The Desert Gold Affair by Europe Confidential

Summary

Podcast Summary: "The Desert Gold Affair" by Europe Confidential

Introduction

In the captivating episode titled "The Desert Gold Affair" from the Europe Confidential series, hosted by Basil Rathbone and presented by Relic Radio Thrillers, listeners are plunged into a world of espionage, mystery, and high-stakes smuggling across the tumultuous landscapes of the Middle East. Originally aired in the 1950s, this narrative masterfully intertwines rich storytelling with suspenseful twists, making it a standout installment in the Relic Radio Thrillers collection.

Main Characters

• Mike Kanoy (voiced by Lionel Merton): The protagonist, a diligent Paris correspondent for a renowned American newspaper. Mike is characterized by his integrity and investigative prowess.

• Paul Garfield: The enigmatic antagonist, who manipulates events from the shadows. His true motives and affiliations remain ambiguous, adding layers of intrigue.

• Conway: An associate of Garfield, whose allegiance and intentions are shrouded in mystery.

• Clancy: An Irish pilot entangled in the smuggling operation, eager for quick profits.

• Singh: A lascar sailor who assists in the logistics of the gold smuggling.

• Falura: A captivating dancer whose unexpected involvement introduces a personal twist to the unfolding drama.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Mike Kanoy grappling with a complex smuggling operation involving vast quantities of gold being transported from Beirut through Kuwait to Karachi. Engaging in clandestine meetings, Mike encounters Conway, who reveals a lucrative but morally ambiguous proposition: “Hijack? Well, hardly. This is an honest venture” (05:37). Conway outlines a meticulously planned scheme to intercept gold shipments, offering Mike a substantial reward for his participation.

Mike’s skepticism is evident when he questions the legitimacy of the operation: “You've been told to hijack some smuggled gold shipments, and if you do, the gold's yours” (05:08). Despite reservations, Mike finds himself drawn deeper into the plot as Conway persuades him with detailed strategies, emphasizing the lack of security around the gold shipments: “No armed guards, no security, no precautions” (05:42).

As the plan unfolds, Mike attempts to maintain his journalistic integrity while navigating the treacherous waters of espionage and deceit. The insertion of Falura, a dancer with a mysterious connection to Mike, adds an emotional layer to the narrative. Their interactions hint at underlying tensions and unspoken motives, culminating in a poignant moment when Falura confronts Mike: “Oh, the first pretty thing you have said to me I shall treasure” (06:24-06:36).

The climax intensifies in Karachi, where Mike’s efforts to secure the gold shipment are thwarted by unexpected betrayals and revelations. A pivotal scene occurs when Mike discovers that his associates, Clancy and Singh, have double-crossed him: “The note made it quite clear Clancy and Singh had decided 100% was better than 50” (18:23). This betrayal propels Mike into a race against time, culminating in a confrontation with Paul Garfield and the exposure of the smuggling ring.

Key Moments and Notable Quotes

1. Conway’s Proposition to Mike:

   • Conway: “A distressing practice. I was approached on a high level...” (05:53)
   • This moment establishes the moral ambiguity of the smuggling operation and sets the stage for Mike's internal conflict.

2. Falura’s Intriguing Entrance:

   • Falura: “I have been waiting perhaps for you to come and take me away with you.” (12:16-12:20)
   • Falura’s appearance introduces a personal stake for Mike, blending professional duty with personal allure.

3. The Betrayal in Karachi:

   • Mike Kanoy: “The note made it quite clear Clancy and Singh had decided 100% was better than 50.” (18:28-18:33)
   • This revelation marks a turning point, highlighting themes of betrayal and trust.

4. Final Confrontation with Garfield:

   • Paul Garfield: “Please accept this small reward for your friendly intervention.” (24:23-24:28)
   • Garfield’s facade of gratitude contrasts sharply with his manipulative nature, underscoring the episode’s tension.

Themes and Insights

"The Desert Gold Affair" delves into themes of greed, betrayal, and the ethical dilemmas faced by individuals caught between duty and temptation. Mike Kanoy embodies the struggle between maintaining journalistic integrity and succumbing to lucrative yet illicit opportunities. The character of Paul Garfield serves as a catalyst for exploring the darker aspects of human ambition and the complexities of trust within shadowy operations.

The episode also highlights the geopolitical tensions of the Middle East during the 1950s, providing a backdrop that enriches the narrative with historical authenticity. The meticulous depiction of smuggling routes and the interplay between local customs and international schemes offer listeners a nuanced perspective on the era’s clandestine activities.

Conclusion

"The Desert Gold Affair" is a masterfully crafted episode that weaves suspense, mystery, and rich character development into an engaging Old Time Radio adventure. Through its intricate plot and memorable dialogue, the story captivates listeners, offering a timeless exploration of human nature amidst the high-stakes world of espionage and smuggling. For enthusiasts of classic radio thrillers, this episode stands as a testament to the enduring allure of well-told tales of crime and intrigue.

Notable Quotes Highlight

• Basil Rathbone Introduction:

  • “Everybody loves a mystery, and I'm no exception... a world of intrigue and suspense, where a man's life can count for very little when a country's future is at stake.” (00:51-01:20)

• Conway on the Operation:

  • “A great deal of gold is being smuggled east through Beirut and the Persian Gulf.” (05:53-05:54)

• Falura’s Persistence:

  • “Oh, after you had left me I thought and I thought... I realized, handsome one, that this was the shy, unworldly professor...” (19:05-19:25)

These quotes encapsulate the essence of the episode, highlighting the central conflicts and character motivations that drive the narrative forward.

Final Thoughts

"The Desert Gold Affair" encapsulates the golden era of radio thrillers, blending suspenseful storytelling with complex character dynamics. Whether you're a longtime fan of Old Time Radio or new to the genre, this episode promises an enthralling journey through deception, ambition, and the relentless pursuit of treasure in a world fraught with danger and intrigue.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Relicradio.com presents stories of mystery and intrigue, espionage and suspense. Hear tales of ticking time bombs, mysterious crime scenes and cloak and dagger action. This is Relic Radio Thrillers. This week on Relic Radio Thrillers, Basil Rathbone hosts Europe Confidential, a series that aired sometime in the 1950s. From it, we'll hear the Desert Gold.

[Mike Kanoy]

Affair, presenting the world's greatest mysteries.

[Basil Rathbone]

And now your host. This is Basil Rathbone. Everybody loves a mystery, and I'm no exception. And that's why it gives me so much pleasure to act as your guide on this series. You see, we've gathered together some of the finest mystery stories in the world. Stories from many places and from many times. Some of them are up to date. Well, as up to date as today's newspaper. Others are classic stories of the past. Today's mystery, for instance. It takes place in Europe, the Europe of modern times. A world of intrigue and suspense, where a man's life can count for very little when a country's future is at stake. Mike, our storyteller, works in the Paris office of a famous American newspaper. His job is to look for the stories that make the news, and he finds them in the places where the news is made. In a moment, our play begins.

[Mike Kanoy]

Presenting Europe Confidential.

[Paul Garfield]

Creates a heavy po.

[Conway]

Don't complain of their weight, old chum. Remember, the heavier they are, the richer we'll be.

[Mike Kanoy]

In a moment, we'll bring you Lionel Merton as Mike Kanoy, the Paris correspondent of a famous American newspaper, in another.

[Basil Rathbone]

Exciting story in our series, Europe Confidential.

[Mike Kanoy]

This is Mike Kanoy. It's my job on this newsbeat of mine to meet all shades of characters. The honest, the not so honest, and the rogues, pure and simply. I guess there wouldn't be any hesitation about it. Paul Garfield would go into that last category. For Paul Garfield made his living by his wits. And I knew that day in Beirut that he wasn't hanging around the waterfront just to catch the sea breeze. Beirut was way off Garfield's regular beat. Quite a distance off mine, too. My presence there. I could explain the explosive Middle east situation, but his explanation was much more original.

[Conway]

Wondering why I'm here, are you, Conway? Well, not a word to the police, old chum, but I'm about to uphold law and order.

[Mike Kanoy]

Yeah, that'll be the day. Believe me, I have the backing of.

[Conway]

At least three governments behind me, you.

[Mike Kanoy]

Know, I'd just love to know which three.

[Conway]

I'll confide in you, Conway, though it's against my better judgment. You may know gold in the Orient Fetches higher prices than in Europe. A shocking thing, Conoy. A great deal of gold is being smuggled east through Beirut and the Persian Gulf.

[Mike Kanoy]

Doesn't sound honest.

[Conway]

A distressing practice. I was approached on a high level and told that certain European governments would look very kindly on any efforts to halt the smuggling. For instance, if the smugglers were made to realize their shipments do not occasionally get through as planned. For one who could make them realize this, the proceeds of such gold will be given to the man who makes the arrangements. If you follow me, Conway.

[Mike Kanoy]

Well, I'm trying to. You've been told to hijack some smuggled gold shipments, and if you do, the gold's yours.

[Conway]

Hijack? Well, hardly. This is an honest venture.

[Mike Kanoy]

Well, how can it be done?

[Conway]

Simple. You see, the usual route for the smugglers is from Beirut by charter plane to a small sheikh on the Persian Gulf called Kuwait. Here the gold's dumped out on the sand. No armed guards, no security, no precautions. The sheiks in Kuwait presently have it carried a small craft, dhows in the harbor. Aboard these dhows, the gold is hidden on the legal cargoes of dates or pigs. A man to sell east to Karachi.

[Mike Kanoy]

Or Gore or Macau or. No armed guards.

[Conway]

Ridiculous, isn't it? The sheikhs are persuaded that their local punishment for thievery is enough of a deterrent.

[Mike Kanoy]

Oh, and the local punishment is?

[Conway]

Well, my principals don't go into details on that. More important matters to discuss, you know.

[Mike Kanoy]

Well, maybe I can give you the below down here. I've heard something about this local sheik treatment. They believe in public flogging. Notching of the nose, clipping off ears.

[Conway]

Nothing really serious, of course, but flogging and nose ears.

[Mike Kanoy]

It's an old Mid Eastern custom. Don't get caught, will you, Paul? You know, I don't think you'd like it. A bit away he went. And I'd have given plenty to go along, but he wasn't trusting any newspaper man that far. So the rest of the story I had to reconstruct from what I found out later. And this is just the way it happened. It seems that after he left me, Paul Garfield met up with a couple of his chosen chums. Clancy, an Irish pilot, and Singh, a lascar sailor. Both of them very eager to earn a fast buck and not too choosy about how they went about it.

[Conway]

Kuwait?

[Clancy]

Sure, I've been there a dozen times. Charter flights to the airfield there.

[Conway]

And you sing. You know the wharves at Kuwait? Know where you can lay your hands on a good seaworthy dhow there. Easy, Clancy. I understand there are certain scoundrels who smuggle gold through Kuwait.

[Clancy]

Sure. Flight from here in Beirut, dump it on the sands. Some natives come along after a while and cart it down to the docks.

[Conway]

And that's just what we'll do. Now remember, both of you, from now On, I am Dr. Paul Garfield, FRCS well known archaeologist. Right.

[Clancy]

Whatever you say. Paul.

[Conway]

Sing, you leave at once for Kuwait and hire a dow. Clancy here and I will give you a head start. Then we'll fly to the airport, but we'll have to land because of engine trouble. I am an archaeologist looking for likely ruins to dig up. Clancy, you will not be able to fix our engine until the moment when there is a big shipment of gold lying on the sand by the airport.

[Clancy]

This begins to sound promising.

[Conway]

At that point you tell me the engine is all right again. I arrive, change inside the plane to the clothes of a native. Sing drives a cart up. He and I load the gold shipment out of the cart, drive it down to the docks, dump it into the dhow and sail a hundred miles down the Gulf.

[Clancy]

Where I meet you with a plane.

[Conway]

Right. And we fly onto Karachi. And sell it. Why not?

[Paul Garfield]

Nobody stops us.

[Clancy]

So long as everything works just as the sheiks always do.

[Conway]

It simple and sweet.

[Paul Garfield]

He's worth our fortune and a quarter.

[Conway]

Share for each of you when it's sold in Karachi. Done?

[Mike Kanoy]

Done. The grapevine had news of a rich, fat shipment of gold due into Beirut in a couple of days. They gave Singh a head start. Then Garfield and Clancy took off for Kuwait. Five and a half hours across the deserts and mountains of the Middle East. And their plane was circling above an airfield.

[Conway]

There it is. Can you make the motor, miss? To make a landing look good and necessary?

[Mike Kanoy]

Right. Heat reached up and met them. Swallowed them. It was infernally hot. A moist, humid heat. Clancy went away to report his engine trouble, asked for parking space. But he was back in a few minutes.

[Conway]

Hey, boy. Paul, what's the matter? They didn't swallow your story about the plane.

[Clancy]

Oh, sure, sure. That's okay. When I was in the dispatcher's office, I saw a letter on his desk.

[Conway]

Yeah?

[Clancy]

Plane due in tomorrow with a consignment for the sheikh.

[Mike Kanoy]

Sir.

[Clancy]

Suleiman Alhamd Bin Tamur.

[Conway]

So what?

[Clancy]

I know him, that's what. He's the biggest man in the gold business here in Kuwait. It must be the shipment we heard about back in Beirut. Don't you see?

[Conway]

In tomorrow, huh?

[Mike Kanoy]

I'll have to work fast.

[Conway]

And in the sea too. You stay here and fuss with the plane. I'll get into town, buy some native clothes and contact Singh.

[Paul Garfield]

Ah, there she is. Tied up at the end of the wharf.

[Conway]

See?

[Mike Kanoy]

They don't look alike.

[Conway]

These don'ts.

[Paul Garfield]

That's good. Harder to catch us crew.

[Conway]

Don't worry. Cargo baits to hide our crates on it.

[Paul Garfield]

Already aboard.

[Conway]

You hide a card? We'll need it tomorrow morning.

[Paul Garfield]

I'll be there. You just say when.

[Conway]

One o'clock.

[Paul Garfield]

One in the afternoon. But the heat. 130 degrees at east.

[Conway]

Exactly, old chum. As people around watches the better.

[Mike Kanoy]

Garfield left the waterfront, went back to the town's best hotel carrying his package of clothes. The town's best was a glum hostelry with a villainous looking clerk. Paul put over his archeology story and handed the clerk a card printed for the occasion.

[Clancy]

Yes, sir, Dr. Garfield. You want rooms? Fine.

[Falura]

Sweet.

[Clancy]

Running water, hot and cold across ventilating. Very fine.

[Falura]

Sweet.

[Clancy]

Sign here, please.

[Mike Kanoy]

He leaned down, signed his name and then straightened again, glancing over his shoulder. That was when he saw her luggage.

[Clancy]

Sir, you have luggages?

[Falura]

No.

[Clancy]

Doubtless. Dr. Garfield, where are your luggages? Just only this bundle.

[Conway]

A woman. Who is she?

[Clancy]

Man cross the fried. That is Falura. She is dancer. Dr. Garfield, your luggage.

[Conway]

Never mind my luggage a minute. Hello.

[Falura]

You ask my name. Dr. Garfield. I see your lips move.

[Conway]

How do you know me?

[Falura]

Everyone hears of the plane that is forced to land of the famous archaeologist.

[Conway]

What's a girl like you doing here in a place like this, huh?

[Falura]

I have been waiting perhaps for you to come and take me away with you. No. All that was in your look a few moments ago.

[Conway]

You're staying here at this hotel. I'll call for you this evening.

[Falura]

Not this evening. This evening I am engaged. But you shall see me tomorrow.

[Conway]

Too late. I'll be gone. So?

[Falura]

Or will you wait stay over tomorrow after all, I think you will wait for me.

[Mike Kanoy]

She turned and walked away. And she didn't look back. He watched while she went out and down the steps and into the limousine that was waiting at the door. It was too bad it hadn't been for the gold that would lie waiting on the airfield beside the strip tomorrow morning. Too bad. Come in.

[Clancy]

Dr. Garfield, sir.

[Conway]

Oh, it's you.

[Mike Kanoy]

What do you want?

[Clancy]

An invitation has come for you, sir. The sheik throws a big party tonight. He has heard that you a famous archaeologist in town visiting. He has sent you invitation for his big brawl. Very lucky for your Dr. Garfield. Social event of the whole season in Kuwait Sheikh.

[Mike Kanoy]

What sheikh?

[Clancy]

Sheikh Suleiman Alhamd bin Tamur Sheikh, sir. Be greatly anxious to meet you, doctor. Talk of scientific matter.

[Conway]

Scientific matters Chic.

[Clancy]

Famous amateur archaeologist. Writes many books. Glad to talk with you, Dr. G.

[Mike Kanoy]

Dr. Paul Garfield had to send his regrets. He would like to attend the shakes party but he had a splitting headache. The sun and the heat, you know. It was too bad. Next morning he was on his way out of the hotel. Zero hour was coming up and so was alive and lovely girl on the stairs.

[Falura]

Where do you go so early, handsome one?

[Conway]

Laura. Leaving. Leaving Kuwait.

[Falura]

It is not possible.

[Conway]

I tried to tell you have to leave today by plane for India.

[Falura]

Then I go with you?

[Conway]

I'm afraid not. You shall take me, my lovely Arabian moonflower. Listen to me.

[Falura]

Oh, the first pretty thing you have said to me I shall treasure.

[Conway]

Goodbye, Falura. You are not coming with me? I'm going alone.

[Mike Kanoy]

Goodbye.

[Falura]

No, no, wait. You mean it?

[Conway]

Certainly I do. I'm late now. Goodbye.

[Mike Kanoy]

Oh, but wait.

[Falura]

You have toyed with f. This is rash.

[Conway]

Goodbye.

[Falura]

Say au revoir.

[Conway]

Goodbye.

[Mike Kanoy]

Ballora may have been beautiful, but she was beginning to get in Garfield's hair. A half hour later, he was in his native clothes, working with Singh, loading a batch of crates that had been landed by plane and which lay unguarded, defenseless and ripe for the plucking. They loaded them into the cart that Singh had brought with him under the broiling sun while no one stirred in the midday heat.

[Paul Garfield]

They're heavy, Paul.

[Conway]

Don't complain of their weight, old chum. Remember, the heavier they are, the richer we shall be. Anyone around?

[Paul Garfield]

No one in this heat, not even a mad dog. My friend has certainly a new English.

[Conway]

Flame into the cart with these crates.

[Mike Kanoy]

The gods were with them. Why should anyone stop two Arabs from loading crates into a native cart? What could be more brazen and therefore seem more innocent?

[Paul Garfield]

Go on, you lazy devil.

[Mike Kanoy]

Off to the airfield with Sing laying his whip across the backs of the two plodding, sweating beasts into the town and down toward the docks past the hotel.

[Paul Garfield]

If you'd like, Paul, take a glance over at the hotel veranda. Oh, boy. Something I'd almost give my share of this gold for.

[Mike Kanoy]

And it was Philura, of course. Garfield glanced quickly out of the corner of his eye and just as quickly glanced away again. She was standing, staring at them and for a moment it seemed as if her hand was going up in an. Well, an involuntary gesture of recognition.

[Paul Garfield]

What's the matter?

[Conway]

That girl back in the veranda.

[Mike Kanoy]

Take a look.

[Conway]

She's still staring at us.

[Paul Garfield]

Are you crazy?

[Mike Kanoy]

Why should she?

[Paul Garfield]

No, of course not. She's gone back into the hotel. Your nerves are jumping.

[Mike Kanoy]

By mid afternoon they were out in the Persian Gulf. Out and away and cool and utterly unsuspected. For the airport Officials knew that Dr. Paul Garfield had flown off at 1:00 bound for India and would never guess that his plane, only 200 miles out of Kuwait would put down, refuel and be loaded with a heavy and priceless cargo before heading in earnest for India.

[Clancy]

Ah, I feel better now. Almost weren't airborne back there. That's too heavy a load for safe flying, Paul.

[Conway]

You too, Clancy. You too?

[Clancy]

Me too what?

[Conway]

Like Citizen Singh back there? You can clean of the weight of our payload. $100,000 worth. That's what we'll charge for this cargo in Karachi.

[Clancy]

Why not put down at Goa? I heard of a Portuguese there named Parando.

[Conway]

Boys, Karachi, I said, Clancy, Karachi is the place to get the best price.

[Mike Kanoy]

Six hours later, they landed at Karachi airport. Everything was in order, but speed was of the essence now.

[Conway]

Okay, Clancy.

[Mike Kanoy]

Everything clear?

[Clancy]

Sure, Paul.

[Conway]

I just want to visit this dealer first, make sure he's the man for us. I should be back inside an hour. Don't let anyone near the plane.

[Clancy]

Trust me, Paul.

[Mike Kanoy]

I will. He did. And that's where he made his big mistake. It took Garfield an hour to find his merchant in the city. 10 minutes to learn that he had a man who'd make a quick and profitable deal. Half an hour to get back to the airport.

[Paul Garfield]

You Dr. Paul Garfield?

[Mike Kanoy]

That's right.

[Paul Garfield]

This note is for you.

[Mike Kanoy]

Note?

[Conway]

Not from whom?

[Paul Garfield]

From a pilot named Clancy. He left it just before he took off.

[Conway]

Took off?

[Mike Kanoy]

The note made it quite clear Clancy and singh had decided 100% was better than 50. Paul stood there staring at the note, remembering that Clancy had wanted to fly to Goa, had mentioned the name of a dealer there. He tried to recollect the name and hardly even noticed the large passenger plane landing, the people disembarking until a voice cut through his desperately urgent thoughts.

[Paul Garfield]

Dr. Garfield.

[Falura]

Paul, my handsome one, I took a chance. I thought it would be Karachi where I would find you. A passenger plane was leaving soon after you. And here I am.

[Conway]

You're crazy.

[Falura]

Oh, after you had left me I thought and I thought, handsome one, when you said goodbye when you refused even to say au revoir I realized, handsome one, that this was the shy, unworldly professor, embarrassed because of his poverty. So I swallowed my pride and came looking for you. And I have found you again, handsome one.

[Conway]

That's it. That's the name. What?

[Falura]

Whose name?

[Mike Kanoy]

Where are you going?

[Falura]

Paul, Wait, wait.

[Conway]

Maybe I can use you. Aloran. Yes. I've got a charter, a plane to go. It's a business matter of great urgency. A fast plane. I need the fastest. Can you help me with the language?

[Falura]

And I will come with you.

[Conway]

Oh, all right, if you insist, I guess.

[Falura]

Come. We will charter the fastest plain in all Karachi. And Kamadeva shall be our pilot.

[Conway]

Kamadeva?

[Falura]

In this land, Kamadeva is the God of love.

[Mike Kanoy]

More than 800 miles down the west coast of India lies Goa, capital of Portuguese India. Garfield reckoned that Clancy and Singh had an hour's head start. They couldn't take less than five hours. And the plane he'd chartered was guaranteed to get there in four. He just had a chance. All he had to do would be to get rid of Falura, pay off the pilot and find Paranda's offices. And just four hours later, he was circling above the ancient city of Goa. They landed. He raced from the landing strip to the administration building. He wanted a taxi. That was his first move. To brush Falura off and go in search of Peranda. Percy.

[Conway]

Percy.

[Paul Garfield]

I beg your pardon, but aren't you Dr. Paul Garfield?

[Mike Kanoy]

Why yes, I. Paul, where are you going?

[Paul Garfield]

Professor Garfield, is it not? The well known archaeologist?

[Conway]

Yes, but I really must apologize, I.

[Mike Kanoy]

Taxi.

[Conway]

I'm in a terrible hurry right now.

[Falura]

Taxi.

[Paul Garfield]

I can't tell you how I've longed to meet you, Professor. You see, I dabble a bit in archaeology myself. Nothing else to do. Your work, I must say. Your treatise on the diggings at El Amarna. A revelation, my dear sir, I am proud to meet you.

[Conway]

Taxi.

[Paul Garfield]

Perhaps you would be good enough to permit me to accompany you, Professor?

[Mike Kanoy]

Taxis. Up.

[Conway]

Thank you. Sorry, old chum. We'll talk about the digging some other time. Get going, quick.

[Falura]

Oh, don't leave me, Professor.

[Conway]

Wait. Did you hear me? Get going.

[Clancy]

Yes, sir.

[Mike Kanoy]

Paul.

[Falura]

Paul.

[Clancy]

Gently, boys, gently.

[Mike Kanoy]

Yeah, gently boys, gently.

[Conway]

Paul. Y. You boys are rather inconvenience me. Please. Come, Nancy. Don't reach for your pocket. As you may notice, my hand is already in my pocket. And it isn't my pipes then that's pointing at you, I can assure you.

[Mike Kanoy]

What?

[Clancy]

What are you talking about, Paul?

[Mike Kanoy]

That little joke we had on you.

[Clancy]

Bag of Karachi. Why, we were just.

[Paul Garfield]

Yeah, a joke.

[Clancy]

Paula.

[Mike Kanoy]

Joel.

[Conway]

If both of you boys are extremely cooperative, I still may let you have 10% of the proceeds to divide between you. Minus my expenses in chartering a plane to catch up with you. Does that seem satisfactory, Clancy? Now, don't make me waggle this cumbersome pistol too long.

[Mike Kanoy]

Poor.

[Conway]

Listen, I know we were just joking. Nevertheless, the penalty for practical jokes is severe when my profits are involved. Oh, my gosh. You see?

[Falura]

He's stopping them.

[Paul Garfield]

Yes, I think you're right, my dear. I think he is a fellow archaeologist after all.

[Mike Kanoy]

What?

[Falura]

Certainly, he is a play man.

[Conway]

What's this? Suleiman?

[Falura]

Why, I thought you knew him, handsome one. This is the sheikh, that Suleiman Alhamd bin Taimur.

[Paul Garfield]

Delighted, Professor. I had been looking forward to a chat the other evening. Except that you were suddenly taken ill. I understand why.

[Conway]

Yes.

[Paul Garfield]

And I must say I'm most grateful for all your efforts at halting these brigands. You'll forgive me. For a time, I actually thought you were part of the plot to hijack my gold. As soon as you told Falura back in Karachi that the name was Tiranda, he found the opportunity to ask Karachi radio operator to send me the information. I was at the time flying from Kuwait and naturally I radioed ahead to my good friend Paranda. We've often done business together in the past. And he arranged to have some Goa police inside his place of business here.

[Mike Kanoy]

Police?

[Paul Garfield]

Yes, they're ready to take these two thieves in charge right now, I believe.

[Mike Kanoy]

And a very good thing, too.

[Falura]

Oh, Paul, let it not turn out well.

[Clancy]

You're not getting away with it, Garfield.

[Paul Garfield]

All right, now, my men, just move along inside the shop. Be good enough to respect this obviously emotional moment. These two wish to be alone.

[Falura]

Yes, handsome one, soon we will be alone.

[Conway]

Believe me, Falura, I cannot wait for that moment.

[Paul Garfield]

Oh, professor, just before I go, is it possible I have confused your work in the field with that of Sir Paul Hartsfield? Your names are so familiar. Was it his treatise on the Diego de la Mana?

[Conway]

Well, it's very possible.

[Paul Garfield]

Oh, how very embarrassing.

[Conway]

Please, it's really of no importance. Suppose you just take care of those two scoundrels and then maybe we can.

[Paul Garfield]

Have a real chat about archaeological matters. Fine, fine. Oh, by the way.

[Conway]

Yeah?

[Paul Garfield]

Please accept this small reward for your friendly intervention.

[Conway]

Oh, really, it was.

[Paul Garfield]

No, no, no, I insist. Here, for Laura. You make him take it. Professor, you perhaps don't realize how valuable a shipment this was that you saved. I'll see you in a few moments.

[Falura]

We will wait, sir. Layman the Lord. Yes, handsome one? You would prefer not to wait.

[Mike Kanoy]

To be alone with you.

[Falura]

I understand. Come, we will see if there is a bank. Open it will cash the Sheik's cheque. You see, the reward is for honesty. Handsome ones.

[Basil Rathbone]

Yes.

[Conway]

Slender return on investment. Come, my moonflower. This reward for honesty can be best celebrated without the presence of the sheep.

[Mike Kanoy]

You have been listening to Lionel Merton as Mike Kanoy in another exciting episode in the series Europe Confidential.

[Basil Rathbone]

This is Basil Rathbone again. We've reached the end of today's story, but I'll be back to introduce to you another unusual tale. Remember, for this series, we've searched the whole world to bring you stories of every kind. Tales of espionage, suspense, crime and intrigue by famous writers from every part of the globe. In fact, a selection of the finest stories that have ever been assembled in one series. Well, goodbye now, till we meet again to listen to another of the world's.

[Clancy]

Greatest.

[Narrator]

That'S Relic Radio Thrillers. For this week, you can find more from Europe Confidential, this podcast and all of the other Relic radio shows@ Relicradio.com. you'll find our shoutcast stream there as well with even more old time radio and a donate button if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows. Your support makes this show possible and has since 2007. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the horror next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.