Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Red Mystery Matter 12/20/1959

Summary

Podcast Summary

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Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Red Mystery Matter (12/20/1959)
Date: March 23, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this engaging episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," the beloved freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar finds himself drawn out to Lake Mojave Resort in Arizona by a cryptic and urgent phone call from his old friend and fishing guide, Red Barrett. What initially appears to be an invitation for some well-deserved fishing turns into a puzzling disappearance, a ransacked room, and ominous hints of tragedy. However, as Johnny unravels the "Red Mystery Matter," listeners are taken on a classic rollercoaster of suspense, humor, and a heartwarming holiday twist—proving that sometimes, the only crime is not taking enough vacation.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Call to Action: Red’s Mysterious Plea

• Johnny Dollar receives an urgent phone call (00:17) from Red Barrett, suggesting impending tragedy at Lake Mojave Resort.
  • Johnny is initially skeptical, thinking Red just wants him to come out and fish.
  • Red insists: “It ain’t what has, but what’s going to happen.” (01:51)
  • Red refuses to reveal details over the phone, increasing the suspense.
  • Red tries to manipulate Johnny: “If you just want to sit around up there in Hartford and let a terrible thing like this happen without even raising a finger, well, I just can’t believe you do that.” (02:26)
  • Red slyly lets Johnny know about a flight: “That airplane leaves New York city… gets you in Las Vegas about 9:45 tonight.” (02:47)

2. Journey to the Desert and Arrival at Lake Mojave Resort

• Johnny Dollar travels reluctantly to Nevada (05:02)
  • The narrative paints a vivid picture of the desert landscape and Las Vegas’ nightlights.
  • Upon arrival, Johnny is greeted by Buster Favor, who immediately deepens the mystery: “I sure hope he’s all right that you can find him.” (08:16)
  • Johnny learns Red Barrett is missing and might have been murdered. The evidence? A trashed room, Red’s absence, and a pool of blood (09:13).

3. The Case Deepens: Clues and Suspicions

• Johnny isn’t convinced of foul play.
  • He considers Red’s unpredictability and history of making grand exits.
  • Johnny: “He’s told me a dozen times about a gold mine he hoped to go to… or offers to work as a guide for other fishing spots.” (10:06)
  • The blood and chaos in the room raise stakes, but Johnny remains analytical: “Red’s phone call that brought me out here… If he’d thought that he himself was in danger, don’t you think he would have said so?” (11:35)
  • Buster and Ham Pratt (resort manager) admit the case doesn’t add up, but push the idea of tragedy.

4. Johnny Takes the Investigation Solo

• Johnny insists on handling the investigation alone (14:02)
  • He revisits Red’s room and notices oddities: the missing fishing equipment, the conspicuous lack of personal items (15:47).
  • Johnny finds fish scales amid the blood, suspecting the “blood” was staged.
  • An update: Red’s car was seen near a turnoff about 33 miles from Boulder City (13:09).

5. The Late Night Fishing and Realization

• Ham suggests a fishing trip to calm Johnny’s nerves (18:09).
  • In a rare moment of peace, Johnny allows himself to relax. “When those two six-pounders hit my lure… they did more to bring me back to normal than anything else in the world.” (19:01)
  • Overnight reflection leads Johnny to realize:
    • Red took his tackle and personal effects.
    • The blood was actually fish blood—no real violence.
    • Red likely orchestrated his own “disappearance.”

6. The Reveal: The Real “Mystery”

• The next morning, Johnny follows the clue to Temple Bar at Lake Mead.
  • There, Red Barrett is found alive and well, new job in hand, ready for fishing (20:26).
  • The truth: It was all a ruse to lure Johnny out for a desperately needed vacation, engineered by Red, Ham Pratt, and Pat McCracken (Johnny’s boss).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Red Barrett (on getting Johnny to come out):
  "If you just want to sit around up there in Hartford and let a terrible thing like this happen without even raising a finger, well, I just can't believe you do that." (02:26)

• Johnny Dollar (skeptically weighing the evidence):
  "If he'd thought that he himself was in danger, don't you think he would have said so?" (11:35)

• Red Barrett (the reveal):
  "Got a extra rod and reel and a bucket of live bait. You and me will go out there and slay 'em. Get in, Johnny. Get in." (20:32)

• Pat McCracken (letter segment, read by Johnny):
  "I'm convinced a man can take only so much. Even Johnny Dollar. And I'm afraid that unless he gets some rest and relaxation, he'll crack up one of these days. So if you and Ham Pratt can somehow contrive to get him out there for some of that fishing he loves so much, go to it." (21:33)

• Narrator (Johnny’s closing reflection):
  "A very wise man once said that the time a man spends in fishing is never deducted from his lifespan. And you know something? I, for one, am convinced that he was right. So, well, Merry Christmas to you all too. All of you. Yours truly, Johnny D." (22:30)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:17: Red’s urgent call to Johnny
• 02:26: Red guilt-trips Johnny to come
• 05:02: Johnny’s scenic narration of the journey west
• 08:16: Buster reveals Red is missing
• 09:13: Discovery of the ransacked room and blood evidence
• 13:09: Ham reports Red’s car sighting near Boulder City
• 14:02: Johnny insists on handling the case alone
• 15:47: Johnny finds fish scales in the blood
• 18:09: Ham and Johnny go fishing; mood lightens
• 20:26: Johnny locates Red at Temple Bar—reveal of the ruse
• 21:33: Pat McCracken’s letter revealed
• 22:30: Johnny’s philosophical sign-off and holiday wishes

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains the witty, dry, tongue-in-cheek style characteristic of "Johnny Dollar"—balancing suspense with heartfelt camaraderie. Pacing alternates between laconic narration, brisk dialogue, and the warmth of old friends plotting a gentle deception for Johnny’s own good.

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Conclusion

This episode of “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” delivers not only a classic mystery with comic misdirection but also a touching, festive message about the importance of friendship, rest, and stepping away from work—especially at Christmas. Red, Ham, and Pat’s elaborate plot to ensure Johnny gets his much-needed time off culminates in a joyful, memorable twist that’s sure to leave listeners smiling.

Transcript

[Announcer]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio. Where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Deller.

[Red Barrett]

Johnny, you better come flying out here just about as fast as you can.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, who's that?

[Red Barrett]

Johnny, this is Red.

[Narrator]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

Red who?

[Red Barrett]

Well, you know your favorite fishing guide, Red Barrett. That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Lake Mojave Resort out in Arizona.

[Red Barrett]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Red, you old scalawag, how are you? And how's the fishing?

[Red Barrett]

Just great. That is, if you know where the good holes are.

[Johnny Dollar]

And believe me, you do.

[Red Barrett]

Now that's really fact, Johnny. I really do. I guess I'm the best fishing guide this country ever saw.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and I suppose you think it's time I made another trip out there and tangled with some of those beautiful lunker bass.

[Red Barrett]

Well, now, John.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's no good, Red. I just can't do it.

[Red Barrett]

Now, you.

[Johnny Dollar]

The way the work is piled up on. I'm just about going crazy. I've been trying to get away for some kind of a vacation for weeks now, but I just can't do it.

[Red Barrett]

Sounds to me like you need it, too.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, it's been a tough year. No let up at all. Pat McCracken over at Universal Adjustment Bureau. Half a dozen of my other contacts, they've been begging me to take some time off, but I. I just can't, Red. I'm not on a regular payroll. I'm a freelance. So I have to take on every assignment that's handed me whether I like it or not. Look, you mentioned Mr. No use, Red. So don't make me feel any worse by talking about it. Me?

[Red Barrett]

That was your idea, huh? Did I say anything about fishing until you did?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now, wait. You mean there's some insurance matter I ought to look into out there?

[Red Barrett]

It Was this Pat McCracken you mentioned that said I better call you.

[Buster Favor]

Oh, great.

[Johnny Dollar]

And he's the one who's been after me to take a rest. So what's happened out there?

[Red Barrett]

That's the thing. It ain't what has, but what's going to happen. Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

Like what? Come on, get to the point, Red.

[Red Barrett]

Well, Johnny, when it does happen, well, it's going to be pretty tragic for Lake Mojave Resort.

[Johnny Dollar]

You mean somebody's trying to wreck the place? Something like that.

[Red Barrett]

Much worse, Johnny. Much worse.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, what is it?

[Red Barrett]

Well, I just don't think I ought to tell you over the phone.

[Johnny Dollar]

But, Red, unless I know if somebody

[Red Barrett]

was to hear Me talking to you this way, Red.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look.

[Red Barrett]

And anyhow, you'll find out soon enough when you get here, Johnny, and you won't like it. No, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Red, quit stalling, will ya?

[Red Barrett]

Of course, if you just want to sit around up there in Hartford and let a terrible thing like this happen without even raising the finger, well, I just can't believe you do that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, will you stop beating around the bush? Red.

[Red Barrett]

Red, I can't tell you over the phone. It's too often.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now listen, you old ghost.

[Red Barrett]

But Johnny, they say this airplane leaves New York city just about 12 o' clock noon.

[Johnny Dollar]

So what?

[Red Barrett]

So it'll get you in Las Vegas about 9:45 tonight. Okay?

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean, okay?

[Red Barrett]

I mean yes, you'd be sure and be on it, and I know you will.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, now look, I can't.

[Red Barrett]

Goodbye, Johnny.

[Buster Favor]

Red.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, if that crazy old coat thinks I'm gonna fly all the way out there just because he. And yet, if he was serious.

[Narrator]

CBS radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

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[Narrator]

And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal adjustment bureau, Hartford, Connecticut. Attention, Mr. Pat McCracken. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Red mystery matter. That crazy phone call from Red Barrett. I know that wild old character pretty well. I'm fully aware of his faculty for stretching the truth. Making a couple of mountains out of a molehill or two. And once or twice before, I'd wound up making the trip across the country just to wet a fishing line with him. And yet, those other times I'd fallen for his gag, I'd run headlong into serious insurance matters. Trouble with a capital T. And if he really meant what he said about something terrible impending at Lake Mojave Resort, well, there was one way to find out. Expense account item 1, $153 plain fare Hartford to New York to Las Vegas, Nevada. The awesome beauty of the clear night sky over the desert with its billions of stars twinkling in the black sky above. It's something I'll never tire of. The stars seem close enough to reach out and touch them. As the plane hit the glide path down to the landing strip at the south end of Las Vegas. The myriad many colored lights of the city winked and sparkled like the lights on a gigantic Christmas tree. Yeah, from the air, Las Vegas, the fabulous city of chance, is just plain beautiful. I'd like to have stuck around Vegas for a while and tried my hand at some of the casinos and clubs along the gambler's alley they call the Strip. But I had other things to do. So item two was 50 bucks deposit on a rental car. And within minutes after the plane landed, I was heading south and east across the desert down toward Davis Dam, down to Lake Mojave Resort. The desert. Mile after mile of nothing but sand and sagebrush and Joshua trees, of tumbleweed and cactus, of high plateaus and broad windswept mesas. Here and there, the skeleton of some animals perished in the remorse terrible summer sun. And then suddenly, in the middle of it, the life giving waters of Lake Mojave. At the south end of the lake, just above Davis Dam, is the resort with its clean, comfortable motel, a good restaurant, tackle shop and dock. Everything to warm the heart of a fisherman. Yeah. And in the bright light of the moon, I could see the lake itself, calm as a mill pond. That meant that unlike the cold and snow I'd left back east here it was warm and perfect weather for fishing. Took a bit of self control to keep from driving right on down to the doc. Instead, I circled the driveway to the office. As I pulled up to a stop in spite of the hour, someone came out to greet me. It was my old friend Buster Favor, general factotum at the resort.

[Buster Favor]

Yes, sir, can I help you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Buster, I think you can.

[Buster Favor]

What? Why, it's Johnny. Dolly.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now that. Hi, Buster.

[Buster Favor]

Johnny, it's a miracle.

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't see why. When I get word there's trouble around here.

[Buster Favor]

Oh, then you know, huh, Buster?

[Johnny Dollar]

I only know that something is about

[Buster Favor]

the police haven't had a chance to get over here yet.

[Narrator]

The police?

[Buster Favor]

Johnny, I sure hope he's all right that you can find him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Find who?

[Buster Favor]

Why, Red.

[Johnny Dollar]

Red Barrett.

[Buster Favor]

You mean you didn't know?

[Johnny Dollar]

Buster, what's happened to him?

[Buster Favor]

Johnny Red has.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, he's disappeared.

[Buster Favor]

Oh, and I could be awfully wrong. But from the looks of things, Johnny, wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

You think somebody could have murdered him?

[Buster Favor]

Come on, take you over to his room. You can see for yourself.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, Red phoned me in Hartford, Buster.

[Buster Favor]

He told me he had some premonition that something was gonna happen to him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that's just it. He didn't seem worried about himself. All he would say was, well, it

[Buster Favor]

sure looks like he should have been worried, Johnny. You know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Holy.

[Buster Favor]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

The room, a housekeeping unit was a shambles. Clothing pulled out of the drawers and closet as though somebody had ransacked the place looking for something.

[Buster Favor]

That stuff's all part of the uniforms he was wearing while he was working, Johnny. How much personal clothing stuff he had, I don't exactly know.

[Johnny Dollar]

So if anything, the furniture, though none of it was actually broken, was overturned and cluttering up the floor on the electric range in the kitchenette were the pots and pans he'd apparently used to cook his dinner. Some fish bones lay on a plate on the table.

[Buster Favor]

Probably one of the bass he caught this afternoon. Poor old fella went out fishing as usual, not realizing what was gonna happen to him after he came back here and had to suffer.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, wait. Wait a minute, Buster.

[Buster Favor]

Yeah, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

That he left here in a hurry is pretty obvious.

[Buster Favor]

Or his body was hauled out of.

[Johnny Dollar]

But I still don't see anything to indicate he was murdered or even badly hurt.

[Buster Favor]

Look here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then look, Buster, you know as well as I do how unpredictable Red is. Always getting restless. Always talking about going somewhere else, doing something else.

[Buster Favor]

I know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, he's told me a dozen times about a gold mine he hoped to go to back there and work someday 50 or 60 miles north of here, up near Lake Mead. He's told me about offers to work as a guide for other fishing spots. Johnny. So what makes you think he didn't just pack up and leave for some other place, some other job, without letting us know?

[Buster Favor]

And leaving things this way, Fred.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Sure, he was. So unless you can show me some good.

[Buster Favor]

Oh, yeah, Johnny, it's blood there on the floor. I'm sure of it.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's blood, all right.

[Buster Favor]

It still hasn't even dried either.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I see. All right, when did you find he was missing?

[Buster Favor]

When? Ham Pratt. What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you remember Ham, the manager of this place? Sure.

[Buster Favor]

Well, after supper, Ham came over here to talk to him. And, well, this is what he found.

[Johnny Dollar]

Do you know of any enemies he may have had, Red?

[Buster Favor]

Oh, no, sir. Of course, all of us used to get out of patience with him now and then. Some of the crazy things he'd do the wild stories he'd tell. But there wasn't one of us didn't love the crusty old coot. Same thing applied to everybody else who knew him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then why? Why would anybody want to do him in?

[Buster Favor]

I don't know. I can't figure it out. But it sure looks like somebody did.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny.

[Buster Favor]

You can see the evidence yourself.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, maybe.

[Buster Favor]

What do you mean by that?

[Johnny Dollar]

Red's phone call that brought me out here. If he'd thought that he himself was in danger, don't you think he would have said so?

[Buster Favor]

Yeah, I guess Red would have built it up too. Would have made it sound real dramatic.

[Narrator]

Sure he would. Sure he would.

[Johnny Dollar]

But instead he told me something tragic was gonna happen to the resort. Like what, Buster?

[Buster Favor]

Like nothing I can possibly think of. But now. Johnny, there's blood on the floor.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Hey, they'd. Red have a car?

[Buster Favor]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where is it?

[Buster Favor]

It's gone, Johnny. Whoever did. Well, did. Whatever they did to him must have used it to carry away his body.

[Johnny Dollar]

If they.

[Buster Favor]

Poor old Buster.

[Ham Pratt]

I've just got a lead on it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I am.

[Buster Favor]

Come in.

[Ham Pratt]

You see, I phoned everybody up and

[Johnny Dollar]

down the lake to look out for Johnny. Sam, how are you?

[Ham Pratt]

Buster's told you about Red.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. And in spite of this so called evidence around here, I still don't.

[Buster Favor]

John, he simply doesn't believe that Red was murdered.

[Ham Pratt]

But there's blood on the floor. The way things were left around or. Johnny, have you some reason for thinking he wasn't?

[Johnny Dollar]

First, I want some definite reason why he was. If you want the truth, I think you've both gone overboard about this.

[Ham Pratt]

Are you kidding?

[Johnny Dollar]

Give me a reason. A reason? For killing him? For anybody killing him. Just one good reason.

[Ham Pratt]

Well, now, Johnny.

[Buster Favor]

Johnny, there's blood on the floor.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah? Yeah, this. Hmm.

[Buster Favor]

What?

[Ham Pratt]

What is it?

[Buster Favor]

Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny, you haven't called in the police yet.

[Buster Favor]

Oh, I was just about to when you arrived.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you think I'd better call them then, right away?

[Buster Favor]

Yeah, Johnny, why don't you do that?

[Ham Pratt]

No, no, I've done something better, Johnny. I spread the word up and down the lake, all the way up the Colorado river by telephone. And listen, it's. It's paid off. That's what I came in here to tell you about. Well, I just got word that a car, same description as Red Barrett's, that it was seen pulling off Highway 93 about 33 miles this side of Boulder City.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hups.

[Buster Favor]

What? What, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

You want me to find poor old Red, huh? Well, of course, if the police.

[Buster Favor]

Poor Old fella still alive.

[Johnny Dollar]

And maybe I will. And when I do, I have a sneaking suspicion I may have a score to settle with you two.

[Ham Pratt]

Now just a minute, Johnny. If you mean to imply that either of us did.

[Narrator]

Hear me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I didn't say that.

[Buster Favor]

Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean you don't know, buster?

[Buster Favor]

Well, if you think you can find Red and if I can be of any help to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, no. That's exactly what I don't want.

[Ham Pratt]

Well, now, Johnny, just let me work

[Johnny Dollar]

out this little mystery myself. Well, of course. No help. No interference from either of you.

[Buster Favor]

Johnny, this isn't like you. I don't understand.

[Johnny Dollar]

You don't?

[Buster Favor]

I swear it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, we'll see.

[Narrator]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment.

[Mel Torme]

Welcome recording star, Mel Torme.

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[Narrator]

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[Johnny Dollar]

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[Narrator]

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[Johnny Dollar]

Suddenly things have begun to add up. Yeah, from right in the beginning, when Red had mentioned over the phone that he'd Talked with Pat McCracken at Universal Adjustment Bureau. Had Red called Pat or vice versa? And there was the lamp there in Red's room. Apparently knocked to the floor in a struggle. But not even the bulb was broken. The clothes that were left, only the uniforms he'd worn while at work. Was that supposed to mean that the only personal things he had were those he was wearing when he disappeared? Hardly. Then there was that spot of blood on the floor. A fish scale. A single scale in the middle of it. I had no microscope to Examine that blood. Probably wouldn't have known how to use it anyway. But I had a sneaking suspicion there was something very, very. Yeah. Knowing Red and Ham and buster and Pat McGraggin pretty well. Okay. The first thing I did after Ham and Buster left me alone was to look over the room again. And yes, one parcel of equipment that should have been there was conspicuously absent. I went down to the boat dock and found the old Arkansas Traveler that Red had always used to fish in. Uh huh. It was empty. Absolutely empty of the stuff I knew he always kept in it.

[Ham Pratt]

Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wow. What are you doing up and around this time of night, Ham?

[Ham Pratt]

Oh, just sort of checking up on things.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, or checking up on me.

[Ham Pratt]

Oh, now, Johnny, you hoping to find some lead on Red there and his boat?

[Johnny Dollar]

I found exactly what I expected.

[Buster Favor]

Ham?

[Johnny Dollar]

Nothing.

[Ham Pratt]

I don't understand. Don't you, Johnny? What goes with you? You've certainly been acting kind of feisty this trip.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, well, I'm sorry.

[Ham Pratt]

Now, if you feel you have some lead on Red, on what may have happened to him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, yeah. Yeah, I think I have. And you helped to give it to me.

[Ham Pratt]

I did.

[Johnny Dollar]

But there's no point in following it up till morning. What?

[Ham Pratt]

What is the lead?

[Johnny Dollar]

No help, no interference, remember?

[Ham Pratt]

Okay, Johnny, whatever you say. No use doing anything till morning.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right.

[Buster Favor]

And you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well. Well what?

[Ham Pratt]

I'm just thinking. Remember a couple of moonlight nights like this when you were here before? How you and I took the work boat, a couple of fishing rods, how we plugged those deep coves just above the dam.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, we took some nice fish out

[Buster Favor]

of there, didn't we?

[Red Barrett]

Yeah.

[Ham Pratt]

I'm going to be blunt with you, Johnny. You aren't yourself. You're a bundle of nerves. Been working too hard.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, much too hard.

[Ham Pratt]

Well, one great cure for that. Why don't we go out there and pick us up a couple of nice baths?

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay? Why not?

[Ham Pratt]

Unless of course, you feel you ought to do something more about finding Red.

[Johnny Dollar]

I told you, no more until morning. I also told you I. Oh, I. I'm sorry. Let's go fishing.

[Buster Favor]

Sure, Johnny,

[Johnny Dollar]

I understand. Yeah, I. I guess you do. Maybe I had been a little feisty, as Hammond put it. And he was right about the fishing. Out there in the smooth black water with the bright moonlight overhead. When those two six pounders hit my lure and I carefully played them into the boat, believe me, they did more to bring me back to normal than anything else in the world.

[Red Barrett]

Could it.

[Johnny Dollar]

That night, for the first time in weeks, I slept like A baby. Then first thing in the morning. Well, the whole thing really wasn't too hard to figure out. Red was a fisherman every day of his life. But I'd found no sign of his tackle there in the rope or in the boat he'd always used. In other words, no matter how or why he'd left, he himself must have taken those things with him. Also his personal clothes and stuff. But naturally not. The uniforms that belong to the resort. The blood on the floor from one of the bass he'd had for dinner. Carefully put there after he turned the room inside out. As for his whereabouts, Ham had given me the clue. When he told me Red's car had been seen at the highway turn off. 33 miles south of Boulder City. That turnoff led to only one place. A fishing camp at the lower end of Lake Mead known as Temple Bar. And when I got there, sure enough, waiting for me in his outboard beside the dock. Red Barrett.

[Red Barrett]

All ready for you, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, Red, you rascal. Got a extra rod and reel and

[Red Barrett]

a bucket of live bait. You and me will go out there and slay him. Get in, Johnny. Get in.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, Red. Why not?

[Red Barrett]

Ah, it's a boy. Here we go. Yeah, I just knew a smart man like you could track me down.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, you're working here now, huh? Well, I got kind of restless and

[Red Barrett]

thought maybe I'd make a change. And as long as Ham Brat was willing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then Ham was in on this plot to get me out here. Why, sure he was. And the terrible things to happen at Lake Mojave. Why, of course, Johnny. They've lost me, haven't they? Ah, you old son of a gun. Hey, Buster in on it too? No.

[Red Barrett]

Ham's probably telling him about it right now. Probably showing him the letter he got from Mr. McCracken.

[Johnny Dollar]

McCracken? Pat McCracken?

[Winston Cigarette Announcer 2]

Yeah.

[Red Barrett]

Now, maybe you better read this one that he wrote to me. First part. Just the usual how do's. But they're here.

[Johnny Dollar]

And, Red, I'm convinced a man can take only so much. Even Johnny Dollar. And I'm afraid that unless he gets some rest and relaxation, he'll crack up one of these days. So if you and Ham Pratt can somehow contrive to get him out there for some of that fishing he loves so much, go to it. If he catches on, if he starts worrying about the expense, tell him it's on the house.

[Red Barrett]

Tell him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell him. Merry Christmas.

[Buster Favor]

Sincerely yours.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, God bless Pat McCracken. As for you, Red, you old reprobate. Johnny, there's a hole over near the

[Red Barrett]

Jip beds where there's old Ten Pounder laying under a rock. Just wait for you, me brother.

[Narrator]

Let's go.

[Johnny Dollar]

A very wise man once said that the time a man spends in fishing is never deducted from his lifespan. And you know something? I for one, am convinced that he was right. So, well, Merry Christmas to you all too. All of you. Yours truly, Johnny D.

[Narrator]

Our star will return in just a moment. Every year, some Christmas celebrations are ruined by fire. A little precaution can prevent a Christmas fire from happening in your home. First of all, make sure your tree is on a firm foundation so it can't fall over. Then be sure to use only approved lighting. Wiring that's frayed may be dangerous. Replace it. Never use lighted candles. Let all the glow of Christmas come from within, not from fire. With a safe Christmas plan, here's an idea for Christmas giving.

[Buster Favor]

Almost Christmas. No time to lose.

[Johnny Dollar]

Lots and lots of gifts to choose. Give him. Give her a gift set by Yardley for her.

[Buster Favor]

An array of all new Yeardley gifts. $1.50 to 13 cents a Yardley red roses, spray mist and soap set. $3 and 50 cents, all prices plus tax.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yardley, give him. Give her a gift set. My Yardley.

[Narrator]

Now here is our star to tell you about next week's story.

[Johnny Dollar]

Next week, a man, a girl and a gangster. That's right. They add up to trouble me. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Forrest Lewis, Barney Phillips, Alan Reed Sr. And Lawrence Dobkin. Be sure to join us next week, say in time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking.

[Mel Torme]

Now stay tuned for suspense, which follows next on the CBS Radio Network.

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