33 Half Moon Street - SA 66-01-25 (36) The Receiver of Death

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio – Episode 33: "Half Moon Street - The Receiver of Death"

Date: February 15, 2026
Podcast Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Theme: A classic detective radio drama featuring a chilling murder, cunning impersonation, and clever sleuthing, set in post-war London. This vintage episode unravels a complex mystery where identity, inheritance, and greed intersect.

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Overview of the Episode

This episode revives the suspenseful allure of "Half Moon Street," with the story titled "The Receiver of Death." The listener is dropped into a dark investigation involving a murdered woman, a mysterious message, and an intricate web of suspects—all centering around the enigmatic Mrs. Mabel Cornelius. The plot moves briskly from a bowling alley murder to suspicious phone calls, leading to a dramatic unveiling of betrayal and motive.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Insights

1. The Murder at the Bowling Alley

• The story opens in a lively social setting, which is quickly disrupted by an urgent message handed to a woman (presumably Mrs. Cornelius) during a bowling game.
• Quote: "A message just came for you. It's marked urgent." [00:49]
• She leaves to make a phone call—and is instantly the victim of a fatal, booby-trapped phone.

2. Inspector Bottomley's Investigation

• Inspector Bottomley takes charge of the investigation, questioning how the criminal could have anticipated the victim would use the telephone alone.
• Quote: "The telephone was booby-trapped. It only needed such a message to send her on her last walk to a violent death." [02:34]
• The inspector and Aubrey Mason (private investigator) discuss potential motives and how the woman found Assignments Unlimited.

3. Mysterious Identities and Surprises

• A twist arises when another “Mrs. Mabel Cornelius,” alive and well, is found at the Yacht Club.
• Quote: "But that's impossible, sir." [05:59]
• Suspense mounts as it’s revealed the real and the impostor Mrs. Cornelius both have connections to key suspects.

4. Clues and Connections

• Pet names play a pivotal role; "Poppers" is the affectionate name used in the murder message, tying the fake message directly to the inner circle.
• Quote: "The message begins, 'dear Poppers,' and only you call Mrs. Cornelius Poppers, Mr. Redfuss." [13:34]
• The “assignments” agency becomes a key link, as messages direct victims to their possible demise.

5. The Warehouse Search

• Aubrey Mason and his secretary Penny Fairweather investigate Cornelius’s warehouse, wary that a killer might still be lurking.
• They discover the office has been broken into and narrowly avoid another booby-trapped telephone.
• Notable Moment: "Don't touch that phone. Thank heavens you didn't touch it. That was close." [17:44–17:49]
• Mason uses a string to safely test the phone, avoiding disaster—a classic radio thriller moment.

6. Closing in on the Culprits

• The murder plot is reconstructed: The victim was killed by a booby-trapped phone, the message using a pet name to make sure the real Mrs. Cornelius responded.
• Handwriting analysis compares notes left to the drink orders, exposing inconsistencies.
• Quote: "Not the slightest resemblance." (on comparing the handwriting) [21:44]

7. The Dramatic Reveal

• In a tense confrontation, Mason produces a gun, accuses Danny Rushton, and meticulously lays out the crime:
  • The murdered woman was the real Mrs. Cornelius.
  • Her box of private papers, crucial to the inheritance, was stolen as leverage.
  • The impostor is revealed to be her sister, with accomplices seeking to seize the Cornelius fortune.
• Quote: "The box that was stolen...contained private papers revealing the existence of a sister, a sister who bore a strong resemblance to her. The box was stolen by Danny Rushton." [23:04]

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Memorable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• "Excuse me, Mum. This message just came for you. It's marked urgent." – Early tension as the murder is set up [00:48–00:51]
• "The receiver of death." – The chilling title drop, setting the scene for the ensuing investigation [01:58]
• Inspector Bottomley: "Only this Danny Rushton fellow and herself were in the Ten Pin bowling alley. The telephone was booby trapped." [02:34]
• Mason to Fairweather: "A potential client tried to ring us this morning and she was brutally murdered." [04:33]
• Mason: "Don't touch that phone. Thank heavens you didn't touch it. That was close." [17:44]
• Mason (the big reveal): "I never take chances when in the company of a cold-blooded killer. You see, I know who murdered the woman in the bowling alley club..." [23:04]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:41 – 01:36: The fateful message and its urgent instructions
• 02:08 – 04:09: Inspector Bottomley's briefing and the research into the victim's connections
• 06:57 – 07:44: The call to the “alive” Mrs. Cornelius and her commission for Aubrey Mason
• 12:14 – 14:06: Inspector’s deduction about the pet name "Poppers" and the connection to the murder
• 15:00 – 17:49: Warehouse search and the narrowly avoided trap
• 21:26 – 22:55: Handwriting proof—spotting the forgery
• 23:04 – 24:29: Mason reconstructs the crime and reveals the conspiracy

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Conclusion and Final Tone

“Half Moon Street - The Receiver of Death” delivers a masterclass in radio mystery pacing: clues are seeded, suspects twist in and out of suspicion, and the abrupt yet satisfying denouement highlights the best traditions of Golden Age radio drama. The cast’s clipped British wit, suspenseful tone, and droll banter keep listeners hooked, while the detective’s final address wraps the tangled plot with a flourish.

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For fans of classic detective fiction, this episode is a quintessential puzzle box—filled with scheming villains, clever traps, and a sharp-witted sleuth. Even if you've never turned a dial for old-time radio before, you'll find this whodunit richly atmospheric and thrilling to the very last reveal.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Well done, Mabel.

[C]

Too good for me, I'm afraid.

[D]

Never say die, Danny. The gods may be kind to you.

[B]

Fair enough.

[C]

A faint heart never won a fair lady.

[B]

Excuse me, Mum.

[C]

This message just came for you. It's marked urgent.

[D]

Oh, thank you.

[C]

Is it urgent?

[E]

Yes.

[D]

Excuse me a moment, Danny. I must make a telephone call.

[B]

Yes, of course.

[E]

Yeah, let me come, let me come.

[C]

It's too late, sir. The telephone must have been booby trapped. Listen, you brought her a message. What was it?

[B]

I don't know, sir.

[C]

It was written on a piece of paper. Look, sir, it's still clutched in her hand. Yes, yes, I see it. Get it, will you?

[B]

Here it is, sir.

[C]

What does it say?

[E]

It.

[C]

It says, dear Poppers, please most urgently.

[B]

Ring Grosvenor 5995 or call at 33 Half Moon.

[C]

The receiver of death.

[E]

The.

[C]

Grim faced Inspector Bottomley, who sat opposite me in my office. A woman had been brutally murdered and the only clue led directly to my office. I was somehow very glad that the Inspector was a personal friend of mine.

[B]

I've obtained this picture of the victim under happier circumstances. And here it is. You might look at it, Aubrey, and tell me if you know her.

[C]

No, no, Inspector, I've never set eyes on her before.

[B]

There's no doubt she was murdered and by someone who knew her movements pretty thoroughly at that time of the day. Only this Danny Rushton fellow and herself were in the Ten Pin bowling alley. The telephone was booby trapped. Since messages are always delivered by hand, it only needed such a message to send her on her last walk to a violent death.

[F]

Stop it.

[C]

It's fiendish. Did you find out where the message came from?

[B]

Yes, it was phoned in by a man. That's all we know so far. At the moment I'm checking the movements of everyone who used the club this morning. But what puzzles me is how the phone was booby trapped in the first place. Had it been done haphazardly, it could have killed anyone. So Whoever did it knew that she'd be alone with Danny Rushton.

[C]

Who's he?

[B]

He's a glib young layabot who preys on rich and lonely women. Mabel Cornelius with her name Australian. Very rich and lonely in England.

[C]

Well, the Australian bit would account for a rich woman being inside a Burling alley.

[B]

Yes. Is it a populous brought with all levels of society in Australia. Has anyone telephoned you in the past few days intimating that you might be telephoned or visited by a rich Australian woman?

[C]

Absolutely nothing. But since we handled almost any kind of assignment was she may have been recommended to us by anyone for any sort of job.

[B]

Is it the recommendation that I'm interested in? She could only have been recommended by one of your old clients. Well, I won't keep you any longer, Aubrey. If anything turns up, I know you'll ring me at once. This is a particularly obnoxious crime. I shan't rest until I have the culprit. Goodbye, Aubrey.

[C]

Shut up. Good hunting.

[F]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Come in a minute, will you, Miss Fairweather?

[E]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Oh, by the way, are the evening papers out yet?

[F]

No, not yet, sir.

[C]

All right, bring your notebook.

[F]

I. I put the phone through to here, Mr. Mason.

[C]

Good. Ms. Fairweather, a potential clown tried to ring us this morning and she was brutally murdered.

[F]

Good heavens, sir.

[E]

How?

[C]

You'll be able to read all about it in this evening's paper when he comes out. She was recommended to us by a person or persons unknown. A slip of paper was in her hand and, well, it had our telephone number and address written on it. Assignments unlimited.

[B]

Good afternoon.

[E]

Mr. Aubrey Mason speaking. Oh, hello. I don't suppose you remember me. Manning Red versus the name Taunton Yacht Club. One of your men did a little collection job for me a few months back.

[C]

Yes, Mr. Redfish, I do remember.

[E]

How are you? Oh, exceedingly well. I'm ringing on behalf of a friend of mine, actually. She wants a reliable man to collect a box for her and deliver it.

[C]

Well, that Sounds quite straightforward, Mr. Rivers. What's the name of the party and where must my man go to collect the package?

[E]

Well, I'd rather she rang in herself. Actually, I was checking up that you could accommodate her before I finally put her on to you.

[C]

Oh, I understand. What's the lady's name, Mr. Richards?

[E]

Cornelius. Mrs. Mabel Cornelius.

[C]

Hello? Hello? Hello? Are you still there? Yes, yes, I'm still here.

[E]

I thought we'd been cut off. Did you get that?

[C]

Mr. Rivers, when did you last see Mrs. Cornelius?

[E]

When did I last see her? My dear chap, why she's here with me now at the Yacht Club.

[C]

But that's impossible, sir.

[E]

Look, have you taken heed of your senses, Mason?

[C]

I'm sorry, Mr. Redfish. I think you'll understand better when you read this evening's paper. Mrs. Cornelius, the lady you have with you, she is an Australian, of course.

[E]

Do you know each other?

[C]

I'm sure it will be of great interest for you to know that another Australian lady, another Mrs. Mabel Cornelius, was murdered this morning inside the Yellow Band Bowling Club.

[E]

Are you being serious, Mason?

[C]

I was never more serious in my life.

[E]

Great Scott. I must tell Mabel.

[C]

I must tell Inspector Bottomley. Will you be at the club for a while, Mr. Riffles? Yes, yes, yes. Might I suggest that you stay where you are until the inspector sees you? I'll telephone him and inform him of this development. All right, with pleasure. Anything we can do to help.

[E]

But first you'd better speak with Mrs. Cornelius. The matter she has in hand for you is of some urgency. Now, just hold on. Oh, here she is. Hello.

[D]

Is that Mr. Mason?

[C]

Yes, Mrs. Cornelius.

[D]

Manning tells me there's been a bit of trouble, but he didn't say what.

[B]

Only.

[C]

I'll give you the rough outline after you finish Speaking to me, Mrs. Cornelius.

[D]

All right. I want you to collect a box for me and deliver it to my yacht. It's valuable and it's locked away in the office of one of my warehouses and I haven't got the key. I think you can get it for.

[C]

Me if you tell me where.

[D]

A mania said that you were reliable and could do a job with a minimum of fuss. It's Cornelius Warehouse on L wharf at the St. Savior Dock in Bermondsey. My yacht is also called the Cornelius, and she's tied up at Galleon's Point in North Woolwich. You think you can find it?

[C]

Well, I know London fairly well, Mrs. Cornelius. Yes, you can leave it to me.

[E]

Good.

[D]

Be as quick as you can and ring me here at the Yacht Club when you finish the job.

[E]

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[G]

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[A]

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[C]

12 month plan taxes and fees.

[A]

Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy.

[E]

See terms.

[F]

What happened, Chief? Did our client come back to life again?

[C]

According to Inspector Bottomley, that would be impossible. Get him on the line, Ms. Fairweather. I'm going to send him over to the Taunton Yacht Club and suggest that he takes a certain Danny Rushton with him. If there has been any reincarnation, Danny will know all about it.

[B]

Ever been here before, Danny?

[C]

Rather. But I promised myself at the last.

[B]

Time would be the last time, if you know what I mean. Not so welcome anymore at the Taunton Yacht Club.

[C]

Minor disagreement with the secretary.

[B]

That's typical of you, Giggles. You border on the line of confidence tricksters and finally turn to real crime when all social outlets are barred to you. Well, you don't have to worry about this visit. A fact for which I am extremely grateful, Inspector.

[C]

You go.

[B]

I phoned ahead. Mr. Manning Redwoods and Mrs. Mabel Cornelius are waiting for us in the anteroom. Evid, sir. Are you the gentleman for the police?

[C]

I am.

[B]

Go right through, sir. Second door on the right. Thank you. Come on, Rushton.

[E]

Oh, Inspector Bottomley. Yes.

[B]

You must be Mr. Manning Redford.

[E]

That's right. May I introduce Mrs. Mabel Cornelius?

[D]

How do you do, Inspector? And who's this young man?

[B]

A witness. Mr. Danny Rushington.

[D]

The man who was with that woman in the bowling alley. I'd like to ask him a few questions.

[E]

No, no, don't get upset, Poppers dear. The inspector will sort it all out. Here, now you take a chair and I'll fix a drink. Oh, do sit down, Inspector. And you too, Rushton.

[B]

I'm afraid this is a personal question, Mr. Redless. Did I hear you refer to Mrs. Cornelius as paupers?

[E]

Oh, yes, A nickname I have for her. Is that of any significance?

[B]

It could be. Where did you meet this woman calling herself Mrs. Cornelius Ruston?

[C]

At the Woolly Lamb in Shepherd's Market three nights ago. I was her constant companion after that.

[B]

Where did she stay?

[C]

She had a flat at 87 Woodside Grove in the West End.

[B]

Mr. Redwoods, do you know the Yellow Band Bowling Club?

[E]

No, I am not a bowling enthusiast.

[B]

Someone rang the club this morning when only Danny Rushton here and the woman calling herself Mrs. Mabel Cornelius were playing. They left an urgent message for her to telephone an organisation known as Assignments Unlimited.

[E]

Oh, yes, Yes, I know the company very well.

[B]

Audrey Mason.

[E]

Yes, Capital fellow.

[B]

Do you know the telephone number?

[E]

Yes, I think I can remember it. Grosvenor 5995.

[C]

Why?

[B]

The message left this morning at the Yellow Van Bowling Club. The message that sent this unknown lady to her death read, dear Poppers, please phone Most urgently Grosvenor 5995, or call at 33 Half Moon Street.

[E]

Really? Have you spoken to Mason about this?

[B]

Yes.

[E]

And now the light begins to dawn. That's why Mason knew all about the bogus Mrs. Cornelius when I telephoned him.

[B]

What interests me most, Mr. Redfuss, is who was the bogus Mrs. Cornelius and what motive could she have for assuming your friend's identity?

[E]

It's a puzzler, isn't it? But then I've heard that confidence tricksters often assume the names of famous people.

[B]

Would you consider yourself famous, Mrs. Cornelius?

[D]

Well, I really hadn't thought about it. Wealthy, yes. Famous, It's a moot point. You say the message was to ring this Assignments Unlimited place. But that's a coincidence, isn't it?

[B]

To ring urgently? It had to be urgently because you might have been in no particular hurry to get in touch with Mason. In which case the booby trap would have misfired, would needs have been dismantled. Unless the murderer was prepared to let some completely innocent person die for no reason at all.

[E]

Come in.

[C]

There's a call for you, Inspector. The secretary said I just ask you if you want to take it.

[E]

Here, sir.

[B]

Who's it from? Do you know, Mr. Aubrey Nation, sir.

[C]

I'll take it just at the receiver, sir. You'll go right through.

[B]

Thank you. Hello? Bottomley here.

[C]

Hello, Inspector. Just checking up that everything's all right.

[B]

No, everything's just fine, Mason.

[C]

Is Mrs. Cornelius genuine?

[B]

She seems to be. I'm having a pow wow with them all now.

[C]

Oh, then I'll take up no more of your time and leave you to your mystery. If it still is a mystery.

[B]

Oh, it's that all right. More of a mystery than ever. I'll see you at the club a little later on, perhaps, Aubrey?

[C]

Oh, quite a bit later. I have an important job to complete first.

[B]

All right, thanks for ringing.

[E]

Goodbye.

[B]

Now, Mr. Redbus, Mrs. Cornelius and you, Danny Rushton, what we have to determine is who sent that urgent message to the Yellow Band Club. It must have been someone you know. Mrs. Cornelius. And you, Mr. Redwoods.

[E]

How do you work that out?

[B]

The message it begins, dear Poppers and only you. Call Mrs. Cornelius Papas. Mr. Redfuss. Now, for the sake of argument, let's assume that you didn't ring the Yellow Band Club. It means that whoever rang thought he was leaving a message for the genuine Mrs. Cornelius from you. Interesting, isn't it?

[C]

Was the unknown woman killed by mistake? Was the booby trapped telephone intended for the real Mrs. Cornelius? It seemed inconceivable that the killer, having laid his plans so carefully, even to the detail of knowing Mr. Redford's pet name for her, should mix up the two women. On Danny Rushton's evidence, they bore no physical resemblance at all. Add to this the Testimony of the Mrs. Cornelius at the Taunton Yacht Club that she never went to bowling alleys, and it became increasingly clear that Inspector Bottomley was confronted with a baffling mystery. Certainly the murder had been committed by a complete fool. Or a soul endowed with fiendish genius. These thoughts ran through my mind as Penny Fairweather and I drove quietly to the warehouse at Saint Saviour's Dock in Bermondsey.

[F]

Penny for your thoughts, Chief.

[E]

Run.

[F]

You're immersed in deep cogitation, Chief. Brows. Daddy, your brow is deep furrowed with concentration. In short, there's something on your mind for nothing less than a curry chicken at Vera Swami's. Washed down with a course of ice bubble.

[C]

Done.

[F]

Oh, there's a sign that says Since Savior's Dock.

[E]

On the left.

[C]

Good girl. I think I'll park here and we can walk the rest. The less conspicuous we are, the better.

[F]

But why, Chief? We're on legitimate business.

[C]

I explained that Mrs. Cornelius had lost the key to her office. I omitted to get a written chip from her authorizing us to break into the place. If we're seen and arrested, we'll have to spend the best part of three hours in the lockup while I get hold of Mrs. Cornelius to verify our story. And that means no curry chicken at Mariswami's.

[F]

You've convinced me. Park under that lamp.

[D]

It's not working.

[C]

According to my map in the office, Cornelius warehouse is along this way. Come on.

[F]

Oh, crumbs. Suddenly I don't feel quite so happy about this job.

[C]

I think it must be the office. The stairs lead up the back. Yes. Yes.

[E]

See? Yeah. Yes.

[C]

Would you rather stay down here?

[F]

Not in your life. That burglar might just be hiding in the shadows, ready to pounce on me.

[C]

Oh, you read too many penny dreadfuls. We don't even know if there has been an intruder yet.

[E]

Come on.

[C]

Follow me.

[E]

It's open.

[C]

Anybody here? No, it's empty. Penny, come in and shut the door.

[F]

Oh, nobody here. But she said that place was locked.

[B]

The bars.

[C]

Look at the lock. It's been first. That's why the door wouldn't fasten again.

[F]

Chief, do you think the visitor was the murderer?

[C]

Possible.

[F]

Oh, crumbs.

[E]

Yes.

[C]

Stop saying oh, crumbs. Well, I don't see a box anywhere, do you?

[F]

Well, come to think of it, the information Mrs. Cornelius gave us was a bit scanty. What's the box supposed to contain, anyway?

[C]

I don't know. Well, there's nothing here that I can see. Let it sit in the safe. Well, let's try that. No, no, it's not good. It's. It's shut first.

[F]

Can you force it, Chief?

[C]

I'm afraid not, Penny. It's a modern make, and it has a combination lock. I could get the combination from Mrs. Cornelius at the Taunton Club of.

[D]

Do you know the number?

[F]

I'll give her a ring.

[C]

Hang on. There's a telephone director here. Tam Tam. Wait a minute. Here we are. Tam Tam Tain. Taunton. Here we are. Taunton Yacht Club. I'll underline it with a pencil for you.

[F]

Oh, thanks. I'll only be a minute. Shall I say you want to speak to her?

[C]

No, Penny.

[E]

No.

[C]

No, Penny. Don't touch that phone.

[F]

Chief, what's the matter with you?

[C]

Thank heavens you didn't touch it. That was close.

[F]

What on earth's the matter with him?

[C]

Look what I found on the desk. A pencil note.

[E]

Read it.

[F]

Dear Papas, the moment you get in, ring Grosvenor 5995. It's the number of Assignments Unlimited and the man Aubrey Mason I told you about. Well, Chief, it refers to you. What's it all about?

[E]

I don't understand.

[C]

The last time someone got that message, it was the last thing they ever did read. Look, Penny, hand me that parcel string on the other desk.

[E]

Thanks.

[C]

Now, I'll tie one end of the string to the receiver.

[F]

Be careful, Chief.

[C]

Oh, you don't have to tell me. There. Now, Penny. We'll carefully unroll the string towards the door.

[D]

Oh, sorry, chief.

[C]

Your nerves aren't very good. Open the door. Now, we'll go down the stairs as fast as we can. Well, that's as far as we can go. Well, like to find out what would have happened if you picked up the telephone in that office up there.

[F]

Well, I'd have got the dialing tone.

[C]

Perhaps. Anyway, here's your chance to make sure. Pull the string. Go on, pull.

[E]

All right.

[F]

There.

[C]

Come in. Excuse me, Inspector. A gentleman would like to speak to you on the other line in the office. He wouldn't give his name.

[B]

He said it was urgent. Yes, I'll come now. Excuse me, ma', am, gentlemen. Well, how long do we have to stay here, Inspector? Not much longer.

[D]

Thank heavens for that. I've got a headache.

[B]

I'll deal with this caller and then I think we can all go home. Where's the office?

[C]

This way, sir. Thank you.

[B]

Hello, Inspector Bottomley?

[C]

Mason here. Inspector Aubrey.

[B]

Why all the secrecy?

[C]

I didn't want the others to know I was phoning you. Another telephone has been booby tapped.

[E]

What?

[B]

Who is it this time?

[C]

No, it's all right. Nobody's hurt. Luckily it was intended for the same person, Mrs. Corneli.

[E]

Right.

[C]

There was another note, this time in the murderer's own handwriting. Have you got it? Yes. Was addressed to the same nickname, Poppers.

[B]

Look, Aubrey, drop whatever you're doing. Get around here as fast as you can. Tell the lad on the entrance to the club to summon me to the office. I'm speaking to you from there now. I'll jen him up. Whatever you do, don't lose that note.

[C]

All right, I'll leave it to me. Oh, I've got Ms. Fairweather, my secretary, with me. Is it all right if she comes to?

[E]

Fine. Keep me away.

[B]

No, that'll be perfectly all right. Aubrey, get here as soon as you can.

[E]

Roger.

[C]

God, it's exciting, isn't it, sir?

[B]

Like to be a policeman on the murder squads?

[C]

Well, you bet, Inspector.

[B]

Here's your chance to learn.

[C]

I know when that man arrives, I'm to show him into the office and tip you the wink. I heard it all, Inspector.

[B]

Did you know that's what a good.

[C]

Cop always does, isn't it, sir?

[B]

Eavesdropping where a policeman is concerned is laudable. With a page boy, it's impertinent. Send for me right away. My apologies to you all. It was merely a routine call. By the way, Mr. Redwoods, I think we should be here a short while longer. The secretary asked if you would send him a note for anything you might want from the bar.

[E]

Oh, yes, that's rather a good idea. And how about you, Inspector? Thank you.

[B]

I'd like a bottle of beer and a glass of lemonade. Would you like to borrow my pencil and notebook? You can write down the order on that.

[E]

Oh, thank you. Oh, and what about you, my dear? Something.

[B]

So you made it, Aubrey. Good show. Have you got that note?

[C]

Yes, here it is.

[B]

The man who calls Mrs. Cornelius Poppers is manning Red Verse now. I bluffed him into writing out a list of drinks and this I retrieved from the page boy. Now, we can compare the handwriting on the note with this on the drink slip.

[C]

No, not the sa.

[B]

Not the slightest resemblance.

[C]

Resemblance? That thick Resemblance?

[B]

Thought of something, Aubrey?

[C]

May I go inside and talk to your little trio, Inspector? Well, if you think it will help. I know it'll help. Come on.

[E]

Oh, well, weather it isn't Aubrey Mason. Good evening.

[D]

Oh, so you're Aubrey Mason, are you? Did you complete that job I asked you to do for me?

[C]

I wasn't able to. Unfortunately, the place had been broken into. What, Burgott, perhaps? Of course, I didn't have the combination to the safe. That's one reason why I came here. To get the combination. You do remember it off hand, I'm sure. Well, do you?

[D]

You know, it escapes me for the moment. This evening's been so.

[C]

Oh, it. Well, it doesn't really matter. What is important is Danny Rushton's home address for the indemnification certificate. We always take out such a certificate when our clients are embroiled with the law. Oh, even if they're only witnesses. Write it down there, will you, Danny?

[B]

Do as he says, Danny.

[C]

It's quite legal.

[E]

All right.

[B]

There you are.

[C]

Thank you. How interesting. Now, what the blazes are you doing.

[E]

With that pistol, Mason?

[C]

I never take chances when in the company of a cold blooded killer. You see, I know who murdered the woman in the bowling alley club. The box that was stolen from Mrs. Mabel Cornelia's office contained private papers revealing the existence of a sister. A sister who bore a strong resemblance to her. The box was stolen by Danny Rushton.

[E]

Why?

[C]

As a guarantee that his partners in crime wouldn't double cross him. You see, the woman who was murdered was the real Mrs. Cornelius. And the phone was booby trapped by Danny. He reasoned that if she didn't phone immediately from the bowling alley, she would. The moment she arrived at her office, Danny wrote the notes using Manny Redfish, pet name for her. Once the bowling alley murder was listed as murder of person unknown by person or persons unknown, Mabel Cornelius, his sister, would have taken over the reins of the shipping fortune, ably assisted by Manning Redfords and Danny Rushton. Manning Redfords never did reveal what the real Mrs. Cornelius wanted us for. Like the other two, he'll probably maintain a stoic silence for the next 15 years.

[E]

Sat.