The Adventures of Sam Spade: Queen Bee Caper 07/10/1949

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Adventures of Sam Spade: Queen Bee Caper 07/10/1949
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Air Date: September 13, 2025 (original broadcast: July 10, 1949)

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Episode Overview

In this classic detective radio drama, private investigator Sam Spade is drawn into a mystery at Miss Wigginson’s School for Girls, where a series of thefts—and later, murder—intrigue the wealthy and powerful patrons of the school. The “Queen Bee Caper” finds Spade navigating a world of domineering matriarchs, suspicious faculty, rebellious heirs, and the secretive world of apiculture (beekeeping), all leading to a cleverly plotted murder case. Sam’s wit and skepticism untangle the web of loyalty, resentment, and ambition surrounding the flamboyant Ursula Kavanaugh, the school’s benefactress.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Developments

Setting the Scene: The Call to Action

• [01:23] Sam Spade is beckoned by Miss Elizabeth Colley, headmistress of Miss Wigginson’s, regarding a thief at the prestigious girls' school.
  • Miss Colley: “A thief is at large in my school... I must handle this matter with the utmost discretion. Frankly, I already know the thief.”
  • She suspects faculty member Glory Thomas, but lacks proof.

Behind the Curtain: Motives and Manipulation

• [07:48] Colley reveals that influential benefactress Ursula Kavanaugh urged her to contact Sam.
  • Ursula is described as reclusive, wealthy, and highly controlling, wielding her power expertly from her penthouse.

Meeting the Queen Bee

• [08:38 - 12:30] Spade visits Ursula Kavanaugh’s lavish penthouse, complete with a personal beehive.
  • Ursula, displaying both charm and menace, compares herself to the queen bee:
    • Ursula Kavanaugh [12:02]: "Observe this hive, young man. Honeybees are the most intelligent of all insects... Because one female controls a community of many, many thousands."
  • She wants Glory Thomas ousted, fearing her nephew Gerald may romantically attach himself to her.

The Web Tightens: Motive and Suspicion

• [13:26 - 14:29] Sam and Glory meet at a cocktail bar, where Glory’s frustration over accusations and Ursula’s interference becomes clear.
  • Glory Thomas [14:15]: “I hate that selfish, domineering old woman. I hate her nephew, and I hate you.”
  • After an emotional outburst, Glory storms off, pursued by Sam, who hurts his ankle following her.

A Fatal Sting: The First Murder

• [15:09 - 17:23] Sam discovers Ursula Kavanaugh dead in her terrace chair, overwhelmed by bees. The official cause is "shock from formic acid," the venom in bee stings.
  • Albert Piggott (beekeeper) [21:00]: "The queen bee is always deposed sooner or later. The worker bees go on and on, but the queen bee can't reign forever."

The Second Death and Heightened Suspicion

• [21:22 - 23:11] The next morning, Piggott is also found dead, presumably from bee stings. Sam suspects murder.
  • He reveals evidence to Ursula’s nephew Gerald and the school staff, explaining that a hypodermic was used to inject fatal doses of formic acid, not natural bee stings.

The Truth Uncovered

• [25:04 - 28:15] Sam confronts both Glory Thomas and Miss Colley in the school’s chemistry lab, piecing together the timing and method.
  • Sam Spade [25:10]: “We could talk about this hypodermic. Or how about a formula? HCOH or CH₂O₂? That's formic acid, Ms. Colley.”
• It is revealed Miss Colley killed both Ursula and Piggott, motivated by long-term resentment and hoping to frame Glory.
  • Miss Colley [27:32]: “Well, I’m not sorry for it. Ursula misused her power shamefully.”

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Sam Spade’s signature wit

  • [03:28] “To be or not to be humble.”
  • [07:32] “I'm a detective, Ms. Colley, not a frame up artist.”
  • [13:05] [To Ursula] “Just one thing, Mrs. Kavanaugh. Nuts.”

• Ursula’s chilling analogy:

  • [12:02] “The Queen bee reigns supreme. The males are drones. Quite useless. The female workers perform all necessary labor.”

• The double murder revelation:

  • [27:05] “[Pickett] hid behind the curtain in the dark and spoke to him. Ms. Kavanaugh was already dead.”
  • [27:13] “No, it was yours, Ms. Colley, I. You committed both murders.”

• Theme of female power and rebellion

  • [21:00] “There's always a rebel in every hive. The queen bee is always deposed sooner or later.”

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Key Segment Timestamps

• [01:23] – Sam is hired to investigate theft at girls’ school
• [07:48] – Ursula’s motivation for targeting Glory is revealed
• [08:38] – Sam meets Ursula Kavanaugh, the “queen bee”
• [13:26] – Emotional confrontation between Sam and Glory Thomas
• [17:23] – Ursula is found dead, killed by fatal “bee stings”
• [21:00] – Albert Piggott muses on the fate of queen bees
• [21:22] – Piggott is revealed dead in a similar fashion
• [25:04] – Final confrontation, the murder method is explained
• [27:13] – Miss Colley confesses to both murders

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Conclusion

"The Queen Bee Caper" blends Sam Spade’s sardonic humor with sharp social commentary about power, envy, and manipulation, all cloaked in the genteel world of a girls' school. In classic noir fashion, Sam cuts through half-truths and motives to finger the unlikely schoolmistress, Miss Colley, as the killer who deposed the “queen bee” Ursula Kavanaugh and framed her rival. Loyalty, ambition, and the sting of envy prove just as deadly as any actual bees in this cleverly plotted, character-rich detective story.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

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[Effie]

It's magic.

[Sam Spade]

It is. Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. Why is that?

[Effie]

This is amazing.

[Sam Spade]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Podbean Announcer 2]

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[Podbean Announcer 1]

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[Sam Spade]

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] by transcription the Adventures.

[Narrator]

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[Effie]

Sam Spade Detective Agency.

[Sam Spade]

Me sweetheart.

[Effie]

Sam, where have you been?

[Sam Spade]

I've been tasting the bitter with the sweet at Miss Wigginson's School for Girls. Sort of a special course in homicidal apiculture.

[Effie]

Apiculture? Mm. There were apes involved.

[Sam Spade]

Effie, where is your Latin? APIs apianus of or pertaining to bees.

[Effie]

Oh, bees, of course. It was a bee caper.

[Sam Spade]

It was a beekeeper caper.

[Effie]

How was that funny thing? That's the honey.

[Sam Spade]

Effie, put these words down in your little book. Honey sweeteners, hives, combs, et cetera. Never mention them again.

[Effie]

What?

[Sam Spade]

Keep things humming, sweetheart. And I'll be right down to drone my way through my report on the queen bee caper.

[Narrator]

Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hard Boiled Private Eye, and William Spear, radio's outstanding producer, director of mystery and crime drama, join their talents to make your hair stand on end with the Adventures of Sam Spade presented by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the hair. You know, during the summer, when you spend so much of your time out of doors, it's important to pay special attention to the care of your hair to keep it right in place. To help keep it from getting dry, use America's favorite hair tonic, Wild Root Cream Oil. Wild Root Cream Oil grooms your hair neatly and naturally relieves dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. Use it every day. If you've never tried it, ask for it in the 25 cent get acquainted bottle and Ask for it by name. Wild Root Cream oil, hair tonic. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children, too. And now, with Howard Duff starring as Spade, Wild Root brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

To be or not to be Humble.

[Effie]

Oh, hello, Sam. Hiya, Sam. How's tricks?

[Sam Spade]

Oh, Effie, really, this jargon is patois. Don't you think it's about time we spoke like educated people?

[Effie]

You know best, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Every time I visit one of our institutions of learning, I find out something I didn't know.

[Effie]

Oh, Sam, that's incredulous. You just know everything.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, I guess I do, when you come right down to him.

[Narrator]

The bee, for instance.

[Sam Spade]

Bees are a genus of insects of the Hymenopterus order.

[Effie]

What?

[Sam Spade]

Hymenopterus, living in society, is composed of one queen or perfect female, a few males or drones, and an indefinite number of undeveloped females, or neuters. Which are the workers?

[Effie]

That's me, I suppose. A neuter.

[Sam Spade]

Well, that's for you to say, of course. And you know what else about the bee?

[Effie]

What? Dance.

[Sam Spade]

Confidentially, it stings.

[Narrator]

Date?

[Sam Spade]

July 10, 1949. To Miss Elizabeth Colley, Miss Wigginson School for Girls, Sea Cliff Drive, San Francisco. I wonder about girls sometime, and that's bad, Effie, bad.

[Effie]

Oh.

[Sam Spade]

From Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Subject, the Queen bee caper. Dear Miss Collie, I was singing a medley of sorority drinking songs as I opened the wrought iron gate, walked up the garden path past those cast iron deer and presented myself at the big brass bell pull beside that massive panel door that stands guard between the outside world and your sheltered inmates. A little housemaid wearing dimity let me in and led me to your office. I sat on your chintz covered sofa and looked at your drapes with their thriving beehive motif, and waited for you with my back half turned to the open door. Hello. How are you?

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

All right.

[Effie]

All right. All right, girls, break it up. Break it up now. Go on. Come on. Haven't you ever seen a man before? Come along now, you'll be late for physical ed. Go on.

[Sam Spade]

Miss Cowley.

[Effie]

No, I'm not Miss Cowley.

[Sam Spade]

No, of course I know. I was just hoping.

[Effie]

You're Mr. Spade, aren't you? Laurie Thomas. I'm Miss Colley's assistant.

[Sam Spade]

Nice day. Yes.

[Effie]

Don't bother to move. I'll lean over. You put this report on her desk. Sure. Miss Collie will be here in just a minute.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. Well, so I'm warm In here.

[Effie]

Next time wear a mailman's uniform and a 50 year old stoop. You'll find the temperatures exactly right.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. I mean, yes, ma'.

[Effie]

Am. See that you do then. Oh, Glory. There seems to have been a misplacement of some of the hottie. Would you check on it, please? Oh, surely. Nice to meet you, Mrs. Fay. I'm Elizabeth Cowley. You may sit down.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, ma'.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Am.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade, I'll be painfully frank with you. A thief is at large in my school.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, well, you probably have a good answer, but I'll ask it anyway. Why not call in the police?

[Effie]

I have a good answer, Mr. Spade. My girls come from San Francisco's finest and wealthiest families. Ms. Wigginson's has had an untarnished reputation for more than three generations. As headmistress, I must handle this matter with the utmost discretion. Frankly, I already know the thief. Are there any questions?

[Sam Spade]

Well, only one, timid one. Who is it?

[Effie]

I regret to say a faculty member is to blame. Glory Thomas. She was in here a minute or two ago.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, really? Well, why, Ms. Thomas, you find any of the loot stashed away in her room?

[Effie]

Well, no, no, not exactly. I haven't recovered any of the stolen articles, but I'm sure Gloria's responsible. I'm certain she's the thief.

[Sam Spade]

You're just sure?

[Effie]

I. I thought perhaps you might establish definite proof against Glory.

[Sam Spade]

You mean you. You want me to frame her?

[Effie]

Oh, no, Mr. Spade, I. You misunderstand me.

[Sam Spade]

I don't think so, Miss Collie.

[Effie]

Oh, dear, I. I was afraid this would happen. I told Ursula, but then I.

[Sam Spade]

All right, I'll ask. Who's Ursula?

[Effie]

Mr. Spade, I. I think I can trust you. It was Ursula who instructed me to call you. Ursula Kavanaugh. You know the name?

[Sam Spade]

The Ursula Kavanaugh inherited all the real estate. Lives in Kavanaugh Towers, penthouse. Hasn't set foot out of there in 20 years.

[Effie]

Yes, Mrs. Kavanaugh is our school's benefactress. She is, of course, on the board of trustees. She is, moreover, a dear personal friend. Oh, I see. Oh, yes. We were classmates together here many years ago. Ursula's quite unlike myself. Married well, though a widow now. Rather aggressive, frankly. She wishes to have Glory Thomas discharged, but her connection with the dismissal must not be known. Now, I don't suppose I can ask you to take the assignment now.

[Sam Spade]

I'm a detective, Ms. Colley, not a frame up artist. I had to have my name called up in the lobby and then two elevator trips later, I Faced her on her penthouse terrace. Ursula Kavanaugh looked like a 1910 stock company lead out of Charlie's aunt, smoking a black Italian stogie and gripping a cane like a shillelagh. Two men were on the receiving end of her black snake whip of a tongue. A youngish guy, stockbroker type, and an individual in a morning coat who looked practically nude without a butterfly net.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Oh, you're a fool and an incomproof, Jellinek. I lost all patience with you ages ago. Not only are you incompetent, but you're also dishonest. Don't mind telling you that when the board of directors meets on Thursday, I intend to instruct them. Ms. Kavanaugh, I. I've tried not to discommode you in any way. I endeavor in every detail to fulfill my responsibilities as manager of this.

[Narrator]

Don't interrupt me, auntie. I think you've got Jellinek and me all wrong.

[Sam Spade]

Now, the truth is.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

The truth is, Gerald, you're both a pair of thieving scoundrels. Now get out, Jevonik, before your weasel face ruins my digestion. Very well, madam. I remain at your service.

[Effie]

Ah, no backbone. No stunk.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

And as for you, my dear nephew.

[Narrator]

I think I'll toddle along. Auntie. I ought to get back to the office.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Control your little impulses, Gerald. I admire a little larceny in any man, but not at my expense.

[Sam Spade]

I was beginning to think I'd become invisible in that rarefied penthouse atmosphere. She hadn't even blinked at me while Jelinek slunk back to the lobby and Gerald tossed along to his office. The terrace was a riot of bloom. I don't know much about flowers, but she must have had them all there. Off to one side, a little man in a blue smock butted around a wooden structure on a stand. I'd become aware of bees humming amidst the flowers when she finally spoke to me.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

You're Tom Spade, aren't you?

[Sam Spade]

Sam, Ma'.

[Effie]

Am.

[Sam Spade]

The fun loving Spade.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Take your photograph out of the other detectives. Look like you got spunk. Why'd you come here?

[Sam Spade]

Curiosity. I met Glory Thomas out at Miss Wigginson's. I liked her. I wanted to see the type that would strong armor out of a job from a safe distance.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Spunky. Come over here, Mrs. Spade. I want to show you something.

[Sam Spade]

Ever wonder what life is like with a phantom screen?

[Effie]

It's magic.

[Sam Spade]

It is? Oh, wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow. What is that?

[Effie]

This is amazing.

[Sam Spade]

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[Podbean Announcer 2]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Pick it.

[Albert Piggott]

Yes, ma'.

[Effie]

Am.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

That'll do for now. Work at the other end of the garden for the time being.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, ma'.

[Effie]

Am.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Oh, Piggot. My gardener and beekeeper. Most taciturn individual. You know what this is?

[Sam Spade]

Well, I didn't, but now I can see. It's a beehive.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Yes, my own beehive. Fresh honey from a tea and fruitcake every afternoon.

[Sam Spade]

Fine old tradition.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Observe this hive, young man. Honeybees are the most intelligent of all insects, surpassing even the ants. And why? Because one female controls a community of many, many thousands.

[Sam Spade]

I am against it.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Yes, Mr. Spade. The Queen bee reigns supreme. The males are drones. Quite useless. The female workers perform all necessary labor. No waste lotion, no dissension.

[Sam Spade]

Well, some of my best friends are drones and I just can't stand them.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

I think you understand me, Mr. Spade. I wish Gloria Thomas removed from San Francisco for an excellent reason. My nephew, Gerald Long, the young man who just left here, has developed absurd romantic notions about her.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, so you want the romance busted up. But if you try to break it up openly, your nephew might get stubborn and even marry her. On the other hand, by framing her as a thief, you ward off the affair until you can figure out some.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

I knew you'd understand me, Mr. Spade. I admire bluntness in moderation. Well, what do you say to joining forces with me?

[Sam Spade]

Just one thing, Mrs. Kavanaugh. Nuts. Next morning, I put through a call to Nickinson School for Girls. It had been my intent to talk to you, Ms. Colley, to tell you I'd left my hat in your office. But somehow I found myself talking to Glory Thomas. And somehow our talk resulted in a.

[Narrator]

Cocktail date at the 10 o' clock.

[Sam Spade]

Scotland Bar and Lounge.

[Effie]

I shouldn't have come, of course.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, exam papers to grade, no doubt.

[Effie]

Stacks and stacks.

[Sam Spade]

Soft velvet type hands. Well, what's this on them stains?

[Effie]

I teach our girls chemistry, among other things.

[Sam Spade]

How about me taking on a night school class for the other things?

[Effie]

You're crazy. You don't need any education I can.

[Sam Spade]

Always use a postgraduate course.

[Effie]

You're really crazy, Sam. I needed this.

[Sam Spade]

We'll make a night of it. Maybe Gerald won't object, huh?

[Effie]

What's that mean? Who you been talking to?

[Sam Spade]

That hateful old woman, Mrs. Kavanaugh, wants to put the boots to you. Glory? She called me in to frame you.

[Effie]

I could kill her.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, easy now.

[Effie]

Don't talk to me. I thought I could take it. I thought I could be patient and wait while Jerry ironed everything out.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

But not now, though.

[Effie]

I hate that selfish, domineering old woman. I hate her nephew, and I hate you.

[Sam Spade]

Well, that'll do to start with, honey. Now, let's go down my list. I hate you.

[Effie]

Oh, let me go. I've had all I can take for one night.

[Sam Spade]

Wait a minute, Gloria. I was.

[Narrator]

Hey, you forgot your bag.

[Sam Spade]

Hey. She disappeared around the corner as I came out into the street. It was starting to rain as I stepped off the curb, I slipped and turned my ankle. As I limped onto Montgomery Street, I saw her disappearing into one of the tall buildings on my side of the street. It could have been the Kavanaugh Towers. I stepped and a half into the lobby thereof. A few minutes later. As I came in, Jelinek, the manager, was getting off the elevator. He swatted himself several times in the neck and then went into a door marked Price. No trace of Glory in the lobby. I looked in the bar. She wasn't there. But Albert Piggott, the beekeeper, was having a stinger.

[Albert Piggott]

Now I'm beginning to feel good.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

I feel.

[Albert Piggott]

Hey, who's this? I know that. Why, it's Mr. Spade. Sit down.

[Sam Spade]

I don't have time just now, Mr. Bigot. Tell me.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Sit down.

[Effie]

Sit down.

[Sam Spade]

Easy, easy.

[Albert Piggott]

I'm fired. Have you heard? I'm fired. Just a worker out of work, turned out by the queen bee.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Bigot. I imagine Mrs. Kavanaugh wasn't too easy to work for.

[Albert Piggott]

I told her to keep away from the bees when I wasn't there. Well, she's gone and disobeyed me. One of the workers must have stung her. She's got a temper, you know.

[Effie]

Oh, my.

[Albert Piggott]

Must have smashed the eye with her stick.

[Effie]

Bees.

[Albert Piggott]

Whoever. All over. And then she fired.

[Sam Spade]

When was this? And why did she fire you?

[Albert Piggott]

Oh, about. Oh, just now, maybe half an hour ago. I knocked and there wasn't any answer. And then I let myself in.

[Sam Spade]

All dark.

[Albert Piggott]

I couldn't even see her. Heard the bees, of course, but couldn't. And I said, Mrs. Cavanaugh you disobeyed me. And in this voice, this awful Voice, she said, Mr. Pickett, your fire. Get out. This awful voice in the dark. And Mr. Mr. Pickett, mind you, never before. Just picket this and picket that and.

[Sam Spade]

Hey, where you going?

[Effie]

Hey.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't bother to stop at the desk to get myself announced. I took the passenger elevator, then operated the penthouse rollerbare to myself. No hands. Nobody answered my ring. The door was unlocked. I went inside, crossed through the empty apartment to the terrace. The rain had just stopped and the sunset cut a sudden shaft. First I heard it, the humming of swarming bees. Then I saw the overturned beehive. Then I saw Ursula Kavanaugh sprawled back in her chair, a stick and Italian stogie on the floor. While the bees clustered greedily over the fruitcake and honey set out on the table. I wondered if those most intelligent of all insects had the answer to Shakespeare's question. Oh, death, where is thy sting?

[Narrator]

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[Effie]

Ms. Wigginson, Ms. Carly speaking.

[Sam Spade]

Sam Spade.

[Effie]

Oh. Oh, yes. You shouldn't have gone to see Mrs. Kavanaugh.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't make any promises, ma'.

[Effie]

Am. Ursula was quite upset by your visit. Called me after you left her. Quite angry about it, Mr. Spade. She wanted to see me today. Our weekly half day holiday, you know. But I simply couldn't face her. I'm sorry if I sound. I finally managed to doze off after everyone left for the afternoon.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Have you called before?

[Sam Spade]

No, this is the first time. I'm at Mrs. Kavanaugh's place right now.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Indeed.

[Effie]

Does Ursula wish to talk to me?

[Sam Spade]

She can't.

[Effie]

I beg your pardon?

[Sam Spade]

It might be a good idea if you'd come over here, Ms. Colley. Mrs. Kavanaugh's dead.

[Effie]

What was that?

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Kavanaugh's dead. And since you're her oldest and closest friend.

[Effie]

Yes, Mrs. Spade. I come immediately.

[Sam Spade]

Well, you came on over, Ms. Collie. But meanwhile, nephew Gerald Long arrived. Also Piggott, whom I called on at the bar and who sobered up the with remarkable rapidity on hearing the news. Gerald was shaken up by his great aunt's demise. We waited for the family doctor to arrive and watched Piggott entice the bees back into the hive. You turned up soon after and tried to soothe Gerald's nerves. The hotel manager, Jelinek, also flooded in. The doctor diagnosed cause of death as shock from formic acid, the secretion bees inject into the bloodstream with their stingers. We all stood around thinking our various thoughts as the doc voiced this verdict. Peggot was the one who voiced an epitaph.

[Albert Piggott]

She really knew nothing about bees. You know, the queen bee was all important, she thought, but there's always a rebel in every hive. The queen bee is always deposed sooner or later. The worker bees go on and on, but the queen bee can't reign forever.

[Sam Spade]

After that, we all left and went our various ways. Poor old Pickett. Shouldn't have said that. And he must have been a lot drunker than he seemed because he was found next morning in his garden in Marin county beside his overturned beehive. A victim, like his late employer, of fatal bee stings.

[Narrator]

That'll make you a fool if you think you'll get away with this.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Don't threaten me, Mr. Long. I've been bullied long enough. I don't intend to lose my position here. Now Mrs. Kavanaugh's gone. I've taken all I could stand from her. And I don't intend to let you walk all over me.

[Narrator]

I'll do whatever I think needs to be done. Jelani.

[Sam Spade]

Cl.

[Narrator]

Well, if you're trying to insinuate I.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Can cause you as much trouble as you cause me, maybe more, with what I found out about you.

[Effie]

Now, go on.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Feed it before I break.

[Narrator]

How did you get in here, Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Door was open.

[Narrator]

Well, if you're here to collect any kind of bill. I want to know what services you rendered.

[Sam Spade]

Nothing's rendered yet. But I figured you might like to know that Aunt Ursula was murdered.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Murdered?

[Sam Spade]

You.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

You.

[Effie]

You.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

You can't say that.

[Effie]

Not my whole thing.

[Sam Spade]

Shut up, Jelani.

[Narrator]

You need proof to back that up.

[Sam Spade]

Speed, I've got it. Pick it. What?

[Narrator]

Bigot's dead.

[Sam Spade]

How do you know?

[Narrator]

His doctor just called me.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, well, that's why I know your aunt was murdered. I've just been out to Marin. Had quite a session with that doctor.

[Narrator]

Where's your proof?

[Sam Spade]

Man, who'd want to kill her? Well. Oh, stop it. Practically everybody will know her. Really?

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Now, I. I must protest this disrespect to the memory. Shut up.

[Narrator]

Go on, Spade. Go on. Start getting specific.

[Sam Spade]

Well, specifically, Pickett's doctor, because of what I suggested. Examined the dead man again. Found the mark of a hypodermic. Plus the fact that a concentrated solution of formic acid killed Pickett. Pickett's next door neighbor said he'd been stung as often as 10 and 12 times a day. That meant he'd build up a certain immunization to bee sting.

[Narrator]

Are you suggesting that someone murdered him with an injection of commercial fornication?

[Sam Spade]

I thought I'd made that fairly clear. And what would the motive be? To keep him from talking about his employer's murder? I see. Well, is that all? Yeah, except that his neighbor told me somebody answering your description called on him this afternoon. Mike. Oh, yes, but, Spade, look here.

[Narrator]

I can explain that.

[Sam Spade]

Allow me.

[Effie]

Hello, Gerald. Hello, darling. I'll be through in about an hour. Just got to check supplies in chem lab, and then I'll be home and.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Show you what a cook I am.

[Effie]

You better be brave.

[Sam Spade]

I'm sorry. Just a second. Here's Gerald for you. Gerald? Your wife. Oh, hold on a second, honey.

[Narrator]

Spade, look here, now, you can't drag her into this thing.

[Sam Spade]

When did you get married?

[Narrator]

Yesterday afternoon.

[Sam Spade]

Husband and wife. No testifying, huh? Well, I don't think I'll need your testimony. Jelinek's face fell 4 inches into his ascot tie as he heard himself lose exclusive hush money rights to the above information. Pausing only to enjoy a hearty laugh at his discomfiture, I went on to my next and final port of call, Ms. Wigginson School for Girls. This time there was no girlish tittering As I entered, Ms. Collie. No dewy young amazons clutching hockey sticks in their grubby little hands for a very good reason. As you told me, my girls are.

[Effie]

Dismissed for the day, Mr. Spade? Because of poor Ursula, of course. Really disrupts our routine. First our weekly half day holiday yesterday and now today.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. I'd like to talk to Ms. Thomas in the chemistry lab. She is, I think.

[Effie]

Very well. I'll take you to her. She knows nothing of our first meeting.

[Sam Spade]

I've talked to her.

[Effie]

Oh, well. In here?

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Yes.

[Effie]

What do you want?

[Sam Spade]

Thought we might talk.

[Effie]

We have nothing to talk about.

[Sam Spade]

Well, we could talk about this hypodermic.

[Effie]

Put that down. I'm using it for an experiment.

[Sam Spade]

Or how about a formula? HCOH or CH2O2.

[Effie]

What?

[Sam Spade]

That's formic acid, Ms. Connolly, you said yesterday was a half day holiday. Did Ms. Thomas stay here in school?

[Effie]

Why, no. She rarely does on Wednesday afternoon, that's why.

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Kavanaugh had a visitor, didn't she, Glory?

[Effie]

Did she?

[Sam Spade]

After you ran away from me?

[Effie]

All right, I did go up to see her. I was so mad about what you told me, I intended to hand in my resignation and give her a piece of my mind. And I. But she was dead when I got there. Oh, Glory, no. And I just got panic stricken and ran.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. Murder's a pretty scary thing.

[Effie]

Murder? What do you mean, Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Kavanaugh died from a hypo dose of formic acid. Somebody familiar with chemistry would use that method.

[Effie]

Then.

[Sam Spade]

Then that could mean the acid could be made up in this lab. The hypodermic could be this one here.

[Effie]

I didn't kill her. I didn't.

[Sam Spade]

You say you were scared. You were so scared you ran all the way to City hall and married her nephew.

[Effie]

So you found out.

[Sam Spade]

Jellynack found out first. He intended to squeal the old lady, but she was dead when he got back. He knew her. Will disinherited Gerald if he married without her auntie's approval while she was still alive.

[Effie]

We married after she was dead, but that didn't matter. After I saw you, I told Jerry if he was any sort of man, he'd marry me, will or no will. He did.

[Sam Spade]

And yet this morning he drove over to Marin county to see old Piggott.

[Effie]

You think he was trying to shield me? I tell you, she was dead when I got into that room. I don't know anything about Piggott. One moment. I believe I recall that Mr. Piggott said Ursula spoke to him when she discharged him. Glory, you must be mistaken about the time you entered that room. She couldn't have already been dead because.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, she could have and was. The killer was almost caught by Piggott she hid behind the curtain in the dark and spoke to him. Ms. Kavanaugh was already dead.

[Effie]

But I see. Mr. Pickett thought it was Ursula's voice. But it was yours, Glory.

[Sam Spade]

No, it was yours, Ms. Collie, I. You committed both murders. You had access to the murder weapon. You had the half day holiday to do it in.

[Effie]

Mr.

[Ursula Kavanaugh]

Spigot.

[Sam Spade]

Even at that moment, the finishing school, school mom had to say, Mr. Piggott.

[Effie]

Well, I'm not sorry for it. Ursula misused her power shamefully.

[Sam Spade]

And now the queen bees deposed again.

[Effie]

You're brighter than most men, Mr. Spade. You too understood the significance of Mr. Bigot's remarks last night.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, I could have been a little brighter a little sooner. You helped give yourself away when you asked me if I'd called you earlier yesterday afternoon.

[Effie]

Why, Sam? How could she?

[Sam Spade]

Well, Kavanaugh bullied her since childhood. Then you came on the staff and your ability scared her. The queen bee being deposed and whatnot. When Kavanaugh wanted you framed, she saw her chance to get rid of both of you. She hoped her murder would look like an accident. But if it was recognized as murder, you'd be the logical suspect.

[Effie]

Oh, you're much too clever, Mr. Spade. Get it over with.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, let's. It's up to those drones at Homicide from here on in. Hurry and enter. Report.

[Effie]

Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, Evie?

[Effie]

How come Gerald went out to see Mr. Piggott?

[Sam Spade]

Well, Gerald didn't care about the will, but he didn't want to boot a fortune out the window either. Glory hadn't told him she'd seen his aunt, so he called on Piggott to find out when Piggott last saw Auntie alive. Go type that up. I am completely well. And when you return, we shall Indian wrassle.

[Effie]

Certainly, Sam.

[Narrator]

And now listen to this shopping notes. Tonight or tomorrow, get a family size bottle or handy tube of wild root cream oil, America's favorite hair tonic.