Fabian Of The Yard 195x.xx.xx The Case Of The Black Butterfly

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Fabian of the Yard: The Case of the Black Butterfly"

Release Date: April 12, 2025

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Introduction

In this captivating episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio", titled "Fabian of the Yard: The Case of the Black Butterfly," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio, immersing themselves in a true crime story narrated by Ex Superintendent Robert Fabian of Scotland Yard. This episode delves deep into the tragic tale of Paul Martin, a promising medical student whose descent into drug addiction led to a life of misery and crime.

The Crime and Initial Investigation

The episode opens with Robert Fabian introducing himself and setting the stage for another gripping true crime story from his extensive career. [00:41]

Robert Fabian: "Fabian of the Yard, Stories of the war against crime as told by the detective of the century, ex Superintendent Robert Fabian."

Fabian recounts a case from 1934, involving a young man, Paul Rolf Martin, whose interaction at a chemist's shop set off a chain of events leading to his downfall. The senior dispenser at the chemist’s notices unusual behavior in Paul—the dilation of his pupils—a common symptom of drug addiction. [03:04]

Senior Dispenser: "The pupils didn't contract as a normal man's would. That is a common symptom of a drug addiction."

This observation prompts the dispenser to consult with chief staff and subsequently contact the CID at Marylebone Police Station. Detective Sergeant Fabian devises a clever ruse: creating a dummy package containing morphine and vaccines to lure Paul into the open. [03:30]

Robert Fabian: "Make up a dummy package apparently containing the vaccines and the morphine... give me a full description of the young fellow, William."

Paul Martin is apprehended at Ruislip Station without resistance, displaying little emotion during his arrest. Fabian, employing a mix of firmness and empathy, offers Paul a cup of tea, reflecting the nuanced approach often required in such sensitive cases. [04:03]

Narrator: "Fabian took him back to the police station and made him a cup of tea."

Paul Martin’s Background and Descent into Addiction

The narrative shifts to unveil Paul's background, painting a poignant picture of his early promise and the circumstances that led to his vulnerability. Paul's father, a well-to-do practitioner in Hertfordshire, dies suddenly, leaving Paul and his mother financially strained. Forced to work as a clerk for a meager wage, Paul ardently pursues his medical studies with borrowed books, nurturing dreams of becoming a doctor. [05:46]

Dr. McPhailey: "Day I shall be a doctor. Somehow I shall find the money."

Paul’s landlady, Mrs. Ryan, encourages him to try his luck at the Irish Sweepstakes. Her faith pays off when Paul wins £12,000, alleviating his financial woes and allowing him to re-enroll in medical school. However, amidst his academic success, Paul struggles to maintain his focus, succumbing to alcohol and eventually drugs to cope with mounting pressures. [06:37]

Senior Dispenser: "Monday, Martin. Go steady on those trips to the West End. Don't let wild oats spoil your harvest, eh?"

Paul's downward spiral accelerates as he begins using cocaine to manage the rigors of his examinations, leading to dependence on morphine. His attempts to mask his addiction by diluting morphine with substances like quinine only exacerbate his situation. [08:31]

Dr. McPhailey: "Oh, Lord, my head."

The Tragic Outcome

As Paul's addiction deepens, his academic performance declines, and his behavior becomes increasingly erratic. Despite the police's intervention and his subsequent placement in a nursing home, Paul fails to overcome his addiction. Instead, he becomes entangled with Soho's drug peddlers, leading to a life marred by theft, deception, and further substance abuse. His actions result in the loss of his mother's house and his eventual descent into prolonged misery and incarceration. [12:40]

Narrator: "This story was typical of the most distressing kind of case the police have to deal with. And like all such cases, is a grave indictment of the incredible stupidity of anyone who thinks he can get away with taking drugs."

Fabian’s Reflection and Conclusion

Reflecting on the case, Fabian emphasizes the tragic nature of Paul's story, viewing it as a compelling indictment of the devastating impact of drug addiction. Despite the initial hopes of rehabilitation, Paul's inability to escape his addiction underscores the relentless grip of substance abuse and its far-reaching consequences. Fabian poignantly notes that, in his eyes, the real Paul Martin ceased to exist in 1934 when his life took its tragic turn. [12:40]

Robert Fabian: "I don't know whether the body of this tragic human being is still alive. But to me, the real Paul Martin died in that year of 1934."

Fabian hints at future episodes by teasing the next case he will explore, maintaining the engaging narrative that has characterized his storied career. [13:42]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [03:04]
  Senior Dispenser: "The pupils didn't contract as a normal man's would. That is a common symptom of a drug addiction."

• [04:03]
  Narrator: "Fabian took him back to the police station and made him a cup of tea."

• [05:46]
  Dr. McPhailey: "Day I shall be a doctor. Somehow I shall find the money."

• [06:37]
  Senior Dispenser: "Go steady on those trips to the West End. Don't let wild oats spoil your harvest, eh?"

• [08:31]
  Dr. McPhailey: "Oh, Lord, my head."

• [12:40]
  Narrator: "This story was typical of the most distressing kind of case the police have to deal with."

• [12:40]
  Robert Fabian: "I don't know whether the body of this tragic human being is still alive. But to me, the real Paul Martin died in that year of 1934."

Conclusion

"Fabian of the Yard: The Case of the Black Butterfly" is a poignant exploration of the devastating effects of drug addiction, meticulously narrated by Robert Fabian. Through the tragic story of Paul Martin, the episode underscores the complexities of addiction, the challenges of law enforcement, and the profound personal losses that accompany such struggles. This episode stands as a testament to the enduring power of radio storytelling, bringing to life the human elements behind true crime tales from the annals of Scotland Yard.

Transcript

[Nicole Byer]

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[Dr. McPhailey]

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[Robert Fabian]

Fabian of the Yard Stories of the war against crime as told by the detective of the century, ex Superintendent Robert Fabian. Here is another true crime story from the memoirs of one of the world's forest crime detection experts, ex Detective Superintendent Fabian of Scotland Yard.

[Narrator]

My story on this occasion is not strictly one of crime detection insofar as I really had very little detecting to do. I was reminded of it on reading recently in the paper of a vicious ring of drug peddlers in the United States whose means of livelihood, and a very lucrative one it was, consisted of selling drugs like marijuana, cocaine and heroin to youngsters in their teens. This kind of practice, I would list along with blackmail, is the most vicious on record. No doubt most of you will agree that it is hard to imagine any crime more harmful to society than the supplying of habit forming drugs to teenagers or for that matter, to anybody at all. In a moment you will hear the story of Paul Martin, the medical student who became a drug addict after he won the Irish sweep.

[Robert Fabian]

It was one day in 1934 that Detective Sergeant Fabian came into the picture. A young man had gone to a chemist's shop with a prescription.

[Senior Dispenser]

20 grains of morphine sulphate.

[Dr. McPhailey]

I think there are some other things on the list too, aren't there? Dr. McPhailey mentioned that there were some vaccines in a serum, I think.

[Senior Dispenser]

Dr. McPhailey, did you say?

[Robert Fabian]

That's right.

[Dr. McPhailey]

McPhailey of rice slipper. I dropped the prescription in for him as a favor. I'm afraid I'm in a dreadful hurry and I can't wait to take it with me.

[Senior Dispenser]

Oh, I see.

[Dr. McPhailey]

The doctor wants you to send a messenger to Baker street station and put the package on the train for him.

[Senior Dispenser]

Oh, well, I expect it'll be all right. Sir, would you mind having the word with the senior dispenser?

[Dr. McPhailey]

Not at all.

[Robert Fabian]

The young man saw the senior dispenser in the shop and the senior man passed the prescription as an order. But he missed something that the other druggist had noticed whilst watching him talking to the Young customer. After the young man had left, he consulted with a chief dispenser. And subsequently rang the CID at Marylebone Station. Police station.

[Senior Dispenser]

It doesn't look quite nor Sergeant. And that's the fact. The pupils of the young man's eyes were definitely enlarged. When he came into the dispensary to speak to the senior dispenser. The pupils didn't contract as a normal man's would.

[Robert Fabian]

I beg your pardon?

[Senior Dispenser]

Yes, that's right. That is a common symptom of a drug addiction. That's what's worrying us. Well, what will you be wanting us to do, sir?

[Robert Fabian]

And on the other end of the line, Detective Sergeant Fabian gave his instructions.

[Narrator]

Well, here's what I'd like you to do. Make up a dummy package apparently containing the vaccines and the morphine. And send it on to the train to Ruislip. And give me full. Give me a full description of the young fellow. William.

[Robert Fabian]

And so, by an elementary trick of police work. Sergeant Fabian caught that night. One Paul Rolf Martin. As he came to the parcels office of Ruislip Station. To collect a small parcel for Dr. McPhailey. He showed no excitement when arrested. Fabian took him back to the police station and made him a cup of tea.

[Narrator]

You know, I can't for the life of me think why you tried to pull such a clumsy trick. As you know it's going to ruin your medical career.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Yes, of course.

[Narrator]

You passed your first examination.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Yes.

[Narrator]

You must be on your intermediate, then.

[Dr. McPhailey]

That's right.

[Narrator]

And yet you prejudice everything by the silly nonsense of obtaining drugs under false pretence. What made you do it?

[Dr. McPhailey]

I don't know.

[Narrator]

Good Lord, man, What's the matter? Here, give me that cup.

[Dr. McPhailey]

For mercy's sake. Let me have one small dose of my package.

[Narrator]

I can't do that, Martin.

[Dr. McPhailey]

You've got to. You've got to do. Here. I can't stand it. Give it to me, blast you. Give it to me.

[Narrator]

It won't do you any good, Martin. Get hold of yourself, man.

[Robert Fabian]

Come on.

[Narrator]

Sit down.

[Dr. McPhailey]

You fill this wine. Give me that package.

[Narrator]

No, you. You don't, son. Kev.

[Robert Fabian]

Fabian called for the police surgeon who came in and put a merciful end to the violence of Paul Martin with a hypodermic needle. The distressing scene started Fabian off on a train of research into Martin's background. And the story he uncovered. Was perhaps the most distressing case. In all his 28 years at Scotland Yard. Martin's father had been a well to do practitioner in Hertfordshire. Paul was to have inherited the Practice when he qualified. But Dr. Seaton Martin died suddenly, leaving his widow penniless and his son compelled to take a job as a three pound a week clerk in his lodging house bedroom. Each night, Paul Martin studied medicine with books from the Free Library. He wrote valiant letters to comfort his mother, and always through them was, one.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Day I shall be a doctor. Somehow I shall find the money.

[Robert Fabian]

His landlady was an Irish woman with a lot of faith in the benevolence of Dame Fortune.

[Mrs. Ryan]

Well, and now, how would the young doctor be today?

[Dr. McPhailey]

Oh, not too bad, thanks, Mrs. Ryan. Could be worse for now.

[Mrs. Ryan]

I've been thinking about that medical course of yours. Look now, if you want money to get through, why not buy a ticket in the Irish Suite?

[Dr. McPhailey]

That's a very good idea. The only trouble is you can't win money unless you've got some to start with. I can't afford a ticket, Mrs. Ryan.

[Mrs. Ryan]

You know that, can you not? What are you telling me? You don't have to buy a ticket, lad. Sell a book of tickets and you can keep the free one that goes with each book.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Oh, it is possible to do that, isn't it?

[Mrs. Ryan]

Of course it is. And look, now, I'll be buying a couple of those tickets myself. That'll help you along.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Well, that's very good of you, Mrs. Ryan. I don't feel very lucky, but there's no harm in trying.

[Robert Fabian]

There certainly wasn't any harm in trying. Mrs. Ryan's faith was more than justified. When young Martin won the £12,000 first prize, his trouble seemed to be over. Paul showed his basic good nature by presenting Mrs. Ryan with a handsome check and setting his mother up in a cozy house in Ruislip. He enrolled as a medical student and drove his new coupe to the hospital. The fulfillment of his dream was in sight. He passed his first examinations brilliantly. The senior house surgeon offered his congratulations and a friendly warning.

[Senior Dispenser]

Congratulations, Martin. You've done very well.

[Robert Fabian]

Oh, thanks very much, sir.

[Senior Dispenser]

That A word of advice from an old sawbones. Martin. Go steady on those trips to the West End. Don't let wild oats spoil your harvest, eh?

[Dr. McPhailey]

Oh, yes, I won't forget.

[Robert Fabian]

Martin meant what he said. He would stop going out so much. He knew it didn't mix with the career of a medical student. All right, then. Just one last weekend as a final big splash. Then he would stop altogether. A fortnight before his intermediate examinations, Martin knew he was not ready. Every weekend had been just the last and his work had suffered feverishly. He tried to cram six Months work into two weeks, Then on one of those sprees, every one which was to be the last, he got more than usually drunk and joined in a tour of nightclubs. On the morning of his examinations, Paul Martin found himself blinking at a guttering red candle in a cheap Soho dye.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Oh, Lord, my head.

[Nightclub Girl]

What's the matter, love? Can't you take it?

[Narrator]

What?

[Dr. McPhailey]

Oh, hello.

[Nightclub Girl]

Not very chummy, are you? It was different last night.

[Dr. McPhailey]

I've got to get out of here.

[Nightclub Girl]

What's a hurry?

[Dr. McPhailey]

I've got to go. I have an exam this morning. What a fool I was last night. I can hardly see.

[Nightclub Girl]

Oh, you and your silly old exam.

[Dr. McPhailey]

You don't understand. I've got to get through.

[Nightclub Girl]

Well, don't sound so cross about it. Here, take this.

[Robert Fabian]

Martin blinked blearily at the girl's outstretched hand. In it was a tiny heap of powder, like a pinch of salt.

[Narrator]

What is it?

[Nightclub Girl]

Coke, of course. What do you think? Fancy me having to tell a medical student what coke is? Come on, sniff it up. It'll make you feel like you're on top of the world.

[Robert Fabian]

Martin took the cocaine and found the girl was right. It did brighten him up. He didn't like the idea of taking drugs, but after all, it was only just one dose. What could be the harm in it? He got through the morning's work with ease. But by lunchtime, the effects of the cocaine had worn off. Martin began to shiver. The afternoon's exams were surgery. He would need a steady hand. He had to do something. So whilst the hospital staff were at lunch, Martin went to the accident ward cupboard and injected a quarter of grain of morphine sulfate into his arm. He felt better at once that afternoon. His fingers were steady and sure he did well in the examinations. At the end of three weeks of examinations, the quarter grain had become a half, three quarters, until finally it needed a full drain of the drug four times daily to keep the horrors at bay. Martin stole as much as he dared, diluted it with hyacinth, even quinine, to try to spin it out. At last came that inevitable morning when the senior house surgeon addressed the assembled staff.

[Senior Dispenser]

For several weeks, drugs have been disappearing. At the next deficiency, I shall inform the police. If anybody wishes to speak to me privately, I shall do all in my power to assist.

[Robert Fabian]

Nobody spoke. A pulse was jerking in Paul Martin's throat. The day was passed when he could do without the drug. And so was born the mad scheme to obtain supplies of morphine from a chemist on a false prescription. A scheme that ended in the police station. And later in court.

[Narrator]

Pardon. We're going to hold you on the lightest charge we can. That of obtaining drugs by false prescription. The police will ask the court for a suspended sentence so that you can enter a nursing home where you can be treated.

[Dr. McPhailey]

Thank you, you're very kind.

[Robert Fabian]

The police did all they could. They would have liked to do more. Fabian had hopes of writing a happy ending to the story. But it was not to be. Martin came out of the nursing home uncured all his fortune, went on buying drugs from the peddlers of Soho. Sometimes they sold him the real thing. More often, they swindled him with baking powder. He sold his car to get enough drug to keep him normal for four days, stole the deed of his mother's house and borrowed money on it. His mother lost the house and went back to live on the charity of relatives. And so life dragged on for Paul Martin. 16 years of utter misery, corruption and torture. And here is Mr. Fabian's footnote.

[Narrator]

This story was typical of the most distressing kind of case the police have to deal with. And like all such cases, is a grave indictment of the incredible stupidity of anyone who thinks he can get away with taking drugs. In the years since 1934, Paul Martin has been in and out of prison many times. His last punishment was for a clumsily attempted illegal operation. Which he hoped would bring him a few shillings for drugs. I don't know whether the body of this tragic human being is still alive. But to me, the real Paul Martin died in that year of 1934. Next week, I will deal with a murder case that had an unusual angle. The case of the Midget Hercules.

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