Boston Blackie 45-05-09 018 Cover Up For Mary

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Boston Blackie 45-05-09 018 – Cover Up For Mary
Original Air Date: May 9, 1945
Summary Date: September 6, 2025

Main Theme:
This episode follows Boston Blackie as he works urgently to clear his friend Mary Wesley, falsely suspected of murder, and exposes a complex plot involving mistaken identity, arson, and financial deceit. The show is a classic example of the Golden Age radio detective drama, mixing sharp banter, suspense, and a twisty plot.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. The Breakup and Threats (starts 00:56)

• Mary Wesley meets John Richards, her persistent ex. Mary tells Richards their relationship is over and to stop contacting her.
• When Richards refuses to accept, Mary brandishes Blackie's gun for protection.
• Quote:
  “Don’t make me use this.” – Mary Wesley (01:44)

2. A Suspicious Fire and a Murder (02:27)

• Inspector Faraday is notified of a fire at Richards’ home, where a body is found, shot through the head.
• The coroner determines death occurred before the fire; a nearby couple heard a gunshot and saw a girl, believed to be Mary, leaving the scene.
• Quote:
  “We found a body in the house and it looks like murder.” – Chief Warren (02:29)

3. Mary's Return and Blackie’s Involvement (03:07)

• Mary returns, shaken, gives the gun back to Blackie, hinting she used it to scare Richards, not to kill.
• Blackie promises to cover for her and reassures her she’s safe, deepening their bond.
• Quote:
  "I had to do it, Blackie. I had to keep him away from me. I'm so nervous." – Mary Wesley (04:04)

4. Evidence Stacking Against Mary (04:21–09:49)

• At the crime scene, Faraday discovers a threatening letter to Richards, signed by Boston Blackie.
• The body is mistaken for John Richards due to dental records.
• Faraday suspects Blackie is covering for Mary, who had a motive and was seen at the scene.
• Memorable Faraday-Blackie Banter (07:26):
  “You wrote this note to Richards threatening to kill him.” – Faraday
  “My, my Inspector, you can read.”
  – Blackie

5. Mary on the Run and Blackie’s Dilemma (09:49–13:46)

• Blackie warns Mary to hide out as the police close in, sending her to a movie theater to lay low.
• When confronted, Mary insists she didn’t shoot Richards, only fired into the floor.
• Quote:
  “Did you kill John Richards?” – Blackie (13:24)
  “What do you think?” – Mary Wesley (13:29)

6. Investigation into John Richards’ Circle (16:10–19:26)

• Blackie shifts focus to Richards’ business partner, William Emery.
• Blackie and Shorty investigate Emery’s apartment and find inconsistencies—a half-smoked cigarette and a packed suitcase—suggesting Emery left suddenly.
• Crucially, Blackie realizes the murdered man did not have the freckles Mary described Richards as having. This casts doubt on the identity of the body.

7. Dental Record Plot Twist (20:10–24:33)

• Blackie questions the involved dentists, Drs. Madison and Lindell.
• Blackie theorizes that Lindell altered Emery’s dental work to match Richards’, allowing Richards to fake his death by substituting Emery’s body.
• Lindell confesses under pressure:
  Quote:
  “Richards did. All I did was to go out to Richards’ house and fix Emery’s dental work. Emory was dead when I got to Richard’s house… Richards changed his name to Robert Carlton.” (24:20–24:30)

8. Case Closed – Motive and Resolution (25:00–end)

• Richards is captured and confesses; it’s revealed he killed Emery because Emery caught him embezzling and threatened exposure.
• Mary Wesley is cleared, and Blackie jests that she should give back his gun—Mary comically turns it on him to insist on going home.
• Closing Joke (25:47): “There you are. Now, what’s the idea of taking it and pointing it at me?” – Blackie
  “A darn good idea. I just want to make sure we go to my apartment, that’s all.” – Mary Wesley

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mary’s Defiance (01:44):
  “Don’t make me use this.” — Mary Wesley, brandishing a gun at Richards.

• Blackie Confesses to Cover-up (07:08):
  “Sure, sure, I did.” — Blackie admits to writing the threatening letter, misleading the police.

• Comic Banter (07:15):
  “Did I misspell a word or something?” — Blackie, maintaining his wit even accused of murder.

• Plot-Twisting Revelation (19:29):
  “Mary told me in the movie that John Richards was freckle faced. The man I found dead before the fire didn’t have any freckles… I’ve got a hunch John Richards isn’t even dead.” — Blackie

• Dental Forgery Exposed (24:33):
  “He changed his name to Robert Carlton. He thought he’d be safe as long as the police thought he was dead.” — Dr. Lindell/Blackie

• Wry Ending (25:47):
  “A darn good idea. I just want to make sure we go to my apartment, that’s all.” — Mary Wesley, after playfully taking Blackie’s gun.

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Key Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:56 | Mary severs ties with Richards; gun confrontation | | 02:27 | Fire and body found at Richards’ home | | 04:21–09:49 | Police investigation, Blackie-Faraday confrontation | | 12:44 | Blackie and Mary reunite at the movie theater | | 16:10 | Blackie investigates William Emery’s apartment | | 19:29 | Blackie realizes the murdered man is not Richards | | 20:10–24:33 | Confrontation at the dentist’s office; plot unraveled | | 25:00–end | Case resolved, Mary and Blackie’s playful closing exchange |

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Tone & Original Style

Boston Blackie’s signature wit and the chemistry between him, Mary, and Inspector Faraday mix suspense and humor throughout (“How does a flat foot pick up such fancy legal terms with his toes?”). The pacing is brisk, with layered twists and fast repartee that echo the best of 1940s radio detective storytelling.

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Conclusion

This “Boston Blackie” episode is a fine example of radio’s suspenseful, character-driven mysteries, where the titular sleuth combines intelligence, loyalty, and humor to solve a seemingly airtight case. The payoff—a clever switch with the dental records and a murderer who faked his own death—delivers both satisfaction and entertainment, all while showcasing the enduring appeal of Golden Age radio drama.

Transcript

[Sarah]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and, well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling, even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell, oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.

[AM PM Advertiser]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with ktree eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much. Good stuff.

[Boston Blackie]

Now sit down, Mary. Make yourself comfortable.

[Mary Wesley]

This isn't a social call.

[Boston Blackie]

It isn't an antisocial call either.

[Mary Wesley]

Look, John, I came over here for just one reason. To tell you that we're through and to ask you to please stop calling me.

[Boston Blackie]

Only one half of us is through, baby.

[Mary Wesley]

Please try to understand, will you? I'm just not interested in you.

[Boston Blackie]

I'm plenty interested in you.

[Mary Wesley]

Look for me, please. I told you in that letter that we were finished months ago.

[Boston Blackie]

Who told you to write me a threatening letter? If Hal. Boston Blackie.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie knows about it, but he had nothing to do with it.

[Boston Blackie]

So you toss me over for Boston Blackie, huh?

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie and I are just good friends.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, then in that case, there's still room for me.

[Mary Wesley]

You better stay where you are.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, Mary, all I want is.

[Mary Wesley]

Don't make me use this.

[Inspector Faraday]

But, oh, well.

[Boston Blackie]

Did Boston Blackie teach you to point guns at your old boyfriends?

[Mary Wesley]

This happens to be Blackie's gun. He told me I might need it, and I think he was right.

[Boston Blackie]

But of course, you won't use it.

[Mary Wesley]

If you don't stay where you are. I certainly will.

[Boston Blackie]

Ah, you wouldn't have the nerve.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, wouldn't I?

[Narrator]

Now, Richard Kalmer as Boston Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy, friend to those who have no friends.

[Inspector Faraday]

Inspector Faraday speaking. Inspector, this is Chief Warren of the fire department. Yeah, We've just put out a fire in the home of John Richards at 571 London Street. What do you want from me? Applause this is the Homicide department. I know, but we found a body in the house and it looks like murder. Okay, I'll send some men from the precinct up right away and I'll be there as soon as I can make it. This has to happen when I was going to take the day off. Oh, that's too bad. The house destroyed? Yeah, burned up. Don't let this go any further. But so am I.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, once. Sorry, I had to wait outside, Mary. Why didn't you get the doorman to let you into my apartment?

[Mary Wesley]

I didn't want to ask, so I thought I'd wait in the hall.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, come on in.

[Mary Wesley]

No, thanks, Kathy. I don't feel too well.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Richard?

[Mary Wesley]

Yes. I had a little trouble with him.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, I'm sorry, Mary.

[Mary Wesley]

I tried to phone you just after I left his house, but no one answered his phone.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I had to go out on a little business.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I. I just want you to know that I'm back, and I don't think he'll bother me again.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, that's what we wanted, isn't it?

[Mary Wesley]

Yes. Well, good night, Blackie. I'll call you.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Say, I think you'd better give me back my gun.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh. Oh, yes, I'm sorry. That's exactly why I waited for you. I have it here in my purse. I had to use the gun, Brackie. Oh, here it is.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Thanks. One shall find him.

[Mary Wesley]

I had to do it, Blackie. I had to keep him away from him. I'm so nervous, I. Oh, I wish you'd hold me close to you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay. Johnson, get those photographs. No use looking for fingerprints, Wilson. The joint's too badly damaged. Hey, scout around the rubble for the murder weapon. Rollins. Okay, Smith.

[Fireman]

Body's right where the fireman found it, Inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

Shot through the head, huh?

[Fireman]

Went right through.

[Boston Blackie]

Hmm.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's gonna make it tough to find a bullet. How long has he been dead?

[Fireman]

Coroner says about 10 hours.

[Inspector Faraday]

10 hours? And the guy was dead a long time before the house caught fire. Any identification?

[Boston Blackie]

None.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, his dental work will do. Let's hope this guy saw his dentist. Twice a year.

[Fireman]

A couple next door say they heard a shot here last night. Something that sounded like a shot.

[Inspector Faraday]

Nosy neighbors trying to get into the act, huh?

[Fireman]

The woman says she saw a girl leave here shortly after the shot. Yeah, they might know something, Inspector. They turned in the alarm when the house caught fire.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll have to have a talk with them.

[Fireman]

She described the girl she saw leaving here. Said she looked like she was in a hurry, too.

[Inspector Faraday]

Okay, Sounds like a good lead. Find out anything else?

[Fireman]

Yeah, a guy named John Richards owns this place.

[Inspector Faraday]

This is probably Richard's body. John Richards, huh? What else did you find out?

[Fireman]

Well, we ran across a safe that was open. I took these papers out.

[Inspector Faraday]

Let's have a look at them, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Here you are.

[Fireman]

Hey, Johnson, hurry with those pictures.

[Inspector Faraday]

We haven't got all night. John Richards lived here, all right. These are all letters addressed to him.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Anything interesting?

[Inspector Faraday]

No, just the usual stuff. It may help with the Identification. I'll take them down. Well, what do you know about this?

[Fireman]

Can I find something, Inspector?

[Inspector Faraday]

I haven't had such luck since my sister Maggie got married.

[Boston Blackie]

Read this.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Let's see.

[Fireman]

For the last time, Richards, I'm warning you. Lay off or I'll kill you.

[Inspector Faraday]

And look who signed it.

[Fireman]

Signed by Boston Blackie. Why the great surprise, Inspector? Didn't you know Blackie could write?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, Blackie.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Why, Faraday, what an unpleasant supply. Come in.

[Inspector Faraday]

Can't you ever be serious?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I'm sorry, Inspector, but you see, I was expecting.

[Inspector Faraday]

I am.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

The weatherman said it was going to be fair and warmer today, but I had a hunch a dark cloud would come along and make a liar out of him.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, Blackie, I'll come right to the point.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Mind if I sit down? Not on the point, of course.

[Inspector Faraday]

Do what you want, only listen.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Go ahead. I haven't been to a dull lecture in years.

[Inspector Faraday]

Blacking, I've been after you for a long time. And I've just been waiting for the day I could get something on you. Only this is the kind of a wrap I hate to pin, even on you.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Now what have I done, Inspector? Taking candy away from you or some other baby.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm serious, Blanky. Why did you do it?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I'd like candy.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm not talking about candy, and you know it. Why did you do it?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Why did I do what?

[Inspector Faraday]

Did you write this letter?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

That's it.

[Inspector Faraday]

Just look at it. I'll hold it. Did you write it?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Sure. Sure, I did.

[Inspector Faraday]

You certainly are stupid, Blackie.

[Boston Blackie]

Why?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Did I misspell a word or something?

[Inspector Faraday]

You did something dumber than that.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Wrong punctuation.

[Inspector Faraday]

Dumber than that.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, what shall I do, teacher? Stay after school?

[Inspector Faraday]

I don't think you ever went to school or you wouldn't have pulled as dumb a stunt as this.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

What dumb stunt?

[Inspector Faraday]

You wrote this note to Richards threatening to kill him.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

My, my, Inspector, you can read.

[Inspector Faraday]

And I know enough mathematics to put two and two together. You wrote this note to John Richards after he was dead.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

How do you know John Richards is dead?

[Inspector Faraday]

They found his body, in spite of the fact that you went to a lot of trouble to hide the evidence.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Now, what did I do?

[Inspector Faraday]

You set fire to his house. But it's for guys like you that we have a fire department.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Richard's house was badly burned.

[Inspector Faraday]

They'll have to sweep it up. But thanks to Dr. Harold Madison in the bar building, we got identification through the dental work.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Faraday, you've been reading too many detective books.

[Inspector Faraday]

And you haven't been reading enough, are you? You wouldn't have written this note to Richards after he was dead and on Richard's own stationery.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Now you've been reading too many Aesop's fables.

[Inspector Faraday]

The paper you wrote this note on is the same as the rest of the writing paper in Richard's house.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, maybe he sent me a blank sheet of paper with a stamped self addressed envelope.

[Inspector Faraday]

You didn't send this letter to him through the mail. You wrote it while you were in his house standing over his dead body.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Were you a worm in the woodwork? Arrest me if you know so much.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'm not arresting you, Blackie. I'm not so dumb. I fall for as patagag as this. This note was too easy to find. You wrote it to cover up for Richard's real killer.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

That's my boy scout training, inspector.

[Inspector Faraday]

You wrote this note and set that house afire to cover up for that girl of yours, Mary Wesley.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Mary had nothing to do with this.

[Inspector Faraday]

I happen to be sure of my facts this time, Blackie. I've checked on this guy Richards. He was chasing after Mary plenty. When she couldn't stand it anymore, she wrote him a threatening letter.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

What if she did? That doesn't mean she killed him.

[Inspector Faraday]

I've done some more checking, chum. Mary was at Richard's house just before he was killed. I found a cab driver who took her out there. A lady next door heard a shot in Richard's house and saw Mary leave his place. What more do I need?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

You still have that letter I wrote Richards.

[Inspector Faraday]

I'll tell you about that letter. You knew Mary was going out to see Richards. You followed her out there, she was gone, but Richards was there, lying on the floor, dead.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Is that so?

[Inspector Faraday]

You remembered Mary had written him a threatening letter, found it, tore it up and wrote this one to take its place. Then you set fire to Richard's house. Now how do you like that?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I'm positively crazy about it. It's true about the letter, but that's all. Mary didn't kill him.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, I know she did. Otherwise you wouldn't have gone to the trouble of covering up for her. What's more, I've got men at her apartment now taking her up for murder.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, Faraday, don't be a d. Now.

[Inspector Faraday]

Listen to me, Blankie. I don't blame you for what you've already done to try to hide the facts. In this case your motives were good. But I'm warning you, keep out of this from now on or I'll hold You as accessory after the fact.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

How does a flat foot pick up such fancy legal terms with his toes? Excuse me.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's probably headquarters looking for me. What's the matter, pal?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

You lost?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, Blankie.

[Mary Wesley]

This is Mary.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, hello, Shorty.

[Mary Wesley]

Roger, can't you hear me? This is Mary.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Sure I can hear you, Shorty.

[Mary Wesley]

What's the matter?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Hey, well, if you want to give the gang a laugh, Shorty, tell them. Faraday is arresting Mary Wesley for the murder of John Richards.

[Mary Wesley]

What?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No kidding, Shorty. He sent some men up to her apartment this morning. They have her in jail now, I guess.

[Mary Wesley]

What'll I do?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No, Shorty, I'm Matt Kenny. Faraday's here right now bragging about it.

[Mary Wesley]

I. I guess I better not go home then, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Where are you gonna be, Shorty? I'll meet you later and tell you all the laughs.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm in the movie at 39th Street.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, stay there, Shorty. I'll meet you.

[Inspector Faraday]

Hey, I don't take that Shorty at all. Let me have that phone.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Bye, Shorty. What'd you say, Faraday?

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, you double crosser. That wasn't Shorty at all. That was Mary Wesley. And now I know even you believe she murdered Richards.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Why, Inspector, Mary isn't the lady killer. I am. Have you forgotten my reputation?

[Boston Blackie]

Hello?

[Inspector Faraday]

Hello, You. Yeah, you should know better than the.

[Boston Blackie]

Call here in front of you for the pay station. The call can't be traced.

[Inspector Faraday]

All right, what do you want?

[Boston Blackie]

I just thought you'd like to know everything is okay. It was a perfect job. You sure the police are going to arrest one or two suspects for the killing of John Richards.

[Inspector Faraday]

Who?

[Boston Blackie]

Mary Wesley or Boston Blackie? Personally, I don't care which.

[Inspector Faraday]

Now, back to our story.

[Narrator]

When Boston Blackie found John Richards dead, all evidence pointed to a strong possibility that Mary Wesley, Blackie's closest friend, was the one who committed committed the crime. Hoping to clear Mary Wesley, Blackie destroyed a threatening letter Mary had written to Richard and in its place himself wrote a threat to the already dead man. But when Faraday began checking up on Richard's past, he learned that Richards had been bothering Mary and saw right through Blackie's ruse. As we left our story, Blackie had warned Mary over the phone that Faraday's men were in her apartment and had told her to wait for him in a movie. As we continue, Blackie and his friend Shorty walk into the theater lobby to meet Mary.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

There she is, Shorty, over in the corner.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey, boss, is it all right if I stand by the door and watch the flicker, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Sure, but keep one eye out for the cops.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh sure boss.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

And give me those sandwiches.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh yeah, yeah. Boy. Gee, I hear this is a swell pitcher.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Hello, honey.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, blanket. Hey, can't I get out of here? I've seen the show twice and I'm starved.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

You stick your nose outside while Faraday's men are looking for you and you'll eat your next meal in jail. Oh, I knew you'd be hungry though. Here's a little something to eat.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh Blackie, you're darling.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Can you eat and talk at the same time?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't usually.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, you know, usually you duck a murder rap either. Hope you like the sandwiches I got for you.

[Mary Wesley]

I'll like them.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

But you're not going to like this question. Did you kill John Richards?

[Mary Wesley]

What do you think?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, until Faraday thought you did, I wasn't sure. That bullet missing from my gun last night didn't look so good. And now Faraday had an airtight case against you this afternoon. And though that doesn't clear you, that leaves plenty of doubt in my mind.

[Mary Wesley]

I didn't kill him, Blackie. I just fired the gun into the floor to show I wasn't afraid to use it.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, this is fine. I cover up for you for something you didn't do and now I'm.

[Inspector Faraday]

What do you think makes the perfect snack?

[AM PM Advertiser]

Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient.

[Mary Wesley]

Could you be more specific?

[AM PM Advertiser]

When it's cray venient. Okay, like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at a.m. p.m.

[Mary Wesley]

I'm seeing a pattern here.

[AM PM Advertiser]

Well yeah, we're talking about what I.

[Mary Wesley]

Crave, which is anything from AM PM.

[AM PM Advertiser]

What more could you want? Stop by AMPM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience. AM PM too much good stuff.

[Sarah]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling. Even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy break up.

[AM PM Advertiser]

With bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with cage free eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM P M Too much good stuff.

[Mary Wesley]

I Suppose you'd rather I had done it so your efforts wouldn't be for nothing.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No, but I thought it was pretty good stunt. And it's too bad I used it when it wasn't necessary.

[Mary Wesley]

What in the world does it do?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

When I didn't hear from you for a while last night, I went out to Richard's house to see if everything was all right. You were gone, but Richards was there, lying on his living room floor, dead, shot through the head.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, no. No wonder you thought I killed him.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I remember that threatening letter you wrote him. So I looked around until I found was in his safe, but that was no problem.

[Mary Wesley]

Then you. You destroyed my letter and wrote a.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Letter of my own to take its place. That was for Faraday, in case he checked up on Richards, which he did. And found out you and Richards had once been pretty good friends, which he did.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, Blackly, certainly ballistics would prove it was a bullet from some other gun that came.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

They'll probably never find that bullet, Mary. A little while after Richard was killed, his house burned into a pile of honeymoon toast. Faraday was too smart to be stopped by that. He had the body positively identified as John Richard through his dental work.

[Mary Wesley]

Blackie, I suppose I ought to say I'm sorry he's dead, but I'm not. There was something repellent about the lyre on his speckled face that I will never forget.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, look, Mary, all kidding aside, you and I, well, we've got. We've got to chase down this guy. If Faraday will put it on us. We've got to find who did kill Richards. Now, who were his friends?

[Mary Wesley]

I don't know.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, what do you know about him?

[Mary Wesley]

He had a business partner. I met him once or twice.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Remember his name?

[Mary Wesley]

It was Emory. William Emory.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, maybe I better talk to this guy Emery before Faraday gets to him and questions him into insensibility.

[Mary Wesley]

Should I go with you?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Not unless you want to be Ms. Police lineup of 1945.

[Mary Wesley]

You mean I have to sit through this movie again?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Cheer up. The picture changes a week from tomorrow. Oh, Blake, I guess Shorty and I going up to see this bill.

[Mary Wesley]

Emery, you will be careful, won't you, Blackie?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

From here on in, it's Richard's killer who'd better be careful. All right, Shorty, this is where we came in.

[Boston Blackie]

GeForce.

[Mary Wesley]

This picture is great.

[Boston Blackie]

Boy, is it great.

[Mary Wesley]

Maybe the first two times, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

All right, Shorty, come on. We've got work to do.

[Boston Blackie]

Ah, Blackie, the. The picture was just coming to the Most exciting part.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

So is this case. Let's go, Shorty.

[Boston Blackie]

Look, boss, if this Bill Emory guy ain't home and ain't been seen in a building in two days, how we gonna get in?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Are you kidding?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, gee, boss, one day you're gonna find a lock that you can't open.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Sure, the day I leave my fingers home. Yeah, that was easy.

[Boston Blackie]

Gee, boss, could you teach me to do that?

[Mary Wesley]

Huh?

[Inspector Faraday]

Sure.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Just let me know when you have a hundred years to spend learning, huh? Skip it, short one.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, that's all right, boss. You're entitled not to. Make sense sometime.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Well, nice apartment, huh?

[Boston Blackie]

Look, boss, if the doorman was leveling when he said Emery hasn't shown for two days, what are we hanging around here for?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I can't think of a better place to pick up the trail of a killer than in the killer's own apartment.

[Boston Blackie]

Gee, Emery kill this guy?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

All I know is that Mary didn't. Well, it looks as if Emery skipped town. Why? Maybe because he killed Richards.

[Boston Blackie]

Gee, boss, you're smart.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I have to prove that before I'm smart. We better look around, see what's in that room there.

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure, Blackie. Jesus, this sure is one elegant church. This is a bedroom, boss.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Have a look in his closet.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, sure thing.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Pretty nice looking library. Emory had either an appetite for literature or good eye for decoration.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey, boss.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Find something, Shorty?

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, I don't know, but if Emory took it on a lamb, he ought to be coming back for something he forgot. Look here.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

A suitcase fully packed. Well, he was planning to leave and had to pull out sooner than he thought, I guess.

[Boston Blackie]

This sure looks funny, don't it?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Interesting is a better word. Look at this, Shawnee. A cigarette that was never put out. It just went out.

[Boston Blackie]

Well, that's a kind of a dumb thing for anybody to do. You might have bought the germ up.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

For a man who planned the murder, Bill Emery sure was haphazard about his getaway. Didn't seem to me as if he planned to leave here at all. And if that's the case, maybe he didn't murder that freckled face Richard.

[Boston Blackie]

Hey. Hey. What?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Mary told me in the movie that John Richards was freckle faced. The man I found dead before the fire didn't have any freckles. He didn't have any more freckles than you do.

[Mary Wesley]

You didn't?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I've got a hunch John Richards isn't even dead. Look, if we can get just a picture of Emery around here somewhere. Try those drawers. I'll root around these.

[Inspector Faraday]

Yeah.

[Mary Wesley]

Okay.

[Boston Blackie]

None in here.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

We'll look until we find something.

[Boston Blackie]

Nothing in this draw at all.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Keep looking.

[Boston Blackie]

Uh.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, a wallet. We might have something here.

[Boston Blackie]

Money, baby, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No, definitely. But here's something that may be worth a million dollars to Mary. Here's Bill Emery's picture and a hunting license.

[Boston Blackie]

What do you know? Hey, Bossy, he ain't got no freckles.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

He doesn't have anything anymore. This is the guy I found on the floor in Richard's apartment.

[Boston Blackie]

But, boss, this is crazy. This is nuts. The dentist proved the body was Richard's by the dental work.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Shorty, if you needed dental work and you were on the lam, who'd do the job for you?

[Boston Blackie]

Well, see, well, there are two tooth doctors known for not turning away a dishonest dollar.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Then we'll go see both of them. Who are they?

[Boston Blackie]

Let's see. There's a doc by the name of Foster and another one by the name of Lindell.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Wait a minute. I looked them up in the phone book.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Now, Foster. Foster. Here he is. 747 Angel Building. Remember that?

[Boston Blackie]

Oh, sure.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Who's the other one? Lindell.

[Boston Blackie]

Lindell.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Yeah, yeah, Lindell. Lindell. Joe Lindell.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, yeah, that's the one.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

1010 Bar Building. Remember that too?

[Boston Blackie]

1010. Sure thing.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Hey, wait a minute. Faraday mentioned the bar building when he told me about the doctor who identified the dead man's dental work.

[Boston Blackie]

He saw Doc Lindell?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No. Faraday went to see a dentist by the name of Madison. Let's have a look at Madison's office number.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah. You. You think maybe it's the same doctor?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I don't know. Could be. Madison. Madison. Madison. Here it is. 1010 Bar Building. Same office as Lindell. We're going there.

[Boston Blackie]

Why, you. You want him to yank out a tooth?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No, Shorty. I want to yank out the doctor. Madison.

[Boston Blackie]

Come in, gentlemen.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Thank you. I'm Boston Blackie. How do you do?

[Boston Blackie]

My receptionist says you want to see me about an identification I made for the police yesterday.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

That's right. John Richards.

[Boston Blackie]

The dental work check with my record. Would you like me to show it to you?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

No, thanks. That wouldn't mean anything to me. I want to ask you about a Dr. Joe Lindell. Who's he?

[Boston Blackie]

Dr. Lindell is my assistant, but I'm the one who made the identification.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

But Lindell might have made something else.

[Boston Blackie]

I don't understand.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

He might have made a mistake, for one thing. Is he in?

[Boston Blackie]

Yes.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I'd like to talk to him.

[Boston Blackie]

This way.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Thank you.

[Boston Blackie]

Boss, I think I'll wait here. This place makes my feet hurt.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Stay close by. I may need you in here.

[Boston Blackie]

Yeah, I'll be right here, boss. Oh, Joe, someone here to see you. Yes, Boston. Blackie, this is Dr. Lindell.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, how do you do?

[Inspector Faraday]

How are you?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I'd like to ask you a few questions, Lindell.

[Inspector Faraday]

Well, Dr. Madison here is the senior consultant.

[Boston Blackie]

If he seems to want to talk to you, Joe.

[Inspector Faraday]

Oh, about what?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Where's John Richards?

[Inspector Faraday]

John Richards?

[Boston Blackie]

I don't understand, Blackie. John Richards is dead.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

In name only, Dr. Madison.

[Boston Blackie]

But I identify the dental work that proves John Richards.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

You identify dental work from the mouth of a murdered man. Made to look like the dental work you'd done for John Richards.

[Boston Blackie]

What?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Wouldn't it be possible for Lindell here to match the dental work you've done for Richards?

[Boston Blackie]

Why, of course. Using my materials, my drills, my records, my technique. Impossible. Yes, but hardly probable.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I think it is. He helped John Richards kill William Emery, fixed Emory's teeth to look like Richards, took the body to Richard's house and set fire to the place so that the body would have to be identified by the dental work.

[Inspector Faraday]

How could I have brought a dead body into this office without being seen?

[Boston Blackie]

You're a fool.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

I know. Does this office have such a thing as a portable drill?

[Boston Blackie]

We do.

[Inspector Faraday]

It's broken.

[Boston Blackie]

Not that I know of.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

You'd better tell what you know, Lindell. Where's John Richards? I don't know. Look, maybe you're not as deep in this as I think. If Richard's alone killed Emory, you can get off easy if you talk.

[Inspector Faraday]

I tell you, I I don't know. I, I, I don't know.

[Boston Blackie]

Good heavens, Joey. You didn't kill anyone. Say so.

[Inspector Faraday]

I didn't kill him. Believe me. Richards did.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

All All I did was to go.

[Inspector Faraday]

Out to Richard's house and fix Emory's dental work. Oh, Joe, I. I had to do it.

[Boston Blackie]

I had to.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

But Emory was dead when I I got to Richard's house, you see. Where's Richard's now? Well, he left. That all I know, believe me.

[Inspector Faraday]

But he.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

He changed his name to Robert Carlton.

[Inspector Faraday]

He thought he'd be safe as long as the police thought he was dead.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

A pretty slick stunt, I'll say. He'd have been safe when the police cleared Mary, Wesley and me. They'd have suspected Emory and spent the rest of their lives looking for a dead man. I'll call the police, ask for Inspector Faraday, Dr. Madison. And tell him that from now on, never to look a gift. Corpse in the mouth.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, it certainly is a relief to be out of that movie and in the fresh air.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Faraday called and wanted to apologize to you.

[Mary Wesley]

Oh, did he?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Yeah, he picked up John Richards in Chicago a couple of hours ago and got his confession.

[Mary Wesley]

Thanks to you.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Thanks to Joe Lindell for thinking he could beat his rat because he had nothing to do with killing Emory.

[Mary Wesley]

Why did Richards kill Emory in the first place?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Emory caught Richards juggling their company books, I think. Going to turn him in. Richards had threatened him. That's why Emory was leaving town.

[Mary Wesley]

Well, I'm glad it's all over. Now I can relax again.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Where would you like to relax this beautiful evening?

[Mary Wesley]

My apartment.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Let's take a walk instead.

[Mary Wesley]

Becky, give me your gun, huh?

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

Oh, Mary, not again.

[Mary Wesley]

Give it to me.

[Boston Blackie]

Okay.

[Matt Kenny (Blackie's friend)]

There you are. Now, what's the idea of taking it and pointing it at me?

[Mary Wesley]

A darn good idea. I just want to make sure we go to my apartment, that's all.

[Inspector Faraday]

It.