Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Avenger - Wingate Heirs
Date: March 16, 2026
Podcast Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview

This episode revives “The Avenger” radio drama, specifically the story “Wingate Heirs,” a classic whodunit set in a wealthy manor. The tale follows Jim Brandon (aka The Avenger) as he investigates the mysterious death of Captain Wingate and subsequent tragedies among his potential heirs. Familial suspicion, a bizarre will, and a fiendish psychological trap all converge in a story packed with intrigue and Golden Age detective flair.

Main Characters

• Jim Brandon / The Avenger: Scientist and crime-fighter with telepathic gadgets and an invisibility device.
• Fern Collier: Brandon’s trusted and sharp-witted assistant.
• Captain Joseph Wingate: Cantankerous patriarch whose will triggers the plot.
• Smedley Royce: Longtime family lawyer, potential suspect.
• Piper: The sly, long-serving family servant.
• Wingate Nephews: Joe (engineer), Tom (doctor), Ralph, and Oliver—each with motives and secrets.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. Captain Wingate’s Discontent & Drastic Plans

• Captain Wingate airs his deep distrust toward his lawyer Royce and servant Piper.

• Accuses both of betrayal, declares intent to cut his nephews and Royce out of his will, leaving his fortune to charity.

• Delivers letters to all four nephews, announcing a major change to the inheritance.

  Quote:

  • “I want you to bring my will over here in the morning. I'm cutting you out of it, along with those four good for nothing nephews of mine. I'll leave every penny to the seaman's charity." — Captain Wingate [04:00]

2. Captain Wingate’s Death and the Suicide Ruse

• Wingate is found dead, apparently from suicide after jumping out of his study window.

• The Avenger suspects foul play—details don’t fit a suicide:

  • The study was dark when entered (odd for someone working late).
  • The only key is found on the captain, implying door was locked from inside—but Avenger remains skeptical.

  Quote:

  • “A man about to jump out the window doesn't bother to switch out the light first. No, but a person leaving a room by the door turns it out automatically.” — Jim Brandon [09:55]

3. The Bizarre Will and Heir “Challenge”

• The lawyer reads out Captain Wingate’s eccentric will:

  • Each nephew must spend a full week locked in the study, using the library to trace Wingate genealogy.
  • If any nephew cracks, leaves early, or fails the assignment, their share is forfeited to the others; if none succeed, the fortune goes to charity.

  Quote:

  • “Each of those nephews stays in my study alone for one week ... If, for any reason whatsoever, the history is not completed, or the person fails to stay within the room for the required week, he forfeits his right to the share of the estate.” — Smedley Royce [10:52]

4. Suspicions and Deadly Consequences

• The Avenger and Fern examine the suspects: all four nephews, Royce the lawyer, and Piper the servant—each with motive.

• Ralph, the first nephew, jumps to his death while locked in the study.

• Oliver, next, almost meets the same fate, but the Avenger’s team intervenes and fakes his death for investigative purposes.

• The heirs are psychologically tormented by a strange noise in the study, prompting the fatal jumps.

  Quote:

  • “Oliver had his ear stuffed with paper. He was trying to shut out that noise he screamed about as he was falling.” — Jim Brandon [20:10]

5. Uncovering the Psychological Trap

• The Avenger and Fern discover a recently installed, leaky faucet in the attic—purposefully dripping water into a tin drain.

• A hidden sound device amplifies the drip into the study below, driving its occupant to madness.

• The Avenger replicates the scenario, bringing the surviving nephew, Joe, to confession.

  Quotes:

  • “This horn was wired to that small Dictaphone I showed you under the tin drain of the water faucet in the attic. All Joe Wingate had to do was let the water drip.” — Jim Brandon [29:00]
  • “Ralph and Oliver listened to that dripping until it drove them mad. They're whispering to you now, Joe. Their voices accuse you.” — Voice of Justice (Conscience) [25:20]

6. The Confession and Mechanism Revealed

• By playing the psychological “voice of justice” trick and turning on the faucet at a prearranged time, The Avenger gets Joe Wingate to crack and confess.

• They find the mechanism: a perforated wallpaper with an amplifying horn connected to the attic faucet.

• Joe admits to orchestrating the deaths, knowing well what was in the will and preying on the susceptible minds of his cousins.

• The mechanics of the “suicides” were perfectly designed to drive the heirs mad and out of the competition without overt violence.

  Quote:

  • “There’s to be no rest for you, Joe. Not until you confess your crimes.” — Voice of Justice (Conscience) [26:24]

7. Case Wrapped Up

• Joe’s plot is exposed. The Avenger lays out exactly how Joe manipulated the will and the murders.

• Piper and Royce’s roles were red herrings; the murderer was among the heirs all along.

• Fern muses about inheriting money “with no strings attached.”

  Quote:

  • “Gosh, if anyone ever leaves me any money, I hope it doesn't have any strings attached.” — Fern Collier [30:29]

Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• “I'm not taken in by your sanctimonious ears and pretended concern for me. You've been my lawyer for 30 years. But I discovered you've never been my friend.” — Captain Wingate [03:17]
• “The case is in the hands of the police.” — Inspector [08:56]
• “Inspector, I'm almost certain Captain Wingate was murdered.” — Jim Brandon [09:37]
• “There are still four suspects. Vern Royce, Dr. Tom, Piper and Joe. We can't overlook any of them.” — Jim Brandon [20:32]
• “Listen, Joe. Listen to what the dripping water says … murder, murder, murder…” — Voice of Justice (Conscience) [25:40]

Timeline of Major Segments

• [02:20-04:15]: Wingate confronts his lawyer and servant, outlines his new will plans.
• [06:53-09:55]: Discovery of Wingate’s death, doubts about suicide.
• [10:40-12:28]: The bizarre will is read; nephews' challenge is revealed.
• [13:10-14:02]: Avenger and Fern summarize suspects and stakes.
• [16:32-17:15]: Investigation of attic, discovery of recent faucet installation.
• [17:41-19:01]: Discussion of Ralph and Oliver's fates, setup for Oliver’s trial.
• [20:27-20:59]: Joe enters the study as the suspect pool narrows.
• [23:15-23:44]: Fern and Jim coordinate the final psychological test.
• [24:11-29:00]: The Avenger torments Joe with “voices” and dripping water, leading to his confession.
• [29:44-30:34]: The mechanics of the plot revealed and case closed.

Tone and Style

The episode carries a classic, suspenseful radio drama tone—layered with intrigue, sharp banter, and a touch of melodrama, true to the Golden Age of radio mysteries.
Witty exchanges between Brandon and Fern offer moments of levity amid the tension, while supernatural and psychological elements give the murder investigation an eerie edge.

Conclusion

“The Avenger - Wingate Heirs” episode delivers a twisty, atmospheric murder mystery full of family suspicion, gothic traps, and ingenious detective work. The show encapsulates the clever scripting and immersive style of vintage radio, with a complex plot resolved by logic, psychology, and quick thinking.

(For listeners and readers alike, this is a quintessential old-time radio tale—where the stakes are high, the clues subtle, and justice arrives through the most unexpected means.)