The Silent Men 51-11-11 (05) The Trans-Atlantic Push

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: The Silent Men 51-11-11 (05) "The Trans-Atlantic Push"

Air Date: August 21, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Stars: Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Supporting Cast
Episode Length: ~30 minutes

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Overview

This episode takes listeners into a classic radio detective story from the Golden Age of Radio, featuring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in "The Silent Men." The case, "The Trans-Atlantic Push," explores an international counterfeit operation threatening the stability of the U.S. dollar, with agents traversing both Washington, D.C., and post-war Europe (France, Spain, Italy) to unravel the mystery and apprehend the culprits.

The drama highlights the tireless and often dangerous work of U.S. federal agents, their international cooperation with European police, and the personal cost involved for innocent victims.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Developments

1. The Stakes: Protecting the Integrity of Currency

• [01:25] Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (as Agent Ben Jarrett) opens by emphasizing the critical importance of a nation's currency:
  • "The wealth and the security of a nation depend not only on physical strength, but on the soundness and value of its currency."
• Dangerous counterfeiting threatens not just individuals but the nation’s financial stability.

2. Discovery of Counterfeit Bills

• [02:30] Agent Jarrett is tasked by Chief Maloney with a new case after a batch of foreign-origin counterfeit bills is detected.
  • They discuss technical errors in the fakes—color mismatches and out-of-line serial numbers—making them “not a bad job,” but still traceable.

3. The Human Cost

• [03:50] Mrs. Lenya Vronsky, a concentration camp survivor and immigrant, is detained after unknowingly using counterfeit currency she exchanged her life savings for in Paris.
  • “Not when the woman has a number tattooed on her arm. Concentration camps. One of the worst. Buchenwald. And that's the type of person being victimized.” — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [03:43]
• Her interrogation reveals the extent of victimization among vulnerable immigrants.

4. Tracing the Origin — International Collaboration

• [04:38] The investigation determines the paper and ink used in the counterfeits are from France, Spain, and Italy, confirming the international nature.
• Agents Jarrett and Al White travel to Paris, linking up with Inspector Poiret of the French Sureté for local intelligence.

5. Link to Wartime Counterfeiting

• [09:46] The agents theorize the current gang may have evolved from a wartime counterfeit ring specializing in ration certificate forgeries.
  • The group’s leader, Georges Corbin—a printer in Paris—becomes a person of interest.
  • "It could be a post war gang. But it's just as likely, one that started during the war, maybe before." — Al White [09:32]

6. A Wife in Fear — Mrs. Corbin

• [11:28] At Corbin’s house, his wife reports he’s been missing for five months, forcibly taken by mysterious men, feared dead or being coerced.
• The agents convince her to help as part of a sting operation to find her husband and the gang.

7. Undercover Stakeout

• [14:23] - [16:43] Mrs. Corbin, given a fake passport and funds, attempts to buy counterfeit dollars on the black market:
  • The operation nets a small pusher, but the task force uses this to track distribution—money is being mailed from Marseille under pseudonyms.

8. Marseille Pursuit & Showdown

• [18:23+] The team tracks postal activity to Marseille, shadowing a key courier (Antoine Ristore) to a seedy café owned by Andre Selvigny, who has recently acquired luxury property, arousing further suspicion.
• [22:44+] Final strategy: Allow primary suspects to believe they're escaping after a staged brawl at the café, then follow them to the real base.
• [24:49] Violent fight ensues; Al White is seriously injured and the prime suspects escape.

9. Final Raid and Resolution

• [26:20+] The agents and Inspector Poiret’s men surround a countryside chateau near Cabri, suspected as the counterfeit press location.
• A night raid ensues, resulting in the arrests of the counterfeiters, seizure of plates, and the closure of the transatlantic operation.
  • "Your government will be most happy. They'll be happy to see these counterfeit plates." — Inspector Poiret [27:39]
  • "The stopping of the transatlantic push closes another chapter in the distinguished chronicle of our Silent Men." — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [28:47]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Crime's Impact:

  "That their success has been small and limited is a blessing to us. A blessing guarded by a handful of men who have one major purpose in life—protection of this government and its citizens."
  — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [01:25]

• On the Human Tragedy:

  "If she knew the queer, she wouldn't go to a bank. You're right. She didn't know. She bought the bills in the black market in Europe. Her whole life savings."
  — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [03:20]

• On Undercover Strategy:

  "Mrs. Corbin, we may be able to help your husband if you help us."
  — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [14:14]

• Light Humor Amid Tension:

  "My high school teacher said no." [on his French abilities]
  — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. [06:45]

• On Duty and Honor:

  "No, no, thanks, Inspector. You take them. We're well paid for our jobs. Well paid? ... I wasn't thinking of money, Inspector. No, not money."
  — Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Inspector Poiret [28:33–28:47]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:25] – Setting up the gravity of counterfeiting
• [03:43] – Empathy for innocent victims (Mrs. Vronsky's situation)
• [04:38] – Establishing international scope and launching the overseas investigation
• [08:47]–[09:53] – Analyzing counterfeit samples with Parisian police, connecting to wartime activity
• [11:28]–[14:49] – Mrs. Corbin’s fearful cooperation, setting up the black market sting
• [16:17]–[17:19] – Surveillance and tracking the pusher in Paris
• [18:23]–[21:20] – The Marseille lead, identifying the café and wealthy suspect
• [22:44]–[25:15] – The staged fight at the café, agents injured, suspects escape
• [26:20]–[28:14] – Chateau raid and wrap-up; counterfeiters apprehended
• [28:47] – Closing reflection on the agents’ sacrifices

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Tone & Style

True to mid-century crime drama, the language is brisk, earnest, and reverent toward the law enforcers. There’s a sense of camaraderie and dry humor among the agents, contrasting with the graver moments highlighting post-war European hardship and the real danger the agents and civilians face.

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Conclusion

This episode of "The Silent Men" offers a suspenseful, international counterfeiting takedown, blending gritty realism with poignant social commentary. Listeners are drawn into the shadowy world of postwar Europe, the vulnerability of refugees, and the unsung heroism of federal agents. The case wraps with justice served, but not without cost, reminding listeners of the daily risks the “Silent Men” undertake for public safety.

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Next week’s teaser:
Another globe-spanning case brings the agents to the Far East in search of a narcotics ring ("Heroin Source X").

Transcript

[Nicole Byer]

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[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Wayfair.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Every style, every home.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Now there's adventure with the Silent Men on NBC.

[Inspector Poiret]

The Silent Men, starring Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

The National Broadcasting Company proudly presents Douglas.

[Inspector Poiret]

Fairbanks in the Silent Men transcribed stories.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Of the undercover operations of the special agents of every branch of our federal.

[Inspector Poiret]

Government and their relentless fight against crime.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

This is Douglas Fairbanks. The wealth and the security of a nation depend not only on physical strength, but on the soundness and value of its currency. The American dollar is the soundest piece of money in the world. But because of its value, it has been the target of men of evil purpose. Men who would destroy it or use it to attain wealth through counterfeiting. That their success has been small and limited is a blessing to us. A blessing guarded by a handful of men who have one major purpose in life. The protection of this government and its citizens. These men are the special agents of our federal government. Tonight, with your permission, I again play the role of one of them. Special Agent Ben Jarrett. In the file case entitled the Transatlantic Push. From the beginning, it was obvious that this was not an ordinary case. This one started at the top in Washington, D.C. in the office of James J. Maloney, chief of the division. Come in, Ben. Hi, Chief. How'd you know it was me? The guard called that you were on your way up. Secretaries are all out to lunch. Sit down, Ben. Thanks. How are you? How are things in the Dallas office? Hot, but quiet. We can do something about the quiet part. I'm bringing Al White in from the San Francisco office. We'll work together. Take a look at these, Ben. Counterfeit, huh? Yes. Queer stuff. Yeah, look at them.

[Inspector Poiret]

Hmm.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

President Grant didn't photograph too well in those 50s.

[Inspector Poiret]

Here.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Little too much yellow in the color of the seal. And six of the eight serial numbers out of line. Otherwise, not a bad job. The hundreds are even better, except for the same color on the seal and the numbers being out of line on the serial. Any lead on who's doing the pushing? Take a look at the chart on the wall. Counterfeits of foreign origin. Where'd you get this batch? A woman named Lenya Veronski, displaced person. Came in from Europe two days ago. She was picked up in New York yesterday when she tried to use these to open a bank account. If she knew the clear, she wouldn't go to a bank. You're right. She didn't know. She bought the bills in the black market in Europe. Her whole life savings. Ben, it wasn't easy to slam the counterfeit stamp across the face of those bills. Not when the woman has a number tattooed on her arm. Concentration camps. One of the worst. Buchenwald. And that's the type of person being victimized. They come here with a stake to start a new life. And we have to take it away from them because it's counterfeit. Where do I start? Tim, the woman's in the detention room. You'd better see her. Detention room, please. Hello, this is Maloney. Send Mrs. Vronsky to my office, please.

[Al White]

Thanks.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

One thing occurs to me, Jim. How do we know the clear isn't being printed here and shipped overseas for unloading? We've checked the stock. No paper of this type being milled in the United States. Now. The same goes for the ink. They're using any line on the point of origin. The paper, France or Spain. The ink, Italy. That's all I see now. I better note that. Oh, come in, Mrs. Vronsky. Thank you. This is Mr. Jerry. Sit down, please, Mrs. Vronsky.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

It's all right.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Oh, it's. It's all right. This is the man I wanted you to see. Now, you tell Mr. Jared where you got the money.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

In Paris. Before I come here, I have two sons.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

We. We all work to come to America.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

My oldest son and two daughters and my cousin. They are dead.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Would you like some water, Mrs. Vranski?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

No, no, I'm all right. Me and my. My last two children, we say. Then one day, they say, I can come here and be cold hand. Yeah. With my boy. They must do it. So a man changes our money for American money, and I come. Now. You say the money is not good.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Mrs. Vronsky, do you know the name of the man who sold you this money?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

No. He was short.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

He has no hair.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

He's tapping. Laughing. Laughing.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

That is all I know.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Laughing.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Thank you, Mrs. Vronsky. Please wait until the next office. I'll see you again, Ben. We've got to smash this transatlantic push. Ms. Hennick is preparing lettuce for you and Al White to police authorities in France, Spain and Italy. When do we leave? As soon as Al White gets here. Now, when you get to Paris, check with Chief Inspector Francois Poiret of the French Certe. Right, Poiret? Speak any French? It depends on your point of view. My high school teacher said no. Well, this looks like a big, well organized gang, Ben. That means they'll play rough after seeing that woman. I hope they do, Jim. I hope they do. Landing at Le Bourget airfield in Paris was nothing to distinguish Al White and me from the vacationing Americans and businessmen who stepped from Flight 950. I liked working with Al. He was 5 foot 8 and tipped the scales with a stocky 180. His face was round and guileless and in straw hat and white apron, he. He wouldn't seem out of place behind the meat counter of an American chain store. Federal penitentiaries are full of men who thought he looked stupid. Well, we took a rickety French taxi from the field to an inconspicuous hotel and within an hour we're in consultation with Inspector Poiret of the surety.

[Inspector Poiret]

Here are the Post Monoleux files. That's our word for counterfeit. Gentlemen, I hope there is something that will be of help.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

You have a special group specializing in foreign currencies, Inspector.

[Inspector Poiret]

These English pounds, American dollars. They are small operators, though the big rings.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

They are evasive. And we've had too many other internal problems.

[Inspector Poiret]

One cannot hope to keep up with them all.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What do you think, Al?

[Al White]

I don't know, Ben.

[Inspector Poiret]

On the back of the records are clipped samples of the counterfeit currency.

[Al White]

Fives, tens and ones.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

And so phony. A good police dog could spot him.

[Al White]

Yeah.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Besides, these men have been caught. We're looking for the ones who haven't been caught. Here, Inspector, you take a look at one of our samples here.

[Inspector Poiret]

Most professional.

[Al White]

Good enough to get by almost any place this side of the ocean.

[Inspector Poiret]

Would you leave this with me so I may direct my men?

[Al White]

Jordan.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

We better see what we can stir up in the black market.

[Al White]

Al.

[Inspector Poiret]

Yeah.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Goodbye, Inspector.

[Inspector Poiret]

No.

[Al White]

Boy.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Al.

[Al White]

Wait a minute, Ben.

[Inspector Poiret]

Inspector, wait. Yes?

[Al White]

That file of queer pushers.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Excuse me.

[Al White]

Counterfeiters. Any of the gangs in there made up of Italians as well as French?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Well, you're Anglo, Al.

[Al White]

Just a thought. The chief said the ink came from Italy.

[Inspector Poiret]

No, I'm afraid not.

[Al White]

Look, Ben, a big gang, and this must be big, doesn't spring up overnight.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

It grows. It could be a post war gang.

[Al White]

But it's just as likely. One that started during the war, Maybe before.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I figure they're all Lying counterfeiters, all.

[Al White]

Right, but pushing queer American is a new branch for them.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What did they do before? Well, that's stabbing in the dark, Al.

[Al White]

Maybe, but American counterfeiters had a sideline during the war. Remember the Memphis case?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Rationing coupons.

[Al White]

They had rationing here, didn't they?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

How about that, Inspector?

[Inspector Poiret]

But of course, there was much counterfeiting of ration certificates.

[Al White]

Any of the counterfeiters Italian?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

There was one group.

[Inspector Poiret]

Some Frenchmen. Some Sicilian.

[Al White]

Jackpot?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Looks that way. Recall any of the details, Inspector?

[Inspector Poiret]

Well, the operation was large. They were apprehended, but the evidence was meager. The jail term's not long. What has happened to them? I do not know.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Where was their base of operations?

[Inspector Poiret]

A printing establishment in the 8th arrondissement owned by one Georges Corbin. He was a member of the Ring, but since then he has married and maintained a reputation.

[Al White]

George Corbin, Printer 8 arendesman. We better pay him a visit. Ben.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Somebody coming? George Corbin.

[Al White]

What he saying?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Wants to know why we want to see him.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

You are English.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Well, this we can all understand.

[Al White]

No, we're Americans.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Why are you half the zor?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What makes you say after him?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Nothing. I. I do not know. He is not here. Please go away.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Are you Corbin's wife?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Oui. Yes.

[Al White]

I think you'd better talk to us, Mrs. Corbin. You may save your husband a lot of trouble.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Couldn't.

[Al White]

Now.

[Inspector Poiret]

Where is he?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

I do not know.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

His shop has been closed for some time. The other storekeepers in the arrondissement say they haven't seen him for months.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

He's away.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Where?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

I do not know. That is why I am frightened.

[Al White]

How long has he been gone?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Five months.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

And you don't know where?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

I can tell you nothing. You were sent by the police. If I tell you, those will be killed.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Killed by who?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

The men who took him away. Please save me.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

If she's leveling. Corbin nailed and snatched.

[Al White]

Poire said he quit the game. Maybe they came back and got sore when he wouldn't play. They need a press and an engraver, and he's worked with them before.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I hate to do this, but we haven't got much choice. Mrs. Corbin, if your husband was taken away five months ago and you don't know where he is, how do you know he hasn't already been killed? During the war, your husband was a counterfeiter of rationing certificates.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

There's nothing wrong with him then.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Maybe not. But the men who took him away were the same men he worked for before, weren't they?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

They did not want to Go do.

[Al White]

They forced him, Mrs. Corbin. We believe that. So if you want to protect your husband, you better talk. Those men are counterfeiting American money. They may turn out all they can handle and then quit to be a witness against them. They'll kill him unless we can get to him before they quit.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

No, no, he's right, Mrs. Corbin. You better let us see where those letters came from.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

But they come from one of. I will show you. From Chabot Nave Martini.

[Al White]

I was afraid of that.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Yeah, they're smart. No. One point to go to. The pushers are mailing the letters from all points as they fan out to spread the queer.

[Al White]

Mrs. Corbin, do you know any of the men who took your husband?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

I never saw them. They came one night when we were sleeping. Roy got up, they argued and one of them struck him. He came in to me and said that he had to go to the shop to give them some things.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What things?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

I don't know for printing. They brought those back again. He came into me and said he must go with them. But I must say nothing or they would. I tried to stop him, but he pushed me away. I ran into the street and I saw them driving off in a truck.

[Al White]

You say the men never saw you?

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Just one of them warned in the dark. He came in with yours.

[Al White]

Then he wouldn't recognize you.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

No, no, no.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Thinking of a stakeout, Al?

[Al White]

Well, if she'll go for it. At my work. Ben.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Worth a try. Mrs. Corbin, we may be able to help your husband if you help us.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

What do you want me to do?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Inspector Poirier of the surety will arrange a fake passport for you under another name. We'll supply you with half a million francs to do some shopping in the black market.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Shopping for what?

[Al White]

Counterfeit American money. You say you're going to America and you want to change the francs for American dollars.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Will you do it? I don't want to be brutal, but it may be your husband's only chance.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

We. I will do it.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

With the help of Inspector Poirier and his men, Al and I arranged a stakeout in the black market areas of Paris. The back alleys behind the hotel. Jaws sank. The winding street of Mauma. Men of the French Surete were planted unobtrusively in the crowd.

[Nicole Byer]

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[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

At Hisomni.com within a few feet of Madame Georges Corbin. She tried to make contact. Occasionally, genuine American currency turned up or inferior counterfeits of small denominations. But none of the counterfeit 50s and hundreds with the serial numbers out of line. Until late one afternoon. We moved the stakeout to the Boulevard Cliche just off the Rue de la Paix.

[Al White]

She's made a contact then. Doorway of the florist shop.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Take a look, Inspector. You know the man?

[Inspector Poiret]

He was one of the ones with the rationing certificate. Gundam?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Uh huh. Small fry. Pusher, eh?

[Al White]

Look, she's taking a shawl off her head.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

It's the bills we're looking for.

[Inspector Poiret]

Shall I signal my men to make decisions?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

No, no. Put a tail on him. Have a man following. We don't want him. We want the men who are printing the queer.

[Inspector Poiret]

The transaction has been completed. I will sign three men that will report his action.

[Al White]

I'll be right back.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What's up?

[Al White]

The pusher ditched some sort of paper in the doorway.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I'm going to go get it.

[Inspector Poiret]

You seem disappointed, Monsieur Jarrod.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

The contact. I was hoping it might be Laughing Boy.

[Inspector Poiret]

Laughing boy?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Pusher who's happy about his work. He enjoyed giving some queer money to a woman who deserved a better break. We'll find him though, later.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Did I do the right thing?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

You are fine, Madame Colbert. Let's see the money.

[Inspector Poiret]

They are the ones you seek? Yes.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Too much yellow serial numbers. Out of line. It's the push, all right.

[Al White]

Is that the merchandise, Ben?

[Inspector Poiret]

Yes.

[Al White]

Yeah.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What did you find?

[Al White]

This envelope. The one he carried the money in. What does post restant mean?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

General delivery. Let's have a look. To Antoine. Restore a post restaurant Montmartre, Paris From Joseph Perfectit.

[Inspector Poiret]

Post Restaurant, Marseille this was mailed from the Bureau de Poste of the Opera Quartier.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Well then.

[Al White]

The source may be in Marseille. The quer is mailed from there to the pushers.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

We'd better get down there. Inspector, can you arrange for a postal watch in Marseille? We can follow a story from there. If he comes to pick up his mail.

[Al White]

And the sorting clerks can let us know the destination of anything he sends out.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Let it go through and pick up.

[Al White]

The pushers at the receiving end.

[Inspector Poiret]

It should Be arranged. I go to Marseille with you.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Marseille, an ancient city, beautiful and treacherous, with the sacred Notre Dame de la Garde only a matter of steps from the sloping, twisted alleys and back streets of the old Town, where murder might stand waiting in the shadow of a doorway. For days, Al White and I stood behind a torn curtain, looking through the grimy window of a cheap rooming house, waiting for a signal from one of the changing groups of Puritan men lounging about the Bureau de post. Then, finally it came. A lounger dropped his newspaper, stretched lazily and moved slowly after a man in a red beret. There it is.

[Al White]

Ben Ristore picked up his nail.

[Inspector Poiret]

Good.

[Al White]

Let's go.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

We took over from the Surete, following Antoine Ristor in and out of the winding streets, keeping out of his sight as he made his way through the maze of the Old Town Quarter, veering south off the Boulevard Dam. Sometimes the red berry was just a flash of color, seen for a split second as we turned into one street while Ristori slipped into another. But we never lost it. Then on the rue la Neuf, Restore disappeared into the cafe at number 41.

[Al White]

Do we go in?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

No, no, we better wait. We might have gone in for a drink. Unless that's the base of operations.

[Al White]

I doubt it. A cheap cafe in a section like this means trouble. They wouldn't keep a printing press where the gendarmes might be visiting.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Well, that figures. But there's no spot for a Rolls Royce either. There's the back of one sticking out of the alley next to the place. Ristori might be keeping a rendezvous with a top man.

[Al White]

License number 9552 CA7. Look, I'll stay here and keep an eye on Restore. We passed a hotel in the last street. Must be a phone there. Maybe Poiray can get a line on the owner of that car.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Good idea. I'll call him. It'll be dark in half an hour.

[Al White]

Poirier can meet us here with some men. Make sure you get a complete on the owner of the Rolls. You can't buy those pushing tin foil.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Inspector. Over here in the doorway.

[Inspector Poiret]

Is the story still there?

[Al White]

Yeah, two hours now.

[Inspector Poiret]

There may be a back door, you know.

[Al White]

I cased it. Leads into a blind alley by the car. I'd have to see him, incidentally.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What about the car, Inspector?

[Inspector Poiret]

Very interesting. It is registered to one Andre Selvigny, who also owns the cafe. Monsieur has blossomed forth recently as a man of wealth dealing in real estate.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What kind of real estate?

[Inspector Poiret]

Few more establishments like the one we watch. But also magnificent home in this country. An old chateau in the pine forest near the village of Cabaret.

[Al White]

Country estate, huh? Not a bad place to print the Queer Band.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

You know the location, Inspector?

[Inspector Poiret]

Unfortunately, no. There are many such properties in the Cabaret area. It could be one of 20 or more.

[Al White]

Well, and the way to get there is to let Ristori and Salvina take us there.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

They might not talk, Al. And if we grab them, the rest of the gang might split.

[Al White]

But if we try to grab them and miss, they'll head right for their equipment and move to another spot. We'd have to start all over from scratch.

[Inspector Poiret]

Obviously you have considered a way to prevent such a move, Monsieur White. What is your plan?

[Al White]

You and I go in.

[Inspector Poiret]

Then, ah, the cafe becomes lively.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Yeah. All right. We go in. Then what?

[Al White]

When we get in, Inspector Poiret can block off this area. When the rumpus starts, grab everyone who comes out on foot.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

But don't stop that car.

[Al White]

What we want to know is where.

[Inspector Poiret]

It goes, if it would be impossible to follow it. I do not have the vehicles to cover all avenues of exit from this motor.

[Al White]

But you won't have to. Station three cars along the highway near Cabri.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Unmarked, no official cars.

[Al White]

115 miles this side of the town. 1 10, 1 5.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

That sounds. They'll know they're not followed when they get clear of here. And they won't be leaning too hard on that gas pedal when they get near Cabri.

[Al White]

Your men can follow it from there then and relay until they spot where the car turns off. We can follow and move in.

[Inspector Poiret]

If you leave the cafe alive, monsieur. Perhaps a few of my men too.

[Al White]

Many would tip it.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

He's right, Inspector. We'll take it alone. When the trouble starts, blow a couple of whistles up the street. But don't close in until the car is gone. Come on out. Let's go.

[Inspector Poiret]

Oh, wow and good fortune.

[Al White]

Red Beret at the corner table with stories.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Yeah. Two others with him. Which one is Salvini? Take the table next to them. The man who pushed that money over on the deep we saw in Washington.

[Al White]

He's looking at us.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

You smell at me, monsieur. Oh, do not mind me. I am always, how you say, happy world.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

You are a male account, no? That's right. Laughing boy. Voila.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

You mixed a nickname for me? You will nothing, boy. I like the name Monsieur.

[Al White]

Work on him.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

What's your real name? Andre Salvini. Come on.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

No, no.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I am Jean, my compan. He wants to know what we want.

[Al White]

Al, tell the Man.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

We're looking for counterfeiters of United States currency. The three of you are under arrest. I am arrest? No. The men moved towards us in grim silence. Half a dozen of them. It looked like we'd bitten off more.

[Al White]

Than we could chew.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

The fight started and some of them fought Shabbat and murderous hand to foot. Attack of the underworld. Attack. We had to get a signal outside. I broke loose and throw a bottle at the window. As it hit, I turned just in time to see a savat kick catch Al White under the chin. He sagged to the floor, unconscious. And at the same moment, a savage kick caught me in the stomach and I dropped, feeling a sickening pain as Quar's men signal their approach.

[Lenya Veronski / Mrs. Vronsky / Mrs. Corbin / Madame Colbert (various female characters)]

Leave them.

[Inspector Poiret]

Oh.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Where's Al White?

[Inspector Poiret]

My men took him to the hospital.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Oh. How bad?

[Inspector Poiret]

He was unconscious. Concussion, possibly. His face will need stitches. They fight savage with metal clips on the heel.

[Al White]

Our friends got away alone?

[Inspector Poiret]

Yes. I will drop you off for medical attention too. And then I will proceed to cab.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

No, I'm all right.

[Al White]

I'm going with you.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

If anything happens to Al White, I'll stay here until every one of them hangs.

[Inspector Poiret]

My car is outside. It is equipped with wireless. You are sure?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I'm sure. Let's go, Inspector. Sure this is the place?

[Inspector Poiret]

The limousine is at the rear of the house. There is also a truck. It came shortly after. The limousine is being loaded.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Then the equipment is here. Let them load it. Less chances than destroying any of it. I wish we could do something about that dog.

[Inspector Poiret]

I sent a man who has away with animals. It will be quiet. Softly. Yes, sir.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

How well have your men got the place cover?

[Inspector Poiret]

Guns and lights have been placed at strategic spots. We command all possible avenues of escape. Got a machine gun?

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

At each entrance of the driveway with spotlights.

[Al White]

Wait.

[Inspector Poiret]

30 men of the brigad mobile. There is the end of Ms. Dog.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Good. Now, if they'll move we can they come?

[Inspector Poiret]

You commandee or I go to the other side.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

All right. The spotlight. Fire burst over the truck. The guide mobile close in on the house.

[Inspector Poiret]

A very fine coup, Monsieur Jared. Your government will be most happy.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

They'll be happy to see these counterfeit plates. George Carbine was pretty clever. His numbering machine only carried six digits and the bills needed eight. So we engraved the first two on a lithograph stone. Just a little too low. Deliberately so the machine numbers wouldn't line up with them. The easiest thing to spot.

[Inspector Poiret]

I'm glad he was not in. And you will be glad to know that Monsieur White is recovering, which is.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

More than we can say for Laughing Boy and Salvini. You don't recover from being dead.

[Inspector Poiret]

Restore and the others will make a most impressive trial.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Don't forget, we've a few to add yet. Keep us quiet until we pick up the pushers at the various post restaurants. When they call for their mail, it will be attended.

[Inspector Poiret]

But when it is over. Your votes have done us a service. There should be appropriate honors.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

No, no, thanks, Inspector. You take them. We're well paid for our jobs. Well paid?

[Inspector Poiret]

In America, the law enforcement agents receive much money.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

I wasn't thinking of money, Inspector. No, not money. This is Douglas Fairbanks again. The stopping of the transatlantic push Closes another chapter in the distinguished chronicle of our Silent Men. The special agents of all branches of our federal government. Who daily risk their lives to protect the lives of all of us. Next week we will tell you a story involving narcotics and the Far East. In the file case entitled Heroin Source X. Another venture undertaken for our protection by the silent men.

[Inspector Poiret]

The Silent man is produced by Warren Lewis. Tonight's transcribed case was written by Joel Murcott and directed by Walter McGraw. All names and places were fictional.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Featured in tonight's cast were John Gibson.

[Inspector Poiret]

Rock Rogers, Ruth York, Joe DeSantis, and William Keane. This is Fred Collins speaking.

[Douglas Fairbanks Jr.]

Douglas Fairbanks may currently be seen in the motion picture Mr. Drake's Duck. Listen again next week and every week to other exciting cases involving the law enforcement adventures. Of the special agents of our federal government. For they are the Silence Men.