This Is Your FBI: Murder on the High Seas 12/28/1945

Summary

Podcast Summary:

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio – This Is Your FBI: Murder on the High Seas (Aired 12/28/1945)
Episode Released: November 16, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this suspenseful episode from the golden age of radio drama, “This Is Your FBI” presents Murder on the High Seas. Listeners are taken aboard the American freighter Edna May, where a murder tied to Nazi war crimes, stolen art, and shifting alliances unfolds. FBI agents, far from the scene, piece together the crime using wit and remote investigation skills. The episode demonstrates both classic radio detective storytelling and the complex postwar reality of fugitives, intrigue, and justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Introduction of the Crime (02:24–05:00)

• The episode opens with Captain Peterson enjoying dinner with Dr. Myler (Myler), a survivor of Nazi persecution, and his secretary Karen Brenner, as a storm begins to brew.
• Dr. Myler excuses himself to fetch Karen’s forgotten bag, and minutes later, he is found dead by Mr. Hanley.
• Immediate speculation centers on connections to Myler’s anti-Nazi past.

Notable Quote:
“Dr. Mahler was in a Nazi concentration camp... Actually, with the help of friends, he escaped to South America. Yes, in South America he fought the Nazis just as he had fought them at home.”
—Karen Brenner, (05:24)

2. First Suspects and Motives (05:00–08:22)

• Ms. Brenner reveals Myler’s Nazi foes could be after him for what he knows.
• Passengers Hanley and Sam Dargan each become persons of interest. Hanley claims to have found the body, and both men are questioned about their activities.
• Moments alone reveal Karen and Dargan are secret partners in crime, not innocent passengers.

Notable Moment:
Karen exposes their hidden plot: “Why didn’t you throw the body overboard?” (08:12)

3. Art Smuggling and Deceptions (09:22–12:11)

• Dargan confronts Karen for the truth, accusing her of being involved with secret paintings stolen from France by Nazis, now onboard.
• Identity twist: Dr. Myler is unmasked as Carl Von Ritter, a Nazi thief hiding as a victim.
• Karen admits she helped but doesn’t know where the paintings are; they join forces to search for them.

Notable Quote:
“...if I were you, I’d listen. When the Nazis invaded France, they helped themselves to a lot of things... one of these was a guy named Carl Von Ritter... the doc was really Carl Von Ritter.”
—Sam Dargan, (09:53–10:37)

4. FBI Investigates Remotely (08:34–13:30)

• Special Agent Tom Grady and his colleague Nick mobilize, deduce critical facts from ship records and wire information.
• Discover Dr. Myler died in a concentration camp two years prior—reinforcing the Von Ritter identity twist.
• They flag Karen Brenner’s suspicious background and ready plans to intercept the vessel.

Notable Quote:
“Well, Dr. Heinrich Meyler died two years ago in a concentration camp.”
—Special Agent Tom Grady, (13:00)

5. The Conspirators' Hunt and Double-Cross (13:46–19:58)

• Karen and Dargan attempt to unlock Von Ritter’s trunk to locate the stolen paintings, but Dargan is knocked unconscious by an unknown assailant—likely Hanley or Karen herself.
• Paintings are missing from the secret compartment.

Notable Quote:
“The secret compartment is open. The paintings are gone.”
—Karen Brenner, (19:53)

6. Showdown & Final Confrontation (20:19–27:12)

• Suspects circle each other with suspicion, trying to pin the murder and theft on the others.
• Dargan confronts Hanley directly, attempting to force a confession or partnership in the loot.
• The FBI boards the ship; grilled by Agent Grady, the truth unspools:
  • The steward (posing as “Paul Mason,” real name Max Schmidt) and an oiler were hired by Brenner, with plans to kill Myler/Von Ritter for the paintings.
  • They confess to conspiracy, but insist they didn’t commit the murder.

Notable Quote:
“He wants to talk to you about the death of Dr. Myler.”
—Captain Peterson, (24:30)

7. Resolution & Justice (25:52–27:37)

• Captain Peterson gathers the passengers for a tense “farewell dinner,” coordinated with the FBI.
• Agent Grady reveals evidence: Hanley’s cigarette case was dropped in Von Ritter’s cabin; blood indicates the scene of attack.
• The paintings are found in crew quarters. The steward attempts to flee with a gun but is subdued. It’s clear: the steward is the murderer; Karen, Hanley, and Dargan are conspirators.
• All are arrested; justice is served.

Notable Quotes:
“The paintings have been found.”
—Captain Peterson, (26:58)
“Now, Captain, you may proceed if you wish to dock the Ed[na May].”
—Special Agent Tom Grady, (27:13)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Karen revealing Dr. Mahler’s background:
  “Dr. Mahler was in a Nazi concentration camp. The report was that he had died there. Actually, with the help of friends, he escaped to South America. Yes, in South America he fought the Nazis just as he had fought them at home.” (05:24)
• Dargan reveals Myler’s identity:
  “You know that the doc was really Carl Von Ritter.” (10:37)
• Agent Grady closes in:
  “Dr. Heinrich Meyler died two years ago in a concentration camp.” (13:00)
• Karen and Dargan find the paintings gone:
  “The trunk. It’s been opened... The paintings are gone.” (19:44–19:53)
• Peterson’s cabin dinner and true killer’s exposure:
  “Well, for one thing, Mr. Hanley, you dropped your initial cigarette case in Von Ritter’s cabin last night while you were rifling it for the paintings. Cigarette case doesn't prove that. The lump on Mr. Dargan's head does.” (26:16–26:43)
• Final words:
  “The subsequent finding of the murderer’s weapon led to the trial and conviction of the ship's steward on the charge of first degree murder. Hanley, Dargan, and Ms. Brenner were sentenced to the federal penitentiary for their part in the conspiracy.” (27:37)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Crime discovered and initial suspicions: 02:24–08:22
• Criminal alliances and art smuggling revealed: 08:22–13:30
• FBI investigation and Von Ritter identity exposed: 13:00–13:30, 24:26–25:52
• Murder and theft solution, arrests: 25:52–27:37

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Tone and Style

The episode blends suspense, intrigue, and classic detective tropes with brisk, natural dialogue. It maintains a direct, dramatic style typical of 1940s radio: characters trade tense accusations and clever rejoinders, while the FBI’s methodical reasoning anchors the plot.

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Summary for New Listeners

Murder on the High Seas offers an archetypal postwar radio mystery: layers of deception, historic crimes, and a whodunit puzzle solved through both deduction and confrontation. Its setting—a ship in international waters—raises the stakes and isolates the cast, allowing for charged exchanges and shifting suspicions. Listeners glimpse the dark reality of the war’s aftermath: Nazis fleeing justice, stolen art, and the dogged pursuit of truth by law enforcement. The episode delivers on both suspense and satisfaction as justice prevails, true to the “This Is Your FBI” tradition.

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Transcript

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[Apollo Advertiser]

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[Narrator / Announcer]

The Equitable Society presents this is your FBI. This is your FBI. An official broadcast from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, presented as a public service by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. Midway through tonight's program, we shall have the special pleasure of bringing you once again one of America's best loved businessmen, Thomas I. Parkinson, President of the Equitable Society. Tonight's file. Murder on the high seas.

[Captain Peterson]

The international thief, whose criminal activities were curtailed by wartime restrictions on ocean travel, is now at work again along the ship lanes of the world. The international thief is the cleverest of his breed. Because of the scope of his activities, it is difficult for the law to detect his work and track him down. But when he commits a crime on a vessel flying the American flag, he finds himself up against the forces of your FBI. It is 9:30 and the small American freighter Edna May out of Maracaibo continues steadily on its northward course toward New Orleans. In his cabin under the bridge, Captain Peterson has been dinner host to two of the ship's passengers, Dr. Myler and his secretary. They have just finished their coffee.

Have a cigar, Doctor. No, thank you, Captain. I prefer my pipe. It's been a delicious dinner. Do you agree, Karen?

[Karen Brenner]

Well, with two such charming companions, I must say I hardly noticed a fool.

[Captain Peterson]

Now you can see, Captain, why I engaged her as my secretary. Indeed, I can beg your pardon, Captain. Yes, Mr. Amy Blast has fallen, sir.

[Nick]

Looks like it's making up in the Norwest.

[Captain Peterson]

Secure everything. I'll be alone.

[Nick]

Right, sir.

[Captain Peterson]

Well, I'm afraid, folks, it's going to get a little rough.

[Karen Brenner]

Then we better make for our cabins while we can still stand up. Good night, Captain, and thanks for your hospitality.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes, it's been charming. This was my pleasure. Good night, Captain. Good night, Karen. Give me your hand. A very entertaining man.

[Karen Brenner]

Yes, he's delightful.

[Captain Peterson]

We go around the radio shack here.

[Karen Brenner]

Very well. Oh, wait a minute.

[Captain Peterson]

What is it?

[Karen Brenner]

My bag. I've left it in the captain's cab.

[Captain Peterson]

Oh, I'll get it for you, my dear. You're going ahead to your cabin.

[Karen Brenner]

I'm awfully sorry.

[Captain Peterson]

Oh, nonsense.

[Karen Brenner]

It's getting rough. I'll be careful.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

I will.

[Captain Peterson]

Who are you? I say, who are you? And why are you standing?

[Karen Brenner]

But I left him just a few minutes ago, Captain. It's incredible.

[Captain Peterson]

I know, Ms. Brenner.

[Karen Brenner]

How did it happen?

[Captain Peterson]

Your fellow passenger here, Mr. Hanley, found the body. Yes, purely by accident. I was taking a turn around the deck when I fairly stumbled over the doctor. He was between the radio shack and the captain's cabin here. Where did he leave you, Ms. Brenner?

[Karen Brenner]

At the afterladder. He was coming back here to get my bag.

[Nick]

I see.

[Captain Peterson]

Can you think of any motive for his being killed?

[Karen Brenner]

Yes. Yes, Captain, there was plenty of motive.

[Captain Peterson]

What do you mean?

[Karen Brenner]

Dr. Mahler was in a Nazi concentration camp. The report was that he had died there. Actually, with the help of friends, he escaped to South America. Yes, in South America he fought the Nazis just as he had fought them at home.

[Captain Peterson]

But the war is over now.

[Karen Brenner]

All the Nazi troublemakers have not been caught.

[Captain Peterson]

Captain, you think he was killed because of this?

[Karen Brenner]

He must have been. He was on his way to the States to tell what he knew.

[Captain Peterson]

Do you know of anyone on board who might have had a reason to kill Dr. Myler?

[Karen Brenner]

No. We never knew Mr. Hanley or your other passenger, Mr. Dargan, until we boarded ship.

[Captain Peterson]

Excuse me, Captain. Yes, Hanley, of course. I don't wish to create any trouble for a fellow passenger, but. Well, I saw Mr. Dargan on deck just before I discovered Dr. Marlow's body. What was he doing? Walking rather hurriedly away from where the body was found. Well, I think we should have a talk with Mr. Dargan. I'll have the steward get him up here at once. Come in. I have Mr. Dargan here, Captain. Bring him in, Seward.

Yes, sir.

Go ahead, sir.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

Okay.

[Sam Dargan]

Hi, Ms. Brenner.

[Karen Brenner]

Mr. Dargan.

[Sam Dargan]

Hanley.

[Captain Peterson]

Hello, Dargan. Mr. Dargan, do you know why I sent for you?

[Sam Dargan]

Yeah, the steward gave me a fill in. It's too bad.

[Captain Peterson]

I am trying to check on everyone's activities. Can you tell me what you've been doing for the past hour?

[Sam Dargan]

Yeah, I was in my cabin most of the time.

[Captain Peterson]

Were you on deck at all?

[Sam Dargan]

For a while.

[Captain Peterson]

Why? Mr. Hanley here discovered the body. It was between my cabin and the radio shack. Yeah, he told me that. Just before this discovery, he saw you on deck.

[Nick]

Saw what?

[Captain Peterson]

You were walking away from where the body was found.

[Sam Dargan]

If it was near the radio shack, he was right. I was in there sending a message. You can check that with your operator.

[Captain Peterson]

I will.

[Sam Dargan]

Who was with Hanley when the body was found?

[Captain Peterson]

I was alone. Why?

[Sam Dargan]

Maybe somebody ought to check up on you.

[Captain Peterson]

I believe you're in the mining business, Mr. Dargan.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

That's right.

[Captain Peterson]

Have you ever had any dealings with the Nazis in South America?

[Sam Dargan]

Are you kidding? We just fought a war with them, remember?

[Karen Brenner]

Captain, I wonder if I might go to my cabin.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes, yes, go ahead, Ms. Renner. I'm going to question these men a bit further and then radio a report to the federal authorities. Steward.

Yes, sir.

Take Ms. Branagh below. Yes, sir.

[Karen Brenner]

Good night, everyone.

[Captain Peterson]

Good night.

[Sam Dargan]

Good night, Anna. Go ahead, miss.

[Karen Brenner]

Thank you, Stuart.

[Sam Dargan]

This way, miss.

[Karen Brenner]

Never mind the act, you fool.

[Captain Peterson]

What do you mean?

[Karen Brenner]

You bungled the job.

[Sam Dargan]

What are you talking about?

[Karen Brenner]

Why didn't you throw the body overboard?

[Sam Dargan]

I never had the chance.

[Karen Brenner]

Why?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Somebody beat us to the job.

[Nick]

Oh, Tom.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes, Nick?

[Nick]

Radio message from the captain of the freighter Edna May, bound for New Orleans. There's been a murder on board.

[Captain Peterson]

Oh?

[Nick]

Dr. Heinrich Meiler escaped to South America two years ago from a German concentration camp. He was accompanied by his secretary, Karen Brenner.

[Sam Dargan]

Oh.

[Nick]

And seems both originally from Vienna.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Radio the captain to send us a list of his passengers right away and all details he has on them.

[Nick]

What about the crew?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

There's a possibility he took on a hand or two at Maracaibo. We can't check on at this end. Get that information too.

[Captain Peterson]

Right.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Meantime, we'll go to work on Myler and Brenner.

[Karen Brenner]

Who? Who is it?

[Sam Dargan]

Message for you, Ms. Brennan.

[Karen Brenner]

Mr. Dock?

[Sam Dargan]

That's right, baby. The first name is Sam.

[Karen Brenner]

What's the meaning of this?

[Sam Dargan]

I guess you might call it a business call.

[Karen Brenner]

I don't know what you're talking about, but please leave.

[Sam Dargan]

Look, baby, I just came here.

[Karen Brenner]

Please, I don't feel well. I'm terribly upset.

[Sam Dargan]

Over the doctor?

[Karen Brenner]

Yes. Now get out of here.

[Sam Dargan]

I told you this was A business call. The business is why the doc died.

[Karen Brenner]

What do you mean?

[Sam Dargan]

Well, it's kind of a long story, but if I were you, I'd listen, baby. Well, when the Nazis invaded France, they helped themselves to a lot of things that didn't belong to them. When they left France, some of those things weren't returned. Yes, one of these light fingered Nazis was a guy named Carl Von Ritter. His touch was paintings. Paintings stolen from a gallery in Paris.

[Karen Brenner]

Doc, I am not interested.

[Sam Dargan]

Just listen. This Von Ritter guy took these paintings to South America with the idea that eventually he'd bring them to the States and make a nice score. Only he didn't quite make it. You know why, don't you? You know that the doc was really Carl Von Ritter.

[Karen Brenner]

That's not true.

[Sam Dargan]

Oh, now look, baby, I did a lot of research on this.

[Karen Brenner]

It's a lie I tell you.

[Sam Dargan]

Suppose we let the captain decide that. Come on, let's tell him the story.

[Karen Brenner]

Wait a minute.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Okay.

[Karen Brenner]

What do you want?

[Sam Dargan]

Now you're talking, sweetheart. Where are the paintings?

[Karen Brenner]

I don't know.

[Sam Dargan]

Now wait a minute.

[Karen Brenner]

I swear.

[Sam Dargan]

Look, you were working this thing with him, weren't you?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Weren't you?

[Karen Brenner]

I knew who he was, yes.

[Sam Dargan]

And you know about the paintings.

[Karen Brenner]

I didn't know where he kept them.

[Sam Dargan]

Somebody did. That's why the guy was killed.

[Karen Brenner]

Then find out from whoever killed him.

[Sam Dargan]

Oh, baby, that's why I came here.

[Karen Brenner]

I had nothing to do with his death.

[Sam Dargan]

Look, you and that guy Hanley are working on this thing together.

[Captain Peterson]

Hanley?

[Sam Dargan]

I pegged him the minute they came aboard ship. He's a larceny guy from way back.

[Karen Brenner]

I never saw him before in my life.

[Sam Dargan]

Stop, will you?

[Karen Brenner]

I swear it.

[Sam Dargan]

Okay, maybe you're leveling. But if you are, you got real trouble.

[Karen Brenner]

How?

[Sam Dargan]

Hanley must have killed the doctor. The chances are you're next on his list. Oh, you still got one chance.

[Karen Brenner]

What?

[Sam Dargan]

We become partners.

[Karen Brenner]

How do I know you didn't kill the doctor?

[Sam Dargan]

You don't. But I didn't.

[Karen Brenner]

How do I know I can trust you?

[Sam Dargan]

You don't. But you gotta play ball with me. Now, where did he keep the paintings?

[Karen Brenner]

In a secret compartment in his trunk.

[Sam Dargan]

That's my girl. Let's nail him.

[Captain Peterson]

Now.

[Nick]

Here'S the Edna Maze passenger list. Tom just came in.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Good.

[Nick]

There are only four passengers aboard.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

I see.

[Nick]

Do you get a call back on Myler and Ms. Brenner yet?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Not yet, Nick. They're still checking.

[Nick]

Captain Peterson took on two hands at Maricaibo.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes, I see. An oiler And a steward.

[Nick]

Shall I start a check on them, Tom?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes, and on these passengers, too. Brady speaking. Huh? Definitely.

[Captain Peterson]

Huh.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

What about Brenner?

[Captain Peterson]

Uh huh.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

All right. Send over the files on them, please, and thanks. Well, Dr. Heinrich Meyler died two years ago in a concentration camp.

[Nick]

Then who was the murdered man?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

We've got to find that out, Tom.

[Nick]

What about Ms. Brenner?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Been in South America four years. Suspected of having worked with Nazi agents, but nothing was ever proved.

[Nick]

You think Sieg could have killed a man?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

We can't think anything yet, Nick, until we get the answers to an awful lot of questions. When is the ship due at New Orleans?

[Nick]

Sometime tomorrow, if the the storm she's in now doesn't delay her too much.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Well, we got some fast work to do. We can make that 8 o' clock plane for new Orleans. Radio. The captain will board the ship when she drops anchor in midstream for inspection.

[Sam Dargan]

Right.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Meanwhile, we've got to find out who.

[Captain Peterson]

Dr. Myler really is.

[Sam Dargan]

Isn't this his cabin here?

[Karen Brenner]

Yes.

[Sam Dargan]

There we are. Go ahead, baby.

[Karen Brenner]

All right. The lights are right over here.

[Sam Dargan]

You ain't putting on any lights. I've got a flash here. Now where's the truck?

[Karen Brenner]

Right in the corner.

[Sam Dargan]

Okay, where's the secret compartment?

[Karen Brenner]

In the bottom.

[Sam Dargan]

Hey, this truck is locked.

[Karen Brenner]

I have a key for it. It's back in my cabin.

[Sam Dargan]

That's great. Go get it, quick.

[Karen Brenner]

Very well.

[Sam Dargan]

Who?

[Narrator / Announcer]

This week at the Equitable Society, I happened to hear President Thomas I. Parkinson talking about New Year's resolutions. And some of the things he said impressed me so much that I've asked him to repeat them in person to our radio audience tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, I take pleasure in introducing Thomas I. Parkinson, President of the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

Thank you, Carl, Frank, and good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In three days and a few hours from now, the bells will be ringing, the whistles will be blowing, and people will be saying Happy New Year to one another. Since I won't be able to be with you at that moment, I'll have to give you my good wishes in advance. So a happy and prosperous New Year to all of you from me personally and from the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. I think everybody realizes that this year, 1946, we are soon to enter will be a critical year in the history of civilization. The beginning of a new age for the whole world. So when we make our New Year's resolutions, isn't this a good time for all Americans to reaffirm their faith in the traditional American virtues of thrift, neighborly cooperation and self reliance. In all past times of crisis, those three qualities have stood us in good stead. We've depended on them before, we can depend on them again. Of course, when I say traditional American virtues, I don't mean that we Americans have any monopoly on them. The Scotch, for example, are celebrated for their thriftiness. The Scandinavian people are famous for the success of their cooperative movements. But in all history, in all the world, no other nation has ever beaten America on self reliance. I believe that this is a matter of inheritance. After all, every citizen of this country, if he goes back far enough, is descended from emigrants. And that's something to be proud of. Any emigrant is a man or a woman who had the courage and initiative to leave his homeland and cross an ocean in search of greater opportunity and greater freedom. That's the pioneer spirit. And this same spirit of self reliance is the backbone of our American system of free enterprise today. Self reliance is what makes a man start a little business and then develop that little business into a big business. Self reliance is what makes a man buy a farm, build a home of his own and plan things so that his children will get a first class education. For 86 years, the organization of which I have the honor to be president, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, has been working with Americans who practice the virtues of thrift, cooperation and self reliance. You see, when a man buys future security in the form of life insurance, he gives a perfect demonstration of self reliance. He proves that he believes in taking care of himself and his family no matter what happens. He proves that he believes in standing on his own two feet. Furthermore, our society is strictly a cooperative enterprise owned entirely by its members and runs solely for their benefit. Thanks to the thrift of our three and a quarter million members. A great protective fund has been built up which gives every individual member far more security than he could achieve by his own unaided efforts. Thrift, neighborly cooperation and self reliance. These are the qualities that have made the equitable society strong. They are also the qualities which have made America strong. The more we practice those three virtues in the future, the more certain we can be of a happy new year in 1946 and of happy new years for many years to come.

[Narrator / Announcer]

And now back to the file on murder on the high seas.

[Captain Peterson]

Many unusual methods have been employed by your FBI in the solution of crimes. Tonight's file is an example of this. A murder is committed on the high seas. FBI agents have neither seen the Corpse nor interviewed the suspects. Nevertheless, they are already gathering facts, building evidence that will ultimately lead to the apprehension of the killer. The killer is still at large, however, and aboard the freighter Edna May. In a cabin below deck, Sam Dargan, victim of an unknown assailant, lies unconscious on the floor.

[Karen Brenner]

Dargan. Mr. Dargan. Mr. Dargan. What's wrong? What happened?

[Sam Dargan]

My head.

[Karen Brenner]

What happened to him?

[Sam Dargan]

Somebody slugged me.

[Karen Brenner]

Who?

[Sam Dargan]

I don't know. I was. Wait a minute.

[Karen Brenner]

Yes?

[Sam Dargan]

Did you really leave this room?

[Karen Brenner]

Of course. Why?

[Sam Dargan]

I heard the door closed, but might have stayed here. I didn't look around.

[Karen Brenner]

Look. Here's the trunk key.

[Sam Dargan]

I went to my stateroom, put on those lights.

[Karen Brenner]

I did when I heard you. The trunk. It's been opened.

[Sam Dargan]

Hey, what is this?

[Karen Brenner]

It's been rifled. The secret compartment is open. The paintings are gone.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Hanley.

[Karen Brenner]

What?

[Sam Dargan]

Mrs. Hanley's work, baby.

[Karen Brenner]

You mean he has the painting?

[Sam Dargan]

Sure, but he ain't gonna have em for long.

[Captain Peterson]

Good morning, Captain. Well, good morning, Mr. Hanley. May I fall in with you? Of course. You're up and about rather early, aren't you?

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

Oh, yes.

[Captain Peterson]

I'm always an early riser at sea. Sleep well?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Yes, like a top, sir.

[Captain Peterson]

Anything new in the killing? No, I'm just waiting now to turn it over to the FBI.

[Sam Dargan]

Good morning, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

Well, Mr. Doggin. Ms. Brenner.

[Karen Brenner]

Good morning, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

Looks like a lot of early risers this morning.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yeah.

[Captain Peterson]

Good heavens, Dargan.

[Sam Dargan]

What?

[Captain Peterson]

Your head. The bandits. What happened?

[Sam Dargan]

I took a pretty good wallop last night, Hanley.

[Captain Peterson]

Oh, how was that?

[Sam Dargan]

I got a little restless and took a walk. And just as I came to Dr. Miler's cabin.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes?

[Sam Dargan]

That's where it happened.

[Captain Peterson]

What do you mean?

[Sam Dargan]

Oh, the shift at a half roll, Captain. I banged my head on a brass fitting.

[Captain Peterson]

Oh, well, that's too bad, old man.

[Sam Dargan]

Yes.

[Captain Peterson]

What time are we due at New Orleans, Captain? We ought to drop hook in about an hour. Good. Well, shall we continue our stroll, sir? Very well. Will you join us, folks?

[Sam Dargan]

I know.

[Karen Brenner]

Thank you.

[Captain Peterson]

See you later then. Cheerio.

[Karen Brenner]

I was watching Handmaid's Face when you told the story. He's the one, all right.

[Sam Dargan]

Sure.

[Karen Brenner]

We arrive in an hour. What are you going to do?

[Sam Dargan]

You make sure that he stays on deck. I'm going down now and case out his cabin.

[Karen Brenner]

Well, what happened?

[Sam Dargan]

No dice.

[Karen Brenner]

What?

[Sam Dargan]

I went through everything in Hanley's cabin. The paintings aren't there.

[Karen Brenner]

What will we do?

[Sam Dargan]

Where's Hanley?

[Karen Brenner]

Up forward there.

[Sam Dargan]

Come on, we're going to talk to that guy.

[Karen Brenner]

What? Good Will that do?

[Sam Dargan]

At least I can find out if he really slugged me. It still could have been you, sweetheart.

[Karen Brenner]

Now, look, shut up.

[Sam Dargan]

Hanley.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes, old boy?

[Sam Dargan]

I want to talk to you.

[Captain Peterson]

Very well.

[Sam Dargan]

This slug on the head I got last night, you know how it really happened, don't you?

[Captain Peterson]

Yes, I heard your story.

[Sam Dargan]

Quit stalling. I know all about you, Hanley. You work on the same side of the street that I do.

[Captain Peterson]

I'm afraid I don't follow you.

[Sam Dargan]

Larceny Boulevard, mister. You gave it to me last night on the doctor's cabin. And you were there for the same reason I was, Mrs. Brennan.

[Captain Peterson]

What's he talking about?

[Sam Dargan]

Look, she belongs to the same club, too. Now, where are the paintings?

[Captain Peterson]

What paintings?

[Sam Dargan]

I'm giving you one chance, Hanley. Either you play with us in a three way cut or everybody falls.

[Karen Brenner]

There's a boat pulling alongside.

[Sam Dargan]

That's probably the G man. Hanley, you know the FBI. Now, talk fast.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

Well.

[Captain Peterson]

But what I have to say will be very disappointing. I give you my word, I have not got the paintings.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Captain, I think you should know some of the facts we've already assembled on this case.

[Captain Peterson]

You mean you have something just from that list of names I sent you, Mr. Grady?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes. Dr. Myler's real name was Carl Von Ritter. He was a Nazi who fled to South America. I understand he had in his possession some very valuable paintings.

[Captain Peterson]

Stolen, I suppose.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes. You can assume that he had them with him aboard ship here that he hoped to dispose of them in the States.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes. Oh, come in, Mr. Jackson.

[Nick]

Thanks, Captain.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

How'd you make out, Nick?

[Nick]

I searched Von Ritter's cabin and I found a trunk that had been forced open.

[Captain Peterson]

Mm.

[Nick]

There was a secret compartment in the bottom. It was empty.

[Captain Peterson]

Yeah.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Paintings were probably in that trunk.

[Nick]

They must have been town. There's no trace of them anywhere else.

[Captain Peterson]

That Brenner girl sounds like the logical suspect, gentlemen.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Could have been either of your passengers, too.

[Captain Peterson]

Captain Hanley O'Dargan.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes, we're waiting for information on them now. It also could have been that steward you took on at Maracaibo.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

What?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

In fact, he's the first man we'd.

[Captain Peterson]

Like to talk to.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

If you'd be good enough to send for him, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

Surely.

[Sam Dargan]

You send for me, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes. Steward, this gentleman is a special agent of the FBI.

[Narrator / Announcer]

I see.

[Captain Peterson]

He wants to talk to you about the death of Dr. Myler.

[Sam Dargan]

I'm afraid I know nothing about it.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Then let me tell you something I know.

[Sam Dargan]

What do you mean?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Your real name is not Paul Mason? It's Max Schmidt.

[Narrator / Announcer]

That's true.

[Sam Dargan]

But I tell you, I didn't.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Wait a minute. You and your oiler friend jumped a Swedish ship six weeks ago in a South American port.

[Sam Dargan]

Well, what if we did?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Police down there keep pretty good track of strangers, Schmidt. That's how they were able to tell us about your contacts with Ms. Brenner. Shall I go any farther?

[Sam Dargan]

All right. Ms. Brenner did hire us to make the strip and helped forge our papers and everything so we could sign on the ship.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

And you were supposed to kill Dr. Myler and get part of the money from the sale of the paintings.

[Sam Dargan]

But I tell you, I didn't kill him.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

No? What happened?

[Sam Dargan]

The oiler and I decided not to go through it.

[Nick]

Excuse me, Tom.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes, Nick?

[Nick]

The wireless room just gave me this.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

I see. Oh, that'll be all now, Stuart.

[Captain Peterson]

You can go.

Yes, sir.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Well, this is the information we wanted on Dargan and Hanley.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Both of their records would fill a book.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Well, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

Yes?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

I'm going to call on you for some help. Now, here's what I'd like you to do.

[Captain Peterson]

Well, Captain, it's very gracious of you to tender us a farewell dinner. This was by request, Mr. Hanley. Really? Whose request? The special agents of the FBI.

[Sam Dargan]

What was their point?

[Captain Peterson]

Well, for one thing, Mr. Doggin, they wanted to be sure they'd know where you all were.

[Karen Brenner]

Steward.

[Sam Dargan]

Yes, miss?

[Karen Brenner]

Some more coffee, please.

[Captain Peterson]

Surely they also wanted to acquaint you with a few facts.

[Sam Dargan]

Like what?

[Captain Peterson]

Like who murdered Dr. Myler.

[Karen Brenner]

They have learned who the killer is, Captain.

[Captain Peterson]

They have plenty of suspects. For instance, all of you know that Dr. Mahler was really Carl Von Ritter. He was attempting to smuggle some valuable paintings into the States. And how could we know that, Captain? Well, for one thing, Mr. Hanley, you dropped your initial cigarette case in Von Ritter's cabin last night while you were rifling it for the paintings. Cigarette case doesn't prove that. The lump on Mr. Dargan's head does.

[Sam Dargan]

What?

[Captain Peterson]

There was no blood on the brass fittings outside of von renter's cabin, Mr. Dargan. Where you might have bumped your head, but there was some on the floor inside the cabin.

[Sam Dargan]

That doesn't make me the killer, Captain.

[Karen Brenner]

I'd say whoever has the paintings committed the murder.

[Captain Peterson]

The paintings have been found.

[Karen Brenner]

What?

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Where?

[Captain Peterson]

In one of the crew's quarters. All right, stay where you are, all of you.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Put down that gun.

[Thomas I. Parkinson]

Stuart.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Take care of him, will you, Nick?

[Nick]

Right.

[Karen Brenner]

He is the killer.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

Yes. He told us all about his deal with you, Ms. Brenner. We figured if he'd do that, he'd also double cross you. That's why we searched his quarters. Now, Captain, you may proceed if you wish to dock the Ed.

[Captain Peterson]

The subsequent finding of the murderer's weapons led to the trial and conviction of the ship's steward on the charge of first degree murder. Hanley Dargan and Ms. Brenner were sentenced to the federal penitentiary for their part in the conspiracy. Their apprehension is a reminder that wherever the American flag flies as a symbol of civil authority, your FBI is on the job day and night enforcing the law of the land on all who conspire against it.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Before you hear about next week's thrilling case from the files of your FBI. May the Equitable Society again wish you a happy and prosperous New Year. Just as you look to the FBI for national security, you look to the Equitable Society for the financial security of life insurance. In the same spirit in which it has lived through 86 years, the equitable Life Assurance Society of the United states shall, throughout 1946 and the years to come continue like your FBI to be dedicated to the security of you, your home and your country.

[Captain Peterson]

Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Crime in the Roaring Twenties.

[Narrator / Announcer]

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Societies broadcast are taken from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. However, all names used are fictitious and any similarity thereof to the names of persons living or dead is accidental. Tonight, the music was under the direction of Frederick Steiner. The author was Frank Ferries and your narrator was Dean Carlton. This is your FBI is a Jerry Devine production. Now this is Carl Frank speaking for the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and the Equitable Society's representative in your community. And inviting you to tune in again next week at this same time for this is your FBI.

[Special Agent Tom Grady]

This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.

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