BONUS - Play Ball! (Boston Blackie & The Saint)

Summary

Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

Episode: BONUS - Play Ball! (Boston Blackie & The Saint)
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts

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Episode Overview

This bonus episode celebrates the start of a new baseball season by featuring two classic old-time radio mysteries set in the world of baseball:

• "Boston Blackie": An on-field murder mystery.
• "The Saint": A tale of corruption, blackmail, and father-son drama centered around rumors of baseball game-fixing.

Both stories, rich with witty banter, hardboiled investigation, and baseball lore, immerse listeners in the compelling intersection of America’s favorite pastime and classic detective fiction.

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Segment 1: Boston Blackie – "Murder at the Ballpark"

(Begins at 02:33)

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• Setting the Scene
  The story opens with talk of rearranging the baseball lineup due to an injured player, setting up the world of the players, the camaraderie, and establishing Mike Allen as a star, well-liked ("There never was a cleaner ballplayer in the business than Mike." – Lefty Jones, 05:15).

• The Murder
  During a game, Mike Allen hits a line drive, slides into second base ... then collapses, shot dead ("Mike Allen isn't getting up ... he's bleeding from a hole in the top of his head." – 04:43). Chaos ensues.

• Investigation Begins

  • Inspector Faraday questions the team, but no clear motive emerges.
  • Boston Blackie, perennial suspect and amateur sleuth, is drawn in because Mike called him before the game.
  • Faraday suspects Blackie, leading to their usual banter:

    "Faraday, in reply to your most recent and most ridiculous suspicions, may I say that, A, I did not kill Mike Allen, B, I came to the park ... and C, I am going to help you find Allen's killer." — Blackie (07:46)

• Blackie's Fieldwork

  • Blackie retraces the crime, reconstructing Mike's slide at second base with Mary Wesley (09:20–10:52).
  • Using ballgame knowledge, Blackie deduces the killer was positioned behind the scoreboard (12:01).

• Escalation: Second Murder

  • They find the scoreboard boy murdered as well (13:11).
  • Faraday arrives, finds Blackie at the scene, renews suspicions.

• Digging Deeper

  • Blackie and sidekick Shorty visit the team hotel and question Lefty Jones's wife.
  • Tense run-in with the hotel desk clerk, Mr. French, who quickly betrays Blackie to the authorities when requested by Mrs. Jones (19:45–20:02).

• Break in the Case

  • Blackie sets a trap, pretending to be the porter, Ernest, to blackmail French, implying he witnessed French near the scoreboard (21:07–21:48).
  • Discusses the critical clue: The batting order switch put Mike Allen in Lefty’s usual lineup spot, suggesting the real target was Lefty (21:51–22:27).

• Climactic Confrontation

  • Blackie and Faraday catch French as he attempts to pay off the 'porter,' with Blackie having tricked him into a confession (26:36–27:48).

• Resolution

  • Blackie closes with a wry observation:

    "French had never been to a baseball game until the day he went and killed Allen ... the first time he sees the national pastime, it's his last." (28:28–28:41)

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Investigation Techniques:
  "You waste too much time on me, Faraday." — Blackie (15:24)
• Blackie's Wit:
  "You’ll need an awfully big scorebook to keep the errors you make before you finally strike out on this case." — Blackie to Faraday (09:02)
• Fieldwork Detail:
  "There are two kinds of slides ... In the fallaway, the runner comes in feet first ... in the stomach slide, the top of his head is toward the scoreboard. Faraday figured Allen used the fallaway slide ... But I saw him come in on his stomach ... the shot came from behind the scoreboard." — Blackie (11:23–12:02)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:33 — Ballgame setup, batting order shift.
• 04:43 — The murder on the field.
• 09:20 — Nighttime ballpark investigation.
• 12:01 — Blackie deduces murder's position.
• 13:11 — Discovery of the murdered scoreboard boy.
• 21:07 — Blackie’s ruse as the porter, blackmail setup.
• 26:36 — Final showdown with Mr. French.

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Segment 2: The Saint – "Baseball Murder"

(Begins at 29:11)

Key Discussion Points & Plot Summary

• Setting
  Simon Templer ("The Saint") is asked by former major leaguer Lefty Miller to look into rumors of "fixed" Blue Sox games, fearing his son Phil—now also a player—is being targeted by corrupt gamblers (32:31–34:07).

• Baseball, Family, and Corruption

  • Strong emotional undercurrents: Lefty is estranged from his son, haunted by his past and determined to protect Phil from criminal influence.
  • A femme fatale, Diane Courtney, is seen cozying up to Phil and becomes a central figure in the suspected scheme.

• The Femme Fatale

  • Templer flirts with Diane, probing her relationship to Phil and her motives.
  • She cryptically admits, "I need help. Believe me, I need help." — Diane (36:01)

• Violence Strikes

  • Templer is warned off (and beaten up) by Diane's muscle, Frankie ("My analyst says I shouldn’t get insulted at remarks by neurotics," – Frankie, 38:00).
  • Clue left: A business card for "The Fixer," suggesting deeper criminal involvement.

• Tragedy and More Mystery

  • Lefty, investigating leads on his own, is found dead; it’s staged as a suicide, but Templer sees through the ruse (42:00–42:08).
  • Investigating further, Templer and his cabbie friend Louie search Diane's hotel room for evidence (43:58). Diane acts terrified but stonewalls him.

• The Fix and the Trap

  • The plan: Get Phil to throw a game, using Diane's influence and possible blackmail.
  • Templer learns the "fix" is a setup. The true aim is to compromise Phil so the mob can control him when he makes it to the majors ("...when you get there, you’ll do what the fixer tells you because there’s a club over your head." — Templer, 49:13).

• Climactic Showdown

  • In Diane's room, as the criminal scheme is revealed, Phil confronts the truth.
  • Diane is unmasked as 'The Fixer,' the criminal mastermind, not merely a pawn ("The Fixer is you." — Templer, 51:13).

• Resolution

  • Phil regains his integrity, reporting the criminals.
  • Templer offers a mournful reflection on corruption and parental love, quoting Marlowe:

    "Crime detection is an adventure in search of the hidden truth." (43:58)

  • A closing exchange sums up the human and emotional toll:

    "He did [like me], then. More than anything else." — Phil Miller, about his late father (52:33).

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Baseball and Life:
  "You kind of quiet today, Mr. Templar? My silence, friend Louis, is purely comparative." — Templer, wryly (31:27)

• On Corruption:
  "Dirty money has a smell to it. And I’m beginning to smell it." — Templer (47:55)

• Femme Fatale Psychology:
  "I think Diane felt an urge to corrupt, Louie. To feel power, revenge perhaps for something hidden in her past." — Templer (53:24)

• On Redemption:
  "I pitched a three hit shutout. I figured it was the least I could do for Lefty." — Phil Miller (51:53)

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Key Timestamps

• 32:31 — Lefty explains fears for his son, Phil.
• 36:01 — Diane asks the Saint for help.
• 38:00 — Saint is assaulted by Frankie.
• 42:00–42:08 — Templer finds Lefty’s body, suspects murder.
• 49:13 — The “trap” for Phil explained.
• 51:13 — Diane revealed as The Fixer.
• 52:33 — Phil’s emotional resolution about his father.

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Memorable Moments & Episode Tone

• Classic Detective Banter:
  • Trademark rapid exchanges between hero and antagonist, with sharp retorts and humor (e.g., Blackie and Faraday’s verbal fencing).
• Emotional Stakes:
  • Both tales balance wit and personal stakes: the loss of a friend, a son's redemption, the seduction of innocence by crime.
• Baseball as Microcosm:
  • The great American game serves as a stand-in for a society where honor and loyalty are always at risk from greed.

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Why Listen?

This episode is a perfect sampler of golden age radio detective storytelling—incisively plotted, humor-tinged, and emotionally resonant, set against the nostalgia of the baseball diamond. Both mysteries unpack human motivations as deftly as they unravel clues, making the old games feel as current as ever.

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Table of Important Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|------------| | Opening & Introduction | 00:57–02:33 | | Boston Blackie: Lineup & Murder | 02:33–04:47 | | Blackie’s Ballpark Investigation | 09:20–13:11 | | Showdown: Hotel & The Killer | 21:07–28:41 | | The Saint: Setup & Father’s Fears | 29:11–34:07 | | Femme Fatale’s Trap Revealed | 36:01–38:00 | | Lefty’s Death & Coverup | 42:00–42:08 | | Final Confrontation & Resolution | 49:13–53:24 |

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Original radio dialogue, banter, and the stylings of hardboiled detection flow directly from the classic scripts, capturing the tension and warmth of detective radio at its best.

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For fans of mystery, baseball, or old-time radio, this episode is an all-star doubleheader.

Transcript

[Boston Blackie]

Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those

[Inspector Faraday]

who travel it wind up in the

[Boston Blackie]

gut of the prison of the grave. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective the

[Inspector Faraday]

Adventures of the Saint, starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Hello and welcome to a midweek bonus episode of down these Mean Streets. A new baseball season begins this week and to celebrate the return of America's

[Boston Blackie]

pastime, we've got a pair of old

[Narrator]

time radio mysteries set in and around the diamond. First up is a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie, starring Richard Kalmer, where a ballplayer is murdered right in the middle of a game. Then Vincent Price stars as the Saint in Baseball Murder. Originally aired on NBC on September 3, 1950, where a veteran player asks Simon Templer to investigate rumors of fixed games. I'll be back on Sunday with another regular episode of the podcast. But now let's play ball with with Boston Blackie and the Saint.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, Lefty. Lefty, come here, will you? Sure, boss. What's up? I'm shifting the batting order for today's game. Huh? I'm going to have Bruce lead off, Duncan batting second, and I'm moving you up to third. Mike Allen will bat fourth in your old spot. All right with me, boss. Just stick me anywhere in the lineup where I get a chance to poke a couple and I'm happy right now. Lefty, your team captain, write out that new batting order and give it to the umps, will you? Sure, boss. And tell Mike that he's batting forth. By the way, where is he? He's around for batting practice. He's still around. He's over there in the corner making a phone call. I'll go tell him. Tell him I won't hate him if he puts a couple out of the park. Okay, but I got an idea. He knows that. How's the arm, Joe? Oh, it's coming around. Steve's been working on it. Good.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello?

[Inspector Faraday]

Have a double, Mike. Bad connection. I think it's okay now.

[Narrator]

Hello? Hello?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello? I can hear you now. Okay. Is Blackie home?

[Narrator]

No, he's not.

[Inspector Faraday]

This is Shorty.

[Narrator]

Who's this?

[Inspector Faraday]

This is Mike Allen. Look, tell Boston Blackie I've got to talk to him. I'll call him right after the game today. And now back to our story. And in a few moments we'll meet Dick Kalmer as Boston. Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend. This is Clem McCarthy continuing with the last half of the first inning, folks, no score as yet. No score and two out, and Roos is at second. Mike Allen is up.

[Mary Wesley]

Here comes Shorty. Do we have to listen to this?

[Inspector Faraday]

I just want to hear what Mike Allen told you just before game time. And I talked to him personally.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay?

[Inspector Faraday]

Bradley sneaks a look at second place, close to the bag. Now it's facing the plate. Here comes the pitch. Allen swings. It's a line drive over the third baseman's head. Coming in standing up, Allen's hitting for second. Maguire fires the ball. Allen slides and he's safe.

[Narrator]

We're in.

[Inspector Faraday]

But wait a minute, folks, wait a minute. Alan isn't getting up. He may have twisted his ankle. Harry, hand me those field glasses, please.

[Mary Wesley]

Thank you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Folks, Mike Allen didn't twist his ankle. He's bleeding from a hole in the top of his head.

[Narrator]

What?

[Inspector Faraday]

Here it looks like he's been shot, and it looks as if he's dead. Holy mackerel. Okay, now, you ballplayers, all of you, line up against those dressing room lockers. Now, where's the manager? Which one of you is the manager of this club?

[Boston Blackie]

I am the Inspector Ferraday. I'm MacDonald.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, you, one of your ball players was shot with a rifle a little while ago out in the ballpark. Now, who could have killed him?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know, Inspector Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

You don't know? I don't know. Who does know. Any of you guys got any ideas? How about you? Who are you? First, I'm Lefty Jones, Inspector. I'm captain of the team. All I can tell you is there never was a cleaner ballplayer in the business than Mike. Or a cleaner living guy, either. Everybody liked him. Is that right, Mack? Oh, fine. Well, he was killed, so somebody didn't like him. Now, we know it wasn't any of you guys. From the angle of the bullet, we know the shot came from the center field stands. But from who in the stands? There were thousands of people out there. Look, Inspector, Mike was my friend. Whoever did kill Mike better hope that you find him before I do, because it'd be a pleasure to bounce a bat off his head. We don't know anything. You told my assistant an hour ago that you remember Mike calling Boston Blackie before the game. Yes, but Blackie wasn't home, and I don't know what he wanted to talk to him about. Man, I got Men out looking for Blankie. Now, let's get down to facts. You Donlon?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, sir.

[Inspector Faraday]

You got any reason to believe Mike Allen was mixed up with anything crooked? Mike? Not him, Lefty. Told you he was the cleanest ball player in the league.

[Narrator]

Do what?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I. All right, you get in there. Blackie, Come on inside. Here he is, Inspector Boston, Blackie. I found him snooping around out in the ground. Oh, yeah? Okay, you guys sit around on those benches over there and relax.

[Boston Blackie]

Take it easy.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, Blackie, so Mike Allen made a phone call to you before the game, huh? What did he want?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know. I wasn't home before the game.

[Inspector Faraday]

Where were you?

[Boston Blackie]

Out.

[Inspector Faraday]

You're gonna be a whole lot more out before I get through with you. Where were you when Alan was shot?

[Boston Blackie]

Still in the same place, Faraday? Out.

[Inspector Faraday]

Out where?

[Boston Blackie]

No place in particular. Just out.

[Inspector Faraday]

Rollins, grab his arms. Yes, sir. Now maybe we'll get somewhere.

[Boston Blackie]

Just a minute, Rawlins. You haven't got this arm very tight.

[Inspector Faraday]

Here.

[Boston Blackie]

Try a better grip.

[Inspector Faraday]

How's that?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, good and tight. Okay, that'll do it. What now, inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Now I search you, that's what. Let's see your coat pockets. Mm. Change. Hyperclip. What's that for, Blankie?

[Boston Blackie]

The club papers. Paradise. See? You learn something every day.

[Inspector Faraday]

And this, what's this, a hat check? No, it's a rain check for a ball game. For this ball game too. What do you know about that? So you were in the stands watching the ball game this afternoon, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Guilty as charged. What's the penalty for that?

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll penalty you. I'll find a reason for you to kill Alan. I'll prove you had the opportunity.

[Boston Blackie]

Faraday, dear friend. Faraday, in reply to your most recent and most ridiculous suspicions, may I say that, A, I did not kill Mike Allen, B, I came to the park here today to see a ball game, and C, I am going to help you find Alan's killer.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, yeah? Well, D, E and F, you're gonna keep out of my way. And you're not leaving town. You get that? Now, what's that?

[Boston Blackie]

A very pretty. What's that? I'd say. Lefty.

[Narrator]

Lefty, where are you?

[Inspector Faraday]

Here I am, honey, right here. What's the matter?

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Lefty, thank goodness you're all right. I heard over the radio that a ball player was killed.

[Inspector Faraday]

I thought. Just what did you think, lady?

[Mary Wesley]

Who are you?

[Boston Blackie]

He's Inspector Faraday of the police. And if you stay here one more minute, he'll make you a suspect.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now, this Is my wife. Inspector, darling, it was Mike who was shooting.

[Mary Wesley]

Mike? Oh, no.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, Mike will be glad to hear that.

[Mary Wesley]

Mike? Dead. Oh, Lefty, I can't believe it.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's true, dear. I know it's hard to realize. Okay. Now, where were we?

[Boston Blackie]

You, my dear Inspector, were in a blizzard as usual. Now, I have a request to make. May I go?

[Inspector Faraday]

Why not? I can always lay my hands on you when I want you. I've got all these ball players to question. Only keep away from this ballpark, you hear, Blackie? Keep away.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay, pal, I'll run home now. But you'll need an awfully big score book to keep the errors you make before you finally strike out on this case.

[Mary Wesley]

All right, Blackie. Now that I've ripped my only pair of nylons climbing over a fence to get in here, tell me what we're doing in a ballpark at 10 o' clock in the evening.

[Boston Blackie]

We're going to see a ball game, darling.

[Mary Wesley]

At this time?

[Boston Blackie]

It's a night game.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, without any lights?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure.

[Boston Blackie]

The fireflies are playing the mosquitoes.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie, please.

[Boston Blackie]

Please you or please what?

[Mary Wesley]

Please tell me what we're doing here. You told me you'd tell me. Why, we were here when we got here. All right, we're here now. Why?

[Boston Blackie]

I also told you that I didn't want you to come. Why don't you remember that, Mary?

[Mary Wesley]

My memory's a convenient kind. Besides, if I didn't come, who would hold your flashlight?

[Boston Blackie]

I would.

[Mary Wesley]

Then I'm glad I came. I don't trust you with a flashlight. You'd probably trip over something and break your neck.

[Narrator]

Who, me?

[Boston Blackie]

I never tripped over anything in my.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, what were you saying?

[Boston Blackie]

Whoever left a picture's box in the middle of a basement?

[Mary Wesley]

That one's very, very careful. Come on, Blackie, tell me what we're doing here.

[Boston Blackie]

All right, we're on the way to second base. That's it, right over there.

[Mary Wesley]

That's very helpful. Thank you very much. And now tell me, what's second base?

[Boston Blackie]

It's what Mike Allen was sliding into when the shot caught him in the top of the head.

[Mary Wesley]

Darling, we know that. Why come out here?

[Boston Blackie]

I want to try something. Here we are, Mary. Now, as I remember the game this afternoon, Mike Allen got up to the plate, wiggling his bat and moving around. He wasn't much of a target until after he hit the ball and slid into second base here. Then for a moment he was still.

[Mary Wesley]

Go ahead.

[Boston Blackie]

That was the moment the murderer was waiting for. He fired the shot that killed Mike Faraday figured the angle of the bullet indicated the gun was fired from the grandstand. I want to see if he's right.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay, but what do I do all this time?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, you're the second baseman.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, goody.

[Boston Blackie]

You stand right there. That's right. Now I'm gonna be Mike sliding in. I'll start the slide from about here. And here I come.

[Mary Wesley]

You ruin your suit.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, not to mention what I did to my stomach in Faraday's theory. Oh, Mary, listen, there are two kinds of slides. One is the fallaway where the runner comes into the base feet first.

[Mary Wesley]

All right, I'm listening.

[Boston Blackie]

The other is where he comes sliding in on his stomach.

[Mary Wesley]

Just like you did.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, and here's the big difference in the fall away. The top of the slider's head is out toward the stands in the stomach slide. The top of his. It's toward. Yeah, let's see. It's toward the scoreboard, Mary. Faraday figured that Allen used the fallaway slide. That's natural. Most ball players do.

[Mary Wesley]

What, didn't Allen?

[Boston Blackie]

No, he came in on his stomach. I saw the game today. Faraday figured the shot came from the stands. Actually, it came from behind the scoreboard. Let's take a look at that score. Here are the steps leading up to the back of the scoreboard, Mary. That's what we want to see. Come on.

[Mary Wesley]

Listen, darling, we walked up here awful fast. Just wait till I get my breath there.

[Boston Blackie]

Fine beauty you are. You take your own breath away.

[Mary Wesley]

Fine friend you are. Get me out to a ball field and don't even throw me a ball to catch.

[Boston Blackie]

You've got enough trouble catching your own breath. Is it? Do I?

[Mary Wesley]

Whoa, whoa. It's open now. You can't show off and pick the lock. Okay. At least I get some compensation from that.

[Boston Blackie]

It shouldn't be open. Well, come on inside and let's have that flashlight.

[Mary Wesley]

Right. Here it is. And here I am.

[Boston Blackie]

The way I figure this, Mary, the murderer hid up here until he could get a good shot at Mike Allen. When Alan slid, he shot.

[Mary Wesley]

But wasn't there a boy up here? A boy who puts the balls and strikes and outs and everything up there should have been.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, there was a boy here, Mary. There he is over there in the corner. The murderer probably knocked him out, but he hit too hard.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Blackie. He's dead. No wonder the door wasn't locked.

[Boston Blackie]

No sign of who the murderer might have been.

[Mary Wesley]

Blacky, let's get out of here. If Faraday ever finds you here with that body. He'll never let you out of jail.

[Boston Blackie]

I know, but what would Faraday be doing here?

[Inspector Faraday]

What would Faraday be doing up here? I'd be following you, Blakey.

[Boston Blackie]

You could get a bloodhound to do that. He'd do it faster and look better than you do.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ah. I thought I told you to stay away from here, Blanky.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, I suppose you did. But you didn't tell Ms. Wesley to stay away. And I couldn't let her come out here unescorted, could I, Inspector?

[Mary Wesley]

Do you know that at first he wanted to let me come out here alone? The cad.

[Inspector Faraday]

Ms. Wesley, don't I have enough trouble with Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Aren't you sure, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, sure I'm sure. And I'm also sure that you had something to do with the murder of Mike Allen. That ought to prove to you, Blankie, you're not so smart and I'm not so dumb. Now back to boston, blackie. After Mike Allen, baseball star, is mysteriously shot while sliding into second base, it is learned from Lefty Jones, another ball player and his wife, that Mike had the cleanest record of any man in the major leagues. Boston, Blackie. Inspector Faraday's perennial suspect has figured out that the shot that killed Allen came from behind the baseball scoreboard. And he's investigating the scoreboard when Faraday surprises him. To complicate matters, the scoreboard boy has been found murdered. As we return to our story, it is a few minutes later. Blackie, Mary Wesley and Faraday are still up behind the score.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all I've got to tell you, pal. You were following me, so you know I didn't kill this boy here. All I've done so far is show you where the shot that killed Alan came from.

[Inspector Faraday]

Lanky, why is it you always show me something? You think I don't know why, Inspector?

[Boston Blackie]

Because I always have one less suspect look for than you do. You waste too much time on me, Lecky.

[Mary Wesley]

I'd like to go home, please.

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you asking him for? I'm the one who decides where you're gonna go.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, where am I going to go, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

Home. Take her home, Blackie. And believe me, if you don't stay out of this case from here in, it'll be bad news for you.

[Boston Blackie]

Believe me, Inspector, if I do stay out of this case, that'll be good news for the murderer.

[Inspector Faraday]

It don't look like much of a hotel to me, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

You've got to take what you can get nowadays, Shorty. Besides, baseball players travel a lot and they're used to once over lightly. Accommodations. Let's go in. Push the revolving door, Shorty. I want to know what it's like to be a parasite.

[Narrator]

Okay, boss.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't look like much of a lobby either.

[Boston Blackie]

Nobody around except the porter. Oh, boy.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes? Is there something I can do for you?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah. Where is everybody? How do I find out a certain room number?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, if I want any information around here, I'd go ask the clerk.

[Narrator]

There he is.

[Inspector Faraday]

The desk is over there in the corner, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

You're so right, Shorty. Thanks, boy.

[Narrator]

That's all right, boss.

[Inspector Faraday]

Neatly and all.

[Boston Blackie]

What is there about me that attracts characters? Surely.

[Mary Wesley]

Meaning me, boss?

[Boston Blackie]

Let's just say including you. Oh, I beg your pardon, sir. I'd like some information, please. Yes, sir. Would you tell me what room Lefty Jones is in, please? I'll have to announce you, sir. And the Jones phone is busy. Would you mind waiting? Not at all. By the way, do many of the ball players stop here? No, sir, not many. Only Mr. And Mrs. Jones. Mr. And Mrs. Jones? What position does she play? I beg your pardon?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sorry.

[Narrator]

Ain't you, boss?

[Boston Blackie]

Very. Say, that was a terrible thing out at the ballpark today, wasn't it? Yes, it certainly was. Mr. Allen used to come here to visit the Joneses very often. He was a great ball player. Ever seen him play? No. My work here is pretty confining. And I never did have much of an interest in baseball. Oh, the Jones wire is free. Who shall I say is calling? Boston. Blackie.

[Narrator]

Just a moment, please.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello? Oh, Mrs. Jones, this is Mr. French at the desk. There's a Mr. Boston Blackie to see you. Very well. You may go right up. The elevator is over there.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's self service.

[Boston Blackie]

Room 328.

[Inspector Faraday]

Room 328, he said.

[Narrator]

That's right here, boss.

[Boston Blackie]

Among my many assets is the fact that I can read numbers too, Shorty. But thanks anyhow. Hold it a moment.

[Mary Wesley]

Come in.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello. I met you, or rather saw you yesterday, Mrs. Jones.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, I did see you yesterday, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks for remembering. This is my friend Shorty.

[Mary Wesley]

How do you do? My husband isn't home. Is there anything I can do for you?

[Boston Blackie]

That's a leading question, Mrs. Jones. But all I want is some information. What do you know about Mike Allen's death?

[Mary Wesley]

Only that the police thought you might have killed him.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all?

[Mary Wesley]

That's all. And now would you mind?

[Boston Blackie]

Thank you. Sorry I bothered you. We'll be leaving now. Oh, by the way, this is rather a remote neighborhood. Will I Have any trouble getting a

[Mary Wesley]

cab, I'll have the clerk call one for you.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, Joe? My friends.

[Boston Blackie]

I've got to talk to her.

[Mary Wesley]

Not now.

[Inspector Faraday]

But I tell you, I must notice.

[Mary Wesley]

Would you mind calling a cab for my friends now, please?

[Boston Blackie]

Of course. I'm sorry.

[Mary Wesley]

Thank you. You'll have Ernest the porter get you one, Blackie?

[Boston Blackie]

Thank you. I'm sorry I bothered you, Mrs. Jones. Oh, there's one more thing. Should Inspector Faraday get in touch with you, please don't mention my visit here, will you?

[Mary Wesley]

Of course not. Bye. Blackie. I'm. I'm sorry I was rude when you first came in.

[Boston Blackie]

Forget it. Come on, Shorty, put down that magazine. Let's go, huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, okay, boss. Only the pictures were getting awful pretty.

[Boston Blackie]

Goodbye, Ms. Jones. Thank you again. And you won't forget to forget I was here in case Inspector Faraday asks you.

[Mary Wesley]

I won't. Goodbye.

[Inspector Faraday]

Goodbye, ma'. Am.

[Mary Wesley]

Frenchy. Frenchy.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, what is it?

[Mary Wesley]

Those two men leaving here. Stop them and call the police immediately.

[Narrator]

Ground floor.

[Inspector Faraday]

All out, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Right, Johnny. Say, what did you think of Mrs.

[Inspector Faraday]

Jones, the gal we just left upstairs?

[Narrator]

Well, if you ask me.

[Inspector Faraday]

Stay where you are.

[Narrator]

Hey, boss, the clerk.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't mind the clerk so much as that gun. He's.

[Inspector Faraday]

Don't move either.

[Boston Blackie]

The police will be here in a minute.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, boss, the way his hand is twitching makes me nervous.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm nervous, Shorty. Nervous enough maybe to for you to faint.

[Inspector Faraday]

I got it, boss. Get off of me. Get away from me.

[Boston Blackie]

Money. Nice fading, Shorty. Gives me time for this. That clip did it. He's out now. Shorty lets you and I get out too.

[Mary Wesley]

And what, Mr. Boston, Blackie, were the results of your visit with Mrs. Jones?

[Boston Blackie]

I'm not sure, Mary, but I've got an idea. Let's have that telephone.

[Mary Wesley]

Boissi. Uh, that's French for here it is.

[Boston Blackie]

Grazia. That's Italian for thanks.

[Mary Wesley]

Uh huh.

[Boston Blackie]

You can't out language, me lady.

[Mary Wesley]

Silly of me to try, wasn't it, Mary?

[Boston Blackie]

You couldn't be silly trying anything.

[Mary Wesley]

Why, thank you.

[Boston Blackie]

Quiet now.

[Narrator]

Hello.

[Boston Blackie]

Hello. This here's Ernest the Porter. Mr. French. I think you want to talk to me. What are you talking about, Ernest? Mr. French. I was at the ball game today. Got there early on account of you. Gotta get there early to get seats in the bleachers, you know. And I saw you sneaking in back of the scoreboard. I don't know what you're talking about. I think you do. In an hour I'll be in a room at 700 West 124th Street. It might be a good idea for you to come up and discuss this matter, don't you think? Goodbye, darling.

[Mary Wesley]

Would you mind telling me what was the big idea of the menstrual routine?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, first of all, nobody seems to have reason for killing Mike Allen. But the batting order of yesterday's ball game was switched at the last minute with Mike batting in lefty Jones spot. Now, suppose somebody didn't know it was switched and knew only that Jones usually batted in the fourth slot.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, then that somebody wouldn't know much about baseball. All lineups are subject to change without notice.

[Boston Blackie]

That's right. And the hotel clerk I just talked to doesn't know baseball at all. It was too far from the scoreboard to see a player's face. And maybe he intended to kill Jones, who usually bended forth.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, but why would he want to kill Jones?

[Boston Blackie]

I heard the talk between him and Mrs. Jones. Why, that gal has him doing handsprings. Maybe he figured with Jones out of the way, he could get her to marry him. If I'm right, he'll come up to meet me and I'll put the heat on him and turn him over to Faraday on ice. Thanks for letting me use your room, Shorty. When you hear a knock on the door, it'll be the room clerk, French. So scram out the fire escape. Right.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, suppose there's no knock on the door, boss.

[Boston Blackie]

Ben French is probably innocent. Only I wouldn't want to think that. There he is. Shorty. Just a minute, boss. Get out the window, Shorty.

[Narrator]

Okay, boss.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll be seeing you.

[Boston Blackie]

Just a minute. Is that you, boss?

[Inspector Faraday]

Is that me, boss? No, it's me, Faraday. And I'm Blackie. What are you doing here?

[Boston Blackie]

I could ask you that question with better reason.

[Inspector Faraday]

Believe me, I get it, Blackie. Now you're adding blackmail to your other activities. You called French and gave him some story about seeing him go behind the scoreboard yesterday. Huh?

[Boston Blackie]

And he called you and told you that?

[Inspector Faraday]

Of course. Only he said the hotel porter called him. Now, what's that all about?

[Boston Blackie]

That was me playing hotel porter. Faraday, I think I've got something.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, and I've got you, which is nothing.

[Boston Blackie]

Listen, I think French shot Mike Allen thinking he was killing Lefty Jones. And that he still thinks the porter did see him at the ballpark. Look, he could never stop me from telling what I knew if I were the porter and did see him, could he?

[Inspector Faraday]

So?

[Boston Blackie]

So he told the story to you knowing if he did that no matter what I said. From there on, he'd be in the clear. Faraday, I hate to ask for favors, but. Well, this time I'm gonna.

[Inspector Faraday]

This time you've got to ask for favors. I got a gun in my pocket I'll use in a minute. You get tough.

[Boston Blackie]

Here's your gun. I took that out of your pocket right after you came in here.

[Inspector Faraday]

What?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah. Take it. It's heavy. Now, listen to me, Varney. Give me one more chance to prove that French is the man we want. One chance. In one hour. What can you lose?

[Inspector Faraday]

One wonderful case against you. All right, Go ahead, blankie. Only you better make it good.

[Boston Blackie]

Thanks, Barney. Be in the hotel lobby talking to French in an hour. When a certain phone call will show you what a phony he is.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's. It's just like I told you, Mr. French. When we got up to that room on 124th street, there was nobody there.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I. I knew there was some kind of mistake somewhere, Inspector. Yeah.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I'll just hang around here and grab a smoke for a minute and then I'll go.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, excuse me, Inspector. Hello, Victor Hotel. You called the cops? That wasn't smart, boss. Oh, well, just a minute.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll see. Oh.

[Boston Blackie]

Somebody there?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah.

[Boston Blackie]

Yes, of course. I get it, boss. Okay. Just don't try the same trick again. You got 30 minutes to show up here so we can talk business.

[Inspector Faraday]

I see.

[Boston Blackie]

That's all. Certainly, certainly.

[Narrator]

I'll be glad to. Goodbye.

[Boston Blackie]

The room shortage is getting worse all the time, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, we even noticed that down at the jail. Well, I'll be seeing you, French. I'm going home.

[Boston Blackie]

Goodbye, Inspector. I'm going off duty soon, but I can't go home. I've got to go see a friend of mine. Come on in, boss. I seen you coming down the street, so I know it's you this time. Ernest, where are you? Turn on the light. We don't need no light, boss. It's busted in the first place. And besides, I can feel money. I don't have to see the color of it.

[Inspector Faraday]

You can feel money.

[Boston Blackie]

Maybe you can feel this, too. I wouldn't shoot no more if I was you, Mr. Friend. Somebody's likely to get hurt. Where are you? Somebody named you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Where are you?

[Boston Blackie]

You blackmailing? Right here. Only I'm moving around a little. I'm the Wrestlers. Tight.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm getting out of here.

[Boston Blackie]

That's gonna be a little tough. The door is kind of locked a bit. What do you want?

[Inspector Faraday]

What is it?

[Boston Blackie]

For one Thing I don't want to be a porter no more. And little Doe would fix that. I want to get paid for spying on you and Mrs. Jones.

[Inspector Faraday]

So you used to watch us, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Sure. And I seen you at the ballpark, too. Like I said, chances are the scoreboard boss saw you too. So you had to kill him. That's worth thousand bucks, ain't it, boss? All right, you know what you're talking about. Come here and get your money. Okay, here I come.

[Inspector Faraday]

And there you go.

[Boston Blackie]

I forgot to say I was coming, but I was ducking, too. You try and duck this.

[Narrator]

Throw the light on Faraday.

[Inspector Faraday]

Nice path flagging.

[Boston Blackie]

You've heard enough. I wonder what there was about that guy's chin that attracted my fist. Well, Mary, it's a wonderful afternoon. Where would you like to go?

[Mary Wesley]

Where would you like to take me?

[Boston Blackie]

To a ball game.

[Mary Wesley]

Who's being murdered? I mean, who's playing today?

[Boston Blackie]

The Dodgers.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, let's go. But I wish you'd tell me first what poor Mike Allen might have called you about the day he was killed.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, I'd asked him for an autograph. Baseball for your nephew, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, no.

[Boston Blackie]

He probably just wanted to tell me that he had it. You know, it's a curious thing, Mary French had never been to a baseball game until the day he went and killed Allen and the scoreboard boy.

[Mary Wesley]

What's curious about that?

[Boston Blackie]

That the first time he sees the national pastime, it's his last.

[Narrator]

The Adventures of the Saint starring Vincent Price. The Saint Based on characters created by Leslie Charteris and known to millions from books, magazines and motion pictures, the Robin Hood of modern crime now comes transcribed to radio starring Hollywood's brilliant and talented actor, Vincent price as the saint. Going to the ball game I, Mr. Temple, to get. Great day for it. Didn't know you always found the baseball. You fond of baseball, Mr. Templar? Yes, indeed, Lou. I should have gone in for baseball instead of becoming a cab jockey. Grown men getting paid thousands of dollars for tossing a little ball around two hours a day. Can you beat it? Can you, Mr. Templer? I'm asking you, can you beat it? Louis? Baseball. You can't beat it. Now, I'd like to live in a town where they got major league ball. The blue socks here is all right, but it's minor league. You think we're going to get a big league ball in this town, Mr. Templin? I sure think we'll ever get big league ball, Mr. Templar. You kind of quiet today, Mr. Templet? My silence friend Louis, is purely comparative. Oh, well, since you're not feeling well, it's good you're taking the afternoon off. Been reading about the father and son of the Blue Socks left here. Phil Miller. They're rather interesting. Supposedly the first time in baseball father and son have played on the same team. Yeah? Yeah, the old man just down from the majors and the kid on his way up. Old Lefty was great in his day, though. And the kid will be great too. They both playing today, Louie? Neither one. Phil ain't do it fix till tomorrow. And the old man's got a game leg won't even be a uniform. That's what goes first in baseball, Mr. Temple. And the legs in my line of work. I know, I know, Mr. Temple. You know something funny? There's rumors out about the Blue Sox. What kind of rumor is, Louie? The rumors say the Sox are gonna do business. Lose a ball game that maybe they should win. Oh, nonsense, Louie. Baseball is honest. You know that. Maybe so, but it's still gotta be played by humans. You better step on it, my cynical friend. We're late. Sure, Mr. Templer. Most likely nothing to the rumors anyway. You know how it is driving a cab. You pick up all sorts of things. Me, it don't do no good to pick nothing up. I'm married. Hey, did you hear that, Mr. Templer? I said, me. It don't do no good to pick nothing up. I heard, Larry. I heard. Pretty funny, huh, Louie? Take me out to the ball game. Get your cold breaks here and your ice cream. Hello, Lefty. Thanks for coming, Saint. Sit down. Sit down. Hey, I hope I'm not late. No, the game won't start for another 10 minutes. Huh? How's the leg, Lefty? That's improving, Saint. How's crime? It stays about the same always with us. Yeah, that it is. That it is. Blue Socks gonna win today? You know something, Saint? I don't much care. Oh, don't get me wrong. When I'm in there myself, I play to win because that's the only way I know. And after the majors, you don't get very excited over the Blue Socks. I guess not. I'm just playing out the string. What comes after that? I don't know. A manager's job? No chance. I was too busy spending my money while the smart boys were learning the inside of the game. But I had fun, I guess. Did you? Nah, Saint. There's only one thing in baseball I care about. There's only one thing in the world I care about. He's sitting across the field from a dugout, wearing number 33. My son. I hear Phil's a great pitcher, Lefty. He's good. He'll be great. He's going up next year. Maybe this. Here. Take a look at him through the binoculars. Yes, he looks like you left him. You really think so? Yeah. Saint, I'm worried sick about him. That's why I asked you. I know. That's why I'm here. What are you worried about? I think they're after him, Saint. The crowd with the dirty money's after him. I never handled any dirty money. But I've been around it and I can smell it. I can smell it now. What does Phil say? Have you talked to him? I can't talk to him. Maybe you read in the papers about our wonderful father and son relationship, huh? The kid hates me. How come, Lefty? He was brought up by his mother. And he was brought up to hate me. I got a divorce from her when the kid was two years old. I gave her a raw deal. He should hate me. You say you smell dirty money. You have anything else to go on, Lefty? Rumors. And a girl. No, I take that back. A woman. Take another look through the glasses, Saint. She's sitting in a box behind Phil, bending over to talk to him. She's there every day. Yes. Yes, indeed. Perhaps I should have taken up baseball. That's just it. Does a woman who's got what she has go for a 21 year old kid just because he plays baseball good? Ordinarily, no. But she's got Phil hooked so hard and so deep, I hurt all over for him. He thinks it's romance. What do you think it is?

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Not exactly. Saint, could you. Could you see if you could find out? I can try. What's her name, Lefty? Diane Courtney. She's staying at the Regent. Same hotel the ball club puts up at. I happen to hear the kid making a cocktail date with her there for six this evening. Good. You see if you can get him delayed a few minutes. I will. Find out what she's trying to do, Saint. Find out who's in back of her if they spoil that kid. They won't. They won't, Lefty. Thanks, Saint. And if there's anything I can ever do, don't worry about it. In fact, I'm looking forward to meeting Ms. Courtney. I'm sure we'll have a lot in common. Baseball and. Well, we'll find something. You mind if I sit down here? The bar seems to be rather crowded.

[Mary Wesley]

Is it that crowded?

[Narrator]

Matter of Fact, it was crowded the minute you walked in.

[Mary Wesley]

Sit down. But I am waiting for someone.

[Narrator]

He might be late.

[Mary Wesley]

That's very true, but he won't be.

[Narrator]

What are we drinking? Martinis, you say. So. Wait here. Two martinis, extra dry. Yes. I see that you're a devotee of the national pastime.

[Mary Wesley]

That could very well be. Which national pastime?

[Narrator]

I saw you at the ball game today.

[Mary Wesley]

Yes, I go every day.

[Narrator]

Business or pleasure?

[Mary Wesley]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Narrator]

Baseball is a business for some. Yes, sir. Thank you. Waiter. Let's drink to pleasure.

[Mary Wesley]

Let's just drink. I found that you run out of toasts long before you run out of drinks.

[Narrator]

A comment on human frailty.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, what is it you want, friend?

[Narrator]

I appreciate your frankness. It's one of your concealed assets. I'd like some answers about Phil Miller. Who are you? Don't you know?

[Mary Wesley]

No.

[Narrator]

I'm the man who wants the answers about Phil Miller. Should I start asking questions?

[Mary Wesley]

Phil just came in. We can't talk now. Come up to my room in 15 minutes. 8:08, will you? I need help. Believe me, I need help.

[Narrator]

Say, I thought we had a date, Diane. Or was I wrong?

[Mary Wesley]

My friend's just leaving, Phil, and I don't care for your tone.

[Narrator]

Oh, I. Well, I'm sorry, Diane. I just thought. Well, don't.

[Mary Wesley]

Remember. I don't care for the jealousy routine. You're too young for it.

[Narrator]

Yeah, okay, Diane. Well, it's been charming, but I have a cab waiting for.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll see you again.

[Narrator]

Definitely. Yes, definitely.

[Boston Blackie]

Diane.

[Narrator]

Call you a cab, sir? Oh, thank you. I have one waiting. Here he is. Wait. To Mr. Templer. Nowhere. Louie. I have a date in the hotel here in 15 minutes. She got a friend? I'm afraid not. Just dreaming, Louie. I'm not absolutely convinced about the purity of the lady's intentions. This is a cause for complaint. You misinterpret. Come up to room 80810 minutes or so after I go up and knock on the door. I get you. But if I shouldn't happen to need a cab at that particular time, I'm ahead of you. There's times in everybody's life when the least thing he needs is a taxi. Louis, that's spoken like a philosopher. 804. 806. 808.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, come in. Come in quickly.

[Narrator]

Someone may see someone's already seen him. Go ahead and Jack. And I'm right behind you with something that resents any quick moves. You sneak up behind people pretty quietly. Frank used to be in A Girl Guides. Shut the door, Diane. Shut it. Now, my nosy friend here and me has business.

[Mary Wesley]

I didn't tell the Saint anything, Frank. I just.

[Narrator]

The boss don't like nosy guys like the Saint. I don't like nosy guys like the Saint.

[Mary Wesley]

Let him alone, Frankie.

[Narrator]

What good will beating him up to the boss's orders? Besides, my analyst tells me beating up nosy guys I don't like is a good way of working out my aggressions. Your analyst? What's the matter, I can't get analyzed? What does your analyst say about you carrying a gun? Didn't he point out this is an artificial prop to your otherwise charming personality? Oh, you creep. My analyst says I shouldn't get insulted at remarks by neurotics. You think I'm a neurotic? If you ain't now, Jack, you will be when I finish with. Yeah. Don't fall down yet.

[Inspector Faraday]

I got more for you before I let go.

[Narrator]

How do you want that? Stop it. Okay. Darn it. I shouldn't have got mad. My analyst says I should have let my emotions color my business life. Mr. Templar. Mr. Templer. Oh. Oh, Louie. Mr. Templar, you all right? Should I call a doctor? No, no, I'm all right. I. I guess. What happened, Mr. Templar? I knocked on the door, just like you said. When nobody answered, I come in. You was on the floor. You're still on the floor? Yeah. And I think I'll stay here.

[Mary Wesley]

Ooh.

[Narrator]

Ooh. Got myself worked over, Louie, by a psychoanalytical muscle. Boy, oh, he sure gave you some beautiful lumps. Yeah. Real neat. Professional job. What's this business card on your chest? Yours? No. Let's see. Frankie must have put it there. This is part of the warning, I guess. What's it say? It says, the. The fixer. I fix anything. H. What you'd call modest, is he?

[Boston Blackie]

No.

[Narrator]

But fixes rarely are. Look, I. I think we better have a doctor spray you with some Mercur chrome. No, Louie. I'm going to be too busy. Doing what? Sleeping. Hello, Saint, this is Lefty Miller. Oh, hello, Lefty. What time is it?

[Mary Wesley]

Midnight.

[Narrator]

Are you asleep? I went to bed early tonight. Had a rather trying evening. Look, I've been finding out things. Things about the crowd with the dirty money, who the head of it is. You mean who the Fixer is?

[Mary Wesley]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

I found out what they're trying to get from the kid from. Phil. Can you meet me here at the hotel? Half an hour. Good. In the bar. I'm going after some more dope now. You better Wait until I get there, Lefty. They're rough boys. I know, but don't worry about me. See you in half an hour. The waiter. Another Johnny Walker over ice, please. Yes. Thanks.

[Boston Blackie]

Brooke.

[Narrator]

You're Simon Temple, aren't you? The one they call the Saint. Sit down, Phil. I'm not sitting down. Got some things to tell you. I've heard that you've been asking questions about me. And I can guess who sent you. It was my father. Look, isn't it kind of late for you, Phil? You're supposed to pitch tomorrow. I don't need anybody to run my life for me. You or my father either. Where is he? Well, I was to meet him here, but he hasn't shown up yet. Most likely up in his room. All right, come on, let's go up and see him. I want to straighten you both out together. You know what room he's in? Sure. 908. Right. A waiter?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yes.

[Narrator]

Hold that drink for me. I'll be back for it sooner or later. Hey, dad. Open up. I want to talk to you. Doesn't look like your father is in. Try the door. It's open. Relax on. But there's no dad.

[Boston Blackie]

Better opening that.

[Narrator]

No, look. I told you not to look. He shot himself. Why? Why? He's dead, Phil. And there's a gun in his hand. But he didn't pull the trigger.

[Inspector Faraday]

What are you trying to prove?

[Narrator]

Who did? Where to, Mr. Templar? Regent Hotel Luan. Good morning. Good morning. Say, I read in the papers this morning about Lefty Miller. Oh, Tom. Why do you think he did it, Mr. Temple? He didn't. The police can buy the suicide theory for the time being. But it was murdered, Louie. A friend of mine was murdered last night and today. Things are going to be done about it. What are you going to do with the Regent? I'm going back to the young lady's room where I had such an interesting time last evening. This time I better go with you. Yeah, perhaps you'd better, Louie. And I'm hiring you for the whole afternoon. We've got a lot of ground to cover. Lefty was a great ball player, Mr. Templer. Seen him in the World Series once at Yankee Stadium. Hard to believe he's dead. A man can be killed in a lot of ways, Louie. He can be killed fast or he can be killed through what happens to his son. I'm glad at least that didn't happen to Lefty. You sure nobody is in? I called on the house phone before we came up. I think this key will fit. Hey, how did you get a key? I remember to make an impression of the lock after that beating last evening. There. Now we're in. Nobody here. All right, shut the door, Louis, and lock it. Okay. What are you looking for, Mr. Templer? The truth, Louie. As my friend Philip Marlow would say, crime detection is an adventure. In search of the hidden truth. Gonna find the hidden truth Looking out that window on the fire escape perhaps, Louie, perhaps. Mr. Templer, somebody's at the door. I'll handle this. If I need help. If you need help, we're in trouble. Good morning, Ms. Courtney.

[Mary Wesley]

Hey, what are you doing?

[Narrator]

Come in, Diane. Ms. Courtney, my good friend Louis. Ah, charmed. You want I should leave, Mr. Temple? No. We'll both be leaving in a minute, Louis. Just as soon as we ask Ms. Courtney some questions she probably won't answer.

[Mary Wesley]

What questions?

[Narrator]

Like who killed Lefty Miller?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't know.

[Mary Wesley]

I. I thought it was suicide.

[Narrator]

You see, Lily, who's the fixer? Diane?

[Mary Wesley]

I. I can't tell you. I. I'm afraid. Think if you believe me, if you'd help me.

[Narrator]

Why are you working on Phil Miller to throw a ball game for? Why? I can't tell you.

[Mary Wesley]

They.

[Narrator]

They. I'm frightened. Look, I don't care how frightened you are. Man's been killed. Why, I can't.

[Mary Wesley]

I. I'm afraid.

[Narrator]

The lady's afraid. Come on, Louie. Let's go back to the ballpark and see if we can throw a few curves. Mr. Bush, as manager of the Blue Thunder, you must have known Lefty Miller fairly well.

[Boston Blackie]

Not well, no.

[Narrator]

I manage the team.

[Boston Blackie]

But you don't manage an old pro like Lefty. You just tell him what time the game is and he does the rest.

[Narrator]

Yes. From what I saw of him, though,

[Boston Blackie]

he was a good guy. I'm sorry.

[Narrator]

How's Phil taking it? It's hard to tell about kids. He and Lefty weren't close.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, maybe you knew that.

[Narrator]

Yes, I knew that. But it's hard to tell just how he was taking it.

[Boston Blackie]

Tonight's his turn to pitch, and I

[Narrator]

told him, of course I'd start somebody else, but no, he's going to pitch tonight.

[Boston Blackie]

Insisted on it.

[Narrator]

Said he had it. He'll pitch. Do you think he should? Well, he's the best we got.

[Boston Blackie]

And I might get a phone call tomorrow telling me he sold to the major leagues. Anytime he wants to pitch, he'll pitch.

[Narrator]

Mr. Bush, have you heard any rumors about a six on your ball club?

[Boston Blackie]

Mr. Templer, there's always rumors around any kind of sport. I'VE never been in a phony ball game. And as far as I know, I never seen one.

[Narrator]

So I don't listen to rumors. Thanks, Mr. Bush. And good luck tonight. To you and Phil both. Where to now, Mr. Templer? I want to go see a bookmaker, Louie. Sam the spender. Do you know him? Sure, I know him. Biggest bookie in town. Place down on State Street. Only a block or two down the street. Got something good in Hollywood Park? No, Louie. You want something good? Thanks, but no. This is different. I did a favor for Sam once. He might be able to return it. Sam returns anything but money. One time I had a three horse parley going against him. First two come in, the tightest leading into the city. Really? Isn't this the first? Oh, yeah. You're sure? Wait for me here, Lou. It won't be long. Sure, Mr. Temple. Hello, Sam. How's business? Diamond Templar. Glad to see you. What can I do for you? Information, Sam. We can go no further. Then. Simon Templer. We in business? Say, do you handle any baseball money, Sam? Nah. Nah. In the east, it's big business. All bet on the major leagues out here. Peanuts. Have you handled or heard of any bets lately? On the Blue Sox or against?

[Mary Wesley]

Against him?

[Narrator]

Yeah, Only yesterday. Funny deal, too. Care to tell me about it? Sure. A big creep comes in with $200 to bet against the Sox in the game tonight. I don't like the smell of it. Nah. I tell him nah. Then the creep tells me what's wrong with me is that I had an emotionally insecure childhood. Honestly. Go on, Sam. Then he does a funny thing. He give me an extra 200 to pay you off if he win the bet. Imagine that. And if the Sox win, I get to keep the whole 400.

[Mary Wesley]

The guy's nuts.

[Narrator]

I can't lose. The best he can do is break even. Where's the payoff, Sam, if the Sox lose? In room 808 the region tonight, after the King. Do you get it, Saint? I'm beginning to. Lefty Miller was right. Dirty money has a smell to it. And I'm beginning to smell it. Thanks, Sam.

[Mary Wesley]

Anytime, Saint. See you soon.

[Narrator]

Maybe tonight. Tonight? I hope so.

[Mary Wesley]

Stink.

[Narrator]

Nothing personal, Sam, but I hope not.

[Mary Wesley]

Who is it?

[Narrator]

Good evening, Diane. Well, it's our old friend Jack. How are you, Frankie?

[Mary Wesley]

What is this room, Mr. Templer?

[Narrator]

Your home away from home, Diane. Let me throw the bum out. Easy, Frankie. Your aggressions are showing.

[Mary Wesley]

Anything in particular you wanted, Saint? Frankie and I are busy.

[Narrator]

I can see that. Busy packing. Too busy to go to the ball game tonight. Did you know beforehand how it would come out? Let me throw the bum out. I hate schizophrenics.

[Mary Wesley]

But he looks like such an interesting one, Frankie. And he's handsome, too, My Diane.

[Narrator]

You're not so frightened as you were. Well, I. It's all right. I won't tell the boss. Jack, you better get out of here. It ain't healthy. What's your trouble? You got a compulsion or something? No, it's just that when I start out on something, I like to be in on the payoff. And tonight's the payoff. The game should be over by now and the people will be arriving. I'll be the host of our little party. You'll be host for a party of one in a wood box, Jack. Diane. She likes Diane. It's a kid.

[Mary Wesley]

Don't let him in, Frankie.

[Narrator]

Come in, Phil.

[Mary Wesley]

Hello, sweetie.

[Narrator]

Hello, Diane. Frankie. Yeah. Hello, Mr. Templer. Hello, Phil.

[Mary Wesley]

Game over, honey?

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah, it's over.

[Mary Wesley]

How do you feel?

[Narrator]

Dirty.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, don't feel bad about it, sweetie. In a week or two, you'll forget all about it.

[Narrator]

Sit down, Phil. I've taken over the party. Let's all find out what games we've been playing. Diane, I'm getting an awful frustration listening to him.

[Mary Wesley]

Let him talk.

[Narrator]

Thank you, Phil. Yes, Mr. Templer? What line did Diane use to get you to throw the game tonight? The fixer had something on her. She was a. Something would happen to her if you didn't do as he wanted. No, it doesn't matter. You know the real reason. Go on, tell him, Jack. I will, Frankie. It was a trap for you, Phil. This outfit is big and smart. They're willing to make an investment and wait a while to cash in. It's too tough to get next to a major league player. You'll be up there this year and next. And when you get there, you'll do what the fixer tells you because there's a club over your head. Yeah? Yeah. A certain payoff you took in a hotel room at the Region for throwing a game of the blue socks. You understand that? I understand your father found out about it. He had the room right over this one. 908, and he listened on the fire escape. He was seen from in here and he was killed. Then they took him back up the fire escape to his room and rigged the suicide. But they forgot to wash all the blood off the iron outside this window. You gonna listen to him, kid? He's an erotic. Diane, aren't you going to say something?

[Mary Wesley]

I Didn't have anything to do with it, honey. It was the Fixer who did it.

[Narrator]

Yeah. I believed in the Fixer too, at first, Diane. Until I came to your room the first time. Down the bar. You said you didn't know me up here. You told Frankie I was the Saint. You made other slips tonight? No. So I know who the Fixer is. Who is he? You mean, who is she? Fixer is a very beautiful woman, Diane. The Fixer is you. What is this, a filibuster or something? That's a syllabus.

[Mary Wesley]

You're right, Mr. Templer. Where does it get you? Where does it change things?

[Narrator]

I'm turning you over to the police. And Frankie can hardly shoot both Phil and myself.

[Mary Wesley]

You won't have to. Just you. You underestimate me, Saint. We should have had more time alone together. Phil will do whatever I tell him, in spite of what's happened. Won't you, sweetie?

[Narrator]

Will you, Phil? Diane.

[Mary Wesley]

See, I made sure of Phil, Saint. I made sure of him first. He'll crawl on his hands and knees if I tell him to. Because if he doesn't, I might stay being nice to him. And he couldn't stand that.

[Narrator]

You should have thought of that, Saint. He got a mental block or something?

[Mary Wesley]

Finish with Mr. Templar, Frank. We've got to finish packing.

[Narrator]

This gun says get over to the window, Saint. This time there won't be no blood in the fire escape. Just a lot on the sidewalk. Pretty messy that way, Frankie. Your subconscious will hate you. I won't look down.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now.

[Narrator]

You going over to the window. Quiet or.

[Mary Wesley]

Bill, sit down.

[Narrator]

Stand back, kid. I ain't playing with this thing. Phil. I told you, Phil, he's going to. You kill my father. Give me that gun, Frankie, or I'll break your rib. I'll kill you. No, you won't.

[Inspector Faraday]

Frankie.

[Narrator]

Think what your analysts would say. And this makes us even.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, Frankie.

[Narrator]

Frankie. Phil. How. How bad is it? Not bad. Just my arm, but not my pitching arm. Oh, God.

[Mary Wesley]

Why you.

[Narrator]

Diane, Stand still. Better go for the police, Phil. Can you make it? Yeah. Yeah, I can make it. And Phil, thanks. What you did makes up for the game. We'll figure out that later about dad. Saint. He did all he could to protect you, Phil. Yeah, he did like me then. More than anything else. He told me you better leave. I want you out of here before that bookie shows up to pay off Mr. Templer. He won't be showing up. I didn't lose the game tonight. Tell me more, Phil. I pitched a three hit shutout. I figured it was the least I could do for Lefty. The kid's gonna be all right, Mr. Temple. Bill will be all right. Definitely. You know, I can't blame him for getting tangled up with that Diane. Now there is real aged in the woods stump. She won't be quite as attractive when she gets out, Louie. 20 years does something to a woman. Should have seen what I've done to my wife if she was no prize to begin with. What do you think was wrong with Diane, Mr. Temper? An emotionally insecure childhood. You've been talking to Frankie. I think Diane felt an urge to corrupt Louis. To feel power, revenge, perhaps for something hidden in her past. It might have been her child. Might have been society. So now society exacts further toll. 20 years. I feel like a drink, Louie. Where to, Mr. Templar? Back to the Regent. I've got a scotch waiting for me at the bar. You have been listening to another transcribed adventure of the Saint, the Robin Hood of modern crime. And now, here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen, the most priceless gift which a community can give its children is a fine education. Here in America. Your parents have been able to take that education pretty well for granted. But that won't be true of the future unless we plan now to cope with the educational problems of the future. There are going to be lots of them. We know that for sure. Because of the increased birth rate during and since the war, an extra 7 million children are going to be enrolling in our public schools. And the way things stand, our schools just aren't ready to handle them. The problem varies from district to district, but it's always a problem of shortages. In some localities, there aren't enough classrooms, and in others, not enough books and equipment. And overall, we're suffering from a shortage of teachers. In order to meet the challenge and make sure that our youngsters will get the education they deserve, we'll have to lay down an educational blueprint for the years ahead. Our local school boards are doing that right now. But they can't do it alone. They need everyone's efforts to build a stronger educational system. If you wish to help, simply contact your local school board. And for further information, write to the National Citizens Commission for the Public Schools, New York, New York. That's the National Citizens Commission for the Public Schools, New York, New York. Good citizens everywhere are helping, for they know that better schools make better communities. This is Vincent Price inviting you to join us again next week at this same time for another exciting adventure of the Saint. Good night. Tonight's script of The Saints was written by Dick Powell. Our cast tonight included Gloria Blondell, Jack Moyles, Hal March, Ed Max, Bob Clark and Larry Dobson. The music was composed and conducted by Von Dexter. The Saint, based on characters created by Leslie Charteris, is a James L. Sat production and is directed by Helen Mack. Vincent Price is soon to be seen co starring in RKO's production of his Kind of Woman. All you Saint fans will be glad to know that the Saint comic books are on sale at all newsstands. Your announcer, Val Brown. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. There's fine entertainment on Theater Guild. On the air. Returning next Sunday on NBC. This weekend, 400Americans have a holiday date with death. Stay off the list. List. Be careful. Next Sam Spade. Then hear Katherine Grayson on NBC.