Counterspy: Statue of Death (A0094)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Counterspy: "Statue of Death" (A0094)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: June 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Adam Graham presents the 1949 Counterspy audio drama "Statue of Death." The story follows a dangerous theft of uranium from a Tennessee atomic plant, which is ingeniously concealed inside a religious statuette. The episode weaves classic espionage with personal drama, as the smuggled uranium becomes a death sentence for the innocent who possess it. The Counterspies race against time to unravel the plot, save lives, and prevent the uranium from leaving the country.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Heist and the Ingenious Smuggling Scheme

[04:12 – 09:25]

• The atomic plant in Tennessee is the target: Jose Morton, a criminal mastermind, orchestrates the theft of a vial of uranium compound, hiding it in a statuette of St. Cecilia.
• Morton and his accomplice Stubby smuggle the uranium past security using a collie dog, bypassing Geiger counter checks—a clever touch that highlights both cunning and the vulnerabilities of security at the time.
• The stolen uranium is intended for foreign agents, and its immense value ($500,000) underscores the risk.

Quote [06:05] – Jose Morton to Stubby:
"And you'd never guess there's a vial of uranium compound worth half a million dollars hidden in the neck, would you?"

2. The Innocent Middleman: Señor Sotillo

[10:12 – 13:50]

• Morton gifts the statuette to Señor Sotillo, a trustworthy Mexican guest at a mountain resort, manipulating him to unwittingly ferry the uranium out of the country.
• Sotillo, full of integrity and personal turmoil, later gives the statuette to Elena, the woman he loves but feels forced to part from, turning the act of love into a potential death sentence.

Quote [13:38] – Elena to Juan (Sotillo):
"I will keep it at the head of my bed always. I will never part with it… I shall pray every morning and night that she will watch over you and protect you."

3. The Race Against Fallout and Repercussions

[15:03 – 17:12]

• When confronted again by Morton, Sotillo learns of the uranium hidden inside the statuette. The villain threatens him with violence and exposes the truth that prolonged exposure will be fatal.
• Realizing Elena’s life is in grave danger, Sotillo sets off—demonstrating his honor and devotion—to retrieve the statuette.

4. Unraveling the Trail: The Counterspy Team Steps In

[23:12 – 26:44]

• The counterspy team (Harding and Peters) launches the investigation, discovering the clever use of the collie to bypass radioactive detection.
• A tragic suicide note from Selwood Parks, the blackmailed chemist, provides the crucial clue:
  "I'm killing myself because I committed treason… I stole the uranium from the laboratory. Out in the yard, I picked up the yard cat. The man was on the outside of the gate with a collie shepherd dog."
• The team traces all local collie dogs, determining that the dog used has become dangerously radioactive—a stark reminder of the dangers beyond espionage.

5. Climax: At the Docks in Acapulco

[27:18 – 29:50]

• Morton and Stubby, in disguise and carrying the radioactive statuette, attempt to board a boat to Europe for a big payoff.
• The counterspies confront the men, using a Geiger counter to expose the statuette’s deadly secret.
• In a poignant moment, Tommy the collie identifies Morton, sealing his fate.

Quote [29:50] – Agent Peters:
"The dog hasn't forgotten you have, Tommy. Of all the people here, he picked you right out. You killed him. Now he's putting the finger on you."

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Notable Moments and Quotes

• Morton's ingenuity in smuggling uranium:
  "The dog was so low and ran so fast, even the Geiger counter at the gate didn't register it." [07:02]
• The innocent, tragic love story between Sotillo and Elena:
  "But listen and try to understand… If you defy your father, he will die of bitterness and shame." [12:22]
• The dramatic confrontation at Elena's bedside as she is dying from radiation:
  "The doctors do not understand it, but they say there is no hope for her." [20:17]
• The final, fateful reveal at the dock:
  "Now, let's see. Papers, books, shirts, ties… what's this wrapped in flannel?... The Geiger counter tells us that whatever's in this flannel is radioactive. Open up, Peters." [29:05]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:12] — The setup: stealing uranium and hiding it in the statue
• [13:38] — Sotillo gives the statue to Elena
• [15:03] — Morton reveals the radioactive danger to Sotillo
• [23:12] — Counterspies discover the theft and the role of the collie dog
• [26:30] — Discovery of the radioactive dog, Tommy
• [27:18] — Morton and Stubby try to escape by ship
• [29:05] — The Geiger counter exposes the statuette; Tommy identifies Morton

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Host Commentary Highlights

Adam Graham Reflects on the Episode

[32:32 – 34:00]

• Notes the sadness of the episode’s outcome, especially for Señor Sotillo, Elena, and the dog Tommy:
  "I felt so bad for Senor Sotillo as he really did seem to be a stand up guy in every way... and of course, the poor Tommy, the collie shepherd."
• Comments on the authenticity of the setting (East Tennessee atomic facilities, common dog breeds), and the colloquial use of "collie shepherd" before breed names were standardized.
• Responds to listener Ken's email regarding social issues in OTR dramas, adding context about 1940s/50s programming tackling current topics like intolerance and crime, and discussing the balance required when providing commentary to modern audiences.

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Memorable Quotes (with Attribution & Timestamps)

• Jose Morton, on the smuggling scheme:
  "We're going to be paid plenty in United States greenbacks." [06:41]
• Selwood Parks, suicide note (read by Agent Peters):
  "I am killing myself because I committed treason… But as I did so, I hid the vial under the collie's stomach with adhesive tape… The dog's owner whistled. The dog ran out of the gate. Looked so natural, the guards paid no attention." [24:22]
• Agent Peters at the climax:
  "Hear that? The Geiger counter tells us that whatever's in this flannel is radioactive. Open up, Peters. Let's see." [29:17]
• Adam Graham on balancing commentary:
  "Sometimes an old time radio program is speaking to events in our time and it is playing. And in those cases I tend to really lean in more towards a less is more approach because there is a danger where you can become really on the nose..." [32:32]

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Themes & Tone

• Classic Cold War paranoia and ingenuity—a story about the unforeseen consequences of espionage for ordinary people.
• Combines suspense, tragedy, and a sense of moral justice.
• The episode’s tone is earnest, with a somber undercurrent due to personal tragedy and the accidental harm caused to innocents (Elena and Tommy the dog).

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For New Listeners

• "Statue of Death" is a showcase of Golden Age radio’s blend of suspenseful plotting and emotional stakes, making the world of Counterspy both thrilling and human.
• Adam Graham’s approachable, knowledgeable commentary frames the story with historical and cultural insight, while respectful of the source material’s original intent and audience.

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Listen For

• The interaction of clever crime and unintended consequences.
• The tragic fallout for bystanders in espionage dramas.
• How 1940s radio wove intrigue with moral and social commentary.
• The use of everyday objects (pets, religious statues) in high-stakes plots.

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Summary prepared by The Great Detectives Podcast Summarizer, preserving the tone and details of the original broadcast.

Transcript

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[Adam Graham]

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[Jacob Goldstein]

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[Adam Graham]

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 this week's episode of Counterspy. But first I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And you can also become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month. Just go to patreon.greatdetactives.net but now, from August 16, 1940, here is Statue of Death.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Pepsi cola p e p s I. That's your smartest colabi. Pepsi Cola presents Counterspy. Washington calling david harding. Counterspy washington calling david harding.

[Agent Peters]

Counterspy harding. Counterspy calling washington.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

United States counter spies, especially appointed to

[Agent Peters]

investigate and combat the enemies of our country both at home and abroad.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Tonight, the case of the Statue of Death. Another counter spy report to the American people, brought to you each Tuesday and Thursday by Pepsi Cola.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Pepsi Cola hits a spot two Full glasses. That's a lot.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

That's right. You heard what they said. Two full glasses of sparkling Pepsi from one big 12 ounce bottle. You're getting an extra glass full. And what a delicious glass full. The most refreshing, delightful cola that ever tickled your taste. You can't top Pepsi's tangy flavor. And that big, big bottle saves you money, goes twice as far. Pepsi is America's big, big favorite and America's biggest cola value. So why take less when Pepsi's best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember why

[Pepsi Advertiser]

take less when Pepsi's best.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

And now to counterspy. Over the hills of Tennessee, the late afternoon sun was low on the horizon. A young chemist stood on the grounds of the world's largest atomic plant. Its grounds protected by high fences, its gates guarded by the latest scientific devices. As the young man walked along the grounds, inside the main gate, he bent over and picked up a little gray cat. Hello, kitty.

[Senor Sotillo]

How's Mildred Mouse catching business pretty good, eh, Mildred?

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Hey, Park.

[Senor Sotillo]

Huh?

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Look out for that dog outside the gate. Oh, Mildred.

[Agent Peters]

Here he comes.

[Senor Sotillo]

Easy, Mildred. Now don't jump down.

[Jose Morton]

That collie will take your head off.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

I lost you.

[Agent Peters]

Now you're in for a fight.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Here, boy.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Leave that cat alone.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Come here. Come here, boy. Come here.

[Senor Sotillo]

Now, let's see a collar. Let's see a collar. What's your name, huh? Tommy, huh? Beautiful collar. You are Tom?

[Agent Peters]

Yes, sir.

[Senor Sotillo]

Fine head. Good long, thick coat. Your master's whistling for you, Tommy.

[Jose Morton]

That man outside the gate, he's going

[Senor Sotillo]

to scold you for running in here. Goat him, Tommy.

[Jose Morton]

Go to boy. Sully some more emery paper.

[Senor Fuentes]

Yeah.

[Stubby]

Mr. Morton, you're working on that little statue of St. Cecilia like you was Michael O'. Emangelo.

[Jose Morton]

I certainly didn't hire you because you had brains. Stubby. It's Michelangelo.

[Stubby]

Here's your Emory paper.

[Jose Morton]

How does the statue look?

[Stubby]

It's okay if you like.

[Jose Morton]

And Teach, you'd never guess there's a vial of uranium compound worth half a million dollars hidden in the neck, would you?

[Stubby]

Half a million dollars?

[Senor Sotillo]

I'd like to kiss it.

[Jose Morton]

Kissing, it's all right. But keep this stuff close to you long enough and you'll become radioactive and die. Don't you ever touch this statuette without a pair of these special gloves.

[Stubby]

I won't even kiss it. But, Mr. Martin, them foreign guys you're in touch with, will they pay off in their own dough or good old United States greenbacks?

[Jose Morton]

Stubby, you and I have lived in this dinky town 50 miles from the atomic plant for two years, planning and working. Finally, success. We're going to be paid plenty in United States. Greenbacks.

[Agent Peters]

That was a slick stunt, all right.

[Stubby]

Getting this uranium compound out of the gate and stuck in the dog's mouth long hair with adhesive tape.

[Jose Morton]

The dog was so low and ran so fast, even the Geiger counter at the gate didn't register it.

[Stubby]

Boy, I done good when I hooked up with you, Mr. Morton. You got more brains than all them bank hes and counterfeiters I ever worked with. But now we got this stuff. Mr. Morton, how do we get the

[Jose Morton]

statue out of the country? You'll never guess. Study. Or will anybody else?

[Senor Sotillo]

Yeah.

[Stubby]

Had to be some way. Like nobody ever thought of her.

[Jose Morton]

Remember every Sunday the past two months, I drove over to that mountain resort 100 miles west. So at the big hotel, there's a certain guest I've been studying. A wealthy Mexican gentleman named Juan Sotillo. About 47, good character and very religious. Yeah, he's visiting over at the resort, but his home is in Acapulco, Mexico. The famous beach resort.

[Senor Sotillo]

Beach resort, huh?

[Jose Morton]

And an ideal place for us to catch a ship or Europe.

[Stubby]

Say, maybe we could stay a while then.

[Jose Morton]

Stay a while? Our theft of the uranium compound will be discovered any minute. We've got to get it to Acapulco fast. And that's where the Mexican gentleman, Senor

[Senor Sotillo]

Sotillo, is going to help him.

[Agent Peters]

I don't get you.

[Jose Morton]

Now we're going over to visit him. Stubby, get the car. I'll tell you more. Only about 10 miles more to the hotel where Senor Sotillo is staying. Stubby.

[Stubby]

And what do we do then, Mr. Morton?

[Jose Morton]

Every evening about dusk, he walks along the shore of a little lake in back of the hotel. There are rowboats on the lake. I'm going to be rowing in one of them. Oh, look, I hate rowing. Be with me, Stubby. I want something to happen so this statue of St. Cecilia will mean a great deal to him. So that he won't part with it under any conditions.

[Stubby]

Look, Mr. Martin, you hired me to help you. I've been with you two years, most of the time with my mouth hanging open to what you do. Why don't you explain to me about

[Senor Sotillo]

the boat and stuff?

[Jose Morton]

We'll see you this evening, Stubby. No matter what happens, don't come to me in the boat. That's what I want, senor. All right. So walking on the lake shore.

[Senor Fuentes]

Right on schedule. Now's the time,

[Jose Morton]

Mr. Sotillo. I'm the man you saved from drowning last evening.

[Senor Sotillo]

Oh, yes. Senor Martin. Come in, please.

[Jose Morton]

Senor Sotillo, I bought you a gift of appreciation.

[Senor Fuentes]

Let me show it to you.

[Senor Sotillo]

Senor, it's beautiful.

[Jose Morton]

A statue of St. Cecilia that belonged to my mother before she died. Please, take it.

[Senor Sotillo]

No, no, Senor Morten, I. I could not accept such a beautiful gift.

[Jose Morton]

But you saved my life.

[Senor Sotillo]

I want you to have it.

[Jose Morton]

I insist.

[Senor Sotillo]

Well, I will cherish it, senor. I realize how dear it must be to you.

[Jose Morton]

Senor Sotillo, are you staying in the States?

[Senor Sotillo]

No, I am starting from my home in Acapulco, Mexico. Tomorrow I am driving down.

[Jose Morton]

I'll be happy to know, sir, that my statue of St. Cecilia will be going with you.

[Senor Sotillo]

Thank you, Mr. Morten. By you, State Bondius. In English, one would say, may God be with you,

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Elena.

[Elena]

Juan. Juan continued. I've been waiting here at the mission all afternoon.

[Senor Sotillo]

A long drive here from Tennessee, Elena. And I have 500 miles more to drive to my home.

[Elena]

Juan, I. I hoped perhaps this time you would stay.

[Senor Sotillo]

Elena, I promised you that while I was in the States, I would think about us and come to a decision.

[Elena]

I love you very much, Juan.

[Senor Sotillo]

I love you very much, too, Elena. But listen and try to understand.

[Elena]

You know I'll do whatever you say.

[Senor Sotillo]

Your father is a fine man, a proud man. And you are all he has left. I, too, in my way, I'm a proud man. And. And I know he does not want you to marry me.

[Elena]

But we will tell him my life does not belong to him anymore. It belongs to you.

[Senor Sotillo]

Elena, I am much older than you. Your father wants you to be the wife of a younger man. And because I am older than you, I know something you do not. If you defy your father, he will die of bitterness and shame. And you could never forgive yourself or me.

[Elena]

Juan, you are a fine man. There is no other man like you.

[Senor Sotillo]

Elena, I have something in the car here. Something I want you to have.

[Elena]

The statue of St. Cecilia, given to

[Senor Sotillo]

me by a man whose life I saved. It was very dear to him. What better could I do than give it to the one I love? As our parting present, Juan, I would

[Elena]

keep it at the head of my bed always. I will never part with it. I shall pray every morning and night that she will watch over you and protect you.

[Senor Sotillo]

Goodbye, Elena. Goodbye, Juan.

[Elena]

Goodbye, Juan. I love you forever.

[Jose Morton]

This is a tear, huh?

[Senor Sotillo]

What are you doing here in my patio?

[Jose Morton]

Don't you recognize me, Mr. Sotia?

[Senor Sotillo]

Senor Morten. The man whose life I saved intentionally.

[Jose Morton]

And this is Stubby, a man who works for me.

[Agent Peters]

Hi.

[Senor Sotillo]

How do you do?

[Jose Morton]

Mr. Sotillo? That statuette of St. Cecilia. I gave you an estate. I need it back.

[Senor Sotillo]

I. I do not have it.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Where is it?

[Senor Sotillo]

I. I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you.

[Jose Morton]

Why can't you tell it?

[Senor Sotillo]

I cannot say that either.

[Jose Morton]

Maybe this gun will make you think a little differently. Mr. Sotillo, if you don't want to be shot right this minute, walk out front to our car. Mateo, can you hear me? Again I ask you, where's that statuette? I will not tell you. Okay, Stubby, come on.

[Senor Sotillo]

Yeah. You know, Morton, this guy can't take a snow.

[Jose Morton]

Call it Stubby. Senor Sotillo, listen to me. The reason you won't say where that statue of St. Cecilia is, is it because you might hurt somebody if you did?

[Senor Sotillo]

Yes.

[Jose Morton]

Now we're getting somewhere. Who is that person?

[Senor Sotillo]

I would never tell. Not if you beat me for a hundred years.

[Jose Morton]

Does that person have the statuette?

[Senor Sotillo]

Yes.

[Jose Morton]

Listen, Satillo, I gave you that statuette so you'd bring it down here to Acapulco. I knew with your reputation no one would suspect you. But hidden in that statue is half a million dollars worth of a certain uranium compound.

[Elena]

What?

[Jose Morton]

The statue is not lead. If anyone has it who doesn't know how to handle it, that person will become radioactive and die.

[Senor Sotillo]

Senor, you try to frighten me with lies.

[Jose Morton]

You have read of the effects of the atom bomb, the radioactivity which has caused death.

[Senor Sotillo]

I will go and get the statuette.

[Jose Morton]

Tell me where it is and we'll get it.

[Agent Peters]

No, no, no.

[Senor Sotillo]

And you must promise not to follow me.

[Jose Morton]

All right, I promise.

[Senor Sotillo]

On your word of honor?

[Jose Morton]

Yes, on my word of honor.

[Senor Sotillo]

I must drive 500 miles. I will start now.

[Jose Morton]

500 miles.

[Senor Sotillo]

I'll get to my feet. I will be back in three days.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

On my end.

[Agent Peters]

You better hurry.

[Senor Fuentes]

Yes, I must hurry.

[Senor Sotillo]

I must.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Back to counterspy in a moment.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

But first, Pepsi Cola hits a spot too. Full glasses, that's a lot, lot more value, lots more zest. Why take less when Pepsi's best?

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

More and more among fellows and girls, among mothers and dads. You hear that sane and sensible question? Why take less when Pepsi is best? No budget, no allowance. Ever had a better friend than tangy sparkling Pepsi Cola? Because one big 12 ounce Pepsi bottle gives you two delicious drinks that's twice as much tangy taste, Twice as much delicious Pepsi to go just twice as far. That's why more and more families Say, why take less when Pepsi's best? Yes, families like yours and mine, families all over America, they're all saying, why take less when Pepsi's best?

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Pepsi Cola, so delicious and each bottle makes two drinks it is certainly the cola for the purchaser who thinks everybody's drinking Pepsi. Just compare it with the rest so much more and so much finer.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Why take less when Pepsi's death Today, tomorrow always get America's biggest cola value. Take home a carton of six big, big Pepsi bottles. Insist on Pepsi at the store and say Pepsi at the fountain, say Pepsi. At the stand, say Pepsi. Whenever you reach for refreshment, Remember, why

[Pepsi Advertiser]

take less when Pepsi's best?

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

And now back to Counter Spy. In the dim main room of a luxurious Mexican hacienda, two men tensely face each other.

[Senor Fuentes]

Senor Sortillo, I must ask you to leave my house at once.

[Senor Sotillo]

Senor Fuentes, I beg of you to let me see your daughter.

[Agent Peters]

I will not.

[Senor Sotillo]

You are right to be angry, but believe me, I would not come without good reason.

[Senor Fuentes]

You are a man of honor, senor. You told Elena you would never see her again. I am her father. I forbid you to see her now.

[Senor Sotillo]

Senor, with all respect, I must see Elena. And I shall before I leave this house. Her life depends on him.

[Senor Fuentes]

Her life, do you say? You must have great reason indeed to come here now to use such words to. I am sorry you could not have known.

[Senor Sotillo]

Known?

[Senor Fuentes]

I must remember even now that you loved her deeply. That is the door to her room.

[Senor Sotillo]

A room?

[Senor Fuentes]

Is she ill? The doctors do not understand it, but they say there is no hope for her.

[Senor Sotillo]

No hope?

[Senor Fuentes]

She is. She is dying, Senor Estadio. That is her room. You may go in.

[Senor Sotillo]

Elena.

[Jose Morton]

Juan.

[Elena]

Are you real?

[Senor Fuentes]

Yes, Elena.

[Senor Sotillo]

I am real.

[Elena]

Let me touch you.

[Senor Fuentes]

I am sorry, Elena.

[Senor Sotillo]

So bitterly, terribly sorry.

[Elena]

What? On the table here. Your statue of St. Cecilia. It has been near me all the time.

[Senor Fuentes]

I. I don't know what to say.

[Elena]

I am so happy you've come.

[Senor Sotillo]

Elena.

[Senor Fuentes]

I'm going to take the statuette away.

[Senor Sotillo]

I must.

[Elena]

Very well, if you must, but for a moment. Hold it where I can see it. And you? I'll be waiting for you, Juan. Some kind somewhere.

[Senor Sotillo]

I promise, on my word of honor.

[Senor Fuentes]

I must leave now.

[Elena]

Goodbye, Juan. But I'll be waiting.

[Senor Sotillo]

Huh?

[Jose Morton]

The t. Wait. What? Jose Morton. You have the statuette?

[Agent Peters]

Give it to me.

[Senor Sotillo]

You promised you would not follow me

[Jose Morton]

with a half a million dollars at stake. Stubby. Let him have it so he can't. Yes?

[Elena]

This is Helen Ferguson, Mr. Harding's secretary. No, Mr. Harding's not here. He flew out this morning. He's already at the atomic plant in Tennessee.

[Jose Morton]

Naturally.

[Agent Peters]

Mr. Harding, the theft of uranium compound

[Jose Morton]

from this atomic plant is a matter

[Agent Peters]

for the counter spies. Well, Dr. Corning, what section of the plant do you believe it was stolen from? Right from this laboratory section, Mr. Harding. It's highly radioactive, isn't it?

[Senor Fuentes]

Unless precautions are taken, it can be fatal.

[Agent Peters]

Pardon me, Mr. Harding. Yes?

[Senor Sotillo]

What? Yes. Yes.

[Senor Fuentes]

Yes, of course. Well, that's awful.

[Senor Sotillo]

Awful.

[Senor Fuentes]

Yes, I'll tell Mr. Harding at once.

[Agent Peters]

What is it, doctor? One of our young chemists, Selwood Parks, has just shot himself over at his house.

[Jose Morton]

And he left a suicide note addressed to you.

[Agent Peters]

Let's get over there as fast as we can. Doctor, I want to read that note. I am killing myself because I committed treason. Blackmailed by a man whose identity I never learned. But I followed his orders. I stole the uranium from the laboratory. Out in the yard. I picked up the yard cat. The man was on the outside of the gate with a collie shepherd dog. He let the dog run in through the gate and there was a fight.

[Senor Sotillo]

Of all the fiendishly clever skins.

[Agent Peters]

I petted the dog. But as I did so, I hid the vial under the collie's stomach with adhesive tape. The dog's owner whistled. The dog ran out of the gate. Looked so natural, the guards paid no attention.

[Senor Sotillo]

What a trick, Dave.

[Agent Peters]

Now I cannot live on as a traitor. My wife, my children. Forgive me.

[Senor Sotillo]

What a name for a young fellow.

[Agent Peters]

He could have given us just one clue to the identity of the man. Maybe he did, Peters, without realizing it. In this part of the country, people prefer hounds. Not many have collie shepherd dogs. I want you to locate every collie shepherd dog within a hundred miles of this plant. We're outside the town, Peters.

[Jose Morton]

You can drop the siren now.

[Agent Peters]

Go ahead and tell me. We've located 119 Collie shepherd dogs within 100 miles of the atomic plant. The owners all stood inspection. The only odd situation is this family we're going to visit. Six weeks ago, a man named Morton said he was going to Mexico and

[Jose Morton]

gave them his dog.

[Agent Peters]

That's worth investigating. I'm glad you brought along the Geiger counter, too. With so much uranium compound taped to the body of the dog, even though it was only on him for a few minutes, it may have made him radioactive. There are some trucks ahead. Peter, sound your siren. Time counts.

[Jose Morton]

Easy.

[Agent Peters]

Easy, boy. This isn't going to hurt. All set with the counter, dad. Move the dog over this Way, Father Pete.

[Senor Sotillo]

With you, boy. Come on,

[Agent Peters]

let's try the Geiger counter. Oh, that's normal. Swing the dog over, little Father.

[Senor Sotillo]

Come on, boy. There you go. Good boy.

[Agent Peters]

He sure is radioactive. This is the dog without any question. Peter, look at that needle. This dog will never live. Sorry, old boy. Look at his eyes.

[Senor Sotillo]

I think he knows it too.

[Agent Peters]

Peters, you say the woman who has this dog now says that the man who gave it to her mentioned flying to Mexico?

[Senor Sotillo]

Yes.

[Agent Peters]

I'll check any plane reservations made recently from around here to Mexico and contact the Mexican police. The thieves are going to want to get that uranium to some foreign country just as soon as they can.

[Stubby]

Oh, Mr. Morton, I'm sure glad to see that boat.

[Jose Morton]

Yes, Tubby, I'll be glad to get out of Acapulco, too. Not too happy about our disguises, though. Well, it's the best we could do.

[Stubby]

You got the tickets?

[Jose Morton]

Nice one.

[Stubby]

Study for Europe and a half a million bucks payoff, eh?

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Hey, Nell, we ain't going to Europe in that little tub.

[Jose Morton]

It's only the lighter to take passengers out to the ship. She's anchored way out.

[Stubby]

Don't let that suitcase get out of your hands.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Never get in line.

[Jose Morton]

We have to show our tickets.

[Agent Peters]

Yeah,

[Stubby]

You know, I gotta laugh.

[Jose Morton]

What's funny?

[Stubby]

Right in our hands. Enough uranium.

[Jose Morton]

Computer yelling out. You have.

[Stubby]

Here's the guy taking tickets.

[Senor Sotillo]

Tickets, please.

[Stubby]

Please show your ticket, please.

[Agent Peters]

There you are, you two gentlemen.

[Jose Morton]

Here you are.

[Stubby]

Stuart. Yeah.

[Agent Peters]

Want a porter for that bag, sir? I'll carry it.

[Senor Sotillo]

Very well.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Just a moment.

[Jose Morton]

We're delaying the line. Let's keep going. Sir.

[Agent Peters]

Stand where you are.

[Stubby]

A gun.

[Agent Peters]

And another one right behind you.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Boy, walk through that door.

[Jose Morton]

What is this?

[Agent Peters]

United States Commerce Prize. Peters, I've got them covered. See if they have guns.

[Senor Sotillo]

Word?

[Agent Peters]

One each. Mr. Harding.

[Jose Morton]

Mr. Harding, I protest this treatment.

[Agent Peters]

If I'm wrong, I'll apologize.

[Senor Sotillo]

Peters, put the suitcase on the table. All right.

[Agent Peters]

Now bring the Geiger counter closer.

[Senor Sotillo]

Yes.

[Agent Peters]

Now, let's see.

[Senor Sotillo]

Papers, books,

[Agent Peters]

shirts, ties, toilet articles. Morton, what's this wrapped in flannel?

[Jose Morton]

Just Thatcher wet.

[Agent Peters]

Hear that? The Geiger counter tells us that whatever's in this flannel is radioactive. Open up, Peters. Let's see.

[Jose Morton]

But I.

[Senor Fuentes]

Well,

[Agent Peters]

that's your way to think. Cecilia Morton. Is this where you hid the uranium compound you stole from the atomic plant?

[Jose Morton]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Agent Peters]

You blackmailed a man into you. Helping you get it out with your own collie dog.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

You're out of your mind.

[Jose Morton]

I Never owned a dog in my life.

[Agent Peters]

Just a moment. I have another way to make a test. Come on out, Tommy. Come on, boy.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

He's jumping all over.

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Doesn't mean anything.

[Agent Peters]

The dog hasn't forgotten you have, Tommy. Of all the people here, he picked you right out. You killed him. Now he's putting the finger on you.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

When your friends drop in, be generous, but be thrifty too. Serve plenty of delicious Pepsi Cola. Pepsi's big 12 ounce bottle gives you not just one sparkling glass full, but two. Get a carton of six and serve 12 delicious drinks. Yes, Pepsi is America's biggest cola value. You get twice the tangy taste, twice the refreshment, twice the Pepsi. So why take less when Pepsi is best? Whenever you reach for refreshment, remember Pepsi

[Pepsi Advertiser]

Cola hits the spot. Two full glasses. That's a lot. Lots more value, lots more. Lots more value, lots more zest. I take less when Pepsi's best.

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday, same time, Same station to CounterSpy. Listen on Thursday for the exciting Counter spy case of the Desert Explosion.

[Agent Peters]

The man eating birds of prey that were used to execute a betrayer, the worldwide smuggler who used geometry in action to test salesmen of information and the three pennies worth of sulfur that were used to trick the killer the law couldn't touch. Be sure to be listening on Thursday, day after tomorrow to case of the

[Narrator (Counterspy)]

desert explosion on CounterSpy. Tonight's Counterspy program originated in New York and featured Don McLaughlin and Mandel Kramer with music by Jesse Crawford. Counterspy is a Philip H. Lord production for Pepsi Cola. Enjoy some Pepsi Ice cold tonight.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Summer is here and the sun is out. Make sure you take care of your skin this summer. Now through June 23rd, shop for you, save days and get great savings on all your favorite skincare Essentials and earn 4 times points. Shop in store or online and save on sunblock from Neutrogena Sun Bum, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and Coppertone. And earn four times points to use for future savings on groceries or gas. Offer ends June 23rd. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this was an interesting case as far as it went, but a bit of a bummer. I felt so bad for Senor Sotillo as he really did seem to be a stand up guy in every way. And Alina and of course, the poor Tommy, the collie shepherd. The sad thing is that Morton and Stubby probably will have A more pleasant fate than any of them. In terms of the episode's statement about dog ownership In Tennessee in 1949, it was pretty accurate. This was based on the location, likely inspired by an actual facility that was in East Tennessee. And hounds far more popular than other dogs, although Collie shepherd is probably much more a colloquial term before a lot of our language about various breeds became more standardized. All right, well, listener comments and feedback now. And we have an email from Ken who writes was traveling, so couldn't see this sooner. The Counterspy episode the Case of the Poison Peddler is the latest examples of shows taking on issues in the 40s and 50s that still exist today. That particular episode takes on individuals in the community recruiting and warping the minds of young people with hatred towards others, something we see happening today. Previous episodes of counterspy, the Silent Men, the Man Called X and Dangerous Assignment also have had our heroes taking on issues of of that time period that either still exists or have raised their head again in modern times. You should consider pointing that out in your commentaries in the future. In addition to these being good stories, I enjoy contrasting the way life existed 70 to 80 years ago, the different and in my opinion, better use of language, and how the issues of the time have changed or not. Thank you for providing us this entertainment, Ken. Well, thank you so much, Ken. And I. I guess I would also mention a couple other programs that the Adventures of Superman, with their series on intolerance going on for about 200, 300 episodes. And then you actually had another Phillips Lord series that we played that's not particularly well remembered, particularly when compared to CounterSpy, Mr. District Attorney and Gangbusters. But he had a series called Treasury Agent and actually the first episode did something like that. Now it included an original racist song that was written for the episode that got stuck in my head. So that. That was a challenge, but he was trying to address the issues. I do think it's always a fine line in terms of my commentary because where I will try to explain something is where it might be unclear to some listeners, like this is actually relevant to our times, but it's a bit more obscure. So I need to bring this out a bit and research and come up with the context. But sometimes an old time radio program is speaking to events in our time and it is playing. And in those cases I tend to really lean in more towards a less is more approach because there is a danger where you can become really on the nose and can almost militate against the point by aggressively pointing out and being like, get it. Get it. Which I think can end up alienating people and make them feeling like you're using the show as a platform to express your own opinion. So I tend to think it's best just to let the program speak for themselves on those sort of points. But I do appreciate your comment. Thank you so much, Ken. I really appreciate it. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day. Thank you to Nancy, patreon Supporter since March 2016, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Nancy, and that'll do it for today. We will be back next Saturday with another episode of Counterspot. But join us back here on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio on Monday for the Saint and on the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio on Tuesday for Tarzan. In the meantime, do send your comments to [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives and check us out on Instagram Instagram.com great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham, signing off.

[Ryan Seacrest]

Hey, it's Ryan Seacrest for Albertsons and Safeway. Summer is here and the sun is out. Make sure you take care of your skin this summer. Now through June 23rd, shop for you save days and get great savings on all your favorite skincare Essentials and earn 4 times points. Shop in store or online and save on sunblock from Neutrogena Sun Bum, Hawaiian Tropic, Banana Boat and coppertone and earn 4 times points to use for future savings on groceries or gas. Offer ends June 23rd. Restrictions apply. Offers may vary. Visit albertsons or safeway.com for more details.

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