33 Half Moon Street 1965-06-10 A Bag of Coal for Mr Lazenby

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Half Moon Street 1965-06-10 A Bag of Coal for Mr Lazenby"

Introduction

In episode 33 of Harold's Old Time Radio, titled "Half Moon Street 1965-06-10 A Bag of Coal for Mr Lazenby," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. Hosted by Aubrey Mason of Assignments Unlimited, the episode weaves a gripping tale of industrial sabotage, corporate intrigue, and unexpected twists. The story centers around John Lazenby, an engineering firm owner in Cumberland, who faces a dire shortage of coal essential for his factory's operations.

The Assignment

The episode begins with John Lazenby reaching out to Assignments Unlimited for assistance. Aubrey Mason greets him warmly:

Aubrey Mason [00:10]: "Yes, Mr. Lazenby, I bear you pleased to see you."

Lazenby explains his predicament:

David Cannon [01:14]: "You may wonder why I've come to see you. The fact of the matter is, I need help."

He elaborates on the logistical challenges:

David Cannon [01:27]: "I have a firm, an engineering firm in Cumberland. That firm's got to keep running and it can't run without coal."

Due to a railway strike and treacherous roads, Lazenby’s supplies are jeopardized. Moreover, a series of unfortunate accidents with his lorries further complicates matters:

David Cannon [01:50]: "The truth of the matter is, recently a series of accidents have taken place with my lorries. Only yesterday I had a lorry go over. Little foul."

Recognizing foul play, Lazenby requests not just a driver but someone trustworthy who can help uncover the sabotage:

David Cannon [02:21]: "I want a lorry driver. Not only one who is qualified as a lorry driver, but one that I can trust."

The Investigation

Aubrey Mason assigns Ms. Masters, a seasoned lorry driver, to the task:

Aubrey Mason [03:29]: "You're booked in the 10:30 to Carlisle and Mr. Lazenby will meet you at the station."

Ms. Masters arrives in Carlisle and meets Lazenby, who provides further insights into the sabotage targeting his coal deliveries:

David Cannon [04:43]: "35 miles. 25 miles of easy driving from the yard I showed you just now with 10 miles of Al at the end."

She observes the fragility of the transport route:

Ms. Masters [04:43]: "That 10 miles that worries me. How about a series of accidents lately? And all on that stretch."

Lazenby reveals the stakes involved, highlighting his major contract with Delta Aircraft Corporation and the looming threat from Boeing:

David Cannon [14:29]: "I have a contract to supply this material to one of the... Delta Aircraft Corporation. It's possible that others have heard of my invention."

The Sabotage Uncovered

As Ms. Masters embarks on her assignment, her suspicions grow. During a routine check, she discovers clear signs of sabotage:

Ms. Masters [08:20]: "No plug on the sump. No plug means no oil."

Further investigation leads her to confront John Lazenby himself. In a dramatic encounter, it becomes evident that Lazenby is the mastermind behind the sabotage:

Ms. Masters [20:14]: "You see these trucks here, most of them are dead ducks. Sabotaged."

Lazenby attempts to downplay the situation, but inconsistencies in his story raise red flags. The climax unfolds when Ms. Masters catches Lazenby tampering with the brake fluid pipes:

Ms. Masters [21:29]: "You see these trucks here, Most of them are dead ducks. Sabotaged. And now I find you here."

Conclusion

Aubrey Mason narrates the resolution, revealing Lazenby’s ulterior motives. Bound by a restrictive contract with Delta, Lazenby orchestrated the sabotage to force Delta to terminate their agreement, allowing him to negotiate more lucrative deals with Boeing. However, his plan backfires as Assignments Unlimited, led by the perceptive Ms. Masters, unravels the scheme. Lazenby is ultimately apprehended and sentenced, bringing closure to the tumultuous events.

Aubrey Mason [21:34]: "Lazenby got a stiff jail sentence and another file closed on what I called a bag of coal for Mr. Lazenby."

Notable Quotes

1. Aubrey Mason [00:10]: "Yes, Mr. Lazenby, I bear you pleased to see you."
2. David Cannon [02:21]: "I want a lorry driver. Not only one who is qualified as a lorry driver, but one that I can trust."
3. Ms. Masters [08:20]: "No plug on the sump. No plug means no oil."
4. Ms. Masters [20:14]: "You see these trucks here, most of them are dead ducks. Sabotaged."
5. Aubrey Mason [21:34]: "Lazenby got a stiff jail sentence and another file closed on what I called a bag of coal for Mr. Lazenby."

Final Thoughts

"Half Moon Street 1965-06-10 A Bag of Coal for Mr Lazenby" masterfully blends suspense with classic radio drama elements. Through sharp dialogues and a well-paced narrative, the episode explores themes of trust, corporate greed, and the lengths one might go to secure professional success. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to Harold's Old Time Radio, this episode offers a captivating glimpse into the challenges and intrigues of the mid-20th-century industrial landscape.

Transcript

[Aubrey Mason]

Assignments unlimited. The number? Yes. 5095. Mr. Who?

[John Lazenby]

Lazenby.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes. Mr. Lazenby, I bear you pleased to see you. You're just next door, you say? Yes, yes. I look forward to seeing you. It's a matter of what clue you need it, if I may say so. We do as well. Anyway, to see you. Aubrey Mason at your service. At Assignments Unlimited, we do anything anywhere, at any time.

[John Lazenby]

33 Half Moon Street.

[Aubrey Mason]

Ten minutes later, Mr. Lazenby was ushered into my office.

[John Lazenby]

Mr. Lazenby, sir.

[David Cannon]

Thank you.

[Aubrey Mason]

Come in, Mr. Lazenby. Please sit down.

[David Cannon]

Thank you, Mr. Mason. Now, I'm. I'm sorry to trouble you at such short notice.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, that's what we're here for, Mr. Lazenby.

[David Cannon]

You may wonder why I've come to see you. The fact of the matter is, I need help.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, that's the usual reason for people coming to see me. Now, how can we help you?

[David Cannon]

Lorry drivers, that's what I need. Lorry drivers?

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes. In what connection?

[David Cannon]

Well, I have a firm, an engineering firm in Cumberland. That firm's got to keep running and it can't run without coal. Now, Madeira's stockyard is 40 miles away, and it's a nasty run in between.

[Aubrey Mason]

I don't quite follow, Mr. Leslie.

[David Cannon]

The factory is situated up in the fowls. It's a tough road in between. As I've already said, if I don't out call, I can't keep my machines working. And I've only got three days supply left.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, Mr. Lindenberry.

[David Cannon]

Well, the truth of the matter is, recently a series of accidents have taken place with my lorries. Oh, I'll heap the things. Punctures, big ends gone. And only yesterday I had a lorry go over. Little foul.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, but I still don't quite follow. Mr. Leslie, I appreciate you have difficulties over coal supplies, but. Well, I don't see how we can help you.

[David Cannon]

I want a lorry driver. Not only one who is qualified as a lorry driver, but one that I can trust.

[Aubrey Mason]

I see. You're suggesting that someone's trying to prevent you from obtaining coal.

[David Cannon]

Exactly. I'm sure of it.

[Aubrey Mason]

Mr. Lazenby, there are a number of haulage contractors in this country. I can't say that I'm acquainted with them in your area. But why don't you get one of them to transport your coal for you?

[David Cannon]

What? With a railway strike on, you can't get anybody to carry anything for you for lug nor money.

[Aubrey Mason]

I see. So what you want is a man to drive One of your lorries. And just a little more.

[David Cannon]

Yes, Mr. Mason, just a little more. I also wanted to find out who is trying to break my business.

[Aubrey Mason]

A few minutes later, Lazenby left my office. It appeared that his factory was close to Crossfell in Cumberland. The nearest station was Carlisle. And that's where I was going to send my dear Cannon. It was cold in London. I wondered what it was like in Cumberland. At that moment, Cannon came back into the office.

[Ms. Masters]

Wow. It's. It's cold outside.

[Aubrey Mason]

Funny you should say that. I just had a man to see me about coal.

[Ms. Masters]

It's about time too, Chief. We'll all freeze to death before long.

[Aubrey Mason]

No, not that sort of cold. Would you like to sit down, Canon?

[Ms. Masters]

Uh. I know that look. What's cooking, G?

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, it's all a matter of coal. By the way, you have got a heavy duty license, haven't you?

[Ms. Masters]

Yes.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, you've got a little assignment. Driving coal from Carlisle to Cross Fell.

[Ms. Masters]

Is that so? And where the heck is Cross Fell?

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, somewhere in Cumberland. You're booked in the 10:30 to Carlisle and Mr. Lazenby will meet you at the station. He's flown back already.

[Ms. Masters]

Lazenby?

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, he's the man. His factory appears to be on the.

[David Cannon]

Top of a mountain.

[Aubrey Mason]

Further, it appears that somebody is trying to do him down with his transport. It's up to you to find out who's trying to do who.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, thanks, chief. Sounds an interesting assignment. Did you say 10:30? Well, I better shift third class, I suppose, as usual. Or am I going cattle truck this first class, Captain?

[Aubrey Mason]

With Mr. Lazenby's compliments. I hope you don't find it too cold up there.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, if I do, I'll send you a wee lump of ice. Registered.

[Aubrey Mason]

Cannon duly arrived at Carlisle Station where he was met by Lazenby. From there, he was driven out to the factory. On the way, Cannon decided to learn a little bit more about his assignment.

[Ms. Masters]

So what you want me to do, Mr. Lazenby, is to transport coal from Carlisle to your place across.

[David Cannon]

That's absolutely correct, Mr. Cannon. 35 miles. 25 miles of easy driving from the yard I showed you just now with 10 miles of Al at the end. Now it's that 10 miles that worries me. How about a series of accidents lately? And all on that stretch.

[Ms. Masters]

Aye.

[David Cannon]

Now I've got my former in hospital with a smashed up leg.

[Ms. Masters]

Is that so? Aye.

[David Cannon]

Looking to be alive. Went over the edge at Little Fell.

[Ms. Masters]

It appears his brakes failed.

[David Cannon]

Now I look after my transport, Mr. Cannon. And I Just don't understand what's going on.

[Ms. Masters]

You mean you think somebody's trying to sabotage you?

[David Cannon]

I. I think I'd better explain things a little more fully. Now then, I have a factory here in which I'm producing a form of plastic. It's indestructible now. In fact, it's a revol design for the buildings of bodies, for cars, aircraft, cannabis and, well, if you want to come nearer home. Refrigerators, stoves, anything you like. You may wonder why my factory's in the middle of nowhere. Well, the water that I draw from the streams here and the springs is ideal for me purpose. But it has its disadvantage. In order to keep my machinery turning, I must have coal. I'm short of it. And if I don't get it, production will come to a standstill. It has a long way to come.

[Ms. Masters]

Then. I imagine you have some pretty important contracts.

[David Cannon]

Yes, I am one in particular.

[Ms. Masters]

I see. Mr. Lazenby, you think that somebody's trying to grab that contract from you?

[David Cannon]

It appears to be that way. Look, Canon, I don't want you to think I don't trust my staff. They're a fine lot of men. I've had them a long time. Nevertheless, there's something somewhere going on that I don't understand. The occasional puncture or breakdown. Yes, but not a series of mishaps, as has happened to me just lately.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah. Yeah, it's certainly food for thought.

[David Cannon]

Anyway, you'll be staying with me. And will it over in your mind tonight. Tomorrow morning, I'll get you out on your first run. Now, what I want you to do is to keep your eyes open. And if there's anything that seems odd to you.

[Aubrey Mason]

Callum rang me the following morning from Carlisle. He was his usual efficient self. Assignment's unlimited.

[Ms. Masters]

Hello, Chief, is that you?

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, it is indeed, Captain. How are the fells? Lots of snowballing and that sort of thing.

[Ms. Masters]

Oh, Chief, please.

[David Cannon]

By the way, where are you speaking from?

[Ms. Masters]

The coal yard in Carlisle. I just come in to collect my first load.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, well, is he.

[David Cannon]

If you have nothing else to report.

[Ms. Masters]

No, not really. Except I slept in the baronial suite last night and the roads to this cross fellow like nothing you've ever seen. Hairpin bends and drops into oblivion on all sides.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, if you've no more news, have fun and keep me busted.

[Ms. Masters]

Okay, Chief. There's something going on here, but I don't know what. How we doing, boys?

[David Cannon]

Hello, John.

[Ms. Masters]

Fine. Well, if I can find my way back. Here's some more coal for Mr. Lizenby.

[Aubrey Mason]

It.

[Ms. Masters]

No man's a dustman. He wears a dustman's hat. He wears gobliny trousers, and he lives in a castle flat. Well, this is no flat. And it's coal, not garbage I'm carrying, but it'll do. Jeep as I've forgotten that corner. And here comes that hill. Not port. Uh oh. Doesn't seem we're gonna make it. I don't like the sound of that. Well, let's have a look. Well, there's certainly enough heat. It's not boiling. No. Now there's water. Well, let's have a look under.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yep, all right.

[Ms. Masters]

That seems all right. Now then, what's this? No plug on the sump. No plug means no oil. Yep. It seems our Mr. Lazen is right. Somebody's trying to do something to somebody. Well, things are looking up. Two lovely slim ankles and they don't belong to this truck. Come on, Cannon.

[Aubrey Mason]

Investigate.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, hello.

[John Lazenby]

Hello. Are you in some sort of trouble?

[Ms. Masters]

Well, I suppose you could call it that. It appears that some palooka has annex the plug from my sump.

[John Lazenby]

That's bad. Are you working for Lazenby? I've never seen you before.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah, I started in today.

[John Lazenby]

Ah. Seems as though you're in a bit of a jam. Look, if you like, I can drive you through to Lazenby's engineering.

[Ms. Masters]

Would you? That'll be most kind. I. I certainly can't move this heap. Are you. You sure it's not trouble?

[John Lazenby]

Not at all.

[Ms. Masters]

Mr. Cannon's the name. David Cannon.

[John Lazenby]

Mine's Master Masters.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, I seem to have seen that name somewhere around here.

[John Lazenby]

Well, that is possible. There are quite a lot of us in the neighborhood Anyway. Jump in, Mr. Cannon.

[Ms. Masters]

Thank you. Oh, hold on. I'll just get the ignition key. Not that a charge of dynamite could move that. Well, let's go, Ms. Masters.

[John Lazenby]

Well, there we are, Mr. Cannon. Delivered to your door.

[Ms. Masters]

I can't thank you enough, Ms. Masters. Oh, by the way, I don't know how long I'll be up here, but I'm only on a temporary job. Maybe we could meet up sometime. Perhaps I could contact you.

[John Lazenby]

That'll be fine. Look, let me give you a card. I got one in the pocket here. Yes, Here we are.

[Ms. Masters]

Thanks. Fellside Hodge, Contractors. Contractors? That's why I've seen the Masters on the side of some of the lorries. So, your contractors. Are you the daughter, then?

[John Lazenby]

No, I'm Masters.

[Ms. Masters]

You're. Is that so? Well, how's business?

[John Lazenby]

Oh, fair. We can do with more.

[Ms. Masters]

Do with more? But I understood that Mr. Lazenby couldn't get transport to bring coal to his factory. That's strange.

[John Lazenby]

What strange, Mr. Cannon?

[Ms. Masters]

Well, I also understood that Lazenby had asked everybody to help him with the coding of his call.

[John Lazenby]

He hasn't asked us, Mr. Cannon. He'd be only too pleased to help him. Very pleased, in fact.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah, yeah, I'll. I'll mention it to him. Anyway, thanks for the ride.

[John Lazenby]

It's been a pleasure.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, thanks, Miss Masters. Be seeing you.

[John Lazenby]

I hope so, Mr. Cannon. And I hope you have better luck with the rest of your contract.

[Aubrey Mason]

Watching the car as it drove away. Strange. You're certainly strange. This master's Fellside haulage contractors. What was it she said? We'd be only too pleased to help him. Very pleased, in fact. Yet Mr. Lazenbeard said, I just can't get anybody to help. There's a strike and nobody will help me carry my coal. Cannon stood for a moment and then, turning, walked towards Mr. Lazenby's office. A few points had to be sorted out.

[Ms. Masters]

Mr. Lazenby, I'm sorry to disturb you, but there are one or two things that I'd. I'd like to get straight.

[David Cannon]

Yes, Mr. Cannon?

[Ms. Masters]

First of all, there's something that puzzles me. I understand that you couldn't get any other transport for your call. In other words, you'd asked everybody to help you, but no Joy. There just wasn't anybody.

[David Cannon]

That's quite correct, Canon. There wasn't anybody. Anyway, not the last time I asked.

[Ms. Masters]

Mr. Lazenby, I've just been dropped back here by a charming young lady. A Miss Masters. Oh, yes.

[David Cannon]

That'll sign all its contractors.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, what's wrong with them?

[David Cannon]

Nothing that I know of. But when I asked them to help me, they were fully booked.

[Ms. Masters]

I see. Look, I know it's none of my business, but can you tell me a little bit more about yours?

[David Cannon]

You mean my business?

[Ms. Masters]

Yes.

[David Cannon]

Well, you're a reputable firm, and I'm prepared to let you know a little bit more about mine. Canon, I processed a plastic material. It's light and it has harder steel. I'd say even harder. It's a material called tunolathane. Now, I have a contract to supply this material to one of the. Well, in fact, the biggest aircraft firms in the country. The Delta Aircraft Corporation. It's possible that others have heard of my invention. Incidentally, I owe the world peyton rights. If they got in first, well, it could make quite a difference to John Lazenby.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah, I understand. You said Delta. You're certainly Starting at the top. And it certainly seems that somebody's trying to do you dirt. Now, can you. Can you help me at all? Is there anybody that you can think of that might want to see you down?

[David Cannon]

I can think of a lot. But if we come just a little nearer home, I'm not all that happy about Masters or his contractors.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah, that's what I've been thinking. Yet she's. She's such a nice kid, Mr. Cannon.

[David Cannon]

I thought you were impervious to the wiles of the fairer sex.

[Ms. Masters]

Fairer sex than that? She's. She's got a couple of mighty nice ankles.

[David Cannon]

Lazenby. Oh, hello, Mr. Levin. Yes, well, you see, I've. I've had some difficulties. I. I can assure you I'm doing everything I can. Everything. Mr. Levin, I appreciate that your position. Oh, I'm sorry that you feel that way. Yes. I do assure you there'll be no more delays. I'll get the next delivery to you as soon as I possibly can.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes.

[David Cannon]

Thank you, Mr. Levin. Yes, I'll do anything I can.

[Ms. Masters]

Trouble, Mr. Len.

[David Cannon]

That was Delta. I've got to get another delivery to them. If I don't, I'm in trouble.

[Ms. Masters]

Okay, Mr. Lazenby. Don't worry. This is the sort of assignment I like. How much coal do you mean?

[David Cannon]

Oh, as much as we can get. We can't afford to stop production. I've arranged with Jameson on the coal boat to keep the yard open tonight. We'll run coal through all tonight.

[Ms. Masters]

Well, it sounds as though I'm going to be busy.

[David Cannon]

Yes, Canon, you are. You're in charge tonight. We'll have three drivers on and I don't want any mistakes. That coal's got to come through no matter what the cost.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes. Cannon certainly had a tough assignment on this occasion. It was vital that Coe reach Lazenby's. It takes a lot to shake Cannon. And he, as much as anybody else, was determined that the Coe would get through that night. After seeing Lazenby, his mind turned to what he felt must be the opposition. He decided to ring Ms. Masters.

[Ms. Masters]

3618.

[Aubrey Mason]

Fellside. All its contractors. Good afternoon.

[Ms. Masters]

Hello. Can I speak to Ms. Masters, please?

[Aubrey Mason]

Certainly.

[David Cannon]

Would you hold on, please?

[John Lazenby]

Hello? Yes.

[Ms. Masters]

Hello there. It seems an age since I seen you.

[John Lazenby]

Oh. Oh, Mr. Cannon, I don't think it's more than two or three hours ago. Anyway, it's nice to hear from you. Are you in trouble again? No, no.

[Ms. Masters]

I. I just wondered if you were tied up this Evening, sir. Around 5 o'. Clock.

[John Lazenby]

Oh, I'm afraid I am one of those business dues.

[Ms. Masters]

Oh, I'm sorry. Well, maybe tomorrow.

[John Lazenby]

That sounds fun. Will you ring me in the morning and confirm that?

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah. Yeah, I'll.

[Aubrey Mason]

That evening, Cannon went down to the yard early. He wanted to keep an eye on things. One of the trucks was just leaving.

[Ms. Masters]

Hope you have a nice trip.

[David Cannon]

So do I, mate.

[Aubrey Mason]

Though I'll be surprised if I get the reward piece.

[David Cannon]

Seems there's oodoo on the place. Ah, forget it.

[Ms. Masters]

You'll get there anyway. I'm following in. See you in Carlisle.

[David Cannon]

Okay.

[Aubrey Mason]

June.

[Ms. Masters]

I hope he does make it.

[Aubrey Mason]

Cameron leaned against a wall. He found it easier to think that way. There was no doubt that the transport was being deliberately sabotaged. Yes, but by whom? Masters haulage contractors led the field, of course. But Cannon didn't like that idea. Not at all. The truth of the matter was he'd taken a distinct liking to youngest Masters. He stared out over the yard. In the evening shadows he could see the two lines of trucks. Ten there had been. One was out of the remainder, six lay idle, useless heaps of metal. There'd only be three on the road that night and his would be one of them. His cannon's eyes narrowed. Yes, his. Where was it? Funny, he'd left it at the end of the line. Suddenly he went rigid. Was it his imagination or had he seen someone by the trucks there? He melted into the shadows, moving swiftly towards them.

[Ms. Masters]

So there is somebody there. Well, you've got a little something coming to you that you didn't expect. Okay, Bonzo, come on.

[Aubrey Mason]

Please.

[John Lazenby]

You're hurting me.

[Ms. Masters]

Oh, Ms. Masters. But what are you doing here?

[John Lazenby]

I came to see. I was passing and I thought I'd just drop in.

[Ms. Masters]

Uh huh. And what became of the business due that you were going to?

[John Lazenby]

Well, it finished early.

[Ms. Masters]

Uh huh.

[John Lazenby]

Well, that's all there is to it. As I told you, I came to see you. I thought perhaps you might be able to persuade Mr. Lazenby to give us some of his cottage. You see, things aren't too good with us on the farm at present.

[Ms. Masters]

That must have been quite a dirty meeting you were at.

[John Lazenby]

Dirty meeting? What do you mean?

[Ms. Masters]

Your hands, Ms. Masters. They're covered in oil. You got some on your face as well.

[John Lazenby]

How that? No, my. My car packed up on me as I was coming.

[Ms. Masters]

Yeah, you go tell that to the Marines.

[John Lazenby]

I'm telling you the truth.

[Ms. Masters]

You see these trucks here, Most of them are dead ducks. Sabotaged. And now I find you here. Opposition haulage. Who wants Lazenbys? With oil all over your hands. It won't do. Ms. Masters, you've got a little explaining to do to Mr. Lazen. Now, you come quietly. Or do I have to carry you?

[John Lazenby]

I'll come, of course. But you're mistaken, Mr. Cannon. Really you are.

[Ms. Masters]

I sincerely hope so, for your own sake. Well, come on then.

[Aubrey Mason]

Things weren't planning out at all to Cannon's liking. If it had been a large, tough man, he wouldn't have minded. But this. This slip of a girl. He found himself hoping that he was wrong. It was as they were passing one of the windows of the workshops that Cannon stopped suddenly.

[Ms. Masters]

Hey.

[Aubrey Mason]

Hey. Hold it. Neither if you're quiet.

[Ms. Masters]

Can you hear anything?

[John Lazenby]

Yes, it sounds like someone's sawing.

[Ms. Masters]

That's just what somebody is doing. What? A hacksaw, if I'm not mistaken. Okay, you follow me and keep quiet. It's in the workshop here. Well, I'll be. That's my truck.

[John Lazenby]

Yes, and there's someone underneath it. You could see his legs sticking out.

[Ms. Masters]

Okay, you stay here. We'll soon settle this. Right, out you come, whoever you are.

[Aubrey Mason]

Come out.

[Ms. Masters]

Come on. Well, you.

[Aubrey Mason]

You've guessed it. It was Lazenby himself. When Cannon caught him, he was sawing through the brake fluid pipes. Just close to the factory was a steep hill. Any undue pressure to the brakes and well, there'd have been one less truck in Mr. Lazenby's transport and in all probability, one less driver. Why should he want to sabotage his own transport, you may ask? But it was really very simple. Lazenby was bound under a tight contract to the Delta Aircraft Company. Although he held the, well, patent rights to his product, Tenelothine he could sell to no one but Delta. Lazenby was a greedy man. He was being well paid by them, but Boeing had offered him nearly twice as much. But the only way he could get out of his contract with Delta was if they were to take the initiative and get rid of him first due to non delivery. But his policy of sabotage had the reverse effect in that he could obtain no one to drive his trucks. In desperation, he turned to us. What he overlooked was the fact that we're pretty used to this sort of thing and Cannon certainly no fool. Lazenby got a stiff jail sentence and another file closed on what I called a bag of coal for Mr. Lazenby. It.