Guests of Doom 3xxxxx 011 Hattie Suspects Lucy of the Murder, and of Poisoning the Milk

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Guests of Doom 3xxxxx 011 - Hattie Suspects Lucy of the Murder, and of Poisoning the Milk
Date: September 25, 2025
Length: ~12:15

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Main Theme

This episode of "Guests of Doom" is a classic Golden Age radio drama that weaves a tense, claustrophobic murder mystery among the seven heirs of the late Elzevir Maddock. Bound by the terms of a will to stay in a house where two murders have already occurred, suspicion mounts—especially toward Lucy, the youngest and seemingly most innocent member of the group. The episode is driven by mounting paranoia, shifting alliances, and the psychological strain of potential danger lurking at any moment.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Developments

1. Recap and Stakes of the Situation

[00:32-01:11]

• A narrator recaps: Elzevir Maddock has been murdered, one heir has also died by poisoning, and the rest of the heirs must stay in the house for seven days. If an heir dies, their inheritance is split among survivors:

  "Which of the seven heirs will leave the house alive? No one knows but me… I am the host of the guests of doom." (Narrator, 01:10)

2. Lucy Under Suspicion

[01:27-02:22]

• Dr. Congreve and Robert debate suspicions against Lucy:
  • Robert doubts the evidence implicating Lucy, despite seeing her leaving a room near the time of the murder.
  • Dr. Congreve hints at a larger crime beyond murder and suggests that nobody is truly safe:

    "There is a crime in this house greater and more hideous than murder. And ... no one in this house is safe until that crime has been solved." (Dr. Congreve, 02:03)

3. Hattie’s Accusations

[02:26-05:06]

• Hattie expresses her suspicions to Oliver, arguing forcefully that Lucy could be the murderer and even accuses Lucy of poisoning Oliver’s milk.
• Oliver resists, defending Lucy as a child, to which Hattie retorts:

  "A child, is she? I'm afraid that you've been easily taken in by an innocent expression and a pair of guileless blue eyes." (Hattie, 03:03)

• Hattie insists that Lucy is clever and motivated, pressing Oliver to act on the suspicions even as he resists the idea.

  “She’ll be accused of Ezra’s murder and she’ll be accused…” (Hattie, 04:20)

4. Dr. Congreve's Investigation

[05:32-08:44]

• Detective (Donovan) confronts Dr. Congreve about the lack of progress.
• Dr. Congreve reveals he’s been observing everyone, trying to understand the psychological toll of the situation.
• The discussion leads Dr. Congreve to inspect the library, searching for a missing book:

  "I’m looking for a vacant place on the shelf. A place where someone has taken a book from." (Dr. Congreve, 07:16)

• They realize a volume on witchcraft and black arts is missing—Donovan jokes it must be Marisa, the old maid, who is reading it.
• Dr. Congreve is intrigued, believing the book might hold a clue:

  "Maybe it points to something. An answer to something. An important answer." (Dr. Congreve, 08:44)

5. Breakfast Tensions & Sudden Crisis

[09:12-11:32]

• The surviving heirs gather at breakfast, feigning normalcy amid the threat.
• Lucy and others joke nervously to relieve tension. Will tries to keep things light, but Marissa criticizes any levity.
• Suddenly, Robert collapses ("Robert falling!" 11:30)—leaving the group in panic, and ending the episode on a cliffhanger.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Paranoia:

  "You know that you saw Lucy coming out of a door at the end of a hall as you were coming up the stairs after the shot was fired." (Dr. Congreve, 01:41)

• On Lucy’s Alleged Innocence

  "A child, is she? I'm afraid that you've been easily taken in by an innocent expression and a pair of guileless blue eyes." (Hattie, 03:03)

• On Motivation:

  "Not too helpless to murder an old man who stood in the way of her happiness." (Hattie, 03:52)

• On Hopelessness:

  "Oh, Hattie, I'm so tired. So terribly tired. Why do you have to go on talking about it? Even if it should be true, it doesn't make any difference. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters now." (Oliver, 04:55)

• Dr. Congreve’s Deduction:

  "Maybe it points to something. An answer to something. An important answer." (Dr. Congreve, 08:44)

• A Light in the Darkness:

  "I may be the next victim, but I believe in making my last days on earth happy ones." (Will, 11:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Content | |----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:32 | Recap of deaths, stakes of staying in the house | | 01:27 | Initial suspicions against Lucy aired | | 02:26 | Hattie confronts Oliver with suspicions about Lucy | | 05:32 | Dr. Congreve explains his investigative approach to Donovan | | 07:16 | Discovery that a book on witchcraft is missing from the library | | 09:12 | Breakfast scene, brief calm and forced normalcy | | 11:30 | Robert collapses, introducing another possible death/murder | | 11:41-12:16| Narrator teases uncertainty and continues suspense |

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Conclusion

This episode delivers an intensifying whodunit atmosphere as the circle of trust within the house tightens and suspicious accusations fall squarely on Lucy. Paranoia is compounded by the mysterious disappearance of a book on witchcraft, suggesting motives—or methods—beyond mere greed. The forced cheer at breakfast is shattered by yet another apparent tragedy, leaving listeners on a gripping cliffhanger, with the mysterious narrator reminding us that only they know the fate of "the guests of doom."

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Transcript

[A]

Sa.

[B]

Two deaths and two murders have occurred in Elzevir Maddock's old house. First, Elzevir, hated by all his seven heirs, murdered when all the seven were in his house. And then Ezra, one of the seven heirs, was poisoned. And Elzevir's will said the seven heirs must remain in his house for seven days after his death. And when one of the seven died, his portion would be divided among the surv. Now, which of the seven heirs will leave the house alive?

[C]

Who knows?

[B]

No one knows but me. And I know because I am the host of the guests of doom.

[C]

But Dr. Congreve, suspecting Lucy. Why, it's absurd.

[D]

Is it?

[A]

You saw the evidence yourself, Robert.

[C]

Oh, yes, I saw it, but I don't believe it.

[A]

You don't believe what you can see with your own eyes.

[C]

I'm not sure of anything now. I'm not sure what I did see.

[A]

You know that you saw Lucy coming out of a door at the end of a hall as you were coming up the stairs after the shot was fired.

[C]

Yes. Yes, I did see that. I admit it.

[A]

And you know now, after proving it to yourself, that you didn't see her coming out of her own room, but you saw her coming from that vacant room on the other side of Elzeva Maddock's room.

[C]

I'm afraid you're Talking in riddles, Dr. Congreve.

[A]

I'm afraid that I don't understand those riddles any better than you. Well, that is so far. But I know that there is a crime in this house greater and more hideous than murder. And not one, no one in this house is safe until that crime has been solved.

[E]

Oliver, I've been watching Dr. Congreve very closely, and I have a feeling that he suspects Lucy of Uncle's murder.

[D]

Lucy? Nonsense, Hattie. The very idea is ridiculous.

[E]

Is it? I wonder, how could he suspect her.

[D]

Of all people in this house?

[E]

For all we know, he might be right.

[A]

Absurd, is it?

[E]

Listen, Oliver. Her room opened into Uncle Elzevir's. She was the last person in the hall that morning.

[D]

That doesn't prove a thing.

[E]

She could have come out of his room after firing the shot, gone through her and come out into the hall. It wouldn't have taken but a moment.

[D]

I won't believe it. It's idiotic for you to even think of such a thing. Why, Luce is a child.

[E]

A child, is she? I'm afraid that you've been easily taken in by an innocent expression and a pair of guileless blue eyes.

[A]

They are grave.

[E]

Oh, so You've noticed, have you? Well, that only proves what I was saying.

[D]

Now, Hattie, you know I didn't mean that.

[E]

No, no, you didn't mean or thing. I understand perfectly. But you have been taken in by her just as everyone else has, except Dr. Congreve.

[D]

But Hattie.

[E]

Oh, she's a sly little thing. And clever for all her innocent appeal. And she had plenty of reason for wanting Elzabur out of the way.

[D]

No more than.

[E]

No more than any of us, is that what you mean?

[D]

Well, it's true.

[E]

She wanted to get away from here, but she couldn't. He was her guardian. And she didn't have any money.

[D]

Oh, no, Hattie. It's unbelievable.

[E]

I'm afraid not, Oliver.

[D]

But that helpless child.

[E]

Not too helpless to murder an old man who stood in the way of her happiness.

[D]

I just can't believe it.

[E]

Time will tell.

[D]

But even if it should be so, why are you telling me all this? What does it matter to me?

[E]

Oh, you're a blind fool. Don't you see that if Lucy is guilty of one murder, she'll be accused of the others?

[D]

But, Hattie, she didn't.

[E]

Of course not. That doesn't matter. One murder or more.

[D]

I see. I understand. You don't need to explain any more.

[E]

She'll be accused of Ezra's murder and she'll be accused.

[D]

No, no, Hattie.

[E]

Why not? It won't make any difference to her now.

[D]

It's horrible, that's all. Horrible.

[E]

You're a fool, Oliver. But you're going to do as I say.

[F]

No.

[D]

Not what you're proposing. Never. That's too much.

[E]

How do you know that it wasn't Lucy who poisoned your milk?

[D]

Of course it wasn't Lucy.

[E]

Prove it.

[D]

Well, she couldn't have, that's all.

[E]

That's no proof. If she could murder Elzevir, she certainly wouldn't stop at a second crime.

[D]

I don't want to talk about it. Not another word.

[E]

And certainly she had no affection for you to stand in her way. She hardly knew you.

[D]

Oh, Hattie, I'm so tired. So terribly tired. Why do you have to go on talking about it? Even if it should be true, it doesn't make any difference. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters now.

[E]

It matters this much. Now you listen to me, Oliver. You've got to do this. You've got to do as I say. Now, since Lucy is already under suspicion, she's naturally going to be suspected.

[F]

And. Haven't you done anything, Doc? Aren't you getting anywhere?

[A]

Yes, I've done quite a lot, Donovan. Though I don't seem to be getting anywhere. Does seem as though I've been doing nothing. I know.

[F]

Frankly, Doc, it does.

[A]

I've been studying people day by day, Donovan. Studying the effect of the situation on them.

[F]

Meanwhile, they keep on getting murdered.

[A]

Oh, you don't have to point out my failures to me, Donovan.

[F]

Oh, I'm sorry, Doc. I meant nothing.

[A]

The circumstances of Elzeva Madoc's death are extraordinary. And they leave us in a very bad situation.

[F]

Now, the girl, Lucy, couldn't she have gotten into his room and out again?

[A]

Oh, yes, yes, I know all that.

[F]

And if you're right, that somebody on the stairs saw her coming out of the other door. She must have been in the old guy's room.

[A]

Possibly. Donovan.

[D]

Why?

[F]

Here, let me arrest her. Maybe we'll get something that way.

[A]

Oh, no, no, not yet.

[F]

How come the first time I ever knew you to. Well, you know what I mean.

[A]

Oh, no, Donovan. I have no interest in the girl. But I'm not convinced that we really have anything on her.

[F]

Well now, somebody must have shot the old guy. Are you giving up the case, Doc?

[A]

What do you think?

[F]

Well, what are you going to do?

[A]

Well, right now I'm going to look over the books here in the library. The books? Why? Oh, I don't know. A lot of interesting things have been found in books.

[F]

Doc, I don't understand you at all. Somebody's running around here with poison and you're reading books.

[A]

No, I'm not going to read them, Donovan. I'm going to look at them.

[F]

The strain of this case is sure getting on one of us.

[A]

Let's see. Nothing missing from this shelf.

[F]

What book are you looking for, Doc?

[A]

I'm not looking for a book.

[F]

Well, then what in the name of sensing?

[A]

I'm looking for something that's missing.

[F]

Now what do you mean by that?

[A]

I'm looking for a vacant place on the shelf. A place where someone has taken a book from.

[F]

Oh, I get you. You want to find out if somebody here is reading books.

[A]

Exactly. No, I wouldn't put it that way either. I want to find out what books are missing. Well, there's a catalog at the library and the books are in pretty good order.

[F]

Imagine anybody owning all these books.

[A]

Yes, and what books?

[F]

Hey, Doc, here's one out over here.

[A]

Where? Let's see.

[F]

On the shelf here.

[A]

That's right. One of a set too. Say, Donovan, these are rare books. Yeah, the history of the Black Arts, Magic, Witchcraft, Prophecy.

[F]

I don't believe in that. Stuff, Doc. But however, there used to be a fortune teller over on 14th Street.

[A]

I don't believe in it either, Donovan, but plenty of people do. And whether one believes in it or not, it's mighty interesting reading a book on witchcraft. Wonder who has it.

[F]

Oh, that's an easy one, Doc.

[A]

I'll bet you the old maid's got it. Marisa.

[F]

Yep.

[A]

Yeah, that's fairly obvious. Of all the books in the library, that's one book she would make.

[F]

So now you know the kind of a book the old maid's reading. And what does that get you, Doc?

[A]

Well, nowhere, maybe. Maybe. Maybe it points to something.

[F]

Points to something what?

[A]

An answer to something. An important answer. It may be, well, nothing but a hunch. And it may be more. But Donovan, I have the feeling, heaven only knows why, that there is something significant about that book. Yeah.

[D]

I feel safer this morning somehow. Robert, there's something so reassuring about Dr. Congreve.

[C]

You mean, Will, there's something so reassuring about having everyone come downstairs to breakfast.

[E]

Oh, Uncle Robert.

[D]

Well, you must admit, Lucy, it's the first night that something hasn't happened.

[C]

Yes, that's true. Why, if there were any more of us in the house, we'd have to call the roll at breakfast to make sure that none of us had been murdered in the night.

[E]

I don't see how you can joke about.

[C]

What am I supposed to do? Curl up and cry?

[D]

Be absurd? You must admit this is a serious affair.

[C]

Serious?

[D]

I'd say you were putting it at all.

[C]

Miley.

[D]

Will, Miley is right.

[C]

But I'll be frank with you. I had no affection for Ezra and certainly none for Uncle Elzeba if I pretended to be shedding tears over their unfortunate ends. You despise me, of course.

[D]

But then there's no but.

[C]

We're all in danger. All right, I admit it. Personally, Will, I'd rather not be too serious about danger. It's a little less nerve wracking not to worry about it.

[E]

Uncle Robert is right.

[D]

Well, it's a good thing someone in the house is still light hearted.

[C]

Oh, oh, I'm light.

[D]

I'm lighthearted enough.

[C]

Even if I do have the feeling that my turn may come any minute.

[E]

Oh, no, no, no, Uncle Robert.

[D]

Here come Hattie and Oliver.

[C]

Well, well, what are your plans for the day?

[E]

Plans? How can anyone make plans in a place like this?

[D]

Yes, there's nothing to do but sit around and think.

[C]

Oh, come on now, Oliver. Come along, cheer up.

[D]

We've got to keep our spirits up somehow.

[C]

We might organize a chess tournament or something. Play chess, Lucy?

[E]

Yes, a little.

[D]

It's not a bad idea.

[C]

Hello, Marissa. We were just talking about organizing a chess tournament.

[E]

I might have expected something of the sort.

[B]

A chess tournament in a house of murder.

[C]

Oh, now, Marissa, we've got to keep cheerful somehow.

[E]

There are many better ways that the time could be spent. Marissa, if you don't stop talking that way, I'll go crazy.

[B]

Well, that would be better, perhaps. Stomp it.

[C]

Stomp it. See, our nerves are all on edge.

[A]

We're all irritable.

[C]

We've got to do something to let down a bit.

[D]

Yes, you're right, Robert.

[C]

I may be the next victim, but I believe in making my last days on earth happy ones. Cigarette, Oliver?

[D]

No, thanks, Will. Not the brand you smoke.

[C]

Oh, all right. Is anybody a match?

[A]

Here you are. Thanks.

[C]

We might all.

[E]

Uncle Robert.

[A]

What's the matter?

[E]

What's the matter?

[C]

I. I don't know what is.

[E]

Look out.

[B]

Robert falling.

[D]

Robert.

[B]

So something has happened to Robert, eh? Is it another murder? Is it? In spite of Dr. Concrete's precautions, has the mysterious death struck again? And who is responsible this time? And what will happen tomorrow? Who will be the next victim, eh? No one knows. No one knows but me. And I know because I am the host of the guests of doom.

[E]

Sam.