Philo Vance: The Merry Murder Case 07/20/1948

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives: Philo Vance – The Merry Murder Case (07/20/1948)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Choice Classic Radio Detectives" revisits a classic Philo Vance mystery from the golden age of radio: "The Merry Murder Case." The central theme revolves around a perplexing murder, psychological intrigue, and the clever use of hypnosis within the investigation. Renowned detective Philo Vance is faced with a seemingly impossible scenario—three suspects, three guns, and three identical confessions to the same murder.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Murder and Initial Confessions

• [00:38–05:18] The story opens at a lecture on applied psychology conducted by Joseph Mary. Soon after, Alice Barclay arrives at Philo Vance's office, claiming to have just shot and killed a man but unable to remember anything prior to the incident except holding the gun.

  • Quote [05:06, Alice Barclay]: "I've just shot and killed a man."
  • Philo Vance suspects a case of amnesia or psychological trauma.

• [06:33–08:45] Simultaneously, two other women—Joan Anderson and Francis Adams—are found with ties to the murder, each with a matching motive, missing memory, or physical evidence. Each confesses to the murder, deepening the mystery.

The Investigation Expands

• [09:21–12:43] Sergeant Heath feels certain he’s solved the case with clear evidence against all three women. However, when the medical examiner reveals that Joseph Mary was shot with three different bullets (from three different guns), the case becomes far more convoluted.
  • Quote [10:43, Medical Examiner]: "There are three bullets in Mr. Merry’s heart. Three bullets from three different guns, I’d say."
  • Quote [13:12, Sergeant Heath]: "You solve the Canary murder case and the Green murder case and only last week, the Eagle murder case... Well, I'd like to see you solve this one."

Exploring Hypnosis as a Key Element

• [16:44–17:44] Vance consults Professor Colby, an expert in hypnotism, to explore whether post-hypnotic suggestion could explain the women’s actions. The professor asserts one cannot be hypnotized to act against their moral code, but post-hypnotic suggestion can cause someone to act without understanding their motivation.
  • Quote [17:09, Professor Colby]: "Nobody can be hypnotized into doing anything that’s against his moral code."
  • Quote [17:28, Vance]: "The person receiving a post-hypnotic suggestion would have no idea why he was doing something, but he'd know he’d have to do it, right?"

The Mass Hypnosis Experiment

• [18:15–21:25] Vance gathers the three suspects and, with Professor Colby, attempts hypnosis to determine which of them might have acted under a post-hypnotic suggestion. All three women are apparently hypnotized, but none reacts to Vance’s suggestion to "shoot" (re-create the murder under hypnosis).
  • Quote [21:25, Philo Vance]: "I know who killed Joe Mary. Can’t you tell, Markham?"

The Final Confrontation and Reveal

• [21:45–23:55] Vance identifies that only two of the women were truly hypnotized—Francis Adams resisted hypnotic suggestion, implicating her as the actual murderer.
• Using Alice Barclay as bait, Vance and Markham stage a confrontation in which Francis Adams confesses and attempts to kill again, thereby revealing her guilt.
  • Quote [23:21, Alice Barclay]: "I just wanted to tell you that as long as the police have apparently given up on us, you and I ought to have an understanding."
  • Quote [23:39, Francis Adams]: "If you think that you can blackmail me, you’re mistaken. I’ll kill you with my hands. It will make no noise..."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Philo Vance’s sardonic banter with Ms. Dearing [03:10–03:57]:

  • "I could contribute to your ego, Ms. Dearing, by saying that you’re quite disturbing to me. But I won’t. At least not during business hours."

• Sergeant Heath’s exasperation with Vance [09:03]:

  • "Anytime your friend Vance arrives, there's complications."

• The critical insight on hypnosis [18:45, Professor Colby]:

  • "If you fight against it, you couldn't possibly be hypnotized. So thanks again for your cooperation."

• The revelation through the hat pin test [20:00, Philo Vance]:

  • "Observe closely. I’m going to touch Ms. Adams’ hand with it..."
  • Later: “One of them, Francis Adams, jumped a little. That was enough to prove she wasn’t hypnotized and indicated she was the murderer.”

• The motive for murder [25:21, Philo Vance]:

  • "She’d once been married to Joe Mary. When he left town with his divorce, he also stole most of her jewelry and ready cash."

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Important Timestamps

• 00:38 – Opening at Joseph Mary’s lecture
• 05:06 – Alice Barclay’s shocking confession
• 10:43 – Discovery of three bullets from three different guns
• 13:12 – Sergeant Heath’s frustration at the case’s complexity
• 17:09 – Professor Colby discusses hypnotism’s limits
• 18:15–21:25 – Group hypnosis experiment
• 21:25 – Vance deduces who the killer is
• 23:21–23:55 – The staged confrontation and Francis’ confession
• 24:56 – Vance explains how the case was solved and the murderer’s motive

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Case Closure & Final Insights

• Vance’s acute psychological intuition—pinpointing the murderer due to Adams’ resistance to hypnosis—demonstrates his investigative prowess.
• The crime’s motive is revealed to be personal betrayal and theft from a failed marriage, exposing deep psychological wounds behind the murder.
• The episode ends with Vance explaining the solution to his secretary, Ms. Dearing, using wit and subtle humor to sum up the intricacies of the case.

Quote [25:29, Philo Vance]: "With me, Ellen. Right at the end of the Merry Murder Case."

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This episode is a classic example of both the wit and deductive brilliance that made Philo Vance a staple of old-time detective radio, combining psychological insight with dramatic, suspenseful storytelling.

Transcript

[Alice Barclay]

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].

[Joseph Mary]

So, ladies and gentlemen, I have tried to show in my brief lecture just how factual are the case histories on applied psychology contained in my newest book.

[Philo Vance]

Are there Any questions, Mr. Mary?

[Joan Anderson]

Yes, Mr. Mary? If, as you say, the subconscious is the stronger of our two minds, why doesn't it dominate us most of the time?

[Joseph Mary]

A very good question. In my opinion, the subconscious is held in check by a controlling band. A band that keeps it under the conscious mind. Were it possible to remove that controlling influence, I am of the opinion that the subconscious would dominate our motivations. Well, if there are no other questions. Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed I have a phone call in my office. Should any of you care to speak to me there, I assure you I shall be delighted. Thank you very much. Hello, this is Mr. Merry speaking.

[Philo Vance]

Mr. Merry, this is George Haworth. I represent the Justine Literary Club. Would it be possible for you to

[District Attorney Markham]

speak to our members next Thursday?

[Joseph Mary]

Next Thursday? Well, I intended to return to the coast, but I think I might be able to postpone my departure. Well, Just a minute. Just a minute. Will you write me a letter, Mr. Haworth? Merely confirming our appointment.

[Philo Vance]

I'll be very glad to. And thank you, Mr. Merrick.

[Joseph Mary]

Not at all. Goodbye.

[Philo Vance]

Coming?

[Joseph Mary]

Oh, it's you. I thought I saw you in my audience. I hardly expected the pleasure of a personal visit. Come in. I hope you've come to tell me that you've forgotten the past. How would the French say it? Undechaud. One of those things. I'm glad you came to see me. I've been wanting to. Why are you staring at me like that? Why don't you say something? What do you want?

[Philo Vance]

Oh, no, no, no,

[Ms. Dearing]

No.

[Alice Barclay]

I think. Yes,

[Ms. Dearing]

Mr. Vance. I'm not disturbing you, am I?

[Philo Vance]

I could contribute to your ego, Ms. Dearing, by saying that you're quite disturbing to me. But I won't. At least not during business hours.

[Ms. Dearing]

I'm not disturbing during business hours. Or you won't say it during business hours?

[Philo Vance]

A combination of both, Ms. Deering. You know, I believe I've reached the epitome of success as a private investigator. I'm so private that I haven't had an interesting or unusual client in a week.

[Ms. Dearing]

It doesn't seem to bother you much.

[Philo Vance]

It doesn't bother me at all. No. I rather like the ambition that gets me down to my office. And the circumstances that do not force me to work when I get here. It guarantees my character and places no strain whatsoever on my mentality.

[Ms. Dearing]

Would it be too much for me to ask you to guarantee your character in your own office? After all, it's only through that door, and I have some typing to do.

[Philo Vance]

Do I distract you, Ms. Dearing?

[Ms. Dearing]

Well, I could contribute to your ego, Mr. Vance, by saying that you're quite distracting.

[Sergeant Heath]

So I will.

[Ms. Dearing]

You're quite distracting. Now, let me get to work.

[Philo Vance]

Miss Dearing?

[Ms. Dearing]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

Take a letter, please.

[Alice Barclay]

A letter.

[Ms. Dearing]

Okay. I take L for.

[Alice Barclay]

L for.

[Ms. Dearing]

Let me finish what I'm doing. Now, let me see. Take a look at the glass panel in the door. You will not be at ease much longer, O serene sir. I seem to see a female profile.

[Philo Vance]

And I seem to hear a female knock. Come in.

[Alice Barclay]

Mr. Vance here.

[Philo Vance]

I'm Philo Vance. May I help you?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, yes, if you only will. Mr. Vance, I. Oh, is there someplace we can talk alone?

[Ms. Dearing]

Oh, don't mind me. I only work here.

[Philo Vance]

Come into my office if you like. It's just through this door here.

[Alice Barclay]

Thank you. Thank you so much.

[Philo Vance]

Not at all. Won't you have a seat?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, thank you. Mr. Vance, I'm Alice Barclay. And I've come to you because you're the only one who can help me if. If anyone can.

[Philo Vance]

I assure you I'll try. Just give me an idea as to what you'd like me to do.

[Alice Barclay]

I don't know. I don't know what anyone can do, Mr. Vance. I've just shot and killed a man.

[Philo Vance]

I'm afraid you've come to the wrong office, Miss Barkley. You want the police. Or perhaps that's vice versa.

[Alice Barclay]

But you don't understand. I. I can't remember anything that happened to me except two hours ago. I was standing over a man who'd been shot in the heart and I had a gun in my hand, and the gun was still warm from being fired.

[Philo Vance]

You can't remember anything before that?

[Alice Barclay]

Well, I. I went to a lecture on applied psychology this afternoon with friends. The lecturer was Joseph Mary. You heard of him? Of course. He's written books.

[Philo Vance]

Oh, yes.

[Alice Barclay]

All I remember was that after the lecture I was standing over his body and he was dead.

[Philo Vance]

What did you do with the gun?

[Alice Barclay]

I have it here. I put it in my purse and ran. It was only then that I realized I didn't know where I was running to. So I walked and walked, and then I came here. But I can't remember anything else.

[Philo Vance]

Well, I'll do what I can to help you, Ms. Barkley. But I'm pretty convinced that you'll be facing a murder charge unless you suddenly start remembering something. Well, Mrs. Anderson, how do you think

[District Attorney Markham]

your husband looks in his new tuxedo? Pretty nifty, eh?

[Alice Barclay]

Please, please, darling.

[Ms. Dearing]

I'd like to lie down for a while.

[District Attorney Markham]

What's the trouble, Joan? Come home rather late from the lecture and you're all upset. Here, wait.

[Philo Vance]

Sit down for a minute.

[Alice Barclay]

Thank you.

[District Attorney Markham]

That's it. I'll get you a glass of water.

[Philo Vance]

Here, let me have your hat and your handbag.

[Ms. Dearing]

I'm so sorry.

[Alice Barclay]

I guess I don't know what's come over me.

[Philo Vance]

Joan, your handbag's terribly heavy.

[Joseph Mary]

What's in it?

[Alice Barclay]

You might as well look, Joan.

[Sergeant Heath]

It's my gun.

[Philo Vance]

What were you doing with my gun?

[Sergeant Heath]

And one of the bullets has been fired.

[Alice Barclay]

Joan, please. Please, darling. I don't know. I don't remember.

[District Attorney Markham]

You don't remember?

[Alice Barclay]

All I know is that I had to take it to the lecture. I don't. Don't ask me why. And I shot a man with it.

[District Attorney Markham]

You what?

[Alice Barclay]

I shot Joseph. Mary,

[Joan Anderson]

The district attorney will see you now. Sergeant Heath. Go right in.

[Sergeant Heath]

Thanks, Mary. Oh, how's his humor today?

[Alice Barclay]

Very good.

[Joan Anderson]

I. And don't change it, will you?

[Sergeant Heath]

I'll try not to. Hi, Mr. Markham.

[Philo Vance]

Hello, Eve. What do I owe the honor of

[District Attorney Markham]

the Homicide Department's call?

[Sergeant Heath]

This da You've always been griping about the cases I hand you. There's always something missing. You always say right.

[Philo Vance]

Go ahead. This time.

[Sergeant Heath]

I got one for you on a silver platter. Man named Joe Mary was killed in his office this afternoon. This afternoon, mind you, he was shot. The There was a gun lying next to his body. We traced the gun, found its owner, and I'm holding. Her name is Francis Adams. How's that?

[District Attorney Markham]

Sounds like good work, Heath. Just a moment.

[Joan Anderson]

Yes, Mr. Philo? Vance is here, Mr. Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

Vance. We'll show him in, by all means.

[Sergeant Heath]

Oh, so your friend is here, Ada.

[Philo Vance]

And I'm glad.

[Sergeant Heath]

He'll find out that the police don't need him on every case.

[Philo Vance]

Hello, Markham. And Sergeant Heath.

[District Attorney Markham]

Hi, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Vance. How have you been, Heath? Or haven't you made up your mind yet?

[Sergeant Heath]

I feel fine, Mr. Vance. Wonderful, in fact. And you?

[District Attorney Markham]

You'll have to forgive the sergeant today, Vance. He feels he's wrapped up a murder case by himself.

[Philo Vance]

Really? What one is that?

[Sergeant Heath]

The Joe Mary murder. Girl named Frances Adams shot him.

[Philo Vance]

Is that so? Well, I came up here to tell Markham that a Girl named Alice Barkley came to my office a little while ago, and she was under the impression that she killed Joe Mary.

[Sergeant Heath]

Huh?

[Philo Vance]

Had the gun she did it with, too.

[District Attorney Markham]

Here it is. Well, Sergeant Heath, this rather complicates things, doesn't it?

[Sergeant Heath]

Anytime your friend Vance arrives, there's complications. Da. My advice is we'll have to wait

[District Attorney Markham]

for your advice, Sergeant. Hello? Yes. Yes. Yes, of course. Would you bring her right down, please?

[Sergeant Heath]

Thank you.

[Philo Vance]

I'll be here. Goodbye.

[Sergeant Heath]

I was saying that my.

[District Attorney Markham]

I'm going to still have to wait for that, Sergeant. You see, you've arrested a girl for killing Joe Merry. Vance here has a young lady who says she killed him. And that phone call was from a man named Anderson. He says his wife shot and killed Mary, and he's bringing her down here right away. How long does it take that medical examiner to check a body? Sergeant Heath has been working on Joe Mary's body for an hour.

[Philo Vance]

Our friend the sergeant doesn't seem to be in a hurry, Markham.

[Sergeant Heath]

Sure, I'm in a hurry, Vance. Why shouldn't I be in a hurry? When the doc tells us what bullet killed Mary, I'll know which of the three guns I have fired that bullet. I'll know whose gun it is, and I'll know which one of the three girls killed him.

[Philo Vance]

Hmm.

[District Attorney Markham]

I guess Sergeant Heath has something there, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Maybe, but I don't think it'll be quite as simple as that. Well, here comes the doctor. We'll know in a second.

[Sergeant Heath]

Hey, Doc, what kind of a bullet was it that knocked off Mary?

[Joseph Mary]

How do you do, gentlemen?

[Sergeant Heath]

How do you do, gentlemen? How do you do, gentlemen? Doc, we're in a hurry. What kind of a bullet did you find in Mary?

[Joseph Mary]

Patience, Sergeant. Patience is a virtue.

[Sergeant Heath]

All right, so I'm not virtuous. What did you find? We want to know which one of three different gals to hold for this murder.

[Joseph Mary]

I'm afraid I won't be able to tell you that, Sergeant.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yeah?

[Joseph Mary]

There are three bullets.

[District Attorney Markham]

Three bullets?

[Joseph Mary]

Yes, three bullets in Mr. Merry's heart. Three bullets from three different guns, I'd say, huh? I beg your pardon?

[Philo Vance]

The sergeant said, huh? That means he's bewildered.

[District Attorney Markham]

Yes, and he isn't the only one who is bewildered.

[Sergeant Heath]

Oh, I'm supposed to be bewildered, huh? Well, I'm not. All right. So there were three different bullets fired into our friend Mr. Merry. Doc, which one was fired first? Whoever fired that shot is the murderer.

[Joseph Mary]

That's probably correct, Sergeant. Only the three bullets were fired within a very short time of each other. I'm afraid there's no way I or anyone else could tell which one was fired first.

[Sergeant Heath]

God, no. Or can't be.

[Philo Vance]

I'm inclined to think it can. I had a feeling this wouldn't be so simple. Sergeant, may I make a suggestion?

[Sergeant Heath]

Somebody better suggest something.

[Philo Vance]

We have three suspects and three guns. I think the first thing we ought to do is find out if those three guns fired the bullets that the doctor found in Joe Murray's body. Which way to the ballistics department, Sergeant? Well, you have quite a good eye, Sergeant. You hit the bale of cotton without any trouble.

[Sergeant Heath]

I got trouble all right, but it's not because of the way I shoot. Okay. Daniels, get that bullet out and check it with the third one we took out of Joe Mary's body.

[Philo Vance]

Right.

[Sergeant Heath]

Now, Vance, what do you think we'll find?

[Philo Vance]

The same thing we found in the case of the other two guns we checked that. Each fired one bullet into Mary.

[Sergeant Heath]

You know something? I wouldn't mind that. Look, this Barclay gal who came to see you, we know her gun fired one of the bullets, right, D.A.

[District Attorney Markham]

yes, that's correct.

[Sergeant Heath]

All right, the Anderson gal whose husband phoned us, we know her gun fired one of them. The Adams woman that I picked up, this is her gun we just tested. Now, why, this case is a snap. All three of them were in on it. They're all murderers.

[Philo Vance]

I doubt that, Heath. In fact, even if it were right, you could never put all three of them on trial.

[Sergeant Heath]

No? Why not?

[District Attorney Markham]

Vance is right, Heath. Only one of those women is a murderer. The first one that fired the first bullet into Mary, she killed him. Supposing the other two did fire their guns into his body? If he were already dead, what crime did they commit?

[Philo Vance]

See what I meant, Heath?

[Sergeant Heath]

We don't know and can never find out which was the first bullet that killed him. Of course, we gotta hold all three of those women. We've got to. Vance, do me a favor. Say that you're a little confused by all of this, too.

[Philo Vance]

All right, Heath. If it'll give you any satisfaction, I'm confused.

[Sergeant Heath]

Okay. You solve the Canary murder case and the Green murder case. And only last week, the Eagle murder case. The DA keeps reminding me that I didn't. But you did. Well, I'd like to see you solve this one.

[Philo Vance]

I'd be glad to wind up this case for you, sergeant. Very glad. And I'd gladly close it for you if winsomely knew where to start.

[District Attorney Markham]

This is District Attorney Markham. The Mary murder case has everyone concerned, including Philo Vance. Completely baffled. Joe Mary was murdered. Three bullets were found in his heart. Bullets belonging to guns owned by Alice Barclay, Joan Anderson and Francis Adams. All admit they brought those guns to Mary's lecture, but can't tell why. Advance's request. All three women were brought into a detention room at headquarters. And I understand Vance is on a.

[Alice Barclay]

Well, somebody say something. It's no good for the three of us to just sit here and stare at each other.

[Ms. Dearing]

What is there to say, Alice? We don't know where to begin. Francis, the police are going to find out that you were once married. Joe. Mary, why don't you tell them?

[Joan Anderson]

And make myself their number one suspect? You can't mean that, Joan. And while we're on the subject, you and Alice ran around with him at college, didn't you? Why don't you tell the police that?

[Alice Barclay]

Don't try to make it look like we killed him, Francis. Don't you do it. I warn you, I may know more about this than I'm saying.

[Joan Anderson]

That sounds like a threat.

[Alice Barclay]

Well, does it? How does this sound? I think you killed Jo, Mary.

[Joan Anderson]

You even intimate that again and you'll be the sorriest girl alive.

[Alice Barclay]

Joan. Joan. Are we going to stand here? Now, look, Alister, she killed Joan. She killed him and she's afraid. We know how she did it. Now, look, darling, she shot him. I know she did. Don't cry.

[Joan Anderson]

Keep that screaming idiot quiet.

[Alice Barclay]

Joan.

[Joan Anderson]

Keep her quiet.

[Philo Vance]

Ladies, please.

[Alice Barclay]

What do you want here, Mr. Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Well, first I want to tell you that I couldn't help overhearing what the three of you just said. Very interesting. But, ladies, I have good news for you. You're all free to go home.

[Alice Barclay]

Oh, how wonderful.

[Philo Vance]

Only, of course, you're not to leave town.

[Alice Barclay]

Not to leave?

[Philo Vance]

And, Mrs. Anderson?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

I'd like to see you in my office the first thing in the morning.

[District Attorney Markham]

I'd prefer it, Joan, if you'd get out of here and let me finish packing.

[Ms. Dearing]

You can't leave me now, darling.

[Alice Barclay]

You just can't.

[Philo Vance]

Oh, no.

[Sergeant Heath]

Just you wait and see.

[District Attorney Markham]

I'm not going to be known as the husband of the girl who murdered Jo.

[Philo Vance]

Mary, believe me. Ex husband maybe, but not husband. Get out of the way, please. Oh, answer that, will you?

[Sergeant Heath]

I'm having trouble enough trying to close this bag.

[Alice Barclay]

All right.

[Philo Vance]

Hello, Mrs. Anderson?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

This is Philo Vance. Oh, why weren't you down at my office this morning as I asked you to be?

[Ms. Dearing]

I'm sorry, I can't talk to you now.

[Philo Vance]

You've got to. I just found out that the police know you ran around with Joe Mary at college and that he walked out on you.

[Alice Barclay]

Please, Mr. Vance, let me alone. I can't explain anything to you. Goodbye, Mr. Vance. I'm going to hang up. And if you or the police think that I killed you, Mary. Well. Well, it doesn't matter very much now anyhow.

[Sergeant Heath]

Yes, yes, come in, come in. Don't keep knocking like an infernal idiot.

[Philo Vance]

Good afternoon, Professor Colby. Remember me?

[Sergeant Heath]

Certainly I remember you. One of my worst students. Got one of my highest marks. Never forgiven you for it. What's your name?

[Philo Vance]

Vance, Professor Philo.

[Sergeant Heath]

Vance? Yes, Vance. Vance. Well, Vance, what is it?

[Philo Vance]

Professor Colby, can a person be hypnotized into committing murder?

[Sergeant Heath]

If you'd paid any attention in your classes, you'd know that nobody can be hypnotized into doing anything. That's against his moral code. Goodbye, Mr. Don't you say your name was Vance.

[Philo Vance]

Tell me this, professor. Post hypnosis is a suggestion given to a hypnotized person which must be carried out after he is awakened from hypnosis. Correct?

[Sergeant Heath]

Yes. Yes, of course that's correct.

[Philo Vance]

The person receiving a post hypnotic suggestion would have no idea why he was doing something, but he'd know he'd have to do it, right. Any child knows that children don't take courses in applied psychology. May I use your phone?

[Sergeant Heath]

There's a pay station outside.

[Philo Vance]

Oh, this will do very nicely, thank you. I've got to talk to the district attorney and ask him to have three suspects in a murder case brought to my office this evening. And then, Professor Colby, I have a favor to ask of you. A favor I don't think you can well refuse. Miss Barkley, Mrs. Anderson and Ms. Adams.

[Ms. Dearing]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

Let me start by saying I'm glad you were willing to come to my office.

[Alice Barclay]

Oh, not at all.

[Philo Vance]

I appreciate that. Well, Vance, I got them here.

[District Attorney Markham]

Where's this great experiment you promised?

[Philo Vance]

Please, Markham. Ladies, I'm going to attempt an experiment in mass hypnosis. Does any of the three of you object to being hypnotized?

[Alice Barclay]

I don't object.

[Philo Vance]

You know as well as I that if you fight against it, you couldn't possibly be hypnotized. So thanks again for your cooperation. Now, I'd like to present one of our eminent authorities on hypnotism, Professor Colby.

[Alice Barclay]

How do you do, Professor Colby?

[Sergeant Heath]

Turn out all the lights except this one on the desk, please.

[Philo Vance]

Once you do it, will you, Markham? You're nearer to it.

[Sergeant Heath]

Will somebody do it? I haven't got all night, you know Very well. Good. Now, ladies, I want you all to sit back in your chairs, please. Make yourselves comfortable and think of nothing at all. And if you feel yourselves getting drowsy, close your eyes and sleep.

[Philo Vance]

Sleep.

[Sergeant Heath]

There they are, the three of them. Hypnotized. The conscious mind dormant. You won't need me any longer.

[Philo Vance]

No. I know what to do from here on in. Thank you, Professor.

[Sergeant Heath]

Be sure you do it. Fine thing bothering me at this time of the night. Good night, Mr. Mr. Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

Good night. Good night, Professor. He certainly is a strange sort of gentleman, isn't he, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Professor Colby is wonderful. You know, it's his theory and mine that under hypnosis, if hypnotism was used once before, the subconscious mind will recall what was done at that time. I have one of my secretary's hat pins in my hand, Markham. Observe closely. I'm going to touch Ms. Adams hand with it. There.

[District Attorney Markham]

What's up?

[Philo Vance]

That. Don't be alarmed, Morgan. I assure you she didn't feel it. Now for the experiment. Remember, Markham, they're completely under hypnosis. They couldn't lie if they wanted to. Remember that, Ms. Adams, I want you to take this gun and shoot it like you shot Joe Mary.

[District Attorney Markham]

She's doing nothing, Vance. Just holding it.

[Philo Vance]

I know. I'll take back that gun, Miss Adams. Thank you. Now, Mrs. Anderson, please take this gun. Thank you.

[District Attorney Markham]

Now what, Vance?

[Philo Vance]

Hand me that hat pin, Markham, please.

[District Attorney Markham]

There you are.

[Philo Vance]

Thanks. I'll just touch Mrs. Anderson's hand with a point.

[District Attorney Markham]

There.

[Philo Vance]

That's fine. No reaction, Markham. Now, Mrs. Anderson, I want you to fire that gun the way you fired it at Joe Mary. Now.

[District Attorney Markham]

Fine experiment, Vance. She hasn't moved a muscle either.

[Philo Vance]

One more subject, Markham. Give me back the gun, Mrs. Anderson. Thank you. Now, Ms. Barkley. First the hatpin test. No reaction, Markham. Now take this gun, Ms. Barkley, and fire it just as you did at Joe Mary. Now,

[District Attorney Markham]

Vance, this is ridiculous. She's doing absolutely nothing.

[Philo Vance]

I know. But believe me, that isn't all I know. I know who killed Joe Murray. Can't you tell, Markham? Miss Barkley.

[Alice Barclay]

Yes?

[Philo Vance]

You've got to help me. I know you were hypnotized the day Joe Mary was murdered. I know who hypnotized you. The real murderer gave herself away in my office a little while ago. But I can't prove anything without your help.

[District Attorney Markham]

In the interest of society and to help trap a clever murderer. Miss Barclay, will you please.

[Alice Barclay]

Will I be in danger, Mr. Markham?

[District Attorney Markham]

Mr. Vance and I will try to see that the danger is as slight as Possible.

[Alice Barclay]

Very well, gentlemen. I'll do it. Hello, Francis.

[Joan Anderson]

Oh, it's you, Alice. Come in. Sit down.

[Alice Barclay]

Thank you.

[Joan Anderson]

Tea?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, please. Francis, we're quite alone, aren't we?

[Joan Anderson]

Why, yes, of course. Why? Cream?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, please. I just wanted to tell you that as long as the police have apparently given up on us, you and I ought to have an understanding.

[Sergeant Heath]

Really?

[Joan Anderson]

What sort of an understanding? Sugar?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, two. Thank you. Well, for one thing, when you hypnotized Joan and me several weeks ago and gave us a post hypnotic suggestion to bring guns to Joe Mary's lecture, I wasn't hypnotized.

[Joan Anderson]

I don't know what you mean. Is the tea strong enough?

[Alice Barclay]

Yes, quite. I saw you shoot Joe Merry with your own gun, then with mine, and then with Joan.

[Joan Anderson]

You're dreaming, child.

[Alice Barclay]

Oh, no. I am very much awake. I let you go through with your plans because, you see, I could use some money.

[Joan Anderson]

Oh, that's too bad. But you won't need money very shortly. You'll never leave here alive. You were clever enough to figure out what I had done.

[Alice Barclay]

Very well.

[Joan Anderson]

But if you think that you can blackmail me, you're mistaken. I'll kill you with my hands. It'll make no noise. You'll never feel anything. Just my hands on your neck.

[Alice Barclay]

Like this. A little while.

[Joan Anderson]

No pain, no knowledge.

[Alice Barclay]

No fear.

[Philo Vance]

Take your hands off. Ms. Barkley. Arrest him, Markham.

[District Attorney Markham]

All right, Vance.

[Philo Vance]

She's all yours. Yours and the States. Miss Deering, in as much as you are employed by me, would it be too much to ask you why you're not working?

[Ms. Dearing]

I'm only hired between the hours of 9 and 5. That it's 5:30. Now, how about breaking down and telling me how you solved the Mary murder case?

[Philo Vance]

All right. To begin with, when Professor Colby hypnotized the three ladies, only two of them were really hypnotized. Oh, the actual murderer, Francis Adams, fought against it, knowing her subconscious mind, which she could not control, might reveal something to us. That was the whole purpose of the experiment. To find which girl would be afraid to be hypnotized.

[Ms. Dearing]

But how did you know Ms. Adams was faking?

[Philo Vance]

Your hat pin told me.

[Alice Barclay]

Well, how do you like that?

[Ms. Dearing]

I've been using it for months and I never knew it could open its mouth.

[Philo Vance]

I touched the point of it to all three of the ladies. One of them, Francis Adams, jumped a little. That was enough to prove she wasn't hypnotized and indicated she was the murderer, but didn't prove it. So we framed a little scene between her and Alice Barkley. And we got our proof.

[Ms. Dearing]

Well, and why did Ms. Adams become a murderer?

[Philo Vance]

She'd once been married to Joe Mary when he left down with his divorce. He also stole most of her jewelry and ready cash. And there you are.

[Ms. Dearing]

Oh, really? Where am I?

[Philo Vance]

With me, Ellen. Right at the end of the merry murder case.

[Sergeant Heath]

Sam,

[District Attorney Markham]

It.

[Alice Barclay]

Sam.