
A Salute to the Law 1934-02-20 (xxx) The Avenging Angel Strikes Again
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Narrator / Radio Host
Presenting Detective Nick Harris. In a salute to the law. Ladies and gentlemen, we again bring you Detective Nicholas B. Harris, Chief of the internationally known Los Angeles Detective Agency bearing his name in another dramatized true life story, proving to the youth of today the folly of committing crime. And now back Mr. Harris.
Detective Nick Harris
Thank you, Mr. Lake. And good evening everyone. Tonight I bring you the final chapter of the strange but true story of the Avenging Angel. Last week, a wealthy man under the assumed name of Mr. Collins called at my office. Explained that he wished to dedicate his life and fortune in helping others to avenge the wrongs perpetrated upon people who were unable through financial reason to bring the wrongdoers to justice. It so happened that just that day I had received a mysterious phone call asking for help on investigation. The call had been sent by a 10 year old boy, Jimmy Newton, asking me to locate his father, his mother. Mrs. Newton refused all information concerning the disappearance of her husband because she had been silenced by the men who were holding her. Mr. Collins and I then located this Jimmy at school. He told how his father had been working the mining claim and had been carried off by some men in the car with an Arizona license. Picked him up then to the school and took him in our car and took him to the Newton home. And as we approached that home, we saw a car shoot out of the driveway and turn the corner to great speed. Tried to follow the car, was lost in traffic. Returning to the house, we found the door locked. And looking through the window, we saw the body of a woman lying on the floor. Thinking that this was Mrs. Newton and that she had been murdered, I broke the glass in the front draw window. And enter. To our great surprise, Jimmy claimed that the woman lying on the floor was not his mother. That he had never seen her before. And just then, this strange woman regained consciousness. We heard a noise in the next room. The door opened.
Mr. Collins
Mom.
Jimmy Newton
What?
Mr. Collins
Jimmy, is that your mother in the doorway?
Jimmy Newton
Sure it is. But gee, mom, what happened?
Mrs. Newton
Never mind now, Jimmy. I'll send you later.
Mr. Collins
So You're Jimmy's mother, Mrs. Newton?
Mrs. Newton
Who are you?
Jimmy Newton
He's Mr. Collins, Mom.
Mr. Collins
Yes, Mrs. Newton, Mr. Harris and I came to help you, if possible.
Jimmy Newton
Jimmy, have you been talking?
Lee Coralie
Sure, Mom.
Mrs. Newton
They're going to help us first.
Mr. Collins
Mrs. Newton, who is this woman in the davenport?
Mrs. Newton
Her name is Lee Coralie.
Mr. Collins
Why did she scream and faint when she saw you in the doorway?
Mrs. Newton
She was scared, I guess.
Jimmy Newton
Mr. Harris went to the drugstore. Mom, the phone for an ambulance.
Mr. Collins
I don't think she's seriously hurt, Mrs. Newton.
Mrs. Newton
Oh, I'm glad. I. I thought I killed her.
Jimmy Newton
Who's that in the other car, Mom?
Mrs. Newton
What other car?
Jimmy Newton
The one that threw out of our driveway just before we got here.
Mrs. Newton
I don't know, Jimmy. I. I don't know anything about it.
Jimmy Newton
But, gee, mom, didn't you see the car?
Mrs. Newton
No, I didn't.
Jimmy Newton
That's funny. Did she come in that car?
Jimmy, please.
Mrs. Newton
Mother doesn't want to talk about it.
Mr. Collins
Jimmy, will you go outside and see if Mr. Harris is coming back?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Sure.
Jimmy Newton
I'll go right now.
Mr. Collins
Please forgive me, Mrs. Newton, when I say I'm your friend and that I only want to help you.
Lee Coralie
But why should you?
Detective Nick Harris
Because.
Mr. Collins
Well, just to repay others who helped me when I needed a friend.
Mrs. Newton
It sounds mighty queer to me, but maybe you are on the level. All right. Only I don't know anything you can do.
Mr. Collins
Mr. Harris and I are going to help you find your husband. But you must help too, Mrs. Newton, by telling us everything that's happened.
Mrs. Newton
All right. All right, I'll tell you.
Mr. Collins
What about this other woman, Cora Lee? Who beat her up?
Mrs. Newton
I did.
Detective Nick Harris
You?
Mrs. Newton
Yes, I did. I meant to kill her.
Mr. Collins
Why, Mrs. Newton? Why did you want to kill her?
Mrs. Newton
When she told me about Jim, oh, then everything just went black and. Oh, look, look. She's coming too.
Mr. Collins
That's right.
Mrs. Newton
Listen, I'll go out in the kitchen and Pete will get her away.
Mr. Collins
Maybe that's best.
Detective Nick Harris
Oh, take it easy.
Mr. Collins
Take it easy.
Jimmy Newton
Where is she? Don't want to hit me again.
Mr. Collins
Mrs. Newton is gone. There's nothing to be afraid of now, monsieur.
Jimmy Newton
Where's Emile? Where's Philippe?
Mr. Collins
Emile?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Philippe.
Jimmy Newton
Yes, Emile. Right here.
Mrs. Newton
And Philippe Ortiz.
Lee Coralie
Where are they?
Mr. Collins
Men who brought you here?
Mrs. Newton
Yeah, sure, sure, they brought me here.
Lee Coralie
They were gonna take me back to Jim. They haven't gone, have they?
Mr. Collins
Yes, I'm afraid they have.
Lee Coralie
Why, that dirty rat.
Mrs. Newton
Say.
Lee Coralie
Say, who are you?
Mrs. Newton
I never saw you before.
Lee Coralie
How did you know my name?
Mr. Collins
Collins is my name. I was sent out on this case.
Lee Coralie
What do you mean, sent out on this case? Who sent you?
Jimmy Newton
Mr. Harris is back, Mr. Collins. The ambulance is coming soon.
Lee Coralie
Ambulance?
Mr. Collins
For you, Miss Lee, to take you to the hospital.
Lee Coralie
I don't want to go to any Hospital.
Mrs. Newton
Please, Ms. Lee, don't make a noise.
Lee Coralie
No, not me. I'm not going to a hospital. I'll run away.
Mr. Collins
You see? Now, don't be foolish. You want to get well, don't you?
Mrs. Newton
Oh, yeah, sure.
Mr. Collins
Then go to the hospital. There's nothing to be afraid of. You'll be treated with kindness and consideration. I promise you that.
Mrs. Newton
Yeah, yeah, but.
Jimmy Newton
Maybe.
Lee Coralie
But I got no money to pay for a hospital.
Mr. Collins
That'll all be taken care of.
Lee Coralie
How do you know?
Mr. Collins
Never mind. Now. Just go to the hospital and get well. That's all you have to think about.
Detective Nick Harris
Well, if that wasn't Jimmy's mother, who was it, Cullen?
Mr. Collins
My name's Lee corally.
Detective Nick Harris
Ms. Or Mrs. Ms.
Mr. Collins
I think. Just after you left, Jimmy's mother showed up.
Detective Nick Harris
Yeah. Go on.
Mr. Collins
Yes, and it was Jimmy's mother, Mrs. Newton, who beat up Ms. Lee.
Detective Nick Harris
Did she give any reason for it?
Mr. Collins
No, but she promised to tell me everything. Look, Harris, would you have time to take Jimmy with you and bring him back later? I think Jimmy's mother will talk more freely to me if Jimmy isn't around.
Detective Nick Harris
Yeah, I think that's a good idea. So I'll do that. Hey, Jimmy.
Mr. Collins
Did you tell Mrs. Newton that these two men kidnapped your husband?
Mrs. Newton
Well, I. I don't know for sure whether Jim went with him willingly or was forced to go. But after Jim was in the car, one of the men sent me, the one with a German accent. He called me to the back door and threatened me.
Mr. Collins
Threatened you?
Mrs. Newton
Well, he said if I tried to reach my husband or told anyone about his being gone, why, they'd grab Jimmy and I'd never see him again.
Mr. Collins
Had you known these men before? Yes.
Mrs. Newton
I saw them once when they. When they were both working for my husband on his claim near Mojave. That was over a year ago.
Mr. Collins
Your husband still had faith in this claim?
Jimmy Newton
Oh, yes.
Mr. Collins
Mr. Collins, do you suppose this German and Mexican were scheming to get your husband's claim away from him?
Mrs. Newton
Maybe they were. I don't know. Still, I couldn't figure out why Jim would go away and stay away without even letting us hear from him. Until the two men came here again today with that woman who calls herself Coraline.
Mr. Collins
What happened then?
Mrs. Newton
Well, I let them in and I asked about Jim, and the German Reicher answered.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Your husband is good at help, Van Newton.
Detective Nick Harris
Si, signora. Only he don't want he should see you no more.
Mrs. Newton
Jim. Jim doesn't want to see me.
Jimmy Newton
What do you mean?
Detective Nick Harris
For you, senora, he is what you say?
Jimmy Newton
Washed up. What?
Mrs. Newton
Oh.
Jimmy Newton
Oh, he couldn't be.
Mr. Collins
No.
Lee Coralie
Well, Jim told me differently, but.
Mrs. Newton
Who are you?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
This is frulein. I mean, Ms. Lee Von Newton. Miss Cora Lee.
Mrs. Newton
Jim told you? Jim talked to you about me?
Lee Coralie
Oh, sure, Plenty. But I wanted to see for myself. Main thing I came for though, is Jim sings.
Mrs. Newton
Jim stings.
Lee Coralie
Yeah. You know his personal belongings? Said they were all in one closet. Did you bring in those suitcases, boys?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Yeah, they're in the car. Come on, Philippe, and help me get them.
Mrs. Newton
So. So you've stolen my Jim away from me.
Lee Coralie
I wouldn't say stolen, sister. You lost Jim before I ever laid eyes on him. I'm sorry for you, but I. How a little shrimp like you could expect to hold a he. Man like Jim Newton is more than I can.
Jimmy Newton
Well, you'll see.
Mrs. Newton
Little shrimp, am I? You'll see.
Jimmy Newton
You'll find out. Put down that poker. Oh, please. Please don't hit me. I'll kill you. I'll be so pleased. I'll not beat you. You're father. Miserable little. There is she.
Narrator / Radio Host
Santa Maria, what has happened?
Mr. Collins
There's Cora.
Mrs. Newton
There in the corner on the floor.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Himmel. Cora's dead. You've killed her.
Jimmy Newton
I hope so. Come on, Motifa. Getting out of here. Oh. Oh. What got into me? What did I do that for?
Mrs. Newton
Oh, even if she did take Jim away from me.
Jimmy Newton
Oh, how can I do a thing.
Mrs. Newton
Like that by It.
Jimmy Newton
It's murder, I tell you. It's murder.
Mrs. Newton
That's how it was, Mr. Collins. I guess I was crazy for those few minutes.
Mr. Collins
Will you go with me tomorrow to the hospital and see Coralie?
Lee Coralie
Yes.
Mrs. Newton
Yes, I'll go with you, Mr. Collins.
Mr. Collins
Well, good afternoon, Miss Lee.
Lee Coralie
Oh, good afternoon, Mr. Collins. I'm sure glad you brought Mrs. Newton.
Jimmy Newton
Hello, Ma.
Jimmy.
Mrs. Newton
Well, I thought you were at school. What are you doing here?
Jimmy Newton
Mr. Collins brought me, Mom. He said Mr. Lee wanted to see me. He bought me these flowers, too, to bring to her. Look, Mom.
Lee Coralie
Aren't they lovely? They're the nicest flowers I've ever had from anybody. Jimmy and I have been having a nice visit, haven't we, Jimmy?
Jimmy Newton
Swell.
Lee Coralie
Now, look, Jimmy, we'll have lots more visits. But would you wait outside now while I talk with your mother and Mr. Collins?
Jimmy Newton
Sure, Miss Lee.
Lee Coralie
Now, look, Mrs. Newton, please let's not say anything about what happened yesterday. I had it coming but it wasn't all my fault. They lied to me, Riker and Ortiz. About how things were between you and your husband. And I never knew anything about Jimmy.
Mr. Collins
You'd better tell Mrs. Newton the whole story.
Mrs. Newton
I want to.
Lee Coralie
Well, I did like Jim. I was crazy about him, but he never gave me a tumble. So Riker suggested that if you send his things out to him with word that you were through. Well, I mean, if we brought them and told Jim that, why, then maybe I'd have a chance. But I know now that I never would have had you.
Mrs. Newton
You've seen Jim these last six weeks? Yeah.
Lee Coralie
In that new Discovery camp 90 miles from the railroad north of Kingman. I was running a boarding house there. That's how I met your husband and his partners, Riker and Ortiz.
Mrs. Newton
But why didn't Jim write me? Oh, but he did.
Lee Coralie
But he trusted Riker to mail the letters instead. Riker burnt them. I never realized until yesterday what Riker intended doing. And last night, after the doctor attended me, why, I got to thinking about the risks Jim was running being mixed up with those two men. And I knew he had an over to sell out his interest in the mine. And so Mr. Collins helped me send a wire to Jim advising him to take the offer and get back here.
Mrs. Newton
As soon as he could.
Lee Coralie
We sent it in care of the sheriff, and so we knew it'll reach him. Why, Mr. Harris fixed that.
Mrs. Newton
Oh, thank you. Can you ever forgive me?
Lee Coralie
Now, listen, Mrs. Newton, I'm the one that needs forgiven. But if it's all right with you, let's just forget the whole thing and pretend it never happened. Now, can't we do that?
Mrs. Newton
Of course, if you're willing to.
Jimmy Newton
Mom, Mom, Dad's here.
Mrs. Newton
Your father?
Jimmy Newton
Oh, he's here?
Lee Coralie
Yeah.
Jimmy Newton
Can I bring him in?
Lee Coralie
Ms. Lee?
Jimmy Newton
Can I?
Lee Coralie
Sure, Jimmy, bring him in.
Jimmy Newton
Oh, Jim, honey.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Gosh, I'm sure glad to see you and Jim again.
Mrs. Newton
Oh, Jim, darling.
Jimmy Newton
Now, now, I'm so glad to see you.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
You'll have to kind excuse my wife, folks. She cries easy, always has. And we haven't seen each other for quite a while. But, Cora, what happened to you? What put you in the hospital?
Lee Coralie
Oh, a little accident, Jim. Nothing serious. I'll be back tossing flapjacks within 10 days at the latest, the doctor says. Did you get my wire?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Yes, and I got the money too, for my interest. Thanks a lot. I guess you've met my wife.
Lee Coralie
Sure, we've met. But you haven't met Mr. Collins.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Well, I'm sure glad to meet you, Mr. Collins.
Mr. Collins
I'm glad to meet you, Mr. Newton. You won't mind my having a mining engineer make a report on that claim of yours?
Narrator / Radio Host
Mine?
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Say, that's what I've been trying to do for years. Only I've never had enough money to hire a good one.
Mr. Collins
Well, now Look, I think Ms. Lee is had enough company for one day. Sure.
Philippe / Supporting Male Character
Come on, everybody.
Mrs. Newton
Goodbye, Cora. Thanks for everything. We'll see you tomorrow.
Lee Coralie
Goodbye, Mrs. Newton. Hey, Jimmy.
Jimmy Newton
Yes, Ms. Lee?
Lee Coralie
Would you do me a favor?
Jimmy Newton
Sure, Ms. Lee.
Lee Coralie
Stay and talk to me for a while. You know, Jimmy, your parents haven't seen each other for quite some time and they might like to, well, kind of get acquainted.
Jimmy Newton
Why, I'd love to.
Detective Nick Harris
And so, ladies and gentlemen, ends the story that I have entitled the Avenging angel strikes again.
Narrator / Radio Host
Thank you, Mr. Harris. Ladies and gentlemen, you have just heard the concluding chapter of a true to life story brought to you by Detective Nicholas B. Harris, internationally famous Los Angeles criminologist and chief of the detective agency bearing his name. Although this was a true story, fictitious names and places have been used throughout this narrative. The story was dramatized for radio presentation by Ralph Burchard and as a Carolyn Caro production. Those participating in the radio drama were Dorothy Wade C. Andre Falk, Bob Poulton, Carolyn Caro, Calvin Ellison and Charles E. Bender. And now may we call your attention to a new series of crime prevention program featuring Detective Harris entitled How Detectives Work. This new series is heard each Sunday afternoon over this Same station at 12:30pm all the scientific methods used in modern day crime prevention are explained by Mr. Harris. Remember the time 12:30, the station KECA and the program How Detectives Work featuring Detective Nicholas B. Harris. Next Tuesday the Nick Harris program will be heard at its radio regular time 8:15. Remember next Tuesday night at 8:15 another salute to the law presented by Detective Nicholas B. Harris.
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Mrs. Newton
What do you think makes the perfect snack?
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It's got to be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.
Mrs. Newton
Could you be more specific when it's cravenient?
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Okay like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at am, pm. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. pM.
Mrs. Newton
I'm seeing a pattern here.
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Well yeah, we're talking about what I.
Mrs. Newton
Crave, which is anything from am, pm.
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Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Air Date: December 1, 2025 (original broadcast: February 20, 1934)
This episode presents the dramatic conclusion to "The Avenging Angel Strikes Again," a true-to-life crime story adapted for radio. Narrated by Detective Nicholas B. Harris, the story offers a window into the detective work and social issues of 1930s America, while highlighting the dangers of crime and the power of aid and redemption. The tale weaves together family drama, abduction, deception, and the ultimate striving for justice and reconciliation.
"Tonight I bring you the final chapter of the strange but true story of the Avenging Angel."
— Detective Nick Harris (01:26)
"I meant to kill her."
— Mrs. Newton, on attacking the mystery woman (04:26)
"He said if I tried to reach my husband... they'd grab Jimmy and I'd never see him again."
— Mrs. Newton (06:41)
"I wouldn't say stolen, sister. You lost Jim before I ever laid eyes on him."
— Lee Coralie (08:04)"That's how it was, Mr. Collins. I guess I was crazy for those few minutes."
— Mrs. Newton (08:55)
"Can you ever forgive me?"
— Mrs. Newton (10:55)"If it's all right with you, let's just forget the whole thing and pretend it never happened."
— Lee Coralie (10:58)"...they might like to, well, kind of get acquainted."
— Lee Coralie, encouraging Jimmy to give his reunited parents privacy (12:16)
"Tonight I bring you the final chapter of the strange but true story of the Avenging Angel."
— Detective Nick Harris (01:26)
"I meant to kill her."
— Mrs. Newton (04:26)
"He said if I tried to reach my husband... they'd grab Jimmy and I'd never see him again."
— Mrs. Newton (06:41)
"I wouldn't say stolen, sister. You lost Jim before I ever laid eyes on him."
— Lee Coralie (08:04)
"If it's all right with you, let's just forget the whole thing and pretend it never happened."
— Lee Coralie (10:58)
"...they might like to, well, kind of get acquainted."
— Lee Coralie (12:16)
This episode encapsulates the spirit of “Golden Age” radio drama — a detective story blending suspense, domestic strife, and ultimate reconciliation. Detective Harris and his benefactor Mr. Collins help a fractured family untangle deception spun by criminal associates, leading to tearful forgiveness rather than tragedy. The story, while dramatized with period language, delivers timeless themes of trust, redemption, and the triumph of justice through compassion and tenacity.