05] Mr. Martin: “Drink. That is poison, Vance. That glass is full of poison, Vance!”
• [13:17] Jean Martin: “...I was taken to the Good Shepherd Orphanage. Well, you can phone them and check if you like. I've been working there for my boarding room.”
• [15:04] Jean Martin: “My father tried to murder me.”
• [19:30] Jean Martin: “You tried to murder me in this water. You held me down until you thought I was dead. But I didn’t drown, Daddy. You see, I’m here now.”
• [21:12] Philo Vance: “...when he turned on Jean and accused her of stealing chemicals for my drink, he said she knew the dark room was there… She couldn't have if she were his daughter…”

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Key Timestamps

• 00:23 – Announcer sets up the case’s backstory and introduces Philo Vance.
• 03:54 – Jean’s supposed return is revealed.
• 07:14 – Jean’s assertive denial of imposture and demand for her inheritance.
• 11:05 – The dramatic incident with the poisoned drink.
• 12:46 – The true scar is revealed, confirming Jean’s identity.
• 13:17 – Jean and Bill explain her disappearance and recovery.
• 15:04 – Jean and Bill recount the attempted murder by her father.
• 19:30 – Jean confronts her father with the truth and the attempted murder is re-enacted.
• 21:12 – Vance explains how he deduced the truth and traps Martin.

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Tone & Character Dynamics

The episode features snappy, era-appropriate banter (especially between Vance and his sidekick Lane), rich melodrama, and suspenseful turns. The cast plays into classic radio detective archetypes: the tenacious detective, the wounded heiress, the desperate father, and the loyal friend.
Lane’s quips and skepticism as Vance’s helper provide comic moments that soften the otherwise tense confrontation at the story’s heart.

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Takeaways for Listeners

• The story is a well-crafted blend of family drama, deception, and detective logic, with classic radio pacing and dialogue.
• Listeners are treated to both the suspense of determining whether Jean is an impostor and the twist of deeper motives and past crimes.
• Philo Vance demonstrates classic deductive reasoning, culminating in a clever trap that exposes the truth and delivers justice.

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A masterful old time radio mystery—equal parts engrossing and chilling—with Philo Vance at his wittiest and most incisive.

Transcript

[Narrator]

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].

[Announcer]

When a man is wealthy, a widower without children, it's possible for some dishonest person to try and get his money away from him. When the widower lost his only child in a drowning some nine years ago, the most logical way to get the money, since the body of the drowned child was never recovered, would be to pretend to be the dead girl. Hello, creeps. This is T4Y opening the doors of the Mystery Playhouse. Tonight we celebrate the return of the master of them all, the inimitable Philo Vance. The story, the Case of the Girl who came back about 10 minutes ago. In Philo Vance's apartment, the eminent detective has just finished luncheon alone. Now, however, he has a guest and she's very much at home, even with his servant, curry.

[Jean Martin]

Lay out Mr. Vance's water wings, will you, Curry?

[Lane]

We're going swimming.

[Bill]

We are not, Mr. Vance.

[Jean Martin]

Vance, really, it's a terrific day. I phoned Washington and there isn't any detecting for me to do.

[Lane]

Please take me swimming.

[Philo Vance]

It's on the island, no doubt, along with 7 million others who've got the same idea.

[Lane]

It'd be fun, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

It would be a nightmare. I loathe floundering about in water like a canned salmon. What is it, Perry?

[Lane]

You are a canned salmon.

[Bill]

This gentleman, Mr. Vance, remember, he's been

[Jean Martin]

waiting for you to finish lunch.

[Lane]

The one in the hall.

[Jean Martin]

He was sitting there when I came in.

[Philo Vance]

Don't come in. Curry.

[Bill]

Yes, sir.

[Philo Vance]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. What's his name?

[Bill]

Martin, Mr. Vance. John Martin.

[Lane]

Maybe he'll take me swimming.

[Philo Vance]

You can dream, can't you, Mr. Martin.

[Mr. Martin]

Mr. Martin.

[Philo Vance]

Come in, please.

[Mr. Martin]

Thank you.

You're.

You're Mr. Philo Vance?

[Philo Vance]

I am. This is Ms. Randall, my swimming instructor.

[Mr. Martin]

I beg your pardon.

[Lane]

How do you do, Mr. Martin?

[Mr. Martin]

You're. You're probably wondering why I'm here. Mr. Vance, I just had to come to you. This thing is so. So unbelievable, so fantastic.

[Lane]

Let's hear it, Mr. Martin.

[Mr. Martin]

I beg your pardon.

[Philo Vance]

Ms. Randall, I ought to say, is a detective, Mr. Martin, in manner of speaking.

[Mr. Martin]

Oh, I see.

[Lane]

Thanks for the manner of speaking.

[Philo Vance]

Don't mention it. Just what is your story, Mr. Martin? Perhaps I can suggest someone who'll be glad to help.

[Mr. Martin]

It's horrible, Mr. Vance. You see, I live out on Long Island, Great Neck, Long Island. I have a Home there on the water.

[Philo Vance]

I know the fiction.

[Mr. Martin]

I'm alone now. My wife died six years ago.

[Philo Vance]

I see.

[Mr. Martin]

You may remember. It was in the papers. Our only child was ground on our beach when she was 11.

[Lane]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Mr. Martin]

It was a great tragedy, Ms. Randall. Mrs. Martin never really got over it.

[Philo Vance]

Oh, then this wasn't recent?

[Mr. Martin]

Oh, no, no. Jean was drowned nine years ago, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

1936.

[Mr. Martin]

Yes, yes, that's right. My wife died three years later. The child and I were swimming together. I can remember it so plainly. She ventured out too far while I was on shore and she. She was caught in a riptide.

[Lane]

How horrible.

[Mr. Martin]

I. I heard her scream, but I couldn't reach her. I saw her body carried out to sea, Mr. Ans, I. I saw it myself.

[Philo Vance]

It was recovered.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Never. No.

[Mr. Martin]

From that day to this, her body was never found. Oh, I spent thousands mis events just to give her poor mother that much peace of mind. But her body was never washed in.

[Philo Vance]

Well, I am sorry, Mr. Martin. I can understand a tragedy like that, but I don't quite see.

[Mr. Martin]

Yesterday, Mr. Vance, Jean came home.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

What?

[Philo Vance]

Yes, I didn't quite get that myself.

[Mr. Martin]

This. This girl, this fraud, Mr. Vance, this cunning little imposter. She came to my home yesterday and tried to tell me she's my own daughter.

[Philo Vance]

But, Mr. Martin, surely. Surely you can tell.

[Mr. Martin]

Why, of course I can tell. He's a scheming Little cheek, Mr. Vance. He's no more my gene than. Than this lady is.

[Lane]

I hardly see that it's anything to worry about. Mr. Martin. Why not phone the police?

[Mr. Martin]

I want it to. I want it to at once. But my law firm bears my name, you see. Unpleasant publicity of that sort. Notoriety? No. I owe it to my associates to keep it out of the papers.

[Philo Vance]

But obviously, if the girl is an imposter, you can make short work of her. Pick her up on some simple little reference to her past. To her mother, it seems. Easy, Mr. Martin. That's just it.

[Mr. Martin]

This girl knows more about me than I do myself. Terrifying, Mr. Vance. She knows the house, the grounds, the countryside. And she swears she's my daughter.

[Lane]

I don't mean to be simple, but where does she say she's been all this time?

[Mr. Martin]

Oh, she has a story for that, too. Says that she was washed up on shore, a complete victim of amnesia. There's the gall of it. Tried to tell me she's been without memory for nine years and came out of it this week in a fall down the stairs.

[Lane]

She sounds clever.

[Philo Vance]

You don't recognize her of course I'm sure.

[Mr. Martin]

She's not my daughter, Mr. Vance. Definitely sure.

[Philo Vance]

Well, she would change, naturally. She was 11 when she was drowned. 20 now. She changed a great deal.

[Lane]

Oh, not that much, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Yet you say she seems well acquainted with her alleged home, Mr. Martin.

[Mr. Martin]

It's amazing. That's why I can't call the police. Her story is just convincing enough.

[Announcer]

They'd.

[Mr. Martin]

They'd drag it through the papers for weeks.

[Lane]

She's working with someone. Of course. Someone who's told her the right answers. Right, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

You know, I'd like to meet a girl who would plan a game like this. I really would.

[Mr. Martin]

Then you'll. You'll help me, Mr. Vance? You'll expose her?

[Philo Vance]

Still sold on that swim lane?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

No.

[Lane]

Not while you cavort with the 20 year old ghost, darling. I'll stick with you.

[Mr. Martin]

And this brings us back to the library, Mr. Vance. Now you've seen the whole estate.

[Philo Vance]

You're a camera enthusiast, Ms. Martin?

[Mr. Martin]

Huh? Oh, those enlargements. Yes, I dabble in it. When the war broke out, my doctors told me to do something to quiet my nerves. So I took up photography.

[Philo Vance]

Some of these are excellent.

[Mr. Martin]

I have a dark room downstairs. I'll open it up if you like.

[Philo Vance]

I'd enjoy it. And now if you'll send the young lady in, please.

[Mr. Martin]

I'll tell you how grateful I am, Mr. Vance. It's been a terrible strain. Mr. Vance wants to see you.

[Jean Martin]

What about?

[Philo Vance]

Come in.

[Mr. Martin]

Miss.

[Lane]

Ms. Martin. Gene Martin.

[Philo Vance]

Yes, so we've heard. Sit down, Ms. Martin. If you don't mind, I'd like to ask you a few questions.

[Jean Martin]

I suppose he hired you.

[Philo Vance]

On the contrary, I should have paid to meet you. I admire your courage.

[Jean Martin]

You're very funny.

[Announcer]

You.

[Philo Vance]

You contend you've been an amnesia victim for nine years, is that right?

[Jean Martin]

That's right.

[Lane]

But surely you know where you've been?

[Jean Martin]

I remember falling. I must have hit my head because there's a bump on it. And that's all?

[Philo Vance]

That's all?

[Jean Martin]

When I came to, I was about a block from here. That was last night. You mean you don't know where you've

[Lane]

been for nine years?

[Mr. Martin]

You heard me.

[Lane]

Oh, your language, chum doesn't quite go with the day tour around here.

[Jean Martin]

Okay, so maybe the last nine years weren't so good. How do I know?

[Philo Vance]

Well, that lane puts you in a well known place.

[Jean Martin]

Listen, mister, I'm Gene Martin and you and nobody else can prove any different. So let's get down to terms.

[Announcer]

Terms?

[Philo Vance]

What kind of terms?

[Jean Martin]

Oh, he didn't tell you that, huh? Well, listen. My grandfather was stinking rich. He was lousy with it, see? And it all came to me. Only my father was to get it if I died.

[Philo Vance]

And now you come back for the money that's rightfully yours, is that it?

[Jean Martin]

You think I'm gonna let him keep it?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

He won't even listen to me.

[Lane]

Imagine being so mean.

[Jean Martin]

You keep out of this.

[Mr. Martin]

Careful, girl.

[Philo Vance]

You did miss up on one small detail. You know, Jean Martin had a scar on her right wrist. A rather prominent scar.

[Jean Martin]

And you haven't a scar can heal, can't it? I had the scar. It's gone now. It's been gone for years. Oh, brother, you're really good.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Listen, you.

[Philo Vance]

Wait a minute. Keep talking. Lane.

[Lane]

What?

[Philo Vance]

There's someone listening at the door.

[Lane]

I know what I'd like to say.

[Jean Martin]

A nice afternoon like this and we come all the way out here to.

[Philo Vance]

Care to join us?

[Bill]

Come in.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Hey, hey.

[Narrator]

Mud door. Me?

[Philo Vance]

Gladly. And who, might I ask, are you?

[Lane]

A long lost brother, no doubt.

[Bill]

Well, I. I work here. I'm the chauffeur.

[Jean Martin]

That's right, he is. Bill and I used to play together when we were kids.

[Lane]

Would you say that Slowly, honey, I'm a little sick today.

[Jean Martin]

His father worked here for us before Bill was brought up on the estate. We used to play together all the time.

[Philo Vance]

That right, Bill?

[Bill]

I never saw her before in my life.

[Jean Martin]

Why, you.

[Philo Vance]

But you did live here. You did play with the real Gene Martin.

[Mr. Martin]

Sure.

[Bill]

She was a great little kid. I taught her to swim.

[Philo Vance]

You remember a scar on her wrist, of course.

[Bill]

Sure I do. Right here. About an inch and a half. She got it cutting a watermelon at a picnic out on the lawn. Heck, I went with her when my dad drove her into town to the doctor.

[Philo Vance]

I see. Well, you've been a great help, Bill. You'll be around if I need you again.

[Bill]

Yeah, I'll be around.

[Mr. Martin]

Thank you.

[Jean Martin]

Listen, he's lying, I tell you. He remembers me.

[Mr. Martin]

He must.

[Lane]

Sure, honey, we all do.

[Philo Vance]

Now, will you ask your papa to come in here?

[Bill]

Jean?

[Jean Martin]

Listen, you can stop cracking, both of you. Because I'm Gene Martin, brother, and that sticks.

[Philo Vance]

Ask him to come in, please.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Sure, go ahead.

[Jean Martin]

Play detective all you like. Hey, Daddy.

[Mr. Martin]

You're through, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Well, it wasn't much effort, Mr. Martin. The local police could have handled the situation nicely. Let's all sit down a moment.

[Mr. Martin]

Sure.

[Jean Martin]

I got all the time in the world.

[Mr. Martin]

You scheming little.

[Jean Martin]

Take it easy, Daddy.

[Philo Vance]

On the way out here, young lady. Mr. Martin explained that you're unusually well acquainted with this house. In short, that you can answer questions an outsider wouldn't know.

[Jean Martin]

I told you I used to live here, remember?

[Philo Vance]

You knew, for instance, that your mother played the piano. That the rose garden was once to the north rather than where it is now. That the roof on the east wing is new.

[Mr. Martin]

Yes, there was a great deal more, Mr. Vance. It's uncanny.

[Philo Vance]

Well, obviously the girl's been well coached. Is Bill in on the deal?

[Mr. Martin]

Jean, My chauffeur, Bill.

[Lane]

We've met him, Mr. Martin.

[Mr. Martin]

Why, that's absurd. I practically raised the boy myself. His father died right here in my employ.

[Jean Martin]

Try again, Mr. Detectives.

[Philo Vance]

Suppose we try Money, Jean. Does that interest you?

[Jean Martin]

Sure it does, if the money belongs to me. Don't forget I'm Jean martin.

[Philo Vance]

You know, Mr. Martin, the girl might be telling the truth.

[Jean Martin]

Oh, that.

[Philo Vance]

Why, that's ridiculous, Mr. Vance.

[Mr. Martin]

I'm surprised you mentioned such a thing.

[Philo Vance]

Stranger things have happened, you know. And the girl is right. Childhood scars do disappear in time. But.

[Mr. Martin]

But I.

[Philo Vance]

As for her amnesia, that's entirely possible, too.

[Jean Martin]

Now, you're doing okay, Vance. What in the.

[Philo Vance]

My suggestion, Mr. Martin. We said we settle this some way. Now, right here in this room, I.

[Mr. Martin]

I think I'll have a drink.

[Philo Vance]

Well, perhaps that would help us all.

[Lane]

Lane, you sound like you've had 10 bands.

[Philo Vance]

Like any food later, pets, when we're around.

[Mr. Martin]

There's only scotch here in the library if you.

[Philo Vance]

Well, that will do nicely, thanks.

[Jean Martin]

Let me pour the drink. I'm the daughter, you know.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You want one, too?

[Lane]

I might as well. I feel it already.

[Jean Martin]

Here you are, Mr. Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Ah, thank you. Now then, let's drink to the success of our bargaining. How's that? To the success of what we'll accomplish here, Mr. Vance.

[Mr. Martin]

Wait. What, Miss Mont. Drink. That is poison, Vance. That glass is full of poison, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Well, I seem to have spilled my drink, Vance.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You didn't drink it.

[Philo Vance]

Thanks, Mr. Martin. No.

[Mr. Martin]

Well, I'm sorry I had to knock it out of your hand, Mr. Vance. You devil.

[Lane]

Why, listen.

[Mr. Martin]

Smell that, Mr. Vance? Why know that odor anywhere? It's the emulsion I use in my dark room downstairs. You little fiend. You knew I kept chemicals in there. Then when Mr. Vance was going to expose you, you decided to poison him.

Good Lord.

[Philo Vance]

I. I am grateful to you, Mr. Martin. It seems I almost drank a developer.

[Mr. Martin]

Highball.

[Jean Martin]

You're off the beam, all of you.

[Mr. Martin]

Why are you. You keep quiet.

I've had enough out of you. Well, Mr. Vance, shall I call the Police.

[Philo Vance]

It won't be necessary, Mr. Martin. Ms. Randall and I are driving into town. We'll take our young friend with us.

[Jean Martin]

Why, you chump.

[Philo Vance]

Oh, and I'd like to take Bill, too. Mr. Martin. I'm not entirely sure he isn't mixed up in this.

[Mr. Martin]

Take them all. I just want this woman out of my house.

[Philo Vance]

I assure you, Mr. Martin, you've seen the last of her.

[Bill]

Want me to stay in here, Mr. Vance? I mean, with all this?

[Philo Vance]

No, I think not. Curry. I'll call if I need you.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Yes?

[Lane]

Oh, Vance, dear.

[Philo Vance]

Yes, Lane?

[Lane]

Is it fair if I ask just one little question?

[Philo Vance]

By all means.

[Lane]

What in the name of. What are we doing here in your apartment?

[Jean Martin]

Let's take these two down to the district attorney's office and be done with it.

[Bill]

Look, Mr. Vance, you got me all wrong. I never saw this dame before until last night.

[Jean Martin]

Oh, yes, you did, Billy. Yes, you did.

[Philo Vance]

All right, kids, I think the show's gone far enough. You can take that layer of skin off your wrist.

[Lane]

Jean Vance.

[Jean Martin]

What in the world.

[Philo Vance]

This is what I mean. Jean, let me have your wrist a moment.

[Bill]

Get away from her.

[Philo Vance]

All right, Bill. I'm quite convinced she is Jean Martin. See? Just an ordinary skin patch, isn't it, Jean? And very neatly applied, too.

[Jean Martin]

She. She's got the scar.

[Philo Vance]

She has. Ms. Martin, Ms. Randall.

[Lane]

How do you do?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You win, Mr. Grant.

[Philo Vance]

You found her force, Bill?

[Bill]

Yes, sir. I never gave up looking for Jean.

[Philo Vance]

The amnesia story is true, then?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Quite true, Mr. Vance. I came to on the beach about six miles from our heart on the day I was supposed to be drowned. I mean, I was 11 years old.

[Bill]

The doctors figured a wave threw her up against a log or something in the water. Mr. Vance, her head was cut.

[Philo Vance]

And then Jean.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Well, I couldn't remember anything, Mr. Vance. For days I'd walked you around in a kind of a dream. And then finally I was taken to the Good Shepherd Orphanage. Well, you can phone them and check if you like. I've been working there for my boarding room.

[Philo Vance]

Go on.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Well, just as Bill said, he always looked for me. He never believed I was John.

[Bill]

I couldn't afford to hire detectives or advertisements to Vance especially working right there

[Announcer]

in the Martin home.

[Bill]

I'd just ask questions and write letters. Then when a reply sounded worthwhile, well, I'd investigate in my time off.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

And one letter came to the Good shepherd asking about an amnesia case in 1936. So they told Bill about me. Bill came up to see me, and here we are.

[Announcer]

I see.

[Philo Vance]

Well, that clears up A great deal.

[Lane]

Dance? You're out of your mind. Why, those two are bigger phonies than I thought.

[Philo Vance]

Why, Lane?

[Jean Martin]

Well, for one thing, why did our hero here keep all this from the girl's father? Why not let him spend his money

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

looking for his own daughter?

[Bill]

He thought she was dead.

[Jean Martin]

Oh, and you knew better, I suppose.

[Bill]

Mr. Martin was careful that there was almost no publicity at the time of the drowning, Ms. Randall. Just a little too careful. Why does he want to keep it quiet when the body wasn't found?

[Lane]

Okay, we'll skip that for a minute. Suppose you are Jean Martin.

[Jean Martin]

Why the mystery? Why cover up the one scar that proves it? Why play the tough little mole with us all afternoon? And you, Bill, you pretended you didn't even know her.

[Lane]

What goes on here?

[Philo Vance]

Fair question, Lane going to answer Jean.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Well, you're convinced that I am Jean Martin, Mr. Garrett?

[Philo Vance]

Beyond a doubt.

[Narrator]

Jean.

[Philo Vance]

Even without the scar, I knew it before we left your home.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

All right, then, I'll tell you. My father tried to murder me. What? Yes, I know that sounds strange, but that's true. I wasn't carried away by the tide that day. And he wasn't on the shore as he said.

[Bill]

He held her head underwater, Mr. Vance. Held her and pushed her out to sea.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

And when I got back, I knew if I proved I was Gene right away he'd try to murder me again. And if I went to the police, he'd call me an imposter. He'd even lie about my scar. So the only thing to do was to throw him off his guard by convincing him that I was of faith.

[Bill]

You see, we hoped we could find a way to trick him into admitting he tried to kill her. We planned it together, Mr. Vance. And when Mr. Martin called you in, we didn't know what to do.

[Lane]

You see, Lane, just get me Vance. I'm so dizzy. Now, just let me sit here and spin.

[Philo Vance]

It's quite simple, really. Martin called me in to bolster his own case. Now I think we'll unbolster it a little.

[Bill]

But how, Mr. Vance? What can we do now? He's got all Gene's money, everything.

[Philo Vance]

Jean, I told you once today, you've got nerves. Think you can use it again?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

I can try, Mr. Vance.

[Mr. Martin]

Good.

[Philo Vance]

Now here's exactly what I want you to do.

[Bill]

Mr. Martin, sir.

[Mr. Martin]

Yes, Bill?

[Bill]

That boat's loose again, sir. I'm afraid it's been damaged, hitting against the dock.

[Mr. Martin]

Can't you keep that boat tied up properly?

[Bill]

I'm sorry, Mr. Martin. I. I wasn't here this afternoon, you know.

[Mr. Martin]

Oh, yes, yes, that's true. I'm glad you came out clean in that nasty mess, Bill. Mr. Vance called and told me the police are convinced that you had nothing to do with that. That girl.

[Bill]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Martin]

Well, we'll just forget the whole incident, son. Boat damaged, you say?

[Bill]

Yes, sir. I wish you'd go down and look for yourself, Mr. Martin, and you can tell me what's to be done.

[Mr. Martin]

All right, I will. Nice night like this, I ought to be outside. Yes, go along, son. I'll look at it directly.

[Bill]

Yes, sir. I'll be in my quarters if you want.

[Mr. Martin]

Thank you, Bill. Oh, beautiful night. Really beautiful. I ought to get the camera like that. I might get a good shot without a light at all. Good boy, Dale. Comes of good, solid stuff. Well, I should have told him to turn on the flood lights down here. How does he think I can inspect the bolt without lights?

[Announcer]

Yeah.

[Mr. Martin]

My, what a wonderful night. One I. I could have sworn I. That song. I must. Must be asleep.

Stop that.

[Philo Vance]

Stop that singing.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You used to sing it to me when I was a little girl. You and mother would come into my

[Lane]

room at night and you'd sing it to me.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Remember, Daddy?

[Mr. Martin]

Stop it, I say.

Who are you?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Look at my wrist. See the scar on my wrist? The scar I got cutting the melon on the lawn.

[Lane]

You remember, Daddy?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Mother was there, Aunt was there. Remember, James? I was 10 when I got that scar.

[Jean Martin]

And when I was 11.

[Mr. Martin]

Shut up.

[Jean Martin]

Shut up. I said when I was 11.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

We went swimming one afternoon.

[Lane]

Right here, Daddy. Right here at this pier.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You remember the day, I mean, don't you? You let me hold on to your

[Lane]

back while we swam way out, Daddy.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Way out where the water's deep and cold. And then you took hold of my neck.

[Jean Martin]

Remember?

[Lane]

You held it and you pulled.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Pushed me down, down into the water.

[Jean Martin]

Remember how I tried to scream? Remember how I felt struggling in your arms?

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Do you?

[Mr. Martin]

You. You didn't die.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

You tried to murder me in this water. You held me down until you thought I was dead.

[Jean Martin]

But I didn't drown, Daddy. You see, I'm here now. I'm right here in front of you.

[Lane]

You fool.

[Mr. Martin]

You think you could come back now? Did you think I'd let you come

[Jean Martin]

back after all I did?

[Mr. Martin]

That money's mine and it's going to stay mine. I thought I murdered you once. This time I'll do it right. Same water in it.

[Philo Vance]

Well, you'll see.

[Mr. Martin]

You have a radiant. You'll find.

[Philo Vance]

Miss Martin. Don't move, please. I have A gun.

[Mr. Martin]

Ben, Where'd you come from?

[Philo Vance]

From under the pier. In a word.

[Mr. Martin]

Oh, Bill.

[Philo Vance]

Light, please.

[Mr. Martin]

Light.

[Jean Martin]

Mr. Bash.

[Mr. Martin]

Did it work?

[Philo Vance]

Beautifully, Lane. He planted down her just as I said he would. You all right, Gene? Get up on the pier.

[Mr. Martin]

Martin.

[Philo Vance]

Watch him, Bill. I'll help.

[Mr. Martin]

Gene. Gene.

[Announcer]

Oh, Gene, darling.

[Lane]

Good work.

[Mr. Martin]

I heard you.

[Philo Vance]

Take Mr. Bobber, please, and escort Mr. Martin up to my car. You'll find Curry and some officers waiting.

[Bill]

Yes, sir. Come on, Martin, this is the end of the line.

[Philo Vance]

Well, do you by any chance have a spare towel? Lane, the bottom rung of that ladder down there was just a little wet.

[Lane]

Bamps, tell me something before I bust. Oh, don't be stuffy. Why were you sure Jean was Jean? Because you saw the fake scar tissue on her wrist.

[Philo Vance]

Well, that helped, Lane, but I wasn't sure until Martin tried to make it look as if she'd poisoned my drink. But elementary, as that man would say. Martin told me he installed his photographic room after the market crash in 1939. Remember?

[Lane]

Yes, of course, but I still don't.

[Philo Vance]

But, but, but, darling, when he turned on Jean and accused her of stealing chemicals for my drink, he said she knew the dark room was there. She couldn't have if she were his daughter. He drowned her three years before it was put in. And if she was a phony, she was too well coaxed to betray herself that way. And finally, Peter, the dark room was locked. Martin said as much himself.

[Lane]

You know, Vance, in a way you're rather hostile.

[Philo Vance]

Cold and wet at the moment. Well, give me that towel.

[Lane]

Oh, nothing. I was just thinking you really got that swim after all.

[Announcer]

Thank you, Philo Vance, for the case of the girl who came Back. Now it's getting early again. This is T4Y closing the doors of the Mystery Playhouse. Oh, yes, I almost forgot. Good night. Sleep tight. This is the Armed Forces Radio Service.

[Narrator]

It.

[Jean Martin (revealed identity)]

Sam.