Whitehall 1212 51-12-16 (05) The Man Who Murdered His Wife

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Whitehall 1212 51-12-16 (05) The Man Who Murdered His Wife"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Whitehall 1212 51-12-16 (05) The Man Who Murdered His Wife
• Release Date: July 16, 2025
• Description: Relive the Golden Age of Radio with classic-style storytelling from beloved shows such as The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, and Dragnet. This episode delves into a gripping murder mystery set against the backdrop of wartime London.

---

Introduction to the Case

The episode opens with Percy Hoskins, Chief Crime Reporter for the London Daily Express, introducing a tense and mysterious case from the archives of Scotland Yard. The story revolves around Case Number 397, Mr. 381, involving Stanley Russell, a shop clerk, and the disappearance of his wife, Mrs. Hope Russell.

Discovery of Mrs. Hope Russell's Body

Timestamp: [03:53]

Chief Inspector Bryce Purcell and Deputy Commander William Byrd are dispatched to investigate the scene at a partially destroyed Baptist chapel in Kennington. Upon arrival, they discover a skeleton beneath a stone slab:

• Bryce Purcell: "I saw him. Well, what's so strange about a skeleton in a burial vault?" ([05:13])

The examination reveals that the remains belong to a middle-aged woman. Pathologist Keith Briggs provides critical insights into the cause of death, indicating intentional strangulation:

• Keith Briggs: "There's only one way to do it." ([08:34])

Initial Investigation and Evidence Collection

Timestamp: [05:35]

The team collects significant evidence, including quicklime and half-burned straw pellias, suggesting an attempt to dispose of the body. William Byrd emphasizes the certainty of murder despite the initial appearance:

• William Byrd: "I'm strongly of the opinion that it was murder." ([09:00])

They issue bulletins to identify Mrs. Russell through dental records and missing persons reports, but faces challenges as no immediate identification surfaces.

Breakthrough in the Investigation

Timestamp: [11:30]

After two weeks of unsuccessful searches, Purcell discovers Mrs. Russell's missing dental plate, leading to her identification. This breakthrough connects the timeline of her disappearance to the reported destruction of the chapel:

• William Byrd: "She's rather jumbled about. And the feet, where are they?" ([07:03])

Further investigation reveals discrepancies in fire reports, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of the reported fire:

• William Byrd: "No fire whatever when the chapel was destroyed." ([12:18])

Suspect Identification: Stanley Russell

Timestamp: [18:00]

Through diligent detective work, including sifting through clothing records and acquaintances, the team narrows down the suspect to Stanley Russell, Mrs. Russell's estranged husband. Despite initial setbacks, including the apparent destruction of Russell's residence during an air raid, evidence mounts against him.

Confrontation and Arrest

Timestamp: [24:23]

In a dramatic turn, Stanley Russell unexpectedly arrives at Scotland Yard to see Inspector Purcell. During the interrogation, Russell's evasive and deceitful responses raise red flags:

• William Byrd: "Do you know anything about it?" ([26:52])
• Bryce Purcell: "We know that." ([26:58])

Despite Russell's attempts to deflect, inconsistencies in his story lead to his arrest for the murder of his wife:

• Bryce Purcell: "Russell, I arrest you on the charge of willful murder." ([29:54])

Trial and Conviction

Timestamp: [30:09]

The episode concludes with Stanley Russell's trial, where overwhelming evidence and his own contradictory statements result in a guilty verdict. The judge sentences him to death, cementing his role as the murderer:

• Judge: "It is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck." ([30:51])

Conclusion and Reflection

Percy Hoskins wraps up the episode, affirming the authenticity of the story sourced from Scotland Yard's archives. He hints at future episodes, enticing listeners with more intriguing tales from the annals of crime history.

• Percy Hoskins: "You have heard the true story of case number 397 Mr. 381 from the files of Scotland Yard." ([31:05])

---

Notable Quotes:

• William Byrd: "I'm strongly of the opinion that it was murder." ([09:00])
• Keith Briggs: "There's only one way to do it." ([08:34])
• Bryce Purcell: "Russell, I arrest you on the charge of willful murder." ([29:54])
• Judge: "It is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck." ([30:51])

---

Key Takeaways:

• The meticulous investigation by Scotland Yard officials highlights the complexities of solving a murder during wartime.
• Forensic evidence, such as dental records and bone analysis, plays a crucial role in identifying victims and perpetrators.
• Stanley Russell's eventual arrest underscores the persistence required in criminal investigations, even amidst challenging circumstances like air raids and misleading reports.

This episode masterfully blends suspense with historical context, providing listeners with a captivating glimpse into investigative procedures of the past.

Transcript

[Will]

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[Unknown]

Whitehall 1212.

[William Byrd]

Hurry.

[Unknown]

This is Scotland Yard.

[Percy Hoskins]

For the first time, Scotland Yard opens its secret files to bring you the authentic true stories of some of its most baffling cases. These records are drawn from the Scotland Yard files and only the names of the participants have been changed. The research has been prepared by Mr. Percy Hoskins, Chief crime reporter for the London Daily Express. The stories for radio are written and directed by Mr. Willis Cooper. Here are the principal participants in Scotland yard. Case number 397, Mr. 381. Stanley Russell, shop clerk.

[Unknown]

Mr. Russell is not to be found.

[Percy Hoskins]

Mrs. Hope Russell, his wife.

[Hope Russell]

Mrs. Russell was reported missing on the.

[Unknown]

Day before Good Friday.

[Percy Hoskins]

Adolf Hitler's Luftwaffe Chief Inspector Bryce Purcell of Scotland Yard.

[Bryce Purcell]

I should like to introduce Deputy Commander William Byrd of Scotland Yard, my superior officer.

[William Byrd]

Before we proceed, I believe it would be a good idea to visit the Black Museum. Come along with me, if you please.

[Bryce Purcell]

After you, sir.

[William Byrd]

Good afternoon, John.

[John Davidson]

Good afternoon, sir.

[William Byrd]

This is Chief Superintendent John Davidson, curator of Scotland Yard's Black Museum. Well, how do you do?

[John Davidson]

You came about case number 397, Mr. 381, I believe you said, sir.

[William Byrd]

Right. Will you tell us about it, John?

[John Davidson]

Well, this is the exhibit. No, don't touch it, please. It's quite fragile and as you can see, it has already been broken. We have a great many other exhibits of crimes in these rooms. Murder weapons, blood stained garments. Bullets that have snuffed out many lives, death masks. And many notorious criminals. Almost every instrument of violence that can be conceived. I should explain that these gruesome objects about us are not merely souvenirs. Many of them have aided our men in solving other crimes and bringing the perpetrators to justice. This one.

[William Byrd]

Tell us what this thing is, John.

[John Davidson]

This is Mrs. Hope Russell.

[William Byrd]

Sixteen months after the Easter blitz of 1941, the work of clearing out bombed out areas of London was still progressing. On 12 July 1942, the Scotland Yard information room received an urgent call from PC John Dunn of the Kennington district. A patrol car in which Chief Inspector Purcel was riding was dispatched to the scene. A partially destroyed Baptist chapel.

[Bryce Purcell]

I was directed to the spot by PC Dunn who was on point duty at the road intersection.

[Hope Russell]

Right over there, sir. Where you see the men standing? They found summit, sir. The navies that's working here.

[Bryce Purcell]

Right, thank you. Morning, boys. What have you found?

[Unknown]

Who are you, mate?

[Bryce Purcell]

I'm Chief Inspector Purcell, Scotland Yard. What's up?

[Unknown]

Down, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

Down there in that old, sir?

[Unknown]

Yes, it's an old burying waltzer.

[Bryce Purcell]

But what is it?

[Unknown]

A skeleton, sir. He's dead.

[Bryce Purcell]

Ob Dom Jargy. And Sean with your torch.

[Unknown]

All right. There you see sir.

Here he is.

[Bryce Purcell]

Stand to one side, will you?

[Unknown]

He's off under this stone slab, sir.

[William Byrd]

See?

[Bryce Purcell]

I see him. Well, what's so strange about a skeleton in a burial vault?

[Unknown]

There ain't been anybody in there since 1934, sir.

[William Byrd]

1935.

[Unknown]

I was in that gang that moved the old corpses out of here. Herbert, it was 1934. We didn't leave A1. God bless you. It's the quick lime down here, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

Quicklime. How. How'd quicklime get down there?

[Unknown]

You're the detective, mister. We just work here.

[William Byrd]

The badly burned skeleton was removed to the pathological laboratories at Scotland Yard together with the other articles found in the vault. A considerable amount of quicklime and a half burned straw pellias which had partially covered the remains. There was nothing else. I stood beside Keith Briggs, the Home Office pathologist, while he completed his examination. What do you think, Keith? I asked.

[Unknown]

Well, she's dead.

[William Byrd]

She?

[Keith Briggs]

It's a woman all right. No question about that. The hip bones are characteristically a woman's. So is the sacrum here.

[William Byrd]

And how old a woman?

[Keith Briggs]

Oh, middle aged, I'd say. The bones are fully developed, so we know she was full grown. And there were one or two strands of long gray hair adhering to the skull. Here they are. And then the teeth here.

[William Byrd]

What about them?

[Keith Briggs]

Well, you see, they're pretty well worn. Now you see here in the upper jaw. Seven of the uppers are missing. Now see These ridges.

[William Byrd]

Yes.

[Keith Briggs]

They were caused by a dental plate which probably consisted of seven teeth. And then.

[William Byrd]

What are you looking for?

[Keith Briggs]

The measuring tape.

[William Byrd]

Oh, here. The lady was lying on it. What are you going to do now?

[Keith Briggs]

See how tall she was.

[William Byrd]

She's rather jumbled about. And the feet, where are they?

[Keith Briggs]

Oh, the thigh bone's all I need. Oh, hold it, please. Huh? This one. Now let's see, let's see. 43 centimeters. Well, that's all right, sir. Well, 43 centimeters multiplied by 3.6.

[William Byrd]

What are you doing?

[Keith Briggs]

Sediment scale. You multiply the length of the thigh bone by 3.6, man's is 3.7. And you get the exact height. Now see, that's 154.8 centimeters. We'll call it 1 meter 55 meters. 39.37. And 5500 of 39.37. 21.65. Now 39.37 plus 21.65. That's 7, 5, 12, 6, 9, 10, 9, 2, 9, 3, 5, 6. 61.02 inches. There she was. 5ft 1 and 200 inches tall. In a word, 5 foot 1.

[William Byrd]

What was her name?

[Keith Briggs]

Whatever her name, sir, she was murdered.

[William Byrd]

Consider that I've asked the question.

[Unknown]

Eh?

[Keith Briggs]

Oh, oh, oh, how do I know? Well, this bone here, where does it fit? This is what she talked with the voice box. The trachea, you know, her throat. Look, see these little wing things up here? See this one? See, it's broken. Well, this is one of the most significant fractures in all forensic medicine, sir.

[William Byrd]

Why?

[Keith Briggs]

There's only one way to do it.

[William Byrd]

Oh, come on, man, don't come Sherlock Holmes on me. How do you do it?

[Keith Briggs]

Well, I was about to say by manual pressure on the throat, sir.

[William Byrd]

Strangulation.

[Keith Briggs]

You mean intentional strangulation, sir. There's no other way.

[William Byrd]

And then there's the quicklime.

[Keith Briggs]

Surely you know that quicklime will not destroy a body, sir.

[William Byrd]

Yes, I know it, Keith, but murderers seldom do. Reference to the ARP records showed that every other casualty and missing persons in Kennington had been accounted for. It was apparent that the victim had not been a resident of that district. I caused bulletins and charts of the teeth to be sent to all the dentists in London for identification. No results were forthcoming and we were forced to conclude that the dentist in question had become an air raid casualty or that the work had been done in some other city. I gave Purcell a very difficult assignment.

[Bryce Purcell]

Difficult? Well, it's not so difficult, but it's tedious. It'll take A long time, I know.

[William Byrd]

But it's got to be done. I'm strongly of the opinion that it was murder.

[Bryce Purcell]

We checked carefully, sir. And the the only quicklime on the entire premises was that in the vault with the skeleton. I thought they might have dusted the entire place with quicklime for sanitary purposes, but they hadn't. Certainly looks as if someone had wanted to dispose of a body.

[William Byrd]

Until we know who she was, we'll never discover who he is.

[Bryce Purcell]

Ah, yes, well, I'll get cracking. I'll need men to go over the missing persons rushes to find the names and addresses.

[William Byrd]

Every woman five feet tall, of middle age with gray hair who is still missing.

[Bryce Purcell]

Now and then I'll need more men to make inquiries of all the next of kin to see which of them.

[William Byrd]

Wore false teeth and to find out which one wore an upper plate that matches the one in Briggs. Chart here.

[Bryce Purcell]

Take a good many men and a good bit of time, sir.

[William Byrd]

You can get them in personal and we've got the time. Good luck.

[Bryce Purcell]

Oh, thank you, sir.

[William Byrd]

Nothing whatever happened for two weeks except for the unrewarded activities of Purcell's men. I had a minor inspiration about the seventh day. Put me through to Sergeant Bowles, please. Commander Bird here. Sergeant, I. I should like you to send me all the file copies of the Metro operations for the period two weeks before to two weeks after the Easter Blitz of last year, please. Yes, at once, if you please. The Metropolitan Informations is a daily newspaper containing digests of all the crime news. It is usually invaluable. I pored over every issue, looking assiduously for an item that might prove of some help. I had reached the end of the first week after the date the Kennington Chapel was destroyed with no results whatever when Purcell reported.

[Bryce Purcell]

Found, sir.

[William Byrd]

Oh, good.

[Bryce Purcell]

Here. Here is the missing plate.

[William Byrd]

That's much better than I'd hoped for. Personal.

[Bryce Purcell]

Apparently the plate hurt her mouth. She often left it at home. As a matter of fact, I found.

[Unknown]

It at her sister's.

[Bryce Purcell]

Oh. I stopped upstairs to see Keith Briggs in the laboratory and they fit exactly a allowing for the fact that there's no flesh on the jawbones. Ah, here's Keith.

[William Byrd]

That right, Keith? That's right, sir.

[Keith Briggs]

And the marks on the skeleton's teeth coincide exactly with these little clamps here. I've brought the skull down.

[William Byrd]

You see, sir, she looks very fine. Congratulations, Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Thank you, sir. The only thing is she was reported missing three days before the raid that destroyed the chapel.

[William Byrd]

She was?

[Bryce Purcell]

It's in all the records, sir.

[William Byrd]

Where were you, Madame?

[Keith Briggs]

She might have been hidden in the vault immediately she was murdered, sir. And then the fire when the place was bombed.

[William Byrd]

It must have been quite a hot fire. Let's see the Kennington Fire Brigade, please. Yes, what's her name? Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Mrs. Hope Russell.

[William Byrd]

Russell. Hope Russell. Did you. Oh, hello. Is that the Kennington Fire Brigade? The Senior Company officer, if you please. I'll wait. Hope Russell. I've run across that name somewhere. Yes, thank you. Hello, this is Commander Byrd at Scotland Yard. Do you remember during the Easter Blitz last year when the Baptist chapel was destroyed there in Kennington? What I wanted to know was that a very severe fire. What? There was no fire.

[Bryce Purcell]

Why?

[William Byrd]

No fire whatever when the chapel was destroyed. Oh, two days later. How very curious. It was reported. By whom? The Kennington Police. Wasn't there a. Look here, old chap. I'm sending at once for their Divisional Superintendent. Could you possibly come along with him to my office at the Yard? Yes, I'm afraid it is rather important. I'll have him pick you up in his car. Thank you so much. At once. Yes.

[Bryce Purcell]

No fire.

[William Byrd]

Keith, would you mind? Get him in the fire chap over here at once. Use my name. Ask them both to bring their records for that night, please. All right, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

No fire, eh?

[William Byrd]

What's that Woman's name? Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Mrs. Hope Russell.

[William Byrd]

I knew I remembered it. Look at this.

[Bryce Purcell]

Metro Informations. Eh?

[William Byrd]

Look under articles. Lost and Found. I was just reading it.

[Bryce Purcell]

Lost and found Here.

[William Byrd]

The. The third item. Read that.

[Bryce Purcell]

Found by Postmistress Guildford, Surrey in the post office yesterday. A woman's purse, black leather, plain strap. Contents? Lipstick comb, mirror. Two London tram tickets. 11 pence in coin, ration book. Identity card issued to Mrs. Hope Russell.

[Unknown]

Wow.

[Bryce Purcell]

What was she doing in Guilford?

[William Byrd]

Look at the date of the paper, Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

April.

[William Byrd]

What was she doing in Guilford? Three days after the air raid in Kennington. The Divisional Superintendent and the fire brigade officer from Kennington sat in my office with Purcell and me. I looked at the fire brigade records first.

[Hope Russell]

Now here, sir. This is the day of the big raid when the chapel was destroyed. Good Friday evening. 11th of April, 1941.

[William Byrd]

Yes.

[Hope Russell]

Every call is set down in the occurrence book here, sir.

[William Byrd]

Yes, I know.

[Hope Russell]

Together with all the calls to the Auxiliary Fire Service. The civilians, sir.

[William Byrd]

Yes, I know.

[Hope Russell]

And you can see there's no report whatever of a fire at the Kennington Baptist Chapel from either source.

[William Byrd]

Right.

[Hope Russell]

But over here, sir, on this page. Tuesday the 15th. Four days later. 11 o' clock PM. See, sir? Chapel and so forth. Report Telephoned in by Kennington police station.

[William Byrd]

Do your records correspond, Superintendent?

[Unknown]

I'll read it to you, sir. 10:57pm, Tuesday, 15th of April. PC Allison, telephone to report it. Fire at the ruins of the Baptist chapel alarm. Telephone to Kennington fire brigade at 11pm.

[Hope Russell]

Your anger's up yourself, Robert.

[Unknown]

I did that. Indeed. Here's my initials.

[William Byrd]

What do you think, Percival?

[Bryce Purcell]

Why did the police constable report it?

[William Byrd]

Yes, I was just going to ask that.

[Hope Russell]

I don't understand, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

Wasn't there a fire watcher?

[William Byrd]

Wasn't there?

[Keith Briggs]

Well, sir, there.

[Unknown]

There was a fire watcher.

[Hope Russell]

There was supposed to be.

[William Byrd]

Well, where was he?

[Unknown]

Asleep, sir, probably.

[Hope Russell]

Or out catching a drink somewhere.

[William Byrd]

Not an ARP man?

[Unknown]

No, sir. A private man. Employed by the wholesale chemists across the road from the chapel. A thoroughly useless man.

[Hope Russell]

Completely undependable.

[Unknown]

His employers caught up with him at last, sir. He was sacked six or seven weeks ago. I've not seen him since.

[William Byrd]

Neither have I.

[Bryce Purcell]

Well, sounds like a spiv to me.

[Unknown]

He is, sir.

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I knew him quite well. Had a great deal of trouble with his wife. And I used to see him quite regularly. He agreed to pay in 18 shillings and ninepence. I think it was weekly at the police station for her. Which he didn't ever do.

[William Byrd]

Oh, not ever?

[Unknown]

Never once till Easter Monday last year, right after the big raid. He kept it up too. Till he was discharged and left.

[William Byrd]

I suppose this chemical firm he worked for could put us onto him. I'd like to have A chat with the fellow, wouldn't you, Purcell?

[Bryce Purcell]

I certainly would. I'll telephone them now and ask them if you'll give me the name of the firm and his name.

[Unknown]

Oh, his name is Stanley Russell.

[John Davidson]

Russell.

[William Byrd]

I wonder if you'd know his wife's name, Superintendent.

[Unknown]

I've seen it often enough. Yes. Yes, sir. His name. Her name is Mrs. Hope.

[William Byrd]

Russ, in the Pirates of Penzance, Gilbert and Sullivan complain bitterly that a policeman's lot is not a happy one. I subscribe most heartily to that sentiment. I would like you to hear Chief Inspector Purcell's report to me just as he gave it in my office. Well, Purcell, I said, did you find our Mr. Stanley Russell all right?

[Bryce Purcell]

Not there.

[William Byrd]

Well, you've left men to wait for him, haven't you?

[Bryce Purcell]

Sir? I got the address of the place. Sergeant Hatton and I drove there in a yard car driven by Constable Small.

[William Byrd]

What's on with it, ma'? Am?

[Bryce Purcell]

The whole bloody place was gone, sir.

[William Byrd]

Gone?

[Bryce Purcell]

The whole bloody block was destroyed. Destroyed by an enemy bomb in an air raid six months ago. One day after Russell moved in. Not one person in the whole building's been heard of since. Sir, I respectfully request permission to go somewhere and get howling drunk.

[William Byrd]

You know, Purcell, I think I'll go with you.

[Bryce Purcell]

But we didn't. We sat quietly in Commander Byrd's office and thought long, dark thoughts. After a while, Keith Briggs, the pathologist, observing the light inside, stopped by. And almost at the same time, John Davidson from the Black Museum came in to see what was up. Nothing's up, John, I said. On the contrary.

[John Davidson]

What happened?

[William Byrd]

Pursuer was just telling Keith here the chap is a Blitz casualty.

[Bryce Purcell]

Did.

[Keith Briggs]

And may God have mercy on his soul.

[Bryce Purcell]

I'd rather hope to hear a bloke in a black cap say that. Keith. I thought we had him dead to rights.

[Keith Briggs]

Oh, don't be so bloody American.

[William Byrd]

I think we could have proved it. He strangled her, then hid her body in the vault, Took a handbag to Guildford and lost it in the post office there.

[John Davidson]

Cleverly putting Scotland Yard off the scent.

[William Byrd]

Timing was a little bad.

[Keith Briggs]

And then when the Blitz came.

[Bryce Purcell]

Tried quicklime first. Didn't work.

[Keith Briggs]

Blitz came and he set her afire.

[Bryce Purcell]

If. If he'd been a better fire watcher and not hiding in a hole somewhere, he'd have known there was no fire that night.

[Keith Briggs]

But he wasn't a good fire watcher.

[Bryce Purcell]

Wasn't good at anything.

[John Davidson]

I wonder.

[William Byrd]

What do you mean, John?

[John Davidson]

Well, if I'd strangled my wife and burned her up Which, God forbid, because I hadn't one. I'd be very happy to have people think I was dead if I'd hear that my home was destroyed and everybody in it dead. I should be delighted, most delighted. I'd change my name.

[Bryce Purcell]

Not in wartime, you wouldn't.

[John Davidson]

That's right. Identity cards, ration books.

[William Byrd]

Absolutely.

[John Davidson]

I'd forgotten getting new ones in the name of Harry Awkins or Sam Small. But even Scotland Yard would stop looking for me if they thought I was dead, wouldn't they?

[Unknown]

Command a bird.

[William Byrd]

And you'd go around buying new clothing and whatnot, if you could, and presenting your own ration book in your own name. And where are you going, Purcell?

[Bryce Purcell]

I'm going to stagger home through the blackout, sir. With your permission, I have a large number of men's clothing stores to interview beginning tomorrow. And I'd like to get a good night's sleep. Good night, all.

[William Byrd]

The Stanley Russell crop was enormous. Chief Inspector Purcell discovered that 200, let me see, 234 of them had purchased clothing since the date our Stanley Russell had been reported dead by enemy action. But not one of them was the Stanley Russell we wanted. We made thorough inquiries of all his known acquaintances, all to no avail. The War Office had no record of our man. We were reluctantly forced to the conclusion that he was dead or he had heard of our search for him and gone to ground most effectively, as I said to a rather haggard Purcell. Purcell shook his head.

[Bryce Purcell]

Ah. I'd like to keep on looking, sir, if I may. I have a hunch that he'll turn up unexpectedly.

[William Byrd]

It will certainly be unexpected, so far as I'm concerned.

[Bryce Purcell]

I'd like to keep on trying, sir.

[William Byrd]

Well, for a few weeks more, but I'm afraid. Commander Byrd speaking. Yes, he's here. It's for you, Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Well, I'll. I'll take it outside, sir.

[William Byrd]

No, don't take it here.

[Bryce Purcell]

Thank you, sir. Chief Inspector Purcell here. Who is he? Oh, well, I don't know him personally, but I know of him. Yes. Will you ask him to wait a moment? I'll ring you back, sir. I've never been so shocked in all my life.

[William Byrd]

Oh, really? What's happened? Somebody dead?

[Bryce Purcell]

Somebody's alive.

[William Byrd]

What?

[Bryce Purcell]

If I'd heard this on the radio, I wouldn't have believed it.

[William Byrd]

What's happened?

[Bryce Purcell]

Mr. Stanley Russell is calling on us.

[William Byrd]

Well, Brother Purcell, let him enter and be received in due form.

[Bryce Purcell]

Will you show Mr. Stanley Russell in, please? Thank you.

[William Byrd]

You sound like a spider, Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Thank you, sir. I feel I am.

[William Byrd]

And a chair for our guest.

[Bryce Purcell]

You think I sound like a spider? Come in.

[Hope Russell]

Mr. Stanley Russell, sir.

[Unknown]

Good morning, gentlemen. I was looking for Inspector Purcell.

[Bryce Purcell]

Come in, sir. I'm Chief Inspector Purcell.

[Unknown]

How do you do, sir?

[Bryce Purcell]

This is Commander Bird.

[William Byrd]

Good morning.

[Unknown]

Good morning, sir. May I sit down?

[Bryce Purcell]

Thank you.

[Unknown]

Does one smoke in here?

[William Byrd]

Yes, by all means.

[Bryce Purcell]

Will you. Will you try an Abdullah Tah?

[Unknown]

I'm afraid I always smoke Woodbines. Now I hear Scotland Yard is looking for me.

[Bryce Purcell]

That's. That's true.

[Unknown]

Why, may I ask?

[William Byrd]

You have been extremely hard to find.

[Unknown]

Oh, I've been in the country. Derbyshire.

[William Byrd]

We should have come there eventually.

[Unknown]

I've saved you the trouble. What do you want to see me about?

[Bryce Purcell]

You were a fire watcher, Mr. Russell, in Kennington.

[Unknown]

Yes.

[Bryce Purcell]

There was an unreported fire at the Baptist chapel there whilst you were on duty.

[Unknown]

When?

[Bryce Purcell]

Two nights after the raid that destroyed the chapel.

[Unknown]

I didn't see any fire. Is that all you wanted?

[William Byrd]

No, Mr. Russell.

[Unknown]

Well, I don't recall any fire, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

You didn't see or hear the fire brigade?

[Unknown]

No, sir.

[Bryce Purcell]

Near 11 o'.

[Unknown]

Clock.

[William Byrd]

Oh. Well.

[Unknown]

I must admit I wasn't there.

[Bryce Purcell]

Where were you?

[Unknown]

I did see the fire brigade moving away when I came back.

[Bryce Purcell]

But where were you?

[Unknown]

Oh, I was out of cigarettes and I strolled around the corner to see if I could borrow one or two from the fire watcher at post four.

[William Byrd]

He says he never saw you, Mr. Russell.

[Unknown]

Oh, he's probably forgotten. It's a long time ago.

[William Byrd]

He will swear he didn't see you that night.

[Unknown]

Well, the fire obviously didn't do any damage.

[William Byrd]

A woman was burned to death in it.

[Unknown]

Murdered?

[Bryce Purcell]

Do you know anything about it?

[Unknown]

Of course not. I'm very sorry to hear that. Anything like that.

[William Byrd]

The woman was your wife.

[Unknown]

May I have one of your cigarettes, please? Thanks. So that's what became of her.

[William Byrd]

Do you know anything about it?

[Unknown]

I'm afraid I must disappoint you, gentlemen. I wasn't on very good terms with her.

[Bryce Purcell]

We know that.

[Unknown]

I'm afraid I have no tears for her. She was. Oh, well, she's dead now. I shan't say anything.

[Bryce Purcell]

Naturally, I'm shocked.

[William Byrd]

Naturally.

[Unknown]

I'm afraid I'm not sorry.

[Bryce Purcell]

Do you know anyone who would have had a motive for murdering her? You had a motive, didn't you, Mr. Russell?

[Unknown]

I can see how you might think so. But I didn't murder her, I assure you.

[William Byrd]

When did you last see her?

[Unknown]

I don't really remember. Several months before she was murdered, I think.

[Bryce Purcell]

How do you know she was murdered?

[Unknown]

Why, you said so.

[Bryce Purcell]

Did I?

[Unknown]

I would have had good cause to, Inspector. But I'd have been a fool to do it now, wouldn't I?

[William Byrd]

Yes. Well, Mr. Russell, thank you for coming to see us. If there is anything else you remember, please come back and see us again. I think that's all for now. How can we find you if we need you? We may want your corroboration of certain facts.

[Unknown]

Well, I'll write down my address, sir.

[William Byrd]

It's a sad affair and you have our sympathy.

[Unknown]

Thank you, sir. I admit I'm terribly shocked. Of course. Well, here's the address and telephone number, sir.

[William Byrd]

Thank you. Feel free to call on us at any time. Goodbye.

[Unknown]

Goodbye, gentlemen. I was merely trying to do my duty.

[William Byrd]

Oh, you've done it admirably, sir. Goodbye.

[Unknown]

Thank you. Well, he's a liar.

[William Byrd]

I know it.

[Bryce Purcell]

May I ask why you?

[William Byrd]

Why I let him go? He thinks he's got us completely fooled. He'll be back with more helpful information. Come in. Mr. Russell.

[Unknown]

I. I just remembered something that might be of importance.

[William Byrd]

Come in.

[Unknown]

I remembered that an old straw pelleas, a mattress I used to catch 40 winks on. It was stolen about that time. Could that have been used to stop the fire? Did you find it?

[William Byrd]

Yes, we found it.

[Unknown]

That's good. Well, I. I must go now. Oh, by the way, was the body.

[Bryce Purcell]

Destroyed by the quicklime?

[Unknown]

Yes. What's the matter?

[William Byrd]

You are a very clever man, Mr. Russell. Much too clever for your own good.

[Unknown]

Why? Why, may I ask?

[William Byrd]

No one had mentioned quicklime except you.

[Unknown]

Well, I thought. I mean, I didn't. I wasn't even there. I tell you, I didn't touch her.

[William Byrd]

I said you were much too clever for your own good.

[Unknown]

You think I. I didn't strangle her.

[William Byrd]

Go ahead, Chief Inspector.

[Unknown]

Stand.

[Bryce Purcell]

Russell, I arrest you on the charge of willful murder.

[Unknown]

I didn't do it.

[Bryce Purcell]

And I warn you that whatever you say will be taken down in writing and may be given in ev. The crime.

[William Byrd]

The painstaking evidence Scotland Yard had collected together with Stanley Russell's own statements were sufficient to convince a jury that he had murdered his wife, Hope Russell, and burned her body. All his allegations of misconduct on her part were proved completely false. It was demonstrated at the trial that he had planned the murder for a long time and having found a convenient time and place, had committed it.

[Percy Hoskins]

The verdict?

[John Davidson]

Milan. We the jury find the defendant guilty of willful murder.

[Percy Hoskins]

The sentence.

[William Byrd]

Prisoner at the bar, stand up.

[Hope Russell]

It is the sentence of this court that you be hanged by the neck.

[Unknown]

Until dead and may God have mercy on your soul.

[Percy Hoskins]

You have heard the true story of case number 397 Mr. 381 from the files of Scotland Yard. The names of the participants have, for obvious reasons, been changed. Starting next week, Whitehall 12 will be heard at a new time, 5pm Eastern Standard Time. Research by Percy Hoskins of the London Daily Express Stories for radio written and directed by Willis Cooper. Next, listen for Tales of the Texas Rangers on NBC.

[Unknown]

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