
We'll hear from Diary Of Fate on this week's Relic Radio Thrillers. From March 6, 1948, here's their story, The Nelson Walker Entry. Listen to more from Diary Of Fate https://traffic.libsyn.com/forcedn/e55e1c7a-e213-4a20-8701-21862bdf1f8a/Thriller919.mp3 Download Thriller919 | Subscribe | Spotify | Support Relic Radio Thrillers Relic Radio Thrillers is made possible by your support. If you’d like to help this show keep coming [...]
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Narrator/Announcer
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. Our thriller comes from Diary of Fate this week, a series that aired over ABC from September of 1947 to May of 1948, 39 episodes in all. Our story today is from March 6, 1948. It's titled the Nelson Walker entry.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
The Diary of Fate. Fate plays no favorite. It could happen to you. Book 97, page 302. Yes, here it is. The name, Nelson Walker. Occupation undetermined. Yes, Nelson, you were a drifter. You have held a dozen different positions. You've never been able to settle down. And now as the ledger of your life lies open before me, I think look ahead to a single instant of horror.
Nelson Walker
Okay, okay, never mind that. Where's the money?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Here in this envelope.
Nelson Walker
Oh, thank you.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Nelson.
Nelson Walker
Nelson. Let me go.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Nelson. I'll never let you go. Oh, truly, you'll never tell. Never. In the life of Nelson Walker, a decision for evil was made. Then I, fate intervened because of a little Satan, a torn paper bag. Nelson Walker will die. But take heed, you who listen, for I faith am not unjust, not unmindful of mortal right. In a moment I will read again from the Diary of fate. In a moment we will learn how little things changed the life of Nelson Walker. But first, here's a word from our sponsor. In the life of Nelson Walker, a murder was committed. But in the last analysis, it was a little seemingly insignificant thing that yielded the final outcome. For you see, little things are the tools with which I work. Remember Nelson Walker, how it all started? You were in the taxi cab on your way to the airport to catch a plane for Honolulu and a job that was waiting for you. You. Can't you go any faster, driver? Not mister. I'm pushing the limit now. But I've only got 10 minutes to get to the airport. I'll miss my flight. I'm sorry. Doing the best I can. Hey, what are you doing? Why are you stopping? Ah. Did you see that signal? There's a train coming. Oh, come on, Step on it. Run through it. You've got time and not me, brother. But I'm gonna miss my plane, you fool. Run. It ain't that too bad about your plane, fella. I ain't risking my neck for nobody. So for. Yes, Nelson, it was a little thing, a two minute delay at a railroad crossing. And yet, unknown to you, those moments were critical in your life. When you finally arrived at the airport, you learned that your flight had already left. You went to the ticket desk expecting more trouble when you asked for a new reservation. Then I. Fate intervened.
Nelson Walker
Well, I'll take the other price, Mr. Walker, but I can't promise any. You'll excuse me a minute. Reservation, Ms. Carlton? Yes. Cancellation. 521. Yes, maybe it's all right. Thank you. Well, Mr. Walker, you're really in luck. That call was a last minute cancellation. I can give you a seat now on the plane leaving for Honolulu in an hour.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Yes, Nelson, I faith arranged a last minute translation. And now you had a seat on Flight 21. You checked your luggage, bought a newspaper and strolled into the airport restaurant where you sat down and ordered coffee. As you waited, a man's voice drifted to you from a nearby booth. Now don't you worry, Mr. Blair. No one knows any better than I do that $75,000 money. But then I did it a long time. You can count on reek. I'd lift your check, pick up the stuff, be back here in three days. The words you heard angered you, Nelson. A man named Rick. $75,000, so casually discussed, made you feel small and cheap. You left the restaurant without glancing at the men in the booth. And when your flight was announced, you got aboard. A slight, well dressed man sat next to you. And soon the big plane soared from the field and headed west. The man next to you sighed, settled back. Ah, yes, sir. Another few hours we'll be in Honolulu. Yeah, this is quite a place. I guess so. Don't know anyone there myself, but I've heard it very nice. Oh, you've never been there either? No, this is my first trip after Spain. I'm looking forward to seeing the island. Well, I wish I felt the same way. I'm gonna see plenty of them before I'm done. I'll be stuck on the outlying island for a year or more. Yeah, no temptation out there. Good chance to collect a nice steak though. Yeah, a small one. Well, enough so that you can take advantage of an opportunity when it comes along. That's right. Do you have your own business now? Not yet, but I will soon. I'm going into the Air Express business. There's a field with a future ar. Express? Yes, moving things fast and smooth by air. But with the lords modern planes can carry, there's no limit to it. Cargo planes these days are flying box cars. And no worry about refrigeration either. The freight compartments aren't sealed or heated. You know, you can take a load of fruit, for instance. And there I go. Get me started on Air Express and I'll talk your Lego. Oh, no, it's very interesting, but what business are you in now? Well, you might call me a sort of glorified delivery boy. By the way, my name is Gage. I'm Walker. Nelson Walker. Glad to know you, Nelson. My first name is Enrico. Enrico, yes, but of course, my friends have shortened that. I'm called Rick. Yes. Nelson, because of a moment's delay at a railroad crossing and an unexpected ticket cancellation, you now sat next to a man with $75,000. The man you had overheard in the airport restaurant. You looked at him closely and tried to remember all that you had overheard. But then another little thing happened. Say, Nelson, how about some gin rummy to pass the time? Suits me. Not too sleep. No need for it to be, say, a quarter of a center point. Okay. Oh, by the way, there's plenty of room over here beside me. You want to move your briefcase? Briefcase? No, no, it's. It's all right here beside me. All right. Want me to keep score? Fine. Let's see. I've got an old piece of paper here someplace. Yes, this will do. It's not. You dropped a card there. Calling card. Here, I'll get it, Rick. Yes. Now, another little thing. A calling card had dropped. As you bent over to pick it up, the engraving met your eye. The Royal Palm Jewelers. And penciled on it were the words, contact Everett Ralston. Now, Nelson, you learn more about Rick. He was a courier, and in his briefcase was a check for $75,000 for which he was to receive a fortune in jewels. With this in mind, you found it very difficult to concentrate on the game of cards you play. Well, Nelson, that's three games in a row for me. I guess that's about enough cards, isn't it? I think I better get some sleep. Yeah, me too. I can forget the sound of those motors. Oh, that's a lullaby to me. Yes, sir. When I get my Air Express business rolling, my whole life is going to be tied up with Airspace Motors. Well, see you in Honolulu. Yes, Nelson Amari would be in Honolulu. Nothing more than just another job to look forward to. Yet in the adjacent seat was a man who held a fortune in his hand. You were impatient when the island of Oahu came into view. A few minutes later, a warning light blinked on and it was time to fasten your safety belt for the landing. Well, we're practically there and I'm glad of it. Hey, aren't you going to fasten your belt Rick? Me? No, I always have. But nothing of this happens. These modern planes land smoother than you can park a car. You watch now. Nothing to it. Yeah, but. Hey, we're not slowing down. Something's wrong. Not stopping. We're almost shooting the field. The brakes are not holding. We're gonna crash that hangar. We're going to hit it. For a terrifying instant, Nelson, your mind was staggered by the awful impact. Then, as a torrent of noise and confusion burst over you, you saw that your newly found friend, Enrico Gage was dead. This time he had not fastened his safety belt. Almost without realizing what you were doing, you reached for his briefcase. Then you took his wallet and scrambled for the door. All right, all right. We'll get you all out as soon as we can. Now look, those of you who can walk. Those of you can walk.
Nelson Walker
Give me your name.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
To check against the pastor. You live. Now, what is your name, sir? Me? Yes. My name.
Nelson Walker
Is.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
I'm Enrico Gage. That dead man in there was riding next to me. His name is Walker. Nelson Walker. Yes, Nelson, in the tragic confusion of an airplane crash, you made a decision, a choice for Ito. Then, at that moment, the end for you was certain. Soon, Nelson, I will write again on your page in the Diary of Faith. The end for Nelson Walker is certain. Certain as faith. But before we continue our story, here's a word from our announcer. Yes, Nelson Walker, your decision was a desperate one. You drove to the hotel Enrico Gage had mentioned, claimed his reservation, and then, alone in your room, opened his briefcase. The $75,000 check was certified and made out to the Royal Palm Jeweler. At that moment, the telephone rang. It was Everett Ralston, the name penciled on the calling card Gage had dropped. I heard about the plane accident this morning, Mr. Gage. I do hope you're all right. Yes, I'm fine, thank you. Ready for business. And I can expect you this afternoon. Yes, Mr. Ralston. I'll be in your office at say, 3 o'? Clock? 3 o'.
Nelson Walker
Clock.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Fine. I'll see you there. Here are the birds. 32 of them. Each one a perfect G. May you have the check? Yes, of course. Here you are. $75,000. Thank you. Certainly is a pleasure to do business with the man you represent. Never any dickering over price, never any red tape. It's all over in a matter of minutes. I imagine that suits you too, Mr. Gage. Yes, Mr. Alston, it does. The faster things move, the better I like it. Yes, Nelson. Every instance of your impersonation with a moment of danger. After you left Ralston's office. You made a reservation under an assumed name on a plane leaving for Australia that night. Then you walked back to your hotel, the case of pearls safe in your pocket. It was then, Nelson, that I fate again intervened and another little thing happened as a woman in front of you carrying a large package opened the door of her car, a paper bag ripped and a number of parcels fell to the ground. Hold that. Oh, here, let me help you.
Nelson Walker
Thank you. That stupid clerk gave me a tor. Why, Nelson. Nelson Walker.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Trudy Masters. Hey, this is a surprise. I had no idea you were out this way. What are you doing here?
Nelson Walker
Oh, going with rich men, you might say. But tell me, when did you get in?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Just this morning. I came by. I came by ship. Luxury liner. Yeah, and believe me, this feet shivering in San Francisco.
Nelson Walker
Oh, this your first trip down, Lulu?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Yeah. Yeah, it is. But I'm afraid I won't see much of the place either. I have to leave tonight.
Nelson Walker
Oh, that's too bad. In that case, I suppose I'll have to. Easy. Aggressive.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Aggressive? What do you mean?
Nelson Walker
You're taking me to dinner tonight, Nelson?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Why, sure. All right, I'd love that.
Nelson Walker
We'll have cocktails at the Terrace Club first. The Terrace Club's my favorite spot. We'll have a lot to talk about, Nelson. And now you've heard the lives and loves of Trudy Masters. Any comments, Nelson?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Only one. You haven't changed a bit, Trudy.
Nelson Walker
If you mean I still like luxury and still know a good thing when I see it. Right.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
But now, how about that dinner? Oh, constructive thought. I'm famous.
Nelson Walker
Give me a moment to make with the lipstick and I'll be right back.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
All right, but hurry, will you? Well, well, Mr. Gage. Hello again. Oh, hello, Mr. Ralston. How are you? Fine, just fine. Join me in a drink? No, no, thank you. I'm with someone and we're just about to leave. I see. And Perhaps another time, Mr. Gates. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention it this afternoon at the office, but I'd like you to come out to my place on Saturday. Well, I'm sorry, Mr. Ralston, but I see I'm leaving tonight. Too bad. Well, anytime you're back. This way, please. Drop in and. Why, Trudy. Marcy.
Nelson Walker
Hello, Everett.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
You know Trudy? Why, yes. We're old friends. Aren't we, my dear?
Nelson Walker
Yes, we are. By the way, Everett, how's your new bride?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Bride? Oh, yes, she's my wife. She's fine, fine, thank you. Well, I have to be running. Goodbye, Mr. Gage. Goodbye, Mr. Olson.
Nelson Walker
Mr. Gage. Why did you call you that?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
I have no idea. With another little thing, Nelson, Mr. Alston also favored the Terrace Club. Now you fully realize that the sooner you were away from Honolulu, the better off you would be. You hurried through dinner with Trudy, and then an hour later, alone in your hotel room, you smoked innumerable cigarettes. And you waited impatiently for the time to pass. Hello?
Nelson Walker
Hello, Bill? This is Trudy.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Truly, I'm.
Nelson Walker
Surprise, surprise that I asked for Mr. Gage's room. That's.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Well, yes, but. But I can explain that. You see, it's a business deal.
Nelson Walker
I see.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
But Trudy, I thought you were going home.
Nelson Walker
I was. But frankly, now my curiosity got the best of me. I had to find out a few things first. You see, I've been checked.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Right me. Me. Where?
Nelson Walker
Right here. The airport.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
The airport?
Nelson Walker
Yes. You see, Nelson, I knew you were lying this afternoon when I first met you.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
What do you mean? Lying about what?
Nelson Walker
Riding by ship. Luxury liners for the mainland only come in once a week on Wednesday. This is my.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
What?
Nelson Walker
I check the airline, particularly beside the crash morning. And I found out that an old friend of ours killed a man named.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
For a moment, Nelson, you were done. Trudy Masters knew that you were impersonating Enrico Gay, that you had had business with Everett Ralston, a dealer in Pearl. Your first impulse was to flee. But then you realized that, like you, Cootie Masters was interested in only one thing. Money. You arranged to meet her near a darkened hangar at the airport. You promised her $10,000 in exchange for silence. $10,000. Which you did not have.
Nelson Walker
Good evening, Mr. Gage.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Where are you?
Nelson Walker
Over here. Well, you bring the money?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Yeah. Are you alone?
Narrator/Announcer
Of course.
Nelson Walker
What did you expect?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
I don't know. I'm not used to dealing with blackness.
Nelson Walker
Never mind that. Where's the money?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Here in the Sentinels.
Nelson Walker
Thank you. Nelson. Nelson.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
Let me go.
Nelson Walker
Nelson.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
I'll never let you go. What is it? What is it? Who's there? Now, truly, you'll never tell. Never. Hey, you in there. Hey. Hey. Stop.
Nelson Walker
What are you?
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
What are you? Good Lord. Yes, Nelson Walker. Now you had murdered. Yet as you ran blindly through the night, your thoughts were only of escape. But the pilot, who had heard Trudy's last cries, spread the alarm. You saw others join chase for you. You cleansed the rear of a busy freight hangar and crouched for a moment behind a pile of boxes. Then suddenly, the two words Air Express stenciled on a large green crate in front of you gave you an idea, a way out. You thought briefly Of Enrico Gage. Yes, sir. Moving things fast and smooth by air is the only way to do it. My cargo planes these days are just like flying boxcars. Can't be beat.
Nelson Walker
I tell you.
Fate/Diary of Fate Narrator
It was your only chance, Nelson, and you took it. A large green crate contained a shipment of linen. You emptied half the contents and then, realizing it would be cold in the air, you wrapped yourself in the remaining cloth. An hour later, the crate with you inside was strapped securely in the unsealed freight compartment of a plane. And as the four motored machine roared into the night, you were safe. Now, Nelson, you still had your pearls and you still had your life. But soon I fate will write again. Soon I will record your final entry in the Diary of Fate before the final entry in this chapter of the Diary of Faith. Here's a word from our sponsor. Yes, Nelson Walker, as you huddled safely in a box in the cold unsealed freight compartment with a giant plane, you were content. For each hour saw you farther away from Honolulu, for you had choked a woman to death. You were not aware that each moment also carried you closer to the center of a heavy storm that thundered over the vast Pacific. Yes, soon even the plane's pilot became concerned with the tempest that raged around them. It's getting worse, Bush. We'll never get through. We better start climbing. Right, Skipper. Certainly looks rough ahead, doesn't it? I don't imagine we'll take. Hey, what is it, Skipper? What's wrong? Number four doesn't respond at all. It's going dead, Bert. Oh, that's a pretty thought. We can't climb without it. What are you going to do, turn back? Oh, that won't help. The storm's all around us now. Bird, listen, get back to the freight and start heaving it out. We got to gain altitude. All right, all right, I'll sort it out. Say when. Come on, baby, be good to daddy. There go the last one, Skipper. There go the first one. Any change now? A little. Keep it going. Okay, hold tight. Okay. There goes. There goes another one. Be half empty soon, Skipper. How are we doing now? Still too heavy. Wow. This large green baby might do the trick. Make a choice with the spud. Okay, now. Number four kicked in again. Must have been the fuel line. Oh, good. Glad to hear that. Say, that last crate was giving me a tough time anyway. Well, here we go, son. Hopping out of this mess right upstairs it is. Man, it certainly is a lulu, braid. We'll have to climb all the way. I cleared at 20,000ft. Well, 20 or 30,000 it's all the same with one of these. You know Skipper, they're mighty handy gadgets. Have along oxygen masks. Yeah man, they're all right for a guy who doesn't like choking to death. Yes, even as Nelson Walker choked the breath of life from Trudy Masters, so be the means of his escape stifled him first into unconsciousness, then to ultimate death. And now, as the flame carrying the lifeless body of a man who chose evil drones through the night, it is time to close the book. In the case of Nelson Walker, as in the cases of all men, I faith and but the instrument of a plan and the countless little things are the tools with which I work. Because of a delay in a railroad crossings, a last minute ticket cancellation, a drop calling card, Nelson Walker reached the crossroads of decision. He took the path of evil. And then because of a torn paper bag, Nelson Walker met three masters and eventually Justice Underwell. The more of you who have listened and remember there is a page for you in the Diary of Faith. The cast of the Nelson Walker entry included Gloria Blondell, Herbert Lytton, Patrick McGeehan, Jack Edwards Jr. Ray Erlenborn, Burn Surrey, and Hal Sawyer. Diary of Fate is a Larry Finley transcription brought to you from Hollywood.
Narrator/Announcer
There's more from Diary of Fate, Relic Radio Thrillers and all of the Relic Radio podcasts at the website website relicradio.com our shoutcast stream is up and running there as well with even more old time radio lots to listen to there, all made possible by your support. If you'd like to help out, visit donate. Relicradio.com or click on one of those support links in the show notes. Your support makes it all happen. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back tomorrow with the Horror and next Friday with our next episode of Relic Radio Thrillers.
Relic Radio Thrillers: “The Nelson Walker Entry” (Diary Of Fate) — Episode Summary
Main Theme / Purpose This episode from Diary of Fate (aired March 6, 1948, replayed Nov 14, 2025 by Relic Radio) tells the suspenseful story of Nelson Walker, a drifter whose life spirals into crime and ultimately doom after a series of seemingly trivial events. The narration guides listeners through fate’s intricate hand, demonstrating how minor twists and chance encounters can lead a person to disaster. The lurid tale blends noir, irony, and morality in classic Old Time Radio style.
1. Fate’s Introduction and the Power of Small Events
Diary of Fate narrator sets the stage:
2. The Initial Turn of Fate: Missed Flight
3. The Temptation: $75,000 and a Stranger Named Rick
4. Disaster and First Act of Deceit
5. A Dangerous Impersonation
6. “A Torn Paper Bag”: Chance Reunion and a Blackmail Plot
7. Murder and Desperation
8. Fatal Escape in a Crate
9. Fate’s Moral—The Web of Small Decisions
Summary for Non-Listeners:
Nelson Walker, a lifelong drifter, is tripped up by fate’s series of coincidences—beginning with a missed flight and culminating in murder, blackmail, and a desperate escape. Each minor event, often dismissed in daily life, steers him further into criminality. His fate is sealed by his own choices and a handful of everyday accidents, ending with a dark twist of poetic justice as he dies from suffocation—the same manner in which he murdered to protect his ill-gotten gains. The episode is a brooding meditation on morality and consequences, superbly structured for suspense and irony.
For further listening and similar stories: