This Is Your FBI: The Homicide Hideout 05/24/1946

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | "This Is Your FBI: The Homicide Hideout" (Aired 05/24/1946)

Episode Air Date: March 22, 2026 (podcast rebroadcast)
Original Broadcast: May 24, 1946
Main Theme:
A tense tale of double-crossing criminals, wounded loyalties, and relentless G-men, “The Homicide Hideout” plunges listeners into the shadowy aftermath of a daring bank robbery. The episode examines the myth of “honor among thieves” and showcases the dogged pursuit of justice by the FBI.

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Episode Overview

• Purpose: To dramatize an FBI case file, exploring the theme that there is no true honor among criminals, only betrayal and ruthless self-interest.
• Plot Summary: After a violent bank robbery, wounded gang member Red Harper seeks shelter and medical help at a farmhouse run by the hard-bitten Mrs. Benton and her scarred daughter Lena. As deals are struck and double-crossed, a disgraced, alcoholic doctor is drawn into the criminal web, while FBI agents close in. The story exposes treachery both among the criminals and in the world around them, culminating in murder and a final roundup by law enforcement.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Introduction and Thematic Framing

• Timestamp [01:43]:
  • The narrator debunks the saying, "There is honor even among thieves," asserting that criminal society is ruled by deceit, ruthlessness, and treachery.

2. The Hideout: Red Harper Arrives Wounded

• Timestamp [02:56 – 04:52]:
  • Red Harper, wounded from a bank heist, seeks refuge with Mrs. Benton and her daughter, Lena.
  • Red tries to bargain for medical help, offering Mrs. Benton $5,000 (half his take) in exchange for her assistance.
  • Mrs. Benton displays her ruthless pragmatism:
    • "I'm not giving you any five grand."
    • Mrs. Benton: "Okay, mister. Then you can bleed to death, you dirty car." (04:54)

3. Introducing Doc Smith: The Disgraced Doctor

• Timestamp [07:24 – 09:05]:
  • Mrs. Benton fetches Doc Smith, a physician who lost his license due to drunkenness and botched a job on Lena's face.
  • Doc Smith is persuaded to operate in exchange for money and liquor.
  • Dark humor and pathos linger in Smith’s words:
    • "Time is the great disillusioner. That’s what time is." (07:42)
    • “I’m intoxicated most of the time, Mr. Lynette.” (18:28)

4. FBI Investigation Begins

• Timestamp [06:15 – 10:01]:
  • Agents Willard and Lynette piece together the bank robbery and identify Harper as the missing suspect.
  • They deduce the likely hideout from captured gang members and prepare for a raid.

5. Conspiracy and Double-Cross

• Timestamp [12:02 – 14:28]:
  • Red tries to bribe Doc Smith for better treatment and cut Benton out:
    • "If you'll get hold of yourself and fix me up... we'll cut her out of it and I'll give you two grand." (12:35)
  • Mrs. Benton overhears, reveals she knows about the betrayal, and prepares to murder Red, framing Doc Smith.

6. The Murder and Frame-Up

• Timestamp [16:56 – 19:53]:
  • As predicted, Mrs. Benton kills Red and, with Lena, flees. She arranges the scene so evidence points to the drunken doctor.
  • The FBI agents arrive to discover Doc Smith in a daze, wearing gloves, holding the murder weapon, and with no memory.
    • Agent Willard: “You would hardly have gotten up, put on rubber gloves, cut the man’s throat, and lay back down again beside that broken jar.”
  • They perceive the frame-up and put out an alert for Mrs. Benton and Lena.

7. Escape to Detroit & False Security

• Timestamp [20:10 – 21:10]:
  • The Bentons escape, discussing how their alibi and the frame-up will protect them.
  • Lena dreams of plastic surgery in Detroit to repair her face with their ill-gotten gains.
  • "We'll find a good doc who'll make you just as pretty as I am." (21:10)

8. FBI Trap in Detroit

• Timestamp [22:39 – 25:11]:
  • FBI agents plant a story in the press that Doc Smith is charged, lulling the fugitives into complacency.
  • Lena, enticed by a newspaper ad for a famous plastic surgeon, visits the hotel listed in the paper—only to find Doc Smith and the agents waiting.
  • Mrs. Benton tries to lie her way out, but is confronted with fingerprint evidence:
    • Agent Willard: "The fingerprints on the surgical knife are yours."
    • Mrs. Benton: "What fingerprints are you talking about?"

9. Resolution and Moral

• Timestamp [25:30 – 26:32]:
  • Mrs. Benton is tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder.
  • The narrator restates the episode’s central theme: the law treats all murder equally, regardless of the victim’s status.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Narrator on Criminal Honor:

  • “No greater fallacy... than there is honor, even among thieves.” (01:43, 16:56)

• Mrs. Benton’s Ruthlessness:

  • “Then you can bleed to death, you dirty car.” (04:54)
  • "If I kill you with this operating knife, it’ll look like the doc done it because he was drunk." (13:59)

• Doc Smith’s Resignation:

  • “I’m intoxicated most of the time, Mr. Lynette.” (18:28)
  • “Well, then I… I guess I’m guilty.” (19:00)

• Lena’s Hope and Tragedy:

  • “Maybe one of these good doctors in Detroit could do something about my face.” (21:05)

• Agent Willard on Justice:

  • “The law does not let it go at that. To the law, murder is murder, no matter who commits it or who the victim.” (25:53)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• Thematic introduction on criminal “honor”: 01:43, 16:56
• Red Harper’s negotiation with Mrs. Benton: 04:33
• Doc Smith’s state and motivations: 07:33–09:05, 18:31
• FBI Agents gather clues/intervene: 06:39, 09:23, 17:00, 22:20
• Frame-up and Mrs. Benton’s confession: 13:59–14:06, 25:04–25:11
• Climactic confrontation in Detroit hotel: 24:29–25:11
• Narrator’s moral: 25:30

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Tone & Style

The episode blends moralistic narration with gritty, colloquial dialogue and hard-boiled characterizations. Mrs. Benton is fierce and unsympathetic; Doc Smith provides tragic, sometimes darkly funny, asides; FBI agents are measured and professional.

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Final Summary

“The Homicide Hideout” is a classic noir radio drama illuminating the dangers of criminal betrayal and the vigilant pursuit of justice by federal agents. Although criminals may believe themselves clever and untouchable, their self-serving actions doom them, and the law stands indifferent to their motives. The episode offers an atmospheric snapshot of postwar American law enforcement storytelling, filled with suspense, poetic justice, and a clear moral message.

Transcript

[Carl Frank]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] the Equitable Life Assurance Society

[Narrator]

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. In about 14 minutes, the sponsor of this program, the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States, will have something important to say to homeowners. So, Mrs. Housewife, if your husband is not listening to this program, better send one of the children to fetch him. Tell him he's going to hear about America's finest plan for home ownership. A plan that can save you money. Tonight's FBI file the homicide hideout.

It has been said that there is honor even among thieves. But no greater fallacy than that was ever uttered for the thief. The criminal could not possibly possess a true sense of honor and be what he is. This is demonstrated in tonight's case from the files of your FBI. Criminals in dealing with each other are still guided by the governing principles of their lives. Deceit, treachery, ruthlessness and all other immoral qualities which combine to make the criminal dishonor incarnate. The weather beaten old farm half hidden in a clump of trees is dark and gives no sign of life within. But a shaft of moonlight slanting across the porch and through an open window falls across an old feather bed and the faces of two women. One is hard and middle aged, the other young and grotesquely scarred. Presently the stillness is broken by the sound of an automobile coming up the trail from the main road. The girl is first awakened.

[Lena Benton]

Mom.

[Mrs. Benton]

Mom, wake up.

[Lena Benton]

Wake up, Mama, somebody's coming.

[Mrs. Benton]

What?

[Lena Benton]

I said wake up. There's a car coming up from the main road. Listen. You hear it?

[Mrs. Benton]

I got ears, Lena.

[Lena Benton]

Yeah, but who could it be?

[Mrs. Benton]

I don't know and I don't care if it means business.

[Lena Benton]

He's pulling in here. You want me to go look out the window?

[Red Harper]

We'll both go.

[Mrs. Benton]

Where's the slippers?

[Lena Benton]

Right down there.

[Mrs. Benton]

Oh,

[Lena Benton]

it's a man by himself.

[Mrs. Benton]

Who is he?

[Lena Benton]

I don't know. Look, he's hurt. You see how he's holding himself?

[Mrs. Benton]

Yeah. This means business. All right. Stay right here, Lena. I'll go. Now. Where's my wrapper?

[Lena Benton]

On the chair over there.

[Mrs. Benton]

Oh, come on, open up. Take it easy. Take it easy, Mr.

[Red Harper]

Well, your name's Benton, Mom. Benton.

[Mrs. Benton]

That's right. That's good. Now, just a minute.

[Red Harper]

Let me in, will you? I was sent here.

[Mrs. Benton]

Who sent you?

[Red Harper]

Chick Lansing.

[Mrs. Benton]

You got proof?

[Red Harper]

Look, save the questions. Let me in. I'm bleeding.

[Mrs. Benton]

Okay, come ahead.

[Red Harper]

I gotta sit down.

[Mrs. Benton]

Who are you?

[Red Harper]

Look, can you pick up a doctor?

[Mrs. Benton]

I said, who are you?

[Red Harper]

Red. Red Harper.

[Mrs. Benton]

What'd you get mixed up in?

[Red Harper]

I can wait. I gotta have a doctor quick.

[Mrs. Benton]

Quicker you answer questions, the quicker you get the doc.

[Red Harper]

Okay. Three of us pulled a bank job today. We had to split up and I made for here because I remember Chick Ladson telling about you. Now, will you go get a.

[Mrs. Benton]

What kind of a trail did you leave?

[Red Harper]

I drove north and circled to the south. I threw the cops off. Okay.

[Mrs. Benton]

How much money did you get?

[Red Harper]

What difference does that make?

[Mrs. Benton]

How much did you get?

[Red Harper]

10 grand. My share.

[Mrs. Benton]

Then I'll take 5,000.

[Red Harper]

Are you kidding?

[Mrs. Benton]

That's my price.

[Red Harper]

I'm not giving you any five grand.

[Mrs. Benton]

Okay, mister. Then you can bleed to death, you dirty car.

[Red Harper]

Check.

[Lena Benton]

Get out of here, Mister.

[Mrs. Benton]

Hold on a minute. Lena, put down that gun. He's about done for anyway.

[Red Harper]

Look, give me a talk with you.

[Mrs. Benton]

I said it'll cost you $5,000.

[Red Harper]

Okay. Okay, you can have it on one condition. I. I walk out of here alive.

[Mrs. Benton]

Give me a hand with him, Lena. We'll put him on the couch.

[Lena Benton]

And then what?

[Mrs. Benton]

I'll run into town and get Doc Smith. If he ain't too full of whiskey.

[Lena Benton]

Call him a doctor. After what he'd done to my face?

[Mrs. Benton]

I'm not forgetting that, Lena. We can't get no legal doctor to do this job.

[Lena Benton]

What makes you think Doc Smith will do it?

[Mrs. Benton]

After him losing his license, he'll do anything to get money to buy whiskey. All right, put him down. Try to stop his bleeding. All right, Mom. I'll be back with Doc Smith soon as I can.

[Narrator]

In the Cincinnati field office of the FBI, some hundred miles away, agent in charge Willard sits at his desk waiting for a particular phone call. At noon, three bandits had held up the National Trust Company and escaped with nearly $30,000. Two special agents were assigned to the case, but as yet, Willard has received no word from them. It is now shortly after 9:00'.

[Doc Smith]

Clock.

[Agent Willard]

Willard speaking. This is Lynette. Mr. Willard. Well, it's about time. Lynette. What happened to you and Russell?

[Agent Lynette]

We picked up a hot trail right after we got to the bank and didn't have time to report.

[Agent Willard]

What kind of a hot trail?

[Agent Lynette]

We just now Caught two of the bandits.

[Agent Willard]

What?

[Agent Lynette]

We nailed them in a little hotel room.

[Doc Smith]

Good work.

[Agent Willard]

What about the other one?

[Agent Lynette]

He's still on the loose.

[Narrator]

How?

[Agent Lynette]

He's got the stick up car. Oh, what do you want us to do?

[Agent Willard]

Have the bandits talked any?

[Agent Lynette]

Not yet.

[Agent Willard]

Discuss the fact with the U.S. attorney and arranged to file charges. Okay. Get a description of that car and the third man. I'll wait here for you. Right.

[Lena Benton]

Doc.

[Doc Smith]

Doc.

[Mrs. Benton]

Come on, wake up. Wake up, you old son. Wake up, I say.

[Doc Smith]

Hey, we ain't got much time.

[Mrs. Benton]

We ain't got time, I tell you.

[Doc Smith]

Time what?

[Mrs. Benton]

Never mind now.

[Doc Smith]

I'll tell you what the time is.

[Mrs. Benton]

Never mind that.

[Doc Smith]

Time is the great disillusioner. That's what time is.

[Mrs. Benton]

Look at me, Doc.

[Doc Smith]

Huh?

[Mrs. Benton]

Look at me, I say.

[Doc Smith]

What do I look at? You. Oh, so it's you.

[Mrs. Benton]

You gotta come with me, Doc. There's a man needs you awful bad.

[Doc Smith]

A man needs me?

[Mrs. Benton]

He's in a bad way, Doc.

[Doc Smith]

But aren't we all, my dear? Aren't we all, huh? Pour me a little drink.

[Mrs. Benton]

No, not anymore. Now we gotta get started. It will be too late.

[Doc Smith]

And why have you come to me, madam?

[Mrs. Benton]

Don't think I would have if I could have gone to anybody else.

[Doc Smith]

That's professional disrespect.

[Mrs. Benton]

I ain't forgetting what you done to my Lena's face treating them burns.

[Doc Smith]

Your daughter, madam, would only have grown to look more like you. So I think that she got the best of it. Go away, woman. I wanted to go to sleep, Doc. Hey, look here, woman. Are you cancer?

[Mrs. Benton]

I'm only trying to get it through your rum soaked brain that there's a man dying.

[Doc Smith]

Well, that's his good fortune.

[Mrs. Benton]

You gotta have money, don't you?

[Doc Smith]

Only when my liquor runs out.

[Mrs. Benton]

Is that all the liquor you've got?

[Doc Smith]

Unfortunately, yes.

[Red Harper]

Good.

[Doc Smith]

Wait a minute. Wait. Give me that bottle. Why you vicious old.

[Mrs. Benton]

Shut up and get the train.

[Doc Smith]

Look, you can't. Look.

[Mrs. Benton]

Hey, look, I got liquor out at my place. And if you keep that man from dying, I'll give you $100 besides to buy more.

[Doc Smith]

A hundred dollars?

[Mrs. Benton]

Yes. So get your tools and let's go.

[Doc Smith]

May I Come in, Mr. Willard?

[Agent Willard]

Yes, come ahead, Leonard. Where's Russell?

[Agent Lynette]

I left him giving all the details on the bank robbery to the U.S. attorney.

[Agent Willard]

Did the two prisoners furnish any information?

[Red Harper]

They sure did.

[Agent Willard]

Did they identify the man still at Lodge?

[Agent Lynette]

His name is Red Harper. Here's his description.

[Agent Willard]

Harper, eh?

[Agent Lynette]

And here's the description of the car

[Agent Willard]

he got away in.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Agent Willard]

We put Out a wanted notice right away.

[Agent Lynette]

We may not need it.

[Doc Smith]

Why not?

[Agent Lynette]

Harper may be at a certain fugitive hideout about 100 miles from here.

[Agent Willard]

How do you know?

[Agent Lynette]

One of the two bandits we caught said Harper was pretty badly wounded and may have made for the hideout to get fixed up.

[Agent Willard]

You know exactly where the place is.

[Agent Lynette]

It's a farm run by a woman and her daughter. And I think I can find it from what the bandit told me.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Agent Willard]

I'll get the alarm out anyway, and then we'll get started.

[Red Harper]

Hey.

[Doc Smith]

Hey, you.

[Lena Benton]

You want me?

[Red Harper]

Yeah. I thought your old lady went to get a duck.

[Doc Smith]

She did.

[Red Harper]

Why did she get here with him?

[Mrs. Benton]

They'll be along any minute now.

[Red Harper]

Is he a good duck?

[Lena Benton]

You see my face, don't you?

[Red Harper]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, he done it.

[Red Harper]

He made you look like that.

[Mrs. Benton]

Yeah. Yeah, he'd done it when he was drunk. That's how he lost his license. Drunk all the time.

[Red Harper]

I don't want no guy like him working on me.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, you can tell him that because his mom bringing him now. Right in here, Doc. We got him laying on the couch.

[Doc Smith]

Very well.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, I see you come around, young man.

[Red Harper]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Benton]

Go boil some water, Lena. All right, Mom.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute.

[Mrs. Benton]

What's the matter?

[Red Harper]

Your daughter told me all about this drunken bomb.

[Doc Smith]

Why's that?

[Red Harper]

What's the idea of bringing him to work on me?

[Doc Smith]

Are you insinuating, sir, that I am incapable of performing?

[Red Harper]

I want another duck. Understand?

[Doc Smith]

Huh?

[Mrs. Benton]

You asked me to handle this. I didn't send for you. It's this dark, mister, or none.

[Red Harper]

Okay.

[Doc Smith]

You promised me a drink, madam.

[Mrs. Benton]

Oh, yeah. Here's the jug.

[Doc Smith]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Benton]

I'll go help Lena. I'll be right back.

[Red Harper]

Doc.

[Agent Willard]

Yes?

[Red Harper]

I want to talk to you a minute about them. We got time.

[Mrs. Benton]

We?

[Doc Smith]

What's troubling you?

[Red Harper]

Close that door.

[Doc Smith]

Just a minute. Just a minute.

[Red Harper]

Quit tricking that stuff and close that door.

[Doc Smith]

Very well.

[Red Harper]

Okay. Look, doc, listen to me. You're the only chance I got.

[Doc Smith]

Say what? A thicker old wench. Chance is by how we're born, by how we live.

[Red Harper]

Never mind that stuff. Listen to me. I got a proposition.

[Doc Smith]

You can't proposition with Chance.

[Red Harper]

I'm talking about you, Doc. I don't know how much you're gonna give you for this job. If you don't drink no more of that stuff, you can make a bundle.

[Doc Smith]

What's that you say?

[Red Harper]

Here's my proposition.

[Doc Smith]

Yeah?

[Red Harper]

She was gonna stick me five grand. Probably give you only 50 or 100 bucks. But if you'll get hold of yourself and fix Me up. Okay, we'll cut her out of it and I'll give you two grands.

[Doc Smith]

Fine.

[Red Harper]

Let's drink the two grand, put on a jug.

[Doc Smith]

It's truly a wonderful anesthetic. Dark.

[Red Harper]

Lay off the folds, will you?

[Doc Smith]

Just one more. You see, it renders man insensible to

[Agent Lynette]

the pains of his conscience.

[Mrs. Benton]

Duck.

[Doc Smith]

Duck.

[Agent Willard]

Will you lay off?

[Doc Smith]

It renders man Incense.

[Red Harper]

Dark incense. Hey, mom, come here, will you? What is it past hot? Now you gotta get another duck.

[Mrs. Benton]

Nina. Lena.

[Lena Benton]

Huh?

[Mrs. Benton]

Hand me one of them rubber gloves the doc used. And, oh, yeah, that knife he operates with. Okay. Here.

[Red Harper]

Mom, what are you gonna do?

[Mrs. Benton]

I'm gonna get even with that drunken old sock for what he done to Lena's face.

[Red Harper]

Look, he ain't got time for that now.

[Mrs. Benton]

Time ain't gonna mean anything to you anymore.

[Red Harper]

What do you mean?

[Mrs. Benton]

I was listening. I heard the proposition you made the doc about cutting me out.

[Red Harper]

What?

[Mrs. Benton]

I know you got your money hid in your order too.

[Red Harper]

Wait a minute.

[Mrs. Benton]

If I kill you with this operating knife, it'll look like the doc done it because he was drunk. Now, wait. Try to get up.

[Red Harper]

Hey, I'm getting up. You gotta listen to me. You gotta let me tell you where I go.

[Narrator]

And now, before the FBI file on the homicide hideout resumes, as it will in just a moment, here's that important message for homeowners and home buyers. This week I asked an Equitable Life Assurance Society field man what was the one ambition shared by more Americans than any other? Well, he thought a moment and answered. A man wants to say, this is my home. I own it. Yes, that's the typical American ambition. That's what most of us work and save for. A home of our own. And that's why there's nothing in the equitable society that gives us deeper satisfaction than our assured home ownership plan. A plan which offers you five important advantages. One, the mortgage is canceled, paid off in full if owner dies. And besides, every dollar previously paid on principal is returned in full to the widow along with a canceled mortgage. Two, a special cash fund is built up, ready to be used if financial emergencies threaten the home. Three, this cash fund increases as the mortgage shrinks. It can be used to shorten the term of the mortgage. Pay off a 20 year mortgage, for example, in as little as 14 years. Four, mortgage interest not at 6%, not at 5%, but at only 4%. Five, liberal allowance to cover title search, lawyers fees and other closing costs. No broker's commission, no bonus charges. Well, frankly, there is no other plan like this Anywhere. The Equitable Society calls it America's finest plan for home ownership. It protects you against the two major hazards of home mortgages. Death and hard times. So if you're planning to buy or build a house, or if you now own a home, get complete information on the assured home ownership plan from your Equitable Society representative. That's the Equitable Society. Equi T A B L E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States. And now back to the FBI file. The homicide hideout.

We repeat, no greater fallacy was ever uttered than there is honor, even among thieves. For as already demonstrated in tonight's case from the files of your FBI, in dealing with each other, criminals are still guided by the governing principles of their lives. Deceit, treachery, ruthlessness, and all other immoral qualities which combine to make the criminal dishonor incarnate. Shortly after the killing, Agent in Charge Willard of the Cincinnati office of the FBI and Special Agent Lynette reached the farm where they had reason to believe the wounded bank bandit Red Harper was hiding out. Inside, they found the man known as Doc Smith sitting on the floor in a daze. He was wearing a pair of rubber gloves. His right hand held a bloody scalpel. A few feet away lay the body of the bandit Hopper. Smith is just concluding a hazy account of events.

[Doc Smith]

Well, I remember the woman bringing me here to operate on that man. Yes, but after taking two or three drinks from a jar of liquor.

[Agent Willard]

A jar that's broken on the floor here?

[Doc Smith]

Yes. And after that? I don't remember anything else.

[Agent Willard]

When the woman drove into the village

[Agent Lynette]

for you, were you intoxicated then?

[Doc Smith]

I'm intoxicated most of the time, Mr. Lynn.

[Agent Lynette]

And you're a doctor?

[Doc Smith]

I was a doctor.

[Agent Lynette]

Is liquor the reason you're not a licensed doctor anymore?

[Doc Smith]

Yes.

[Agent Willard]

You say you don't even remember preparing to operate on that man?

[Doc Smith]

No, I don't. I. But judging from the rubber gloves I'm wearing, it seems evident that I did put faith in.

[Agent Willard]

Also seems evident that you killed him.

[Doc Smith]

I haven't examined the body since I came to.

[Agent Willard]

His throat was slashed.

[Doc Smith]

Well, then I. I guess I'm guilty.

[Agent Willard]

It's possible that you're not.

[Doc Smith]

What?

[Agent Willard]

The woman and her daughter are gone. They left in this bandit's car. And apparently with his share of the loot from the bank robbery. Yeah, but even you're wearing the rubber gloves, all right, holding the bloody scalpel. But you passed out from the effects of liquor, right?

[Doc Smith]

Yes.

[Agent Willard]

You would hardly have gotten up, put on rubber gloves, cut the man's throat and lay back down again beside that broken jar. Then what do you think, Lynette? I think you're right. They could have killed him, put the gloves on you, doctor, put the scalpel in your hand and left you to take the blame for the murder.

[Doc Smith]

Well, I'm sure they hated me enough to do that.

[Agent Lynette]

Why?

[Doc Smith]

Well, you see, the girl's face was hideously scarred from burns which I treated when I was drinking.

[Agent Willard]

I see. Burnett, put out a wider alarm in that car. And include the woman and the girl this time.

[Doc Smith]

Okay.

[Agent Willard]

And for the time being, doctor, you remain in our cust.

[Mrs. Benton]

Mom? Huh?

[Lena Benton]

What do we tell Uncle Walter when we get to Detroit?

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, it ain't strange for relations to go visiting each other.

[Lena Benton]

Yeah, but he won't know. How come we got a car like that?

[Mrs. Benton]

He ain't gonna know about no car. I'll fix that.

[Lena Benton]

Well, what about all the money we got?

[Mrs. Benton]

It's ours. We ain't gonna tell him nothing about it.

[Lena Benton]

Mom, what about the police?

[Mrs. Benton]

Now, don't start worrying about that again. I know, but if the police track the bank rubber to our shack. But before the doc comes to, they'll see for themselves that he done the murder.

[Lena Benton]

Yeah, but what if the duck comes to before the police get there?

[Mrs. Benton]

He's bound to think he done it and run off.

[Lena Benton]

Then the police will be looking for us.

[Mrs. Benton]

They ain't gonna find us.

[Lena Benton]

I hope you're right.

[Mrs. Benton]

Of course I am,

[Lena Benton]

Mom.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, we.

[Lena Benton]

We got lots of money now. And I was thinking. I was thinking maybe.

[Mrs. Benton]

Thinking what?

[Lena Benton]

Maybe one of those good doctors in Detroit could do something about my face.

[Mrs. Benton]

Sure. We'll find a good doc who'll make you just as pretty as I am.

[Agent Willard]

Good morning, Lynette. Morning.

[Agent Lynette]

Any results on the alarm we put out last night, Mr. Willard?

[Agent Willard]

No, not yet.

[Agent Lynette]

Did you arrange to keep Smith in

[Doc Smith]

the holdover all right?

[Agent Willard]

Yes, he's available on a moment's notice if we need him.

[Agent Lynette]

Good. Now, all we need is a break on that alarm.

[Agent Willard]

I'll take it. Willard speaking.

[Narrator]

Good.

[Agent Willard]

Put him on.

[Agent Lynette]

Got something?

[Agent Willard]

I hope so. Detroit office calling. Hello? Yeah. Yeah, fine. Start checking hotels, small ones in particular. Lynette and I will take the next plane. Right. What is it? Detroit police found the missing car abandoned there early this morning.

[Agent Lynette]

Any trace of the woman and girl?

[Agent Willard]

No, but it's a break to know what city they're in. I'll get Smith and we'll take the next plane for Detroit. Come on.

[U.S. Attorney]

The police and our agents have checked every hotel in Detroit, Willard, but no luck.

[Agent Willard]

Of course, there are a thousand other places in the city.

[Narrator]

They could be home.

[Agent Lynette]

They might even be staying with friends or relatives.

[U.S. Attorney]

Have you any information that might give us a lead in that direction?

[Agent Lynette]

No, but we can get to work on it.

[Agent Willard]

It'll take too long to check that angle, Annette. There's a quicker way to smoke them out.

[U.S. Attorney]

What's that?

[Agent Willard]

The newspapers here are known for their assistance with law enforcement agencies.

[U.S. Attorney]

Yes, they'd give us all the cooperation possible.

[Red Harper]

Good.

[Agent Willard]

Then we'll release a story with a Cincinnati date line that will put the woman and the girl at ease about the murder and take them off guard.

[Agent Lynette]

How do you mean?

[Agent Willard]

The story will tell of the cold blooded scalpel murder of the notorious bank bandit Red Harper and will say that the ex Dr. Smith has been arrested in connection with the slaying. Which is the truth.

[Agent Lynette]

Yes, but how's that going to lead us to the woman and the girl?

[Agent Willard]

I've got another idea for doing that. And if everything goes all right, we ought.

[Lena Benton]

Mom.

[Mrs. Benton]

Mom. What is it, Lena?

[Lena Benton]

That's what I saw in the evening paper. Well, it turned out just like you said. Doc Smith's been arrested for the murder of that bank robber. Look.

[Mrs. Benton]

Isn't that wonderful? Just like I told you all along. We ain't got nothing to worry about.

[Lena Benton]

Yeah, I know.

[Mrs. Benton]

Oh, you didn't let on to your Uncle Walter about what you read, did you?

[Lena Benton]

No, of course not. Oh, Mom.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well?

[Lena Benton]

Well, you said when we got here to Detroit, maybe we get a fine doctor to see if he could do something about my face.

[Mrs. Benton]

That's right.

[Lena Benton]

Well, here's a chance. Maybe, but it might cost a lot of money because he's so famous even if he will do it.

[Mrs. Benton]

What are you talking about, Lena?

[Lena Benton]

There's an article in this paper about a Dr. Gerard, a famous plastic surgeon.

[Mrs. Benton]

A what?

[Lena Benton]

Well, he does wonders fixing people like me.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, is he right here in Detroit?

[Lena Benton]

Yeah, yeah, he's staying at the Central Hotel.

[Mrs. Benton]

Then we'll go see him right now.

[Lena Benton]

But mom, the papers say he's not taking any cases.

[Mrs. Benton]

Never mind that. Put your hat on, Lena. We're going to see that doctor and make him do something for you.

[Lena Benton]

1728. This is his room, Mom.

[Mrs. Benton]

Well, knock on the door, Elena.

[Lena Benton]

But what if he won't take my case?

[Mrs. Benton]

He will when I'm through talking to him. Yeah, but if you won't knock on that door, I will. Famous or not. Don't scare me. Yes, I suppose you're the famous. Well, for the lover.

[Lena Benton]

Dr. Smith.

[Doc Smith]

Yes, and these gentlemen are Special agents of the FBI.

[Mrs. Benton]

What is this anyway?

[Agent Willard]

Mrs. Benton, we want the bank's money you took from the bandit Harper. And the state of Ohio will be warning you for his murder.

[Mrs. Benton]

I never murdered that bank robbery. Doc Smith done it.

[Agent Willard]

The fingerprints on a surgical knife are yours.

[Mrs. Benton]

What fingerprints are you talking about?

[Agent Willard]

You used your fingers to place the knife in Dr. Smith's hand. Take the girl, Annette. Let's be going.

[Narrator]

La Benton was returned to the stage of Ohio and tried for the murder of the bank Robert Harper. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. When one criminal meets death at the hands of another criminal, as in tonight's case from the files of your FBI we are inclined humanly enough to say good riddance and let it go at that. But the law does not let it go at that. To the law, murder is murder, no matter who commits it or who the victim. And your local law enforcement officers and your FBI have one duty, and one duty only, to enforce the law.

Now, just a few more quick facts about the Equitable Society's Assured Home Ownership Plan. If you're planning to buy or build a house, this plan can save you money. Or if you wish to finance your present home here also, this plan can save you money. So let me suggest that you look into the Assured Home Ownership Plan without further delay. The Equitable Society's representative nearest you will gladly explain the plan clearly and interestingly. He has literature that gives full details. Ask your Equitable representative today about this Assured Home ownership plan. America's finest plan for home ownership. Look in the phone book for the name. The Equitable Life Assurance Society. Equi T A B L E. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States.

Next week we will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Slaughterhouse Swindlers.

The incidents used in tonight's Equitable Life Assurance Societies broadcast are adapted 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 composed and conducted by 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 when the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States will bring you another colorful story from the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Slaughterhouse Swindlers on This is your FBI.

[Agent Willard]

This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.