The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Indian Caper 09/25/1949

Summary

Summary of "The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Indian Caper"

Introduction

In the riveting episode of Choice Classic Radio Detectives, titled "The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Indian Caper," private detective Sam Spade finds himself entangled in a complex case that intertwines Native American heritage, mysterious disappearances, and high-stakes deception. Set against the backdrop of San Francisco’s vibrant yet shadowy locales, the story delves deep into themes of loyalty, cultural conflict, and the relentless pursuit of truth.

Opening Scenes and Setup

The episode commences with Sam Spade (voiced by Howard Duff) humorously embracing his role as "Shaman Spade," a nod to his wisdom and detective prowess. Effie Perine (Lorraine Tuttle), his resourceful and sharp-witted assistant, engages in playful banter, setting a tone of camaraderie and underlying tension.

Effie [01:12]: "An old Indian word signifying wise man. And it's true, Effie. I'm a lot wiser man than I was yesterday at this time."

Sam receives a crucial message from Chief Black Cloud, a prominent figure from the Santee Dakota Indian reservation, requesting his expertise to locate a missing engineer named Clarence Hobart. Additionally, Chief Black Cloud entrusts Sam with safeguarding an ancient and valuable wampum belt, a revered artifact of the Nipmuck tribe.

Chief Black Cloud [05:02]: "Not Oklahoma. Indian land. Union mean nothing. Union temporary thing. I see Indian here long before white man. And Indian will be here long after white man."

Investigation Begins

Sam and Effie embark on their investigation, delving into Clarence Hobart's disappearance. Their search leads them to the Arundel and Amoskee Consolidated Engineering Company, where Hobart's partner, Anderson Watts, provides cryptic information about Hobart's unpredictable nature.

As Sam digs deeper, he experiences suspicious encounters, hinting at looming dangers. His relentless pursuit underscores his determination to uncover the truth behind Hobart's vanishing.

Encounter with Chief Black Cloud and Little White Lilac

After several investigative hurdles, Sam meets Little White Lilac (a key character whose true intentions become pivotal later in the episode), who gracefully transitions from traditional attire to a modern disguise, symbolizing the clash between ancient traditions and contemporary influences.

Little White Lilac [09:14]: "I'll talk to him."

She becomes both an ally and an antagonist, complicating Sam’s mission. The tension escalates when Sam discovers that the wampum belt has been stolen, and his office has been thoroughly ransacked, indicating the high stakes of the case.

Confrontation and Revelation

The narrative reaches its climax as Sam confronts Little White Lilac and Chief Black Cloud. Sam reveals that the wampum belt holds immense power, capable of generating wealth beyond imagination—a threat that Chief Black Cloud intends to wield against modern American civilization as retribution for historical injustices.

Sam Spade [11:02]: "That wampum belt is secret to undreamed of wealth greater than the fortunes of the 10 richest families of this country."

Determined to prevent chaos, Sam destroys the belt, symbolizing his commitment to peace and order. This act of destruction leads to intense confrontations, including a physical altercation with Little White Lilac, who attempts to reclaim the belt.

Sam Spade [23:55]: "You think this is a joke, don't you?... he's going to use it to destroy modern American civilization."

Resolution and Aftermath

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the true motives of Little White Lilac and Chief Black Cloud unravel. Sam uncovers that the wampum belt was part of a larger scheme to initiate an Indian revolution and seize immense wealth. By destroying the belt, Sam thwarts the impending upheaval, ensuring that neither the chief nor the engineer can exploit its power.

The episode wraps up with Sam reflecting on the events, emphasizing themes of integrity, cultural respect, and the futility of vengeance.

Effie [26:18]: "Sam, you have to believe me."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Effie [01:12]: "An old Indian word signifying wise man. And it's true, Effie. I'm a lot wiser man than I was yesterday at this time."

• Little White Lilac [05:02]: "Not Oklahoma. Indian land. Union mean nothing. Union temporary thing. I see Indian here long before white man. And Indian will be here long after white man."

• Sam Spade [11:02]: "That wampum belt is secret to undreamed of wealth greater than the fortunes of the 10 richest families of this country."

• Sam Spade [23:55]: "You think this is a joke, don't you?... he's going to use it to destroy modern American civilization."

Conclusion

"The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Indian Caper" masterfully blends classic detective storytelling with rich cultural elements, presenting listeners with a multifaceted narrative that explores deep-seated issues and moral dilemmas. Sam Spade's unwavering dedication to justice and his ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics highlight his enduring legacy as one of old-time radio’s greatest detectives. This episode not only entertains but also invites reflection on the delicate balance between tradition and progress, making it a standout offering in the Golden Age of Radio.

Transcript

[Sam Spade]

Your message amplified.

[Effie]

Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean.

[Sam Spade]

Podbean.

[Effie]

Podbean.

[Sam Spade]

Podbean. Podbean. The AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Sam Spade]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Chief Black Cloud]

My school uses Podbean.

[Effie]

My church too.

[Sam Spade]

I love it. I really do.

[Chief Black Cloud]

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] the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic. The non alcoholic hair tonic that contains lanolin Wild Root Cream oil again and again. The choice of men and women and children too.

[Sam Spade]

Sam Spade Detective Agency.

[Effie]

Me sweetheart, Shaman Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Shaman, not Sam.

[Effie]

An old Indian word signifying wise man. And it's true, Effie. I'm a lot wiser man than I was yesterday at this time.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, really, Sam?

[Effie]

Really, Little Pampus. Put on some war paint, a few turkey feathers and your best open toad market.

[Sam Spade]

Where are we going, Sam?

[Effie]

Why, to Ted's teepee for a rousing repast of ground corn and dried buffalo meat.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, well, don't quibble, Effie.

[Effie]

Get the wigwam ready. Sharpen my tomahawk and lay out my herringbone breach clout. I'll be right in to dictate the shaga. The shagma. Ah, the Indian caper from the land of the sky blue water. They brought a captive made red wing.

[Sam Spade]

Here I am running skunk.

[Effie]

Running what?

[Sam Spade]

Skunk. He was a famous Indian detective.

[Effie]

You sure you're not making this up?

[Sam Spade]

Oh, no, Sam. Oh, no. He was the scourge of Indian lawbreakers.

[Effie]

Scourge you even. So, you have two minutes to think of a better name.

[Sam Spade]

Oh. Rippling string.

[Effie]

Not virile enough.

[Sam Spade]

Crunching muscles.

[Effie]

Too viral. What is that stuff you've been getting me anyway? To Lieutenant L. J. Myron, San Francisco homicide detail. Better take it back. Copy to Chief Black Cloud at Santee Dakota Indian reservation. Oh, murder. Attention, Federal Indian agent from Samuel Spade, San Francisco license number 137596. The Shargoga GOG, the Shargona call it for now, the Indian caper. And quiet to you. I was sitting in my office. Quiet. I was sitting in my office doing absolutely nothing, when something interrupted me. First it was a buckskin smell, then the soft tread of moccasins, followed by the sound of a rattle. His beaded clothes were wrapped in a Rich looking embroidered blanket and his multicolored headdress raced to the floor. His face looked like the model for the Indian head nickel.

[Little White Lilac]

How?

[Effie]

Who?

[Little White Lilac]

My name? Chief Black Cloud.

[Effie]

How do you do, Chief?

[Little White Lilac]

You Shaman Spade.

[Effie]

Sam Shaman.

[Little White Lilac]

Indian word for wise man.

[Effie]

Prophet Seer Sam.

[Little White Lilac]

Newspapers say you good scout.

[Effie]

Well, they exaggerate.

[Little White Lilac]

So you know Chief need to hire a good scout for a job.

[Effie]

Well, shall we talk?

[Little White Lilac]

You come for pow wow in chief's council lodge.

[Effie]

Where's that?

[Little White Lilac]

St. Marc Hotel, fourth floor.

[Effie]

I see you have reservations.

[Little White Lilac]

Well, you ride with Black Cloud. He have iron pony on street made by great Indian Chief Pontiac.

[Effie]

And he actually had a council lodge at the St. Mark, fourth floor. Outside the door of his room, two braves were standing, arms folded. One of them was the first Indian I'd ever seen with hair on his chest. We entered the room. Indian file, of course. The chief had apparently brought in his own decorator. The walls were covered with hanging animal skins. A weathered canopy of thatch hid the ceiling. And on the floor, genuine hand woven rugs. No expense had been spared. In one corner of this room stood a full sized tepee. Two squaws shuffled out of it. What else? The young one glided forward and handed the chief a long Indian pipe.

[Little White Lilac]

Shaman Spade. This fairest Indian maid of all. Only person in world important to Black Cloud. Name Little White Lilac.

[Effie]

How do you do, Little White Lilac?

[Sam Spade]

It's nice to have you here.

[Little White Lilac]

She wise, educated girl. Graduate Smith College. Old squaws out. Squaws no good at powwow.

[Effie]

Well, you know best, Chief.

[Little White Lilac]

Now we powwow. You get paid well. Chief Fleck Cloud owned 130 oil wells near Tulsa.

[Effie]

Oh, Oklahoma, huh?

[Little White Lilac]

Not Oklahoma. Indian land. Union mean nothing. Union temporary thing. I see Indian here long before white man. And Indian will be here long after white man.

[Effie]

All right, Chief.

[Little White Lilac]

All right, Chief. Black Cloud come to San Francisco village five days ago for powwow with big engineer.

[Effie]

Anybody I know his name?

[Little White Lilac]

Clarence Hobart. Engineer for Arundel and Amaskeag. Consolidated Engineering Company. Fine Indian name. We have powwow four days Obart disappear.

[Effie]

And you want me to find him, is that it?

[Little White Lilac]

Chief tired of San Francisco? Want finish powwow? Get back to Santi Dakota reservation.

[Effie]

Clarence Hobart. Okay. I'll see what I can find out.

[Little White Lilac]

Good. One moment. Shaman Page Chief have something you guard for few days?

[Effie]

What's this?

[Little White Lilac]

This beaded wampum belt. Ancient relic of Nipmok tribe here in Tipi Semak. Too many light finger chimpanzee and bellboys.

[Effie]

You want me to hold on to this. For you.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Yes.

[Little White Lilac]

Wampum of great sentimental value woven by ancient wise man Taniluka tells interesting story in history of tribe guarded well.

[Effie]

Haven't lost a wampum yet. Is that all?

[Little White Lilac]

One more thing. We smoke pipe of friendship. I smoke here now.

[Effie]

You smoke through. Through friendship. Now I know what happens if the bag of Lucky Strike doesn't buy. When I left Chief Black Cloud's 4th Floor Lodge, there was only one brave standing outside the door. The hairy chested Indian was probably taking five. The wampum belt was about three feet long, made up of hundreds upon hundreds of little colored beads. They were woven into a picture pattern. Very pretty. The interesting story undoubtedly could have been translated instantly and told fascinatingly by Red Rider. But then he has a smart horse. I put the wampum belt in my pocket and headed for the offices of the Arundel and Amoskee Consolidated Engineering Company. Fine old Indian names. Inquired about Clarence Hobart. They referred me to his partner, Anderson Watts. Hobart disappeared? Absurd. Why? You couldn't lose him if you wanted to. He's as wide as a barn door. Yeah, well, Chief Black Cloud seems to think he is missing. Well, now, look here. Are you going to take an Indian's opinion over mine? I might. Well, just because he doesn't show up for an appointment doesn't mean he's disappeared. Why one day when we were on a cantilever project in New Orleans. Yeah, some other time. If Hobart hasn't disappeared, where would he be? Anywhere in the world. A man's unpredictable. Brilliant engineer, but moody. Every now and then he goes off alone to scheme up some fantastic thing. Like maybe cutting off the Gulf Stream and turning Cuba into an iceberg. I like it. But he always comes back. Disappear. No, no, not Hobart. Yeah. Well, can you give me his home address? Well, here you are. Try it if you like, but I'm sure he's not there. I called this morning and nobody answered. Honest. Injured, I left this utterly charming man and started for the address he had written down. I was taking the shortcut through the alley on Sutton street when I heard the rattle of beads and a naked brown arm of considerable size reached out of the Merc. I grabbed for it, but he slipped out of my grasp and sped swiftly and silently up the dark alley into the fog, leaving me with a handful of Max Factor number eight Iroquois makeup. I continued to Hobart's house without further incident. Found it just off Chinatown. Mr. Hobart.

[Little White Lilac]

Oh, I thought you might be somebody else.

[Effie]

Who else?

[Little White Lilac]

Take your foot out of the door.

[Effie]

Just let's Talk a minute, shall we?

[Little White Lilac]

I mean to call the police.

[Effie]

I don't think you will, Mr. Hobart.

[Little White Lilac]

All right, out with it. What's on your mind?

[Effie]

My name is Sam Spade. I'm a private detective. There's an Indian named Chief Black Cloud who's worried about you.

[Little White Lilac]

I'm old enough to worry about myself. Now stop bothering me.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Go away.

[Effie]

Look, I'm gonna tell the Chief where you are, you know, because that's what I was hired to do.

[Little White Lilac]

You'll. Ah, yeah, you're right. Confidentially, I've been on a two day drunk. You know how it is.

[Effie]

Who, me?

[Little White Lilac]

Ah, tell him to phone me tomorrow.

[Chief Black Cloud]

I'll talk to him.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, hi, Sam. Hi Sam. How are you?

[Effie]

Hello. What are you doing here today? This is your day off.

[Sam Spade]

I just wanted to show you something.

[Effie]

Effy, first, do me a favor and put this wampum belt in the safe, will you?

[Sam Spade]

A wampum bell.

[Effie]

Genuine Indian art.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, it's beautiful. You know what it'll go beautifully with? Oh, damn, I forgot. There's a girl waiting in your office.

[Effie]

Well.

[Sam Spade]

You want me to show you.

[Effie]

And there was indeed a girl in my office. It was Little White Lilac, Chief Black Cloud's fairest Indian maid of all. Only a heap big change had taken place. She still had the Indian color, but gone was the headband. Gone the buckskin dress, gone the squatting score. The St Mark tepee. Little White Lilac stood revealed in the thin disguise of a modern white woman's cocktail dress. Complete with pale face, 20 carat perfume. It was a transformation worthy of a high priced medicine man. But more surprises were to come.

[Sam Spade]

Hello.

[Effie]

How.

[Sam Spade]

I've been waiting for you.

[Effie]

Yeah, well, big brave just returned from hunting party.

[Sam Spade]

You can drop the TV talk. I'm civilized.

[Effie]

Well, okay. What's on your civilized line?

[Sam Spade]

Chief Black Cloud gave you a wampum belt. I want you to give it to me so I can destroy it.

[Effie]

Well, I. I gave my word to keep it. And I accepted the promise of money for its protection. Now, you wouldn't want me to be an Indian gift. I mean, violate my ethics, would you?

[Sam Spade]

Sam, if I must tell you Chief Black Cloud is insane.

[Effie]

Not if he keeps you around.

[Sam Spade]

Must we have these juvenile references to my personal beauty?

[Effie]

Juvenile? Well, sorry. You are Indian, aren't you?

[Sam Spade]

Of course I am a Nipmuck.

[Effie]

Nipmunk.

[Sam Spade]

That wampum belt is secret to undreamed of wealth greater than the fortunes of the 10 richest families of this country. Chief Black Cloud is wealthy from oil, but that belt make him more powerful than the bank of America.

[Effie]

You mean he could take my car back?

[Sam Spade]

You think this is a joke, don't you?

[Effie]

Well, I love the way you tell it. Huh.

[Sam Spade]

He's going to use it to destroy modern American civilization. To pay the white man back for what he did to the Indian.

[Effie]

I see.

[Sam Spade]

He wants to start a giant Indian.

[Effie]

Revolution and you want to destroy the wampum to save all this.

[Sam Spade]

Exactly. And now you'll give it to me, won't you?

[Effie]

Uh, what happens in the next chapter?

[Sam Spade]

Sam, you have to believe me.

[Effie]

Why?

[Sam Spade]

Why do you think? The chief is here conferring with an engineer. He wants to get at that wealth.

[Effie]

Hobart's gonna make him wealthy now. Really? Little white lilac. Isn't this all a little white lie?

[Sam Spade]

Sam, if I take you to Hobart and he confirms what I've said, will you believe me?

[Effie]

I might.

[Sam Spade]

Come on.

[Effie]

She took me by the hand and she led me out of the office and up and down several streets until we arrived at a frowsy looking brownstone. We entered, still holding hands and came to rest in an apartment that looked just recently occupied. I guess that's what it looked like because you couldn't tell much. It was being lit by either one 10 watt frosted bulb or by fireflies.

[Sam Spade]

This is the place.

[Effie]

A little dim in here, wouldn't you say?

[Sam Spade]

I like dim places.

[Effie]

Yeah. Where's Clarence?

[Sam Spade]

I'll get him in a minute. First, Sam.

[Effie]

Yes, pilot?

[Sam Spade]

You've been so nice.

[Effie]

I have?

[Sam Spade]

I want to find some way to thank you.

[Effie]

I'll wait on you, bud.

[Sam Spade]

I can stop Podbean. Your message amplified.

[Effie]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Chief Black Cloud]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Effie]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Effie]

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[Sam Spade]

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[Effie]

The kiss was great. In fact, it blew the top of my head off. After this, there was a free fireworks display, followed closely by a giant roar that sounded like Niagara Falls with a cold. It was a short feature, followed by a long period of dark, black silence. When the curtain came up again, I was lying in an alleyway. I was stiff and cold. My head throbbed with pain. My brain was a jumble. My suit was torn and dirty. My patience was at an end and my anger with Little white lilac knew no bounds. I went down to the office and changed clothes and get a drink. The phone was already ringing when I opened the door. Sam Spade, this Chief Black cloud talking from St. Mark. TP yeah, what's on your mind, Chief?

[Little White Lilac]

Ten minutes ago, bellboy delivered to Chief Black Cloud box. Inside box is scalp of engineer Clarence Hobart.

[Effie]

I hung up the phone, fell into my chair, snapped on the lights and fell out of it again. My office had been massacred. The place had been ransacked thoroughly and looked like the morning after. A Comanche smoker, and you guessed it, my safe had been drilled open. The ancient and valuable Nipmuck Wampum belt was gone. At this point, I decided what Chief Black Cloud needed was a detective.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Now, here's important news on good grooming. If you want the well groomed look that helps you get ahead socially and on the job, Listen. Recently, thousands of people from coast to coast who bought Wild Root Cream oil for the first time were asked, how does wild Root cream oil compare with the hair tonic you previously used? The results were amazing. Better than four out of five who replied said they preferred Wild Root Cream oil. Remember, non alcoholic wild Root cream oil contains lanolin. It grooms the hair naturally, relieves dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. So if you want your hair to be more attractive than ever before, get the generous new 25 cent size of wild Root Cream Oil. America's leading hair tonic. On sale at all drug and toilet goods counters. It's also available in larger economy bottles and the handy new tube. Get Wild Root Cream Oil again and again. The choice of men who put good grooming first. By the way, smart girls use Wild Root Cream oil too. And mothers say it's grand for training children's hair. And now back to the Chagogagog Manchagog chebunagungamog caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Effie]

I found Chief Black Cloud sitting cross legged and looking disconsolately down into a small cardboard box. Both squaws, including Little White Lilac, were on one side of the room grinding corn. Lilac looked through me as if I didn't exist. I sat down next to the Chief, looked into the box and recoiled. It was a real no imitation 20th century scalp. And the red hair was certainly Hobart.

[Little White Lilac]

Scalp comes with note.

[Effie]

Let me see.

[Little White Lilac]

Note. Written in Algonquin dialect. I translate. Honor Chief Black Cloud, return to Santee Dakota reservation and die proper death bidding to old man. Here you will meet violence unto death. Even as this man Did.

[Effie]

What's the point Across. Look, Chief, it isn't that I'm scared, which I am, but I just decided to pull out of this cable.

[Little White Lilac]

What?

[Effie]

I've heard some things about you that don't sound too good, you hear?

[Little White Lilac]

What?

[Effie]

That you want to start an Indian revolution to settle an old score with the white men who tell you this. Fairest of them all, Little White Lilac.

[Little White Lilac]

She tell you?

[Sam Spade]

I've never talked to.

[Effie]

She not only told me all that, but she.

[Little White Lilac]

When did Little White Lilac tell you these things?

[Effie]

She came to my office today.

[Sam Spade]

That's a lie. I never left this hotel.

[Little White Lilac]

We will see. Galanuka, you.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, Chief Black Cloud.

[Little White Lilac]

Did Little White Lilac leave hotel today?

[Sam Spade]

Little White Lilac with me all day? Why never out of enough.

[Effie]

Go away.

[Little White Lilac]

Carla Nuka speak with tongue of truth. Little White Lilac, I have grown from baby. She also speak with tongue of truth. Somebody lie.

[Effie]

Now, look, Chief, I know what I'm talking about.

[Little White Lilac]

You Chief does not need help of double tongue man. Return wampum belt to me. I pay you.

[Effie]

All right, I'll.

[Little White Lilac]

Well, Chief. Chief heard enough lies. Return wampum belt.

[Effie]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. I got a small but biting bit of truth to relate. Somebody stole the wampum belt.

[Little White Lilac]

Wampum belt gone.

[Effie]

Somebody broke into my office, drilled the safe and took it. You stole Was stolen from me.

[Little White Lilac]

Return wampum or you'll not live until sundown.

[Effie]

I'll return it if I can find it. Then you can pay me off and we'll call it even.

[Chief Black Cloud]

The makers of Wild Root Cream oil are presenting the weekly Sunday adventure of Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective, Sam Spade. Now here's important news on good grooming. If you want the well groomed look that helps you get ahead socially and on the job, listen. Recently, thousands of people from coast to coast who bought Wild Root Cream Oil for the first time were asked, how does wild Root cream oil compare with the hair tonic you previously used? The results were amazing. Better than four out of five who replied said they preferred wild Root Cream oil. Remember, non alcoholic wild Root cream oil contains lanolin. It grooms the hair naturally, relieves dryness and removes loose, ugly dandruff. So if you want your hair to be more attractive than ever before, get the generous new 25 cent size of Wild Root Cream Oil. America's leading hair tonic. On sale at all drug and toilet goods counters. It's also available in larger economy bottles and the handy new tube. By the way, smart girls Use wild root cream oil too and mothers say it's grand for training children's hair get wild root cream oil again and again. The choice of men and women and children too. And now back to tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Effie]

I walked outside muttering frightful white man supprecations. Cutting through the hotel parking lot, I suddenly noticed the Chief's iron pony made by Pontiac. There was a leather bag on the seat, sort of an Indian overnight case, and sticking out of it was a blood stained tomahawk. This was of decided interest to me and so were the rest of its content. Somebody had a giant engineering project afoot because there were order receipts for such things as two LSTs, four underwater hydraulic drills, a diving bell, a dredging barge and a steam dairy. Back again, eh, Spade? Yeah, back again, Mr. Wasp. Still looking for the missing Clarence Hobart? Not anymore. Well, I knew you'd realize the futility of it. I found him. And I trust you found him in good health. Old Hobart, a bug on health. Why, once, when we were in Cleveland. I think he's dead. It was the Ohio River Bridge jock. Dead, did you say? Hobart? Dead, Scout. Anyway, Mr. Watts, what was Hobart working on with the chief? Well, I don't know exactly. Well, let's go look at his desk file and see if we can find out. In a bottom drawer, under a lot of miscellaneous papers, we found a large manila envelope marked Black Cloud. It contained some topographical surveys of an area containing a lake. On the back of one of the surveys was written in fine print a series of 37 letters that looked like a whole group of Indian words strung together or a code or just doodling. It started out Chagaga something or other. I left Mr. Watts sitting in his office with tears in his eyes, a new roll, and made my weary way back to my place of business. Effie was standing in the middle of the office with a shocked look on her face.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Damn.

[Sam Spade]

Look at this office. How did it get like this? Oh, my files and everything.

[Effie]

Come on, I'll help you pick things up. And again. By the way, what are you doing here? It's still your day off.

[Sam Spade]

When you were here last time, I wanted to show you something, but you were so anxious to get to that girl.

[Effie]

All right, I'm here and I'll look. What is it?

[Sam Spade]

A new suede coat. How do you like it? The color is rust.

[Effie]

Well, I suppose. Effie, what's that you wearing as a belt?

[Sam Spade]

Now, don't be mad, Fang. I just had to. It went so well with the coat when I saw it.

[Effie]

Chief Black Cloud's wampum belt. You didn't put it in the safe. Give it to me. Give it to me. Wait right here. I'll be gone for half an hour and then I'll come back and take you out to the best dinner in town.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, I should go home and change first.

[Effie]

I had taken only four steps down the hall and somebody hit me from behind. I rolled and he went with me. We fought a quick, quiet and decisive fight. And at the end of it, I held him in an arm lock and let him back into my office. Come on.

[Sam Spade]

What happened to him? Back early.

[Effie]

I had an unexpected caller come in with me and take notes. Sit there. All right, all right. Now, who are you and what's on your mind? I'm nobody and I got nothing on my mind. Spring, you're one of the braves that guarded the chiefs. Yeah, and you're a phony Indian. Lousy makeup and Indians don't have hair in their chest. All right?

[Chief Black Cloud]

Right.

[Effie]

My name is Grit Ham and I'm a cow poke. And I should have stayed where I belong, out on the range. Well, why didn't you? Oh, once I said I'd do anything for that gal. Now I wish I hadn't. She brought me here. Why? Well, it had something to do with Barrett treasure. She was going to give me a big cut. Where is it buried? I don't know. She was going to tell me. I took Hammond around a homicide and left her in their safekeeping. While there, I got the latest flash. They had found Clarence Hobart dead and left scalp down to the waterfront. There were no clues except a blow on the back of the head and lipstick on his mouth which was enough for me, having been through the same course myself. Then I proceeded to the St. Mark, fourth floor. Little white Lilac met me at the door.

[Sam Spade]

You can't see the chief.

[Effie]

Why not?

[Sam Spade]

He's asleep.

[Effie]

One side. When the chief sees what I've got, he'll wake up screaming as wampum you have it. And with that, she pounced. I pushed her off as she came back and got a hold of one end of the wampum and tried to pull it away from me with disastrous results. The wampum came apart and in the second was nothing but hundreds of beads rolling different directions all over the place. In fact, it was no more. What happens in Chief Councillor?

[Little White Lilac]

Chief cannot sleep.

[Effie]

Well, I brought back your wampum, but now it's all over the floor.

[Little White Lilac]

Wampum belt destroyed?

[Sam Spade]

Yes, it's destroyed. You stupid old man.

[Little White Lilac]

You talk to Chief.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, stupid. You had the world in your hand. You didn't know it. You wanted it all for yourself. To tear down the earth. It could have been used to live.

[Little White Lilac]

What are you saying?

[Sam Spade]

To live the way I'm supposed to live. Now nobody will have it. Not even you or that fat engineer who wanted it.

[Little White Lilac]

Little white lilac. Shut mouth.

[Sam Spade]

I've been shutting my mouth all my life. You're a stupid, ignorant, disgusting old man. You'd be better off.

[Effie]

His big hands were around her throat. He stood there, anger and betrayal in his eyes. Then his hands dropped and he turned away with tears streaming down his face. It was then that the fair Indian maid went for him with a knife. And that was my cue to step in with a pale face weapon.

[Chief Black Cloud]

And now listen to this. Not only dad, but the whole family goes for America's favorite hair tonic, Wild Root Cream Oil. Wild Root Cream Oil grooms your hair neatly and naturally. Relieves dryness, removes loose, ugly dandruff. Get a family size bottle or handy tube today and ask your barber for a professional application of Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic again and again. The choice of men and women and children too.

[Effie]

Yeah, well, I don't usually hit one, but don't feel too badly, Chief. She helped kill Clarence Hobart.

[Little White Lilac]

Now, Chief believe anything.

[Effie]

Yeah, Chief, why did you want an.

[Little White Lilac]

Engineer design woven in wampum? Describes location of hidden Nipmuc treasure many, many years ago. Nipmuck tribe live in valley of the Berkshires. Discover only gold vein in east. Mine gold and keep for decoration. Kennebec Indians want gold. Start out on war path. Nipmok Indian bury gold. Move village. Divert stream into valley. Make lake. Gold there today underwater. Where is it that secret chief keep locked in handheld? Chief once had evil plan. Now you forget. Make pilgrimage back to ancient ancestral camp and die. Send me Bill, Chief Fleet village of San Francisco for good.

[Effie]

Period. And the pow wow.

[Sam Spade]

It's sad.

[Effie]

It is. It is.

[Sam Spade]

Vanishing race. Just think, the days of the Colt and the Winchester are gone forever.

[Effie]

But the day of the Remington is still with us. Go to it and type this up.

[Sam Spade]

Well, it's all here, Sam, except one thing. How did the bloody tomahawk get in Chief Black Cloud's bag?

[Effie]

A little white lilac planted it there. If anything happened to the chief, she, as the only other living Nipmuck, would inherit the one pump.

[Sam Spade]

Well, she could have gotten the money by just waiting.

[Effie]

Oh, shut up, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Noticed anything about the report?

[Effie]

Yeah, you got the name of the caper right the chagaga. Oh, what is it?

[Sam Spade]

Chagagog Manchagog chabun among the Mog capers.

[Effie]

Even going out with an elocution feature.

[Chief Black Cloud]

The Adventures of Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective are produced and directed by William Speer. Sam Spade is played by Howard Duff. Lorraine Tuttle is Effie. The Adventures of Sam Spade are written for radio by Bob Tolman and Gil Dove. Musical direction by Lud Gluskin with score composed by Rene and Pierre Garaghan. Join us again next Sunday when author Dashiell Hammett and producer William Speer join forces for another adventure with Sam Spade. Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men and women and children too. This is Dick Joy reminding you to get Wild root cream oil, Charlie.

[Effie]

It keeps your hair in trim.

[Chief Black Cloud]

You see, it's non alcoholic, Charlie.

[Effie]

It's made with soothing lanolin. You better get wild Root cream oil, Charlie. Start using it today.

[Chief Black Cloud]

You'll find it.

[Effie]

You will have a tough time, Charlie, keeping all our gals away.

[Chief Black Cloud]

Hiya, Baldi.

[Little White Lilac]

Get wild root right away.

[Chief Black Cloud]

This is cbs, the Columbia broadcasting System.