The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Lazarus Caper 09/12/1948

Summary

The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Lazarus Caper

Podcast Information:

• Title: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
• Episode: The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Lazarus Caper
• Release Date: November 23, 2024
• Host/Author: Choice Classic Radio

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Introduction

In the "Lazarus Caper" episode of "The Adventures of Sam Spade," listeners are plunged into a thickly woven narrative of deception, identity, and moral dilemmas. Set against the backdrop of post-war San Francisco, the episode showcases Sam Spade, the quintessential hard-boiled private detective, as he navigates a complex case involving presumed death, insurance fraud, and sinister motives.

Plot Overview

1. The Mysterious Client: The episode begins with Sam Spade receiving an unusual client, Timothy Lazarus, who claims to have been declared dead after a seven-year disappearance. Lazarus seeks Spade's expertise to prove his survival and reclaim his life from the insurance fraud perpetrated by his wife, Emma.

• Notable Quote:
  • Timothy Lazarus (04:39): "I was declared dead by the appellate Court of the State of California, August 28th last year by reason of 7 years absence."

2. Unraveling the Past: As Spade delves into Lazarus's history, he uncovers a tale of financial desperation and deceit. Lazarus, once an assistant cashier at the Golden Gate Bank, embezzled $20,000, leading to his planned disappearance to escape legal repercussions.

• Notable Quote:
  • Sam Spade (05:50): "He worked in a bank. They must have taken your fingerprints."

3. The Encounter with Effie: During his investigation, Spade encounters Effie, who initially appears to be a concerned associate. However, tensions rise as it becomes evident that Effie harbors secrets tied to Emma Wilhelm, a name that surfaces as a key figure connected to both Tim and Lazarus.

• Notable Quote:
  • Effie (08:25): "I'm Emma Wilhelm, Mr. Spade."

4. The Revelation and Confrontation: The plot thickens when Spade realizes that Effie is Emma Wilhelm, Lazarus's wife, who has orchestrated an extortion scheme to manipulate the situation. Their confrontation leads to a tense standoff involving forged documents and ulterior motives.

• Notable Quote:
  • Sam Spade (09:15): "He doesn't want money, Mrs. Wilhelm. He wants you."

5. The Climax: In a gripping climax, Sam Spade devises a plan to expose the truth. He forges documents to solidify Lazarus's identity and confronts Dr. Ernst Wilhelm, Emma's new husband, who is revealed to be the antagonist. The confrontation unravels the scheme, leading to the downfall of Wilhelm and the resolution of the Lazarus case.

• Notable Quote:
  • Sam Spade (20:04): "I know that you know and you know that I know."

6. Resolution: The episode concludes with the moral complexities of the case laid bare. Spade reflects on the nature of duty and the personal costs of his profession, highlighting the perennial struggle between right and wrong in his line of work.

• Notable Quote:
  • Sam Spade (25:23): "That's right. That's right. Never give into the ship."

Character Dynamics

• Sam Spade: Embodies the archetypal private detective—cunning, persistent, and morally grounded despite the murky situations he finds himself in.

• Timothy Lazarus: A desperate man seeking redemption and survival, representing the lengths one might go to escape their past.

• Effie/Emma Wilhelm: A complex character whose motivations are rooted in love and fear, manipulating circumstances to protect herself and her new life.

• Dr. Ernst Wilhelm: The antagonist whose manipulative and extortionate nature drives the central conflict of the episode.

Themes and Insights

1. Identity and Deception: The episode delves deep into the themes of identity manipulation and deception. Lazarus's attempt to reclaim his identity through Spade's help highlights the fragile nature of self in the face of societal and legal constraints.

2. Moral Ambiguity: Sam Spade operates in a morally gray area, often grappling with ethical dilemmas. His decision to expose Wilhelm, despite personal risks, underscores his commitment to justice over personal ties.

3. The Cost of Survival: Lazarus's story is a testament to the lengths individuals will go to survive and rectify their past mistakes, raising questions about the morality of his actions versus the necessity of his survival.

Notable Quotes and Moments

• Early Suspicion:

  • Sam Spade (01:26): "I've only just brought Lazarus back from the debt."

• Tension with Effie:

  • Sam Spade (05:22): "How are your teeth?"
  • Effie (08:25): "I'm Emma Wilhelm, Mr. Spade."

• Confrontation with Wilhelm:

  • Sam Spade (20:14): "His gun is bigger and it shoots farther."
  • Timothy Lazarus (20:19): "First, I want to show you a few things. Here, Take a look."

• Resolution Reflection:

  • Sam Spade (25:08): "I spent 10 minutes of my three hours getting to the hall of Records and 10 more finding out there was nothing there on Lazarus but his death certificate."

Conclusion

"The Lazarus Caper" offers a riveting exploration of human frailty, moral complexities, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Through Sam Spade’s incisive detective work, the episode masterfully intertwines personal vendettas with broader themes of identity and redemption. Listeners are left contemplating the delicate balance between right and wrong, and the personal sacrifices inherent in the quest for justice.

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Produced by Choice Classic Radio, this episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of old-time radio detective stories, blending suspense, character depth, and timeless moral questions. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, "The Lazarus Caper" promises an engaging and thought-provoking auditory experience.

Transcript

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[Radio Announcer]

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 donating at choice classicradio.com 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 who put good grooming first.

[Effie]

Sam's Bay Detective Agency.

[Sam Spade]

Listen, you phone down to the drugstore and tell them to send up 3 gallons of black coffee.

[Effie]

Who is this? Are you sure you have the right number?

[Sam Spade]

I'm sure I've got the right number, but I'm not so sure who I am.

[Effie]

Who? Sam, it's you. You must have had a frog in your throat. Did you oversleep?

[Sam Spade]

Effie, don't say things like that.

[Effie]

Oh, I'm sorry, Sam. Oh, you poor dear. You've been working. You're tired. That's it, tired.

[Sam Spade]

I've only just brought Lazarus back from the debt.

[Effie]

Well, then you better get some rest, Sam. You can dictate your report tomorrow.

[Sam Spade]

That's what you think. Now stay where you are. If I'm asleep when I get there, wake me up. I'll be right down to dictate my report on the Lazarus Caper.

[Radio Announcer]

Dashiell Hemmet, as 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. Next time you buy hair tonic, be sure you buy Wild Root Cream Oil. For you see, Wild Root Cream Oil gives you these advantages. It grooms your hair neatly and naturally relieves annoying dryness, removes loose, ugly dandruff. Wild Root Cream Oil is non alcoholic and contains soothing lanolin. So much like the natural oil of your skin. Yes, friends, next time you buy hair tonic, look for that famous name, Wildroot. Get Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic again and again. The choice of men who Put good grooming first. And now with Howard Duff, starring a spade Wild Root brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam. Effie?

[Effie]

In here, Sam, in your private office.

[Sam Spade]

Private, she says. I'd like to know what's private about it.

[Effie]

I have everything ready for you, Sam.

[Timothy Lazarus]

What's this Oval team to relax.

[Sam Spade]

I don't want to relax. I don't dare.

[Effie]

Oh, there you go again, Sam. Going on nerves. How long do you think you can keep it off?

[Sam Spade]

For your help, I'll be in a coma inside three minutes.

[Effie]

Thank you, Sam. Now you just lie down here on the couch and I'll take your shoes off.

[Sam Spade]

Now look.

[Effie]

And I can take dictation while you relax.

[Radio Announcer]

Nuts.

[Sam Spade]

Where's that black coffee, Sam?

[Effie]

You're angry with me. Your eyes. Please don't glare at me like that, Sam. I can't bear it when you.

[Sam Spade]

I am not glaring. I'm trying to keep them open. Now sit down. I gotta keep moving around. Moving around?

[Effie]

Drive yourself like this, Sam.

[Radio Announcer]

Please.

[Sam Spade]

Effie, please. Date. Fill it in.

[Effie]

What's your life? Go on, bring yourself at both ends.

[Sam Spade]

Let's see. 2. A.J. tatspaw, Claims Manager, All Risk Insurance Company, Tide Building, San Francisco. From Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Dear sir, the following is an accounting of my services to your company in connection with the claim of Emma R. Lazarus on the life of the assured Timothy R. Lazarus. The latter called at my office yesterday at approximately 11:30am he was tall, bald, gray faced and dusty. He looked as if he had been buried and dug up several times.

[Timothy Lazarus]

This may sound like a poor sort of jest, Mr. Spade, but my name is Lazarus and I want you to bring me back from the dead.

[Sam Spade]

Wow. Sounds interesting. Why did you die? When did you die? And how did you die?

[Timothy Lazarus]

I was declared dead by the appellate Court of the State of California, August 28th last year by reason of 7 years absence.

[Sam Spade]

Who took it to court?

[Timothy Lazarus]

My wife, Emma.

[Sam Spade]

Insurance?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Yes. My wife and I agreed between ourselves to ensure my life in the amount of $100,000 that she would collect on legal presumption of death after my disappearance and continued absence for seven years. That's the law, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, it's been tried a lot of times. What went wrong in your case? Wife double cross you?

[Timothy Lazarus]

If that's your attitude, I'm afraid I've come to the wrong man.

[Sam Spade]

Uh huh. You're still in love with her. Well, that makes it tough. You know they'll nail her for perjury. If you prove you're still alive.

[Timothy Lazarus]

That's why I didn't go to the police. Even though we'd planned the deception together. She had reason to believe that I was actually dead.

[Sam Spade]

Suppose you cover the whole thing from the beginning, Mr. Lazarus.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Yes. I married her back in 1940. And for a while we were happy. And then she became arrested.

[Sam Spade]

You mean you were not able to support her in the manner in which she was accustomed? She was young, lovely. You wanted her to have nice things. But on your meager salary, it was impossible.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I know it's an old story, but life is like that.

[Sam Spade]

Well, you said it.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Well, there you are. I was assistant cashier at the Golden Gate Bank.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, no, not that.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I started taking small sums at first, meaning to repay them later on.

[Sam Spade]

Let's not go through the whole script. How much did you embezzle?

[Timothy Lazarus]

$20,000.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. So you decided to take it on the land before the auditors came in.

[Timothy Lazarus]

And I was going to give myself up, but Emma wouldn't let me. We made our plans that night, and I left for Mexico the following day. In Mexico City, I had plastic surgery done on my face. And then I settled down to wait for seven long years until I would be declared legally dead. I suppose you might call it poetic justice. But just before the end of the seventh year, I contracted malaria, was confined to a hospital for more than 11 months.

[Sam Spade]

You have had it.

[Timothy Lazarus]

The doctors gave me up for dead and asked me to notify my next of kin. I gave the member's address. I never notified her to the contrary because it seemed to fit in so well with our plan.

[Sam Spade]

Too well, huh?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Yes. I've been to see her, and she refuses to believe that I am her husband. Of course, my appearance is very much altered. But there must be some way to prove my identity.

[Sam Spade]

He worked in a bank. They must have taken your fingerprints.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I removed them from the files and destroyed them.

[Sam Spade]

How are your teeth?

[Timothy Lazarus]

My teeth?

[Sam Spade]

Teeth. Where was your dentist? Here in town. Oh.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Oh, Dr. Smith. The great professional building.

[Sam Spade]

He'll still have your dental X rays on file. They're as good as fingerprints. You go there this afternoon, don't give your name. Tell them you're Mark Humboldt. Have a new set of X rays taken and I'll do the rest. What's your wife doing these days?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Why, Emma. Emma's married again.

[Sam Spade]

Who's the sucker?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Pardon me?

[Sam Spade]

The man.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Oh, He's a doctor. Dr. Ernst Wilhelm.

[Radio Announcer]

Wilhelm.

[Timothy Lazarus]

He's quite well known, I believe.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, and the cops would like to know more now about my fee?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Mr. Spade, I have no money.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, that's great. You have no money, and all you want is to hire a man to bring you back from the debt. And the more I succeed, the less chance I'll have of collecting.

[Timothy Lazarus]

If I might make a suggestion, Mr. Spade, I don't know the ethics, but perhaps the insurance company. You would be doing them a great service.

[Sam Spade]

I think you're going to live, Mr. Lazarus. They can't keep a good man down. I'll collect from them. I knew there wasn't a chance in a hundred thousand of shaking a fee out of your company. After all, you have your own investigators in the payroll, and contract work isn't deductible under the new tax law. But something about Lazarus had gotten to me. Something else about him got to me at the Blue Bottle Bar and Grill where I stopped for lunch.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

Yes, indeed.

[Effie]

I'm Emma Wilhelm, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Emma Lazarus. Wilhelm.

[Effie]

I see you do know who I am. And may I sit down?

[Sam Spade]

Sly and Mrs. Wilhelm.

[Effie]

Thank you. I'm glad to know you had a sense of humor, Mr. Steed. It's about that man, of course. Surely you didn't believe a word of his story.

[Sam Spade]

Which one?

[Effie]

Oh, I'll admit there are slight traces of the truth in his raving. My first husband, Timothy Lazarus, was an ambassador. He did disappear, and it's quite true that I have collected the insurance on his life. I might even believe that Tim is still alive. But that man is not he.

[Sam Spade]

What are you so upset about?

[Effie]

Oh, it's perfectly obvious what he wants. He's an extortionate.

[Sam Spade]

You're wrong. He doesn't want money, Mrs. Wilhelm. He wants you.

[Effie]

Oh, Mr. Spade, how much do you know about my husband?

[Sam Spade]

Which one?

[Effie]

Don't be flippant.

[Sam Spade]

Dr. Ernest Rohan. He made his first million pounding lead nuggets out of gang war casualties and lost it on the stock market. He cut his second million out of Nob Hill and called it surgery. He lost that on horses, blinds and malpractice suits. The last time he was mentioned in the paper, there was a big picture of him puffing sleeping pills out of the stomach of an aging burlesque queen. It may or may not have been coincidence that she did not recover and that she was the ex girlfriend of one of our better known racetrack haberdashers. And if he got a hundred bucks for the job, he was paid off and boom.

[Effie]

Don't say anymore. That poor girl. And he'll do the same thing to me. Well, if you persist in helping that impostor you'll be responsible for whatever happens to me or anyone else you involve.

[Sam Spade]

Mm. Anything else I should know?

[Effie]

Yes. Both you and your client are being watched and followed. You can't escape him. He's not quite the has been you'd like to think he is.

[Sam Spade]

After she had gone, I scraped the tears off my butter, finished my lunch, washed my hands with a nationally applied advertised soap and mush stone of the Drake Professional Building. I found my client's dentist in his lab polishing up a set of gold inlays. Humboldt.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Yes, yes, his X rays have come through. Only set the dead around the clamp there. Don't touch them. They're not dry.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Timothy Lazarus]

What's your interest? Police identity.

[Sam Spade]

You guessed it.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Always happy to cooperate.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. How about digging in your files for the X rays on a patient named Lazarus?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Oh, yes, the graduate, of course. Well, let's see now. Larry Lavelle, Lawrence Lawson Gluskin.

[Sam Spade]

That's a genius.

[Timothy Lazarus]

What's that doing here? Ah, Lazarus. Timothy R. Is that your name?

[Sam Spade]

That's the name. Dear me.

[Timothy Lazarus]

April 1940. Should have been in for dental hygiene. Have to remind Ms. Baker. That's my nurse.

[Sam Spade]

These pictures, how do they compare with this new set? Well, let's have a look.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Switch on the light there, will you, please? Let's see. Malocclusion impacted third and motor.

[Sam Spade]

Ah.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Erosion inlay. This is very interesting.

[Sam Spade]

You mean they're the same in both sets of pictures? Oh, dear, no, no. A man's mouth could change a lot in seven years.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Yes, especially with dental neglect. But that would never cause a man to grow new teeth.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, well, you see here.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Humboldt has one more lower incisor and two more molars. And Liza. And the whole cast of the mouth is different. These two men would not look even faintly alike.

[Sam Spade]

Well, could there have been some mistake in filing? Oh, dear, no.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Ms. Baker's been with me for 10 years. Never made a mistake yet. Mm.

[Sam Spade]

Can I talk to her? Not in today, then?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Out since Tuesday.

[Sam Spade]

Cold.

[Timothy Lazarus]

By the way, you're a detective. How's this for a mystery? She phoned me this morning and thanked me for sending a doctor around to examine her. Now, this is the peculiar part. I have no recollection of having done so. And I'm not acquainted with the doctor she said I sent her.

[Sam Spade]

That wouldn't be a doctor Ernst? Wilhelm?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Why, yes, Wilhelm. That was the name.

[Sam Spade]

Do her another favor, will you? Call a doctor you do know and tell him to get over there as fast as he can. Come on, Come on, open up.

[Effie]

I will come in as fast as I can. What you want, kiddo?

[Sam Spade]

What's in Ms. Baker's room?

[Timothy Lazarus]

She's sick.

[Effie]

Ain't having no callies.

[Sam Spade]

I'm her doctor.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Oh, you can't fool me. Where's your little black bag?

[Sam Spade]

If I had one, it would be around your neck. Now march. Show me the way.

[Effie]

You can't force me. I know my right.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, you do, do you? Well, it matters to you all that your vents are faulty, your wiring is illegal, your drains are unsanitary, and your apron is dirty.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Them dress things.

[Effie]

I'm neat as a thing.

[Sam Spade]

You're as neat as a mud pie. Now get going before I have a board of health down on you.

[Effie]

All right, but you can't make me climb them stairs I have.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Here's the key.

[Sam Spade]

Okay.

[Effie]

First, do right. Whatever keys are, I hope you catch it.

[Sam Spade]

Thank you. Elsa Maxwell. She was stretched out on a bed, her left arm twisted under and her right dangling over the edge on the floor. Beneath it was an empty pill bottle. A few red capsules were scattered near it, and some more were spilled out among the bedclothes. It was a standard sleeping pill suicide scene, but I didn't believe it. The body was still warm, but no pulse. I didn't waste time giving her the mirror test. Instead, I looked around for a phone. It was on a table near a window. I meant to dial the police number, Sutter 12020, but Su was as far as I got. It felt like a bee sting or a quick jab with a needle. I spun around and swung out blindly. The face that I missed was suntan under a shock of iron gray hair. I was wearing the same white tooth grin that Dr. Ernst Wilhelm always wore for newspaper photographers. I started towards him and he backed away, still grinning. Go ahead, Spades. Come and get me. But hurry.

[Radio Announcer]

You have only 20 seconds more. Shall I count them off? So far you have 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9.

[Sam Spade]

The floor kept dropping a foot at a time as I walked toward him. But every time I got to the bottom of the incline, it tilted up the other way and I slipped back. He kept dropping out of sight, and every time I got him back into my line of vision, he was farther away. The walls of the room opened out and disappeared into some clouds. The ceiling spun around faster and faster until it whirled away like one of those flying discs. Then the floor turned into gelatin and I sank in.

[Radio Announcer]

The makers of Wild Root Cream oil are presenting the weekly on the 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. 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 Lazarus Caper, Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

The dream lasted about 300 years. Around Christmastime in the year 2247, another bee stung me. I opened my eyes, but the lights on the tree were too bright. And Santa Claus was bending over me with a brandy breath.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Come on, man. Come on. Come on.

[Sam Spade]

Little willpower.

[Timothy Lazarus]

You're conscious. That's it. That's it. Sensation returning. Here, try and sit up.

[Sam Spade]

The girl. How about her?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Too late. Did everything I could. Suicide pact?

[Sam Spade]

Well, one of your brothers in Apollo was a little too handy with a needle. Here's the mark on my arm. And you'll find one in that stiff. Those sleeping capsules were a plant to make it look like suicide.

[Timothy Lazarus]

You'll be feeling better soon. Now, come along. Up on your feet. Must keep moving. Stir circulation.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks. Thanks. You. You're the man Dr. Smith called? Yes.

[Timothy Lazarus]

So you're a private detective. How do you feel now?

[Sam Spade]

I'm still dopey. You give me something to pick me up.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I've given you as much stimulant as it's safe to administer. For the rest, you'll have to sleep it off. And you will. I advise you to hurry home, get into bed before this wears off.

[Sam Spade]

How long have I got?

[Timothy Lazarus]

A couple of hours if you keep moving. Maybe three. Yeah, but if I were you, I wouldn't stay out. Don't want to fall asleep in the middle of Market Street. Get run over by a bus.

[Sam Spade]

Worst things can happen to you in your own bed. Look at her murder.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Think you can prove it?

[Sam Spade]

I don't know.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I couldn't. Not on her. And I've been an autopsy surgeon for 20 years.

[Sam Spade]

Well, cheer up, doctor. If you miss on her, you may get a second chance. Yeah.

[Radio Announcer]

Me.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Those eyes are looking better. I think you live.

[Sam Spade]

I wasn't so sure unless I could nail Wilhelm before my three hours was up as the safe bet he'd nail me again with that needle, he had done me one favor. He convinced me that my client was really the man he claimed to be and that Wilhelm and Emma knew it. My best hope of smoking him out was to dig out some solid proof. I spent 10 minutes of my three hours getting to the hall of Records and 10 more finding out there was nothing there on Lazarus but his death certificate. I had a gander at the wanted file at police headquarters. They checked him out in August of 47 when the court had pronounced him dead. I looked at my watch. With 2 hours and 17 minutes of wakefulness left, I just didn't have time. I stopped by Lazarus Hotel, got a set of his fingerprints and several samples of his signature. Took them to a penman I know down on the Mission. And between us we forged the most amazing set of documents ever assembled on one man. All dated, notarized, certified, witnessed, registered. One even bore the great seat of the state of California and the signature of the governor. I squeezed them all into a large briefcase, propped my eyes open with toothpicks while I drank half a gallon of black coffee, then phoned Dr. Wilhelm's night number. I told him I was one of Russian Leo's boys and a cop had just winged me on the lamb from the jewelry store job. He agreed to meet me at his office. Hello? Wilhelm? Yes. Is that all you gotta say to the guy you knocked off an hour ago?

[Timothy Lazarus]

I'm afraid I don't quite follow. Who are you?

[Sam Spade]

Look, I know that you know and you know that I know. They even wrote a song about it. So let's get off the diamond. Don't reach for a needle. This gun is bigger and it shoots farther.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Well, I can see you mean business. What do you want?

[Sam Spade]

First, I want to show you a few things. Here, Take a look.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Well, this is very impressive.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, I thought you'd be impressed. You need any more proof that Lazarus is Lazarus?

[Timothy Lazarus]

What's the matter, Spade?

[Radio Announcer]

Getting sleepy?

[Sam Spade]

Go get your hopes up. I can squeeze this trigger in my sleep.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Are these papers for safe?

[Sam Spade]

Why do you think I brought them to you.

[Timothy Lazarus]

What's the price?

[Sam Spade]

Half the take on Lazarus. Insurance.

[Timothy Lazarus]

That's very high.

[Sam Spade]

I haven't finished. This time. Lazarus has got to be really dead. And you're going to do the job. Come on, come on. Stop stalling. I can't do that.

[Radio Announcer]

Why not?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Why Emma? She'll make trouble. She said she would.

[Sam Spade]

She's still in love with him.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Why do you say that?

[Sam Spade]

I just wanted. What reason did she give you for not wanting him knocked up?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Cops work harder at identifying a dead man than they do a live derelict that looks and talks like a crank. I had the same idea myself.

[Sam Spade]

Then you're stupid. With him dead, she can tell any story she wants to. With him alive and all this proof of identity, he's in a position to nail both of you for fraud, conspiracy. Conspiracy? Perjury. Shall I go on?

[Timothy Lazarus]

One thing. Does Emma know about these papers?

[Sam Spade]

Sure. You're lying. Sure, I'm lying. And those documents are forgeries. If that's the way you want it. I haven't got time to argue. I can't stay awake much longer. And you can't bring it off without me. I'll have Lazarus at my apartment in 30 minutes. Bring your needle and the 50 grand.

[Timothy Lazarus]

All right, Spade. I'll be there.

[Sam Spade]

I made two phone calls on my way to pick up Lazarus. One to Emma and one to Lt. Erlinger of Homicide. Dundee was asleep. The lieutenant and Sgt. Fullhouse were approached on the fire escape outside my window. And Emma was waiting in the living room when we got there.

[Effie]

Kim. Oh, my poor darling Emma.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Do you recognize me?

[Effie]

Of course, darling. From the beginning. But I didn't dare speak out in front of aunt.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I know. Mr. Spade has told me.

[Sam Spade]

Now, listen to me, you two. You're sure you can go through with this?

[Effie]

Oh, are you sure there's no danger?

[Sam Spade]

That's him now. Come on, Lazarus. Get in the bedroom. There. Do what I told you.

[Radio Announcer]

Don't worry.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Emma.

[Effie]

Oh, I'm so frightened.

[Sam Spade]

Quiet. Hello, Spade.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I got here just. Emma, what are you doing here?

[Effie]

Mr. Spade phoned me. I agreed it's the only thing to do. I wanted you to know that.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Well, I'm glad to see that you've come to your senses for a while. There, you see?

[Sam Spade]

You were wrong. Spade, did you buy this stuff?

[Timothy Lazarus]

Here's your money. I have a hypodermic in a case here. It's already loaded. We won't need a sterile needle.

[Sam Spade]

Where is he? In there, on the bed. He was asleep a minute ago. The grogginess that had kept coming back over me in waves for the last two hours swirled over me again as Wilhelm leaned over the bed where Lazarus lay stretched out with his eyes closed. For a split second I blanked out and I was afraid it had already happened. Then I saw Wilhelm's hand coming down on the bleak angle toward Lazarus's forearm. Then my vision blurred again and my arms felt too heavy to lift. It was Emma's scream that jolted me back. I clawed out blindly. Let go of it. You get it in your own arm. The ghost. Why you double crossing Now? Here's a little sleeping medicine for you. Okay, boys, come and get him.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Good boy.

[Sam Spade]

Good boy.

[Timothy Lazarus]

We won't forget this.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, a likely story. Get that broken glass po house.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Put it in the Dixie cup. I handle it careful. 1 Analyze that medicine. You okay? Who are these people, Sam? Accomplices.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, but not the homicide.

[Effie]

What about. They won't let him go free, will they?

[Sam Spade]

Don't worry, he's out of circulation for good.

[Timothy Lazarus]

Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. Lazarus.

[Timothy Lazarus]

I, I, I don't know how to thank you.

[Effie]

Yes. You don't know what this means to us.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, I do. It probably means another long separation. The state prisons aren't co ed. But if you insist on being alive, you have to take life as it comes. A curious end. The bedtime story.

[Effie]

Oh, Sam, it's so sad. That poor couple. So much in love. But you had to do your duty, didn't you, Sam? They had to pay their debt to society. Of course. That's why you had to be so hard and unrelenting and not give in to your better nature.

[Sam Spade]

That's right. That's right. Never give into the ship. Now. Don't tread on me. There was Hobson's. Hobson. What was it that Hobson? You may fire when ready.

[Effie]

You know best, Sam. I just go type this up.

[Radio Announcer]

And now listen to this. A good friend of the family. That's Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic, folks. Wild Root Cream Oil grooms the hair neatly and naturally relieves dryness and removes loose dandruff. Now get Wild Root Cream Oil at your drug or toilet goods counter in a new 25 cent get acquainted bottle. Also, ask your barber for a professional application of Wild Root Cream Oil Hair tonic. Again and again, the choice of men who put good grooming.

[Effie]

Sam. Sam. Sam, wake up.

[Sam Spade]

Look, there you go. Your apron's dirty.

[Effie]

Sam. I'm not wearing an apron.

[Sam Spade]

Now, why don't you let me sleep?

[Effie]

Sam, you've got to wake up. Your coffee's here.

[Sam Spade]

Tell them. I'm in conference.

[Effie]

No, Sam, No. The black coffee. You said to order three dawns.

[Sam Spade]

What?

[Effie]

I couldn't carry it all. I'll make another trip. 24 cardboard containers. You'll have to drink it up fast. Now they're leaking already.

[Sam Spade]

Abandoned ship. All ye who are here.

[Effie]

Oh, Sam. What am I going to do with that?

[Sam Spade]

Open a restaurant. Good night.

[Effie]

Oh, good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Number three to it. Open fire.

[Radio Announcer]

The Adventures of Sam Spade National Hammett's famous private detective are produced and directed by William Spear. Sam Spade is played by Howard Dove. Lorene Tuttle is Effie. The Adventures of Sam Spade are written for radio by Bob Coleman and Gil Down. Musical direction by Lud Gluskin with score composed by Renee Gang. Join us again next Sunday when author Dashiell Hammett and producer William Spear join forces for another adventure with Sam Spade. Brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again, the choice of men who put good grooming first. This is Dick Joy reminding you to get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

It keeps your hand, you see. It's non alcoholic, Charlie. It's made with sil. You better get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie. Sonia's renamed today.

[Radio Announcer]

You'll find that you will have a tough time. Charlie.

[Sam Spade]

Keep all our gals away.

[Radio Announcer]

Hiya, baldy.

[Sam Spade]

Get my roots right away.

[Radio Announcer]

This is cbs, the Columbia broadcasting System.