← Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 640 - Come Fly With Me (Boston Blackie, Harry Lime, & Johnny Dollar)
02:10:12
The skies are unfriendly this week as three old time radio heroes face danger in the air. First, Boston Blackie is due in with evidence to send a notorious gangster to the chair…but his airplane disappears! Richard Kollmar stars as the gentleman...
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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 with more old time radio detectives and crime sol. This week we're catching some flights with mysteries that all involve air travel. First up is Richard Kalmer as Boston Blackie, who has what may be the best introduction of any character ever. He's an enemy to those who make him an enemy and a friend to those who have no friend. I really want to get that on a business card someday. Blackie was a safecracker and jewel thief. But fortunately for radio fans, he turned over a new leaf and put his criminal skills to work for the good guys. And in this syndicated episode, he's collected enough evidence to put a notorious gangster behind bars for good. All he has to do is return home and present the evidence to the cops. But as his friends await his arrival, they learn Blackie's plane has died. Disappeared. Speaking of rogues turned good guys, our second show today stars Orson Welles as Harry Lime, the character he memorably played in the classic movie the Third Man. Now in that movie, Harry is pretty dastardly. He made his dishonest dollars selling counterfeit penicillin to children's hospitals. But in this prequel radio show, Harry may still be a conman, but he makes his money swindling other crooks. We'll hear him go into the charter airline business in the syndicated episode the Hard Way. And finally, we'll hear one of the all time best, Bob bailey as Johnny Dollar in the five part mystery, the Flight 6 Matter. Originally aired on CBS between January 30 and 40. February 3, 1956. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator is dispatched to Mexico to find out why a plane exploded shortly after takeoff and who may have wanted to kill one of the passengers. So grab your bags and prepare to board. We're about to take off with Richard Kalmer as Boston Blackie. And we'll hear him right after these messages. Why has Hollywood star Myrtle Oberon switched a new improved dream 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 green for Hollywood sheen. Improved dream for Hollywood sheen. Your hair can have that Hollywood sheen the very first time you use. New dream. Get wonderful new green shampoo from coast to coast. Ford owners agree the big new Ford brings you more for your money. More in comfort, more in performance and more in economy. But only through personal experience can you appreciate the restful ease of Ford's famous midship ride and the luxurious comfort of Ford's non sag foam rubber cushion front seat. Only by driving this great car can you enjoy its smooth power and solid road ability. And only by getting the facts about Ford's economy can you understand that. So powerful, so smooth riding and so beautiful. A car can cost so little to buy, to run and to maintain. Find out how much it saves you. Yes, before you buy any car at any price, it will pay you to stop by your local Ford dealers. Take the wheel of the 100 horsepower V8 on its companion in quality, the 95 horsepower 6. Once you've driven it, you'll agree the new Ford is the one truly fine car in the low price field. Inflation can work the same way in peace that it did in war. Prices rise when goods are scarce and people have money. Instead of making your dollars shrink by spending them needlessly when prices are high, why not make them grow with interest by investing in United States Savings bonds. Here's the way it works. $75 invested now each month in US savings e bonds will in 10 years turn into an income of $100 each month for as long a period as you bought the bond. It's as simple and as sure as that. And easiest. When you use the payroll savings plan without missing a dollar. You'll be amazed how savings grow the e Bond way. $4 for every free. I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not merely crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America. Yeah. Boston calling Inspector Faraday. I'm Inspector Faraday. One moment, please. Here's your party. Go ahead, Boston. Hello, Faraday. This is Blackie. Blackie? What are you doing out of town? You don't know? I can guess. You talked me into holding John Barnes in the Bradley killing for me to make an arrest. Then you beat it out of town because you knew I didn't have enough evidence to hold him. My, you're ungrateful, Inspector. I found out Barnes had a motive to kill Bradley, didn't I? Yeah. I proved Barnes had an opportunity to kill Bradley, didn't I? Yeah, I also found a witness who did a pretty good job of placing Barnes at the scene of Bradley's death, too, didn't I? Yes, but you didn't clinch the case against him. Didn't I? No. What I need is proof that Bradley was killed with Barnes gun. I don't have Barnes gun. Well, you do now, Faraday. Because everything that mine is yours, pal. You've got the murder gun. How'd you get it, blankie? Where? Up here in Boston. But you really want to know how? I had to be sort of a bad boy to get it. Forget I asked. Forgotten. In a few hours, Faraday, you'll have the murder gun in your own little hand and give it to Barnes right in his neck. Blackie, be careful, will you? Why? Barnes's pals aren't the friendly type. They not only want to get that gun, they're gonna want to get you. And now back to Dick Kalmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friend. Yeah? New York calling Mr. Gus Johnson. I'll take it. Thank you. Go ahead, New York. Here's your body. Gus. Yeah. Listen, Johnny. Johnny Barnes. Oh, yeah, Johnny, I was just checking. You went to Boston to get rid of that gun of mine. Did you do it? Yeah, I got rid of it the hard way. It was stolen about an hour ago. I was gonna call you. Stolen? Who stole it? Guess who? Boston Blackie. Yeah. I figured on trouble from him when I heard he followed me here to Boston. By the time I got back to the hotel, he'd already swiped a gun. Where's Blackie now? At his hotel. I got Joe trailing him. That was his last report. Well, get up there and get back that gun. I can't, Johnny. It's too late. Buck, you want me to go to the chair? Of course not. Well, I will if you don't find that gun. The cops know I hate it. Bradley. They know plenty more, too. But they need that gun to prove I knocked him off. I know. Then get it back from Blackie. It's registered in my name and ballistics. Who proved was the gun that killed Bradley. If the cops get that gun, I'm finished. What am I to do, Johnny? Blackie sent the gun to Faraday air mail. What? Joe was watching him. He couldn't do anything about it. Too many people around. It's in the mail of Faraday now, huh? Yeah. Gus. Gus, I got an idea. And you're just the guy who can make it work. Say, Ms. Wesley, what time did that wire say Blackie's plane was getting in? Three o', clock, Shorty. Gee, three o', clock, huh? Gosh, we're a little late getting there, ain't we? Yes, a little. I wish we'd started earlier. I'd like to have seen his plane come in. Yeah, me too, but not because I think planes is pretty. Oh, well, then why Shorty? Well, didn't Blackie's telegram say he got the gun Johnny Barnes used to kill that Bradley guy? I know. No, he told me that on the phone. Well, Blackie's gonna need protection from the minute he gets off that plane. I know a couple of the Barnes mob, and they ain't forgiven characters. But they're gonna be awful sore at Blackie when Barnes gets sent to the chair. Yes, I'm afraid you're right. When Inspector Faraday gets Barnes gun, Barnes is as good as convicted, isn't he? Yeah. Look, here's the airport. Where do we park? Well, let's see. Why don't you drive right up to the administration building? We're late and Blackie's probably waiting for us inside. Okay. How about here? That's fine. Want to come in with me? Yeah, sure. I'll get out on your side. All right. I think we can go in that door there. Okay. Hey, wait, wait. I'll open the door for you. Thank you. Gate six. All aboard. What a big joint this is. Yes, it is, isn't it? I don't see Blackie anywhere, though, do you? No. No, I don't. Well, maybe his plane's late. Let's ask at the information desk. Okay. Flight 31 for Washington, Cincinnati and Chicago leaving at Gate 6. All aboard. Well, it's the information desk, Ms. Wesley. Oh, yes. Pardon me, but could I have some information? Yes, ma'? Am. Has the plane for Boston arrived yet? Flight 68. Oh, oh, excuse me. Of course. Flight 68. No, ma'. Am. Flight 68 is late, but we expect it soon. Gate three. Thank you. You're welcome, Ms. Wesley. Shall we go out to gate three and watch you come in? No, Shorty, you can see if we wait here and watch through that big window there. Oh, yeah. Hey, look at that big four. Motor job taking off out there. Yes, I see it, but I'm more interested in seeing Blackie's plane come in. Hey, Ms. Wesley, you ain't worried cause Blackie's plane is late, are you? I don't know, Shorty. I, I. It's just that I have a funny feeling. Oh, Ms. Wesley, planes have been Late before war. Sometimes maybe an hour late. They have a flat tire, they get stuck on a sticky clutch. Inspector Faraday just come in? I don't know, but he sees us. Gosh, you don't think maybe something's gone wrong, huh? Well, I don't know. Hello, Shorty. Hello, Inspector. What are you. What are you here for? What do you think I'm here for? To meet a train. What, you're here to meet Blacky? To Inspector Faraday. Yeah. How'd you know? I'm just smart, I guess. New smart. Fab guess. Isn't Blackie's plane in yet? No, Inspector. It's late. I might have known. Blackie's probably telling the pilot how to fly. What plane's Blackie on? Flight 68. Flight 68, huh? It'll be just like Blackie to keep that plane up. So I'll have to wait for hours while I'm waiting. Come in, Flight 68. Tom, any work from Flight 68? Not a peep for the last five hours, Harry. Not a peep, huh? Doesn't seem possible. Four hours overdue on a flight of an hour and ten minutes. Have you kept checking every five minutes. I'll try again, Tom. Okay. New York calling Cross Nation Airways, Flight 68. New York calling Cross Nation Airways, Flight 68. Flight 68. Come in, Flight 68. Come in. Come in. Hold it, Tom. Anything? Nothing. When did you last hear? 10 minutes out of Boston. Pilot radioed an okay. Said he was on the beam. And not a word since. Not a word. We got a lost plane then, Tom. He's out of gas and down somewhere by now, but keep trying to make contact. We may. Any word from Flight 68 yet? Say nobody's allowed in the control tower, and that means you too. I'm Inspector Faraday, police. Oh, sorry, Inspector. Skip it. Any word from Flight 68? No. She's four hours overdue. And that means she's down somewhere out of gas or maybe worse. I'd think so too, except we haven't had a report of any crash. You mean the plane's just disappeared? So far it has. Look. Let me see that passenger list. There's something crazy about this. The passenger list is the craziest thing about the whole flight, Inspector. What do you mean? Flight 68 is a 21 passenger ship. 20. Reservations were canceled at the last minute, huh? That's right. So the plane left Boston with only one passenger. One passenger? Oh, A man by the name of Boston. Blackie. Gosh, Ms. Wesley, why don't they put cushions on the seats in this place. Inspector Faraday. Maybe he has worried about Blackest Plain. Gee, he looks awful sick, Ms. Wesley. What is it, Inspector? I'm afraid I got bad news for you, Ms. Wesley. Looks as if Flight 68 has had an accident. Oh, no, no, I. Blackie was on it, Ms. Wesley. The only passenger here. Ms. Wesley. Maybe you better sit down, huh? No, no, it's all right. Did I hear my name? Yeah. Phone call, Ms. Wesley. You want me to take. No, no, no. I'll give you the information. All right. Maybe. Here. Here we are. This is Ms. Wesley. She'll take that call. Oh, yes. Right here, ma'. Am. Thank you. Hello? Hello, Mary? Blackie. Blackie? Black. Oh, Blackie, where are you? In my apartment. You obviously didn't get my second wire. No, no, darling, I didn't. My plane reservation was cancelled. No flight. So I wired you and took the train. You took the train? But. But Inspector Faraday was told you were on that plane. Vare. Is he there? Yes, yes, he's right here. Let me talk to him. All right. Here, Inspector. He wants to talk to you. Thanks. Oh, Shorty. He's all right, Frankie. What's the idea? I thought you were dead. That's about as accurately as you usually think, Faraday. Well, what else could I think? That plane you were going to take has disappeared. You're listed as a passenger. The only passenger. Well, that's crazy, Faraday. The airline told me the plane wasn't even going to fly. Well, it did fly, and carrying one passenger who called himself Boston Blackie. It vanished into thin air. You meet me in my office, Blackie. I got a hunch you can explain this, and I think you'd better. And now back to Boston Blackie. John Barnes kills a man named Bradley and gives the gun to a father, Gus Johnson, to get rid of in Boston. Blackie trails Johnson to Boston, steals the gun from him and mails it to Inspector Faraday, thereby stealing Barnes fate as a killer, and wires Mary Wesley that he is en route by plane. But the plane supposedly carrying Blackie disappears into thin air. Actually, Blackie has come back to the city by train. And as we return to our story, he is in Faraday's office trying to solve the mystery of the missing plane. A plane just doesn't disappear, Faraday. Apparently, you've been reading too many spook stories. And I haven't. So getting me down here was just a waste of time. All right, Blankie, if that plane hasn't disappeared, you tell me where it is. It's down Somewhere. Forced landing with a radio data. Maybe it crashed. No good. They told me at the airport if the plane was down or crashed, they'd have a report almost immediately. They don't have a report yet, and the plane is now eight hours overdue. Let me see now. I got a call from the airline in Boston about an hour before plane time. The man said my flight was canceled. They'd send for my ticket right away and give me another one later. So a bellboy came up for my ticket and I gave it to him. Then instead of waiting for the next plane, I took the train. What does that explain? It explains why I wasn't on the plane. I have a hunch that I was called not by the airline, but by Johnny Barnes, pal, Gus Johnson. And he took that plane in my place. Why? I think this is why. He saw me send the gun to you. Air mail. Then he found out a package mailed at that time would leave Boston on Flight 68. He had to get that gun out of the mail, but that was impossible. So we did the next best thing. He stole the plane. He stole the plane? Sure. Because when he stole the plane, he also stole the gun. I'm sure that's what happened. Well, maybe so, but does that explain why the 20 other passengers on Flight 68 cancelled their reservations at the last minute? Sure it does. It was decided for them the same way it was decided for me Friday. The whole thing is beginning to make sense now. Yeah, but it's only theory. Get on the phone to Boston and I think you'll find out it's all fact. I intend to. But I'm not as interested in that missing plane as I am in that missing gun. How can I convict Barnes without it? You can't, Faraday. You know it, I know it and Barnes knows it. Now, that makes three of us. All in agreement. Aren't we clever? I don't know. I'm going to see Barnes now and find out if he's as clever as he thinks he is. How nice of you to call on me, Blackie. You've come to console me in my trouble, of course. Oh, I don't think you need consolation from me, Barnes. Aren't your close friends doing plenty of weeping and wailing? Not exactly. Look, Barnes, your pal Gus Johnson told you I sent the gun to Faraday by air mail, didn't he? Did he? I think he did. And I think you found out the gun was being sent on Flight 68 out of Boston. So you saw to it that Flight 68 never reached New York. Oh, say, I. I just heard on the radio about that unfortunate plane. Fantastic, isn't it? It hasn't crashed, it hasn't made a force landing and it hasn't been heard of. Just vanished. Strange, isn't it? I don't think it's strange at all. I think you stole that plane. You think that's more fantastic than the fact the plane is missing? Now how could I steal an airplane? Why would I steal an airplane? To get rid of that pistol. It carried evidence that would send you to the electric chair. It was one way for you to steal back your gun. Oh, so you've lost the gun, huh, Blackie? Well, maybe you're the one that needs consoling. Please allow me to be the first to offer. Save it, Buns. When they start giving out consolation prizes, I think you'll get them all. Hello, Blackie? This is Shorty. Yes, Shorty. Gee, am I glad you finally lighted Ms. Wesley's apartment. I've been calling you all over town. What's the matter, Shorty? I got some news for you. What is it? Gus Johnson's in town. He's in the hospital with a broken leg. You sure? Yeah. His girlfriend, Blondie White, just told me all about it. A broken leg, huh? Yep. How'd he break it? I don't know, Blackie. Even Ms. White didn't know that. Thanks, Shorty. I think I'll go see him. But tell me, do you know anything about Gus? Anything I ought to know to make him start talking? No, Blackie, I don't. He hasn't been with Barnes very long, though. Oh, a new member of the gang, huh? Uh huh. Well, what did he do before he joined Barnes? Oh, a little bit of everything, I guess. Blondie White told me he did a lot of crazy things. What, for instance? Well, he was an auto racer, a circus daredevil, a stunt pilot, a seaman, steeplejack and. That's enough, Shorty. That's more than enough. You don't mind coming to the hospital with me, do you, Mary? Are you kidding, Blackie? I'm a nurse, remember? I'm not a patient. Don't forget that. Oh, nurse. I mean the nurse behind that desk. Oh, nurse, we'd like to see Gus Johnson. Visitors sound. Oh, yes, and listen, Johnson is dressed in quite comfortably. He hasn't had a visitor since 3:00'. Clock. It's four now. I suppose you can go right in. Thanks. Which room is he in? Oh, that one right there. 7:11. Thank you. Come on, Mary. I'm right with you. Here's Johnson's room. Yes, 7 11. Sure is a lucky number. Too bad he didn't have it before. He's had this book. Yeah. What's the matter? Does he answer? No. Darn. Maybe he's asleep. He might be, but it'll be all right if we go in, or the nurse wouldn't have said so. Come on. Oh, yes, he's sleeping all right. Seems just like a baby. That baby has a record of 11 arrests and three convictions. Well, let's wake him up. Hey, Johnson. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson. Johnson, wait. Frankie, isn't he gonna wake up? No, Mary, not now or ever. He's got a knife in his heart. Get the nurse, quick. Oh, yes, just. All right. Nurse. Nurse, can you come here? What's the matter? It's your patient, Mr. Johnson. Nothing, except that he has a knife in his heart. But how did they. You said Mr. Johnson had a visitor about an hour ago. Who was that? I don't know. I didn't pay much attention. Please, I've got to call the doctor and get the police in just a minute. Was the visitor a man? Yes, but I can't remember what he looked like. Mr. Johnson wasn't a sick man. He could have all the visitors he wanted. I just didn't pay any attention to anyone who came to see him. Well, didn't anyone else come to see him? Yes, a girl this morning. What'd she look like? Well, she was blonde. That's all I remember. Just blonde. That must have been his girlfriend, Blondie White. How'd you know about her? Blackie? Shorty told me about her this morning. She told him she'd been here. Thanks, Nurse. You can call the police now. Come on, Mary. Sure, Sir. Wait. Aren't you gonna stay? The police will want to see me. Just tell them the name was Blackie. They'll know where to find me. Where? At Blondie White's. She doesn't know it yet, but she's got something awfully important. Tell me. I hope you don't mind my coming to see you so soon after Gus's death, Ms. White. No, Blackie. Why should I mind? Well, maybe you'll have reason to when you find out why I'm here. I didn't kill Gus, if that's what you're leading up to. No, I don't think you did. But I think you know who did. I don't know a thing. Now, look, you saw Gus this morning. He probably told you a lot of things. Maybe even who was coming to see him later in the Day you look lucky Gus is dead. And that's trouble enough for me for one day. I'm not gonna shoot my mouth off and get a dose of the same thing Gus got. But you do know who came to see Gus this afternoon. I said I wasn't talking. You don't have to be afraid of me this way. Not you didn't kill Gus. You're afraid of the man who did. Look, when you know something that isn't healthy to talk about, you don't talk about it. I understand that, but do you know what you're doing by keeping quiet? You're protecting the man who killed Gus. No, I'm not. I'm just protecting myself. Well, I'll fix it so you won't need protection. Will you talk then? I don't know. Look, I'll make a bargain with you. If I promise to send Johnny Barnes to the chair for killing Bradley, will you tell me who killed Gus? Sure. Thanks, Ms. White. Thanks a lot. Thanks for what? In the one word, sure, you told me who killed Gus. It was Barnes. You don't know that. Oh, Yes, I do, Ms. White. You promised to tell me who killed Gus. If I sent Barnes to the chair for killing Bradley, that means he couldn't scare you anymore. Stick by me and I'll get him for sticking a knife into your boyfriend, too. Look, Barnes, you're in a police station, not a laugh movie, so take that smirk off your face. I'm sorry to make a party, but I can't help it. You, Blackie, are both wasting your time keeping me. Well, let's worry about that. Well, sure, Blackie. I'm not worried about anything. I've just bent and smiled. Yeah, you've been smart, Barnes. But not smart enough. I know exactly what happened to that missing plane now and why it had only one passenger on it. Now, aren't you clever, Inspector? No, I'm not clever, just thorough. You know how Barnes got rid of the other passengers on the missing plane, Faraday? Sure I do. Was just as you said, Blinky. He had his pal Gus Johnson go to the airlines dressed as a policeman and get a passenger list. Then Johnson and his pal Joe called up all the passengers, pretended to be airline ticket agents and cancelled their reservations. Which is what they did to me, too. Only guess Johnson used my reservation. Sure, Johnson used it. He used it so he could get rid of that plane. This is all very interesting, gentlemen, but none of it concerns me. No. Now, why should I want to steal a plane? Why should I have Johnson go to all the trouble of canceling 20 plane reservations. Well, that's easy, Barnes. You didn't want Johnson to go to the trouble of having to kill 20 passengers. The three members of the crew would. All of it was trouble. It was Johnson's trouble, not mine. I just don't see any connection between the missing plane and me. Well, I do. Your pal Johnson knew Blackie had mailed that murder gun to me. A gun which would prove you killed Bradley. A gun which would send you to the chair. Oh, really? What happened to that gun, Black? You don't know what happened to it, Barnes. It went down with that plane Johnson stole. Oh, did he? What a shame. Well, I guess you don't want me for anything more, do you? I want plenty with you, Barnes. I know you killed Bradley. I know you engineered the theft of that plane and the murder of its crew. I know you killed Gus Johnson. Then why don't you arrest me? Because I want to do more than that. I want to send you to the chair. And I need the murder gun to do it. If it's your gun, then I've got you. Yes, but before you get me, you'll have to get that gun. Gentlemen, I think I'll be going. Just a minute, Barnes. Faraday, you'll be able to convict Barnes if you have his gun. Sure I can. You know that. How can I get it now? What's this gun look like? Parody? It looks like a gun. What should it look like? Your gun? Probably because I just took it out of my pocket. Oh, no. It's Bond's gun. The gun I stole from Gus Johnson. And I figured the best place to keep it was with me. That's. That's my gun. No, no, you put my gun in the mail. Oh, no, I put my gun in the mail. I knew I was being shadowed, so I wrapped up my gun, sealed and mailed it for his benefit. I figured it was a way to take him off my trail. I didn't know Barnes here would try to get it, even after it was in the mail. Give me that gun. Let me see it. Yeah, it's Bond's gun, all right. And I think ballistics tests will show it was the gun that killed Bradley. Blackie. One of these days. That's where you are, Barnes. Get used to sitting in a chair. Only the next one isn't going to be so comfortable. Where are we driving, Blackie? Out in the country to see Blondie White. You mind? No, I should say not. She helped you solve a murder case. She did more than help me, Mary. She was all the proof I needed that Barnes killed Gus Johnson. She kept a promise to tell me who killed Gus as soon as I proved Barnes killed Bradley. How did she know Barnes killed Gus? Gus told her Barnes was coming to see him at 3 o'. Clock. A medical examination showed Gus was killed and the and he hadn't had any other afternoon visitors besides us. Oh, I know why Gus was killed. Because he knew too much. He not only knew too much, Mary, he did it all himself. Now, wait a minute. You mean he actually stole that plane? Yes. He took my place on the plane. Then when the ship was in the air, he killed the hostess. Then he went to the cockpit and killed the pilot and co pilot and bailed out before the ship crashed. Oh, that was how he broke his leg, huh? Golly, what a chance he took. No, he didn't take any chance at all, Mary. I found out from Shorty, Gus had once been a stunt flyer. After he killed the crew, he took over the plane himself and landed it. I see. No, you're wrong again. He headed it out toward the ocean just inside of the coast. He set the plane on automatic pilot and then he bailed out. For goodness sake. And now that plane is somewhere at the bottom of the ocean. Yes, Mary. And even though something very clever went on up in the air, we figured it because we kept our feet on the ground. Presenting Orson Welles as the Third Man. The Lives of Harry Lime. The fabulous stories of the immortal character originally created in the story the Third Man. With Zither. Music by Anton Karras. You know, I've tried everything in my time. Just about everything. Confidence rackets, smuggling, black market. Once, believe it or not, I even tried going straight. Here's the story of what happened to me then. It's called the hard way. Stick around, Sam Sagitt. Like this, Harry, the good old days is over. Things here in Europe is not what they was. Not like just after the war. The cops were one thing to border police. And like that they're all getting so sharp a fella might just as well be trying to living back home better. So what is this all about, Mo? You want to pull out of the racket? Okay, if you want to sell me your piece of the plant. Harry, I don't want to sell you nothing. You know, somehow I didn't think so, Harry. Why'd you say that? Well, buying and selling isn't in your character, old man. Picking up and letting lay is the nearest you're ever likely to come to legitimate commercial procedure. Picking legitimate? That's the word, Harry. That's we got to get to be the international cops. Like I tell you, Harry is entirely too organized. You know, Swifty Sloan and English Everett used to fly Nylands. Yeah, very smart little combination that was, huh? Well, what happened to him? What happened? Everett makes a jump into England last night and the parachute didn't open. You know that place on the coast of Cornwall, Harry, that was you and me first. Developed like. What about it? As safe as little drop as you can find, huh, Harry? Six miles from a road, no houses, nothing but header. Well, what do you. What do you think they got in the header? Thursday night, whenever it jumps, birds cops. That's what they got in the header now, Harry. That's where half a scarpa yard is spending their evenings. Everett gets out from under the parachute. Looks like a surprise party. And it's for Swifty. They got a couple of fast Coast Guard jobs that follows them all the way across the Channel to Dieppe. Then comes the French planes, and even a fella comes from Belgium. By the time Swifty is forced out, it looks like an international conference. It does seem rather discouraged. I tell you, the good times is finished. Pickens was real nicer after the war. There was opportunities, but not anymore. Europe is getting entirely too commercialized. All right, Mo, what do you suggest? Want to go back home to the States, Harry? Eventually, yes, but right now, there's maybe still too many people looking for both of us. Well, meanwhile, we gotta live, Harry. That, old man, is the first objection to going straight. That jumps into my mind. Well, Harry, we got the plane. It's a pretty good little plane. Won't be easy to sell, Mo. Fly's okay, but it's a little bit like you and me. It's been around. It's heard the chimes. At midnight, we can shop around for a sucker. But what do we do in the interim, old man? For groceries? What would you say to this, Harry? How does this strike you? The Imperial Safeways Charter Flight Company, Incorporated? Fly for private charter, Is that what you're driving at? Sure, it's a business, Harry. A nice, quiet, steady little business and no trouble with the cops. A nice, quiet, steady little business and no trouble. Little did we know. Well, anyway, that's how Safeway's Plane Charger Incorporated was born. I bought myself a cap that said head pilot over the visor and sat down with Moe on our little farm. Nice sort of highway it was, near the French border, chosen during more adventurous days for its remoteness to wait for official permission. With our reputation that wasn't too easy to fix. But finally the phone rang and sure enough, it was the brass down in Nice. Would I fly over for a talk? Well, Nice was about a 20 minute run from our private to a very private field. And pretty soon there I was twisting my new cap nervously and trying to look as honest as possible for the benefit of some official or other who didn't must say, look very impressed. Lyme. Yes, sir. We have a dossier here in France covering your suspected activities since 1946. Oh, yes sir. I say suspected, Lyme, because we never actually caught you. No, sir. Yes. No, sir. We have also reports from Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Holland and the Republic of San Marino. Well, they never caught me either, as you say. Well, here is how I figure out the situation. Yes, sir. You are requesting the right to operate a plane chartered company. That's right. Yes, sir. You say that you propose to carry passengers or even freight cleared in the proper way through the proper channels? Yes. Why? I beg your pardon? I ask you why? Well, it's a business. It's a nice steady little business. Not as good as smuggling cigarettes, however. Well, I really wouldn't know about that, sir. Of course not. Now that as I say, I figured the situation has two possible explanations. Yes, sir. Either you really want to operate an honest charter service with your little plane. That's it, sir. That's exactly. And here I want you to follow me very carefully. Yes, sir. Or. Or you are plotting something so deep, so sly, so crazy. How can you think that? Under the circumstances, I have not choice but to comply with your request. Thank you, sir. We are letting you start this chartered company line. We are permitting you to begin. Thank you so much. But we are keeping our eye on you. All of us, the police of every country in western Europe. We are watching for hanky panky, Monsieur Line. And on the very first sign of hanky panky, the very first whiff of suspicion of Aki Panky, you will wish that you had not completed here that you had never applied for your first commercial license. Indeed, M. You will wish that you had never been born. Oh, man, I don't like it. I don't. Whatever you got your papers and all like, that was a great. I don't like the official attitude as regards this little cape homo. All we got to do is break one routine little regulation and we've had. It's true, old man. It's absolutely true. One little slip. That's all they're waiting for. Don't forget they know us. They're just waiting now for the chance to crack down on us for everything we got away with before. Start reading the fine print and all the rules and regulations. Mole. Friend of my youth. Somewhere there's a little joker about tipping your right wing to the Matterhorn. Are flying south on the first Sunday after Michaelmas, something like that. On which the vigilant police of Europe will manage to fulfill their fondest dream and send us off to break stones on that wart farm in Sardinia. I tell you, Mo, we never should have gone straight quitting the racket. That's okay, but we should have retired, not gone into legitimate business. It's too dangerous. Then there was the problem of getting customs. The tourist season was just about over. And anyway, it turned out that almost everybody prefers traveling in those big, comfortable, fast airliners. Don't ask me why, they just do. When there wasn't any more tinkering needed on our little Fliver, Mo, who was essentially the maintenance staff, ground crew and administrative wing of Safeguard Charter Flights Incorporated, took a slight powder on me and went up to the farm. He said he had work to do. And although I couldn't think what that could be, I also couldn't think of a good reason why I should make him hang around the airport with me. About a week after that I got my first customer. Your name is Lime? That's right, yes. My name is Butter Boy. Cups and containers, you clean the rim. An airplane? Yes, yes. Just where would you you like to go? Is that your plane over there? Right, Mr. Butter Boy. There she is. Sweet little job. Needs a bit of paint, of course, but reliable. Well, that's a plane, Mr. Butter Boy. That will definitely get you there. Well, I'm ready. And where is it exactly you'd like to get? Switzerland, but maybe I better wait for the regular flight. No, it's all booked up here for weeks ahead. We'll make you a very good rate, Mr. Butter Boy. Wear your bags. How many can you take in that thing? Oh, four easy and five in a pinch. How many of you? When can you leave? Well, now if you like. And after? You have to get clearance for switching. Oh, sure, but that won't take long. I just got. You go ahead and get set. I get something of my own I got attend to. I'll meet you out there by your plane. A half hour. Is that too soon for safeways charter flights, Mr. Brother Boy? Nothing is too soon. I got my international clearance. It was all fixed up with traffic, right on schedule. There was some kind of excitement going on in the passengers Waiting room. But I didn't investigate. If only I had. Well, too late now. An attendant came up with a message. Monsieur Lyon. Yes, what is it? You're the plane Mr. Buttball has chartered. Butter Boy? Yes, this is the plane. He charted one of it. He wants you go on ahead without him. What do you mean, go on without him? If. If he's chartering the plane. I know, I know, but this butterball is very eccentric. We've had some dealings with him before. You must just do as he says. So he wants to charter the plane, not to take him to Zurich. Well, how do I get paid? He told me to give you this. Thanks. And what do I do when I get to Zurich? Not take him back? No. You go only as far as Paris and wait. He'll meet you there tomorrow. What? What do you mean? What's wrong, Monsieur Lyon? Well, nothing. It. You just gave me a thousand bucks. Is it too little? Too little? It's almost twice what I expected. And I told you, monsieur, this butterball is eccentric and extreme. Oh, you have to leave right away. That is a condition. If you leave within the next two minutes, there will be another thousand waiting for you in Paris. One and a half minutes after that, your Uncle Harry was airborne. Nice evening. Clear. Still full moon. Didn't like the look of the weather up ahead. After about half an hour, I was alone with my thoughts. Or rather, I thought I was alone with my thoughts. Then gradually, it began to dawn on me that I wasn't the only one in the plane. Somebody was sitting behind me. Somebody had been hidden before, evidently, under my duffel bag in a parachute. It was kind of spooky. It was. Well, it was, among other things, a girl on a stowaway. And a very attractive stowaway at best. In a moment, Orson Welles returns as Harry Lime, the third man. Now kitties. I'll have to admit that although I found myself in the course of a fairly long and extremely varied career in some pretty odd positions, this was, by all odds, the artist. 1500ft over sea level with a stowaway who looked as though she belonged on a calendar instead of in an Arab. What are you doing here? Well, so you don't feel like answering, come up in front so I can look at you. Just climb over the seat. Can't eat the stick. The weather's gonna be bumpy over those pounds. You heard me. Get up here in front. Why should I? Because I say so. Suppose I don't want. Well, look, is this the first time you've ever been in A plane? Answer me. Yay. Are you coming up in front or not? I don't see why I should. Okay, then start holding onto your head. What do you mean? We're going to do a little stunting. I said. Did you have enough? I didn't kill you. Almost did. Sometimes seems that way, doesn't it? Thinking you're not used to it. All right. Come up in front. I want to look at you. No, I'd rather sit back here. Okay, here we go again. No, no, no, no. What? Don't. Stop that awful diving again. I'll obey you. I'll do anything. You just climb up over the seat, Honey, sit down next to me. It isn't often I get a stowaway on this airline. Besides, I like to see who I'm talking to. Right. Here I come. You ask for it. Ouch. What's wrong? I bump my head. I'll just slide down in the seat. That's right. Just a second. What are you doing? Don't worry. I'm. I'm going to take another dive. I'm just taking off my coat. What for? Oh, thanks. Don't just put it around your shoulders. Put it on. Not gonna get any warmer. We've got to make altitude over those mountains. You're not so bad at that. What do you mean, at that? Well, as they say. I mean, you're not so bad as they say. Who says I'm bad? Everybody. Oh. Well, they say about you. Oh, I'm not notorious like you. Well, maybe not, honey, but I. I never stowed away in a private plane. Strikes me it's a good way to start building up a reputation. It's not my fault. It just happened that way. Amnesia. What's that? Amnesia. Loss of memory. I don't understand. I'm asking you if you lost your memory. Why should I do that? I don't know. It happens. People lose things, you know. What kind of a girl do you think I am? You want an absolutely frank and candid answer to that question? What do you mean? What do you mean, what do I mean? You have a very complicated way of talking. I merely asked you if you wanted me to answer your question truthfully. What question? You asked and you asked. Yes, but I can't remember what it was. Amnesia. No doubt of it. There you go again with those big words. You asked me what kind of a girl did I think you were. And I asked you if you wanted me to give you an answer to that question which was truthful or merely polite. Honey, I. I haven't Formed any definite opinion. But how long before we go and get into the next town? What do you mean, the next town? The next country? Well, a couple of hours. That is, if all goes well. What do you mean by that? Well, I don't like the look of the sky up there over the mountains. We're going to be running in some nasty weather. You mean we'll all be killed? Well, let's hope not, kid. Kind of a strange couple, you and I. If they ever bother to sift through the wreckage. No, I just mean we might be late. I might have to fly around on the outside side of that storm. By the way, what's your name? Why should I tell you? Why shouldn't you? Why should I? Young lady, this is without any question the most insane, the most inane, the most meaningless, the most idiotic conversation I've ever held with a human being 1500ft over sea level or anywhere else. Oh, now you're cross. I knew you'd get cross. Shut up. Why? Because I'm tired of talking to you. That's what I. All right, that's your attitude. One thing I don't understand is how you ever managed to get into the plane to begin with. Well, it was dark. Nobody was looking. Evidently not. But how did you know that this was my plane? They pointed it out to us when we came to the airport. They said. Said this was the plane of Harry Lyon, the famous smuggler that nobody'd ever been able to erase. Oh, they did? And that's why you picked this plane instead of one of the big airlines. If I was a smuggler, you figured I could just well be smuggling you, is that it? Now, what are you doing? Not doing anything. Just flying a plane. Perfectly normal flight. Man gives me a thousand bucks not to take him to Paris, not to take him to Zurich or wherever it is. Yeah, but you're turning it around or something, aren't you? That weather up ahead. Also, I don't like what the boys at the airport in Paris are likely to do to me when they find you on the plane. What are they likely to do? I don't know, but it won't be too pleasant for me. I'm trying to build up a good reputation. Trying to prove that I've reformed. Look what's happened to me on my first legitimate flight. Well, there's no law against me, is there? Maybe not, but there ought to be. So where are we going? In town of Paris, what do you think? Not back where we started? You got some other country in mind? No, but what's the use of going back where we started? That's no fun. Besides. Besides, I'll get into trouble. You'll get into trouble? What about me? Listen, when you are a smuggler, didn't you have a place of your own where you. Where you kept your own claim? I still do. It's a farm. A friend and I live on it. But I'll keep. Now we never paid much attention to the crops. Oh, you mean. Obviously. That's the best place to take me, don't you think? Obviously. And then what? I don't know. Then we'll see. Well, you got some ideas kid. I don't. Well I don't belong in that girl's school. That's one thing Sure, I don't belong there and I'm not going. But about those ideas. What school? I'll tell. You're still young enough to be going to school. School a minor yet, aren't you? Now I know I'm going to jail. Not if we're careful. Now about this idea. I don't suppose you've got a passport concealed anywhere on your person? Oh, don't be silly. Now about this idea. We've got the new ideas later. Now let's examine some of the old ones. Getting in this plane for instance. The reason I got in the plane was so that I wouldn't have to go to this awful finishing school where everybody speaks French. And by the way, what is your name to speak French and German? Not me. I want to get. Get mad. Well kid, you'll make somebody a lovely wife. That's what he says. My fiance. I mean we're secretly engaged cuz my uncle doesn't approve. You see, my uncle's very old fashioned. Now about this idea. We're getting somewhere. Maybe finally I can identify you. At least tell me about your uncle. There's nothing to tell. He's just an uncle. He's the one who wanted to take me off to that school in Zurich. This school in Zurich? Wait a minute, don't tell me your uncle is. Yeah, the paper cop. But he gave me a thousand dollars to. No, that was me gave you the thousand dollars. You. I tipped the attendant in the airport to bring it to you with that message. Now about my. Where did you get the thousand dollars? Oh, I just borrowed it while he wasn't looking. Well who wasn't looking? Wallfield bought a boy. The paper cop king. I told you that already. He's awful rich my uncle Wallfield is. That's why I thought you ought to kidnap me what kidnapped me? You know I'm that Uncle Walfield would pay almost anything to get me to that girls school. And you could refuse to hand me over without getting a million dollars or something. You know how that works, Holden for ransom they call it. Then I'd have the money to marry Albert. To marry Albert. Well, what's wrong now? I'll think nothing. I think it all. Go on. Go right on. Well, Albert is my fiance. Oh, he won't mind me if I don't have any money. Oh, but he isn't a bit unreasonable. I'm sure he'll let you keep some of the ransom money for yourself. Shut up and fasten your seatbelt. We're coming down now. Where? Oh, you mean to the ground? That's right, honey, to the ground. To the farm where I'm going to be kidnapped. Of course, if we go down, we're going to the ground. What's wrong? You think I'm stupid? Well, as we sat down in front of Mo's, I told little Miss Featherhead to keep out of sight for a minute. I knew Mo. I wanted to break things to him gently. A fine friend. A fine friend you are. Less than nothing. You promised me. Yes, you did, Harry. You give me a promise. You was going straight. He was going to keep us strictly out of trouble. And now look at you. What? What? You went. I don't know what you're talking. You know, but the worst. You don't know what I'm talking about, huh? Harry, I'm surprised that you open that place. Okay, open it, I say. There. Now, come on out, little girl. Little girl? What do you know about a little girl? I went and put the snatch on some poor little child back at the airport. Don't try to lie about it. They phone me. Come on out, honey. I'll protect you. This, this. Hey, wait a minute. This is a dame. I didn't wait around to make any explanations. I just introduced them. Hyacinth, her name was. Hyacinth Butterboy and left the two of them on the farm to discuss it between themselves. Twenty minutes later I was back in the airport in Nice with Uncle Warfield. Well, all I can say is, Lyme, you have my sympathy. That niece of mine is really a caution. Yes, she's quite an original young lady. No doubt of that. I came back to assure you didn't assure me anything. When she gave me the slip and the attendant here told me about that phony message, I knew she'd stowed away and you in for some trouble. Knew what happened while you were flying back from that farm of yours? No, what happened now? She pulled up the airport here and said she. She was being held for ransom. Said she's settled for half a million. Try to disguise her voice, but it's a teeny bit hard with her Southern accent. I knew. And I said I'd pay her half a million if she'd stay away. Well, of course. I was just joking. Promised her mother I'd get her packed off safe to that finishing school. And I will too, even if it finishes me now. Then let's get started. Started? Where to, Mr. Ballyboy? Started for where? Well, we gotta go and pick up Little House. And do what you do, Mr. Butter Boy. You're her uncle. I not related to her and I don't want. Now looky here. I'll pay you small. No, sir. Thank you very much, Mr. Butter Boy. Whatever your prices, it isn't enough. That's being legitimate the hard way. No buts, Mr. Butter Boy. Harry Lime returns in just a moment. Sam. Now. Harry Lime. Well, by the time Uncle Warfield got Hyacinth Brother Boy safely tucked away in that high class reform school in Zurich, Moore, Mo, poor soul was just about ready for a mental home. He'd had to keep her company, of course, till the Paper Cup King came and took her away. Oh, and by the way, she stole $60,000 from him. From Moe, I mean, that's what he'd been doing up there in the farm, printing it. He was very put out about having to start making all that money again. What Hyacinth did with all that bogus dough is another story, but I never want to hear it. Got enough troubles as it is. Sam from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Duller, Pete Codley. Johnny Guarantee Transport. Oh, hiya, Pete. Seen the papers? No, I just got up. Why, what's happened? Air crash, for one thing. Air crash Where? Mexico. Flight 6, Aztec, Caribbean line. Mexico City to Havana. Crashed in the mountains 10 minutes after takeoff. Seven passengers and a crew of three. Survivors? The way it sounds, none. Oh, tough. How do you come into it, Pete? We underwrite a company that handles flight insurance down there. Three of the passengers bought policies at the airport. We're stuck for $75,000. This is a nice time of the year in Mexico, Johnny. What do you want me to do? Find out why it crashed. No, I know why it crashed. Somebody meant for it to. What do you mean? That plane blew up in midair. I'll get you a reservation tonight and every weekday night. Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous Freelance insurance investigators. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Home Office Guaranteed Transport Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Flight 6 matter. Item one, $173.20 airline fare and incidentals. Hartford, Connecticut to Mexico City. I checked my baggage through customs and started making inquiries and more inquiries and then some more. And after the 14th gen sabe maybe is better us keem. I found the office I was looking for. Or at least I thought I'd found it. The flowery Spanish title on the door translated roughly into Inspector General of the Department of Civil Air Transport. But when I opened the door, I wasn't so sure. Come in, Jack. Make yourself to home. Oh, I'm sorry. I was looking for the. That's me. Don't let the big words on the door fool you. I'm all there is, there ain't no more. So come in. Shut the door. All right. Thanks. Is your name Dollar? That's right. Johnny Dollar. Macklin here. Mac Macklin. One time mongrel from the south side of Chicago. I got a wire from your office, said you'd be in on pan a.m. flight 12. Pull up a chair and squat, will you? All right. What were you expecting? Spanish grandee with a white silk shirt, a black silk tie and a second cousin on the cabinet? Well, maybe. At least I wasn't figuring on a South side mick with a 17th century desk and a cotton sweatshirt. Well, now, here's what little dope we've got on the crash, most of which you probably know already. I left on 20 minute notice. All I've seen is one newspaper item. I can use a lot more. Well, you won't get much more out of that report. We got a crew over at the wreckage around two hours ago. Survivors? No, he didn't have a chance. That crate is scattered over 10 acres of mountainside. Didn't catch fire, though, so we might turn up something or other. Well, I got a good man in charge up there, Juno Romero. You'll meet him later. I'm sending another jeep up there in a few minutes and you can go along if you want. Thanks, I will. My company figures sabotage. Any chance they're wrong? Could it have been accidental? Equipment failure, personnel failure, something like that? Well, if I thought so, I'd be up there at the wreck myself. That'd be my kind of job. But this one's different, you know. It's detective work. Your kind of job. And Gino Romero's. Now, he talks as soft as a girl out of finishing school. Looks a little like one, in fact. But underneath it, he's as sharp as attack and tougher than an old boot full of nails. What actually happened when the plane went down? All I've heard is that it blew up in midair. That's right. Well, a few Indians were on. The only ones who saw it. They were burning charcoal up on a slope at about 9,000ft. They are watching the plane circle, gaining altitude. Then one big flash. The tail blew off. Pilot didn't have a chance. He rode it straight into the side of the mountain. The tail, that sounds like the baggage compartment. That's the way I figure it. An explosive of some kind. A time bomb. Smuggled on board before the takeoff. I'm covering that angle from this end, rounding up every one of the baggage gang, the maintenance crew, anybody who had a chance to get near that plane before it left the field out there. And what have you found out so far? Nothing. We're trying to check back too. And the individual passengers, the plane crew? Trying to find out who might benefit by having any one of them dead. Well, I guess that'll be your angle too. Yeah. Yeah, at least as far as insurance is concerned. Well, there were three flight policies issued and the names are in the reports here. Yeah, I know. I've got them. The home office gave them to me along with the names of the beneficiaries. I haven't talked to any of them yet. I figured that you know how to go about it better than I would. There's another possible insurance angle and that's the cargo. Do you know if there was anything valuable on board worth destroying? For the insurance, you mean? No, it was done by somebody had deliberately set out to kill one of the 10 people on board that plane and who didn't mind killing nine others to get that one. It was premeditated, Cold blooded. Now you get him, Johnny. Get him for me. And then just leave me alone with them for about. Come in. One of us. Senor McLean, Inspector General de Partamiento? Yes, that's me. What can I do for you, Jack? They will not give to me any information, Senor McLean. Not the police, not the airline office or any. Who are you? What information do you want? I am Ramon de Lagos, senor. And I am Delagos. Wait a minute. That's the name of one of the. Yes. Look, are you related to Maria de Lagos? My wife? She was on the Plane. Tell me, please, what news do you have? Have you reached the scene of the crash? Yes, we have. Two hours ago. And what did you. Is there any chance. I'm sorry, there were no survivors. No. Oh, no. Hey. I'm sorry, Senor de Lagos. It is too terrible. I didn't know you were here in the city or I'd have let you know right away. I sent word to your office in Havann. I have been here for six weeks. Maria came for a visit only a few days ago. I know it's a rough deal. I am sorry. This is Johnny Dalla from the States, senor. He's here to investigate the cause of this thing. What is the use, senor? It will not return life to the dead. No, but I don't like to see a murderer get away with it. A murderer? Then the rumors are true. The plane was destroyed deliberately. It is hard to believe that anyone would. Senor maclean. What? Arrangements are being made. The bodies will be brought down to the Federal District Hospital and I'll see that you're notified. Gracias, senor. No, no. Let's see. I believe your wife's brother, Don Serrano, is staying at the Hotel Regis. Yes, he is. But I am at the Monte Cassino. Don Serrano and I are not friendly. I see. All right, senor. Then I'll contact you at the Monte Cassino as soon as I have word. You are very kind. And again, I am. Well, I am sorry, I. Yes, that is all one can say. Adios, senores. Know anything about a Mac? Only what his wife filled out on the flight form. He's Cuban residents in business address Havana. In the export game. And you know, of course, that his wife was one of the three people who took out accident policies. But naming a brother Don Serrano has been a fishery. I wonder why. Well, that's one of the six dozen questions you can ask when you start prolining. Look, I hate to rush you, Johnny, but I ought to start that jeep up the mountain. I'm ready anytime. I let Gino know you're coming and you check with me if you want anything. You'll have full cooperation from the Federal police and the government. And to repeat, just one thing, Johnny. Yeah, I know. Whoever did it, get him. Check. The jeep driver was a young Mexican boy who had been brought up in the the best and wildest chauffeuring traditions of the capital. He knew only one way to drive, with both accelerator and horn wide open. Since most of the other drivers were playing the same game. It was a Sheer miracle that we ever got through the narrow streets of the city and finally reached the open valley. Maybe the colored postcard pasted on the dashboard, a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe had something to do with it. We finally left the last cart road and bumped along a narrow cleared and widened enough now so that we could drive into the crash area and miss the mile and a half walk the first rescue party had been forced to take. For some reason only a small part of the wreckage had caught fire and burned. And the rest was strewn piecemeal along a great raw gash through the trees and brush. Men in uniforms of the Mexican army searched through the tragic debris, lifting, sorting and collecting. And nearby, a silent group of Indians were watching with the age old sadness in their eyes. You are Senor $no? Yes. Gino Romero, Senor. Oh, glad to know you, Gino. It's a terrible thing, no? Yeah. Any ideas yet? Not of importance. But it's certain now this it was caused by one explosion which has occurred in the baggage compartmento. Bengase. Come on. We have found many pieces which can be identified, can be known which part of the plane they are in before the crash. I see. Toward the front these pieces are more large. But in the back, near the tail, they are very little. Here you look. These are pieces of the baggage. Muy pequeno. Very tiny. Oh, yeah. The crash itself wouldn't have done this. It had to be an explosion. Look. Is burnt a little each one of these pieces. But these more big ones from the seats of the plane, they are not burned. Here you smell these ones? Yeah, I see what you mean. Either dynamite or nitroglycerin was dynamite. We have fine little tiny pieces of red paper from the wrappings on the sticks. Wash, dynamite. Any idea how much, how big a charge? One of the Solados Pascual, who have used most explosives, I think maybe 30 or 40 pound. Light enough to be put on board and a piece of luggage. It's gonna be tough, Gino. Plenty tough to. They're bringing out the bodies. The Indians set up a low wailing dirge. And one of them taps softly on a native drum. A wordless terror before the ancient mystery death. One by one the bodies passed us, borne by the silent soldiers. May they find peace. Then, for the first time, I noticed a girl standing alone some distance away, watching without expression as the stretches passed her. She was young, blonde and beautiful. Not conventionally so, but beautiful as a young animal is beautiful. And she looked very much out of place. You are observing the senorita no. What's she doing up here? She's strange, but one always she look for danger. She's what you say. The daredevil. What he's like. She always have the charm. Death has never find her. So perhaps she has come here to look on his face. Do you know who she is? Why, she. She's American. Her name is Marvel. Tarrant. Marvel. Terrence. You have heard of her, senior? I'd heard of her all right. And I'd wondered what kind of a girl would have a first name like Marvel. And now I knew, partly at least. And I planned to find out a whole lot more. Three of the people who died on that plane had taken out flight policies. Maria de Lagos was one of them. The other two were men, both of whom had named as beneficiary Marvel Terrence. Now here's our star to tell you about tomorrow's intriguing episode of this week's story. Tomorrow, a fighting girl and a lucky break. And then murder cancels the score. Join us, won't you? Yours Truly, Johnny Doll. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by Les Crutchfield, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Doll. This is Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar here. Go ahead, McLin. Johnny, is Dino around? Yeah, he's over across the slope at the moment. They're getting the bodies out of what's left of the plane. Well, how does it look? Anything new? Nothing we hadn't already guessed. It was an explosion, all right. Dynamite in the baggage compartment. Probably put on board a piece of luggage. Well, that figures. I've run into something down here in the city along those same lines. What do you mean? The ground crew remembers one of the baggage handlers acting strange before Flight 6 took off last night. A man named Ramirez. What do you mean, strange? They say he had one suitcase that he wouldn't let any of the other handlers touch. Put it on the plane himself just before takeoff. Hmm. Hey, you know anything about tigers, Mac? Tigers? I'm about to tangle with one tonight and every Weekday night. Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. From Special Investigator Johnny Dollar, location Mexico City to the home office Guaranteed Transport Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. Assignment the Flight 6 Matter Expense Account continued. I was taking Gino Romero's word for it that the girl was a tiger. His word and My own instincts. At first glance, she seemed soft, shy and lovely. Then you sensed a wildness about her. A kind of suppressed violence that brought you up short and made you stop and reappraise her. She leaned against a tree, watching the bodies of the plane crash victims being carried down the slope and placed in the army jeep with no sign of emotion on cool, detached. She had no reason to be here. And I wondered why she was. The only way I knew of finding out was to ask her. Yes, what is it? You're Marvel, Terrence, I believe. That's right. And I have not met you somewhere before. No, but you're about to. My name is Johnny Dollar. I'm an investigator for an insurance company up in the States. I'm sure it must be very interesting work. Sometimes on some jobs. Other times it's only dirty and disgusting. Like this time, for instance. Well, we all have our problems. Maybe I can help you with yours, Miss Terence, run along, will you? I'm not in the mood. You amaze me. I think that seeing 10 bodies picked up and hauled away ought to put anyone in a gay, carefree mood. Look, beat it. You came out here sightseeing, didn't you? 20 miles from town. So you must like this kind of thing. I had friends on that plane, Mr. Dollar. So did a lot of other people. But maybe not as good friends as you have. I don't know what you're talking about and I don't care. Eh, Palmer and Jim Rourke. Were Those your friends, Ms. Terrence? Now, let's get this straight. I'm not interested in playing footsies or any other game you have in mind. You're wasting your time, buster. Now get going. Oh, wait a minute. Maybe you've got the wrong idea. This isn't just a social chat. No. You want to help me with my problems. Just one problem. I'm wondering how you're going to spend that $50,000. What? Yeah. That's a fair sized chunk of money to drop right out of. What are you talking about? What $50,000? The money you'll get from the deaths of your two friends, Palmer and Rourke. What do you mean? Say, tell me, were you with them at the airport last night when Flight 6 took off? Yes, I was. Then you must have known that they both took out flight policies and that both of them named you as beneficiary. No. No, I didn't know. I. I wasn't with them exactly. At least not up until takeoff. Then you claim this is all just a big surprise? Of course, I didn't know a thing about it. But it's just like them. It's what they do. Why did you come out here to the wreck, Ms. Terrence? I don't know. Ed and Jim are my friends, and I. I don't know why I came. Mr. Dolly. She came because I brought her, Mr. No, Bill. But I didn't bring her here to be pushed around by some morbid curiosity. No, please. This is Johnny Dollar, Bill. He's an insurance investigator. Bill Blakely, Mr. Dollar. Hello. He was asking me some questions. Why you? Because Ed and Jim both took out insurance policies in my name. What? Flight accident policies. $50,000 worth. Mr. Blakely, you said Ms. Terrence is here because you brought her. I wonder if you'd tell me why you're here. I don't know that it's any of your business. Sometimes I make things my business. Then sometime you may get your teeth knocked out. They're in pretty solid, Blakely. Yeah. Well, maybe they'll stop it. Sorry, Marvel. Ed Palmer and Jim Rorick were Bill's business partners. What business, Mr. Blakely? Engineering. We're building some roads around Mexico City. How many partners? Just the three of you? Yes, Justin. That's right, Dollar. The business belongs to me now. What about it? Nothing about it. Congratulations. One more crack. Yeah. I said stop it. Let's go, Marvel. I've got to get back to town. Wait for me at the truck. I'll be there in a few minutes. All right, suit yourself. $. Just one thing. Don't push me, Blakely. 10 people died over there on that hillside last night. They were murdered. I intend to find out who did it. And if it takes pushing to find out, then I'll push. See you around. Yeah, you probably will. This thing hit bill pretty hard, Mr. Dolly. You have to make allowances. How long have you known him? A couple of months. And Palmer and Rourke? The same. Nothing serious. Nothing romantic, if that's what you're thinking. It was all just for fun. Was that all it was on their side? Oh, men always claim to be serious, but that's only part of the game. What else do you do, Miss Terrence, beside play the game? That's all. I'm a wealthy orphan, Mr. Dolly. And my only career is drifting around the world playing the game. I'm ornamental, irresponsible and rather useless. Maybe not entirely useless. Just being ornamental has some importance in this world. So you play too, huh? I meant it. I guess I was pretty obnoxious when you spoke to me a while ago. Well, I suppose I asked for it. I'm staying at the Hotel Monte Cassino. Are you? I'd like to see you again. I could teach you the game, Johnny. Well, that's a very attractive offer outside of business hours. But. You think I'm mixed up in this? No. I'm not sure. Well, think about it, Johnny. And call me at my hotel. The Monte Casino. That's where Delagos is staying. Happen to know him, Ramon? Yes, of course. Why? One of the passengers killed on that plane was his wife. Didn't you know? I saw the name Delagos, but I. I didn't even know he had a wife. Another just for fun. I think you've got some wrong ideas about me, Johnny. Come see me and I'll straighten them out for you. All right, I will. And something else. You'll find it out anyway, so I may as well tell you. Tell me what? I had reservations on Flight 6, too. I was going over to Havana for the weekend. I canceled out at the last minute. I see. Maybe that's why I came out here, to see for myself. I'm not afraid of death. I've tempted it too many times to be. But it does fascinate me. I stood there watching and thinking. Could have been me being carried down that slope, except for luck. Why did you cancel out at the last minute? I was talked out of making the trip. By whom? Bill Blakely. I watched her swing down the slope. Live, erect and lovely. A strange girl with an air of aloneness about her. An air that I felt would be with her even in the crowd. Strange, but also compelling. Exciting. She might be involved or she might not. I didn't know. But I was sure of one thing. In either case, I was going to see her again. And now our lady Gino Romero and I were heading back toward the city in the government jeep, leaving behind us the wrecked plane, the crushed trees and the lonely slope on the mountain. You have found the young lady of interest, senor? Yeah, I found her of interest always. She's doing the crazy things. Daredevil. Flirting with the eyes, looking for danger. Playing the game, she calls it, senor. Playing the game. Que lastima. It is too sad that 10 persons are not be playing the game now anymore. Oh, it's all right, Gino. I'm not that much under a spell. If she's guilty in any way, I'll pin it on her just as quick as the next one. But I didn't. Sorry. Forget it. No, I do not think she's guilty. It is not a thing she would do and she does not need the money. She's very rich, do you know that? Everybody say so. Well, that's what I mean. It's worth checking into. Possibly. But I still do not think she would do such a thing. It is too terrible. And she's too beautiful. Maybe I ought to give you the advice, Gino. Before the beauty of a woman, senor, we are all as brothers. Like Senor Blake. Blakely. I see. He was look very disturbed. Yeah, he did get a little hot under the collar. What do you know about him, Gino? Almost nothing. He's come here for three months now, making the road. And his partners, Palmer and Rourke, were killed in the plane crash. What do you know about them? The same nothing. They all arrive together always. They work together, play together. Then along came Marvel, Terrence. True, they were all rivals for the senorita. And there is one thing. What's that? They have the building for the machinery outside the city. The warehouse, you call it. What about it? In this warehouse they keep much dynamite. Gino dropped me in my hotel, the Del Prado on Avenida Juarez. I changed clothes, cleaned up, sent some telegrams to the States. And about that time, Mack Mac phoned up from downstairs and asked me to join him in the bar. Expense Account, Item 3. $16.40 Drinks and Dinner with the Chief Inspector of the Federal Department of Civil Air Transport. And then some more drinks. I've been here seven years, Johnny. I like it. I feel at home here. I like the people and their way of life. But it would still be good to see you all shy again. The snow piling up along the Loop and the wind ripping in off the lake. The crazy little joints along Baker Street. When were you there last, Mac? 1932. Oh, then you're about due. Well, why don't you take a couple of weeks and fly up there? No, no. Too much water under the bridge, Johnny. Too many little WA's here and there in the world since 32. And two of them. Mac Maclin was flying in them on one side or the other. Oh, what of it? Well, you know, Uncle Sam frowns on that kind of thing, Johnny. So we've got a sort of an understanding. I stay the heck away and he forgets about me. I see. I've got no complaints. Actually, I'm. I'm doing all right here. But sometimes I sure do get homesick for the old town. Of course, it's probably changed so much that. Oh, yeah? Yes. Confirm me so. The telephone, Senor Martin. Oh, thanks. I plug it in. Hello? Yeah. What all right. Have you told the federal police? Yeah, I'll be here for a while. Adios. Well, we just lost our best angle, Johnny. What do you mean? That baggage handler, the one I figured slipped the dynamite on board the plane. The boys just now located him. His throat has been cut. Now here's our star to tell you about tomorrow's intriguing episode of this week's story. Tomorrow, a bereaved relative lies, a frustrated lover comes up fighting and a lovely lady in the case just vanishes. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by Les Crutchfield, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. This is Don Serrano de Almeida y Pico. Oh, we have not met, Senor Dollar. No. All right, I'm sure to remember the name Don Serrano. Wait a minute. You're Maria Delago's brother? That is correct. I was planning to call on you this morning, Don Serrano. That will not be necessary, senor, since I am taking the liberty of calling on you. I am downstairs in your hotel at this moment. I see. I believe I may be able to cast some light on the unfortunate tragedy which overtook my poor sister and the other passengers of that ill fated airplane. You know something that hasn't come out rather a great deal, senor. I know the crash which resulted in the deaths of 10 innocent people was the evil work of a diabolical maniac. Yes, well. Product of the warp mind of a scheming, worthless, unspeakable dog. A sneaking, money hungry snake. A scurrilous, unprincipled Don Serrano. Si, senor. Come on up tonight and every weekday night. Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. From special investigator Johnny Dollar, location Mexico City to the home office Guarantee Transport Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. Assignment the Flight 6 Matter expense account continued Item 5, $3.90. Room Service, Breakfast for myself and a pot of coffee for my visitor, Don Serrano de Almeido y Pico. I think he was a thin, straight man with a small goatee and the face of a hawk. Stiff, formal, unbending. A classy grande type from an old school, long out of business and a man of much suppressed violence and hate. Once upon a time, senor, there existed a gentleman's code for the settlement of such matters as this, the duelo, as it was called. But we are living now in lesser and more decadent times. A man is no longer permitted to kill his enemies. He must suffer interference by the police, the Civil Air Transport Department, the government, and even special investigators from the States. Huh? Is that what you mean? I was not speaking personally, Senor Dollar. You are as much a victim of the times as I am. Well, it doesn't seem to be irritating me as much as. More coffee, Don Serrano? Gracias. No. Perhaps it is because you have not lost your dearly beloved sister, senor. Oh, maybe in that, at least you have my sympathy. But let's get to the point. You've done quite a lot of talking about wanting to kill somebody. But I'm still not too sure who or why or what. It is very simple, senor. Not to me. Suppose we start at the beginning? As you like. But who can ever say what is the beginning of anything? All right, then let's be arbitrary about it. Let's start three weeks ago when your sister Maria came here from Havana to join her husband, Ramona, I believe you said. Roman had been here for a month at that time on some kind of a business deal. A business deal? Do I look like a fool, senor? Oh, now, let's stick to the point. Women. That is his business, senor. Women with money. Then a week ago, Maria wired you. Said she was terribly unhappy and asked you to come at once. And when you got here, she told you what was the matter? She said Ramon was carrying on with an American girl named Marvel Terrence. So you took over. You got Maria an airline reservation back to Havana on Flight 6, the one that crashed. And told her you'd handle Ramon. Oh, she was putty in his hands. He lied to her every day since they were married, and she always ended up by believing him. I told her in the beginning he was interested only in her wealth. Which amounts to how much? Oh, much. Even after Raymond's foolish dissipation over the last few years. What happens to her estate now? Half of it. She was permitted to dispose of as she wished. She made a will some time ago in favor of Ramon. Against my advice, I may say. What about the other half? That reverts to me, senor. Oh. Tis a matter of family tradition. Who managed your sister's estate before Ramon came into the picture? I did, senor. And quite profitably. I did not waste my energies on illicit follies and ludicrous. All right, all right. Night before last, then. You took Maria to the airport and saw her off on a plane, See? What was she planning to do when she got back to Havana? Was she going to divorce Ramon? My sister was a very pious woman, may she rest in peace. A religion would never permit such an act. I see. And of course, there was the matter of family tradition. Oh, naturally. Did Ramon go to the airport with you? I had not seen Ramon since the night before. Nor had Maria. We had quarreled violently over his disgraceful conduct. Did Ramon know that his wife was taking flight 6? I informed him the night before. Did you or Maria see him at the airport? Oh, no, senor. He was much too clever. He managed to keep out of sight. Then how can you be sure he was there, Senor Dollar? Who else would be so vile as to place an explosive on board the plane? Oh, well, now I can follow your reasoning. But the matter is self evident. Look, I'm afraid we need more than self evidence, Don Serrano. The problem of evidence is your responsibility, senor. I have told you who committed the deed. No, you've told me who you suspect. Do you doubt my word? Not as far as it goes. Sure you won't have some more coffee? No. Gracious. Do you happen to know this girl, Marvel Terrence? By sight, I mean. She has been pointed out to me. Did you see her at the airport? See, I did. I was under the impression she was going to leave on the plane. But after it departed, she was still in the terminal. Did you notice her talking to anyone before the takeoff? Yes, to some American, I believe. Red hair, Stocky build, about 35. See, he would fit that description. Blakely. Did you see her talking to anyone else? Any of the baggage handlers or the ground crew? I'm afraid I did not notice. Is it important? It could be. Well, thanks for your information, Don Serrano. My only concern is to see justice done. I'm sure it will be. And now suppose we take a look at what you didn't tell me, senor. The fact that Maria took out a flight accident policy for $25,000 and named you as her beneficiary. Why? Considered it a. A mere whim of my sisters. But the way things turned out, it was a pretty valuable whim, wasn't it, Don Serrano? For you, I mean. Senor, are you implying. I'm implying that Roman wasn't the only one with a motive. Wasn't the only one who will profit by Maria's death. You'll do pretty well yourself. Half her estate and $25,000 cash. That's not a bad deal. I should kill you for such an insult. You'd like to, wouldn't you? You're very big on this killing business. That's how you planned to handle things with Ramon, wasn't it? As soon as Maria went back to Havana. It is only what he deserves. And now you're trying to use me to do it. That's why you came here. You don't care about justice. All you want to do is get Ramon. He is guilty. If he is Don Serrano, I'll find it out and I'll pin it on him. But if he isn't, I'm not going to be pushed into framing him. So you can take these dirty, underhanded insinuations of yours and you can get out. Don Serrano. Expense account, item 6. $12.60. Taxi fares in and around Mexico City. I checked with the Federal police first. They had their best men working on the murder of the baggage handler at the airport. And so far they turned up nothing. They didn't have a single lead. I went through their files on the other seven people who died on the plane. Nothing. The two pilots and the stewardess were Cuban and apparently had no close friends or enemies in Mexico City. Two of the passengers were Brazilians and were only traveling through en route from the States. And as far as the other two were concerned, there seemed to be no motive. So it came right back again to the three I was already working on. Maria Delagos and the two business partners, Ed Palmer and Jim Rourke. The three people who'd bought flight insurance policies. And that left me with four possible suspects. Ramon Delagos, Maria's husband, Don Serrano, her brother Marvel Terrence and Bill Blakely, the partner of Palmer and Rourke. I checked with Inspector Mocklin, but he'd made no progress with Gina Romero. No progress. I tried to reach Blakely, but he hadn't shown up at his office. I phoned Marvel Terrence and got a reluctant agreement from her to meet me for lunch. I waited for at the Vendome for an hour. She didn't show up. Finally, at one o', clock, I went to her hotel. What can I do for you? I'd like to see Ms. Marvel. Terence, I wonder if you'll. She's the most beautiful woman where I ever stay at this hotel. Yeah, she's pretty gorgeous, all right. Would you mind? Sometimes I think everybody in the world is in love with the senorita. All day long it is one man after another. Which call up to talk to Ms. Terrence. Why would you ring her and tell her I'm waiting? Sometimes so many calls we get on the switchboard while a senorita is living. That's very interesting. And now what? You must forgive me, amigo. When I think of Miss Terence, I lose all sense in my head. All right, all right, you're forgiven. Now, if you. What is it you wish, senor? Will you ring Miss Terrence and tell her I'm waiting down here in the lobby? Immediately, senor. Your name, please? Johnny Dollar. Johnny Leo. L. How you spell it, please? D O, L, L, A, R. Gracious. I will tell her at once that you forgot. What? She's not here no more, senor. What? She has check out of Hotel at 11 o' clock of this morning. Expense account, item 7, $2.10. Lunch at the Monte Casino Hotel. Alone. I was sorry she'd skipped. I guess I was secretly hoping Marvel turn out to be in the clear. But if she were, then why run out? It didn't add up. I paid my check and started to leave the dining room. And at the entrance I ran square into a man I was planning to see later in the day. He didn't seem very happy about it, Senor Dollars. How are you, Roman? It is a pleasure to see you again, senor. And now talk to you a couple of minutes. Come on, let's step into the bar. But I have a most important engagement, senor. Well, this is important too. So I understand you're a friend of Marvel Terrence's. It is my honor and pleasure. Well, she's checked out of the hotel here. Do you know where she went? Senor, I do not discuss the private affairs of my friends. Ah, knock it off, Ramon. This isn't a tea party. Ten people have been murdered by an explosion aboard a plane. One of them was your wife, remember? I cannot help you. I know nothing of Ms. Terence's plans. And now? I talked to your brother in law this morning, Ramon. Don Serrano. He tells me you're the one who put the explosive on board the plane. It is a lie. He seemed pretty certain of it. He tells me you stand to inherit half of your wife's estate. Then he is better informed as to the details of the matter than I am. I do not know what happens to the estate, senor. He seems to think you wanted to get your wife out of the way in order to have a free hand with Ms. Terrence. Don Serrano, as you may have noticed, is a bigoted and jealous old fool who thinks only of money. He knows better than that. What do you mean? Maria was different from the women of your country, senor. She understood such matters as my friendship with Ms. Terence and accepted them. Except such times as Don Serrano goaded her into being foolish. Yes. It is a difference of the Latin temperament, senor. I see. Then there was no trouble between you and Maria? None of importance. The trouble was Don Serrano. He has hated me from the day of our marriage. Because from that moment on he no longer had any control over Maria's fortune. If you wish to discuss this further, senor, I will be happy to do so later. But I must leave now. I watched him hurry out of the hotel. I had no real reason to stop him and no authority to. On sudden impulse, I crossed the lobby to the public phones, called the Hotel Rejes and asked for Don Serrano de Almeida y Pico. Don Serrano had checked out, no forwarding address. I called the Delta Prado and asked for Bill Blakely. Mr. Blakeley had checked out, no forwarding address. I left the phone booth and hurried back to the desk. The clerk was very sorry. Ramon Delagos had checked out earlier in the day. No forwarding address. Now here's our star to tell you about tomorrow's intriguing episode of this week's story. Tomorrow, a rendezvous in a tropic port. And a lot of things come together. Things like romance, desire and death. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by Les Crutchfield, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. Inspector Maclin's office. Gino Romero. Oh, Gino, what did you find out? Did you locate any of them beneficiaries of the crash of Flight 6? Si, senor. It was an affair most simple. A matter of making the telephone call to the airport. Then they've left Mexico City. Senorita Marvel Terence has taken the 10 o' clock plane this morning to Acapulco. Senor Blakely has taken the 11:30 plane to Acapulco. Senor Ramon de Lagos has taken it two o', clock, flying to Acapulco. And what about Don Serrano? Oh, with him he's different. At 2:45 he's depart from Mexico City in a special charter plane. Look, Gino, is there another flight to Acapulco this afternoon? But of course. At 4:30 already I have two reservations. Good I'll meet you at the airport. What's the flight number, Gino? I'm scared to think of it. This one is also called Flight 6. Tonight and every weekday night, Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. From special investigator Johnny Dollar, location Mexico City to the home office. Guaranteed Transport Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. Assignment, the Flight 6 Matter Expense Account Continued Item 9, $63.45. Incidentals in Mexico City and Plane 5. Acapulco. One more of the sharp contrasts of Mexico. We left the stiff formality of the city behind us, the cool, thin air of the high plateau. And 50 minutes later we stepped off the plane and into the steaming heat of the tropics. Barefoot tourists in shorts and barefoot natives in white cotton dungarees, soft brown skins and flashing teeth. Mangoes, papayas and the heady scent of tropical flowers. Blue sky, blue Pacific and a burning sun and a bay so bright and beautiful it breaks your heart. Acapulco. Gino Romero of the Department of Civil Air Transport knew his way around, so I waited for him while he checked his contacts. Airport police, custom agents, limousine drivers. And in a few minutes he'd made his rounds and rejoined me in front of the terminal. Senor, a merely matter of ask the question and listen to the answer. What did you find out, Gino? Senorita, Ms. Turns is there the Hotel Los Flamingo? So Senor Blakely is also stay there. Ramon de Lagos is go to the Hotel Caleta. And Don Serrano is stay at the Club de Pesca. So you see? Yeah, I see. All right, Gino, let's get going. And where we are going is to the. We'll put up at the Las Flamingos. That is what I'm expecting. Oh, she's very beautiful, senor. True, but there are even better reasons for staying there. Well, in some way, I'm not yet sure how. I think this whole thing centers right around Marvel. Terrence, you think it's possible she guilty of the crash of the flight, seeks to collect the insurance? Maybe. Or she might have been used. Or maybe. Oh, I don't know, Gino. But it's about time we found out. Expense account item 10. $1.50 limousine fare from the airport to the hotel. The Flamingos is built on a point near the far end of the peninsula, set on a headland high above the white smother of surf below. And there, just before dusk with a western sky, a yellow blaze of glory beyond the far rim of the Pacific. I found her. She was sitting on the open terrace, but by the edge of the cliff. And once again, she was alone. Sit down, Johnny. Thanks. I suppose I should be surprised, but I'm not really. I guess I rather expected you. Well, then, wasn't it a waste of time to run away from Mexico City? I've always run away, I guess. Most of the time, I imagine you've been followed. Or maybe I wanted to face you here, where it's so beautiful. Perhaps you'd be able to understand me a little better. Is that what you want, Marvel? To be understood? Doesn't every woman? I thought it was more often a man. And usually it's his wife who doesn't understand him, isn't it? I see. This isn't going to be just a social chat. Oh, I doubt if it could ever be just a social chat. Not with you. You got too much impact for that. A compliment. That's a fact. There's no place else in the world with sunsets like the ones here every evening. It's like there's another land way off there in the west. It's a strange, bright, golden land, and it keeps calling, coaxing. Only, in a little while, it'll disappear and everything will be dark off there in the west. Maybe you do understand me, John. Maybe that's why I'm half afraid of you. Another reason I ran. Maybe I can be a fool. Easy. Sort of hereditary defect, you might say. Well, that's a common affliction. Rarely fatal. Rarely doesn't help. Once is enough. You know something? When I die, I want to be buried up there in the middle of a sunset. It'd be kind of lonely, wouldn't it? I think I've always been lonely. Do you know I haven't a single living relative in the world? Not one. I was 14 when my parents were killed in an auto accident. I stayed in a boarding school and the bank. Handled the estate. When I was 21, they turned it over to me. And since then I've. I guess that's not what you want to know, though, is it? Not exactly. Want to tell me about it, Marvel? No, as a matter of fact, I don't. I don't even want to think about it. It would be better if you would. For whom? For me? I doubt it. I feel dirty, Johnny. Telling wouldn't change that. It might. Anything I'd tell you would be only suspicion, not fact. What in. Unless, of course, you're expecting a confession. Do you have one to make? No. But you know who caused Flight 6 to blow up. And why don't you? No, I can make a guess, that's all. Like to tell me that guess? You'll find out soon enough, Johnny. And I'd rather it didn't come from me. 11 people have died, Marvel. I know 10 on the plane that crashed and the baggage handler who was murdered later. You don't have to remind me of it. I couldn't forget it if I wanted to. I told you how I felt. Now drop it, Johnny. All right. I didn't know. That's all I can claim. I just didn't know. What do you mean? Nothing. Look, it's dark out there now. Sunset's gone. There's always another one. I wonder, have you ever met Don Serrano, brother in law of Ramon Delagos? No, but he was pointed out to me. Did you see him at the airport the night Flight 6 was blown up? I don't remember. I don't think so. Did you see Ramon? No. Did he know you'd canceled your reservation that night? He didn't even know I had one. Have Ramon and Bill Blakely ever met? Yes, they met and detested each other on sight. That's understandable in view of the circumstances, I guess. But why are people like they are? Did you arrange for Blakely to follow you here? I didn't tell anybody I was coming. He was a good guesser. So was Roman and Don Serrano. I know they're all here. Why, they don't even know me. They don't want to know me. Not in any real way. But they're here. Oh, yeah, they're here. And I think you ought to tell me what you know, Marvel. Tomorrow, maybe. Not tonight. Let me have just one night, Johnny. All right. Take me to dinner. Dance with me, laugh with me. Give me just one evening, will you, Johnny? Sure. And thank my lucky star for the chance. You're sweet. I'm saying it now without any strings. No matter how things work out, I'll still mean it. You're a sweet guy, Johnny. Give me time to change. I went to my room and made two phone calls while I waited for her. The operator at the Club de Pesca informed me that Don Serrano was not in. The clerk of the Hotel Caleta said the same thing about Ramon Delagos. I didn't leave my name with either of them. Bill Blakely was staying in room 23, a few doors on down the terrace. So I decided to go have a talk with him before I went out to dinner with Marvel. Terence. But as it Happened. I didn't have to go to that much trouble. Yeah, who is it? Blakely. I'd like to talk to you. Come on in. Do you always cover your visitors with a gun? Only when I spot him listening outside my door. I don't know. I saw your shadow against the shutter there. You've been standing outside for the last five minutes, Blakely. You listened to me make a couple of phone calls. Did you learn anything you wanted to know? $ Suppose you were suspected of sabotaging an airliner and killing 10 people. Wouldn't you want to know what kind of a case was being built up against you? It makes you think you're under suspicion, Blakely. I know I am. Ed Palmer and Jim Rourke were my partners. When they died on that plane, I became sole owner of the firm. There's the motive. I've got a warehouse full of dynamite in Mexico City. There's the method. I can go even farther than that. What do you mean? You mentioned one motive. Why didn't you mention the other one? What other one? Marvel. Terrence, that crash not only eliminated a pair of business partners, it wiped out a couple of rivals. Just one thing wrong with that dollar Marvel had a reservation on that plane herself. She only decided at the last minute not to go. I wouldn't have been gaining much if I'd killed her along with my rivals, as you call them. Maybe that's why you cornered her at the airport and argued her out of going. Yes, I. I did talk her out of the trip. But not because I'd planted an explosive on board. How do you feel about her, Blakely? I'd give my left arm. It wouldn't do any good. I'm just not the guy. I never have been and never will be. Maybe you are. She says she's having dinner with you tonight. That's right, she is. How do you feel about her dollar I don't know. Expense account item 11, $26.40. Taxis, dinner, drinks and dancing for two. The Copacabana with its blue lights and the surf right at your feet. And a million stars low enough to touch the warm water of the bay, lapping softly at the poor the Las Americas, the Casablanca. Music, champagne and the tropic night. And then finally, much later. Good night, Johnny, and thank you. Tonight, for the first time I can remember, I wasn't alone. And then, only an hour afterward, I was waking out of a sound sleep. Johnny. Senor Cola. Right with you, Gino. What was it? It's a senorita. I think she's a Number eight. Come on. But she wasn't a number eight. Her door was standing open and the room was empty. We searched the terrace out toward the edge of the cliff where I talked with her at sunset. We saw the broken section of railing and found one of her slippers and a pack of her cigarettes lying nearby in pitch darkness. We slid and scrambled down the steep path to the beach. And there, by the edge of the surf, we found her. The warm foam reached out for her as though to carry her away to that last sunset she'd loved so much. She looked very beautiful, but very much alone. As alone and as lonely as death. Now here's our star to tell you about the final intriguing episode of this week's story. Tomorrow, a desperate killer is cornered and strikes back in a deadly counterattack. Final showdown. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by Les Crutchfield, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Be sure to join us tomorrow night, same time and station, for the next exciting episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. Roy Rowan speaking from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. Here is your call to Mexico City, senor. Oh, thanks. Hello. Macklin, Department of Civil Air Transportation. Hi, Mike Dollar. What have you learned in Acapulco? Not very much, I'm afraid. But you said you were following the girl down there. Marvel, Terrence? Yeah, and a few others who might have had a hand in the explosion aboard Flight 6. Beneficiaries of the insured on that flight. What others? Ramond Delagos, whose wife died in the crash. Don Serrano, her brother, Bill Blakely, whose business partners were aboard. Well, have you and Gino learned anything from them? From the girl? Not yet. But you said she might know who caused that explosion aboard the plane. Right. And she promised to talk. Well, your little helper Gino and I just pulled her body out of the surf down below the hotel here. Johnny. Murder. Yeah. Tonight and every weekday night, Bob Bailey and the transcribed adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. From special investigator Johnny Dollar, location, Acapulco, Mexico, to the Home Office Guarantee Transport Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. Assignment, the Flight 6 Matter Expense Account. Final item 12. $1.80 for the phone call to Mac Macklin in Mexico City. I had to get Mack out of bed to tell him what had happened. That Marvel Terrence had been murdered. That somebody had silenced the girl around whom the whole case had seemed to center since Flight 6 had exploded in midair three nights before and carried the passengers and crew to their desks. Mac was shocked and offered any additional help I might need. But he had no new information at his end. And it was obvious now that any answers would have to be found right here in Acapulco. As I hung up the phone, Gino Romero came rushing in from the hotel terrace. Senor Dollar. What is it, Gino? A prowler is out on the hotel grounds. The police car has got to block off the road at the bottom of this lock. Good. Come on. The stairs are over this way, senor. Right with you. A little light wouldn't hurt anything down here. It's no time. This way into the brush is footpath. All right, lead the way. Over there is only 100ft to a cliff. The other side is the road for the hotel. Here is the only place anybody can go is down this slope. Yeah, but there are plenty of places to hide and see, senor. But is a matter. Oh, wait. Listen. Listen. We could hear someone moving through the jungle growth a few yards away. Moving swiftly but cautiously. Me. Then a sudden silence. Whoever it was, it also stopped and was listening for Gino and me. We waited for the fugitive to move again, straining our ears, trying to tag the location. Seconds passed. Then a slight rustle ahead of us. Gino nudged me and we slipped quietly toward the sound. Get your hands up. Well, well, when it's not your Senor dollar. You seem to be quite a night owl, Don Serrano. Not ordinarily, senor. The circumstances which place me in this rather awkward position are not usual ones, I assure you. You were up there prowling around the hotel. Why? I was looking for my unmentionable brother in law, Armando Lagos. Why? What made you think he'd be here? I went to his hotel. He was not in his room. I knew he had not been able to see Ms. Terrence since she had spent the evening with you. So I assumed he might be waiting for her here at her hotel. And my assumption has, of course, been proven correct. Did you see him? No. But I heard the police discussing the murder of Ms. Terrence. It was obviously Ramon's handiwork. Still after him, huh? My feeling about Ramon is not a secret, senor. Nor his about you. So why did you go to his hotel? To kill him. Why else? Time was running out, so we took Don Serrano back to the hotel. To the police. One very important person hadn't put in an appearance. Gino went down to Bill Blakely's room, knocked on the Door. Then opened it with a passkey and went in. Blakely wasn't there. We searched the room. The bed has been sleeping, senor. Yeah, yeah, I notice. But for how long? That's the question. It's possible. He always wake up when the senorita screams. Before she escaped, he might have been. He must have dressed. His pajamas are there on the floor. I wonder. Sorry. If it was a quarrel of lovers. Jealousy. He did not like it when the senorita was go with you tonight? I don't think it's that simple, Gino. Let's get this bag open, have a look inside. Maybe we can. It's not even locked. He seems to have been traveling lighty. There on the top, senor. Yeah, I see. What is it? Box of.38 caliber cartridges spilled open. And that piece of oilcloth? He had a gun packed in here. No, it's gone. He got up, loaded a gun and left. Took the gun with him. If it was before the scream, that's one thing. But if it was afterward, then. What are you thinking, senor? I think we'd better take the police with us. Get over to the Hotel Caleda and check up on our third suspect, Ramon. But Don Serrano said he is not there. Don Serrano could say anything. I think we'd better get over there, Gino, and do it fast. The Click said room 34. That's the second door down. I see. Let's go. Raman. Raman. Who is it? Johnny Dollar. Open up. Watch yourself, Gino. Come on in, Dollar. You're Blakely? Yeah. Better hand over the gun, Blakely. You won't get a chance to use it now. The police are out in the lobby. Okay. All right. Thanks. Ramon didn't show up, huh? I wish he had. That's all I was asking. Just one clear shot at him. Are you sure he's the one who killed her? Sure enough. Did you see him? No. But he's the one she was scared of him, Dollar. She told me earlier in the afternoon before you got down here to Acapulco. Told you what? She said Ramon had followed her here from Mexico City. That he'd been acting strange. She said she was glad I was staying at the same hotel. That she didn't want to see him or talk to him. Yeah, Figures. All right. It checks with what she said to me last night. If she'd only given me a little more to go on. She was a real great kid, $. The greatest, as far as I was concerned. Yeah. As soon as I realized what had happened, I Loaded my gun and came here to wait for him. I figured he'd try to get back to his room, but he didn't show. You know, it's too bad. She was a real great kid. And I'd have died for her if she asked me to. I loved her. She was the star. Idiot. Come on, Gino. Si, senor. Ramon had been spotted. He started down at the hotel, saw the police, turned and ran. He was armed with a pistol. He'd fired a shot at one of the police officers and then jumped over the balustrade and disappeared into the dark curve of Caleda Beach. The police cars were quickly threw a cordon along the bayfront street and blocked off both ends of the stretch of shoreline. For the moment, Roman was trapped somewhere on that beach. He tipped his hand now, and he was desperate and dangerous. And he had a gun. Gino and I went out on the beach after him. There's many place to hide here. Not for long. They'll have some more police here within a few minutes. Come on. It's maybe a better way. I do not think Ramon is planned to be taken alive. I can still see that girl, Gino, lying at the foot of the cliff. Senor. I remember. I sp. What is it? There, by the water is. No, I am wrong, senor. It's only a boat pull up on the sand. Yeah, it's a catabout. I think it's better. Maybe we should separate, Senor, I look in the pavilion. The Cavanas. You stay close by the water. In this way we are have him between us. Good idea, Gino, but you've got the rough end of it. Take care of yourself. Well, not much cover along the shoreline here. Do not move, senor. Do not make a sound. Well, Roman. So you were hiding behind that boat. I have nothing to lose now, Senor, if you make one move or try to call out, I will kill you. Yeah, I think you would. All right then. What comes next? This boat. You will push it into the water. But be very careful. If you make any noise, even by accident, I will kill you. Quickly now, hurry. Relax, Ramon. You don't have a chance. Anyway. We will see. Careful now. Be quiet. Good. Now get in quickly. Sure. Take the paddle, head out across the bay and be very quiet or I will kill you. All right, Roman. You're just wasting your time. They'll have a police launch out here within 10 minutes. I do not think so. They will not know. Quiet. Quiet. One more sound from that paddle and I will shoot Marvel. Terence. Why did you kill Her, Ramon. She made me crazy. So beautiful. And with very much money. I thought she would be most easy once Maria, my wife. And it was you who blew up the airliner in order to kill your wife and have a clear field to go after Marvel. Marvel did not know I was married and Maria was going to tell. So you sabotaged a plane and killed her along with 10 other innocent people. And what happened tonight? Did Marvel turn you down? He said she was suspicious of me and she was going to tell you about it in the morning. And she said she was falling in love with you. She made me crazy. I wish you had got back into that hotel, Romano. I wish you'd got there before I did. While Bill Blakely was still waiting for you with a loaded gun in his hand. Be quiet and paddle faster. We must get farther up the coast in order. What is that? Police launch. What did you think? I told you you didn't have a chance. No, they could not get here so soon. Well, I forgot to mention the fact that they'd already phoned for one. Then they do not know yet we are out here. Good. Keep paddling. Quickly. He half turned his head to look back toward the launch. I took a chance and swung the paddle. His shot went wild and he didn't get a second try. I caught him back in the air and he dropped like a log. The police located our boat a few minutes later and hauled him over the gunnel and into the launch. And that should have been the end of it. But none of us realized Ramon's insane desperation. He'd only been pretending unconsciousness on board the launch. He snatched a gun from one of the officers and tried to take over the boat. Boat? He didn't have a chance. He took a full volley of shots from three police pistols square in the chest. Expense account item 13. $312.20. Hotel and incidentals in Acapulco and Mexico City and plane fair back to the States. Expense account total $608.10. End of expense account. End of report. Remarks. I'll never see another sunset now without thinking of her somewhere out beyond it. I hope she doesn't feel alone anymore. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Remember, there'll be another intriguing story for you beginning next Monday night. Next week, a dead girl comes to life in a case that's packed with lies. Yet every one of them comes true. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey is transcribed in Hollywood. Written by Les Crutchfield, it is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone Heard in this week's cast were Virginia Gregg, Ben Wright, Edgar Barrier, Don Diamond, Russ Thorson and Jack Moyles. Musical supervision by Amerigo Marino. Be sure to join us on Monday night, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Roy, Rowan, Spencer, Sam, we just heard Boston Blackie, the Lives of Harry Lime and yours truly, Johnny Dollar. That will do it for today's show. Thanks so much for joining me. I hope you'll be back next week for more Old Time Radio Detectives. And I hope you'll also tune in next week for the annual down these Mean Streets Old Time Radio Halloween special. If you like what you're hearing on the show, don't be a stranger. You can rate and review the podcast in Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to the show. And if you'd like to lend support, you can visit buymeacoffee.com memstos I'll be back next week with more Old Time Radio Detectives. 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 irresistible, irresponsible, lunatic fringe of American life. Refused 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.