Leonidas Witherall - Murder at the State Fair

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Leonidas Witherall - Murder at the State Fair

Date: June 15, 2026
Podcast Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to the golden age of radio drama with a broadcast of The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall: Murder at the State Fair. The episode blends mystery and comedic banter, centering around the eccentric sleuth Leonidas Witherall as he becomes entangled in murder and intrigue during the local state fair’s preserves contest.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage at the State Fair

• Opening Scene: The story immediately opens with tension at a shooting gallery where blood is discovered behind the target—a dead body hidden in plain sight. The episode then quickly moves into exposition, introducing Leonidas Witherall and his friend Mrs. Mullet on their way to the fair.

  • (00:05–01:39)

• Character Introductions:

  • Leonidas Witherall: Respected schoolmaster and mystery writer, looks like Shakespeare (“You wouldn't think so. He looks just like Shakespeare.” (00:48))
  • Mrs. Mullet: Housekeeper and friend, entering her preserves in the state fair competition.
  • Mrs. Axel Bent: The soon-to-be remarried, controversial judge of the preserves contest.
  • Randy: Son of Mr. Fribbits, resentful of his father's marriage plans.
  • Connie Maple Grove: Randy’s sweetheart, preserve contest participant.
  • Mrs. Whacker: Town laundress with a grudge against Mrs. Axel Bent.

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2. Web of Rivalries and Motives

• Personal Conflicts: The preserved contest becomes fraught with tension as Mrs. Axel Bent argues with her ex-husband and confronts Mrs. Whacker over her parental fitness, revealing deep small-town resentments and potential motives for violence.

  • (01:39–08:14)

• Multiple Threats: Both Randy and Rufus (Mrs. Axel Bent’s ex-husband) threaten Mrs. Axel Bent, making them immediate suspects.

  • Randy: “If I can’t have you, no other man will. … Before you marry that man, I’d rather see you dead first.” (03:11–03:42)
  • Mrs. Whacker: “…you meddle with my life and you’ll pay for it. … You take my baby from my house and I’ll kill you. God would forgive me, too.” (07:47–08:00)

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3. Chaos at the Fair

• Preserves Judging Gone Wrong: Mrs. Axel Bent is pulled away to sell war bonds, so Witherall is conscripted as preserves judge.

  • (08:14–09:50)

• Bull Breaks Loose: Just as Witherall prepares to judge, a prize bull escapes, causing pandemonium. In the stampede, Witherall’s coat is ruined with preserves, and he narrowly escapes being gored.

  • (09:50–13:40)
  • Notable Moment: “While I was making my hundred yard dash from the platform with the bull’s horns flirting with my coattails all the way, I kept thinking of that famous phrase: Is this trip necessary?” – Witherall (13:40)

• Suspicious Incident: The bull’s sudden illness and death are noted as peculiar, laying grounds for suspicion.

  • “Doesn’t it strike you as very funny that a big, husky prize bull would get sick just from running around a bit?” – Mrs. Mullet (15:57)
  • “Funny is not the word, Mrs. Mullet.” – Witherall (16:03)

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4. The Murder Revealed

• Back at the Shooting Gallery: Witherall competes in target shooting, but after a round of shots, blood is discovered behind the target curtain—Mrs. Axel Bent is found dead, tied up and shot multiple times.

  • (17:26–18:58)
  • Memorable Moment: “Stop. Put down that gun.… That’s blood.” – Mrs. Mullet (17:53, 18:03)

• Investigation: Police quickly assemble suspects:

  • All recent shooters (Mrs. Whacker, Randy, ex-husband “Axle Band”), and Witherall himself.

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5. Untangling the Mystery

• Poisoned Preserves Angle: It’s discovered the bull was poisoned after licking preserves spilled on Witherall’s coat. The preserves were initially meant for Mrs. Axel Bent, the intended contest judge.

  • “His Royal Highness ate something just before he became ill.” – Witherall (20:56)
  • “The preserves were poisoned, you see. Poison preserves.” – Witherall (20:58)

• Suspect Interrogation: Connie, whose preserves spilled on Witherall, becomes prime suspect, but her protests and timeline exclusions (she arrived after the bull panic) shift suspicion.

  • “You weren’t here when the contest started. When the bull broke loose.” – Witherall (24:29)

• The Real Murderer: Witherall deduces the true killer is the person who released the bull to create a diversion and deliberately smashed the poisoned preserves during the chaos—Randy, who had the motive of preventing Mrs. Axel Bent from marrying his father and taking his inheritance.

  • “The murderer is the person who deliberately broke that bottle of preserves and spilled it on me.” – Witherall (25:20)
  • “Randy. You killed Mrs. Ash.” – Mrs. Mullet (25:24)

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6. Finale & Notable Moments

• Clever Trick Revealed: Witherall explains how the poison was injected through the paraffin seal with a hypodermic needle.

  • “An ordinary hypodermic syringe and needle would do the trick. Inject the poison through the paraffin without disturbing it.” – Witherall (25:53)

• Randy Tries to Flee: Randy attacks an officer, attempts escape, but Witherall heroically shoots and disables him.

  • “You got him, Mr. Witherall. Looks like you hit him in the leg. And with just one shot, too, of course.” – Mrs. Mullet (26:32)
  • “Just one shot, Mrs. Mullet. Remember, dead eye is my middle name.” – Witherall (26:47)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Mrs. Axel Bent’s character:
  “Her face is familiar, but her name is impossible.” – Witherall (02:01)

• Comedy amidst chaos:
  “This promises to be the most jelly shaking contest in history.” – Witherall (07:47)

• Witherall’s offbeat heroism:
  “I’ll be all right as soon as I get my heart out of my mouth.” – Witherall (13:36)
  “Let the poor little thing keep it. I’m warm enough now to get along without it.” [on the bull keeping his coat] (14:12)

• Final reveal:
  “Neither of you will get the farm—that’s even-handed justice.” – Witherall (25:53)

• Witherall’s wit as “Deadeye”:
  “Just one shot, Mrs. Mullet. Remember, dead eye is my middle name.” (26:47)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:05 – Opening shooting gallery scene, discovery of blood.
• 01:39 – Introductions, Mrs. Mullet and Mrs. Axel Bent.
• 03:11 – Heated threats and motives surface.
• 07:47 – Contest chaos, Mrs. Whacker’s outburst.
• 10:51 – Bull breaks loose during preserves judging.
• 13:40 – Post-stampede, Witherall quips on survival.
• 15:57 – Suspicion over poisoned preserves.
• 17:53 – Shooting gallery murder discovered.
• 20:50 – Discussion of the poisoned preserves.
• 21:57 – Connie accused and interrogated.
• 25:21 – Randy revealed as the true culprit.
• 26:32 – Randy’s attempted escape, with Witherall’s intervention.
• 26:47 – Episode conclusion, Witherall’s signature wit.

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Tone and Character

The episode mixes fast-paced mystery with light comedic touches and sharp dialogue, as befits the classic radio drama style. Witherall’s Shakespearean wit, Mrs. Mullet’s country wisdom, and the lively community of small-town suspects provide both suspense and humor throughout.

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Note: This summary deliberately skips non-content sections such as advertisements, intro/outro, and programming announcements.

Transcript

[A]

All right, mister, you page a quarter. There's the rifle. Take your shot.

[B]

Stop. Put down that gun.

[A]

What's wrong, lady?

[B]

Well, look behind the target he's shooting at. Running down the side of the wall. See it? That's blood.

[A]

Well, there's a dead body behind that target. Police Murder WO Mutual presents the Distinguished American Act. Walter Hampden in the Adventures of Leonidas

[B]

Witherall's always getting mixed up in murder.

[A]

You wouldn't think so. He looks just like Shakespeare.

[B]

It's his beard. And he's the head of an important school for boys in New England.

[A]

He also writes the thriller stories on the side. The Little Lieutenant Hazeltine's Story. But Leonidas is engaged in much more vital business now, isn't he, Mr. Hampton? Yes, business that takes precedence over all of Leonidas regular activities. The neighborhood housekeeper in Dalton, Witherall's close friend, Mrs. Mullet, has entered a contest to determine who makes the finest preserves in the state. The contest is a feature of the annual state fair. And Witheral has borrowed a horse and buggy in which he's now heading for the fair. Get up there, girl. Mrs. Mullet, you should have no difficulty at all in winning this contest. Something of an epicure, I can say. Your preserves are perfect.

[B]

Well, I'm going to have mighty hard competition though, Mr. Witherall. That Mrs. Axel Bent's not easy to please.

[A]

Mrs. Axel Bent?

[B]

Mm. She's going to be the judge. Gonna taste all the entries. Very uppity, she is. Might not like my preserves at all.

[A]

Prefers axle grease, perhaps.

[B]

Well, don't you know Mrs. Axel Bend?

[A]

Yes, I met her once. Her face is familiar, but her name is impossible.

[B]

She's a divorcee, you know. Oh, she was married to that farmer in Barry County, Mr. Axelband. Now she's gonna marry the wealthiest farmer in the county.

[A]

Mr. Fritz Axel Bent Fribitz. For a moment I thought she was making a change for a better name. Wrong again. Oh, come on there, gal. Get up. Go on.

[B]

She divorced him about two years ago. They say he never got over it either. Still very jealous. And he used to be very pleasant. Now he's gloomy all the time. Griffith, I haven't time to talk to you now. Come and see me some other day.

[A]

Now. You're always too busy to talk to me.

[B]

Oh, don't be tired. Come here. Now I really must go. I'm used to stay fair. I'm to be a judge.

[A]

I'm going to the fair myself. Entering a prize bull. Before you get out of here, I Have something to say, Mule Mary Privets. I won't let you.

[B]

Rufus. We've been legally divorced. And it's so painful to go over all of our differences again. I told you before, you're the most insanely jealous man on earth. That's why I divorced you. That's why you're behaving now like a hopeless fool.

[A]

You made me jealous, playing up to every fellow we met.

[B]

Oh, you imagined all that. Why upset yourself?

[A]

You don't love Frivets any more than you love me. He's the wealthiest farmer in the state. That's what you're after.

[B]

Now that's very unfair. You've no idea of how I feel about him.

[A]

I know how you feel about everything. It either pays off for you or it doesn't. Now get this. If I can't have you, no other man will. Remember what the minister said. Whom God hath joined together.

[B]

You're being very final about something that's none of your business.

[A]

Before you marry that man, I'd rather see you dead first. I will see you dead first. Misses Axel Bent never did strike me as a very pleasant person, Mrs. Mullet. Possibly because she was always so deliberately pleasant. She has such an even disposition. Irritating all the time.

[B]

Oh, you turn to the left here.

[A]

Uh huh. Where you going there, you old plug. Get up there. Now go on.

[B]

This Mr. Fribbits, the man she's going to marry, he has the best looking son. Randy's his name. They say Randy's not very happy about that woman marrying his father. He's always been kind of a hot tempered lad anyway. Doesn't relish having her as a stepmother.

[A]

You want me out of the way, don't you Mrs. Axel Band?

[B]

Why no, Randy.

[A]

Why do you say that? Because I always tell the truth. You're not marrying my father because you love him. You want to own this farm.

[B]

And you've always expected to inherit the farm yourself, is that it?

[A]

I've worked on this farm since I was old enough to stand up. That gives me a good claim, doesn't it?

[B]

Randy, why don't you take. Oh, what's that girl's name?

[A]

Connie. Connie Maple Grove.

[B]

Yes. Why don't you marry Connie and get away from the farm. Earn a living in your own way, under your own steam. Why do you feel content to just sit back and wait till your father dies?

[A]

Go away, huh? I'm wise to this dirty game you're playing. But I've one sure way to cut it short.

[B]

What in the world are you talking

[A]

about you keep trying to marry my father and take the farm away from me. You'll see what I'm talking about. The ceremony will have to be postponed because nobody can marry a dead bride.

[B]

There's the fair right up ahead of us, Mr. Witherall.

[A]

Uh huh. So it is. I want to wish you luck, Mrs. Mullet. I'd be very surprised if you don't win.

[B]

We can tie up over there. Looks like a parking place all right.

[A]

Oh, girl. Oh, I'll just tire up here, you know. Only see hitching posts at a fair these days.

[B]

There's Mrs. Axel Ben standing by that first booth. My, how she's dressed. Decorated like an admiral's flagship, ain't she?

[A]

Yes, decorated when the admiral wasn't looking. Hold still now there, girl. That's it there.

[B]

Mrs. Axel Band. Oh, hello Mrs. Mullet. Oh, I know you. That beard. Now just a minute, just a. Oh, of course. The man who looks like Shakespeare. You're leonidas Witherall.

[A]

Yes, Mrs. Axel Benton. How are you? How's every little thing?

[B]

Are you going to judge this preserves contest? Mrs. Axel Bent. Oh, hello Mrs. Whacker. Well, Mrs. Whacker, you know Mr. Witherow, don't you? Mrs. Whacker does most of the folks laundry back in Dalton. Answer my question. Are you going to judge the preserved contest, Mrs. Axel Bent? Yes, I'm to be the judge. Well, I'm taking back my jar if you're to be the judge. My dear woman, I hardly think a scene at this time. I don't care who hears me. I'll take my job back. Thank you. I couldn't win if you're the judge. You're set against me now. After all, everyone knows about you and me. They know you're trying to take my boy away from me. Merely suggested to the Ladies Council that I hardly think a laundry is a fit place to raise a baby. My baby's very healthy and very happy. Well, perhaps we could discuss this some other time, eh? We'll talk about it now.

[A]

What's the matter? What's the matter? The women having a fight? Oh, just ironing out a baby. Where do they think they are?

[B]

You're making a scene and this is in very bad taste. You wouldn't talk to me in that house of yours and so we'll talk now.

[A]

Come on, Mrs. Oh, you let go of me.

[B]

You leave me alone. You wouldn't dare to take away my baby. You sniveling, nosy body. You cheap hypocrite. Your son hasn't a Proper home for what it's supposed to be. My son has the finest home in town. But it's for the boy's own good. You couldn't take my son away from me in a million years. You've nothing in your own life to satisfy you, and so you make up for it by meddling with everyone else's.

[A]

This promises to be the most jelly shaking contest in history.

[B]

You meddle with my life and you'll pay for it. You take my baby from my house and I'll kill you. God would forgive me, too.

[A]

Ah, these country fairs. So peaceful. The hope of a new world.

[B]

You know, I'm sorry for you, Mrs. Whacker. Terribly sorry. So many people in your circumstances are blind to what's best for them.

[A]

Oh, Mrs. Axel Bainer.

[B]

Oh, yes, Mr. Bradley.

[A]

Could you change your plans a bit? I mean, about the preserves contest.

[B]

Why, what's wrong?

[A]

We'd rather have you at the war bond booth. It's much more important to sell bonds. And, well, you're so popular. Yes, isn't she? And we thought it would be better if someone else would judge the preserves.

[B]

Well, who judge them? Who could we give?

[A]

Why, those little jelly jars are causing one crisis after another, aren't they? Before being eaten, too. See? Let's see, let's see. Somebody around here could do it.

[B]

Well, Mr. Witherall could do it.

[A]

Now, hold on, Mrs. Mullet, please, would you, Mr. Witherall?

[B]

Oh, I'd appreciate it so much.

[A]

Well, as a gastronomist, I'm afraid I'm caviar to the general.

[B]

What's that?

[A]

Shakespeare? I thought you said you recognized, ma'. Am.

[B]

Oh, go on, Mr. Witherall. I'd like him to do it. He looks like a very honest man.

[A]

Well, thank you, Mrs. Whacker. To be honest as this world goes, is to be one man picked out of 10,000. Hey, what's wrong here?

[B]

Oh, just a discussion, Rufus. We need someone to take my place judging the preserves. Oh, do you all know Mr. Axel?

[A]

Ben, hurry. I just took Dalton Chancery, Prince Igor IV over to his pen. Dalton Chancery, Prince Igor iv. Pen name of a writer. It's my prize bull. Trouble getting in here, too. It was very wild. See him in the booth with a flag on it? Oh, yes, he looks formidable, as the English say, doesn't he? Get going here, folks. I have no time to waste. All right. I'll do my best as a jelly taster. Hey, what's up? Why don't you get things started?

[B]

Well, I'm not going to judge the preserves. Randy. Mr. Witherall is. Do you know everyone? Randy Pippin.

[A]

Come on, come on. Get going, folks. Everybody over to booth number three for the preserve contest. Booth number three. Hey, you see my bull, Randy? I bet you we come out on top this year. You think so? Yeah.

[B]

Here's my jar, Mr. Witherall. Mine.

[A]

There's about two dozen of us already in the booth. I'll clear the crowd over. You get up on the platform, Mr. Wither.

[B]

See you later, Shakespeare. And thank you for taking my place.

[A]

See you later. By the way, here's our entrance to Witherol. We should walk away with a contest. My fiance made the Connie Maple Grove. Oh, all right, Randy. Let me first hop up on this platform. There we are. Quiet, everybody. Quiet, everybody. Quiet, please. Thank you. Here's a clean spoon, Mr. Wither. All you can start anytime now. Start clean, eh? All right, Mr. Bradley. Here goes. What's wrong back there?

[B]

The back of this wild wolf.

[A]

He broke out of his pan.

[B]

He's heading this way. Come on down off that platform, Mr. Witherall. Why, the bull's rival to pick you up.

[A]

Me? Pick me out? Oh, you flatter me.

[B]

But there he comes. Get out of the way. Everybody back, everybody. Go towards him. Don't get near him, anybody.

[A]

He's my bull. He's my bull. I know him. He'll draw you to death.

[B]

Dalton.

[A]

Dalton boy, go back to your pen.

[B]

Go back. Why, that bull. Running around like he's crazy. Crowd pushing so much I can hardly stand up.

[A]

Look out, Randy. You're knock over that jar of preserve.

[B]

Oh, gosh, Rinks, your coat.

[A]

Sorry, I couldn't help it, Mr. Witherall. Now you've got that jelly all over your coat.

[B]

Well, of all things to happen. Fill in preserves all over his coat.

[A]

Don't move, everybody. If you start to run, that bull of mine will kill you.

[B]

Come down off that platform, Mr. Witherow. The bull's looking at you.

[A]

At me?

[B]

Well, yes. Don't move now. Don't budge an inch.

[A]

That bull's too close for comfort. Don't run, Wetherall. He'll go after you. Get out of my way, everybody.

[B]

Anybody got a gun? Let's shoot him.

[A]

Hey, don't you dare shoot my bull.

[B]

But he'll ride those horns right into Mr. Wither. Oh, don't run. Oh, good heaven. Somebody save him. Save Mr. Wither. All for the bulls. Almost caught him. Faster, Mr. Wither. All faster. Help.

[A]

Help. Hey, he's got him near that wall. Don't back up against that wall. He'll get you into a trap.

[B]

Oh, I can't look. It'll be horrible. Look, Mr. Weatherall's up against that wall. While the bull's gonna charge, he's getting set. Do something. Do something.

[A]

Take off your coat, Weatherall. Throw your coat at him.

[B]

It might stop him.

[A]

Might make him angrier, too. You gotta take that chance. Take off your coat. Throw it at him. All right, I'll try anything. Here goes.

[B]

Why, it's working. The bull's looking at it. It's cold.

[A]

Yeah, thank goodness for that. I thought it'd distract him. The bull's goring is call out.

[B]

Well, that's a lot better than Goring, Mr. Witherall.

[A]

All right, Randy, you, Joe, a couple of you men sneak up on Graham. We can pull him back to the pen. He'll be quiet now. Yeah, he's taking quite a fancy to wither all's coat.

[B]

Yes, Lucky it was covered with jelly.

[A]

Come on now. Slow, easy sleep. Okay. Be careful.

[B]

Very

[A]

okay, I got him.

[B]

Hold on. We got him.

[A]

Boy, calm down. Would you want to break out of the pen and scare all these people for, huh? Come on. Calm down, boy. Well, isn't anybody going to ask about me?

[B]

You all right, Mr. Riverall?

[A]

I'll be all right as soon as I get my heart out of my mouth.

[B]

Well, that was just about the most terrible thing I've ever seen happen to you, Mr. Witherall. It was your own fault, though. You shouldn't have started to run.

[A]

Yes, I knew it was my fault. In fact, while I was making my hundred yard dash from the platform with the bull's horns flirting with my coattails all the way, I kept thinking of that famous phrase, Is this trip necessary? All right, folks. All right. Come on, break it up. No need to crowd around. Lots of other boots are open here.

[B]

Why, look at that bull chewing on your coat. Oh, it's a shame you have to lose it.

[A]

Well, let the poor little thing keep it. I'm warm enough now to get along without it. And anyway, those preserves. He seems to like those preserves a lot. Look at the way he's licking him off the coast. Quite a judge, isn't there? Well, he's usurped my place. Why not give him a spoon, too? What's the matter, Dalton boy? You tired from chasing Mr. We All? Yes. Poor Dalton boy. Yes. Hope I didn't frighten him. Say, you know, this bull of mine looks sick to me. He looks sick, my good man. What do you think I've been doing? Well, chase Nephew wore him out. Wore him out. Now that's odd.

[B]

Very peculiar, running a couple of yards after Mr. Witherall wore out your prize boo.

[A]

Where? Now, listen to him. Look at him wobbling on his feet. Oh, too bad I wasn't wearing slippers, too. You want to lie down, Dalton boy? You're feeling bad, huh? Lie down if you want to. Go on, lie down. Yeah, she's been under quite a strain. Perhaps we could get a chaise long for him. Never mind being so funny. My bull's sick and you made him that way. Well, he made me sick. Tit for tat.

[B]

Well, the bull does seem pretty badly off, doesn't he? You keep out of this, Mrs. Whacker. The very idea. The bull nearly kills Mr. Witherall. Now everybody's feeling sorry for the bull. Come on, Mr. Wither. All, let's get out of here.

[A]

Yes, a little relaxation is in order, Mrs. Mullet. They probably won't reorganize your jelly contest for a while.

[B]

Well, want to stroll around the rest of the fair?

[A]

Yes, a very good suggestion. This bull of mine's really sick on account of you, Weatherall. I'll sue you. Yes, serves me right teasing wild bulls. Bye now. Come along, Mrs. Mullet.

[B]

Doesn't it strike you as very funny that a big, husky prize bull would get sick just from running around a bit?

[A]

Funny is not the word, Mrs. Mullet.

[B]

Well, what do you mean?

[A]

I'm walking over here toward the bull's pen. Purposely. He did not break out by himself. I'm wondering who let him out. Mrs. Mullet, that word is murderous, perhaps. Look, Mrs. Mullet, there's a shooting gallery.

[B]

Well, you're not such a good shot, are you?

[A]

I'm not, eh? I was captain of the Meredith rifle team. Dead Eye Witherall, they called me. I'm for that shooting gallery. Come on. All right, no free shots. Here you are, folks. 10 shots for a quarter. They're all trying it. Every man his own commando. Step right up and test your skill. I'll try it. Here's a quarter. Yes, yes, all right. Here we are gonna win a kewpie doll for your girlfriend.

[B]

What did you say?

[A]

Oh, Never mind him, Mrs. Mullet. He means to be complimentary. Say, fella, what's the most difficult object to hit? Well, now that. That clay pipe way over on the left side there. You see it? You hit that thing and you get a. A free round. Yeah. Plus a gorgeous rosy cheek, blue eyed, practically genuine Cupid. Get the doll ready. Dead Eye Witherall is about to perform. Now, here we go.

[B]

Well, I'm glad you're shooting blanks.

[A]

Oh, lady, you couldn't knock anything over with blanks. Those are real bullets. Go on, mister. Go on. Right. Did you say dead eye, mister? I'm merely warming up. Still warming up,

[B]

Mr. Witherall. Stop shooting. Put down that gun.

[A]

What's the matter? Why, what's happened?

[B]

Well, look on the curtain behind the target. It's trickling down the curtain. It's blood.

[A]

Why, she, she, she, she, she's right. Someone's behind that curtain. Someone's been shot back there. Come on, let's see. Hurry. They must be between the curtain and the steel wall. I got a reinforced steel wall behind the target curtain. Holy smokes.

[B]

It's Mrs. Axel Band.

[A]

Why, she's. She's dead. Yes, standing up. Look at all that blood. Must be about 15 bullets in her blanks. Indeed. Gagged, tied to this pole back of the curtain. No one could see her. But nearly everyone who took a shot was likely to hit her.

[B]

Oh, good gracious. I've never in my life seen anything as awful as that. Oh, that pool of blood.

[A]

Hey, you were the last guy to shoot, mister. I think the cops will want to talk to you. You were murderer. Me?

[B]

Oh, just can't stand looking at it. Take me away. Take me away.

[A]

Take her away. Help. Police. Murder.

[B]

Murder.

[A]

Take it easy, little man, or you'll wake the dead. You were shooting to the extreme left of the target curtain, huh, Bill? That's right, Sergeant. Macabre. None of the bullets from my rifle could have hit Mrs. X Men. Murderer. Sure was a brute taking that woman and tying it to the pole there behind that curtain. You know, Bill, she must have tried screaming, but I guess the handkerchief was so tight that she couldn't make much noise. Oh, by the way, who was shooting here just before Shakespeare? Would you recognize him? Oh, I know some of them. There was a lady, the one that owns the laundry, you know, over in dalton.

[B]

Well, that's Mrs. Whacker.

[A]

Mrs. Whacker. And a young fellow, the Fribbit boy. Randy. Randy Fribbit. Go on, who else? Well, the farmer. You know, the farmer. The bull got loose. What's his. His name? Axelrod. Axel Grease.

[B]

Axle band.

[A]

Axle band. A couple others, too. There's soldier and some sailors. Say, it makes things kind of tough, doesn't it, Bill? It is hard to pin on anyone, Sergeant. Is that so? Well, how about him? Sergeant? Do you know this fella Shakespeare? No, no, no. This fellow right here. Why, sure, I've known Mr. Witherold? For years. Don't be silly. Well, why couldn't it have been him? If you ask me, he's. He's a. He's a fancy looking guy, got a beard. He's might be a spy or something. I'm a spy. Bearded men are either spies or philosophers. I'd rather be a spy. Here.

[B]

You.

[A]

Mr. Winerall. I've been looking all over for you. Oh, Mr. Axel Vent. I'm afraid we've some very bad news. Oh, never mind that. Something important's happened. My bull's dead. Your bull died? Yes. Dalton. Chancery. Prince Igor iv, my prize bull, died a while after you left. After he chased you. It was your fault. Whether all he died, eh, Sergeant? The cobble. That's the answer. What are you thinking of, Bill? That bull was poisoned.

[B]

Poisoned?

[A]

Of course. Don't you remember? His Royal Highness ate something just before he became ill.

[B]

He ate your coat?

[A]

No, he licked the preserves off my coat, Mrs. Mullet. And the preserves were poisoned, you see. Poison preserves. What's this all about? What's the police here for? Mr. Axle Bent. We found your ex wife in back of this shooting gallery. I should say we found your ex wife's body. She's been murdered. Merrick. Phil. Whoever tied Mrs. Axel bent up behind this gallery, he tried to kill her first by poisoning the jelly. You see. Because they knew she was going to be the judge of the contest and they'd be tasting each bottle. Isn't that it? Exactly. Therefore, Sergeant, your problem now is who made the preserves that were spilled on my coat. Here's the girl who made that jar of poison preserves. Bill. Connie Maple Grove. Oh, come here. Yeah, I got her name by checking the number of the broken bottle against the entry list.

[B]

Why, she's Randy's sweetheart. What about it? I don't know anything about this. I did make the presentation, but I never dreamed of killing Mrs. Axel Bear.

[A]

Honey, darling, it's awful.

[B]

They think I killed her.

[A]

And I know you're perfectly innocent. You've got no right to keep her here. Sergeant. Mind your own business, Randy. I'm running this. They tell me, Connie, that if Mrs. Axel Bent married Randy's father, your boyfriend would never inherit that big farm his father had. That's right. But Connie had nothing to do. I am asking Connie the questions, not you.

[B]

It's true. But she didn't have any right to get the farm. Randy deserves it. He worked on it all his life.

[A]

With that woman out of the way while you marry Randy, he gets that tremendous farm. And you're sitting pretty, is that correct?

[B]

I never thought of such a thing. Besides this. Well, there's something else you didn't think of.

[A]

What's on your mind, Connie?

[B]

Well, it's very simple.

[A]

Yes, I know, but what's on it?

[B]

Why do you accuse me? Anyone could have poisoned the prophet, preserved somehow. It. It might have been that laundress, Mrs. Whacker. It might have been Mr. Axel Ben. He's very jealous.

[A]

Strangely enough, Connie, we've already realized there are quite a number of prospects and suspects too. But you're here for a specific reason. Besides, the jar preserves was sealed with paraffin, wasn't it? How could anyone else get poison into that bottle? You're the only person in the world who could have done it, Connie. And. And you're going to sit there until you tell us the truth?

[B]

Yes. We've got the goods on you. All right.

[A]

Please, Mrs. Mullet, leave this to me. Now go on, Connie. Go on, start talking. Well, go on.

[B]

I tell you. I don't know anything about that.

[A]

Okay, then we'll just sit here till you change your mind and quit lying.

[B]

Yes, we're waiting for you to tell the truth.

[A]

Please, Mrs. Mullet, leave this to me. Go on, Connie. Now it'll be easier for you if you don't sit stall. You killed Mrs. Axel Bent, didn't you? You murdered her, didn't you? You tied her up behind that shooting gallery and then you went out front and you paid a quarter for enough bullets to commit cold blooded murder. Now you're going to hang Stall.

[B]

No, I didn't do it. I didn't. Come on now. It'll be easier for you if you don't stall.

[A]

Please, Mrs. Willett, leave this to me.

[B]

I don't know anything about this. I never wanted to come to the fair. I was afraid something would happen. I didn't want to enter the contest. I really didn't want I come here at all. That's why I sent Randy ahead with my jar. I want to stay home just a minute.

[A]

Didn't you come here with Randy?

[B]

No, I came much later. I've only been here about 10 minutes. Like I said, I didn't want to come at all.

[A]

You weren't here when the contest started. When the bull broke loose.

[B]

What bull?

[A]

Ah, Sergeant, Our problem is not who made the preserves. The murderer is the person who let the presence that prize bull out of his pen.

[B]

Let the prize bull out?

[A]

Certainly. The killer planned to dispose of Mrs. Axel Bent by means of the preserves originally. That's Obvious. But at the last minute, there was an unexpected change of judges. I took over the role. The killer wasn't after me, thank heaven. So she or he had to get rid of that bottle of poison jelly before I tasted it. So whoever it was, let the bull out of the pen as an excuse to start a panic so as the bottle could be broken. That's it. The murderer is the person who deliberately broke that bottle of preserves and spilled it on me.

[B]

Why, that was.

[A]

Grab him, Sergeant. All right, you stay right where you are. Just stay here.

[B]

Randy. You killed Mrs. Ash.

[A]

Fiendish Way to kill, Randy. Fiendish. Tie up your victim and then deliberately buy the bullet. 10 shots for a quarter. 10 bloody fatal shots. Either you stand still of this black jack of mine's gonna make you take those handcuffs, Bill. Slip them over his wrists while I hold his arms. That's it. Okay. I swear. She'd never marry my father and take that farm away from me.

[B]

Well, she didn't.

[A]

She didn't get it. No, no. Neither of you will get the farm that's even handed justice. So my poet phrased it. There's just one thing, Bill. About getting the poison into the jar. I mean, it was sealed with paraffin. Oh, that's easy, Sergeant. An ordinary hypodermic syringe and needle would do the trick. Inject the poison through the paraffin without disturbing it. How about that, Randy? Did you throw the hypodermic away or is it still in your pocket? Well, it in my pocket. Left hand pocket. I'll get it. I'll search.

[B]

He hit the sergeant on the head with a handcuff. There he goes. Stop him.

[A]

My gun. Take it.

[B]

Stop him. Don't shoot. You kill him, Randy. You got him, Mr. Witherall. Looks like you hit him in the leg. And with just one shot too, of course.

[A]

Just one shot, Mrs. Mullet. Remember, dead eye is my middle name. Now let's find another shooting gallery and I'll get you a rosy cheeked, blue eyed, practically genuine kewpie doll. WO R Mutual has presented the distinguished American actor Walter Hampden in the Adventures of Leonidas Withero. Mrs. Mullet is played by Ethel Ramey. The character of Leonidas Witherall is from the mystery novels by Alice Tilton. The radio script is by Howard Merrill and the program is directed by Roger Bauer. Mr. Hampden has an important announcement to make. Mr. Hampden. Well, Leonidas's friends won't be sharing a puzzle in Homicide with him next week because our program is changing time Witheral Mrs. Mullet and the Worthy Sergeant will be back on the air on Sunday, October 8th. That's two weeks from tonight at 7pm Eastern, war time. That's two hours earlier than usual. I hope you'll make a note to join us then, Sunday, October 8th at 7pm until then, good night. Beginning next Sunday evening, October 1st, at 9:00pm Eastern War Time, WOR Mutual will present a new musical program, steel Horizons, with John Baker, baritone of the Metropolitan Opera association and guest soloist, and an orchestra conducted by Frederick Vonch. And remember, Leonidas Witherall will return on October 8th at 7pm The Adventures of Leonidas Witherall came to you from the stage of the WOR Mutual Playhouse in New York. This is Mutual.