Deadline Mystery 1947-08-24 Housing Scandal

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Deadline Mystery 1947-08-24 "Housing Scandal"
Date Published: January 11, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features an original broadcast of Deadline Mystery from August 24, 1947, centering on a "Housing Scandal." Set against the postwar American housing shortage, the story follows newspaper columnist Lucky Larson as he investigates rumors of political corruption, business manipulation, and murder in a city where the search for housing has become desperate. The narrative blends classic noir with social commentary, exploring themes of media manipulation, corporate greed, and the dangerous consequences of speaking truth to power.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: The Housing Crisis and Rumors of Scandal

• [01:25–02:19]
  Lucky Larson introduces himself and his mission: to investigate the city’s notorious housing shortage and the swirling rumors of scandal. He sets up a meeting with Gordon R. Driscoll, president of Inner City Construction Corporation.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Any good wife knows she has to start in on her husband at least two weeks in advance in order to make him go out and get a haircut. Well, that's the way it is with me and this. This housing shortage.” – Lucky Larson [01:32]

2. The Interview with Gordon R. Driscoll

• [02:19–03:35]
  Larson presses Driscoll on the rumors: Driscoll denounces any scandal and minimizes the housing crisis. Phyllis Driscoll (his wife) enters, and there’s a comically flirtatious exchange, highlighting the privilege and dismissiveness of the elite.
  • Notable Quote:
    “There's an odor of Scandal in the air. Mr. Driscoll, even in the short time that I've been here, I've smelled it.” – Lucky Larson [02:28]

3. A Colleague in Trouble: George Harris

• [04:09–06:08]
  Larson reconnects with George Harris, an old friend and managing editor of the city’s Times News. Harris is investigating the same scandal, but confides he’s been framed for murder—a dead woman found in his hotel room.
  • Notable Quote:
    “I’ve been digging into this housing mess. Oh, and it's all of that, Lucky? ... It's a group outside of politics. … In the end, they'll get the jobs themselves at their own price.” – George Harris [04:43–05:15]

4. The Frame-Up Deepens

• [07:27–08:19]
  Larson agrees to help Harris, learning that the murdered woman (Wanda King) was connected to the scandal’s underworld. Spike Morgan, Wanda’s gangster boyfriend, bursts in with a gun, ready to exact revenge.
  • Notable Moment:
    Spike attempts to kill both Harris and Larson, believing they murdered Wanda. His grief is palpable but the arrival of police interrupts his vengeance. [08:24–09:10]

5. Barriers in the Press and with the Law

• [10:01–11:47]
  After being released, Larson’s column is curiously missing from The Sentinel. He learns the paper’s owner, Jay Nelson Bostock, is blackballing his reporting. Larson confronts Bostock at a party only to be forcibly removed.
  • Notable Quotes:
    “I'm told that nobody sees the great white father, not ever. Well, I've been brushed off quicker, but never better.” – Lucky Larson [10:44]
    “How would you like to be hanged for telling people what you think that people should know?” – Lucky Larson [17:20]

6. Peeling Back the Corruption

• [19:12–21:47]
  Larson discovers the real connections: Driscoll’s company, the Intercity Construction Corporation, is intimately tied to the city’s power players. He uncovers evidence in Driscoll’s safe that Bostock (the publisher excoriating Harris in print) owns a third of the company fueling the scandal.
  • Notable Quote:
    “Jane Nelson Bostock. Owns one third of the stock in the Inner City Construction Company. It says here.” – Lucky Larson [20:13]

7. The Confrontation – Truth as Leverage

• [21:47–23:34]
  Larson arranges a dangerous faceoff in his hotel room, compelling Bostock to confront the evidence and his own biases. Larson points out that Bostock’s crusade against the Citizens Committee and his attacks on Harris were tools to protect his own interests.
  • Notable Quotes:
    “And Bostock, by suppressing the truth, is protecting their right to loot.” – Lucky Larson [23:09]
    “How do you like being framed?” – Lucky Larson [23:32]

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• "There's an odor of Scandal in the air... even in the short time that I've been here, I've smelled it."
  — Lucky Larson [02:28]
• "Apparently, whoever's behind this thing is trying to stifle all competition. In the end, they'll get the jobs themselves at their own price."
  — George Harris [05:09]
• "It's the picture that's in the frame. Sorolla couldn't have done any better. I don't have to ask this question. But I do. Why, George? Why?"
  — Lucky Larson [07:27]
• "He framed you, my friend. If Driscoll's schemes ever came to light, he'd have forced you and your wealth and your paper to defend them."
  — Lucky Larson [23:41]

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------| | 01:25 | Larson introduces himself and his quest | | 02:19 | Interview with Driscoll & wife Phyllis | | 04:09 | Reunion with George Harris | | 06:08 | George reveals his frame-up/found body | | 08:24 | Spike Morgan confrontation | | 10:01 | Larson’s column missing from The Sentinel | | 15:45 | Confrontation with Bostock and Driscoll | | 19:12 | Larson finds evidence in Driscoll’s safe | | 21:47 | Final confrontation and truth revealed | | 23:32 | Larson frames Bostock to prove a point |

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Tone and Style

The episode is steeped in hard-boiled, rapid-fire noir dialogue, packed with cynicism, dry humor, and the relentless drive for truth despite personal risk—a style iconic for the era’s radio dramas. Larson's narration is brash, witty, and determined, capturing the battle between an independent press and the powerful interests seeking to suppress it.

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In summary:
"Deadline Mystery: Housing Scandal" delivers a tense, entertaining, and incisive mystery rooted in postwar America’s real anxieties—making both a thrilling crime story and a pointed parable about corruption, media power, and the price of pursuing truth.

Transcript

[A]

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[C]

From Hollywood, the Knox Company, worldwide distributors of scientifically compounded pharmaceutical products, presents Stephen Dunn, star of Columbia Pictures in Deadline Mystery.

[D]

Lucky Larson's the name columnist for over 250 newspapers syndicated all over the world. You know, usually you have to do a lot of nagging and harping in order to get things done. Any good wife knows that she has to start in on her husband at least two weeks in advance in order to make him go out and get a haircut. Well, that's the way it is with me and this. This housing shortage. I've already written many columns on this subject, and I expect to write a good many more before the pigeons have the parks to themselves again. Why do I make it my business? Well, Quonset huts are all right, but I don't like to see the future generation growing up with nothing better to look forward to than round shoulders. I've been in this particular city now for several days. Right now I'm in the private office of one Gordon R. Driscoll. Gordon R. Is the president of the Inner City Construction Corporation. I figure if I want to get out about housing, I ought to talk to the guys who build them. This is the guy. Gordon R. Driscoll. High powered, strictly big time.

[E]

You're wrong, Nelson. What you suggest is the preposterous.

[D]

Well, I'll have to admit that it was a rumor that brought me to this town, Mr. Driscoll. But this particular rumor has it that the housing situation here is the worst in the nation. There's an odor of Scandal in the air. Mr. Driscoll, even in the short time that I've been here, I've smelled it.

[E]

Let me assure you, my dear Mr. Larsen, the situation is not as bad as rumored.

[D]

You'll swear to that?

[E]

Definitely. There's no actual basis of fact. These stories are simply the work of calamity howlers. Malcontents. Oh, hello, baby doll.

[F]

Oh, who is he, sugar? Who is he?

[E]

Calm yourself, sweetie.

[G]

Just a reporter.

[D]

Columnist.

[E]

Columnist?

[H]

Yeah.

[E]

Mr. Larson, meet my wife, Phyllis.

[F]

Mr. Larson.

[E]

Mr. Larson is getting information on the housing shortage.

[D]

Honeyland Shorthouses.

[F]

Isn't that silly?

[D]

Not to a guy who wants to fit a wife and three kids to a park bench. It is.

[F]

Godyou build your house, won't you, Lammie?

[G]

Now, sugar, don't worry your pretty little.

[E]

Head about business matters.

[F]

Are you going to be in town long, handsome?

[D]

If you mean me, not any longer than I can help it.

[F]

Bring him along this weekend on the yacht, Lambie.

[E]

Yes, yes indeed. Love to have you, Larson.

[D]

Maybe.

[F]

I'll wager you look divine in a bathing suit.

[E]

Hansel.

[D]

I'm walking back to my hotel now. I'm not the least bit happy or satisfied. Aside from Honey Blonde Phyllis, nothing else stacks up. My interview was splattered in a Saturday newspaper, and all of a sudden I have to admit what every other newspaperman has to admit every once in a while. By following this rumor blindly, I played myself for a king sized chump. I'm back in my hotel room now. Somebody's knocking at my chamber door. I go over to open it, half expecting to find the raven. Well, George. George Harris, you old son of a gun. Come on in.

[H]

Thanks, Lucky.

[D]

I worked with George when I was a leg man in the big city. George came to this town, married, settled down. He's managing editor of the Times News. My column runs on the big opposition paper owned by Jay Nelson Bostock. Bostock owns 11 other papers, too. In 11 other cities. George, if you're trying to cop my column for your sheet, it's no soap. You know I've got a contract.

[H]

Sure. I'm running the Times News, Lucky, but they handed me a wormy apple. The paper's in the red. They put me in the saddle as a last resort and already I got blisters.

[D]

Well, is there anything I can do to help?

[H]

I don't know. I've been trying to build up the Times News, Lucky, Trying to do some good for this town.

[D]

Yeah, you would.

[H]

So I've been digging into this housing mess. Oh, and it's all of that, Lucky?

[D]

It stinks. Yeah, I smelled it, too.

[H]

I had a hunch that's why you were here.

[D]

Dirty politics, George.

[H]

No, it's a group outside of politics. They've kept the city from awarding paving contracts. They've killed the lakefront project. They've lampooned two big housing deals.

[D]

Who is promoting the housing project?

[H]

Citizens Committee. A bunch of square, honest guys.

[D]

What's the monkey wrench?

[H]

Apparently, whoever's behind this thing is trying to stifle all competition. In the end, they'll get the jobs themselves at their own price.

[D]

A stuffed price. I see who's doing it.

[H]

I know everything but their names, Lucky. And I'm just a step away from discovering them.

[D]

Want to help, Brother and Howe, how.

[H]

About your own paper? They won't like you working with me.

[G]

No.

[D]

Bostock will blow his cork, sure, but he'll get over it. Yeah, well, come on, let's go, huh?

[H]

Sorry, Lucky. The only place I'm going is to jail.

[C]

What?

[H]

Yep. I've been framed, Lucky. That's why I need you to carry on.

[D]

Well, maybe we can put the frame around another picture. I've done it before.

[H]

Maybe you can. I'll be hanging in the museum.

[D]

Oh, come on. Tell me, What's a wrap?

[H]

20 minutes ago, I walked into my room at the Middlebrook Hotel. There's a girl lying up in that room, Lucky. All she's got on is a nylon slip and somebody ripped a big hole in that with a knife.

[C]

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[D]

Yeah, that's a frame. That is a frame. George's wife and family are out of town for the summer. He's rented his home to a family who's in need of a roof. Moved into a hotel. A dead dame is found in his room. That's the picture that's in the frame. Sorolla couldn't have done any better. I don't have to ask this question. But I do. Why, George? Why?

[H]

I'm hot on the trail of the guys behind the housing scandal. Lucky Too hot.

[D]

Yeah, I can see that.

[H]

They figure this stunt will cool me off.

[D]

Yeah, by discrediting you personally. They'll make your stories in the Times news. Worse than nothing, huh? Why'd he come to me?

[H]

George, you aren't just a local guy. Your column was printed all over the world. People have to believe an outsider.

[D]

Tell me, who's the girl? Do you know her?

[H]

Of course. Her name is Wanda King.

[D]

Has she got an occupation? Uh huh.

[H]

Singer at the Crinoline Club.

[D]

Reputation?

[H]

Lousy.

[D]

Who's her real boyfriend?

[H]

A small time hood named Spike Morgan. Not too bright.

[D]

Have you notified the police?

[H]

Not yet. I wanted you to know first I was afraid they'd hold me where I couldn't talk.

[D]

Yeah. Yeah, you're probably right.

[H]

You will help me, won't you, Lucky? You'll blow this thing wide open.

[D]

Oh, George, you know I will.

[H]

Okay, where's the phone?

[D]

Right over there on the desk. All right, you guys, don't make a move. Well, Friend of yours, George?

[H]

Spike Morgan.

[D]

Do you have to wave that gun, Spike? Okay. You dirty louse. You made Waldner fall for you, then you bumped her off. Give her my regards. Cause you're gonna see her in a few seconds. Now wait a minute, Spike.

[C]

You don't.

[D]

Shut up, wise guy. Get over there alongside of George.

[A]

You.

[D]

You're going too. This doesn't look so good. Spike must have really loved that day. He thinks George killed her. He's squaring it the only way he knows how. Yeah, yeah. The final curtain is coming down fast. That is, unless. Look, you got this all wrong, Spike. The girl in George's room isn't Wanda. She's a dame from the east that. Don't go. I seen her. Oh, yeah. I go into George's room with a skeleton key. It's Wanda, all right. How'd you know George was here? He told the Death clerk where he was going.

[H]

That's right, Lucky. I figured in case the body was found before I called the police. This way it wouldn't look as if I was running away.

[D]

That's enough gambling. I'm gonna let you have it. Spike's gun comes up. He's got tears of honest rage and anguish in his eyes. Yeah, you really must have loved that gal. There isn't one thing I can do, not one little thing. But Spike doesn't pull the trigger. Instead, three cops walk in. Spike dies from the fire escape and makes it all right. Harris, we found the dame. You're coming with us.

[H]

Sure, I know. And it won't make any difference to you guys that I didn't do it.

[D]

I mean, how did the law get wind of this? Chambermaid saw the body, called in. Now look, Officer, I'm a newspaper man too. George here, didn't he? Oh, is that so? I know all about you press guys. You throw some pretty wild parties. Maybe you was with Harris when that dame was killed. Maybe you killed her yourself. I know better than argue with a cop in the performance of his duty. So I go along, watch the sergeant book both George and me on suspicion.

[G]

Of murder.

[D]

A couple of hours later. Now I finally managed to get myself unbooked. George is hooked solid. He knew he would be. I leave the local poking anger in a taxi, head for the Sentinel. The Sentinel's the local paper that carries my column. Yeah, yeah. Anytime a newspaper man gets into trouble, instinctively he heads for his own paper. But this time I should have stood in bed. I pile out in front of the Sentinel building. I pick up an edition of the paper on my way in. I'd be a liar if I didn't say I turned to my own stuff first. Yeah, I turn all right, but my column isn't there. I walk into the office of managing editor. I ask why my column is missing. I'm told my copy got in late. I asked to see the Sentinel's owner, J. Nelson Bostock. I'm told that nobody sees the great white father, not ever. Well, I've been brushed off quicker, but never better. I dust myself off and run right into Sandra Bostock there. Red headed niece. Brother, does she carry what she's got. Well, she plans it that way.

[F]

Lucky, what are you doing in town?

[D]

Hiya, Sandra.

[F]

Arkie's throwing a shindig tonight. Why don't you drop over?

[D]

Sorry, Sandra, I'm busy. I gotta see a man about a man who left a girl in a man's room. I try to run another cab. I try to think as much as my warrant temper will let me think. I know that George Harris has told me the truth, what there was of it. Even he doesn't know the details. They're not gonna get any help from my paper. I can see that. I'll have to go to law. Where'll I start? In the only source of information I know, the Crinoline Club. The place where George says one to king used to warble and wave fans. The Crinoline Club is neither good or bad. I look it over and ask a waiter for the boss. And the well dressed, well built gent steps up to my table.

[E]

I'm Ralph August. You wish to see me?

[D]

Yeah, yeah, sit down, have a nip out of my pot. All that is if you can stand your own stuff.

[E]

Sure, I don't mind.

[D]

Her name is Lucky Larson. I'm a columnist.

[E]

Well, what do you know? This place has been full of reporters since Wanda's body was discovered. But I hardly expected a celebrated guy like you to come snooping after news.

[B]

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[E]

I don't think so. Why?

[D]

I don't know. Just that I rarely forget a face.

[E]

Then he must have been somebody else. Now, what can I do for you, Larson?

[D]

I don't figure it's a good plan to tip my mitt. Not at this point. Tell me, what do you know about this George Harris and this Wanda?

[E]

Yeah, it's the old story, Larson. Harris is a married man. He falls for this babe. He used to come to the club. You know, I have seen Harris and Wanda sit here and talk by the hour.

[D]

I didn't have to be talking about love.

[E]

I figured that Wanda probably threatened to tell Harris wife when she got back to town. So Harris killed her.

[D]

That's the way you figure it, huh?

[E]

Yeah, that's how I figure it. And Harris is well off being in jail right now.

[D]

Why do you say that?

[E]

He'd be dead if Spike Morgan got to him before the cops did.

[D]

Suddenly, I want to ask George some more questions. At the jailhouse. I meet my copper friend again. You back?

[H]

Yeah.

[D]

What do you want this time? Little talk with Harris. Harris isn't receiving this evening. Why? Orders. Whose orders? Just orders from way up. What would I have to do? Say, if I really wanted to talk to George? Nothing at all. There's nothing you can do. In other words, the no visitor sign has my name typed all over it, huh? Well, now, you can jump at conclusions or you can jump out the window for all I care. But you don't get to see Harris. So what? I can't knock down a county jail on the street. I pick up tonight's edition of tomorrow's Sentinel. George Harris is plastered all over the front page. Bostock must have really gotten out the whip. He's whipping Harris to a pulp. No guy can be that bad. I start to pitch the paper away before I wretch. And on second thought, I turn to my page. It isn't my page, no column. I get it. The Sentinel is crucifying. George sent him because he was working on a housing scandal. Both of my columns are on the same subject. Bostock doesn't want to print them. Yeah. Yeah. I think I'll go to a party. Jay Nelson, Bostock's butler, is shocked. And not entails. There's no that scrapes plaster off the ceiling when I fail to present a gold plated invitation. I'm gonna get the bounce, it looks like, but the round and fully packed Sandra rescues.

[F]

I knew you'd come. Lucky you couldn't resist little Sandra, could you?

[D]

Well, my resistance is low tonight.

[F]

Let's go out on the side porch. A lot of things I want to talk to you about.

[D]

Look at the side porch. It's dark out there. I'm only human right now. I'm pressed for time. Some other time, honey. Right now I want to see your uncle.

[F]

He's in the study with some friends.

[D]

I'm going in.

[F]

Uncle won't see you. He never sees you.

[D]

I know, I know. But this time it's different. I'm going to see him. I push into the study. Jay Nelson is here all right. Also Gordon R. Driscoll President of the Inner City Construction Corporation. They're having sherry and chess. Bostock looks up coolly as Driscoll allows himself to be checkmated.

[G]

What is it you want, my man?

[D]

I want to see you.

[G]

No one ever sees you.

[H]

Yeah, you do.

[D]

Yeah, I know.

[G]

What are you set for?

[D]

This guy's seen me 50 times. What the heck? I'm Lucky Larson.

[G]

Larson. Oh, yes, Lawson. I didn't realize you'd been invited.

[C]

I was.

[D]

However, this time I'm here on business.

[G]

I never discuss business with my employees, even in my office.

[D]

Look, I'm not one of your employees, Jay Nelson. It just so happens that my syndicate supplies your paper with my column. I'll probably correct that.

[G]

My 12 newspapers.

[D]

Okay, your 12 newspapers. What I want to know is why my column was dropped from the Sentinel for the last two days.

[E]

If this is a personal matter, Nelson.

[D]

Perhaps I'd better leave sitting.

[G]

If anybody leaves, it'll be this young upstart.

[D]

I'm not leaving until I get an answer. J. Nelson Bostock.

[G]

Then you shall have it, sir. Your column was dropped because the Sentinel is my newspaper. As a publisher, it is my duty to the people to print the things that they should know.

[H]

Such as?

[G]

Your column, sir, contains scandalous untruths. It was designed to stir up the people, to play on their credulity over this so called housing difficulty. The Citizens Committee's projects were misguided from the very first. They were impractical and they definitely interfered with that most sacred of all American institutions, that of free enterprise.

[E]

If you don't mind, Nelson, I'd better go.

[G]

You say where you are?

[D]

Why is the Sentinel crucifying George Harris?

[G]

It isn't doing anything of the sort. The Sentinel prints only the truth. The truth?

[D]

Is that why you convicted Harris this evening in your headlines? The only evidence you could have possibly had was that George had been arrested. Is this the way newspapermen treat other newspapermen in this town? How would you like to be in Harris's shoes, Mr. J. Nelson Bostock? How would you like to be hanged for telling people what you think that people should know?

[G]

I should never allow myself to be in that position, Mr. Larson. A. Bostock is not a murderer of honky tonk women.

[D]

Jay Nelson presses a button. Two big six foot tours clamp right on me. There are no rough words, no plebeian scuffles I'm not throwing out. Better be vulgar. I'm carried out daintily and dumped on my face on the street.

[G]

We pause now for a suggestion And.

[C]

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[D]

The only place left to go is my hotel room. I open the door, and here, sitting in my one and only chair, is George Harris.

[H]

I got bailed out, Lucky. It was high hundred thousand bucks.

[D]

Who did it?

[H]

You got me. It was done by remote control. The jailer thought it was the citizens committee.

[D]

Oh, was it?

[H]

Uh, I phoned them. They say no.

[D]

Look, George, you gotta talk fast. How well do you know Wanda King?

[H]

Pretty well. She gave me a lot of leads on the housing deal. She was going to tell me names.

[D]

Had she fallen for you? Now, come on, I want the truth.

[H]

Yeah, but I let her know it was no dice.

[D]

Where'd she get her information? Overheard what the customers talked about. I guess I see it all now, George. The guys who framed you tipped off Spike Morgan. The Wanda was in your room. They figured Spike would do the rest. They're the guys who bailed you out, George. Bailed you out to be killed. They figure Wanda did tell you the names.

[H]

Lucky, I'm scared.

[D]

You must have some idea where the trail was leading.

[H]

Well, yeah, Pointed toward the Intercity Construction Corporation. That's the outfit headed by Gordon Driscoll. But Lucky, they're all solid citizens.

[D]

Okay, okay, so it's screwy, but it's the only lead we got. You stay here, George, if you want to be alive when I come back, don't answer to anybody. Not unless you're sure it's me. A good newspaper man gets to know a lot of bad people. I know one in this town. A crib artist by the name of Oscar retired. I did him a favor once so he'll stick his neck out alongside of mine. For a fee, of course. Oscar greases the way into the Inner City offices through a window and turns on all his charm on Driscoll's private safe. I'm crazy. I'm even stupid. I can get 20 years for this. I pour through this stuff. Nothing. I pour some more. My flash picks out a name on the paper I hold in my hand. Jane Nelson Bostock. Owns one third of the stock in the Inner City Construction Company. It says here. Well, I crammed the paper in my pocket and stared out as I pass Driscoll's safe. My elbow knocks a picture onto the dick. I listen to see if the crashers brought the watchman. Then I pick it up in the dim light. I. I get a start. It's the picture of Phyllis Driscoll, Gordon R's wife. But for a second I think it's somebody else. Brother, if that's has to be it. I kiss Oscar goodbye with the 20. Break all records to the Times News. The devil with a sentinel. I find it in the more it can happen in 33. Well, I got it now. All I gotta do is prove it right now. I'm back in the Crinoline Club. The boss, Ralph August, greets me warmly.

[E]

Back again, Larson. Have a drink on me this time.

[D]

Sorry, August, having time.

[G]

Where's your phone?

[E]

Phone?

[D]

Yeah, I got something so hot it'll blow this town wide open.

[E]

The housing scandal.

[G]

Yeah, yeah.

[E]

Where's the phone?

[D]

Here, use the one in my office.

[E]

All night.

[D]

I die on my hotel. Get George. Hello, George. Lucky, listen, but don't talk. Meet me in my hotel room in half an hour. I sing so long to Ralph August and blow. Two blocks down the street I nickel a phone booth. Hello, Jay Nelson Bostock. Lucky Larson speaking. Now stop sputtering. You know what's good for you. You'll be at my hotel room in just one half an hour. Well, in that case, look for your name and headlines tomorrow morning in the Times News. It'll look great. Columnist connects Jane Nelson Bostock with the murder of Wanda King, ex honky tonk girl. I'm back in my hotel room now.

[H]

Who is it?

[D]

It's me, George. Lucky, open up. What's up, Lucky? What's the gang Quiet. Quiet. Somebody right behind me. Just a minute.

[E]

Oh.

[D]

Oh, the great white father. Come on in. Jay Nelson.

[G]

Young man, I've canceled your column from every one of my papers. I'll run you out of the newspaper business.

[C]

Look at this big stuff.

[D]

The notes on tomorrow's column. Wait, I'll. I'll read it to you then. J. Nelson Vostok, the man who thinks he and he only should tell the people what he thinks they ought to know, is deliberately railroading a fellow newspaper man to.

[G]

It's a deliberate lie, sir.

[H]

Why?

[D]

Because his chess playing pals are looting the people. And Bostock, by suppressing the truth, is protecting their right to loot. At the same time, Bostock is writing has already overstepped.

[G]

No, you look here. I've never stooped a graft in my life.

[E]

Oh, no?

[D]

Then look at this, my opinionated friend.

[G]

What?

[D]

I pulled out the legal looking document that names Bostock as a third owner in inner city.

[G]

Where did you get that? That's a fake. I never saw that before in my life.

[D]

I know it is, but how do you like being framed?

[G]

A penny's worth in that outfit.

[D]

Sure, sure, I know. If this was on the level, you'd have had this paper in your own possession. I found it in Driscoll's safe.

[G]

You what?

[D]

He framed you. My friend, if Driscoll's schemes ever came to light, he'd have forced you and your wealth and your paper to defend them. Using this to prove that you were his partner in crime.

[G]

But he couldn't.

[D]

Oh, yes, he could. You've already convicted yourself, Jane Nelson, by fighting the Citizens Committee's housing project so bitterly in the Sentinel.

[G]

I refuse to believe it.

[D]

Okay, so I've arranged.