The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper 01/26/1951

Summary

Summary of "The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper"

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper
Original Air Date: January 26, 1951
Release Date: June 7, 2025

---

Introduction

"The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Chateau McCloud Caper" is a riveting episode that delves into the mysterious tensions surrounding the McLeod family estate. Set against the picturesque yet foreboding backdrop of Lucerne, California, the story masterfully intertwines elements of suspense, deception, and interpersonal drama. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions of this classic detective narrative.

Setting the Scene

The episode opens at the Sam Spade Detective Agency, where Effie, Sam's perceptive secretary, engages him in a casual conversation about a recent supposed vacation.

• Effie: "Sam Spade Detective Agency, me sweetheart. How was your vacation, Sam?" ([01:29])

Sam dismisses the notion of a vacation, emphasizing his dedication to his work:

• Sam Spade: "It's always work. Do you know you can get killed on skis?" ([01:38])

This exchange sets the tone for Sam's relentless pursuit of truth and his skepticism towards Effie's attempts to lighten his mood.

Characters Introduced

• Sam Spade: The private detective protagonist, portrayed as sharp, dedicated, and unyielding.
• Effie: Sam's secretary, who provides both support and occasional comic relief.
• Rufus McLeod: The wealthy and somewhat eccentric owner of Chateau McLeod.
• Cora McLeod: Rufus's girlfriend, who becomes a pivotal character in the unfolding mystery.
• Paul Endicott: Cora's boyfriend, whose actions become central to the plot.
• Charlie Allison: A co-worker and friend to Rufus, described as a dull food technician.
• Tozier Svenborg: A ski instructor with a mysterious demeanor.

The Problem

Rufus McLeod hires Sam Spade to investigate a threatening anonymous letter received a week prior. The letter warns that inviting the planned guest list for an upcoming weekend gathering could lead to "serious trouble."

• Rufus McLeod: "Earlier this week I received an anonymous letter saying that if I invited the guest list I had planned for this weekend, there might be serious trouble." ([07:22])

Sam suggests tracing the typewriter used for the letter, indicating the seriousness of the threat.

Investigation Begins

Upon arriving at Chateau McLeod, Sam is introduced to the other guests: Cora McLeod, Paul Endicott, Charlie Allison, and Tozier Svenborg. The initial interactions are cordial but hint at underlying tensions.

• Effie: "Rufus tells me you're an advertising genius." ([05:01])

Sam downplays his advertising credentials, focusing instead on his detective instincts.

The Party at the Chateau

The chateau hosts a seemingly harmonious party where drinks flow freely, and guests engage in light-hearted conversations. However, the facade of merriment is soon shattered by escalating conflicts among the guests.

Suspicious Events Unfold

After lunch, Sam and Rufus head out for a ski session near the Halfway Cabin by Royal Lake. An unexpected altercation ensues when Rufus accidentally shoots Paul Endicott with a .30 caliber bullet.

• Rufus McLeod: "You weren't supposed to be skiing there, Endicott, and it was an accident." ([11:33])

The tension peaks as Cora intervenes, and the group dynamics shift dramatically.

Discovery of the Body

Later that evening, during supper, Paul Endicott mysteriously fails to appear. Hours pass without his arrival, heightening the tension. Sam discovers Paul's body in the snow, concealed to prevent panicked repercussions.

• Sam Spade: "There was a .30 slug in him. Period. End of Paul Endicott." ([16:33])

Determined to unravel the mystery, Sam takes it upon himself to investigate further despite the chilling atmosphere.

Climactic Confrontation

Sam's investigation leads him to a confrontation in the Halfway Cabin, where he is ambushed by Tozier Svenborg. A tense showdown results in Tozier being shot, revealing the complexity of the web of deceit surrounding the chateau.

• Tozier Svenborg: "You're the killer, mister." ([23:23])

This confrontation brings Sam closer to identifying the true culprit behind the series of mysterious events.

Conclusion and Revelation

Back at the chateau, Sam gathers all the suspects to piece together the puzzle. Through meticulous deduction, he unveils the truth:

• Sam Spade: "Cora was leaving Rufus McLeod for Allison. But because Allison worked for McLeod until Cora's divorce was final, they didn't want Rufus to know about it. So they used Paul Endicott as a decoy." ([30:14])

The motive unravels as a tangled affair fueled by jealousy and greed, leading to tragic consequences.

• Sam Spade: "The trouble with that girl was that she only wanted one man at a time around her." ([30:28])

Effie assists by connecting the dots, highlighting Sam's reliance on his keen observational skills and logical reasoning.

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Sam Spade: "I can't leave you here." ([24:27])

• Cora McLeod: "I just care about Cora McLeod." ([14:00])

• Sam Spade: "Crime just doesn't pay." ([28:57])

• Effie: "Sam, I know that this report, to borrow a phrase from you, is full of holes." ([29:48])

These quotes underscore the characters' motivations and the overarching themes of deception and morality.

Final Thoughts

"The Chateau McCloud Caper" is a quintessential Sam Spade adventure that encapsulates the essence of classic detective storytelling. Through its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and suspenseful narrative, the episode offers listeners an engaging journey into the dark underbelly of human relationships and the consequences of deceit. Sam Spade's unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of the private detective archetype in old-time radio dramas.

---

Note: Advertisements and non-content sections have been omitted to focus solely on the narrative and its critical elements.

Transcript

[Podcast Host]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. You know when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself, talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you even start? Talkspace. Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace, you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences, and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You, you'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most insured members have a $0 copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code SPACE80 when you go to talkspace.com match with a licensed therapist today at talkspace.com, save $80 with code SPACE80 at talk.

[Sam Spade]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time.

[Narrator]

Radio shows like us on Facebook.

[Sam Spade]

Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Narrator]

The National Broadcasting Company presents the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective.

[Effie]

Sam Spade Detective Agency Me Sweetheart. How was your vacation, Sam?

[Sam Spade]

Who said it was a vacation?

[Effie]

Well, I thought you said you were going skiing for a weekend with me.

[Sam Spade]

F it's always work. Do you know you can get killed on skis?

[Effie]

If you say so, Sam. Yes, Most people just break their leg.

[Sam Spade]

Most people pick some easy little slope, the cowards. But I know a ski run up near a town called Lucerne. That's sudden death.

[Effie]

I know a ski run called the Back Breaker.

[Sam Spade]

Really? How dull.

[Effie]

And one they named Suicide Drop.

[Sam Spade]

Effie, stop trying to top me. You just can't. This was the deadliest ski country ever seen. You just sit there while I do a Christiania swing down Market Street. A Galender sprung up the stairs and a Telmark right through the door with a tail I took out of the deep freeze Only last night, the Chateau McLeod caper.

[Narrator]

For NBC. William Spear, radio's outstanding producer, Director of mystery and crime drama, brings you the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade.

[Rufus McLeod]

Effie.

[Effie]

Oh, Sam, take off those keys.

[Sam Spade]

I just wanted to prove I could do it. I did a herringbone up the stairs.

[Effie]

And those clothes. I'll Just bet you've rented all those things, Sam. You were never in the snow country at all.

[Sam Spade]

So you don't believe me, huh? Well, here, doubting Effie, I brought you proof. And don't tell me I rented this.

[Effie]

A snowball?

[Sam Spade]

Yes, Sam.

[Effie]

A real snowball?

[Sam Spade]

Yes. I brought back two of them in a thermos bottle.

[Effie]

Where's the other one?

[Sam Spade]

I threw it at a policeman. It was freezing, soaked with water and ice.

[Effie]

Oh, Sam, you're wonderful. I can't believe that you had trouble this weekend.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, no. You cut that snowball open and you'll find a blood stained bullet inside of it. And behind the bullet lies a tail. Ready?

[Effie]

I'm always ready, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Yes. Date. Fill it. N2 Sierra County Sheriff's Office, Lucerne, California. From Samuel Spade, San Francisco license number 137596. Subject the Chateau McLeod caper. Dear Sheriff, you run a neat little county up there at Sierra, and I hate to be snide, but when my train steamed into the cold mountaineer of your lovely little village of Lucerne, I knew the chill of death was afoot. It had to be. The place was too beautiful to last. The background hills were right out of the Alps, the snow from Grandma Moses, and the rustic buildings that snuggled under the mantle of white were just too cute for words. It was abnormally perfect. Something had to give.

[Cora McLeod]

Hello there.

[Effie]

Well, you were the only young man who got off the train. Are you from McLeod?

[Sam Spade]

Well, I'm supposed to find a Chateau McLeod.

[Effie]

Oh, what do you know? I got the right man on the first try. Rufus sent me down to pick you up.

[Sam Spade]

You could pick me up almost. Anyway.

[Effie]

Well, that took a little chill off the day. Shall we go?

[Sam Spade]

Ooh, mush, mush. We glided out of the station, runners squeaking on snow, the soft pad of hooves, and the jangle of Mary bells. We had a bear skin lap roll. It was a short bear, so we had to move close. Her cheeks were apple red and her silk brown hair flowed in a spanking breeze.

[Rufus McLeod]

Off.

[Sam Spade]

It was a scene that will forever be etched in my memory.

[Effie]

Rufus tells me you're an advertising genius.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I have placed a few ads in my day. Mostly Help wanted.

[Effie]

Ha ha. Don't get me. He says you're gonna put the McLeod canneries right on top with a new campaign.

[Sam Spade]

On top?

[Effie]

You know you're supposed to have a big name.

[Sam Spade]

Just state letters. Sam Spade.

[Effie]

Oh, well, I'm Rita Parker. I'm supposed to be Rufe's girlfriend. Of course, I think it's only to make his wife mad. But it's fun up here.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, this is my first trip.

[Effie]

Oh, well, then you're in for treat. That is, if abnormal psychology appeals to you.

[Sam Spade]

What does that mean?

[Effie]

The McLoud guest register is always full of dynamite. For example, this weekend reads thusly. Rufus McLeod with half of the money in the world, trying to get the other half good. His wife, who has an interlocutory decree.

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Interlocutor.

[Effie]

Yeah. Cora.

[Sam Spade]

Yes.

[Effie]

Her boyfriend, Paul Endicott, gigolo type. Charlie Allison, co worker and friend to Rufus. He's a food technician or something dull. And then there's Tozier Svenborg, ski instructor, who comes down like a wolf on the fold. And people like that.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, well, I'll never remember all the names. I'm in the ad game, you know. It's initials to me. I call people, well, RL TS NTG and what you know.

[Effie]

Well, the names don't mean a thing. Just remember this every 30 seconds. Duck.

[Sam Spade]

I beg your pardon? The McLeod estate was eight miles out of town, and it seemed we were there in no time at all. Rita Parker hustle the Alpine buckboard and mayor into a stable while I went up to the chateau to meet my employer, Rufus McLeod. It was more of a Swiss chalet. You know where the second floor is larger than the first. And I guarantee that no one in Switzerland could have afforded this chalet, even with the second floor the same size as the first. I walked in and found Rufus, big and red faced, standing in front of a fireplace that could easily have roasted a brace of oxen rump to rump.

[Rufus McLeod]

Of course. You're Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

I am.

[Rufus McLeod]

Mr. McCloud, you came at an opportune time. There's no one around to overhear our conversation. I suppose you wonder why I hired a detective for a place like this.

[Sam Spade]

Well, not especially. I go where the people go. And the money?

[Rufus McLeod]

You'll be paid well for your time and trouble. I must be quick. In essence, this is my situation.

[Sam Spade]

Yes.

[Rufus McLeod]

Earlier this week I received an anonymous letter saying that if I invited the guest list I had planned for this weekend, there might be serious trouble. Here's the letter. Keep it to yourself. It's a Los Angeles postmark.

[Sam Spade]

I see. Well, we might start by tracing down this typewriter through an LA detective agency.

[Rufus McLeod]

Every one of my charming guests is from Los Angeles. One of them wrote it, if you ask me.

[Sam Spade]

Very likely.

[Rufus McLeod]

I want to know who wrote it, if I can. But more than that, I wonder what serious trouble? The wr.

[Sam Spade]

The girl you sent to pick me up Said you had a very volatile group of people assembled. Yeah.

[Rufus McLeod]

Perhaps they're high strung individuals, but they're civilized. I'm sure their conflict would never get beyond a cutting phrase or two. Or perhaps a punch thrown here or there.

[Sam Spade]

Well, then you really don't believe you'll have any trouble? Yeah, I don't know.

[Rufus McLeod]

I don't know. I thought it would be advisable to have a man like yourself around. Yes, one who deals in trouble professionally. Perhaps if things do get out of line, you can help repair the damages or even prevent things from occurring.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I'll do my best, Mr. McLeod, but it's not easy to look for something when you don't know what you're looking for.

[Rufus McLeod]

Oh, here they come, Spade, Back from the ski runs. I told them you were handling an advertising campaign for my caneries.

[Sam Spade]

They came stamping in, pulling off gloves, unzipping parkas, and if it hadn't been for the grown up dialogue, looking all the world like a group of carefree children. It was hard to believe that the chill of death was also in the even day. I couldn't keep my eyes off one of the particular members of the group. Mossberg ski boots, Chinese vermilion downhill pants and a candy striped parker, which she now pulled over her lovely head. The sweater she wore underneath was, I'm sure, designed for someone much smaller. A dachshund, perhaps.

[Cora McLeod]

Is this the advertising man you've been telling me about, Ruth?

[Rufus McLeod]

Oh, Mr. Samuel Spade, my half wife, Cora.

[Sam Spade]

Half. Well, how. How do you do?

[Cora McLeod]

Glad you came, Sam. We can always use another sport in the crowd. Hey, everybody, shut up. Introducing the incomparable, fabulous Mr. Samuel Spade.

[Rufus McLeod]

How are you, Sam?

[Cora McLeod]

I'll give em to you. Pass, Sam. Me, Paul Endicott, Rita Parker, Charlie Allison toja Spinborg. Charlie's the one who does ski.

[Sam Spade]

I'll take snowshoes any day.

[Rufus McLeod]

I can't get anywhere in snowshoes.

[Sam Spade]

You've heard perhaps of the tortoise and the Hare Rufus.

[Cora McLeod]

Ring for some drinks. Tom and Jerry's, Hot toddies, coffee, grog, something.

[Rufus McLeod]

We're having hot buttered rum. The stuff's warming in the kitchen.

[Cora McLeod]

Well, get it up.

[Rufus McLeod]

Get it up right away, Carl.

[Cora McLeod]

And as for the rest of you. Ready? A one, a two, a three.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, fill the old man Shout till.

[Rufus McLeod]

The rafters ring Stand and drink a.

[Sam Spade]

Toast once again Let every loyal May man say oh, Bodie, Doty, do all the happy. They took up a song with a gusto Lifting imaginary drinks into the air and it was all very jolly For a party that was supposed to be fraught with danger, this one certainly started out in just the opposite direction. The drinks came and things got even merrier. Lunch was served, and afterwards I slipped into some outdoor gear and strapped on some skis. Everybody scattered different directions. Rufus, McLeod and I skied to a place three miles away called the Halfway Cabin. Between the chateau and the cabin was a small lake called Royal Lake, completely frozen over. Rufus stood in front of the cabin firing a 3030 at a target. Led up down in the woods to the east.

[Rufus McLeod]

What do you see through the glasses? Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Two bullseyes and nothing outside of the eight ring. That's great offhand shooting at this range and standing on skis.

[Rufus McLeod]

Well, I can do much better than that. Watch this. See that silver tip on that big Norwegian F. Yeah, I'll cut it off. Hey, look out. Huh? Well, he came swooping out of nowhere. Spade. I swear I did.

[Sam Spade]

I think you hit him. Who is it?

[Rufus McLeod]

It's Paul Endicott. No, no, he's up.

[Sam Spade]

Good.

[Rufus McLeod]

There's Cora with him.

[Sam Spade]

You told me nobody was supposed to be skiing in that area.

[Rufus McLeod]

Ah, they're not.

[Sam Spade]

Well, here he comes. And he looks plenty mad.

[Rufus McLeod]

What do I care about him? He'd just have to Cora for the money I give her, that's all. You might have killed me, you stupid fool. You weren't supposed to be skiing there, Endicott, and it was an accident.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, yeah?

[Rufus McLeod]

Well, that was no accident.

[Sam Spade]

All right, all right, all right. Knock off the.

[Rufus McLeod]

You keep out or I'll throw one at you.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, that I love, Paul.

[Cora McLeod]

Now stop it. And the rest of you, quit acting like children.

[Rufus McLeod]

Your boyfriend threw a sucker punch at me, Cora. And even if he is my guest, there's a limit to hospitality. I don't call one punch and even trade for a 30. 30 bullet. You weren't hit, so don't start crying, Rufus.

[Cora McLeod]

I have the feeling you wouldn't mind if he were hit. You wouldn't mind at all, Paul. I'm just decided I don't like you without a mustache.

[Sam Spade]

Well, from then on, everybody dropped the pretense and you knew where you stood. And it was chilly, too. Later in the day, we were all back at the chateau again, and Paul Endicott wove his delicate variation on his main theme.

[Rufus McLeod]

I'll knock your block off.

[Tozier Svenborg]

I tell you, Mr. Endicott, you have some delusions.

[Rufus McLeod]

I have no delusions, Tozier. I've seen the way you look at Cara. The way you two are always trying to lose me on the Trails.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Some people ski faster than others.

[Rufus McLeod]

Yeah, well, let me tell you something. The next time you try to wolf this girl, it's going to be your last.

[Tozier Svenborg]

I'm nobody's wolf. I'm a ski instructor. That is what I was hired for.

[Rufus McLeod]

Well, stick to what you were hired for. Knock off the extracurricular activities.

[Tozier Svenborg]

I don't have to take this kind of talk from you.

[Rufus McLeod]

Anything you'd like to do about it?

[Tozier Svenborg]

As a matter of fact, there is.

[Sam Spade]

Fellas. Boys. Stop it. Stop it.

[Effie]

Stop it.

[Sam Spade]

Yes.

[Cora McLeod]

I'll never speak to either.

[Sam Spade]

Yes. You want me to stop them, Mrs. McLoud?

[Cora McLeod]

No, I want you to take me out of here.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, all right, all right.

[Cora McLeod]

Well, let's put on our skis and get out of here.

[Sam Spade]

Okay. Here, I'll help you.

[Cora McLeod]

Oh, thank you. You're such a gentleman.

[Sam Spade]

Well, even so. Won't take a minute.

[Cora McLeod]

Ready?

[Sam Spade]

Yes. Here we are. Now, where are we heading, Mrs. McLeod?

[Cora McLeod]

Oh, I thought we might go out to the boathouse. It's on the southern tip of Royal Lake. Only a mile and a half nothing. And my name is Cora. I'm not really Mrs. McLeod anymore.

[Sam Spade]

That's kind of rough on you, isn't it? Bringing your new boyfriend around, all of your ex husband's friends.

[Cora McLeod]

Well, I like it up here. Rufus likes to have me. They're not all against Paul. At least they weren't. But he's on the defensive so much he's going to make enemies of all of them.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, he's off to a rousing start, I'd say.

[Cora McLeod]

You know something, Sam? I don't care about Paul and. Really, or Rufus McLeod or Toza Spinborg or anybody. I just care about Cora McLeod.

[Sam Spade]

Well, now, that's a good, honest answer. You know, most people wouldn't be that frank, but Sam. Yeah?

[Cora McLeod]

I haven't known you long. Well, I. I like your style. Style I could care about.

[Sam Spade]

It broke my heart not to stop right there on the trail and kiss her, because that's what she wanted me to do, so that's why I didn't do it. And I'll never turn down anything better. Well. Next scene, a boathouse. When we got there, it was not at all the way I thought. Food technician and close friend of Rufus McLeod was there working on something that baffled me at first. It's a nice boat, Mr. Spade. That's what it is. Belongs to Rufus. Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen one up close before. I'd take you for a ride, but this one needs a lot of work before anybody could use it. I'm just puttering. What prompted you to come out here, Cora?

[Cora McLeod]

Because Paul and Tosha Spinborg got in a fight over me and I got tired of the whole thing. Sam and I went out for some air.

[Sam Spade]

Well, glad you did. I was getting a bit lonesome. You see, Sam, they always leave me in a cloud of snow on their skis, and I just plod along on snowshoes all by myself. Well, maybe we can go walking together sometime. I used to be able to shake a pretty good snowshoe.

[Narrator]

It's a deal.

[Sam Spade]

Tomorrow morning I'll show you the place.

[Cora McLeod]

Sam, I think I'll stick around here and help Charlie with the ice boat. Oh, unless you're crazy about ice boats. Why don't you go back to the chateau? We'll be there in time for dinner.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I don't need any engraved inver exvitation. I hope you catch a common cold. The trouble with that girl was that she only wanted one man at a time around her. Back at the chateau, there was no one but the cook. The Marjorie Main part too tall. As suppertime approached, Rufus came in, then Rita, then Cora, then Allison, and finally Tozier. In that order. And the order is important because, you see, nowhere in the list is the name of Paul Endicott. He didn't come in for supper, nor for the next three hours. It was dark by then, and Rufus McLeod was worried about Endicott. So we found out in a searching party. I was alone when I found him. He was lying in the snow 300 yards west of the halfway cabin. There was a.30 30 slug in him. Period. End of Paul Endicott.

[Narrator]

You are listening to the weekly adventure of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade. This Sunday, Carrie Grant and Betsy Drake star in the second of the new Mr. And Mrs. Blanding series. Over most of these NBC stations. The delightful tribulations of Jim Blandings and his wife Muriel as they built their famous dream house entertain millions as a novel and then as a motion picture. And now you can follow the further adventures of Mr. And Mrs. Blanding's every Sunday on NBC. And Sunday also means your weekly visit with the hilarious Harrises on the Phil Harris Alice Fay Show. And now back to the Chateau McLeod caper, tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

There were no ski marks near the body of Paul Endicott, just his own. Somebody had drawn a bead on him in the dust from some dick. I started to look for the rest of the searching party and then changed my mind. If the body of Endicott wasn't found. The murderer might wonder what happened to it, get worried and make a mistake. So I picked him up, carried him to a small cave I found, covered the entrance with snow, brushed over the ski marks, and went back to the chateau. One by one, they all showed up, discouraged.

[Cora McLeod]

We can't give up. We have to keep looking.

[Rufus McLeod]

I know how you feel, Coral darling. It's too dark. We'll try to move.

[Effie]

Oh, don't worry about him. Paul can take care of himself.

[Tozier Svenborg]

How can he take care of himself, Miss Parker, if he got lost?

[Sam Spade]

Who said he got lost?

[Tozier Svenborg]

I am assuming.

[Rufus McLeod]

I think we're all assuming too much. I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about. If I know Paul, he'll show up tomorrow with some tall tale to tell. What do you think, Mr. Spade?

[Cora McLeod]

What does an advertising executive know?

[Rufus McLeod]

Cora, your manners. A sponsor might be listening.

[Cora McLeod]

Oh, well, I'm sorry, Sam. I'm upset.

[Sam Spade]

Okay, okay. Frankly, I don't know what to think. But if I were a detective, I'd hazard a guess that Paul met with foul play.

[Rufus McLeod]

Oh, nonsense, Spade, nonsense. Come on, everybody. Let's have a drink, have some fun. Paul will be back. And even if he isn't, who really cares?

[Cora McLeod]

Scotch for me.

[Sam Spade]

And I guess nobody cared. Rufus was a little more jolly than usual, and the drinks began to dispel the gloom. It was as if Paul Endicott never had existed. It began to get late, and the bizarre wake broke up. Everybody went to bed, including me. I lay there fully dressed, looking up at the beam ceiling for an hour. About then, my doorknob turned and the door slid open and shut. Someone moved quietly to my bed as I was sliding my.38 out of its holster.

[Effie]

Sam, it's me, Rita. Are you awake?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. I wasn't even under the covers.

[Effie]

Mind if I sit down here?

[Sam Spade]

Not a bit.

[Effie]

I'm scared. I wish I could leave here.

[Sam Spade]

What's the matter?

[Effie]

Paul's dead. I know he is. He didn't mean anything to me one way or the other, but I know he's dead.

[Sam Spade]

Anything to back up your feelings?

[Effie]

I guess not. It's. It's just something I'm sure of.

[Sam Spade]

Why'd you come to me?

[Effie]

Because you're really a detective, and I know it.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, man.

[Effie]

Oh, now, you handled a case for my father once. You just don't remember me.

[Podcast Host]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace. You know, when you're really stressed or not feeling so great about your life or about yourself, talking to someone who understands can really help. But who is that person? How do you find them? Where do you even start? Talkspace. Talkspace makes it easy to get the support you need. With Talkspace, you can go online, answer a few questions about your preferences, and be matched with a therapist. And because you'll meet your therapist online, you don't have to take time off work or arrange childcare. You'll meet on your schedule wherever you feel most at ease. If you're depressed, stressed, struggling with a relationship, or if you want some counseling for you and your partner or just need a little extra one on one support, Talkspace is here for you. Plus, Talkspace works with most major insurers and most Insured members have a zero dollar copay. No insurance, no problem. Now get $80 off of your first month with promo code SPACE80 when you go to talkspace.com Match with a licensed therapist today at talkspace.com Save $80 with code SPACE80 at.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Plantas, Plantas Y mas.

[Rufus McLeod]

Plantas and Country, Farm and Garden. A key miso in Yakima and La.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Venida, Washington Des de los mimientos mas.

[Rufus McLeod]

Picantes del mundo Hasta las flores mas.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Hermosas lot tenemos todo calatisado, jalapeno Roma y super Chile en existencia todo los dias un paquete de cuatro vegetales cuestas solo tres dores, Conventin, Nueve, Santabos, Vena.

[Rufus McLeod]

Country farm and garden Para todo tus.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Vegetales, tomates, sevoyas, pimientos y pepinos, siempre. Next is and country, farm and Garden and Abenida, Watson and Yakima.

[Sam Spade]

All right, I'm a detective. Rufus hired me because he expected trouble.

[Effie]

Sam, I'll tell you something about Paul.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah?

[Effie]

Cory didn't really like him. They were always fighting.

[Sam Spade]

She only cares about herself. So she said. Tell me, what kind of a car does Paul drive?

[Effie]

It's a yellow convertible, but it's still in the garage. I checked.

[Sam Spade]

Any other cars missing?

[Effie]

No. No, they're all there. Oh, and I found out something else.

[Sam Spade]

What?

[Effie]

Before supper, there was a gun missing from Rufus.

[Sam Spade]

Anything else?

[Effie]

That's all I know, Sam. Except that Paul's dead. I know it. I wish I'd never come up here.

[Sam Spade]

After she left, I dressed for outdoors and climbed through the bedroom window. It was still and quiet, and it was a quarter moon when I skied away from the chateau. I wanted to look the land over myself before the next day when the clues, if any, were trampled into the snow. When I passed the northern tip of Royal Lake on the trail to the Halfway Cabin. I saw a new set of ski tracks heading into the woods where I had found Endicott's body. I followed him, and they went right to the cave where I'd hidden him. He was gone. I was standing there pondering this when I thought I saw something move in the trees to the west of me. I stood stock still. That was a mistake. A bullet splintered a tree next to me and I shoved off as fast as I could. There was no second shot. I circled around in the trees, trying to catch sight of someone. Nothing. I kept in the shadows and made for the Halfway Cabin. It was dark and quiet, at least until I opened the door. I tried, but he had the advantage of surprise and some kind of a club. I ended up on the floor with someone sitting on my chest.

[Tozier Svenborg]

All right, I have your gun. You make one wrong move, Spade, and I'll use it.

[Sam Spade]

It's got bullets in it and a hair trigger, so be careful.

[Tozier Svenborg]

We could use a little light. As you see, there's Paul Endicott's body.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. Why did you find him? Tozier? You're only putting a noose around your neck.

[Tozier Svenborg]

You're a very perceiving man, Mr. Spade. How do you figure I did it?

[Sam Spade]

I talk better on my feet.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Just remember the gun.

[Sam Spade]

If you didn't kill him, how else would you know where the body was?

[Tozier Svenborg]

Because I know this country like the back of my hand. He had to be somewhere. You are the killer, mister.

[Sam Spade]

Spit me? Why?

[Tozier Svenborg]

I do not know. You found the body before anyone else could, hid it, then clumsily tried to hide your tracks.

[Sam Spade]

Don't be silly. Why would I come back?

[Tozier Svenborg]

Murder always worries about his crime. Did you forget something? Was something left undone? It's a natural.

[Sam Spade]

It sounds good, except it isn't true. You couldn't pin it on me in a month of Sundays. But somebody might just tie it onto you.

[Tozier Svenborg]

That's what you think. Do you know what I'm going to do now?

[Sam Spade]

I wouldn't want to guess. The shots came pouring in through the window and Tozier Svenborg went down. I saw the flash of a face outside and was gone. I kicked at the lamp, threw the place into darkness and lay on the floor. Then I crawled over to Svenborg and took my gun back.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Well, that was a surprise. It hurt quite a bit.

[Sam Spade]

Where'd you get it?

[Tozier Svenborg]

Oh, somewhere in the back.

[Sam Spade]

Let me see. It's at the shoulder level, but he won't die.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Anyway, I'm Afraid? I'm afraid I misjudged you as the spade. Go after him. Go after him and catch whoever it was.

[Sam Spade]

I can't leave you here.

[Tozier Svenborg]

I'll take care of myself. Just leave me a gun for protection.

[Sam Spade]

No, I'll stay.

[Tozier Svenborg]

Go, please, while there's time. Or are you afraid?

[Sam Spade]

I was when I gave him my gun and left. Outside, there were many ski tracks, but a fresh set led left from the halfway cabin down. They went right to the edge of Royal Lake and then stopped. There were no marks of ski poles on the ice, so I followed the shoreline, looking for some kind of a clue. It wasn't until I reached the southern tip of Royal Lake that my effort was rewarded. Leading up from the ice were a set of footprints, then a set of ski marks. They led to the boathouse. Inside, I found two interesting items. One, a dismantled ice boat with fresh ice on the runners. Two, a pair of skis with snow in the grooves. I made my way along the beaten pack back to the chateau, circled at once, found interesting item number three and went in.

[Rufus McLeod]

Well, what were you doing? Up Speed? Did you hear the shots, too?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. I thought I'd look around. It was cold.

[Cora McLeod]

You woke me out of a sound sleep, Sam. What was it? You know.

[Sam Spade]

Well, I didn't find out about the first shot, Mrs. McLeod, that was fired at me. But the next three were fired at a man named Tozier Svenborg.

[Cora McLeod]

Oh, no.

[Rufus McLeod]

Told you. How did it happen? Spade? What's it all about?

[Sam Spade]

He found Endicott's body in the woods.

[Rufus McLeod]

Dead?

[Sam Spade]

Very.

[Effie]

I told you, Sam. I told you.

[Cora McLeod]

Told him what? What do you know about it?

[Effie]

Nothing. I just had the feeling, that's all.

[Cora McLeod]

You know something. Now tell us or I'll slap the wrench right out of your head.

[Effie]

I don't know anything. Anything at all. I just had a feeling.

[Rufus McLeod]

Who shot Tosha Spade and why?

[Sam Spade]

I don't know. I was standing with them in the halfway Cabin. Somebody shot through the window.

[Rufus McLeod]

Didn't you see them? Don't you know who it was?

[Sam Spade]

I was too busy ducking to look. Just answer me one thing. Have any of you been out?

[Cora McLeod]

Of course not.

[Effie]

No, I haven't. And Mr. Allison's in bed.

[Sam Spade]

Of course, they all lied. McLeod's shirt was stained with sweat. He'd been moving fast somewhere. The ski pants sticking out from under Currer's robe were wet. And Rita Parker was now dressed when she wasn't. Before. I was trying to figure out something to say when Charlie Allison came out from his bedroom rubbing Sleep out of his eyes and pulling a robe on. What's going on here? What's all the excitement about?

[Cora McLeod]

They found Paul dead. And somebody shot Tozier?

[Rufus McLeod]

No.

[Sam Spade]

Where is Tozer? In the Halfway Cabin. Well, let's get him to a doctor.

[Rufus McLeod]

I'll call one from town.

[Effie]

Why don't you go up and get Tozier? I'll have a car ready and we'll take him right into the Lucerne Hospital.

[Cora McLeod]

Wait a minute. What about the murderer who did the shooting? Nobody's getting out of my sight. It had to be one of us.

[Rufus McLeod]

Why, Cora?

[Cora McLeod]

Well, it wasn't just anybody. We're the only ones left walking.

[Effie]

Why don't you ask Sam? He's the detective.

[Cora McLeod]

Detective?

[Sam Spade]

Yes.

[Rufus McLeod]

I hired him because somebody sent me an anonymous letter saying there'd be trouble.

[Sam Spade]

You knew there was gonna be trouble, Rufus.

[Rufus McLeod]

Somebody else knew.

[Sam Spade]

Then why did you let people come up here?

[Cora McLeod]

What's the big eye?

[Effie]

Did you do.

[Sam Spade]

Wait a minute, Spade. What did you find out? Well, if you'll all wait here a minute, I'll. When I circled the chateau, before I came in, I'd seen footprints leading to a window, not mine. That meant somebody else used the back way in and out too. I wanted to find out whose window it was. And of course, while I was looking, I remember the apparently dismantled ice boat and the fact that a set of skis were in the boathouse. It took me about a minute to find the right room, but somebody knew it.

[Rufus McLeod]

All right, Spade, stand where you are.

[Sam Spade]

Allison, you might be a great food technician, but you're a lousy killer. Yeah, well, at least he didn't get her.

[Rufus McLeod]

And neither will you. I've got him, Spade. All right, come on, stand up. Come on, you SAP. Cora, huh? You think you could get her by killing somebody?

[Sam Spade]

Shut up.

[Rufus McLeod]

Leave me alone. I'm sorry for you. Sorry for anyone that ever knew her. I'm sorry for myself. She loves me, you fool.

[Sam Spade]

We found our killer, Mrs. McLeod.

[Cora McLeod]

Charlie?

[Sam Spade]

Yes, baby?

[Effie]

I.

[Cora McLeod]

Oh, Rufus, it's been a long day. I need a drink.

[Sam Spade]

And that goes to show you how cold it can get in the snow country. Period. End of report.

[Effie]

Sam, why would a man do anything like that when he knew he couldn't get away with it?

[Sam Spade]

Because he was stupid, Effie. People must have told him a million times if they told him once. Crime just doesn't pay. Yes. Now go type that up, will you? Go on. Scamper, scamper.

[Narrator]

Three chimes mean good times on NBC. Here's news of two important musical events this Saturday Arturo Toscanini begins a new Saturday series of concerts with the NBC Symphony. And for his premiere, the celebrated maestro Toscanini will present a special hour and a half performance of Verdi's Requiem. And beginning next Monday, you can hear the first in a new series by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

[Sam Spade]

Here it is, Sam.

[Effie]

All typed up. All but the P.S. page, that is.

[Sam Spade]

What P.S. page? Why should it need a P.S.

[Effie]

Sam, you know that this report, to borrow a phrase from you, is full of holes.

[Sam Spade]

My phrase. I wish I'd never said it.

[Effie]

Now, for instance, who sent the note to Rufus?

[Sam Spade]

Paul Endicott. He expected trouble. That's why he was so belligerent to everybody.

[Effie]

All right.

[Sam Spade]

Yes.

[Effie]

I'm going to come right out and ask you.

[Sam Spade]

Good.

[Effie]

Why did Allison kill him?

[Sam Spade]

Well, I thought it was rather obvious, Effie. Cora was leaving Rufus McLeod for Allison. But because Allison worked for McLeod until Cora's divorce was final, they didn't want Rufus to know about it. So they used Paul Endicott as a decoy. Love affair.

[Effie]

But I'll bet Endicott didn't want to give Cora up. I'll bet that was it, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Effie, I don't know how you ever guessed Endicott saw in it a chance to pick up a buck with a little blackmail.

[Effie]

It was just a wild guess, Sam. Yes, and of course, Allison did ski, didn't he?

[Sam Spade]

What do you think?

[Effie]

Well, how else could he get around so fast? And he made such a point about those snowshoes. Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Yes?

[Effie]

If I'd written the caper, I'd have covered that up a little.

[Sam Spade]

Come here.

[Effie]

I'm sorry, Sam. I guess I shouldn't have said that.

[Sam Spade]

You certainly should not have. You know, there's only one thing around here you're supposed to say.

[Effie]

Yes, Sam. I know, I know.

[Sam Spade]

Make it fast.

[Effie]

Good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Good night, sweetheart.

[Narrator]

The Adventures of Sam Spade are produced, edited and directed by William Spears. Sam Spade was played by Stephen Dunn. Loreen Tuttle is Effie. Script for tonight's adventure by John Michael Hayes. Musical scoring by Lud Gluskin conducted by Robert Armbruster. Join us again next week, same time for another adventure with Sam Spade. Do you keep an appointment book? In 1950, 30,000 people kept an appointment they hadn't bargained for with infantile paralysis. And four out of five of these were helped with March of Dimes money. We must go on helping, yet we also must be prepared for what may come in this year. March of Dimes is your way of fighting infantile paralysis. Give all you can to your local March of Dimes headquarters. Join the 1951 March of Dimes. Today, the Magnificent Montague next. Then it's Duffy's Tavern on NBC.