Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar (Encore) (EP4951)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar (Encore) (EP4951)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: April 13, 2026

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Episode Overview

This dramatic episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio features an encore presentation of "Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar," an electrifying radio mystery originally broadcast in 1950. Hosted by Adam Graham as a special part of Barton Yarborough Week, the episode not only showcases Yarborough’s versatile radio talent but also delivers a suspenseful tale created by Erle Stanley Gardner and brought to life by Glenn Ford as Christopher London. The story intertwines a corporate investigation with a chilling secret lurking beneath the tropical veneer of sugar plantations in the Philippines, weaving together themes of murder, exploitation, and the enduring fight for freedom.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Introduction and Barton Yarborough Week

• [01:37–03:17] Adam Graham introduces Barton Yarborough Week, explaining his intent to highlight Yarborough’s significant, though often underappreciated, roles in radio.
  • Quote: “Every encore from Monday through Friday features Barton Yarborough in a different role...we'll get a little bit of a sample of his acting talent...” (01:49)

2. Episode Setup: Christopher Receives an Unusual Assignment

• [05:21–06:46] Christopher London is approached by Mr. Anders, head of a sugar company, to investigate not a murder, but how a rival company, Southern Cross, is undercutting prices.
• [06:50–07:51] Anders’ niece, Linda, is introduced, setting the stage for a voyage to Manila.
  • Quote:
    • Christopher: “You want me to find out how a company named Southern Cross is able to go on underselling your product, and that's all.” (07:36)

3. Murder, Mystery, and Shipboard Intrigue

• [07:54–11:06] On the cruise ship, Christopher, Linda, and Jim Blake (an ostentatious Texan investor) interact, and Linda entrusts Christopher with a mysterious jewel case.
• [11:18–12:59] Suspicious notes are left for Christopher. He investigates the jewel case with the ship's doctor, confirming nothing dangerous is inside.
• [12:03–13:54] Linda tests Christopher’s cleverness, revealing the box was a ruse to assess his suitability for the assignment.
  • Quote:
    • Linda: “It was just a sort of a trial. My uncle and I wanted to be sure you were clever enough for this job. And you are clever, Christopher, really clever.” (13:54)

4. Foreshadowing and a Shocking Death

• [15:00–16:23] Mysterious threats continue. In foggy conditions, Linda’s maid, Maria, is mistakenly killed—her body thrown overboard, an incident intended for Linda.

5. Arrival in the Philippines and Unveiling Corporate Secrets

• [20:05–21:54] London, Linda, and Blake proceed to the Southern Cross plantation on Negros island, under the wary eye of Juan Ibarra, the director.
• [22:10–22:52] Christopher notices and is disturbed by the brutal whipping of a worker—an early hint at a deeper evil.
  • Quote:
    • Christopher: “They're whipping that poor devil to death...Nobody could deserve punishment like that.” (22:19)

6. The Dark Reality: Forced Labor Revealed

• [26:25–27:00] Christopher sneaks to a restricted area and finds a concentration camp—proof that the Southern Cross’s cheap sugar comes from modern slavery.
  • Quote:
    • Christopher: “Forced labor. Slavery. I returned to the house and cautiously opened the door.” (27:00)

7. The Confrontation and Shocking Betrayal

• [27:11–29:08] In a tense scene, Blake drops his Texan facade, revealing his manipulation. Linda and Ibarra are complicit in the crimes and murders.
  • Quote:
    • Jim Blake: “With that twang, you can talk to anybody and get away with practically anything.” (27:49)
    • Linda: “I had to [kill Maria]. She caught Jenny together and guessed how it was.” (28:47)
    • Christopher: “You know, Linda, for a nice girl, you're something out of a nightmare.” (28:54)

8. Climax and Escape

• [29:08–30:28] A thunderstrike triggers chaos. Christopher physically confronts Blake, escapes with a broken arm, and rescues the enslaved workers by forcibly opening the gates.

9. Reflection and Societal Message

• [30:28–31:03] Aftermath: Both Blake and Linda perish in the revolt. Christopher contemplates the uncomfortable persistence of slavery in the world.
  • Quote:
    • Christopher: “Slavery sounds impossible, too. Have you any idea how much actual slavery still exists in the world today? It's not a comforting thought, but one we can't afford not to think about. Freedom is still something to fight for.” (31:00–31:03)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm Jim Blake from Texas, a Lone Star state. And where I go, I buy the drinks.” (09:37)
• “Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and you'll be a long time dead.” (15:00)
• “I stood on deck in the swirling fog, holding Linda's coat in my hands and feeling sick at heart.” (16:46)
• “There's no hurry. Anything else you want to know?” — Jim Blake, after revealing his true self (28:22)
• “You know, Linda, for a nice girl, you're something out of a nightmare.” — Christopher London (28:57)
• “Freedom is still something to fight for.” — Christopher London (31:03)

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Host Commentary

• [33:25] Adam Graham praises the episode’s drama and timeless relevance:
  • “This is, this is actually one of my favorite ever of any program. This was well done, dramatic with a lot of surprises and twists and turns and I loved it as much the second time as I did the first time.”
  • “This timeless battle for freedom…”

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:37 | Introduction to Barton Yarborough Week | | 05:21 | Beginning of the Christopher London dramatization | | 07:00 | Linda Anders and the voyage to Manila | | 11:18 | The mysterious jewel case and threats | | 13:54 | Linda's test of Christopher | | 15:00 | Sinister warning message | | 16:23 | Maria’s murder discovered | | 22:19 | Whipping incident hints at deeper exploitation | | 26:38 | Discovery of the hidden concentration camp | | 27:49 | Blake drops his Texan accent/betrayal revealed | | 28:54 | Linda confesses to killing her own maid, Maria | | 29:08 | Violent escape and the revolt on the plantation | | 31:03 | Closing reflection on the theme of slavery and freedom | | 33:25 | Adam Graham’s post-show commentary |

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Tone & Style

The episode blends classic radio drama suspense with a noir sensibility: witty detective banter, sinister undertones, and moments of existential reflection on good, evil, and the fight for justice. The host’s commentary is both enthusiastic and reverent, emphasizing the enduring impact of stories that challenge social complacency.

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Final Thoughts

Christopher London: The Terrible Price of Sugar stands out for its ambitious plot—melding a whodunit, corporate intrigue, romance, and a hard-hitting social message about exploitation and the undiminished relevance of fighting for freedom. Through memorable characters and escalating tension, the episode delivers both entertainment and a call to conscience—echoing for modern audiences just as it did in radio’s golden age. Host Adam Graham’s passion for old time radio and the legacy of Barton Yarborough frame the episode as both a tribute and a reminder of radio mystery’s lasting cultural power.

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Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

From Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham, and welcome to Barton Yarborough Week. This particular series was inspired by people who were curious about Barton Yarborough after the first final episodes of Dragnet featuring him prior to his death in late 1951, there was some curiosity about his work, while his most culturally significant performances in One Man's Family and I Love a Mystery have been, sadly, mostly lost. Yarborough was also a radio character actor who played so many characters in so many different types of persons programs, including many detective programs, and that's what we're featuring here. Every encore from Monday through Friday features Barton Yarborough in a different role, whether it is as a supporting character, a sidekick, or the villain. We'll get a little bit of a sample of his acting talent and then the whole week culminates over on the Great Adventures of Old Time Radio which where we feature a Barton Yarborough heavy episode of the Amazing World of Radio. As always, please note that all of these episodes are quite old, so any offers or information contained in the episodes may not be valid unless they're currently on our Great Detectives of Old Time Radio website. But now, welcome to Barton Yarborough Week.

[Adam Graham (Host Commentary)]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. If you have a comment, email it to me. Box [e-mail] Give us a call 208-991-4783 and become one of our friends over on Facebook facebook.com RadioDetectives well, before we do get started, I want to encourage you, if you can, to support our listener support campaign. Special thanks to Joel who gave in support of the show for sending access to our premium site and also one of the extras available, which include digital downloads of the Colonial Radio Theater's programs including Father Brown, Perry Mason, Treasure Island. Just a wide variety of different shows we are making available for you to enjoy at the $50 donation level we send. One option that's available is additional downloads from BBC Audio, including several Poirot Mysteries available and we also have Amazon Instant Video that will be sent. You can watch it on an eligible device or on your computer through Amazon Instant Video. Your choice of several Poirot Television movies starring David Suchet, including Appointment with Death, the Third Girl and Murder on the links. And we have even more Options available at support.greatdetectives.net well, we have two lost episodes between last week's show and this one. The titles are unknown and the title of this week's episode is a very different episode, I think. I hope you're going to enjoy it. From February 26th of 1950, here now is episode 6 of Christopher the Terrible

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Price of Sugar with a knife in his back. A nameless Filipino in San Francisco with

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

a bullet in her body.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

A girl in Mid Pacific. But there were others. There were so many others. 8,000 of them on an island in the Philippines.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The National Broadcasting Company presents Christopher London. Created especially for radio by the world's foremost mystery writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. Produced and directed by William N. Robeson and starring Mr. Glenn Ford.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I am Christopher London. The whole thing started with a vague conversation about the murder of an unknown Filipino. Mr. Anders, president of the San Francisco Sugar Company, either could not or would not say what, if anything, he suspected.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I'm sorry, Mr. London, I can't tell

[Narrator/Announcer]

you what I think because I don't

[Narrator/Christopher London]

know what I think.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I get the impression that it's not the murder that worries you.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Why should it? I never saw the man. No idea who he was or why he tried to get to me. A knife in his back. The doctors wonder how he ever made it to my door.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

A knife in his back with your name and address in his pocket and his body terribly scarred as if he'd

[Narrator/Christopher London]

been beaten for years. Yes, it's all very mysterious, but the police are investigating I suppose they'll learn the truth in time. That's not what I wanted to see you about.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

What else then?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

The price of sugar. The price of sugar. Exactly. Now, this is all I can tell you.

[Linda Anders]

Uncle Ted, I wonder.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, come in there. Oh, this is Christopher London. I niece, Linda.

[Linda Anders]

I've heard about you, Mr. London.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Now, whatever you've heard, I deny every word of it.

[Linda Anders]

Is Mr. London sailing with me, Uncle

[Narrator/Christopher London]

T. Maybe on the same ship would be a better way to put it. Yes, my dear. I want him to go to Manila.

[Linda Anders]

Oh, then you better go, Mr. London, whether you want to or not. You're as good as a board ship already.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Well, I'd better get ashore, Mr. London.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

There's still a few minutes.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yeah, I suppose. How do you like the stateroom?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, it's very elegant.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Good. Now, is there anything else you want to know?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

You want me to find out how a company named Southern Cross is able to go on underselling your product, and that's all.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

That's all. Frankly, Mr.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Frankly, Mr. Anders, I don't get the

[Narrator/Christopher London]

reason for all this outlay of money this state rooms. Don't you? Maybe it's because if you don't come back, I'd like to think you died at luxury. Let's go in the show. Well, London will be waiting for me at the gangway. Keep an eye on her, will you? And look out for yourself, too. The ship was beautiful.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

The night was dark and the sea was calm. Hawaii was a long way beyond the horizon, and Manila and the Philippines still farther. The girl beside me at the rail was very, very lovely. She sighed rather happily and said.

[Linda Anders]

My uncle said you'd probably ask me a love question.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Did he, Ms. Anders?

[Linda Anders]

Won't Linda do?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Linda. Christopher, now that we've got that settled, let's get back to the questions your

[Narrator/Christopher London]

uncle said I would ask. Did he say what they'd be?

[Linda Anders]

Not exactly.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, did he say what your answers would be?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Not exactly.

[Linda Anders]

Shall we walk around the deck?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

We walked once around the deck, and then we went into the cocktail lounge and had a coffee and brandy at a little table in a quiet corner.

[Linda Anders]

You know, Christopher, I think this is going to be a good voyage.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I hope it is. Have you ever been out to Manila before?

[Jim Blake]

No.

[Linda Anders]

Lots of times. I've gone with my uncle every time he went. Ever since I can remember. I. My parents died when I was a baby, if that explains anything.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

It does a little.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I suppose you know a lot about

[Narrator/Christopher London]

your uncle's business, then.

[Linda Anders]

That's one of the questions he said you'd ask me.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

And the answer.

[Linda Anders]

The answer is yes. I think I know as much about his business as he does.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

You're a very interesting girl, Linda.

[Linda Anders]

You know, that's what I always say. I always say, linda, you're a very interesting girl. Oh, don't look now. There's a man coming.

[Jim Blake]

You don't know me and I don't know you. But that ain't no reason why we can't yell at each other over the fence, now, is it? I'm Jim Blake from Texas, a Lone Star state. And where I go, I buy the drinks. Waiter.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Coming soon.

[Linda Anders]

Won't you sit down, Mr. Blake?

[Jim Blake]

I am sitting, ma'.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Am.

[Jim Blake]

My name's Blake.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Yes, that's what I thought you said. One of the New Jersey Blakes, no doubt.

[Jim Blake]

Now, you know, that is real funny.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Jim Blake]

People's always joking me about Texas. What'd you say your name was?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I didn't say. However, it's London.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Christopher London.

[Jim Blake]

Well, I'm mighty glad to know you, Chris. What'll you and Mrs. London have.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

15 or 20 years later? Linda and I pride ourselves out of

[Narrator/Christopher London]

the heart of Texas.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

She said she was tired, so I took her to her stateroom door. Good night, Linda.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Sleep well.

[Linda Anders]

Oh, come in for a minute.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

What? All right, just for a minute.

[Linda Anders]

There's something I want to give you. Sit down while I find it. Maria. Not finished yet? No, ma', am, but pretty.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Linda's personal maid, a pretty girl from the islands, was still unpacking trunks. In a moment, Linda returned with a small decorated jewel case in her hand.

[Linda Anders]

Here it is, Christopher. Keep it for me, will you?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, now, look, if this is jewelry, you'd better give it to the purser.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Keep it safe.

[Linda Anders]

It's not jewelry.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, and do you mind if I

[Narrator/Christopher London]

ask just what it.

[Linda Anders]

Well, it's nothing. It's just that I'd rather you kept it.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

All right.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Good night, Linda.

[Linda Anders]

Until tomorrow, Christopher.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I took the jewel case back to my stateroom and found that somebody had shoved a note under my door. It read, take off that beard.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

We know you. The writer had a sense of humor.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

But in my experience, the most dangerous enemies are those that laugh. I took a closer look at the little jewel case. It had one of those intricate Chinese locks that are easy to break, but not easy to open without the proper key. I put the box in a pillowcase and carried it to the office of the ship's doctor.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Now, what can I do for you, Mr. London?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Your laboratory is equipped with X ray I suppose, Doctor.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yes, of course.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, I know this sounds a little strange, but I wonder if you'd take

[Narrator/Christopher London]

a picture of this box here just as it is.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

It was exactly what I expected. I carried the box back to my stateroom, shoved it under the bunk and went to bed. I don't know how long I'd been

[Narrator/Christopher London]

asleep when suddenly there was a knock on the door.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I was out of bed like a shot. Just a second.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yes, please.

[Linda Anders]

I'm just asking if you will come at once.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

What?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, yes, yes, all right.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I'll be there in a minute. Put on a pair of pants and shirt, hurried into the corridor and collided with.

[Jim Blake]

Where you're going, can't you? Oh, why, Howdy, London.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Sorry.

[Jim Blake]

Hurry.

[Linda Anders]

Come in, Christopher.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

What's the matter?

[Linda Anders]

Well, nothing's the matter. I just couldn't sleep and I was lonely.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, no. Look, look, do you realize it's 2:00am

[Linda Anders]

well, of course, if you'd rather go back to bed.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

All right, all right.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

What do you want to do?

[Linda Anders]

Would you like to play some gin rummy?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

No, I wouldn't like to play some gin rummy.

[Linda Anders]

Well, men love to talk about themselves. Let's talk about you.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Okay. Get the cards.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

We played a few hands in silence.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

And then Linda asked Christopher.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

What?

[Linda Anders]

What did you think of Mr. Blake, the lone Star stranger?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

You ever been in Texas?

[Linda Anders]

No. Why?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I wonder if he has.

[Linda Anders]

You mean, you think.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, forget it.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I've got gin.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

And now if you think that I've been away from my cabin long enough, I'm going back.

[Linda Anders]

Away from your cabin long enough? I don't understand.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, I just wondered if that precious jewel box of yours would still be there.

[Linda Anders]

Christopher, you don't think somebody's taken it?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Would it make any difference?

[Linda Anders]

You opened it. But you had to break the lock off, didn't you?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Why? What are you talking about?

[Linda Anders]

Because the lock was filled with solder. It couldn't be opened.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, I didn't open the case, Linda.

[Linda Anders]

Then why are you so casual about it?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Because it was filled to the top with just what you said was in it.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Nothing but.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

No, I'll save you the trouble of asking. I had the thing X rayed.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, yes, you can say that again.

[Linda Anders]

Oh, forgive me, Christopher. It was just a sort of a trial. My uncle and I wanted to be sure you were clever enough for this job. And you are clever, Christopher, really clever. You're the only man I ever met who's smarter than I. Christopher, would you consider kissing me good night?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yeah, I'll consider it.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

When I finally got back to my stateroom. The jewel case was no longer under

[Narrator/Christopher London]

the bed where I'd put it.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

But I think that as I went to sleep again, I may have had

[Narrator/Christopher London]

a smile on my face.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

The days that followed were filled with shuffleboard, and the nights were filled with dancing. Jim Blake, the Texas steer, was usually close by, but in time. Well, in time he got used to him. As you would a bad head cold. Every night when I turned in, I could expect to find another humorous little message tucked under my door, such as, roses are red, violets are blue, sugar

[Narrator/Christopher London]

is sweet, and you'll be a long time dead.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Meanwhile, in odd moments with Linda, I managed to get a little more information about sugar growing and refining. One moonlit night when we were together on the boat deck.

[Linda Anders]

Isn't it magic, darling? Isn't it simply magic? Christopher, I'm talking to you.

[Jim Blake]

What?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry.

[Linda Anders]

What are you thinking about?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, sugar, I guess.

[Jim Blake]

Oh.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Now, you say this Southern Cross company is selling sugar at a price that

[Narrator/Christopher London]

is actually below your cost?

[Linda Anders]

That's right.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, are your costs higher than they should be?

[Linda Anders]

They're as low as any in the industry, and I don't want to talk about it now, darling.

[Jim Blake]

Oh.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Perhaps they may have developed some new and better method of refining.

[Linda Anders]

Possibly. That's what you're supposed to find out. Christopher, I'm cold.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

A few days after leaving Honolulu, on the way to Manila, we entered a bank of thick fog, like a damp, clinging shroud. And it was in the fog that tragedy struck suddenly and without warning. I was standing at the rail near the stern, looking out at nothing, listening to the foghorn and the beat of the ship's engines. When I couldn't see a thing, I ran in the direction of the sound. Groping through the fog, I found. I found a white coat flapping emptily, caught in a boat davit.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

It was Linda's coat.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are listening to Christopher London, starring Glenn Ford.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

It was an apparently harmless mission that Anders had asked me to undertake simply to find out how it was possible for a rival sugar refining company to undersell his product. Mr. Anders had warned me that the job might be dangerous, and so it was. I stood on deck in the swirling fog, holding Linda's coat in my hands and feeling sick at heart. The liner's searchlights were vainly glaring through the mist, but it was useless, and everybody knew it. I started for the radio room to send a message to Anders when a vague figure moved behind me.

[Linda Anders]

Christopher. Who was it?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Linda.

[Linda Anders]

What's the matter? And what are you doing with my coat? I told Maria to wear it when I sent her to look for you. And then. Christopher. Was it Maria?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I'm afraid so.

[Linda Anders]

Oh, poor Maria.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

An hour or so later, I found Texas Jim Blake in the bar.

[Jim Blake]

Well, howdy, London. Double scotch and soda for my friend here.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Very good, sir.

[Jim Blake]

That was right nasty business about Ms.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Anders maid, wasn't it?

[Jim Blake]

Understand? You think you heard a shot?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I. I heard a shot.

[Jim Blake]

Real on me. Who do you think would have wanted to kill that poor girl If I was in charge of this boat? I'd look for a gun that had been fired lately.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Well, I doubt if you'd find it at the bottom of the ocean.

[Jim Blake]

You think you'd throw it overboard?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Wouldn't you?

[Jim Blake]

Well, now, I suppose I would. That reminds me of a story I heard about a cowpoke back in Texas. Seems to even Mr. Blake, do you

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

ever get tired of that accent?

[Jim Blake]

How's that?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

What?

[Jim Blake]

I just talk the way folks talk in Texas. This ain't no accent, son. That's Texas talk.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yeah, okay, okay.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, by the way, were you in Dallas or Galveston when Maria was shot and pitched over the side?

[Jim Blake]

London, let me ask you a simple question. Why do you care where I was

[Narrator/Christopher London]

at when that shot was fired?

[Jim Blake]

You think I killed her?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Did you?

[Jim Blake]

In Texas?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yes, yes, I know in Texas they

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

shoot men for less than that.

[Jim Blake]

You're joking me again, London. You know, London, I've been thinking. Now, naturally I know Ms. Lennon. Her uncle is interested in the sugar business in the Philippines. And just as it happens, I got an interest in sugar myself. I'm from Stockton. A company named the Southern Cross. You ever hear of it?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Southern Cross sugar. Yeah, sure, I've heard of it. They got a plantation of something like 50 square miles on the island of Negroes, haven't they?

[Jim Blake]

Yeah, fair 50 square miles of sugar cane. That's what they tell us poor stockholders. But I'm from Texas, and I don't believe nothing that I don't see. Folks that run this indig say we can sell more sugar and cheaper than any other company in the world. Well, I got money in this proposition, Chris. Good Texas money. And I'm gonna see for myself. You and Ms. Linda wouldn't want to come along, would you? Sort of look over plantation with me?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Why, Mr. Blake, I just bet Ms. Linda and I would be charmed to look over the Southern Cross plantation with you.

[Jim Blake]

Oh, you always joking me, London. But I mean that invitation seriously.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

And I mean it Seriously.

[Jim Blake]

Well, Lynn, that is just wonderful. Tomorrow we'll be in Manila. I got me a boat waiting for me. And they tell me the trip to Negroes just ain't nothing. Have another drink.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

A little later, I went down to Linda's stateroom to escort her to dinner.

[Linda Anders]

All right, Christopher, I'm ready.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Linda, I've been talking to Jim Blake.

[Linda Anders]

Oh, the Texas steer?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

He's not funny. I think he's a killer. Yes.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I think he tried to kill you

[Narrator/Christopher London]

and got Maria instead.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Now he wants you and me to visit the Southern Cross plantation.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Says he has Texas money in it.

[Linda Anders]

But why, Christopher? I don't understand. Why would he?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Either a trap or a showcase. I don't know.

[Linda Anders]

Well, I still don't understand.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Neither do I. Whatever it is, though, you're going to stay in Manila while I take a look at it. There's no point in us both taking a chance. I left Linda in Manila at the local office of her uncle's company. Blake and I went on together to the island of Negros and the huge Southern Cross plantation. It rained constantly, and the growl of distant thunder was almost continuous. The director of the plantation was a suave, expressionless fellow named Juan Ibarra, who used words as if he were translating from another language.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Coming from the south, he's Paduela Senoris, buried by the storm.

[Jim Blake]

If you haven't been in the Texas storm, you don't know what a storm is really like. What time is it, Chris?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

It's about 4.

[Jim Blake]

Well, now, let me see. We've done pretty well for one day's inspection. We've gone through the refinery from top

[Narrator/Christopher London]

to bottom, saw the loading dock, drove through one of the fields of sugar cane.

[Jim Blake]

Well, what do you say we'd go back to house and have us drink?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I could use one. Blake, While we drove back to the director's house, I asked a few innocent questions. Ibarra, tell me, how many men does it take to do the work in

[Narrator/Christopher London]

a place this size?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

It takes seven, 8,000, maybe.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Seven?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Oh, that's a lot of men.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Where do you keep them?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Where do I keep them?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yes.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I mean, where do they live? See, on the plantation here they live. I know that.

[Jim Blake]

Hey, Chris, I've been thinking about that refinement. Are you much of an engineer?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Enough to understand the simple process as refining sugar? It seemed like a good plant. As you say, Senor London, the plant is good.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

But it is just the same. Like many others. No difference. Yes. Yes, I suppose so.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I was asking about the workers on the place.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

What's that? No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wait a minute.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Stop the car.

[Linda Anders]

Look.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I said stop the car.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

No.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Senior London, it is not to be wise to interfere. They're whipping that poor devil to death.

[Jim Blake]

Maybe he deserves it. Hi, Bar.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Nobody could deserve punishment like that. It is the only thing the bad ones understand, senor. And the subject was dropped just like that. Few moments later, Ibarra led Blake and me out in front of the plantation house and drove the Jeep away to the garage. For a moment we stood together in the rain.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

He seemed a little subdued.

[Jim Blake]

Too bad about what we seen back there. I guess they ain't real human nor. They're more like animals.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Would you beat a horse or a

[Jim Blake]

dog to death as a stockholder in this here plantation? I'm gonna talk to you, Bar, about that. You coming in?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

No, no. You go on ahead.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I'll be right with you.

[Jim Blake]

Okay. I sure am sulking.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Rain.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Ain't nothing like Texas rain, though there

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

was something ominous about the place. Not just the steady rain or the thunder grumbling in the distance. Not just the cruelty I had glimpsed

[Narrator/Christopher London]

in the sudden jungle. Now it was something more.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

It was something worse than I was

[Narrator/Christopher London]

willing to let myself believe.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

As I entered the house, I saw that the living room was dark and apparently deserted. But there was a log blazing in the fireplace. So, feeling damp and cold, I went

[Narrator/Christopher London]

and held my hands to its warmth.

[Linda Anders]

Senor London?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

What?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Well, hello.

[Linda Anders]

I am Dolores, Senor London.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Hello, Dolores.

[Linda Anders]

I was told you like scotch and soda.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Yes.

[Linda Anders]

I have a drink all ready for you here by the fire. You drink for me too?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Well, you or somebody seems to think of everything. No, thanks. You're Mrs. Ibarra, I suppose?

[Linda Anders]

No, senor. I am just Dolores.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh.

[Linda Anders]

Is your drink as you would have

[Narrator/Christopher London]

it is Just right, Dolores, senor? Yes, Dolores.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Just right.

[Linda Anders]

Hi. How can I say? I had expected you to be the same like other friends of the Cakey Bar. But you are different. So we are different.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Save it. I suppose you were told to get me to talk another time. It might be kind of pleasant to play that game. But not tonight. There's something I want to ask you, even though I don't expect an answer. If I asked you to come away with me, away from this plantation, right now, tonight, would they let us go? I.

[Linda Anders]

I do not know.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

That's the answer I expected. I'm gonna change it to some dry clothes. How long she'd been standing there in the doorway, I don't know.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I hadn't heard a sound. But as I turned away from Dolores. And started to my room.

[Linda Anders]

Hello, Christopher.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Linda. I told you not to come.

[Linda Anders]

Aren't you glad to see me?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Now, Linda, I wasn't hired to be your companion or your bodyguard.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Now I was hired to make one single investigation.

[Linda Anders]

Yes? How's the investigation going this time?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Your uncle wants to know how Southern

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Cross is able to undersell him.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I think I'm beginning to understand, Christopher.

[Linda Anders]

I got a wire in Manila for my uncle. He's making some kind of a deal. He wants you to drop the whole thing.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

And that was that. I was just to drop the whole thing. But the whole thing was something I couldn't drop. Too much blood had been shed. Late that night, when the others were

[Narrator/Christopher London]

asleep, I stole out of the house.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

The center of the storm had veered around to the east. And seemed somewhat nearer by the flashes of lightning. I found the road I was looking for. The road Ibarra had avoided during our tour of inspection. The path wound through the jungle for perhaps a quarter of a mile and

[Narrator/Christopher London]

then came to what was unmistakably a concentration camp.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

The miserable collection of shelters was completely surrounded by a high stockade of steel and barbed wire. The single gate was guarded by a sentry with a tommy gun. One look was enough.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Now I knew the secret of the Southern Cross's success.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Forced labor, Slavery. I returned to the house and cautiously opened the door.

[Jim Blake]

Well, howdy, Chris. Been out walking, have you? Take his gun, Barf.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

It will be better you do not move, Senor.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Gracias.

[Linda Anders]

Christopher, I told you to drop the whole thing. Now see what you've done? You've ruined everything.

[Jim Blake]

It's late, but I guess we don't feel much like sleeping now, do we? So let's just sit down in front of the spar and swap yarn.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Isn't one of the mob missing?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Where's Dolores?

[Jim Blake]

We don't need her for this little party. Come here, baby. Come here and sit down beside me.

[Linda Anders]

All right, chief.

[Jim Blake]

No. Now, if we're all together, I'll call the meeting to order.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

What happened to that Texas draw, partner?

[Jim Blake]

I guess I'm just a big ham at heart.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

But it serves a purpose.

[Jim Blake]

With that twang, you can talk to anybody and get away with practically anything.

[Linda Anders]

Christopher. Sausage the night we sailed.

[Jim Blake]

Yeah, London's smart.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

He's a lot too smart for his own good.

[Jim Blake]

I kept telling him that on those notes I left for him under his cabin door.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Look, will I be interrupting if I ask a few questions?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Questions? No, no, no. Go ahead. Well, first, about me.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I assume you have some kind of plan in mind?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Oh, yes, yes, yes, that's what I figured.

[Linda Anders]

If only you'd listen to me, Christopher,

[Narrator/Christopher London]

before it was too late.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

This talk of nothing. Why can't we not dispose of sh. London without delay further? Take it easy.

[Jim Blake]

There's no hurry. Anything else you want to know?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

London?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

I think I already know most of it. I suppose the Filipino who was killed in San Francisco came from here.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

That's right.

[Jim Blake]

Managed to sneak off the place somehow.

[Linda Anders]

I see.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Naturally, I had to kill him.

[Linda Anders]

That was close. I hate these stones.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I didn't know you scared so easily, Linda. Oh, by the way, was it you

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

who killed your maid?

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Maria?

[Linda Anders]

Well, I had to, Christopher. She caught Jenny together and guessed how it was. She said she was going to tell you, so. So I had to.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

You know, Linda, for a nice girl,

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

you're something out of a nightmare.

[Linda Anders]

Christopher, you shouldn't talk to me like that. After all, it wasn't as if

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I

[Jim Blake]

think that hit the house.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Listen, I would go.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

There was a split second of confusion. But a split second can be the difference between life and death. I threw myself at Blake, slamming my shoulder into his chest, and we crashed to the floor. I got out of there with a broken left arm and a revolver. I don't know whether it was Blake's or Ibarra's. I don't know how much damage I did, but at least there was nobody following me. As I retraced the road to the

[Narrator/Christopher London]

slave stockade, a sentry was standing at the gate holding a tommy gun cradled in his arm. I got as close to him as I could, sheltered by the trunk of a huge mahogany tree less than 15ft from the gate.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

And then he heard me.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Who was there?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Now listen to me very carefully. I'm giving you a chance to save your life. Drop your gun and open that gate.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Who are you?

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

A friend. Open the gate and let those men

[Jim Blake]

out

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

and I'll give you one more chance.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

I don't want to hurt you.

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

Let those men out. Well, if that's the way it's got to be.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

And Linda? She's dead too? Yes, Mr. Anders, with the others. When the men streamed out of the stockade, there was no stopping them. But she died instantly with her bullet through her heart. What she did sounds as impossible as all the rest of it. Then actual slavery sounds impossible, too. Have you any idea how much actual slavery still exists in the world today? It's not a comforting thought, but one

[Christopher London (Protagonist)]

we can't afford not to think about.

[Narrator/Christopher London]

Freedom is still something to fight for.

[Narrator/Announcer]

That was Christopher London, starring Glenn Ford and created especially for radio by the world's most widely read mystery writer, Earl Stanley Gardner. Christopher London is produced and directed by William N. Robeson and was tonight written by Mindwith Lord. Musical score was composed and conducted by Lynn Murray. The supporting company included Joan Banks, Virginia Gregg, Barton Yarborough, Ted decorphius, Alan Reed and Ben Wright. Mystery fans, you'll find two other great house packed adventure programs on most of these NBC stations every Monday night. Listen tomorrow night for Night Beat and Dangerous Assignment. In one hour of intrigue and adventure on NBC on Night Beat you'll meet Randy Stone as portrayed by Frank Lovejoy. You'll travel the night beat of a newspaper with Randy as he searches the big city for a story to make good reading in the morning edition. Then it's time for Brian Donlevy and Dangerous Assignment. Wherever there's trouble brewing throughout the world, there you'll find Soldier of Fortune Don Levy chasing down the forces of evil

[Narrator/Christopher London]

to their very layers.

[Narrator/Announcer]

These two programs, Night Beat and Dangerous Assignment add up to one hour of the best in action packed adventure mystery. And you'll hear them both tomorrow night on NBC and be with us again next week at this time when Christopher London returns with another exciting excursion against crime. Stay tuned for the Phil Harris's and then Sam Spade on NBC.

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[Adam Graham (Host Commentary)]

Welcome back. Well, this was one of the more dramatic radio programs. This is, this is actually one of my favorite ever of any program. This was well done, dramatic with a lot of surprises and twists and turns and I loved it as much the second time as I did the first time. I listened to it quite a while back. This is definitely a show with some staying power and this timeless battle for freedom. Alright, well that will actually do it for today. Comments from podcast greatly enjoy the shows. Thank you so much for your support. We will be back on Wednesday with Let George do it. In the meanwhile, send your comments to box [e-mail] give us a call 208-99-14783 and become one of our friends on Facebook, facebook.com radiodetactives but from Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham signing off.

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[Narrator/Christopher London]

Com.