Charlie Chan: The Case of the Telltale Hands (EP4802)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Charlie Chan: The Case of the Telltale Hands (EP4802)

Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date: September 16, 2025
Episode Runtime (content): ~01:57–34:01

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1. Episode Overview

This episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio features an Australian-radio adaptation of the Charlie Chan series: “The Case of the Telltale Hands.” Host Adam Graham introduces listeners to a lesser-known era of the Charlie Chan franchise, spotlighting a mystery that blends classic detection with surprising science. Centered on the puzzle of a series of burglaries and a murder, the drama unravels a clever connection between a blind piano tuner, her criminal father, and a trail of headaches that becomes the key to solving the case.

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2. Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

Host Introduction & Series Context

[01:57–05:33] Adam Graham

• Explains the podcast’s focus and thanks listeners for their support.
• Introduces the Australian Charlie Chan episodes, noting that American recordings have run out.
• Provides historical background on the show’s syndication in Australia, original air dates, and main cast:
  • William Rees (Charlie Chan)
  • Rodney Jacobs (Number One Son, Lee Chan)
• Details the lack of precise episode ordering and notes reliance on available information.

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The Mystery Unfolds: “The Case of the Telltale Hands”

[05:33–32:31]

Setup: Introduction of Judy Carroll

[06:42–08:43]

• Judy Carroll, a young blind piano tuner, is assisted crossing the street by Charlie Chan and his son Lee.
• Light character moments:
  • Lee Chan: “Catch me missing a chance to walk with a pretty girl. Come on.” (08:04)
  • Judy jokes about forgetting her tuning hammer, revealing her trade as a piano tuner.

At Home with Judy and Her Father

[09:00–10:10]

• Judy describes the Van K home’s layout to her father.
• The dialogue subtly reveals her father is using Judy’s tactile descriptions to plan robberies.
• Father’s criminal associates remark:
  • “It’s just too easy when a blind girl gives you the whole layout first.” (10:02)
  • Bolo stops Judy from seeking a sight-restoring operation, needing her blindness for his crimes.

Crime Scene Discovery

[13:22–15:47]

• Chan and Lee investigate the Van K mansion after receiving a cryptic plea for help by phone.
• They find a dead criminal, evidence of nitroglycerine, and Judy’s tuning hammer at the piano.
• Notable deduction:
  • Charlie Chan: “Before us is criminal who opened same. … Was stabbed with knife and left for dead. Crawled to telephone and called police.” (15:07)
  • Chan finds chemical burns on the victim's neck, deduces involvement of nitroglycerine.

The Clue of the Tuning Hammer

[15:47–16:41]

• Lee spots the tuning hammer, suspects Judy’s involvement by coincidence.
• Chan notes the sequence of robberies always follows the piano tuner’s visits, raising suspicions.

Confronting Judy Carroll

[19:24–21:54]

• At Judy’s home, her father hurriedly packs and flees, threatening Judy into silence about his injuries and whereabouts.
• Charlie Chan and Lee arrive to return the tuning hammer and question Judy.
• Chan observes blood, injury, and signs of recent packing.
• Judy’s confusion and sudden headache (from nitroglycerine poisoning) heighten the urgency.
  • Charlie Chan: “You inform Charlie Chan where Father has gone?” (21:28)

The Trail of Headaches

[22:07–26:35]

• Chan instructs Lee to look for anyone “in extremely sick condition.”
• They trace Bolo Carroll’s escape through a hat store (find shopkeeper suffering a headache), then to the street where a porter collapsed with “splitting pain.”
• Discover nitroglycerine was spread via Carroll’s touch, causing headaches along his path.
  • Chan: “May be fortunate enough to locate same. … When we reach end of headache trail, we’ll find criminal.” (23:35)

The Showdown on the Wharf

[27:01–29:33]

• Carroll is cornered at a private wharf while attempting to flee by boat.
• Threatens Chan with a jar of nitroglycerine.
  • Carroll: “All I have to do is throw it… just smash a little at your feet and it’ll all be over.” (28:08)
• Charlie drops a match, igniting the boat, causing a fire but not an explosion (since nitro must be shocked, not burned, to explode).
• Carroll’s hands are badly burned, poetic justice for his “telltale hands.”

The Scientific Solution Explained

[29:33–30:58]

• Lee, confused about the role of headaches and nitroglycerine, listens as his father explains:
  • Charlie Chan: “Nitroglycerine, highly potent poison. Instantly absorbed through skin producing intense headache and shock. … Can be passed merely by touch of hand.” (30:03)
• Judy’s, the clerk’s, the porter’s, and the taxi driver’s headaches all resulted from contact with Carroll, who built resistance to nitroglycerine by manufacturing it.
• The burning hands are the final clue—Carroll’s undoing being the very instrument of his crime.

Closing Words

[30:58–32:31]

• Chan expresses hope for Judy’s future as police records suggest a cure for her blindness is possible.
  • Charlie Chan: “Perhaps, but same cannot be true of daughter who may some day balance father’s evil with goodness and beauty. Truly, it is written, blackest earth always produceth fairest rose.” (31:00)
• Episode ends with a proverb on gratitude and a teaser for the next adventure.

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3. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What ten men build, one hand may destroy. Tonight we meet hand that spread highly odd form of destruction.” — Charlie Chan, setting the episode’s tone (06:09)
• “Catch me missing a chance to walk with a pretty girl. … Only the pretty ones.” — Lee Chan’s lighthearted banter with Judy (08:04)
• “It’s just too easy when a blind girl gives you the whole layout first.” — Bolo’s criminal exploitation of his daughter (10:02)
• “There are bruises on neck of dead man… moist with chemical. Most probably nitroglycerine. … The thief and murderer had nitroglycerine on hands.” — Charlie Chan’s deduction at the crime scene (15:31)
• “When coincidences become extremely odd, demand instant investigation.” — Charlie Chan’s maxim guiding the case forward (16:41)
• “How does Carroll hand out headaches?” — Lee Chan, confused by his father’s riddle (24:08)
• “With hands.” — Charlie Chan, in a classic enigmatic exchange (24:11)
• “Nitroglycerine, highly potent poison. Instantly absorbed through skin… can be passed merely by touch of hand.” — Charlie Chan explaining the science (30:03)
• “Blackest earth always produceth fairest rose.” — Charlie Chan, reflecting on justice and hope (31:00)

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4. Host’s Closing Comments & Historical Insights

[34:01–38:02] Adam Graham

• Praises the episode’s use of scientific detection and its unique “puzzle mystery” quality.
• Offers short biographies:
  • William Rees (Charlie Chan): Australian stage actor, brief Hollywood stint, returned to Australia as a producer and actor. Little radio work beyond Chan.
  • Ronald (Rodney) Jacobs (Number One Son): Australian child and radio actor, remained active in the industry through the 1930s and early ’50s.
• Addresses a listener’s question on series continuity, noting that sidekick Lee Chan is included for comic relief across different productions.
• Thanks Patreon supporter Deanna and invites further listener feedback.
• Teases next week’s episode of Charlie Chan and upcoming “Broadway’s My Beat.”

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5. Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:57–05:33 | Adam Graham’s introduction & series history | | 05:33–06:42 | Episode introduction (narrator and Charlie Chan) | | 06:42–09:00 | Judy Carroll’s introduction and street encounter | | 09:00–10:10 | At Judy’s home: the father’s plot revealed | | 13:22–15:47 | Crime scene investigation at Van K mansion | | 16:05–16:41 | Discovery of the tuning hammer and suspicions | | 19:24–21:54 | Confrontation at the Carroll house, Judy’s distress | | 22:07–26:35 | Trail of headaches: searching the city | | 27:01–29:33 | Showdown on the wharf and Carroll’s capture | | 29:33–30:58 | Chan explains the scientific clue | | 31:00–32:31 | Solution’s aftermath and closing words | | 34:01–38:02 | Host’s wrap-up, background on actors, listener feedback |

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6. Tone & Style

The episode maintains the classic detective fiction tone—measured, formal, and occasionally laced with humor or Chan’s trademark proverbs. The interplay between Charlie and Lee Chan adds warmth and comic relief, while the plot stays focused and suspenseful, with a twist that hinges on both physical clues and scientific reasoning.

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7. Useful for New Listeners

This summary provides the narrative arc, pivotal discoveries, and unique aspects of this Charlie Chan episode—perfect for listeners who missed the broadcast or want a refresher on old-time radio’s distinctive detective fiction. Adam Graham’s historical notes add insight into the series’ Australian adaptation, placing the episode in context for both newcomers and aficionados.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Charlie Chan. But first, I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Our listener support and appreciation campaign continues. You can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetectives.net with your Patreon support, you get a monthly update from me. You get to vote on certain things such as what program we will show on Monday after Danger with Granger. And if you support the program at the Showmas level of $4 or more per month, you get bonus podcasts that are just released on Patreon are extras. So you can check that all [e-mail] and now we turn to Charlie Chan. Well, we have played all the American episodes that are available. So now we are turning to the Australian episodes and I've been trying to cobble together as much information as I can on the series. The best information I can find on series air date comes from a 2004 article in Radio Recall, the newsletter of the Metropolitan Washington Old Time Radio Club, written by the late Ian Grieve, moderator of the Australian Old Time radio group. And Mr. Grieve states that these programs aired starting in October of 191950 from Sydney as they were syndicated by Grace Gibson. Air dates were tricky in Australia because they didn't have like a big radio network like we had in the States, but you had a lot of syndication going on. So a program could air in Sydney and it'd be several days until it aired in Melbourne, where most of the Australian Old Time radio aficionados, if you were, were at. Now, the series was based on American scripts, presumably from the Ed Begley run, although maybe from the Santos Ortega run as well. The length of the series, it does get kind of confused depending on what source you read. The series starred William Rees as Charlie Chan and Rodney Jacobs as his number one son. And we will tell you a little bit about those two actors after we get back from today's episode. Now, unfortunately, I don't really have any order for these programs that I can consistently reliably give to you, so we're just going to them as they come. And these all aired lively during the 1950-51 season. And we're going to start with the case of the Telltale Hands.

[Narrator]

The incomparable Charlie Chan. We proudly present the Incomparable Charlie Chan in a new and exciting series. Join the famous detective as he combines the wisdom of the east and the science of the West. In a dramatic chapter from the Adventures of Charlie Chan.

[Charlie Chan]

Charlie Chan humbly bids you good evening and extends warm welcome. Ancient proverb relates, what ten men build, one hand may destroy. Tonight we meet hand that spread. Highly odd form of destruction. Listen, please.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Thank you.

[Narrator]

Tonight's adventure, the Telltale Hands. Judy Carroll stands at the intersection of Logan Avenue and First Street. She is 19 years old, short, dark, pretty in a cheerful way, and she might be beautiful if she knew how to dress and use makeup properly. But Judy doesn't. She's blind.

[Judy Carroll]

Is anybody crossing Logan Avenue, please? Anybody going across? I'd like to cross Logan Avenue. Golly, isn't there anyone around? Hello? Anybody crossing Logan Avenue? Hello?

[Charlie Chan]

Pardon, please.

[Judy Carroll]

Yes?

[Charlie Chan]

Can this inferior person lend assistance our old charity Chan?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

We were just driving past and we Saw you lift.

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, that's awfully kind of you, but I don't need a lift. I'm waiting to cross. Logan. I live on the other side.

[Charlie Chan]

Ah, both inferior. Number one son happy to lend assistance.

[Judy Carroll]

You don't have to bother. Someone will be along soon.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

No trouble at all. Catch me missing a chance to walk with a pretty girl. Come on. Life's changed.

[Judy Carroll]

I bet you turn that to all the girls.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Only the pretty ones. What's your name?

[Judy Carroll]

Judy Carroll.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

I'm Lee Chan. My pup's a detective. Charlie Chan. I'm a kind of detective, too.

[Judy Carroll]

That's nothing. I'm a piano tuner.

[Charlie Chan]

No fooling?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Sure proven easy.

[Judy Carroll]

I've got my tuning hammer right in. Oh, bother. I've left it where I was working. I'm worse than a plumber. Always forgetting my tools.

[Charlie Chan]

This is the curb.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Step up, Judy.

[Judy Carroll]

Thanks.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Want me to go back and get that tuning hammer for you?

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, no, thanks, Lee. I'll film them.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Want me to take you to your house?

[Judy Carroll]

Don't bother. It's the second from the corner. 14 steps and five left. I can manage.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Right. See you soon. And if our piano needs tuning, I'll call you.

[Judy Carroll]

Daddy, I'm home.

[Narrator]

Come in. Close the door.

[Judy Carroll]

Daddy, I. All right.

[Narrator]

How'd the job go this morning? Tell me.

[Judy Carroll]

All right. Daddy, the Band Caves have a beautiful piano.

[Narrator]

Why not? I got a million dollars. Tell me about the house, Judy. Everything you remember. How many rooms, how many steps from door to door, where everything is, what it feels like.

[Judy Carroll]

You always ask me that, Daddy.

[Narrator]

You get into such high class houses, Judy. Not me. I've got to hear about them second hand.

[Judy Carroll]

Third hand. Daddy, I don't see them, I just feel them.

[Narrator]

Oh, that's good enough for me. Go ahead.

[Judy Carroll]

Well, three steps up to the front door. They're marble. The front door is oak. Go into the foyer. Two steps to the left there's a closet. Three to the right is a small waiting room. You go straight ahead into the hall. It's 10 steps long. It leaves me.

[Narrator]

Wait a minute, Judy. I just remembered something. Excuse me a minute. Give her here. Bolo. You listen to the girl? Yeah. Got a good memory? The best. Well, make sure you remember everything the girl says. You know, I gotta hand it to you, Bologna. Every cracksman in town's wondering how you've been breaking into joints so long without getting caught. Now, I know it's just too easy when a blind girl gives you the whole layout first. Keep your voice down. She doesn't know. Suppose she just thinks that daddy's just curious about the upper classes, huh? She doesn't know that she helps her daddy make visits at night that make money for him. Yeah. If you'll just listen carefully while the girl's talking, we'll drop in on the Van Caves tonight. All right? It'll be easy, Jipper. As easy as taking pennies from a blind man. I did it, Jimmy. I made a good batch of my trail this afternoon. Sure did help me open the door right out of those old fashioned jobs. It was just as easy as I told you. With every room paste off for us and knowing where everything is in the dark. Yeah. Yeah, it was. Bolo, that girl of yours is worth plenty blind. Yeah, the doctors were around last year trying to talk her into an operation for her eyes. I put a stop to that, though. I don't want to have any eyes back. Don't want to watch it. Or old dad mixing his nitroglycerine in the kitchen, huh? That safe is really loaded. You but big holder. Knife. Here, give me a hand. Right on. Ah, there. Knife. All right. You know, I still don't figure why you cut mean on this deal, Bolo. You don't to need me. You're wrong, Jabba. Oh, the police are too interested in these jobs of mine lately. This is the 13th. Oh, well, wait a minute. Wanna make sure I got everything. Oh, sure, sure, that's right. All right, let's go, Bolo. I'm going, Gipper, not you. What do you mean? That's why I brought you in, Gipper. The law's getting a little toast for my liking. They're beginning to check up on me, so I gotta put them off the scent. I need you for a decoy. So sorry, Jipper, but this is where you get it, pal.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

There's no one here, Pop. The whole house is in darkness. He choose the right one.

[Charlie Chan]

Positive. This person not given to making mistakes.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Well, maybe the phone operator was wrong. What did she say?

[Charlie Chan]

Phone operators say call came from this house, home of wealthy Van Ks. She say, voice very faint. That distinctly said, get Charlie Chan quick. Am dying.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

That's plain enough. What do we do now?

[Charlie Chan]

Break in becomes this person's ignoble task. To enter Van K home with skeleton keys is written. Purpose of visit may pardon discourteous entry into home. Come.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Personally, I think the call was just a dirty trick to keep us from going home to dinner. If you ask me, Pop, I. Ow.

[Charlie Chan]

Careful, please. This person illuminates torch.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Wow. What a house. Looks like a mansion. Hey, Pop, turn your Light in that room a minute. I think I saw.

[Charlie Chan]

I did. Yes.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Pup, Take a look. The safe's been opened.

[Charlie Chan]

And before us is criminal who open same. And then made odd telephone call to police. Announcing crime most unfortunate. Cannot explain actions. Is dead. Attention, please. Father has completed hurried investigation.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Go ahead, Pop. I have something to tell you. I've got a clue.

[Charlie Chan]

Very good. Dead man before us was one of two men who robbed house. Fought with companion and injured. Same note, broken knuckles and wrench in hand. Was stabbed with knife and left for dead. Crawled to telephone and called police.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Anything else, Pop?

[Charlie Chan]

Extremely odd clue. Bruises on neck of dead man are moist with chemical. Most probably nitroglycerine. Same used to open safe escape. Thief and murderer had nitroglycerine on hands.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Right. Not only did he leave nitroglycerine behind, Pop, but one of his tools I found on the piano. Look, it's my clue.

[Charlie Chan]

Ah, excellent. But this not burglar equipment, son. Is just tuning hammer for piano used by piano tuners.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Tuning hammers? Gee, I bet it's Judy Carroll's. The blind girl. You remember her, Pop. What a funny coincidence. If this is the piano she tuned this afternoon.

[Charlie Chan]

Silence got. My dear Pop, this bankrupt brain entertains odd thought. During investigation of recent vagaries, one interesting fact noted.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

What, Pop?

[Charlie Chan]

That prior to each piano in house was tuned.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

You mean the piano tuner learned the layout of the house first? You mean Judy Cowell did that? Oh, no, Pop.

[Charlie Chan]

This person has noted that when coincidences become extremely odd, demand instant investigation.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

But she's blind. How could she?

[Charlie Chan]

Sun recalls locality of home of blind piano tune. Of course. Very good. We'll telephone homicide department to take charge here. And then make instant journey to house of Ms. Carroll. We'll return device for tuning piano and perhaps locate the results of murder. Daddy.

[Narrator]

Get out of here.

[Judy Carroll]

Judy, what's the matter? You came rushing to the house 10 minutes ago and you've been pecking. I heard you.

[Narrator]

I gotta go away for a couple of weeks. Judy.

[Judy Carroll]

Go away.

[Narrator]

But you'll be all right.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Now.

[Narrator]

Get out of the way. I'm in a hurry. I. I gotta get out of here.

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, Daddy. What's the matter? You son.

[Narrator]

Get away from me. Don't touch me. You got enough jobs to take care of you. So long. Judy.

[Judy Carroll]

You're hurt. I felt your head. It's bleeding. What happened?

[Narrator]

I'll be all right. Satisfied? Arguing with a friend, that's all.

[Judy Carroll]

Where? Hi.

[Narrator]

Shut up. You don't know anything, understand? You don't know where I've been. Or where I'm going.

[Judy Carroll]

Daddy, you can't go out like this. You're hurt.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

I will.

[Narrator]

I told you to keep your hands off me.

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, dear Daddy, I wish you.

[Narrator]

Have you got a hat or something for me to wear on my head?

[Judy Carroll]

No, I haven't.

[Narrator]

Never mind. I'll get one at the store on the corner. Gotta hide the side of my head. Now, listen. Someone at the door. You answer it. I'm going out the back way. You've not seen me, remember? You don't know where I am. You don't know nothing. Understand? And if you talk, you just say anything. I swear I'll make you happy. You're blind. I'll make you wish you were dead. Our story will continue in just a few moments. Meanwhile, though, your announcer. And now back to the incomparable Charlie Chan Bolo. Carol, injured in a fight with Dipper, finds it necessary to leave town. We left him threatening his blind daughter Judy into silence. When the doorbell rings and Judy answers.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Yes?

[Judy Carroll]

Who is it, please?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Hi, Judy. It's me.

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, the young Chan.

[Charlie Chan]

And I'm. This thing was fine. Father of Saints. Good evening, Ms. Carol. Have come to return tuning hammer recently forgotten.

[Judy Carroll]

Oh, come in. Were you at the Van K house?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Yes. Listen, Judy.

[Charlie Chan]

Silence. Permit this person to bear ill news. Ms. Carol. Attention. Who resides in huff with you?

[Judy Carroll]

Just my father.

[Charlie Chan]

He.

[Judy Carroll]

He isn't home now. He's gone away. I don't know where.

[Charlie Chan]

Ms. Carroll. So sorry. Your father may be implicated in recent robbery and murder in vicinity of Van K Home.

[Judy Carroll]

Robbery? Murder. Oh, no.

[Charlie Chan]

Your father recently at home, Ms. Carroll? No, sorry. This person perceives lie. Your face shows recent marks of rough hands. Have been struck by unkind father, huh? Or someone else.

[Judy Carroll]

No, that's not true. No one struck me.

[Charlie Chan]

Are stains of blood on fingers. Ms. Carol have recently touched wounded head or father, huh?

[Judy Carroll]

No, I never did.

[Charlie Chan]

Open closet in bedroom behind you proclaim someone hastily packed and left home was father.

[Judy Carroll]

Inspector Chan, please. My head's whirling round it. I've got to sit down right here.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Judy, lay off a pop, will you?

[Charlie Chan]

This most interesting symptom.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

It isn't a symptom at all. Can't you see how sick the poor girl is? You can't blame me.

[Charlie Chan]

Did not refer to son's gallantry. Are pleased with Saint. Refer to Ms. Carol's heading.

[Judy Carroll]

Doctor, please, my head's bursting. I never felt anything like it before. It's horrible.

[Charlie Chan]

We'll send physician instantly. Miss Carroll now must ask one question. Highly urgent. You inform Charlie Chen where Father has gone?

[Judy Carroll]

I. I don't know.

[Charlie Chan]

Very good. My respects to Ms. Peace guided loyalty. Ms. Carol will now telephone for physicians and then depart to find runaway father.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

But how are we going to find him, Pop?

[Charlie Chan]

By trail left by same.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

What trail?

[Charlie Chan]

Trail of headache.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Pop, are you crazy? What's all this about hair? How can a man leave a trail of headaches?

[Charlie Chan]

Exercise vision. Please keep sharp lookout for any person in extremely sick condition. We'll go to corner and begin search from that point.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Is Carol going around hitting people on the head?

[Charlie Chan]

Ah, look inside. Hat store on corner. What do eyes perceive?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Hey, there's a fella double up on the calendar.

[Charlie Chan]

This most fortunate hardly expected. Immediate results from deduction. Will enter store, please. Pardon, please.

[Narrator]

Oh, go. I'm my head splitting. Get me a doctor, will you?

[Charlie Chan]

Pardon. Must intrude on illness. This our Charlie Chan of police. You had recent customer. A man purchased hat possibly to conceal wound on head.

[Narrator]

Yes, that's right. About 10 minutes ago.

[Charlie Chan]

In which direction did Nan proceed after leaving store?

[Narrator]

Down Logan Avenue.

[Charlie Chan]

Very good.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

How in places did you know?

[Charlie Chan]

Are too many urgent tasks before father to employ time and explanations. Must telephone for physician, then board car and continue search down Logan Avenue.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Do we look for more headaches?

[Charlie Chan]

May be fortunate enough to locate same. When we reach end of headache trail, we'll find criminal. It is written youth can see 10 years beyond old age urgent. That miserable son justify position as assistant to father.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

All right, Pop. I'll look out for the sick people. But just answer me one thing.

[Charlie Chan]

Proceed.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

How does Carol hand out headaches?

[Charlie Chan]

With hands.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

With hands.

[Charlie Chan]

But please. Ambulance on left side of avenue. This may be additional clue to whereabouts of Mr. Carol. Will question patient. Come. Pardon, please, sir. May proceed to patient.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

One side, please. One side, please. This is Inspector Chelly Chandler, police. Aside, please.

[Charlie Chan]

Aside, please. If intern will forgive in trouble. Desire to ask patients several questions. Thank you. You have had headache? Never felt anything like it before.

[Narrator]

I fainted right here in the street with a pain.

[Charlie Chan]

What happened to a man in new hat, please?

[Narrator]

How do you know about him?

[Charlie Chan]

We'll explain later. What happened, please? I don't know.

[Mr. Bryant]

He was carrying a bag and he was rather sick.

[Narrator]

Offered me a dollar if I'd carry his bag to the blue check cab stand.

[Charlie Chan]

Very good. You perform tasks, receive payment with spitting headache as bonus. Huh?

[Mr. Bryant]

That's just what happened, Inspector.

[Charlie Chan]

A man in new hat took cab. Yes, the driver helped him. Did keen ears note address given? No.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Seemed like a D that end, Pop. We almost had him.

[Charlie Chan]

I'm not yet defeated. Instant journey to traffic office of blue check cab may reveal further clues. Come.

[Narrator]

Inspector Tiana. I've heard a lot about how smart you are. But I don't see how you can be as smart as this. Our driver just checked in two minutes ago. He said he had such a blinding headache he couldn't work anymore.

[Charlie Chan]

Excellent. But how on earth did you know he would. Insufficient time. Kindly examine trip sheet of sick driver and inform self of last fare. Got it?

[Narrator]

Right here, Inspector.

[Charlie Chan]

Obtain fare at regular cap stand on Locan Avenue. Drove same to Bayside.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

He's going to catch a boat.

[Charlie Chan]

Where in Bayside, please?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Private Wharf, number 27.

[Charlie Chan]

Many thanks. Come some quickly.

[Narrator]

Could you at least tell me who you're after, Inspector?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

We're after a man who hands out headaches. Do you think Carol stood at the wharf part?

[Charlie Chan]

Perhaps have followed him with utmost acceleration.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Hey, it's really private. It's all enclosed.

[Charlie Chan]

This person recalls wharf used by bootleggers during regrettable days of prohibition crimes. Door at this side.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

If Carol's inside, we may be walking right into a trap.

[Charlie Chan]

Silence.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Hey, pup.

[Charlie Chan]

There's a launch ahead.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

I think someone's in. It looks as if he's pouring gasoline into the tank.

[Charlie Chan]

Yes, possibly. Mr. Carroll preparing to leave city. Come, Mr. Carroll.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

This is the police. Carol, why you.

[Narrator]

Don't move another step.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Come on, Pop. He hasn't got a gun.

[Narrator]

I'm better than that. See this jar?

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Gasoline is not a. Stop us, Carol. Yes, yes.

[Narrator]

That's all you know. It's nitro. Nitro Glittering.

[Charlie Chan]

Ah, explosive used to smash Van Kay safe, huh?

[Narrator]

That's right. All I have to do is throw it. Just smash a little at your feet and it'll all be over. Listen to me. I'm running this launch out of here. And don't you try to stop me. Not if you want to stay in one piece.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Papi's gotta stop. We can.

[Narrator]

Don't go reaching in your pocket. Chant you don't bluff me. I know you don't carry guns.

[Charlie Chan]

This person merely procures. Match to illuminate scene Mr. Carob and see if nitroglycerine is bluff.

[Narrator]

It's no blood.

[Charlie Chan]

Hey, stop it.

[Judy Carroll]

Pop.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

Pop. Don't forget that. Make you the nitro pup that will all be burned.

[Judy Carroll]

Gosh, the whole boat's burning.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

But why did my microphone explode?

[Charlie Chan]

I thought necessary to rescue Mr. Carroll from flames at once. Before gasoline ignites and explodes. Unfortunate man's hands are burning. Will explain ironic justice of fame at conclusion of case.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

All right, all right. Now tell me, why didn't the nitro explode when you dropped the matches?

[Charlie Chan]

Number one sun under delusion that nitroglycerine explodes from contact with fire. Does not merely burns like kerosene. Can only be exploded by intense shock or concussion.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

I see. Mm. Now, what about that trailer headaches that Carol left behind? How did he do that?

[Charlie Chan]

Did so because hands had been moistened with nitroglycerin.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

I remember he left it on Gipper's neck.

[Charlie Chan]

Nitroglycerine, highly potent poison. Instantly absorbed through skin producing intense headache and shock. Are so strong can be passed merely by touch of hand.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

You may then that every time Carol touched the somebody, they got nitro on their skin. Enough to give them headaches.

[Charlie Chan]

Precisely. Same accounts for headaches of daughter as shop assistant, porter and taxi driver. Mr. Carroll did not suffer effects because had built up resistance to saints.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

You mean by manufacturing it all the time? Golly. He certainly had a pair of telltale hands. They let us straight to him.

[Charlie Chan]

And with finish of Mr. Carroll must now continue case of daughter. Police records reveal possibility of cure for blindness of shame always thwarted by father.

[Lee Chan (Number One Son)]

What a type he was.

[Charlie Chan]

Perhaps, but same cannot be true of daughter who may some day balance father's evil with goodness and beauty. Truly, it is written, blackest earth always produceth fairest rolls. Before this person has further words with you, here is an answer with words of wisdom before saying good night, just Charlie Chan commends to you words of ancient wisdom. There could be no better surplus in the world than that of gratitude. Good night. Thank you.

[Narrator]

Be sure to join us next week at this same time for the Adventures of Charlie Chan, based on the famous character created by Earl Der Biggers. This is the Grace Gibson Radio production produced by Res Johnston.

[Indeed Announcer]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, a really rotten villain who faced a rough fate at the Hands of Charlie Chan. Odd words to say, but it's what's happened. It's an interesting mystery and solution that as far as I can tell, does hold up some scientifically, although there might be some details that are lost on me as a layman just kind of looking up information. So anyone out there who has an issue with the solution, feel free to email. Lynn but this is a bit more of a puzzle mystery with a little bit of a science clue, which is not necessarily what we're used to with Charlie Chan. Now let's talk about our leads. William Rhys plays Chan Rhys was an interesting choice to play Chan as he really didn't do much radio work outside of this role. As far as I can tell. He was a well known stage actor in Australia who went to the states in 1937, spent nearly a decade working on the Hollywood stage both as a writer and as a director, and then he came back to Australia and became a producer and still did some acting. His tan is a bit different and it may take some getting used to. Ronald Jacobs, who plays the Number One Son, had been a child actor appearing in the Australian comedy movie Mr. Chetworth Steps out and he did a lot of work in Australian radio. He did, you know, some work on radio as a child, but he also did some talent presentation work for one station when he was 16. But he remained pretty active throughout the 30s, appearing in a lot of Australian radio programs, including the Australian version of Pepper Young's Family and also the Clock. And then Australian radio drama began its decline in the 50s and from there we don't really have any good information as to what happened to him. Well, now we do turn to listener comments and feedback and we have an email from Jason who writes, Last Tuesday I heard the first part of the summer replacement Charlie Chan series in the Presence of Number One Son took me out of the episode almost immediately. I guess he went to work right after graduating from the University of Hawaii, as was mentioned in the first series. Keep up the good work on the podcast. I enjoy listening it to every day in the main. Well, thanks so much Jason. I would say that I would not expect there to be a lot of continuity between the two series. The decision made on the the Ed Begley series and I think carried forward here is that Charlie Chan as they conceive him, works best with Number One Son around for comic relief and as a sidekick and they are using that character and not really bound by whatever was said on the Walter Connolly series. Not at all. Well, now it's time to thank Our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Deanna, patreon supporter since December 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Deanna. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the show wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Tuesday, another episode of Charlie Chan, but join us back here tomorrow for Broadway's my beat.

[Mr. Bryant]

Where Mr. Clover. Come in. You know all about me, don't you? Not a thing.

[Narrator]

Who are you?

[Mr. Bryant]

What do you mean, not a thing? I'm Mr. Bryant. And who you know about me? About my wife? Why do you think I was in here yesterday, tell you people a bunch of lies? You talked to someone else? I didn't know thing about you. My wife, she didn't come home. She hasn't come home. Mr. Clover, I see you reported a day ago. Yes. Clara went out the other evening. I waited for her. Billy's been waiting. Billy? Three and a half going on four. The second one. Really? Our first child didn't even get born. See? Why did you come to see me, Ms. Bryant? The man in the other office told me, please find. Please find Clara, Mr. Clover. She's gotta come home, Mr. Clover. Because the man in the other office said to show you the letter. Here. Open it and read it. As you see, the man who wrote the letter says he knows where my wife is. He says his name is Shorty Dunn. And he says, come to the Apollo Hotel. What does that mean? And bring money. That's strange. It says come to the Apollo Hotel, but it's written on Mission House stationery. And bring money. That's why I came to the police again. Although I am worried about my wife, I have my head about me, you, the police. You'll find a Clara and she'll come home to us. Then you fellas are good. Find her. Find her, find her, find her.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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