The Adventures Of Michael Shayne 45-04-09 026 The Ghost Of Moccasin Hill

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "The Adventures Of Michael Shayne 45-04-09 026 – The Ghost Of Moccasin Hill"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date: April 9, 1945 (re-broadcast December 3, 2025)
Starring: Wally Mayer (Michael Shayne), Kathy Lewis (Phyllis Knight)

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Episode Overview

This episode of "The Adventures of Michael Shayne" plunges the hardboiled San Francisco detective, Michael Shayne, and his witty assistant Phyllis Knight into a classic haunted house mystery at a remote mansion in Moccasin Hill. Tasked with investigating the suspicious death of wealthy Mr. Kilgallen, Shayne soon uncovers family intrigue, rumors of buried treasure, and a murderer hiding behind ghostly tricks. The episode brims with Golden Age radio atmosphere, combining suspense, dry humor, and sharp detective work.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

Setting the Scene: A Haunting in Moccasin Hill (01:09–03:02)

• Michael Shayne steps outside his San Francisco comfort zone, investigating at the supposedly haunted Kilgallen house, east of Stockton.
• The backstory: Kilgallen died under mysterious circumstances, rumored to have been "frightened to death" by a ghost. His daughter and only other heir, Ellen Kilgallen, is also being menaced.
• Inspector Faraday, trusted police contact, is kept in the loop by phone.

Notable Quote:

• "Right now I'm sitting in the chair where they found the corpse." — Mike Shayne [01:49]

Suspicions Mount: Ghostly Tricks and Family Tensions (03:02–07:06)

• Shayne inspects the old house: secret rooms, creaky stairs, animal trophies, and "atmosphere" galore, including an owl in the attic.
• Suspicion falls on Ellen’s cousin, John Himes, the only other heir, whose interest in the property is questioned.
• A flowerpot narrowly misses Ellen—an apparent attempt on her life.
• Shayne discovers the staircase was deliberately sabotaged: “They were meant to give way. Look at the underside of this next step, huh, Mike?” [06:40]

Intrigue Grows: New Arrivals, More Motives (08:48–12:08)

• Mr. Patton, the family’s attorney, arrives and tries to buy the house for a suspiciously low price.
• A new gardener, Fred Norman, is introduced—Shayne suspects him to be a plant (spy) for Patton.
• Shayne devises a ruse to lure out secrets and requests a tape measure, intending to hunt for secret rooms.

Memorable Moment:

• Phyllis and Mike painstakingly measure every room, uncovering eight feet of missing space—a hidden chamber!

Hidden Room, Hidden Clues: The Search for Treasure (12:08–16:06)

• The secret room is found. Inside: candle drippings, dust, and old papers about Black Miguel, a legendary stagecoach robber, and a map hinting at lost treasure.
• Fresh candle wax on an otherwise dusty table hints the room was recently visited by someone other than the deceased.

Notable Quote:

• "The papers, Mike, they're gone!" — Phyllis Knight [16:56]

The Cast Expands: Confrontations and Confessions (16:06–22:42)

• Fred Norman is caught snooping, clearly no average gardener. Shayne suspects everyone, including Patton and Ellen’s cousin—who is later revealed to be traveling under another man’s airline tickets and name (“Gene Powers”).
• Faraday and Shayne debate the supernatural ruse: “Somebody's putting on a spook act to frighten people away from here. Even if it means killing people.” — Shayne [16:14]
• The real motive emerges: keeping everyone away from the property long enough to search for treasure.

Murder! A Second Death Ratchets the Tension (20:36–24:00)

• Crisis erupts—Patton, the attorney, is shot dead outside.
• Alibis and whereabouts are closely examined; everyone is forced to empty their pockets in a tense search for clues.
• The murder weapon, Mr. Kilgallen’s derringer, mysteriously reappears on top of the bookcase.

Notable Quote:

• “Now, after the three of us ran out and found Patton, we did a quick circle around the outside of the house. We tried to come back in through this terrace door. It was locked and the key gone.” — Shayne [24:36]

Detective Logic: Poppy Seeds, Fingerprints, and Final Proof (26:07–27:45)

• Shayne’s key deduction: the killer left poppy seeds (from a broken packet) on the secret room’s table—a match to what was found on Dick the gardener.
• The final proof is the fingerprints on the derringer and the dust pattern on the secret table.
• Dick, the old gardener, confesses under mounting evidence—he killed Kilgallen and tried to cover it up with ghostly scares.

Notable Exchange:

• Shayne: "In whose pockets did we find a broken package of poppy seed?"
• Phyllis: "Hey, Dicks the gardener."
• Dick: "All right, maybe I was in there... That don't spell nothing."
  — [26:52]

Epilogue: Wrap-Up and Comic Relief (27:45–29:09)

• Faraday, Shayne, and Phyllis trade friendly banter; the role of fingerprints and poppy seeds is explained.
• Phyllis quips about the “big city boys” solving the case before “the local hayseeds” take credit.

Notable Quote:

• "Never put all your money on one horse. We were both afraid Dick had already wiped his fingerprints off the gun. But we didn’t tell him that time was a wasting." — Shayne [28:23]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Every well run haunted house has an owl in the attic." — Mike Shayne [04:05]
• "Evidently the ghost of Moccasin Hill wants company." — Mike Shayne, after the sabotaged stairs [06:50]
• "Somebody's putting on a spook act to frighten people away from here. Even if it means killing people." — Mike Shayne [16:14]
• "It's poppy seed." — Shayne, revealing the key clue [26:43]
• "Nobody ain't ever hanged a ghost. Take more than a smart big city detective." — Dick the gardener [25:41]
• "The big city boys had to crack it fast before the local hayseeds took over the case—and your glory." — Phyllis Knight [28:34]

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• Haunted House Setup & Introduction: [01:09–03:02]
• Sabotaged Staircase Incident: [06:27–07:06]
• Patton Tries to Buy the House / New Gardener Arrives: [08:48–12:08]
• Secret Room Discovered: [12:08–16:06]
• Patton’s Murder: [20:36–24:00]
• Poppy Seeds Reveal the Killer: [26:07–27:45]
• Final Wrap-Up & Banter: [27:45–29:09]

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Tone & Style

The episode features classic noir-flavored banter, a light but suspenseful tone, and the dynamic between clever, driven Shayne and wry, comic Phyllis. The radio drama moves briskly between gothic scares, hardboiled deductions, and tongue-in-cheek comic relief.

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This episode is a quintessential blend of haunted house chills, family secrets, and a satisfying detective puzzle—a vivid example of Golden Age radio storytelling and the enduring appeal of Michael Shayne.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

The adventures of michael shane private detective.

The people who make 76 gasoline and Triton Motor Oil Union Oil Company present.

The adventures of michael shane private detectives. Starring wally mayer and kathy lewis.

As a loyal native of San Francisco. Mike Shane would like to solve all his cases right inside the city limits. However, this is not one of those times. Right now, Mike and his assistant, Phyllis Knight. Are a two hours drive east of the city by the Golden Gate. Also right now, Mike is on the long distance phone talking to. You guessed it. Inspector Faraday.

[C]

No, no, Faraday. Moccasin Hill. It's a little town on the highway east of Stockton.

[D]

Oh, I remember it now. That's where a rich old man, Kilgallen died last month, right?

[C]

Right. They said his house was haunted and somebody frightened him to death.

[D]

Yeah, that's what his daughter said. She tried to get us to investigate. Listen, Mike. You're not getting roped into that, are you, Inspector?

[C]

Right now I'm sitting in the chair where they found the corpse.

[D]

Oh, Mike, you're not dizzy enough to think a ghost killed him. It was heart failure.

[C]

Maybe I've just been talking to the daughter. It looks like somebody's been trying to give her the business, too. Like dropping a flower pot on her head.

[D]

So you call long distance to tell me that?

[C]

No, no, Inspector. Look, I want you to find out if a Mr. John Himes of Boston, Mass. Was in San Francisco four weeks ago. One of your boys can check the hotel's trains and airlines.

[D]

John Himes, Boston. Well, it's a waste of time, but for you, Mike.

[C]

Okay. And look, phone me back at Moccasin Hill 193.

[B]

Got it. Oh, Mike.

[C]

Yeah?

[D]

Don't look now, but I think there's a ghost behind you.

[C]

What?

Oh, that guy.

[E]

Why? The inspector giving you the Bronx cheer? Mike.

[C]

Yeah, darling. Oh, Miss Kilgallen, one thing more about your cousin John Himes. Did you two ever quarrel about your father's estate?

[F]

Why, no, Mr. Shane. There's no reason for you to suspect John. He's the only other heir. But he'd never kill Father or try to remove me. I'm sure of it.

[E]

Besides, Mike, he lives in Boston, 3,000 miles away.

[C]

But he makes frequent visits to the coast. Ms. Kilgallen just finished telling us that. Well, what do you say we have a look around the house now, huh? I want to know where the ghost hangs out.

[F]

Well, As I said, Mr. Shane, they found my father here in the living room. In the chair you were just using.

[C]

Mm. What's this next room?

[F]

Father's hobby room. Oh, he kept his photographs and guns and hunting trophies in here.

[E]

Oh, jeepers, he had plenty of them. Deer heads, mountain lions, fox.

[F]

They're terribly old. Father wasn't strong enough to hunt in his last years. He had to content himself with his guns.

[B]

Mm.

[C]

The collection covers a whole wall. You know, it's funny, but this room seems much more worn and older than the living room.

[F]

It is. Granddad built the house back in the 1860s. The other rooms were added on a rounded. Father tried to keep the old part as it was.

[E]

Mike, look, Look. Here's a souvenir of early California. A poster giving the schedules of the Wells Fargo stages.

[F]

Moccasin Hill was right on the old stage route. Well, that long pistol you see above the fireplace. That was used by Black Miguel to hold up the stages.

[C]

Oh.

[E]

Hey.

What in heaven's name is that?

[F]

Sounds like a lost soul, doesn't it? Scared me the first time I heard it. It's just an owl in the chimney up in the attic.

[C]

Atmosphere. Angel atmosphere. Every well run haunted house has an owl in the attic. Now, Ms. Kogella, and I was just noticing the odd shape of this room. Half of the ceiling is so much lower than.

[F]

That's because Father tore down the partition on the other side. It was a secret room. We had several secret rooms, just like a movie set. Last year, Father tore out all the sliding panels and made them into perfectly honest rooms.

[C]

Your granddad must have been a queer old duck. Somehow I can't picture a girl like you living in this. Curiosity.

[F]

I don't intend to, especially not after Father's. Well, anyway, it's too far from college.

[E]

Uh, Ms. Gilgallan, you said you were away at school when your father died, huh?

[F]

Yes. I'll sell the place as soon as I get a fair bed. I don't know. Maybe Cousin John will take it. He wrote me that he'd like to if I'd sell for $20,000. 20?

[E]

Oh, well, that's ridiculous. It's worth much more than that.

[C]

Which is why I suspect Cousin John. Well, now, come on. Let's go outside again. I want to take another look at that busted flower pot.

[F]

All right, we can go through the terrace door here.

[E]

Look, look, Mike. Who's the old character in the straw hat?

[C]

Hey, Waylon. He's sweeping up the flower pot.

[G]

Hold on, hold on, partner.

[F]

Where's the gardener?

[C]

Old Dickie?

[B]

You talking to me, young sir?

[C]

Yes, sir. Just leave the pieces of the flower pot right there, huh? We want them for sentimental reasons.

[G]

Ms. Kilgallan always told me to keep things spruce.

[F]

It's all right this time, Dick. You weren't here yesterday and you don't understand.

[C]

By the way, sir, how long have you been gardening here?

[G]

Three, four months, I reckon. You wanting a handyman?

[C]

No, no. I was just wondering, do you know anything strange about this house? I mean, like being haunted?

[G]

Of course it's haunted. Dunno who by, but I vomit. Ain't no place I'd hanker to live. I told Mr. Kilgal.

[E]

Did he think it was haunted?

[G]

Course he did. The ants got him, too. And they'll get everybody. You just listen to spell. You'll hear footsteps without no feet and moanings and things.

[F]

That's true enough, but they're not from the spiritual world.

[C]

Ah, let me see. The flower pot fell from this balcony directly overhead?

[F]

Yes. It couldn't have just happened. The pot was too big and heavy to jiggle off the railing.

[E]

Yeah, but you saw no one push it.

[F]

I wasn't looking up. It was warm yesterday afternoon and I was watering the geraniums here. Just as I stooped over, it came down, crashed.

[C]

Two seconds earlier, it would have crushed your skull. I think I'll climb these stairs and give the balcony a once over.

[F]

Hey. Hey.

[E]

You be careful, Mike. Don't push another pot down on us, huh?

[C]

You're giving me ideas. My dog. Mike.

[G]

What did I tell you? What did I tell you, Mike?

[F]

Oh, Mike. Are you hurt?

[C]

Whew, baby. That was a close call. If I hadn't grabbed the railing.

[E]

Oh, Mike, the steps just gave way under you there.

[C]

Rotten. No, no, angel. No, sir. They were meant to give way. Look at the underside of this next step, huh, Mike?

[E]

Why, that sword. Halfway through.

[C]

Yes. Evidently the ghost of Moccasin Hill wants company.

[B]

In just a moment, we'll rejoin Mike Shane and Phyllis Knight in their advent.

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Mike and Phyllis are still searching through the ancient house on Moccasin Hill, stalking the ghost who throws flower pots and designs collapsing staircases. Right now, they are interrupted by a new arrival.

[F]

Why, Mr. Patton, won't you come in?

[H]

Thank you, Miss Kilgallan. I happened to see your car in the driveway, and I thought I'd stop in a moment.

[F]

I'm glad you did. Oh, I want you to meet some friends. This is Mr. Shane and Ms. Knight from San Francisco.

[C]

Oh, how do you do?

[E]

How do you do, sir?

[B]

Patton.

[F]

Mr. Patton was my father's attorney. He's handling the estate.

[H]

Yes, it's in that regard, Ms. Kilgallan, that I'd like to talk to you. Could we go into the living room?

[F]

Certainly. You too, Mr. Shane and Ms. Knight.

[H]

Oh, but I thought it might be better if we talked alone.

[F]

Well, I have no secrets, Mr. Patton. And I think Mr. Shane may want to ask you some questions about Father.

[C]

Strictly in the line of duty, Mr. Patton. I've been retained to investigate Mr. Kilgallen's death.

[H]

Well, my dear girl, you're wasting your money. Your father died of heart disease.

[F]

Perhaps. But what was it you wished to see me about?

[H]

Oh, yes. Oh, yes, Ms. Kilgallen. I've thought it over, and I'm now prepared to offer you $22,500. I think that's a generous sum indeed for this property.

[F]

I'm sorry, Mr. Patton. You know that Father put over twice that much money into the place. And it has historic value.

[C]

May I ask why you want to buy it?

[H]

Why, that's obvious, sir. To live in it won't be easy to dispose of. With her father's death and certain rumors about the property. I think I'm doing Her a kindness?

[F]

I'll answer it.

[C]

These are rumors, Mr. Patton. Did this girl's father tell you anything that would bear them out?

[H]

Well, Mr. Kilgallan was an ill man, sir. He had a rather morbid turn of mind. Of course.

[F]

It's for you, Mr. Shane. San Francisco.

[C]

Oh, that's Faraday. Excuse me, please.

Hello, Inspector. You did? Well, well, a pat on the old back, me boy. Uh huh. Right now. Okay, hold him there. Or better still, bring him out here.

Oh, I see. Then I guess he's out of reach by now. No, no, no, Nothing much, Inspector. Except that you almost lost your best pinochle partner. Well, the ghost pulled the staircase out from under me. Don't worry, I'm watching out. But thanks for trying. Faraday.

[E]

No hits, no runs, no ball game, huh?

[C]

Mr. John Himes was registered at the Palace Hotel at or about the time the old man died. He also registered there just two days ago. Mike, you were right and checked out this morning. Destination unknown.

[F]

Even so, I'm sure you're wrong. Mr. Shane.

[H]

Ms. Kilgallan, I take it you're rejecting my offer.

[F]

I'm afraid I must.

[H]

Well, very well. It's been a pleasure to meet you, sir.

[C]

Thank.

[H]

And Ms. Knight.

[E]

Thank you.

[H]

Oh, I almost forgot. I found you a new gardener. His name is Fred Norman. I brought him along with me. He's right outside.

[F]

But I can't fire poor old Dick.

[C]

You won't have to for a day or two. I'll need both men to help me on a little job. Oh, very well.

[H]

You'll find Fred waiting at the back door. Good day.

[C]

Good day.

[E]

Blake. Mike, what are you up to? What job? Are we staying here?

[C]

Not so loud, honey. I haven't any job for him, But I think Mr. Patton has.

[E]

Oh, you mean this new gardener is a spy, huh?

[C]

I mean. Well, we'll give him something to prick up his ears about.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

Ms. Kilgallan, I want a tape measure. The longest you can find, please.

[F]

What on earth for?

[C]

Something tells me your ghost hunts a very secret room. We're going to find that room by yard, feet and inches.

[E]

Oh, darn it. I dropped it again.

[C]

Well, hold on to it, honey. It's a tape measure, not a snake.

[E]

Oh, quiet. I'm tired. Mike, we've spent over two hours measuring this house. Every room, every hall, every closet. We haven't found a thing.

[C]

Uh huh huh. Well, the hall is 50ft 3. 53ft long. Now, Ms. Kilgallen, what did we find in the living room?

[F]

Let's see. It's on this other paper, it says here 30ft.

[C]

30Ft. And the gun room next to it.

[F]

14Ft each way.

[C]

That totals 44ft. Plus one foot for the wall. That's it. Yeah. Sir, there's eight feet missing.

[E]

Fine, fine. How do we get into this secret room? By pickaxe.

[C]

Come on, come on. Into the gun room.

[F]

But Mr. Shane, Father knew all our secret rooms. He had them all open.

[E]

Well, he didn't know about this one. Or maybe he just lost count.

[C]

Okay, now, honey, you take the fire under the wall and I'll start at this end. There's got to be a hidden spring or something. Now pound every inch of the woodwork.

[E]

All right.

[F]

It doesn't sound hollow.

[C]

Well, that's why nobody suspected it. Come on, use some muscle, honey. You're just playing patty cake.

[E]

Listen, Mike Shane, I haven't got calluses on my knuckles. Mike.

[C]

Huh?

[E]

Mike, this panel had moved.

[C]

What? This is it, kids.

[F]

It only moved an inch or so.

[C]

I'll pull it open.

There you are.

[E]

It's dark as a coal bin inside.

[C]

I'll strike a match.

[E]

Good.

[C]

Now we shall see what we shall see.

[F]

Look, isn't that an old table and a chair?

[C]

Well, what's more important, a candle? We can get some real light.

[E]

Yeah, that's better.

Oh, honey, it's dusty in here.

[C]

Well, sneeze the other way. You almost blew these off the table.

[E]

Blew what off?

[C]

These papers here, newspaper clippings. They're so old, they're brown.

[E]

What on earth are they doing in here?

[C]

I don't know. They printed an old fashioned type. Must be 60 or 70 years old. Hold on. Here, hold on. Ms. Gilgallan, what did you say the name was of that stage robber?

[F]

You mean Black Miguel?

[C]

Yeah. Here, read this. Maybe this will mean something to you.

[F]

Driver Billy Pringle reported to the sheriff that on Wednesday night his stage broke down at Moccasin Hill. Pringle took the express box to the Kilgallen house.

[E]

Hey, that's your grandfather.

[F]

I remember hearing some sort of story.

[C]

Go on reading.

[F]

During the night, Black Miguel assaulted the driver as he attempted to flee with a small fortune. Mr. Pringle shot and killed him. The express box, however, was not recovered. The authorities are not searching.

[E]

You know, this sounds like something out of Treasure Island.

[C]

You can say that again, honey. Here. Here's a diagram with everything on it except dig at the foot of the crooked pine tree.

[E]

Yeah. Hey, Mike, that paper's almost new.

[F]

Well, it would have to be. The handwriting is my father's.

[E]

Well, then he did know about this room?

[C]

Yes, and he must have spent plenty of time in here. Candle drippings all over the table.

[E]

You know, there's something funny about them. You notice how heavy the dust and grit is on the table? Yet when I rub my finger over the wax box, there's no dust on them.

[C]

They're fresh.

[E]

Yeah, it's changed.

[C]

It's the living room wall.

[E]

Somebody else wants in.

[C]

Blow out the candle, we'll leave it.

[E]

I don't see anybody.

[C]

Wait till I push this panel back.

[E]

Mike. Mike, you're not going to use your gun.

[C]

Come on, follow me into the living room. Quietly.

Hands in the air, mister.

[D]

Huh?

[B]

What?

[F]

Well, Fred Norman, the gardener.

[I]

Get that gun away. You ain't got no call.

[C]

We heard you pounding that wall.

[I]

What if it was? Felt like I knocked the ashes out of his pipe.

[B]

Can he?

[E]

Yeah, but you're a gardener. What are you doing in here?

[I]

I was looking for my skill gown. Wanted to know about the rose bushes. But I guess I don't want to.

[B]

Work here at all.

[E]

What was that?

[F]

The front door.

[D]

Hey, don't you answer the door in this house.

[E]

That's Faraday.

[C]

Inspector Faraday. Well, since when is Moccasin Hill you're bailiwick?

[D]

I guess I'm just an old maid got to worrying about your neck. Not that I wouldn't like to bust it myself sometimes.

[C]

Well, I'll save it for you. Just for you, Daddy.

[E]

Hear, hear.

[C]

No. All kidding aside, Faraday, there's something going on here which ain't done with mirrors.

[E]

I'll say not. We found a secret room. Papers telling of a stagecoach robbery 70 years ago. A map of where the treasures buried.

[C]

Plus rapping noises, hot and cold running spooks. Anything you want, we got it.

[H]

Yes.

[D]

Has your cigarette tasted different lately?

[C]

No, we mean it, Inspector. Somebody's putting on a spook act to frighten people away from here. Even if it means killing people.

[E]

Somebody wants the old express box and he's willing to kill people to get it.

[D]

Yeah, right out of this morning's comic strip. Ghost turns out to be an ex.

[C]

Pirate with a peg leg. All right, don't take our word for it. Come on, we'll show you the secret room. Now watch. I'll press this wall panel here and.

[D]

Well, I'll be.

[C]

See, Inspector, stoop as you go in or you'll bump your noggin.

[D]

Any light switch in here?

[C]

No. There's a candle on the table. I'll light it.

[D]

Well, you weren't kidding.

[C]

No, not this trip. Now, here are the papers I was Talking about Mike. Hey, wait a minute.

[E]

The papers, Mike, they're gone.

[C]

All right, come on, now. We mean business. Fred. Come on, hand over those papers. We know where you got them.

[I]

I don't know nothing about any papers. And I don't know nothing about any secret room.

[C]

You're lying. Patton brought you here, hired you to steal them for him.

[G]

What's more, you ain't no gardener. Old Dick can tell you that. Don't know a shovel from a hole.

[I]

I'm leaving right now. I wouldn't work here for no kind of money.

[D]

He's staying right here. You're not to leave this property, you understand?

[I]

Maybe I won't and maybe I will.

[G]

Don't trust that feller. It's all right with you folks. I'll kind of follow him around, keep my eye on him.

[D]

Good idea. But let him do anything he wants. He'll tip his hands yet.

[E]

But I don't see why you didn't search him for the missing papers.

[C]

It's useless, honey. He's smart. He's already hidden them somewhere.

[F]

Seems to be. Mr. Shane, this is all beside the point. I wanted you to find out if my father was murdered.

[D]

That's impossible for any detective, miss. No one saw him die. He's been dead for days. When he was found, Karn only made a rough guess when it happened.

[C]

I think we can establish the time, Faraday. We were looking at the old gentleman's diary at Seyran's desk.

[F]

Father was very religious in keeping up his diary. He wrote down everything he did.

[C]

The final entry was made on the 17th of last month. Here it is. Quote, rained all day afternoon, spent cleaning and oiling all my guns. Had to fix the pin on the derringer.

[E]

Ah. That's a pistol, isn't it, Mike?

[C]

Mm. It's a short barrel. Heavy caliber.

[F]

Darling, just a minute. The derringer.

[C]

Well, what about it?

[F]

Well, Father always kept it on top of the bookcase. It's gone.

[D]

Probably forgot to put it back after he fixed it.

[C]

Yes, but getting back to the diary. These are his last sentences. Heard the noises again. It laughed and moaned. Next time it happens, I'll. And there he stopped, right in the.

[D]

Middle of a sentence.

[F]

Oh, that front door. You'd think this was a housewarming.

[C]

As I see at Faraday, the old fellow heard something again. He stopped writing, got up, went into the living room to check up. Whatever he saw or heard stopped his heart. He was found in the chair by the telephone.

[J]

I thought you were acting for me.

[C]

What goes on?

[F]

Well, I'm just as surprised as you are. This is John Hymes, my cousin.

[D]

The fellow from Boston.

[C]

Well, sir, I'm very happy to meet you. My name is Mike shane.

[B]

Oh, yes.

[J]

Mr. Patton said you were investigating, looking me up.

[C]

I understand you were in California last month. About the time Mr. Kilgallen died.

[J]

Yes, I was.

[C]

And you're here now, why?

[J]

On business. I came up to see Patton about buying this property. I wrote to my cousin and to him as her attorney and made an offer. Now, I find Patton is trying to buy the place himself.

[E]

And in case you didn't succeed, Mr. Patton, you hired Fred Norman, the fake gardener. To steal those papers from the secret room.

[H]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[D]

Mr. Hymes, what is your interest in this property? We understand you live in Boston.

[J]

Well, my firm is transferring me to San Francisco. I'd like to have a country home.

[C]

Just what is your business?

[J]

I can see you're suspicious. Perhaps you'd rather look at one of my cards.

[C]

Well, it wouldn't hurt.

[J]

Here you are.

[C]

Thank you. Investment banking.

[E]

Michael. Inspector, Could I see you alone a moment?

[C]

Can't it wait, honey?

[E]

It'll just take a minute.

[C]

Oh, all right. Excuse us, please.

[E]

Come on. Let's go into the living room, huh?

[D]

You look as wise as the sphinx, Phil.

[B]

To solve the case, maybe.

[E]

Now, this is it. I was standing right next to him's Mike. When he took out his wallet to give you that card. And, well, there was an envelope tucked into a pocket of the wallet. Airline tickets. But the name written on the envelope said Gene Powers.

[C]

Gene Po. But that doesn't add up, honey. The girl introduced him as her cousin, she said. John Himes, she said.

[E]

Do we have to believe her?

[D]

I'm going to phone headquarters. Gene Powers may have a record.

[C]

No. No. What's that?

[E]

Heavens.

[C]

It's outside. Come on, quick.

The front door's open.

[H]

Yeah?

[F]

Mike.

[C]

Mike.

[E]

Look, Mike. In the driveway.

[C]

Yeah.

Well, cross off one suspect, Attorney at.

[D]

Law Stephen Patton, and add another. I just saw somebody on the balcony.

[F]

Who?

[E]

Who did you see?

[D]

Ellen Kilgall.

[B]

We'll rejoin Mike and Phyllis in just a moment.

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A second man has died at the strange old house in Moccasin Hill. While Phyllis telephones for the local police, Mike and Inspector Faraday are in the gun room questioning four uneasy people.

[C]

Now we know what we're talking about. One of you here in this room killed Steve Patton because he knew too much or because he was double crossing you.

[D]

Ms. Kilgallan, we'll start with you. What were you doing upstairs in that balcony?

[F]

Why, I. I heard the shot and I ran out to see what happened.

[C]

Ah, that's no answer. When we left this room, you and your cousin were with Patton. Now, why did you go upstairs?

[F]

To get father's old watch for John. Father left it to him in his will. Does that satisfy you?

[D]

Maybe. And you, Mr. Hines, where were you when the shot was fired?

[J]

Why, I was following Ellen upstairs to get the watch. Is there anything wrong with that?

[C]

No, no, I guess her cousin is entitled to the heirloom, but not a guy named Gene Powers.

[B]

So that's it.

[J]

Sharp eyes, Mr. Shane.

[C]

The credit goes to Ms. Knight.

[J]

Well, it's quite innocent really. Gene Powers is a friend of mine and he had a plane ticket for New York tonight. He couldn't get away, so I'm using his priority.

[D]

We'll check on that. You Fred? Norman?

[I]

I was in the kitchen eating. Can send a man to jail for swiping a chicken wing.

[C]

You were watching him, Dick?

[G]

Yes, sir.

[I]

He wasn't even in the room.

[G]

Oh, I was watching you through the hall door. Just waiting for you to do something.

[C]

Okay, okay, okay. Now we're going to ask all of you to empty your pockets. Each one put his stuff in a pile on this Table?

[J]

What for?

[C]

We're asking the questions. Start digging.

[I]

I know what you're up to.

[C]

Look for the gun. And killed him.

[D]

No, the murderer saved us that trouble. He put it right back where he got it. The darings are there in the bookcase.

[F]

Why, yes, it's back.

[C]

All right, Mr. Hines. Now let's see what you've dished out.

[J]

Handkerchief, pen, knife, bill, fold, notebook, small.

[D]

Change and you, dick, I ain't got much.

[G]

Old oil rag, a knife, a busted pack of seeds and four bits.

[C]

Fred.

[I]

Handkerchief, knife, pencil.

[B]

And some money.

[C]

Yes, too much money for a gardener. $50.

[F]

Well, that's Patton's money. He bribed him.

[C]

Obviously. Any pockets in your dress, Ms. Keogallen?

[F]

No, if you tell us what you want, I'm sure.

[C]

All right. Now, after the three of us ran out and found Patton, we did a quick circle around the outside of the house. We tried to come back in through this terrace door. It was locked and the key gone.

[F]

That's odd. We used the door a little earlier.

[D]

Yes, so did the murderer a little later. Fired a shot from the terrace, ducked back in, locked the door and went to another part of the house.

[E]

I'm sorry to spoil the game, kitties, but is this what you want?

I found it by the door. It had slipped under the carpet. Mike.

[D]

All right, folks, you can put your stuff back in your pockets. Too bad, Mike. It almost worked.

[C]

Ah, but it did work in a way we hadn't counted on it.

[E]

Now, wait a minute. Wait a minute, Mike. You know the killer?

[C]

Positively, darling. The confession is right on top of that table in the secret room.

[D]

I don't get it, Mike. There's nothing on this table.

[E]

Just a candle. Dust and grit and splotches of wax.

[C]

That's all, angel. But it's enough to convict the murderer.

[G]

No folly, dawdle. Nobody ain't ever hanged a ghost. Take more than a smart big city detective.

[J]

Well, I can't believe the motive. I don't think there's any buried treasure.

[C]

It's quite possible, but Patton and his killer thought otherwise. They wanted no one on this property while they were hunting. So the haunted house routine.

[F]

But how could Mr. Patton be so cold blooded? Father's friend and attorney deliberately scaring him to death?

[E]

Well, he probably didn't intend to go that far, Ms. Gilgallan. Hey, come on, Mike. Who gave Patton the tit for tat, huh?

[C]

All right, all right. Now, as you notice from these candle drippings, somebody spent plenty of time at this table going over the papers about Black Miguel and the Express box.

[F]

Father, we found that diagram in his.

[C]

Handwriting and somebody else in just the last day or so. Somebody who emptied his pockets onto this table. Perhaps searching for a pencil and note paper.

[D]

Mike, there's a limit to crystal gazing. You can't.

[C]

Can't I? Brush your hand over the tabletop. That's it. Now, what have you got in your palm?

[D]

Dust and grit.

[C]

All right, now pick out some of that grit and eat it. Go on.

[D]

Go on.

[C]

It's not dirt, seems to me.

[D]

Yeah, I'm sure I've tasted this before.

[C]

Yes, in restaurants on rolls. It's poppy seed.

[E]

Oh, this is the end.

[C]

And in whose pockets did we find a broken package of poppy seed?

[E]

Hey, Dicks the gardener.

[G]

All right, maybe I was in there. I used to play in this house when I was a kid. It was all busted down. I knew every inch of it. That don't spell nothing.

[C]

No, it does. You were very careful not to tell us about this room. Not even Mr. Patton.

[B]

You're right.

[I]

Mr. Patton hired me to watch Dick. And you folks figured Dick was cheating.

[G]

That ain't saying I killed him. Nobody can say that.

[C]

A dead man's diary can. Dick, the day Mr. Kilgallen died, he wrote that he cleaned all his guns, including the old derringer.

[G]

You mean there are only two sets of fingerprints on the gun?

[C]

Yes.

[G]

Kil Gallons and the man who fired it.

[C]

Yes, Dick. That's exactly what I mean.

[E]

You know something? That was very sweet of you, Faraday. Coming clear out to Moccasin Hill just to be Mike's bodyguard.

[C]

Yes, sir. And driving us back home in a police car. Sure beats that. Bus trip was doggone nice of you, Faraday.

[D]

Ah, cut the sentiment. Maybe I just want to sell a couple of extra tickets to the Policeman's ball.

[E]

Oh, we need those. As a policeman, Mr. Inspector, and as a detective, Mr. Shane, there's one thing you did in this case which I don't understand.

[D]

Only one, Ms. Knight. You are improving, smarty.

[E]

You and Mike knew you could catch old Dick by his fingerprints on the derringer. So why'd you bother to look for a missing door key? And Mike act so big and brainy about the poppy seeds.

[C]

Honey never put all your money on one horse. We were both afraid Dick had already wiped his fingerprints off the gun. But we didn't tell him that time was a wasting.

[D]

And it was a good shortcut.

[C]

Uh huh.

[E]

Just as I thought. The big city boys had to crack it fast before the local hayseeds took over the case. And your glory.

[C]

Why Phyllis, how can you say such a thing?

[B]

Tune in again next week at 8:30 for another adventure with Michael Shane. Private Detective, starring Wally Mayer and Kathy Lewis. With Joe Forte. Tonight's story was written by Richard DeGraff and based on the character created by Brett Halliday. Music was composed and directed by Bernard Katz. This is John Lang saying good night for the people who make 76 gasoline. And Triton Motor Oil. Union Oil.

This is the mutual don lee broadcasting system.