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Counterspy: Cherchez La Femme (A0060)

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas

Sat Feb 07 2026

Today's Adventure: David Harding suspects there's a dangerous woman behind the suicide of an American connected to the war effort. Original Radio Broadcast: June 8, 1942 Originating from New York Starring: Don McLaughlin as David Harding To...

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Counterspy, “Cherchez La Femme” (A0060)

Release Date: February 7, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

In this episode, Adam Graham presents the fourth episode of the classic espionage radio drama “Counterspy,” titled “Cherchez La Femme,” originally aired on June 8, 1942. The show follows David Harding, ace American counterspy, as he unravels the mysterious suicide of a wealthy bachelor amidst wartime paranoia, spies, and fifth columnists. This entry serves as a suspenseful introduction to the world of American counterintelligence radio fiction, highlighting themes of deception, patriotism, and personal sacrifice during World War II.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Adam Graham’s Introduction & Context

[01:05 – 05:20]
- Adam distinguishes “Counterspy” from other spy programs like “Cloak and Dagger.”
- Emphasizes the fictionalized nature of “Counterspy,” which dramatizes counterintelligence work during WWII.
- Historical context: fighting spies was a pop culture trope during the war—comic books, movies, and famous actors even got into the act.
- Notes the significance of “Counterspy” as Phillips Lord’s third crime radio series, lasting until 1957.
“Counterspy, particularly at the beginning, told stories of American counterintelligence… these stories were fictional, since the US government wasn’t about to tell stories in the middle of the war about our counterintelligence effort…” — Adam Graham (03:05)

2. Dramatic Case: The Apparent Suicide of William R. Terris

[07:12 – 31:40]

Investigation Launch

William R. Terris, a prominent Washington bachelor, is found dead by apparent suicide.
David Harding (lead counterspy) doubts the “ill health” suicide note, given Terris’s good health and finances.

“I admit, Mark, William Terrace probably did commit suicide. But remember this, we’re at war. The Gestapo are experts at making a murder appear to be a suicide.” — David Harding (07:20)

Following the “Cherchez La Femme” Lead

Harding: “When a man commits suicide and it isn’t his health and it isn’t finances, look for the woman.” (09:19)
A thorough check reveals no attached woman, until financial records trace Terris’s absences and corresponding checks—leading to an expensive diamond ring purchased and insured by socialite Avery Rollins.
Discrepancy: Eyewitnesses saw Terris with a dark-haired woman, while Avery is blonde. Investigation hints at the possibility of a disguise/wig.

The Bait: Colonel Reynolds

Harding recruits the prominent Colonel Reynolds, leveraging his social standing to get close to Avery Rollins—suspected in Terris’s death.
Colonel resists: “I don’t wish to get mixed up with women.” Harding persuades him, framing it as a duty to the country. (15:35)

The Trap Tightens

Surveillance reveals dark-haired woman meeting the Colonel in disguise matches Avery’s absences.
Colonel and Avery’s romance proceeds under watchful eyes; Harding warns the Colonel not to drink any coffee prepared by Avery during a planned dinner.

“Yes, Colonel, I do [think she’s a spy]. But I kept the key to my secret file where she could get it… The blood of Terrace is on her hands, Colonel. And probably the blood of a dozen other men.” — Harding (22:54)
Emotional tension: The Colonel admits his love for Avery. Harding expresses empathy but insists on the operation.

The Confrontation

[24:25 – 31:40]
- Dinner at the Colonel’s, with Harding and Mark in attendance.
- A twist: the butler “Martin” is exposed as Herr Franz Beckmann, an Austrian spy, in disguise.
- Dramatic proof: a secret recording of Avery and Beckmann is played, revealing their contempt for the Colonel and their scheme to steal secrets and induce him to suicide, just as with Terris.
- Avery’s true identity: Marie Schmitz of Hungary, one of the most dangerous paid spies in the country.
(As Avery on the recording:) “Then I could break him and force him to commit suicide like Terris. If he won’t, we’ll poison his coffee.” — Avery Rollins/Marie Schmitz (31:07)

The Fallout

Harding offers the emotionally devastated Colonel perspective on the greater good:
- “You may have saved the lives, Colonel, of thousands of our boys. … Every one of us has got to sacrifice some one way, some another. I guess this way is mine.”
“I didn’t know a person could be hurt quite this much.” — Colonel Reynolds (31:57)
Final public service announcement: listeners are warned not to discuss wartime secrets, for the safety of the nation.

3. Host Commentary & Reflections

[35:15 – 41:50]
- Adam Graham reflects on the structure, realism, and enduring qualities of “Counterspy.”
- Observes the dramatic choice to have Harding give the Colonel room for romance (perhaps not the wisest move).
- Notes the emotional cost and unglamorous reality of counterintelligence.
- Discusses listener feedback concerning another episode to clarify a plot detail.
“I did feel bad for [the Colonel] in the way it worked out… It’s the type of ending that would have particularly resonated during World War II. … If you can make a difference for your nation…the future of liberty, then you’ve done something worthwhile.” — Adam Graham (36:40)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“When a man commits suicide and it isn’t his health and it isn’t finances, look for the woman.” — Harding (09:19)
“You don’t think Ms. Rollins was the girl who was with Terris on those trips before he committed suicide? … Yes. His blood is on her hands, Colonel. And probably the blood of a dozen other men.” — Harding (22:54)
“I love her.” — Colonel Reynolds’ heartbreaking admission (22:39)
“Look at those Marines swing along. You’ve done that—and the boys like them—a great service, Colonel Reynolds. No one will probably ever know about it. But you will. And I will.” — Harding (32:08)

Important Timestamps

[01:05] Adam Graham introduces the show, series history, and context.
[07:12] Suicide of William R. Terris—case introduced.
[10:29] Investigative steps (doctor, bank, accountants, resorts).
[14:10] Suspicions and insurance trail to Avery Rollins.
[15:35] Harding enlists Colonel Reynolds for an undercover operation.
[19:40] Colonel Reynolds & Avery Rollins at the beach.
[21:05] Harding debriefs Colonel Reynolds; plan for the dinner trap.
[24:25] Dinner and emotional confessions.
[27:07] The trap is sprung; butler Martin is exposed as a spy.
[30:12] The incriminating recording is played.
[31:29] Avery is unmasked as Marie Schmitz; plot resolved.
[32:08] Harding consoles the Colonel; final message on sacrifice.
[35:15] Adam Graham’s post-episode analysis and listener feedback.

Overall Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is suspenseful, patriotic, and layered with the emotional toll of espionage work—balancing thrilling intrigue with the costs of personal involvement. Graham’s commentary is conversational and empathetic, reflecting on both narrative logic and the humanity of the characters.

Takeaways for New Listeners

This dramatic tale offers a classic example of wartime radio mystery, cleverly weaving personal drama with national stakes, and providing a window into the psychological and emotional dimensions of counterintelligence during WWII. The host’s insights deepen appreciation for the storytelling of the era and the enduring resonance of the sacrifices made by undercover operatives.

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Transcript

Adam Graham (0:01)

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Adam Graham (1:05)

Welcome to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host Adam Graham. In a moment we're going to bring you our new series Counterspot. But first I do want to encourage you enjoying the podcast. Please follow us using your favorite podcast software and our podcast is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis, support.greatdetectives.net and become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at patreon.greatdetives.net net now we're going to talk about Counterspy and even though particularly at the beginning it might seem to be covering similar ground to Cloak and Dagger, but there are many big differences. Cloak and Dagger told tales inspired by true adventures of the OSS overseas. CounterSpy, particularly at the beginning, told stories of American counterintelligence and the efforts to the efforts of spies and fifth columnists. By nature these stories were fictional, since the US Government wasn't about to tell stories in the middle of the war about our counterintelligence effort because there were all sorts of risk in doing so. You'd pick up some of that from some of the post war films that came out like household 92nd street. In that film it was portrayed that the US had tracked down the key to a Nazi spy ring but found more valuable use of it to continue to use it to intercept true information and send some inaccurate information back to the Germans for as long as possible. And certainly there may have been some tricks that they picked up during the war that they weren't eager to Share with radio audiences Even after the war, Counterspy premiered at a time when fighting fifth columnist and spies was almost the responsibility of every fictional character. Even before the war, there had been comic book characters like Spy Smasher, but once the war was on, it seems like everybody took a crack at the Axis. You could find axis in the funny papers. You could find them on the silver screen in serials. You even had Lionel Barrymore's finally mare in the mayor of the town having at least one and I think maybe multiple encounters with axis agents. You even had a Laurel and Hardy movie that involved them. Fighting fifth Columnist and Counterspy easily could have just been one of those shows that aired during the war and then disappeared forever, but it actually had a pretty significant life on radio. It was the third series produced by Phillips Lord, who already had gangbusters and Mr. District Attorney under his belt. Counterspy would actually remain on the air until 1957. Not quite as long a run as gangbusters, but a bit more than Mr. District Attorney. And today's episode takes us close to the beginning of the series. This is actually the fourth episode of Counterspy. The original air date June 8, 1942 and the title is cherc la femme.

Narrator/Mark (7:20)

Go on. Tell the editor to hold the press. William R. Harris has just committed suicide in his living room. He left a note saying it was because of ill health. It's a clear cut case of suicide, Mr. Harding. You're the chief and what you say goes. But it's just the case of a wealthy bachelor in poor health. I admit Mark William Terrace probably did commit suicide. But remember this, we're at war. The gestapo are experts at making a murder appear to be a suicide. Then you're really going to investigate it? I think I'll at least ask a few questions. Yes, sir. Now, the notaris left. Mark said he was committing suicide because of ill health. I think I'll drop in on his doctor and see how bad his health really was. You would know, doctor, if Mr. Terrace was in poor health. I was shocked at his suicide, Mr. Harding. From everything I know, Mr. Terrace was in perfect health. It's quite interesting. I think I'll go over to Mr. Terrace's bank and see if finances were worrying him. No, Mr. Harding. Mr. Terrace's finances were in perfect condition. He was worth nearly three quarters of a million. He had many government bonds and securities. Thank you, Mark. When a man commits suicide and it isn't his health and it isn't finances, look for the woman. Exactly. That's what I want you to do, Mark. Yes, sir. Now, pick six men, cover Washington from head to foot. And find out what woman William Terrace paid special attention to. Yes, Mr. Harding. I've just completed that investigation. Man in question was spotless. Described as congenial, social, friendly, but never escorted any particular woman was known to be very proper and old fashioned in ideals. All right, Mark, that ends that lead. Meet me later. I'm going to take a long chance and visit the accounting firm which checked Terrace's books. Why, yes, Mr. Harding. We've been the accountants for Mr. Terrace's firm for nine years. I want you to go to Mr. Terrace's office and get his office pad of appointments for the past year. Now, take that appointment list for lapses of time. Then check those dates against his personal checks. And see what checks were made out during those periods of absences. This should tell us where Mr. Terrace was during those absences. Mr. Harding? We went over Mr. Terrace's office pad. And found he was absent from his business during the past year. On four different occasions a week at each time. Good. Now, during those absences, did he make out any checks? His first absence corresponds with a check he made out at the Saratoga Hotel, Saratoga Springs. During Mr. Terrace's second absence, he made out a check at the clubhouse, Pine Hill, South Carolina. This third check was made out at a clubhouse, Atlanta, Georgia. Fine. Thank you. Proceed. This is G6 calling from Saratoga Springs. Man in question spent week here in company of woman. Dark complexion, about 31, expensively dressed, unusually attractive. Full report follows. Fine. G8 reporting from Pine Hill, South Carolina. Man in question stayed here accompanied by unknown woman in early 30s. Most attractive, expensively gowned dark report follows. This is beginning to get very interesting, Mr. Hardy. Yet we may still be on a wild goose chase. Mark, we have no idea who that girl was. She may have been perfectly all right, but how can we ever find her? She may be anywhere. Here's a little something I dug up. April 2, William Terrace made out a check to the Washington jewelry company for $8,000. Say, that's a pretty sizable amount for a bachelor to be making out to send to a jewelry house. That's what I thought. Martin, I'm going to check that jewelry house. I wonder just what William Terrace bought with that $8,000. Mr. Terrace bought a solitaire, diamond ring, 10 and 1/2 carat platinum setting. A woman's ring. We have no record that he said whom he was buying it for. That is all. Thank you. Well, Mark, now We know that Mr. Terrace bought a ring for some woman. Who is she? Where is she? That's a tough question, Mr. Harding. Well, let's put two and two together and try to make five. Check all insurance companies, Mark. Yes, and see if within a few days after April 2nd, any woman insured a ring for approximately $8,000. Hey, that's clever reasoning. You win, Harding. We're getting hot. Here's the insurance report. April 5, a solitaire, diamond ring, platinum setting, was insured for $8,000 by a Ms. Avery Rollins of 1370 Lincoln Boulevard, Northwest Washington. Rollins. Avery Rollins. That name's very familiar. She's high society, Mr. Harding. Lives with her uncle and aunt. Now, I got a report on her age. 32. Height 5ft 5. Light hair, light complexion, very social. Educated at the Sorbonne, Paris. Above reproach. But the woman seen with William Terrace at the resorts was dark, dark hair. The weights are approximately the same. Both apparently wealthy, both smart dressers. Mark, there's something wrong. Something very wrong. It's a problem that's got to be approached from some unusual angle. Well, you have a very luxurious apartment here, Colonel Reynolds. Thank you, Mr. Harding. I'm pretty proud of it. Especially this library den. I'm here to make a very unusual request, Colonel. As you may know, I'm a United States counterspy. Yes, I do. Now, Colonel, you knew William Terrace personally, didn't you? Oh, yes. Was his suicide a bona fide suicide, Mr. Harding? Well, to be perfectly frank, Colonel Reynolds, I don't know. That's why I've come to you. I need the aid of a citizen, Colonel Prominent, who has some government responsibility. You're 48. That's correct. A bachelor. A confirmed one. You're a very handsome man. Oh, come now, come. Yes, and very fascinating to women. Not now. Wait a minute. Oh, this is very serious business. You're chairman on the board for the new airplane formations and armor.

Narrator/Mark (15:35)

That makes you a very interesting person to certain other persons. Colonel, do you happen to know a Ms. Avery Rollins? A very gorgeous woman, but I've never happened to meet her. She's usually surrounded by any number of admirers. Well, I'm going to arrange for you to meet her, Colonel Reynolds. And I'm going to ask you to make yourself just as interesting to her as possible. In fact, I'm going to ask you to try and make it even. A constant attachment for a time. What? Oh, no, Harding, that's a little too much. I don't wish to get mixed up with women. Colonel Reynolds, you could be the principal factor in possibly exposing one of the most cunning spy rings in this country today. You don't think Avery Rollins was in any way connected with terrorist suicide? You don't think she's acting as a spy? That's what I want to find out, Colonel. Good Lord, Hardy. I've arranged with Lady Keston to give a formal ball next Friday evening. I've given her a list of guests she's to include. Ms. Rollins will be one and I'd appreciate your being another and casually meeting her, naturally. Rollins. Mr. Harding, under these circumstances no man could refute. I thought you'd feel that way, sir. Now, after you meet her, please don't try to contact me in any way. Leave it up to me to find out what you're doing. Three weeks later, March 23, G6, the colonel boarded train at Washington after hour, was joined by a woman already on train. She is of dark complexion, expensively dressed, very attractive black hair, height approximately 5ft 5. Ticket reads palm Springs. That is all that's strange. That's not the description of Avery Rollins. April 6, 4:20pm the Colonel in question boarded train at Washington. Our later joined woman already on train. Dark complexion, expensively dressed, very beautiful and exotic weight 110 pounds. Tickets read Atlanta, Georgia. Who is meeting Colonel Reynolds on these trips? Is it Avery Rollins or who is it? Come in. Oh, Hello, Mark. Hello, Mr. Hardy. I just got the fact from that doc girl who's been meeting the Colonel. Good. What did you find out? You were right, sir. After the girl got off the train with the colonel, I went to her compartment. There were unmistakable signs of dark colored powder blonde hair and black hair which showed at the end of the hair as if it had Come out of a wig. Now she must get on the train, get a compartment and change her appearance before she comes out and meets the colonel. Then it is Avery Rollins because she's been absent from Washington at the same time as the colonel has. She's probably explained to the colonel that because of their prominent standing in Washington that she must disguise herself then. The way I see it, this Avery Rollins must have been the mysterious, dark woman with whom William Terrace went off on trips before he was murdered. Without a doubt. And she's connected with his murder in some manner. And I've got to make sure the colonel isn't killed the same way. She's off now down at Virginia beach with him. What a sunset. Avery beautiful.

Narrator/Mark (31:42)

Colonel, her real name is Marie Schmitz of Hungary. A paid spy. She goes to the biggest bidder. This woman is one of the cleverest, if not the cleverest, paid woman spy in this country. And that butler of yours, Franz Backman, is her husband. Take them away, Mark. The other agents are out in the front hall. Yes, sir. I'm sorry, Colonel, but I had to strip it all down before you so you never have any doubt. I didn't know a person could be hurt quite this much. You may have saved the lives, Colonel, of thousands of our boys. I hope so. Come over here by the window for a minute, would you? Colonel, why couldn't she have been what I hoped she was? Look at those Marines swing along. You've done that, and the boys like them. A great service, Colonel Reynolds. No one will probably ever know about it. But you will. And I will. Let's open the window. Doesn't that send a thrill through you? It does, yes. I'm glad I was able to help Harding. Every one of us has got to sacrifice some one way, some another. I guess this way is mine. All over this country tonight is spread a great army of counter spies. Men working to protect you and our boys at the front. Special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, of the Secret Service, of the treasury and State Departments, of the intelligence Bureaus of the army and the Navy. Men who are constantly on the alert, diligently protecting our home front. These men beg of you not to talk concerning troop movements, armaments, defense plants and wartime plants. There are many leeches, enemy agents just waiting to pounce on every little scrap of information so their experts can piece it together into a big, compact picture of our war efforts. Next Monday evening, CounterSpy, David Harding will be on the air. Tell your friends. Invite them to listen in to these exciting dramatized cases portrayed weekly. At this time, Counter Spy is a Phillips H. Lord production, which has originated from New York. This is the Blue Network.

Adam Graham (35:15)

Welcome back. Okay, I think as an introduction to the series, even though it's not the first episode, it definitely does get you familiar with the concept. And the opening would remain pretty much the same even as the show evolved. The ability for David Harding to pick his own cases, it is a huge, huge, very dubious procedure to have in place. But that ability to have that flexibility about the cases portrayed is part of the reason that counterspy lasted for so long. As we'll hear as we get further into the series here, it really does give him the latitude to give this a thorough investigation when the police had just kind of been willing to go along with it being a suicide. Although I have to say, even a suicide that is somewhat coerced or that someone was manipulated into. I've never heard of anyone lying in their suicide note and telling such an easily disproven lie, such as that you committed suicide due to poor health when your health was fine. I did think Harding had a good plan with the Colonel, although I think we can look and say that it was a bit of a mistake to just leave the Colonel to his own devices while he was going through this romantic relationship. And I did feel bad for him the way that it worked out. I did like the way that he came up with alternate explanations for his mission. It was not some total abandonment of all logic and reason and some of the ideas he came up with would have actually been a really good twist. But alas, it was not to be. And I did appreciate Harding trying to reassure him about it and again making the point that he had helped save lives. And I think it's the type of ending that would have particularly resonated during World War II, as a lot of people face the reality that sometimes you don't get the happy ending. But if you can make a difference for your nation and the future of liberty, then you've done something worthwhile. It's not all about you. Listen our comments and feedback now. And we have comments regarding the episode 13. Rue Madeleine with Humphrey Bogart and Itchy Richie says this is a great old movie with James Cagney and thanks so much. I don't think I did mention that the original screen version that was adapted was with Cagney, but it was so appreciate that. And then have a really good comment from mechanic66. When they were talking about Sharkey going himself and getting caught, he said, I'll have my L tab and with one bite I'll be gone. So why was he taken alive? Well, that is a really good question. And this is a case where I have a strong preference for one hour adaptations of films as opposed to half hours. And you really get a lot more chance to fill in the details. And in this case when they adapted it down to half an hour, they left in a line and. But they didn't really communicate why he didn't take the L tab. If you watch the film version, he has completed the mission he had in the film but did not get away. And he was hidden in the brush and there was a gun that was just a few feet away from him and he had the Al tab out. And at one point when there were Nazi officers about, the Nazi officers moved and he thought he had a chance at getting the gun. And if he can get the gun, that creates a lot of options for him to get away, to inflict more damage on the enemy. And Sharkey, while he's willing to take this if he's got no other choice, I think understandably that's not his purpose. But he goes for the gun and is spotted before he can get it cleanly and he ends up getting knocked out with the L tab in his hands and that's actually pried away from his hands by the Germans. But again, the radio version doesn't really make that clear, but that's what happened and I hope that explanation helps. Alright, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to go ahead and thank Susie, Patreon supporter Since September of 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the Secret agent level of $4 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Susie. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, and mark the notification bell. We'll be back next Saturday with another episode of counterspy, but join us back here on Tuesday on the Great Adventurers Podcast where we will be bringing you the next installment in the Tarzan serial. And of course, the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio will be back on Monday with Danger with Granger. In the meantime, do send your comments to box ThirteenreatDetectives.net From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.