← Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 617 - All In on Adventure (Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe, Nero Wolfe, & Dragnet)
02:04:58
Place your bets with these old time radio mysteries involving gamblers and the (sometimes) crooked games they play. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson find murder among the roulette tables of a French casino in "The Case of the Double Zero," starring...
Loading summary
Transcript1 lines
- [00:00]
Host/Announcer
Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the 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 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. Hello and welcome to down these Mean Streets and more old time radio detectives and crime solvers. I bet you're gonna like this week's show. It's a collection of old time radio mysteries, all involving gamblers, their wins, their losses and the bad luck they face that sometimes results in murder. First up, we travel to the French Riviera with Basil Rathbone as Sherlock Holmes and Nigel Bruce as Dr. Watson in the case of the double zero. Holmes and Watson are abroad to investigate a plan to swindle a casino. But they soon find murder among the roulette wheels and card tables. Then Gerald Moore, one of my favorite radio actors, does double duty as two radio detectives. First, he stars as Philip Marlowe in the Promise to Pay, originally aired on CBS on May 14, 1949. The title refers to an IOU that a friend of Marlo's left with a gambler. But now someone has stolen the marker and is threatening to disclose his friend's extracurricular activities to his employer, who would definitely not approve. When Marlow goes to retrieve the incriminating iou, he doesn't find it. But he does find a fresh corpse. Then Mr. Moore plays Archie Goodwin to Sydney Greenstreet's Nero Wolf in the Case of the Killer Cards. Originally aired on NBC on January 12, 1951. During an unfriendly card game that's being played by a group of rogues, one of their number is murdered and the gang wants Wolf to investigate and find out which one of them committed the crime when the lights went out. And finally today, Jack Webb is on the case as Joe Friday in the Big Shakedown from Dragnet, originally aired on NBC on May 22, 1952. The shakedown in question is the handiwork of a crook who who poses as a cop to extort money from gamblers. Place your bets. I think the smart money is on mystery as we kick things off with Sherlock Holmes right after these messages. Why has Hollywood star Merle Oberon switched to new improved green shampoo? Because compared to dulling soap shampoos, this wonderful new dream reveals up to 33% more sheen follow Merle's secret for shining hair. It's New dream for Hollywood Sheen. Improve dream for Hollywood sheen. Your hair can have that Hollywood sheen the very first time you use New Dream. Get wonderful new green shampoo. Are you looking for a smooth shave, men? Then try Fitch's no Brush Shaving Cream. It'll give you the kind of shave you want. Because 40 years of experience have gone into the making of this product, Fitch's no Brush contains a special skin conditioner ingredient that takes the work out of shaving. You won't have to struggle and scrape against stubborn whiskers because the skin conditioner prepares your face beforehand. It holds the whiskers up so your razor can zip them down closely and quickly. Even against the grain of a tough beard, your razor will glide swiftly, never nicking or scraping pitches. No Brush is a boon to sensitive faces because it lubricates gently, keeping that tender skin from being irritated. After this quick, easy shave, your skin will feel cool and refreshed, wonderfully smooth. And if you prefer a lather cream, try Fitch's Brush Cream. It forms a rich, abundant lather when applied with a brush. This lather stays moist all during the shave. Fitch's Brush Cream also contains the special skin conditioner for sensitive faces. Fitch's Brush and Fitch's no Brush Shaving Cream are available in handy 25 and 50 cent sizes. For a shave you like, switch to Fitch. Good evening. This is your Rexall family Druggist with a welcome from the 10,000 independent druggists who have made the word Rexall part of our own store names. We've done that because we recommend and sell the 2,000 or more drug products made by the Rexall Drug Company, like Rexall Milk of Magnesia. For example, here's the milk of Magnesia that's so pure and creamy smooth, so free from that unpleasant earthy taste, even children spot the difference. Ask for the Rexall Milk of Magnesia at Rexall drugstores everywhere. And remember, you can depend on any drug product that bears the name Rexall. I dedicate this program to the fight against crime, not merely crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship, crimes against America. This episode from the Life of Sherlock Holmes will be transmitted to our men and women overseas by shortwave and through the worldwide facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Petri Wine brings you Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce in the New Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. The Petrie family, the family that took time to bring you Good wine invites you to spend the next half hour listening to Dr. Watson tell us another exciting adventure he shared with his old friend, that master detective, Sherlock Holmes. And say, let me tell you something I found out just the other day. Steaks are really back again. Good, thick, juicy porterhouse steaks. Mm. That's for me. A thick, tender steak on the rare side, together with a glass of Petri California Burgundy. You know, Petri Burgundy is a perfect mealtime wine. And with meat, or any meat dish, it's the very last word in good eating. Honestly, when you taste the wonderful flavor of that rich red Petri Burgundy, you're tasting one swell example of the art of winemaking. It's full flavored and just about the most delicious wine that ever poured from a bottle. Try it the next time you have steak or chops, or the next time you have hamburger or pot roast. Believe me, Petri Burgundy is the best friend a good meal ever had. And now, let's look in on our good friend and host, Dr. Watson. Come in, come in, come in. Ah, There you are, Mr. Bartell. Evening, Doctor. Just in time to join me in a cup of coffee. Draw up your chair, young fellow, my lad. Thank you. Ah. That's it. Well, Doctor, you told us last week that tonight's new Sherlock Holmes adventure takes us to the south of France. That's right, Mr. Bartel. The south of France in the year 1900. A beautiful playground bordered by the bluest of blue seas and populated with an extraordinary cross section of cosmopolitan Europe. Rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief. All of them attracted by that Riviera paradise. All of them drawn by the magical spell of a small white ball spinning round the rim of a roulette wheel. Now, don't tell me that you and the great Sherlock Holmes were there on a gambling spree? We were not. Mr. Bartell, at the time my story begins, we just concluded an extremely delicate mission. A mission, I may say, that concerned the safety and good name of a very prominent member of the royal family. Say, Doctor. You don't mean. One story at a time, Mr. Bartell? In any event, my boy, I'm afraid that's a case about which my lips are sealed for all time. But to return to tonight's adventure. One June evening, I persuaded Holmes to accompany me to the gambling casino at Frejas, not far from Cannes, where we were staying. It wasn't quite as fashionable as a casino at Monte Carlo, but as I intended to do a little modest gambling myself, it seemed an establishment more suited to my means. As we stood there at the green bays covered tables. The chatter of voices and the melodic chanting of the croupiers as they called. The results of each spin of the wheel formed a background to a quiet conversation that Holmes and I were having lost Again Watson, confounded. That number 10 must come up soon. Why not cut your losses old fellow and come for a stroll with me on the well? Just a big way. A couple more bets Holmes, I have a feeling that 10 is bound to come up in a minute. Watson, I believe the blood of a gambler courses through your veins. Oh, there's no harm in taking a little flutter once in a while. Why don't you risk a few francs, huh? Oh thank you my dear chap. The law of averages convinces me that my money is safer in my pocket. In any case I'm a little dubious as to the integrity of this particular casino. Oh, what makes you say that? Well you will observe that this roulette wheel has a double zero. Most continental wheels have. Only a single one would indicate that this house is extremely concerned with its percentage. Mesdames fait Boisieux. Oh, just two more turns of the wheel Holmes, and I'll take that walk with you. You misses A Gear Spielen. Why do you not play from the other side of the table? Why must you always stand next to me? Hello, the trouble up there. I've placed my bet so let's go and see. I ask you so why do you play here beside me? I'm afraid I don't see any reason why I can't play wherever I swear she. You've broken my luck. Ever since you come to the table I've done nothing but lose. Please do move away. Well move away yourself if you don't like my company. Heinrich, why do you not stop now? You've already lost more than we can afford. One more trouble sir. I can win it all back if only this young man will move away. Why should my husband move? He's had a bad run of luck too. We are near that plea. Ah, you've lost again, Watson. Heinrich, you must stop now. I must stop him sir, because I've lost everything. I hope you're satisfied, Mr. American. You've broken my luck in ruin. I hope that you and your turn will be ruined too. Heinrich. Heinrich. I never heard such rubbish in my life. Were you listening to him, sir? I heard his last few remarks. Mr. Gilbert, Roger Gilbert. And this is my why fellow. How do you do? My name is Holmes and this is my friend Dr. Watson. How do you do how do you do? Didn't you think his remarks were a little out of place, Doctor? I certainly did, Mrs. Gilbert. I don't see how he can possibly blame your husband for his run of bad luck. I didn't like the look on his face as he left the table though. Have you any idea who he is? His name is Schneider. He's staying at the same hotel as we are. I've never spoken to him but I've heard him being paged there. Well, he shouldn't gamble unless he can afford to lose. I'm losing, darling, and I can't afford it. Oh, but I can let you have more money, you know that. No, Helen, I. I may have married an heiress but I'm not going to use her fortune to gamble with. I'll lose my own money and then I'll quit. Madame de Monsieur. Your last bit, Watson. Yes, Holmes. This time I know that number 10 is going to come up. It's got to. I've lost again. Darn it, Helen, this is my bad night. Why don't you stop now, dear holmes? I've made 350 francs on this throw of the wheel, old fellow. But as you've lost some 500 francs doing it, I can't say that your profits stagger me. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I can see that you're no gambler. I'm afraid not, Mrs. Gilbert. No, I didn't say that, Holmes. You may not like roulette. You've taken a good many chances in your life with long odds against you too. Nevertheless, old chap, in the sense since Mrs. Gilbert means it, I am not a gambler. Say, what's the commotion over there? That German woman with a crowd forming around him. Yes, yes, the wife of that man that said I ruined him. There must be trouble. He's asking for a doctor. Doctor. Come along then. Will you excuse me, please? Thank you. Excuse me, Madame Malamie. Doctor. Monsieur. The Dama Beswander and Doctaire. What happened, madame? It is my husband. Is he ill? I just found him lying out in the garden. Please come with me at once, gentlemen. Of course we will, madam. What seems to be the matter with him, Herr Doctor? I think he is dead. He's lying by that tree. Doctor, please see if you can help him. Somebody else seems to be on the scene before us. Who are you, sir? I am Monsieur Chevre, director of the casino. Do any of you know this poor man? I am his wife. Is he, Is he dead? I. I am afraid so, madame. Let me look at him. I'm a doctor Was your husband gambling in the casino tonight, Madame? Yeah, he was. Poor Heinrich, he lose everything that we have. I'm afraid he's dead madam. Shocked to the heart to leap of cot. Suicide Watson? Yeah, looks like it. Yes. Powder burns on the shirt front. Revolver clutched in the right hand, fingers in a natural position. The angle of the wound settles it. Obviously self inflicted. I missed you as you slipped out of the casino. What's wrong with him? I'm afraid he's dead, Mr. Gilbert. Yes, he committed suicide. I hope young man, that you are satisfied. All night you brought him bad luck. He asked you to move away from him to change his luck, but no, you could not do it. Oh Frau schneiemann, I'm terribly sorry but I really don't see how you can blame me. I do blame you and I also blame you Monsieur Chevrey. Me? But what have I done? Madame, why do you let a man lose all his money at your tables? Is life so cheap to you on money so important that you cannot close the tables to someone before he's ruined? Madame, I am more sympathy for you in your tragic loss, but the casino cannot be held responsible. If your husband could not afford to gamble, then he should not come here. How are we to know the financial limitations of our customers? You said that your husband lost everything you had tonight, madam. Yes, everything. Then how do you account for this sheaf of banknotes in his breast pocket? Good Lord. Must be several thousand francs, sir. Then he wasn't ruined Entertainment. His suicide therefore cannot be blamed on his losses at Matasina. Madame, how do you account for this money, Frau Schlehmann? Well, I do not understand. Heinrich kept nothing from me. I know that he had not so much money on him when he started tonight. Well why do you all look at me like that? Is it that you think? You think. But why should. She's painted. I've got her. We must get her to her room. You can take her to my suite in the casino. No, let's take her to the hotel. My wife will look after poor woman. She's had a dreadful shock. She can probably do with another woman's company. That's very considerate of you Mr. Gilbert. Where are you staying? At the Hotel Crillon. It's quite near here. I get a cabin while I'm doing that. Watson, see if you can revive her, will you? Then we'll take her to the Hotel Cron. Very kind of you Mrs. Gilbert to let us bring the poor lady into your suite. Well it's the least I can do, in spite of what she said about Roger bringing her husband bad luck. I'm sure she'll need your help when she wakes up, Helen. Yes, I think you'll find that she'll sleep for some hours. I give her a strong sedative. We were just about to have a drink, gentlemen. Do you care to join us? Oh, thank you, sir. That'd be very nice. Mr. Gilbert. Roger was just telling me that quite a large sum of money was found on hale Shademan's body. Mr. Holmes. Ah, yes, Mrs. Gilbert. Several thousand francs. It's very puzzling, Holmes. Why should a man commit suicide with so much money on him? I think the answer is obvious. He didn't. What on earth do you mean? Well, the money was placed there after he had shot himself. The banknotes were in his breast pocket, if you remember. Hardly the usual place to carry money, though it is the easiest pocket for someone to insert it without disturbing the body. But why on earth should someone place money on him after his suicide? To prevent the casino from getting a bad name. I've heard of it being done on several similar occasions. Gives the impression that the unfortunate victim had other motives than gambling losses to account for his suicide. Wait, Scott. You mean that one of the casino employees found the body lying there and slipped the money in his breast pocket before we arrived on the scene? As you know, my dear Watson, I'm not a gambling man, but I'll lay you a hundred to one that is. What happened? Well, that's a new one. Well, here are your drinks, gentlemen. Thank you. Thank you, sir. Thank you. Say, Helen, Mr. Holmes has given me a brainwave. Another one. What is it this time, Roger? No, I've been losing very heavily tonight. Roger, I told you, if you need money I'll be only. But I don't. I've got a scheme for making some. I'm going to gamble again tonight after dinner. If I lose, here's what I'll do. I'll stain my shirt front with red ink, walk out on the grounds, fire a shot and lie down as I'm dead, wait for someone to come along and stuff my pockets full of banknotes. Not a bad idea, Mr. Gilbert. I think it's a darn good one. What do you say, Mr. Holmes? It's a whimsical one at any rate. Who knows, you might even be successful. Roger, you're not really going to do it, are you? Sure. Perhaps I'll get some of my losses back that way. Well, let's drink to it, gentlemen. At least I May have hit upon an idea of making money. My dear Watson, you'll have to work hard at your practice when you get back to England. Your infallible system appears to be extremely fallible and yet the fellow who told me about it said it couldn't miss. It's just a matter of doubling the stakes each time you lose and then. My dear fellow, I've been studying your system but I can tell you a really infallible way of making money at roulette. You can? What is it? Well, own the gambling house and operate the tables yourself. The odds would be all in your favor. What a brilliant suggestion. Enough gambling for tonight, Watson. It's nearly 11:00. I think so. Let's take a stroll round the other table, shall we? By the way, old fellow, the young American, Mr. Gilbert, was losing heavily again tonight. He was? I wonder if he'll try that trick that he threatened. The one with the red ink and the shot in the night. I shouldn't be at all surprised. As a matter of interest, I saw him leave the tables about half an hour ago. Shh, shh. Here comes his wife on the arm of Monsieur Cheveret, the director of the casino. Good evening, Mrs. Gilbert. Monsieur. Bon soir, monsieur. Hello Mr. Holmes. Dr. Watson. Monsieur Cheveret is giving me a personally conducted tour of the casino. It's quite fascinating. And it is quite fascinating for me to have so beautiful a woman on my arm. Mademoiselle. I know that I am the envy of all the men in the room. Oh stop flattering me so much. I'm not used to it. Mrs. Gilbert, how is Rausch Neman? She seems much better. She wakened an hour ago, insisted on going back to her own room. I wanted her to spend the night with us in our suite but she wouldn't hear it. I think I should drop in and see her before I go to bed. Oh, you have finished the dumpling for tonight perhaps, Doctor? No perhaps about it, Monsieur Chevalier. I've had a bad run at the tables. Oh, I am so sorry. Has anyone seen Roger? He left the tables about half an hour ago, Mrs. Gilbert, after doing as I did and losing quite heavily. So he lost again, did he? I wonder if he'll try that new system he was talking about. We were just discussing that possibility ourselves. Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert. Mrs. Gilbert. Frau Snaremon. You shouldn't have left your hotel, you know. It is too late to worry for me, Herr Doctor. It is for Mrs. Gilbert now that you should worry. What do you mean, madame? Well I went back just now to where poor Heinrich died. On there, lying in the grass, I saw another body. I was too shocked to go too close but I am quite sure that I recognized your husband, Mrs. Gilbert. Oh, Dr. Watson. She's ruined. Roger's trick. He'll have taken frightened, bolted by the time we get there. Maybe. Let's go at once and find out, shall we? He. He hasn't gone. He's. He's still lying there. It's the most convincing spectacle. That red ink really does look like blood. Yes, and blood sometimes looks like red ink. Mr. Gilbert. Roger, get up. The joke's spoiled. Roger, get up. I'm afraid that's impossible, Mrs. Gilbert. He's de. Dr. Watson's story will be continued in just a second, which is all the time I need to tell you that the easiest way I know to transform a simple meal into a feast is to serve that meal together with Petri California Sauterne. Petri Sauternes is a delicate white wine that's the perfect companion for chicken or turkey. Turkey. Ah yes, turkey and Petri Sauterne. That's the heart of any Thanksgiving dinner. Look, why not make this Thanksgiving dinner the best one you ever had. Give it the air of a banquet. Serve it with Petri Sauternes. And when you buy that Sauterne or any wine for your Thanksgiving dinner, whatever you do, look for the letters P E T R I. Because a Petri wine is always a good wine. Well, Doctor, So the young American's joke turned out to be another tragedy. Yes, Mr. Bartel. The poor fellow was lying there dead with a bullet wound in the heart and a great splash of blood staining the whiteness of his shirt front. What happened next? Monsieur Chevre, director of the casino, took the distraught widow away from the scene while Holmes and I examined the body closely. Within a few minutes we were joined by Inspector Ganivet of the French police. As we stood there in the moonlight, the sounds of music could be heard from the casino. It was hard to believe that two men had died in that lovely garden since the moon had risen. Monsieur holmes, you and Dr. Watson have concluded your examination? Yes, Inspector Gannevan, Will you favor me with your observations? You say that you are certain that this is not another suicide? I'm sure of it. Inspector. Look at the wound. The bullet entered the body at a direct right angle whereas assault inflicted shot is always fired obliquely. Yes, that is so. Then you suggest that this man was shot from above as he lay on the ground pretending to be dead. I'm convinced of it. Why, monsieur? Well, for two reasons though it's impossible to be sure without a laboratory test. I'm certain that beneath those blood stains are stains of red ink. Look for yourself, Inspector. Mm, yes, indeed it does look like it. What is your other reason for being certain that this man was shot as he lay here pretending death? Show him the banknotes, Watson. Here you are, Inspector. We find found them stuffed in his breast pocket. So? Banknotes with a bullet hole through the middle of them. Very illuminating. Tell me gentlemen, how many people knew of this little plot? You have told me about this plan of the dead man's to pretend to be shot? Just three people, Inspector. Dr. Watson, myself and Mrs. Gilbert. Aloa then the answer is obvious. You and your friend are innocent. It must be the wife who killed him. No one else knew of the plant. I'm not so sure of that, Frau Schnehmann. The dead German's widow was in the next room when Gilbert told us about his plan. She might have heard, though I could swear that she was asleep. I gave her a very strong sleeping draught. From what you have told me of her husband's suicide, she might easily have had a motive for murdering this man. Come, come, come, gentlemen. Surely it's obvious who murdered Mr. Gilbert. Who, Monsieur Holmes? Certainly one of the two widows. Since there seems to be some doubt in your minds, I suggest we return to the casino. I can promise you the answer to your question within a very few minutes. Well, Monsieur Chevrolet, now that we're all assembled in your office, I shall sit down quietly and let Inspector Ganivet conduct his examination. No, no, no, Monsieur Holmes, no. You have handled the case so far. Please to consent continue it to the end. Yes, Monsieur Holmes, I should appreciate it. Be happy to. Casino. Very well, gentlemen, it won't take me long. At what time did you leave your hotel tonight? Well, I do not know what time it was. Well, what made you leave it? I could not sleep. I knew that they had taken poor Heinrich's body away, but I felt that I must walk back there. It was the last place I saw him alive. How close did you come to Mr. Gilbert's body when you saw it lying there? Oh, close enough to see who it was. Then I ran into the casino to tell his wife. I knew what had happened. How did you know? You say you didn't come close to the body? I could tell by every line of the body as it lay there. I could tell because I knew that poor Heinrich's death would not be avenged. Thank you, Fr. That will be all. You may go. Monsieur Holmes. She has no alibi surely? If I'm to conduct this investigation I must do it my own way. Pardon Monsieur Holmes, please continue. You may go. Frau Schoniman. Mrs. Gilbert? Yes Mr. Holmes? Where were you prior to our meeting in the casino tonight just before we discovered your husband's body? After I left the hotel I walked over here along the seafront. Can anyone verify that statement? I suppose not. I didn't meet anyone that I knew. And what did you do when you arrived at the casino? I played a little chemin de fair. A few moments later Monsieur Chevre came over to the table and asked if he might escort me over the club. Ten minutes after that we walked into you and Dr. Watson. That is quite true, Monsieur Holmes, I can swear to it. Thank you Mrs. Gilbert. I'm sorry to distress you with these questions. You may go. I'll wait outside. Mr. Holmes. I must know what happened. Wait for me there. Madame. I shall join you in a few minutes and escort you home. Well, another suspect for the poor alibine, hey Gunnabet? I must say Monsieur Holmes, your methods puzzle me. It seems to me that both those women should be watched. Yes, I agree with the Inspector. Holmes. Please don't worry Inspector. I've asked two of your plain clothes men to keep an eye on the ladies. And now Monsieur Chevre, I'd like to ask you a few questions. Ask me any questions you wish, Monsieur Holmes. Thank you. You will agree that it is the custom of the casino to put money on the bodies of suicides after their death to give the impression that gambling, gambling losses were not responsible for the tragedy. Well I do not think. Oh come now Chevre. I know that is a fact as well as you do. Exactly. Now on those rather gruesome occasions whose responsibility is it to secrete the money? Yours? Or do you entrust the matter to an underling? I do it myself. I see. Did you place the money on Herr Schneemann tonight? Yes Monsieur, I did. And did you also perform the same service on the body of Mr. Gilbert? No. I knew nothing of that death until the German lady Faust Nehemen come running into the casino. Excuse me interrupting, monsieur. Of course, Inspector. What is it? I think that you are wasting time. It is obvious that Madame Gilbert committed the crime. She knew of her husband's plot, she had no alibi and she had the motive for. Is not marriage itself the greatest of all motives for murder? Oh my dear Inspector, how very cynical. Madame Gilbert did not kill her husband. I know It. And what is your opinion Watson? Said German woman she had no alibi either. And remember she was half mad with, with grief. Mr. Chabray you say that you know Mrs. Gilbert is not guilty. How do you know? I was with her myself at the time the murder was committed. Oh indeed, how very interesting. And what time was the murder committed? Well it was, it was. Our investigations have never established what time the murder was committed. Monsieur Cheveret. I'm afraid you've walked into my trap. You've given yourself away. Wait. Scott. Chevrey. It was you. Cheveray. I've known you a good many years and this is going to be a hard thing to do. I am going to arrest you. Oh no, you are not deliberate. Put down that revolver sir. Do not be frightened Doctor, I am not going to shoot you. Cheveray, why did you murder Roger Gilbert tonight? Surely you know that too Monsieur Holmes? Because I am in love with his wife. She is young, beautiful and rich. It did not occur to me until I saw the young fool lying there tonight pretending to be dead. In my profession it is natural that I should carry a revolver. What was simpler? Mr. Gilbert gave me the perfect opportunity. I could not resist it. Put down that revolver Chevre. Why are you all so frightened? Surely you know how I am going to use it this time? I think so monsieur, but it's a coward's way out. What an unperceptive remark for such a perceptive man. No, no, all my life I have been a gambler. I gambled tonight for the high estates of all and. And I lost. No, no, I am not afraid to pay for my losses. Au revoir monsieur. What an extraordinary case Holmes. I never suspected Chevre and I old chap, suspected him from the beginning. Well I wasn't the only one who was stupid. Anyway Inspector Ganavay thought it was the wife. True. Very puzzling conclusion for a detective Inspector to arrive at. Oh it seemed logical enough to me at the time. No, no, no my dear Watson. Cold logic should have told you otherwise. Roger Gilbert had been losing heavily and had planned this hoax. He obviously had no money on him. Therefore the money was planted in his pocket by Chevre. After you shot him? No my dear fellow, before. Before the bullet hole through the banknotes provided that. Now had the money been put there innocently Gilbert would have, well you know, come back to life as soon as the person placing it there had left. He would not have remained lying on the ground for a murderer to find him then Chevrey must have bent over him as he Lay there, placed the money in his breast pocket and then fired. Precisely, Watson. Well, Holmes, I must say you solved it very neatly. You've told Inspector Ganivet that you wanted no credit in the case. Naturally, publicity would be unfavorable. If you remember, no one is supposed to know that we're in the South France. I'm certain that the inspector learned a few tips about detection tonight. Possibly, old fellow, and I hope that you have learned a few things about gambling. How do you mean? Who? Well, you're backing the wrong color. A gambler is usually superstitious and superstition. Well, I should have told you what color to follow tonight. I still don't understand you, Holmes. I was playing number 10. Exactly. Number 10 is black. You should have followed a red color tonight, old fellow. The color of red ink. Red ink and blood. Say, doctor, that was a swell story. I didn't know you liked to play roulette. You know, I figured out a system for roulette. It's like yours. Every time you lose you double your money and keep doubling until you win. Oh, it's a great system, Mr. Bartel. There's only one thing wrong with it. What's that? You lose or go broke before you win. Look, look, take my advice. Don't gamble. You can't beat the laws of chance. But suppose I bet on a sure thing. Like what, for instance? Oh, like the fact that Petri wine is always good wine. It is. You know, because the Petrie family has been making wine for generations. They've been handing down from father to son, from father to son, the art of turning luscious sunripened grapes into delicious, fragrant wine. Ever since the Petrie family started their business way back in the 1800s, they've been perfecting the art of winemaking. That's why Petri wine is always good wine. The Petrie family took time to bring you good wine. So no matter what type wine you prefer, why not take a few seconds of your time to look for the letters P E, T R I? They spell delicious wine. Petri wine. Well, Dr. Watson, what new Sherlock Holmes story are you going to tell us next week? Next week, Mr. Bartell, I'm going to tell you of a strange adventure that Sherlock Holmes and I had when we were in Stratford on Avon many years ago. It concerns an actor, a mysterious boating accident and several dead butterflies. Sounds good, Doctor. I'll see you then. Oh, fine. But no, no, don't forget. Next week we're going to broadcast our program from the Paramount Theatre in Hollywood. For the victory loan drive. So if any of our friends are going to be in Hollywood, we'd love to see them there. Just buy a victory bond at any store or bank on Hollywood Boulevard and in return you will be given your ticket of admission. Better hurry up though, before all the seats are gone. Let's really buy lots of those victory bonds. Let's finish the job. Tonight's Sherlock Holmes adventure is written by Dennis Green and Anthony Boucher and was suggested by an incident in the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle story, A Study in Scarlet. Music is by Dean Fossler. Mr. Rathbone appears through the courtesy of Metro Goldwyn Mayer and Mr. Bruce through the courtesy of Universal Pictures where they are now starring in the Sherlock Holmes series. The Petri Wine Company of San Francisco, California invites you to tune in again next week, same time, same station. This is Harry Bartel saying good night for the Petrie family. Sherlock Holmes comes to you from our Hollywood studio. This is the Mutual Broadcasting System. It was only a gambler's marker, a promise to pay worth a thousand dollars. And I was hired to find it. Which sounded easy until I realized that it meant the whole future to two men, freedom to a third and death to the girl in the cottage. From the pen of Raymond Chandler, outstanding author of crime fiction, comes his most famous character in the Adventures of Philip Mar. Now with Gerald Moore starred as Philip Marlow. We bring you tonight's exciting story. The Promise to Pay started over a bottle of Port at 5 o'clock in the afternoon when Mama Nodela, a proud old lady who ran a restaurant, bet me I couldn't prepare a dish of chicken cacciatore. I never pass up a bet. So at 5:30 I picked up a can of chicken and at 6 had gone to work on it. At a quarter after seven everything was ready for the pan and my enthusiasm was at a high ebb until the telephone rang and what I thought was a check call from Mama Nodela turned out instead to be Garfield Randall. He was a used to be client who at 32 was currently setting the LA business world on its ears. Say, Harlow, did you see the article about me in this morning's paper? Young Randall probably next. Head of Continental Land and Trust. Yes, that's it. Chairman of the board, isn't it, Gar? Yes. Job I've been after for two years. So? Well, a job that'll go to somebody else at noon tomorrow, Phil. Unless you can get me out of a nasty mess I'm in. What's her name? Terry. How did you know it Was a woman. It's a trade secret. What do you want me to do? Well, come over here to my place. 91 Laurel Canyon, immediately. I'll explain then. You can make it, can't you, Phil? I mean now, Right away? Yeah. Yeah, I guess so. Right away, Gar. But it hurts. Arrivederci, cacciatore. Oh, come in, Mara, quickly. I'm due there at 8. And it's. It's almost that now. Small point. God. But just where is there? Oh, where? Terry Dodge's cottage over in the valley. 3840 Centiswet Drive, just beyond Arthur Murray's place on Ventura. I'm expected because the lady wants $20,000 to keep her mouth shut. About what? The fact that a few days ago, an innocent evening with some new friends ended up with me gambling and losing $1,000 at Paul Naylor's club on Lancashire Boulevard. Also in the Valley, 3100 North. I didn't have the cash on me, so he took my iou. Your marker would interest who in particular? Only the entire board of directors of Continental Land and Trust. They feel their executive should be above that sort of thing, even once in a while. Ms. Terry Dodge. Can she prove that you lost a thousand gambling? Well, according to this message here, yes. Came a few minutes before I called you, together with my picture, which she returned, frame and all. Yeah. God. Dear, I gave Naylor the thousand and pick up your note as requested. But now I'm confused. Do I give it back to you or submit it to your board of directors tomorrow? Oh, by the way, the chinchilla we saw last week is on sale. I hear only $20,000. If bought right away, probably cost more tomorrow. See what I mean? Yeah, yeah. Drop around and see me at 8 tonight, will you? I'd like your advice on the matter. Much love, Terry. P.S. don't worry about the safety of the note, darling. I have the perfect hiding place for it. Tinder, huh? Tell me, Gar, how close were you in this vampire? Oh, we went together for about a year, but it was getting cold. Because you've been on the way up? Because she's been on the way down, Mama. Why'd you give her the money to deliver in the first place? Well, you see, Phil, I. I couldn't afford to go near a gambler like Paul Naylor once I'd been nominated for the chairmanship. Of course, I didn't suspect for a minute that Terry would do anything like this. So when I didn't hear From Terry by 6, I called Naylor. He told me that she had already delivered the money. But he also told me that she'd burned the note in front of him at his suggestion. Which might mean that Terry Dodge is just bluffing, you know. Yes. Or that Paul Naylor is just lying. Your job, Phil, is to find out the truth as soon as possible. And if I do and the note does exist, what then, Gar? Then I pay. I have to. It's my whole future. Yeah. Call you an hour. Gar. From the Valley. After Randall generously settled the matter of my fee with two crisp $100 bills, I got into my car and wound through Laurel Canyon into the San Fernando Valley and Sunswept Drive, where I parked away for number 3840, which was the kind of all alone, green and white ivy choked cottage that life insurance ads wonder if you'll own when you're 65 and out of work. With one exception. The place was lit up like opening night at a Hollywood delicatessen. And when I got close to the front door, which was half open and splashing bright yellow over the map marked Welcome, I heard a radio from someplace deep inside playing Slow, Sad Swing. When I knocked twice and got only more Dixieland for an answer, I walked in calling Terry Dodge's name out loud. As I moved through the empty living room. I couldn't tell why, but even as I said the name, I had the uncomfortable feeling that I. I was wasting my breath. A minute later, when I entered the bedroom, I was sure of it. Because there, every drawer, closet and cubbyhole had been turned inside out. And in the middle of all that, and face up on the carpet was the still form of a beautiful blonde woman in a black silk hostess gown. The monogram in white over her breast pocket said she was Terry Dodge. The ugly circle of dark red on the side of her head said she was dead. Next to her body, I found the pieces of two airline tickets for Mexico City. Beyond that, the brass candelabra that had killed her. I dropped the tickets into my pocket and then went back to the living room. And a telephone call. My client, when I reached for, went off. Hello? Hello? Who is this? Friend of the family. Why? Well, I'm curious by nature. Friend of the family. Now, is Terry there? Yeah. She can't come to the phone right now. Any message? Yeah, there is. Tell her Rip Stranagan wants to talk to. If you don't mind. I don't. Oh, Terry, it's Rip Stranagan. What? Okay. Sorry, Stranagan. She'll have to call you back in a Minute. And. And what? And Excuse me, but an unexpected visitor just dropped in. A beautiful one at that, with a gun, which she knows how to use very well. The lady was tall, with dark eyes and darker hair framed her face the color of warm honey. And she was wearing something white and plunging, which from the waist up had all the material in it as the average necktie. Who are you? Rev Stranagan. Mean anything? Only that you're a liar. I've seen Stranagan. And in the first place, Terry's boyfriend's an ex football player about twice your size. Oh, also, he's from Texas. And you couldn't be. No. And just between us, you're much better looking. So once more, who are you? Little Boy Blue. Who are you? Me? Why, Manabelle, Terry's sister. Always come home with a.38 in your hand? Well, I only use this gun, Mr. Blue, because I thought you were a prowler. No. With the radio off, so you can concentrate. How about the truth? All right. I'm a private detective named Philip Marlow. Came here to talk to Terry Dodge. When I found the door open and nobody home, I decided to wait. Now, I can't wait any longer because I'm late for an appointment. So if you'll tell Terry I call, I'll appreciate it. Good night, Annabelle. Wait a minute. Before you go, one thing. What's that? You were wrong about being Little Boy Blue. Huh? You're prettier. Good night. My ego sent. The lady went for me, but my professional cynicism labeled her local Mata Hari and suggested that I keep both feet on the ground. So when I was out of her sight at the front door, I tried the oldest trick in the book, which was opening it and then slamming it hard from the inside. Which worked because when I quietly moved back to where we'd been standing, she was already in the bedroom. And I was glad to hear. Surprised at what she'd. When she ran back into the living room, her face, now the color of wet ashes, grabbed for the telephone and dialed a number that was more than the three digits that would bring the police. Hello? I was close enough to hear what she said. This is Maxine. She's dead. Yes. In her bedroom. And the place has been turned upside down. So somebody else is after that note, too? No, though. Only a private detective named Marlow. He didn't act like it. Said he was waiting for her. I'll tell you all about it later when I see what. Keep looking. Listen, maybe you didn't understand me. Terry Dodge is dead. She's been murdered. Maxine Rossi doesn't want to be standing around with jam on her face when the police arrive. It's hard on the reputation. All right. One more look around, but believe me, it'll be a fast one. Goodbye. When she hung up an inch back toward the bedroom like it was a snake pit, I headed for the door and kept going until I was outside and over to where I'd left my car, parked in the shadow of a huddle of dwarf palms. Then, as I was about to get in what I thought was just another tree, reached out with both hands, grabbed me by the lapels and slammed me hard against the. Before I could get back out of my feet, what had to be the ex gridiron great from Texas, had both my gun and my wallet out and was smiling with more teeth than I'd ever seen before. Well, the friend of the family is a private detective. I see. Yeah, and the athlete's a scholar. He reads. Shut up, Marlow. Smart aleck. Talk won't get you out of this. Now, what were you doing in my girl's apartment? Looking for a blackmailer named Terry Dodge. And before you get all worked up, muscles, make up your mind. You want the truth or hot air out of me? You got a lot of nerve, fella. Doesn't answer the question. All right, I'll take the truth. But if it's anything but that, I'll break you in two. Now start talking. Why'd you call Terry a blackmailer? Because until tonight, she was up to a mass carry and a deal that called for a man named Garfield Randall to pay her 20,000 bucks to keep his future intact. I don't believe you. I never heard her speak. That name proves the point. Strannigan. They've been going together off and on for a year now. What? Why, just last night, Terry told me that she didn't even want to see any other man. And as of last night, that might have been the truth. Because a few hours ago, this Randall got his framed picture back from her with interest. The demand for the $20,000. Same. Stranagan, what would you say if I told you Terry Dodge has been murdered? No. My lord. You're lying. Trying to get my throat. Lying. True. Do you hear it? Let go. Go. I'm sorry, fella. Do you have any idea who did it? Yeah. Yeah, but there's still a little groundwork to be done before. Before I go to the police, you mean. Nobody knows about this yet? Outside of a girl named Maxine Rossi? Someone she talked to on the telephone. And the murderer? No. Now, tell me, Strannigan, did you ever hear Terry speak of either this Rossi girl or a gambling note that a guy named Paul Naylor held? No. No, I didn't, Marlow. But where do those two fit in? That Stranagan comes under the heading of groundwork. Now, if you can keep all this under your sombrero until you hear from me again, I'll take my gun and wallet and get going. What do you say? I say yes. On one condition, Marlow. When you do get to the killer, I'll give first crack at him. Fair enough. Now, where can I reach you? 4812 North Ogden Drive. You think you'll need any help? I don't know. Paul Naylor's my next stop. And according to the talk downtown, he's a hard man to get next to. I'll call you later. The club. Paul Naylor ran out of North Lancashire and didn't have a name, but the numbers 3100 would of luminous scotch light. Easy to find, however, unless you knew the man behind the peephole, you were nowhere. So 20 minutes later, when I was out of my car and walking toward the steel plated back door, I decided that getting in to see the head man of the house had to be approached like that was the last thing in the world I wanted to do. I stayed in the shadows of the building, moved a slow step at a time until I saw a little oily man in a pink shirt, white knit tie and fuzzy black fedora nearby noticed me. Then I moved faster until I was at the steel door. And so was he with a.45 in his hand. Lost something, mister? No, I was. What's the gun for? Trespassers. These are private grounds. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know that. I'll leave right away. I thought this was. Never mind what you thought. Now get over there. Stand very still while I make a phone call inside. Phone call? What for? Cops? No, stupid. The gentleman who lives here, Mr. Paul Naylor. I think he'd like to talk to you while you can still talk. In just a moment, the second act of Philip Marlow. But first, a man who knows something about cars makes a better driver than a man who's completely blank about what's underneath the hood. And in the same way, a man who knows something about our American economic system is able to be a better citizen than a man who hasn't any idea at all about what makes the wheels go around understanding our system of mass production enables one to feel renewed pride in the high standard of living this kind of production has helped provide. And it's understanding, too, that enables us to work at some of our system's defects, like sharp ups and downs in prices and jobs. So read, study, listen. And with all of us working together, we can increase our productivity still further and provide for even wider distribution of benefits. Now with our star, Gerald Moore, we return to the second act of Philip Marlowe and tonight's story, the Promise to Pay. The oily little man in the pink silk shirt spoke briefly into the phone, then breathed garlic in my face while his free hand dotted neatly inside my jacket. When it came out, it brought my.38 with it. Then he jerked me around, unlocked the heavy back door, shoved me through, and marched me on the business end of his.45 down a strip of blue carpet, ankle deep, to another door of glossy blonde mahogany. He slammed me face first up against it, and then signaled for an audience. When the door swung open, he prodded me. I stumbled into an office of jungle green drapes and pale beige furniture upholstered in leopard skin. The face that peered at me over 8ft of desktop smiled from the ears down from the ears up had never known what smiling meant. We have a front door for our friends. I know. That's why I went to the back. I figured I'd pick up an escort there and bypass all that muscular red tape you keep out in front. Maybe that smart figure in, maybe not. Depends. What do you want? Call you a liar, Naylor? Oh, mind your man is stupid. You're way out of line. You're building up quite an account, oily. You take some long chances, Mr. What's your name? Marlow. I still want to know why you lied to a friend of mine about burning his market, Marlowe. Wait outside, Quincy. I'll call you. Okay, Mr. Miller. All right, Marlo. So you're Randall's boy, right? I've talked to him. When Randall called you, you told him that his girl, Terry Dodge, had delivered the money okay, but that you saw her burn his marker. That's what I thought I saw at the time. What'd you really see? She put the marker in her purse and started out of here, but I called her back and told her to burn it. Why? Because I don't like my name floating around, Marlow. Especially now, with things tightened up like they are. So she went over to the fireplace there and burned a piece of paper. But it wasn't a note, huh? Bright boy. That call from Randall gave me ideas. I Checked the pieces left in the fireplace and they weren't even the same kind of paper as the marker. So somebody's shooting an angle, Marlowe. One with my name on it. I don't like that. I suppose you got the marker back all right. Not yet. However, I intend to. Mm. But on your first try, you got too rough too fast. And kill Terry before she'd talk, is that it? You know, if I were you, I'd bite my tongue off before I'd say a thing like that. Even joking. Who's joking? Girl's been murdered your way. Smart people die every day lots of ways. Yes, well, thanks for the information. Good night. Sit down. Wait a minute, Naylor. The interview's over. Not quite. What's Randall steamed up about? Blackmail. Which puts you both in the same boat. If I get the marker to protect him, I have to protect you at the same time. For no extra charge. Let's be sensible. Sensible. Okay. Quincy. Yeah, Mr. Naylor. Going out. Sit on Marlow here real hard if necessary, until I get back. Sure. It'll be a pleasure. Won't it, Mr. Marlow? Oily straightened his and sat down opposite me, humming to himself. And he unfolded a racing form, tilted his chair back and apparently forgot about me. He was a perfect setup for a very old gang because the two back legs of his chair were perched on the far edge of a green hook rug that I could reach easily. His eyes okayed my request to light a smoke. Then he dropped my matches. I bent down to get them. I grabbed the rug instead and yanked. Couldn't resist. Good. You sucker. I'm faster than I look. Come on. I should have known. Fell 100%. Now I got an excuse to work you. Wait a minute. Naylor will want to talk to me when he gets back. Stooge, you'll be able to talk, only maybe you won't think so. Good. Get back there in the corner. Go on, move. That's it. Now turn around and face the wall. He kept the.45 point as my middle even while he shifted it to his left hand. And he dipped his right into the side pocket and brought it out, clenched around an ugly set of brass nuts. There was a tight knot in the pit of my stomach as he started taunting me. I just made up my mind to try for his gun regardless when I heard it. When I turned and looked, oily was sprawled face down on the floor and sprinkled with chunks of shattered crockery. And standing over him like a victorious gladiator was Maxine Rossi Marlow. I came as soon as I found out you were in here. He is so vicious, this Quincy. Not at the moment, baby, thanks to you. But I don't get it. How did you. Come to the roulette table as soon as you can. Hurry, darling. I watched the slip through a side door, then rolled Quincy over, got my gun back in its holster, and all of seven seconds later went out through the same side door. It opened into a lush room, 50 by 50, checkerboarded, with people bunched around evenly spaced gaming tables. I moved toward the click of a roulette wheel and found Maxine there, throwing blue chips around the subtle recklessness that meant she had a fortune to squander. Or that she was a shill for Naylor. How's your luck, baby? Still holding. Aha. It is so far. But it may change any instant now. Yeah, well, I guess it's my turn, then. Come on, I'll pick up some chips. 10 black. Mala, we gotta get you out of here. You work for Naylor, don't you, Maxie? Yes, but not like I'd work for you, Mala. Oh, he sent you up to Terry Dodge's place tonight to find out what you wanted with that marker. It was Naylor. You called when you found Terry's body, huh? Yeah. I just left Mahler not a minute ago. 50oo. Where was he hidden? I don't know. But one of those scraps of paper that wasn't burned in the fireplace, there was a telephone number for travel agency on it. He had that with him. Travel agency. That might be the one shot I need. Listen, Maxi. Oh, the boys have got me pegged. They're moving in. I was afraid of this. Wait till the lights go out, darling, and then run for it. The lights, Baby, I love you. What about you, Maxi? Don't worry. My father was a longshoreman in San Francisco. I don't know how to get. She walked slowly as far as the back corridor, then started to run. And as the two gorillas angled toward the room, toward me, I pretended to study the odds on the crap table while I edged for the door. They were almost up to me when the room went suddenly black. And a girl. Maxie. I ducked low and belted to the front entrance. All stops open. And a few seconds later, I was outside. I put 50 yards between me and the front porch before I so much as slowed down. When I did, I saw something else. Paul Naylor himself, across the street, just getting into his car. I pulled my gun out and ran for him. Hey, Naylor. Marlow. How did you get. Say, what's going on? I want that phone number you got in your pocket. Phone number? I don't know what you're talking about. That's too bad, because I don't have time to explain. It was not five minutes and all of five miles later when I stopped at a gas station and climbed into a phone booth to call the travel agency number on a half burned piece of paper that I'd taken from Paul Naylor. I was sure now that at least I'd get an answer to fit the two airline tickets to Mexico City. But the girl who answered the phone exploded that dream with her opening line. Good evening, Canadian and Northern Railway Agency Canada. It didn't make sense. On a hunch, I shot a girl with a description of Terry Dodge and hit pay dirt on the first try. A woman who matched it had made a reservation that afternoon leave for Canada at midnight, alone. But then the girl asked me a question. The answer to that made my next stop my client as fast as I could get there. The drive into Laurel Canyon and up the twisting trail they call the road put some new gray in my hair. But before I got to Randall's house, I pulled over, parked and climbed the rest of the way quietly, on foot. A long brown convertible that wasn't Randall squatted under the bushes beside the house. I crossed the patio and went in. Through an open window I could hear voices, so I inched along the back hall to an open study door and listened. Don't try anything cute, buddy, or I'll break you in two, and I mean it. Well, what do you say? Give me the money and I'll give you that marker. Well, I. How do I know you've got the marker? Where did you get it? I killed that double crossing girlfriend. Ours. Sweet Miss Terry Dodge to get it, that's where. What? You. You. You mean Terry's dead? Yeah. We were pulling this deal together and then going to Mexico, but she got greedy. Was going to get the money and take off for Canada alone. So now I'm doing it alone. Get the dough, Randall. Time short. Wait, I. I want to see the marker first. Well, sure. Hand me that picture there. That's right, pretty boy. The one Terry sent back to you today. Well, come on. All right. Here. Thanks. Hey, what are you. The marker. It was behind my picture all the time. Yeah, Terry was real smart. And so was that blabbermouth Marlow. He tipped me off to the whole thing when he told me. Terry sent this back to you today. The marker wasn't anyplace else, so it had to be here. And here it is, Randall. All yours for 20 grand. No, no, I won't pay it. I had to pay Terry blackmail for that note, but I won't shield a killer. All right, Randall, have it your way. But I'm walking out that front door, and that means I gotta leave you dead on the floor. Randall. Doc, what's that this time? Marlow. Marlowe. That was awfully close. Never mind that. Come on, let's get him. Oh, you missed him. Yeah. Stay here. I'll get him. I. Oh, my car. I left it halfway down the hill. He'll be 10 miles away the way he's driving before I can get to it. Well, he's got to be good to drive those roads that fast. Bill, he went over. He was going too fast to get around. Your car. He went over. Yeah. If anybody ever had it coming, it was Rep. Stranagan. All American. By the time we got down to the crash, the canyon was swarming with people. An ambulance and two prowl cars. Wind in in. Thirty minutes later, the mess was all cleaned up. The police verdict was speed on a dangerous road, and the doctor's forecast was voa. So Randall and I went back to his place and spent another 30 minutes over some much needed brandy while I told him everything that had happened. Great Scott. And it seemed like such a simple thing, Phil. Pay a gambling debt and get the market. Yeah. Hard to realize all this happened just because of that. Well, that plus the fact that you let a pair of nasty characters get you in a spot. Yeah. It's also hard to believe that they're both dead now and it's all over. And you, you did a wonderful job, Phil. I had some wonderful help from Miss Maxine Rossi. Oh, there's a kid with lots on the ball, believe me. Hey, do you think she got away from Naylor all right? With her talent, she can count on it. But just to play safe, I'm gonna let Mr. Naylor know it's hands off or I'll see his joint rip wide open. I'd sure like to help, but I've just sown my last untamed oat. Yeah, I think so. Well, you're in good shape now. Boys at headquarters are reasonable. I'll run along and tell them what they need to know. Okay. Oh, Phil, just one thing first. When you called the agency, the Canadian Railway, you said the girl there asked you a question and that's why you came up here so fast. What did she say? She wanted to know If I was the tall gentleman from Texas with nice teeth who had inquired earlier about the ladies reservations. Then he got all upset, which of course could only mean Rip Stranagan. And that explained the tickets from Mexico, the murder, the ransacked house and all the rest of it. Oh, I see. You know, the more I think about a gar, the luckier you get. Good night. Happy board meetings. It was 2 o'clock in the morning. The thought of my kitchen littered with dead chicken, raw rice and the jumble of spices practically turned my stomach. Until I opened my apartment door. And then, one step at a time, I got it. The delicious odor of chicken gacciatore, cooked of perfection. The sight of a gleaming table set in candlelight. The sound of a cork being pulled from a bottle of wine. And all done in a fine Italian hand. The hand of a long showman's daughter from San Francisco. And then a startling idea hit me. You know, if Maxine Rossi could only. But she can, you know. This is dangerous. Oh, brother. The adventures of Philip Marlowe. Created by Raymond Chandler star Gerald Moore and are produced and directed by Norman McDonald. Script is by Mel Danelli, Robert Mitchell and Gene Levitt. Featured in the cast were Bill Johnstone, Betty Lou Gerson, Barney Phillips, John Dana and Jack Crucian. The special music is by Richard Orant. Be sure to be with us again next week when Philip Marlow says. When it started, the tide was high on the San Pedro waterfront and a hot tempered kid had murder on his mind. There was a knife at my throat, a beating under the piers and a corpse on the beach before the tide went out again and the kid was finally stopped. Just about an hour from now, most of these same CBS network stations will bring you the hour long Sing It Again program. A CBS Saturday night favorite and the show with radio's biggest jackpot. Of course, tonight the jackpot's down to only $50,000. Because last week somebody guessed the identity of the phantom voice. Still, 50,000 isn't hay. 25,000 is invaluable prizes for correctly guessing the new Phantom's identity. Then there's an additional 25,000, this time in cold cash. If the Phantom guesser can answer just one more question about the Phantom. There'll be other prizes too for cracking one of the many delightful riddle songs. So be sure to stick around for Sing It Again. This is Roy Rowan speaking. Now listen to Gangbusters, which follows immediately over most of these same CBS stations. This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System. Ladies and gentlemen, the ringing of that phone bell means Mystery adventure. Nero Wolf's office. Archie Goodwin speaking. You want Mr. Wolf to whine? Mr. Wolf will do nothing of the sort. Archie, Mr. Wolf is thirsty. Hold on for a moment. The bottle opener is in the left hand drawer of your desk. Thank you, Archie. Mr. Wolf, I've got a man named Denby on the phone. He wants you to umpire a card game. Man is insane. He's offering a fee. The answer is no. I know nothing of card games, nor do I wish to learn. Okay, well, the answer's no, Mr. Denby. Sure. I'll ask him again after he finishes the beer he's working on. Goodbye. People appall me, the fantasies they indulge in. What on earth made that maniac think I might consent to preside at a card game? Well, seems he expects one of the players to be death. Ladies and gentlemen, it's the bulkiest, balkiest, smartest and most unpredictable detective in the world. That chairborne genius, Nero Wolf, created by Rex Stoud and brought you on a new series of adventures over this NBC network in the person of Mr. Sydney Greenstreet. Mr. Wolf would not attend, but the card game went on anyway at the home of a Mr. Stephen Denby. Gene, the custom. Mr. Piper, I think we're ready to begin, eh? I'm ready. Yes, Gene, you always are. How I like that remark. I'll have to decide later on. Please do, Ricasto. It's all right with me. And Mr. Piper, I. I brought a deck. No. As host, I shall supply the cards. Before we play, I examine them. Yes, of course. Here you are, Chuck. Yeah. Mr. Denby, you will remain outside the door until called. No one has entered this room under any circumstances. Got it? Augusta, the cards look all right. Thank you. Now then, shall we make things absolutely clear? You mean, should you make a speech? I don't mind, but make it short. I shall. The four of us seated at this table are joint owners of the Candy Club, a rather successful institution devoted to the sale of food, liquor, entertainment and the gambling and games of chance. For some time now, we have all resented sharing the profits. Some of us have attempted to buy out the others again, be. You needn't babble on. No one wants to sell. We know that. True? True, Mr. Piper, which is the reason for this little game of cards. One hand shall be dealt to each of us a hand at poker. Whoever wins gets the club. The others retire as gracefully as they can. Agreed? That's why we agreed. Very well. The cards are shuffled. I'll place them in the center of the table. Macasto, would you like I cut? Good. If nobody minds, I'll cut them too. After Mr. McAsto, nobody minds. Happy now, Mr. Piper? Let's get going, huh? Very well. Unless Jean would care to. We're all crooks here. Which sort of cancels out any funny business with a card. Very well. We shall all draw a card in turn until five cards are drawn by each player. Shall we start, Jean? Sure, Lucasto. Okay, Mr. Piper? Yes, of course. And myself. We just keep going in rotation. This is fun. Fun? No, no. There's too much money which rides on these cards. That's what makes it fun. Would you mind keeping quiet? I'm nervous. We all are, one way or another. I think we all have our five cards. Now we all got em. Very well then. In the same order that the cards were dealt. Gene, a pair of threes. Ducasto? Nothing, Mr. Piper. Kings 2. The light. Piper. Y What? Hey, hey. I don't like to seem stuffy, mister, but will you take your elbow out of my back? I'd be delighted to, Mr. Goodwin, but it's not my elbow. I don't care if it's your tibia maximus, just take it away. Chuck wouldn't like that. We have company. Mind if I look around? Keep right on walking, pal. That would be Chuck behind me, huh? And you are? My name is Denby. You may remember it. Oh, yeah, yeah. You phoned a couple of hours ago about a card game. Now look, just what is your boy poking in my back? I think it's a.38. You're not sure? It might be a.45, Chuck. Is it loaded? Make a funny move, pal, and you'll find out the hard way. Yo, wait a minute. It's just a passing curiosity. Where are we going? My car. Get in. If you insist. I guess you do. Okay, I'll drive. Chuck. The car bulletproof? No, it's hardly necessary. Chuck shoots first. Well, it's a saving, I guess. The only thing is I. I hadn't figured on taking a ride. I told Mr. Wolf I was going for a walk. He disapproved. You're going for a ride? Isn't that a little corny? Now, there's a minor difference. Usually the guest, shall we say, is killed at the conclusion of the ride. In this case, let's not make the difference too minor. You will survive the ride. It's what comes afterwards that might kill you. You see, Mr. Goodwin, my friends and I have a little mystery to solve. You want me to solve it? No, we want Mr. Wolf to solve it in order to do so, he must leave his house and come to mine. He has to, in order to find the solution quickly. Why? Neither my friends nor myself have any desire to improve our acquaintance with the police. Therefore, we want the mystery solved before the police are even called in. Hence our need for Mr. Wolf. Hence our detaining you. Detaining is a pretty word in the circumstances. Now, this is my home, Mr. Goodwin. Oh, well, I don't like the architecture. I think I'll stay out. Going, pal. On second thought, Mr. Denby, what makes you think Mr. Woolf's going to leave his house and come here? You. Unless he does so, he will lose you forever. The door. Just. Okay. Mr. Goodwin, may I introduce you to my associates in business and in poker? Do your right. Mr. Locasto, a charming but impulsive fellow. Hello. He's only the stooge. Where's the fat fellow? In time. The lovely lady whose back is to you is Jean. Jean something or other. She's always changing her name. Hello. Hello. And the gentleman facing you is Mr. Piper. How do you do? Is he exclusive or just? Hey, he's wearing his red carnation. A little low, isn't he? Over his heart. Except that's no carnation. That, Mr. Goodwin, is blood. Lifeblood. Oh, boy, he's always taking walks. Come in. The door is unlocked. Are you? Yeah. You're Wolf. Having made a magnificent discovery, suppose you remove your hat. No. Come on. I beg your pardon. Mr. Denby wants to see you. Mr. Danby can see me here. Here ain't where he wants to see you. Here, at the risk of minor monotony, is where he'll have to see me. Don't you want your boy Goodwin to keep on living? No one has ever been able to discourage him. Mr. Denby will. Archie's in custody. No, in Mr. Denby's house, under a gun. I don't have to believe that. Take a look at this. Wallet. That is wallet. I shall accompany you. And permit me to warn you that if Mr. Goodwin has been harmed, nothing short of murder will satisfy me. It's getting late. Wolf isn't here yet. Maybe he doesn't worry about you. Goodwin? Well, he could have been delayed. Maybe an orchid needed a pollen transfusion or something. Besides, only the good die young. Then you must be very, very good. Archie. That remark I didn't care for. We sit here and wait for the fat one. But in the meanwhile, the police. The police will come when we notify them. But they will not like the delay we make to notify Them. I say we waste time. I say the fat one will not risk coming. You say entirely too much. Is that so? Maybe I kill you myself. Picasso, put that gun away. Yes, darling. Archie should have a chance to live. Not long if Wolf doesn't come. Stop looking so pleased. Are you afraid to die? Yeah, well, I'm not looking forward to it. It's so final. Besides, I didn't eat a hearty dinner and. Oh, the marines have landed. Who is it? Chuck with Merrill. Wolf. Let him in. Shut the door, Chuck. Stay outside, Hodgie. Hello, Mr. Wolf. Oh, am I glad to see you. I regret I cannot say the same thing. Blast you. Why couldn't you stay at home instead of taking those confounded walks? I warned you to be dangerous. Yeah, but, Mr. Wolf, it wasn't the fresh air that got me. It was Denby. Mr. Wolf, I knew you wouldn't come here without some sort of pressure. I thought the method I used would be most effective. Would you really have killed Archie if I hadn't come? I would have had no choice. I would have been stuck with a witness to an unsolved murder. Suppose I cannot solve it? I should be forced to apply the Same logic to two witnesses. Mm. Mr. Wolf, you really came here to save my life, huh? Nonsense. I came here for a fee. Mr. Denby. I have a check for a thousand dollars already made out. Clear it up. You forget, I left my home. I traveled unprotected through the streets of the city, exposed to motor accidents. To fresh air, too. You offer me a thousand dollars? Will 2,500 do? Barely. Archie, will you take the cheque now? I presume you want me to find who killed the gentleman at the table. The one facing me. His name is Mr. Piper. Name is no importance. Will you all sit at the table in the same position you were at the time of the shooting? Of course. Jean. Gusto. Good. Now for a look at the wound. The lights, I should imagine, went out for a while when the shooting occurred. They went out? Yes. Of the three of you at the table, which one had the best motive for the murder? We all have the same motive. The Club Helpful. There was no one else in the room at the time? No one. The door locked with Chuck unguard outside of it. So much for that. The windows, I noticed, are closed. They were closed when the murder took place. They were closed. The window panes are all unbroken, which eliminates the possibility of the shot being fired from outside of them. Unless one of them was raised and lowered. That wouldn't have been possible. The Windows are secured by catches. I see. Will you check that? Okay. Mr. Wolf, I shall for the moment assume that the windows are neither lying nor untrustworthy. Does anyone remember anything unusual occurring at the time of the shooting? Was someone whispered Piper, just before the shot? Indeed. You all heard that whisper? We heard it. Man's voice or woman? Well, I. I can't say. A whisper doesn't reveal much of anything. Windows weren't open, Mr. Walt, which leads to the fact that. That it had to be one of us in this room. But which one, Mr. Wolf? The murder weapon. Ah, yes, yes, yes. Has it been moved? Nobody touched it. It's laying on the floor where it was dropped. Interesting. If you look closely, you would observe two oil spots staining the rug between the revolver and the lady's chair, indicating who sat at the right of Mr. Piper. I did. Why, Mr. Danby. Yes? If I were you, I would turn Mr. Locasto over to the police. You are a liar. I warned you about that gun. Lacastor, was it necessary to shoot Mr. Lecasto in the arm? Yes, he was reaching for a gun. He'll live, however, till the police take him away. What do I tell them? You could point out the angle of the wound. As you notice, Mr. Denby, the bullet entered Mr. Piper's heart from the right. Yes, so it did. Therefore, whoever sat to his right, well, that was Locasto. Archie, you have the check? I haven't. We may as well leave. Mr. Wolf. You're sure Locasto shot Piper? I have indicated the evidence. The rest will be up to the jury. Come, Archie. Uh huh. Gene. Yes, Archie? Now that my life expectancy has increased, what are you doing tomorrow night? I got a scram. I'll be ringing your bell. Oh, Mr. Denby, you better do something about Lucasto's arm or he won't live to be executed. You see, the executioner likes them warm before he chills them. The old homestead looks very nice, Mr. Wolf. Yes, Archie. You should stay in it more often. Yeah, but you never get to meet babes like Gene. That way you never get kidnapped either. Nor would I have had to leave my home in order to rescue you. Well, you earned a nice fee fast. Indeed, you seem doubtful about it. Positive, Archie. I know I have not as yet earned my fee. Huh. You mean Denby might not turn Lucasta over to the cops? The trouble is, you see, Lucasto did not murder Piper. No, he just thought a bullet in the heart might be good for Piper's rheumatism. Huh? As it happens, Piper suffered from asthma. That's beside the point. Fine. Mr. Wolf, I'm going to take it for granted that you know who did kill Piper. I'm also going to take it for granted that you won't tell me until you're ready. But why turn Lucasta over to the police? Two reasons, Archie. First, I had no proof against the real killer. Secondly, we had to supply a scapegoat in order to be permitted to leave the Danby home. You were unarmed, helpless. Go ahead, rub it in. Nonsense. It was an interesting problem. I enjoyed it. It was, huh? Well, to me, it's still in the present tenses. Which reminds me, as old Dr. Tidmar said, there's always a future tense. And in that future tense. Gene, no. Archie. Oh, Mr. Wolf, stop. That girl's got a love for blood that appeals to the ghoul in me. Besides, did you notice what she does? To address Archie, I was merely about to say that I have no objections to your dallying with the girl. Oh, I don't believe it. My ears need overhauling. I objected only to the future tense. Why not call her now? Yeah. Well, I won't pretend I understand this sudden enthusiasm on your part about my love life. Probably there's some foul scheming motive at the bottom of it, but who am I to look a gift horse in the mouth? Now, let's see. Her number was Lancaster 7583. Of course. This is the most beautiful bar and grill I've ever seen. Archie drank, you mean? What? Never mind. Archie, did anybody get you? You a beautiful tulip. Well, a girl here and there has mentioned it. Oh, were they liars? Tell me, Gene, how did you ever get into the gambling den? Record? Because I'm a crook. Well, I suspected that, but I want another drink. You've had enough. I want another drink. And when Gene wants another drink. No gentleman. Who is a gentleman? Gene, get down. Let me go. I don't want to climb under the table. Just stay under here until the barrage stops, huh? I guess the war's over. All right, Gene, get up. No. Now I'm here. I like it. I'm gonna stay here for months and months. Gene, do you realize that somebody just tried to kill you? And I thought you had such a nice, honest face. No, no, no, not me. Somebody out in the street. I don't know why, but Mr. Wolf will. Come on, pull yourself together and let's go see him, the nice fat man. All right. I like him. You do? Why? Because he'd make such a Big Cor. Is that you, IG plus Jean. What made you think I wanted her here? She's one of your fans. She thinks you'd make a lovely corpse. What was the reason for bringing her here? She was shot at. Did you expect her to be? I expected her to be killed. That's why I sent you to her. Didn't occur to you I might be killed too? It did. I was willing to take the chance. You were willing. Oh, Mr. Wolf. Jean's a little under the weather. Splendid. In vino veritas. Watch your language. I mean that people in their cups often tell the truth. A proverb of some antiquity. Who shot at you tonight, Jean? Well, I don't know. I didn't see. Has it occurred to you that you might just as easily have murdered Piper as not? But Lucasto killed Piper. You said so yourself. I lied. Furthermore, why the attack on you if Lucasto was the murderer? I don't know. Did you also not know that Locasto escaped from jail earlier this evening? You're making that up. Why should I? Mr. Denby turned him over to the police, but Locastor managed to get away before being jailed. That's not cricket. Incidentally, Mr. Denby will be joining us at any moment. I expected you to bring Gene Archie. Therefore, with the exception of Mr. Piper, who is resting in the morgue, and Mr. Locastu, who is at large, we shall have all the participants in the card game with them. Perhaps we can deal a new hand, Augie. Okay. Maybe it's the morgue to tell us Piper escaped. Oh, wrong again. Come in, Mr. Denby. Mr. Wolf, I'm upset. I heard over the radio about Lucasto's escape. He'll try to kill us all. Why? Because we can testify that he murdered Piper. I beg your pardon? Lucastor did not kill Piper. What? You said that he did. The only evidence against Lucastor was the angle of the entrance of the bullet that lodged in his heart. May I remind you of the whisper you all heard in the darkness preceding Piper's death? The whisper that said Piper? Precisely. We must assume then that Piper turned his body in the direction of the whisper. Therefore, the angle of the wound would be wrong for Dacasto. But the cricked went for whoever sat opposite Piper. I sat opposite him, but that doesn't mean I killed him. Wait, you must have. Once he turned, the bullet must have come from opposite him. Only possible way. That means Eugene. No, no, it's a frame. May I interrupt for a moment, Mr. Denby? If our present analysis is Correct. It must have been you who whispered the paper. Did you? I. I hadn't thought about it before, but. Denby, you're lying. No, he's not lying. Continue, Mr. Denby. Well, when the lights went out, I wanted to tell Piper something. He. He turned to me and that's when he was shot. Archie, you've taken all this down in my prettiest shorthand, Mr. Wolf. Good. I don't know why you're doing this, Denby. Maybe you think if I take the rap you'll get the club. But remember, Locasto's still free. He's gunning for all of us. But it'll be you, especially you, he'll want. Maybe you can talk a jury into sending me up for something I didn't do, but you won't live to gloat about it. Go. Shut up, Jean. You killed Piper. And who. Who's that? This is of course the murderer of Mr. Piper. No comments. Archie, the door, if you please. But you said I was the one who. What kind of idiocy is this? Archie, I said the door. Okay, but shall I ask him in or sock him? You will act as the situation demands. Yes, sir. For once I'd like to know what the situation is. Raise them, Goodwin, and keep him that way. Now back up into the living room. I don't. Back up. Good. My gears. You want it? Here. Never mind, I'll strip a gear. Archie, what are you doing? Just what the situation demands. Backing up in case your knowledge of armaments has failed you. Our little friend Chuck here is. Pointing a.38 revolver at me. Won't save him from the chair. Maybe not, but it could give me quite a pain in the stomach. Chuck, what do you think you're doing, you double cross and louse. Gentlemen, if you. So you thought you'd run to the fat dick and pin it all on me, huh? Denby, you don't know what you're talking about. We haven't even mentioned you. You're sure of that, huh? Then why did Wolf phone me and tell me you were about to sing? Wolf phoned you? Yeah, said you were getting ready to feed me to the electrician up the river. Oh, he was making a stab in the dark, Chuck, trying to start something. That's so Wolf. Archie, will you read Chuck your notes about Mr. Denby's statement regarding the whisper? Well, that doesn't mean it could be Mr. Duff student. Read me the notes, Goodwin. Here it is. I quote, when the lights went out, I wanted to tell Piper something. He turned to Me. That's all I need to hear. Chuck. You were selling me out after hiring me to knock off Piper. You dumb gunman. Now you've given Wolf what he wants. A confession. I was trying to pin it on Gene. That's what you say now. It's kind of late, though. Too late for you. Goodbye, Mr. Denby. Nice shooting. Check. Stay put, Goodwin. The rest of you, I'm leaving. Police wouldn't approve, but let me have your gun, wise guy. You know something? I've been thinking. Can you think if I was to knock off you and Goodwin, me and Gene could split the club between us. Nobody'd ever know who killed Piper. Very whimsical, Chuck, but if you don't mind. Ah, gee, don't be an idiot. Well, if I have to get shot, I prefer for it to happen when I'm moving forward. Okay, come and get it, Goodwin. March right up, nice and easy and take it. I'm coming. Would somebody mind telling me why I don't fall down? I've been shot. Well, that's not the way to talk to a man who's just. But hey, Chuck is lying down. He. Is he dead? Well, there's been a mistake. I didn't shoot him. He shot me. Archie, stop blabbering. Neither of you shot the other. As a matter of fact, I shot the job. Lucasto. Lucasto. Archie. Well, I thought he escaped. No, I'm not crazy. I do not escape. The fat one, he phones the police to tell them how I'm innocent. Yes, I had the police announce the escape. However, for reasons of. Should I say strategy? Well, on account of there are no bullet holes in me. You can say whatever you like, Mr. Wolf. Thank you, Archie. That announcement helped heighten the tension our murderers were under. And then they explode. The fat one, he says to me, locasto, wait in the next room. Watch careful. Maybe there's trouble. I watch now. Now there's no more trou. Well, place looks a lot tidier now with all those bodies removed, huh? Indeed. I'll get you the bottle of beer. But first make with an explanation. Case was crystal clear, Archie. Maybe, but I'm no crystal gazer. Sure, I know Denby had things arranged in advance with Chuck in case anybody held a better hand than his own. Piper did. So Denby whispered to Piper after kicking the light switch and set him up for a shot by Chuck from the doorway. The angle would provide evidence against Lucasto. True. However, we had only Denby's word void and Chuck's that the door was locked. All right, we know. But you knew before Denby and Chuck blew up. How? The oil spots on the rag, Archie. Well, they only showed the gun at bounce when the murderer threw it away. Spatted oil. Very well kept gun. They showed more than that. Where were those spots in relation to the gun? Think back, Archie. Spots in relation. Oh, sure. They were between the gun and the door. Therefore, the gun must have been thrown from the door, bounced twice staining the rug before reaching its final destination. I get it now. That told you who'd fired the gun. But there wasn't proof enough. So you set up a nice atmosphere of suspicion and had the boys give each other away. All right, Mr. Wolf, you're a genius and you may have your beer. Thank you, Archie. As for me, I'm not a genius, but I remember a phone number. So if you'll excuse me, Mr. Wolf. You're excused, Archie. Thanks. But before you call that number, may I remind you that Jean is a girl of macabre tastes who appeals to the gourd in you. Sure you may. But why bother? In order to be able to warn you that a ghoul and his money are soon parted. Good night, Ajim. You have been listening to the new adventures of Nero Wolf starring Sydney Greenstreet. Tonight's transcribed story was based on the characters created by Reichstout. This is an Edwin Fadiman program. In the cast were Gerald Moore as Archie Goodwin and Betty Lou Gerson, Jay Novello, Howard McNear, Barney Phillips and Bill Johnstone. Next week at this same time, Nero Wolf and Archie will bring you the case of the calculated risk. Don Stanley speaking. Three chimes mean good times on NBC. The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima cigarettes. Best of all, King size cigarettes brings you dragnet on both radio and television. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned the Wilshire division vice detail. An informant sends you word about an extortion racket going on in your area. The victim of bookmaker, the suspect, a police officer. Your job. Check it out. Compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. Yes, compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. One, Fatima's length filters the smoke 85 millimeters for your protection. Two, Fatima's length cools the smoke for your protection. Three, Fatima's length gives you those extra puffs 21% longer than standard cigarette size Fatima gives you more for your money. And in king size Fatima, you get an extra mild and soothing smoke. Plus the added protection of Fatima quality. Buy Fatima in the bright Sunny yellow pack. Best of all, king size cigarettes. Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Tuesday, October 18th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Wilshire Division vice detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Hayes. My name's Friday. We were on the way downtown from the office and it was 9:35am when we got to the felony section of the main jail. The interview room. Sit down, Mr. Lawrence. Hi. Got your message when we checked in this morning. What's it about? Well, I finally made up my mind. I've had enough of. Say, either one of you got a cigarette? I left mine back in the cell. Yeah, sure. Here you are, Lawrence. Oh, thanks. You bet. There's a match for you. Now, what's the story? What's on your mind? Well, I've been thinking about it most of the night. I didn't get very much sleep. So. You remember yesterday? I mean. I mean, when you arrested me? Yeah. Well, it's just like I told you then. I'm not trying to kill anybody. I admit it. I've been taking a few bets. Wasn't any big operation, though, you know, just laying off a few bets for my friends. You know, people in the neighborhood. We know all that, Lawrence. We went through that yesterday, didn't we? Yeah, I know. I just wanted to make sure we got it straight. We're not any big operators. We just ran the bookmaking as a sideline. Business hadn't been too good lately. Had to make it up somehow. Sorry, Lawrence. We can't feel bad about it. You were attacked for making a book before you showed. Oh, I know, I know, I know. I'm not singing with blues. I'm not trying to alibi. I didn't call you down here for that. Well, then what's this all about? Well, like I told you, I've been thinking about it a lot. I. I didn't sleep quietly at all last night. I finally made up my mind, though. I'm. I'm gonna get it off my chest if it kills me. All right? What's that? I know, stoolie. I don't want to get anybody in trouble, but there's one thing I believe in, and that's playing it square. No matter what you do Just like now, Sergeant. I ain't beaten about the arrest, you know that. What are you getting at? What do you want to tell us? Oh, all right. Here it is. You know what the record is? I stood a pinch for bookmaking a year and a half ago. I got the thing all squared away and it came back to my business. I learned my lesson. I didn't want any more trouble, so I laid off the books. All right, fill us in. What about this policeman? I'm getting to it. Just a minute. Hey, I'm sorry. You got another cigarette? Please. I'm a little jumpy this morning. Yeah, I'll show you. Thanks. Oh, thanks a lot. Well, like I was saying, you know, when I cleared up the last beef, I forgot all about the horses. I was off them for good. Wife made me promise I. I wouldn't have anything more to do with them. We just run the business, you know, live on what they made and we'd get along fine. All right, go ahead. Everything was going fine too. Business wasn't too good, but we made out. Then the trouble started. My oldest boy, that's Harry Jr. He had an accident on the job and he broke his hip. I had to help his family out while he was in the hospital. Like I say, the business wasn't making too much money. But we made out, though. Then go ahead. Yeah. Well, then just as soon as Harry got well, the wife came down gallbladder. She had to have an operation. Really cost money, you know. Yeah. Well, wife is resting at home. She didn't come down to the store. I started with the books again, you know, just taking a few bets on the side. Just a few. I didn't really want to do it. Just one of those things, you know. I didn't have anybody to go to. The bills had to be paid. Where's this policeman fit in with this Ray witness? Well, I'm just coming to it. No. Well, he came in the store. He said he wanted to make a bet. I didn't know him from Adam, so I played careful, you know. I told him I wasn't making both. And then he said he was a good friend of Myra's. Myra? That's a gal. Runs with you to follow along Crenshaw. She used to make books, but she isn't now. Yeah, we know the spot. Well, when he said that he knew Mara, I think it was all right. So I. I took the bet. That's. That's when it started. As soon as he makes the bet, he comes out and says he's a cop. Working for vice. I. I thought he was just kidding. And he. And he flashes this identification. What kind of identification? Bag. What kind of a bag? Well, I don't know. Just a bag. Looked all right. All right. Have a look. This one here. Was it like this one? I don't know. I. I didn't get too good to look at it. Might have been something like that. I don't know. You asked for any other identification? You volunteer to show you any? No, I didn't ask for any. I was scared. I. I just figured I was arrested again, that's all. He seemed to know all about the first pinch I stood for making book. He told me that I'd been operating for about a month and a half. He said he had his eye on me. What'd he do after he told you he was a policeman? Well, I. I started to explain to him how the thing shaped up, why I was making books again, how I had to pay up those doctor bills. I tried to beg off. I told him that I quit right now. Then Hen John tells me I don't have to. What do you mean? Well, that's just what he said. He didn't. Didn't make sense to me either. And he went on. He told me I was operating in his destiny. Said it'd be okay if I went right along the way I was. He'd see, though, that I. I didn't stand any pinches. Yes, sir. What else did he say? Well, he said he wasn't the only one who'd have to be taken care of. He said that was his partner. A couple of guys over him, they. They'd have to be taken care of, too. He said the juice would cost me 100 bucks a week. I tried to explain to him. Well, I told him that I wasn't operating big. I was just on the side. I said I wasn't making that much a week. I thought all I was doing is about 50. That's all. Just 50. Then he said, well, he says, all right, if that's the way you feel about it, I'll just take you down, book you now. Well, I told him I didn't want to stand a pinch again and I'd do the best that I could. So he finally set out for. I'll give you two weeks to go ahead and open this thing up. Said I'd have to do more business because the juice was just gonna cost me a hundred a week. He didn't care. Ha ha. I got it. This policeman told you to go ahead and open up, huh? For a hundred a week, you could go ahead and make book and nobody bothered. Yeah. Did your wife ever see this policeman, this fellow Williams? Yes. Yes, she saw him. She saw him a couple of times. She saw me. Saw me give him the money. Well, when did all this start? About 1st of July. Paid him $100 every week since then. Yeah. I'm almost glad you fellas picked me up. I understand he. He was running me in the ground. He had me in the bind. You say the man's name is Ray Williams, Is that right? Yeah, that's right. That's right. He said he had a partner. Did you ever see him? No. No, I never did. Did Williams ever come in with anybody? Did you ever see him with anybody? Well, no, no. Matter of fact, I never did. One time I. I asked him who his partner was. He says no. What kind of a car does he drive? Well, never came to my place in the car. He always walked. He came on foot. You know anything else about him? Where does he live? I don't know. He never told me. He never told me anything. You see? Nothing. Once I asked him what station he was working out of, who his boss was. He got a little hard with me. He told me not to get nosy, not to ask so many questions. There anything else you can tell us about William, maybe? Where he hangs out, people he knows? Anything you figure will help? Well, works out Wilshire. You ought to know him. Ray Williams? Yeah, Ray Williams, the policeman. Not in my book. Frank and I continued questioning the prisoner, Harold Lawrence, and he gave us a complete description of the extortionist, the man he knew as Officer Ray Williams. Frank got on the phone, notified the commander of Internal Affairs Division of the latest development and he advised us to bring the prisoner to his office immediately. We signed Lawrence out of the main jail for investigation and took him to the city hall, room 37. With the help of Sergeants Lloyd Reiner and Floyd Phillips, we started checking through the personnel files for the suspect. Neither Frank nor myself recognized the name or the description of Williams as given us by Lawrence. The first step was to show the prisoner photographs of every police officer in the department, regardless of rank or detail. He was unable to make an identification. We then showed him photographs of all police officers, retired or otherwise. He failed to identify any of them as Williams. We showed him photographs of all civilian employees of the department. Again, no identification. He was unable to find anyone who even closely resembled the extortionist. Not satisfied with this, the prisoner was shown photographs of all law enforcement agencies, personnel in the Area the same results. No identification. 4:18pm While Reiner and Phillips continued checking on their end, we returned the prisoner to the main jail. And then Frank and I drove out to see his wife, Mrs. Mildred Lawrence. We located her at Lawrence's place of business, a small pet shop just off Wilshire Boulevard. What is it this time? Haven't we got enough trouble? What do you want now? We just got through talking to your husband, ma'am. A few things we'd like to clear up. Like to talk to you a few minutes if you talk to Harry. How is he? He's all right, ma'am. We've been with him all day. We're still looking into the case. Why can't you let him alone? He admitted what he was doing. He wasn't lying. He told you everything. Yes, ma'am, we appreciate that. Why don't you let him alone? Let me alone? Trouble, that's all we've had. Sickness and trouble. No end of it. Well, we realize that, Ms. Lawrence. We don't like to bother you, but there's something we have to straighten out here. I haven't anything to tell you. I'm busy. Left alone here to run the store. No help. I'm sick. Just need to be down. You let us alone. Let me alone. Harry was wrong. He'll pay for it. We're not asking you for anything. We're asking you for something, ma'am. We'd like you to help us. Help you? Why? Policemen. All alike. Far as I'm concerned, you're nothing but trouble. Reason for all our trouble. Well, that's what we'd like to talk to you about, ma'am. I haven't anything to say. I told you, I'm a sick woman. Got a lot of work to do. You mind stepping inside there? Got this whole gun of dog food to package up. Can't just stand around and talk. Poor little pups have to be fed. Haven't even cleaned a litter yet. We appreciate how you feel, Ms. Lawrence. We won't take up too much of your time. Can't you give us just a few minutes? Now, you listen to me. I've tried to be nice to you. I've got no reason to either. I could tell you a lot of things about policeman. Things you wouldn't want to listen to. You think you're so smart. Maybe Harry was doing wrong, but he's not the only one. I could tell you plenty if I wanted. Well, that's what we're here for, ma'am. We told you we were with Your husband all day. Let me alone. Talked to one cop already today. I told him to stay away and you do the same. I told him just what I thought of him. Low down thief. Who was this policeman you talked to today? You know who he is with? The same place with you. Big, honest policeman. You never do anything wrong. That Ray Williams ought to be in jail just like Harry is. Ray Williams that the man who was here today? That's what I said, wasn't it? Now, you get out of here. Now, look, Miss Lawrence. Just a minute, please. We talked to your husband and he told us all about this man Williams. Why don't you do something about it? Go get him and put him in jail just like you did Harry. That's what we're trying to do. If you'll just help us. Williams isn't a police loop. What do you mean? Yes, ma'am, that's. We've been trying to tell you. We talked to your husband. He told us the whole story. How can you tell? How do you know he's not a policeman? He's not, ma'am. We're sure of that. Harry said he was. Showed Harry his badge. Well, that doesn't make him a policeman, ma'am. We had your husband look at pictures of every officer in this area. He convinced himself that Williams isn't a policeman. Well, if he isn't a policeman, who is he? That's what we want to find out. Will you help us, Mrs. Lawrence? You'll have to excuse me. I didn't mean to be nasty. Just that I've been sick. Always trouble, Harry in jail. Yes, ma'am, we understand that. Now, you say Williams was here today. About what time was that? Before lunch, about 11:30, quarter to 12, I think. He came here to get money. What he always came for that he saved me back. No, I told him never to come back. Told him Harry was in jail. All the money we gave him, what good did it do? Said I'd go to the city hall if he ever came back. What'd he say to that? That Harry had to expect an arrest now and then. I told him Harry wasn't gonna get arrested anymore. He was through with all that junk. People like him, too. Then he swore at me. Called me some real nasty names. Told me I'd better keep my mouth shut or I'd get worse than Harry did. Then he went out and slammed the door. Was he driving a. Did you notice? No, I never saw him in one. Is there anything you know about Williams at all? I mean, anything that would Help us locate him maybe? No, I don't think so. All I know is he said he was a policeman. His name was Ray Williams. Couldn't Harry tell you anything? Maybe he knows. No, ma'am, he couldn't tell us much. Oh, excuse me, please. Yes, ma'am. All right. This is Pet shop. Yes. What's that? A what? Hello? He hung up, ma'am. Ray Williams said he just drove by here. He saw us. What do you want? He saw me talking to you. He knows you're a policeman. Told me to keep my mouth shut. So if I don't, he's coming back. Yeah, he said he'd kill me. Before we left, we called in and arranged for a 24 hour stakeout on Lawrence's pet shop and all on the Lawrence home. Until the suspect was apprehended, she would be given a 24 hour protection. The next day we picked up Mrs. Lawrence and brought her downtown to the City hall, room 23. We went through the same procedure with her as we had with her husband. Like her husband, she was unable to identify any of the photographs of police officers in the area. In addition to the personnel photographs, Mrs. Lawrence also went through a group of pictures which Sergeants Reiner and Phillips came up with. They'd had a run made through the staff's office on all known extortionists using the same ammo Williams used. Posing as a police officer from this group, both Mr. And Mrs. Lawrence gave us two partial identifications. Both men were picked up, questioned and eliminated. Meantime, we'd gotten out a local broadcast and a teletype was sent to George Brereton, CII Sacramento, asking for assistance in identifying the extortion suspect. The investigation went on. Two days passed. No leads on the suspect. In checking on other possible victims of the extortionist Ray Williams, we drove to interview Myra Thomas, operator of a beauty shop out on Crenshaw. She was a tall, good looking brunette in her early 30s. This man we're looking for, Ms. Thomas, Ray Williams. We understand he's a friend of yours. Please, Sergeant. You've described the man to me. You told me his name. It doesn't mean a thing to me. I don't know him. Well, then how do you get your name, miss? I'm sure I don't know. I'm sorry, I can't help you. Well, now, apparently the man knows you. Or he knows about you. I don't think I understand you makes you think this man Williams knows me. We've already told you, ma'am. Mr. Lawrence says that When Ray Williams first approached him, he used your name as a means of introduction. Now, it's not a coincidence, I think you'll admit that. I just don't understand what it has to do with me. I know how you feel. I have an idea what you're thinking. I was in trouble once. That bookmaking thing. I learned my lesson though. I'm through with that business. We're not here about that old arrest, ma'am. We don't want to bother you. Just thought you might be able to help us locate Williams. I'm sorry, I don't think I can possibly. Might have been using another name, ma'am. I still wouldn't know him. Description doesn't sound like anybody I ever knew. You know the Lawrence is pretty well, do you? Yes. I wouldn't say pretty well, but I do know them. Have you seen him lately? Either one of them? No, I haven't. You haven't talked with Mrs. Lawrence the last couple of days? No. Why? We thought Mrs. Lawrence might have told you what kind of a man this Ray Williams is. What do you mean? What's so bad about posing as a policeman? Well, it's more than that, ma'am. He telephoned Mrs. Lawrence. Lawrence threatened her if she talked to the police about him. What? Yes, ma'am. He said he'd kill her? Yes, ma'am, that's right. Couldn't. He wouldn't do a thing like that. Do you know him that well? You are listening to Dragnet Authentic stories of your police force in action. Because of its quality, Fatima is the one king size cigarette that stands out. Here's the practical way to prove that yourself. Compare Fatima with any other king size cigarette. 1. Fatima's length filters the smoke 85 millimeters for your protection. 2. Fatima's length cools the smoke for your protection. 3. Fatima's length gives you those extra puffs 21% longer than standard cigarette size. Fatima gives you more for your money. And in king size Fatima, you get an extra mild and soothing smoke plus the added protection of Fatima quality. Because of its quality, its extra mildness and superbly blended tobaccos, more and more smokers coast to coast are switching to Fatima every day. Buy Fatima your money back plus postage. If you're not convinced Fatima is better than the king size cigarette you are now smoking, just return the pack and the unsmoked Fatimas by August 1, 1952. Fatima, Box 37, New York. 1. Add to your smoking enjoyment. Smoke king size Fatima extra mild and soothing plus the added protection of Fatima quality. Get Fatima in the bright sunny yellow pack. Best of all, king size cigarettes. The idea of an extortionist posing as a policeman to obtain money certainly was nothing new. The idea is as old as crime itself. It's one of the most vicious types of extortion in the eyes of law enforcement agencies because so many such cases go unreported to proper authorities by the victims. Usually the victim is a person of circumstances with something to hide. The extortionist discovers the person's secret by one means or another. And he begins the never ending process of draining the victim of his last dollar. All under the guise of being a police officer. If the victim's intelligent enough at the first approach by the extortionist, he takes the matter to the proper authorities. If he isn't, and he's lucky enough eventually to escape the extortion trap, he goes on for the rest of his life believing that a man who was hired to protect him was the source of all his trouble. And for the rest of his life he hangs, hangs onto his idea and he passes it on to others. A complete disrespect for law and law enforcement officers. Saturday, October 22, 2:15pm Frank Smith and I continued questioning the beauty shop operator, Myra Thomas. The more we talked with her, the more we were convinced that she was acquainted with the suspect, Ray Williams. In order to convince her of the suspect's viciousness, we drove her over to see Mrs. Lawrence at the pet shop. After their talk, we drove Myra Thomas back to the beauty shop and she told us the story. Guess I have to admit it. He certainly had me fooled. I thought he was a policeman. You say he showed you his identification, ma'am? I mean, when he first approached you? Yes, he showed me a badge. It looked authentic to me. The way he talked, the things he said. I thought he was a policeman. I really did. Now you've heard our end of the story, Ms. Thomas. You've talked to Mrs. Lawrence. Are you willing to help us now? Won't get around, will it? Won't be in the newspapers. They won't get it from us. No. Tell my husband, will you? He doesn't have to know all about this. No, ma'am. Not unless you want him to. Well, I don't. We're not getting along too well as it is. Williams is the trouble, too. Guess I should have told you when you first asked me. What's that, miss? Just like the Lawrences. I was paying him off, too. A lot longer than the Lawrences. Every week I paid him and I couldn't tell anyone. Couldn't even tell my husband. What's that, ma'am? Guess I thought I was smart. The bookmaking thing, I mean. Started taking a few bets from the girls in the shop. Just small ones. I didn't mean anything by it. And Ms. Williams came in one day, said his girlfriend made a bet with me and he wanted to place one, too. Did you take it? Yes. Like I told you, I thought I was smart. As soon as I took the bed, he showed me the badge. Told me he was a police officer. That's when it started. Same thing, just like Lawrence's. How about after you arrested Ms. Thomas? What happened with Williams then? Oh, after I got it settled, Williams came back to the shop again. I told him then I was through with the horses. Wouldn't have anything to do with it again after that, I didn't see him for a while. Sure was glad you've seen him since. You know where we can locate him now? Well, no, I don't. I have seen him since, though. You promised me my husband won't know about this. You give me your word? Ms. Thomas, if you don't want your husband to know about this, it's your business. He'll never hear it from us. It's got to be that way. Believe me, I love my husband. Ray Williams has caused us nothing but trouble. Can't tell you the worry he's caused me. I mean, besides all the money, I paid him, too. You mean you're still paying him? Yes, that's right. Every week. You know how low that man is? I can't begin to tell you. I thought he was a policeman. Why are you still paying him off, ma'am? You mind telling us that? No, I guess I don't mind. I've gone this far, all right. While my husband and I were separated, we had a fight. We were separated. Started going out on dates. Nothing serious. One night, I out with a fella from Mother Town. Nice family. Ray Williams saw me and fella sitting in the car parking lot right in back of the bar. We were necking. Williams come by and he knew that I saw him. I see. Wasn't anything wrong, really. I love my husband. He wouldn't understand about the fella that night, though. I mean, if Williams ever told him. That's what he's been holding over your head, Henry. Yes. It's more than a year now. I paid him every week. I'll tell you the truth, Sergeant. I can't go on much longer. I can't. Well, you don't have to worry about it anymore. Just help us locate the man. That's all you have to do now. Well, I don't know where he lives, but I know he's going to contact me. He always does. That's what we'd like to know. How does he contact you? He phones. Usually once a week, maybe every other week. Calls me and tells me to meet him someplace and bring the money. $50 every week. You have a regular time that he calls you? No, almost any time. It's never the same day, never the same place I meet him. I haven't heard from him in over a week now. He should be calling pretty soon, I guess. Easily call here. Does he phone you'd home? Both places? He seems to know where to reach me. I don't know what I'm gonna do this time. I just don't know, ma'am. I haven't got the money for him. I'm broke. Four or five dollars, that's all I have. Well, don't worry about it. He's gonna want his payoff, you know that. What am I gonna do? This time it's on us. Before we left Myra Thomas at the beauty shop, we had a definite understanding that as soon as she heard from the extortionist Ray Williams, she was the call us immediately, any time of the day or night. Then we called the office and made arrangements for stakeouts to be placed both at the beauty shop and Admira Thomas's home in case Williams decided to contact her in person. The Thomas woman was given a plain envelope containing $50 in marked bills, which he was to hand over to the suspect the next time he demanded his regular payoff. Two days went by. Tuesday, October 25th, no word on the suspect. Thursday the 27th, still no word. Saturday morning, October 29th, I got it. Right. Vice detail. Smith, how's that? Oh yeah, uh huh. I see. Hold on. Huh? Pencil. Joe. Yeah. Here you go over that place again. Okay. The time? Mm, yeah, surely. About half an hour. Yes, man, we'll be there. Goodbye. What do you got, Frank? Anything? Yeah, Myra Thomas? Yeah, he wants to see us. I told her we'd be over in about half an hour. What's the deal? Williams called her. He wants his money. 11:15am Frank and I got in the car and drove out to see Myra Thomas at her apartment she told us that the suspect, Ray Williams, had telephoned her shortly before 11 o'clock that morning and set up a date to meet her for his regular payoff. At 10 o'clock that night, the designated Designated meeting place was a small nightclub out on Santa Monica Boulevard. The Thomas woman was to meet Williams at the bar. We told her to get there a few minutes ahead of time and if she happened to spot Frank and I in the nightclub, she was to give no sign of recognition as far as the actual payoff was concerned. We instructed her to hand over the envelope containing the money to the suspect when he demanded it without any argument. Shortly after 9:00 that night, Frank and I entered the nightclub and got a table directly at. Joining the bar was a modernistic affair lighted from below with a blue fluorescent lamp. A four piece orchestra was playing at the rear of the place. Nobody was dancing. Only a few of the tables were occupied. But the bar was doing a good business. We waited. 9:30, 9:45. We spotted Myra Thomas as she entered the club. She went to the far end of the bar, sat down on one of the stools and ordered a high ball. 9:50, 10:00pm we kept waiting. 10:15, 10:30. Still no sign of a suspect. We watched Myra Thomas order another highball. Getting late, Joe? Yeah. What time you got? 25 to 11. Joe just came in. Coming this way. Grey suit? Yeah. What do you think? The description fits, doesn't it? Yeah. It must be going up to Ms. Thomas, talking to her. All right, he's got the envelope. All right, just a minute. Let's give him room. He's leaving. Going for the front door. What do you say? Let's go. Not wasting any time. Come on, let's hurry down the street. Come on. All right, mister. Hold it. What's the matter? What do you want? Police officers like to talk to you. Me? What about? What's the matter? You got your identification? Well, sure. Right here where you want. We'd like to look at it. Oh, sure, I hear you. Oh, excuse me. That's your badge. Oh, no, it's nothing. Where'd you get that phony badge? Friend of mine. Why? What's the matter? What do you got in your right hand pocket? Nothing, just an envelope. Why? The money in that envelope. What'd you say? I said, is there any money in that envelope? Currency? Yeah, I think so. Why? What's the difference? You know the serial numbers on the bills in that envelope? Look, I don't know what you mean. Serial numbers on the money. What are you getting at? You got seven pieces of paper money in that envelope. Three ten dollar bills and four fives. Yeah, what about it? Extortion. Mister, you know the pitch. Now come on, let's go. Now hold it. Wait A minute. Let's get this straight, huh? So I got an envelope in my pocket. Ordinary envelope. That's supposed to make me a criminal? No, no more than that badge makes you a cop. Come on. The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent. On January 8, trial was held in Superior Court Department 86, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the result of that trial. Now here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, George Feniman. Friends, our sales records show that more and more smokers every day are switching to king size Fatima. Now this makes us feel especially good because it backs up what we've been telling you that Fatima gives you more for your money. No other King size cigarette can match Fatima quality. When you buy your first pack and compare them with the cigarette you've been smoking, you'll notice Fatimas do have a better flavor and aroma. And you'll like their extra mild and soothing smoke next time. Bye, Fatima. Best of all, king size cigarettes. Raymond Edward Williams was tried and convicted of extortion, one count. And impersonating an officer. One count. He received sentences as prescribed by law and is now serving his term in the state penitentiary. Extortion is punishable by imprisonment for not less than 1 nor more than 10 years. Impersonation of an officer is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than one year or by both such fine and imprisonment. Friends, sometime during the next two weeks you'll be asked to buy a poppy in memory of those who fought to keep freedom alive. Give generously when you're asked and wear your poppy proudly. You have just heard Dragnet, the series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Fraser. Heard tonight were Herb Ellis, Vic Rodman, June Whitley. Script by Jim Mosek. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking. King size Fatima, made by the same people who make popular Chesterfield cigarettes, has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles. Stay tuned for counterspy next on NBC, we just heard Sherlock Holmes, Philip Marlowe, Nero Wolf and Dragnet that will do it for this week's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope you'll be back next Sunday for more Old Time Radio detectives. In the meantime, you can check out Stars on Suspense, my other Old Time Radio podcast. New episodes of that show are out on Thursdays. If you like what you're hearing, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the show in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. And if you'd like to lend support to the show, you can visit buymeacoffee.com meansts o t. I'll be back next week with more radio crime and crime solvers. But until then, good night and happy listening. Now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen, In a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.