Air Mail Mystery 32xxxx 04 Tear Gas

Summary

Air Mail Mystery 32xxxx 04: "Tear Gas"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Air Mail Mystery 32xxxx 04: Tear Gas
• Release Date: July 3, 2025
• Description: Delving into the thrilling era of radio shows before television, featuring classics like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, and Dragnet. This episode presents a gripping mystery involving sabotage, hidden shipments, and keen detective work.

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Introduction to the Mystery

The episode opens with Irene Delroy setting the stage for a complex investigation. Irene, a clever operative from the Department of Justice, is tasked with uncovering who is behind the deliberate destruction of TransAmerican Airlines' fastest mail planes. Each incident involves the plane’s motor cutting out over perilous terrain, leading to impossible forced landings and subsequent thefts of valuable shipments.

Irene Delroy (01:29):

"Here is a mystery, ladies and gentlemen, that will challenge your powers of deduction."

Key facts introduced:

• TransAmerican Airlines has lost three high-speed mail planes.
• Each pilot survived by parachuting, reporting motor failure over dangerous areas.
• Valuable shipments are missing from each wreckage.
• Central characters: Andy Andrews (pilot), Ernest Powers (general manager), Fitzgerald (Irene's assistant), and Jimmy Gifford (reporter).

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A Suspicious Incident at TransAmerican Offices

Upon returning from the latest crash site, Irene and Jimmy Gifford enter the TransAmerican offices, seeking Ernest Powers' whereabouts. They discover that Powers is opening his private office alone, raising immediate suspicions.

Irene Delroy (02:17):

"This party has just returned to the TransAmerican offices from the scene of the last crash."

The tension escalates when they notice tear gas in Powers' office, leading to the discovery of a man named Roberts lying unconscious due to the gas exposure.

Irene Delroy (02:54):

"It's gas."

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Interrogating Roberts

As Roberts regains consciousness, Irene and Jimmy begin questioning him about his presence in the private office. Roberts reveals that he was searching for something, hearing noises like filing or sawing, but provides limited information before losing consciousness again.

Irene Delroy (06:07):

"What was it? Gas? Tear gas, I think. How'd it hit you? I. I couldn't breathe. It choked me."

Roberts admits that he stole the operation schedules containing crucial data on ship departures, arrivals, routes, and radio schedules.

Irene Delroy (07:37):

"The operation schedules. They're gone."

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Linking the Clues

Irene connects Roberts’ presence to suspicious activities, deducing that he might be involved in the sabotage of the mail planes. She theorizes that Roberts is the same individual who purchased a seat on the latest westbound plane, intending to sabotage it.

Irene Delroy (07:39):

"I've got it. I know who the fellow was that I saw in your office."

To trap Roberts, Irene orders Powers to intercept the westbound plane, suspecting Roberts' involvement.

Ernest Powers (08:00):

"Servants of ours, hey, Mike. It's just that at Paul, but poor guy's so excited he almost forgot to cut his bike off."

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Confrontation and Suspicion of Andrews

As the investigation progresses, Irene turns her attention to Andy Andrews, the pilot, suspecting he might have deeper involvement. Despite three prior crashes, Andrews appears ready to take off again, fueling Irene's suspicions.

Irene Delroy (12:07):

"When we were out in Devil's Canyon today, I took a good look at the terrain there. If I have any more trouble over that spot, I'm reasonably sure that with a little luck I can set this old bus down on the floor of the canyon."

Jimmy Gifford reveals a critical piece of information: a secret $60,000 shipment aboard the plane, unbeknownst even to Andrews.

Jimmy Gifford (12:46):

"We've kept it a secret, Jimmy. Not even Andrews knows it. But there's a $60,000 shipment aboard that plan."

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Key Characters

• Irene Delroy: A resourceful and determined detective from the Department of Justice, leading the investigation into the sabotage of TransAmerican Airlines.

• Jimmy Gifford: A roving newspaper reporter and Irene’s confidant, who is romantically interested in her and plays a crucial role in uncovering the mystery.

• Ernest Powers: The general manager of TransAmerican, whose suspicious behavior and control over communications raise red flags.

• Andy Andrews: The pilot of the wrecked mail planes, now under suspicion of being involved in the sabotage.

• Roberts: The radio operator who is found unconscious after a tear gas attack, whose actions hint at a larger conspiracy.

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Investigation Techniques and Insights

Irene employs several investigative techniques throughout the episode:

• Interrogation: Skillfully questioning Roberts to extract vital information about the missing operation schedules.

• Surveillance and Communication: Coordinating with field operators and intercepting communications to track Roberts’ movements.

• Strategic Confrontation: Planning to intercept the westbound plane to trap Roberts and prevent further sabotage.

Irene Delroy (05:25):

"Our receiver is completely dead. We can't get your order. We'll proceed to soft blast wet. Instructions. They pulled a fast one on us."

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Climactic Resolution

The tension culminates as Irene confronts Andy Andrews, suspecting his involvement in the sabotage linked to the hidden $60,000 shipment. The episode concludes with lingering questions, setting the stage for further developments in the mystery.

Irene Delroy (12:38):

"He'll make it, all right. Those crooks aren't after just plain mail."

Jimmy Gifford (12:46):

"But there's a $60,000 shipment aboard that plan."

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Notable Quotes with Timestamp Attribution

• Irene Delroy (01:29):

  "Here is a mystery, ladies and gentlemen, that will challenge your powers of deduction."

• Irene Delroy (02:54):

  "It's gas."

• Irene Delroy (07:37):

  "The operation schedules. They're gone."

• Irene Delroy (12:07):

  "When we were out in Devil's Canyon today, I took a good look at the terrain there."

• Jimmy Gifford (12:46):

  "But there's a $60,000 shipment aboard that plan."

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Conclusion

"Air Mail Mystery 32xxxx 04: Tear Gas" masterfully weaves intrigue and suspense, taking listeners through a labyrinth of deceit, sabotage, and high-stakes investigation. Irene Delroy's relentless pursuit of the truth, coupled with Jimmy Gifford's investigative prowess, keeps the audience engaged as they unravel the complexities behind the tragic loss of TransAmerican Airlines' mail planes. The episode leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the resolution of the $60,000 shipment mystery and the ultimate unveiling of the saboteur.

Transcript

[Irene Delroy]

Here is a mystery, ladies and gentlemen, that will challenge your powers of deduction. If you were Irene Delroy, clever girl operative of the Department of Justice, assigned to discover who is responsible for the deliberate wrecking of Transamerican Airlines fastest mail planes and the subsequent robbing of each ship after the crash. What method of investigation would you use? Here are the important facts. Transamerican Airlines have lost three of the newest type high speed mail planes. In each incident, the pilot who saved himself by parachute reported that the ship's motor cut out over dangerous country, making a forced landing impossible. When the wreckage of each plane was located, it was discovered that a valuable shipment was missing. The characters involved are Andy Andrews, the pilot of each wrecked ship. Ernest Powers, general manager of TransAmerican.

[Jimmy Gifford]

J.

[Irene Delroy]

A. Fitzgerald, assistant to Ms. Delroy of the Department of Justice. And Jimmy Gifford, roving newspaper reporter in love with the girl detective. This party has just returned to the Transamerican offices from the scene of the last crash. Ernest Powers is opening the door to his private office. No one in the office. Wonder where Roberts is.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Who is Roberts? Mr.

[Irene Delroy]

Powers, our radio operator. He's usually at the control panel. Maybe he's in my office. Here, come on in. Hey, Scott, this. Shut the door, quick. It's gas.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Irene, there's a man lying on the floor in that room. We can't leave him in there.

[Irene Delroy]

Let me in there. I'll get him out. Give me your coat. Gifford. Here. Better be careful, Fitz. I'll turn him out. Open all the windows around the place. I think it's tear gas. We can't be sure. There's a ventilating system in the hall. I'll turn it on.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Good. That'll clear the gas out of the room. How's the sergeant coming along, Jimmy?

[Irene Delroy]

He's got the fellow all right. He'll drag him out if the gas doesn't get him. He's got him all right. Here he comes. Chair gas all right. Pretty heavy layer. I hope this poor devil hasn't had too much. Got a handkerchief, Gibbert? Here you go, Sergeant. Anybody know this fellow? Yeah, he's a night radio operator. Robert. He must have been the only one around. Dispatcher is probably outside loading the westbound. That gas is pretty bad. Get some water. Okay. I'll start working on him. Loosen his collar, Ms. Delroy, and try to get some fresh air stirred up around him. Ventilation system is working now, Sergeant. That's good power. Get some wet towels. Hurry. You know, I don't like the looks of this, Ms. Delroy.

[Jimmy Gifford]

What do you mean Fitz?

[Irene Delroy]

This fellow Roberts ain't a nosy sort of a guy. He don't go poking around in Powers office for nothing when Powers is out.

[Jimmy Gifford]

You mean there must have been a reason for him being in the office?

[Irene Delroy]

That's the way it looks to me, ma'. Am. Roberts either saw something or heard something that made him go into that room. It takes something pretty important to get him away from his radio panel out here. Here's your water, Irene. How's it coming along, Fitzgerald? I don't know yet. He ain't getting his breath very quick. You better get a doctor out here right away. I'll call one from the waiting room for him. I wonder what Roberts was doing in the private office.

[Jimmy Gifford]

That's what Fitz was trying to figure out. Where's the pilot? Andrews?

[Irene Delroy]

I dropped him off at the big hangar before we came over here. He's taking the eastbound mail out at 11. Said he wanted to check up on the plane. You don't think he had a hand in this, do you?

[Jimmy Gifford]

Oh, no, not this. This happened probably 15 minutes before we came back. And Andrews was along with us. Fitz? His eyelids were fluttering just now.

[Irene Delroy]

Good. If I can just get some fresh air into his lungs, we may be able to get him out of it. Oh, here comes Powers. Ask him if there's any whiskey around here, will you? Not necessary, Sergeant. Glad to accommodate you here. Thanks. Lift up his head. I called for a doctor. How's he coming along, Ms. Delroy?

[Jimmy Gifford]

Looks as though he'll be all right, thanks to the sergeant here. What ship is that?

[Irene Delroy]

Must be our westbound passenger technology. Yes, that's it.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Is Roberts the only one in here at this time of night?

[Irene Delroy]

It all depends. He's the only one on active duty. The dispatcher and field manager are outside with the ship.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Do you know of any reason for Roberts to be in your private office?

[Irene Delroy]

None whatever. I've never seen him in there before.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Was your office locked?

[Irene Delroy]

It's generally locked. Yes, it was locked tonight.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Well, does Roberts have a key?

[Irene Delroy]

Not that I know of. He's coming to. Help me. Get him up in this chair here, will you? Okay. There. Now you find him. A bit of Teddy. How do you feel, huh? Okay, I guess. What was it? Gas? Tear gas, I think. How'd it hit you? I. I couldn't breathe. It choked me. That's all I remember. You feel like talking? Yes, I suppose so. Did you get him? We get who? The man that was in that room. Who was it? I don't know.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Let's start at the beginning. Robert, how did you happen to go into Mr. Power's private office?

[Irene Delroy]

Well, I heard something in there, so I thought I'd better go in and see who it was.

[Jimmy Gifford]

What did you hear? Voices and noises?

[Irene Delroy]

Well, it sounded like someone filing or sawing something.

[Jimmy Gifford]

I see. How did you get in?

[Irene Delroy]

By the door.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Wasn't it locked?

[Irene Delroy]

No, ma'.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Am.

[Irene Delroy]

I opened the door and there was a man standing over at the steel filing cases working on them. Filing case?

[Jimmy Gifford]

You better look to see what's missing. If the gas is cleared out of your office Enough, Mr. Pott.

[Irene Delroy]

Yes, I'll do that at once. We have some very valuable papers in that case.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Did you recognize the man? Roberts?

[Irene Delroy]

I. I'm trying to think. His face seemed familiar. That is, I. I'd seen it before somewhere.

[Jimmy Gifford]

I want you to think hard. Was it anyone connected with the airport?

[Irene Delroy]

Let me think. No, it wasn't any of the chaps around here.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Well, go on with your story. What did you do when you saw him?

[Irene Delroy]

Well, his back was to me, and I asked him what he was after. He whirled around and something blinded me and choked me. That's all I remember.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Do you know if he had the filing cabinet open yet when you discovered him?

[Irene Delroy]

I don't remember. Well, I found out what the thief was after, Ms. Delroy.

[Jimmy Gifford]

What?

[Irene Delroy]

The operation schedules. They're gone.

[Jimmy Gifford]

The operation schedules. What could anyone want with them?

[Irene Delroy]

They contain the departure and arrival times of all our ships in the Western Division, both mail and passenger. All connection schedules and route markings, all landing field data and radio schedules. Something very funny is going on around here. I've got it. I've got it. I know who the fellow was that I saw in your office. Who? I don't know his name. But I do know that he's the same man who was here earlier tonight and bought a seat on the westbound plane. The westbound and the westbound just took off a few minutes ago. Quick. Get over to the radio. Tell Chapman in the westbound to return to the field. We'll see who this man is. Hurry. Call 610 and tell him to get back here right away. We'll meet the ship. I'm sure it was the same man. I saw a skull. Don't talk. Don't talk. Get 610. Hurry. Metropolitan to Chapman in six ten. Metro to Chapman in six ten. Go ahead. 610 calling Metro. 610 calling Metro. Go ahead, Rob. Metro to 610. Powers orders you to return to the field right away. Go ahead. 610 to Metro. Our receiver Went on the blink. Powers wants what? Go ahead. Metro to 6:10. Powers want you to return to the field right away. It's urgent. Our receiver is completely dead. We can't get your order. We'll proceed to soft blast wet. Instructions. They pulled a fast one on us. Whoever is on that ship put the receiving set out of order. As soon as he saw the pilot working the field, that's what happened. He'll get away.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Where did the pilot say he'd land?

[Irene Delroy]

Salt flats. It's about 90 miles.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Did he have a radio station there?

[Irene Delroy]

Yes, ma'. Am. That's it. Call Salt Flats. Tell them to hold the westbound plane until we get there. Okay, Ms. Elroy.

[Jimmy Gifford]

I think we'd be justified in doing just that.

[Irene Delroy]

What a story. Boy, this is great. Metropolitan to Salt Flats. Metro calling Salt Flats. Go ahead. Salt Flats to Metro. Go ahead. Salt flats. 6:10 is landing there in half an hour. Now get this. Get a couple of men and hold the ship when it lands. There's a man aboard wanted by the Department of Justice. Don't let anyone out of the ship. Got it? Try it. Salt Platts. What do you think this is, April Fool's Day? Aye. OM Flats. Oh, he thinks it's a joke, huh? Well, I'll tell him. Get the set on. Give me the mic. Sol Platts, this is Powers. Listen you. You meet that ship when it gets down and hold everybody on board. If you don't, I'll fire every man at your field. That's all. I guess that'll hold him. Servants of ours, hey, Mike. It's just that at Paul, but poor guy's so excited he almost forgot to cut his bike off. He'll be more than excited if he doesn't hold that ship. Let's get going. Hello? Yeah. Who's that? Phone from a hangar, sir. What did you want? Just a minute. It's Andrews. He's ready to leave with the eastbound mail. That guy sure got nerve. Three bad crashes and he's ready to start again. Andrews, huh? You want to let him go, Ms. Delroy? He's under suspicion.

[Jimmy Gifford]

You know, I think we can let him go for now. He'll be back tomorrow afternoon, won't he?

[Irene Delroy]

At 4:40. Yes.

[Jimmy Gifford]

It'll be all right, but tell him I want to talk to him before he leaves.

[Irene Delroy]

Hello, Andy? The Chief says okay. Ms. Delroy is coming over to the hangar to see you.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Before you hop, come along with me, Jimmy. I want just a word with Andrews before he starts eating.

[Irene Delroy]

All set, Andy. I fixed that booster switch good. We'll warm her up. Pull her through. That's enough. Okay. Contact. Contact sounds okay. Enough.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Oh, here you are, Andrew. I'm glad I got here before you took off.

[Irene Delroy]

I'm just warming her up, Ms. Delroy. What did you want?

[Jimmy Gifford]

Have you looked the ship over carefully?

[Irene Delroy]

Yes, ma'. Am. I gave it special attention. I'm flying it.

[Jimmy Gifford]

You know, I don't mind telling you, there's something very strange going on around here. Andrews, I don't want anything to happen to you, but I have a feeling.

[Irene Delroy]

Well, cheer up. There's nothing but mail aboard tonight. Nothing of value.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Even so, I feel.

[Irene Delroy]

Now, let me tell you something, little lady. When we were out in Devil's Canyon today, I took a good look at the terrain there. If I have any more trouble over that spot, I'm reasonably sure that with a little luck I can set this old bus down on the floor of the canyon. Then we'll see who is doing what. Oh, there's my signal. You better step back so I won't dust you.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Well, good luck, and be careful. Watch out over Devil's Canyon.

[Irene Delroy]

Okay.

[Jimmy Gifford]

Well, Jimmy, I hope he makes it.

[Irene Delroy]

He'll make it, all right. Those crooks aren't after just plain mail.

[Jimmy Gifford]

That's what worries me, Jimmy.

[Irene Delroy]

What do you mean?

[Jimmy Gifford]

We've kept it a secret, Jimmy. Not even Andrews knows it. But there's a $60,000 shipment aboard that plan.