Ellery Queen 45-11-07 (249) The Message in Red

Summary

Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: Ellery Queen 45-11-07 (249) – The Message in Red
Date: October 8, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio presents a classic Ellery Queen radio mystery, "The Message in Red." The show transports listeners to the Golden Age of Radio, when families gathered around to enjoy detective stories and suspenseful dramas. In this tale, famed gentleman detective Ellery Queen investigates a baffling string of murders—all linked by a mysterious, blood-written message left by the third victim.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Opening and Setting the Mystery

(01:31 – 02:06)

• Ellery Queen (Ellery): Introduces the night’s case as a particularly challenging one that stumped even his father, Inspector Queen.
• Nicky Porter (Nikki): Light banter suggests Ellery makes short work of mysteries.
  Quote:
  • Nikki: “I suppose all those murders were duck soup for you, huh?” (01:40)

2. The Three Murders

(04:19 – 05:27)

• Inspector Queen, Ellery, Nikki, and Sergeant: Review the murders:
  • Miss Kirby: Public stenographer, killed at 9:15pm at her hotel office.
  • Miss Hazel: Publisher’s manuscript reader, killed at 10:30pm in her home.
  • Lucille Dubois: Lady’s maid for the Canella family, killed in the Canella mansion.
• No robbery, no known connections, no clear motive, but all killed with the same gun: Quote:
  • Inspector Queen: “Ballistics reports the same gun killed both of them.” (04:53)

3. The Canella Family and Lucille’s Death

(05:50 – 09:09)

• The scene shifts to the affluent, dysfunctional Canella household after Lucille’s murder.
• Mrs. Cannella: More upset about missing her hairdresser and breakfast than her maid’s death.
• Madge Cannella: Furious, worried about a scandal affecting her social standing and engagement.
• Mr. Milford Cannella: Absent during the murder, preoccupied with his career ambitions.
• Bodies examined; a peculiar detail—calluses on Lucille’s right hand (09:10).

4. The "Message in Red"

(10:34 – 11:07)

• Under Lucille’s body, Ellery finds a slip of paper marked with a message written in blood:
  Quote:
  • "Starts with a capital M, but there are a lot of spatters and I can't quite make the rest out." (10:58)
• It’s clear Lucille tried to identify her killer before dying.

5. Piecing Together the Clues

(13:19 – 14:48)

• Ellery deduces the connection among the victims:
  • All interacted with the same manuscript:
    • Lucille, the author.
    • Miss Kirby, the typist.
    • Miss Hazel, the reader. The manuscript contained sensitive, potentially libelous details about the Canella family, putting their reputation and ambitions at risk. Quote:
  • Ellery: “Lucille Dubois was writing a great deal for a long time... a very extensive manuscript in long hand, Sergeant.” (13:46)

6. Publisher’s Office and The Critical Manuscript

(15:16 – 17:18)

• At Mason and Morrison publishers, Ellery inspects reports on recent manuscripts.
• Finds Miss Hazel’s notes on “The Maid Tells All,” which is Lucille’s exposé on the Canella family—a manuscript ripe with scandal, likely motive for murder. Quote:
  • Inspector Queen: “Manuscript’s filled a lot of nasty, unsuspected stuff about the Canella's that would have cost Milford Cannella that high diplomatic post he's been angling for.” (17:11)

7. Attempt on Ellery & The Sleuths

(18:26 – 20:00)

• As Ellery and company drive, their car is nearly run off the road, suggesting the killer seeks to intercept the "message in red" and silence the investigators.

8. Decoding Lucille’s Dying Clue

(20:35 – 21:32)

• Back at police headquarters, lab experts clarify Lucille’s blood-written message:
  • “M. KIN,” as deciphered, could refer to initials or abbreviations of the Canella family members.

9. Confronting the Canella Family

(21:52 – 22:49)

• All three suspects—Milford (father), Margaret (mother), and Madge (daughter)—give flimsy, easily falsifiable alibis.
• No clear evidence identifying which “M. Canella” did it.

10. Armchair Detective Segment: Guest Victor Jory’s Guess

(23:20 – 24:27)

• Actor Victor Jory serves as “armchair detective” and offers his theory: Quote:
  • “I think it was the mother, Margaret Canella... The mother’s alibi being in Central Park seems to me one that could be shaken less easily than... the girl in the car.” (24:02)

11. Ellery Queen’s Reveal: The True Meaning of the Clue

(25:41 – 27:22)

• Ellery asks: Why would Lucille leave an ambiguous initial "M" as a clue, when all Canellas have M names?
• He realizes that Lucille, a French native thinker (as referenced in her writing), used “M.” as the French abbreviation for Monsieur—meaning “Mr.”
• The clue is not to which M Canella, but to identify the killer as Monsieur—Mr. Milford Cannella.
• Ellery Queen closes the case: Quote:
  • “The French abbreviation for monsieur is simply capital M, period.” (27:22)
  • Inspector Queen: “If anyone’s going to sizzle, it’s you.” (27:27)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Nicky (to Ellery): “I suppose all those murders were duck soup for you, huh?” (01:40)
• Inspector Queen: “Ballistics reports the same gun killed both of them.” (04:53)
• Ellery (on Lucille’s writing): “Lucille Dubois was writing a great deal for a long time.” (13:46)
• Inspector Queen (on manuscript’s impact): “Manuscript’s filled a lot of nasty, unsuspected stuff about the Canella’s...” (17:11)
• Victor Jory (Armchair Detective): “The mother’s alibi being in Central Park seems to me one that could be shaken less easily ... the car could be checked on afterwards.” (24:03)
• Ellery’s Reveal: “The French abbreviation for monsieur is simply capital M, period.” (27:22)
• Inspector Queen: “If anybody’s going to sizzle, it’s you.” (27:27)

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Important Timestamps

| Segment | Time | |------------------------------------------|-------------| | Introduction & Host Banter | 01:31–02:06 | | Police Review Three Murders | 04:19–05:27 | | Investigation at Canella Mansion | 05:50–09:09 | | Blood-written “Message in Red” found | 10:34–11:07 | | Connection Among the Three Victims | 13:19–14:48 | | Manuscript Discovery at Publisher | 15:16–17:18 | | Car Attack on Ellery & team | 18:26–20:00 | | Lab Deciphers Dying Message | 20:35–21:32 | | Confrontation with Canella Family | 21:52–22:49 | | Armchair Detective Victor Jory’s Solution| 23:20–24:27 | | Ellery’s Explanation & Killer Revealed | 25:41–27:22 |

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Tone & Style

The show delivers clever, rapid-fire dialogue laced with sardonic humor, classic detective tropes, and the witty interplay characteristic of Golden Age radio dramas. Ellery’s deductions are methodical and clear, while characters like Nicky and Inspector Queen bring warmth and comic relief.

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Summary for Listeners

In this vintage Ellery Queen mystery, three women are murdered—each tied to a scandalous manuscript exposing secrets of a powerful New York family. A dying clue written in blood seems ambiguous… until Ellery spots the French twist: the "M." stands for "Monsieur," finger-pointing not at any Canella, but specifically at Mr. Milford Canella. As always, justice is served with razor wit, and the audience is invited to play armchair detective alongside a special guest from the era.

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For fans of classic radio drama, detective fiction, and verbal sparring, this episode is a quintessential example of Golden Age storytelling brought back to vivid life.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating.

[A]

It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug.

[C]

Limu. Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[B]

Cut the camera.

[A]

They see us.

[B]

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[D]

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[B]

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[E]

Thank you, Don Hancock, and good evening, ladies, ladies and gentlemen. Well, tonight's mystery really had my father going.

[D]

Your father, huh?

[E]

Oh, Nicky.

[D]

I suppose all those murders were duck soup for you, huh?

[E]

Nikki, this case was no harder than many I've had. But anyway, I call it the Adventure of the Message in Red.

[D]

Hotel Arbutus Public stenographer yes, I'm Ms. Kirby at this hour, but. All right, if you drop into my office right away, I'll. I'll try to get it out tonight. Oh, why can't they just hate their old business letters during the day? Oh, gee, I'm tired. I better douse my eyes with cold water.

[F]

I'm so sleepy I could so soon.

[D]

Coming. Gee, they must have used a house phone from the lobby.

[F]

Come in, won't you? Hooray, hooray in Dixie Land.

[D]

Up now. Who's there? Huh? Nobody out here. Now, who'd be using that talky thing from the vestibule? Nobody does.

[F]

Yes, yes, this Ms. Hazel, but at this time of night.

[D]

I was just going to bed. Been washing my supper dishes. All right, if they've just got to have a reader's report on it by tomorrow morning. Just open the vestibule door and my apartment's the first door on your right. Would be my luck if it's one of those half a million word jobs.

[F]

Just a second.

[D]

Oh, I wish I Were in the land of cutting old times. There are not.

[C]

Oh damn. Yes. Yeah, yeah. And that's all you've got to tell me, Piggott. Call back when you make sense. Sorry. I agree to keep you and Iggy waiting.

[E]

Those two killings last night. Dead, huh?

[C]

Yes. Blasted.

[D]

What two killings, Inspector? I haven't seen today's paper.

[C]

Two girls. Nicky. First to in a public stando with the Hotel Arbutus and Exnon Avenue. Shot to death at 9:15pm Name of Kirby, second one.

[E]

A part time manuscript reader for Mason and Morrison, the publishers. A Ms. Hazel, shot to death around 10:30pm in her Greenwich Village apartment.

[C]

Bothers her, opened their doors. No evidence of robbery. Both unmarried, unattractive. No entangling alliances. Lived alone. No witnesses, no clues, no motive. The girls never knew each other. Never knew any of the same people.

[E]

Cute then.

[D]

The murders aren't connected, Inspector.

[C]

But they are, Nicky. Ballistics reports the same gun killed both of them.

[E]

I don't wonder you're puzzled.

[C]

I think it's a nut. Kill myself. Elri? Yes. Willie.

[D]

Afternoon, Sergeant.

[A]

Hi, Mr. Porter.

[C]

You mind?

[A]

Strauss.

[E]

Hello, Sergeant.

[A]

Inspector. Know what?

[C]

No. What?

[G]

Another one?

[E]

No.

[G]

Yeah.

[A]

A girl shot to death. She answered her door around 1am last night. Body wasn't found till this morning.

[D]

Oh, Number three last night.

[C]

Who was this one?

[A]

Bailey, Lady's maid. Lucille Du Du Bois.

[E]

Du Boss. Serge French.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, French maid. Worked for the Canelas Canella.

[D]

The Vetti Vetti Canella.

[A]

The same.

[E]

She was shot in the Canella house, Sergeant.

[A]

Yeah, that 199 room shack on upper Fifth Avenue.

[E]

In her bedroom a stenographer, a publisher's reader and a lady's maid.

[C]

Mind if I sit in, dad? You can make any sense out of it, son.

[F]

Oh, my poor poor head. My home overrun with police officers. I've had to cancel the most important appointment this afternoon with my hairdresser and Mrs. Cannello.

[C]

If you let me get away.

[F]

My husband is simply furious. My daughter.

[D]

Poor child.

[F]

Prostrate. Look, Mrs. Cannella, I'm on the verge of losing what little mind I have.

[E]

Mrs. Cannella.

[F]

You understand, Mr. Crean. I know you do.

[E]

The death of your maid has upset you, naturally.

[F]

Oh yes, where am I going to turn? How can I replace Lucille? You don't know the trouble I had getting her orig. And now she's dead. It's not fair. It isn't.

[D]

The trouble is, gentlemen, you don't know the problems we girls have.

[C]

Look, madam, how did this happen?

[F]

I'm sure I don't Know people shooting off guns in my home and everything. I'm so glad I wasn't home when it happened, even though the house is completely sound.

[E]

True.

[H]

You're husband?

[E]

William, madam.

[F]

Mr. Connell? Oh, no, no, he was out somewhere. His club or something.

[D]

How about your daughter, Madge?

[F]

Oh, now, please don't drag poor Madge into this. She suffered so much already.

[E]

When did you first learn your maid was de Mrs. Canella?

[F]

About 11 o' clock this morning, Mr. Cream. When she didn't bring my breakfast in bed, I knew instantly something was wrong.

[D]

Well, of course, that's the way you tell.

[F]

Oh, yes, I rang and I rang.

[A]

And I rang Mrs. Cannella, who found the stiff.

[D]

Stiff?

[A]

The remains, madam.

[F]

Oh, why, my daughter. One of the servants told Madge that Lucille's light was still on this morning and she didn't answer the door. So Madge went up to the servants quarters and went in. And the poor child. The poor, poor child. That's why no one answered my rings, you see.

[C]

They're leaving you without breakfast. Oh, that's simply frightful, Mrs. Kennelli. Yes, well, suppose you have a little snack of caviar and cold pheasant or something while we hunt up your dog.

[F]

Oh, dear, must you?

[G]

Must we what, ma'?

[E]

Am?

[F]

Give Madge the third degree or whatever it is. You don't know how sensitive the child is. She's always been so delicate. She shrinks so from the more brutal aspect.

[D]

Oh, mother, stop drooling.

[F]

Oh, Madge, darling. Are you all right, dearest?

[D]

Definitely not. Are these some more policemen? Who's the wench? A sob sister. The wench is Nicky Porter, Mr. Queen's secretary.

[A]

Ellery Queen, Sergeant Villing.

[C]

Inspector Queen. Now, Miss Canela, and you're in charge.

[D]

Why isn't that body taken away? And who's going to clean up the mess? And you're to keep reporters out too. Do you hear thing like this happening now, do you hear me? No newspaper men.

[F]

Oh, dearest, don't excite yourself.

[D]

Oh, shut up, Mother. All this is your silly fault anyway. My, yes, I told you long ago you should send that snoop packing. But no, you had to hang on to her till she had the bad taste to get herself murdered all over our house. What am I going to say to Evie?

[E]

Evie?

[D]

My fiance. Three star engagement was supposed to be announced this week. One of the very best Boston family. They'll never stand for a scandal.

[E]

Why should you think there's going to be a scandal, Ms. Canella?

[F]

Oh, well, isn't a murder scandal enough?

[E]

I don't think that's what your daughter meant, Mrs. Cannella.

[F]

Nothing.

[D]

Nothing at all. I didn't mean anything.

[C]

Let's take a look at the corpse.

[E]

Interesting. Why?

[C]

Tell me.

[E]

Notice the facing surfaces, the tips of her index and middle fingers. Dad on the right hand, huh?

[C]

Or a callist. Funny place for calluses.

[E]

Yes.

[D]

If you gentlemen are through admiring Ms. Dubois calluses, would you mind covering up again so I can turn around?

[E]

Oh, all right.

[D]

Now, Nikki, but how do you know this maid's murder is connected with the other two murders?

[C]

Bradley was here early and dug the bullet out of her chest. Nikki. Ballistics just reported it came. The same gun that shot the Kirby and Hazel girls. Just what the connection is in blast. Oh, really?

[A]

You threw the carpets and spanked to the morgue. Wagons here for the pickup.

[C]

Take her away.

[A]

She's all yours, boy.

[E]

What did you find out about the other servants, Sergeant?

[A]

Names Butler, James Smathers. Cook, Sally Fabian, Chauffeur, Waller, Boyle. Upstairs maid, Vera Andorf. Smathers and Boyle share a double room. So do the Fabian and Andorf woman. Each bunkie alibis the other for last night. Period.

[D]

Mother, you know you shouldn't be up here. Just your morbid curiosity.

[F]

I don't know why you say such things to me. Madge, baby. Oh, look what they're doing.

[H]

Stay out here in the hall, Margaret. You too, Madge. Inspector Queen?

[C]

Who are you?

[H]

I'm Milford Canella. My wife just formed my club. Is there anything I can do?

[A]

Excuse me, folks. Okay, boys, take her through.

[F]

Oh, Madge, I can't look. Oh, poor Lucy.

[D]

Be yourself, Mother.

[C]

No, Mr. Kennelly, we were just. Pardon me, Harry. What's that you just picked up?

[E]

Oh, well, this piece of scrap paper was hidden by Lucille Dubois body.

[D]

Dad, a message in red. Red message?

[F]

Let me see. In red, is it?

[H]

Oh, it is written in blood.

[C]

She must have lingered a few minutes after the shot when that killer left. She tried to write something before she died.

[D]

What's it say, Ellery?

[E]

Starts with a capital M, but there are a lot of spatters in the paper and I can't quite make the rest out.

[C]

I'll have Craney look it over in the police lab. He'll decipher it. Give it to me, son.

[H]

It's quite important that you make a quick arrest, Inspector.

[C]

What's that mean, Mr. Canary? I.

[H]

Well, I expect very shortly to be appointed to an extremely important diplomatic post abroad. So this unfortunate little affair must be cleared up at once and without scandal.

[F]

Milford has worked so hard for the honor.

[D]

Yes, it's been Father's pet dream.

[H]

In fact, Inspector, unless you solve this case within 24 hours, I may have to see to it that someone else is put in charge. Come, Margaret.

[C]

Matt.

[D]

And Father's just a little guy who can do it.

[G]

I.

[E]

Why, dad?

[C]

Henry, where are you going?

[E]

I have to confirm a theory, dad.

[C]

Theory about what, son?

[E]

About the connection between the three murders last night. I think I know now what it was. Anybody care to come along? And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the beginning of our mystery. We'll tell you more in just a moment, but first, here's Don Hancock for Anison.

[B]

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[D]

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[D]

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[B]

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[D]

From headache pain, take an Anacin.

[B]

And now back to our story. It's a short time later, and the inspector's car, with Sergeant Bealey at the wheel, is threading its way through midtown Manhattan traffic.

[D]

But what is the connection, Ellery?

[A]

Well, how'd you know, maestro?

[E]

What was the occupation of the first victim? The Kirby girl, at least in Abbott. And the second one, Ms. Hazel, the Greenwich Village gal?

[D]

Oh, she was a part manuscript reader for Mason and Morrison.

[E]

A public stenographer, A publisher's reader. Now, dad, you recall the peculiar calluses we found on Lucille Dubois right hand.

[C]

And the facing sides of the tips of her index and middle fingers.

[E]

What very ordinary activity, if sufficiently prolonged, would cause calluses there?

[D]

Holding a pen or a pencil?

[E]

Yes, Nikki, writing. But not casual writing, like the occasional writing of letters. Lucille Dubois was writing a great deal for a long time. Weeks, months, A diary, perhaps. At least a very extensive manuscript in long hand, Sergeant. So we have Lucille Dubois, lady's maid, in a very wealthy society family, writing a long manuscript by hand when it was finished. What would happen to such a manuscript?

[C]

You take it to a public stenograph.

[D]

To be tight, surely.

[E]

The unfortunate Ms. Kirby. And where do people usually take type manuscripts?

[C]

To a publisher.

[E]

And most publishers employ readers to weed out undesirable submissions. And that's your Miss Hazel of the Village? Simple.

[A]

Maestro, you're a genius.

[C]

The demented girls are probably the only three people in the world who've read a certain unpublished manuscript.

[D]

And that's why they were murdered.

[A]

Man, it must be dynamite. The killer must have swiped it. Probably from the Hazel girls apartment in the Village after he bumped her off and destroyed it.

[H]

Heavy.

[C]

Yes, but there's still a possibility that something.

[A]

Well, here we are, my scrumptor.

[E]

Here's Rockefeller Center. Come.

[D]

I must say, Mason and Morrison go in for book publishing in a large and handsome way.

[E]

Or they're a bit on the sensational side. Nikki. Oh, Ms. Jenkins?

[F]

Yes?

[D]

Alberta Jenkins.

[C]

Are you the assistant deded to my son? Spoke on the receptionist phone.

[D]

Yes. And you must be Inspector Queen.

[C]

That's right.

[D]

I must say I'm all of a flutter. Am I arrested?

[E]

Not exactly mistaken. Did you bring the list I asked you for?

[F]

Here it is.

[D]

All the manuscripts turned over to Ms. Hazel in the past few months for a reader's report. Let me see. Ellery.

[A]

Sigh. She read a lot, doesn't she?

[E]

It'll be quite recent, I think.

[C]

Ah, look at this entry. Dan May tells all I Lucile Dubois. Ms. Jenkins, where's this manuscript? Are you sure Ms. Hazel didn't return it to Mason and Morrison?

[D]

I'm pretty sure she didn't inspect her. But come into my office. No, it isn't here.

[F]

Oh no, but I just remembered.

[D]

Where is that again?

[E]

Remembered what, Ms. Jenkins?

[D]

There was a letter from Ms. Hazel in this morning's mail. I've been so busy today, I. Here it is, still unopened.

[C]

Damn it. Give that to me, Billy. Dear Ms. Jenkins, enclosed is a short preliminary report on three of the last batch of manuscripts.

[D]

I will personally deliver the manuscripts plus full reports later this week. The enclosed those thumbnail reports.

[C]

Cover number one, Give Back My Lover.

[A]

By Flo Gently Phooey Romance in a phone booth. My George had bag. Wow.

[E]

And the Maid Tells all by Lucille Dubois.

[C]

No.

[E]

Ms. Jenkins, would you mind leaving us for a moment?

[D]

I certainly do mind, Mr. Queen, but.

[F]

Well.

[E]

Where'S that report? The Hazel woman enclosed.

[C]

Ah, here.

[D]

Now we'll find out.

[E]

Maid tells All Sensational True Life Story of High life as seen from Backstairs Stylus Faulty author, obviously. Thinks in French, but might be worth a rewrite. Possibly High sales appeal, but must be screened carefully by legal departments against libel suits. That's all.

[C]

Mate's manuscript's filled a lot of nasty, unsuspected stuff about the Canella's that would have cost Milford Cannella that high diplomatic post he's been angling for.

[D]

Or Madge Cannella, her blue blood Boston marriage.

[E]

Yes. Somehow the killer discovered what Lucille was writing, who typed her manuscript and the name of the publisher she sent it to.

[D]

And through the publisher, which reader had it.

[A]

So he's got to wipe out whoever run it. Steno. Wham.

[B]

Reader, Wham.

[A]

And he swipes the manuscript from her apartment. Then he goes back to the Canella dump and blasts Lucille and the secrets of sight.

[C]

Too safe.

[E]

Blast it.

[C]

I thought we might find a clue.

[E]

Here to the killer's identity. But apparently the whole Canela family has motive stymied.

[C]

Let's go down to headquarters. Maybe the autopsies turned up something.

[D]

Don't drive so fast, Sergeant. You just passed a snail.

[A]

There's nothing to rice for, Ms. Porter.

[D]

You could only see some daylight in this darkness, Inspector. Oh, at least I'm enjoying this ride on the East River Drive. Or I would be if the great man's thoughts weren't.

[C]

Of course.

[G]

Of course.

[D]

Mr. Queen is with us again.

[C]

Wait a minute.

[E]

The answer, dad. It's right in your pocket.

[C]

What answer?

[A]

To the triple header, master.

[C]

My. Okay, I forgot.

[E]

You forgot? We all forgot, Dad. A certain message in red. Holy.

[C]

That dang message Lucille wrote in her own blood. Sigh.

[D]

The one we couldn't decipher.

[C]

And I put it.

[G]

Ah.

[C]

Here. What's the matter with me? Billy, get down to headquarters, quick.

[A]

Yeah, man. If anybody can make it out, it's that Whistler lab. Men, we're in. Sailing, sailing over the.

[C]

Sure. What's eating you now, Sam?

[E]

A car right on a trail. Coming up fast.

[C]

There's some drunk who wants to race.

[A]

Where the bully scaro.

[C]

Billy.

[D]

Billy.

[A]

He's out to record. Oh, yeah.

[B]

Keep going.

[C]

Faster.

[D]

Look out, Sergeant.

[F]

Why, the shot is.

[A]

No, not with Nikki in the car.

[F]

Don't mind me.

[D]

He's gaining. I could only spot the driver.

[C]

It's too dark. Billy.

[F]

Watch it.

[D]

Don't tell me I'm in one piece.

[A]

I'm okay too, Inspector.

[C]

No. No bones broken. Vivi. Eddie.

[E]

By miracle, we're all all right. Oh, Billy, that was quick thinking.

[C]

Certainly was.

[D]

If it weren't for the way you took that crash. Sergeant, we've been through the retaining wall at the bottom of the river.

[C]

Thanks.

[A]

But look at the car, Inspector.

[C]

Never mind the car.

[E]

Why, dad? Lucille's message. Huh? All three Canellas were present when I found it under Lucille's body this afternoon.

[A]

One of them must have traveled us.

[E]

Waiting a chance to destroy Lucille's clue before we could get it to headquarters.

[D]

Then the killer is one of the Canellas. And her message tells which one hit a car.

[C]

Feely, let's get to Sergeant that really.

[E]

What's the lab verdict?

[A]

Well, it's this way, Sergeant.

[C]

No good.

[A]

Kinda looks like a puzzler, Inspector.

[E]

Never mind characterizing it Villi. What did they say the message is?

[A]

It starts with a capital M, Maestro, like you said.

[G]

Then a period.

[E]

M period. Yes.

[A]

Then a space, then a capital K. Then a small in the end, trailing off like she died before she could finish the work. And that's all.

[C]

Capital M period space, capital K, small.

[D]

I N. Capital K, small I N. The start of the name.

[G]

Canela.

[C]

No doubt about it. Nikki.

[A]

What's the capital M period space mean?

[C]

Last name Canella. M period. Must be the initial of one of the Canella's first names.

[D]

Milford Canella. M for Milford.

[C]

The daughter's name also starts with an M. Nicky Madge.

[A]

Well, then it's either Mads are her own name.

[C]

Unless.

[E]

Well, let's not leave out Mrs. Cannella. Don't you recall Canela addressing his wife as Margaret Frost?

[C]

Another washout again. It could be any of the three. Let's go back to the Canella house. I'll find out which one it is. Good evening.

[D]

Oh, dear.

[F]

Back Inspector man again.

[D]

And that nice Mr. Queen. Etc.

[H]

Well, Inspector, have you cleared up this mess?

[C]

Where were you three late this afternoon and early evening? Where were you?

[F]

Why, I. I needed air. I was strolling in Central Park.

[A]

Alone, Mrs. Cannella?

[F]

Why, yes.

[C]

How about you, Mr. Cannella?

[H]

Well, as a matter of fact, I took a walk myself down Fifth Avenue. Very upsetting business, you know.

[A]

Meet anybody you know, Mr. Canala? No.

[C]

And you, Ms. Canary?

[D]

I took one of our cars and drove around town for a while just to cool off. I'd had a phone call from dear, dear Evie in Boston.

[F]

My daughter's fiance told her they'd better wait about announcing the engagement until this. This miserable affair blows over. I knew it. I just knew it.

[D]

Aren't we getting off the track?

[A]

No alibis, an enemy.

[C]

Anything to ask these three people before I take them downtown for a real going over?

[B]

No.

[E]

But why do you want to take them to Headquarters, dad, why do I?

[C]

To find out which one of them.

[B]

Bumped off the Kirby and Hazel Girls.

[C]

And Mrs. Canella's maid, that's why.

[E]

Oh, I can tell you that, dad. Right here and now and there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the mystery. Now, suppose you home armchair detectives match wits with Aniston's guest for this evening.

[D]

And tonight, ladies and gentlemen, our guest, the famous actor of stage, screen and radio, is Mr. Victor Jory, who is starring on Broadway in the hit play therese.

[E]

Good evening, Mr. Joy. It's nice to have you with us, Mr. Jory. I guess tonight's show is a change for you, isn't it?

[G]

It certainly is. Because generally I'm on the other end. I'm the prisoner to murdering Hillary.

[D]

Well, you always are the criminal, but you're always so wonderful too.

[G]

Thank you, Nikki. I hope you'll like me just as well in the role of detective.

[H]

Sure.

[E]

Well, Mr. Jory, who do you think murdered the three women?

[G]

Well, I'm not very sure. I think it was the mother, Margaret Canella.

[E]

Why do you think that?

[G]

My only reason for thinking that is because the Milford Canela suspicion is planted on him instantly by the fact that he says that he has a very important post and it's very valuable to him. The daughter Banks that backs that up. The mother has said nothing. Furthermore, the mother's alibi being in Central park seems to me one that could be shaken less easily than the man who walked down fifth Avenue, which might be checked on, or the girl in the car, because the car could be checked on afterwards.

[E]

Thank you, Mr. Jory. You'll find out in just a moment if your solution is correct. Now, here's Don Hancock for Anacin.

[B]

Today, millions are switching to Anacin. For Anacin is the modern way to relieve headache suffering. There's nothing to fuss with, nothing to mix or spill. Just easy to take little tablets that you carry right in your pocket or purse. And Anacin is the fast way to prolonged relief. Prove it.

[D]

Next time you have a headache, take an Anacin.

[B]

Anacin must give you fast, prolonged relief or your money back. I'll repeat that if you're not thoroughly satisfied that Anacin does much more for your headache pain, simply return the unused portion and your money will be refunded. So tomorrow, ask your druggist for the small, inexpensive package containing 12 Anacin tablets. Take only as directed. If pain persists or is unusually severe, see your physician. Remember, there's only one Anacin. Don't be satisfied with anything less. Next time you have a headache pain Take an Anacin.

[E]

But how?

[A]

How, Maestro?

[D]

Damn.

[C]

All right, son. You know which of these respectable citizens killed the three girls? Sing out, dad.

[E]

What was the message Lucille Dubois left in her own blood?

[C]

Start of a killer's name, capital M, period, space, capital K, I, N for Canela.

[E]

Yes, but what did the capital M period stand for?

[D]

Well, it could only mean the initial of one of the Canella's first names.

[E]

Ellery, how can it possibly represent one of the first names? Nicky, Milford, Madge, Margaret, All M's. If Lucille had presence of mind enough to write that message, certainly she wouldn't have left an ambiguous clue, a clue that could refer to any of the Canellas. So when she wrote that capital M, period, she didn't mean the initial of one of their first names. She meant some other abbreviation, one she thought would be perfectly clear.

[C]

What?

[A]

What, Maestro?

[E]

Well, Sergeant, what abbreviation other than a first initial usually precedes a last name, huh?

[C]

Abbreviation for Mr. Mrs. Or Ms. Oh, no, that would be M, R, M, R, S, and Ms. Has no abbreviation.

[D]

Oh, so it can't be that either.

[E]

Ellery, it can't stand for mister, misses or miss in English, but how about French? Mrs. Cannella's maid was French, and that reader's report in her book actually remarked that the author obviously thinks in French. What's the French abbreviation for misses? Any schoolboy knows that capital M, small M, E for madam, miss, capital M, small L, L, E for mademoiselle. But for Mr. Monsieur, it's simply capital M, period.

[C]

I'll see you all sizzle for this.

[G]

Oh.

[C]

I disagree, Mr. Canela. If anyone's going to sizzle, it's you.

[E]

And there, ladies and gentlemen, you have the solution to our mystery. We'd like to thank Mr. Jory for being our guest armchair detective this evening. And as mementos of the occasion, Aniston has for Mr. Jory a beautiful gruen, very thin wristwatch, a copy of my new mystery anthology, Rogues Gallery, and a subscription to Ellery Queen's mystery magazine.

[B]

Ellery will be back in a moment with a preview of next week's story. Meanwhile, remember, because it relieves headache pain so fast.

[D]

Take an Anacin.

[B]

Because it gives prolonged relief.

[D]

Take an Anacin.

[B]

Because it's made like a doctor's prescription, take an Anacin. There's only one Anison. Get Anacin tomorrow. And now, Ellery, how about next week's case? Got another mystery with three or four murders?

[E]

No, don. Only one murder next week. But it's one of the most confusing to come our way in a long time.

[B]

A tough one, huh?

[C]

Yes.

[E]

We had so much evidence, we didn't.

[B]

Know what to do with it.

[E]

Not to mention the problem of the bending cork.

[B]

The bending corpse.

[E]

Looks like that did it, Don. Now you'll have to wait till next week when Anison presents the adventure of a happy marriage.

[B]

If you are suffering miseries of a cold, why take chances with untried remedies? When time tested reliable, Hills Cold tablets may promptly relieve that dull headache feeling and the muscular aches and soreness of colds. Double your money back if you do not get satisfactory relief from such distress in half an hour. Take only as directed. Time the action only. Hills offers you double your money back if you do not get half hour relief. Hills Cold tablets.

[E]

This is Ellery Queen saying good night for Aniston.

[B]

Aniston is a product of the Whitehall Pharmacal Company. This is cbs, the Columbia broadcasting System.