Date In The Dark by The Haunting Hour

Summary

Strange Tales – "Date In The Dark" by The Haunting Hour

Podcast: Strange Tales (Old Time Radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com
Air Date: June 7, 2026
Featured Story: Date In The Dark (from The Haunting Hour, starring Frank Lovejoy)

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Overview

This episode of Strange Tales presents "Date In The Dark" – a tense, atmospheric detective drama from the classic old-time radio series, The Haunting Hour. The story plunges private detective Earl Breton and his partner "the Professor" into a labyrinth of murder, deception, and double-cross in the big city at midnight. The piece is a blend of noir intrigue and psychological suspense, delivered in a style characteristic of hard-boiled crime fiction.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Progression

1. Opening Atmosphere: The Brooding Big City

• The episode opens with evocative narration, setting the scene in a bustling metropolis haunted by both joy and danger at midnight.

  “Midnight in the metropolis... Of wealth and lightness and laughter, of poverty, heartbreak and tears... But there is quiet, too, in the teeming city at midnight.” (01:58)

2. The Urgent Call

• Earl Breton receives a late-night call from Bill Henderson, a crooked politician, who claims to be in immediate danger and pleads for a midnight meeting at Earl’s office.
  • Breton is skeptical but decides to go for the sake of a payday.

  Bill Henderson: “If Earl doesn't talk to me, he may be responsible for my death.” (05:02)

3. Darkness, Danger, and Death at the Office

• In the shadowy office building, Earl and the Professor are ambushed by an unknown voice ("Sparrow") who is searching for information about the unsolved “Kennedy murder.”
• The encounter turns violent:
  • The night watchman, an “old timer,” is killed by the intruder.
  • A hotel key (to room 517, Hotel Markham) is left as an enigmatic clue.

  Earl: “I've got an idea, Professor, that we have company.” (08:01)
  Sparrow: “Just stay where you are, both of you... If either of you makes a false move, there could be one.” (08:07)

4. Chasing Shadows: The Hotel Markham

• Earl decides the key is bait: the killer wants them to follow him to the hotel to create an alibi.
• In room 517, Breton finds a card game with a cast of shady characters: Sparrow, Joe Murray (Sparrow’s edgy partner), and others; each with potential motives or secrets.
  • Tension mounts between the players, especially between Joe and Sparrow.

  Earl: “Funny to find you and Sparrow in the same game, Joe.” (12:45)

5. The Web Tightens – Second Murder Revealed

• The Professor meets Earl outside the hotel with news: Henderson has been murdered.
  • Earl realizes the killer wanted them at the hotel as witnesses for his alibi.

  Professor: “When I got there, there were a lot of people outside the house and the police were there... Henderson was murdered.” (14:04)

6. Detective Deduction & Deception

• Earl deduces the killer is one of the men in the poker game, having used voice imitation to throw off suspicion and set up his alibi.
• Earl and the Professor return to the card game, now intent on exposing the killer through keen observation.

7. The Final Gambit: Exposing the Murderer

• Tensions peak as voices and tempers flare.
• Earl cleverly baits Sparrow with accusations in a private conversation, goading him to confess by claiming the police are listening on the other side of the door.

  Earl: “You know, I can do pretty much as I want to in this hotel. You know that, don't you?” (23:17, Sparrow)
  Earl: “...The police are listening to you right now. They heard you admit all this to me.” (24:21)

• The police burst in: Sparrow is arrested, having incriminated himself.

  “Drop the gun, Sparrow.” (24:44)
  Earl: “The best way to bring the police is to leave a hotel key next to a dead man, and that's what you did.” (24:55)

8. Ending Reflection

• Earl and the Professor leave, reflecting on the dangers of midnight promises and the satisfaction of keeping them.

  Earl: “Well, professor, let's go home. Yes, sir. Oh, and look. If our phone rings again tonight, don't answer it.” (25:22)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Setting the Mood:
  • Narrator: “This is a time of mystery. A time when imagination is free and moves forward swiftly, silently. This is The Haunting Hour.” (01:58)
• On the Card Game’s Tension:
  • Joe Murray: “I'm just careful, that's all. I don't trust nobody, see?” (20:05)
• Detective’s Oath:
  • Earl Breton: “I know, professor, I know. But I made a promise to that old watchman that I'd find the guy who killed him. And I like to keep a promise.” (18:09)
• The Confession Trap:
  • Earl: “I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I told you the police are listening to you right now. They heard you admit all this to me.” (24:21)
  • Sparrow: “Oh, now, wait a minute. Don't tell me you hid them in my closet.” (24:27)
• Earl’s Final Sigh:
  • Earl: “If our phone rings again tonight, don't answer it.” (25:22)

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Key Segment Timestamps

• Opening Cityscape & Setup: 01:58–04:36
• Phone Call & Office Intrigue: 04:36–09:05
• Night Watchman’s Death & Discovery of Clue: 09:13–10:15
• Investigation at Hotel Markham: 11:04–13:05
• Card Game Tensions: 13:07–14:31
• Detective Reasoning & Exposing the Killer: 16:00–25:01
• Resolution & Wrap-up: 25:22–25:49

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Tone & Style

True to its classic noir roots, "Date In The Dark" is delivered with brisk, snappy dialogue, moody atmospheric descriptions, and a persistent undercurrent of dread. The story never veers into supernatural horror, yet remains deeply unsettling—a tale of urban corruption and violence, resolved with streetwise wit and justice served cleverly and cold.

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Final Thoughts

"Date In The Dark" stands as a stellar example of noir radio dramedy—tight plotting, rich character dynamics, and a satisfying balance of suspense and wit. Even if you haven’t heard the episode, this classic detective tale is sure to entertain lovers of old-time crime dramas and hard-boiled mystery.

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Transcript

[Sparrow]

Brain.

[Narrator (Relicradio Host)]

Relicradio.com presents Tales of the strange and bizarre, the weird and the wicked. Stories not necessarily of the supernatural, but of the unnatural. Join us now for Strange Tales, featuring radio drama at its most mysterious and unusual. Welcome back to Strange Tales. It's time for the Haunting Hour this week, syndicated series produced by NBC of 52 episodes. It was produced from 1945 through 1946. Our story today doesn't have a broadcast date, but here's Frank Lovejoy in Date in the Dark.

[Narrator (Story Introduction and Conclusion)]

No, no. Stay where you are. Do not break the stillness of this moment. For this is a time of mystery. A time when imagination is free and moves forward swiftly, silently. This is the Haunting Hour. Date in the dark. Midnight. Midnight in the metropolis town of a thousand moods and contrasts. Of wealth and lightness and laughter, of poverty, heartbreak and tears. Of shadowy people and dark, dark things. Big city, hardboiled and tender, weak and mean and cheap, without dignity. And great and proud and powerful. And the metropolis at midnight filled with the high spirits of joy seekers, revelers who give way to the goodness of living or try to forget the badness of living. Midnight, that is brooding, sinister. The sounds of the big city at midnight. The squeaks and roars of taxi cabs. The rumble of trucks, the moan of riverboats. And underground, the subway and under and above the sounds of the people. Shrill, ribald, futile. But there is quiet, too, in the teeming city at midnight. The quiet that is broken by the wail of a child, the rattle of a snore. Or, as in the home of Earl Breton, a private detective, and his partner, Owen Bailey, called the Professor. The telephone rings and the professor answers it.

[Earl Breton]

Hello?

[Bill Henderson]

Earl Breton?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

No, this is Mr. Bailey, Britain's partner.

[Joe Murray]

Who's calling?

[Bill Henderson]

This is Bill Henderson. Is Earl there?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Just a moment. It's Bill Henderson, Earl. Do you want to talk to him?

[Earl Breton]

Bill Henderson. What does that crooked politician want?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Sounds very anxious.

[Earl Breton]

That's too bad. Tell him I'm very busy. I gotta go to sleep.

[Joe Murray]

Hello?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Mr. Henderson?

[Bill Henderson]

Yeah?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I'm sorry, but Mr. Bretton is not in.

[Bill Henderson]

If Earl doesn't talk to me, he may be responsible for my debt.

[Joe Murray]

I can't possibly see how to.

[Bill Henderson]

Let me have the phone, Professor.

[Earl Breton]

Hello, Anderson.

[Bill Henderson]

Is you Earl?

[Earl Breton]

Yeah. What's on your mind?

[Bill Henderson]

I gotta see you right away, Earl. Can you meet me down at your office?

[Earl Breton]

Office hours are from 10 to 2, Henderson. You know that. I'll see you tomorrow.

[Bill Henderson]

No, waiter. Wait. I tell you, you gotta see me tonight. Now, look, I can't wait until tomorrow. Cause I may Never get there tomorrow.

[Earl Breton]

How do you figure?

[Bill Henderson]

I can't explain it on the phone, but I know what I'm talking about. I gotta see you tonight. Got it.

[Earl Breton]

Where are you now?

[Bill Henderson]

I'm at my house.

[Earl Breton]

Okay. Give me a few minutes to get a cup of something warm. I'll meet you down at the office.

[Bill Henderson]

Ah, take some millionaire.

[Earl Breton]

Never mind the thanks. Bring some money with you.

[Bill Henderson]

Don't worry about that, Earl. This is worth anything to me.

[Earl Breton]

Goodbye.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

What seems to be his trouble, Earl?

[Earl Breton]

Well, he's probably swindled one guy too many. Good. What do you mean, good?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I mean he picked a good time for it. We can very well use the money, you know.

[Earl Breton]

Well, you can start drawing the bill now, Professor. And remember, after office hours it's triple usual.

[Joe Murray]

Here comes the elevator.

[Earl Breton]

Now, Will, if we ever make enough dough. Professor, remind me to move out of this broken down building.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

All buildings are pretty much alike at this hour of night.

[Earl Breton]

How do they expect one old guy to take care of this whole thing by himself?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

He manages if you don't rush him.

[Joe Murray]

Yeah, what devil has got his finger on it? It's you, Mr. Britain. You'll never be known as a patient man.

[Earl Breton]

I hate waiting for elevators, old Timer.

[Joe Murray]

Good evening, Mr. Bailey.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Good evening. You've got lots to do around here, haven't you?

[Joe Murray]

Sure, sure. I've got to make the rounds, you know.

[Earl Breton]

How's business?

[Joe Murray]

Very slow, Mr. Britton. You're the only two people I've seen all

[Bill Henderson]

right.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Hey, it's pitch black out here, isn't it?

[Joe Murray]

You want me to put the hall lights on?

[Earl Breton]

Don't bother, old timer.

[Bill Henderson]

We'll make it.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

It might help if you throw your flashlight beam down the hall.

[Joe Murray]

Sure thing. How's this?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

That's fine.

[Earl Breton]

Here, I've got the key, Earl. Right. Thanks, old timer. We're okay now.

[Joe Murray]

I'll be seeing you on the way to.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Now, if I can just find the switch. Oh, here.

[Earl Breton]

What's the matter with the light?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Looks like the switch don't work.

[Earl Breton]

Working all right when I left this evening. Way to find the desk.

[Bill Henderson]

Wipe.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Find it, Earl.

[Bill Henderson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Earl Breton]

You didn't take the bulb out of this lamp, did you, Professor?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Of course not.

[Earl Breton]

I've got an idea, professor, that we have company.

[Sparrow]

You're a very smart chap, Breton.

[Joe Murray]

Who's that?

[Sparrow]

Just stay where you are, both of you, and don't ask any questions. Mr. Breton knows that those lights are not out by accident. But if either of you makes a false move, there could be one.

[Earl Breton]

What are you looking for? Information and why keep us in the dark?

[Sparrow]

There's enough light for me from that street lamp shining in your window. I can see you both.

[Earl Breton]

What do you want to know?

[Sparrow]

Understand, Breton, that you got some new dope on the Kennedy murder. Am I right?

[Earl Breton]

Kennedy murder? Why, the police gave Kennedy up as a suicide five years ago. What would I be.

[Joe Murray]

Stay where you are, Breton.

[Sparrow]

I told you, I can see.

[Earl Breton]

Yeah, yeah, sure seems kind of. I guess our visit is a little touchy.

[Sparrow]

Professor, you didn't believe that I could see you. Next time I won't miss. Now, give it to me straight.

[Earl Breton]

I told you, I don't like the smell of a body that's been buried five years. And I ain't digging it up. Now, what else do you want?

[Joe Murray]

Don't make a move, Mr. Britton. Mr. Barry. Now, whatever happened.

[Earl Breton]

Okay. I hope you get a big kick out of beating up a helpless old guy. That was very tough. Very.

[Joe Murray]

Duck, Professor.

[Bill Henderson]

I've got it.

[Joe Murray]

What happened?

[Bill Henderson]

Earl, where are you?

[Joe Murray]

Right over here, where that voice was coming from.

[Earl Breton]

And he's not here.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Maybe he moved over to another corner of the room.

[Earl Breton]

Duck behind something, professor, we're gonna light a match.

[Joe Murray]

Careful now, Earl.

[Earl Breton]

Well, Alfie, there's nobody here.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Who's that lion in the doorway?

[Earl Breton]

Wait a minute. Looks like the old timer. Here's his flashlight. I'll turn it on.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Put him in this chair, Earl.

[Earl Breton]

No. It's too late, Professor. He's dead. Dead? That dirty rat. Killing a sweet, harmless old man.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

What's this here on the floor?

[Earl Breton]

Let me see. Hotel key, Hotel mark and moon, 517.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Think that fell out of the old man's pocket?

[Earl Breton]

No, no, that's a mobster's hotel. It's full of gamblers and racket men.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Then that means if we go to room 517 we ought to be able to find out the man who did this.

[Earl Breton]

You don't find anybody in that hotel, you smoke them out. Besides, that key might have been stolen just so somebody could plant it here.

[Narrator (Summary)]

Don't you see that?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Then how are we gonna know the voice?

[Earl Breton]

Professor, I'll never forget that voice. I'm promising the old man now that I'll find it.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Well, what do we do?

[Bill Henderson]

Oil.

[Earl Breton]

You go find Henderson and tell him we won't be able to see him tonight. I'm going to the Hotel Markham. Meet me there as soon as you're through in front of the hotel.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

And what about the old man?

[Earl Breton]

On our way out, we'll ring the night alarm. That'll bring the police but aren't we

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

going to tell them what happened?

[Earl Breton]

Right now, professor, we don't know any more than they do. Come on, let's go.

[Joe Murray]

Anything I can do? Oh, hello, Brenton. How's the hotel business? Oh, we don't complain.

[Earl Breton]

Who's up in room 517? I want to know. I understand there's a game going on.

[Sparrow]

So?

[Earl Breton]

So I'd like to get in.

[Joe Murray]

Well, there's a gentleman by the name of Sparrow enter the room. Maybe you know him.

[Earl Breton]

That's all I wanted to hear. You can tell my good friend Mr. Sparrow I'm coming right up.

[Sparrow]

Don't worry, I will.

[Earl Breton]

Oh, by the way, I hear there's a shortage of keys. You still lose many of them?

[Sparrow]

Certainly.

[Joe Murray]

We do every day.

[Earl Breton]

That's very interesting. Very interesting.

[Sparrow]

Well, look who's here, fellas. My old pal, Earl Breton.

[Earl Breton]

How are you, Sparrow?

[Joe Murray]

Fine, fine.

[Sparrow]

Come on in.

[Earl Breton]

How's the game?

[Sparrow]

Pretty good. You want to take a hand?

[Earl Breton]

Yeah, maybe. How long you been playing?

[Sparrow]

Oh, about 12 hours now. Meet the boys. All right, fellas, this is Dan Huber. He's new in this town.

[Joe Murray]

Yeah.

[Earl Breton]

Didn't take you long to find this place, did it, Dan?

[Joe Murray]

Mary, I got a nose for this stuff.

[Sparrow]

And you know Harry Jackson, Earl, don't you?

[Earl Breton]

Sure I know Harry. How are you, Harry? Fine. What did you say, Harry? I says I'm fine. That's what I said. Ah, sure.

[Sparrow]

Now, this is Willie Goblin. And over here.

[Earl Breton]

What's a funny name, Willie? What's funny about it? How do you spell it? G, A, R, V, I, N. Why, does it sound familiar? Uh, no, Willie, no.

[Sparrow]

And I don't have to introduce you to my partner, Joe Murray. Huh?

[Earl Breton]

Hello, Joe. Hello. Funny to find you and Sparrow in the same game, Joe.

[Joe Murray]

What's funny about that?

[Earl Breton]

Well, after all, you and Sparrow are partners, aren't you?

[Joe Murray]

Know what he said? For you, Breton. And if you don't like what goes on here, you can shove off.

[Sparrow]

Come on, Earl. When are you gonna stop burning up Joe anyhow? He just came in a few minutes ago. So we really just started playing together.

[Earl Breton]

Oh, just came in a few minutes ago.

[Joe Murray]

Where were you, Joan? Since when do I report to you?

[Earl Breton]

I'm just curious, that's all.

[Joe Murray]

I told you before, Breton, I don't like coppers. And that still goes. Now, let's get the game going.

[Sparrow]

Well, Earl, you taking a hand?

[Earl Breton]

Sure, sure. But first I gotta get the professor. He's got my dough. I'll be back in a few.

[Joe Murray]

Wait a minute, Breton.

[Earl Breton]

What are you Trying to pull.

[Joe Murray]

Why didn't you bring your dough in the first place?

[Earl Breton]

I just wanted to see who was in the game.

[Sparrow]

Oh, sure, Joey's got a right to know. Go ahead, Earl, get your dough. But don't forget to come back, huh? Otherwise it wouldn't look so good, huh?

[Joe Murray]

Sure.

[Earl Breton]

Don't worry. I'll be.

[Joe Murray]

Earl, come over here.

[Earl Breton]

How long you been waiting, Professor?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I just got here. Did you find out anything?

[Earl Breton]

No, not a thing. I listened to every voice up there. Not one of them was the right one. How about you? Did you see Henderson?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Yeah. That is, I didn't see him, but I found out about him.

[Earl Breton]

What do you mean, found out about him?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Well, when I got there, Earl, there were a lot of people outside the house and the police were there.

[Earl Breton]

Police? What happened?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Henderson was murdered.

[Narrator (Summary)]

It was midnight when the phone rang in the home of Earl Breton, a private detective. A man named Henderson was calling Henderson, a crooked politician who insisted he was in danger of being killed and that he had to see Breton immediately. Earl agreed to meet him in his office. But when he and his partner, the professor, arrived a few minutes later, they were faced with a peculiar situation. The lights in the office wouldn't work, and before they could investigate, a voice challenged them from the darkness. Their unknown visitor fired at them, purposely missing, in order to warn them that he meant business. The sound of the gun attracted the attention of the night watchman. He came to investigate and was killed by the intruder who disappeared, leaving Earl with the old man's body and a clue. The key to room 517 at the hotel Markham. They rang the police alarm and Earl sent the professor to intercept Henderson to break the appointment they had with him. Then he went to the hotel, to room 517, where he expected to find the killer. He interrupted a card game, but Sparrow, the gangster who was registered in 517, invited Earl to sit in, much to the displeasure of his partner, Joe Murray. Breton accepted, promising to return soon. He went down to the street where the professor was waiting. The professor had news for him. Henderson had been murdered.

[Earl Breton]

How did you find out he was murdered, Professor?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I overheard two policemen talking to one another.

[Earl Breton]

Did the cops know you were there?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Oh, no. We wouldn't want them to know we was interested, would we?

[Earl Breton]

Good for you, Professor.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

But now that I think of it, Earl, shouldn't we tell the police what we know?

[Earl Breton]

Well, that's a good idea, except that we don't know anything they can't find out for themselves.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

But they don't know that Henderson called us. To meet him at the office. And then when we got there, we met somebody else. And it was that somebody else who killed the night watchman.

[Earl Breton]

I know there's some connection between those two things, Professor. In fact, if I didn't know Henderson's

[Joe Murray]

voice so well, you'd say that it

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

was the man at the office who imitated it.

[Earl Breton]

Sure. That's an old trick. A man disguises his voice to sound like. Hey, just a minute, Professor. Why couldn't it be?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

You mean you actually think that the man we met in the office was the one who called us earlier and he imitated Henderson's voice?

[Earl Breton]

No, no, no, that'd be too obvious. The killer's much cleverer than that.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

But you do think he had something to do with both of the middles?

[Earl Breton]

Certainly. If he didn't, how would he know that we were coming down to the office at midnight? He was expecting us. So he must have been with Henderson at the time Henderson called us.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

If you don't mind my saying so, Earl, it doesn't make sense. Why should this man have bothered to come down to our office just to ask us about some murder case that was over and forgotten five years ago?

[Earl Breton]

That's just it, Professor. He didn't want that information at all. That was just to throw us off the track. That was why he left the key there when he slugged the old man and disappeared.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

You mean he actually wanted us to follow him here to the Hotel Markham?

[Earl Breton]

Don't you see? He was trying to establish the alibi that he was playing cards in this hotel at the time of the murder. And he could force us to testify as police witnesses that we saw him here.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Then why don't we tell that to the police?

[Earl Breton]

Oh, professor, you're slipping. You know, the police don't want ideas. They've got their own. Besides, if we don't know whose voice we heard, what can we tell them?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Well, at least we can tell them that it was somebody who's up in that hotel room now.

[Earl Breton]

Sure, sure, but can we prove it?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I guess not. Well, then what can we do?

[Earl Breton]

We gotta go upstairs and find out who that phony voice belongs to.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

But, oh, life can be very short in a place like this. I mean, I'm not thinking about me.

[Earl Breton]

I know, professor, I know. But I made a promise to that old watchman that I'd find the guy who killed him. And I like to keep a promise.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

But we ain't got enough money to play cards with those people.

[Earl Breton]

They don't know that.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Well, I don't think it should take them more than one hand to find out.

[Earl Breton]

All right, then, you'll at the stall. Now, one of those guys up there has a phony British voice.

[Sparrow]

So listen. Stay where you are, Breton. I told you. I can see.

[Earl Breton]

How's that?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

If I wasn't looking at you, I'd swear it was the guy in the room.

[Joe Murray]

Good, good.

[Earl Breton]

That's all I wanted to know.

[Sparrow]

I knew you'd keep your promise to come back, Earl.

[Earl Breton]

Why not? This is my night, Sparrow.

[Sparrow]

Well, come on, take a chair.

[Earl Breton]

I think I'll let the professor play for me. I do much better when I'm looking over his shoulder.

[Sparrow]

Suit yourself.

[Joe Murray]

Let's get going. You're holding up the game.

[Sparrow]

How many chips, Professor?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Well, that's up to Earl.

[Earl Breton]

Chips? Why? What do you say we start off with $10 worth, Professor? I got a hunch.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I. I guess that's all right.

[Joe Murray]

Wait a minute. Who you kidding, Breton? Since when do you figure you can get in on this game for 10 bucks?

[Earl Breton]

That's just a starter, Joe. I always like to play hunches.

[Sparrow]

But you've got more than that, haven't you, Earl?

[Earl Breton]

You know better than ask me that, Sparrow.

[Joe Murray]

Yeah, let's see. Okay, deal him out.

[Earl Breton]

Joe, if I didn't know that you just came into this game a little while ago, I'd figure that you were losing plenty. Why? Ah, you're so touchy.

[Sparrow]

I open five bucks, raise your tent, I'm out. Well, playing it safe, Professor?

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

I'd rather not explain my game.

[Earl Breton]

Maybe if Joe played it safer, he wouldn't be so worried all the time.

[Sparrow]

Oh, Joe. Joe's got lots on his mind.

[Earl Breton]

I don't know, Sparrow. You're Joe's partner. You never seem to worry like he does.

[Joe Murray]

What do you mean, worry? Who says I'm worried? I'm just careful, that's all. I don't trust nobody, see?

[Earl Breton]

Nobody. You mean not even Sparrow, your own partner?

[Joe Murray]

I said nobody.

[Sparrow]

Oh, Joe thinks maybe I talk to my dad.

[Earl Breton]

That's right. I didn't hear you say anything out of place, Sparrow.

[Sparrow]

He thinks I made a mistake telling you. He. He just came into the game a little while ago.

[Joe Murray]

I told you to shut up, Sparrow.

[Sparrow]

Ah, come on, Joe. You don't have to be afraid of Earl Breton.

[Joe Murray]

He's a cop, and I told you don't have to know nothing.

[Sparrow]

He wouldn't repeat anything he heard up here. Would you, Earl?

[Earl Breton]

I always play it safe.

[Sparrow]

I think you're all right, Earl.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

Ah.

[Earl Breton]

Mind if I stand up? Where are you going? I just want to walk around a little bit, stretch my legs.

[Joe Murray]

Just don't go looking at any hands.

[Earl Breton]

Okay. I'll stand over here by the wall.

[Sparrow]

You're gonna let the professor play by himself?

[Earl Breton]

Sure. Hey, this is a very interesting electric light switch.

[Joe Murray]

You guys. Don't cut the chatter. I'll blow this game off.

[Sparrow]

Hey, wait.

[Bill Henderson]

I'm.

[Joe Murray]

Put those lights out. Put the lights on.

[Sparrow]

What are you getting so crazy about, Joe? You act as if you just murdered someone.

[Joe Murray]

Pull up the lights, I said.

[Bill Henderson]

Quick.

[Earl Breton]

I'm sorry, Joe. That was my mistake. I didn't know the light switched off this way. Shut up.

[Joe Murray]

And you, Sparrow. What was the idea saying I murdered someone?

[Sparrow]

What are you talking about, Joe? I didn't say anything.

[Joe Murray]

Don't give me that stuff. I heard you. You can't fool me with that phony voice you put on.

[Sparrow]

I told you I didn't say anything.

[Joe Murray]

Oh, yeah? Well, I happen to know that nobody else but you talks that way. How did you dope.

[Sparrow]

Did you know that wasn't my voice?

[Joe Murray]

Sparrow, if you're trying to pull anything.

[Earl Breton]

Okay, okay, Joe. Sparrow's right. Now, don't get sore. It was my fault. I didn't know.

[Joe Murray]

That ain't the point, Breton. I want to know what he's trying to pull. Ain't none of your business, copper.

[Earl Breton]

I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry. It was my voice you heard, Joe.

[Bill Henderson]

What are you.

[Narrator (Story Introduction and Conclusion)]

All right?

[Joe Murray]

What's the game, Breton?

[Earl Breton]

No game, Joe. Just a joke, that's all.

[Sparrow]

Sure, Joe, just a joke. Very funny, too. Can't you take a joke, Joe?

[Earl Breton]

Nuts. All right, Britain, you want to stay in this game?

[Joe Murray]

Get up some real dough or beat it.

[Earl Breton]

Okay, okay. I'll come clean with you. That's all the dough we got with us, right? Now, if you let me go in the next room and make a call, I'll get some sent up here right away.

[Sparrow]

Why, sure, sure. You want to use the phone? Yes. It's right in the next room.

[Earl Breton]

Thanks, girl.

[Sparrow]

This is the desk.

[Earl Breton]

Hello. Give me spring 73100.

[Joe Murray]

Spring 73100.

[Earl Breton]

Right.

[Joe Murray]

Who are you kidding?

[Bill Henderson]

That's police headquarters.

[Joe Murray]

Say, you got any complaints to make?

[Bill Henderson]

Hey, wait a minute.

[Joe Murray]

What goes on here? It's one of your keys.

[Earl Breton]

Oh, Hello, Sparrow. I. I can't say much for your phone service.

[Narrator (Story Introduction and Conclusion)]

No.

[Sparrow]

What's the matter with it?

[Earl Breton]

They. They wouldn't get a number for me.

[Sparrow]

I see. Who you're calling is so important.

[Earl Breton]

The police. I. I guess I can wait.

[Sparrow]

Yeah. Say, I'm glad you came in here, Breton. I wanted to have a little talk with you alone.

[Earl Breton]

You wouldn't use that revolver right here in this room, would you?

[Sparrow]

Wouldn't I? You know, I can do pretty much as I want to in this hotel. You know that, don't you?

[Narrator (Story Introduction and Conclusion)]

Yeah.

[Bill Henderson]

Yeah.

[Earl Breton]

But if you killed me now, wouldn't you have to tell Joe why you did it? What do you mean? I mean, wouldn't you have to tell him that you were tired of being partners with him and Henderson? You wanted the whole racket for yourself so that you killed Henderson, trying to make it look as though Joe did it so he could take the rap.

[Sparrow]

If you're trying to talk loud so Joe will hear you, I might as well tell you. He just left.

[Earl Breton]

Ah, well, at least I found out it was you who slugged the night watchman in my building tonight. So what? Just that you killed him, that's all.

[Sparrow]

You shouldn't have gotten away.

[Earl Breton]

Then you're admitting that you killed Henderson and the watchman?

[Sparrow]

Only to you, Breton. I'll tell you why. Because I'm gonna make sure that you'll never be able to tell it to the cops.

[Earl Breton]

I don't have to tell him, Sparrow. They know about it already.

[Sparrow]

Oh, sure, sure. You gave him all this information before you came up here.

[Earl Breton]

No, I didn't tell him. You did.

[Sparrow]

You know something, Breton? I'm beginning to think you're a little bit nuts.

[Earl Breton]

I suppose you wouldn't believe me if I told you. The police are listening to you right now. They heard you admit all this to me.

[Sparrow]

Oh, now, wait a minute. Don't tell me you hid them in my closet.

[Earl Breton]

No, no, but they're right outside in that room where we were just playing cards. You're crazy. Why don't you take a look?

[Sparrow]

Because I ain't dumb enough to turn

[Earl Breton]

my back on you, and that makes it easy for them to come in.

[Joe Murray]

Drop the gun, Sparrow. Give it. Here it is. The cops. We heard the whole thing outside, Breton.

[Bill Henderson]

Pretty smart.

[Joe Murray]

But how did you get the cops up here?

[Earl Breton]

I didn't get them, Sparrow. You did.

[Joe Murray]

Cut it out, Breton.

[Earl Breton]

It's true. You know, the best way to bring the police is to leave a hotel key next to a dead man, and that's what you did.

[Joe Murray]

Yeah, but you picked it up, not me.

[Earl Breton]

I just made a mental note of it, that's all.

[Professor (Owen Bailey)]

What puzzles me, Earl, is how you know the police were out here when you made Sparrow talk.

[Earl Breton]

Ah, that was easy. When I tried to put through a call before I heard a voice at the switchboard asking about a key, and I just played a hunch.

[Joe Murray]

I'm glad we got here in time. Come along, Sparrow.

[Earl Breton]

Well, professor, let's go home. Yes, sir. Oh, and look. If our phone rings again tonight, don't answer it.

[Narrator (Story Introduction and Conclusion)]

From shadows and stillness, mystery weaves a spell of strangest fascination, charging the mind with doubts and fears. For mystery is a strange companion, a living memory. Memory in the Haunting hour.

[Narrator (Relicradio Host)]

You can find more from the Haunting Hour, Strange Tales, and all of the Relic Radio shows at the website relicradio.com. you can donate through that website as well if you'd like to help support it. My thanks, as always, to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back next Sunday with our next episode of Relic Radio's Strange Tales.