The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Sinister Siren Caper 03/16/1951

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: The Adventures of Sam Spade: The Sinister Siren Caper
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Original Air Date: March 16, 1951
Host/Producer: Choice Classic Radio

---

Introduction

In the thrilling episode titled The Sinister Siren Caper, listeners are immersed in a captivating tale of mystery, deceit, and high-stakes detective work. Set against the backdrop of post-war urban life, this installment of The Adventures of Sam Spade showcases the quintessential private eye navigating through a labyrinth of clues to unravel a complex web of criminal activities.

---

Opening Conflict

The episode kicks off with Sam Spade, the suave and sharp-witted private detective, encountering suspicion from his partner, Effie. Early on, Effie confronts Sam about a photograph that suggests an unprofessional liaison:

Effie (00:59): "What lady? Sam, for your information, there is a five column picture on page one of the Chronicle showing you with your arms around you."

Sam swiftly addresses the concern with his characteristic blend of humor and defiance:

Sam Spade (01:15): "Take my picture back out of the drawer and while you're at it, grab the book and pencil because I'll be right down with a somewhat lengthier explanation entitled the Sinister Siren Caper."
(01:50)

This exchange sets the stage for Sam's dedication to his work, even amidst personal scrutiny.

---

The Client Arrives

Donald Stryker, a member of the esteemed Striker family, seeks Sam's expertise. He presents a perplexing situation:

Donald Stryker (04:12): "We have kept our skirts clean, one and all. That is why I am utterly at a loss to explain the situation in which I find myself."

Stryker reveals that he believes he's a "marked man," citing a cryptic encounter with a man named George P. Strut who warns him about a "sinister siren":

Donald Stryker (05:15): "Beware this girl, Striker, he said. Beware the siren song she sings."

Sam, intrigued by the ambiguity and potential danger, agrees to take on the case, formalizing their agreement:

Sam Spade (06:07): "And with that, we formalized our agreement on one of my quasi legal contracts."

---

Unraveling the Mystery

Sam's investigation leads him to Strut's apartment, where he discovers a victim and a complex connection to Striker. Key developments include:

• Strut's Apartment Discovery:
  Sam finds a cleaning lady beside the body of George Strut, who has been strangled with piano wire. This gruesome find ties back to Stryker's initial warning.

• Phone Book and Safe Deposit Boxes:
  Sam analyzes Strut's phone book, noting a circle around six names, including Stryker. This leads him to investigate associated safe deposit boxes at the Golden Gate Bank.

• Artie the Actor:
  Artie, a convicted bank robber who recently escaped from jail, emerges as a pivotal figure. It becomes evident that multiple identities and safe deposit boxes are central to the unfolding conspiracy.

Throughout these investigations, Sam collaborates with local contacts, including the bartender, Charlie, who provides critical insights into Joe Strum's activities and the involvement of a redheaded woman connected to Artie.

---

Confrontation and Revelation

The tension peaks when Sam confronts Effie with the truths he's uncovered. Effie, portrayed as Sam's steadfast partner, assists in piecing together the puzzle:

Effie (26:20): "But don't you see? She's coming here. She'll be here in 20 minutes."

In a dramatic face-off, Sam confronts the redheaded woman, unveiling her true identity and her role in the scheme:

Sam Spade (27:38): "Why is she telling you all this?"

As the layers of deceit peel away, it's revealed that Artie the Actor orchestrated the diversion using multiple identities to launder a substantial sum of money, implicating several individuals, including members of the Striker family.

---

Resolution

In the climactic conclusion, Sam skillfully ties together the disparate threads of the case. He exposes the intricate plan involving safe deposit boxes and counterfeit identities, ensuring justice is served. The episode wraps up with Sam reconciling with Effie, who humorously addresses the financial strains of their detective business:

Effie (29:35): "That's my boss. Good night, Sam."

Sam, ever the vigilant detective, ensures that all loose ends are secured, reaffirming his role as the city's premier private eye.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Sam Spade on Publicity Standards:

  "Yes. Ah, it means nothing to me as a person, Sam, although I am a redhead myself."
  (01:27)

• Donald Stryker on Family Reputation:

  "We have kept our skirts clean, one and all."
  (04:12)

• Sam's Dedication to the Case:

  "I take it Mr. Strutt isn't in."
  (08:21)

• Bartender Charlie on Joe Strum:

  "He was born. George just reads too many cheap books, that's all."
  (09:08)

• Sam on the Investigation's Depth:

  "I'd gone a half a block when someone saved me the trouble. It was the bartender."
  (20:59)

• Effie's Frustration:

  "Forget it, Sam. Don't ever mention it again."
  (29:00)

---

Conclusion

The Sinister Siren Caper masterfully blends suspense, character development, and intricate plotting, embodying the essence of classic detective radio dramas. Sam Spade's relentless pursuit of the truth, coupled with sharp dialogues and compelling twists, offers listeners an engaging and memorable auditory experience. This episode not only entertains but also highlights the timeless appeal of detective fiction, ensuring its place in the annals of old-time radio greatness.

Transcript

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

[Sam Spade]

Radio shows like us on Facebook.

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Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] the National Broadcasting Company.

[Narrator]

Presents the Adventures of Sam Spade Detective.

[Effie]

Detective Agency.

[Narrator]

Me sweetheart.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, well, that's a warm reception if.

[Detective]

I ever heard one.

[Effie]

I'm here at my post, Sam, ready to do my duty.

[Sam Spade]

All right, all right, let's have it.

[Effie]

Have what?

[Sam Spade]

What have I done? Well, come on, come on.

[Effie]

Sam, who was that lady I seen you with?

[Narrator]

What lady?

[Effie]

What lady? Sam, for your information, there is a five column picture on page one of the Chronicle showing you with your arms around you.

[Donald Stryker]

The redhead.

[Effie]

Yes. Ah, it means nothing to me as a person, Sam, although I am a redhead myself. But I feel there are certain standards of publicity and agency of our stature.

[Detective]

Angel.

[Sam Spade]

Angel, if you'd bothered to read the caption under the picture, you would have.

[Narrator]

Learned that my arms were around this.

[Sam Spade]

Other redhead to keep her from braining me with a paperweight she picked off Dundee's desk.

[Detective]

Oh, yes.

[Sam Spade]

So take my picture back out of the drawer and while you're at it, grab the book and pencil because I'll be right down with a somewhat lengthier explanation entitled the Sinister Siren Caper.

[Narrator]

Transcribed 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. Oh, red headed woman made a fool out of me.

[Sam Spade]

F me, Ms. Perrine.

[Effie]

Oh, yes, sir. Yes, sir, I was. Why, Sam, what a pleasant surprise.

[Detective]

Oh, no.

[Effie]

Black eyes.

[Detective]

Not what?

[Effie]

Hair. Comb. Suit. Brass?

[Detective]

Yes.

[Sam Spade]

Frayed. Frayed but tidy.

[Effie]

How do you explain this, Sam? Well, I'm so used to coming in with.

[Sam Spade]

Battle scars.

[Effie]

Uh huh. Among other things.

[Sam Spade]

How do I explain this? That woman is a cue if I ever heard one.

[Effie]

Are you ready, Sam? That's all.

[Sam Spade]

That's my girl.

[Detective]

2.

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Donald Stryker, Belhaven Apartments, from Samuel Spade, license number 137596. Subject, the sinister Siren Caper. Dear Donald, business was terrible and I blame the weather. Sitting in my office with my feet on the radiator and the paper on My lap. Looking out on the 48th consecutive day rain. I was seriously contemplating moving my place of business to a warmer clime where people could get out in the sunshine and into trouble. The only item of possible interest in the paper was the story of the escape of one Artie the actor, a convicted bank robber who apparently didn't much care whether or not it was raining when he busted out of the city jail. I'd reached the part about some good friend and true smuggling Artie a set of keys when something prompted me to look up. And that, Mr. Stryker, is how I found you.

[Donald Stryker]

Mr. Spade.

[Detective]

Yes, sir.

[Donald Stryker]

I am Donald O. Stryker. S T R Y K E R. The O stands for Ogleclaw.

[Bartender]

My mother's maiden name.

[Detective]

Oh, well, that's Nice.

[Sam Spade]

Sit down, Mr. Stryker.

[Effie]

Thanks.

[Sam Spade]

Well, now, what can I do for you, Mr. Spade?

[Donald Stryker]

The strikers, as you may or may not know, are an ancient and honorable family dating back to pre Elizabeth England. With the possible exception of one southern number who is said to have once nodded by mistake to Jesse James, no Striker has run afoul of the law.

[Sam Spade]

Well, good for you, one and all.

[Donald Stryker]

We have kept our skirts clean, one and all. That is why I am utterly at a loss to explain the situation in which I find myself.

[Sam Spade]

And just what situation is that?

[Donald Stryker]

A quasi reliable source has informed me that I am a marked man.

[Sam Spade]

Quasi?

[Detective]

Yes.

[Sam Spade]

Why don't you begin at the beginning, Mr. Stryker?

[Donald Stryker]

The beginning, Mr. Spade, is only two minutes from the ending.

[Bartender]

Oh yes.

[Donald Stryker]

It happened last night. I was sitting home with a book of Plato's dialogues when the bell rang most energetically. It proved to be a man named Strut. George P. Strut. S T r u t t 2 tears. A wild haired, wild eyed individual he was.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade?

[Donald Stryker]

Yes, Stryker, he says. Donald O. Striker. Well, I'd hardly nodded when he grabbed me by the necktie. Ha, he said. Just like that. Ha ha, Mr. Stryker. Ha. I'm in time then. You can still save yourself. And he shoved this at me.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, what's that?

[Donald Stryker]

A picture of a girl. A young and rather pretty girl out from a newspaper.

[Detective]

Oh yes.

[Donald Stryker]

No name or identification. Beware this girl, Striker, he said. Beware the siren song she sings. Striker, he said. And he cinched up even harder on my necktie. Yes, Striker, you are number six. I am. Five and four are doomed before us. Beware, Striker. Beware this girl, this sinister red haired harpy, this handmaiden of the dark angel.

[Detective]

Well, that's quite a speech.

[Donald Stryker]

A curtain speech, Mr. Spade. For with that he let go my Necktie and ran off down the hall.

[Effie]

Somehow.

[Donald Stryker]

Somehow after that, Plato didn't seem quite the same.

[Sam Spade]

Yes, I see what you mean. Do you know this girl?

[Donald Stryker]

Never saw her before in my life.

[Sam Spade]

Or Strut either.

[Donald Stryker]

No?

[Detective]

Mm.

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Stryker, I don't want to talk myself out of a job, but you don't need a private detective. Now. This is probably some harmless chap who walked out of one of the local sanitariums and took to ringing doorbells.

[Donald Stryker]

But that's just it. He isn't Mr. Spade.

[Detective]

Huh?

[Donald Stryker]

I did some telephoning this morning.

[Detective]

Yes?

[Donald Stryker]

He has a quasi successful cigar stand downtown and an apartment on Leavenworth Street. His name is right next to mine in the telephone book. I, I, I must get to the bottom of this, Mr. Spade. I, I. Here. Here's $50.

[Sam Spade]

Well, Mr. Striker, are you completely skeptical?

[Detective]

No, no.

[Bartender]

Just quasi.

[Sam Spade]

And with that, we formalized our agreement on one of my quasi legal contracts. And I promised to call you instantly if anything turned up and you departed, still in a quasi quandary. Sticking the newspaper clipping into my wallet, I hopped a cab and went to Strut's apartment on Leavenworth.

[Detective]

See?

[Sam Spade]

26, 24, 22.

[Donald Stryker]

Hey, hey, lady.

[Sam Spade]

Open.

[Donald Stryker]

It.

[Sam Spade]

Was a cleaning lady, cloth on head mop and pale beside her Testing the guarantee on Strut's grand piano.

[Effie]

I come.

[Donald Stryker]

To me, that knothead who Strut Ain't got no respect for a thousand dollar grand piano. Listen to that busted string. Yes, the crime, that's what it is. What do you want, Jack?

[Sam Spade]

I take it Mr. Strutt isn't in.

[Effie]

No.

[Detective]

Who are you?

[Sam Spade]

Sam Spade, private detective.

[Donald Stryker]

Detective?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Seems Strut thinks someone is going to kill him.

[Donald Stryker]

Oh, no. When did he dream that one up?

[Detective]

You got me.

[Sam Spade]

You know him?

[Detective]

Very well.

[Donald Stryker]

I've come here twice a week for 15 years.

[Effie]

You ought to talk, Sam.

[Donald Stryker]

You'll have to follow me around.

[Detective]

Okay.

[Donald Stryker]

Gotta get a wiggle on.

[Sam Spade]

Come on now, get a wiggle on. You think, you think he was dreaming it up, huh?

[Donald Stryker]

Now, let me tell you about George Sutton. Let me put that bucket down. Oh, please.

[Detective]

There. Sorry.

[Donald Stryker]

He is 68 years old, to my knowledge. And in them 68 years, one important thing has happened to him. He was born. George just reads too many cheap books, that's all.

[Detective]

No girlfriends?

[Donald Stryker]

No. Well, now, wait a minute. Let me see. There was a woman about eight years ago in the bird watching club he belongs to. But that laden egg, bird watching.

[Sam Spade]

Any enemies?

[Donald Stryker]

How could a man like George have enemies? Nobody notices him. He matches the Rug. Now look, he goes to lodge meeting twice a month, to church every Sunday. He doesn't smoke, drink, gamble, sit on the floor or chase women. Got no other bad habits. No car, no house, no money, no prospects. Look out. I got to get into that closet. So why would anyone want to kill George?

[Effie]

Struck.

[Donald Stryker]

He's been dead on his feet for 20 years. Why, when I see George, I'll give him a piece of my George.

[Sam Spade]

I turned in time to see him lean out stiffly, pause like a falling tree, and then topple to the floor. Follow coast by the cleaning lady, who must have agreed before she fainted that George didn't match the rug anymore. While this struck a false note in my mind, it explained the false note in the piano. The missing string was wound around his neck. I dragged her into the bedroom and managed to get her onto the bed by making two trips. Then I called Homicide. The next order of business, per our agreement, was to call you, Stryker. So I got Strut's telephone book found. He'd marked the page with your number on it with a slip of paper, which turned out to be the receipt for rent paid on a safe deposit box at the Golden Gate Bank. Now, this didn't seem especially important at the moment, but something else did. He made a circle around a group of six names in the phone book, marking each one with a check. Stroubl, Strudwick, Strum, Strutherton, Strut and Stryker. I postpone calling you for the moment and dial the number just above. Struts, Strotherton, Harvey.

[Detective]

J.

[Sam Spade]

156 Santa Ana Avenue, St. Francis Wood.

[Effie]

Yes?

[Sam Spade]

Mr. Strotherton in, please?

[Effie]

No, no, Mr. Strotherton isn't in. This is his wife.

[Sam Spade]

My Name is Spade, Mrs. Strutherton. I'm a private detective. I. I don't want to alarm you, but alarm me. Do you happen to know if your husband has received any threats recently?

[Detective]

Why?

[Effie]

Not that I know of.

[Sam Spade]

Any contact with a strange young woman, about 30, red hair?

[Effie]

Why are you asking me this?

[Sam Spade]

I'd rather not say until I know more about it. What about the girl?

[Effie]

Yes. Yes, he did meet a girl like that.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, when?

[Effie]

She came to the door one night about a week ago that her car was stalled down the street a ways. Harvey went out to help her. They were gone about a half hour and then he came back.

[Sam Spade]

Well, did he tell you anything about it?

[Effie]

No. Says that he'd gotten me started.

[Detective]

Uh huh.

[Sam Spade]

Is he a mechanic or.

[Effie]

He was a lawyer.

[Sam Spade]

Was.

[Effie]

Harvey is dead, Mr. Spade. His car crashed through a rail on the Skyline Boulevard, night before last. Bernda, I just been to San Mateo to identify the body.

[Bartender]

Strum, Joseph P. 828 Howard Street.

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Bartender]

Yeah, that's Joe. That is your van.

[Detective]

Thanks.

[Sam Spade]

You know Joe pretty well.

[Donald Stryker]

I might.

[Bartender]

And I might not.

[Sam Spade]

Why, what do you mean you might not? This is 828 Howard street, isn't it? The number's over the door. Don't you like me, Barton?

[Bartender]

What's eating you about Joe Strum?

[Sam Spade]

Look, you see this?

[Bartender]

Private detective's life, huh?

[Detective]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Poor but honest Barkey trying hard to get a little cooperation.

[Bartender]

I thought you was a cop.

[Sam Spade]

What's with Joe?

[Bartender]

Well, I'll tell you. He uses the phone here. He makes a little book now and then in the back room. Nothing wrong, you understand. But still, in all, there's nothing a guy likes to blot around about the strangers, you know?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Any idea where he is now?

[Bartender]

Well, that's a pretty hard thing to say. Where Joe is at any given time. Oh, even when Joe's acting normal, which at present he isn't.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, why not?

[Bartender]

Well, like all bookies, Joe does not have a heart. But if he had one, I would not hesitate to say Joe was in.

[Sam Spade]

Love with a redheaded dame about 30.

[Detective]

How did you know?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, look at the picture.

[Bartender]

Let me get my glasses.

[Detective]

Glasses, glasses, glasses. There they are.

[Bartender]

This is the dish.

[Sam Spade]

You know her name?

[Bartender]

No, no, Joe has made no formal announcement as yet, but the wait has gone around. He is giving 8 to 5 he will marry her, which for Joe is a sure thing. Last Friday it was when I seen him last, they sat up to the bar here and the two of them talking at some length about things I have never heard Joe discussed before.

[Detective]

Like what?

[Bartender]

Well, as I said, bookies are different from people, so it should have not surprised me that Joe and his wren were not discussing rose covered cottages. As do most boys and girls when they reach the loony stage. Yes, from what I could gather, as I passed by now and again serving the other customers, Joe and his girl were discussing a cozy little rose covered safe deposit box.

[Detective]

Mm.

[Sam Spade]

And you haven't seen either of them since last Friday?

[Detective]

No, I had.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, you're right with you.

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Bartender]

Globally buffet.

[Detective]

Charlie Toggins, huh? Yes.

[Bartender]

Why you don't say. When? This morning, huh? Yeah, yeah, sure I will. Thanks for calling.

[Detective]

Goodbye.

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[Detective]

You.

[Bartender]

You wouldn't know a bookie who might be casting about for a phone, would you?

[Sam Spade]

Val, what happened to Joe?

[Bartender]

Body washed ashore on Baker's beach this morning. That was the morg.

[Sam Spade]

I know what you mean, Sam. Marks, abrasions, contusions, indications of foul play. That's right, Maxine. Did you see the police surgeon's report? Yeah, Shot of dope and shoved into the briny. Person or persons unknown. Well, pretty hard to do by yourself, huh, Sam?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, you wish to look on Joe Strum, I take it?

[Detective]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

This it?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Let's see.

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

Oh. Oh, no, no, this is the wrong one.

[Sam Spade]

This is Strudwick. Wait a minute. Strudwick. Strudwick. Anthony P. Are you known, Sam? 28 Genoa Place, Bayview 72118. Nice looking boy, they said. Friend of yours, huh?

[Detective]

No. No.

[Effie]

Huh.

[Donald Stryker]

Well, then how did you.

[Sam Spade]

Brand new league I'm in, Maxi. We call the shots ahead of time. Now, what about Strudwick? Old artist, lived on Telegraph Hill, Got drunk three nights ago, walked out his studio window on the fourth floor. All alone at the time. Well, if anyone offers you odds on that, grab it. See you later, Maxie.

[Donald Stryker]

Yeah, but ain't you going to look on Joe Strum?

[Detective]

No.

[Sam Spade]

Well, it's up to you, Sam. So long, Strudwick. Top man on the totem pole was James A. Struble, a barber who lived on 18th Avenue. I called, no one answered, so I made what by now had become the obvious detective. I went to headquarters and checked the homicide reports, likewise the accident files and the traffic detail. Surprise, no James A. Struble. So I switched abruptly from the S's to the D's and called on dear, patient, understanding Lieutenant Dundee, who's going off half car. You. If you weren't such an idiot, you'd see what I'm talking about.

[Narrator]

No, listen, Sam, I'm no green pea. I've been kicking around homicide for 30 years. Long enough to know you gotta have a motive to build up a case.

[Detective]

Yes.

[Narrator]

How can you stand there and tell me a redheaded dame opens a phone book, draws a ring around six names and then runs out quick and knocks them off?

[Sam Spade]

I didn't say that.

[Detective]

Ah.

[Narrator]

And why do you want me to put out a general pickup On James A. Struble.

[Sam Spade]

Because if he isn't dead right now, he will be.

[Narrator]

Oh, the dame Dundee.

[Sam Spade]

No dame could strangle a six foot man like strut with a piano wire. She's working with someone.

[Narrator]

Sam, I love you, believe me, but try to see my side, will you? So I put out a general on Struble and we pick him up and he screams and the chief hauls me in to ask why and I tell him we put the pinch on Struble because his name is ticked off in somebody's phone book. Why?

[Detective]

Hey, who are you?

[Bartender]

Lieutenant. I want to see the Lieutenant.

[Detective]

Why? Is he drunk?

[Sam Spade]

I'll ask him.

[Detective]

Oh, yeah?

[Narrator]

What's your name?

[Sam Spade]

Strawberry.

[Bartender]

James Hober. I want to report a murder or who? Me.

[Sam Spade]

That's the last we got out of him. Ten seconds after he hit the floor, he was dead. A.38 slug had taken him just under the left shoulder blade and instinctively, Dundee grasped the point. A squad car was dispatched to your office, Mr. Stryker, to pick you up and stow you safely in the poke. When I checked out.

[Narrator]

You are listening to the weekly adventure of radio's most famous detective, Sam Spade.

[Effie]

Foreign.

[Narrator]

Chimes mean good times on NBC. This Sunday, the glamorous and very unpredictable Tallulah brings you another gala broadcast of the Big Show. Among Tallulah's guests for this Sunday's Big.

[Sam Spade]

Show are Fred Allen, Eddie Cantor, Phil.

[Narrator]

Baker, Eddie Fisher and many, many more. It's an hour and a half of the very best in comedy, music and drama. Every Sunday it's the Big show on NBC for drama this Sunday, Theater Guild on the Air presents the heartwarming play.

[Sam Spade]

Genie, starring Barry Sullivan and Margaret Phillips.

[Narrator]

And now back to the sinister Siren caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

The next move looked like a tedious one. To take the clipped out picture of the redhead and try to identify her by matching it up in the files of one of the town's four newspapers. I'd gone a half a block when someone saved me the trouble. It was the bartender.

[Bartender]

Sam, I got news for you and where can we talk?

[Sam Spade]

How about the Blue Fox?

[Bartender]

Okay, I'll meet you there in five minutes.

[Sam Spade]

Wait a minute. Why can't we talk here?

[Bartender]

Cheers. Yeah, Sorry, Sam sucks.

[Sam Spade]

Well, you're in sad shape, Bartender.

[Detective]

What happened?

[Bartender]

The redhead, Joe Strum's girl. She was in.

[Detective]

When?

[Sam Spade]

An hour ago.

[Bartender]

She was loaded to begin with. And when I put her a couple of stiff horns on the house, she begun to talk. Sam, crime is rampant.

[Detective]

Yeah. For instance?

[Bartender]

Well, from what she Told me Joe Strum was dwelling in a fool's paradise. Much talk, many promises and an occasional smooch. But when the school is added up, Joe never gets past his own 10 yard line.

[Sam Spade]

Whose girl was she?

[Detective]

Whose girl?

[Bartender]

Prepare for a jolt, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

I'm holding onto my chair.

[Bartender]

Adi, the actor.

[Sam Spade]

Artie the actor.

[Bartender]

Artie the actor. The picture you showed me was taken at his trial. She was sitting right behind his lawyer.

[Sam Spade]

Wait a minute, wait a minute. The safe deposit box.

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

How much is Artie supposed to have stanched away?

[Bartender]

She told me a solid half million bucks. Now numerous insurance officials and a hatful of private dicks are openly curious as to what happened to the dough. Yeah, and the ranks of the curious have just been joined by Artie himself. Since he busted out of the jug, no dough, the cupboard is bare.

[Sam Spade]

Why'd he take the box out in Joe's name?

[Bartender]

She says Artie's a whimsical type guy. You know what he does?

[Detective]

What?

[Donald Stryker]

He flips the phone book open when they pull into town with a dough.

[Bartender]

And picks himself five names and five banks.

[Sam Spade]

Six names, you mean.

[Bartender]

No, five, she says.

[Sam Spade]

Stryker was in.

[Detective]

Huh?

[Sam Spade]

Never mind, never mind. So Artie figured with the money in five different legitimate names, it couldn't be traced to him if he got tapped, huh?

[Bartender]

Which he does. Get tapped and convicted besides. Now the dish looks upon Ari as in the deep freeze and hustles around to each of the five guys with a proposition. So Oddie becomes wise to this and takes them up in order when he busts out.

[Detective]

Cheers. Yeah.

[Bartender]

There'S much. This much I learned before she staggers out of my joint. The rest I must leave for you to figure.

[Sam Spade]

You can't drink.

[Bartender]

Bartenders occasional, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

If there is any other reward though, floating around when the smoke settles, I.

[Bartender]

Will be at the Cloverleaf.

[Sam Spade]

It's only beer, you know.

[Donald Stryker]

And if you run across an honest.

[Sam Spade]

Hard working book, who needs a phone?

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Thanks a lot, Charlie.

[Donald Stryker]

All right.

[Sam Spade]

Charlie wiped the froth off his chin with a napkin and took off. I let him have a healthy lead, then tailed him. It was quite a tour too. Into the morgue across the street, out the Kearney street door, then onto the California street cable car and up Nob Hill to the Fairmont Hotel where he hustled into a yellow cab number 4, 6, 2 and drove off. And waiting for him in the cab was the red headed dame. There were no other cabs around to follow him, so I waited a half hour until he got back. Waved a bill under the Driver's nose and climbed back on the merry go Round. He let Charlie out at his own place, the Cloverleaf, and then driven downtown to a fleabag called the Shoreside Hotel on the Embarcadero, where he left the redhead. I woke up the desk clerk and shoved the redhead's picture under his nose.

[Effie]

Let me see, let me see.

[Detective]

Seems like you recognize her.

[Donald Stryker]

Sure.

[Detective]

Clara Bow, the movie queen, ain't it don't win anything.

[Sam Spade]

Look, friend, she was just here.

[Detective]

Clara, the girl here. And she ain't Clara, right? Right. She ain't Clara.

[Sam Spade]

She just drove up in a taxi.

[Detective]

And don't see as good as I.

[Donald Stryker]

Used to when you see, the glasses hurt my nose.

[Sam Spade]

Look, she just drove up in a taxi. Did you see her come in?

[Donald Stryker]

No, no, no, I. I must have been dozing away.

[Detective]

Yeah.

[Donald Stryker]

She come out, though, huh?

[Detective]

Yeah. Her and Mr. Walker checked out. 15 minutes back, he was in 26 upstairs.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't have to cross examine the court to see M had lived in 26 for some time. The floor was ankle deep in cigarette butts, liquor bottles, sandwich crusts and other debris. A table in the corner was covered with travel folders, mostly on South America and 7 Days newspaper, the top one of which was turned to the story on Artie the actor. And I've been reading in my office this morning when it all started. You know, it's too bad you came in when you did Striker, because if I'd read one more paragraph, I'd have learned something that could have saved me a lot of trouble. Whatever was the case with four of the names the fifth one Artie hadn't picked at random, his lawyer was Harvey J. Strotherton. Hello, Mr. Strutherton? This is Sam Spade.

[Effie]

Oh, Mr. Spade, thank heaven you called. I'm terribly frightened.

[Sam Spade]

What's the matter?

[Donald Stryker]

The girl, the redhead?

[Effie]

Yes. She just called me. She says. She says my husband was murdered. One of his clients, a man he defended, thinks Harvey betrayed him.

[Sam Spade]

Artie, the actor? Artie Billings?

[Bartender]

Yes.

[Effie]

There was a lot of money. She knows where it is.

[Sam Spade]

Why is she telling you all this?

[Effie]

I don't know, Mr. Spade. She warned me against calling the police. I don't know what to do.

[Sam Spade]

Then don't do anything.

[Effie]

But don't you see? She's coming here. She'll be here in 20 minutes.

[Sam Spade]

I made it in 15, left the cab a block away and walked down Santa Ana avenue to number 156. The night fog had moved in, making it tough to follow the path through the high shrubbery to the door. Of the house. Mrs. Strutton hadn't helped matters any by turning out every light in the joint.

[Effie]

Mr. Spade?

[Detective]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Spade]

She hear you?

[Effie]

No, no. Come in.

[Detective]

Come here.

[Sam Spade]

Why'd you turn out the lights?

[Effie]

I was being watched. There's a fire in the living room. This way.

[Sam Spade]

The shades and draperies were all full, the windows shut tight. The house had the musty reek of a room that's been closed up for a long time. She guided me around the dining room furniture and through the doors into the living room, sat me down in front of the fire.

[Effie]

Would you like some brandy, mister?

[Detective]

No, thanks.

[Effie]

Cigarette?

[Detective]

Yeah, thanks.

[Effie]

Tell me. Tell me. I want to know everything. This man my husband defended.

[Sam Spade]

You know he's out of jail.

[Effie]

I saw the papers. Why would he kill Harvey after my husband did everything in his power to get him acquitted?

[Sam Spade]

Money.

[Bartender]

A lot of money.

[Effie]

How much?

[Sam Spade]

A half million dollars. How about a match?

[Effie]

Oh, yes. Of course.

[Sam Spade]

I held back, and without thinking, she leaned over into the firelight. I saw Mrs. Stubbing, and then for the first time, it was the redhead. All right, hold it. Now, don't move. This is a.38 baby at the back of your neck.

[Detective]

Now, don't move. All right, where is he?

[Effie]

I don't know what you mean.

[Sam Spade]

You heard what I said.

[Detective]

Where's your husband?

[Effie]

He's dead.

[Donald Stryker]

He's dead.

[Sam Spade]

The body you identified in San Mateo is already the actor. You and Harvey engineered the escape. So you'll have a full guy for five murders and 500,000 bucks. Now, for the last time, where is he?

[Effie]

Harvey. All right, Harvey. He'll kill me.

[Detective]

Don't. Don't.

[Donald Stryker]

Don't do it. Don't do it.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't have to. A few months hence, the State of California will do it the legal way. It was a long ride around Robin Hood's Barn, Striker. But you wanted to get to the bottom of it.

[Detective]

So there it is.

[Sam Spade]

Period, End of report.

[Effie]

Sam, what about the money?

[Sam Spade]

I'm still looking for it. If Harvey has thus far chosen not to talk. But Dundee hasn't really turned on the persuasion machinery yet. Who knows? Maybe he's opened the phone book at the Peas and put his finger on Perine. Effie.

[Effie]

Oh, don't even think of it, Sam. I'll settle for $26.87, which represents a shoddy in my check covering the period essay.

[Sam Spade]

Can I believe my ears?

[Effie]

What?

[Sam Spade]

I look back upon the past 12 hours. How to keep our little organization together. To stave off the bill collecting, I place my life in jeopardy. Tangled with a murderess. Use my poor tired body as bait for her savage conspiracy.

[Effie]

Sam, I'm sorry.

[Sam Spade]

Ferreting my way through morgue and crime ridden alley to finally win the fight and then. And then to come home expecting a cheery welcome. And to get instead scurvy, innuendos and a bill for 26.80, I.

[Effie]

Forget it, Sam. Don't ever mention it again.

[Donald Stryker]

I'm sorry.

[Detective]

Well, that's my girl. Here.

[Sam Spade]

10, 25, 6, 7. $47. Now we're all square.

[Effie]

Thanks, Sam. Thank you.

[Detective]

Come here. Now.

[Sam Spade]

You can bring me the 13 cents tomorrow.

[Effie]

That's my boss. Good night, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Good night, sweetheart.