Sam Spade 1948-07-04 Rushlight Diamond Caper

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Sam Spade 1948-07-04 – “The Rushlight Diamond Caper”

Release Date: October 14, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Original Air Date: July 4, 1948
Featured Cast: Howard Duff as Sam Spade

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Overview

This episode features a classic radio detective drama, The Adventures of Sam Spade, specifically the "Rushlight Diamond Caper." On a festive Fourth of July, private detective Sam Spade is hired to guard wedding presents at an opulent but dysfunctional family wedding. The guest list is suspicious, the atmosphere is tense, and when a murder occurs, Sam is thrust into a web of deception surrounding a prized diamond, familial intrigue, and double-crosses. The story is delivered with characteristic sharp wit, classic noir banter, and an ensemble cast of colorful characters.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Assignment: Guarding the Rushlight Diamond

• Setting: Sam Spade is engaged by Mrs. May Rushlight to guard wedding gifts at the marriage of her nephew to Lotta Van Eyck.
• Key Characters Introduced:
  • Mrs. May Rushlight: Wealthy, jaded matriarch with biting humor.
  • Nancy Ward: Shrewd social secretary.
  • Ralph Rushlight: Hapless groom with “criminal tendencies and the mentality of a snail.”
  • Lotta Van Eyck: Mysterious, Dutch bride with poor English.
  • Colonel Lysander Bixby: The bride’s foster father with a questionable past.
• Atmosphere: The episode opens with brilliant sarcasm and comic exchanges, setting up the party as a “most dismal aggregation ever assembled.”
  • Notable quote:
    • Mrs. May Rushlight on her nephew's bride:
      “Have you ever seen Bugs Bunny, Mr. Spade?... the teeth. As my late husband used to say... she could eat a tomato through a tennis racket.” (04:38)

2. The Rushlight Diamond and Its Curse

• Legend: The diamond is famous and allegedly cursed, intended to leave the family upon the marriage of a male heir.
• Mrs. Rushlight’s Position: She is required by her late husband's will to pass the diamond to Lotta upon her marriage to Ralph.
• Sam’s Task: Guarding the diamond in a jewel case, which a narrator describes as only “slightly smaller than an eight ball.”

3. The Wedding Unfolds (07:32–11:19)

• Suspicion Among the Guests:
  • The guests openly gossip whether Sam is really a guest or a detective.
  • Colonel Bixby is established as both controlling and highly interested in the diamond.
• The Presentation of the Necklace:
  • During the presentation of the Rushlight diamond to the bride, Lotta suddenly flees.
  • Chaos erupts and the rest of the party pursues her.
  • Memorable line:
    • Sam: “I was almost ashamed of joining the chase, but I had to, because I’d been hired to guard the Rushlight diamond. And for my money, the best way to do that was to help her get away.” (11:50)

4. A Murder and a Mystery (11:50–13:57)

• The chase ends with the discovery of the groom, Ralph, dead—stabbed with garden shears. The necklace, supposedly the Rushlight diamond, is found in his hand. Lotta disappears.

5. Investigation and Unraveling Motives (13:57–20:04)

• Lotta Reappears:
  • Lotta hides out in Sam's office, where her broken English and limited understanding cast doubt on her guilt.
  • She reveals she only married Ralph to get the diamond, and he wanted to sell it for cash.
  • Lotta: “I am in Macassar, being born in Macassar Dutch colony... Am I a rich Dutch woman?” (14:44)
• Sam Talks to the Police:
  • Sam learns from Lt. Dundee that the "diamond" found on Ralph’s body is fake (paste).
• Mrs. Rushlight’s Financial Woes and Confession:
  • Sam confronts Mrs. Rushlight, who admits she’s been living beyond her means by borrowing against the diamond.
  • Sam (mocking her melodrama):
    • “What you mean is you’re eking out a meager existence, keeping your head above water, one jump ahead of the sheriff, stalked by the grim specter of poverty. Is that right?” (19:00)
  • She reveals that Nancy, her secretary, was present when she last accessed the genuine diamond.

6. Revelation and Confrontation (20:13–24:34)

• Lotta is Bailed Out:
  • Foster father Colonel Bixby unexpectedly arranges Lotta’s release from police custody.
• Final Showdown:
  • Sam and Nancy rush to intercept Bixby.
  • They find him at a staged suicide, with evidence of a possible cover-up.
  • Confrontation:
    • Colonel Bixby tries to negotiate with Sam for the real diamond, offering surges from $10,000 to $100,000 (23:05).
  • Resolution:
    • The police arrive. Sam tricks Bixby into an escape attempt, leading to his capture.
    • Bixby confesses to orchestrating the entire scheme and manipulating the vulnerable Lotta.

7. Wrap-Up and Closing Banter (24:34–28:30)

• Reflective Note:

  • Sam laments Lotta’s fate:
    • “The worst of it was the cruel way he victimized the poor little ugly duckling, Lotta Van Eyck. It's tough enough to be whipped before you start.” (24:34)

• Sam and Bernadine’s Typing Room Comedy:

  • Light-hearted dialogue with secretary Bernadine about her six “marriages”—all to the same man—and multilingual typing woes.
  • Bernadine:
    • “I only marry my husband. Repetition is the spice of variety, I always say.” (25:24)

• Effie’s Telegram:

  • Bernadine reads a telegram from Sam’s regular secretary, Effie, full of wordplay and in-jokes about replacing her at weddings.
  • Sam consoles her: “Bernadine, you just have to marry your husband again, that's all.” (28:01)

• Parting Words:

  • Sam bids Bernadine, Effie, and the night farewell, ending on a note of bittersweet jest and classic 1940s radio melodrama.

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Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Mrs. May Rushlight: “As my late husband used to say of her mother, she could eat a tomato through a tennis racket.” (04:38)
• Sam Spade to Nancy: “Speak now or forever hold your pen.” (09:27)
• Sam Spade: “For my money, the best way to do that was to help her get away.” (11:50)
• Sam to Mrs. Rushlight (breaking melodrama):
  “Keeping your head above water, one jump ahead of the sheriff, stalked by the grim specter of poverty. Is that right?” (19:00)
• Sam, reflecting on Lotta:
  “The worst of it was the cruel way he victimized the poor little ugly duckling, Lotta Van Eyck. It’s tough enough to be whipped before you start.” (24:34)
• Bernadine Hemp:
  “I only marry my husband. Repetition is the spice of variety, I always say.” (25:24)

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Important Plot Timestamps

• Wedding Assignment & Guests Introduced: 02:28–07:32
• Presentation of the Diamond & Chaos: 10:32–11:50
• Discovery of Murder: 11:50–13:57
• Lotta’s Confession & Paste Diamond Reveal: 14:29–16:14
• Mrs. Rushlight’s Confession: 17:36–19:32
• Showdown with Bixby: 22:13–23:44
• Sam’s Wrap-up & Reflection: 24:34–26:43
• Comedy Close with Bernadine and Effie’s Telegram: 26:43–28:30

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Tone and Style

The episode is steeped in witty, rapid-fire banter, weary cynicism, and an undercurrent of melancholy for those outmaneuvered by life or circumstance. Sam’s tough, sardonic narration is peppered with wordplay, comical misunderstandings, and sharply drawn characters.

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For New Listeners

This episode is a stellar example of mid-century detective fiction as heard in the golden age of radio. It blends intriguing mystery, clever humor, social satire, and classic noir tropes. Whether you’re nostalgic for period radio or new to Sam Spade, you’ll find here a story of greed, misdirection, and moral ambiguity, told with panache and wrapped up with a mix of wit and pathos.

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Transcript

[Narrator]

The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil Hair Tonic. The non alcoholic hair tonic that contains lanolin. Wild Root Cream Oil again and again, the choice of men who put good grooming first.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Sam Spade Detective Agency. Good evening.

[Sam Spade]

That sounds funny in dialect. Good evening to you and Happy Fourth of July. Bernadine hemp.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Oh, Mr. Spade. What was the kappa?

[Sam Spade]

Don't you mean caper?

[Bernadine Hemp]

No, the kappa. The high point of the caper. The climax. The crescendo. The pinafore.

[Sam Spade]

That's better. For a minute I was afraid you were learning English.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Oh, no. I'm studying Spanish. Soy infoles k? Nician.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Mucho interesting.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Gracias. Shall I go home now?

[Sam Spade]

No. Mal suerte. There's a little matter of murder in two languages, neither of which is Spanish. So stay where you are. I'll be right down to dictate my report on the Rushlight diamond caper.

[Narrator]

Dashiell Hammett, America's leading detective fiction writer and creator of Sam Spade, the Hard Boiled Private Eye, and William Speer, Ray Radio's outstanding producer director of mystery and crime Drama. Join their talents to make your hair stand on end with the Adventures of Sam Spade presented by the makers of Wild Root Cream Oil for the hair. Listen, men, to this holiday tip on good grooming to help spark up your whole appearance. First, be sure that your hair is well groomed. Be sure it's groomed with popular Wild Root Cream Oil hair tonic. Wild Root Cream Oil grooms your hair neatly and naturally. The way you like it. The way she likes it. Wildroot Cream Oil also relieves annoying dryness, removes loose, ugly dandruff. So look your best all the time by sprucing upright with Wildroot Cream Oil Hair Tonic again and again. The choice of men who put good grooming first. And now, with Howard Duff starring as Spade. Wildroot brings to the air the greatest private detective of them all in the Adventures of Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Date July 4, 1948. Two Mrs. May Rushlight, 21A Granite Court from Samuel Spade. License number 137596. Subject, the Rushlight Diamond. Dear Mrs. Rushlight, it was the kind of nice, relaxing assignment that comes my way just often enough to remind me that gum shoeing can be respectable. There was an air of quiet elegance about 21 a granite court and about the butler who answered the door. He took in my rented gray topper and doeskin gloves, nodded approvingly at my wing collar, watered silk ascot, pearl gray waistcoat, morning coat pinstripe Trousers and my spats with the mother of pearl buttons and asked me if I were a florist. I set him to rights and he led me up a flight of stairs to the early a.m. annex of your morning room, Mr. Samuel Spade.

[Nancy Ward]

You're just on time, Mr. Spade. Mrs. Rushlight will be pleased. I'm Nancy Ward, Mrs. Rushlight's social secretary. And if you don't think that's tough to say, try it.

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Rushlight's socials. What's tough about that?

[Nancy Ward]

You'll do. Definitely, you'll do.

[Sam Spade]

Shall we dance?

[Nancy Ward]

I will dance at her wedding. But don't get me wrong. I'm not secretly in love with Ralph Rushlight. And the bride is lovely. Just hate to see all that money going down the drain.

[Sam Spade]

Is there anything else you think I should know?

[Nancy Ward]

You know what your job is. You're supposed to guard the wedding presents. That's simple, because it's nothing but a lot of cheap silver. And stay away from the champagne. It's non vintage. The food will be foul. The guests of the most dismal aggregation ever assembled.

[Sam Spade]

Sounds like a lovely party.

[Nancy Ward]

I arranged the whole thing.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

I told you.

[Nancy Ward]

She's a lovely bride.

[Sam Spade]

What'd she ever do to you?

[Nancy Ward]

I'd rather not stay. I don't want to sound bitter. This way, Mr. Spade. The old hat. Mrs. Rushlight. We'll see you now.

[Sam Spade]

Thank you. Florence Nightingale.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Nancy.

[Nancy Ward]

Oh, this is it, darling. Mr. Spade.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Come over here, young man, so I can get a better look at you.

[Sam Spade]

How's this?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

It's good. Turn around. Yes, you'll do. That'll be all, Nancy.

[Nancy Ward]

Couldn't I be finishing up these place cards while you talk?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Take them with you. Do them outside.

[Nancy Ward]

Very well.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Nosy girl, but nice.

[Sam Spade]

Nice nose.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, you too, eh? Eh? I agree. That's why I'm marrying off my nephew to that wretched girl, Lotta Van Eyck. Have you ever seen Bugs Bunny, Mr. Spade?

[Sam Spade]

You don't mean the.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

They protrude the ears. No, the teeth. As my late husband used to say of her mother, she could eat a tomato through a tennis racket. There's only one thing that'll prevent this wedding from being an utter disaster. She doesn't understand much English.

[Sam Spade]

What's the matter with your nephew?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

A great deal, but it doesn't show. Suffice it to say he has criminal tendencies and the mentality of a snail.

[Sam Spade]

Mrs. Reichlight, I don't like to seem forward, but why are you telling me all this?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

You're supposed to mingle with the guests. You'll need some conversation. Now, as to your assignment, the bride being what she is, the wedding presents are hardly worth guarding. Except for one. Ironically enough, it's from me.

[Sam Spade]

What is it? A machine gun.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, that's good. Oh, excuse me. I must write that down and then.

[Sam Spade]

Tear it up immediately.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, dear, no, no, Mr. Spade. But it's bad luck. The Rushlight Diamond. You've heard of it?

[Sam Spade]

Something about it in the American Weekly a while back, wasn't there?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Yes, yes. It's not as large as the Hope diamond, but there's not a flaw in it. My late husband, Roy Rushlight, bought it for his first wife. She sank with the SS General Slocum in Hell Gate, the East River 19 4. Over a thousand lives lost. Luckily, she was wearing a paste copy at the time. I was only a young girl when I married Mr. Rushlight, and fool that I was, I signed anything his lawyers asked me to sign. After his death, I discovered that the diamond was to be mine only until the marriage of my husband's male heir, at which time it must go to his bride.

[Sam Spade]

Well, that's too bad. You say, though, that the Rushlight diamond is bad luck.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Ah. Oh, there's that, of course. I wonder if it's too much to hope. Well, I must go and help dress the bride. Go along downstairs, Miss Spade. Take this jewel case with you. Put it on the table with the other presents and guard it well.

[Sam Spade]

So I took the old velvet covered case you held out to me and checked the contents. It was an old fashioned lavalier with a clear stone pendant only slightly smaller than an eight ball. Didn't look like a diamond, but smooth cut diamonds hardly ever do. It didn't look like bad luck either. But a mirror broke in the hall as I passed it. Then I fell all the way down the stairs, and as I entered the ballroom, I knocked over a punch bowl. Nothing really terrible happened until just before dark when the guests began to arrive. In theory, a detective guarding wedding presents is supposed to make himself indistinguishable from the other guests. In practice, it never works out that way. He has to spend most of his time within sight of the booty, so he is very easily spotted.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

I don't believe it.

[Sam Spade]

He's too good looking.

[Nancy Ward]

Oh, but he must be.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

He's not anybody we know.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Well, ask him. It's leap year.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Oh, here comes Colonel Bixby.

[Bernadine Hemp]

He'll know.

[Sam Spade]

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Beauty gathered round the booty, eh? Much more beauty than booty, though.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Say, when are they going to hang the diamond?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

On that drip.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

No, no, there's no way to talk about the blushing bride.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Is that it in the crummy old case there?

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

That case is heirloom, young lady. The stone that reposes in it is worth a king's ransom. Now, take your grubby hands elsewhere. Be off with you. Go on.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Well, just because he's going to give the bride away, thinks he can order everyone around.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Mr. Spade, allow me to congratulate you, sir. These affairs, one all too often sees the detective on guard duty at the punch bowl.

[Sam Spade]

I was forewarned.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Oh, yes, very bad. Champagne flat. I'll be glad when these ill starred nuptials are consummated. And by the way, Bixby's my name. Colonel Lysander Bixby. Colonel, it is my melancholy and thankless duty to give the bride away to the hapless groom, Ralph Rushlight. However, it's much better to give than to receive. You tell that to Mae Rushlight, eh? Quite a trink.

[Sam Spade]

Mustn't touch grubby hands, remember?

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Oh, sense of humor as well as sense of duty. Candidly, if I knew a place to fence in, I'd be the. Oh, Miss Ward, how lovely you Look.

[Narrator]

Poor Ralph.

[Nancy Ward]

Mrs. Rushlight asked me to warn you to get ready. The bride will be down any moment.

[Sam Spade]

Good grief.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Well, I suppose I must steel myself. Where did I leave my glass?

[Nancy Ward]

Keep your eye on that old goat, Mr. Spade. I don't trust him.

[Sam Spade]

Who is he?

[Nancy Ward]

He's the only one here who knows why this wedding's happening. He's the bride's foster father.

[Sam Spade]

You mean he's got something on the family?

[Nancy Ward]

You'll never know how much until you kiss the bride.

[Sam Spade]

Look, Nancy, it's none of my business.

[Nancy Ward]

But I. Oh, starting. I'll have to go in now.

[Sam Spade]

Wait.

[Nancy Ward]

What?

[Sam Spade]

How does it go? Speak now or forever hold your pen.

[Nancy Ward]

No, I. I can't do that. Thank you for understanding.

[Sam Spade]

I didn't witness the ceremony, but judging from the mood of those who had, it was just as well I didn't. They shuffled back into the ballroom looking as if they'd witnessed an execution. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry to join the receiving line. After a few half hearted handshakes, the groom left the bride standing alone, looking kind of bewildered, and came over to take inventory of the presents. Look at that junk. I'm Ralph Rushlight. Who are you? Spade. I was hired to guard this junk, as you call it. Sorry I'm wasting my time. The Rushlight dime. It's bad luck. Look at what it did to me. Look at her. Did you have a sandy? Keep it to yourself. Why should I? Because I'm liable to slap you clear across this room. Haven't I been punished enough? Go on. Go on. Scram. Keep your hooks off that necklace.

[Narrator]

That's mine.

[Sam Spade]

I heard it's your wife's.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Come along over here. Oh, Mr. Spade, you haven't met the bride yet, have you?

[Sam Spade]

No.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Sam Spade]

I wish you a lot of luck, Mrs. Rushlight. You're gonna need it.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Well, I suppose now as well as anytime, Colonel.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Oh, very well, my dear. Quiet, please. Quiet, everyone. Mrs. Rushlight, the old. The elder Mrs. Rushlight, that is, has something to say to you.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Yes?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

The necklace. Will you please hand it to me?

[Sam Spade]

With pleasure. I'm tired of looking at it.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, you're not done yet. Stay close by my side. Dear friends, at this solemn moment, I want, first of all to welcome this dear little girl into the Rushlight family.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Yes. And now, dear Larder, I will place around your neck the gem which was my heritage when I became a Rushlight and which is now yours. Thank you. What's wrong? Lotta, come back here.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

I'll go into the carport and head her off.

[Sam Spade]

You leave her alone.

[Nancy Ward]

I'll take care.

[Wild Root Cream Oil Advertiser]

Whose wife is she, anyhow? Lotta, come back here.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Lotta, bring it back.

[Sam Spade]

I was almost ashamed of joining the chase, but I had to, because I'd been hired to guard the Rushlight diamond. And for my money, the best way to do that was to help her get away. Somebody got to her before I did. A strip of wedding gown satin marked the spot. The body lay crumpled under a hedge. But it wasn't the bride's body. It was the groom. He'd been stabbed to death with a pair of garden shears. Which made sense. But what didn't make sense was that the necklace she'd been wearing was still clutched in his hand.

[Narrator]

The makers of wild root cream oil are presenting the weekly Sunday adventure of Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective, Sam Spade. If you want the well groomed look that helps you get ahead socially and on the job. Listen. Recently, thousands of people from coast to coast who bought wild root cream oil for the first time were asked, how does wild root cream oil compare with the hair tonic you previously used? Better than 4 out of 5 who replied said they preferred wild root cream oil. And no wonder. Wild root cream oil grooms the hair neatly and naturally, relieves annoying dryness and removes loose dandruff. What's more non alcoholic. Wild Root Cream Oil is the only leading hair tonic that contains soothing lanolin. So ask for Wild Root Cream Oil hair tonic again and again. The choice of men who put good grooming first. By the way, smart girls use Wild Root Cream oil too. And mothers say it's grand for training children's hair. And now back to the Rushlight diamond caper. Tonight's adventure with Sam Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Number 21, a granite court was teeming with motives and suspects. But the police were primarily interested in locating Lotta, the missing bride and widow of Ralph Rushlight. So was I. She looked like less work than the rest of you. Because if she had killed him, it was self defense. If she knew enough English. By 10 in the a.m. when I checked in at my office, she was still successfully eluding the police Dragnet. That was because nobody, including me, had thought of looking in my office. Wow. Good morning.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Sam Spade]

Is that all the English you know?

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Nancy Ward]

No.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

I want my necklace.

[Sam Spade]

The police have it.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

You go with me and tell them who I am.

[Sam Spade]

Okay, but first I have to know who you are, where you came from, what your connection with Colonel Bixby is.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

I am in Macassar, being born in Macassar Dutch colony. My father there seven years ago dying is when I 13 years old have arrived. I see Colonel Bixby in San Francisco. The financial representative from my father was. I am adopted to him not for a father, but so he takes care of my money switch coming of age. Am I a rich Dutch woman?

[Sam Spade]

Uh huh. But legally he's your foster father.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Yeah. Also legally, I'm not a wife of Rushlight. I want my necklace.

[Sam Spade]

You married him for the necklace?

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Yeah.

[Sam Spade]

Why did he marry you?

[Lotta Van Eyck]

For one half of necklace when we sell. But all everything to take he wishes.

[Sam Spade]

You and Ralph are gonna divvy the take from the Rushlight diamond. You?

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sam Spade]

And what was the Colonel gonna get?

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Monies for Mrs. Rushlight.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, no, wait, that doesn't make sense. Mrs. Rushlight stood to lose a small fortune by that marriage. Why should she pay the Colonel to promote it?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

You the detective are you said that.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Where my necklace are That I say.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, well, look, I'm not as sure as I was. Wait just a minute, I'll check on it.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Homicide. Lieutenant Dundee.

[Sam Spade]

Spade Dundee.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Yes, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

What's new on the Rushlight caper?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

You know I can't talk about the case, Sam.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, I got a line on that girl. Huh?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Where is she?

[Sam Spade]

You know I can't talk about that, Dundee.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Oh, you can't can't you? Well, let's see if this doesn't change your mind. The necklace we found on Rushlight's body was a phony. A paste copy?

[Sam Spade]

Uh huh. Does that make her guiltier than she was before?

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Well, now she's got a motive. Throws all our previous theories into a cocked hat. Now, where's the girl?

[Sam Spade]

She's in my office, Lieutenant, dear. Come and get her.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Thank you.

[Nancy Ward]

Oh, it's you, Sam. Back again?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah. Do you mind?

[Nancy Ward]

Well, that depends on who you came to see.

[Sam Spade]

You, sweetheart. But first I'd like to talk to Mrs. Rushlight.

[Nancy Ward]

Well, she can't see anyone. She's in a state of nervous collapse over the over Ralph's death.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, that's too bad. You seem to be holding up pretty well.

[Nancy Ward]

I'm relieved. He's better off dead than married to that.

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, Rushlight Diamond's still unlucky, you know.

[Nancy Ward]

What do you mean by that?

[Sam Spade]

I was just trying it on for size.

[Nancy Ward]

Huh. Does it fit?

[Sam Spade]

Yeah, but you and Mrs. Rushlight are about the same size. Her nerves getting any better?

[Nancy Ward]

You're the doctor. If you want to see her, go ahead. She's up there.

[Sam Spade]

Thank you, Mrs. Rushlight.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Go away. I milk.

[Sam Spade]

I'm sorry to break in on you like this, but I haven't got much time.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

How dare you. Nancy. Nancy. Why is that girl. Mr. Spade, please leave me alone with my grief.

[Sam Spade]

Funny thing. Yesterday Nancy was carrying a torch for Ralph and you were holding the torch to him. Today it's different.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, good heavens. You don't think I'm grief stricken over Ralph?

[Sam Spade]

Good. That's one less mystery.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Mr. Spade. What do you want?

[Sam Spade]

Your nephew's killer.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, does it matter?

[Sam Spade]

It does to me. Somebody getting knocked off right under my nose is bad for private detectives everywhere.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, for a moment I thought that. Say, wouldn't you rather make some more money?

[Sam Spade]

I refuse the Mary Lotta.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, no, nothing like that. It's the necklace, Mr. Spade. The genuine.

[Sam Spade]

What is?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

I don't know. All I know is the other one isn't.

[Sam Spade]

Who told you that?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Why, the police know. It's in the papers, isn't it?

[Sam Spade]

Not yet.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Well, how else would I learn?

[Sam Spade]

The murderer is the only one who could have told you. Unless you're the murderer.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

I see. Very well, Mr. Spade, I'll tell you what I know. I'm not as wealthy as you might think. In fact, I have for four years lived from pillar to post, from hand to mouth, ragtag and bobtail struggling to make ends meet.

[Sam Spade]

Now, what you mean is you're eking out a meager existence, keeping your head above water, one jump ahead of the sheriff, stalked by the grim specter of poverty. Is that right?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, how well you put it. In fact, Mr. Spade, I'm something of a crook. I've borrowed large sums of money from Colonel Bixby, putting up as collateral something that was not mine to forfeit.

[Sam Spade]

Uh, don't tell me. Let me guess. Uh, it was the Rushlight diamond.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Well, you seem to know everything.

[Sam Spade]

All but one thing. Why did you think you could palm off a paste copy on an operator like Bixby?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

He sent you here. I won't tell you another single thing.

[Sam Spade]

Well, then I'll tell you a few things. The only way the Rushlight diamond could be transferred legally into the hands of Colonel Bixby was by tricking Ralph into marriage with Lotta. Since Ralph's wife automatically became the legal owner. With Ralph dead, Bixby would be in line to inherit the diamond from her.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Inherit?

[Sam Spade]

California state law. Foster parent may inherit from a foster child an absence of any direct heir.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Well, then he planned he. He'd kill her, too. Mr. Spade, we must stop him.

[Sam Spade]

She's safe for the time being. I had her thrown into the poky. They can hold her 48 hours for questioning, but they can hold you longer. They can even hold you as an accessory before the fact.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Why?

[Bernadine Hemp]

Why?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

I. I didn't know he was going to kill anyone.

[Sam Spade]

Lotta was just gonna hand over a million buck diamond to Bixby out of the kindness of her heart.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Oh, no. Lotta wanted to become an American citizen. Marriage is the quickest way for her. Ralph was the only way.

[Sam Spade]

Okay, I'll buy that. Now, tell me honestly, Mrs. Rushlight, what happened to the genuine stone?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

I honestly didn't know. I wasn't sure. But now there can be only one answer.

[Sam Spade]

Nancy.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

With a laughing face, she went with me when I went to the bank vault to get the Rushlight diamond to present to Lotta. After the ceremony, she looked after all my jewels, including the paste copy that I habitually wore.

[Sam Spade]

Homicide, Lieutenant Dundee Spade again. Dundee, I think I got the Rushlight caper all wrapped up. I'm heading for your office now, so wait for me. And whatever you do, don't let that lot of dame out of your sight. Thank you. Goodbye.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Wait a minute, Sam. Wait a minute. Yeah, the lotter dame. She's already gone.

[Sam Spade]

Escape.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

Bailed out custody of her foster father. Wait a minute. I got the name here, sir.

[Sam Spade]

Bixby. He's a colonel and no Wonder you're only a lieutenant.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

But, Mr. Spade. Counter. Stay fatigued.

[Sam Spade]

Not thirsty. Nancy. Nancy, where are you?

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

Here I am, sir.

[Nancy Ward]

Sam, I. I was waiting for you.

[Sam Spade]

You got the keys to that car out in front?

[Nancy Ward]

Why, yes. Do you want to borrow it?

[Sam Spade]

Yes. With you in it?

[Nancy Ward]

Why, Sam. Wait till I put my face on.

[Sam Spade]

Let it go. It's as good as lost anyway. Come on.

[Nancy Ward]

What is this place? Where are you taking me?

[Sam Spade]

Never mind. Just hang on. I'll fly you up to the second floor.

[Nancy Ward]

Sam, that was a shot that sounded like Lotto.

[Sam Spade]

You stay here. Don't come in until I call you. Get back in there.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Drop it.

[Bernadine Hemp]

No.

[Sam Spade]

Drop it or I'll crack your elbow. That's better. Now sit down. Look this over. Looks real cute. Powder burns. Gun beside the chair. And what's this? Well, well, well. A note in Dutch.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

It's a suicide note. She killed herself.

[Sam Spade]

I can almost believe that. You've handled this very well, considering the bad breaks you've had.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Only one thing wrong do I send to bargain.

[Sam Spade]

I don't have to bargain. I've got the diamond. All you've got is two murders wrapping on your thick noggin.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Don't be absurd. I know who has the real necklace.

[Sam Spade]

And you better talk to her directly. You can come in now.

[Nancy Ward]

Sam, was that.

[Lotta Van Eyck]

Oh, that poor, homely little dame.

[Nancy Ward]

What did she ever do?

[Sam Spade]

Stop. You're breaking my heart. She committed suicide.

[Nancy Ward]

You know better than that.

[Sam Spade]

She committed suicide. If the colonel's price is right.

[Nancy Ward]

Oh, I see.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

I'll put it to you directly. It's not easy to fence. It'll have to be cut. That'll decrease the value considerably. Say $10,000, no questions asked.

[Sam Spade]

Pardon me. That suicide shot, it's ringing in my ears. I can't hear you.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

20,050. All right, 100,000.

[Nancy Ward]

Sam, don't be a fool.

[Sam Spade]

Take it. I'll give you a real break. Colonel. That's the cops coming after you.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

Anything, Spade. What do you want me to do?

[Sam Spade]

I want you to try and get out of here.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

What are you going to do?

[Sam Spade]

There's the door. Go ahead.

[Colonel Lysander Bixby]

All right.

[Sam Spade]

Thank you, Colonel.

[Lieutenant Dundee]

All right, men. Remember, he's desperate.

[Sam Spade]

Bixby, we're giving you a chance. Come down or we're coming up after you. Come on. Come on, get up. Colonel, here he comes. Kevin, it may be a trick. Watch it, Dundee. Here he comes. And that, Mrs. Rushlight, is the crop for a man that went down fighting. Colonel Bixby didn't need much persuading once they got him under the lights down at headquarters, he confessed to everything. And the murders weren't the worst of it. The way I figure the worst of it was the cruel way he victimized the poor little ugly duckling. Lotta Van Eyck. It's tough enough to be whipped before you start.

[Narrator]

Period.

[Sam Spade]

End of report.

[Bernadine Hemp]

My goodness, that was mooie triste. I mean, I'm beginning to see why Effie gets so repressed sometimes.

[Sam Spade]

Effie depressed? That little doll told you that?

[Bernadine Hemp]

Only between she and I and the lamppost. She's so sensitive, you know. Not like I, of course. I invariably cry at weddings.

[Sam Spade]

You don't say. Bernadine, you attend weddings often with high frequency, Mr. Spade? You mean frequently?

[Bernadine Hemp]

No, no, the last time it was fm. You know, frequency, moderation.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, yes, yes, yes. Moderation and all things I always say. You mean you attend radio weddings?

[Bernadine Hemp]

Oh, yeah. I've been married six times. My next date is television.

[Sam Spade]

You've been married six times?

[Bernadine Hemp]

Well, to each his own, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

You mean six men have.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Oh, no, no. I only marry my husband. Repetition is the spice of variety, I always say.

[Sam Spade]

Is that legal?

[Bernadine Hemp]

If it's not after six weddings, what isn't?

[Sam Spade]

To each his own, as you say.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Well, we don't presume to make a career out of it. As soon as we get the mangler and the deep freeze, we're going on our honeymoon.

[Sam Spade]

Well, congratulations. And type this up when you have the time, Mrs. Bernadine Hemp.

[Narrator]

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[Bernadine Hemp]

Well, here it is, Mr. Spade. I'm sorry it took so long, but I kept relapsing into Spanish and Effie's typewriter doesn't have any upside down question marks.

[Sam Spade]

Upside down? Take a memo. Call typewriter man.

[Bernadine Hemp]

I already have. Oh, I almost forgot. You received a telegramic commutation.

[Sam Spade]

A telegramic what?

[Bernadine Hemp]

A wire.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, a wire. Well, open it and read it in English. Pour favor.

[Bernadine Hemp]

It says. Dear Sam figures in the haste of my departure, I neglected to warn you about. Well, when I do that one another favor, she'll have silver threads Who? That ball of fire whom I'm taking the place of in order to be double crossed of by Effie.

[Sam Spade]

Is she still in Far off Kanab.

[Bernadine Hemp]

And good rubbish if you'll pardon the expression.

[Sam Spade]

Oh, Bernadine, let me see that. I. I neglected to warn you about Bernadine. Am sending the Thales airmail special. But in the meantime, whatever you do, don't go to any radio broadcasts with her. And if she comes to and a wedding gown. Take the day off, love.

[Bernadine Hemp]

Effie and I had two tickets for honeymoon payoff and now she went and spoiled everything.

[Sam Spade]

Ah, now there, Bernadine. You just have to marry your husband again, that's all. I wouldn't have had the time anyway.

[Bernadine Hemp]

I know. It's just the principle. Good night, Mr. Spade.

[Sam Spade]

Good night. Buenos nachos. Hasta la vista, Effie. Why did you ever leave me?

[Narrator]

The adventures of Sam Spade, Dashiell Hammett's famous private detective are produced and directed by William Speer. Sam Spade is played by Howard Duff. The adventures of Sam Spade are written for radio by Bob Tolman and Gilbert Dowd with musical direction by Lud Gluskin. Gil Dowd directed tonight's broadcast in William Spears absence. Join us again next Sunday for another adventure with Sam Spade brought to you by Wild Root Cream Oil. Again and again the choice of men who put good grooming first. This is Dick Joy reminding you to.

[Wild Root Cream Oil Advertiser]

Get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie. It keeps your hair in trim. You see, it's non alcoholic, Charlie. It's made with soothing lanolin. You better get Wild Root Cream Oil, Charlie. Start using it today. You'll find that you will have a tough time, Charlie. Keepin all the gals away. Hiya baldy. Get wild root right away.

[Narrator]

This is cbs, the Columbia Broadcasting System.

[Mrs. May Rushlight]

SA.