33_half_moon_street_1965-05-20_chips_for_the_fish_monger

Summary

Episode Summary: "Chips for the Fishmonger"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Air Date: February 15, 2026
Original Radio Date: May 20, 1965
Episode: 33 Half Moon Street – “Chips for the Fishmonger”

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Main Theme

This episode delivers a classic detective caper wrapped in the unique odd-jobs premise of Assignments Unlimited. When a French exhibitor requests a night watchman for a preserved whale, a simple gig soon entangles the investigators in a case of Russian defectors, murder, disguise, and arson. Set firmly in the mid-20th century radio drama tradition, the episode blends suspense, humor, and social commentary, evoking the atmosphere of the golden age of radio.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Unusual Assignment (01:00–03:05)

• Aubrey Mason introduces the latest job: assigning Cannon as a night watchman over a preserved Greenland whale for the Frenchman, Monsieur Paul Duclair.
  • “The nervous little old Frenchman who came into my office requested the services of our organization for a task which was mundane in application and only unusual in a theatrical sense.” (02:31, Aubrey Mason)
• Duclair explains the whale’s preparation process—its exhibition history in France, the method of preservation, and the security risks posed by vandals.
  • “An exhibit of this nature is prey to vandals, monsieur.” (04:38, Monsieur Paul Duclair)

2. Cannon on the Job (06:11–08:00)

• Cannon finds humor and inconvenience in his assignment, bantering with Mason and showing skepticism at the task’s oddity.
  • “Just my luck to get a job playing nursemaid to an oversized kipper.” (06:23, Cannon)
  • “Yeah, yeah, and everybody's having a whale of a time.” (06:34, Cannon)

3. Strange Noises in the Night (08:28–09:52)

• Cannon hears a scream, suspects mischief, and investigates the whale’s interior, suspecting vandals.
  • “That was a scream. And it didn’t come from a dead whale.” (08:32, Cannon)

4. Political Defectors in a Whale (09:52–13:45)

• Cannon discovers two Russians, Anoushka and Mikhail, inside the whale. They are dancers from the “Mosyev” (Moiseyev) troupe, seeking to vanish and escape Soviet authorities by stowing away to America.
  • “No sir. We are Russians.” (09:58, Anoushka)
  • “It was our intention to stay hidden inside the whale until it reached the United States.” (12:06, Mikhail)
• The Russians recount their desperate plan for political asylum and the risk posed by Soviet secret police.
  • "The Russian secret police do not take kindly to escapists." (13:12, Mikhail)

5. Murder Most Foul (14:25–16:00)

• Anoushka trips over a corpse inside the whale, a dead man with a knife in his heart preserved by the formaldehyde.
  • “There is the body of a man with a knife through his heart.” (14:25, Anoushka)
  • “One look at the dejected and terrified faces of the two young folk dancers was enough to convince Cannon that they at least were on the level.” (14:35, Aubrey Mason)

6. Covering Tracks & Fateful Fire (17:01–19:52)

• Cannon and Mason work to hide evidence of the refugees’ presence. A forgotten burning candle inside the whale's flammable shell causes a catastrophic fire, destroying the exhibit and all physical evidence, including the corpse.
  • “You left a candle burning? … That fish is more inflammable than an oil refinery.” (18:44, Cannon)
  • “Well, it looks like my first job as a night watchman got off to a bad start.” (19:12, Cannon)

7. Suspicions & Insurance (20:02–22:11)

• Mason and Cannon debate Duclair’s reaction to the fire, suspecting he may have wanted the whale—and the evidence within—destroyed.
  • “It’s maybe the way he looked at that fire. He was enjoying it. Seemed like he was hoping the thing would be destroyed.” (20:05, Cannon)
• Duclair requests a statement for insurance purposes, stating the exhibit was well insured.
  • “The exhibit was well insured and I shall suffer no financial loss.” (21:41, Monsieur Paul Duclair)

8. Unmasking the Culprit (23:42–26:43)

• Mason’s questioning and the Russians’ recognition reveal that "Duclair" is actually the former caretaker, the real Duclair being the murdered man.
  • “When Duclair arrived, they recognized him immediately. Not as Duclair but as the old caretaker.” (25:15, Aubrey Mason)
• Motive: jealousy and financial benefit. The imposter planned to dump the whale (with body) at sea and collect insurance, but couldn’t risk returning to France.
  • “He murdered his boss and left his body inside the exhibit. Later, all evidence would have been removed when the whale was dumped in the Atlantic.” (26:23, Aubrey Mason)

9. Aftermath & Epilogue (26:43–end)

• Mason prepares to help the Russian dancers’ emigration.
• The “fishmonger” (the caretaker/impersonator) gets his “chips” (justice), bringing the tale full circle.
  • “Well, there you are. That's how the fishmonger had his chips.” (26:55, Aubrey Mason)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Cannon’s dry humor about his ‘nursemaid’ job:

  • “Just my luck to get a job playing nursemaid to an oversized kipper.” (06:23)

• Comic misunderstanding and detective skepticism:

  • “It knocks through the heart. Do you know this man?” (15:33, Cannon)
  • “The formalda—I must have seeped into him. He’s well preserved.” (15:42, Cannon)

• On Soviet pursuit:

  • “The Russian secret police do not take kindly to escapists.” (13:12, Mikhail)

• On the disaster sparked by carelessness:

  • “You left a candle burning? … That fish is more inflammable than an oil refinery.” (18:44, Cannon)

• Final punchline and episode wrap:

  • “Well, there you are. That’s how the fishmonger had his chips.” (26:55, Aubrey Mason)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:00–03:05 – Assignment explained; whale backstory outlined by Duclair and Mason
• 06:11–08:00 – Cannon investigates; humorous banter
• 09:52–13:45 – Russians-in-a-whale reveal; asylum plot described
• 14:25–16:00 – Discovery of the corpse; stakes escalate
• 18:44–19:52 – Fire destroys the whale, eliminating evidence
• 23:42–26:43 – Mason uncovers the caretaker impostor; motive and method revealed
• 26:55 – Episode’s moral and comedic send-off

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Tone and Style

• Language: Witty, period-coded, rich in detective patter and droll understatements.
• Atmosphere: Suspenseful yet playful, blending serious tension (political refugees, murder) with slapstick and puns typical of mid-century radio dramas.

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For Listeners

This episode is a tour of everything to love in vintage radio drama: eccentric jobs, improbable crimes, and droll investigators. Whether you’re a fan of detective fiction or just enjoy a twisty, character-driven story, “Chips for the Fishmonger” delivers intrigue, laughs, and a taste of Cold War-era anxieties—all told with a light, entertaining touch.

Transcript

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[Aubrey Mason]

The purpose of a labor exchange is to provide employment, temporary or permanent. The fact is, I can't guarantee or recommend any applicant unless they have a criminal record. I'm in no position to say whether.

[Cannon]

They'Re reliable or not.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

It will be for three weeks only, monsieur, and the pay is good.

[Aubrey Mason]

But I can't guarantee that the man you employ can be trusted. I merely type out the details the job offered and post it on the notice board. You must then choose from those who apply.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I am newly arrived in England, monsieur. It will be difficult for me to judge.

[Aubrey Mason]

I tell you what, why don't you try one of the independent agencies? Assignments Unlimited, Grosvenor 5995. The address, if you wish to call on them, is 33 Half Moon Street. Aubrey Mason at your service. At Assignments Unlimited, we do anything anywhere at any time.

[Mikhail]

33 Half Moon Street.

[Aubrey Mason]

Chips for the fishmonger. Not all the tasks undertaken by Assignments Unlimited are speculated, spectacular or particularly dangerous. In fact, the unusual is the exception.

[Anoushka]

Rather than the rule.

[Aubrey Mason]

The nervous little old Frenchman who came into my office requested the services of our organization for a task which was mundane in application and only unusual in a theatrical sense. I'd already mentally slotted Cannon into the vacant niche and wondered what his reaction would be. M. Paul Duclair, for such was the clown's name, wished the services of a night attendant over the preserved body of a dead whale. On reflection, it was perhaps an unusual request. I said, so you. You did say a dead whale, Monsieur.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Duclair, our magnificent exhibit, a Greenland whale. I began with a blue sperm whale, but found it too large to transport through the doors of most oils that I hire.

[Aubrey Mason]

Extraordinary.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

You see, whale bone is immensely strong, and I discovered that if the inside of the beast is removed and the carcass inflated with air, it is possible to preserve the outer skin and membrane with formaldehyde. In time, the shell hardens and the air can be released.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, that's most interesting, Monsieur Leclerc. I take it that you then exhibit the work.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I have a great success in France, and I have now come to your country for a short tour of three weeks before I go on to the United States, where I hope to enjoy singular success.

[Aubrey Mason]

Just out of interest, monsieur, declare, how do you pump up the whale in the first place?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Good question. On top of the head, it contains a pocket of amber grease. This has a high commercial value and when removed, leaves a small funnel leading to the interior of the beast. Into this, a hose is connected, and voila.

[Aubrey Mason]

But don't you have to make a cut in the thing to clean it?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

That is done through the mouth. So now we have a good circulation of air that helps to preserve the beast.

[Aubrey Mason]

Some beasts.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

The greatest of all living things, monsieur. The noblest creature in all creation.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, I'm sure, but what exactly do you wish us to do?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I require a night watchman of impeccable integrity. He will also be required during his tour of duty at night to pump formaldehyde into the creature.

[Aubrey Mason]

Which sounds simple enough. Why must the man's character be so blameless?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

An exhibit of this nature is prayed to vandals, monsieur. Many times in France have I been accosted by those who would cut into the exhibit to satisfy their morbid curiosity that what I have on show is really the genuine article.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, needless to say, I have just the man for the job. I'm not sure how you'll take it.

[Anoushka]

It's.

[Aubrey Mason]

It's an odd request, but you may rest assured that no vandal will come near your way.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I am delighted, monsieur Maison.

[Aubrey Mason]

What were you thinking of paying this night watchman?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I thought £15 a night.

[Aubrey Mason]

Cannon will be happy to pump formaldehyde all night for that money. I beg your pardon, Monsieur Cannon, one of our men here. He'll be delighted to take on the job. Where and when must he report?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Oh, tonight is disposable at the exit hall in Camberwell. He'll be there, Canon, you see.

[Aubrey Mason]

That's right. I might send him down this afternoon, just to give the place the one server.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

That would be admirable Monsieur Mason. Thank you and good day to you.

[Aubrey Mason]

Good day, Monsieur Duclair. Whatever the peculiarities of our profession, we never refer to any task as an odd job. We try to avoid weeding gardens wherever possible, but our boast is that we'll tackle anything. And it was to Cannon's sense of professional duty that I appealed. When he came into my office, he left for Campbellwell at 3.30, and I sensed that our relationship had become a little strained. An hour later, he deported back by telephone Assignments Unlimited.

[Cannon]

You can say that again.

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, hello, Cannon. How are you making out?

[Cannon]

Well, I've met the girl's answer to Moby Dick and I've had five minutes instruction on the formaldehyde pump.

[Aubrey Mason]

Good. Is it a real.

[Cannon]

Well, are you kidding? The caretaker's cats had a brainstorm. Just my luck to get a job playing nursemaid to an oversized kipper.

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, it's only for three weeks, Cannon. You're part of show business.

[Cannon]

Yeah, yeah, and everybody's having a whale of a time.

[Aubrey Mason]

That was corny. Remember what Declare said about vandalism? It's on the cards that the Camberwell boys might take it into their heads to carve out his exhibit.

[Cannon]

Well, if they do, it'll provide a light relief from the formaldehyde pump. Tell one thing about this guy Declare, though. He's. He's got a sense of humor. He slipped me a tip when I arrived.

[Aubrey Mason]

Good for him.

[Cannon]

What was it, A fin?

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, time I was getting home, Mr. Cannon. I locked up everywhere.

[Cannon]

Yeah, it was quite a night, wasn't it? Who would have thought this dump sported a thousand Arctic theologists?

[Aubrey Mason]

What's that, Mr. Kenny?

[Cannon]

Fish fanciers.

[Aubrey Mason]

You know, in all my years is caretaker here, I never seen such a crowd. And just to look at a wavel.

[Cannon]

Well, now you got a new angle on a poor fish. Look, I'll lock the front door after you. You. What time you coming in the morning?

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, I don't usually get here till 10.

[Cannon]

Then I won't see you, my friend. My French employer says he'll be here at 7.

[Aubrey Mason]

What will you do about supper? There's a shop on the corner that.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Stays out until 2. They said.

[Cannon]

No, no, no, no, no, thanks.

[Talkspace User/Testimonial]

I'll.

[Cannon]

I'll munch on a sandwich.

[Aubrey Mason]

Good night.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Good night, Mr. Ke.

[Cannon]

Well, I guess I'll get out before my aldehyde bump and then I can settle down with a magazine. I would have thought a guy could make money out of a dead whale, but this operator coins it 2,000 times two shillings. Oh, boy. Well, Mobily, here comes your first shot.

[Anoushka]

What?

[Cannon]

I must be going crazy. That was a scream. And it didn't come from a dead whale. No, doors are all locked. There's nobody in the rafters. Well, I didn't imagine that. And I don't believe in ghosts. But there's nobody here. Hey, wait a minute. What did you, Clarice say about the hollow inside of this whale? Uh huh. So somebody's being smart in Camberwell. Okay, flashlight the mouth, he said. Ah, here we are. Okay, the party's over. Come on out of there. Why are you being smart? Come on out. You got. Well, now, give, give. Before I call the cops, you better come clean and tell me what the idea is hiding inside that carcass.

[Talkspace User/Testimonial]

The police?

[Cannon]

Oh, no, you're foreigners. You. You mixed up with Monsieur Declare?

[Anoushka]

No, sir. We are Russians.

[Cannon]

Russians? This gets screwier every minute. How'd you get in there?

[Mikhail]

We hid behind the veil during the lunchtime closing. Then we climbed into the mouth.

[Cannon]

How did you know you could get in that way?

[Anoushka]

I think an Oscar be better telling everything.

[Talkspace Host]

This podcast is sponsored by Talkspace.

[Talkspace User/Testimonial]

Last year I went through many different life changes. I needed to take a pause and examine how I was feeling in the inside to better show up for the ones who need me to be my best version of myself.

[Talkspace Host]

When you're navigating life's changes, Talkspace can help. Talkspace is the number one rated online therapy, bringing you professional support from licensed therapists and psychiatry providers that you can access anytime, anywhere.

[Talkspace User/Testimonial]

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[Talkspace Host]

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[Anoushka]

From the Russian Moslev dancers. You have heard of the Mosayev folk dancers.

[Cannon]

You are the Empire Hall.

[Anoushka]

That is so. We came here from France. And it was in France when we first saw the whale and learned that the interior was hollow. The Mosyev company is due to return to Russia on the day after tomorrow.

[Cannon]

And.

[Anoushka]

And the decided to escape.

[Cannon]

Escape from what?

[Anoushka]

From Russia, sir.

[Cannon]

Oh, you mean political asylum.

[Anoushka]

Yes.

[Cannon]

But that doesn't explain why you hid out inside a dead whale.

[Anoushka]

If we ask for political asylum in England, it would be granted. But it would be easy for the Russian secret service to find us. They are most efficient and would track us down wherever we went. And so Anoushkar and I hit upon a plan whereby we might vanish without trace.

[Mikhail]

You see, sir, the Veil is to be shipped to America. They have a large supply of food and water. And it was our intention to stay hidden inside the Veil until it reached the United States. We could come out at night when all was quiet and hide back inside during the day. Once in America, we know where we can find friends.

[Cannon]

Well, what do you know? Let's one up on Jonah. You mean you got all that trouble just to get to the States?

[Mikhail]

The Russian secret police do not take kindly to escapists.

[Anoushka]

We have families in Russia.

[Cannon]

You know. You don't have a bad plan at that. You disappear without trace. In England they check and find you haven't applied for political asylum. They check the airports and shipping lines and draw a blank. It only figures that something must have happened to you, like suicide. So they forget all about you.

[Anoushka]

And they forget about our family, sir.

[Cannon]

Tell me, Monsieur Duclair, does he know about this?

[Anoushka]

No one knows. They accept you.

[Cannon]

That's right. Your secret safe with me.

[Mikhail]

But are you not from the police?

[Cannon]

No, no, I'm the watchman. You?

[Anoushka]

The watchman?

[Cannon]

Yeah, Fred. I guess I was born under the zodiac sign of Pesce.

[Anoushka]

But the watchman in France was the much older man.

[Mikhail]

Yes, we know that he slept most of the night. We know that if we made more noise, we could safely creep out after dark.

[Cannon]

Well, with me you don't have to worry about noise. Noise? Say, what were you. What were you screaming about inside there anyway? Oh, well, what is it?

[Anoushka]

In the darkness, he tripped over something. I put on my torch and there is the body of a man with a knife through his heart.

[Aubrey Mason]

Hannah's jaw dropped so that he resembled in miniature the very object he was guarding. Whatever my employees Faults, he's not lacking in analytical information. Intelligence, his colleagues would say. As sharp as a whip. One look at the dejected and terrified faces of the two young folk dancers was enough to convince Cannon that they at least were on the level. His reaction was straightforward and immediate.

[Cannon]

Anushka, you stay here. Mikhail, you're going back inside that whale.

[Anoushka]

Oh, well, if you insist.

[Cannon]

I do insist. And what's more, I'm coming with you.

[Talkspace Host]

Not the threat.

[Cannon]

Come on, let's go. Yeah. Now then, put on the flashlight. Where is it?

[Aubrey Mason]

Right there.

[Cannon]

As you said, it knocks through the heart. Do you know this man?

[Anoushka]

I think I have seen him somewhere. I cannot be sure.

[Cannon]

Well, have a good look. The formalda. I must have seeped into him. He's well preserved.

[Anoushka]

How long do you think he's been there?

[Cannon]

Sure, I know you only stumbled on him by accident. The way he's preserved, he could have been there months. Okay, let's get out of this Moslem. It gives me the crazy.

[Anoushka]

Are you just going to leave the body there?

[Aubrey Mason]

Sure.

[Cannon]

In this country, in cases of murder, the body's left where it's found untouched, so as not to hamper the work of the police. Oh, here we go.

[Aubrey Mason]

You first.

[Cannon]

Okay.

[Anoushka]

The body is there as we saw it.

[Aubrey Mason]

I hope.

[Anoushka]

She might be dreaming. I. I can't say I feel much difference. This is the end for us.

[Cannon]

No, no, no. Come on, cheer up.

[Aubrey Mason]

It.

[Cannon]

It might be the beginning.

[Anoushka]

When the police come, they hold us as witnesses. Our defection will then be discovered. We will be taken back to Russia.

[Cannon]

Yeah, that's the point.

[Anoushka]

Mechanically.

[Cannon]

Corpse in the body of a whale. Two Russian refugees. Hang on. There's a phone here somewhere. Look, Mikhail, while I telephone you, go back inside there and remove all traces of your presence. Didn't you say that you brought food?

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes.

[Cannon]

Well, get it out. Make sure there's no traces of your having been in there. If there's the slightest clue to link you with the dead man, you'll wind up here the same as you would in Russia.

[Aubrey Mason]

Cannon's call came through to my apartment and woke me from a deep sleep. At first I thought he'd lost his reason and then that it was all a joke to get me out of bed and repay me for the task I'd handed him. But he finally convinced me that Mikhail and Anoushka were real people and that their plight was a tragic one. I gave him the only advice that seemed sensible at the time. The young Russian runaways would be safe for a while, at least in Cannon's flat.

[Cannon]

Okay, that's settled.

[Mikhail]

Did you telephone the police?

[Cannon]

No, my chief. I'm taking you to my flight in Chelsea. You'll be safe there for a while. Did you get everything out, Mihail?

[Anoushka]

Yes, everything, sir.

[Cannon]

Now, let's see. Quarter after two. Chances of any vandalists coming now are pretty remote. I've got a car at the back of the hall and I can have you in my place in 20 minutes. I'll drop you and come back, and then I'll ring the police. Pick up your gear and follow me. Come on. Go right in. Oh, it's strictly a bachelor's apartment, ma', am, but you could give it the feminine touch.

[Anoushka]

Hey, don't know how to say thank you.

[Cannon]

Well, then don't try. Help your sauce to anything you want. I must get back to the whale.

[Anoushka]

The whale?

[Cannon]

Well, don't tell me you forgot the candle.

[Anoushka]

I left the candle.

[Cannon]

What are you talking about?

[Anoushka]

You told me to make sure nothing was left inside. I. I lit a candle so that I could see properly.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I left it burning.

[Cannon]

You left a candle burning? And so. But the blubber of the formalda, that fish is more inflammable than an oil refinery.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Let me through.

[Cannon]

Excuse me. Thanks. No further, sir.

[Aubrey Mason]

The roof's going in any minute.

[Cannon]

Well, it'll be gutted. The entire building will be gutted. Yeah, it looks like it, sir. I missed.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I have looked everywhere for you. I thought you might still be inside.

[Cannon]

Well, it looks like my first job as a night watchman got off to a bad start.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Do not distress yourself. It was. Well, in short. But how did it happen?

[Cannon]

Happened? Well, that's. That's quite a question.

[Aubrey Mason]

I'm not sure, but where were you when he happened?

[Cannon]

I was having a smoke.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Tell me just what you did, Monsieur.

[Aubrey Mason]

Canal.

[Cannon]

Well, I pumped in the formaldehyde like you showed me, and then I sat down on the bench to have a smoke. Suddenly, the whale started to smoke, too. You know what I mean?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Yes, A stroke of luck.

[Cannon]

Luck?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

The whale is, in short, as I said, I do not regret losing it.

[Cannon]

British burned down the entire hall. The place is raging in fur. There'll be nothing left.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

No, nothing left. Absolutely not.

[Cannon]

And that's about everything, chief.

[Aubrey Mason]

Now, what makes you so suspicious of Mr. Duclair?

[Cannon]

I don't know. It's maybe the way he looked at that fire. He was. He was enjoying it. Seemed like he was hoping the thing would be destroyed.

[Aubrey Mason]

It might just have been the excitement. The entire building was razed to the ground. There's nothing but A heap of ashes.

[Cannon]

Well, don't you see? That body inside the well was reduced to a heap of ashes, too. Whoever that guy was, he wound up in his own crematorium.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, I checked on the Russian dancers. They're officially listed as missing. Mark you. That doesn't mean they weren't responsible for the killing. We've no idea who that man might have been. And now it seems we'll never know. Just supposing he was an official of the Russian Secret Police.

[Cannon]

Yeah, sure. Well, I'm gonna cry about that.

[Aubrey Mason]

That's not the point. This is England. Well, then no one has the right to take another man's life.

[Cannon]

Okay, chief, thanks for the moral lecture.

[Aubrey Mason]

I'm serious. If those two youngsters did kill a man from the Russian police, then they must be handed over to the authorities.

[Cannon]

Well, you're right, of course, as always. But how are we going to prove who he was? How can we even prove that there was a man in there in the first place? There's nothing left. Not a single solitary thing.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes?

[Mikhail]

Monsieur Duclair to see you, sir.

[Aubrey Mason]

Send him in, please.

[Cannon]

Suppose he wants.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, he won't have come to congratulate us on our efficiency as night watchman.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Ah, bonjour, monsieur maison. Monsieur Canon.

[Aubrey Mason]

Monsieur.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I am most regrettable about the exhibit.

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes. Won't you take a chair?

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Thank you. I explained to Monsieur Canot that financially there is nothing to worry about. The exhibit was well insured and I shall suffer no financial loss.

[Aubrey Mason]

I'm glad to hear that.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

But I shall require your assistance.

[Cannon]

You gonna pump up another well? Oh, no, no, no.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

It concerns the insurance. At the time of the accident, I was in bed in my hotel. In fact, the old porter woke me and told me of the disaster. Monsieur Canon was in charge of the exhibit at the time, and I would like a statement from him accepting full responsibility.

[Aubrey Mason]

Now, just a minute. You may be insured, but we're not. If you read your contract, you'll find the indemnity clause in case of accident.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Oh, it is not that, monsieur. I require a letter only to show that the exhibit was destroyed by accident to please the insurance company. You understand?

[Aubrey Mason]

Yes, I do.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Of course, I would pay for the service.

[Aubrey Mason]

Where do you want the letter, monsieur? Declare.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

I would like to get it off to France as soon as possible. It will save me the journey over there. If the insurance company is satisfied, they will pay us to their London office.

[Aubrey Mason]

I'll get onto it right away, monsieur. This afternoon. Ah, perfect.

[Monsieur Paul Duclair]

Thank you. Well, good day, gentlemen.

[Cannon]

Goodbye. Goodbye, monsieur. You know Chief, something about that whale smells awful fishy.

[Aubrey Mason]

Perhaps. But I wonder why he doesn't just hop over the Channel and collect the insurance money.

[Cannon]

Maybe he doesn't want to show his face in France.

[Aubrey Mason]

Show his face? Cannon.

[Cannon]

I wonder. Chief, I don't like the look.

[Aubrey Mason]

Are the Russian runaways still in your flat?

[Cannon]

Where else?

[Aubrey Mason]

You're sure no one's seen them? Certain.

[Cannon]

I can't stall Kuna forever. But he's been stalled before. Different reason, naturally.

[Aubrey Mason]

I can guess what it is. I want to have a talk to them. They were as Cannon described them, just two nice kids. However desperate their plight. I just couldn't imagine them plunging a knife into a man's heart. And the setting for the murder was too macabre for them to contemplate. I asked them about the exhibit they'd seen in France. How did you find out about the entrance into the well?

[Anoushka]

By watching the caretaker. He was an old man and rather sorry. The whale was on show in the Place de la Poste and we hid behind one of the pillars. We saw him climbing through the mouth. When we heard that the whale was to come to London and then to go to America, we hit upon our plan.

[Aubrey Mason]

Did you meet Monsieur Duclair? He's the owner.

[Anoushka]

I don't think so. It was the caretaker we watched.

[Aubrey Mason]

You said to Cannon that you might have seen the dead man somewhere before.

[Anoushka]

I think so, but I cannot be certain.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, there's no chance now for a second. Look, if you saw the caretaker again, would you recognize him? Oh, yes.

[Anoushka]

Anoushka too.

[Mikhail]

I would know him anywhere.

[Aubrey Mason]

I'll just use your phone. Cannon. What hotel is to Karen?

[Cannon]

Regent Palace. Good morning.

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, I'd like to speak to Mr. Duclair, please. Thank you. I'm going to invite him to the office early. I want Mikhail and Anoushka hidden in the inner office where they can see him. Hello? Oh, Monsieur Declare? Oh, this is Mason Assignments Unlimited. Yes, yes, I've nearly finished it. Tell me, for how long was the whale insured? Yes, yes, it couldn't have lasted forever, could it? I see. Right after the American Exhibition, you were destroyed. Well, may I ask how? Yes, of course. What better grave for a whale than to be dumped into the sea? Can we make it one o'? Clock? Thank you. That's fine. Goodbye. There's no doubt about it now, Cannon, in that outer office for these youngsters. I want two more people. Detective inspectors from the Murder squad. The stage was set for Mr. Duclair's arrival. The police officers were fully briefed And Mikhail and Anoushka waited apprehensively. When you Clare arrived, they recognized him immediately. Not as Dupla but as the old caretaker. Publicity photographs of the real Duclear were immediately seen to be those of the dead man. And the whale cannon for once, was impressed.

[Cannon]

Well, not bad, chief, not bad at all. But what made him do it?

[Aubrey Mason]

Jealousy probably. Like you, he didn't fancy having a whale as a bed companion while his.

[Cannon]

Employer lived off the fat of the land. The fat of the whale?

[Aubrey Mason]

Oh, all right. He murdered his boss and left his body inside the exhibit. Later, all evidence would have been removed when the whale was dumped in the Atlantic. Cunning. But he couldn't take a chance on going back to France. He might have been recognized by someone in the insurance company. So he had to stay undercover.

[Cannon]

Undercover? That reminds me. Two Russian dancers have to be smuggled into the States somehow.

[Aubrey Mason]

Funny you should mention that. I was just about to brief you on your next assignment.

[Cannon]

Oh no.

[Aubrey Mason]

Well, there you are. That's how the fishmonger had his chips. Support is available 247 with Verbo Care.

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